Family Photos

Here's some samples from our annual photo shoot. This year, my friend Chanda from Chanda Marie Photography captured our images. :-)

We tried it and liked it

Basic Quiche
 
4 eggs
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 c. milk
1 c. shredded cheese of your choice
1/2 c. diced, cooked ham (we liked the smoked variety)
1/2 c. cooked, drained and chopped broccoli
1 9 in. deep-dish unbaked pie crust

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until foamy, add soup and milk, mixing well. Sprinkle cheese, meat and broccoli evenly over the pie crust. Pour liquid mixture over all. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until center is set. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

I Made Her Because I Love Her

This is one of my favorites...

Author, Anonymous

I made her... she is different. She is unique. With LOVE I formed her in her mother's womb. With LOVE I fashioned her with great joy. I remember with great pleasure the day I created her. (Ps. 139: 13-16)

I LOVE her smile. I LOVE her ways. I LOVE to hear her laugh and see the silly things she says and does. She brings Me great pleasure... this is how I made her. (Ps. 139:17)

I made her pretty, but not beautiful, because I know her heart, and knew she would be vain. I wanted her to search out her heart and to learn that it would be Me in her that would make her beautiful... and it would be Me in her that would draw friends to her. (1 Peter 3:3-5)

I made her in such a way that she would need Me. I made her a little more lonesome than she would like to be... only because I need her to lean and depend on Me. I know her heart, I know if I had not made her like this, she would go her own chosen way and forget Me... her Creator. (Ps. 62: 5-8)

I have given her many good and happy things.... because I love her. (Ps. 34:11 and Rom 8:32)

Because I love her, I have seen her broken, hurt... and the tears she has cried alone. I have cried them with her and had a broken heart, too. (Ps. 58:6)

Many times she has stumbled and fallen alone only because she would not hold My hand. So many lessons she has learned the hard way because she would not listen to my voice. (Isa. 66:2)

So many times I have sat back and sadly watched her go her merry way alone only to watch her return to My arms, sad and broken. (Isa. 66:2)

And now she is mine again...I made her and then bought her... because I LOVE her. (Rom 5:8)

I have to reshape and remold her... to renew her to what I had planned for her to be. It has not been easy for her or Me. (Jer 29:11)

I want her to be conformed to My image... this goal I have set for her... because I LOVE HER! ( 2 Cor 2:14)

I'm not a very good blogger...

but I am busy and that makes me happy.
After Rebecca was born, I kind of went through this funk. I didn't have many friends in Lexington and my parents were over an hour away. I had this kid, who I loved immensely, but she my sole focus. John was a wonderful husband, but he had such long days at work that his time with us was limited. I seriously lacked adult interaction and I was a little melancholy.
When Rebecca was three months old, I joined our neighborhood playgroup and I am so thankful, to this day, that I did. The ladies involved in this group have become great friends and Rebecca loves the play time with her friends!
I prayed. I prayed a lot and God gave me satisfaction and peace and made me move.
Slowly, I got more involved. I signed Rebecca up for gymnastics classes, soccer, swimming, then dance. The gymnastics and dance have endured, while soccer and swimming have been put on the back burner. She'll probably pick up another swimming class in the fall or winter just to keep her accustomed to water, though. I'm glad Rebecca is discovering what she likes, while exercising and gaining self-esteem.
We continued to be highly involved with library activities. We all love to read and learn and we greatly enjoy our library! Miss Mary, the children's librarian at Northside, is wonderful! She has such great story times and events! I worked with Mary at Joseph Beth several year's ago, so I also claim her as a friend.
On a side note, my love for reading was "re-kindled" when John purchased me a Kindle for Mother's Day. I LOVE it! 
I also made a conscious decision to get more involved with our church. I was a little nervous and scared because I didn't really know anyone, but I'm now so glad I made that leap of faith! I have been ministered to in ways I never thought possible through Sunday Suppers, the marriage ministry, the MOMs group and through the children I have taught in Sunday preschool and VBS. I truly enjoy sharing God's love and ministering to others, but I have received so much in return! I have been shown an abundance of love, given the energy I need and have experienced great joy!
I've also been exercising my body. This is my third week of training for a 5K, which I will complete the end of October. (I will actually be finished with my training before then, but I wanted to get a head start!) I must say, it has taken some dedication (especially in this heat,) but I feel great!!!
Here's my training plan:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml?cmp=18-1
I have found that my runs are great times to worship. I turn on my Christian contemporary music and praise God, while dedicating my body as His temple. I've tried to commit the time after my run to prayer and Bible study.
We've done a lot of things as a family since my last post as well. (It's been a while, hasn't it?!?!) Rebecca has been growing and changing. I've kept up with Facebook a little better than my blog, so feel free to visit or "friend me."
https://www.facebook.com/carrielcarlson
However, you MAY be hearing more from me on this blog and/or in my "Notes" section of Facebook, since Rebecca will be starting preschool Aug. 22. (I know, I can't believe it either!) She will be attending Lexington Christian Academy. I intend to make her school time my running and writing time. I might throw painting the house in there too. We'll see how it goes!
Anyway, I'm busy - not a crazy, empty, unsatisfying busy, but a FULL life busy. God is working in me and we'll see where He leads!

Oh Gymboree! You've really got me!

I love Gymboree's clothing! I think the company makes quality, super-cute textiles for kids! Even though they are normally a bit pricey, you can work the clearance deals, use coupons, "Gymbucks" and such to make them very affordable.

Here's a pic of some of Gymboree's holiday garb. Fortunately, we picked up a super-cute yard sale dress to fill the holiday clothing void. :-)

This is where they get you. If you spend so much money during a certain time period, then you get "Gymbucks" to use later. They also send you reward certificates based on how much you spend and you can usually find a coupon for 20 to 30 percent off in a magazine or in the mail - just for you. It's such a vicious cycle! I feel trapped!
I recently bought fall clothes for Rebecca, accumulating $25 in "Gymbucks." So, today, I get an e-mail telling me I can use the "Gymbucks" early. Oh geez, I have to buy more clothes, I think. Rebecca needs a few more things anyway (this statement is debatable.) If I don't use the "Gymbucks," I lose them. So, I used them - this morning.
I know my savings certificate is on the way and I have a 20 percent off coupon in my stash. It won't be long before Gymboree beckons me once again.
I normally do not have a problem saying "no" to these sort of marketing ploys. I try to find a great deal and buy what I need and then leave it alone. But this is not the case with Gymboree.  They have made me feel like I am always getting a good deal (and I am.) Plus, they've hit a sensitive spot. It's for my kid! I can't say "no" to Gymboree because my kid is growing. She always needs something new to wear, right?!?!
Does anyone else share my addiction? Is there a way to overcome it?
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August and everything after...

Since I've been so tardy in updating my blog, I'm certain I'm leaving out important events and interesting information. I just want to get caught up so I won't be delinquent anymore!

In early August, I took my mom to see Beth Moore at Rupp Arena for her 50th birthday. We were invited by my friend, Beth Ward. Beth Ward accompanied us to WONDERFUL two-day conference! We did not leave empty. We left fed with the Word and filled with the Spirit!

Later in the month, we held a surprise birthday party for my mom at her church. It was a great success! Mom was so surprised!

Here are a few pictures from the party:

Rebecca also attended a party for the conclusion of the library's summer reading program. Here are a couple pictures from that fun day:

 

Near the end of the month, my friends Courtney, Sarah and I saw Maroon 5 at Applebees Park. We were sitting in the stands, but Adam Levine, the lead singer, upgraded the whole stadium to floor level!!! What a great concert! Opening act V.V. Brown was awesome BTW! Kris Allen also did a great job! MIGGS = not so wonderful.
Here are some pictures I stole from Courtney :-) :

Sarah and I

I will finish this post with pictures of our cute offspring!:

I just had to share this!

I love, love this song!


“In Christ Alone”
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

I like this particular version on YouTube:

I actually heard Travis Cottrell perform this at a Beth Moore conference this summer!