Way Back When-esday: college days

It's Wednesday....meaning time for a look from way back when

I love looking back at pictures...the memories they hold...and especially seeing how much we have changed.
The picture above is from my college days. I think this was taken my 1st Christmas in college...way back when...so December 2000. Wow!! has it really been that long? I guess the good thing is that I don't feel as old as that date puts me.

*linking up with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Way Back When-esday* swing by her page and see more way back when photos and stories

Makes My Monday: Mommy Thoughts (Grace)

This past week has been an enlightening one. I don't know if it was just easier to see where people are coming from or if maybe I started understanding the reasoning behind why things happen. But I feel as if my heart was more open to take negative criticism and constructive criticism. Either way, that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I was joking about it on my Facebook account with this -->

God never gives you anything you can't handle. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so at this point I should be able to bench press a Buick.

Some days, I feel like I could hold the Buick with one arm tied behind my back...ha ha


Eye opening weeks happen few and far between for me...but when they do, I must share.
Our Pastor is also our Couples Class teacher...I've learned so much going to Sunday school each week. I even asked him if he had a secret camera in our house because it seems like he teaches exactly what we need each week even down to the illustration...it's almost scary at times. God truly has a way of giving you exactly what you need. Well, this week was right there for me as well. We were talking about relationships with our spouses..but this can go for all relationships. In Romans 7...it talks about the law..and the law back in the Old Testament was such a cruel law. It was the LAW and nothing else. When someone did something wrong, they were usually taken out into the streets and stoned. Wow! If that happened nowadays, I don't think that I would have made it to my teen years. But thanks be to God for coming and paying the price for us...we now are save by grace...which in turn means me should be as Christ...and look at every relationship through grace and not through the law. Give people a break. There is no use in tally up each and every mistake, harmful word, insane action, etc. It's difficult enough to live life peacefully without keeping score.
Why add all the stress when you can just possess a little grace?!

My goal is to live a Grace relationship with not only my husband but also with those around me. It's a win win! Others will be happy as will I....which in turn makes God happy. And what an excellence example I can be for my kids.

Thanks to circumstances through the week, and an enlightening class from our Pastor.....this truly Makes My Monday. I am ready for a fresh "graceful" start to this week. How about you?

*linking up with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday*

Lily...dirty face and all...this was after having a lollipop...so she was nice and sticky as well....holding up her Birthday letter from our Pastor.

This puppy dog drawing really made her day. It's the little things that count

Way Back When-esday: Through the Years

I'm a day late on the post...but being a day late lets me use what would have been Tuesday's post as Today's "Way Back When".

Yesterday, November 30, was Lilyann's 3rd Birthday. I can't believe my precious Lily Lu, Lu Bell, Pretty Girl (the list could go on forever) is already 3. Where has the time gone?
At times, it seems like "why is time moving so slow?" and then other times, "It has flown by". I'm thankful for the slow and fast times with my Lily....and I can't wait to watch her grown up into a fine young lady. Here is a look at her...through the years...

Lily's last sonogram picture...taken a couple of weeks before delivery (Nov. 16, 2007)

My chubby Lilyann...1 week old (Dec. 6, 2007)

Happy 1st Birthday, Lily!! Thanksgiving 2008

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lily!! Nov. 29, 2009

Happy 3rd Birthday, Lily!! Nov. 27, 2010

getting ready to blow her candle out with the help of Mommy...and for those wondering, Jed's mom makes all the kids' cakes...I love each and every cake...she captures exactly what the kids like. Lily was so excited with her Cat and Mouse cake, that when we took it off the table when it was time to eat pizza, she started crying. She LOVED her cake. Thanks, Grandma.

Lilyann ~ 3 yrs old (Nov 30, 2010)

Playing along with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Way Back When-esday