I LOVE Making New Friends!!!!!

In keeping with the royal blogging rules concerning where to meet your blogging friends for the first time, Brooklyn and I met these beautiful ladies at MiMi's this Saturday.Kristen (Left) and Valerie (Right)

I had such an absolutely wonderful time with them!!!! It was so relaxed!!! I felt like I had known them for sometime. I felt like I could be myself. It was so easy to talk and share with them. We laughed and laughed. I was completely blessed to be with them. Thank you ladies for such a wonderful time and I fully expect to see you again!!!!One of the funniest moments was when I picked up Brooklyn at her mother-in-law's house. I had on a black shirt and cacky capries with flip flops. Brooklyn walked out with the very same thing on!!!! And, it was too late for either one of us to change!!! We laughed and laughed!!! We truly did not have it planned.We are thankful for the innocent passerby and our waiter who "volunteered" to take our pictures!!!

I started packing for our DC trip last night and have just a few last minute items to get into my bag. Master Haskins hasn't packed a thing yet but he plans to do that while I'm at a hair appointment. Please pray for travelling safety and the logistics of navigating through the airport. I have to take a sequential pump device for my lymphedema leg. My leg swells more in the hot summer months and when I walk a lot (such as I will all over DC!!!). The pump works like a massage and does a little of what my lymphatic system does not do in my leg.I'm a little scared security will think it suspicious and not let it through. Please pray all goes smoothly. We plan to take our laptop so I hope to post some while I'm in DC and I'll try my very best to check in on you!!

Blogging has been such a blessing to me. Thank you Ladies for being my friend!!!!!!

New Friends!!!!!!

I'm excited. On Saturday I will be meeting two blogger friends, Valerie (left) and Kristen (right). Kristen is Valerie's daughter. They both live in Oklahoma and actually Kristen doesn't live to far from me. I have really enjoyed following their life in their blogs and it will be so neat to make more "live" friends! They have both encouraged me and are so kind. More importantly they are great Christian women. In honor of all blogger's we will be meeting at MiMi's Cafe!!!!!! I'm wondering if this tradition started with the great Kelly Stamps!!!! :)

I shall take pictures!!!

I have a busy weekend ahead of me, running errands, doing laundry, and odds and ends since this is the last weekend before our DC trip!!!!!

Have a great weekend friends!!!

Thank You God for Your Word !!!!!

Does anyone get the Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotional? I didn't read yesterday's until this morning and I believe it was God's doing. He placed a working over me this morning! You have to read the devotional dated June 25th "The Adventures of Obedience". One of the verses shared at the bottom was Deut 28:2. I felt prompted to go read the verses surrounding this verse. WOW!!!! Read them. They are below. I know I have read them before but they were fresh to me this morning. Bare with me on this post.................

Is it an oxy-moron to say I'll be semi-transparent?! :) Please understand I do not share all and what I do share is not easy. Over the past 4 months or so I have had various mental/emotional struggles and I have felt I am in strong spiritual warfare every day; so strong that some days I have told God, I'm tired...I don't want these battles. One day I'm happy. The next day I cry uncontrollably. Tired of pretending all is A-OK. But sometimes I DO feel everything is A-OK. It seems like it is a balancing act. However at the same time, I feel God has placed me on this path for a reason. One being to grow me and to see how I react. Will I give God true honest glory in the midst of all this craziness? At the same time I know I asked for God's plan and that is what I want. I just wish parts of HIS plan were a little closer to mine. :) But when you ask for HIS plan you must be willing to accept HIS plan. And I knew that when I asked HIM to have solely HIS plan in our lives.

These struggles/battles/frustrations do not stem solely from not being able to conceive a child of our own. However that accounts for a HUGE portion and that usually starts each battle off!! I have had situations at church, in my family, and just in the world that have thrown me for a loop!! I have been lied to and misled. I have been talked about behind my back by family. I have and still battle anger, asking why me, asking why not me, jealousy, envy, revenge, sorrow and aching. My mind seems to be constantly distracted! The harder I try to do right, the worse I do!!! UGGGHHH!! My problem......OBEDIENCE. I knew it immediately when I read Deut 28. I must surrender my self, my mind, my time in its entirety to GOD. I've been sensing that but I have not followed through completely. I do not give God 100%!! I may at times give him 96.678945% but not myself and my mind in its entirety, but oh how hard that is.

I am so thankful God makes His word new EVERY DAY! I noticed some specific blessings that come from obedience and thus the reason why I wanted to share.

And this my friends is what stuck out to me in BOLD......Even though it is impossible for us to conceive a child of our own within me physically, the FRUIT OF MY WOMB WILL BE BLESSED. We will have children some day and they will be blessed. My children may come through adoption, it may mean opening our home to cousins or family. Who knows where our children will come from but I am confident today, I will have a child someday. BE OBEDIENT JULIE!!!!!!

My enemies come in various forms (people and also thoughts and attacks from Satan). According to Deut 28, THE LORD WILL CAUSE MY ENEMIES TO FLEE!!! BE OBEDIENT JULIE!!!!! At the beginning of our new journey in February 2008 we began to place a significant amount in our savings each month for adoption. The past 2 1/2 months we paid for our DC trip, bought a new grill, and bought a new camera. Not so much has gone toward adoption and our savign account. Save toward adoption Julie!!! BE OBEDIENT IN SAVING JULIE!!!! According to Deut 28, YOU WILL LEND TO MANY NATIONS BUT BORROW FROM NONE. I realize this is talking on a national level but it just spoke to me on finances, debt, wants vs needs, borrowing, and lending. GOD WILL PROVIDE! I MUST BE A GOOD STEWARD!!

I just noticed how often I used the word "solely."

Blessings for Obedience
1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.
12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14

American History

We are preparing for our trip to DC!!! To do that we've watched this every day last week. John Adams DVD is a mini series made from HBO based on the book written by David McCullough. It chronicles the life of none other than John Adams!! :) Who would have guessed that!!!! :) I highly recommend it. It is very moving. At times I was moved to tears and at other times I was highly frustrated with John Adams. It does force you to reflect on the sacrifices of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and many many more. It depicts the debates surrounding the fight for independence. We started it a week ago Monday and finished up with it last Friday. It is amazing the change/movement of our country from the 1700s to today.

Then on Sunday after church Bryan watched in its entirety:

It is a 4 1/2 hour long movie!!!! I fell asleep! Please do not think me unpatriotic but I didn't sleep well on Saturday night!!! I am trying to watch a little bit each night this week!! I think I'll get it done. We have plans to visit Gettysburg while we are in DC. If our plans work out we will be there on the 145th anniversary of the battle!! I cannot imagine what it will be like to be in the spot where thousands upon thousands of soldiers were killed. Where family fought family, where friends fought friends.

Last night Bryan and I attended our first Town Hall meeting at the public library. Our State Senator and State Representative were there. They each gave speeches updating us with the work they had done at the capital and then there was a question and answer session. Although we were the youngest ones there (not joking), it was still a great experience and I would do it again. The Q&A was very interesting and educational for both Bryan and I. We discussed issues at Sonic while we bought our 1/2 price burgers, discussed all the way home, and even while we ate. Bryan was very passionate about certain topics; so passionate that I beat him eating!!! He usually scarfs down his food!!! I'm so proud Bryan is my husband. He is so intelligent, such a deep thinker, and so wise. He doesn't just fly off the cuff with his thoughts or ideas. He truly thinks them out.

Red Purses and an Absolutely Fun Weekend with my Man!!!

Where to begin....Bryan and I have had another great weekend together! I will apologize now for the larger pictures and the amount of space they take up. I meant to post smaller pictures but it will take too long to change it now. And I should have blogged throughout the weekend but who wants to take away time with their husband to blog?!

Bryan and I road together a few days last week in order to conserve gas. I love picking him up! I love waiting and watching for him to walk through that door. My heart beats fast each time I see him and we've been married for 11 1/2 years. This past Friday he had to work a little later so I went up in his office and put myself in a corner. I read up on my new camera and figured out how to use the self timer. I was inspired by Kelly's post last week where she used her self timer. I figured out the self timer!!!!! And, I love it!!!!! I'm sure I was a little distracting to Bryan while he tried to tie up loose ends at work. Sorry Buddy!!!

Here's a view from Bryan's office in downtown Oklahoma City.

After we left his office we tackled Penn Square Mall. I was on a mission to downsize my purse and I had been looking for just the right red purse. We started in Macy's. I had to stay within a budget and I don't buy real expensive purses because I am known to change them out frequently so I can't justify to myself or Bryan spending hundreds of dollars on one purse. I found one at Macy's that was on sale but I just couldn't decide. So, we basically looked in every store that had purses...Dillards, Nine West, and others. I found 2 in Nine West and when I asked Bryan what he thought about the colors he said "That one looks earthy." I'm not sure what earthy red is but that was his impression. He was such a sport and never grew impatient. Of course I think I spent 30 minutes in Eddie Bauer for him. In looking for the purse, I walked into a store, looked at the purse, and if it wasn't anything appealing, I left. I like to be fast and efficient when I shop. I ended up finding a purse at Wilson's Leather. It was regular $98 and it was 75% off!!!!! Yippee!!! Because I waited instead of buying the first thing I saw, I got this purse cheaper than any others I had seen. I've tried to downsize somewhat but it hasn't been easy. I may have to buy some therapy sessions.We were wiped out from walking around so we headed to Pearl's for dinner!! It was scrumptious!!! Bryan had blackened fish, chicken, and shrimp. I had a bowl of red beans and rice and nibbled on Bryan's plate.

When we left the mall I discovered this on my pants....I must have leaned up against something at the mall!! It was on my WHITE capri pants and also on my bare leg. We have no idea what it was. We almost did not go eat!! But I carried my purse in front of my legs and it was dimly lit inside. Plus we didn't want to pass on Pearl's. I think my pants might be ruined.Saturday was a very busy day for us. One of our former students who was in the college group while we served with Jeron & Kristine got married. It was such a sweet wedding and it was great to catch up with some of our former students! I miss them! Here are a few pictures. Trevor (the groom) coaches baseball. I love how the reception was decorated and since the wedding was at 11:30 they served baseball food at the reception (hot dogs and hamburgers). Cute! I loved the groom's cake.We met Bryan's mom and her friend for lunch (or a snack for us) at Panera Bread in Norman and then Bryan bought some new running shoes. He wears his shoes until the soles run thin!

We ended our day with none other than a .......

Blog Awards

Recently two very special blog friends of mine, Kelly and Betsy posted an award or mentioned my blog on their posts. Can I just be real honest here.....I was giddy with excitement when I saw my name. The award was for blogs that bring you happiness and inspiration. I feel so very much of the time my blog compared to so many others is so bland and so plain....just not cool overall (almost like I was in high school again. I seriously told Bryan Monday night I felt like I may have a blog design complex. I even casually approached Bryan about paying someone to redo my blog design. As you can see, that didn't fly. I'm still the same:)!!!). I'm not very technical at all so you see very little graphics. It doesn't seem too appealing to me. But Kelly and Betsy's words on 6/16 and 6/17 made me feel so special and liked. They lifted my spirits!!! So I send this out to them.

Although I have only met Kelly outside of blog world, I can know without a doubt both fit this award. I read of their servants heart in their church, I see their wonderful smiles in pictures, and I read about many thoughtful gestures they do for others. I am honored you allow me to be a part of your lives!! May God bless you both tremendously and give you the desires of your heart!!

I would also like to send this same award out to Caroline, Faith, and Brooklyn. These 3 ladies have recently helped me in various ways over the past few weeks. Whether it is a prayer notebook design, blog design, or listening to struggles and frustrations. Thank you for being patient with me (whether in person or through emails).

I love EACH of your blogs and I look forward to reading them. I hate when I have several days to catch up on. Please do not think because I didn't list yours I don't like yours. I actually wanted to send and link every single person on my blog roll, but I didn't want to irritate all of you and then my blogging would be over for real!!! I even looked for individual awards I could assign to each one but there is just so much. So many of you have sent me personal emails and ask how I am doing and you are so willing to allow me to share my heart in the more private world of email instead of out there for all to read in blog world. My blog friends have lifted my spirits on many a day. I wish I could meet every single one of you. I know this may sound corny or childish but I really do Thank You for being my friend. Thank you for letting me share my ups and downs. This award is for everyone on my blog roll:

Do you have a wonderful person in your life?

Vistors

Today my sister and her kidos and friend brought lunch to my office today!!! Left to Right: nephew Will, niece Rachel, Julie (myself..hee heee), niece Kayla, Kayla's friend Ashley. I couldn't leave (because I was the only one here) so they brought me a salad and sat down and ate with me. That just warmed my heart!! I've been blessed to have friends and family come by to help pass the day when no one else is here.

Yes, I am dressed VERY casual. I've given myself a few casual days this week!! Back to business casual tomorrow!! :(

I Had a Good Day

Tuesday was a good day.

Brooklyn and Boston (now 3 months old, can you believe it!!) brought me Taco Bell today at the office. Jorge (Brooklyn's husband) came in a little later with Ava and Stella. My bosses, who are also Jorge's parents, are in Hawaii so it was great to have some company (there are only 4 of us total in the office. When two are gone and another has a varying schedule it can get lonely). After Jorge left with the girls, Brooklyn stayed for a few minutes longer and we got to visit. You need to visit her blog. There are some of the cutest stories about her girls on her blog. She is one of my dearest friends and she likes me for me. I'm honored she would want me as a friend! I'm so thankful for her friendship and listening ear. Bryan and Jorge like each other too and that helps our "couple" friendship! :)

My cousin Whitney needed Bryan to hang some curtain rods for her and get some baby items out of her attic so we went over to her house Tuesday evening. But before going over there we ate at fairly new restaurant in our area called Old Chicago. It was delicious! I took pictures with my new camera I purchased Monday night!! Of course we had to get an appetizer. I think they call these pepperoni rolls. DELICIOUS!!!

I had the Buffalo chicken and Bryan had the calzone. They were both MARVELOUS!!! We will get back there again. I also drank my weight in Pepsi which by the time I ate the appetizer, more ranch dressing and buffalo chicken, was a lot!!!. SHAME ON JULIE!!!!! What happened to me drinking water?? I was overcome by the delicious food!!!!

I love my new camera. It has many more settings than the old one I dropped. I was amazed at the clarity of the picture. I took several pictures of Bryan at the restaurant as I tried out a few of the settings. I was afraid he was going to take the camera away and ground me so I stopped. But I'm posting this picture anyway! He's so cute!!!

Busy Weekend

Bryan and I had another busy weekend. On Friday night, we went to a birthday party for Amy Chapman. Happy 40th Amy!!! You look great!!! We left the party and had a late dinner of pizza from Jo's Famous Pizza in Purcell. Sorry no pictures! I'm having a hard time not having my LCD screen on my camera (I hope to get my new one this week) But Bryan and I gorged ourselves on pizza and Dr. Pepper and ranch dressing!! Then we drove to Ada and got to his parents around 10:30 pm. We went down there to wish Bryan's dad a Happy Father's Day and do some "chores" for my Granny.

It's good to go back to the country every now and then. The bridge on Granny's road was out. Actually the county had demolished it and will be rebuilding it. It seems to flood and erode every time they get a big rain. Because Bryan is an engineer and works mainly on flood plain analysis and bridge construction we drove down there for him to "inspect" it. I was proud to hear him name off the technical terms about what the county was doing to build the bridge.

Here are some pictures of walking up to the where the bridge was and Bryan and I overlooking where the bridge will go. They had just recently had a big rain that week.

I do not like rushing water and wanted him to hurry up and take the picture!!!

As a teenager living with my Granny and Poppy and driving over the country roads, I came to love this creek bottom (Does that sound like something that would come from Mark Twain or Little House on the Prairie??!!:) ). I have always thought this was one of the prettiest views.

Bryan and I spent a looonnnnnggg time cleaning out my Granny's gutters on her back patio. It was a chore!!! It took us a lot longer than we anticipated and I got filthy dirty and very wet. But I guess some labor never hurt anyone to bad.

We had my dad and mom over after church yesterday for Father's Day. Kristi and Jackson joined us. After my parents left, we all took a nap and then Bryan and I went over to help my sister pack and move. We worked from about 5:00 - Midnight last night. Bryan is off today so he is getting to sleep in. He has worked very hard the past few days. He took off 3 days last week and worked on the siding of our house. He is getting a little tired of home repairs/improvements! But I'm so very proud of him. He is doing a fine job and saving us a ton of money!!! I made him pose for a "funny" picture yesterday!!

Word of God Speak

I just read these verses this morning . I felt the Holy Spirit direct me to 1 Peter instead of the usual Psalms that I've been reading.

"Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don't be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happending to you. Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.

Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little."

1 Peter 4:12-13, 1 Peter 5:10

Through sufferings and trials I can rejoice as I see and watch God's glory be revealed. I should go through the trial or suffering anticipating God's glory. In the end, God himself will restore me. I will not be left alone. He will support me and He will strengthen me. Thank you God! May I go through difficult times in a manner which would bring that glory to You!

Flip Flop Fiasco (nearly)

I had never heard of Reef flip flops until this Spring/Summer. I first read about them on Baby Bangs and fell in love with them. When I was in Arkansas earlier this year, Bryan and I saw them in Dillard's but I had not seen them in the OK Dillards. Then once Kelly wrote about them after her Hawaii trip, I took that as a "sign" I should probably have some. I think I might have even used the old "All my friends (Kelly) have them!" trick with Bryan. :) After all if they are comfortable, maybe I could wear them on my DC trip. :) So, I began shopping for them online. I had never bought shoes online. I found an auction on eBay and began bidding. I was a little nervous to buy shoes on eBay. But the description said they were brand new! I get nervous and giddy bidding on eBay or any other auction (even farm auctions). I'm sure my blood pressure rises and I begin to perspire. I just get nervous....Will I get the item? Will I loose? Will I pay too much? Is this an honest seller? etc. One time I bid on a Chi flat iron, won it but didn't realize it, so I was bidding on another one thinking I had lost the first one. Thankfully, I got out of the 2nd auction without having to buy a second Chi iron. Bryan just shakes his head! :) Sorry...got sidetracked...back to the Reef flip flops.

I ended up winning the eBay auction for the Reef Butter Black Ribbon flip flops!! However once again I didn't realize I had won so I bid on a second pair and the auction got up to $10 before I realized I had already won a pair. Luckily, once again, I got out of that auction and someone outbid me. Thank goodness!!!!

My flip flops came in on Monday and I've worn them on Tuesday and today. They are so comfortable!! I love them!! Thanks Kelly for the post on Reef flip flops!!!!

Glenn Beck

Last night Bryan and I went to hear Glenn Beck's Summer '08 Political Tour. He is a national radio talk show host and has a show on CNN Headline News Channel. He has serious discussions and topics and will add some humor to some of it.

Glen Beck walked out on stage in a hunter's orange vest with his NRA hat and t shirt on carrying a toy gun!! I think he might have stereotyped some of us Okies (based on his attire and he faked a 'hick' accent) but you can bet we were all hoopin' and hollerin'; proud to be those hunters and gun owners. I told Bryan I had to find him an NRA shirt to wear!!!! I've been shopping online today and they even make them for women!!!! Pink!!!!

The second half of his "concert" was his unelectable speech. I loved his props!!I do not agree with every single thing he may say and to be honest sometimes he talks over my head. But we do appreciate his stand on some issues and he does put a funny twist to things. His radio show does make the listener stop and think.

It was a great evening of laughter and time well spent with Bryan. I loved watching and listening to him laugh!

p.s. I took these pictures with my digital camera without a LCD screen. I had no idea how these pictures were going to turn out. WHAT IN THE WORLD DID WE DO BEFORE DIGITAL?!

Camera Shopping !!??!!

If you've read my previous post, you will see I have serious camera issues!! I may be shopping for a new camera. I'm not finding much help with repair shops I've called today. I tend to get overwhelmed when I have to comparison shop and I'm not even sure what all I want.

What kind of camera do you have?

What do you like about it?

What do you dislike about it?

Weekend Review

Friday

Whitney and Katie came over. We had Papa Murphy's pizza and salad. We hung around the house for a while and then the four of us (Bryan joined us) hit the sno cone stand!!! We are really enjoying each time we get together with these two. It had been a hard week for them. Whitney is married to my cousin, Eric. This past week Eric received verbal orders he will be deployed to Iraq this Fall. His little boy (his first child) is due to arrive in September and there is a possibility he may not get relieved from training in Texas to make the delivery. Our hope is he will at least get to see Jesse before he has to leave for Iraq.

Eric has been in Georgia for a few months and is now in Maryland for some training with the Army National Guard. He is very special to Bryan and I. He has become a fine man. We miss him terribly this summer. One of the reasons why we are going to Washington DC in July is to try to see Eric in case he does for sure go to Iraq. Please pray for Eric, Whitney, and little Katie. This is not easy on anyone. Please pray for Eric's safety.

Saturday

Just a great Saturday! A Saturday weekends are made of. I went over to my younger sister's apartment and helped her pack for about 1 1/2 hours. Not too much time but I did get about 4 boxes packed.

Bryan and I then went to the gun range. I had not shot my gun since December!! Bryan had a scope put on it. It look me forever to get use to using it. I'm still not that good and I need lots more practice.

Then we went swimming at my older sister's house for a couple of hours. Afterwards we ate some Mexican and went home and watched a John Wayne movie, Donovan's Reef. Bryan and I love John Wayne movies. This one was made in 1963 and it was cute.

Sunday

I napped and napped some more. Jorge and Brooklyn had us over after Sunday night church. Jorge made homemade Barbecue Chicken pizza. It was absolutely the best chicken pizza I have had. It was delicious!!! I made a pig of myself!! I would have taken a picture but while we were over there I discovered my camera is broken!!!!! The view screen is cracked!!!! It still takes pictures but I can't see them, thus removing the whole benefit of a digital camera. I have a bad habit of tossing it in my purse and I bet I hit it with my keys or cell phone. I'm going to research having it repaired this week. I have to have a camera!! I just hope I get it fixed or get something else by our DC trip!!! I'm not looking forward to the camera issues this week!!! :(

And the wind comes sweeping down the plain....

This.........(listen to the video)

Led to this......

You can hear my sweet Lilly Belle barking in the video!!!

We had severe high winds in the OKC metro area Thursday. I heard reports of up to 58- 70 mph winds!!! It was crazy and it ended up storming late Thursday night. I rushed home to mow the backyard anticipating rain. I got it done but it was crazy trying to mow in these winds and bag the grass as I mowed. I had put in a load of clothes in the dryer and started another in the washing machine when the power went out. Bryan had called before leaving the gym and brought home Braums. We ended up eating out on our deck and playing with the dogs because we had no electricity. Good ways to pass the time when you don't have power. We came in and lit some candles and turned on the battery lantern.

An Undivided Mind

This scripture was in my reading this morning. I want to memorize this verse (at least the last half) and perhaps use it as my theme verse for a while. It fits where I am at right now. There are so many things distracting my mind, my whole entire mind, from focusing on God, His Word, and the Study of His Word. I can read His word everyday, but I must implement some study and application. I can get distracted with my house, when to adopt, my yard, my family, social engagements/commitments, laundry, exercise (when I actually do it), daydreaming, shopping, relationships, finances, projects to get done, tv, and the list goes on. I don't mean to say these are not important but I want an undivided mind focused on God and His leading. I'm too distracted.

"Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name." Ps 86:11

What do you do to guard your mind and keep balanced? Maybe you have some habits I could apply. I'm open to anything.

I also need some suggestions on organizing a prayer life / list. I take prayer very seriously. The words "I'll pray for you." are not something I take lightly. If I say I'll pray, I fully intend to pray. Sometimes I think we say words that we don't always act upon, such as "I Love You." It's easy to say I love you or I'll pray for you and sometimes it is a completely different thing to act upon them. Right now I'm writing down requests in an 8 x 10 spiral notebook and I have them listed by month. In the margin, I have when they were answered. I'm getting a little overwhelmed and I sometimes feel like I'm just reading down a list. I don't like my current arrangement for me. Requests for healing from cancer, infertility, adoptions, lost souls are all mixed together. And sometimes I feel like I don't concentrate on them enough. When someone calls me to pray, I stop and pray for them. If I don't I'll get sidetracked or sometimes they need prayer for a specific meeting and I need to pray before my usual designated time of prayer.

I have heard of some dividing their list over days, dividing it over categories, using tabs in a notebook.

What do you do to organize and keep on top of your prayer life? Pass on some suggestions. If you have a journal/notebook that you use, let me know. Maybe there is a resource out there.

If you'd rather email me, please do. My email is on my profile page.

Dinner Date

I had dinner with this handsome guy!!!

Tonight my younger sister and her son had dinner with Bryan and I. Jackson chose to have grapes as his appetizer!!! He loved the red grapes!!! He is 19 months old and growing so very quickly. He may look like he is still bald, but he does have some thin, light hair on top! :)

Tonight I made Old World Spaghetti. It is a recipe passed to me by our former Sunday School teacher's wife. I didn't even think to take a picture. I concentrated more on spending time with my sister and nephew. I'll give you the recipe even though you have no idea what it looks like!! It has some different ingredients but we love it. Trust me and try it!!

Old World Spaghetti from Toni Waddle

Cook 1 lb ground beef, drain and set aside. In a separate pan saute' 1 chopped onion, red bell pepper, 3 celery stalks, and mushrooms (optional). Add 1 clove of minced garlic (Or 1 tsp garlic powder).

Add beef, vegetables, 1 can tomato soup, 1 Tablespoon Chili powder, and 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon salt/pepper.

Slow cook in crock pot on low or high for shorter amount of time. Add 1- 8 oz package of cream cheese right before you serve. Recipe can be doubled.

I cooked mine over the stop on very medium to low heat for about 45-50 minutes.

Party's On!!!!

Greetings!!! I'm coming to you live from my couch!!!! My wonderful brother-in-law, his friend Wade, and my outstanding husband worked on our wireless Internet router today and I can finally work on the laptop to blog!!! I've looked forward to this moment for a long time!!! Now I don't have to share the main computer with Bryan and I can blog whenever!!!! Thanks guys!!!


I am sure I am going to leave something out that happened this weekend. It was nonstop even through today. But it is all good. It's what I live for. I love making memories with my family. I am very thankful for the relationships my cousins and I are making. We are determined to remain close, get together often, and make wonderful memories. I believe in relationships you have to determine to work at them no matter what may occur. We have to look beyond what we feel may be other's faults and work on that relationship. I have numerous faults and habits others may not like but I'm very thankful to my family for working at a relationship with me. Each person is very special to me.

James, my cousin I've blogged about before, and Whitney and Katie were at our house on Friday. James was up from Texas and we wanted to celebrate his 30th birthday early. Bryan grilled steaks. And we had baked potatoes and mixed veggies out on our deck. It was a little humid but we enjoyed the evening despite the temperature. Bryan and I and Whitney, Eric, and Katie bought James a Fossil watch for his birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!!!!



I hope Katie had a wonderful party. Bryan and I counted on the way to church and we had 29 people at our house!! I used 8 pounds of hamburger meat and made about 29 patties and Whitney brought several packages of hot dogs. We all ate outside and then squeezed in the living room and dining area for Katie to open presents. To say it was hot outside is an understatement!!!! Bryan made the comment today that we should have planned on more shade. We should have rented a canopy or something. Several people sat under a large tree in our yard and that helped.

The Birthday Girl

Katie turned 8 on Saturday! I took this picture after the party when her, a friend and my niece had climbed up into a tree and they sent someone else in to the house and told me to come take a picture of them. I loved them for this!!! We gave Katie her gift from us on Friday night after James opened his. She is wearing the shirt we got her.

The Grill Master

Here are some additional snapshots of the party. I didn't get a lot of pictures. I was a little distracted. I had a great time and I was glad we could have people over for Katie. r

My younger cousin, Shane on the left. My niece, Kayla on the lounge, and my younger cousin Trent.
They were all very thankful for the large bradford pear tree in our yard.

My cousin, Alyssa with Kayla. They even stayed at the house later that night and babysat some of the younger kiddos so we could go eat our. Thanks girls!!!!