FireProof The Movie

Well, last minute yesterday Krista asked me if Peter and I would want to go see this movie with them last night. So, I quickly called "Gram Gram" (Peter's mom) to see if she would mind watching Isabella so we could go. She came over and watched her (Thanks Gram Gram!) and we took off to see the movie. (And thanks Mom for the free tickets!) I had heard this movie was really great, but I guess I didn't realize how much it would affect me and Peter. In the movie, it was so amazing to watch a marriage slowly fading and headed for disaster start to turn around because of Kirk Cameron's character realizing his need for God's love so he could learn how to love his wife. We absolutely cannot love in our own strength and base love on our feelings. I know so many people who are quick to get mad or quick to burst out with something negative to say about their spouses. I have learned over the years to keep my mouth shut, but that is not always easy (and sometimes I still catch myself starting to say things that I shouldn't ). Peter and I loved this movie so much that I actually bought the Love Dare book online this morning. It was really cheap and I'm excited to see what it says. I urge everybody to go see this movie. Just make sure to bring lots of tissues. I've never teared up so much in a movie before. (However, it is not your typical Hollywood love story movie) It just makes you stop and think about what marriage is all about and what's most important in a relationship. Make time to see it! Pray for your marriage or the marriages of people you know. Love, love to you all.

The Nursery B-day Party

Peter and I have been attending Northridge Church in White House. I have met a lot of people in the nursery because of Isabella, of course. Shannon is the nursery director and she is fantastic! Isabella had such a hard time with me leaving her so I decided to help out every other Wednesday night and Shannon would make every effort to help her. Usually when I came to pick her up I could guarantee Shannon would be holding her. I was usually right. So, anyway, Shannon always gets invited to the children's b-day parties and she just can't possibly go to all of them. Instead of her trying to make it to all of theirs she decided to throw all of the kids one big b-day party at the church. What a creative idea. It was like a carnival: duck pond, sucker game, throw the ball in the net, blow-up bouncy, popcorn, cotton candy, crafts, face painting, etc. Isabella had the time of her life! She had so much fun that I don't know if I've ever seen her that excited! She squealed, laughed, ran all over the place. I wish Peter could have come with us, but he had to work. Isabella found her friend Mikayla and the had fun at the duck pond together. I was sweating by the time we left. Isabella wanted absolutely nothing to do with mommy. She just wanted to go everywhere she could as fast as she could. What a fun party. Thanks Shannon for all you do!

This first picture is probably one of my favorites: sucker in mouth, craft bag that she got to decorate herself and her popcorn bag in tow. She's watching all the balloons waving around in the room.

Some pics of Harrison

Here are some of the pics I took yesterday at the hospital. Tessa looks so cute in her "big sister" shirt. She was so excited about her little brother being here. The one with mom and Tessa at the window was a priceless picture! Harrison had just peed all over the window and the nurse washing him. Tessa's face was so funny as she watched pee shoot right on the window. She didn't know what to think about it. Mom and I cracked up laughing. Luckily I had my camera out right at that moment. He's so precious. We're going to visit him again a little later today. I'll be sure to get lots more pictures. I can't wait!

Baby Harrison is finally here!

Amanda had Harrison today at 12:11pm. He weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce, 19 1/2 inches long and has light brown hair. He looks just about exactly as Tessa did when she was born. His upper lip is a little bigger and he has a slight difference in the nose than Tessa. He is so adorable! I am so excited to be an aunt again. Amanda did awesome! She had a spinal instead of an epidural this time and she liked it much better. Shorter recovery was the biggest plus. After the medicine wore off she became nauseated though, but other than that she looked fantastic and felt great. Thanks for the prayers for this safe delivery. I'll post pictures soon.
P.S. Allison, I'll try to get to that tag challenge as soon as I can. :) I'm sorry you've not been feeling well. All kinds of crazy stuff going around right now. Let's take a zoo trip soon.

Long time...

It's been forever since I posted anything. So much has happened this month. I had my computer worked on since it was infected with viruses and I couldn't check any email or anything for about a week. That week sure seemed like forever! So, I'm finally catching back up with my posts.
I'll start with Isabella and what a big girl she is becoming. She's trying so hard to use a spoon and fork at meals. Of course it's the messiest meals when we let her try, but she really tries so hard to get the food on the spoon. She's also talking a lot! She's saying "oh boy", "bailey" (the neighbor's dog), "out", and mocking me when I make silly sounds. She is so much fun and she is such a good little girl.

Well, Amanda and I wanted so much for Mom to have a special, wonderful 50th Birthday party. We planned a surprise party at StoneyRiver in Nashville the week before her birthday. Some friends of her asked her to dinner and we were all there waiting for her arrival. I had butterflies in my stomach waiting for her to get there. I'd never planned a party quite that exciting and it was so much fun to do for her. She so deserves to be celebrated and loved on. I sure hope you had a wonderful birthday Mom. I love you.

These are some of the pictures we put on her slideshow of her life. So sweet! I just loved that part of her party. It was fun to look at all those pictures. Here's two of her as a baby and another one as a teenager with her and her best friend Lana. She and Lana are still the best of friends today. The last picture is a pretty recent one of her and Lana.

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend has been pretty busy. Stephanie and the girls came in town this weekend so we spent most of it with them. We don't see them often so when they're here I try to let the girls spend as much time with Isabella as they can. We went to The Streets of Indian Hills and did some shopping and playing at the water fountain. Isabella still doesn't care to get in it. She just stands back and watches as the other kids play. You can hear a giggle or two as she watches. We went to the Children's Place and they had a ton of sales going on for fall clothes. Then we went to eat at Mimi's cafe. It was really great food! It's a very loud restaurant so it worked out for my little squealer and all the kids.

Saturday was another baby shower for Amanda and Harrison at my dad's house. We had a great time. The kids had fun together. Tessa was at home with daddy so she didn't come to this one. Isabella was mostly concerned with how much tissue paper she could pull out of every present. So silly.

Sunday we went swimming at Aunt Kim's and grilled hot dogs. Then this morning I couldn't help take pictures of Isabella in her pajamas sitting in her doll cradle. She sits down in there with all her stuffed animals and plays and laughs. She's laughing at Peter being silly.


Later today we plan to visit Mikayla. Leshia and I have been wanting to get the girls together for a while now. Since Mikayla and Isabella are in the same class at church we wanted them to get to know each other better and play together. I'll post some pictures of that play time too.

On another note, all I'm hearing about on the news is Hurricane Gustav. Let's pray for these families. You know they are reliving Katrina in their minds as they evacuate. Shawn (my brother-in-law) is also in Texas workingclose to L.A. so this is a family concern of mine as well. Hope everyone has had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

The Caring Tongue

I don't usually post introspective thoughts, but I felt compelled to share this with you. Many of you don't know that Peter and I left our former church and are now attending a new church. As our new pastor was preaching weeks ago he mentioned a book he had read entitled "The Family Blessing" by Rolf Garborg. I love to read and during the service I jotted this title down thinking I may get this book one day. Well, that day came and I purchased it (on half.com for $4.00 if you're interested). I received the book in the mail and it literally lay beside my bed for weeks unopened. I didn't know why I hadn't started reading it because usually I dive right into them, but this time I didn't. Weeks go by and I found myself with a little time on my hands which is unusual. I had picked up Isabella from mom's house and she took a nap right when I got home. That left me with a little free time to find something to do. (wash clothes, do dishes, clean up my bedroom, etc.) Among all those things to do I picked a few and realized she was still asleep when I got done! So, since I rarely have extra time left over I thought this would be a good time to sit down and spend some time with Jesus. I don't why I didn't first, but I guess it doesn't matter now. I absolutely love my study/prayer time with Jesus once I'm settled enough in His presence. With me it's taken a long time to "be still" before the Lord and hear His voice, but I'm trying to do better. So, I had no idea what to read in His word. I just flip through the proverbs and came across a title on the side bar "The Caring Tongue". It listed scriptures about how Christians ought to speak. As I've learned many times before "The tongue can bring life or death, and you will eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21. I wrote down the Scriptures that pertained to things we should speak.

• Proverbs 10:32 The godly speak words that are helpful....
• Proverbs 12:18 ..the words of the wise bring healing
• Proverbs 12:25 ..an encouraging word cheers a person up
• Proverbs 15:23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply, It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time.
• Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey..sweet to the soul and healthy to the body.
• Proverbs 25:15 Soft speech can crush strong opposition.
• Proverbs 27:9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume & incense.

I couldn't help myself but to think "Why do I say the things I say, good or bad?" "What am I speaking that brings life into other people?" "Am I harming them by my words, or am I speaking things that are positive and helpful into their life or situation?"

Why do we say the things we say? Is it because of stress, thoughtless chatter, anger, frustration, or just selfishness? After all, we're only human.

Amanda and I have actually had this conversation before last year. Do we speak just to be heard or do we really carefully plan our words and make them count? I've never forgotten that conversation. She really made me stop and think about this in my own life. Thanks sis, I needed your words of wisdom that day!

So, back to the book I purchased. As I was studying the Word, the Lord reminded me of that book. I went and got it and lo and behold it was all about speaking blessings over your family and your children's life! What perfect timing God has to work everything out for our good.

I realized not only did I want to speak words that are meaningful and helpful to others, but I also wanted to use my words to bless Isabella and her life. The book talks about not just thinking about words, but actually speaking them into existence. Once spoken, as Galborg puts it, the words have a life of their own. (for good or evil) I hope Peter and I will learn how to bless Isabella every night with spoken blessings. I know those blessings spoken over her will show up in her own character and personality one day. The blessings can never be retracted. Once spoken, that's it. I want my words to count in my life. God never fails us. May He bless your family too!