While Brant and I were in college we learned about sex trafficking and modern day slavery...CRAZY STUFF! I don't know if you know anything about it, but the movie "Taken" is based on sex trafficking and the thought of modern day slavery. It is where women, teenage girls and children are abducted and then sold for personal use and often never see their families again. I am not sure what I can do aside from pray, but the Lord has put this on our hearts as something we want to fight against. We are still praying about how we can help and would appreciate it if you would be prayer warriors with us! But for now...I found this link on air1.com (a radio station I LOVE) and wanted to share it with you!
Love146 Overview from LOVE146 on Vimeo.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Real Estate...
So...I am working on getting my real estate license. It's not too bad...I am doing it online and it seems to be going pretty quick. There are quite a few things I already know, just because Brant and I have been investing for so long that we have already had to figure some of this stuff out...but some of it is kind of confusing. It goes against stuff that I have already learned. It's things they are saying that you have to remove from the property and that you are suppose to follow these specific guidelines, but I know ways to write the contract so that you can bypass more hassle than is necessary...Is that bad? I submit that it is NOT! Just a way to help. Anyway, that's what is currently going on...I really hope I can get all of this done soon...it is A LOT of information! Here are a few pics of friends that I have meet while learning about Real Estate!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
We went to the lake...
Clay and Barbie have been life long friends of my popply pants (Brant's dad) and my momly (Brant's mom). Their kids are the same age as Brant and his brothers. Their entire family, (there are 7 in total...not including Nathan and Raylee...the son in law and a grandbaby) anyway, as I was saying, their entire family is such a blessing! They are so much fun, they are such a God focused family that when you are with them they are a constant encouragement to your spirit! I am telling you...THESE PEOPLE ARE AMAZING!! If you are ever in Midland, TX make sure you meet them! You will be blessed!
Ok...so on to my story...They invited us to go out to Lake Colorado City with them this last Sunday, and IT WAS A BLAST!! We went wake boarding, tubing and splashed around in the lake...Cade was not super thrilled about it...I don't think he was feeling very good, but on top of that he wasn't sure about the life jacket he had to wear while in the boat and riding the tube. YES...Cade went tubing...unfortunately I don't have pictures (Barbie does) but I will get them soon! Until then...here are a few of pictures I have!
Ok...so on to my story...They invited us to go out to Lake Colorado City with them this last Sunday, and IT WAS A BLAST!! We went wake boarding, tubing and splashed around in the lake...Cade was not super thrilled about it...I don't think he was feeling very good, but on top of that he wasn't sure about the life jacket he had to wear while in the boat and riding the tube. YES...Cade went tubing...unfortunately I don't have pictures (Barbie does) but I will get them soon! Until then...here are a few of pictures I have!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Alvin VBS
A few weeks ago Alvin Church of Christ had their VBS...and it was a BLAST!! We had Steve Hemphill guest speak for our adults and we had a Survivor Theme for our kids..."Out serve, Out shine, Out live, Out love" They had super awesome worship led by Chris (the youth minister) and his beautiful wife, Stephanie. All the kids learned so much...I wish I could have gotten pictures from all week...that's ok... here are a few from Monday night!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Biscuits and Gravy...
I love biscuits and gravy! My momly has the BEST biscuits and gravy recipe I have ever had! Personally I would have NEVER mixed all these ingredients together, but it's super good! (I am not a mixer of foods...nothing gets mixed unless its a casserole, biscuits and gravy or chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes and gravy - that's just a must!) Anyway...here is the recipe....
1 LG sauce pan
1lb of Jimmy Dean or Owen sausage (the kind that looks like a little tube)
1 egg per person eating plus one to grow on (4 people = 5 eggs)
1/4 c of flour
milk
salt and peppper to taste
Start off by boiling your eggs (once the water starts boiling turn your timer on for 13 mins then they will be done!) While your eggs are boiling, put your biscuits in to bake and start browning your Jimmy Dean (Owen) sausage. Once you meat is done browning lower the heat to low. Sift in flour. Make sure there are no clumps of flour.Once your grease is completely gone and your sausage is completely coated add milk. I have never measured this...sorry...I fill the pan with milk until the sausage is almost completely covered...add less milk for a thicker gravy. After I pour in the milk I turn my burner on Medium heat and let it begin to bubble. While the gravy is heating I usually drain and peel the boiled eggs. I put them on a plate and after they are peeled I mash them with a fork or potato masher. (do not demolish them, just achieve little bite sized pieces) I stir the mashed eggs in to the gravy and let it to continue to thicken. If the gravy is getting thicker than I want I add a little bit more milk...I add slowly so that I can get the consistency I want. At this point I add salt and pepper. Once everything is mixed and your biscuits are ready then you are ready to SERVE!!!
I hope you try this recipe and LOVE IT! It's a family FAVE!!
1 LG sauce pan
1lb of Jimmy Dean or Owen sausage (the kind that looks like a little tube)
1 egg per person eating plus one to grow on (4 people = 5 eggs)
1/4 c of flour
milk
salt and peppper to taste
Start off by boiling your eggs (once the water starts boiling turn your timer on for 13 mins then they will be done!) While your eggs are boiling, put your biscuits in to bake and start browning your Jimmy Dean (Owen) sausage. Once you meat is done browning lower the heat to low. Sift in flour. Make sure there are no clumps of flour.Once your grease is completely gone and your sausage is completely coated add milk. I have never measured this...sorry...I fill the pan with milk until the sausage is almost completely covered...add less milk for a thicker gravy. After I pour in the milk I turn my burner on Medium heat and let it begin to bubble. While the gravy is heating I usually drain and peel the boiled eggs. I put them on a plate and after they are peeled I mash them with a fork or potato masher. (do not demolish them, just achieve little bite sized pieces) I stir the mashed eggs in to the gravy and let it to continue to thicken. If the gravy is getting thicker than I want I add a little bit more milk...I add slowly so that I can get the consistency I want. At this point I add salt and pepper. Once everything is mixed and your biscuits are ready then you are ready to SERVE!!!
I hope you try this recipe and LOVE IT! It's a family FAVE!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Chick-fil-a
I really like Chick-fil-a, but I never think to eat there. Every time we are looking for something fast there is a HUGE line at Chick-fil-a and Sonic, or Whataburger, are usually closer anyway. I wish I thought of Chick-fil-a more often!!
Well, last night I was hanging out with my friend Flower and her little girl and she said that CFA was having some sort of little carnival. We decided to take the kids...well worth it...it was so much fun! It was totally free! They had a little train, and quite a few games where you could win a coupon for free fries, lemonade, or d.p. It was soo cute! Cade tried to play all of the games just because Sarah was playing. They were easy enough to understand the concept and play...so he did. He actually won free fries and a free small Dr. Pepper, a little stuffed cow and a ball! His ball was his favorite and his D.P. was MY favorite :0) They also gave out free popcorn, cotton candy, and small snow cones. We LOVED the popcorn and we asked them to make a little cotton candy for Cade and HE LOVED IT...he finished it and said "mommy, more!" but instead we just went to get our fries and play bingo. We stayed out late, but it sure was fun!! So my advice to you...watch out for Chick-fil-a...they might have free giveaway's in your area!! GOTTA LOVE IT!! (Sorry but I didn't take my camera...no pics...SORRY)
Well, last night I was hanging out with my friend Flower and her little girl and she said that CFA was having some sort of little carnival. We decided to take the kids...well worth it...it was so much fun! It was totally free! They had a little train, and quite a few games where you could win a coupon for free fries, lemonade, or d.p. It was soo cute! Cade tried to play all of the games just because Sarah was playing. They were easy enough to understand the concept and play...so he did. He actually won free fries and a free small Dr. Pepper, a little stuffed cow and a ball! His ball was his favorite and his D.P. was MY favorite :0) They also gave out free popcorn, cotton candy, and small snow cones. We LOVED the popcorn and we asked them to make a little cotton candy for Cade and HE LOVED IT...he finished it and said "mommy, more!" but instead we just went to get our fries and play bingo. We stayed out late, but it sure was fun!! So my advice to you...watch out for Chick-fil-a...they might have free giveaway's in your area!! GOTTA LOVE IT!! (Sorry but I didn't take my camera...no pics...SORRY)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Quadra-lingual...
"Is that even possible?" You ask...why yes it is...if you are my little boy! Cade has been going with his aunt "Too-tee" everyday for a few hours a day so that Brant and I could make necessary business calls and stuff of that nature. Anyway, they have been learning lots of new things including swimming everyday before nap time...talk about my lil mexican! Wow...he gets dark fast!! I couldn't be more proud :0) Anyway back to my real story...quadra-lingual...he already knows English, a few words in Spanish and lots of sign language, but NOW....whale! He came home today and "aunt too-tee" said, "Hey Cade...show momma you can speak whale." Without skipping a beat he looks at me and said, "OOOO - AHHHH" I was so proud! I think a little tear welled up in my eye...But it might have been because I was trying to hold back a ton of extremely loud laughter! He was soo precious and all I could do is say, "WOW lil buddy...that is soo cool!" Then I laughed a little and told "aunt too-tee", "You are suppose to be teaching him colors and numbers...not whale!" We both laughed hysterically as Cade continued to speak whale :0) Oh how I love my life!! So random! I hope this brings a smile to your face! Have a great day!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Don't give up!!
So i realized that the blog I posted last night was really at like 12:04am ...stink...I really thought I made it! Darn you slow uploads...or maybe...darn you large files! :0)
Believe it or not...Brant and I are starting a new adventure...We are looking for Mobile Home Parks. We are about ready to hit our final stage of investing!! We have been doing Real Estate Investing for the past year and have been stretched farther than I knew was possible! We have, through the grace of God, started two businesses and have lived on pennies through this whole trek! I don't know how we did it, but we did and IT WAS AWESOME! I am sure if you had asked me during the year if it was awesome I would have just smiled a strained smile and said "it's something..." but now I can truly say...the time is now and it is awesome! I am so excited about what God is setting up! There are so many things that we have learned in this past few months that I can't even understand how we did our businesses without that knowledge...it was truly just the Lord bringing things through for us!
I have learned that while somethings may seem like they are better for you to do, if it is not what the Lord has in store for you to do then it is not the best thing! It may hurt to go through the desert, it may be hot and you might start to feel dehydrated (like you can't keep going) but I KNOW that what the Lord puts in your life for you to live out is exactly what you need to be doing/ going through! Did you know that Isaiah 40:28-31 says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."? It is true!! HE LOVES US soo much that HE GIVES US STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING!!! It may seem like things will never end, they will always be the same...but it is not true! That is satan lying to you to keep you down in the dumps! When you believe in the ways of God, He will give you the strength to overcome ANYTHING!
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you..."
Some of you are probably thinking..."I have been praying and nothing is happening....nothing is changing..." But if you are completely honest with yourself have you been seeking God with "ALL YOUR HEART"? If you are totally and completely honest...have you been thinking on things that are positive? Have you been trying to see God in your everyday life? Have you been giving Him the glory for helping you get to where you need to even though you are 30 mins. late? Through out the day keep your eye out for how and when God is working in your life...Did he stop you at a red light so that you would not be in the three car pile up you just passed? Praise Him for everything you notice and I guarantee things will begin to turn around! You will begin to overcome obstacles that you may not even notice...you may also get hit with a little more spiritual attack, but don't worry!! The Lord will continue to be with you and help you overcome!
If you don't get anything else from this blog post just know that I love you and if you need anything I will fight with you on the front lines!! I will be a prayer warrior with you!! The Lord will help you overcome! I LOVE YOU and I hope you have a great day!!
Believe it or not...Brant and I are starting a new adventure...We are looking for Mobile Home Parks. We are about ready to hit our final stage of investing!! We have been doing Real Estate Investing for the past year and have been stretched farther than I knew was possible! We have, through the grace of God, started two businesses and have lived on pennies through this whole trek! I don't know how we did it, but we did and IT WAS AWESOME! I am sure if you had asked me during the year if it was awesome I would have just smiled a strained smile and said "it's something..." but now I can truly say...the time is now and it is awesome! I am so excited about what God is setting up! There are so many things that we have learned in this past few months that I can't even understand how we did our businesses without that knowledge...it was truly just the Lord bringing things through for us!
I have learned that while somethings may seem like they are better for you to do, if it is not what the Lord has in store for you to do then it is not the best thing! It may hurt to go through the desert, it may be hot and you might start to feel dehydrated (like you can't keep going) but I KNOW that what the Lord puts in your life for you to live out is exactly what you need to be doing/ going through! Did you know that Isaiah 40:28-31 says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."? It is true!! HE LOVES US soo much that HE GIVES US STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING!!! It may seem like things will never end, they will always be the same...but it is not true! That is satan lying to you to keep you down in the dumps! When you believe in the ways of God, He will give you the strength to overcome ANYTHING!
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you..."
Some of you are probably thinking..."I have been praying and nothing is happening....nothing is changing..." But if you are completely honest with yourself have you been seeking God with "ALL YOUR HEART"? If you are totally and completely honest...have you been thinking on things that are positive? Have you been trying to see God in your everyday life? Have you been giving Him the glory for helping you get to where you need to even though you are 30 mins. late? Through out the day keep your eye out for how and when God is working in your life...Did he stop you at a red light so that you would not be in the three car pile up you just passed? Praise Him for everything you notice and I guarantee things will begin to turn around! You will begin to overcome obstacles that you may not even notice...you may also get hit with a little more spiritual attack, but don't worry!! The Lord will continue to be with you and help you overcome!
If you don't get anything else from this blog post just know that I love you and if you need anything I will fight with you on the front lines!! I will be a prayer warrior with you!! The Lord will help you overcome! I LOVE YOU and I hope you have a great day!!
My Friend Chelsea!!
I have a best friend who's name is Chelsea...She is absolutely amazing! She was suppose to come and see me this weekend while our hubbies went skydiving, but those plans were canceled :0( Anyway, I miss her a ton and so I decided I wanted to share a little bit about her with you...Chelsea is an amazing photographer! If you check out Chelsea Lynn Photography you will see that I don't lie!! She is super funny! She was kinda introverted when I first met her, but an shy girl no more! :0) I am so proud of her and her talents!! She is also super encouraging! If you are ever down and need someone to listen and then give you incredible advice...just look up Chels! Well...that is not all I have to say about her, but I do have some pics to share with you as well...so here goes....
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Barely Made it...
Ok...so I am just realizing I completely missed Friday's blog...I again am very sorry...I am totally thrown off by being at home that I don't know what to do with myself! I am going to try to start my morning off with quiet time, then breakfast, then blog...Let's see how that works tomorrow! Anyway...I am here to tell you that my sweet hubby was going to jump out of a plane today...but his plans were canceled :0( He and his two best friends were going to celebrate John's 25th birthday (belated...it was in May) But the poor pilot's grandma passed away. Please pray for the family of the pilot...I know this was hard for Brant and his friends...but nothing is worse than losing a loved one! I hope you have a great evening and I have some fun pics in store for tomorrow's post...stay tuned!! LOVE YOU! Good night!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Christmas?
Good grief...I just had a wonderful lunch with two of my favorite ladies in Midland! They are great photogs and amazing friends!! Amanda McNeely and Alison Holcomb are wonderful ladies!! They spur me on and come up with majorly creative ideas. They are constantly thinking of super fun things to do with clients and with our powers combined we are captain planet! Ok...just kidding...but I do feel that crazy cool! Anyway...as we were talking yesterday I realized that it is time for planning Christmas cards and sessions...AAGGHH!! Already? WOW...I didn't even realize! (I guess until yesterday) Anyway I am getting pumped! I am getting excited! And I am getting ready!! Christmas HERE I COME!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
2011 SENIORS!!!
Calling all 2011 SENIORS!!!
Book NOW through SEPTEMBER 31st** get an extra $100 in print credit!!!
(for a total of $150 in print credit!)
**In order to get this credit you must pay your deposit to secure your date and time of session. Your session date does not have to fall with in the September 31st deadline.**
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