Monday, July 25, 2011

Crowd Tap?

Do any of you guys participate in this site?
Generic125x125

I stumbled upon it through some facebook friends and I think it's a pretty neat idea.

Basically, you join the site, you get to participate in actions and discussions and earn points which upgrade your level, and "cash" which you can trade in for amazon gift cards.   Often these actions will allow you to try a specific product for review and questionaires by that company.

The best part about it is, that any cash you redeem, they automatically take 5 % of it and give it to a charity of your choice, and then match that amount as well!  Pretty cool if you ask me, since all I have to do is click a few buttons here and there and answer some questions here and there.

I chose to donate to To Write Love on Her Arms  which I have written about before HERE and HERE
What a super charity to be able to donate to, just by answering questions. I love it!

Soooo... if you're interested, join me.  At least join and try it out, you can't beat free products to try and anything you earn goes to charity and it doesn't take hardly any time at all (unlike some survey sites etc)

Generic125x125

Saturday, July 23, 2011

4 months old (and almost a week)

Photobucket

I took the picture last week when he was first 4 months old, that should count for something right???



What a big boy Asher is getting to be, and so much fun!
He can giggle, and he loves to watch Elijah and Kyley play.
He holds on to a few toys and loves to look at things that are fun and colorful.
He coos and talks to you in his own way and he LOVES to squeal. Silly boy.

He is trying so hard to sit up on his own, but his poor little torso is so long he just can't get good control over it yet, but I have a feeling it won't be long!!!

He is still sleeping well at night, but oh how much sleep is he NOT getting during the day which probably causes his nights to be so good.

I can't believe how big he's getting already!!!   Here is the pictures I posted at 1,2,3, and 4 months old together.


(sorry for some reason it put the pictures in out of order, but you know what I'm going for here :) )


Saturday, July 16, 2011

A new adventure

We are so excited about the things God is doing in our lives, and in those around us, and I wanted to share one of those here today.

Recently we've been given the opportunity to serve in a children's minster position at a local church. We are beyond thrilled to see what God is doing through this.  If you guys wouldn't mind checking out the blog  and following it we'd appreciate it!!!
We also have a facebook page and a twitter (@lakewoodkids)  Thanks so much guys! You are all awesome!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Why I'm here.

*also written several years ago on my MySpace blog, but I wanted to share here*


Have you ever wondered why we were put here on this earth?
Isaiah 43:7 says...  "Everyone who is called by My name,
      Whom I have created for My glory;
      I have formed him, yes, I have made him."
and Colossians 1:16 says... "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."
These scriptures tell us that everyone called by His name is created for His glory- and in Colossians it tells us that all things created in heaven and on earth are created by Him, through Him, and for Him. So we have all been placed here for His glory.
What exactly is glory?
According to www.dictionary.com  the word glory can be said to mean

..> ..>
1. very great praise, honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent; renown

..
2. something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration; a distinguished ornament or an object of pride


3. adoring praise or worshipful thanksgiving: 


4. resplendent beauty or magnificence.


5. a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity.

..
6. a state of absolute happiness, gratification, contentment, etc.

..
7. the splendor and bliss of heaven

Our job is to bring him glory- we were created to worship Him! 
 This brings me to the point of this blog- a song I love.
The chorus simply says "To worship You I live, to worship You I live, I live to worship You."
I live to worship Him- worship doesn't mean we have to sing to Him constantly- it doesn't mean we have to jump up and down and shout, it just simply means for us to bring Him glory.  We can do that by allowing our minds to be transformed, and living as a representative of Christ.  We once had a saying in our youth group about things we did or said, to know you were bringing God glory, we'd say " as a representative of Jesus Christ... (fill in the blank with whatever action/word/thought you were having or contemplating)" and if it wasn't something that would reflect good on the name of Jesus, then we probably shouldn't do that.
Romans 12:1-2
 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
It is our job to bring Him glory- are you reflecting that in your life?


The lyrics to the song...
Away away from the noise
alone with you
away away to hear your voice
and meet with you
nothing else matters my one desire is
 To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
oh oh
 Away away, away away from the noise alone with you
Away away to hear your voice and meet with you
It's been a while but heart my heart cry again
: To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
oh oh

Is this your hearts desire? To get away from the noise.... to get alone with Him...to bring Him glory?

Father, I thank You for your living Word and your perfect will for our lives. Lord I pray that you will mold me and make me into the person you have created me to be- Lord help me to refocus my life and get alone with You, worship You, and bring you glory. May your will for my life and that of my family's be manifested in us through our worship of You. Amen.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Finally! Success!!!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may remember THIS post.

Oh boy has this been a long time coming...

I'm so excited to say that we are FINALLY done with diapers for Elijah! At 3 years & 3 months old almost to the day (we started on the 4th full time)  He has been without a diaper for a week now.

I couldn't be a prouder mommy to this sweet boy. He goes on his own, without help (unless he needs wiped) and he's only had a handful of accidents and they were mostly a timing issue or at night when he can't wake himself up to go yet.

We'd been going diaper free at home for several months but not out of the house because he couldn't be consistent in telling us he had to go, and my stubborn boy would not settle for "trying" to go every so often, he only goes when HE needs to.

He may be stubborn, but when he was ready, he was ready. I'm so glad to be on the other side of the hill (ok well mostly)

Lord, please let Asher not be as stubborn and make things so hard on mommy. lol.

Anyhow, to celebrate his new achievement I think I'm going to order him these...



He is going to be so thrilled, he loves Phineas and Ferb right now, so this will make his day :)

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Answer's to life's questions?

I wrote this post on my myspace blog many years ago, but felt it was worth sharing here. I love hearing God's voice and this is just one example.

* Please note that throughout this blog , the use of "Daddy" is not directed at my earthly father, but yet a term of endearment between my Heavenly Father and the personal relationship i share with Him.*

Answers....


Daddy, why does death hurt so badly? Why does it bring so much pain? Death to our earthly desires, death to our will for our lives as opposed to Your perfect will, and death to our old way of thinking...? All of these types of death bring forth strength, but Daddy, physical death, where is the strength in that? The joy of the Lord is my strength, I am quickly reminded by your sweet, still voice. Your joy... it shall be my strength. But Lord, where shall i find such joy in death? Your reply to me is resounding in my mind. "My child, my joy is found in my resurrection," You say. So I ponder this for a moment.

Resurrection, what does it mean?

1. the act of rising from the dead.
2. (initial capital letter) the rising of Christ after His death and burial.
3. (initial capital letter) the rising of the dead on Judgment Day.
4. the state of those risen from the dead.
5. a rising again, as from decay, disuse, etc.; revival.

Another source cites resurrection as a revival from inactivity and disuse.

Revival from inactivity? But Father, what does this have to do with my grieving? What does this have to do with my hurt and pain? "Listen closely, My child," You reply, " your mourning for a life resurrected to be with me is only the beginning my dear. Your earthly desires, your personal will for your life, your way of living, all of this is merely the beginning. Your mind in these states is at a moment of inactivity. Take heed my dear child, and draw close to Me. Rise above this earthly world full of traps and snares, and hold your head high. Rise above all circumstances, all inactivity, all disuse, and be resurrected by My power! Be revived my child, oh that I might use you to do something great for My kingdom."

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

My girl

Well, this is my 300th post! I had something else planned but I can't get it finished in time to post before today, and I already haven't blogged in multiple days, soooo instead I'm going to share a few pictures with you, and I'll write my "300" post later :)


   
Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket