Every year at Christmastime, Mom makes the most delicious "trail mix" ever. It's funny, because it's one of those things that's sooo easy to make...yet we wait for this time of year to have it. That's probably a good thing, though, cause I can eat my weight in that stuff. And man, that's a LOT! :)
Anyway, last night the boys and I were snacking on some of that yummy Christmas treat, and I noticed Tony being very careful to only eat the Chex out of it. Typical. I mean, we all have our favorite part of the mix! But then I had one of those sweet moments that only a parent can have, when your kids aren't killing each other and some special little similarity shows itself. Their differences are consistently clear, but I so enjoy the little moments where I can see one in the other...when I see them as...brothers I guess. Duh! :)
But it was nuts. Tony stuck his chubby little hand in the bag to grab a piece of cereal and said with a grin, "pillow." Suddenly my mind flashed back, and it wasn't Tony at all. It was my little, blonde haired Tyler standing there, still with his precious baby fat, saying "pillow." I guess it seems silly, but so much went through my mind when my baby used the same word for Chex that his big brother did when he was a toddler. He'd never heard Ty call cereal a pillow. It was his own word as much as it was Tyler's own word a few years ago. And for whatever sentimental reasoning, it was enough to make me squeeze them both just a little tighter last night. Perhaps it was the thought of how quickly they grow, or maybe it was just one of those moments overwhelmed by love for the little guys. Whatever. It was precious. And I'm still smiling about it today!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Pluck it!
Interesting expletive, huh? :)
What do you do to relieve stress? Do you have a stress plan? I mean, do you consciously turn to a certain activity or ritual or habit that soothes you? Or do you just find yourself doing a certain something in stressful times?
I've noticed over the years that one of my most effective methods of stress relief is the otherwise much dreaded deed of shaping my eyebrows (or, as I mentally refer to it, the completely insane, unnecessary, and incredibly painful ripping out of the hair in my delicate eye area!). Yep. I'm certifiable. It works though. I've never ever actually done this on purpose to relieve stress, but I noticed once that I was just plucking away, and I couldn't even feel it. Normally I'm one of those total weenie girls that can't help but form tears as the hairs are jerked from their rightful home on my brow. I don't actually "cry," of course, but there's definite watering of the eyes. :)
Anyway, I was stressing over something at the time I made this strange observation. Out of curiosity, I did a little digging through photos, and I found that I tend to get a little bushy when the stress level is low. Yet, in the pictures taken at the most tense times of my adult life, I'm sporting some seriously sexy eyebrows!
Now this really only works to a certain degree. I've had a couple of total down and out lows that certainly couldn't be detected by the thickness of my brows, but for the most part if you're wondering how I'm really doing just take a closer look...not into my eyes, but above them!
What do you do to relieve stress? Do you have a stress plan? I mean, do you consciously turn to a certain activity or ritual or habit that soothes you? Or do you just find yourself doing a certain something in stressful times?
I've noticed over the years that one of my most effective methods of stress relief is the otherwise much dreaded deed of shaping my eyebrows (or, as I mentally refer to it, the completely insane, unnecessary, and incredibly painful ripping out of the hair in my delicate eye area!). Yep. I'm certifiable. It works though. I've never ever actually done this on purpose to relieve stress, but I noticed once that I was just plucking away, and I couldn't even feel it. Normally I'm one of those total weenie girls that can't help but form tears as the hairs are jerked from their rightful home on my brow. I don't actually "cry," of course, but there's definite watering of the eyes. :)
Anyway, I was stressing over something at the time I made this strange observation. Out of curiosity, I did a little digging through photos, and I found that I tend to get a little bushy when the stress level is low. Yet, in the pictures taken at the most tense times of my adult life, I'm sporting some seriously sexy eyebrows!
Now this really only works to a certain degree. I've had a couple of total down and out lows that certainly couldn't be detected by the thickness of my brows, but for the most part if you're wondering how I'm really doing just take a closer look...not into my eyes, but above them!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Party Moments
So, check me out...I finally did a little slide show deal for ya. :) Wanted to share a few of the sweet little moments from Tony's 2nd birthday party. In case you haven't noticed, it's over there on the right. ;) I guess black and white is probably a little odd for a crazy toddler's birthday party, but I think the photography of the day kinda reflects the nostalgia Steve and I were feeling. Still can't believe my baby is two.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I Two!!
This picture was taken yesterday...or at least it seems that way to me! Little Anthony Thomas turned two last week, and he's been busy reminding me of that fact, both in word and deed! :) I'll try to get some birthday party pictures up soon, but since I've been reminiscing over his birth day pictures for a week now, I just had to share this one.
Monday, November 5, 2007
And Finally, Our Halloween Party!!
Sorry for the delay. We've had some computer issues that have kept me from getting the pictures to the blog. Here are a few of the cutest. Hope you enjoy!
Spidey-Zach enjoying every last bite of his yummy cookie treat...
Elmo-Nathan making his latest favorite face. How cute is that?!
Our very own collection of Tiggers...
Brianna, who was "supposed" to be Tinkerbell but wanted nothing to do with her costume while she was at my house. She wasn't the only stubborn one though. This is Tony's costume, and he went running and screaming from Mommy at the first request to put it on. Bri made a pretty cute Tigger too though, don't you think? :)
And my dear Tony, the true owner of the Tigger suit. Once Bri had it on, he could hardly wait for his turn! That's Tony for ya!
And yet another Tigger...Dillon came with his own Tigger costume to bounce around in! What a sweet face!
Halloween is just not complete without a superhero or two! Tyler and Zach were ready to protect us in their spidersuits. Those two boys are so much alike. It really fit for them to be twins for the day! :)
Okay, how perfect is this?! I mean really! Garrett's Daddy is a mechanic, and Garrett's already a car guy just like him. Amanda has a picture of the two of them in their "work" clothes. Love it!!
I wasn't able to get a lot of action shots of our day, since I'm pretty much engulfed in the action around here! The kids had a lot of fun seeing each other all dressed up though. And we read Halloween books and did Halloween crafts all day. We practiced saying Happy Halloween and trick-or-treat. I wish I'd gotten some video of that! They were soo cute!
Somehow I failed to get a picture of the sweet little pumpkin, Ian. He was a total doll in his orange and white outfit. Sorry I can't show you. :(
It was a great day for sure. The kids are at a wonderful age now. We just have so much fun. Thanks again to you mommies and daddies who share your little ones with my family and me. We love them!!
We had a lot of fun here on Halloween! Here we are making lots of "music" with our shakers and dancing to the beat...
Spidey-Zach enjoying every last bite of his yummy cookie treat...
Elmo-Nathan making his latest favorite face. How cute is that?!
Our very own collection of Tiggers...
Brianna, who was "supposed" to be Tinkerbell but wanted nothing to do with her costume while she was at my house. She wasn't the only stubborn one though. This is Tony's costume, and he went running and screaming from Mommy at the first request to put it on. Bri made a pretty cute Tigger too though, don't you think? :)
And my dear Tony, the true owner of the Tigger suit. Once Bri had it on, he could hardly wait for his turn! That's Tony for ya!
And yet another Tigger...Dillon came with his own Tigger costume to bounce around in! What a sweet face!
Halloween is just not complete without a superhero or two! Tyler and Zach were ready to protect us in their spidersuits. Those two boys are so much alike. It really fit for them to be twins for the day! :)
Okay, how perfect is this?! I mean really! Garrett's Daddy is a mechanic, and Garrett's already a car guy just like him. Amanda has a picture of the two of them in their "work" clothes. Love it!!
I wasn't able to get a lot of action shots of our day, since I'm pretty much engulfed in the action around here! The kids had a lot of fun seeing each other all dressed up though. And we read Halloween books and did Halloween crafts all day. We practiced saying Happy Halloween and trick-or-treat. I wish I'd gotten some video of that! They were soo cute!
Somehow I failed to get a picture of the sweet little pumpkin, Ian. He was a total doll in his orange and white outfit. Sorry I can't show you. :(
It was a great day for sure. The kids are at a wonderful age now. We just have so much fun. Thanks again to you mommies and daddies who share your little ones with my family and me. We love them!!
To school or not to school...
That is the question! Tyler will be starting kindergarten next year (wasn't he JUST born??), and Steve and I are seriously considering home schooling. I know several of you have school aged children, and even those of you who don't may have a well-defined opinion on this. So I'm asking to hear them. Let me know what you think...public school or home school? And why?? I just want to really think thru all the issues. So maybe you've thought of something that hasn't crossed our minds yet. Please share! If you don't want to make a public display, that's perfectly fine. You can also email me at kristiemknox@yahoo.com.
Thanks for sharing!!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Beauty of Discipline
Since I just know you've all missed hearing from me on my blog (all 2 of you!), here's something special for you...another glimpse into my ugly heart. I'm sure you can just hardly wait! :)
God's been revealing to me, over and over, and in so many creative ways lately just how serious is my deficit when it comes to self-discipline. Being a disciple of Christ happens to require an enormous amount of discipline. Ever notice how those 2 words are ever so similar?! Yeah, that's probably a clue. :)
Steve and I are participating in a family and parenting class in our Sunday School hour this quarter at church. We're learning how to parent from a strictly biblical perspective. We're realizing just how much of who we are and who we've been teaching our children to be is, at best, cultural. It just blows my mind to think how many things we simply accept as true just because it's what we've always heard or how we were raised. It's been a very interesting class, and though I'm pretty sure I'm known all over the church now as the crazy woman who can't control her children, we're learning a lot! And it's slow going, but the Lord is so faithful to bless us when we truly desire to honor Him through obedience. As we obey Him in our parenting, we pray we'll be teaching the boys to do the same in their own lives.
I spent most of Sun morning thinking about how all these little rules we're learning to teach our children really apply to me and my own obedience, or lack thereof, in my walk with the Father. For example, delayed obedience is disobedience. Dang. How often do I put stuff off, you know? And I don't mean years, but just a moment's delay is disobedience. Ouch! And the biggie for me was that if I do what He requires, but I'm kicking and screaming on the inside, then I'm actually being disobedient. Double ouch. I guess somewhere along the way I deceived myself into thinking that as long as I'm doing what He requires then I'm being obedient. I don't have to like it, I just have to do it. He's been showing me in all kinds of ways lately that I really need to be, I guess, more transformed by the renewing of my mind, as we're told in Romans 12:2. So that my HEART is obedient. Sounds like a no-brainer, huh? But there you have it. My loser confession for the week. :)
The beautiful thing, though, is what God showed me Monday as I continued through this battle with Tony. I decided I should try the advice I'd been given in SS, because I've been having some pretty serious behavior problems out of our sweet little 2 yr old. It was suggested that I require him to verbally respond to me when I've given him instruction. I know, that seems like the only logical way to do it now...but I guess we hadn't thought about how powerful it could be. Remember, I'm already known all over the church as the crazy woman who can't control her children, so at this point, who cares if you think I'm dumb, too! :)
So...after about half an hour in time-out and several spankings (sorry if that makes some of you want to have me arrested!), he finally responded to me. The very first time he said, "K, Ma," it was nothing more than a sad, defeated whisper. It nearly broke my heart along with his will. But by bedtime, when I'd instruct him from across the room, he'd walk all the way over to me, get eye to eye, and say with a sweet smile, "Ok, Momma." Each time was a small moment of total bliss and understanding between us! I can't help but think, as I embrace that little guy, how much joy must the Father have when I come to Him with a desire to please and obey, and no matter the instruction I've received, I say with a smile, "Okay, Father." Beautiful. I'm a visual learner, and God knows it! Seriously though, what a beautiful way to teach my heart what my head already knew.
God's been revealing to me, over and over, and in so many creative ways lately just how serious is my deficit when it comes to self-discipline. Being a disciple of Christ happens to require an enormous amount of discipline. Ever notice how those 2 words are ever so similar?! Yeah, that's probably a clue. :)
Steve and I are participating in a family and parenting class in our Sunday School hour this quarter at church. We're learning how to parent from a strictly biblical perspective. We're realizing just how much of who we are and who we've been teaching our children to be is, at best, cultural. It just blows my mind to think how many things we simply accept as true just because it's what we've always heard or how we were raised. It's been a very interesting class, and though I'm pretty sure I'm known all over the church now as the crazy woman who can't control her children, we're learning a lot! And it's slow going, but the Lord is so faithful to bless us when we truly desire to honor Him through obedience. As we obey Him in our parenting, we pray we'll be teaching the boys to do the same in their own lives.
I spent most of Sun morning thinking about how all these little rules we're learning to teach our children really apply to me and my own obedience, or lack thereof, in my walk with the Father. For example, delayed obedience is disobedience. Dang. How often do I put stuff off, you know? And I don't mean years, but just a moment's delay is disobedience. Ouch! And the biggie for me was that if I do what He requires, but I'm kicking and screaming on the inside, then I'm actually being disobedient. Double ouch. I guess somewhere along the way I deceived myself into thinking that as long as I'm doing what He requires then I'm being obedient. I don't have to like it, I just have to do it. He's been showing me in all kinds of ways lately that I really need to be, I guess, more transformed by the renewing of my mind, as we're told in Romans 12:2. So that my HEART is obedient. Sounds like a no-brainer, huh? But there you have it. My loser confession for the week. :)
The beautiful thing, though, is what God showed me Monday as I continued through this battle with Tony. I decided I should try the advice I'd been given in SS, because I've been having some pretty serious behavior problems out of our sweet little 2 yr old. It was suggested that I require him to verbally respond to me when I've given him instruction. I know, that seems like the only logical way to do it now...but I guess we hadn't thought about how powerful it could be. Remember, I'm already known all over the church as the crazy woman who can't control her children, so at this point, who cares if you think I'm dumb, too! :)
So...after about half an hour in time-out and several spankings (sorry if that makes some of you want to have me arrested!), he finally responded to me. The very first time he said, "K, Ma," it was nothing more than a sad, defeated whisper. It nearly broke my heart along with his will. But by bedtime, when I'd instruct him from across the room, he'd walk all the way over to me, get eye to eye, and say with a sweet smile, "Ok, Momma." Each time was a small moment of total bliss and understanding between us! I can't help but think, as I embrace that little guy, how much joy must the Father have when I come to Him with a desire to please and obey, and no matter the instruction I've received, I say with a smile, "Okay, Father." Beautiful. I'm a visual learner, and God knows it! Seriously though, what a beautiful way to teach my heart what my head already knew.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Evil
Yep, pure evil. That's what it is. What you ask? Well, I'll tell you. It is simply evil to sell grapes advertised as seedless when, in fact, they contain seeds that I must pick out of them before I can send them in my boys' lunches! Evil I tell you!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
A Few Sweethearts
Tony takes a break from his story to cheese it up
for Momma with her camera! :)
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Night night!
How precious are sleeping children?!?
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Ian with Tyler
Ty loves being the "big brother" to all our little ones!
And the little ones love getting his attention!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
But I Don't Wanna!!
Is that a quote from my 4 yr old or his mother?? Well, there's really no wrong answer here, because Tyler certainly says it often enough. The sad thing, though, is that it's also been my response for quite some time now to my own Abba Father. Not consistently, not at every corner, not to every request or demand He places on my heart...just here and there, just when it's the stuff my humanity holds to the tightest. But just as I want the best for my Ty, God wants the best for me. I can't accept that answer from my son, and my Father won't accept it from me.
I'm a little hung up lately on just how stupid I am. I've tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I have. I know it. I believe it. Or do I? Really? For some dumb reason I still want to hold onto the hopes and dreams and well...sins, I guess, if you wanna get right down to it...that I think make (or will someday make) me happy. Yep, that's me. I'm trading in my real, honest, nothing compares to it JOY for some form of happy. Hello??!! Why can I sit here and write this and know that it's completely stupid yet walk away and still be suckered into it.
Ugh. I ramble. C. S. Lewis is so much better at this. I've read so much of him that I'm not sure which text this comes from, but it was in my devo last week. Here...my heart, his words:
"When we want to be something other than the thing God wants us to be, we must be wanting what, in fact, will not make us happy. Those divine demands which sound to our natural ears most like those of a despot and least like those of a lover, in fact marshal us where we should want to go if we knew what we wanted.
"He demands our worship, our obedience, our prostration. A man can no more diminish God's gory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word darkness on the walls of his cell.
"But God wills our good, and our good is to love Him. That is, whether we like it or not, God intends to give us what we need, not what we now think we want. Once more, we are embarrassed by His intolerable compliment to us, by too much love, not too little."
Lord, thank you for not letting me settle. Thank you for being altogether good and determined to fill me with only the best...YOU! Thank you for your unmatched patience as I stumble and whine, "but I don't wanna..." Thank you for your love and grace. And for your voice that calls me back time and time again.
I'm a little hung up lately on just how stupid I am. I've tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I have. I know it. I believe it. Or do I? Really? For some dumb reason I still want to hold onto the hopes and dreams and well...sins, I guess, if you wanna get right down to it...that I think make (or will someday make) me happy. Yep, that's me. I'm trading in my real, honest, nothing compares to it JOY for some form of happy. Hello??!! Why can I sit here and write this and know that it's completely stupid yet walk away and still be suckered into it.
Ugh. I ramble. C. S. Lewis is so much better at this. I've read so much of him that I'm not sure which text this comes from, but it was in my devo last week. Here...my heart, his words:
"When we want to be something other than the thing God wants us to be, we must be wanting what, in fact, will not make us happy. Those divine demands which sound to our natural ears most like those of a despot and least like those of a lover, in fact marshal us where we should want to go if we knew what we wanted.
"He demands our worship, our obedience, our prostration. A man can no more diminish God's gory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word darkness on the walls of his cell.
"But God wills our good, and our good is to love Him. That is, whether we like it or not, God intends to give us what we need, not what we now think we want. Once more, we are embarrassed by His intolerable compliment to us, by too much love, not too little."
Lord, thank you for not letting me settle. Thank you for being altogether good and determined to fill me with only the best...YOU! Thank you for your unmatched patience as I stumble and whine, "but I don't wanna..." Thank you for your love and grace. And for your voice that calls me back time and time again.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Four Year Old Charm
My Tyler is full of it! We went for haircuts this evening, and I'd had a kinda rough day so I wasn't totally excited about having to take him out anywhere at all. But he was a total sweetheart. Total. As we were leaving the salon:
Mom: (exhausted) Thanks for being so good tonight. I really appreciate it.
Ty: You're welcome, Mom. It was my pleasure.
Mom: You're so cute. (sigh of relief that the day is coming to an end)
Ty: You sure do look beautiful with your hair all curly and that pretty pink shirt on.
The real beauty of it all--he wasn't buttering me up for anything. He's just that sweet. Sometimes I find it impossible to believe even my husband when he says I'm beautiful. I guess I've just spent so many years calling myself ugly that I actually find it nearly impossible that he could really think I'm anything but. Preschoolers are honest though! May be silly, but he totally made my day. What a great son. What a lucky Mom!
Mom: (exhausted) Thanks for being so good tonight. I really appreciate it.
Ty: You're welcome, Mom. It was my pleasure.
Mom: You're so cute. (sigh of relief that the day is coming to an end)
Ty: You sure do look beautiful with your hair all curly and that pretty pink shirt on.
The real beauty of it all--he wasn't buttering me up for anything. He's just that sweet. Sometimes I find it impossible to believe even my husband when he says I'm beautiful. I guess I've just spent so many years calling myself ugly that I actually find it nearly impossible that he could really think I'm anything but. Preschoolers are honest though! May be silly, but he totally made my day. What a great son. What a lucky Mom!
The Strength I Need
Here's a portion of my devo for today. It encourages me beyond words, so I thought I'd share with you:
from A.B. Simpson (1843-1919), Missionary and pastor...
"A precious secret of the Christian life is to have Jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome. It is the only secret of power in a believer's life. People cannot understand it, nor will the world believe it; but it is true. God comes to dwell in us and is the power, the purity, the victory, and the joy of our lives.
This enables us to say with Paul in that beautiful passage in Philippians, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'
With this knowledge I go forth to meet my testings. It keeps me pure and sweet, as I could never keep myself. Christ has met the adversary and defeated him for me. Thanks be unto God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ. What will your day bring?"
from A.B. Simpson (1843-1919), Missionary and pastor...
"A precious secret of the Christian life is to have Jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome. It is the only secret of power in a believer's life. People cannot understand it, nor will the world believe it; but it is true. God comes to dwell in us and is the power, the purity, the victory, and the joy of our lives.
This enables us to say with Paul in that beautiful passage in Philippians, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'
With this knowledge I go forth to meet my testings. It keeps me pure and sweet, as I could never keep myself. Christ has met the adversary and defeated him for me. Thanks be unto God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ. What will your day bring?"
Simple, I guess. But true...and what I needed today.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Happy Labor Day
What a fun 3 day weekend! What a nice break from the ordinary! Sometimes that's all it takes to feel refreshed, just something out of the usual rut of a routine. A little "extra" time to enjoy some of the people we love most.
That's what we did with our weekend. While some may see the long weekend as a chance to get extra work done, I happen to be really thankful for the chance to use those extra moments just to "be" with some special people...
Friday evening we took the boys and met Steve's parents in the park we always played at when we lived with them in Mt. Juliet. We had some fun times on the playground, took a nice walk, and enjoyed some great conversation. I had the opportunity to learn some things about my father-in-law that I never knew before. It was a blessing to have the chance to just talk to him and Steve's mom, too. I look forward to the next opportunity to get really get to know them better...just as people rather than in-laws, if that makes any sense! :) I guess after almost 6 years of marriage, I'm finally starting to relax and quit worrying about making sure I have their approval. I know that sounds dumb, but I guess I'm just dumb like that. After all, their son and I have created the 2 most adorable boys in the world...how could they NOT love me, right?!
We came home Friday night and watched Arthur (Ty's favorite show for the past 2 1/2 years!), as that's just part of our nightly bedtime routine. Tony actually watched with us for the first time, so that was fun. He talked the entire time, but he sat still. And that was a first, too! That wild child doesn't sit still to watch anything on TV...yeah, yeah, I guess that's good and all, but it sure has always been nice to get that 30 minute break TV could provide when it was just Tyler! Bad Mommy, bad! :)
After we got the boys to bed, Steve and I spent some time playing one of our favorite video games. How romantic, huh? It actually can be, though, cause we played a racing game...and those of you who know me at all know that cars kinda "get my motor runnin." Hehe! Seriously, we had a nice, fun night together! I'm glad we put off doing the things that probably should have been done in order to just enjoy some silly fun together. That's really good for a relationship and so easily squeezed from our busy lives and stressful days.
Amanda and I spent the day out together Saturday. We shopped and had lunch. And periodically called the men to make sure they were being good, as they were wonderful enough to keep the boys with them while we were out. How perfect that we have sons, huh? They get to hang with the daddies while we ladies do girl stuff for the day!! Manda and I had a great time!! We've GOT to make sure we get out alone together more often. We spent the day making fun plans for what is about to become a preschool in my home rather than just kids running around all day. More about that later, though, cause I haven't addressed all my parents yet about the amazing changes in the works!
You can all be in prayer for that, though, for a smooth transition to what I wholehearted hope to create in our home for "my" kids. For now, I'll just say that I've always known I wanted to be a teacher. I've always thought I'd teach highschool or college, but God is continually opening my eyes to the potential I have to be a "real" teacher here and now, where HE has placed me. And to be quite honest, I actually feel like if I can pull this off it might BE my life's work. This may not be the waiting ground. This may be IT! I am sooo excited and will no doubt be talking more about it as it all unfolds! (Believe me, I'm even more shocked than you are...but I do serve a God who can do ANYTHING thru ANYONE!)
Okay, so, the weekend. Saturday night we had dinner at Amanda and Darrell's house. Then Sunday morning they picked us up, and we all went to church together. I got to spend the whole day with my best buddies...and the night, actually. Yep, we played highschool and had a sleepover! How fun! We put the kids to bed and watched scary movies till we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer. We didn't make it to sunrise like we could back in highschool though! Go figure! :) And I sure did need my nice long nap this afternoon. Man, I'm getting old!
Now it's bedtime for the boys again. And the long weekend is winding down. Time to be a responsible adult again. I've got a lot to do tonight to get ready for a new week. Normally at this point I begin to wish I'd spent more time doing the "important" stuff during my weekend so I could relax before it all starts over. But tonight I'm just thankful. I really enjoyed taking the time to nourish all of these important relationships this weekend. I think it was a beautiful way to spend our "extra" time.
That's what we did with our weekend. While some may see the long weekend as a chance to get extra work done, I happen to be really thankful for the chance to use those extra moments just to "be" with some special people...
Friday evening we took the boys and met Steve's parents in the park we always played at when we lived with them in Mt. Juliet. We had some fun times on the playground, took a nice walk, and enjoyed some great conversation. I had the opportunity to learn some things about my father-in-law that I never knew before. It was a blessing to have the chance to just talk to him and Steve's mom, too. I look forward to the next opportunity to get really get to know them better...just as people rather than in-laws, if that makes any sense! :) I guess after almost 6 years of marriage, I'm finally starting to relax and quit worrying about making sure I have their approval. I know that sounds dumb, but I guess I'm just dumb like that. After all, their son and I have created the 2 most adorable boys in the world...how could they NOT love me, right?!
We came home Friday night and watched Arthur (Ty's favorite show for the past 2 1/2 years!), as that's just part of our nightly bedtime routine. Tony actually watched with us for the first time, so that was fun. He talked the entire time, but he sat still. And that was a first, too! That wild child doesn't sit still to watch anything on TV...yeah, yeah, I guess that's good and all, but it sure has always been nice to get that 30 minute break TV could provide when it was just Tyler! Bad Mommy, bad! :)
After we got the boys to bed, Steve and I spent some time playing one of our favorite video games. How romantic, huh? It actually can be, though, cause we played a racing game...and those of you who know me at all know that cars kinda "get my motor runnin." Hehe! Seriously, we had a nice, fun night together! I'm glad we put off doing the things that probably should have been done in order to just enjoy some silly fun together. That's really good for a relationship and so easily squeezed from our busy lives and stressful days.
Amanda and I spent the day out together Saturday. We shopped and had lunch. And periodically called the men to make sure they were being good, as they were wonderful enough to keep the boys with them while we were out. How perfect that we have sons, huh? They get to hang with the daddies while we ladies do girl stuff for the day!! Manda and I had a great time!! We've GOT to make sure we get out alone together more often. We spent the day making fun plans for what is about to become a preschool in my home rather than just kids running around all day. More about that later, though, cause I haven't addressed all my parents yet about the amazing changes in the works!
You can all be in prayer for that, though, for a smooth transition to what I wholehearted hope to create in our home for "my" kids. For now, I'll just say that I've always known I wanted to be a teacher. I've always thought I'd teach highschool or college, but God is continually opening my eyes to the potential I have to be a "real" teacher here and now, where HE has placed me. And to be quite honest, I actually feel like if I can pull this off it might BE my life's work. This may not be the waiting ground. This may be IT! I am sooo excited and will no doubt be talking more about it as it all unfolds! (Believe me, I'm even more shocked than you are...but I do serve a God who can do ANYTHING thru ANYONE!)
Okay, so, the weekend. Saturday night we had dinner at Amanda and Darrell's house. Then Sunday morning they picked us up, and we all went to church together. I got to spend the whole day with my best buddies...and the night, actually. Yep, we played highschool and had a sleepover! How fun! We put the kids to bed and watched scary movies till we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer. We didn't make it to sunrise like we could back in highschool though! Go figure! :) And I sure did need my nice long nap this afternoon. Man, I'm getting old!
Now it's bedtime for the boys again. And the long weekend is winding down. Time to be a responsible adult again. I've got a lot to do tonight to get ready for a new week. Normally at this point I begin to wish I'd spent more time doing the "important" stuff during my weekend so I could relax before it all starts over. But tonight I'm just thankful. I really enjoyed taking the time to nourish all of these important relationships this weekend. I think it was a beautiful way to spend our "extra" time.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Oh wait...
Guys, I totally forgot to tell you THE best part about the DHS story...so if you don't know what I'm talking about read the previous post first!! Trust me, you will NOT appreciate this otherwise!! :)
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Just as the nice little invasive lady ( I know, she was just doing her job or whatever, sorry!) was walking out the door, and I had sufficed her suspicions about us hiding children...my can't-keep-his-mouth-shut-for-half-a-second Tyler says, "Momma, are we gonna keep those other babies?" I just about died. I said, with a look of total disbelief, "WHAT other babies?" I had NO idea what he was talking about, but the chick turned around and gave me this "caught ya" look. Turns out Tyler thought the lady was here asking all these questions because she wanted me to keep HER babies! Oh my gosh! So, needless to say, I probably haven't seen the last of her. I'm expecting a follow-up visit (or 2 or 10) just to be sure we didn't have additional children lined up for care here! Thanks, dear son, for helping Mommy look like a panic stricken liar!
-------------
Just as the nice little invasive lady ( I know, she was just doing her job or whatever, sorry!) was walking out the door, and I had sufficed her suspicions about us hiding children...my can't-keep-his-mouth-shut-for-half-a-second Tyler says, "Momma, are we gonna keep those other babies?" I just about died. I said, with a look of total disbelief, "WHAT other babies?" I had NO idea what he was talking about, but the chick turned around and gave me this "caught ya" look. Turns out Tyler thought the lady was here asking all these questions because she wanted me to keep HER babies! Oh my gosh! So, needless to say, I probably haven't seen the last of her. I'm expecting a follow-up visit (or 2 or 10) just to be sure we didn't have additional children lined up for care here! Thanks, dear son, for helping Mommy look like a panic stricken liar!
In Hiding
Guess that's where I've been. I've been a terrible, slacker, loser blogger lately, huh?! So very sorry to the 2 of you who may have noticed. The thing is, my lack of writing has so not been due to a boring existence. Sometimes I wish that were the case! :) Life with kids is never boring though is it?
To be honest I don't think I've actually been able to call myself bored since the day I met Jesus. Does that sound dumb? Maybe to some of you. But it's altogether true. Knowing Christ rearranges every part of a person, and somehow that massive reorganization redirects the impulse of boredom toward thoughts of eternity. Seriously, how could I be bored when I serve an omnipotent, omniscient, completely beyond my bounds of understanding, kind of God? There's so much to ponder!! Not that I've had time lately though. No, once I had kids I was all discombobulated again, and now I have the mind of a Mommy.
My thoughts are now consumed by things like...
What my dear, ummm, creative 4 yr old has decided to wear for the day. As some of you have noticed, the child is in utter denial of the 100+ degree weather. He is determined to wear fleece pants and shirts daily, because they are "soft." And "soft" is all that matters. I have decided, in all my motherly wisdom (haha), that this particular battle is just not one I'm willing to fight. Sooo...when we leave the house, if my kind suggestions have gone unnoticed as they do on most days, Ty heads out in a fleece suit of some kind and Spiderman sandals or flip-flops...because it IS summertime, after all! :)
Unfortunately we've been battling a variety of viral attacks at our house this past week, so I failed to capture a picture of THE outfit. I was too weak/sick/lazy to take the picture! Anyway, I do have to share...one night this week we all ran out to grab some cheap pizza for dinner. We packed Tony up without shoes, and I convinced Steve to just let Ty wear whatever he wanted to since he wouldn't be getting out of the car anyway (which Tyler totally agreed to). Well, we get there, and (of course) Tyler wants to go in with his Daddy. Steve's eyes grew to the size of saucers as he shook his head no. Immediately, the 4 yr old emotions take over, and Ty's whining and his feelings are hurt and all this, right? And I shut my dear, sweet husband up just before he tells him that he looks ridiculous, and I say, "Just let him go. Please don't say a word!" Ty was so proud of his outfit, and he thought he was just adorable. Besides, I was safely hiding in the car! Haha! Now, picture it: Batman PJ shorts-far tighter than the recommended "snug" fit, sleeveless argyle sweater vest, the infamous Spiderman sandals-on the wrong feet, and Daddy's black cowboy hat to finish off the look! Oh, I really should have taken a picture.
Now don't get the impression that I spend tons of time worried about what my preschooler wears. I think I'm pretty easy going about it, and I try to let it amuse rather than worry me. After all, I have bigger things to worry about. For example, our surprise visit (read: totally unexpected, unwarranted search of my entire house!) by some lady from DHS Friday!! Holy cow! Apparently someone reported me for running an illegal childcare business. Nice. It's a good thing there's no way to find out who, cause I'd be tempted to rub a dirty diaper in their face and DARE them to try to spend their days taking care of a houseful of crazy toddlers and be looked upon as illegal while I'm working my tail off to take care of my family, not to mention the youth of 5 others!...and completely legally, by the way!!
I don't know what kind of situations this poor lady has walked into before, or what the heck whoever called told them!! But she was here to prove that I was a liar and hiding children in my house. She checked bathrooms, closets, behind everything she could look behind, trying to find the hidden kids. The whole time I'm telling her the names and ages of everyone I keep and trying (though frazzled!) to convince her that I am not breaking any laws, I've simply decided not to keep enough kids that would require a license. I prefer to keep my sanity rather than increase my enrollment at this point! :)
Soooo...convinced that I wasn't hiding any additional children, she informed me that I will need to supply proof that my niece and nephew are indeed related to me, within 10 days, or I will face a $500 fine. Oh, and then she thanked me for taking such good care of the children in my home. Uhhh, yeah lady, no problem. Thanks for noticing. Anyway, here's hoping I can get my hands on the 6, count 'em, six, necessary birth certificates to accompany my marriage license to prove that my niece and nephew are who I say they are. Sometimes it's more than difficult to adequately remind myself that I'm doing this for good reasons.
And so I hide...myself, not kids!! :)
To be honest I don't think I've actually been able to call myself bored since the day I met Jesus. Does that sound dumb? Maybe to some of you. But it's altogether true. Knowing Christ rearranges every part of a person, and somehow that massive reorganization redirects the impulse of boredom toward thoughts of eternity. Seriously, how could I be bored when I serve an omnipotent, omniscient, completely beyond my bounds of understanding, kind of God? There's so much to ponder!! Not that I've had time lately though. No, once I had kids I was all discombobulated again, and now I have the mind of a Mommy.
My thoughts are now consumed by things like...
What my dear, ummm, creative 4 yr old has decided to wear for the day. As some of you have noticed, the child is in utter denial of the 100+ degree weather. He is determined to wear fleece pants and shirts daily, because they are "soft." And "soft" is all that matters. I have decided, in all my motherly wisdom (haha), that this particular battle is just not one I'm willing to fight. Sooo...when we leave the house, if my kind suggestions have gone unnoticed as they do on most days, Ty heads out in a fleece suit of some kind and Spiderman sandals or flip-flops...because it IS summertime, after all! :)
Unfortunately we've been battling a variety of viral attacks at our house this past week, so I failed to capture a picture of THE outfit. I was too weak/sick/lazy to take the picture! Anyway, I do have to share...one night this week we all ran out to grab some cheap pizza for dinner. We packed Tony up without shoes, and I convinced Steve to just let Ty wear whatever he wanted to since he wouldn't be getting out of the car anyway (which Tyler totally agreed to). Well, we get there, and (of course) Tyler wants to go in with his Daddy. Steve's eyes grew to the size of saucers as he shook his head no. Immediately, the 4 yr old emotions take over, and Ty's whining and his feelings are hurt and all this, right? And I shut my dear, sweet husband up just before he tells him that he looks ridiculous, and I say, "Just let him go. Please don't say a word!" Ty was so proud of his outfit, and he thought he was just adorable. Besides, I was safely hiding in the car! Haha! Now, picture it: Batman PJ shorts-far tighter than the recommended "snug" fit, sleeveless argyle sweater vest, the infamous Spiderman sandals-on the wrong feet, and Daddy's black cowboy hat to finish off the look! Oh, I really should have taken a picture.
Now don't get the impression that I spend tons of time worried about what my preschooler wears. I think I'm pretty easy going about it, and I try to let it amuse rather than worry me. After all, I have bigger things to worry about. For example, our surprise visit (read: totally unexpected, unwarranted search of my entire house!) by some lady from DHS Friday!! Holy cow! Apparently someone reported me for running an illegal childcare business. Nice. It's a good thing there's no way to find out who, cause I'd be tempted to rub a dirty diaper in their face and DARE them to try to spend their days taking care of a houseful of crazy toddlers and be looked upon as illegal while I'm working my tail off to take care of my family, not to mention the youth of 5 others!...and completely legally, by the way!!
I don't know what kind of situations this poor lady has walked into before, or what the heck whoever called told them!! But she was here to prove that I was a liar and hiding children in my house. She checked bathrooms, closets, behind everything she could look behind, trying to find the hidden kids. The whole time I'm telling her the names and ages of everyone I keep and trying (though frazzled!) to convince her that I am not breaking any laws, I've simply decided not to keep enough kids that would require a license. I prefer to keep my sanity rather than increase my enrollment at this point! :)
Soooo...convinced that I wasn't hiding any additional children, she informed me that I will need to supply proof that my niece and nephew are indeed related to me, within 10 days, or I will face a $500 fine. Oh, and then she thanked me for taking such good care of the children in my home. Uhhh, yeah lady, no problem. Thanks for noticing. Anyway, here's hoping I can get my hands on the 6, count 'em, six, necessary birth certificates to accompany my marriage license to prove that my niece and nephew are who I say they are. Sometimes it's more than difficult to adequately remind myself that I'm doing this for good reasons.
And so I hide...myself, not kids!! :)
Friday, August 3, 2007
Seefood
Tony & Garrett
I often wonder if these two will get themselves in as much trouble together as their mommies did growing up! I think they're off to a fine start! I just pray they are also blessed enough to find in each other the unconditional love and support of a true friend...just as their mommies have.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Feeling the Pressure
Thank you, those who continue to lovingly nudge me back to blogdom. As silly as it may sound, I NEED this! This is my outlet. It's where I share. It's where I deal. It's my contact with people who are old enough to read! :)
Here's the problem though. I think I'm still stuck somewhere in my last entry. I just can't move on. My heart aches for this guy who has so completely turned his back on the Lord. I'm broken for his family.
...and yet I still cover my ears, ignore my own better judgement, make stupid choices, succumb to laziness and selfish desires. I just want to be more than that. I want to be less so that Christ can be more in me. And I know it's always a struggle to a degree. I get that. We're sinful by nature and all. Maybe I can't explain it. Maybe that's why I haven't written. There's just nothing lovely in me to share right now. I feel like it's taking all my strength just to keep trying to be the woman God desires me to be. Yet I'm not succeeding. Not in any tangible, change the world kind of way. A lot of days I feel like a complete failure in a whole lot of little ways. Like my other identity (the old sinful nature, which really does seem like a whole other me) has won out. Yet I long for more. I can't help but seek God's face. And that's how I know I haven't lost. It's how I know I'm His, and how I gain the strength to try again tomorrow.
Soooo...not the most uplifting way to jump back in, huh? Sorry guys. I'm just really kinda going through a rough spot right now. Your prayers would be much appreciated.
Here's the problem though. I think I'm still stuck somewhere in my last entry. I just can't move on. My heart aches for this guy who has so completely turned his back on the Lord. I'm broken for his family.
...and yet I still cover my ears, ignore my own better judgement, make stupid choices, succumb to laziness and selfish desires. I just want to be more than that. I want to be less so that Christ can be more in me. And I know it's always a struggle to a degree. I get that. We're sinful by nature and all. Maybe I can't explain it. Maybe that's why I haven't written. There's just nothing lovely in me to share right now. I feel like it's taking all my strength just to keep trying to be the woman God desires me to be. Yet I'm not succeeding. Not in any tangible, change the world kind of way. A lot of days I feel like a complete failure in a whole lot of little ways. Like my other identity (the old sinful nature, which really does seem like a whole other me) has won out. Yet I long for more. I can't help but seek God's face. And that's how I know I haven't lost. It's how I know I'm His, and how I gain the strength to try again tomorrow.
Soooo...not the most uplifting way to jump back in, huh? Sorry guys. I'm just really kinda going through a rough spot right now. Your prayers would be much appreciated.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The Unrepentant Heart
Oh, the grasp that our Enemy can have. Oh, the devastation our own evil human nature can cause. How painful to really see the heart-deadening, Truth-hiding, entirely entangling, numbing effect of sin. Sure, sin is all around us and within us. We must live in a constant state of awareness, of turning from our sin to our Savior. But tonight our church was faced with the serious wreckage of a selfish, unrepentant heart.
I've never before had the unsettling, eye opening experience of participating in our Lord's plan for church discipline in this way. I'll admit, I've even wondered if it really takes place anywhere anymore. The plan I'm referring to is laid out for us in Matthew 18, specifically verses 15-17:
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
This evening, our church was forced to take that last step with one of our own who has been unrepentantly engaged in a specific sinful behavior for an entire decade. All other steps to call him to repentance had been followed to no avail. He's to be cut off from fellowship (not hated on or treated badly, but rather regarded as an unbeliever) in hopes that the consequences of his sin may lead him to turn back to Christ...and in order to preserve the purity of the Body. Wow.
Tonight I feel amazingly humbled and protected and thankful to know that I belong to a local body that takes accountability and repentance seriously. I also feel overwhelmed with thankfulness for the gift of God's voice in my own life, for the saving grace of His hand on me, for His undeniable call that has fairly recently brought me back from my own dark season of sin and hardness of heart, for His very Spirit in me that is the only reason I could see beyond my own selfish desires enough to long for Him again. I don't know why, but in the darkness I heard Him call my name. It wasn't what I wanted to hear. He wasn't what my evil heart wanted to cling to. Yet His pull on my soul was undeniable and irresistible.
I'm lost tonight in the thought that this unrepentant heart we mourned over tonight could so easily have been my own. This family, destroyed by one person's selfishness, left to pick up the pieces and pray for eventual repentance, could have been my own sweet family. How much further would I have had to walk for God to turn me over to my sin? How many times does He call our name before He lets us suffer the full consequences of our sin without the fellowship of the Body? I have a new awareness tonight of the real and terrible danger of sin in the life of the believer. And a corresponding determination to flee from even the most "harmless" offenses.
Let's not fool ourselves, dear friends. Christ is indeed victorious, but the prince of this world does not merely sit back and sulk in defeat. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8) Don't let it be you!
I've never before had the unsettling, eye opening experience of participating in our Lord's plan for church discipline in this way. I'll admit, I've even wondered if it really takes place anywhere anymore. The plan I'm referring to is laid out for us in Matthew 18, specifically verses 15-17:
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
This evening, our church was forced to take that last step with one of our own who has been unrepentantly engaged in a specific sinful behavior for an entire decade. All other steps to call him to repentance had been followed to no avail. He's to be cut off from fellowship (not hated on or treated badly, but rather regarded as an unbeliever) in hopes that the consequences of his sin may lead him to turn back to Christ...and in order to preserve the purity of the Body. Wow.
Tonight I feel amazingly humbled and protected and thankful to know that I belong to a local body that takes accountability and repentance seriously. I also feel overwhelmed with thankfulness for the gift of God's voice in my own life, for the saving grace of His hand on me, for His undeniable call that has fairly recently brought me back from my own dark season of sin and hardness of heart, for His very Spirit in me that is the only reason I could see beyond my own selfish desires enough to long for Him again. I don't know why, but in the darkness I heard Him call my name. It wasn't what I wanted to hear. He wasn't what my evil heart wanted to cling to. Yet His pull on my soul was undeniable and irresistible.
I'm lost tonight in the thought that this unrepentant heart we mourned over tonight could so easily have been my own. This family, destroyed by one person's selfishness, left to pick up the pieces and pray for eventual repentance, could have been my own sweet family. How much further would I have had to walk for God to turn me over to my sin? How many times does He call our name before He lets us suffer the full consequences of our sin without the fellowship of the Body? I have a new awareness tonight of the real and terrible danger of sin in the life of the believer. And a corresponding determination to flee from even the most "harmless" offenses.
Let's not fool ourselves, dear friends. Christ is indeed victorious, but the prince of this world does not merely sit back and sulk in defeat. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8) Don't let it be you!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Fat Girl Talk
Okay, first of all, what the heck is up? Are there not enough fat chicks in Rutherford County? Where did Old Navy's plus size section go? I know I don't get out much, so this may be old news. But I stopped there today and sadly discovered they no longer carry anything I can wear. I wanted to cry. I LOVE Old Navy. Well, I did anyway. :(
On a much, much happier note though, this week I have added to my "wardrobe" 2 pairs of jeans, 3 other pairs of pants, 1 skirt, and at least 3 shirts...from the back of my very own closet!! All things I haven't been able to wear for at least 2 years!! Very exciting! So although the scale is not showing significant weight loss, I am seeing it in various other ways. I am anxiously awaiting the day that I take my hot bod back into Old Navy and celebrate not needing their stupid fat girl section anyway! Haha!
On a much, much happier note though, this week I have added to my "wardrobe" 2 pairs of jeans, 3 other pairs of pants, 1 skirt, and at least 3 shirts...from the back of my very own closet!! All things I haven't been able to wear for at least 2 years!! Very exciting! So although the scale is not showing significant weight loss, I am seeing it in various other ways. I am anxiously awaiting the day that I take my hot bod back into Old Navy and celebrate not needing their stupid fat girl section anyway! Haha!
Friday, July 13, 2007
It's That Time Again
I just can't help myself. I've rearranged my living room AGAIN, and I'm tired of looking at the same old blog every day. So here ya go, it's the latest version of me. I know, I have issues. Whatever.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Weekly Visit With the Scale Monster
VERY surprisingly, not bad!! Lost 1.8 on my vacation week. Woohoo! It must be all the extra exercise, cause it sure wasn't that I counted points like I should have!! Very exciting though! Our WW session at Lisa's work is almost over. So now I have to decide if I want to pay to keep going or try to do it on my own. I really don't know. I definitely want to keep working at it. That I know for sure!
In other news, watch out for the stomach bug going around! I have no idea where I picked it up, but it's mine at the moment. I should have easily lost more weight in the past 12 hours than in the whole past 2 weeks!! Yeah, it's been that bad. And let me tell you how there's just nothing in the world like your 20-month-old being flat out determined to sit in your lap while you throw up! Give it up for motherhood, I guess. :)
In other news, watch out for the stomach bug going around! I have no idea where I picked it up, but it's mine at the moment. I should have easily lost more weight in the past 12 hours than in the whole past 2 weeks!! Yeah, it's been that bad. And let me tell you how there's just nothing in the world like your 20-month-old being flat out determined to sit in your lap while you throw up! Give it up for motherhood, I guess. :)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
I'm in Love!
With the man AND the car!!
Last week was my vacation, and we had non-stop fun all week! I really didn't have a single chance to post anything. And it all began with the man of my dreams bringing home the car of my dreams! :) No...we didn't get a new car. Our family car is in need of repairs that we can't afford, so we've been cramming all 4 of us into the truck for quite awhile now. It's not fun, but it's not really that big of a deal either. At least we have something to drive! But it was going to be a problem for vacation, because there's NO room in the cab for luggage with all of us in there. We're lucky we can squeeze the diaper bag in with us! :) We were planning a little getaway for the first weekend of vacation, and there was a chance of rain. We didn't want to travel with our stuff in the bed of the truck, so Steve suggested renting a car for the weekend. I told him if we were going to pay for a car for the weekend that I wanted something big enough that we could take a break from the sardine routine we've gotten accustomed to lately. Then, mostly joking, I suggested we try to find a Dodge Charger (which, remember, is my current dream car!) for a little extra fun, too. And HE DID!!!
Ohhh my gosh, I was soooo excited!! Not just because of the car either. It was probably one of THE sweetest things my hubby has ever done for me. That might sound dumb, but you have to realize that he is soooo not a car guy. He would have been perfectly content with a cheaper, ugly little compact car...you know the kind where your knees practically bonk you in the face when you get in it if you're 6 ft tall like me! The Charger was a very special treat. Surprisingly, it was in the mid range pricing, too, so it wasn't all that bad. The one he found wasn't exactly my dream car. It wasn't the exact model or color, and it only had a 3.5 liter engine...but dang it was fun anyway!!! Steve even went and got it for me that Friday night so I could "play" before we left town on Saturday morning.
I'm sure most of you are probably thinking that I'm a little nuts to be this excited about a car. I know. It's in my blood. Blame it on my Dad!! :) The real point of this post, though, is to express my love and gratitude to my dear husband. He doesn't get it either...the car thing. After he drove it, I said all hyper like, "Do you LOVE it?!" His response: "It's a car."
So thank you, my sweet man, for making my vacation extra special. I love you!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Catching Up
Dear Blog,
My goodness I have some catching up to do! There's just so much going on this summer. Let's see...
First of all, I am not skipping out on the whole posting my weigh-in results thing. This week was VBS at our church, and Steve took the kids every morning. So I couldn't leave the house to go to my meeting. I would weigh here at home, but we don't have a scale. Well, we have one, but it doesn't work anymore...and NOT because I'm so fat that I broke it, okay?! Next week I can't go weigh either since Wednesday is the 4th. Soooo...I'm going to my sister's to weigh in next week. She knows that her scale is within a pound of the one we use at WW, so it'll be accurate enough to know if I've managed to lose anything or not! I don't know about the numbers, but I really am already starting to feel better. And that's just as important! Oooohh, and yesterday I picked up a pair of shorts off my floor to try on. They were on my floor because a few weeks ago I tried to wear them and couldn't breathe!! So I jerked them off and flung them angrily in the corner. They fit now! And not just barely either. They're almost loose! WoooHoooo!! The stupid scale can just kiss my ever shrinking butt! :)
Secondly, I am counting down the hours till my week of vacation!! That's right. I'm off next week. I am sooooo ready for it, too. I love all these kids, really I do, but dang I'm glad it's break time! We're leaving in the morning for Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green. Never been. I think it'll be a good first amusement park for the kids. Mom and Brianna, and maybe Dad, are meeting us up there Sunday. We'll have another day at the park, then Steve and I get to go out Sunday night. Yipppeeee, date night!! I can't wait! :) So if anyone knows of anything just perfectly romantic in Bowling Green, let us know. I have no idea what we'll do. I just know we won't have kids or a curfew! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures...no, not of our date...of the kids this weekend!! So check back soon for those. Oooh, I almost forgot, we're also going to the Corvette Museum before we leave. Sooo cool! I'm sure I'll have pics of that to post too, crazy car girl that I am and all. :) Then next week we'll mess around here at home and see what fun things we can find to do.
Tuesday is Steve's birthday! So if you happen to talk to him, wish my Honey Pie a happy day and congratulate him for being EVEN OLDER!! Haha! I love being the young one! :) There's more I want to share with you about my lovable man, but I think I'll give him his own post for all that.
Got a postcard in the mail this week about soccer sign-ups for the fall. Tyler's old enough to play soccer. I can't believe that!! Seems like we've been waiting FOREEEEVER for him to be old enough to start sports, and now that it's time I can't decide what to do. So if you have an opinion on kids starting sports at such a young age or what sports you think are best for little ones or if you have advice from your own experience or whatever, please do share!!
Seems like there's so much more I need to tell you. What is it though?? Well, this is long enough. Hopefully there's still someone reading this far down on the page! :) More to come soon...
My goodness I have some catching up to do! There's just so much going on this summer. Let's see...
First of all, I am not skipping out on the whole posting my weigh-in results thing. This week was VBS at our church, and Steve took the kids every morning. So I couldn't leave the house to go to my meeting. I would weigh here at home, but we don't have a scale. Well, we have one, but it doesn't work anymore...and NOT because I'm so fat that I broke it, okay?! Next week I can't go weigh either since Wednesday is the 4th. Soooo...I'm going to my sister's to weigh in next week. She knows that her scale is within a pound of the one we use at WW, so it'll be accurate enough to know if I've managed to lose anything or not! I don't know about the numbers, but I really am already starting to feel better. And that's just as important! Oooohh, and yesterday I picked up a pair of shorts off my floor to try on. They were on my floor because a few weeks ago I tried to wear them and couldn't breathe!! So I jerked them off and flung them angrily in the corner. They fit now! And not just barely either. They're almost loose! WoooHoooo!! The stupid scale can just kiss my ever shrinking butt! :)
Secondly, I am counting down the hours till my week of vacation!! That's right. I'm off next week. I am sooooo ready for it, too. I love all these kids, really I do, but dang I'm glad it's break time! We're leaving in the morning for Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green. Never been. I think it'll be a good first amusement park for the kids. Mom and Brianna, and maybe Dad, are meeting us up there Sunday. We'll have another day at the park, then Steve and I get to go out Sunday night. Yipppeeee, date night!! I can't wait! :) So if anyone knows of anything just perfectly romantic in Bowling Green, let us know. I have no idea what we'll do. I just know we won't have kids or a curfew! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures...no, not of our date...of the kids this weekend!! So check back soon for those. Oooh, I almost forgot, we're also going to the Corvette Museum before we leave. Sooo cool! I'm sure I'll have pics of that to post too, crazy car girl that I am and all. :) Then next week we'll mess around here at home and see what fun things we can find to do.
Tuesday is Steve's birthday! So if you happen to talk to him, wish my Honey Pie a happy day and congratulate him for being EVEN OLDER!! Haha! I love being the young one! :) There's more I want to share with you about my lovable man, but I think I'll give him his own post for all that.
Got a postcard in the mail this week about soccer sign-ups for the fall. Tyler's old enough to play soccer. I can't believe that!! Seems like we've been waiting FOREEEEVER for him to be old enough to start sports, and now that it's time I can't decide what to do. So if you have an opinion on kids starting sports at such a young age or what sports you think are best for little ones or if you have advice from your own experience or whatever, please do share!!
Seems like there's so much more I need to tell you. What is it though?? Well, this is long enough. Hopefully there's still someone reading this far down on the page! :) More to come soon...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Dale Hollow
Here's a quick peek at all the fun we had at Lillydale Campground on Dale Hollow Lake this past weekend. More to come...but aren't these boys just adorable?! This was Tony's first time at a "beach," and he loved it!!
Already planning the next camping trip! :)
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I still can't believe we finally got Ty and Tony both to sit still long enough for me to take a quick picture of all my precious guys together!
I'm such a lucky girl!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
X = -1.2
Nope, it's not the answer to a math problem. I HATE math! :) It's the promised posting of today's weigh-in results. I'm down another 1.2 lbs. I gotta say, it's just not coming off as fast this time as it has in the past. I'm a little bit discouraged by the itty bitty numbers I'm seeing each week. My WW group was all too eager to remind me that I'm not 20 anymore...and that our bodies apparently all but freakin' shut down as we get older. Great. Now I'm "getting older" on top of being fat!
I'm mostly kidding. I mean it does suck that I'm losing so slow. The last time I did WW was before I had Tyler, and it was nothing to lose 3-4 lbs a week, especially at first. And I just kind of figured that since I'm WAY fatter this time that I'd lose really fast at first and then it would slow down...you know, like EVERY other time I've ever lost weight!! But dang, if this is the fast part then it'll take my whole life just to be able to shop outside the plus size section!!
Okay, anyway, another week has past, and I'm pressing onward. Maybe I'll do better next time! On a brighter note, thanks for all the encouragement!! I do seriously appreciate it...and clearly need it! :)
I'm mostly kidding. I mean it does suck that I'm losing so slow. The last time I did WW was before I had Tyler, and it was nothing to lose 3-4 lbs a week, especially at first. And I just kind of figured that since I'm WAY fatter this time that I'd lose really fast at first and then it would slow down...you know, like EVERY other time I've ever lost weight!! But dang, if this is the fast part then it'll take my whole life just to be able to shop outside the plus size section!!
Okay, anyway, another week has past, and I'm pressing onward. Maybe I'll do better next time! On a brighter note, thanks for all the encouragement!! I do seriously appreciate it...and clearly need it! :)
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
When are you gonna get skinny?
That's what Tyler keeps asking me. Not because he thinks I'm fat and ugly. No, that's just what I think about myself! I don't face pressure to lose weight from anyone I love. They all say I'm beautiful. That's really very nice, but I'm not blind! :) Besides that, I've got to get myself in shape so I can keep up with my boys!!
I've been putting off posting about this, but then I realized that was because I was afraid I'd fail...and then look stupid in front of however many people bother to read this. So no more fear. Here I am. I'm doing Weight Watchers. I weigh in on Wednesdays, and you can expect a weekly post about my success! I've used my dear blog to hold me accountable in other ways, so I'll see how this works for me. I'm hoping that knowing I'm going to post my weekly loss/gain out there for the world to see will keep me motivated!
Okay, so now you know!
I've been putting off posting about this, but then I realized that was because I was afraid I'd fail...and then look stupid in front of however many people bother to read this. So no more fear. Here I am. I'm doing Weight Watchers. I weigh in on Wednesdays, and you can expect a weekly post about my success! I've used my dear blog to hold me accountable in other ways, so I'll see how this works for me. I'm hoping that knowing I'm going to post my weekly loss/gain out there for the world to see will keep me motivated!
Okay, so now you know!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Funny Stuff
Over a decade has passed now since high school, and it seems I'm running into more and more people from the past. It's fun seeing old friends and getting the chance to show off my precious family...and even getting to set some pretty crazy rumors straight, too!
I was just about to load the boys up in the truck this evening after our shopping adventure (seriously, it always is one with my two!!) at Sam's Club when a man approached from across the parking lot. I'd seen him inside, but his identity didn't hit me until I heard his voice say my name. It was an old friend from my high school days. What a pleasant surprise.
So we chatted about what we're up to these days and who we've seen around and who we'd like to see again. I told him marrying an "outsider" probably didn't help me stay in the loop any. And that's when I heard the crazy rumor. (I realize this is only going to be funny to my forever friends out there, but to us it's funny enough to be blog worthy!) Apparently someone out there is telling people that I married Mr. Blue Coast Burrito! How funny is that?! We were friends, and he spent a considerable amount of time messing with my heart, but we never even officially dated...now someone's got us married! Needless to say, I had a really good laugh in the parking lot tonight. Kinda makes me want to take him up on his invite to go see him. You know, show off my dear hubby and adorable boys...see if he's heard the latest about us! LOL!
I was just about to load the boys up in the truck this evening after our shopping adventure (seriously, it always is one with my two!!) at Sam's Club when a man approached from across the parking lot. I'd seen him inside, but his identity didn't hit me until I heard his voice say my name. It was an old friend from my high school days. What a pleasant surprise.
So we chatted about what we're up to these days and who we've seen around and who we'd like to see again. I told him marrying an "outsider" probably didn't help me stay in the loop any. And that's when I heard the crazy rumor. (I realize this is only going to be funny to my forever friends out there, but to us it's funny enough to be blog worthy!) Apparently someone out there is telling people that I married Mr. Blue Coast Burrito! How funny is that?! We were friends, and he spent a considerable amount of time messing with my heart, but we never even officially dated...now someone's got us married! Needless to say, I had a really good laugh in the parking lot tonight. Kinda makes me want to take him up on his invite to go see him. You know, show off my dear hubby and adorable boys...see if he's heard the latest about us! LOL!
It's a Love-Hate Relationship
The relationship between my journal and me, that is. My dear blog has rendered the old journal nearly useless, as I've shared before. However, there are those dark corners of my heart that still long to find their way onto paper. Why is that anyway? Does anyone else out there struggle with that need? Is it just the torment we writer-types face?
I mean, really, why can't I be drawn to put fiction on paper? You know, something that could actually entertain someone. Oooo...something that could earn some bank! Nope, fiction is not for me. Instead I spend two weeks face down in my little pink book only to spend two minutes tonight ripping a 20 page section of myself into tiny jagged squares of nonsense. I slip the random consonants and vowels into the kitchen trashcan, cover the remains with a box from tonight's trip to the grocery, and walk away as if that dark part of me has mysteriously been removed forever. Though never read by another soul, somehow the writing of it was useful.
I mean, really, why can't I be drawn to put fiction on paper? You know, something that could actually entertain someone. Oooo...something that could earn some bank! Nope, fiction is not for me. Instead I spend two weeks face down in my little pink book only to spend two minutes tonight ripping a 20 page section of myself into tiny jagged squares of nonsense. I slip the random consonants and vowels into the kitchen trashcan, cover the remains with a box from tonight's trip to the grocery, and walk away as if that dark part of me has mysteriously been removed forever. Though never read by another soul, somehow the writing of it was useful.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Beer Review
First of all...
sorry to all my Baptist buddies out there.
I still don't think there's any sin in enjoying a good drink.
Clearly, since my pastor has the link to my blog! :)
Okay, so having said that, I simply MUST share today's finding with those of you who can drink with a clear conscience. Stopped at the gas station for a bag of ice today, in my 2 hours of kid-free time (which was *sigh* sooo relaxing, by the way). When I have one, my current beer of choice is Michelob Ultra, but today I found some fruity Ultra. I had my doubts about a fruity beer, but I just had to try one. I chose the Tuscan Orange Grapefruit flavor. Just popped the top on one tonight, and let me tell you, it is yummmy! It's just got a hint of fruit flavor, so it's not all super-gag-you-after-a-few-sips sweet like some of the fruity stuff you can buy in a 6-pack. It's like a no-bite light beer, but it has a nice fruity after taste. Alright, so I'm no beer expert, to be quite honest, but I highly recommend this one...you know, if you can drink a beer and not feel like you need to repent. :)
Friday, June 8, 2007
Old Friends
Wow, I just love to hear from old friends! What a sweet blessing so full of fond, even favorite memories. My friend, Heather, left a comment on my blog yesterday, and it was just so great to "hear her voice."
I love how I never know who might be reading, too. How fun! It's one of those ways my blog holds me accountable to presenting myself as accurately as possible. As some of you know, I spent a whole post on how I'm a total failure at keeping a journal, but somehow this blogging deal works for me.
Anyway, thanks, Heather! And I would LOVE to get together sometime soon. My calendar for June is pretty booked. NOT because I'm super popular or anything. I just keep it that way with the few people who will spend time with me so I don't get lonely! Haha! Plus, with Steve working nights it really limits my kid-free availability. And in case you can't tell from the blog, my boys are absolutely nuts (and super cute and lots of fun, at least from their Mommy's perspective). So if there's any chance you're thinking about having children, I'd hate for you to spend an evening with mine only to find that they become the reason you abandon that idea with much haste!
Sooo...anybody else out there I don't know about? Come on, show yourselves! Leave me a comment! Or if you'd rather, view my profile and you can email me directly from there.
I love how I never know who might be reading, too. How fun! It's one of those ways my blog holds me accountable to presenting myself as accurately as possible. As some of you know, I spent a whole post on how I'm a total failure at keeping a journal, but somehow this blogging deal works for me.
Anyway, thanks, Heather! And I would LOVE to get together sometime soon. My calendar for June is pretty booked. NOT because I'm super popular or anything. I just keep it that way with the few people who will spend time with me so I don't get lonely! Haha! Plus, with Steve working nights it really limits my kid-free availability. And in case you can't tell from the blog, my boys are absolutely nuts (and super cute and lots of fun, at least from their Mommy's perspective). So if there's any chance you're thinking about having children, I'd hate for you to spend an evening with mine only to find that they become the reason you abandon that idea with much haste!
Sooo...anybody else out there I don't know about? Come on, show yourselves! Leave me a comment! Or if you'd rather, view my profile and you can email me directly from there.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
'Cause I Said So
Oh, how I hated hearing that from my Mom when I was little. I always thought I'd never say that to my kids. Ha! Right! Now I have a 4 yr old!! :) And that kid thinks he deserves an explanation for everything. I just told Ty and Zach to please leave the kitchen. Zach's almost 2 and very sweet (and not mine...that usually is a factor!). He just ran right off into the living room to play. Not Tyler. He stood right there in the doorway..."Why?? I wanna play in here. Whyyy?" Yep, you already know my response: "Cause I said so." Sure, there were real and valid reasons why they shouldn't be in the kitchen playing. But I just didn't think that was one of the moments that he needed to hear the list of them!
Frustrated with me, Tyler turned and left. I paused there in my kitchen and thanked God for a Mom who said that to me on occasion while I was growing up. It wasn't always her answer to me. But I think it's an answer children need to get used to from time to time. I think having to learn that lesson- that sometimes Mom just knew best- has helped me to believe that same truth about God. Unlike the boundaries we place around our children, the things the Lord requires of us often cause real emotional turmoil. It's amazing, though, how we can find comfort in that old familiar answer...and believe, really know, that our Heavenly Father has good and perfect reasons. His boundaries and requirements are always placed on us with His loving hand and for His eternal glory.
Frustrated with me, Tyler turned and left. I paused there in my kitchen and thanked God for a Mom who said that to me on occasion while I was growing up. It wasn't always her answer to me. But I think it's an answer children need to get used to from time to time. I think having to learn that lesson- that sometimes Mom just knew best- has helped me to believe that same truth about God. Unlike the boundaries we place around our children, the things the Lord requires of us often cause real emotional turmoil. It's amazing, though, how we can find comfort in that old familiar answer...and believe, really know, that our Heavenly Father has good and perfect reasons. His boundaries and requirements are always placed on us with His loving hand and for His eternal glory.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Twisted
Well, if it's not one mom it's the other! Steve's Mom ended up in the hospital this afternoon for emergency surgery to fix her "twisted colon." Just heard from Steve, and everything went well. She's in recovery now. Please pray for a swift and full return to normal! I really have no idea if there are complications associated with this kind of procedure or anything. I'd never heard of a twisted colon until this afternoon. Steve did say she'd be in the hospital for a week though. So just pray everything heals properly...and that she doesn't go crazy being in the hospital!
On a lighter note, I just have to share this. Those of you who know Tyler at all know how he just doesn't miss anything. So he was all concerned about his Grandma this afternoon, and he sat in my lap while I looked up info online (he was hoping to find a picture of a twisted colon so he'd know exactly what was wrong!). Well, right before bed tonight, he was sitting with me again. He got this painful look on his face and put his hand up on his head like we've all done when we've had a headache. And he said, "Man, I think my head is twisted." It took me a second, but I made the connection! :)
On a lighter note, I just have to share this. Those of you who know Tyler at all know how he just doesn't miss anything. So he was all concerned about his Grandma this afternoon, and he sat in my lap while I looked up info online (he was hoping to find a picture of a twisted colon so he'd know exactly what was wrong!). Well, right before bed tonight, he was sitting with me again. He got this painful look on his face and put his hand up on his head like we've all done when we've had a headache. And he said, "Man, I think my head is twisted." It took me a second, but I made the connection! :)
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Fun with Friends
We had a blast yesterday at our first summer swim and cookout of the year with our friends, the Wallings. Hopefully the first of many this summer!! :) Tyler has been counting down the days for this, and he had sooo much fun. He's grown so much that he can stand up in the pool this year! He's even big enough to be in the water all by himself, which he was very happy to hear when it was time for us to get out and get dinner ready. Check him out...
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Tony and Garrett weren't all about the water, but it was a little chilly without much sunshine out yesterday. I think if it were warmer Tony might have stayed in longer. He was just shivering! Garrett, on the other hand, may just not be all about this swimming thing. Maybe next time, big guy!
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and with Amanda...
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Here's Darrell lighting the tiki torches (after a couple glasses of "crazy juice.")
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And here's me while Darrell is playing with fire!
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...or maybe that's just the face I make when my sweet hubby keeps taking pictures of me in my swimsuit! :) Notice I was nice enough to not pay him back by taking his! Ha! I didn't even pick up the camera yesterday. Guess I was having too much fun. Steve really was there, even though the pictures don't prove it! And he's such a huge help with the boys that I can't imagine even trying to do something like that without him. Man, I'm so spoiled! :)
Thanks, Manda and Darrell, for a wonderful time. We love you guys!
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Tony and Garrett weren't all about the water, but it was a little chilly without much sunshine out yesterday. I think if it were warmer Tony might have stayed in longer. He was just shivering! Garrett, on the other hand, may just not be all about this swimming thing. Maybe next time, big guy!
Here are the little buddies hanging out after their pool adventure...
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and with Amanda...
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Here's Darrell lighting the tiki torches (after a couple glasses of "crazy juice.")
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And here's me while Darrell is playing with fire!
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...or maybe that's just the face I make when my sweet hubby keeps taking pictures of me in my swimsuit! :) Notice I was nice enough to not pay him back by taking his! Ha! I didn't even pick up the camera yesterday. Guess I was having too much fun. Steve really was there, even though the pictures don't prove it! And he's such a huge help with the boys that I can't imagine even trying to do something like that without him. Man, I'm so spoiled! :)
Thanks, Manda and Darrell, for a wonderful time. We love you guys!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Love
What a beautiful gift, to love and be loved. So strong, yet so fragile. So gentle and tender, but at the same time overflowing with intensity. So comforting, and so potentially heartbreaking. So completely satisfying, yet always leaving a hunger for more.
I'm thankful today for the love that I have the opportunity to give, abounding with gratitude for the love I'm given. Yearning, though, for the day I'll know Love face to face. Love Himself. Longing for the day I'll be made perfect in Christ and dwell perfectly in His fellowship. The glimmers of completion He allows us here on earth are so beautiful. We fill gaps in each other with our love, but we're never complete. Not really. Not here. Just imagine though!
Death, Not Success
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
- John 12:24
The goal of the Christian life is death, not success.
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That was the verse and first line of the devotional I read this morning. It weighs heavy on my heart as I think of how selfish I am. I don't face a desire for success in the way a lot of you do. I don't work outside the home, so it's not that I'm striving for success through recognition or wealth. But I have to learn to die to myself in other ways that you may not face. They are personal and painful ways, and sharing the details wouldn't uplift you in any way that I can think of. So I'll be transparent in the pain and struggle rather than in the issues themselves.
I think the success I long for is way too selfish. It's the kind that makes me feel good. It's self-serving. It's not worth anything at all when I line it up with the cross. I have the opportunity today, just like every day, to let that longing die. What matters most to me? Am I willing to lay everything at His feet? To let it all go? To seek my own death rather than my selfish fulfillment? Man, that's hard. I think it's harder for me these days than it has been in a long, long time. Thankfully, I'm also more equipped for it than ever before.
He knows what our struggles are. He gives us everything we need in order to choose death. He IS everything we need to make right choices. He is worth the painful, daily realignment of our hearts. Christ gave His life for us, for the glory of His Father. What are we willing to sacrifice?
- John 12:24
The goal of the Christian life is death, not success.
..................................................................
That was the verse and first line of the devotional I read this morning. It weighs heavy on my heart as I think of how selfish I am. I don't face a desire for success in the way a lot of you do. I don't work outside the home, so it's not that I'm striving for success through recognition or wealth. But I have to learn to die to myself in other ways that you may not face. They are personal and painful ways, and sharing the details wouldn't uplift you in any way that I can think of. So I'll be transparent in the pain and struggle rather than in the issues themselves.
I think the success I long for is way too selfish. It's the kind that makes me feel good. It's self-serving. It's not worth anything at all when I line it up with the cross. I have the opportunity today, just like every day, to let that longing die. What matters most to me? Am I willing to lay everything at His feet? To let it all go? To seek my own death rather than my selfish fulfillment? Man, that's hard. I think it's harder for me these days than it has been in a long, long time. Thankfully, I'm also more equipped for it than ever before.
He knows what our struggles are. He gives us everything we need in order to choose death. He IS everything we need to make right choices. He is worth the painful, daily realignment of our hearts. Christ gave His life for us, for the glory of His Father. What are we willing to sacrifice?
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Down in Mississippi
Hey ya'll! Hope everyone had a fun Memorial Day weekend. We enjoyed some time in our southern roots down in Petal, MS. It was wonderful to see my family!! The boys were great on the trip, and Steve and I actually got a little bit of alone time, too. You can't beat that! Soooo glad he got to go with us this time!
Alabama Welcome Center
The boys check out the rocket! Very cool!
Steve and I took turns driving
while my Mom entertained the boys in the back of the Freestyle.
It was a very nice drive!
Here we are in Alabama.
Here we are in Alabama.
Tyler helped make Mamaw's famous mac & cheese.
Yuuuummy! Good job, Ty!!
Steve and I got out for a late night date Sunday after the boys went to bed. Dad let us take his Mustang...so of course I did all the driving! Sweeeet! :)
Can't wait for our next visit down south!!
Hopefully we'll get to stay longer next time.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Your God Is Too Small
There's a church down the road with a sign out front that reads something like this:
"Write your plans in pencil. Then give God the eraser."
Now that's really cute and all. I think I can pull out a small chunk of truth from it. I understand that we need to submit our plans, our agendas, our lives to Him. I don't want to make light of the fact that we have that responsibility. We'll be held accountable for seriously living under His Lordship. I get that.
But I just have to testify that the God I serve is soooo much bigger than that. I can take a Sharpie to my planner and put that good smellin', permanent ink all over it, and my Lord can change it. He can reword it, rework it, reassign it. He can shred it. He can toss it. And He doesn't need anything from me in order to make that happen.
Sure, I can choose when and where I want to meet a friend for lunch. I can fill my life with all kinds of activities...or not. And I think we do need to realize that God is in those details as well. But still, He doesn't need my eraser. There's nothing in the world that changes my own selfish plans like Jesus does. There's no eraser I can offer that compares to that of His blood which covers me. It's His forgiveness of sin, His love, His holiness that changes the plans of my heart. All I have to do is accept it, be blanketed and changed by it. And even that acceptance is not something I give out of a goodness within myself. It's brought forth by His own grace.
And how thankful I am that it does not depend on me! I was bought with a price, and I am forever His. I can "hand him the eraser" or I can hide it in my own pocket, but either way my God will do as He pleases and bring glory to His name. He's not my assistant or my appointment setter. And though I strive to give it to Him, He doesn't need my full cooperation. He's God! Almighty. Omniscient. Omnipotent. God!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Great Song
Tyler has decided that he's an Alan Jackson fan now.
He really likes his song, "Don't Rock the Juice Box!"
Next time you listen, that's what you'll hear, too!
I love my kiddo!! :)
Monday, May 21, 2007
Camping is Fun!!
Check out my hot Hubby with is new little gas grill. He was sooo excited about his grill. He's so adorable. And I just love his scruffy camping look with a ball cap.
I really am a lucky girl. He's the best!
Okay, moving on before I make you all sick with my mushy talk. Sorry, just couldn't help it! :)
Here's my Honey and Darrell putting up our tents.
Neither of them (the tents that is)
fell on top of us during the night,
so I guess they know what they're doing after all! :)
A and D's little guy, Garrett, is Tony's age. Those two are good little buddies, so they kept each other pretty entertained. We discovered the perfect camping "play pen," too, for those times when the kiddos wanted to wander away...
Yep, we'd just stick those monkeys in the bed of the truck. Worked great!
Apparently I was too busy to take many pictures that weekend. I'm a little disappointed about that. Oh well. My parents got Tyler a new Spiderman bike, so he was on it nearly the entire time. And we were soooo lucky to have neighbors with a 5 yr old son!! Tyler and his new friend, Nick, kept each other happy and rode their bikes together. That was really nice. Ty's just so non-stop we were having trouble keeping up with him...and the poor child simply can't stand to do anything alone (yeah, yeah, he's like his Mommy, whatever!). Anyway, Nick's Mom actually took a super cute picture of our boys together and printed it for us there at camp. My scanner's down though, so I can't share that one.
We had a perfect first camping trip for the season! We've got to get our next one on the calendar here very soon. We've got several campgrounds we would like to try out this year. If you have a favorite place to camp, let me know! I'd love to add it to our list!!
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