fresh from 1989

It's another trip down memory lane. Last night, Jason brought me something very exciting that had come in the mail. He knew I would be excited about it and he was right. ( I love how he knows me so well). Anyway.. I opened up this little treat..

Straight from 1989 and my childhood. I actually had the casette version of this wonderful little children's CD. So why, you ask, does a 30 year old woman have a kids cd? Well, It's because we are using one of the songs from this CD for our church kids to sing on mother's day. The song is called "Love Makes a Friend be a Friend Like You" It's the sweetest song where a mother and daughter sing a prescious little duet. We're planning on having the kids sing all the solos of course. There won't be a dry eye in the house on mother's day.

So, back to 1989. I would have been about 8 when this CD came out. And Oh my goodness.. I was obsessed! I loved every single song. This CD is timeless and I would highly recommend it if you have kids.

Right around the time this tape (back then) came out, I was a part of an all kids singing group that was formed and directed by kids called "The Group" (yeah, we came up with the name ourselves). We performed exclusively for our children's church body and we even had a for real director who would stand in front of us and wave his arms like a choir director. It was classic! We sang a couple of tunes from the tape and some of us girls fought over who would get to sing Sandi's parts. (After all, she was our favorite singer at the time).

Last night, as I was driving home, I had the windows down and I was belting out the songs like I was 8 years old again. I remembered all the words and everything. It was a sweet time! I was excited to hear myself much improved from when I was 8. I could hit all, or most, of Sandi's notes. =)

now trending

because it's about the little things in life...

I have a fellow blogger and bff ~the loverly Jennifer~   (this post in particular)  that is so amazing at remembering the little details in life. I wish I had her memory, but I really don't. Part of the reason I blog is to remember the details.. the sweet moments and life events. I want to look back and remember. So.. I'll start a new series.. "now trending" to make sure I remember what was top on my list and what i'm liking/doing at the moment-some minor details and some not so minor... So.. without further adue..here's my first installment:

~Gold nail polish by OPI- by Sephora- LOVE IT! (It's currently on my toes).

~Party Planning!- i'm in the thick of planning two: dad's 60th retro birthday bash- the theme is 1950's retro. So fun! We'll be doing a simple family only gathering an grilling out his fav. foods.. steak, tomato salad, and top it off with peanut butter shakes - YUMM!!just to name a few...  ~ and these!

Jason's graduation party- lots of family and friends, yummy grill out picnic style food, and a very special cake. I"m so proud of my man!

(both events will be properly documented)

~Easter photo shoot with baby Brielyn- my co-worker Jessica had a beautiful baby girl in  November and I get to capture her adorable self in some Easter shots at the park. Jessica and I talk about the shoot every day, sharing ideas... we're just a smidge excited.

~ The Pioneer Woman!!

 I read her blog every day and her newest blessing to us: her cooking show on the Food network! LOVE!  it's refreshing dose of wholesome happy family values and simple, yet totally memorable activities- it makes me want to be a better cook and I can hardly wait to start a wholesome family of my own! oh! AND HER NEW COOKBOOK CAME OUT TODAY~ a must have!

~ Easter musical prep- I'm in the ensemble and Jason is playing a Roman soldier named Marcus. We only have like three weeks- Yikes!!

~Hobby Lobby- I pay a visit at least once a week, if not twice. With all these parties coming up and the adorable Easter photo shoot, i can't get enough!  ( not to mention the fact that we plan for a kids service every Sunday night).

~Driving like a granny- Jason and I are enrolled in a new money saving program through our insurance called "Snapshot" Basically if we drive like grannies, we save money. The negative side of this- we have to do this for 6 months to get our final discout.

~Leg warmers with high boots (but not for much longer)

~ leggings!! I love me some leggings and I hope they stay in style for a LOOOONG time!! (I particularly enjoy them while i'm feeling fluffy).

~Fingerless gloves (just for the winter)

~ Guilty Pleasures~ The Bachelor (totally disappointed in Ben's final pick)

 America's Next Top Model

~ New show "Smash"- (the verdict is still out on the show itself,but i LOOOVE the concept~ it's about a developing broadway play) The music, dancing- LOVE! I"m hoping it doesn't get too scandelous.

AND right at this moment~ a Dr. Pepper icee~ Ahhh!! MUCH NEEDED!

friday fav.- monday edition

those were the days- fine arts festival at its finest! In honor of fine arts season~ here we were- the large vocal ensemble from First Assembly in Memphis- in our fabulous orange dresses at National Fine Arts in Orlando, Fl. But don't make fun- we won that year! Sweeet memories. =)

the calling

Jason and I have been working as part time staff members at our church and we're absolutely loving it. We are responsible for the Sunday night services. We have the privelage to work with another couple who handle the rest of the duties of kids ministry. Their names are Marshall and Tabbie. We really enjoy working with them and have also enjoyed getting to know another couple that is our age and without kids (a definate rarity). Last night, Tabbie was in our joint office and shared this amazing reading with us. After an emotional reading, we made plans to hang it up in our office wall.

I am a minister. I minister to the largest mission field in the world. I minister to children.

My calling is sure. My challenge is big. My vision is clear. My desire is strong. My influence is eternal. My impact is critical. My values are solid. My faith is tough. My mission is urgent. My purpose is unmistakable. My direction is forward. My heart is genuine. My strength is supernatural. My reward is promised. And my God is real.

In a world of cynicism, I offer hope. In a world of confusion, I offer truth. In a world of immorality, I offer values. In a world of neglect, I offer attention. In a world of abuse, I offer safety. In a world of ridicule, I offer affirmation. In a world of division, I offer reconciliation. In a world of bitterness, I offer forgiveness. In a world of sin, I offer salvation. In a world of hate, I offer God’s love.

I refuse to be dismayed, disengaged, disgruntled, discouraged or distracted. Neither will I look back, stand back, fall back, go back or sit back. I do not need applause, flattery, adulation, prestige, stature or veneration. I do not have time for business as usual, mediocre standards, small thinking, outdated methods, normal expectations, average results, ordinary ideas, petty disputes or low vision. I will not give up, give in, bail out, lie down, turn over, quit or surrender.

I will pray when things look bad. I will pray when things look good. I will move forward when others stand still. I will trust God when obstacles arise. I will work when the task is overwhelming. I will get up when I fall down.

My calling is to reach boys and girls for God. It is too serious to be taken lightly, too urgent to be postponed, too vital to be ignored, too relevant to be overlooked, too significant to be trivialized, too eternal to be fleeting and too passionate to be quenched.

I know my mission. I know my challenge. I also know my limitations, my weaknesses, my fears and my problems. And I know my God. Let others get the praise. Let the church get the blessing. Let God get the glory.

I am a minister. I minister to children. This is who I am. This is what I do.

Roger Fields

friday fav. ~ old school version

I would guess i'm about 4 years old here.. which would make my little bro. about 2ish. Jason took this pic. when he was doing some work at my grandpa's house. He is quite amused by the fact that my little foot is "jimmying" as he would put it- my legs are always moving- Jimmy Leg! Oh to be little again- maybe just for a day.

more faith

Oh my goodness... inspiration alert! I got this devo. yesterday as part of my daily e-mails from Proverbs 31 Ministries. I LOVE what this has to say. So much in fact, that I printed it out to take home to my husband and read it during our couples devo. Umm... be blessed by this anointed word today AND sign up for Proverbs 31 daily devos. So rich and relevant.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)


Have you ever wanted something so badly your heart ached with each thought of it? It seems life would be so much better if you had that.

There would be more happiness.

More contentment.

More fulfillment.

More satisfaction.

More peace.

We can envision ourself with this thing, this person, this opportunity. And all things are better. So, why doesn’t God give us this longing of our heart?

Because He wants us to willingly release it to Him.

Ouch.

Not the answer we want. Why would God let the aching desire linger and not make things happen? He could. He’s certainly able. But when He doesn’t it seems unfair. Not good. Confusing.

It’s easy to get down when we’re constantly let down.

We hope this thing will happen… we’ll meet this right person… we’ll get this job… we’ll finally be healed… we’ll get that chance… we’ll see that family member turn their life around. Time and again it doesn’t happen. That’s when it’s easy to slip.

We can so easily slip into feeling a little distant from God because we feel hurt by God.

That’s what happened when the man I thought I was going to marry told me he met someone else. That’s what happened when I didn’t get the job I was so certain was going to be the answer to all my financial problems. That’s what happened when my son didn’t get into the charter school we were so certain would have been perfect for him.

But, in each of these things, I eventually had to make a choice. I could either become consumed with my unmet longing or comforted by trusting God.

As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down.

Not give up as in discouraged surrender. But give up as in placing this desire in the hand of God and saying, “Either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust.”

Remember the Scriptures promise, He rewards those who honestly seek Him: “And without faith is it impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

Sometimes I get so consumed with seeking my unmet longings, I don’t earnestly seek Him. But then I miss out on His reward. And His reward is the only thing that will fill the void in my heart.

Yes, I still struggle with unmet desires.

But not as much today as I did yesterday.

And that is good. Not easy. But good.

Dear Lord, I sacrifice chasing this so I might more fully and with more focus chase You. I release this grip of desire. I praise You for who You are, what only You can bring, and how You will fill whatever gap this release might leave. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

midwestern sunset

 Last week Jason and I went on a sunset stroll...

What an amazing and creative God we serve. Just soak it all in. Spend more time outside and enjoy God's beautiful creation. Simple pleasures..