Silly worm...

Layton being silly...silly worm...that is what we tell him...

Fun day today with my lil' man...one on one attention for 6 hours!

Life doesn't get any better!

Today's Verses: Isaiah 33:15-16

"He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, (means morally upright)

• who rejects gain from extortion
• and keeps his hand from accepting bribes,
• who stops his ears against plots of murder
• and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil-
  this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him."

Every morning, seems my routine is the same. Rise, make my coffee, turn on Fox News, sip coffee while scanning emails on Blackberry, mute the TV, read and study Bible, dress to walk, walk and pray! The picture above is one taken when I step onto the road where I walk. Beautiful morning skies, and everyone of them are different. Walk, pray, walk, pray, walk, pray, every morning. I liken this to the verses above. If I walk and pray daily, righteously, just look at what I am promised. My needs and safety will be supplied. Will your's?...

Give it your All...

Today's Verse, Colossians 3:23

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"



Well, it is no secret that the housing market is very challenging at this time. This verse means alot to me, because I know that I have been called to this line of work. I love helping people achieve home ownership. It is good to remind myself that I need to continue to work everyday with all my heart for ~ Him and Him only.

Are you Noble?...

Verse of the day, Isaiah 32:8

"But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands."

Do you know what "nobel" means, it means:

"Above whatever is low, mean, degrading, or dishonorable"

Can you imagine what kind of world we would live in, if everyone, was NOBLE.

It all begins with ME. I want to be noble in everything! Let's soar above!

Internet Marketing...

Real estate fact:

"Nearly nine out of 10 buyers search for homes online, according to the National Association of Realtors".



I, as a Realtor, focus heavily on Internet marketing... sign of the times, constantly having to embrace change, of course, with a smile :)

Referrals...

Did you know, according to the National Association of Realtors, that almost 1/2 of real estate leads are referrals.

What that means in my business, that most of my business is being referred from YOU...

You are the ones that keep my business flourishing. So, if you have a family member, friend or relative that needs the services of a Realtor...just give them my name and number,

Lorri Loggins, 903-571-8033 or let me know and I will contact them. :)

Pro-Life and Why...

Verses for today, Psalm 139:13-16

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

No doubt, I am pro-life, just read the verses above. I read this early this morning and I just wish everyone could regard life as such a miracle. I always wanted four children, but I was blessed with only one. I am so lucky to have her, from difficulty with conception to near death for both of us during delivery. I thank God everyday for her and now I have my little man.

My new saying for anyone faced with a decision - IS,
"Think beyond Today"... Surely,

Generational Lows...

Look at this graph, 1971 to 2010, 30 year interest rate lows...unbelievable.

Quietness...

Verse of the day,

Isaiah 30:15b

"in quietness and trust is your strength"

I read Isaiah 30 early this morning. This verse jumped out at me. I feel this quietness early in the morning, before the phone starts ringing, and my day explodes. :) Relinquishing all to my God daily, trusting in Him completely, this is my Strength - surely!

Creamy, Dreamy Spinach Dip...

Creamy Dreamy Spinach Dip

3 blocks of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

1 block of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and excess water drained

1 lb bacon, cooked & crumbled

Combine ingredients and bake in a 2 qt casserole dish. Bake 350 degrees for 20-30 min. Turn broiler on if you still need to brown the top. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips or Frito's.

This recipe is from one of my favorite clients, Gina.

I made this last night for a party and it was wonderful. I think the only thing I would change next time is- I would use 1/2 a package of chopped spinach. For the bacon, I used a bag -Hormel, for ease!

Quick and tasty! Hey Realtors, this would be great for an Open House!

Betty Boop's Birthday Party...

Happy Birthday Betty Boop...Lots of fun tonight! Love all of you! :)

The Mayonaise Jar...

This is long, but good. I received in an email ...so I am passing on to you!

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,

When 24 Hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began,

wordlessly, He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - family, children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions – Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --The small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So... Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.' One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

More than Chocolate One Year Anniversary...

Lauren celebrated her one year anniversary, "More Than Chocolate" cookie business. If you want to order, just go to http://www.morethanchocolate.net/

I am so proud of her!

Seriously, more light!...

You give me a little darkness, and I can bling it with "lights". I found this strand of lights on the clearance aisle at Target today. So completely cute!

I figure Pounds Field Airport can safely tell all pilots that they have a landmark lit for them on CR 136. Between my mother and I, we have the entire road lit at night. She has the windmill and I have the pool light and cantina....hehe...

I love this time of year!

Change of Season...FALL...

I am so ready for Fall...
I am so ready for cool weather...
I am so ready for "dark" at 6pm...
I am so ready for "light" at 6am...
I am so ready for pumpkins...
I am so ready for the East Texas Fair...

I am a contented person but I do anticipate the change. :)

Thank you God for the "four seasons". There is a time for every season, be it nature or life's circumstances! Let's all have a great week!

Let there be Light...

OMG, Jason and I lit up the Pergula on Labor Day. It is so festive and fun. Of course, it reminds you of a Mexican cantina...hehehe, but oh well, we love it! Just bring on the tortilla chips and margarita's!

Life is GRANDchildren...

I had Layton yesterday, he was not feeling well. But, from this pic he looks fine, huh! After a bath, medicine, gummy bears, blanket and watching Monsters Inc., he was NOT in too bad of shape! hehe... I bet he said "LA...LA", one thousand times yesterday! I kissed on him all day long. Funny thing, he still takes naps in a port-a-crib, I did not get a pic, but his feet hang out the bed when he stretches ... I am going to have a hard time putting this bed in the attic... a really hard time! I love this baby boy! He is good for my soul!

All you need is Faith!...

Genesis 28:15

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Galatians 3:8-9

"The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Do you ever wonder if the verses you read in the Old Testament really pertain to today? Here is Proof! Just look at Genesis-the beginning of the Bible, and then skip years later to Galatians. God told Abraham the future...Those who have faith are Blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

How many times do I have to read about "I will not leave you", before I totally trust without fail. I suppose I am human, and I will have to tell myself this over and over. There is one thing I do know, I want to be blessed along with Abraham...all you need is Faith!

Protected...forever!

Yes, Daniel was protected! Love this picture!

Psalms 37:28
"For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;"

I was reading in Psalms this morning and this verse jumped out at me. I am in prayer for my dad today, he will be having surgery at 2pm. When I read this verse, I immediately think of my dad. He is a "just" man and he is faithful in his belief in God, therefore I know he is protected by my God. I know that protection means in whatever circumstance he may face. His surgery may go great and then again there may be complications, but guess what? God says he is protected forever.

So, That's it,

I believe it,

I am peaceful about it,

and I we are in it,

Together!

Repetition...

Ephesians 4:4-6

"There is one body

and one Spirit—just as you were called to

one hope when you were called—

one Lord,

one faith,

one baptism;

one God and Father of all,

who is over

all and through all and in all."

I love repetition... I can always remember and memorize verses, facts, etc...when things are in an order... I just believe there is a reason that this verse keeps telling us "one", "one", "one". There is only "one" God, love him with all your heart, soul and mind...and love one another!

Apricot Oat Bars...

I made these bars today-Food Network-Giada! :)

Filling
1 (13-ounce) jar apricot jam or preserves (about 1 1/4 cups)

Crust
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 packed cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup (4 ounces) coarsely chopped walnuts
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
1 egg, at room temperature, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 13 by 2-inch metal pan with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with vegetable oil cooking spray and set aside.

Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Stir in the oats and walnuts. Add the butter, egg and vanilla and stir until incorporated.
Using a fork or clean fingers, lightly press half of the crust mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Using a spatula, spread the filling over the crust leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the pan. Cover the filling with the remaining crust mixture and gently press to flatten. Bake until light golden, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 1 hour. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Soooo Good!

Get Low...

Jason and I went to see this movie today... good movie, Robert Duvall is always great to watch.

Late afternoon movies, and rain...popcorn and candy... fun togetherness!