His Voice

So many outside negative influences come flashing into our lives like lightening throughout our day; sometimes those noisy storms cause such panic in our hearts that we tend to lose focus of a more powerful presence in our lives. I call them storms because when you are listening to the chaos of the the world (or the opinions, worries, negative comments of others), then it can feel like a rumbling, roaring, deafening storm playing in your head. But....thankfully I have a different voice I can listen to in order to calm the racket and bring peace. I have a Savior whose voice is more powerful. He brings the calm. He brings the truth- the only thing I need to listen to! If you have not heard it, Casting Crowns has a powerful song called "Voice of Truth" that emphasizes the thoughts of this post; check it out! Remember to stay focused on His promises and keep trusting in Him. He is loving and faithful!

bit the bait

Wow...I can't believe I fell into that trap...I can't believe I bit the bait.

I am so thankful that the teachings and truths of His word came back to me early this morning as I lay in bed wrestling with emotions of an offence.

Have you ever read The Bait of Satan by John Bevere? You should if you haven't! These are the questions posted on the back of the book:
"Why am I compelled to tell 'my side' of the story?"
"How can I fight thoughts of suspicion or distrust?"
"What can I do to stop rehearsing past hurts?"
"How can I regain trust after someone deeply offends me?"

It has been quite a long time since I read this book, but the knowledge came back to slap me in the face (in a good way), and pull me from the snare of Satan. This book is about picking up an offence. When someone does wrong to you and you get offended, and begin reacting on that offence...you have bit the bait.

Again, let me just quote that back of his book because I cannot restate it any better than he powerfully puts it: "The bait of Satan exposes one of the most deceptive snares Satan uses to get believers out of the will of God- offense. Most people who are ensnared by the bait of Satan don't even realize it. Don't be fooled! You will encounter offense, and it's up to you how it will affect your relationship with God. Your response will determine your future. If offense is handled correctly, you will become stronger rather than bitter."

I am a people person. I love talking (ha ha ha, understatement of the century, I know), I love making new friends, I love spending time laughing with those I love, I very much need people in my life. Therefore...when someone hurts me or I am not getting along with someone...it very much bothers me. This last week I have been badly offended....very much hurt (and blindsided) by an offense, and my mind immediately rolled out of control with it! (Sneaky, stupid Devil!!! And yes I know I teach my kids that stupid is not a nice word...but for the Devil can I use it?!) I mean I have been ranting and raving about this situation out loud, and tossing and turning with it at night because I am so hurt by it! And I sure enough want to tell 'MY SIDE' and DEFEND myself!! I have very much wanted to put this person in their place and set them straight!

Ohhhhh....but thank you Jesus that You have- SET ME STRAIGHT!

I picked up the offense...I was trapped...thank you for setting me free...now Lord, help me do the right thing. Show me Your ways Lord. Show me Your mercy. Please give me Your wisdom, and Your peace.

I guess I need to reread the book :)

I was searching through it for a verse to post about the topic of offense, and it give so many good ones...you just need to read the book!! But I will share this one because it gives such hope :)

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 1: 6-7

We will go through trials, but by using them, God can mold us into His image and create in us a clean heart...one that brings Him glory!

Do NOT pick up the offense today...instead when someone 'does you wrong' take it to the Father and let Him fix it!

Anchored in His Peace

Help me out gentlemen...is it just women that can switch to four different moods faster than a Ferrari can go from 0-60? Is this talent found only in the female gender? Yes, I say talent because I also call eating and talking talents, and it is my blog so I can do that!! LOL. Also, I am just in a mood so I thought maybe I will stir up a little discussion on male and female differences...ha ha ha...I guess I should add that these are hypothetical questions so: no comments allowed! LOL....well....regardless of who does this....

I am just so thankful that even with the tornado of emotions...I can find my security in Christ my Savior...my anchor of peace.

Moments ago, I was in a grumpy mood (note: this is an understatement, but I have calmed down now so I will sugar coat things a little...lol), but I quickly remembered to crank up the praise music, and turn my thoughts to Him. Never underestimate the power of prayer and praise music! No matter what mood mixer you are dealing with...seek after Him and He will answer. That is a 100 % guarantee you can very much count on. He answers in a wide variety of ways...but just know His ways and timing are perfect, His love is unconditional, His grace is abundant, and His arms are always wide open...so just jump in faith, and feel the warmth of His embrace.

SPRING :)

Driving around the last few days has been so enjoyable, I love seeing all the spring flowers blooming and the trees blossoming! Now for my fellow family and friends up north...I am sorry to rub this in a little early for ya'll...but...I just can't help myself! Spring is in the air, and I am a happy girl :)

So, this led me to think...if it were not for the long, dead, dull, cold, colorless winter...would I actually enjoy the beauty, fragrance and freshness of spring as much?

"For everything there is a season."

If we didn't have the rain, would we ever be able to gaze upon the beauty of a rainbow? If we didn't go through some of the battles we face, would we ever be able to celebrate with a good victory dance? If we didn't have mountains to climb, would we ever be astonished by the view from the top?

The things that we face may not be easy, but the refreshing peace of God that flows through our soul in the center of that situation...is like the first kiss of spring; allowing joy to once again bloom in all its glory!

On My Mind Again...

First of all...I am not Giada De Laurentiis, and I should not try to be...LOL. Guess I am just a little jealous. She is beautiful, Italian, has been to Italy and Greece, and she is an amazing chef. So I tried to make one of her recipes yesterday. (link is included below if you would like to try it and let me know how yours turns out!) Mine...did not turn out all that great. And what was worse is that I had to spend a lot of money on the ingredients because I could not find the items at Wal-Mart! And there are only two little boys and myself in the house; this recipe made a huge amount, so a lot of it was wasted...well I did freeze the shrimp mixture and I will see if I can thaw it out later and throw it in a linguine and alfredo sauce...we will see. (not quite sure if you can do that...lol) Anyways...I am not the type that gives up easily though, so I will just have to try again with another recipe of hers! The boys and I enjoy watching her shows. I think for the boys it is because she is beautiful...lol...because if I actually get to turn the television to something I want to watch, and if either her or Rachel Ray are on the Food Network, then they will let me watch it! LOL.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/bruschetta-with-shrimp-tarragon-and-arugula-recipe2/index.html

1 ticket to Capri, Italy please?? I know I keep asking...but I am using my manners and saying please!! :)

Is it June yet???

So....if you eat a whole box of Girl Scout cookies while you are walking on the treadmill, does that make it OK? LOL....and no, I did not try this...but only because I am not very graceful. I would probably trip, fall, and crush my cookies to crumbs and that...would be tragic!

I am very excited because my job is offering exercises classes after work three days a week! I am starting to work out again and feel great! If you just make it fun, then you will look forward to working out! I suggest Zumba! It is fun, I love it! Also, get your friends involved. Having a whole gym full of people really helps keep you going. So find friends, and start holding each other accountable and get movin'! Our bodies are the temple of the Lord...we should take good care of them....and believe me...this is coming from someone who has struggled with weight. I was once called obese by doctors. I love food, (hence the Girl Scout cookie comment) and I also use it as a source of comfort...so I very much understand the challenges, frustrations, and heartaches of weight issues. BUT WE CAN DO IT!! We can loose weight, get in shape, and FEEL GREAT!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives us strength." Philippians 4:14
Just thought I should include that verse after the above challenge :)

Anyone like chess? The boys and I have really gotten into it and enjoy it...I heard it is the game for very smart people...so yeah, it makes sense that we would like it! LOL...

SERIOUSLY I JUST CLEANED!!! Why, oh why is it a mess again???!!!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives us strength." Philippians 4:14
I just needed it again after looking around the house... :)

Spring flowers are already blooming in eastern North Carolina...just saying :)

Count your blessings...and be positive! Because God truly is good...it is not just something we say!

a gift

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God"

We can do nothing to gain His grace, we can do nothing to loose His grace. God's grace is a gift...all we need to do is accept it.

The enemy does not want you to know this. The enemy wants you to live in defeat; constantly feeling like you can not live up to the call of God. This is a lie. My pastor has been talking about this for awhile now because it is so important that we understand the gift of grace. If God still wanted us to be slaves of the law...He never would have sent His Son to the cross to win our freedom.

Walk in the freedom of His grace. Know that His love is unconditional.

The Bible, in Romans 8 (which the whole chapter is very powerful, so many great promises, I am tempted to copy it all) tells us this, " No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "

If this verse promises that nothing can separate us from the love of God, then why do we let our weaknesses form walls- holding us back from the acceptance of His abundant grace?

You need to know that you are worthy to accept His grace...not by your works, but by the blood of Christ, you are now free. Free from your past, free from your mistakes, free from your list of lies that make you feel inferior or insecure. The forgiving arms of Christ are always open to you, offering gifts of: grace, peace, joy, strength, and love. Take the gifts. Daily accept them. Then live for Him. And enjoy an abundant life in confidence, knowing - Jesus loves you!

stronghold

"The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life" Psalm 27:1

This verse was given to me by my sweet pastor's wife on our Wednesday night ladies group meeting. She gave each of us a verse to "study" for the week. This morning I was thinking of the word stronghold. She had said a stronghold is something that either keeps something in or keeps something out. Another verse also came to my mind this morning on the way to work as I was thinking about the verse she gave me.

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

These two verses use the word stronghold in different ways. Let's look at the second one because this is what I struggle with and what I need to stand firm in. In this verse it focuses on our powers, from Christ, to demolish strongholds that our enemy sets up in our minds. Do any of these following statements look familiar? They often seem to run across our minds like lit up marques. "You are not good enough." "You are a failure." "There is nothing that can cover up those mistakes." "Wow, those circumstances are challenging, and bigger than you...you should be worried." "No one loves you." "They are not going to love you because you are not pretty enough/skinny enough" "You messed up again." "You might as well stay down, because you are never going to claw your way out of this pit." "You can't do it." "Don't try to step out in faith...it is too scary, what if you fall..." "Just give up."

Sound familiar? Lie after lie that the devil uses to lay brick after brick of strongholds in your mind until you are trapped. Insecurity. Fear. Worry. Anxiety. Doubt. Weakness.

BUT WE HAVE GOOD NEWS! This verse PROMISES that we have the POWER TO FIGHT BACK!! Not only to fight back, but DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS that try to set up fort in our mind and try to lessen the power of God. AMEN! WE ARE NOT WEAK, SO... DO NOT BACK DOWN!

Pray daily for the peace of God to guard your mind.

Because: God does love you. (John 3:16) You can do ALL things through Christ who gives you strength. (Philip. 4: 13) God's grace is abundant and the blood of Jesus covers ALL your sins and He gives you strength to keep going forward, so forget about your past screw ups! (Romans 5:17) (Philip. 3: 12-14) And no weapon formed against you will defeat you so do not be afraid.

Which leads me to the first verse. JESUS IS OUR STRONGHOLD! He has the power to keep in all His promises (peace, strength, joy, health, power, perseverance, love, grace, and so many more) so that we can stay firmly established in Him and live an abundant life. And He has the power to keep out all those weapons of warfare the devil tries to use to defeat us. There is power in the name of Jesus to destroy Satan's strongholds until they are just grains of sand under your feet! AMEN! There are so many promises in the Word of God that we can stand firm on. Get in the Word and get those verses written upon your heart. Call on the powerful name of Jesus to be your stronghold.

Sunshine

"The joy of the Lord is my strength"

Artwork by Riley, Brayden, and myself

More Randomness

Just some thoughts....yeah..this one is probably more for my ladies to enjoy...ha ha ha.

When your sons get up before the sun comes up on a Saturday...it really stinks.

Someone needs to come take away all my chick flicks...seriously. Why doest thou torture thyself? Just blood and guts, action-packed movies from now on!!! Although...the sexy stars in those movies don't help the loneliness much either....I mean, I am not a Star Trek fan at all...but the latest Star Trek movie with Chris Pine, I can watch that over and over again. And Eagle Eye with Shia LeBeouf....you ladies know what I am saying....see, I am a mess. I need help! LOL.

I wish I could just pick up a guitar and know how to play it like a rock star. (Guitar Hero, although I do rock at that, does not count)

Someone please take me to Italy....

I have not gotten to beat anyone at games in a long time...any takers? Think you can handle it? And I have a new one that puts my random big mouth to good use, its called: Last Word.

I need more flip flops. And warm weather to go with them.

"Dance hard, laugh hard. Turn the music up now. Party like a rock star. Can I get a what now? I swear I'll do anything that I have to...till I forget about you. Jump up, fall down. Gonna play it loud now. Don't care, my head's spinning all around now. I swear I'll do anything that I have to...till I forget about you." -BTR Just a song stuck in my head...

I miss my mom, and all my family, and my grandparents, and my grandpa's blonde jokes, for example; An American, A Russian, and a blonde were talking. The American and Russian were arguing over who was the first on the moon. The blonde jumps in, and says, so what, I am going to be the first on the sun! They tell her, you cannot go to the sun, it is too hot. She says, DUH...I am going to go at night!!

Zumba on the Wii is fun! It is a great workout; we need to remember in the mist of everything, to take care of ourselves and be confident. And always wear a smile :)

Dear Cupid,
Valentine's Day/my birthday is coming up...I am not picky, I will take any of the following: Matthew Fox, Ryan Reynolds, Ty Pennington, Jeffery Dean Morgan, Zac Efron, Taylor Lunter, or Eric Dane.
Sincerely,
Christina

Spend time laughing with friends. A good snorting laugh does your heart good. Along with M&M's...lol. I have awesome friends :) You can pop in Chonda Pierce, "Have I Got a Story for You" and laugh till it hurts!!

When you are down to nothing...God is up to something...

Dear Lord,
I Can't, You can. Please do.
Thank You,
Christina

comfort food

Let me talk a little bit about comfort foods...because if you have read my little bio, you would notice talking and eating are my two main talents...lol. So, one of my favorite comfort foods to make is a banana sandwich; let me describe this sweet indulgence to you. First you lightly toast two waffles. Then you spread them with thick, creamy peanut butter and some marshmallow fluff (this can get messy, but they yummy concoction overrides the clean-up frustrations). Then you slice up the banana and place the slices all over your sandwich. But...we are not done yet...for extra sweetness, you then throw some mini chocolate chips on there, pour yourself a large glass of cold milk and....mmmmmmmmmmm....enjoy!

This seems to make things all better after a rough day. But lately I have been having a rough few months, soooo, I can engorge myself on a few of these each day, and then no longer be able to fit out the door (because if you are good at quickly examining food and evaluating calories, the above ingredients are probably far off the charts of a nutritious snack), or I need to find another source of comfort! Or should I say, I need to remember my true source of comfort....

While searching for some instrumental music for my classroom (I always start the mornings off playing music while the students are coming in), I found a few wonderful, relaxing, and renewing albums. This is a link to the one I am playing right now, and downloading from itunes by Julie True: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/breathe-you-in/id338093009

It is titled Breath You In...this is what we all need to stop and do right now...in Isaiah, His word instructs us to "be still and know that I am God", and still is defiantly not a word that normally describes me, or my mind. I have been going full charge now for a long time...

I feel like one of those cartoon characters, such as Wile E Coyote, who has just been electrocuted/fried/blown-up, and then turns into a pile of soot and ashes. I am that pile on the ground. Done. Nothing left.

And in the mist of my mess, I feel like my two precious children have paid the price. I have been so negative, stressed, angry, and overwhelmed. So I have collapsed at my Savior's feet last night and cried out to Him for strength, peace, and wisdom. I just want to soak in his presence, breathe in His peace, bask in His glory. I want to stop. I want to be still. And I want more of Him.

I can, like we all do, search for answers and comfort in so many places, but I will never find exactly what I am looking for until I completely release myself to Him, and allow Him to truly be my ultimate source. I can claim this well known promise to be mine, "they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall run and not grow weary".

My Jesus is faithful, He is there at the call of His name...and I know that He has me in His arms of comfort and everything....will be OK. So today on our to do list: just breathe.

Chosen

Spending over 7 years alone, I have far too often cried out in loneliness to anyone who will listen, "Why doesn't a single man on this planet want me???!!!"

But today I remembered...the Creator of this planet does. He chose me. He loves me. And it is an everlasting and unconditional love that compares to nothing else.

Photo taken by: Melissa Dillon

why can't i?

Why can't I take the advice I give out to others? Does anyone else struggle with this? Especially when I give advice to my own boys...

Talking to Riley one day, I was telling him to stop saying "I can't" because by saying that you have already failed before you have even started.

It was as if God himself hollered into a megaphone right inside my ear, "DID YOU HEAR WHAT YOU JUST SAID????"

This has happened a lot lately with different things I have said to my boys. Children will learn more by what they see than what they hear. I need to be leading by example.

My negative mood has dramatically effected the atmosphere of my home. And that must change. My insecurity has once again plowed right over me, leaving me devastated and depressed. And that must change. My words have been destructive, defeating, and degrading. And that must change. NOW!

I know times can get tough, and it has been down right unbearable lately as I have argued with God on the verse "does not put more on you than you can bear". "I AM NOT SUPERWOMAN, LORD!!! And if I am, can't I at least get a cape and the ability to fly with the job!!!" (It would make visiting family in OH much easier!)

But, in the mist of it all, I know my God is faithful. He will renew my strength, joy and peace of mind. Look forward to more positive post to come!

JUMP

Playing Just Dance 2 on the Wii is our new favorite thing to do in this house. The boys and I've got the moves!! LOL. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it is also a great workout! And since I am over 30 and chocolate is my best friend...than this is a good thing! One of our favorite songs to shake it to is Jump by Kris Kross (Studio Allstars)...you know, "Daddy Mack a make you jump, jump. Kris Kross a make you jump, jump!" Those two, young, funky boys who wore their clothes backwards really know how to get your heart pumpin'! So...it is time to jump into a new year!



New years resolutions are a good thing in the sense that goal setting of course is good. But don't stress over them. I say just jump for joy this year! Just focus on the positive things in life, and live life joyfully. That is what I want to focus on; the joy of the Lord filling my home. I love the sound of my boys laughing. I love seeing them dance and play, using their imagination. I love the dimples that explode on Riley's face when he is full of joy. I love the strong unexpected hugs from Brayden when he is in the rare mood to cuddle. But I don't just want to sit back and watch...I want to join in the fun and live full of abundant joy. I want to get up and dance! I want to stop sitting back and being in this mood I have been in, and I want to just live an abundant life that God has blessed me with.

Just jump for joy. That is my new years resolution.

Well...that and get back to my love of cooking...I want to have time to enjoy cooking again. I want to stop looking at the negative side of things...like the chore of cooking...and just enjoy things again.

If you are someone who suffers from depression, insecurity, or a negative mindset...my prayers are with you. I personally understand the torment. But I also very much personally know there is hope and joy found in Christ. Seek Him with your whole heart this year, and just jump into His arms of love.

P.S. Please ignore the mess in the background of the video...we had just unpacked the car from the long drive back from Ohio. LOL. And I really wish the sound on the TV was up lounder! Now what mom says that?! Told ya we like to rock out in this house!

"As you listen to my cool smooth melody the daddy will make ya J - U - MP"

Answers

My mind is full of questions...

I am glad God is full of answers.

He may not always answer right away...
He may not always answer with the response I want...
He may not always answer loudly...
But He is faithful, loving, full of grace, and hears our cries/questions and responds.

It may be with a song: like when I'm feeling alone, hurting, or insecure and the words from Kari Jobe's "You Are For Me" remind me, God is faithful, and will always be there for me, and love me even in my weaknesses.

It may be in a movie: we were just watching Ramona and Beezus, and I was crying (yes, it can be somewhat embarrassing to cry during a kid's movie...but I do it quite often, so at least I am getting used to it. LOL). Ramona was learning that it is OK to be unique. Her older sister Beezus was telling her that she was brave for being unique and not caring about what others think of her. Why do I spend too much time worrying about what other's think of me; instead of standing firm in confidence with what I know God thinks of me.

It may be in a gift from a friend: I have spent the last few weeks questioning everything about me. Wanting to change who I am. Wanting to just run a way and start over with a new life. (Which also in the movie, Ramona tries to run away, and realizes her life is just the way it is supposed to be) I have been wondering why everything is wrong with me. Wondering why I make so many mistakes. Wondering why I am still alone. Questioning why about everything. My mind has just been twisting itself into a dark mess, and I have been in torment. Today, I opened an inspirational calender from my best friend and this was on the cover,

"Just think, you're here not by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else- you are one of a kind. You lack nothing His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation." -Roy Lessin

Our faithful God has answers, but also He wants us to just trust Him.

"Be still and know that I am God."

I know He has a plan and purpose for my life. I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I know that all things work together for the good for those who love Him. And I know there are many more promises and truths in His word that I can stand on...so...

I lay all my questions at His feet and just know that all His answers comes in the form of unconditional love.

My response to His welcoming embrace is this:

"There's no place I'd rather be than in Your arms of love. In Your arms of love. Holding me still. Holding me near. Holding me still. Holding me near. In Your arms of love."

Thank you Lord that Your ways and timing are perfect.

reasons to smile...

hearing the laughter of a child and seeing the joy on their face (dimples included)...





the warmth of a good hug when you need it...















because we're "blessed and highly favored, saved by the grace of a Mighty Savior"...



loving and supportive family...







rejuvenating time with friends (including chocolate and snorting laughs of course)...





because you are "fearfully and wonderfully made" by a Heavenly Father who loves you...



fun surprises...



because life is full of adventure so buckle-up and enjoy the ride...





special occasions...









because revenge is sweet!!! Just Kidding...I just love this picture of "brotherly love" but awesome childhood memories are really sweet!





because God promises peace that passes all understanding when you trust in Him...



finding the perfect song to fit your mood and get you moving...



because you are loved...



because we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus and we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!





and...just because smiling makes the world a better place...
and it shows a strong, confident, wonderful person on your face...









and besides...you don't want to look like this with a sour face...



so...turn that frown upside down and...wear a smile instead...
because there are so many reasons to smile!



I am so thankful for all my reasons to smile. I know the joy of the Lord is my strength and I always want laughter and love to be the tone of my home. I pray the same for you and your family!

Cookies Crumble

Cookies crumble...but...they still taste good!

I baked some cookies for a church fellowship tonight, and they just broke and crumbled when I tried to get them out of muffin tins. They were a disaster. And I was already in a bad mood. I am talking fire-breathin' dragon, screaming/shoutin', want to take out all my frustrations on a punchin' bag type of mood. Not for any reason in particular, more like an accumulation of things. A giant pile of a mess in my mind. Just frustration mixed with sorrow, mixed with exhaustion. Get the picture? Ever had one of those days/weeks/months???

But...the cookies are not only still edible, but also they still taste sweet and delicious!
Life can be tough...but...God is still good.

On the way to the pastor's house, the praise music was on in the car, and the boys and I were singing out from the depths of our heart to our heavenly Father who loves us. And these words once again spoke to my heart from the Hillsongs Kids song "This Is The Day"

"It doesn't matter what I face. It doesn't matter what comes my way. I know that you care for me, so it's alright. Yeah so it's alright. This is the day my God has made. I've got a reason to celebrate. To jump up and down, and spin all around. And to shout it, hey, this is the day!"

I can't say it any better than that! I just pray that whatever you are facing, you (and also speaking to myself here) are able to praise God in the mist of it, and allow Him to continue to give you the strength to press on. And that He may give us the joy to dance in the devil's face; showing him- we are not defeated, but we are children of God who know how to live an abundant life filled with power and peace!

lil slugger BIG HITTER

You will never hit a home run if you don't step up to the plate and start swingin'.

I am short...we all know that. I am 5'1" (and I like to claim an extra 1/2 inch...but I don't think I technically own that half), but...I have a lot of competitive drive in me...just ask my friends. :) I think it is to make up for the short stature.

When it comes to playing games/sports I don't like to loose.

So why do I quit, or in my mind say I can't, so many times before I even have the chance to try and succeed when it comes to certain things in life? Awhile ago, one of my facebook post said "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....man, forget that little engine, I KNOW I CAN!" Confidence is the key! I should have that attitude everyday when it comes to all areas of life, not just board games. LOL.

I may be a lil slugger, but with God as my coach, I am a BIG HITTER!

Step up to the plate and let God guide your swing, and with Him you CAN and WILL accomplish anything.

Mind Mixer

Do you ever feel like you go from one mood to the next in a matter of 1.5 seconds? Lately I feel like my moods flash faster than lightening. Now...as a woman of course I can blame this on "that time" I suppose...but no matter what the cause it....it is driving me crazy. I get frustrated and think why can I just not be stable in my thoughts, moods, and feelings?! Why is my mind always mixed up?

I write about battles of the mind and insecurities often because that is what I know. That is why God deals with in me almost on a daily basis. That is what He continues to bring me through, to teach me more about, to take me to higher levels in understanding and greater levels of depth into His greatness and wisdom on.

I am a fighter. I am someone who loves to win, I have stated that many times over. SO NO DEVIL YOU CANNOT CONVINCE ME TO QUIT!

"NOW MOVE OR I WILL RUN YOU DOWN!" This is a quote from a doctor in Grey's Anatomy running a trauma operation, and not giving up on her patient in spite of all odds being stacked against her. It is a mock training used to teach the doctors to keep going strong, to not give up, and to use what they have for the fight not focus on what they don't have. Why can we not take this aggressive approach when fight is in our mind?

We have God on our side. We have Christ within us! We have it all! WE CAN DO THIS WHEN WE USE WHAT WE HAVE! So let us call out to Jesus for strength, joy, wisdom, and peace. Then accept it when He gives it to us, and then kick some serious butt in the fight! SERIOUSLY!

Don't quit. Don't give up. Don't believe the lies the enemy parades in front of your face in order to distract you from the truth your Savior establishes in His word for you.

MoRe RaNdoM ThiNKinG

Only 3 nights left until my boys come back! I miss them so much. I miss their smiles. I miss their laughter. I miss our random dancing break-outs. I miss their big hugs. I miss our secret handshake. I miss our prayer times together. I miss the random funny things they say. I miss tucking them in. I miss our wrestling matches. I miss our cuddle time. I miss watching Man VS. Wild with them. I just can't wait until they get back. I am just so blessed to have them in my life :)

OK...so here are some more things spinning around my cooky cranium.

1. Why can talking not count as exercise??? I would finally be able to shop in the stick figure people section!! LOL....I mean, you do use muscles to use your mouth...seriously, should count for an entire body workout!

2. Who in the world do they use to make the average length for petite pants? NBA players?? Because it is not your average short person!! Yes...it is pretty bad when you shop in the petite section, and they are still too long :(


3. "I got a pocket, got a pocket full of SUNSHINE!!"
OK, so it is all about our attitude. Mind over matter. I truly am a very blessed child of God who has many reasons to smile, to be confident, to praise God, to be at peace, to be full of joy....so I need to knock off the pity parties, the sour-puss attitudes, the worrying...and just SHINE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. :) My circumstances do not dictate my mood...my Savior (my SONSHINE) brings joy to my life regardless of my surroundings and situations that I have to face in life...because with Him...I can do all things!

4. Originally my plan has been: if I get remarried that man will have to take me to Italy on our honeymoon...new plan: just go to Italy on my own and find a hot Italian to marry so he can speak that beautiful language to me all the time...now that is something I would actually shut up for!!! LOL

5. Still no maid?! Seriously...anyone want the job? I pay with Oreo Bon Bons!!


6.
I'm all about the heat...just sayin'. Now, in the books and the first movie I am very much team Edward, but...in New Moon, my alliance suddenly shifted in the first shirtless scene, and continued to grow during the rain scene as I was left drooling over the dogs! LOL...see now living here in NC, whenever I hear "GO PACK" I don't think NC State, I think, "Where? Where's Jacob?!" That was for Twilight fans only, sorry...LOL

7. I so want to be a fighter jet pilot. "I feel the need, the need for speed."

8. I just realized that Disney Channel has not been on all week!!! I am starting to have Suite Life sorrows, missing magic from Waverly Place Wizards, and my days have been cloudy without Sonny...JK...although some of those shows are cute...Mommy shows are nicer!!! I am officially caught up on Grey's, and may actually stay up to watch it tonight! :)

9. Can you tell I am bored? LOL...Although I have no reason to be sitting here playing around on a computer because of #5 alone, but....there is always tomorrow for that! LOL.

10. Now, let's all practice being positive, repeat after me, "I am blessed and highly favored, saved by the grace of a mighty Savior." And try this, "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalms 139:14. Keep going you're doing great, now say, "All things work together for the good for those who love God" Romans 8:28. And add, "In Christ Jesus, we ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS!" Love that one...because I am all about the winnin' and conquerin'! :) Now...just stay focused on the Father and it's all good :)

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!

RaNdoM WeekLY ThOuGhTs

Ok...not sure how helpful or "spiritual" these are going to be...but...this is just what you get when you leave a lonely ADHD blonde alone in her apartment for 10 days with no kids....LOL. And...this is just day 2...so there may be more to come! Scary, I know! I miss my boys!

1. OK, when the cute guy behind the counter ask if you need help out with your groceries...YOU SAY YES YOU IDIOT! YES!

2. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you feel like a nut...OK, I know how the jingle actually goes, but I just always feel like a nut.

3. Activities that are not suited for people with ADHD: hunting...although the idea of shooting a gun seems cool, especially if the target looks like my ex-husband...guess we would have to be hunting donkeys though...ok...sorry you are right that was not nice. sorry. anyways, hunting...it is my understanding that you have to sit there quietly....SCRATCH THAT OFF MY ACTIVITY LIST!
Also, taking a bubble bath, everyone says while the boys are gone, relax, take a nice hot bubble bath...I just find that I do not sit well...and the bubbles only keep you entertained for so long...

4. Oh...wait. THAT'S right....I DON'T have a maid...oh man!!!!

5. Activities for the lonely NOT to do: watch romance and/or sappy, crappy movies!!! Why do I torture myself?! I forgot how dramatic that Nick Sparks guy can be!!

6. PUT THE OREOS DOWN!!!

7. Dancing and laughter are the best stress relievers so do them often! "Shake your groove thing! Shake your groove thing...ya, ya. Show me how to do it now. Get up and shake it! Get up and shake it!"

8. I want to learn how to play the drums!!! I loved listening to the drums at the ECU football game. Maybe that will also help me take out some frustrations....hmmmm...I might go through a lot of drum sets...

9.








10. Even if you're single...YOU MUST REMEMBER TO SHAVE THOSE LEGS! OK, yes this is embarrassing to say, but...I am that great of a friend that I will just put it all out there and bare the humiliation if it saves someone else from the same mistake; because you don't want your BFF to call and say hey lets go get a pedicure since neither of us have our boys. Then get there only to remember that you have to pull up your pant legs to stick those legs in the tub, and THEN get stuck with a male doing the pedicure, and THEN remember they also do the massage on not only the feet but also the LEGS! Yes...yes it was very embarrassing!!! But hey...we all had a good laugh...especially the lady rubbing my friends legs who just kept saying..."Oh, how nice and smooth." while laughing at the poor guy who got stuck with GORILLA GIRL!!! LOL.
(and yes...I really do shave...that was a just very rainy week) Hmmmm....last thought...I share way too much information....hmmmm maybe that is why I'm still singe.
BUT...I say if you can't laugh in life, especially at yourself...then you are the one with the issues :)