Catch-Up

It's been a week since I've posted, so all I know to do is catch up with what last week included.

** Emma and Olivia have switched their B*rbie obsession back to Americ*n Girls for the moment.  They go with them everywhere.  Here Emma is feeding Julie breakfast.

I had to laugh last week when I dropped them off at school.  I drove away and then went to get gas in my van.  I turned around to see each of their dolls buckled in seat belts .... staring at me.

Honestly, it freaked me out just a bit.

** I spent the week working on Johnny Appleseed Day for Olivia's class.  You know, the event I was to organize but wasn't going to be able to attend? I had so much help for that from other parents, so it all worked out.

** I started making plaques to sell.  I'm just now getting used to how my new Silhouette machine works.  I hope to get a little faster (and better) at making them because I really need to raise some money for my trip to the Holy Lands.  This was my 2nd sign I made and I sold it. 

I will say that selling things that I make is a little unnerving for me.  I look at the sign above and cringe because I see so many mistakes.  I just never think anything turns out good enough to actually charge someone for it.  But, then I remember that hefty balance I owe for my trip and I try to get past it :)

** I met my brother at the track several times to run.  We've had the weirdest weather here.  It's so humid and wet.  I always run in the mornings, but Thursday we had to run at lunch.  We could hardly do it because of the thick humidity.  We laughed at the end when we just couldn't go another step and said 'this must be what they make prisoners do' - ha! It was brutal.  I love having my brother's company, though.

** A few weeks ago, I started a Mom's Bible Study group at another church.

I'm not sure what I was thinking because there is a lot of homework with this study.  I don't mind that at all, but regular Bible Study at our church starts next week, so it will be interesting to see how that will work out.  The main reason I did it was because the topic was on a Mother's Wisdom and I've never been in anything like it.  Also, it's nice to just walk in, listen and get fed as opposed to preparing and teaching the study.

The rewards of it have been huge already, though.  I am learning SO much! Plus, I'm meeting so many women that are in the same season as me and that has always been a prayer of mine.

** I left Friday for our Women's Retreat.

All the planning, studying and praying was finally showing fruit.  I was so relieved it was finally here!

God showed Himself faithful in every detail of the weekend.  His Word went forth and I witnessed many women receiving it like it was a lifeline. 

We laughed, cried and came home strengthened. 

I love weekends like that.  My deepest prayer is that now God will water the seed and change lives! Watching women Sunday at church speak to someone they haven't spoken to in years encouraged me and blew me away at the same time.  God makes us do things we would never dream of doing nor want to do.

I'm so thankful He blessed us this weekend.

I promised not to post a lot of pictures from the weekend here, but here are just a few :)

 (Having a deeply spiritual conversation at dinner about ... migraines :) By the way, that's my mother-in-law, Carolyn, beside me.  A 2011 breast cancer survivor!! Praise the Lord!)

 Our event was on God's Extravagant Love.

 Playing a silly game the first night.  That's Heather and Phyllis in the picture also. Those 2 are mighty prayer warriors and SO good to my family! I love you both!

 My sweet friend, Leslie, and me.  It's possible we'll be in-laws one day - ha! You know, in 30 years or so.

 We went to the Billy Graham Library on our break Saturday.  This is Ashlyn and me.  Ashlyn is in our youth group and used to be in my Sunday School class.  I love this girl! I know God has huge plans for her!

 I can't say enough about these ladies! This is the core group that planned the retreat (Leslie, me, Piper, Brenda & Heather).  These ladies stood in the gap and planned almost every detail - taking the burden off of me so I could concentrate on studying & teaching the lessons.  What a gift.  I love you ladies!

My BEST friend and roomie, Rita.  I'm so thankful for her and her friendship!

Until next time ...

Retreat Time!

I realize I haven't posted that often lately, but every minute this week (and last) is filled with something.  In fact, I have every minute carefully calculated in my planner because I REFUSE to get stressed out.

I'm only taking a second to post now because I had to sit down to ice my feet.  I realize that may be too much information, but if you were here, you would hear me whine about it.  My new love for running is forcing me to ice them twice a day. But, as I sit here, I'm waiting on a load of clothes to finish drying.  After I fold them, I'll hop in the shower and head to school to teach my 8th grade girls small group.

Have I mentioned I'm teaching an 8th grade girls' small group at our school? Just one hour a week.  At first I was scared to death and it was nothing like what I thought it would be.  However, now I'm getting to know the girls a little better and we're starting to click.  What I have learned is that thirteen year olds are precious, intimidating, frustrating, beautiful, funny and trying all at the same time. 

I also started praying harder for Emma and Olivia's teenage years. 

I think we may need the extra grace.

What else is happening big this week? Oh, let's see ....

Our Women's Retreat is this weekend.  I am so happy it's finally here.  I have asked God to help me not get overwhelmed this week and just focus on what He's been showing me all along.

I have to say, I am so ready to teach these lessons that have been burning on my heart for over a month! I keep reminding myself God's Word will go forth and accomplish all He sets out for it to do.  Ofcourse, it will!

I was looking over the lessons yesterday morning and got SO excited about them all over again.  I fought the temptation to go next door and grab my neighbor so I could teach them to her. 

Then, I saw these girls all snuggled on the sofa ...

So, I taught it to them instead. (And, don't they look like they're settled in for a true retreat? I mean, how cool would it be to attend in your pajamas and cover up with a blanket?)

I'm pretty sure the blonde re-dedicated her life yesterday.

The brunette had the nerve to fall asleep.

She'll never know what she missed :)

Memory Verse - #18

The 1st and the 15th catch me by surprise every month.  We're on verse 18 .... can you believe it?

I love my next verse ....

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield:

the LORD will give grace and glory:

no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Psalm 84:11

Everything God has for me, whether it be a trial or mountaintop experience, He means to do me good.

I love that!

(Eric made my reservations for the SSMT Celebration in Houston.  We were fortunate to have frequent flyer miles so my airfare was FREE.  Yipppeee.  I'm looking so forward to going.  Will you be there?)

Friday Happies

It's Friday!

Now that my girls are back in school, we love Fridays and the promise of sleeping in the next day.  Also, Fridays mean my girls get to watch movies, so they are usually busting when the get home from school to turn on the TV.

(Several of you have asked me to update you on how we're doing with no TV.  I post about it soon, but I'll just say we are doing fine.  We don't miss it.  Now that school is back in, we cut out movies during the week and all is well.)

A few things that are making me happy this Friday ....

** The temperature has dropped! I can't get over how cool it is outside.  I love it.  This weather makes me want to dig out my boots.  The problem is I will literally have to 'dig' because my closet is in such bad shape.  Does anyone else's closet get out of hand in between seasons?

** I have had people to run with me all week this week.  Monday morning, I met my friend, Rita at the track.  I wish she would quit work and meet me there everyday :) Also, my little brother, John Patrick has ran with me the past 2 mornings.

Perhaps the biggest news is that I ran FIVE MILES this morning without stopping.  If we're friends on Facebook or Twitter, you already know.  I was thinking of calling our local paper as well ... this is serious breaking news.

I have never ran more than 3 miles at a time, but seriously felt like I could run a marathon.  I don't know if it was the cooler weather or what, but I was amazed!! It felt great.

**  Speaking of running, our school posted these pictures of us running in the 5K a few weeks ago.  After Eric finished his race, he came back to get Emma and me.  I was wondering if I had a last will & testament when this was taken ;)

I love the ones of Emma.  She is always smiling!

** Our kitchen renovation is 98% finished.  Give the Lord some praise!  All that is left are things Eric and I have to do ... patching holes, painting, window treatments.  I promise I'm going to post pictures soon.  I love everything about it, but maybe nothing more than the fact that there are no more contractors coming in and out.  :)

** I was able to cook and bake for my family every day this week, including my parents and friends.  I am so happy to be able to do that after 6 weeks.

**  Fresh flowers.  Eric got me these daisies and I have them scattered around the house in different vases.  I love daisies!

**  Olivia had to go to bed 30 minutes early last night because of repeated disobedience.  I found this note to her from Emma packed in her lunchbox this morning.

Bless it.  They really do love each other.

NEVER is a Strong Word

You know what you should NEVER do?

You should NEVER post something like I did last night .... a post that talks about how slow life is at the moment and how you're savoring that pace.

The very next day you will hear evil laughter and then listen to a phone message from your 1st grader's teacher, informing you the ONE AND ONLY event you signed up to organize for THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR has been moved up.

Moved up to the very day you are heading out of town to teach a Women's Retreat.

You will want to cry.

You will say out loud how that just could NOT be so and how you will just have to tell the teacher there is NO WAY you can pull it off.

And you know what will happen?

Your first grader will hear you and you will hear gnashing of teeth and things like, "Mom, you NEVER do anything in my class!"

The fact that your first grader chose the word NEVER will make you break out into a sweat because  ... really, first grader? NEVER? Are you kidding me?

You will put off calling the teacher back until you've had a chance to think things through.  You start to entertain ridiculous thoughts like "I could work like crazy until then to make it happen, do the school event, then head to the church to leave for the Women's Retreat".

Even that sounds ridiculous to you.

Which isn't really helping, so you'll need to go eat mass amounts of chocolate to clear your head.

Then, you'll just go to bed because you really have no idea what to do.  You'll laugh at the girl last night that thought her life was simple and easy. 

Boy, she doesn't have a clue.

Numbering Our Days

Monday may be shaping up to be my favorite day of the week.  Now that my schedule has completely changed, I have been fortunate to devote the last few Mondays to do nothing but study.

This has worked out well since I'm finishing up lessons for our upcoming Women's Retreat.  I'm almost finished.  I'll be so glad when I can rest, knowing I have exactly what God wants for us all.  I'm trying not to worry too much about it.  I just keep telling myself to get out of the way and let His Word accomplish what He wants it to.  Ofcourse it will!

Our family is at a very odd crossroads.  Maybe that isn't even an accurate way to describe it.  We've always been on the go and pulled in a million different directions.  Fall is typically the toughest season for us as far as busyness goes, with school starting back, soccer games, Bible Study and crazy schedules. 

But, most of the things that make our family busy are not happening.

Without any of us voicing our intentions (I don't think we knew our intentions anyway), we have found ourselves opting not to 'sign up' for every little thing. 

When it came time to sign up for soccer, Emma showed little interest, asking if she could wait until Spring.

Eventhough dance classes started two weeks ago, I could never bring myself to call and register.  When I finally did today, my girls didn't want to go.

I'm not working at their school anymore and for the first time ever, I am at home while both girls are in school all day.  My wish is to volunteer in their classrooms, and eventhough I've done that already this year, I have had opportunities to say 'no' to a lot of things!

We are, for the first time I can remember, being careful about what we fill our days with.

I love what Nicki said not long ago when she posted 'Do the thing that makes your soul well'.  I've given that so much thought.  I think of it when I'm trying to discern what God wants our days to look like.

At this point, they are filled with less. 

Honestly, it all feels so foreign to me, I have second-guessed myself and fought against false-guilt over not signing my girls up for every little activity.

But, foreign or not, it's the right thing to do.

Don't let me mislead anyone, they still have piano lessons (Olivia started last week) and they both love that time.  For the first time, I get to join a Mom's Bible Study group where all I have to do is show up and be encouraged by others (tough call, right?).

But, I'm already finding I spend much less time in my car (where I was thinking of getting my mail!) and we are happier.

We're doing things like this ....

(Eric and Olivia 'racing' on Nintend* DS M*riokart.

Eric needs his own DS! He's a tad obsessed.)

And, I'm cooking yummy meals like my best friend, Cathy's Chicken & Rice Soup, cornbread and Chess Pie.

(I told Cathy I'm either just so happy to finally have a kitchen to cook a meal in,

or this truly was the best soup we've ever tasted ;) Either way ... yummy!

I'm not naive.  I know this season won't last forever.  But, I'm enjoying every second while it lasts!

"So teach us to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

Sunday Letters

Dear Emma,

You finished your first Nancy Drew book yesterday.  I wasn't sure you would see it through to the end.  Like me, you become so engrossed in a book.  One the characters in the one you were reading got shot.  You threw the book and said, "What kind of stuff do you have me reading?"  Ha! You picked it right back up and finished it.  You even started on the second one this morning.  :)

I was able to substitute for your teacher one day last week.  I've never been able to do that before (other than recess) so I was really looking forward to it.  We had a lot of fun.  You were shocked I was able to teach y'all History, specifically about the Vikings and Barbarians.  You were so impressed.  I decided not to tell you I was reading directly from your teacher's notes. haha! You will soon learn Mom is NOT a history buff.  Worst subject ever for me. 

You were so concerned when we got in the car after school because you thought the boys were disrespectful to me.  Fear not! I made a mental note for next time.  I'm no push-over :)

Dear Olivia,

You are finally breathing better, with the help of treatments you take twice a day.  The funniest thing that happened this week was when I took you to the doctor.  She was concerned about your breathing and decided you needed to have your flu shot during that visit.  You were talking with Emma and didn't hear her say that.  I didn't tell you.  Honestly, I was busy breaking up with your Daddy in my mind because he always misses the 'fun stuff'.  Anyway, later when the nurse walked in with the syringe, you were sitting on the exam table and spotted it.  You shouted, "I am NOT getting a flu shot!!!!"  You jumped off the table and RAN to the door to open it.  I had to tackle you.  Whew!

Ofcourse, you DID get it.  We cracked up when we got in the car.  I asked you where you were going when you started to run out of the room.  You said, "I was going home!!!"

Hilarious.

Dear Eric,

I loved meeting you this week to run at lunch.  I have whined and complained about wanting to run somewhere other than our neighborhood, so you suggested we run around town.  All I kept saying while we were running was I never thought I would be doing something like that. 

We took this picture afterward ...

Mainly because it was my last day of being 40.  Forty-one came all too soon, but I honestly feel better than ever today.  I love you for being so supportive of me in everything I do!

To all 3 of you:

Thank you for treating me so special on my birthday.  You three are truly the BEST gifts! I love you.

An Emergency

We've had an emergency over the past 24 hours at our house.

One of the upmost urgency.

The kind that stops everything and everybody in their tracks.

Olivia's beloved dog, Chicker, went missing.

 

This dog, along with her blankey, are as important to Olivia as her next breath and when one goes missing, everybody in our house better start on the hunt.

She cried herself to sleep last night and left for school this morning in tears. 

I just found him in the dryer.

I forgot I washed him yesterday in an effort to help her breathe better, thinking he was probably covered in sawdust from our renovation.  Oops!

So, now here he sits perched on the sofa facing the door she'll walk through in a few minutes.

She'll probably scream and shout and love on him even more. He used to have black spots, but she has 'loved' him so much, they've all been rubbed off.

All is right with the world.

Our Morning .... A Blessed Day Already

Olivia hasn't been feeling well.  She has been taking breathing treatments since Friday night.  She has allergy-induced asthma (we found that out here) and with our kitchen renovation and the change to cold weather, she is struggling somewhat. 

She takes a breathing treatment every morning and night.  Eric and I woke this morning and realized she slept all night with no trouble breathing during the night. 

A good feeling.

She heard us talking and ran down to snuggle in our bed.  She was SO rested and happy and then went into a very animated, ten minute speech about what she learned in music class yesterday.  She told me all about Bach, from the number of kids he had to where he was born and how HE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A PIANO BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T MAKE PIANOS when he was first born. 

By far, the highlight of the conversation was watching/hearing her pronouce 'Bach'.  It's hysterical.  If you see her, ask her to tell you.  You'll crack up.

She makes me smile.

Emma was already up .... getting dressed, making her bed and listening to T*ylor Swift ... loudly.

She came down for breakfast and I had to remind her several times to eat since she was engrossed in her book.

(I have tried to get her to read Nancy Drew books for years (my favorites growing up), but she just started and now loves them.  Eric went on a business trip to Wisconsin last year and a man that he met with had a daughter that loved Nancy Drew too.  She sent Emma a collection of books.)

 My girls left for school happy and healthy.  That gift isn't lost on me this morning.  I am deeply thankful.

Time is flying by.  This is my Emma.  The one on the left is of her a week before she started Kindergarten.  The right one was taken last weekend in Blowing Rock ... already as a 4th grader.  Whew.  Brings tears to my eyes.

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you,

That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 18:10

What I'm Loving Wednesday

This week I am loving ...

(1) Cooler temperatures.

I know it may not last, but today was so nice.  The high was only in the 70s! I'm so ready for boots, sweaters, hot soups and hot chocolate.

(2)  My girls' school.

I'm only teaching an 8th grade girls small group once a week, but I still went to the Grammar School Chapel service today.  It was the first one of the year.  I'm always reminded at Chapel what a special place our school is.  I thank God daily for His provision so we can go there.

Today's Chapel was on having honorable character.  Our school has started sending an 'honorable' progress report every week so parents can see all the good their child has done.  Focusing on the positive in our children instead of the negative.  I love it!

(3) This gift I received ....

Our Grammar School Principal (and dear friend of mine) gave me this handmade sign yesterday.  The ladies that make these both have children at our school.  I love it ... so much that I went to check out more of what they had today.  (Local friends, if you are looking for something like this, let me know.  The make them with your family name as well!)

(4) My new running shoes.

My feet have been giving me a fit again, and after several friends told me it was probably my worn out shoes, I finally caved and bought a new pair.  You're apparently suppose to buy a new pair every 6 months, but I had mine for 2 years.  Yikes! I can feel a BIG difference already and my feet are thankful :)

For more What I'm Loving Wednesday posts, click here.

Raising Our Children Through Scripture

** Sorry about the link below.  I have fixed it. You should be able to click on it now.

"We live in a world saturated with books about God, spirituality and even about Jesus. There are plenty of great ones out there….but there are also plenty of books that preach a gospel different than the one found in scripture" .....

Read the entire ModSquad post here.

I am enjoying the ModSquad blog so much, finding encouragement in trying to raise my daughters using Scripture as the main model. 

Check it out.

I Wish .... Revisited

Original 'I Wish' post here.

** I wish it felt and looked like Fall all year round where I live.  What a happy place that would be :)

** I wish I wasn't afraid of thunderstorms.  Actually, just the thought of tornadoes makes me want to throw up.

** I wish I could run a longer distance .... and faster.

** I wish I was good at meal planning.  It bores me.

** I wish we could live off of brownies, cookies and pies.  Those are the things I love to cook.

** I wish I had more time to take naps :)

** I wish I could sew.

** I wish I was better at getting stains out of clothes.

** I wish I could do one thing without getting distracted by something else.  I'm finding it more and more difficult to stay on task with one thing.

** I wish I could drink water past 5:00 pm.  If I do, I'm up in the middle of the night.

** I wish I could go back to sleep if I wake in the middle of the night.

** I wish I would've talked more about Jesus to the young girl I picked up on the side of the road.  She would surely have been happy to meet Him! I let that moment pass me by.

** I wish my daughters didn't know about things like 'bullies' and 'mean girls' at such young ages.  A Mom knows it's inevitable that her child will have to learn how to deal with people intentionally trying to hurt them, but maybe she never thinks it will be a discussion she has with her 9 and 6 year old daughters.

** I wish I didn't know about 'mean girls' and 'bullies'.  I refrain from telling my girls that even at age 40, they will have to deal with the same ugliness they saw at 6.  Only then, it is done behind an 'anonymous' mask.  But, because of that, I can tell my girls from experience how important it is to pray for those that intentionally try to hurt you.  Hurt people hurt people, remember?

** I wish I wasn't afraid of things .... staying overnight by myself or something happening to my family.

Wanna join? What do you wish?

An Extra Long Weekend and Some News

I love a long weekend! I love how just when school gets started, we have a day to regroup and take a breath.  It's been nice.  I feel like I haven't had any time to be on the computer, so I thought I would just talk about a few things going on around here.

The 'Ark' wasn't built in a day, and apparently, a kitchen can't be renovated in 4 weeks.  While there have been many headaches to this remodel, not the least of which being contractors not showing up when they say they will, I am really happy with everything.  I was able to cook dinner Thursday night and we were all happy about that.  I never thought I would say we are tired of eating out, but it's true.  (A lot of you have emailed me asking for pics and I promise they're coming.  Just as soon as our back splash is finished and there aren't electrical outlets hanging from the wall ;)

We decided to take a break from all the remodel and cleaning chaos this weekend and head to the mountains.  My girls are sick of hearing about the kitchen and we're sick of looking at the mess.  So, we spent the day at our favorite place .... Blowing Rock.

We shopped, ate (too much) and played at the park.  Good, good day.

Last week, I was doubly blessed with fresh flowers.

Fresh flowers make me happy :)

Eric gave me the white roses (love!) and my friend, Rita, brought me a bouquet of yellow and white flowers when she came to help me organize my kitchen.  I appreciated the help so much! When she left I didn't feel quite so overwhelmed.  Thanks, Rita!

Registration for the Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration in Houston was posted on Friday.  I had pretty much decided I couldn't go (tell you why in just a second), but Eric is persistent and it looks like I will be able to use his airline points to get a free plane ticket.  What a blessing! Without that, I'm not sure I would be able to go this time, but it just may happen.  Can't wait!

And, now for the reason I wasn't going to go .... I am going to the Holy Lands with my big brother! I'm still pinching myself, but my trip is booked.  I am still in shock.

I have wanted to go forever, but Eric and I could never agree on it.  He wanted us both to go together, but I have this weird thing about both of us traveling (especially so far away) while our kids are so little.  I've tried to talk him into letting me go 3 different times with various groups over the past 2 years, but he never felt good about it since I didn't know anyone with any of the groups. 

A few weeks ago, my brother Todd called me and asked me to go with him.  I couldn't answer right away because I was sobbing.  Not only has it been a dream of mine to go, but to go with him is pretty much the best.thing.ever.  I idolize my brother and love him deeply, so to have that time with him in such a special place ... well, I don't even have words to describe what that means to me.

So, I have A LOT of money to raise over the next few months.  If I think too much about it, I could freak out, but I'm trusting God to work it all out.  When I asked Eric if I could go and he heard I would be going with Todd, he immediately said 'yes', but one thing I don't want to do is take money away from our family.  So, I have to get creative.  I love how God has already been providing for this trip in just the 3 weeks it's been planned. 

I do not take these blessings for granted.  I know exactly Who is working it all out.  I am blessed.

Sunday Letters

Dear Emma,

My favorite conversation with you this week was when you were sitting at the kitchen table and suddenly said, "So, Mom, I just thought that all people were put on the earth to worship God, glorify Him and really nothing else, right?" I told you "Right" and that you had just figured out the secret to life :) You said you didn't understand why in the world God would create us if He knew we wouldn't be good at doing that.

I had no words.  I don't understand it either, but it's a fact.  I love how your mind works and the fact that you think about such deep things.  You challenge me.

Dear Olivia,

I love that when your sister started the above conversation, you chimed in a said "Well, in my Bible, it says God created a lot more things than us!"  Ha! 

My theologians.  I love y'all more than you know.

Stand Fast - Memory Verse #17

I can't believe it's the 2nd of the month and I completely forgot about signing in with my memory verse.  I never even thought of it until I saw a friend's update on Twitter.

But, I've already been learning my new verse.  I ran across it a few weeks ago while preparing for our Women's Retreat.  I could write an entire post on this verse (and probably will after the retreat), but for now I'll just say God is already using it to minister to me. 

At times, my past (experiences, testimony) can have too much say over my heart.  Only Jesus can keep me from going to the dark places of unworthiness, condemnation and doubt.

Christ set me free from all of that years ago, but the accuser loves to bring it all up again. 

But, redemption means Christ not only freely gave me eternal salvation (that would have been enough!), but He also redeemed every part of my life that was stolen from the enemy.  I can walk in that Truth and liberty ... the old is gone ... the new has come.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty

wherewith Christ hath made us free,

and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Galatians 5:1

Christ never wishes for me to take on that burden again! He made me free and I can confidently walk in that freedom!