My Little Man is 12 Today!

This is my middle child and basically, my twin. From the outward appearance he's all Terry (my dad's side of the family), but he got all the best parts from his daddy. I'm mainly speaking of his musical talent. A mama has to brag on her baby on his bday, so get ready.


He is an awesome musician! I know he has a lot of God given natural ability, but that's only the half of it. From the time he gets home from school until I come unplug his amp at bedtime, he is playing his guitar. Practice is so important, and he has that part down completely. He also has a keyboard in his room that gets about 30% of his time too. Now that Annie just received electric drums for her bday, he is already playing that at a level shocking both me and Skip.

This was Seth's Christmas present which he helped pay for and will continue to help us pay for over the next couple of months. It is his baby and he treats it better than his sisters. That's not okay, I'm just speaking the truth.

This is his first guitar. Not a great quality guitar, but he and his daddy spent an afternoon customizing the color. Doesn't he just look like a little rocker.

Seth plays in his Christian praise band at school and is fortunate enough to have two awesome godly young men mentoring him every week as his teachers. His entire tuition is worth those hour classes each day. I am so thankful!

Seth also has an incredible sense of humor, also like his daddy. Don't even get those two boys together on a roll. He can carry his own with most adults, that is if you can get him to talk. Many don't get to see that side of Seth because, unlike his Daddy, he is VERY shy if he doesn't know you. He is getting better each year, and going to a smaller private school has really allowed him to blossom into his own.

There is so much more to say about this precious little boy that had the roughest of starts, but he would probably never want to speak to me again if I did. He also gets embarrassed very easily. Anyway, I am forever blessed to have this sweet little man in my life and am praying for him today and always.

Seth has already given his life to Christ, and I'm praying that he will always know that the Lord is there for him and will never leave his side. I'm praying he always knows that God is the one who gave him his gifts and talents, and using them for God's glory is the most important thing he can do. I also pray that Seth finds his value in Christ and not man's approval. He needs to get that at an early age. Lastly, I pray Seth continues to have good health and a life that produces much fruit. Happy Bday Bub!

Thankful Thursday-Prayer and It's Power

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

Let's face it, all of us have junk in our lives. We all have personal struggles. Lately, I have been a bit overwhelmed by feeling responsible for the problems and struggles of family and friends. God is so comforting to me and reminding me that it is not my job or my responsibility to make things right, but it is my honor and privilege to pray for them. I can't change a person's mind, I can't give someone what they've been asking for and I certainly can't take away the pain they are experiencing. Many times I can't even share God's Word if they aren't willing to listen. But...I can pray and pray hard!

Thank you God for the ability to pray for others, and that you hear each and every request I humbly bring to you. I love you Lord!

Romans 8:26 "Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. "

If you would like to join in, please go here and leave your link.

Holiday Interview With Matt

Here is a video we shot at Thanksgiving. I forgot about it until Skip brought the footage home last night. We took this in my mom's spare bedroom and literally did it on the fly so excuse the way it's thrown together.

Why show this now? Well, HSM3 is coming out on dvd in February, and I don't want you to miss this opportunity to see the real Matt. We love this guy and know you will too! Here is a special peek at Matt seen only at A Pink Carnation in Bloom from his Aunt Susie.

Happy Birthday Beth!

Today my baby, Annie Beth, is nine yrs old. It is so easy to remember how long we've lived in Corpus because I just have to remember that we got pregnant with Annie the month we moved here over 9 and a half years ago.

We call her "Beth" around here because her middle name is Elizabeth. I forget sometimes when I'm out in public and people wonder who I'm talking to by that name. Skip has an assortment of other names for her like cupcake, tatertot(when she's being good), tatertoot(when she's not), Bether, princess and of course, baby(she is SO the baby of this family).

There are so many things I love about this girl. The first is the fact that she is my husband's twin in a girl form. How can I get mad at her when she looks like my sweet man? She is so tender at heart, yet she could take any one of my other kids DOWN if they cross her or ever make fun of her. "You don't mess with Annie" is one of our sayings, unless you are prepared for some bodily harm. She is all muscle with beautiful olive skin. She has a tan right now as I speak in the middle of winter.

Annie is extremely artistic, loves to bake (almost at an obsession level), does well at school, can groove like no body's business and blows me away at her innocence about life. She loves Jesus and never hesitates to ask for prayer for herself or others. I love this little girl so much and I'm so proud to be her mommy.

I still haven't found her gift yet. She either wants a new Barbie house (hers is probably 10 years old and in very bad shape), or she wants a drum kit. Pretty much complete opposites. What is so cute is that I know the only reason she wants a drum kit is because her brother told her that she could play in his band if she learns the drums. She CAN keep a good beat, so who knows what the future will hold for this little princess of mine.

Thankful Thursday

What a gorgeous day today is! Something as simple as the sun coming out after a pretty gloomy couple of weeks, can change your whole attitude. I was tempted to write a post last night because God was showing me so many things to be thankful for, but my list is still the same today.


1. I am thankful for God's love and grace he pours over me every day!

2. I am thankful for my hard working husband who is always thinking about our family's future and needs. Thank you for making him my best friend first.

3. I am thankful that my friend Cathy found a wonderful new job in ministry that she has been asking God to bring her.

4. I am thankful for my Pastor and his wife who are on their way home from Africa after adopting a precious young boy. Please keep this amazing family in your prayers for safety, for all the adjustments to be smooth, and for peace and love to cover their home.

5. Thank you God for my in-loves coming in town tomorrow to spend the day with us.

What are you thankful for today? If you would like to share with others besides me what you are thankful for, please join in by leaving your link here.

I Want A Challenge!

One of my favorite songs I must admit is Avril Lavigne's "Anything But Ordinary". It is kind of my theme song at the moment. I am definitely no advocate for the rocker rebel girl, but something in that song really resonates with how I have felt at different times in my life. I'm kind of feeling that way now and I know why. Everything is going good...marriage, kids, church, etc. The problem with normal is that it can get boring if you aren't doing what you are designed by God to do.

I am about to start a new bible study in a couple of weeks that will hopefully help this funk I'm in. I'm doing Beth Moore's Esther. I have 7 or so girls signed up from my church so far which I've never ever met before, and in my home. I've always known at least a few of the girls I'm leading. Am I scared? Absolutely, but scary is an adventure and something new.

So far this year I'm eating good, reading and studying God's word, hanging out with friends, but I'm also wasting way too much time with Facebook and Twitter. I need some REAL LIFE excitement and I can't sit and wait for someone else to figure out what that is for me. Believe me, if I say that to Skip, he will have me serving during every service in his ministry that I have no desire or passion for.

I need to prayerfully ask God exactly what it is that I can do for His glory. Maybe it is going back to school for another degree-(possibly counseling?), maybe it is taking a writing course, or maybe it is volunteering somewhere locally. Maybe it is taking what I'm already doing to a whole other level. I'm not real sure what He will say, but I certainly won't know until I start asking Him.

This reflective mood may just be PMS, but then again maybe God is making me uncomfortable because he wants to do something new in me. Will you pray for me? I would so appreciate it! I love you friends and hope that you are not buying into the ordinary life, but instead shooting for the Extraordinary. I certainly don't have it figured out, and I'm right there with ya:)

Need Some Help

Ash and her friend Zack learning the Waltz

Okay internet friends, I need your help. My 14 yr. old daughter's new school has a formal each year. We must find a dress in the next month, but I am at a loss of where to start.

It's not your typical prom for several reasons. Since it is a private Christian school and smaller in class size, it is a mandatory event for 9th thru 12th graders. They dress modestly and have assigned dates. They have to attend ballroom dance lessons leading up to the event, etiquette lessons and their is a big focus on training the gentleman on how to escort a lady and for the ladies, how to be escorted by a gentleman. They go over table settings, formal dress, dinner conversation and appropriate manners for bringing God glory through their social gatherings. They also have 5 course dinner and it's held downtown at our beautiful Corpus Christi Town Club.

My daughter is so excited about the whole experience, especially the dancing part. What princess wouldn't be? The difficult part will be finding a modest dress at a modest price. It needs to be floor length and of course no plunging necklines or backless types. It can be strapless if she wears a shawl. My daughter is not petite so we need a store that caters to her height and body type-(5'9'' and still growing). I found one website that has many choices, but my daughter really wants to try one on in person. I live in Corpus, but would be willing to travel to San Antonio or Houston if needed. Any ideas friends?

5 New Fab Finds

I must let you in on some great products I have found recently which make life so much more enjoyable as I joined the ranks of a healthy eater. You may or may not have seen these yummy items before, so I thought it might be fun to share.

The first is Ice Breakers Ice Cubes. I was looking for a mint and thought the box looked cute. I didn't realize it was gum until I put it in my mouth. Yum! I love that it is gum and a breath mint. I guess most gum is, but whatever. They are cute and fun so I'll keep buying them.

This product was my biggest treasure...HONEY ROASTED SUNFLOWER SEEDS! You see I have been on a mission for over two years to find these lovely treats that have graced my Char-grilled chicken salad at Chick-Fil-A, but to no avail until 2 weeks ago. I know they are a little high in calorie, but just a sprinkle on a salad-makes the salad. And they are organic. With as many salads as I've eaten over the last month, it was great to add a little variety with these. I found them at our local HEB grocery store on the nuts and popcorn aisle.

Okay, the next is also Deee-licious! Breyers Carb Smart Butter Pecan Icecream. I only have this treat if I am dying for something sweet. A half cup is plenty to give me the satisfaction of having dessert. A little expensive, but so is Bluebell.

Okay, if you hate serving your kids hot dogs because of the nitrates, then this is the wiener for you. Oh my it is good! I eat one without the bun, but my kids eat them topped with chili and cheese. They are also pricey, but healthy and filling. You won't be disappointed.

Last on my list is Co. Bigelow Magenta Mint Lip gloss. Found this yummy treat while shopping with my daughters before Christmas. The gloss not only has a slight tint of color, it tastes minty. According to the package..."Lips stay moist and protected while Peppermint Oil gives breath long-lasting freshness." Sounded good, they were on sale, so we bought three. I've since taken over 2 of them for my own.

If you have any low carb, non-fattening, fun new product or a secret diet pill you'd like to share, then please let me know. I'm kidding about the last one. Well, kind of. Anyway, we friends need to keep each other in the know. Happy dieting and Happy New Year!

I'm Officially a Lion Chaser

I am reading Mark Batterson's book right now, and I'm not real sure why. I had a list of about 5 books as I entered Half Price Books last week, but this was not one of them. Actually, the store did not have a single book on my list, and then I saw it. I have seen many pastors I listen to and respect talk about this book. I thought to myself, "I'll pick it up for Skip." However I forgot one of my man's cardinal rule's - "Don't tell me what to read. Leave it there on my nightstand for 3 to 6 months so I can finally see it, think it was my idea, then I read it." It's a sick, silly attitude, but such as "our agreement."

Anyway let's get back to Mark's book. Wow! Started reading it and right away he tried to lose me by talking about battles with lions and other manly warrior topics. I stuck with it a while longer and now I can't put it down. It is so relevant to man, woman, pastor, pastor's wife, Joe plumber, Jane school teacher, stay-at-home mom, writer, wife to Skip Mozisek. You get the point.

Mark is making me think, making me evaluate my life and situations, reflect on my past, envision my future and especially see my awesome God in a whole new light. It's just a book, I know. It's not God's Word. But what it is, is one of those encounters that happens in a Christian's life that makes you stop and take notice of this journey that your on. It's making me see that I want to fully embrace my fears, my obstacles and my purpose that God has designed just for me. And guess what? I'm only beginning Chapter 4 of 9.

Just a few key quotes of Mark's that I must share:

"God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. But the right place often seems like the wrong place, and the right time often seems like the wrong time. (Can anyone else relate-Amen, I love this! I have felt this many times in my past.-Good stuff)

"How you think of God will determine who you become." Over the last year God has shown himself so Big to me, so unmeasurable and so Holy. Therefore, I am becoming more confident in who I am as a wife, mother and friend. Leading bible studies is more than an honor and privilege. Serving and loving my husband is big in God's eyes. Being there to support, love and encourage women behind the scenes is worthy and admirable. Writing out my thoughts for the few readers I have is still writing and for His glory, not man's.

"It is the failure to unlearn irrational fears and misconceptions that keeps us from becoming who god wants us to be." Too much here and too personal.

"Someday we may be as grateful for the bad things as the good things, because the bad things helped prepare us for the good things." This quote is in Chapter 4 that I'm reading right now. Feel like I could write a 150 pg book in a day about this quote alone. Like you, I have had hurts and trials that were unfair and totally had me stuck and without hope. But...But...things things over time I see were for a purpose and have prepared me thoroughly for the days that were ahead.

I have to share just a few examples from the quote above. You can come up with your own if you think for a minute.

*Marrying a man who believed in God, but did not have a "personal" relationship with Jesus. Skip is now a pastor and relates to the lost in a way some others can't.

*Had a very sick child with health problem after health problem. Now my son is thriving and I can help other mom's who are dealing with similiar circumstances.

*Was told I could not serve women in the area of ministry that was my passion years ago. This hurt more than anything, but it gave me the desire to seek God even more, study his word and work on my weaknesses. God gave me the platform despite man's opposition. I love encouraging women and will do it till the day I die-and no one can stop what God has purposed for my life.

*Had our life turned upside down for a while and fell into deep financial uncertainty. Cut back on everything, learned to be more content with the simple things in life, and became more aware of what it means to rely on the provision of God.

Thanks for letting me share my "manly" find with you. Take a chance and chase some lions with me. Hey, maybe they sell a pink bow and arrow set somewhere out there .

Sharing a Movie and What's to Come

Last night as a family, we watched the movie Wall-E. The movie was cute, but I could not truly focus on the content because my mind started drifted back to many years ago. Actually about 18 years ago. Skip and I have always been big movie buffs, so it is no surprise that our kids are too. In fact our first official date was here about 18 years ago. We were seeing a pretty lame movie, but it doesn't look like we cared much. You may be thinking we look pretty cozy for a first date, but know that we had been like best friends for about 6 years at the time.

Last night I started to think back to those days when we were dating. We were so in love, it was sickening. To some today, it still is-Sorry! The thing I remember most in those courting days and even in our first couple of years of marriage was how much we talked about our future after watching movies. I guess seeing happy endings often made us think ahead to our own lives. There was no ministry talk that ever touched our lips, no financial struggles crossed our minds. We didn't worry about how we would save for our retirement years or handle the losses of our grandparents or dealing with a very sick child or hip replacements. The questions we did ask each other were things like, "How many kids do you think we'll have?" "Who do you think they will look like?" "Do you think they will be musical." "Will we be good parents?" "Will we always be this in love when we are in our 40's, 50's and so on?"



Last night, as I sat in the middle of my big family of 5 on one couch, I could not help but become overwhelmed with joy. Knowing that after all this time of watching movies together, our questions were really prayers. Prayers that are now answered. If I'm not careful through all the mess and stress of life, I could easily forget how blessed I am by my family alone. Sure the other stuff like ministry, friends and life's ups and downs make things more interesting, but my relationship with my husband and family are my greatest accomplishment in life.



Last night, I tried to enjoy the moment. I didn't want my mind wander to questions like, "How long will the kids still want to sit with us and enjoy movies?" "Will each of my kids find a special person to love as Skip and I have found?" and "How many years will Skip and I have to spend the rest of our lives together?" Those questions have already been spoken deep in my heart as prayers. Prayers that God is in control of. I have to trust that whatever comes along, He is there and that no matter what, my happy ending is coming in Heaven.

Favorite Worship Song

One of my favorite worship songs of all time was written by my husband in 2003 and was part of Saddleback's Song Seeker CD of 2004. It doesn't matter how many times I've listened, I still love it. I didn't even know it was available to listen to online until I googled it. I love that about the internet. The singer performing the song is Lyndsey Wallace from Saddleback church.

Hope you enjoy it too!

Click Here To Play I Want To Be Like Jesus


I'm always looking for a great song for Skip to use in Worship and have asked before for your favorite. A good song is a good song, so it doesn't matter if it's old or new. What is your favorite worship song?