Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Thank you mommy


Naw naw just loves Leasey to death. When I left for Destin Elyse didn't even turn her head. She just embraced Naw naw. They had such a good time together and Naw naw even kept her on her schedule, not too much spoiling went on. Thank you mom for all you do for us. You are precious and I love you mucho!

Mommy's first long trip

Mom took a little bit of break and went to Destin with the girls (Angie, Emily, and Karen). If you ever get a chance to visit Destin, I highly recommend it by the way. The water is clear and the beaches are amazing! It is a little busy but it is worth it. Nawnaw came and stayed with Leasey. When I came home Elyse was walking all around the house and she said mama! Omigosh, I almost cried:0 She is getting so big. She looks like a little mini person walking around here.

Anyways, I am so thankful that mom could come watch Leasey while mom got to do some adult things. Like go out to eat and actually get to eat my food first.

Hot mommas (really just one of us is a mom but we are all hot!)


A relaxing dinner over looking the beaches of Destin,
we recommend this place it is called The Back Porch.


Yes I LOVE food! And crab legs are one of my favorite treats.
I was able to indulge in a steak, shrimp, and crab dinner. Yummmmm


Creation! God you are indescribable.


A favorite summer treat....the Pina Colada!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Reflections from a mom

I was an education major and we always had to reflect, so I thought I would continue the good practice.

So lately what God has been teaching me through my particular situation, is that He is always drawing me to himself through all my trials and temptations. He is so faithful to make me rely on Him. This is a privilege to learn daily to TRUST Him to provide for all our needs. Being a single mom has some very difficult days. The days become slightly monotonous with chores, diapers, feedings, and at the end you are tired and lonely. But God is using this to bring me to my knees over and over. I am so thankful and God I give you all the glory for how you are refining me. You are developing my character like never before. You are showing me that my life is process of restoration and sanctification. It will never stop until the day of Christ Jesus. Thank you Lord for what you are doing even though daily it is hard, you are showing me your indescribable love and character more and more. I am falling more and more in love with you because of who you are. Thank you for choosing me, I am so humbled.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
FOR I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD,
THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, YOUR SAVIOR."
Isaiah 43: 1-3

Lola gave Leasey a bath...


To my Daddy...

Dad, over the years I sure have gave you some grief. But I thank you for loving me through it. Thank you for grace and mercy many times. I appreciate you now more than ever that I see the huge need for a daddy and the importance of the role you have played. I am sorry for avoiding your discipline that was for my protection. You are a good man that desires to provide good for his family and to seek the Lord. I love you and I am thankful of what God has done with our relationship because it sure has been through the fire but all for the better. I love you! All glory to God alone:)

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:11

Swimming with her leopard and camo


Lola and Big Daddy


That is what they call themselves. We visited my Dad, Lori, and Tristen. We spent the weekend with them. It was nice to be with Daddy on Father's Day and that day was also Elyse's nine month birthday. So it was special. We all attended church together and ate lunch together. The visit was very refreshing. Lori was a great help with Elyse. Dad, Tristen, and I even got to see a movie at the theater, which I haven't done in 6 months. We saw Spiderman 3 (by the way I thought it was AWESOME)! Then daddy and I went on a date. We had great conversation and it was encouraging! I am so thankful for my family:)

Great grandma and grandpa






I stayed with my mom's parents for one night, better known as Nannie and Poppa. We had a great visit. It was nice to stay with them and it brought back memories of living with them the summer that I got saved. Also memories of my childhood where I spent some of the summer with them. It was nostalgic. Elyse left us with some funny memories because she chased Precious (the poodle) around the whole time. The doggie was very glad that Elyse was just a guest. We went on a walk at the beautiful lake of Minneola.

Nannie and Poppa, Thank you for all you have done for your family. You are example of grace and Christ. Keep persevering under trial. One day you will see the Savior and He will wipe every tear from your eyes. We love you and our praying for you both:)

Tio and Tia

Us and Our Babies

Sweet Tomatoes




This is my favorite place to eat EVER! I worked here for 2 1/2 years. It is a salad/soup bar. It is amazing. So every time I come to Diana's I try to convince her to go with me. This time we were skeptical because of money issues. However, I said I would take care of lunch. So we went and the girl at the cash register new Diana from church and she told us that it was taken care of. When I am with Diana I always seem to see God bless us in such amazing ways by His ASTRONOMICAL GRACE! So anyways, we ate for free and Elyse had her first experience at Sweet Tomatoes. She enjoyed the icecream most of all!

Elyse's new friend



Elyse was very scared of Dominick at first. She cried. But then she warmed up to him and played with him quite a bit. Dominick you are going to love your daughter:)

Pregnant Women are BEAUTIFUL!



This is my friend Diana and we have been friends for 10 years. She is so precious to me and God used her and her husband Dominick to recognize my need for Christ 5 years ago this summer. Wow, I can't believe the journey we have been on together. But I am so thankful for this couple. They really love the Lord and desire to seek Him first above all. They have been married for 5 years and she is now expecting their first child. They are having a girl and she is due the day after Elyse was born. (Sept. 18) So Elyse and I are so excited about their baby girl. We sure did teach them a thing or two about the truth of having a baby, like rearranging your house for starters:) But we were so glad to share with them in their joy.

Diana and Dominick- I know your baby will be a huge blessing and God will provide and comfort you during all of your fears of becoming parents. You will both be great parents. We love you and will continue to pray for you both and your precious baby.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, Children a REWARD from him." Psalm 127:3

Vacation to Orlando

We went on a trip to see my family and my precious friends Diana and Dominick Shaw.
We had a wonderful time! I don't travel too often with Elyse because of the main fact that my baby is incredibly mobile and does not like to be restrained. So a four hour car ride can get difficult if I can't attend to Elyse. So it went well for the most part. Elyse did cry for about an hour on the way home. It takes complete prayer in a loud voice and a couple of screams to make it through that time but we did it! Praise God!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Climbing the Stairs



Elyse is trying to climb the stairs and is scaring mommy! She is so curious and a risk taker.

Mommy with the girls



Elyse, Mike, and Emily


wild thang...she makes my heart sing!



beauty shop



Let's play ball....



We visited some of my former students at their softball game. The love Elyse:)

Aunt Donna




We love you Donna! Thank you for all you do for us:)

morning walk at lake ella



Elyse godparents



Elyse doesn't have godparents but if she did Angie and Justin are perfect for the job! Don't you think?