Girlfriends

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a women's retreat that my amazing church prepared, as they do every year! This year our special guest were Lisa Jernigan & Patty Wyatt. Theses two ladies are Co-founders of "Girlfriends Unlimited," an international organization and ministry for women and churches. The information they presented to us during the retreat was very encouraging, eye-opening, and powerful! In the opening session, they had us complete a Preview Profile - Girlfriend Style. The profile was titled, "Which Coffee Type are You?" It looked a little something like this:

Select the words in each category that describe your behaviors

(Choose what truly describes you, not how you would like to be described)

Latte

• evasive
• practical
• diplomatic
• factual
• controlled
• analytical
• inquisitive
• cautious
• persistent
• accurate
• deliberate
• detailed
• reserved
• precise

Chai

• relaxed
• patient
• good listener
• consistent
• thoughtful
• enjoys routine
• deep relationships
• amiable
• loyal
• team player
• adaptable
• avoids conflict
• dislikes change
• nurturing

Espresso

• demanding
• ambitious
• determined
• decisive
• bold
• firm
• goal driven
• decision maker
• competitive
• assertive
• takes charge
• purposeful
• leader
• enjoys challenge

Mocha

• inspiring
• likes recognition
• takes risks
• very verbal
• avoids details
• likes variety
• energetic
• people oriented
• optimistic
• expressive/emotional
• approachable
• visionary
• motivator
• creative

Now double the number of words selected in each category.

You can find this actual Profile on their website www.GirlfriendIT.com

This activity was neat because we could identify which personality we are and it made so much sense. The girls around me that night are some of my closest friends and we had such a good time doing this together. We laughed because we probably could have filled one of these out for each other. But more than that, it helped each one of us understand more of who we are, how we deal with people, circumstances, conflict, conversation, etc. We also received a better grasp on how to influence and communicate with each other!

Sometimes as women we don't understand our differences, we just expect everyone to be like ourselves. However, that can cause some frustration and create relationships that aren't solid! The entire experience over the course of the weekend made me really thankful for the girlfriends I have and also made me realize how important it is to make sure that we have girlfriends we can count on at all times. We need friends in our lives that we can be real with, call on at anytime, laugh and cry with, and be transparent with in full confidence that they have our best interest at heart!

I love getting together with my girlfriends because I can count on them to leave me refreshed with a fresh perspective, to encourage me as a Christ follower, and to walk forward with a greater purpose! I encourage you to evaluate your friendships. Do you have girlfriends that you can trust and be real with?

Finally, I will leave you with another great piece of information I gained at this awesome retreat: You have to put yourself out there, be vulnerable and transparent, in order for you to find and create friendships that are forever! They definitely don't just appear and fall in your lap! INVEST yourself in others lives and you will be blessed with that in return!

One Of My Favorite Memories

One of my favorite memories as a little girl is fishing with my Dad. This was something we did frequently when we were together. I remember going to dig up worms to take with us, learning to slide the worm onto the hook by myself, getting lessons on casting, holding the fish for the first time, and much more. I think I was even better than my Dad!

One of the last trips home to Rotan, Adi got to experience one of her first fishing expeditions. Bradey's parents have a tank by their house and we usually ride down to feed the fish.

This time we decided to let her catch some. This was so exciting for me because I would love for her to have memories of fishing with her Daddy like I do.

She wasn't real sure what to think about touching the slimy little thing. She eventually would let her Daddy place the fish in her hands and then she would throw it back into the water.

This was one of many fishing experiences I hope for her. I wish we had a place close to us that we could take her more often.

What are some of your favorite childhood memories that you hope for your children to experience?

TrIcK oR tReAt, SmElL mY fEeT...

GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT!

Another Halloween has come and gone and I absolutely can't believe this was Adi's 3rd year to experience Halloween festivities. Time goes by so fast!

Her first Halloween (2007) she was Nemo the fish! I know Nemo is a boy, but when I saw this costume, I just couldn't pass it up. We took her to St. Stephen UMC Fall Festival. Of course she couldn't do much at this point and had no idea what was going on around her. However, it was a fun beginning of a family tradition.

Her second Halloween (2008) she was a Squiggly Pig. For some odd reason people kept saying, "Oh look at that cute lamb!" Really??? Are lambs pink? Do they have a snout and curly tail? NO!!!!! Anyways, it was a cute costume and she looked adorable! We took her to SSUMC again and also to our church for their "Trunk-or-Treat" event. Nana and Granddad came up to Amarillo to join us and Adi had a blast with them while she got lots and lots of goodies.

And finally, her 3rd Halloween (2009) she was the prettiest princess of all! She got this 'Belle' princess dress at Disney World when we went last Christmas. Funny thing is, she has never seen the movie 'Beauty and the Beast' but she loves to dress up as a princess. The wig was my favorite part and I'm really not sure how I got her to keep it on.

This year was different because she had more knowledge of what Halloween was about and actually got to go 'Trick-or-Treating" with some of her friends. We still went to SSUMC and a couple of other festivals, but I think she had the most fun going door to door with her friends. I wasn't sure if she would actually say, "Trick-or-Treat" when strangers would open the door, but she did. Actually, she tried to go in a few of the houses to see their pets. She is a animal fanatic and when she saw that some had dogs or cats, she thought she should go and see them. So, we had to have a little chat about walking into strangers' homes.

When we returned home, we turned on our porch lights so she could hand out candy to some of the other trick-or-treaters. She had just as much fun handing out candy as she did getting it!

I love Halloween for some reason as a Mom. I enjoy finding her a cute costume and allowing her to experience the festivities that come along with Halloween. When I was little, I don't remember Halloween activities being a fun family tradition. I don't remember ever dressing up, carving pumpkins, or going to festivals. I'm sure I did, but it just wasn't a big deal to my family. So, I like creating family traditions that we can take part in each year. Hopefully, when Adi is older, she will remember these times of us as a family and also the memories she creates with friends.

I'm not sure who had more fun, me or her?!?!

Next year, we will have two little ones to dress up and experience all the fun!! Can't wait!

No longer three...but four!

It has been brought to my attention that my blogger name needs to change soon! We will no longer be 'The Murphree Three.' So, I need some help coming up with a new, creative, unique and catchy title for our blog. I know some of you are very capable of this, unlike myself. So, bring it on!

That's all for now!

Anxiously Waiting

In about 5 more weeks we will get the blessed opportunity to meet Chloe Layne Murphree. We are overwhelmed with anxiety, excitement and even a little fear! Most of all, I can't wait for the moment I get to see what she looks like. Will she look like her sister and her Daddy? Maybe Mommy will finally get to hear, "She looks just like you!" Red hair? Blue eyes? Hmmmmmm! Adi is constantly hugging and kissing on my belly. She ask all the time if she can play with Chloe when she comes out. I think she will be a great big sister. I'm sure she will be more help than we can imagine at times!

I will be having a c-section again. It is currently scheduled for December 7th at noon. The weeks seem to go by slower and slower as we get closer. I have felt pretty good except having a head cold that just will not go away. This season of flu and H1N1 has sparked a little fear within us that we strive daily to replace with the comfort that our Lord is our Protector and Healer. So far, we have been flu free!!

I hope to be better about blogging this season! I know I say that every time I blog, so hopefully I am serious this time! :) We'll see! My life is about to change a little but I look forward to every minute as a mom with two precious girls.