I am SO HAPPY to say that it has been 3 days and I am gossip free!! Can I get a little woot woot? I have no idea what is going on in Hollywood and I am better for it. I have been surprised how many times I have been tempted...and where. I went to my Hair Stylist and I had to resist, then I went to the grocery store and I had to resist, then at Barnes and Noble. It seems like everywhere I turn there has been a magazine trying to lure me in... but so far I haven't taken even a tiny peek. I have to say that this reminds me of when I quit smoking, it is just as bad. And yes, I smoked in college and beyond and it was a CRAZY HARD habit to kick, but it has been 8 years... so if I can kick that then I should be able to kick this with God's unfailing help :)
Ok--so I have been meaning to put up some of my latest favorites of Kai but I have been so swamped, that it has taken a little while. I can't believe how FUNNY he is, and he knows it. He knows when he is cracking me up and he gets this sly little smile, which makes him even cuter.
Kai couldn't get over the "Big Ducks!" He was mesmerized!He likes to play horsey so much that he tried to see if Elmo would give him a ride! Hahaha
Man, I have been so convicted of something. I have to talk about it or I think that my head might pop off. Before I say this, please know that I never intended to be a "blogger" who put there opinions or struggles out there on the net... but I am turning into to one of them. Also, please let me say that in saying what I am about to say, I am admitting a problem that I have been having and I am making myself pretty vunerable to even put it out there. I am pretty ashamed of my behavior.
Ok, all that said. Hmmmm.... I am pretty nervous to admit to this BUT I have a real problem with tabloid magazines and gossip. I really don't know why I care that Angelina Jolie is pregnant or what Britney Spears is up too, BUT for some reason I do. I know it must sound kinda silly, and let me explain, it is not like I am reading the National Enquirer or Star Magazine. But I have developed an unhealthy habit of visiting gossip websites THROUGH OUT THE DAY!! Ugghhh... Not just once a day but literally through out the day. It is kinda pathethic. I tell myself that I am going to see what the latest fashion trends are or a cute new hair style but in all honesty I am going to devour the lives of these people that I don't even know.
I have gone through this in my mind front to back. One part of me (the sick part) says that these people open themselves up to the scrutiny, so they are kinda like a human zoo. They have agreed to live in a situation where they live "in the public eye". I have managed to stop having compassion for them because I WAS of a mind set that they asked for it and that was that. But I am feeling pretty diferently about it know. I realize that they are people who want to pursue there passions and talents and that it really is none of my business what they are up too.
I went and saw Beth Moore this past weekend in San Diego and she talked about something that has hit a real nerve. In the Bible in Genesis chapter 2:16, God said that man must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat it you will surely die. Well, tabloids and gossip are like the tree of knowledge of good and evil. I have no business to know what Britney Spears is doing with her life and the more I eat from that tree to closer she and I get to death. It happened with Princess Diana and even Anna Nicole Smith. I really do believe that they were driven into the ground by the world's (and my) unhealthy desire to know about their lives. And that isn't even mentioning the poisoning effect the information has in my life. It certainly does not benefit me or my family. It doesn't make me a better Wife or Mom to know what Jen Anniston is up too or if Tara Reid has been on another binger.
So, I am going to try to stop. Not just by my own strength because then I would surely fail. But I am giving this up to God and asking for him to give me the strength to be done with it. I have heard it say that if you can do something for 21 days, it becomes a habit. So over the next 21 days and beyond, I am going to surrender this to God and try my best to Just Say No.
Wow, that was hard to say. I hope that you will hold me accountable in love.
Clean--Day One!
Ok--I feel the need to put a picture up...
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Oh... She does not disappoint. Beth Moore surely brought "it" and God showed up in a life changing way. Man! There really aren't words for how grand the whole experience was. God really wooed me, He made it clear that he purposed for me to attend and experience this event. He personalized it... to me. WOW!! There was an area with 9,000+ women and the God of the Universe still took the time to make little me feel special. My dry bones got some much needed living water and I am gr8phul beyond words. My Father in Heaven is the BEST DAD EVER!!
I know I am gushing, but I have to admit that I am not sorry. I really am over flowing right now, I am just so STOKED to have had that opportunity. Beth Moore and her team absolutely set every little part of me on fire! And that is a tall order. A grande mocha frappacino type of order and did God ever deliver the extra shot.
You know me, I had to bring my camera. So, here are a few pictures.
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Travis Cottrell lead the worship and that man can S-I-N-G!! Woo Hoo He and his team really
rocked! I think I might be buying a new CD soon... really soon!
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I loved how humbled and surrendered she was, it was obvious that she wasn't holding anything back from God or from us. She is SUCH a Blessing! By the way--she had cute hair and cute shoes for the whole event. She brought her A game all the way around :)
Here is a picture from the point and shoot of my SUPER FUN CREW!! Linda, Tami and Miss Paula. They made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Did I mention that I enjoyed myself? :)
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Oh... I am so excited right now that I can barely keep my feet on the ground! God has worked it out that I am going to be able to see Beth Moore speak this weekend in San Diego and I am SO AMPED! I have known about it for months and I really wanted to go but I didn't think that it was going to work out( prevented by Trav's Masters, and needing to watch Kai). I was ready to let it go and then OUT OF THE BLUE! God made me a personal invitation! This is definitely one of those times where he is giving me the desires of my heart and I am THRILLED! Beth Moore has been instrumental in walking me through a personal understanding of the Bible (a.k.a God's Love Letter to Me!) I am so excited to have the opportunity to see her speak and the pleasure to get away with some friends and have some girl time. I know I am spoiled, but if it is God doing the spoiling...it can't be a bad thing!
Exploring Zion National Park with Tom and Erica just a few short moments after they were married was magical. Watching them, watch each other was so entertaining that I almost forgot to take pictures. But-I am sure that I did take pictures because now I am combing through tons and tons of images. It will be a few weeks before I can find my way through them, but there are a few that I found tonight that I want to share. These two are so sweet and gentle with each other while still being so incredibly passionate.
This was one of those moments where I could tell that they were living there dreams. I wish them ALL the possible happiness that this life can hold for them and through it all I am gr8phul that they will be holding onto each other.
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I love how they are constantly smiling while kissing, they can't contain their joy. Rock On!
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I hope that they are having the BEST honeymoon. Tom surprised Erica with their honeymoon trip, I think she just found out today where they were going-- when they boarded the plane! :) How Fun!!
I guess the planets are lining up for me or God is smiling down on me, because I have had internet connection for the last 45 minutes! Woo Hoo Now if I my internet connection equaled or surpassed the length of time I have to hold to wait on Verizon's tech support. Anyway-- I am working on the internet stuff but till it gets resolved I feel very 1995. You know the days before the internet was expected and evyone had a computer in every room of their house.
Ok--back on track. I have a few more images to share from Erin and Darin's engagemnt shoot.
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Did I mention that he is a test pilot for the Air Force and she is a pediatric nurse. These are two people that have followed their dreams and they have lead them to each other. :)
We just got back from our trip to Utah and I am working on the pictures from that wedding. But before I left last week I had the pleasure of doing engagement pictures for Erin and Darin. They are such a loving and sweet couple. Darin was so tender and sweet to Erin and Erin clearly loves her man. I hope that life in Florida treats then well.
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Ok--So I am sitting here dead in the water with shakey internet reception and I feel like going and hitting head against the wall. If anyone knows of a good computer person please let me know, I need someone who is skilled and talented to come into my life and sort this all out. And I will pay :)
I am dependant, slightly addicted and utterly requiring INTERNET!! I have been having internet issues for the past few weeks and it has left me with a bit of catch up to do. I am going to be placing a call to Verizon about there service tomorrow...and by golly they better fix the issue because otherwise I might go crazy.
Ok, enough of that. I had the pleasure the other day to meet the newest Honeycutt. She is adorable and it really reminded me of what special days those are. So many kisses and cuddles to be had, and watching Owen interact with her was making my heart burst. Here are a few of my favorites!
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