What to do?

What in the world is there to do with so much personality?

The only thing to do is eat it up!!!



Trusting in the Dark

"My light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark.... When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway."

I read this quote weeks ago in Jesus Calling, and I can't stop thinking about it. We have all been in dark places in our lives, but what do we do when are there? I know what I do. I worry. I fret. I overthink. I problem solve over and over and over again. I try to climb out. I question God. I cry. I call my mom a million times. All the things that come natural, that's what I do in the dark places. I hate that about myself. I soooo want to be that person who rests in God and rises above the circumstances and isn't shaken. But honestly I am not sure this person exists anyway. I mean even Jesus sweated blood in the garden, right?

But what if I really trusted God. I mean really trusted him to take care of it all. What if I just stopped problem solving and fretting and worrying and questioning? (can't promise I'll stop crying....ha!) What if I trusted Him in the dark and allowed His light to shine through my trust and walked through my trials with confidence in His love for me? What if I stopped striving for the false hope of a problem free life and rested in His plan?

Let me be clear. I don't think trusting in God means never getting down or sad or never having a bad day or never asking God why. I am all about being real and honest and authentic. What I mean is trusting Him deep in my heart when everything seems all wrong and when I can't see an answer or a reason or a solution. Trusting Him even when I am mad, sad, and stuck in the mud of a dark place.

I know on my own I can't do it perfectly, but I know with the help of the Holy Spirit, I can. So I am prayerfully heading in that direction in my life. I am prayerfully heading into a life of trust and peace and rest. I am going to roll with it, people. Want to join me? I can't imagine we'll regret it!

Spiderman

This. This is my life. This little red and blue creature has taken over our lives. My kids are obsessed. They live and breathe Spiderman. They do Spiderman moves on the couch. They "shoot webs" all over our house all day. They have conversations about what Spiderman gear they are going to get for Christmas next year. They plan their birthday parties and talk about their Spiderman cake. They look at pictures of Spiderman on the IPad and yell and scream his name as they look at each new picture.

Here is a typical statement from Carter, "Mama, I am going to get a Spiderman beach ball. No, I am going to get a Spiderman blanket. No, I am going to get a beach ball, a blanket, and new Spiderman shoes! Mama, I am Spiderman shootin webs! Mama, watch me shoot webs!"

Typical statement from Coop, "Spomoman....Spomoman....Spomoman!!!" (with super wide eyes and raised eyebrows)

It's out of control, I tell you. Out of control. And absolutely hilarious and cute I might add.

P.S. Just ordered them Spiderman applique monogrammed tshirts. Are they going to freak or what? They might just go into cardiac arrest upon receiving them in the mail box. Of course I'll post a pic.

Yummo!

I saw these on a friend's blog. Oatmeal Cream Pies!!!! Oh my goodness....you dare me to make them? I feel my arteries clogging already. Yum!

Here's the recipe: http://bloomingonbainbridge.blogspot.com/2011/11/oatmeal-creme-pies.html

Gonna try them this week. I'll let you know how they turn out.

A New Beattitude

Saw this on facebook, and since it went so well with my new year's resolution, I had to post it.

"Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape."

Great quote or what?! Now if only we could actually DO it!

A Sweet Little Glimpse

Living the Mini Van Dream

This was my yearly dinner with my dear, dear, dear childhood friends. I look so forward to this every Christmas, and the day we were supposed to do it, I got the stomach bug. I cried. Knowing my despair, these girls made it happen again so I wouldn't be left out. We laughed and laughed and laughed some more over pizza, beer, and a chocolate brownie ice cream sandwich. These two are good for my soul. If I had to sum up our yearly dinner, I would use two words: honesty and humor. I love authentic people who are who they are. That's these two. Love them.

My favorite birthday present by a looooooong shot! Hahahahahahahaha! I am still cracking up. Cassie found these napkins and HAD to get them for me. In case you didn't know, I am a mini van mom. Yes, I am. And these two have even cruised in the mini van with me. Now that's true friendship.

I have them on display in my kitchen. I will never part with these.

This: 

And this: 

And this:

Are my dream...the mini van is merely the icing on the cake :)

A good cry and a good laugh

I love a good laugh. Bahahahahaha!

I also love a good cry. I need both. Here's a good cry....and I do mean it will make you cry. Such an inspirational daddy.

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationship/blog/27550-the-pain-and-peace-of-death

A little gem

I found a little gem during my quiet time this morning, and I had to share it. I can't remember ever reading or recognizing this verse before. It's Deuteronomy 33:27 which says, "The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

In my devotional book, the author uses the imagery of walking on a tightrope. Life feels like walking on a tightrope quite often, but we don't have to fear falling because "underneath are the everlasting arms."

I think I needed a reminder of my security this morning. And oh what security we have! The never failing, always loving, everlasting arms right underneath us.

Birthday Indulgence

This cake is precious to me. Carter designed it for his Dada for his birthday. In case you don't know the background story, Joel went heli-skiing last year, and Carter thought that was just about the most awesome thing ever. He still watches the videos from time to time that Joel took while there.

So....notice the cowboy...that is Dada snowboarding down the mountain (best I could do), and can you tell who put the helicopter on the cake? Hee Hee....firm placement.

Too sweet for words.

Of course we couldn't wait for 5:00 to show Dada, so we delivered it to his office, lit the candles, and chowed down at 9:30am.

Joel's sweet assistant, Stephanie, joined the celebration. My boys love her and as soon as they get their chocolate upon entering Dada's office, they head straight to see Ms. Stephanie who they love to entertain.

This is the picture we made for Joel's bathroom sink area. Isn't it cheerful? I have GOT to find Carter some little arts and craft class....he thrives on crafty things.

So all that talk about snowboarding caused some pretend play. Joel got out his board, and the boys got to get all geared up.

Cool dude ready for some sick pow....sorry about that one. Been married to Joel six years now, what else can I say?

Joel and I share a birthday, so we indulged! I was spoiled rotten by my boys. We went to Bottletree that morning, and Joel took me out to Boure and a movie that night. Heavenly. He also took Carter to pick me out a super nice purse. I am blessed. A birthday to remember.

Alabama!

We made our yearly trip to Alabama to visit Joel's family last weekend. We had lots of fun catching up with everyone, and the boys had a ball with their cousins. Carter is still recovering from all the running around he did with his cousin, Caleb, and I am still recovering from trying to keep Coop out of Julie's pantry! That Coop is an explorer and a destroyer all in one.

It was a fun trip with lots of memories made. Here are the highlights:

Carter on Grammy and Pop's tire swing. Soon after this, Joel got on it, and it fell out the tree! No one saw it but Coop, and it scared him to death. He kept saying, "Dada crash." Poor Coop or should I say poor Dada!

Little smooch taking it for a whirl.

Are they beautiful or what? When I first came into this family, these girls were practically babies! Now look at them....so tall, so old, so not babies.

These are my gals...I don't normally use the word "gal" except with the Bell gals. It's hard to explain. Now gals! What would I do without these two? They love me like a sister. What more could I ask for? Missed my Su on this trip!....she's one of the gals too :)

Carter and Caleb....cute or what?

Uncle Stephen and Joel with the girls.

Building towers

Haven't been to Prattville without visiting the Bass Pro Shop in years. Apparently it's just what you do when you visit Prattville. Carter loved the glass elevator.

Sweet Bekah. I think it's safe to say, Bekah has the sweetest spirit of any child I've ever known in my life. I am not sure that she's sinned more than ten times in her entire life. Ha! Love her to death.

Oh Willy Wonka :) I couldn't talk Will into bonding with ole aunt Jill. Apparently, I've lost my 16 year old boy "cool skillz" I acquired during my 10th grade teaching days. I gotta work on those skillz for my next trip. I'll get him next time :)

Carter looooved Reid's drums. This is what he wanted to do the entire time.

Grammy and Coop. Such a sweet grandmother and mother in law, and seriously one of the most positive and encouraging people I have ever met. She had five kids in ten years (yes it's true, and she stayed home with all of them and even homeschooled for several years!), so needless to say she "gets it!" She knows my life as a stay at home mom well, and is the first to pray for me, encourage me, and remind me that I am fulfilling God's plan for my life. Thanks, sweet Susan, for loving me your crazy, frazzled, imperfect daughter in law :) Thankful for your friendship, love, prayers, and constant encouragement.

Just roll with it!

I have chosen my yearly bible verse. I am three days late, but oh well. I still have 362 days to put it into practice :)

Last year I chose Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship."

This was the perfect verse for me last year because I was (and still am) in a stage of life where I feel that the monotonous and menial tasks of life take up most of my time....you know, laundry, dishes, cleaning, wiping faces, hands, and bottoms :), walmart shopping, etc...

So in the midst of all those daily tasks I wanted to see myself as a living sacrifice...ready and willing to serve in view of God's mercy. Did I accomplish this? Yes and no. Depended on the day if I am honest. I am getting better though! And I pray that God continues to grow me in this area as I am not out the woods as far as wiping bottoms go. Hee Hee.

This year I chose Micah 5:4-5, "He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace."

The reason I chose this verse is because when life seems like it's filled with one inconvenience after another or when one of my children has a problem or when I can't seem to "get it all done/together," I tend to fret. I tend to stress. I tend to lose my peace waaaaay too easily.

Can you believe I actually read the phrase, "Do not fret" in the Psalms the other day. It's true! Psalm 37:1, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret...." Ha! Could this be more appropriate for those frazzled stay at home mom moments?!

So this year, I am praying that the Lord works Micah 5:4-5 in my heart. I want to allow Jesus to be my shepherd causing me to live securely in his majesty making HIM my peace.

In other words, this year I am going to roll with it!!!

I think Joel and my boys would greatly appreciate it if Mama would just roll with it :) Wish me Godspeed!