Forgot to post....

I just realized that I thought I had posted pics on here from our trip to Columbus after Hilton Head. We went down there to celebrate Ryan's mom's 60th b-day. Part of it she was involved in the planning and the other half was a surprise. It was a GREAT family weekend together. Here are some pics of our time.
**Linda is hanging in there. She is more and more tired because she is simply sleeping awful. She had another scan in a month or so. Please continue to pray for longevity for her precious life. Thank you.**

Nothin like a Saturday

This is truly my favorite day of the week.
Sleeping in (which, yes- is 7 or 7:15 AM for me), the ONLY morning of the week where RD and I wake up together, watchin cartoons with the girls under our covers with us, a never ending cup of hot coffee in an actual mug and not a traveling mug, PJs until...well, whenever I feel like getting dressed, and pancakes or egg sandwiches together as a Fam. I honestly don't think it gets much better than this. It's OUR family day and I absolutely love it.

We then went to this "family fun day" with our neighbors and their kids. They said there would be a bouncy thing, food, games & prizes, etc. Well it was at the local speech and hearing center and needless to say it was NOT what we thought. HeHe. In order to even get the girls a balloon, we had to go through their speech and hearing stations. Let's just say that RD was not a fan of the parking lot fishing in a kiddie pool on this overcast drizzly day. Ha, it made me laugh!

But that was followed up with a great lunch and a great workout down here in our basement. We decided that instead of buying a membership somewhere this year we would purchase weights and a bench to accompany our elliptical. It's actually been great; El was able to join us and/or work in her workbook while we did our thang.

Off to clean out a closet right now and then out for the evening with some friends.
Blessings to anyone who might be checkin in today...I hope you are enjoying your Saturday just as much. :)

mommy and me teatime

So today all the mommys were invited to El's preschool. WHAT a joy!! All of the mini tables had pink table cloths on them with fresh flowers. The tables were set with snacks, brownies, and fancy punch. The kiddos sang us a couple songs (all of the moms got teary-eyed of course) and then we sat down with them at the tables. El had drawn a picture of her and I that the teachers got laminated...oh my gosh it was so sweet. Of course El really had no clue as to really what mother's day is OR even how to articulate why she loves me. But that 30 minutes with her this morning was seriously so great. Then of course it happened to be a day that her daddy took her on a date, too! So she got special time with both of us today. Lucky gal! And I am so blessed to have the girls that I do. Man oh man I love being a mom.

In addition to those things---SWIM LESSONS! So fun- she is so excited about the water. And taking a shower afterwards in the locker room...nothing better in the world of Miss El.

I don't have a whole lot of deep stuff to say or share right now- i'm just flat out tired tonight. I'm seeing that ANNOYING Alltel commercial on TV right now...I think they play it @ every break on every station.
Ok so goodnight!

Last Batch of Pics from the trip

Pics from the trip!!

Chillin in Hilton Head

Sittin here at a beach house---pretty much amazing! (Thanks Mom and Dad!!)
70s early in the week
50s yesterday: sat in a jacuzzi tub, took a freezing cold bikeride, bought our Satly Dog T-shirts
BUT...gonna be 70s the next two days. :)

Gotta love it.
Trips to Publix. Breakin up fights between the girls and Jack. Too much food but ooooh so good. Couple of great movies (Seven Pounds and Eagle Eye). Nonstop activity with 3 kids 4 and under. (plus my big kid/grown up brother, hubby, and brother-in-law to be...they are just as nutty).
Bikerides. Mini trips to the horse farm. A lil' P90x with Kiki. Beach time---sand castles galore. And a tasty beer here and there.

Vacation----YES!

Pics to come...

Crazy Love

My friend Emily and I are reading this book called CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan. Anyone ever read it before? I am not a huge reader. Unlike my husband who reads at least a book a week, I about a book or two a year. I'm just being honest...

But this book is kicking my butt. Emily had heard a lot about it and so we thought we'd give it a shot. 

Here are a few quotes from the latest chapter that have been speaking volumes to my life. I highly recommend the book.  Also, I Finally changed the song on the seeqpod over to the right---check it out. Awesome song.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne, Scottish pastor who died at the age of 29 (that's my age!)

"I am concerned for the poor, but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day...I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give, largely and liberally, not grudgingly at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity."  

I am not rich in the world's eyes. That's for sure. But I am rich. I have all I need and I certainly find myself wanting more, wishing for different and better things. That quote convicted me greatly.

Here's another good one.

Tim Kizziar:

"Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at the things in life that don't really matter."

That one made me think because I can imagine what my relationship with Jesus would like if it was more frequently that I went to bed at night and actually thought to myself, wow--today I really succeeded at giving up what I think matters!! And, instead, today I focused on fixin up some of my soul-sickness, or my material lusts...or TODAY I actually loved people like Jesus wants me to. And the scary thing is that I come up with excuse after excuse after excuse about how busy I am or how stressed I am or how "important" I am or even just how tired and angry I am.  But God wants my best and He flat out deserves my best.

"It struck me that many Christians flash around their "no trans fat" labels, trying to convince everyone they are healthy and good. Yet they have no substantive or healthful elements to their faith.....God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love."  Paul says...even if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." 

Honestly, I could keep going. But I have to go get my baby who just woke up. She doesn't like sleeping at nana and papa's house. We are here for a few nights cause we're doing some work at the house and needed to get outa there. :)