David Phelps - and Montel

So, we went to New York City to tape the Montel Williams Show. It was crazy, Manhattan is nuts, :) and we had fun!



At the end of the taping - Montel was giving a "gift", surprise to each of the "miraculous kids" on the show.

David Phelps was the surprise for Kayla.

Now, most of you know that he is my favorite and Josh and Kayla's favorite, and Holly's favorite :) and if I haven't convinced you to go listen to his music yet, read on...

I have always had such respect for him - musically and as a person (especially after EMHE) -- but this week, that respect shot up even further. He was so genuine, giving, fun, and I knew that he cared for my little girl. He took time out of his own crazy schedule to do this... and that means the world! We didn't know if Kayla would ever have the chance to meet him in person and she just loves him... This was a dream come true for her. I thought her smile would just explode that day - and she was so sweet, she just wanted to hug him!

Anyway, you'll have to watch Montel when it airs (I will let you know, as soon as I know an air date), but I wanted you all to know what an incredible person David is. My next wish is to meet his wonderful and beautiful wife Lori :)

The picture above is a sweet one. My beautiful little girl getting to spend time with her favorite person! Check out the info in the sidebar and listen to David's music and go out and buy it! You will be blessed and it is so worth it!

Thank you, David! And thank you, Montel.

Packing Light

I have been attempting to pack all day for a quick trip to New York City. We are headed there to tape a Montel Williams Show. I say attempting, because there wasn't enough of me to go around! Phone calls, excited children and me- trying to wrap my brain around the list that keeps on growing...

The laughter began as I was trying to decide how many bags this was going to take. There's a carry on that's just medical, one is a rolling ice chest to carry her vest packets, of course the kids want their "stuff" to do on the plane and during the layovers and I can't leave without my computer... I mean, this brain doesn't ever quit, I have to be able to get my ideas down! (Have I ever mentioned that I don't do 'sitting around' very well? That's an understatement.) And you know what? I haven't mentioned anything about clothes yet!

So, I have decided that I will never even try to think about "packing light". There is no such thing in my vocabulary. I am super-mom (at least a wannabe) and I am prepared for everything! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I may need more luggage...

Worship

How often do you think about worship? Do you think of 'church' as the "worship service"? Or do you think of the 'singing' as the "worship" part of the service and then the sermon/preaching/teaching is something else?

Back in college, one of my favorite classes was Music and Worship -- we went through a book entitled, Real Worship by Warren Wiersbe and I think I learned more life lessons through that class than any other.

We were created to glorify God. In all that we do. So, how do we worship? Is it only when we're singing or participating in praise and worship? Do we have to be in a "church" to worship? Or can it be when we're listening to music? What about when we're singing in the shower? I know, I know -- some are you are laughing now, but think about this: If we were made to bring glory to God, shouldn't everything we do - be worship?

My thoughts on this are very simple. We should be worshipping all day long. As long as we have breath! That means when I'm brushing my teeth - I have the opportunity to worship God, when I'm tying my shoes - I have the opportunity to worship God, when I am teaching my children right from wrong - guess what? I have the opportunity to worship God. Have you ever thought about it that way? A lot of it is in our attitude. How do you look at your day? Do you think about all of the ways you have to worship our great God and Savior? Cleaning your house with a joyful attitude can be an act of worship, ironing, washing dishes, mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, pulling weeds, taking out the trash, changing a diaper, grading papers, teaching long division and fractions (yes, even though I hear some of you groaning)... ALL have the potential to be worship opportunities.

Now, don't start sending me notes about how impossible it is to have the right attitude all day long! :) I know this. In fact I've been working on it for a LONG time and I still fail, BUT, I know that this is my goal. To worship God in all that I do.

And yes, I have to talk about music too :) David has a song - Life is a Church - and I encourage you to go listen to it - great message!

So - get out there and worship. Take a walk, sing in the shower, tie your shoes, clean your room, study for a test, read your Bible...

...Worship.

Clean Up On Aisle Two!!

If you know much about my story, you know that I don't get out much. I have a daughter who doesn't sweat and I need to keep her in a regulated temperature all the time. Anyway, grocery shopping has become one of my favorite times. And it's not because I need social interaction and I choose the grocery store for that interaction -- No. It's because Holly (and Katie too) and I have had some of the best adventures 'doing the grocery shopping'.

Little sidenote here: I have a wacky sense of humor (I am a creative person, you know) - so feel free to imagine the sound effects... or whatever makes you laugh :)

On this particular trip - we were headed to Safeway. It was really close to our house and a Friday night, pretty late, because that's always more fun (actually, it was because Holly had just finished her late shift at work - but, it sounds better - and we always have fun, no matter what - again, I'm rabbit trail-ing).

Another sidenote: Holly and I are not known for being quiet... especially when together... especially in the grocery store... or ANY store for that matter.

We walked in and worked our way down the list. On the "soup aisle"- as we lovingly call it- Holly (in a voice much like the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz when she's melting) said, "I'm surrounded in a sea of soup! Canned soup, and boxed soup, and powdered soup.... AAAAAHHHHH!" Chiming in, I replied, "Look away Holly, look away!" And then... some poor guy who was supposed to be stocking that aisle looked at us really weird. (Imagine that!)

Holly and I cracked up laughing. And I mean, we lost it. I told her to stop scaring the poor people in the store and attempted to keep a straight face. It didn't work. I was laughing so hard, I couldn't see -- the tears were blinding me. There I was, in the store, leaning over the cart because I was laughing so hard and then, there crouched Holly... crossing her legs, doing some weird, I-can't-take-it-anymore dance.

At this point, I don't think she can see either. Her face is all red, she has tears streaming down her face and she's laughing so hard, she can't breathe.

"Don't make me laugh," she giggled. "I'm going to wet my pants!"

Me, being the loving, kind and generous friend that I am, started walking down the aisle yelling, "CLEAN UP ON AISLE TWO! CLEAN UP ON AISLE TWO!"

She laughed harder.

And then, I heard a "SMACK" on the floor. Worried that she hurt herself, I whirled the cart around and found her sprawled in the middle of the floor, laughing hysterically, pointing up at the aisle sign.

"What?" I asked her.

"WE-- are on aisle two!" And then, the crazy, half-crying-because-we're-laughing-so-hard started again.

"Exactly!" I responded.

Several store employees casually glanced down the "soup aisle". I began to worry that we would soon be kicked out of the store. Thankfully, we were not... but, we did attempt to behave the rest of that trip. (Personally, I think we added a little life to that dull Friday night - and of course, I had Holly with me--and she's really cute--so that had to count for something!) :)

There are days that I feel sorry for the poor people at Wal-Mart and Safeway and Vitamin Cottage that have to put up with our antics... but, it doesn't last long. :)

And on a final sidenote: you may be wondering if this is "normal" for us. Yes, sad to say... but, yes. Ask me next time about the time I scared the poor guy on the "light bulb aisle", the endless search for paint brushes, buying the entire stock of snap peas and asking them to 'check the back' if there were any more, or the episode of the "runaway cart". There's plenty more... oh my goodness - you can't leave out turkey diving either... (That's a whole 'nother blog in itself)

I think Holly and I will head out to the store...

Nothing Simple About the Mail...

Do you remember the day when your mail box was on your front porch? Or better yet, you had a slot in your front door and it just came shooting through? I remember being a kid and trying to catch it and then yelling, "THANK YOU!" back through the slot at our mail-carrier. He always smiled, laughed and shook his head at me. He told me once, that I was the only one to ever say thank-you and I had a very unique way of doing it. And my guess was that he at least preferred it over a barking dog.

I was musing over this yesterday as my friend Lori and I were hauling a giant tub, filled with 60 pounds of concrete, a post, and you guessed it - a mailbox out to the curb. Why would we do this, you ask? Well, let me tell you! (With a smile on my face, of course!)

A couple of weeks ago, we found out our mail was no longer going to be delivered. (We are the only house in the neighborhood right now, and we had a great mail-carrier who was bringing it to us - after the Post Office had hemmed and haw-ed over what to do with us... again, another crazy adventure in my life -but, that's beside the point - it gets better...)

I called the Post Office in my sweet, sing-song voice but, unfortunately, spoke with someone who cared very little that I am without my mail and they proceeded to give me another number to call. So, I tried the next number. This time, I didn't even get to explain... they hung up on me. By the third phone call, I had lost a little of my "nice guy" voice and I was greeted by someone who needs a little work on their manners. And I'm being generous here. I had witnesses to my side of the conversation and they were laughing - yes, laughing - because I was not allowed to finish one comment or sentence. Enter - my temper. I raised my voice (yes, I know, not a very nice thing to do) and said, "You have not allowed me to finish one thing I have tried to say - WILL YOU PLEASE LISTEN?!?!?!?!"

Let's just say... things went downhill from there. And I felt the stress just oozing over the phone lines. I now understand where the phrase, "going postal" came from. I made a smart remark, "Isn't it the Post Office's job to deliver the mail?" I don't think she liked me after that. I was informed that the Post Office didn't have the time or resources to do door to door delivery. Okay... ?? In my mind, I'm thinking, "So...wow, how is everyone else getting their mail?"

At this point in time, I'm confused, aggravated and unsure of the next step. I'm given yet, another number to talk to another P.O. employee. I was less than enthusiastic about calling, but, dialed nonetheless.

"You need a mailbox." She said - since the MBU thingies weren't up yet in our neighborhood. (MBU - stands for Mail Box Units? Multiple Box Units? Mail But Undeliverable? I don't know - I'm guessing... you try!) Anyway, we already had a mailbox - it was sitting on the front porch where they told me to put it months ago!

Yay! We would get mail!

Um, no.

That would be too hard for the mail person - they'd have to get out of their vehicle and walk up to the porch. (Wouldn't they have to get out of their vehicle and walk up to the MBU? I know, I know - I'm thinking too hard. I need to be nice.)

"No, put it out on the sidewalk," she said. Okay...? It can't be put on a permanent post because they'll be putting in the MBUs - so I put the mailbox out on the sidewalk. (Let me tell you how great this looked, and how many questions I received about the mailbox sitting in the middle of the sidewalk!)

Yay! Now... we'll get mail...??

Um, no. Close, but, not quite.

"Put it on a temporary post, in a bucket, on the curb."

Thus, Monday morning, Lori and I carrying out a tub filled with concrete, a post and a mailbox. A very nice-looking mailbox I might add. A little odd with the tub and concrete - but, nevertheless a nice-looking mailbox.

Now, if you can read between the lines, you know there's more to the story -- but, that would take up way too much space. So, you're wondering... how does this story end?

I don't know. I'm still waiting for my mail. :)

Book Reviews - Reluctant Smuggler and Death of a Six Foot Teddy Bear

I've had so many of you asking my opinion about Christian Fiction and faithful readers asking for book reviews that I thought I'd try to do at least one a week.

This week, I'm going to start with two (yes, thank you - hold your applause)--
Reluctant Smuggler by Jill Elizabeth Nelson and
Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear by Sharon Dunn

Reluctant Smuggler is the third book in the To Catch a Thief Series by Nelson. I was hooked from the beginning of the series and haven't wanted to wait for each book to come out! Jill does an incredible job of shaping her characters - they are real (which would be hard for others to pull off, considering the hero and heroine aren't your average run-of-the-mill '9-5'ers, but Jill does it with great finesse). I found myself yelling at them, laughing at them and wanting to jump in the scene - pull off an impossible art heist and be the FBI agents to catch the bad guys. Full of mystery, intrigue, security capers, laughter, FBI, the love of art and don't forget the on-the-edge-of-your-seat, bite-your-fingernails romance -- you REALLY need to buy this book and the whole series.

Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear is Sharon Dunn's second book in her Bargain Hunters Mysteries. Fast-paced and packed with crazy coincidences and being in the wrong place at the wrong time, I laughed a lot through this book as I puzzled over the mystery. This was my first time reading one of Sharon's books and I would definitely recommend it to others. There were a lot of kooky characters that reminded me that yes, I am "normal"! (Don't laugh - you know I'm right!) So, get out there and buy this book, you'll have fun!

Happy reading everyone - and thanks for all of your notes!

T-I-M-E

A close friend of mine tells me that love is spelled t-i-m-e. And I think if most of us take the time to ponder this, we can come to the same conclusion. Love can be given and can be shown in so many different ways. But, don't we all yearn for time with those we love?

Think about your children. Now, I'm not trying to start any arguments here or talk about homeschool versus other school (We all have our own opinions and convictions). But, God gave me my kiddos and I feel very strongly that I should be spending more time with them than anyone else. And what a blessing it has been! I wouldn't trade any of that time - and I wouldn't trade the relationship that I have with my kids for anything. I love to spend time with them and they crave that time with me too. How precious is that?

Now, I want you to think about your relationship with God. He loves us so much more than we can fathom, so much more than we can even imagine loving our own children! Don't you think He craves that time with us? Don't you think WE should be craving that time with Him? We get so caught up in every day life and yet, we have an eternity ahead of us. Some can't look past the bill in front them, the next meeting, the next TV show, but still...time passes them by.

When was the last time you spent time talking to God? What about studying His Word? What about memorizing His Word? And then, when was the last time you had devotions, Bible study or praise time with your kids?

I agree with my friend on this one. You can indeed spell love
"T-I-M-E". Spend time with those you love and with the One Who loves you most.

Beloved

I have a special friend whom I haven't had the chance to talk with in a while. Today, we had the opportunity to catch up and it was oh, so sweet. An hour's not enough, two hours are not enough...

This friend knows what love really is. They cherish and appreciate and make their loved ones feel special. I was encouraged and adored and refreshed.

My heart is full and overflowing.

David Phelps' Appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

If you watched the show, you know that David Phelps came and did a benefit concert for our family. I have to tell you that he has always been my favorite and I have had such great respect for him as a musician; musically, he can't be topped - his voice is the best there is and God has blessed him abundantly in the talent area. But, let me also tell you how he has touched our lives. He's not just a musician - famous and talented. He is an amazing person, who loves the Lord and wants to glorify Him in all that he does. I have been so impressed with his integrity and I respect him even more for his care, concern and genuine love for people.

Below are a couple of links for David's music - please feel free to check them out and see why we love it so much! May you be blessed by our Lord through David's ministry.

www.davidphelps.com
www.myspace.com/davidphelpsmusic

Mountain Springs

This morning I had the awesome privilege of visiting a church in our area that reached out to us in an amazing way.

We didn't know the pastor. He didn't know us. In fact, I don't think anyone on staff there had ever heard of our family before the week of the build. That's what makes this even more special.

Anyway, the pastor heard there was a need and while we were gone during the build - he told his church family about us and they gave to our family in a HUGE way. Not only in financial gifts, but in love, prayer and commitment. We have received countless cards, encouraging notes and letters, gift cards and packages from this wonderful body of Christ. They have embraced us in love and shown what a family should really do.

I stood in awe this morning of our great God. That He would care so much about me, so much about our family that He would give us this beautiful example in these beautiful people. And when times have been so difficult - you know the enemy is attacking and just wants to hurt you, yank the rug out from under you and steal your joy-- the LORD is so good to give you the encouragement and love in a body of believers. We so needed that, and it came unexpected and unconditionally.

So, to the people of Mountain Springs - Thank You. God Bless You.

My Josh

Kayla tends to get a lot of attention because of all the news articles she's been in and all the tv she's been on and she's a sweetheart - but, I have to tell you that my Josh is also an incredible kid!

I can't tell you how proud I was of him when I saw his heartfelt response on EMHE Sunday evening.

And, yes, many of you have asked - it's true. He loves to spend time with his sister and doesn't like to leave her inside, watching out the window :)

I just want my amazing son to know how very proud I am of him and am so thankful that the world got to see a little of his imaginative personality!

And by the way, his room was because of a series of books he read : The DragonKeeper Chronicles by author Donita K. Paul. These books are amazing and completely sparked his imagination in new and creative ways we could have never imagined! I've read them myself and you need to go out and purchase these books and read them! Then, you'll find out why Josh is a "dragon keeper" and his dragon in his room is a reading chair - they thought of so much! Go check out :
http://www.dragonkeeper.us

Josh - you're a winner and I love you so much!

Preview for January 13

I can't believe it's here already!!

Anyway, here is a preview - commercial - little video of our episode and I hope everyone tunes in on Sunday evening!

Thank you so much!!

http://abc.go.com/video/index

scroll down and click on the box for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and then scroll back up to watch the video -- it's short so you have to be quick :)

Happy New Year!

2008

It doesn't seem like it should be 2008 already, does it? 2007 was an incredible year, in all its craziness, tragedy, grief, hardships, joy and immense blessings.

I'm looking forward to the new year and all that it will hold.

I praise God for what He has done in my life and will continue to do.

I'm thankful that He hasn't given up on me, wretch that I am!

I'm humbled by His amazing grace and love.

May you be blessed in this year of our Lord, 2008.

How Precious...

... are our loved ones.

My family means so very much to me. My husband and two kids and I are very, very close. Even closer, I think because of all the circumstances we have been through. Have we made mistakes? Oh my yes! Have I made mistakes? Wow, you just don't even want to know... :) Again, I digress...

We have the wonderful privilege this year of having family come for Christmas. We actually don't get the opportunity to see family very often. You see, we're from the South and ALL of our family is in the south - but, our daughter can't live in the south. It's also really dangerous for her to travel to the "hot" states and definitely not recommended. Travel is also very expensive and we live a long way away from all of them! (We lived in Alaska for several years, and it was positively a LONG way away!) :)

That's why this year is so special. The kids are SO excited to share this with the rest of their family. Things are settling into a routine, the kids are doing great in school, a LOT of the stress has been lifted from our shoulders and we feel like we are home.

There's still some really rough roads ahead, there's still a lot of stress... but, you know what? It doesn't really matter... God is good and He is God.
And how precious is it that He gave us our families?

Fun, Fun

An old friend has this on her blog - (hey, Michele, I'm not calling you "old" - just that we've known each other a loooooooooooooooooooong time) lol

It was a lot of fun - so I thought I'd share :)

Can anyone guess about the outdoor part? Of course, the quiz doesn't know us - but our house is REALLY cold :)

Merry Christmas!



Frosty the Snowman
For you, every day is worth celebrating, because it's finally winter! You spend as much time as possible outdoors with your friends. You'll take cold, snowy air over a stuffy, overheated building anytime. (Could someone please turn that thermostat down?) Since you like the cold, you don't always bother to bundle up, but you look great in winter accessories like scarves and hats.





Eggnog
Some people spend all winter complaining about the temperature, but not you. You're equally happy whether you're ice cold or steamy hot. You believe traditions are an important part of the holiday season, and you probably love rediscovering the decorations you made when you were little. All that old-timey awesomeness is heart-warming, but your personality also has a spicy sprinkle of nutmeg that keeps the holidays exciting and inspires you to start new traditions, year after year.

29,000 pages and counting

I think you all should know that I love to read. Well, that has been passed on to both of my children :). My husband, bless his heart - teases us about all our "reading" - and every time we have moved (which has been many times in the past 16 years of marriage) he talks about all the boxes of books and music. (I should give a prize if someone could actually guess how many, but, I'm rabbit trail-ing...)

Anyway, yesterday was report-card day here. And we keep track of everything for school - even the amount of pages that the kids read each quarter. :) (Those of you who know us really well, are probably laughing now...you know where I'm going...) And I give awards for how many pages they have read. This quarter has been ... different to say the least, we've had a little extra excitement (a tad bit of an understatement there) and a move... which gave extra time for reading. I really had no idea...

Kayla is 10 years old and when I presented report cards yesterday, I think Jeremy just about fell out of his chair. Kayla read over 14,400 pages in this quarter alone! (I checked, and triple-checked!) These are not picture books, mind you --- REAL books - 3 and 4 hundred page books! There was a shorter series of 40 books, that she read TWICE because she liked them so much! This school year she has read over 29,000 pages! (And we only have one more quarter in this school year - who knows how many she'll finish the year with!)

Are you inspired, yet? :)

Since we are getting close to the new year, I thought I'd give out a challenge. Instead of turning on the TV - go pick up a good book (THE Good Book is the best) -and there are TONS of great Christian Fiction out there now (if you need help picking something - send a comment and I'll help)- and great non-Fiction too - great Bible Studies - the list could go on and on...

Personally, I'm going to go add up my reading list (yes, I keep one too) and see how many pages I need to read to catch up to my ten year old!

Happy Reading!

Hope

Think about what Christmas really means to you. (You keep thinking, we'll get back to your answer in a minute.)

This past weekend, I hosted a Christmas party for our local ACFW group. We had an incredible time of fellowship and fun together and at the end, we sat around and talked about this very topic. Christmas is so very special and precious to me. I love to decorate for it (in fact for years, I've had a Christmas tree and nativity scene in every room, even the bathrooms- okay so tell me I'm nuts), I love the music, the time together as a family and I love celebrating the Greatest Gift of all coming to earth for you and for me. It bugs me when people say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". Why did we start taking Christ out of Christmas? Why are we Christians, letting it happen?

David Phelps wrote a song on his new Christmas CD entitled If Christmas Never Came.
It's a beautifully haunting melody that depicts if Christmas never came, we wouldn't have stockings, or decorations, or church bells ringing, or carols ... or hope. The last lines of the song, "... there'd be no hope for me ... If Christmas never came" are so very moving.

You and I would be without hope had our Savior not come to earth to sacrifice Himself for us.

So, what does Christmas mean to you?

What can you and I be sharing with everyone this season and every season? Hope.
Hope.

The world is lost and dying - we need to be sharing what we have.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
He was born of a virgin, He lived a perfect, sinless life, He loved the 'unlovable', He gave Himself up for you and me, taking our sin and shame upon Himself. He was tortured and crucified. He died for you and me. And then... He rose again on the third day.

No matter where you are or what you have done, He loves you and gave Himself for you.
We are all the same. Sinners. No one is better than another.

Get out there and show the love and joy from our great God. Share the hope!
Merry Christmas!

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Most of you know by now that we were chosen for EMHE! It has been an incredible time and an extraordinary experience!

Our episode is set to air on January 13,2008. I pray you will all be blessed and that the Lord is glorified through it.

Thank you all so much for everything!

More Cool Stuff about the Show...

We are so blessed. I keep saying that, and I mean it.

The FedEx guy just dropped off another package... from people who don't even know us, but, care so deeply and so much. I'm amazed yet again, at the love within the body of Christ.

In this package, there is a scrapbook- full of notes and pictures from David Phelps' message boards. People who have prayed and given and loved. I cried. Yes, a lot.

I don't know if any of them will read this, but THANK YOU. You have blessed our family in an incredible way.

Please watch EMHE on January 13th. There's only so much I'm allowed to say - so please watch the show :)

In Him Who is Almighty God,
Kim

Our Extreme Makeover Airing

I started this the other day but, forgot to finish and publish it!

We have been informed that our episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will air January 13, 2008.

I hope that you will all be blessed by it and that the Lord will be glorified through it.

Thank you all so much for your love and support.