New Post!

I know, I need a new post. There are so many things I can write about it's crazy, but do I have the time or brain power to sit here and type? That has been the problem. Sorry. Thanks to everyone who listened to my song on Indieheaven. It was SO cool to hear from you!! That was the BEST part. Right now I am looking into having a cd done. It seems like it is time to pursue that road. There is a really cool studio in Nashville called the ZodLounge that we are looking into. I am talking to a management agency about the next step and what that looks like. Please pray that Brian and I will follow God's leading. There are a lot of choices out there. Thanks ~

Okay Josh has been sooooo cute lately. He is a little over 2 years and is developing something almost everyday. On Sunday, I heard he went up to Megan and told her he had boogers. = ) We just recently bought a used Honda Odessey. We called it a cool car. So Josh in his INTENSE voice always makes sure we are going in the COOL CAR!!!! "ARE WE GOING IN THE COOL CAR MOMMY!!!!!?" "WE ARE?" "YEA COOL CAR!!!" lol. Here is another one, he has a temper when he doesn't get his way. Even when it is over something very dumb like the color of cup he has. So what he started doing was when he got to a place of wanting to throw something or hit he says, "I AM GOING FOR A TIME E OUT!!!" and stomps off to his room until he cools off. It's great and also very funny.

I better stop now. But hopefully will post more soon. Blessings to you ~

Vote At Indieheaven!!

This is a crazy thing I did. (for educational purposes only). I put a song on Indieheaven's Fan Faves List. People need to vote on what songs they like. If you are curious at all I would LOVE for you to vote for me. = ) Now, if you do vote, please be honest because I really want to know the truth. That is the only way I will get better.

This song was recorded in 2002. It's called, "Embrace Me" What you'll need to do is go to http://www.indieheaven.com/fanfaves.php, then click on View, on View All because I am at the very bottom at number #118. This has been such a fun journey that I am on so far. I am trying to find out what God has called me to do with the music I am writing.

I would love to hear if you heard it and what you thought. = ) Thanks gals. You're great!!

Lara~

Hey Everyone ~

Josh was so cute the other day. I finally found some time to clip his and Hannah's nails. He had been really fussy for a couple of days. I just thought it was a faze or he was overtired. But when I started to clip his nails, while he was crying, he turned my head and kissed me on the mouth, basically to say thank you for cutting my nails mom. I asked them if they hurt and he said yes. It was sad I didn't realize it, but also so adorable. I melted.

Hannah LOVES to play imaginary make-believe. She loves to play "Peter Pan", I am Peter and she is Wendy. She recently added an English accent which is pretty good! lol. But what was pretty funny was at the dinner table the other day. She decided to be a man. So her voice was low and drawn out. We were laughing at her. Then she burped and Brian said, "well, that sounded like a man." Hannah responded, "That's because I AM a man." lol You really should have been there.

I thought I would get back into the blogging world and post those. = ) Hope you all are doing well. Post some more gals. I miss hearing about what you are up to.

Love Ya ~

Updates ~

Hannah said something funny this afternoon. She LOVES to pretend play. She would have me play this with her ALL DAY! if I let her. I finally put my foot down this week and scheduled it in. So we "pretend play" from 9:00 to 10:00am and then again from 2:00 to 3:00pm (if I can make it that long). That has really worked out. Any who, I was pretending to be someone called "Hubba bubba mumma" (I wanted to hear her call me that) I know cheap thrills. So she did and it was funny. Then she started talking about inviting her friends over for her 4 year old birthday party. The first thing she said was, "Mom? Can I please, please, please invite Hubba bubba mumma to my birthday party?" That was so funny. Ah, I am totally going to drop that character cuz' I don't want to be embarrassed at her party. lol.

Josh loves Mickey Mouse Playhouse. If you watch it you will understand, but he will say "Oh Toodles!" and "Cheers" and "Super Cheer" when Mickey asks the viewer to. It's so cute. He also sings, "Doink, Doink, Doink, Doink, PBS Kids!" from OPB. = ) We have been watching so much tv lately. Brian helped me justify it because its cold, we've been sick, and really what else is there to do? If you have some great ideas my brain is fried so anything would help. We recently got Dish Network so DVR has become our good friend. I couldn't figure it out at first, but now I record shows the kids love to watch from the morning and then in the afternoon when their shows aren't on I put on one of the recorded ones. I also record Joyce Meyer and some other ones I enjoy watching. They are good to watch when I can't sleep at night or the kids wake up way too early. Like this morning Josh and I sat downstairs watching Armeggedon, a documentary, while he went back to sleep at 5:30am.

Also, one other thing. I have started to post some of the songs I've been writing on myspace.com/laramarriottworship. I wasn't going to say anything because I'm still on a huge learning curve and I'm a little shy about it, but a friend was very encouraging to me about sharing with you, so I decided to post about it. My plan is to copywrite about 15 songs and then post them when I get them recorded. I've joined a christian songwriters group and just love it. They are from all over the world and we help one another with encouragement and advice. It's been great. Anyway, if you decide to check out my myspace, let me know what you think and that you were there. = ) Til' next post. God bless you and your famly.

What My Latte Says About Me ~

***What Your Latte Says About You***


You are very decadent in all aspects of your life. You never scale back, and you always live large.

You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious.

You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast.

You have a healthy relationship with caffeine. You're definitely not dependent on it.

You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You're occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree.

You are expressive and friendly, but you are never pushy.


What Does Your Latte Say About You?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourlattesayaboutyouquiz/

What's Up! ~

Hey long time no write. I don't even know what to write about except that I should it's been about a month. Hmmm.... I can't remember all of the cute things Josh has been saying lately. Darn it! He is so trying to communicate and I can just see the frusteration in his eyes when what he wants to say is not coming across. He loves his sister and looks up to her quite a bit now. Every morning he says, "hi Hannah, how ya doing Hannah?" They wrestle a lot with each other and I can hear laughter coming from my bed when their rolling around and sitting on each other. At least it's not crying. Is my life a piece of cake, nope. I have many many moments during the day when I want to pull my hair out. I don't like whinning, mommy?, I want, will you play with me 1000 times a day. But hey who does right? Brian did the best thing for me. He looked at me (didn't have a shower yet, hair was sticking up in all sorts of directions, still in my pjs with slippers, with a glazed look on my face) and said would you like me to take the kids outside for a half an hour? What? Halleluiah! YES YES YES! So I had a shower, put the ham in the oven. Ah! Then a while later he did it again!!!! He looked at me (my head was down, no smile, totally exhausted) and said go get out before they know you are gone and go to Walmart like you said you wanted to do. What? YEA!!!! FREEDOM!!! It was great! Then after dinner he did it one more time! And took the kids downstairs so I could clean the upstairs. What an awesome husband. Thanks babe!! My house is clean, I am clean, the fridge is stocked and I can now look back at say it was good and rest.

Merry Christmas ~

I don't know how many of you do it. Blogging almost everyday. You women are something else. = ) I on the other hand have gotten a bit burnt out so I am going to blog whenever I can and start blogging mainly for remembering what my kids are saying and doing, etc... I am continuing to read all of the other blogs and love getting to know each of you. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas this holiday with family and/or friends. Our Saviour of this world, Jesus, has come and we rejoice and praise Him for such an awesome gift.

I want to quickly jot down some of the things Josh has been saying so I don't forget like: "peeta" for quesidilla, CHurTCH for church, "Jam" for Miss Jan, "jim" for gym, "not like that" with a sarcastic tone, "where are you mommy, mommy? There you are, I found you."

One other thing, Hannah sang in her first every Christmas concert with the kids last Sunday. The 2 and 3s were not invited. She walked down the aisle and joined as they were singing. I'll have to write more about that later. = )

More Random Pics I love ~

Random Pictures for Fun - Halloween pics included

Homework ~

What is your Motto?
Be a cheap date. It's more fun! (translation: stop to enjoy the little things in life)

What superhuman power would you most want to have?
Be invisible

What makes you laugh?
my kids, cousins, Brian, my brother, my childhood friend, Molly (in a good way. = ), Daddy Daycare, Wil Farrel, Monty Python Search for the Holy Grail )

Cats or dogs?
Dogs

Would you rather be a little smarter or sexier?
Smarter so I could make lots of money to pay for all of the products and procedures to make me sexier. LOL!!

What's the one thing you'll never understand?
Why people run from being transparent and real with others.

My life would be simpler if?
If I had a nanny and housekeeper. he he

The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...
What I should buy at Toysrus tomorrow at their 5am-noon after Thanksgiving Sale.

Contemplation ~

Jerry Dull, a wonderful member of our church, passed away recently. I had the honor of being a part of his memorial service today.

He chased after God. He instilled into his children a character of love that only could have come from our Heavenly Father. He was humble and meek in the shadows of others, holding them up to shine. There was purpose in his ministry. He had seven children, some of them adopted from other countries. The legacy he leaves behind will be felt and shown in the lives of his children, grandchildren and many more generations to come.

A friend of Joy and Jerry's said he was the backing of a picture frame, supporting his wife's ministry and dreams.

My focus lately has been on my dream of becoming a worship artist/singer/songwriter. I definitely want everything I do to be an act of worship and honor to my God and King and Saviour. But what about my loved ones. Where do they fit into that dream? I sit here huddled on the side of my bed while the kids are napping and wonder, am I instilling a legacy of love into them? Am I being obedient in enjoying where God has placed me and what He has given to me to take care of? Am I supporting my husband 100% in his ministry and where God is leading him? Am I finding other places to serve within my neighborhood and community?

I think I am, but I know I could be doing a lot more. There is no reason for me to be discontented here where God has placed me. He has placed me down this journey for a reason and I want to embrace it.

God, I am sorry for looking at life through my eyes and not through Yours. It's not about me. It's about how You can use me to win one more for You. Give me ideas of where I can serve and be used. With my family, help me to love them with my words and actions and build their lives up so that they can shine. Teach me Your ways O God. Thank you for our home, for the abundant water we drink, the variety of food we eat. Thank you for so many choices in clothing and jewelry. I look around at what I have and I can see how blessed and rich we are. Thank you. We don't deserve anything You give us. Help me to serve You at home with the everyday chores, sitting with the kids and reading to them, watching tv with them, playing with them, taking care of their needs. Help me to serve my husband by supporting him, praying for him and his needs and wants, loving him with an unconditional love, and liking him everyday, throughout the day through my words and actions. Help me to be ready to serve whenever and wherever You need me through any acts of service. May You use the gifts and talents that You have given to me for Your glory and not my own. Keep me ever so humble God. Give me abundant opportunities to win people to You. What an honor that is and what fulfillment. Help me to love others more than I love myself and others who are most dear to me. Show me ways I can help love and serve the poor and heavy-hearted. I want to be Your servant everyday, every hour, every minute, every second that You decide to give me. May You be the center of my life.

So Much To Say ~

Wow, such response to my last two posts! That's awesome. I thought I would answer some of the questions they brought up. When Hannah said that prayer and said she wanted to go to heaven. I first was thinking "does she know something I don't know. Like an insight into the future.", but I just smiled and said, "oh, really honey. uhuh." = ) Thankfully it didn't come true yet, so she's still with us. I found out that it is never too early or too late to tell someone about Jesus.

Now, regarding the 8 random things I listed. I had fun reading everyones responses. = ) Now, Quickies is a place not an action. lol. I love to read the Yellow Pages to see what attractions a city has, the maps of the city and where parks, restaurants, libraries are, and in the back they usually have coupons. I like to get out and experience a city (i've moved around a lot) so the Yellow Pages is a great tool for me.

I traveled to Poland with a Vocal Jazz Group in 12 grade. We stayed in hostels and sang at churches, theatres, schools, etc. Sharing the gospel. I LOVED Poland very much. The people there were soooo giving and hospitable. I loved their language and their food. The cars would park on the sidewalks. The buildings were full of character and history. We even went to the boarder of Russia and Poland and got a couple Russian dolls that open up to smaller and smaller dolls. There was a lot of history and experience in most of their eyes. I knew I could learn a lot from them. Oh, and I visited a consentration camp. Too much to tell you about that experience. It was so overwhelmingly sad.

In Germany we stayed in a five star hotel because our flight was overbooked (i think we each got $500.00 too). The speed limit was super high. I remember speeding down the freeway in our bus. People loved to smoke and drink beer there. The food was good. It was snowing there and we walked the streets of Hiedleberg and went to a castle of some sort where Mozart and his father visited. It had a room with a floor to ceiling barrel of beer. It was about three stories tall.

After graduating from High School I was chosen to represent Canada as a World Vision Youth Ambassador. We went to Teipei, Taiwan to stay with 50 other YA's from 50 different countries. We were suppose to live in a "global community" to prove we had more in common then not and could live peacefully together. We promoted peace and reconciliation and traveled all around Taiwan singing and dancing in a choir with our Nations Costume (mine was a Mounty Uniform) lol. Met the president of Taiwan and gov't officials, traveled to Mexico City, Mexico was on there TV program, all over the US was on Good Morning America, CNN, went to the United Nations and spoke with our Ambassadors, sang at the World Bank, The Kennedy Center, went to the World Vision head quarters. I was interviewed by a christian station in Vancouver, BC. It was an incredible and unforgettable experience.

I dated the guy from Guatemala. = ) So I went to Guatemala to visit him and his family. We toured there a bit and visited Atitlan. It was a great experience, but also an emotional experience. We were very close to getting engaged, but I knew in my heart I didn't love him. I also got a bacterial infection and was hospitalized. When I got home I was very weak.

But I had been asked to go to Calcutta, India two weeks after Guatamala to be a special guest singer for "Mission of Mercy's" Christmas Tree production. Lilly Knolls was suppose to go, but couldn't so she asked my mom's good friend who was a singer, but she couldn't so she asked me. Why? I still have no clue, but she did and I accepted. So I flew there still sick and sang two our of the 5 nights or vise versa I can't remember. I was hospitalized the other days due to my infection. It was aweful, I was so embarrassed, but they were very gracious and kind. I would love to go back and make it up to them somehow. We were right next to Mother Theresa's hospital which was exciting for me, but I never actually saw her. It was noisy in Calcutta. They have no rules for driving on the streets so you hear honking all day long. What a different culture, but beautiful at the same time. The people there were in so much need. Right when I got off the plan people without legs or eyes, on crutches, etc. were bombarding us, asking for money, food, whatever. It was so sad. We had a stop in New Delhi on the way back, oh I stoped in Taiwan, then slept over in Tailand, then flew to Amsterdam and stayed overnight there.

I'm telling you I am convinced that God has put beauty in everyplace around the world to enjoy. He is everywhere and His people are all so beautiful and special. I hope to travel again someday. = )

Now what were the other ones? Ice cream, yes, I have one scoop of mint chocolate chip and one scoop of pinnapple coconut in a waffle cone together. I don't know how I came up with that combo, but it works for me.

I know Spanish from learning it in school, friends, and traveling. I know French from studying it with a private teacher for a little while. I know Italian from singing and learning Italian Art Songs. I know German from German songs and my German grandparents. I know Mandrin Chinese from living in Taiwan for three months. I know Canadian from being born Canadian lol. I know Polish from being in Poland. Languages are so fun for me. I wish I had a great retaining memory so I could be fluent in all of them. = )

I honestly can't remember the rest. So I think I'll stop for right now and pick up again soon. I still want to post pictures of Halloween and talk about this great Worship Musician's Summit Brian and I went to. Hopefully soon. = )

Too Much To Write/So Here Are Pictures = )

Hannah's Prayer ~

I want to respond to all of the comments to my last post in more detail, but always got distracted. Then something wonderful happened yesterday I had to document.

Hannah asked Jesus into her heart yesterday in the car when we got home from the gym. She was very loving and made statements like, "I love Jesus so much." "I want to do two things really bad. I want to go to Oma and Opa's house and then the next day go to see Jesus in heaven." Then we had a conversation about what it ment to love Jesus and to have him be with us always by asking Him into our hearts. I asked her if she wanted to pray to ask Him into her heart and she did.

I tried this during the Salem Riverfest, but she didn't want to ask Him into her heart then. It was very special and unexpected.

I love you Hannah. This was such a special moment in your life. Jesus is with you always.

Let Me Explain ~

You gals that responded to my last blog are so cute! = ) It sounded like I needed to explain a little more on each one though. Yes, I love chai teas. Quickie's is a place. Dirty minds. lol j/k.

Random, That's All I Have ~

I wanted to wait until I blogged again and find some updated pictures to post, but nope. Hopefully soon.

8 Things That Are Random ~

1. I love chai teas from Starbucks, Quickie's, and Cravings (must have half milk, half water)

2. I could spend an hour reading the Yellow Pages

3. One of my favorite things to do (when or if I get a chance) is to fly fish on land or in a float tube.

4. I know a little bit of French, Spanish, Mandrin, Polish, Italian, German and Canadian, eh?

5. I love traveling with my family. Anywhere is just fine with me.

6. I've been to 10 Countries: United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, India, Tailand, Taiwan, Poland, Germany, Sweden

7. My favorite ice cream is Baskin Robbins Pineapple Coconut and Mint Chocolate Chip in a Waffle Cone

8. I love making homemade bread

9. One more...I LOVED reading everyone else's 8 Random Things. They were very facinating. = )

I Will Miss Them ~

Josh was crying hysterically. We finally realized he was teething. So we gave him medicine, but no oragel. I rocked him in his room, but still he was crying. I massaged his gums and asked him if that helped and he said yeah and went right to sleep. During that time Hannah got up and told Brian she needed to go potty. She was doddling so Brian was firm with her. When she walked up the stairs to go potty, she said, "Why are they hurting my feelings? I just don't like it when they hurt my feelings. Dad you really hurt my feelings." I almost started crying it was heartbreaking. Brian apologized and hugged her.

Are they a handful? YES! Will I miss them when I go on my Pastors Wives Retreat tomorrow. YES! I love my family so much. Brian, Hannah and Josh, even Austin our dog, bring much joy to my life. I am hoping they will enjoy their time together while I'm away. It should be a lot of fun. = )

Do I Have A Life? ~

YES!!! I have a wonderful, blessed life that God has given me. Went to see my parents and had a sleep over with Molly and Sarah last week. Bought a membership to Gilbert's Discovery Village that the kids absolutely loved! (and me too), taught a swim exercise class completely for training. Should be teaching my own class in two weeks. Went to the Library with the kids and had fun. We are so blessed here to have such a great children's section of the library. In Bellevue they didn't even come close to how cool ours is. Just my opinion of course. And I am starting to make a dent in the household chores.

But sometimes after the kids have finally! gone to bed and there is some down time, I find myself surfing the web and zoning out. I could totally be doing something productive and edifying to my spirit, but nope. I am here with very little left to give from my fried brain feeling like I have no life. lol.

Oh well, = ) tomorrow will come and my wonderful life will start all over again!! = )