Macey's 1st Job from our Summer in NYC

Here are the pictures from Parent & Child Magazine, September 2009...Macey 's first published pictures...She will be so excited to see them....I had to post them though...because James and I are so proud of her....I am sure we will be seeing much more of her beautiful smiling face!!! Love you Macey!!!

This is a little "collage" that I photoshopped together for her..... This jumping pic is at the front of the magazine...with at the bottom of the letter from the editor...love her hair...: )

The beginning of the article.....

Macey looking so cute...Love you girl....We are so proud....Can't wait to see the next one!!!!

Journaling

I recently told Macey how important it is to journal....

It is something that I have always done....I have stacks of blank books that are filled with words...that I wrote...from years ago....on subjects such as the problems of middle school, job searches, falling in love, travel journals, and pregnancy journals....I love to write...but as of late...haven't seemed to have the time....With all of the running around that we do on a daily basis with the kids....and the many practices that I am sitting at-waiting on someone....Hmmmmm....I think this could be a perfect time =) to jot down some thoughts....Going to work on that .....Will let you know how it goes....=)

When I see Macey sitting with her pen in hand, and her journal...writing down her thoughts about her day, I smile. I think that she is more like me than I realize...She loves to express her self....she loves scrapbooking, reading, art, writing....and yes, she has a little bit of an attitude....Just like her momma ;)She wrote in her journal every single day while in New York. I am amazed at how much she has grown over this past summer....Spending her summer in New York, at age 9...How awesome is that!!! She is one amazing girl...and I am so proud of her....I am going to try to get her to put some of her journal entries on her blog...Amazing words....{coming from a proud momma}

I am in constant prayer for God's will for my life...and the life of my family....My daughter...and my boys...and my husband....Could His will for our lives be elsewhere? Not sure...I have been praying and searching for the answers...Still praying...just wanting to be in God's will....

Until next time....

Our Anniversary Weekend....

James and I went to Hilton Head, South Carolina for the weekend to celebrate our 15 year anniversary...We had a great time....did nothing but enjoy the beach all day for 2 days...and spend some time in the Sea Pines area with my camera =) Here are some pics from our weekend....Love you honey...thanks for a wonderful time!!!!!

I'm still here.....=)

Hello...Yes...I am still here....I haven't forgotten about my blog...just havent' had time to write anything....sounds crazy...but true...I can update my status on Facebook in just a minute, and writing a blog post takes some thought....Had a few minutes this morning...so thought I would blog a little....

It is 4:20 am...my alarm was set for 4 am...I have to be at work at 530 am....After working 10+ years of night shift, this has been a HUGE adjustment...but after doing it for 2 weeks...( I had to orient for 2 weeks on a full time schedule-today is my first day of my part time status-thank the Lord....) I don't see how you girls that work full time do it.....I think I am starting to get the hang of it...I even woke up this morning before the alarm went off....=) God is so good...

I am still amazed by seeing his hand in ALL of the decisions that we have made over the past few months concerning Macey and her "dream" of modeling, my job, our finances, ect....We are still much in prayer about a few things that God has laid on my heart....Feel like He is leading me somewhere...just not so sure how or when....Just praying about it for now....and trying to understand all of the things that are "flying" around in this head of mine....=)

The kids have started school, which is going good...Ian in 7th grade, Macey in 5th, and Cade in 1st....Ian is playing school sports...Football practice 5 days a week...Macey is playing competitive soccer, and taking dance....and Cade is playing flag football....Not really a spare moment for us...but I love it....and so do the kids...so here we are...=) This new schedule has been an adjustment for ALL of us...Me, James, and the kids....

James and I have been married 15 years this Thursday...and we are headed to Hilton Head...Woo Hoo!!! So excited....We haven't ever went to the Beach without the kids...so this is going to be lots of fun....Looking forward to it...I haven't been to the beach this year, because of spending our summer in NYC...so I can't wait...(even though I LOVED the city...and would head back there any time!!)

Well, my morning quiet time is over....gotta go and get ready for work...Hope everyone has a blessed Monday.....God bless....

Check it out!!!

I was just checking my email and recieved an email from AMTC (Actor's, Models and Talent for Christ) that told me to check out their website...so I did...and guess who was on the front page!!! Miss Macey!!! Way to go Sis!!! Be sure to check it out!!! God is SO Good!!! We are so proud of our little model...and God has been right along with us the entire way....check it out http://www.amtcworld.com/

Here is a copy of the letter I wrote...

Carey, Hi!! I am emailing you from New York City…Macey and I have spent the past 6 weeks in the city, and have had a blast!!! She signed with FFT models and has spend her summer going to auditions and go-sees…We have been so blessed by our time that we have shared together in the city…Nothing like some one on one time with your daughter…and we feel like she has done SO well….She has booked three jobs so far-and is on hold for a couple more….She booked with Children’s Place, Scholastic’s Parent Child Magazine, and Toys R Us…She is actually at her shoot for Toys R Us right now…We are already considering coming back in the fall, and definitely next summer!!!
As a family, this was a huge desicion for us…I have 2 other children, and had a part time job…We began this journey one hundred percent in prayer…I have prayed about finding an apartment, travel arrangements, and getting a leave of absence from my job….which ended up not happening…I know you recieve lots of emails from many people, but I just want to share how God has worked in our lives….I have been truly blessed-daily. To know that we have been in God’s will has been so amazing….My manager wouldn’t grant me a leave of absence, after telling me for over 6 months that it would NOT be a problem…I began to wonder, is this God’s way of telling us to stay home? or is it God’s way to tell me to “get out of my comfort zone” and trust Him…Rely on Him…I am assuming you know the answer…I decided to turn in my notice, and trust in Him…it is scary to do something, in faith, not knowing the outcome, or where I was going to work after we return home….but I did it…
Now, after spending six wonderful weeks in NYC, I can see why He wanted us to take this journey…Not just for Macey-and for her to pursue her dreams-which we def have done….but for us to learn to depend and to rely on Him…It is easy to rely on Him, when you have no one else…My husband, and family were back home, and we did this alone…with God on our side…Macey and I spent many nights together in prayer, and Bible Study…We found a wonderful church that we attended every Sunday while we were in the city…and even if she didn’t book a single job…we now know that God wanted this for us…He wants us to share how he can be there for us…no matter the circumstances…
And get this, after quitting my job…my vacation time was cashed out-and given to me-which was EXACTLY enough money to cover us financially while we were in the city…The past couple of days I began to worry about finding a job when I get home….(I am an RN-so the needs are there) Knowing, I shouldn’t worry, I should begin praying-which I did…Yesterday, I recieved an email from a friend, who is a manager in the local hospital-offering me a position-that pays more than the last job I had, and the schedule is very flexible-which would allow for Macey and I to come back to the city next summer!!!!She said to call her when I get home and we will discuss the details…. Our God is SO Good!! =)
But I just wanted to share with you…and let you know that we feel so blessed to have been a part of AMTC…Without you guys, Macey never would have had the opportunities that she has had…You guys are awesome…and to base everything on God and his love for us…Amazing….Thanks so much…Will keep you updated on Macey and her “journey”…God Bless….

We are continuously amazed by his guidance in this journey, and will continue to turn to Him in ALL things.....

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13

Happy Birthday James......

Well, who would have thought when I met this crazy guy in Spanish class so many years ago...that I would have celebrated so many birthdays with him....=) and fall crazy head over heels in love with him!!!!!! Wow! 2o years of birthdays!! We celebrated our first birthdays together in 1989....and here we are in 2009, 3 kids later....still celebrating them together....=) and I wouldn't have it any other way....
Honey, I hope you have the best bday ever....even though you had to go to work-The kids want to do something special for you when you get home.... =) Hope you love your new puppy...and enjoy him for many years to come....Thanks for all you do for our family...I love you so much!!! Now and Forever!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!

Our Newest Family Member....

James has wanted a bull mastiff for as long as I have known him...Well, his bday is coming up in 5 days and he met a family during Fun Fest that had Bull Mastiff puppies...well, he has thought about nothing else since...so here is James' bday present...Meet Chaz, our 9 week old bull mastiff puppy...Love you honey...(Now, I want my roof : )Hee hee...inside joke...

Fun Fest Balloon Glow

We ususally don't make it to too many Fun Fest Events...but we decided to take Cade to see the balloons...and he loved them...I was wanting to take some photographs too...Nothing like shooting at night...We had a good time, and I think I got a few awesome pics....a few of my fav balloon pics... Cade and Daddy...checking out all the action....Cade talked the whole time...Ian and Macey were gone with the church group...so he took advantage of the one on one time....=) sweet little guy...Me and my little man....In awe....loved the flame shots...I took way too many pics last night....these are just a few...;) won't bore you with all of them...Every time the flame would go-Cade would get so excited...so we "posed" this one...He cracked me up...we did the same thing 3 or 4 times....Running to the street where the balloons were...couldn't wait to see them...Daddy in the background...

Little Update...

I got a job!!! Yippee!! God is so good...I will be working in Endoscopy at Holston Valley...and I am so happy...Much prayer has gone into this, and I truly feel that this is where God wants me to be....thanks to all my friends and family who have been praying for me...Love you guys...

On another note...Be sure to check out my photography site....www.stillmomentsphotography.blogspot.com....I am booking some "mini sessions"...and hope to get started back taking pictures and helping you create memories for your family....Be sure to email me if you are interested in one of these mini sessions....

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Home is where the Heart is....

Well, long time, no blogging...I am sorry...I know that those of you who check my blog wonder where I have been...=) (all 3 of you) Hee hee...So, here goes...We finished up an amazing summer in the city...Can't believe that our summer in NY has come and gone...We are already making plans for next summer...and can't wait....Where do I begin?

The things that I experienced this summer...I can just hardly put into words...I mean-I blogged about a lot of the details of our trip...the go sees, the auditions, and the shoots...but the "life lessons" that I have learned I will never forget...Learning to exist, in a strange city, where we knew no one, and had no idea even where to begin...People visit NY all the time for vacation...but to go and "make it home" for a time, is surreal...I still hear the sounds of the city when I am just being still...We take silence for granted here in TN...I am amazed to go outside my house, and listen to nothing...something that I wouldn't have realized without this experience in my life....We did miss our home...but I realized that once my family was together-the boys were back with us-that Home is where you make it...For a time, our home was in NY...and I was happy with that....actually LOVED it...=)

The spiritual impact that I had while on this life journey was unexplainable...I have said to one person after another....yes, Macey had an amazing experience, and did lots of work...but if she didn't book the first job-I know that God had us go for a reason....He wants us to have faith in Him, to trust Him, and to put Him first in our lives...from the big things like traveling safety to the small things to making sure we get on the right subway to make it to an audition on time....amazing..and He was there-the entire time...=)

Well, now that we are home...will update you on the "modeling stuff" for Miss Macey...We are planning a little road trip this weekend...Macey has an interview Monday with an agent in Nashville...She is hoping to get represented by them, so she can be working while we are in TN...This is her dream...and we are praying continuously for guidance through all of this...So remember her in your prayers..=)

I go for a job interview tomorrow...so remember me as well...Many of you know that I had to
quit my job to get to take Macey to New York...I really had a difficult time with that entire situation...but I have given it over to my Lord...and do you know what I have recieved? Peace...complete peace...and I just following his will...not sure what that is yet...but just waiting...God is In Control...

I have many more NY pics to post...and will do that as soon as I get time...Trying to let my kids enjoy their summer...We have 3 weeks before school starts...and trying to cram in all the summer fun we can in this time frame...Love you guys...