Cutie-Pie

I may be a little biased, but I happen to think that my little guy Javen is the cutest little boy I have ever seen! Not only does he have this sweet face, but his energy and personality is equally sweet! BabyGap.com is having their annual "casting call". This is when they search for new baby and kid models for their web-site, store banners/flyers, etc. I decided to enter Javen, just to see what happens! All of the applicants will be narrowed down to 20 from each category. Then, it's up to the public to vote for their favorite from that top 20. That is how the winner is chosen. Grand prize...a family trip to SanFransisco for a photo-shoot with Gap and a $1000 Gap shopping spree! It would be so exciting, even if he just made it into the top 20! We shall see...

Oh snap...

This is just one of the amazing photos that were taken by Amanda Williams last weekend at our family shoot.

Yes, I know, we are incredibly good-looking.

Try not to be jealous.

In approximately 5 hours, Justin and I will be leaving for a weekend away from...everything! 2 days in Galena for the Rock Church marriage retreat means; relaxation, quality time with each other, good friends, good food, good...ya know!

My dearest blog-post page, I shall see you next week!

I wonder...

 I wonder what I would have been like, had I not fallen in love with Jesus. There's no telling the ridiculous decisions I would have made, or how many people I would have allowed to take advantage of me. I think that if I would have never became a christian and a pastors wife, then right now I  might be living out one of these 2 scenarios...which makes me wonder if I'm a little bi-polar, because they are so opposite!

1. I would be...

Worshipping "mother-nature". You know, one of those hippy-type, eating organic granola , wearing hemp jewelry and peasant skirts. Painting in the park.

I would have many, many tattoos

I would give much of my time and money to "good-causes", that have nothing to do with the Kingdom of God.

Or...

2. I would be...

A rock star

I would wear skinny jeans and super mod tops or vintage band t's, everyday. 

I would have a bright-pink streak through my hair

I would have many, many tattoos (hmmm?)

I would be completely worshipping myself and giving in to my sinful desires.

I would be deep into debt due to spending all of my money on designer jeans, shoes, etc... 

With either of these scenarios, I would be...

Hopeless. Wondering why these things that are so appealing to me, have left me so empty.

Thank you God for rescuing me from what I could have been!

I am beyond thankful to be living a life fulfilled, through Jesus Christ.

Walking the fence

This afternoon while cleaning the bathroom, oddly enough, this scripture came to my mind. It is a familiar scripture, but I had never heard it spoken through The Message translation, so I looked it up;

Revelation 3:15-16 "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot- far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit."

Woah...that's harsh. But sadly, that is true of most of us, at least some of the time. We become so acclimated to church, and the routine of it that we become stale, stagnant, without growth or passion.

God obviously wants our whole heart to be on fire for Him. But it's crazy to me that God would prefer for us to be cold, to completely turn our back on Him, than to be luke-warm, walking the fence.

I am being challenged to uncover areas where I might still be keeping just a little for myself. Areas where I am selfish, prideful, and not allowing God to do all that He wants to in my life. Areas where I am tempted to just touch my toes into dangerous territory.

Which side of the fence are you on?

Mmmmm good.

Caramel Apple Spice

Do It

Enough Said

Here it comes again...

In about 9 days, we will be here.

Where? Beautiful Galena IL

What? Rock Church Marriage Retreat

Why? Some much needed R&R, as well as 2 whole days of quality time with Justin.

I look forward to the marriage retreat every year. My anticipation usually starts about 6 weeks before the retreat. I love Galena, and as I mentioned in a previous post, I love this time of year. Most of all, I love my husband. Weeks go by and even though we are usually together at home in the evenings, it is difficult to spend real quality time with each other. That is why I love this annual weekend experience. No distractions. (well, other than some great shopping maybe) No cooking, no cleaning, just chillaxin. Can't wait.

What a small world...

Wednesday afternoon I took a trip to the hair salon with Christianna (she was chopping 6" and needed emotional support!) I was browsing through some hair catalogues when I saw a photo that got my attention. I was shocked at seeing this particular model, because she looked shockingly similar to a friend of mine, Liv Ryan. So I began taking pictures of the model in the catalogue thinking "Oh man, I have to show Liv that she has a twin out there somewhere!" The more I looked at the photos, the more I began to think...Ok, is this seriously her?

I texted Liv, just to find out for sure;

Me: "Hey, did you ever do any modeling for a hair catalogue?"

Liv: "Yeah, like 3 years ago..."

Me: "Holy crap! I am staring at a photo of you in the catalogue right now!"

It was so crazy! It must have been a similar emotion to just finding out you're related to a celebrity or something!

Who would have thought that photo shoot would land in a catalogue, and fall into my hands, at a small salon in East Moline IL. Maybe it is a small world after all...