tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35103183070563837522024-03-14T05:45:58.650-05:00The Fogle FamilyTammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-63459750279727679862010-12-14T21:43:00.002-06:002010-12-14T21:58:42.182-06:00The silence ends . . .It has been quite a few months. I was following another gal's blog and felt like she said what I had been feeling very well. Life has been happening, however it is not much I can share. <br /><br />So, I think that life is slowing down enough that I might be able to begin to blog.<br /><br />We sold our house, moved, and now are settling in to a wonderful place. I sit in the living room and still after two months I can't believe we are here. We had thought that building was the way to go, but I am amazed at how God's hand was all over these last few months. We just found out that the lot we wanted to build on was $20 more a square foot that anticipated. Our house is $40 less a square foot and that just amazes me. God so far exceed my expectations in so many ways! <br /><br />God is still just as faithful as He ever has been, because that is who He is. I am more in love with Him than I thought I could be and wondering still how He could feel about me like He does. That is where I am at . . . in a journey to know HIm more. In that journey I am learning so much about myself. I hope to share more now that I feel like I have the freedom to tell what my God is doing. <br /><br />Now off to get ready for a Christmas party . . .Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-9628064895049158592010-05-03T20:56:00.003-05:002010-05-03T22:18:40.715-05:00Monday . . .I seemed to have lost the pictures and now fill most entries with words. I kind of feel like that is all I have right now. Words to function from situation to situation, words to try to explain my failing mouth in expressing myself, only words to describe the way I feel right now.<br /><br />How these words fail me now. It has been such a world wind for these last few months and I must confess to not being use to it. I had guarded my time so closely and I agreed to several things not knowing how it would all fall together. MAN! I hardly had time to breathe and it really took all of last weekend to get myself feeling a little more normal.<br /><br />But then . . . that is where it started to go downhill. See when you are busy and needed it feels good and important to rush here and there, accomplish this and that. But when you stop, it is almost like going through a detox. No one around, no one to pat you on the back for all you have done, no one to notice that you are not sure what to do with yourself.<br /><br />Today I behaved badly. I let my world seem dark and lonely and let my feelings tell me what my reality was. I was so deceived and duped, and it makes me angry! Why do I let the enemy tell me my reality? Why do I let him tell me the things that temporarialy scratch my itch?<br /><br />Oh but God is faithful. I began to tell Him how bad it was and how I am just so misunderstood. Know what He did? Gently told me what the Truth was in my situation and how I had let myself return to the familar places where burdens were great and life seemed hopeless.<br /><br />Thank you Lord for not condeming me but reminding me of You are good. Your heart towads me is good. I am not who I was, I am Yours! May that be what exudes from me each and every day. Not because I get it 100%, but because you are 100% what you say you are.<br /><br />Found this video right after I posted this. Have been following this family for some time and was truly blessed by what they shared. May you be as well! Don't forget to mute the music at the bottom before you push play.<br /><br /><object width="475" height="356"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=951902&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=951902&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="475" height="356"></embed></object>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-69313749427932064532010-04-23T21:57:00.004-05:002010-04-23T22:32:23.447-05:00Just some thoughts . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyutHK0QYtSrGtj0lTZXVPnch3PZ1PfD_3iiTAqVrAZiCPxVqVwtNUMnOUAlP3jfNZKwdtqLxOH5R9hCAngXDwxcZ0vgBAy-lzojbCyr8fMpqdHxAh-T-VLWBb0oxsZWunBghKDzzKzo4/s1600/img_2237.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463540714133099938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyutHK0QYtSrGtj0lTZXVPnch3PZ1PfD_3iiTAqVrAZiCPxVqVwtNUMnOUAlP3jfNZKwdtqLxOH5R9hCAngXDwxcZ0vgBAy-lzojbCyr8fMpqdHxAh-T-VLWBb0oxsZWunBghKDzzKzo4/s400/img_2237.jpg" /></a><br /><div>What a week it has been. I had some great things go on . . . the kids did great in a worship service at church and we survived all the rehersals. I got to go on a field trip with Sydney to the zoo. Unfortunately in the midst of these great and everyday events in our family, we are suffering through a loss. The hardest part is that as a family it is really taking a toll on us.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have been blessed I guess not to have suffered losses on this level very frequently and I am honestly not sure what to do with how I feel. What to say, how to respond, taking in others' feelings into account as it is not just me who is grieving. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'll have to admit I was really angry last night at the situation. I probably acted out in a selfish way, event though I tried not to. Angry that the enemy seeks to destroy us and will use whatever means necessary to take us out. I know what is like to not be sure what is the Truth and what are lies meant to take us out. I tried so hard to not respond in that anger and I feel like I failed. I just wanted to let the person who hurt us so to know I knew what had happened and the choices made affected so much more than could be known. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So as I tried to go to bed last night I just cried out to the Lord for grace. Grace to understand that bad things happen and I am not going to be able to always fix the problem. Grace for the one who caused this pain, as I can only imagine the pain they must feel to make said choices. Grace for myself to grieve through this in a healthy way and let it grow my famiy closer as we ralley around our loved ones.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>They don't give manuals on how to handle situations like this and I just am so grateful that I have a loving Father who hurts with me, holds my hands and those who are hurting as we walk down this path of life together. My prayer is that this opportunity is not wasted and we all press into the One who know us best to receive all He has for us.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I hate that words really can't express what I feel or bring comfort as they come out. All I can do in these times is lay everything I am at the Father's feet and let Him comfort me. He was faithful to remind me that He is there through a few Psalms. Psalm 121 and 23 remind me that my help comes from Him alone and I can choose to let His comfort be enough or risk walking out of what will really be the balm that heals.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Life is hard. It is in these times that my prayer is for Him to come quickly so no more tears have to fall. May God bring comfort to my family. May they know that He is a breath away and ready to love them through this. May they see that He is more than a distant creator and may they see He loves them more than any of us could comprehend.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My prayer is that God would grant me wisdom to love those who have hurt me and not forget how many times I have hurt those who love me as well. May the grace I have received be freely given not because of what is deserved, but because my Savior did so much more on the cross to forgive me of what was not deserved. May I look back and see how this pain and grief was used to reveal the glory of God in a way I am too close to see right now. This was not His will or plan, but He will make all things work together for those who love Him. </div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-60987819637316896532010-04-20T15:42:00.003-05:002010-04-20T16:49:42.232-05:00What a beautiful day!<div>I just got done walking outside to feel the sun on my face. What a wonderful feeling! It has been way too long since I have enjoyed that feeling. It seems to reflect how my heart feels right now.<br /><br />I have been really having some serious heart to heart conversations with the Lord. I am so simple minded to think that I might actually be able to comprehend the workings of the mind of the creator of our universe, yet so thankful that he is not offended when I ask. I have had a couple senarios that have sent me down wondering if I would ever be able to get out of the cloud I feel like has been hanging over my head for so long. It kind of reminds me of that cartoon character that has the rain follow wherever he goes.<br /><br />What I love about the Lord is that when I press into Him to ask Him why this or why that, I walk away forever changed. My situation doesn't change, in fact sometimes the external pressure gets even worse. What changes is my heart, my perspective, I am reminded of His Truth. So today I felt like I had the chance to lift up above my going ons and see what He sees. No answers were given, no remedies needed. I only know how to describe it as my heart lept within me and breathed deeply and went "Oh. I see now. Yes, You are enough."<br /><br />But that was not all. My loneliness was destroyed, my heartache for what is not . . . gone. My foggy vision of what I thought I couldn't see is cleared . . . just like the clouds outside. We (the Lord and I) have been working on how it looks to really only need His approval. When I seek my worth and value in Him, what others say doesn't dampen my understanding of who I am. My heart may question if what He says is true but is always met with His opinion of me.<br /><br />Recently I took a bold step for me, not so noticable for most, to begin using a name to remind me of what the Lord sees when He looks at me . . . Captivating21. (Captivating to One) If you are still reading at this poing, the only weight I use to measure me these days is Him slone. No matter how anyone sees me I will always know I am captivating to One!<br /><br />We were to ask the Lord what He thought of us the other day and the first thing He told me (twice that night) was that He loved my smile. Guess what you might see me doing a lot these days . . . smiling. There is no greater feeling that to know the love of my King!<br /><br />May the sun on your face turn your heart back to the one who thinks you are pretty darn special.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462339900177252178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEraaNOD2t4lQWWwvULKW8gcFaK99MUNPNZG2_FMKU-OzTIrHUWkONT2zGSvXjK2yTIeWj_8eFnBF11x7vDbbAZueVhaWFEckh8XCiXdpjnThgHnEJOKuANHd3xWBj_ziRF0-aQ28pcZU/s400/img_1731.jpg" /></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-26227191954507717872010-04-15T13:49:00.006-05:002010-04-19T22:09:38.261-05:00Israel Post #1So after being dropped off at the church on Wednesday morning, all 44 of us got on the bus and headed for the airport. My stomach was in knots until I got through securtiy. I have a knack for doing the no no's on the list, but happily got through unscathed! Here is a pic of Renee with all of our 44 passports. There is a bunch in our group!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL69BwxC30H7cj0LzTjl6QRsWRiDW9H6tELg2WUqrviB4MeKJB6y1Ts6P7ywm-6rmPrJSg99V-L8Wj0yiDW0VHlulkGZ58NlBih0333Fwojpor6KeIER6LGHeV44lsGXEjWeCZJm7Ia50/s1600/img_0379_0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460443377292908642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL69BwxC30H7cj0LzTjl6QRsWRiDW9H6tELg2WUqrviB4MeKJB6y1Ts6P7ywm-6rmPrJSg99V-L8Wj0yiDW0VHlulkGZ58NlBih0333Fwojpor6KeIER6LGHeV44lsGXEjWeCZJm7Ia50/s320/img_0379_0001.jpg" /></a> We were seated alphabetically so I got to know the "F" folks really well!. We had an uneventful<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu52neJgJOFmrRv_qmp_jkLPOWKJ2o40LNiFTajBKhsA1XFryIEMPa6UPSIMxS_RrTflj7dy-F_C7UNv_o_seDAwnelL7rXr5U3Tm9m-iZ2sCbU5ke196nyj8fxktvakGPJIJgyc6vSw/s1600/img_0382_0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460443373752488690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu52neJgJOFmrRv_qmp_jkLPOWKJ2o40LNiFTajBKhsA1XFryIEMPa6UPSIMxS_RrTflj7dy-F_C7UNv_o_seDAwnelL7rXr5U3Tm9m-iZ2sCbU5ke196nyj8fxktvakGPJIJgyc6vSw/s320/img_0382_0001.jpg" /></a><br />Here is old city of Akko. We stayed here for three nights. The view was so neat of this old city on the Medditterranean Sea.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrAZgr6BBz9tt3pyY2ECCw3DEK26Q2ErMWXKGk5chYNIKMjepgs7ppMNK1OG8DHzYCwY142qLq29CjizmKY-jmBLiW-fCyNuKNU4sxt4EmXD7FmcPyUdgMT95IYH0yxhU7ccb9WNppZM/s1600/img_0405.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460443370879889202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrAZgr6BBz9tt3pyY2ECCw3DEK26Q2ErMWXKGk5chYNIKMjepgs7ppMNK1OG8DHzYCwY142qLq29CjizmKY-jmBLiW-fCyNuKNU4sxt4EmXD7FmcPyUdgMT95IYH0yxhU7ccb9WNppZM/s320/img_0405.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We got to visit Tents of Mercy. This is David and Avi enjoying a laugh.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2d8aV7MPgXpY5IMX4emFgLnOn7x0zv-Oi3bAJAuxFHgETfW1wA67vMgCfoqufbi3CgEuxnMYgz5NIxVh0i_84oZdqCuLcWoue9XIv-ZzBRQKJmG7z5PJeAcraiK0CtTzsSYRlfA2xkI/s1600/img_0409.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460443366841403522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2d8aV7MPgXpY5IMX4emFgLnOn7x0zv-Oi3bAJAuxFHgETfW1wA67vMgCfoqufbi3CgEuxnMYgz5NIxVh0i_84oZdqCuLcWoue9XIv-ZzBRQKJmG7z5PJeAcraiK0CtTzsSYRlfA2xkI/s320/img_0409.jpg" /></a><br />One of the great things this congregation does is have supplies for the community. Things needed if a war were to break out of things for various celebrations that the community does like Matza bread during passover.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaCSdwMECQLC3H2lkFYuKsPJj11qwQZ9faGD_JztQOJotj5CATv8PC3sA69XL178p_1djS-CaOse3IJDZYbS4ApRT5ij1fsWw0q9uzpfpxcMHxjZgQtrJ63ZiuSHNaWMBrV7PLrREN98/s1600/img_0417.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460443358996963554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaCSdwMECQLC3H2lkFYuKsPJj11qwQZ9faGD_JztQOJotj5CATv8PC3sA69XL178p_1djS-CaOse3IJDZYbS4ApRT5ij1fsWw0q9uzpfpxcMHxjZgQtrJ63ZiuSHNaWMBrV7PLrREN98/s320/img_0417.jpg" /></a><br />I love this picture of the "Tents" in the desert, the oasis for those in need.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bTj4hrW11lOObAgJVUHpNuYkPH-RjuGCiY7b4X5Yv2uHgVDgF5WkqMZ0e64rWCRYURWxcy2PJJaxIi6japs3ghy8Rb_3h7r1U_geT8MThX04cTNDKs68Dbnab8ZiMGBxeYsougy41MM/s1600/img_0418.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460442501421054658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bTj4hrW11lOObAgJVUHpNuYkPH-RjuGCiY7b4X5Yv2uHgVDgF5WkqMZ0e64rWCRYURWxcy2PJJaxIi6japs3ghy8Rb_3h7r1U_geT8MThX04cTNDKs68Dbnab8ZiMGBxeYsougy41MM/s320/img_0418.jpg" /></a><br />Eitan showed us the Torah. This is wrapped in velvet kept in a special shelf and read every week at congregation. It could take up to a year to write this our by hand. I believe it is basically the Old Testament written in Hebrew . . . but my memory fails me right now.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh37r7j0yghglzkOl6OB8aaaWcCYER5yvRlqBTXO4_xnSghnFmTYv56nAFttQidL0yFp7LXUi0nJxwrWbjfAb6MhK6sTebPiME11gCktpTi2nUWMzcVbi1zx0AFxUDQ0GrT7RmBGs84k/s1600/img_0421.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460442496854696482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh37r7j0yghglzkOl6OB8aaaWcCYER5yvRlqBTXO4_xnSghnFmTYv56nAFttQidL0yFp7LXUi0nJxwrWbjfAb6MhK6sTebPiME11gCktpTi2nUWMzcVbi1zx0AFxUDQ0GrT7RmBGs84k/s320/img_0421.jpg" /></a><br />They read it using this special pointer so as not to ruin or smudge the writing.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBwuoESKSbcrhONX9HogAXbOn6dBV3GJ8uUoTvCbeVpZ0kMqx2hp58cAQYnAnr2ydAx3fOwk4OdcmQZSc2xWM4gsPbnKAbE6jfPyYWsC7kw6xqPMUKT3dXP2yOalPsS60ZzQ0ZvTSvdA/s1600/img_0424.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460442494869161314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBwuoESKSbcrhONX9HogAXbOn6dBV3GJ8uUoTvCbeVpZ0kMqx2hp58cAQYnAnr2ydAx3fOwk4OdcmQZSc2xWM4gsPbnKAbE6jfPyYWsC7kw6xqPMUKT3dXP2yOalPsS60ZzQ0ZvTSvdA/s320/img_0424.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />David Ray and Avi. River of Life has a speical relationship with Avi. I believe he has preached in Abilene there.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQwHfEl-FMbIp0OL_LkOxZQALrX2SeJKPXc6t7eN64ceviE0yaox1qztB-8jzeCGqSx7zImfR8XEbuP76_xtRxYX7q-2FMKqAJpgrwufLUw44hwQ4tbTG3z25zKrDqxwfw2uI34UBROo/s1600/img_0427.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460442485240381570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQwHfEl-FMbIp0OL_LkOxZQALrX2SeJKPXc6t7eN64ceviE0yaox1qztB-8jzeCGqSx7zImfR8XEbuP76_xtRxYX7q-2FMKqAJpgrwufLUw44hwQ4tbTG3z25zKrDqxwfw2uI34UBROo/s320/img_0427.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A kibbutz. This is a communtiy farm that many people work on. There were several outside Akko.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy1XNTcP9GJhd9hMPYfjMly_UG67Y_iQgaMSwy7o8xive6v5SDrL3DzijcHPazPaq8EqAs9-jgdpwfokeAeG85INhamT2RqM41UnEmlpixwIfIm54ifILJhUONLTltK-6VcOctMKFbec/s1600/img_0444.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460442475400548082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy1XNTcP9GJhd9hMPYfjMly_UG67Y_iQgaMSwy7o8xive6v5SDrL3DzijcHPazPaq8EqAs9-jgdpwfokeAeG85INhamT2RqM41UnEmlpixwIfIm54ifILJhUONLTltK-6VcOctMKFbec/s320/img_0444.jpg" /></a><br />For the most part this was the way we read signs: Hebrew, Arabic, and English. Thank goodness!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460441586705246754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHORK5coupOdTrJXQuZsMMASCZpFqbQ9cUeMUKHiknLX2IhkSFi8pb50oQSbKVF_nV-aAGX9I-V7VIeW0IJ44o2LvTmK-QzoBW6WHK-VSzWG1tAk2xANEmiSCHK4ZsSy8uNTgRSYXFTyE/s200/img_0456.jpg" /><br />This man was a leader in a congregation in Nazereth. His name is Vakiff and he also had made aliyah (returning to Israel) from Russia. I told him I spoke Russian and felt very dumb when I couldn't figure out that he was asking me how long did I study Russian. I kept saying 34 years! Oi vey!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit413CfV7iv1U_5tl9kr_V25zpDGuKJ-JQ8fpwriMfBOeutQo-ZTQhtKn3_i8S9xphunKOe7cAbmOx7u-NcGn5moToHe9-_oipR9teuSpsjEOwaPoVkIyU1Of5EWxqMapGvEsYJJ52u6E/s1600/img_0470.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460441585355310146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit413CfV7iv1U_5tl9kr_V25zpDGuKJ-JQ8fpwriMfBOeutQo-ZTQhtKn3_i8S9xphunKOe7cAbmOx7u-NcGn5moToHe9-_oipR9teuSpsjEOwaPoVkIyU1Of5EWxqMapGvEsYJJ52u6E/s200/img_0470.jpg" /></a> I just love the way Hebrew looks. This is a sign for Nazereth.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRciAe8zEMc9UpY8mkjMtTTFaXPeTOLt_n2Zu8RzfHN35xby_5gzPCEgo4_5ltfeq5jqZxRt6RC1vu7ifjp5BikZrxlJfJY5Q_QjxHXcKZNH2DLHIa7IyCxLX78A1G9C7D8C4X_k3_UYQ/s1600/img_0484.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460441579251508178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRciAe8zEMc9UpY8mkjMtTTFaXPeTOLt_n2Zu8RzfHN35xby_5gzPCEgo4_5ltfeq5jqZxRt6RC1vu7ifjp5BikZrxlJfJY5Q_QjxHXcKZNH2DLHIa7IyCxLX78A1G9C7D8C4X_k3_UYQ/s200/img_0484.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />This a shot of the Holy Ennuciation Church (sp?). It is the dome shaped building in the center. The Catholic Church believes this is where Mary met the angel that told her she would be pregnant with God's son.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhrIh0ryc0s4FNwihCPexg5WQvGsegy3VOUkw4xyjPwNJqtJNvV4X3xriykLO3i8thFwd29WpD0Gv5zPTZ3kZ7UoIhbyjilPxR4o6Itwk4iFXUohYRjB7vvqrXlCf71X4gLBtfiS5pHE/s1600/img_0487.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460441569196970818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhrIh0ryc0s4FNwihCPexg5WQvGsegy3VOUkw4xyjPwNJqtJNvV4X3xriykLO3i8thFwd29WpD0Gv5zPTZ3kZ7UoIhbyjilPxR4o6Itwk4iFXUohYRjB7vvqrXlCf71X4gLBtfiS5pHE/s200/img_0487.jpg" /></a> This guy was actually from Belarus. His name is Leon. He helps a lot of Holocust victims and has just started a seminary. The Torah that is in the picture actually came from Germany and was found after the Holocaust. It amazingly made it through all that destruction!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPkJGq5CWePB2KrbwuRtIFfSgTH_PTN_Hz-urW7QbKsHlL_W8NENnfoOhNW0DUNtokMIFR15g5tV_J3Fb761JueBueInR6GnHns_ZZuWaQnszXw1Nt4QFZoQ1FVYLT2k1gKFUKxcbUXA/s1600/img_0496.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460441561899716162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPkJGq5CWePB2KrbwuRtIFfSgTH_PTN_Hz-urW7QbKsHlL_W8NENnfoOhNW0DUNtokMIFR15g5tV_J3Fb761JueBueInR6GnHns_ZZuWaQnszXw1Nt4QFZoQ1FVYLT2k1gKFUKxcbUXA/s200/img_0496.jpg" /></a> Interesting warning sign! I would stay away from that!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENA2w57ItmD8Aakhx8Ik1qUvgGqZPzL6UuN9Y4fjlqBP1bVkxhuWs_tFuZTiSx2ybVQ2Y-v_dVeZUPil2uzcfBx0wyzJ-2SrxqUZ2UHh-LX52h6iZkl-2IbNJ1rsaOu3nU3K3GRIvdrU/s1600/img_0507.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460440550700373650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENA2w57ItmD8Aakhx8Ik1qUvgGqZPzL6UuN9Y4fjlqBP1bVkxhuWs_tFuZTiSx2ybVQ2Y-v_dVeZUPil2uzcfBx0wyzJ-2SrxqUZ2UHh-LX52h6iZkl-2IbNJ1rsaOu3nU3K3GRIvdrU/s200/img_0507.jpg" /></a><br />We got to see where Jase and Melissa are working and living and the people who are helping them out. It was neat to see the projects that they are doing and to know how to pray for them back in the states.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuNLeb-y1_uQiFQ1yEc4XKqn25Q6QF0FqoKZdUuBSHYNpvELsBAcSix_XRU3QyhOg1jAqrdMRz0eCnzaRY6pMx-GFepnl1U5SI_zePrtPa2f3fOyxXgOay3EmihYtUATwoPZpn1sjoQw/s1600/img_0509.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460440545174947570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuNLeb-y1_uQiFQ1yEc4XKqn25Q6QF0FqoKZdUuBSHYNpvELsBAcSix_XRU3QyhOg1jAqrdMRz0eCnzaRY6pMx-GFepnl1U5SI_zePrtPa2f3fOyxXgOay3EmihYtUATwoPZpn1sjoQw/s200/img_0509.jpg" /></a> Melissa showed us their bomb shelter and it was sobering knowing that they had just experienced the effects of war not too long ago. I had a hard time imagining what that must have been like. In America we really don't know what it is like to have a war going on in our homeland.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQu5BvPt_yKXqSiYgFIOlyfrZd3ZYLLLbq5X4tfTkcjE0ZzatzLBlRvxS3izfq9NUmjeXXS3JQ370qn4hPHBpSCkYOuVAUnbPXQ-cQW_6Mmc_LY15xqW8hMb29a8ZkNB8LnBHjUzXc5w/s1600/img_0511.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460440541541130882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQu5BvPt_yKXqSiYgFIOlyfrZd3ZYLLLbq5X4tfTkcjE0ZzatzLBlRvxS3izfq9NUmjeXXS3JQ370qn4hPHBpSCkYOuVAUnbPXQ-cQW_6Mmc_LY15xqW8hMb29a8ZkNB8LnBHjUzXc5w/s200/img_0511.jpg" /></a> I had to show this photo. I have never had a problem swelling with any of my travels or pregnancy and it blew me away how much I did after we arrived in Israel. My sandels started to hurt my feet and I had no ankles! I made sure to drink lots of water and keep them up and thankfully it went away. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWDT10N0wM3wrZ75eJ7DmQESbj4rTkfjmCEdFya_ChySF0W-S-edlvwoha3vLUadIc3iH_cm-1dMZNiDCRei-FYhK1D2DU2s1kJXmHFx7tEP4HpzWMzJ5Dpdb5icOgx48iRezF1MCbzY/s1600/img_0520.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460440534610508258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWDT10N0wM3wrZ75eJ7DmQESbj4rTkfjmCEdFya_ChySF0W-S-edlvwoha3vLUadIc3iH_cm-1dMZNiDCRei-FYhK1D2DU2s1kJXmHFx7tEP4HpzWMzJ5Dpdb5icOgx48iRezF1MCbzY/s200/img_0520.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZCsnngWwrZyqURZA6TJhwAoH-p_opKTSHrSmC1g0LMzrFT4usO7MIYQyMtIOuoVVZYstwDf3z5Y1KRm7zc79Ift9t-QgRqIylIZI-mlZZxYB_niyd9MYlWVWHiChNychVWs46SJeIkk/s1600/img_0522.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460440522103736050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZCsnngWwrZyqURZA6TJhwAoH-p_opKTSHrSmC1g0LMzrFT4usO7MIYQyMtIOuoVVZYstwDf3z5Y1KRm7zc79Ift9t-QgRqIylIZI-mlZZxYB_niyd9MYlWVWHiChNychVWs46SJeIkk/s200/img_0522.jpg" /></a>This painting was at Guy Cohen's congregation. I loved hearing the shofars blowing but unfortunately missed out on a lot because of my troubles with jet lag. I hope this gives a glimpse into the first day of what we did. I felt like we were all over Israel this day . . . at least the NW side. <br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-73061002545735303152010-03-27T21:18:00.003-05:002010-03-27T21:39:32.082-05:00I am still reeling . . .I will post pictures galore from my incredible trip that I just got home from later, but I wanted to share some thoughts I have been chewing on all week since I got home from Israel:<br /><br />-I am sentimental. Never realized just how much until the simple thought of something could send me into an emotional breakdown. Granted it was probably a lot of tiredness thrown in, but it has really shocked me. For example, I was at a playdate and a buddy from the trip popped in to exchange something . . . and I almost had to leave the place because I was overcome with emotion! I was just heart sick the rest of the morning.<br /><br />-I desire more than anything to be a part of what God is doing. The problem I have is sometimes I am so busy looking for where He might be that I miss Him altogether. I am struggling just being a wife and mom these days and I feel like I am in constant dialogue with God about His timing. He has been so sweet to encourage me an let me know I am doing what I should . . . but can I be honest? Sometime is is definitely lacking in the glamourous! But that is when the Lord gentley reminds me that I am in the planting part of the growing season and I will not see the fruit of my labor until a much later date . . if ever. I choose to be okay with that, but I must confess the struggle is still there at times.<br /><br />-I realized on this trip I just took, that while I love to be the center of attention, the one who entertains . . . I desire that deep intimate conversation just as much as the laughter and lighter moments. That may be the way we all are, but I realized that sometimes making others laugh and have fun can be isolating because it is hard to take the jokester as serious. I am thankful that God place such a wonderful gal as my roomate on the trip so I could have both. She will never know how precious those nightly conversations were to me even if I tried to tell her.<br /><br />-We may learn to loose the baggage in our life that robs us of the freedom Christ died for, but the enemy is smart to sit it in our path so we may be tempted to pick it up again. Darn that enemy! I get so frustrated when I seek the familar even if it leads me back into the bondage I have been set free from. I am so thankful that the Lord is so patient with me to show me where I seem to be lacking in faith and taking control of the things I just laid at His feet. Never chiding, but reminding me of what my heart truly desires. When He puts it back into perspective, life becomes so much simpler!<br /><br />-I doubt my faith at times. But I have realized that this should not bring shame to my heart, but amazement. I am the one Lord showed me His truth, His grace, His salvation! Thanks to a wise man who pointed this out on my trip, that too would have brought me shame. Now I can't believe that my eyes have been opened, my heart freed, my life's purpose to love and know Him more an more . . . I'll never understand why me but it will not weigh me down again. My heart longs for those around me to know this love and let go of the religion, but once again it is like describing a sunset.<br /><br />So I guess I end here. I am amazed. Amazed that I was beyond priviledged to be a part of something so much bigger than I could have even imagined. Now to live out what I have learned in my day to day life. God is so good, such a kind and gentle teacher that I have no fear He does give His children the very best gifts!<br /><br />P.S. Not sure if a lick of what I wrote makes sense, but eh . . . know that the wheels are turnng up in my head. If nothing else you can be encouraged that the God of Abraham is just as amazing to me 4000 years later!Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-2399021375671790092010-03-27T21:04:00.003-05:002010-03-27T21:17:53.595-05:00Happy Birthday to my favorite 3 year old!One of the downfalls to going to Israel is missing Savannah's 3rd birthday. However I made up for it when I got home. We had a Dora cake, presents, and of course who could forget the singing. Simple, yet sweeet. Next year we will begin the parties so these small family affairs will not be for much longer. I love her so from her sweet smiles, to her terrible three tanrums. One of our fun things we got to do while I was gone was argue who loved who more. What a fun arguement!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32WY-cuVYgMfHtMcXz-awaWZYRXzvMZjwNbndVuirvRQ7IEWkgOXwryOvatz2rRDhJxWCrlcJl9nDM6jA29t0_5XPxLBKhO3sfRWa6UtOG22tbjFPIFl0ZNay92i1t4X7HtQEf57uCqA/s1600/img_2757.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453501537572368386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzVXs_MtAbNfm4GW0GEJf017nBUfvzX3_fgZ52Sd0a_RYimte8zCVlASQPI2oCjNJAk8sVZLuU665o7zwxyjVCgCXJcNG5-wSZ4sG0D1oXIvuFcSc_QOTmN3xItIV1BPq7Rny0w-yd8M/s400/img_2740.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453501548280569426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImf5LOATt0rnuQz-Ahwg5nXjX8nlhpn-R3_gpHzTwwbNJPNtoEtyAt5SW_ZDox30rDLXTQsOf4EYO5hnQJYd9Viz_Y2IU7DDozGW7xS7EYdTXbTAkgLduvpElUXcYXrmz4v5pgSL0Pc4/s400/img_2721.jpg" />Just a quick shot of my BEAUTIFUL flowers waiting for me when I got home at 4:00am on Tuesday morning. More on that later . . . <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453501554504558466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Pi13ANKbT4ycyQwXONfU96yU0XS3QcSJh5CLIo7sQ9sa186cX4511Qtd5CQ-G63LxMLX6CUpyTJT7icwCHuMkccfE6b1vK6OTCSwCxOWndcVA4mlVeBd3p9bHY84ZBj3lmrFAYVTNc0/s400/img_2747.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453501559307953170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32WY-cuVYgMfHtMcXz-awaWZYRXzvMZjwNbndVuirvRQ7IEWkgOXwryOvatz2rRDhJxWCrlcJl9nDM6jA29t0_5XPxLBKhO3sfRWa6UtOG22tbjFPIFl0ZNay92i1t4X7HtQEf57uCqA/s400/img_2757.jpg" /></a><br /><div> Yes, this last photo is out of place. It is my sweet baby boy in a Dora towel. He was in heaven after bath time completely unaware of the pink towel covering him up! Isn't he the cutest?!?!?!</div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-55679027667091114252010-02-22T20:40:00.004-06:002010-02-22T21:11:41.513-06:00Sunsets and God<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftL5O9KKB0hABJGGkhh_dJLrZ-fX1ygdKVEGbBdYFrlUpDRXn3IKQ5Ahrl6k4g_izdJ7Y4UMTukNAzXpyl4w8WdtoEhqQILiiJneh5lnhjxQA4oCV32P0D724JkyPm29iy6QgUTtPW0w/s1600-h/IMG_9904.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441270363931483842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftL5O9KKB0hABJGGkhh_dJLrZ-fX1ygdKVEGbBdYFrlUpDRXn3IKQ5Ahrl6k4g_izdJ7Y4UMTukNAzXpyl4w8WdtoEhqQILiiJneh5lnhjxQA4oCV32P0D724JkyPm29iy6QgUTtPW0w/s400/IMG_9904.jpg" /></a><br />Whew! It seems that time to sit and reflect on life are far and few between. I have to remind myself that this is a season that passes way too quickly and I need to take it in before it is gone. But between dirty diapers, laundry, dishes, dirty faces, and any other task that makes up my day being a wife and mother to four . . . God has graced me with an ability to make the most of the moments that come my way to chew the fat with Him.<br /><br />We have been studying the Holy Spirit at church these past few weeks and it has really got me to seeing life differently. I am so thankful that my life group allows me to be honest enough to pose the struggles I have in this area. How does one live a life completely consumed by the best thing . . .God . . . and not remove yourself <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">from</span> a world that hasn't tasted what that is like? It is funny to me because I know that someone who hasn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experience</span> the awareness of who God really is might not see things as I do. How to bridge that gap baffles me. What frustrates me is that there is really no way to describe it either. Just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">like</span> you can't tell a person what the sunset looked liked no matter how <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">eloquent</span> your description unless they were looking at it from your eyes.<br /><br />So back to understanding how to live a life filled by this awesome and incredible Spirit of God on a daily basis. What God has been showing me is so simple I really can't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> I missed it in the first place. I ask Him. I ask Him what does He have in mind before any given situation and what role does He want me to play in it. It is not that I haven't sought out these answers, but sometimes I let pomp and circumstance get in the way of a gut level interaction with God. No flowery words needed, no special rituals . . . just ask and most importantly listen. Who do you want me to encourage, share you love, freedom with? That is how these ordinary tasks change into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">extraordinary</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Spirit</span> filled moments. What better way to spend the day by encountering a Holy and mighty God by pointing people back to Him! I tried it today and nothing life shattering happened to anyone else, but to me it was incredible. He spoke and and I heard and now I am on a mission.<br /><br />I am sure I might be out there for some, but one day I pray that when we see this same sunset together we will not words to explain it. BTW the picture is the closest thing I have to a recent sunset for me, kind of random I guess. :)Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-87028733274702856832010-02-16T12:37:00.002-06:002010-02-16T12:39:36.461-06:00Just wanted to share!Lots going on and would love to tell but it is not the right time. So I thought I would share this awesome video! May it bless you like it did me! Be sure to pause the music at the bottom before you watch the video.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CT7x3VnrqbA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CT7x3VnrqbA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-36287848285899173912010-01-27T14:11:00.003-06:002010-01-28T11:00:42.723-06:00I am a little impressed, if I do say so myself!I am not into do it yourself projects. When we painted our tiny bathroom in our old house (brush your teeth while your shower taking care of other business small) I realized that it just went too slow. With that being said, I never could find a light for our ktichen that made me want to buy it. So I thought I would try to repaint one on my on. I got it at the restore with globes for under $25. Can of spray paint and a little help from my husband to hang it and it is done. If only they were all this easy. So am now a happy camper not looking at the ugly brass one that has hung here since we moved on. Now I guess I need to get back to laundry and plain old house cleaning. The other things I don't find my passion in! :)<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div>The light that has caused the source of many problems . . . okay maybe not all that but I really don't like it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431835088729034530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L7U_ZfJ-3zIsSh4cmrTUtDKUob_KgmNBEc_HiNzEOZfMw4U2HDeQiI6_gFi_KiMMHyquBcl3WuYW-1ocxXa-jPV0W9iI-dciqlqGA0kIfCZdGBepWEVD_udh0c4RWauaii8hcaKeyE0/s320/IMG_9836.jpg" />The purchased light. Here is the point in which I wonder if I am crazy or will I really like it.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431835089218177938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_a5sv2BNe3uZX9IRjDGsTPW_MWs4Gzlwr8DR842LhtdASCOQoTM_Pn6vgbyjLIlRBBMtL7hXyA2Fsd3npah-TQ2KXILlFAk5S9D98nfymNBpuT0UrEraqLg1i8PBetd9BzXcVeCXp4fY/s320/IMG_9838.jpg" />The new globes I got for 50 cents each!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431835098451058386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8dIR-R9yYJJHSv_miVRNmU1RuEiC_3akayAoeyQS1sKPlK6NnNWK6ILAwlBGohpHB94U9tY6AU3_IXuwXv7hR3n5VHAIjjPVMHtrwdjyax5gahPTO9a7eveA6S_5EIGyHpTwWqnsWSU/s320/IMG_9840.jpg" />Hanging in the garage waiting to dry. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431835106007684722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kZhzTzGIm6l7tqIdqNSZtYZQc3iUmhMMulzDIThJFVQfR4iF5NGxDfi06-B5MyhVwlbTd6LveL1QEMqutWk2a_3KPVL_hsOHZBIPvmV_sqt7ShWm_NRFn__quP8QzBmUM6Nd9qsjpgo/s320/IMG_9843.jpg" /> By the way, I also figured out how hard it is to take pictures of these kind of lights. The pictures don't make me feel as happy as I do when I acutally look at the light over the table.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431835555779829058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pQwOdfjYD90QInFMmjh3VpBeASNf5hlXXo7NnKa4UNOvzaiXCTX5NtG72HXtuo0YG0ygk0tuPKRKKJ84P4LiznazY2LRLGV4kpGnj5VI62AyezwgMLx3zgjDqcBGCH7q0gOTIzHcCpg/s320/IMG_9853.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-68368338099691385492010-01-02T22:35:00.002-06:002010-01-02T23:07:39.484-06:00What a start!While working on setting up the kids's new awesome puppet theatre upstairs, I had the iphone shuffling my music library. I was so taken back by a song that came on I had to listen to it twice. It was by Wayne Watson. Wow, talk about a flash back. It took me back to those days in high school, when I was a little obnoxious (understatement) with my faith. I still remember borrowing a video tape from my youth minister David with some christian music videos on it that forever changed my genre of favorite music. We are talking early 90s. Micheal W. Smith . . . Amy Grant. . . Bruce Carrol . . . Al Denson . . . and of course Wayne Watson. <br /><br />It is funny the things I remember, how crooked his teeth were in the Long Arm of the Lord video. That cool vest Micheal W Smith wore in Secret Ambition, but I digress! But above all those silly things, I remember how the music moved me then in my young walk as a believer. I remember wishing I had a singing voice so I could share some of these awesome songs that really spoke to my heart with those at chuch because those songs touched me so. But alas, my shower and car is where they were mostly shared. <br /><br />Music and songs are to my journey with the Lord are like a photograph for me in a picture album. I will never forget one particular album of Micheal W. Smith's that I listened to on a mission trip with my choir from church. I guess you get the picture, no pun intended. I was really needing a sweet embrace if you will from God tonight and I got it, in the form of a song. So, to really mark this time that I felt as if God were sitting next to me in my car tonight, I will share the words of a song that really meant a lot in high school . . . and even tonight.<br /><br />Every Now and Again (Wayne Watson)<br />It's good to be lonely every now and again<br />To be parted from the ones you adore<br />To sit at a table for two all alone<br />And take a look at the world around you<br />At people with no one to go home to<br />Some with a place to belong<br />Others consumed by their weakness<br />And another when weak seems so strong<br /><br />Lord, let me be at peace wherever I am<br />Satisfied with all I have--A faithful friend<br />And know I am grateful<br />Cause if it makes me love you even more<br />I know--I'm sure<br />It's good to be lonely every now and again<br /><br />It's good to go down to defeat now and then<br />To fail at some nobel pursuit<br />To fall short of the prize<br />And find in His eyes<br />There's nothing your victory can do<br />To secure higher favor<br />He cannot love you more than now<br />Winners and losers<br />All are the same somehow<br /><br />And it's good to know sorrow<br />To be closely acquainted with grief<br />To be showered with tears<br />No reason to cheer<br />To find in Christ your only relief<br /><br /><br />I am finding in my life the removal of excess reveals the true acess I have with the one who loves me most. May I press into him and see all he has given instead of what I think I need.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-1354305473963885342009-12-30T20:42:00.005-06:002009-12-30T21:24:17.734-06:00Precious Gift for me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfucT3Bcqn_P7VumxeOa0Pd7cw4g35f3o3Ib_gC6zCfwW_y4GIJY3VWON9YbzT_6coLvYA-AnPwp9Xqi0InYEgQTc7KCvcXwJInfCAWHV8qWxu7CHRlI-eZsMktQwR7XtH_BMDvKWmGLc/s1600-h/IMG_9195.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421233531616381474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfucT3Bcqn_P7VumxeOa0Pd7cw4g35f3o3Ib_gC6zCfwW_y4GIJY3VWON9YbzT_6coLvYA-AnPwp9Xqi0InYEgQTc7KCvcXwJInfCAWHV8qWxu7CHRlI-eZsMktQwR7XtH_BMDvKWmGLc/s400/IMG_9195.jpg" /></a> Today has been a hard day. Not sure why, it has been building though. I lost it. Lost it with a few people, mainly my kiddos. Went through periods not sure if I would make it out alive. I guess I share this because so many times I look around and think . . . I never see any one else lose it. It must be only me.<br /><br />I know that is not true and I am so thankful in moments like these that even though I may not behave like I have been given all the self control I need, I have. He has taken care of that . . . it is my choice to draw upon it, I can royally mess up, and His tender mercies will be new for this great offender!<br /><br />In the most pressing of all cirmcumstance, a lot of words filled with death have been spoken over me. I find that those are the hardest to let go of. Not because I believe them, but because I feel this great need to disprove them. I was driving down the road trying to come up with a clever stautus updates mildly hinting at the day I had. I was thinking how alone I felt and no one really knew that what I needed most was just comfort. Not that it wasn't given, but it wasn't from the one who can really diminish the pain of my broken heart. So, back to the update. I was trying to be clever in wording my status and it hit me. Who can comfort me? Only one can do so in a way that brings long lasting relief. Only one who can hold me so close and let me know that I am okay. I felt like David in one of those rants in a psalm bellyaching about all my misery. Then the verse came to me (thanks AWANAS) "Your staff and rod they comfort me . . ." (psalm 23).<br /><br />That is it! That is what I sometimes still find myself striving to find in humans. They were not meant to comfort me in this way. Those I know cared about me spoke truth and encouragment, but it was not until I allowed the Lord to calm my spirit and remind me that he is enough. I had that talk that maybe you have had before:<br /><br />Me:"I feel so alone."<br /><br />God:"But you are not, I am here."<br /><br />Me:"But why can't I have someone tell me it is going to be okay. Why can't they say that it stinks, but you will make it through?"<br /><br />God:"I am and I do."<br /><br />Me: long silence "You are right, why do I ever turn to anything but you?"<br /><br />God:"It is in me where you will find what you truly long for, because I love you like no other."<br /><br />Me: "Forgive me for being so hard headed."<br /><br />So, in His usually sweeteness this new song I had been enjoying came on in my car and it spoke so loud and clear. So today, I am pressing into the giver of ALL good gifts. One of those is the fruit of the Spirit. So if you see me not showing the full measure of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, self control, goodness, faithfulness, or kindness . .. then feel free to remind me, "He is enough, Tammy."<br /><br />Here is the line, in case you missed my status update on fb:<br /><br />If I lost it all would my hands stay lifted to the God who gives and takes away? If you take it all, this life you've given, still my heart will sing to you. Even if you take it all away, you'll never let me go. I still know that I'm still Yours! (Kutless: I'm Still Yours)<br /><br />Love my playlist! Got it now on my blog! Small things make me happy these days, I guess.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-42231646709060258612009-12-17T20:47:00.003-06:002009-12-17T21:08:00.817-06:00Patrick's NightmareWe had spaghetti last night. I knew Jackson was getting to the age he needed to crossover into toddlerhood . . . he had to experience the spaghetti for himself. Patrick hates this phase as it involves a huge mess. Not like Babyboom, but pretty severe for our household standards. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416405517971864162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFDn0BpsBP3YhhVeBT2GnxGlnBzTSGG4oDn_9_8P7kJ7hr5OvhUiqIpm7A7JDVP7RC5hlD3wuXpW75ZlS1Qo79Yr23u0VLX2U5Q17_9I7M_Y1HTyf0I30Bl2bvDCMYI_4hORDYwVAjLs/s400/IMG_7512.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416405509888460402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCIgiDx2m94EfcR13jFyElmyG1SoibL34qJmweWcCOE76W6xghLAt87q1pX6O3UL22z3LyXwjxFTRFbhSHEuauOB9nRDXaF-UkZE1mbVdxJzE0uASW29S5syeiy7mXEIqwSpeg_XkSO4/s400/IMG_7510.jpg" />Jackson loved every minute of it, from the onions up his nose to the noodle on his head. His rosy cheeks added to the orange hue of the sauce. The nice part about these pics is that you get to enjoy them from the clean side of the lens! Love making memories! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416405527544731938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXacqlBJweplENu-j8w-PslbHM1p3M2hyphenhyphenOhIy4E3YKwDViSVXUQQgylJkPz8pAAF4cmP7GVamPNI5deG_NRSICtew4A0PBNLNh_vtcnhpgW2oGrX06s34eTsqPs9I7q29ceAlL8GY1VSQ/s400/IMG_7520.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416405524556940242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-SJG1V4EBgChLF8jyEnKKCg4jprbcY4ng-43IC6fzC7TQ2aCijFkgvDxiHz5QIM7T1aNAfaaumVPVzjdww-2dIL2qXitRby5NUkUD-yV-cDZfPhhl8nJkbf33DbMRHpNqJehSFYN__I/s400/IMG_7514.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFDkT6HzWfeVch1Om6jswB_NDQMPuYF9yQ2LMqCh-4d7K7f9ZtLdPyIA4X0gK-IFK0frB4dYVmbVkx9RaowhAexecT7-izv6cM2aRyeod36J3RPeoCqEUAul90xmFCLBb_Zw1P26JPfE/s1600-h/IMG_7522.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416405541030683058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFDkT6HzWfeVch1Om6jswB_NDQMPuYF9yQ2LMqCh-4d7K7f9ZtLdPyIA4X0gK-IFK0frB4dYVmbVkx9RaowhAexecT7-izv6cM2aRyeod36J3RPeoCqEUAul90xmFCLBb_Zw1P26JPfE/s400/IMG_7522.jpg" /></a><br /><div> </div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-32488989154771059262009-12-15T13:39:00.007-06:002009-12-15T13:57:51.855-06:00O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPas7zsAYZBzrcYlg45FHK-fLXDP3tBnykijVb0lzaSoT-pg5g0RjgzsEpT0wylRYYd6Ip2b2kNb7PXXwYdby6SkKeSthtSfXZhK688H-ABaebwE7tEET89IwEm8GS609kGSIBVRDzbDA/s1600-h/IMG_7455.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415551727319949394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPas7zsAYZBzrcYlg45FHK-fLXDP3tBnykijVb0lzaSoT-pg5g0RjgzsEpT0wylRYYd6Ip2b2kNb7PXXwYdby6SkKeSthtSfXZhK688H-ABaebwE7tEET89IwEm8GS609kGSIBVRDzbDA/s400/IMG_7455.jpg" /></a> I am getting to where I am an organizing freak! I have figured out when I can do the tree, cards, presents, or anything else in regards to Christmas so I am not running around not enjoying it. That is good and bad.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1B_U2n7ZMz9Y-Py6QAoFVlyI60mF3iUFqri47CkRNu8TZjGfHHCXaDvq-F3gbAdfR-2yHqopCzr01qWwTyRfdiW0dmz53iuAhONI7qVCX6bBX4ltFikPYRbHJdlt2nL1QIpVsS5AUAlA/s1600-h/IMG_7457.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415550500930412226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1B_U2n7ZMz9Y-Py6QAoFVlyI60mF3iUFqri47CkRNu8TZjGfHHCXaDvq-F3gbAdfR-2yHqopCzr01qWwTyRfdiW0dmz53iuAhONI7qVCX6bBX4ltFikPYRbHJdlt2nL1QIpVsS5AUAlA/s400/IMG_7457.jpg" /></a> Good because I can get it done, bad because if I don't it makes me feel like I am going to miss out because I missed the deadline. <div><div><div><div><br /><br />Well, this year Sydney was in the Nutcracker. Needless to say I am going to have to revamp the schedule to accomodate for this. So, we got the tree up. I even got the cranberry popcorn garland up- which is usally the hardest part to getting the tree up. I even got the lights up without a hitch. My problem this year was getting those darn homemade bows put up so the kids could get the decorations on the tree. The bows had to be just so in order to let the kids go nuts with the ornaments and I felt like I contributed something to it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9XCbgwwmrhie9ZYLCYiLQLFHjtcQnp2PvQ09xwxyXtznbiIc_UHhFmMTjHZOLN0uvJDZiyDdb6tf1mx87icJBkI0T4zTAXzAEFFlbmz_F7YhZEAGuqPG9xWCyisia04LaRIyN7EtDx4/s1600-h/IMG_7461.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415552176514371426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9XCbgwwmrhie9ZYLCYiLQLFHjtcQnp2PvQ09xwxyXtznbiIc_UHhFmMTjHZOLN0uvJDZiyDdb6tf1mx87icJBkI0T4zTAXzAEFFlbmz_F7YhZEAGuqPG9xWCyisia04LaRIyN7EtDx4/s400/IMG_7461.jpg" /></a></div><div>The other slow down was being in the mood to of course take picutes of the event. Between Thanksgiving, Mexico, and December I got sick and it really slowed things down. But never fear! The tree had presents under it before we decorated it. So for my dad's birthday, we decided to celebrate it by decorating the tree. What fun! I love letting the children do </div></div></div></div></div><br />it all, which provides some interesting decorating. Of course I had to get them to pose in front of it. Most of Savannah's ended up on the floor. They loved looking at each one of their's and remembering why they got it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUE8fz7ofS3MYI8ubrCZ1BH3En-qWvFBk-HBOgO9cSz68QJ53n0t7Dz-VgyQZ8wDjXJ8Oj7uxuO1Xjg7Q_3evPN7aMLoXoa7zfnz7UddNx33qCSfoUQQA1CXgPhRSqkc1aJYBlzV7AWBE/s1600-h/IMG_7474.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415551179639209410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUE8fz7ofS3MYI8ubrCZ1BH3En-qWvFBk-HBOgO9cSz68QJ53n0t7Dz-VgyQZ8wDjXJ8Oj7uxuO1Xjg7Q_3evPN7aMLoXoa7zfnz7UddNx33qCSfoUQQA1CXgPhRSqkc1aJYBlzV7AWBE/s400/IMG_7474.jpg" /></a>That was my favorite part, but can't figure out how to really photograph it so for now I'll just remember real hard. So here is one of the things that makes my heart flutter at Christmas. The white lights of our Charlie Brown Christmas tree.(Our tree is 12 years old, including the bows. Thank goodness not the popcorn and cranberry!) It just makes me smile to walk into the room with only the Christmas lights on. It reminds me of why I love Christmas. There is so much joy, peace, and hope when you stop long enough to take it all in. Now to enjoy the last ten days before the day we honor Christ being born into this world. He took on our sins as his own to allow us the opportunity to spend forever with him once receive the gift he gave us on the cross. Whew! Thank you God for loving us so! May my life reflect the most important thing in my life . . .YOU!Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-20484871195359066292009-12-15T13:24:00.003-06:002009-12-15T13:33:29.487-06:00Thank You!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtATDo-w4W4jXfUXhZp-sYiWd1LGq_Ijf1bq2NmCk0eEwf-C9Gp9a1dtQlBR6XGMn8jk1Z91cYUEcN-2SwiOFt2RMdEDVxpYuFFag_ialgt544iPj8_3r6FaGbrUbbxPwxte0G9aqXsag/s1600-h/IMG_7449.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415548181491347010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtATDo-w4W4jXfUXhZp-sYiWd1LGq_Ijf1bq2NmCk0eEwf-C9Gp9a1dtQlBR6XGMn8jk1Z91cYUEcN-2SwiOFt2RMdEDVxpYuFFag_ialgt544iPj8_3r6FaGbrUbbxPwxte0G9aqXsag/s400/IMG_7449.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I just wanted to take moment to say thank you! I have been so lucky to get to take several families pictures. One of my favorite things to do is take pictures. I am so fulfilled when I get through taking someone's photo andwhen it is a blessing to them. I know I pleaded with a few to do it, but I just wanted to share again what a blessing it was for me to get to do it. I know that for this season, this is one of the ways I can use this ability I have. You can really only take so many photos of your kids . . . even with four! So for those who let me take part in this special part of your lives, THANK YOU! </div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-25805081412947153082009-12-15T13:05:00.004-06:002009-12-15T13:39:14.582-06:00Hmmm . . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HvhHsHrTDUe9P5Ubm1MOf4XRGn6PDhWX23iHJCVkwzVK9h8XOrVt3taGKeGRx6Q8fYRY63_uMnVWiyFGdcG8HO0O6X_67ZjzuUkkyHCluudHRa0bKg0G4IGtVHJY8kFYy1WSi7X1BTI/s1600-h/IMG_7343.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415549494203726754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HvhHsHrTDUe9P5Ubm1MOf4XRGn6PDhWX23iHJCVkwzVK9h8XOrVt3taGKeGRx6Q8fYRY63_uMnVWiyFGdcG8HO0O6X_67ZjzuUkkyHCluudHRa0bKg0G4IGtVHJY8kFYy1WSi7X1BTI/s400/IMG_7343.jpg" /></a>Do you ever find yourself going through life taking it all in and then something stops you cold in your tracks? Do you ever find that sometimes the hardest part of life is going through the day to day events, even the ones you enjoy?<br /><br /><div></div><div>Life is in a funny place for me right now. I am so blessed and so grateful for all the wonderful things in my life that the Lord has given. He is the giver of all good things. So why, in the midst of great blessing can some things still take my breath away. I can only conclude that when these moments happen, the tunnel vision of the one thing that won't seem to go the way I want, the greatest blessing is that I realize something huge. </div><br /><div>I am never the one in control. (Thank goodness!) He is all you need. He is the very breath for your exsistance. When your eyes fix on Him, the world rights itself . .. even when nothing changes. A friend made a comment a month ago that has done more for clearing my head than I think she even knows. She told me that the old Tammy would have responded that way and I am not the old Tammy. In moments when I want to just quit, give in the selfish and prideful desires I remember this. That is no longer me. I have been given all that I need to handle whatever life throws at me. The more I walk in this simple truth of what Christ has set me free of the more life is not a roller coaster that I am just along for the ride, but a path that I choose to walk on one step in front of the other.</div><br /><div>One day this one thing will either be made right here on earth or I'll be with Jesus no longer caring about this. For now, I will fight the good fight and finish the race with joy because I know that ultimately it is not about me. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17</div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-88207242055801913532009-12-14T12:57:00.004-06:002009-12-14T21:47:16.402-06:00Happy Birthday Jackson!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YbOsKtuur7Wr1yBnDhriM1YDXnARISq49N0mvlzo_1eZa56yWOlNxsHzUPsp1FpqFsYjyYX9JP3r-Z2nEpViEx1sHEnxtBfPbmqQKLcNh0HdHvYVRxAn7vm-01JkXGVSRooz8f1UQ7U/s1600-h/IMG_1799.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415304105954757730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YbOsKtuur7Wr1yBnDhriM1YDXnARISq49N0mvlzo_1eZa56yWOlNxsHzUPsp1FpqFsYjyYX9JP3r-Z2nEpViEx1sHEnxtBfPbmqQKLcNh0HdHvYVRxAn7vm-01JkXGVSRooz8f1UQ7U/s400/IMG_1799.jpg" /></a> It is hard to believe he is already one. How fast it goes by. I remember that this time of year last year I was so ready for him to come. Now that it has been an entire year, I can't even remember how life was with only three.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415303274524994114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioUTJx6FVY8stnHvXiVJgD7m66_9lUX0Gtiq8ZsqMdzPiZf5u77pf6YeuF9s_XGw-zKatLWq36olYLBorMYEnWAdBjT5q6b9tn7mYiJ7GEKSXKD53_VCTFPZg7WTdUYdIVY99vD5Av2I/s400/IMG_7370.jpg" /> Jackson is such a ball of energy. He loves to make sounds and sure knows how to work those beautiful eyes. He looks just like dad, just like Jacob, and any one of us on a given day. He is a fast mover all over the house, crawling here and there. He survived his first trip to Mexico. Loves beans and to feed himself. Still won't hold his own bottle, but clinches his fist while drinking every last drop. He loves to laugh at his brother and sisters, and doesn't like to wait for what he wants. He loves to have an audience and most definetely knows how to entertain a crowd. He even puts up with Savannah riding him like a dog. <div><div><div><br />He sleeps in a room with his big brother, Jacob. They do great together unless Jackson wakes him up and you would think the world was ending for Jacob. He told me that Jackson had kept him awake all night one night. Funny, he was sleeping when I checked on him. I can't wait to see how they become friends as Jack gets older. Sydney loves to be able to carry him all over the place and even got to feed him his favorite food . . . chocolate pudding.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415303276110225298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8ojS4Ep_JKpt5N1ACoZ9Xdop_Q91y8hXHmW7w65qgURQMJEOH8rJDlr4dwxlOhYMO8S_LzC73-8BNfgC_crd8x-erF5uFljTnPqDh8UifkK1TE0miA-kat6pHokhcL1Z5cRi3WXs0lw/s400/IMG_7384.jpg" />May the Lord use you for great things, may you know that the Lord has made you great. You are treasure, child of God and I am so in love with who you are. May God raise you up to be a man of God who cares about others more than himself, has compassion and intergrity, and knows who you are to the one who matters most. I can't believe that one day you will leave me for another woman. May God be developing her into the most incredible wife you could ever have. May she take care of you better than I could, to help lessen the pain of letting you go. I love you so much Jackson Barrett Fogle! You are more than I could have ever wanted, known, or imagined. I am so blessed to be your mom!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415303283282778930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphdob1rJqhqZNWxAgh4hwqmN4zc3OnCsD9lz9Er8epjpzgxyy0kbVLzVUBjm0T_lGlCL411YMQaqnRD4qNg7TeTfdVkcrgeAwrctktjAg41fa3LJ12LNkVrssiw61vpOUUjeM0vGlxfY/s400/IMG_7420.jpg" /></div></div></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-72630554785166178782009-12-07T19:54:00.005-06:002009-12-07T20:48:49.709-06:00Mexico<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbt166a2m_x8qIb1fesBWj7JwlBLqzra7VCD5SukiY6j-ayO3aKDlvNSPsOASJpDviAiaA3oKQLXa8cVgHJSA-_6sh1wZz47pnf3Iv3kfnvzzZE9tM4m-u-FR8W3aH6nLC-8hVfrVxK4/s1600-h/IMG_7070.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412691428030626162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbt166a2m_x8qIb1fesBWj7JwlBLqzra7VCD5SukiY6j-ayO3aKDlvNSPsOASJpDviAiaA3oKQLXa8cVgHJSA-_6sh1wZz47pnf3Iv3kfnvzzZE9tM4m-u-FR8W3aH6nLC-8hVfrVxK4/s400/IMG_7070.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Just spent the last four days at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reynosa</span>, Mexico. What a trip! The last time I went was when Jacob was 2 1/2 and Sydney was 4 months old. It was a great trip, yet hard at times and not for reasons I expected. </div><br /><div>The trip down was pretty uneventful. The kids did great and we made great time. Once we crossed the border all the memories of five years prior flooded back. Right before we had Jacob I was praying that God would allow us to move down there to work and live. I wanted to be a part of what he was doing and sad when I knew that God had different plans for us. To be back in that place opened up much discussion between the Lord and I. I was surprised once again how going back to a familiar place while being a completely different person is a lot of work. I fought most of the time trying not to revert back to the person I was more than five years ago. The one in bondage and fear of what man thought of me, what God thought of me, not measuring up to what I thought I should be and feeling like a failure most of the time because I really didn't grasp who I was in Christ. I could go into more detail, but at that time I think be used in Mexico was my desperate cry for the Lord to make me feel like I mattered. Being used in something noble(Mexican Children's home)=significance.</div><br /><div>The funny thing about when you change, sometimes the situations you leave stay the same . . . from your perspective. I am not even really talking about where I went, but in my mind the battle was could I choose not resort to old <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">familiar</span> behavior in and old <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">familiar</span> place. The result . . . I stayed me. I took <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunities</span> to carry old burdens and walked away because it was not mine to bear. With that being said, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">viewed</span> all around me differently. I was able to enjoy those friendships at the place they were. No regret or guilt dictated my actions, just the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">genuine</span> care I have for those at the children's home. </div><br /><div>My oh my how those kids have grown. The program they did for us moved me in such a way I don't think that I have words for. I know that in some ways I am just one of many Americans who came to visit, but in my heart it was so exciting to see how they have matured and grown in ways I pray will carry them into their future. They seem to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> what matters most and that will be what will give them hope in any situation.</div><br /><div>Ironic, I just went to see good friends and let my kids see another way that some live. I didn't know that the Lord would show me more of who He sees in me. Now if I can just process it and continue to move forward. But I guess sometimes that is how life goes . . . two steps forward and three back. I won't worry until there are is no stepping forward. God is good all the time!</div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-44101529505318318622009-12-02T15:16:00.006-06:002009-12-02T16:46:08.385-06:00Two months, really?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7xBPZBN0xJYtuodE8P3V3khVEWcBSrKS2cad41o5tUyNn2mtBUZ1e0L2x__Mh61Zp1-qp4SjiYNAEZ_vONdWBalBmBwbC0L4bgQptYN7vJ14fXu01U19UExa6HioZ72zC_qx5stwETU/s1600-h/IMG_6385.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410754656234579090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7xBPZBN0xJYtuodE8P3V3khVEWcBSrKS2cad41o5tUyNn2mtBUZ1e0L2x__Mh61Zp1-qp4SjiYNAEZ_vONdWBalBmBwbC0L4bgQptYN7vJ14fXu01U19UExa6HioZ72zC_qx5stwETU/s400/IMG_6385.jpg" /></a> I can't believe it has been two months! I knew that it had been a while, in fact sitting at my computer has been luxury. Between changing computers and a really involved schedule . . . this is what happens. Good thing life keeps going even when I can't blog about it.<br /><div>I have had an incredible last two months in some ways, others I am amazed I made it through not smelling like smoke(Beth Moore's <u>Daniel</u>). The Lord is challenging my walk with Him in so many ways. I must say that what has come out is a new outlook on most everything. There have been some longings that I must say have not been turning out the way I really thought I wanted. Turns out, by them not happening I know can say that the Lord is the meeter of EVERY need I have. I know that is what the Bible says, but it has gone from something the Bible says to my life!</div><br /><div>I know not to go too deep, lest I lose you, but I am so grateful for the battles I have endured in the last few months. Each battle I have walked away more whole and complete in who I truly am in Christ, than I ever have been before. Do you know what it is like to have some slime you with their own insecurties? I must confess that I use to walk away from a battle of words so to speak beleiving that whatever was spoken over me was true. Now, thank God, I see what it is at face value. Realize what I can do about a situtaion, what I am not supposed to do and hold my head up high knowing I am walking out my faith more today than I ever had. Even if the battle seems to intesify.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div>So, if I haven't totally confused you by my vagueness. Then good. If not, I pray that you too know or will soon know what it is like to only care what the Most High thinks of you because it is the very air you breathe. As Avalon says, "You are my oxygen. I breathe you in and breathe <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3SFcKEwpoMzzsJ8Lzq8crVuNUQcZcMtsJbp5BtJqZCAsx6kSyP3AWSI8FaeE1ZjDYeCKUi6dq_Pdb9qGhxAiB924sQUoIuoFpsLJssi_T7kZznASBoJEnN3Jpc6p8mPjKAmMkip7YPA/s1600-h/IMG_6437.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410755782869487522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3SFcKEwpoMzzsJ8Lzq8crVuNUQcZcMtsJbp5BtJqZCAsx6kSyP3AWSI8FaeE1ZjDYeCKUi6dq_Pdb9qGhxAiB924sQUoIuoFpsLJssi_T7kZznASBoJEnN3Jpc6p8mPjKAmMkip7YPA/s400/IMG_6437.jpg" /></a>you out." If you have experienced the weird place of knowing God thinks you are "all that" and yet knowing you are only that in Him, you understand. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Thank you Lord that I am yours. Thank you Lord that I am loved by my King. Today is a day I get to walk in your freedom, experience your beauty, and am able to be known by you. While this world changes from day to day, YOU are the same. Today is the day I choose YOU!</div><br /><div>P.S. It also helps when you are able to clearly see that I am a part of the side that wins! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The enemy has been defeated. Death couldn't hold you down. I am gonna lift my voice in victory I am gonna make his praises loud! Shout out to God with a voice of triumph, shout out to God with a voice of praise! We lift your name up, we lift your name up! -Just the song in my heart right now. </div><div></div><div>P.P. S. Yes that is Jacob sticking his head through the net of Jesus, fisher of men or Jacob at that moment!</div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-27977798074903624842009-10-03T15:11:00.005-05:002009-10-03T15:28:23.668-05:00What you do . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQvWgKYIBlINrI05-m02KD6uXrDO0BaT44Z4-AcaXDyVk013E3miDONtcwPJ2nWKcXDPnjNxAAvugjKvZDki02gZ4Mz-0YWOKf7p9OFJTlMgrN4HoAzqTD5Nlf7kx0-yX8eKgyyZGGNM/s1600-h/IMG_2701.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388469264347403122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQvWgKYIBlINrI05-m02KD6uXrDO0BaT44Z4-AcaXDyVk013E3miDONtcwPJ2nWKcXDPnjNxAAvugjKvZDki02gZ4Mz-0YWOKf7p9OFJTlMgrN4HoAzqTD5Nlf7kx0-yX8eKgyyZGGNM/s400/IMG_2701.jpg" /></a> What you do when you need to get the laundry out of the dryer and the baby just can't wait two more minutes for you to pick him up. Thank goodness for the brilliant ideas that pop out of your head when you are desperate for a solution. Jackson seemed to enjoy the new environment.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-67646572672387992762009-10-03T14:31:00.011-05:002009-10-03T15:11:00.229-05:00Flag Football<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8obyRQvWf0Ofay0PoWqwcu7XvGNeiE8opyawriehKZsPK1TKsfLXzSKsymStWpJGoGkrr-5nktxjZa-dDXLKAB5SoICi4TuE6uJOQCPBdRTLMqZUliNAP1s9E0jWb9c00I6OaUltbbE/s1600-h/IMG_2860.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388463328882618242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8obyRQvWf0Ofay0PoWqwcu7XvGNeiE8opyawriehKZsPK1TKsfLXzSKsymStWpJGoGkrr-5nktxjZa-dDXLKAB5SoICi4TuE6uJOQCPBdRTLMqZUliNAP1s9E0jWb9c00I6OaUltbbE/s320/IMG_2860.jpg" /></a>Today the feel of fall is in the air and Jacob is off into his first season of flag football. Oh, how I love to cheer this boy on. It is so much fun watching, taking pictures, and watching the boys have a good time working as a team. Here are just a few pictures from our morning. What I am sad to say that I didn't catch is Jacob doing his "Kung Fu" moves out on the field between plays. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD5X-kjaIeIGa2dnaxYJNUzrX5K4_ttBt_XXhnV8Z4tjBhZ1SF-nrXykIS3yiZmPt6O8JUW5-SNsPbqCHTpfnLHDmleZZaORfUENlqp82-A4M-IUZjsHGVKdAsPg3eqvD4SOr-0J4vtI/s1600-h/IMG_2723.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388462464296518802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD5X-kjaIeIGa2dnaxYJNUzrX5K4_ttBt_XXhnV8Z4tjBhZ1SF-nrXykIS3yiZmPt6O8JUW5-SNsPbqCHTpfnLHDmleZZaORfUENlqp82-A4M-IUZjsHGVKdAsPg3eqvD4SOr-0J4vtI/s320/IMG_2723.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZwnXlbeGflO2zwFpSTC1aeMAjr7QYsNUSynl8zEb5Fue90xw52R_TLJOIki1O984TAefSwG7bneeAb-T7QxOS3W2O4icv0QZF2rgDjUgrjcOTa8XFUeRrd6qMMMbNC4OUUU-5WLOIF8/s1600-h/IMG_2919.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388463350091883778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZwnXlbeGflO2zwFpSTC1aeMAjr7QYsNUSynl8zEb5Fue90xw52R_TLJOIki1O984TAefSwG7bneeAb-T7QxOS3W2O4icv0QZF2rgDjUgrjcOTa8XFUeRrd6qMMMbNC4OUUU-5WLOIF8/s320/IMG_2919.jpg" /></a>He made a great flag catch and seems to enjoy the first half of the game. Second half is more about self entertainment, thank goodness for patient coaches. Can't wait until next week's practice and game!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg219HxMsu0gZmwJalYFh7x_hemn1uuCYtgl0JhUo30Brf-4TBVg1L2BplS6tI2NcRWSSeZxytQv58IpUNQYUUjEbebdg1FmbYCG39go1qdkJ_-BOVO9KoqdgJVHUR64JxRPnIm-ZPUg70/s1600-h/IMG_2824.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388462488304178594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg219HxMsu0gZmwJalYFh7x_hemn1uuCYtgl0JhUo30Brf-4TBVg1L2BplS6tI2NcRWSSeZxytQv58IpUNQYUUjEbebdg1FmbYCG39go1qdkJ_-BOVO9KoqdgJVHUR64JxRPnIm-ZPUg70/s320/IMG_2824.jpg" /></a>Jacob also got a special star for this week's game. He was so proud. He said it was because he treated everyone with respect and showed a "Christ-like" attitude.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLcJj92RtFKi_EGYSXZmFar-lNN4klWiv932wabV1m6nkS9PF-9R2Nc2y-GZyrtEX8aMdlrBcopHRzwskghRAMsVTohdeXXYT67HLCgOKqVa_CjSo35YADK0VpwsMGUvlthktkwi7F3o/s1600-h/IMG_2882.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388467507703836946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLcJj92RtFKi_EGYSXZmFar-lNN4klWiv932wabV1m6nkS9PF-9R2Nc2y-GZyrtEX8aMdlrBcopHRzwskghRAMsVTohdeXXYT67HLCgOKqVa_CjSo35YADK0VpwsMGUvlthktkwi7F3o/s320/IMG_2882.jpg" /></a>The girls also had fun because we had Patrick's oldest brother, Ward, and his wife and daughter with us. Sydney wore her picture of her brother with great pride. She even wore it to the HSU game later in the afternoon! Of course there is sweet Jackson sitting in Aunt Ann's lap. But my favorite is of Patrick trying to video tape with the two girls hanging on his legs. Poor dad can't spilt his attention three ways at once!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5rbYWmpCwUeVztDZx78k7UxVK0RbYT0936n8PyxNL3PPLvxwBj_rLGpVwGRcbFktopQrneADeLfTnxSGmuK9V4VU5hA94xwqQhZ6kCvlq1DL7tsqpBkpjKLJCKgQjLHDW6E7XZv40cI/s1600-h/IMG_2818.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388467499215925122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5rbYWmpCwUeVztDZx78k7UxVK0RbYT0936n8PyxNL3PPLvxwBj_rLGpVwGRcbFktopQrneADeLfTnxSGmuK9V4VU5hA94xwqQhZ6kCvlq1DL7tsqpBkpjKLJCKgQjLHDW6E7XZv40cI/s320/IMG_2818.jpg" /></a><br />P.S. I uploaded all the pictures the wrong way and I am not able to redo, so here you go. All laid out wrong and driving me crazy! :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-16267259873225413902009-09-26T21:48:00.011-05:002009-09-26T22:19:56.534-05:00Twirling, Balloons, and Pure Cuteness!Two posts, one day . . . on a roll!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385974642122883330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj873iYWsYyQj9zm8pcLp5msoW8n95C8YMYNmdFIUkx_v9RFq5r-NZfgKb3VnRLRT_a2WZyrEkDaykj6ZOJiYtinFY4CTj-8v9ybsJlfqiuyBl7fxE0K5c63qOojtLo6neRGPTu1mgVA2Y/s320/IMG_2389.jpg" /> <div></div><div>Jackson, oh one of the four little loves of my life! He has such a sweetness about him. I really have a hard time getting him to respond when my camera can catch him showing it. I did it today. Caught one of the best glimpses into that sweet soul of my little boy. What a blessing!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385974647536294978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9PBAR51IPypQL1OXPyAbwJzCaSsjeKL6Ty0xJSBMyga1DeyK-djiBTTKaUs1EXI1bCZcCxCMGnZefgVdgnxr4eysSMfywGL2OSc7tyUMf0BT9xeH4jQmJRCR2eT2pDMsEjj3Sj4uyfo/s320/IMG_2397.jpg" />Savannanh is my singer. She will sing a song before she even knows the words or how to even say them. I love that she loves to sing with me in the car or even as seen in the picture. I am so tickled I caughter her singing her heart out and twirling around the room as she sings. What a gal!<br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385974656053201570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5RvDY5vmYd9riCVbWwJjonUybawfDUR3zHYo4P9XtUhxeoQjgfBbVoDfYS4-WOxFsakISjtNdPhSJIE-LUguFn7-EU7h3izaaDS4OWSSSYK9DoaphKt5ij6MO5xhwDD6SkUrYEr8w_s/s320/IMG_2402.jpg" /> Lastly, some of us headed out to one of my one of my favorite Abilenenian events. . . the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYhG0OfB2-MwaO4NLpfmvIQmBubbxtjfEWDlFXGvbXrcxIJxAKBp5cnobpjV38YMDCkFnp7Q6dPvm0dIUmF8d5j8OqCgNHgaO0Zjnk3qNMi9KZ1t51EmhJHQPIVBHThDPOK2fJ_HTfQc/s1600-h/IMG_2413.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385979032355130866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYhG0OfB2-MwaO4NLpfmvIQmBubbxtjfEWDlFXGvbXrcxIJxAKBp5cnobpjV38YMDCkFnp7Q6dPvm0dIUmF8d5j8OqCgNHgaO0Zjnk3qNMi9KZ1t51EmhJHQPIVBHThDPOK2fJ_HTfQc/s200/IMG_2413.jpg" /></a>Balloon Fest.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKBozhHsm3fsYyYvVQZQEpXY_dtRv1nK5xUtiXvVjLxS6pKgwlzjYzPvDP08XpbJt_6vGHYp0NN11Ip_YkjheFGchvLNPi7LEZ9QbxmrKlEzmAK7TFxU3kuh5YpWx8m7AnSzDffviCtc/s1600-h/IMG_2438.jpg"></a> I worked volunteering so I couldn't go the first night, but we made plans to go on Saturday. Unfortunately, Sydney wasn't feeling well so Patrick stayed home with her. Jackson, Savannah, Jacob, and I had fun on the inflatables, eating fun food, riding the train, meeting up with old friends, and watching the glorious balloons. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385976147558887346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p5XRP0riNU18q7QyoC1GhflSnS75rfEEHnUeYyWsVafEq7i3JiB3oWUlw7T_hCn2actTtqqDeRA-T6hh7XdeLi-Ri8UPJHyPVVObLaTIGJ30c09PNoYMn2UGKKjF8R6jMyDWRfTrgpg/s200/IMG_2411.jpg" />I will enjoy the day when I can watch without having to worry about someone running off or going where they aren't supposed to go. Here are some of my attempts to show the beauty of these massive balloons. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukYT_i7OdXvGOgNh9gDKqFuw1jpOiB39WQd-U-TSH0P4Gv-kMoo6IiJPTNufZDbsWI8EdnsKJj1wQEUTyWYZ3eoMpJ2nHZ6gmBjdkDGXnaqwNnlN3XX67njiXqMJqbTBS4LZ_FIVW-tw/s1600-h/IMG_2431.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385976857494607730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukYT_i7OdXvGOgNh9gDKqFuw1jpOiB39WQd-U-TSH0P4Gv-kMoo6IiJPTNufZDbsWI8EdnsKJj1wQEUTyWYZ3eoMpJ2nHZ6gmBjdkDGXnaqwNnlN3XX67njiXqMJqbTBS4LZ_FIVW-tw/s320/IMG_2431.jpg" /></a>The way the light falls on them is so unbelievable. Then right next to the yellow one you can see the moon. It is moments like this that I am amazed that God has given someone the ability to understand what I could not even on my most intellegent day explain to my seven year old son. He wanted to know if he could not operate the fire next year at the glow event. Gotta love his simplistic heart! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOB1-n-cRTYszgK8RgryeUMXMbRB83tCf0V-7HkG5cN8cOL8HJKCsxOZarkr2M_a-ugs4Zw7Jb-51XEeFTtqMAOhnP2cxg65jGE06awmfiQ97Gbkf8l9ddPr3WX-7T4lP-qbiPa_V6ug/s1600-h/IMG_2418.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385979440011499602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOB1-n-cRTYszgK8RgryeUMXMbRB83tCf0V-7HkG5cN8cOL8HJKCsxOZarkr2M_a-ugs4Zw7Jb-51XEeFTtqMAOhnP2cxg65jGE06awmfiQ97Gbkf8l9ddPr3WX-7T4lP-qbiPa_V6ug/s200/IMG_2418.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385976160025710930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG8lrwWTcMEFe6mYpoYWcfMgN3Wit6ZAaDV09Pc3YnuqRW60ChzEhinr2kFAy7wYnpUoU9yqBpXNnqYUFW4E-GIAWIIApn7GSJBI8qSuKC1dl6EEOUyZ2SYXtD2kVnZVcsfUy1_QMxIU/s200/IMG_2451.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-35557329244574247512009-09-26T16:05:00.003-05:002009-09-26T16:21:04.279-05:00Four Kids.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU_f_Km4apEhxfJXJxuPGh5o9I5Dcxr1xdWUlo7ayE-TJCKVtD1F7iPq7SnCPxcGHyAYglNBLLGSI8SAkExdlx4zv5sauh-djfFbjIOy38Gztm4tOpalKHXx6r6OMOkcznYOBnMBQrBM/s1600-h/IMG_1869.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385887783800603154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU_f_Km4apEhxfJXJxuPGh5o9I5Dcxr1xdWUlo7ayE-TJCKVtD1F7iPq7SnCPxcGHyAYglNBLLGSI8SAkExdlx4zv5sauh-djfFbjIOy38Gztm4tOpalKHXx6r6OMOkcznYOBnMBQrBM/s320/IMG_1869.jpg" /></a> Life is at a full blur right now. I am just now finding time to sit at the computer to update this. It might have been our last trip to the river, the start of school, ballet, or football, probably too many things to mention here. But I am now getting to sit down and share some of what has been going on around here. <div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385887761646846258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxLsdQwLbsW4JhdjixoZQYPQMKgm2RejPK2O0F23iLtT331Fb0A6ecQxqAdwRoyLAlxZAJEk_BHUcekHXdeOSElhIzCtCIasfoMEkCljYiZ7tA2Msd3VA7b2KQcIQnDXnp-V2kwvqR3U/s320/IMG_1888_0001.jpg" /><br /><div></div><div>Sydney started up ballet again and seems to not have missed a step. A friend is in her class and that has made it even more fun. It makes carpooling something I am learning how to love.</div><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385887769325585426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5spdhRZLNW9TRZjyErfHAqyx6_eoki9Yke-4JCOsLjaF9ctQDArRqUTW7HFTX8Omqai8ZtrID307SvB1YSsMwbxeccyQimTvcuMc6sVY_alNvNBjBVaEbu9cCz0oZu-PwrWCj99maeA/s320/IMG_2023.jpg" /> <div></div><div>Sydney also celebrated her fifth birthday. This was her year to celebrate and I am so glad we (I) survived another party. Wow, I am amazed how those things can challenge me.</div><div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385887774318197394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82PlI0hO8PpFx5YIoLcHT7ug5iCIPuYSReph3shXeCMLMxZ0VL3v5bzeLxvPmNvWlZV3Z39pwCvGuP42nzr5EJbm8rxTFE5UQ0dbND2FScHLWAOppueyEMBfWTHpmZpEYYPBn2A1pMyo/s320/IMG_2220.jpg" /><br /><div>We had Jacob's first flag football game today. While I didn't get to enjoy all of it like Ihad planned due to scheduling/parking technicalities, he seemed to enjoy himself on the field. I love watching my kids enjoy things. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385887786681189954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOSLhoUQsNYC-uyYTK0EUNpWjhS-wnij4osBC9QfPRXO85y4GY8eSKklRw2ArvajaC2vL17IBwPkqwdwRoMAdKQ1zpu5sboAs7NhwTwARN30al36iFLOMp-fAMdFarTkwV-2ESRogk7o/s320/IMG_2353.jpg" /><br /><div></div><div>There is so much to share but I just wanted to start with today in hopes that I might return to my more frequent posts. I know how much I enjoy other's posts, however mine don't have anything to do with stitches, clowns, great finds, basically the posts of my local blog peeps here in Abilene. Thank you for allowing me to see in your worlds, even if it is not on a regular basis.</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-42347735051256208702009-08-28T11:19:00.004-05:002009-08-28T11:22:50.256-05:00God is Mighty!I rarely put another person's writing on my blog, but as I read this today I think this is so powerful that I had to share. Such a simple truth, yet so hard to really take hold of in my life. I am so thankful that God has unlimited patience to deal with my struggle to have more of Him in my life. May your day be filled with all that He is!<br /><br />Exerpt takem from "Journey to Beauty": <a href="http://journey-to-beauty.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">http://journey-to-beauty.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</a><br /><br /><em>All the classes in all the world, all the hours of therapy and all the therapists, all the Pastors in <strong>the world cannot do for you what God can</strong>. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>God changes people.Instead of thirsting after ideas, we need to thirst after God. It's like the difference between being in love...and being in love with the idea of love.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>When you thirst after God, that is when real change happens. When you are so desperate to feel God, to know Him, that's when you'll see a breakthrough. I went to Kairos and came out changed because I met God there. All the testimonies, classes, and worship would have been for naught if God had not been in the midst of it.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>James 4:8Come near to God and he will come near to you.Luke 11:10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.Jeremiah 29:13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.Go and seek Him today. Go somewhere alone. Thirst for Him. Find Him. He is the only one who can free us, who can heal us, who can love us. He is the Love of your life and mine.</em>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510318307056383752.post-51127139019650455452009-08-01T22:11:00.013-05:002009-08-01T22:37:03.542-05:00Simple Pleasures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJpAkAsGhFHeg47mVA8lQM76Q-loZ1Wb2uOdJpsSjfS7UZFC24eVa9ikkuocFWzvEbTYh-Kmw_i_U6HjfJWcEgiEDUSH_6T_RoeWegOrcb-Smet_4AOgHJOcG07FQcT53AYIJ3wF25vM/s1600-h/Blinds+in+Garage.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365200533599025874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJpAkAsGhFHeg47mVA8lQM76Q-loZ1Wb2uOdJpsSjfS7UZFC24eVa9ikkuocFWzvEbTYh-Kmw_i_U6HjfJWcEgiEDUSH_6T_RoeWegOrcb-Smet_4AOgHJOcG07FQcT53AYIJ3wF25vM/s400/Blinds+in+Garage.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I am a big nerd when it comes to some things. I know some might be quick to agree, but alas it is true. Something exciting happened around our house and I am thrilled to tell all on my blog. I hope it doesn't spark any jealousy or coveting. But just today I am now not only the proud owners of blinds for the garage, but proud owners of blinds that are INSTALLED in the garage! I know it may not seem like much, but oh the agony of seeing our messy garage through the exposed windows was sometimes more than this poor gals heart could take . . .including the boxes of blinds leaning up against one. I know there are starving children in Africa, so this may reveal my more shallow side . . . but bear with me! So, my Saturday was made by my thoughtful husband when he so lovingly beautified our view from the street. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I am also working on one of my first real projects for the house that I can remember. The last one I remember working on was recovering a seat for my sewing maching when I got it from my grandma . . . like 9 years ago or so and all it involved was a staple gun and a scrap piece of fabric. Any way, I have organized a picture arrangement on my wall similar to my sister-n-laws house (she gave me my inpiration . . . Thanks, Abbey!) and used all the frames I had in my house practically. I use to have wood all over my other house, so wood was a natural choice for frame decor. However in my new home I am completely free to choose what I want because I like it. I had so much fun (surprisingly) sanding and spray painting all my frames black. As soon as I get my new pictures in them I will post a near finished project. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>So today will be chalked up in the record books as a one that was productive. There are a few more things up my sleeve that I can't wait to share. I have a vision and a purpose to help finish up some things around the house . . . I will be sharing them soon, so look for pictures that will be coming.</div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02760177590461686189noreply@blogger.com0