Allison's Baby Shower..Brantley Rae is on her way!

Today we threw Allison and BR a baby shower. After lots of planning and getting things together, the day finally came! We had so much fun decorating and socializing before hand and then the fun started when momma and all her friends came. We ate all the yummy food then played some games and then she opened her gifts. I'm so glad that I could take part in throwing this shower for her and cannot wait to meet Brantley Rae in February. She got almost ALL of her big stuff! All of us(hostesses) went in together and got them the Pack-n-play, which will be used often, but they also got their Carseat and Stroller!!! Overall everything turned out great! Here are some pictures from the shower! Love you Allison and BR!

All of the Hostesses Brittany, Ashley, Nikki, Lauren, Me, Diana and Jami
All the yummy food! Playing "How big is her belly" game

I love this picture!
Me, Allison, Kiki and BR

BR's Auburn Onesie and Hat

The picture frame from Me and Kiki

Me, Allison and BR
The Hostess gift
She was exhausted! No nap!

Created in God's Image

So this morning I was doing some reading out of my Joel Osteen book and came across this page. Seemed fitting for Today, enjoy!

Your self-image is much like a self portrait; it is who and what you picture yourself to be, which may or may not be an accurate reflection of who you really are. How you feel about yourself will have a tremendous impact on how far you go in life, because you will probably speak, act, and react as the person you think you are. The truth is, you will never rise above the image you have of yourself in your mind.

God wants us to have healthy, positive self-images, to see ourselves as priceless treasures. He wants us to feel good about ourselves. Despite our faults and weaknesses, God loves us anyway. He created us in His image, and He is continually shaping us, conforming us to His character, helping us to become even more like the person He is. Consequently, we must learn to love ourselves, faults and all, not because we are egotists, but because that's how our heavenly Father loves us. You can walk with confidence knowing that God loves you unconditionally. His love for you is based on what you are, not what you do. He created you as a unique individual-there has never been, nor will there ever be, aother person exactly like you, and He sees you as His special masterpiece!

YOU WERE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

Jewel/Halloween 2009

We had such a fun weekend! Starting Friday afternoon, Kiki had her class Halloween party so she got to wear her Tinkerbell costume ALL DAY! Then Friday night Sam took me to see Jewel downtown. She was soooo good acoustic and we had so much fun! Then Saturday we met Kearstyn's mimi and nana and went to my brother and sister in laws neighborhood to trick or treat! It was FREEZING but kiki refused to wear a jacket! Kearstyn and her cousins got TONS of candy!! Here are a few pictures from the concert and from Halloween! I hope everyone had a great Halloween and a great Monday!

Sam and I at dinner before the concert

Jewel! These pictures are blurry because I couldnt use my flash. So Im only going to put up a couple

We were SUPER close!

I got to break away from my class to take a picture with my Tinkerbell =)

My little Tinkerbell *she is OBSESSED with her*

Starting to rack up!

She was FREEZING!

And so was I haha

Her with all her Candy!

New Scrapblog header!

Just wanted to thank Allison for making my scrapblog header again! She is so creative, and I love that she does them for me!! Thank you again Aunt Allison!

Photo Shoot at Botanical Gardens

The "AUNT" picture

Brittany, Britney, Mommy, Jami, Allison and Kiki

but we had lots of others missing!

Last Sunday I decided it was time to get Kearstyn's 3year pictures done. Yes I know a little late, but they turned out amazing!We went to the Botanical Gardens to take the pictures. Iasked some of my closest friends to come so we could get an "aunt" picture with kiki.....I would not have asked anyone else to take photos besides one of my best friends Brittany! She does such an amazing job with photography and I was very happy with all the pictures she took this day! The weather was absolutely perfect and even though Kearstyn was coming down with the croup, she did awesome! Joining us were, Britney C, Allison W, Jami K, and Brittany L. Not all of her "aunts" could be there, but we will get a group shot one of these days. Im so excited to have new pictures of kiki and I to print and frame and put up all around the apartment. Thanks again Brittany for doing such a great job with the pictures!!! Check her out at bgphotographs.com

It was so much fun getting to spend time with awesome friends and take lots and lots of pictures!

Here are some of my favorites!

You can find the rest on my facebook page or on Brittany's website!

KISSES!
Have a great Wednesday!!

"

Just in case.....

I wanted to clarify my posting from yesterday. It was NOT to make anyone feel SORRY for me or to get your sympathy! I wrote that because that is what God had laid on my heart to share and get off my mind. Im a STRONG woman of God and wanted to share that DESPITE what I have been thru over the YEARS, that God has always gotten me thru it and helped me rise above and move forward. My hope for the post is to maybe show people that who have been going thru something they feel will never get better or a situation they think is impossible to overcome or think that things wont get better to know that THEY WILL! God said so! My post was to share, yes what I have been thru, but to also show that God is such an amazing God that HE has brought me through it and im moving forward and loving where my life is headed! I know that I am NOT the only one who is going through or has gone through what I have. BUT I am sharing with everyone that God's continuous Grace and undying love me for has made me presevere! Just wanted to clear things up!
Have a GREAT Thursday!

Stay full of faith, Stay full of joy, Stay full of hope. If you will transform your thinking, God will transform your life.

The "Why" QUESTIONS

This past couple of years have been extremely hard for me! I've been tested with many trials and luckily I serve an AMAZING God who's mercy endures forever! I HAVE RISEN ABOVE THESE TRIALS AND HAVE OVERCOME THEM!!!! He has helped me accept the things that I cannot change and change the things that I can. I have had many people/ things taken out of my life recently and it's been a very very hard adjustment for me. However, the doors that have closed were closed for a reason. But God definitely knows what he is doing. Because MANY more doors have opened up that have been awesome, and I know it will only continue. Ive lost friends only to gain others. There is a reason for everything. There are reason why people are brought into your life and don't stay forever. Maybe they were there to help you through a hard time, listening ear, or just for comfort. BUT if they don't make it to my present or future then there is a reason why. Still doesnt make it easy, but if that is what is suppose to be then I have to accept it. For the longest time I have been trying to figure out the "WHY" question. I can't ask why anymore, its been driving me crazy going from one scenario to another wondering if I would have done something diff would it change the way things are now. Was I not a good enough friend, did I not do enough, Love enough....etc. Those are things that have been weighing on my heart and I am doing my best to rise above it with God's strength. It is not an easy battle, but God never said it would be easy, He just said we wouldnt have to go through it alone, whether that be Him bringing people into your lives to help you get past it, giving you the wisdom and knowledge to know what the next step is and to give you the strength to take it. I have been blaming myself for too long now and I have to stop. God is healing my heart and mending friendships and showing me the next step in His plan for my life. I have never lost so much at one time in my life! It broke me and my spirit, but God is healing my emotions and my heart. He is helping me to not be angry anymore and accept the way things are and that I can't change them. All I can do now is press on towards the future, focus on my amazing daughter, health, teaching and continuing to try and be the best friend that I can be to the people that mean the world to me. You cant think you are weak just because you need support. Ive thought that for awhile but God showed me that it doesnt make you weak, it proves your human and you need people in your life who can HELP you, not do it FOR YOU, but be there for support and to just let you know they care and are here for you. I have an amazing group of friends and cannot thank them enough for sticking by me in my hardest times! God is an amazing God and Im pressing on!!!!

This is something I read everyday! Its out of Joel Osteen's Scriptures and Meditations book

"Letting Go"

Quit comparing your life to someone else's, and quit dwelling on what could or should have been. Quit asking questions such as, "Why this?" or "Why that?" or "Why me?" Let go of those hurts and pains. Forgive the people who did you wrong. Forgive yourself for the mistakes you've made.

Today can be a NEW beginning!

Have a great Wednesday!