Puppy Love

We decided to add to our furry family and get a Labradoodle. We've got two shihtzu's, Wrigley and Roxy, and now that we are in a bigger home with a fenced in back yard, we decided now was the time for a bigger dog. We did some research, have a couple of friend's who have them, and decided on this breed because they tend not to shed as much and are super smart.

I came across this breeder by accident. I saw that a friend on FB's wife tagged him in a post about her friend's puppies. I messaged the lady asking questions and we went out there last night to look. They have the dad, Taggart (a 3 year old English Lab) and Hazel (a standard poodle) on site with the 11 puppies.

We couldn't decide on girl's name but all of us agreed on a few boys names so I felt more led to look at the males, after we loved on all of them of course!

Coming home next week is this little beauty. His name is Diesel.

Time to Confess- 11/21/2014

I confess: I agreed to host a LulaRoe party at my house. It's a super cute maxi skirt/leggings kind of party. I like the idea of the party, but I have anxiety over if no one shows up and the host wastes her time.

I confess: My friend lost her barely 18 year old daughter to suicide two weeks ago. Another child (a 10 year old) in a neighboring town hung himself this week. My heart is absolutely broken for these kids. WHY?! What is so bad in their little lives that they do this?

I confess: I feel like I am called to do something. But what? I am praying for God to open a door in the direction he wants me to go. Is it Youth Ministry again? I don't know... but we've got to do something in our community.

I confess: Our church is moving to a new building. A very cool new building with state of the art- everything. We've come a long ways from where we started in a little storage unit. God is doing big things in the city of Ogden, UT.

I confess: I cannot believe next week is Thanksgiving. I am not sure where this year has gone. I have definitely been blessed and am so thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!

Lovin' Influenster

A few years back, I heard about something called Influenster. It's a program that you sign up for, they send you quizzes, and if you match up you get to test out products. I've had things as little as a new flavor of gum to a box of MaryKay product to the new ZZZQuil plug in.

Often times when I try something new, I think "boy, who tested this? this is terrible" if I don't like it and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a tester for a variety of things so I can give my honest feedback on how things are.

Check it out: www.influenster.com. It doesn't take a lot of effort and you get to try out some really cool products!

#Influenster #InfluensterApp

Hello. I'm a Christian.

               

In my best Newsboys singing voice:
                                                   In this time of desperation

When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe, we believe
In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only one salvation
We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He's given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion

We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He's comin' back again, we believe

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father!
We believe in Jesus Christ!
We believe in the Holy Spirit!
And He's given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He's comin' back again!

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised!
In the here and now, let love invade!
Let the church live loud our God we'll say
We believe, we believe!
And the gates of hell will not prevail!
For the power of God, has torn the veil!
Now we know Your love will never fail!
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He's given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He's comin' back,
He's comin' back again!
He's comin' back again!
We believe!
We believe

I believe every single word in this song... I can sing this song in worship feeling 110% convicted that Jesus came to earth, died a sinless death as hung on a cross, three days later rose from the grave... all because God loves me that much.

I grew up in religion. I grew up with the understanding that I would have to ask forgiveness in a dark little box with man on the other side of the grated wall. I am not sure what sins I had at that young age that I needed to have a panic attack about confessing. I wasn't sure why I needed to talk to a priest when I was already talking to God in my prayers. I wasn't sure how being sent back to a pew to say a few Hail Mary's was going to wipe the slate clean until the next time I was forced to go to confession again. I just knew I had to do that to be worthy of taking communion each week. All in the life of a Catholic student, I guess. 

Since those days, I have come into a real relationship (please note, I did not say religion) with Jesus Christ. I have invited Jesus into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. I know I am not perfect, that's why I need Him. I was not made to be perfect. I was made to love God and love others. My salvation is not based on how many prayers I say, how many good works I do. My salvation is based on my love of Jesus. 

Right now, in the Land of Mormons (Yes, I am from Utah. No, I am not Mormon. No, they don't have horns.) they just had their biannual church conference and there was a big to-do about Mormons being Christian and a new movie "Meet the Mormons" that is coming out. Although I have many friends and even family members who are LDS/Mormon, I do not believe their church teaches Christianity. I believe their church teaches religion. I believe they follow man made rules that their prophet calls them to believe. I do not believe that Jesus is the brother of Satan. I do not believe that we are going to be gods and have our own planet when we die. I do not believe that I need special permission to go into a building to do secret acts to earn my way to the highest level of heaven. I do not believe that I need to baptize dead relatives. I do not believe that we need any other set of instructions outside of the Holy Bible. 

I believe Mormons have good hearts and are good people. I am blessed to live in the community that I do because they are very caring people and good neighbors. I just pray that one day they will see the light of Christ and realize that salvation isn't as hard as they make it out to be. 

Utah has a lot of hopes of perfection... and that leads to a lot of antidepressants, plastic surgery, and suicide. My heart aches for these wonderful people and the brokenness I see that comes from their church. I pray that the light of Christ comes through my words and actions... that someone will come to know Jesus through that.

We believe in God the Father

We believe in Jesus Christ

We believe in the Holy Spirit

And He's given us new life!

We believe in the crucifixion!

We believe that He conquered death!

We believe in the resurrection!

And He's comin' back,

He's comin' back again!

He's comin' back again!

We believe!

We believe

I do believe... with my whole heart. God is so good! 

Confessing on a Friday 10/10/14

I Confess:
I love watching I Am Second videos. I love hearing people's stories and how their lives have changed, thanks to Jesus.

I Confess:
I was watching TV last night and I was horrified by the commercials that were on. Commercials that were promoting pornography and adultery.  My heart aches because I know the consequences of those things.

I Confess:
We are making progress at the house. Still have TONS of boxes in the garage, but we're getting there. I am going to celebrate when it's done!

I Confess:
I am ready for fall to be here (if I can find my boots!) but I am not looking forward to cold weather and illnesses. I've had a cold for the past 3 weeks and I am ready to be over it.

I Confess:
We are taking the kids to Frightmares at Lagoon on Sunday. I do not like haunted houses, but two of the four of us do, so me and Drew will go ride rides and let Ty and Bryan go get spooked :)

Friday Confessionals 10/03/2014

I Confess:
I am proud of my hubby and his hard work getting us moved into our new house. I HATE moving things and he took charge and got it taken care of.

I Confess:
I don't like all the boxes in the garage that we still need to go through, but it's not as overwhelming as if they were in the house.

I Confess:
I had a meltdown waiting for a train this morning... I am not sure where it came from, but I started bawling in my car. It had to do with my BFF that I recently reconnected with and how much I've missed over the past 18 years and what I don't feel like I know about him that I should. (Sorry for the 6am text asking your favorite music, Tony!)

I Confess:
Football is done for the season. Drew played great, we LOVED the coaches in our new town. We didn't make it to the playoffs, but to see the progress in my boy was good enough for me. 

Friday Confessions 09/19/2014

I confess: I went to a heartbreaking funeral this week. A friend of mine from church got wrapped up in some bad stuff and made some bad choices and his life was ended in a shootout with police. Never would I have guessed this kind of thing was going on in his life.

I confess: my 6 year anniversary is tomorrow. My uber-sweet hubby got me a new lens for my camera that he gave me last week so I could use it for Drew's football games. He also sent me flowers and a balloon to work. They smell soooo good!

I confess: we go to sign on our house today. There are just a few little things left to do (deadbolts, paint touch up, etc) this morning and then we close this afternoon. It turned out better than expected and I love it. Bryan walks around in awe because he never thought he'd have such a nice place. We are so blessed!

I confess: I am thankful for my parents for letting us stay with them the past 4 months. As much as my dad says he's glad we are moving out, I think he is really going to miss the kids.

I confess: I am also thankful for my dear friend Andi who watched our dogs the past 4 months. She is a total blessing to us.