Train Those Spiritual Muscles!

One thing Greg and I discuss often is our goals for parenting our four children. We both feel strongly that our priority should be on their spiritual training rather than extracurricular activities, i.e. sports, social life, etc. In particular, we feel the pressure to focus on athletic training. The time, money and energy spent on kids' sports literally blows our minds! It's as if everyone thinks they are raising Olympic or Professional Athletes. Instead, Greg and I try to keep our focus on the fact that we are to raise Men and Women of God. And, while we do that, the rest of it will fall into place. If we are in God's Will, focusing on what HE wants for our children, their strengths and talents will be accounted for, whether it be in sports, music or some other area. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Came across the below set of scriptures during my morning devotion (thanks to the awesome Asbury Prayer Journal!). Although I have read them before, they struck me in a whole new way this time...now that I am a Mom. I hope they serve as a blessing to you as they did for me. I am including three different versions as they are each so beautiful in their own way.

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

I Timothy 4:6-8, NIV

^6-10You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally.

I Timothy 4:6-8, The Message

⁷But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers' tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit].

⁸For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

I Timothy 4:7-8, The Amplified Bible

Perfect Pairings ~ Ephesians 5:1

We were so excited to have my precious nephews come for a visit yesterday! Looking at the pics, you will see why. And...if you know anything about me, you know I LoOoOove BABIES@!!

Mr. Tanner is at the adorably, fun :-) smiley stage of 6 months

and Miss Abby is at the 9 1/2 yrs and I can't wait to babysit stage!!

Owen (4) & Austin (2) are Best Buds...doing a little *Knuckle action...KA-POW!

Silly little fella's

Will (just shy of 12), sincerely cherishes babies like his Momma...not sure if it's just his nature or because he is the big brother to three...either way, it warms my heart~*~

Yummy baby Smooches

This pic totally makes me want to have #5...isn't this a beautiful shot?!

But alas...the Greggor & I have our cups full, and we know in our hearts that our family is complete.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

Ephesians 5:1

Holy Flat Iron!

Ever since I heard about the Coppola Keratin Treatment, I have yearned to have it done. When I heard about the price ($350ish), I knew it wasn't in the cards. :(

Then, one day a few months ago, a Groupon came knocking at my Inbox, and there it was...the Keratin treatment for less than half of retail. A bit reluctant, but simultaneously ecstatic, I jumped on it!

The day finally arrived this past Tuesday. A wee bit nervous, I drove over to the salon, met the darling hairdresser, and proceeded to have my wild & unruly locks put under the Keratin Taming process. 2 hours and 45 minutes later, VOILA! I have the smooth, shiny hair I had as a child!

The only hard part...I can't wash my hair for 72 hours...YIKES! I am on day 2 and already feeling like a greasy hippie girl. Soooo ready to wash, but holding my horses so that the magic can take place and be as long lasting as promised ~ 4-6 months!

(I can't even imagine a humid summer night with no frizzies going on...SQUEAL!!!!)

Perfect Pairings ~ Micah 4:1

Ever since Greg & I's glorious trip to Banff, Canada

http://bellefamillevie.blogspot.com/2010/06/from-mom-to-princess.html

...we have been wanting to take the kids on a hike. Did you know we have a really cool mountain in West Tulsa called *Turkey Mountain? I have heard of it for many, many years, but sadly, never been.

Well, the day finally arrived...only took us 9 months. ha! :)

After a quick 10 minute drive, we got started on our hike. There were 3 different options to take, a 1 mi, 2 mi & 4 mi. We went with the 2 mile. It was perfect!

Mr. Previous Boy Scout thought he was the Master Hiker!

We love to find unique experiences for our family to take part in. This was definitely one of them! I also tied some spiritual training into our adventure. We talked about how God is with us on our journey...and then discussed the hardest times in life when God has carried us through. How God is always so faithful.

Take the time to visit Turkey Mountain...it is a worthwhile trip!

In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.

Micah 4:1

Just the Girls Dallas Trip

The girls, Greg & I got to get away for a few days...

We headed down to one of our very favorite spots...Dallas (Frisco & Plano too)

Tried out a new hotel ~ great little priceline jewel

We loved it!

Our first night was spent at my best friend from college's home for a delicious fajita dinner...Greg's fave!

Kate & I are both blessed to be in the 4-Club (four kiddo's)

This is Mac, her baby boy - Abby and he bonded instantly!

This is Claire - can you believe she & Abby are only 2 months apart?!!

The darling little lady to the right is Miss Annie - she's 3 1/2

Abby had a sleepover with Claire...so we got Ella Bella all to ourselves

I absolutely loooove watching *Sleeping Beauty wake up...she has the prettiest sleepy face

Went to pick up Abs on our way to go meet my sister & her fam at church, and guess who decided he wanted to go with us? The Macster! He literally climbed right in & took over the wheel...it was hilarious!!

After a fantastic service at Stonebriar Community Church + an amazing sermon by THE Chuck Swindoll, my sister, niece Emma & our crew headed down to the Galleria for some shoppin'

and a visit to The American Doll Store

Ella used her spending $ to buy this darling little Zebra outfit for Miss Ruthie - headband, flip flops & all!

Later that evening we met up with one of my b/f's from H.S., Jolene, and her adorable family. Jo is also in the 4-club (four boys)

We dined at the famous Campisis - as you can see, the G-Man was in Heaven! He loves him some tasty, thin-sliced pizza!!

Following a delish dinner, we were ready for something sweet...

and Sweet it was!

The next morning, our last day, the girls and I sipped on our Starbucks coffee (I reluctantly let them share a decaf pour from our room's machine) before heading out for a serious day of shopping. We hit some of our usual's + some new spots: Nordstrom Rack, Sam Moon, Versailles Home Decor, and of course...the most wicked mall in Texas ~ Northpark!

On our way out of town, we decided to sacrifice one more hour to squeeze in a stop at my all time favorite restaurant in Plano...NAAN.

On our way in, we admired the trash can full of our most beloved ice cream cups (don't worry, we already indulged in some of that at the mall earlier in the day)

Here it is...Naan. It's located within the Shops at Legacy.

This is what happens when I get to have my favorite dish at Naan...

It's called Tuna Tower...and it is a tower or tantalizing flavors!! :-)

What you can't see is that the waiter comes over and takes two forks and mashes the tower into a concoction of yumminess on the plate. Chopsticks commence.

This is what the hubs orders ~ Mount Fuji

What a perfect ending to a perfect Spring Break Getaway...

One Thing I Can't Live Without...

My old Dell desktop was on its last leg...hubby's has been encouraging me to get a Mac for months now. After short poll on Facebook, I was convinced. Tuesday morning, my busiest morning of the week...Miss Dell was acting up yet again. The hubs emphatically decided that it was THE DAY to make the big plunge!

Being that I was in the midst of my most hectic morning, I let him talk me into it. Without thinking through things, my be loved computer was shut down and removed from my "She-Cave"...aka, my office.
Being led to believe that I would have my new MacBook Pro in hand by evening, I really didn't think too much about it.
My oh my...48 hours lat, I am starting to unwind. The thing I'm missing most? My calendar. A mom of four lives by her calendar. The world CAN fall apart without it. Not only does it have all our family's activities, it also is set up to remind me of absolutely everything I am supposed to do that day!
I've already missed Will's teacher's baby shower...who knows what else! Don't worry...didn't forget my hair appt today...that one is set in stone.
Apple Store called late last night to tell us that my Outlook and 1,000 upon 1,000's of pictures are taking MUCH longer than expected to transfer...with several errors resulting...UGH.
Oh Fruit of the Spirit called Patience, I need you now.
(please ignore grammatical or spelling errors; I'm posting from an iPad)

6th Grade Musical ~ Buddy Holly

Here is Will as Buddy Holly 

for his 6th Grade Musical at Jenks East Intermediate.

It was a "Through the Decades" theme.

There was the '70's

The '60's

Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959) known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll. Although his success lasted only a year and a half before his death in an airplane crash, Holly is described by critic Bruce Elder as "the single most influential creative force in early rock and roll." His works and innovations inspired and influenced contemporary and later musicians, notablyThe Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton, and exerted a profound influence on popular music.Holly was among the first group of inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. In 2004, Rolling Stoneranked Holly #13 among "The Fifty Greatest Artists of All Time."

The '50's

The King of Rock 'n Roll, *Elvis

Will auditioned and got the part of Buddy Holly...which included a solo!

Here, you get a visual of a 6th grade girl versus a 6th grade boy...many are a head taller than their male classmates!

The Twist

The Jackson 5

The Beatles

A really bad Fro

Grandpa was the 1st to get "Buddy's" autograph :-)

His Favorite Fans...who were SO PROUD of their little *Star!