Got to show some gratitude...

I used to show my gratitude everyday...I have been so slack. So tonight, my blog is totally gratitude...then I will try to get back on track with have an attitude of gratitude.....

Grateful for:

God- His ways are higher, wiser, and greater than my ways! He never ceases to amaze me

Jesus-He is my savior and friend

Grace-Where would we all be with out it!

My Husband- I love him!

My two precious boys- they are my life!

My Church- It ROCKS! I thank God everyday that I have this wonderful place in my life!

My home and van

My parents, in laws, brother, sisterinlaw, nieces and nephews.

Friends-You know the true ones!

Brandi- Thanks for being such an awesome friend and business partner I am thankful you and your family! You guys have been constants throughout the years!

THE LOOM-Another one of God's gifts to me!
A nice vacation a few weeks ago

time alone with my husband

individual time with my boys

sleep

my new laptop notebook my sweet man bought me a few weeks ago.

coffee

friends like Elle who remind me to be grateful.

God's healing power-So glad to hear good news from Lori C.tonight!

My garden. I have loved having tasty veggies this year!

the pool.....it is nice, refreshing, and makes my boys smile

Love----it covers a mulitude of sins..........................................

Today was hectic but good. I worked from the time I got up until late this afternoon. I got a lot done for the LOOM. I am so excited about everything. It seems to really be coming together. We can't wait to get everything finished so that we can be open for business. Check out our website and also check our facebook out for upcoming open houses and our GRAND OPENING also!

I also made a cake today. Lisa, I am so sorry it melted on the way...LOL! I am glad you guys liked it. I can't believe Jake is 14. BoyI am getting OLD!!!

I cooked dinner tonight. I cooked some fresh green beans and fried zucchini from our garden with our chicken. It was so good. I love me some fresh veggies lately!

Tonight I took the boys to the pool. I promised them if they let me get my work done this morning I would treat them with a night swim. They had fun with their friends and it gave me the opportunity to clip my coupons. LOL!

Came home to do more dishes...LOL! Then I had some snuggle time with my sweet Bleeze. We snapped some pics... I look a mess....Don't laugh...Can't believe I am even posting pics of me with no makeup! LOL! So for now... I am going to bed! I am soooo tired! I have a ton of work this week to do! Good night!

Sweet Sunday...

Captured this picture with my cell phone leaving church Today. I was thought it was so sweet!!! Church rocked today. I have missed being there the past two Sundays. The first week we were on vacation and the next week I went to church with my Dad for Father's Day. I am so glad that we are doing the book of Psalms. It is one of my all time favorites! This is going to rock this summer!

After church we went to Southern Fried Green Tomatoes with the Wards. It was so yumm! I LOVE their biscuits. Not something you need to eat when trying to loose weight but nevertheless, it is still so yummy!

Spent the afternoon doing some work for the LOOM! Then I also made a run to Target. I took Bleeze with me because he had some cash burning a hole in his pocket. He is so precious. I just love to hang out with him. He makes me smile all the time. I will share some of his funnies later!
Eli decided to hang out with hid Dad on a job and help dump his truck. Tommy had to work some today so that stinks!

We had pizza for dinner when Tommy was through working....now for SLEEP!

please be considerate....

okay, I welcome all comments on my blog (negative or positive). I believe each person is entitled to their opinion. However, if you are going to leave negative comment on my blog, please have the audacity to sign your name and DO NOT leave comments anonymously! If you have some something to say, do not be such a coward that you will not leave your name! THANK YOU!!!!

Super Saturday...

Today was pretty awesome. I actually slept in and then we headed to the pool with the Ward girls. The boys had so much fun. It was nice to just chillax! I enjoyed hanging out with Cindy and Dean too! THANKS FOR LUNCH CINDY!!! I will pay you back! After some chill time we went to the grocery store and then we headed home. The boys were ready to play outside some. The boys played outside and I made a pretty yummy dinner if I say so myself. We had stir fry with all the fresh veggies from my garden and I made Chinese Cole slaw too! It is so good.

After dinner I visited with my family for a bit. Eric and Jessica are headed back to NC and to the beach for a week so I will have to wait to see them again for another week. Pretty soon they will be back home to TX and then Lord only knows when we will see them.

Enjoy the pics from the day...got to get up early for church in the morning.

Fab Friday...

Friday was pretty fabulous! LOL! Started out with Carnival Show that Brandi and I HAD to attend. LOL!!!!!!! Brandi girl, our Friday morning has to go in the record book for one of our crazy adventures. That was something else!

Then I was off to run errands and then pick up some lunch for Brandi, her girls and my boys (and don't forget me) We had a fun afternoon working on one of our last cakes. We still do some but Sophisticakes is going out of business due to the LOOM! It is going to take our cake baking time! The cake is the cake above and it is precious! It is for a Mad Hatter party! We had fun making it.

Brandi and I managed to get some dinner with her two hubby's and kiddos at good old El Jalisco at Five Forks! I had not been there in AGES!!!! It was so yummy to have my Arroz Con Pollo! It was really good with that Margarita! Then we were off to deliver the cake and have some fun! Let me say, there are some strange things out late at night. Just check the local Walmart or the line at Krispy Kreme for the Hot-N-Now!!! LOL!!! We had a good time!

Came home to this picture tonight..... my two precious boys and the dog....sound a sleep on the couch....precious! (Eli's catching flies with his mouth) LOL!

So thankful for a FAB FRIDAY!!!!!!

Thursdays Update

Today was such a fun day. I did some work this morning and then I took my sweet Bleeze to ToysRUs to use his gift cards he got for his birthday. He was so sweet. Eli spent the night with Nanny Mary last night so he missed out on the trip. He had such a hard time deciding what he wanted to get. We literally looked at EVERYTHING in the store. He chose a grocery cart with pretend boxed food and a Charlie Brown and Snoopy Shirt playing baseball that says, "I am a Catch". How cute is that! He enjoyed the ride when we left the store too.

After Toys R Us we headed to the mall. We had fun looking around and enjoyed meeting my brother, sisterinlaw, and cousin for lunch in the food court. Of course no trip to the mall is complete without a cookie from the Great American Cookie Co. (I did not have one, but Bleeze enjoyed his with the M&M's on it).

Then I was off to take Bleeze to spend some time with Nanny Mary too. I dropped a sleepy boy off for some fun and then I headed to the Simpsonville Chamber of Commerce to sign up the LOOM and then to the LOOM to meet with a future bride. GREAT AFTERNOON!

I also got to have a date with my man. We went to Chili's and then back to the mall. (Wow the mall twice in one day) I actually bought very little today. Just one dress for me (on sale of course and the boys some shirts and shorts) We went back tonight because I saw some shorts for Tommy and he went to check them out and then he bought me another dress. How sweet! We picked the boys up and headed home for baths and of course some pretend grocery shopping.

I have baking a cake tonight. I am still not finished but I am going to have to get up around 6 and go to the store to buy more baking supplies. We need a ton of layers and I ran out. It is storming right now and I do not want to go out in it.

Busy day tomorrow starting bright and early, so I am signing off and going to bed...Good night!

Today has been a good day! I worked all this morning. the LOOM is really taking off. I just know God is blessing it before it ever gets started good. We continue to see his blessings EVERY single day. I made a vow to my boys today that I would spend some time with them. I took them to the pool . The picture of above was taken today at the pool while Bleeze listend to the ipod and did the "cha-cha slide" hand then we came home and got ready for supper club. It was yummy! Beth you did a GREAT job. The food was wonderful and your home is beautiful!

I took Eli to spend the night with Nanny Mary tonight. I am going to take Bleeze to Toys R Us and then to spend sometime with Nanny Mary tomorrow afternoon while I have some meetings.

Okay...going to get on my soapbox now. I am so sick of people trashing Gov. Mark Sanford. My Gosh, I have never heard so many hypocrites in all my life. Don't get me wrong. I do not think he should have had an affair on his wife. I think that it is horrible. My heart BREAKS for his wife and his children. It is so sad. It is just terrible. However, I think wrong is wrong and sin is sin and none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes and just because he holds a political office does not mean that is not allowed to screw up. I mean. I hate what he did. If I was his wife, I would be ready to shoot him but let's face the facts. This same story happens everyday, all around us. However, if it were a fellow co-worker at any normal job we would NEVER ask them to resign their position. The fact that he had an affair does not mean he is not doing his job. I think he is a good Governor. Who he is sleeping with has nothing to do with his job performance. I remember many years ago, someone I was an assistant for was having an affair but that did not make him excellent at his job. We never ask him to leave his position. Why should Mark Sanford resign as Governor? I have news for all of you who are screaming he should resign....I am certain that he has done something else considered wrong or "sin" while being in office. Why pinpoint this one "sin" or mistake? I realize some of you bring up that he ran for office on family values. Yes that is true, but I think you can still believe in family values but yet get distracted, tempted, etc...and then yes...SCREW UP! So for now, I am done with that subject. I am praying for him, his wife, and children and leaving you with this awesome scripture that sums it all up......

1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Matthew 7:3 MSG

Everyone who reads my blog or knows me well, knows that I am always busy. I do believe I thrive off of being busy. I know other ladies who are even more busy than I am. Often times I hear ladies (as well as men) talk about how they have forsaken their "alone" time with God. How they feel bummed and sad that they haven't spent time with him, or how they feel lonely or distant from him. I have to admit that I have had those times. As believers we all know that God has not went anywhere. He is right there. It is us as humans that have wondered away from him and are not doing are part of the deal. Remember "He never leaves us or forsakes us". This morning I was reading during my devotion from a cute little book that I recommend to all you moms out there. The book is called "The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained". It is book simply on "how to defeat mommy stress". I am going to share something from this book in a moment but first I feel I must reflect on what brought this blog on this morning.

This time of year typically seems to always send my mind spinning about the way I was raised. Being raised in a particular denomination with tons of "man" made rules. I think it is because I know there annual gathering is going on. I am not saying that I am not thankful for good, God fearing parents. I feel they did the best they could with my brother and myself. We were taught to"fear" God and to be obedient. I do sometimes feel that the "fear" we experienced was not the "fear" the Bible is talking about. Many times I did the "discipleship" deeds such as reading the Bible, praying, serving as if I were fulfilling my "spiritual responsibility" not out of a heart of worship or out of a desire that was to please God but to please man and even please myself. In the past I have felt like my walk with God was not what it should be. I realized that it was my fault, not God's of course. It is important that we read our Bibles, pray, seek God, and serve but not out of duty! Often times we make this a duty and not an act of worship or discipleship. I want to share with you part of my devotion this morning. It is my hope that this will speak to some of you in the same way it spoke to me.

"When we serve God merely out of duty, we add religious items to our already full days: read the Bible, spend time in prayer, go to church, serve in some ministry, and keep a good Christian smile on while doing it all. God's life-giving principles are reduced to another set of rules we're forced to follow. Instead of refilling and refreshing us, our relationship with God becomes another source of stress."

The author, Lysa Terkeurst goes on to tell us how we can change this, how we can capture the lover of our souls and how we can make it change for our good. Three ways she gives...1. Praise God for the Good 2. realizing our struggles are a tug towards eternity 3. It all hinges on choice.
I encourage each of you moms to go purchase this book so that you can gain more insight than I can share through a single blog.

May each of desire to draw closer to our heavenly Father out of desire and not duty!!!!

Today was such a Monday

Everyone go eat at Stella's the food is truly amazing!!! www.stellasbistro.com

Today really was such a Monday. I have been super busy. Can't complain though. I managed to get a ton accomplished. I got the entire house cleaned today, went to several business meetings, managed to get my kids to a trip to the zoo, pick them up and take them to spend some time with Nanny Mary, had dinner with my hubby at FANTASTIC STELLA's in Simpsonville. If you are local I encourage you to go. They are awesome. I also made a late night grocery run to Walmart. It was a must. We were out of EVERYTHING! Tommorow is going to be just a crazy. But that is okay. I like busy. I think I actually function better under pressure. So for now. It is 1:42 am and I am exhausted. I have to be up in just a few hours to go for a run.

Good night!!!!

father's day fun

Father's Day was good. We enjoyed church with my family at my parents church. I am sure my Dad loved having all his kids and grandkids in service with him today. I did enjoy the service but I have to admit that I have missed being at Grace missing two weeks in a row. After church we went to my parents for lunch. Yummy bbq. The kids had fun playing. Got some cute pics. Then I watched Madea Goes To Jail. OMG! I laughed so much. Tyler Perry ROCKS!!!! This afternoon I spent some time with my sweetheart and then his mom and Jeff came over. Tommy had to measure a job and was not hungry from his huge bbq lunch so the boys and I went to dinner with Mary and Jeff. It was not as hot tonight so I was able to sit outside with the boys while they played a bit. Tonight I clipped coupons and hung out with Bleeze. He would wait for me to clip to coupon and he looked at me so sweet and said, "Am I being patient?" He is so awesome!!!

Hope to take a trip to the zoo in the morning with Eric, Jessica, and Makenzie. This week is Jammed pack! Lots of meetings and decisions to be made about the LOOM this week! So for now, gotta catch some ZZZ's! Happy Week to all!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Just wanted to say Happy Father's Day to my man! Tommy, I love you! So glad we have our two precious boys together.

Also Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Father in law, brother and all my daddy friends!!!

Made it home....

Well, we made it. It wasnt horrible. Just a few arguements! LOL! I am not one on riding. I hate it! I think it is from all my childhood riding adventures to different COG events. LOL! Despite the ride we had a very peaceful time. A nice vaca away from the normal. I came home to a newly painted upstairs. Now to get new bedding and furniture that will all match. My garden looks beautiful too! Looks like we are going to have some fresh veggies this week to eat! My boys need it after vacation. Eli had lost weight from being sick. He gained it all back but one pound. Bleeze gained 1 pound. I have weighed in yet... I don't want to know. Tommy says he gained 8 pounds. LOL!!! The sad thing about it is the way Tommy eats and works out. Those 8 pounds will be gone in 2 days. It takes me a week to loose that much. LOL!

I am beat. I am going to bed. Bleeze and I went to pick up some Father's Day gifts tonight. He was so sweet. He wanted to buy everything green because he knows that is Tommy's favorite color (and his). So for now, glad to be home!!!! Going to sleep in my bed.

Captivated by Captiva......

Today was by far the best day yet at the beach. We hung out at the pool and then had dinner at Cheeburger Cheeburger (apparently it is a more famous than I thought. My Dad knew it from Food Network) Anyway, then we were off to Captiva for the most beautiful sunset ever. It was amazing! The beach was also very nice. This was my best time all week. For those of you who know me know that I enjoy hearing the waves crash and the wind blow through my hair. As you can tell from the pics the wind was SO blowing through my hair. LOL! Made for a very bad hair day! LOL! Oh well, we are going home in the morning! I am NOT looking forward to the ride but I will live. Been through worse! I will just close my eyes and imagine that I am at Captiva, experiencing the beautiful sunset, hearing the waves crash, and feeling the wind blow through my hair.