Jessica Sprague

Well, I'm finally getting my hands into my photoshop class with Jessica Sprague. Up and Runnin with Photoshop is the class I'm taking. Jessica is a wonderful teacher! It's definitely a self paced class, which is best for me. All the emails and lessons are on her website forever, they are always accessible. That is so good for me, because I couldn't even start the class until 2 weeks after it began. If you have even considered digital scrapbooking, I HIGHLY recommend Jessica Sprague.

Just thought I would share week 3 layout!

Our Easter 2008

Trace Adkins and Food Allergies

As some of you may know Trace Adkins is on Celebrity Apprentice this season. He is in the season finale against Piers Morgan. Way to Go Trace. You are probably asking yourself why I care? Well, Trace's chosen charity is FAAN-Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. This affects me tremendously.



My son, Alex, suffers from severe food allergies and FAAN has been there for me every step of the way. We had a terrifying experience with him when he was 11 months old. He is anaphylactic to dairy and peanuts. FAAN has done so much to improve the lifestyle of children who suffer from food allergies. One big thing they advocated was the law that ensures children as early as age 7 can read a food label. This way all scientific names have to be labeled milk, wheat, dairy, egg, peanut, fish and soy.........It sure makes life alot easier since there is so much else involved in the safety of your child's life. Anyway.............. I want to help FAAN out. There are two ways you can help!!!



Check out the link here to read more about Trace{his daughter, age 6, suffers from a severe allergy to peanuts} and his efforts to help FAAN. You can check out a video of Trace explaining his reason here. FOR 2 weeks the charity single that Trace will sing Thursday night will be available at ITUNES and all the proceeds go to FAAN. You have 2 weeks from March 27 to download and support FAAN. You can also text TRUMP to 30101 to donate to FAAN, you will receive a video message from Donald Trump thanking you. The cost of each text is $1.00, plus any fees your provider may charge. For $2 you can help make a difference with FAAN and all the families they are reaching. They are an incredible foundation. $1 for the song and $1 by text.



Thank you Trace Adkins. Oh I hope you win!!!! FAAN sure deserves the win!!! :)

Easter

What a beautiful time of year! Not just because the birds are singing or that the sun is shining later in the day or because flowers are blooming and the grass is beginning to grow............Those are just some of the magnificent things the LORD has given us to enjoy here on earth.

It's most beautiful to me because my LORD and Savior is risen! He is the KING of KINGS, LORD of LORDS and alive to live with me in eternity. WOW!!!!!! Now, that's something beautiful. This time of year is so wonderful because it is a fresh reminder of LIFE, the LIFE the LORD has given us through salvation. What a beautiful gift He has given.

Although, this is a beautiful time in my little world, I have to remember that the days leading to this time were not so precious. I must remind myself what Jesus went through so that I could have life. His time up to His death on the cross was excruciating. He endured so much so I could have life. I like to focus on that time because it is a strong nudge for me to realize nothing I can ever go through will ever be near what He had to endure. And He did it all for me, because He loves me. I don't deserve it, but that is what grace is.................God's grace is a gift we do not deserve. My sinful life could never do anything to earn my salvation, it is just FREE! That's all...........not a single cent or task can earn it. All I had to do was believe............and I was forever changed.

JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world He sent His one and only son so that whoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life.

from L-R: Natalie(my niece), Audrey, Amy(my sister), Poppy(my dad), me and Kathryn

Happy Easter!

Easter Egg Hunt

Here are some pics from our Easter Egg Hunt at church!!

I just want to say that Brian and Julie Brooks do such an amazing job. Brian has taken on so many extra roles at church, because our Minister of Education left and so did our Children's Minister. Thanks Brian and Julie for all you do! :) You can see their Love for the LORD and His Kingdom in all that they do! :) Our church and community are so incredibly blessed to have them.

Remember this Easter what it is all about. It is about our Savior that LIVES!!! Take time to reflect on this special time...........because He LIVES we will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. How beautiful that our Savior Lives!!! He is alive and well! Oh it excites me so much to think about it. Enjoy the egg hunting, Sunday dinner and the yummy treats, but keep the Real Reason for Easter at the focus of your celebration.

the list just keeps getting longer....

let's see............i have so many things to do and as soon as i check one off of my 'to do' list, 2-3 things more jump on there. i started Beth Moore's "The Patriarchs" bible study yesterday. AND WOW!!! I'm overwhelmed with what God wants to share with me!!!! How blessed are we that He has given us a guide that will direct our lives if we will allow it to. God uses Beth Moore in so many ways to move, motivate and encourage me. You know what else is so awesome, she gives HIM all the glory! If you've never read one of her books or done one of her studies, I highly encourage you to. You will be overcome with excitement and a yearning to fill your soul, spirit, bones, mind and heart with the word of God and even more eager to live in it. :)

Yes, my list is getting longer, but I will not be discouraged. I get very overwhelmed with all the things I have to do and spend so much time doing alone. With 3 kids and a husband that travels the devil certainly knows where I am weakest and he will attack me at any chance he gets. The devil doesn't just attack in the areas we expect it, drugs, alcohol, eating, spending money, etc. he attacks in ways we least expect it. So, be aware of the areas in your life he can get you and tell him to GET OUT! The LORD will arm you with power you never knew you had. :) AMEN!!! :)

Jim is doing great! He's on his 3rd radio tour since January and his schedule is filling up nicely. I believe his song is at #13 this week. Glory be to God-it's all HIM! If you have not heard Jim's music please check here.

Audrey and I came down with tonsilitis, Kathryn with RSV after a LONG LONG week of Jim being sick. He ran fever for 7 days and had a horrible cough, flu test returned negative. Not sure what it was, but it was dreadful. Needless to say, we've had some sickness around here. Hopefully, with brighter sunny days and Spring just ahead we can say goodbye to colds.

I'm working hard to get us back in normal routine and it's a challenge. As a mom to 3, one of which is 5 months, I can't seem to get my TO DO LIST done. What is up with that? I write it out and it takes days to check off one or two items. I feel like my house stays a wreck and all I do is wash clothes. And as for cleaning up, well..............that is everyday all day long. But, I know this time will pass shortly and all I will have is time on my hands and I will miss the days of running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Days of baking cupcakes at the last minute for school or church, filling Easter Eggs to take for the Church Egg Hunt(moments before we go), signing notes and making sure payment for yearbook and field trips are turned in on time. Making sure I went over Audrey's homework with her before it's due the next day. Planning family night to work in while Jim is home. Wow!!! I could go on and on.................but, like I said I know I will miss the hustle and bustle of this busy life with kids soon enough. :) I hope you are having better luck than me with your TO DO lists. Let the little stuff go and check off what's most important! Take the time your kids need from you and don't sweat the other stuff. It's hard to keep in perspective, but we must remind each other the importance of our children's needs. We have such a short time to make an impression on them and build a strong christian foundation. That is a huge responsibility, isn't it? SO, I'm reminding myself that no item on my TO DO LIST holds more importance than that. :)

I'll share photos from our Egg Hunt tonight. And I have got to figure out what Audrey is going to where for School Pictures tomorrow, because I just remembered they are tomorrow as I was sitting here babbling. LOL

Have a blessed day! :)