Secret Church, heavy heart

Still thinking about Secret Church last night, I can't wait for the new earth. It's going to be amazing. I ache for the world to end soon so noone has to know pain and suffering anymore. My heart is so burdened when I see people are walking through the death of a loved one, esp a child and I pray oh Jesus return soon! But we can have hope, because He will! So let's hurry up and complete His mission so this can happen. We have to share....and I'm so guilty for not. I pray for boldness. Don't get wrapped up in the emotional fluff of Easter, truly follow Him, not just with your words or a Christian label. You can not share about Him and say you are a follower and continually walk in sin. It's impossible. You have either surrendered your life to Him or you haven't. You either live each day for Him and His glory or you live for yourself. There has to be a sense of urgency. I pray this in my own life. Maybe this sounds super Christian or very religious, but those should not even be terms....there are followers of Christ who are obviously and loudly seperate from this world and those who are of the world. No in betweens.... Scary but very real if you consider youself in that category. sorry long, but my heart is heavy. Thankful for what Easter represents and that we are even allowed to be in the presence of God one day. Every knee shall bow and every tounge will confess. Woo hoooo!, are you pumped? Ready to show your fruit? Or will you just say....I believed in you and accepted you in my heart but still enjoyed the pleasures of this world, didn't share your story with anyone....that's just not my thing, but I was very involved in my church and sang the right songs, sat on the same pew for twenty years and prayed when I needed something as I was going sleep? Do you think that will suffice? Or do you think that runs the risk of God saying.....depart from me, I never knew you. You may have called on my name, but you lived for yourself, you didn't flee from sin, you didn't  intimately KNOW me, show me your fruit and your evidence of true repentance, true surrender and utmost obedience. Don't live a comfortable Christian (world view of Christian) life going about the motions. Stop coasting,flee from sin, run to share and delight in knowing Him more and more each step of the way.

This is not just a prayer for others but for myself. I want more friends that live this way. I think I know of 2. Lord help this number grow. I don't want to be surrounded by the watered down version of Christians anymore. I want boldness for myself and others.

Let us wake up and rise up.

Helloooo Blog World- anyone home?

So, I've taken a break.....obviously.  I'm not sure if I'm ready to come back in full force yet, but I have an itch to post today.  Perhaps I will do a quick update and then at some point go back and post October till now.  Eek.

Gabe is almost 4!  Holy Moly.  I am in the process of planning his party.  He wanted outerspace theme, then transformers, then power rangers and now he wants Star Wars.  Has he seen the movie Star Wars?  Nooooo.  He doesn't know anything about it.  So we are having a crash course this month, so he will know something about his bday party theme.  (and I will too)  I've been pinning and have had fun finding cute ideas for the party- I'm even thinking of doing my hair like Princess Leia, but that may be a little much. :)

My pin board here: Gabe's Bday Party Ideas 


I started a new job at the end of December.  It's been such a blessing.  I really feel like I add value here and think there is room for growth.  I am the Operations Supervisor for Health Partners America.  When people ask what I do, instead of giving a long complex explanation I say, "We are basically a way to survive ObamaCare"  You should see liberals' reaction to that.  Basically we provide, tools, training and resources for Insurance Agents.  It's a lot more complex, check out the website here.  It's a start up company, which is fun and challenging at times.  I really think it's going to do well and I'm excited I get to be part of it.  I love the personalities of everyone here, I think we are quite a fun and witty group :)


Gabe broke out in a rash this past week/weekend.  I was very worried about him, but I guess it looked worse than it was.  I hated not being able to take him anywhere.  Other parents would most likely give me the evil eye for my infected child.  We did however venture out to Cracker Barrell and the outlets for some shopping.  He had to miss his best friend's birthday party :(.  It broke my heart to tell him he couldn't go.  He had been looking forward to it for so long.  The pic below doesn't do it justice, it was way worse the morning after this and covered his face :(

My small group is doing the Experiencing God study.  I've heard great things about it.  We are three weeks in, it is such a different perspective from what I was raised on.  Good stuff.

Secret Church is this Friday.  I'm pumped.  The topic this time is, Heaven, Hell and the End of the World.  I think it's going to be great.  I got my comfy clothes and snacks ready for my 6pm to 12am crash course.  (Last year it went till past 1am).

My best friend is engaged!!!  I can't wait to see her.  We have a mini beach trip planned in a few weeks.  We are meeting in St. Augustine (where she wants to get married) so it will be fun to check out some venues, etc.  I am so happy for her!

I'm on a health kick right now- it probably will not last for long, but trying to eat clean and I am working out most mornings at 7:15am- Who am I right?  I got some new black kicks and for some reason they make me feel like much more of an athlete than I am.

hmm, have I covered everything?  Probably not.  Oh, I recently purchased some Ikea bookshelves, so it's been fun shopping for decor items to fill.  (and the $$ adds up)  I am also getting a new coffee table soon.  A guy is making it and the money go towards his mission trip, which I love that I have the opportunity to help support.  I am excited to see how the table turns out.  Other projects I want to accomplish, a photo wall and something above my couch. Those will probably be later in the year. Once I get my coffee table I will do a post on all things decor.

Chattanooda, Chagganoog, Chagganoogo

Where are we going Gabe??

Post Coming Soon!

Gabe's Room

I recently redid Gabe's room.  My original plan was to do outer space theme, but Gabe became obsessed with soccer for a bit, so I decided to do something that I could easily add what his interest is at the moment.  It's such a big boy room! :(


Sorry, for the bad pics- my phone was not cooperating.

I love the wall color!  Thanks to J for painting :)  I found the artwork at HomeGoods and the pillow shams were on clearance for 9.99 at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  The comforter is the underside of one of my previous comforters.  The headboard is from his crib :(

The toy shelf is from Bed, Bath and Beyond and the art decor from HomeGoods.  I realize it is not centered...next project for J :)  Gabe keeps his room clean a lot easier now, since each bin is a designated genre of toys.  (I moved his toy chest in his closet)  I have no idea where his toys from Santa this year will go.....

View from the door:  His bookshelf that holds his books and dvds

Art wall :)  I saw this on pinterest and could't wait to do.  He is proud of his displays and of course we have room for upcoming Christmas crafts :)

Yes, the boy has it made......

Gabe writing his name!

He has been able to do this for a few months, but just now have it on video!

November- Random

I picked up G from school one day and noticed they had a new board displayed.  It said, "What am I thankful for....." I love this- all unprompted, haha.

I think Machine is machine gun and I think he listed boat rides, because that morning he went with me to vote, but he thought we were going on a boat.

Convo:  

Me: Gabe, hurry up buddy, Mommy has to go vote

Gabe:  But I want to go!!!

Me:  You can, I am taking you with me

Gabe:  I want to sit in the back

Me: what?

Gabe: I want to sit in the back of the boat

Me: Noooo, haha, we aren't going on a boat, I am going to Vote- with a V, va va va, Vote.

Gabe: But, I want to go on a boat ride

So....I think that's why he listed boat rides.....haha

Sunday my parents made a trip to Birmingham to watch Gabe for a few hours while I helped host a baby shower.  I met them at Costco (love that place) after.  Gabe is recently obsessed with eggs.  He wants them for breakfast and dinner.  He likes scrambled, but hard boiled is his favorite.  It cracks me up, he eats at least two a day.  However, he will not let me help him with anything.  He has to get the eggs out of the fridge , fill a pan with water, put them in (I place them on the stove), then he runs cool water over them and peels them, places them in a bowl and adds salt and pepper.  It's a process, because he is scooting his chair all over the kitchen to reach everything.  This helps me practice patience to say the least.  Anywho- so while in Costco we pass the eggs, the jumbo pack of eggs mind you.....He asks for them and I say no, buddy we do not need that many eggs.  He was amazed that they were brown and wanted them so bad.  We kept moving.  At some point he ran off down the egg aisle.  I couldn't see him anymore because there was a sea of people.  My mom said, "Go get him aAison"...I start to walk down the aisle and he emerges out of the crowd carrying an 18 crate of eggs..........I don't know if he asked someone to hand them to him or if he opened the door and climbed in and got them, but boy wanted some eggs.  And....he got them.  They are now taking up half of my fridge and we are enjoying eggs everyday.

I made Italian Wedding Soup- so yummy

Recent puchase-  Have you guys seen these?  They have them at Wal mart.  There are many styles of decor for the wax warmer and scented wax cubes galore for you to choose from.   The wax warmer is $15.00 and the cubes are $2.00 each.  Smells soooo goood.

Disney on Ice

We went to Disney on Ice with Erin and her crew on November 1st.  We had a lot of fun!  Pics below-

Of course we had to get cotton candy and it came with ears!

Asked them both to smile and Gabe got all attitude on me....

Then I promised him cotton candy and I got a few smiles out of him  (I know T's eyes were closed, but still too cute not to post)

haha, little couple

We had fun!

Halloween 2012

Gabe had his Harvest Party at his school on Halloween

We love Miss Rachael!

Trick or Treating!

October 2012

I've gotten behind on posting.....  October has flown by!  I am already in the Christmas spirit though :) ha, so ready for Christmas music and red velvet cake and yummy smelling candles.

We have done a lot in the past two weeks.  Gabe had his annual field trip to the pumpkin patch, we went to Boo at the Zoo this past Friday night and have trick or treating in Vestavia this Wednesday and then Disney on Ice on Thursday! wooooooooo

Enjoy the pics below-

Pony Rides

Found One!

Cole's mom and I joke that we will be bailing them out of jail one day......

Boo at the zoo

Captain America!!

Spooky Hayride

We had a great time!

Look a like

I took this picture of Gabe yesterday.  Is he not the most handsome little boy ever???????  (beside your own of course).  This picture seriously makes me want to cry.  My heart leaps with joy knowing he is mine and I get to be his mommy.  

I had so many people comment that he looks just like me, so I decided to compare.  Wow, right?

Weekend post coming soon....................