My Heart Is Full

This morning our oldest son, Jake, was baptized. He became a Christian two years ago, when he asked Jesus into his heart while swimming at his grandparents house. I know, crazy! As a parent, I had pictured in my mind that his conversion would be preceded by this deep conversation, filled with great wisdom from B and I, (ha!) not so. And looking back, I love that it happened the way it did. The Lord planned it in such a way that neither B nor I could take one ounce of glory for his decision. Child-like faith. So simple, so pure and innocent, yet so very powerful.

I could hardly contain myself when I saw my child step into the pool of water. He looked so small, yet so big. His voice was so steady and sure when he announced, "Jesus Christ is my Lord." Yes, son, through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ and to the glory of God the Father.

We were surrounded by several of our family and friends, and as we all stood in Jake's honor, I was overwhelmed by how many people have poured into our lives, and how that is now spilling over into the lives of our children.

Grateful. Overcome. Overflowing.

We are so proud of you Jake!

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Eph. 3:17-19

A Day Late And A Dollar Short

I'm a day late posting this You Tube video, but even a day late, it's worth watching...and I'm a dollar short, because, you know, it's the day after Christmas!! :)

Emmanuel

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 8:14

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours...

Redneck Recliner

You might be a redneck if you prefer your homemade recliner, made out of a laundry basket and step stool, to the REAL leather recliner right behind you!

Channeling Sybil

About a month ago, B and I took a personality test online. Because I had taken one in the past, I thought I knew which category I was going to end up in but about half way through I figured out real quick that I didn't know myself as well as I thought! You see, I'm a pretty outgoing person, I love being around people, I love to talk, and if you know me (which most of you-if not all of you- reading this do) this is no surprise to you. However...when I began adding up the scores I was shocked to discover I have a split personality! 50-50 right down the middle, and get this - I'm split between Sanguine and Melancholy! WHAT??!! I have to say the melancholy threw me for a loop at first, but the more I have thought about it, it is absolutely true! Yes, there is a big part of me that loves people, loves to laugh and make
people laugh, be spontaneous and loves to go to parties and just have fun...however, there is also a big part of me that loves quiet, order, to be alone and still. I think what has happened all of these years is that the other side of my personality was so "big" that it demanded most of my attention, and frankly, I felt like that is why most people liked me and what they expected from me. I am now learning to embrace my true self...who I am in Christ, that is. He made me and He doesn't make mistakes, so obviously He has a purpose in these two aspects of my personality that He wants to use for His glory.

During this time of year the struggle between my "split personality" starts to heat up. The Sanguine side of me loves the festive celebration, the parties, the shopping, the fun of it all, the Melancholy side - not so much. That side wants to snuggle up on my couch, surrounded by my perfectly cleaned house, sip a hot cup of coffee while (with no phone ringing in the background) I have a long quiet time with my Lord.

So what's a girl to do?? Here's what I felt the Lord telling me today...embrace it. Embrace the marvelous and wonderful way He made me, because here's the truth of it all...without my Sanguine side, I would be missing out on one of the best parts of my life here on this Earth - relationships. I would be missing out on all the laughter and warmth that comes from the people He has brought into my life. I would miss out on the opportunity to speak kindness into a overworked sales-clerks life, or to give a smile to a lonely stranger. Without my Melancholy side, I would be missing out on the peaceful moments with my Savior that breathe the very life into my tired bones. I would miss out on the still small voice that whispers encouragement, strength and love into my Spirit, and I would miss the quiet moments with my children when I get glimpses into their precious little souls.

Balance. Only by the power of His Spirit.

So go take the test...you may not know yourself as well as you think you do! hee hee!

We partied like it was 1999

We survived the craziness! It was fast and furious, but believe it or not, it was actually fun! The two Christmas parties went off without a hitch. Our SMBS party was Friday night at the church. We ate some good Mexican food and enjoyed some uninterrupted adult conversation, thanks to the church nursery. We played the ever-popular gift exchange, which is always fun. Each couple brought a $10 gift card to exchange. There were your typicals, Target, Starbucks, etc. but the highlight was when a girl opened her gift card and announced she just received a $10 gift card to Fat Dog's Liquor Store!! Needless to say, she was just joking, we're Baptist for goodness sakes, we wouldn't be caught dead buying anything from a liquor store! hee hee! We had a great time, but I have to admit, I am glad that one is over. No more planning meetings!
Saturday we enjoyed a rare treat...B was actually off work. We aren't used to having him home on Saturday, so it was really nice! We finished our Christmas lights then cleaned the house to get ready for the party that night! It was so fun! We ate good food, laughed and laughed, then exchanged white elephant gifts, which was hilarious. I'll have to post a pic of my new "bag"! Oh, it's a sight to see!
After crashing at about midnight...which is really late for us these days, I awoke at about 6:15 to start getting ready for church. It was our Choir Christmas program. We sing all 3 services, which doesn't sound all that bad, but it is exhausting! I know, I am sounding really old! Anyway, it was great. I love singing in the choir. Which, again, I know, makes me sound really old, but seriously, it's such a blessing! After the program, I came home and got my nap on! I mean, I didn't get off the couch for 4 straight hours! Oh yes, it was nice! We topped off the weekend by picking up MeMe and Poppy and driving through "Up in Lights" a drive-thru light exhibit. The kids loved it, and so did we!
This week finds us trying to finish shopping, but most of all, slowing down to enjoy the season. I love this time of year, and I really want to take it all in. It is, after all, our last Christmas in this house...yeah, that's another post for another day. :))
Until then...
Merry Christmas!

Craziness

Oh my, has it already been over a week since I last posted??? Well, things have been a bit crazy around here. We finally got all of our decorations up (well almost...the outside is just about done), and I even managed to start my shopping, and Santa...well let's just say he hit the jackpot!! I can't wait to see the boys faces! :)
Anyway, back to the craziness, we have two Christmas parties this weekend, both of which I am helping to plan (one is even at my house!!) and our choir Christmas program is this weekend as well! The good news is after this weekend, we are pretty much wide open, so hopefully things will slow down.
This is my absolute favorite time of year in my neighborhood. The trees are gorgeous. Whenever we leave the house I am always commenting about how beautiful and colorful they are. One morning last week on our way to school, I asked Trent, "how do you think God changes all of the colors?" Trent answered, "I think he has a hoooge, hoooge, marker and colors all the leaves!" That just made me smile!

The One and Only

I just finished today Beth Moore's Bible Study, Jesus the One and Only. I am not sure I'll be able to put into words what this has meant to me, but I feel so full right now, that I at least have to try.

At first I was a little hesitant about my small group. I was the youngest one, and sometimes I like that, there is such wisdom in these precious older women who have walked many miles with our Lord, but this time I was struggling...I wanted to be with the women closer to my own age and stage of life. I contemplated switching studies, but I have done enough of Beth's studies to know that God is using her in a mighty way in our generation, and I knew it was going to be good. So, I decided to stick with it. And boy am I glad I did!

There is no way to compile into one little post all of the treasures that I found along the 10 week journey, but I think something that she (Beth) said in the video today sums up what I am feeling. At the close of the session, she said something along the lines of...isn't that just like our Jesus? The more we learn about Him, the more we want to know Him. That's it. That's what I am feeling. I want more of Him. I just want Him.

There are so many things in my life that are vying for my attention - children, husband, Christmas lists, decisions concerning our future, relationships, laundry, cleaning, I could go on and on...but all I really want is Him.

I am so thankful for the timing of this study. What better time than Christmas, the celebration of HIS birth to be reminded that HE is all that matters. It's all about Him, and if I make it my life's goal to love Him and seek Him, all of those things that I listed above that are vying for my attention, will fall into place, because everything I need is in Him, and He has them all taken care of.

Jesus...He truly is the One and Only.

From Turkey Highs, to Longhorn Lows....

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The weather was just beautiful and the food was delicious. This was our year to spend Thanksgiving with B's family, so we drove over Thursday morning and ended up spending the rest of the weekend there. Everyone had a fun time until...the GAME. Oh, it was sad, so very sad! But doesn't Ellie look cute in her big brother's jersey?

I was worried that B was going to be in a post-game funk, however, my sweet in-laws let us go out on a date so that cheered us both up real quick! We did a little shopping, then ate at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants before heading home!

Today we are putting up our tree and Christmas decorations!! The weather is soo cold, which helps to put you in the Christmas spirit, as opposed to the years we are sweating as we put out our Snowmen! Now, if Santa could just get started on that Christmas list of his...

The Feast

Both yesterday and today we attended the boys Thanksgiving programs. The first one was Trent's. Every year at his preschool they go all out and have a Thanksgiving program, complete with Pilgrims, Indians, turkey, and the the ever-popular screaming toddler who walked on stage, saw Mommy, and caught a terminal case of stage fright! (I'm not judging...my oldest one was famous for that!) Anyway, as usual, it was precious...well at least I think it was. I was so busy wrestling my precious Ellie Kate, that I didn't really get a chance to see much of the program at all...and when I did look up and actually watch Trent, I was in that daze that all mother's know - the one when you are staring at something, making all the appropriate expressions, maybe even singing along, but actually all the while praying to God that your other child will stop all the squirming and whining and just be still for one second for goodness sakes!!!! Anyway, it really was cute and Trent enjoyed being the center of attention during lunch...Nanny, Meme, Poppy, and his great-grandfather PawPaw Jimmy came to watch so he was all about that! It was his last feast at this preschool because next year he will be heading off to Kindergarten! :( I can't believe it!

Well, after our feast yesterday, I wised up and called our precious baby-sitter and left Ellie at home so we could head back out today and listen to one more version of Tom, Tom Turkey, this time performed by Jake and his second grade class. It was so cute, because instead of screaming, stage-fright filled toddlers, you have a bunch of second grade boys who have that "I can't believe my teacher is making me do this, and would everyone just please stop looking at me" face! After the performance, we enjoyed a feast fit for a king (or Pilgrim), that included turkey and cheese sandwiches, Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos and cupcakes, among other fine delicacies! Yuummm! And don't think for a second that the kids weren't all over that menu! :) All in all it was a great time and the best part was Jake came home early with us, which officially kicked off our Thanksgiving holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That...

Okay, let me be the first to say that my "Thankful Thursday" list stunk it up to high heaven! What a pitiful display of thankfulness! In my defense, I had been taking care of a sick child most of the day, but still...it was bad!

I am so excited about this weekend. Tonight is our Small Group's girls night out at my parents lake house. I went out there this morning to set some things up, and it is just absolutely gorgeous!! The trees look like they are on fire, their colors are amazing! (I LOVE FALL!) Too bad it will be pitch dark by the time we all get out there, but it will still be fun! Tomorrow, I am having a girls day with 4 of my dearest friends! How did I get so lucky?? Two girl events in 24 hours??? The Lord has definitely shown His favor on me this weekend! Don't you just love your girlfriends? God has blessed my life with some precious friends...they have seen me through good and bad times, made me laugh, cried with me, supported me, confronted me, prayed for me, prayed with me, listened to me, encouraged me, and even taught me how to make fried pickles...heehee! I am so thankful to the Lord for each one of them!

On a completely different note, I am going to attempt to try and post some pics of the kids...I am not sure if I remember how to do this, so hang with me, there's no telling what I might end up posting! :)

I hope you all have a great weekend! :)

Thankful Thursday

I almost forgot that today is Thankful Thursday! :) I am sooo stinkin' tired right now so let's just hope that I can stay awake long enough to finish...
I am thankful...
that Trent is feeling better!
for my husband who brought me Andy's Frozen Custard tonight! YUMMMM!
that B has the weekend off
for a sweet sister in law
for my comfy bed that I am about to crawl into
that Julie's sweet baby boy Simon is here and healthy!
Have a great Thursday!

I'm so glad you asked....

Eleven years ago today B asked me to marry him. When I look back over the past eleven years I can not believe how good God has been to us. When we got married we had only been together a year, so to say our first year of marriage was tough is a little bit of an understatement. Follow that first year up with a move to a new town, buying a first home, a miscarriage, then finally getting pregnant with our first child and it makes that first year look like a cake walk! We've certainly seen our share of heartache and disappointment, but God has been so faithful to bless us through it all with joy and a deep abiding love for each other. I will never know why He saw fit to bless me with such a wonderful husband, because I certainly did nothing to deserve it!

B, the past eleven years have been the most wonderful years of my life. You have loved me when I was unlovable, you have been so patient with me, always there encouraging me with such gentle words and you have shown me what love really is. You are a wonderful father to our children and a servant leader to this family. I love you so very much more than I did eleven years ago. I had no idea what was in store when I said yes, but it has been so much more than I ever could have imagined. I am so glad you asked! I love you!

Thankful Thursday

Okay, I am taking an idea from my sister-in-law's darling little blog, and doing a "Thankful Thursday" list.
Here is what I am thankful for today...
God's grace
Old friends
My sweet husband who is so patient, with me and the kids
My pumpkin scented candle
A stocked refrigerator which means I won't have to brave the grocery store for at least another 48 hours!
A new episode of "The Office"!!
A quiet afternoon!
Enjoy your Thursday!

Put on the Armor!

This morning when meeting with my girls to pray, one of them began to talk about how the Lord is really opening her eyes to the realities of Spiritual Warfare. That term can sometimes make people uncomfortable and cause some to conjure up some "kooky" ideas in their minds. However, God's word is clear that it is a reality. So, the point is that in the last 2 days this particular subject has come up 3 different times! I can't help but believe that God is trying to say something to me...duh!! My next thought is, what??!! Ephesians 6 is at the heart of each of these conversations. I have read those verses a hundred times, and I've heard them quoted at least a hundred more, thanks to Bibleman...but am I putting them into practice? And how does that look on a daily basis..."putting on the armor of God"? Prayer? Reading/studying the Word? Okay, I am doing that, but what else? And then obviously, I am asking, "Okay, Lord, what in the world are you trying to prepare me for??!!"

Intervention

I may or may not know the person responsible for this...



somebody stop me!!!

Do Over

"Do over!" is something my brothers and I would yell when we were young whenever we wanted another turn at bat, or another turn at any game we might be playing...and it was usually when we were losing that we'd pull the "do-over" card out the most. Well, I'm calling a "do-over" with this whole blog thing. I started one this summer, but once fall kicked in with all of it's activities, I jumped ship and deleted the whole thing! That's right, deleted it...not "took a bloggy-break" as I've seen it put...not just put it on hold, or even just left it alone, but deleted the whole darn thing!!! Which is probably attributed to my perfectionist personality that I just discovered I had by taking this personality test with B this afternoon! Who knew?? Well, maybe me...and definitely B, and I guess anyone else who truly knows me. The problem with that is I am typically way too hard on myself and if I can't do something exactly right, then I don't do it at all. Not a good thing, (and for the record I am going to be praying about this in the near future!), so I am really going to try and stretch myself with this here little blog. I may post daily, or I may not, it may be every other day, or it may be every other week, whenever I have the time and feel like there is something worth sharing! (with all 5 of you who may actually read this) I know, I know....it sounds crazy to those of you who don't suffer from this ridiculous way of thinking that I would even have to disclaim this - (as if anybody will be checking their computer daily to see what I've posted)...but hey, I'm just being real, people!
So, here goes my do-over!!