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.

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.

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....

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

and again!

more pictures again!

more pictures!

pictures!