Make your kids celebrities!

I just found this freebie thanks to Coupon Geek and had to share with you all. I made some for my oldest sister's kids and just love how they turned out. ESPN is giving away free posters that you can purchase or print out at home with your kids picture and name on a magazine cover! Go here for yours! You can also have them make a video as well. They are super cute, a little pricey but so cute and such a keepsake!

You can see my final products to the right...AUNT SISSY, this is a secret it's part of their Christmas present, so SHHH!

Black Friday-A Gift from God?

Stephen and I went to Wal-Mart last night after much deliberation. I really didn't want to go, but he wanted to because he didn't want to deal with the people during the weekend! So after many hours of putting it off we finally went. Well, they were all set up with the pallets for black friday and there were people lining up at 10:30 pm ready to redeem their highly demanded items. We were there just to get a couple of things. Well, all of a sudden I spotted money on the ground! I looked to see if I noticed anyone had dropped it or not. The only person I saw walking near me was the guy who walked right passed it without noticing. Well as I got closer to the money this is what I saw I immediately stepped on it and pulled it to the side and told Stephen! We were both like, maybe this is a gift from God! But then we both thought, we have to find the owner. But then we also thought how many people were going to claim they lost the money! Well, we stood in that same spot for 15 or 20 minutes looking to see if we could spot the frantic owner! During this time I looked at the money I was holding and unfolded it to find this ! At this point I am hoping the owner won't show up and really didn't need that money! =) But she finally did and I am very glad she did. A young frantic girl checking her pockets, asking the store associates and then running to the front of the store asking the associates there, and then running to the restroom before we could catch up with her to tell her the good news and return her money! When she came out we handed her the money and she immediately greeted us with hugs and blessings! It was so much more fun to return that money to the rightful owner than keeping it for ourselves-even though God knows we could use it =)! She was so grateful and told us that it was for her father's Christmas present! He must be one great dad!

Time for a Walker?

One year older and one year closer to needing a walker. The other day I went to take the trash out to the dumpster and on my way back I hit a crack in the asphalt of the parking lot. I was carrying my laptop in my left hand and when I hit the crack my ankle turned and caused me to lose my balance. Well having the computer in my hand made it quite difficult to gain my balance! It took quite a few steps to finally catch myself before face planting it! I was a little sore but laughing incredibly hard. I don't think there were any witnesses, but had there been they had quite a show! Ha!


I had a great birthday, my sweet husband made me brownies from scratch! Here is a pic of what they looked like before he baked them...





Yeah, he didn't really think about the white chocolate chips melting down into the brownie so he was really glad he captured his complete design with a picture. He is so sweet!

And then I received a sweet card in the mail from this little beauty...






This picture just took my breath away! Isn't my niece just gorgeous!!!

And another sweet birthday surprise is that Stephen and I will be going home for Christmas this year! I am so excited. I was okay with missing it, but I am so excited we get to be there. I think when Christmas day actually rolled around I would have been really sad to have missed my first Christmas with my family EVER! I am very blessed that my in-laws only live 15 mins. from my parent's house. So we won't miss Christmas with either side!

I have entered my sweet Ballah Jane-(her nickmiddlename)into Petmeds cutest pet contest. So go vote here if you think she is the cutest, even if you don't! =) We could win some money! PetMeds World Games Pet Photo Contest will award each contest winner $1000.

Chicken Wave and Toilet Spray

On Tuesday, Stephen and I went to Chick-fil-a to redeem our free chicken sandwich from the chicken wave. I just love that place for so many reasons-great food and great service. We are very lucky because we have a Chick-fil-a right by our apartment. Well, I know you are probably wondering where the "toilet spray" comes in...well, I went to the bathroom, and felt a little scrunched because the stall was so small, while we were there and I did my business and was getting ready to get up when the automatic flush occurred. I love how you don't have to flush those toilets but I hate when they are in a hurry! So when we got home I told Stephen of the occurrence and how I couldn't stand small stalls and early flushes, and then he started reminiscing on his childhood days of using the restroom. We had a good laugh remembering how once upon a time we had to be careful not to fall in. =) Isn't it funny the things you remember!

Dear Suzette

I thought I should just go ahead and title this post to my sister (since you seem to be the only one who reads my blog, you are at least the only one to comment anymore).=) Anyway, I thought you might like to see a couple of more videos from OAT. "C" and Bro. Bob are leading worship for us! "C" looked much better this week. Continue to pray he stays this way. No sign of Joe this week. I am still praying he shows up next week. Okay, here are a couple. One of my favorite songs, one that I end up singing through out the week is a song that "C" learned and taught to us. "My Mind Stayed on Jesus" Enjoy! Click here and here to watch. Oh and Stephen reminded me to hold the camera the right way this time, so no need to tilt your head or your computer. =)

Happy Birthday

Check this out...

OAT Requests

This is "P" and the pastor's wife. He was visiting with her about what it means to be a Christian! I love him too. He is such a talented pianist!


We have had a blast the last two weeks down at One at a Time on Skid Row. We have also had some new changes. Last week, Stephen sang one of his songs during the service and led a hymn with the band. Like I said on my last OAT post, I was anxious to see what the "Skid Row Band" would do while he played his song. Well, they couldn't help themselves and they joined in. It was great! I wish I would have had my camera to record it. Other changes we have had are going to require lots of prayer and support. I am asking for you all to help. I want to give you a little background on "C". "C" led the music for the skid row band. He has had a difficult life. I don't know all that he has been through, but I know he was in jail for five years and was recently released and was living in a rehab facility on skid row. Well, "C" missed the last two weeks due to a lock down the facility had due to someone escaping and the second week due to something "C" had done wrong. Well, we just found out Sunday that he left the rehab facility and is back on the streets and is into drinking. This breaks my heart. "C" has three grown boys and he loves them to death, but he can't seem to get his life straightened out. And as a result a lot of people have been affected. His family and Pastor Ken and his wife Marian. They care for these people so much and it really hurts them to see someone make such progress and then totally back track. Pastor Ken asked "C" not to lead the worship this morning. He did however have him come to the front of the church and he explained to the church what is going on in his life and my favorite part, Pastor Ken had him face the cross and sing "Jesus Loves ME" and told him to sing it to himself not to us. I pray that really hit him, that Jesus does love him. I am asking that you will please pray for him. He really needs our prayers right now. He has some problems with anger, so we are nervous that drinking mixed with an anger outbursts could put him away for life.

My second requests if for Joe. Joe is the guy from Arkansas. We really love Joe, plus we felt close to him since one of Stephen's friends knows his family. We were able to send pictures and updates about Joe. Well, Joe was not at church again this week. He has been missing for two weeks now! We drove around last week and this past Sunday to try and find Joe. We didn't have any luck. So please pray that Joe is safe and that he will show up to church next week.

And lastly, Skid Row is getting ready to undergo some renovations and will be relocating those housed in the hotels and our church, since we meet in the Ford Hotel. We are praying and looking into this old methodist church.





Isn't it beautiful! Can you imagine what it is being used for now? I was shocked! It is being used for filming pornography. Pastor Ken has been in contact with the realtor about the possibility of purchasing this property. It looks like it is huge and has so much opportunity for ministry. It is going to have to be God's will. And the funding will have to come from God because it has a huge price tag(And you can imagine the offering of a homeless church-although they do give every service). I know if it is in His will for us to have this church he will provide the funding. I am sorry that this has become a novel but I feel that these requests are very important.

Here is a video I uploaded to youtube of "C" and Stephen and the band doing a song together. Poor Stephen gets drowned out, but it's just a real version of what we get to experience every Sunday and I thought you might like to see. Click here if you would like to watch. Oh and I am sorry that I was turning the camera, I don't know how to rotate it now. If you have a laptop you can just turn it, like I do! Ha! Enjoy.