MIA

I can't believe it's been this long since I have blogged, but like I said previously, it takes a back seat to other things. I apologize to my faithful readers who I know wait on the edge of their seat to read my posts *not*.

This Christmas season for the Fluitt family has been full of parties, caroling, church musicals, blessing a needy family in Bowie, baking, and just hanging out with each other. We honestly haven't been too extremely busy.

Tonight, us along with other friends, were blessed to be able to deliver a Christmas meal and presents to the Weaver family here in our hometown. They are a needy family with a wonderful story. They had to pawn most of their belongings just to pay bills. They had absolutely nothing. No furniture, no stove, no dining room table...nothing!! Most of the kids' toys were pawned as well. My friend Brittani along with her small group wanted to adopt this family and we of course wanted to be a part of the blessing, so we jumped right in there sending out our own emails asking for donations to help this family.

A sweet family purchased a new stove for them. Other's gave living room furniture, tables, a dining set, rugs, dishes, etc. And yet others purchased new things and gave so generously. I know at least 80 presents were carried into the house. Joey and I brought them a meal consisting of a roasted chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, green beans, and homemade biscuits. My sweet friend Alicia made a homemade pecan pie and homemade cookies. They were able to eat first before we all got there to deliver the presents.

The two kids and then the parents got to open several things while we were there. Geron, the dad, cried when he opened a tool set. He had to pawn his tools to pay the bills. Anne opened a too cute outfit and some baking items and the kids opened transformers, coloring books, new scooters, etc.

That didn't even touch the surface. My family was blessed to be a part of this wonderful time of giving. To see the look on their faces when they saw the meal and the gifts was priceless!! This is what the love of Christ is all about. It definitely is so much better to give than to receive.

Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, will be our second "Christmas." We will have our family Christmas on Christmas morning, and then we will go to Joey's mom's and stepdad's on Saturday morning and his grandparent's on Saturday night. Our last "Christmas" will be on January 2nd. We will definitely be busy, but we love getting to spend time with our family.

We hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends!! May Christ's love shine bright in your hearts and may you be encouraged to bless someone else.

Ummm. Can't Think Of A Good Title

Okay, so I know I haven't blogged in a while!! Shame on me:( I really and truly have been super busy. Between getting my Pampered Chef business up and running, Christmas shopping, wrapping, Christmas parties, and church our lives have been swamped. Please forgive me! I can't promise anything, but I'll try and be better. My friend Alisha has been begging me to write a post(s) on organization and my ideas. So, I am gathering my thoughts and it will come soon.

I made bread along with my super duper helper. She loves to wear her apron when I wear mine. Sometimes she is too much help if you know what I mean, but we have a good time together.

Judah loves his exersaucer. He will stay in it for about 15-20 min. at a time which is good. He loves the floor and his highchair too.

Don't you love the smell of freshly baked bread??

There you have it. My life right now in a nutshell. We have fun, but it's chaotic at times. I wouldn't trade my life for anything else in the world. My blog takes a back to seat to my family and other obligations, but I hope to be a little more regular. Have a super blessed week.

Alligator Mouth

"But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be." James 3:8-10

We were discussing the tongue in Sunday School this morning. I know my tongue can get me into trouble sometimes. I can be pretty forthright, sarcastic, blunt, and the list goes on and on. I can be gentle, but when the situation calls for speaking truth in love, then I am your woman. But sometimes I don't realize that my words can come across being judgemental and condemning. Please know that is not my heart at all. I am working on this.

Sometimes we forget that our tongue can hurt, cut, offend, tear, curse. Out of it can also flow bitterness, unforgiveness, crudeness, foul language, destruction.

The same tongue can produce kindness, blessing, encouragement, thanksgiving, love, peace.

How can the same tongue produce such opposite language and attitudes?

Because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34).

We speak what is in our heart. Period.

If hatred and ugliness is in our heart, then that's what comes out of our mouth.

If love and kindness are present, then that's what comes out.

You know it really comes down to an issue of self-control. I have heard some people control their foul language around certain groups of people (women, kids, church people) and let it loose around others. If they can control it, then they can get rid of it. If we all would think before we speak, then it would save us all a lot of theatrical apologies later as Anne Shirley would say.

With our tongue people bless God and then walk out of the doors of the church building cursing Him with their language. It ought not to be. It a reflection of our heart.

What a bad testimony our tongue can be. Gossip seems to be mainstream in our society even among Christians. I myself can be guilty of that as well. Where you draw the line I don't know. Gossip can be truth, but it doesn't give us the right to speak it to others all in the name of prayer. You have heard people speak a "prayer request" all in the name of gossip. Unless you have been given permission by that person to share personal things, then it should be kept to yourselves. I tell you I am guilty about sharing things with others that I have no business sharing. My intentions are pure and my motives are right, but should I be saying it? I don't know.

I could keep going on and on about this. So much truth can be spoken on this issue.

What do you think? Where do you draw the line between gossip and sharing requests and burdens of others? I have a hard time with this. I would love input.

Family Pictures

Well, here is a glimpse of our recent family photo shoot. Monica over at Pixel Perfect took these amazing pictures for us last weekend. I copied these from her blog so they are kind of small. When I get the "real ones" from her I will post more. They turned out amazing!! She has amazing talent to say the least. For all your portrait needs, help support her new and upcoming business. She's definitely not new at picture taking, but is trying to start a business. And no I don't get royalty for helping promote her:), but want to help her out. She's an old but new friend. Make sense?

One Year Checkup

Tuesday we took Libby for her one year heart checkup. Well, it actually was her 1 1/2 year checkup. She got an amazing report. She is doing so well. The patch is holding good, her EKG and ECHO were excellent. Dr. Siu doesn't want to see her again for two more years!! He even did an ECHO on Judah to see if his hole had closed up yet and it hadn't but it was still so small that he wasn't at all concerned. We will go back in January for his regular appointment.

Dr. Siu is simply the best doctor. He called us by name, remembered that we were Christians, and prayed with us before we left the room. Never ever had a doctor do that before. A true servant of the Lord that loves children.

We are praising the Lord for wonderful news and so grateful for His continued healing and new mercies every morning.

Oh, and another subject. I added a ton more songs to my playlist (at the bottom of the page) if you care to check them out. I also added some Christmas music for those who are indulging early. I am holding back until after Thanksgiving:) I will play the music while I'm working in the kitchen and I love it because there are no commercials and it's all the songs I like. Enjoy!!

There is also two mini sermons (it's what I call them), on the very bottom from John Piper and Mark Driscoll. Only 2-3 minutes a piece but well worth hearing. Check it out.

Fall Camping Trip 2009

We went camping last weekend, Halloween night, with some good friends. We absolutely froze our buns off at night, but it was a lot of fun. Now I will say the kids were warm and cozy, but Joey and I...not so good. We only got about one hour of sleep that night. Yes, we did have a heater, but our tent has ventilation at the top so the heat was escaping. Brother and sister were cozy in their respective beds and never knew their parents had hypothermia! We are thinking about making this a yearly tradition if we can get a better heater.

Judah man is under that blanket with only his head peeping through. It was downright chilly.

Libby warming by the fire.

Daddy chillin with brother...before it got cold.

Libby diggin for food.

All of us with Ergo's and and the babies. Joey with Libby, Me with Judah, Wendy with Jaika, and Ashlyn with Audrey. We went on a 3 mile hike with ALL the kids...needless to say, we almost called our chiropractor when we got home!!

Hugs,

Jewelry Giveaway

My friend Monica over at Pixel Perfect is having a jewelry giveaway. If you love personalized jewelry, head on over there and check it out. She has a wonderful blog and would love to visit with you.