Thursday, November 26, 2009

My cup over flows...


This is my one and only. My husband. My lover. My passion. My best friend. My partner. My covering and my safe place. This is the man the Lord had in mind for me to spend the rest of my life with, and I could not want more.

He is the strongest man I know. He has overcome things that would have defeated me. He is a man on integrity. He is honest. He is a man of prayer. He is a lover of Jesus. He is the best father any son could ask for. He is supportative and he is REAL. No one can make me laugh like him. We just "get" eachother, he knows what I need before I ask, he knows my heart and he knows everything there is to know about me and loves me anyway.

He accepts me for who I am and yet, challenges me. He tells it like it is, you know, like the time I missed spelled his mother's name in a scrapbook I made for HER for Christmas. I don't have to be perfect around him. I can be myself, I can be the woman who cannot spell to save her life and yet is obessed with cleaning and organization, I can cry at the Office Wedding, I can be angry for no reason, I can attempt to tell him how I am feeling and when I fail to do a good job, he is patient.

Jesus, I PRAISE you for all the things I am Thankful for. You have blessed me with far more than I deserve. You have placed people in my life that love me and love you. I can not praise you enough for them. You are good and You are holy and I love you and want to my life to be a reflection of you. Do what you will in my life and bless me with the oppurtunity to bring you glory. Protect the people you have placed in my life. Bless them beyond measure and grant them the deepest desires of their heart. Give them peace, give them wealth, give them grace and give them love. Protect them Jesus, they are important to me. I love you. Amen

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thankful and Blessed...

So... I have come to realize how important it is to have some great people in my life, as you have read this week. There are a few more that I would love to introduce you to...

This is Trish. We met while we both worked at the hospital in town. She now works at another hospital and I miss her every day. She is one of the smartest people I know. Her clinical knoweldge and skills are something I admire. She is a fabulous nurse and a treasured friend. She was there for me when Isaac was born and things got a little crazy. She was there for me when Andrew was sick, she is a trusted friend and I am blessed by our friendship.
She believes in the ministry, her support is something I can never repay - I am honored to work along side her within this new adventure the Lord has in store for us. Trishie Bell - I LOVE YOU!

These two women are people I treasure. The woman in white is my mentor and friend, Jeanie. I have spoken about her before. I love her deeply. My life has been changed because of our time together. She challenges my faith. She encourages my passion for the Lord and her ability to quote scripture is something I envy. I soak up so much when we meet, I praise the Lord for her everyday. Jeanie - I love you!
Then, there is Stormie, and this one, is near and dear to me. She is someone I can trust with my heart. We email during the day and her encouragement keeps me going. Her prayers are something I treasure and her friendship is something I could never live without. I am humbled by the friendship that has grown. I am honored to do life with this woman and I am excited for what the Lord has in store for the two of us as we grow closer. Stormie - I love you and I treasure you!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thankful and blessed...

This is Kristie, we have walked through life together for a while now. From the moment we met, offically, we became fast friends. We talk about everything, we enjoy a nice happy hour and we love our coffee.

We share the same Birthday Month... We love our husbands and we are passionate about Jesus. Kristie has blessed my life in more ways than one.

She challenges me. She encourages me. She loves me. She supports my marriage. She supports the ministry. She is firmly founded in her faith, she never wavers, she loves the Word and she is crazy about country music.


This is her and her hubby, Jerad. They are truly people of prayer. They were married on November 17th 2006 have have grown into one of the most amazing Biblically bases couple I have ever met. They want more than anything to have a baby, and I know the Lord is going to bless them with a sweet one. They have changed my life.

They have prayed over this ministry from the moment Kristie and I first talked about it. They have a passion for their marriage. They have a passion for missions and they have a passion for people.

Jerad is his wife's covering, and he knows what that means. He knows how to pray over his wife. He walks with the Lord and honors her with all he does.

Jesus, I am thankful for these people. I love them. Bless them. Bless them financially. Bless them with a sweet little one and bless them with never ending passion for one another. Thank you for brining these people into my life. I praise you for the impact they have had on my life. I love you. I love them. Amen.

Monday, November 23, 2009

And again, I am Thankful...

I grew up with both sets of grandparents and most of all my cousins around. And, I tell you, we had a good time. Some of us went through highschool together and over the years we have gotten to be a tight group.



This is Jill. You see, on my mother’s side, I am 3rd in the birth order and she is 4th. We have always been close, and man, could we get into trouble together. We spent the winter’s up in Keystone and I don’t think there is a childhood memory of mine that does not include the two of us getting in trouble at the Mountain House together. We could be in trouble and laughing because we thought what ever we did was worth it.

We spent the summers on the boat and man, we even got into trouble then too. If the two of us were together, we were loud, we were causing trouble and we were laughing about it every step of the way. We just did it all together.

We went through high school together, she graduated the year after me, from a rival school in Fort Collins. But man, we had fun. We went through the rough times together and we can talk for hours on the phone.

We don’t live close now, but we can pick up the phone and it is like we had never missed a beat. She knows me so well. She knows just when I need an encouraging text or phone call. She is a prayer warrior. She is a faithful friend. She is loyal. She is trustworthy. She is honest, even when I don’t want her to be. She can shop like no one I know. She is proud to be my friend and I am proud to be hers.


You see, when we went places as a family, we had a great time and I love each and everyone of my cousins with all I have. I would move mountains for them. I would fly out to see them, just because they asked and most of all, I am on my knees on their behalf on a daily basis.


This is my Grandpa Mel and my Grams. You see, my Grandmother passed away some years ago, and to watch my grandpa grieve was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced. You see, they did it well. They raised their 4 kids together, they played together, they loved each other and life ended far to soon my Grandma and our family was rocked to the core. But, he fell in love again, and in came my Grams. She is someone I love dearly. She has loved him well. She takes care of him, he takes care of her and it has been fun to watch them do life together. I enjoy our shopping trips. I am at peace when I hear her voice. I enjoy our conversations and I did not think it was possible to love her so much in such a short time.



And now, for my Papa George and MorMor. These are my dad’s parents and I am crazy about them. My Papa George has cared for me during many gymnastics injuries and has never forgotten my love for apple pie. You see, growing up, we could get a special package on our door step on Sunday mornings; Papa George would always bring donuts by for my sisters and I to enjoy. And every now and then, there would be an apple pie, just for me. Seriously, he would leave an entire apple pie on the porch just for me. He even drove to my dorm room, married student housing and new apartment to drop off a pie for me. He is passionate about science and introduced me to a microscope one year for Christmas and I have loved science classes ever since. He is the best story teller I know. Looking back I can remember our winters spent in Winter Park. He would “kidnap” me from school for a day and take us skiing, just the two of us. We would stop at McDonald’s on the way up and he would let me fall asleep on the way home. He was my safe place as a kid. He was and still is a hero of mine.

And my MorMor. She is one of a kind. I love her so deeply. She is an artist, her paintings are a treasure. Her talent is something I envy. Her sweet soft voice brings me peace. I admire her ability to tell it like it is and the songs and stories Papa George would tell about her when she was young are near and dear to my heart.



Sunday, November 22, 2009

Thankful once more...


This woman, my college roommate, changed my life. She is one of the biggest reasons I am so passionate about Jesus. We were roommates starting our freshman year and we could not have been more different. I was enjoying the "experiences" of college, at a Christian college mind you, and she was enjoying Jesus. But there was something about her that I wanted. She loved Him in a way I had never seen before, and she loved me in a way I had never experienced. She would play the guitar and worship in our room and listening to her would melt my heart.

Her heart for the Lord changed my life. She love for Beth Moore changed my thoughts about Bible Study. Her passion for mission work inspired me. Her ability to love me regardless of my actions is a HUGE reason why I am working so hard for the Lord with the Girls Only Ministry. She gave me a Bible as a birthday gift and was one of the first people to tell me I could actually write all of it. She introduced me to the Word. She taught me to read it and ask questions. She challenged me. She sang praise songs from the bottom bunk bed as I “pretended” to be asleep. She sang as I walked down the aisle on my wedding day, I remember exactly what it felt like to stand at the back of the church and hear her voice. In that moment, she drew me to the foot of the cross and changed my marriage before it began.


And what can I say about these two? Brandon grew up with my husband and is one of the most firmly founded men I know. His passion for the Lord is inspiring. He ability to study the word and preach about it in a way that moves in the lives of people is a gift I envy. His support for my husband is something I could never thank him enough for. His ability to fight for our marriage when times get rough makes me proud. His sarcasm makes me laugh and his daughter makes me fall more and more in love with them as a couple as I watch her grow up.

And his wife? Jenny? Well, there is NO ONE like her. She was my friend regardless of if Andrew and I actually got married. We have fought like sisters and cried together like high school girls who had their hearts broken. We email, we text, we love and we laugh. She inspires me to get out of my comfort zone. She stretches my faith. She challenges my writings and she is a Spelling Bee Champion. She is a good mama, an amazing pastors wife and her servants heart is something to desire.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Thankful some more...

I have the best in-laws a girl could ask for, and if that weren't enough, their extended family is beyond fabulous. The Michigan family and the Montoya family are near and dear to me. Not a day goes by that Grandma Postma has not gone before the Lord on behalf of me and my family. That is something that I cannot be more proud of.

Mama Pita has loved me like one of her own. She can make me laugh and she holds nothing back when it comes to board games. She loves Jesus and her family is one that I am proud to be a part of.

I cannot praise the Lord enough for these people. I love them and if you can believe it, they love me.

But this one, my sister, is amazing. This woman is smart. She is strong. She is passionate. She is beautiful. She is loving. She is REAL. She is warm. She is fun. She can keep a secret. She is wise beyond her years. She is capable. She is one of those people that has impacted my life in such a drastic way that I cannot remember life without her. She is independent. She is supportive. She is talented. She is true to who she is. She is compassionate. She can bake like no one else I know. She is soft spoken. She has a contagious laugh. She is my sister.

And then, there are these two. Known to my son as Papa Roy and Nana Starla. We will start with Starla… She is an amazing cook, anything she touches is tasty. She is woman of prayer. She is slow to speak and quick to love. She is supportive. She is passionate about her children. She is sold out for Jesus. She can work a sewing machine and knit, two skills I would love to have. She loves to clean. She loves all things organized. She understands my OCD issues about a clean house and an organized life. She is a woman who fears the Lord, she has raised her children to know the Lord and I can only hope I do as well with my son as she did with hers.

And then there is Roy. He is powerful, when he speaks, people listen. He is stubborn and at times firm, yet when it comes to those he loves, he melts like butter. He is passionate about cars and can play poker with the best of them. He knows Jesus and His Word. He believes in the power of prayer and he has been there for me when I was at my worst. He is honest. He is true. He is loveable. He is the most generous person I know. He gives freely and cheerfully. He is wise. He is the BEST father-in law a girl could ask for.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Thankful...

It is my favorite time of year, I adore the month of October and November pretty much makes my heart melt, because I absolutely love the holiday season. So, I figured we are 6 days away from Thanksgiving and I thought I would post about the people that have changed my life everyday for the next 6 days. Enjoy!

Well, it started with just the 5 of us. But I must say, my mama, literally saved my life. She has fought with me and she has fought for me. She loves me. She taught me to clean. She taught me about forgiveness, boundaries and the power of restoration. I love her.

There were times in life that the three of us could not be left alone together. Someone would always be left out or picked on... but as we grew up... there have been times that we could not be separated. My sisters have walked through life with me. They know the worst parts of me and the best, and yet the love me regardless. I cannot go without talking to them. We still fight and we can shop like no one else I know.

In my opinion my daddy can fix just about everything that could break and has broken. His talents include untangling a precious necklace that I had to wear everyday of my highschool life, as it was a gift from my boyfriend and it was tragic when it got so tangled I could not wear it. He came to the rescue. And when that relationship went south, really SOUTH, there he was, just waiting to mend my broken heart.


Then, there are the men of the family. To start, Jim has been around since I was in high school. He is my sister’s hubby and man, he has been right there in the midst of our family for years. He has seen the best of us and the worst of us and there is no one that I would rather have as a brother. We can talk about everything. He can make me laugh so hard I pee my pants and he is crazy about my little sister. I will never forget the time he drove her to a high school dance and stood up for her when her heart was broken. He is a Godly man and I love him.

Then, there is my hubby, and when you get those two together, there is no telling what they are up to. They laugh. They put up with the good, the bad and silly and they are fabulous fathers to their kids.

Finally, this precious one is near and dear to my heart. You see, when Andrew was sick, she and I would lay in bed together and just “hang out”. She has heard nearly every prayer I have prayed and when it was just me at home, she was there to snuggle with while I cried over my man. She is loyal and man I love her.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Working Days and Fun Nights..

So, we have now come to a very fun place in life. At the end of the day I leave work and am just beginning my FAVORITE part of the day... Family Time... and recently, we have added an activity to Monday and Wednesday nights. Isaac has started swim lessons and I just don't think there is anything more precious in the world... I promise to post more pictures, but for now... there is just one...

I think it is a great picture that demonstrates trust. His teacher has her hand stretch out, just trying to "get" him in the water on the very first day. It is the most precious 30 minutes of the night.

And then, there is the story of Isaac developing a very strong willed personality. You see, this is something he DOES NOT get from his mama. I have no idea where this part of his personality came from, but Isaac is totally into doing things himself or as he says "I do it self".

He likes to hold his own hand in parking lots.

He puts on his own shoes, or at least will try for a good 10 minutes before letting mama help him.

He likes to get out of his carseat by himself.

And he likes to pick out what he wears to bed...

Yes, he is becoming "his own person" and I could not enjoy this stage of life with him more.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wanting more for him...

It is no secret that I love to shop, for anything really... I just love to spend money. I will blame it on my grandmother who taught me how to "need" a variety of things that could all be purchased with one simple plastic card... and yet, you never really had to "pay" for them...

Until you got married that is... Andrew and I have been living on a budget and man, it is just FABULOUS... yes there are times when I am a titch sarcasitic... this would be one of those times... But don't let me forget to tell you, that my man does a might good job with the task of keeping his wife on budget, it is not a task for the weak... But there are days that I miss those days of care free shopping in college, when I bought the most random things with no after thought...

Well, now that someone calls me "Mama"... I want something more than a closet full of random things... I want my son to be wiser than me. I want him to know what it means to save for something. I want him to know how it feels to give without hesitation and I want him to know his way around a thrift store... So for now...

We are working on the saving thing... Andrew and I put our change in a "jar" and we gave all the pennies and nickles (yes, we give the best of everything to our son) to Isaac and he had the best time filling up his peggy bank...

I took these pictures in honor of his uncle Jim, who is so much more wise than I... Don't get crazy Uncle, I am not praying that my son becomes an accountant, just that he knows how to save his money...

A small note to my future daughter in law: Trust me, you will thank me when your husband knows how to save a little, give a little and spend a little, rather than just knowing how to spend a LOT, like his mama... One day, our husbands will be doing the budget and we might have to seek away for some "spending time", just you and I... together... what a sweat day that will be...

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

PLaYiNg CaTcH uP....

So... things have been a titch on the crazy side lately and nothing makes my day like looking at some family pictures... so I thought I would share a few...

This year, Isaac was a fireman for Halloween and his mama made his outfit. Well, except for the hat, well, truthfully, all I did was iron on some reflective tape to a t-shirt and some pants, but it sure was cute... And he LOVED it...

On a side note: the pumpkin bag he used to collect candy, was made for his mama when she was little... we might have to "get" another one of those when we have another little one... Yes that is a HINT Grandma...
His cousin Cede, Auntie Carol, Grandma and Grandpa came to hang out with us at the church's Harvest Festival. It was a great night, with tons of friends, candy, fresh popcorn and laughter...
Needless to say, Isaac had no trouble figuring out what the purpose of the night was!
It was a fun time all around...
Don't ya just love this picture? I sure do! Grandpa has his hands full!

Monday, November 16, 2009

A run, chocolate and a pepsi...

Normally... when things get a little rough...

I want to take a LONGGGGGG run... Run around the block...
Run away to a new city, state, job...
Run back to my parents house like I was a 5 year old girl who just needs a hug and a kiss...

But lately... all I really want, around 9:00am is to come home...
To you - my safe place, my love, my one and only, my protector and my soul mate...
The one I love to sleep next to, the one I cannot live without and the one I love...

And then, after a few minutes in a private place with Sweet Jesus, His Word, chocolate of some kind, a Pepsi and a few tissues, I get the strength up to do what ever I can for you...

My precious child, the one who is an extension of us, the one who needs all I can give and the one who says in the sweetest voice "I WUV YU" which makes even the worst day worth it...

But serisously, how much longer can I really do this?

Jesus, it's me, just please come and move me.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

There's no turning back now...

The invites have gone out, the catering has been scheduled, the decorations are fabulous, and I am ready to go... I think...

You see, in my "spare time", I have been creating a Non Profit Organization called Girls Only Ministry. I have a been blessed with a fabulous lawyer how has helped me get things going and an amazing accountant who is ready to get the paperwork filed once everything on the legal side is complete. I am so close, I can just feel it.

This friday, is Friday the 13th, it is not significant because of the stipulations and horror movies that this date normally centers around, but this year, in 2009, on Friday November 13th, I will stand up in front of family, friends, and people I have never met and put my dreams and desires on the line. I will share the vision the Lord has given me for this ministry, HIS ministry. I will ask for their help and I will offer them a fabulous meal. Most of all, I will be taking the largest leap of faith I have ever experianced in my 28 years of life.

I am excited, I am as ready as I can be and I am nervous! The goal is not centered around the number of people that attend, but for God to be Glorified, and I am so excited to see it un fold!

You, yes, YOU, if you are reading this, YOU are invited to attend. I hope to see you there. I promise, it will be worth it!