staying on course...

Lamentations 3:40 tells us, "Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord." One day Solomon was walking by a vineyard, when he noticed that it was overgrown with thorns and it's wall was broken down. "I looked on it," he wrote, "and received instruction" (Proverbs 24:32). He learned the necessity of constant attention, ambition and discipline to keep the garden clean and fruitful. Today there are so many aspects that require our attention and discipline. Our spiritual walk with the Lord...teaching our children His ways through OUR actions...saving money or eating healthy and exercising our bodies. If because of business or laziness we're not careful, we'll see some things in our lives crumble. The walls of our moral standard will develop holes. The bible is God's chart for us to go by and His Spirit is our compass and the scriptures are clearly marked by life's hazards that should be avoided. 

I will admit that there are a lot of things in my life that have crumbled because of business or laziness...some walls of my moral standard have developed holes. This is Satan's plan...he wants us to get and stay off course, therefore neglecting God's sweet and perfect will for our lives. I have said before...I want to have the mindset that I do everything perfect for Him. Like making my bed or cleaning my house or even cooking my family a healthy meal. Well Satan, you have my attention. I plead the blood of Jesus over my family and their hearts and minds. We are making some changes as a family. I pray that God will give us all the strength...ambition and discipline to STAY ON COURSE!

(Here are some pictures of the kids running around and playing on the golf course at Aunt Melody and Uncle Joe's).

I couldn't get a picture of just G without the bug spray.

Yep...I'm letting her play on the steps. Why not? She's happy!

cool at the pool or babe at the beach?

How do you and your family spend your time at the beach? When I was little my whole entire family was on the beach by 10am and didn't leave until at least 4pm or later. We didn't even leave the beach for lunch...it was always in the cooler...right there beside us. We played hard...in the sand and in the ocean. Took walks...built sand castles and searched for sea shells. Jake says he has never liked the beach. When he was little he spent most of his time fishing...golfing or riding bikes. Maybe it's the difference between a boy and a girl...I don't know but for right now I believe I'm the only one in my family that enjoys it. 

Jake was always ready to take the kids in for their naps when we had only been on the beach a couple hours. Neither one of the kids could take it for very long. I thought maybe at least G was going to be able to hang with her Momma but I was wrong. On the first day out...she ran straight into the ocean...fell flat on her face in the salt water and got up laughing. After about 6 times of that...she wasn't too fond. Now by about 2 o'clock I was ready to head in. The sun is way stronger and hotter then it was 20 years ago. 

On the other hand...I couldn't get the kids to leave the pool. E LOVES to swim! We had only taken G in Gramee's pool a couple times because she wouldn't have any part of it. Here they had just what she needed...a pool just her size. The baby pool was a foot and a half...which was still a little deep for her...but she really thought she was big time! She would bend down as far as she could...water up to her chin...and then jump up and laugh. Both the kids had the best time at the pool...other then running around on the golf course at Aunt Melody's and Uncle Joe's (pics of that to come later).

A crock on the loose!

An unsure baby girl.

One cool dude!

One frilly little bootie.

Daddy a.k.a Booger Patrol

Greens a.k.a Snack Rat

I didn't get very many pictures on the beach but here's a few. On our last full day there Daddy was golfing so Aunt Joanie and I took the kids to the beach. We tried to pull an "all day-er" but didn't quite make it. Jake helped us take all this stuff down to the beach that morning...lets just say on the way back we had one PACKED DOWN STROLLER! (haha Joanie ;)

Just want to say thanks to Uncle Josh and Aunt Joanie for watching the kids while Jake and I went out to dinner one night. It was time MUCH NEEDED and we are EXTREMELY GRATEFUL!

I've got two pool lovin' peeps on my hands so I guess I'm the only beach babe...not sure where Daddy comes in because he'd probably rather be back in the mountains.

all I want to hear is...

Sometimes it feels like the battle Never stops...EVER! I feel like we finally get through one thing and can breathe, but the devil always has something up his sleeve...ALWAYS! I am so thankful I have God in my corner. I am thankful that when I finally make it to the other side that God has opened my eyes enough that I can see why. Sometimes...not always. When you are in the midst of the chaos it's hard not to wonder why...what are you doing God?!?! I am thankful that I am able to look back in my life and say, "Lord, please forgive me for doubting you, now I know why you closed that door or why you never opened it." Thank You Jesus for helping me to let go...and let You have control! We need your guidance right now Lord and we need some peace of mind.

I'm taking a risk and leaving it all...not knowing what I'll go through.

But I'm not alone...as long as I follow You.

So when my life's a leap of faith...I can hear you say. Well done...well done.

So thankful for this time with family. I think we all just needed to get away.

Boy! Does it sure make a difference taking two kids on vacation. Kind of hard at times but we all had a lot of fun.

The beach is great for playing but the kids didn't care much for it when it came to picture taking. As you can see...they just weren't up for it.

Thank you Mamaw, Papa, Melody and Joe for EVERYTHING! I hope we weren't too much to handle because we really enjoyed the time we got to spend with everyone. AND. I hope and pray we didn't TOTALLY discourage Uncle Josh and Aunt Joanie from having kiddos of their own!!!
Love You Guys!

More beach pics to come...