Posts galore!

I know - I was sooo far behind in posting on here. I had many ideas and knew what I wanted to post - I just never got around to it. So here are several posts that I have been meaning to post for the last month and half. Enjoy...

And then there was 2.... maybe....

Yep, I did it. I decided I wanted a second dog. My mom found Toby in Lake Placid. He is a beautiful, 10 month old yorkie. Rudy and Toby get along sooo well. They just love to play together. It is a hoot to watch them chase each other and tumble - or as I call it have wrestle mania (there are many rounds each day). As you can see in the picture, they get along so well they can eat off the same plate.


They try to get the same toy from each other (even though there are about 20 toys to choose from).


And then they collapse and sleep peacefully...


However, I have come to realize that I don't know if I am a 2 dog person and I have placed an ad in the paper to sell Toby. He is a good dog and they play so well together that I wasn't sure at first. I know Rudy is going to miss Toby but I think it will be better. If he doesn't sell then, I guess I will become a 2 dog person!

Jesus's birthday!

Last week was Christmas - Jesus birthday! I always stand amazed that God loved us - me - so much that He would actually leave Heaven to come to Earth just so I can be with Him forever. He didn't have to do it, but He did just because of His love for us. Thank you!!

Fostering....

Late September, Florida Baptist Childrens' Home (FBCH) visited my church, Summit (the most awesomest(I know but I like that word) church around) to talk about fostering children. God stirred in my heart and so I checked it out some. At first, I didn't know if this is something God wanted me to do but I started the process. I have come to realize this is going to be a new ministry for me so I am very excited at what God is going to do. Also, I am really scared - but what new mom isn't. At first I wasn't sure if this is really what God wanted for me, but things have just fallen into place that God has reassured me that He wants me to do this for Him - to take care of some of His children in need. As of today I am nearing the end of the process to get licensed - just some paperwork to wait on. Terry from FBCH gave us a date of about Feb 1st of when I should have my license. I am cleaning out the purple room to get it ready. I am slowly trying to acquire some toys to get ready. Most importantly I am praying for wisdom and strength. Please pray for this new ministry.

My birthday...

Yeah yeah yeah I know... my birthday was a month and a half ago but I just never got around to posting about it and I have wanted to. I turned 40 this year and had the nicest birthday in a long long time. I have some wonderful friends who really made me feel very special. I had a "birthday weekend" and on top of that - it was 3 weekends in a row. I already talked about Angie and Ive taking me to Pinchers the week before my birthday. That was such a blessing. Since Angie took the pictures, I only have this one of Ive and I. I wanted Angie in here too.. so I found this 3 year old pic - we need to take some together Angie!


The weekend of my birthday, Ive and I went to check out some scrapbooking things and then to Iguna Mia to get my free meal and of course the sombrero (got to love the sombrero!). I've known Ive for such a long time and she has always been a great friend and an amazing example of what it looks like to trust God and live that out.


Sat night after church, my small group went out to eat and surprised me with a wonderful gift card to a spa and sang happy birthday. I so didn't expect it and it made me feel special from these new friends of mine. No pictures, sorry.


Sunday, my very dear friend Melissa (and her precious daughter Julie - Braden was with dad) wanted to spend the day with me and we went shopping. She took me out to lunch and then we wandered around Gulf Coast. It was a wonderful day of shopping and sharing. (This pic isn't from that day, but wanted to post a pic of her and her kids - Melissa we need more pics together!).



The Sat after my birthday, Lisa took me out for an afternoon ice cream and to shop at Coconut Point. We had such a nice time and found some good deals. Lisa has gone from a parent of one of my students to a sweet friend. This picture isn't from this day, it's all I had and I like it.


That evening, two dear ladies, Tracy and Pam, whom I have gotten to know better over the last year and grown to love took me out to Macaroni Grill. (You all know how much I love Macaroni Grill!) It was yet another sweet evening of fun and friendship - and of course the free chocolate cake!

Of course I can't forget my team at work who helped celebrate at school. I am blessed to have an amazing team to work with and share life with.

I think I got it all. Three weekends of celebrating - woo hoo!
Thank you all for making this year a special time. God has blessed me with some very dear friends and I appreciate you all and consider myself lucky to have you in my life. God bless you all!!!!

Pursuing Intimacy....

I have been overwhelmed lately with knowing how much God truly loves me, how much He is pursuing me. How much He wants to spend time with me, talk with me, and just love me. I have known for many many years about His love for me (and for you) but recently I have been floored with that knowledge. I have a renewed desire to read His word, pray, and be in His presence. At church recently Todd talked about dying to self and gave the real example of how he needed to die to sleep to spend time with God. That's so what I needed to hear. That is my new prayer and ambition - to die to sleep by getting up earlier and seeking Him first thing. I just love to sleep so it's always been hard to get up even a minute before I have to. Now I am working on getting up and seeking God - pursuing intimacy first thing. I know God is going to bless my efforts and most importantly, our relationship is going to grow and get stronger. Yeah!