Girl Time =)

I had some wonderful girl time today...no kids, no hubby ... no guys at all, just me and my wonderful friend Laura. I think that's enough said, for any woman who is a mommy understands the thrill of some time out with a friend =) To my friend Laura, I couldn't have asked for a more understanding, encouraging, honest and open friend. I love you to pieces ...and your little monkies have stolen my heart too ;)
Your family's love and friendship and prayers mean more to us than you will ever know!! Can't wait for our movie date!

Simply friends

We had a WONDERFUL homemade pizza night with our friends Pat & Christine (and their 5 kids, with our 4 kdis... they so outnumber us...lol) Thanks for all the hard work Christine, and next time, my house, my dirty dishes, and me slaving over a hot stove. What a blessing it is to be able to just get together and fellowship. So much laughing, so much talking, just such a huge blessing. It will always amaze me the people that God brings into our lives... people who love us knowing all their is to know about us. Isn't that really what Jesus truly wants us to be... to do.... Get together, talk about how he's blessed us, or the struggles we're having, get encouragement from one another, and give Him all the glory. Loving each other even if you know the ugliest sin that person has ever felt guilty about... forgiveness, compassion, love, gentleness... but thank God he has a sense of HUMOR and lets us laugh till it hurts sometimes!!!

5th grade musical..

So Darian had his 5th grade musical... he did awesome just like I knew he would! His "rapping" solo was great, he looked adorable as an old dead composer (no rotting flesh, just "white" hair.. which was hairspray & baby powder if anybody ever wants white hair. Dave & Jarrad came, so I go little Miss Jaiden all to myself...she even ended up falling asleep =) oh the joy of those little ones! Just wanted to say good job Boo, and good job to all the kids & teachers who put so much time and work into these things!!

Happy #11 Birthday Boo =)

Today was a great day at church.... great teaching, great praise and worship, great fellowship. Then, at 2 we had a family birthday party for Darian. It's hard for me to believe that my oldest is turning 11...actually it's the 16th (we just had his party the 15th for family to be able to come). So, at 1:11 tomorrow, my baby boy entered this world. I still remember exactly what he looked like when he was a newborn. I remember the excitement of having my first baby. I remember the terror of having my first baby...lol =) I just have to say that I know God makes each of us unique in every way, and I couldn't have picked out a better young man in everyway. His spirit is gentle, his sense of humor is hilarious and quirky (just like I love it!!)his sense of loyalty and family is like no other. To my Boo... you will always be my first, you will always be my oldest, yet you will always be my baby. Momma loves you buddy!My beautiful momma & Boo
My handsome jokester!!

Happy Valentine's Day

The sweetest thing the other day... Gav & I went to the store to get a few things & pick up an ointment the dr. called in for him. As we were leaving the drug store, there were a lot of Valentine's things around up front.. boxes of chocolates in the shape of hearts, hearts this, hearts that... and when we got in the truck to leave Gavin quietly tells me, "Mom I'm really sorry I couldn't get you anything for Valentine's Day".. to which my heart melted, and I told him "You give me love and hugs and kisses every single day, not just one special day out of the year. What you give me everyday is so much better than any kind of a gift you could have given me to celebrate this one day." It was sweet to see where his heart was...he's such a giver and is growing and learning to think about other people first.

Here's special kudos to the world's best babysitter in the world.... Ms. Shelb's you've won the heart of the young Carver men here at home as well as at church. Thank you for the sweet words about the boys and how well they behaved. It always makes mom and dad proud to hear their kids are respectful and helpful and just plain fun to be around. BUT, it takes a speical person who is loving, patient, kind, and who really listens to them and cares for this to work both ways =) and my dear, you take the cake!!!! Thank you for letting us be in your life and for you being as special as you are to the boys and to us also. You have the sweetest spirit. I love being around you!!

And finally to the hubby... 12 years, 12 Valentine's Days together, and I will never take for granted the ways you show me you love me .... your respect towards me, your patience with me, your gentleness with me, your always loving and forgiving heart. You truly are my Prince Charming ;) And they lived happily ever after...

Facing your giants..

Susie gave me a book that she thought I would really enjoy. Max Lucado (one of my ALL TIME FAV writers) wrote this book called "Facing Your Giants". It shows our lives struggles and compares them to David facing Goliath, and to a lot more of David's life. It's a must read...only on chapter 4 and am already hooked (and being a mommy of a almost 3 year old doesn't give you the best opportunity to read!)

A couple of things I'll share that have touched me so far:

~ Rush your giant with a God saturated soul...David spoke of God, not about how big Goliath was

Focus on giants .. you stumble
Focus on God .. your giants tumble.

Are you as likely to describe the strength of God as you are the demands of your day?

God does not see the same way people see... People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7)

God examines hearts, and when he finds one set on him... He calls it, and He claims it!

Linger too long in the stench of your hurt, and you'll smell like the toxin you despise.

All of this is such few chapters. I'm excited to finish it =) Such wonderful wisdom and encouragement. Lastly, the book also points out David's many flaws..his adultress affair, having the husband sent to the front lines to be killed, many many times David fell, yet his heart was pure... it even says that David was a man after God's own heart... Gives us all hope that we don't have to be perfect, we just have to be willing and Love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and mind.

Change

It's funny how change sometimes can seem a little frightening, and other times you look so forward to the change that is coming =) So many changes are happening right now and I thank God that he does give us blessing upon blessing in so many different ways, and that no matter how our circumstances change, HE NEVER CHANGES. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. MY ROCK in times of change.