Sadie You Can Drive My Car...

...Yes, I'm gonna be a star!

Um for those of you *cough, Tammy, cough* who aren't in the know, that is a line from a Beatles song. Ha! This is a cell phone shot of our Sadie, "driving". Isn't she adorable?!

Cardboard Testimonies

Saw this on another blog recently - what a powerful message of His grace! How amazing is His love for us. Struggles and sins and heartaches, things in our lives that once seemed impossible to overcome...with Him all things become possible. Thank you Jesus!

Sadie

We recently gained a furry family member! Sadie is our new pup and she is part terrier and part dachsund. In this pic, you can see more of Jarrett than Sadie, but she is the sweetest dog ever! She is quite the entertainer too, along with being a snuggle bug of a dog. She fits right in with our family!

A Special Sunday

Yesterday, the Clark Brothers were at ALC live! These guys really know how to get down! We so enjoyed getting to hear them and be blessed by their gift of music.

ALC also hosted a "Baptismal Sunday" event at a local indoor natatorium. Jarrett decided that he wanted to be baptized at this event, so he and 12 other people "took the plunge" to continue their walk ever closer to Christ. We are all so proud and happy for Jarrett. Jarrett's baptism took me back to when I was 11 years old and I was baptized by my Grandpa Blakey. Precious memories...

Woo Hoo!

Ok, so I have been an avid fan of Coldplay for awhile now. Their new album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends is due out soon and I can't wait! Just found out today that they will be returning to the AAC in November - yeah baby! I am SO there!

Friday Field Trip

Jarrett is off on his first long-distance-away field trip today, to Austin, TX! He was so excited this morning, and you know it's one of the few times I'll get him out of bed at 5:30 in the morning! Ha! I armed him with a disposable camera as I am curious to see Austin TX from Jarrett's point of view. :)I am glad he is getting this opportunity to see our State Capitol, and I will be gladder (is that a word?!) when he is back home this evening, safe and sound!

We'll be going to our church's Night of Worship Saturday night, with some good friends of ours. Other than that, we don't have too much on the agenda this weekend. This is a good thing!

We've been tossing around the idea of going to New York this summer to a family reunion on Danny's side of the family, along with his 20th high school reunion. I am really hoping we can go, I have always desired to see the Big Apple and meet "the family". We've got "connections" you know! LOL

And finally, thought I'd include a picture of my Malapie (Malachi) - that boy is such a clown! This is him at a recent family gathering we had at my sis' house.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Remembering Dad

If my Dad would have lived, he would have been 66 years old yesterday. Unfortunately, we lost him suddenly and unexpectedly when he was at the very young age of 41. I was 11 years old. Dad's passing was especially shocking to me because it was my closest encounter with death up until that point in my life.

Now as an adult with children of my own, it is even more evident to me the importance of a father's role in the family. Though my son's father and I are no longer together, I am glad that Jarrett has a Dad who loves him and thankful he has the opportunity to be close to his Dad. I am also grateful for a husband who goes above and beyond to support and love not only his own son, but mine as well.

I wish Dad had gotten the chance to see his children grow up and meet his beautiful grandchildren. I am sure he would be proud of his family.

Just Rambling

Jarrett will soon be taking the 1st of 3 TAKS tests that he has to take in 4th grade. We were recently notified that based on his scores from last year, Jarrett was nominated to participate in Duke University's Talent Identification Program. Yay Jarrett! He also again qualified to be in the "Cool Cat Club" this grading period, since he made straight A's and met the other criteria necessary to participate.

Danny is doing well and hasn't had any exacerbations from the brain lesions in awhile. He is supposed to go back for a repeat MRI in a few months to see if there are any changes in the brain. We are believing for a clean scan! He has a new-ish job with a counseling ministry and really loves it, as this is another step towards his dream of what he really wants to be doing career-wise.

I have started working on info for my family tree and really enjoying the research so far. After inquiring into it, my mom and I decided to request my grandfather's military awards/decorations and records from his service during WWII. We are anxious and excited to see what response we'll get. He served as an Army medic, and chose not to carry a weapon during his service in the war.

Well, I guess that's it for now. Thanks for continuing to check in!

Happy Birthday

My step-son Malachi will be turning 11 years old on January 14th. We'll be going to celebrate this evening with the extended family. Next weekend will be the real fun - roller skating! I still do pretty good on a pair of skates, I guess but the guys are always whizzing around 'ole slow Mom....ha!

I am in the process of evaluating my goals and priorities this year. One of my resolutions is to read the Bible through and do it in chronological order this time, instead of straight through from Genesis to Revelation. I think this will help me in clarifying a lot of the historical context.

Another major goal I have is to get back in shape, and quick! With everything we had going on in the last year, my exercise regimen pretty much flew out the window.

The 2 scriptures below this post have really been on my heart lately. I enjoy listening to Jack Hayford every morning on my way in to work. He was speaking of discarding old baggage for a new year. I want to start this year with a refreshed commitment to run the race that Christ has set for my life.

If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to ask the Lord to give you a spiritual vision for His will in your life this year. He has already set the course for you - you can't lose!


Habakkuk 2:2-3
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.