A few pics from vacation

the gang

our view

Bittersweet

We are back from the beach and I think I'm more sad this time to be home. I think I could live there! I'm busy unpacking, cleaning and uploading pics so I will post them soon! We went to Navarre Beach this year and enjoyed it alot. The only thing I would change is the fact that we had no kiddie pool. We met some great people and spent time with my sweet neices and nephew. Good Times.

On a more personal note......

I haven't shared our life happenings in a while it seems.......

We haven't stopped this summer!! After our VBS we had a pool break and then picked back up this week with another VBS for KE. She loves it. KE has made a couple of accomplishments in the past couple of weeks! She has self-taught herself to ride her bike and play twinkle twinkle little star on the piano. I'm looking into lessons as we speak.

W has been 3 nights and going on 4 days with no papi!!! I simply told him that it was time for me to send it to another baby and since he was a big boy, he didn't need it anymore. He cried the first night and naptime but is doing great! He said " I don't want to be a big boy, I want to be a baby!" He is a sweetheart in every sense of the word. I truly believe that children are THE most precious gift ( besides salvation) we are given. And just like salvation, some poeple accept thier gifts and some don't. My house would be full of neglected children if my husband would let me.

My ladies small group just finished Beth Moore's Breaking Free (Making Liberty In Christ a Reality in Life)
I was not raised in church except for going with Granny when I visited her ( oh she made me wear those awful pink sponge rollers to bed and I looked like a freak going out in public the next day). Oh and thank goodness ( ironically) my mom sent me to Catholic school.
I accepted Christ as my personal savior at age 2o. Now let me just say, it was not an overnight transformation... actually it was pretty scary. I wanted to learn and know more of how God wanted me to live but it was so different from what I knew at the time that it was overwhelming. ( I mean, I wasn't that bad) So overwhelming that I rebelled.

After starting to settle back down in life and finally start to feel comfortable being with me... I met Torrey. The saying that "if you aren't looking.." is true... at least for me. We didn't click until the 3rd date and we just knew soon after that we would be together forever. It wasn't until I became pregnant with KE that we both agreed we needed to be in the same church (He was Catholic. I was not.) So that is what we did.

A few years later, I started going to small group Bible study. I had no idea what a blessing this could be! I have met some amazing women and a few lifelong Christian friends. See, when I started following Christ, I lost some friends ( and family). That was devastating to me at the time but I knew God had bigger plans. He "let" me keep some of the old friends to grow with and introduced me to new ones. Even parental figures.

After I became a Christian, I started to learn about Christian music artists ( well, I knew about some and couldn't stand the music), speakers and authors. Beth Moore was one of them. My impression of her was that she was really deep and way above my head.. anyway.. I was intimdated by all that serious Bible studying stuff.

Finally!! In the past 12 weeks I have completed my first Beth Moore study!! This may not excite you but let me tell you.... if you ever have the opportunity to do one of these... DO
She keeps your nose to the scriptures while sharing her life expierences with you. It's humanly unbelievable what most of these great Christan teachers have gone through in their pasts to come to Christ.

... I think I just gave a bit of my testimony.

I haven't mentioned N... oooohhhh.

He is going to be a handful to say the least. He is 18 months and walking everywhere and saying a few words... mama, dada, juice, dog, ok, eat, more, barney, dora, diego and today he picked up a pull-up and said "pull-up" color.. and cancake ( pancake) tank-choo (thank you)
When this little guy doesn't get his way he throws a ear-piercing tantrum. It's LOUD. I told Torrey the neighbors are going to report us if he doesn't stop screaming!! This too shall pass. The screaming... well, hopefully!

We leave for the beach Saturday and I have yet to pack so I better get busy.

I found this survey and thought I would close with some favorite things :

COLOR • greens, blues, browns, creams, reds... too many to pick just one
ANIMAL • sweet puppy dogs
MOVIE • new fav is 27 Dresses
BOOK • the B-i-B-L-E and Feeding Your Appetites by Steven Arterburn is good.
MAGAZINE • Southern Living
BAND/SINGER • if you know me, I can't give you just one (or two) but I like Matt Redman and Crystal Lewis. Then I also like Dave Matthews and U2.. that is so not all of them
TV SHOW • any home improvement show.. Divine Design. Any dance show.
VACATION SPOT • The Beach
ACTOR • Jim Carrey.. I like to laugh
ACTRESS • julia roberts
FOOD • anything fattening
DRINK • Coke
WEBSITE • Blogger these days.
CLOTHING STORE • Libby Story and Co.
TIME OF DAY • nap time
SHAMPOO • Sheer Blonde
SOAP • Dove Cool Moisture
ICE CREAM • Yarnell's Homemade Vanilla and Coffee with fudge brownie from Coldstone
CHILDREN'S BOOK • I love you forever
DAY OF THE YEAR • Christmas
WORD • hhhmmmm
QUOTE • A liar listens to lies ( that is somewhere in Psalms)
FLOWER • white tulip
SNACK FOOD • chocolate
BOARD GAME • Scattegories

Happy Daddy Day!

As KE put it... "Happy Daddy Day" and what a great daddy he is. As you can see by the pics, N didn't want to sit still so this is the best out of several. I'am so thankful that this daddy is the daddy to my children. I know that he will be there for them no matter what and will teach them life lessons. He's an even better husband... but that is another day :)

Another Sneak Peak

Okay girls, here's another peak at the fall line from Blessed Be The Name! Again, if you are interested in hosting a show let me know. I will have the clothes the last part of July. I'm already doing a show for the if you would like to attend that one, leave me your address.

More BBTN peeks

Okay girls.... another peek at this fall's line from Blessed Be The Name. Again, let me know if you are interested in hosting a show I'm already doing a show for the Greenville/Leland/Hollandale areas so if you would like to come, send me your address.

Back to Skin Care

Okay, so I appreciate all of your skin answers and it has lead me to lots of research. I went to Wal-mart this morning and decided to take a look at what they had OTC before I even think of spending big bucks at the Dermo. I was bombarded with tons of products that claim what I would call a miracle. My condition is a mild one but I'm not getting any younger!

My condition you ask? MELASMA. This is often called the mask of pregnancy and I was blessed with it when I was prego with my first boy ( didn't happen with KE) Those durn boys! It went away somewhat and now that Nathan is 1 1/2, I think I may need some assistance in getting rid of it completely.

Anyway, it causes brown spots on the face and it only gets worse in the sun..... soooooo, a friend gave me the name of a sunscreen her Doc Rxd. So starting today, I will use this product everyday.. . Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spf 55 sunscreen with helioplex

I did notice alot of microdermabrasion kits.... I'm funny about stuff and just the word microdermabrasion sounds scary. Anyone ever had this done?

Sneaky Me!

I swiped a pic from another blog to show you a peak... and this is just a peak of the fall line for Blessed Be The Name.....

I can't tell you how excited I'am about this season's sweet duds!

I will hosting the usual show at my home and I hope to host one in Cleveland as well...

I would like to have one in the Jackson area so if you are interested, and know lots of poeple who love to shop, please let me know.. I don't mind doing two, esp, if the guests are from different circles.

Skin Care 101

I have been using the same skincare products for about 4 years now and I feel that it's time for a change. Is there really anything topical out there that helps with the dreaded fine lines???? I cannot BELIEVE that I'am starting to notice these boogers in the mirror.

My question to you is, what do you use and why? I want your entire skincare routine.....

Thanks in advance!

I went back and found pics of the girls from each recital.... look how baby faced they were in thier 1st year of dance!!

What a Week!

We survived!! We had a great VBS and KE's dance recital was great!

Son Harvest County Fair

Fruits of the Spirit

bible story time

A couple of my favs ( Shhhhhh)

Me and "my" Godly Grapes


Dance Recital 2008

Line up Girls!

The Girls

Look who came to see me!!

( our babysitter bottom pic)

Dinner afterwards.. my sleepy princess

Slacker

I have been slacking on my blogging but I can assure you I'am no slacker!

We started VBS at our church this week and I'm the leader for the preschool class. I love them! I have 16 sweet "Godly Grapes" This years theme is Fruits of the Spirit so each group is labeled by fruit. So far, we have learned about God's Love, Joy and Peace. I love that we are teaching our children to trust in God. I hope they will use these teachings throughout thier lives.

KE's dance recital is this weekend so after VBS, then lunch, we gear up for dance practice almost every day this week. Today we have a break so she went swimming with one of her friends.
The boys stay in the church nursery and play during VBS so after lunch they are pooped and sack out for about a 2-3 hour nap. As soon as I finish this post, I MUST clean house and prepare supper.

We have the brick layer coming in the morning to put the brick around our patio. I'm excited. This has been something I have been waiting on for a while now. I will post pics of the finsihed product!

Have a great rest of the week!!