Snow...Lettuce Wraps...bdays...fake nails...lots of stuff

Welp...we are suppose to get a ton of snow in the next 24 hours.

My mom works at the local bank & the weatherman from channel 6
stopped in & told her it will most likely be 20 inches...but they aren't
saying that because they don't want to freak people out....OK???

I love snow...the kids have so much fun in it. But I'm pretty sure they
won't go back to school the rest of this week....nice.

I went to Walmart with the rest of our town this morning...GEE WIZZ!!

I am attempting to make Lettuce Wraps & fried Rice tonight...I will let you
know how it goes.

Brooke's bday is tomorrow...so I had to have plan B ready to make her
favorite dinner at home instead of going out...so I bought everything for
my famous Chicken Enchiladas & chocolate chip cookies!!

I also put these on...yep...in about 15 minutes...Perdy huh? Please excuse
 my old lady hands....

LOL!! My friend Ashley always has pretty nails & I asked her where
she gets them & she said WALMART!!! So I bought them & did it
all by myself today...I'm having trouble typing with them!!!!

Well that's about all I needed to tell you today. Nothing big...I know.
Just life at the Thomason's house as usual. Hoping to do a few
cleaning projects around the house the next few days. ENJOY!!!

Just Dance 2...I ain't got the moves...

My MIL got Brooke Just Dance 2 for her birthday this weekend...

Can I tell you how much fun this game is?

But can I admit something else to ya....I STINK at it!!

Yes...my husband the non dancer has even beat me several times!!

It's embarrassing...my image is shattered...I am no longer cool...

Oh the shame....LOL!!

I HIGHLY recommend this game for your Wii.

The kids are exercising & they don't even realize it!

We laugh so hard each time we play!

But I must work on my moves...it's pitiful....

I must DOMINATE!!!!!!

I'm not competitive at all...ok maybe just a little.

This is Matt & Jaden enjoying the game...

Have a great weekend everyone!!

How about u? U got the moves??

Why I count it all JOY Wednesday!!

Join my friend Angel & spread some JOY!

The JOY of the Lord is my strength..Clap clap!!

Why Am I filled with JOY this week?

Matt's mom & stepdad came this weekend & took us to lunch

@ Olive Garden. Joyce always brings the kids a YUMMY cake

& they are so cute too!!

I am subbing everyday this week in my favorite class!

I've missed those kindergarteners!

My parents are in Hawaii having a great time!

One of their friends gave them a free trip!!

So blessed! My dad keeps texting me pics from there.

I'm trying not to be jealous of their 80 degrees weather!

This is where they had a luau...spectacular view!!

Before they left we celebrated all the kids bdays at 

their house. Mom made lunch & this cookie!

My cousin Michael & his wife Gina had their first baby on Dec. 31st.

They brought baby Jillian to see us last week.

 She is just gorgeous!!! 

I love watching my cousins with their babies!!

My sis is coming this weekend. I have missed her!

We received a letter from our Compassionate child...Oswaldo

last week. He drew us a picture...oh it just makes my heart jump with JOY!

Text from my PW's on Sunday mornings saying they are praying for me.

We have managed to stay healthy thru all the sickness! I think 

everyone I know has a sick kid!! 

I have been reading thru the bible Chronologically...I'm in

Genesis right now. That book is like a big drama soap opera!

Whoever says the Bible is boring needs to read the Old Testament!

I love seeing how God uses people who didn't always make the right

choices...but He still blessed them. 

I hope all of you can stop today & praise GOd for all the JOY 

in your life. I love this day every week. 

You shall go out in JOY

and be led back in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you

shall burst into song,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

Isaiah 55:12

Serving One Another

Last week at Glimpse which is our youth program...
One of our pastors encouraged the youth to serve one another.

We have provided opportunities for our kids to serve
others...sometimes we just get busy & fail to do it. Excuses Excuses.

There are days when I want to scream & say..."Can't you think of
someone besides yourself??" to my kids...GULP....

Then I think...HELLO....go look in the mirror Stephanie &
get that plank out of your eye!!

We try to babysit for free once a month for a young couple.
This month was the Algaier's turn...

Last Friday God provided an opportunity for us to watch
3 Cutie Patooties!!! Sean & Misty Algaier's kids came over
and played with us & we had so much with them.

How can you say no to this face? This is Jillian...love her!!
(named after Jillian from Biggest Loser)

We made Chocolate Chip Cookies!

This is Ella...she is 3. Precious!!

And this is Greyson..he is almost 5. Cutie!!

He & Jaden were quite the buds.

Lauren is a huge help with the kids.

Actually all of them are very helpful. I am proud of them

My kids really can't comprehend how much a young couple 

appreciates their kids being babysat for free for a night out. 

They won't get it until they have their own.

When my kids were little like this...I yearned for a night out with my man.

It was hard to leave them with just anyone, but luckily my parents live close so I had help.

It was just too expensive to pay for a babysitter & a night out.

But we needed the time alone...even if we just went to Sonic to 

get a drink or walked around the park. 

We are so blessed to bless others. We really receive so much JOY from this!

I am sharing this with you...not to get a pat on the back or for you to think we are

just amazing parents who do for others...no no no.  That is not it at all. I want to hear

how you are teaching your kids to be servants of Jesus Christ. Give me some ideas 

so we can use them with our family. I love how we can grow & share together!!

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving for the Lord, Not People. 

Eph. 6:7

Peanut Butter Pie

OH it's been way to long since I've shared a yummy recipe with you!
My lifegroup loves this pie & I also just shared it with my PW group
so it's fresh on my mind.

This is for all you Peanut Butter lovers out there...No it's not good for you.
But it is good. This recipe came from a young lady in our church...Haley Burton.

Peanut Butter Pie

1 cup Peanut Butter
1/2 c. Sugar
1 pkg. cream cheese soften
Mix w/ 1/2  (small) tub of cool whip.
Put in a graham cracker crust & top with Melted hot fudge.  Then top with the
remaining cool whip. I take a zip lock & cut a hole in the corner. Put hot fudge in
one & peanut butter in the other & drizzle on top.

You can also add Reeses cups into the mixture...or put it in an Oreo crust instead.

ENJOY!! If you like Reeses...you will love this.
I Will set you free my friend!!

Time to Play!

School was out yesterday...and again today. That means it's time to play!
As our kids get older...our play time has changed & it looks a little different
than when they were little.

But when it snows...it's like we are all little kids again.

Fortunately God has given a Matt a job that allows him to take a random day
of here & there...and yesterday it was time to take advantage of that freedom!
Matt came home around 1:00 and it was 4 wheeling time!

We live out of town so our roads are less traveled than most so it's safe for
us to do this...all you safety monitors can calm down now. (my parents are
 kinda like that) . :)

One of their favorite things to do when it snows is this...

Now playing to me also means playing with my camera & working on my 

Photography skills...so please bare with me...I'm a little pathetic. 

Trying to catch the snow in the air...

Up close shots...Brooke is my little model. She loves taking pics.

In fact this was her idea...I tinted it red for her.

She made a shadow with her hands.

We always make a snow angel.

Jaden jumpin right in!

Allie & Lauren 

Best dad in the world!!

We attempted to pull all four...didn't last very long.

Oh the fun we have being pulled behind the 4 wheeler!

What do you like to do in the snow?? 

Snow Days!

Matt was happy we bought a 4 wheel drive this morning...I snapped a shot
of him leaving for work. His truck does NOT do as well on this stuff.

I look forward to snow days!! Unexpected...unplanned time with the kids!!
What to do? What to do???? For some reason it makes me want to cook & eat
all day...not good huh? But I am trying to fill that time with cleaning & playing
instead today!!

Here is the view outside our front door...3 inches of snow...no school. Yeah!

Well..first I made them all clean out their closets...I know...mean mean mom!!
But you would not believe the clothes that were in their closets...we should be ashamed!!
Maybe even called hoarders!! I can't stand it when their rooms get all cluttered & full!

Wasting no time...they were out & headed to the creek by our house. The adventures
they have at the creek are always good.

All bundled up ready to go play in the snow! Later we will get out the 4-wheeler

& pull them on the sled. Fun times.

Happy Snow Day to all of you out there!!! 

Why I "Count it all JOY" Wednesday!

I got the JOY JOY JOY JOY

Down in my heart..Where?

Don't you just love that song?

Join my friend Angel & grab her button & spread some JOY!!

Why Am I Full of Joy this week?

Of course I have to mention Meeting Toby Mac!!

I meet with my PW Community Group yesterday.

We are from all around the US. 

I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE this group!

Had my PWs over last night from our church.

Pure JOY!!!

We are suppose to get some snow!!

Took Lauren & some friends Ding Dong Ditchin 

this weekend...and was told...

"You are a cool mom"

YES!

Watching my daughter grow into this 

phenomenal 14 year old!

God's discipline...timing...promises. 

Have a great week!!!

Jesus Freaks meet Toby Mac

Way back in College we went to see a group called D.C. Talk...
listened to a song called..."Jesus Freaks"...loved their music.

Fast forward 20 years or so to the week before Lauren's bday & I see on Facebook that
one of my friends just got Toby Mac Tickets...and the concert is on Lauren's bday!!

WHAT??? I must get her tickets!!! She loves his music!!

Well..there are days when being a PK is to your advantage...and this was one of them!

Our friend Sean Algaier used to tour with TM & they are buds...I knew this tidbit of info

& immediately struck a deal with Sean to get Lauren backstage to meet with TM.
Lauren & her friends with Sean at the concert...

And not only did he do that...he got us in FOR FREE! Can I get an Amen?

Meet Toby Mac along with some Jesus Freaks...

He signed a poster for Lauren's bday.

We went to our seats & we were in the nosebleed section..but happy to be there.

As the concert was about to start we get a phone call from Sean's wife Misty (love her)

and she invites us to come down beside the stage in the private area...GET OUT!!

So we all hauled down there & we got to stand next to the stage & have our 

own little private area!!! SAY WHAT??? 

This is Liz (our campus pastor's wife) Misty & I...the boys called us their

"Eye Candy"...haha!! I truly adore these ladies. 

Lauren with Allie & Hanna & Greyson (Sean's Son)

The band gave Greyson their drum sticks after the concert.

Since we got in free...I splurged for some TM t-shirts.

Here are a few shots of the concert...they are full of action!!

 Toby is amazing at making you feel like you are at a worship service along with
being totally entertained. He gets into the crowd & loves on the people! I am telling
you he is in his mid 40's now...impressive!!

I really don't know how I'm gonna top this next year. But that's really ok. Seeing

the pure joy on her face & she is still talking about it today. Being in the youth 

ministry so long we took kids to concerts...worship services all the time. 

Watching one of mine at this concert was pretty much pure joy for me too. 

I am enjoying these days & soaking them all up. I am one blessed mom.

Happy Birthday to my little Jesus Freak Lauren!

HaPpY 14th BiRtHdAy Lauren!!!

14 years ago God blessed me with Lauren Ashton Thomason! 

Lauren loves her dogs and any animals. 

Turning 14 is a big one for me. 

2 years from Driving.

4 years from graduating.

Can I just push the pause button NOW?

Lauren is a funny girl.

She is developing into this amazing young lady 

who loves the Lord & keeps us wondering

what she will say next!

She is a simple girl, no make up, barely fixes

her hair, sweatpants & hoodies is her attire on

 most days...I admire that about her.

She runs from drama...:)

Sends over 3,000 text in a month.

yes...I did say...over 3,000. 

She doesn't clean her room 

like most teenagers, but oh well..Pick Ur Battles.

She always has a story that includes

every detail so pull up a chair & prepare to listen. 

Doesn't like pink.

Wants a Ford F150 as her first car. 

She is mine...I love her. 

We are taking her & some of her friends to the Toby Mac Concert tonight.

We GET TO MEET HIM BACKSTAGE!!!

Super Pumped about that!!! 

I love worshiping w/ my kids in Jesus name!!

I am blessed to be her mom. 

I love you Lauren!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Why I Count it all JOY Wednesday!!

It's Wednesday already? Shooeew!

That was a fast week! 

Join my friend Angel & let's count our JoYs!!

Why Am I JOYFUL this week?

God always fulfills His promises!

BSF started again this week & I get to go in 

the morning again & be feed by amazing women.

Lacy (my cuzin Lori's daughter) & my niece Danielle came

over last night & we laughed...cried...and made cookies!

Much needed hang out time.

Getting to see a lot of my old small group girls who are 

home from college...they are serving GOD in mighty ways!

EPIC NEWS:

Lauren's 14th bday is Friday & we get to go to the 

TOBY MAC concert...but wait it gets better...

WE GET TO GO BACK STAGE & MEET HIM!!

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!

(Thanks to our friend Sean Algier)

It's freezing...but I have a nice warm house

and SEAT warmers in my car. 

(spoiled)

Matt fixed my Tokbox so I can 

Video chat with my PWs!!

**he is a rock star**

As always I could go on & on..but I have to go to work!

Tell me Your JOYS!!

They will enter Zion with singing,
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness And joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Spiritual Crossroads

In life we face many crossroads....

To take a job
get married
have children
buy a house
lose weight
just to name a few.

We have to make decisions...which direction do I go?
We have a GPS...we have a Map...Google Map....all the right equipment.
But do we put it to use & let it guide us?
Sometimes the road is smooth & easy & then you reach the destination & realize you
went the wrong direction. You didn't pay attention to the directions...you were distracted by the
things around you to even noticed you were going the wrong way!

And other times the road is bumpy...rough...but you reach the destination & realize
you went the right direction...it was just harder to get there.

In life there are bumps...hazards...flat tires...but there is JOY in the bumps!
But are you on the right Highway?
Are you Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb?

In BSF today we talked about Spiritual Crossroads...
2 paths...that's it.
One that leads toward God...another that leads away from God.
NO other choice.
Only God's word can give you the correct directions...

Isaiah 35: 8-10 tell us about a highway called the "Way of Holiness"
Will you be on that highway?? This is how it describes the Highway...

And a highway will be there,
it will be called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will NOT journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in the Way,
wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there, 
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it,
they will not be found there.
But only the REDEEMED will walk there,
and the ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing,
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness And joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Doesn't that sound amazing?
Seeking the path He sets before me daily...

And so begins Birthday Bonanza

Yes...for some crazy reason all of our kids bdays are within 3 weeks of each other...

And No...we did not plan a single one of these kids so NO we didn't plan their 

Birthdaysso close together!!

God did...:)

We have changed up the birthdays around here to just a few friends, but lots of fun!

I would rather spend money on doing something they really want to do with their

best buds then have a bunch a kids here & try to entertain all of them!! 

Matt takes them out for breakfast...Jaden always pics...Waffle House...(gag)

Then they get to pick somewhere to go for dinner....this year Jaden picked 

"Joes Crab Shack" in Tulsa. He got to take his Best Bud Baylor with him

because they actually share the same birthday!

He loves Crab Legs!!

Those boys are a so funny...they both like Root beer. Notice the bibs...

"Let's Get Crackin"

And my kids don't like cake...unless it's Grandma Z's cake...so we always

get Krispie Kreme donuts & stack them up to make a little cake. 

On Saturday we took him & a few friends to play paintball because he 

got all this paintball equipment for his bday! 

They had so much fun despite being cold! 

Nana & Papa came down to help us get the party started!!

All decked out ready to shoot!!!

Sign Says: Chicken Hospital 

Jaden made it for Ginger. 

Our lab jumped the fence & bit Jaden's chicken...

Poor Ginger, not sure if she will recover.

We are nursing her back as best as we can

and saying a some prayers!

Felt sorry for the little guy on his bday!!

We try to do birthdays big around here!

It's your special day once a year!! 

We don't go out much around here, but for their

bdays...we DO! 

Happy Birthday Jaden!

WE love you!

HaPpY 10th BiRtHdAy JADEN!!

Today is my youngest 10th Birthday...I can't believe that. Sniff Sniff...
I thought this picture describes him the best because this is what he wants
to be when he grows up...An Air Force Pilot.

It's a sinking feeling when your youngest is in the double digits...gulp.

Lots of things planned today to celebrate his big day!

I love you little buddy! You bring us so much joy & laughter!

You are an absolute blessing!!

WE LOVE YOU!!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Camera Lens...:)

For months everyone in the photography world keep telling me to get this lens...

It's a 50mm with an F 1.8. It has changed my photography world! :)

This lens is only $100 on B & H & it takes amazing portrait shots.

The Aperture is so big (I know...1.8 sounds low..but in aperture world the smaller

the number the bigger the aperture..WHY do they do such nonsense things?) 

and it let's in so much light & also allows you to get those shots with the blurred 

background & focus in on your subject. 

To Explain Aperture this is how I look at it...it's like your eye...the more you open

them the more light comes in...if you close your eyes...no light comes in. 

Get it. Got it. Good.

Back in May one of my BFF's from HS...Kristy...had this lens & I fell in love with it.

Why? Because it has a huge range on it! It is a 18-270mm with a F 3.5-6.3

Though the Aperture isn't as big...you can zoom in & out so easy! 

I found this Tamron on Craigslist for so inexpensive right after Christmas!

I have been waiting & watching for months to find a deal on this baby!!

So...I'm no professional (though I hope to be) but these are a few lens

 that I have found that are easy to use if you have an SLR camera. 

Just a little tidbit of info for you...:) 

why i count it all JOY Wednesday!!

Oh my! I almost forgot it's Wednesday! EEK!

I am still trying to get back in the Swing of things this week!!

So join my friend Angel & Count your JOYS!!

WhY Am I FilLeD WiTh JOY??

Back to a routine this week.

I have a few days off!

I'm having lunch with a few friends this week...much needed.

Meeting with a photographer friend to learn more about my passion!!

My baby boy will turn 10 on Saturday...sniff sniff....

they will all be in the double digits know..WEIRD!

With birthdays means getting to go our to dinner 

which means NO cooking!!

WOO HOO!!

Starting the Winter Health Challenge at church on

Thursday & Danny Cahill the winner of 

The Biggest Loser will be speaking!

I need motivation!!

There is a possibility of SNOW next week!

I. Can't. Wait!! 

Enoch...he walked with God. 

What a simple example of how we should

live our lives for Him.

I have 2 new lens for my camera.

uh huh this makes me Joyful!!

I took some pics of Lauren last week that I will

share at another time. 

I am learning more about Photoshop too!!

Here is an example...

That God loves me no matter what.

Hope you have some JOY to spread today!! 

The JOY of the Lord is my strength...