KOA Rocks

Walking/working out is the hardest thing for me to do consistently.  According to most research, it only takes working out for 20-30 minutes each day to stay healthy.  Only 20-30 minutes!!  It seems like that short amount of time is ever available to most. 

Yesterday, since the weather was awesome and it was 80 degrees, I decided to hit the KOA for a walk.  Man do I feel it today!  It is amazing how walking up and down hills for 2 miles will make you sore.  I think the best thing about the KOA trail is that you have a quiet, scenic and challenging place to work out.  I get to refresh my mind and thoughts and not be in a hurry to finish the course. 

So I challenge you to find 30 minutes this week to get outside and enjoy this weather!! I know I will!!

What a Day!!

I had a great day!! I got flowers (red roses), a sweet tea, and a spicy chicken biscuit hand delivered by Mark this morning!  It made me feel like I did when we were dating! Glad that feeling has never gone away!! Instead of buying a card I decided to send Mark a list of the 14 things that I love most about him. I was blown away with his response back to me!  I love my husband and the life we have together. Here are just a few of the things Mark said to me!  Just had to share!

    I love your new found appreciation for coffee

    I love your easy laugh

    Love that you call me regularly just to check in

    Love that you are the most genuine person I know

    Love that you and I are different but compliment each other

    Love that you are patient with my impatience

    Love that you love God 

    Love that we both make our family our priority

    Love that we can dream together

    Love that you transform our house into a home

    Love that we can plan toward our 25th wedding annivesary with no thought to "if we make it"!

    Love that our kids have such an incredible mom who is ALWAYS there for them!

Do I have a great husband or what!  I am so thankful for this man and how God has watched over our lives and blessed us beyond measure! 

 

Fireproof your Marriage!

Last night, Mark, I and the kids, watched Fireproof! We have been meaning to watch it for awhile but never got around to it! I loved how the writers incorporated such small, simple things (the love-dare book) to help couples see how to value their spouse. Mark and I are approaching 15 years of marriage this summer and after everything that has transpired over that time (jobs, having 4 kids, moving several times, loss of family members, etc...) I am more inspired than ever to celebrate the fact that God made Mark for me and we are in this journey together for life!!


So if you haven't watched Fireproof, I would highly encourage it to give you a higher perspective on your life and your marriage!!

fireproofmymarriage.com

Coffee Anyone??

Yes!! 
I thought I would never say yes to coffee! In the past I have tried to drink the latte, espresso, cappuccino with no such luck. But for some strange reason, the last month or so I have begun to make coffee at home and like it. Mark and I discovered our favorite flavor so far. It is Momento-Hazelnut. You can by it at HEB and it's only $3.99. It has a very "smooth" taste and it goes well with all the flavored creamers I use.  Such as Almond Joy, Cinnabon, and Cinnamon Vanilla Creme!  


So as I sit here smelling the aroma of Hazelnut, I wish you the best of good mornings and here's to COFFEE!!!

Weekend of Love!!

Here it is again, Valentine’s Day!! I use to really look forward to this day when I was dating Mark!  I won’t ever forget those special days of getting flowers and going on our date.  One particular year, we had gone over to Abilene to eat at Olive Garden (before San Angelo got one) and had a wonderful time just talking on the drive over and back. Well about 3am I woke up and saw my lasagna again!  Needless to say, it took me awhile before I ate that again!

So as Monday rolls around, I am not expecting any flowers or candy. I guess it would be a nice surprise but when you love someone, it doesn’t always have to come in the form of “things”.  I am thankful that I have a husband that loves me and has committed his entire life to me and our kids. I am blessed to have 4 beautiful kids and a house that we can call home.  I am forever grateful that God has watched over us and protected us from harm and continues to lead us on a path that will impact people for all eternity.    

I found these verses highlighted in my bible from a few years ago. Helps put things in perspective!

Philippians 4:4-7  “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

San Angelo Church (SAC)

The vision of San Angelo Church is to create a church that unchurched people love to attend. Regardless if you were born and raised in church or have only stepped in church for a wedding or funeral, everyone will benefit from the message series Simple!

Come and experience the best band in town in a comfortable environment to hear and learn about God and church being simple!

This Sunday night, Feb. 13 at 6pm at the San Angelo Convention Center!!

More info:  SanAngeloChurch.com

Prayed with my kids last night!

Mark and I are always looking for ways to be better parents to our kids.  He came up with an idea to pray with the kids each night before they went to bed. They actually are digging it!

Well last night Mark was not home when the kids got into bed.  Lincoln wanted me to fix his blanket and he told me that daddy wasn't here to pray with him tonight.  I asked him if I could and in his sweet little voice said, "Sure".  Well it was a neat experience for me.  Don't get me wrong, I have prayed with my kids before but somehow last night was different.  While Lincoln lay on his pillow, I asked him what daddy usually does and he said, "daddy prays and I close my eyes and he asks me if anything hurt my heart today." So I started our conversation. Lincoln said a friend of his at school made him feel sad. He was trying to tell his friend to shhhh and he quickly told Lincoln he wasn't the boss.  I commended my sweet boy on trying to help his friend not get in trouble and told him that he was being a good leader and making a wise choice.  As I started to pray, Lincoln began rubbing my hand and continued until I was done! That is something I will cherish from now on.  That my sweet 5 year old was listening to my prayer for him and our family and that God was watching down on us at that moment. 

Then it was the girls turn.  They didn't have any thing to talk about except Kennedy wanted me to pray for her class not to get in trouble this week so they could have their Valentines party on Friday! So I started my prayer with them and asked God to watch over them at school, give them courage to do the right things and thanked God for giving me such sweet, precious kids! All the while Kennedy was hugging me tighter and tighter.
There are times with raising 4 kids that I just get tired and frustrated but last night was so worth all of that.  I feel like I was able to connect with them and they could see more of my love for them as I prayed for them individually.  As I dropped them off at school, this morning, I reminded them about what we prayed about last night and they said we remember!!
You want to connect with your kids, pray with them and don't hold back how grateful and blessed you are to watch them grow and do things that make you proud.