Enjoy some Sunday afternoon fun.
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weekend plans.
November 7, 2008 – 4:48 pm
take in some glorious sunshine.
go see call + response.
visit with some friends and their church.
breathe.
laugh.
talk and reconnect with my husband during a 4 hour drive.
buy a new magazine and be inspired over the photos.
So.
What are your weekend plans?
tamales + camera = God story
November 4, 2008 – 12:25 pm
I happen to think God is really cool. He more than just provides the needs he details moments through the journey. Unfolding like the most beautifully wrapped present were the details of this story. I cannot help but share them out.
Last September I learned how to make tamales. My plan was to make some money for Jamie’s adoption. Interestingly enough I became known as “tamale lady” by one sweet blogger woman. I thought that really funny because I feel a far cry from all things tamale. We needed to meet in person and sure enough we got the chance. I love Nancy. Love her. She is the most encouraging beautiful woman. To know her is to love her.
The time that followed has been nothing short of craziness. In the months we acted on the leading to adopt. In that time I also picked up a camera and started a little business. God blessed.
A few weeks ago I got a call from Living Proof Ministries about doing a photo session for Christmas Cards. Nancy works for LPM and shared my name. Precious brave Nancy. Nancy is also aware all the money from my little business runs to our adoption fund.
God. only God.
Yesterday we all met and laughed for the camera. I felt more than honored. I sit under the ministry of each of these beautiful women. Some may answer phones, some may answer mail, some may organize, and some may teach but rest assured these women [ahem… and Curtis] are in this together. It is such a beautiful thing.
Who would have thought? Debra makes tamales. Debra meets new friends. Debra picks up a camera. Debra plans adoption. Debra photographs LPM Staff. God thought. He can choose in any way to provide our adoption funding. Today he chose this.
What will it be tomorrow?
I am so along for the ride. I must say that at this moment I feel a bit wild over him. Wild enough to have a picture in my mind of holding tight to his strong arms while riding the fast pace of this life. My hair is blowing in the wind and my cheeks are ravaged by the sun. I cannot see what lay ahead. I can only hold on with great anticipation.
::
In this photo you can see the fun on my face. I enjoyed each of you and your good hair. I still cannot believe that I actually jumped up and down for you all. My plan was to act a little more civilized [insert my own laughter]. Kimberly and Kimberly the LT was fun. We must do it again. Liz thank you for coming and being willing to hold a ladder for me and for documenting the wrapping to my story.
Photo Credit: Liz Seay.
mike+amy [and boys]
November 1, 2008 – 5:13 pm
These two are high school sweethearts. Mike, Amy, Me & Ernest all went to high school together. Seriously. Amy is an awesome photographer and an equally amazing decorator. Check out her blog here. Today we had the opportunity to switch out some shots for Christmas Cards. It is so different to be in front of the camera. I REALLY love my place behind it.
My favorites…
happy halloween.
October 31, 2008 – 5:38 pm
bride + groom
October 30, 2008 – 12:29 pm
What fun was this. I may just show you a few more when I get them ready. Bride + groom had some very creative ideas including standing in a reflecting pool.
I will never forget a little boy dressed in his bulky Halloween costume saying over and over…
“hey beautiful bride.”
nine.
October 27, 2008 – 4:57 pm
1. High School Musical 3
2. Sat. Morning Photo Session
3. Ernest teaching Sat/Sun at Youth Event for North Park Baptist Church.
4. Shop for Black Mary Jane Dress Shoes
5. Discovery Green for 30.2 minutes
6. Carly’s American Girl Fashion Show practice
7. Sunday Evening Bridal Shoot (photos coming soon)
8. Drop and break my 50mm 1.8 lens
9. Ernest, Colt, and Starr Boys hang at Herman Park
::
What are 9 things you did this weekend?
grocery shopping for $300 (or less) a month
October 24, 2008 – 1:07 pm
Honestly. I feel sort of silly writing about this. I have had a lot of you ladies ask so here goes. I think our grocery budget has always been around this but now I am working on making it less. We are trying to save money every way we can. I shop every two weeks so I try to spend $150 or less on 13 meals. We eat out for one dinner and also Sundays for lunch.
Things I do not do:
clip coupons
carry a calculator to the store
buy everything organic
buy packaged snacks
Things I do:
buy store brand a lot
buy healtier options
take my time at the store
buy a lot of fruit
ALWAYS have a detailed list
Go shop by MYSELF
The question that you guys keep asking is “What do you eat?” So below is our current menu. The idea is to have enough meals to prepare but not to necessarily eat them on the specified day. Make sense? Let’s note that Carly and Colt take their lunch which includes a sandwich, fruit, cheese cubes, yogurt (it varies but you get the idea) and water for drinking. We bought these from Ikea to pack the sandwich and fruit in instead of ziplocks. Instead buying bottled water we use their favorite camp water bottle and just fill it up daily. Ernest takes leftovers from our dinner to lunch. I am at home so I just eat whatever. For breakfast we have a mix of Multi Grain Cheerios & Kahsi Heart Healthy Cereal along with fruit. For snacks we make pudding, jello, cookies, and have a few other things. Also note I shop on Thursday nights so that is why our menu starts with Friday.
Fri. Turkey Chili & Whole Wheat Crackers
Sat. Bertolli Meal
Sun. Chicken-n-dumplings
Mon. Chicken Noodle Bake
Tue. Turkey Tacos, Rice, Beans
Wed. Breakfast. Eggs, Turkey Bacon, Whole Wheat Toast
Thur. Homemade Pizza (Parker Night)
Fri. Wheat Spaghetti with Lean Ground Beef/Marina & Salad
Sat. Tuna Croquettes, Mashed Potatoes & Green Beans
Sun. Chicken Noodle Soup (with wheat noodles)
Mon. Baked Chicken, Baked Potato & Green
Tue. Tortilla Soup, Avocados, & El Milagro Chips
Wed. Chicken Alfredo
Thur. Eating Out (Parker Night)
Our menu changes every two weeks. You will see a lot of soups for this season of the year. All the Parkers love some soup.
There you go. That is how I shop for $300 or less a month.
So.
What is your shopping secret?
throw away children.
October 10, 2008 – 5:24 pm
I heard that term today on Dr.Phil today. I cringed. To say the least.
The topic was human s*x slave trafficking. This term was used to describe the majority of the girls. Throw away children meaning no one cares for them. There is no one watching out for them. No one to go home to. No home to go to.
Throw away children.
:
My truth.
I don’t want to just cringe.
I want to find a way to help.
:
Trafficking is not only happening in the United States but HERE in Houston. In a place called Guerrero of all things. It was so close. I have to admit there have been thoughts as I pass this certain billboard in the city. It is about Trafficking in Houston. A place to stop it. A place to fight it. A place for protection. I have THOUGHT more than once I need to find out more about that.
The thought passes.
Today I choose to open my eyes to this. I choose. I have no idea what I will do. God may lead me to be active, he may lead me to be quiet, but assuredly he will lead.
Even writing this now has my eyes stinging with tears. These precious girls, some as young as 12. How can we turn away? I think of my beloved students, I think of my best girl playing with her dolls in the next room, I think of the thrown away girl.
Go check out the site: call + response
Pray. Do. Love.
:
Dr. Phil mentioned two ways to help.
1. Call your congressman and ask them to pass the bill TVPRA before thier session is closed. I have never done anything like this before. I am going to research it and make a phone call.
2. Keep your eyes open. Some warning signs are listed on the bottom of this page.
Here is the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline: 888.373.7888
:
Hear this.
A woman was explaining how she felt the very first time her body was sold.
“I felt like I threw up my soul….”
