today I feel...

My beautiful daugher and my handsome
son that has to do what ever his sister does,
no matter what it is.

My love and I

I feel like life is turning and turning. Things are good and bad and happy and uncomfortable. Satisfying and at the same time unsatisfying. I am content but not. The wavering options for my emotions are endless. and yet no matter how strange this all seems... I'm really ok. My husband and I are doing GREAT. I think we just had a tiff that all married people seem to have in their lives and it almost went to far. I also know that God used any mental misjudgements to make things in our lives so much better then they ever could have been. I am struggling with my finances and my appartment. I find that this must be the place for all of my negative feelings but when I think about the things that truly matter and make me happy (God, my husband, my children.) I find myself smiling.

There has been no work for a few weeks now and I can't seem to pay anything. I'm tired and fusterated. I have been faithful to the things that God has asked of me and I know that he will not let us go under completely but sometimes I feel that "sneaky snake" as my daughter likes to call him coming in and trying to take over my thoughts of complete faith.

hmm.... to have things simple again. to be a child. so sweet and have no responsibilites in life.

oh well I guess we all have to grow up sometime or another.

Have a blessed day filled with God given moments

p.s. Pray for us. We live right on the coast of North Carolina and Hanna is expected to be here shortly. Also pray that we are not victims of Ike either.

5 YEARS OF MARITAL BLISS!!!

ok so they haven't all been blissful, but latley things have been awesome. I'm thinking about the past, the present, and the future of my lifetime with my soul mate. I'm glad that he has stuggled and realized that we are ment to be together and that love is not only a feeling but a choice.
I love my husband every minute of everyday not only because I want to but because I choose to.
I am glad that he was not stolen away from me by seduction of the devil. I'm glad that we have only gotten stronger and closer from all of our trials. Don't get the wrong idea he's never done anything really bad, it's just the last fight that we had was a really big one and I found out some emotionial affairs were going on. I thank God that nothing came of these except a strengthing in our relationship with each other and with God.
I'm keeping this short because I don't have alot of time to write. We're going fishing with the kids
Have a blessed Day filled with God given moments!!!

good times and bad.

ok... so Apperatly I have had some people miss me. First off I have to apoligize fore not blogging latley, life has been so busy and hectic, not to mention that I had my cable and internet shut off. It's been kind of heavy around here. Physically and Emotionly. I had a bout with my husband at the beginning of this month that was pretty seriouse, but Things are MUCH MUCH better there. Much better than they were in a long time. I believe that was something God set up to heal wounds from before. Also we went to Chicago for a week to Willow Creek. A church that hosts this Arts confrence every year. Last year I even met a SU! demo. This confrence is for EVERYBODY!! musicions, visual artists, dancers, drama, vocalists. EVERYBODY. they get together and teach you how to use your gift for God's Glory. It was an amazing experiance. Plus some time for my husband and I without the babies. It was nice. Also we just got back from Boone, NC. We met some family there. We try to do that at least once a year this year we aimed for twice, everyone meets at one place and comes in from places in maryland, Nc, and MI. It's such a blessing that we can do that.
As you can guess I have not had much time for crafting or blogging. but I promise I'll try to do better and make something this week and post it!
Have a blessed day filled with God given moments
Gina.

And a pic of Myla and her Daddy to end this post.

SARA'S Burn Anniversary Challenge.

My good friend Sara posted this on her blog today and I think that it is a wonderful challange to a wonderful ending, that didn't start out so wonderful. So I felt that I would share it with you. Check out her page when you get a chance!
If you wanna check out the pictures her blog is.
http://www.sarafrawley.blogspot.com/

Happy Anniversary Challenge
Two years ago today, my life changed. My husband was on a deployment for a one year tour overseas and my sister had come to visit for the week with her two children, Noah and Autumn. We had gone strawberry picking with my MOPS group and our children and ended up with a TON of strawberries. In all the excitement of what we could make using strawberries, I got caught up in the idea of chocolate dipped strawberries. So off I went to the kitchen to make a chocolate fondue to dip them in.
I made the "fondue" like I always did... one pan stacked on top of the other with boiling water in the bottom pan and the fondue ingredients in the top pan. We had added a little too much cream and needed to add a little more chocolate, and so I had to go searching through my kids' Easter candy to make up the difference. When all the chocolate finally melted and the fondue was ready for the strawberries to be dipped, I reached over the pan to turn the burner off and the pan blew up in my face, causing severe 2nd degree burns all over the left side of my face, neck, arm, and abdomen. My sister was leaning over me taking in the aroma of the melted chocolate when the explosion happened and ended up with burns to her forehead and right eye. I don't remember much from that point on until we got to the hospital and I was able to calm down after several doses of morphine. My husband was called by the American Red Cross, my family was informed and my children were taken care of by some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for. I was taken via ambulance to the burn unit in Augusta, GA from Savannah, GA (two hours south). The had originally called in the medivac (helicoptor) to transport me because they had a hard time stablizing me, but in the end, I stablized enough to go via ambulance. It was the longest trip I had ever taken in my life, or so it felt. I felt so alone... the ride was quiet and I was exhausted... and still in excruciating pain. I was admitted into one of the best burn units in the United States taken in for surgery the next morning to scrub away the burnt skin. Doctor's Hospital in Augusta, GA did an amazing job in repairing my burns as well as my sisters burns. We were well taken care of and my family really swept in and did everything they could to keep me & my sister comfortable and upbeat. I was in the hospital for nearly 5 days and I got to go home (to my Mom's house in Augusta) when my husband flew in on Saturday. The two weeks following that was an even bigger blur, as they had given me some really good pain meds.
In the surgery, after they had scrubbed all the burnt skin away, they covered it with various healing agents: pig skin, cadaver skin, and a manufactured skin called "biobrain." Two weeks post surgery, all of the healing agents had peeled away and my skin had completely repaired itself. I serve a Great God... and He gets all the credit for my quick recovery. All I was left with was very pink/red skin and a slightly shaven hairline where the burns had burnt my scalp near and above my ear. My scars are minimal now and the only time they are really evident is if I get overheated and/or my bloodpressure goes up (like when I'm upset). We joke now about knowing when Sara's mad because her burns glow, but I can assure you, at the time, it was no joking matter. I thought I was going to die... and for a little while, so did the docs at the hospital in Savannah. It was by far the scarriest thing I've ever endured, and I'm thankful for the family, friends, and strength that God gave me to get through it.
In honor of my Anniversary, I'd like to propose a challenge. There are millions of burn victims all over the world... my challenge to you is to make a card and send it to a burn victim. You can check out this site to find a burn center to send cards to in the United States. A little bit of caring goes a long way.
To send a card to someone in the burn unit that I was cared for in, the address is:
Joseph M. Still Burn Center
3651 Wheeler Rd
Augusta, GA 30909
United States
Address your card to "Burn Victim."
One of the biggest steps in recovery of any kind of trauma, burn or not, is talking about what happened and realizing the great blessing of having victory over an uncontrolled situation. Thanks for listening and helping me spread awareness. If you'd like to see pictures of my burns, I'll be adding a photo album of my burns to my side bar, but discression is advised in looking at these pictures. They are not edited, enhanced, or censored at all.
Thanks for listening... take the challenge. Send a smile to a burn victim!


As Always have a blessed day filled with GOD Given Moments!!!

WANT SOME AWSIME BLOG CANDY!?!?!

Quick click here!!!
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and don't waist time you only have until 12 pm tonight 04/21/08
Have a blessed day filled with God given moments!!!

Hello... This is she... FRIKIN AWSOME!!!

ok typing this for the second time.....grrr
As some of you know I live in a very small town and wal-mart is the place to be. There isn't much to do around here and the closest michaels is about 50 minutes away. It was a trip that I always hated becuase that is enough time to kill anyones creative drive. I didn't get to make it much as it was and with the gas prices rising it seemed like they were going to be few and far between. Until one magical day when all my dreams came true. I guess that my town decided to grow up and get some good stores so we got a tjmax, a pet smart, a shoe store, a bed bath and beyond, and tucked away in the center of those was a Michaels. I almost screamed out loud in excitement... ok so I did scream out loud. I was frikin excited. The day of the grand opening I wasn't going to make it because I was taking care of my grandmother and my upline Sara Frawley decides to tell me that they are having a drawing for gift cards and a cricut machine. Well pooh. I wasn't going to make it. Even if I dropped everything right then and there, it just wasn't going to happon. BUT a thought crossed my mind. My husband was. he would be driving right by the store at anytime now and unknowling be missing the oportunity of my life (sad huh) so I figured I would try to get a hold of him. Well my conversation was anything but uplifing with him. He said that he wasn't going into woman land to spin a "wheel o' fun" ( I don't know why he called it that. you spun the wheel and got a free prize) But he was totally unwilling to go into that store and fill out this dinky little peice of paper for me. I was so mad. and it wasn't becuase my chances were thrown out the window but because he was being dumb and I don't like it when people are dumb. so I pouted and whined and then said fine I didn't want you to go anyway but if you do decide to go I would greatly appricate it... and a you don't love me in there somewhere... I was really putting on the guilt.... well it's never worked before but this time it did... YEAH!!! and boy am I glad I got a call today saying that I won the $50 gift card. Which to me was great. I won something and I never ever get to buy myself anything. So I was happy. and then my upline gave me a 50% and a 20% off coupon.. so I was really excited and here is what I got. After going to the store 3 times to decide what I really truly wanted. There was just so much and to have this $50 was like amazing to me. so here they are!!

Journey to Skinny

ok so I have ventured out on a new and inspiring journey. It wasn't at first but after today I'm speechless for the amount of motivation and inspiration I have star weight watchers. My mom offerd to pay for it. So I figured WHY NOT!?! It's an opportunity to lose weight. I'll take it. So I started last thursdy and went today for my weigh in. I wasn't really feeling up to it. I was anxious and excited at the same time. I felt that I didn't do very well and would have to go tell my mom that I gained weiht and didn't lose any. So I stood in a line of about 30 people and waited for my turn to arrive. Almost there. nerves start kicking in.. I gotta pee..(sorry for the blunt term). So I run to the bathroom pee. There is still about 7 people in front of me.. I wait somemore. My turn arrives and not a moment to soon. I go and give the lady my information sign in.. Take my shoes off. Empty the change and bills and phone and keys and paper and whatever else I could find from my pockets If I could have found pocket lint I would have removed that also. I step on the scale. Close my eyes and peek at what she is writing down... 189.8... OMGOSH.. I lost 5.4 lbs in one week. And It's not like I I weigh that much and you can tell. I have very muscular legs and even when I wore I size 6 I weighed 160. Sooo.... I just want to get down to a size 8 and I'll be happy Right now I am a 14-16 depending on the brand of clothes. So anyway I'll keep you faithful readers updated. Don't forget
HAVE A BLESSED DAY FILLED WITH GOD GIVEN MOMENTS!!

10 things about me you didn't know

1) I love being outside. Something about being in nature and the smells of the air and the feel of the grass between my toes (I love to be barefoot outside). It brings back memories, flashbacks, and things long forgotton. My childhood went by fast so these memories are things that I stop close my eyes and cherish for the moment and then tuck them away until they come again. My children have taken after that. If they had it their way they would be outside rain or shine, cold or hot, day or night.

2) I am extreamly insecure. I come off like I have all the confidence in the world but when you get down to it. I am always seeking approval and I really do care what people thing about me. I get scared and upset if somebody doesn't like me and I find reason to cause a problem if they do. I try to be nice and accepting of others when really I unknowingly search for flaws that people have to make myself feel better. (don't get me wrong, I never speak to people about what I think their flaws are I keep them to myself for my own self uplifting) It is a struggle that I work on.

3) I am a Christian. I am not perfect. I try to do what God tells us to do and I try to be a good influance. I go to church every sunday but I must admit I don't know if I would if my husband weren't the worship leader. He supports me and gets me up to go. But sometimes I just don't really want to. I have only missed church 3 times in the last 3 years 1 I was sick and 2 I was on a trip with the church.

4) I am poor but I don't mind. Not that it matters but for some reason people think that my husband and I have loads of money and that is why I am a stay at home mom. False. We are so poor we are in the poverty lines according to our government. We live paycheck to paycheck and I don't see that changing unless God blesses us. We live in a small 2 bedroom apartment and our children share a room. People call us for money all the time. But I don't mind. The way I see it we are in this situation for a reason. This is right where God wants us to be. If he has better things planned then the opportunitys will present themselves so we can make choices. I have roof, a car, a tv, a computer, I go to school and I am 23. I think I'm doing pretty good.

5) I love my children... We all do but Myla just makes my day interesting she's the hyper pay attention to me one. and my son... Well... I was really upset when I found out I was going to have a boy. I didn't want one. but it wasn't my choice. and He just melts my heart. I was just laying him down for his nap and everyonce in a while he'll want me to lay down with him so I did and he rubbed my back while I hummed to him... They way he likes it. Mr. Independant. If I were to rub his back he'd get upset. and He doesn't hum. My daughter is still awake by the way like I said the hyper one. But she lights up my life and makes every day an adventure.

6) I am a student. I may never work but I go to school. Why? you ask. Because I will not be a wife that stays at home and gets no foundation. You never know what the day may hold. You never know if your going to get a phone call saying that "there's been an accident" and then be a single mom with kids and no education so you have to get some job that doesn't pay much and struggle for the rest of your life.
I am not that stay at home mom. I will be prepared for anything.

7)I am trying to lose weight. I weigh too much. I didn't use to but after having my kids I guess I just packed on the pounds. I start weight watchers today... The way I see it is at least I'm not fat and sitting around being fat I'm fat trying to do something about it. I go to the gym everyother day but that doesn't seem to help so maybe this plan will work.

8) I love music. I sing I dance I play the piano I act I everything. I'm not the best but I'm good at it. I sometimes feel that I don't get to express myself like I want to and that other people are more concerned about themselves and they do everything (especially at church) I am only allowed to do drama while others do EVERYTHING. it has become the (people's name) show. I'm not mean enought to write names on here but I feel that way sometimes. I feel that it should all be done for God and that everyone should be allowed to do things not just certain people.

9) I love to make cards and scrapbook. I am a stampin up demonstrator( actually I'm pending this month so if anyone wants to generouslly buy something from me let me know) :) It is kind of my outlet my children do it will me well my daughter does my son just gets in the way. I am hoping to have more time when this semester is over because I will be done with school for a while. I'll have my associate's degree.

10) Last but no least. I am still searching for the real me. I lost myself sometime ago and I am trying to find things that I like again without getting other peoples opinions and without people telling me that it is dumb or stupid. I used to be influanced by what other people thought but I am working on that and that is one of my greatest struggles.

My Litte Fairy!

My little girl won the Little Miss Leprechaun Pagent in Emerald Isle at the St. Patricks Day Festival on Saturday. I was so excited for her she was so happy. She got up there and sang her song and batted her eyes and totally flirted with the host (Gary Dean) who is our CBS local news anchor. Don't get the wrong idea she didn't even know that it was a compition. I told her that it was all for fun. I really thought that she would get up there on that stage and start crying. So as you can imagine when she got up there and did her thing, I was so proud!! Couldn't be prouder. AND to make things better I made her dress. I've never made anything and I made her a pretty little fairy dress all green and sparkly. so I'm just pretty gosh darn proud of my daughter and my sewing skills!!

Myla's card.

Ok so my camera on my phone isn't the greatest and I tried to make it better and I don't know what exactly happoned. BUT ANYWAY Myla got happy mail about 2 days ago. I just haven't been able to post anything latley due to trying to get back on schedule. BUt you should have seen her face!!! SHe was so excited when I told her she got a letter. It was almost like she didn't believe me! It is a beautiful card with hearts and polkadots and on the inside there is a bag of flowers which I'm not sure if they were supposed to come out or not but Myla decided that they were for her tea party decorations. Thank you so much Jane for this beautiful card. I will post more pics of it later when I steal my mother in laws camera again.. :P

Have a blessed day with God given moments!!!!!!

MOON, PRISIM, POWER!!!!!!!!

HAHAHA sorry... So I thought that I could change the order of my playlist to fit my myspace page (yes I have one) And I was making a point to my DH that I like animation. It's nothing that I obsess about but growing up I watched sailor moon I love it. I can't help it. I know I am a dork but I am only 23 and I am allowed to have those kind of things in my life. So I did my whole myspace page in Sailor Moon get-up and I didn't realized that It would change the song on here. I don't have time to fix it now gotta get ready for the rest of the day. But I just clicked on here to see something and laughed so hard I almost died. Now the rest of the world knows what a geek I am. And for those of you in SBS11 I warned you with my tagg. I'm a nerd. Anyway. Have a blessed day filled with God given moments!

OH YEAH

HAVE A BLESSED DAY FILLED WITH GOD GIVEN MOMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Light at the end of the Tunnel....

Ok so Last night was the first night of our small group at chuch. and We are the host home for our group... I FELT AWFUL. It was the worst that I had felt yet. So we ended it a little early and I took a HOT HOT HOT bath with some of that menthol chest rub to try and get the congestion out. Then I went to sleep and I Slept my kids must have gotten the hint becuase they stayed in their bed all night and then slept until 8:30. which never happens normally their up around 6. I still took some Cold medicine this morning but I am feeling so much better. It's unreal. I still have the cough and congestion but at least the fever and headache is gone. My children are still sick though. I think this has had an impact on my daughters mouth too. She has done nothing but "mouth-off" all day long. I hope this illness gets out soon becuase I want my good little girl back not the mouthy cranky sick one. :) I still love her though. I just wish I could make her feel better, but sinck I am getting better Maybe they will be getting better. YEA!!! Thank you all for you kind words.

Thanks, but no thanks!!!

Ok so as you saw at 4 oclock this morning I'm not feeling the greatest. Well it seems that my children are starting to get sick again as well. So all day long they wanted to sit in my lap and snuggle and kiss me. And All I could think about was how bad I've been feeling and that I don't want them to feel that way. I have been giving them tylonol (sp) for fever already but I don't want them to have the throat soreness and the cough and the BLAGH of it all... Well they got it and they got it bad. SO I am praying that they feel better soon. If someone wants to send Myla my DD a get well card she would love it. She always looks for things in the mail. My snail mail addy is.
4600 country club rd apt 107F
Morehead City NC 28557
I would say that My son would love one as well but he is a litte young for a card.
ANY WAY
Have a blessed day filled with God Given Moments!!

so sick.

Ok so I decided to blog right now. It is 4:51 Am and I cannot sleep. I am pretty sick, I think that I might have the flu or something. So I am not impressed with my health right now. I just got done taking the z-pack and it only helped a little. None the less. I hope I get better soon. I don't like being ill. and I feel worthless to my kids because it is the kind of ill that makes you just out of it. So Keep me in your Prayers. And have a blessed day filled with God Given Moments.

ok... SO I know it has been a few weeks since I have blogged but I have good reason... ok so not really good reason but good enough I guess. I am in my last semester to get my Assoicate in Arts Transfer. I planned on this being an easy semester filled with pottery, painting, and drama.... Oh no... That was just to easy. You see these classes were during the day and I had nobody to watch my children so I could take them so I had to chose online classes and somehow I ended up with.... Hold your breath...
Geography
Western Civilations
Politics
AND
Astronomy
So my semester was not as easy as I would have liked.... errrr.... so I have been so busy with homework that I have not done anything else...errr.. No stamping, no altering, no nothing. I am slightly tired of it all but I keep telling myself that it is almost done. YEA!!! hopefully. I Think I will wait a while before returning to finish for my bacholors in a few years so sadly enough I have nothing neat to post for you. Have a blessed day filled with God given moments

Tagged, tagged, tagged!!

Tagged, tagged, tagged: Rules ~ Post the rules and then give your answers. List one fact about yourself for each letter in your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you do not have a middle name, use your maiden name (or I say create a middle name that you like). Once you are tagged, update your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, tag one person for each letter of your middle name. Leave them a comment on their blog telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details.
Ok. Well My middle name is Renee So this will be quite the challange for me....
R-Ready... I am always ready for anything. Call me and need help I'll be there. wanna go shopping. I'm on my way. Need someone to talk to I'm your ear.
E-Entergetic. I am full of energy. I love life and I think that my afternoon nap is my recharge time becuase I don't seem to ever be worn out.
N-Nerdy... I don't know if that Is a good thing. I get called a nerd alot and I think that my friends mean it in a good way...(I hope) :-)
E-Elated... I am generally a pretty happy person... I only get unhappy when I let life get in the way of God.
E-Elegant... I have this totally girlly side about me that when I want to I will be pretty. I will dress up in princess dresses with my 3 year old daughter and become and Elegant queen for her....
Yeah I was grasping for the E words but oh well.. I am tagging...Andria, Bev, Jamie, Annemarie, and Jen F. !!!

Stampin and Sleeping

HELLO HELLO!! I have been STAMPING!! I am so excited. I haven't stamped so much in so long. It feels great! I only wish I could show you what I have done... But sadly I can't. For two reasons the first is part of it is for My Mystery Sistah!! and the second reason is I can't find My camera cable to hook up the usb on my Computer! *grrr* Anyway. I ended up getting my Mystery sister's name yesterday and I took a trip to Jacksonville to Micheal's came home at about 10:30 pm. and just started altering and stamping and cutting and The creativity just kept flowing. I finally went to bed satisfied with my MS's completed package plus a set of cards at about 2:30am. Of courst my children start their midnight wake ups around 4. So I was really tired this morning. But non the less I started again tonight and made 4 tin notebooks (again I cannot post pictures becuase of my missing cable). But be looking for them because I will post pictures soon!! Have a great Day and God bless everybody!!

I'm BACK!!

Ok. So I have been MIA for a while. Alot has been going on since the last time that I posted. My family took a trip to Virginia and saw all the old towns there. It was ok. Rained the whole time we were there. But it is kind of a family tradition everyone in the WHOLE family meets somewhere in the middle for a big family reunion. I have been working on my ideas to promote my Stampin' UP! buisness. I think I am going to gear my parties towards baby showers and weddings. All the guests will get to make a certain card and the host will get the cards to hand out (when the baby arrives or as wedding gift thank yous) Who knows at this point I am almost willing to try anything. I am making some really cute cards for my friend Amanda's baby annoucement with the help of my Upline Sara Frawley (the link to her blog is below) and the inspiration of another one of her downline Annette (hope I spelled that right) and here is a picture of it. I used barley banana and certainly celery cardstock also chocolate chip and very vanillia. I also uses Chocolate chip ribbon and the green striped ribbion I got from wal-mart.
I ended up showing it to a few friends and they LOVE it!!! So that is where I got the idea for doing these parties. Plus they are based of an idea that my aunt Jackie had too. Anyway... let me know what you think!