A Time For Every Season....

Drew just celebrated his last day of being in FBC Keller's 3 year old program. He loved Tuesday and Thursday's because he was able to play with his little friends - Sky, Malone, & Natalie. Drew also loved his teachers - Mrs. Misty & Mrs. Andrea. His teachers just loved their jobs and took such great care with their children. Every day the children were greeted with hugs and smiles! Drew's favorite days were Pizza days and his teachers informed me that they had to cut Drew off after 4 slices! He was also the sweet tooth junkie of the class and would "sulk" when told he couldn't have a second cupcake. Can you tell we're working on contentment? His teachers often commented on Drew's sensitive spirit, he always wanted to make sure others weren't sad. Also despite his shy nature, he enjoyed singing "worship" songs to his classmates. Drew was their energetic and sometimes spacey little boy who was always on an adventure and off plannin...

You may think that my post title is a little weird, but I assure you that its 100% fitting! It has been a real struggle these past 5 years and I'm finally out of my funk - thank you Lord! In March I really started to pray that God would take away my weariness and allow me to regain some of my pre -children energy. You may laugh, but since pregnancy with Drew, fatigue has ruled my life. It wasn't odd for me to get 10-12 hours of sleep each night. I've had other weird quirky things going on too, but in the last 6 months it has all compounded into - complete fatigue, lack of ambition, irritability, episodes of depression, tension, and a few other symptoms I won't name. I have been trying to exercise routinely since January and end up so tired afterwords that I can't even keep my eyes open to watch the kids. My exhaustion had turned into a huge issue! The Lord was so faithful to listen and wait patiently to "heal" me at just the right time. I'm a naturali...

My sweet husband planned a get-a-way for us this past Thursday & Friday. It was so wonderful to relax, talk, dream, sleep in a King size bed, and get massages together. How perfectly relaxing it was! John received a blessing from some friends which was a gift certificate to a resort on Lake Texoma, it came with a nice room and a wonderful dinner overlooking the lake. We had a great time together, it was a much needed break that we both enjoyed. The best part - massages and relaxing in the Jacuzzi tub! That's for splurging dear, and thanks to my mom for watching the boys! (Note, I posted some video's of the boys on the video page... finally!)

When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion,Look, your king is coming to you,humble, and mounted on a donkey,and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!Blessed is the one ...

Have you ever wondered if you struggle with issues of control? I have a wonderful test that you can perform the next time your at a carnival. Just send your son, husband, and new Nikon D-80 camera onto a Farris Wheel and see how you react! Did you react to the total loss of control? Did you glue your eyes onto your child, memorize the "cage" number their in, pray for the ride to be over, scream at your husband to make your child sit down - even though the only people who heard you were those directly in front of you? Did you check to see if your husband had the camera strap around his neck while snappin g pictures of you from 75 feet in the air - he didn't by the way. Did you almost ask the attendent to stop the ride when you saw your son reach out and touch the metal brace at the top of the ride or when you saw the front of his head peeking over the back of the seat? Did you mentally image your new camera crashing to bits on the cement? I would never do such things, obv...

On Saturday we celebrated the birth of Drew with friends and family. It was such a special treat for Drew to have his "Papa tractor" and Grandma Carol come to his party. They came to visit us for a week, so we planned his party around their trip. I wrestled about what to do for his party, I hate planning parties and the thought of having tons of little children destroying my house wasn't very attractive. So, I settled for a "family and friend" party. We invited two of Drew's favorite friends, Johnathan & Riley, and then our "family". We were especially excited to have the boys "Texas" grandparents come - Mike and Sue. It had been a while since they experienced a 4 year old party but I think they had fun! Drew's party was a success, we adults were able to visit and the kids had so much fun playing outside in the sandbox. Drew opened a nice array of gifts, his favorite was a cool fork lift for his sand box; it talks and moves! He a...

My little man is turning 4, where in the world has all that precious time gone? I pray it has been invested wisely. I can think of many investments I've put into him the past 5 years (his womb time was quite the investment & sacrifice), all those vitamins and organic foods, my hospital stay and bed rest, natural childbirth, a wonderful marriage, extended family that love him, hours each day spent influencing his life, bible time, songs sung, catechism's memorized and lessons taught, discipline time, a few spankings here and there, hugs, kisses, tears wiped, books read, numbers memorized, ... all valuable and important investments into his life. My job is so great - raising a future husband, father, man who truly loves God, doesn't happen by chance, it happens through investments. What I've been mulling over today as Drew's birthday fast approaches are the investments that I've made that are unseen - the prayers I've lifted up to my Father in the quietnes...

Our 6 th anniversary is here! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed, it also means we've been Texans for 6 years. This anniversary we wanted to stay frugal, as well as keep the calories low so it was a challenge coming up with fun yet romantic ideas. I wasn't expecting anything too exciting, but John proved that he too is getting into this frugal lifestyle and can be quite the romantic. First, John woke me Sunday morning with a beautiful card and a eloquently written poem where he declared his love for me. I was so surprised and touched! I couldn't imagine anything better than my own poem, written by my own man! That night we were headed out for desert and while out stopped at Lowes and returned a ton of sprinkler heads from a job John did a few years ago. It ended up being a few hundred dollars worth of stuff, so I had a nice spending spree in the store. I ended up with a new rug for the living room! After, we went looking for a TCBY in hopes of having som...

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15 Tonight I met Jesus, it wasn't because I was in a church, or because I was worshiping, it was because of a child - my precious child gifted for a moment, in my heart for a lifetime. Our little Drew, only 3+ years young showed me the meaning of Mark 10:15 tonight. More than the Eve service, it was our son's innocence that reminded me of the holy relationship I have with my Father. Drew's entire life has centered on Jesus, this God -- this Spirit living amongst us. Drew memorizes catechism's about Him, we share Bible lessons for life, we pray to Him often, we've created a home where Christ's love is modeled. Naturally, Drew is fascinated with Jesus, he is especially fond of the Christmas story, the nativity -- Emmanuel, "God with us" in human flesh. Tonight as the nativity scene is acted out before us Drew's fascination...

Tonight Drew came to a very interesting epiphany while going to the bathroom. "Look, Jesus washes our sins white, just like toilet paper!" I laughed hysterically when he said it, he didn't mean to be funny but was very proud that he was finally beginning to understand, not just regurgitate information back. I think he got it just right! We've been reading a Christmas book about Christ which details what the colors and shape of a candy cane can represent. The red on a candy cane represents the blood and the white is for Jesus washing our sins away. The shape of the candy cane is a J for JESUS! Drew loves this book and will have us read it at least 1-2 times each day. Our season of Advent has not been without some hiccups! Tonight I was ready to surrender to the "family devotion spoiler!" I sat with Drew in the library while John rubbed my shoulders and we went through the various names of God that we've studied. While going through Gabe waddled in and sta...

We've been having fun this December learning about the coming of our Savior - commonly called Advent. This is our first year adding this tradition so its definitely a work in process. We purchased a set called " adornaments " for the kids a few years back, Drew is finally old enough to enjoy listening to the stories. We set up a small fake tree in the entry way with little lights and each night read a verse out of the Bible which is associated with one of the adornaments . We also added a few of our own - a snowflake to represent Luke 3:16 to remember the importance of water and the miracle of baptism and God's outpouring of love and forgiveness for each of us. "John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." We also added an angel which was passed on to me by my Mother In Law, it belonged to her mothe...

This stay-at-home mommy of 2 was deeply encouraged by this article, I encourage you to link over, the excerpt below is just a mere reminder of what we "workers for Him" are called to do each day as we Shepherd our little flock of disciples. I for one didn't do well at shepherding my flock today, I was tired, irritated and longing for the bedtime silence! I pray tomorrow my heart will be much more purposeful and my minds attention focused more on my Shepherd. "If I identify myself as the culture does, as a “stay at home Mom”, one who has no intellectual contribution, gross-national product contribution or status symbol contribution, I become just that: a woman who sees herself as one who has grunted and groaned out another human being and now stays behind her four walls, in self-imposed seclusion. Not much of a vision there---it actually sounds strangely psychotic. If I deem myself as a woman employed by the Creator of everything ever created, as on work assignment i...

Daddy is home and we celebrated Gabe's 1st Birthday today. Gabe loved eating his cake and playing with his Mayflower boat and pilgrims. I am so embarrassed, Gabe fell in the bathtub on Thursday night and ended up with a tiny scratch on his eye. It really didn't look too bad and he only cried for maybe 10 seconds, but now he has a huge shiner. All his birthday photo's look like we beat him. So sad! Gabe went in for his 1 year checkup and weighed in at 22 pounds 12 ounces (50%). So big! He is 27 1/2 inches tall (-5% ). His head circumference is 18 inches (25-50%). His tummy issues hadn't gone away so the doctor suggested removing milk from his diet and replacing it with soy. Yes, it worked! He is back in his crib. He should only be off dairy a month or so, just to give his tummy and intestines some time to heal from the nasty stomach bug. I'm so relieved he is back to sleeping 12 hours! It is so nice having Daddy home! We all missed him so much! John surprised me on F...

I couldn't believe my eyes as we drove through Burleson on our way home from camping. Gas at the QT was 1.94 per gallon! I wanted to get a picture for posterity, but couldn't find my camera in the messy van. Now that is something to blog about! We did stop at and put 10 gallons in the van! I felt like I was stealing gas or something - 1.94 - that was on my WOW list for days!

How was my 29 th Birthday, you ask? Well, lets just say that perfect is the opposite work I'd use. The day began perfectly, I slept in and John took care of the kids. When I woke and went downstairs, I found a large hole in the wall and Drew waiting on breakfast - at 9:30? "Why isn't Drew in school?" I not so casually state, about that time John grabs Drew, and the snack I had packed the night before and whisks him off to school. They arrive 10 minutes before the snack is needed... whew! Next, the large hole in the wall is explained, it is needed to place all the TV wires behind the wall so when the TV is mounted, you don't see any cords. Great, it was promised to complete by Wednesday, but isn't, which leads me to the next "imperfect Birthday story." There is nothing like getting puked on, especially when it is your Birthday! Drew came home from school that afternoon and mentioned to me his tummy hurt, I turned and bent down to comfort him and abou...

Easter 2005 (Drew) Easter 2008 (Gabe) Easter 2005 (Drew) Easter 2008 (Gabe)

I am refreshed! Last week was so stressful. John wasn't home a lot and I was super busy with work. A few nights I was up until 1:00 am working and didn't have much downtime. So, for a special 10 th anniversary (celebrating the day we met 3/12/98) John gave me money to hire a house cleaner. What tops that is John has been working odd jobs during his lunch hours for the past few months, he saved a decent amount of money and gave it to me in hopes that it would be enough to pay for a cleaner all year - every 3rd Saturday! Isn't John amazing and perfect! The cleaners came on Saturday, two of them, and for 3.5 hours cleaned every square inch of the house. John and I had fun trying to find spots they missed, we only found a few. They also cleaned out my fridge, oven and microwave, changed the sheets on all my beds - talk about above and beyond! Saturday I had a day off since I didn't have to clean my messy house so we took the kids to Watagua's 50 th anniversary par...

Hooray! Last night Gabe slept through the night! I put him to bed at 8:00pm, woke him at 11:00 for a feeding and then put him back to sleep in his swing. He slept from 11:30 - 7:45 am! I can't believe it. Gabe is 10.5 weeks old, he is sleeping more these days. I discovered that I can't let him get too tired, at the most he can be up 2 hours in between naps. If I don't let him get exhausted he tends to sleep more soundly and wakes less often. I hate to say this since I might jinks it, but we may have a schedule in place! A morning 3 hour nap, afternoon 3 hour nap, a hour or two in the late afternoon and then off to bed around 8-9 pm! Gabe hasn't been spitting up too much this week, he has been eating a lot though! He also loves mommy time (face time) which has been able to pull out a few smiles. He is still on P edialite and is more consistent with his BM's , he still only has a BM every three days. Drew's birthday is today! We celebrated with family and frien...

More pictures have been posted on the pictures site! John made Drew a sandbox for his 3rd Birthday. Here are some of the pictures!