shabby blog

Monday, January 10, 2011

Snow Day!


We had an unexpected SNOW DAY!!!!!!!
I think these little faces had a blast!




They had a snowball fight with their sweet daddy -- I think daddy lost!

Then Jackson and Madison had to try out some snow angels.....

It was a great day!! We LOVE the snow!!




Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Happy New Year!!!

Happy 2011 Friends!! I love a new year. It's a time of reflection for me and lots of goal setting. Over the past few years, I have become a very goal-oriented person. I actually take time to set goals for the upcoming year and write them down. This year is no different - goals are set and we are off and running.

Today has been a special day. I have spent a lot of time thinking about this day 15 years ago. It was on that day that our family was changed forever. If you know our story, you know the tragic events our family experienced that day. If you do not know our story, just ask me sometime and I'd be happy to share.

I have been overwhelmed with the memories of love and faith that were presented to me in that time of my life. I experienced so much love from so many people that I felt totally consumed. In those days of question and heartache, our family was always positive that God was in control -- and He was TOTALLY in control. I will never forget the example my mother was for my sister and me. She was so strong for us and immediately took us to the throne of our Father when we had no answers as to what life would be like in the future. Our pastor was there for us through the entire thing. SO MANY FRIENDS -- I will never forget walking into the emergency room in Snyder through, literally, a sea of people ready to reach out and love on us, and the many that spent countless hours with us in the weeks/months that followed.

Even though we experienced much sadness that day -- and we still feel some of that sadness today, I am personally reminded that God is so very good. I am so thankful that he chose to leave my dad with us so that he could lead our family as a Godly man should. I will never understand God's miracles......my dad is one of those miracles. I can only say "Thank you, Lord" from the bottom of my heart and rejoice in the fact that I serve a great God that is still TOTALLY IN CONTROL!!

Happy New Year!! Many blessings to you and yours!!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

New Life

It's me -- the long, lost blogger!!! Our family has experienced many changes over the last few months. I'll catch you up a bit:

1. WE HAVE MOVED!!!! Dave began a new job on August 2 as Minister of Music at Parkside Baptist Church in Denison, TX. We never expected to leave Plainview after only 3 years, but God was abundantly clear in His calling and we embarked on a new adventure in North Texas. Our house in Plainview sold after being on the market for only 1 week -- Praise the Lord -- and we have had countless confirmations that this is what the Lord had planned for us. We are loving our church and the surroundings. Dave is a very busy guy these days with 3 morning services each week and rehearsals and planning to go along with each. The church has been so warm and loving -- we already feel at home!! If you are not familiar with the area, Denison is North of Sherman on Highway 75 -- very close to the Oklahoma border (which makes Dave a happy guy -- Go Sooners!!) We have purchased a home here and are loving life!!


2. Jackson and Madison have started preschool!! I can't believe that my babies are old enough to be in preschool. We found a school in Sherman that we love!! They are learning so much!! They go to school every day from 8:30 - 11:30. It is a great christian environment and they are learning scriptures and Bible stories with their every-day curriculum. It is wonderful! Their teachers are so sweet and are really great with the kids -- they love them. Dave and I really feel like Jackson and Madison are getting a great foundation at this school. We couldn't be more pleased.


God has blessed our family in so many ways over the last few months. Our transition has been so easy! I hope that you will follow our blog and I will do my best to keep you up-to-date with everything going on here!! 

Love to all!!
Karomy

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Jackson and Madison are 4!!!

Happy Birthday to my Jackson and Madison!!!

Oh, how time flies!! I can't believe that it's already been 4 years since God blessed our lives with these two precious babies. They are so special to me and their wonderful daddy!

To Madison -
I love you princess! You are such a special little girl. I love how your funny laugh makes everyone around you laugh too. I love how you take care of your babies with a tender and sweet spirit -- you will be an amazing mommy some day. I love your independence -- you are not afraid to try things on your own and "do it yourself". You are my shopping buddy and already have a sense of style (lol!). Thank you for the last 4 years and all the joy you have brought to me and daddy.
Love you sweet girl!

To Jackson -
You're my little Spiderman. I love your imagination and your amazing ability to be cute! I love how you are content to play by yourself, but willing to be a helper whenever I need you. I love that you are my bug killer and a protector for your sister. I love it when you say "I love you mommy" (me: "I love you too) "I love you more!" I love that you want to do the right thing and you love to just be you - never lose that.  I look forward to what God has in store for you.
Love you sweet boy!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

NYC


What a trip!! We just got back from a week in New York City with our adult Worship Choir. It was an amazing week!! We worked very hard and played very hard :o). We worked with Metro Ministries while we were there. This organization ministers to children all across New York City and across the world. They reach somewhere around 40,000 kids each through their local and international ministries!! We were incredibly blessed to work with these people and to be exposed to a new way of "doing" ministry. What an eye-opening experience! They have an incredible way of teaching the Word of God to these kids and they help them understand how to live for God in a very simple but impacting way. One thing that really stuck with me was the "4 Important Points" that they taught the kids. This was set to a great hip-hop beat and was done in a rap format. The 4 points are:
1. God Loves Me
2. I have sinned
3. Jesus died for me
4. I need to decide to live for God
Those kids knew the points!! What an incredible way for them to be able to take the message home to their families and teach others about living for Christ!!  Metro Ministries focuses on so many aspects of reaching children for Christ that they do not have the time or man-power to keep up with their facilities. They are working to open their world headquarters in an old Jewish hospital that they acquired 5 years ago. Part of our time with them was spent working on the facilites: moving furniture that had been donated to them, cleaning up lots that were under city violation, working to prepare backpacks for their back-to-school ministry, and various other projects. With the man-power that we took with us (65 people!!!) we were able to complete all of the tasks that they had asked of us as well as a few more . God is good!!                                         

While we were in NYC, we also were able to attend choir rehearsal with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir as well as attend worship with them on Sunday morning. I think that's what heaven is going to be like!! That choir is just as amazing live as they are on their recordings -- and Pastor Cymbala is an amazing speaker! Such a blessing.

We did have a free day on Friday of our trip. Dave and I had a great time exploring NYC and hanging out together. We toured Radio City Music Hall, shopped on 5th Ave, enjoyed cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, shopped for the kids at FAO Schwarz, and lots of other things, too! We finished that day off with a game at Yankees Stadium (yankees lost, but it was still fun!) We took in a few musicals while we were there; Wicked (a must-see!!), and The Lion King (great costumes!!).

It was the trip of a lifetime with people that were fun to be around! We made lots of memories and took lots of pictures that I will share another time!

And........while we were gone........Jackson and Madison were in Snyder with my family. They are now, even more rotten than they were before!! -- but, they had a blast!!    Thanks everybody for loving on our kids while we were gone. You guys are amazing!!


Love to all --
Karomy

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Job

Well...we are wrapping up Vacation Bible School tomorrow and I was thinking today about what a joy it has been to be able to serve as the Children's Minister at our church for the last 2 1/2 years. VBS will always hold a special place in my heart because that is where I accepted Christ as a young child. It is such a fun time of study for children and can be so impacting in their lives.

I've had several people say things to me over the past few days like, "Are you ready to hand over the reigns?" or "I'm sure you'll be glad to be done with your job." or "Glad this is your last VBS?". I have to be honest....I welcome the change in my schedule, but I wouldn't trade the last couple of years for anything. In my position, I have learned a lot about myself and about working with people -- some good things, some not so good things. I have been able to develop skills that I never would have been able to develop. I am so thankful for the opportunity that God has given me in this position. I am kinda sad to not be "in charge" any more, but I know that God has another plan for me. I will commit to pray for our new children's minister as she comes on the field to serve God in this position. I know that she will be blessed in her work.

As for my new direction, I am REALLY going full-time with Mary Kay. I know I've committed to this before -- but, I really mean it this time. I have had a renewed sense of commitment to my job with Mary Kay and I think it's time for me to jump back in with both feet and see where the Lord takes me on that journey. I ask for your prayers as I begin to work and share this amazing opportunity with other women. I pray that God will bless my business abundantly and bring the women into my life that need Mary Kay for whatever reason.

Seeking Him continually --

Karomy

Friday, March 12, 2010

Things I love

I was thinking the other day about things that I love in my life -- ironically it was on a day that was a real "Hoover" (yes, as in brand of vacuum cleaner) -- and I came up with a large number of things. What I realized was that, despite many things in my life that I don't understand, I am soooo blessed. I don't always understand why God has chosen to bless me with so many wonderful things in my life. I am so unworthy. So...you may not be interested, but I would like to share a portion of my list of blessings with you -- more for me so that I can have a written record to refer back to on those rather "Dyson" days!

1. I have Jesus in my life and I get to worship Him freely
2. I have the most amazing husband that loves me and all my craziness!!
3. Jackson -- my first born (by a whole minute!) -- is a complete joy. I love the way he says "I wuv you mommy" and likes to rub noses like eskimos and play "pirate ship". Boys are so fun!
4. Madison -- my precious girl -- is a blessing. I love how she already loves shoes and clothes (and shopping for them!! Look out wallet!!). She has such a tender heart for all people around her. I hope she keeps that.
5. I love my extended family and my extended in-law family. You guys are wonderful -- Dave and I couldn't be more blessed with people that love and support us.
WARNING!!! THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MAY SEEM A LITTLE MATERIAL TO SOME -- THEY ARE, BUT STILL IMPORTANT FOR SANITY IN LIFE!!!
6. my bathtub with jets -- I am completely spoiled and addicted. I would bathe about 5 times a day if our water heater would keep up.
7. makeup -- I NEVER leave home with out it on my face. I don't feel complete.
8. clothes -- I love to shop for new things (even if it's just window shopping). It just makes me feel better to have something new every so often.
OK -- BACK TO THE NOT-SO-MATERIAL THINGS
9. I love date nights. Time alone with my hubby is priceless. I don't care what we do, just spending time with him is enough. (wow, that sounded sappy!)
10. I love doing things to make myself better -- reading a self-improvement book, working out, or taking a nap -- whatever it is, I want to be the best me that I can be.

Ok, I could go on for a while, but 10 is enough for today. What are the first 10 things in your life that you can think of that are a blessing to you?!? I would love to know.

Have a great day everyone!!