Lane D. Moore

one thousand gifts.

2011-09-07T23:34:00.001-04:00

39. a board of 1,000 + thanksgivings
40. unrelenting love.
41. my dad sneaking chocolate syrup onto Julia's spoon.

the heart of my husband.

2011-08-29T23:39:00.003-04:00

Been meaning to post this for my family......this is the hubs filling in for the pastor, Ben, at Arrowhead Church. Not that i am biased or anything....but I always love to hear my husband's heart. This might be one of my favorites.

You can listen to the message here.

one thousand gifts

2011-08-24T12:35:00.003-04:00

Oh this poor little blog has been so abandoned...but I have lots of new things to share.....for today: I have some more gifts:

33. Fall trying to creep its way into the air.
34. julia's sweet chatterings that fill the house.
35. new friends
36. the face of surprise from an 80 year old matriarch
37. the morning kiss
38. the contagious excitement from a 2 year old unveiling her gifts on a birthday. (how I long for that kind of exciting laughter)

my life is so rich.

What we've been up to....

2011-07-19T13:40:00.003-04:00

quick run through:
1.dressed up as cows to get us some free chick-fil-a...even brett participated in our cow event
2.went to the beach...loved it...jules loved it too!
3.got addicted to pinterest...they should really call it "crackerest"
4.been working out like a mad woman trying to get ready for my body attack training this weekend...pretty sure i'm going to die.
5.got an iPad....saved up my tutoring money this summer and finally bought it....oh and loving it!
6.quickly shaving things off of my summer list as well! been to Samaritan's house, storytime, and did a puppet show for our sweet girl.
oh and sweet baby girl has to get tubes in a few weeks...we've looked into alternative methods and really prayed through this....we really feel like this is going to help our sweet girl feel better

one thousand gifts

2011-07-14T10:10:00.001-04:00

29. Joy.
30. perseverance when giving up seems easier.
31. the Iris flower grown for teacher giving
32. second chances.

You can learn more about my 1,000 gifts here.

Summer Wish List 2011

2011-07-03T13:44:00.002-04:00

So my friend Delecta over at The Rollins Family created a summer wish list....and well...I think it's a terrific idea! I know we are knee-deep into summer but I figure we've still got a good two months left......so here's to the rest of summer!

watch a shooting star
do a puppet show with brett for Julia
take books to children's hospital
take donations to Samaritans house
go to storytime at the library
write letters to /visit a friend
do Julia's thumbprint for Necklace
bake homemade bread on a rainy afternoon
go to Panther creek and have a picnic
dance with brett in the rain
take cookies to a firestation
get Mama June to teach me how to can strawberry jam
nature hike
continue memorizing the book of Colossians
complete BodyAttack Training without dying
finish reading Grace Based parenting and Babywise 2

Decor tips from fellow bloggers

2011-06-18T09:38:00.003-04:00

So I can definitely have my creative moments.....it's finding the time to have them that's the problem...the move to TN has been all consuming.....but in the mean time I love getting inspirational ideas! Dreamy Whites, Jones Design Company, and humble Pie are some of my favorite decorating sites to check out. But you must check out what Laniebeth did over at her blog ...I absolutely loved these curtains! Who would have thought to paint them?! I love, love, love easy and cheap decorating tips......love them!

BodyAttack

2011-06-15T10:53:00.002-04:00

we all know that I can't sit still very long.....so here's my latest shananigan:

the gym I've started working out at has all of my favorite Les Mills Classes: Body Combat, Body Pump, RPM....but they didn't have Body Attack (which is my favorite and to me the best cardio workout of all of them!) So I asked the aerobic coordinator if they had ever considered adding it...and to my surprise she said they wanted to try and launch it this Fall and if it went well they would add it to their weekly schedule......so after a small conversation...I am now signed up to get my Body Attack instructor certification...July 23-24. I've heard it's the most intense training of all of them.....and each day of the training is from 8-5! That's 9 hours of constantly moving my muscles! I think this would be a perfect little side job and would keep me in shape....just hoping I will have the endurance needed to lead a class! We shall see! Here's to sore muscles!

dreaming of the farm life.....and some other goods.....

2011-06-15T09:53:00.005-04:00

Still reading through "one thousand gifts" by Ann Voskamp. (and side note: I am becoming so intrigued with her and her simple way of life....every time I read her book or check her blog each morning...more and more I want that simple life....a farm, the country, 6 kids (not sure how simple that would be), the small church with wooden pews, homeschooling my children....I told brett the other day that reading about her life makes me want the farm life.....he laughed....then I laughed...the thought of the two of us trying to live the farm life...ha!...I think maybe I'll just continue to live vicariously through Ann:) Anways, I am really taking my time on this book.....I keep rereading chapters simply bc I don't want to pass over all the goods too quickly! Here are just a few things I read this morning that I loved!

"And now this--that faith is not a once-in-the-past action, but faith is always a way of seeing, a seeking for God in everything. And if the eyes gaze long enough to see God lifted in a thing, how can the lips not offer eucharisteo? The truly saved have eyes of faith and lips of thanks. Faith is in the gaze of a soul."

"Always ingratitude makes the poison course. The cure against thanklessness's bite? The remedy is in the retina. How we behold determines if we hold joy. Behold glory and be held by God. How we look determines how we live.....if we live."

here are a few pics from her blog that I loved!

One Thousand Gifts

2011-06-15T09:45:00.002-04:00

25. Tennessee sunsets....truly like no other
26. homemade buttermilk biscuits and blackberry scones
27. birthday surprises for Brett
28. moving help

You can learn more about my 1,000 gifts here.

Julia: pools, squash, and snuggles.

2011-06-14T22:19:00.005-04:00

I knew this girl would love the water....she went crazy! Loved every second of it in her itsy bitsy tini wini yellow polka dot bikini! Oh and sweet baby loves to eat squash! She just started eating veggies last Thurs. Her first attempt was hilarious....if I can get the video to upload, I will def. post....baby girl had us all rolling!

She is such a fun and happy baby....some of my favorite things about her right now:
-she sleeps from 9-7:30!! from 7:30-8 we have snuggle time....I absolutely love it. It's almost like our sweet way of saying, "Ok, I love you so much....so let's get this day started together...the right way!)
-love the way she kicks when she gets in the water
-when I take her to the church nursery...I love how she loves on the nursery workers...it's so sweet to watch your child love other people:)
-I love how she gets squash all over her face!
-love it when brett comes home from work and they "wrestle" until it's bed time.

it's going to be a great summer my friends:)

Birthday celebration!

2011-06-14T17:22:00.004-04:00

We celebrated B.'s 28th last Thursday night. Simple but fun celebration......J. and I (well...mainly me) made "happy birthday daddy" tshirts and decorated with balloons and all things pink (just to remind him that he is indeed in a family where the majority is girls!) and he woke up to birthday pancakes! Got him a new audio book "Soul Print" by Mark Batterson...thought he would like it since he is traveling so much right now.

it was a fun celebration! J. loves her daddy!

ode to Lyman Hall and ....new things

2011-05-25T21:15:00.003-04:00

this is probably the longest post i've ever written....i'm not all about the long stuff bc normally i don't read past paragraph two on someone else's blog...unless it really grabs my attention....but this one is more for me:)

Emotions this week are running high......i am closing a sweet, sweet chapter in my life. I am thrilled to stay at home with my sweet Julia, but there are going to be some things I miss. I have taught at Lyman Hall Elementary since 2007, and the students and teachers there have so shaped my life.....most definitely for the good. Every student I taught at that school either immigrated from a central American country or they were children of immigrants. Some people questioned why any of us would want to teach there... to those people I would say....it was one of the greatest blessings of my life. I feel as though I am one of the "lucky ones."

Last week was the last day of school but we are back for post planning....here are just some of my thoughts that have been rambling around in my heart the past few days.

I turned off the light today as I left my classroom. I took a moment to myself and just stood in complete silence. I looked at my empty classroom, closed my eyes, and dared myself to picture the beauty that had taken place the past 4 years. Though my teaching career is never over....my time is finished at this sweet place of learning. My first glance went straight to my favorite spot..my classroom library ...the place that is now all packed up....empty. I remembered getting up early on crisp, cool Saturday mornings hunting.... searching ......filtering through yard sales for books, books, and more books so that my students would have a sea of literature to choose from. I pictured students one by one thumbing through each box of books trying to find the one they would get lost in....looking for that one book that would take them somewhere beyond the present....looking for heros, looking for people to believe in, looking for love.

Then I looked at my rug....the rug where we gathered everyday to talk, learn from each other, read about slaves, read about far away countries, wars in Africa, wars in Afghanistan, read about people that God created a bit differently than us......we gathered on that carpet to talk to one another....we gathered and they allowed me to teach them....they allowed me to show them how to write and read and do math. They told me stories of their own lives....they raised their hands.....they probably chatted a little too much.....they listened to me.....to me.

I looked at my small group meeting table....I thought about all the endless conversations I had with students at that table. They shared their lives with me. They told me about journeys across deserts, about quincieras they hoped for, about why they came here..... they told me about poverty....they taught me about poverty.

Then I think beyond my classroom: the passionate teachers that taught me how to teach...they taught me how to teach with passion....they taught me to never waste a minute of a child's life. I will so miss going into the cinder block office ....oh and that rocking chair. The rocking chair that has heard more about education than it's little wooden body had ever hoped for...the rocking chair that rocked me as I shared my frustrations about any and everything education...the Rocking Chair of Therapy I shall name it:)

There are so many things I do not know....but here is what I do know: I know I will go back into the classroom again one day.....I know that for a while...Julia Moore will be my classroom. I know in my heart that I will always be a teacher ....it is truly what I was born to do....from the minute I started doing it I knew I was doing exactly what God had created me to do...but I also know that from the minute I laid eyes on that precious child God gave me I knew I was doing what I was born to do...that I was doing what He created me to do...so I am saying good bye to Lyman Hall....and saying hello to a new place....it just looks a bit differently....

one thousand gifts...

2011-05-22T21:41:00.002-04:00

21. that she has just discovered her tongue and that she can stick it out.
22. strawberry festivals on May Saturdays.
23. late night conversations.
24. a classroom where I have loved and taught with my heart.

you can learn more about my 1,000 gifts here.

Changes await....

2011-05-08T19:14:00.005-04:00

Changes in the Moore Family await:

1. We are moving to Knoxville, TN
2. I will be staying home with our sweet little girl. (another post on that later)
3. B. has a new job that he has already begun.

only 3 changes....but they are big ones! We are excited and ready for them! Moving date is TBA...but probably sometime early June:)

let the madness begin!

Mother's Day.

2011-05-07T15:45:00.003-04:00

Read this today at Ann VosKamp's website. Such great parenting advice.
Notes to self as I parent today, 3 lines that have radically changed my parenting– what I call Poetic Parenting:

1. Heart Connect… only then Direct.

Instruction can only thrive in the soil of authentic relationship. Before offering instruction, consider how to touch the child gently. Think on how to frame all instructions in the context of a loving, affirming relationship.

If instruction bears tensions then check out the soil: perhaps the relationship needs fertilizing. If the relationship has been well cultivated and nourished, and instruction still yields resistance, perhaps offering more opportunities to practice receiving and implementing instruction may nourish the young shoot towards a joyful attitude.

Questions to self: Am I making eye contact? Am I touching? Have I nourished this relationship? Am I connecting before directing?

2. Love, what did I say?……
And will you obey?

Asking the child what was said allows the child to offer feedback to ensure they did indeed hear the instructions.

Then, does the child intend to do what was asked?

3. By what is inspected,
They’ll know what is expected

Our children need to hear it as much as the faithful servant needed to hear it: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Questions to Self: Am I bringing closure to an instruction by joining with a child to inspect the task? Am I being faithful to finishing that which I began: I gave the instruction, did I inspect?

And thus a few lines for self to recite, that radically change everything about parenting:

1. Heart Connect … only then Direct

2. Love, what did I say?
And will you obey?

3. By what is inspected
They’ll know what is expected.

I also printed off the 10+ Real Helps for Really Busy Mom and 10 Grace Prayers for Joyful parenting....I was so proud to print these off as I get ready to enjoy my first ever Mother's Day. I feel so special to be a part of this holiday and at the same time so humbled that God would allow and entrust me with the gift of motherhood.

Best thing I read today...

2011-05-02T21:57:00.001-04:00

"I don't write because I know the answers, I write to discover them. '

stumbled upon this little nugget of wisdom here

Lately :)

2011-05-01T17:54:00.004-04:00

one thousand gifts

2011-05-01T16:36:00.005-04:00

16. apple crisp filling the house
17. mindless tasks
18. shy smiles
19. putting our feet in cold water creeks
20. piano music that reminds me I do indeed have bits and pieces of my grandmother woven into my soul

you can learn more about my own personal journey with a 1,000 gifts here.

the Royal Wedding!

2011-05-01T16:22:00.003-04:00

I watched all of the Royal Wedding Coverage this past week and loved every second of the actual wedding. My husband asked me why I was so "into it"....I think maybe bc what little girl doesn't dream of becoming a princess? I know I sure did! I know I must have watched Snow White, Cinderella, and the Little Mermaid at least 100x each! (maybe not that much...but it was a lot!). Now I know that this isn't an actual fairy tale, but still...to have an opportunity to watch someone become a princess...of course I'm going to watch! loved it!

for the gluten-free

2011-04-30T19:11:00.002-04:00

I have always enjoyed reading the blog Humble Pie simply bc she loves the Lord, loves her children, and loves to decorate! She has a new blog now that is dedicated to posting recipes that are made for a gluten free diet. I don't deal with this issue but I know a lot of people that do. Anyways, it's definitely worth checking out:
keep it simple, keep it fresh

Favorite Baby Products

2011-04-23T19:38:00.002-04:00

I've had a lot of people ask me what some of my favorite baby products....I haven't been able to use lots of the stuff we got simply bc Julia is only 4 months old...but so far here are my top 3 faves:

1. Safety First Paci Thermometer (so stinkin' genius and only $8 on amazon)
2. The Baby Pro Bottle Warmer and Bottle Sterilizer (people...the bottle warmer is simply amazing...seriously, it's so easy to use and after a few presses of a button...you have an instant warm bottle!...a bonus...I found the sterilizer on sale for 75% at target, so I only paid $10 for it!)
3. my baby jogger city mini stroller...it's super easy to use and I love how quick I can pop her in and out of it!
4. My moby wrap.....this totally calms her down when nothing else will! she loves for me to walk her around all wrapped up!

Family Photo Shoot

2011-04-22T16:33:00.002-04:00

We had a family photo shoot last Saturday....and folks..they turned out simply...A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Jennifer Kemp took them and she so captured the fun, precious qualities of our sweet Julia and the funny, quirkiness of our crazy family! And an added bonus: she has three little ones, so she is awesome with children and babies! I'll post some pics soon...but in the mean time, you should go over and check out her website

one thousand gifts

2011-04-17T21:51:00.003-04:00

13. Children with roses to welcome me back.
14. Rosy cheeks on windy days.
15. Easter dresses:)

You can learn more about my one thousand gifts here.

Happiness

2011-04-17T21:45:00.003-04:00

My Happiness:

This picture and Chris Rice's version of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

this life is so rich.

One Thousand Gifts

2011-04-14T22:01:00.003-04:00

So I'm a little late on my one thousand gifts post this week....here are a few I wrote down:

11. calling my mom "momma"
12. 2 faithful friends in the waiting room with a Diet Cherry Limeade

These are just two of the thousand. You can learn more about my one thousand gifts here.

ADVOCARE

2011-04-07T22:58:00.004-04:00

So in my efforts to stay at home with my sweet J. next year, I have started a business that is allowing me to do that next year! It's called Advocare. Basically, if you need more energy (which...of course all moms do!), want to drop lbs, or even have a boost to your daily workout...then these products really are for you! I've only been doing this a few weeks and already income has been such a blessing! There are so many great pro-athletes and Olympians taking and endorsing Advocare: Drew Brees, Michael W. Smith, Kutless, Carli Lloyd, and many others!

ok Here's my Advocare story:

My first year of college I studied overseas in Argentina...and well I ate and ate and ate and gained tons of weight. At my highest weight, I weighed 180 and wore a size 14. My aunt introduced Advocare to me. I started it and a year later I had lost a total of 50 lbs. and gone from a 14 to a 4! I had never ever been that in shape or fit into a size 4!! One day I'll post a pic.

Anyways...Im going to start posting some of my favorite products and tell you what they do. If you are ever interested in product, email or give me a call! 770.876.5696 ldmoore83@gmail.com

My most favorite product is the MNS E: Metabolic Nutrition System Energy
This is one of three MNS systems. I chose this one because of my lack of energy. It is a package of daily vitamins. It really boosted my metabolism to help me lose and maintain all of my weight. It also gave me all of my daily nutrition I needed to give me that energetic boost! It is a proprietary blend of nutrients designed to help "rev up" your metabolism*, Provides sustained energy*, Supports the body's ability to burn more calories*

Brett and I absolutely love this product and we both agree it is definitely our favorite!

One Thousand Gifts....

2011-04-04T12:17:00.002-04:00

One Thousand Gifts in my life:

7. prayer time with my husband at the end of a long day.
8. the vision of taking something old and making it new
9. Julia's soft baby cheeks
10. How her coos almost sound like the word "Hey"

here's the start of my one thousand challenge

one thousand gifts

2011-03-28T10:55:00.008-04:00

I mentioned earlier that I'm reading through "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. I'm in chapter 3 now and I have decided to take on a challenge that Ann herself takes on......making a list of one thousand gifts. Ann says, " i scratch it down; Gift List. I begin the list. Not of gifts I want but of gifts I already have."
Another sweet friend is doing the same thing and well...I think each Monday for the next how ever long it takes to get to 1,000 gifts, I will make my own list......right here on this silly little blog that I half-heartedly keep up...hopefully each Monday I will be able to conjure up a pile of gifts.....if even just one.....my expectations from it: healing, thankfulness, gratitude....so here's to 1,000 gifts:

"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."-Psalm 50:23

1. the deep greens on the grass after a hard rain
2. the soft sound of her coos early this morning
3. the printed Word of a Psalm
4. a venti, nonfat cinnamon dulce with whip
5. sore muscles from a good run
6. Brett's laughter at her funny faces

Random thoughts and life

2011-03-24T22:33:00.005-04:00

I listened to a message by Andy Stanley last week and oh how it has changed my perspective....to sum it up: Joseph (not the one married to Mary), but you know...the one that could interpret dreams, was sold to the Egyptians, was mistaken for rape, thrown in prison...that one. I loved it when Andy reminded us that God was silent to Joseph for many, many years but that God was with him. And even as I read through the story this past week, I too was reminded that even in the midst of His silence and my own confusion and sadness of life....that He is with me....with my family.

I'm also reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp....two sweet friends recommended it and I'll be honest, the timing of me reading this book couldn't have been more perfect....I'm only in the second chapter....but oh my goodness how it has blessed me. I have to share a few of the most beautiful, meaningful lines:

That's what I was struggling out of nightmares to reach, to seize. Joy. But where can I seize this holy grail of joy? I look back down to the page. Was this the clue to the quest of all most important? Deep "chara" joy is found only at the table of the "euCHARisteo"--the table of thanksgiving. I sit there long....wondering...is it that simple? Is the height of my "chara" joy dependent on the depths of my "eucharisteo" thanks? So then as long as thanks is possible...I think this through. As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible. "Joy is always possible. Whenever," meaning-now; wherever, meaning-here. The holy grail of joy is not in some exotic location or some emotional mountain peak experience. The joy wonder could be here! Here, in the messy, piercing ache of now, joy might be--unbelievably-possible! I whisper it out loud, let the tongue feel these sounds, the ear hear their truth. "Charis. Grace. Eucharistea. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy." A triplet of stars, a constellation in the black. A threefold cord that might hold a life? Offer a way up into the fullest life? Grace, thanksgiving, joy. Eucharisteo. A Greek word....that might make meaning of everything?

Why I like this book? I think because I appreciate the beautiful language, the honesty, that it appears as though she wrote the book out of pure thought....and that she says things like " A triplet of stars" and "the holy grail of joy." Definitely enjoying it.

oh and here are a few pics of our sweet Julia

some of my favorites from life the past month

2011-03-06T22:31:00.001-05:00

my blessings

2011-02-16T17:07:00.003-05:00

I am blessed beyond measure this week. Here are the things I am blessed by:

1. My relationship with a gracious God.
2. That His ways are higher and greater than my ways will ever be.
3. My amazing husband who loves his family and his Lord in a way that keeps me humble.
4. My daughter....who literally lights up the room with her precious smile and beautiful ocean-blue eyes.
5. That God has not abandoned me.....that He is very present and real.

Learning His love

2011-01-17T12:49:00.002-05:00

Read this today, "I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest person in the kingdom if heaven is the one who makes himself humble as a child."-Matthew 18: 2-4

Then I read this in my devotional book by Mary E. DeMuth this morning, " I realized afresh that parenting was not so much me imparting deep spiritual truth into the hearts of my children, but quite the opposite: My children are God's way of growing me up, of teaching me more about him."

Already through the snuggly way Julia wraps her arms around me and rests her head on my chest....through her sweet baby cry....have I better understood the parental side of our Heavenly Father. His love for us truly runs so, so deep. I can't even imagine loving anything more than I love our sweet girl...and yet somehow i know that He does love her in a way that even I cannot comprehend.

People keep asking me, "how are you doing?" yes, i am losing hours of sleep....but my response to that question is, "I would give up a couple of hours of sleep over and over again to discover and understand this sweet love from our Creator."

Jule's first Bible Study

2011-01-11T20:51:00.004-05:00

This is our first Bible Study with "Jules" (dad's nickname for her) as a family:) B. is explaining the verse that is hung in her room (that our sweet friend Jennifer painted!...it's so sweet...i'll post a pic soon).

Julia's first Snow Day!

2011-01-11T19:13:00.004-05:00

So yeah...we've had just a little bit of snow...acutally more than i've seen since the blizzard in '93. So we had a snow outfit for Julia...and well...like many newborn things...it was a little too big. Daddy had a little too much fun with this:) Had to get this on video. I think she looks like a carebear...so cute and cuddly:)

Our little girl's birthday

2011-01-10T15:35:00.007-05:00

Our little girl, Julia Lane, has come into our lives and forever changed us. It's been an amazing journey so far. I can honestly say that my love for her is like nothing I have ever experienced and I can also say that my husband is by far the most patient and encouraging man in the world and I love him so much more than I ever thought I could. Not going to tell all the nasty details...but will share just a little bit of the story that brought our sweet girl into our lives:

I opted for an induction because my Dr. said I was a prime candidate...so we got up early Thursday morning (5AM to be exact) on December 30th to head to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. They started me on pitocin...I dialated to 3 cm by 1...our amazing midwife Tiffany told me to get an epidural bc she thought it would relax my muscles and help speed things up...and boy was she right! My aunt is a nurse and stayed with Brett and I the entire time...she was so much fun to have with us. She read me magazines and made me laugh so much throughout the day:) Epidural kicked in and I was ready to push at 7pm...did I mention that our friend Missy is a doula and works at the hospital and stayed with us the entire time! She was incredible too...actually every single nurse and person that helped us throughout the day was amazing! We started pushing at 7.....and then we pushed...and pushed...and pushed...AND PUSHED!!! I had a few small moments where I really wasn't sure if that girl was coming out...but at 10:07pm she decided to grace us with her presence..weighing in at 8.6 LBS and 21 inches long! Sweet baby Girl was much bigger than any of us thought she would be! and she about broke my talebone on the way out! I've become best friends with donut over the past week and 1/2. It was such an amazing day! All of our family was there and some of my friends at school even came and waited it out! Debbie and Katie even brought me a cherry limeade from Sonic (I had been craving one all day long!) Everything else has gone really well! She is precious...and I can't believe God has entrusted us with this amazing little girl. Here's a video my aunt shot...no worries....you only see brett and Julia. You see me for a split second and boy do I look rough..wasn't really going for beauty at the moment:) Just getting our little girl here!

minty chocolate slices

2010-12-22T21:42:00.003-05:00

Our friend Kim, sent her son to leaderhsip group the other night with the yummiest cookies....Brett loved them...so thought I would share recipe here! Thanks Kim:)

Minty Chocolate Slices

1 c. sugar
2/3 c. butter
1 egg (unbeaten)
1 tsp. vanilla
few drops mint extract
1 1/2 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. finely chopped nuts

cream sugar and butter until fluffy; add egg and flavorings, beat well. Sift flour with cocoa, soda, and salt. Stir into first mixture. Add nuts and mix well. chill dough shaped into 2 long rolls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper; chill and store in refrigerator. when cookies are needed slice thin and bake on ungreased baking sheet at 375 degrees for 810 min. makes about 6 doz.

double mint slices: put cooled cookies together; sandiwch style with creamy mint filling:
3 T. soft butter
2 1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar
2 T mlk
1/8 tsp. mint extract
1 or 2 drops of green food coloring

combine all ingredients and beat with mixer until smooth and creamy.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-14T21:45:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas from the Moore family! :) We had a little bit of fun with our Christmas card this year;)

updates

2010-12-14T21:31:00.003-05:00

Haven't had time to update much....preparing to have a baby + Christmas season + preparing to finish up work for 3 months = madness...but here's just a few updates of things going on:

1. having lots of Braxton Hicks...only 2 and 1/2 weeks left!!!
2. feet look like you could use them as ski boats
3. kids at school threw me a surprise baby shower today...it def. made me cry. These sweet babies planned it all by themselves and bought me some sweet little outfits for Julia....i'm still so humbled...these sweeties barely have enough money to buy lunch and pay for field trips...but they went out nad bought presents for me..one student told me he saved up for a moneth and used his savings to buy a gift for the shower.I just wept like a little baby..
4. We are ready as we can possibly be for our little girl to enter our lives.
5. the group of students that we have over for leaderhip/Bible study on monday nights all memorized an entire chapter of the Bible. We were so proud of them!
6. ready to take off 3 months of work so I can get to know my sweet girl
7. going part-time next year for sure! I will only be working two weeks out of the month! So excited!
8. can't think of anything else!

Nursery Part 2: the bookshelf

2010-11-26T20:07:00.003-05:00

I love this bookshelf...Here's why I love this bookshelf:
1. My neighbor growing up, Mr. Gibson, made it just for Julia! Can you believe that? I'm telling you...I've got some special people in my life!
2. I can't wait, wait, wait to read to my sweetpea. Can't decide what will be her first book!

Nursery Part 1: the drawers

2010-11-23T21:39:00.005-05:00

So I'm going to start posting pictures of Julia's sweet nursery. There are so many parts to it that I just love so much! It's super girly and oh I just can't wait to hold her in it!

I'll start with the drawer area; I got this set of drawers out of the garage at my mom's house...they were nasty and brown. Brett and his dad basically took them apart and rebuilt them and then we painted them white. Then I ordered some knobs from my all time favorite place.....etsy.com. Oh how I love that place! I found a lady right here in GA, who hand-paints knobs, and they look absoutely perfect!! You can check her site out here.
I don't know if you can see it well, but the tea cup on the 2nd shelf was the tea set I had in my room as a little girl:) I hope I remember to save things like my mom did for me! The teapot was my grandmother's. She always had tons of teapots at her house! The bouquet of roses was one of the bouquets from our wedding and the cute little lamb and wire basket came from my all time favorite antique store here in buford, Queen of Hearts! Oh how I love that store!

Oh and I have to brag on my deal of the day...you see that little laundry hamper to the side. Got it at a yard sale....it's pottery barn..it goes for around $80...but yours truly only paid $10! I heart yard sales!

justONE virtual on parenting in ministry

2010-09-22T21:52:00.003-04:00

Just listened to the justONE conference with leading and loving it. Tonight was on raising your children in a ministry family. I was very intrigued by this simply because well...Brett's in ministry...I wasn't raised in a pastor's house and well...I have a lot to learn.

Lots of great stuff was said....love the idea of family nights that Heather Whittaker shared about. Such a creative way to be intentional with your family. But i so loved every word from Kay Warren..here are a few things I jotted down:
#1. First, let your children know that God loves them unconditionally.
#2. Show them that you love them unconditionally.
#3. Let them know He is a God of second chances.
#4 Let them know Nothing can seperate them from His love.
#5 Most powerful gift of love is time.

Such great stuff. I was also reminded of something that a sweet friend shared in the Beth Moore Bible Study we did this summer: she said she went to a Beth Moore conference recently and when someone asked Beth how to raise Godly children this was how she responded, " You know, there are so many things people say to do....but if you want children who love Jesus, they must see you fall in love with Him first." I hope and pray Julia loves the Lord with all of her heart...I hope and pray Brett and I will be great examples of that and that she sees that unconditional love in us first.

I know that just because I write all these down doesn't mean I will do everyone of them...and do them all well...or be the great parent....but I do know that writing them down is a start.

5 "I Never Thought's" About Pregnancy

2010-09-17T20:48:00.004-04:00

While there are many things I didn't and still don't know about pregnancy, I certainly didn't think about these 5 things particularly:
1. I never thought i would be using every bathroom in every single store I walk in. I find this very difficult bc I absoloutely hate public bathrooms...yuck.(pretty sure i've already used all of the Target bathrooms in the suburb Atl area...so gross.)

2. I never thought I would start nesting like crazy....all of a sudden, I find myself wanting to do things like sewing, decorating, fixing up things....etc...
3. I never thought I would be this emotional. I can't even listen to a story about a sick child or a child in Africa or any other impoverished country without balling my eyes out.
4. I never thought i would be scared of the labor and delivery part...but i often wake up in the middle of hte night worried and thinking through every possible scenerio...have learned to just pray through those moments. I know God is with me.

just one conference

2010-09-15T21:51:00.004-04:00

I haven't had lots of time lately for blog world...or for that matter anything in cyberspace, but I made time to go to this at leading and loving it and it was awesome! It was a virtual conference and other pastor wives shared their hearts on marriage and ministry and how to mix them together.

The main thing I walked away with:

encouragement.

this was the Key Word that every one of them used. I need to be sure and encourage my husband after long ministry days. It was a great 53 minutes of my time...i'll def. be there next week bc I think they are talking about family...and well, with our sweet Julia on the way...I can't wait to hear this!

sewing party products

2010-09-12T15:41:00.005-04:00

Here is what I made w/ much help from the sewing queens:a burp cloth and two little onesies with a birdie on them..I thought I would be able to stay up later, but my body just requires so much sleep right now....anyways, we still had fun and I think i've found a new love...I've been practicing all weekend!
It was so great to do this with two amazing mothers. I cherish anytime I get with experienced mothers...hearing their joys and struggles of motherhood. I know God has placed people like this in my life for a reason. thankful for them...for their hearts for their families...and for sewing:)

What God is teaching me Right Now.

2010-09-09T20:59:00.004-04:00

What is God teaching me?

transition is okay.
be patient during a transition.
Campus ministry is amazing!( I so love the hearts of the people we have gotten to know at the 12stone Hamilton Mill and FB Campuses!)
Listen more and talk less
give generously in my time with Him and with the relationships in my life.
prayer and faith are the only things that are getting me through the nervousness/anxiousness I have about the delivery.... and being a mom..... and wanting a healthy baby.
I'm not alone.

Suzie Homemaker and now sewing parties?!

2010-09-09T20:55:00.003-04:00

So I'm really getting into this Suzie homemaker stuff....does this just happen when you find out your pregnant? Tomorrow night my friends Katie and Jaime are coming over to turn me into a sewing Master! They both make some of the cutest things for their children, and they are coming to teach me their ways! We are staying up super late and sewing our little hearts out. Hopefully, I'll have some pictures of some things I made to show afterwards....we shall see! PATIENCE my sweet sewing friends.....remember PATIENCE with me tomorrow night:)

flower Blossoms

2010-09-06T20:11:00.003-04:00

We painted Julia's room this weekend. I also painted and fixed up a set of drawers that I got for free!! (will show pics once the hardware comes in)! For some reason, when I start painting and fixing up things I get all "nesty" ....so all day today i ahve been cooking apple pies, making brett's favorites, and doing these....
flower blossom pins. You can wear them as an accessorie or even attach them to a pillow or two to dress up a boring pillow:) It's super easy...just a little cutting, a few stitches, and BAM you've got yourself the cutest flower blossom pin:) There's a much better tutorial here over at Jones and company....I absolutely love her style and creative expertise!

A Name

2010-08-29T17:59:00.002-04:00

So....we've settled on a name....we kind of already had it in mind, but we are ready to make it official!

Our sweet baby girl's name will be:

Julia Lane Moore

How did we come up with this?
Well, we both thought Julia sounded super classy...and it was the only girl name we agreed on and both really loved. of course, Lane is my name.....I thought and thought about whether or not to use my name, but growing up I absolutely loved my name and I thought it was so unique...and I'm so proud to pass it on to our little girl. I hope Julia loves it as much as I have:)

So ..there ya go. Ready for Julia to get here! (well, not really...we've got a lot of stuff to put together and decorate before she comes!)

Gender Party pics from Katie

2010-08-28T22:45:00.004-04:00

My friend Katie took some great pics at the party last weekend, so I thought I would post them as well. She took a great pic. of the graph my kids did in class. We've been studying graphing, and they all wore pink and blue to school and voted "graph style" what htey thought I was having...obviously most of them were wrong...but it was still fun and such a sweet way to get my kids involved!

Gender Reveal Party

2010-08-22T14:08:00.009-04:00

So we have had lots of excitement in the Moore home this week. we had our 20 week appointment! We decided we wanted to wait and find out if we were having a boy or a girl with the rest of our family and dear friends. I got the idea to have a Gender Reveal Party from my friend Jill and boy was it a great idea! We loved every second of it!! We had the Dr. write the answer in an envelope and we took it to our friend, Audra. So we had all of our family and friends over last night for a cookout. Everyone came dressed in pink or blue to cast their vote....i wore blue and Brett wore pink! I decorated everythign in yellow and orange and had so much fun with. Made some yellow and orange poms to hang up and they turned out so super cute. Made yummy lemon bars and got the recipe from the Neely's on foodnetwork. I ordered these super cute cupcake liners from etsy shop "Cupcake Social." For dessert, we all bit into the yummy cupcakes and they were filled with either pink or blue icing to tell us if we were having a boy or a girl! And as you can see from the pic....we had pink icing
...so we will be having a sweet baby girl! I used our new chalkboard to let people write down names they came up with for our boy or girl as they came in.....as you can see, we had some great names...and some really interesting ones! We are pretty sure we have a name, but I'll tell when we are 100% positive:) All of our family and sweet friends came to celebrate with us. This sweet baby girl will be so incredibly loved. Here are some pics from the night!

a Chalkboard Frame

2010-08-15T15:47:00.002-04:00

So...i got the fixing up bug late last night and stayed up painting this old frame...well, again I forgot to take a before shot, but it was an old gold frame I found at a yard sale for FREE that needed some lovin...I've realyl been wanting a chalkboard frame in our kitchen, so I grabbed some red paint nad some chalkboard paint and there you have it! :) Spend a total of $2.47! I heart fixing up things!

Summer Bible Study

2010-08-07T18:42:00.002-04:00

I also went through a Bible Study with an incredible group of women. It was such great timing because most of the women in the study were incredible, Godly moms and had so much wisdom to share about my own insecurities. I would recommend this book to ANY woman. There were so many issues that I dealt with, but things I've also heard my own sweet friends dealing with....great read!....definitely benefitted from it!

Summer projects

2010-08-07T18:38:00.002-04:00

Here was another project over my summer break. I had an old brown secretary's desk that def. needed some lovin'. I forgot to take a before picture...but here is the after. I thought it turned out pretty good:)

A Season of Change

2010-08-02T12:09:00.003-04:00

So it's just going to be a season of transition for us! I'm not always a fan of transition, but I'm learning from other ladies who have been there and done it that you just have to embrace it. Brett will be stepping out of his role as the middle school pastor to be the campus student pastor over all of our satellite campuses at 12stone...which right now are Hamilton Mill and the Flowery Branch campuses. It's a new role, new folks (not completely...we knew quite a few both campuses), new students, high school students, and well...just a new job that they've never had at 12stone until now. It's definitely a need and Brett is so excited for the new challenge. It was definitely difficult to step away from the volunteers and students we love so much in the middle school ministry at the central campus, but we are both super excited for the things God has in store for student ministries at the satellite campuses.

So that's going on...and oh yeah..you know just preparing for the whole baby thing. So yes...this will be a season of transition for the Moore family. Here's to embracing it all!

Camp and Vacation...going to be out for a while.

2010-07-03T21:01:00.003-04:00

Going to be out for two weeks:
Going to camp in Florida (yes....where all the oil is going...hopefully not during camp!). It will be a great week for our high school and middle school students! The week after Brett and I are headed to do a New England/Boston vacation with our dear friends, Leslie and Bradley. We are super excited....Brett more than me....he has a life goal to visit the major league baseball stadiums, so we will definitely be at a Red Sox game (his favorite team...which I still can't believe the Braves are not his favorite....but I've dealt with it:) We are thinking Wrigley Field will be next! So will be back soon with pics! My 16 week appt is in a few weeks and I am oh so excited!!! Can't wait!

You are My Sunshine and a few other knick knacks

2010-06-21T16:48:00.006-04:00

Saw this Sunshine painting at Humble Pie and loved it, but when I saw how much it cost (over $300) I decided if I wanted it I would have to take the homemade route. Bought a paint canvas, some burlap fabric, and some stencils...there ya have it. Here is a pic.

Also, in the pic. is a picnic basket I found at a yard sale and an old orange trunk at my grandparents house...painted them white and topped them with my grandmother's pitcher and bowl. The pillow cases on the bench are pottery barn...and yes...again...bought them at a yard sale for...wait for it....$0.05!

Now I have a nice little entry way entire our house:)

A New Hobby

2010-06-21T16:15:00.007-04:00

I've been doing a whole lot more than getting pregnant:) Brett and I visited some great ministry friends/encouragers a few months ago, and Laura (besides being super mom) has quite the knack for fixing up old furniture. I'm pretty sure all of her house was bought off of craigslist or from a yard sale...and it looks amazing! My friend Leslie is a master at doing this too and she always encourages me to save a buck! So alongside of some ideas from Dreamy Whites/Humble Pies and Laura's craigslist inspiration, I have fixed up a couple of things, made a couple of things, and loved every minute of it. I have found a new love...if I had more time, I think I would open up my own "fix up your furniture" shop. I'm going to do a few posts on some of the shananigans I've been into around our little casa!

Here's the first:
Found this brown side table on craigslist for $20! Yup...$20. I took my friend Sarah with me to pick it up (bc I'm too scared to go by myself!!), and the lady said they were moving...that the table was from Haverty's and she just wanted to get rid of it. So here's before and after photos!

A Dash of Humble Pie and Dreamy Whites

2010-06-20T10:11:00.003-04:00

So even though I was a way, I was still roaming around in blog world and picked up a few new ones that have become daily reads. I've really gotten into fixing up craigslist/old furniture (I'll show some pics later), and these ladies gave me lots of ideas and I stole several things from their dreamy whites and humble pies. Go check these ladies out if you want some urban cottage decor ideas. I absoloutely love them!
Dreamy Whites
Humble Pie

I'm Back with Baby:)

2010-06-18T13:37:00.003-04:00

So after the encouragement from Jill and some other folks, I'm up and blogging again. I can't really explain why the long break, but it was nice. I have lots to fill you in on.

First and most importantly, we are expecting our first little guy or gal!! Due January 1st to be exact! I'm exactly 12 weeks. Have felt great, but have slept more than I have ever slept in my entire life. I'm so thankful it's summer and not the school year right now! Here's a pic. of our most recent ultrasound!

on breaking away

2010-02-09T21:03:00.002-05:00

To be completely honest...I've really struggled getting to the blog lately. Not sure why....so I'm going to key in on some things that maybe I need to learn and break away for awhile. don't know how long. we shall see:)

on Keurig

2010-01-31T22:32:00.002-05:00

The house we stayed at this weekend had one of these....wanting one now. Had so much fun with it! Produces Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate....instantly! I mean serisouly! How could I not want one?!

on feelings.

2010-01-27T22:01:00.004-05:00

So it's just going to have to be "Developing the Leader" Week. sorry. The stuff is too rich. Read this and WOW....great insight.

There is a great difference between how we feel and how we handle our feelings. Everyone has times when they feel bad. Our attitudes cannot stop our feelings, but they can keep our feelings from stopping us. Unfortunately, too many allow their feelings to control them... Everyday I see people who are feeling controlled. -Developing the Leader Within You.

I come from a large family....we're not talking 2 or 3 cousins here....we're talking 20 first cousins. MASSIVE. Growing up, every Sunday after church we ate lunch with almost all of them around my grandmother's table. Feelings, opinions, politics, sports, you name it ....were all over those conversations. Great conversations...that I believe have shaped so much of who I am...but one thing it did was make me passionate. I would def. describe myself as passionate...passionate about most areas of my life. and what's wrong with passionate people? Nothing...except for when their feelings of passion and anything else... wins. Feelings and passion are so deeply rooted in my DNA that this is something I have to constantly step back and assess....ask myself things like, "Is saying this...thinking this...doing this.....a part of my feelings or is it grounded in peaceful truth?" and as Maxwell so eloquently stated..... there is indeed a great deal of difference in how we feel and how we handle or WHAT we DO with our feelings.

And if I'm being completely candid....there is a certain time of the month where my feelings are waiting right on my shoulders....ready to jump at anything. What do I do with this? Pray really hard:)

So Here's to passionate wisdom.

more on Developing the leader

2010-01-21T21:08:00.003-05:00

I mentioned before that I am going through some books with a group of ladies at church. We are going through several books...one a month for the next year to be precise.

Have a feeling I will be mentioning this book quite a bit. Here's the thing.....I read this book as a 14 year old. My youth pastor gave it to a group of us to read. I loved it then....but not sure I applied it quite as much as I can at my current stage in which I am reading it. I have been blown away the past few days as I have read through this....I kept saying to myself, "why didn't I pay more attention 12 years ago? Wow! That's really good...wow...that reminds me of this person." or "Wow...i wish I had thought of this during that time in my life."

I feel like every part I read can apply to a certain area of my life: marriage, ministry, teaching.. Here's just a snippet of what Im talking about:

The boss drives his workers; the leader coaches them.
The boss depends on authority; the eader on good will.
The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm.
The boss says "I"; the leader, "we".
The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader fixes the breakdown.
The boss knows how it is done; the leader shows how.
The boss says, "Go"; the leader says, "Let's Go!"

I am crazy to think I have all this down...or WILL have it all down anytime soon....but I think just KNOWING the information is a great start to good leadership.

On the Vernacular

2010-01-16T11:49:00.004-05:00

With all of this cold weather we've had the past few weeks (well...except yesterday when it was 60 degrees!), I've been wearing lots of toboggans....but as I have learned from my sweet northern friends...a Toboggan is actually a sled and that us southerners are quite confused ..thinking that we can wear a sled:)

here's to our vernacular differences here in America:) toboggans/sleds, hey y'all/hey you guys, roof/ruff:)

on people who go.

2010-01-16T11:22:00.003-05:00

Please pray for my friend/coworker Jill and her family. Her husband is headed to Haiti next week to help. You can read her blog here to know how to specifically pray for them.

on Haiti and prayer and giving

2010-01-14T21:21:00.003-05:00

I can't quit watching the news....reading the headlines ....looking at pictures of the Haiti disaster...tears have streamed today as I tried to sort through all of the disturbing images that have flooded the media. I remember feeling the same way when the Tsunami hit Indonesia in 2004. My mind can't comprehend this kind of disaster AND this kind of poverty all at once. My heart aches and I've found myself stopping and praying for these people several times today...prayed for the people, prayed for the government, prayed for the children who are scared, prayed for the missionaries, prayed that God would give wisdom, perseverance, and grace to the people looking and digging for their loved ones. Only thing I know to do other than pray right now is to give here at our church.

on creative Pastries:)

2010-01-11T20:53:00.005-05:00

okay...so here's one more dessert...can you see a trend here? yes, i love the sweets....which explains the cavity problem I've had over the past 6 months:(

Made these fun little pastries. Got the pastry idea from Sandra Lee...just did some minor alterations to it.

1. Take a roll of pillsbury pie dough...or off brand and cut it into circles with a biscuit cutter.
2. Spray the bottom of a muffin pan
3. Fold the cut out circles of dough around each muffin bottom
4. Use a fork and poke some holes in the dough to let it breathe
5. Bake on 400 until it is golden brown
6. I like to get some sugar free cool whip and mix about a teaspoon of vanilla extract with it
7. Put a little dollop (not sure on that spelling?) into the rounded pastries that come out
8. I shave some chocolate on top and a little raspberry as a garnish...and poof...you have an easy, fancy dessert:)

on Lemon Bars

2010-01-11T20:48:00.002-05:00

I get quite domestic when I have a lot of breaks. Love cooking and doing different things around the house. Tried this homemade lemon bar recipe from watching "Down home with the Neely's" on foodnetwork. It was really yummy! Their recipe was Lime Bars but I didn't have any limes at the house, so I just substituted:)

Ingredients
Cookie crust:
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
Pinch kosher salt
Lime topping:
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (or bottled key lime juice)
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
Confectioners' sugar, for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray the bottom and sides of a 9 by 13-inch cake pan with nonstick spray.

To make the crust, combine the butter and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt, and mix another minute until well combined *Cook's Note: The cookie crust dough can be prepared up to 2 days in advance, then wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator. When you're ready to bake the bars, simply bring the dough to room temperature and pat out as described above.

Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, and pat out to an even thickness over the bottom of the pan. Bake the crust for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven, and cook on a baking rack.

To make the topping, whisk together the eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, and whisk until just combined, then whisk in the lime juice and zest. Pour the lime topping over the cooled crust, then bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the filling is set.

Allow the bars to cool completely. Generously dust with confectioners' sugar and cut into squares. *Cook's Note: For the neatest presentation, use a metal spatula or a butcher's scraper to remove the bars from the pan. Leftovers will keep for 2 or 3 days at room temperature, or for up to a week in the refrigerator

One of my favorite creative blogs

2010-01-10T21:57:00.004-05:00

Speaking of photography...here is the blog of a fellow 12stone photographer...Betsy. Not only is she an amazing photgrapher, but she is super creative in every area of life: cooking, family, art...you name it....and she's a mom to 5 children! Wow! I love reading her blog at wildthyme and looking at all of the AMAZING pictures she captures. Check it out.

on saving and cameras

2010-01-10T21:46:00.003-05:00

What am I saving my nickles and dimes for? This. A Nikon D90 SLR. I have been wanting a good camera for a while and after asking some photography gurus....this is what I've decided on. I've read some great stuff on it....now it's just time to save! These things aren't cheap my friends...but I so love taking photos and I really want to learn to take some good ones. So here's to saving!

On Developing the Leader within You.

2010-01-09T23:19:00.003-05:00

Have you read this book? Developing the Leader within You by John c. Maxwell. Probably...it's very well know if you are in any kind of leadership position. I am going through it with a group of women at church. I'm pretty excited about it. I think I have a lot to learn on this subject.

On saving a buck or two :)

2010-01-09T23:15:00.002-05:00

If you want to know how to save a buck or two, you really should keep a watch on my coworker/friend: Katie's blog. She has some good tips on saving dollars....and let's be honest...we all enjoy saving:) You can check her blog out here.

On why people go to church

2010-01-09T16:46:00.003-05:00

Because church is such a large part of our lives, I love reading different articles on the church: different things going on at churches around the world, how they are reaching the unchurched populations, why people attend church...why they don't attend. I hear conversations often on why people attend a certain church: what keeps them there....why they love being a part....why they are church shopping..etc... I stumbled across these statistics on this website: church relevance, found it very interesting on what they said on why people do and why they don't attend church:

Top 13 Reasons that Unchurched People Choose a Church
(research conducted by Ranier)

90% - Pastor/Preaching
88% - Doctrines
49% - Friendliness of Members
42% - Other Issues
41% - Someone Church Witnessed to Me
38% - Family Member
37% - Sensed God’s Presence/Atmosphere of Church
25% - Relationship Other than Family Member
25% - Sunday School Class
25% - Children’s/Youth Ministry
12% - Other Groups/Ministries
11% - Worship Style/Music
7% - Location

Top 9 Reasons that Church-Attenders Choose a Church
(research conducted by the Barna Group)

58% - Doctrine/Theology
53% - People Caring for Each Other
52% - Preaching
45% - Friendliness
45% - Children’s Programs
43% - Helping the Poor
36% - Denomination
35% - Like the Pastor
26% - Sunday School

Top 6 Things that Keep the Formerly Unchurched Active in the Church
(research conducted by Ranier)

62% - Ministry Involvement
55% - Sunday School
54% - Obedience to God
49% - Fellowship of Members
38% - Pastor/Preaching
14% - Worship Services

My Snow Day:)

2010-01-09T15:51:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was a crazy, but good day all in one.

1. We found out we had no school Thursday night which just made me so super happy. It's always such a nice surprise...even if we had only been back from Christmas break for 4 days:) And yes.....I had all of my students calling me late Thursday night and early Friday morning because of this:) I didn't mind.....it was really super cute.

2. My good friend Sarah...remember from our super, awesome Twilight video that got 5 million hits on youtube? (yeah right!:) She got in a pretty bad accident involving a patch of ice and a telephone pole (on her way to pick me up for our marathon training....yeah I felt awful). B. & I went out to help & honestly when I saw the car, I was just thankful she was alive.
I don't think either one of us realized how nasty it was, or we definitely wouldn't have gone out....so yes..lesson learned:don't go outside on ice unless you are from Chicago, Canada, or some other crazy, northern area where they are used to it!

3. We spent most of the day dealing with the accident stuff, so... Sarah and I decided some fun was needed in the mix of all the chaos.....so we went to see Leap Year. Super cute...super girly...and a little hoaky in some parts kind of movie, but nonetheless, it was a great end to a crazy day.

On No School.

2010-01-07T19:05:00.005-05:00

No School for my county tomorrow! Which I love bc it's just a nice suprise! What will I be doing tomorrow? The following:

-getting my run on (6 miles of it @ the gym)
-watching Giada Food Network...wishing I could cook Italian, gourmet meals
-Drinking a cup or two of hot, green tea refresh
-Reading through the book of Matthew
-Reading through this book that my good, teacher friend, Debbie so kindly recommended and let me borrow: "Same kind of Different As Me"

Can't wait:)

On State of the Ministry Address :)

2010-01-07T16:28:00.002-05:00

Last night was the 'State of the Ministry Address" for the Middle School Ministry at 12Stone. It was so super cute and fun:) Brett and the middle school team invited parents to come with their students and hear about what's going on with 12stone middle school ministry, what the purpose and vision is for middle school students as they step into PRIME and MERGE, and what they can do as parents. They even had an official seal to mark the event. I just loved it....I think my favorite part was watching parents worship alongside their middle schoolers:)

On Sausage Balls.

2010-01-07T16:23:00.002-05:00

My favorite holiday treat my mom used to make were her yummo sausage balls. I snatched up this easy sausage ball recipe from none other than the wonderful, super southern Paula Dean! If you like sausage, bisquick, and cheese, then you'll probably like them:)

On not forgetting.

2010-01-07T07:37:00.002-05:00

I blog for a few reasons:
1. so mia familia can keep up with what's going on in our lives
2. to meet and learn from the blogosphere
3. to write it all out so I don't forget

In honor of not forgetting....I don't want to forget this:
We only have a half day of school today because of our "maybe" snow...I know...but it's GA...we freak out over one patch of ice. When I told my class to be sure and watch the news to know if we have school on Friday or not one of my sweet little girls quietly came up to me later and said, "Mrs. Moore, we don't have a TV or internet or a radio in my car...how will I find out? In the past, I've waited for the bus and it didn't come so we just figured it out, but I was just wondering if there was a number I could call?"
of course, I'm almost in tears at this point...the results: my phone number went out to my entire class....I just couldn't bear the thought of my sweet kids waiting outside in 18 degree whether waiting to see if the bus would come or not. So, I might get 25 phone calls tomorrow morning.
I am grateful for the things I learn from 5th graders on a daily basis....and although this is a sad story...I don't want to forget it. I want to remember it.

New Blog Read

2010-01-04T21:14:00.003-05:00

Have been reading this blog through the holidays. Love her ideas, creativity, and photography expertise. Check out Fly Through Our Window.

979

2010-01-03T19:11:00.002-05:00

Another reason I love the new Garmin Watch...I ran 6 miles on Friday and at the end when it calculated my calorie burn....979 calories!!!! CRAZY! I treated myself to Mexican that night:)

on FR60

2010-01-01T14:13:00.003-05:00

For Christmas Brett got me the Garmin FR60 watch. Friends, this watch can do pretty much everything except have a conversation with me:) It tracks how far I run, my heart rate, how many calories I burn in a work out, my activity history, time....everything. I am so loving it!

A Yard Sale Christmas Surprise from LeslieDay:)

2010-01-01T13:56:00.005-05:00

ok so there was more...
Remember this chair from the yard saleing Leslie and I did last Spring...well, I never really got around to fixing it up...BUT my sneaky/crafty friend Leslie snuck it out of my house and fixed it up to surprise me for Christmas! It looks so awesome and looks great with our Spring break project:) I was SOOO excited! I think I paid $3 for this chair! I heart yard sales!

Stuff that went on.

2010-01-01T13:34:00.006-05:00

It has felt amazing to relax and do very little over the past week. I have so enjoyed time at home, time with friends, time with family. Here are a couple of things that went on during the break:
1. Got to spend time with my sweet one and 1/2 year old niece, Kennedy...who calls us, "Uncle B. and Aunt Wayne" and also says, "I wuv you" and "Merwy Cwistmas."
2. Saw Beautiful skylines along our holiday travels between GA and TN.
3. Started Reading through parts of a new Gladwell book.
4. Got hooked on LAInk.....watched way too many episodes of it.
More stuff to follow.

on LAInk...

2009-12-29T15:13:00.003-05:00

have been hooked on this show over the break. rented it on Netflix and haven't been able to quit watching. Never have I ever thought or even wanted a tatoo until I watched this show.....still don't know if I would get one just out of pure fear of needles. Nevertheless, I thought about it and have been intrigued with why people go get them.

Post link to Super Mom

2009-12-17T20:29:00.003-05:00

Laura at allvol is an incredible mother of soon to be 3 little girls under the age of 4!!!...needless to say she is super mom. Her husband is the student pastor at a great church plant, North Star, in Knoxville. Brett and I always love anytime God allows us to spend with them...here's one more reason why. Beautiful post on the love for God in the midst of chaos. Check it out.

$1 deals

2009-12-17T07:44:00.002-05:00

I always try to do a small gift for my kids at school. I was so pumped to find these gloves for...wait for it....$1! yup! A $1 deal at none other than my favorita tienda...Target! Look how precious the little girl gloves are! Only spent $24:)

on 10 dumb things smart Christians believe

2009-12-15T20:16:00.003-05:00

Finally going through 10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe by Larry Osborne. I've had it up on the shelfari wall for a while...finally getting a chance to really go through it. It's an intense book that is challenging many "Christianisms" that I have believed or said at some point....Found this to be particularly challenging to the soul:

Chapter 6: Dumb Idea: Everything Happens for a Reason
On discussing his wife's battle with cancer:

" Yet more disconcerting than all the unsolicited advice was the 'happy talk' of those who tried to assure us Nancy's cancer was a blessing in disguise.....their words varied, but the message was always the same: someday you'll be glad this happened. We were told...
-" God must be up to something."
-"God doesn't make mistakes."
-"You must be very special for God to trust you with this."
-"Won't it be great to see how God uses this?"
-"isn't it good to know that everything happens for a reason?"

In one sense they were absoloutely right. No matter what happens, God is in control. He's the King of the universe. And he's good.

But that doesn't mean he's the direct cause of everything that happens. It doesn't mean that everything that happens is something he wants to happen. And it certainly doesn't mean that everything he allows is good.

Christmas season stuff.

2009-12-15T20:11:00.003-05:00

Had our middle school volunteer christmas party this past saturday. I love these people. Thankful for their hearts to give and serve to a crazy bunch of middle schoolers:)

Dave Barnes Christmas Extravagan Za - Part 4

2009-12-14T21:46:00.001-05:00

Saw this over at laniebethsinclair...which is also where I found the great idea for the cin. honey butter.

Thought this was worth sharing here as well. B. and I are both Dave Barnes fans (probably more me) but needless to say, we were both rolling. He's a funny guy.
Check it out.

Christmas ideas

2009-12-12T16:40:00.002-05:00

Saw this great Christmas gifting idea over at laniebethsinclair.com. Loved it so much I'm borrowing it for my own Christmas giveaways. Who doesn't love Cinnamon Honey Butter? :)

Running shirts

2009-12-07T22:38:00.002-05:00

My friend April just started up a new blog. She is running the half marathon with me in Nashville this April....she asked a great question, What would your running reason shirt say? She made a great point...that we all run for different reasons.

I think my reasons for running vary from season to season:
1. last spring's shirt would have said, "Just making it through grad school, first years of marriage, trying to be a great wife and ministry partner, trying to be an amazing teacher...while keeping my sanity."
2. About a month ago it would have said, "Running to pray and deal with the loss of someone we loved."
3. Right now...my shirt would say, "Running to pray through future life decisions."

You can check out April's blog here.

a sucker for music.

2009-12-07T19:52:00.004-05:00

Have you heard this song? Evolve by Bosc.

I'm a sucker for three things when it comes to the art of music:
1. I love, love, love to find new music that isn't real popular (although sometimes I find that the music isn't new and that I am just way behind!) My husband is especially good at this:)
2. I love any music with a strong piano line in it....which is probably why I'm a huge Mat Kearney and Coldplay fan...they almost always have a strong piano..and which is why I really love this song.
3. It's a super romantic song...and well...I'm a sucker for anything romantic.

check it out here and click on "Evolve".

do any of you have favorite things about songs? or anything that draws you to a certain band?

running schedule this week.

2009-12-06T20:06:00.003-05:00

This week in training:
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: 5 miles
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 8 miles Long run days
Sunday: 5 miles at marathon pace
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Oint1-1.htm

marathon running tips.

2009-12-06T19:18:00.002-05:00

Found a good website with some marathon/half-marathon training info. Had some great info...like be sure to drink 6-8 oz of water every 20 min, stretch for 2 minutes for every mile that you run, etc....

After watching Biggest Loser this week, I am flirting with the idea of running the whole marathon this year.....not sure...probably not....we'll see:) It's a LOT of running...a WHOLE lot of running! For anyone else out there flirting with the idea ....the website had lots of great tips!

Christmas is up..

2009-12-06T18:11:00.004-05:00

Got all the Christmas decor up last week. I love Christmas decor! Here are just a few pics I took this year:)

thankful for my small groups.

2009-12-04T21:55:00.004-05:00

Have started the holiday season with small group Christmas parties this week...first, with out middle school volunteer ladies group and then with my 7th grade girls small group. As I thought about all of these precious women....here are a couple of things I am thankful for:

Middle School Vol Group...I am thankful for:

1. their Genuine hearts to share every week
2. the unique wisdom and talents that each of them have
3. their zealous and eager hearts to see life change in themselves and other people.
4. The community and feeling of home.

7th grade girls group....I am thankful for:

1. their joyous spirits and natural ability to love
2. that they will ask me to pray for their dogs and cats.
3. that they care that their friends know Jesus.

Training Week 2

2009-11-30T22:55:00.002-05:00

Week 2 11/30-12/6 Easy Run
Monday:Dist: 6 mi
@13:32

Tuesday:Dist: 5 mi, inc
Warm; 2x1600 in 11:13
w/800 jogs; Cool Rest

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Dist: 2 mi@13:32

Christmas Time Lapse Video

2009-11-29T19:46:00.003-05:00

Our good friends leslie and bradley are super crafty in their own ways. Leslie has been a great friend to me since elementary school! Bradley is on the tech team over at The Church of the Apostles downtown. Loved this video time lapse he did of them putting up their Christmas tree....so super sweet. Love them:)

Crafty moments and chalkboard paint

2009-11-29T18:14:00.003-05:00

I'm really not crafty....but I do have my moments:) got my canisters and painted them with some chalkboard paint. Here's to craftiness:)