CAUTION : FRAUD!

this is what i feel like i need to broadcast sometimes - i am a fraud! i don't have it together as much as it seems. i like to portray that everything is peachy. i feel so inadequate in most areas of my life. i don't like the idea of being a leader. i have a really hard time accepting/believing compliments. that being said, God is helping me grow.

NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1 (amplified version)

through the process of holding onto and believing for a promise from God, i have had several people tell me that they are encouraged by my faith. my response is often a polite smile and some generic reply. my first thoughts often drift to the times that i feel like the obstacles are far too great and that the situation is doomed. in that moment of interaction with whomever, i feel like a fraud. i say that i believe it will happen, but my emotions/logic/thoughts/actions don't always agree.

do i need to feel like i have faith to have it?

CAUTION : FRAUD!

this is what i feel like i need to broadcast sometimes - i am a fraud! i don't have it together as much as it seems. i like to portray that everything is peachy. i feel so inadequate in most areas of my life. i don't like the idea of being a leader. i have a really hard time accepting/believing compliments. that being said, God is helping me grow.

NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1 (amplified version)

through the process of holding onto and believing for a promise from God, i have had several people tell me that they are encouraged by my faith. my response is often a polite smile and some generic reply. my first thoughts often drift to the times that i feel like the obstacles are far too great and that the situation is doomed. in that moment of interaction with whomever, i feel like a fraud. i say that i believe it will happen, but my emotions/logic/thoughts/actions don't always agree.

do i need to feel like i have faith to have it?

who will win?!?!?

adam or kris?

adam the performer extrordinare or kris with the laid-back smooth vocals?

who did i vote for? the one who's cd i will buy the day it comes out... kris!

who should be "american idol"? i have no clue...

who will win?!?!?

adam or kris?

adam the performer extrordinare or kris with the laid-back smooth vocals?

who did i vote for? the one who's cd i will buy the day it comes out... kris!

who should be "american idol"? i have no clue...

top 3 american idol!

my two favorites on american idol have made to the top 3. which means that one or both of them will be in the top 2! danny and kris are amazing. don't get me wrong, adam has an outstanding voice and stage presence, but he just isn't my style. here is my prediction. one of my boys are going to win. it really is to close to tell, but here is my theory. adam is the type of singer that you either love or hate. every week when someone gets voted off, their loyal fans will now start focusing their votes on their next favorite. if they weren't hardcore adam fans before, would they start voting for him now? i'm not sure. i can't wait to watch tonight's show!

top 3 american idol!

my two favorites on american idol have made to the top 3. which means that one or both of them will be in the top 2! danny and kris are amazing. don't get me wrong, adam has an outstanding voice and stage presence, but he just isn't my style. here is my prediction. one of my boys are going to win. it really is to close to tell, but here is my theory. adam is the type of singer that you either love or hate. every week when someone gets voted off, their loyal fans will now start focusing their votes on their next favorite. if they weren't hardcore adam fans before, would they start voting for him now? i'm not sure. i can't wait to watch tonight's show!

somedays these kids...

DRIVE ME CRAZY!
luckily today is not one of those days. i just thought i'd show pictures of them "driving" the van.

i love how helpful they are. yesterday, we decided to make belgian waffles for lunch and the boys helped me make and stir the batter while mari took a nap. my little helpers make things a bit more messy, but it is SO WORTH IT! they would rather help and watch then play with their toys.

somedays these kids...

DRIVE ME CRAZY!
luckily today is not one of those days. i just thought i'd show pictures of them "driving" the van.

i love how helpful they are. yesterday, we decided to make belgian waffles for lunch and the boys helped me make and stir the batter while mari took a nap. my little helpers make things a bit more messy, but it is SO WORTH IT! they would rather help and watch then play with their toys.

wonderful weekend of weddings!

two weddings. one weekend. beautiful weather.
i LOVE the little tutus that the flower girls wore! hmmm...i'll just have to remember that idea for my own wedding. :o)

rae and sam's wedding was amazing. God blessed them with blue skies. what a gorgeous bride. my pictures of the ceremony didn't turn out... and for some reason i didn't take any pictures of rae and sam together.

on sunday i attended tim and mallory's wedding. i had fun hanging out with my friends who were there. sadly, i didn't think to take pictures of the bride and groom. what was i thinking? anyways, these gorgeous girls are pretty much amazing. brittany, alexis and i love being creative. i really enjoy how alike we are, but yet so totally different.

corey and jenise...they are an inspiration to me as their faith in God's promise grows. i am so blessed to be their friend.

shan and i got to talk a lot this weekend at both weddings. it is fun to get to know her better!

and last but not least, baby emma. she definitely enjoyed the punch. i just can't believe she's a year old! time flies!

it's exciting to watch friends embark on the crazy adventure called marriage. someday i will too, but until then i'm praying for my future husband.

wonderful weekend of weddings!

two weddings. one weekend. beautiful weather.
i LOVE the little tutus that the flower girls wore! hmmm...i'll just have to remember that idea for my own wedding. :o)

rae and sam's wedding was amazing. God blessed them with blue skies. what a gorgeous bride. my pictures of the ceremony didn't turn out... and for some reason i didn't take any pictures of rae and sam together.

on sunday i attended tim and mallory's wedding. i had fun hanging out with my friends who were there. sadly, i didn't think to take pictures of the bride and groom. what was i thinking? anyways, these gorgeous girls are pretty much amazing. brittany, alexis and i love being creative. i really enjoy how alike we are, but yet so totally different.

corey and jenise...they are an inspiration to me as their faith in God's promise grows. i am so blessed to be their friend.

shan and i got to talk a lot this weekend at both weddings. it is fun to get to know her better!

and last but not least, baby emma. she definitely enjoyed the punch. i just can't believe she's a year old! time flies!

it's exciting to watch friends embark on the crazy adventure called marriage. someday i will too, but until then i'm praying for my future husband.

new toys + sunshine = HAPPY FRIDAY!

new toy! thank you craigslist. sunshine! thank you God. countless hours of outside entertainment.

poor tired azariah. we are trying to give him only one nap a day...and it's almost nap time when i snapped this picture. he was almost falling asleep in the swing. :o)

new toys + sunshine = HAPPY FRIDAY!

new toy! thank you craigslist. sunshine! thank you God. countless hours of outside entertainment.

poor tired azariah. we are trying to give him only one nap a day...and it's almost nap time when i snapped this picture. he was almost falling asleep in the swing. :o)

life, love and laughter

i had so much fun this last weekend hanging out with family. one of my cousins came from minnesota with her daughter to visit us and we had a big family shin-dig. i just cannot express how blessed i am to be surrounded with such a great foundation. good food, lots of laughter, and just hanging out with the crazy bunch of people who are my relatives fills my heart with joy.

here is a glimse @ the crazies i'm related to. :o)

alright...this is interesting. the little blondie is my cousin. the brown haired beauty is my cousin's daughter and the other three are my niece and nephews. i bet one of the other people taking pictures got a better shot of them all looking...maybe. :o)

mari and my cousin having tea.

azariah hanging out with my crazy uncle (see next pic...)

kates, me and our gorgeous cousin who is about to turn 15!!!

like my uncle's hairdo? ha ha! j/k, its one of my grandma's decorations. this pic just made me laugh.

me and an aunt.

monica and another uncle.

cousins and yet another uncle racing. have i mentioned that i have a few uncles? 7 on my mom's side alone.

mischevious little cousin. can you believe that?

brandon, another cousin and kates watching the kiddos @ the park.

can you tell that i decided to be the paparazzi for this event? i had fun capturing the group. i ALWAYS look forward to the reunions and random times together. so many fond memories. later this summer is a huge party for my grandma and ALL my aunts and uncles will be there! i can't wait!!!