Houston, Texas

On Friday after camp, we headed to Houston for the weekend. I was so excited to see Michelle, Nathan and the kids... When we arrived in Houston we met them all for dinner and then headed back to their place. On Saturday morning, Alison, Taylor and I headed to Katy, we stopped by Michelle's dad's place and Taylor saw her grandpa, and I dropped some stuff off to him and picked up some stuff for Michelle. After that we headed to my grandmother's house and picked up the stuff she had for Charlie and Alison. At 12:30 I went to meet my goodfriend Mike for lunch at Casa Garcia's, it was great to see Mike and sit and talk, it's been way to long. After lunch we headed back to pickup Michelle, who had to work till 2. On the way home ALison got a DVD stuck on her finger, only my little girl could do something so crazy. I tried to get it off, but I had to pull over and do it and we finally got it off. I hope and pray she doesn't do that again, ever! Got Michelle and then we headed to the Galleria Mall, went to Dylan's Candy Bar, Bath & Body Works (gotta love the big sale) and then to the Disney Store.. While we were at the mall, Craig and Charlie headed to Johnson Space Center (NASA) for the Cubscout Space Camp.. It was from Saturday at 5- Sunday morning at 9ish.. After enough of shopping and looking around it was time to head back to Michelle's house. We got back and let the kids play while Michelle grilled some steaks. Dinner was great, the girls played, mine boys were at Space Camp, Nathan was at work, and Caleb was everywhere (he's 2)...Sunday the boys came home, we packed up and we headed to Calvin and Erica's for a Father's Day BBQ (We gave Craig's father's day gifts to him before we left Dallas). The kids all played and we sat and talked and Erica grilled and we had an amazing lunch. After lunch we needed to head home. We left around 4 and we stopped for Gas, and drinks, and we got home at 9. Great weekend!

Princess and Prince Warrior Camp~

Last week our church put on not 1, not 2 but 3 amazing camps...There was Princess Camp, Prince Warrior Camp and Impact Camp. Charlie and Alison attened the Princess and Prince Warrior Camp, and Charlie can't wait till next year to attend the Impact Camp. They did some amazing crafts, games, music, and had some great snacks. It was a blast, it was from 9-12 everyday. I was worn out everyday after working the camp. I need to upload the video's from the last day and when the kids performed for the families. Amy and Bryan Holt you two are amazing and I am so happy that God put you two at COC Metro and with our children, you are both great Children's Ministers. Thanks for all your hard work, we all are so blessed....

Today was the hardest day in my life....

I think today (know I know today) was the hardest days of my entire life. Matheus left America to go back home to Brazil. I so wanted to do this program to make a impact on their lives and wow was I fooled. Matheus made a deep impact on my entire family, and friends and everyone he met. It's seems so weird to come home and he not be here, see his room and him not there. After 10mths to have them gone, it makes an impact. It has been real emotional for us all, Matheus included and his friends. I know you will be back, but next summer seems so far away. I am thankful for facebook, email and webcam.... I am truely thankful to Miguel & Lilian and your entire family for sharing Matheus with us, we learned so much from him. I love that he bonds our two families together. I so can't wait to come to Brazil and meet you all in person.

Matheus, we love you so much and thank you for being apart of our family.. Not many people can say they have families in two countries, but you can. You will always be apart of our lives. You have made such a deep impact on us all, hugs and kisses you you and don't forget to write often, call and photos...

Love you kido!

Girls Night Out!

I haven't gone out with the ladies in a long long time, so we are all going out tonight. Can't beat dinner, Christian Comedy Club, and then some yummy yogurt afterwards. But the best part is being with some amazing women.

Prayers for a Close Family Friend~

Yesterday on the way home from having dinner with the family, Alison and I ran an errand. I called the guys to check on them and while I was talking to Craig I got a voicemail. When I called and checked my voicemail and I think my heart stopped for a moment. I called my inlaws back to talk to them. I was informed that our good family friends "The Waite's" that Wanda was rushed to the hospital. They said that it's didn't look good and that was at 9:20 last night. When Craig got home (10:00), I had to tell him about one of his closest friends mother. Craig called Craig (yes the same name) and we were told that she just passed away. They believe that she suffered a massive heart attack. The Simmons and The Waite's have been friends for over 30+years... They are more family than friends. So please say a prayer for everyone.

This is a busy week, trying to get everything done before Matheus leaves. Trying to visit with everyone before Monday. It's been an truely emotional week at least for me.. Tuesday he went out with Lydia for dinner at Texas De Brazil and they enjoyed there time together. Then yesterday I took him and Charlie to meet Craig and head to the mall to get last minute gifts for family. And we stopped and had BBQ together as a family. The boys keep making me laugh, they are nuts. I really cherish those little moments together. Today we are running some more errands, and then he is heading to SpeedZone with his friends tonight. Tomorrow, he is going to go and play some poker with some more friends "Guy Time". Saturday while Alison and I are at women's bible study and the boys are heading to "Deleay Plaza" to see the JFK and 6th floor Museum. Afterwards we are meeting to go to Mat's and then Lydia's graduation party. Sunday we have church and then meeting my dad and stepmom at Texas De Brazil for lunch. THen some more get togethers on Sunday evening. And then the dreaded Monday. We start our day with church camp, and then to pack up the car, and head to our last meal together at Rainforest Cafe before heading to the airport. Not sure I am ready for this at all. I thought when we signed up to be an exchange parent we would be changing their lives, but it worked the other way, he changed our lives. It helps knowing that this isn't goodbye, just a see you next year. But man it's going to still be very hard. Thank you Miguel and Lilian for sharing your son with us. I feel that I will always have a bond with you all as well as Matheus.

Some photos from the Picnic with COC

Amazing evening with our COC Metro Family

We are truely blessed from God, I see that everytime I walk into our church. COC has an amazing pastor and I love seeing how God is blessing him, his family and the church. All the other pastor as well... Brian, Kaleb, John, Kelso, Dane (they are all amazing and so are their families that support them).

www.cocmetro.com

Our church has been asked if we are on board and ready to go to 11. Think about it most things go to a 10. We are wanting to push it to the next level and go to an 11, on everything we do. Just go one more notch.

Colossians 3:16-17
16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We Serve the best, The Lord Almighty

Hebrew 10:24-25
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2 Timothy 2:1-2
1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

The 4 G's
*Gather
*Grow
*Give
*Go

Acts 1:8
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."


According to studies on Plant Churches, we have gone up and beyond on the growth.
Year 1 (2008) - 80 in attendance
Year 2 (2009) - 203 in attendance
Year 3 (2010) - 380 in attendance
Year 4 (2010) - 450 since May 2010

On Baptizm
Since June 2008 when we started COC- Until May 2010, 70 people have been Baptized
(On June 6, 2010 we can add 13 more to that number)

According to Converge Worldwide (Planting Church Organization) COC Metro is a success story. Most plant churches have 83 in attendance by there 4th year.

God said we are going to be blessed and we have been blessed.
We have a blessed God who has blessed his people to be a blessing to all those around us.

Genesis 12:1-3
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."


God has called COC Metro to take over and dominate the 380 Corridor.

Romans 12:1-2
1 Timoth 6:7
Matthew 6:21


So we were given a challenge, a 11 week challenge. We had a growth spurt of 182% and our giving of onl 8%, so today everyone answered the challenge and it's amazing what God is going to do and is already doing. The answer was over $30,000 over the 11 week challenge!!!

Then today we had our Family Picnic and Baptizm at the Lake. There was over 200+ people (our extended and amazing church family). What a great and fun way to spend the evening laughing, talking and fellowship together and getting to know those we don't already know. And when it was time for the Baptizing we had some who we all knew that were going to get baptized and then some that right then and there chose to accept Christ as their Savior. So after it all there was 13 people who were baptized in the lake...

First Week of Summer Coming Up!!!!

I can't believe that I am the mom of a now 2nd and 3rd grader. Where has the time gone, seems like yesterday I was having them. And now they are going on 8 and 9yrs old (almost).. We are super excited for the summer and all the fun that is planned.
We are starting off the summer with a Vacation Bible School, next week they have Princess and Prince Camp, Space Camp for Charlie and Craig and Girls weekend in Houston for Alison and I. More Vacation Bible School, Movie Days, Lunches with Dad, Reading Club, Circus, Pine Cove Camp, Swimming, Sleepovers and weekend mini trips. THe one sad thing about this summer is Matheus will be returning home to Brazil on the 14th, we have one more week with our Mat. But we also have a great thing about this summer, Lucas arrives on July 30th. And I get to go to Women of Faith, thanks to my husband who surprised me!!! And Craig will be heading to a men's retreat.

The Diva Wineglass

I got this amazing Wineglass, that say's DIVA on it from my stepmom.. I think this is m favorite wine glass EVER, I think I need to break it in and have a glass of wine today... Since Alison and I are just chilling and relaxing at home.

A day planned with my stepmom and Alison~

My stepmom Paula and I had this day planned for weeks. So the guys headed to Oklahoma for a guys weekend. And us ladies had a day of shopping and lunch planned. Alison and I started our Saturday at Women's Bible study, we are doing "This is my Story" by Lisa Whelchel and I am so loving it..

Can't wait till next week. So Paula arrives up here in Savannah, she comes in and gives us some goodies from Disney World, they just got back from celebrating their anniversary and also my future sister in laws college graduation. Can't wait till we get to go back, need to start planning. And it's now time to hit the streets. We started with lunch at McAlister's Deli (yummy salads, bake potatos and sweet tea).
After lunch we headed to Justice, gotta love 40% off the entire store and even the sale items, Alison got a ton of clothes for the summer, we are so good now... I laugh cause everything she got is PINK, PINK and More PINK, with a splash of yellow and orange here and there.

After shopping at Justice we headed over to Lane Bryant, several weeks ago we went shopping there and we earned Woman Bucks, so for every $50 we got $25 off, and sadly we have $150.00 Woman bucks and a 15% off coupon on top of that. We both had fun trying on clothes and looking around, Alison was silly and had alot of fun.

I love the clothes that I got, and they have a ton of colors, no more black, I have been banned from wearing or buying black by the family..LOL.. I do have a ton of black clothes, not anymore.... After Lane Bryant we headed to JC Penny's to get Charlie a swim suit. They had a ton of great and amazing sales... We got Charlie 2 swim suits, 2 pairs of shorts, and four shirts (one is a cool Brazil Soccer Shirt) and then somehow we went to look for Alison a pair of Jean Shorts and that little chickie ended up with alot more. She got a couple of skirts, and shirts and jammies (This girls is spoiled ROTTEN)

After all that shopping we headed to show Paula what Yogurt Story was all about, and I think she loved it... They had Banana Pudding Yogurt (Frozen) and it was flipping amazing!!!!

While we where there Michelle called and asked to talk to Paula and next thing you knew we had to head back to the mall for Barnes and Noble, there was a new Twilight book.

So off we went and Paula got her book and she was super excited and again Alison got something, this time a book on horses, her true passion in life. We get in the car and she was reading it all the way back to our house.