Fruit Cake & Ice Cream

I just listened to an incredible pod cast by Louie Giglio..

It's called "Fruit Cake & Ice Cream."  He shares a powerful story about a 

girl who is 22, a senior in college - who doesn't want anything to do with Jesus.  She is living a crazy lifestyle...finds her live-in boyfriend cheating on her one day in their apartment - kicks him out - and then finds a girl to live with her for the last semester.  Her new roommate introduces her to grace......

It's amazingly powerful...you have to listen to it!  I'll post the link, I'm trying to find it again! :)

I cried...and cried...and am still crying.

All Things New....

So last night, Heidi and I took Avery and Taytem to “Marley & Me.” I’d talked to a couple friends who had gone and saw the movie, and they felt it was okay for kids. Well, It is rated PG – but I really felt it should’ve been PG-13. I was blind-sided by cussing, the numerous make-out scenes, and OH, the sex-talk was a part of every other scene….
Hmmm……
I know, I know. I can’t shelter Avery forever…but I can do my part to protect her mind and her heart. Granted in this movie the couple is married, and they work hard together through the ebb and flow of marriage. I appreciated that part of the movie. Plus, lets just be honest – who doesn’t love Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson??! J
Anyway – I prayed last night that God would show me the teaching moments where I can have conversations with Avery about what sex is in our culture vs. how God designed it to be. I pray all the time that I have the right words, at the right time. I don’t remember these talks with my mom….so I’m all on my own here?
I obviously would’ve or hope I would’ve, done things differently had I realized the heart ache and suffering that comes with sharing your heart and your body with someone outside of the covenant of marriage. Yes, Avery Marie Elizabeth was the beauty that God brought out of “the ashes” in my life 9 years ago….But I know there are consequences she suffers today because of my choices back then. Thank goodness for the gift of undeserved grace…and for His perfect love….

Thank you Jesus, for making all things new…..

Lunch Notes

That is my Avery bean - cinnamon, white pearls, bubbles, and ballerina twirls :)
She's a spit fire at times, she loves to dance whether its playing her air guitar squinting, or showing me
her latest ballet moves she is learning :) She's teaching Lola to plie' :)
I know, right? TOO cute :)

I send Aves notes to school on an occassional basis - I slip them in her lunch box with silly little sayings, or jokes between her and I, and of course a page full of x's and o's :)
Last night as we were picking up her room, I found a ziploc baggie full of post its. And on the outside "lunch notes from Mommy" was written in black marker....

Aw....now that will make your heart melt. Oh, Aves...if you only knew how many times a day I think and pray for you :)

My GIRLS

So...I'm trying this whole blog thing out...

This is for all my gf's who I don't get enough coffee dates with! So I can keep you up-to-date on my girls -

Avery Marie and Lola..something? I'll have to ask Aves what her middle name is :)

More soon ;)