Mr. President,

Even though I did not vote for you, you are my president. I am sure over the course of the next 4 years we will not see eye to eye on everything, but even still you are my president. You deserve my respect and my prayers. You sir, have a huge task before you, I pray that as you lead in the days ahead you will rely on the Most Holy God to direct you. But even if you don't, you are still my president. Today, marks history and as I set and watch it unfold... I was speechless. You Mr. President have promised hope to so many, I pray you bring it. You Mr. President are inspiration to so many I pray you inspire. So on this day Mr. President I salute you as the 44th President of the Untied States of America. I am proud to live in a country where we can freely elect those who lead us."

So this evening we had small group and it was game night. I am not sure how many games got played but we did do a lot talking and building relationships.  It was fun. I think even the kids had fun tonight, they played games with us. It seems so strange that my kids are not really all that little anymore and they can hang out with us...

So after small group I was thinking... I need to spend some time and update colburns.net I still have our holiday letter on the front page and it is the middle of January. Which then brought me to another point... the kids christmas tree is still up downstairs and I need to get it down... maybe tomorrow...

So at best my thoughts are jumbled tonight and all over... from kids, to christmas, to small group, to all the stuff that needs to be done tomorrow. Which reminds me Curtis is coming tomorrow for us all to get haircuts... See what I mean my brain it is full of randomness... My daughter would be so proud. She loves to be random...

So it has been an overall good day..our church services went well, lunch was great with many people from church, my very short but oh so sweet nap ( does 10 minutes count as a nap?) followed by small group. Now the house is quiet, and I am looking forward to sleeping in in the morning. I have no place to be and I have made the decesion that my to do list is optional... we are going to have a nice relaxing day at home- if it kills us.

Today I spent most of the day at home. It was great. Colton had 3 boys spend the night last night. which meant we had 5 boys and 2 girls in the house. Now remember we just bought a drum set and guitars- need I say more. It was insane around here. They played upstairs, downstairs, inside and outside in the snow.  I loved it!  We had a great day at home. Then tonight my husband took me to dinner.

I wish we had more days like today. Also, today the wash machine quit working... This is not good for someone who does 25 loads a week, So I guess we will have to get a new one really quick !

Yesterday, I got offical word from Indiana Weselyan that I had been accepted into th

So the last couple of weeks have been extremely stressful, and it seems like the days and weeks are flying by. My to do list seems to be as long at night as it was in the morning and most things get carried over to the next day.

Some of the stress has really taken a toll on me- and that bothers me. I don't want circumstances of my life to make me bitter and when I review all the "stuff" of my life I think I have done a pretty good job of not becoming bitter. But lately it seems like I am in a battle with discouragement, disappointment and bitterness. Like I have a ton of bricks setting on my chest all the time. This week I made my list of things that I have to accomplish and at the top of that list it... time with God to allow him to work in me. I need his working in my life. I need him to come in and sweep out the "stuff' that doesn't need to be there. I need Him!

I keep reading verses about how He chooses us- and I think there might be something to that. Most days lately I feel very unworthy of him choosing me.

In all these things that are going on- I have tried real hard to see where God is leading me and my family. TO look at the big picture and not just the right now. To not focus on the faults of those around me but to see the areas I need to work on- and I know I have many.

So this week- I ask that you pray for me. Pray that I really do allow God to work on me. I know it might be painful, and it might be hard work but it will be worth it in the end if I allow the most HOLY LOVING GOD to work in me.

Once a upon a time in land not so far away there was King named Jason and a Queen name Gina. They had two princesses named Brooklyn and Kailyn and two princes Jordan and Colton. They lived in their palace and did all the normal things that a royal family would do. ( they went to work, school, church, etc...) Every once in a while the palace became a crazy place and the stress of the king and queen became so insane they thought they would lose their minds. So the queen knowing the signs to look for took matters into her own hands- and organized a kidnapping of her family. She knew it would take planning and time but she knew it was just what her family needed. So she wrote a note to each member of the family telling them when they were being kidnapped and that they should leave all stress, bad attitudes and problems behind. The letters were handed out after school and work, she loaded her King, princes' and princess' in the car ( along with an extra prince and 2 extra princess') and headed out to the wonderful world of Coco Keys. See the queen knows that every once in a while, you just have to leave it all behind and be thankful you have each other. Sweet dreams my king, my princess Brooklyn, my princess Kailyn, my prince Jordan, my prince Colton. Tomorrow will be another day!is is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

I have attempted to write this blog on several occasions but have not been successful. I have either been interrupted or simply run out of time.

I usually make it a point not to make resolutions because I tend to get very frustrated when I fail or have given up 2 weeks in. Maybe you can relate. So this year I set down and reviewed 2008 and thought about the "goals" or the things I hope to accomplish in 2009. Overall 2008 was a good year. We had some pretty dramatic things happen but God saw us through and continues to help us through those things that left scars, God has brought us into a better understanding of who is and what he has for us.

So for 2009 I look forward to tackling our first year with a teenager in the house. It is scary and exciting all wrap up together. I look forward to seeing where God leads Jason and I in our ministries. I also look forward to beginning the journey of going back to school.

This year, I hope I draw closer to the Lord. That I really learn to trust him in every situation of my life. There are those few select things that I still try to control ( family issues, our money, our children) so I hope that I let him  have those and remember I am to be anxious for nothing.

On that note- I hope to be a better steward of my time, my talents and of my money. I know that I need to get out of debt, and I need to save more. I know that I let my schedule get out of control until I am so overwhelmed I can't see straight. So, I think i will hire a maid!  LOL!

weeks like this week remind me how much I miss being a stay at home mom. So I would and I am going to make it a point to spend more quality time with each one of my kids. To hug them more, tell them I love them more, and focus on how great they really are. And let time and maturity take care of some of the other things. They are growing so fast and it won't be long until i wish they were here and making messes... ( Ok maybe I won't miss the messes) As I write this our "band" is playing in the basement.... earplugs are my friends.

I guess to sum it all up- i hope that 2009 is better than the year before, and that we see amazing things happen this year. That's Gods' presence is so close and so powerful it surrounds my life.