I have been thinking that every time I take a picture of the kids, it is me freezing in time a moment that touched me in some way. It is looking through the eyes of love. The kids love to play with this car. Emma used to be the one on top until Davis discovered the other day that HE can do it too. This was also before he got his hair cut. My sister gave Davis this tent for Christmas. We set it up this weekend finally and Saturday morning, Davis decided he needed to eat his cereal in it. And after he got his hair cut. I used to think I took pictures to document certain times and events. Which I do. But I also take pictures to capture something that catches me. Something that I do not want to ever forget. I know there are times that I will not be able to capture with a camera lens. I hope that I capture those moments with my heart.

I know I have said before how much I love our home church. I know I have talked about how hard it was for me to get back into church and feel comfortable there. Even at KCBT it took me some time. Mark and I over the last couple of years have utilized many of the available resources at the church. We have both been through Discipleship. We have joined in various different Bible studies. We are currently taking the Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey course and just this last weekend we did a Marriage Conference with Dr. Gary Chapman. I have talked with many different people in the church for counseling. It has been unending what our church can offer to us. None of those are the reasons I love it so much. Yes, it is great that we have these resources. Yes, it is great that they are readily available to us. There are two reasons I love the church so much. One, they teach the Bible. Every week there are verses out of the Bible and we are taught how they apply to everyday life. Th...

Davis had his third birthday. It came complete with a Lightning McQueen cake as I had promised and my boy said it was beautiful. And at the end of the day that is all that really matters. His birthday was Saturday but we did a little family gathering Sunday. My sister (in-law) helped me decorate just a bit for the party and when Davis got up Sunday morning he really understood what it meant. We were having a birthday party! And he was excited! Here are a few pictures from the party. The Lightning McQueen cake Cupcakes that I bought already made. I know, shame on me. But after the cake, I was wiped. I did put the little picks in them though. Davis excited about the cake and candles. Davis telling his Nanny (my mom) about the party and cake and who knows what else. Davis blowing out the candles on his cake.

Tomorrow my baby boy will turn three. I am not sure where the time went. Three....now if I could only get him to use the toilet we would be set. Davis at one.... Davis at two.... Davis at three... You are getting big Boogie. But you will always be my baby boy. I love you.

This is a picture from the other day. I did some tweaking to it. Maybe I need to find out more about this Photo Shop thing I hear about so often.....can you do really fun stuff with your pictures in that program???

Since I was a teenager, I have been a magazine junkie. At that age it was mostly Bop and Teen Beat. I had to get all my posters of New Kids on the Block somewhere. Not to mention all the latest gossip on them. It soon, turned to girl magazines. You know the ones. How to get a guy and the latest fashion trends. At that time it went from Teen to Seventeen, with a few other magazines like YM and even the occasional Teen Vogue for me. I often had subscriptions to many different magazines at a time and would often ask for them as gifts. Nothing like getting them delivered to your door every month. Since I got married young, I only dabbled in Cosmo and Glamour for a brief moment. And even though from beginning dating to marriage was only eight short months, I did indeed devour bridal magazines as well. This was an awkward magazine time for me because the magazines for my age range were the Cosmo type yet I was married woman. I was not ready for the older woman magazines such as Good Housekee...

In five days my baby boy will be three. It was three years ago that I gave birth to Mark's first born son and to Emma's first sibling. It was three years ago that my doctor announced in the operating room that, "It is a big, healthy BOY!" Then they cleaned up my boy and gave them to his father while they put me back together. Soon enough they handed me my baby boy and wheeled us both back to our room. Shortly after, our baby girl came to meet her baby brother. That was three years ago... I want to stop, and thank you baby I just want to stop, and thank you baby How sweet it is to be loved by you How sweet it is to be loved by you I close my eyes at night Wondering where would I be without you in my life Everything I did was just a bore Everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before But you brighten up for me all of my days With a love so sweet in so many ways I want to stop and thank you baby I just want to stop and thank you baby How sweet it is to be loved by ...

Have you ever been presented with something that takes you back? Have you ever had cause to stop and feel as you did one year ago or ten years ago? Part of my life journey and my walk with God has been about letting go of the past. Knowing that what happened yesterday is done and needs to stay in yesterday. Just as what happened last year or five years ago has to stay there as well. We are not to look at yesterday nor are we to look at tomorrow. The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. In other words, live in today. Tomorrow will take care of itself and there will be plenty to deal with then. Which is great advice. Why worry about something that has already passed, you can not change it now? And why worry about what tomorrow may bring, you...

Last night I could hear Davis in Emma's room. Knowing it was time to go to bed I went in to get him. I could hear him, but I could not find him anywhere. Maybe this is why... Who knew? And what a smart boy. Not only was he IN the toy chest so he could not be found, but he had a pillow and a blanket as well.

You think the Miracle Whip is bad, check out the Doritos label... I think the Mircale Whip is the least of my concerns here. **If the label is diifcult to read you can go here and see it as well.**

Guess what I had for lunch today? Go ahead... Yes, that is right. A ham, Miracle Whip and Doritos sandwich. And it was deeeelicious.

Judy tagged me. First let me say that I "met" Judy over at Babycenter. Then I found out she lived down the street from me. Then she moved to Texas. Yea, she sucks. Anyway, it is so funny with all the crap out there and all the Internet can be used for for bad that sometimes in the middle of all the crap, it can be used for good. Like meeting people like Judy . Or Amanda . Or Karrie . Or Dee . Or someone I will only refer to here as Devo. Anyway.... This meme that Judy tagged me for is Six Weird Things About Me. Now let me say that I find myself to not be weird. Then I thought, "Only six things??? Which six do I pick?" Only because I am sure there are lots of weird things about me. I however do not know they are weird because to me they are well, ME. And I am not sure what I want to share on here.... 1) When I get nervous, I pick my nose. I really do. And the more nervous I am the less I notice that I am doing it. Gross I know. All I can think is it must have hung ...

It seems my Pastor, Dr. Jeff Adams, has joined the blogosphere. Now, I am wondering, "If I link him to my page, should I watch what I write on here?" Maybe.... But I realized I already link our church here and with a few clicks you can find his blog off the church web site anyway. Can I just say something first? It was difficult for me to go back to church. For reasons I will not get into here. Mark had been a member at KCBT when we met but to say I was reluctant is being generous. It took me some time to set foot back in a church and it took even more time for me to go regularly. But I can say, without a doubt, that KCBT is a really great church. Dr. Adams is not only a Godly man who knows the Word and how to teach it, but he is real. Do you know what I mean? He has said things that have left MY mouth hanging open. I have often said that while Baptist is in the name of our church it seems to be more of a formality than anything. I have never felt more comfortable in a church...

Dawn has dropped by a few times and even left comments! I checked her out ( Helllloooo stalker!) and you all should take a look. I have to say her photography is what drew me in. She has more sites and you can find links to them on her page. To make is easy for you here they are (though I am only putting what I *think* is her main blogging page on my links bar): Little Moments Photography Dawn's 365 Project Little Moments Captured Beautiful photography. However, I seriously may need to figure out Blog rolling . Isn't it somehow easier to add people with that???

I forgot too that it was delurking week. Thanks for reminding me Amanda . Here you go... And by that I mean, if you are reading, leave a comment. Anyone can leave comments you just have to click anonymous and sign your name. My sister does it all the time. Come on, you know you want to......

The Bible tells about love in I Corinthians Chapter 13 : Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (We read the King James version. Charity is the same as love.) Here it is in the NIV : Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are proph...

The rest of the pictures can be found here.

My girl is back home. There are lots of pictures to get through. I am working on it. Emma has a new camera and I am technologically challenged. Apparently it was a fun vacation with gorgeous weather. More to follow.....

I only have one thought for today: I get to go get my Emma and bring her back home with me. I have missed her face....

Davis is missing his big sister. He asks all the time where is Emma? He will answer himself. "I don't know. She ride on the plane." He gets in the car and sees that her seat s not there and asks again, "Where is Emma?" Saturday night it was time for a bath. Davis is usually the first one in and Emma comes along later. Davis got in the tub and hollered, "EMMA! BATH!" I told him she would not be coming. He looked so lost. He did not know what to do nor did he play much. Davis has had his Emma always. He is rarely without her and they play together all the time. He loves her and loves her company. Emma told me before she left that she would miss me and her father but NOT Davis. Yet yesterday when I spoke to her on the phone, what did she ask me? "Is Davis missing me? Has he asked about me?" When I was pregnant with Davis and for a while after I had him, I was worried about what I had done. Emma and I had been alone for almost fo...

Karrie's post from yesterday inspired me for today's post. I know it is two days in a row that another blogger has prompted me and I apologize for lack of creativity on my part. Sorry, I suck. Today I will post some pictures of cakes I have made. This year Davis will be getting a Lightning McQueen cake. And yes I will decorate it like it is in the picture. Or attempt too. Here are some past creations. Davis' first birthday was a soccer theme. This was a sheet cake for everyone. This was his very own soccer ball cake. Davis' second birthday was a football theme. Complete with helmet "D" sugar cookies. You will have to excuse me, Emma's pictures were taken before we had a digital camera. My scanner is also not working. So these are pictures of pictures. It was the best I could do. Sorry, I suck. Emma's second birthday was Minnie Mouse. Emma's third birthday was Blue's Clues. Emma's fourth birthday was Nemo . Yes, I made all of those cakes. I...

I have forgotten the last few Thursdays to do Love Thursday. Today after reading Amanda's post, I was reminded that it is indeed Thursday. And even though I already posted today (a long, not sure what I was trying to say post), I do have a Love Thursday post as well. You get a two fer today. Early Saturday morning, January 6, I will put my Emma on a plane. I will not be getting on this plane with her. She will be going to California with her Tia (Mark's sister who is 27, I think) to see Mark's father. I know she will be in very capable hands with Emily. I know Emily will guard her with her life and I know the girls will have a great time together. That is not was saddens me. It is not the first time my girl and I will be separated for a few days. She will be coming back on Tuesday afternoon. So her absence will only be four days. We have been apart for that long a few times before. It is not that I am not used to that sort of time apart. It is not that I want to be going t...

I have been reading Loving God With All Your Mind, by Elizabeth George . It is obviously a religious book and I have found it very helpful in a lot of ways. One verse in the Bible and one that I have held onto for a long time is Philippians 4:8; Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. In this book this is one of the main topics. Thinking on what is true. It may not sound like a big deal. But this includes not thinking about the past or really the future. It is about getting yourself to only deal in today. Not focusing on what happened yesterday and not looking to what may happen tomorrow. It is not as easy as it sounds. A lot of times we look to our past to figure out how to deal with today. And the past is the past. We need to leave it there. A lot of...

My sister's kids came and stayed the night last night. The only place for them to sleep in this house in on our sofa bed. Our house is a one and a half story and the layout is a little weird. Anyway, my kids are early to bed, early to rise. My sister's kids are older (13,11, and 9) and stay up later and sleep later. For my kids sleeping in is eight o'clock. Max. The sofa bed is in our living room. My kids were up at the usual seven this morning. We put in a DVD in Emma' room. (Yes Emma had a t.v and DVD player in her room. Only because there is no other place to put it.) Davis however thought that the kids still sleeping was intriguing. He told me, "Shhhh, they're sleeping," as he watched over them.

I do not know what the year 2007 holds for me. I like to plan and know things. After last year, I learned that YOU can not plan your life. You can try, but God will do His Will no matter what you try to do. 2006 certainly did not go down the way *I* planned. No where near it. As a matter of fact, I do not think one thing *I* planned for in the year 2006 came to be. I know that 2007 holds my ten year wedding anniversary. I know it means my kids will be turning three and seven. I know that Mark will finally join me in the thirties. I know that the sun will rise every morning and set every night. Other than that, I know very little else about how this year will unfold. And for once I am okay with that. So much can happen and change in even a month, I can not imagine what is in store for TWELVE months. I look forward to it. All of it. Good and bad. Easy and difficult. Fun and sad. As Mark said a couple weeks ago, any year spent with him and the kids can not be a bad year. (only he said he ...