The bearing of fruit and pruning of branches

John 15:2

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,

while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.


Pruning of Branches...
During these last two weeks I have felt God nudging my heart.
Picking and pruning and leaving me with some serious thoughts to ponder.
If I am being honest, lately I find myself falling into this funk of an attitude. It's not that I'm being mean, rude, obnoxious or anything else... out loud anyways.
That's right, more times then not these rude comments are in my head.

Now, these thoughts are nothing to the extreme but...they are extreme to God and I know they are not of me, nor who I am in Christ.
Silly thoughts like "why do I have to..." or "maybe if you'd just..."
Selfishness...
I know.
God has been showing me though that when these thoughts are merely in my head they are soon to creep into my heart and spirit, they may even start slipping off my tongue.
I don't want any of that.
& that is where bearing fruit comes into play.


Bearing Fruit
Thank you Jesus! That you are always with us and working on us to help us grow.

I mean are we blessed or what?
This past Sunday at Church I was graced with being able to hear my Bishop of the IPHC, which my Church falls under, give a sermon about the
 Holy Spirit.
He asked the congregation a question that rocked my socks off.
"Who is the most important person in the world?" he asked us.
He explained how some people he asked on other occasions would say George Clooney, or Jesus! You're in Church, Jesus is always the right answer right?
Nope.
NOT Jesus folks..
Dun.Dun.Dun.
Want to know why?
Answer: Jesus is no longer on the earth!
He left us the Holy Spirit to guide and be with us until His return.
How stinking cool is that.

I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit and how he be a gentle whisper to our spirit and say "Hey,I love you. Check your heart, be calm in my presence and I will guide you." Just like the verse Psalms 46:10.
Amen to that.
I feel those branches falling off and while day to day it can be hard in certain situations to stay calm,cool and collected I know I can because of Him who gives me strength.
Pruning can be hard but I want to bear fruit for Him and His glory so it is well worth it. When I find myself being tempted to think or say something in my thoughts that I know is wrong I stop and Pray. It has been helping me a lot more than trying to take a deep breath and count to 10. One thing that is super cool about God, He knows when I am going to come to him frustrated at someone or something and he already has the extra grace I need. I just need to be ready to receive it.
He never fails us.
I will keep you updated on this pruning job.
I should be sprouting new branches every day.
=)

Prayer
Something I desperately want to offer my readers is someone to pray for them so, please leave a comment or email me with what I can be praying for this week.

Email info is in my bio.

Happy Hump Day!

A fresh start

I know it has been a good long while since I last posted and I could spit out every good excuse in the book but, I wont.
I want to turn over a new leaf and start blogging consistently. Katie (baby Belle. For any new readers, her middle name is Annabelle a.k.a where Belle comes from)is going to be 16 months old this Wednesday and I just feel the importance of documenting this journey. No joke, everyday she is waking up doing or saying new things. I want to catch it all.

I have a plan for this blogging journey that is just a structure block to help me get adjusted.  

Monday: Weekend Recap.

Wednesday: Devotionals(whats new with me and God. How can I pray for you?)

Friday: Funny Friday! 

Fingers crossed that I will stick to this.

I feel empowered and ready to open this new chapter. I hope you will join me and enjoy the ride.

Welcome to this life of mine. =)

Weekend Recap

Friday night was quite the surprise because Troy and I were able to go on a date! That's right folks, a date. =)

Grandma Kathy watched Katie while we went to C.B & Potts for dinner. I highly recommend going if you've never been. It was delicious and considering I'm married to a P.E. teacher, I liked the fact that different sports were on all the large flat screens.
We came home around 8:30pm and Katie was more then happy to have us back.
We put her down for bed and popped in the movie Captain Phillips.
Beyond good ladies and gentlemen.
Saturday morning it was snowing once again here in CO (per the norm) and it was freezing cold. My sweet hubby went and got us some yummy Starbucks. Call me crazy because even on a ice cold Colorado day I want to enjoy an ice cold caramel Frapp with extra caramel in the cup and on top thank you very much. ;)
And that's exactly what I did. Proudly.
Troy is also the Athletic Director at his school so he has to attend A LOT of social events and games outside of normal school hours.
His Saturdays have been booked most of January-now, and we are missing him tons.
So, we spent Saturday as a mommy daughter day and hung out inside. A warm bath, a movie or two and some food. That's our motto.
Sunday we went to Church and heard an awesome sermon from a guest speaker, Bishop of the IPHC, Larry H.
His talk was on the Holy Spirit and how our Church's need more of Him! I couldn't agree more. It was a great talk but, more of that on Wednesday.
We grabbed a quick lunch with some friends and I took Katie home for a nap finally around 1 o'clock.
Later that night Troy whipped us up some homemade pizza (Which BTW he is the King of) and we watched the Oscars.
Time to start this week off right!
Hurray! I actually posted something.
=)
This fresh start feels good.

A picture journey

I have to get better at this 

whole blogging thing.

To kick start that idea, here are some pictures of

how our life has been going.

Enjoy.

Winter time.
0 degrees here in CO somedays. YIKES!

Sick cuddles with Mr.Bear

Visiting Daddy at work

Fun at the park. It was expected to be the last warm day in a while

Katie got an Anywhere Chair from PBK for Christmas this year.
Such a Score on black friday.

Look at those eyes. My babe.

Having her first sugar cookie! Eating Frosty the Snowman.

Decorating the tree with us. Gorgeous.

A little Sunday school fun. Christmas play practice.








She Also may have had her
FIRST BIRTHDAYAnd is now  currently 13 months old




Happy Birthday to Katie!





Birthday Lunch at Chick-fil-a.
Chicken nuggets yeah?!





 We had a PINK party to celebrate
=)




I love the way she looks at me.
Mommy Daughter moment.

We are looking forward to 2014.
I will post before than though.
;)

Big Girl Status

So much has happened over here lately.
Time has flown by and I haven't been able to get a post out until now.
Here are some pictures along with some amazing new accomplishments!!!

 
See this chick sippin on my water bottle?!
She loves it and claimed it as her own.
I caved.
Well I am stoked to announce that starting on September 9th she has been going potty in her Big Girl potty everyday! Now, I know early (early!) potty training isn't for everyone but it has been working great for us. It was a super easy transition too. We always had her bumbo in the bathroom, so she was used to sitting on something in there with us. She also used to do what I thought was "pretending" to push, like she was going potty too. ;)
Now, when she wakes up in the morning and after naps I place her straight on her potty and away she goes. Just like that. Magic.
I save so many diapers now. She is usually around 2 diapers a day now because most of her business goes in her potty.
I made her, her very own Potty Chart and everything.
She gets a sticker every time she goes that day.
Love her.

Next.



Katie was able to go to daddy's football game!
It was so hot outside and mommy forgot the sunscreen, so we opted for umbrellas instead.
Look at her holding on to it.
And did I mention that little curl?
So cute.


Side note.


Look how cute she is in her new bath robe!
I adore her.


Also, in the past few weeks my 22nd birthday has come and passed.
The day itself was normal and nothing extraordinary.

Me and my birthday buddy


That Friday we went for a lovely dinner to the Olive Garden to celebrate!
Yes. I LOVE the Olive Garden.
Their Chicken Marsala is mouth watering along with the Chocolate Moose cake.
It was a great birthday.

Here is the whole family.

Katie, Troy, Myself and Budee.

That's right, we have a Bunny
who is practically our son.
=)
(katie's hand is blurry from trying to wave)



That has been our last few weeks.
Oh wait!
How could a mom forget. Silly me.
Guys,
Katie has taken her first STEPS!!!

This is right before she started walking towards me =)
We caught the whole thing on video.
Such a proud moment.

Word.
I am one proud mama.
Now it's time to rest.

Remembering 9-11

Today marks another year.
Another year from when tragedy struck our home.
Our backyard.

Our place of comfort.

I was pretty young when 9-11 happened. I would be turning 10 a few weeks after.
At the time I wasn't sure about what happened other than seeing lots of commotion on the TV.
I didn't go to school that day.
And... my brother in-laws birthday is today.
That is all I can remember from the day the Twin Towers were hit.


Today.
9-11-13
I will be turning 22 in a few weeks.
After watching many documentaries on the event I can say it has gripped my heart.
So many thoughts rush through my head and emotions flood my body...and to think..I didn't even know anyone in the towers personally.
I can only imagine how those who did lose someone are feeling.

I think to myself.
Why?
Why to so many things involved in that situation.
I know as a fellow American I will never forget what took place here in America, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.
Those men and women both in the tower that day and those that came to rescue and help were true Heroes.
They were Brave.
Those who were stuck innocently on a plane that took a deadly turn.
They were Brave.

They were Heroes.

For this reason and numerous more, I want to teach my daughter to be Kind. I want to teach her to be gentle, loving, Heroic, sweet, pleasant, courageous, God fearing, and patient.
I want her to Love others.
I know that if I want to teach her that, then that is what I must model.
And the best way I can do that is by making sure I seek God with all my being.
I need Him.
I need Him to help me teach her and to continue teaching me.


So today, when you are at work, with your babies, with your wife or husband or family, when you're driving, waiting in line or having a conversation, be patient.
Take a breath.
You never know what the person next to you has or is going through or what they are about to face.
Smile, Love and show grace.

Maybe you will be the only person who shows them that.


And
Never
Forget
9-11-01


























How are you doing today?

Weekend Fun

This weekend we had tons of fun. By the end we were all tired out!
The last two Fridays Katie has been blessed to spend time with some new friends. She gets to spend every Monday and Friday morning with them. Blaise and Ember are the two cuties names.
They are so much fun and katie learns so much just by watching them.
Ember is younger than Katie but that doesn't stop these two from doing some tummy time together.
You go girls!

Are these two cute or what?

On Saturday I made a huge breakfast. It included the works. Pancakes, hash browns, eggs and sweet crispy bacon. Yum. 

we then relaxed around the house and
got some cleaning done.
That night was when the action-packed-fun hit!
CCA High School football game.
The team has been obliterating every team they come in contact with this season and this was the first home game.
We were excited.

They brought In another win with

52-7!
We bought Katie an oh-so cute Bulldogs outfit and she rocked it!
She made it all the way to half time without a single fuss. This was at 8:35pm so it was past her bedtime.
She cried the whole way home but then she went straight to bed.
What a great little girl.
I think she had a blast!








It was so crazy for me to think back on last season. The last time I had sat in those chairs and bleachers was when i was very  pregnant with Katie.
Now look at my little lady.
I love her.


On Sunday we had a great morning at Church and a delicious lunch at Chipotle.
Then we had a nice cool walk through the park.

And
Big news for this Mama.
It was past Katie Belles bedtime when she decided she wanted to stay up and play. So...
Troy took me out for ice cream... not Katie and I.
Just Troy and myself.
Grandma watched Katie Belle for 20 minutes while we made a quick trip to Sonic and I got the most delicious Reese's Pieces Blast.
I was a nervous wreck half way there...talking about Katie non-stop and asking "what if she needs me?" than what? Mommy isn't there.
I needed a hug more than Katie needed me. Haha
We arrived home shortly after and guess what?
Katie was fine.
Safe. Clean. Happy. Smiling. Having fun.
She didn't even know I had gone missing for the last 20 minutes.
Haha.
It's like I told Troy,  I deserved that Ice cream.

Thank you Katie.
Mommy and Daddy appreciated that.
=)


How was your weekend?

Only 2 months to go...

Until Katie's 1st

Birthday!
Can it be true? Can she really be 10 months old today? Well whether I'm ready to except it or not it is true, and time just keeps moving.  The last 10 months have been incredible and crazy all at the same time. Being mommy to this little princess is the best job ever,
and there is some BIG news happening over here, I bought Katie her first box of
Cheerios!

She was getting tired, but happy to get some "O's"

I think this is really one of the first "foods" I have ever bought her. She was so excited and she also got a new little bowl to tote them around in.
I do want to share though, something very important I realized about Cheerios. When you buy your little lady or lad some Cheerios, make sure if they are younger than a year, that they are not Honey Nut
Cheerios. Babies under 1 year of age are not supposed to have Honey because of a bacteria their tiny tummies are unable to tolerate well. So sticking to plain-ol wheat cheerios is the best route to go. Also adding in the important factor that Nut allergies are a worry too.
So, make sure to give this some thought and look at your foods labels.

Also
I thought I would share this amazingly cute winter vest Troy and I bought for
Katie Belle at The Childrens Place. That store is amazing if you've never checked it out.
Do It.



Printed Puffer Vest

Like I said, only 2 months to go until the big O.N.E! So now I need to get my booty in gear and start planning this Party.
The theme is Pink Ombre with a few touches of gold.
It will pretty and fit for a princess, and why should she except anything less.
=)

Maybe I should top her cake with
Cheerios.... than again...maybe not.