Yeah! So it's been 6 months since my last blog and there are zero clear cut excuses as to why I haven't blogged. I think I've been in my creative rut...My mind runs with ideas constantly (does yours?) then I doubt the interest level that readers may have in what I have to say...DOUBT..funny thing it does...it discourages and dissuades me from pursuing.
I was sending out a little encouragement to my girls every day about taking risks, challenges, steps, etc toward living each day to our fullest. Have I succeeded in doing these things? Clearly not.
My devotionals each day were part of a book titled "It's never too late"...of course I added my own take on that day's task or prompt.
Sometimes the prompt would help me heal a pain or recognize a need...
It's funny how sometimes we need to be prompted...
These prompts can come from something we've read or heard someone say.
Sometimes they come from the Holy Spirit engaging us to listen or do.
I know sometimes it can take only a whisper or nudging and man other times it takes a 2x4 across the back of my head to take notice...
Whatever the case is...it seems NOW is the time to quit the 'I want to one day' or 'I need to one day' or 'One day I will' because one day is TODAY!
Be encouraged!
Leave MR. DOUBT behind and GO GO GO forward.
Don't worry about the interest level of others...do it for yourself.
Live your dreams, your passion, your life and live it with love!

Hurricane Ike

Well we were blessed enough not to receive Ike's attention up here, but many of our family in the Cleveland, Shepherd, Livingston, and Houston area have been vastly affected by the devastation. Just hearing the stories of personal loss makes you feel helpless. We are living in a society where it is unbelievable to live day to day without the luxury of electricity or water and yet millions are doing so right now.
Our prayers are with everyone today who were affected by Ike in any way and we pray for your safety and health in the weeks to come as well.

So I have posted a couple of pictures...still working on this task. I also did a Facebook page. Why you ask? Because I'm stupid...I am obviously not the type of person who enjoys sitting behind a computer all day trying to do this stuff, but I figured it a good way to try to keep up with everyone from time to time. I don't see how people do it except that they enjoy staying up all night and I definitely enjoy my sleep.
Update: Hannah did great her first volleyball game!!!
Stephen got a new bike for his birthday which he will be riding to school!!!
Iyan and Zeke are preparing for teaching a class on sibling rivalry.
Aaron is getting prepared for his hydration test so let's hope he doesn't drink a gallon of water before this one. Last year he was bumped up a weight class due to overhydration. This year we are preparing for the 112lb class again. He also has a new coach that is working with him on staying flexible and gaining strength in order to have an edge.
Katelyn is playing volleyball on her high school team as well as trying out for a select team in the area. (I'm sure she'll make it--it is a huge strength for her). Pray for no injuries.

Allright, so summer is sort of officially over.
The kids are back in school and we are officially off and running.
Aaron is busy as a junior this year and has been working on his AP Art 2 Inter. and second Digital Graphic and Animation classes as well as his dual credit core classes.
Hannah made the A team in volleyball and was very excited to begin her new school.
Stephen likes his teacher and has some really good friends from the past couple of years in the neighborhood.
Iyan loves riding the bus to school and is having fun everyday in his preschool.
He is really turning some corners with potty training and everything .
Zeke is adjusting to being the only kid home during the morning and so am I.
I have started taking some steps toward Doula certification and interviewed with a family over the weekend. They called today to accept me as their Doula and I will attend the birth of their new daughter in January.
I know I still haven't posted pictures but I will continue to try as well as be a little more regular on this blog stuff.

Catching up

I mentioned when I started this that I am not good at keeping up with this...proved my point.
A few notes to mention: Iyan was accepted into preschool and will start on Aug. 25 and gets to ride a bus. Hannah went on a mission trip to Carthage, Texas and had a blast. Aaron went to camp in Maypearl, Texas and had a blast. Stephen and Hannah went to Maw-Maw and Aunt Shelly's for a week and you guessed it--had a blast. Then I loaded up and headed down there too. We had a great time at the river fishing/swimming and SWEATING. We also got to spend some time with Tina and Evan our cousins in Houston. We went to Kemah with all the kids and did some school shopping while the big boys (Aaron, Evan, and Lewis) all went to see The Dark Knight (A's 3rd time) We are back in the Big D and I brought back my cousins Austin and Destiny. It hasn't been super quiet in my house this week but we are having fun. I took Stephen, Austin, Destiny and Iyan to see Space Chimps. The first three loved it--Iyan and I spent some quality time in the lobby. Memo to self--Iyan is still not ready for a movie theater. It was good--we drove the race car in the lobby and played arcade games (without tokens) while we waited.

I am still attempting to post pictures--This may happen sometime early next year :)