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.!

Mother's Day

I wrote this poem early one morning. I dont write but I believe that God gave me these words to share.... Hope you are blessed!



Mom- by Bonita Cotting

Mom-You are my source of light and
My warm summer night

Mom-You are the love I’ve dreamt of finding

The days that went by and you received nothing,
Those are the days you just gave more.

Mom-You truly are God’s gift to me.

He made you with just the right voice and
just the right touch.

He made you just strong enough to take on Life’s complications.
There isn’t another who loves me as perfect as you.
You know all the right things to say and do
when I run to you.

Is it possible that God made you just like he made Christ?

With the way you love,
The way you teach,
And the way you lead?

Mom-You are that beautiful deep red rose
You are that cool spring breeze

You are perhaps the most beautiful of God’s creation
He made you especially for me.

Mom-You just are.
A hundred words, you are.
You are a thousand songs I sing,
But most of all you are my mom!

Today I celebrate you, Mom.
Thank you for being more than a hundred words, more than the songs I sing, more than the laughs I laugh, and more than the tears I cry.Thank you for being exactly what God made you to be…..MY MOM!

Mothers day was event this year. I did a special this morning at church and had the girls on stage to sing with me... Well I tried to make it through without crying, but that didnt work. I am very emotional when it comes to mothers day. I'm so thankful for the mothers in my life and very thankful for my children... God changed my life when he gave me my girls. There is no telling where I would be without them..

Being a mother is something that you can only experience. I'm not gonna sit here and try to explain it or put it in to words because lets face it, there are no words..
Happy Mother's day to all you mothers who read this!

Alittle on Amberly...

Today, I was reading all my friends blogs and actually realized I forgot I had one. Its been awhile since I've done some blogging. I guess that my life has been pretty stable and haven't had the need to vent, but we will move on.

Sitting here at my desk doing absolutely nothing (yes as normal) I got bored. Decided to look through the web. Didn't find much there I cared for. I logged onto Myspace and was just looking at different peoples profile. I came across a man who had twin boys. They were preemies. I think they both weighed about 4lbs being born. I looked at those little boys and it took me back to the place of two and half years ago..

Amberly, now 2 almost 3, was born at 29 weeks. Weighing 3lbs and 5 oz, barely the length of a size 5 shoe (womens), defeated all odds of survival. That was only by Gods wonderful grace! I'll give you alittle background on this story and get to the reasoning behind this miracle.

October 31, 2005 I was hospitalized with "placenta previa". Go google that, because I really have no idea as to what that is. All I know is you bleed, bleed alot!! Back to the story. As a result of the hospitalization, I was put on permanent bed rest. The only things I could do where : sleep, lay, eat, and shower (on occasion). No church, no Walmart, no outings of any sort. I didn't really follow all of those... Sometimes I got out and went to Walmart... I rode those nifty little carts. Despite bed rest, things didn't get any better. It all just got worse. I kept bleeding.

On November 22, 2005 at approximately 6 pm, I was rushed to the ER. I had bled so much I was almost incoherent. I couldn't breathe, I was cold, and felt as though I was dying. Truth is, we both were.. I was immediatley taken to the labor and delievery floor. The doctors noticed my water had broke and there wasn't much hope left. Dr. Purvas told Justin and I that my sweet little girl would be rushed to Huntsville Hospital, where she may not survive. We also found out that without a blood transfusion, I may also die. They had some difficulties in my transfusion and that lead to the refusual of the doctor to let Justin in the surgery room. There was a good chance that I wouldn't make it,however, there was not way I could deliever the baby normal, so we had a C-section... Because of some transfusion problems, they put me to sleep. The last thing I remember from that was just pleading with God to let me survive for my babies' sake. I had little McKinley to get home to too.

It took approximately 5 mins to deliever little Amberly. I don't even remember seeing her before they sent her to Huntsville. There in Huntsville she was given an IV through her forehead, was put on oxygen, and had a feeding tube. Within 24 hours, pur prayers had been heard. Amberly was taken off the oxygen, in which that was a miracle in its self. Within the 48 hours, the IV was taken out. All she had left was her feeding tube. After 3 days, I finally got to see my beautiful baby girl. She was perfect. The doctors and nurses told me not to get too attached or even hopeful. They said she had a little chance, but that is rarely seen.... Well, God knew he had something planned for this child. She lacked 2 days being in the hospital one month. That is a miracle! We brought her hime 5 days before Chirstmas.... They didn't believe she would ever come home, but myself, family, and friends prayed and she did.

I tell you all this story because I've heard over the past few weeks of cases where these precious little babies didn't come home. I think of how lucky I am to get to watch Amberly grow. She is more beautiful than I could ever imagine. Her smile lights up my life and till the day I die, she will know that God has a plan for her. He is such a wonderful God to hear my prayers and bring my girl home... Those small little days are now gone. She is full of life and adventure, but it makes me happy to know that those days are gone because shes here. Shes experiencing life. That's what makes me happy!

Is HE the ONE?

This was sent to me via email by my best friend.. Thought it had some good points so I posted it!


Is HE the ONE?"THE RIGHT ONE"First we must allow our Heavenly Father to do the picking. And second,the decision for a mate must be made on a spiritual and intellectualbasis before it's made on an emotional one."What about love? Shouldn't that be the third? you ask. No, and I'lltell you why. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9).The heart is willful and is driven by its own agenda. It does notconsider things rationally and intelligently it just loves to love!Therefore you have to point it in the right direction: "Above all else,guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life" (Proverbs 4:23)!Whenever you meet a man, you need to get clearance from God, check outhis attributes, and then allow your heart to engage.Dating exists not for mating; it exists for collecting data. I believethat the biblical design would be friendship, courtship and thenmarriage.Friendship is two people walking together in agreement andaccountability, learning and growing together.Courtship follows the mutual agreement to commit to one anotherexclusively - it is the decisive turning toward the agreed-upon g oal ofthe marriage altar. It is a period of laying a foundation and preparingyour life together after
marriage.But dating? Well, if you do date, use the time wisely to gather thesefacts.1. Check out the fabric. Is the person mate material? Does this manhave an intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ? Doeshe care what God thinks about his behavior? Is he accountable to Godas well as another co-laborer in the faith? Accountability is animportant factor.It is imperative to maintaining a committed relationship. Is yourpotential spouse a member of the same family - the family of God?You need to have common interests and values and agree on theessentials of living day to day. You have a similar spiritual walk. You eatthe same spiritual diet. You enjoy a lot of similar things. You havelike interests, like goals in life , like opinions on basic life issues.You have had like experiences in your background. Though there is sometruth to the idiom that opposites attract, like-minded folks farebetter together.Furthermore, does he want to get married? If you want to be marriedand your dreamboat isn't interested , don't waste your time.Remember, women fall in love and get married. Men decide to getmarried and then look for a wife. Note the difference in order. So if a guysays he's not looking for anything serious, take his words seriously.If he's not going in your direction, get off the bus and wait for theright one.2. Does this man want you? Is he pursuing you? The man who is rightfor you will pursue you, and God's hand in the relationship will beclear. No guessing, no fleeces, no dead ends.Scripture says: "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receivesfavor from the Lord" (Proverbs 18:22).Note -who finds whom? THE MAN FINDS THE WIFE. From the beginning oftime, God has transported men and women across the world in order to putthem together.At the RIGHT TIME, He will bring that man on the scene and he willfind you. In God's per fect design, the man is the one who recognizes hismate.Adam had no problem recognizing that Eve was his missing rib. You donot need to strategically place yourself anywhere. You don't have tohelp a guy out because he's shy!Men will do whatever they have to do to get what they truly want. Theman in your life should recognize you as the pearl of great price inhis life and be willing to do whatever he must in order to gain yourhand. If he is passive about gaining your affections, take it as a signthat he is not
interested.Many a woman's mother has suggested that it is a good idea to marry aman who loves you more than you love him. As cold as that sounds, itactually might be scriptural if you stop to think about it: "We lovehim because he first loved u s" (1 John 4:19). Until then, take theultimate chill pill .You don't need a bunch of men in your life to make you feel all rightabout yourself.You need only one man - your man, the one God has selected to selectyou.And trust me, the right man at the wrong time can be just as awful asthe wrong man at any time. So trust God's timing in this. He is theultimate matchmaker. Rela x, sit pretty and allow yourself to be found.Again - WAIT until the man voices his intentions. He should take thelead in establishing the relationship. You may have an inkling that heis the one, but God will use the man to set the tone of therelationship. Allow him the opportunity to woo you - this is your first act ofsubmission. Jesus set the standard for all men to follow. They shouldlove us first. And they should lead the relationship.3. The man in your life should not desire to move into your house,only into your heart . A man who prepares for your future has made hisintentions clear. A man who is husband material has the means to takecare of a wife. He is a responsible human being who understands he needsto have something to offer. In short, a man should have the means tobe a suitable lover for you.4. Check out his buddies. Everyone knows birds of the same featherflock together, yet most women fail to see the connection between a manand his friends. A man's pals tell you a lot about the person that youhaven't seen yet. They reveal things about the guy's character thatmight be hidden when he is on good behavior. Everyone knows how to puthis best foot forward. Don't stay focused on the foot, check out therest of the body!5. Check out his relationship with his mother. How does he treat her?This is your preview of how he will treat you. There are lots of menwho, because of a negative relationship with their mothers, reallydon't like women, yet say they do. Unresolved issues between mother andson continue between husband and
wife.6. Remember that a man's family reveals the cloth from which he's cut.Take note and decide whether you want your future with the man in your<> life to look like his present family situation.7. Check out the patterns of his life. Do you see repeated cycles ofdrama in his personal kingdom? Broken relationships? Problems in makingcommitments --including the job market? Mood swings? Is a problemalways someone else's fault? Does he embrace responsibility or shirk it?Does he keep his promises? Is he a man of good reputation? Rememberall garments look wonderful hanging in the store, but with wear, somebegin to unravel.Give yourself time and space to check out the man in your life. Timewill always reveal whether or not he is made of the right stuff.8. Does this man have a vision for his life? Is he running with that& nbsp;vision? Remember, God decided Adam needed help once Adam got busy DOING his assignment. As we saw Adam, a man doesn't need help until he isbusy doing what he was created and called to do. Is the man in yourlife guided by sense of destiny and purpose, or does he just allow lifeto happen around him? A man who is not certain of his mission can be amost miserable person - and you'll be miserable too if you don't knowwhere YOU want to go in life.A man who has vision is not intimidated by a woman whose missionstatement is clear. He will be your best ally, cheerleader and assistantbecause he wants you both to make it! A man who cannot be supportive ofyour achievements because he is floundering in a sea of uncertaintyover his own life is not a healthy partner to have and to hold forever.Creating dependencies or feelings of obligation is not the way to getthe best out of your man. Somewhere along the way, he will resent youand flee from the smothering burden of obligation he associates youwith. You want a man who is firmly anchored in his identity in Christ.Remember, we are looking for a man who will be priest and leader of hishome. His first instinct should be to want to cover you, redeem you,and provide for
you.Your job is to decide if this is the man God has ordained for you tocomplement.9. Complimentary. Do your talents and gifts complement his? Do hisgifts, compliment yours? What about your temperaments? Do you see the twoof you as an effective team capable of bringing blessing to the livesof those around you? Do your futures mesh? Can you coordinate yourgifts in an attractive and effective way?This is why knowing your purpose is so important. Make sure yourhearts beat for mutual causes. When I go shopping I always consider thefabric, the fit and what I already have in my closet. Will my nextpurchase be a complimentary addition to what I already have? If I find thatI am going to have to buy shoes and matching accessories to go with anew outfit, I leave it right on the rack. It is too expensive aproposition. If the man you meet makes you feel that you need to completelyreinvent yourself, something is wrong.This is where I ask you to consider the relationship in terms of cost.Is this relationship expens ive spiritually, emotional or physically?Does your longing for a mate make you willing to forfeit who you arein the process? Or does he see you as the gift that you are? The manin your life should consider you a rare find, a priceless jewel-becauseof you he is getting ready to get blessed big-time! Any relationshipthat causes you to feel unworthy, unlovely, unacceptable, undesirableor that you have to work for love, is too expensive!God has called the man to cover, protect and provide not onlymaterially for a woman, but emotionally and spiritually as well. You should bericher in mind, body and spirit for your union with the man of yourdreams. The man in your life should make rich deposi ts into your heartand spirit, not withdrawals.10. Does he have a healthy love and acceptance of himself? Make surethe man in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships andhas made peace with himself. How he cares for himself is how he willcare for you. A man's relationship with God is crucial here. His lovefor himself will only be as strong as his love for God. This is notsomething that you can impart. You cannot be his savior or
teacher.That is out of spiritual order. In his rightful place as your personalpriest, he should be leading you to a richer relationship with Christ.If he is causing you to compromise your faith and destabilize yourwalk, if he is leading you into sexual sin or causing you to bedistracted from your commitm ent to God, the relationship is too expensive.Offending the Lover of your soul, who promises you eternal love, is toohigh a fare to pay for a ride that has a limited run. If you and yourman can't soar in the Spirit, when the force of your love for another istested by the pull or gravity of the world, your union will not beable to survive.So you decide. How much is your life worth? How much is your loveworth?You will be able to accept only what you believe you deserve. Godhimself calculated the worth of your love and decided it was worth Hislife. He now pledges you His love for eternity. Yes, Jesus sets theexample for all others to follow when He paid a ransom for His bride.Should you expect less from a mortal man? Throughout the Biblical age, menwere willing to pay the cost for what they truly desir ed. The truth ofthe matter is everyone knows that anything worth having, costs and noone gets a ride in this life for free.Our prayer:Dear Heavenly Father God,I confess that I have not always been as careful as I should've beenwith my heart. From time to time, my desire for love has caused me toleave my heart in the wrong hands. I now commit my heart into Yourhands for safekeeping. Please help me to stop being so impulsive with whatyou deem so precious. As I learn to celebrate Your love for me, letme learn from Your example what a bridegroom should really be like.Help me to never settle for less than what you desire for me. As Iembrace You as the Lover of my soul, keep my affections in the haven of Yourown heart. As I rest in Your love, make me more discriminating of those who approach me.I ask that You take over this area of my life. Keep me from those Youknow would hurt my heart. I invite You to set a hedge around me andkeep me from all who would draw me into unfruitful relationships untilthe day you present me to the mate that You have selected for me. Grantme the discernment to recognize him as he recognizes me. Cleanse mefrom the temptation to typecast the men I meet according to what I
see.Help me to trust in Your knowledge and lean not on my own understanding. I know that You know what is best for me; therefore I yield toYour choice. In Jesus'Name. Amen.Ladies this is something you should definitely share with a friend,whether you are single or married... It is something to think about,When you ask is "He" the one!"the most exhausting thing in life is being insincere"Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. Proverbs 27: 6 Value the heartfelt criticism of a true friend."When wealth is lost, nothing is lost, when health is lost, something is lost, when character is lost, ALL is lost"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."Find a place to be quiet enough to hear what's inside you!!!