Don't be afraid

The last 3 days I have been in retail hell.....and loving every minute of it!!

I am so excited that people have quit listening to the media, and loosened up a little bit.
People are out spending money and buying the things they need and want.

We had a jam packed weekend at the furniture store...and I met a lot of really nice people too. Added bonus!!

I love being around people....and finding out where they came from, and who they are....it is always intriguing to me.

All I can say is I am so tired.....I'll be glad to get back to normal this week.

Thankful Thursday...a few hours late

All I can say for today is I am thankful for the time God has given me.

Time with my husband.

Time with my girls.

Time to be the kind of wife and mother I should be.

Thank you God for more time.

I love a clean house...I love pinesol, and I love clorox wipes, and I love febreeze.

I just wish I was home more to be able to keep the house the way I like it. But when I get home I am so wiped out, I don't feel like cleaning.

WAIT A MINUTE...Stop the train!! I went from a thankful heart to a complaint in a second flat. I should be thankful that I even have a job right now, there are a lot of people who don't.

So back to my original thought....I love clorox wipes & pinesol & febreeze. They make me happy!!

Sleepin' In.....

Tomorrow morning is going to be the best morning I've had in a long time...I am claiming it in advance.

No alarms clocks going off.....no one has to be anywhere at a particular time....
And Tyler is finally at the point that if she does wake up before me she just goes into the living room and turns on the TV then gets a bowl of cereal.

Tyler is my oldest, she is now 10yrs old. I have wondered for years at what point would she go from being a young wild and crazy early bird to a pre-teen who I can't drag out of bed in the morning. When I wake her up at 630 to get ready for school...usually she pops right up and hits the ground running. Well...this past Monday morning, she growled, rolled over and says "just 10 more minutes mom." YEEHAW...We're there!!!

So tomorrow morning....John better get ready, we are going stay in bed as long as possible and just snuggle!! Its gonna be the best day ever!!! I can't wait.

New traditions

Tonight I went to Ingles and spent 60 blessed dollars on food to cook on Thursday. And I am so excited!!

This is the first year in my snuggly little family's history that we are having Thanksgiving dinner at home with just the 5 of us. And I think it will be amazing! God is starting a work in this little family....and I am so excited to be a part of it.

My momma don't know yet....so pray for me at about 830 in the morning when I tell her on the way to work. But I decided no matter how she feels....this is what's right for us! And that's all I need to worry about right now.

I love Sundays!!

I love Sundays for so many reasons!!!

Sleep in a little....yeehaw!

Church at Breakthrough....amazing!!

Lunch with the family...always good!

And today I even got a little me time....went to the movies alone!!

I love Sundays!!

Give it another try

Sometimes we forget to just stop and thank God for another day.

A second chance.

A do-over.

Wipe the slate clean and try it again.

Thank Him for the fact that we are not bound by our yesterdays.....we have another chance every morning to do it again, to do to right, to do it better....

To do it more like Him.

20th day of a thankful heart

I absolutely love my Dansko clogs. Especially a red that I bought a few months ago, they are my favorite, I think....well no maybe the brown pair are my favorite. Both are pretty close on the list for different reasons.

They are both great because they are so comfy! When I first tried a pair on I thought there was no way that I could wear those hard shoes. I wanted them for work, something with some support to keep my feet from hurting. It took about a week for me to get used how they felt, but once I did....WOW!! I wanted to wear them all the time, even with jeans at home. The first pair I got, my mom bought for my birthday last year and they were black, because that's what I mostly wear to work. I wore them everyday!

Here's where why the brown pair is the coolest comes in....I had them on at work one day, and I was helping a salesperson help a couple with a sofa and loveseat purchase. The husband looks at my feet and says "you like those danskos?" I of course answered absolutely! He then proceeds to say, "if you will sell me this sofa and loveseat for $xxx (I can't remember the amount, not the important part of the story!!) I will bring you a brand new pair tomorrow. What size do you wear?" I go completely nuts at this point....it was a price I was already going to offer him, and now he was giving ME new shoes too. AWESOME! Why can't everyday be this awesome! Turned out he was the manager of a huge discount shoe store in town. I wasn't sure if it would really happen or not....but we'll see. The very next day he comes in with a box in a bag with my shiny new brown clogs. I was so amazed and at was love at first sight!!

The red clog story is sort of along the same lines, but to top it off THEY'RE RED TOO!! That just adds to the amazement! I have always had an affection for red shoes....so much so that one summer I bought red sandals, then had to buy some red clothes to go with them. Still love those red sandals!! Anyways....one day I was out having a girl day by myself, and decided to stop by the new GB Shoes that had opened near our house. They had a ton of shoes! But nothing really struck my fancy. They had a small section of Danskos, but nothing incredible, and the prices weren't that great. I didn't "need" a pair of shoes, so I was really looking for anything. Along the entire back wall of the store, they had shoes from the previous season that were anywhere from 25-75% off. I went to my size's section...and to my disappointment really didn't see anything I wanted. Then on the top shelf I saw a Dansko box, and I thought to myself there's no way they have those marked down. So I started looking all through that wall for Dansko boxes. I found a pair of sandals that were 50% off, which for Danskos is alot of money! So I picked those and was getting ready to leave...but then I found one more box....I looked in and those were those wonderful red clogs!! I was so excited...again I love red shoes!!! I tried them on, and it was a perfect fit. (You never know with Dansko because they are sized strangely and each pair is hand made, so 2 pairs of the same size may fit different) I knew I didn't need them, but boy did I WANT them. So I took a deep breath and went to look for the tag....and there I saw that incredible orange sticky dot that made them 75% OFF!!!! I swear I heard a choir of angels sing Hallelujah!! That made them like $35....I HAD TO HAVE THEM!!!!

To this day....I still try to find something at least once a week to wear my red Danskos with.

Thursday thankful

I love my job, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job
I love my job, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job.

I really do love my job....but somedays I just have to say that to myself
over and over to remind me.

Easy to pick...hard to find the time

I was holding this one all month, I knew what I wanted to talk about on the 18th from the beginning. But yesterday was such a jam packed amazing day there just wasn't time.

November 18, 1999 at 315pm God dropped an amazing little baby girl into my life. Tyler Catherine Sims. I can remember every detail like it was yesterday. Where did the time go??? Now she's 10...talking about boys, and bras, and everything else she can think of. She definitely gets it honest, that kid can talk!! But I love it!! She is 100% a mini-me. My mom always said "you just wait until you have a child like you". But I tell ya, I love every minute of it.

I hope and pray everyday that we can continue to grow our bond and friendship as the years go by. I want to be the best mommy that I can be, and show her the way she should go, but be there to support her when things don't go her way. I want to wipe away her tears of sorrow and her tears joy. I want to be there when that first boy makes her heart race....and then again when the first boy breaks her heart. I want to be the one she talks to when she's not sure what to do next...and I want to be the one to tell her that God is always the best place to look. I want to still be able to put braids in her hair, and still by able to cuddle her in my lap, and still sing "You are my sunshine" to her....but everyday she is turning more into a young lady. I want to be her first and last resort for the rest of her life.

All I can say is thank you God for giving me the best job on the earth...MOMMY!

What else....

I'm at a lost today, having a really hard time coming up with something exciting and unique to be thankful for...I really didn't think this would be so hard.

Thank God for sugar!! As I sit here and scarf down a pile of pixie sticks!

I am not a coffee drinker, caffeine doesn't do it for me. But a quick piece of candy and I am wired for the day. Ready for my second wind. Ready to keep on going.

Another 2-fer....

Yesterday I was just having a great day and completely forgot to get onto the computer much. Today's thankfulness is sort of one thing and 2 all at the same time. I want to thank God for 2 amazing women who have come into my life. I know I already did a post about our church family, and they are a part of that....but they are soooo much more than that, they are my sister and my friend.

First of all...my wonderful Beth. Girl, you are so amazing and you don't even realize it. You have helped me so much over the last few months of our growing friendship. I don't even think you know what an incredible influence you have been on me. No matter what you are going through, you are still such a rock for me...even if I didn't deserve it. I believe with everything in me that God placed you in my life. I needed your strength through these last months. And I can't imagine what God has in store for us next. If we ever really start reading our study together...I think He is going to show us both some amazing things. Look at what He's already done for us....just think about what the next step could be! I can hardly wait!!!

And 2ndly....Michelle. I don't even know where to start with you. You are a fabulous example of God's love. I strive everyday to be more like you. No matter what I am going through, you always come with an understanding and compassionate heart....even if it hurts you sometimes, you still do everything you can to comfort someone else. You always know exactly what to say to make seem not so bad. I am overjoyed to see what will come of our relationship in months to come. It can only get better!! Thank you for everything you have meant to me....I hope one day to be able to return the favor. I know sometimes it hard for you to stop being the pastor and just be a woman who needs something or someone....but anything you ever need, just ask, please.

I love you both!!

These are a few of my favorite things....

I have to say that today is a beautiful day in the mountains of NC.

For me this is the perfect weather! Because I can wear my perfect outfit....a wonderful fluffy cable knit sweater and a fabulous pair of jeans.

If there were any way for me to find a job where I could wear this everyday, I would be the happiest girl on the planet.

Add my favorite brown Dansko shoes....and there's no beating it!!

Duh....

Its harder than you think to come up with something different everyday that you are thankful for. It seemed like it would be so easy...I thought I could thank God every day for something surely...but to take the time to not take it for granted, and really think about it is tougher than I thought.

Especially today for some reason...I was having a bad day! I didn't want to think of something to be thankful for, I was cranky! I thought it doesn't matter anyway, no one actually reads these crazy ramblings....

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks...THAT'S IT!!!

I am thankful for this blog. I realized today it doesn't matter if no one reads it, because honestly...it's for me! It always has been...even if I didn't realize it. When I stop long enough to put my thoughts down on "paper", I always learn something. Its good for me! It is teaching me something. Through this I have researched things that have been amazing!! And I love it. Plus then I have made some amazing friends thru reading their blogs too. And if something I say just happens to speak to someone else...well then that's just gravy!

Brain hiccup....

So somehow yesterday I completely forgot to stop and blog about my thankfulness....I am thoroughly enjoying taking the time to be thankful, but I had such a blast yesterday with Apryl, my 7 yr old, and her friends that I completely forgot to stop and put it into words.

I'VE GOT IT!! I HAVE 2 FROM YESTERDAY THAT ARE PERFECT!!!!

First of all...I love a good day off. A day when you have nothing that you have to do...no cleaning, no errands, no doctors appointments...nothing to do but have fun!

That's what I did yesterday. I was a fabulously fun mommy!! We had pancakes, we made finger puppets, we baked and decorated sugar cookies, and had lunch at Chuck E Cheese. I wish I was super duper rich and could just do this everyday!!



My 2nd one was inspired by a little friend of Apryl's who hung out with us yesterday. We were on the way to Chuck E Cheese...let me say not talking about God, or church, or even listening to a christian radio station....and she says (very loudly I may add) "Do you have Jesus in your heart?" Which I replied, yes I do. And she made sure everyone in the car answered yes, then she says "good, me too!" I thank God for the boldness of children. The amazing me everyday. They will be the ones that reach the masses, that takes the love of God out to the world. Simply because they don't know any better.

Thankful (Day 10)

This week my husband's dad died of cancer....but honestly he is not very upset about it. John and his family have a different type of relationship than I grew up with. Our family was always close, we lived next door to our grandparents for crying out loud. I just finally figured out that what I have is special...not everyone was as lucky as me!!


I can't imagine what I would do if something happened to my mom. I don't even really want to think of the possibility. She is truly one of my best friends.


Now granted, it was not that way when I was a kid. We had your typically teenager/mom fights, nothing extreme though. One in particular I thought of this morning gave me the giggles. And the funniest thing is I don't even remember how it started.


I have to give you a little background before this story makes sense, so bare with me. There was a particular local church in Fayetteville that I had visited as a young child. They had a bus that they would go around and pick kids up to take them to Sunday school. One Sunday I went with a friend of mine, just to visit. We were probably about 6 or so years old. Well class was fine...but after that they showed us all a movie about sinners, and what happened to sinners. Keep in mind, this was a huge auditorium full of LITTLE kids, at least a couple of hundred kids. I remember this video like I just saw it yesterday!! In the video it showed a guy riding a motorcycle and listening to rock music...it claimed he was a sinner because of this....a few minutes later it showed the same rider wrecked on the side of the road with maggots all over him. This is what they claimed happened to sinners. I was so appalled, because even at 6 I knew that wasn't true....riding a motorcycle or listening to certain music did not mean you would go to hell. I stood up and stormed out of the room immediately. A teacher of course followed me....I was as much of a loud mouth then as I am now...so I proceeded to tell her that I was not watching anymore of that because it was wrong!! Needless to say I never went back there and they never asked me to come back either.

That was a lot of back story to explain that this same church had a private school....so for the rest of my years if I did another wrong all momma had to do was threaten to send me to XYZ "Christian" School (changed the name to protect the innocent) and I would straighten up in a heartbeat!!

Ok...so here's the fight with my mom. I was about 14 or 15 I think. We got into over something, me wanting to go somewhere, and she said no. Her and my dad had to be somewhere, and I was at home stewing over it. I talked to my friend on the phone, and she had a suggestion to "freak them out". She said I should turn everything in my room backwards or upside down. Turn all baby dolls to face the wall, all pictures hang upside, turn the TV around, she said to make it would make them think I was crazy!! So of course I try it....I turned my entire room on its end!! I sat there for a long time basking in my own glory, just knowing this would work, they would have to see, and freak them out! About 10 minutes before they were supposed to be home....it hit me....OMG, if she thinks I'm crazy she'll send me to XYZ school. Scared me to death!!! I fixed everything so fast it would make your head spin!!

The next day...Bailee, who was like 3 at the time, comes into my room and says "why is momma's picture upside down??"


Anyways....as I grew, and matured, and became a mother...I realized how much she means to me, and how I can't imagine life without her. I love you momma!! And thank you God for giving her to me.

A more than thankful heart....(day 9)

This whole thing of stopping each day to think of something to be thankful for is not as easy as it seems really....of course there are the easy ones, but I have been trying to think of things that you forget to be thankful for sometimes....things I take for granted.

Today it came to me in the form of a bible verse emailed to me...and I realized this was the perfect thing to talk about today.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat of its fruit."
Proverbs 18:21

I received this verse a couple of days ago by email, and have been rolling it around in my head the last few days.

As a salesperson, I tend to think a couple of steps ahead of what I say. So basically I think before I speak. Not everyone can do this...things come flying out of their mouth before they even know it. And the next thing you know, you have hurt someone's feelings.

But here's the hitch in my giddy up....I have always done this everywhere, but at home!! Thank God He is teaching me lately how to hold my tongue at home. To hold back one more moment before you say something you shouldn't....to just not say that! not go there!

And I can't begin to explain what a difference it has made it our home. It has made me a thermostat in our atmosphere instead of just a thermometer.

Beyond thankful!!

Today all I can say is that I am so thankful that God has a plan for me. And I am thanking Him now, and in advance for giving me the patience to wait on Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Something new to be thankful for...

I had a very long day at work on Thursday....we were here from 9 am until almost 10 pm. And really I wouldn't mind except for one thing....

I MISSED MY SHOWS!!!

There are only 2 nights that I really watch TV, Thursdays for Flash Forward, Greys Anatomy, and Private Practice. And then Sundays for Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. Other than that, I don't really watch much else besides Noggin and The Food Network. But I was very upset to miss my Thursday line up.

But...then my husband showed me a fabulous website yesterday. If you don't know about it, you have to go and check it out. www.hulu.com You can watch any show with minimal commercials the day after it is aired, from almost any channel. And the best part...its FREE!!!

It was so easy to find the show I wanted, pull it right up, and watch an hour show...in about 42 minutes. It just don't get no better than that!!!

Giving Thanks To Him (Day 6)

Today I just want to say a bit of thanks for a sense of humor. Because there are some days you couldn't make it through without laughing. I really think that most of us take life too seriously sometimes....it really is ok to laugh and have fun. God didn't intend for us to go through life all solemn and quiet forever....otherwise He wouldn't have made this....

If that doesn't make you giggle...nothing will!!!

A Thankful Heart (Day 5)

I have to say today I am soooo super thankful for my church family at Breakthrough. I love our church!! I can't even explain it. God is always there....you can feel it in the air. There is such an atmosphere of praise and worship in that house, He always shows up! In fact we don't ask for His visitation, we ask for habitation!! We have come so far in so short of a time, it can only be God.

Each and every week we learn something practical and useless from Pastor Nate. God lays a word on his heart every service that is always just on time.

I don't know what I want do without the wonderfully powerful women of God that I have encountered through Breakthrough. There are some mighty woman at this church, let me tell ya! Things happen when these women pray...Abigail is a testament to that one!!

When we first moved here, we had bounced from church to church looking for the right fit. My husband read an article in the local paper about a new church and suggested we give it a try. I remember I called Pastor Nate to see if they had things for the kids since they were new, of course they did! We went one Wednesday night to try it out. Tyler asked me on the way there "momma, how will we know if this is the one?" I told her, if it was right, we would feel it in our hearts. After the first service, I knew without a doubt that was where we were supposed to be. I almost joined the first night, but I wanted to see what the kids thought. We got in the car to leave, and everyone was quiet. Then Tyler beams and says "You were right momma. I did feel it. They treated me like I had always been there. I love it there." And so started our journey with the Breakthrough family.

I love all of you more than you can imagine!!

P.S. If you don't have a church family to love on you....come give us a try. Check us out at www.breakthroughwoc.org. You will leave changed!

A Thankful Heart (Day 4)

Today I have decided to be thankful for a new found love. This season I absolutely adore scarves for some reason. I think they are the coolest thing ever all of a sudden. So far I have bought 3, and my momma bought me one this weekend too.

I don't have any idea where this new appreciation came from...but I am enthralled with them. I guess I have always loved accessories but can never really find jewelry that I like, so this is a good alternative. And you can wear them so many different ways. Plus for me...it makes me feel a little more covered up, and snuggled up...which I like. It has become so acceptable to let everything you have hang out all over the place...that is so NOT my style.

Anyways....I am thankful for my new wonderful accessory!! So if anyone wants to buy me something very simple that will light up my day....it should be a scarf!!

A thankful heart (Day 3)

This morning when I woke up I decided today's thing to be thankful for would be a silly one....and I even had one all picked up....but then it changed.


This post by be short, but I will tell you I am so thankful for this today I can't even explain.
This is huge for me right now!!

I am thankful for the ability to listen. To slow down and REALLY listen to someone.

First and foremost, to be able to stop and listen to what God has to tell me. I am so excited to be hearing from my God. To know that He truly is telling me something everyday. I just have to choose to stop and listen.

And secondly today....I am excited, that with God's help, I am able to stop my mouth from running all the time and really listen to my husband. To understand where he came from, and why he is the way he is, and hear how he feels, even if sometimes he doesn't say a word.

Today....I am going to try with everything in me to listen more, and talk less. And then I will try again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day....eventually it will become a part of me.

What are you thankful for ??

Giving Thanks Day 2

I was sitting thinking about this idea last night, wondering what I would come up with each day that I was thankful for. Would they be serious everyday, or would they be trivial....would it be touching or funny....I am really excited to see where God leads me through this.

I will say that today was an easy choice though. 7 years ago this morning, my beautiful middle baby Apryl Jo was born in Florence SC. We were so excited and ready for her arrival. John's parents had come from WV to wait for her to come....they were there just sitting, and waiting, and watching me, just waiting for me to explode I think. It is funny to look back now....not so funny then.

Anyways...I am so thankful for the wonderful little girl that God is shaping her into. She's tough but loving, hard but soft at the same time. She will be the kind of girl who will never let anyone take advantage or her, or break her heart. Apryl is bad to the bone....she has already in her short little life had a broken arm and 9 stitches...and never shed a tear over either. I remember in the ER when the doctor was stitching up her chin (at age 3), she didn't move at all, or even cry. The doctor kept saying "how old is she again? I've never seen a 3 year old like this. I've been around children a long time, this child will be something one day."

AND HE IS RIGHT!!

But not because he said so but because GOD says so. He is teaching her and molding her everyday. This past year she decided to ask Jesus into her heart, and I honestly can see a difference in her. She has been so much more loving in the last few months. You used to have to beg her for a hug or a kiss....but now she wants hugs, and wants to cuddle, and wants a goodnight kiss. I see an amazing little woman growing up right before my eyes. I'm not quite ready for it yet....but I'm still in awe.

Thank you God for blessing me so much by bringing Apryl in our lives. It's an honor to say I'm her mommy!!

What am I thankful for.....

A new found friend was talking today about taking this entire holiday season and really soaking it in. Living every minute to its fullest and really taking the time to stop and appreciate it.
To stop daily and think of something that she is thankful for....whether its her relationship with Jesus all the way down to something as trivial as ziploc bags (which by the way Alice, there are great things, but those disposable ziploc containers are even better. If some "leftover" gets really disgusting in the fridge....since the container was only 75 cents, I don't even have to open it, it ALL goes in the trash. But that's beside the point.)

Anyways...back on track. She is going to take a month to be truly thankful, and to take a few moments each day to reflect on what she is thankful for. I have decided to do the same thing with my blog this month. I think its a great idea. And I encourage everyone to do it....really stop and thank God for all that He has given you or done for you.

So....for November 1st....the thing that is really on my heart today, is my wonderful hubby! God is truly (I think I am using that word too much today, but it just seems fitting every time!) anyways....God is truly showing me lately just how amazing John is, and how I can be a better wife and friend to him. If God can love me every day, no matter what I do....shouldn't I be able to do the same for my husband? If I (I almost typed truly again, but I held back) ....If I desperately want to be a reflection of God's light in the world...shouldn't I be able to start in my own home?? My answer today is a resounding YES I CAN, AND YES I WILL. But I do know that it is only with God's help. God is leading my heart to show me exactly John's worth. These past couple of days at home while he was gone gave me a new appreciation for what he does everyday. Don't get me wrong I've loved spending time with my babies, but I don't think I could do it everyday. He is a wonderful husband....and my new goal is to show him everyday how much I love and appreciate him just for who he is.


So what are you thankful for today???

A New Approach

There is so much to say about what is going on in my heart this week...but it all boils down to one thing, and one thing only.

I finally slowed down enough to listen to what God has been trying to tell me all along.

I have always prayed and prayed and prayed to hear clearly from God. To know that I know that I know that it was HIM. To have some direction that I was sure was ordained from Him.
But....then I go on with the rest of my day being the stubborn, pig headed, in charge, strong women that I have grown to become. Not that that is neccessarily a bad thing....but when you were a leader in school, a leader in music for all those years, and now you are a leader at work, and a leader of something at church....that attitude, that over the top strength starts to bleed into all parts of your life. You think you can handle it all beause I am in charge.

But bottom line...I don't want to be in charge. I want to go and do what He wants me to. Things that seem huge and impossible for me, things that I had basically given up on....He can do in the blink of an eye! HELLO....He SPOKE the world into exsistance, I think He can handle my little problems. Because in the end...they are his problems too. He wants to help me, He wants to be in control....if only I will let Him.

So this week....I know that I heard from God. Now understand, its wasn't some warm fuzzy "oh you are so amazing Libby" kind of message....He really called me out on the carpet. But it was what I needed to get a new perspective and direction on my situation. I was so concentrated on myself, and knowing that since I was a Christian, I had to be doing the right thing.

Man was I wrong....it started with me. I pushed the buttons to put the whole bad thing in motion. I couldn't beleive it. I was so ashamed, so guilty....but at the same time so excited that I finally saw it! Knowing really is half the battle. Now I can change my approach, step back and start over, push the reset button, and try again.

Isn't it amazed that God always gives us the opportunity for a do over??