Catching Up In Pictures

Nicer weather makes for fun times outside!

Our house is for sale...NOT this cutie!

3 of the 4 girls enjoyed a day at the park



A Dinner Party

The HOST of the Dinner Party

A visit to see Papa and Meme

Loving on Meme after her hospital stay

Sitting in her favorite chair at Meme's and Papa's House


Bailey's chorus concert

Who Do You Inspire?

I have many people that have inspired, and continue to inspire, me in my life. They may all have different personalities, but the one connecting factor in all of them is that they just are who they are. They are "being today who they want to be tomorrow." In other words, they are just being the real deal, truly living their lives....every part of their lives. The thing that inspires me about them is they are not trying just to show the good parts. They are vulnerable, teachable and willing to start over in order to really become what they are supposed to be in life. I've been told (more than a time or two) that I expose too much of who I am to people...say too much, don't hide my emotions very well or I "might" be a little too honest. For a very long time that has, quite honestly, wounded me. It held me back from being who I am. I cared way too much what people thought about me. At the same time, when you are in the process of being who God wants you to be, you're gonna need to hear some criticism, but ultimately care about the One's comments that matter the most. I am learning that God has made me to be me...not you, or who you think I should be, or even who someone else is that may be WAY cooler than me. I'm to be me!

This has challenged me this week as Jeff began a new series called "Close Encounters," challenging us to have encounter with God for one...to know Him as our Father, but also to realize when the God of heaven and earth is right in the midst of our LIVES! Those unmistakable, undeniable times when it's you and God. We talked about this in our LifeGroup Monday night - "Describe your close encounters, or one of your close encounters with God." This, for me, has come through times of God showing Himself to me through others...the ones that inspire me, but I've had significant times in my life that it's just God and me...the only one that could deliver me from being so low and depressed that I could barely breathe...He reached out to me and drew me close and spoke "peace." Times when the hurt and pain have been so severe that He said, "You're not alone. I'm here." Most significantly, though, is that none of those things would have happened had God not spoken His love for me as a 7 year old little girl...had it not been for me accepting a simple and unconditional promise that He would live in my life forever. As I've heard many stories of close encounters in their salvation as an older teen or adult, I hear such a real desperation in voices to live for Him, that freshness in their love for Him...it's just "seemed" more real. I thought a lot about it yesterday, and truly, had it not been for people inspiring and investing in my life, I often wonder if the love I feel for Christ now would not seem so real to me. It made me think of the way inspire others...my kids, my husband, women's lives, our church as I serve as their Pastor's wife, etc. It's heavy the responsibility we have to inspire others, but it's also the very thing that could spur others into their own close encounter with Christ. Don't take for granted that you have no one to inspire. Don't ever deny the fact that if you are His child, you have been inspired to lead others. For me, my husband inspires me as he is just REAL in his relationship with Christ...never living as though he's already "arrived," but doing whatever it takes to move everything in his life in the direction of Christ. My parents have inspired me in the readiness of their hearts to follow Christ wherever He leads them. My sisters inspire me simply by giving my life laughter. My daughters even inspire me as they challenge me to be the mother that they need. My dorm mom from high school inspires me as she prays scripture over my life, and just genuinely loves me for who I am.
Who are you inspiring to have a close encounter with God? Who is inspiring you?

What I'm Doing

There's a whole lot going on in my life right now. Before you stop reading because you think this is a post about being busy, never fear...I don't like that word..."busy". It has become too much of a status quo statement maker. The busier we are, the more successful we're supposed to appear. Instead, I'm trying to focus on the little details of my days...the insignificant and the significant. I just want each moment to be LIVED, and not regretted. I want to love well and in turn, love God by loving others. So, here's a little peek into my life TODAY, and if I can be intentional to love through even the most tiny detail, then I'm going to relish it!

What I'm reading: "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan - Really has been the impetus for this post. Lately, it has pinpointed in my life not minimizing the ways I CAN love right now, without all of the excuses that I'm good at making, such as "life is just so mundane/routine," "I never come in contact with other people...other than the grocery store," "How can I make a difference?" Rather, know that God has commanded me to love Him and love others, and by loving others, I am loving Him and desiring more and more of Him when I'm exercising love. It's becoming real to me through the hug I can give, the meal I can prepare for others or even my family, through the kiss I can give my girls in the morning that's not easy for this morning person, or through loving and praying for that difficult person. It's practical. It's real. It's freeing.

My favorite activities: I wrote a post recently on being intentional to spend one on one time with my girls, and the month of January was more special to me just because of this alone! I loved getting to sit with my girls and hear even the smallest detail of their day, or what they are into right now. They always amaze me by sharing their heart. Sometimes I think I know them, but then they surprise me even more.
Date nights are consistently one of my favorite activities. I never get tired of spending time with Jeff. We just get along...plain and simple. I love every bit of time I can spend with him. His heart is the purest! He is just an amazing person to get to know. We laugh, we sit and stare at one another, we enjoy our time! We are beginning to get healthier together and I love being on whatever journey God puts us on right now...together!
I still enjoy reality TV. It just amuses me. I definitely think it's fallen into the "favorite pastime category. Along w/ that, I love keeping in touch with friends through Facebook, Twitter and email. It's really strengthened my friendships, when I keep it in check! ;)

New ventures: I'm all about relationships. They breathe life into me, and lately this aspect of my life has taken a newer, richer turn. I've been able to connect myself with some great wives of Pastor's. These ladies have been such an encouragement, whether it be the ones I've had the pleasure to meet in person, or the ones I know through Facebook, Twitter and blogging. They teach me and enrich my life. I had the honor of meeting with five wives of pastor's last week as a part of the coaching network Jeff has been attending the last six months. It was such an edifying time to hear all God is doing in these ladies' lives to make them the lead pastor's wife that God wants them to be. I really appreciate the words spoken over my life during that time. God has put so many neat people, in general, in my life lately. Their humility, vulnerability and love have all worked to make me a better me!

Deeper callings: In loving well, I continue to know God is challenging me and moving me to a greater place alongside my husband as he leads our church. I LOVE being married to a pastor. Even in the times of figuring out my place of leading others, it's a joy to be a part of seeing lives changed. I am excited to be more intentional as Jeff and I lead together and as was spoken over my life at the coaching network, to "relish my reality." I am excited to move forward in the confidence of my calling to encourage and love, in order to be who God wants ME to be!

I encourage you today to take a look at all areas of your life. Sometimes we don't take the time to realize that we are difference makers, and that our life that never seems to matter much, matters to someone! What are you doing TODAY to love Him well?

Happy Birthday to Quinn!

haQuinn Olivia is the name we chose for this "unexpected" little blessing three years ago on a chilly February 7th day. It was no surprise to us that we were having our FOURTH daughter...seeing as we pretty much had a winning streak going already! The day the ultrasound tech told us, we pretty much could've told HER! We were familiar with the picture! We were surprised, however, to even be expecting a baby at that point in our lives. Having a fourth child was NO WHERE on our radar...AT ALL!
We were going through one of the darkest times of our lives and feeling very uncertain of our future...very hurt, very frustrated, very confused. Going to the movies with my sister and her girls that day was only supposed to be a girls' day out (my sis has THREE girls!)...not a day to go find out that I was pregnant. I just wanted to be out and have a day to not think about the current state of our life, but something kept nagging at me the whole movie..."I think I'm pregnant. No I'm not. Yes, I am. NO I'M NOT. That is CRAZY!!" My thoughts were later confirmed that day as I took a test and found out that indeed I was pregnant. I was too scared to tell Jeff in person because he was already going through so much. I told him over the phone! I think of his words all the time, especially now on Quinn's birthday...especially now on this side of God's provision and protection - His plans for our life of prospering and not harming - His plans for a future that included a smiley faced, happy little girl that lives life for the fullest. He told me

Celebrate Life

Never did I need to hear two words more...NOT even, as I've learned now, living in the midst of heartache, but more because embracing each day in joy, in trial, in success. I'm thankful for God sending us a precious little 7lb 8oz girl to teach us so much about life. She continues to be a ray of sunshine for her Mommy and Daddy, as well as her sisters. She tackles the day with a lot of fervor, and gets in trouble a whole lot for it, but nonetheless, she does it with a smile on her face.

Here are some special facts about Quinn:
Loves sweets - as with the other girls, I blame this on their Daddy. He always gave 'em that first piece of candy, thus spoiling them for life!

Loves her sisters - she is NEVER fully content until we pick them up from school everyday!

LOVES to sing

LOVES her dogs, Jake and Emmy
Loves her "boyfriend," Aiden

LOVES her "gaggy" - her blanket
Loves outdoors
Loves apples

Loves to run to her Daddy when he gets home everyday (will even tell him to go back to the door if she misses him coming in)

Loves her bed! She calls "Mommy" every morning when she is ready to wake up. I love that time of the day when I hear her call my name.

Quinn has blessed our lives in sooooooo many ways. Our prayer for her is the same it's been for all of our girls...that they would come to know Christ at an early age, and in Quinn's case, that He would use her love of life to touch many, many lives!

12 months of Investing

Very recently we (at Lifesong) were challenged to Invest...time, resources, gifts, talents, love, compassion - whatever we could to love God by loving others. The result of this challenge was different for everyone, but for me, I was really challenged, and convicted, that I was not investing in my kids' lives as intentionally as I should be. Sure, I'm home with them a lot - that's what my life's calling is, but I had not been giving it my all. During Christmas, this really seemed to stay with me. What could I do to show each of my girls - individually - that I want to spend time with them...that I want to get to know the "girls of God" that they are. I get so stressed sometimes trying to find alone time with each of the girls, so this year, after NOT over-thinking it, I decided to gift the girls with 12 months of alone time with Mom. Dad even jumped in on the fun with his on ideas, too. We each decided to come up with an idea per month that we could take our daughters - by themselves - on fun days. Some of the things we came up with are things we actually have managed to stay consistent in doing with them, but for me, it was the being intentional aspect of things that made this matter the most. Knowing that on a designated day each month of the year the girls and I would have our day together is so exciting to me.
Today, Avery and I have made plans for our first month's activity together. She chose the "Dinner and a Movie with Mom" certificate I gave her. Over the next year, I'll post pics of our time together so I can have a record of it. I'm excited, and my prayer is that we'll reach December 2010 with loads and loads of brand new memories...and a LOT of laughs!
How have you been intentionally investing in others?

Be

"Be today who you want to be tomorrow" were the words I started off my day reading. For a procrastinator, with very good intentions, these words penetrated my heart and brought me challenge, but more so, relief! When you live with the mindset a lot of the time that, "Tomorrow, I'll get it right," you sell yourself short on living each day to the fullest, so that tomorrow will just become "More of the same, please!" In these last few months, I have felt that I am realizing more and more what this means. For me, it's meant to finally stop doing what others expect, but do what God has created me to do. He's made me like I am. You have to come to terms that not all will like you, or give you the benefit of the doubt in this life. Thing is, I really don't like everyone either. (Thanks to a new friend for making this a little clearer for me on a cold December day in a Starbucks!) Personalities and paths are different for us. I may not be on the same road you're on at the moment, or you may have a less than "go get 'em" personality that is different from me. Either way, I gotta be me! This scares me a bit. It scares me because, typically, God has to put me in front of people to be bold most of the time, which often gives others the false illusion that I crave attention and want to be the focus. Here's a little secret...

"I hate it!"

I cannot stand to be the one that has to be in front of others, to have my life looked at because my husband is a pastor and well...your life is GONNA be looked at whether you like it or not, to sometimes have God ask you to say the unpopular thing in order to lead people to something, or Someone, greater. I may over think this from time to time, but coming to terms that God has called me to a life of not doing what is popular most of the time, will make me the woman of God I desire to be tomorrow. I kick, scream, cry a lot of the time back at God because I get trapped in the, "But I just want to be like others" trap. I focus too much in desiring to be liked by others, and waste countless hours trying to determine just why is it that some don't like me. Truth is, deep down, I probably don't care. I must become all that God wants me to be....not what others want me to be. The last Bible study I did rocked my world about this. I really believe that most of the time you don't like me, or I don't like you (figuratively speaking) is because we have no clue what is going on in each other's lives. We don't know where each other is coming from (birthplace, path, trials, victories) - what you are currently facing in life. I look back to some of the most hurtful times in my life and remember some nasty things I have said to people just because I was hurting. That's life, and it happens, and it is what we leave others with in impression of us. That's not wrong. It happens. Even in the midst of being nasty sometimes, we can still "Be today what (we) want to be tomorrow." God's given us each a path to grow from and gain experience from. It's, again, a relief! For me, it's embracing the knowing - the knowing that God has a plan for my life.

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."(Jeremiah 29:11, The Message)

That verse gives me hope that when I give up control, I become free to be what God has intended me to be all along. I hope that you are encouraged today to stop putting off what God may be asking of you, which is just to embrace the woman, or man, that He wanted you to be all along. He doesn't make mistakes. He doesn't make us all the same. He does, however, make all things beautiful in His time.

Happy 2010!

2010! Wow! It's crazy to think about, but it's here! We hope that you have enjoyed an AMAZING New Year with your family and friends, and that you are armed with lots of resolutions to fulfill. I used to be so anti-resolutions, but really, if you're not making goals for yourself in life, you are living with zero challenge to become all God desires you to be. Go out and make a resolution. You don't need to make a ton. Make one and stick to it! I'm excited over things that God has put on my heart and hope to leave 2010 behind me much differently than I entered it...with a better ME!

We have enjoyed the last days of 2009 spending time together and celebrating Christmas with family and having a new 10 yr old in the crib! Bailey celebrated her birthday with some of her 4th grade girlfriends by having a bonfire and s'mores, cookie cake, and hot chocolate! Can you say H-Y-P-E-R!!! They had such a great time, though. We are so incredibly proud of Bailey and the young lady she is becoming. She fills our home with her sweet laugh, artsy personality and her love for others. She is such a blessing to us!We have enjoyed seeing our families over the holidays. Our time with them is few and far between with our weekends being full, but when we have the chance to see them, it's always a blessing.
We hope that this year is filled with much love, laughter and joy! Take time to do for others and make sure your friends and family know you love them! Happy 2010!