Relay for Life 2010

Tonight we gathered for our local Relay for Life event. It was an event to honor the memories of families and friends who have lost the battle to cancer, and to celebrate the lives of those who have beat this dreaded disease. Cancer has impacted the lives of just about everyone I know in some way. Progress is being made to find a cure, but there is more left to do. I urge you to get involved with the Relay for Life event in your community. Together we can help find a cure and fight back!


CGS Tent

Survivor Lap

Lovebirds

Silly Shot

Extraordinary Women

Here are a few of my "golden nuggets" from the EWomen's conference this past weekend:

- Being in the center of God's will is not so much of what we are to do, but who we are to be.

- To begin developing an attitude of thanksgiving change "I have to..." with "I am able to..."

- Whatever we are going through is only a moment. We must stay unshaken through the plot changes of life. As Christians, we have a guaranteed happy ending!

- Don't put a period where God has a comma!

....and of course, no post is complete without a few pictures:

The FBCL gang!

So psyched that I got to meet my favorite author- Karen Kingsbury!

PEACE! That was the theme for the conference.

Dawn with Charles Billingsly- the BEST worship leader EVER!!!!!!

EW

Tonight I am headed to the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville for the Extraordinary Women's Conference. I am so psyched! This will be the 2nd time I have attended this particular conference, and I am looking forward to the roller coaster ride of emotions (weird, I know.) The speakers always have you laughing one minute and crying the next. It is so great to worship in an arena full of women. You feel free to lift your hands, sing at the top of your lungs, or sit and listen to the Lord as He whispers into your soul. I'm counting the hours until EW 2010 begins!

Tribute to Eli

On Friday night, Mackaylan and I were able to go to Eli's baseball game. It was so great to see him in action out on the field. Hopefully we will get to a few more games before the season ends. We love you, Eli!

Wordless Wednesday- Kind of.....

A few weeks ago the "Stepping Stone" SS class met at Lisa and Scott's for some family fun! I feel so blessed to have these people in my life. The love and support Mickey and I receive from this wonderful group of people is astounding. We are so fortunate to have a group of Christian friends where we can be completely transparent (Mickey sometimes more than me- LOL), cut up, laugh, and just be who we are- no strings attached. However, this same group of people also provide accoutability, biblical wisdom, and encouragement in times of need. We all "have each other's backs" because we know Who has ours! To us, these faces mean way more than the names on a Sunday School roster, they are friends!

Dance Pictures Sneak Peek

Last night my mom and I took Mackaylan to have her dance pictures made. I just love her costume this year, but I love the little girl wearing it so much more!!! This year Mackaylan is taking tap and jazz and only has 2 other girls in her group so she gets a lot of one-on-one instruction. For her tap routine she is dancing to a Bon Jovi song, and she is dancing to a Miley Cyrus song for her jazz routine. Here are a few pictures that I took at my mom and dad's before we headed to the studio to have the professional shots made. Enjoy!

Big Buck

This weekend Mickey raced at his favorite track- Big Buck, Union, SC. He finished 10th, which was one place away from receiving a plaque (or as Mackaylan calls it- a "picture frame!") This was his best finish as this track so he was satisfied with his performance. Russell, Dawn and Isaac joined us on the pit crew/fan club this week. Betsi, Mickey's sister, also drove in from Charlotte for this 4-wheeler adventure. It was a VERY dusty day, but we all had a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to next weekend already!

Scripture Sunday

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

I'm Lovin' It......

This week I am lovin' my new blog design! If you are wanting to give your blog a new look I highly recommend my designer- Jaime. She is the mother of two adorable kids, works part-time, is in the process of building a new house, and enjoys doing blog design in her "spare" time! She was so patient as she walked me through the entire process (via multiple emails), and had the design complete in less than a week. I absolutely love the new look! So, what are you lovin' today? Click on over to the Tidy Mom blog to join the I'm Lovin' It party! See ya there......

Making Progress

I am offically down 33 lbs. Woot! This makes me so happy! However, I still have about 10 more to lose in order to be at the lowest weight I have been since having Mackaylan, and 20 more to get to my ultimate goal. I would love nothing more than to reach my goal by my wedding anniversary, May 25th. That means losing about 2 lbs. a week. A lofty goal, but one I am willing to work hard to obtain. I'll keep you posted.......

Wordless Wednesday

Sisters Say the Darndest Thing

My sister and her family gave Mackaylan the Ms. Pott's Talking Tea Set for her birthday. Now, you must know that my sister lives in a household of boys, and it has been a while since she has watched any Disney movies, but I couldn't help but burst out laughing when she rushed over to me at the party and said: "Lana, please tell me that the tea set isn't already broken?" "What's the matter with it?" I asked. "There is a chip in the cup," she explained. Needless to say, after recovering from a fit of laughter, I explained to her that the tea set was perfect and that the little chip in the cup is exactly where it should be (hence his name- Chip!) Sisters- they sure do say the darndest things!

Wedding

This past weekend we had a big wedding in our family. Mackaylan was asked to be the flowergirl and was looking forward to the big day for months! She enjoyed wearing the dress, and fixing up for the occasion, but when it was time to fulfill her "flowergirl obligations" she backed out. We were all very surprised because she is not one to be afraid of the spotlight!! She loves to sing in the children's choir at church and dances in an auditorium with hundreds of people without a second thought. Anyway, the show went on and Mackaylan sat with us on the front row and waved to the other flowergirl from the sidelines. The wedding ceremony was beautiful and we all had a great time at the reception! Here are a few pics from the big day!

Mackaylan and the groom, cousin Gordon.

Mackaylan and Vanessa, her cousin from Cincinatti.

Mackaylan and Vanessa dancing with Granny and Granddaddy.

Sissy & Eli, Mickey & KK, and Gordon & Mandy sharing a special dance.

Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny came to our house and left behind a few goodies for everyone! Here is Mackaylan's basket full of books, bubbles, chocolate, and a stuffed animal. She loved her platypus most of all! Any stuffed animal that gets assigned to bedtime duty is a keeper!



The Easter Bunny left me one of my favorite magazines. I can only find this magazine at Walmart so he must shop there too!

And of course, Mickey received his favorite- Reese's Eggs- because the Easter Bunny heard he is one "eggsellent" husband!

Did the Easter Bunny visit your house? I hope he left you lots of goodies too!

He is Risen!

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Gallilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you.

- Matthew 28: 5-7

Happy Easter!

Happy Birthday, Mackaylan!

Dear Mackaylan,

Your heartbeat was the first that I heard racing inside of me. Your kicks were my first feeling of the gift of life. You were the first person to make me a mother. You were the first child that I loved more than life itself. You were the first to fill me with pride with your every little accomplishment. You are the first, a miracle, our little girl. Happy 5th Birthday! We sure are happy you are apart of our family. We love you!

Mama and Daddy