Final Tribute to my Girlfriends - Winona Hamrick

Winona Hamrick is my husband's grandmother and my hero. She is hands down the person I know who is most like Jesus. She is truly an example of someone who has given her life away. She's a prayer warrior and has a servants heart. She is an example of someone who is finishing well. We always stop by and visit Carl's grandparents when we're in town and this past weekend we were able to see them again. She's always so excited when we're there and in spite of her immense physical pain, she took time to get down in the floor and play with Ezra. She writes to people in prison, plays the piano at her church and sends my husband a birthday card every year with $10 bill! She's the best hugger on planet earth and I'm so proud that she's my grandmother-in-law!!

Tribute to my Girlfriends - Sallie Wallace

Sallie Wallace is my mentor. She's a mother of two and a grandmother of four. She's spent countless hours pouring into me at Panera. She loves God and is a student of His Word. She is wise beyond her years. She prays for me . . . often and consistently. She loves me and I will be eternally grateful for the sacrifice she's made for me and the investment she's made into the kingdom. Thank you Sallie! I love you so much . .. thanks for teaching me how to be a wife, mom and follower of Christ!

Tribute to my Girlfriends - Leslie Bates

Leslie is one of my Mary Kay girlfriends. She lives in Ohio so we only get to see each other 2-3 times a year, so we always room together at MK events. We have the same National Sales Director so we're "related" in Mary Kay but didn't meet until we both became directors. I admire Leslie because she's the most phsically fit person I know. She works out every day!! When I say every day, I mean EVERY DAY. At our yearly conference we have a grueling schedule, not to mention the fact that we're in hose, heels and business suits in Dallas, TX when it's over 100 degrees. Needless to say, we don't have troule sleeping at night and usually fall into bed exahausted and savor every minute of sleep we get! We need to be up by 6am everyday to get ready and don't get in bed most nights until midnight. Leslie was up every morning at 4:50 so she could be in the gym at 5am and work out until 6am. That, my friends, is dedication! (as a side note, in my mind, 4:50 is not early, it's still the middle of the night!) She not only works out, she also eats really well too! She lives an extremely balanced life and I truly admire her for her discipline!! She's a mom of two and has abs of steel!! Way to go Les!! (The photo if of me, Kari, our other roomate and Leslie on our awards night. Leslie is the blonde).

Tribute to my Girlfriends - Kendra Haneline

Kendra has got to be one of the best mom's I know!! If there was a "mom" contest, I'm sure she would win!! She's the best blogger in the world, she's a great scrap-booker and takes the best pics of her kids! What you may not know about Kendra is that she graduated from college and left a career in banking to stay at home with her kids (2 boys and 1 girl). She's been a work-at-home mom since her oldest, Chandler, was about six months old. She's given of herself sacrifically to pour into the lives of her kids!! In addition to being a fabulous mom and wife, she's also the glue that holds our college friends together. Kendara is always keeping us informed on what's going on in one another's lives. She plans a get-togehter every summer when Carl and I are in town (NC). She's one of the most thoughtful people I know! And, I've saved the best for last . . . she is HANDS DOWN the best Pictionary player on planet earth!! (I have a link to Kendra's blog if you'd like to check out her family . . . I also love her hand-made cards and have used them . . . they make great gifts!!) The above pic. is of Kendra at our summer pool party holding Ezra.

Tribute to my Girlfriends - Vicki Campbell

I thought this week (yes - I'm planning on "blogging" everyday this week!!) I'd write tributes to some of my special girlfriends! I have a ton of great girlfriends but wanted to honor a few of them in my blog. Tonights' blog goes out to my dear friend and mentor Vicki Campbell. Vicki works with Carl and is basically the glue that holds our ministry together. She helped Carl sucessfully plan and orchestrate the first ever Inspire Worship Conference hosted by our ministry. She takes care of the day to day details in our ministry and it was recently said by one of the churches that brought us in that "everybody should have a Vicki"!! More than all this, Vicki is one of my best friends. She is wise beyond her years. She loves the Lord passionately and b/c of that, she loves me and my family passionately. She's constantly pouring into my life through prayer, giving of her time and energy, words of wisdom from scripture and through our long Wednesday talks. She's a tremendous blessing in my life and I'm so grateful for her!! (Vicki went through a leadership class with Carl and the picture is of Vicki, Carl and Dave - the teacher of the Leadership class).

The Comparison Trap

I just returend home from a huge Mary Kay yearly conference called "Seminar". It's really one of the most amazing things I've ever attended. We fill up the Dallas Convention Center (actually, we fill it up 5 times over 5 weeks) and the week is filled with celebration, motivation, education and inspiration. I always come back super pumped and ready to go! I've also noticed that in years past I come back playing the comparison game. I'm not sure if this is part of my personality, or something that I just stuggle with b/c of my gender or just my sin nature in general. I look at how somemone else has done something better than me and I lament and wish I was "as good" in that area. I suppose I do it in other places as well . . . not just the Mary Kay arena. I have a friend who is amamzing at scrapbooking and I think I should do a better job at that. Another friend is a great cook and always fixes something unique and creative for her family. My friend Leslie is a work out queen! She has abs of steel while I'm sporting a post-partum muffin top! Needless to say, I fall into the comparison trap. Two things I've realized about this dangerous game: 1 - I typically compare my weaknesses with others strenghts and 2 - gifts are to be celebrated, not envied. I guess in addition to convicting me about my pride, the Lord is also teaching me that the greatest gift I can share with others is love. I may not be a super cook, workout queen or scrapbooking diva, but I sure can love people. It starts at home with my husband and boys . . . it stretches into my work and my church body and out into my community. So, when I look at it that way I'm pretty humbled at the huge gift I've been given!
"So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
1 Cor. 13:13

Middle School Girls

I have to say that I absolutely love middle school girls. They're awkward, silly, self-conscious and super sweet! I used to teach middle school. We're in the last week of six weeks of camp and I'm constantly surrounded by middle school girls. They're always asking if they can hold Ezra. Middle school was not a happy time for me. I was moody, I had braces and a bad perm and I was about 5'11" and weighed 110lbs (maybe). I also wore a size 11 shoe. I looked hilarious. I was super self conscious and so concerned about what everyone thought. However, I was EXTREMELY impressionable during this season of my life. I was teachable and eager to learn. And there was still a little bit of me that wanted to please adults and especially my teachers. I began my relationship with Christ in middle school. For this reason I think it's so important that we not forget the middle school girls (and boys). I just contacted the student pastor at my church to see if there was a need for a mentor in this area. Just like the rest of my friends my age, I'm super busy with family, job, house, etc., but I just don't think I can miss out on this opportunity. I've been blessed to have so many people pour into my life through the years and I think it's my honor to pour back. Besides, one of these days, these middle school girls will be babysitting my boys, teaching my boys and yes . . .even marrying my boys!! So, here's to the middle school girls!!

Am I a camper???

I've never considered myself a camper. . . in fact, I don't really like things like the woods or being outdoors unless the conditions are perfect or there's a pool, lake or beach involded. I hate bugs, spiders and all other creepy-crawly things!
However, in looking back at my life over the last 10 years or so, one would think I love camping. My husband (and now boys) and I spend anywhere b/t six and 10 weeks every summer at camps. Of course, we're not sleeping in a tent and hiking a lot but there are bugs involved. There are also sweaty middle school boys, scary laundromats and lots of cafeteria food!! I know it sounds crazy but I LOVE IT!! Every year I look forward to our "camp season". I think that this year I'm especially fond of it b/c I have two boys of my own and know that one day they will be campers somewhere. It makes me tear up just thinking about it!! I really want to invest all I can into the students we come in contact with this summer b/c I know someday people will be investing in my boys!! Every "camper" is someone's son or daughter who is, just like me, in desperate need of a savior! Since we get to lead worship for these student camps, often times we're able to catch a glimpse of that connection b/t camper and Savior and it's the most amamzing thing I've ever seen. I'm honored to be a part and believe it one of the biggest blessings I've ever had!!
Enough for now, I have to go pack for camp!

My sweet baby Boy

Ok - before I post these adorable pics, I have to confess that I might be the worst "blogger" of all times. I have great intentions, but the busyness of the "urgent" just creeps in!! Anyway, enough is enough! It's time I share this sweet boy with the rest of the world!! Ezra Stone Cartee was born on April 17th 10:51am and weighed 8lbs. 8oz. He's doing really well and only woke up ONE TIME to feed last night!! (Praise God for four straight hours of sleep!!). I have many fun stories to share and will try and post them over the next several days. Until then, feast your eyes on one of my greatest accomplishemnts (equal to my two year old and second only to marrying the greatest man in the whole world!)

Snow Day!!

Today was Oak's first official "Snow Day". We awoke to 4 inches of snow - which is a lot for where we live. We immediately bundled up and went out to play. Since we don't normally get snow that amounts to anything, we don't own any snow gear. So in keeping with a childhood tradition my family established, we bundled Oak up and put grocery bags on top of his tennis shoes. It really works great - you should try it sometime! We had a great time, although I must admit I was wiped out when we finished! I guess I'm finally feeling pregnant!