Fathers, Daughters, and Birthdays.....

Happy Birthday AND Father's Day to my AWESOME daddy! 

It takes a really special guy to share his birthday with Father's Day, right?

Yes, I think so too.

Here are some things that I love about my Dad:

• he is so funny and witty. 
• he loves my mom so much
• he loves my children and ALL of his grandchildren.
• he loves me and would do anything for me.
• he is a hard worker. 
• everybody loves my dad.
• dad forgives and forgets very easily.
• he can always make you laugh.
• he loves the Lord.
• presley loves sitting in Paw Paw's lap.
• he takes my kids to the store and buys them anything they want. 
• he is the BEST Daddy in the whole world!

probably telling me a joke ;)

he loves his grandbabies!

Look how perfect they are!

Presley's favorite place to sit.

celebrating Dad and Lem last year 2012

Presley takes a ride on the harley with Dad

Joseph's turn!

Joseph wants another ride!

7 Quick Beach Takes...

St. Simon's Island June 2013

1.Here we go--Peace out dudes!

2. Hitting the beach--surfing style!

3. Look who we found--the Laffan girls! 

4. My Love and my favorite place to be. Ever. 

5. Silly girls being silly. 

6. Silly girls trying to be serious. I said trying.

7. The littlest loves of my life. 

4 Days late and always at least a dollar short....

Day late and a dollar short on my birthday man's post. 

Oops.

My plate is a little full these days. 

Rest assured, he was well celebrated.

He's finally 38!

 He caught up with me.

Yes, he's younger. 

But, only by a hair. 

No pun intended, darlin.

I love this young dude.

He's still hot.

I remember when I first met him.

He was so different than any other boy.

His country little accent....oh, I still swoon.

{Except when he's mad at me for overspending. No swooning then}

I love Lem's confidence. 

It's sexy to me.

He makes me feel beautiful. 

{even when I'm not feeling it even an ounce}

He loves me.

I love him.

We just fit.

Plus, we have cute kiddos.

One of each of us.

Joseph looks like me, acts like me, and loves to read like me.

Presley looks like Lem, acts JUST like Lem, and hates to read like Lem.

See?

We have duplicated ourselves.

{Scary thought}

Lord, help them. 

In all sincerity. 

this is how i feel after forgetting to do Lem's birthday post.
{my tongue needs help. really, it does.}

Here he is...my birthday boy!
This is us in the car on a pre-birthday date night.
Yeah, I swoon.
See?

Joseph gives Daddy the thumbs up on his big day.
He's a little sweaty.
We had just finished a 30 minute run.
In 92 degree heat.
I sweat just remembering it.
Ooh.

Presley made his birthday breakfast.
be still my heart.
she does this for me too on my big day.
i love her.

sushi was the birthday boy's dinner.
i think we enjoyed it, what do you think.


Happy Birthday, Lem!
I sure love you!
{even after all these birthdays!}
wink, wink

A girl can change her mind....

I was having a conversation with a friend recently and I told her this: "One thing is for sure, today I may feel one way about something. However, next week, I may feel completely different."

Someone asked for my advice about something a few days ago and I prefaced it with this "Today, I think...."

This sounds really wishy washy and blase. I know this.

However, I think it is actually the contrary.

We are constantly being changed, renewed, sharpened, and shined by the Lord. Right?

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2

See what I mean? :)

I think the older I get, the more sure of one thing I know---I do not have it figured out. And I never will until I meet Jesus at His Throne. Hopefully then, He will make sense of all this world-y stuff.

My convictions are very strong some days about certain things in my own life. Other days, I am unsure of what God really is asking of me. Are these Jill's convictions for herself or are these convictions from the Lord?

It's a tough call some days. I can be very black and white in certain areas in my life.

Is Jesus black and white? Or is He black, white, and gray as well?

I do know this: Grace can be gray for me sometimes. If that makes any kind of sense.

The Bible is very clear regarding certain behaviors that we are to adhere to and abstain from.

However, other things, are not so clear to me.

This is where the gray area comes in. This is where I have to go to Him, His Word, and talk to Him. Seek Him, and ask Him to show me what to do.

Sometimes, I am still unsure--if I am being honest.

This is where Grace comes in. I have to just realize that I will mess up some days, I will go the wrong way. Even when I am really, really, really trying to go the right way.

God will reign me back in with His Grace. Just like He always does.

This, I know.


black, white, and a lot of gray,

jill

Claustrophobia Vs. Courage.....

Marked one off the old Summer Bucket List yesterday!

Last year's bucket--note to self--get new bucket this week.
you get the visual.

We went to Chattanooga for the day yesterday! We have not been in about 3 or 4 years. Presley was in a stroller the last time we went, so it has been a while.

It's always been one of my most favorite trips! It never gets old. Ever.

Here are some memories from our trip.

First Stop: Incline Railway at Lookout Mountain

YES, this is steep! One mile up the mountain! Deep breaths...

we made it safely!

Maw Maw is the reason this whole trip was made possible. :)
thank YOU!!!

yes, we are THOSE people

my favorite tree! a Canadian hemlock

some nice folks offered to take our picture. Rock city ROCKS!

STRONG kids holding up a big rock!

Last but not least--Ruby Falls.

Okay, I would be a little remiss if I didn't tell you this: I did not go through Ruby Falls with everyone. Nope. Couldn't do it.

Let me explain...I have this little thing about tight spaces. No entrance, no exit, dark, and many people. And caves.

I am pretty sure the diagnosis is claustrophobia. Yep, that one.

We all took the long elevator down into the ground of Ruby Falls. I was prepared and prayed up to go through with it. We exited the elevator, and suddenly my chest felt like an elephant was pouncing on it. For real.

I stayed for a few minutes, and quickly told my family that I had to get out of there. Now.

The tour guide was super sweet and quickly led me back to the elevator. She told me as we rode back up to light, air, and wide spaces....that it happens a lot. They call it the "short tour".

Reassuring. Or at least she tried to be.

So, I was a member of the "short tour group". Probably even the President.

The advantage? We received a refund for my ticket. Yay.

The last thing I remember when I was running back to the elevator to find air, light, and wide spaces was Joseph saying, "Summer of Courage, Mom! Remember!! You can do this!"

Oops.

I said back to him: "Claustrophobia overrides Courage. Every.single.time."

Yeah, that's it.

What's on your Summer Fun Bucket List?


no more caves, darkness, or underground trips for a while,


jill

Summer of......

It's Summer time!

A friend said that she and her children started a "Summer of..." this year.

Well, this stuck like glue to me, because I love any kind of traditions!

Joseph and I decided on:

"Summer of Courage".

We both liked this idea because we wanted to encourage each other to step out and do something we normally would not do. Something it would take lots of courage to do!

Several things have already come up that have challenged us in this area---and we LOVE the challenge!

As we were getting dinner ready a couple of nights ago, we decided we would also incorporate the

"Summer of Culture"into our meal times.

I want my children to be well versed in different foods and cultures. This has always been important to me. Joseph went to Italy with us in 2009, and the things that he learned while there have never been forgotten. Presley keeps reminding us that it's HER turn. :)

We began our Summer of Culture last night with Mexican Night. Tacos, black beans, corn, and churros were on the menu. Of course, the kids had orange drinks made in Mexico as well. Danny had a Fanta Orange because he was a last minute show-up after tennis practice. He was happy to oblige the Fanta Orange. :-)

We spoke some Spanish words as we ate, and I got out the globe and showed the kids where Mexico was. 

Tonight, in keeping with our Summer of Culture, we had Italian Night. Spaghetti, salad, and pretend-mineral water were on the menu. If you order water in Italy, they automatically assume you mean mineral water in a bottle. You have to be very specific and say "no gas" for regular water, OR you say "with gas" for mineral water. {see, we learned something there} :-)

The kids have already requested a Chinese, Japanese, and American night in the near future. 

I've got some research to do on some other countries and their foods and culture in the meantime. 

I have to say that this reminds me SO much of the things my Momma would do with us! She was the MOST fun Momma! She would make homemade biscuits and shape them into little animals. Everything was fun when we were little! I hope and pray my kids will remember these little things just like I remember all of the fun details that we did as a family. :)

Mexican!

Mexican Moustaches by Presley ;)

moustache kids

spanish olives

chips and salsa

Danny's sign <3 font="">

finally, time to eat! couldn't wait for Daddy and Joseph!

homemade churros and whip cream
{my version--breadsticks, melted butter and cinnamon, and bake in oven--yummy!}

Mothers, daughters, and silly pictures....

Happy Mother's Day 

2013

Just Be Scared....

My new favorite quote! 

I challenged my kids to do this every single day last week. 

Get your heart racing, be BOLD, be courageous!

Walking, Talking, and Drinking.....

I just took a walk. It was after dinner, and my soul was craving time with the Lord. Outside, walking, in the beauty of His creation.

My head was spinning, I needed to hear His Voice.

We walked together, He and I. I talked, I shared my heart, I thanked Him for all that I saw. From the birds nest hanging delicately from the pine tree, to the tip top of a tree that had broken off and was just pointing heaven-ward.

I noticed the neighbors dog walking in front of me. Gleeful and playful was she. Not a care in the world. Blissfully unaware of danger or worries, or anything really.

I was jealous for a moment. Lord, why did you make us humans with this brain and all of the complexities? Why do we have the capacity to worry and to be shaky in our Trust and Faith?

No answer. Just birds chirping.

I kept talking, sharing my heart and claiming my stake at the Cross. The stake that He gave me when He died for me.

"I will walk forward, Lord. I will lead women to You through Your Word. I will not look to the right or to the left, but straightforward. I will walk strong, arms by my side, not walking too fast or too slow. Just straight forward. I will lead women to Your Word. You have called me, and I will answer the call. I will not shrink back when I see the snake in the grass {the enemy} hissing at me to stop in my tracks. Telling me lies, and telling me danger lies ahead. I will not listen to him when he tells me to be safe, stay where you are. I will keep walking. In fact, I will step on his head and wipe him from my shoe. I will keep walking, strong arms, strong legs, strong heart beating for You. Beating for You."

I said these words to Him. I vowed these words to my Lord. He spoke these words through me to be spoken aloud to Him.

I then turned my face upwards to the heavens and felt the lightest rain falling on my face. It sprinkled my skin and even tingled.

"Drink of me, daughter. Drink of my Goodness. Take as much as you want, it's always there. Feel Me on your skin. Drink of my Love."

My eyes burned with tears, a lump formed in the deepest part of my throat, and I surrendered to Him.

I will drink, Lord.

I thought of the manna that He sent the Israelites. While they complained daily, He still fed them, nourished them. Dare they complain that it wasn't enough?

Dare I complain that He's not enough?

I surrendered the steering wheel that I never had control of. I pictured myself a child in the back seat of a car with a fake steering wheel. Actually believing that I was driving the car.

It's false. I never was driving the car. He has been all along.

The Blessed Controller of the Universe.

I'm safe.

He created me for His Purposes. I will live in His calling and His purposes for me. I will not shrink back in fear of what is to come, but I will walk tall, leading, eyes straight forward. My armor is impenetrable. His armor protects me.

Perfect love drives out fear. Fear is the opposite of faith.

I look around and see the Glory of my surroundings. Getting a glimpse of what the dog sees. Just pure bliss. Bliss.

I turn the corner to walk up the drive-way up to the house. I see something out of my peripheral.

It's beckoning my attention.

I turn to the left, and see a yellow flower, all alone, standing tall in the ground.

Surrounded by nothing, but grass and weeds, this yellow flower.

Yellow, my favorite color.

Standing tall, among the weeds of the world. Vibrant. Brilliant. Glorious.

I took my gift. My gift from Him.

And thanked Him.

Easter Love.....

Happy Easter 2013!

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 

They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people"

Matthew 27:50-53