Embracing My Journey

Oh my word.   I haven't blogged in FOREVER.  I mean, I had to go in my profile and literally update the ages of my kids four years!!! CRAZY!!!

I'm learning that I love to journal and write.  I'm going to try out writing on my blog again.  For reals though, this is more for me to trace this journey I am on.  If it helps someone else, great.  If you disagree with me, God love ya, disagree in your head and not in my comment section.  Amen and amen.  Moving on....

I got a wakeup call this morning as I received an email that included blood work I had done this past week at my 6 month checkup with our family doctor.  Bless his pea-pickin' heart.....along with he and The Lord, we've been having several visits about my physical health.  Boy has this been a journey.  I realize more are on a much more difficult journey than I am when it comes to this, trust me, this is also an area the Lord is dealing with me in.  But He is also teaching me to embrace MY journey as well, and that is what I'm writing about today. 

I come from a genetic line of heart disease, thyroid, and diabetes.  For years I have struggled with my thyroid getting regulated.  Just this last year I've begun taking blood pressure meds (growing older is not for the faint at heart).  I had a hysterectomy about 4 years ago so according to my doctor my body has experienced menopause and my metabolism has shut down.  I had my gall bladder out two years ago (Praise sweet baby Jesus!!). As of today, my cholesterol is up higher than it has ever been before. 

Before anyone sends me emails, FB messages or comments on Advocare, Plexus, etc....I have done ALL of the research on each of these and the Lord keeps bringing me back to one thing......this is YOUR journey.  This is between you and Me.  As much as I'd love to use some of these products, the Lord hasn't given me peace when it comes to these.  Trust me, this is not a bashing of these products.  Some of my closest and best friends use each of these and on their journey they are working for them and I celebrate with them.  But, as in so many other areas of my life, the Lord is teaching me to embrace MY journey.  So, as of April 5, 2014, I am embracing another piece to this puzzle the Lord is putting together in me. 

Most who know me know that I'd rather poke needles in my eyes than exercise.  I don't even get these people who love it.  I don't.  Don't even try to explain it again to me.....I won't get it.  I am one of these who has such great intentions, walks for a few weeks, sees no results, and quits.  I could go on and on and on.  I've done boot camps for 6 weeks and seen nothing....notta.....zip.  After trying to get me to count my calories my doctor has encouraged me to get a heart rate monitor and focus more on burning calories.  I have ordered a Polar T4 heart rate monitor that was recommended to me by one of my good friends/accountability partners.  So this is where it stands.  My monitor should come in a couple of days.  Until then, I am going to continue to make wise choices in my eating and continue to walk,  be it walking my precious puppy/dog baby/crazy thang apparently I wanted for my birthday from my kiddos and didn't know it......or walk/running on the treadmill.  Maybe it was the Lord's way to force me outside to take walks.  Whatever it is, God love her, it's getting me outside.

So, this is me.  April 5, 2014.  Embracing another leg of MY journey.  If you think about it, pray for me.  Pray for strength and focus, not to focus on losing weight, but to focus on taking care of this temple the Lord has entrusted to me.

I'll leave you with these words to one of my favorite songs.  As I was doing the treadmill this morning and was so tempted to quit before my goal, this song came on.  Isn't it funny how He knows exactly what we need to hear and when we need to hear it??

No Not One - Chisty Nockels

No better word than from Your lips
No perfect life than what You lived
No greater gift, no not one

No brighter star has ever shined
No better hope for all mankind
No higher mind, no not one

No one has ever known
This kind of love You've shown

There has never been a greater love
Than Your son
No, Not one
And there will never be a name above
No, Not one

With His life You have forgiven us
Hope has come
Hope has come
And there will never be a greater love
No, Not one

No image true or sweeter frame
No simple word can match Your name
No greater fame
No not one

No one has ever seen
The depth of Your majesty

No greater call - You gave us all a reason to live
No greater love - You gave us all a reason to give
No greater life - You gave us all a reason to shine
No greater love - forever mine!

First Day of School - 2008

School is off to a great start!!

Chandler started the 8th grade. This is his last year at Danny Jones Middle School and it's off to high school!! He will tell you he is not a big fan of school, but I don't know too many boys who are. We put him in all AP classes this year. I know he'll do great, he needed a little challenge, though he was content with not having homework ever, ever, ever!! His soccer team is gearing up for playing an indoor season this fall so he's glad to be in off-season with school athletics. I'm sure they'll start doing some training for track and golf soon. But for now, running cross country is keeping him in shape.

Chandler is so excited about having his pic taken

We're a little more smiles now!!

Kayleigh started fourth grade. This is her last year at Elizabeth Smith then it's off to Intermediate School!! But, we're looking forward to a great year!! She absolutely loves Mrs. Gonzales. I've already gotten to sub in her class. I love that I get to be up there with her. I loved having my parents at the same school with me, so I hope she loves it as much as I do!!

Sweet Kayleigh is so excited!!

Proud Momma!!

After dropping all the kiddos off to school we met up with Brad and Julie at Joe's for some yummy breakfast!! This is Julie's first year to have both boys at the same school all day!! Bennett is now in Kindergarten!!! We then went and indulged in spa pedis!! We're looking forward to some good hang out/play time!! Of course, that's after all the housework has been done , stationary printed - Shan, pics taken/edited/etc!!! - Julie!! Can't neglect all of that now, can we???!!??? Ok...maybe some days!!! :)Gotta love breakfast at Joe's!!

Life!!

Oh my word!! Is this summer a blur to anyone else but me?? Where has all the time gone? This is the third week of school and I promised myself I'd update my blog the first week!! Mercy!! We have had a fast and furious summer as I'm sure everyone else has too. I am so loving Paul's sermon series on Simplifying our lives and putting the main things first, but it is kicking me in the booty!!!

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is our family trip to Hot Springs Village with my parents and my brother's family. We absolutely had an incredible time!! It just seemed to really go by fast to everyone this year! The guys enjoyed golfing and the mom's and kiddos enjoyed time around the pool. Our favorite part of the trip was getting to go to Mr. Rowe's house on Lake Hamilton. He took us around on his boat and let the kids tube. He also had two jet skis that we enjoyed. Mr. Rowe is a very close friend of our family from a long time ago when we lived in West Memphis. My dad and he were coaches together and our families played a lot together growing up. I don't know who enjoyed it more...dad or Casey and Josiah!! Daddy played on the jet skis like a 16 year old boy!! Casey and Josiah had never been on a boat or tubing so it was so much fun just watching them eat it up!! That will definately be an addition to our family trip again next year!! Thanks Mr. Rowe!!

More to come....

Kayleigh's "big girl" haircut

Well, my precious nine year old asked for a "big girl" haircut yesterday. After calling daddy and getting the "ok", we went through with it. He wasn't very excited at all. He loves his Kayleigh Bug's hair long!! I encouraged that it was just hair and could grow back out. So, here are some pics of our new do!! Excuse the jammies...we're being lazy while the boys are away!!

My baby is 13!!

Wow!! My baby is 13 today. It's so very hard to believe!! It just seems like yesterday we were learning to swim, playing t-ball. To all of my friends with little ones that don't seem like they'll ever get out of this stage where you have to watch them like a hawk at all times....CHERISH IT!! It goes by incredibly too fast!! I don't even want to think that in three short years he'll be driving!! Oh my...

Chandler has had so many opportunities to go and do things with his Dad. Paul keeps such a crazy schedule in the summer that this has been such a blessing for him to be able to travel with him. This week he is a part of an FCA leadership/golf camp. He is out of his comfort zone being a camper!! But...his dad assures me he is doing an awesome job!! Chandler was on the golf team at his school this year and really thinks this is something he would like to continue to pursue. So, this is a great thing for him to be a part of. I just called to sing "Happily Birthday" to him while he was on the van with his huddle group. "Oh mom.....you're on crack!!" is what he told me!!! But somewhere I have to believe that he loved it!!! :) Isn't it my job to embarass him in front of his peers??!! Well, Kayleigh and i are going to enjoy some girl time while the guys are away. We're off to the Studio Movie Grill with Gail and Megan to see Kung Fu Panda!! We are sad for Tamara and her family. Tamara's Mimi passed away Sunday evening at 7:25. They put her in ICU on Saturday and didn't expect her to make it so Hannah wasn't able to come home from camp with us. The girls are very sad but know we'll be able to get together later this summer. They had such a ball at camp!!!! I've loved to hear all of the stories!! Pray for the Sanders this week as Mimi's funeral is on Friday.

Student Life for Kids Camp

Whew!! We survived the final weeks of school and are off to enjoying our summer vacation!! Russell and Tamara called me several months ago and asked if Kayleigh could join Hannah at camp. Oh my word....what an awesome idea!! The girls have been best friends since they were three and terribly miss each other since we moved away from Shreveport two years ago. We still get them together to celebrate their birthdays (they're only two days apart) and try with our busy schedules to at least get them together during the summer. Yesterday was the big day!! We met them in Sherman, TX to drop off Kayleigh. To say the least, she was so very excited. I must say...it was very hard seeing them in their own dorm room!! I can just see them in a few years with this being the real thing!!!! Wow!!! So my precious little girl is away for a few days at Student Life for Kids camp in Sherman, TX. Pray for Russell and Tamara!! They are staying as camp counselors!! We get her back along with Hannah for a couple of days here and then Kayleigh, Hannah and I are off to Shreveport to hang out at her house!! I can't imagine the puddle Kayleigh will be when we have to say "good bye" for a little while.

You will see a picture of Paul and Mona Sanders. She is such an incredibly fun lady!! She and Paul worked together at the church. She is the pastor's secretary.

We stopped through McKinney on our way home and had dinner with Paul's parents at Saltgrass. We had a wonderful visit with them. They gave Chandler his birthday present as he is turning "13" next Tuesday. YIKES!!! I'm fixing to be the mother of a teenager!!!! It doesn't even seem possible!

Kayleigh's baptism

Kayleigh had told me several times before that she wanted to be baptized and each time we would lay in her bed and read a sweet little book that was given to her by Julie Little, I Believe in Jesus, by John MacArthur. Each time we would talk about it she would get a little bit closer to fully understanding sin and her need for Christ to come into her heart. Well, this past Sunday after church she asked me again if she could be baptized. We talked a little bit and she decided she would wait and we would visit a little bit more. As the day went on she just really knew in her heart that it was time and that she had a full understanding of what it meant to truly give your heart to Jesus. She went home that day with the Swiggarts and Darla called me that afternoon and said she truly felt like Kayleigh was ready for this. Darla is so very full of wisdom and I am very thankful she was there with Kayleigh to walk her further through this. I think we as adults get so worried and over-analyze things. That's so why Jesus said to come to him with the faith of a child!! Oh to have that simple faith/trust of a child!! We were celebrating all that God had/is doing at the new TCAL property with a cookout/baptism celebration. We had over 220 there!! It was an incredible night!! Kayleigh and I stole away in one of the rooms of the house there and got to visit a little about what all was going on in her little heart. It was a very precious time to me that I'll never forget and always treasure!! She sat on the window seat in that room and in her own special way prayed and asked Jesus to come into her heart. Paul was so excited, as any of you who know him can understand. He was able to baptize her that night at the celebration. Such an incredibly sweet time!!!