Weekend Wrap-Up

If it hasn't been said before.... I A.D.O.R.E. weekends! So much so, that I believe every weekend should be a 3 day weekend. 1 day to be productive, 1 day to have fun, and 1 day to rest... Is that really too much to ask?! I mean I feel like I blink on Friday night and my alarm is going off on Monday morning. A side note... WARNING.... if you have an iphone and you turn your ringer up.... you will be STARTLED awake the next morning. A hard lesson learned.


Friday night we had our Family Night at church. There were inflatables for the kids and the adults had our annual Spoons tournament. There was definitely clawing, snatching, bruising, blood drawing, and diving on the ground during this heated Spoons tournament. Despite the intensity it was a fun night with sweet church friends!

Saturday I spent the afternoon at my precious friend Sara's baby shower. She's one of those friends you want to hate b/c from behind you can't tell at all that she's pregnant, but has an adorable bump in the front. I also am very jealous of her artistic ability. She is one of those that can take junk and turn it into something gorgeous. Check out this cute chest of drawers she created for baby girl's room. Their sweet Arabella Faith will be here in April.

Saturday night we had an opportunity to go to the Grizzlies game... I'll be honest I could really care less about the grizzlies, but we got to enjoy the game from a box. That is the way to enjoy a ball game! Free food, plenty of cozy seats... yes please.

These three had a pretty good time too. It's a toss up on what was better ...the snow cone or the game (Shane Battier's return...) ... pretty sure the snow cones dominate this one.

Sunday we had the man who started SMI Haiti, Frank Williams, come and speak to our church. Daniel became great friends with him during their trip in January. Frank is our go-to man. He organizes everything that we'll be doing in Haiti. He actually lives in Indiana but spends several weeks in Haiti each month. We are so thankful for the opportunity to have him come and inform our church about what God is doing in Haiti. We can't wait to go back in July!


Sunday night we started our d-groups back. David Platt's...RADICAL. So excited. God is already using this book to change my outlook on Christianity, surrender, obedience, missions.... and I'm only in Chapter 4! So excited for our students to get started and see what God does!

Weight Watcher Update 7

Last week: 149.8

This week: 150.8

Yep, it's a gaining week. S.A.D. Thankfully its just 1 lb. No excuses though. Just got to make some changes this week.

On a fun note, I found a work out that I love! (I clearly need to do it more often though.)

Biggest Loser: Lance Chance Workout

Jillian Michaels leads it with actual Biggest Loser past contestants. Its cardio and strength and you switch quickly back and forth between the 2. I'm seriously dripping with sweat when I'm done. Its a great workout and its fun!




Here's to a better ww week next week!

Ten Things Thursday

10. DNOW
This past weekend was DNOW. Brent Crowe and Darren Whitehead were the speakers and Rush of Fools led worship. I have always loved DNOW! And still its an event that we look so forward to.

The theme of the weekend was Chasing Elephants: Wrestling with the Gray Areas of Life. Great topic. Brent and Darren are both amazing speakers. My only concern was that their messages didn't flow together. Our kids had more questions than answers. The last message did cover questions to ask yourself when dealing with these gray areas... but there were 16 of them. I thought D's version is better... now he didn't make them up, but its what he teaches our kids...

1.Does this hinder my walk with Christ?
2. Would this make a weaker Christian stumble?
3. Will this damage my testimony to an unbeliever?

I'm not saying that the conference wasn't good because it was and lives were changed. We had 4 students make decisions for Christ. Brent and Darren are very gifted speakers and do a great job of getting points across...I just thought they could have done a better job of making sure their messages flowed.

9. Vacation
I need one! Our 5 year anniversary is this May so for the past couple of years I've been convincing him that he needs to take me somewhere to celebrate. Now the question is when and where!

8. Radical
This Sunday we're starting our discipleship class back up. We're going to be going through David Platt's book, Radical. I'm in chapter 2 and its awesome. Very convicting! I can def. see why its a controversial book. I'm excited b/c I think it will be great for our kids (and us!) to get out of our bubbles and see that the Americanized Christianity is not what we were meant for! We are called to live... not the Americanized version of the gospel, but life altering, sacrificial surrender to Christ.

7. Scentsy
I just ordered the scent Blueberry Cheesecake for my warmers. Now I will be craving blueberry muffins all the time b/c thats what it smells like! Because of my scentsy show I was able to get D a warmer for his office which he picked out this....

And I was also able to get this....

for my classroom. The first morning I had it turned on with Central Park Pralines in it my kids walked in and said, "It stinks like oatmeal in here!"

6. Youth Room
We are in the process of making some big changes in our youth ministry... well locations anyway. When we started 2 years ago, the youth was meeting in the gym on Wednesday nights. D decided we needed a place to call our own so we re-did a room downstairs in our gym building that we affectionately call The Basement... (well thats what we call it... the older people call it the youth room) We still hang out in the gym on Wednesdays for a little bit, but then we go to The Basement for the teaching time. We use this room for Wednesday nights, Sunday mornings and discipleship training. Well, we are now busting at the seams and need more room. The fire marshal would have a cow if he saw how many people we were cramming in there. So.... we are in the process of getting something else approved and started. The new plan would not only meet our current needs, but would allow for substantial growth as well.

5. God's True Woman/Spiritual Mothering
As you can tell, I love to read! I am doing a bible study on Tuesday nights and we're going through God's True Woman. The funny thing is that once a month we have small groups that we call our Titus 2 groups... we're going through a different book, Spiritual Mothering. However.... these 2 books are 1 in the same. They are so similar I can't ever remember which book I read what in. The message is the same: Freedom for women wasn't/isn't found in the feminist movement, but in total surrender to Jesus Christ. Both books are worth reading! I highly recommend them!

4. Stevi B's
This weekend we went to one of my favorite pizza places. My favorite pizza of all time has to be their Loaded Baked Potato Pizza . My mouth is watering just thinking about the (cough) 3 perfect slices I had.

3. Chickfila
While we're on the topic of food.... Chickfila's brownie. I have never been a huge Chickfila fan. GASP. I know I'm not American. But this brownie... I would take it over a chicken sandwich any day! I mean can we make anything more heavenly. Yep thats right... this weekend I had greasy pizza... 3 slices of it... and this fabulous brownie topped with rich, creamy icing and walnuts. Now my weigh in update tomorrow may not be so wonderful but you better believe I enjoyed every bit of my pizza and brownie!

2. WW
So... I was reading a friend's blog who recently started back with ww. Do you know how much weight she lost her first week? 13.2 lbs!!!!!! Her first week. Thats what I've lost total these past 2 months! She lost that on 1 stinkin' week! How in the world?!!!! I would have to not eat for 3 weeks to lose that.... and you know I love food too much for that strategy!

1. D
I know I've said it before...ok probably several times before, but you're going to hear it again. I am married to the greatest man on earth. I am so thankful for a husband who boldly and unashamedly proclaims God's word. He has a way of teaching and preaching that is effortless...or appears that way. He lives what he preaches. And he challenges this girl more than he'll ever know.

Wordy Wednesday: Captivate Us

This is one of my all time favorite songs. Its so worshipful and puts everything in perspective. Someone posted a piece of this on fb and now I can't get it out of my head. Love, Love, Love it!

Captivate Us

Your face is beautiful
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

(Chorus)
Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You

Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw me closer O my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

(Chorus)

Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of Your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I'm bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light
You're full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye will see You

(Chorus)

Try it Tuesday: Genghis Grill and Pedicures

My day off yesterday was wonderful!

1. I got to sleep late. And by late, I mean past 6:00a.m.

2. I got to enjoy my coffee in my quiet living room not a noisy classroom.

3. I convinced the sister to go to the gym with me. She only complained 90% of the time.

4. She then called preggo Jules to come rescue her so Jules came and made fun of us for the last 20 minutes.

5. Then the boys met us at...



D loves this place! And was showing us the art of packing it all in.



I thought this was a really cool place. The idea is different and I love how you personalize your own dish. Watching them cook it was my favorite.



And then sister was showing us the art of using chop sticks... which she explained makes you eat less and helps you burn calories until you get a cramp in your hand... which apparently always happens to her.



I thought it was pretty good. I would eat there again. I felt more like I was eating greasy chinese food though rather than healthy meat and veggies. Jules wasn't a fan. So... be your own judge and try it for yourself!

6. After lunch, us girls went and got pedicures. It was by far the best one I have ever gotten! We went to a new place in Bartlett... well, new for us... Tina's Nails... ask for Jan!

My day off was much needed... a little Genghis Grill and Pedicures with my favs def. made it better!

Weight Watcher Update 6

Last week: 152
This week: 149.8

This week's weight loss: 2.2 lbs.

Total weight loss: 13.2 lbs.

I'll be honest... this was not my best ww week. Valentine's candy is not my friend... but man is it good! Also, we have DNOW this weekend so the Chickfila that will be catered in for lunch on Saturday and Stevi B's Saturday night... is not very ww friendly. I'll have to be very wise with my choices so next week doesn't become a gaining week!

I was talking to my mom last night about my ww success. The thing that has been the most helpful in keeping me accountable is this blog! Knowing I have to blog my weight each week... knowing I don't want to have to admit I gained! That's my ACCOUNTABILITY for sure! So thanks everyone for reading and keeping me accountable!

Ten Things Thursday

10. Super Bowl Sunday update... way overdue!
Our pastor has been in the hospital so the Lord's Supper kept being postponed until they finally decided to reschedule it to what night? Oh yes, Super Bowl Sunday. Genius. D got to lead the night though and I must say, I know he is my hubs and I am very biased, but it was the sweetest, most worshipful Lord's Supper I have been apart of.

Afterwards we had students back to our house for a super bowl party!

I even had a sweet lap companion. I love how Hallie looks like she's going to kill someone and I look like a bug.

9. Memphis Union Mission
This is the third time we've taken a crew to the MUM. Our church does a great job of collecting men's clothing and toiletry items. I wish you could have seen all the bags we took. Our church van was loaded down. A great problem to have!

Going to the MUM is a great time to serve. It def. is a reminder of how truly blessed we are. We attend their worship service and then help serve lunch to the homeless men. This organization is doing some really great things. This is an experience thats not only great for our kids but for us too. Here's part of our crew.

8. Children's Museum
Last Tuesday, we took our students to the Children's Museum. I love field trips! I especially love field trips that get us out of our building that we've been cooped up in for months b/c of the cold winter days! This trip comes at the perfect time. Here was my buddy for the day, Camryn. I think its safe to say she had a great time!

7. Valentines Candy
I am in love with these...dead gummit.

Ok... really I only like the orange cream and cherry cream... I throw the rest away. Literally, I opened all the boxes and found the ones I wanted and put them in a ziploc. The rest I threw away. I am allowing myself one a day otherwise I'll eat them all!

6. Thirty- One
My sweet friend Heather sent me a little happy... this adorable lunch tote from Thirty-One! I am loving it.

5. Survivor
So happy Survivor is back! And so thankful for my DVR so I can watch it!

4. Valentines Date
So thankful for this man.

We spent part of the time planning for our Valentine's edition of FUSION.

3. Valentine's FUSION
Last night D and I spoke together about dating and relationships. We thought it was fitting coming 2 days off of Valentine's. We started out by sharing our story and of course showed several of those embarrassing pictures of us at 16.

We wanted our students to be challenged and also understand the true purpose of dating. Sadly, the way our world currently does it is just divorce practice. Hopefully we opened their eyes a bit.


2. Come on Spring!
This weather has been so nice! A teaching friend of mine posted on FB that this weather was her teaching enemy. I think she's crazy! This weather is an answer to prayer! My kids need fresh air.

1. DNOW

This weekend is our DNOW. So excited to spend a weekend with our kids and be challenged by the word of God! We're praying that God will speak mightily through our speakers and that lives will be changed!

Wordy Wednesday: Challenged by Peter

Today's bible story at school is Peter Walking On the Water. I have always loved this story, but felt like I was reading it for the first time today. My kids of course think its cool that Jesus and Peter were walking on water, but its the rest of the story I love so much.

Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

First of all, what was Peter thinking?! He said “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Seriously?! I think I would be in the fetal position crying like a baby! For one, there was already a storm! The boat and the disciples lives were already in danger. But then to see what they thought was a "ghost." Their lives were already in jeopardy because of the storm... scary adventure #1. Then to ask Jesus to allow you to go to him OUT ON THE WATER! ... scary adventure #2. Can you imagine what Peter was thinking and feeling as he stepped out of the boat?! My heart is racing just thinking about it!

As he begins walking towards Jesus.... ON THE WATER.... keeping his trust and focus solely on the one worthy... he is successful.... at WALKING ON THE WATER! Is this cool to anyone besides me?!

Then my favorite part... "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

I think I love this because I see myself so clearly in Peter. Its so easy to trust Jesus in the good, fun times, but when the storms of life are raging and I turn my focus to them I begin sinking... and wonder why every time! All the while, he's saying, “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” But the best part of this story... IMMEDIATELY he (Jesus) reached out his hand and caught him (Peter.)

Try it Tuesday

B was asking for this mac n cheese recipe so I thought I would share it. It is def. not ww friendly. Its delicious though in all its buttery goodness! And its super easy!!!!

Mac N Cheese

-1 stick of butter
-1 package of elbow macaroni
-1 large packages of shredded cheddar
-1 regular package of shredded mozzarella
-5 cups of milk
-Worcestershire sauce
-salt and pepper to taste


*Melt one stick of butter in a 9x13 pan.
*Layer 1 cup uncooked noodles.
*Add 6oz of cheddar cheese and then 2 oz of mozzarella.
*Layer again with the other cup of uncooked noodles, 6 oz of cheddar cheese, 2 oz of mozzarella.
*Pour 5 cups of milk over the top.
*Salt and pepper to taste.
*Drizzle worcestershire sauce all over.
*Bake at 350 for around 45 min or until golden brown.



My mouth is seriously watering!

Valentine's Day

There is so much mixed emotion about this holiday. D, for one, hates it. To his dismay, I love it. He thinks its just another way for people to make money. To that, I would agree. He thinks that you shouldn't have one day devoted to love. It should be a daily thing. Again... So true.

I just think there's something special about this holiday. I like that whether you love it or hate it.... you have to deal with it. You are forced to embrace this Americanized, money making holiday that oozes cheesy romance. I love the tiny hearts full of chocolate and thanks to my students I have at least 10 of them! I love that you have to go early for dinner or call and get reservations... thanks babe for taking care of that! I love that I have shared the last 10 Valentine's days with the same smelly boy. I love that even now when he wears Ralph Lauren Romance it makes me think that we're 16 again going out on a date. I love that to this day still one of my favorite things to do is watch him play basketball. I love that the smell of peppermints reminds me of him b/c he use to keep one in his mouth constantly. I love that he knows how much I love Valentine's candy, but knew not to buy me any this year. I love that even though he hates this holiday he still chooses to make it special for this Valentine loving girl!

Weight Watcher Update 5

I am thrilled to announce after this weeks weigh in I have officially dropped 11 lbs!

Starting weight: 163
Now: 152

This week's weight loss: 3.8 lbs


My original weight loss goal: 145.... which is now clearly in sight!

What have I been doing?

I've been doing a little of this....





a little of this....





a little of this....






a lot of this....




But thankfully now I have this



and am feeling like a new woman.

Weight Watcher Update 4

Good news or bad news first? We'll do the good news.... I've lost over 8 lbs. in 4 weeks! Bad news... this week I only lost a whopping .6 lb. I mean if I hadn't peed before then I may not have lost any. I knew that I wasn't as confident going in this time. There were a few more splurges here and there this past week... but boy were they good! But now at what cost? I was telling my friend, Jenny, at the meeting last night... the competitive side is in full force now! Knowing that I can lose more... knowing I want see more lbs. come off... I am M.O.T.I.V.A.T.E.D!

Last night was my last "official" meeting. I will do it on my own from now on. I was talking to D last night about it. I asked him,"So are you going to weigh me and write down my numbers, and give me a gold star if I do well?" He laughed and said, "YEP." Then I jokingly said, "What if I do bad?" He thought for a minute and then said, "I'll make you make me a cake and then I'll eat it in front of you."

I guess I better work really hard!

Ten Things Thursday

10. I have discovered a love for kickboxing workouts.

9. Ladies bible study began this week... Becoming God's True Woman.

A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

8. I feel like my weigh in tonight may not be as successful as prior weeks.

7. I would like 1 maybe 2 more snow days, but then bring on SPRING!

6. I'm really into different fingernail polishes right now... so tired of the same old stuff. I decided to branch out so much so that I'm getting grief from my sister over it. I however think they're adorable.

And thanks to Essie, I have a lot of options!

5. Not only am I into fun polish colors, but big earrings... like these whoppers I'm wearing today.

4. Jillian Michaels is becoming more of a friend than an enemy.






3. So looking forward to this...

2. One of my goals this year is to really read the bible. Not read it so I can say I read it. Not read it so I can cross it off my to-do's. Or even read it and get little bits here and there. My goal is to read it to be changed. I want to better understand relationships, trials, consequences, battles, etc.






1. My current favorite restaurant: Cracker Barrel. We have been going with mom and dad there the last couple of Thursday nights after my weigh in. I think its my guilty pleasure. Eggs. Biscuits and Gravy. Bacon. Yes, please!

Wordy Wednesday- Challenge

Monday in my weekend wrap up I talked about the message that D preached Sunday. It was so convicting, so challenging... but now what do we do with it? We live it. We can also tell other believers about it and challenge them with it as well. The gospel is something that shouldn't be kept to ourselves. We shouldn't be wrapped up in our own selfish bubbles that we forget that millions around us are dying with a curable disease... we have the cure. JESUS.

You can go here and listen to him preach the message. I will not do it justice. I will however tell you what God is teaching me through it.


Matthew 9:35-38
³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

The harvest is not only THE mission, but OUR mission. It is past time to go to work. Its time to get off our butts, get out of our comfort zones, and do something.

The Method of the Harvest (vs. 35)
- we can't tell a hungry homeless man about Jesus without first feeding him... I mean we can but we won't be as effective. We must first meet the physical need to gain credibility to meet the spiritual need. This is not a cop out or an excuse, but reality.

The Motivation (vs. 36)
-We must put on Christ like compassion. If we lack compassion, we must fervently pray for it. I need to pray hard! We can not effectively reach people without it.
a.) We must see the size of the multitude- how many need to be reached!
b.) Feel their suffering - feel their hurts!
c.) Realize their separation- be conscience of the fact they have no hope!

The Means (vs. 37-38)
-This is the instrument or tool for gathering the harvest
-We must stay focused, work diligently, pray
-Make Jesus known

The Harvest is why he came and why we're still here! We (I!)need to get to work!

Try it Tuesday

Friday I posted about some of my current favorite foods and snacks. Well, Sunday I went to the grocery store and found these....

My new favorite snack. They are delicious! And for a mere 3 ... very filling might I add...pts... you can not go wrong. Plus you get a whopping 9 grams of fiber per serving!