A Breath Of Fresh Encouragement

On a pretty shallow note, I must tell you about the new toothpaste that I purchased. Recently, the toothpaste I had been using was discontinued! Doesn't that stink? I am not a big fan of change, and with stuff like that...it's hard to find one that you LOVE. (I have the same problem with mascara, but that's a whole 'nother post!) So, anyhow...I was forced to pick out a new toothpaste. I went to Tar-jay...."scoped" out some choices (pun intended).....and settled upon the one pictured above. Well, (drumroll, please) I just have to give a little shout out to Crest: Scope Outlast! I am in love with this stuff. I have never felt this way about any other toothpaste in my life. I am not kidding. You know how certain ones tell you that your "fresh breath will last for hours?" This toothpaste leaves your mouth feeling minty fresh for at least an hour or two after brushing! Of course, if you eat something...the freshness won't last!

Now, on a "deeper" note.....I think about how I want the things that come out of my mouth to be a "breath of fresh air." I want to use my voice, my words, my lips, my tongue....in a way that will leave others feeling refreshed. A while back, I told you about a ring that I bought. I haven't taken it off since the day I bought it. I shower with it on, sleep with it on, and wear it constantly....so that God's Word is a part of me. On the ring, Psalm 19:14 is inscribed.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I fail miserably each day. I say hurtful things, or I sometimes say things out of anger and frustration. I don't always think before I speak. My heart isn't always loving. I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. But- what I do have is a constant desire to grow and to use my mouth as a vessel for the kingdom of God. The ring itself doesn't mean much. It is, however, a visible reminder to get my mouth and my heart right before the Lord. I pray that others will leave my presence feeling encouraged, not discouraged. This past week, as I have been doing my studies and attending church....encouragement has been a common theme.

Encourage= to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to spur on

I need encouragement. I thrive when I am encouraged. I mean, who doesn't?? I strive to be better about "spurring others on." I told myself that I was going to find ways to encourage others. I must tell you that if you are reading this- you are an encouragement to me. You have encouraged me, just by stopping by. Maybe you can find one way to encourage someone else today??

If you made it through this entire (randomscatterbrainedcrazyallovertheplace) post, I thank you. And now...let me leave you with a word of encouragement....

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:24-25

Our Littlest Son-Shine....

My little monkey and I took advantage of the sun yesterday. We went to the park for a bit and I snapped a few photos.

He's always got a smile for mom....

Aren't the snowy mountains gorgeous?!

The little ham bone!

I could seriously eat this kid UP!!

Our littlest "Son" shine!

Bryson's (Poster) Photo Shoot

Since you can't really see the fun pictures on Bryson's God Made Me Special poster (in my previous post), I thought I'd share some of them here! Josh did a little photo shoot with Bryson and I think they turned out pretty cute. Of course, I am a bit biased.

...reading his favorite series (Air Quest Adventures, by Jerry B. Jenkins)

This looks like a catalog picture to me!

Playing Legos is one of B's favorite things to do!

The kid would play his DS 24/7 if we'd let him!

Rice with soy sauce is B's favorite!

B is pointing to Hawaii, where he'd like to go surfing!

"Only a boy named David, only a little sling...."

(Bryson's favorite Bible story- David takes Goliath down with one little sling!)

Ridin' a major wave!

Future NASA employee?

Maybe he'll be the youngest kid to go to space?!

God Made Bryson Special

Over the weekend, Bryson had to put together a poster about himself. The project was called God Made Me Special. Bryson had to answer several questions, such as: Where would you like to travel? What would you like to be when you grow up? What is your favorite food? (And so on.) Josh thought it would be fun to take pictures of Bryson doing a bunch of different things. For example, Bryson's favorite food is rice. So- Josh took a picture of him eating rice. That one is somewhat boring, compared to what Josh did with B's favorite Bible story. B's favorite story is about David and Goliath. So...Josh took a pic of B with armor on (dressed as Goliath) and then Josh took a pic of him holding his arms as if he was holding a sling. Then, my ever-so-clever hubby spent lots of time on the computer- creating a picture where Bryson is both David and Goliath! Josh put him in astronaut gear, he put B's face on a surfer's body, etc.. The whole family had fun helping Bryson create his special poster! God sure did make our boy special!

This is serious business!

Gettin' a little "help" from his brother!

Putting some of the finishing touches on....

Ta-da! The finished project and a proud boy!

*Bryson kept looking at his poster and saying how it was the most creative and colorful one he'd ever seen! He was so excited to take it to school.*

A Cutie Named Kiana....

(Kiana is the cutie in the middle!)

Kiana Scarce is in Bryson's class at school, and I have had the pleasure of chatting with her a few times. She is adorable and you almost feel as though you're talking to an adult, trapped in a little girl's body. Last week, Bryson brought home an invitation to Kiana's "Make Birthdays Last Longer" birthday party. There was a flyer attached to the invitation. The flyer explained that Kiana doesn't want gifts for her birthday, but rather, she'd like us (you and me) to make a contribution to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Wow. I was in shock...that this sweet girl would give up her own gifts, to bless others in their battle(s) against cancer. Kiana wants to raise $10,000.00 this year. That's a big goal, but with God all things are possible, right?!

I am so touched by her giving heart and her sweet spirit, that I feel compelled to tell you her story. From the young age of three, Kiana took great interest in the St. Jude's informercial. She was glued to the TV, and her parents recorded the program so that she could watch it again and again. They kept the program on their DVR for the next two years, and soon Kiana knew the names of all the children and the types of cancer they had. Last year, Kiana decided to give up her gifts and she raised over $3000.00!!

In Kiana's short life, she has lost loved ones to cancer. She realizes that the "gift of life, or life extended, is much more precious than anything that we could ever give in a box. After all, love is the greatest commandment."

If you feel led to give to St. Jude's, you can donate online at bit.ly/stjudekiana. Kiana's complete story is on the site! I just checked it out and Kiana has already raised over $3,200.00!! WOW!!

You can also mail a check to:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

**Please put Kiana Scarce in the memo.**

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." -2 Cor. 9:7

Monster Jam

This past weekend, I had a birthday party to attend and Josh decided (at the last minute) to take the boys to Monster Jam, at the Anaheim Stadium! Boy- were they thrilled! That's about about "manly" as it gets, right?! Josh bought them cotton candy and a pizza, and they were in heaven. They got home at 11 pm (!!) and went on and on (and on and on) about how much fun they had. I got to hear the play by play, too. Here are a few photos from their super fun night!

Daddy said that the trucks got as high as 20 feet into the air!

It's a bit noisy!!

....My two little men!

WOO HOO.....

The boys' favorite: Blue Thunder!

The loves of my life!

Hudson is pretty funny- at the end of this video! Bryson is enthralled and content eating!

Leah & Her (Crazy-Good) Pancakes...

Have I mentioned to you before that I have a famous friend? Yep, it's true. Her name is Leah O'Brien Amico and she is a three-time Olympic gold medalist! She was on the USA Softball team in 1996, 2000, and 2004. Leah is an amazing Christian woman, wife, and mother to three boys. Leah is one of my very best friends. I respect and admire her immensely. You can check out Leah's blog at www.leah20.blogspot.com. You will be blessed by her godly insight and wisdom. I am humbled by her daily. Leah travels all over the U.S.- speaking to and encouraging young athletes, coaches, etc.. Leah is a co-host on a TV show called More Than Conquerors. Leah home schools, plays soccer on Friday nights, serves at our church, and the list goes on. I could sit here all day and tell of her accolades! The best part about Leah is that she is real. She's authentic. Leah makes you want to grow up to be just like her.

So, Leah kept telling me about these pancakes and...."You just have to try them! They are sooo good. They totally fill you up and they're healthy!" She got the recipe from the Eating For Life cookbook and she actually has the recipe on her blog. I asked her for permission to share the recipe with you on here. I made the pancakes yesterday. Guess what? She didn't lie (she would never do that!). They are delicious! They totally filled me up! They are healthy! Enjoy!!

Golden Pancakes:

1 cup uncooked whole-grain oats (non-instant)

6 egg whites

1 cup fat-free cottage cheese

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 packets sugar substitute

Directions: Lightly coat griddle with cooking spray;

place over medium heat.

In a blender, combine oats, egg whites, cottage cheese,

vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar substitute. Blend on medium

speed until smooth, about 1 minute.

Pour batter (about 1/4 cup at a time) and cook until bubbly

on top and dry around edges (about 3 min), then flip

and cook about 2 more minutes.

*Using sugar free syrup is recommended. Also, I calculated the calories...and each pancake came out to 42 calories! Not bad....not bad at all. (My batch made 14 pancakes and that is how I got the calorie count!)

-To know Leah is to love her. To eat her pancakes is to love 'em.-

You Know You're A Mom of Boys When:

*farting and burping are the musical backgrounds in your home.

*unusual objects show up in the dryer's lint screen, because they were left in pockets.

*you find daily surprises in your toilets.

*lizards and bugs are the desired pets.

*you find dirty socks all over the place.

*every piece of furniture is used as if it were gym equipment.

*no matter how many times you tell them to whisper, they just can't do it.

*giggling, laughter, crying, sword-fighting, and arguing are a part of everyday

life.

*stairs become slides.

*boogers are a delicacy.

*you never knew your heart could hold so much love- but now it overflows with it.

*you never imagined such joy, yet joy is such a constant.

*you could just eat them up because you love them so.

*you find yourself staring at them while they sleep, because that's about the only time they're still.

*worry is what you do about 99.9% of the time.

*you hear how beautiful you are from at least one of them everyday.

*you could squeeze them all day long (sometimes because they're so stinkin' cute and sometimes because you want to wring their little necks!).

*you find yourself in awe of what God created.

*you smile at how cute they are.

*all you want is to raise them to be men of God.

*you wouldn't have it any other way.

Macaroon Mania

I didn't know I liked macaroons....until this morning, that is. I think you will like them, too. Enjoy.

Almond Macaroon Cookies:

3/4 cup slivered almonds

1 large egg white

Dash of salt

1/3 cup sugar

Cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place almonds in a large nonstick skillet over med.-high heat; cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until light brown and fragrant. Remove from heat, and let cool.

3. Beat egg white and salt with a mixer at high speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating 6 min. or until soft peaks form.

4. Place almonds in a food processor; process until finely ground. Gently fold ground almonds into beaten egg whites.

5. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls 1 inch apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 8 min. or just until lightly browned. Let cookies cool on pans 1 minute. Remove to wire racks, and let cool completely.

YIELD: 2 dozen cookies (serving size- 2 cookies, 62 calories total)

*I got this recipe from a Weight Watchers magazine! I decided to try them and I have had about six so far. That's the bad part about knowing how low in calories they are!*

My Mom Always Said......

...trash in, trash out!

Seriously, she said it a lot! When I was growing up and I wanted to watch or listen to something that she didn't think was good for me (mainly MTV), she would remind me of this simple truth. You know how when it's your mom...it totally annoys you? Now that I am a mom, I "get" that mine only wanted what's best for me. I want the best for my kids as well. I want them to grow to be men of God, boys who love the Truth, and warriors of the Word. Anyhow, there is this really cool song that I started hearing a few months back. It's called Garbage In, Garbage Out, and it's very catchy. If I were savvy enough...I'd put it on here for you to listen to! But, alas, I am not (and Josh isn't home to help!). When you hear/see the words to this song, you realize that it's so true. What we fill our minds with will affect us, and it will affect others when we speak. I am reminded of Matt. 12:34, which says, "....for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

(Thanks, Mom....for teaching me God's ways. I am His child today because of the upbringing I had. I am thankful for your little "Barb-isms" now, even though I know I rolled my eyes at you at the time!)

Garbage In, Garbage Out (by TAL & ACACIA)

Sittin' alone now,

Thinkin' about things

Goin' on inside of me

Feelin' so angry, so sin filled

And I wonder how this could be

But now I remember what you said to me long ago...

That what goes in you

Will one day surely show

It's gonna show

Garbage in, garbage out

What goes in is found out

All can see what goes in me

I pay the price

(repeat)

I fill my mind with bad things

So horrible

I feel ashamed they show

I've taken sin so lightly

That lately, oh, the darkness is all I know

The time is now

Oh, to leave the junk behind

The moment has arrived

Where I no longer am blind

It's garbage in

Garbage in, garbage out

What goes in is found out

All can see what goes in me

I pay the price

(repeat)

Jesus

Forgive me for leaving you to please myself

Jesus

I see the mistake in loving this world's wealth

Oh Lord, grab hold of this sin-filled child

For now, 'cause the darkness is all around

Garbage in, garbage out

What goes in is found out

All can see what goes in me

I pay the price

(repeat 3x)

*I got the words from a video on You Tube, and I was just looking through some of the comments. One says this: What you consume will eventually consume you. Beware. It's true.*

Bryson's Christmas Program

Did I mention I am behind in posting pics? And can you tell that I have some free time today?

Jack B. and Bryson

Bryson and his lovely teacher, Mrs. Irwin...

B and Mimi

B and Grandma Connie

Our fam...

Liam, Nathan, and Bryson (some of his best buds)...

Gabe and B

...taking a break from performing!

He was happy to see us in the audience!

This kid used to have some major "stage fright." He does have some nervous habits, but with each performance he gets better. His nervous habits are yawning and putting his hands in his pockets and yanking up and down on his pants. We think it's rather funny!

Well, it's way too late to wish you a Merry Christmas...but I hope yours was fabulous. LOTS more photos coming soon......

Goals....Growth...and God.....

I am not big on making resolutions...and I don't tend to be a goal setter! Part of me wishes I was (were?) more ambitious! However, I do have a goal (or two) for this year. As I mentioned in my previous post...I was shopping at the darling Christian bookstore in Arrowhead a few days ago. As I was checking out, I found an adorable, little ring that I "just had to have!" On the ring is a Scripture....Psalm 19:14: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. This is a goal of mine for the year. The past few weeks have been crazy, and my mouth and my meditation have NOT been focused on my Lord. I woke up early today (another goal for this year) to spend time with the Lord and as I was working on my Bible study, one of the verses we were to look up was Psalm 19:14. I love it when the Lord works this way in my life....with re-occurring Scripture(s). It's obvious that He wants my mouth and my heart devoted to Him. I pray that I will grow closer to my Rock in 2010. I pray the same for you.

There is so much that I "need" to write about and I have MANY pics to put up....but I wanted to share with you a new purchase of mine!

When I was in Lake Arrowhead this past weekend, I visited the Christian bookstore, in the Village shops! It's such a cute, little store and it's packed FULL of wonderful books, CDs, jewelry, shirts, gifts, etc.. If you are ever in that area- stop in! Anyhow...I love Stormie's books and her prayers are so incredibly powerful. I highly recommend ALL of her writings! I didn't even know that this book existed and my mom found it. I just had to snatch it up! This nation so desperately needs our prayers. Our leaders and our military need our prayers! Please join with me this year (HAPPY 2010!!) in praying for our country!