Updates!

That's right we are engaged! Everyone is excited. Pray for us that we keep God in the center.

More Princess party pics

Princess is 3!!

Yea, I'm alittle late on getting her birthday pics up but hope you enjoy anyway. Sister(Amberly), had her 3rd birthday on Nov. 22, 2008. Here are some pics of the birthday party.

Thanksgiving and what I'm thankful fro...

As the holidays approach, there is so much to be said in this blog about Thanksgiving. I guess I've never really thought about what it means to be "thankful". Not that I wasnt thankful for stuff, but I never put too much thought in it. This year, Thanksgiving comes on a different note, as many others say in their blogs that I follow. This year the tone is much different at my house. It has snuck up on us, no doubt, but for some reason everyone is a little more thankful than before. I have so many things to be thankful for. My list is a good list so I will give it to you!

1. I'm thankful for being raised in the christian faith and for Christ dieing for me and saving my life.

2. I'm thankful for a free country and the freedom to worship God, my savior. After the election, I have a greater appreciation for this country.

3. I'm thankful for my two precious daughters. They give me a real meaning of love.

4. I'm thankful for God bringing me and my wonderful boyfriend together. I know that his hand was at work in both of us and is still at work today.

5. I'm thankful for my wonderful family. My grandmother who has always, always been there. No matter how much crap I put her through, she is always willing to love and give. Because of her, I am where I am today.

6. I'm thankful for my heartaches, my failures, my sufferings. God has worked through each and everyone of them to make me stronger and use them for his glory.

7. I'm thankful for the night of November 22, 2005 and our sweet little Amberly and I through a terrible pregnancy and delievery.

8. I'm thankful for my job. With the current economic crisis and layoffs, I'm truly blest beyond words to have a wonderful job which provides for our needs.

9. I'm thankful for my ex husband. No, I dont like him and I know you are wondering why I'm thankful, but I'm thankful for him because he gave me two wonderful gifts. I'm also thankful for him because he taught me how NOT to be treated. I learned alot from him which make me stronger to this day.

10.I'm thankful for wonderful friends who love me. I've never felt so loved in my life as I do right now.

There are so many more things, but with time running out I must end with those 10 things. For all of you reading this and for all the ones who love me! Thank you!! Thank you for being a highlight of my life. May God bless you this holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Just some catching up.....

Its been awhile since I've posted so I thought I would post some pics from Halloween and everyday stuff. There's not really too much to write about. Everything is about the same, which I am very proud of. I have stability and to be honest, I think that's great! So enjoy!

Brandy Part Duex

I forgot to tell you where to go see the other photos and more of her work..

go to www.brandycartee.com

Enter the site

go to clients proofing and type in "cotting" as the password.

Our slideshow will start. Hope you enjoy!


Bonita

Brandy Cartee Portrait Designer

My friend, Brandy is a photographer and she is so amazing.. These are only a few. Hope you enjoyed them!

Few thoughts and Questions about the Dems and Palin

First, I want to say that I am very excited about Sarah Palin being the GOP VP candidate. I support her and McCain 100%.

Now, lets get on to the meaning behind this blog. I find it almost comical that the Democrats are attacking Sarah Palin. It's just cracking me up. So I thought I would ask a few questions to the ol Dems.

1. Why is it that when the GOP decides to make "history" by picking a female to run for a major office, you attack her?

a. Didnt the Democratic party just have a female run for the candidacy? But she was all ready for the job, right?

2. Why is her "inexperience" being brought up?

a. It looks as though you have a Presidential candidate that isnt much more qualified that our VP candidate. I'm just saying here!

3. Why does her family have to be put under the microscope?

a. What about Clinton's husband (former President)? Why didnt you put them under the spotlight?

b. What about Obama and his family? His background? You are gonna dig hers up. Dig his up, right?

4. Why does she have to be a "slut"? Women can be better than "sluts".

a. Why not make her out to be that and it be wrong, but Bill Clinton can actually be one and it be ok.

Mainly, I just think that its funny that we are called the hypocrits. I mean seriously, the Democrats must really be "shaking in their boots" to be attacking the GOP VP candidate. Lets face it! Shes not gonna be the leader of the "Free World" if they get elected. John McCain would be. Its just funny to me! One way or the other, history will be made this year.

Vote McCain/Palin!

It's that time again!

Well Saturday marks the start of the Alabama football season. I'm very excited! Hoping for a great season and lots of football parties! I just love this time off the year!

Good luck to all of your favorite teams, except Auburn! LOL! Just kidding!


ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Updates

Well its been awhile since I've posted any updates, so today is the day! YAY!

Where to start. We will start with the girls:

McKinley- We all know she broke her arm about 2 1/2 weeks ago. She goes next Thursday to have the cast taken off and another one put on. I'm praying that she wont need another one. The surgeon told me that it was just a 10 degree break so, maybe, its healed. I'm not sure because I'm not an expert at this stuff. I'm just praying. Despite the broke arm, she is doing fine. It hasn't stopped from doing much. Only those things she doesnt really want to do. Surprise, huh? She has gotten alittle whiny here lately and God love her, but its getting on my nerves!! I cant take much more. Kinda has me thinking I should run away and never come back! LOL! Ok, I'm totally kidding. I feel bad for her though. Shes had the cast on just long enough to have it start to smell and of course people have to say something. Well, that kinda makes me mad because the poor girl cant help that it stinks!! We all know that, so why say anything at all.. It breaks my heart! Anyways, she still is proud of it! I will have to take pictures of the whole thing because it is filled with names.

Amberly- She has got to be one of the cutest kids in the world, really! However, that girl is just plain mean! LOL! Just an example- The other night, McKinley was in her bed watching a movie to fall asleep to. Amberly comes into the kitchen to ask for some milk. I give her some milk and the next thing I know she goes into the bedroom. Well about 3 mins later I hear McKinley crying. She runs to me with milk on her face and said that Amberly spit milk in her face. Well, all Ms. Amberly does is look at me and smiles! May I just say that that smile is the cutest thing! That's a side note because she did get her little hinny tore up!

I am so proud of both my girls. They amaze me everyday at how much they have learned and know. Amberly has come along way. You can now have some sort of conversation with her. There are times that you have to tell her to right it down, but other than that shes communicating very well.

Now onto me, I guess. Things are going well. About the same as before. I am getting tired of driving though. I guess I have lots to do at home that I would love to be closer to home, now. I'm proud to inform you all(lol)that there is a man in my life. If you havent already heard. Not much to report there other than God has blessed me with him. I am very happy! So lets see what else we have to talk about... Not much of anything. I guess I will put some pics up for you. Enjoy!

Mac and her "Broke Arm"

Last Monday morning, McKinley fell off my bed and broke her arm. She has a 10 degree break in her fore arm.. Thursday she got her pretty pink cast on and lets just say that is one proud girl! We have been lucky and she hasnt had much pain or discomfort. As you can see, she is going on like it never happened..

We wrapped up her arm so should could do alittle slipping and slide on Saturday....

All in all shes still happy and very proud of her "broke arm".

Ok lets clear things up

Well I guess an apology is in order for the last blog.. Im thinking I probably should not have wrote before I cooled myself down. I should have taking more of a "love" approach, however, I did not. So I am sorry if I offended anyone or made any non-Christian look down on Christians because of me. Again I am so very sorry.

I do want to say that Christians do get mad and its ok too. Its just not ok to lash out.

How about lets keep our mouths shut!

You know, its not surprising that I'm wrapped up into another big controversy. Its my life story! I guess its something about those "Turner Girls" that people just love to run their mouths. Let me just say that this post isnt gonna be "nice". I'm mad and I'm gonna take it out on the little blog.

It gets me that certain someones can go around talking about me and the "lack" of work I do, when them themselves have a "lack" there of as well. Now it is no secret that I'm not always busy. My work load comes in sperts. So with that said, where do these certain someones get off by talking about me. Oh and lets state that I drive roughly 200 miles a day to come to work, but lets complain that Bonita gets to the office at 9:00 am instead of 7:30 am. Wow! Lets cry about it alittle bit.

My question is what good did it do for you to go talk about me? Did you get a raise in all of this? I mean is that what this is really about? I'm really not sure.

Lets also say this: I dont get anymore special treatment than anyone else in this company. In fact, I may get it alittle more tougher than you have it, my friend.

You know, its really a waste of time to even be upset about this. Just remember that when you little talkers start to run you mouth, that one day the foot will insert mouth at some point. Dont come to me anymore when you have nothing to do and you just want to chat beacause from now on I will be moving up and showing what kind of job I can do.

Oh and you can stop the little gossip about me running around too!

Ok I think I am good now!

Decisions

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was thinking about some decisions I have made along the way. And well trying to figure out where I went wrong with some of them. Dont get me wrong I am very blessed and love my life, however, I think about where I couldve been if I made a different decision....

My junior year, I was elected to go to St. Louis, MO to intern with a drama ministry called (at the time) "Insync Drama Ministry". This was an outstanding ministry in which they took young adults (out of high school) and teach them the art of drama and put the through Christian school. I had my application and my references from my pastors and elders sent in an excepted. Now, I was scared and overcome by fear, I decided not to go.

This morning as I pondered over that decision, I wondered where God couldve taken me if I had let him take over that fear. I wont know that because I gave into my own fear. I dont regret this decision anymore because is using me now and using my life as a testimony of how he can change you.

My thoughts are this. Life is scary, but sometimes giving God the fears (or Giants as Keith preached Sunday) is less scary than you imagine it is. I'm thinking of my sister here. Her and her friends will graduate this year and my prayers go out to them. Its a dark and foggy road up head to find what it is that God wants them to do with their lives. However, they have to keep one main focus and that is on the Lord. He can light that dark and foggy road so you can see where you are going.

Please pray for students of all ages that they make decisions wisely. Based on God!

Four Years Old... Wow time flies!

Today McKinley has turned 4. It is so hard to believe that she is 4 yrs old. It was just like yesterday that I held her as a newborn. Now I can barely pick her up. I'm so very proud of her in her few years of being alive. She is an amazing little girl with such a great spirit and willingness to love God!

We had her party on Saturday. Above are a few pics from the party!

Happy Birthday to You, McKinley! Mommy loves you with all her heart!

Wow! Where did this come from?

Do you know how sometimes we pray for certain things and we know that God is gonna answer that prayer either with a yes or no? And sometimes we are suprised that the answer is yes. Or that we pray for something and then you watch him work in mysterious ways. Well I have been praying and watching for somethings in my life. A new change. Well let me tell you it is really amazing to watch God work and use my life to glorify him. There isnt anything more that I would want my life to do. He is answering prayers right and left. Yes, some are no's, but I also know he has something better in mind. Its just a wonderful feeling knowing that I can wake up in the morning and know that I have a purpose. Some search all their lives to find the "meaning of life". The only meaning of life is to glorify God and let him use you to reach others. I cant really express how I feel about all of this. Its just something that has to be felt. I know that he is ordering my steps and I'm at ease knowing that he will provide for me in any aspect of my life. He is a wonderful God.

I guess what I am saying is that he is filling my cup and letting it overflow and I am just so amazed that he wants me. I've prayed for someone to just want me, to love me for who I am, to feel as though he is the luckiest to have me. Well I've found him! He is Christ my Savior and in him I have strength..

My Birthday told in pics

Flowers from Bobby with a $50 gift card
My bowl from Sue
Flowers from Felicia
My homemade brithday cake
Wow that took alot of air!


Well yesterday was a great birthday. My friends and family are the greatest in the world.. My family made homemade icecream to go with the cake, we had a party and got lots of gifts. The gifts included a membership to a gym, a spa day, tanning visits and the pictures you see above. After that, I went to the church softball game and had a blast with all of my church family. I still have other birthday events later on in the week. Thanks to all who participated in giving me a great birthday. I love you all! You are amazing!

23 and counting.....

Well 23 years ago today I was born. No not really a milestone, but important to me. Today has been a great day so far. I am assuming my dad will be calling in roughly 3 mins to tell me that I was born at that exact minute.. LOL! I look back on the last 23 years of my life and realize I've been through alot, but it has all been well worth the trouble. I have a great family depsite the craziness in which we live in and most of all in my 23 years of life, I have managed to come away with two beautiful accomplishments. McKinley and Amberly.

Last night, as we got ready for bed, McKinley told me about all she had planned to celebrate my birthday. Just knowing she wants to is much more than I could ask for. The celebration in her mind includes: Chocolate cake and candles... Well that sounds PERFECT with me! She said she would have to go to Walmart to get me some candles.

My grandmother proceeds to tell her she has to have the firestation on standby. Not really sure how to take that.. LOL!

I imagine that the rest of the day will go great also...

God has molded and made me through these years and is still working on me. He has blessed me with a great job, great church, great friends, and a wonderful family. Geez! I've got it made!

Outrigger Island 2008

This past week the girls attended Vacation Bible School at our church. It was called Outrigger Island. Here some pictures from the program tonight. I am so very proud of my girls. Both of them were big girls tonight! I praise God for a wonderful church to raise them up in. Them, along with their friends, are our church of the future. They are our future. Keep praying for them and the rest of our children that we raise them in the way of the Lord. Enjoy!

Missing the Mark

Sometimes we miss the mark on what God wants or tells us to do. Now, I don't believe we are condemned for missing the mark, but I do believe he has called us to make the mark. We live in a world where everything is instant. We try to make our spiritual life instant too. We are so eager to get it right we don't slow down to think that maybe we are going about it the wrong way.

My challenge for all of us Christians is to slow down and make sure we are making the mark. In whatever life decision it is. Whether its our jobs, family, money, spiritual, or physical. Just slow down and listen.!