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

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!

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

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

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!!

Hand Phone

I need to set up this story be telling you that my children have developed imaginations that are quite vivid. We always have new "friends" and "pets" around our house that have to do everything with us. It's awesome!! I love seeing their minds at work. The other day, Jackson was playing fetch with his imaginary dog (with an imaginary ball!!) It was hilarious!! We have to be very careful to not laugh at him because he gets embarassed very easily.  One imaginary thing that they have is their own phones -- I know that we should appreciate these days because we'll turn around twice and they'll really be old enough for their own phones!! Anyway....these "phones" are apparently implanted in their hands because they dial on their palms and then hold their hand up to their ear and "call" whoever....granna, kelby, daddy....I never know who they are talking to! I did not realize, however, that they have a number for someone that I would love to chat with on the phone......this brings me to the real story.......

I love my kids and their tender hearts.....

Yesterday, we found out that my great uncle has widespread cancer (please pray).  I was talking to my mom on the phone as the kids and I were on our way to church about the situation. When I got off the phone, Jackson said "Mommy, who was that on the phone?" I told him it was granna...."What she say mommy?" I then told him that she was telling me about a man that is very sick and that this man was his great great uncle. Both kids just went into this dialogue about how they loved him very much (even though they have hardly been around him) and how they wanted him to get better. I said to them, "Well, we just need to talk to Jesus about that and ask Him to make Uncle B.D. better." Jackson's reply...."ok, I'll call Jesus and ask Him". He then procedes to hold up his "hand phone" and "dial"....then I hear him talking....."Jesus, please make the man better. He's real sick. Please make him better.....ok, you'll do it? Thanks!" I almost melted -- What a heart?!?! He then told me, "Mommy, He said He'll do it!"  As I was fighting back tears, I just said, "That's great buddy!"    Then, in the sweetest voice, he said to me, "Mommy, Jesus can do anything!!" Oh, that he will have that attitude in every situation of his life. What a big lesson from a 3 year old boy!!

Maybe we all need to use our "hand phones" more often and realize that Jesus is just "one phone call away" or, really, just one prayer away!!

Have a great day everyone!!

Starting Over

A new year has begun and I am starting over....with a lot of things....one of which is the blog!! I did a terrible job of keeping up with the other one, but I realized that this would be a way for me to archive things in my family's life that I don't have time to put in a scrapbook! Stay tuned for postings of our holidays and the latest funnies from our kids!  Love to all!!