Month of Thankfulness... Day 7

As I sit here, struggling with a sinus infection that is kicking my butt, I'm am so very thankful for antibiotics and steroid nasal spray! 

I'm also thankful for a husband who went out last night, when he would have rather been watching the election night coverage, to pick up my medicine and even brought me a special treat to help me feel better.

And I would wager that my children are a bit thankful that mommy isn't going to be a hardcore homeschool mommy today.  :-) 

Month of Thankfulness... Day 6

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 Election day, 2012.  The news just called the race for presidency, and President Obama has been re-elected.

Today, I'm thankful that even when the outcome of an election didn't go the way I had hoped, that I was still able to vote.

It's so easy to forget that there are women around the world who aren't allowed to vote, simple because they are women.  It's easy to forget that there are countries were democracy doesn't flourish.  I'm thankful for where I live, and the privilege I have to vote.

The above picture is a little election humor for you.  It's amazing to see how many people think one candidate is the hope for our country.  But we're simply voting for a sinner.  God is the only hope for our country.

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

Father forgive us... heal our land.

Month of Thankfulness... Day 5

 Today I'm thankful for the ability to read.  I'm thankful that I've been the one to teach my children to read, and see the light in their eyes when they read for the first time.

Today, I saw that in the eyes of Micah.  He's been a struggling reader... nervous to read... afraid of failing... settling with Bob Books.   This morning as we were beginning our school day, I gave my sweet son a dose of harsh encouragment, and placed a Little Bear book in his hands.  I could see it in his eyes... he was convinced he couldn't read "a real book".  But then, after only one page, I saw the change in his eyes as he realized HE COULD read real books!!  That simple moment meant so much more to me as a mom than Micah reading a book.  I saw my son's bravery.  I saw how he wanted to give up, make excuses, throw a fit a quit.  And then I saw him soften, become brave, and try. 

That moment is why I love homeschooling.

Month of Thankfulness... Day 4

This semester, Curtis and I have been doing some hard work alongside of our children, in a battle for their hearts and attitudes.  As any parent can relate, this has not been an easy or fun battle.  Some days I see huge progress, and other times I'm left in tears and in prayer, knowing I can't do any more in my own strength.

And in the midst of the battle, I'm thankful for laughter and teachable moments.

One such moment arrived on a Monday morning.  Elizabeth was struggling to be obedient to me as we started homeschooling.  Since she and Micah have made professions of faith this year, I've been trying to remind them of the power of the Holy Spirit as they fight against sin.  I had a long conversation with Elizabeth about how she was struggling against the old, sinful man, and the new man, seeking to glorify God.  I also talked with Micah and Benjamin about the stuggle Elizabeth was having, encouraging them to show grace to their sister in her time of need.

We made it through the morning, and Curtis came home for lunch to serve as back up.  Benjamin sat next to him and said, "Daddy, Eizabeth is having a hard day.  See, she has a war inside of her.  A war between the Holy Spirit and an old man."

While Benjamin clearly didn't fully understand the point I was making, I was thankful for that teachable moment.  And a time to laugh!

Month of Thankfulness... Day 3

16 years ago, which for those of you keeping track was half my life ago, I moved to Texas.  I was not at all happy about the move, and I was more than ready to let anyone around me know how I felt about this hot, miserable state.  If you had told me 16 years ago that I would still be in TX, that I would be happily married to a Texan, and have four little TX babies, I would have been horrified. 

Yet, here I am!  Very thankful for where God has me.

So while I still hate the weather here, today I'm thankful that I have a home in Texas, and I'm raising four little Texans alongside my wonderful Texan husband.  I'm thankful that God's plans are so rich and full.  I'm thankful that he just smiled at my teenage angst, and kept me on the road to his perfect plan for my life.

(I think somewhere deep inside, my 16 year old self is freaking out about all this.....)

Month of Thankfulness... Day 2

This morning, I'm thankful for a sweet husband.  As we walk through the trials and challenges of life and parenthood, it's easy for each of us to put our marriage on the back burner.  We both know it will be there when the storms of life have settled, because we made a promise to each other.  But sometimes, when the storms are particularly long, we forget to go back and focus on our marriage the way we need to.  This morning, Curtis showed me that he loves me, cares about, is praying for me, and that his priority isn't his job, or the kids.  His priority is me, our marriage, the foundation of our home.  And I'm so thankful to be married to that kind of man!

Month of Thankfulness... Day 1

As I hear my children working on their morning chores, I'm thankful for what big helpers they are.  Sure, there are times when they make ridiculous messes, add to my work load, or try to find the short cut.  But overall, they really are good helpers.  It's encouraging to see how far they've come, and what amazing people they're growing into.

Micah the 1st grader

Name: Micah
Age: 6
Favorite Color: maroon
Favorite thing to eat for breakfast: meat
Favorite thing to eat for lunch: sandwiches
Favorite thing to eat for dinner: macaroni and cheese
Favorite thing to eat for dessert: cinnamon roll cake
Favorite movie: Yogi Bear
Favorite TV show: Wild Kratts
Favorite place to go: Nathan's house
Favorite book: Curious George
Favorite thing to wear: church clothes
Favorite sport: flag football
Favorite shoes: my new tennis shoes

Things that make me.....
happy: my family, bowling, Katy
sad: Katy running away
laugh: tickling and pillow fights and playing on the computer
cry: I don't know any
excited: tee ball and Christmas and church day

Benjamin the Kindergartener

Name: Benjamin
Age: 5
Favorite Color: green
Favorite thing to eat for breakfast: chicken
Favorite thing to eat for lunch: fruit
Favorite thing to eat for dinner: sausage
Favorite thing to eat for dessert: marshmellow cake
Favorite movie: Cars 2
Favorite TV show: Dino Dan
Favorite place to go: the movie theater
Favorite book: Batman
Favorite thing to wear: that baseball shirt
Favorite sport: flag football
Favorite shoes: my new light up shoes

Things that make me.....
happy: Christmas, going to basketball games with Daddy
sad: Katy running away
laugh: getting tickled, being crazy
cry: I don't know
excited: my birthday! and Christmas

Elizabeth the 3rd grader

Name: Elizabeth
Age:8
Favorite Color:pink
Favorite thing to eat for breakfast:oatmeal
Favorite thing to eat for lunch:fruit salad
Favorite thing to eat for dinner: the cheesiest macaroni and cheese
Favorite thing to eat for dessert: icecream, cookies and popsicles
Favorite movie: Barbie
Favorite TV show: Good Luck Charleigh and Shake It Up
Favorite place to go: Olive Garden
Favorite book: My own, the book I write
Favorite thing to wear: dressed
Favorite sport: swimming
Favorite shoes: high heeled shoes

Things that make me.....
happy: family, Katy, house
sad: when my family is mad at me
laugh: getting tickled
cry: getting a booboo
excited: presents

Almost homeless!

If you've been following this blog for awhile, you'll know that about two years ago, we put the house on the market.  It was on the market for nine months, and never sold.  We waited for selling season to start up again, and this past March, we put the house on the market again.  This time, we weren't simply trying to sell the house to find some place bigger.  The main reason we were trying to move was to get away from a neighbor.  The stakes were a lot higher this time around!

We found a realtor, explained our situation, and put the house on the market in late March.  We had several showings each week, which was so encouraging.  We got an offer in April, but it wasn't a good one, and we weren't able to come to an agreement on a price.  When we let that go, I cried.  I was trying my hardest to trust God, but it was hard.  Our family needed away, and I felt trapped.

We dropped the price when our showings slowed down.  When our showings didn't pick back up, we got nervous.  But May was such a busy month, my attention was less and less on our house situation, and more on all the things were were doing as a family.

The first weekend in June, we had our last crazy weekend, and looked forward to life slowing down a little.  We were nothing short of shocked when our realtor called to tell us that we an offer.  A good one!!  It was so good, we immediatly took the offer, no negotiating, and started the house hunt.

My amazing husband had been keeping his eye on this house while we waited and prayed that our house would sell.

We got the offer on our house on a Saturday, accepted their offer and our house went into contract on Monday, which was the same day we saw the above house, which we made an offer on just two days later.

Now, our house is a whirl wind of excitement!  We close on our current house on July 6th, and then close on the new house on July 12th.  We're still sorting through a lot of the details, but with the help of my family, and the help of friends, I think it's all going to work out!! 

I'm still totally overwhelmed by how God worked this situation out.  I knew he would, but it's been so good to actually see it happening first hand.

Dear Benjamin

Dear Benjamin,

Some day, when you are older, you will read this blog and realize that I never did a birthday post for you when you turned 5.  And though I could write a quick blog, put up some pictures, post date it, and you'd never know the difference, I've decided not to.  Let me explain.

The past several months that we've faced as a family have been the hardest months of my life.  Aside from losing your Grammii, your daddy and I have never faced anything quite as hard as the road we've been walking.  When you were a baby, and we had your wonky head fixed, that was a hard road.  Mommy and Daddy were so scared for you, our little baby, facing such a huge surgery.  I used this blog, and your blog, to recount the amazing work that God did in your life.  But this time, it's different.  I can't just process things on the blog as easily.  So, while I faced the hard things that were placed in our lives, I didn't blog.

The hard road that we walked didn't involve anything with you.  And because of that, you and Micah have been feeling a little ignored and neglected.  I'm so sorry.  I wish that there was enough of me to deal with the hard and trying things, and still be the fun, loving mommy I strive to be.  But this time, there just wasn't enough of me.

Lest you think your 5th birthday was a horrible, depressing day void of celebration, let me assure you that we celebrated!!  We had fun together, as a family, enjoying the blessing that YOU are to us!!

Benjamin, you bring a smile to my face every single day.  You are so full of life and joy that you brighten the day of anyone you meet.  I love you, and am so thankful to be your Mommy!!

With all my heart,
Mommy

32

Yesterday, I turned 32.  We are in the midst of a really busy week, but yesterday was a calm day.  While doing some laundry and washing some dishes, I found myself reflecting on being in my 30's, what God has been doing in my life, and contemplating the past year.  We're had quite a year!!  But through those things, God has been at work, teaching me and growing me.  I can absolutly say that I'm being refined by fire!

Here are 32 things that I've learned this year.

1. God doesn't promise things will be easy.
2. Hard times don't always have a concrete ending point.
3. Watching what you eat isn't fun.
4. Watching what you eat coupled with exercise will produce results.
5. I've put limits on myself that I've enjoyed challenging.
6. Challenging my limits is fun!
7. The hope of Heaven has become more and more real.
8. Being a mom doesn't get easier the longer you do it.
9. Justice doesn't satisfy the way I thought it would.
10. Friends who know when to advice and when to just be are blessings.
11. The internet can be dangerous.
12. Grief is a process.  Sometimes, I long process.
13. I need to cherish little moments more.
14. Not having a baby is kinda nice.
15. Just because I didn't get the results I expected doesn't mean I wasn't doing what God called me to do.
16. Skype, e-mail, and Facebook make the miles seem less.
17. You can always call on family.
18. Children pick up more than I would have thought.
19. There are right and wrong ways of handling conflict with another believer.
20. Handling conflict the same way twice doesn't always work.
21. Eating at home can save a lot of money.
22. A good marriage is worth the fight.
23. I need to read more books to my children.
24. Exercise is better at relieving my stress than eating my stress.
25. Worship is refreshing.
26. Cancer sucks.
27. Being organized is a blessing and a curse.
28. When dealing with struggles, you can still pray for others facing struggles.
29. God doesn't promise to not give me more than I can handle.
30. He does promise that He can handle everything He gives me.
31. I don't want to live in fear.
32. I want to live by grace.

Wedding Shower

There are many things I love about our church. Because of the season of life Curtis and I are in, we're able to encourage/mentor/build friendships with some amazing college students. One of these students is Stephanie. She and I got to know each other more about a year and a half ago. She is now engaged to a wonderful man, and Micah and Elizabeth are in the wedding, and I was able to throw Stephanie's church shower. God is good. From generation to generation. I look forward to seeing how God will bless Grant and Stephanie as they begin their new life together.

Opening Ceremonies

This spring, one of Curtis' dreams as a parent has come true. He has two sons playing tee ball and he's the coach for their team. We had several practices, and then it was time for Opening Ceremonies! The teams paraded around Olsen Field (where the Aggies play), waving their hats, we sang the National Anthem, and the teams were introduced. It was a really fun evening!

Micah's birthday party

Even though his party was over a month ago, I had to blog about Micah's AMAZING 6th birthday party. He had an A&M Science Party. We had about a dozen little scientists in our home, setting of a volcano, making slime, oobleck, lava lamps and geysers. It was a blast.... literally!!

A weight

Life has been hard. Life has been busy. Life has been full of challenges. But life has also had wonderful moments and new memories have been made. Hopefully, I can recap April, before all the busyness of May kicks in. Today, I feel light. A burden has been lifted, justice is being served, and I am thankful. I didn't realize how strongly the weight of the past few months was weighing on me, until recently. And now I rejoice!! I knew God would prove himself faithful, and he has. I knew justice would be served, and it has been. I knew I would grown and mature, and I have. We're still not out of the woods of this trial, but I now have the encouragement that this season won't last forever. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

preserve

This morning, we're preparing our family to celebrate Palm Sunday.

We're also preparing our home for two showings this afternoon.

I'm finding it very hard to balance the two, though I know the more imprtant is preparing my heart and the helping and tending the hearts of my children. The balancing act that I'm seeking is one that any parent is familiar with. Following the wisdom of a friend, I put myself in the Word. And here's the verse I read from Psalms.

3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.

7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.

Psalm 11

As we seek to walk as children of the promise, in faith and not by sight, I find myself growing tired and frustrated. I know that God is teaching me perseverance at this point. It would be so easy to become discouraged, to feel picked on by God and frustrated that though I see his hand, I don't know his plan. The Psalms brought just the encouraged to preserve that I needed. The Lord is righteous! And when I don't know what to do, my step of obedience is to believe that.

Choice of Obedience

I have a choice. I can choose to be upset, mad, angry at God for the circumstances we find our family right now. Or, I can choose to stand in faith, and walk in obedience.

And though it's hard, though I don't understand, and though I don't see how, I will walk by faith and obedience, standing in God's promises.

This week has been discouraging. We're not making the headway in the criminal investigation that I had hoped for. Our house, which we put on the market last week, has been showing, but we haven't gotten any offers, and then we learned that there's another house in our neighborhood also for sell, giving us undesired competition. These combined events have led me to feel more discouraged than I had been. This morning, I decided I had to make a deliberate effort to remind myself of God's love, promises, faithfulness, mercy and grace.

As I was listening to music that encouraged my soul, I came across this song by Keith and Kristyn Getty.

When Trials Come

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it's shadow I shall run
Till You complete the work begun
Till You complete the work begun

One day all things will be made new
I'll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I'll praise your faithfulness of old
I'll praise your faithfulness of old

How true these lyrics are! God's ways are good, though I don't see it right now. God is at work in my family, growing our faith to be worth more than gold. And each morning, I lean on God for the new mercies I know I will find.

My, how times change.

I love seeing what God's been doing in our family. Here's a visible reminder that even though life's thrown us some bumps, God is good!!