Pantry Makeover At Earth Fare

My sister-in-law, Kelly, told me about this awesome promotion that Earth Fare is offering. They are trying to promote healthier eating by offering to give their healthier food away in exchange for the food in your own pantry. Even if you already ate it all and the container is empty! If you go HERE and click on "get started" you can sign up to print off a coupon to take in the store for the switch. Then go HERE and take "The Boot Challenge" to print off a coupon to trade in your applesauce for theirs. (I took in multiples of some items but they only exchanged one of each. They told me that we could enter another e-mail address to do another makeover though.)

Here is a list of things that you can give "the boot":

Look for these items with hydrogenated oils and/or high fructose corn syrup

Cereal

Peanut Butter

Soda

Salad Dressing

Jelly

Apple Sauce

The stuff I brought in

The $16 worth of groceries I brought home

FOR FREE!

Words Of Wisdom

Me: "Rainy and Zeke, you really need to learn to share and do things that..."

interrupted by Areyna...

Areyna: "Mom, we'll work it out. We got it, k?"

I guess it's finally sinking in=)

New Hair Care Treatment

You know that thought that runs through your head right before you lift your baby above your head to play airplane ... right after a VERY FULL FEEDING!!! It's a thought from your subconscious warning you of the dire consequences that could occur at any minute after takeoff!

Yeah...that's what happaned...

Biblical Submission - Part 3

Here is the final installment of Biblical submission. Read Part 1 and Part 2 first if you need to catch up.

Q: "If you believe that Josh hears from God on behalf of your family, how difficult is it for you to follow his lead in submission?"

A: It's not difficult at all. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that it is a relief for me to know that he is in charge. We, as women, need to realize that the husband of the family is ultimately responsible for the directions his family takes. That means that he is the one that will be held accountable when all is said and done, not us. We are responsible for our own actions but the husband is the head of the family just like the Pastor is the head of the church and will be held accountable on a whole different level for the direction he leads his church.

Q: Let's get practical. A few years ago, when Josh came to you believing that God was leading your family into itinerant worship ministry, which translated means, no secure paycheck, what would have happened to your family if you thought that was totally and completely impractical, stupid, and naive and you wanted to go a different direction?"

A: Not only would it tear our family apart, but I would be putting Josh in a horrible predicament, making him have to choose between God's leading or me, his wife.

Here's where the mutual submission comes into play. At the end of every year, before the beginning of another, Josh and I set aside time to pray separately about the Lord's leading for our family and ministry. We try to re-evaluate our strategy to make sure we are staying on track. Then, after several days we find a time to get alone together and talk about where we feel the Lord leading us. You see, it's not just Josh seeking the Lord's direction, it is both of us. God isn't going to lead Josh in a totally different direction that me. The vision that God places in my heart always lines up with Josh's. We may have to tweak a few details along the way but with that line of communication open we can differentiate between our own desires and where we both see the Lord leading our family/ministry.

Josh was then asked on the spot what he would have done if I would have flat out told him "no". His answer was, "I'd go back to the drawing board. Back to square one. I believe that Tasha hears from the Lord too and if she didn't feel the Lord's hand in it then I'd go back to the prayer closet and re-evaluate my motives and direction."

Q: "So, how would it be different if Josh wasn't trying to hear from God about His will for your family and His direction?"

A: It would really make submission tough. I would worry a lot more about our family and our lives. Instead, I SEE him seeking out the Lord's direction for us which enables me to easily submit to his leading. And more often than not, our desires and directions line up because we are both seeking the same thing.

So, there you have it. Speaking really brought me out of my comfort zone, but it definately helped me solidify my view on Biblical submission. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

Biblical Submission - Part 2

I am recapping my talk on Biblical submission from a couple weeks ago. Get caught up on Part 1 before moving on to

Biblical Submission - Part 2

Q: "What does Biblical submission mean for single females? Why is it an important issue for them right now even though they are single or unmarried?"

A: This specific passage is to married women, but submission should be a lifestyle for EVERYONE, not just married women.

Romans 13:1 says that "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

I Peter 2:13 says, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men."

Q: "Should a woman submit to her husband if he is not a believer?"

A: I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it would be to submit and honor a husband that wasn't in tune to God's prompting for the direction of our family. But God has specifically instructed women in this situation. Here is what I Peter 3:1-2 says:

"In the same way, you wives must accept the authority

of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News,

your godly lives will speak to them without any words.

They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives."

This being said, we must realize that in every circumstance God is the ultimate authority, having precedence over any other earthly authority. Meaning, if something doesn't line up with God's Word then God overrules that earthly authority.

For example, Josh and I were leading worship for some friends of ours in seminary. There was a women who had a student (maybe 2?) in their youth group. We played for this group several times and she was at every gathering. You could just see God's love radiating from her life. We found out that her husband was not a believer and did not allow her to tithe to the church. In fact, he didn't want anything to do with the church. But, knowing what Christ says about submission she obeyed God and honored her husband in this. She didn't stop there though. She found a way to honor God too. When pizza was needed for gatherings she would provide it. If the youth needed supplies, she could pitch in there too. She found practical ways to bless the church while still honoring and submitting to her husband.

Q: "What should we as men keep in mind on the topic of biblical submission?"

A: Let's look at Biblical submission in full context now...

"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

See, it isn't just doing what your husband commands. Through the husband's submission to Christ he will love his wife and in return the wife will submit to Christ by respecting, honoring and submitting her husband. It is a mutual submission and it is intended to be a beautiful thing!

Come back tomorrow for the last part of Biblical submission.

Tweet! Tweet!

Yesterday afternoon while I was hanging out with my good friend, Sara Scott, Josh busied himself on the computer. I thought he was just getting some work done. Little did I know that he was setting up a twitter account for me. I never thought I'd live in a day that grown men and women would talk about how cool it is to "tweet" or "twitter" or whatever you call it, ha! I mean, just listen to yourself?! Well, I guess if you can't beat 'em then just "tweet" with 'em, sheesh=)

Don't get excited I haven't figured it out yet but I'm sure I'll get there.

Biblical Submission - Part 1

I kept getting asked to share what I spoke about the other week at Oasis Church concerning Biblical Submission. We were really bummed that the podcast crashed during the message and that we couldn't just link it, but I'll try to reenact it in Q/A form (leaving out many illustrations for time sake) over the next few days.

Here goes...

Q: "How would you, as a Christian wife, describe the implications of Biblical submission as described in Ephesians 5?"

A: Let's face it, submission is a touchy subject and if we look at Ephesians 5:22-24 as a stand-alone passage it really looks demeaning to us as women and wives. Like we have no self outside of our husbands. But like any other subject we have to weigh it with the rest of Scripture as a whole and see what the rest of Scripture says about it which is exactly what we are going to do today.

Q: "Why do you think that the idea of Biblical submission is usually interpreted so negatively in today's society?"

A: "Well-behaved women rarely make history." This is actually a bumper sticker that I saw on the way down here this weekend.

We as women want a voice, equality, strength, importance and a chance to make a difference and with a single glance at this passage we feel like our chance has been taken away. Our society has led us to believe that if we don't "step up like a man" then we won't be heard, like we've lost our significance.

The western world tends to view submission in a corporate mentality, though, instead of the way God intended for it to be, which is a mutual submission.

This generation is missing the big picture, the beauty of Biblical submission. The submission outlined in the rest of Ephesians 5.

Q: "Can you give us some practical everyday examples where you have had to, or someone may have to live out Biblical submission?"

A: This was hard because, again, I myself, was trying to think of examples where I do what Josh tells me to do. This is the default mindset that we have to deprogram ourselves from thinking. Instead, I found examples where we communicate together to biblically submit to each other while seeking to submit to God's ultimate authority.

Here are a few examples I came up with off the top of my head:

Our career - When Josh came to me and told me that he felt lead to embark on a new journey in ministry together I was a little nervous. That would mean no consistent pay check and the loss of any sense of structure and stability for our family and everyday life. But I trusted that Josh heard from the Lord and believe that God has placed Josh as the leader of our family so I submitted to him and here we are.

Finances - Money matters are one of the leading reasons for divorce. Realizing that fact, when Josh and I were getting ready to get married we made a commitment to each other to communicate openly about purchases. We decided that if any purchase is greater than $50 (besides groceries or things like that) we would discuss the purchase and weigh its importance together to see if it is a wise purchase.

Clothing - Knowing that visual temptations are a huge struggle for men, I try to run my outfits by Josh. We are up on stage in front of people ALL THE TIME and I would be foolish to think that I could just wear whatever I wanted to. Now, that being said, Josh does not pick out my clothes. I think we all know that I probably wouldn't go out much if that happened, but I do run things by him. If he thinks something is too short, or too low-cut, or too sexy (he did interject here and specify that sexy is TOTALLY alright with him;), just ONLY for him!) then I will change my clothes. I must admit to rolling my eyes every once in a while, but I know that Josh knows way better than I do about the struggle that men have and I want to help out in any way I can.

This is just the beginning. Come back tomorrow for Biblical Submission - Part 2.

What Have I Created?!

Josh had a dream last night. Here's how it went...

Josh: I was in Food Lion with a small list of things. Joy (his sister) was with me. I got all the stuff on the list and then went to the self-checkout. I tried to scan my MVP card but it was so old and crumply (is that even a word?) that it wouldn't scan (which really IS true) so I just started pushing in the numbers on the key pad so I could get all the sales. After I entered all the numbers the cash register door came open with all the money in it. I thought, 'what in the world!' as I quickly shut the door and tried to push the 'help' button for somebody to come over and help. While I was waiting I decided to go ahead and scan my coupons. By that time I'd forgotten about my MVP card not working and swiped my debit card to pay for the groceries. It wasn't until after the payment that I realized that I didn't get credit for all the sales because I'd forgotten about the MVP card. Then Joy offered her card, I'm not sure why she didn't think of that sooner, and I tried to swipe it but it was too late! I was SO mad because I had gotten so many things on sale! Then I heard my alarm going off in my sub-conscience. I got up to turn my alarm off and I was really mad. I woke up mad because I didn't get those sales!

Thank goodness for the snooze button. I don't think he ever got credit for the sales but at least he didn't wake up mad after his alarm went off the second time, ha!=)

Gone Shopping

This is what you see when you walk in.

The place that looks like the back is really only

the beginning of the rows and rows of clothes!

A section of bouncy seats

Need a stroller...or 500?

Well, today was a first. Yes, I went shopping! Shocker, I know=) I got to experience the NC Kids Exchange that my sisters-in-law have been raving about. We dropped off our stuff to sell on Monday night and this morning I braved the crowds to find what I was looking for.

This is the first time that I actually HAVE to get clothes for Areyna and Zeke. I've had hand-me-downs since they were born which has always been wonderful, knowing how expensive clothes can be. This is the next best thing though. Gently used clothes that other people are selling.

I didn't buy any clothes over $4 except for Areyna's Easter dress which was $5 (still brand new with the tags on it). I got Rainy and Zeke's entire spring/summer wardrobe plus a booster seat for Zeke and a water floaty thing for Micaiah for this summer.

I was prepared to spend 3 hours in line but I made it out of the lines within about 30 minutes.

If I can do it anyone can. So, if you need kid's clothes, toys, books, strollers, baby items, homeschool curriculum, etc. go check them out at the Fair Grounds. They only do this sale 2 times a year!

Missing Ingredient?

There has GOT to be a missing ingredient in Target Brand cracker-type food. EVERY TIME I buy a box, they come out looking like this!

HotPrints

I found a new photo site that I wanted to share with you. It's called HotPrints. I'd read somewhere that they give one HotBook away every month. It's free and shipping is included. I thought it was too good to be true but decided to give it a try.

The site made it really easy to make the book and checkout was so simple. I didn't even have to put in any payment information because my total was $0.

Anyway, a week went by and NOTHING. I had just decided that it wasn't as good as it sounded and kind of forgot about it.

Well, guess what came in my mail today? My HotBook! It's not the best quality, it took about 2 weeks to get here but it is here, it was free and it is nice and big so my Nana with poor eye site is going to LOVE SEEING her great-grandbabies!

So, go check them out and get your FREE HotBook!

Tummy Sleeper

Micaiah is now officially a tummy sleeper.

Normally when I lay him down to take a nap he'll just go right to sleep but about 3 days ago he started screaming about 5 minutes in. I ran in to check on him and sure enough he is at "that" stage. The stage where they roll over in bed and aren't quite sure what to do with themselves. All he's known on his tummy is play time and it's probably a little confusing in his bed.

It's 3 days later and we are putting him in bed on his tummy and he's sleeping like a champ. Oh, and did I mention that he also started sucking his thumb...ahhhh! Oh well, I still love this stage! Wait a minute, I think I have said I've loved just about EVERY stage so far=)

Yesterday also marked the day that we lowered his bassinet in the pack-n-play. I cannot believe it's time for that already! He's going to be wrestling with Zeke in NO time. Zeke better watch out=)

Totally Surprised

Josh's sister, Joy, came in on Friday to watch the kids so Josh could take me out on a date for my birthday (or so I thought). He said I could do ANYTHING I wanted. Don't you dare laugh when I tell you what I wanted to do. I had so many things hanging over my head that, after a nice dinner, I wanted to run errands and get some things checked off my list. Hey, it's my birthday=) Besides, when do I get to take my husband with me and show him the money-saving ropes without the kids. We got to talk and have fun with every stop.

I soon realized, though, that he was just distracting me. I had NO CLUE what was going on until I got out of the car and heard a male voice in my kitchen. I said, "Baby, there's a guy in our house with Joy and the kids?" He just brushed it off and said that one of his brother's must have come over.

This is my face when I walked in the door with almost 30 other people shouting "SURPRISE!!!!" You don't see that I walked in with a bag of groceries and a pack of toilet paper...NICE...

Nothing says 31 more than a birthday run to the grocery store for toilet paper, huh=)

The Joys Of Boys

Me: "Guys, who just smeared toothpaste all over the bathroom counter?"

Areyna: "Zeke did."

Me: "Hey, who locked ya'lls bedroom door...that we DON'T have a key for?"

Areyna: "Zeke did."

Me: "Um...who just tore up that tissue into ity-bity pieces all over the floor?"

Zeke: "I did, they are clouds!"

Me: "What in the world! Who put all my stuff in there???"

Josh: "Zeke did, you know how he is with bags=)"

Me: "Why are there dents all over the kitchen table?"

Thinking to myself: "I already know the answer. Zeke must have been 'drumming' with the dinner forks again."

Why do I even ask anymore?

I love you my sweet, dirty, creative son!

You Know You Do It Too!

Yesterday I got up early, I brushed my teeth extra long, I scrubbed extra hard in the shower, I even shaved, I put on make-up, I even put on lipstick, I fixed my hair really pretty, I picked out the "perfect" clothes, found some great accessories, and sprayed my best perfume. I had a HOT date;)

It was that time of year again. You know THE yearly check-up time. I had my six-week follow-up appointment (a few months late, oh well, better late than never) and it was time to do EVERYTHING else too. I hate this appointment but know it's for my own good so I feel like I need to make the best of it, thinking that if I look good that maybe I won't feel so...uh...vulnerable?

I remember my follow-up appointment after having Zeke. I put glitter lotion on my legs. My Dr. looked up at me and HE said, "Do you have glitter on your legs?!" and began laughing out loud=) Hey, it was scented too! I go all out for my doctors.

Mark Your Calendars

Some of our best friends, Jeremiah and Jenn (you know, the couple who we were really nervous to live with, HA!) are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. They are doing an adoption fund raiser at Chick-fil-A and you don't want to miss it!

Here are the details:

WHEN - January 28, 2010

WHAT TIME - 5pm-8pm

WHERE - Hillsborough St., Chick-fil-A in Durham, NC

WHY - because EVERYBODY loves Chick-fil-A, you LOVE to give toward good causes, and this will help enable Jeremiah and Jenn to follow the Lord's leading on their sweet family and 10% of your purchases will be going to their adoption!

***You have to have a "Spirit Card" to hand to the cashier if you want the 10% to go to them so if you are interested e-mail me your address and I'll get you your Spirit Card! Also, if you just want to make a donation you can do that too!***

We are so excited for you, Jeremiah and Jenn! Praying for your new child...

(Click HERE for additional information)

What Did You Say?

Every once in a while...alright maybe a little more than every ONCE in a while, Josh and I will have a breach in our communication.

We know it has just occurred when the following happens:

One of us just finishes saying something profound, and the other just looks at the other with a blank stare, trying to process the previous request, statement, or sentence.

I decided that I would dedicate a series of posts for these oh-so-funny moments in time. I know some of them just won't be given justice unless you were present for the communication mishap but I'll record it here none-the-less. It'll be a good laugh regardless, HA!

Josh: "Yeah, Chad does some pretty cool things with loops."

I THOUGHT he said: "Yeah, Chad does some pretty cool things with lutes."

I'm thinking: "I mean, I know Chad is talented but wow, a lute? I had no idea!"

Words Of Wisdom - Go To Hell

Areyna: "Mommy, Zeke said he didn't want to love Jesus and I told him that he was going to go to hell...then he said he DID want to love Jesus."

Context: A few nights ago our family devotion time led to countless questions about the gospel, dying, heaven, hell, etc. There is nothing sweeter than hearing your husband explain the gospel to your young children.

Anyway, after this conversation the children have been obsessed with the whole thing. In fact, in room time yesterday their room was heaven and God was getting their bunk beds ready for them, HA!

Seriously?

2 Old One's and 7 New One's

The Hanna's and The Via's

2010 has come in like a whirlwind!

We got home from celebrating Christmas with my family late last Sunday night just to wash our clothes and head back out. We really know how to squeeze a lot into a little bit of time.

Here's how last week went down:

Monday - recoup and get ready for the next round

Tuesday - Josh headed to Charlotte to finish tracking his vocals and acoustic for our next CD Project.

Thursday - I packed up the kids and headed down to meet Josh to get all my tracking done. The violin was the last thing that had to be recorded before shipping it off to Nashville. I drove in and dropped the kids off with some of our good friends, Raina and Dan Newman, who have 2 kids who Areyna and Zeke absolutely ADORE! The Newman's were kind enough to let us crash with them Thursday night.

Friday - Headed further south to see some other great friends of ours near Greenville, SC. We've known Jody and Emily Jennings for years but it was the first time our kids were able to meet each other. Zeke was SO excited to have, not one, but two boys to play with and Areyna and Hattie Ruth were two pees in a pod! Millie and Cai just did their own thing as most babies do=) It was a house full for sure but what a sweet time.

Saturday - Headed down to Greenwood, SC to see some other friends of ours from college. Morgan and Curt Hanna are church planting and just launched Oasis Church in September.

Sunday - We lead worship for them on Sunday morning and then I did a first for a Sunday morning, I co-taught on the subject of Biblical submission from Ephesians 5. I thought it went really well. We got home late Sunday night.

We absolutely LOVE what we do but it sure is nice to be home...for 2 whole weeks I might add!

In 3 days the kids saw 2 old friends and made 7 more. On the way home Areyna asked "What friends are we going to go see now?" Oh the life we lead=)

Get To Know Us Better - Areyna

I totally forgot about this blog series I was going to do a while back.

So, I am here to finish what I started=)

Here is my interview with Areyna:

What is your favorite meal that mommy makes?

Homemade Pizza

What is your favorite color?

Pink and Purple

What is your favorite thing to play with Zeke?

Baby dolls

Who is your favorite Princess?

Ariel

What is your favorite thing that your daddy does?

Wrestles and Plays Monster

What do you want to be when you get older?

An animal doctor

Oh, a veterinarian?

That word is too hard to say. Can we just call it an animal doctor?

Sure=)

What are you supposed to do as an older sister?

Teach

Teach Zeke and Cai?

Yeah

Teach them what?

To play doggie

How do you know that mommy and daddy love each other?

you kiss and hug and play together

So, there you have it folks. A little bit about #1.

What about Zeke? What would you like to know about #2? Leave any questions in the comment section below=)

Oh COME ON!!!!!

Dear Ice Cube Tray,

I need to apologize for my bad attitude last night. I really didn't mean it when I threw you on the floor and cursed your very existence. But for future reference...THOSE ICE CUBES ARE MINE!!! Just let them go. You've had your time with them.

Missing my Ice Cube Maker from Charlotte,

Tasha

Let THEM Do It

Before Areyna was born I worked at a preschool as a music teacher for 3 years. I learned so many practical things during that time, but even if I got nothing else out of that job, I learned that children are capable of way more than we give them credit for.

That is why we have tried to teach our children at an early age to put their own clothes on, to sit on the potty by themselves, to clean up after themselves (after playing or dinner) and to "help" me in the kitchen.

Besides the fact that they LOVE to help, this has helped them be more independent in every day tasks, which in turns helps ME out.

Here in our new house we have positioned things on their level so that they can do just about everything on their own.

Their plates, cups, bowls and utensils are on the bottom shelf so they can reach them if they are setting the table. If they are still thirsty during a meal they have a stool to stand on to go get a refill of their own water. They have stools in the bathroom so they can brush their own teeth (with some supervision with their back teeth=), we placed a basket in the hall closet so they know where to put their shoes when they get home, as well as another basket on the bottom shelf where their jackets/coats go.

These are just a few ways we've tried to help them help themselves.

Today after lunch I had just cleaned up my own dishes and the kids were following my lead and scraping their plates in the trash before placing them in the sink. I had gone out of the kitchen to grab something and when I came back in this is what I saw...
Areyna washing her own dishes without even having to be told! She has watched me do it so many times and knew exactly what to do. Oh how lovely it is to see the fruits of our labor sometimes=)

Please Pause For A Moment Of Silence...

Time Of Death: January 6, 2010 - 5:59pm

Oh Large green coffee mug...you were a great coffee mug. You stood above the rest, leaving no drop behind in the coffee pot, not even for my husband who would always hope for a refill after his first cup. You died in my hands last night after plummeting to your death from the top shelf of the dishwasher to the kitchen floor. I loved you so and you will be deeply missed. Rest In Peace my dear friend...

Here's How I Made Out

I headed out to Harris Teeter for Super Doubles yesterday afternoon with a lot of snacks in my pocketbook, all 3 kids, and a cookie bribe after checkout for happy hearts=)

Here's how we made out:

TOTAL before coupons/sales: $76.88

Total Saved: $40

TOTAL OOP: $36.88

5 Months

5 months...SERIOUSLY?!

Weight: 18.2 LB.

Here are a few of Micaiah's favorites this past month:

Rolling Over - he started rolling over a few days after he turned 4 months

Sleeping 12 Hours - This is a personal favorite of mine;)

Eating - We were forced to add solid foods to his diet this month.

Man this kid is an eater!

Playing with toys - he is starting to play with his little toys

Sticking EVERYTHING in his mouth!

Talking - he LOVES to hear his own voice lately

Sitting Up - He still isn't totally sitting up on his own

but he LOVES to see what's going on around him=)

Not Pooping - yeah, this kid only has about 3 BM's a month.

The Dr. isn't worried but...poor guy!

Barbie Tasha and SpiderFro

Josh and I just wanted to go on a walk and it happened to be FREEZING winds outside.

We COULD NOT find our hats.

We were, however, able to scrounge up Areyna's Barbie hat and Zeke's Spiderman mask.

We sported them with pride!

String Party 2009

Keeping up with our yearly String Party Tradition. It is the much-anticipated event of the year for us...I mean, uh, the kids=)

Organize the bootie piles

This year one of my Aunts made customized bags for each kid to put their "stuff" in

It was Zeke's favorite prize, HA!

String It Up

We always make the youngest their own little string

Wait...wait...

Now.........................GO!

Another successful String Party!

I've Still Got It

I had to run out to Target to get a few essentials. We're running low on EVERYTHING but didn't want to go all-out since Harris Teeter is starting Super Doubles on Wednesday. That last sentence really has absolutely NOTHING to do with this post except that I wanted to let ya'll know in case you hadn't heard yet=)

Anyway, I got back to my car and this is what was waiting for me on my car...

"Passed you going in Target. I thought we made eye contact. I was walking in parking lot. Call me Jay 358-**** "

Two thoughts ran through my head at the exact same time.

1 - Did he not just see the car seats lined up in the backseat and the box of diapers under my arm???

2 - Nice, I don't look like an almost 31-year-old mom, HA!

Final Round

My Parents-My brother and his wife-Us-My sister and her family

Nonnie and G-Daddy with their grandkids

Our last stop on the Christmas train was in Maryland. My family always gathers at my sister's house to celebrate the fall/winter festivities over The New Year. Since my parents live in Colorado it isn't very often that we can all get together so this is always a special time. It is also the reason I list #8 on my resolutions EVERY YEAR! I swear I gain 10 pounds every time I get together with them=)

This is also when we do our annual String Party. If you have no idea what a String Party is you can check out our previous years HERE and HERE and come back tomorrow to see the tradition continue!

Here are a few more pictures of our extended weekend...ENJOY=)

Oh look, Zeke accumulated a few more bags=)

Miss Priss putting on her stockings

Play-doh time

G-Daddy and Micaiah

Sweet Cousins

A New Year - A New You

Some people don't like the whole "new year's resolution" thing but I do. I like to feel like I have a fresh start. I like to re-evaluate our direction and make new goals for myself and it just seems easier to do in year-long increments.

Here's 2009 At A Glance:

*I turned the big 30 this year

*We added a sweet baby to our growing family

*I realized that my gifting is NOT songwriting that's for sure! I never did complete that resolution from last year, no matter how hard I tried=) Sorry baby...

*We finished All That Glitters

*We sold our house in Charlotte making us DEBT FREE!!!

*We moved in with some friends while we looked for a place to live

*We did a LIVE Recording with our new church family here in Raleigh

*We moved into our new home

Josh and I don't take our New Year's resolutions lightly as we individually pray about our own aspirations as well as our family and ministry direction for the next year. Before the beginning of another year we like to put our goals together and it's always neat to see how closely they line up together!

Here are a few things that I am going to commit to do or work on in 2010:

(some of these are continuations from previous years because they are a lifestyle I'd like to continue)

1 - Getting up early - I look forward to getting up early and sipping on my hot cup of coffee while having a quiet time while it is still quiet in the house

2 - Going to bed ON TIME - these two just have to go hand-in-hand for me=)

3 - I want to grow in my prayer life.

4 - Date Nights - 2 times a month. I think we've worked out a deal to trade off kids for dates every other week. Have I ever mentioned it's awesome living near family!

5 - More Time With The Kids - I feel like I have some things to work on as a mom and I am looking forward to making time for my kids and getting to know them better individually this year.

6 - Limiting Computer Time - I am setting limits for myself on the computer (don't worry, I'll still be blogging every day;) like not turning it on until I have had time with the Lord and only checking e-mails and blogging while the kids are busy or sleeping.

7 - Start Homeschooling - Yup, I'm gonna do it. I've done a few activities off and on but nothing consistent. Areyna is almost five and I have to start somewhere. I think I've found a curriculum and we're gonna get serious this year. Part of this will be intentional in using our traveling as learning experiences. Our kids have such a GREAT advantage on the road seeing new things and going to new places.

8 - Exercise - I already started and am excited to see some results!

9 - Bless My Husband - this year Josh and I will celebrate 8 years of marriage! I don't ever want to stop getting to know him. Maybe this should be combined with #11=)

10 - I may not be a songwriter but I do have other giftings. I'm not going to give everything away but I have a project in 2010 that I'm really excited about! Hopefully you'll be able to see the fruits of my labor out before the end of next year (this will be a first so I'm not sure how long it will take)

11 - Try Something New - I am so systematic so I want to be get out of my comfort zone and not be afraid to try a new food, a new way to the grocery store, new activities, meeting new people and...eh-hem...maybe a few different kinds of other new things;)

11 - Give More - in 2009 Josh and I started something new. The less we made in a month the more we'd give! I know it seems backwards but it has been so awesome to live out our faith and see the way God provides. Plus it's so awesome to be able to give back too. We'll be taking it up a notch this year.

12 - No matter what this year holds I want to run this race strong. We are blessed no matter how much money we have, no matter where we live and no matter what gets thrown in our path. God is Good ALL the time!

So, here's to another year of growing and learning,

Happy 2010!!!