A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Julia's post today made me start thinking about the past when I was the most happiest and the most unhappy. Here is a picture of me in high school - yes amazingly skinny huh? I look happy right?

But that was probably one of the most miserable times in my life. Well it got much worse in my early 20's but it was directly related to my life as a teenager and to be honest just because I WAS so screwed up.

These days I am tired and fat and have problems galore - but I am happy. It's amazing to see the difference. I think the public as a whole would assume I was happier in the first pic. Isn't it amazing how to world equates happiness on the first visual.

Now don't get me wrong - I hate being overweight. HATE it. I am struggling with losing weight and exercising...I want to be fit and healthy. I want it with all of my heart. But I wouldn't go back to 16 with that 16 year old body for the world. No way in heck would I do that ever.

So why do I post this? I have no clue...I just remember looking SO good in this pic and remembering how screwed up and looking for love and attention I really was.

It makes me want to lock my kids in the closet during the teenage years as well.

Highland MOPS Steering Team At Convention

I LOVE this team! This is the entire Highland MOPS Steering Team and one of our table leaders. What an AMAZING time we had at convention.

And I have to add this picture of the urinal! LOL. Only at a hotel with over 4000 women in attendance would they so beautifully convert a men's room to a ladies room.

SDWSCD - Part II

By Mariane Holbrook

I may not win a trophy for the "Mother Of The Year;"
I'll likely not rush out on stage and smile as people cheer.
My name will not be three feet tall on Broadway's Grande Marquis
With brilliant neon lights that flash for all the world to see.

No president will phone my house and call me by my name;
I won't be listed in "Who's Who" for newly-won acclaim.
No one will stand in line to have me autograph a book,
No tour guides will drive past my house so folks can gawk and look.

But there is something that I hope above all else on earth.
I've felt this way, I'm sure, right from the moment of my birth.
When my time comes to slip away and leave this world for good,
I hope I hear my family say, "She did what she could do."

I changed that last line from she did the best she could do to she did what she could do. But it fit perfectly with what I am dealing with in my spiritual life right now.

While at MOPS Convention one of the messages that tugged at my heart enough was when Elisa Morgan spoke about - She Did What She Could Do.

In Mark 14:8 the International Standard Version says: She has done what she could. She poured perfume on my body in preparation for my burial. It is the story of Mary anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume and how Judas and others criticized her and how she gave what she had. She couldn't do anything more. She did what she could do.

What are we doing? Are we doing all we can do? I might never be an acclaimed speaker or renowned activist or Christian leadership guru (all of my favorite passions to be honest), but am I doing all I can do? All God wants me to do? I have to say no.

I am sometimes quite selfish in telling God no. And God knows that and made sure I was at convention this year to hear this message. I don't know if God was using Elisa Morgan to speak to anyone else but he spoke to me.

QUIT TELLING ME NO.
Ignore his voice...
Hello...
Sorry did you say something? (by the way this NEVER works with God).
Yes.
Well I think I'll pass this time.
No you won't.
Yes I will.
Leah...
NO NEVER EVER I will NOT do this...
Yes.
Sigh..
Yes Leah...
Tears...
Yes Leah...
FINE!
I can almost hear God laugh at this point.

As a mom I have often hidden a giggle at one of my daughter's indignation at finally doing what I am telling her to do.

But why does it have to be so difficult? Why must I do this? For some reason it's what I am called to do.

And I wanted to be remembered this way - she did what she could do. So the Lord knows I am going to do it. I am not sure how yet - that will come but I will.

Leah Holamon
Wife - Mother - Daughter - Sister - Friend
She Did What She Could Do

Go Fish Guys New CD - Party Like A Preschooler

The latest album by the Go Fish Guys focuses on their younger audience! Party Like A Preschooler takes songs like Do Your Ears Hang Low, 5 Little Monkeys, and Pop Goes the Weasel and makes them...well, not annoying! Click on the link to hear sample clips.

The Go Fish Guys are continuing their mission of making great music for kids that won’t drive parents bonkers, this album breaks new ground in the world of toddler tunes!

Party Like A Preschooler contains 11 brand new tracks along with 2 bonus tracks from their SNAZZY CD. Sure to be a fan favorite is the new “DAD” track titled It’s Hard To Be Cool (In A Mini-Van)!

Kids music can be cool and the Go Fish Guys prove it once again. Load up the mini-van because it’s time to Party Like A Preschooler!

Note from Leah: Speaking from experience the Go Fish Guys are AMAZING. The music is fun and exciting and kids and parents alike love it. You can order online or find copies in many Christian bookstores. Snazzy is my favorite but Party Like a Preschooler is fun! My 6 year old kindergartner LOVES it.

SDWSCD

Well last week was crazy anyway! :) I had SO much to get done before leaving for convention. Raina ended up staying with a friend named Victoria on Thursday afternoon after we realized Brian couldn't take off cause one of our employees father had a stroke and was out of town. The other guy can't drive the work truck. MAJOR issue as ALL my girlfriends were going to MOPS Convention except LaRae who was going to get John and Julia who was watching her on Friday. It worked out that but was stressful.

We all got on the van and headed off to convention! Everyone gets something different from convention. It's amazing how God does that. I was a ball bag all weekend. That is not typical but God is kind of not so subtly making me face some issues and be true to myself - even the ugliness - and I am SO not liking it. God told me to do something this weekend. I told God NO - he said yes - I said no not ever EVER - he said yes...grrrrr...It sounds comical but it's quite painful and I am SO not ready...

So we're home and Brian leaves for Brazil tomorrow, my house is a wreck (my own fault) and I have a ton to do but I do want to leave you with this:

SDWSCD - it's something we "learned" at convention! Be brave and let me know what you think it means in a comment and then I'll come back tomorrow and post convention pics and enlighten you! :)

I am going to a movie tomorrow. And moving Larrah home this weekend. :) So it is a busy week!

14 Biblical Virtues to Pray for your Kids

Someone sent this to me so I thought I'd add it to my prayers and share it.

Salvation - Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (Is. 45:8, 2 Tim. 2:10)

Growth in Grace - I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

Love - Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them. (Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:2)

Honesty and Integrity - May integrity and honesty be their virtue and protection. (Ps. 25:21)

Self-Control - Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do. (I Thess. 5:6)

Love for God's Word - May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb. (Ps.19:10)

Passion for God - Lord, please instill in my children a soul that followeth hard after thee. (Ps. 63:8, KJV), that they cling to you passionately.

Mercy - May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36)

Respect - For self, others, authority - Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to every-one, as Your Word commands. (I Peter 2:17)

Faithfulness - Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts. (Prov. 3:3)

Purity - Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions. (Ps. 51:10)

Gratitude - Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 5:20, Col. 2:7)

Humility - God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all. (Titus 3:2)

Hope - May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Happy 6th Birthday Salem!!! :)

I simply can't believe she's 6. Happy Birthday Salem Ruth-Rhena!!! My sweet baby!!!! Brynna and Angel - we'll miss you forever and see you in heaven one day.

At birth in the NICU.



One year - look at those curls!!!



And the curls EXPLODE. :)



Growing UP!


No more curls...



Mommy was SO sad you turned 5!



Growing up so beautiful!