Part 2

How about we start off this post with a super cute picture? :)  It was taken by a woman that we met at the beach the other day. 


(this was taken by wanda's lasting memories)

 This day was special for us, we had never been swimming in the Atlantic Ocean before!  Well...I swam in the Atlantic when we were in Haiti, but I have never experienced waves like this before...I guess I should say, I've never swam off the eastern coast of the US before. :)  Anyhoo...we met up with our good friends, Jeff and Leah (and their family) and headed out to the ocean front.  We parked a few blocks up and trekked on down to the beach.  It was packed, but it was a ton of fun.

Eli didn't like the water too much...

but he LOVED the sand!

After we were done at the beach we all headed back to Jeff and Leah's place.  Leah made this AMAZING lasagna for dinner.  We swam for a little bit, ate some dinner, watched TV, and finally headed home around 11:00pm.  It was a great day.  Somehow during the mix of it all, little Eli chipped his front tooth.  Thankfully you cant see it too much. 

Okay...so we talked about the beach, and Eli's chipped tooth...now onto the car across the street.  (yes I know I got 1. and 2. mixed up...but oh well.) :)

So for those of you who don't know...there has been a black Dodge Charger parked across the street and one house down.  It has been there for over a week now.  I remember last week there was a couple who parked it, and then they drove away in another Dodge Charger...anyway, on Friday, Eli and I headed to a choir practice at 6:30.  We got home rather late because we went to Ihop after practice.  It was around 11:00 pm when I pulled up to our house.  I have to park the car on the street because there isn't enough room in our driveway for both cars to fit straight in.  So I usually pull a U-turn right where that Charger is parked.  I had to drive a little further this time...when I passed the Charger, I saw that the 2 outside tires weren't there anymore.  Once I turned around, I saw that the 2 tires next to the curb were gone as well...along with ALL of the lug nuts being on the ground...  As soon as I got inside, I called the cops.  They had me go outside and read them the license plate number.  About a half hour later there were 2 cop cars outside looking at the car.  I went and talked to them...later finding out that the car hasn't been reported stolen (yet) and there is nothing they can do about it because the owner didn't report the tires/rims being stolen.  Anyway, the car is STILL parked outside, no tires, and the lug nuts are still all over the road.  Whenever the car owner comes back, IF they come back, they aren't going to be too happy!

Onto number 3...Eli and I went on a date yesterday! :)  I had to take a dress to the tailor to get it taken in a little bit...as we were driving out of the parking lot, I saw that there was a Cracker Barrel across the street.  I asked Eli if he wanted to eat and of course he said yes!  (if any of you know Eli...you know he LOVES food!)  We went in, sat down, and had a wonderful dinner.  There was an elderly lady having her birthday dinner.  After the staff sang Happy Birthday to her, Eli started clapping and yelling "Yay birday! birday!"  I thought it was adorable. :) (everything he does is adorable...) :)

After we were done eating we headed over to Michaels.  I was able to find a few things there needed for our trip to California. (only a few more weeks!)  After Michaels, we had an hour or so to kill before the movie started so we headed over to Marshalls.  They always have great deals on shoes and purses...but amazingly enough...I didn't buy either one! :)  Around 10:00 pm (yes I know that is TOO LATE for an almost 2 year old to be up) we walked into the theatre to see Transformers.  Eli stayed awake through about half of it.  Every time he one of the cars he started saying "GO GO GO!" or "VROOM!!!"  Thankfully the movie was so loud, not many people could hear him. :)

That was our date night...we really enjoyed Transformers, it had great special effects...which I LOVED! :)

I'm pretty sure number 5 is up next...almost done with the list! :)  This past Sunday evening, our church had a Unity service with another church here in Norfolk.  I just want to give a shout out to everyone who participated.  It was AMAZING.  God spoke through Pastor Dan (as always) and he gave an amazing "mini" sermon.  We (our choir) sang with the other church's choir for 2 special numbers.  It was so wonderful...I barely had a voice left after we were all done!  My close friend Dezi watched Eli for me.  She is SO SO great with him.  (if you cant tell by the caps...I pretty much love her.) :) 

God has been speaking to me so much lately...one of the things he has been telling me is...He is NOT a God of chaos, but a God of order.  If any of you REALLY know me...you know that I am NOT a neat freak.  I like to call it an organized mess. :)  Now its mostly a mess... HAHA. :)  God has really been telling me that in order to have my life organized...I have to start with my messy house.  He doesn't want me to live in chaos, he wants me to live life simply, and orderly...Tomorrow starts the transformation.  I am taking all of my laundry...I mean ALL of it, sorting through it, giving some away, keeping others...taking it down to the laundry mat, washing, folding, and then putting it away when I get home... Remember Obama, when he was giving his speeches before he was elected???  The ones where he always said its time for a change, or we need change?  Well...God is telling me, I NEED CHANGE! (I'll take quarters) :) 

The other thing that God has been putting on my heart is that not every "Christian" is really following God's will.  People may say they are Christians, but you NEED to watch out for their actions.
  Matthew 7:15   "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

Friends, you really need to make sure the people you surround yourself with are NOT false prophets!  They will eat you up, tear you down, do whatever they can, say whatever they can to make themselves look better and feel better...do not give in, stand strong in the Lord!

Okay...so that's my preaching for tonight. :)  Stay tuned in for more... :)  Pretty sure that takes us to number 6...

I miss Ellis.

Pretty sure I don't have to elaborate on that one...  Its so hard knowing that the love of my life is half way across the world.  Be strong Ellis, I love you, I miss you, and be expecting a package soon! :) 

That's about it for tonight friends...I told you I would catch you up.  I'll let you know how the next few days go with my laundry!  Should be an experience! :) :)  If any of you want to help (yeah right) just let me know! ;)

Take care, God bless you and keep you.
-B