A Plan up His Sleeve

Many of you have heard or read about the 21-day fast that churches are doing, starting today and going through January 30. Well, I have decided to participate. It was a last-minute decision...made this morning about 8:00. I feel that God is urging me to do this. I've been a bit restless these past few weeks...searching and praying for what God has planned for my life this year. I know that going to school and taking care of Colton are the main points, but it's the details that I'm thinking about. I'm trying to not only give God the Big stuff, but also the little things in my life. (not an easy thing for me to do)

I researched the Daniel Fast:
per Daniel 1
1. Only fruits and vegetables
2. Only water for a beverage
per Daniel 10
3. No sweeteners and no breads

I have decided to do a variation of it. Had I had time to prepare for this, I would do it in it's entirety. So, this is what I'm doing:

No meat.
Only water to drink.
Eating mainly fruits and vegetables.
I am going to limit my bread and dairy.

Other than the food portion, I have decided to also fast:

Facebook
Books - I will only read the Bible
Secular Music - Only listen to KSBJ and Christian cds

I spend so much of my time on facebook and looking up and listening to music, and most of my freetime is spent reading. I love to read...whether it's secular or Christian fiction, I'll read anything. This has taken away from spending time in God's Word, and having a devotional. So, I'm cutting those things out.

As for Colton, one of the websites had a scheduled devotional for the 21 days for kids. I plan on doing those with Colton...and not having him participate in the other parts of the fast. I know that spending time together in the Bible will do wonders for him and me...and our relationship.

My prayer is that God will open up my eyes to His Will. That he will give me a deeper hunger for Him. I know that He has a plan up His sleeve for me and for Colton...and I'm excited to experience it! Please keep us in your prayers whenever you think about us. I hope to blog during the next 21 days. God is good!

deborah

2011

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord...

I can make New Years Resolutions...plans for 2011...but only God knows what's in store for me and mine.

That said, here's what I would like to accomplish this year...in no specific order...just as they pop into my head.

1. Speak more softly with Colton - have more patience, and don't yell. I can get across to him the same thing without raising my voice. I just need Jesus, and patience, to make it happen.

2. Study harder. Devote a lot more time to my school work. Mediocre won't do. I want to excel.

3. Read the whole Bible through. Spend more time in God's Word. I would love to have a devotion every day...but that requires better time management. Which brings me to my next one.

4. Manage my time better. This will allow more time with Colton, more time to study, time for devotions, and more sleep. In doing this, I will need to set priorities.

5. Work out AT LEAST 4 times a week. There is no reason this can't happen. Just goes back to #4. I'm not getting any younger...which means neither is my metabolism. :)

6. Eat healthier. More fruits and veggies. Less fast food.

7. Cook more. Not just bake, but cook...real food, like for dinner and stuff. :) I love to cook, I just need to do it.

8. Blog more often. Once a week would be lovely. I can do that. Set aside one night a week...when I know my homework load won't be as heavy.

9. Plan more outings with Colton...for Colton. We do a lot of running around, but not enough of it is for him.

10. Read less fluff, and more books of substance.

11. Write. My dream is to write Children's Books. This year I will get started, and make it happen.

12. Get more involved at church. I have helped out in the nursery, and enjoyed it. But I would like to do that and more. I want to know the people I go to church with...and not just my small group of friends.

13. Love unconditionally. I feel that I do this well...but nowhere near the way Jesus loves.

14. Be more like Jesus. I want people to look at me and know that I am a Christian, and that I love Jesus. I want to be a walking testimony...and an example to Colton. I want to love Jesus with all of my heart...and not just my leftovers.

15. Tithe. I have slacked on my tithing the past couple of years. I have no excuses. This year is a fresh start. God has taken care of me, and given me so much. I HAVE to give back to him...faithfully.

16. Be a better friend. Not just on my time, and when it's good for me. I want to be a better listener.

17. Play the piano more. I took for so many years. Why don't I practice? What was the point of all of that time spent practicing, and all the money spent on lessons. I will inherit a beautiful grand piano one day. I don't want it to just collect dust.


That's all for now. I think that's a good list. Jesus, please help me to prioritize. Give me grace, patience and peace. This year promises to be super busy, but well worth it.

Tomorrow's December? Are you kidding me?

So, yesterday my niece was being born...or so it seems. More like 11 months ago today! Are you serious? Where did this year go? How are we already just one month away from 2011? Here's a recap of 2010 for us:

1. Well technically my niece, Presley, was born December 30, 2009, but it still feels like this year.

2. Colton has lost 4 teeth. (technically only 3 in 2010. He lost his first tooth on NYE 2009.)

3. I completed 37 hours of school this year. (or will have in 2 weeks.)

4. My nephew, Jackson Sean, was born March 28th. He just turned 8 months. Wow! He will be walking soon for sure!

5. I went from working full-time, to working part-time, to quiting completely, to now helping out a few days a month. I am seriously blessed to be able to go back to school full-time.

6. My sister Rebekah left her job at VC and is now working for herself. She does an amazing job cutting all of our hair. I highly recommend her!

7. Colton played his first season of soccer.

8. Colton learned how to ride a 2-wheeler bike.

9. Colton learned how to swim.

10. I won a trip to San Antonio! 2-night stay at an amazing hotel. 4 tix to Fiesta Texas, 4 tix to Sea World. 4 tix to Schlitterbahn. (we ran out of time and didn't make it to Schlitterbahn.) Talk about an awesome trip! We had a blast!

11. Rode in my first MS150 with my Bestest, Lindsay. What an experience! I've recently registered to ride again this coming April!

12. Was a bridesmaid in one of my BFF's wedding. Jordan and Brad are perfect for eachother. The wedding was amazing! So happy for them, and sweet Ty and Hallie!

13. Attended the 4th Annual Mom Prom. Every year it gets bigger and better. We are making "Dads of Mom Prom" Calendars. They will be awesome. Place your order today...only $15.

14. Colton graduated Kindergarten. Man, he's getting so big! He got "Class Comedian"! Imagine that. ;)

15. Colton started 1st grade, and has an excellent teacher. She is a blessing, and we are so thankful for her.

What else..............................

I'll have to get back with you. Class is almost over. (yes, I'm blogging during class. But you'd understand if you were in this class. Business Law. All he does is tell stories, and drags them out. We only cover about a page of notes in 2 1/2 hours!! It's awful, and I hate it!)

Ok, enough ranting. I'll be back soon!

deb

Blessed

So I'm sitting here at home, supposed to be working on homework due tomorrow, but I'm procrastinating, yet again. :) While I'm on my laptop, Colton is playing some Pokemon game on the house computer. Every once in a while he will ask me a question, or tell me something educational. I can't help but smile. The kid is so smart!! He can read almost anything!

Half the time, I'm dealing with some behavior issue or what not, due to him being bored at school, BECAUSE he's so smart. So I don't fully appreciate the brain God gave him. Well, today I am thankful. I thank God for such a smart little man. For a healthy little man. So many (including myself) take for granted our children's good health. Well, I don't want to. Thank you God for blessing me with a healthy, smart son!

He has now lost 4 teeth! Crazy! Rach and Beka are counting their babies teeth as they come in, and I'm counting my babies teeth as he loses them. Goodness!!

This semester I've taken on a full load at Sam Houston. While it's been challenging, I am so thankful for the opportunity to go back to school full time. Only one more year! 12 more classes! 36 more hours! Woohoo!! I'm so ready!

My sister, Susanna, graduates from nursing school this semester. Her pinning is on December 14th. I am so proud of her. She is truly using her God-given abilities.

This girl has such a heart for children, such compassion. If I had half the compassion she had...

Anyway, please keep her in your prayers. She takes her nursing school exit exam, HESI, on December 8th. NooNee, Colt and I are so proud of you!!

Rachel and her fam came to visit last weekend. We had such a nice time...nothing major planned, so we all got to just "hang out".

They had their family Christmas pictures taken by Joyelle (http://www.photographybyjoyelle.com/) (I would do the link to her blog, but I have no clue how to do that! Someone please message me directions for that!) The pics are absolutely amazing. Such a beautiful little family.

Hudson just turned 5 last month. 5!!! He is such a cool kid!! I can't believe it. He is such a sweet little man, so loving. He will pretty much give you a hug whenever you ask for one.

And then there's Presley.

Gosh, she is so adorable, and cute, and precious, and sweet! I just love her to pieces! She turns 1 next month. Where has the year gone?!?! My favorite thing to do with her is snuggle up in her chair in her room and read Good Night Moon. Aww, my heart just melts. We read it over and over again. So sweet.

I don't have a pic of me reading it, but Mimi loves it too!

And then there's Jackson. My little Jack Jack.
We get to see him more often than the other kiddos cause he lives in town. Such a sweet-natured little boy. I love to watch him when Colt plays with him. Just precious. Jack loves his thumb, and you will more-often-than-not see it in his mouth. Too cute! None of the other babies did that. Anyway, he will be 8 months next week. I can't believe it! All my sweet babies are growing up way too fast!

Colt turned 7 last month. We had a Super Hero Squad Party. So much fun! And so active! Man, I was exhausted at the end of the party, after keeping all of the little 6-year-old super heroes from bringing down the Spiderman bounce house! Seriously, at one point, they were all on one side of it, and it was leaning. I thought it was gonna tip!! lol Not kidding! I ran over there so fast to get them off of that side! Pretty funny...not really! ;) Colt had a great time! We are so thankful and so blessed to have so many friends!

And at last, his very first soccer season has come to a close. He had a lot of fun, learning and growing his soccer skills. Next up, basketball!! Haha!

Ok, I better get back to my homework. Gotta pass my classes!! :) I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week with your friends and families.

deb

First Day of First Grade

So, I have not posted the annual "First Day of School" pictures of Colt. So, here's the play-by-play. (you know I love to do this!) Enjoy!

Enter: Soccer Mom

It's official. I am now a Soccer Mom. hah! Colt had his very first practice last night. I had class, so he went with his friend, Ty...who is also on his team. They are the New York Red Bulls. Colt has this crazy fascination with New York. He has asked me many times who the soccer team is in New York. I don't even know if they have one! Well, they do now...and Colt just happens to be a member. :)

Hallie, Ty and Colt

Now, Colt isn't exactly crazy about playing outside, sports, RUNNING...anything in the sun. Don't get me wrong, he does like to play outside, he's just not crazy about it. He'd rather be playing his DS, or some other video game. So, I didn't really know what to expect with this first practice. I gave him the ole "Be respectful, mind the coach. They are there to teach you...even if you think you know everything (which Colt usually does!)" before I dropped him off for school yesterday morning. (cause I had class all day and wouldn't see him until after practice) He seemed pretty excited.

Well, Jordan (Ty's mom) filled me in on everything. She said he did really well. You wouldn't have been able to tell he had never played before. He followed directions, listened intently, kicked, ran, dribbled, etc.

About halfway through, he realized this was a lot more running than he thought he had signed up for! He was huffing and puffing, but still running and kicking. Jordan said he was so tired, she thought any minute he would stop and tell her he was done and didn't want to play anymore. (Colt has a tendancy of speaking his mind. It's a fact.) But, he didn't. He kept on going till the end. I'm so proud of him! When he got home, he told Susanna "It was fun, but there was way too much running. It was ridiculous!" Yup, that's my child! lol

I'm proud of him, and so excited about going to the games. I wish I could go to the practices, but I gotta get my education. :) The first game is Saturday, September 25th. You can bet I'll have lots of pictures!


deb

P.S. No, I will NOT be getting a minivan. :)

School, More School, Soccer and Fall

So at the moment I'm in the computer lab at Sam Houston...yes, I attend here now. Full-time student! Hooray! I decided to quit my job, and live off my tiny bit of financial aid for a year and load up on classes. Well, load up I did. I'm taking 4 classes at Sam on Tuesdays/Thursdays, then a class on Tuesday nights, and one on Wednesday nights. So, 18 hours total! There's no WAY I could work and do that, AND be a mom at the same time. My official last day of work was Friday, September 3rd. And boy was I ready for that. Just 2 weeks of both school and work, and I was exhausted! If things go as planned, I will graduate next August. So happy, and ready, to be finished. (There is a slight chance that one of my classes won't be offered next summer, so I might be taking one class next Fall. Not my ideal, but I'll take it.)

Colt started First Grade three weeks ago. So far, he is enjoying it. We didn't care for Kindergarten too much...it just wasn't challenging enough. Especially after going to a private preschool that taught him pretty much everything you will learn in Kindergarten. And his teacher didn't seem to "have time" to find him any challenging projects. Not happy with her, but, that year is over. His new teacher is younger and very excited to be teaching First Grade. She understood how I felt about his teacher last year and has promised to find him challenging projects when he needs them. Hooray! So far so good.

Today he starts soccer practice. This is his first year to play. He and his friend Ty are playing at the YMCA, and we are all pretty excited about it! Go Red Bulls! His games will be Saturday mornings. Can't wait!

What else?

Oh yeah, so with all of this school, my life has been a bit cluttered! All of my books and school supplies and what not have just been lying all over my room, because I don't have a desk. Scratch that, I DIDN'T have a desk. Cause I do now!

I purchased a new one at Wal-Mart, you know, one of those that have to be assembled. Well, I don't mind putting things together one bit. In fact, I actually like it! :) So, I read the directions (yes, I'm a directions-follower) and saw that it requires 2 people, and will take 2 hours to assemble. Yeah, there's only one of me...so I prepared myself for at least 3 hours. Had I sat down and done it all at one time, I could've achieved that goal, if not closer to 2 hours. But, with school, and Colt, and all other things life brings along, it took a few days. BUT, it's finished and looks great with all of my other wood furniture. So happy! But yeah, my room is still a mess. I proceeded to rearrange my room to allow for my new "office space", and yeah, I have way too much stuff in there. But, it must all stay. So we'll just call it a work in progress.

I cannot believe it's already September, and the middle at that! Colt's 7th birthday is just next month! I can't believe it! That means that my nephew, Hudson, is turning 5 next month. I don't like this one bit! But this does mean Fall, which means cooler weather, football (and soccer), and all things lovely. :) So happy about that.

There's not much else I can write, without pictures to go along with it. But soon.

I hope all of you are well, and Happy almost Fall!

deb

P.S. I almost forgot...Colt can officially ride his 2-wheel bike! Hooray! This has taken forever (mainly because he just had no interest in it AT ALL), but thanks to Aunt NooNee and Papa, the kid can now ride with the rest of the kids. Whew! I thought he would be in highschool and still not riding it. :)