J O Y

Well I finished the book.  I learned alot about the Christian Character.  Wow!  do you have alot of work? 

The last chapter was about JOY.  Joy falls upon the hearts of men and women whose lives are caught up in who God is and what He is doing. 

Sometimes we find joy in the next meal or in money or things.  If my shorts fit, if I run 2 miles, if my children get along, well then Joy.  This type of joys burns up.  Put more in to get more joy.  Chirst's joy doesn't function like this.  He gives joy to the fullness. 

Usually in my hardships is when I draw closer and intimate with God.  Those are the times I can see hope and grace.  This brings me joy.  None of us like hardship but that is when I shared my tears with Him.  Within a few days, a verse would show up in my devotion or the boys' school work somewhere that would make me smile because I know God is wanting me to find joy in Him. 

So the book suggested to put myself in joy's path.  Retooling of my daily routine.  Our greatest joys come from Christ's presence and movement in everyday reality.  I want to become intentional about pursuing joy and all the other virtues.  I want to slow down, dig alittle deeper, pay attention more to others not just my own agenda.  If I sense God moving me, I want to push myself to do it.  I don't want to hide because of fear and the unknown.  By doing these things, I will find true joy. 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus  . . . who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:2.  The prize was joy, but the path getting there was harrowing.  quoted from the book

What a challenge this book has been to me.  So help me "clothe" myself in Colossians 3:12 - Christian virtues such as peace, forgiveness, compassion, kindness, humility, and patience.  These virtues were made for me by the One who knows me best.

On to the next one,

This is my new bible study book.  Anyone want to join me?  We could have out own little community online bible study just like I finished. 

I have been looking forward to this one.  I reserved it at the library 3 weeks ago.  It is in so I am ready.  I really enjoyed watching Tim Tebow and what he stands for in his platform.  He stands for Christ even in the world of football and is not ashamed to share his faith. 

We have ourselves a football player

Garrett came home last night with new toys.  He has signed up to play football.  Ella thought they were the greatest toys ever.  We laughed so hard at her.

She wanted the helmet and the "muscles" on

She doesn't know that girls are the cheerleaders for the boys who play football

Florida Trip

We loaded the car Sunday, July 17th at 5:15am to head to Noni and Papa's house.  We reloaded their car and left at 6:15am.  We made it to Florida, unloaded the car, then went to eat at Cracker Barrel.  This picture is after we ate.

Ella claimed this was "the worst day of her life" because Noni wanted to play checkers with Garrett not her.

We played tennis . . .

made 2 crafts a day for 7 days . .

we swam everyday . . .

enjoyed family time . .

played in fun games (eating contest - who could eat the bowl of gummy bears with whipped cream first)

won the hula hoop contest . . .

played at this great water park . . .

learned about alligators and saw a real alligator named Jimmy . . .

watch a movie outside while swimming in the pool and eating popcorn one night . .

picked up dad at the airport to join us - ohhh!  so glad to see our daddy . . .

enjoyed a rehearsal dinner with Bradley and Melinda . . .

played about 10 games a ping pong a day . . .

enjoyed the wedding . . .

met new friends to play with  . . .

acted completely crazy . . .

and ate Dairy Queen ice cream on the way home.

Incredible 7 days in Florida

Heavy Heart

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing  James 1:2-4
 
My heart has been heavy the past few weeks.  Even though I have known about one heaviness for over 3 years, one for about 2 months and one for about a week.
 
Paula Pittman, our pastor's wife sister, has been battling 4 different types of cancer for some time now.  We went to a spaghetti supper in her honor tonight.  She has a daughter that is Garrett's age. 
 
Joshua Loftis was just diagnosed 2 months ago with a brain tumor.  He just turned 12.  We enjoyed last summer at Carowinds with his family. He has just completed 6 weeks of treatment.  Now to sit and wait 4 to 6 weeks for the next scan.  How this brings back memories of my aunt, who was only 11 months older than me, and her battle with a brain tumor.
 
Melissa, one of my roommates from college, just kissed her husband goodbye for a year.  He is in the army.  He was deployed to serve in Iraq for a year.  They have a 6 year old and a 4 year old.  They just moved to Texas 1 year ago for his job.  So now a new place very far away from family and he is deployed. 



So as I love on my family alittle tighter, I try to remember these families each time. 

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing ".

Lord, help me draw nearer to you as I lift up prayers for these families.

It's Summer

Thank goodness Ella doesn't know that you take the summer off from school.  There were a couple of crafts pages that we didn't finish from her preschool books.  It is amazing how little girls love to cut, color, glue and make things. 

We completed about 6 projects.  School can be on the floor, in your pj's and you still learn.  What a great concept. 

It is so hard for me to believe that in a couple of weeks she will be 5.  Wow!  where does the time go? 

5 is a big deal. 

Look at the edge of this picture.  You can even have your dog sitting right beside you and do school.  Gabby kept walking on her papers.  We would just laugh.  Gabby should be the smartest dog around. 

Enjoyed doing school Ella Bell

Courageous - 1st step

The new movie Courageous is coming out in September.  Seeing and hearing about this trip is making me so blessed to have Jeff as my husband and blessed for friends like Kevin.  These daddies took their 12 and 13 year old sons on an adventure.  Many memories were made, many things were taught and many things were said that will last a lifetime. 

The Courageous Dads

The learning to be Courageous young men

Ha - This tree had already fallen - Still little boys at heart

At the top - Look at the steep climb - At the top, the guys were in the clouds

A picture I will treasure forever. 

Gotta love the mountains - the mountains have special meaning to us

Down the trail they go

Mission accomplished

Mt. Mitchell - check

The stories from the guys were great.  So thankful Garrett had his ipod.  Maybe the first time I have ever thought that.  Ha.

The vacation at the lake

Thanks mom and dad for entertaining the children at the lake each day last week.  Even though it was your vacation you inviting them to tag along and bring friends.  Each one of them love the lake and all the fun that comes with the days they spend.

In years to come, they will remember boat rides, icees, friends, swimming, watermelon on the boat, life jackets, jumping off the boat, golf cart driving, sleeping with meme and papa getting bumped to the bunk beds, good food, bike riding, game room, yard sales, church, children's church, VBS, putt putt golf, dollar store runs for prizes, buying your own milkshake maker, going to the grocery store and being able to buy any foods you want, and other fun

Because at the lake you get pieces of watermelon this big and you don't have to share

Lots of love, meme and papa.  Your little ones love you bunches.

Happy July 4th

It was fun to be together as a family.  The kids were excited about their silly glasses.  So I had to join them.

Our day started out by going with Ella to celebrate in our little town of Unionville.  I can remember coming to Unionville as a child to celebrate.  Once I got a little bigger, my dance group would come clog on the 4th of July.  Who knew when I grew up that we would like 2 seconds from this little square. 

So Ella:

face painted

rode the train

rode the swings

the bumpy slide

help decorate our house

swam with dad at Noni's

enjoyed a 4th of July drink

played carnival games (sack race with trash bags)

sparklers

fire works

All this in one day. 

After going to the Unionville celebration, we headed to Noni's to swim.  Several others friends joined us there.  We enjoyed a BBQ supper, homemade icecream, sparklers, glow sticks, and then fireworks.  Ella went to sleep in her bed but woke up on the couch.  (her new place to sleep)

So not to leave the boys out, here is pictures of them. 

Seth swimming with dad well floating anyway

Garrett with his big cousin, Will

Seth sitting with Beckett as supper

The BOYS of the party

Glow stick Seth

We love doing glow sticks for the kids.  We watch fireworks from Noni's neighbor's yard.  In order to keep up with the kids (all 6 of them) we had our glow sticks.  They decorate their arms, ankles, and necks. 

We had an enjoyable 4th.  The best part is Jeff having a day off to enjoy with us.  Ella is already wanting to know when will it be the 4th of July again!

Happy and Sad! for mom anyway

July 1st, 2011

Ella lost her 1st tooth

She was soo excited.  All day she would say "This tooth is aggravating me" so off she would go to wiggle it some more.  She was very brave. 

This is Ella sending her dad a message to see when he would be home.  She couldn't wait to share the news.

At 4 years old, Ella lost her 1st tooth.  The best part is she lost it with me.  I was able to see and do the whole experience.  Priceless.  Memories that I will never forget.

So happy for her

but sad because my little girl is no longer a little girl.

Ending of June Fun

Seth is no longer allowed to go see Movies.  Why?  After seeing Cars 2 3D he had to get glasses!  Not really - he enjoyed this glasses for days.  He punched the lense part out, colored the 3D emblem on the side and wore glasses all day for several days.  We thought he looked handsome.  He is the neatest kid.

Celebrating Jeff's birthday.  All the Weddine Men

Jeff's dad - Garrett- Jeff-Seth

Jeff was so proud to have sons that will carry on the Weddine name.

For Jeff's birthday supper we ate chips and salsa.  Well, Ella asked for chips and salsa for breakfast the next day.  What a girl to eat salsa for breakfast.

The entertainment for the night was the box.  Jeff's mom and dad gave him a backpack leaf blower.  Well, in this picture, Ella is in the box.  She  played all night.  We laughed many times.

Happy 39th birthday Jeff

Many more blessings to come your way