Been awhile...

Haven't blogged in awhile so thought I would catch all of you up on the Harris'..we have been pretty busy! Brayden has started TBall so thought has consumed a lot of our time. Nobody waren't me that when your child played community sports that you would live at the baseball field. He is enjoying it, and that is all that matters. He got the team ball last week, so that was a BIG deal to him.

I am still on my 'lifestyle journey' I have lost 65 lbs. and have dropped 6 pants size. We are getting ready for our Disney trip, which btw is only about 3 1/2 weeks away...YAH!!!! So, last weekend I went clothes shopping b/c I absolutely have NOTHING that fits..and, well, I hate to brag but I could have scremed while in the dressing room and tried on a pair of shorts that I could NOT have wore a few months ago. People laugh when they ask, "how do you have so much will power?" My response, it is truly a God thing! I look at food differently. Food is not a pleasure I only eat because my body needs it for fuel. I exercise because I know it's essential to having a good heart! I know it's cliche but if I can do it anyone can..I have not had a potato, any type of white bread or soda since Christmas day! Does it bother me? Nope..because I know I am going to be around to see my grandchildren!

Another adventure..I have started Tennis lessons. Misty Pruitt and I started a few weeks ago. And, I have to say it is REALLY addicting. You can have a good cardio workout and have fun at he same time. Sam has even bought him a racket and we have played a couple of times!

Guess it's off to lunch with my dad now. I am off work today, so Brayden and I slept in and are just enjoying the sunshine!!

And..God is really up to some awesome things not only in our Church but within our home!!

God is soooo good..

Well..gotta give an update on Sam's job situation. Last week one of the attorneys he works with ask him for a copy of his resume..On Monday Sam got a call from a law-firm that had received his resume (not from Sam but from Frank the attorney)..and wanted to talk with him. So, on Tuesday Sam talked with them. Today he got a phone call and was offered a job with them!! Then they began to talk about money/benefits..well, Sam had just asked for what he presently makes..well, they offered him a salary INCREASE!!!

That is just how good my God is!! When He does something He does it big!! I am so thankful that MY footsteps are ordered by him!!!

Feeling very accomplished...

Things have been busy around here in '09, but I must say we are getting things accomplished. Sam and I sat down after Christmas a made a list of things we wanted to do this year and things we wanted to change. The top of that list was to remodel our kitchen. We have gotten the cabinets finished, now it is onto the re-painting and then to lay the cermaic tile. I am very pleased so far. It is amazing how a little paint will change the look of a room.

We are always still on the 'healthy' bandwagon. As of this morning I have lost 27 lbs. I still have a ways to go to get to my goal..but I am taking it one day at a time. I thing when I complete this weightloss..I will have to write a cookbook! I have gotten so creative with food. I have always cooked like I was raised..lots of frying and lots of bread!! I have had to change all that..I haven't had a piece of bread in 6 weeks. That is a BIG deal for me..I am not a sweet eater but I love my Bread and Potatoes..oh by the way, haven't had potatoes eaither! Around Christmas I began reading a book on Fasting by Jentzen Franklin..and I think I really began convicted about my weight. So, it has became a spiritual issue for me. People have asked me, "Amy, you seem to have sooo much will power"..it isn't will power it's a God-thing. I work out 6 days a week, and basically eat healthy. Lots of chicken and fish and fresh vegetables and fruit. I think I have finally realized what it means when God speaks about our body being the temple! I am not getting healthy to fit in those 'skinny jeans'..I am getting healthy because it is not only the right thing to do for my family, but it's the right thing to do for my spiritual body!

Update on Sam and the job search..he had one interview yesterday. So, we will see how that turns out. We are at peace and we know that God is going to take care of us. I am actually kind of anxious to see how this turns out! We are in complete and totally trust in God! The other side of this mountain, I know, is beyond my expectations!!

Just having to trust Him..

Have you ever been in that place where you felt the walls just caving in on you? Well, that is me...Sam was told yesterday that his last day at work would be March 20th! They did offer him a severance package and will pay him through May 15th...BUT!! Sam got home from work yesterday and laid that on me..and, well, the floodgates opened!! I think in the back of Sam's mind he has known over the past year that this might take place..he has already had several job interviews and nothing has worked out. But..to finally now that their is definately going to be an end to his time at HandArendall has made us both really uneasy.

I know that God will take care of us..I guess this is where Faith kicks in. I have found that it is sometimes a little harder to 'trust God' then we think. It is all and well to trust Him when jobs are going well, everyone has good health, and their is plenty of money in the bank..but, when it comes to having to trust Him for your next breath, your next meal..that is a little hard!

I feel like we have been in struggle after struggle these past few monthes..but, I remember something a roommate I had while in college would always say, "the devil isn't going to bother someone he already has.." Sam, said that to me last night. I was the one breaking down..and he looked me and said, "Amy, we serve a God that is much bigger than we know...He has it all in control.." Sam has a peace about the situation..and that makes me feel good. As the leader of our home I am so Blessed to have a man like Sam! He and I are so opposite..I am the worryier..the planner..he doesn't think about right now..he sees the big picture..and the big picture is that, "My God tells me that He WILL supply all of my needs.."

Been Busy around here..

Well, things have gotten off to a busy start around here. First, after Christmas Sam and I decided to hit the year off with a 'Lifestyle Change'..and I must say it has gone well. Sam and I have both, already, lost weight and exercise 6 days a week. I already feel soooo much better. I have had NO bread, pasta, sodas, or potatoes or anything SWEET since Dec. 29..The hardest thing is getting my meal plans together.. My goal is to have lost 40 lbs. by May 1st (going to see Mickey Mouse in May).. I only have 23 more to go..so, I just make my goal a little early!! YEAH ME!!!! So, we all are eating lots more fish and chicken and fresh green vegetables.

We got our DisneyWorld plans in order..CAN"T WAIT..we are going for 11 days this year! May 15th can't get here soon enough!

We also have started a 'project' we are remodeling my kitchen. We had planned to hire someone. But, Sam (who thinks he can do it all), has decided that we can do it ourselves. My only rule through this remodel was that once it is started it MUST be finished..I will not live in a construction zone. Already purchased our cermaic tile, picked out my paint color, and new cabinets...I am pretty excited about us tackeling this together..Guess a project will help my mind stay off A good ole' hamburger heaven hamburger and onion rings!!!!!

What a Year it has been..

Happy New Year to All!!

This has definately been an intersting year for us. We have been through so many ups and downs in 2008. It has been my family and friends who have stood by us every step of the way!!

I first have to say to Sam..thank you for being an incredible husband! I am so blessed to have a husband like him. God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave me someone like him..he is totally opposite of me..I am very complusive..Sam keeps me grounded! Thank you, Sam for in the midst of the trying year we have experienced for being my best-friend, soul-mate, and prayer partner!

Things have been difficult around here since Oct. 24 when we lost Sam's mom! As a wife, I didn't know what to do how to comfort Sam. But, we got through it. We take it one day at a time. Yesterday we visited the graveyard. And, Brayden knows that "grannys things" are buried there. Well, last night Brayden was in the computer room and I asked him "what are you doing?" he said "I am looking for and envelope"..I asked him why..and he said he drew granny a picture and he wanted to mail it to her and Jesus! You talking about breaking your heart!! So, this morning we "mailed" the picture!

I have to thank my friend, Donna! She has been a rock for me this year. She has been my sounding board, my confidant, and a prayer partner! She is another one who in the midst of my storms..continuing to say.."just keep trusting Him!!" Their aren't many people that you would trust everything with and Donna is one of those!!

2009 is here and I am excited about what lies ahead. We have declared as a family to get healthier and to be a better servent of the King!!