Exclamation Point

I realize that I'm one of those people who always uses exclamation points. I use them all the time. In fact, the exclamation point is more like a period and when I want to convey excitement or any sort of emotion, I'll use multiple exclamation points. I'm not sure why - I honestly find it hard to communicate with the written word - i'd rather just talk to you face to face. That being said, if I have to type, I want to make sure I communicate to someone my voice inflection and therefore I use (or should I say overuse) the exclamation point. It's odd b/c I find it a little annoying when I read e-mails or blogs with lots of them in there, I just can't seem to help myself. In fact, I had a hard time not using one in the previous sentence. I guess I'm just excited to be blogging again.(!)

Why am I running?

Ok - first off, let me state the obvious. I'm not a blogger. I don't update my blog. I don't read the blogs of others. I'm really not that tech-saavy. I like to read books, magazines and other things that are paper related. Not sure if that will ever change. Ok - got that off my chest.

I've recently taken up running. Let me re-phrase that. I've recently decided to train to run the 1/2 marathon in Nashville due the the heavy pressure I've received from my husband and sister. They ran it together last year and decided to talk the rest of the family (my sister's husband Joel, me and my other sister, Holli, and her husband Brent) into running it with them this year. I'm actually pretty excited about my progress thus far. When I started I literally couldn't run a quarter of a mile w/o feeling like my lungs were going to cave in. Now, my longest run to date is just under 6 miles. I even went running by myself today in Enterprise, Alabama where it was a balmy (and beautiful) 60 degrees. That being said, I still don't feel like a runner. My knees hurt, I NEVER look forward to it and I still can't talk to anyone while I'm running. The race is in April. I think the only reason I'm running is to get the prize. Hopefully I'll start liking it in the process. We'll see.

My CG

I absolutely LOVE my Community Group. We're a group of people that our church put together based on where we live. We meet together three times a month and it's always great. From the outside, most would think we might not have a lot in common. Carl and I are the only "regulars" with kids. We all have different jobs, all in different seasons of life. Regardless, I LOVE them all to the core. Every person in my group loves Jesus and is always digging deeper. Tonight we just had a time of worship in our home where we sang, read scripture and prayed for each other. I know that the Lord knew that I needed this group of people at this season of my life. They make me want to be a better Christian! (Disclaimer - the picture is NOTHING spiritual at all!! We were all curious about "ear candles" one night and made Josh - one of our leaders - try it out!!)

Wives Tales

I guess I'm in shock. I've always been told you can't get prenant when you're nursing. NOT TRUE!!! Apparently I'm not only pregnant now but have been pregnant for 13 weeks. Odd, since I only quit nursing my 9 month old about 6 weeks ago. HMMMM. . . . something just doesn't add up.
Oh well, I could go through the list of "gripes" right now: I'm not ready, my body needs a break, how am I going to travel, sing, and run my business with three kids ages 3 and under. Bottom line - this is a blessing from Lord. I actually even think I felt the little bean move tonight. Maybe it's all in my head. Anyway, I've had my emotional "come-apart" and now I'm ready to move on and make my house ready for baby #3 - my hearts already there!

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!

It's a . . . . . .

We went to have an ultrasound last week to find out the sex of our new baby due in April. Well, to keep you in suspense, i must first tell you that this one was a fabulous experience. With Oak, the ultrasound tech (I'm sure there's a more "official" name for that but I don't know it) was very rude. Carl and I decided that she must be in the witness protection program! Anyway, this woman was great! So kind and she even took the time to take a few extra pics of the babies head and had the radiologists examine it for same problems that Oak had. We're happy to say that the head looks great!! We're also happy to say that Oak is excited to welcome his baby brother to the world this April! (Mom and Dad are excited too - no new clothes :-)!!

My WONDERFUL husband!!

I just felt like writing tonight about my wonderful husband! Here are just a FEW things that make him the best!

* He halves the load, sometimes taking on more than his half!!
* He's not afraid of a poopy diaper
* He knows how to clean a kitchen!
* He NEVER fusses when I spend money
* He always supports me when I work and am away
* He spends every Tues. night with Oak - it's boys night out!
* He recently surprised me for our 9 year anniversary with a 7 day cruise!! (see above photo!)

I could go on forever and ever, but I just felt it necessary to write about my wonderful man!! I love him so much and I'm so grateful that God gave him to me as my mate!

Thanksgiving Miracle Breakfast!

About nine years ago, Carl and I started a tradition we now refer to as "Thanksgiving Miracle Breakfast". When we lived in NC, the breakfast was for those students who were "stuck" at Gardner-Webb University with no family. We served a big breakfast and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. It was great! When we moved to Nashville, we conitnued the tradition, only now, it's people who live too far away to travel home for the holiday. Yesterday, we had 30 plus people at our house enjoying our Thanksgiving Miracle Breakfast. Carl and I were re-capping yesterday's events and realizing that we have so much to be thankful for - especially the wonderful people God has put in our lives. What a blessing to have such good friends!! My cup runneth over!!!
(P.S. as a side note, the name "Miracle breakfast" comes from the fact that our good friend Trish Murray from NC would not come to our b-fast after several years of being invited. One year she FINALLY decided to show up and when she walked in the door, Carl yelled "It's a Thanksgiving Miracle"!) And so begins our legend . . .

My first GIG!!

Well, this weekend marked my first official music gig. I was asked by my good friend Tammy Bass to lead worship for a women's conference she was hosting in NC. I was REALLY hesitant but agreed. I humbly asked my husband if he'd come and "back me up" with guitar and he excitedly agreeed (He's my BIGGEST fan and supporter!!). I have to confess that I was as nervous as I've ever been! I guess it's b/c I'm used to being the BGV (back ground vocalist - for those of you not involved in music) and am only used to be a "front man" when it comes to speaking (which I get to do a lot with my MK business).

In spite of my weakness, God used it for something great!! In fact, I received an encouraging e-mail today from a man who was there (doing tech support), who really enjoyed it and asked if he could get a copy of the CD from that day so he could listen himself. I'm so humbled by that!! Praise the Lord for working all this out and for giving me the opportunity to serve!!

My son, the drummer

Not much to say here . . . a picture says a thousand words!! I guess we've got the drummer now!! Hope this next one will play bass!!

Every Mother's Nightmare

Ok - so now I understand why mom's freak out when a sick kid get around their kids. As you know, Oak is getting over the Croup. Well, when we returned home from Florida last Monday, Oak woke up with a wicked case of Pink Eye. At the Dr's office I found out it was accompanied by an ear infection as well (Praise the Lord - his first!). Anyway, they put him on oral and topical antibiotics. Well, I thought that by Thursday he'd surely be well enough to go to his "school" (since he only goes one day a week and selfishly since that's my only break!). Also, his eyes hadn't been crusting up on Wed. Sure enough, I took him to school on Thurs. and about an hour later I got the call that went something like this . . . "Um, Mrs. Cartee, I'm calling about Oak . . . his eyes are getting really mucusy and you're going to have to ask you to come and pick him up. He'll be in the office waiting, away from the other kids, so you won't have to go to his class . . . just come straight to the office". So, Carl went and picked him up and we took him with us to our first OB appt. where we got to hear the baby's heartbeat (boy, was that ever a nightmare - I'll save that for another blog!). When we got home that afternoon I called the Dr. and they said that if he wasn't better by Sat. to call them and they'd call him in a stronger antibiotic. Well, Sat. came and he was great. We had a great day at the park and he took a LONG nap that afternoon. That night we went to church and I happened to be volunteering in one of the kids classes while Carl led worship. You guessed it! About 15 minutes into the class the children's director came and asked me if Oak was having allergies. I explained to her that he had been on antibiotics all week, that the Dr. said he was not contagious anymore and that it was probably just a little extra "sleep" in his eye from his nap. Boy was I wrong. Ten minutes later she came back and said I needed to go look at him. I went to his class to find him almost not being able to see at all for all the green goo in his eye (Carl and I affectionally call him "Crusy McGoo" now!). Needless to say, we were sent home for the 2nd time in a week. So, I guess this is my public apologies to all the mother's out there!! Sorry!!