Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

All of the kids-snuggled up real tight; waiting to see if they got that new bike.

I was lying awake in my bed you see; worrying about did I get what they need.

Then what appears before my eyes; were three golden angels that were larger than life.

They said not to worry about all of the stuff. Teach your kids about Jesus and that was enough.

Jesus was born they said with such glee; so that you and your kids will live eternally.

In a heaven that was made for you and for them. Because of his sacrifice for all men.

All of the men of this world include you and me. So what side will you be on in eternity?

All you must do the angels did say was to believe that Jesus came to save. That he really was the son of God. The son of man-- the great I AM.

He was raised from the dead on that glorious day; he chose to die and he chose to save.

Ask forgiveness from all of your sins don't you see; and choose to follow him your whole life and believe.

Believe that he died for you and for me. There is no greater present on earth than the King!

Merry CHRISTmas to all and to all a goodnight is what the angels said before their flight.

I lay in my bed with a smile on my face because I knew I was covered with God's grace.

Give him this year to all of your friends. He is just waiting to let them in.


"For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved!" Romans 10:9

***spoiler alert--Little Miss Sunshine 2006

I just finished watching this movie about an hour ago. I can't stop thinking about how awesome it was, so I looked it up on the faithful IMDB and saw that it won 2 Oscars. Not a surprise to me.

When it came out in 2006, it looked like nothing I would be interested in so I never watched it. This morning I turned on the TV when I woke up and it had just started. I immediately did what I always do and hit the info button to see the summary The Dish has deemed the story to be and it said "Members of a dysfunctional family set out on a road trip to watch their daughter take part in a children's beauty pageant." Now right there I was going to change channels, I hate beauty pageants, but the word dysfunctional was in there (totally describes me) so I watched it a few minutes, still not sure, but I laughed several times (usually don't) so I hit record, turned it off and watched it tonight with Ashley, Kirbi and Kayla (ask them about candy canes?) I wasn't expecting much, but it turned out to be terrific and a must see for everyone.

I don't understand though about the dysfunctional part, I have a feeling most families have times like this,(well maybe not just like this--but close) I would think if you didn't you weren't normal. No one really lives the happily ever after every single day do they?

I found part of myself in each of the characters:

The Mom----Peace maker, people pleaser, protecter of feelings
The Dad-----Driven, realistic (to the point of irritating), Determined
The Grandpa----I don't care attitude, have no regrets, might as well do it all
The Son-----Loner, goal setter, I hate everyone attitude (big draw)
The Uncle---needs approval and is suicidal
The Daughter---a little girl with a dream, innocent, questioning

Those are a few of their traits, I believe anyone who watches this movie could relate to one or more of the people in it. This is about a real family, with real issues, with one goal. There is a time that everyone has moments like these in their families (not exact moments. lol) The ending is perfect, without telling too much, you can see in your mind how the next day in their life would play out.

Even as the sap I am, I never cried, I laughed through most all of it and cheered at the end. It was awesome. If you want a realistic movie with lots of laughs I highly recommend this movie if you haven't seen it.

Of course I am no movie reviewer, but I am a dysfunctional movie watcher and this one is it!

Blessed and Stressed

My world is full of blessings and my world is full of stress. Which of these I choose to lean toward is what makes up my attitude on a daily basis. No one wants to choose stress over blessings, but by the time all of the little things in life have added up and you finally realize that you are stressed, it is too late. Because you have just at that moment realized that stress is eating you alive.
I am currently there. Sunday was my birthday. Yes I will say it, I turned 41, I feel more like 14, I was once told by an awesome pastor, you are who you hang around with. Well I hang around a bunch of kids and their mean average is about 11 so go figure that I act like one, at least in my heart.
Well I was sick Sunday and I took a little time to reflect that I was stressed, that was part of my recent problems. I also realized that with the holidays coming, I don't want to be stressed. Something deep inside of me wants this to be the best Christmas in a very long time. Not gift wise though. Spirit wise. Spirit filled. Memory making. Just relishing the holidays like we should, not depending on others for our satisfaction. Enjoying every moment. Taking it all in. So many "tragedies" this year that are affecting my family. Making every moment count.
If you love someone tell them, If you want to do something, do it. If you can dream it, do your best to have it.
My new favorite song over the last several weeks has been "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas. It was written for the Disney movie "Meet the Robinson's". The song implies that our lives are made of these moments that we call little wonders. I call them the everyday things that we take for granted and we should slow down and enjoy them, inhale them, make them count.
A few examples of some everyday things that one might overlook in our busyness----a teenager stating firmly that God will end the world when HE wants to, not when someone says it will end(2012). ----friends that love you not matter what you do(that is very important)----husbands that surprise you with a stereo in your truck for no reason (well i really wanted one--he has no idea how much that little thing meant to me)---husbands that by Haribu Gummi Bears for your birthday. Kids that make you cards for no reason and just give them to you.--Friends that bring donuts by your work, and they are just for me and I am most certain it is out of someones way to do it. Those donuts --you know who you are--really brighten up my day. big smiles. ---laughing with your kids at TV shows--red bulls that magically appear, for me of course. lol.
I could list forever the little things that make up my life, even the bad sometimes (which i hate the bad) but all of it mixed together is what makes us all different.
God loves us all the same, it is how we show his love to others, that separate us from the ordinary. If we could be Jesus to just one person a day, think how that could change lives. Those are life changing moments and they could be as simple as a thank you. 99% of the time you will not know about the change, but they will and it will mean the world to them.
Just this last week a good friend of mine reminded me of an incident that occured between us that i remembered after she told me the story, but at the time I never put 2 and 2 together that it was her. God had a plan, it was under God's circumstances that it happened, not luck. It was God. God knows what he is doing, do you? I don't. I put my trust in him that all I do, good or bad will accomplish his will.
I am trying to slow down, do God's will and enjoy every moment that I have loving others and having fun. What will you do.


I have added the link to the song on you tube, listen to the words and enjoy. Have a blessed--not stressed holiday! It's not what you get, it's how you feel. give it feels better than receiving. i know. Check it out! You won't be sorry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLT4N5IgP9c

To my friends Debbie and Sue

I would like to introduce you to my two friends Debbie and Sue. Debbie is in the green and Sue is in the Pink. First if you think I am crazy, You should hang around with them. Sue always thought we were the ones not right. Pa-Leese.

I met the both of them 14 years ago when Debbie's daughter Nicole and my daughter Tiffany went to Wee School together, they were both 4. Sue was Debbie's best friend. I sorta fit right when Tiff and Nicole became friends (well i think Debbie said that Tiff was mean to Nicole? but whatever lol) It never phased Tiff or Nicole, they are still friends. I, as Sue put it was the low maintenance friend and Debbie was the high maintenance friend. lol. Debbie and Sue were best friends and I knew that but after Debbie moved to Houston, I was closer. haha sorry Debbie.

The best of times were girl scouts, Halloween parties and everything in between with our kids. We all had girls so it made it easy. I have so many stories I could tell.
But what I want to say is that both of them have character, they would do anything for anyone. (Debbie acts like she won't but she will).

A few years back Debbie found out she had breast cancer. We were all devastated. Sue went to Houston back and fourth almost weekly to be with Debbie to help her through this horrifying crisis. It was hard on the both of them. It was hard on all of us. Debbie would get better through chemo and surgeries and then she had to do it all over again. But in the end she pulled through and she is still winning the fight.

Sue became ill unexpectedly on her birthday in June 2007. The doctor's had no idea what was wrong, it went from one diagnosis to the next for several weeks, then the worst was found. Sue had breast cancer that was undetectable by a mammogram. She was already in stage 4 when they found it. Her daughter had just graduated High School and had not yet even turned 18. The doctors gave little hope, they tried to post pone the inevitable. Sue passed away just 4 months later on November 3rd, 2007.

I will share with you the last hour I spent with her. She was still at home. She wasn't eating much and only wanted to eat chocolate. I was left to feed her some, she sure loved it.
The cancer mixes up a few things in the memory bank, but for the most part we just talked about whatever came up. The blinds were open she wanted to see the sunshine outside. Then she wanted me to eat the chocolate, and for those of you who don't' know I get instantaneous migraines from chocolate. I don't even think I hesitated for a moment and I ate it with her. It made her happy and hey what are friends for anyway. Migraines and Chocolate were a very small price for me to pay. I talked with her for a while longer and then when it was time for me to leave, I hugged and kissed her forehead and told her that I loved her, I wasn't even sure if she knew exactly who I was at that moment, but to my surprise she plain as day said "Kaye, I love you too" It was then that I knew in my heart that it would be the last time I would talk to her. She was so clear and concise, nothing like the previous hours worth of conversation.

I love my friend Sue as if she were my own sister, she treated every child as if they were her own. The door to that house was always open and if it wasn't the doggie door was. lol. She really was another mother to all of my girls. I will never forget the things she did for my kids. For my family. My life is brighter because she was in it.

I don't tell you all of this to make you sad, I tell you to inform you, there must be a cure somewhere. Breast Cancer can happen to anyone, anytime, any place and without any warning. It is silent and it kills.

I am proud to walk with Debbie who is a survivor, I am proud to walk with Sue's family and friends who are the survivors of the loss of a loved one. I didn't walk last year, my Tiffany did. This year I am walking and so is Ashley. We walk so others won't have to. We walk at the Houston race with Debbie she lives down there.

Take a moment and pray for breast cancer survivors and for families and friends of those impacted by breast cancer.

I challenge you to donate at least $5 to this investment into all of our futures to help fight breast cancer.

For every $5 that is donated I will skip my morning red bull and donate that money to the cause. I will also not drink one that day in honor of my friend Sue. I will really skip it. ---those of you who know me well, know that is a sacrifice right there.

Please help them out it is just a few bucks that could change someones life.
Go to the following link to donate!

http://www.komen-houston.org/goto/shopatsues



God is Love
Kaye

5 People I Like

Dick Van Dyke -- "I loved to fall down"

Tom Landry ----- "today you have 100% of your life left"

Emmitt Smith------"Always, through my whole life, I've had a thirst for knowledge."

Mel Gibson-------"The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic."

Will Smith----"Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too."

Lose My Soul

Mark 8:34
The he called his disciples and the crowds over to listen. "If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me." 35. "If you try to keep your life for yourself you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the good news, you will find true life. 36 and how do you benefit if you gain the whole world and lose your soul in the process? 37 is there anything worth more than your soul?"


Verse 36 and 37 are about this very song by Toby Mac. It is called Lose my Soul. I have added the link to youtube and I also have inserted lyrics for the song. I think it is perfect. check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGq6Ln7lzKA



Man I wanna tell ya'll something, Man.
Man I'm not gonna let these material thing's, get in my way, ya'll.
I'm trying to get somewhere.
I'm trying to get somewhere,
Thats real and pure and true and eternal.

Father God, I am clay in your hands,
Help me to stay that way through all life's demands,
'Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me,
And every little thing I make up my mind to be,
Like I'm gonna be a daddy whose in the mix,
And I'm gonna be a husband who stays legit,
And I pray that I'm an artist who rises above,
The road that is wide and filled with self love,
Everything that I see draws me,
Though it's only in You that I can truly see that its a feast for the eyes- a low blow to purpose.
And I'm a little kid at a three ring circus.

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.

(Mr. Franklin, Step up to the mic sir)

The paparazzi flashes, and that they think that it's you,
But they don't know that who you are is not what you do,
True, we get it twisted when we peak at the charts,
Yo before we part from the start,
Where's your heart?
You a pimp, hustler?
Tell me what's your title,
America has no more stars, now we call them idols,
You sit idle, While we teach prosperity,
The first thing to prosper should be inside of me.
We're free...
Not because of 22's on the range,
But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed,
Not the same, even though I made a fall,
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I'm Paul.
(YEP!)

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
Don't wanna walk away,
Don't wanna walk away

How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
It's hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity.

(Lord what we gon do,We're relying on you,
all eyes are on you Lord,
all eyes are on you, all eyes are on you Jesus.)

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
(Don't let me lose my soul, my soul.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(This is my honesty, Father, won't you cover me.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna walk away, and all those people say)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose my soul.)

Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,
That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you.
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.

(Hallelujah, Don't wanna lose our soul,
No, Don't wanna lose my soul.)

Hey excuse me,
I'm looking or the after party,
Toby,
Haha, yeah, last door on the left, you'll hear it.
Thanks,
No problem.

Don't let me lose my soul, I never wanna walk away,
I don't wanna lose my soul,
No, no, no.
Don't let me, don't let me, lose my soul,
I don't wanna walk away,
Don't let me walk away,
Na na na na no,
Don't let me lose, my soul,
I'm never gonna walk away.

Follow Me

I awoke to find myself lying in a field of thick, lush, green grass. I could feel the warmth on my face as I struggled to open my eyes. The light was bright. The light was warm. My eyes started to focus and I could see trees in the distance but something seemed so wrong yet very right. It was so quiet. Not a sound. Not a bird. Not an insect. Not wind. Not anything. I took a good look around me. Nothing for as far as I could see to my back and to my sides. All I could see was the trees. I knew I must be dreamingj, it was so quiet and peaceful. It's never this peaceful.
Out of nowhere a brilliant orange and yellow butterfly landed on my shoulder. I turned to look at it and it looked back at me. Strange I thought. The butterfly then started to fly off as I just watched in bewilderment of it's beauty. Then it flew back and landed on my shoulder. The butterfly did this several times and it was then and only then did I realize that this beautiful creature wanted me to follow it.
I started walking. I walked and I walked and I walked. I sat down to rest. I was tired and I felt as if I was making no ground. I was growing impatient. The trees still seemed the same distance as they did before.
My new friend rested on my shoulder. I started to ask the creature where we were going but I didn't. It didn't seem right. Talking to a butterfly?
My friend was ready to go I could see as it started to fly again and back again, I was catching on, slowly I got up as I knew it wasn't going to leave me until I started walking again.
This time the trees became closer and closer and closer, until we were at the edge of the tree line. I looked back and still there was only miles upon miles of lush green grass in all directions except for in front of me, there were only trees. I stepped a little closer and looked in, but I saw only more trees. I wondered what was on the other side of the trees. Did they go on forever like the grass? Were there animals or any other living creature because still at this point I could only find this butterfly who actually found me.
I was curious to say the least and entered. The light came through the trees at the angle that usually makes "heavenly light" you know the light. They were rays of sunshine.
It never became dark in the woods. I rested several times and yet still felt as if I was gaining no ground. I stopped. I looked back. Nothing but trees behind me, in front of me, to the left and right of me. Nothing but trees.
I don't think about it much just a shoulder shrug. Didn't need to know which way to go all I needed to do was to follow my new friend the amazing butterfly. It knew where I was going even if I didn't. I followed joyfully and happily. The bad things didn't matter anymore. The junk didn't matter anymore. Everything was wonderful and beautiful. Everything was peaceful. Every time I stopped and rested, my friend rested too. But my friend didn't let me ever rest for more than a few moments and then we were back at it.
Then I heard it. It was a bird. It was chirping. It was different. When I looked around I saw the most amazing blue bird I have ever saw and it was on a branch right in front of me. Wow. I looked around to find my butterfly friend and it was gone. I looked and looked. I was sad, I felt alone. Where was my friend that was guiding me through the trees?
Then it happened. The Bird took the place of my friend. The bird made it clear that I was to follow him and we started to walk. I followed closely. I didn't dare get lost in the trees. I could never find my way out alone.
I could finally see a break in the tree line. I started to hurry as I was anxious as to what was on the other side. My heart was racing. My stomach had butterflies. I was shaking and when I reached the edge

I woke up. My heart was still racing though. I was frustrated at waking in the middle of this dream. It was peaceful, it was amazing, and wonderful. I couldn't imagine what the dream had been about. What was on the other side of those trees? I started thinking about it. I was so wired at the moment from the dream I couldn't sleep anyway.

I was reminded of this passage as if God were speaking it directly at me.

Mark 8:34
The he called his disciples and the crowds over to listen. "If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me." 35. "If you try to keep your life for yourself you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the good news, you will find true life. 36 and how do you benefit if you gain the whole world and lose your soul in the process? 37 is there anything worth more than your soul?"


God wants us to put all of our cares aside and give them to him. Jesus said put it all away and follow me. Following Jesus is all I want to do and all that is required. I believe wholeheartedly in our Lord and Savior. He put it all aside for us. We should not let his free gift go un wrapped for anyone. Jesus will lead us even when we cannot lead our selfs. Follow your heart, that is where it starts.

Happy 21st Birthday Melissa!

Melissa you are turning 21 today, although not until 3:27pm to be exact. :) You have been all grown up for sometime now. 21 just seems like the last huge milestone of your "childhood" for me. You will always be my baby no matter how old you get and it doesn't matter that you are the oldest. Melissa I know that you feel like you have been shafted in every way. You were the guinea pig. You were the one with all the rules because I wanted to keep you safe, and I didn't know any other way. You were the responsible one when now one else would be. You are the second mom to your sisters and you worry about them all the time, you protect them from the world and from themselves, or at least you try to.
I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when you were born, but what I did know is I loved you more than anything in the world, and therefore the rules were enforced. lol. Melissa I could never have asked for anything more from you. You always put others first when it meant you would come in last, even if you hated it.
You are so genuine, you have a fun loving spirit and you're ok with not knowing what El Gato meant after 4 years of Spanish. :) sorry I couldn't help that.
I honestly have no words that truly describe how I feel about you. I love you. You love life. You enjoy it to the fullest. You and I---Identical. lol.
I am posting pics of you, some you will hate, but I love them. I did notice that you take lots of pictures of yourself. haha. I also noticed that 99% of them are with Simon and that the two of you for the last 9 years have had the most fun together that I have ever seen two people have. Enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoy being with you MO! I Love You!!------Mommy
Vegas watch out!

The Calm

It was in the eye of the storm that the calm began. The sound of the waves came to a halt, the boat was rocking ever so slightly, it eventually became still and silent. All I could hear was my breathing. All I could feel was my heart beating.

Peace washed over me. I didn't understand the peace. The quiet. The stillness. I didn't want to move, the boat might rock. I tried not to breathe or the silence would be broken. Although I did not understand I wasn't ready for it to end.

The silence seemed eerie. I hated the silence yet I longed for it.

I felt safe. But then I became nervous as I felt a slight breeze. The calm would soon be over I thought. I wasn't ready for it to end.

It wasn't a breeze that I felt. It was him. I could feel him. I was enveloped in his presence and felt the warmth of his love. I knew it was him.

I couldn't move, but I kept trying. When I couldn't move I tried to speak. No words came out. What could I say anyway. Words could not describe how I felt about him.

He couldn't see me like this I thought. I was speechless. How could I not talk to him after everything he had done for me. Why couldn't I speak?

He was saying something and yet I didn't understand him. What was he saying? Over and over he repeated the same phrase. I wanted to ask him, but still I could not speak.

I didn't understand and my heart was racing, my breathing increased it was all becoming so loud. All I thought was if I could just calm down I could hear what he was saying.

I was screaming inside and longed to hear. I wanted to know. And then when I thought I would never hear what he had to say. I thought he was slipping away.

I felt his hand on my shoulder and was instantly comforted by his touch. I turned to see him but I couldn't and then I heard what he said in just a whisper and only then did I understand.

The chill came across my back and the breeze across my face. I knew I was in the eye of the storm and I knew soon the other side would come. The rocking and the waves and the noise and the strong winds. But I knew I was safe. My boat was sturdy, it could survive any storm that was headed my way because I was surrounded by love bigger than the ocean its self.

The love I did not deserve was there.

I woke up to find it was all a dream. I woke up with tears slowly rolling down my face, I tasted the salt from them and I smiled, they reminded me of the ocean. Which reminded me of his love.

He told me in that whisper....

My love is deep
My love is wide.
My love is long
My love is high

Be still and know that I am there.
Be still and you will hear.

I will never leave you. I will always be here.

It's a Kid thing

What a week I have had! I am mentally and totally exhausted. Vacation Bible School was so awesome. The kids had a great time and I have never seen "This little light of Mine" actually be done so well. It was great! I do not know what I was thinking having kids camp one weekend followed by VBS the next one. I may rethink that for next year. There were also plenty of personal struggles throughout both weeks, but I have and will continue to overcome them. There are many people in my life that are in emotional pain, there are many people in my life including me that are in physical pain. However God is with us. ALL THE TIME (we actually learned that at VBS) God protects us emotionally and physically, sometimes it is the one person that he sends into our lives that make a difference. They seem to show up in the knick of time. Sometimes at just the last second. I truly hope that you have those people in your life, the ones that God sends you to help you through that moment. Sometimes a joked about box of donuts that magically shows up really makes a huge difference. Sometimes it is telling two elderly men at a nursing home who are outside chillin that the Cowboy game starts in 30 minutes and watching the excitement on their face, makes you smile. Life is made up of little moments, some we savor, some we regret, some we wished never happened. God is everywhere, take the time to find him in your everyday. Some people believe that the world is random. The world is anything but random. Take a good look around tomorrow and find God in that child's smile at the store, find God in the child that is giving you trouble, Seek out the best in people and they will find it in you. I was told today by someone that they just don't get me. They never know if I am serious or kidding. (yes I am that good) I have thought about that today and well I don't know what to tell them. Honestly I dont'. They must take the time to get to know me. Outward appearences have nothing to do with what is inside. God knows what is inside and that is what everyone should look for.

Go and seek out your creator. You are not just an after effect of the 'Big Bang". (side note on that, One of my favorite shows is The Big Bang Theory, but heck it is hysterical so dont take it wrong. lol. )

You were made by the hands of God and so was everyone else. Treat them as you want to be treated, how is it that we all know the golden rule and most of us don't follow it. I am guilty of not following it on occasion. We must also remember that we are given new mercies everyday, every single day.

I will run errands tomorrow and do the normal tasks of life.

But Sunday I will start my week with my God at his house and I will serve his kids! Who could turn that down. I can't. Kids are awesome and should be treated as so. yes they make mistakes, so do I. Yes they interrupt the lesson. (i did at camp, i am totally embarrased by that) yes they get upset with the wrong flavor ring pop, heck i didnt get one. :( They say and do crazy things. they can get on my nerves (i do that to people as well) Each one is unique and each one is God's. He placed each child on this earth to be a blessing to others, that child is our future. What do we want our future to look like. We have the responsibility to shape it. I take that challange head on and pray to our God that I do it right, that everything I do lines up with what God wants for that child. They will get older and they may or may not remember me or my name, but that is not important. The only name I want them to remember is the name of God, no matter how it gets in there, it is the name I want them to remember. I want to plant seeds that grow, seeds that are productive.

How will you start your week on Sunday?

Kids Kamp 2k9

Just returned from Kids Kamp 2K9 today. Everyone had a blast. I had a blog in mind for camp, and maybe it will come later this week. Here are a few things that stand out for now.

I am easily amused while exhausted. Hands down winner for my own amusement this weekend is the "Redneck Fly Catcher" My 13 year old daughter Ashely and her friend Kirbi designed this above Ashely's bunk. I could explain it to you but it would never be as funny as actually experiencing it in person. I will say that I laughed so hard that I was crying. It was THAT funny.

Here are somethings I observed while at camp.

1. Boys like cheerleaders 2. Cheerleaders are anything but cheery. 3. Kids are whiny 4. I am whiny 5. Torrential rains make for good mud fights 6. If you can't take it, don't dish it out 7. Boys like to live on the edge 8. Girls like to tell on each other. 9. Just because you came in last, doesn't mean you didn't win (go yellow) 10. You can get hurt when your not even participating. 11. Just because you have a GPS doesn't mean you won't get lost 12. Walmart has alarms I have never heard and that they have no idea what they are for? Okay all of those things happened, but I did not just learn them. :) (hey I have been around the block a time or two.

A few side notes:

Great things happened when they are not planned. Thanks Tiffani. I think we needed that.

I am hoping my new counselors will still be my counselors even after they have spent a whole weekend with me, I am quite the OCD diva at times. I am blessed to have them, they love God, love kids and they love having a blast. I was glad that I am finally flexible enough to abort the mission if need be. To love someone so much that just crying with them for an hour makes all the difference in the world, even if it doesn't' change anything at all.

Spending time with kids, showing them their Savior, teaching them life skills, creating lifelong friendships. To not be afraid to stand up to this world no matter what. More to come, enjoy some pics.... until later.

You Matter!!

Here is an excerpt from the Children's Ministry Online Blog written by Kenny. I hope that you find it as encouraging as I did.

These kinds of things touch my heart. I don’t need my ego fed to get me going, but these kinds of things certainly do invigorate me. I’m sold on my mission and I’ve got my cross hairs on what I’ve been called to do. However, hearing these things from others is great confirmation that I’m doing something right.

Take a look at the list for yourself.

1. When you love the work you do and the people you do it with, you matter.
2. When you are so gracious and generous and aware that you think of other people before yourself, you matter.
3, When you leave the world a better place than you found it, you matter.
4. When you continue to raise the bar on what you do and how you do it, you matter.
5. When you teach and forgive and teach more before you rush to judge and demean, you matter.
6. When you touch the people in your life through your actions (and your words), you matter.
7. When kids grow up wanting to be you, you matter.
8. When you see the world as it is, but insist on making it more like it could be, you matter.
9. When you inspire a Nobel prize winner or a slum dweller, you matter.
10. When the room brightens when you walk in, you matter.
11, And when the legacy you leave behind lasts for hours, days or a lifetime, you matter.

After looking at this list, I see plenty of room for improvement. A helpful exercise is to take some time and rate yourself in each of these areas? What’s your plan to improve?
Here’s the deal. As a fellow Christian worker, I need you to matter. As an pastor, director or volunteer in your church; families and kids need you to matter. As a mom or dad, husband or wife; your family needs you to matter. You’re too important to not be significant. Matter

Tiffany O'Donnell

This letter is to my sweet Tiffany Ann, if you don't know her this won't make much sense. If you do know her, you know how much I love her!

To my dear sweet Tiffany Ann. I am so very proud of you for graduating. I know that you are not the biggest fan of school and the last several months have been rough but you dug deep down inside of you and you did it! You amazed your couselor and he too was proud!

Tiffany you are a good person and you love the people that you love. You love your God with all of your heart and soul.

You have been the challange of my life, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Somewhere along the way it was you who made me a better person.

You have your moments. :) Good moments and not so good moments. Your good is good and your bad is bad. But that's OK. We all have our bad moments, you just aren't shy about yours. (come on everyone, let's tell the truth you think it about as much as she says it)

You are 18 and graduated with your whole life ahead of you. Take some time now to decide how you would like to spend it--your life that is. The world is waiting. You are currently in "God's Country" as your papa Jess would say. I know that you feel trapped, and maybe not so good right now.(that would be the altitude sickness) I know you want to come home. We will still be here. Rest, think, dream and have fun with your cousins!

I know that big things are waiting for you in this life, so cut back on the stubborn and open up to the world. You will be happier, I know first hand. I can make myself miserable or I can make myself happy. It is a choice. You are the only one who can make it.

You know that you make me crazy, but you also know how much I love you and that you will always be my little girl. :)

Love Mom!

Have a Six Flags Day!

That is my new motto. That is also Six Flag's new motto.

I went to Six Flags today with my Ashes and we let Nathan tag along. lol. I will admit that it was refreshingly interesting for sure. I did not know what my day would hold, but I hadn't been in over a year, mainly because the atmosphere had dropped WAY down since I was a kid and it never got better.

Well I think someone mentioned it to them. Man it seemed like a different park, it was full of life, it was clean, the rides were ALL open, they had the characters out and about, you couldn't miss the workers in their blinding neon yellow polo shirts. They actually were trying to bring back some atmosphere. They were even going to have a parade before they closed, I didn't stay for it, but they were in preparation about an hour and a half before it and I am sure it would have been good. I wouldn't say they were any where close to Disney World good (which btw if you have never been, it IS all it's cracked up to be) but they were given it a try anyway. I was impressed--a bit.

Most surprising moment. We stumbled across a Heavy Metal Thrash band in some random area? and watched them for about 30 minutes. I am going to give a shout out to ---Brotherhood (from San Antonio)---the music was actually very good.(yes I like heavy metal, sue me) I will however make a disclaimer on what the lyrics were, because with all the screamo I had no idea what they were saying. But they can play, that I do know. :)

Also, Thank you Six Flags for adding Aquaman to your park!

Happiness is.....

ice cold Haribo gummie bears
ice cold Red Bull
a choice you can make
fresh cut grass
my daughters curled up beside me sleeping
a baby sleeping on your chest
Melissa's love for Charlie, she actually giggles when speaking of him
bean and cheese nachos with tomato's
chocolate vanilla pop tarts
Tiffany smiling, like the song-I'd do anything to see you smile
NCIS
Burn Notice
when Ashley says "what" and looks away mischievously
24
strawberry milkshake from Jack in the Box
the movie Serendipity
friends who love me in spite of me
kettle korn
for memories of ones who aren't here
the ocean
when the sun shines through the clouds and the rays are distinct and separated, it reminds me of the glory of God

knowing that my Father, my God, My Redeemer lives. knowing that He grants me new mercies everyday and that I am forgiven. That is good news for me :) God is good

Ahhhhh. Yes He is. God is good.

Momentum

I spent my day with Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley. They are so raw, so real and so different from each other. It works for them.

I can't even begin to describe what I brought away from this day, but here are a few things that we can all benefit from:

I will do today what I can do, to enable me to do tomorrow what I can't do today.----set a goal for a future date and work towards it daily.

Embrace your limitations:
Whenever you are tempted to whine about what you don't have, remember that God has given you everything you need to do everything he wants you to do. Second Peter 1:3 says, "Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God" If you don't have something you think you need, maybe it is because God wants you to see something you have never seen.
Craig Groeschel

The limitation can drive the innovation:

Two critical factors of great innovation

1. Passion creates motivation, which leads to innovation.
2. Limitations often reveal opportunities.


Thank God for what he has given you and find a way to use IT for the kingdom.

A laugh is a smile that burst!

A laugh is a smile that burst!