Merry Christmas...

I received the best Christmas card this year that I probably have ever gotten!  I am going to keep it out so I can remind myself throughout this new year how to keep the Christmas spirit.  I am going to share it with you and hope that it is a blessing!

This Christmas...
Let's give a little Jesus, a thoughtful word or deed,
an act of generosity for someone who's in need.
Let's give a little Jesus to everyone we meet,
the salesclerk or the server, the person on the street.
Let's give a little Jesus, that's what really counts
not what's spent or bought, for whom, in what amounts.
Let's give a little Jesus to everyone, large or small...
For Jesus, the Messiah, is the greatest gift of all!

Merry Christmas to all and until next time...

Renovation Realities...

Have you ever seen that show on DIY called Renovation Reality?  I have seen it a few times and have laughed at the frustrations that the couples face on television and even told Tim there is no way I would go through that, I don't think Tim and I would have the patience to go through a remodel.  Well...never, say never!!!
We decided to be brave, put on our big girl panties and do a remodel!  We actually swapped bedrooms with the girls and built them a closet.  Poor Bill Neal, I'm surprised he is still talking to me...he built the closet.  And Kevin put the shelves inside the closet.  The frustrations came when they were trying to find studs in a 100 year old house.  Also let me add that the room the girls were moving into was a wine color and I wanted it painted a light pink!  Yep, light pink--because their bedroom furniture was black.
Anyway, after kiltz, paint, no sleep, backaches, mean looks, short tempers, and "I'm sorry's" we finally got the rooms done and like everyone on the real Renovation Reality...we were glad we done it!

Tim starting the 2nd coat of light pink...

The closet...I think Bill Neal is retired from carpentry

Time for the furniture in the girls room

Gracie-Mae finally finds something that looks like a bed

The after...Abby-Lynn's bed and Gracie-Mae's daybed

Hannah-Shea's bed

Finally...mine and Tim's new room



Until next time,

Bridgett

Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend the girls and I made a trip to the Pumpkin Patch with my mom, sister and her kids.  We all had a great time, took lots of pictures and had a picnic, but boy was it cold!!!  The month of October is a big birthday month for my family, there are five of us who have birthdays.  Gracie-Mae knew we were all going on this trip together so she designed a birthday cake for everyone.  Treva Haggard, being the genius cake maker she is, took Gracie-Mae's drawing and made the cake.  Of course it was delicious...hope you enjoy the pics...

Cake designed by Gracie-Mae

HShea, Alynn, GMae, Jackson & Jade

Jade, Hannah-Shea, Gracie-Mae

My mom...proud of her pumpkin

Nanny's 5 little pumpkins

They didn't ride a school bus, but we all did go on a hayride

Happy Halloween and Happy Fall to everyone!!!

Happy Birthday...to me!

Yes, that's right...today I am 37yrs old.  It's been a great birthday as usual, but just to have another year added to my life is a gift itself.  It's also a time to reflect on things I should have done or could have done and make a point to try and do them this go around.
Thanks to all my friends and family who make everyday special but most of all thanks to my husband and wonderful girls who love me more than anyone else could on earth!
Below is a pic of what I got for my birthday...and of course...I did get a purse also.

Yes...I got a bike

Thank you honey, you know I hate to walk

Look for me riding around town and help me if I have wrecked....seriously

Until next time,

Bridgett

What do you believe?

For the past several weeks our pastor has been doing a study on Wednesday nights about what other denominations believe, which has been very interesting and all leading up to what do we believe.  We, being the Church of the Nazarene. 
It has been interesting to hear how and when other denominations began.  It was exciting to hear how the Church of the Nazarene began, Abby-Lynn and Gracie-Mae heard that message and they loved it! 
I am proud of our church and the heritage it has!
The Church of the Nazarene has three core values-
1)  Christian
2)  Holiness
3)  Missional
We believe in the Trinity- Father/Son/Spirit, we also believe in santification, a second work of grace.  The christian life doesn't end with getting saved and an eternal home.  That is where your life begins, that is where the work begins and that is where God's work in you begins.  That is when you have the honor of passing on the same love and grace that God has shown to you onto others. 
I BELIEVE that God is the beginning and the end, I BELIEVE that Jesus died so that we all may live, I BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit is with me every day guiding me in the right direction and showing me God's way!
As our pastor says and Gracie-Mae's says "We are a Nazarene with hope"

May we all love, forgive, care, hope, share and give...as Jesus has taught us to!

Until next time...

The Simple LIfe

How many times have you thought about moving to a island where life is more simple and unhurried?  Tim and I have many, many times.  We all live a life that is rushed, hurried, stressed and it seems there is never enough time in the day to get done what we need.  Some things, if we are honest, we bring on ourselves. But mostly it is just way that life is in this day and age. Most of the time we are on the go, always going somewhere but then we watch movies, commericals or read magazines about the "island life" where they don't have clocks and time is no issue, there is no stress and you just love life and we wish so much for a lifestyle like that. 
Psalm 62:1 reads, "My soul finds rest in God alone: my salvation comes from Him."
Sometimes we rob ourselves of peace by overcommitting ourselves, sometimes we need to look at our priorities and make sure that we are making God first and not trying to fit Him in at the end of our busy day.

July 4th we visited Tim's family in the mountains of Robbinsville, NC.  Talk about the simple life...it is so peaceful on that mountain!  We love to visit, eat and sit on the front porch and catch up with one another. 
They are a simple people who don't get bogged down with the hustle and bustle of life.  They do not place their worth on things but yet on family.  I love visiting them not only do I love them very much, I know that once we turn up the road driving up the mountain all my worries just disappear.  I am focused on resting and enjoying the company!  Betty, Bessie and Barbara Sue I love you all dearly and can't wait to see you again!

Below are some pics of our last visit...

Bessie's house and the porch we love to sit on

This barn Tim's dad help build when he was just a boy

THE GARDEN- they have two this same size

Tim's Aunt Betty (Boyd's sister)-She's a hoot!!

Tim, Aunt Bessie and Barbara Sue

Charlene and Bryan

Until next time,
Bridgett

She Speaks...

This past weekend was amazing!  I spent it with 650 godly women in Concord, NC and God's presence was ever so near.  I am talking about the She Speaks Women's Conference hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministry.  If you are not familiar with this ministry I encourage you to look at their website and follow their devotions, you will surely be blessed!

Lysa TerKeurst founded this ministry as a promise she made to God to steward the gifts that He has given to her.  These precious women take one weekend a year and host a conference to help other women with their ministry whether it's in writing, speaking or women's ministry.  Michael O'Brien was our worship leader during morning and evening services and we heard messages from Lysa, Renee Swope, Micca Campbell and Ann Voscamp.  Let me add these messages were beyond moving.  We all have a voice, a story just waiting to be shared about our wonderful and gracious Lord!

Please check out the Proverbs 31 website and sign up to receive their daily devotions, you'll be glad you did.

What's your story?

Love & Blessings,
Bridgett

MORE BIRTHDAYS!!!

Ok, we've had two more birthdays since my last post.  I know, I know....I'm terribly behind, but I promise to get caught up.  My dear husband, Tim turned 45 this year and Abby-Lynn turned 12 !!!
Time does go by way too fast...

Dad and his girls...Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Birthday kisses from Mom and Dad

Blowing out the candles on her "Alabama" cake

For her bday she went to A-Day with my friend Debbie

Until next time,

Bridgett






DOUBLE DIGITS

Gracie-Mae turned 10 yrs old on February 25th!! 
I can't believe that my baby girl is now double digits.  You know how you hear people say all the time that it goes by fast, and you just casually agree and don't really pay attention to those words.  Well, let me assure you, yes- time does go by fast.
My girls are now at the ages where we don't have the big birthday bashes that we used to. Now they just invite a couple of friends to go eat, see a movie and have a sleepover.  I still have yet to decide which is the easiest!  Oh well, it's their day and as long as they are happy then Mom is happy too!

Happy Birthday Gracie-Mae, you are loved much!!!

                                                The celebration started Friday @ school

Yes, Justin Bieber cupcakes...

Saturday..Girl's day--shopping and a movie

Supper @ Big River...Emily, Gracie-Mae and Jade

                                            Hannah-Shea, Abby-Lynn, Gracie-Mae, Jade
                                                        Jackson, Camden and Emma
                                            (Lunch at Mud Creek after church that Sunday)

WINTER BALL...

WOW...I can't believe it has been that long since my last post!!!  For the few I have checking this out, I apologize.  Things have been very busy in the Jordan household, I will try and update you on the major events.

Richard Hardy has a dance each year called "Winter Ball" and it's a formal affair.  So yes, we had to look for a dress.  The funny part (or at least now it's funny) is that ALL five of us went dress shopping.  Me, Tim and all three girls.  Hannah-Shea was a very good sport by letting us all pick out dresses for her to try on.  After two hours in JC Penney we finally found "THE DRESS" and to beat it all...it's the dress her dad picked out.  Way to go Dad!!!   The sales associate was even tired, but very polite and patient.  Ok, now we had to find shoes, that didn't near as long. Thank goodness!

Well the night came (I forgot to mention that we went dress shopping on Thursday and the dance was Friday)... yes, I know I'm last minute... as I am with everything...my friend Jenny will agree.  Fancy Nancy's shop was closed so she couldn't get her hair done...however Sabrina Hughes to the rescue.  Sabrina graciously volunteered to come by and do the hair and makeup. 

Below are some pictures from the night!  My little girl was just beautiful and looked so grown up!!!

                                                                     The Dress

                                                                   Hannah-Shea (Before)

                                                                Hannah-Shea (After)

                                                      Hannah-Shea and the talented Sabrina

                                                             Christy and Hannah-Shea

                                                             Haley H. and Hannah-Shea
Ok by that time, Hannah-Shea was more than ready for me to leave!!!