Sierra Chamblee's Star on Stand Up To Cancer

The Countdown

I don't know about any of you but I find that time seems to slip through my fingers faster and faster these days...maybe its become I am finally coming of age...age 30 that is. Or maybe its being a mom of two busy little girls (sorry, Leah, you'll always be little to me). Or maybe...

I am sure I could come up with a million and two "or maybe" excuses if given the opportunity but instead I'll just reflect on the last few years.

I always love how God does His thing and you think you have it all figured out. I also find the numerous differences in my plans and God's a little funny. Yet, His plan is always better. And He even makes up for my mistakes, my messes, and my nothing-to-be-proud-of actions.

So come on, follow me down memory lane...

It all started in the early 90's, my family made the BIG move...from comfy, rat race New York City to dull Albuquerque. I remember moving into our first house...WOW...it was SO cool to have space.

Okay, this is not what this trip is about.

Fast forward to high school, 13 years old, 9th grade, auto shop. Mr. Cerventas (lol...I think) was our teacher. Little did I know I was meeting the man I was going to marry.***This is your warning, young ladies, the guy sitting next to you now might end up being your husband!***John and I had auto shop together. Boy, was he a cutie! I believe at the time I said he was "fine"...lol Anyhow, we "dated" as much as a 13 and 15 year old date. Time passed as well as those goofy giggles he brought out of me. And we parted ways for reasons that are more obvious to me now than at the time...we were 13 and 15! DUH!

Army assignments, marriages, a beautiful blonde little girl, failed marriages, loads of heartache, a rough trip home, lots of late nights at school, too much homework, graduation, then more homework...and where do I end up? Back in 9th grade!

As grown ups, our first date was dinner & lots of catching up. I'm not sure if either one of us knew we were on a "date" or maybe we just were not willing to admit it. Needless to say, things were pretty good but the timing was all off. So here we parted...again. Also for reasons obvious to me now, timing is everything and sometimes we need to deal with ourselves before we can deal with anyone else. Ya know?

Well, the third time is a charm. In one month, I get to marry the man of my dreams! How exciting is that?!?

The Soon-to-be Mrs. John Gerber

P-R-O-V-I-D-E-D

So I was reading the Book of Jonah this morning...we all know the story of the man in the whale for three days and nights. But this particular morning a specific word POPPED off the page and smacked me in the face...lol

But the Lord PROVIDED a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17 (NIV)

The previous scripture sets up the scene. Jonah, not wanting to go to Nineveh, gets on a ship in the opposite direction, a violent storm hits, the sea is crashing and thrashing this poor ship around...the other people on the boat don't want to toss Jonah overboard as Jonah told them to do...I mean, come on, there is not much hope for Jonah if he is thrown overboard. Finally, they bite the bullet and throw Jonah overboard THEN THE LORD PROVIDES!

Not an inkling of any rescue plan for Jonah until the sailors did their part. Then the Lord sends a FISH...a fish...this is good, how?!? Again, God provides! But not before Jonah humbles himself and call on the name of the Lord. The Lord makes the fish vomit Jonah out on dry land...yum, who can say that they have been vomited out of a fish?

See, God does take the ugly, gross messes we get ourselves into and make them beautiful.

Jonah finally gets to Nineveh to do what God has called him to do. The Ninevites turn from their evil ways. God is compassionate toward them then Jonah gets ANGRY WITH GOD! What?!? Did I miss something? Jonah is angry because God had compassion for the Ninevites...didn't God just have compassion for Jonah? Jonah could not comprehend the extent of God's mercy.

Lessons Learned:
1) Do my part...then God will provide.
2) It is very easy for me to point the finger at someone and express my opinon of what the proper punishment is for them but I always want God to be merciful when discipling me.
3) I don't deserve the amount of mercy and compassion that God has given me...pretty much all of it.

So, go ahead...Take the leap, the climb, the jump, the too-crazy-to-even-say-out-loud step that God has been calling you (me) to take and see what HE PROVIDES!

Much love -

Niki

P.S. Isn't good to know you can come back?

Mary Kay Summer 2010 Look Book - eCatalog!

Hello ladies...

We all know Mary Kay is always coming out with great new products to keep with the times and this summer is no different!

We have some exciting new products for you and all your body care needs...from head-to-toe!

Check out the Summer Look Book - eCatalog style!

MaryKay

Taken Away by Summer Fun

I don't know about you but we have been having a BLAST this summer...and that means very little time here at my trusty little desk at my moody computer...lol

So here is a visual recap...in reverse order

What a day in paradise! Galloping Grace Youth Ranch ROCKS!!! Check it www.ggyr.org


Loving a little baby pool...


Playing at my friend's house...love me some Gavin!


Mechanics do wear leopard print...you are seeing it with your own eyes!


SUMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Play Date!

 

Last Full Day of Fourth Grade

Tomorrow is going to be Leah's last full day of fourth grade. Where has the time gone? I was looking back at pictures, that I promise I took yesterday, and thought how did she grow up so fast. Makes me sad...before I know it all the precious time I have left to help her grow into the woman God intends her to be will be gone. It definitely makes me reevaluate how I spend the time and what is most important to impress upon her life.

Sleep well world...

Niki

Cinderella, Cinderella!

I am sure Leah is feeling like Cinderella since she has been introduced to "real' chores.

There comes a point where your kids get to REALLY participate in taking care of the house...here is proof

Never Know...

I was contemplating 9/11 this morning. What sparked the thought? I honestly don't know but I can tell you the resounding thought that God left on my heart...

Despite our disappointment when things don't go as "we" plan, you NEVER KNOW what God is saving you from.

I once read a poem...more like a story...about people who were not in the Towers on a morning they should have been. And how it saved their lives.

The temper tantrum your toddler (or teenager!) threw,
the coffee that was spilled on your white shirt,
the lost car keys...again,
the doughnut run you had to make,
the flat tire,
the traffic,
the "one more kiss Mommy, ppplllleeeaaassseee!" that you gave into...

These are just a few of the everyday interruptions that may save your life...or already has.

Live Out Loud -

Niki

Lewis & Clark, Clark & Lewis

 
The fourth graders at Leah's school did an ADORABLE play tonight! Leah was cast as Julie and did a marvelous job!!! I remember when she was in preschool at her ballet recital and just SAT THERE...no dancing, just staring at everyone. Boy, oh, boy, she certainly has changed. I would never have described her as a timid girl but she had a big case of stage scardies!!! Not anymore, she is my shining star! I love you sweet girl...probably much more than you'll ever know.

Goodnight...

N

Run for the Zoo!

 

Here are the girls enjoying some quality time together...

Are they not the most beautiful girls in the world?!?

Much love - N

Sleeping Leah

 

Baby Blue Flashback...

 

Field Trip to the Zoo

Today we had a great trip to the zoo with Leah's class. Here are some pictures of the kids...


Oops, thats the hippos!


...and now the monkeys! Where are those girls?


Oh, here they are!


We couldn't forget Leah's favorite animal as a toddler...the flamingo!

More to pictures to come later this week!

Love and Prayers to everyone -
Niki

Crocodile Tears

House Hunting???

If you or someone you know is looking for a great starter home...

Check us out!!! Our home officially went up for sale today. Please say a prayer for us as God guides us on this new adventure and to a new home base!

Thank you!

Love -

JNLA

Here are a few pictures. More to come!

Love at first sight...my beautiful girls!

Some Flashbacks...

Happy Easter!

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."
- John 11:25-26

We hope everyone has had a blessed Easter weekend! We definitely did!

This past week was a busy one! We had some friends visiting from New York - Andrea, Diane, and Sarah. Sarah is about Leah's age so we did LOTS of kid-oriented activities. Horseback riding, swimming, Build-a-Bear, and the zoo - just to name a few.

We also went to Acoma Pueblo on Saturday...it was a beautiful day and an amazing view!

7 months...

I know its been awhile so here's the latest -

Leah is doing great...she is such a wonderful kid, daughter, sister, granddaughter, etc. She is trying out for one of the leading roles in her class play in May. So we are starting to work away for auditions in 2 weeks. She is doing great in school!

Alex is 7 months tomorrow...my oh my, my girls are growing fast. She loves to crawl, has not mastered sitting up for long but LOVES to pull herself up to standing. But the little missy sits down whenever the camera appears...even if its my cell phone camera! lol

John is great...working, working, working. I'm good too! Busy bees!

Thanksgiving Day 2009



December 2009






Christmas 2009