Archive for the ‘random thoughts’ Category

• Broken

  Date: 2010.03.16 | Category: Evolution, Uncategorized, random thoughts | Response: 2

  “My all-surrounding Father, how my soul is tempted to search for the meaning of my life in the love of others; to look for security in money and possessions; to strive for acceptance in service and good works. Now I see how these things can be temptations, open doors through which my spirit slips out from within your Self in order to trust in my own strengths. I close these doors right now, and place my soul inside your tender might. Here, alone with you, I draw together all my concerns…all my responsibilities…all that is broken and scattered and needy…My soul is fed and medicined with goodness from Your hand!” St. Augustine

  Something happened to me at cre:ate this year. Something significant…mystical even. I’ve been having trouble finding the words, but they are coming to the surface more and more each day. I am a complicated person, as most of us are. My husband would say I am more complicated than is necessary but God made me this way and I’m trying to find the peace that entangles itself in my craziness. Things that have been laying dormant for years are being stirred up – some really good things and some nasty, ugly, terrifying things. I have to admit that I am scared, I am broken and I am determined that this place I find myself in will not be my end. It is a freakishly beautiful beginning of sorts.

  I am grateful for the wonderful people in my life. The past few weeks have caused me to run into their arms more than once and I love that God has prepared a safe place for me at just the right time. You know who you are…thank you.

• 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… !

• How Did This Happen?

  Date: 2009.04.30 | Category: Uncategorized, random thoughts | Response: 3

  I just realized how long it’s been since I’ve posted anything new or even perused all the amazing blogs that I had frequented for so long – how did that happen? I know I probably don’t have anyone still stopping by here anymore and so I’m wondering why I’m even writing this right now. <sigh> A blog is such a huge commitment – and I’ve just not wanted to be sucked in very much lately….

  But – SO much has been going on and I just need to dump – so here goes!

  • Reagan is almost 4! I can’t believe it – he’s so handsome and perfect and I feel so blessed to have such an amazing little man. 
  • Rylee is 10 months old already. She is such a sweet baby and I am having so much fun with her! A couple of weeks ago, she was dedicated at our church and my mom made her amazing dress. She took apart her wedding dress to make Rylee the most beautiful dedication dress I’ve ever seen!
  • GAFA has been busy busy busy! Our Spring production, “Psalms” is coming up in just a couple of weeks. You don’t want to miss this – get your tickets from any GAFA student, staff or from the office!
  • In other exciting news, GAFA has announced that we are becoming a TUITION FREE school beginning in September! We are so thrilled to offer our community excellence in arts education withouth any financial barriors to stand in their way! We will offer classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Pointe, Hip Hop, Praise Dance, Art, Theater and Music! We are curretly applying for various grants and looking for corporate/personal sponsors to make tax deductible contributions to make our budget. For more info or to become a contributor, call our offices! 910-602-5302
  • UPDATE!!!!! I’ve lost about 20 lbs since January! YAY!!!! Pilates has changed my life…. (Thanks, Cynthia!)

• Friday Night Randomness

  Date: 2009.01.16 | Category: random thoughts | Response: 2

  

  It’s been a crazy couple of weeks – as you can see from my two earlier posts, we took some of the students from GAFA to an incredible conference in Durham. We had a great time. Don and the kids came with me. Since I’m still nursing Rylee, this was the only way that I would have been able to go. It was our first trip with the girlie and I was a little nervous about the two hour car ride and two nights with all of us in the same room. But we did great – so fun!

  Reagan started showing signs of having a cold on the trip back home. Sooooo….this week we’ve been dealing with ear infections in both kids and nasty colds. Rylee actually lost her voice by Wednesday – it was so sad to see her open up her mouth to squeel or laugh and nothing would come out!

  I finally got Reagan one of THESE. The Leap Frog “Tag” is an amazing little gadget that has ignited such joy and amazement in Reagan. He is IN LOVE with it and I have really enjoyed seeing him have so much fun learning new things! If you have kids age 3-8 this is a great investment. The initial kit is $50 and includes the Tag “pen” and one book. Additional books are $14 at Target but I found them on line at Toys R Us for $9.99 each! So far he has the Kung Fu Panda, Olivia, and Cars books as well as the alphabet board and a set of land and sea animal cards.

  Our church is observing a 21 day fast this month. It’s been exciting to see how many people have gotten on board and are trusting God for breakthroughs in our personaly lives and in the life of our church. My brother has been posting some great devos during the fast – go check them out! I have decided to fast caffeine, sugar, dairy products and all processed/fast foods.

  I’ve been feeling secluded lately – being a stay at home mom is such an wonderful privaledge and I do not second guess my decision for one second. I do, however, realize that stay at home moms MUST make significant efforts to maintain friendships, generate new ones, and remain faithful to pursue your passions. It’s so much harder than I thought it was going to be – and infinitely more rewarding than I could have ever imagined!

  I hate laundry.

  Gonna tackle my closet tomorrow – it’s a scary thought and I’ve been avoiding it for months – but it’s gotta be done. Yuck…

  Do you Twitter? Let me know so I can follow you!

• Mushy Brains

  Date: 2008.12.17 | Category: Baby Weight, random thoughts | Response: 5

  OK – so I love love love being a mommy – but I have to admit that I feel like my brains may run out of my ears at any moment. It’s been feasting on Noggin, baby slobber and a steady of diet of cleaning product fumes – not much else I’m sad to say. I’ve started about five different books and haven’t had the time or energy to actually get anything out of any of them let along make any progress on finishing any of them. And let’s not even talk about what else on my body is mushy. Geesh…

• 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?

• It’s a cookie day…

  Date: 2008.11.13 | Category: random thoughts | Response: 4

  It’s 66 degrees and raining outside – Don calls these days cookie days. I think Reagan, Rylee and I will stay in our PJ’s all day, make cookies and listen to the rain. (Maybe we’ll watch a little Noggin, too)

  What are you doing today?

• 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!