It's hard to believe that 2010 is just around the corner. In high school, we were given a writing assignment about where we saw ourselves in 15 years and I must say, the place I am right now is not where I saw myself being. I have always wanted to be a wife and mother, since I was a little girl. That was my dream and it was what I wrote about in that assignment. But right now, I am going through a divorce and fighting for custody of my children. I had a feeling at the beginning of this year, that 2009 would be a much better year for me. We were finally getting back to normal after the death of my daddy and I felt like my life was getting back on track. But, here I am...32 years old and going through a divorce. I do have peace in my decision and I am fearful, sad, and a little excited about my future. I know that's crazy, but it's how I feel. I know this is a mountain I have to cross to finally find my happiness. The holidays were strange, just celebrating with me and my babies. We had a great Christmas. God really blessed me and I was able to provide a wonderful Christmas for them. I spent most of the day watching them play with their toys and thinking just how blessed I am in the midst of my circumstances. I am blessed! Even though, I haven't fulfilled all of my writing assignment of where I saw my self, I have fulfilled the most important part. I am a mommy, a good mommy, to two wonderful children.




Carley performed at Breakfast with Santa with her dance group with Grace School of Dance. They did such a beautiful job. She really loves her dance teacher, Ms. Jessica. They did numbers from the Nutcracker and Carley was in the Candy Cane group. I love to watch her dance. It makes me feel all warm inside that she enjoys dance as much as I do. Here are a few pics from her performance:





I can't post without sharing some of my scrappy projects I made this time for Christmas gifts. It's been awhile since I've had the time or the energy to scrapbook. It made me feel so much better creating again! Enjoy!





I hope you all had a very, Merry Christmas and I wish you all a very, Happy New Year!

A weekly stash challenge, issued by DT member Amy Cosse, is up at 3ScrappyBoys. You can view all of the details here. Did I mention that one fantastic prize pack is up for grabs? Come join us for your chance to win. I'll post my entry soon!

Do you ever have those moments in your life when it's seems control has been taken right out of your hands? When you realize that you have to depend on a higher power to get you through? I think God does this to me on purpose, cause I am a control freak. I don't like surprises. I like to know when things are going to happen and how and why and where. I like to know that things won't go wrong and they won't be hard and everyone will be blessed and happy and free. But, that's not possible all the time...hardly ever. Life is hard sometimes and you don't know the direction you are headed in but you know you are traveling down that road so fast and you can't control it. I don't like being in these places in my life. But like I said before, I think God does it to me on purpose so I will depend on Him. I want to be the one that says, "God, I'm not going to bother you with this today. I'm going to handle it, so You won't have to. Cause I can and I don't want to bother You." I know God is in Heaven saying, "Good Lord, Elisha. It's not for you to handle." My mom has a piece of paper on her fridge that says, "Hello, this is God. I just wanted to let you know that I will be handling all of your problems today." He does it because He wants to, so we won't have to, because He loves us that much. I know all of the scriptures about trusting and waiting and God leading you through and I don't know why I can't get to that point to just rest in His faithfulness and not get all worked up about it. I know that's what He wants from us. He doesn't want us to worry, or cry, or be upset, or angry, or have fear. He wants us to be at peace knowing that He will take care of it. He is our Daddy after all. I know I want those things for my children and He wants even more than that for me. I look back on my life and I see through every phase how God has brought me through. He never left me and most of the hurt I experienced I brought on myself. I don't know why I am sharing this. I am always so apprehensive about being transparent and posting things like this for all to see, but I know I felt lead to do it for someone. I know it's going to be hard for me to do, but starting now, I have got to let go and give it to God and rest in His faithfulness. I know His promises for me and I know He doesn't lie. I know He is faithful, even when I haven't been. I know He doesn't want me to push Him out, even in the bad times. I know He wants to be involved in every aspect of my life....the good and the bad. Mom was telling me about a book she was reading by Joyce Meyer. In the book, Joyce was talking about going bowling. She admitted she wasn't very good. Just when she was about to roll the ball, she heard God ask her, "Joyce, why don't you ask me to help you?" She said she kind of laughed and thought to herself, why would I ask you to help me with something as silly as bowling and God said, "Because I want to be involved in every aspect of your life." Isn't that the most wonderful thing, that the God of Heaven and Earth even wants to bowl with you. I made the decision then to be more conscience of God, even in the little things. Because that is how much He loves me and if He loves me that much, then He will get me through this.

We had a wonderful 4th of July! Our night began and my Sister and Brother-n-law's for a cook-out, then we traveled to Guin to watch the big fireworks display. It was so nice. We were stretched out on a blanket and it looked like the fireworks were right on top of us....so pretty.
Here is Bryan and I:

Here's Bryan, Aricka, and Tim:

Here's Carley and Gavin in the back of the care waiting for the fireworks to begin:

Here's Gavin playing with sidewalk chalk on Tim and Aricka's front porch:

Here's Carley and her masterpiece:

Aricka and I sitting on the blanket:

Carley and Papa Terry waiting for the fireworks:

MawMaw Donnie, Carley and Gavin:

Papa Terry, again:

Carley and Terry leaned over looking at the fireworks:

I have some new pages to share!
I couldn't help but do a page for Queen Cleo. Here she is lounging on Carley's bed.

Yes, this is my man, Keith Urban. I got to see him for the third time in Huntsville on our anniversary weekend. This was the first time we took Carley with us though. She had such a great time. The concert was fantastic!

I took this self portrait at Tabatha's house on our girl's night. I like how this one turned out.

This is my friend, Tabatha, and I on our girl's night we had a few weeks ago. We haven't been out together, just the two of us, since we got married. We had a blast, I'll tell ya! We went out to eat and goofed off. It was a lot of fun.

Until next time....
xoxoxoxoxo

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've updated. But that only means, I have a lot to catch you up on! I celebrated my birthday on June 17th. I actually got to celebrate the whole week...I'm a lucky girl! On Monday of that week, I got my first present, a 3 month old white Persian kitten named Queen Cleo. Bryan told me to go pick her up. She is absolutely gorgeous! So far Roxy, our English Bull Dog has done really well with her. She wants to play with her but Cleo takes off behind the couch. I really feel like, eventually once they get used to each other, they will be great friends.

On Wednesday, I was surprised with a half a dozen red roses from Bryan. He also had them bring me a box of rose petals with a card that said, "even a rose holds no beauty next to you." He also planned for all of our family to come over that night to celebrate with me, complete with an ice cream cake. Since I'm on Weight Watchers, he made a huge chef salad for everyone. He's so thoughtful! :) I guess he thought it would cancel out the cake! My family also showered me with more gifts. It was a special night just having both of our families together to celebrate with me. On Friday and Saturday night, I was able to spend time with two close friends, just to have fun with out having to worry about taking care of the kids. I don't do that often so it was nice to have some down time and catch up with my girls. I've got a load of new pages to upload. I will try and get those photographed and up this weekend! I have 2 hours of work until I am officially off for a week so I'll have plenty of time to get caught up and hopefully much more time to scrap!
Until next time....

Today is my Anniversary! Bryan and I have been married 9 years today. It really doesn't seem like it's been 9 years at all! I am truly blessed that God chose him for me. Here we are the day after we were married, on our honeymoon:

Have a great day!

Wow, I had a lot of catching up to do! I didn't realize I had so many creations I haven't uploaded yet! Where have I been? Here you go! Enjoy!
This is Carley and her friends from school that came for her birthday party.

My nephew Colby and Roxy. He always comes to my house and tells me my dogs are spoiled! I wonder why?

My Carley is like her Daddy and never meets a stranger. This little boy was playing at the park with his popples and she immediately went up and started playing with him. I love that about her. She isn't shy like I always was. They had the best time.

While my friend Kristy was in town, they had a little fun with a mustache Bryan brought to the park!

This is my best friend, Kristy, and I. She came down for a visit the end of March. I hate that she lives so far away but I love it when we get to visit each other!

This is another best friend of mine, Tabatha! We were goofing off with the camera New Year's Eve.

Bryan and I during our Texas Hold 'Em game, New Year's Eve.

Gavin is obsessed with Spiderman! Can you tell?

This is an old pic of my dad and his family.

Another old pic of my sister, Cindy, and I. This is one of my favorites.

This is Carley at the Zoo in Gulf Shores. This was for a scraplift challenge where I scraplifted Lisa Warren. Visit her blog here for a peek at her awesome creations.

When I was little, my Daddy used to ask me if I was his baby. I would always tell him no cause I was a major momma's baby. But to make him feel better, I would always say when he would ask me, "No Daddy, I'm Momma's baby but I'm your Sweet Thing." He used to ask me that up until I was grown.

Gavin at the beach.

Carley on her big girl bike!


LOVE DARE UPDATE:
I am now on Dare 19! I have so enjoyed this book so far. I have learned so much about myself during this process. I can see a change in myself and as a result, I can also see a change in how Bryan is responding to it. He still doesn't know I'm doing this and I really don't want him to right now. I don't want him to think I am doing all of this because of a book. I really think this has been the best book I've read on marriage and the relationship with your spouse. I've watched the movie three times already. I'm sure Netflix wants it back...he!he! Tonight's Dare is to make a candle light dinner for your spouse. If all goes well, I won't be scrapbooking tonight! ;)