Where have we been?

Life moves so quickly, despite my trying to slow it down. Time always gets away from me. I sit down to make time to blog, because I do truly enjoy writing, and something interrupts. It is like me against the world when it comes to blogging! :)
The Cross House has been so busy, especially me. I have been trying to stay focused in school, despite my desire to do anything but school work.
I hope this summer I am able to blog more often, but if not the once every 3 months will have to do. I do have an old fashioned journal, so at least there is someway for me to look back and remember these most incredibly amazing and memorable times.
Today, was an extraordinarily beautiful, amazing and memorable day.
I was able to go with Emi on a school field trip and we had a really fun day. I can't believe how much she has grown up! Sometimes I feel like I blinked and she went from 4 to 10. I can remember taking her on a field trip in kindergarten like it were yesterday. But, it wasn't and she isn't 4 anymore(her sarcasm and sassy attitude proves that), but she is wonderful and beautiful and my favorite girl in the world.
Here's a few pics from our day... Oh and I am really enjoying my new camera, I can't explain how happy I am to finally have a camera after nearly 2 months without one!

Life is amazing...

I find the beauty of winter days like today so comforting and beautiful... It is cold, most living things are "sleeping" until it warms up, but I am totally not sleeping I am more alive then ever! I see the empty trees and think how beautiful they are in their nakedness :) Here's a pic from outside my back door~







I am on the verge of something, I can feel the background music of my soul slowly speeding up, with a climax just around the corner. I don't know what will happen, and luckily I feel so blessed that I am not even remotely apprehensive. Come what may i'm sure it will be awesome!
I found a cd today that made me so happy. While home (So. Cal) in 2005 we stayed a couple of days with my Dad and his best friend Dave. Dave has the most talented and amazing children ever. Dave's son Josiah Moore made us a special demo of 4 of his songs. I loved the cd for over a year, I had it in the car constantly reapeating. At some point I had "misplaced" it, but what a treasure to it find today!
Track 3 "Pledge" was instantly my favorite. Here are some of the lyrics as I've memorized them.(Hopefully they are at least close)
"I fell in love with someday
because I know someday holds no boundries.
I will walk to the beat of my own drum,
I strum to the beat of my own heart
With a cadence all it's own and a faith to fall on anytime I need
I still carry shadows from my past they follow me everywhere I fear
But I refuse to let the colors be drawn dark when all this light is here!
I am free, I am free, I am free!"
It really sums up how I feel at the moment. Life is truly amazing!


Coolest thing ever I googled him and the song and found this to share :)

Welcoming 2009...

The beginning days of every year, we hear about all things "new" and the chance for new beginnings. I am a relatively faithful resolution writer and keeper. I like the idea of setting goals for myself and accomplishing them.
Last year my resolutions were lost a little in the chaos of a new baby and becoming unemployed. So this year I realize I have to be a little more vague, yet precise at the same time. I am really enjoying this season of my life. I feel like I can see my own personal growth more often. I am living in the joy that my life is bringing me daily. I am truly blessed!
Here are my resolutions, but really they are my prayers and hopes for 2009.
1. Be a better mom, wife, and friend
2. Be smart financially, learn to live with less
3. Allow God’s will to control what I can not
4. Be patient with myself, learn to accept all of my own imperfections
5. Find a church or a way for my family to be with other believers on a regular basis
6. Be more committed to daily devotional time
7. Keep the house clean, be more diligent and committed to order
8. Get 4.0 GPA (or try my absolute best)
9. Get Zachary sleeping in his own bed
10. Watch less television & play less on the Internet
11. Find a part time job that will allow me to grow but not neglect my family
12. Go on vacation even if it means being creative and camping in my own yard
13. Spend more quality time with Emily
14. Get the family at the table EVERY night
15. Blog at least once a week
16. Stay in closer contact with my family
17. Keep a better prayer journal
18. Be more honest with God, myself and the people I love
19. Surround myself with people who allow me to be transparent
20. Treat my body (mind & soul too) like the temple it is intended to be (exercise, eat less, rest more)
Lamentations 3:22-23 (New International Version)

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Thank God for the blessing of new mornings, new years and a chance to be all we desire to be!

What did you get for Christmas?

I hope everyone had as amazing of a Christmas as I did!
So, we've all heard the question asked or maybe even asked it ourselves. What did Santa bring you?? Or what did you get for Christmas?? I realized on a LONG drive yesterday(Covington, TN to Jackson, MS and back approx 8 hrs... taking Emi to her Mom's)that I really dislike that question and the answers. I mean don't get me wrong it's always fun especially for children to tell you about all of their new goodies. But if I am being totally honest, it takes away from what I love about Christmas most... FAMILY and MEMORIES. I have been forced this year to make do with less, so much less that sometimes lately I have found myself almost saddended by the NEED so many people feel to aquire "stuff." Again don't get me wrong, the only reason why this year I don't feel the same way is because well... I can't afford it :)And I fear that many other families may be in my position before long. Now here is my struggle... How do I teach my children what has taken me 29 years to see; faith, family, a home, love, safety and security are what matters... not the presents!
So this year I received the best gift of my life, and it wasn't wrapped, and it didn't have a dollar value, but it was truly priceless. I had a houseful of family and made some incredible memories. I have really struggled since I've lived in TN because I always get a little homesick. My in-laws maintain they don't "do" Christmas. But this year they came, we had Emi home and we all shared love and laughs that will last in my heart forever!
So next year I am going to make all my regular calls, but I am going to ask, what was most memorable about Christmas this year? This year for me was the best Christmas of my life, and didn't have anything to do with actual gifts...
Here are a few of my fave memories in picture form!

I must apologize... Where have I been??

Much has been going on around the Cross house... that may be the reason why I have not blogged in so long. I have started quite a few blogs and even have some "drafts" that may someday be posted. I decided just about 2 seconds ago that I am going to make a deal with myself regarding my blogging. Because after all for me it is better than therapy! Not to mention it is fun to look back on. I do not have time for many things these days... It seems as though being unemployed for me is like 5 full time jobs :) I am hoping and praying that jobless "me" is a thing of the past very soon!
I completed my first "real" semester of college in 10 years! With great pride I achieved what I have not done in 12 years... I have a 4.0 gpa! Which really isn't that big of a deal except for me to have an A in an Algebra class is amazing! I have really been blessed with an amazing experience so far, this little town has again left me in shock.
So the kids are GREAT. They are growing constantly and renew my hope and faith daily. They had a "Decade/Year" birthday party and it was A LOT of work but really rewarding too!



I finished my first soccer season (as a coach) 2-6! That is we won 2 :) At least we didn't lose them all. The hard part for me was the fact we were playing against the same teams over and over, so my team thought if they lost to this team before they would lose again. They were defeated before they stepped cleat on the field. But I had an amazing time and learned so much!
We are all soooooo very excited about Christmas. It is only the second Christmas we have had Emi with us Christmas morning. I have had a lot of fun this year knowing that I will have Zac every single year! So I have been thinking tons of goofy traditions for us to start :)
I hope to have new and exciting blogs more often in the near future!
To anyone who may read this Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Why I love living in the country...

Technically there are too many reasons to list in this little blog. But what I love most about living here is FALL! Or Autumn whichever word you choose to describe it either way, this season is my favorite! I moved here 6 years ago in October, and I just remember falling in love with everything I saw. So each year I get excited to see leavings changing, cotton fields gleaming ready to be picked, and mums. Mums, hay and pumpkins are kind of something special here. All the cool people decorate for fall with them. I'm not really cool yet... but we did plant mums this year so I am pretty pleased.
The mornings in fall are crisp and cool, the fog hangs in the air and well I just love fall mornings. Zac and I take a walk outside most mornings. We talk to the birds(and bugs because sometimes the bugs are louder LOL). There are no words to describe how blessed I am to share these new discoveries with my baby so often, I wouldn't trade it for anything(although a adult conversation has become a hidden treasure!)
So here are a couple of pictures of our morning walk today...we've planted pumpkins this year and FINALLY we have a sizable pumpkin... The crops behind us this year are soybeans, who knew they were so hairy ha ha, and that morning glory's grew in them...Zac loves to be outside especially if you let him hold leaves or grass, and thanks to Grandma's dedication and patience he doesn't eat them :)





The soybean stalk is my favorite it is almost artsy and any pictures I take while holding my little octopus(eight armed baby) are amazing :)

Whoa life is moving so fast :)

I haven't had time to blog, actually I have barely had time to breathe.
I'm totally not complaining though. I am so blessed, I have an amazing life. It is chaotic, and crazy at times, but I wouldn't change a thing.
Emily is "still" doing GREAT in school. I say still because generally there is a rough adjustment period for her every year. So far though this year, she is really staying focused and behaving. Her and I went to go see High School Musical on Ice this past weeked, she LOVED it! It's times like those when I forget she isn't actually my kid :) We had a wonderful time with just the girls.

Zachary is quickly approaching his 1st Birthday. This year has flown by. I am so lucky to have been able to experience all of his 1st year with him. He is trying to stand, which makes me nervous because he falls ALL the time. He is totally affraid of strangers, and cries when people talk to him. But when he is with us, he is hilarious, goofy and lovable!

School is still challenging me. I think I am doing well, but the jury is still out so to speak. I am also coaching Emily's soccer team, which is super CRAZY. I have to remind myself about a 1000 times during practice that "I am in control & I can do ANYTHING!" My favorite season Fall is fast approaching and I am so excited.
I really have a lot to do so I must move on for today. BUT before I do, I thought I would share this video. For anyone that is a parent, or even a big sister or brother, it is so important to remember the example that we set. One thing has a way of leading to the next, and before we know it, not only have we failed ourselves, we've failed our loved ones~