New business venture...

...well, I guess you could call it that. I should probably call it "first" business venture because it's a first for me not having been a part of the business world previous to this! Anyway, now that I'm home I decided it might fun to do one of those home businesses. I have some time on my hands and it would be nice to have a little extra dough for fun things - clothes, accessories, clothes and shoes. Oh...did I mention clothes? HA! Tupperware was ruled out, Mary Kay and Avon are not for me, and I think there's some candle company and although I like them, I don't want to sell them. SO, I went with Southern Living at Home. (OK...that was my first link within a blog so I hope it works!) I love home decor and I love the products this company sells so I'm gonna give it a try. It's actually been on my mind for a few years (since I went to a party) and this just seemed like the right time to do it. So, I'm diving in. It's slightly different than teaching, but I think it will be fun. If you'd like to book a party with some girlfriends to see some great home decor (and get some great benefits if you host!) then give me a call or send me an email and we'll set a date!

Why not NOW?

One thing I have always loved about working with kids is how you can learn so much about living life from them - their innocence, sweetness and genuine concern for others is always amazing to me. I am helping out with 1st and 2nd grade GA's (Girls in Action, for all my non-baptist readers!!) this year on Wednesday nights and tonight I had one of those moments that just stops you in your tracks. We were talking about a particular people group in China called the Zhuang people. We read over some facts about them, chatted about them some, and then the girls asked some questions. As we were wrapping up our chat, we were reading a list from our book of ways that we could pray for the Zhuang people. Me, being the hurried leader who was trying to get it all in before our time ended, had planned to read the requests and move on; however, God laid something else on one of the girl's hearts. As I finished reading the list, ready to move on, one of the girl's said, "Well, why don't we stop and pray for them right now." This momentarily froze me. I must admit that this suggestion completely caught me off guard, but it also really spoke to my heart. Oh how I wish I was more like this - taking the time to stop and pray in the moment. Listening to someone share a problem with me and then instantly praying for them. Visiting someone who is sick and praying over them right then. Sharing in congratulations with someone by thanking God with them. So, we took the time right then to pray. Not what I had on the "agenda" at that moment in the evening, but I sure thank God for that special little girl who was yeilded to the Spirit and helped me remember that it's not my agenda that matters anyway.

Happy Half - Birthday!!

Half a year has come and gone
Oh! How the time does fly...

That little boy I held in my arms
Had the most precious cry
That sweet little cry has turned into a laugh
A laugh you just can't pass by

That little boy I held in my arms
Had wrinkled hands and feet so small
Those hands and feet now explore the world
Taking in it all

That little boy I held in my arms
Had a very spontaneous grin
That little grin has turned into a big, toothless smile
That he gives us whenever he can

That little boy I held in my arms
Is still part of a much bigger plan
No matter how big he gets, or how far he goes
I know he’s in the palm of God’s hand.

I can only imagine what the next half year holds
Fun and adventure galore
God has blessed us beyond our dreams
And we can’t wait to see what else is in store.

Caleb with his half birthday cake for his half birthday and a little gift.

Tearing into it.

Hmmm...Let's taste it!

What is this mess?!?!

Sweet 6 month old boy!

All tuckered out from the the birthday festivities!

What a blast we had celebrating Caleb's half year birthday! This is not something I plan to do every single year, but I figured he'd only be 1/2 a year once in his life, and I am all about some celebrations!! We had a great time letting him grab a handful of cake, but we didn't let him play too long because we didn't want to ruin the fun on birthday #1. He has been such a blessing to us and we just can't wait to see what God has in store for his little life. Six months has gone by so quickly, but we are so thankful for every second of it.

Yummy to my tummy...

OK, so I haven't actually made this recipe yet because I am trying to loose the baby weight (still!), but boy does it sound tasty!! Maybe by posting it, I will get it out of my system to want to make them!! This is a great recipe to let your kids help out making. Here goes:

S'more Bites

18 wooden toothpicks
18 large marshmallows
1 (12 oz) pack milk chocolate morsels
1/2 cup graham crackers, crushed
waxed paper

• Insert toothpick into center of each marshmallow; place on tray and freeze 10-15 minutes or until firm.
• Place chocolate morsels in microwave bowl and nuke on HIGH 1-2 minutes; stirring occasionally until melted.
• Dip each marshmallow in chocolate, spooning chocolate over top, if needed. Let excess drip off. Roll in crushed graham crackers. Place on waxed paper to cool and set.

Oh so yummy! I think it will be fun one day when Caleb and I can make these together. If anyone decides to venture out and make them, let me know how they are!

WE WON!!!

Friday night Chad and I participated in our first 5K since before Caleb was born. It was the Anderson Midnight Flight, which is a 5K that starts at 10 pm. It was a lot of fun and running in the coolness of night is always a plus. Oh and how could I forget to mention......WE WON!! Well, ummmm, at least based on the following, I'm pretty sure we won:

1. We couldn't see anyone in front of us, but there were some behind us.



2. We had more people than most of the other runners cheering for us as we rounded the last corner and crossed the finish line.



3. We had a very high score. Isn't that how you win most sports?!?

OK...in case you didn't figure it out, we were nowhere close to winning. We actually walked the entire thing for the first time in 3 years! This post pregnancy body was not ready to run quite yet! BUT, it was tons of fun and we were winners in our eyes!!

Overwhelmed by Joy...

This is one of those posts I wasn't sure how to start so I'll just jump right in. This week Caleb had his first cold. It started Tuesday during the day he just got progressively more stuffy as the day went on. We put him down at his normal time that night (8 pm). Now on a non-stuffy night we wouldn't hear from him until about 6:45ish the next morning, but with him not feeling so well he awoke whimpering around 10:30ish. I went to check on him, which ended with me picking him up to rock him. As I was rocking him I did something I do often when I rock him and that is to pray for him. I pray for his salvation at an early age, for him to have friends who love the Lord, for all the temptations he will face (and those are scary to think about), for his future wife - all kinds of things, but on this particular night I was, of course, praying for him to feel better and get a good night's rest. During this precious time with Lord (and Caleb) I also began thanking Him for Caleb and for the abundance of joy this little gift of God has brought into our lives - the joy we get from his smiles, his laughs and especially the way he has started reaching for our faces when we hold him. I'm not sure if I have a big nose or what, but he especially likes to grab it! Anyway, as I was thinking about the pure joy he has brought us just in his little time here, it made me think about our relationship with God - how we are His children and how He must take so much joy in us; even how He delights in us.

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

After this thought crossed my mind, I stopped. Do I do enough each day that God should take joy in me? The answer is no. But, the good part is that he will rejoice over me anyway because I am His. Isn't grace so wonderful and yet so unexplainable? The more I thought about this, the more I was convicted to do more, give more, etc to bring Him glory. I want Him to have every reason possible to rejoice over me with singing. Will I accomplish this? No way. Every day I have oh so many times where I do not deserve to be rejoiced over. I miss opportunites to share His name. I let my toungue run away from me. I think things that I shouldn't. I get wrapped up in life and forget that my life should point to Him. As a matter of fact, I deserve to be put in a corner and forgotten about, but instead, I serve an awesome God, a God who I cannot even fathom the goodness of, a God who chooses to treasure me despite it all - and that makes my cup not just run over, but spill all over the place!

"The wildest part is that Jesus doesn't have to love us. His being is utterly complete and perfect, apart from humanity. He doesn't need me or you. Yet He wants us, chooses us, even considers us His inheritance (Eph. 1:18). The greatest knowledge we can ever have is knowing God treasures us."

(from Crazy Love by Francis Chan)

Baby Blues

Hi! It's Caleb here! I got a hold of the computer for a bit (which is quite a feat with my daddy around!) so I could show you my new baby blues - not my eyes, but my very first pair of jeans!!! Mom bought them for me the other day 'cause she said something about the seasons fixin' to change. I'm not so sure about all that stuff yet. Anyway, here are some pics mommy took. You will also notice that my legs are getting pretty strong. I practice kicking lots during the night and nap time. I'm pretty sure they will be scooting me along sometime in the near future. Can't wait to see everyone again soon. I'll give you another update as soon as I can find my way back here!

Fhoto Friday!!

So happy I could spit milk!

Gazing out the window with Daisy

Just chillin'

This is the first toy Caleb won on ebay. His dad is starting him young!

Sacked out for a morning nap

Caleb and Daddy

Me and Caleb

Running to get Daddy

BUY IT!!

This is a small plug for a good friend of mine!! Her sis wrote this book and it will be in stores September 9th. You can read the synopsis on ther website http://www.kimberly-huff.com/index.html I don't know about y'all, but I am definitely willing to try any book that has something about a coffee product in the title!

Google it...

...just because you need to see the cute little things they are doing with the Google logo for the Olympics. There are different ones everyday. You never know what you will see, but they are always cute and creative!!

A WOW Weekend!

(I started this post right after the weekend, but am just now getting it finished!)

This has been one of those weekends where I have just felt God's presence so real each day. Let me give a recap:


Friday night:
We had a get together with our Small Group that served two purposes 1) because we all love hanging out and 2) because were saying a temporary goodbye to our very special friends Cameron and Lyn Wooten. They've only been at our church for a short time, but oh, how we've come to love them dearly. Cameron and Lyn were missionaries for 2 years and then moved back home. About a year after their return Cameron was diagnosed with leukemia. However, their story is not your normal story! They have had such a wonderful outlook on everything since day 1. They have clearly been able to see God's hand through this whole ordeal and He has gotten so much glory from it all! They have been able to share their story and touch so many lives. It's been amazing watching them live out their faith in God - truly trusting Him for their future and whole heartedly beleiving that whatever they are going through He has a purpose in it all. Such an inspiration! Although the leukemia is now in remission (praise God!) he is having to have a bone marrow transplant. Please pray for this family. He will have to be in the hospital for a solid month and will not get to see his little girl (who is 13 weeks old).


Saturday:
"Coke on the Corner" with our church - FBC WEST!! We had a blast. We stood on the corner of Harrison Bridge Road and Fairview Road and passed out free cokes to the people who were stopped at the intersection. Thankfully we all made it back alive! Each drink had a little business card on it that gave our church name, worship times and a map. It was just a neat way to live out our love for the community.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Gal. 5:6

It was funny to see how people reacted. We had people who willingly accepted, people who tried to give us money even though we never asked for it and people who completely ignored us. There were times we couldn't even give away a FREE coke. But the more we thought about it, the more sense it made because how many things in this life really are completely free - no strings attached. I can't think of anything - especially material things like a coke. Well, that is unless you think like one of my first graders who one time told me that he got cereal for free at the grocery store. I asked him how because you had to buy cereal. He said, "No...we got buy one, get one FREE!." Ok, that was completely a little side note, but one of my favorite stories! Anyway, the only completely free thing I can think of is our salvation in Christ. The free gift of eternal life that is for everyone who will simply take the gift - not ignore it, not try to pay for it - just receive it. Isn't that awesome?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8

So this one man has really been on my heart. I offered him a coke and he said, "No, but I'll take the card." This was the only response I got like this, so it made me think that he must really be seraching. I know it's far fetched but I have really been praying for this man - that maybe he would find his way to our church. Sounds silly, but I also believe that God can do more than we could ever ask or imagine. It's funny how God has had this man stick out in my mind - don't really know why, but I know I can pray.


Sunday night:
This was one of those nights that I know I will have a hard time describing. It was one of those moments with God that just surpases explaining with my insignificant, human vocabulary. Our church hosted Selah in concert and it was wonderful. Chad and I almost didn't go - a free Sunday night was sounding pretty good! But, last minute he was like, "I keep hearing about that concert on WLFJ (the local Christian station). I think we should get tickets." So, I got up Saturday morning and ordered ours and boy am I glad I did. I was excited because I love any kind of music, but I wasn't super excited because I didn't know much of their music. Let me tell you, I SHOULD have been super excited! It was such an amazing concert. Their voices reminded me of a marriage. Two voices blending so well together that it seemed like one. The harmony the two lead singers made was - oh my - unmatchable. These two voices were meant to sing together!! And, no worries about me not knowing any of the songs because they sang mostly older hymns! Love them!! It is Well With My Soul (my favoite!!), Amazing Grace, Closer Walk with Thee, Be Thou My Vision, Power in the Blood, etc. It was such a wonderful time of worship. Now I love me some contemporary music, but it pains me to think the kids of now may not grow up hearing hymns, so I am all about groups that like to put a little comtemporary twist on old hymns because their messages are so powerful!! Anyway, music is one of my main ways of worhsip and this was just one of those unforgettable times - where I got to close my eyes and have tears brought to my eyes because of the wonderful lyrics of these timeless songs. Thanks Selah for sharing your gifts and your stories with our church. What a night!!

It's OK for grown men to cry...

OK, so I was just watching my first of the Olympics because we just got our TV set up and let me tell you what I heard. This Lochte kid just won gold for the first time on his life during the Men's 150M swim. So of course at the end of the race they are showing his family, etc. His dad was (or maybe still is) his swim coach, so naturally he has some tears of joy. The camera crew shows him and the announcers words are as follows, "There's Lochte's dad, Steve, and he's having a hard time holding it in." HEEEEELLLOOOOOO!!!! Holding it in?!?! Are you kidding me? His son just won Gold at the Olympics and you expect him to "hold it in"? That just disturbed me a little. No wonder boys/men are afraid to cry with this silly mentality. I personally don't see a thing wrong with it. It doesn't mean you are any less of a man because you shed a few tears - happy or sad! I think it makes you MORE of a man because you are willing to let others see the real you - you are being vulnerable and transparent. You aren't trying to hide your feelings and have a big ole "I'm too macho to cry" ego. Anyway, just a little pet peeve of mine. Men, if you are out there reading this, cry a little. I mean, don't go overboard and start crying at sappy, girly chic flicks, but a little outward emotion never hurt anyone - it just makes us stronger!

I married a movie star!!!!

Check out Chad's TV debut! For those of you who have never met him, he's the hot guy at the very end of the video! He has used this local bank forever and knows all the sweet ladies there, so a few weeks ago they called and asked him to be in a commercial. It will be airing on Fox News, ESPN, HGTV and a few other channels. He will probably be getting a call to be one of the crazy people in the Sonic commercials soon, so if you want his autograph you better get it now while he's just a wee little peon. I have a feeling we're going big!!

(you will need to pause my play list at the bottom in order to hear this)

God is Faithful...

Yay! For the rain today! There's nothing like waking up to a darker than normal room and raindrops on your window. Well, except for snow outside your window! Just in the middle of a severe drought, we get a load of rain. Isn't that just like God? It works the same way in life - just when you think things are as dry as they can get, God's spirit breaks in and rains down a good, soaking, rain. It refreshes you and fills you to the brim - if you let it. It seems like the theme of my life recently has been "Having an Open Spirit". We've talked about it in church, in Sunday School and I've even heard about it on the radio recently. Hmmm....sounds like God is teaching me, right?!?! Don't you love it when He makes himself so evident. Anyway, the rain today reminded me that my prayer each day is that God rain down his Spirit on me. Like the lyrics below say "open the floodgates of heaven". Isn't that an awesom picture - the floodgates of heaven opening up and God's spirit pouring all over you. But not only that - that my Spirit will be open to what he is leading me to do, that I will remove myself from the picture and let the Spirit of God, the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead and is living in me, guide me.

Let it rain, let it rain.

Open the floodgates of Heaven

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad

Let the distance shores rejoice

Clouds and thick darkness surround him

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne

A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side

His lightning lights up the world

The earth sees and trembles

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord

Before the Lord of all the earth

The Heavens proclaim His righteousness

And all peoples will see His Glory

We want to see Your Glory, God! Do you want to see His Glory?Lift your voices, lift your hands!

Let it rain, let it rain.

Open the floodgates of Heaven

While I was out...

During my "girl" time tonight Chad was in charge of Caleb. This included feeding him carrots, giving him a bottle and putting him to bed. I left a detailed schedule about when things were supposed to be done; however, Chad said he wanted to "spice things up a bit". Here are the pictures/videos I received while I was gone. Aren't daddies so much fun?!?!?

Chad taught Caleb how to use E-bay. (Oh...and excuse the mess, we are still getting things settled in the office from the move!)

Chad let Caleb play with his bowl when he was all done. Notice: Did he eat any carrots or is he just wearing them all?

P.S. Chad wanted me to add that he DID get him to bed on time!!! :)

The Amish, Friendship and Pedicures

Hmmmm.....so you are probably wondering how in the world any of these things relate! Well, they do because they were all a part of my day today - and no I didn't see Amish friends getting pedicures. BUT, let me tell you, it's been a great day! I started it out with the Amish because these sweet neighbors in our neighborhood brought us a zip-lock bag of this ooey gooey substance with a recipe for "Amish Friendship Bread". It had directions for 10 days. Each day I had to do something to it (usually just mash the bag) and on the 10th day (today!) I added all this other stuff and make the bread, or the muffins, in my case. I also seperated out 4 other batters to give to friends. Let me just say....I don't know how something that sits on your counter and ferments for 10 days can taste so good, but it sure does. I gave away some of the muffins (with the starter batter, of course) and we kept some for ourselves. I'm thinkin' a muffin will be great with a hot cup 'o joe in the morning!

Next, comes the friendship and the pedicures. Tonight my dear friend, Jennifer, and I went out to do a little shopping and also got pedicures! It was so wonderful spending time with her. I think she and I are a lot alike and she's one of those few people who you can confide in and know that it will go no further than the place you are sitting. Love it and love her. I've known her for quite a few years, but we've just recently become good friends and I am so extremely thankful to God for her friendship and the Godly life that she leads. She is such a shining example of God's love and she's just one of those people who makes you feel closer to God just by spending time with her. Oh...and the pedicure was so nice. I hadn't had one since before Caleb was born so the piggies were in desperate need of some attention! Oh! What a day!

Say a little prayer...

...for my sweet cousin (and bestest friend!) Lindsey today! She had Ella just a month after Caleb was born and she is having to go back to school today. I just talked to her and she had just dropped Ella off at the sitter's house. God answered her prayers and gave her some wondeful, Godly women to look after Ella during the year so Lindsey is very thankful for that. BUT, dropping her off for the first time couldn't have been easy. Please pray for an extra topping of God's comfort and peace for her today. Also pray for her time today to be occupied and that the day pass quickly. I know she will be watching the clock!! This is picture of Caleb and Ella a few weeks ago. They are also best friends!! :)

Being "Green"...

Green Beans, that is! We thought we had a great time with rice, but the green beans were even more fun! Caleb really seemed to like them and he's now had them three times. The Doc says to try each veggie for 4-5 days to make sure he's not allergic to it. One more day of greens and then we may move on to sweet potatoes. YUM. I figure we'll mix in a sweet one. He's doing much better eating the food and not pushing it out with his tongue as much, but we still have a ways to go. One spoonful usually takes about 3-4 shoves in his mouth! Here are some pics of our green bean experience!

Bittersweet...

Mom. Kristen. Me. Patiently Waiting.

Our handy dandy Welcome Home sign!


A hug two years in the making!


Caleb meeting Uncle Corey for the first time.

Taking it all in.

The fam - together again!

Corey Ross and Caleb Ross

Still bright eyed at 11:30 pm!!

Having a moment

All I can say about this night is that it was bittersweet. I'm telling you I was so excited about Corey getting off that plane I felt like I could jump out of my skin! We got there expecting him to arrive around 10 and then they told us it would be close to 12! We were so sad, but then the sweet security lady came and told us that it has been changed and that the plane would be in at 10:54. Thank goodness! So we sat around and chatted and when time got close we all went and stood right next to where he was coming out. We had our sign ready and the anticipation of the moment was killer! I stood there watching every person that came down the escalator just praying it would be him. People passing by were wondering what was going on. One plane unloaded, but he wasn't on it. Finally, the next plane started deboarding (is that even a word? oh well) and all these people came off, but no Corey. We knew it was his plane so we waited - and let me tell you, those minutes seemed like hours! I made everyone let me stand at the front because mom and dad had seen him when they went to visit, BUT I made myself stand back some because I was afraid I would see him, go right through the security doors and then get arrested - which would have made for an interesting night, but is not exactly what I had in mind. Finally he came down the stairs and I screamed "THERE HE IS!!", ran very close to the door (you can see in the pic) and gave him a hug that I've been saving for 2 whole years! Shortly after lots of hugs from family, he got to hold Caleb for the first time. It was awesome. Caleb had been asleep, but woke up to say hello to his uncle for the first time. What a precious moment!

When Corey left I had never prepared myself to say goodbye to someone for 2 years - especially someone so close, but when he returned saying welcome home was so easy! The wonderful thing about family and good friends is that even when you are apart for extended amounts of time, when you see each other again, it feels like you are were never apart. I just love this! Praise be to God for his safe return home, his experiences while he was there and all the plans that lie ahead for him. He is very, very dear to my heart and I just can't tell you what it means to have him home. Thank you also to everyone who prayed with us for him during his time there. What a mighty God we serve!

Coming soon...

Last night I finally downloaded all the pics from our awesome week with Corey, so I will be posting some and a blog on here very soon! With the move and getting ready for the big party, time has been lacking for blogging. Keep checking and I will have something up soon...promise!