A Quest for Health

In January of this year, we made a decision to change our lifestyles. In the beginning my goal was to lose weight, look better and feel better. During the second month, my focus began to change. Not that these things weren't still part of my goal, but they were not the focus. I happened upon a book called "Made to Crave" by Lisa Teykurst . This book helped me to realize the addiction I had, and how I could change my habits to glorify God.
This started with a change in eating habits. This was not intended to be a diet. We have done so many diets, I can't even count. They all failed because there was no change in lifestyle or heart. They were like band-aids to cover the real issue of food addiction. As a parent and wife, I have carried extreme guilt for the eating habits I have modeled for my family. My children did not learn to like unhealthy food naturally. I purchased and introduced it to them because it was cheaper, easier and quick.
I began to research "healthy" food. Slowly we made changes to the things we eat everyday. Basically incorporating a LOT of fruits and vegetables, fresh whenever possible. Using lean meats and fish, almost eliminating red meat completely. We also eliminated most sugar that didn't occur naturally in food, and switched to Steevia as a sweetner. We started eating more whole grains and whole wheat products versus the "white" stuff. Drinking a lot of water and smaller portions have also been helpful. That is a summary of the eating part of our change. No miracle pills, plans, supplements or food. Just eating healthier.
This is not as constricitng as you might think. It is actually liberating! I am not a slave to food anymore. There is no guilt if I am at a birthday party and have a small piece of cake because I know this is just a treat. It is not part of the daily norm anymore. An ice cream from Ben and Jerry's in Gatlinburg was glorious. It would have never tasted that good if we had continued to eat it every night! I am reminded of a scripture, All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.. 1 Corinthians 10:23. We have the permission and ability to eat whatever we want, but it is not healthy (profitable to our health) and it does not honor (edify) God to choose to be unhealthy stewards of this body he has given us.
After we got a pretty good handle on the eating, we started to get active. This was easier for Bryan and the kids than it was for me! For the past 18 years I have been pregnant 6 times and basically never lost any of the weight I have gained with each pregnancy. Since my soccer lifestyle in High School, I have been pretty much inactive as far as exercise is concerned. This has piled up to a HUGE 100 lbs of excess weight!!! Wow, it is humbling to confess that!! Going from fit and athletic to obese! I have been held captive to food addiction, obesity, and anxiety for half of my life!! God did not design me to live that way!!
I started exercising with video DVD workouts in the safety of my home. I still use them occasionally, but prefer to get outside if possible. Leslie Sansone's walking workouts are awesome! Especially for beginners like me. I also do toning exercises to try to keep a handle on all the saggy skin I am developing.. yuck. I then began the quest to run. I have heard from so many people how great running is, how much it changes your body and mind etc. I have even been told it is "addicting". I have yet to reach the addicted point, but it has made huge changes in my mental and physical state. When I started in February, I didn't do anything close to a run. It was a breathless walk. It took me over 20 minutes to do a mile!! Wow!! I slowly began to jog in spurts between walking. Slowly, minutes began to fall off the time. My goal for now is to be able to run an entire mile without stopping in 10 minutes. I am not there yet, but I know I will be one day! It is not fun yet, and I hate every second of the running (just being honest :)). I do LOVE the way I feel after accomplishing it and the changes my mind and body are making.
I have to say the progress is slower than I would like, but I know that these changes are permanent and it will take some time to recover from all of the damage I have done to my body! We are three months into this journey. This month I have reached huge milestones for myself! I have lost 1/4 of the weight I need to and I shaved another minute off my mile this week! Bryan and I were able to take a 5 mile hike through the Great Smoky Mountains to Abrams Falls! It was an awesome experience!!
I am not writing this to brag or try to make us look super spiritual. I am writing this to encourage anyone who is where we were, to boast in the power and love of God, and for accountability. I plan on posting quarterly until we reach our goal, and regroup from there.
If you are still reading, thank you for taking an interest in our "Quest for Health".

I'm Back!

Wow! It's been over a year since I have posted! So many things have happened in one year, I am not sure I can remember them all. So, I will do a quick recap...

After finally getting settled in the new house next to our church, we found out we were moving again. It was a stressful few months trying to find a house that we could all fit, with in our price range. We were blessed by friends from church, the Greens. They decided that they wanted to give up their life long home and move to the country. In turn, they offered to do a lease/option on their house to us. We moved in October 1st. This house is wonderful! We are so grateful for the opportunity to live here.
We got an opportunity to tackle our first remodeling project as a family, with the help of a lot of friends! We were able to add two bedrooms in the basement for the 3 older girls. There is NO way we could have done this without our friends! We are so blessed.
Kayla turned 18 this year and was accepted into the University of Louisville for the fall of 2012. We are so proud of all she has accomplished! She has maintained excellent grades, while juggling jobs, theater, and the step team.
Bryanna and Lina played soccer for their first competitive team, the River City Jaguars. This was a great opportunity, and they did awesome! They have also started playing for a competitive basketball team.
Bryan had his two weeks training in July for the National Guard. During this time I had to have gallbladder surgery. Not fun! But my family and friends took great care of me! I recovered just in time to spend a weekend away with my love!!
We also found out this year that Bryan will have to leave in September/October of 2012. We don't have the specifics of dates and longevity yet, but we do know he will be going to Djibouti, Africa for at least 12 months. Not looking forward to this, but we will get through and come out stronger like we always do.
These are some of the main events of last year. Hopefully the next post will be less boring :)

Why do we pray if everything is predestined?

I have really been praying about this myself. This question has always been in my heart.I have read lots of books and commentaries, but they just seem to go over my head. I have truly been seeking and researching this question, and I feel like the Lord finally spoke to me. You see, I need practical, down to earth example to make it click for me. Since He laid it out so plainly for me, on my level, I also pray this may help someone else.

In answer to the question...

We have what we want because we prayed for it AND it was God's will. It isn't one or the other, it is both. The prayer is an act of obedience to a command of God. The answer to that prayer is predestined, but so is the prayer. The prayer is not asking to receive so much, as asking to understand His will.

Here is the "practical" example He laid on my heart....


If my daughter wants to date at 13, she will ask, knowing that I already have an answer. I will tell her no, and she will be upset. We will talk about this and open the lines of communication, thus building on our relationship with each other. She will not fully understand my reasoning now, but she will one day. How will she ever know if she doesn't ask? How can she tell others that she cannot date because I love her and I don't think it is best if I don't have the chance to explain that to her. It is about her obedience to ask for permission because we have commanded that of her, and her acceptance of my response, knowing I love her and know better than she, what is best. Maybe she will be able to use that experience to help another girl who's communication with her parents is not that open.

In the same way we pray to God for things, knowing He already has an answer. We may not like His answer, but one day we will understand. The prayer is an act of obedience to a command. It is God's way of communicating with us and building a relationship.

Prayer is not so much asking God to grant our wishes, as it is about building that personal relationship with Him. We may ask and He may say no, or He may let us have the desires of our heart, so we will fall. Then He will use that as a teaching moment or to grow us. Then we may be able to help someone else. We pray because it is a commandment. He will reward our obedience with the peace of knowing we are in line with Him.

I believe God gave us free will. If we are seeking Him through prayer and His word. It is His desire that our will would be in line with His. If we do not pray and seek Him, there will be no relationship, and there will be no peace in our storms.

Eventually, after seeking Him and knowing His will for our lives, our desires will line up with His. There will be a peace beyond our understanding about the ups and downs. One day it will all make sense. I can't wait!!! Until then stay strong in your faith, that as long as you are living out your life with Godly standards and seeking Him without ceasing, that it's okay. he understands our frustrations, He wants us to bring them to Him, not always to take us OUT of the storm, but to carry us THROUGH the storm.

I'm not sure if my thoughts help or not (hopefully I didn't confuse you even more... LOL), but do know that you are not alone!! Many of us have been through similar situations and have the same questions and doubts. Don't be ashamed for asking.

I have really been praying about this myself. This question has always been in my heart.I have read lots of books and commentaries, but they just seem to go over my head. I have truly been seeking and researching this question, and I feel like the Lord finally spoke to me. You see, I need practical, down to earth example to make it click for me. Since He laid it out so plainly for me, on my level, I also pray this may help someone else.

In answer to the question...

We have what we want because we prayed for it AND it was God's will. It isn't one or the other, it is both. The prayer is an act of obedience to a command of God. The answer to that prayer is predestined, but so is the prayer. The prayer is not asking to receive so much, as asking to understand His will.

Here is the "practical" example He laid on my heart....


If my daughter wants to date at 13, she will ask, knowing that I already have an answer. I will tell her no, and she will be upset. We will talk about this and open the lines of communication, thus building on our relationship with each other. She will not fully understand my reasoning now, but she will one day. How will she ever know if she doesn't ask? How can she tell others that she cannot date because I love her and I don't think it is best if I don't have the chance to explain that to her. It is about her obedience to ask for permission because we have commanded that of her, and her acceptance of my response, knowing I love her and know better than she, what is best. Maybe she will be able to use that experience to help another girl who's communication with her parents is not that open.

In the same way we pray to God for things, knowing He already has an answer. We may not like His answer, but one day we will understand. The prayer is an act of obedience to a command. It is God's way of communicating with us and building a relationship.

Prayer is not so much asking God to grant our wishes, as it is about building that personal relationship with Him. We may ask and He may say no, or He may let us have the desires of our heart, so we will fall. Then He will use that as a teaching moment or to grow us. Then we may be able to help someone else. We pray because it is a commandment. He will reward our obedience with the peace of knowing we are in line with Him.

I believe God gave us free will. If we are seeking Him through prayer and His word. It is His desire that our will would be in line with His. If we do not pray and seek Him, there will be no relationship, and there will be no peace in our storms.

Eventually, after seeking Him and knowing His will for our lives, our desires will line up with His. There will be a peace beyond our understanding about the ups and downs. One day it will all make sense. I can't wait!!! Until then stay strong in your faith, that as long as you are living out your life with Godly standards and seeking Him without ceasing, that it's okay. he understands our frustrations, He wants us to bring them to Him, not always to take us OUT of the storm, but to carry us THROUGH the storm.

I'm not sure if my thoughts help or not (hopefully I didn't confuse you even more... LOL), but do know that you are not alone!! Many of us have been through similar situations and have the same questions and doubts. Don't be ashamed for asking.

Blessings to you and your family, Jessica Brown

Saying Goodbye to 2010

Well another year has come and gone! I have to say, although I wouldn't change anything about last year (because of the things we have learned and ways we have grown), I am glad to see it go!

I started this blog with the intention of keeping friends and family updated on the events in our family. So here is a recap of the events of 2010... to the best of my memory.



As a family:

We have moved to a new house, right next door to our church! We actually went through a foreclosure on our home this year. It was a little rough, but we are making it!! We are so thankful to our church, Valley View, for renting us this house. Our new home is a huge blessing to us. It is bigger (and less expensive), than any house we have had. For the first time since Kayla was an only child, she has her own room. We have lots of space and save a lot of money on gas :) In the process of the foreclosure we were able to declutter and purge. We moved here with only what we needed. It has been wonderful. A sort of parallel to the events that were going on in our life. Purging and keeping only what is dear to us!

Here is a recap of each individual:


Bryan

Bryan is still working at Maryhurst. Over the past year he has gone from a Senior 1 at a community based girls home to the assistant PE teacher on their campus. This move has allowed him to be home with us in the evenings, something we haven't had in YEARS! As most of you know, working for Maryhurst does not pay much money. While Bryan realizes his family here, and providing for us is a priority, he feels that this is where God wants him. In some ways we feel like this is his calling to ministry. He has an amazing gift in dealing with children. He has tried many times to pursue higher paying jobs. Gone on interviews for the "sure thing". Some he was over qualified for with his military experience. Put in resumes all over the place etc. Every time, the door closes. We have prayed so many times for God to only open the door if it is His will. In the past we have asked for things we thought we needed.. well, begged :) without regard to what He wants for us, and He gave them to us. Let's just say.. lesson learned! What do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul! Mark 8:36 So while our monetary income is low to say the least, the spiritual pay off is priceless! In being obedient, Bryan has overcome a childhood of abuse and addictions, and become a beautiful MAN of God!! I would rather be poor in the eyes of the world for the rest of our lives, and live a life RICH in Spirit and Truth!
As for the Army National Guard.. February will mark his 15 year anniversary with the military! I am so proud of him for this. He loves his soldiers and is a living testimony to them of the transforming power of God. We have heard rumors of a deployment to Afghanistan over the next couple of years. We will see what happens. You never know with the military. Their unofficial motto is "hurry up and wait".
This year has been a year of trials, lessons, healing and growth!


Jessica

I have spent the past year trying to get my health back on track after being diagnosed with hypothyroid at the end of last year. I am seeing a doctor at a health clinic here. I know they are over run with patients that don't have insurance and I understand why they are not as thorough as I would like. I feel like I need more answers. My doctor says my thyroid levels are normal, but I am not convinced. I have been taking B12 shots in my stomach and taking my meds diligently and still do not feel 100%. I know a lot of it is the weight, but short of starving myself, (which I have tried), I just can't seem to get the weight off either. This is another symptom of the illness among many. I am also showing signs of insulin resistance. Which is why I feel I need to see an endocrinologist. So, prayerfully, when we get our tax returns, we will purchase health insurance through the military and get some answers.
I do know that being sick and tired has made me depend more on my family. It has been a huge blessing to see how all of my childrens' gifts are coming out as they are needed more. Kayla is the entertainer. She can make me smile no matter how tired I am. Bryanna is my cleaner and organizer. I know I can depend on her to "do it like mommy". Lina is "mommy #2". She can take care of Bella as good as, and sometimes better, than me. Jeremiah is a lover like his daddy. He never runs out of hugs and kisses to brighten my day. Seraya is so smart! When I am feeling like a horrible "homeschool mom". She picks up a 6th grade reading book to read for leisure, and gives me the boost I need to press on. Bella, well let's just say she is grand finale. The last of our biological children and making it for all it's worth :)
I have some awesome friends that have really been there for me this year. Thanks so much for listening, and helping.
Bryan has become my rock (after God of course)! He is my bestfriend and husband for life. We have been through so much, self inflicted and otherwise. There is no one else I would rather walk alongside but him. Our marriage is stronger now than ever, and I thank God every day for him. It has been a joy to see him lead our family and to be his "help meet" Genesis 2:18-20.


Kayla

Kayla turned 17 this year!! Where has the time gone. After being homeschooled in middle school, we decided to let her go back to public school for high school. She is a junior at Lousiville Male High School. We gave her some guidelines to follow for this to happen. I must say, she has exceeded our expectations. She is not only a social butterfly, but an excellent student. She has earned lots of scholarship money and become quite the actress. She will be attending a special school this summer (GSA) to pursue the arts and see if that is where she wants to move forward after graduation.
Everyone knows where you see Kayla, you see Shelby, and vice versa. We love Shelby, Kayla's best friend. Their personalities are completely different, yet balance each other so well.
This is a big year for Kayla! Driver's License, 1st car and 1st job!! She is a nanny for a single mom a few hours a day.
Although we butt heads the most (because she is a "mini me") I am so proud of the beautiful young woman she is becoming.

Bryanna

Bryanna became a teenager this year! We celebrated her birthday with some of her girlfriends at a hotel this year. We rented a couple rooms, got lots of junk food and caffeine and swam in the indoor pool. It was a lot of fun... for the kids :) She has always played soccer, and is very good at it. This year she found that she is gifted in softball. She has never played before, but is a natural! She also played basketball well this year. Like her daddy, she is an athlete. She can play just about any sport well.
Bryanna is also gifted with music. She can play any instrument you hand her by ear. We are going to work this next year on getting her some formal instruction in music theory. Bryanna did get some of her momma! She is a natural cleaner/organizer. The move this summer would not have been as smooth without her help. Love it when we are both.. "in a cleaning mood" at the same time! Everyone else runs to hide :)
Bryanna is in 8th grade, but started on some high school classes this year. We are taking it slow, but want to keep her challenged. For right now, we will continue to homeschool her through high school, possibly sending her to CEC for a few classes next year. She has made a lot of friends through sports, church and our homeschool co-op, thus fufilling the social need to be in school.
She is a beautiful, quiet and self motivated young lady!


Lina

This year Lina started playing basketball and she is awesome! Like the other children, they have always played soccer and done great, but basketball is truely her gift. She is just starting a new season and this will be her last year before moving to the older league.
She is doing great in school. Trying to get through all this middle school curriculum and ready for high school. She has a lot of friends, and may possibly attend CEC next year as well. She also got her braces off this year and loves flashing her pretty smile.
Lina has the gift of taking care of younger children like her daddy. She is going to be a great mom some day. The move we made this summer would have also been difficult without her. She was and still is a huge help with Isabella. She definitely has her momma's attitude. We are both working on that :)
She is a beautiful and nurturing young lady!


Jeremiah

"Bubba" is 8 and growing like a weed! He is going to be really tall. Starting at 10lbs at birth to 30lbs at 6months!! He is barely much more than that now! The biggest event in his life this year was his baptism. You can see the story in a previous blog post. It was an awesome blessing to see Bryan baptize his only son!

Bubba tried football this year, but wasn't really feeling it. He continues to play soccer. Not quite what daddy invisioned for him.. futbol instead of football! But he is proud, none the less. He will be playing basketball over the next few months.
He has made huge strides academically over this past year. He had decided that he is ready to read and has taken off!! He has always done well with math. Since moving to the new house, Bubba is able to escape some of the overwhelming estrogen in this house during the day. He spends a lot of time outside playing, riding his bike, and fishing in the pond behind our house. He has a lot of friends, but his favorite is Jack Britt, his brother from another mother. (or at least the fight like brothers)

He is "all boy", yet at the same time so tender and loving (just like daddy). Can't wait to see what God has in store for his life. Bubba says he's going to be a pastor :)

Seraya

Seraya is 7 this year. Just 11 months younger that Jeremiah. Which means they are the same age for a month, and she doesn't let him forget that! She is full of spunk and personality and very tender hearted. She easily gets her feelings hurt. According to her.. all her friends are her BFF's.

She has done amazing with school this year. She continues blow me away with the things she is able to do. Her reading skills are phenomenal! I love to watch her read to Bella.

She has been playing soccer, but doesn't seem interested this year. She really wants to do gymnastics, but that's not in the budget right now ;)

Seraya is definitely a physical touch girl. She shows her love by hanging.. I mean hugging on you :) I love her beautiful smile and her hugs.

Isabella

Bella is 2!! I can't believe that it has been two years already! She is a complete mixture of all my children. So full of personality. She can carry on a conversation like a 5 year old. She has grown a lot over the past year. Most people say to take the bottle away from babies when they are 1. Well, Bella just got rid of hers yesterday. She only took it at bedtime, but still. She is also potty training. We are mostly out of diapers during the day, unless we are out, but still wearing them to bed. She is so proud of her big girl panties! Now the pacifier, her "pappy", that's going to take some time :) Not choosing that battle right now!

She is the last biological addition to our family. It's kind of sad to say that, but it's time to move to the next phase of our lives. We have all enjoyed spoiling her, hopefully it doesn't come back to bite us!

She reminds me of the poem.. "There was a little girl, with a little bitty curl, right in the middle of her forehead...." you know the rest ;)

Well, that about sums up the past year of our lives. If you've continued reading this far, you must really love us! And, we love you too!! Be blessed in 2011!!

Looking Back

Thanksgiving is over, so in most circles the season of expressing "thanks" has passed. I feel the need to extend that season for our family. I want to live in a state of "Thanksgiving".
Psalm 30:11-12 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

I am thankful for the storms...
These past 5 or 6 years have been rough for our family. We have been through some trials that have tested just about every area of our faith. Some public and some still private. Looking back, I would change only one thing. It would be my faith. It is so hard to have faith in the midst of a storm, yet I found myself clinging on to the source of life. There were many times I felt so distant from God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2Corinthians 4:16-18
I found myself questioning "why me?", what have I done to deserve this. I was recently reminded, that for me to "deserve" anything bad, would mean that I could actually do something good enough to "deserve" anything good. We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind. (Isaiah 64:6)
My faith was weak, I was an autumn leaf! I withered and fell many times. I am eternally grateful to my God, who is strong enough to handle my doubt, faithful enough to carry me through my storms when it was to hard to walk, and merciful enough to not give me what I really deserve! He takes my filthy rags of righteousness and turns them into beautiful robes of praise. On the other side of this storm, looking back, I am thankful for all we have been through. It has strengthened my faith. I still don't understand it all, but I know that right now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. I do know that without having gone through tough times, I could have never experienced the true victory in Christ. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ! I have learned to wait on Him and His timing.. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Jeremiah's Baptism

Today I stand in awe of God's soveriegnty. I was able to witness the 4th of our six children, and only son, Jeremiah, be baptized. The sweetest part was watching my husband, Bryan perform this symbolic step in Bubba's life.

A few months ago, our cat had kittens. We are in the process of moving and cannot have any pets in our new home. We were facing the challenge of finding a home for all SIX cats! After exhausting all of MY resources, I had decided to take the last orange kitten to the Humane Society. This was devastating to my children who were sure she would be euthanized. That is when God brought out HIS resources :)
I received an email that evening from someone helping a family from the "Make a Wish Foundation". She told me the story of an eight year old little girl that was dying of Leukemia. One of her wishes was to have an orange kitten. WOW!

Through the next couple of weeks, we set up the exchange of the kitten, all along following this child, Cambrey's story on Caring Bridge. She was indeed a beautiful 8 year old girl, stuck with a horrible terminal disease. We prayed for her often. My heart would bleed for these parents that were losing one of their children. Her parents would write of how strong Cambrey's faith was, about how she wasn't afraid to die because she knew Jesus would be with her. Her mom also shared that they had prayed for the kitten to give her comfort through her last days. They took the kitten (now named Cutie) to the vet and learned that she too had Leukemia!! Seeing God's hand in all of this has been breathtaking!!

Jeremiah was especially, touched by her story. He began to ask a lot of questions about God, death, salvation etc. These talks went on for weeks. I know this seems deep for an 8 year old boy, but he has a very sensitive and discerning spirit. He asked me really HARD questions. (Some I had to seek answers for). I saw the heart of my little boy grow from curiosity about God, to having a desire to want to serve and live for HIM! Don't get me wrong, he is still "Bubba", he was climbing on the roof of the van and jumping off shortly after.. LOL! But we had some very tender moments I will cherish forever. We spend so much time with homeschooling, and life in general, trying to instill in our children a hunger for the Lord. It was precious, to see the lightbulb go on. The moment when they finally "get it". He decided that day that he wanted to be saved! We talked through the steps of salvation together, and he attended "first steps" at our church, Valley View. He even says now that he wants to be a pastor when he grows up :) (just looked up the meaning of Jeremiah.. it means "chosen by God)

I sent a note to Cambrey's mom and asked her to let Cambrey know, that we were so sorry for what she was going through, but that she had saved Jeremiah's life! And because of her innocent, courageous faith, she would meet Jeremiah one day. Not in this life, but beyond the gates of splendor. In a new life that is an eternal paradise for those who believe. He had been saved, and would be baptized soon. Cambrey was baptized on July 10th in her swimming pool at home. (she was too sick to leave her home). One week later, on July 17th, she went HOME.

Which leads me to today..

I was able to witness my only son be baptized by my amazing husband. Seeing the man of God Bryan has become, makes me love him more now than I ever thought possible. Seeing the man of God Jeremiah will be, give me joy indescibable. God is truely AWESOME and AMAZING!!!

I feel completely blessed beyond measure for the life I have been given. Seeing one parent lose a child while I still have all six of mine here with me, is proof that God is no respecter of persons. I surely do not deserve this precious life I have and even more importantly, the immeasurable gift of salvation provided by Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. I have made up my mind to be content with what this life offers, knowing that it is but a temporary pit stop, to an eternal life in heaven.

BUSY BUSY!!

Finally finished my training and will be on the floor tonight!! Praying I make good money! Bryan and the kids have been awesome with this transition in our life! I would joke with Bryan and call him my substitute teacher, but I think he deserves the title of co-teacher! He is doing a great job with the kids schooling! In fact, I am getting a little jealous... :) We have implemented a little more structure in our week to make things go smoother with mom and dad in and out. I am so blessed to have a family whose glass is always half full!! We just pull together and make it work, whatever it is. This season in our lives is a little busy, but thankfully we have the privledge to homeschool! I do miss Kayla! Between school and her social life, and now me working, we don't get much time together. She is a teenager, so I am sure she would prefer it that way :)

Although we are BUSY BUSY right now, I feel like more than ever I am conscious of embracing each moment we have together as a family. Not just "getting through" another day, but living each day and making it matter.

Momma's going to work?!?

Bryan and I have decided that I am going to have to go back to work for a while. While I know this is just a "season" in our lives, I am still a little apprehensive. I have not officially had a real job outside the home in over 6 years. I think it will be a nice break, but am overwhelmed at the thought of trying to squeeze all of this into my life right now. I know that God is in control, and He will never give me more than I can handle, So I am clinging to those promises right now. Bryan is an awesome dad, and is willing to teach the kids on the days that I work. If you feel led, please pray that this is an easy transition for us.

farm fun (: [HQ] [HQ]

farm fun (: [HQ] [HQ]

Weekend at the Lee's Farm

Reflecting on an awesome Saturday at the Lee's farm. Bubba caught a huge catfish... 7lbs. His face lit up so bright when he ran to tell Bryan that he had just reeled that fish in! It was precious. The kids also got to shoot a few different types of guns. We cooked out, and Bryan made his famous ribs! Later that night John and his boys built a super bon fire. We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores.

We had such a good time. I love that we can build these sweet memories for our family. Good old fashioned fun. No amusement parks, expensive toys (well, maybe the guns LOL), not a lot of money spent, but the experience was priceless. We are so blessed to have such amazing friends!! I can't wait to do it again!!

Isabella

The baby! Need I say more. She's too cute!

Seraya

The princess of the bunch! She is super sweet and smart. She loves animals and hope to be an animal police woman one day :)

Jeremiah

BUBBA! He is all BOY, yet a gentle teddy bear..... Just like his daddy!! The only boy of six children, but he doesn't mind being the favorite son.

Maeliga

Lina is what she is better know as. She is the most nurturing of the children. She is going to make a great mom one day! She is always ready to give hugs and kisses!!

Bryanna

Bryanna is very smart and very musically inclined. She can pick up just about any instrument and play it by ear. She is the most shy of our children and super organized!

Kayla

Kayla is a funny and talented. She is very gifted at performing arts and is always honor roll at school. She is the oldest and she thinks, the wisest, of all the children.

About US

Bryan and I met in August of 1995. Although we were not living for the Lord at that time, I believe His hand has always been over us. We knew shortly after meeting that we were in love and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. We were married 6 months later and Bryan left for basic training. For those of you that knew us then, I know you thought we were crazy and we would never make it. I have to admit there were times I thought the same thing :) But here we are, almost 14 years later and more in love now than ever. We give all the glory to whom it is due, it is only by the grace of God that we are who we are today. We surrendered our will and our lives to Him on Easter morning of 2000, and have never been the same since. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with Bryan here and beyond. He is the best husband and father, and I feel blessed to be chosen as his "help meet" Genesis 2:18