Getting back on the horse...

Wow... life can tend to get pretty difficult at times. Well, at least where I live. Yet, I love where God has put me, I love my children, I love working with the young people at church, I love tutoring, I love being a Pastor's wife... but at times it isn't easy to walk in all those shoes. 

Recently - things have been getting to me... so since this year's GACS convention was at Myrtle Beach, my husband (yes, the one who never organizes family outings) decided he was going to take me there. After I got over the initial shock of his spontaneous decision, I was amazed...

Grateful...

... and excited!

We went this past weekend, and it was truly wonderful. I couldn't help but feeling like we were on a second honeymoon - he was so sweet. (wait...not that he isn't sweet normally - but just more so...) I definitely came back with an armload of precious memories, a hermit crab ( I can't believe I actually bought one of those things - from one of those horrible beach stores...), and a desire to get back to my crazy life.

So... why did I cry all day yesterday? I really couldn't figure it out, even while I was crying - I knew that I needed to get a grip. God has been way to good to me - for me to get in the ditch like that.  After begging God to give me the strength that I needed to get up and go about what He has given me to do - I finally got through it. 

"Why have I found grace in thy eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me?" Ruth 2:10

Ok... it's days like that that make me feel sorry for the men who have to try to figure us out... especially when we can't even figure our own selves out.  - Looking forward to a brighter day, and greater things through my precious Lord...

To them that believe, He is precious!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ~ III Jn 1:4

Today was an extra special day.  My dear crazy twins - born April 5, 2001 - were baptized.   Slater had made a profession of faith over a year ago at our church's annual Camp Meeting in 2009.  He had been under conviction for quite a while, but just couldn't quite get peace. Finally, after months of prayer, God saved him!  Charis was just recently saved, but in our conversation that day she revealed something that really startled me.  She told me that she was waiting to be saved, because she thought she would have a second chance after Jesus came for the rapture of the saints.  She and I have had other similar conversations, where she let me know she doubted if the Bible was true, and Jesus really was REAL.  This idea of a second chance stemmed from that.  She thought if she saw Jesus take us all to heaven, then she would know he was real.  This really scared me. WOW... I didn't realize that a nine year old was capable of that type of thought process.  Since the spring, Charis has really been on my heart. I have been praying that God would make salvation clear to her - to give her understanding.  On September 9th He did just that.  She became a beggar... asking God to save her. What a HUGE blessing it was to see the twins baptized TOGETHER!  God has been so GOOD to me! How could I ever thank Him for HIS abundant blessings on us... for He not only cares for our needs - but gives us our hearts desires as well! I am now praying that He would use them, not just to live an ordinary life in HIM... but to live extraordinary lives FOR HIM!!

It was my birthday on Friday - this was the BEST birthday present EVER!! :)

Soap and Jacuzzis

My children are so smart... they do science experiments without being made to!  Just this week, they wanted to find out the answer to what would happen if you put a whole bottle of Johnsons baby wash into a jacuzzi tub and turned it on.  Wow - were they suprised...

They look a little like deer in headlights...maybe it was because Daddy found them...

Birthday, ballgames and bugs...ladybugs that is!

Crazy began early this weekend... on Saturday I had to run up to the store - so Chloe came with me. She was so sweet and quiet all the way to the store.  I just wanted to hug her, when I got out to get her - I noticed that she was blue... from PERMANENT marker!  My lovey huggy feelings went right out the window...grrr...  So we went into the store looking like a mess... even got a comment from some nice gentleman about how she had made a mess of herself. Really?  that was obvious!  When we got home, I gave her two baths, and when she was finished with the second bath, she decided that she needed a haircut... a very short haircut. Then it finally came... the challenge of making Jordan's ladybug cake, along with doing a party for her and entertaining guests for Labor Day. We had loads of fun - played lots of ball... anyway...

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Chloe's new haircut...

We worked Saturday evening making homemade ice cream...

Melting the marshmallows to make the fondant for the cake...

Kneading and rolling the fondant out .... and many hours later....

Here it is.... not exactly what I had in mind... but not too bad for my first "fondant" experience. Except when you ate the black - your teeth and tongue turned black for quite a while... ??too much food coloring???

...and here is my little ladybug herself... I can't believe she is six already!

We polished ladybugs on the little party goer's toes... and painted ladybug shirts... very girly fun...

A few crazy girls that were there... no these weren't the ones with ladybugs on their toes...

Party entertainment... playing basketball...

...opening presents...

...and that is a crrazzzyyyy lady... and her daughter...

Home sweet home...

Yes, I know... I have been a stranger lately... but we are finally back to our "home sweet home." With piles of laundry, neglected projects, and a desk that had become a mountain of "to do's", I haven't had much of a chance to breathe let alone write. The desk mountain is now at about half capacity, the laundry is almost caught up, and well... the neglected projects are getting a lick and a promise because next week is church youth camp. AND you guessed it... we start all over again.

I have tons of pictures I want to share, and even some of our updates about homeschooling this fall.  I promise it is coming soon -

When I was little, I had a small picture in my room that my grandmother embroidered for me... it said, "Please be patient, God isn't finished with me yet." I guess that is my motto this summer!

A Busy Summer

I have been so busy lately that I have obviously neglected my writing...  but we have had some wonderful adventures!

We had a great week at our church's yearly Camp Meeting.  Wonderful preaching, great fellowship, lives were changed, and souls were saved!

After camp meeting we left for a bit of family free time, we went to visit my parents and stopped off at Galveston for a couple days.  We enjoyed the beauty of creation and loved watching the ocean, the flying fish, and the pelicans sweeping down for their bit of lunch.

We left Galveston after frying our children.... accidentally... in the sun, and went to visit Nana and Papa.  We took a little day trip to the Wichita Mountains, and had a great time hiking up the mountains (or us Easterners used to the Appalachians would call them more "large rock piles" :)

Beautiful scenery! The kids enjoyed the hike, but Jordan got a bit hot and got sick...

We stopped at a little "hole in the wall" that is ranked 8th in the nation for its burgers!  Meers Restaurant a very dignified place to eat...hmmmm...

Would you go in?

Right before we ordered... Jordan said she was hot and had a headache so we headed for the bathroom, but on our way.... she threw up next to the table beside us...  and they had just ordered their "hand cut steaks"... so sorry...

Here it is folks... the whole reason we risked our lives going in to that building...the supposedly famous... Meers burger...

tasted good, but I would have rather had one of Dad's grilled hamburgers at home... where the kitchen is actually clean.

Stay tuned.... the Texas adventures are still in progress...

Where are the Lazy Days of Summer????

My thoughts today...

I love summer, always have... I enjoy the summer break from

home education

and

tutoring

as much as my children... well, at least I usually do!

This year it seems like no "break" has come??

What is up with that?

 I think I need a vacation from my summer vacation....

Am I big - or still your baby?

"Am I a big girl?"... Chloe asked me this morning with her sweet blue eyes shining.

" Sure sweetie", I replied. "You are growing every day, you are three now!"

It wasn't but a moment, and she was climbing on my lap. "But mommy I'm still your baby!"


Oh... my... goodness....moments that take your breath away!

..... if only I could just keep these precious moments fresh forever!

The Little Things...

I know everyone is thinking about mothers today... me included.  All day I have been thinking about a conversation that I had with my mother last night. She called to thank me for the "World's Best Nana" t shirt that we sent her...I know... but I was tired of the same old flowers. We designed it ourselves... so it was pretty cute! Anyway - She was excited to tell me that she found a little box with several little mementos in it from me to her on mother's day.  I was rather suprised... because if anyone knows my mother - she is the queen of organization and cleanliness. 
But though I was a bit suprised that she had kept these things... I really wasn't.  You know of all people in the world - mother's tend to hang on to the little things.  You know... those little things that make you think - - "I wish I could hang on to this moment a bit longer." The sweet smile.. the precious note...or even powder all over a room....

Just like the sweet old ladies in the grocery store that come up to you and tell you to enjoy every minute with your children because they grow up too fast... I have always felt our time with our children is so short... but more so these days when I think about how those little blonde curls give way to big girl hair....and dollies to high heels... and those little cars and trucks that are everywhere on the floor ....Well, they will be gone before I know it.

How can we hang on to it longer? Sadly, there really is no way -  for time is not meant to stand still, but God gave us amazing memories which can hold so many dear moments, and we can savor the time we do have and hang on to the little things.... the little mementos that one day will be so precious to share with your grown up child...  and maybe... just maybe you'll help them to see that the little things... the little moments....the little cards and notes... the children...need to be enjoyed and treasured before they are gone.

Ladies Fellowship

This past weekend was a busy one - that's for sure!!  I felt like I could've slept all day on Monday... but not with six children running around. This past weekend was our church ladies' fellowship. We had a really special time together and God really blessed. Our dear sister Sheila came and spoke to us about depression. Wonderfully encouraging... and hopefully will help us today and in the future. She always seems to have the right "word" for the ladies of our church.  I am so thankful for her! We went on to have a very Southern lunch at the Bulloch House, and of course, ice cream from Warm Springs Hotel. Aside from the weight gain from the excellent food, I believe that the ladies went away blessed and encouraged in the Lord. Yet, as always, it was hard to say goodbye to Sheila again.  One of these days we will get her for good! :)

Sunday - was our first Sunday of the month fellowship dinner as well... we had a great time. Good food good fellowship - around the Word - what more could we ask for! Except for some rest...

Looks like I was trying to get a start on that Saturday... Thanks... Cammy...

Our Family Album

This post is especially for Nana and Papa.  Just so they can see how absolutely proud they should be of their grandchildren.  Can you imagine what they will be like when they grow up??  This ought to be good!

Chloe - Boredom and a sheet of stickers

Abbey and a rattlesnake...       Permanent marker tatoos -  Wyatt

Haley - whatcha eatin?

Desperate for horses - Jo and Slater

Baby Powder snow...

brush those teeth girl... Charis

Wanting to swim in Feb. - Cameron

Josey May and Silas - still too young to be as strange as the others....

Silas and Josey -

A Busy Weekend

Just thought I would share some photos with you of our weekend.  It was our anniversary on April 10th.

Investigating the creek

Patiently watching...

All dressed up for church!

Us - before we went out to dinner...

I can't believe it has been 17 years... time flies when you're having fun!

Tears are fallin...

Saying Goodbye

It is a sad day at our house... two girls had to say goodbye to their best buddies for 3 more months!! Yes, one of those was me. I have been saying goodbye to people I love for a long time now, you would think it would get easier. I went to college in Georgia, 800 miles from home when I was 17 - had to say goodbye to my family. I got married and stayed here in Georgia. ...goodbyes...Later, they all moved again -but now they are almost 900 miles away - in Texas. ...goodbyes... I lived near my best friend for 15 years, but 5 years ago she moved to U.K. as a missionary....goodbyes... SEE, I should really be a pro at this... but it still hurts each and every time you have to say goodbye to someone you love.

I am trying to remind myself today that God does everything for a purpose, and for His honor. God never promised us that this life would be easy. But, He did promise us the strength to be able to handle it. God has a purpose - and a grand one it is. My friend was needed at that little church in the country of Wales - because God had a plan. A whole family in their village has been saved since they went - what a beautiful thing. God is good - and I know that each and every time that I must say goodbye to my dear family or friends - it is for a purpose. This world is "temporal" or temporary - but the one to come - eternal - is permanent. The temporary "goodbyes" are just for a season - one day there will be no more goodbyes.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: Now the God of hope fill you wiht all joy and peace in believeing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:4-5, 13