This is it!

Well, this is it. I can't believe it's here.

The final day of VBS. *sigh*

We end on Thursday because we start it or kick it off during the Sunday school hour on Sunday.

Our final day of VBS. *sigh*

Two things that I'm praying for....

Christian will return. I'll write about him tomorrow. I don't think I'll be able to stand it if he doesn't. And....the seeds we have planted are already taking deep root.

Please pray that for us today. I really want us to finish strong!! We do end in some fun too.
Our kids have been competing in their groups all week to see who can bring the most poptarts and cereal bars for a ministry in our area called "Snack backpack." This ministry feeds hungry children on the weekends. So.....

the group with the most items, gets to throw pies in 2 of our youth intern faces!!!! How fun is that???!!! I hope those interns show up today! :)

Our scriptural background for today's theme of Believe is the story of Thomas not believing that Jesus was resurrected when he saw him for the first time.

We need to believe in Jesus and the things he can do even though we can't see him. And, we should take note of the fact that Jesus continued to offer himself to the disciples to help strengthen their faith.

Let's not put Earthly limitations on Jesus either. Let's increase our belief and hope in the Savior and creator of the Universe.

John 20:29 "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

And...one more thing...

My precious hubby sent me these darling and beautiful flowers yesterday to the church. He was loving on me and congratulating me on a successful VBS. Aaaaaahhhhhh.

And...guess where I am going tomorrow??? Come back Friday morning for some hodge podge of randomness to find out. :)

Hugs and blessings~

A Woman healed

Our bible story behind VBS today is the woman who was healed when she touched Jesus clothing.

Don't worry, we don't tell the children she had been bleeding for 12 years....can't you hear the questions now??? But, our focus is to be BOLD!

The woman was seen as an unclean woman for these 12 years, but had strong enough faith to fight through the crowd to touch Jesus.....hoping for healing. This woman had some boldness, determination and some serious faith.

Jesus knew that power had left his body even though he didn't see who touched him. She boldly came forward, fell at his feet, and explained what she had done. Jesus response to her was, "Your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

I want that boldness. I want that faith. I want that desire or need of mine to be healed by Jesus. I want to fall at his feet. I want to share that faith with others.

1 John 5:14 "And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

I pray for you today. I pray that we all have that beautiful boldness and the amazing faith we need to go after our Jesus and share him with others.

Hugs and blessings~

Another fab scripture

We survived Day 1 of VBS and I thought it was fabulous. Well, maybe fabulous is a bit strong. Let's just say it went really well for the 1st day. :)

There was one little boy who came to VBS and is young and has never been to our church. He has some buddies that he knows, but he is not a church member. He was scared and cried and really probably wanted to go home.

I talked with his ever so sweet mom downstairs for awhile. I reassured her. I told her stories about my own boys at his age at church. I bragged on her son. I told her that sweet moms were talking with him and holding his hand and loving on him. I hope I made her feel somewhat better and I hope I let her know we truly cared for her son.

That little guy struggled through the 1st little bit and then turned the corner and was having a great time. Sometimes, it's not the Bible lesson that we learn or the craft that we make or the fun songs we sing that make us happy. Sometimes, it's simply the love of someone else encouraging us or hanging with us when the day gets hard.

Life can be that way for us too. Sometimes we just need some love and encouragement along the way. I hope that today you will reflect Jesus by showing Him through your actions.

1 John 3:18 "Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."

Show the love of Jesus today! It's so sweet to see this love in action.

Hugs and blessings~

A mighty good scripture

Since it's VBS week, I thought I would just share the scripture for our day! Can you hear the beach music and the waves crashing?? It's a beach theme this week!!

Colossians 3:12 "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience"

I am praying this for myself and all our VBS leaders today and I'm praying this for you too!

Have a great day with Jesus. Celebrate that you are chosen and His beloved then dress yourself up for the role of your lifetime!

Hugs and blessings~

Well, my goodness

I got a precious comment from my darling "almost real life" friend, Stephanie, who said that she had a little something for me.

So, I hopped over to Stephanie's blog and found this.....


I was so surprised and so grateful that Stephanie thought of me for this award. We all start these blogs with a different purpose and I truly had NO IDEA that I would be finding friendships along the way, much less getting an award.

So, my heart is full of gratitude and love today and I will pass this along to Patty and Kim.

These two women are working so hard on the Siesta Fiesta stuff in San Antonio next month and I do think they are brilliant in what they do, how they have done it, and keeping their sanity in the process! :)

Their hearts are just beautiful for Jesus and I will probably knock them down with hugs when I see them. They are the real deal and just a true joy to know.

Hugs, blessings, and prayers for you all today....

Happy Birthday!!!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to proser you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

This is for my oldest son.

This is for his birthday today. I really can't believe it.

My baby is 12 years old and I'm wondering where in the world did the time go because surely he's NOT 12!

I was 26 yrs old when I had Clay and didn't have a care in the world and didn't have a clue for that matter either. :)

I was just thrilled to know that he would be the first person to ever call me "mom." I didn't get the meaning of that word, mom, at the time. I sure understand the depth of it now. It might have been a good idea that I was young and clueless because I wasn't scared in the slightest.

Clay arrived into the world after 15 1/2 hours of labor, weighing in at 8 1/2 lbs and was bald as a bat. He was just stunning to me and I was just in shock that he came out of my belly and that we had made him. He definitely had my heart at first look.

Clay is growing into a young man that always wants to do the right thing, wonders why everyone else can't do the right thing, and loves Jesus more than I ever imagined at that age. He loves different Bibles and will just go read a book of the Bible just because. How cool is that?!

"Dear Lord, please protect that part of his heart and mind. I pray that he continues to grow in love and knowledge of you and he never waver in Who you are in these years to come."

Clay is calm, even tempered, humble, and perseveres like none of my other children. He won't jump ship when the going gets tough. I love that about him.

He enters middle school this year which means a whole new territory for a whole bunch of new things. Watch out middle school....here we come!

I'm scared. I'm happy. I'm excited for him. I'll pray like crazy for him.

Children are a gift from the Lord and I'm in awe of this child today. He teaches me so much.

I love you Clay. You are my 1st born, the strongest one of us all probably. I cannot wait to see where God takes you. Remember, He has plans just for you and your father and I will walk right beside you and be your biggest earthly fans.

Happy 12th birthday!!! Now, let's have a GREAT day celebrating!


Hugs and blessings!

The deep stuff

I have been a little distracted by our precious, bundle of puppy breath, "Pepper." Yes, that is what son #2 named her. I'm not sure why he didn't pick Missy, Molly, or Sissy.

She has been so much fun to watch. She's coming out of her shell. I love watching her run, and bark try to keep up with the bigger version of herself. She can hang with the bigger 16 lb, Bailey. To watch them try to play....well, lets just say I could sit and do that for hours.

Might be the reason I'm doing things at late hours of the night.

Not getting important things done. Can I take a picture of my fridge for you??? You would instantly write me off as blogging friend.

Oh, but I am! Yes I am!!

Door #1 is this....




Yes, I heard you gasp! I did. And, I do too. I'll explain at the end.

Door #2 is this....


Now, I completely see that there is nothing in the bigger part of the fridge. I think there is some jello from awhile ago. There is a Dr. Pepper that is very flat. There is some fun cinnamon bread that I may eat. There is some coffee.
There are a few things in there, but nothing of substance. If you saw the chocolate milk on the top shelf, it's straight from a gas station on our way home from a ballgame. Nice huh?? I'm sure its just as good as Kroger milk, right?!

Anyway, we've been just a little busy finishing up travel ball, working on VBS, and just plain not being home very much! And, I'm really ok with it.

This baseball season is one day from being over and I have to say that I'm going to miss it terribly. The people, the kids, the environment, the smells, the dirty uniforms, the cleats, the bags, the routine.

And, even the empty fridge.

It's been fun...so very fun boys!!

Momma will go to the grocery as soon as it's over.

Hugs and blessings~