just for a moment

We had to send our computer to the shop for a little fixer upper. We are having some issues but it will be fixed soon. Luckily it is under warranty and it will either be free or way cheap, fingers crossed for free!! See you soon...

I am getting so much done, will have lots to show you.... Can you say bathroom??? :)

The day the sky fell

There are a few times in history when the question can be asked, "Where were you?"

So "Where were you?"

I was 21 on September 11th, 2001. I was a sophomore at Lincoln Christian College and living in the dorms. Tuesday we had chapel at 9am and I had decided that I didn't want to go that day so I slept late. When I woke up to get ready my RA, my sis in law Adrien, was in the hall asking if she was the only one seeing what was on TV. I didn't know what was going on so I hurried to my room and turned on the TV. I was horrified to say the least. My head was spinning and my heart hurt, all of those people, they had to be so afraid! I then went to the caf to see if everyone was seeing this. All of the TVs on campus were tuned in and everyone was watching. One thing that I remember from that day is that the sky was eerily blank. Nothing was flying that day and it was scary. I knew that our country would never be the same. I personally didn't lose anyone that day and I don't know anyone who did but I think we can all agree that we all felt some sort of loss that day.

Today at church we had a special service just for the memorial and we all 'remembered'. Then my father in law came to the podium and talked about a special day 2000 years ago that changed our life much more than 9/11 did. There was pain just like we all watched on the TV that day, but there was something that we didn't see~HOPE! Jesus loves us so much that he endured a day full of violence and pain and because of that we are saved from such a worse fate. Wow is our God good or what?? Today I am remembering both the day that many died but also the day that one died for many.

Get your kicks on Route 66...

This summer at camp the theme was Route 66, as in the 66 books of the Bible. They decorated the whole camp in the theme and even had road signs at the sidewalks. They really went above and beyond! I really love camp and our local camp, Oil Belt Christian Service Camp, is so awesome!! We started a tradition a few years ago with family camp, all of my in laws go. That means my mother and father in law, sis in law and her family, and then all of us. Belle loves being able to spend the whole holiday weekend with her cousins and we have made some awesome camp friends too. So we all agree that family camp is great!!
Last year they asked us to dress up in western wear and hosted a fun western style event. This year since it was Route 66 they hosted a dinner theme dinner, made a skate rink and provided skates, had a 'drive-in' movie where they played Love Bug, and made us all popcorn with root beer floats. It was so much fun. So with all of that going on we HAD to dress up!! My sister in law and I put together the kids outfits, it took so many phone calls!! haha Sadly to say we were one of the few families that dressed up, but we loved it and so did the kids!

Here are my MIL and FIL with the grandgirls, London was anti-photo. This sign is painted with all of the camp themes so we thought what a perfect backdrop!!

We borrowed Belle's outfit. One of our dance buddies was in a pageant and she was kind enough to loan it to us, loved it!! Belle wore those glasses for days!! She really wants a pair, I think that would make a perfect stocking stuffer!!

I made my skirt. I got the skirt at a resale shop and put on the poodle and ribbon. I had the poodle pattern from high school when we had a 50's night basketball game and all us cheerleaders wore them tacked on our skirts. I traced it on felt to match Belle's outfit and hot glued all of it together!! So all in all I spent $3 on every ones outfit, and that was just my skirt.

London was so cute but wouldn't wear his ball cap. He was being a stinker all day so his loss!!

Mattea McFadden, Belle, and Charlie McFadden. They were all so cute!

This was one of the pictures that London would be in, he didn't have a choice. I waited until he popped out and said boo and I snapped the picture. I think it was a pretty cute picture if I do say so myself!!

This was Matthew and I...Awww!! :)

I keep trying to put the signature on the end of the post and almost every time it ends up deleted... Is it worth it???

Get Real!

In a previous post I wrote that I was struggling in many areas of my life. I have to say that that was one of the hardest post that I have written since I started this blog, but it was also one of the most real ones. I have a really REALLY hard time letting everyone see me struggle, it has something to do with being seen as weak. Well I am not weak, not with God by my side. He is my strength and admitting my struggles is being real not weak, but it is so hard!

One thing that I have noticed this summer is that it is especially hard to be real in church. I put on my happy 'I'm Fine' face and go to play the game with everyone else. Sometimes I just look around and wonder who is having the worst day ever, or who's heart is breaking. You know I can't ever pick them out! We all have that same look on our faces. I don't know why we do it or that we even know that we are doing it but I can't keep it up. I want to be able to say I am having a horrible no good very bad day! I want to say that I am angry, sad, hurt, frustrated right along with happy, giddy, silly, and all of the emotions that we hide behind the 'fine' face. I want to have REAL relationships not just surface ones. I want to hear about and even cry with someone who is in pain. I want to know about the best parts of your days too!! I want the high highs and low lows! I want to be uncomfortable knowing that there isn't anything I can do but hug someone. And you know what, I am not a hugger, but I want to break through those barriers and be one!!

I am ready to feel that pain with those who are in pain, no matter where it comes from! I think that God is sad that we play the 'fine' game. I think that He wants us to be REAL and hurt with one another, laugh with one another, and to truly love one another, FOR REAL!!

"Carry each other's burdens, and this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2