Cheers for Jesus!

We are half way through the Halloween day and Emma already has a bucket full of candy. She is a Denver Broncos cheerleader.




None of her cheers mention the Broncos though. Here are her two favorites: "GO JESUS GO!" and "GOD LOVES US!"

We went to Young Life (the non-profit I write grants for) and she got to trick-or-treat. We met a friend there, and without discussing their costumes both our daughters showed up in the exact same costume.


Isn't that awesome!? They were a hit with all the Broncos fans here! Emma would yell her cheers for Jesus, then Gwennie would cheer "shoes, shoess, shoes." It was so funny!

Of course Emma did not want to take her nap today, but I insisted because we are going to Grandma's church tonight for a carnival and I don't want to deal with a melt down (her or me). I am sure there will be more pictures to post tomorrow of the festivities from tonight.

Is it really Friday!?

The Rockies...{sigh}...

Well I haven't had a chance to make cards in a while, but I did this one this afternoon for my nephew's 3rd birthday.


We went to the park with him and his family on his actual birthday. Here is Emma playing with her cousins.



This weekend's project will be organizing my recipes. I got this great idea out of my Better Homes and Gardens magazine. You use three-ring binders and photo sleeves for magazine clippings and miscellany recipes. I can't wait to get going on this. Maybe there will be some pictures to document the process.

Rockies Rant

Ok ~ so I had high hopes. The Rockies won 21 of their last 22 games. They swept the Arizona Diamondbacks four straight games. I expected a good game last night...not the blow out that we saw! It was embarrassing. I went to bed early.

But I am giving the Rockies another chance. Game 2 starts in a few minutes. I hope they don't give me the start of another ulcer. Come on Rockies ~ Let's ROCK!

Our First Snow

It snowed in Colorado Springs this weekend! It was a cold Sunday as the snow fell all day but we loved it! Emma was so excited to get bundled up and go out to play this morning.


And because I think this is so funny, I am posting this picture I received via email labeled "Another China Toy Recall."

Is it OK with you if I have a bad day?

I'm not having a bad day today but yesterday I did. It was just one of those days that I call "the breaking point." Yes ~ I broke. All the king's men couldn't put me back together but don't worry ~ The King did! I'm OK today but yesterday was a different story. I was just frustrated with life and the lack of positive change that I have been praying for. Then it happened ~ one lady opened her mouth and put me over the edge.

Thankfully the Holy Spirit kept my mouth shut, but the one lady did enough damage with her hurtful words that I had to spend the rest of the evening in prayer. I guess that's never a bad thing...to be in prayer...no matter what leads us there.

But here's the point (there really is a great point to this, I think). When I am having a bad day like yesteray, I don't need a sermon...or Bible verses flippantly thrown my way...or condemning questions about why I might be having such a day...or someone trying to "fix it." NO! All I need is someone to listen to my pity party and say, "I'm sorry." Sometimes it's just a bad day, and I just need to feel like I have been heard and that someone can relate.

I'm just grateful that my King does understand and He doesn't condemn. He just says, "Come to me...all who are weary...and I will give you rest." And that's exactly what the King of Kings did for me last night.

Go ROCKIES!

The last time I watched the World Series I was pregnant and sick as a dog confined to bed. We didn't have cable so there were three channels to choose from. Because I can't stand most of those corny nighttime comedy or drama shows, I landed on the World Series. I remember it so well. It was the year Boston got the "monkey off their backs" and won. They were a real underdog but came out on top. It was very cool ~ I love it when that happens.

And so the Colorado Rockies find themselves in a similar situation. NO ONE thought they would even make it as a wild card. Now here they are ~ going to the World Series. I have watched all the play off games with my husband, and they have all been very exciting! It's not like I am this huge baseball fan, but when "your team" is winning it's hard not to jump on the bandwagon. The excitement buzzing around town is awesome! Colorado is excited about their Rockies!!! I'm excited about the Rockies!!!

And I really needed some excitement. The past couple of months have been hard for us as a family. We have dealt with ongoing illness and several disappointments as a result. This weekend Emma and I were supposed to go to Texas (my home) to visit family. It is a trip we take every year and plan months in advance. But, sadly, it won't be happening. At least not this weekend.

As I walked to the mailbox just a few minutes ago, I was reminded of how blessed I am. There are about a dozen butterflies living in a bush out front. They are so beautiful to watch. I looked around and remembered God's goodness to us. I live in a beautiful place. And this photo taken by my neighbor is a great reminder of that fact. This is taken from the top of our street.



I'm not only blessed by where I live. I am blessed with a Godly husband who is my best friend and we have tons of fun together. I am blessed with a beautiful, bright little girl who loves to make us laugh. I'm blessed with wonderful family who live close by and dear, sweet friends (near and far). I'm blessed to serve a loving God whose compassions are new every morning for me. What more could I ask for?!

TGIF!

I think we are all thankful it's Friday, but last night I was not looking forward to today. I was anticipating being in oral surgery for most of the day having one - if not two - root canals. YUCK!

It all started Tuesday with a visit to the dentist. I was having some "sensitivity" in one tooth. By the time I left there, my dentist had told me I had an infection in an old root canal and the tooth next to it had fractures ~ both of which would need a root canal to fix. If that wasn't possible, I would be facing an implant. WHAT?! I am only 34 years old...barely!

So this morning I had a very early appointment with an endodontist specialist. (Let's just say I have not seen a sunrise in a while. It was breath-taking!) They were wonderful and spent over an hour with me. I had questions about many teeth - not just the two that my dentist was concerned about. And they checked each tooth and did all they could to diagnose the problem. Which - as it turned out - was nothing! No infection. No fracture. No cavities.

At this point I am praising God, of course! All the specialist found was that my crown on another tooth needed to be adjusted because it was altering my bite, causing too much pressure on other teeth, hence the various aches and pains.

In the end I was done with dental issues by 9 am and was able to join Tim and Emma for lunch at my in-laws house. We had a beautiful afternoon playing outside and spending time with family. Now that's a good ending, don't you think?!

Zoo Day & Cards

Emma and I got to go to the zoo today with some friends. It's the first time we have been since summer. It was a beautiful fall day and so relaxing. Just what I needed!


Yesterday I was working on Bible study and it brought me to Galations 5:22-23, which is about the fruit of the Spirit. That reminded me of a new stamp that my sis-n-law gave me not long ago, so as soon as I was done I headed to the craft room to make cards! The fruit of the Spirit is my favorite topic from the Bible. I read everything I can about it. And this year I have hosted two showers where that was the theme. Love it! After making these cards, I decided this is my new favorite stamp. By the way, can you tell I am hooked on Groovy Gauva paper? I use it on almost every card. At least I found some different coordinating papers this time. I was excited about that, too!






I'm hoping to head to Archivers this weekend to use a bday gift card, so hopefully I will get some inspiration for Christmas cards. I have been debating about whether to make my own this year (something I haven't done in several years) because I send out over 100 cards. But I am feeling up to the challenge since I made over 100 cards for the wedding I coordinated this summer. All I can say is ~ time will tell.

Ho Hum

I can't remember the last time I had a ho-hum day. We don't have all our usual activities this week due to fall break for our school district. It's been nice to have the down time, which of course I have quickly filled with other things. All that to say, I don't have much to post about. I haven't made any new cards, I don't have any quirky stories to share, I don't feel witty enough today to come up with some clever writing. So.... I am gonna post this picture of my brother Tomy.


He's really not a cross dresser. :) He is a senior at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City, and he did this for a dress code skit for new students. I love his willingness to do about anything to get a laugh! You rock T-Gunn!

Maybe tomorrow I will be back to posting normalcy. Or maybe I will discover some other funny pictures of Tomy. You never can tell....

Truth Cards

Here is one more project I wanted to show you. I came up with this idea several years ~ based on the scripture John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

I like to buy those spiral bound index cards and write Bible verses on them that are meaningful to me. I carry one in my purse or in the car and have them around the house. Then when I am feeling frustrated, afraid, sad, etc. (or just need to push some negative thoughts out of my mind), I can pull out my cards and fill my heart and mind with some truth from God's Word.

So last week when this very topic came up in my Bible study, I knew I wanted to make a truth card for each lady in my small group.



I hope they inspire you to make your own truth cards and carry the Word of God with you. This is the power we are given to be victorious on a daily basis. Let's use what we've been given!

Monday, Monday

Well I had a relaxing and fun weekend in Breckenridge. I didn't take many pictures because...well we didn't do much. And that was the whole point for me. The speaker, Lysa TerKeurst was awesome. She is so funny and real and down to earth.

During our free time my roommate Tiffiny and I went for a long walk, read magazines, had quiet time with God and talked LOTS! It was really fun getting to know her better. We also had a two hour lunch with some other girlfriends, which was wonderful. Here is a picture of Felicia (a new friend), Tiffiny and me.

I took this picture of these three ladies because they were so cute and inspiring! They sat at the same table with us one morning and told us how they had been friends for 20 years. Their kids grew up together, they had gone through every major life event together, and here they were ~ having a great time! I thought and said "I wonder if that will be the three of us in 20 years, looking back at this first retreat when we were new friends getting to know each other better." Hmmmmmm...... It's fun to think about.


I got exactly what I needed and hoped for at this retreat. Some rest ~ girlfriend time ~ time with God ~ a new perspective ~ and a refreshed heart. I was so excited to return home. Emma met me at the door with a full arms and legs hug. Tim had bought me flowers and Emma made me a card welcoming me home. It was a special homecoming.