Dream Come True

A couple of years ago my friend Jodi and I would take our girls to ballet and watch the ScreamFree Parenting DVD's in her SUV. I can remember being so exicted that someone else felt the same way as I did about parenting. We would share about how we love our children so very much but we were not enjoying them and wanted to change that. We would talk a lot and I could not wait to get the word out to more people about this book. It had changed our life so much I wanted to share the life change! Last night that dream came true for me when I was able to share the ScreamFree Revolution in a class setting.We had about 25 people (I could be way off) last night in our first class. We had single parents, educators, frustrated parents, parents of one child and parents with many children. I was so nervous that I can hardly remember the class but it seemed everything went well! (thanks for the compliment Jodi!) Most people feel the same way: we want to be able to keep our cool with our kids. Some people had heard of the book before but most people had not. It will be exciting to see how things go the next 9 weeks. Everyone enjoyed Hal's Waffle House story!

I'm also excited about the ScreamFree At First Baptist blog I started for our class. Check it out!

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a NEW thing."
Isaiah 43: 18, 19

Exhausted But Excited

It's been a very busy time for me right now (and for everyone else, I'm sure). Jared started school Thursday, today was the first day of our new Sunday School year at church. We worked really hard all summer getting ready, tonight was a going away reception for Lori Fowler, the director of our weekday preschool, and Wednesday I start my first ScreamFree Parenting class. I have about 50 people signed up and boy am I nervous. I do not like getting up in front of people but the Lord has been preparing me for this for about 4 years. When God gives you a passion for something, He makes everything possible! If you have not heard about this book, check it out! You can purchase a CPR kit by clicking the link to the left, or purchase the book from me also (make sure and get the Chrisitan version. It's not sold in regualr bookstores or grocery stores).


From the ScreamFree Web Site:
Emotional reactivity is behind every bad pattern, bad decision, and bad relationship. Whenever we get reactive — whether by screaming, cutting ourselves off, overcompensating for others, or taking things personally or defensively — we operate out of our anxiety and, ironically, end up creating the very outcomes we were hoping to avoid. ScreamFree Living takes this reactivity very seriously and stresses that the number one step toward creating the types of relationships we truly crave is learning to calm down.

ScreamFree Parenting offers a revolutionary new option by inviting parents to focus on themselves, grow themselves up, and calm themselves down. The ScreamFree Parenting principles will lead parents of all ages (with kids of all ages) to create and enjoy the family relationships they've always craved ­ starting now.

Back to School-Part 1

Today was Jared's first day of 5th grade. His last year in elementary school. I have to say I'm pretty emotional right now. My kids are really growing up. Jared insisted on riding the bus this morning so last night I said:

"Jared, please do this one thing for me."

"What?"

"Let Mommy take you to school in the morning."

"Well, OK. As long as you don't kiss me in front of anybody."

When we got to school he would not let me take his picture. I had to take it right outside the van in front of the school. I had to threaten to follow him around school with the camera if he did not smile!! We went in to school, he got breakfast and did not eat one bite! What? My child is going to starve on his first day of school. I don't care how old Jared gets, he's my little boy and has always been a mama's boy (sorry, Jared). He will always snuggle with me, tell me he loves me, and will walk by me several times a day just to touch me or rub my back. I'm really going to miss that today.

Love Is Not A Fight

OK, I'm obsessed with this movie. Here is a song that was in the movie. It's great. Hit stop on my playlist!

My Movie Review

Today we were SO BLESSED to go to the special screening of FIREPROOF. I'm no movie critic but I'll give it a try.

First of all, the Georgia Baptist Center is gorgeous! It was worth going to see the facilities.

The movie was awesome. Kirk Cameron plays the lead role. We all had our fairy tale dreams of what marriage would be like. When that fades, we must be ready to face the fire! It was full of lessons such as:
1) Be careful who you choose as friends.
2) With God, all things are possible.
3) We need to focus on ourselves first and not the other persons faults.
4) What are the parasites in your life that are sucking the life out of your marriage?
5) God loves us and SEEKS US! All we have to do is accept it.

Some really good lines:
"Fireproof does not mean there will be no fire but you will be able to withstand it when the fire comes."

"Women are like a rose. Take care of them and they will bloom, ignore them and they will wilt."

Another thing that meant a lot to me personally was the support that this movie gives to firemen. David sees things on almost every shift that he has to push aside when he walks into the door. I do not know how he does it. It made me appreciate him, and all that he does in his profession, so much more. See the black t-shirt David is wearing? It says: "I love my marriage" on the front and has an advertisement for FIREPROOF on the back. He got that free for being a fireman and present at today's sreening.

Opening weekend is Septmeber 26th. Please go to support this movie and to show Hollywood that movies like this are wanted! Help spead the word in your church too. You can go to fireproofthemovie.com for all kinds of resources.

Turn Down The World Tonight

"Turn Down the World Tonight" is one of my favoirte new songs by Journey. When I heard the song I thought: "That's it exactly! That's how I feel so often when it comes to time with me and David."

Caught up in the livin...getting through each day
When all your tomorrows become faded yesterdays
Are you slippin away?

Blinded by schedules...running here and there
Become strangers to each other...I miss you everywhere
How did we get this way?

When the loneliness becomes too much to bear
Get off this merry go round...tell each other we still care

Help me Turn Down The World Tonight
Take a quiet moment...somewhere we can unwind
Losing touch...we forget to take time
To share what's in our hearts
Speak what's on our minds

In the silence hear your heartbeat next to mine
Baby help me...Turn Down The World Tonight

Too much information...streamin' at us fast
What I really need to know...is that we can make it last
I want to keep you close

We make commitments...take responsibility
Why do we let them...come between you and me
That's when I miss you most...

We gotta take this night...Knowin' our love won't wait
Before our moment is gone...Say it's not to late

Help me Turn Down The World Tonight
Take a quiet moment...somewhere we can unwind
Losing touch...we forget to take time
To share what's in our hearts
Speak what's on our minds

Far beyond the noise
With your body next to mine
Won't you help me Turn Down The World Tonight

Help me Turn Down The World Tonight
Take a quiet moment...somewhere we can unwind
Losing touch...we forget to take time
To share what's in our hearts
Speak what's on our minds

Turn Down The World Tonight

In the silence I hear your heartbeat next to mine
Baby help me...Turn Down The World Tonight

So, that is exatly what we are doing tomorrow night (Wednesday). All 3 kids are taken care of! We're not headed very far away but we are spending the night away then Thurday we are headed to a special screening of FIREPROOF the Movie, then on to a special event with our friends Melody and David. I'm so looking forward to time away with my husband and time with friends. I can't wait to see this movie! I know it will impact marriages all over the world.

Girls Day

We had a great day Thursday at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. The Blue Willow is THE best place for traditional southern food. My mother-in-law treated me, Jenna, my sister-in-law Debbie and my niece Mandy. We also went to our favorite doll store and "shopped around". I love those dolls as much as Jenna. Thanks so much to NaNa! Thanks Jess for taking our picture!

I just can't believe our summer is coming to an end. Jared starts July 31st and our days are packed with mostly appointments and stuff. I do believe this has been the quickest summer ever-until next year!