May June July 2008 Archive

Weekend update and favorite Picture of the Week

This is currently my favorite picture of the week. I love how bright the flag turned out against the dark sky. I had to wait until the firework smoke dissipated in order to get a good dark sky. This pic is SOOC, no edits. I have one more of this flag that I took that is also my current favorite but it has a big mulberry tree branch in the foreground so I will have to fix it before I post it. Happy birthday, America!
E left June 30th to spend a few weeks with her dad and I tell you what, it sure is lonely around here without her. I so totally miss her. I found myself just looking through my pictures tonight just so I could feel like she was home with me...(i'm goofy, I know). This whole 4thof July weekend just wasn't the same without her home. Not to mention that she called the 5th to tell me she had a black cat blow up in her hand and now she can not hear out of one of her ears! I am so aggravated because I don't allow her to do fireworks. Maybe a sparkler but never black cats or big ones. Her dad apparently has no problem with it.....grrrrrrr, but I will save that rant for another day. (I'm unhooking) *update- I checked on her today and she said her hearing is starting to return to normal. The ringing has somewhat subsided but that I still sound like a chipmunk on the phone. If it doesn't return back to normal in a few more days I will be taking her to the doctor. Stupid, stupid, stupid idea to whomever created black cats. They are evil!
I did get invited to L's house for a BBQ and fireworks on July 3rd (we both had to work the 4th, darn Lynard Skynard concert!) It was alot of fun and very relaxing. I love the summer evenings/early nights when you can sit outside in the nice warm air, drinking ice tea and looking at the stars for hours or until the mosquito's start feeding. Thursday night was the perfect night for it. We ate brisket, dogs, yummy potato salad and L's mom's famous cherry cobbler and then watched the big kids shoot off fireworks. L goes all out on the 4th every year! I swear she had over 500 dollars worth of fireworks (which is way too crazy for me) I was talking with L's mom ,G, and told her that I even though the 4th of July was my favorite holiday ever, I just do not understand why people like to do fireworks. I'm glad they do because I love, Love, LOVE watching them I don't understand the fun in shooting them off myself. I think it is because I was never allowed to do them when I was little. We did a few sparklers and colored smoke bombs and little snake things but I don't remember ever being allowed to do the big ones. They were too dangerous. L had some massive ones though and boy were they pretty. I'm talking about the ones that could be seen AND heard for miles and miles. Everyone had a great time. It was alot of fun, but still not the same without E. I was able to capture a few fireworks pictures that turned out kinda unique. They are no where near perfect but definitely... unique and SOOC.
Posted at 01:15 AM Permalink Comments (0) TrackBack (0)
July 04, 2008
Feelings of Freedom
While we were in the Houston area last month, we went to a little town square that had numerous little shops of everything you could think of. Jewelry shops, Handbag shops, Candy shops, Clothing shops, Toy shops, Amish furniture shops, Rubber ducky shops, and even Gourmet Dog Treat shops! Just a smorgasbord of "little shops". They had an old country shop where this picture was taken. I took it because I loved the way she had it all laid out. The colors next to the antique looking, paint peeling bookshelf gave it a very homey, country, Proud to be an American, feel. I snapped the picture as I was walking out of the shop not realizing it would be perfect for today's post on freedom. Cool, eh?
free·dom

/ˈfridəm/ [free-duhm] –noun
1.
the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint:
Freedom is what today is all about! Freedom to express ourselves the way we wish. Freedom to worship in the way we see fit. Freedom to roam about the country as the gas prices allow. Freedom to choose to be free or imprisoned for not paying for the 100 dollars worth of overpriced gas that we pumped into our vehicles! As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, we take for granted everything we have, including the choice to be free. I was born into freedom. I do not know what it is like to not have freedom in my life. I do not know what it is like to be told what I had to do for a living, what I could wear, whom I could talk to, whom I had to marry, whether I could go to school or even which God I could serve. Ashamed that I am admitting this but I do not actually KNOW what the meaning of freedom is because I have never been without it! Don't get me wrong, I know what the word means and what it stand for but, what does it "feel" like? I experience the feeling everyday but what does it "feel" like? I get up and choose my own clothes, I choose to drive my very own vehicle (the same one that contains ridiculously overpriced fuel) to work everyday, I choose not to be married, I choose to go to college, and I choose to worship I AM. But what if I couldn't? What if that freedom were taken away? Then and only then will I know the true meaning of Freedom. Then and only then will I know what it "feels" like. I bet you that there are more Americans just like me walking around oblivious to the fact that they do not know what freedom "feels" like even though they are free. We have and enjoy freedom but we do not really know the feeling. Many of us Americans are even afraid to admit that we don't even have a clue of the true meaning of the word. On the other hand, there are many of my fellow Americans whom have served in the many wars this country has fought to retain our freedom and have had their freedom taken away only to regain it again if they are lucky enough to return to the Good ol' USA. They are the ones who truly know what freedom "feels" like. They know and have seen EXACTLY what it means to be free. They take on that role of warrior and protector of Freedom. They choose to be unselfish for the rights of the selfish. They are the ones who deserve the Freedom! Many American soldiers make this choice to defend only to lose their life for this country's freedom. Why? So that I can be wasteful? So that I can be lazy? So that I can complain about gas prices? So that I can sit back and watch this great country kill itself with greed and self indulgence? So that I can take it for granted? So that I can say I don't know what it "feels" like? YES! Thank you, American Soldier. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for the fact that my child will experience freedom in this country at a very expensive price. Thank you for my ability to not fathom what it is like to not be free. Thank you for my experience of knowing what the word means but not knowing what it really "feels" like.
I must also add that Christ also offers freedom. A freedom in Christ! Now this is a freedom that I do know the true meaning of! A feeling that I have experienced. A feeling I know! This is a freedom that surpasses all comprehension. A freedom that can not be taken away no matter what I do or say. A freedom that Christ fought for, instead of man. A freedom that offers peace during troubled times. A freedom where the war has already been won! A freedom that is offered not just to Americans alone but to everyone! A freedom that lasts an eternity! Thank you, Christ, for the sacrifice of your life! Thank you for the freedom to choose and the ability to know what it really "feels" like to be free.
Posted at 12:56 PM Permalink Comments (0) TrackBack (0)
July 03, 2008
GOTTA LOVE IT!
Posted at 10:59 AM Permalink Comments (1) TrackBack (0)
July 02, 2008
I am NOT!
I love audio-books! I have listened to 2 very awesome books in the last week. I currently have 3 more waiting in line for me to soak up. Today's book was absolutely AWESOME! (Thanks dad for loading my ipod with an awesome read, or should I say listen) The book is called I am not, but I know I amby Louie Giglio. I was so inspired by this book! Everyone should read this book! It really put in perspective how very little I am in the scheme of things in this big world compared to my infinite God who created the vast universe with just a word! When Moses asked God what his name was, God replied "I AM that I AM". This answer automatically made mankind's name "I am NOT". No matter what happens in this life, I will always remain "I am NOT". My name will always be Kami but I will always remain "I am not". I am not the creator of the world. I am not all powerful. I am not holding it all together. I am not the solution. I am not even number 1, however, God is! I AM is the maker. I AM is the Alpha/Beginning. I am is the Omega/End. I AM is calling the shots. I AM is all powerful. I AM is ruling over my life. I AM is Hope and I AM is in me! What an awesome feeling it is to know that we CAN sit back and Be Still knowing He is I AM.
I was so inspired by this book that I decided to finally start my Faithbook! I am going to attempt to make at least one layout a week focusing on my Faith, on God, what He is doing and how He is working in my life. It should prove to be very inspiring!
Posted at 09:48 PM in Faith Permalink Comments (0) TrackBack (0)
Be Still
He never ceases to amaze me! No matter how much I doubt or how much I don't rely or trust in Him, He never leaves! No matter how much I try and hang onto things and do it myself, my way, He still is there reminding me that He is in control of EVERYTHING! There is very little I can do to make things happen the way I want them that is in His will. Of course I can make things happen or attempt to but His way and His timing are soooo much sweeter! This verse was thrown in my face (by text message, none the less) on June 18th when I was in the middle of needing comfort and strength very badly! (Testing for a supervisor position at work is a very rough thing, especially when your up against 30 others) God has his funny ways of talking to us!
Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

He reminded me that He was there and helping me through and to not be afraid! I was very VICTORIOUS that day! I scored very high on both the written test and oral interview ranking in at #2! I couldn't believe it! My only goal was to go take the test and interview just to get my name on the list to say I did it. I totally blew my expectations out of the water! I never dreamed would rank that high since there was so much competition! Being there will soon be an opening in my area, this is a GREAT thing!

The day before yesterday, I began doubting myself again because I found out that the girl who got #1 wants to be promoted to my area. I began trying to think about how I could get her to think about promoting to one of the 2 other areas that were coming available and then I would be next in line. Then I started to bash myself, like i always do, about how even though I got #2, it was still not good enough. Then I started thinking about how I could possibly just promote to another area and come back when the opportunity arose. Just crazy stressed out thinking was worrying me for nothing. My calming force, my dad, talked to me and helped me get back into focus and realize that all of this "trying to fix it my way" was not going to do any anything but worry me and stress me out. This was all in God's hands. Dad helped me to really come back to "Be still and Know" that God is in control of all of this. 2 days later, (yesterday) I get a text message again...

2 Chronicles 15:7 (New International Version)
7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
About 3 hours after this text message, I get a phone call from my supervisor saying that he just found out that the girl we thought was #1, and my biggest threat, was in fact not #1! There was apparently a mistake! (This has not officially been verified but it came from a high source). How absolutely awesome would it be if it were in fact true? You know, I wouldn't and couldn't expect anything less from an awesome God! He has really shown me throughout this promotional testing period how much He really is in control and how much He is taking care of things, just like He promised. I thank the Lord everyday that I serve such an awesome, wonderful God! Knowing He is controlling all of this and knowing He is carrying the worry of it all for me is a relief. Even if I do not promote and it breaks my heart, I will still trust Him no matter what! He has my best interest at heart!
* UPDATE*
It is official! I am still number 2. The information that my supervisor was given was indeed wrong. The girl who we thought was number 1 is still number 1. Am I worried? Not one bit! God's hands are all over this!
Posted at 09:59 AM in Faith Permalink Comments (1) TrackBack (0)
June 28, 2008
Fish anyone?
We were invited to a fish fry at the Beaver Creek this week. A girl that I work with owns some land that this creek runs through. We decided to take her up on the invitation and drove out there. I tell you what. She really "roughs" it out there. Sleeping tents, port-a-potty tents, lawn chairs, fire pits, free air conditioning set on a warm 100 degrees and a lifetime supply of bug spray. She has been out there for over a week and it sure looked like it....lol It was definately a change from our last camping trip in an 69 degree air conditioned 32ft RV, fully loaded with a kitchen, tables, couches, beds and completely bug free (except the dead ones on the windshield).
L's kids are fearless!!! I have never seen a 5 year old girl (S) who will just stick her hands in a bucket of fish and then pull them out and kiss it! She was so funny! E was making all kinds of "EWWW nasty" sounds while 5 year old S looked at her like she was the crazy one! It was classic! My daughter is definantly not a country girl no matter how much she says she is (nor am I)! But it sure was fun, none the less!

and my favorite picture of the day.......

Posted at 05:19 PM Permalink Comments (0) TrackBack (0)
June 25, 2008
Think PINK!
Look what arrived today! Totally Pink! We will be redoing E's room with this new ensemble to include new curtains and PINK walls. It should be very cute once it is complete. I did not get the music note bed shirt because i thought a plain black one would look a lot better. I hope I am right! Stay tune for pictures of her new room.
Posted at 10:42 PM Permalink Comments (1) TrackBack (0)
June 24, 2008
*Sniffle* Vacations Over
I'm officially not on vacation anymore and it sucks! I hate coming back to "reality" after a great vacation. Back to the same ol' stuff you left behind. Work, cooking, cleaning, laundry, strange men working on my new fence pounding away as I am trying to sleep after a midnight shift... JOY! Back to life, back to reality. Back to the here and now... * sung in my best Soul II Soul voice...(I am so 80's). At least I can do it refreshed now, right?
We had an awesome vacation! We got to experience so many new things and it was just wonderful as always! And let me tell you, the Houston skyline is absolutely gorgeous at night! Completely and utterly too massive of a city for me but beautiful none the less.
Despite a few minor detours like having a flat on the motor home as we were leaving town and it taking over 8 hours to find someone who had a tire that would/could fix it, we made it to the family reunion safely. Seeing my cousins and their children was just great! We all had a blast! My aunt did a wonderful job planning the entire event. Hay rides, bonfires, paint ball, water slides, rock wall climbing, swimming, zip lines, blobs... we were never lacking of things to do. And wait til you see the pics of me in my paint ball gear! I tell you what, that is a rough and painful sport! Major, major fun but rough and painful! Why people invest and submit themselves to pain on a regular basis is beyond me. E said "the battle wounds are way worth it!" And boy did we have battle scars! My leg wielded perfect circles of a beautiful pink and purple combo for over a week! I still have one faint circle remaining as a testament to my undying desire to "search and destroy"!
*Pause in this post so I can get back to the reality of work, I didn't realize the time. I will finish this update with pictures later tonight!
Have a great day!
Posted at 01:14 PM Permalink Comments (0) TrackBack (0)
June 02, 2008
Vacation Baby!!!


I am officially on vacation and I am loving it already! No school, no work, no worries.... sounds like heaven to me!
We are preparing to go on our trip to Texas for our reunion in the Dallas area. I am excited to see some family that I haven't seen in quite a few years and also the the few cousins that I have not met yet. Should be exhaustingly fun! We booked a ranch and have plans for hay rides, bon fires, paint ball, water slides, and water trampolines in the lake! Sounds like lots of action photo's in the making. Hopefully I can get some great opportunities to get some fabulous shots! (Did I mention that I'm still in love with my new camera?) We are also having a devotional time before the reunion is over and I created a movie of all of us cousins showing us growing up, along with 3 scrapbook albums that have taken me WAY too long to complete. You can call me the queen of procrastination or you can just call me lazy, both titles fit quite well at times...lol! I am really happy with how they turned out but I fear how the receivers of the gifts are going to react. I just worry way too much about my creations. Being heartfelt should be enough but I still worry anyway. It's a weakness of mine!
After the reunion, E and I had plans to go to Galveston but we have decided to stay in the Dallas area for the week. We will spend the week with my brother and my parents. My bro and I are trying to plan a few fun things for the week to include having dinner at the Mid-evil Castle and maybe do a mystery dinner theatre Then there is shopping, lots of shopping!!!! I hate shopping! I never have liked it. Now my daughter is a whole completely different story. Along with my mother, E could shop from sun up to sun down and never get tired. I just don't understand it one bit! It's craziness, I tell you! E sure didn't get her shopping skills from me! I do good to just go into a store and grab what is needed and get out as quick as possible. The mention of the mall just instantly sets my mood to miserable! Looks like I will just have to suck it up for this week! I will paint on a happy smile and tell myself I am enjoying it! Mind over matter, right?
We are still planning to continue on to Houston for the end of the week to witness a once in a lifetime dream that my uncle has accomplished! He is being inducted into the Pro-Bowler's Hall of Fame. I wouldn't miss this for the world! He is one of my favorite uncles and to get to witness this first hand is just awesome! I am so proud of him. He is finally getting the recognition that he deserves for his achievement in excellence! How exciting is that?
Well, I guess I have rambled on enough. I should get back to packing and putting final touches on my creations. I will leave you with 2 pictures of Tucker who is now 4 months old and as big as a moose! I would say as big as a horse but a horse doesn't do this dog justice! First picture was March, second was May (2 months worth of moose growth)


Posted at 11:54 AM Permalink Comments (1) TrackBack (0)
May 23, 2008
Just a fun survey
Just something fun!!!
1. Do you like blue cheese? yes
2. Have you ever drank? Yes 3. Do you own a gun? Yep, Go ahead, MAKE MY DAY!

4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? KoolAid is the most nasty thing EVA!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointment? most of the time 6. What do you think of hot dogs? with Chili and cheese 7.Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life. (I ring bells on purpose...lol) 8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Pepsi, the breakfast of champions! 9. Can you do push ups? Can I? yes Will I? nope
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? silver rope necklace my dad gave me for Christmas 4 years ago. I never take it off! 11. Favorite hobby? scrapbooking and photography
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No
13. What's your weight? about a fourty pound sack of taters to much!!
14. Middle name? Reena' (with the french accent on the a' - its prounounced Renee) 15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment- My stomach is woozy from the glucose test I had to do an hour ago.
I wont finish this survey before it's time to go give more bloodwork.
I can't wait til I can have my daily Pepsi (after the bloodwork is complete)
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Pepsi, Pepsi, Pepsi 17. Current worry? Gas money 18. Current hate right now? Gas prices 19. Favorite place to be? comfy and cozy in my home surrounded by the things I love OR the beach!
20. How did you bring in the New Year? working, unfortunantly
21. Where would you like to go? Turkey, i want to see places and walk where Jesus walked

22. Name three people who will complete this? Not sure
23. Do you own slippers? Of course, I live in slippers in the winter. Ask me what color I DON'T have! 24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? pink with white polka dots 25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No
26. Can you whistle? Nope, never could no matter how hard i tried 27. Favorite color? White 28. Would you be a pirate? Yep,just so that I could live on the Ocean! 29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't, it scares my cats! lol 30. Favorite Girl's Name? Emily 31. Favorite boy's name? Ethan 32. What's in your pocket right now? my cell phone> 33. Last thing that made you laugh? Tucker, dad's dog 34. Best bed sheets as a child? Holly Hobby sheets 35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? I fell out of a moving car once, and was hit by a moving car on another occasion .... car's and I were not friends. 36. Do you love where you live? yes, but I would love it better if it were near the Ocean. 37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 5 38. Who is your loudest friend? I am the loudest of all my friends. 39. How many dogs do you have? none, and I dont want any either!!! 40. Does someone have a crush on you? I don't know but if so, he needs to make himself known!!! 41. What is your favorite book? Bible 42. What is your favorite candy? Currently it is Giant Chewy Nerds, they are da bomb! 43. Favorite Sports Team? NASCAR, any team that doesnt have Tony Stewart as a member. 44. What song do you want played at your funeral? I havent thought that far ahead yet!
Posted at 09:51 PM »