Kreativ Blogger Award

I was given this blog award by my sista friend Deanna Shrodes. Thanks my sista! I treied to post some things that I don't think I've ever said, but like Deanna said, I generally let it "all hang out," so I am not sure! Either way.. enjoy!

Seven things I did before:

1) I was a newspaper reporter/writer.
2) I taught preschool.
3) My siblings and cousins used to dress up as crazy little “elves,” write songs and make “guest appearances”.
4) I played viola (like a violin) for several years.
5) Taught myself how to use a computer (Mac and PC) several years ago. The education has not stopped though… something is always evolving!
6) Got a wad of gum stuck in my BFF’s hair in the middle of an Amy Grant concert.
7) Won $200 in a drawing at Christmas time!

Seven Things I Do Now:

1) Prepping for the launch of Freedom House Alabama!
2) Teach my daughter to drive.
3) Write a monthly column for Take Root and Write, called Feminine Fire
4) Writing a book and planning to co-write a book with Deanna Shrodes
5) Getting ready to move back South! 6) Prepping for launch of Feminine Fire Network
7) Wonder how it all gets done… because it always does!

Seven Things I Would Like To Do:

1) Get a contract to write books…
2) Go to the Sudan
3) Launch a ministry for women in the “adult entertainment industry” (working on this now)
4) Renew my vows with Craig in 2011 and go on a second honeymoon to Hawaii
5) Go to England and see where my parents met, married, where I was born, etc.
6) Vacation for a week at a resort with Craig and girls
7) Go to Vegas with some of my sistas for my 40^th birthday! (no, not to gamble…)

Seven Things That Attract Me to My Hubby:

1) His passion for literally everything!
2) He dreams BIG!
3) He sees me as an equal partner.
4) He cooks, cleans, AND does laundry all on his own!
5) He loves God with all his heart!
6) He needs me (and I need him)!
7) We balance each other VERY well!

Seven of My Favorite Foods:

1) Mashed potatoes
2) Mashed Rutabega
3) Broccoli in any form but raw (it makes my mouth itch!)
4) Chocolate
5) Deli sandwiches
6) Tacos
7) Frontera salsa and chips

Seven Things I Say Most Often:

1) Have mercy!
2) That ticks me off!
3) You have got to be kidding!
4) “Tara Sloan” (on the phone)
5) Hey!
6) Oh my word!
7) I mean it!

Now I have to tag seven bloggers...

Shelisa at The Winner's Circle

My SIL Debbie at Debbie Does Destiny

Melissa @ Mel's World

Leanne @ MusingsnStuff

Melissa B. @ CSI

Deborah @ Deborah's Encouragement

"I Love My Hubby" Meme

I was tagged by one of my sista Noelle, our fearless leader at Take Root! As she said, I too love a good meme and this one is about husbands, and I have a great one....

Here are the rules:

Grab the graphic and insert with these rules, in your post.
Give at least 5 reasons why you love your hubby. List more if you want.
Tag 5 people (or more) to play along and link to their blogs in your post.
Then visit those women’s blogs and leave them a comment on any of their posts.

Now that I have shared the rules, it’s my time to share my reasons:

5 Reasons I Love My Hubby

1.) He is genuine. What you see is what you get... and he loves me, for who I am. He has never asked me to change. (okay, that is kind of 2...)
2.) He is a true partner in our marriage in EVERY way! He cooks, cleans, cares for the girls, and works, just like me... he jumps in wherever and whenever needed... because we are equal partners in running our home.
3.) He loves God... and it is so obvious. I often wake up or fall asleep hearing him praying for me, our family, the girls and our future...
4.) He is my best friend.
5.) He is my biggest fan (and I am his)...
6.) He is my Prince Charming... whether he is wooing me with sweet words or slaying dragons on my behalf... he brings our personal fairy tale to life every day!
7.) He gives me foot massages almost every night (I am NOT kidding about this!)...
8.) His crazy faith partnered with mine results in a life that is anything BUT boring!

Okay, I listed more than five... and I could have gone on... I DO love that man! But I'll stop and do my tagging...


Now I am supposed to tag 5 people to play along, so here they are..

Deanna @ Lifetime Intimate Portrait: Deanna Shrodes
Shelisa @ The Winner's Church
Leanna@ Musings 'n Stuff
Deborah @ Between Dollas
Sherri @ My Thoughts

My Girls... Blog Meme

My soul sista, Deanna over at Lifetime Intimate Portrait: Deanna Shrodes tagged me to do this meme. Haven't done one in a while...here we go:

First: post a picture of you and your kids.














Second: Answer the questions.

1. How many children do you have? Five! Kaitlyn, Kelsea, Haley, Alexandria (Lexi), and Isabella (Izzie)

2. What are their ages? Kaitlyn 15, Kelsea 13, Haley 11, Alexandria (Lexi) 6, and Isabella (Izzie) 2

3. What time of day do you start your day? 6:00 A.M.

4. What do you eat for breakfast? WW Bagel and fruit

5. Do they watch TV? Yes, usually with me and Craig

6. What are their favorite activities? Dancing, music, and computer stuff

7. Do you get a break during the day from them? Yep, I work outside our home... they go to school/sitter

8. How do you end your day? Chilling with Craig...

9. What is your best parenting advice or tip? Give them roots AND wings....

Third: Tag 5 people.

Tagging: Shelisa (Winner's Circle), Melissa (Diaperheads), Amy (In Pursuit of Proverbs 31), Melissa M. (Mel's World), Rob (Feed the Fire)

One Word Meme

This was forwarded to me by several people... so, here are my answers... play along if you like!

1. Where is your cell phone? PURSE
2. Your significant other? CRAIG
3. Your hair? EXPRESSO
4. Your Skin? FRECKLED
5. Your mother? FLORIDA
6. Your favorite thing? FAMILY
7. Your dream last night? POLITICAL
8. Your favorite drink? ZERO
9. Your dream/goal? DESTINED
10. The room you're in? FAMILY
11. Your ex? none
12. Your fear? NATURAL
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? FULFILLED
15. What you're not? SATISFIED
16. Muffins? ANY
17. One of your wish list items? FHCAA
18. Where you grew up? FLORIDA
19. The last thing you did? KISSED
20. What are you wearing? PAJAMAS
21. Your TV? LOUD
22. Your pet(s)? BAMABELLE
23. Your computer DELL
24 Your life? EVOLVING
25. Your mood? DRIVEN
26. Missing someone? MANY
27. Your car? WHITE
28. Something you're not wearing? SOCKS
29. Favorite store? TARGET
30. Summer time? WINDY
31. like someone? YEP
32. Your favorite color? PINK
33. When is the last time you laughed? TODAY
34. Last time you cried? YESTERDAY
35. Who will reply to this? DEANNA
36. Whose Answers are you anxious to see? ALL

JOIN THE JOURNEY,

Just Another Manic Meme

Favorite person (outside family)? Outside of my family, hmmm, a toss up because I consider a lot of people family! Let’s just say there are way too many to count!

Favorite food? Potatoes almost any way…

Quirks about me? I have a southern accent that generally surfaces when I am mad or really excited. I am not a big jewelry person. I am anything but average.

How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? (Ask them.): Someone he couldn’t live without who he loves very much!

Any regrets in life? Maybe one or two, but for the most part, I accept without regrets!

Favorite Charity/Cause? I am in the very early stages of founding “Destiny’s Closet,” a ministry to exotic dancers, strippers and prostitutes.

Favorite Blog recently? TONS!!! A few are Evotional. Com (Mark Batterson), Perry Noble, and Positioned for Greatness (Craig Sloan, my dh)

Something you can't get enough of? Time…

Worst job you've ever had? Wendy’s… Sr. year of high school…

What job would you pay NOT to have? Plumber

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? Right now? WiBo in Washington DC…
Favorite Bible verse right now? Jeremiah 1:10 “See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Guilty pleasure? Dove Dark Chocolates hidden in my purse during church, reality TV, and sleeping in on stormy Saturdays!
Got any confessions? Something I can’t share right now.. soon!!!!

If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? Spa day, shopping and some new kitchen stuff!

Favorite thing about your house? My back yard

Least favorite thing about your house? No central AC…
One thing you are bad at? Dancing… ask my girls…

One thing you're good at? Project management and determining flow…

If you could change something about your circumstances, what? Closer to family and some personal stuff…

Who would you like to meet someday? Paula Deen and Fucshia Pickett
What makes you feel sexy? My mood determines it all really…

Who is your real life hero? Honestly? My husband really. He has overcome more adversity than most. His life story would shock and amaze you!

What is the hardest part of your job? You wouldn’t believe me if I told you!

When are you most relaxed? When I have a huge sense of accomplishment after successfully completing whatever I am working on! What stresses you out? Broken focus and lack of order!
What can you not live without? Jesus.. . without Him it will all fall apart anyway!

Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? Whatever!
Why do you blog? Several reasons… 1.) I love writing 2.) It is therapeutic 3.) Networking 4.) Archiving my life! 5.) Sharing what God has done in my life!


Join the Journey,

Just For Fun Meme

I found this meme over at The Girl With a Fro...

I AM: becoming more and more aware of who God desires me to be and what he desires to accomplish in and through me.

I WANT: to fulfill my God ordained destiny!

I WISH: I were closer to my family.

I HATE: religious mindsets.

I LOVE: being with my family, writing and ministering!

I MISS: my family!

I FEAR: missing out on God things by allowing myself or others to get in the way.

I HEAR: the Indiana Jones theme.

I WONDER: what this time next year will look like in my life!

I REGRET: stupid mistakes!

I AM NOT: as healthy as I would like to be. (I am working on it though!)

I DANCE: whenever possible!

I SING: wherever and whenever possible!

I CRY: not very often. I am not overly emotional.

I AM NOT ALWAYS: as together as I desire to be. (organized)

I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: custom made candy wrappers.

I WRITE: daily!

I CONFUSE: driving directions!

I NEED: to stay focused on WW!

I SHOULD: go to bed earlier.

I START: at least 3 books at a time - don't know why, but that's just how I like to read.

I FINISH: well... that is my goal... to be a great finisher not just a great starter!

I TAG: all my blogging friends and anyone else who comes here and wants to do this.

Join the Journey...

Melanie Tagged Me!!!!

I was tagged by Melanie over at The Fruits of the Spirit to share 7 more things about me... let's see...

1.) I still have my wisdom teeth (although we are bidding farewell next month!!!). Does that mean I am extra wise????

2.) I am not afraid of getting older.

3.) I permed my hair all through high school. (don't ask!)

4.) I have a birthmark in the shape of the continent of Africa.

5.) No, I will NOT show you the birthmark referenced in #4.

6.) I have known my husband since I was 12 years old.

7.) I can still do a cartwheel AND land on my feet!


Love & Blessings...

"8" Things Meme

Pastor Deanna Shrodes posted this 8 Things Meme on her blog and I thought I’d tackle it as well… some of my responses are the same as hers but that’s because, well, she had some super answers that I am in total agreement with!

Eight things to do before I die...

1) Minister in the Sudan
2) Publish at least one book through a paying publisher!
3) Parachute out of a plane (Craig and I are going to do this together when we reach a certain goal we’ve set)
4) Go back to my birthplace in England with my parents
5) Write a song with my brothers
6) Get to my lifetime weight goal.
7) Do a national women’s conference with five of the most powerful women of God I know
8) Complete a 5K walk/run


Eight things I cannot do:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Eight things that attract me to my husband:

1) He is passionate about everything he does/is
2) his heart is as pure as they come
3) He is a great dad to five precious girls!
4) He is my number one fan and he tells me and others that all of the time
5) He isn't intimidated by me.
6) He's a good provider.
7) He's extremely faithful/trustworthy. I don't ever worry about where he's at or what he's doing.
8) He thinks some of my rather quirky traits (to others) are attractive and a tribute to my character
9) He is an encourager
10) He loves God more than he loves me.

Eight things I say most often:

1) “Mercy!” Or “Lord have mercy!” (and I ALWAYS mean it!)
2) “Awesome!”
3) “Bless your (his/her) heart!” (Old southern habits die hard!)
4) “Actually…” (I obviously use this way too much because it is my 5 yo’s favorite word and she can use it correctly too!)
5) "My word!”
6) “Give me a break!”
7) "Yes!” (with a pumped arm)
8) "I love you." (said as many times as possible to as many people as possible)

Eight books I love:

1) The Bible
2) Get Out of That Pit! (Beth Moore)
3) In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day (Mark Batterson)
4) Simple Church
5) Go Big series
6) My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
7) Yada Yada Prayer Group series
8) Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On by Stormie Omartian

Eight movies I could watch over and over again:

1) Dead Poet’s Society
2) Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
3) We Are Marshall
4) Rudy (I really don’t like football but this one always makes me cry!)
5) The Color Purple
6) The Great Debaters
7) Sweet Home Alabama
8) Dirty Dancing

Eight things I love doing on a regular basis:

1) Worship
2) Reading
3) Writing
4) Shopping
5) Spending time with Craig
6) Hanging with my girls
7) Cooking
8) Organizing

Eight things I would care less to have to do or see again:

1) Cleaning the bathrooms
2) Hearing the latest news report on Britney Spears
3) Cleaning floors!
4) Pumping gas
5) Answering the phone.
6) Cleaning out the fridge
7) Anything to do with ministry politics
8) Anything to do with LAZY people

Eight things I miss:

1) The south…
2) Friends and family who live far.
3) My Dodge Minivan
4) Clueless people
5) Cracker Barrell
6) WOP MT
7) My wedding/engagement rings (they were stolen a few months ago)
8) Having a second vehicle

Eight things I don't miss:

1) Poverty
2) Ridiculous heat
3) Makig mountains out of molehills 4) All the extra pounds that were on my body
5) Staying out all night
6) Medical issues I went through a few years back
7) Bondage
8) Fear

Eight foods I love:

1) Mashed potatoes
2) Prime Rib
3) Scallops in pasta
4) Chicken Wings
5) A GOOD salad
6) Cheese
7) Sour cream
8) Chocolate

Eight foods I hate:

1.) Tomatoes
2.) Fish that is too “fishy”
3.) Okra
4.) Kiwi 5.) Onions 6.) Peppers (all kinds) 7.) Sweet pickles/relish 8.) Nuts that grow on trees (because I am highly allergic to them!)

Eight Artists/Music Groups I love:

1) Martina McBride
2) Sam and Paula Shelton
3) Shania Twain
4) Rascal Flatts
5) Sugarland
6) Rita Springer
7) James Taylor
8) Jason Upton

Eight of my favorite places to be:

1) Home
2) The South (almost anywhere!)
3) Anywhere on Vacation
4) Bed
5) New York
6) Pigeon Forge, TN in the fall
7) Curled up with a book on my lounge chair
8) Visiting with my friends and family wherever they happen to be!

Eight of my favorite (solo) songs to sing (I’m not a soloist but if I was):

1) Love Letters (Dottie Rambo)
2)Healing in This House (Nicole Binion)
3) You Are (Clint Brown) 4) Strength of My Life (Riss Taff/Leslie Phillips) 5) Lord Have Mercy (Michael W. Smith)
6) For Every Mountain (Karen Wheaton)
7) Lord You’re Holy (Karen Wheaton)
8) “Break Me Lord” (Natalie Grant)


Eight of my favorite worship songs:

1) Rescue
2) In Your Glory
3) The More I Seek You
4) From the Inside Out
5) Your Love is Extravagant
6) Always Welcome
7) Lord of the Breakthrough
8) God is Here

Eight things I like to hear:

1) "I love you"
2) "I'm proud of you"
3) "Straight A’s again Mom!”
4) "Your saving s to day is $.....”
5) "Your writing has inspired me!”
6) "Your message really challenged me..."
7) "I’ll cook dinner honey, go on to the gym.”
8) "I’m your number one fan!”

Eight things I don't like to hear (these must be universal remarks because I am in agreement with them all!):

1) "I know I promised you I'd do this, but..."
2) "I just want to share something with you "in love"..."
3) "I said this would be done on time but some things have come up..."
3) My phone ringing.
4) "Don't you think it's alright?" (when something isn't done like I asked but somebody else thinks it's good enough...)
5) "Mom, she/he hit me..." "won't give me the remote..." "is sitting in my seat in the car..."
6) "I know I told you I'd be there, but..."
7) Any racial or gender prejudice remark. It's like nails on the chalkboard of my life...
8) When my alarm clock go off

Eight Issues I Feel Passionate About:

1) Racial and gender equality
2) Free Speech
3) Leadership and Life Learning
4) Encouraging and Exhorting people
5) Effective Women’s Ministry
6) Destiny Driven Living
7) Healthy & Whole Relationships (all areas)
8) Having a Breakthrough Attitude

Eight things I don't understand:

1) All night drinking binges
2) Clubbing
3) Kept women
4) Lent (I know the reason behind it but I don’t get why people who don’t or rarely attend mass bother to observe it!) 5) Child abuse
6) Cultural insensitivity 7) Sin
8) Why some people die when they do

Eight songs I like to slow dance with my husband to:

1) Still the One
2) When You Say Nothing At All
3) My Valentine
4) Breathe
5) From This Moment
6) Just You and I
7) Once in a Lifetime
8) I’ll Still Be Me