Weekend with family...

Tonight, Lindsay and I will be traveling to Virginia. My niece, Kati, is getting married this Saturday. I'll make a quick stop in Wilson to pick up my sister, Karen. It will be a girls weekend and we are looking forward to it (well, except for the fact that "stupid" is traveling with us...I mean Max, our dog). We should arrive at my mom's house around midnight.
Tomorrow we will meet for Kati's bridal luncheon, hang out with my younger sister, Kristi, the bride's mom, and also spend some time with my grandma, which is always a special treat for me.
After the wedding on Saturday, we'll relax and then head back to Karen's to sleep. On Sunday, Lindsay and I will make the drive back to Charlotte.
Unfortunately, Scott is not able to go with us. He may not mind that though, because he says that an evening with my mom and sisters is like him being the guest on The View....everyone talks at the same time and he can't get one word in!
I'll be sure and post pictures when I return!

Apple bread....

Thought I'd share a recipe with you. It is THE MOST delicious bread you will ever sink your teeth into. This bread is a little sentimental to me though. You see, I've shared it with the best of friends, even withholding the recipe from them for years :-) Sadly, it took our move to Charlotte for me to share it with them.
It was always a special treat when we would get together, enjoying it with coffee.
A couple of them have taken the challenge to make it, while several won't even try (they really believe that I've left something out). I promise I would never do that...
Anyway, I thought I would share the recipe with you today. It really is very simple to make. Enjoy!

2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix well and add:
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 + 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 cups flour
3-4 medium sized apples, peeled, diced

Divide mixture up into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour. Sprinkle top with cinnamon/sugar mixture and continue baking 15 more minutes.

Great with coffee...and special friends!

The Love Dare

Humbling. That's the only way I can describe this book. This book was written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, producer and director of the movie "Fireproof". I decided it would be a neat little book for me to read. I thought this will be easy. I mean what do I possibly have to change concerning my attitude in my marriage, concerning the way I treat Scott?
Well, as I said before...humbling. It's like holding a big mirror in front of my face. For instance, Day 5: Love is not Rude. I had to ask Scott to list three things that cause him to be irritated with me. I e-mailed him that morning because I wanted him to have plenty of time to really think this through. Actually, I thought I'd give him lots of time because I knew it would be extremely hard for him to come up with something, much less 3 things! The key to this was when we sat down that evening and he gave me his "list" that I had to listen quietly, without attacking him or justifying my behavior. I prepared myself: I ran out to the garage and got the thickest duct tape I could find and adhered it firmly to my mouth. Then I put a patch over my eyes. Let me tell you, I can be quiet when I have to, but if looks could kill, I can surely do that too! I couldn't believe he thought of 3 things!
And they were all true. I wrote them down and made a commitment to myself and to him to work on these areas. My first thought (quietly within myself) was "I sure wish he would ask me this question!!" Bingo, hence my problem...selfishness, pride, sarcasm! Actually, he didn't list those. Well, he actually did list sarcasm...ouch!
Isn't that our problem? We are selfish people. We should be giving 100% in our marriages...all the time! Some people are like lemons: when life (spouse) squeezes them, they pour out sour responses. Some are more like peaches: when the pressure is on, their result (words) is still sweet.
Oh, Lord, please help me to constantly be a peach!

Chosen...

This past weekend I was reading about Mary and how she must have felt when God chose her to carry our Lord. Can you imagine? Here was this ordinary girl and God chose her!
It made me stop and realize that God chose you and I too. He chose us and fashioned us in His own image. Psalm 139:13-17 says "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and WONDERFULLY made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!"
He chose me to know Him and to serve Him! I pray that I never get over that!

Fall sports coming to an end....

Well, our eyes are fixed on the State Tournament. Whether we make it there, remains to be seen.Caleb's varsity soccer team finished first in the conference, second in the tournament. It was a sad night this past Tuesday. It was 0-0 until 4 minutes remaining. That's when we scored!, only to have the #2 seeded team score 30 seconds later. They ended up having two overtimes and the game was decided on a shoot out. It was a sad way for our guys to lose. They are now seeded #5 in the state and will play the #12 team tonight. Then they are off to Raleigh on Tuesday to play...well, we don't know who right now. All depends on the outcomes from tonight's games.


Lindsay had the game of her life last night. Her volleyball team was #3 in their conference. They began their conference tournament last night against the #2 seed that has beat them 6 games in a row this season. Our girls were determined to win last night and that is exactly what they did. They beat them 3 straight games! It was so exciting. They made it to the finals where they lost to the #1 seed, Statesville Christian. We were expecting them to lose (I know that's sad to say, but we were playing the team that won the National title last year) but we were praying they could win just one game...but it wasn't in the cards, although they came close 21-25.
Lindsay received the 1st Team All-Conference award and the All Tournament award.
It's been a great season but it's coming to a close. They will go to the playoffs next week and if they win those games, we will be traveling to Wilson for Caleb's game and Goldsboro for Lindsay's.
Another chapter is completed...the end of the sports seasons for Lindsay. After years and years of cheering her on...okay, I'll close for now :-)

My Hope is in the Lord...

Isaiah 43:1b-3a "Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God".
What a special, special verse this is to me. It daily reminds me that no matter what we go through on this earth, God will protect us. Thankful that when He calls us home, we won't have to worry about the stock market, the housing market, the price of gasoline....
A praise and worship song we sing at church...
My Hope is in the Lord
from this time on, forevermore
Oh, my hope is in the Lord
forevermore.
Thank you, Lord, that my flesh and my heart fail; but You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

My name is Kim, a/k/a Martha...

Currently, I am reading Having a Mary Spirit...allowing God to change me from the inside out. And boy, do I need changing. I am such a Martha. Always making a list and marking off the things I've accomplished. I'm so obsessed with my list that if I do something that wasn't on my list, I'll add it just so I can mark it off. Isn't that sad?
I'm trying to be a Mary, I really am. I'm sure that the author of this book and bible study wrote this book with me in mind.
It breaks my heart when I stand in the realization of how often I break my Lord's heart.
This book is meant to show me how to give God access to the deep, hidden corner of my heart. Those dark, sin-ridden parts of my lower nature that continually causes me to stumble when I so desperately want to walk in the light. Those secret, not-so-silent kingdoms Christ came to conquer as well as redeem. God delights in a heart that welcomes His work rather than resents it. A willing, teachable spirit is all He's looking for. A life so surrendered to Him, that He can do His work unhindered.
I don't want to hinder His work. I daily need to set aside my pious self, full of pride, so that He can do the work He needs to do in me.
My deepest fear is waking up twenty years from now still the same woman I am today. With the same annoying habits and petty attitudes; with the same besetting sins and false beliefs. I can't imagine anything more terrible than getting to the end of my life only to discover that God had so much more in mind for me - more freedom, more joy, more peace, more true effectiveness. And I missed it all, simply because I refused to change.
What I need to learn more than anything is that it's me who needs changing...not my husband, not my kids, not my friends, just ME!
I am so thankful today that God NEVER gives up on me.

Philippians 3:12-14: "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus".

Antioxidants, fiber, and protein...oh my!

Well, it's time...time to get healthy. Notice I didn't say 'lose weight'. I gave that up a long time ago. This has been my life and I have only one person to blame...ME! I've been working out, eating healthier foods, and refusing to obsess over the scales (in fact, I don't even go there...to the scales, I mean. That's just asking for depression :-)
My dear friend, Dana, has given me a delicious recipe for homemade bread that is extremely healthy (using the breadmaker) and my sweet friend and co-worker, Zoe, blessed me with a great gift...a hot tea maker. For those of you who know me, you will know how much I enjoy green tea, and now my new favorite, white tea. Well, this little gadget allows me to get the real thing (it actually looks like a weed). Oh my, it is so delicious. And talk about healthy...
Here are some of the health benefits: White tea is the least processed tea, so it is very high in antioxidants. Studies show that antioxidants in white teas help to reduce the risk of cancer, particularly lung, colon, and skin cancer; antioxidants in white tea also strengthen your immune system and help with metabolism. Also excellent for hydration which acts naturally to reduce the signs of aging (fine lines and wrinkles). I'm sold!!!
Two weeks ago, Scott and I went on a date and he followed me along to Teavana at South Park Mall. I was like a kid in a candy store, sipping every tea possible. We had THE BEST time. Well, I guess Scott did...he acted like it anyway.
Feel free to check back with me in a couple of weeks to see how I'm doing...you know how much I love that accountability thing :-)

Great weekend....

Heather came home this past Wed. night! What a great weekend we had with her. On Friday, we celebrated 'Senior recognition night' for Lindsay at her volleyball game along with 3 other seniors. They won their game and it was quite exciting! I found out that Heather had called the Athletic director about a month ago and asked him if it could be scheduled when she was home...she sure does love her sister (and they are planning to room together next year at Liberty :-)
There were friends in and out throughout the weekend, lots of food, movies, and relaxation. This afternoon, Scott and the kids, are finishing out the weekend with their volleyball game tradition. Let me tell you, it is serious! Notice, I'm not in the pictures...they don't invite me to play :-(
The next time we see Heather will be the week of Thanksgiving. That sure does seem far away. As quickly as time is flying, it will be here before we know it.