Dreams, Goals and Attitudes

This is a vehicle I will own one day (and very soon). A Nissan Armada. I love this car! I went and test drove one not that long ago. I love how it is roomy and has tons of space in the back for storage. It was so nice and smooth to drive and I love to drive!

This is just one thing that is on my dream list. Do you have a dream list?

My dream list consist of things or actions that I want and that I am working towards to acheive. I am doing this by keeping my attitude positive and steady. I am also accomplishing goals that I sent in order to allow these dreams to come true. And they will come true.

Another thing on my dream list is having a maid come to my house at least once a month. I don't want to spend my time cleaning toilets, scrubbing floors, washing windows, etc. I want to spend my time doing things that I enjoy.

I also want a spa day once a month. I think every woman at least deserves this much. I want my muscles relaxed, my face clear and my nails polished! This is also something that will be a lot of fun when Gracie gets older and we can go together.

There are things, however, that I want to do that aren't for me. I would love to be able to rent a semi truck and fill it with food for the local food banks. And I want to do this in June when people are not donating. Everyone gives at Christmas time, if they are going to give at all. So I would prefer to give at a time of year when the food banks really need it.

I would also like to fill of truck full of school supplies for children who really need it. I know back to school shopping can be a real drag for some parents because of finances. I would love to be able to help those kids out in August. Every child should have all the schools supplies they need to help them with their education.

I would also like to start a scholarship program for youth to help them with the college funds. Too many youth can not go get further education because their families can not afford it. School loans are just outrageous. Lack of funds is not a good reason to not attend college. I would love to help with that.

Our church sponsors children every year at Christmas time so local kids can have a better Christmas. I would love to be able to go to John (our pastor) and tell him not worry about any child that wants a bike. Just let me know how many bikes you need and Jeff and I will take care of it. This would just make me so happy!

These are just some of the dreams I have. I have even posted pictures on my fridge of these things to help me keep them in the fore front of my mind. These dreams will come true and I very much look forward to that day!

Belize

My church, Quest United Methodist, will be starting some mission trips to Belize. We will be ministering to the communities through helping build schools, homes and churches. We will also be helping communities with medical needs. This is truly exciting time and I am very anxious to see how God is going to use us down in Belize.

I was very fortunate to give a presentation today at the church about the culture of Belize. Belize has been on my list of places I want to go and see before I die. With my passion for cultures you can imagine how excited I was to be able to do research and present my findings. I found so much useful information that I found myself not knowing where to begin. The only thing I was nervous about was giving too much information.

There was so much information about the history of the Maya people and all the immigrations that have taken place over time. With the Mayans, the Spaniards, the British, the Africans and the Caribs all finding a home in Belize it's no wonder the histories were full of richness, drama, and tragedy. After reading many articles, facts and statistics I have moved Belize up in my list of places to go.

I am bummed I will not be able to go in November with the church. Financially we are just not able to do the trip this year. We are hoping to go in April. I am still working out the child care situation. But I will continue to pray and I know when God feels that it is our turn to go, then will be able to go and serve in His name. Until then I will just continue to do any research that is required (or just for fun) and help in any other way that I can from Augusta, GA.

My Bubba is 5 months

I can't believe it was 5 months ago today that I had a baby. Time sure is flying by so fast with Bubba. I know after I had Gracie, that first year seemed to really drag on. I was so tired and exhausted all the time. I can tell with Bubba I am more relaxed. And it helps we are not packing up a house and moving across the country.

Bubba is such a happy baby. He is a good eater, in fact he is the only baby I have been around that doesn't really make a mess when he eats. He makes sure to get every bite in his mouth.

He is rolling around all the over the place and he is getting very good at grabbing objects. Of course everything is going right in the mouth. With the way he is progressing he is probably going to be crawling very soon.

I have so much fun watching Gracie and Bubba together. She is such a great big sister to him and he definitely looks up her already. He just watches her go all the way around the room. He really seems to focus on what she is doing and she loves to make him giggle. She is also a big help when it comes to looking for pacifiers and going to get me a blanket for him. But she does get frustrated when I hold him too much or if he goes to sleep and she still wants to play with him. But the day will come, very soon, where that frustration will change to him getting into her stuff and taking toys away from her. But for now I will just enjoy the precious moments of them laughing at each other and wanting to be there for one another.

"Watch me Mommy"

This is a phrase I hear at least 20 times a day. Gracie, my 3 year old, is always coming up with the littlest things to do to get my attention and usually to make me laugh. She thinks she is very creative by making a funny little face or putting a purse on head and calling it a hat. And yes it makes me laugh every time.

But I will admit that it does get a little frustrating (and annoying) to hear "Mommy watch me!" 20 times in 60 seconds. Of course I try very hard not to show I am frustrated or annoyed with her. For she is just being her sweet little self.

Today, however, it made me realize that she is actually trying to do me a favor. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own things; cleaning, errands, phone calls, cooking etc. that I don't take the time to just stop and appreciate the small things in my life. I can get so focused on one thing that it's difficult to see other things going on around me. Gracie is helping me to remember to stop and enjoy those smiles and giggles, little hugs and kisses, little moments of silliness and playfulness.

I am so very grateful to have this sweet little girl in my life. I have often prayed to God to give me some patience, willingness and understanding. To help me slow down and understand that not everything has to be done in one day. He heard me and sent me an angel named Gracie.