Lotta stuff

Well, we have had a full, fun and crazy week. I have had SO many things that I wanted to blog about, but no time to do it because we were so busy doing the kinds of things that you like to blog about. Ironic. Hmmm...
Anyway, here is the week recap with pictures...

You know we were at the lake for the weekend. Fun times with only the girls and 2 little guys! Here are some sweet pics of baby Mia. She is ALWAYS this happy!





Monday, normal day. We had Kindermusik and classes went great. Monday evening the kids went with Chris and I went to go meet Laurie. We are trying to meet weekly or every other week for accountability and to go through a book together. I think we've decided on "Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health" by Donald Whitney. The first chapter was excellent and I just wanted to read all of it...and it's short, so we thought that might be a good choice. It was fun to meet with my dear friend. She is always such an encourager to me. I struggled a lot over the last few weeks with loneliness and she just really spoke some truth into my life...mostly things I knew, but forgot. We have to be reminded of things when we lose our focus, don't we?

Tuesday I ran around like a maniac trying to get errands run before the kids came home. It felt so good to finally have my energy back. It seems like I've been sick and tired for weeks. But now I'm feeling more like my old self. It was a great day! I mean...the weather!!! Come on! How could you be gloomy in 70 degree weather with a light breeze blowing your hair and clear blue skies above? It really helped my spirits.
Tuesday night we had our belated V-Day party! YAY! The kids were looking so forward to it. Everyone was finally well, so we had our celebration including, pizza, crafts, cake decorating (mini heart-shaped cakes), balloons, goody bags, a movie, etc. You get the idea. I think they had a good time. They really thought it was special because of the balloons! Funny how such a small thing can make a big impact!
Here are the kiddos at the party.



Wednesday was another gorgeous day!! The kids went with Laurie while I taught. When I went to go pick them up we ended up staying for lunch and more play time. It was good just to hang out with my friend. Wednesday evening we met some of my "old" college friends in Grapevine for dinner. Danny and Joanna Isom were in town from Austin for a church conference. We each have 2 kids, but we had never met each other's children. It was so fun to see the kids in person (not just pictures) and reconnect with them. They took a lot of great pictures with their camera, but for some reason I didn't take pictures that night like I should have. Here are a few pics of us riding the carousel later that night.


Joanna and her girls are in the back there. I will post a better picture of them when she e-mails me her pictures...hint, hint Joanna!
Joanna is such an encourager as well! She is so intentional when talking to me...asking sometimes hard questions. I treasure her friendship!

Thursday we had Blue Ivy and ten we went to see our friends Jonathan and Abby to help celebrate their birthdays!! Abby is 2 and Jonathan is 4! So big! Kathryn and Eric Sowell are their mommy and daddy, in case you were wondering. Here are some pictures of the buddies.



Thursday night I played games, read books, and sang songs with my babies. They left this morning to go to Houston with their daddy for his birthday. I missed them LONG before they left me. It is really hard for me to let them go out of town!! I prayed all night and all morning for their safe travel there. They did get there safe and sound and I am so relieved. I feel like I can relax a little now.

Well, you may be wondering what I'm going to do all weekend without my kids! I did not want to be at home all weekend without them. I knew I would get lonely. So, I invited myself over to some friends houses for the weekend. Tonight I'm staying with Jenni and her family. Tomorrow I'm going to Laurie's for some scrapbooking and chatting. Sunday is church ( and potluck) and then my babies return. I'm already looking forward to that.

Sorry for the random post. I have so many other things I wanted to post about, but it'll have to wait until another day. Have a great weekend everyone!

Peeto and Penny

The kids and I grabbed a bite to eat tonight for dinner. We sat down in our booth and got settled in. Cait looked at me like I was crazy and asked me where Peeto and Penny were supposed to sit! Duh, mom!!! I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten to make space at our table for Cait's beloved friends Peeto and Penny. They go with us everywhere. They get blamed for many spills, mistakes ans the like. They need tissues on occasion or sometimes band-aids. They share in picnic lunches and family drama in Cait's little "world." They are dear friends and deserve a space at the table with us, right? Cait told me that today was Peeto's birthday and that she wanted the waiters to sing to him. I got a little nervous...I could just picture me asking the waiter and all the wait staff to sing to an imaginary person. As much as I love my daughter and indulge her when it comes to her imaginary friends, I just don't think I could've brought myself to do this one thing for her. If I remember, I'll take a picture of them with Cait so that you can see what they look like. If you see them, would you let me know? Cause I haven't the slightest idea myself what these friends look like!!!
A side note about my sweet Cait...she's been so sick this week. She had the fever, snotty/cough like I did, then she ended up with pink eye in both eyes. Benjamin had the same exact things this week as well, but he's tougher than my baby girl. He's begging to go outside and play with 102.5 fever! She's crying and wanting to be held because her lips are chapped! Anyway, I was so proud of her this week. Do you know what she did? She gave up her lovey! Do you know what her lovey is? It is her special satin mini-blanket and has been with her since she was 6 months old or so. She has to sleep with it ever single night and when she's sick, or tired or sad...you get the point! She never sucks her thumb, unless she has her lovey. She LOVES her lovey!!! Well, this week, following her dentist appointment with dr. Bean, Cait decided to give up her lovey!!! Dr. Bean told me that we were going to have lots of dental issues if we didn't get her to stop sucking her thumb. So I explained to her what Dr. Bean had said and so she told me that she wanted to be a big girl and not suck her thumb any more. And she did it. She told me at bedtime that she didn't need that lovey anymore. So, it's been about a week now and no lovey. SO weird to me how she could be so obsessed with something and then just let it go, just like that! She's growing up! Don't you hate it when they do that?

Off to the lake...

Well, after a long week of chocolate, sickness (those go hand in hand ya know!) work, and the daily grind we are off to the lake house. Cait and I are still not feeling up to par, but I'm hoping that a little R and R will do us all some good. Danyel and the kids, and my mom are meeting us up there. We're planning to do a little scrapbooking. We'll head back Saturday night so that we can be at church on Sunday. Wouldn't want to miss that!! I hope everyone has a great weekend! If you need me, I'll have my cell!!!

Lori, Kat and Danielle,

Thank you sweet friends! I missed you too! You know how I LOVE flowers!! But I love you guys much, much MORE!

MY VALENTINES

Today was such a fun day! I have looked forward to it for weeks now. What some people have been concerned might be a difficult holiday for me (and it could if I gave it enough thought) actually turned out to be one of the most fun and comforting. I wanted my kids to experience a special holiday this year where they KNEW that thy were loved! Not only by me...their mommy, but their Heavenly Father as well.
SOOO...the morning started out with them waking up, getting dressed (in red and pink :-) and then heading downstairs for a special breakfast.
THIS was waiting for them! This was a BIG deal people to a 5 and 3 year old!!!




During breakfast we reviewed some of the verses that we had just learned a few weeks back from I Corinthians 13. We talked about how GOD IS LOVE and how by God's very nature, he IS love. He is patient and kind, He doesn't rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Most of all, love never fails...so God never fails. Such a good reminder for so early in the morning.
After breakfast the kids got to go to one of their favorite places in the world...Disney World (otherwise known as Laurie's house!) They go play at Laurie's for about an hour and a half on Wednesdays so that I can teach. They love it!! And of course she spoils them with gifts and treats and love and attention. Everyone's happy. After Laurie's then we ventured down to the Science Museum in Fair Park with some friends from church. I was sort of dreading the trip simply because I was envisioning this chaotic, crowded, stressful, expensive outing that I would regret going on after the fact. Well, it turned out that wasn't the case at all. There was hardly anyone there. Why? Probably because it was Valentine's Day and no field trips are going to be planned on the same day that all the parties are. We decided that this is the day of the year for an annual field trip...somewhere! Here are some pics from our day. Fun times!!


Emma, Benjamin and Luke


Farmer Ben!!




Playing in the water


The kids had a Valentine's Party planned for some of their little friends tonight (NO PARENTS ALLOWED!...except me) however, all of our little friends were sickly, so we postponed that little party until next week. So, we will still be celebrating V-Day next week as well. Stretch out all those fun times and calories, right??

This Valentine's Day has been great! I mean...one of my best and most memorable. One sweet friend sent me roses! Another dear friend gave me some beautiful V-Day candles. One sweet friend that is very far away sent me a gift certificate for Pampered Chef (because she knew i"d been drooling over some things in their catalog!). I got sweet cards, encouraging e-mails, Godiva chocolates from students, gourmet cupcakes, and then this...what more could you ever, possibly want on Valentine's Day?

Yes, I had a flu shot!!!

I most certainly did and so did my children. Unfortunately, I think I still got the flu. Mild case, but not fun at all. It started Sunday. I felt sick and run down but I went to church any way. By the end of lunch I was shivering and all I could think of was my bed...and how I wanted to be in it! All day Monday I felt terrible, but taught all my classes trying not to touch or breath on anyone. Then came relief!!!! Chris came and picked up the kids Monday afternoon and brought me some hot tea (deja vu, right?) and then I could finally rest. I laid on the couch all afternoon and evening until time for bed. Today I feel better, but I feel like I've been beaten up. All my muscles ache, especially in my back. What is up with me?? I did have a flu shot, but I think I must have gotten just a mild case of it instead of the full-blown version of the flu. That I am grateful for! I've been sick so much this winter that I was starting to feel like I did this time last year. Hopefully I don't have mono again, but I was starting to wonder. My friend, Nurse Jeannie :-) reminded me that I've had a very stressful season in my life combined with working with snotty-nosed kids all day, everyday takes a toll on a person's body! I felt better after she told me that!

Well, I better run so I can get ready for tomorrow! I can't wait! Valentine's Day with my kids! They have no idea what awaits them tomorrow!! YAY!!

Cowboys, Cowgirls and Pearly Smiles

Yesterday at school, Benjamin and Cait had rodeo day. They got to dress up in their best western style for school. They made stick horses in class and then used them to play rodeo games like barrel racing relays and calf roping. It was quite an event! Here are some pictures of the kids dressed and ready for their big day at school.






So those wranglers from the wedding came in handy after all!! He did say, "Mommy, these pants sure are tight!" I had to laugh and tell him that they were supposed to be like that.

Earlier in the week the kids went to see Dr. Bean for their routine dental check-up. They did so great! They were both very brave and now have beautiful pearly whites to show for it. This trip Benjamin learned to floss, so he is presently obsessed with that new skill. Hey, let him! Saves me from having to do it for him!!

6 Months Out

Today...6 months ago today, was the day that changed my life. It changed my world in some of the most horrible, hurtful ways that I could imagine at that time. And then some things changed for the better. I couldn't possibly (and don't really think it would be much fun to) list all the negative aspects or repercussions of that day's news...but I could list some good!

1. I was no longer deceived. I had been the "fool" so to speak for 5 years, and now...no longer
   
2. I was given a great deal of grace on that day to hold all that was happening in my lap. It seemed surreal and evident that God was present and gracious to me.
3. I saw that God does what He says He will do.
   
4. A new chapter in my life began. It is a dessert chapter. Lots of sand. Lots of manna. (which I'm learning to be grateful for!) Lots of promises to remember and learn to have faith in. This is a good season. Can't have the growth without the seasons of "growing."
5. I became utterly dependent on God in every way I could possibly think of. How would I survive financially? How could I raise my children in a godly manner by myself? How could I bear the portion He had chosen for me? I am finding that dependence on Him is the safest place to be. There's not much room for pride (which is great for me) because it's pretty clear that there's no way I could do this on your own.
6. I have experienced new relationships, strengthened friendships and amazing encounters with people all on account of this very situation.
   

Now, I really could go on and on but you get the picture. I am grateful to be in this season. I am. And I know it could be so, so, so much worse that what it is. I am not naive that that fact. But, let me say thank you to the people who took the time to encourage me yesterday. I really appreciate it. I think there is so much comfort in the Word of God. His words have so much power, through His Spirit, to bring comfort, hope, peace and joy. So, I thank you sisters for showering me with His Word. Yesterday and for a few weeks I've been in a funk. I've struggled with hope, with peace and contentment. But each day is new and new opportunity to trust Christ fully. I'm asking for the grace to do that today and realize that this practicing IS what it's all about! I'm practicing as I walk through the desert how to trust Him more quickly, more deeply, more fully. He's given me that opportunity and I'm so grateful. He's not leaving me stagnant! Praise God that He cares for us so much that He is not going to leave us to ourselves!! OH!!! How these trials should make us long for heaven when we will be free from them! We will be perfected and fully sanctified so that we never will have to struggle with lack of trust, or hope, or contentment ever again!!! I can't wait!

So here's to the beginning of the next 6 months. I want to start off on the right foot today by declaring the Truth to you and mainly to myself. And I'll pray that we all will have the grace to keep that in our focus today.

Living in the now

I'm having a struggle that I was hoping you could help me with. I'm being pulled. I feel as if one arm is being pulled in one direction and the other arm in the opposite direction...simultaneously. I'm being pulled to the past...all day everyday. I have to ask God to seize those thoughts for me and put them out of my mind. They are so utterly painful that there are no words to describe. The other arm is being pulled toward the future. Questions, fears, doubts...all stemming from my struggle to trust God wholly with my future. He is always good, but what if what is good for me in His eyes, is painful for me? Can I bear it? I know I can with His grace, but I still fear it...wrongly. I know what the truth is, but I'm fighting daily to BELIEVE it so that it finally affects my thoughts and actions.
I need some help here. What am I missing? Can you encourage me with something? I know where I should be and sometimes I think the fighting to get there is what the Lord has planned for us. The struggle is what changes you...the road or the journey itself. Or rather HE is changing you AS you walk that painful path. What am I missing???

Muuuuch better, thank you!

Today has been better. Much better. I almost feel like my self again. What was that week about, anyway? This morning I got up. My house was straight from the evening before. We had zero plans for the day. It was wide open. This made me happy. I did laundry, ironing, errands, school prep for next week, played "Hungry, Hungry Hippos", watched Dora the Explorer, had a light saber fight where I unfortunately got my legs cut off, got on the treadmill for the first time in 5 days!!! It all felt really good. So while we were out running a few errands we finally stopped for our verse reward - ice cream!! The kids were so excited. I waited to take them because we've all been so sick that the last thing we needed was some sugar to lower our immune system even more! So we visited Braums and were sorely disappointed to find that they don't have sprinkles! Such a bummer! It was fun anyway, even without the sprinkles!
So tonight the kids are in bed early for church tomorrow and now here I am feeling rested and chipper and posting an entry on my blog. I'm rambling, so I guess I'll wrap up. We are all very excited to go to church tomorrow! We haven't been in 3 weeks because of traveling and sickness. We miss you guys!!! Yay for Sundays!!

Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

I feel like Alexander this evening. You know, Alexander from the "bad day" book who didn't have anything go right for him that day? Well, if I remember the book correctly, and I should because I just read it to my kids a few weeks ago, Alexander's problem was really his attitude. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed and then his attitude just stayed in a slump all day long. That's kind of how I feel today. My attitude is way off.
I told you yesterday that I'd had a gloomy morning with all the rain and that it had been a bummer week altogethr. Well, it has. I just haven't felt well and I'm on this new nutrition kick. Yes, Danyel, my mom, Mindy and Laurie and I are all trying to implement some new nutritional goals into our daily lives. We all wrote our own goals and then we have been encouraging one another in them. Here are some of mine...some are too embarrassing to share!

1. Take supplements daily
2. Be in bed by 10:00 ( I allow myself to read until sleepy...which means approx 2 mins.)
3. Get up at 5:00am
4. treadmill 5 days/week
5. crunches 3x/week
6. cut out processed sugar, white flour, and cokes except for one day/week
7. drink water with lemon (to alkalize my body)
8. microwave as little as possible
9. do not reheat anything in plastic containers
10. eat organically as much as possible

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I Cor 10:13

So there they are...now you know why it's been a hard week! HA! Honestly, the hardest thing has been getting up early because I haven't felt good and not microwaving!! So bad for your food, but SO convenient!! Not sure I can stick with this one!
That's right, this week my kids have been eating fresh (no sugar added) almond butter...(Cait is allergic to peanuts), whole wheat tortillas, organic veggies and fruit, organic eggs and milk, rice cakes, sugar free cookies, etc. etc. And I had my very first taste of salmon this week. Yes, isn't that sad? I bought a fillet for myself, bought some recommended salmon rub and grilled it to perfection! It was yummy, but I'm not sure it's my first choice for fish.

I have to say thank you to some people here...Danyel, thank you for pushing me to actually make the list instead of feeling guilty about wanting to do this and not...
Thank you Mindy for researching, counseling and guiding me through this whole endeavor. You are a wealth of knowledge girl!!
And Laurie, thank you for showing me what this looks like. Thank you for setting the example and then taking me to Central Market to show me what to buy and what NOT to. You are a true friend!
Please ask me how this is going! I wanted to post it up here for all to see so that I would be utterly embarrassed if I bailed out and went back to my terrible ways!!!
I'm hoping to be feeling better next week and get that much needed exercise in! Happy weekend everyone!

His love

This week has been one of those weeks. I haven't gotten anything done. I have no work to show for my week, my house is dirty, I feel exhausted all day. I haven't exercised, I've slept in and all because I've been dragging myself around in survival mode trying to get it all done. The weekend started with Benjamin having an ear infection out of the clear blue. Then Cait followed suit with a nice little tummy bug. This bug continued through Monday when I had to cancel all my classes (week 2...not a good start). I've had a terrible cold that just made me feel like one of those Nicqual commercials. This morning as I drove to work I was not happy about my week. i was sad that it was so gloomy outside with all the rain and the cold weather. I was listening to one of the songs from the Valley of Vision CD. It's called, "It Was Love." As I listened to the chorus, the man singing called God, the Lover of his soul. Something struck me deep down. I began to cry. I want to be able to say that God is the Lover of my soul! I want to be satisfied with only Him as a lover. What kind of lover is He anyway? Well, He's Perfect... My cup would run over with love from Him. He's kind, thoughtful, patient. And faithful. Always faithful. This is the Lover that I need.

When you get to verse 2 I will explain what happened next.

Verse 1
It was love that brought you from above
To walk upon the earth
And love that caused your weariness
Your hunger and your thirst
It was love that caused you to be tried
And tempted by the foe
And love that brought the nails and cross
And love that bought my soul

Chorus
How wonderful your love, the mystery of mysteries
Filling up my heart, more glorious than I know
How wonderful your love
There's nothing else so sweet to me
I'll never be apart, from the Lover of my soul
From the Lover of my soul

Verse 2
Your love is filled with holiness
O Spirit fan this flame
Your love will never cease or cool
Your love will never change
O let me see your love for me
Around me everywhere
(This is where I prayed and asked the Lord for comfort. I needed to feel Him near.)
The shining sun, the gentle rain
Remind me of your care
(Here I remember that it is gently raining on my car at that very moment. The very rain I cursed just a few moments before, the Lord used to comfort my soul. I would've never thought that rain would bring me comfort.)

How wonderful your love, the mystery of mysteries
Filling up my heart, more glorious than I know
How wonderful your love
There's nothing else so sweet to me
I'll never be apart, from the Lover of my soul
From the Lover of my soul


Such a little story. But this is one one tiny example of how God has met me time and again when I've called on Him for comfort. He has been near. Is there any greater comfort than that? Our God is near those whom He loves.