Meet Timon!

I want to introduce you to Timon. Timon is a little boy who lives in Tanzania. We as a family, are sponsoring Timon through Compassion. Compassion is a great organization I found out about through a SHE event I attended with Rebecca St. James. I have always wanted to sponsor a child but worried that my funds would not go directly to the child. Well, I have researched Compassion and it is the REAL deal!

I have to admit, I was nervous about committing to this child. Money is tight. But, I couldn't pass this up. My heart led me to it. It is 38.00 a month to sponsor a child through Compassion. The way I looked at it.... that is 1 1/2 pedicures. I can sacrifice my occasional pedicures and use that money for a better cause.

What an opportunity this is for my children. I can't wait for Brayden and Timon to be able to write letters back and forth. As I introduced this to my family tonight, as we were all huddled together on Brayden's bed, Brayden's eyes lit up with excitement but soon became teary when I told him about Timon's life.

You see, Timon lives with his grandmother. He lost his parents to AIDS. There are four children in the family. The grandmother is sometimes employed as a farmer. His favorite game is hide-n-seek. Our sponsorship will provide Timon with Bible classes, health screening, educational field trips, sports, hygiene education, picnics, school uniforms, and educational materials.

I encourage you to research Compassion. Read the testimonials from people like Micheal W. Smith, he has sponsored the same child for years and has been able to meet his child. See what it is all about. Click here to visit their website. Join me in giving up that extra something and sponsor a child! I look forward to hearing about your experience and I look forward to sharing our experience with you.

Cheap Entertainment

Well.... prayers were said for rain, and as always, God provided. We have had approx. 9 inches of rain since yesterday morning. As soon as we got home today, Brayden did what boys do best.... he played in the mud. He was covered from head to toe.

Before long... Bailee joined in the fun. She wasn't too sure of it at first, but as you can see from the pictures, she also had fun!

We are so thankful for the rain, and the cheap entertainment.

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things....

Obviously... I am running low on blogable events.... BUT, I do want to take a minute to share some of my favorite things with my blog friends. The following "things" are some of my all time favorite. I wanted to share with you. I encourage you to share some of your favorite things with me and why they are your favorite. Let me know if you blog about it. At different times of my life..... my favorite things change, but at this point in my life.... these are some of my favs!

The first is all about my obsession and love for coffee. For our anniversary, my parents bought us a Keurig single serve coffee maker. It is AMAZING. It is one of those things that when you get it, you wonder how you lived without it.

I have a favorite perfume that I just love and have for years and years. It is Tuscany by Estee Lauder. I have tried to change, just for something different and nothing compares. LOVE it!

I am soooo not a fashionista.... that is FOR SURE. I am all about comfort. I have found these shoes called Volatile. I bought mine from Dillards. They are super cute and absolutely the MOST comfortable shoe EVER. I will say, that the first day I wear them... I have to break them in and my feet hurt a little.... BUT after the first day... I am good to go. These shoes are a higher heeled flip flop but they completely feel like tennis shoes. I just got my second pair on sale for $29.99. My mom... has a terrible time with her hips and legs, and even she loves the too!

Moving on.... I don't take care of my skin like I should. I am bad, bad, bad. I have found that these Oil of Olay cleansing clothes are soooo good. I am always rushing and in a hurry. These are perfect for quick cleansing. I notice improvements in my skin soon after using them religiously. Normally I use Mary Kay. But when I am in a hurry (which is all the time) I use these.

The next three items.. are not surprising. They have to do with photography. The first is my Nikon D90. This camera is incredible. I absolutely love this thing. It is my baby. It has taken my pictures to a whole new level. It has allowed me to make a little extra money.

The next is the 50mm 1:8 lens. Love this thing. I can get up close and have the background beautifully blurred.

The last item... My Nikon SB-600 flash. Wow, this thing is amazing. I even use it in bright sunlight to take away the subtle shadows. I prefer natural light.... but this thing is a must have, especially in low light situations.

Lastly and more important than ALL of these "things", I have a song for you. Yes, JUST for you. It is absolutely amazing. I dedicate it to all of the woman and young girls out there. Enjoy!

Celebrating 10 years!

Justin and I the summer of 1994:

Who knew.... that 15 years after this picture was taken.... that we would be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary! I will tell you who knew..... and that was God. He knew from the moment I was born... that there had to be someone special made and chosen, just for me. God knew that this man had to have the patience of Job, and a heart of gold. That special someone came into my life in 1992. At that time.... we were friends and nothing more. We travelled the stock show circuit, showing sheep... him placing his sheep and mine hitting the truck, EVERY time. It wasn't until May of 1994 that we decided to become more than friends. It was a decision that would change my entire life for the better. It would make me into the person I am today. Because of the example both sets of parents set for us..... we celebrate 10 years of marriage.

My mom, to this day, tells the story of our first date.... we were headed out the door and she said..... good luck Justin, she is a handful, but it she is worth it. Like me, she knows that God only created one person that could handle me..... and Justin is this person.

I can't imagine it any other way.....

He we are at his Senior Prom...

I found this today..... from our first anniversary as a dating couple.

And here is the one from our 10 year wedding anniversary.

Here is my favorite picture.... it is our first as husband and wife. September 4, 1999.