BEST Birthday EVER.

I seriously had the most amazing birthday ever this year. I really want to write about it just so the memories can be stored in a place I can always go back to and read. Kirt and I went to dinner on Sunday (the night before) at Tokyo Bay and then to the movies afterwards. It was fun, romantic, and just so nice to be away from our crazy home lives. We definitely need to do this more. We know that for our kids sake, and for our relationship, we need to never lose focus on each other and the love that we have.
Monday was my actual birthday. I took the kids to school and then did a little shopping with Carter and Jonah. They were really good, which was so nice! To make things even better, both boys took awesome 3 hour naps when we got home. PEACE and QUIET- such an AMAZING thing. I love my life and love my kids, but I also love how absolutely quiet and still my house can get at certain times of the day. Anyway, that night my dad, sister and I went to Outback for a wonderful, long dinner. We just hung out, ate and chatted for hours, reminiscing on the past, bringing up great memories, and just having such a blast. I love my dad and sister so, so much and we always have the best time together. My dad is so smart, intelligent and has so much wisdom to share. I could listen to him talk for hours because after each meaningful conversation, I just feel so enlightened in life. He is such an amazing father and I love him soo much!
On Tuesday, I had plans to go to Carrabbas with my sister for dinner. Little did I know, she had much different plans in mind. Not only was I going to dinner with her, but also many of my great friends!! It was such an AWESOME surprise and we had SOO much fun!! We did so much talking and laughing and it was such a perfect birthday dinner. I still can't believe she pulled it off! Thank you so much Alicia for the best birthday surprise ever. :) You totally did an amazing job. Thank you, too, to all of my wonderful friends who came to suprise me and celebrate with me!! There is nothing better than great friends sitting around eating some great food! I love you all so much and am sooo VERY grateful for each and everyone of you!! :)

Fireproof

Kirt and I went to see this movie last night for my birthday night out. If you have not seen this movie, GO SEE IT NOW!! It is such a great movie for any married couple to see. I really don't want to give too much of it away, but Kirt and myself both loved it and will definitely be buying it on DVD. It is so refreshing, encouraging and an awesome reminder as to how we should live missionally in our relationships. I know I am often "on mission" for other people, whether it be friends, family or even strangers, and after seeing this movie, I realized I really need to be more missional to my own husband. How easily we can get so caught up and distracted in our everyday lives and let the most important things get pushed aside. This movie really makes you think and is so relateable to most of us. Anyway, here is the trailer. I'm serious, go see this movie before it's out of the theaters!!!

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Here is also a link for "Fireproof my marriage".
http://fireproofmymarriage.com/index.php

It's been WAY too long...

I've been a bad blogger the past few weeks. I feel like I have been putting everything to the "side" and quite frankly, not accomplishing anything. Let's see, I have about 8 loads of laundry to do, as well as baskets of clean laundry that my family has been digging through the past few days (okay, I'm lying..like 2 weeks now). I absolutely despise laundry. Because I despise it so much, once I actually complete it, the sense of accomplishment is so satisfying. Yet, there it sits. Why do I struggle with something so easy and mindless as well as very rewarding?? Anyway, enough complaining about it, but my goal is to have it all done and put away by tomorrow. :)
I really have no news to report or updates to give, because I feel like I've been lazy in life lately. However, next time I post will hopefully be with a better attitude as well as tons of pictures with my new amazing camera. :)

Convictions

Being convicted is a lovely thing. Seriously. Lately God has been pressing on my heart so hard over certain things going on in my personal life. I have been praying for Him to show me his desires and speak to me His wants for my life. Thankfully, this past week I finally heard Him convicting me of quite a few things that I needed to take care of or change. The blessings in return have just been amazing and wonderful and I know they will only get better. Not all convictions reveal immediate blessings, but thankfully God chose to not test my patience too much during this time (I'm sure he knows patience is one of my weakest qualities..). I am so happy to be at such a wonderful point in my relationship with God where I am finally hearing Him and responding to the desires and wants He has for me. I am thankful for such a wonderful, forgiving and compassionate God who truly wants to bless us during our short time here on earth. Unforunately, all too often we are found with our eyes closed, ears covered or both and miss out on all He truly desires for us. I pray he reveals Himself so clearly that we may not miss it, and yet we respond so obideiently that we don't miss the blessing he has in store for us.