My Monday night!

I'm sitting in the ER with my boy. I hate the ER! Ok, now that I have that out if the way. He stayed home from school today because of a cough. The cough turned into shortness of breath and lethargy. Needless to say I'm here. I've been here since about 4 and I haven't eaten dinner, yikes!! The other part of my crew is here with me too. They are hungry too. They are being so gentle and trying not to complain . I'm glad!! Pray for us.

Busy

Today our bible study leader gave us an acronym for busy - being under satan's control! Can you say conviction. God has been dealing with me and how I spend my time. I have to remember home is my first ministry. ( I have to repeat that from time to time) Saying "no" from time to time is good. (Even if you're having to tell yourself no) I'm thankful for God's voice.
We shared testimonies today. I was so blessed by hearing people share their stories . You seriously never know where a person has been and what God has done for them.

It's cooking!

Today the sweetest thing happened today, it was totally unexpected.  The grandfather of my sweet little Lily came to the school to thank me for all I did for her.  Wow, how very humbling is that!!! I thanked him for sharing his precious granddaughter with me.  She made more of an impact in her 3 years than some people make in a lifetime. I was a wreck the rest of the day!!!
Yesterday, I cooked curry chicken!!! My first time cooking with curry ever, it was a hit.  I need to cook more rice next time.  Other than that it was great.
I got a new cookbook, I love cookbooks.  I especially LOVE southern church ladies cookbooks.  I can't say they are super healthy or anything but they are sure to please!!!!! (it's super cute too)

I am a mom to a 12 year old!!!

Our backyard bonfire (the other tent is not pictured)!!!

When did this happen?  How could it be? I just can't believe my baby is 12.  We surprised her!!! It was soooo hard to keep the cat in the bag, but I did.  We had a backyard campout and bonfire.  It was such a fun night.  The "Mr." had the fire blazing which was great, it was chilly Friday night.  We only had family over, which kept it intimate.  The big surprise was replacing her Ipod touch that was stolen in December.  Her face was priceless.

She's reading the card, still pretty clueless.

Opening the huge box that contained a little Ipod!!!

I also spent the weekend helping decorate for a wedding.  I wanted to help, I am good with working with a tight budget.  I found these cute little paper cone vase on pintrest and they turned out great.



We hung these sweet little things on the side of the pews.

 

Then I celebrated my friend Miriam's birthday.  We went to the french cafe 1912 . The food was great and it was good to catch up with the ladies and enjoy their company.  I also made a bath scrub in little mason jars as a party favor for all the ladies. I scented it with lemongrass essential oil, yummy.  I hoped they all enjoyed it.

After such a busy weekend, the "Mr." felt that we needed to reconnect as a family.  So, on Sunday we took a slow stroll around the zoo!  It was a great end to such a CRAZY weekend.

I remember years ago praying the my husband would be a family man, a man that enjoyed spending quality time with me and his children.  Guess what?? God has given me a family man!! The funny thing is the "Mr." has to encourage me to take time out to enjoy the family.  He thinks I am always  busy "doing" for the family (and others) that I rarely enjoy them.  I am thankful that he helps keep me grounded in the things that are truly important to me ( although my busy-ness may say otherwise).  It's so very easy for me to get wrapped up in the things of life.  God knew that I was going to need an anchor!

Coming to an end!!

My son's class with him front and center singing "The Rules of the Classroom"

Things are slowly winding down.  So many things are transitioning at this very moment.  My son is almost done with his first year of school.  They had the sweet program today.  I loved every moment of it.  Those teachers work so hard to make it a special moment for us!!

My oldest and youngest after the program today.  He was sad, he wanted to go home with me!

My dear neighbors who I love dearly will be going back on the mission field soon.  I have loved having them right across the street.  It's a live version of "missionary stories".  I feel so blessed to be a part of their story.  I like getting together with wife and praying.  Prayer changes things ( I know I say that all the time) but it's true.

My homeschool year will be done soon.  This also includes my Thursday homeschool mom's bible study.  I will miss my group of ladies and getting together once a week to study the word of God.  We study the book of Romans.  It's an inductive Bible Study called Precepts .

Although we just finished Part 3.

I must say I hope I am entering into a season of REST!! Things are so busy, tying loose ends and trying to get it all done.  I am looking forward to lazy summer days.  I am looking forward to "PJ" all day kind of days.  I am reminded on these busy days the importance of quiet time with my Lord.  I am reminded of my need of Him to perform the good things he started in me.  I am reminded that in my own strength that I will ( and do ) fail.  I am reminded that his grace is sufficient. I am reminded that the joy of the Lord is my strength ( I need strength right now)!! I am reminded that I can and shall do all things through HIM that gives me strength. 

What a weekend!!

This weekend has gone by so very fast!!! I blinked and it was over.  We had two birthday parties this weekend. Of course I want to support them all.  The first one was at Skyzone , they really enjoyed themselves. Here is a picture of my girl. She was so tired at the end of the party.

This is the birthday girls and her guest:

 

 

The party ended with a sleepover.  That was great, all the children sleeping over so I could enjoy the "Mr."!!! However, over in the night my little guy got scared and wanted to come home.  So, I was out at 3am picking him up!  ( I was NOT a happy camper) I did greet him with a smile, and told him let's just hold off on sleepovers for now.

The second party was at my friend's house.  It was so much fun.  The kids had me laughing so hard, I was crying! This was her first house party and I think it was a huge success.  Although my dear loving son told her otherwise.  He told her the party was boring and she should have bought a pinata!! Who does that?? Children of course, they tell it like it is. They have NO filter. I was upset with him.  We had a whole chat about being honored that he was even invited.

I know this is shocking for some of you but my boy just started sleeping in his bed this week.  He has been in my bed for 6 years.  The day after his birthday this lil guy was kicked out!!!  I thought it was going to be hard (for me), but it hasn't been. The first couple of nights I had to keep taking him back, but the last 2 nights he slept through the night. 6 means you're a big boy now!

His class singing Happy Birthday!!

The birthday season for us is almost over.  We have 2 more to go.  My daughter will be entering her last year as a child. She will be 12 on Friday. I can't believe it.  I am so thankful for her.  She's such a trooper.  She has such leadership qualities which REALLY come out when she bossing her siblings around.  She has a type A personality until it comes to her room (I won't talk about that here).  She's the girl that made me a mom.  I wanted her so bad!!! I was happy to know we were being blessed with a daughter.  Her dad drove me CRAZY during the pregnancy. He went to each appointment, he wanted me to follow ALL of the rules, he went to Bradley classes with me and he was intent on naming her.  ( Although her name had been picked since I was 8 years old)  I guess that's what happens when you get married, you have to share!!

Well I have homework, housework, and homeschool to do, so see ya later alligator!!!

The high calling....

Have you ever been called to do something that you did not want to do???  Well, I kinda feel like that right now!!!! I have weighed the cost and decided that I might not be willing to pay the price.  I feel like the rich younger leader in the bible that asked Jesus, " What must I do to follow you" Jesus told him to get rid of all his things and then he could follow him.  The young man went away sad because he wasn't willing to pay the cost.  He missed out on what God may have had in store for him.  When I logically think about my choice, of course I would NEVER be the one that didn't follow. However, when truly look at the situation at hand I know that I am no better than the guy that couldn't let go of the things that defined him.  I am not talking about my salvation (although that was the story in the bible)!!! I been called to do something that is a selfless act of serving.  This act may cost me everything or could gain more than I ever lost, the possibilities are endless as to how this story could end.  I keep thinking to myself that obedience is better than sacrifice.  Obedience is BETTER than sacrifice!!!
All things work together for the GOOD of those that love God and are CALLED according to his purpose. 
Will I choose to answer the call?

Just keep praying.

I realized the direct relationship of prayer and circumstances in my life. When I am consistent in my prayer and warfare things run better.  When I get comfortable with how smooth things are going and slack on prayer, things are not so smooth!! I notice that when I go to the Lord with the things that concern me, he takes care of them.  We (I) have to stay motivated in our prayer life!!  I KNOW that I am a work in progress.  I don't think we ever really arrive, until heaven.  Every level with God requires a different sacrifice.  It's worth the price.

This weekend we celebrated my son's birthday.  He will be 6 on tomorrow.  I can't believe it.  We went to the movies to see The Croods.  Everyone like it but me.  I didn't tell him that of course.  I just don't like movies that advocate disobeying your parents, even though it turned out to be in their best interest.  The Mr. thinks I read to much into that.

Yesterday we had a birthday party with close friends at our house.

I had to throw the party together because he originally said he did NOT want a party and he just wanted to go watch a movie, eat pizza with his best friend, and spend money in Target (he is my child)!! I thought that was GREAT idea, then he asked, "When is everyone coming to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY"? I reminded him that he didn't want a party. He said , " I don't want a party, I just want you to decorate, everyone to come over and sing Happy Birthday".  DUDE, that's a party!!!

This little light of mine

We all celebrated the life of sweet Lily on yesterday.  I really hoped that I was ready to go back to work, but I wasn't.  My boss totally understood.  I know that I have to go back, I have to work in the same room that I had many fun memories with Lily.  I know I can do it, but not today!!

Over the past 10 days I have spent time "mushing" bread in a bag!! Someone at bible study gave me a bag of Amish Friendship bread.  I am so glad it was tasty because 10 day to make bread is a bit much for me. Now, I get torture bless someone else with a bag of starter.  I actually kept a starter for myself, everyone we shared it with loved it.

This is the last mini loaf of 7.

God is so funny, I prayed that someone close to me would get pregnant to share a baby with me and he did it!! I'll let her tell it. I am VERY,VERY, happy for this family.

I am still (after a year) trying to get settled into this house.  I had a big empty wall that needed LOVE.  I wanted to do a gallery wall of crosses but I couldn't afford to go out and buy a dozen so........ I found huge wooded "S" for the wall.  I love it. I know it still needs more but one step at a time. (if you're wondering what to get me for the next couple of gift giving occasions, a hangable cross would be nice!!)

Easter was great and busy! We started by attending a Seder. It was lots of fun (except when my daughter was laughing uncontrollably that I had to send her out) It was hard to keep a straight face and I didn't  and get on to her at the same time. Laughter is contagious!! We also had dinner (at noon) at my parents house.  Then we had a REAL dinner at our house with friends and family.  It was a great day.

This is the Seder plate, with all the bitter herbs!

 The egg hunt at my parents house.

 

 

Happy Monday!!!!