Archive for the ‘family is everything’ Category

• Long Overdue Brain Dump

  Date: 2009.07.15 | Category: Glory Academy, Uncategorized, Worship, family is everything, random thoughts | Response: 2

  It’s been so long since I’ve blogged I may or may not have forgotten how… I’ve been trying to figure out what happened that suddenly halted the desire to write, but I don’t know if it really matters. What DOES matter is that I’m still here – and I just may be ready to jump back in. I hope there are some of you still around to actually read this…

  I need to just get somethings out and then I’ll get to the more serious postings later -

  • My baby girl turned 1! I can hardly believe it – but on June 28th, we celebrated Rylee Lyric’s birthday! We had a wonderful time with some amazing friends, a GORGEOUS cake and a pretty darn good photographer…
  • We sold our house! YAY! We are so thankful for a quick sale – only on the market for a month and we got a great price for it and a relatively smooth transaction. Shane and Christie Register will Coldwell Banker did a fantastic job selling it for us – thanks, guys! I am a firm believer in STAGING YOUR HOUSE before you list it for sale. I think we have personally proven that this works (our last home sold in 7 days without a realtor!). I promise I will do a separate post on my tips and tricks for a quick sale. Anyway…we move into our amazing new home next week! I am obsessed with Hagood Homes – this is our 2nd home built by this wonderful company and let me just say that they have been unbelievably and uncommonly wonderful to work with. Every detail is attented to with such care and they have truly gone above and beyond in the customer service department. (thanks, Andrea!) I’ll have more to say about them later, too… I can’t wait to post some pics of the new place and to have some super fun parties!
  • I went back to work! When Rylee was born, I decided to take an extended maternity leave and it has been just what I needed. I have really enjoyed taking time away to be with my children and I know that they are my first priority and my first ministry responsiblity. I cherish every moment I have with them and Don and have felt so blessed to have been able to take this time. But – I know that the Lord has been leading me back to work and I am really excited about what He has planned. Last week, I went back to the office two days a week to work in the creative art’s department at Rock Church again. Because I have been and will still be leading GAFA, I know that I can not feasibly do both full time on a permanant basis. Both jobs deserve and require more time than I will be able to give to them. So we will see who the Lord leads us, but for now…. I’m back!
  • GAFA is rocking and rolling! Last Spring, we made the decision to turn Glory Academy into a “free tuition” Fine Art’s school. What a HUGE step of faith for us, but God is proving Himself faithful and the response has been so amazing! We are still in the process of securing a large portion of our yearly budget, but the community response has been so wonderful – classes are filling up and we are hearing from so many how this will be their ONLY opportunity to give their families quality education in the arts and I am so honored to be able to offer this to our community. We are going to have an incredible year! If you want to partner with us as a financial contributor please let us know! All contributions are tax deductible. Just give us a call at 910-602-5302 or e-mail us at info@gloryfinearts.com. That’s all for now – there is a TON more I need to blog about – trying to not be afraid to open the floodgates again… !

• What I’ve Been Up To

  Date: 2009.03.04 | Category: family is everything | Response: 1

  It’s been a crazy week. My father sent me a text last week to tell me that my grandfather wasn’t doing well. He’s been very sick for a very long time and now has some new complications that were putting him back into the hospital. My grandparents have never met my children and I have really regretted that over the last three years. Sooooo….I booked flights for me and the babies to go to Panama City on Thursday to spend some time with the family and some great friends before it was too late. We had a great time!

  

  Mawmaw and her grands

  

  Reagan and his Pawpaw working out

  

  My and Rylee with my best friend, Stephanie

• Snow Day!

  Date: 2009.01.20 | Category: family is everything | Response: 3

  It NEVER snows in Wilmington – we’re a beach town for Pete’s sake! But – today it did and it was magnificent! I love, love, love snow – when it comes for a day and then goes away…

  We had a great time – here are a few pics from the morning!

  

  Molly was in heaven!

  

  

  Reagan was so excited to make a snow angel!

  

  Reagan and Nana

  

  throwing snowballs at me!

• Merry Christmas!

  Date: 2008.12.28 | Category: Christmas, family is everything | Response: 4

  I hope you all had a great Christmas! This is my favorite time of year and I just love spending time with my family, eating great food, observing fun traditions and spoiling my babies. Here are a few pictures of our holiday.

  

  Love you all! Have a great New Year!

• Ah-Ma-Zing Dessert

  Date: 2008.12.28 | Category: Christmas, family is everything, food | Response: 0

  We always have Christmas Eve dinner at my parent’s house – lamb chops and chutney and all the fixings. Yummy! And I made an amazing dessert – thanks to all of my twitter followers who voted on the winning recipe! It was fabulous… Here’s the recipe: (from Epicurious)

  Let me know if you try this out! It’s really easy and soooooo good. My nephew Gabriel said he wanted to bury his face in it he thought it was so good. Now THAT’S a good endorsement…

  
  Triple-Chocolate Pudding Pie with Cappuccino Whipped Cream

  Ingredients

  Crust:

  • 9 whole chocolate graham crackers
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  Filling:

  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 3 1/2 cups half and half
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 3 1/2 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  Topping:

  • 1 cup chilled whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Chocolate-covered espresso beans
  

  Preparation

  For crust:
  Preheat oven to 350°F. Finely grind graham crackers, sugar, and salt in processor. Add butter and blend to moisten crumbs. Firmly press mixture into 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Bake until crust sets, about 8 minutes. Cool.

  For filling:
  Whisk sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in 1 cup half and half. Whisk in remaining 2 1/2 cups half and half and yolks. Whisk over medium-high heat until mixture thickens and boils, whisking constantly, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Add both chocolates and butter; whisk until melted and smooth. Mix in vanilla. Transfer filling to crust. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of filling and chill until filling sets, at least 6 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)

  For topping:
  Beat all ingredients in large bowl until peaks form. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewhisk to thicken before serving, if necessary.)

  Peel plastic off pie. Cut pie into wedges. Spoon dollop of cream atop each slice. Garnish with chocolate-covered espresso beans and serve.

• Rainy Days and Starbucks Christmas Blend

  Date: 2008.12.11 | Category: baby stuff, family is everything, random thoughts | Response: 9

  I can’t believe I’m posting this picture for all the world to see. (or maybe just the 10 or so of you that will actually stop by) No makeup and in my PJ’s…what am I thinking?

  Today is one of those days that I probably won’t get out of my PJ’s until I absolutely have to. Reagan has tap class this afternoon so I’ll have to make myself eventually I guess. But rainy days always have this effect on me – I just want to cuddle and watch a movie and drink coffee.

  Rylee has ceased to be a good napper – she used to take 2-3 good long naps everyday and now she fights me so much that I am lucky to get 20 minutes out of her. I won’t complain too much because she is still sleeping a good 10 hours straight at night so I’ll shut up about sleep issues.

  We have seriously cut back on our Christmas shopping this year. Don and I aren’t buying each other anything that won’t fit in our stockings and I have been pretty good at sticking to the budget for the kids. Even with the budget I have found some great things for Reagan that I’m so excited about. I’ll be sure to post pictures after he opens everything. I can’t wait – I’m such a holiday junkie.

  Bryan took some great pictures for us last Sunday. (it’s great to have a brother who will take free pics for his sister…love you, brother) Here are a few…

  

  Rylee’s awake again so let me run pat her butt for 20 minutes….

• Who Do You Miss?

  Date: 2008.12.02 | Category: family is everything, random thoughts | Response: 5

  I know all of us have people in our lives that we love dearly who are far away from us geographically. That sucks sometimes…

  I just wanted to let them know how much I love them and miss them -

  • Stephanie – my oldest and very dear friend. Who would have thought that 700 miles and 20 years later we would still be as close as we are? You make me so happy and I am grateful for your friendship. I am so glad that you are my babies’ “faffy” and my best friend…
  • Mindy – you have become like a sister to me and I am confident that God put us together so many years ago because He knew what you would have to go through. I am amazed by what He has done in you and in me as I have watched you deal with horrific circumstances. I love you more than you know…
  • Sarabess – I knew when we met at that youth camp year ago that there was purpose in it. You have become my sounding board and my confidant – what would I do without you? We have got to do something about only seeing each other every 5 years, though…
  • Kirstie – we are separated by so much more than miles. I will never understand why God took you from us so early in your life, but I know He is sovereign and I trust Him still. You are so dear to me – you were an amazing mom, wife, friend and daughter of the King and you are missed so much.
  • Pops and Mama Reba – I have learned so much from you. I learned from you that there is a proximity to the anointing and I am so grateful for having the opportunity to be close to you both. What I have gained from you is invaluable to me and I pray that God gives me the chance to continue to learn from you as I watch you follow after Him.

  There are more – so many more – but this is enough for today.

  Who do you miss?

• Monday Morning Brain Dump

  Date: 2008.11.24 | Category: family is everything, random thoughts | Response: 5

  • I just realized that my friends, Mute Math, have a song on the Twilight album! You can hear it on their myspace page. I think that’s so amazing – they are some of my favorite musicians on the planet.
  • Yesterday’s service was great. I love worshiping with my team – especially when all the gadgets work like they’re supposed to.
  • I can’t believe Thanksgiving is already here! This is my favorite holiday and I’m really looking forward to stuffing myself and then going to see a movie with the fam. We’re going to see Bolt this year – Reagan’s gonna love it!
  • I wish I could pay someone to come drag all of the holiday decor out of the attic and put it all up for me. I love to have it up but I don’t love going through all of that mess.
  • I am not addicted to sweet tea. I could stop anytime I wanted to.
  • I went into Starbucks yesterday and the lady in line behind me forgot she had a ridiculously huge purse strapped to the front of her and she kept bumping into me in line. I had to work very hard to not give her the look – I did good and you would all be very proud of me. I was happy to have my salted caramel hot chocolate. (Don’t be jealous, Mandy - I know how much you love them!)
  • I’m thankful for my family – they’re amazing.

  What are you thankful for this week?

• Sunday Night Brain Dump

  Date: 2008.11.10 | Category: Church, family is everything, random thoughts | Response: 2

  • I went out to the grocery store tonight with Rylee – made a quick stop at Starbucks first and then headed over to Fresh Market. I was dressed in Sunday afternoon nap attire and had crazy afro nap hair and then Rylee spit up all over me right before we walked into the store. Of course, I walked right by this little skinny 20 something year old with her skinny jeans, ah-may-zing boots and Louis Vuitton handbag. Her hair was perfect and I just wanted to go crawl in a hole somewhere.
  • I need some girl time
  • I love my church. It was a great day today – a great crowd, good worship and an awesome word from dad.
  • We went to the fair again last night. It was cooooold.
  • GAFA danced at the Latino festival yesterday. The group before us was a really bad religious drama that included the devil (in a red cape, devil horns, a pitch fork and bad stage makeup), a hooker, drug dealer, a pimp and Jesus (with flowing robe, bad brown wig and fake beard). The drug dealer actually used real cigarettes that he was really smoking (that was the only awesome part)… it was the epitome of bad church drama.
  • There will be a really cool blog post tomorrow morning – so be sure to come by and check it out! I can’t wait!

• Fair Fun

  Date: 2008.11.02 | Category: family is everything, random thoughts | Response: 7

  Every Halloween, a bunch of from church get together and go to the fair…it’s so much fun! There’s no one there – everyone else is out trick or treating… We had a great time – here are a few pics…

  Ummmm…So, Reagan kind of freaked out halfway down the slide. But then he got up and rode all the big kid, scary rides anyway. I, on the other hand, wanted to throw up just watching him stand in line to ride the spider.

  

  Rylee and her Papa…

  

  Reagan and his friend, Ethan – they rode this about 10 times, I think.

  

  Reagan with his cousins, Gabriel, Noah and Adam and his friends, Ethan and Caleb.

  

  Rylee hung out in her stroller until it was sleepy time – she’s just so darn cute I couldn’t resist putting this one in here.

  What did you all do last night?