My take on our Sabbath... =)

Last Friday night and Saturday... we celebrated our FIRST Sabbath! It was such an AMAZING experience for me - and for Chuck and I as a couple =) We started with the lighting of the candles. First with one that represents GOD in our lives and we invited HIM into our Sabbath - then we have a candle for each one of our family members - set in family groups. As we lit each one of them - we prayed for each one AND remembered back to some FUN memories of each one... It was so EMOTIONAL all the way thru!! Then we ATE!! Read Scripture to each other AND played games... it was so FUN! Saturday we slept in... ATE and read more Scripture to each other - and shared just how GOD is at work in our lives today.

We did not get on the computer OR phone - which really made me think back... even 20 years ago - when we didn't even own a computer OR a cell phone! HAHA!! We did reminisce a lot... and we are SO thankful to where GOD has us right now in our lives. We could not have even dreamed way back in the late 70's that this is where we would be today... WOW!

It was really wonderful to not have to think about what I have to get done... or even think about what we will eat... it was all set BEFORE we even started!

We had a book that helped us with some of the ideas - and it was GREAT! We don't want to be legalistic - so we just took things that worked for us to make it so FUN and memorable AND honored GOD the whole time!

The white one is for Chuck's Mom

The RED ones are Rich, Mel, Caroline and Myra

These are for Tim, Jill and Liam

AND this group is for the Murray's - Ricky, Taleah, Noah and Maia

Getting READY...

Tonight will be our FIRST time to experience a Sabbath! We wanted to do on early in the summer BUT both of our schedules would NOT let us have a Friday night AND Saturday completely FREE!! Sad huh?

I didn't realize how much you have to do ahead of time to prepare for it. Food, house, and candles... =) One of the things I am looking MOST forward to is the START of Sabbath - we light candles!! We got a candle for each of our family members - and have them set in family groups - as we light them we PRAY for each one of them! I think it will be emotional for me... then we get to talk and share what God has done in our lives AND how BLESSED we really are!! No computer OR phones =) I think it will be really difficult to NOT be on my computer at ALL!! As I was thinking thru all this I really thought it will bring us back 20 years - we didn't have a computer OR a cell phone!!

We are going to play games, talk, eat, and truly REST!

I LOVE my LIFE =)

Today I have all 3 babies! Thinking back to the early summer - KNOWING I was going to be having to care for a newborn, a one year old and a 2 year old... I was a little nervous as to HOW I could actually give quality care to each one... well today I am LOVING it!! So far I have been able to get at least an hour alone with each baby =) AND I LOVE every minute of it!! I wish there were MORE moments like these BUT, I think it is wonderful to watch them all care and LOVE each other too!! I have had a few FUNNY moments too... when Liam and Maia were STARVING at the same time!! ALL I could do was laugh and they both calmed down to watch me go a little crazy =) HAHA!! I will do whatEVER it takes!!

GOD is so GOOD!!

I love hearing how GOD works...

I LOVE the stories of GOD at work in people's lives! When we were in youth ministry... Chuck came home all the time with stories of changed lives - it was such a BLESSING to watch! When he became a Sr. Pastor's life - I heard a few stories but I also got the info on the budget and property info... and ya know... that just didn't thrill me - HAHA!! That was one of the things I missed most about youth ministry - I know that there is a lot more on Chuck's plate than there used to be.

This week I am hearing so many stories of how GOD is at work... especially using baby Corban! Cody and Ally lost baby Corban last week - and as hard as it is to go thru - I see Cody AND Ally truly loving everyone around them - and it is making a difference and touching so MANY lives! I really do LOVE being in the ministry... but I REALLY LOVE hearing God stories!!

DO you have a GOD story from this week??

What puts a smile on your face??

Today was a rough day with the kids... actually only AFTER nap time =) BUT as hard as it was... I was so smiling on the INSIDE! I don't dare let the kids see me laughing at what they do!! Noah is NOT defiant - directly - he is just pushing his limits to the FARTHEST it will go... I told him I had to see his eyes... he went behind the wall with one eye one me... then NO eyes... I called him... he slid ONE eye over... I was so LAUGHING on the inside!! It really put a smile on my face!!!

What puts a smile on your face??

Little things...

I LOVE to paint my nails... it is therapeutic AND I can't really do anything for a couple of hours =) BUT I have to admit... it brings out my perfectionist side - I LIKE - no - I NEED them to be perfect! So... when nick them or smear them - I remove all the polish and start again! The last two times that I painted them I had very LITTLE time to do them. Well I got a chip on my thumb and had to keep it that way for a week... then last Saturday I did them for Sunday and it chipped again!! It is still chipped...

It really is a reminder that I am not perfect and things do NOT have to be perfect to enjoy life! Sometimes little things can ruin my day... I just need to be reminded sometimes that GOD still LOVES me when I am not perfect!

What are some little things that really bug YOU??

Seasons...

I know that we are in the SUMMER season right now... and it is my LEAST favorite season!! I really like COLD CRISP air! Yesterday was a bit cooler for summertime... it reminded me of FALL - which is my FAVORITE season of the year!! I LOVE Fall because of the cooler temps... mostly at night... and the changing of the leaves colors! We don't have MUCH of it here in CA... but we do have a little =) I think it maybe my FAVE too - because Summer is OVER!! HAHA!! Football season is about to start... I am a football widow - but I LOVE it!! I think of the whole holiday season when football is on TV - even if it is 100 degrees outside =) What is your favorite season??

WOW! LOVE my new MAC!

I am at Starbucks online =) with my new MacBookPro =) WHY didn't I start with one of these??? I feel like I can be productive all day long - ANYWHERE I go! I am working on 3 weddings... almost FINISHED with them... I am waiting for my Photoshop CS4 to come - I can't do work on photos yet =( SOON!!

Maybe this will help me get more ORGANIZED too!! OR NOT... It is way addicting on the computer =)

I LOVE THIS =) HAHA!!

Pix from Pageant of the Masters book =]

-- Post From My iPhone

I just LOVE art!

Last night we went to Pageant of the Masters... in Laguna Beach. WOW! We have gone the last 5 years... and I am inspired every single time! It is AMAZING to see the pieces of art LIFE size and to hear the stories behind each one! I just wanted to take a pic of the whole thing... but no photography was allowed. IF you have never seen it... take the time to GO! It is just AMAZING... I will post a few pix of the pieces from the program in a little while - they are NOT the life size ones... but you can see what they did!!

I so WANT to be an organized person =)

Most of the time I really do like who I am... but right now I am OVERWHELMED with the clutter everywhere!! HAHA!! I finally cleaned around my computer... but I never got to the printer area... OR the kitchen area... - I say area because it is NOT the whole room... just an area! SO the piles are HIGH! =) I am ready to get it FIXED... I just need to have the time and energy!! I do wish I had the GIFT of organization... Anyone have any tips?? I know I need to throw things away - and I am ready to THROW it ALL away - HAHA!