Soccer

We are officially in the season of Soccer!

For a short amount of time, we won't be sleeping in on Saturday mornings. I don't mind, though. This year I get to watch BOTH of my girlies play soccer.

O has been cheering on her sister from the sidelines long enough. This time she gets to play and she is having a blast.

The only hiccup to the morning was having to explain to her she couldn't take her blankey on the soccer field. It didn't seem at all logical to her.

Me either, really. But, she finally agreed and left it in the van. It reminds me of E's first year when she cried because she couldn't take her purse out on the field. Ha!

Things have changed and she has turned into a soccer player.

The most important part is they are having so much fun with their friends.

Friday!!!

This morning, Eric had to leave at 6:00 to make a meeting out of town. And, yes. That forced me to get dressed and take the girls to school on.my.day.off!

I wanted to complain about it at first, but then E woke up in such a giddy mood and crawled in bed with me. She is such a cheerful morning person which leaves me wondering how she could be the child birthed from my womb. Nothing could be further from the truth when describing my own demeanor in the mornings. Come to think of it, now I am also NOT a night person.

So, that still leaves me with 10:00 am in which I am a happy and loving being.

Sad part is ... my family rarely sees that.

They often hear, "Let's get to bed. Mommy's tired." Or, "don't talk so loud. Mommy just woke up and I'm still tired".

It's a joy to live with me.

This morning, E's mood was contagious. Or, at least to me. We drove to school singing "Open the Eyes of My Heart" LOUDLY. E was doing motions, I was singing, music was blaring and then I was reminded of the one who NO DOUBT is a part of me .... my sweet, O. I watched her from the rearview mirror and knew she was not pleased ... I knew this by her angry expression.

She confirmed it by shouting, "Would you please stop!? I DO NOT LIKE BEING IN THIS CAR RIGHT NOW!"

O isn't a morning person either.

And, maybe the newness of school is wearing off because she cried all morning and wanted me to hold her while I got dressed, made lunches and fed them.

Bless her heart. School is wearing her out. I was very tempted to keep her at home (remember, I never wanted her to go in the first place ;) But, when I suggested it, she did still want to go to school. I know I need to be careful about suggesting it in the future - she might just take me up on it.

So, I dropped them off and headed to the Promise Land.

Chick-fil-a .... oh, how I have missed our mornings together!

Being there made me think of you. I write often about my love for a chicken biscuit and large sweet tea. I wonder, do you love CFA as much as me? Do you go there for breakfast? What do you order? Let's hear it.....

Wednesday is My New Saturday

Have I mentioned I have Wednesdays and Fridays off? Because I do!!! I am enjoying my job, but oh.my.word how much I am LOVING that I have two days off to relax. I'm not sure I've ever called dusting and vacuuming relaxing before, but it's a nice diversion these days. And, what makes it even greater is that I can do it in my pjs. Praise!

Honestly, I haven't spent many moments dusting. After I scooted Eric and the girls out the door this morning, I changed clothes and went running. I haven't figured out a way to work that into my EARLY morning schedule, so I guess I'll have to do it on my days off.

Then, I had my quiet time.

Listen to me ..... I am feeling the absence of getting up early and not having a moment to dig in my bible. I'm having to go back to those little 2 minute snippets of Scripture (which are great), but not enough to satisfy what I long to do and that is to study. One thing that I learned years ago is that having devotions at night do not work the same with me as having them in the morning. I know some people can pull it off, but I'm just not one of those people. I'm hanging on by a thread and living too fully in the flesh if I don't take care of things in the morning.

But, that's just me.

I was talking with E's old kindergarten teacher yesterday morning (she's not old - E just had her two years ago - stay with me) before all the madness of school started and she told me she works it out by getting up at 4:30.

IN THE MORNING.

Please, dear Lord don't make me do that!

E overheard her tell me that and said, "Mom, you can do that! I'll help you. I'll set my alarm for you!"

Thank you, but NOOOO!

(A tiny part of me is even afraid to type it because maybe, just maybe He'll make me do it).

Anyway, without having to make a decision between the Word of God and brushed hair with makeup on, I'm going to try to shift some things around.

And, I have to do it quickly.

Because guess what?

Bible Study starts in less than two weeks!

At this very moment, I am wondering how I will pull off working, homework, running kids to activities, cooking, laundry, Eric's new schedule at work that involves LOTS of travel, teaching Sunday School and leading women's bible study at church, but am trusting God to help me organize my time ... and prioritize it appropriately.

Instead of lamenting the fact that life is busy, I'm asking God to keep me excited about it.

And, I am.

I sat down this morning and made some notes, looked over my bible study book and watched the promotional video.

Bring it on! I have no doubt, just as He always does, God has ordained this time in my life for this particular study. I already know some things He will ask of me and I've been fighting Him. It's time to just surrender and let Him be Lord over everything in my life.

But, please know I'm praying I don't have to surrender at 4:30 AM. Please, Lord!

Will I ever have a free moment again???

Things have changed in our house! Big time! Most of the changes have been great and exciting, but I would be lying if I didn't admit they have been HARD!

My goodness ... who knew 5:30 came two times a day???? There is actually one that happens early, early, early and I'm not all that excited about making friends with it. Right now, actually, we are not getting along.

Since I posted last, school has started for us. I was ready to get to the first day because leaving my kids with a sitter each morning while I went to work was really hard for me. And, my days were LONG and wearing me out. So, when Thursday came, backpacks were packed, uniforms pressed and we were all excited to be together.

I cannot express how much easier it was to send O off for her first day of Transitional Kindergarten knowing I would be right next door to her in the Preschool room. God has been so sweet to provide this structure for my family and I am truly blessed.

Ofcourse, I don't see her much during the day, but I do get to meet up with her at recess and let me tell you, she is having a blast. All smiles. She is so in love with her school which makes things easier as well.

E has been a little bummed out since her very best friend is in a different class this year. The necklace you see is one her BFF gave her on the first day of school. It's half of a crown and her friend wears the other half. Oh.the.drama if we forget to put this on right away each morning!

I'm starting to get the hang of things and forcing myself to stay organized so I don't go completely insane. Assisting in Preschool is very different from working in a credit union (my previous job before becoming a stay-at-home Mom). Who knew?

One last thing ... I mentioned I had fallen more in love with my girls' school over the past weeks and it's true. I don't think the parents fully understand what goes on behind the scenes. Atleast I didn't. Two days before school started, the entire staff was called together to pray OUT LOUD and individually for every single student attending this year. Every.single.student. by name. I was moved to tears as I heard these people call out to the Lord on behalf of not only my own children, but approx. 360 others. Unbelievable.

I am so grateful and humbled that God would allow my family to attend such a sweet school. Seeing the other side, I don't believe I will take it for granted this year.

Just chatting while I have a minute

It's Saturday afternooon and I have spent the better part of the day CLEANING. A weird fact about myself is I cannot ... absolutely cannot function effectively or appear to be mentally sane when my house is dirty. So, having said that, I just explained why I am rarely effective and certainly at times certifiable ... ha!

In a nutshell .... my house has been neglected all summer. Well, really neglected since we moved in a year ago in some cases, so I have been on a mission. Eric and E are away at camp and O was away (until an hour ago) at a day camp at church. I got a ton of things done, but am reviving O's nap schedule in a few minutes so I can somewhat finish.

I could be fooling myself, but I have this assumption that all will be right with the world as the craziness begins with school/work next week if my house is in order. Let it be so, Lord!

While cleaning my kitchen, I stumbled across Eric's work schedule for the rest of the year (that I believe he conveniently left for me to read while he wasn't within arms reach). Good grief! I just keep reminding myself that God isn't giving me the grace on THIS DAY that I will need to get through December. I'm trying to put it out of my mind and walk in denial today.

Okay, I better get back at it. I was just sorting through school uniforms and showed O what she would be wearing this year. She was lying on her bed 'reading' a book, looked up at me and said, "I have no plans to wear any of those".

See. Denial.

Sometimes it works for us.

However, come Thursday, even O will learn that doesn't last long!

A few quick things

Happy Friday!

I wanted to jump on here very quickly to tell you a few things....

Yesterday was my first day at my new job. I was pretty much in meetings all day and bombarded with information. It was all pretty overwhelming, but such a blessing. All of it made me fall more and more in love with the school my girls attend. I really cannot express that in a couple of sentences, but about 10:30am yesterday morning, I was so overwhelmed with God and his love for me and my family that I thought I may burst. And burst I did come lunchtime when I sat in my car with a McDonalds happy meal and cried like a baby.

I will confess that tears were in part that I missed my girls tremendously and uttered a few times, "are you sure, Lord? do you really want me to do this?" Silly to most people, but HUGE to me. I've never had to leave my girls at the door and say, "Mommy's going to work". Again, silly to most people, but God knows my heart and it was HARD for me. But, they will be with me when school starts next Thursday, so I'm looking forward to that.

Change. Part of growing up, I guess.

I also wanted to say that I am NOT ignoring all the wonderful comments and emails a lot of you are leaving me saying you are praying for me and my family this week. For some odd reason, blogger isn't letting me respond to those comments/emails. Please know from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am that you would take the time to lift my family to the Father in prayer. Thank you, thank you! I feel them!

I love this blog community and the blessing it is.

Have a great weekend!

He's the Healer of Shark Bites

E had a friend to spend the night Tuesday night. O made it her personal mission to make sure she was included in all they were doing.

She followed them around insisting they include her and yelled 596 times, "Y'all are hurting my feelings! Let me in!"

I finally was able to find something they could all do together .... crafts. The not-so-hectic moment gave O an opportunity to witness to E's guest. Classic.

O: "L, do you know who Jesus is?"

L: "Yes."

O: "Welllllll, if you don't you need to know that he is the son of God and he is always with you and when you need him all you have to do is talk to him."

L: "Okay"

O: "So remember that when you get bit by a shark! Because when you get bit by a shark, you are gonna need the Lord!"

Present Obsessions

Bananagrams!

Oh.my.word! I could play this every waking hour. I love Scrabble and Boggle, so this game has all the right elements. My friend, Cathy and I used to play both Scrabble and Boggle growing up, so when she came to visit I couldn't wait to play Bananagrams with her. She is a worthy opponent so the pressure made us play for hours. Actually, anyone who comes to our house for more than a few minutes is suckered into playing. Fun! It's also small enough to fit in your purse, so you can play it while waiting for your food at a restaurant.

Sticky Mosaics

My girls are in love with these! The box says for ages 6-99, but O enjoys them as much as E and does them perfectly. I've already bought some for Christmas gifts for my nieces and friends.

Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother

Oh, how I love this! My favorite shade is Glow. I have a tube in my purse, my car, my pool bag and my cosmetic bag. It smells sweet enough to eat (don't), gives just a hint of color and feels like it has some medicating-like-stuff in it (how do you like that for an explanation? I could totally write a commercial!). Anyway, our local drugstore often puts it on sale buy one get one free which is really just like Christmas ... in August. Really.

Peace Like A River.

This book is really good and I'm going to be really sad when I'm finished with it. But, I have this one waiting on me, so I won't be sad for long. (I seriously cannot stop typing really. It's like I'm writing a paper for my 8th grade English class and we were graded by the number of words we used. I'm so creative, I added words that highlighted my intelligence like ... very and really ... and very, very. I am deep like that, y'all.)

And lastly, my new pink iPod.

Okay, I'm not one to jump on the latest trend. No ma'am, not me. In fact, I was so positive the internet would only be a fad and soon people would go back to their love of encyclopedias and libraries. It's true. I am a realist. So, imagine my shock when iPods were actually a hit because who wouldn't want to run and exercise with a large portable CD player tucked in their pants? Imagine how giddy I've been to actually run and listen to music and say, "Look Eric, it actually plays a bunch of songs and stuff. Where have we been?"

Oh, I kid. I have owned an MP3 player. But, I will tell you that I had never used iTunes before. That obsession alone is costing my family homecooked meals because oh.my.word. I can download all the mega-hits from the 80s! I'm sure I've never been happier.

Mountains

I have more pictures to post, but it literally took me 40 minutes to post just one of these pictures. With a new computer and new camera, I am NOW convinced the problem is with my internet connection. Arggghhhh!

This past weekend, we went to Eric's parents' in the mountains. They bought a 2nd home there and have spent the summer remodeling and getting it ready for visitors. It's such a peaceful place - surrounded on three sides by mountains. The front yard has a rushing river running through it (E's favorite place - which gives me a heart attack!)


O's favorite thing is riding in the back of her pappaw's truck to the top of the mountain. They ride up, look around and ride back down only to hear her begging to do it again. We cannot understand the fascination.

Here she is in the back of the truck once we reached the top of the mountain. Let me say something about this pose - I don't get it. What is she doing? This is how she poses in most pictures. Has she been listening to hip hop? Is she expressing some attitude? I don't understand it.


E loves flowers. Over the weekend, I believe she picked every flower on the side of the mountain and brought it to me. It was all very sweet until Saturday morning when I was in a deep.deep.dreamy.sleep and I heard, "Mom! I picked this flower for you!"

What? Where am I? Who are you? Who let you in here?

Here we are at the top of the mountain when she picked the first flower. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the last time she gave me one ... I think we're all better off for not documenting that :)

Is it just me or is she not the most beautiful girl you've ever seen? Seriously, I love this girl!

We could hardly keep E out of the river. She wanted to cross it so badly. She's a little afraid of most things, but was determined to try. She did make it and fell in completely in the end. I thought she would cry, but she laughed it off. Yay - we're maturing.

Seriously. What's with this pose?

We went hiking Saturday morning and saw the most beautiful waterfalls and scenery. I'll try to post those pictures later (when I have an extra couple of hours), but I do have this one.


Again with the pose. What on earth?

Deselecting

This post is nothing more than an attempt to document our present lives. An attempt to one day show my children the importance of discerning God and His timing. Often times, it's hard to hand over the reigns and relinquish control.

I'm really fighting a melancholy mood today. I'm a little ashamed to admit that, but it's the truth. My biggest problem is that summer is pretty much over for us this week. On Thursday, I start my new job (that I am extremely blessed to have - you have no idea!), but I'm really not looking forward to the grueling schedule.

Those that know me well know that I am a stickler for routine, schedules and a calendar (yes, Mandy I have one!), but this year I feel that summer just wasn't long enough.

I think what is really eating away at me is that I had BIG plans when summer started. Plans that really included no plans at all. I wanted to relax with my girls and enjoy each other while swimming, playing and vacationing. What was meant to be a very relaxed time turned into a hectic few months.

My world, as I know it, is changing in a few days. It's not a huge change in most people's eyes, but to me (having not worked outside our home in 9 years), it's big. It will be a blessing in many, many ways but it also comes at the same time Eric's job is taking off, which for him means lots of travel. It's really ironic how it's all beginning at once. I know God is in the details of our lives, so the fact that I will be with the girls at school three days a week while Eric will be away so much is God's sweet way of taking care of me and my mental state. I will no doubt need the distraction. I get that and I am so appreciative of how He watches over us. I'm excited but anxious at the same time about all the changes. The new.

What I have done already is 'deselect' as Eric and I call it. Deselecting is a term he uses in his job to make things more simple. I had scheduled O for dance lessons in the fall that she has begged to take, but cancelled them today remembering she is only 4 and has plenty of time for that. Both girls are still in gymnastics and E has piano. They both start soccer tonight which lasts until October. With that alone, we are busy.

Also, I have been praying for a couple of years about going back to school. I want so badly to go back and study theology (not to preach - settle down - just to study God's Word - ha!) We've researched many schools and programs. I cannot tell you how many conversations Eric and I have had about this and prayed for direction. We originally felt like God was finally clearing the path for me and I would start this fall (this week, actually). With all the changes that are coming this month, after MUCH prayer, we both feel strongly that it has to wait - at least another semester.

While I KNOW that's the right decision, I am bummed (God gets that, right?). My first priority will ALWAYS be my family and our home, but I cannot tell you how much I am chomping at the bit to STUDY and be taught more in depth the word of God. As if the decision isn't tough enough, I fight the 'guilt' that comes with doing something that will consume so much time for myself. I'm not sure I have that right at this season of my life.

So, I wait.

God's timing. Tough sometimes, isn't it?

"So teach us to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

More good stuff ... Deeper Still

I would never have scheduled a women's event the same week we were to go to a conference. However, it worked out that way and as a result, I think a few women were so FULL by the time Sunday arrived, we couldn't hold it in.

We left for Deeper Still on Friday afternoon. We had such a good group going (27 women and even had two of our youth girls go - yay!).

The event has general seating which really shaped the entire weekend. Let me explain.

The doors open an hour and a half before the event starts and women run .... RUN ... to find the best seats. I haven't seen anything like it since I was a junior in high school and my friends and I ran to get a good seat to see Bon Jovi. That was worth every stride ... every.single.one ... but, I'm thankful for the redemption I have experienced and as a result, Friday I was running to hear the Word.

A big difference.

And, lest I sound too holy, please note that I would still to this day sprint to get a good seat for Bon Jovi.

Yes, I would.

Okay, moving on ...

Friday night, we had the privilege to hear Kay Arthur and let me tell you, I don't think I've ever heard anyone like her in my life. Ever. Midway through, I whispered to my Mother, "Do you realize every other sentence out of her mouth is scripture?" I'm not even exaggerating. It was truly unbelievable. (My friend, Pam and I tried it on Sunday during Sunday School. Every response we had to each other, we would try to see if we could come up with scripture to match it. When we could, we would burst out laughing and high five - "Deidre, how did you feel when you knew you were suppose to share your faith with someone and didn't?" ... "Well, Pam, I felt ashamed, but Romans 8:1 tells me there is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. :)

Yes, we had us some fun. But, seriously, wouldn't it be amazing to have that much scripture hidden in your heart?

Kay spoke on the entire book of Hebrews and talked about marrying the WORD with our faith and BELIEVING God for what He can do. I'll never forget it.

I think she was my favorite.

Oh, and I met up with some of my sweet blog friends (I loved seeing and chatting with you guys!) ...

Faith, Jennifer, me and Emilie

On the way to our hotel that night, we came up with a plan to get good seats the next day. I knew how difficult it would be to get all those women to the bus and at the coliseum early enough to get in line. So, I decided to take a cab at DARK THIRTY and get in line to save seats.

Two other women and myself got a cab at 6:30 and went straight to the coliseum armed with newspapers and beach towels to save seats.

Oh, the pressure.

When the gate opened at 7:30, we were FIRST in line, but we still had to sprint to get a floor seat. And, I do mean sprinting. It was remarkable. But, the three of us stuck with our plan and ran straight to the section we knew would take us to the floor.

And, we made it!

We were third row, just to the left of the speakers and praise team. CLOSE! I was so excited!

See how close....

Saturday morning, Priscilla Shirer spoke on Ephesians 3:20-21. The way she tells a story and explains scripture is a gift. I will never forget these verses and how BIG my God is.

I think she was my favorite.

After lunch, we were able to hear Beth speak (do I even need to type her last name?) She spoke on the Bread of the Presence and had a wonderful story to tell about God's providence.

It's just too much to sum up in a few sentences.

I think she was my favorite.

Honestly, I've never been to a conference like that before al though I have been to some major, well-known women's conferences. The difference in this one is your are intensely and deeply in the Word of God and I love every minute of that. I hope and pray I get to go again.

Oh, and let's not forget the praise team. The PRAISE TEAM!

They were SO good and we were blessed.

And, we were CLOSE.

Travis even walked right by us and stood right beside me several times. What did I do? Nothing! I didn't want to bother him because I am WEIRD like that. I also didn't want to come across as stalkerish. Because I could have, you know.

Here's how close we were to him while he was singing....


What's that, Travis? Are you looking at me?

A picture of a few of us ... look at the two on the right ... two of our youth girls ... love y'all! I'm proud of you for going!

Ok, let me share something funny with you. One of the ladies that went EARLY with me Saturday morning wanted to make sure we were close enough (not sure why). So, I turned around to find her ON STAGE. I whipped out my camera to take a quick picture. Look in the background.

I didn't know until I previewed the picture later that it said,"Pray for Deidre" in the background. So funny!

I'm almost positive that wouldn't happen at a Bon Jovi concert.

I'm going to pace myself and tell you about the week one day at a time

Okay, first things first .... new computer .... plus, new camera .... plus, technology-challenged person .... equals frustration!

I think I have FINALLY figured out a way to post pictures on my blog with my new computer and camera, but I'm sure there is a quicker way than the fifteen steps I am using to make it happen. I just don't know the quicker way. But ... whatever works.

Okay, so last week had to have been one of the most exciting I've had in awhile in terms of events. I have much to share (especially about this weekend at Deeper Still), but I'm going to pace myself and give you that post tomorrow. Today is all about Sheri Rose Shepherd.

Here's a little backstory .... we don't really have a women's ministry persay at our church. This is something that I believe I've been in most prayer about over the past several years when it comes to how the Lord wants me to serve through my local church.

I am passionate about serving the high school girls at our church and love teaching them, but I am also passionate about women's bible studies. There is something so magnificent about watching a woman study the Word of God, whether for the first time in her life or as a familiar student - either way, it's a great way to see God bring victory to a woman's life that she wouldn't otherwise have. I love it.

So, really I'm torn between the two and often ... OFTEN ... in prayer about how to bring the two ministries together. I sometimes think God won't keep me in both for long and He'll choose for me, but so far that's not happening (not to say it won't ever). I just have to continue praying for guidance.

Okay, I promise I'm getting to a point.

Other than fall and spring bible study, there aren't really any other events for our ladies. We are slowly starting to plan other things and the response has been great. I have asked several speakers to come to our church, but let's be honest, some want a hefty fee to come. A hefty fee.

Say this with me.....

No women's ministry means NO BUDGET.

But, that doesn't keep me from asking.

I've already expressed my love for Sheri Rose Shepherd, her books and what they've meant to me and the girls in our church. So, one morning while my kids were at school, I emailed her to ask if she would come. I shut the computer and went upstairs to clean out O's closet.

My phone rings.

Me: "Hello"

Caller: "Hi, Deidre. This is Sheri Rose."

Me: "Ha!" (thinking a friend was playing a joke on me and then realizing almost immediately I hadn't told anyone I contacted her - I now feel stupid).

Caller: "Are you there?"

Me: "Yes, hello!"

Sheri Rose: "I am looking at your email and I think I can work this out the same week my son is getting married. He's marrying a girl from NC and I could speak on my way."

Me: "Okay, great. But, before we go any further, how much do you charge to speak?"

Sheri Rose: "I don't have a set fee. I come based on your budget."

Me: "Oh, well this should be interesting because we do not have a budget. We really don't have a women's ministry!"

She wasn't phased at all and from that point, we started planning the event.

From the beginning she was very gracious and even called my phone while I was sitting in the car line at school one day just to pray for me. Seriously.

Just as it should be I guess, a few things happened the week leading up to the event that sent me into tears because oh.my.word. I couldn't handle the pressure. My new assistant, Eric stepped in and handled the final details for me and I was sure I'd never loved him more. He was such a huge help and kept me sane the last few days.

Some of my favorite things about that night were seeing a few women I really wanted to come actually come (So glad you got to make it, H! - I loved seeing you there!) Also, Sheri Rose gave away so many books. If someone came to her and they didn't have a book for her to sign (maybe not being able to afford it), she ran to her book table to get them one ... free! I loved that.

I've heard so many testimonies about that night and was so thankful God chose to meet with each lady in His own way. I know He showed me so much in the process.

If you haven't read her books, please do so. Especially this one. You will be encouraged.

O with Sheri Rose

Sheri Rose and me. Do I look worn out? Because I was! This was the end of the night.

E and O with Sheri Rose's daughter, Emily. Emily and E really hit it off!

Sheri Rose with my friend, Rita (also our pastor's wife). I wish I could tell you these two bonded over the Word of God, but that would just be a lie. A Big Lie! But, bonded they did. God is so sweet to put these two on both sides of the country because oh.my.word., I don't think this world could stand them in the same city. Everything is as it should be.

The women that helped put this night together ... Tina, Heather, Piper, Sheri Rose, Rita, Leslie and myself (missing KTBeth). Thanks, Ladies!