Update on Baby Katlyn

I can not thank you all enough for your prayers and concern for Katlyn and her family. I can not wait to tell her one day about all the people that have prayed for her that she will probably never meet until she gets to heaven.
The doctors met with Mark, her daddy today (since I last blogged, Dina, her mom got sick so they had to send her home until she is well. Pray for her healing as well.) The docs told him that Katlyn is doing well but she has a long road ahead of her and to be prepared for some ups and downs in her condition.
Things to praise God for... She took a few breaths on her own today. Her fever has gone down. YEA!!

Docs are going to start trying to wean her off the oxygen very slowly so please pray that goes well.

Please continue to pray for her healing. I will continue to update! Thanks again friends and family for your prayers. It is so encouraging to Mark and Dina to know that so many are praying for them!

Please Pray!

Please continue to pray for Katlyn, my niece. She is fighting for her life right now. Here is the run down of the last few days.She was born at 7:45 Friday night. The doctors were very grim all day about their chances. There were a team of about 10 specialists that were surrounding the birth and took Katlyn the second she was born. They did not want her to even attempt to breath on her own. They immediately put 2 tubesdown her throat and put an IV in her umbilical cord. She was rushed to Texas Children's Hospital which was right next door to St. Lukes's where shewas born. Mark, her daddy went with her. The doctors came in about an hourlater to tell us the status of Katlyn: her heart is on the right side of her body, her stomach is up in the left part of her chest, along with some of her intestines, one lung is squished up against the stomach making it notfunctionable and the other lung is by the heart and has some working ability. The doctors did determine some good news that we had been praying for: She does not have heart failure and her oxygen level has been taken down to 25 %.She is a beautiful baby. She has a head full of dark black hair. She has beautiful dark skin. I got to go in and see her several times over the weekend. She is on a high dose of morphine to keep her from fighting on allthe tubes and of course to keep her out of pain. Every once and a while shewill open her eyes and would look right into mine. She knows her mommy's and daddy's voice. I got to go in once with just Dina (katlyn's mom) and myself. As soon as Dina started talking, her heart rate went up and she started trying to move around. I fell in love with her the minute I saw her. We were able to pray and sing over her. My heart will never be the same...Katlyn will have surgery in the morning to put all of her organs back into place. It will not fix what damage has already been done but the surgery isnecessary. After the surgery, the fight continues.PLEASE pray for her and her family. Mark (dad), Dina (mom), Alyssa (sister,10), Mark (brother, 6), Annette (sister, 4). As of last night they are staying in a Ronald Mc Donald suite just one hall away from the NICU unit.Pray for their strength. Especially Mark and Dina. They are exhausted in every way imaginable. And pray for their sadness.Thanks so much friends and I apologize for all the details. Please just prayfor them...

Happy Birthday, Jonathan

After such a sad weekend we got to have dinner last night with my brother on his birthday!
23 years ago today I was one proud big sister. I still remember the day he was born. I immediately felt my big sister instincts. As a toddler, he had the biggest, bluest eyes you have ever seen. He had beautiful long blond eyelashes that everyone loved. Even at 2 and 3 years old he was the socialite of our church. He would walk up and down the aisles greeting the elderly people and shaking their hands. I prided myself in being his protector. But there were times when he got the brunt of being the little brother. Josh and I skyrocketed him through the air once on a mattress and he landed on his dresser. That was fun. And then there were the many times that I dressed him up like a doll. One time a friend of mine and I decided Jonathan had chicken pox and we put lipstick dots ALL over his body. Mom was not too happy and we had to scrub the hundreds of dots off.
As with Josh, I was always very protective when it came to girls. If they did not meet "my standards" life was not going to be fun for him or the girl. The only times in my life I have yelled or spoken hatefully to people is to my brother's girlfriends. I didn't mind telling them their shorts were too short or their tops were too low. :)

I loved watching Jonathan play sports. I was one of his biggest fans. I loved watching him in the school play of Grease. I loved when Jonathan began to develop a love for music. I loved watching him worship and pray and be a strong leader in his youth group.

It was one of the greatest joys of my life to get to record music with him. He is my favorite person to sit by in church when we are all together. He is a great worship leader. I love that Jonathan has no problem telling people the truth and being blunt and honest. He is genuine and humble. I have watched him shed tears over his sin and rise up again stronger and more dependent on the Lord. He is an amazing example of Jesus to me, David, and Malaya.

I love watching him be an "unkie". He loves teasing Malaya. I think he is getting me back for some of the teasing and stuff we did to him as a kid. We love to wrestle. Just a few weeks ago in the presence of his new son, I pinned him down. :)

And now, he is a husband with a wonderful, beautiful wife and a daddy to our precious miracle, Jed! He is a great daddy. Jed has his gorgeous blue eyes.

Jonathan, Happy Birthday and may God bless your next year of life. I love being your big sis!

This blog is done by Malaya!!
Thirteen things I like about MY new cousin, Jed.
1) He sucks his thumb. I want to add this - I can't believe that he sleeps on Grampy's lap just like I did when I was a baby.
2)He's cute.
3) He's adorable.
4) He cries a lot!
5) He's cuter than anything that I know of.
6) He will probably like to ride horses.
7) I like to ASSIST in changing his diaper.
8) I like to hold him.
9) I like to kiss him.
10) He's cuter than anything :)
11) I can't wait for him to play with the toys I gave him.
12) I love him.
13) I LOVE him to wear his cute Cousin shirt that Mrs. Kelli made him. My mommy will post pictures when we get back.

Baby Jed Has Arrived!!

My brother is a daddy!! Jedidiah David Ross was born at 1:24 a.m. on June 6th. He weighed 6"11 and is 18 1/2 inches long!!
We can not wait to go see them!! Malaya is very excited (finally).

Jennifer delivered in the emergency room triage. She didn't make it to a room. 2 e.r. nurses delivered him. Very fun story for a first baby:)

I am so excited to have a precious nephew. May his heart already belong to the Lord!! I pray he is a bold, committed man of God!!

Can't wait to see you Jonathan, Jennifer and Jed!!

Thirteen things I love about summer!

I DID it (with lot's of help!!) Thanks friends!

Thirteen Things I love about summer:
1)Of course going to the pool.
2)Eating Watermelon
3) Sleeping late.
4) Staying up late
5) Going on trips to visit friends and family
6) Eating Snow Cones
7) Now that Malaya is in school I have learned this past week to appreciate summer more than ever. I loved her being in school but I also love the break!
8) Celebrating my anniversary with the man I love!! 8 years we will chime in this year. I can not believe it!! Did I mention that I think he is SO hot!! ;) When we are 80 I will be the one in the nursing home saying, "Have you met my hot husband? Yeah, he's the one in the nursing home gym with a dumbbell in one hand and drinking his protein shake in the other." I love him! :)
9) Celebrating lots of family b-days. The summer festivities begin tonight!
10) Going to the zoo, park, and other outside fun.
11) Going to Celebrate Freedom. ( Though our Cel. Freedom buddies have moved, we might brave it out this year. Wiggies, would you like to join us? :)
12) Most summers I would be saying going to the beach but we did the mountains instead over Spring Break. But now my bros live close to Galveston so maybe we can still catch a day of the ocean.
13) Fourth of July!! I love watching Fireworks!

Hope you all have a great summer and it brings a season of change and draws you even nearer to God. Makes me think of a Nichole Nordeman song. I'll share later...

Thursday Thirteen (still just a wanna be:)

You are probably sick of hearing about Kindergarten but hang in there for one more post and then you can hear about 1st grade for a whole year:) Just get ready you moms of preschoolers. It is rough!
Starting Monday the tears started flowing! Wednesday was the whip at graduation. I was the Mom that was having to take deep breaths to keep from making snorting noises b/c I was crying so stinkin' hard. Malaya was up on the risers in her beautiful curls. She looked so big. She sang her little songs with such energy and passion. We yelled and screamed for her when she got her certificate. I was so proud of her. I just can not believe she is 6 years old and just finished Kinder! Malaya's teacher has been such a special person for me and Malaya. She and I grew very close and we became great friends. We refused to say goodbye today b/c we couldn't stop crying! Yes, I tend to be a sap at times:)

Okay, I will move on with it...Keeping with the crying theme...

13 songs that make me cry:
1) "Let Them Be Little" - by Billy Dean (This song was the culprit of a lot of my tears yesterday! This is a must have song for all moms! Look it up and see if you don't cry!)

2) "I Will Remember You" - Sarah McGlothlin (Second song that made me cry yesterday and makes me cry on our Senior Kojie video!)

3) Any song my brother Jonathan sings. (His voice is so pure!)

4) "It is Well With My Soul" - I cry for one of two reasons: In gratefulness and praise that Jesus has made "it" well OR in repentence and disgust that the devil has made my heart NOT well with "It".

5) Whatever song they play on GH when it is a Jason/Sam scene. (Not even a big JaSam fan, but just the melody of the song makes me tear up.)

6) "Make You Proud" - New American Idol, Taylor Hicks (I know I just heard it last night, but I still cried!)

7) "A Bridge Over Troubled Waters" - Michael W. Smith version (don't know why it makes me cry??)

8) "I Will Be Here" - Steven Curtis Chapman - Once again, when my bro. Jonathan sings this it makes me cry.

9) Hearing Malaya sing. "I Am a Promise", " Jesus, Be the Center", "Jesus is Able" and on and on....

10) "It's All About You" - Passion

11) "This is My Desire" - Jeremy Camp

12) Almost every Phantom of the Opera song

13) Drum Roll Please... And don't laugh, The Last song in Grease, "Always Be Together"; When Olivia Newton John turns around and waves to all her friends, the tears well up.

Maybe I am more of a sap than I thought!!

Thursday Thirteen "want- a- be"

Okay, I have been wanting to try and be cool like my friends and join the Thursday Thirteen. But since I am not cool and have not been successful:) I have not been able to figure out how to post the graphic. So I am going to post but without a fun, cute graphic title. So I still will not totally consider myself a part of "the gang" until I figure it all out but until then I will stick to the words and still have some "Thirteen" fun!!

Thirteen Things I Have Loved About Having a Kindergartener:
1) Watching Malaya make new friends and making some great new friends for me too!
2) I never realized how much I LOVE making copies, cutting out laminating, hanging bulletin boards, decorating the Kinder hall. SO FUN to me!!!!!
3) Getting up early and starting my day. (You see before kinder. I was quite a late sleeper.)
4) Coming home and going on walks by myself and having lots of self reflecting time.
5) Getting to spend time with David on his off days.
6) Being room Mom, I loved planning the parties and special things for her teacher.
7) Malaya having such a FABULOUS kinder teacher. It was such a blessing to have a Christian teacher. We even got to go to church with her once and worship with her! What a blessing for Malaya and me to get to see and hear her teacher worship God.
8) Having Malaya's friends over to play. There were not many days when someone has not come home with us. Malaya loves it!!
9) Watching Malaya progressively learn to read.
10) Getting to watch Malaya tell friends about Jesus or ask about church. Malaya never knew that there are some people that actually DO NOT believe in God till this year. Great faith building for her!!
11) Learning how to be a better parent and seek some MAJOR wisdom while dealing with a few "new" and "exciting" situations.
12) Getting to watch Malaya in programs sing and do her choreography so proudly and confidently!!
13) Simply just knowing that we made it through the first year of school!!!! YEA!! The weeks leading up to Kinder were full or tears and fear (much more for me than Malaya). So knowing that we conquered the year!!

Now we push ahead to First grade. Maybe next week I will post about the things I am looking forward to about 1st grade!!

Stalking Thought

At a conference I went to a couple of weekends ago the key speaker kept saying a quote over and over that is stalking me.
"God loves it when people speak well of His Son."
I love that!! What Father doesn't want accolades and encouragements and praises and positive talk about their children. What Father doesn't love it when others even think to simply just talk to others about his children and let others know how much they love and appreciate his children.

The gift of Jesus is so miraculous and so praiseworthy why am I so stinkin' timid and sometimes even unthoughtful about talking to others about Him. Not in a presuasive, convincing way but just sharing in conversation about what Jesus' blood has done for me, how it daily transforms me, how He has forgiven me, how it seems so superntaural yet you can literally feel His activity in Your life.
Sometimes I just want to slap myself:) A new friend of mine is constantly telling me and others that this message that Jesus has annointed us to tell is URGENT!! Some people literally can not live another day without knowing Jesus. They will die of loss of hope, they will die of feelings of destruction, etc. Sometimes there is time to build relationships and gain people's trust before we need to share but sometimes it is URGENT! It is life or death.

I say these words empty b/c I have not acted on them more than I can count on one hand but I feel in a way that God is speaking to my heart and saying "Get with it daughter." "Are you who you say you are?" "There is work to be done."
My frustration comes because I don't know where to begin so yesterday I started praying that I want God to kill Jenny Bizaillion and Him just do it in me. I felt kind of relieved after that saying the words b/c it took the pressure off of myself. But now will I truly die and let Him do what He will do???
That is the question!!

Where has the time gone??

SIX years ago today I gained the title of "Mommy". I would have never dreamed in a million years how much I would love being a mom.
This day six years ago, I experienced a joy and a love and a protection that I didn't even know existed. I don't think I stopped staring at her for months. The minute she was born she exuberated "Bizaillion". She looked just like her daddy and still does:) I used to love to sit and sing her the ABC's even though she was only a few days old:) I loved dressing her up in cute clothes. I loved reading to her and sleeping with her:) Every age and stage has had it's joys and it's frustrations. I look back now and I already see things that I could have done so much better but praise God that he can clean all that up:)
Malaya has also become one of my closest friends. I love hanging out with her-shopping, going out to eat just the two of us, singing together, reading her books, working puzzles, making up skits together, and watching movies with her. I love talking to her about life and about things in her 6 year old. I love watching her worship God and hear her in the bath tub bust out the praise to her Creator:) I love it when I lay down with her at night and she puts her hand on my cheek. I love singing her to sleep and I love hearing her pray. It is so interesting the things that a six year old has to share with God. It has definitely caused for some late night giggles between me and David. She loves hanging out with her Grammy and Grampy and uncles and aunts and cousins. She loves playing big sister to all the younger kids at church:)
I never would have imagined that being a mom would teach me how to be more like Jesus but it does. She challenges me on my thinking, on my patience:), on my committments, etc.
Malaya has blessed our lives in a bizaillion more ways. I truly can not imagine my life without her in it!
We celebrate you today, Malaya! It is the biggest blessing in my life to be your mom. I can not wait to see what the Lord is going to do through you, my precious daughter! I love you!

Happy Birthday to our special friends who celebrate birthdays close to us:
Matthew who turned 5 yesterday!
And Ashlyn who turns 5 today!
Bizaillion's wish you both a Happy Birthday!

Thoughts on Prayer

Here are a few quotes I have been compiling about prayer. Of course most of them are thoughts of humans but there is still something to learned by the words. I hope some of them touch you in some way:)

"It is not prayer which draws Jesus into our hearts. Nor is it our prayer which moves Jesus to come in to us. All He needs is access. He enters in of His own accord, because he desires to come in. And He enters in wherever he is not denied admittance." O. Hallesby

"If our petitions are in accordance with His will, and if we seek His glory in the asking, the answers will come in ways that will astonish us and fill our hearts with songs of thanksgiving." J.K. Maclean (I love the part about that the answers will astonish us. AMEN AND AMEN!!)

"Our faith in prayer can be no passing attitude that changes with the wind or with our own feelings and circumstances; it must be a faact that God hears and answers, that His ear is ever open to the cry of His children, and that the power to do what is asked of Him is commensurate with His willingness." E.M. Bounds

"In God's name, I beseech you, let prayer nourish your soul as your meals nourish your body. Let your fixed seasons of prayer keep you in God's presence through the day, and His presence frequently remembered though it be an ever-fresh spring of prayer." E.M. Bounds

"One night alone in prayer might make us new men, changed from poverty of soul to spiritual wealth, from trembling to triumphing." C.H. Spurgeon

"If I am a Christian, I am not set on saving my own skin, but on seeing that the salvation of God comes through me to others, and the great way is by intercession." Oswald Chambers

"You will find when you search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee." Psalm 5:3

"If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in." Revelation 3:20

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers." I Thessalonians 1:2

Well, that is probably enough for now. God has really been teaching me through many ways just how powerful prayer is. I am in the "preschool" stages of learning. So bring on the learning:)

Have a great week, blog friends!

Life is Rockin' and Rollin' Along

Well, I just got home from a meeting with 10 people that I will be working in ministry with for a phase of my life. We met for 4 hours and hearing hearts that are on fire for the Lord and His service has fired me up!! I am going to be doing administrative work for a company called Kidstand. If you are interested check out the website, www.kidstand.org And if anything, just say a prayer for this ministry. The website explains many more details. I am just so excited to get to be part of a team that is passionate about sharing Jesus with children. Our team has been asked to come to Africa in September and I am highly considering that trip. Much more prayer on that front!! I am sure I will be blogging about this more in the future...

We got back from Ruidoso on Friday night. We had a wonderful trip with our family, (mom, dad, both brothers and sister in laws, and of course my sexy hubby and beautiful daughter). Here is a run down of our 5 day trip:
Monday: Left Keller at 6:00P.M. and arrived in Ruidoso, NM at 3:00 a.m. (yes, we are crazy:)

Tuesday: woke up at 9:00 a.m., went for a drive through the mountains, saw the Ski Resort, did a little hiking to a mountain that had a breathtaking view. The clan sat and we were all speechless for a few minutes and then we worshipped our amazing creator together as a family. It was a blessing!! Then coming off of an intimate time with God, my brothers proceded to... no I won't tell the blogworld about it:) Malaya started feeling sick so I hiked while carrying a 60 pound child back to the car. I finally sat down on a rock and waited for the testosterone in our family to catch up. See my dad's blog for a cute story about this, www.rross.blogspot.com

Wednesday: woke up at 7:00 to head to Ski Apache! We had a great day. Malaya loved her little ski school and I was so impressed with how good she was. David had a blast and is ready to go back. I hung out with my 7 month pregnant sister in law for the day. After dinner we headed back to the house and watched American Idol and worked a 500 piece puzzle. My favorite thing--EVER!! "Amy" (aka Josh) came to visit. (I really hope I can figure out how to post some pictures. Our time with "Amy" is always one of the highlights of our trips. It is during that time that I laugh the hardest of the whole year!! She, I mean he, cracks me up!!

Thursday: All the guys except Jonathan went golfing. The girls headed out for some shopping and ice cream/fudge eating. We had a great time!! Josh and Kayci cooked dinner for us (it was delicious!!) and we watched a movie and worked 3 more puzzles.

Friday: We gathered things together and headed home. Arrived back in Keller about 10:30.

We had such a great trip. I have not spent much time in the mountains. It was just beautiful!! I loved the trees, the animals, the smell, the scenery!
Thanks Mom and Dad for a great trip!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Well, tomorrow is my mom's birthday! We get to celebrate the birth of Beverly Joann (Jones) Ross. The world has never been the same:) Here are some of my prized memories and things I love and appreciate about my mom!
One of my favorite things to do with my mom when I was little was work puzzles. My mom had me working 100 piece puzzles at a very early age. When my brothers took naps, working puzzles was our special time together. I loved seeing my mom be involved at my school. Mom never missed a field trip, concert, recital, etc. I loved that she taught my Bible classes, VBS and more. I remember listening to her with her friends as she would laugh with them, cry with them, listen to them, pray with them, etc. Her mama claws whipped out very seldom but when they did-watch out!! I rode the bus ONE time when I was in Kinder. I wanted the bus driver to look at my work I had done that day. She wouldn't look at my work and told me to go sit down. I NEVER rode the bus again:) My mom had firm yet stable and consistent discipline. There was never much question what was accepted in our home and what wasn't. I loved reading books with my mom. I think we read Go Dog, Go at least a million times in my lifetime. Mom challenged us academically to always do our best. She encouraged me to be a reader, which is one of my favorite things to do to this day!
When my first boyfriend broke up with me of course I was devestated!! My mom slept right beside me that night. She knew my little heart would mend but she let me know I was not alone. She always encouraged us to stand up for what was right and pure. Before we ever went out on dates or out with friends her last words would be, "Remember WHO'S you are!!" And of course many times we forgot who's we were but Mom was always there to forgive, accept and encourage us on our journey. She encouraged us to never stop seeking God. Her heart and arms were always full of love. My friends and boyfriends loved coming to my house just to visit with her. She could encourage and find a gift in the scummiest of scum. I mean that in a nice way:) I remember a few friends who came in our home (mine and brothers included) who were making horribles decisions in their life and living their lives in junky ways and after a time with Mom, they would feel convicted and sorry yet be so rejuvenated about their life. She believed in them. She has gerat vision of looking past people's dirt and seeing the beauty of God.
As I went off to college, my mom and I developed a real friendship. She was the one I would call and gush about David. I brought home a few stinkin' boys but Mom loved David from the first minute. She and David had a connection immediately. She and I worked so hard on our wedding. We made so many great memories during those 6 months. (She has a notebook about 4 inches thick if anyone needs any research for caterers, decorators, florists, bakers, etc.)
David and I called she and Dad first to tell them we were pregnant with Malaya. We made up a little riddle and it took them a minute to let it sink in that they were going to be grandparents. And so began her role as Grammy. She is a great Grammy!! She was in the room when she was born. I LOVED her presence there. I even was okay with the fact that the second Malaya was born she dropped my hand and went to grab her granddaughter. I never saw her again for the next few hours:) The nurse kept telling her nicely to let go of Malaya's hand but Mom would just so very confidently say, "She needs me." And of course did not let go:) Malaya and her have a very special bond. They "get each other". They are very similar in a lot of ways, ways I am not. They are both social butterflies. They love to talk. I LOVE it when I am in the car with the 2 of them and they want to play the Quiet game. Bottom's up, I win every time. I think the longest game ever has been about 5 seconds. They like to be prissy together. They just love being together.
Thank you Mom for always being a source of strength. Thank you for being bold. Thank you for not being afraid of confrontation and standing for the truth.
Thanks Mom for also battling for us kids in prayer since the time we were conceived. God has blessed your faithfulness in many ways. Thank you for praying for our future mates (we all got gifts from those devoted prayers.) Thank you for praying for our souls. Thank your for praying dangerous prayers and asking God to do whatever it takes in our lives to make us like Him. Thanks for spending hours on your knees for us. Thanks for your bold teaching and example. Thanks for your constant redirection to God's word. Thanks for setting us on a path to Jesus even when at times you had to snap our heads into that direction. Thanks for always letting me cry and whine to you about life. Thank you for sacrificing my heart to the Lord. Thanks for reminders of our focus and our goal. Thanks for teaching us about purity, holiness, love, forgiveness, devotion, and perseverence. Thanks for being my friend and one of my closest confidants. Thanks for being a loyal friend to so many over the years. I have seen people become closer to Jesus because of your listening ear, your compassion, your teaching, your prayer and your counsel. Thank you for being a willing vessel of Jesus. Thank you for living your life so selflessly. Thank you for letting me continue to learn and grow from you. You are a constant source of advice and counsel in marriage, parenting, relationships, and life in general.
Thank you Mom for living your life to please Jesus. Thank you for living your life to smell like him, to look like him and to sound like him. Thank you for being one of the biggest blessings in my life.
Happy Birthday Mom. Thanks for being you!!

Captivated Heart

Well, I am finishing up with a powerful book, Captivating by Staci Eldridge. This book has spoken to me in some strong, "in your face" ways. I love when I can be slammed in the face with truthful teaching. There is one part that focuses on God's romance with us. I always knew that God loved me and I had heard about this "romance thing" before but through this book I was able to understand a little more. I am still blown away by the fact that God desperately wants me (us) to be imtimately, dedicatedly, head over heals in love with him. The word "intimate" used to scare me, especially thinking about me and God. But he wants to have a romantic relationship with us. He wants to "date" us. He wants to bring us "gifts" of His love. Wow! I will probably blog about that more later but here is another excerpt from the book that also meant a lot to me.

"Living in true beauty can require much waiting, much time, much tenacity of spirit. We must constantly direct our gazes toward the face of God, even in the presence of longing and sorrow. It is in the waiting that our hearts are enlarged. The waiting does not diminish us. As a pregnant woman is enlarged in her waiting, so are our hearts. God does not always rescue us out of a painful season. You know that he does not always give to us what we so desperately want when we want it. He is after something much more valuable than our happiness. Much more substantive than our health. He is restoring and growing in us an eternal weight of glory. And somtimes...it hurts."

WOW!! That so speaks right to the depths of my soul!!!!! This journey requires passion, determination, grueling battle...The Bible talks so many times about that it is in waiting and silence when we find Him and recognize Him. Most of the time, I forget that focus!

I desire that "weight of glory".
______________________________________

On a lighter note----
-I am SOOOOOO glad that Drew won Dancing with the Stars. He was my favorite the whole time.
-David is almost finished with the court house job. The final days are touchable!!:)
-I had to wake Malaya up for school this morning. (Usually she gets up on her own) I thought that it was going to be a whip of a morning. But she shocked me. She had a great attitude. She busted her rear to get ready and jumped in the car. So as we were walking in to school I told her that I was so proud of the decision she had made to have such a great attitude even though she was still tired. She looked up into my eyes with the most confident look a little 5 year old girl can give and said very bluntly, "Mom, we DID pray about my attitude last night, remember!!" I was busted!! Sometimes I forget that God really does listen to all of our "jibberish":) Malaya reminds me so much about the simplicity of our walk!

College Roomies!

I got to spend some time this week with my college roomates. Not only were these girls my college roomies but we also went to high school together. We had the best time!! We talked about old boyfriends and old high school experiences. We have so many great memories from Poteet High School and MCoC youth group. Then we went to ACU together. We gained the Freshman 15 together. We exercised together to lose the freshman 15. We were together daily (when one of us wasn't out with a boy:) We pledged together. We were in each other's weddings. They dropped to the floor (literally) when I told them I was expecting Malaya. I have recently gotten to celebrate with them as they welcomed their sweet boys into this world.
We talked about "mommyhood". We talked about God's activity in our lives. We talked about what we desire Him to do in our lives.
Through all this conversation I was reminded what a HUGE impression these women made in my life. They have represented Jesus to me in so many ways.
We have laughed together, cried together, celebrated together, had many sleepless nights daydreaming and talking about what our lives were going to be like one day:). We have prayed together, worshipped together, encouraged each other in our walks, and so many other things!!
I can't wait to tell Malaya about some (not all:) of our memories and watch her as she one day develops these life long friends! Love you, roomies!!

Realization!

Last night I had one of those moments as a parent when you realize that time is so fleeting. As David and I were praying last night he worded something in his prayer that hit home. He was praising God that Malaya so much desires to spend time and have relationship with he and I. (This was coming off of the fact that Malaya had been begging David for weeks to take her to Cabela's and walk around.) Last night he took her out and they spent some special time at Cabela's. And then he said the heart piercing thing - That there will come a day or phase when she we will not be the first people at the top of her list to spend time with or if she desires it at all. The words took my breath away for a second as I remembered how many times that day Malaya had asked me to play Barbie's with her. It took me forever to sit down with her. So as of today I am going to be much more intentional about spending as much special time as possible with my daughter so that one day when her life does involve a lot of other people, I will still have the memories of working puzzles, reading books, watching movies, playing Barbies, Polly Pockets, dressing dolls, playing house and school, dancing with her, riding bikes, going to the park, etc.

And then I remind myself--she is 5 (about to be 6). I think I still have a few more years in the bag:)

It's a Boy!!

Just got a call from my little brother and they are having a little boy!! I am so excited and there is no one here to share the news with so I am sharing with blog world!! Malaya told me yesterday that even if it is a boy she is still going to put makeup on him and play dress up so look out Jonathan and Jennifer and especially little Jedidiah. That will be his name! They may not call him that but that will be his official name!! I love it!
2 Samuel 12:24 and 25 - "She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah. " In my side notes it says The giving of this name suggests that the Lord's favor rested on Solomon from his birth. And since the name also contained an echo of David's name, it provided assurance to David that the Lord also loved him and would continue his dynasty.
WOW!! I pray that Jedidiah along with Malaya will continue to pass down for generations to come the name and spirit of Jesus.
"And we must tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord"!! Amen!
I am a proud aunt!! Congrats Jon and Jen!!

I'm Lonely and Some Kinder Updates!

I HATE when David is gone! I miss visiting with him every night about our day. I simply miss his presence in our home. I quickly forget the comfort, the protection, the companionship and the laughter that he offers. And of course I miss his hugs and kisses:) I am so ready for him to get home!!

On another note-I can not believe we are getting closer to the end of the year. Malaya has grown so much this year. Yes, she has gotten taller and more beautiful:) but her brain just amazes me!! Her knowledge has just exploded this year. She is reading and she knows how to add and subtract. (she counts mostly with her fingers which drives me crazy but I am constantly assured that is normal and okay)! She has loved learning about animals, indians, farmers, and so many other things. I applaud her teacher. She has been a fabulous teacher. I began praying many years ago for her future teachers. Last year Malaya and I prayed about it every night. God answered that prayer with precious Miss Rhodes. She is a Christian. She loves the children. She has just an amazing heart. I have loved being her Room Mom. God has also taught Malaya a lot this year about being a friend. As you could see in early kinder year blogs we had a few bumps in this area. But I have seen significant improvement. I am so proud of her. She is having a friend over to our house today and then she is going to another friend's house tomorrow! I have heard her ask kids in her class before if they believe in Jesus and if they go to church. I think it was a shock to her at first that not everyone did but I am trying to hammer her with the fact that it is those kids that God wants you to love. It has been such a lesson and example to me to attempt to teach her about her "mission field". She is a leader in her class. She likes to be in charge and have all the ideas of what to play and how to direct the other kids. That will be a continual thing that we are practicing on balancing:)
Another issue that has been interesting for me to deal with this year is Malaya's sense of style. I have watched another Godly friend deal with her daughter on this issue and b/c of her great example, I have attempted to be a little more linient than I have been in the past. Let me say I am the farthest thing from being a stylish/trendy person but having a daughter, you do want them to look cute and yes I'll say it- trendy! But this past year or so Malaya's idea of this and my idea of this is quite different. The past few months Malaya has taken charge of her own "hair care"-washing of, brushing of, STYLING of...It is always quite interesting. In the beginning I felt the need to explain to others of "the look" but I have quit that. It is always interesting to say the least.
She loves to wear jewelry which is not me AT ALL!! Putting a simple t-shirt on or a sweat shirt (my daily attire) is just horrible.
I know in later years some moral issues will enter in to this subject of dressing but for now I like to see her personality bloom through her sense of style. She makes me laugh!
I am anxious to see what else God has in store for our kindergarten year. He truly never fails to make me laugh at the marvelous way He works!!

She Cracks Me Up!

I must journal this so that I don't forget it.
I just went in to check on Malaya. (Which I do WAY too many times after she has gone asleep!) I noticed this HUGE bulge from under her sheets! Malaya had stuffed about 6 stuffed animals in her gown. I think she has been around a few pregnancies and babies!! Which by the way, she is eating up all these new babies. She is lovin' it!
We are so excited for all our new spiritual family members:)

Thank you Malaya for reminding me how precious you are. Thanks for making me smile:)

Does God.........?

Malaya is on a "kick" right now of asking questions that begin with Does God...? Here are some examples:
"Does God make hurricanes?"
"Did God make Papa have back surgery?"
"Does God get mad at us?"
"Does God not want you to have more babies?" (I know, I know... boo-hoo but really I kind of giggled-no melt down:)
"Is God mean?"
"Can God stop the devil?"

Heavy, huh?? Maybe some of you have great answers to the above and if you do please leave your advice but I find myself stumbling over my words. We have always taught Malaya that their are 2 powers fighting for her life, God and Satan. When she was very little we disciplined her often by asking her, "Who are you pleasing with that choice, God or the devil." And we love making God happy and we still stomp our feet when we please the devil and say "Oh, man. Let's not make him happy again. "She has always been very aware of Satan's activity and God's activity in her life and she is pretty good at distinguishing the two in her day to day life as far as when she does good and when she does bad- but as she is getting older the questions are becoming bigger and heavier as you see. Some are easier to answer than others and I have become pretty good at saying, "I just don't know but I know God is perfect!" or "Malaya, I will pray and think about that question and get back to you." (Sometimes in the back of my head hoping she'll forget, which she never does, so I know I have to keep my word. What a challenge!

God teaches us so much about faith through our children. Sometimes just knowing that God IS and that He DOES and that He has already won the victory over the devil has to be good enough.
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Malaya started dance today!! It was so much fun to watch her! She has always danced around the house and put on shows for me and David but I didn't know how she would act with strangers and room of peers. She was in heaven. She loved the tap and ballet. But I think her favorite part was when they got to do an interpretive dance to a story. It was the cutest thing ever. All shyness was out the door. She was floating and shaking her...no not that:)... streamers in the air. I am waiting to hear, "Mom, I was made to dance."

God-I have a problem!

When we got home today, Malaya asked if she could watch cartoons. I told her we would eat lunch and then she could watch a cartoon. Then she asked if she could eat lunch in the living room. I told her that we were not going to eat lunch in the living room. We were going to have lunch at the table (as usual) and THEN she could watch a cartoon. As I was getting lunch ready she came walking in the kitchen with her ever so grown up walk and her hands on her hips and she said in a very "16 year oldish" way, "Mom, I was BORN to watch t.v." I thought in my head, WHAT in the world. I start to ramble off all the typical things like, "Oh yeah, little missy-You were BORN to live your life for Jesus, to be a servant and to NOT talk back to your mother." But I didn't rattle off those things. I just giggled to myself b/c I heard Beverly Ross (my mother) in her "I was born to (insert whatever she is doing at the moment)" I have heard my mom say this so many times: I was born to make tea. I was born to work puzzles. I was born to lay on the beach and read books all day. etc. etc. etc. Cracks me up!
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My grandfather came out of his surgery well. We are so grateful. The doctor prayed over the surgery and my grandfather before they went in so that was very comforting to family that the surgeon was a Jesus follower. Prase God for that and I pray his recovery is quick!
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Special shout out to Kelli Fletcher today! Happy Birthday Kelli!! Hope you are partying your day away:)

Random Nothings

Well, since it has been almost a week since I have blogged I figure I should journal something about my life so that I don't look back on this day and think "Man, Jenny! Your life was really boring in Jan. of 2006."
So here's just a bunch of random hoo-haw!

Christmas is put up and back in the attic. I do have a few Christmas dishes left but hey the majority is done.

We are having a hard time getting back in good sleeping schedule after the holiday. Since starting Kinder, Malaya has been up and ready to go to school most mornings but this last week I have pulled her out of bed at 7:50. (We leave for school at 8:10.) Thankfully we pick out what she is going to wear the night before so that is ready to go. I brush my teeth, throw on my daily attire of sweats, throw the hair in my normal hair-do (ponytail), I grab breakfast that she eats in the car, and we are running into our day. I really don't enjoy starting our days that way. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

Our ocean of babies began being born today. The Ayers baby was born today. This is a very exciting and changing time for many of our friends! Can't wait to hold them all and remember when Malaya was that little (or not so little). It is amazing to look into the face of a newborn baby and wonder about what they are going to be, what role they are going to play in life, church, ministry, etc. So moldable, yet God's fingerprints are marked all over their new little bodies. I need to stop typing this stuff before I start snort crying:)

Brother and sister in law (Jonathan and Jennifer) are starting a new job. He will be the worship leader for Bamel Road Church of Christ in Houston. I am very excited for them. They start March 1st.They are both so talented and will be HUGE servants in the church there. It is just weird to think about little bro' being a professional, working MAN! And on top of that about to be a Dad. WOW!!

Other brother Josh and Kayci are on the prowl for a Pulpit position. I can't wait to see what God ends up doing with their willing spirits. They are seeking His will whole-heartedly and I know whereever they go that God's word will be preached and people's hearts will be challenged to be more like Jesus!

Do you ever have those conversations with God that go something like this--

Jenny: WIll, you please just do something with my life??
God: I am at work and you will see someday.
Jenny: Could I have a result now please.
God: Not done yet (as you can just picture God just chipping and hammering and pushing your heart into place)
Jenny: God, I truly am ready.
God: Not today
Jenny: Tomorrow??
God: (laughing at my stubborn, immature spirit)
Jenny: (stomping my feet) WHEN??????
God: make it all about ME, my daughter, make it all about me

Those words have been going through my head on a consistent basis for a few weeks now--It's not about me (jenny), It's all about you (God). It's not about me, It's all about you. It's not about me. It's all about you.........

Will I ever get it?? I am so grateful He is so patient with me.

On that note-off to go play Strawberry Shortcake with Malaya!

Happy New Year!

Well, Malaya is back at school after being home for 2 and a half weeks. David is working back at the courthouse. I am sitting in our big chair wondering where I should begin with holiday clean-up. Toys are everywhere, laundry is in need of being done, and many other things but...it can all wait a little longer. We got back from Houston last night and we had a great time with our family down there. The environment down there is fast-paced! We are constantly going! Malaya loves being with her cousins and it is so neat to watch her play with them and develop relationships with them. I always love being with my sister in law. She is 4 months pregnant so we did a lot of visiting on the couch:) I also enjoyed being with my other sister in law and her new husband. It makes David and I giggle as we watch them deal with a lot of the same things we did! She and I beat the whole family in a game of Mafia. The victory was sweet! We had a really good time with them!
We went as a family to see Chronicles of Narnia! HIGHLY recommend this movie if you have not seen it. We did not take the kids. They saw Chicken Little. We will wait a year or so to let Malaya watch it but I really can not wait to watch it with her. It was amazing to see how well this movie was made. The graphics were outstanding! But the story was the best. I had read these stories as a kid but I had forgotten all the details. It was such a beautiful story and the symbolism was just amazing! I will not share too many details in case you haven't seen it.

I am excited about 2006! 2005 began with anger, bitterness, instability for our family, and lots of other feelings that we were more of Satan than of God-that's for sure! I have learned so much about God's redemption, His love, and so many other things. He has been at grueling work within my heart and even though his work has been hard, I truly pray that he continues His work in me and that He will go to even deeper parts of my heart to reveal the things in me that are not of Him. 2006 is not going to be about Jenny Bizaillion. There will definitely be times daily that I will sin and try to make it about me again but I am devoted to being intentional about not keeping my focus inward. What a waste of life if I allow myself to stay there!
I have made several goals for 2006. I am passionate and determined to fulfill those goals.

Hope your 2006 is off to a great beginning!

Great Days!

Well, we had a great past few days (with the exception of me getting sick Christmas Eve night and ALL day Christmas day)! It was great being with family! Malaya had a blast with her special aunts and uncles. They make her feel so special and shower her with so much attention. Jennifer and Kayci played American Girl with her for hours!! What blessings they are for her!
Our Chrismas is still not complete--we still have Christmas with the Biz's this weekend! Malaya is excited to see her cousins.
Malaya lost her second tooth yesterday!! I feel like she is growing so fast-I wish I could just push pause!
Well, I am off to read my toothless one a book and put her too bed!
More Christmas memories too come--

SHOPPING IS DONE!!

SSSSIIIIGGGGHHHH!!

My 2005 Christmas shopping is complete! I am taking a blogging break before I jump into a few hours of wrapping! I am so excited about being with family the next week or so. Family starts coming in tomorrow! YEA!!

As I was driving to run some errands Monday morning I got this overwhelming realization of the enormous things God has done in my life this past year. He has taught me so much, my heart truly does not feel the same. His forgiveness, love, patience, pleading, comfort (and many more things) has showered over me in miraculous, unexplainable ways. And it truly is unexplainable. Have you ever tried to explain it?? I truly can not even put it into words except just to say God is amazing...He is true...He is steady...He works miracles...He loves EVERYONE unconditionally...He is full of grace...His blood never runs out...He is the Judger--NOT ME (as much as I try to be:)...Him revealing himself to me is endless...He is so full of characteristics that I could spend a life time and never know the depth of Him.
This past year I have fallen so much deeper in love with him! I always thought it was kind of weird when people said that, but it is so true.
I will save my goals and dreams for this next year in a New Year's post.

Bringing this back to Christmas :)--Can you truly believe that God sent His son (himself in flesh) to be "us". It amazes me. I think about Mary and how her heart must have felt when that angel told her that she was carrying the Savior/her son would save the world from eternal damnation!! What a deep love she must have had for Jesus. It truly is a miracle. The devil had to have been throwing a fit the day of his birth. Absolutely amazing!!

I hope you all have a great season of giving and I hope you have some time of reflection of what God has done in your life this past year.

Room Mom Update and Christmas Tag!

What a relief!! My first BIG duty as "Room Mom" is complete! I have been so nervous all week but it is finally completed! We had our Christmas (I mean Winter) Party today. It was a lot of fun! The kids seemed to have a great time and I had great parents that were tons of help!!
Have I said before how much I LOVE being up at Malaya's school. I am that dork who LOVES volunteering-I LOVE cutting, running copies, running school errands, etc. and I have LOVED being Room Mom. I am such a nerd!!
Anyway--
Here is a FUN little Christmas "quiz" tag that I got from Paige!! EVERYONE who is reading this, consider yourself tagged!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? We wrap gifts to each other but on Christmas morning, the gifts Santa leaves are not wrapped.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Absolutely WHITE and I do love the icicle ones!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, but I should! I 'll take a kiss (from David of course) whenever I can get it:)
5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon as possible after Thanksgiving!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Hot rolls and Peanut Butter/Fudge candy
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? opening gifts as our little family and then going to Groveton to do Christmas with Hutson's and grandparents.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Not sure, I think I knew early but I still "pretend" that he really does exist!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No way!!
10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him? Usually sugar but we always leave candies too.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT
12. Can you ice skate? Are you kidding!! No way!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Any time I get new clothes it is exciting but I can't pin down a favorite!
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family and giving gifts.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Fudges, candies, etc.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? There are many!! Shopping with Mom, reading the Night Before Christmas, the night before Christmas:) We always read it when I was little and I have read it to Malaya every year whether she listened or not!
17. What tops your tree? a silver star
18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? for sure giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? O Holy Night or I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? In the middle-they are okay!

How fun!! Now it is your turn--

Wintery Day!

Don't you just love days that you are forced to not leave the house!! David has been home today and I LOVE having him home. I could sit on the couch cuddled up with him ALL day and be in heaven!
As you can see, Malaya and David decided to go play outside in this weather and being the thrillseekers both of them are--David spun Malaya in the wagon while she went sliding down the street on the ice. Princess even got in on the action. David would throw her the ball and she would go sliding at extremely high speed down the street! David busted it a couple of times and I attempted to get that on camera but I think with my laughing I could not keep the camera still. They had a great time!!
David drove with me and Malaya to take her to school b/c I hate driving in this weather and we slipped quite a few times. When we picked her up, we got slammed in the face with ice as we ran back to the truck!! Good times:)
Hope everyone in our area is enjoying their day indoors. If you did drive or travel, I hope you were safe.

Speechless!

This post is way past due--
My words cannot express the outpouring of encouragement and prayers that I received through this blog the past few days. Thanks to my sweet Dad who was desperate for intervention for a hurting daughter. Thanks to my mom for her plea through her blog for prayers for me, David, and Malaya. Thanks to my wonderful brothers and sister in laws-Thank you for being God's instruments. You each are amazing! Thanks to my irreplaceable friends - Kelli, Paige, Jami, Valerie, Amber, Summer, Joel and Kim, your visits, phone calls, and prayerful intervention have been such strength.
And to the many friends that I have never even met or have only met a few times. What a gift all of your comments were. I have read many of them numerous times. I feel God drawing me nearer to Him every time I read your words. Thank each of you for taking time out to comment on my blog and leave words of hope, encouragement and testimonies of God's faithfulness through your stories. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for you. Thank you also for being God's instruments. You were used!
We continue to live because of the breath that God offers. Thank you for those that are praying and those that committed through this blog to pray for our family. My gratefulness is immeasurable!
I have learned more than ever this week about the greatness of the body of Christ. Thank you for extending His hands and feet to me.

I am committed to seeking the Lord more every day as he continues to mold me into what He desires for me to be. May my life be a reflection of Him...

Warning: Depressing Blog

One of my uses of this blog is to sometimes vent emotionally. If you click away from this blog right now that is fine. It is depressing and not encouraging at all! Writing this out is for my benefit, really....I write this over shed tears wondering what in the world God is doing. I get tired of being patient. I get tired of reading over and over his promises. Blah, blah,blah...
I have already had a very emotional day. Satan hit me hard in a few areas today. I just put my precious 5 year old to bed and for the second time EVER she shed tears over not having a brother or sister. This is so painful for me! She confessed that this week she started lying to the kids in her class. They had made fun of her a few weeks ago for not having any siblings. So this week she decided that she was going to start lying about it. She even told them their names: She has 2 sisters named Haley and Darla and a brother named Colton. She told me that she had been lying. She said that she doesn't want to have any of her friends over any more b/c they will "find out" that she really does not have any brothers or sisters!

If I don't come close to understanding this, how in the world is my 5 year old supposed to wrap her brain around this. She asked me, "What is wrong with you Mommy, that you can't have a baby in your tummy. " Shattered heart again as I explained to her that I just don't know. My heart breaks for her. In some part of my heart I wanted to tell her to keep lying to make it easy for her but I didn't of course. I told her that I don't understand either but that it is very important that she start telling the truth.

I left her to go pray and opened up the Word to Psalm 84:11. It says, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does God withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Oh, have I wrestled with this verse the last few years. I know that I do not define "what is a good thing", God does. But Satan loves to tease me with these words and rip God's perfect Word to shreds in my mind. Sometimes I feel withheld from, sometimes I don't feel favored and honored and my walk is definitely not blameless.

I hate that my daughter is starting to experience my pain. I want to point her towards the truth and to God's faithfulness but tonight I feel weak and speechless.

I confess my selfishness and will attempt to continue to lay this down where it belongs.

(Thank you Kayci for your sweet prayer just now! You are a jewel! Your phone call was perfect timing! Thank you for letting me shed tears with you and just for listening!)

More Pictures!

Is this a sign of things to come?? This is the phone my grandparents had growing up. My grandmother said that my mom spent most of her time on this thing. I think Grammy and Malaya have quite a few things in common:)
Finishing a yummy meal!!
Here is my Papa, Malaya, and B.

Okay, I think I ran out of picture room so here is a few more! Sorry so many but I had to work really hard to even it down to these!

Memories from Thanksgiving 2005

Grampy trimmed Papa's tree limbs for him. While he was doing it, he found a bird's nest for Malaya. She was so excited!!
Malaya and her sweet teacher!!
Malaya had a speaking part in their program. She did GREAT!! We were so proud of her!


What a GREAT week we have had.
Malaya's program/feast/shopping/eating/visiting/traveling/eating/being with family/eating some more!! It has been a fun week. We loved spending time with my grandparents. My grandmother's (we call her B) cooking was out of this world. My grandfather's (Papa) wit was funnier than ever. They are such wonderful, Godly people and have meant so much to my foundation of faith. It has been such a blessing for Malaya to get to have a relationship with her Great-Grandparents.
Thanks so much to my precious Dad who made Thanksgiving lunch so special by his blessing and encouragement he gave each person! I will never forget that!

I am still learning how to put pictures on here. They are in backwards time order. Sorry about the confusion!

Hope everyone had a Great Thanksgiving!! What a fun time of year!!

Now Let Me Explain...........

My precious sister in law, Kayci sent me this picture yesterday and I couldn't wait to blog about it. I have actually spent HOURS trying to get it to work. David sat down for 2 minutes and had it working! Don't cha' hate that!
Malaya loves both of her uncles very much! But a special tradition (sacrifice) that Uncle Josh does every year on vacation is this....
Josh pretends to be "Amy". She "comes out" periodically, on random nights on vacation. She tries to scrounge whatever outfit will fit around his muscles:), puts on some sort of wig ( some year's it's panty hose, one year it was a blonde hula skirt and this year it was a shirt (I think). Josh tries to convince Malaya that "Amy" dies her hair from year to year. This past year was the BEST!! "Amy" performed a concert for Malaya which consisted of "choreograhy" and everything. This picture was a pose after the concert. Malaya thinks this is the best thing all year. "Amy" calls our house from time to time to visit with Malaya.

Now let me give this disclaimer for anyone who does not know Josh! He is married to a wonderful WOMAN named Kayci! He is a minister and a grad student at Abilene Christian University. He enjoys working out, is a huge Huskers, Mav's, Rangers, and Barry Bonds fan (that should explain it all:) This is just one of those funny "uncle" things!

Malaya went to dayschool last year and told her teachers that she has an uncle that is a preacher that dresses up like a woman at night. There were some eyebrows raised at that one but I was very quick to explain!!

Thanks Uncle Josh for being an Uncle who is willing to do anything to make your neice laugh!!

Can I Just Shout (or whisper) a Wow!!

WOW!! We went to the Jeremy Camp concert Saturday night ( this was David's birthday present) and I must say (or whisper b/c I have no voice:) that it ties for 1st place of the best concert I have ever been to. It ties with Nichole Nordeman, though they are in quite different playing fields! His lyrics take you right to the throne room of God. They are so intimate. Even his "hard" songs have powerful lyrics! Camp is so gifted and I am so glad that he shares that gift with so many people. We had so much fun!! I did keep taking little peeks back at Trooper Paige. I was just making sure that labor was not being spurred on by the bass and rocking of the building:) So glad the Fletch's got to go even in the event of sick kiddos. Praise God for quick healing!!
David and I got home about 11:30 and we then continued our night with Jeremy as we watched his acoustic concert on DVD. Great times!! Great times!!

My mom is home from Germany! We missed her so much! We got to meet and say hi last night for a minute and when I pick Malaya up from school today we are going to head to Decatur to hang out, visit, and unpack more boxes. The unpacking was put on hold while Mom was gone. So glad she's back!!

Hope everyone is gearing up for the holidays!! I heard my first Christmas song on KLTY this morning. The season is upon us!!

Tooth Fairy Visit Tonight!

Well, we finally did it! The tooth fairy will be visiting our house tonight!! The Grampy tooth fairy already made a very significant visit! We are so excited. This tooth has been trying to come out for a long time. Malaya is the cutest "missing a tooth girl" I have ever seen

Sleepless Night:(/ Strong Words

I had one of those nights that I just had so "much" swiming in my brain I could not relax. The Holy Spirit was putting so many things on my heart to pray about. I had so much to talk to the Lord about, I couldn't get it all out fast enough. The Lord once again convicted me of some things that were in my heart that were not of Him. Through confession and tears and asking God questions, I felt Him cleansing me and molding me.
Anyway, through those hours of "wrestling" the lyrics of one of Jeremy Camp's songs (who I have come to find such blessing in his music) kept coming to my head and I prayed these words. May these words bless you today as you are searching...

"You want to be real
You want to be emptied inside
You want to be someone laying down your pride
You want to be someone someday
Then lay it all down before the King
You want to be whole
You want to have purpose inside
You want to have virtue and purify your mind
You want to be set free today
Then lay it all down before the King

This is my desire
This is my return
This is my desire to be used by you.

You want to be real
You want to be emptied inside
And I know my heart is to feel you near
And I know my life
It's to do your will
It's to do your will

This is my desire
This is my return
This is my desire to be used by you.

All my life I have seen where you've taken me
Beyond all I have hoped and there's more left unseen
There's not much I can do repay all you've done
So I give my hands to use

This is my desire
This is my return
This is my desire to be used by you."


I have been dared by the Lord to seek him even deeper. I am taking him on His challenge!
"Seek me and you WILL find me" says the Lord. I give You my hands to use.........

Great Saturday!

This morning we had a great brunch at Kelli's house. We had so much fun! The food was great! It was so joyful to be together! I am excited about sending out my gratitude card.

I am off to clean the house which is always very exciting to me to have done! Then we are going to clean out the garage!
Is there a better Saturday??:)

Germany update: Mom is safely in Germany! It is nighttime there so they are off to bed. I am so grateful that they arrived safely!

Moving on In Life

Well, I am about to head over to Mom and Dad's old house to clean and as of today they can close that chapter of their lives. My heart is full of joy for them! Their new house in Decatur is beautiful. They live right on one of the main streets there. We were over there all day yesterday. We ate out for lunch and dinner. It reminds me so much of our days in Crockett. We walked in and Mom and Dad already knew almost everyone in the restaurant and they even knew the owner of the restaurant. Fun, fun days!! They are gonna' love it there!

Please keep Mom in your prayers. She leaves tomorrow for Germany for about 2 weeks. She is going with a group of about 20 women to minister over there. I am excited for her but it is a little anxious too knowing she will be overseas. We pray God's protection and that God will use Mom in amazing ways while she is there which I have no doubt about:) Also, just pray that she won't think too much about her "newly moved into house that is in a whirlwind". And that she will be able to lay that stress down while she on her trip.
It would probably be good to pray for Dad too. He always hates it when Mom is gone. He will be on pins and needles ready for her to get home!
Thanks for everyone's prayers for Mom and Dad over the past year or so. They are off to a great new beginning and it will be exciting to see what God will do through them there.

Baby J update-Baby J is 18 mm!! Growing like a weed:) They got pictures and saw the heart beating! Jennifer didn't even pass out once!! She got really dizzy at one point and thought she was going to pass out and the nurse quickly turned the sonogram screen around and when Jennifer saw their baby, she was fine:) Wow, the draw of a mother:) We can't wait till June!

Happy Birthday, David!

Man, I have been waiting all day to get on the computer for any long length of time so that I can write a birthday shout out to my hubby. He has worked ALL day, on his birthday for goodness sakes! Isn't everyone supposed to take off from any sort of work on their birthday?? I guess not too many people do and especially my David:) He did let us celebrate and spend a little bit of money to take him to Keller Pizza. Everyone's first b-day dinner choice:)
David is truly my deepest friend. Anyone that is married will know that marriage is not always easy. We have sure had our share of hard times and times of doubt and times that were full of Satan's lies and activity. Praise God that He uses those times to deepen our faith, to make us rely on Him, and teach us what "wrestling with the Lord" means through prayer. And most importantly to deepen our love for Him and each other.
Through those times I have gained a "mountain" of respect for my husband. He is so loyal and tender hearted! He teaches me daily how to be more like Jesus. He deepens my walk, he challenges me and my shallow thinking. He makes me think outside the box. You see, I have always been one that was perfectly comfortable right inside my box. David dares me to step out. He challenges me to see what is beyond "my box". What a gift he has given me through that dare!
When Malaya was in my womb he would talk to her, he would tickle her (or me I suppose), he was precious! When she was born he would get very insulted when my Mom or I would try to tell him how to do things. You see he was the oldest of 5 and was much more of a pro at all of that than I was. There were nights when he would take his "shift" and he would fall asleep on the floor in the nursery, just to make sure I would sleep and know he was "taking care of her".

He has been my light so many times in my life when I was blinded by satan's darkness. He has prayed me through and physically held me when I could not lift my own head from sadness. God worked through him to help me feel my victory. David helps me daily deal with reality. He is a constant amongst my mental chaos.
He always has a unique perspective on life. I have 100% confidence that I can ask his opinion at any time and he will give me an honest answer. He is a devoted man of God's word. He is faithful in being a man of prayer. So many times I will catch David walking around the house or driving in the car and his lips will be moving. It is the cutest thing and I know that he is having some serious conversations with the Lord and I dare not interrupt. I just quietly giggle to myself.
David is a fighter (not physically but in every other way) He never gives up on a good challenge. He is the MOST resourceful person I have ever known. Do not EVER tell him he can't do anything!! He will do it and do it well!
David is a terrific, magnificent, fun-loving, loyal, prayerful, wise Dad!! That is not nearly enough words to describe him! Malaya and David have always had such a special bond. She knows her daddy is full of fun and adventure but yet she knows his rules, she respects his discipline, and listens to him so much more than me:) Sometimes I am jealous of the way he can interact with her. He is amazing with her. He is patient with her. He always attempts to see things from her perspective and see life through her eyes. He prays over his discipline. He is so very interested in her life. It fills my heart with joy to watch them together! The only down side to this is now that Malaya has started school, if I am not home to make sure Malaya gets to bed, Malaya does not get put to bed. I will come home from a night out and there have been times when they have built ramps to race her Barbie cars, they have built campsites, they have had reading marathons, they have cartoon-a-thons, they have cooked things, they have made the house a zoo (literally)with all her animals, played dress up, had tea parties, and David has taught Malaya every kind of flip and cheerleading stunt you can imagine!
As any couple, there are some things (okay a lot of things) that really annoy me. Here is a short list of things.... no, I won't go there. This is a time of edification:) and honestly I wouldn't trade even those horrible habits.

I can not close this out and not mention David's incredibly good looks. He is a hottie in my book. I am in love with his bulging biceps and wish every woman had a set like that to hold on to. I will not go any further on that topic...;)

David has blessed so many peoples lives. He is absolutely an amazing person! I am so glad that we crossed paths at Abilene Christian University so that we could be partners.
I love loving you, David Bizaillion and thank you for being you!

Feeling Blessed!

Well, this morning I woke up feeling so blessed. As I shared in Bible class yesterday, so many new beginnings!
I took Malaya to school this morning and as I walked back to my car, the Lord reminded how blessed I am that SHE is my daughter. Every night during our bedtime ritual, I tell her that out of ALL the little girls in the whole wide world I am so glad God sent HER to be my little girl. She is such a gift! She is a passionate, loyal little girl!

I then headed to Wal-Mart and I was praising God as I shopped (is that possible:) for the great friends that God has put in my life. Supportive, encouraging, forgiving, caring, Godly friends!

Then I got home and I had one of those moments when you look at your husband and think "Man, he is sexy:)" I will not elaborate on that anymore:) Our neighbor came by and asked to talk to David. I was reminded again of what a kindhearted, giving, selfless individual he is. (More tribute to David will come tomorrow because tomorrow we celebrate his 31st b-day!!)

It has not rained in Texas since Sept. 26th!! And as I set typing this I am listening to the rain hit my window! That is a blessing!

We begin this week by moving my parents to Decatur! What an exciting time for our family! Decatur is the cutest town! We also kick this week off with David's b-day. This week Jonathan and Jennifer get to hear my neice/nephew's heartbeat for the first time! What a gift!

And lastly and most importantly, I am grateful today that I am a child of God! HE IS AMAZING! He never stops shocking me with his faithfulness. He is ALWAYS what I need. And that he loves me enough that he has blessed ME with all of the things I talked about above! WOW!

Have a great day and bathe in your blessings today!

New Skill and Supernatural Strength

Well, the training wheels came off about a month ago. She is now riding a bike without them!! She is doing a really good job with the exception of a few times she forgets to brake and she rides right into the truck:) No horrible injuries yet.

The Power Team(a team that travels around to churches and schools and talks to kids about drugs and making good choices. Why Kindergarteners were learning about that, not quite sure. I questioned her teacher about it and she really wasn't sure:) came to Malaya's school yesterday. She came home from school so excited about them so David took her to a local church to see them again last night. She came home and said, "Mom, I don't want to be a Rock and Roll singer anymore. I want to be on the Power Team!" So the daughter I thought I was raising to be a sweet, little lady might truly grow up to be a muscle bound power lifter.

Day After:(

This is where the Astros hat landed after the last pitch was thrown last night. Sad game:( They got swept! The hat did not leave it's little home here under my bed-side table until today when David decided to suck in his pride and wear it to SAM'S.

We will hang the banner high!

Too bad Andy Pettitte and the Rocket couldn't do it for us in Game 1 and 2:(

Malaya wanted to pose in David's Astros hat. I was trying to get a before and after picture but the pictures posted in the wrong sequence and I could not fix it. It has taken me a while just to put these pictures on.

All this to say--it was a rough night, a rough World series BUT.......

It was great to have the 'Stros in the World Series!! Congrats to them and I hope we will go again next year!! May the Bees get to rest and be ready to sting in the Spring!

Those Stinkers!

OOPS, they did it again!! They lost it in extra innings!! Numerous errors in 3rd inning. Grand Slam from White Sox. And once again our good pal Lidge gives up a homer to a guy that has never hit a home run before!!! What in the world!!
Well, I hate to say it but I am thinkin' that the 'Stros are gonna' have to tip their hats to the White Sox and be thankful that they made it to the World Series.
They must win the next few at home!!

Gonna' be an aunt!

Well, the word is out... I am going to be an aunt. (I already am one with the Biz's but this is blood.) My youngest brother Jonathan and his wife Jennifer are expecting a little precious one on June 9th!! I am so excited, I have been about to wet my pants for the past 4 days!! They are going to be GREAT parents!! Jennifer has always been so wonderful with Malaya. She is a patient, gentle and kind woman. Jonathan is going to be a fun, witty dad. You can see the glow on both of their faces!! I am adsolutely thrilled for them!! Such fun, exciting days ahead!! It is going to be so much fun to watch this baby grow and watch my baby brother be a dad!!
Congrats, Jonathan and Jennifer!!

Evening with my Homegirls!

Wow!! Tonight was a highlight for me!! We went to the Nichole Nordeman concert! She is amazing!! I have heard all her songs millions of times and they are fresh every time I hear them. Every time they speak to my heart! I have said before, her music has played a huge part in my spiritual journey!
Another special part of my evening was getting to be with my friends! Jami, Staci, Paige, and Kelli are ALL beautiful, spectacular women of God. They each have shown me Jesus in numerous ways. They have served as HUGE blessings in my life! It was such a gift to sit with all of them tonight and worship and praise God for what He has done in each of our lives. It is such a blessing to have such wonderful women walking this life journey with you!
I go to bed tonight blessed and refreshed!

And we are off to the World Series!!

YYYYYYEEEEESSSSSS!! Oswalt did it!! Way to go Jason Lane. The Killer Bees are gonna' keep buzzin'. This is awesome!!
They redeemed it!!
WE ARE PUMPED!!!

Saturday in Chicago......

Slightly Disappointed!

Well, well, well.........The Biz's house is interesting this morning. We can't stop talking baseball. I don't consider myself to be a huge sports fan but the past couple of years when the Astros have made the playoffs, my childhood rears it's head. Growing up we lived, ate, and breathed sports. Memories of family vacations was listening to the Astros and if they weren't playing ESPN radio was always on. I can remember as a kid drifting off to sleep to the tune of ESPN. So me and the Astros go all the way back to the 1986 Astros. The sweet and very "good-looking" days of the Astros-Billy Doran, Mike Davis, Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Craig Reynolds, Kevin Bass, Alan Ashby, Billy Hatcher. I had crushes on them all as a little girl:)
Anyway----this morning I am SOOOO MAD!! Berkman brought the game back with his home run bringing the score to 4-2. Petite pitched a great game. All Lidge had to do was work ONE inning!! That's it!!
1 stinkin' strike away from their first EVER world series and Lidge walks Edmonds and gives up a 3 scoring home run to Pujols. Why didn't he walk Pujols???? Why did he walk Edmonds???? All Lidge needed to do was throw one more strike and they were off on their merry way to the WORLD SERIES!!!! I can' t believe it!! God has made me an extremely passionate person. And this moring I am passionate that I:
1) needed to be the manager of the Astros to set things up a little bit better in the 9th, 2) I REALLY need to have a little talk with Lidge!! All he can say about his stupidity is that "Tomorrow is a new day!" Well tomorrow is a new day stinker but today is the day you lost the biggest game of your life. Redemption needs to come Wednesday night!! He better be ready!!
Hopefully Oswalt can redeem it, leave Lidge at home!!!
We will be okay. David and I keep hitting our fists. We keep asking the "What if" questions. The girly side of me wants to cry from frustration. (Here we go again--) David and I were ready to celebrate. We were already jumping up and down, high fivin', I had an "out to eat" in the bag if/ when they won---AAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

And one more thing---why do Athletes point up to God when they do something successful in a game. I mean-COME ON--God DOES NOT give a whip that Pujols hit a homer to win the game!!


Back to more important things of life after this series is done!!

Fair Day!!

We had a great day yesterday! We made our annual trip to the State Fair. Mom, Dad, David, Me and Malaya walked the state fair from about 12:30 till 9:00 last night. As soon as we got there we found some "eatin'". Some grabbed Flectcher's corn dog's while some did hamburgers and fries. We walked... We saw a butterfly exhibit. Malaya got to release a butterfly after she got to tag it. She loved that. We walked....We saw the pig races. We walked some more.....It was snack time! I had sausage on a stick. We walked some more.....We went to the Elvis exhibit and to the car show! We rode the Swan boats. We saw the Fair parade. That is one of Malaya's favorites! We ate Pizza and had fresh squeezed lemonade. We saw an old friend! We then had one last snack before leaving. Mom and I had potato skins!! They are the best b/c we load them with salt. Yummy!! We did lots of other things but I am trying to hurry b/c I am off to help Mom and Dad pack:) (Yes, for those that didn't know--they sold their house!! They are so excited!! )
It was also a very interesting night after about 6:00. It was DISD night. About a hundred "gang unit" officers were walking around along with the tons of police and DISD security! That was fun! I was definitely put back in the Crockett, East Texas days.
It was a great day! We walked A LOT. But it is worth it for the fun time with family, the GREAT food, and fun entertainment!
If you haven't been yet this year, the fair is opened for 9 more days!! Get to the fair with your family!! You will be glad you went!! I can tell you where to get $6 parking!

Cleaning House and a "First"

I woke up this morning in a mood to clean my house. You know, not the kind where you just vacuum, sweep and pick up a little. I mean CLEAN. And no, I am not about to give birth. I bleached the bathrooms, dusted the baseboards, swept, mopped, vacuumed under all the furniture, washed all the rugs, washed all the windows, and a huge thing - wiped out the microwave!! I feel so good right now! I am off to the garage to paint shelves for Malaya's room.

As I was about to vacuum the carpet against the wall, I opened the tube and stuff flew and fell out everywhere!! I realized, huh, maybe the bag needs to be changed, being I have never changed it!! It did get changed about a year and a half ago but I didn't do it. Paige did! I opened the vacuum and the bag was so full it was about to burst!
So today I had a "first". I changed the vacuum cleaner bag!! It was rather easy and even a little fun to know it was clean and fresh in there. Boy, did my vacuum work good after that!!
So if you are needing a little extra suck from your vacuum cleaner you might want to try changing the bag! It worked!

My Hero!

Yesterday was my dad's birthday! My dad is my hero!! I celebrate him!
I can remember my dad rocking me to sleep everynight until I was about 12 (just kidding, really about 6). After my mom washed my hair I used to sit with my dad and he would blow dry and brush my hair. He did it way more gentle than Mom. And now Malaya's favorite person to blowdry and brush her hair is Grampy!! I remember watching in awe as a little girl as we watched "Jesus of Nazareth" and looking back at my dad as tears fell down his face when Christ was crucified. I remember going to and watching numerous Astros games. I remember Dad recording us as kids talking, singing, singing the books of the Bible on audio cassettes. I remember when Dad bought me a wrist corsage to wear to my piano recital. I still to this day have that corsage. I remember Dad's spankings always followed with an "I love you". I remember working in the garden with Dad pulling vegetables and helping him "dig". I remember helping Dad clean the church building. I remember as Dad would lead Bible studies at church and as people would accept Jesus as their Lord b/c of Dad's example and teaching.
I remember when Dad decided to answer the Lord's calling to become a minister/teacher/mentor and we moved to Crockett. I remember being so proud of him as he would get up to preach each Sunday. I remember our Thursday night Bible Studies and again as more people came to know Jesus through his teaching. I remember him picking me up from school in a pick up truck with a huge rust hole in the middle of it. And I could here Dad coming as I was sitting in my last class:) I remember Dad's teasing about my first "boyfriend", Chad Reminakjsdhfakjsdhlf (I never could spell his last name:) I remember going to visit elderly people from church with Dad and love getting to watch as he handed Jesus' compassion and love and respect to them. I remember when I walked down the aisle to be baptized and my dad reached his hand out to me. I remember looking into his eyes as he was about to baptize me and feeling his love and fatherly pride. I remember when a boy hugged me a little too long in front of my dad and I thought my dad was going to have a heart attack and his eyes pop out of his head:)
I remember getting my first real boyfriends. One became known as "The Dude". It didn't take boyfriends long to respect my dad and to become familiar with "Dad's chair". I remember picking out my first car with Dad. I remember when Dad spoke at my 5A high school's Baccalaureate and I remember being so proud of him.
I remember when Dad took me to college day. I was so nervous but felt so "taken care of" by my dad. I remember when Dad and Mom took me to ACU to stay. I loved hearing Dad pray over me as they were leaving me.
I remember when David asked Dad if he could marry me. Dad said yes and asked one thing of David. He said, "Her mom and I have protected her heart from the minute she was born and now I ask that you do the same." I remember Dad walking me down the aisle and performing the most beautiful marriage ceremony I have ever seen. I felt so blessed to have him play that part in my day. I remember the night before Malaya was born and him calling the family around me and he led our family in prayer as we welcomed in the next generation. I remember the joy he radiated as he became "Grampy". And again, a few hours after Malaya was born he had everyone circle around in our hospital room as we rejoiced and lifted up a prayer of joy and gratitude for Malaya's safe arrival. I remember that Dad could put Malaya to sleep like no one else.
I remember as our familiy went through an extremely rough year. And as that year evolved Dad still remained strong, confident, and Godly. He never lowered himself or gave up his convictions to suit others. He held his integrity. He held his boldness. He held his devotion to a committed situation even though it stunk. He held our family together and encouraged us even though he was the one being attacked and treated in ungodly ways. I watched on Jan. 9th in utmost admiration and respect as he held his honor and composure in a situation that seemed hopeless, pitiful and sick. He was my mom's rock and our family's rock during that storm in our lives. And Christ still redeemed our family through grace.
I remember as people from Decatur started calling Dad. I was thrilled when Dad accepted the job there. I love watching the people there love on my parents, listen in respect to his teaching, accept him as a man of God, and encourage him.

Thanks Dad for being you! Thanks for your guidance, your discipline, your countless prayers over us three kids, your love for our mom, your devotion, your loyalty, your encouragement, your leadership, your forgiveness, your wisdom, your example of Jesus, you being a student of God's word, your committment to ministry, your example of friendship, your untradable "Grampy-ness", and your testimony of a life of faith. The people that you have blessed, encouraged, brought to know the Lord, and led into deeper relationship with the Lord are countless!!

I love you, Dad and we celebrate your life!!

I've also been tagged!!

I have also been tagged.......
First Memory: I know this is sad but truly the first true memoryI have was when I almost drowned when I was 3. I have mental images of being in the hospital and talking to my 'B' on the phone!
First Kiss: First real one was....... I can't share. There are people that read this that know him to this day. Way too embarrassing.
First Concert: Acapella
First Love: My mom and my 'B'
First thing I think in the Morning: "NOT YET"
First Book I remember loving: Go, Dog Go!
First Pet: Roxy (I just remember her throwing up a lot!
First Question when I get to Heaven: OOOH! I am sure you all know what that will be: Why didn't he give me more babies! (People always say we won't care when we get there so maybe I won't ask that but my more humanly self wants to ask that:)
First word I think of for Vacation: Fun
First Best Friend: Devin Picha
Last Time I dressed up: Wednesday night church (That's about as good as it gets:) I will be getting dressed up today.
Last thing I ate: Sausage Biscuit from McDonald's
Last CD I bought: Jesse McCartney
Last time I cried: Stupid me watched Baby Story this past week. Not smart.
Last time I told someone I loved them: Through gritted teeth to my husband on the phone a few minutes ago after him telling me that he won't be back to the hotel for a few more hours:(
Last really fun thing I did: Sitting on a hotel bed eating Subway sandwiches with David and Malaya at 9:00 last night.
Last thing I watched on TV: Angels and Yankees game
Last Halloween Costume: Little Bo Peep
Last Concert- Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, and Stephen Curtis Chapman, awesome concert (Thanks Jeff and Valerie:)
Okay... I tag Dad, Mom, and Melanie and anyone else who reads!! (Just copy and paste)

Wedding Weekend

Tomorrow we head down to Houston to be a part of the ceremonies for David's sister, Mandy. Malaya is a flowergirl and David is a groomsmen. I am so happy for Mandy! She is marrying a wonderful Christian man. He loves the Lord which shows in choices he makes and in the way he lives his life. For all you ACUer's he is from Rotan, outside of Abilene! Mandy is an unbelievably funny, loyal person. It will be fun to watch their marriage begin. David and I spent our first few years (and maybe still) finding out the most "interesting" things about each other!

Blessings to Mandy and Jace. It's gonna' be fun!!

Heaven vs. Daytime T.V.

Okay, yeah, I am going there--

I really enjoy my 2:00 to 3:00 hour every day. If I miss a day I read the recaps on the website or I call my fellow watcher for an even better update. There is something about watching a soap opera that makes you feel so much better about your life. My life surely could never be that bad! There is no way I can grow up with pycho parents, not know who my daddy is, be stalked when I get to college by a nut case, be a victim of many sinful endeavors, sleep with every man in my town, have a few of their babies but yet not know who the father is b/c I "fell in love" with each one but the relationships only lasts a week, possibly lose the baby but then find out the next month I am pregnant again(with a different man) after being told I would never have children again, work just several hours a day, have romantic evenings of candles, bubbles, and wine, be shot by the mob a thousand times but never die, be beautifully make-uped everyday and even wake up in the mornings looking fresh and ready to go to a party, yadda, yadda, yadda, yadda............

It is so unreal that it makes it great! I am an avid watcher of GH. It has history and it wins many many yearly awards (my dad right now is gagging)!
2-3 used to be Malaya's cartoon watching hour, but since she can not watch cartoons any more it is her own "special" time in her room to play, dance to music, or whatever as long as she doesn't talk to me..JUST KIDDING!!

I end with a very serious question--

Can you be a Soap Opera watcher and still go to heaven??

Just kidding again.....You really don't need to answer the question...NO, really Dad, you don't have to answer that...

Lyrics to Take Me To God:)

It's all about You, Jesus!
And all this is for You.
For your glory and your fame.
It's NOT about me,
As if you should do things my way.
You alone are God,
And I surrender,
To your ways!

Jesus, Lover of my soul.
All consuming fire is in your gaze.
Jesus, I want you to know,
That I will follow you for all my days.
For no one else in history is like,
For history itself belongs to you.
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me.
And I will share eternity with you.


Wow! I love the lyris to "Passion" songs. I was able to spend a few hours by myself and boy, was I blessed by that time. It makes me giggle b/c sometimes when David and Malaya are gone, I turn on Passion or Nichole Nordeman and I mean I bust it. I dance, (Yes, friends and family I truly do but just when I am alone!) I sing, I pray, I worship........ I imagine that I am singing before His throne, at MY savior's feet. Man, how time stands still. How that during that moment of absorbed worship, truly NOTHING else matters.
Thanks to God that he gifted people with the gift of writing songs and music.

It truly is ALL about HIM!

Have a great Sunday and a fresh new October:)