TIME FLIES!

and I'm EXHAUSTED! I crave naps these days! I stay up too late, then stay on my toes all day with the 18 month old and the boys after school! I've barely had time to digest my turkey and BAM! Merry Christmas! I LOVE Christmas, the sparkle, the decorations, the food....but this year, I'm feeling lazy and tired, and NOT ready. It really did sneak up on me. It also seems as if retail is pushing the holidays earlier and earlier. Pushing when I'm not ready!! How dare they! This is definitely a love/hate stage with Margaret. One the one hand it is so fun. She's beginning to talk, walking everywhere, her personality is just blossoming, she's still sweet and snuggly....on the other hand she's a picky eater, wanting to feed herself, so she ends up wearing a yogurt sweater despite the bib, she's not always satisfied just sitting in the shopping cart at the store, and she wants my attention...constantly. I don't get much done while she's awake, and I try hard not to think about all I need and have to do while I spend time with her. I also know that time flies, and someday she'll be more into friends and boys than her Mama.
Also looming in the back of my mind are the disciplines I had at one time, that I've let go. I miss getting up really early and going for a run and still having time for my quiet time then a shower. I can't seem to get my tail in gear and at least wake up to do the ellyptical machine in the basement. I feel fat and unmotivated. Why is that? What is this all about? It's not even winter and the sun was out today. I have no excuse except that I'm tired and time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was so motivated to be fit and thought the feeling would last. It didn't. Baby number three came along and while 3 kids is special and glorious, it's also exhausting. I have no moral or A-ha moment to add to this blurb, nor am I seeking advice. Just blabbing about my blahs because I can and it's why I blog. I will end with this, I have been through enough seasons of life to know that they don't last forever. I'm so thankful that I know the Lord. Otherwise, I would never have this constant peace regardless of my circumstances or feelings for the moment. I would be a complete basket case. It is only because of God that I am whole!

What Is Fall?

BACK 2 SCHOOL TREATS

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PICS

SOCCER

CUTE CLOTHES

APPLE PICKING

PUMPKINS


FAMILY FUN

Being Sick Stinks!

We have all had this yucky crud for over a week. Chris has had an upper respiratory infection for over 2 weeks and just started his second round of antibiotics. I'm starting week 2 with my now full blown sinus infection. Margaret got sick this weekend with fever, cough, runny nose....Thatcher and Jack are both coughing...and you know what, BEING SICK STINKS!

All I want is a quick cure!!! The Dr. laughed at me when I said "I want to be better by tomorrow!" It's a total drag. Especially when you don't get the day or week off from being a mom and wife. You still have to get up and pour, wipe, or cook something!! Even more difficult to keep a sick baby happy and entertained when you feel just as bad!!

What I want to know is, why does one have to be weighed first thing at the Dr. when they already feel like DUMP! I left feeling worse just for stepping on the scale. I WAS still wearing tennis shoes and I'm sure they added a good 5-10-30 pounds to the overall weight...

The Holy Spirit is really good about turning my selfish thoughts around....even when I'm not ready.....and then I begin thinking of people who are chronicaly ill...or moms with fatal illnesses....how do they do it? Knowing there is no cure or relief this side of heaven. I guess the answer is to give what you have and let God cover the rest.

So, then the Holy Spirit slaps me on the back with an A-HA moment as I realize I should be living everyday like this. I know I'm not perfect, but there are times as a mom where I feel overwhelmed with responsibilites and wonder if I'm doing a good job....I get caught up in the "enough" syndrome...which is where I've been lately. Do we talk about God enough? Do we pray together enough? Are they disciplined enough? Do we play enough? Do we do ENOUGH?
and the answer is.........no...."But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. " 2 Corinthians 12:9

I love what God teaches me in my yuckiest moments. I don't LOVE the yucky moments, but sometimes they are so necessary for me to learn and grow. I still say being sick stinks, but luckily this sinus infection has temporarily robbed me of my sense of smell, so I can't smell the illness OR the dirty diapers!!!

Goosebump Moments....

I've always been a sucker for things done in unison. I often whisper the Pledge of Allegiance because I love to hear the rumble of voices all speaking a tribute to our country....it gives me goosebumps everytime. When the instruments drop out at church and it's simply a chorus of voices all singing together....another goosebump moment for me. There is something very powerful about words spoken or sung in unison.

We began a new year of Wednesday night activities at church. The boys are back in AWANA. A scripture memory based program that they love attending for different reasons than I have right now. They love the games. I love the fact as I've said many times before that they are learning the WORD! Yes, they memorize and move on, but I know God blesses that and His WORD remains hidden and written on their hearts!
While they are in AWANA, I attend a women's Pilates/Bible Study. We do Pilates for the first half, then the remainder of the time is spent going through a Bible Study. This semester we are reading Traveling Light, by Max Lucado. I was very excited about this study because I own almost every book he's written!

During our floor stretches, there is one in particular that brings us to what is referred to as a "child's pose." Imagine yourself on your knees, with your head on the floor and arms stretched out in front of you like a full bow to the King. Everytime we get to this stretch, our leader has us hold this pose while she stops to pray. It is a very humbling position to be in when talking to the Father. I have wiped away many tears during those moments. There are 26 of us in the class this time around and I'm telling you there is something very powerful about all of us kneeling in a child's pose before the Lord.

Last week, we all read the 23rd Psalm together outloud....in unison. Yet another goosebump moment for me. It was 26 voices of women speaking God's WORD! There is a definite POWER there. I wonder what it would be like if I sat with my husband and children and we all read a scripture together in unison. Would it make the stress of school and schedules fade for just a minute? Would it take the focus off of myself, my appearance, and my inadequacies for a moment....and what a powerful moment it would be.

Those unison moments remind me of the verse which He plainly states "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20. He knows those times bring about more than just goosebumps.

Family Pictures...

It all started at the Pediatrician's office for Margaret's 15 month appointment. I was in the tiny waiting room with all 3 kids in tow...one on the hip! I was thumbing through the Metro Detroit paper and came across several photographer's ads. One in particular caught my eye because it mentioned that she did portrait parties. I took a mental note of her name, but after 3 kids a mental note becomes a lost sound in minutes....so......I had nothing to write on.....I was desperate....so, I did it.....I TORE the ad right out of the paper and shoved it in my purse! There! I confessed! I'm officially one of THOSE people and not so ashamed of it!

To attempt to make a long story short, I later went to the photographer's website and loved her work, but REALLY loved her prices!!!! I contacted her, set up a portrait party, sent out emails to friends, got eight families signed up and the stress began.....the minute I know my kids are being photographed, I start scrambling to find the perfect outfits!!! It always causes much eyerolling and lots of "they will look FINE" from the mouth of the husband!!

The party was yesterday, Sunday the 20th at 2 pm! Everyone was given a time to show up for their session at the perfect location on what turned out to be the most gorgeous fall day in Michigan! Oakland University is just a block or two from my house. The campus is beautiful and inside the campus is a home that was once privately owned, but now owned by the school known as Meadowbrook Hall. It is a BEAUTIFUL home with gardens galore!!! I was imagining how absolutely cute the pictures of my 3 would be here....in the garden, peeking around an old wall, in the fall leaves....I was giddy.

My family was scheduled last due to Margaret's naptime. I had to be at the party the whole time to meet everyone at the location and help out. So, good natured Chris agreed to get the kids dressed and bring them up after her nap for pictures. I ironed everything in advance and had it all laid out. I quickly made a new bow to match Margaret's dress since the old one was broken and showed Chris (3 times....ahem...) where I was leaving it. I left it next to the spray bottle and comb that I also asked him to bring.

The day came and went and my time rolled around. I called Chris to inform him that some of the pictures were taking a bit longer, so not to rush....he informed ME that Margaret had been awake for an hour and a half. My heart screeched to a halt because that wasn't part of the plan! She was to be FRESHLY napped!!!! Great.

The van finally pulled up with my family and I rushed to the doors. The boys were putting on their shirts when the doors opened. He had them wait until they got there so they'd stay neat! How great! I noticed the spray bottle and comb and my eyes roamed for her bow. He hands me a bow.....the BROKEN bow!!!! The kids jumped out with me and the van screeched away towards the house to retrieve the NEW BOW.

Chris returned slightly sweating and it was our time. I wanted one of the 3 crossing this precious bridge in the woods holding hands. Margaret immediately dropped to her knees and wailed....loudly. We tried many things, but she was mad. We could never get them to all cooperate at once. Jack was standing like an Ethiopian in the National Geographic Magazine with his stomach extended and nose flared. We'd tell him to smile and he'd show one tooth. Thatcher's posture suddenly took a turn for the worst....he was hunching his shoulders in every shot. When they smiled, she cried. When she smiled, they were goofing off. I'd like to tell you what I was thinking during all of this, but I wasn't.....in my mind I was screaming at the top of my lungs. On the outside, I was calmly telling them to smile and situp between my teeth.

When we got home I had an excruciating headache. Afterall, I'd been screaming in my head for the past hour. I was disappointed. I've never had the "perfect" picture day. I'm not so sure that exists. It's a common theme through out families...the nightmare of getting pictures made. I remember being little with my sisters and mom headed to olan mills.....in silence.....because we were all mad. Half the time I didn't know why I was mad I just thought that's how you were supposed to be on family picture day!

Today, I blame satan. Here's why.....it often happens on Sundays getting ready for church. It's a madhouse! Everyone is grumpy, fighting....it's a battle to get there. You walk through the doors and fake a smile for a couple of hours....it's a lie....much like the family pictures. Satan is the father of lies and loves to rip families apart in every way possible. This is just another way he THINKS he gets the glory. Thankfully God's strength is made perfect in our weakness....I screamed in my mind...not outloud. ;) He doesn't give us more than we can handle.....eventually the session ended! ;) Our pictures weren't a lie because the baby was bloodshot and red in every photo!!

I still love my family. Today is new....I just hope there's one picture to claim good enough for a frame!

In Between....

So, what's your favorite day of the week? I would assume most people would say Friday or one of the weekend days, but not me. My favorite day is Thursday. It always has been. Strange? I love the "leading up to" days...the week before vacation, the last week of school, the few weeks before Christmas, the week before school starts, and the day before the weekend begins. It's fun to anticipate, get ready and think of how wonderful the end result will be....but in all actuality, it's more often than not, a let down. It's never as awesome as I've dreamed it up to be. Perhaps I set myself up by setting my hopes too high? Maybe...it's not that the end results are bad...just not perfect...Once I've made it to Thursday, I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel....or week. I know I'm at the home stretch and I can make it no matter what the weekend brings.

It's hard to imagine heaven in my finite mind, but I know that this "leading up to" time is nothing in comparison...I couldn't even begin to imagine the greatness of eternity. When Jack and Thatcher have asked me about heaven I always tell them that it took God 7 days to create this world with every little detail in it, but he's been preparing heaven for us for over 2000 years....now that is pretty awesome.

So, for the past week we've been preparing for back to school up here. One of my favorite things to do is get new school supplies....however, this time around was quite unpleasant and anything less than stressful....I still enjoyed labeling their new things and Jack had just as much fun picking out the right color notebooks and scissors...
Tuesday will be a let down for many reasons....1. I love the ease of summer! 2. Jack will be in 2nd grade. He's ready, but I'm not so sure that I am. 3. Thatcher will be in Kindergarten...seems like he's been little forever, but now he's 6. He's not grown, but 6 is not so little either.

My mind has been JELLO this summer. My thoughts have been a fruity jumble...not worthy of blogging. Guess I'm getting back in school mode and reality is setting in. Life passes by so quickly. You blink and the newborn you just brought home from the hospital is now 15 months old and all over the place...or 8 and entering 2nd grade....and one day graduating. This is why I don't wish for the end results too quickly. I don't die for them to go back to school, or be able to drive to help out....I've learned that each stage just brings about new issues and adventures, and once a stage is gone you can never get it back. Everytime I'm close enough to one of my children to feel their heartbeats, I instantly think of seeing that beating heart on the ultrasound and what a moment that was...how long ago that seems.

So, I try to savor this "leading up to time"....though it's hard with endless laundry, and growing grocery bills...not to mention activities and church functions....I've started to rock Margaret a little longer, hug the boys a little closer, and let them giggle a little longer at night....cause this time is fleeting and the ONLY end result that's better than the "leading up to" is heaven.

sorry for the rambling...still traces of JELLO.

Random Pictures...

Living In The Shallow End....

I'm still alive. I haven't written in awhile because I just haven't felt very "thoughtful." Summer is great and I love the ease of it....I also love the weather up here...just beautiful! However, it's also hard. I am a routine person. I like schedules. When we aren't living and dying by the clock I often feel like a chicken with my head cut off. It's also difficult with 2 active boys and a 13 month old little girl. We are pretty much exsisting on her schedule of naptimes right now. I feel the guilt of not taking the boys here and there due to their little sister having to eat, nap, or because she's just fussy. However, I also feel very strongly about the boys learning to play on their own....using their imaginations and playing outside. Seems like more and more children spend their summers in camps and every sport under the sun and they just can't function unless someone is telling them what to do. In thinking about this, I'm sure it would be easier to enroll them in activities and stay on "schedule" in the summer, but we sacrifice ease for doing what we know in our hearts is right for our boys.
So, there you have it....not totally deep or thought provoking....just how we're living life these days....together.

End of Another Year...

1st Day of 1st Grade Last Day of First Grade

During 9 months of learning, Jack grew a shoe size and apparently shoulders....wow! He also dressed before brushing his teeth, hence the water mark on the second picture.

The beginning of the year is difficult as they start out on a new venture with new challenges, and a new teacher. The end of the year is bittersweet. I look forward to some lazier days and not rushing to and from school. I look forward to having everyone home and spending time together....but it's also sad... This has been an amazing year for Jack. The combination class of 1st and 2nd grade proved to be beneficial for him. His teacher was absolutely hands down the BEST teacher I've come into contact with! No exaggerating.

He NEVER wanted to miss school and didn't miss a day this year. He loved it so much that he was a little sad too that this year had to end. He was so excited about learning! Part of it was his personality...he's very curious and loves to discover and figure things out. Part of it was the challenge of the class. Part of it was the passion his teacher had that couldn't help but rub off on him. What a blessing this year has been.

So, on Thatcher's last day of preschool, he picked lunch that day at Burger King. On Jack's last day of school he picked Red Lobster because he LOVES the popcorn shrimp. We moved it to dinner instead of lunch, so Chris could join us. We had a great time and Margaret discovered her new love for Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits!!

We're excited about summer. We are going to Chicago next weekend for a family trip to Legoland and a few other hot spots. Both birthdays are in July, then we're headed to Gulf Shores in August for our most fun beach vacation with my whole family!

Then September will roll around and Jack will begin 2nd grade in possibly another combination class, and Thatcher will enter "big" school with his brother in Kindergarten. So, the roller coaster of feelings will return and I'll be sad for the little boys that are growing up. It happens too quickly.

Something To Think About....

They get upset and whine when they don't get their own way.
They find it difficult to share with others.
No matter what they have, they always want more....never content.
Harmful things catch their eyes, entice them, and draw them away from the safety of what's good.
What someone else has is always better than what they have.
It's all about them.
They prefer to eat things that are not so healthy because they taste better.
They'd rather do what they WANT to do, never what they HAVE to do.
They can find the negative in the very best of situations.

Is this list referring to the mentality of children or adults?

I have yet to find a passage within the Bible where God refers to us as His "adults."

Romans 8:16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.Romans 8:15-17 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter)

Here it is, plain as day....He calls us His children!

So, everytime I find myself getting annoyed when one of the boys acts out in one of the ways listed, I think about God. I have 3 children, but think how many God has.....and I'm included in that number. He deals with this childish stuff all the time. How does He not throw His hands up and quit? How does He not need a weekend off to get away every now and then? How does he not look down at a parent scolding a selfish child, part the clouds and shout "HEY! YOU DO THE SAME THING, LADY!" Because He is God....I'm just a measley human Mom who might be considered an adult by age, but acts the same in years as her children.

Once again I wonder, how do people make it without God? When they come to the realization that they are not perfect, where do they turn to pick up the slack?

Yes, this is simple, but when you are a Mom you are faced with this everyday. Children teach you to be more Christ like by acting out your behavior at home, and even in public. You see them involved in reenactments of your own selfish ways and thoughts. It's hard to be too hard when you know it's the pot callin' the kettle black, but then there's this part of you that wants them to be better....maybe better than you think you turned out to be.

However, there are characteristics of my children that I wish were mine....besides their unlimited amounts of energy....I'll start with Margaret. She's only one, but she loves people. It doesn't matter who they are, what they look like, or even if they talked to her first. She smiles at them. She will holler out to get someone's attention whether she knows them or not and all she really wants is a smile back.

Thatcher....has a deep compassion for others. He'd give up anything for his brother and sister. I fell the other night and twisted my ankle and he was right there beside me. He didn't roll his eyes and scream at me to be careful....he cried with me and patted my foot. When Jack lost his beloved "bubba" (aka blanket) Thatcher ran and got his and told Jack he could have it. When we grocery shop, he finds things that he knows Jack would like and wants to "surprise him" with it! He truly cares.

Jack....sees the good in everything and everyone. He is excited about life and is determined to make each day an adventure. He starts his day out by telling me the good things he's looking forward to no matter how small. He loves to create, loves sports and is eager to try out new things including foods that are good for him.

I love being a Mom. It's all a learning process. While I'm trying to teach my children how to be the best they can be and obey God, they are teaching me the same and so much more.

Playing Catch Up....

Thatcher graduated from preschool. He's a Kindergartner now! He's been in 4 schools in 2 years. He's had to adjust more than any of us, but he's doing well and I'm so proud of him! He's smart as a whip and so incredibly full of personality! He's also the LIMBO King of his graduating class!!!

Jack finished another year of SPARKS in AWANA! He had to miss a few weeks here and there for Cub Scouts, but still enjoyed it! This was the ending ceremony.

Jack was the "curtain opener" and one of the narrators in his class play "The Little Red Hen"! He did a great job! The most precious part was Margaret recognizing Jack on stage all the way from where we were sitting in the audience. She pointed, grinned from ear to ear, and he beamed!!!! So incredibly sweet!
After his play they had an "After Party" with all kinds of bread to celebrate!

Both boys are taking Karate 2 nights a week as their "sport" of choice this season. Jack is not loving it, but Thatcher smiles just thinking about it. The Karate Master puts Thatcher right by him to learn the throws and kicks. Thatcher just beams! Little does he know he was put there so he'd quit being the class clown and pay attention!

Cubbies Graduation at AWANA at church! He'll be in SPARKS with Jack next year learning bigger and longer verses! I LOVE AWANA! I'm such an advocate of this bible memory program! The boys absolutely love it and I love that they are hiding THE WORD in their hearts at such an early age!

Somewhere it says that children begin to mimic what they see.....

Miss Margaret is standing and cruising! Where does the time go?

Took the kids bowling for some family fun a few weeks ago! Lots of fun!! If you heard a few sonic booms between the hours of 2-3pm a few Saturdays ago, it was just Thatcher "throwing" his bowling ball down the lane!! How in the world does the wood hold up?? I need those floors in my kitchen!

Jack was quite the competitor! He was pretty good!!

So, just a few snippets of our lives these days! It's been another whirlwind year and we are all ready for the lazy days of summer!

As A Mom...

Sometimes I wonder what my children are internalizing about me.

Jack came home from school and was chatting away about his day. He told me that they discussed things that their moms always say. I asked what his response was.......
"Do your homework."
I was hoping for "I'm proud of you." "I love you"....a Bible verse?
Luckily, I was informed that Robert's mom ALWAYS says that too....
Thanks, Robert's mom. You just made me feel better.

Thatcher came home from school and was chatting (with probing) about his day. He told me that his teacher asked for one place your Mom always takes you. Thatcher's response?
"Dumb places like the grocery store."
I'm sure his little outspoken buddy had just announced the word "dumb" in his statement and Thatcher repeated it for a laugh??
He had to sound so harsh? He couldn't say church? or even through the drive-thru for an icee? Karate?

So, I felt frustrated that day. I'm a FULL TIME MOM. I should have no excuses. I was not feeling affirmed.

The other day the boys had Karate. (I sit in the hall as a spectator and hold on to the baby for an hour twice a week!! No one mentioned that to their teachers!!!) I was looking in and saw the Karate Master attatching their first stripes on their belts. I "learned" by way of one of the dads that they have to get 4 of these before they advance to the next color belt. I had no clue.
So, I watched as he went down the row and wrapped the "stripe" around each belt in a ceremonial fashion. Jack was the last one to recieve his "stripe". As soon as the Master finished, Jack immediately looked up and over at me in the hall. It was the most priceless, precious look ever. Even the dad next to me noticed and commented. I was proud. I felt affirmed. You know you are doing something right when the first face your child wants to see in his proudest moments is yours.

Sometimes I wonder what I'm internalizing about God. What is it that I believe He always says? In my proudest moments, do I seek His face first? What does God want me to know about Him? Does He want me to know the depths of His love for me? Isn't that what I want my children to discover about me?

Translator....

At anytime you might hear the following words spoken in my home.
In case you have trouble understanding, I've included the meanings.

Arthur- a person who writes books

Root Beard- a carbonated beverage

I'n- sounds like "I'm" but used with an "N" ex: "I'n hungry."

Former-La- the infant powder mixed with water that babies drink for nourishment

Ruffin'- what dogs have been heard doing

Super Mario "Bross"- the name of the Nintendo DS game consisting of the Bros. Mario and Luigi

Bees Mean- when someone is acting inappropriately or unfairly towards another.
ex: "He always "bees mean" to me."

Drool- the tool one uses to tighten screws

A-Leez-ee-anna- the southern state where we are originally from. Located between Texas and Mississippi

Breff-ust- the first meal of the day

Bump Beds- two twin beds stacked together with a ladder and some screws

Short Pants- what we wear in the summer

Long Pants- what we wear in the winter

Shirt Sleeves- the opposite of long sleeves

Maff- a subject in school involving numbers

Punk-in- an orange vegetable that we carve at Halloween

Optover- the month between September and November when we carve punkins.

Jan-a-wary- the first month of the year

Feb-a-wary- comes after Janawary and before March

Not Fair- when something doesn't go as planned or one doesn't get one's way

Take a Haircut- what happens when hair gets too long.

Stoooooop! Dooooooon't! Noooooo! - usually spoken in a shrilled voice followed by whining, and crying.

Sleepover- when you sleep across the hall in someone else's room.

***The next two are my personal favorites from several years ago****

Maa-gan-zeen- contains articles, pictures, and sometimes the latest fashion.

Jack and the Bee Snot- an old Fairy Tale about a little boy and some magic beans.

Wet Buns.....

Monday, it was raining. No, it was monsooning...non-stop...all day long. The kind of weather where an umbrella proves to be useless because the rain is coming at you from all directions. Monday is my grocery shopping day with 2 kids in tow. I thought about putting it off another day,but decided to pull up my big girl pants and give it a whirl!

I smartly chose to park in the garden center lot and grabbed space #1.....so far so good. We exited the vehicle and within seconds all 5 of us were soaking wet: Me, Thatcher, Margaret, my purse, and Thatcher's Nintendo DS (which he never stopped playing). We splashed inside and in the store window reflection I could see that my hair looked as if I had just stepped out of the shower...no lie. I attempted to part and comb through it as if it would help and moved along.

After heading toward the aisles, Thatcher turned to me and said "but I didn't want to come grocery shopping." Oops, did I forget to ask permission....did he not see what I just went through to get us inside? Had he just paused his game long enough to notice where we were?......
Anyway, after ignoring that comment we rode on. By the time we'd finished drying off, I was ready to check-out and head back out in the rain that was STILL down pouring.

As we left the store, a nice citizen decided to actually stop at the yellow lines and allow my full load to cross into the lot....except it made the not so nice citizen behind him worried that he might miss the 15th parking spot from the door and would instead be forced to park in spot #16...so this particular soul sped around him causing us to stop quickly before getting hit. I was so mad...the nerve....I gave him the meanest look I could, flipped my dripping wet hair out of my face and lurched the basket forward.

When I got to the car I heard someone yelling. The man who'd stopped for me was hollering out "Ma"m!!!! LaDy!!!!" I turned and saw something on the ground in front of his tire....there they were...my stinkin hot dog buns lying helpless in a puddle.

Thankfully, there was another kind citizen shopping in the rain that day. A lady dashed to my rescue and saved my buns...literally!

I quickly put the 4 wet ones in the car: Thatcher, his Nintendo DS (which he was STILL playing), Margaret, and my purse. I loaded up the groceries and the rest was history.

The moral of this story is.....don't bother wearing hairspray when it rains unless you not only like the smell of it, but also the taste.

Our Trip To Louisiana....

Just call us the "ROAD WARRIORS!" I believe we've officially earned that title! We had a great time going "home"! I LOVED seeing my family! The kids did great! We ate a ton!

Next time we travel, we're renting a limo. That way we have a sound proof partition separating the front seats of the vehicle from the rest. That way we can see the kids fighting, but can't hear them....we can see Thatcher singing and Jack covering his ears with a scowl on his face, but again, no sound! We can see that Margaret has had enough or is overly tired, but don't have to endure the screaming! Truthfully, the kids did well on the trip. Margaret fussed every now and then, but for the most part was a dream!....However, a limo would still be worth it for those few bumps on the road! ;0)

Margaret...

Yet Another Answered Prayer...

During my school teaching days, I often made many mental lists about the characteristics I wanted my "future" children to possess....and NOT to possess. I remember one little boy in particular....he was precious! He loved sports, was competitive, great student, motivated, cute as a bug, funny, kind, friends with everyone, and always stood up for the kids that others made fun of. I decided then to pray that when I had a child someday that they would be like that. My exact description was "well rounded".

So, today was the spring conference for Jack. Seems like just yesterday when I was writing about the fall conference. Once again, I teared up as his teacher began to brag about how precious Jack is! My heart skipped a beat when she got to the end of her bragging and followed up with "Jack is such a WELL ROUNDED child!"

Wow! Thank-you, God for not only hearing my prayer many moons ago, but answering it with a "yes."

Revelation Celebrations!!

I remember it so clearly....One morning in September of 2006 I was having my quiet time like any other. I was reading an incredible devotional by Beth Moore. The devotion for that day was about a missionary woman who was called to move to a foreign land far away from everything and everyone she held dear. The very last line of it read "Are YOU willing to move out of your comfort zone?"

Around noon that VERY same day, Chris got the call that he'd been accepted into the Postal Inspection Service with a position in Detroit, Michigan. I broke into the most peaceful tears I've ever experienced. Chris said "I can decline and hold out for the next class with a different location." I jumped on him and said "NO!!! You HAVE to take this!" I knew in my heart WHO had ordered this move! There was NO DOUBT!!!

Life was a blur in the next few months. Two weeks later Chris was in D.C. training. I was a single mom for 3 months to 2 boys and teaching preschool. During that time, I had to keep the house sparkling to be sold. Both boys got the stomach virus and I had a miscarriage 8 weeks into my pregnancy. A complete whirlwind! We sold our house within a week of it being on the market. We came to Michigan in Dec. and had 7 days to find a house. We came home on a Sunday and the movers arrived the very next morning at 9 AM. I was scrambling to throw all of my bras and underwear into suitcases so our toothless wonder movers wouldn't fondle my personals!! ;)

We drove to Detroit and I cried most of the way! We lived in a tiny 2 bedroom hotel room for 9 days. We had one car and Chris had to drive it to work. The boys were bored and we got complaints because they were restless! I felt like Anne Frank during the day having to keep the place noise free! We finally moved into our new home and there began my days in the desert.

I still knew and trusted that God was and still is in control, but I was distant and lonely! I missed my family and familiarity! I wanted friends....I wanted a support system....I cried...a lot!
God knew what I needed. He also wanted me to know that it wasn't about needing other people as much as it was about HAVING HIM! Wow! I can see this now! Being in the wilderness is lonely and at times frightning. I'm not completely out of it yet, but making my way...following the cloud and fire! Detroit was a land of giants to me....not to mention crime. I was terrified of my kids growing up here. I was terrifed of having to make a name for myself when no one knew me or knew my mom. That's how I'd made connections before. God has been sitting here blinking and holding my hand.....waiting for me to realize that He's been to Detroit. This land is not foreign to Him. This circumstance is not an accident....it was and is a Divine Move!

I could write forever about all I've learned and circumstances we've encountered....it's been an amazing adventure. God is so faithful.

So, what got me thinking.....we had BUNCO last month. In honor of Valentine's Day, we made it a couple's BUNCO and all brought our husbands to play with us! IT was sooo much fun! Anyway, a couple in our AFG class brought a new couple from NC that moved here in January of 2009. I ran to sit with them to eat before we played. I sat and looked at her and saw my face. The uncertainty, the sadness...I knew it...I'd felt it....I said "I know."

We talked with her and her husband. I just emailed her to check in on her. It just flooded me with emotions of my first days here. God brought to mind all that He has done to this point! He is so amazingly faithful! After 2 miscarriages I look at Margaret and I'm overwhelmed. She was worth the wait. He has parted the waters for my family time and again and I'm so thankful....so overwhelmed...so blessed....not perfect, not without sorrows, but in the shadow of His wings. He's had us covered. He has me covered now. He'll still have me covered tomorrow no matter where He leads.

Good VS Bad....

Thatcher has been wanting a Nintendo DS since Christmas. Jack got one and Thatcher didn't realize he wanted one until we had it here in the home! We've felt kinda bad since he'll stare over Jacks' shoulder and watch him play without blinking. We decided it would be a great opportunity to encourage him. Thatcher is NOT a bad child, just passionate about life...not sure what to do with all the passion, throws a tantrum +10 and sometimes a punch or two. We told him he could earn a DS if he'd quit throwing so many tantrums, quit hitting, and be nice.

This week, Thatcher gets in the car after school and promptly announces "I don't want to have to be nice anymore to get a DS, so I'll just wait until next Christmas!" Stunned, I said "so....you're saying that you don't want to be nice to get a DS now and you'd rather be mean and wait longer?" He said "Yep! I'll just wait!"

So, now we're back to the drawing board on finding encouragement for him. He's a tough one!

New Year's Resolutions....

Did anyone have any this year? I think about them, but I'm not much of a resolution maker. Jack came home with a paper with a sequined decorated title of "2009". On it he wrote:

"I promis to read evre nigt.
and read 15 minits evre nigt.
and do my homewrek win I get home."

I love the misspellings as much as what he wrote. I also love that he's still years away from wanting to drop 15-20 pounds in the new year! ;)
So, after school he comes in to get a snack and then starts playing his Nintendo DS. I sat there staring and blinking at him. He didn't notice. So, I got this paper off of the fridge and quoted "2009....and do my homewrek WIN I GET HOME!"
He looked up and smiled then said "I really meant that to be for 2008, not 2009."
Ahhh! He's a clever one!
I've used this paper daily as a reminder of what he wrote until yesterday he added "I really wish I wouldn't have wrote that on my paper."

I understand!....but it's a great tool for me that puts the hook back on him and lessens the one on me for awhile! ;)

Quick On His Feet...

So, today is Friday. The boys love to rent movies from Blockbuster. It's a special Friday treat that happens a few times a month! Chris came home from work today and was greeted with "Can we go to Blockbuster and get movies?" He was irritated by this question, so as we sat down to dinner, he did the only thing he could do "What does Mommy think about going to Blockbuster?" Yes, he put the question on me. So, I was asked after every bite if I had thought about it. Then, as I was washing dishes I was pressed again by Jack, "Mommy, have you thought about it yet?" I answered with "I'm just not so sure. Y'all have been arguing a bunch lately and you were kind of ugly after school today." IMMEDIATELY Thatcher exclaims "Maybe we should go back and ask Daddy what he thinks instead."

These Are The Days...

Today, Thatcher had a play date at a friend's house. I had to wake up Margaret from her nap to go and pick him up. I left her in the car with the heat full blast just to run up to the door and retrieve the boy. Why do I ever think "it will only take a second"? Thatcher and his rambunctious friend take off to areas unknown and make me search for them. This begins with a smile on my face then ends with me talking to Thatcher between the first rows of teeth. He FINALLY gets the message and we leave.

Upon entering the car, I IMMEDIATELY smell what occurred while I was away. She was warm, under blankets, had a little fuzzy book to read....yes, a poop explosion. She was content for the moment, so I drove the long way to Jack's school. I thought "why not put it off...perhaps the rapture will come while I'm driving and then God can change her diaper." ;0)

He has a sense of humor too, so He decided this wasn't THE moment to return. I park at Jack's school and prepare for the inevitable. This is why we put the second seat down in the car....to leave a space for diaper changes. I didn't realize I'd have to strip the poor child down to her bare essentials and remove her now stained turtleneck. Of course, it never stops there...a smear here, a smear there! YIKES!

I have these blue bags called "sassy sacks" that smell like baby powder and are used for disposing of dirty diapers. Margaret LOVES them! She is constantly getting into them. I think it's the crinkly sound they make because she shakes them violently and laughs! It's not funny when the dirty diaper is in it and you haven't had a chance to seal the contents yet!

Sadly, the wipes have been in my car for a very long time. It has been below freezing in Michigan for months...so I had wipesicles. She didn't cry, she just gasped....heavily...with every swipe.

I managed to get her changed, cleaned up, wrestled a sassy sack away from her and buckled her back in her seat in 10 minutes. Not too bad! The best part of all was being able to use the travel sized Lysol and Febreze that I bought waiting at the check out one day at WalMart! Yes, I'm one of those easily influenced by the check-out products lure. These came in handy and now my car smells fresh and clean...for the moment.

Such is the life....my excitement for the day.

Hanging On...

Is it just me, or does anyone else ever feel like they are living life by the skin of their teeth? It's not that you are in the worst or most stressful of situations necessarily, it's the everyday. At times, I'm reminding myself that God's got me...front and back and I'm not going to go crazy and there in fact IS a purpose for my life other than cooking, cleaning, and managing. I'm not complaining about my life at all. I know I am loved and blessed. I also know that God brings me to these places to remind me of my need to cling...cling to what is GOOD! I know He is answering a prayer I've uttered in passing..."Please God, don't let it take something horrible to remind me of how much I need you!!"

I've gotten fretful at times feeling this way when I seem to have it all. It took me writing this blog entry to realize it is an answer to prayer. God is indeed reminding me that I need HIM! I need HIM EVERY SINGLE SECOND! I'm hanging on for dear life! As I'm typing this, my boys are literally at each other's throats....my grip just got tighter.

Random Things....

So, floating around Facebook these days are the ever popular "25 Random Things About Me."

I gave in and finally filled one out. At first, I thought I'd never be able to come up with 25 things...but once I completed it....I thought of 25 other things I wish I would have put or could have put instead. So, here it goes. 26 Random Things About ME!! 26, because I KNOW I'll think of just one more to add...

1. My favorite parts of my children are the backs of their heads and their hands.

2. There really isn't a color I don't like.

3. I think about my weight constantly and wish I could feel "ok" about where I am on the scale!

4. I want to paint my bathroom a super glossy dark chocolate brown.

5. I love lipstick and lipgloss!

6. I love to wear bracelets!

7. I own lots of earrings, but end up wearing the same ones everyday.

8. I would love a purse in every color.

9. I would love a coat in every color!

10. I want to be a better friend and reach out more.

11. I can remember many Bible verses, but I have a difficult time remembering the reference part.

12. I like playing board games and some card games, but not a huge fan of video games.

13. I'm terrible at remembering names.

14. I get the winter blahs with all of this snow.

15. I wish I lived closer to home...but

16. I'm glad I was able to move out of Shreveport.

17. I get giddy walking into a scrapbook store.

18. I like being a stay at home mom, but I get lonely.

19. Most people get on my nerves easily...if they don't, I know we're meant to be friends!

20. I like my handwriting and it bugs me when someone can't read it.

21. I enjoy chewing gum...especially cinnamon and peppermint.

22. I don't like fingernail polish on my nails. I prefer clean, white nails.

23. I love flip flops and would love them in all colors to go with my purses!! ;0)

24. I don't like sandwhiches unless they are from some place like Subway.

25. I look forward to eating ice cream every night with Chris after the kids go to bed.

26. I have always been horrible in math and feel very nervous when I have to use it in front of people!

Okay, so there you have it! The picture of Margaret is just because I loved this one! I guess it's a random picture to go with my random list! ;0)

My Sweet Children...

A Nap Sounds GREAT to me!!

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say....

Jack is what we call "The Master Manipulator". He got a Nintendo DS for Christmas this year. If Santa was really smart, he would have foregone Thatcher's reguest for a "cyber-pocket V-Smile" and gotten him a DS too. (live and learn) So, Thatcher will sit over Jack's shoulder for an hour and watch him play. He begs to play it, so Jack tells him that when he's finished with his game, he can. The time FINALLY arrives and Thatcher is ready to play. Before Jack hands over the DS he says "Thatcher, I really wanted you to play with my LEGOS with me." Of course, Thatcher is not going to say "no" when his big brother actually wants him to play with him with his LEGOS of all things!!! Chris and I give Jack a look and with a sly grin he says "what?" Then they both run off to the basement!!! Soooooo sneaky!

That very same day, Chris says to Jack mockingly "Hey Thatcher, do everything I tell you to do, but I REFUSE to let you do anything!" Thatcher quickly says on Jack's behalf "Jack doesn't say that!!!! He doesn't even know REFUSE!".....meaning that Jack doesn't know what that word means, so he'd never use it in a sentence!!!

Well, we had to laugh! The boy was right! Jack may not know how to construct that sentence on his own, but he SURE knows how to get his point across in other ways!! It's difficult when someone points out our character flaws. I know I immediately get on the defense and think "I'm not like that! I don't ever SAY that!" Again, I may not come out and say who I am, but you'll view it in my actions!!

God in his wisdom used this micro situation to catch my attention and point out a few of my own flaws! He was gentle enough not to point ALL of them out at once! God is the ULTIMATE parent because he's not wrestling with His own weaknesses and pride like I am as a sinful human!! Thank-you Lord, for letting me down easy and lifting me up above myself, so I can see YOU!! Thank-you for using my children as blessings and lessons right here in the comforts of my home!!

Happy New Year!

Well, Christmas as always was a whirlwind! It's over and then BAM! It's the beginning of a brand spanking new year! I say this frequently, but TIME REALLY DOES FLY! Margaret is 7 months old, just had her first ear infection, sits up by herself, and is still smiley and sweet!! She wants to crawl, but can't figure out how to get her other leg to cooperate! She knows what toys she likes and grabs for them! She loves her brothers and Mommy and Daddy too!!!

Christmas is always a let down to me. I'm not a negative person by ANY stretch, but it's the anticipation and leading up to the event that is so much fun! Once it finally arrives....it's over!!! No more surprises? No more indulging? Back to THE GRIND? That's when you realize that it's time to make the best of the mundane! Find the daily surprises hidden deep in the pockets of loads of laundry!!! Deer tracks behind our house in the snow....Margaret's new tooth coming in....Jack and Thatcher playing for an hour without fighting...If I miss the daily surprises, then I can NEVER get those back! Anticipate every day this year with me! Look for those "little" things that, just like my favorite quote over there says, "one day you may look back and realize those WERE the big things!

Happy New Year!