Happy Birthday Gabe!

Gabe,

    You are now a 3 year old (going on 16) and embracing life to the fullest.  I smile thinking about you as I drift into sleep and rise to wake each and every day.  You are exactly what I prayed for and even more so what I didn't know to pray for.  I am so excited to see how God uses your personality and gifts in the years to come.  I'm pretty sure you have already blessed several people, but I know there is more ahead.  Your personality takes over a room.  You are a goof and can make anyone laugh including yourself- haha.  I love that, definitely one of my  favorite things about you.  You are soooo smart.  Someone comments on this just about every day.  It amazes me how easily things come to you....and your memory is ridiculous.  You will remember something mentioned once to you from a year and a half ago.  You have almost mastered the 50 states in alphabetical order, and have only heard it 5 or 6 times.  You memorized John 3:16 before you were 2!  You know your colors in Spanish and can count to 30.  You are at the stage where you ask a million questions about everything.....and will not take "I don't know" for an answer.  I once, replied "I don't know" and your response was, "Mommy you need to tell me what that is, because I don't know and I need to!"  You have this need to learn and understand as much as possible.  This is something I know will take you far in life.  With this comes a stubbornness.  You I think you are the boss of me at times.....but you know right from wrong and are quick to apologize and love on me in remorse.  You have a genuine sweet spirit and a growing servants heart.  I'm excited to help guide you in the Truth and so thankful that God has entrusted me to be your mommy.  I loves yous sooooo much, to infinity and beyond, to pieces and underneath the moon.


Other facts about G:

You were Potty Trained in January of 2012- 2 years and 9 months
Favorite Foods:  Mac and Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, Ravioli and CANDY- esp gum......I eventually gave in since everyone else was giving it to you
You are left handed and super coordinated at any sport you attempt (you recently out-served me at Wii Tennis)
You love Curious George, Super Heroes, Lion King and Beauty and the Beast
You are a night owl- would stay up till midnight or later if I let you- I am doing good to get you asleep by 9. You love to sleep in! Yay (sometimes till 10:30)
You are great at brushing your teeth and have to have mouthwash every night
You request the hymn "Standing on Holy Ground" as your bedtime song
You love to be a helper or take charge of something I need help with-  ex:  I attempted to put together a shoe rack and had some difficulty you said, "Just move over Mommy, I will do this for you" :)
You love tattoos
You love to help me cook
You say "Hey!" to every single person in your view everywhere we go, sometimes I think you would leave with a stranger as you seem to make friends everywhere we go.
You are my G-man, G-money, G, Gabester, Gabey Gabe and Gabriel Lee Holmes! (when you are in trouble!) ha

I would suggest the "no touch" option.....

 Two Saturdays ago was a beautiful day here in Birmingham.  Gabe and I attended a birthday party for one of his classmates that morning and were headed home around 1pm.  I pulled into a Car Wash on Valleydale road.  I cleaned out my car, vacuumed all the gold fish crumbs and candy wrappers and my next move was “The Works”.  I noticed they added the “touch” option since I last visited  (which I usually never do), but I thought, “hey, it’s not like I’m driving a BMW, so I’ll choose “touch” and get a good scrubbin…….”

I pull into the carwash and Gabe is a little scared from the loud noises.  I tell him not to worry, it will be over soon.  He points to the large rubber brush and says, “Mommy I don’t like that brown thing”  Again, I calm him down and explain that it’s simply washing the car.  The “big brown thing” wasn’t spinning, which I thought was odd, but it was laying on the hood of my car and slowly moving forward.  All of a sudden I hear popping and cracking and I look up from my phone and realize that my entire windshield is in the process of shattering…..I scream, Gabe screams and I jump out of my car as fast as I can and get him out of his seat and run barefoot out the back of the carwash.  Fortunately the car wash had stopped, so we didn’t get sprayed with water and soap on our run out (although that would make the story better).  I put Gabe in a strangers car while I went back to my car to get my purse and shoes which were covered with glass…..  

We hung out at the car wash the next 4.5 hours waiting on everything to get taken care of…….

It was a LONG day.

I’m pretty sure Gabe was traumatized and will never visit a car wash again………nor will I

Today my car is still in the shop.....over $1500 worth of damage.  I had a rental car for a week and now I am driving my dad's huge truck- so watch out for me out there, I'm not too great at parking....

My friend Kristen's car was burned to a crisp in her school parking lot last year.  The car next to it caught on fire and then it moved on to Kristen's.   How do these things happen to us?!?

Defiance in a Child (of God)

Oh Gabe.....so defiant at times.  I really think some days he wakes up and decides to do the opposite of everything I tell him.  He is a great/easy going kid, but he does like to test the waters and push his limits with me at times.  This morning was a battle getting out the door.  I am not a morning person and unfortunately neither is he.  I promise I feel like I am trying to get a teenager out of bed.  I tickle his feet, shake him, sing annoying songs that you do not want to hear first thing in the morning, and he just pulls the covers over his face and whines.  Once he is finally out of bed I then have to convince him to brush his teeth.  He actually does a great job on his own (when he wants to) but in the mornings when he is grumpy....not so much.  We spend 5 minutes trying to decide which toothbrush to use ( mistake #1 he has more than one...) He usually goes for which ever one I do not grab (to go along with the opposite theme).  He also whines if I don't hold him the entire time instead of standing on his stool so I can finish putting on make up or curling my hair.  Sigh- I struggle with being stern or just giving in so we both will be in a better mood- Choose your battles right?  So we are brushing and life is good, now potty time and get dressed- eek.  He doesn't want to wear the shirt I have picked out he wants to wear the shirt he wore yesterday....ughhhh, I am running late at this point and snap and say, "Gabe, buddy you have got to chill out and not whine about these things, just get dressed!"  He starts crying...which makes me more frustrated and then it takes even longer and I really want to pull my hair out at this point.  Where is an attractive pool side boy handing me a mimosa at this point???  Or I could just use an extra set of hands.  We are out the door!  Finally!  It's 8:20...oops.  Rush, Rush Rush.  We always have a heart to heart in the car and I explain why I was upset with him and that I love him very much.  He then says, "I'm sorry for not obeying mommy" And my heart melts and I just wish I could spend all day with him......:(

This picture is from yesterday.  We got his hair cut and I asked him to smile so I could take a picture of it:  This is what I got in return.....  

I then say, "ok Gabe, I'm going to take another picture, but please don't smile in this one"

And I get-

I know a lot of this is just a child being a child- but I do wonder how this will play out in his adolescence.  This need to choose opposite of whatever I give him is quite interesting to me.  It really is with everything!  I give him a blue car he wants the red one, I give him a mickey mouse plate for his waffle, he wants buzz light year, I put the syrup on the right side of the plate, he wanted it on the left, I give him a fork, he wants a spoon......ahhhhhh and on and on and on.  Perhaps he is just testing his independence and control over situations.  And again...how much of that do I let him have?  Why can't he just be content?????

And then, that makes me look at my own life.  Lord, am I content?  Why can't I just be content?  Instead, I  want to tell You the things that I want and when and how I want them.  When they don't happen that way, I get frustrated, pouty, resentful- I guess we as adults can still act out just as a child.  He is the Father, He is the One who has authority and I shouldn't argue it.  I should delight in it.  Really, if you think about it, it brings a sense of control and peace to the table.  I don't have to worry about it, He is the one ordaining my life.  Lord, let me see the peace and beauty in this.

So, as much as Gabe can make me want to pull my hair out or just hand him over to the next person that walks my way (kidding!)  I still look into his eyes and know that he will forever have my heart and there is an unconditional love there that could never be broken.  For those that have a child, you know what I'm referring to.  But, the love our Father has for us, is ten times that.  The Word says, that God loves us so much that it makes our love for our children look like hatred.  Wow.  Humbling.

AWODS

I had the privilege of attending the AWODS in March.  Yes, I spelled that correctly.  Irontribe is a crossfit gym here in Birmingham and this was their annual "awards" event.  I will have to post more on my "irontribe/crossfit" opinion later (it's a good one!), but for now- enjoy pics.  I'm thinking some of these will be in the next issue of About Town :)

I had so much fun at the event.  I met some really great people and I love getting dressed up and being social.  I also had the opportunity to introduce myself to David Platt and his wife, Heather.  I have to admit I was a bit nervous in doing so...I feel like they are famous. ha.  (David Platt is the pastor of the church I attend, Brook Hills)

This is a Cake- HOLY MOLY!

All Paleo of course, quite tasty :)

We then ventured over to Steele and Brooke met us there-  Fun night :)

Am I a Christian?

Scary title right?  This has really been weighing heavy on my heart lately, so I thought I would share.  I'm going to be open and honest so here it goes.  Does anyone else get so frustrated at themselves as a "Christian"?  Gosh, I do.  I don't understand why I am not on my knees daily for Him?  Yet, I'm not....I want to be, but I'm not.  I struggle with diving into the Word and really studying it, I struggle with my prayer life and I struggle with turning from what the world has to offer to completely surrender to Him.  I grew up hearing Christianity is like a check list.  Do these things and you will have more favor with God....what a set up for failure right?  We can do nothing/NOTHING to gain favor with Him.  I think I still struggle with this and perhaps it is in the very core of me and that's why I am so hard on myself.  I think because of that it pushes me away further from His grace.  Lord, I believe, Help my unbelief.  (Mark 9:24)

So....what to do about this?  I've joined a small group....and it's helping, but not enough.  I still feel like I'm coasting through.  I know most of us have heard that God does not have a thing for those who are in lukewarm, in fact He even says he will spit them out of His mouth. That is exactly how I would describe myself.  I want to be HOT!  People who know me well, know I place much emphasis on the emotions in life/circumstances.  I think this is how I am with my spiritual life as well, I am seeking for the emotional high.  But, you know what....I've learned it's not good to always be so emotional.  Sometimes you just have to look at the facts and be logical and with this comes discipline.  My discipline would be reading the Word every night.  I know that sounds bad, that it's a discipline, I should enjoy it right?  But, I trust I will once I seek it.  The Word will not return  void.  It is our source of life.  So, I really want to hold myself accountable to this.  I also have decided to keep a prayer journal again to hold myself accountable for prayer with intent.  How many times do I pray in passing or while I'm falling asleep?  This is not what a prayer life is suppose to be.  One of it's purposes is to develop/grow intimacy with God.  And you do that by spending time together, just as any other type of relationship.  Why do I know all these things yet putting them into practice is so hard?

I think if I ask myself at the end of each day, "Alison, Christian, how did you glorify Him today? What did you do to further the kingdom?"  If I, you, any Christian does not have an answer to that...can't we ask ourselves are we really Christian?  I know that is heavy, believe me I do.  But if someone can not look at us and set us apart from the world, are we a Christian?  If we are a child of God can we continuously live in sin?  If our hearts have not transformed and our desires are not to daily surrender to Him and live for His glory alone, are we a Christian?  It is waaaaayyyyyy more than just believing in Jesus and going to church on Sundays.  That's playing a game....and possibly going your entire life without ever really "knowing" Him.  It scares me to think of the day I face Christ and he asks, "What have you done for my Kingdom?"  My answer.....Well, I believed in you and I went on some mission trips and attended church....uhhh studder....   The words returned would be, "Depart from me for I NEVER KNEW YOU"  Lord, I pray this is not the case.  Let me live for You daily, because that is the only thing that matters in this short span on this earth. 

I want more, I need more and it brings my heart great joy to think of how God could rock my world if I give it.


Some versus to ponder on:

1 John 2:15-16



Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.



Isaiah 55:11


It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18  (You are who you surround yourself with)



Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”


Revelation 1:3



Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Beauty Products- Down to the Pore....

So, lately I have been into skin care products.  I really want the size of my pores on my nose to shrink.  Its all I see when I look in the mirror.  Anywho- so I went to Ulta in search of some pore shrinking products.  I purchased  Formula 10.0.5 Pores Be Pure Mud Mask and Down to the Pore Strips.  I chose these because they were only around $10.00 each and the packaging is cool. 

I did browse the skin care section at Ulta, and gosh everything is so expensive.  I've heard such great things about the Philosophy line, but just don't know if I can bring myself to pay that much.  I'm sure I will cave and end up buying it.....  I've also been researching the Clarisonic.  I've read really great reviews, so this may be my splurge for Spring.  I currently use make up remover wipes (which I feel are rough on my skin) and then follow with eye make up remover (I use close to 7 cotton balls- ugh) and then wash my face with a mild face wash Neutrogena Simple or Mary Kay.  I then have to do eye make up remover again, because what I had still on my eyes smeared when I washed my face.....and I still don't feel fully cleansed.  So I've read that the Clarisonic gives you that deep clean feeling.  So, when you apply moisturizer or anti aging creams it settles deeper into your skin and you soak up more of the good stuff!  I will keep you posted if I end up getting this.  I'm excited just thinking about it.  My goal is to start doing a mask and nose strip once a week along with a scrub once a week and use a gentle cleaning cream/wash every night and morning.  I'm also a sucker for anything that has vitamins and minerals in it.  I honestly wonder if all the anti wrinkle cream stuff even works....I feel like good skin is a combination of genetics and taking care of yourself when you are younger (your diet, spf and adding vitamins and minerals to your skin), I feel like if you keep up a good routine of doing so, your skin will be the best it can be with what God gave you.

For all your beauty product questions and concerns please go to What's the Story Brooke?  She's way more into this stuff than I am, although I feel like I'm not far behind.  We would probably be so dangerous in Sephora together....eek.   

Have a Pore-tastic Friday- yeah....that was lame...I know ha

Hello Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have decided to go public with my blog!  What's the joy of writing updates if I'm limiting those who can read about my fabulous life.....(sarcasm).  I am hoping this will hold me accountable and I will post more.  We shall see.  Anyways- enjoy new readers, Gabe and I welcome you :)