Gray's Lake

Joel Osteen

I had the pleasure of crossing another item off of my bucket list this past weekend.  I was able to go see Joel Osteen at Wells Fargo Arena last Friday night.  It was wonderful!  Not only does he speak to my heart about Jesus, but he is such a motivational (and funny!) speaker!!!  He focused on how you start your day, the power of positive thinking and keeping the Word of God forefront in your daily life.  I believe in that and so it was amazing to have that be reaffirmed!!!  I took away a few things from that night:

1. How you start your morning is how your day is going to go.  This is not saying that things won't go wrong during your day, but if you get up and declare that this is the day the Lord has made and be thankful for your day instead of going over what could be negative, your day will be far more positive than negative!
2. He said that we only get one 00/00/0000 (for example, July 18, 2014).  What are you going to do with that day?  You NEVER get it back and tomorrow is NEVER guaranteed.
3. Since I was a little girl, I have always believed self-worth was based on looks for myself - personally (hence never being satisfied with my weight, etc).  I knew that the Bible talked about us being God's Masterpiece, but something clicked that night and I started to understand and view myself differently.  My self-worth is not a number on the scale, it's about being kind, understanding, guiding Brady towards Jesus, helping at church - all these other qualities that have nothing to do with my physical looks.  And do you know what happened?  The second I truly understood that, I felt at peace, motivated and the self-defeating voice went away in my head.....  Amazing....

Thank you so much Judy for getting the tickets and thank you so much Mom and Dad for going along!!!  It was a great night!!!

They say I look like my dad.....

4TH OF JULY

We had a busy 4th of July this year!!  In fact, I was so tired from vacation and 4th plans, that we didn't get together with our friends that weekend.  I was just too tired!!   Here are some pics - we had a BBQ in Omaha with my family and then the next night checked out Waukee's celebration.  For the first time, we were home and in bed/not watching the fireworks, but overall it was a great holiday weekend!

This is why I love our neighborhood - even the older kids play with Brady.  Of course, doing fireworks made it fun, but still....  Amazing....

 Celebrating Millie's 1st birthday!!  That is one loved, well-behaved doggy!!

4th of July (3rd of July actually :))  BBQ in Omaha

My dad and Mattie

 This series of pictures crack me up!

Neighborhood 4th of July parade in Omaha the next day!!  -- off to the park to get started!

  

My parents with the boys

Wisconsin Dells

We headed to Wisconsin Dells two weeks ago with Chris's family.  We had lots of fun - it was a great mix of relaxing by the pool/bar and some touristy things too!  We made some good memories and the kids all loved being together for so long!  Here are some pictures from our trip:

Deer Park

Bryce & Brady really became buddies.  I was so proud of how gentle and GOOD Brady was with him!

Cousins

He was SO EXCITED he said.....  Until it went up!  They stopped the ride for him to get off.  

Again....   Buddies....

Noah's Ark Water Park - he was in heaven....