The Power to Manipulate

In continuing my bible devotions on being a Positive Wife, this week's study is about Samson and Delilah. Delilah was in cahoots with the Philistines and she used her powers of manipulation to persuade Samson to reveal the secrets of his stregnth. Her deception led to the downfall of a great leader of Israel. As wives, we can influence our husbands in powerful ways. The question is, are we using our power in useful and good purposes or selfish ones?

Judges 16:15-17 (NIV)

 ¹⁵ Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.” ¹⁶ With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.
 ¹⁷ So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.”

Delilah used tactics of pouting, nagging, and deception. Her motive was not Samson's best interest, but her own gain. As positives wives, we need to steer clear of negative forms of manipulation such as whining and dishonesty and use encouragement and kindness instead. Let's choose to pray and leave the greater work and results up to God.

 If you wish to enrich days, plant flowers; if you wish to enrich years, plant trees; 

if you wish to enrich Eternity, plant ideals in the lives of others.  - S. Truett Cathy (Founder of Chickfila)

5 Months!

Dear Ryan, 


You are five months today. I can't believe how fast these days have flown by! I love being able to stay home with you all day every day. You are my heart I carry it in my heart, just like EE Cumming's poem says. 

I carry your heart with me, I carry it in

my heart. I am never without it anywhere

 I go you go, my dear.

These days you love to laugh, be tickled and grab everything! It's so fun watching you learn how things work and what you can do when you hold them. You have been laughing out loud, and it's the sweetest sound I have ever heard! You recently taught yourself how to blow raspberries with your lips and every time you do it, you laugh at yourself. It's so cute!


Aunt Jeannine and Uncle Jeff got to meet you for this first time on October 14th. They loved you just like we all do! You also stayed at Nana's for the first time overnight, although Momma stayed there with you! (: Soon, I might just let you stay by yourself and get spoiled! 

I love you, stinky! 


Love, Mom

First Post-Pregnancy 5K

For those of you who know (and care), I did my first post pregnancy 5K this past weekend in honor of my nephew and his diabetes. I told myself that after having Ryan I would do the Couch to 5K program. I didn't follow it exactly, but I did complete some retraining and did the walk with no real issues. It was a fun walk and I hope to do more, at a quicker pace! (:

They had approximately 7,000 people show up for this walk on Saturday to support the JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It was an amazing day and we all raised a lot of money! My sister came as well as my sister-in-law and her family. I can't wait to do this walk again next year, even bigger and better! (:

Connect, Share, & Serve

This concept has been on my mind for almost two weeks now. On Sunday, October 9th, our pastor at church talked about Going All In when it comes to joining and being part of a church. This really spoke to me because we'd been searching for a church family these part few months. After visiting Lifesong one time, I knew it was the place for me. It's a young church with a lot of young families and that, at this time in our lives, is what we need.

We need to get connected with a church family that can help us grow not only in faith but in life as well. He explained about how we also need to share, that we are not meant to go through life alone. God told us that the day he created Eve to be Adam's partner in life. We need to ask for prayer, share our burdens, talk about our mistakes and carry each other through this life.

The third thing was to serve together, to volunteer ourselves into a role in the body of the church. I haven't quite figured out what my role will be, but I hope that one day it will become clear to me why I felt led to join this church, if not only to make new friends and have a place to worship my God.

Fall Family Photos

It had literally been YEARS since our family had photos taken of all of us! Now that we have Ryan, my Mom and I wanted some new ones taken. I'm so glad that Heather decided to do another photo marathon! (:

Here are some of my faves!

Weekend Warriors (10/14 - 10/16)

This weekend was crazy and busy! (:

I didn't have Cullen this week (fall break) so on Friday, Ryan and I spent the whole day running around town! We went to Bennett to visit Daddy at work and have lunch! We went by the eye doctor to pick up my trial pair of contacts (I changed brands, so I have to trial them and follow up before they give me the boxes). Then we went to Jonesboro to visit Nana (my Mom) at work! That night we went to dinner at Chickfila and Ryan got to meet his Aunt Jeannine and Uncle Jeff for the first time. It was a great visit with a lot of laughs!

That night, Ryan and I stayed at my parents house, Renee and I had plans to do a 5K in Atlanta early on Saturday and Ryan spent the day with his Nana! The walk went great, I walked in honor of my nephew, Elijah - raised money to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes. He was diagnosed at age seven. After the walk, we spent some time with Summer and family and then headed back to Jonesboro. We gathered some things for the murder mystery party and lunch. That evening we spent some time with Wesley's family and had wings with them! Thanks again for dinner Gail! (:

Sunday was relaxing - church and grocery shopping. Then home for laundry and some grilled chicken for dinner! Over all it was a great weekend! I can't believe my baby is going to be five months this week!

Eyes of Faith

So, in continuing this devotional about being A Positive Wife, this weeks entry is about being faithful. The text from the bible is Numbers 14:5-9 (NIV).

⁵ Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. ⁶ Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes ⁷ and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. ⁸ If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. ⁹ Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

How does this story apply to our lives now? It's so easy to be like the 10 spies and focus on all the negative in our lives and in our husbands. As positive wives, it's our job to eyes towards faith in what Gad can do, and stop concentrating on what's not being done or what's gone wrong. By changing this focus, we can begin to see all the positive blessings that God has provided us thus far and will provide a in the future.

So, what positive blessings can I be grateful for in my marriage? Let's see... I have a husband who loves me for who I am and doesn't even attempt to change it. I have a son who was created out of that love. All our bills get paid - we have a roof over our heads, cars to drive and food on the table. Sometimes it's really hard to look past all the things that are negative (not enough money to do fun things, no extra gas money to travel), and be happy for what we have. This was a lesson I had to learn the hard way and things are finally turning around.

This week I will choose to replace those negative thoughts with faith-filled thoughts.

"Faith does the same against the devil 

as unbelief does against God." - John Bunyan

*SIGNED* Book Giveaway - CLOSED!

I'm trying to spread some news of the authors I've read and actually enjoyed! I have not yet reviewed on this blog but I want to give away a SIGNED copy! This author's name is Brandilyn Collins!

When your worst fear comes true. Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she's a little crazy. Kaycee's popular syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home---then vanish before police arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee's mind. Where is all this coming from? Maybe she is going over the edge. High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive. 

Listen to an interview with her here!

Here is how to enter! Please post a comment for EACH entry. This will help random.org choose the right random winner! (:

Mandatory Entry: Follow Addison Family Values via Google Friend Connect.


Additional Entries:   
1. Follow me on Twitter. Leave a link to your page.
2. Retweet this contest! Leave a link to your profile her. Be sure to tag me @Megabyte8709!
3. Share this giveaway on your blog. Must leave me a link to the post. 
4. Follow my Pinterest page. Leave your name in the comment. 
5. Share with me a quote from your favorite book. Share book title and character's name as well! 


Good Luck! The contest ends on October 16th at Midnight EST. 

EDIT: Congrats to Laura Reichert for WINNING! (:

First Taste of Solid Food

First bite!

Spitting it back out...

All done... not too happy!

Weekend Warriors (10/1-10/2)

This weekend was WAY busy for the Addison clan! Friday night after Wes got home from work I went and did my grocery shopping and then went up to Momma and Daddy's house for a few hours, colored my hair again and had dinner. Helped get some food things ready for the wedding on Saturday!

Saturday was Ashley and Daniel's wedding, I was so happy to see them finally get hitched! Bradyn looked so cute in his little suit and tie! Also, was very excited to see Gram, Gramps, Aunt Kim, and Uncle Mark! We had a great time!! Here are some photos...

The happy couple!

Me and my Baby Boy!

The Cousins!

Sunday was jam packed with cleaning house and FOOTBALL! (: Can't wait for this week to go by... I get to go down to the Perry, GA Fair on Friday with my Addison/Marlyne family!! We are going to have so much fun! (: More posts to come from this past week! I have some more fun new developments in Ryan's life to post!

Ryan's Laugh!

He laughed until he got frustrated with me and started to fuss!! 

Fall is in Session!