I'm No Artist.........but..............

I finally finished painting the girls' room. I painted it green the day after we arrived in Atlanta but hesitated on getting the flwoers and birds up. I was so nervous!! Well, I took the plunge and just free-handed it all. Why not? I know, it's not professional or high grade but the girls seem to like it. We call it the "Fairy Garden". I feel like the room has it's special ingredient that each kid's room needs, love. My love is painted all over those walls. It may not look great but there is love in there!! :-)

Entering 1st Grade and Kindergarten

Well, 2 of my babies are in school now. Lincoln kept saying "bye bye" while we were dropping them off. I wonder how sad he will be today. The girls were so excited and picked out their clothes, lunches, and snack for school today. Everything was smooth without a tear or hitch. Even daddy remained tearless. I can't wait to hear about their 1st day. I"m excited and praying that they will be lights in their new school and show compassion and leadership in their classrooms. I"m also praying for their teachers.........give them patience!! LOL. I'm excited!

Lucky

In case you were wondering..........he's doing great! So many have asked about Paul and he really is in his element (I think). Not 100% sure about man's opinion but I'm proud of him and I know that his heart pleases God..........enough for me! Thanks for the prayers and encouragement! xoxo

I Cherish Now

"Hey now, this is my desire, sue(consume) me like a fire, cause I just want something beautiful to touch me I know that I am in reach cause i am down on my knees waiting for something beautiful" These are lyrics from Needtobreathe, Something Beautiful. As you can see, I'm great at botching up lyrics. I thought he was saying "sue me like a fire". My husband is quite amused as we sing together in the car and I sing a totally different tune. For example, I love the song, Benny and the Jets. Just heard it in the movie, 27 Dresses, last night. I always thought he was singing "electric boobs", which makes no sense!!(please excuse, not trying to vulgar) Well then I had a 'duh' moment and thought "how dumb am I?". He is really singing "electric booTs!" oh yeah!! Well, one day while singing in the car with my love bunny, he informed me that it was "electric moves!!". Oh gosh! I also found the correct title for the song "Beast of Burden" by The Rolling Stones. It's the song that Jack Nichol's wife, in the movie Family Man, is singing in the shower. Anyhow, I thought it was "I'll never be a big suburban". Then I thought it was "I'll never be your piece of burden". Well when you don't know the right words, it makes it awfully hard to find and buy on itunes. urrrr

Well, anyhow, I love Needtobreathh and their song Something Beautifull. I feel like God is trying so hard to make something beautiful out of our family. I am finding myself looking at things through a different lense (I never was one to look at things through rose colored glasses!!) However, I find myself feeling a little more grateful and finding less and less to complain about. Really people, what have I ever had to complain about? God has bestowed amazing blessings upon our family. And you know what.........no matter what happens tomorrow, I must praise Him and find nothing to complain about. This past year, God has allowed me to personally look into some lives of others and well................I am grateful. I sit here in the mornings, drinking my coffee, reading the Word, listening to the kids play, and looking into the 'forest' in our backyard. I think "why are we so lucky?". I am just going to enjoy today for what it has to offer. Tomorrow is not promised. I cherish now.

She Obeyed the First Time!

I just made a new friend the other day. While visiting her, I noticed a jar of rocks that had writing on them. I inquired and she mentioned that whenever there was a "win" or something to celebrate, they wrote it down on a rock. I loved it!! I've been wondering what we were going to do with the 100 shells that we brought back from Mexico. I hate to be such a copy-cat; but it really is a simple and yet novel idea. So......we've been trying to get our kids to obey the FIRST time. Well, KK had her moment today and I thought I'd write it on a shell and put it on the table for her to see tomorrow morning at breakfast. Let's see what she says. I couldn't sleep tonight and I sat and stared at the shells and decided to make them into something cool. I really am proud of Kennedy. She obeyed right away today. Mia did not suck her thumb tonight. Lincoln actually went to bed without getting up 16 times to yell "Good Night!!" or "I'm tursty (thirsty)". He stayed in his big-boy bed and went to sleep. We are going to start the day of celebrating tomorrow morning. Thanks Denise for the great idea. Already, God has added wisdom to my life through a new friend.

14 Years of Joyfulness, Junk, and Jewels

Well here we are at 14 great years. Starting off was rocky for us but God had his hand in our lives the entire time and knew the future. He guided us gently through some junk that we each brought to the partnership called "marriage". Thank you Mike Davis, Dan Shows, and Laakes for stearing us towards hope. We can now celebrate with complete joyfulness, even after we saw one another's darkest moments. I think we love each other even more for that. I don't want fancy diamonds or jewels as gifts of love from my hubby. I just want him. Anyone, with the right amount of mula, can purchase a gorgeous jewel but only the lucky have husbands like Paul.

As you can see, we celebrated at a great restaurant, Canoe. We loved the food and were greatly surprised as we went to pay our bill. The waiter informed us that our meal had been paid for. A wonderful man, that Paul works with at North Metro, took care of our bill. What an amazing gift. Thank you to all that have taken care of us in one way or another. We know that many pray for us each day. Thank you!

Surprises This Week

Let's start by quoting my oldest daughter. Kennedy and Mia were sitting at the table eating lunch and Mia was chewing with her mouth open. (something younger siblings do to annoy the older ones)Paul and I both endured this torture when we were growing up. Anyhow Kennedy looked over at Mia and said, with tears in her eyes and with a very winey voice, "Mia, stop chewing with your mouth open, it hurts my feelings and makes my eyes embarrassed and it's not mannorly." I don't think mannorly is a word and how are her eyes embarrassed? I couldn't help but chuckle. Today I was practicing stealing kisses from Lincoln. He so rarely gives them but wanted to give me fishy kisses today. As he was diving in to give me a fishy kiss today, Clifford jumped in and licked me on the lips! Ewww, then Lincoln bulldozed Clifford in the side, as if to say "Hey, that's my mommy and that kiss was meant for me!". Well, one more surprise. We received a beautiful plant today from one of the small groups at North Metro. Today is our 14th wedding anniversary and I just love the large house plant and the thoughtfulness. How can I ever find anything to complain about? I'm even enjoying the humidity, grey skies and rain today. :-)

We Made It!!

Well the movers showed up over a week ago and packed up all of our earthly belongings. I quickly found out how "unattached" I was to my stuff as they shoved and yanked and threw things into boxes. It about crushed me but........it's just stuff. We then drove 27hours across the country and it was actually, no lies, quite fun!! We watched 2 videos a day, did school work, read books, ate lunch at picnic areas, and played dolls. We arrived to a clean and freshly painted home. Then the moving continued as the movers slammed the items into the home, bumped into everything, and couldnt' figure out up from down. Of course, God reminded me that "I don't really care about my stuff", as I always chant. So.........I don't and didn't say a word to them. It's just STUFF!! I did also realize that we have ALOT of stuff. Time to downsize again. Well, 2 days later our friends from IN and TN showed up to help hang, organize, and play games!! We had a blast. We played poker, Catan, watched movies, played freeze tag at night, little girls took baths together, painted toe nails, itched from mosquitoes, cooked pizza, etc..............ahhhh......I feel completely blessed. Thank you friends in AZ for sending us off in love and thank you GA for receiving us in love. We've had everything from meals, flowers, candles, towels/pillows, and cards delivered here to our new home. Thank you friends!! We are undeserving and so appreciative!!

Leaving AZ and Entering GA

I LIke Me

"For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in you book were written, every one of them. Ps. 139:13-15. Ahhhh....how refreshing to read that. I haven't read that passage since I was in college. It was the famous "anti-abortion" passage at my Liberty University days. But now I read it and really apply it to me. You know I really do like me! That may sound arrogant and boastful but why shouldn't a person like him/herself?? I have constantly felt guilty (in the past) about liking things about myself and instead pointing out the faults in my body/personality when really.........who cares?!! God's word says that "his works (that's me) are wonderful". I am wonderful. However, I am not a perfect person but a person with much potential. I know that I have a very outspoken personality and strong spirit. I have been called "weird" by close friends/family and have received the harsh stares that women are so comfortable at giving- otherwise called glares. But I'm really okay with that. The older I get, the more comfortable I become in this old, stretched out skin. I'm hoping that the older I become, the more Christ-like I become. That is the goal. I was just thinking about these things as I got ready this morning. I was just looking in the mirror and thought "I really do like me". Everyone else may not feel the same way but.......that's okay!! I hope you like yourself too. God thinks you are wonderful.

Graduation and a weekend in Mexico

Here we go!!!

Paul Alexander Introduction Video from chris loope on Vimeo.

Atlanta.........HERE WE COME!!

As many of you may already know, we are headed down a new road next month. We've been fervently praying and fasting about this next turn in our lives. What does God have for the Alexander Family?? Fortunately He does not want to send us to Iceland or some remote farm in Nebraska. We are headed to Atlanta and we couldn't be more excited. We both love the city and love the opportunity that lies before us. God brought us out here to AZ to prepare us for this next step, Atlanta. We cannot even begin to list the many things God has taught us while living in the desert. It has been a beautiful and fulfilling journey. It has also been very humbling. My new life verse is Jn.3:30 "He must increase but I must decrease". Isn't that the truth. We have made some life-long friendships and look forward to growing those friendships across the miles. Old friends are the best ones! We also look forward to new relationships awaiting us in Atlanta. We ask one favor to all our friends...............pray for us as often as you can. We are young and still seeking wisdom each and every day. We seek wisdom in the way a dying person might beg for life. Without wisdom from His word we are..................nothing. God's guidance is most vital, especially in this next role. We need spiritual protection as the Enemy will try and have his way. Pray for our hearts and that they stay melded together with God's. Check out the web for our new home/church http://www.northmetro.org/home

Great Day In Our Home

What an amazing Mom's Day!! My hubby took the girls shopping prior and they chose my favorite new perfume. Having perfume is a luxury in the Alexander home.......so needless to say, I was so shocked to see what I unravelled before my eyes!! Wow, real perfume. I've been asking for Euphoria for 2 years! Wahooo! I also received a pedicure from my marvelous husband. Awweee......I'm in great need of one. These poor feet run miles and miles each week and need some pampering! The best part was, however, the program at Kennedy's school and the pictures that she drew for me. I was in tears. I love my baby so very much!! Thank you God that I was able to attend her program and so her beaming at me. What if I had been at work and missed it??? I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to attend these things. My heart is dancing. And of course, we went to Oreganos pizza to pig out on pizza, bread, and yummy dessert. I even had a 'mommy drink'. Wow, I was spoiled!

Mother's Day Rocks!

Mother's Day Wishes

Well, as usual, Paul talks to the girls before Mom's Day and tries to scheme up something fun. Well, this year he asked them "What should be give Mommy for Mother's Day?" Well, to my surprise, they responded with "Let's give her you, Daddy!. We can put a bow around your ankles and you can be the gift!". When Paul told me this, I had to laugh. I must admit, at first, I was thinking......."umm, how about perfume or a pedicure?!". But, then I got to thinking.........what if Paul was gone? What if he was sitting in ICU with serious trauma? What if he had cancer.......what if, what if, what if??? Well, of course that would be and IS what I want for Mother's Day. I guess we take for granted the absolute obvious. I already have a Mother's Day that many women would give their right arm for! I have three healthy children, a faithful, loving, and Godly husband. And.........I'm just plain spoiled rotten! I have it all and it could all be gone in the next moment. So, I guess I'll enjoy those simple things. And........I love this picture that Kennedy drew of the family!! Oh, and she drew me in my 'wedding dress'. don't know why?!

Sea World/Mia's Big 5th!!

Friends........

Found this quote and love it. It sings to my heart..... "Dear God, thank you for understanding friends. Thank you that so often we are on the same wavelength, laughing together, crying together, encouraging each other with our understanding. I'm grateful that I'm not alone, that I can share my life with my friends." God has been oh so good to me with this area. I did go through a dry spell here not too long ago and it was like God was saying "am I not enough for you, Lisa??". I responded with "yes, God you are enough!"..............."however, it's nice to have friends in the flesh and blood too......" hahahah