Beach Living

We sure enjoyed our time at the beach. I really miss living close to the water. Destin is truly our favorite beach to go to, but the water was not as pretty this year. There was so much algae and seaweed that we spent our time in the sand and in the pool. I have to believe the ocean is compensating for the oil spill.

That being said, we still had a great time as a family. It's times like this that I start to realize how much different this picture will look as the kids get older. Already, the boys are taller than me, and it won't be long before the girls are!

Happy Birthday Ashley!!

I can't believe my little girls is 12! She is such a beautiful, young lady that we are so proud of!!!

Won't Be Long Now

Tomorrow I get to see this face again, and I can't wait! Brent has been on a high school mission trip to Australia for the last 2 weeks. We've heard so many positive things already, but I know there are endless stories of God's faithfulness.

I know this was a great time of growth for Brent to be away from his twin brother and parents, making his own decisions, and planning for what he needs. His sisters and brother have all missed him so much. David & I are counting the hours to be able to hug our son again.

If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden. ~Claudia Ghandi

Sometimes I just need a reminder

Praise You in This Storm

I was sure by now,God, You would have reached down

and wiped our tears away,

stepped in and saved the day.

But once again, I say amen

and it's still raining

as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain,

"I'm with you"

and as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise

the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:

And I'll praise you in this storm

and I will lift my hands

for You are who You are

no matter where I am

and every tear I've cried

You hold in your hand

You never left my side

and though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

Happy 4th of July!!

We took the girls to their first Atlanta Braves game today to celebrate the 4th. It was really strange not to have Brent with us, but he is having an amazing time in Australia on our church mission trip. The Americana service this morning was neat--brought back good memories from growing up in Mississippi.

One of our church members lost their son to the War in Afghanistan today. He was only 22 years old. This serves as a clear reminder that our freedom is not free. Thank you so much to all who serve our country.

All-stars 2010

Brandon had an amazing all-star season. He proved to be a very strong hitter with a high percentage of doubles and triples. He also had a good record for stolen bases. He enjoyed pitching and playing several positions, but catcher will always be his favorite.

Brandon loves baseball. He had one week this summer with high school baseball camp in the morning and all-star practice after that. The day ended with watching baseball games on TV--probably some xBox baseball in there at some point too. It's fun to see him so passionate about the game.

He has been a leader on his team this season and respected by coaching staff and umpires. It was fun to watch him get to know other players in our district through the tournaments we played in. While we won't be playing the state tournament, Brandon is a champion in my book!!

Feeling God's Love in an Amazing Way

Today, I am just feeling God's love in a very reassuring way.

My son Brent leaves for Australia on a 2 week missions trip. Yep...he'll be more than 24 hours away from me, and I'm going to miss him so very much. He is really smart and so much fun to be around. Most of all, he loves the Lord. The kids in the Australia school are going to love getting to know him and his heart.

So, the mom in me starts to WORRY in a way that only a mom can. How will I get to him if something goes wrong? Who is going to take care of him? How can I go 2 weeks without seeing him?

Then a word from God...."I AM." Nothing more needed. He loves Brent so much and has a special plan for him. Brent is living a life that matters. I know Brent will meet people in Heaven whose lives he touched during this trip, and he will be forever changed too as a result of this experience.

As an obedient child to my Father, I place Brent again in His loving care. I know he will be where he should be serving God.

Please keep the people of Australia and our youth group in your prayers. From our pastors:

http://radiateleaders.wordpress.com/

A GREAT GIVE-A-WAY -- ENDS 6/20

Check out my give-a-way blog for an opportunity to win a prize pack I really enjoyed!!!

http://dayinthelifeoftherobinsonsgive-a-ways.blogspot.com/

A special thanks for Pillsbury and myBlogSpark for giving me this item and one to share with a blog friend!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

I thank God for allowing me to be a mom to these awesome kids! I am truly blessed!

FREE SIMPLY GO_GURT--1st 30 to click below

I hope you enjoy this yogurt as much as my family has!

Thanks to myBlogSpark for giving my readers this opportunity!!!

WINNER--SIMPLY GOGURT GIVE_A_WAY

Congratulations to Christy. E-mail me by end of day Friday or I will need to choose another winner.

Here are your random numbers:

3 

Timestamp: 2010-04-29 10:54:17 UTC

Take Care of Yourself & Your Family--Give-a-Way

I'm excited to share the Simply ... Go-Gurt give-a-way with one of you!!! The prize pack includes a pocket Etch a Sketch, weekly planner, and a seat back organizer. My kids (o.k.--me too) have enjoyed having the organizer in the back. We could all use a little more organization, right??

We really enjoyed the yogurt! This yogurt is made from single ingredients we look for and contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors or flavors. I love having something healthy to share with my kids! They LOVE having it in a tube that we can take with us for picnics, at the ballpark, or the beach. Convenience is big for me with everyone going in different directions.

Leave me a comment with your favorite organization tip or how you plan snacks for your family to enter the give-a-way. Follow me on Twitter for an extra entry (MrsMowItAll). Be sure to leave another comment letting me know you have done so. The give-a-way will close at midnight Wednesday, April 28.

The Simply... Go-Gurt, prize pack, information and additional prize pack were all given to me from Yoplait through MyBlogSpark. The opinions are all mine :-)

Nourish Your Inner Goddess--Enter by April 18

Updated: Congratulations, Hannah! You're the winner.

Here are your random numbers:

1 

Timestamp: 2010-04-23 20:53:00 UTC

Let's face it...as women we don't take enough time to stop and take care of ourselves. We spend so much time making sure everyone else is taken care of and rarely stop for ourselves.

This give-a-way is a retreat away from all of our responsibilities. You'll get some great items that will help you relax. Your gift pack will also contains two VIP* coupons for this delicious yogurt.

I tried the strawberry and honey vanilla flavors, and they were absolutely delicious. I am anxious to try the blueberry flavor, but I have never been a fan of just plain yogurt.

You can visit

http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=62092&ci=1&c=GM&p=aI8UZzdb to download a coupon* and save $0.30 on one cup of new Yoplait Greek today!'

But to win a fantastic give-a-way, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me the flavor you would like to try. I will draw the winner on Sunday, April 18 after 9:00pm ET.

The opinions are definitely mine, but I do want to disclose that Yoplait provided me with the free product, information, and gift pack through MyBlogSpark™.

Please Pray

God brought me to a blog today for a family that needs our prayers. With a newborn and 2 other little ones, the mom and dad are struggling with the news that she has a brain tumor. Please join this family in praying for healing.

http://theronnes.blogspot.com/

We all want to be part of the blessing when the news comes that Kaci is healed!

Mr Mow It All of Powder Springs, GA

www.MrMowItAllGA.com

We are excited to see what God does through David's business this year!

Mr Mow It All Georgia

REGRETS

So I have a big birthday coming up this year....maybe that's what has brought on this time of reflection.

Why didn't I...?

What would it be like if only I had...?

If I could just go back and .....

What is the world caused me to make that decision....

If I knew then, what I know now....

"Never regret anything, because at one time it was exactly what you wanted."

I guess we all have times of wishing we could correct what we now see as a mistake or a better option. The quote can be misleading as sometimes we make decisions that were certainly not exactly what we wanted, but were really more like the only option we could determine at the time.

Hmmmm....I can only imagine the joy Satan has when God's children spend time thinking about regets and "if only's" about our past. Certainly he delights in taking away our joy and seeing us forget the tapestry that God is weaving through us.

So now as I think about that big birthday coming later this year, I'll focus on this...

"A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."

But more than anything, I'll remember that God wants to direct my path. He loves me and wants the best for me.

David's Surgery Eve

I would like to say this is how excited David is about having surgery tomorrow! It's actually a picture from a few months back--before the basketball accident. Last Wednesday, the 8th grade basketball team played the parents. David's knee did not quite cooperate as he blocked an inbound pass. Let's just say he did really look good until the fall.

We went to the ER. That is a story in and of itself. We chose to take David's truck...his big truck...you know the one I have driven 3-4 times in the 3 years we have owned it...the one I simply cannot drive! Now imagine me driving it (scared for David) with him in pain in the backseat through the narrow roads leading to our hospital. I'm trying to decide if seeing David hurt or driving him to the ER was more scary. We finally made it home at 3:00am.

The diagnosis was a detached patellar tendon. The surgeon will drill 4 holes in his kneecap and thread the tendon back through. I explain this well the 2nd time around...that's right we've already been through this 9 years ago with his other knee. That time it was an accident on a kids scooter just before Christmas. We were in the process of having a custom home built and enjoying apt. life on the 2nd floor of the building. Now that was interesting. We are thankful David does not have to climb stairs this time. Brent is not so thrilled about giving up his room, but he would do anything for his dad.

Oh, to top the day off...Victoria threw up as I walked to her class at church today. We think it might have been nerves as she is so worried about David. She didn't want us to leave him at home alone for even a short time.

Please keep David in your prayers as he recovers. This is a tough surgery to recover from, but David is one tough guy!

Who is it between for you?

From Mother Theresa:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

be kind anyway.

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;

succeed anyway.

If you are honest people may cheat you;

be honest anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the end, it is between you and God;

it was never between you and them anyway.

Wow...why is this so hard for us to see when we argue with others or feel others have caused us wrong? I am going to let this be my New Years resolution...to remember who it's really between.

Thanks to MckMama for reminding us of this great writing today.