Seafood, Suntans and a Banana Split

There are always those moments that redefine our lives.  For me, traveling to Brasil, my dad's death, and the pregnancy and birth of my son Nathan have had a large impact on how I view life and how I live.  And now I would have to add going to the Branson Victory Campaign to that list.  

I first heard about Kenneth and Gloria Copeland when I was younger but really started to listen to them when Jerod and I started dating and even more so right after my dad died.  I know many people (Christians included) who don't like to listen to t.v. ministers or view them as the "name it and claim it" bunch.  But I don't see them like that, I see them as taking the Bible for what it is and living life as it should be.  If we're supposed to "Be Like Christ", then why are we sick in bed, worried about how we're supposed to get the bills paid and spend too much time wondering what to make for supper?  And I know I am guilty of all.

During the 3 days of listening to Kenneth and Gloria last month, I prayed that the Lord would show me areas that I needed to change that might be putting a hold on His blessings for me.  Very clearly, He showed me 2 things that I needed to do with our finances.  One of those things was pay money to someone that I owed.  Now, this individual had not been asking me for the money, nor do I think they even had expected its coming.  But the Holy Spirit had been reminding me of it for some time (like for 2 1/2 years) but I hadn't followed through with it.  So when Jerod and I arrived home, I sent the money off to that person.  I also acted on the other thing that needed changing and when the time is right, I will share that story also.  

Since I have obeyed, blessings have been coming in...  

Jerod and I went out for lunch a couple weeks ago and we just happened to run into my Uncle and my cousins wife.  I hadn't seen them for about a year now.  It was a nice surprise to the day and Jerod and I joined them at their table.  It was good to visit with them and they were glad to see Nathan.  They finished before us and went on their way.  When Jerod and I were ready to go, the waitress informed us that our bill had been taken care of.  :)  (Thank you Uncle Steve!)

A couple weekends ago, I found out there was free tanning for the weekend at the place I've gone to.  So I went, wanting to get a little color added to this pasty skin that had only seen light from the computer screen this past summer!  While I was waiting I signed up for their prizes, not know what they were.  A week and a half after that, I got a phone call saying that I had won free tanning for a year!

One of my favorite foods is ice cream and I am so glad to know that Frosties opened yesterday!! :)  For some reason I had been thinking about a banana split 2 weeks ago and how good it would taste.  (Yes, I'm one of those that dreams about food!)  Last Saturday, Jerod and I had a late supper after watching Mariah's dance competition.  We ended up stopping at Culver's on the way home.  They have some of the BEST ice cream and we decided to get some after our meal.  Well while we're eating, one of the workers walks up to us and asked it we'd like a free banana split since they had made an extra one!  Of course, I put my not-even-close-to-being-done hamburger down and dove into the split!  

I'm thankful that I decided to obey the Lord this time instead of put it off.  And I know that this is just the beginning of more blessings to come!  And so I'm asking you, are there things that you know you should be doing but are not?  

Perfectionism Leads To Procrastination

I heard this from David Jay during the Free To Succeed tour stop in Kansas City last August.   For me, this is so true, especially with this blog!  I would prefer to have things perfect.  I honestly don't even like my blog, I think the style of it is boring and that makes ME not even want to visit it!  Somethings wrong with that picture, right? 

So, it's time for a makeover!  Nikki from Expressive Style Graphics is working on the new and improved for Him photography blog as I type! :)  Be sure to stop back again soon to check it out! 

Bella

Yesterday was such a nice day, it really got me ready for spring and summer!  I'm missing the warm weather!  Maybe it's time to take a trip to Brasil again! :)

Here's Bella, she lives in Rio!

Today

Quite a bit of time has gone by since my last post.  The days are so much different here at home, but in a good way!  Nathan is growing so fast!  He was 5 weeks old yesterday!  I told Jerod that if i was still at my old job, i would be going back to work in a week... I'm thankful that I don't have to leave Nathan and that I can stay home with him!

The first few weeks were spent getting caught up on rest!  I know what they mean know when they say, "Sleep when your baby sleeps!" :)  I'm at the point when I'm starting to get into a routine.  Spending time with the Lord, working out and working on the photography business are all priorities that I want to keep up on.  

Last week, Jerod and I went to Branson Missouri to hear Kenneth and Gloria Copeland andKeith Moore.  We had such a good time, it was nice to get away for a while.  The messages were just what we needed to hear also!  And I also met some wonderful ladies in the nursing room of all places! :)  It's neat to see other mothers interact with their babies!  We were also blessed with 2 days with temps in the 80's!  That really made me ready for spring!  It's coming!!

Here's a picture of Nathan... I love his eyes!

Nathan Charles Bowman

It's amazing how a little baby can put things in perspective, what's important and what's not... 

Nathan Charles Bowman was born on February 4, 2009 at 1:24 p.m.  Like the pregnancy, the delivery was wonderful and a blessing!!  :)  Since I was a week overdue, my doctor scheduled for me to come in that Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m.  The night before I hardly slept!  They broke my water just before 8 a.m. and I started having contractions that I could feel around 11 a.m.  By 1 p.m. I started pushing and at 1:24 he was born! :)  Nathan weighed 8 lb. 13 oz. and it's amazing to think that he was inside me!  God is so awesome!  

Our new little addition to the family... Nathan Charles Bowman.  

A happy dad with his new son! 

Nathan one day old, getting ready to leave the hospital.  The expression on his face cracks me up! :)

Sleeping at home!  

Living Out Of A Bag

Living out of a bag is never fun, but in this case I don't mind it so much.  My bags to take to the hospital have been packed for a couple weeks now.  Everything is in Jerod's truck except for the bag that contains the "bathroom items".  This is the bag I unpack and repack each day.  

This morning reminded me of Brasil.  It was either the early morning coffee with Jerod or the sun pouring into the bathroom as I got ready for the day.  When I lived in an apartment in Brasil, I had my own bathroom connected to my bedroom!  I loved it!  I also had a window in my shower, which is something you don't see here in the states.  No, it wasn't a full size window, just big enough and at the height that I could look out to the sights and sounds of Rio waking up each morning.  And I love sunlight, so for me, it was perfect!  

When I arrived in Rio, I lived out of my suitcases for about a little over a month.  All I had was a bed in the corner of my room until I purchased a wardrobe.  Closets don't exist in Brasil as they are considered another room to be taxed on.  At the time, living out of suitcases drove me crazy with clothes scattered everywhere!  (Although my dad would probably ask why, since that's the way my bedroom looked all the time growing up! :) )  It's interesting how some things bother you at the time, when they're such small details that you should just blow off.  That's why I'm enjoying this time of living out of a bag.  I know it won't last forever, and really this may be my last day of doing it!  So, with that being said, I'd better go repack the bag!  

The apartment building I lived in while in Rio...

Testing...

I'm working on putting a slide show up, but needed to test a photo on here first...

close, but not quite what i'm wanting...