Week long celebration

My birthday was last week and I've continually gotten cards and goodies in the mail. I received this gift basket a few days ago from my best friend, Mandy in Michigan. It was so fun to get. Even if my actual birthday has passed, its still fun to get the good wishes. Its nice to know someone is thinking of you. Thank you, Man! I can't wait to drink some good Kona coffee, munch on some chocolate cookies and hide out in the laundry room (Mom's...you know why!).

A ballplayer & his lil' bro

Here's Caiden hard at work playing baseball...

...and here's Dawson flirting with the ladies.

9/11 Remembered

The events of that fateful day were captured in this video. It brought many tears to my eyes as I recalled memories of the images and stories that surrounded that day. Some of the images in the video are disturbing.

http://attacked911.tripod.com/

Please regularly pray for:

• our nation and its leaders
• the families left behind on that day
• the men and women and their families who sacrifice every day for our freedom

Ramblings

This post really isn't for anyone but me. Its just something that I needed to get off my chest but maybe you'll be able to somehow relate.

I don't always do or say the right thing. I get frustrated with myself when I don't follow-through on situations even though that's what I'm supposed to do. I'm also one of those people who replay conversations over and over in my head remembering that I may have offended someone. Sometimes, I apologize for things that I have said in a conversation only to get the look of a response from that person like I'm crazy and who doesn't even remember what I did say.

Yes, I need to apologize for things that I do and say that offend people but I must remember that I offend God each and every day with things I do and say. I must treat Him with the same respect and care as deeply about hurting Him. Do I do that? Sometimes. It needs to be a life-change for me.

"Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:5

On another note, I need to remember that God has put me in many roles (i.e., wife, mom, daughter, sister, ministry director, friend) and that He often gives me insight for what I need to be doing in those areas. I often apologize for things that I feel passionately about because I don't have the confidence/education/authority to make sure they are carried out. Taking a lesson from the preschoolers this past month, I need to remember that "God is always with me" and that my confidence needs to rest in Him wholly. And He promises to keep working on me.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Thank you Kids Klub Volunteers

We take Caiden to a preschool program at a local church. This past week, Dawson and I were leaving the church after dropping Caiden off. Dawson noticed the cross on the top of the church building, pointed to it and said, "Jesus, Cross." Wow! I was so impressed and humbled at the understanding of my 2 year old. From a parent's standpoint, this reminded me to say "thank you" to all of the volunteers who serve faithfully in our children's ministry area at our church. Now, as the director of that ministry, I quote the Bible:

...'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. ... Matthew 25:21