Work

The past few weeks have been non stop for me with work. Two of the birthmothers that I have been working with and investing a lot of time with over the past few months, delivered their babies this past week. This always involves alot of over time because these things as you know do not always take place during normal working hours! Although it is exhausting, it is my favorite part of this always interesting, ever changing job that I have.

I love having the opportunities to walk through these moments with these birthmoms, to see them demonstrate sacrificial love and courage as they make plans for their precious babies. I feel so honored that they allow me to be a part...These are deep painful moments to experience. No matter how prepared they are for what they are about to do, there is no way to walk around the pain. They have to go through it.

In the two placements that I have been a part of over the past week, the situations could not have been more different..yet both were filled with love and hope and I witnessed the beauty that the Lord can bring from the ashes of despair. Only He can do this....my thoughts and prayers are continuously with these 2 girls right now that they will continue to reach for the Lord and be found by Him, that complete healing and restoration will come to their souls....their sacrifice amazes me and yet they are motivated by a deep desire to do what is best for their baby...Lord bless them for the selflessness that they have displayed..........Come quickly to them as they cry out to you.

I could not do this job without my amazing husband.........my schedule is not always as crazy as it has been this month....there are usually some lulls (so I'm told!) in between these kinds of things and I am looking forward to some lulls.........When my schedule is like this it requires a lot of Randy as he single handedly gets everyone to and from school and to various places after school, meals, homework, etc... while at the same time working as much as he can himself........

I am hoping for a few days to get my house in order and get the balance back in order of shared parenting duties...it is a lot more fun that way!

Randy and I have been entrusted with 4 wonderful treasures.... I have been missing them over the past few days.......

A Great Book!

I do not usually read diet and nutrition books...when I do have time to read, honestly that is not the type of book that I like to pick up...this one has been different. I was asked to read this book so that I could review it on this blog. I received a free copy and it is that time of year where everyone finds themselves thinking about change and what they would like to be different in the new year. For our family, making healthy choices is priority in 2009...so I picked up the book and from the first page I was fascinated! Her life story is amazing and definitely inspiring!

After years of failed diet attempts, Chantel Hobbs discovered the missing ingredient to permanent weight loss: to change your life, you first have to change the way you think.

Here are a few quotes that jumped off of the page and resonated with me,

"We gain weight through a series of poor choices made on a

regular basis over a long period of time."

"The pain of regret is far worse than the

pain of discipline."

"I succeeded because I finally

committed to regularly doing things

that made me uncomfortable and

I did them long enough that I

became comfortable doing them."

She developed a balanced plan for exercise and nutrition and lost two hundred pounds. (think about that!!!)
Now, through writing, speaking, and her work as a personal trainer, she inspires others to achieve far more than they thought possible.

In Never Say Diet, now available in trade paperback, Chantel provides everything readers need to lose weight for good, including:


*Simple, step-by-step workout routines that fit into a normal weekday schedule


*A realistic approach to nutrition that helps people break their bondage to food


*Strategies for staying motivated when life takes unexpected turns


*Keys to dealing with discouragement by relying on God’s strength


*The secret to moving beyond past failures and getting over old excuses



Chantel helps readers make the five commitments that are necessary for changing their lives.
I would love to tell you those five commitments you need to make but then you might not get the book...if your serious about making a life change, getting healthy, and living life with energy and purpose, read this book and DO IT!!! This is certainly my personal plan!

Her high-energy, no-nonsense approach inspires readers to achieve results that last in body, mind, and spirit.




Her newest book, The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Coach, now allows readers to have Chantel show up each week to inspire, encourage, and energize them on the journey to a healthy life that centers on body, mind, and spirit.

This fitness guide helps readers set new weight-loss goals and create an exercise schedule that works in the midst of life’s constant demands. Readers will be inspired with Scripture, and they will welcome Chantel’s healthy eating plan with simple, energy-and-nutrition-packed recipes.

Weekly checklists and personal evaluations direct readers in reaching their goals. Plus, Chantel’s personal and entertaining stories provide the motivation needed to get through even the most frustrating days. With Never Say Diet and The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Coach readers will establish new fitness habits that burn off excess weight, increase strength, and establish a new, healthy way of living.


I have a copy of these two books to give away and I would love to give them to someone who is ready to make changes and become the best that they can be! Leave a comment and share if you will why you think you are the person to receive these books.

Fun Friday Afternoon

Friay afternoon after school we met up for ice cream in Southlake with Precious, Aunt Becky and some fun cousins.......as you can see we enjoyed some sweet time together!

A Few Christmas Favorites!

Christmas Party Day!

Today was the day for Christmas parties! I was able to attend the parties for Tori and Timothy.

It was fun for Timothy and I to join Tori after we were finished with his. In one of the pictures below, Tori is playing a game with bottle caps that she learned in Benin. Today she taught it to some of her friends and they played the game with her

I love Timothy's smile in this picture!

I love opportunities to be in his class.

There is something so special about seeing his face light up when I show up ....

it is addicting! I love watching him interact with his friends and his teacher.

I love seeing him be a helper and a leader.

I love how excited he is to show me his work and the things that he is learning.

What a pleasure it is to be his mom...and Tori's mom, and Jonathan's mom, and Lael's mom!!!

This is Jon and Lael just before they left for their Christmas party!

They had a great time too!
Children are a blessing!

Eden Elizabeth and Tori

Can you just imagine the personality inside this little girl?

(My sister Becky's daughter)

I can not wait to hear her thoughts! Precious cousins
Tori loves loving on this precious baby girl!!
(Don't we all?)