I want more!

I want more in 2011!! I don't mean more stuff, but more intentional living. I love setting goals, but even more than that- achieving them!! I was reminded a few weeks ago in my reading that if you don't set a goal, you actually have by default- Your goal is to stay the same. Who wants to stay the same? Not me! I know God has big plans in store for my family and I and I don't want to miss it! Things I want more of this year:

Pray More

Give More

Serve More

Be kinder

Listen More

Love More

Laugh More

Forgive More

Live More

How to achieve these things? Well, I need to look around me and see where I can join in where God is working. What has He placed around me that I can jump in and be a part of? The best place for me to start practicing this list is in my own home with my precious gifts God has given me and then go from there.

John 10:10 I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

I want to live the abundant life. I want more! More of what God has in store for me and more impact on others' lives for God. He gave it all for me. Can't I do the same?

Mind Games

It happens so quickly. We lose who we are by being caught up in things around us and losing sight of truth. How quickly we can let others and circumstances mold us instead of being molded by God. We can let our minds be filled with untruths. I've been in a battle the past few weeks and really struggling with different emotions. I've spent a lot of time in prayer and reading scripture. God has reminded me of several key truths. One main scripture is

Romans 12:2 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I've known this scripture for many years, but it has so much more meaning to me now.


Proverbs 3:5-7 (New International Version, ©2010)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight

Another scripture I have known, but one I am relying on. Trust in the Lord with all my heart!! Not just part of it. Don't lean on my understanding or others, but lean completely in Him. He will make my paths straight. For the first time in a long time, I am completely relying on God to lead me.

I have decided 2011 will not be the same as 2010. Last year had some great moments, but also some regrets that I will not repeat. I am determined to grow closer to God, know Him better, and serve where He wants me to. I know God has great things in store for my family and me.

A few of my favorite things... part 2

One of my favorite things to do is travel!! I would rather spend money on going places and seeing things than on things around the house, etc.

A few of my favorite places from 2010:

We were able to travel to Colorado this summer with family and friends. It was a great experience. We hiked and picnicked at many beautiful places! The weather was wonderful and you can't beat the scenery.





We also enjoyed a trip to Cozumel to celebrate my 40th birthday with friends. It was so much fun! Lots of laughs! I love the beach and turquoise water!





We did our annual trip to a river and this year we went to New Braunfels with the family. New Braunfels is one of my all time favorite places. I grew up going to New Braunfels every summer so I have so many wonderful memories there! It is also the reason I love floating beautiful rivers!





A weekend that I look forward to each year is our annual ladies retreat. It is such a great weekend to worship and fellowship with other women. We laugh, cry, and have so much fun. One of my favorite things is the amazing race we have each year. We didn't win this year, maybe next year...



Meeting with my small group is another one of my favorite things. I love getting together, discussing the Bible, and just having fun together. Most of our group has been together for years and enjoy doing life together.

And as you already know, one of my favorite things is my friends!!! I have the best ones a girl could ever hope for!







Something new we started doing this year that I hope to continue is to visit Yepez Vineyard. Several of us would meet out there for wine, music, and fellowship. It is beautiful and so relaxing!



Now you know some of my favorite things in my life. I hope you are able to enjoy many favorite things in your life as well. I know I look forward to adding many more favorite things in 2011!!

A few of my favorite things... part 1

I've enjoyed doing my thankful Thursday blog this year! It has helped me stay focused on being thankful especially during challenging times. This week I'm thankful for all the same things as last week in addition to being thankful for all this time off! I have really needed it!!! I love no schedule, relaxing, hanging out with Keith, and my kids! It really is one of my favorite things in my life. I LOVE being a wife and mom! It doesn't get any better!!!

Hanging out with Keith is something I look forward to whether it is relaxing at home, going out on a date, or traveling. It is such a blessing to be married to your best friend!



Watching my children participate in activities is definitely one of my favorite things. I love, love, love cheering them on in their sports and watching them in action! They make me smile!





Here are a few favorite scriptures that I have meditated on this year:

Matthew 22:37
And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Proverbs 3:5-7

⁵^A)">(A) Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and^B)">(B) do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways^C)">(C) acknowledge him,
and he^D)">(D) will make straight your paths.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I have enjoyed being a part of book club over the past couple of years. I love reading so this has been a perfect pairing for me: reading and socializing about it!!! Here are some of my favorite picks from the year:











My most favorite thing of all: FAMILY!!










I'm so blessed that we all live near each other and get to spend so much time together. I can't imagine this journey without them!

One goal accomplished!!

Today I completed my reading plan of reading the Bible in a year!! The past few years I have had that as a goal, but can never make it the whole way through the old testament. I love reading through the new testament, but the old testament is always a challenge. This year my small group committed to reading through the Bible this year and I was determined to finish and I DID!!! What an accomplishment it is!! I'm so excited and proud of myself. We used this website for study material and the reading plan:

www.oneyearbibleonline.com

You can even read the passages online on this website. I would recommend it for anyone interested in reading through the Bible in a year. This is the version I read:



Now I'm debating what plan to use next! I will let you know.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

What a blessing of a holiday I've enjoyed!! I've been able to spend the last 19 days straight with my family and although many of the first days were so challenging, it has been a wonderful Christmas season! We spent days at each others houses visiting, eating, and sharing favorite memories! On Christmas Eve we attended church service with family at Second Baptist and then we went to Prodigal Church with the rest of my family, including my dad! There we sang some of my favorite Christmas songs and heard a message to remind us the importance of the life God has given us!!

This is us on Christmas Eve celebrating with family and friends...




My wonderful in laws with their grand kids.



My fabulous sisters!!




My brother in law and sister in law and their cutie, Chase.



Santa visited...



My precious daddy...sweetest man I know.



Reece looking for the pickle so he could open the first present. He found it!!



He got the bike he wanted.



Ashlyn passing out presents.



Another fabulous Christmas, come and gone. One thing I've learned over the last few weeks is to savor every moment and that is what I intend to continue doing!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and made special memories!!

Thankful Thursday!

I am extremely thankful on this day for so many people in my life! I try to be grateful for those around me on a regular basis and on most of my previous post my "items" are very similar, but over the past few weeks it has magnified to be of all the blessings God has given me!!

So, the things I am most thankful for:

I am so thankful for the last few weeks God gave me with my mom!! I had time to love on her and remind her how much she meant to me and to tell her I love her over and over again!! I'm also thankful for the moment God gave me as our family surrounded mom as she left this earth. I'll never forget it!

I am so thankful for my wonderful dad!! He is the most caring, kind, compassionate, servant that I know. He took wonderful care of mom with no complaints, but gratitude the whole time. I only hope I can apply some of what he has taught me!!

For my sweet husband that I can not say enough about. What a blessing! I never had to ask him to do anything. He took over and handled things and did things for us before we would even think about it. He never left my side, he encouraged me, listened to me, and did more than I could have asked for!

My brother and sisters are incredible!! We've laughed and cried and told some great stories. I am thankful I have them to walk with on this journey!!

My extended family: there can't be a better one out there! : ) I am so thankful that we are so close and that they show up, hang out, laugh and talk, and support us!! I am especially thankful for my brother in law through this time! He was so helpful with everything!!

I am so thankful for my best friends! They stood in the hall and listened to me. They cried with me, hugged on me, brought in more food and drinks than even my family could consume! They showed up to help me when I felt like I was falling apart. What a huge blessing they are in my life!!

I am so thankful for all my friends that sent kind thoughts through texts, emails, cards, and in person. I am thankful for my friends that showed up for the visitation and funeral. I was overwhelmed by the love we were shown by everyone. It meant more than I can ever put into words.

I am especially thankful for all the prayers for our family! I felt them and know that God is getting us through this whole process.

A few people told us after the visitation that it sounded like a party was going on! I like that! We were celebrating a wonderful life!!!