I'm not a Presbyterian

I had my first Presbyterian church experience today. It was different, weird, strange but not bad. I felt like I stood out like a sore thumb. Why did I go to this church this morning? I got a job there. I start on Wednesday. I am the new pre-k sunday school teacher and wed. night teacher. Since I am the teacher I wont be able to attend the services so I am not required to be a member of their church but today I went just to check it out.

It had pews, we sang a song from a hymnal, there was a organ and we repeated confessions after the Revern. The majority of the church are over the age of 60 and when you are a first time visitor there you raise your hand up really high (the old ladies behind you will not let you put your hand down) and a really nice older gentleman brings you a loaf of his home made bread which I devoured when I got home because it was YUMM-O!

 It was a very different service. I wasn't able to worship like I normally do at church. No one raised their hands or even swayed to the organ music. There was a lot of prayer, friendly faces, and a real word from the Bible. It wasn't bad just different. I didn't feel like I fit in but I was welcomed.

I don't like getting caught up in "religion". I don't believe that's what God is all about. He's about a relationship and as long as you have that then I suppose that it doesn't matter what church you attend as long it's based on Jesus Christ and the Bible and reaching out to others.

 I do like my rock concert praise and worship, trendy videos, being surrounded by young people, and wearing my cute ripped up jeans to church though and that is where I'll stay but my eyes have been opened to something new and different and though I don't agree with all of it my spirit says it's OK. I am so thankful for this job opportunity I have with this church. It's exactly what I have been praying for!

ART

We are always doing some kind of art work at our house.

We keep busy with crafts, coloring, painting with water colors, play dough,

scrap booking, digital art and now FINGER PAINT.

What have we started? What was I thinking? What a mess!

Thank you, Lord, for washable finger paint!

There is something so precious about a child's hand print.

So cool to watch a child express themselves.

They have no limits on creativity as we tend to have as adults.

They are just too cute when they make a mess.

I was inspired to create some finger paint art myself.

I just couldn't resist sticking my hands in the paint!

I call it "the worm"

I think I'm the next Picasso. What do you think?

Lost Girl

What makes a girl give it all to a boy without a cause?

Was she not loved enough or held too tight to breathe?

All she sought in life was to be adored and free.

She finds herself in a dark place disguised as light,

scared and anxious the timing seems right.

Not aware of the pain her heart will know

Emotions fly high with questions and war.

How did she get here, now where will she go?

A girl in love but lost, happy but broken.

Deceived, her heart is still with him,

 but knows there must be another door to open.

A door of peace, hope, trust she longs for.

It's time to find herself, who she is and what she had before.

Once an innocent young girl with ribbons and bows.

Now, picking up shattered pieces of a woman.

She was always beautiful and strong but now she knows.

By A Star

(Dedicated to all teenage girls who find themselves lost at one time or another.)

Love That Camera

Matt had a school project where he had to create a magazine layout, brochure, and extra items for a women's high end fashion line. Guess who the model was? Me! Because I am so model like ... and because Matt doesn't know anyone else here in FL to take pics of. Ha! It was a fun time shooting pics and "playing model" Takes me back to the day when me and all my girlfriends would dress up and take pics of each other! So fun!

It was kind of like glamor shots but in our bedroom.

This is my ad for Lia Sophia. My BFF sales Lia Sophia jewelry. It is beautiful and has an amazing lifetime guarantee!

upside down!

Then we took it outside.

This is the pic he used for the layout.

I just love this one because there are palm trees in the background!

Don't have those in OK.

Sexy and Seductive or Mean and Crazy?

These shoes about killed me after walking around for an hour.

These shoes were not made for walking!

I call this one "central park"

And this one is just "cool" don't ya think?

It was fun playing dress up. I don't get to step out of the "mommy shoes" and put on "big girl" girls shoes very often.

Matt's Magazine layout and brochure turned out awesome and he got an A!

Glad I could help. he he he

SO SORRY

I am so sorry I have not finished my Christmas posts! I am having some technical difficulties. My laptop has a virus and wont let me do anything! All my Christmas pics are on my laptop! It's a tragedy I am trying to cope with meanwhile trying to figure out how to fix my laptop. Matt is supposed to know how to fix everything when it comes to computers but for some reason when it comes to MY computer he doesn't seem to figure it out!

I'll Be Home For Christmas Part 2 will come when it comes! The show must go on though so stay tuned for upcoming post on my New Camera and amazing pics I take with it, homeschooling pre-k, recipes, and more!!! Love ya!

Home For Christmas Part 1

We decided to drive straight through the night. We left our apartment at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday the 19th.

One hour on the road and Truston was pooped

Zander was already asking the 4 dreaded words, "Are we there yet?"

And his now new famous words, "This is takin FOREVER"

About 8 hours into the trip

Truston woke up every time we stopped to get gas or go to the bathroom.

Zander slept like a baby and didn't wake up until the sun came up.

                 We arrived at my parents house at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday the 20th only 22 hours later! Besides the bags under mine and Matt's eyes and the few disagreements we had on the way it was a very pleasant trip.

THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES BEGIN...

First off on my list of things to do in the glorious state of Oklahoma

SEE MY FRIENDS!

Some of my oldest bestest friends ever! We went to church together, took dance classes together, stayed up all night talking, laughing, dressing up, sharing everything, and finished eachother's sentences.

I love these girls and I am so blessed to have them in my life and to have known them all for as long as I have lived. I enjoy getting to visit with them a few times a year and talk about what we are all up to and remember the good times we had growing up together.

And these girls are my highschool buds!

Rachel is engaged and getting married next April. I am going to be a braidsmaid just as she was in my wedding! I have known Rachel since 2nd grade. Love these girls!!!

It was a fun day playing catch up with everyone.

SUGAR COOKIE TIME

Matt special requested "christmas cookies" from his Granmommy this year.

So, we went to the Campbell's home and Charolette made homemade sugar cookies and icing.

Jordon so diligently cut them all out

They were quite excited to decorate their cookies

Matt was supposed to be helping with the making of the cookies but somehow he just helped with the eating of the cookies!

Look at these cuties...

 Jordon and Matt mini me's!

Yummo and they are sooo pretty!

GINGERBREAD HOUSE TIME

Nana and Papa (my parents) bought a gingerbread house for them and the boys to put together.

The boys just wanted to eat all the candy!!!

Isn't beautiful? As soon as it was together the boys started taking it apart and eating it. Everyday we would find one of the boys on top of the table pulling all the candy off the house and stuffing their face with it!

T-Rex

Zander is fasinated with dinosaurs and T-Rex is his favorite!

So, for his and Truston's big Christmas present from Matt and I we took them to downtown disney and ate at the T-Rex restaurant. It was quite a sight to see!

They ate on T-Rex plates and were surrounded by dinosaurs, Jungle, and Ice Age!

The dinosaurs moved and roared, the lights went down and storm came with flashes of lightning and sounds of thunder.

There was a giant Octopus and sea creatures...

They were very entertained throughout their dinner.

After we ate we got to dig in the sand for dinosaurs fossils

Merry Christmas in Florida, Zander and Truston!