Thursday, December 25, 2008

Monday, December 22, 2008

My sweet baby's 2 today!

I can't believe it. Well, really I can, but I just can't believe it! Haha. I'm silly, I know. I'm just so proud of my kids.

Anyway, we had THE Birthday party this weekend. It was a crowd in our house that we haven't seen since about a year ago this time. hehe.

He got great presents and I got rid of a bunch of baby stuff/toys we had. Dena took it all home. I know she was not happy with hauling everything, but it sure will make things easier down the road. She isn't having to buy very much - just really clothes.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I got an A

in my English class!!! Yay! Yay! Yay!

We won't talk about my C in Biology. I wonder what would have happened if I'd studied.....

Guess we'll see next semester.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Friday
















This past Friday, after Josh woke up from his nap, he and I headed up to Dena's. She got off early, so we did some shopping, met Lisa, ate dinner, had ice cream and I headed home. It was a really good time with good friends and good food.










Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Who would have ever thought we could come together over warts???

Crazy, right?

My stepson and I have a strained relationship (understatement). He holds me personally responsible for him not living with his mother. He has come out and said before that if I would just "talk to Dad", he would just move him down there. I've come to understand that he truly believes that I am the only thing standing in between him and unbelieveable happiness.

Anyway, he spent the week of Thanksgiving with his mother and just came home Sunday night. As usual, we have the time of adjusting back to living where life is so awful. Monday night, we were out running errands/grocery shopping and we had yet another conversation about him living where he's most unhappy.

History: Cody has some really bad warts on his hand. I took him to the doctor just before he went for Thanksgiving and she froze them. She said to buy an over the counter freezing kit and start it when he came back from San Antonio.

Fast forward: Tonight was youth group for the boys. Cody came out to the van telling me that he had been at the alter praying and Pastor Billy came up with tears running down his face and his hands shaking. He said Pastor Billy told him that he felt that the Lord really had something special for Cody and wanted to pray with/for him. Before he told me that, he asked me if Pastor Billy and I were good friends or something. It's funny how God will use somebody who is an aquaintance, but not a "friend" for such things. The Holy Spirit is awesome!

Once we got home, I'm freezing his warts and our conversation goes to what God could have for him and on to him being able to be blessed means he needs to be in God's will. On from there to where God wants him to live and why. On from there to that we don't dislike or hate his mom, but want God's will for him and a godly example. He was so receptive and really pleasant. I really, truly feel like God got through to him tonight.

Who would have known that God could use warts for His good? I mean, He says He can use anything and He means it.

God is good...
All the time!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Black Friday

I've never, ever been a big shopper. I like to be able to go when I have some money to spend, or when the mood hits me to just look around, but it's not very often that I really want to. This year, however, I discovered that I LOVE the hunt on Black Friday. Julie called me Thursday afternoon with the information that Grapevine Mills Mall was starting Black Friday with a Midnight Madness sale. And it was midnight madness! It was almost like there was a full moon.

We started at Grapevine Mills at midnight, got to Toys R Us at 4am, headed to Target after that, then to Gamestop, JCPenney's, Walmart, Kohl's and ended with Mardel's. We got home at lunchtime. I wish I had taken my camera - I've never seen anything like that.

I got just about everything that we need for the kids - all of them doorbusters! I do believe, however, that we'll have a survival kit for next year. Inside it will be:

water bottles
Monsters
toothbrush/toothpaste
gum
hand lotion
a holder of some sort for cell phones - Julie lost her phone

I, at least, will be showering for the night before we leave and putting my hair in a pony tail or hat or both. I have never felt as crusty as I did when we got home with my 2-day makeup and unwashed hair.

We saw a group of three women who had matching shirts on that said "Black Friday Divas" on it. At first I thought it was silly, but now, I don't know.

Also, my Aunt Janet had sent her Christmas presents to us a bit early and said to get them at Thanksgiving because we would "need" them. They are car costumes! I have reindeer antlers and a red nose on my van. I had second thoughts about it after I realized what people were staring/waving at, but all second thoughts vanished when I was one of the very few people who could spot my vehicle across the crowded Black Friday parking lot at any store!

I had a blast and hope to do it again with Julie next year. Oh, and if I had bought everything I bought at full price, I would have paid $360.00 more than I did. I was really excited about that!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

My Baby's Sick

I hate it for him! He's so sweet most of the time, but he has a double ear infection and is quite fussy. Hopefully he'll be much better tomorrow. I feel so bad for him when he gets whiney and fussy.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Pictures from JCPenney

Karleigh

Joshua



Cody



Jacob


Emily



Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Some recent pictures of the cutest baby in 11 years...












This week

is crazy!

Saben,
Alera,
Ivye,
Rilee,
Brayden,
and of course, Joshua

Everybody's 3 and under.

I'm crazy, I know, but I've learned some things:

Crickets are extremely interesting - especially when they're under the kitchen table and really especially if they're missing a leg, and really, really especially if that leg is lying on the floor next to them!

"At least you're not ugly" according to Saben and talking to me.

Saben's Daddy takes way too long in the bathroom and that's why he won't go anywhere but his diaper - he has not got the time.

Nobody wants my attention until I'm on the computer.

Goldfish crackers are more valuable than money.

You can run faster when you're yelling and even faster when you're yelling and you've just taken a toy away from somebody else.

The Christmas tree (yes it's already up) is a HUGE attraction, even with a fence around it.

Naptime is worth so very much.

I'm tired.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

I really should post more often

My baby is so big! I haven't uploaded the pictures from my camera in forever, so I'll just put a few here.

Naptimes have changed over the last few days. I have been keeping several kiddos - a couple of them are every day, and three are just here and there. When the "here and there" kids are here, they take their naps on pallets in the living room floor. On a whim, I made Joshua a pallet on the floor and he laid right down and went to sleep! I was so amazed by him. He's getting bigger and bigger every day! He's also talking so much. I absolutely love hearing him get a point across. I know there will come a day when I will wish he'll be quiet, but not yet. hehe.

On a different note, our good friends, Tim, Laura and their kids, will be moving here in a couple of months. I can't wait. Laura is one of my best friends. She's one of those people that you just know will always be close. I am so blessed with my friends. I know I have been given more than most people and I am so very thankful.

This school semester is almost over! Just a few more weeks and we'll be out for Christmas break. That's amazing to think about. I'm really proud of myself. :-)

Football and baseball are over and I can't say I'm really sad about that. Emily's coming this weekend and we're having some Christmas pictures done of all 4 kids - and some with Karleigh. It would be silly to not have her there when she'd be the only grandkid missing for my parents.

I'll have to get to the pictures later.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Why?

Why do I have to have a kid who won't sleep? I know it sounds so pitiful and whiney, but I'm so tired of it. He'll rock along just fine for a few weeks, then for several nights in a row, just refuses to sleep. It all starts with a nap strike, then moves on to crying in the night, and finally on to staying up for about 3-4 hours per night. I complain, but it is truly so very much better than it used to be. I do remember where we came from just since March, but it's still maddening.

David's parents were here this weekend. They came on Friday evening and left this morning. Joshua kept the entire house up all three nights. I'm sure they're exhausted from him.

I hate not being able to go anywhere. It's worse every time we've tried to spend the night away from home to the point that I just won't. I hate that I am the only person who can put the kid to bed. I can't ever leave.

I love my child so very much that it hurts. I adore him. He's so precious and sweet. I love watching him grow and change. That said, I do not miss him being a baby. I don't miss not sleeping and sitting up with a crying baby all night. He was not colicky - he simply would not be put down.

I tried letting him cry it out, along with so many other things that my head spins and nothing worked for so long. I don't know if I really found the "magic" combination of things, or if he just grew into sleeping through the night. It really doesn't matter, but when he goes through a few days like this - not napping and up during the night - I revert directly back to that mindset that I had during that first 15 months. It's like I'm shell-shocked or something.

I shouldn't complain about it at all. I know he's healthy and happy and beautiful. I know of so many Mamas who don't get to have their babies with them for whatever reasons. I do not take him for granted, just feel a little tortured sometimes.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

22 months old

I can't believe he's almost 2. Just can't believe it. He's gotten so big, so fast.

Mom bought him some footy-pajamas for an early birthday present and I told her to get 3T's. When I got home from school tonight, I picked up one of them and thought that there was absolutely no way he could wear something that BIG, but guess what he's sleeping in. Crazy, crazy, crazy.

It's amazing how fast they grow up. I know that's cliche', but it's true. I look at Jake who's so tall and handsome - how he looks nothing like a boy, and all like a teenager now and just can't believe it. He's just 3 months away from being 13.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Down...Set...Hut....

Yesterday, David had football on the tv while we were getting ready for our Bible study. Joshua kept getting in a crouching position, waiting a few seconds and then popping up and running. We finally put together what he was doing and caught it on video a few times. It was hilarious! Cody and David decided to do it with him and it was so cute.




Friday, October 10, 2008

Cheering on the Lobos!

Joshua had been quite the little cheerleader at Cody's games lately. When I figured out what he was doing, he kinda' quit, but I got a little clip of him.


this morning

Wow. I just needed to come home and go to bed I guess.

I got up this morning and took the cupcakes I'd made really late last night to school for the boys. Their teachers were very happy with me and I get to do it again for Jake's class at least on Oct. 30. That's fine.

After that, Josh and I headed to The Colony to get the tags for the van. I got all the way down there and my wallet wasn't in my purse. I figured out it was still in my school bag at home, so we came home to get it. We headed back and called David on the way to see if he wanted to eat lunch with us. He did, so we were going to get the tags and meet him. Ok. I get into the tag office and there is somebody with both cashiers, so Josh and I were waiting. I had a sudden shocking realization that I left the insurance card in the van, so out we went. We got back inside and no kidding, there were 8 people who had come in while we were in the van and the same two were still with the cashiers. We had to pick up Jake at 1, so couldn't wait and still get lunch. grrrr. So, now the baby's sleeping, Jake is on the couch, David's sleeping and we have not gotten the tags yet. I absolutely have to do it today because I'll have too many extra children with me next week.

On a different note, David's hours are changing. He will be working M-F from 2-10 pm. He's really excited about it and I'm happy that he's happy. He'll have every weekend off and that helps so very much with all the ballgames we have.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

I have lots of things I wanna blog. Let's see if I can get to them today.

Monday, September 29, 2008

babysitting

I have three kiddos under 2 today. It looks like I'll be keeping them for a while. Brayden is 4 mos and Rilee is 16 mos. Both are really sweet kids and it's been easier than I anticipated. I know it's the first day, but it's off to a great start!

Dad's angioplasty went well. He has one stent in and will get out of the hospital tomorrow morning. I'll go up there tonight to see him - after the babies go home and David gets up.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Josh has starting giving kisses. He's pressed his mouth against my cheek or neck for a while to give kisses, but lately he's trying to make the smack noise. haha. He will cluck his tongue on the roof of his mouth while he's pressing his mouth on my cheek. He's so stinkin' cute!

I gave blood today! I've never done it, in spite of trying several times in the past. Carter came to our church and had the drive during service.

We have home team tonight. I love it!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Yesterday was Dad's retirement party at work. It was really nice.

My Mom called me this morning to let me know that Dad has to have angioplasty surgery on Monday. I got a little ticked that they've decided to keep this under wraps until now since they've known about it for a while. It's not like he's just anybody or anything like that. But I do understand how my Dad is about people fussing over him and how much he hates that. I just don't want anything to be wrong with my Dad. He has a 70% blockage on an artery that they'll take care of. He should be back to normal by Thursday next week, so it's pretty easy to get over.

Oh, have I ever mentioned I have the cutest baby in the world? He pretty-much is.

He also has his own language...


Monday, September 22, 2008

Things have been busy!

I haven't really had time to even sit down, much less blog - and this one's on the fly! Josh is sleeping, I just had a shower and still need to get dressed and the boys will be home in about an hour.

This weekend was Cody's 13th birthday! Wow, 13. That's crazy. He had just turned 9 when I met him. He's grown so much - and not just in height.

Cody's Mom and Grandma came up for the weekend to hang out with him, bring him birthday presents and see his game on Saturday. I met them for him on Friday night and came home with Emily. It was nice to have her!

Emily, Joshua, Jacob and I got up on Saturday morning and went to Jacob's baseball game. Jacob played absolutely awesome! I love watching him. Ceth came and got him at the game and Emily, Joshua and I came home. Lisa came over (after watching the game too) and ate lunch with us. Josh didn't get much of a nap, but that's ok. Jake had a meeting from 4-7 at the church, which I had to be at the first hour of for Timothy Team (more on that some other time). Ceth met us there and then picked him up when it was over.

The three of us went over to Monika's and hung out with her and Jenna. Monika made dinner (gasp!) and the girls played the wii. It was lots of fun!

Sunday morning, we slept in and then Cody's mom and grandma brought him back and picked up Emily. Cody, Joshua and I went to Euless to pick up Jake after Joshua's nap, then headed over to Granny Franny's house for a little bit. It's always nice to go over there.

On the way home, we stopped by Walmart and picked up some stuff for the week. I let Cody pick out some stuff for dinner and we came home.

It was really nice to have the house quiet for me and Josh this morning. He's getting so big and I'm so thankful to get to be home with him.

Here's a clip of Jenna and Emily. They are too funny!


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Wow

I read this today in http://thelukesponbergfoundation.blogspot.com/'s blog. Again I'll just say wow. I'm going to read some later on and see what questions I can find that I should be asking myself as my husband's wife. I've read the passage in Ephesians that this comes from, just can't do it all right now.

--7 great questions for every husband to ask himself...

(1) Am I submitting to my wife out of reverence for Christ? (Eph. 5:21)

(2) Am I laying down my life for my bride as Christ did for His? (Eph. 5:25)

(3) Am I consistently sharing the Word with my wife? (Eph. 5:26)

(4) Am I looking out for my wife's needs and concerns like I tend to look out for my own? (Eph. 5:28)

(5) Am I united with my wife? (Eph. 5:31)

(6) Am I considerate and understanding with my wife? (1 Peter 3:7)

(7) Do I treat my wife with the respect she deserves as my partner and heir of the gift of life? (1 Peter 3:7)

A tall order. I wish I could say I have these things down. I wish I could say it all comes easy. But I can't.Asking myself is one thing. Asking a friend for their observations would be another. Asking my wife would be to take this extremely seriously.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Jenna's 13!

My sweet friend Monika's daughter, Jenna had her 13th birthday party today. She is so precious!

I went over there last night to make ice cream cake and sopapilla cheesecake. I guess they were a success as we had to leave because Joshua was melting down.

Oh, and yes, this is me putting off studying, but I'm gonna have to get after it...

Friday, September 12, 2008

ugh....

I hope this mess gets easier as I get more acclimated to thinking "school" again.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

This is really funny to me...

Endosymbiosis Theory explains how eukaryotes could evolve from prokaryotes. Cells engulfed other cells that became mitochondria and chloroplasts.

In English, science is saying that multi-celled organisms (plants and animals) evolved from single-celled organisms (bacteria, etc.) by sucking in other single-celled organisms and then they magically became small parts that magically started functioning just how they needed to, evolving into the parts inside the cell.

haha.

Biology

How can anybody study anything to do with Biology and not believe in God? We are studying the cell right now, which should be no surprise since it's beginning Biology. It fascinates me. I love to understand how it all works. I guess I'm a nerd at heart, but it's truly amazing to think about how God put everything together. He is so very creative. Amazing.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

This might get long....

I've been doing alot of thinking lately. That's scary, huh?



Anyway, it's time to really get real about rising up in my faith. It's more than that, really. I have been challenged. It's time to start spending regular time in my Bible and with God. I've got a schedule now where there's no real excuse, as if there ever really was an excuse. It's time to stop making excuses for unholy living. God doesn't make excuses.



It's scary to me how if you asked the average "Christian" who God is, they're happy to tell you how much God loves you and wants to "be there for you". I apologize if this offends somebody, but He is so much more than a God who catches us when we fall. That's not what it is all about. He calls us to holy lifestyles. He does not make excuses when we sin. He forgives, yes, but that is not a license to do whatever we want.



This post will probably be all over the place.



I'm sick of the pat you on the back Christianity that people live in. God forgives, yes. He loves, yes, but He's not just fire insurance.



I'm sick of an accepting lifestyle. God hates sin, it's that simple. He does not accept it. He does not allow us to just sit in it or keep on sinning because "everybody's human". (This is not meant to be judgmental.) I'm sick of Christians being embarrassed or quiet about their holy lifestyles. I'm not saying we need to be hard-nosed and ugly, but we can take a stand against sin in our lives.

God is not tolerant. No-matter what anybody says. He is forgiving, through Christ, but not tolerant. That is one of the hugest mistakes the Church is making (except for maybe the pre-trib rapture idea, but that's a different post). There are very clear directions in the Bible about removing sin from the Church. There are so many eschelons that this pertains to. Our bodies are the Temple, also the actual body of believers that is the Church. He gives us specific instructions about removing sin from both areas.

Another huge mistake is painting Christ as someone who just gives us warm fuzzies. He is love, but love is not a feeling or emotion. Affection is an emotion. Lust is an emotion. Love is not. Read 1 Cor 13. There is not anything about what Love is that feels. It's all action. The Bible paints a completely different picture of Christ. He is compassionate, yes, but he will be a warrior when he returns to Earth.

Enough for now.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

I got the sweetest birthday present

from my niece. She got a shoebox, wrote all over the top and filled it with things that she thought I would like. She put a bottle of water, some beads, a drawing, a couple of packages of fruit loops (grab and go snacks), some fruit snacks and a playdough creation (that still has to dry) in the box. She is so stinking cute. I think it's one of my best birthday presents ever. I love that kid.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

I don't like 6:00 am!

I actually stronger than don't like it. But I won't say some of the things I think of it. It comes waaaay too early. I know, I'm spoiled. I don't mind waking up ever so often, but I do not like it every day. If left to my own schedule, I'd go to bed around 1-2 am and sleep til 10ish. Not this stupidity. This is too early. And to top that off, Cody thinks it's stupid too, so since I wake him up, I'm the stupid one to go along with the 6:00. To interpret that, he doesn't like me in the mornings, and I don't blame him. I don't like me either. Jacob just doesn't speak at all, which is fine. I think I'll be going back to bed for about an hour when they leave. Then I'll have to get Josh and Karleigh up to take Karleigh to school. She doesn't have to be there until a more sensible 9:00. Sensible means I could sleep til 8:00.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

first day of school

for me!

I had an English class and Biology. My English teacher is hilarious. My Biology teacher is rather no so hilarious, but not boring either. I'm thinking it's not as scary as it seemed when I left for the school today.

Football!





I was like a tabloid photographer



Yesterday was the first day of school for my boys in the 7th grade. We've homeschooled the last two years, so this was a big change for all of us. They (being the tough grown-up 7th graders that they are) did not want their pictures taken. Well, Mom prevailed and I took them anyway - just had to sneak the camera through the bushes to do it. hehe. The bus picks them up right at our door, which is awesome.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Why did you put ice in the flowers, Cody?


"Because Sandy said they last longer."


"Who's Sandy?"


"You know, from Spongebob?"


again

It seems like every few weeks now, I have to sit here and listen to Joshua cry for a while. I don't know what makes him wake up on some nights and why it has to happen, but it does. If he keeps it up, I'll have to get him because I know he'll cry all night long if I don't. I don't know. I know he's done so much better and I really can't complain, but every time this happens, it takes me right back to my frustrations with him for not sleeping. I know if I get him, we'll be up until 4 or so and then he'll sleep til 10, take a really bad nap and be up and down tomorrow night. He won't get back on track until Thursday's nap or even bedtime. Why won't he just sleep? Why can't he just go back to bed with me? But no. Why does he only cry when I've just gone to sleep good. He's been crying now for about 45 minutes and started it about 20 minutes after I went to bed.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

grrr...

I don't know what is going on with me. It's almost like my body still cycles through pms just like before the hysterectomy. I have days where I'd just like to slap everybody I live with rather than look at them. And nobody's safe! I can want to whop anybody from David down to Josh. It's silly.

I'm ready for school to start.

I will say this afternoon is much better than this morning was. I was a "one-word-answer woman" this morning.

School starts next week, right?

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Perspectives

I've posted before on the different perspectives David and I had about the cups in the cabinet. It seems like lately that there have been so many times that a different "perspective" has been pointed out to me and the phrase, "It's all about your perspective" has been used. Could we be trying to learn something?

A blog friend posted today about her step-family and in the course of her blog brought up how Joseph was Jesus's step-father. I was amazed by that because I've never looked at it from that perspective. My kids thought it was really neat that Jesus had a step-dad. It was so cool to see them find another way to relate to their savior. So very cool.

I'm all about seeing things from different perspectives. I'd never given actually, consciously looking for the different perspective much of a thought.

Monday, August 11, 2008

So, Jacob came home and left again. :-(

He's at his Granny's school shopping and visiting cousins until Wednesday. It's so nice to know he's not so far away, though.

I'm so amazed by my kids. All of them. They are all growing up so very fast into such wonderful people.

Friday, August 08, 2008

yesterday

I had a date with my sweet husband last night. His birthday is tomorrow, so my parents came over to hang out with the kids.

We were going to go see Hancock at the Studio Movie Grill, but when we got there, the speakers were blown in that theater and the showing was cancelled. That was ok, so we went to Outback Steakhouse and had a really nice, relaxing, don't have to feed a baby dinner. It was so nice to just get to be just us.

After dinner, we went to Half Priced Books and just wandered around. We ended up at Walmart to get the stuff for ice cream cake and then came home. Joshua was so happy to see us, but still got whiney when Granny and Grandpa left.

The kids had fun with them and Mom even gave the girls and Josh a bath. It was really nice to have just everything taken care of.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Jacob

Jacob called last night. I was so happy to hear from him. He's so funny.

He said a 14 year old girl gave him her number. He gave it to Jackson and said, "Have fun". He said Jackson's eyes just lit up and he said, "Ohhh, yeah".

He talked nonstop for about 45 minutes. I'm so happy he's having a good time.

I do hate this for Cody, but I think he's ok. He is getting to play football now and wouldn't be able to if he had gone on the trip. I really don't think his Mom understands that we did not intend for this to be unfair or anything like that.

Perspectives

Not too long ago, David and I were lying in the bed discussing some stuff. It came up that I absolutely cannot stand it when I open the kitchen counter and find cups lying on their side like they've all just been absentmindedly knocked over. I was so shocked to hear him say that he absolutely cannot stand to have to unstack three cups to just get one, so he pulls one out and lets the other fall.



I cannot believe that we've spent three years like this. That is soooo silly!



We have laughed about that for days now.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

I guess this is my first "private" post. It feels kinda' good to not have to sensor my post. I mean, I don't put anything especially bad on here, but it is private. I'm liking that I'm able to post my bad days along with my good days. This way, also, I'll have more success with taking my thoughts captive unto Christ.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Jake's in Charlotte

We got up this morning at 3:45. It wasn't so bad. We were at the airport by 5. The Standout Youth Choir took over the AirTran ticket counter this morning. It was almost scary how many kids were there. I have seen them all together before, but not all spread out and together. I think the count was 60-some kids and 25 or so chaperones. Add all that to all the parents who were just checking their kids in and it was quite a few people.

Their plane left at 7 this morning and had a two hour layover in Atlanta. I'm not sure exactly what time they landed in Charlotte, but Jake called just before dinner to tell me that he was there and having a great time.

I hate this for Cody. I hate it that he couldn't be here for the stuff he needed to be to get to go. He keeps talking about next year, but he'll miss the practices before the trip, even if he's here for the fund-raisers. Then, the trip is during his time to be at his Mom's. Hopefully it can all work out. Also, football will be starting during his San Antonio visit next year. I know next year is our year to have the kids at the beginning of Summer instead of the end.

I'm thinking it's going to be a long night - Joshua's already crying....

Friday, August 01, 2008

I've made a decision

I've posted about it before, but will again. I added a blog tracker a few months back that tells me who reads my blog. Since that time, I've been careful of what I post because I know of some who read this. I hate to do it, but I am going to go to invitation only.

If you want to read my blog, please email me and I'll add you. There are a few old friends, acquaintances, and others in blogland who I know check it frequently and I love that, but there are some who just don't need to be in my daily business.

Thanks!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Jacob

I've posted before about Jacob's feet. My Mom and Dad took him shopping for some shoes for his trip to National's (more about that below). He has no tennis shoes to wear for all the walking around he'll be doing and would need some for school anyways, sooo...



They took him to a New Balance store to have him sized. Are you ready? 14WIDE!!! I am so in shock! He's only 12 years old. I know he's as tall as a grown man, but oh, my! I'm so very glad we live at a time where we can find shoes that size. My grandmother was telling me about taking my Dad for 14's and only had one store that carried them.



About National's (choir competition). I'm having some reality checks this week about thinking about watching my 12 year old get on a plane to Charlotte, NC without me. I know it's fine. He'll be one of two boys with the same chaperone, so he's not likely to get separated from the group. Plus, he's just level-headed anyway and would be able to get back where he needs to be if he did get separated. It's still mind-blowing to think of him going that far away. I don't know. I left him while I went to Europe for two weeks a few years ago, but he was with my parents. I had no problem with it. This is different. On top of everything else, he has to be at the airport at 5:15AM on Monday. That's insane.

It breaks my heart that Cody can't go. Maybe he'll get to next year. He's excited, though about football starting. I'm also going to try to get a friend of his down here from Wichita Falls. We had planned on him going up there, but with football, it's really not a good idea. Hopefully it will all work out. If not, we'll make it up to him somehow.

Friday, July 25, 2008

It is...

unreal what a one year old can do with spaghetti!

some pictures


Chocolate Banana Smoothies


Cutie Pie




This is what happens when Jacob Chop Suey's his eyebrows and won't let anybody see them!

snacks during family game night

Saturday, July 19, 2008

I have great hair!

For a couple of weeks, at least. Julie took me today to have it done in return for keeping Trace for her. Our hair chick is awesome! She did highlights and a cut.

That's all....g'night.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Good news!

I have been trying to find a way to get myself enrolled in school this Fall. I missed the deadline for financial aid and there is absolutely no way we can pay for it ourselves. I got all my stuff turned in anyway, and am approved for a grant and a loan, but it wouldn't be here in time. I was talking to my Dad about it all and he remembered he has an account that was set up for me when I was really young that he's been putting $10/month in forever. He's only gotten money out a few times for big purchases for me, and otherwise it's been left alone. He said he'd be happy for me to use that for school. He had no idea, however, how much money was in there. He said for some strange reason, he hasn't seen a statement on it in years. Anyway, I called the bank and there is plenty for me to get going with - maybe even for three semesters! For sure, for three semesters if I keep getting partial grants. It would totally rock if I could get through school without any loans. Can we say God's provision?

In other news, I have a whole bunch of kids lately. Our friends' girls are here to visit Emily (per her request earlier, and they're just sweet kids). Karleigh has a few more days here. Chandler is off and on for the rest of Summer. Trace is here pretty-much every day. Jacob and Cody will be back from camp on Friday. Joshua of course, is here. Some would call me crazy....I don't think so. There's not a bad one in the bunch.

I'm going to bed.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Bounce Houses!





I don't really have much to say, but I feel like blogging and it's my blog, so I can.

Emily and I just put a cake in the oven. I love how "homemakerish" she is. I don't know any other word for it except maybe "girly". She loves to bake, cook, do laundry (or so she says and for now), play baby, take care of Josh, take care of whoever else will let her (except Karleigh), etc. She's really a neat kid.

All my kids are neat. Cody is very spontaneous and just loves to have fun. Jacob loves fun, too, but isn't nearly as spontaneous - he's a little more reserved, kinda' the huntin', fishin', workin' in the shop type. Joshua is all about Mama (and Blue's Clues, oh, and Thomas) and I love, love, love it. I know he won't always be that way. Karleigh (I'll count her as mine) has so much spunk and so many leadership qualities that it's mind-boggling. Emily's just precious. Each one has an firm grasp and understanding of who Christ is and what he did for them (save, of course, Josh). Each one is at a different place in their spiritual walk and it's quite an honor to be a parent (or aunt) to them.

I didn't mean for this to turn into a sort of tribute to my kids, but that's ok.

This weekend has been nice. Yesterday, we went up to Sherman for Kerstyn's 3rd birthday party. She had it at a bounce land in the mall there and it was sooo much fun for the girls and Josh. He had never been in a bounce house before and it's safe to say, I see a few in our future. He was so excited he was squeeling and shaking. I thought something was wrong with him at first because he's never responded quite like that to anything before. I really would have loved for David to be there. I'll post some pictures in my next post.

Friday, July 11, 2008

My sweet baby

is getting so big! He's using more and more words every day. I couldn't even begin to list them all. Most are still really garbled, but I'm starting to understand more and more. I love it. I can't wait for the conversations and I can't wait to get tired of hearing him talk. I know both will come.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

cute

Joshua today did something new. Well, maybe it wasn't so new, I just didn't understand him before.

I was standing in the kitchen and Karleigh was coming toward me with her arms out looking for some attention. Joshua was in between us and facing her. When Karleigh got close, Josh put his hand in the middle of her chest and said, "NO....MINE!" About me! It was so stinkin cute! I think the poor baby is in some sad need of Mommy time. Hopefully he'll get some tomorrow. I'll do my best anyway. Sweet little guy...

dimensions

I was just reading a friend's post for the day when I think I understand something now. Well, maybe I understood it before, just have a new way of looking at it.

Before we are saved, we see things two-dimensionally - the physical and mental. After we know the Lord, the Holy Spirit begins to show us the three-dimensional view - physical, mental and spiritual. The Holy Spirit is the only way to see the three-dimensional view correctly. The enemy will try to distort the three-dimensional view, but it is not correct.

Thank you, Lord, for an increasingly clear view of the three-dimensional. Thank you for a torn veil and a chance to come into your presence. Thank you for loving me, even when I'm unlovable.

I like it when God shows me little things like that. I'm not very eloquent at spelling it out, but that's ok.