Super Trooper

Last Thursday morning, I had the priviledge of watching my brother, Matt, graduate from The Department of Public Safety Academy. The ceremony began with the graduates chanting for almost 5 minutes. It brought tears to my eyes as I listened to my "little" brother proudly chant his devotion to protecting the citizens of Texas. After 20 weeks, he proudly walked across the stage and received his badge. Words cannot express how proud I am of him. I am also very proud of his wife, Danielle, as she made the sacrifice to be at home alone while he was away at the academy. I will continue to lift him up in prayer daily as he strives to protect those he serves.

Trooper Matt Walts

My Sister-in-law, Danielle and Matt

My brothers, Joe & Matt (I am so proud of them both!!!)

Matt & Me

My Parents & Matt

Giveaway

I'm giving away over at http://thekindlecrew.com/2012/01/reusable-lunch-bags/. Go and check out her blog while you're there. Jennifer is a godly woman who homeschools her four precious children, but above all strives to be like Christ. I realized that I don't have any reusable lunch bags posted on my blog for others to see if anyone is interested in purchasing a set. Here are some that I have made. You can purchase them individually or as a set of three. A set of three measuring approximately 6 3/4×6 3/4 , 5 1/4×8 and 5×4 3/4 for $14 plus $3 if I need to ship them to you. These are custom order so they can be made in your choice of fabric (as long as I can find it for reasonably priced). They are all made with quality cotton, ripstop nylon and sturdy velcro. The seams have been finished off so there is minimal fraying. They can be monogrammed with names or initials for an additional charge. Just contact me if you're interested.

Sew Passionate

Hello...I'm helping out with a giveaway for Jennifer at http://thekindlecrew.com/ so it's time to update my blog. I really enjoy blogging, but it just hasn't been a priority for me for quite a while.

One of my passions is sewing. I love to sew for my girls, others and sometimes I make time for myself. I've had several people ask me how I got started sewing. It's just in my blood. I remember when I was little sitting beside my grandmother and my mom watching them sew. It never really interested me, though, until about four years ago. I decided to make something for Natalie, my oldest, and it took off from there. I've participated in a couple of festivals, but it just hasn't seemed like God has opened the door to sell my creations consistently. If He decides to open that door, I'll gladly walk through. Until then, I'm enjoying making things for my girls and making custom orders and gifts.

I love giving gifts to people, but I can't give just any general gift. I have to personalize it to fit that persons personality and likes. Christmas is a time when I am able to personalize gifts for most of my family. Here are some of the gifts I made this past Christmas. As I said earlier, most of my items are custom work. So, if you see something you like or are interested in, just let me know and I'll do my best to help you customize something just for you or as a gift.

All of these were stiched using my embroidery machine (patterns were purchased from various websites)


Aprons for Adults and Children (patterns are my own)

Personalized Reusable Snack Sacks (you can find lots of free patterns for them online) and Personalized Pillowcases from http://amazingmae.blogspot.com/2011/04/personalized-pillowcase-tutorial.html

Tinkerbell Costume (Simplicity #2872) and Ruffle Scarf from http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2009/11/weekend-project-scrunchy-gathered-scarf.html

Clutch (both are the same pattern, but I found a few problems with the first one I made on the top and tried to fix them when I made the second one on the bottom) and Purse (Simplicity #2617)

Owl Purse from The Lola Pattern (you can purchase it at http://gingercake.typepad.com/gingercake/2011/05/stylin.html

Stuffed Owl from The Lola Pattern, Scrap Picture (sorry I took it from my phone so it's not good quality), Flat Iron Holder from http://rubies-pearls.blogspot.com/2010/08/flat-or-curling-iron-cozy.html

Camera Strap from http://priddycreations.com/blog/2010/01/27/camera-strap-slipcover-tutorial-of-the-padded-lined-variety/ and Personalized Notepad Holders (I used adhesive vinyl and cut names out using a Cricut)

I also made dresses and nightgowns for my girls. I don't have pictures of those so I'll have to post pictures of those later. I listed lots of tutorials so you can make your own creations if you enjoy crafting.

Unforgettable Experience

I'm sitting here in our condo on vacation enjoying the silence and decided to update my blog a little. I really enjoy blogging, but I have other priorities that come first right now, so I'll just blog when I can. We are on our first "real" vacation in South Padre with our best friends. It's a blast! We went to the beach Sunday and the kiddos loved it! Of course we did, too! Yesterday, a tropical storm blew in so we did a little shopping and hung out at the condo. Last night was an experience to remember. The kids were all asleep by 9, so we started watching a movie and enjoyed some snacks. The tropical storm came in and the electricity went out. So, we watched it for a while from the balcony and windows. My friend, Tricia, and I looked like little kids with our noses pressed to the glass watching the storm. It wasn't so bad until we discovered water all over the floor. Still not exactly sure where it came from, but it took every clean towel we had to clean it all up. We all attempted to go to bed a little bit after that. The kiddos became restless about that time, so we didn't get much sleep. This morning we decided to go to McDonald's for breakfast since our power was still out. Right before we left, it came back on. Yeah! We still went ahead and enjoyed breakfast and drove around the island. There were a few signs that blew over from the storm, but it didn't look that bad at all. I'm not sure our pictures or video we took did justice to how it looked in person. When I put Natalie to bed, I started to get a little nervouse because the wind was whistling past one of our windows. It sounded pretty scary. Then, God reminded me of what it must have been like when the disciples were on the lake and Jesus was sleeping through the storm. He said, "Be still," and the wind and waves calmed immediately. He reminded me that He was in control and in that moment He calmed me eventhough the storm outside was raging. It's pretty nice outside now. A little cloudy, but it seems to be breaking up. Laney and DJ are napping so I'm sure we'll head down to the beach a little later. Natalie is having fun fishing with her daddy and Johnny. It's been so nice to get away and enjoy time with our family and friends. I'm excited to see what the rest of the week has in store.

Fresh Start

I know it's been quite a while since my last blog. I've really been convicted about my priorities over the past few weeks. I love to blog and surf other blogs for cute crafts and ideas, but I felt as if it was taking up time that could be better spent in other areas of my life. I also love to spend time with my girls and sew. So, I've really been working on spending more quality time with my girls during the day and sewing after they go to bed at night. So, that doesn't leave a lot of time to keep up with my blog. God's really teaching me how to balance everything better so hopefully I can find how to work keeping up with my blog in there.

I was blessed to be able to go to youth camp with our teenagers this year. I haven't been able to go since we've been at MSBC because I have one toddler and preschooler who need me. Well, God laid it on my heart to go this year. It was so hard leaving the girls for 8 days! Those moms who have been there totally understand. The longest Laney had been gone was for a weekend and that was just a few weeks ago. God gave me the strength and peace throughout the week at camp. I knew I was where I needed to be without a doubt, even if it was difficult leaving the girls. God worked in AWESOME ways!!!! I can't even begin to describe how our youth group came together and comforted and encouraged each other. I've never experienced the closeness of a youth group like I did this past week. I was blessed to spend the week with two amazing ladies and get to know them better. I was also blessed to spend a whole week with my other girls...the girls in my youth group that I call mine. I was able to set aside being mom for the week and just focus on my teenagers. Something that is very difficult to do when you have little ones. Needless to say, my week was amazing!

Now, we are closing out day 1 of readjusting to life after camp. Natalie has done much better than I could ever have imagined. She's a little whiney and clingy, but not too bad considering she's still exhausted. Laney, on the other hand, is a different story. She seems like a different little girl. I left a happy, bubbly little girl and return to a tantrum throwing mess. I'm not sure if it's because we were apart for a week or if she's going through a phase. God has definitely given me more patience and understanding with them. I know it's going to be a tough week and I'm prepared as much as I can be.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

Idol vs. God

I'm leading a Bible study with my youth girls in June over Hayley DiMarco's book Idol Girls. I'm really enjoying it so far. I've discovered that I have some idols of my own that I'm dealing with. Things that I didn't see as idols. Since God has reavealed this to me, I've been in the process of dealing with these idols and making sure God is first in everything I do. Of course, Satan knows this and has tried to use it to his advantage. He has really been hitting me hard trying to get me down and use my idols to pull me away from God. One idol I'm dealing with is my appearance. I always thought that by the time I was 30 (which I'll be next year) that I wouldn't be dealing with the same stuff my junior high and high school girls deal with. I mean, you think you would outgrow it at some point. Well, reality has hit that it probably isn't going away any time soon. I need to remember that God created me beautiful in His image. Yes, I do need to exercise daily and watch what I eat (which I'm trying really hard to do better at), but I don't need to obsess over how I look. I don't need to compare myself to anyone else. Our society doesn't help in this matter at all! You can turn on the t.v. at anytime and be smacked in the face with what they say women are supposed to look like. It's also in the stores. So many of the styles of clothes are for one body type...those with no hips, big backends and legs. All of which I may add, that I have. So where shopping once used to be enjoyable, now I dread it. Not to mention all of the 80s and 90s styles that are back in. Yuck! That's a different discussion all together, though. In addition, it seems like so many of the tops that are in style are so low-cut or tight that no one can really be comfortable in them.

In addition, I've felt so distant from God lately. I've been spending time with Him during the day, but not near as much or as meaningful as I need to be. This morning in church, He really spoke to me through the song service and through the message. He used these two songs to remind me of a few things...

Friend of God

Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me it's amazing

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God Almighty, Lord of Glory
You have called me friend

He calls me friend
He calls me friend


Draw Me Close

Draw me close to You
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear You say that I'm your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
Cause nothing else can take Your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find my way
Bring me back to you

Your all I want
Your all I've ever needed
Your all I want
Help me know you are near

Wow! I can't remember how many times I've sang these two songs, yet they spoke to me so deeply this morning. Our pastor preached how God is not silent. Here are a few things he said, that God used to really speak to me...

God is not withdrawn from us, but we withdraw from Him.

If I compared myself to the cosmos, I would be smaller than a grain of sand. Yet, God knows me by name!

If I'm not walking with Jesus, then I will never hear the voice of God.

Needless to say, God has not moved at all. I have moved away from Him. Not consciously, but I have still moved. So many times, I get caught up in the business of doing things...ministry, spending time with Michael and the girls, sewing, cleaning, the list could go on and on. These things are not bad, but when I don't stop to be still, spend time with God, and listen to Him, then it seems as if God isn't listening. I heard someone say a long time ago, "I want to be walking so closely to God that when He stops I bump into Him." That is my desire! Words cannot begin to describe what it was like this morning to worship my Jesus and hear from Him!!! I want more of Him!

Do I want to hear God?

You bet I do! Am I listening to Jesus? Then, I need to put Him first, spend time with Him, and rest and trust in Him. Seems like such a simple revelation. When God speaks, sooner or later you have to listen. Which will it be for me? What about you? Are you listening to God?

Where to Start?

So much has been going on in our lives lately. I'm not really sure where to start. I'll begin with the most important part. God has placed me in a position of leadership in our MOPS group. To make a long story short, I have accepted the position as coordinator of our group. I am totally inadequate and unworthy for this position, but I am following a calling God has placed on my life. I have a passion and desire to reach out to women with young children. I pray that God will work through me and use me to reach out to others and show them His love.

My sweet little Laney turned one a few weeks ago. I'm still wondering where the past year has gone to. It's been filled with wonderful memories that I will cherish forever.

This past week has been crazy to say the least. Michael has been busy with meetings, preparing for Senior Recognition, and preparing to preach on top of everything he normally does. Laney has been sick with tonsilitis, poor baby. And my sweet Natalie has hit the terrible three's. She hasn't actually been terrible, but she has been ignoring me and disobeying quite a bit lately. I'm sure it didn't help with Laney being sick and getting lots of attention this past week. Natalie was much better today after she got some much needed attention from Grammie and Grandpa.

We watched Natalie sing at her Parent's Day Out program tonight. I can't belive her first year of "school" is almost over. Her teachers, Susan and Teresa, have been wonderful! Along with our director, DeAnne. I can't begin to thank them enough for all they do for my little girls. They love on both of them. Natalie has learned so much this past year. I'm sad that her first year is coming to an end, but excited that we'll be able to spend more time together.

Lastly, I've still been working on some crafts as usual. The latest projects are mother's day bags, another clipboard, bags for MOPS, bows for the girls, and a flowergirl's dress for Natalie for my little bro's wedding.

Whew! I'm ready for a vacation! Just two and a half more weeks! We are taking the girls camping at Tyler State Park. I'm so excited! Just us and the outdoors with no distractions and business.

My prayer is that among all the business I don't lose sight of my Creator, Father and Friend. He has given me so many desires and passions. I don't ever want to get so involved with activities that I lose sight of my first passion-JESUS!