Happy 21st Birthday Dilly!

On February 15th my stepson Dillon turned 21. I'm so proud of him and need to share something that I've always found so amazing about Dillon. He has so many special qualities. One of the main things that I admire and hope to one day conquer in my life..is his incredible fearlessness. Dillon never lets an obstacle stand in his way...if he wants to achieve something, he goes after it!

When Dillon was younger he played sports- football, baseball, basketball and he wrestled. He was relentless. He would do whatever it took to get better. What I didn't realize was that intensity was applied to every area, goal and dream in his life. We had never considered Dillon a musical kid. But he had plans that we weren't aware of and when Dillon puts his mind to something there is no stopping him until he achieves his goal. In a short period of time he taught himself to play the guitar and practiced singing. He took singing lessons at church and worked and worked until he was good enough to lead worship for the church youth group and eventually the main Saturday night service.

He has wanted to be a Pastor ever since he graduated high school and now after faithfully serving the youth groups at church, he was just officially given the position as assistant Jr. High Pastor/Pastor in training.

He is an incredible example of faithfulness and perseverance. Dillon never lets an obstacle get in the way of the calling he has on his life. I know that the Lord will continue to use and lead him into new and exciting chapters in his life. I am so proud of the man he's become and to be given the opportunity to be his step-mom.

I love you Dillon...Happy 21st Birthday!!

So Proud

Thursday my stepson Dillon graduated from Edison High School with Honors. I was so proud of him & all of his accomplishments. He will attend a Jr. College & then transfer to a Christian University...he wants to become a Pastor.

Congrats Dillon!

5 of our 6 kids (Jullien is still in NY but will be back for Tasha's wedding on July 16th for 2 1/2 weeks WOOHOO!)


My hubby & his kids







So we have four kids graduated & two left (they will be a Junior & Sophomore). Can't believe we are almost done...well I guess when you're a parent you're NEVER done!

A Big Step on Easter

My husband received a message from the Pastor of our church last week and said, "I wonder what John wants." I thought he was going to ask him something important because he doesn't call us that often. I just told him, "I don't know, just call him back and see."

He goes downstairs to call and a few minutes later opens the door to our room where I'm happily updating my Blog...his eyes are like saucers, "He wants me to share my life story/testimony on Easter. I don't know if I can do that. I'm not the type of person that can talk in front of people."
I told him, "Well, obviously they think you are the perfect person to talk on Easter Sunday. They would never have asked you if they didn't feel that your story would make a huge impact on someone. You have to do it!" He said, "I'll think about it." I knew he would end up saying yes, so I said, "Just pray about it."

Well guess what...he's going to do it. He's really nervous about it and has been working on it for a couple of weeks now. His story is amazing and I'm not just saying that because I'm his wife. If I had actually met him back when he was so wild, I don't know if we would be married right now. I will post his story on my Blog after the service. I don't want to spoil it for some of my friends who will be going to our church and who may read my Blog.

Please say a prayer for him that he will not be nervous and that the Lord will use him to touch someone's life.

The Little Drummer Boy

Preparing for the holiday season can be overwhelming. Please stop and take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this amazing day.

Pondering the words of my favorite Christmas song, I realized how each one of us has a "drum" to play:

The Little Drummer Boy
Composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati & Harry Simeone in 1958.

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

We often feel as though we haven't any gifts to give our Savior. Struggling through our everyday lives to live in a way that would honor him. We are often poor, broken, and hurting, without anything fit for our King. The Lord asks us to, come as we are.

He has bestowed upon us gifts and talents. He only asks us to use them to be a blessing to others. Prayer warrior, comforter, musician, motivator, encourager, writer, pastor...we each have a "drum." Step forward and use it to honor him.

This Christmas and throughout the year, remember to play your "drum" for him. Play your best for him, as he smiles down upon us with unselfish love and forgiveness.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16

Watch part of The Little Drummer Video

Faith Hill's Version of Little Drummer Boy

David Bowie & Bing Crosby's Version of Little Drummer Boy

Which Version do you like?

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Taking The Step

I finally decided on Sunday to take my first little baby steps, took a few deep breathes, put the pen to the paper, stopped, thought about it again, then I did it! After I wrote it down I turned to my husband and held it up for him to read. He smiled, held his hand up to give me a high five, luckily they were singing so it didn't look too weird. I was still a little leery about what I had just done...but his reaction made me feel better.

It all started after I went to an art showing for one of the investors at my work. He is also friends with the owner's so he comes in quite a bit. He has been doing photography for a while (he is retired, has tons of money and time.) Every time he comes in I pick his brain...I don't have the money or time to take a class so I just bug anybody who has any knowledge!LOL!

He had his photography pictures on display at an art show and me and my boss Marsha went to check it out. It was amazing the way he "painted" the pictures to look like a real painting. I just walked around and got tons of ideas. We talked to him and he said most of the pictures that everyone liked were the one's that he just "winged" it. He said he had no idea what he was doing...he just did it! This really inspired me...I never have any idea what I'm doing either!LOL!

Every Sunday in the announcements they keep asking for photographers, and videographers to volunteer because they need help. Every week I think, "I could do that, I have a pretty good eye, a good camera and I love doing it." Then that old familiar voice, "What are you talking about? You don't know what you're doing...you never took any classes...you'll mess up on something really important and look like an idiot...you can't do that!" That is basically the conversation that goes on in my head, not only in regards to photography, but writing too. The end result is always the same...I do NOTHING!

After the art showing and reading that Ansel Adams never took a photography class...I was truly inspired...I did it!! I wrote my name on that card and put, "I am interested in volunteering as a photographer." Then after church as we were leaving, the Pastor stopped to talk to us and I told him, "If you still need help with photographer's, I can do it." Then I began to explain that I didn't have any training...blah blah blah...went through the whole knocking myself down thing! Why do I do that?! Well we'll see if they actually call, the important thing was I took the first steps to pursue an interest. Next I'll just have to retrain my mouth to stop blabbing about how inadequate and untrained I am!

But back to the positive...I TOOK THE STEP!!WooHoo!!