Happy 4th!

I'm so ready for the long weekend! Rather than just a 3 day weekend, I'm making it a 4 day weekend and taking Tuesday off. It's a much needed break from the daily routine. I love celebrating the 4th of July. In my family we celebrate all weekend. Saturday we'll be celebrating my niece's 3rd birthday. She turned 3 on the 25th and spent it with her mommy and daddy at the beach. So the family will get our chance on Saturday with hamburgers, chips and cake. Sunday we'll have just one service at church with a patriotic theme. I get chills every year when we have this service. We always honor our military with the singing of each branch's fight song. Because my dad served in the Navy, I have to say that I get choked up on that one. After church we'll go back to my sister's house (did I mention she has a pool) and cook out again. Then we'll get to sleep in on Monday, cook out some ribs, attend our local minor league baseball team's game and watch the fireworks!

I'm just tired typing all that out but I know we're going to have a fun filled weekend celebrating our country's independence! For the many men and women who have served or are continuing to serve our country so that I can celebrate the many freedoms I have, THANK YOU! I'll never know the sacrifice you and your family made for me but I'm forever indebted to you!

God Bless America!

Happy Birthday!

to my dad! I count it a blessing to be your daughter and it's my prayer that God will continue to bless you throughout the year! You sacrificed and worked hard for all of us through the years and I'm thankful to God for giving me a dad like you! I love you! Enjoy your special day!

Tent Camping

Tent camping is one item on my bucket list that I have yet to check off. And I'm finally going to attempt it. We have some close friends that have done it before and they're going to allow us novices to come along on their next trip. We planned to stay close to home and not venture too far away but just the thought of sleeping in a tent is exciting to me. I can't wait!

We purchased our tent, a lantern, and a box fan last night. We'll borrow air mattresses from my mom and eventually purchase other items the closer it gets to our trip.

I'm not sure what to expect but I do know that I can't wait! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!

Happy Birthday...

to my sister, Kim! You are a strong woman who I look up to! I hope you know how special you are to me! I'm truly thankful to be your sister! I love you Bo!

This....

is where I want to be right now!!

Order my steps, Lord!

My sister started back to work on Monday and I've had to get up earlier to fit my gym visit into my mornings. I was going about 6:15, working out for about an hour, and then picking my niece up from her house to take her to preschool each morning. Now the alarm clock is going off at 5:15 each morning so that I can continue to work out and not lose my momentum.

Anyways, with me getting there earlier there's just not anything on the TVs to watch except for HGTV. While I like most of the shows on that station, those in the morning just aren't that interesting to me. So today I took my ipod to listen to some tunes. I have a workout play list that has some upbeat songs on it but today I just felt the need to listen to my praise and worship play list. I told God that I was just going to let it play and hear the message he wanted me to hear. Here are some of the songs God ordered for me today.

Who Am I by Casting Crowns
Stronger by Hillsong Live
Days of Elijah by Joel Engle
Healing is in your Hands by Christy Nockels
Oh Crimson Flow by Christ for the Nations
At the Cross by Hillsong
How Deep the Father's Love for us  by Selah

It's true what they say that you can worship anywhere and I have to say that I truly worshipped while working out this morning. I'm so thankful for the writers and musicians that God is using to give us some amazing songs that truly help me to worship him!

He ordered my steps this morning and it's my prayer that he'll continue to do so!