The Ultimate Blog Party

I am participating in The Ultimate Blog Party...for the second year in a row...I met so many new bloggers last year...and can't wait to get started this year!!! Welcome to "And these are the days of our lives...".


I am a happily married mother of three...that married my high school sweetheart...We live our lives...spending time together, worshipping our Lord and Savior, and spending time with our family....at baseball games, soccer games, football games, dance classes, theatre, church activites, you name it-our kids are probably doing it...I also have a photography business-which is a love of mine...I love to take photographs...and love to share my photos with my clients...Be sure to check out my photography site...the link is on the side of my blog....Here is a pic of the gang....We are glad that you stopped by...Come and sit on the porch and enjoy some fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies...South Beach Style...because my husband and I are "south-beaching" it...trying to get the rest of our weight off before we head off to New York this summer....


My daughter has signed a couple of modeling contracts...so we will be living in the city this summer...going to have a blast!! Can't wait! And def plan on blogging the whole time we are gone!

The daffodils are blooming here and Spring has arrived!!! Yippee...I am def a spring and summer girl...


Hope to get to meet lots of new "blogging buddies" this week....
God Bless...

Cade's first lost tooth

Gotta love that smile...My little guy is growing up too fast!!! Well, that's it for our Spring Break week...Back to regular schedule today...Hope everyone has a great week....I still have 3 days left of vacation...=) Going to enjoy them...God Bless....

Bristol Race

We took the kids to the Bristol Spring Race...They had a great time...well, the boys anyway...Macey was over it after about the first hour =) Not much to say about the race itself...but here are some pics of the day...

Knoxville Zoo

On Saturday, we headed off to Knoxville to take the kids to the zoo...Believe it or not...Cade has never been...So, he had a blast...and loved all of the animals...His favorite was the lions, monkeys, and rhinos....Here is a pic of me and the kids in front of the elephants.....The kids comparing James' height to a giraffe.....Cade is the bravest of all my kids...Ian and Macey didn't want to have any part of this camel...and Cade just petted him, and wanted to feed him too...James bought him some food, and Cade stuck his hands right up there and fed him...No fear...of anything...Sometimes that is a scary thing....=)This was HILARIOUS...Cade was sitting here eating pringles...and this chimp walked right over to where Cade was sitting....and just sat there...watching him...Cade felt sorry for him, and thought he wanted something to eat...so he offered him a pringle...Everyone was cracking up...People were asking if they could take a pic of Cade...it was so funny...Here are a few pics of him...with his "new friend"... This was a chimpanzee's "nest"...and the kids decided to try it out...and see how it slept...they are so funny...they definitely have a photographer for a mom...always looking for a pose....Posing with the Parrots....Ian...acting like he was eaten by a huge owl.... Macey sitting on a butterfly bench...pretty girlCade and Mommy...Ian "milking a cow"...so funny...The kids posing with "Flat Cade"...a Flat Stanley, Kingdergarten project.....where we have to take pics of his Flat Cade in different places we go as a family....We got a few comments on our "4th child"...

After the zoo, we headed to Pigeon Forge to eat...the kids were starved....and then to shop at a few places....then headed home...Long day, but lots of fun...Love spending time with my family....

Twilight Midnight DVD Release Party

Friday night....Macey and I went to the Twilight Midnight DVD Release Party with our friends-Christy and Emmy...We were at the mall with all of the other Twilight fans....to get one of the first copies of the DVD...We had a blast...and played a few "crazy" trivia games, worked a Twilight crossword puzzle, then FINALLY recieved our copy of the movie..and then we were off to the house...to watch it....We loved the movie...but if you are a reading person...the books were 1000 times better...Macey and I both agreed on this one...But we will definitely be in the theatre when New Moon comes out...=) Here are a couple of pics...of Macey's first "late night out"....=) She ended up not going to sleep until close to 4....Long night...but worth it... Cassie, Macey and Emmy at fye in the mall....working on our crossword puzzles....;) Yes, I will admit...I have a problem...

Macey, Emmy and Christy...doing the same...we just had to have a pic of our craziness...=) Nothing like hanging out in a store...sitting around...waiting for midnight...=)

We had a great time...Thanks guys for going with us....Can 't wait for the next movie!!!

Spring Break Fun...

The kids and I have been enjoying this beautfiful weather this week...We have had hikes, picnics, playground fun...and today James and I hung up my big star that I got for Christmas....It looks perfect!! Here are a few pics of it....(it was brown, and we painted it burgandy and antiqued it to match the rest of the house)Love the way it looks on the house....so pretty....Cade playing outside with his sticks.....He is so funny...they were making spears and pretending to be an indian tribe....Macey resting after playing baseball with the boys.....

Looking forward to a great weekend...Twilight dvd release on Friday night,heading to the zoo, and then to the race on Sunday....Let's watch the rest of American Idol....Good night...

Twilight Countdown

I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know. Though my heart and flesh may fail. There's an anchor for my soul. I can say "It is well". Jesus has overcome. And the grave is overwhelmed. The victory is won. He is risen from the dead. [Chorus:] And I will rise when He calls my name. No more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on eagles' wings. Before my God fall on my knees. And rise I will rise. There's a day that's drawing near. When this darkness breaks to light. And the shadows disappear. And my faith shall be my eyes. Jesus has overcome. And the grave is overwhelmed. The victory is won. He is risen from the dead. [Chorus:] And I will rise when He calls my name. No more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on eagles' wings. Before my God fall on my knees. And rise. I will rise. And I hear the voice of many angels sing, "Worthy is the Lamb" And I hear the cry of every longing heart, "Worthy is the Lamb"

This is one of my favorite songs. It is by Chis Tomlin...and it is perfect with the Easter season approaching.....I put the lyrics here, if you have time-listen to the song...The grave is overwhelmed...those are AWESOME words!! Happy Wednesday!

Proverbs 31 Devotion

I love to read the Proverbs 31 Devotions...and I read them just about every day...This one truly blessed me the other day...and I thought I would share it with you guys....Good Words...

Women Judging Women
Lysa TerKeurst

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble..." 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)

How differently might our lives be if we women didn't have to fear the harsh criticisms of other women? Might we be willing to step out a little bolder for Jesus? Might we be willing to be a little more vulnerable? Might we live our lives a little less guarded?Oh sweet sisters, women judging other women must absolutely break God's heart. The crazy thing is when we judge others, we elevate ourselves past the ability to recognize our own propensity to sin in the very area we are criticizing. Show me a woman who is leveling a judgment against another person, and I will show you a woman who is wrapped in sin herself.If it's not the very same sin she's criticizing, it will be a sin just as dangerous - pride.It is a subtle shift that Satan invites us into. Voicing criticisms against others will coat the eyes of our soul with smut so thick, we become blinded to our own sin. Pride and self-righteousness will detour us from God's best path and lead us on a treacherous journey of denial. We'll deny our own sinfulness. We'll deny our own need for grace.Those who can't see their own desperate need for grace, refuse to freely give grace to others.Now, if you're like me, you may be tempted to start making a mental list of those who you have felt judged by and you started praying a few sentences back: "Please let so and so read today's devotion. Oh I hope she sees herself in this and gets a whammy of conviction."But, let's stop making that mental list and receive this message personally. Even if we aren't naturally critical people, this is an area we can all grow in.I recently read a wonderful quote outlining a beautiful plan when we feel tempted to judge someone else. Francis Frangipane in his book Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God says, "Anyone can pass judgment - but can they lay down their lives in love, intercession and faith for the one judged? Can they target an area of need and rather than criticizing, fast and pray, asking God to supply the very virtue they feel lacking? And then persevere in that love - motivated prayer until that fallen area blooms in godliness? Such is the life Christ commands we follow!" (pg.11)I know just posting this devotion will not suddenly make the world tip on it's axis and shake all of us women into breaking the cycle of criticisms and judgment. However, maybe, it will be a start. If it causes even one of us to fall in front of Jesus in repentance and allow Him to wipe the smut of pride and self-righteousness from our spiritual eyes- it will be a great start. Now, let me be that one.

Dear Lord, may I first fall in repentance into Your loving arms of grace. Thank You for the harsh ways I have been judged lately for it opened my eyes to this stinging way we women can be. Forgive me for not extending grace at times to others. I am a woman who desperately needs it - so, I should be a woman who freely offers it. When I am tempted to be critical of someone else, help me hold my thoughts and my tongue. Instead of voicing those things, help me bring them to You in honest and heartfelt prayers for that person. May I be one who is so motivated by love, that I will persevere in my prayers for that person until I see You working in glorious ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

This spoke to me greatly, and I hope it speaks to you as well...God Bless.

Another Beautiful Spring Day....

The Seasonal Affective Disorder is slowly fading away as the temperature goes up...and I am glad...I have felt so much better for the past few days...it is unbelievable what a little sunshine does for the system...or mine anyway...=) I don't have time for a big post...will try to update soon...but just wanted to let everyone know that I have updated my photography site...I just did a session of our family...and wanted to share...They turned out so good...I can't wait to get them printed...=) Be sure to check them out...

I also have some good news...we are closing on our refinance today!!! Yeah! We have refinanced our house, and now our next step is to finish this c-r-a-z-y garage!!! Hopefully soon...that is the plan...I will definitely be having a " Garage Party" when this thing gets a roof over it...I may even have it in the garage!! Hee hee...Well, gotta run...Things to do, places to see, and sunshine to get out in...=) God Bless...

Finally, a Post with Pictures =)

I am here...I have had emails, phone calls, and ran into a few of you who wondered if I was ever going to blog again....=) I have neglected the blog...Life has just gotten in the way. We have had the stomach virus, strep throat, and the flu....Basketball, baseball, and soccer begins this weekend. Play auditions, church, work, and just running that comes with a family of five. I am finally getting a little post together....

Last night was Upwards Awards night....Cade was so excited because this was his first year to get to play basketball-and he did awesome. He loved the sport, and enjoyed the time with his buddies....Here are some pictures from last night....This is Cade, Jett, and Aiden....Me and Mr. Cade...Gotta love that little guy...Just so glad he is healthy...for now =)Duffer, Cade's coach, and Mr. Cade....We love you Duffer!! Thanks for putting so much time into coaching the team. You are an amazing guy! and the kids love you...Macey and a few of her team mates....They were busy signing each other's jerseys, but I got them to look at me for a picture...Macey and her coach, Christy. Macey loved having her for a coach, she was so good with the girls and taught them so much. Thank you Christy for giving your time with the girls! Macey and Me...Love you Sissy...you had a great season...and I am so proud of you!Ian had an amazing season too...I don't have any pictures of him, because he had to miss the Awards night because he had baseball practice....He is playing on a travel team, and they are practicing quite a bit already. This is the first time we have let him be a part of a travel team-due to time constraints. So we will see how it goes....It is an amazing team-with a Christian coach. Can't wait until the first game...coming up this weekend!!! Yeah! Will def post some pictures of that...Baseball is one of my fav sports...just because it means SPRING is here!!! =)

Hope everyone has a great week....I have a possible "good opportunity" today...Will be meeting with someone this morning....Just say a prayer for me...that God will show me what his will is...Much love....