When did it Happen?

Where along the way to we lose our smile?
Do we forget what happiness is? 
Where do we lose the joy in our family and friends?
We forget how to laugh with our children.  Why? 
Do the stresses, running, financial burdens, and technology all make our lives too busy?
We spend our days doing busy work -- does any of it really further or better our lives? 
Does Facebook really bring me anything? 
Do games make my heart happy? 
NO.

My business is the business of people, meeting and letting my light shine.
My business is God's business. 
I need to see the flowers, before the weeds. 

What is success if we don't know how to enjoy it or recognize it?  The success of my business is not how many people I recruit but the freedom of time to spend with the people I love while still being able to contribute to our family.
If my "business" consumes all my time and thoughts then what do I have? 
While my struggle has been tough some days, I wouldn't trade it for someone else's story. 
I'm proud of the way God is shaping me, changing me, encouraging me. 
I love being molded for His desires.

Thank you Lord, for a new day.  A fresh Start. 
I believe that together we can write a new script for my life.   A life less dependent on things, and more dependent on you. 
A life filled with humor, patience and self control. 
A life of abundant blessing.
Not just financially, but spiritually and mentally.
A life full of LOVE.  SO. MUCH. LOVE.
Where my children are free to be children and not scared of their parents reactions. 
Where they know how much they are loved and needed and loved some more. 
Help me to be free of the chains that rush me, stress me and scare me. 
I am Chosen.  Never separated from the love of Christ, and freed from sin.
All of the worldly stresses fade when He is the only one I try to please. 
Am I acting, doing, talking, like He would want me to? 
Am I offering forgiveness and grace as He offers ME? 
He will take care of and conquer all the earthly problems if I simply lean closer.
I can go confidently in this dream because He goes first.  I am spirit-led.
Forgive my desires for earthly riches and successes.  I want so much to bless others and be freed from my earthly debts that I forget to live as pleases the Lord. 
Help me to see the positives in life... rather than the negatives. 
I am Blessed.
God's favor has been poured on me and together we can move mountains. 
Thank you Lord.

Holy Smokes!

I live! Can you believe it? A whole year without posting?

This is where we turn the corner. My new game.
The Grocery Game...The savings game.
I feel like I'm playing monopoly sometimes, with a little fake money:)

I will walk you through, show you the ropes, and direct you to the deals!

All you need is a printer for coupons, and an open mind!

The days all seem to blur together, each one moves faster than the one before.
Got back from LA last week, out to visit my brother and family. It was such a nice visit, their little one is growing up so fast! Jason and I have decided to venture out in a little photography business, so if you know anyone who needs some pics taken, let us know. He's planning on doing head shots in LA, while i'll work on families and senior pictures out this way. We'll see, one step at a time. Something about that fire within, you just know when it's right.
Overall, it's good to be back.
Back from the warm sun, and sweet smell of saltwater.
Back with my lovebugs, I am really enjoying them right now. Don't get me wrong they drive me crazy some days, but I don't want to wake up one day and realized I've missed everything. So the house will be messy, and laundry will wait, but we are going out to play!

While out in LA mom stumbled on this little bit of heaven. In Redondo Beach, every thursday they have this little farmers market, fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, fresh nuts, and handmade goods. All nestled in the sweet hill overlooking the ocean. Why wouldn't you visit every week?

It was heaven on earth. I can't wait to go back just for the market. Oh, and the visit will be nice too!

Blesssings on you and your day.

The fire within...

Sometimes I see the pieces fall together, like when Uncle John died. Not that it was fair, but it all made sense.

Things are starting to make sense. My faith grows stronger. My hope in the Lord is my strength. I know that everyday will not be easy. I know that life throws curve balls. But I also know that I have this fire within me. A fire to create something out of nothing. A fire that flickers - sometimes a brighter more intense burn, and at times a dim light. But none the less it's this need to CREATE!

This fire is so strong I can't sleep some nights...

A blessing and a curse some days. A fire to create, to work, to contribute, to be successful.

Success isn't measured in monetary value. It's how we see ourselves. I have a beautiful family, hobbies I enjoy, that hopefully might go somewhere. But most of all I have Love. Love of my family, friends, and the unconditional love of a heavenly father. A heavenly father who started and nurtured this fire within. So for now I will sit back and enjoy. I don't know where I am going, or what tomorrow brings, but all I have to say is "Burn baby, Burn."

Blessings on you and your day. May you find peace in his love, and find your fire within.

Moments.

Where in the world have I been?
This fall has been a whirlwild, not that winter slows down any, but at there is at least the chance to hibernate and catch up a little.

These two keep me busy that's for sure.
They were being crazy the other day and then finally they plopped down in the chair together.
I couldn't resist the photo op you know...

I had to bribe them to get them to stay for any period of time, but they still turned out cute.

These are the moments that make everything worth while.

They don't happen very often, but every once in a while I catch a glimpse of how close they could be when they get older. Right now it's love/hate, but someday.... I know they'll be best of friends.
They look so innocent don't they.... don't let them fool you. They are just plotting to destroy the universe!

I've been missing this whole blogging thing.

I've joined facebook... if you're a member look me up, and maybe we can be friends.

I read the best book...

The Shack by William P. Young

It's pretty cool... Read it and tell me what you think.

Changes you, changes how you think.

Well, that's it for now, I know it's not much, but it's a start.

Blessings on your day.

Life is too short...

A couple of weeks ago my mom's brother, Uncle John, drove up the east coast from Florida to visit friends and family along the way. I haven't seen uncle john in years... many years. I never really knew him well, but I knew that my Mom always wanted family around more, so it would be nice to have him visit.
He settled in fairly well upon his arrival, the kids warmed up to him quickly sweetly referring to him as "big uncle john". He lit up when the kids called him, and giggled when they were naughty....
He was a joy to have around. A silent presence, but a peaceful one at that.
I never would have expected his presence to be so meaningful. ( I know that sounds terrible, but I never really knew him growing up, and how much would we catch up on in his visit... )

Well Last week wednesday my mother found john dead. He had died in his sleep. His autopsy revealed his arteries had hardened so much he couldn't get any blood to his heart. Who would have known.
When Ryan came home to tell me, I was shocked. But truthfully I was not surprised.

I got this amazing flash, like in the movies when flashbacks come and go, one image after another. I saw John's last couple weeks, his pilgrimage up the east coast, his arrival to my parents home, his laughter, his presence, the joy in his eyes. Then the whole thing made sense. It was this great big plan... God's plan. He brought John to us, to know us, to teach us, so that we might teach him. John was surrouned by a family, by unconditional love, by the joy that young children bring. These were things he had never really had for himself. What a gift. What a blessing to have been a part of such a plan.
John left such an imprint on me. I expect him to be sitting at the counter when I arrive at ma & pa's, but he's not. (I'm sure he is in spirit.) He was a man that most people never would have thought twice about, average joe if you know what I mean. But maybe that's just it, God uses those average joes for great works.
He taught me one of the most valuable lessons I'll ever learn.... that life is too short.
It's not about what we have or where we live. It's about the joy that comes from family, it's about the laughter we share, the tears we cry together, and the unconditional love that we have been so blessed to be a part of.

We will miss big uncle john, more than he'll ever know. But because of him, we'll love a little deeper, laugh a little harder, and hold tight to the days we've been given.
Because life is just too short.

Don't be mad mommy....

Holy Blog lag....

Yesterday I was getting ready for work, Ryan was home and the kids were out playing.

They got kinda quiet so Ry went to check on them.

Then I hear "where did you get that?!"

Turns out they had been playing with a permanant marker drawing all over themselves...

Ry sent them in to show me what they had been doing.

Matthew looks up at me and says" mommy, don't be mad, we just playing indian."

How can you resist those faces. :-)

So today, I am thankful for the funnies in life....

the moments when all you can do is laugh....

and the ability to see life through the eyes of my children, even if only for a moment.

Have a blessed day, I'll try not to stay away so long.