Target on my back?

Last night, after being gone all weekend, I decided to take the dreadful trip to Wal-Mart to stock back up on groceries. It was nearly 9 o'clock but both Grant and I had had a nap on the way home and weren't too tired, so off we went. Shortly after I got going, Matt called my cell phone and we were talking when all of a sudden a truck comes up behind me blowing their horn and nearly running me over. I was going a few miles over the speed limit in the slow lane and there was no one in the fast lane beside me so I had NO IDEA what was going on. The guy just kept staying RIGHT on my bumper and holding his horn down. Meanwhile I'm on the phone with Matt telling him all this. Then the guy decides to gun it and FLY past me and then cut me off and hit his brakes. Thankfully I was able to react quickly and hit my brakes fast so I didn't run into the back of him. Then he turns into the Wal-Mart parking lot with me right behind him. Matt's on the phone telling me not to park or go in so I just drive around the parking lot slowly watching the guy park his truck and go in. Then I parked on the opposite side of the parking lot but with my car pointing to where I could see his truck and I just sat there. Matt said to just stay there and that he was coming up to the store. We hang up the phone and I sit there with Grant trying answer all his questions while I glance through my coupons. The next thing I know I look up and the guy is walking out of the store with a woman and they are STARING right at me. My heart started to beat a little faster. They get in their truck, never taking their eyes off me and then drive straight up to my van so close they nearly scraped the side of the van. At this time I am ferociously trying to dial Matt's cell phone. I get him on the line about the time the guy gets RIGHT next to my drivers side window. (so close he could have reached out and touched me!) He rolls his window down, looks me in the eye and yells "WHAT?" at my face. By this point I have let fear completely overtake me. I am sitting there with Grant right beside me , speechless, just cowering back. The guy finally drove off and I just sat there shaking until Matt got there (about 3 minutes later). Now, I am not one one to normally stereotype people...but this guy just looked scary. He was probably 45 yrs old...hadn't shaved in a month, dirty, dressed sloppy with a weird bucket type hat on. The lady, I never did get a good look at.
Anyway, I'm really getting annoyed by this stuff. This is the second time recently that something like this has happened to me. I am a modest person driving a mini-van with a child---give me BREAK! Do I really look like the kind of person looking to start (or be involved with) trouble?
The most disappointing thing about this whole episode was that I let the devil have his way with my mind after that. I began imagining all kinds of horrible things that could happen and I really had to do some spiritual warfare afterwards to gain back control. I actually had myself in tears imagining my cruel, inhumane death and how my children were going to have to be raised by some other woman and I'd never see them grow up! It's insane how the devil will try to grip you with fear if you'll just open the door for him!
Thank God that He is an ever-present help in time of need. When I cried out to Him last night after all of this, He reminded me of his promises in Psalm 91. Ahhh....peace again at last! I am so glad I am a Christian!!

Pumped with Power!

Have you ever been SO EXCITED that you just want to SCREAM????????
Well, that's how I feel this morning.
Nothing "obvious" happened...but after our prayer/Bible time this morning...I just feel like the disciples must have felt when the Holy Spirit fell on them in the upper room. I am on FI-YA!
I can just imagine the devil right now...probably backing up like a fox would do if he was staring into the face of a gigantic, roaring tiger! You know...when it realizes that it is seconds away from being torn to SHREDS!!
Literally I am on a total Holy Ghost adrenaline rush right now! I can't wait to get out of this house and let it spill over onto everyone I come into contact with today! :o)
Just wanted you all to know that....HAD to share it with somebody!

Checkin' In

So...hey there! Long time, no post!

You wanna know how bad it is? I have a post-it note stuck to my computer screen that says "READ BLOGS!!!!"

Seriously.

It's not that I don't want to...cuz I SOOOO do. But finding the time is a joke. As you know, we ALL go through these "seasons" where we just get too busy to spend much time sitting in front of the computer leisurly just reading about other peoples lives. I'm in that "season" right now. But...there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Oh yes there is....glory, hallelujah! It's far off in the distance, but I see it and it won't be too much longer!

In the meantime, I appreciate you all hanging in there and keeping me on your "following" list. I LOVE to write and get your feedback so I'll never go away for good.

But before I go, let me share some pictures with you from the past month.

On Friday May 1st, Grant was honored at his school assembly as Tiger Cub of the Month. He was VERY nervous to go up and accept his ribbon, so Brooklyn walked with him. Here are a couple of pics. One of him with me and one of our whole group that was there. (Matt had to work.)

Next up was May 9th: The Mother/Daughter Tea that our church holds every year. This year, I was a hostess, which was cool. It was fun to get all dressed up and do something girly with my mom and Brooklyn.

The next day was Mother's Day. I was scheduled to teach the 5-year-olds during church that day but after I got in my class, Matt stopped by the church coffee shop and got me a skinny french silk latte and brought it to me!! (brownie points baby!) Then after church we came home and grilled a wonderful meal for my mom and opened our gifts. Matt had gotten me exactly what I wanted--which was a 2gb microSD card for my new Blackberry so I can download all my music to it and use it as an MP3 at the gym. YAY! He also gave me a sweet card and wrote a message that covered the entire inside of the card (which is probably the most he has ever written to me!). It was precious and I will NEVER get rid of that card!

A few days later we celebrated Grant's 5th birthday! It honestly blows my mind that he's FIVE. Wasn't it just the other day that he was my BABY!?!

We started out the day by having breakfast at our favorite local cafe. My parents gave him his gift--which was a whole box of crumpled up $1 bills! He LOVED IT!

Then after school we had his party. It was the best birthday party I've ever thrown. Nothing fancy or super-fun...but EASY and he had a great time! We invited his whole class to Mazzio's immediately after school. I ordered 3 large single topping pizzas (with a coupon of course!) and drinks for everyone and it only ended up costing me $29!!! I had went ahead of time and decorated it up and since we had it at 3 pm on a Wednesday...we practically had the entire place to ourselves. Here are a couple pics of him with his cake and with all his friends.
So...that's my month of May...SO Far!! We have LOTS more events on the calandar still to come!

I'm looking forward to school being out and the "lazy dayz of summer" coming into full effect! :o)

Are you ready for Summer?

Summer is on it's way! Despite all the rain we've had---I see the sun peeking out at us! If you aren't ready to put on your bikini and strut your stuff just yet....there's still hope! I am here to help you! I am more passionate than ever about helping people get in the best shape of their lives...and the best news is--It doesn't have to take years! Just a determined attitude, a towel to wipe up the pool of sweat and the click of your mouse and you can be on your way to having the body you've always dreamed of. Don't tell me you can't do it, because I'm living proof that ANYONE who really wants it...can do it! I started out at 190 pounds. Now at 130 lbs, I am in the best shape of my life--after having 2 kids. You don't even need a gym membership! All this can take place in the space between your couch and your tv! I promise to hold you accountable and help you achieve your goals! Click here to find out how I can help you! Then click on the "Read My Story" link on the bottom left side of your screen. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or if you want to hear what program/products I recommend for you. YOU CAN DO IT!

Hey Baby!

Okay, I have to give a SHOUT OUT to my buddy Rachael who has recently started a custom baby products business. She is the bomb y'all. Everything she makes and does is HIGH quality and absolutely gorgeous and unique! If you have a baby in your life, check out this website:
www.simmonsgirlz.blogspot.com

Note to Self:

God didn't create you to be able to do everything all the time. You are not omnipotent nor are you omnipresent. You are not a super hero. You are one woman. You are NOT God.
God created you to be DEPENDENT on HIM. It is not a sign of weakness to "let go and let God" but rather a sign of strength and maturity. When you pray and "cast your cares on Him", you must see it as done. To continue to worry, stress or fret about it is a clear sign that you do not trust God to handle what you have given Him.

Trust God. He's got this.