Perfect Swing!

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Oklahoma State Fair greatness...giant cinnamon rolls, animals of all kinds, carnival rides, various infomercial products, and of course pig races! :)

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Oklahoma State Fair and Disney on Ice!

Just a few super fun pics of time spent at the Oklahoma State Fair with Mimi and Boompa! And some of the pics from Disney on Ice...which was amazing! Had a friend tell me once that fun people, just have fun...no matter what they are doing...I really hope we are raising a family that embodies that idea! Life is full of FUN!! Laugh, smile and find the simple joy in life!! A smile and a laugh can change everything!!! There is so much that tries to steal our joy out of life. Defeat happens sometimes before we even open our eyes and start the day. Be reminded that the enemy's plot is to steal it and if he can't steal it he is going to try and kill it and if he can't kill it he will attempt to destroy it according to John 10:10.

BUT....and it's a good but....."but,I came that they might have LIFE and might have it abundantly!!!!" John 10:10

Joy, no matter what form....and I know at times it is a sacrifice...but choosing to find the joy no matter how slight it might be takes the ordinary in life and makes it extraordinary!!!

"All the days of the afflicted are bad, BUT a cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

I know it might come as a surprise to some that think I am always "up", but I have to continually submit to God's Authority to have a joyful heart regardless of my circumstances. It is something that I have battled in a very real and desperate way in recent years. I realized that my joy was very manufactured at times. You know, you've heard the expression "Just put on the face"....At times I would just "pull myself up by my bootstraps" and be happy on the outside, while in the inside I was raging. I have recognized that you can't maintain a personal, human joy that is easily broken, abused and hidden...but as I am growing and increasing my faith and dependency on a higher Joy...a joy that is sustained not by human motivation, but by the very embodiment of Joy itself it has become un-manufactured and pure. Because my Joy belongs to God, not to me.

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full!" John 15:11

I have to consistently be reminded, sharpened and held accountable to allowing Christ to fill my bones with a continual feast of Joy!!

Find something to laugh about and just let it go! The other day I was in Walmart with my kids and Ainsley decided that the candy bars would be merchandised a lot better on the floor...as well as all the perfume...although I appreciate her "forward-thinking merchandising mind", it was not the right moment. :) Then when I went to "lovingly correct her" she fell to the floor, limp body and not in tears...but in sheer laughter. Like, I could not get the girl's noodle legs under her. She was simply hysterical. Obviously as a parent in the future I will not be encouraging the re-shelving of Walmart products...but for that day and in that moment, I'll be honest I couldn't help but just laugh along with her! And boy, did we belly laugh!! I'm sure everyone thought I had just lost it as a mother...and you know what they would be right. I just let it go....for one moment I let go of perfection and just laughed!

As believers we have to look around. Open your eyes and look for someone that just needs to laugh and find a reason to laugh! Open your eyes and look for someone that just needs to smile and find a reason to smile! It takes courage to laugh, smile and find joy in not so great circumstances....so we should help each other and fight with the tools that we have been given to defeat the enemy's schemes to steal, kill and destroy the great JOY that we have been given! No one is perfect and there have been so many opportunities I have missed to either receive Joy or give it based on my own insecurities, unsubmissive heart or simply being entrenched in my own circumstances. Don't beat yourself up, just submit, obey and give Joy today! :)That is why it's great that real authentic Joy comes not from humans, but from God Eternal!



Time together as a family has been so short, and we have friends and family that are going through so many difficult circumstances, we have pressure to succeed, deadlines to meet and responsibilities to complete at an excellent level. There is a place for intensity and it is all about balance in life, BUT when God presented the opportunity to just have fun, be a kid and laugh....we took it. We have to take those moments of joy and just ENJOY them! And I think I had the most fun out of everyone!! Hahaha!

God bless you and reward you with Great Joy today!!

Folks...folks...we've made contact! W-ford has a fresh new Walmart Super Center!! WHOOP! WHOOP!

Mamaw and Pawpa are AMAZING! Thank you so much for all the goodies!!

We had an incredible night Tuesday night! Mamaw and Papaw drove in to W-ford and brought some of the yummiest food ever!! Mamaw cooked up some of the most amazing roast, broccoli and rice casserole, salad, potatoes, carrots and rolls! And Aunt Mandy sent amazing cupcakes. It was so special to have them come in for the night! Thank you for all the goodies, new clothes for the kids and lovin'! It meant a ton!! We love you guys!!

"Priceless" pic of the little Miss...

I love, love, love this pic of Ainsley! She is chowing down on a huge brownie, lounging in her bean bag chair and wearing a bib that says "Priceless"....could not have staged that in a million years!!

Girl's Night Out!

Had an amazing time with precious friends the other night! It was so refreshing to spend time laughing, chatting and eating chocolate...of course!!
You girls were so precious and it is such a blessing to be encouraged by such Spirit-filled friends! Love you amazing ladies...love you too Linds and can't wait till the next girl's night out!