My Man

You know what makes me really happy??? My man does!!! Yap! I have the best husband in the world, there is no doubt about that! He really is my best friend...and I have to say, I think it is pretty HOT too;-) LOL

Anyhow, I just have to take some time to tell you about how proud I am of him!

Five years ago, Todd sat me down to tell me that he felt that God wanted him to quiet his job. He was a web manager for a small but successful company out of Garland. But the drive was long, the stress was high, the environment was not particularly pleasant, and he just really didn't enjoy his job. He made good money but he was willing to put that all aside to venture out on his own.

Now I must tell you, I was a huge skeptic. God didn't tell me about this plan and aren't we in this thing together? ha! But Todd said..."Let's give it 6months and if working for myself doesn't pay the bills, I will find another job". I think fair enough??? Might as well let the man pursue his dream and we can always find another job later if need be.

Well 2.5 stressful years later! BROKE and unsure of the future..... we had some decisions to make. But let me tell you, those 2.5 years were absolutely crucial years in our marriage! We had learn to trust God and God had proven to be faithful time and time again. We began to rely more on each other and instead of making a bad situation worse, we did our best to support one another and put God first.

Now I have ALOT of gap to fill for this story but will have to do it in brief blogs....otherwise you could fall asleep!! LOL!

Both my husband and I got new jobs back then.... Ironically, both in the forms of ministry. Todd began working for a webteam for Insight for Living, a world-wide ministry. And I began teaching for a Christian private school. God began maturing us both within our jobs. We were both heavily involved with our churches (and still are) and even helped bring up a new church within our small community!

Today, Todd was just promoted to a Vice President for his company!!!!! He has also had several side jobs he had juggled in the last 5 years...in which we have gained some successes. Amazing to see how God has provided for us and even rewarded us with many grand opportunities in the last year!

But all this aside, I must say.... I love seeing how God has worked in my husband in the last 5 years! He is a hard worker, very smart, good looking, and loves God. Can I also say he is good at loving me too! He is an awesome man and my man! I am so blessed!

"It's the Time! It's the Time!!!"

Ok! I have to tell you about the trouble Wendy Enloe and I got into the last day of Camp KIDJAM!

So the last night of camp, we let our 11 girls stay up a bit later (well much later) as long as they were staying in their rooms and causing no trouble and not being too loud. We went and got lots of snacks and goodies for them to share and enjoy! All was going well......so far........

Well the way the dorm rooms were arranged for us were two long wings and two dorm rooms in the middle near the elevators! Our girls were on the one full wing and Wendy and Kayla were in one middle room, while I was in the other room by the elevator. I was closer to the other wing, where there were 5 girls, one NOT HAPPY leader, and 2 teen helpers.

I should have known that the lady was NOT HAPPY to be at camp since the night before Kayla and Wendy were ding-dong-ditching me and I busted them in their tracks, sprayed them with silly string and made Wendy run smack into the wall and bump her head. The lady came around the corner and we were all in the hall floor laughing and crying! It was hilarious but she didn't seem to think so. It was only 10:30pm when this happened!

So, back to the last night. It was getting late! Kayla was asleep but Wendy was over in my room and we were talking about our camp experiences and how God was working in all of the kids and ourselves....

Slowly my room began to grow from us two, to 2 girls, to 4 girls, to 6 girls, etc. Soon my room had all the girls hanging out and we were dancing "quietly", having eating contest, talking, etc. Nothing but pure and clean fun! Well, it was a little after 1am. But suddenly Wendy and I got this idea to put all the girls in the room and tell them we were about to have a talent show. We explained that Wendy and I had a talent we wanted to share but we needed to leave the room to put some final touches to it.

Well, we had no intentions of having a talent show..... We were wanting to attack them with silly string out of a can. So we got two cans per person and on the count of 3 we attacked my room and girls with silly string!!! It was HILARIOUS! And we were laughing and all!!! And yes, we were loud!! LOL!

After 5 or so minutes of sting wars, we had the girls get on the hands and knees with us to start cleaning up our horrible mess (btw: that stuff is messy, don't try that on carpet).

Suddenly we hear a loud knock at the door. My own daughter opens the door and this NO HAPPY lady was there. Wendy and another girl were behind the door while the rest of us were on the floor. She immediately starts yelling "Are you serious? Do you know the Time? Do you know what time it is???" She then is so upset she says "Where is your leader?"

I slowly stood up in the middle of the room and say "I am right here!!!" SILENCE!!!! She was shocked and clearly NOT HAPPY with me! I immediately say I am so sorry to upset her and that this was indeed my room where Wendy and I were having some fun with our girls! No harm intended. But this NOT HAPPY lady was not buying it! She was so upset and then went on to tell me how she thought this was no way to have fun with the girls because of the TIME! The time was a huge issue with her! WHOOPS! I could tell she wanted me to make the girls leave my room but 1) I saw nothing wrong with what we were doing and already apologized for the 5 minutes of laughing too loud and 2) I needed the girls help to clean up the mess. HAHA

She indeed was NOT HAPPY and the next morning there was alot of awkwardness on the elevator as we were packing up to leave. But I think our COOL FACTOR went way up with the girls though....right???

Mini Movie from Camp KIDJAM

What a pleasure it was to make this mini movie! It was so much fun to go back to look and reflect on the time the kids and leaders had together! I know that not a single person came back without learning something new or knowing God a little more personally! I even speak this to be true with the adult leaders and MYSELF!

I have so many memorable moments, some spiritual and some funny, that I hope to share within the next few days! I know I said that a few days ago....but I got addicting to making this movie instead!

A Quick Look at KIDJAM photos

This past weekend was an absolute success all the way around! I have so much I can't wait to share on the blog about what we have experienced at Camp this year. God was so good! Tomorrow I plan to share a few highlights of the weekend! Until then, have fun with the slideshow. I will have a short movie clip posted by the end of the week too!!!

Pray for our Campers

The bags are almost packed and mommy is telling the kids how to make their bunks, where to put dirty clothes, how to use a community bathroom, and all the behaviors they are to be expected to put forth! !!!!! Because tomorrow we leave for Camp KIDJAM! WOOO HOO!

Last year my daughter and I went and we had a total of 9 kids and 3 leaders. But this year Zander gets to come along.... along with A LOT OF OTHER GREAT KIDS! We have 25 students going and 5 leaders (30 total)! WOW! Talk about getting excited! As a mom, children's minister, and teacher I can't explain how excited I am!

We leave tomorrow at noon and will return midday Monday! I know I have already begun the praying for this group (for the students, leaders, camp staff, and myself)......but I do ask my blogging friends to pray for us too! Pray that our travels are safe, pray that the message is heard, pray that friends are made, and pray that camp is a blessing to ALL who participate in some way this weekend!

I can't wait to blog about our trip! STAY TUNED!!!

Zander is EIGHT!

Today is Zander's 8th birthday! He is spending his day with his Grammy and Gramps right now and the next two nights he gets to spend the night out at Nana and Paw's too! We aren't celebrating his birthday until next week.

Zander is my middle child and my oldest son. Over 8 years ago when I found out I was pregnant with him, I was immediately disappointed! In matter of fact, I remember throwing my pregnancy stick at my husband and it bouncing from wall to wall! At the time, I could NOT imagine having another baby yet................

But he has been such a blessing to my life! He was the easiest pregnancy, easiest childbirth, and the easiest child period. He is a huge help, very sincere, very kind-hearted, and just an amazing kid! He seems to make friends easily and keeps them too! He is the peacemaker and rule follower out of the 3 children I have! He LOVES God, sports, and food! HAHA!

I am so excited about what Zander's future holds! I know he is going to be an amazing adult some day!!! I am so blessed to be his mom!

Happy birthday Z!!!!

A Big Week!!! A Big Year!!!

This week was a very big week for me personally! Yes, this was a the week that our Children's Ministry put on our annual SMAK (Summer Music and Activities for Kids) Program, and yes I have been busy busy busy the last few weeks, but that is not what I am really referring to right now.

I am actually referring to the fact that it has been a FULL YEAR since I took on the role as a Children's Minister for our local church at Grace Bible Fellowship. This week I have sat down several times looking and listening to these kids and admit that I have felt teary eyed some. Even though in the last year I have spent several days of preparing and teaching (along with some other very dedicated friends and co-teachers)these same kids, I believe I have actually grown more spiritually this year than the kids!

It's a lot like a teacher's first year of teaching, I believe! But way better!!!!

I am so proud of these kids...not just because of the SMAK week but because of our whole year together! I can't help but to love them ALL! No doubt, they are all different, with different personalities, different family backgrounds, different experiences, etc.... But we all share a very special bond thanks to the good Lord!

It has been a busy week! But it has been a great week to reflect, as well...............