Sunday, July 25, 2010

Newness


On my fabulous getaway with my sister last
weekend, we found ourselves at


It was a great little cabin at the top of a
big mountain.


We had a fabulous time. I don't
think I've EVER had such a good time! I had
a lot of time for reflection and thinking about
the future.

(I know you've seen this tshirt many times in this
summer's posts...it just happens to be a favorite!!!)


Sometimes, life just feels old, tired, worn-out.
Sometimes, I just need a change... a new
beginning. I never really put much thought
into it, but there are some times in my life
that I just love because I get to experience
this newness.

New babies. Their noises, their smells, their
facial expressions, the way you can stare at
one all day, and never miss the day you wasted...
there is no better example of something new.
I think we're stopping at two.

Buying a new (semi-new, as we purchased 2
years ago) car, and getting that added bonus
of the new car smell, is so exciting. With a new
set of wheels, going to the store not just a
mundane errand.

A new haircut can bring many emotions. I
can feel light and airy as I step out of the
salon, carrying 6 less inches than when I
entered. Sometimes I love the haircut, and
sometimes I have to go to two salons to
get it fixed...but I learned to love it!


A new school year can excite me, and frighten
me, all at the same time! The precious children
that grace my classroom, with boxes of new
crayons and newly sharpened pencils, are such
a mixed bag of blessings. Some have funny jokes
that make me smile every day, and some have
stories that make me want to take them in my
arms and show them the love of our God. Not
knowing what I am going to get is enough to keep
me on the edge of my seat with great anticipation
for what is ahead!

A new (one and only) tattoo...

A fresh start in my marriage is something so
priceless and cherished. I did not have a bad
marriage to begin with, just one that needed
a little adjustment. Wow! Don't I have a new
outlook on life now!

Finally, and most importantly, the newness
that comes with God's forgiveness. I would
not trade ANYTHING for the great assurance
and love I feel when I ask my God to wash away
my sins. Thank you God for this newness in life!

Friday, July 16, 2010

If You Need Me...


This is where I'll be!

Monday, July 12, 2010

My ABCs

Sweet Brittney had some fun on her
blog, so I thought I'd do the same!

A
- Age: 31

B - Bed size: Queen


C - Chore you hate: Cat litter


D - Dad's name: Daddy, Pop, and Bob


E - Essential start your day item: at least 8 hours of sleep!


F - Favorite TV show: House Hunters/Grey's Anatomy


G - Gold or Silver? Silver


H - Height: 5'9"


I - Instruments you play(ed): None


J - Job title: teacher


K - Kid(s): Matthew 4 1/2 and Logann 18months


L - Living arrangement: I live with Chris and my children


M - Mom's name: Mom, NaNa, and Pam


N - Nicknames: Mommy, Jen


O - Operations: None


P - Pet peeve: people who NEVER question anything and

negative people

Q - Quotes you like: "I don't want to look back on my life,

and not like the person I was." Brock

R - Right or left handed: Right


S - Siblings: an older sister and a younger brother


T - Time you wake up: School year=6:30 a.m./Summer =8ish


U - Ultimate dessert: Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake...

Cheesecake Factory :)

V - Vegetable you dislike: brussell sprouts


W - Ways you run late: KIDS!!!


X - X-rays: my right foot earlier this year...TaeBo with

no shoes. Luckily, nothing broken!

Y - Yummy food you make: Chocolate Chip Cookies & potato soup


Z - Zoo animal: Elephants...always the elephants!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

A Big Catch!

Chris took Matthew fishing on Monday.
Matthew caught a blue gill (not sure
why I didn't get a picture of this), and
Chris caught this catfish!



Logann and I did not go fishing.
We did what any two girls would
do when given the opportunity...
We went SHOPPING!!!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Happy 4th of July!!!

I have to say that I had the
absolute best 4th of July this
year. I can't remember when
I enjoyed myself so much.
We went to my in-laws house
for dinner, fireworks, and
smores. Chris and I stopped
and bought a bag full of
fireworks on our way out to
their house. Matthew and
Logann were so good all
night long. I have the best
in-laws in the entire world
and I love spending time
with them. I am truly blessed!

Chris, Judi, and Shane getting ready to light some fireworks.


Matthew and his JuJu


Mommy and LoLo


LoLo Waiting on Fireworks


JuJu and Her Babies Watching Fireworks


The Fireworks Were AMAZING!


Logann Swinging While We Started the Fire


Making Smores...Yummy!!!


Grandpa and LoLo


JuJu Helping Matthew


Ready to Roast!


Going For a Ride


The Firemen...Putting Out the Fire

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Please Pray

I have been reading Adrienne's blog for
almost two years. Her story is amazing.
I have shared her story with you before.
I am asking you to take a minute, and
pray for her now. Her only child she
has been able to carry, past the first
trimester, was born last night by
c-section, at 26 weeks and 5 days.
He is so tiny, and is not doing
well right
now. Please pray!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Chattanooga Trip


Chris, Matthew, Logann,
and I went
to Chattanooga
this week. We had
a great time
together! We all agree

the best part of the trip
was the
Tennessee Aquarium.
Here are
some pictures
from our trip.