We leave for our vacation/moving trip in just 5 days. I think I am almost ready. Trying to make sure every little thing is done. I can't wait to be with Joel and the girls... driving through some states. Many memories to be made.

Last night I had dinner with two close friends. We ate great food and laughed and talked.. and they both had very special gifts for me. I will cherish these gifts but even more cherish these women. Both hold special places in my heart. I am so fortunate to have been many places to meet many amazing people. People with amazing stories and views of life. People who have lived all over the world and have experienced so much. I am thankful for who God has placed in my life. Even if those relationships will soon just be through the phone or facebook, I count myself extremely blessed.

SNOW?!

I just heard snow is coming our way. I usually welcome this with open arms and a pot of coffee but I do not have time for snow. I have a dinner date with two very important ladies on Thursday and if snow interrupts this... I am not going to be happy. That's all.

I have a high school friend who lost her husband last night due to a heart attack. It breaks my heart. He was too young and is leaving behind a wife and children. It just does not seem right. I hate it and cannot imagine the pain they will go through.

That being said, I feel that this is another reminder of what is important. Loving and taking in every moment. Living life not consumed with silliness but living it to love others. It makes me so thankful for Joel.. my kids... my family, etc. We always think that these things can never happen to us when in fact we all can face these things at any moment in time. I know we cannot live in fear. We must trust. We must love and hug on our families more.

On another note, I had coffee with a dear lady today. We do not see each other often but she is a woman that I look up to. Someone I would go to for advice. Someone I would go to to seek wisdom. Her husband also reminds me of my dad in many ways. Again, I am thankful to have people like this in my life.

Hug on those you love today. Then do it more every day.

Good, so good.

I feel as thought I am on top of the world today. We accomplished a lot of schoolwork today, Joel and I got to chat together this morning (which does not usually happen), and plans are just all falling into place. I am amazed. I am joyful. I am looking forward to the future. I feel rich. Not in the sense of the word rich in worldly terms, but rich because of my kids, my husband, those that love me, health, and love from God. I love how God has placed awesome people in my life. People that challenge me to be better. I love that the joy that I feel is not always determined by my circumstances. It is being able to look at anything.. good or bad and to be able to truly say.. "it is well with my soul."

another post.. told you lots on my mind

I love music. All kinds. All people.. fast slow loud quiet- you name it, for the most part, I like it. It makes you feel things.. happy sad, joyful, mad, irritated, etc. It is powerful.
I love it and am glad my kids love it too. that's all.

My heart is heavy today.... lots on my mind.

I have a lot on my mind today. Good things and things that make my blood boil. I realize we all stay stupid things, we speak when we should not, we are hypocritical and often find it hard to look at ourselves objectively. My husband is pretty good at looking at things objectively so I am trying hard to learn this from him and to put it into practice. First off, Christians (and yes I proclaim to be one) are so stupid sometimes. They say the stupidest things and have no idea the damage those things can do. I understand we are to be a light but sometimes we can cause more damage. I hate to see this and I am certain I have been guilty of this at some points in my life. God forgive me. I need to love as you loved.
Second, I am amazed at the blame game going on with this guy who took several lives as he opened fire in a Safeway in AZ. Can we not just come together as a country even on this? Lives are lost and we want to blame talk radio? that would be like me blaming a song on the radio for something I did.. seriously I do not get it. We cannot look objectively anymore. It is all about right and left. I am not even a Palin fan at all but there is no way I could honestly blame her for this nut job who did these killings. No one in there right mind does things like that. It was his fault. He did it... he is crazy, No one MADE him do it. Can we just look back and see things like this without making them political? without making crazy accusations? I just do not get it. I hope to God that I am never so blinded by my side of politics and beliefs that I can not look at things objectively. I know it is hard and I know I am guilty but it just makes me sad. Let's come together. Right now.
Another thing, I am trying to sell things on Craigslist and I am about to lose my mind. I have never had this experience before. People cannot be trusted. They send me spam all the time and it is getting old. They keep sending me links to Obama giving me money. GRRRRRR. First off, I don't want his money (he has none to give) and it is bogus! STOP sending them to me!!!

what drives you nuts?

What drives you crazy? Here are a few things that drive me nuts.. and it's my blog so I can make that list!

- blameshifters. I get that we all do it to some extent- but seriously.. grow up and take responsibility for yourself. You are too old to say- "she made me do it."

- I can't stand it when people are fasting and post it all over facebook. No one wants to know... and it is a private thing.

-I am not a fan of hearing someone floss their teeth. The sound gets under my skin.

-I hate when I feel I have wasted a day. Or do I, because I have been doing it a lot lately.

- I also do not like how people CAPITALIZE random WORDS to prove a point and put 50 MILLION Exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (even though I often put more than I should.)

-I hate how laundry is never ever ever done. It always comes back.



I do love many things though... but just felt the urge to get those things that drive me nuts off my chest. :)

thank you Jesus!!

My theme song for the day... totally clinging to these words and thankful for His promises.


Thank You for Your kindness
Thank You for Your mercy
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the price You paid

Thank You for salvation
Thank You for unending grace
Thank You for Your hope
Thank You for this life You gave

There is no one like You
There is no one like You, God
All my hope is in You
Jesus, Jesus

Thank You for Your promise
Thank You for Your favor
And thank You for Your love
And everything You've done for me

There is no one like You
There is no one like You, God
All my hope is in You
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

To Your name
We give all the glory
To Your name
We give all the praise

You're alive
Our God everlasting
So let Your face shine on us

There is no one like You
There is no one like You, God
And all my hope is in You
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

To Your name
We give all the glory
To Your name
We give all the praise

You're alive
Our God everlasting
So let Your face shine on us

To Your name
We give all the glory
To Your name
We give all the praise

You're alive
Our God everlasting
So let Your face shine on us
So let Your face shine on us
So let Your face shine on us

Happy News!

I am currently home alone while Joel took the girls to buy a soccer ball. It is in the middle of winter but it was sunny today. I think that they think it is going to be spring soon. Not even close guys! Anyways, today was a great day. I started it out with some quiet time, a workout , a shower and then school with the girls. Every time I gave them a break from school, I spent it praying and crying for Ronan, the little boy fighting cancer who had surgery today...... I am so happy to say that it was a success. Not sure of details as of now, but surgery went well. It is so cool to see everyone come together on facebook and to know that people all over the world are praying and fighting for that little boy. I love when good people come together and support each other. I also found out that some friends of mine who have been waiting and waiting to have a baby... found out that they are indeed pregnant. They are going to be great parents. I love days when I hear good news like this. It reminds me that as awful as the world is and how it seems bad news hits us left and right sometimes, God is still in control and is doing awesome things among us.

This is totally random but this is my blog and I just have to say it... I cannot stand it when people refer to God as daddy or dad. I realize He is our spiritual father but for some reason it just totally creeps me out.

Here is a picture of the Koch Family... good friends indeed.

Happy New Year!

It is a new year and it is about to get crazy for us. Lots going on.... a lot to be excited about. I am ready for the ride. I love how everyone loves new starts and loves the newness and freshness of a new year. Just a few of my goals for this year.....
love my kids more and deeper every day...
be a better and more loving wife.....
read the entire bible in a year.....
read more... (I read two books yesterday so I am off to a good start!)....
continue to run and run some more races!.....
learn to do some crafty things.....

there are many more things that I have in the back of mind to accomplish this year. I am looking forward to loving family, making memories most of all, and no going one single day without thanking Jesus for the many blessings in my life!