{pray please}

That sweet Roy can get out of the hospital. 

Corey graduates Saturday.

I meant to post this earlier, so I am hoping that

by the time it hits for everyone to read, that prayer

will have been answered!!!  

{be back soon....}

Surgery went very well yesterday.

I had a pretty good night and am feeling good today.

My biggest problem today is just alot of blurred vision from a

nausea patch I had to wear and just typical soreness. 

The huge combo of meds did not prevent me from getting so sick though.

They tried everything though, very sweet to me.

I'm very thankful for anesthesia, but hate it at the same time.

Thanks everyone for your calls, texts, prayers, driving me from, 

taking care of my babies....

the list goes on and on.....

I am one blessed girl!  {ahem, I will still be considering myself

a 'girl' when I'm 77}  

But, seriously thank you so much!

{a fresh perspective: better or bitter}

More on this later.  

But, for now, I have to get the boys up and at em', run

a few errands {as in actually mailing my bills so I continue

to have electricity and water and things such as that},

  get to the office {very weird} and put in another head-beating day

with a crazy amount of medical records,  cram TWO {two??} pre-op

appointments in this morning, and......

 make it to a very important lunch. :)

Then, return here.  My little messy haven.

{answered prayer}

For all of you who prayed for my sweet friend Jessica and her husband Ryan after

she delivered precious Wyatt and through the days & months after they lost him.......

here is the answer to many, many prayers

meet little Miss Finley....

{answered prayer}

Tomorrow is a HUGE day.

I will travel up the hill and photograph one of the sweetest families I know. 

Miss Finley arrived on Tuesday.

She looks so much like her big brother Wyatt 

Mom and Dad now have a little piece of their Heaven here on earth........

So, so thankful!  My heart is about to burst. 

 

{stay tuned}

I have a feeling the boys that came to Noah's BD party last night.....may

never forget it.  For good reasons & not-so-good reasons.

I have LOTS of pictures to blackmail them with through the years.

Senior year was mentioned a time or two.  Or, three.

Tons of laughs, one man down {BLESS HIS HEART}, a houseful

of super-awesome kids that I am VERY proud and

thankful are a part of our life; we adore their parents

just as much. I do think I inhaled one too many fumes

from the massive amount of silly string, but other than

that, I made it through the night unscathed.   And, despite the event

of the night I wish would have just passed right by without stopping, 

I did get one on JC.  And, oh, happy day that little moment was!!

I think he was pretty much cringing.  I'm sure of it.  Definitely

more on that later.  hehehehehehe!

The house is almost back in order.  A few things to dry out still. ;) 

A little man, the birthday man, is sound asleep on the couch and has

been for hours.  Aviator glasses and all.   

I'm still finding silly string in my hair, carpet, shoes, etc. 

Not a lot of leftovers thankfully; these boys have become

big eaters.  :)   At one point about 8 of them were piled

on a couch.  They were on the arms, the backs - completely

squeezed in laughing their little heads off over funny youtube

 videos.   I freeze-framed that moment.  Most of them have

been together since they were around 4, if not before.  Our time is

definitely fleeting with them, but I can't let myself dwell on that; 

I am so looking forward to the years to come with these little guys. 

And, I'm planning my own counter-attack to the silly string fiasco

for next year.  Boys beware!!!! :)    

{nice surprise}

Since we have deprived the boys of a "neighborhood" by forcing them to live in the middle of nowhere, it's always a sweet surprise when someone is in our neck of the woods and we get a surprise visit!  Isn't that how neighborhoods work?  You just stroll over to the neighbors yard and chat?  Since, I am not up to speed on that whole process.....that red truck coming up our driveway {that I first ignored because I thought it was my mother-in-law.  NOW THAT SOUNDED BAD.  That's not what I meant.  At all.  I'm just used to that red truck coming up our driveway}.  When I finally looked up and saw our sweet friends, I think I squealed!!  {really!}

 I am sure we may scare the visitors we have, because they are so few and far between we never want them to leave.  We could visit all night!  And, we even tried fattening them up before they had to leave for dinner.  That was kind of Hansel and Gretel-ish???   Sorry! 

  But, what a nice & and perfect surprise! 

{my friends}

Praying for many of my friends who have been hit hard by the flu, upper respiratory infections, etc.  Missing you so much!  I'm been dreaming all day of summer play dates.  I know, a tad ahead of myself there.  

And, just for SC:  after Bible study yesterday, not only did I have lunch in a t-shirt but yoga pants as well!  I told the others that you would either be very shocked or very proud.  ;)   

And, HG:  true to my accessory deficit - none other than my wedding ring.

I'm either TOTALLY slacking or facing reality! ;)  

{dear TH}

thank you so much for dropping everything and rescuing my equipment from my complete oversight. in other words, thank you for rescuing me!!! i hated to make that call but am beyond grateful for you!

in other words, i left a lense at a location in greenwood yesterday and didn't realize it until we were almost to our other destination and were racing against the sun. :( TH to the rescue once again! {i'm thinking all of my friends have been on the receiving end of a call from me at least once, or ten times minimum!} very grateful!

{a thank you}

that would make Emily Post cringe as it is coming via way of the world wide web.

But, my new cell phone will not activate. Thus, no "etiquette appropriate" text or call, ha!

Thank you to sweet TH for your kindness in the McDonald's line this morning. After I got over the shock and decided I probably shouldn't run you down to "get on to you" since I was absolutely not dressed to be on the outside of any vehicle, I decided to simply pass it on....hopefully it continued. :) Love you & thank you!

{to: my friends}

I miss you. :(

{an ANSWERED prayer!}

my sweet friend jessica has a baby on the way.

it made my day! {& beyond}

i am beyond thrilled for them....

please keep them in your prayers.

march will be an amazing month!

what a happy day!

{family & friends}

If there are any of you out there who may be wanting fall pictures, please let me know as my calendar is already busting. Well, "busting" in the scaled-back version for the school year.

And, I've had 3 wedding inquiries in less than 12 hours. With each one I am literally having to pray as I am determined to stay focused on what needs and deserves my actual focus. Saying no is very difficult for my personality and it takes pretty much everything I have. I hate that about me?

In saying that....my favorite sessions are those of family & friends, so I don't want to miss out on those if at all possible.

Just a PSA.....ha!

{little did I know}

but, HE absolutely knew.

This was my devotional from yesterday morning - Girlfriends in God from Crosswalk. I had no idea what little bumps in the road I would hit last night. BUT, the moment I was scratching my head in an attempt to figure out how in the world I was back in the same place with a particular person - I remembered these words from this morning.

Although I am human - there was an initial sting. However, it was soon replaced with complete peace from spending time with Him yesterday morning. I do have emotions, but, yes, I am in charge of them. And, I choose not to go down that road again. And, I am beyond totally good with that!! :)

July 7, 2010

How to Avoid Bankruptcy
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth Proverbs 25:28 "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control" (NIV).

Friend To Friend It is not enough to acknowledge the presence of negative emotions or even understand why they exist. We must take action. If we don't, negative emotions will take control, a dangerous proposition for any woman. We must not only be able to manage negative emotions in our own lives, we must be able to react correctly to negative emotions produced by the sometimes abrasive behavior of those we call family and friend. The seeker watches carefully, curious to see what happens when the pressure is on.

So many women are imprisoned by feelings of inferiority and the results are always disastrous. Constructive criticism is perceived as an emotional attack. Jealousy burgeons as others receive the accolades we desperately crave. Decisions are made and a course of life is determined so that fragile egos are fed, excluding God's plan and purpose. Comparison reigns as a false idol attempting to validate worth and success. Inferiority crosses over to pride and sin reigns.

On the other hand, we can put negative emotions to work in our lives. Every woman knows that emotions can be like runaway horses. You are trampled by a friend with a hidden agenda, kicked in the gut by a family member, thrown by the lies of a trusted co-worker or crushed by a lack of integrity and character in those in authority over you. Emotions can easily stampede out of control and into sin.

The success of emotional integrity lies in the one who holds the reins. We must constantly choose to surrender every emotion to the supernatural control of God because when we do, the Holy Spirit empowers that choice, produces control and transforms emotional bondage into emotional freedom. Learning to control anger is a crucial life lesson and one that we need to master.

The people around us want to see what happens when life pushes our buttons or squeezes our emotions. While God created us with the capacity for emotions, it is our responsibility to control them instead of allowing them to control us. When Jesus saw money-changers desecrating the temple of God, He was furious! Yet, He modeled the right way to harness emotions and use them for good. I have heard many Bible teachers and preachers attempt to soften the response of Jesus, but the truth is - He was irate! I can almost see His face shrouded in plain old fury as He contemplated His options. If I had been in His place, I can tell you that those wicked men would have been toast! But before Jesus faced the intruders, He stepped aside to braid a whip - not because He had completed "Whip Braiding 101", but because He was taking the time to harness His emotions. Jesus then used that harnessed anger to drive the money-changers out of the temple, correcting a wrong. We choose where to invest every ounce of emotional energy we possess. Like Jesus, we must learn to invest wisely, in order to reap the benefits of healthy emotions, harnessed and trained by godly discipline.

Emotional bankruptcy is too often responsible for the destruction of a life. We must intentionally monitor emotional withdrawals and the impact they will have on our lives. There are certainly emotional withdrawals that are good, right and ordained by God. I will never forget the night we found a broken and defeated young pastor standing at our front door. With tears streaming down his face, John told us that his wife was having an affair and wanted a divorce. Certain that his ministry was doomed, this precious and gifted servant poured out his pain and defeat. For months, Dan and I ministered to this stellar young man, loving him, encouraging him, making him part of our family while he tried desperately to save his marriage.

When it became clear that his wife was determined to leave him, we repeatedly assured John that God would once again use him for Kingdom work. Today, that once broken young man is married to a beautiful, godly woman who adores him and has two incredible children. The church he now pastors is exploding in growth, changing lives and impacting the world for Jesus Christ! The time and energy we poured into David was a worthy emotional investment, to say the least, and one of our greatest blessings in ministry.

However, some emotional deposits are not good, right, healthy or God-ordained! Life is jam-packed with lifeless places in which to invest emotional energy. There are those who look to us to be their faithful savior or always available crisis manager. That job belongs to God alone!
We all know about bounced checks. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why banks don't adopt my obviously superior philosophy about checking accounts. It goes something like this, "As long as there are checks, there is money." Sadly, my current bank is rather narrow-minded in this area, so the reality is that my checks will bounce when our bank account is overdrawn and out of balance. The same is true in life.

We constantly need to check our emotional balance, guarding the emotional withdrawals we allow and diligently making consistent emotional deposits. Prayer, solitude, Bible study, friendships, service, accountability and a guarded thought life are just a few of the deposits that can make the difference between emotional health and emotional bankruptcy. Emotional imbalance occurs when we operate in our own strength, doing our "own thing" instead of wholly depending upon God and living in the parameters of His will. When we abandon all that we are to His strength, purpose and power, the Father deposits everything we need to accomplish every good work He created us to do.

Let's Pray Father, I praise You for giving me the gift of emotions. Help me learn how to manage and control those emotions so that they are assets instead of liabilities. I want to become a godly woman of discipline but I can't even start that journey without your power. I choose to spend time in Your Word and in prayer. I submit my emotions to You and ask that You use them in my life for Your glory. And may others see and know You are God.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now it's Your Turn Take a few minutes to make a list of the top five emotional responses common in your life. What one of these emotions do you experience the most?
Beside each emotion, write one habit you can incorporate into your life that will enable you to control that emotion.

Identify the activities, relationships or habits that drain you instead of replenish you. Eliminate those that are negative. Keep an emotional diary for 5 days. Record any emotional outbursts and the reason behind those outbursts. Surrender each emotion to the power of God.

More From The Girlfriends Since God created us with the capacity for emotions, He has a plan for those emotions. And since God never guides where He cannot provide, our emotional integrity is dependent on our obedience to God's plan. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Not! The best way to be ready for emotional struggles is to get ready and stay that way. Make the choice before you have to. And know we are right there with you ... walking the same path in pursuit of emotional integrity.

{through His eyes}

All of it made my stomach sick.

We feared it had returned.

The ugly "c" word.

I had been out all day and had not yet received the news that the biopsy had indeed confirmed it, but the second I heard her voice on a message of my phone, I hung up on it and dialed her. I didn't listen to it.

I knew what she wanted, or maybe more of what she needed.

This post is NOT about me in any shape or form. I will simply be standing behind one end of the lens looking at a precious family standing on the other end. This is about a constant (& I mean constant) prayer I am carrying with me right now begging Him that I capture for this precious family what they need next week.

It's not about the technical stuff or the editing or anything other than their moments. My chest literally hurts when I think about it. I haven't seen any of them since they found out it that it had returned. I am praying that God is very merciful and places a HUGE game face on me. I have to have that.

I need to capture them laughing

and loving

and being them.

Maybe, just maybe they will briefly forget.

and, in writing all of that -they were to meet with the physicians yesterday re: treatment plan. I have no idea what the tx plan will consist of at this point. But, I know there is hope - so I don't want this to convey that there is not. This is simply me putting pressure on myself to get this more than perfect for them. And, I know that I cannot do that without Him.

{wonderful blessing!}

Okay, that's me in the granny hat. But, I am in a total war against my face tanning. So, it has become my new necessary evil.

Now that I got that out of the way...today was just what I needed to have my "exhale" moment. Our kiddos were running around, swimming, splashing and laughing in a big way. And we got alot of chatting in which was so nice! HG - thanks so much for hosting - everything was beautiful!

These girls mean the world to me! I could absolutely tear up just thinking about what unique thing each one has brought to my life. They are amazing and set the bar very high! I am very, very blessed......

I'll "borrow" some more pictures soon and post the kiddos!

{finally!}

Today finally felt like summer! Yay! I had a wonderful afternoon with the girlfriends {will post on that later as I have to snatch their pics from their blogs as I had no camera with me, shock!}

And, then tonight the Y's and our little fam went to the Poteau Drive-In! One of my very favorite things to do during the summer. Although I have haunting flashbacks of being very pregnant there and contracting throughout a movie. So, it's always fun to have Evan along with us as those memories are so vivid! (& seem like yesterday)

The rain stayed away and the temperature was perfect!


The group shot. Not sure what E had spilled on his shirt? Olivia loves to be right between them. Noah dotes on her, Evan tries to boss her around. But, he doesn't get anything over on this one. ;)

We had never gone through the week - there were very few others there - that in and of itself was so nice!

Setting up our camp...

I couldn't tell you much about the movie as I was the lucky one and had Olivia snuggling with me most of the night. We had very interesting conversations to say the least! ha! :)

This one is SCARY. It was not posed. I was tripping over myself to snap it. I've decided I hate my little camera. But, they just stood there. I am praying it is not a glimpse into the far away future. Wow.

And, look at her little hand on his. Just like Destin. So sweet.

Not sure what effect this was. Did I say I do not like this camera? I need to drag my huge one around I guess?

The boys had her laughing so hard here.

It feels like summer!

{thelma and louise}

That's what Scott called us every time we talked to him! And, you know how I vowed to take tons of pictures. Well, I did - just not of us. I CANNOT use little cameras to save my life. This was a retake in my driveway. It's the only one we got that is not so blurred you can tell it is us. Pitiful!

Love her!

The little town square. You can see the little cafe we ate at for 3 of our 3 meals - the Silver Caboose. Noah would have loved it! It was very good and very southern. Angela appeased me the last day as I had been dying for her choice the first night we arrived.....a cream cheese and olive sandwich. Very yummy!! I would have never thought of it myself, but it seems to be very easy to make.

As pretty as she is - I was actually taking a picture of that piece of furniture. How cute is that?

This is a problem for me. I blame my Aunt J as she does the exact same thing. I found these cute shirts - ruffles, ruffles and ruffles upstairs at a cute shop. The price was very good and I loved them.....so, I got two! The problem, I needed two smalls. I thought I got two smalls. And, somehow ended up with a small and a medium. Room to grow?

My closet looks like Madie B's right now.


And, this was my favorite find.......a bunny! I just wish I had got two of him. TH, you can name him for me. ;) Just let me know what you come up with.


Ang and I had a great time. It was so nice to get away and always better to return home. We both missed our babies and hubbies. It really doesn't matter where we (Ang and I) are at together....it's just being together that matters the most. God has definitely blessed me with incredible friends who mean the world to me!

ps. here is a funny that we both laughed so hard over. At the reception, an older man walked up to me and told me that he hoped this wasn't inappropriate, but he thought I had the prettiest eyes ever. Then he went on to tell me what a great job I was doing etc. Later that night I was telling Angela about it and she started laughing. The same man had gone up to her later and told her what captivating eyes she had. ha! We are not sure if he told all 103 ladies in the room the same thing, was totally confused and thought we were the same person, or intended to tell us both? Too much to drink maybe?

{road trip}

I'm ready! I've got my comfy shoes for the wedding. And, they are super-cute! So, now I am ready to go. ha! I really did get the shoes when Scott was at his MD appt this morning. ;)

It's pathetic! I am such a homebody! I am very much looking forward to spending this time with Angela. It's always good to get away and refresh. I think I've done it once since I had Evan. And, we will be working all day, long into the night on Saturday - but, we will still have fun!

Her hubby asked what big plans we had without kids........they included: jumping into our pj's, ordering room service, giving ourselves facials, and pedi's and above all.......sleeping! If I've said it once, I've said it a million times....it really doesn't take much!

I'm already missing my little family - but, they are traveling with me next weekend for a wedding in LR. But, hopefully I will come back fully refreshed and ready to play! And, I can never have too much time with her. Life just detours that way too much.

And, I am determined to have a ton of pictures of us! We realized the ENTIRE time we were on vacation last year........we did not get one single picture of us! Terrible really! But, we'll fix that! We may have blue goop on our faces and our hair in towels...but that will work. ;)

Be back soon!

{lunch dates}

No pictures! {gasp}

But, we had our last official MDO lunch today with the girls. We as in me and little man as he accompanied me as my "date." He wasn't too terribly disruptive. {i hope!}

I can't tell you how much I love these girls and I am thinking SC is on to something. Play dates at her pool this summer. We will definitely be in - me in my turtleneck!

Here's to summer!