Angie Girl

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T18:11:00.000-05:00

Some of my goals for 2012.

Go somewhere I haven't been too.
Be consistent in my workouts.
Run a 5k.
Be faithful to eating paleo.
Create more memories with those close to me.
To grow in my relationship with God.

I'm not for resolutions that aren't kept, but I do think the new year is great time for new beginnings and fresh starts, and putting the past behind you. Wishing all my family and friends a happy new year. I hope your new beginning and fresh start happens. It starts with you.

stronger

2011-08-31T09:24:00.000-04:00

Before

After 1 Year

It is amazing the difference a year and some hard work can make. One year ago I was struggling with depression. I was in a pit, and I had decorated it. I needed sometime to focus on me so that I could be better for my family. I had lost myself in what I thought was a mess. A friend of mine was posting on her Facebook about this "Bootcamp" that she was going too. I was curious. I checked out the website and asked her about it, and she had nothing but great things to say about it. I didn't even think, I signed up for 6 months. If I would have thought about it, I probably would have talked myself out of it. I had no idea at all what was about to happen to me. To be honest, I didn't even believe in myself that I would stick with it. You see I had never stuck to any diet or excersice plan before. When i signed up, I had about 3 weeks before the next phase started. We went on a family vacation, and the whole time I was self-conscious about how I looked, and in all the pictures I was so hard on myself about how I looked. I hated that I was focusing on that instead of having a fun time with my family.

At orientation I weighed in at 200.5 lbs. That was a high for me. I was unhealthy, and unhappy. The first day of boot camp I was so scared. I will never forget. Me and about 30 other women stood in a circle outside and had to do squats, and pushups among other things. One person in the circle would do a squat and hold it in the squat position until it went all the way around the cirle and back at them, then you did another squat, we did the same with other exercises, and that was just the warm up. My goal was to not die that day. During the workout (which was in an open gym with no AC in the beginning of September. It was HOT.) I remember telling myself to make it through the hour and I’d never have to come back, I would quit even though I still had to pay for 6 months. This amazing thing happened, I survived. I had to keep myself from throwing up all the way home and when I walked in the house I fell to the ground. I never wanted to do that again. But the next morning I woke up wanting to-do it again. You might think I am crazy. But I had a huge sense of accomplishment. The next week was tough as I started on a new diet. Food seemed to be all I could think about all day every day that week. I wondered how I was going to be able to do it, if it was going to be that hard. Sure it was hard, but I did it. Each step along the way I have learned that when there was something I didn’t think I could do, I did it. Talk about motivating. My goal went from not dying, to holding a plank position, to being able to do a pushup, to being able to do an exploding pushup. I went from weighing 200.5 lbs. and not wanting to tell anyone, ever; to weighing 164 lbs. and not being afraid to tell you my weight. I was able to wear a belt I hadn't been able to wear in a while and now I am on the 4th hole in my belt. I went from a size 16 to a size 10. I went on vacation this year and didn't focus on the fact that technically I am still over weight, but that fact that we had a great time and I felt great. I ran 2 miles with my husband and kicked butt doing it. I went from using the 8 lb. weights at boot camp to the keg! You see I went from no physical activity to what I just mentioned. I remember before bootcamp going for a run/walk in my neighborhood with my husband and going home feeling defeating because I couldn't do it.

I have developed a new lifestyle. I have learned that I can go on vacation and come back and keep going. I can fall off the wagon by giving into that cookie, but it doesn't mean I failed, I just get back on track. I had to stop looking at everything I was doing wrong and look at everything I was doing right. I always heard that a better diet and exercise will do wonders for your mood. I never believed it, until I experienced it myself. I didn’t need an anti-depressant; I needed to eat right and exercise. I physically feel better than I have in a long time. I have more energy. I can walk out to my car after work and not feel out of breath. I can make it threw a tough workout and be able to say “I did it!”

If you have or are stuggeling with something, keep pushing forward. Dont be afraid to take that step, don't look back, and don't even think about quiting, failure is not an option. I am sure some of my friends and family got tired of hearing about bootcamp, but it wasn't a phase, this lifestyle is a part of me. I had to pass on dinner with friends or tell my kids we would see the movie the next night because I had bootcamp. I made a commitment, and I wanted to put it first. Sure there were times I missed bootcamp so I could attend something my kids had or a special event, but I wanted to make this a priority. If you want it bad enough you need to make it a priority. I did make sacrifices, but it has been so worth it.

If you would have told me a year ago that it would have taking me a year to lose 36 lbs., back then I probably would have said that isn’t enough. Now, I am like, man that wasn’t bad, what’s next. I am so glad I didn’t make more excuses to keep putting it off. If I had, I wouldn’t have made as much progress as I have. I have had to work hard to get this far, which makes it easier to pass on that cookie and get the fruit instead. I didn't work that hard to eat the cookie, and stay the way I was. Since starting boot camp I have learned I am stronger physically and mentally than I thought I was. I learned I can do more than I thought I was capable of, and I can make it through when I didn’t see a way. What I have gained this past year can’t be explained in words. I love it! I can’t wait to see what the next year holds.

Hurricane Hugo

2011-08-25T13:06:00.004-04:00

With all this talk of Hurricane Irene it reminds me of Hurricane Hugo. Hugo was a catagory 5 hurricane that hit Charelston, SC head on in Sept 1989. I was 9 years old and I will never forget. We settled into our hallway for the night to ride out the storm. When we woke the next morning we weren't prepared for what we were about to see. The next two weeks were a struggle as we had to deal with no running water, electricity, low fuel supply, and food supply. We had very minor damages to our house, we lost all of our trees as they broke like toothpicks in the storm. Here are some pics.

God don't make mistakes

2011-05-20T19:15:00.000-04:00

Listened to a song today that reminded me how blessed I am to have amazing sons. Adam and I had little Adam while we were in high school and a lot of people didn't think we could do it. He has become an amazing young man and I don't know what I'd do without my boys.

Jamie O'Neil
God Doesn't Make Mistakes
Lyrics to song

Everybody said you gotta give it up You can't keep that child, It's just too tough at seventeen, You're just a baby Well she cried and she prayed, made up her mind Said this beautiful life that's growin inside needs a chance to have a hand in God's plan Everyone told her they'd never get by, well he just turned sixteen Made it straight to the top of his class, the captain of the football team

first stab at couponing

2011-04-16T21:43:00.000-04:00

So this week I started organizing my coupons instead of cutting them and sticking them in an envelope, then forgetting about them altogether.

Today I scanned over the walgreens and CVS ads to look for good deals that I had coupons for on things we use. Thats the key, things we use.

At Walgreens I needed Easter candy for the kids baskets. They had bags of Mars candy on sale 2 for $5. Then they had egg filled M&M's and snickers for $.75
Here is my breakdown.
Bag of Dove eggs. 3.99
Bag of Snickers 3.99
on sale for 2 for $5
$1 walgreens coupon
$2 off 2 bags manufacturer coupon
$2.00 is what I actually paid.

4 candy filled eggs 1.29 each = $5.16
on sale for $.75 each = $3
I had 2 $1.00 off 2 coupons
$1.00 is what I actually paid.

Total is $3.48 at walgreens.

then to CVS....
1- All laundry detergent on sale for 3.99
3-Kelloggs cereal on sale for $1.66
2-Colgate total toothpaste Buy one get one free. 2.99
2-Hydro 5 razor blade refill buy one get one free. 12.49.

With coupons I paid $14.91. I was pretty happy.

Alex says......

2011-01-06T13:21:00.000-05:00

If you are offended by the discussion of bodily functions, don't read below.

Adam: do you know when you fart you gain weight?

Big Adam: How do you know that?

Adam: because I weighed myself at 115.3, then farted and I weighed in at 115.9.

Alex: man, how big was the fart.

After the Storm

2011-01-03T16:46:00.001-05:00

So the later part of 2010 I started a journey that will take me to a healthier happier me.

2010 was a tough year. It started out great. I was enjoying life with my family, had many friends near and dear to me. I was apart of a church that I believed in, and put all my extra time into. I was apart of a ministry that I was very passionate about. I had developed a relationship with God that I loved, depended on.

In the spring my world was rocked. I learned that some people very close to me had messed up big time. This would affect a lot of people. In a matter of one week my church was shut down, my pastor removed, and the church moved back to our old location and temporarily under the leadership of an interim pastor. My family was hurt by some people very close to us, I lost friends, and my church was torn apart with people scattered, I walked away from ministry, and little did I know at the time, but I walked away from my relationship with God as well.

For the past 7 months I have been going thru the grieving process. Grieving over the Church I loved, friendships I lost, I felt like I lost my purpose, and trust in man. I am still going threw the grieving process.

I went threw shock and denial. It all didn’t seem real; I was speechless, full of so much emotion and felt like it was going to explode.

Next came pain and guilt. I was so hurt by friends, mentors, and people who were supposed to guild you threw hard times but weren’t there. I wondered if there was something I could have done, looked at how I may have contributed to the issues at hand. I feel guilty for walking away from ministry; I let people down who counted on me. For that I am truly sorry.

Then came anger, this came on and off for a while. I went from anger, to doubting if I had a right to be angry, to thinking isn’t it time for the anger to end, to being angry again. I said goodbye to my closest friend, which was the hardest decision in all of this. Some may say this was a move of weakness on my part, or of being judgmental, but I had to do it for me.

Right now I am somewhere between Depression/Reflection/Loneliness and The Upward Turn. During this time I realized the true magnitude of what had happened. At times a memory of how things use to be or the hurt I felt will make me just start crying out of the blue. There are times I feel alone, I isolate my self on purpose. I have a wonderful family who I wouldn’t trade for anything, but there is something special about a friend. I spend a lot of time reflecting, trying to see what God wants me to learn threw all of this. Before everything happened this past Spring I felt a shaking in my spirit. Something wasn’t right. I couldn’t figure out what it was, but I knew it would involve my family, friends and my church. I didn’t feel secure in these things. I look back now and know that this was God showing me something was about to happen. I have learned that next time I will know it is God. Sometimes I feel like I lost myself in all of this, then I learn something new about myself, and see that in all of this I am finding myself. Not what others think of me, or based on a person for I am not defined by man, but God. That’s when I feel the upward turn. I used to think of myself as weak, but I now see how strong I am. I now value the time I have with my family, because when everyone else turns away, they will always be there. I am putting my family first. I have learned that ultimately I am responsible for my actions; I can’t blame how I react on others actions. I am learning to have a relationship with God that doesn’t end when the church does. I am learning to trust again. I am taking care of myself and doing things for me, which are just making me a better me for those I love.

So I told you I started a journey that will make me a healthier happier me. In September I started going to Boot camp and eating healthy. It is physically the hardest thing I have ever done. I have never been a very active person. I have struggled with my weight and self-esteeme for all of my adult life. So I finally decided to do something about it. The very first day I told myself I couldn’t do it, it was too hard. But I kept going, and I got stronger, and I love it. I love how I feel. I have lost 20 lbs, and gained a new confidence. I am not were I want to be yet, but I know I can get there. It feels great to-do something for me. Threw this will come the final two phases of the grieving process, or I like to call it the healing process, Reconstruction and Working Through then Acceptance and Hope.

I know this is very personal, but it is away for me to express myself. I haven’t said much these past 7 months. I hope at least one person can be helped by my words.

Job

2010-12-02T10:08:00.000-05:00

So many times I've reminded others of the story of Job in the bible when they are going threw trials. I just had an "ah ha" moment when I thought of Job, and realized I should have taken my own advice these past few months. Job lost so much and he still served God and trusted in him. I'm not comparing my trials with Jobs, but it encouraged me because I think God used Job as an example for us to follow when we experience lose or hurt. I let other things keep me from serving God, and justified that because I was hurt. I told myself I didn't blame God, but I did worse, I blamed others and made God pay the price by not continuing my walk with him. Today I will continue my walk with God and depend on my relationship with him.

Just wanted to share that. I'm going to read about Job and be encouraged today.

Alex Says....

2010-03-02T13:11:00.000-05:00

Mom, I don't know how I can swim with all these memories. they make my head heavy and I might sink.

Lab Potluck at work

2009-12-21T12:31:00.003-05:00

A few years ago we started doing potlucks at work. The first year I told everyone that we would do a Gag Gift exchange for our Christmas potluck. I am the only female in the Labs in my building, and I have to be honest, several of the guys complained about having to do the gag gift exchange. Now they all love it, and we have alot of fun with it.

This is for you sis!

2009-12-10T15:10:00.002-05:00

An email I got that I liked

2009-10-29T13:56:00.002-04:00

I Believe...
That just because two people argue, doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in
a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe....
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe..
That my best friends and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When
you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've
had, and what you've learned from them.....and less to do with how
many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced
who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change
your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally
different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who
don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you........you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything.

Appreciate Your Calling

2009-10-29T10:29:00.002-04:00

So I just got the book, Starting Your Day Right, a devotion book by Joyce Meyers and I love it. I find that it gives me focus in the morning and reminds me to be the best me I can. In the book she starts by saying that the book isn’t a replacement for Gods Word, but that the book is to give you direction and to remind you that you need to have God clearly insight in order to follow him. If we don’t fill ourselves with the Word, how do we know how to follow him? I have to admit that I don’t spend as much time in the Word as I should. So I have been using this book to help me focus, and really get in the Word rather than just reading threw it.

Here is some of the devotion for October 26th.
Appreciate Your Calling

So we, numerous as we are, are only body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Romans 12:5

Learn to appreciate the call of God on your life. He has a different call for everybody. None of us are called to do all the work that needs to be done, but we can each enjoy the assignments given. We can also enjoy the work God does through others.

Today holds an opportunity to mature in the knowledge of God and to enjoy whatever God has called you to-do. Your part is needed. Ask God early in the day to show you where to use your gifts to help others.

When I read this it reminded me of the Ministry I am involved in at church. And really applies to all ministry. We are all ministers of the word. As the devotion says, God hasn’t called one-person to-do it all. Take the First Impressions Ministry for example. God has called a group of men and women to work together. Some have been called to serve as Greeters, Ushers or at Vision Central; others have been called to serve in Security or the Parking Team. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Lately I had to admit I couldn’t do something. This was a great learning experience for me. Even thought I lead up the First Impression Ministry, it doesn’t mean I have to know everything, or have the ability to do it all. I have my own strengths, and I have weaknesses. God has put people in the First Impressions Ministry who have strengths were my weaknesses are. We work together. Like Romans 12:5 says, So we, numerous as we are, are only body in Christ and individually we are parts of another. This applies to ministries within the church. Some of us are called to minister to children. It’s not a competition of who has the most volunteers in your ministry. We should all want to help each other find what our calling is. When we find our calling, the body comes together as one, and works like a well-oiled machine, so to speak. This applies to churches as well. If we are trying to reach the lost, and share the Word with those who don’t know Jesus; it can’t be one church, it has to be all of us. It’s not a competition. We can enjoy the work he does through others as well.

God also does this in our lives. He puts people in our lives, and we balance out each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Enjoy and press on with what God has called you today. If you don’t know what your calling is, pray, give and serve, and pray, give and serve, and follow his word. If you are faithful and follow him in all the ways he asks you to, he will bless you and reveal your calling when the time is right. Your part is needed. The body can’t function as 100% without and arm or a leg. Are you the arm or leg? We need you. I am needed! Look at your neighbor and say, "I am needed!" Sorry couldn't resist, lol.

Happy 13th Birthday Adam!!

2009-10-20T15:46:00.003-04:00

I can't believe my son is 13 years old. Enjoy the slide show with pics from the last 13 years. Lots of good times, and lots more to come.

If we are the body

2009-10-12T14:05:00.009-04:00

I haven't blogged in a while. I felt a message in my spirit last week, and wanted to write about it, but it didn't really come together. Then as I listened to my Pastors message on Sunday, it all came together, and I sat down it is just started flowing.

Last week as I was listening to the radio I heard the song, If We Are the Body by Casting Crowns. I have heard this song a ton of times, but I heard it in a different way last week. I have heard people refer to Christians as the body of Christ, but I thought it referred to us as a body of people, like a group of people. With this frame of mind, I heard the song as we are the believers, and why isn't Jesus' arms reaching me, why aren't his hands healing me, why aren't his words teaching me. This is a very selfish way of hearing this, and as I think of this, I wonder if this is how a lot of us think, as a matter of fact, I am positive this is how a lot of us think. Sunday my Pastors sermon really brought all of this together. As "Church People", we feel we are entitled to something, like we are owed something. Like my Pastor said, we deserve Hell, it's because of the blood of Jesus that covers me, that we have his grace and are forgiven.

Last week when I listened to this song, this is what I heard:
If we are the body, (we are his arms, legs, hands and heart),
why aren't his arms reaching (our arms are his arms, so why aren't we reaching the lost),
why aren't his hands healing(instead of passing judgment and hurting others, lets accept them and help them heal),
why aren't his words teaching(our words should always reflect him, why are we quick to point out someone’s faults, and tell them everything they are doing wrong, lets teach them how God wants us to live, lets let our words always reflect his love, lets teach them the word),
why aren't his feet going (our feet are his feet, why do we sit on our couch and in service and take, take, take, but not get out and serve, go the distance, go out and find the lost),
why is his love not showing them there is the way (we need to show the love of Jesus to those who do know him, and those who don't know him. We can't be nice to those at church and hateful to the lost because you feel like they aren't living right. And we can't be nice to the lost to reach them, and then be hateful to "church people", because how you act, even if you think no one is looking, is always on display. We have to show them there is a way).

As a church, as the body (Jesus is apart of us) why aren't our arms reaching the lost? Why aren't our hands healing those who have so much hurt in their lives. Jesus was about love, acceptance and forgiveness, why do I see so much hate, judgment, and unforgiveness in "Church People"! Church is scary for someone who comes broken and hurt. They are afraid of the pointing fingers, just like the song says, "It's crowded in worship today, As she slips in, Trying to fade into the faces, The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know, Farther than they know", "A traveler is far away from home, He sheds his coat, And quietly sinks into the back row, The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances, Are better out on the road" It's sad, but sometimes that is exactly what they find. Pointing fingers, whispered words in there direction. Is this how we reach the lost, is this how Jesus reached the lost, No! We have to get our heart right. People are afraid of being judged by “Church People”, not the world. If we judge them, they will feel safer in the world, something is wrong when that is the case. We have to offer them a safe place. Sometimes a simple, "hi, how are you?" can mean so much to someone.

I believe strongly that our actions influence others; we say we are Christians but do our actions display our beliefs. It's not about how often we come to church, or about the fact that we volunteer our time to the church, or the bumper sticker on the back of our car. It's about how we live our lives, how we treat others, and the relationship we have with God when no one is looking.

“Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come, and we are the Body of Christ”

Sunday at my church, when the alter call was given and people responded, I just kept hearing “healing” in my spirit. There was healing taken place because we offered love (the love of Jesus), acceptance (no one pointed fingers), and forgiveness (come how you are, we are all sinners who have been saved by the blood of Jesus).

If We Are the Body
By: Casting Crowns

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road

CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

Chorus (2x)
If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way

Every Friday and Saturday in October

2009-10-02T10:11:00.003-04:00

Come check out this Haunted House. I will be there helping out every Friday and Saturday in October from 8-1am. See you there.

Hysteria Promo from Jason Isaacs on Vimeo.

Accessorizing your look with jewelry

2009-09-14T15:34:00.002-04:00

http://www.azfamily.com/yourlife/learn/stories/accessorizing-clothes-jewelry.7155a36d.html

Check out the link to see how you can change up your look and really jazz up an outfit with the right Jewelry.

Contact me to recieve some Jewelry FREE. My average hostess earns about $200 in Free Jewelry for having me over to show my Jewelry to some of her friends and family.

Come to church with me Sunday

2009-09-11T15:36:00.002-04:00

Wow, I have been going to New Vision for 5 years this month. Sunday we will have our first service in our new location, The Vision, across from Jefferson Mall in the old Walmart building. Service is at 10:30am. I invite you to come join me and see the place that helped to teach me about God, and showed me that I can have hope and peace, and that there is a church that offers Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness. If you don't believe me, I dare you to come check it out for yourself. This church has impacting me and my family. I hope to see you there.

9/11

2009-09-11T15:33:00.002-04:00

8 years ago, I was back at work for the first day from my maternity leave after having Alex. We got a phone call letting us know about the terror attacks. I will never forget that day, and my prayers continue to go out to the families and friends who grieve for there loved ones who were lost that day.

Alex says...

2009-09-03T09:43:00.000-04:00

Alex: I think I'm going to get a new girlfriend.

Me: well, how are you going to do that?

Alex: I don't know, I will ask Adam for advice...no wait.. I will ask Dad because Adam doesn't have a girlfriend.

25 Years Together

2009-09-02T09:45:00.003-04:00

My parents renewed there wedding vows this weekend for there 25th wedding anniversary. My dad wanted to do something special for my mom this year for there anniversary, so a few months ago, he asked my mom to marry him again. When my parents were married 25 years ago, they went to the court house and were married by a judge. So they never had a wedding. So me and my sisters helped my mom plan her wedding. All the planning paid off because it was definitely a day to remember. The sanctuary was decorated in purple and silver, and it was filled with our family and friends. Me and my sisters along with our husbands and kids walked down the aisle before my parents walked down to Then by Brad Paisley. Pastor David conducted the ceremony, and my parents said there vows. Curtis and Charmain Bridgemen sang Bless this Broken Road by Rascal Flatts while a photo slide show played with pics from the past 25 years. Stacey and Will read a poem. Once my parents were pronounced once again as husband and wife, they walked back down the aisle to Footloose, which was there first date. We had a dinner reception, and my parents cut the cake and had there first dance. Me and my sisters toasted to my parents, and then we danced and had a great time celebrating with my parents and our family and friends. My toast to my parents. Today we celebrate 25 years of marriage between my parents. 25 year ago we also became a family. 9 years later Ashley was born, and over the next 16 years our family was complete with the addition of 2 son in laws and 4 grand kids. Daddy, A lot of people say that mommy is the best thing that ever happened to you, and that is probably true, but I want you to know that you are the best thing that ever happened to us. So today I honor you as a couple and as my parents. My dad meet my mom when me and my sister were just a few years old. I have watched my parents grow in there love for each other, and it really does seem like they love each other more and more each day. They are amazing parents, and role models for me and my sisters. They love with all they have, and would do anything for you. I can honestly say that I have the best parents I could ever ask for. I love you mom and dad.

my boys

2009-07-31T12:03:00.000-04:00

Alex put his Sunglasses on, looked at Little Adam and said, "you might have to fight the girls off of me."

He blessed me with Jewelry and so much more.

2009-07-20T13:55:00.004-04:00

As some of you know I am an Independent Distributor for Premier Designs Jewelry. I just started my 6th year as a Jeweler. I do Premier part time. I love the flexibility and the fact that I make great money for fun work. I get to take my Jewelry and share if with a hostess and her friends and family and I make 50%. You can't beat that. Well it does get better, my hostesses earn on average $200-$300 in free Jewelry. I came across this post on a blog and had to post it on my blog. It sums up what Premier is all about. Premier has really been a blessing. It has given me the opportunity to make extra money, meet some amazing women, and I have grown spiritually as well. Premier has helped me come out of my shell. It all started with a few pieces of Jewelry.

Premier Designs - A Different Kind of Company

y'all

2009-07-10T07:30:00.000-04:00

I say y'all all the time and Adam hates it. He says, "babe it's you all, not y'all." I got an email and had to post this line just for him.

In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.

Love it.

I need girl time!

2009-06-23T12:41:00.002-04:00

I am surrounded by men! I have nothing but guys at home (laila doesn't count she won't let me paint her nails). And I work around all guys. Today at lunch we were on a discussion about how men and woman communicate. There is little ol' me, with 6 guys. I was out numbered. When they say Men are from Mars and Women are form Venus, I totally agree.

why did God invent bugs?

2009-06-17T23:37:00.000-04:00

My niece, Adrianna, asked my sister why God invented bugs because they serve no purpose? Jacqueline told her she didn't know, and that she would have to ask God. So Adrianna is bound to get to the bottom of it, so she asked for God's phone number. So Jacqueline tells her that you can't call God on the phone, you just talk to him outloud. So Adrianna looks up to toward the sky, and asks God why he invented bugs. She is in kindergarten. Had to share it, it made me laugh.

Mom

2009-06-15T13:33:00.003-04:00

I had lunch with my mom on Saturday and even though it was a simple lunch, it sparked something in me and I needed to Blog about it.

I know that my mom is an amazing women. I know that the relationship we have is special. However I think sometimes we still catch ourselves taking that for granted. I have had a few of my friends lately tell me that what I have with my family is special, and to cherish every minute of it. I thank them for that, because at times I know I take it for granted. Not that I take advantage of it, but that it is simply normal to us, and I think sometimes I think it is always going to be there. In reality, it will not. I look at my husband, and how he lives everyday without the living influence of his mother. She is always in his heart, but she died when he was 17, and that has greatly affected his life. Some of my friends and family do not have a close relationship with there mothers, and some do not have there mothers in there lives. I can't imagine what that would be like, and my heart goes out to them. They remind me to value the wonderful mother that God has placed in my life, and I thank them for that. I rely on my mother so much. She is my rock. I don't tell her nearly enough, and I don't think anything I can ever tell her or do for her would ever make up for what she means to me.

Mom,
I don't tell you enough what you mean to me, so I will say it here for you and everyone to see. Mom, I love you. And I don't thank you enough for everything you do and for what you are to me. Your heart is the kindest I have ever known. You have the strongest shoulder to carry every ones burdens, and yet they are soft enough when a shoulder is just what we need to lean on. You are there no matter what we need, not just in the good times, but in all the times. Thank you for not giving up on me when I disappointed you. Thank you for holding my hand threw the worry, crying with me during the sadness, laughing with me, and celebrating in the good times. You seem to know when I need advice, and when I just need to talk, you seem to know exactly what I need. Thank you for accepting me and what I believe. You are the best grandmother for my boys, and I hope that they know how blessed they are to have you in there lives. We are the most loved people because of your love. You are not only these things to us, but to our friends as well. You are not only a mother, but also a friend. I know that I can talk to you about everything. Thank you for being there when I was sick, for doing what ever it was that I needed and what ever you could to make me feel better. Thank you for the little things. Thank you for coming to the boys games, and school performances. Thank you for picking the boys up from school when we need you too. Thank you for meeting me at the hospital when Adam was in his car accident. Thank you for helping me with my school work during college. Thank you for all the birthday dinners, and cakes. Thank you for being stricked on us growing up when we needed it, and for giving us room to be us when that was what we needed also. Thank you for being who you are, and for helping us learn who we are as well. I love you mom.

Your loving daughter,
Angela

Saturday was a simple lunch between a mother and daughter, but I know that Adam would do anything just to have a simple lunch with his mother, and I have to cherish those moments with her.

Key West

2009-05-13T16:13:00.004-04:00

Ok, so Key West was awesome. I don't even know were to begin. First of all, I can't think of anyone else who I would have rather gone with, Stac, I had a blast with you, and the best part of the trip was going with you. I know I said the Para sailing was, but it was really going with you, lol. There is just something about going on a trip with a friend. This was a first for me, along with many other first on this trip.

We stayed in a bed and breakfast, and I would stay there again. It had that Key West feel. We went snorkeling (I had alittle anxiety), para sailing, kayaking, swam in the middle of the ocean (alot of anxiety on that one, just ask Stac), and did Jet ski's. That was our Ultimate Adventure, and it was awesome. Here are some pics, more to come. We spent one day at the beach, we did alot of walking, and shopping, and bike riding (the way to get around Key West), and laughing, and sunbathing. It was a blast. We also got tattoo's (yes, that is plural mom). I can't put it in words, it was just awesome. Enjoy the Pics.

Ashley is on a roll!

2009-05-11T22:10:00.000-04:00

Me: "what day do you have tutoring at school."
Ashley: "I dont know, all I know is there is 5 days in a week, and I just hope the last one comes soon."

randomness

2009-05-11T18:06:00.000-04:00

Alex says..."I think I'm going to wait until I'm 10 to get advertised."
He meant baptized. LOL

Ashley says...
"Mom, will you take me to target to get some of my pictures printed off my digital camera?"
Mom: "Ashley, you have to plan things like that, you can't just run all the time."
Ashley: "but mom, I've been thinking about it in my head all day."
Mom: "that doesn't count as planning."

It is FINALLY here

2009-04-30T11:11:00.003-04:00

OK, it's here, and I know some of you are sick of hearing about it, but in less than 24 hours, I will be on a plane headed to Key West for Vacation. I am so excited. This is a first for me, and a vacation full of firsts. This is my first Vacation without Adam and the boys, I am sure I will miss them like crazy, but I am looking forward to the girl time with my Bestie. My vacation will be full of Sun, Sand, Water, Sunscreen, Wild Chickens (it's illegal to kill chickens in Key West), snorkeling, parasailing, shopping, and good food. I will be blogging about my trip while I am gone, so check back to see pictures and hear about my adventures.

Funny Randomness

2009-04-28T14:30:00.000-04:00

So yesterday Little Adam asked me which anniversary I think will be our best. I said probably our 50th, because you guys can throw us a big fat anniversary party. Alex says, "yeah mom, cause you and dad will be real old, I mean real old!"

If you have a weak stomach, don't read this. I have boys, so this stuff doesn't bother me.
We had Moe's for dinner the other night. When we got home, Alex has to use the restroom. Adam and I are in our room, and Alex is narrating from the restroom, "here comes the taco"! LOL sorry, couldn't resist.

Happy Anniversary

2009-04-27T12:48:00.003-04:00

Today Adam and I celebrate our 7th Wedding Anniversary. 7 years ago on a rainy day in April, we pledged to love one another forever in front of our family and friends. This was a very emotional day because it was a long time coming. Adam and I meet in high school, and had our first son within a year of meeting. We were engaged twice. The first time, I think we got engaged because it was what was expected of us. We had been together since High School, we had a child, and it was the next step, in an out of order sequence of steps for us to take. We were so young and had alot of learning, and growing up to-do. We made our share of mistakes, and we did grow up, and we just so happened to do it together. We had one thing that held us together stronger than anything, and that was Little Adam. Adam was bound and determined to be there in his sons life. To be honest, I really didn't want to be one of those couples who got married because it was what we had to do, so that is why there were two engagements. The second one happened because it was right for us. We got married not because of a sequence of events that lead to it, but because we were ready to stand before our family, friends and God, and really mean the words that we spoke. The whole day itself was a bit of a blur. I have pictures that bring back the memories. I remember how cute Little Adam looked in his Tuxedo that was exactly the same as Adam's. I remember how much Adam embarrassed me when he did his little dance before the garter toss, it was priceless. I remember my cousin who was in the wedding, showing up with a black eye, again priceless, but that didn't matter to me, because he was there. I remember how it felt to have our two families separated my hundreds of miles, come together and celebrate with us. I remember dancing with my dad. I remember the blend of Hip Hop, Country and Latin music that entertained us at the reception. It was one day that represented us. There were 6 years of us before, and many years of us to come after, but that one day was about us. Happy Anniversary Babe.

Just some funny things my kids say...

2009-04-02T08:42:00.003-04:00

OK, so last night me and the boys were coming home from dinner after Church. Adam was home in bed by this time, and we went to one of his favorite restaurant, so I wanted to take him home some rolls. Now don't think he was getting the wrong end of the deal, he loves the rolls. So we are walking to the car, and Alex was carrying the box. He drops it, the box opens and the rolls all land on the ground. As I was picking them up, Alex said, "since it's April fools can we put them in the box and daddy can still eat them?".

So on the way home Little Adam was telling me about his bet with his Dad. I guess it could be labeled as bribery, Yes, we bribe our kids! Last year Little Adam was known as 'Walkman' on his baseball team, because he has a great eye, and he always walks. So this year Adam tried to give him incentive to hit the ball. Adam told him if he has more than two hits that he will buy him the new Halo game. So Alex chimes in and says he is going to tell dad that if he gets more than 3 hits that we have to buy him an iPhone. Lol. Yeah. Alex is really working us to get him an iPhone. Little Adam bought one with his own money, and it is killing Alex that he is the only one in the family that doesn't have one. I told that wasn't going to happen. So he said, "Well, I will just have to use the puppy dog face on Dad." Little Adam said, "Alex, Dad is puppy dog face proof, it doesn't work on him like it does mom!"

Come Join us at NVMC this Easter

2009-03-31T08:21:00.003-04:00

My 29th Birthday

2009-03-11T10:14:00.009-04:00

This year for my birthday we didn't have much planned. My birthday was this past Saturday and I couldn't have asked for better weather, 80's in March. Last year on my Birthday we were snowed in with 8 inches of snow and ice. What can I say, we live in Kentucky, you never know what you are going to get. I had a hair appt scheduled for that morning so I went and got my hair done at my stylists new Salon. I have been going to Tracy for over 8 Years, and I was excited to see her new salon. It is amazing. Very contemporary, the salon is called Fierce, and fierce it is. After my hair appt, I headed home. Adam and the boys planned to take me to dinner because my mom wanted us over for cake at 8pm. So we headed downtown, our destination was a surprise to me. I love surprises, so I didn't ask. We pulled into the parking lot at Joe's Crab Shack, and I immediately remembered that they love to embarrass you on your birthday. In the past I have had to stand on a chair while people sang happy birthday, and when I graduated college, I had to ride around the restaurant on a stick pony and say I graduated while people sang happy graduation to me. So I started to get very nervous. As we walked to the restaurant, I saw some familiar faces at a distance. I realized that Adam had surprised me with my family and friends on my birthday. I was very surprised and excited. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present. We had a great time, and in case you were wondering, I had to wear a hula skirt and a straw hat and do the hula dance while standing on a chair as people sang Happy Birthday. There is a video floating around somewhere.

So to all my family and friends who were there, thank you for taking the time to celebrate my Birthday with me. I love you all, and couldn't imagine not having you in my life. To Adam, thank you honey for surprising me on my Birthday even though you don't like doing stuff like that.

Call from School

2009-03-04T15:55:00.000-05:00

So I get a call from school today. Considering all the sickness going around, I expected them to say Alex was sick. Instead they inform me that Alex took his cell phone to school and it rang in the middle of class. So they took it away, and me or Adam have to pick it up. Alex knows this is a no no. He just got a cool hand me down phone from his brother, so I'm sure he took it to show his buddies. We might have to rethink the cell phone for Alex.

Uncle Bob

2009-03-02T13:56:00.005-05:00

I just want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers these past two weeks. For those of you who didn't know, my Uncle Bob had a Massive Stroke Two weeks ago Sunday. He Passed away this past Tuesday.

The stoke left him paralyzed on his right side. When I went to see him, he opened his eyes, but it was so hard to not be able to hear what he was thinking. He was on a ventilator at the time. I kissed his forehead and told him that I loved him and that Adam and the boys loved him too. The next day Aunt Mae made the dicision to remove the Ventilator, the feeding tube and IV. We all knew that was what Uncle Bob wanted. I am sure it was the hardest decision she ever had to make. We continued to pray that he would get strong and make a full recovery. I know how big God is and what he is capable off. I also know that God has a plan, and that it could have been Uncle Bob's time to go. I started to pray for God's will. I prayed for peace for Aunt Mae and the family. Last Tuesday Uncle Bob passed. He was a man of God, and I know were he is today, Heaven.

Uncle Bob was my Great Uncle on my Dad's side. My dad grew up in a very close family. My Memaw and Aunt Mae were sisters. My Memaw, Pepaw, Aunt Mae and Uncle Bob were always together. Some of you have meet them at the boys birthday parties. They would drive from livermore because family meant everything to them. Uncle Bob and Aunt Mae had 4 kids, Angie, Berry, Tony and Vickie who died when she was a child. For my dad and his bother Darren, growing up with Angie, Berry, and Tony, they were all like siblings. I love to hear my dad tell stories of growing up in Livermore. So when they all grew up and had kids, us kids all grew up together. Holidays and weekends at Memaw and Pepaws meant fun with my cousins. Angie is an Aunt to me, and Berry and Tony are my uncles just like Uncle Darren is. We grew up as a very close family full of traditions, and just spending time together. Every thanksgiving and Christmas Day we spent at Memaw and Pepaws who lived right across the street from Uncle Bob and Aunt Mae. The whole family would pile in the two houses, and we would always eat dinner at Memaw and Pepaws, which used to be my Granny's house.

At the funeral they spoke of Faithfulness. My Uncle Bob was faithful to the Marine Corp. He retired as a Major from the U.S. Marine Corps after 23 years of service, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was faithful to his church. He was a member of the Livermore United Methodist Church, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and had also served as Mayor for the City of Livermore. He helped to establish the Veterans Memorial in Livermore. But most importantly, he was faithful to his family. He was faithful to his wife of 55 years. They said his greatest fear was not of dying, it was of Leaving Aunt Mae behind. They spoke of how he would be asked to go and help with something, and there were so many times he would, but most of the time he would say, "No, I think I will stay with Mae." He loved his family and we loved him. My cousin Shilah and I are very close, and even though Uncle Bob was her Pepaw, he was like another father to her. They had a bond like no other. Shilah's husband, Chris, wrote a song for Uncle Bob called Flowers, and it was played at the funeral. It is on my myspace, check it out, it's beautiful. The funeral was complete with Military Honors, and Uncle Bob would have been proud.

When my memaw died, and I broke down because I couldn't leave my pepaw, Uncle Bob reassured me that he would be OK. He would joke with me about my hair color of the month, and then he would always tell it to you like it was also. He called Little Adam his Little Marine. He gave Little Adam a pocket watch with a the Marine Logo on it alittle over a year ago, and Little Adam cherishes that watch. Little Adam has said for the past few years that he wants to be a Marine when he grows up. When we would visit, Little Adam and Uncle Bob would disappear and we knew they were somewhere together, and uncle bob was showing him some of his medals, or certificates, or pictures. I am so blessed that the boys will have those memories of Uncle Bob.

Everything I knew growing up is changing. The family I grew up with, leaned on, and looked up to is different than before. Change isn't always bad. It's sad to say goodbye, and miss those you love, but I know my Memaw and Uncle Bob are in a better place. They are no longer in pain. I know I will see them again one day.

Just like the Marine Corp hymn says, I'm sure he's guarding heaven's gates standing up straight and proud.

Sickness go away

2009-02-26T12:47:00.002-05:00

So I have been sick for alittle over a week. It started as a Virus, and really had me down and out last week. But this weekend I have a full schedule, so I had to suck it up and get things done. Well, that made the sickness linger, and I had to go back to the Dr yesterday. I have Bronchial inflammation, and I am taking steroids. Well technically, I am not taking them yet. I dropped off the prescription last night, but didn't feel like going back out to get the meds. So this morning my mom sent me an email asking how I felt. I told her pretty much the same because I didn't pick my meds up. So she replied back with a whole lot of (*&%&%$%$#^%*&^)(*&)(*^&%$*&)()^(&^$^$#&!!! She got onto me for not taking care of my self, and not telling her because she would have gone and got them for me. I know she would have, but she has alot going on too, so I didn't want to bother her. I asked her if that was her cursing at me, and she said Yes! Lol. Don't mess with momma. lol. So she told me next time don't lay there and suffer. So nobody better mess with me, cause you don't want to make my momma mad. And Mom, I know you are reading this, so I will go get my meds as soon as I get off.

Come and See

2009-02-13T11:38:00.003-05:00

Looking back, I see were God has brought me from, and I see how he was working in my life before I even acknowledged him. About 5 years ago I had a dream that I will never forget. I dreamt that Adam and me had died. We were standing there in front of God. God told me I got to go to heaven. I asked about Adam, I told him it didn’t matter to me were I went, I wanted to know that he got to go to heaven. I can still remember how I felt even though it was a dream. God told me that we both got to go to heaven. Then there was my mom and my aunt Susan with our son Little Adam. Adam and I had to say goodbye to him. I wondered how I could do that. There was no way. But we had too, he couldn’t go with us. I woke up in tears. I couldn’t control the tears or my anxiety. I wasn’t saved, I didn’t know if I died if I would go to heaven. I wanted my husband and my son, my family and friends to go to heaven too. The morning I woke from my dream I went to work, and as I was sitting in front of a dishwasher running a test, my co-worker walked over to me and handed me a bible. I started to cry. He had no idea about my dream, but I know that it was God. As scared as I was, I was also scared of church. I had been turned away from another church because we had our son while I was 16 and Adam was 17. We lived together before we were married. These are all things that I was told were bad in God’s eyes. I couldn’t look at my son and see anything bad, he was a blessing, so I was angry that anyone would suggest that having him was bad. I just wanted someone to accept me and teach me despite of my past, I wanted someone to see that I wanted to know God. I was scared of being rejected, something I would constantly struggle with. One year later another co-worker invited me to New Vision. She knew of my past and never judged me. She told me that the people at New Vision would welcome me with open arms. I saw the love, acceptance and forgiveness first hand, and I longed to be in that atmosphere. That is what got me to church, a sense of being accepted. Along the way I learned about God, his love for me, and his will for my life. I have been on fire for God ever sense. New Vision is a place that you can come with all your baggage, and there are people that will teach you how to lay it at his feet, and give your burdens to him. Knowing God will give you a freedom like no one or nothing else can give you. I invite you to come and check it out. This Sunday join me at NVMC.tv at 6907 Outerloop. Service times are 9am and 11am. I hope to see you there.

Im stuck!

2009-02-12T10:53:00.000-05:00

I have so much in my mind, and heart but I just can't get it all down on paper! I feel clogged up, in a good way.

We got Forked

2009-02-09T08:43:00.004-05:00

We got Forked Saturday night. A few of our friends from church forked our house Saturday night, so we woke to the surprise Sunday morning. If you are like my mom, you might not know what forked means. You take white plastic forkes and stick them in the ground with the handle up. They were all over the yard.

Lesson learned: Laila and Trinidad are not good guard dogs.

I only have one word to say...revenge. lol

Pop

2009-02-04T08:16:00.003-05:00

My Pepaw passed away on Sunday. He and my Memaw were staying in a hotel because they lost there power in the ice storm like so many of us. Saturday he had a hard time breathing and my Memaw called the ambulance. He died Sunday morning at the age of 91. He and my memaw were married for 64 Years. I was at church when my sister called to tell me. The first thing I told her was that I told him we would come down and go fishing with him, and we didn't. Then I started thinking of all the times I could have gone to visit, but something else came up. At that moment, I was filled with regret. Regret for not spending as much time with my family as I could. Regret is the hardest part of grieving.

Growing up, me and my sister, Jacqueline were close to my Memaw and Pepaw. We would spend summers at there house, playing in there wooded backyard going on adventures. My cousin Kristina was always there too. The three of us would have so much fun. My Pepaw had a workshop where he would make all sorts of things. I still have alittle rocking chair that he made for my dolls, it's in my office and I think of him every time I look at it. You could find him in one of three places. His workshop, in his Garden, or in his chair. My Pepaw loved to garden. He had a vegetable garden and fruit trees. Me, my sister, and cousin would sneak an extra plum every once and a while. They were so good. My pepaw always told us stories, he could tell me anything and I believed every word of it. At the funeral the Pastor said that he was told that my Pepaw had the incredible ability to read a book, listen to the radio and watch TV all at the same time. He also loved his chewing tobacco. My uncle Jack stuck some in his suit pocket at the funeral home. It put a smile on every one's face when they saw it, because they knew he always had it with him. We called him Pepaw, but alot of the family called him Pop. He was a tell you like it is kind of man. That is who he was. I will miss him very much. From all of this, it made me realize that I need to make more time to visit the people that matter to me before they are gone. This is what has been on my mind, thanks for reading it and spending a little slice out of your day to read about my pepaw. So if you can take anything away from reading this post today, make time for those who matter to you.

Eddie James Live at NVMC.tv this weekend!!!!!

2009-01-13T11:11:00.000-05:00

Angie Girl's 2008 Highlight Video

2009-01-07T11:54:00.003-05:00

Go Cards, and Merry Christmas!

2008-12-17T09:21:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday was Lil' Adam's second wrestling match. I missed the first half of it because I was at a Christmas tea with the ladies of our church, which happened to be alot of fun and I can't wait for next year. While I was at the tea, Big Adam texted me that Lil' Adam won his first match! I was so excited. So after the tea I headed over to his match. When I got there, you could see that Lil' Adam was so excited, he was really pumped up that he won, and it gave him a boost in his confidence. His next match came up and he did great. The match had to be decided, and Lil' Adam didn't win that one, but he did an awesome job. The other kid kept getting him pinned down, but he would slide right out of the pin.

It was his last match of the day. My sister, Jacqueline was there, and this was her first time seeing him wrestle. The match started, and the other kid kept doing for Lil' Adam's face, which I hadn't seen before. I was kneeling down next to the mat so I could get some pictures. Lil' Adam was pinned, but he slid right out. They were both on there feet, and the other kid rams into Adam taking him down, Adam got out of it, and they started in the middle of the mat again. The kid would let Adam up again so he could take him down, this time harder. They get more points for a move like that. Only this time, Adam didn't get up. He was laying on his side curled up, facing away from me. My heart went into my throat. The coaches went onto the mat, and rolled Adam over. He got his breath knocked out of him. After about a minute, Adam gets to his feet, and he goes back to the middle of the mat to finish the match. They start, and the whistle on the mat next to them goes off. Both boys thinks it is there whistle, so they stop and are at there feet. They think it is over. The ref signals to reingage, but Adam doesn't see it. The other kids catches Adam off guard, and rams into him, lifting him up, and slams him to the ground. This time, Adam doesn't get up again. He was laying on the mat. My first imstinct was to run on the mat and make sure he was ok. But I remembered what everyone kept telling me. All the guys at work, kept telling me not to go on the mat or my son would never here the end of it. So I sat there watching for what seems like forever, but I am sure it was no more than a minute. I could tell Lil' Adam was crying, so I knew somehting was wrong. As I sat there and watched the worst kept coming to into my mind, but I knew I just had to pray. So I sent a twitter, because I knew all my friends would pray with me. Finally Adam stood up, and the coaches helped him off the mat. He came and sat down with me and Big Adam and my sister. He was taking deep breaths trying to get his breath back, and he said his hand was hurting, so we got ice, and headed to get some ice cream because ice cream makes everything better. Adam was just bummed. He went from all the excitement of winning his first match, to not wanting to wrestle anymore. He showed me his hand, and he had alittle bump on it. We kept an eye on it, and he took a nap.
When he woke from his nap, his hand was even more swollan. You couldn't even see his knuckles. So I took him to the immediate care center. They said it wasn't broken, but she was surprised at how swollan it was. They sent the xrays to a specialist. Monday morning I kept him home from school, because his hand was still swollen, so I was going to get him into his doctor. The specialist called, and said his hand was fractured. So we went to the same specialist we went to a year ago when he broke his thumb on the same hand. So when the dr asked him what color cast he wanted he said Red (or course). Adam looked at me, and said, "Go Cards and Merry Christmas!"

So as of right now, Adam doesn't want to wrestle any more, but we will see how he feels when he gets his cast off in a month. As his mom, I don't want him to wrestle. It wasn't something I was overly exicted about, but it was somehting he wanted to do, so I suported that, and I encouraged him. So as much as I don't want to see him out on that mat again, I don't want him to quit either. I want him to get out there, and conquer that fear.

Today...

2008-12-16T13:51:00.000-05:00

Today,
GE Healthcare technology will help doctors save nearly 3,000 lives.

Today,
GE power generation equipment will create a quarter of the world's electricity.

Today,
3.5 million passengers will fly on commercial jets powered by engines
from GE and its partners.

Today,
GE Evolution locomotives will save so much fuel, it's like taking 43,000 cars off U.S. roads.

Today,
GE will entertain and inform more than a hundred million people.

Today,
GE water technologies will purify enough water to satisfy the daily needs
of 39 million people around the world.

Today,
GE's financial services business will provide $1.85 billion in credit to help companies grow
and people reach their dreams.

Today,
And since 1899, GE has shared its success with shareholders through a dividend.

Today,
More than 300,000 GE employees in over 100 countries are applying their vision,
leadership, and hard work to take on some of the world's toughest challenges.

So just imagine what we'll do
Tomorrow

Innovation you don't have to wait for.

New Vision Ministry Center Cardboard Testimonies...This is why we do what we do.

2008-12-09T23:43:00.004-05:00

Cardboard Testimonies at New Vision Ministry Center from New Vision on Vimeo.

Sunday was an amazing day at NVMC. I came Sunday expecting great things. I have been working with the first impressions team, so at 1st service I stood in the back. Second service came around, and I was going to sit with my family, but I saw that seat after seat was full, so I grabbed my things, and I stood in the back with my husband and sister who gave up there seats as well. NVMC was full to the max with people coming to seek his face. Our faithful ushers and greeters put out more chairs so we could find a seat for everyone. I watched as the video played a message from Pastor on God's Love for us. Then one by one people walked on stage with cardboard signs showing what god brought them out of. It is because of his love.

Addicted Filthy Mess now Clean with God.
Hit Rock Bottom, now standing on the Rock.
A couple, lived together, did drugs together, now We pray together, married here 9-7-08
Hell on Wheels, now Holy Roller.
Brain Tumor "05 now winning threw Christ "08
Raised Muslim now Born again Christian
Raped at Age 10 now More than a Conqueror
A family of 4, (father)Loved Drugs, Alcohol, all kinds of sin, (mother)Marriage over, betrayed again and again, (son) Hated father, wish he would die, (daughter)Family in turmoil, don't know why now....(father)kicked out devil, God now lives in my heart, (mother)Restored our Love, now found a new start, (son) Love Dad now, He's someone to look up to, (daughter) Broken family restored with God's SuperGlue!

Then my Dad came on stage and help his cardboard sign that read, Drowning in Alcoholism, then he flipped it over, Now Sober is Christ!!! Wow, what God has done. I thank him for changing my dad's life, and for working in my friends lives. One by one, my friends at NVMC walked on stage and gave there testimony without even saying a word. These are all people that are special to me, my NVMC family.

As I stood in the back, I cried. Then Wings of Worship took the stage, and there was Anna Garcia, and Pastor David in the front. They just didn't get up there and perform mime, they ministered to hearts that day. They touched lives without even saying a word.

So many times we try to find words to express ourselves, when more often it's our actions and hearts that minister to people.

Sunday was a true testimony of why we do what we do. We invite our family and friends so that we can share with them what God has done in our lives. Our Pastor and leaders at NVMC pour so much out of themselves because it is what they have been called to do, and they have a heart to reach the city that is lost and hurting. Our volunteers give of there time, and serve because they know that people matter to God, so they matter to us. Our parking crew gives there time so that not one person pulls out of the parking lot instead of coming to church. Our Children's workers teach our children about God so that we can attend service and be touched without worrying that our kids are being too loud. That is why we do what we do. We do it so that we can share God's love with others, there is no other reason.

Lots to update you on.

2008-11-25T10:12:00.009-05:00

Wrestling
So Friday Adam had a wrestling scrimmage. This was the first time Adam and I got to see him wrestle. So my patents, my nieces, and Will and Lexi joined us to see Adam in action. As soon as I saw the first match, I was nervous. It was more aggressive than I expected. There was a lot of throwing around, and loud thumps. Made momma nervous. So when they called Adam's name, he walked out onto the mat, and took his position. Then it was on. It went so fast, and so slow at the same time. We were all cheering for him. I am not really sure of the rules, I need to learn about that. Alex yelled out, "Adam don't concentrate on anything but this!" It was so cute. They wrestled for 6 minutes, and then at the end, the ref raised Adam's hand signaling that he won the match. I was cheesin from ear to ear. This is Adam's first experience with School sports. I took a video with my phone, and I am working on uploading that to my blog. But until then, here are some pics. Adam was in grey. I walked over and told Adam how good he did, and some of his friends asked if I was his sister!! I am telling you, that was the best compliment I have received in a long time.
As we walked to the car, Alex told us, that if anyone hurt his brother, when he gets bigger he will beat them up.

Saturday, we froze!
I set it up so that we could have family pics taken outside on Saturday. Well, it was freezing cold. We went to the KFC Building here in Louisville. They have a pretty park, and apparently it if for there employees, because as we were wrapping up, security came and kicked us out. At least we got out pics done. But like I said, it was cold. Outside pics in November, wasn't my best idea ever.

Rockin around the Christmas tree.
Saturday night, I met my friend Erin at Garden Ridge, and we shopped for Christmas ornaments for my tree. We have a fun family tree with colored lights, and all kids of ornaments. But I have always wanted a theme tree. So we went with a peacock theme, because I love the colors in peacock feathers. Well I got it home, and the peacock stuff didn't look very christmasy, so I took those back, and went with black, white, and silver. And it is beautiful. I love it. Very elegant. Here are some pics.

Thankful for..
This morning Alex showed me a paper he made at school.

If you can't see it, he is thankful for his Family, Friends and God. And he drew God with a Big heart.

Wrestling

2008-11-21T13:48:00.002-05:00

Little Adam's first Wrestling match is tonight. It is an inner squad scrimmage. Momma is alittle nervous. But he is very excited! We haven't seen him wrestle before. This is new for him, and we haven't seen him practice, so this is a new frontier for us. I will take lots of pics and post them over the weekend. I hope he has fun, and I am praying no one gets hurt :o)

i will serve you while i'm waiting

2008-11-19T10:51:00.003-05:00

About 60 days ago, our 70 days of ridiculous miracles started. Pastor asked us to make a list of Ridiculous Miracles we were believing for. I had a hard time with my list. I would write something down, then I would say, “With God, this isn’t really ridiculous”. You see, I have had some ridiculous miracles happen. My family was saved, me and my husband started serving god together, my father was baptized, my father was healed, my friends lives have been impacted and they have given there hearts to the Lord. God has sent special people into our lives. God has taken care of us Financially when there was no way. These are all things that seemed ridiculous before they happened, but then they happened, and I saw that nothing is too ridiculous for God, and because he has me, I know he can make it happen.

All this time, there was still something that I was believing for. I wanted to know my place. I saw people serving God in a place were they felt was right were he put them. The past 3 years that I have been at NVMC, I have served. I didn’t do it for a paycheck, I didn’t do it for recognition, I didn’t do it expecting anything in return. Having a relationship with God, and feeling his presence is an amazing experience. I didn’t want to leave church. I wanted to be there all the time. I remember Little Adam telling me one time, “Mom I wish we had church everyday!” So I started to serve because I wanted more of it, that feeling of being close to God. I have served ever since. I have been in the Choir, served in the children’s Dept, the nursery, First Impressions, Vision Care, Vision Athletics and any and all special events we had. I do not do it for man’s applause. I am telling you this because all this time, I wasn’t sure what his plan was for me, I wasn’t sure of my purpose. I knew I had one! I decided to serve him while I waited for him to show me my purpose. I didn’t serve him asking for something in return, but I do believe that I wouldn’t be were I am in him if I did not serve him.

(Deuteronomy 11:13-15 KJV)
(13) And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, (14) That I will give {you} the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. (15) And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.

I served were there was the greatest need, I served when I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to do, I served him while I waited.

Are you serving him? Don’t wait to serve while you are waiting on him. Serve him, and it will change your life.

Serving him is my way of worshiping God! I serve him by showing others that they matter to God!

God is good. God has given me my purpose. I am passionate about it, and know he has placed me were he wants me. So in the 70 days of ridiculous miracles, he has given me mine.

While I'm Waiting :
By: John Waller

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Alex Says

2008-11-16T23:14:00.002-05:00

Tonight Alex said, " I feel like I am about to give birth!"

lol, he cracks me up.

What will you sing?

2008-11-12T15:55:00.000-05:00

I haven’t Blogged in a while. So here goes.

These past two Sundays have been amazing at Church. Two weeks ago, November 2nd, I went to first service, and during the first song I felt God’s presence. I know that he is there even when I don’t feel him, but this morning I felt it. I had some worry that I was carrying around. I kept telling myself that I wasn’t worried, but I just pushed it aside. So I felt God telling me that I can’t just push it aside and pretend it isn’t there, I have to give it to him. I went up to the alter for prayer during praise and worship. When I got back to my seat, Pastor Curtis and the Choir started to sing my favorite song, “To the Glory of your name.” This song has always ministered to me, and taken me to a deeper place in my worship. (I would love to have a live version of this on CD, hint hint) The song lyrics seem simple, not to knock Pastor Curtis’s writing ability, because we know he is gifted. It is a true worship song, and you really don’t need a lot of words for that, just to come from your heart. The song is more than the lyrics, it is the music, and it is a song that ushers in the presence of God. I really felt this was for me, because I hadn’t heard Pastor Curtis and the choir sing this for a while. Then came the Word. Pastor gave a word that I feel God had given me a glimpse of early that week. I really enjoy blogging, and sometimes I will think of something to blog about, and I will record it in a voice recording on my phone, so I can write about it later.

Here is my recording on 10/28/08 word for word:

What you put into you is what comes out of you. All day I find myself singing and humming songs that praise God. What you put into you is what is in you, and what comes out of you.

On Nov 2nd, Pastor talked about how we want God to help but we don’t want to walk in his word. We fill ourselves with things that go against the Word, and his will for us. We do it in the name of entertainment with the songs we listen to, the movies and TV shows we watch. These are some of the notes I took on Sunday:

· Every word you speak is powerful.
· What comes out of you magnifies what is on the inside of you.
· Watch what you listen too.
· Lyrics can live in your life.
· When you got junk in your life, you will sing his song.

When you got junk in your life, you will sing his song. Because I fill myself with his word, and songs that glorify him, I can sing his song.

When junk comes into your life, like a bad Doctors report, losing your job, death, or bills you can’t pay, WHAT DO YOU SAY? Do you ask God why it had to happen, do you worry how you will pay the bills, do you feel alone, and like no one cares, do you vocalize how everything bad is coming against you?

Or can you say or sing, “I call you holy, your name is holy, holy you are and holy you’ll be”, “Here in your presence, we are undone, here in your presence, heaven and earth become one, here in your presence, all things are new, here in your presence, everything bows before you”, “you were there, you were always there”, “You are God Alone!”, “When I think about the Lord, it makes me want to shout, Hallelujah, thank you Jesus, lord your worthy, of all the glory, of all the honor and all the praise!”

This past Sunday Pastor reminded us that you never know who is watching you. If you are at the Bar, cursing out someone, or gossiping you never know who is around the corner. We have to be more like him in our everyday walk, not just at church to put on a show for everyone, or if we bump into someone from church in public. Because it doesn’t matter what man thinks. We do need to be mindful of what we do, we are a reflection of him, and of our church. Ultimately, it matters what God thinks, and he sees you even when your alone, he knows your heart when you put up a front for others to see, he knows your thoughts when you keep your thoughts to yourself.

When I am in the car, or walking threw the grocery store, cleaning the house, or working, I hum and sing Christian music. Most of the time I don’t even realize that I am doing it. The funny thing is that it might not even be a song I have heard in a while, but it is in me. It is in my heart, my mind and my spirit. It’s not the music, it’s God. It’s his word that lives in us. What is in you is what will come out of you. If you have hate, anger, un-forgiveness, and judgment that is what will flow from you. But if you have love, acceptance, forgiveness, and compassion, that is what will flow from you. What do you want to reflect to those who are hurting and need to know this amazing man names Jesus, that came and died for our sins, and washed away our old things, and made us new in him.

The Church Hoppers

2008-11-10T08:53:00.002-05:00

Yesterday at church, Pastor told us about this group called Church Hoppers that go around to Church's un-announced and check things out. No one at NVMC knew that they visited our church a few months back. At NVMC, we know we have a good thing, but it is nice to hear it from someone who has no ties to NVMC. At NVMC, we are a church for people like you, so come and see!! Consider yourself invited.

Check out this great blog at noefool...

and...

Here are some of the things they wrote. Check out article here.

The Church Hoppers
Music, marriage and a mosh pit
There was a lot going on in New Vision Ministry Center’s sanctuary.

Robotic lights pivoted on shiny metal trusses that hung over the stage. Huge woofers pumped out Gospel-infused rock while lyrics flashed on video screens.

But the Church Hoppers’ overwhelming first impression of the church was people. Folks were crammed into the modified gym up to the rafters, filling the room with expectation. It felt like a rock show. As the band played, the under-18 crowd surged forward to stand in front. Simple worship choruses flashed on the screen: I want to jump higher than before … I want to shout louder than before … I want to worship deeper than before … I wasn’t sure what jumping and shouting had to do with God, but it sure got the congregation energized as — yes — they actually bounced and screamed. In the midst of the passion and intensity, something happened to Zach. He tried to explain later: “I felt a Presence that I haven’t experienced in church since I was a kid,” he said. “It was actually kind of scary, like ‘I shouldn’t be enjoying it this much.’ I was clapping; I was feeling it … and yet I was really at peace with myself.” My skeptical side figures Zach’s experience was the product of music and emotions. But my Christian-idealist side hopes maybe he was sensing the presence of God.

The wedding in worship
I grew up in a conservative church where worship songs came from the hymnal and the preacher was in no danger of succumbing to excitement. So I’ve always been suspicious of Bible-thumping holy rollers. Yet I’m not completely cynical. Somewhere inside, I wish I could find as much faith in God’s power, as much passion for Jesus as they have at New Vision. There, it seems like anything could happen on a Sunday morning. Yes, I mean anything. Halfway through the service, Pastor David Boggs explained that a couple in the church wanted to get married, but they couldn’t afford the ceremony. So he conducted a wedding in the middle of worship, with a thousand cheering parishioners as wedding guests. “I sure didn’t see it coming!” said Zach later. “But hey, it’s celebration, and we’re all here anyway. It was really nice of the pastor to do it.” I actually choked up as I watched this couple exchange vows in the middle of a Sunday service. Boggs went on to preach from Romans 12:2, where the Apostle Paul instructs his readers to let God’s wisdom reshape their thinking. “Don’t look like the world; don’t act like the world — it’s messed up,” said Boggs. “We’ve got to learn to make decisions with the mind of Christ. There’s no addiction, there’s no boyfriend … there’s no job, there’s no financial problem, there’s no spiritual problem that Christ can’t conquer … I want this church to mature to the place where we all have the mind of God.” The pastor challenged his flock to renounce their sins, then move forward with the conviction that God would bring blessings as they followed him.

God may not bring “explosive growth” to the members’ mutual funds, but perhaps that’s not the big idea. Their passionate convictions might still help them through hard times — even a recession.

Starts Tonight

2008-10-24T11:27:00.000-04:00

Road Rage

2008-10-24T09:27:00.002-04:00

So last night, Jenn and I took Alex and Nate to the Zoo for there Halloween Party. We were about 2 miles from the zoo when we notice the right lane was starting to back up, we went up alittle bit and figured it must be for the zoo, so we merged over into the right lane. Jenn said the lady behind us was throwing her arms around, must not have been too happy. We sat in traffic for a bit, and finally pulled into our parking space. I was getting out of the car, and the car next to me was pulling in. As she pulled up, her window was down, and she said with a sarcastic smile on her face, "Oh look, we get to park by you too, after you cut us off." At first I was in shock, her kids were in the car, what kind of example was she setting for them. Then I tried to explain to her that we didn't know the line of cars was for the zoo, and as soon as we did, we tried to get over. But I couldn't even get it out. She rolled up her window, and ignored me. So we got the stroller out, and got the kids situated, and Jenn said, "and look we all got here at the same time". Really, did it make that big of a deal, did it inconvenience the lady that much to be upset to try to ruin a fun experience. Jenn was right, it wasn't that big of a deal. So after I wrote down there license plate (just in case Jenn's car got keyed or something :o)) we were off and had a fun night. As you can tell it still kind of bugged me, I don't like to think that I am the cause of someone being upset. But I have to realize that it really wasn't that big of a deal, and some people can find any reason to be upset. So I am blogging about it and letting it go. lol

So this morning Alex and I were dropping Little Adam off at school. There was a line of cars behind us. Little Adam said he forgot to have me sign something, so I pulled over and turned on my flashers. There was plenty of room to go around me. So I signed the paper, and Adam was getting out of the car, when a car behind me honked at me. Alex said, "No body honks at my momma!". It was so cute.

Alex Says

2008-10-13T08:16:00.005-04:00

Alex gets a little frustrated when his big brother interrupts him when he is talking. Well last night, they were both in the kitchen, and Adam and I were sitting in the living room. Alex was talking and Adam started to interrupt him. Alex looks at him and very calmly says, "Adam, I will give you 20 cents if you stop talking." Me and Adam were cracking up.

This past week has been a very busy week. I was blessed to be able to attend every night of Camp Meeting this week. With work and Camp Meeting I didn't have any time to go to the grocery, so we ate fast food everyday this week. It got old very fast. So right after church on Sunday I went to the grocery. When I got home, Adam and the boys were not home, so I unloaded the car, and put all the groceries away. When Adam and the boys arrived, the first thing the boys did when they walked in was look in the pantry. Alex opened the door, and looked, closed the door, opened it again and said, "I am in food heaven." Yeah, it was pretty sad before, we had pretty much ran out of everything.

Stress Busters

2008-10-10T13:36:00.002-04:00

We have a special website at work that keeps us up to date on the transition of GE Appliance Park. We have had some announcements made in the past 48 hours, and because of that they posted a blog, "Coping With Change -- Daily Stress Busters". I thought some of these were interesting, and I just added some random thoughts of mine on some of them.

Have a massage. (Exchange massages with your spouse.) (um babe, I am going to need you to get on that.)

Change your routine when it might help refresh your life. Get up a few minutes earlier and go for a walk? Take a different route home from work? Wear your rings on different fingers? Order something different from a menu? Have dessert before your meal? (I like the dessert before your meal one, and I might switch up my rings, and see how it makes me feel :o) )

Learn to recognize the difference between complaining that reinforces stress and constructive criticism that helps. (Throughout this whole process, I have focused on my faith, and trusting in God. I try to keep people up to date on what is going on because it effects more than Adam and me. Alot of you out there have family or friends at GE also. I work with alot of people that has let this consume them, and distract them. Let me be honest, there have been times, but that is when I renew my mind, and I know that we are in his hands no matter what happens. I trust him beyond my own understanding)

Have fun. (I can say that in my family, we do have fun. Some of my most relaxing times have been just me, Adam and the boys hanging out and having fun.)

Choose an appropriate level of emotional involvement. Choose your attitude. (um, and appropriate level of emotional involvement. I am emotional. 90% of the time, I like that about myself. I think that it is one of my qualities. Some see emotional as a negative trait, not me. I think it is one of the things that make me special. :o) I am sure my husband would love it if I didn't cry at most movies. he always looks at me, and says, "Are you crying!" My most recent episode was watching last weeks ER when Dr. Pratt died. So instead of choosing an appropriate level of emotional involvement, I will choose to change my mentality, and just trust him!)

Remember happy times. Stroll through photo albums. (I love to take pictures and to look threw my pictures. The pictures are so much better than just our memory. It triggers the memory, and give detail to our memory. I can get lost in photo's and loose track of time, guess cause it's so relaxing)

Learn to relax, using prayer, meditation, yoga. (Prayer is a huge thing for me, and music. I recently got an iPod and downloaded some praise music on it, and I love listening to it. It helps me to renew my mind. I believe what we put in our head intentionally and unintentionally effects our attitude and mentality.)

Be gentle with yourself. Cultivate a pleasant environment. Surround yourself with what you like whenever possible, whether it is flowers or colors or pictures. Make a space for yourself where you can relax, alone or with others. (My space at work has things that I like and enjoy. There are pictures of my family, One of our invite cards from church, some motivational sayings, a craft project my son made for me, some frogs (not real ones, I like frogs), a bottle of sand from the beach(the most relaxing place on the earth), and some cards from my family and friends. Someone made a comment once that my desk was cluttered, this coming from a man that has nothing on his desk. These things are just things, but they remind me of something important to me, and that is relaxing)

That is my big baby.

2008-10-06T14:03:00.000-04:00

This is what u will find Trinidad doing most of the time. He was actualy guarding the pork chops in the oven.

Camp Meeting...Be there

2008-10-06T14:01:00.003-04:00

This week at Church is Camp Meeting. It is going to be awesome. Hope to see you there.

Visit NVMC.tv for more info.

NVMC Camp Meeting
October 8-12, 2008
Set aside this week and make time to come to NVMC’s very own Camp Meeting. Make sure you bring a friend or loved one and be prepared to SHOUT! We will have dynamic speakers through-out the week. Speakers will include Pastor Darlene Bishop, Pastor Tony Stewart, Pastor Clint Brown, and Bishop Sean Teal.

2008-09-30T12:15:00.001-04:00

Make sure you’re close to God so you know the crazy vision he’s given you is, in fact, from him and not that burrito you ate last night.

http://chadwright.wordpress.com/

My heart this morning.

2008-09-25T08:09:00.002-04:00

Before we go to bed at night, I go in each of the boys rooms and we pray. I started to do this, so that they can learn how to pray. I have learned to pray by listening to others pray for me and listening to them pray for other people. I have seen my prayers change as my relationship grows with God.

As my relationship with God continues to grow, my prayer time is more intimate, it isn't a list of things I want from God, there is no other way to describe it other than it is a conversation with God.

Last night, I fell asleep before I could pray with the boys. Alex was sure to point this out to me this morning. He said that since we didn't pray together, he prayed by himself. He was having a hard time getting to sleep, and he said he prayed to God that he would give him a good night sleep. He said the next thing he knew, zzzzzz (he was making snoring sounds). I told him I was so proud of him for praying on his own. I explained to him that because he asked God to help him sleep, God answered his prayer.

I wonder if Alex would have prayed if I hadn't been praying with him, or if he didn't go to Children's Church were they pray with the kids. If he had never heard anyone pray, would he have prayed.

Along time ago, during a very difficult time, I heard someone ask someone very dear to me if they had been praying. Another person jumped in, and said, "he doesn't know how to pray." Can you imagine what that would do to a person. Would he think there was a right and wrong way to pray, would he now pray at all. There is power in words, and thankfully someone else stepped in. The person that asked if he had been praying explained that there is no wrong way to pray to God, you just talk to him.

When I was saved, and started to pray I didn't know I just had to talk with God. I thought there was a right and wrong way to pray, and if I didn't know how to do it, I just wouldn't do it at all. It wasn't until I heard others pray that I learned that they were just talking to God. I didn't have to learn how to pray, I just had to learn TO pray. I am still trying to get comfortable praying out loud with others. I pray with the boys, and as a family. Like I said, I am still growing. The boys have heard me pray, and they are learning to pray. I pray out loud with my boys and my family, and I am learning to pray for others.

My Blogs usually starts with one thing that has happened (like Alex praying on his own), and I think about it, and what God is trying to teach me. Threw this, I believe he has showed me that I need to pray for others. I have family who isn't in church, has never grown up in church, at NVMC, we have people coming everyday that do not have someone to pray for them, and they may feel like they don't know how to do it. They will learn from us, Just as I am learning.

One of my family members came to church this week, and said to me, "I felt a warmth in my heart tonight. I have never felt that before." I knew that that was God touching her heart, she didn't know what it was, she just knew it was amazing and that she had never felt that way before. What did he say last night, "Things have never been like they are right now!" They are coming people. People who are hurting, and feel alone, and have lost all hope. They need God, and we need to be there to help them, and encourage them when others tell them, "There is no God", and "he hasn't changed you". I am so ready, and there is nothing I love more than seeing God work in peoples lives. Are you ready?

Tomorrow, about this time...Somethings gonna change!

He has Us

2008-09-19T09:04:00.002-04:00

To reach (our goal), we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must sail and not drift, not lie at anchor.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., physician

I think this applies to our walk with God also. At times it will seem easy, as if we are going with the wind. Along my sail with God, there have been those times were it was easy to believe in him, I could see him working in my life, and I could feel his presence. Then the wind turns, and you get a bad doctor report, or a friend or family member turns from God, you loose your job, or a tragedy happens in your family. I think in those times God tries to show us that he is there, but perhaps due to our Mentality we can't see it. Even if we can't see or feel that he is there, he is, and believing in that is Faith. Giving God the glory and not the enemy. The other day I was with a friend at the hospital, and another friend said God gets the Glory, not the enemy. And I thought, I have heard it a ton of times, but I had to be in the midst of something for it to hit me. The enemy doesn't have any power unless we give it to him. So we will rejoice in God, because he has us. We need to stay faithful, get in his word, (Sail and not Drift), don't lie at ancor.

Our Pastors

2008-09-14T07:55:00.002-04:00

I can't honor Pastors and not mention another couple that means alot to Adam and I. Pastor David and Christel. The Vision that they have for NVMC has helped me and my family come to know God. Words can't describe how much I appreciate there support, encouragement and friendship.
The first time me and Adam came to NVMC as a couple Pastor came in the back before we left and introduced himself, and gave us some NVMC t-shirts. We were then a small church of alittle over 100 and you knew when visitors were in the house.

There are so many memories that stick out into my head that remind me of the love and kindness showed to me and my family.

Before my dad started to come to NVMC he was having alot of back trouble and had to have another surgery. Pastor David, Pastor Luke and Pastor Randy came up to the hospital and prayed with my father and sat with my family for the surgery. They really cared.

When I volunteered in the office, if Pastor saw me stuffing visitor bags he would stop in and ask how everything was going. He genuinely cares out the people of NVMC.

Those are a just few of the things that impacting the heart of my family.

I want to thank Pastor David for reaching out to Adam, and my family and being a great friend to him. Thank you Pastor for caring about me and my family just as I know you are about everyone at NVMC. Thanks for everything you have done for us, and just know that words cannot express the gratitude we have for everything you all have done.
I want to thank Pastor Christel for being a great example to the wives at NVMC, and for the women and NVMC. You have such a warm heart. Thanks for always taking the time that you do to share and encouraging word. You are a strong women of God, and I thank him for putting you in our life. (some one has to make sure David doesn't take Rocky and Scooby to the pound). lol Seriously thank you for all you do, it really doesn't go unnoticed.

Thank you both for being great friends, and for not being afraid to shake things up alittle bit.

Celebrate NVMC.tv Pastoral Staff Blog Day

2008-09-14T01:00:00.002-04:00

Today I want to honor the Children’s Pastors at NVMC.tv, Demetric and Jennifer Norwood. Jennifer(Jenn) and Demetric (Dee) are not only the children’s pastors at NVMC.tv, they are also very dear friends to Adam and me. Adam and I first meet Demetric about 2 years ago at the College and Career Scavenger Hunt.

My first thought of him was that this guy is too friendly. Lol. He looked like he was going to Alaska with his ear warmers. Dee and Adam get along really good and have a lot in common, so do Jenn and I. I met Jenn at the Impacting the Heart of the City Conference. Jenn and Dee are from Texas (hence the reason for the ear warmers in October). Dee was here on business when he stumbled on NVMC. He was on his way to another church, but was running late, and decided to stop in and check out NVMC because he had seen Pastor on tv. Dee says that from the moment he walked in the door he knew this was his church home. Can you imagine your husband calling you from half way across the US, and saying, “honey we are moving to Kentucky”. Lol. Well he did, and they soon relocated to Kentucky.

Over time Jenn and Dee have become very good friends to us. Not too long after we meet and started to get to know each other Jenn and Dee took the role of Ministering to the Kids of NVMC. They really get on the same level as the kids and have fun teaching them about God, and they have a passion for it. They are encouragers not only to the kids but also to their friends, and anyone they come in contact with. They have a level of integrity that as there friends we see in their everyday life. I see them as a couple that not only teaches the word but lives by it as well.

Adam and I are so blessed to have Dee and Jenn as our friends and as our children’s Pastors. I see a change in my kids. This past Sunday Alex was telling us that they learned about “changing your mind”. The kids are learning about Mentality just like we are in “big” church. As a family we are learning and growing together because of great leaders at NVMC who are passionate about teaching us Gods word.

A few funny things...
Thanks to Jenn, on occasion, I sound like I am from Texas. I have discovered that Texans pronounce there I's alittle different than us folks from Tucky!

For the longest time Dee thought I was hispanic..which was kindof funny cause I am mostly Irish. A big difference. lol. But I wasn't complaining since Adam is Puerto Rican and the boys take after him, maybe I don't stick out like a sore thumb with my husband and sons.

I asked Alex if he had anything to say to his Pastors. He said that he has fun with you all. I think that is a great compliment.

I want to thank Jenn and Dee for being great friends. For being there for us, and having fun with us, and for helping us teach our kids the word of God.

Where were you?

2008-09-11T09:20:00.002-04:00

It was a Tuesday, my first day back to work from maternity leave. I was working when we got a phone call saying that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. We keep a small TV in the lab, so we pulled it out and I remember seeing the second plane hit. When we found out that it was terrorism, I just wanted to be with my family. We kept the TV on all day as we worked, and I will never forget those images. The scary part was that it kept happening, one attack after another, and you were on the edge of your seat praying there wouldn't be anymore. We kept Little Adam away from the TV, because he was too young to know what was going one. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law lived in DC, and my brother-in-law worked for the government and we didn't know were he was working that day. We called our loved ones, and were releaved to know they were ok. There were so many other families, thousands who didnt' feel relief that day. There heart ached, and my heart went out to them. Someone discribed it well, "it was like time stopped that day". Everything stood still. The people sitting infront of the TV's, and the sky was empty. So today I remember 9/11, and all those effected, and pray for comfort, and healing.

Adam

2008-09-11T08:42:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I have to brag on my husband because he is an amazing man.

The other day when we got home from church, he looked at me and said, "I want to tell the boys the scripture that Pastor talked about today. About how God didn't give us the spirit of fear, but of Power, and love, and of a sound mind." He explained how this can help them when they are scared to know that God didn't make us to be afraid. It makes me love him more and more everytime I hear him talk about God, when he reminds me of Gods word, and teaches our kids about God. Adam is an amazing husband and father, and I am so thankful for were God has brought us as a family and as a couple. I am thankful to the Men of New Vision for not being afraid to be real and for showing other Men how to embrace God and live his word.

NVMC, I love you guys!!

New Gadget

2008-09-11T08:35:00.005-04:00

There is a new little Gadget for our blogspots. It is the Followers Gadget. So add it to your blogspot so I can follow you, and you can follow me.

He can't have my testimony

2008-09-02T07:55:00.002-04:00

Sunday, along with my family, we shared our testimony with NVMC.

I know that God has truly done great works in my and my family. I know that he has truely blessed us. When we were first asked to share, I was excited to get the oppurunity to share what God has done, because I know it was all God. As the day got closer, the nerves started to settle in. I get really nervous in front of alot of people, and NVMC, ya'll are alot of people. :o) Amen. As I was talking with my family about Sunday and what we might be asked, I started to think, can our testimony do anything, can it really touch anyone. I soon realized that it was the enemy trying to take my testimony. He was trying to put doubt in my mind and tried to dirstract me. As soon as I realized this, I started to pray. I wasn't going to think about what might be asked, I wasn't going to worry if I would have the words, I prayed that God would gaurd my mind from the attacks of the enemy, and that God would give me the words that he knew others needed to hear.

As I stood in service Sunday as we worshipped him, I felt his presence. I knew that he would give me the words that I needed. I looked up and saw my parents walk to the alter for prayer, and I started crying because here they were again, depending on God. My husband put his arm around me, and I remembered, we are in this together. My mind was overwhelmed, in a good way. I felt all the emotions agian and was reminded of the feeling when my son was baptized, when I redeticated my life, when me and my husband responded to my first alter call together, when my father was healed, and my family joined the church, when my father was baptized, the first time we prayed as a family, when I heard my husband minister to my son. God is good, and all that has happened because of God.

I want to speak to those of you who are praying for your family and friends. Never give up. No matter where they are at, God can do all things. He is trying to use you, so move out of the way and let him. Let your family and friends see the love that you have because of God. Don't give up.

We are so blessed that he brought us to NVMC. Having been rejected by another church, God showed me that that is not what it is about. It is not about Rejection, or pointing fingers. It is about Love, Acceptance and forgiveness. This is what NVMC strives to give, That is what can reach people, That is what reached my family.

2008-08-29T08:16:00.003-04:00

Alex asked me if I got my paint job changed. He meant my hair. lol

Here it is. Something alittle different. No red. Just dark brown and copper. I like the change.

My TNT Group

2008-08-28T14:49:00.004-04:00

Here is a pic of our Team In Training group. Some of us are going to Phoenix in January and some are going to Disney. This pic was taken at our kickoff.

God is Good!

2008-08-27T08:06:00.003-04:00

Earlier this year my Pastor gave our church a Challenge to trust God with our Tithes, and be faithful for 3 months. Adam and I took that Challenge. Having not grown up in church we didn't understand how to turn that part of us over to God. But we wanted to give it all we had.

So we started Tithing on everything, and we started to see God work in our finances. I am a worrier, I guess I thoguht if I worried about it I could find a way to make it work. God was trying to teach me to count on him, and trust in him and not worry about it. So I tried to do that. There was one week in particular that we were tight. So that week, I didn't worry about it, I knew it didn't add up, but I know what the word says. We have been praying for checks in the mail and finding money. That week several hundred dollars appeared in our account. Part of me wanted to not doubt it and not question it, but I am the kind of person that if you give me the wrong amount of change, I don't see it as a blessing, I give it back. So I checked, and it was our Money!! Woohoo. Threw out those months, I we weren't wasteful, and because of that if we were in a bind, God worked it out. There were several times that checks arrived right on time, and we recieved our tax stimulus check. There was talk of layoffs at work, and the day the layoffs happened, I got a raise. A very nice raise. God is Good.

Then GE made the announcement that they were putting Appliance Park up for Sale. I have blogged about it here, FAITH, so you can read about that on my blog. You can imagine all the rumors, and attitudes at work. It was a huge test. It went from we are out of jobs, to get ready to move to China. We started to look at our options. Our biggest option was to move out of State to a better job market. The devil would love that, to get us away from a church that has changed our family, and taught us how to have a relationship with God. But we have been praying for jobs and better jobs. And about a month or so ago, GE announced that instead of selling the business, we would spin off into our own company. We won't be GE anymore, we will be a new company with a new name, but we will still sale GE appliances, and we will be in Louisville, and we will have jobs, and GE will offer more Jobs. Jobs and Better Jobs!! I was reminded of this this morning when I saw a friend form church who does security at GE now. He has recently been hired on.

There are times that the worrier in me starts, but I have to remind myself what GOd has done, and that is just the tip of the iceburg.

Adam just got a promotion and raise, and has a position that he enjoys more.

I am so happy that I have a pastor that was not affraid of talking about tithing, and gave us that challenge. God showed us that we can trust in him, and he will be our provider. I really believe that our faithfulness to him is the reason for our blessings. It is nothing we have done, just what he asked of us.

I was reflecting on this this morning and had to share.

I am blogging from my phone.

2008-08-26T10:45:00.000-04:00

I am running with Team In Training for LLS

2008-08-22T09:56:00.001-04:00

Dear Family and Friends,

On January 18, 2009, I will be running a mini-marathon in Phoenix, Arizona! That’s 13.1 miles, and yes all at once. Luckily, I am not doing this on my own. I have joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. Through this program, I have great coaches, mentors and teammates whose support will help me cross the finish line. I have a desire to make a difference in this fight to cure blood cancers.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was rated one of the top ten charities for having the highest percentage of funds raised that directly benefit research and patient services. I’m proud to be a part of TNT and fully support there mission: cure Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and Myeloma and improve the quality of life for it’s patients and their families.

An estimated 823,349 Americans have blood cancers.
Every 5 minutes someone is diagnosed.
Every 10 minutes someone dies from blood cancers (an estimates 52,310 deaths in 2007).
There are approximately 50 different drugs being used in treatment.

We lost my mother-on-law and my grandmother to cancer. LLS has done so much for Cancer research and this is my way to help out, and make sure that no one else that I love has to face this disease. One of the greatest contributions of the Society is toward research. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of this disease, and researchers are now optimistic that they will find a cure within 6 years.

My personal goal is to cross the finish line having raised $3,600 and I know it’s possible with the support of family and friends like you! Please consider donating.

As I walk the 13.1-mile mini-marathon, you will be with me in spirit, and your sponsorship will inspire me to walk stronger and faster to the finish line. Whatever you can do to contribute matters…it all adds up! With over 75% of your donation going directly to research, you truly can make a difference.

If possible, please send your donation by September 12th so I can monitor my fundraising efforts. However, I will continue to accept donations until the day of the race.

Please visit my website at http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/pfchangs09/arivera1pd and make donations online, this is a secure site. Please forward this email to others who may be interested in donating. Sadly, there are so many people affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma, and there are a lot of people who would like to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

If you would like to pay by check, please make checks payable to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and email me for my address.

Thank you so much for your support and generosity!

Angela Rivera

502-494-5519

a.rivera@insightbb.com

a thought...

2008-08-14T08:08:00.002-04:00

It is sad that someone can be so lonely while surrounded by so many people.

First Day of School

2008-08-12T07:56:00.003-04:00

Adam's First Day of Middle School. Can you believe it....I can't. He was so excited.

He rode the bus for the very first time. We are dropping him off so he can ride to school with Ashley who is a sophmore this year (can't believe that either). When we dropped them off at the bus stop, it was just me and Alex. So I took him to his school, and it was wierd just taking Alex. For 6 years Adam went to that elementary school, and for the past two years they were there together.

So the First day of school was great, other than me thinking of them every second of the day, but that is not so bad.

Alex says he likes school. He has lots of friends in his class, but he still missed his brother. The first day of school he said he had 5 girls chasing him on the play ground. Oh brother.

Adam loves Middle School. Such a relief to me. He has his own locker, gets to change classes, and he is in Orchestra. He plays the Violin, and is saving for an Electric Violin. He going to school with some of his friends, and has made some new ones. Yesturday he got a good ol' circle yes or no note from a girl. His dad was so proud. lol. But Adam has always told him, If your in sports you can't have a girl friend, cause they will mess your game up. lol.

Alex doesn't have home work the first week, but Adam had his first homework last night. He had to add fractions. Brought back memories. Least common denominator. Not fun. I am good at math, but it wasn't fun having to go threw and check to make sure they were all write. This could get challenging.

So right now, they are both loving school.

Family Fun Time

2008-08-08T15:17:00.000-04:00

Last night it felt so good outside. So we all went out into the back yard and threw the ball around, and played with the dogs. I got some good pics of Laila and Trinidad. Looks like this weekend is going to be nice. Looks like we might have to take a trip to the park.

Check out the pics I posted on my Flickr account.

DoggySpace

2008-08-08T15:14:00.001-04:00

Check out Trinidad's Doggyspace. Oh yes my friends...there is a myspace for dogs, and I am all about that.

Trinidad's Doggy Space

Happy Birthday Puppies!!

2008-08-07T10:26:00.009-04:00

Happy Birthday to you, woof woof...
Happy Birthday to you, woof woof...
Happy Birthday dear..
Lucy, Rocky, Scooby, Noelani, and Tyson...woof woof
Happy Birthday to you!!!!

One year ago today Laila and Trinidad had Puppies. It was an amazing experience. We helped Laila give birth to the pups, we watched them come into this world, and we got attached to them over the next 6-8 weeks. We took care of them, and played with them every waking minute, and some sleeping ones. They all have good homes, and we get to see them and hear stories about them. We love our dogs, and we have a special place in our heart for the puppies. So over the next week, we will be visiting the puppies and taking them there Birthday Presents.

Enjoy the pics.

The Puppies are Born!

Noelani

Tyson

Scooby and Rocky

Check out theses posts from last August.
Puppies Have Arrived
The Boys Name the Puppies
Were are the puppies at??
Noelani
Tyson
Caught Red Handed

The next BIG thing in mobility! lol

2008-08-04T14:44:00.001-04:00

source: http://wmexperts.com/articles/htc_magnum_joke_of_the_day.html

Twitter Account

2008-08-02T13:02:00.002-04:00

I had to set up a new Twitter Account today. So to my twitter peeps, I am now..Angiegirlrivera

Alex says...

2008-08-01T10:46:00.002-04:00

Alex: mom I think I need to go to the gym to work out so you can see my scabs.

Me: scabs?

Alex: (Pointing to his stomach) Yeah Scabs.

Big Adam: Your abs?

Alex: Yeah, that's what it is.

lololololo

To Twitter or Not to Twitter

2008-08-01T08:54:00.004-04:00

So day 1 without twitter. Felt kind of lonely not having my twitter peeps to share little things with. There were so many times I reached for my phone to twitter and it wasn't there. So I started to think, does it really hurt anything.

The reasons I considered stopping..
Am I giving too much info to people. - Sometimes I feel I put too much of myself out there. Is this another one of those times?
Is it effected me actually blogging. - I love to blog. Blogging I do for myself, not for others, and not for comments. I do love that people read my blog. I think it gives people more insight into who I am.

Why I twitter...
Sometimes you just need to tell someone something that doesn't necessarily require feedback. Some of my favorite twit times are the on going conversations on twitter with my twit peeps. This morning on my way to work I notices gas went up to 3.89. hello, wasn't it just 3.69 or something. That is ridiculous, I reached for my phone to twit, but forgot I deleted my account. (Remind me, why did I do this again)

There are things I blog about that are too long for twitter. There are things like the shock of gas at 3.89 again that I wanted to twitter about that I wouldn't blog about.

It fits me. I blog, I load almost all my pics on Flickr(some public some private), and I twitter. I really don't mind putting myself out there, until someone hurts me, but I always bounce back. If you read my blog and don't like what I blog about don't read it. If you don't want to see every picture I took from summer vacation, you don't have to look, and if you don't like how I twitter, don't follow me. Remember it is to give you insight on who I am, not what you perceive of me, or what others tell you of me. Some will like me, others won't. That is ok.

I like to hear what everyone is up too, not to be nosie, but just to know what my twitter peeps are up to.

Is it really that big of a deal? No, I enjoy it, it doesn't hurt anything or anyone, so twitter peeps, I am back.

Alittle insight on me,,,I analyze, can you tell. lol

So Long, See ya, It's been fun.

2008-07-31T12:00:00.003-04:00

I deleted my twitter account today. It was fun while it lasted. Making some changes, so I thought I would say goodbye to Twitter for a while. See ya'll tweets in the real world.

Salsa = Fun Times

2008-07-30T10:14:00.002-04:00

So we went Salsa Dancing with a friend of mine, Erin and her boyfriend Bobby. Erin and I went shopping Saturday for a dress to wear since the lesson was part of our date night. So we wore our dresses and heels. We quickly discovered that that was probably not such a hot idea. Salsa is a workout. So next time we will be better prepared. But we did have a great time. We learned the basic steps, and learned a turn and some spins. We are going back this week, and I will take more pictures of us actually dancing. Before you know it, we will be pro's. We will at least have fun trying.

Middle School

2008-07-29T08:56:00.002-04:00

We registered our oldest son for middle school yesterday. I can't believe my son is going to be in middle school. Middle school life is such a huge difference from elementary school. He will have his own locker, and he can't take his book bag to class, he has to keep it in his locker. So I am worried he won't have what he needs in class, or that he will forget his locker number. The mother in me is going to worry about everything. But I am sure he will be OK. I really liked how they addressed the kids more than the parents. They asked them questions, and explained things directly to them. I think that really helps them feel more responsible. It will be like sending him to school on his first day of kindergarten all over again.

LOL

2008-07-28T12:43:00.001-04:00

iphone vs. Tilt

source: http://tomthegeek.blogspot.com/2007/07/cingular-8925-trumps-iphone.html

Are you Cuil?

2008-07-28T07:12:00.002-04:00

A new search engine launched today. Cuil (Pronounced Cool) claims to search 121,617,892,992 web pages.

I love Google, I use Google several times everyday. It is the home page on my Mobile device.

I will give Cuil a try to see how it out performs Google.

Is Cuil Cooler than Google. We will have to see.

www.cuil.com

2008-07-25T10:20:00.002-04:00

Last night, Little Adam asked if he could get on the computer when we got home. I told him he would have to get on the laptop because our PC is pretty much shot. He said, well we have had it for a while. I told him it is like 6 or 7 years old. Alex said, it's been 6 years since you got me, almost 7. You got me a long time ago.

Mission to Get Organized

2008-07-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

You know my mission to get organized, well I finally got the Calender up. I bought one of those desk calender and tore off the month of July and put it on the frig. It has all of our important dates on it, and I added any other important dates to the other months and put it away. It is much better than a dry erase calender, because I can write events months in advance, and don't have to worry about anything getting erased. This way, we can all write down things we need to remember, and we can all see it. I feel much better already.

What to Wear

2008-07-25T10:02:00.001-04:00

Saturday night we are going to take a Salsa Lesson with a friend of mine and her boyfriend. This is a first for all of us, and should be pretty entertianing. What do you wear to take a Salsa Lesson??? On TV they dress up, I don't want to be out of place. Any body know??

To cut or not to cut, that is the on going question

2008-07-25T09:51:00.002-04:00

I almost lost the battle yesterday. My husband was this close to taking the boys for a haircut. I have a feeling it will come to that before school starts. Little Adam has curly hair, and you can really see it now that it is getting longer. I am going to take him with me Saturday when I get my hair colored to see what my girl (that is what we call our hairstylists) thinks we can do with his hair. He is going to Middle School this year, so we have to make sure is is pimped out and looking good. lol

Planning a Birthday

2008-07-21T14:22:00.002-04:00

We are planning a birthday party for Alex, and I have a big problem. I love to entertain, and would do so much more of it if my husband loved it as much as I do. I love the crafty, Do-it-Yourself decorating, and just going all out. We have done everything from a basic birthday party to a Carnival Birthday Party (which was my favorite). I am having to hold myself back because Alex is going to be 7, and while I am sure he will love anything we do, I have to make sure it is more on the big boy side, and less on the cheesy side :o) I love giving them a day that is there day. So i am going to log off of Martha Stewart's website, and take Alex to Card and Party Outlet so he can pick out his birthday theme.

Delemia in the Rivera House

2008-07-14T10:56:00.004-04:00

The boys have been going to the barber shop to get there hair cut with Daddy every Thursday since they got there first haircut when they were 1 or 2 years old. The boys have decided they want to let there hair grow out some so they can do something different with there hair. This is a big deal, because it is driving my husband crazy. Little Adam's hair is curly, and you can see the curls since it is getting alittle longer. Alex's hair is straight, so he will be alittle limited to what he can do. So right now, momma is trying to keep there hair fixed so daddy doesn't freak out, and take them to the barber shop. Two weeks ago, was Adam's first trip to the barber shop with out them, and Adam's Barber, who he has been going to since he was little, was shocked to see the boys weren't with him. So we will see what happens. I asked Adam to give me 6 weeks. 6 weeks to let there hair grow out alittle so we can do something and see how they like it. We don't know what we are going to do yet, so we will see what we come up with.

Alex's First Haircut

The rest of our Vacation

2008-07-08T09:40:00.016-04:00

Our last day at the Beach. We drove over to Destin, and the water was clear and the waves were high.

Then I got stung by a Jelly Fish. Adam insists it was just a fish bite. lol So we played in the sand alittle bit.

That night we went back to Pier Park and Did some shopping. We went back to the Beach Shop so the boys could spend there money. They had there picture taken with a baby Gator, and then we went to ride go-carts. The next morning we were on our way home.

The End

"Praise Me" HE said

2008-07-07T09:24:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine told me I should blog about this so here goes.

If you have read my blog you know that June 18th, 2003 Adam was in a car accident and his friend died. Every June 18th we visit the cemetery. We took the boys with us this year. Little Adam remembers the accident, but Alex doesn't because he was only 1 year old. We talked about Bernie while we stood in front of the grave stone covered in flowers and Angels. We answered the boys questions. And we kissed our hands and placed our hands on the stone. As we prepared to leave I heard God say, "Praise Me". It was so strong in my spirit. So I asked Adam and the boys if they wanted to pray. So we stood in a circle, held hands and prayed. We thanked God for each day we have together. We thanked him for saving Adam that day. We gave him praise, because he has a plan beyond our understanding. We miss Bernie but we leave all understanding to him and we trust him and praise him in the midst of the pain and sorrow. This is the first time we have stood outside our home and prayed other than to bless food. This was a huge step for us as a family. I thank God for how we have grown and to continue to grow in our faith and in our relationship with God as a family. We have been apart of NVMC for 3 years and before that we didn't attend church, we didn't pray together, we didn't understand what it meant to have a relationship with God. We don't have full understanding and I know we never will, that is not meant for us, but we do have Faith. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Day 3

2008-07-02T12:50:00.016-04:00

Wednesday Panama City Beach was clear so we stayed at our hotel and hung out on the beach most of the day.

The boys caught a Hermit crab and Alex had to show it off to the Ladies.

Adam and the boys spent most of the day at the beach fishing for Hermit Crabs and Fish. Adam caught a few fish with the net.

That night we played Putt Putt, and went to a Surf Shop that had real Gators.

Then we headed to Pineapple Willy's for some Dinner. They have the best Ribs. My oldest Son is starting to eat like a man, so we all got Rib Buckets except Alex who could live on Chicken Tenders and Fries. We sat out on the pier which was really nice.

I got Spammed!

2008-07-01T15:35:00.001-04:00

My Blog got spammed with lots of comments.

Tuesday

2008-07-01T14:46:00.012-04:00

Tuesday we woke up early to look for shells on the beach. The water was still green.

So after we had our breakfast at Sharky's, we decided to drive to Destin hoping that the water would be clearer. We have stayed there before, and remembered how nice it was. Destin is was only 40 miles away, and it was well worth the drive. As soon as we saw the beach, we were in paradise. The water was so clear, and you could go pretty far out in the water and it was still clear, and you could reach. We all had so much fun at the Beach in Destin. Playing the water, and riding the waves on our boogy boards.

We went back to the hotel and swam some more and then got ready for dinner. We decided to go to Pier Park which is a really cool place to eat and shop. We ate dinner and looked at the shops, and me and Little Adam got a Tattoo, an airbrush tattoo. But I didn't tell me mom that part, I wanted her to freak out alittle.

We walked on the beach some more, and stopped at Sharky's to listen to some karaoke and watched the kids play at the play area.

Our First Day at the Beach!

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We arrived at the beach Monday afternoon and couldn't get on the beach fast enough. The water was alittle green, not as clear as we expected.

So we hung out at the beach for alittle but, and then headed to the pool.

Our Hotel had a deal with the restaurant next to us that we got free breakfast and kids eat free, so that night for dinner we went next door to Sharky's and had dinner.

Our table was on the patio that faced the ocean, and an outdoor play area for the kids that was right on the beach.

It was a beautiful view as the sun set.

It was a nice dinner, and the crab legs were yummo.

We walked to some of the surf shops and then took a walk on the beach. And I ran into my friend Elvis.

People were letting off Fireworks, and you could hear the waves rolling in. It was a nice end to our first day in Florida. Check back for more.