A Life of Gratitude

Tyson signing "I love you!" Ever since Dylan was tiny little thing, Bryan and I have shown "love" in sign language when say "I love you." Once he got a little bigger I started saying, "I love you to infinity" with him. As Evan has grown over the years we also began teaching him to sign "love" and we often say, "I love you to infinity." So, that has become my way I've telling my boys how much I care for them and they often do the same thing, when telling me how much they love me. Tyson has recently picked up on the special way our family says "I love you." This morning he started trying to do the sign language for "love." He also tries to say "I love you" with his words. He doesn't say it quite right or do the sign perfectly but it doesn't matter. he is absolutely adorable. I love watching him communicate in this way. He probably told me that he loved me 15 times this morning.

Last Friday I left at 7am to fly across the country. With all of the snow and ice and flight cancellations, I didn't get to California until midnight. I was tired but so incredibly excited about KEEP Collective's Director's Summit in Napa Valley, CA. On Saturday I spent most of the day getting to know fellow KEEP designers and visiting local wineries. I don't drink but I enjoyed sight seeing and they loved my willingness to be the Designated Driver! On Saturday evening and all day Sunday, we had training, focus groups, inspirational speakers, and got to see a lot of awesome "sneak peeks," We also had a reception in the Wine Cave that evening, which was lovely! On Monday after the morning session ended, several of us went sight seeing in San Francisco. We ate at In and Out Burger, saw the Golden Gate Bridge, took pictures in front of the Full House houses, and even saw cable cars while driving through the down town area. I started the journey home Monday after

Almost a year ago I signed up with a brand new company that no one had ever heard of. Before signing up I asked several friends if they would buy or host a party and almost everyone said "probably not." However,  I knew in my gut that KEEP Collective was something God was leading me to do so....I did it anyway! 11 months later, I am about to travel across the country for a Director's Summit. Only the top 1% in this company are invited to attend this event! SAY WHATTT???? I am just amazed that I have done so well!! I can't believe how God has used this company to bless me and my sweet family!! Today I am thankful for the opportunity God has given me with KEEP Collective. I never even dreamed of doing this well, growing a team of 70 ladies, promoting to Associate Director, flying to Texas and to California all within my first year of being a designer! I can't even express my excitement about this upcoming year!!! I am also grateful for the ability to go on

At church yesterday the Pastor gave a very good explanation to a question that many folks may often ask. The question: "Why do people raise their hands during worship?" The answer: "Like a child desiring to be picked up by its mother or father, we want God to pick us up, carry us, and take us to places that we can't go on our own."  I have never heard anyone ask or answer that question actually. But I did love the visual he gave because I think that is exactly right for me. I'll admit it, I am hand raiser, that's for sure. I just can't help myself! When I am singing praises to my Father, my hands are lifted, its just the way I worship. If anyone ever asked me why, I think our Pastor's answer would be the perfect one. I am reaching toward my Heavenly Father. I want Him to know my love for Him and carry me through this life. With all my heart, I want to be closer to Him, I want Him to hold me. That is why I lift my hands. I know people

Recently Evan had some very profound words to share with me. I haven't been able to shake the conversation I had with my little 4 year old. Sometimes the things my kids say just blow my mind! Evan asked me, "Mommy, don't you wish your back would feel better?" I responded by saying, "No, not really. If my back hadn't gotten hurt, I wouldn't be able to be home with all of you. I would have to go to work every day and you would have to go to daycare and I would miss spending all day with you and your brothers. God truly used my back injury for good in our lives and I wouldn't change it." Evan then said, "Well, Mommy, God did that and I'm glad but He's already done it and He isn't undoing it so why don't you pray and ask Him to heal your back now?" I replied, "Well, that is an excellent question! You're right, I probably should!" Evan then quickly asked me if I wanted to pray right then. WOW!!! Hon

I have to tell you....cooking for my kids isn't always easy or fun! They are super picky and really only want to eat things that aren't healthy at all. Bryan and I usually spend most of dinner trying to get the boys to eat theirs! Tonight was a little different though!! Tonight I made pork chops, mashed potatoes, strawberries, and biscuits. The strawberries and biscuits were gone within seconds but the pork chops and mashed potatoes, well that was another story! After forcing them to try the pork chops, somehow a song broke out about Mommy being the best maker of pork chops! I was laughing like crazy! These boys are a hoot! You just have to hear my silly boys.... Today I am thankful for these sweet impromptu moments of joy and laughter that God blesses me with from time to time. Being a mom can be hectic and frustrating sometimes, especially when your kids don't want to eat anything you cook. Tonight's little concert made me feel so appreciated and love

When I was deciding what I should get Bryan for his 35th birthday, I just new I wanted to do something that he would really enjoy! It had been 4 years since we had been on a weekend away so I decided that a getaway might be the best gift ever! This weekend we celebrated Bryan's 35th birthday at The Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC. This was the first time either of us had stayed at a Bed and Breakfast. We had no idea how much we would enjoy ourselves. The Waverly Inn is beautiful and elegant! It prides itself in "Hospitality from the Past" and that is exactly what we experienced! Everyone was so kind and helpful. The breakfast was delicious and we even used all sorts of dishes and silverware that I've never even seen before! We got to have a couples massage for the first time, go to dinner several times, we went walking through the little downtown area, went to a movie and got into stores with breakable items in them! We slept all night and even got to read adul

Today is my hubby's 35th birthday! We really enjoy celebrating birthdays around here because we are so grateful that God has placed each person in our family! We always spend the big day doing something fun as a family! When you live in a house of boys, birthdays end up looking like the picture above! They're training me well!  To celebrate Bryan's birthday we had an entire afternoon of fun bowling, playing lots of arcade games, and of course having a blast at lasertag! We also had cake and gifts and a yummy dinner. Bryan and I will continue the celebration all weekend at a Bed and Breakfast in the mountains, just the two of us! Bryan actually told me that might be the perfect present for him! (Its a present for me too! Shhhh!) Today I am grateful for the love of my life and this special day to celebrate him! He deserves many more days of celebration but I'm glad that we are able set aside this day to show how much we love him! I'm also thankful that we

For several months now I've been supporting a ministry called Fair Trade Friday.  This ministry is an avenue  for women to empower women.  Mercy House is a non-profit organization that is tackling poverty through job opportunity and empowerment rather than enablement. 100% of the proceeds support the artisans, more than 500 women and their children from all over the world.  Once a month a package arrives with some lovely products inside that are made by ladies all around the world. I've received bracelets, earrings, necklaces, coffee, Christmas ornaments, scarves, mug warmers and much more. I have loved giving these items as gifts to other women that have touched my life. I have also enjoyed keeping a few of these items for myself! I really enjoy using the products knowing that it was made by someone across the globe and my purchase has blessed them! Today I opened my Fair Trade Friday package and found the most beautiful purse inside! I immediately put all of my "pur

Our Christmas Break was wonderful and we really didn't want it to end but we got back into the swing of things today. I decided to start a new schedule and set of things for the boys to do before any screen time is allowed in our home. I was worried that they might hate that idea but they did VERY well with it! As soon as our morning started they were making beds, putting laundry away, doing their quiet times, reading books, doing a creative activity, and completing all school work. I was so proud of them! There was also very little arguing! WAHOOO!!!! Evan during "reading time" Building with Legos for their "Creative Time" School work! We spent part of our day shopping for the three kiddos we sponsor through World Vision and Compassion International. The boys always enjoying shopping for Ever Rolando and Sibango. We also love shopping for Rose but Compassion international doesn't allow us to mail very much to her so they picked out stickers

   Our family has recently started attending a new church. We absolutely loved the church we used to attend but God was calling us somewhere else. It took several weeks and many visits to other churches but we finally found the place where God was leading us! Our new church is called Hope City. It currently meets in the cafeteria of a high school. While it is a young church and still building its first sanctuary , this church is amazing! It is the perfect fit for our family. We are so grateful that God has directed us to Hope City. Today during worship we sang a new song that I feel in love with. There is no doubt that this song will be played over and over in my house this week! It's called Shepherd by Bethel Music. I love the entire song but I just had to share something special about one small part. Part of the lyrics say, "Oh, How I love you. You have not forsaken me. Oh, How I love you. Where you are is where I want to be." We sang that several times. Duri

With a new year comes a new year resolution....right? This year I decided to focus on a word for the new year instead of a resolution. The word I chose is INTENTIONAL. I've prayed a lot about what this word really means for me and I thought I would share it with all of you! When I do things with INTENTION it means that I am aware of what I am doing. I am doing things deliberately, on purpose. Being intentional means I am focusing on the importance and ideal outcome of what I'm doing. I am not going through life blindly but paying close attention to the moments God has given me and using those moments wisely. In 2016 I will be INTENTIONAL. Intentional in my walk with Christ, with my husband, with my children, with my health, with my time, with my opportunity to teach my children, with my KEEP team, and with my friendships. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord ~Colossians 3:23 Today I am grateful