Rainy Day Musings

Growing up in West Texas as a farm girl I learned to appreciate the rain. We needed it, depended on it, and very often prayed for it to come.

In Pennsylvania I learned to tolerate it, expect it, and even feel thankful when it didn't make it's regular appearances.

When we moved to Pennsylvania we experienced an unusually warm, dry summer. Now that we have moved back to Texas we have had an unusually mild, wet spring. It's funny though how those things that you grow up learning and understanding never really leave you. My love and deep appreciation for rain and thunderstorms grew dormant in the wet hills of Pennsylvania. But now that I am back in West/North Texas, that love is alive and thriving again.

Today is a rainy, thunder struck day. The sum rose this morning but was soon engulfed by the deep blue clouds that came sailing in from the North. A Norther. Those storms that come in from the north are usaully trouble because they bring colder air and it's usually pretty hot here by this time of the year and that usually brews up one heck of a storm. But the milder temps kept this storm from being a record breaker. The heavy rain and menacing clouds have passed on now and we are left with the steady rain and comforting thunder of a good ole Texas style storm.

I am not sure why but today, turning all the lights on in the house at 8:30 made everything feel cozier. In Pennsylvania it was just normal. And today, for me, that cozy breeds a contemplative spirit. These days should be special. They were for my family growing up. If it was summer time it meant everyone took the day off and stayed in doors. EVEN Dad. This was a special treat for us because it meant something speacial would happen. Days that Daddy stayed home were like holidays. We made yummy treats to eat, dusted off the board games and sat on the living room floor together. At least until Dad fell asleep. Then we would all pull out a good book and just bask in the warmth of home.

As a kid, I cherished those days. One time while Angie and I were still in school a big storm came and we got several inches of rain. We lived on about 3 miles of dirt road and Dad let us stay home that day from school. We were redecorating the living room and we all spent the day painting. Even working together was fun when Dad was there.

Home for my family was a refuge. A place we went to rest and relax, to eat, and be together. Home is so much more than that though. My home was no different. My mom did such a great job of making our home a peaceful place that we wanted to be. She kept it so inviting and my home was always filled with love.

As a Mom myself, I am so thankful for the home I grew up in. It is not an easy task to make your home peaceful and warm and inviting. Especially if I can not keep that kind of spirit for myself.

I am not talking about having a spotless kitchen or squeaky clean bathrooms. That's nice, but that is not what makes a home warm or inviting. To make a home your family's haven, well...you have to have that peace in your heart. I have caught myself not wanting to be at home. I just want to be somewhere else. I mean, good grief, I spend somedays where I don't always even make it out the front door!! But that is NOT the attitude I hope to foster in my children. I want our home to be a place that our children want to be. A place where they want their friends to come visit and are content to just BE. A safe place that they know they will be accepted and loved no matter what their faults are, no matter how badly they mess up, no matter how long they stay away. A place where they learn about who God wants them to be and who God is. A place where the distractions and fast pace of this world just melt away.

That takes work. It doesn't just happen. I have grown to realize this and appreciate my mother so much more for her willingness to take on this formidable task. She made my childhood home so peaceful and warm and wonderful. I still feel that when I go home and visit.

But as a mom I realize how much work that truly takes. You have to diligently gaurd against those distractions that so easily emplant themselves into our everyday lives. Things that are harmless enough but wedge their way into our families and take the place of these dreams we have so carefully crafted in our hearts of what home should be. There are too many to even name. But be on the look out. Scripture says that Satan is like a roaring lion, looking for who he may devour. And very often that lion of sin comes sneaking up behind you and you never even see him coming. That's why you have to be on a constant look out for the safety of your home. Diligently, you must keep your eyes wide open with every opportunity that arises to entertain your family, to keep them busy, or simply occupied.

Nothing has made me more aware of my selfishness than being a mom. Some days I find myself fuming over the fact that I have spent a whole day caring for ALL the needs of others that I haven't even had time to think about myself. But frankly, those days are easier than the days that I do have time to think about what I would like to be doing. On the days I give in to the temptation to think of myself are usually the days that I spend justifying my time and putting off the things that I know will have an eternal impact but just don't show any rewards right now.

Today, the rainy weather gave me a renewed vision for my role as homemaker; A deeper desire to make this house the home that I want our children and my dear husband to rush home to; A passion to be the grace filled mother that God has called me to be and knows I can be.

I would be a very dishonest person if I tried to make you believe that my spiritual walk has been deep and thriving these last few weeks. The truth is, I have been resting in faith and I don't mean watch and see what God can do faith, but my ever faithful Father has been so diligent to seek me out. I have been so very aware of His provision and watch care over us. This doesn't mean that I have been in a spiritual drought either. There have been times of spiritual awakening in these last several weeks but I wish they were not so few and far between. I have not been very diligent in seeking out my Savior. BUT He is always my pursuer and He will not let me forget His love and care for me. I tell you this so that you will be able to ascribe the credit for these blessings where credit is due. I have done nothing to deserve the provision and care of my Savior, yet He is faithful!

I thought it was about time I shared some of the things that the Lord has been doing in my heart and family.

1. We love our new hometown, home church, and home. We feel very blessed to see how God brought us here through months of preparation in Fort Worth so that both our family and the church family would be ready and waiting anxiously for our arrival.

2. I have never moved in the middle of a pregnancy before and was VERY nervous about finding a new doctor and all of the hassle that goes along with it. I have just gone to see my new OB and he is great! I have been so blessed to have friends that helped me find great doctors in both Fort Worth and here. It was only at the request of a church member that this doctor agreed to see me. Thank you, Lord for friends that care and doctors that can be persuaded!

3. We are recieving regular pay checks now!! PTL! We even have a tiny bit of money left in savings. That is truly an act of GOD!

4. I have never had a hard time getting pregnant and I have never lost a baby to miscarriage. During this pregnancy I have been painfully reminded through the hardships of so many just how blessed I am. This is a blessing I admit I have taken for granted for far too long!

5. God is giving me a renewed passion for my children and my role as mother. I finally can focus on them now instead of the move or finances. It's no excuse, believe me, I know. It feels like it has been a long time since I was able to truly enjoy my time with the girls instead of resenting how tired I was. Pregnancy isn't the best time for this revival but I am learning to live like today is the MOST important day of my life. It has helped me to re-evaluate my daily goals. It probably helps too that I get to bed a lot earlier! ;)

6. Dan and I are ONCE AGAIN revisting our personal goals. For so long we have known what things are stealing our attention from obedience to God like: TV, desserts, caffiene, sleep, ..... the list goes on and on! You know those little things that don't really matter but you find yourself thinking about and doing more and more of? Well, we are tired of letting those things dictate our days, emotions, and desires. We are struggling, together, to give those things back to God and recommit our hearts to obedience. Obedience in EVERY part of our lives. Free time, work time, sleep time, what we eat, how much we eat, why we eat what we eat, and taking care of our bodies, physically, mentally and emotionally. Every time I find my self dissatisfied with life or any part of my life, or even just some part of me, if I look back at how I am spending my time and who or what I am giving my attention to, I usually come back to one of these things and I realize I have given it a more important role in my life than it deserves.

7. God can use me as long as I make myself available for His use. It doesn't matter what my attitude is when I make myself available, or how equipped I am for the job. IF I give myself over to God's use, HE CAN DO AMAZING THINGS, despite me! Sometimes I will keep myself from doing things I know God is calling me to do because I am ....not trained for it .....don't want to .....or jsut have the wrong attitude in general. But I am usually MORE blessed in those situations if I just DO IT because I am usually leaning more heavily on Christ to work through me than if I felt equipped or equal to the task. The lesson here...Do the thing you fear! Just be obedient and let God do His thing!

Those are just some of the things that have been floating around my head lately. God has been so diligent to teach me even if I haven't been seeking out his wisdom. Wow! Just think what I could learn if I was really ready to hear from Him!

Daddy's Birthday!

Daddy Dan turns 28 today! The girls and I have had a fun time making his cake. It's THE birthday cake. It's pretty famous in our house. It's a chocolate cake that I only make for birthdays and it's been a while since I made it. Diana made it for me on my birthday and that was the last time we have had it. FaithLyn was pretty cute this morning. She came out of her room and smelled the cake baking and had to lay on the couch for a few minutes just to enjoy the cake smells. She later told me I made the best chocolate cake in the world. She's really racking up the points today! I put on my apron this morning so I didn't splatter chocolate all over my white shirt and the girls wanted to wear their aprons too. They wore them most of the morning. I know they won't always want to be just like Mommy but I do so treasure those moments now!

Here is the finished product. You can still see some remnants of my frosting lickers! Olivia at least saved some for later on her shirt. Even the apron wasn't enough to save her from the enthusiasm of licking the beaters. These girls were pretty proud. After we put the lid on the cake Olivia sat at the table and stared at it. Every once in a while she would turn around in her chair and just squeal. Then when Dan got home she kept saying, "Cik, peese. Eat Cik, peese!"
Dan was pretty proud of my helpers too. Happy Birthday, Daddy Dan! We sure are thankful for all that you do for us and how well you love us all! May God bless this year with abundant joy as you strive to follow your Savior and allow Him to direct your days. We sure do love you!

That Terrible, Horrible, No Good, VERY Bad day!

I alluded to our trip back to Fort Worth in one of my recent posts and I think I have recovered enough to share it with the world.

Dan had a really big paper due and I was worried about him driving because I knew just how much sleep he had gotten in the past few days. His mother and I were praying that he would let me and the girls help him out by driving him. We had big plans. We were going to visit the Museum before our membership ran out and then spend the afternoon at the GerltHouse. We were pumped!! To prepare for this big endeavor I got all of the girls clothes ready the night before. I packed lunches for everyone and decided it would be best if we just got the girls up and put them right in the car in their pjs. I was hoping they might fall back to sleep because it was 5:15 when we pulled out of the driveway.

We made a quick stop for some coffee for the driver and breakfast for the clan. When I got back in the van I noticed that the lights and the dash lights were flickering a little. I asked Dan what he thought and if I should worry but we decided to keep moving. This was before we had even left Iowa Park! So I am praying that it stops and it does. But my mind is going over all the things my Dad told me about cars. I knew flickering lights was a bad thing....the alternator....the battery....what else could it be? We just spent TONS of money fixing the transmission. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!! Anyway we start on our journey. The girls do not sleep. Olivia eventually screams herself into oblivion and we all get a little peace. Dan is catching some shut eye as well. His big plan was to skip his 8 o'clock, which was risky because he might have a presentation due that day, but he had to finish this paper and it was a risk he had to take. So we were going to drop him off at the library to finish writing this paper.

We made it to I-35 and were about 30 min. from the Seminary when the lights started going crazy and then.................nothing. The van died! OH, DEAR LORD! I pull over and decided to try and start it up again. IT STARTED! HALLELUIAH!! We made new plans.

The new plan was to try to get to the dodge dealership that we are now financing thanks to all the work they have done on our van. Then call our dear friend to rescue us. We make it to the dealership with no more trouble and I shakily exit said vehicle. I am not sure what caused the shaking;the coffee, lack of sleep, or the circumstances. Anyway, they assure us that they can at least figure out what the problem is so we start to gather up our day full of stuff and I realize I have children still in their pjs. OH, and while I am gethering up our junk I realize I forgot to bring shoes for FaithLyn! At that point I looked at Dan who was working on the other side of the van and said, "Dan, we are white trash!" His always delicate reply? "Kel, we are what we are!" Not the reassurance I was hoping for.

SO I carry the children into the bathroom and get them dressed and carry FL back to the waiting area. Dan is starting to look a little sick. I call Erin to see if there is any way possible she could come and pick us up. Luckily it was Chad's day off so we just had to wait for him to come home from playing b-ball so he could keep the kids, otherwise we wouldn't all fit. So we began our wait. Dan was looking pretty miserable at this point. And a man came in and asked if anyone needed a ride in the courtesy van. I told Dan to go and get started on his paper. He reluctantly left us there. But I assured him that Erin was coming soon.

I am trying to corral three little kids and I look up 2 hours later and see a gray van sitting out in the parking lot. It looks very much like our van. I walk to the window and yes, it looks very much like our van. I take a few steps outside...It IS our van!? I wonder how long it has been waiting here. I take Olivia back to the shop to find out what is going on and leave the girls under strick orders to stay seated or ELSE! Yep, it's our van and it's all fixed. The mechanic thought we had all left. HE obviously did NOT look in the waiting room. Anyway, Praise the Lord, it was just a dirty battery cable causing a bad connection and the mechanic caught it before he did all the tests so he saved us a bit of money!! THANK YOU, LORD! I called Erin real quick and told her to turn around and head back home, apologizing profusely.

Dan gave me the cell phone (church cell) just in case and I gave him Erin and Chad's number because I knew the cell number would be long distance. Sure enough I got a call from Chad that Dan was trying to get in touch with me. I gathered up my crew and carried FL to van. I kept trying the number Chad gave me to no avail while I headed to the Seminary. We got there and got the girls in the stroller and went to the phone I hoped Dan was trying to reach us from. We walked up right behind him before he saw us and as soon as he saw us I saw color come back to his face. Poor thing. He must have been so worried about us. I filled him in and handed over his lunch. I soon found out that he had been so worried about us that he had worked himself into a stomach fit. This has happened once before and now I know it is stress related. But as soon as he knew we were out of danger he felt immediately better.

I then took the girls to Target to find FL some shoes. Luckily I had some socks left over from who knows when and it wasn't quite so noticable that she didn't have shoes on. But I made the mistake of letting her get her very first pair of flip flops. I forgot that you have to learn to walk in flip flops. They were cause of quite a bit of frustration for both FL and myself!

But we ventured on! On to the Museum. At this point I thought we were in the clear! We played and had a fun time at the museum for about 45 mins. We were finishing up in the downstairs play area with the water play. They have these nifty aprons that keep the kids dry. Well, I look over at Olivia and she is pouring water and because of how she is pouring it 95% is running down her arm right through the arm hole. Right as I notice this and get up to go inspect the damage Elise gives me that deer caught in the headlights look. I know what it means but Do NOT want to admit to myself. Sure enough...She had an accident. This is so very rare for her. She has had a total of maybe 6 accidents. But it happened none the less. I take off her apron and send her to the stroller. She doesn't move though. She is paralyzed. I carry her to the stroller while Olivia pours about 3 more gallons of water down her arms and legs. By the time I get to her she has a tiny dry strip of clothing in the exact same spot that Elise is wet. Hmmm...the irony just isn't funny to me yet.

At this point I congratulate myself for deciding the night before NOT to bring an extra outfit for the girls because, I mean, really, what could happen!??

At this point I wish I could say I was calm and understanding and we all laughed at the kind of day we have had so far. No, there was not one ounce of graciousness left in me! We made our way out of the museum FAST! FaithLyn was whimpering somewhere behind me trying to keep up. I wasn't too worried about her because I could here her shuffling in those stupid brand new flip flops. I wasn't going to leave her!! I promise. But I wasn't slowing down either! We made it to the car and I think I was the only one not crying well, it took Olivia a while to catch on but she got the picture when I yanked her out of the stroller and shoved her in the van. I got in the van and closed the door so that my . . .lack of control. . .couldn't be seen by everyone. I didn't spank anyone, I didn't touch anyone but I wasn't speaking quietly. FaithLyn is worried that we aren't going to get to have our picnic and is asking about every 5 seconds. I told everyone to sit down and be quiet until I could figure out what everyone was going to wear. So, everyone is crying again and this time I am included in that group. I strip off all the soiled and wet clothes. Thank goodness we had at least worn our pjs that morning so I put the pull-up back on Elise and put FL's pj t-shirt on Olivia. It was almost long enough to look like a dress. Elise put on her pj pants and we all got buckled in.

I pulled it together enough to realize how unreasonable I was being and I prayed and apologized to the girls and we set out for our picnic. We were going to go to Trinity Park. It's right on the Trinity river and is lots of fun. But first I have to get gas and stop for drinks. I find a gas station and fill up the van but the store part was locked up!! AT NOON ON A MONDAY??? SO we find another gas station and I run in for drinks and wait in a line while I pray that our van doesn't get stolen with my children in it! Finally we are on our way to the park. You will not believe this....THE PARK WAS CLOSED!! This huge public park was CLOSED! WHAT!?? There was one little side rode that open right parallel to the busy street that intersects with I-30. Not the most ideal place to have a picnic but at this point... I didn't even care. We pulled over and spread the girls sleeping blankets for our meal. That's when the birds came scavenging. Once I could convince the girls that the birds would not hurt us we ate our lunch and even got to read a book I had brought for this very purpose. It was even about birds. I was trying to focus on the good things no matter how small!

We finished our meal and headed over to the Gerlthouse for a fun afternoon. Well, the kids had fun. I wasn't the best company I am afraid. But Erin is always so good to listen to me and she never tells me what a dope I am! We finally leave to head back to Seminary to pick Dan up from his class and that's when I really start worrying about him. What if he fell asleep in the library, what if he didn't finish his paper, what if he got sick again.....

But he didn't. He finished his paper and got it turned in. But once I saw him and he said it was finished, I lost it. The floodgates were loosed! We ate at Chick-fil-A and made it home with out any further distrubances. But WHAT A DAY!

It is still hard for me to think about so I doubt that I will check this for errors. Just give me a little grace. I finally feel like now that I have posted this I can move on. So forgive me if I move on immediately!

Haircuts

In the intrest of having a truly worshipful experience on Sundays I have decided it is best for all concerned that the girls have their Sunday bath on Saturday nights. So I took this picture last night rather than wait for the Sunday morning crunch. Dan has to leave by 7:30 for the early service so that means we have to have breakfast ready by 7 sharp. That just doesn't leave enough time for the girls to have a bath and for me to have a bath. I think both are important. SO this is my way of keeping Sundays holy.

I also get everything ready for the morning the night before. I set the table for breakfast, get the clothes ironed, get Olivia's cup for nursery time ready, I even get the coffee ready to brew in the maker. If I am making lunch I get that ready to go and try to take as much of the prep work out of the morning time as I possibly can. Some mornings, like this morning, it works really well and I have a chance to fix all the girls hair and even come back in the house to search out my church bible with out running! But on other mornings...it's still crazy. So it goes with little ones! Hope you have had a worshipful Sunday!

Oh. My. GOODNESS. Was that the last time I posted?

Let's see...Since I last posted, we have hosted a youth fellowship at our house, I have signed up to help with VBS,(I am teaching 2nd grade A) Dan went to monday school. OH, that's why I haven't posted. OUR TRIP BACK TO FORT WORTH!....That will have to come later. It still makes me crazy just to think of it. We got our first paycheck, made our first mortgage payment, Dan had Fear Factor Fusion last Wednesday night which included large mealworms, mice, and throw-up juice (*not actual throw up), He also successfully navigated his first service project day on Friday with the youth. Today we got indoctrinated into true Iowa Park citizenry by attending ParkFest. Their local car show and cruise. Fun. If you like to look at cars...but that kind of thing is just lost on me. We did get a good ole fashioned funnel cake though! Oh, and the girls got their summer haircuts. Very cute. I will take a picture tomorrow morning after we get ready for church so that those who care to see, like the grandparents, will keep up to date on the kiddos.

Let's see, we actually have money in the bank and it didn't come from our savings account. SCORE! Dan is taking his finals Monday at Fort Worth and then he can take a good little rest from school and focus his attention more fully here in Iowa Park.

We got to have a date night last night. We went to eat and then just decided to rent some movies and go home. We were both pretty tired. But it was nice to eat out alone and come home to sweet children already in bed.

We are quite settled in to our new home. I already need to do some REAL cleaning. So we must be settled in. But no matter how much we love it here and KNOW that God lead us here, we are still dealing with the transition of a new home, town, job, and everything else. I am not complaining but I was still in this transition in FW and now have to start over from scratch. It helps that we are on staff at a church because everyone knows us, we just don't know them all very well yet. It has been a very welcoming town though. We really like the small town mentality. It is just so exhausting to try and make new friends and get to know people. I have lots of expectations for our home life and Dan has lots of expectations and goals and ideas for the youth group. The great thing is that a new start gives you a clear picture of how you want things to be and what changes you need to make the bad thing about a new start is that you get a really clear picture of how you want things to be and ALL the changes you need to make. So we are trying to remind each other that we can only make progress one step at a time. So we are taking steps in the right direction and trying to hold on to that clear vision we had when we moved here and let God refine that picture with out losing the desire and drive to keep working at it.

We are so thankful that God has kept us moving so that we are more likely to keep our focus on Him. The crazier things are the more we are forced to our knees in recognition of our need for our Savior.

New Furniture and A Cute Story

Our sweet Elise has begun to develop quite an imagination. Shortly after our most recent move we were talking about making new friends. Elise was talking about her friends from Fort Worth going to church with her and I told her we would just have to make some new friends. Well, said something in reply about making up friends. I tried to explain that we would meet new people and become friends with them but and that we couldn't just make-up new friends. Apparently she caught on to the "make-up new friends" part. Somehow I also said that Daddy needed to find some new friends because he has been friend poor for a while because of his hectic schedule. Well, now we have 4 new friends that appear at our house at various times. I have never actually met them but join us for dinner most nights. These four new friends are Daddy's friends. Their names are Chickakenny(the short one), Chickabenny(the tall one), Kokophony(the other tall one), and Bill(the other one). I am not sure where these names came from but last night Elise decided that Daddy's friends needed names. When we had this conversation a couple of weeks or days ago I had no idea that these friends we were talking about were going to be imaginary friends. But everyday Elise has something to tell or show or share with "Daddy's friends". It is nice to know that Dan doesn't have to worry about finding any friends now. He has 4 that are here whenever he needs them!

We got our new furniture yesterday. It is always fun to get new furniture. But with or without this new STUFF we would feel blessed beyond measure in our new home. We are enjoying it so much and hope that some of you will come and enjoy it too! We are hosting our first Youth Social at the house this Sunday Night. It feels good to get back to what I know how to do. I'll try to remember to take some pictures and tell you all how it goes. But for now, nap time is over....til next nap time!

Just some cute pictures

These glasses we call the "Mr. Goodattitude" glasses. I am not sure why they got that name but you have to have a good attitude when you have them on. They may come in handy later! The girls found these glasses in Dan's car(well, the car he currently drives). They are 3-D glasses. Dan looked in the rear view mirror and had to do a double take. He wasn't sure who was sitting in his back seat. I think they are very Buddy Holly on FaithLyn.
This was just too cute to pass up. Olivia woke up early from a nap and woke me up early from my nap. It has become a bad habit I hope to break soon, (Olivia waking me up that is!) but in my groggy sleepstate I went straight into the room so she wouldn't wake up Elise and gave her the "baby fish mouth". Then I grabbed her out the crib and laid her down in my bed next to me, dirty diaper and all. Let's just say I wasn't thinking clearly. But she did slumber peacefully for an hour longer! I even got up and went about my business and she still slept on!

Ok, so you may be wondering what exactly is "baby fish mouth"? Well, this is what my father did to me when I was talking back, or disobeying or just for fun or to cause me embarrasment. He would grab my face right on my cheeks and make my lips squish out like a fish mouth. You know. Anyway, we have some close friends that would always make fun of Dad for doing that and Nancy named it "The baby fish mouth". You know as a parent there are always things you say you will NEVER do to YOUR children...well, it's best to just not say that, EVER!

Home Sweet Home

I know this is silly, but this is my new fridge. I am so excited about it. It is our first fridge that we have owned. It's just special to me. Dan has a friend at church that picked up the fridge for us and brought it to the house and now he calls Dan "fancy fridge".

Ok, here is the front of our house. I can't wait to get to work in those flower beds! And I am dreaming of a rope swing hanging from that HUGE tree. This is our side/back patio. The door you see goes into the living room. I can't wait to have our first cookout!
This is the fenced in back yard. It gets some good shade and has lots of nice grass. The girls are making friends with the neighbor dogs.

This is my prayer for our life in this home: Psalm 1:3

May our family be "like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither."

A virtual tour of the new house in Rewind

Dan and I were looking through some pictures that I haven't gotten in albulms yet. (He's trying to get his office fixed up) I was so saddened by the hard truth that I don't have ANY hard copy pictures of Olivia! They are all on this computer!! What would I do if this computer crashed? I only have a few on CD. I have some work to do. I am going to start using that expensive camera that I used to use so much but became outdated with the advancement of technology. But here is the virtual tour, thanks to that advancing technology! It starts at the back of the house and goes forward. But I don't have any pics of the outside. That will come next time. Or rather later. This is the closet in the tiny room that the big girls will share when the new baby arrives. The girls are especially excited about this room. And I do mean room, it is only slightly smaller than the bedroom itself. This doubles as the playroom!

Still more pics!

The other side of the kitchen. Minus the new fridge and all the counter tops and cabinets.
The utility room. Notice the nice large closet in the back. It has lots of shelves too!
The fire place in the living room. Which, it turns out, we could have been using. It has been COLD here!! It snowed on Easter and it was in the 40's today most of the day! WHAT?
That is the corner that I am sitting at right now.
Here is the girls room or FaithLyn's room for right now.We had to rip out those shelves to make the bunk fit. BUT we moved them into the closet!!

More Pics of the new house

This is the hall bathroom or the girls bathroom. This is the front room which someday will be a more formal sitting room.
This is our front door. I like it.
These are the hall closets right inside the front door. Sorry, I get excited about closet space.
This is one view of the kitchen, with a peek into the utility room.
Look at all that counter space!

Hello to all from Iowa Park!

Here are some pics of the house when we came last weekend for the walk through. These are the before pics!This is the master b-room. Where Elise is standing is where my dresser and mirror are now.
Master Bath. THE best shower....EVER!
The sitting room connected to the master b-room. Or it will be eventually. (Not our dog!)
The hallway from the master b-room. The girls really wanted to be in the pictures.
This is the YELLOW room. right now Elise and Olivia are sharing this room. When the new baby comes it will be the two littles in here. Hopefully we will have time to repaint before then.

This may be the last you hear from me in Fort Worth. We start the long process of moving this weekend. Well, it feels that way anyway. We are leaving for Iowa Park today for the walk through of the house before closing on Monday!!! I am super excited. Hopefully I will be able to picture our stuff in the house this time.

Then Dan is sticking around in IP to help at Camp Chaparral. It's the Baptist Encampment there and it's pretty great! They asked Dan to help facilitate the low ropes course for a leadership confrence they are having on Sat. He loves that he will not have to totally say goodbye to all his ropes course training and fun! The girls and I are heading to Floydada to spend the Easter weekend with my parents. Dan will join us later on Saturday. I am so excited to spend Easter with my family. Then we leave the girls with Nana and Papa and head back to Iowa Park on Sunday night so we are there bright and early on Monday morning for the closing of the house. Woohooo!

While we are signing our lives/souls away to this house the packers will be starting the packing back here in Fort Worth. I have a good reason to miss a little bit of that process and I have to admit I am not too sad about it!! But we have to be back here on Monday by three because Dan has a test in Hermaneutics! Then Tuesday we finish up packing and Wednesday morning the movers are coming to load up all our stuff.

I am going to be so glad when this is over!! Our last move we knew would be big and we started preparing in Sept. for a June move. We moved half-way across the country. Of course it took a lot of work and planning. This move is two hours away and it feels like I have been at least thinking about it for ages!!! I am so thankful that I am not packing and loading the house up but at least when you do your own packing it feels like you are moving toward your goal. Anyway, this is not complaining!! I just get to live in my house until someone else worries about getting me to Iowa Park. It's pretty great, unless you have a problem with control. But I don't know anyone around here that deals with that!!

I'll try and keep you posted and when we get moved I'll send out our new info. and post some pics. Have a Happy Easter. I hope you are able to enjoy the celebration of what our glorious Lord has done for us. Our once dead, but now living Savior has overcome death for once and for all!! Praise the Lord!

It's a ......

I had another sonogram today and today the baby was much more cooperative. I wish we had a scanner so we could post the pictures for you. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a profile shot of the face because baby was face down. But every thing is looking good and very normal right now.

OK, OK, I know that the only thing you people really care about is the sex of this baby. Are we having another baby girl or are we finally going to get our baby boy?








WELL.................




IT'S A .....................................................BOY!

I am not really sure what to do with boys. I guess I have some shopping to do. Anyone want to put in their two cents on baby names? I think boy names are hard. Growing up I had a boy Cabbage Patch Kid named Barkley Kit. I thought that name was pretty cool!

A Little Excitement in the Neighborhood

Well, I have to say, I will not miss city life in the least!! We have always known that this isn't the best part of town but I have never felt unsafe. Even when we occasionally hear a few gunshots somewhere in the area, I always know that it isn't on my street at least. We came home this evening to quite an alarming site. Right next door to us in the empty Seminary house was a Tahoe surrounded by SEVERAL police cars. My guess would be at least 10 cop cars where blocking the street. Since all of the other neighbors were out on their porches we sent the girls to get their pjs on and we sat on our porch.

Dan thought it important to document the event with a picture and of course I was indignant that he would even think of such a thing, but when he almost chickened out I egged him on! That's why the picture quality isn't the best but we will at least have documentation!

I have to admit I was a little embarrassed that I needed to sit and watch what was happening but I felt I needed to know what kind of danger we were actually in! Plus, this was the closest our neighborhood has come to a block party! Anyway, Dan didn't pull the van up very far in the driveway because we were a little distracted by all the flashing lights. So I couldn't really get a good look at what was going on. I decided to "do something" in the garage. There I could peek, unnoticed, from the garage windows and get a really good look at what was going on. I saw I woman sitting in the patrol car, obviously cuffed, and a man talking to her through the window. Then the cops started unloading the back of the tahoe. I saw a computer, stereo, and some other large objects make their way to their own patrol car.

Just as we were about to give up on getting any info, the campus security guard drove by and then backed up and pulled in to our driveway to fill us in. Three or four people were arrested. The cop pulled them over because the tags weren't current but then the people pulled into the house next to ours, a seminary house, and acted like it was their home. The campus security heard what was going on through the scanner and went to make sure the house was ok. Then the cops asked everyone to get out of the car and found LOTS of drugs and stolen stuff. OH, and did I mention the tahoe was stolen, too? WHEW!!! I am sure glad they weren't our neighbors!

Now, I need to say this because our Moms read this, WE WERE NOT IN ANY DANGER and never have been in this little house. God has taken good care of us and campus security is always driving by and they know who should be in the neighborhood and who shouldn't. BUT, at the same time I can't help but feel thankful that we are getting out of this city. And not soon enough if you ask me!!

Just a Cute Picture

The girls usually watch Sesame Street at 11 every morning. It gives me a little time to finish up any project I have going or get lunch going before Dan gets home. They love Elmo's World. It's their favorite part. Dan was home this morning and caught this moment. It was pretty cute. Olivia wasn't really watching the TV she was just trying to look like her sisters. I had the couch piled high with papers I am trying to get organized in the filing cabinet so it was off limits. This was the OBVIOUS alternative. At one point I heard FaithLyn saying, "Here, I'll get you a pillow." Sweet girls!

Iowa Park, HERE WE COME!!!

Well, we made it back from our marathon view of a call weekend and we are recovering nicely. We spent this morning sleeping in and then had a picnic at the Kimble Art Museum and then walked over to check out the new exhibit at the Fort Worth Science Museum. Now it's nap time, Dan and I are going to watch a movie, then we will head back to the museum to see the IMAX movie Amazing Cave Adventures!! Dan is pretty pumped. This is our day to rest and have fun then the rubber meets the road. We have lots to do. Well, I have lots to do to get this house in order. Did I say that the church is going to provide a moving company to come and pack us out AND move us!! Praise the Lord!!!!! SO I just have to get this little house back in shape!

Now for the info you probably want to hear...We had a really wonderfully tiring weekend! The youth group is great and we can't wait to get to know them better! Everyone in the church is really friendly and they like to laugh a lot! They have a real passion for the youth from young to old. We were overwhelmed by the welcome we received before we were even voted on.

Before we left we were praying that God's will would be very obvious either way. It was. We are so excited!!! God is good, even in the hard times we see so clearly how God has been preparing us for this.

What a Week!

Ok, so these are the pictures we have to document our visit to WSS. We were enjoying our visit with loved ones so much we didn't take pictures. I did remember to take pictures of baby Seth because I knew it might be a while before we saw him again and I would really regret it later if I missed my opportunity.
This is our family picture that we took to send to the church. It is the most recent picture of us you can get and one of the only pictures of me. I was growing my hair out and this pic is pre-hair chopping fiasco. But I am not bitter...it's hair and it grows back. Oh, well.
Here is sweet Momma Ellen with sweet baby Seth. She is my new hero for making that drive and spending her first night with baby away from the help of David. It was a hard night but she made it! What were we thinking asking her to come to us??? We owe her big for this one!!
The girls loved their sweet cousin. The jury is still out for Seth. He was tired of having his picture taken! He held out for a long time though, what a champ!
The proud uncle Dan-Dan.
And last but not least, Here is "The Good Reverend Dan" speaking for the Senior Staff Reunion. Sorry for the poor quality. Trust me, Dan is there in front of the white screen.
What fun we had getting to catch up with everyone again. Dan did a great job relating his heart and the message God placed there. I was so glad to hear him speak his heart. It was a great experience. On the drive up we got to spend the night with Jim and Karen Grube!! How fun! If only we hadn't been in the car for 12 hours we might have been more fun. Next time, Grubes!We stayed at the Thomas' and felt right at home. Their home will always feel like home to us. We got to visit with the newly engaged couple, Dailey and Katie, and spend some time with the newly weds Aaron and Lynsey Thomas. Dan got some game time in with Rob and I got some good visit time with Chandra while the kids got to remember how to play together. It was loads of fun!! As much as we love all of those people God made it clear to us that we don't fit there anymore. We are right where we are supposed to be and even though it hasn't been the easiest transition or most fun to adjust, God has plans for us. The best part is that God wants us to take everything we learned about how to love people and make family and do that where ever we are. So, even though it's a lot of work, we can't wait to get started again!

Actually, we learned a lot about ourselves this week:
1. It is possible to make the trip to PA in two days with 3 kids, the DVD player didn't hurt either!
2. WE DON'T LIVE AT WSS ANYMORE! This was a bitter-sweet lesson to learn but I think we are finally ready to move on.
3. We love the staff at WSS just as much as we did when we were a part of it and they still know us better than just about anyone else. IT IS SO GREAT TO BE TRULY UNDERSTOOD! (and still loved)
4. Home has to be where ever God has you at the moment!



Did I mention that it snowed, A LOT while we were there? Boy, was I ready to get back to spring!! It was so green when we got back to Texas. Of course, in a about another month I will be wishing I was back in spring up at PA! I am NEVER satisfied! I love spring! The new life, the smell of new life especially. If you don't know what I am talking about you need to spend some time outside in the hours of dawn and dusk. And just soak it all in!! It is truly a beautiful picture and reminder of what Christ has done for us. Happy Spring, happy rebirth, happy new life. I was reminded that it's never too late to start fresh, Thank the LORD! There are so many things I want to do differently! Not in my power but in the power that can face death and rise again the victor!

Spring Fever

Can I just say what a beautiful day it is? I got up early with Dan to help him get off to Iowa Park so he can be there for the house inspections. My Dad is going to be there too. The only ones missing are Mom, me, and the girls but I guess this has to be just a guy thing. Anyway, as I was taking the trash out this morning, (trash day) the sun was rising, it smells like spring and everything was damp and fresh. Even now I am sitting at my computer with the windows open and I can still smell spring. The birds are chirping, it was like a Mickey Mouse cartoon! I even felt like singing!

I almost envied Dan's two hour drive this morning. Then I remembered what I get to do this morning! I get to pack for our trip to White Sulphur Springs!!!! I admit packing for trips was a lot more fun when there was only one person to pack for but I still enjoy the expectation and planning. Even if I now plan for 5. Spring Break trips. You gotta love them!! The getting up super early to leave, the donuts and snack food in the car, the double screen TV's that keep the girls occupied in the back seat!!!! You have to love modern day car travel!

Hope you are having a great spring break or if you live where spring break is closer to when you actually have spring hope you enjoy your week. We are travling back to winter right when I am just beginning to remember how much I love this time of year!! And in Texas you take a big risk of missing when you are gone for a week and a half. SO those of you sticking around, hope you enjoy this beautiful weather!!!

All the Things I am NOT Doing

I am my own worst critic. Does anyone else out there struggle with this? Can I get an AMEN!

This has often been a tool that spurs me on toward being a better me. Right now it is a hinderance that is keeping me from seeing past the failure of incomplete goals, unfinished tasks, inconsistency, and and well, failure. But any tool, when used wrongly, can cause more damage than good.

When I find myself in this position I usually have some large task or life change upcoming. I always look ahead to what is about to happen and see how far behind I am from where I would like to be. Basically, this all boils down to one large pit that I dig myself into with out any way out.

That's where I found myself lately. Way too tuned in to all the things I haven't done that I felt I should and I couldn't really even see anything that I was doing well. Because even if I did accomplish something during the day I did that with a lousy attitude. So, in my critical thinking, the bad attitude cancels out the accomplishment.

None of my goals are bad. Nothing that I know I should do in any given day is wrong. I have the right motives in all of the things that I desire for my family and our life where these goals are concerned. The only problem is I get so focused on the goals, or lack there of, that I miss opportunities to make forward progress. What happens when you walk forward yet always look behind you? You walk crooked.

You will never meet goals if you are constantly looking back and DWELLING on mistakes or failed attempts. It is helpful to recognize these failures so you don't make them again and learn from them but if we are always focused on the failure we will never walk straight enough to make it to the next goal.

This week I realized I had to let go of everything I wasn't doing and hadn't accomplished and focus on what needs to happen NOW! This verse popped into my head:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things."
Philippians 4:8

I need to change my way of thinking!

My Head is STILL Spinning!

Since I last posted we have had a visit from Mimi(Dan's mom), gone to look at houses, put in an offer on a house, had van trouble(AGAIN!), and I FINALLY went to the doctor to check out this little baby growing inside me!

We are now in contract on a house; dependant on Dan actually getting the job. The baby is doing well and is right on schedule as far as size goes. The van is hopefully getting fixed this time and we are still planning to leave for PA on Saturday long before the sun rises.

My life is one crazy emotional rocketship that has lost control! Now even if I weren't dealing with pregnancy hormones this would qualify as monumental emotional instability but you add the prego hormones and you better just watch out! There is no telling how I might react to your innocent inquiries! I know that the Lord is teaching me something here! I sure wish I could figure it out and move on to the next lesson! But, alas, it looks like I have weeks of emotionally charged events coming my way!

BUT, the baby is well and growning and in a few weeks we might even know if the girls prayers for a little brother have been answered. The doctor tried very hard to get a definitive answer but the baby just wouldn't cooperate. The doctor gave some hints what he thought but wouldn't say for sure. SO I won't either! I said as long as this baby is healthy and stays where the baby should stay for as long as the baby should stay there I am one happy momma!

My dear friend Erin came to watch the girls so I could go solo to this appointment. THANKS EVER SO MUCH, ERIN!! She told me that FaithLyn told her that we were getting a new baby and it was going to be a boy. Erin said, "But what if it's a girl?" FL, "Oh, no. It's a boy." Erin, "Well, how do you know?" FL, "because we prayed and prayed and prayed for a little brother. So it will be a little brother."
I love to witness that kind of faith. I have told FL that we can pray and ask God for anything but He always gives us what is BEST for us! Even if it's not we asked for. So it will be interesting to see how God uses this. I know He will be glorified how ever the story turns out.

Now, I am going to try and have an uneventful, relaxing, very slow, and low-key evening.

THE Update

I know, I know. We were supposed to find out what was going on last Wednesday, so why has it taken me SO long to let the rest of you know? Well. I am sorry, this has been a lot more stressful than I imagined it would be. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me back up and start from the beginning or at least last Wednesday.

We didn't get the call until Thursday night at about 9:00. So Wed. was a pretty sad day. You know some of the details of Wed. from my last post. BUT we made it through another day and I was so caught up in the lastest episode of Grey's Anatomy thatI forgot to be waiting for the phone to ring! It was a tear-jerker. Anyway, then . . . . . the phone rang. My heart stopped just like it did every time the phone rang since Wed. afternoon. Long story short, we will be going to Iowa Park, in view of a call on March 25. Of course, this is all subject to their review of our credit report. . .so we will be going in view of a call on March 25! We have spent the last couple of days trying to figure out how to get pre-approved to buy a home and I haven't slept very well since, oh, last week.

Ok, ladies, tell me what you think of this. I have more free time at home than Dan so I thought I would start doing some research on first time home buying and home loans. I think it was a good idea but I made a mess of everything and all the information I collected assured me that we had no business buying a home and that we should just rent for at least 6 months! We really felt like that was just not the best idea for us and I was so worked up and laid it all on Dan as soon as he got home from work. NOT a good idea, ladies. Then I spent another restless night dreaming of scary loan papers and man eating houses. So, Dan wakes up this morning and calls our bank and has us pre-approved for a ridiculous amount of money in about. . .30 minutes!!! Are you kidding me?! I did at least 4 hours of internet research and EVEN talked to the same Bank that Dan talked to!? HUH? I guess the difference is he spoke in Man language and I was just "asking some questions".

You might like me to clarify for you my definition of MAN LANGUAGE. Here goes. Men often talk with each other in exaggerated truths. They speak as if everything is right on and WILL happen. It's a get er done kind of mentality. Women, well maybe not you, but I usually speak as if good things are a small possibility or COULD happen.

Apparently that makes all the difference in the banking industry. I just don't know how to speak the lingo apparently. Or it could be the fact that I have NEVER in my life talked to a realtor about buying or selling a home. I have never tried to take out a loan. I have never even seen other adults go through this process. I am CLUELESS!! So I was a little upset when Dan swooped in and in 3/4 of the time had every question of mine answered satisfactorily and had us in contact with a realtor in Iowa Park. Don't get me wrong, I am SOOO thankful that Dan is a genius when it comes to these kinds of things I just wish I could have forgone the hours and hours of worry and torment that our future was indeed doomed.

I know I could have forgone this time of despair if I had simply trusted the words and promises of my Lord, but. . . I didn't. I worried and despaired because my little brain couldn't wrap around how God was going to do this. There are still some scary questions that need to be answered. But those are questions that don't have to be answered right this moment. Somehow I am ok with waiting to find these answers.

SO if the Lord keeps leading the way we feel He is leading then we might possibly be moving into our first home sometime around April 1.

That's the update. For those of you that we promised phone calls to, they are coming, please be patient. The next few weeks are going to be CRAZY!!

Between now and then we have to(get to) find a house, go look at it, make an offer, get the FW house organized so it will be easier to pack up, go visit WSS and all our other loved ones in the PA area, Dan has some papers to write, school to attend, and a job to finish up. Oh, and then he needs to think about what to say to the whole congregation in Iowa Park on that Sunday morning. If we seem distant or uninvolved, please give us a little grace. We have never done this whole "American Dream" thing before so we need some time to figure things out.

But Yeah! We are so excited about the direction God is taking us. I can't wait to give you more details about this church body. The youth group sounds pretty amazing and didn't I mention the 5 youth workers who have kept it going since the last youth pastor left in Sept.? But, it isn't a Done Deal, not yet anyway. We are trusting God to lead us through every step we have to take between here and there and we trust that He will lead us to exactly where we need to be and we are praying that He will protect our hearts from moving ahead of His plans for our family. We would still covet your prayers. And I am sure I will find some time to let you all in on the craziness along the way.

This is a hard post for me to write. God has revealed to me some dark places in my heart that need to be given back to my Lord.

You would think that I would have this, "trust God for all provision" thing down by now. But I was made sadly aware of my lack of trust today. We decided to go eat at Chick-fil-A for lunch today. On the drive there I was thinking of money and how irresponsible it was for us to be eating out right now. Especially after learning that our van was going to need repairs that would total $1100. So I was guilt ridden and wallowing in self-pity. "If only...things were different...if only...we were in a church making a salary... if only...." See I wasn't worried about the money we needed to spend or the money we don't need to spend what I was really worried about was having to adjust our lifestyle to fit with with the funds that the Lord is providing for us. I mean things are already hard enough, right. What if I have to give up my internet connection or our great long distance phone plan or HEAVEN FORBID...stop eating out!!!?

Then at an intersection while we are stopped at a red light Dan sees man with a sign that reads, "Hungry + Broke" He asks me if we have any money and I assume he is asking so we can pay for our lunch in cash. Yes, I too, had seen this man. My thoughts were so consumed by my own selfishness that I didn't even realize what Dan meant. We had $17 dollars in cash. Dan said, "I meant for that guy."
"Oh, yeah, how about three?" That was pretty generous. I mean it was more than 10%!! And I had to think about how we were going to pay for our lunch, RIGHT?

Dan gives the man the measely 3$ and his face lights up. "OH, Thank You! God Bless You." He says.

Dan asks the girls to pray for that man and as we prayed my heart was broken. I realized that We were supposed to give that man $17!! Dan offered to turn around and go back because I was obviously very distraught. Darn, those pregnancy hormones! We went ahead and ate our lunch but came up with a plan of action. We figured out an easy way to make it back to the intersection where the man was. It took all of the self-control I could muster not to bawl through the whole meal. I wasn't a very conversationalist.

We hurried everyone through their chicken nuggets and fruit and set off to try and set rught my convictions. When we got to the intersection the man was gone! I was so broken hearted! I missed my chance to recieve the full blessing of the Lord by giving more than I thought I could to someone in need.

The girls asked why we were coming back when we had already given the man money and "Mommy, why are you crying?" We got to explain to the girls that Jesus tells us in Matt. 5:42, "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." I explained that God wants us to trust Him to give us all that we need. And it makes Him happy when we give to others. But I was only thinking about us and not that man. I gave him a little but I should have given him all that we had. FL asked, "But don't we need money, too, Mommy?"
Yes, but we have other money and we should have given all of the money that we had with us to that man. His sign said he needed money and we had some and Mommy is so sad because God told me to give it all and I wasn't listening hard enough to hear Him in time.

Dan got to explain about convictions and he assured me that the girls learned much more from this than they would have if I had given all of the money the first time. I realize that I wouldn't have learned as much either.

I jsut kept picturing that man was Jesus and all I was willing to give Him of myself was 15%. Everyday Jesus asks us to give ourselves to Him. Today, I didn't. I was caught going through the motions. I was only giving enough of myslef to calm my mind. But Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

My treasure today was self. I was so deep in my own "troubles" I couldn't even see the gravity of other's. Now, it doesn't matter to me if that man was a professional or not. I don't care if he does that everyday and makes more money than we do. The lesson that I learned is that God can provide for my family and we still have so much more than some. When the Lord is my treasure and my portion then only will I be truly satisfied. If I have to give up every comfort I have ever known in order to follow my Christ, I STILL WANT TO FOLLOW HIM! I will probably grieve every loss but I am learning that if my treasure is stored above, then there is nothing of importance that can be taken away from me.

I am so sorry, Lord that I missed your call today. I pray that you would bring Your light to those dark places in my heart and that I would truly be willing to sacrifice anything in order to follow You. I pray that those 3$ that I begrudgingly gave that man will bring glory to you, Lord. I pray that you would bless that man and as FaithLyn prayed, Help that man and everyone else who doesn't have money get some.
Even if every cent is supposed to come from me. Thank You, Lord for your conviction and may it burn in my heart always! In Jesus sanctifying and Holy name, AMEN.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Ellen!

My Big Three Year Old!!

Now: Feb. 16, 2007

Happy Birthday, ELISE DANIELLE!!

We are still trying to figure out what traditions we want to make part of our family. We both agree that birthdays are special. So Dan had the idea that I take Elise out for a very special birthday lunch just me and her. Dan took the girls to the Science and Cowgirl museums this morning to give me a chance to recoup after another night of sad, sick Olivia. He did a great job of preparing and building the excitement for our special birthday lunch.

Elise decided that she wanted to go to Chick-fil-A. FINE with me!! Beats MickeyD's any day!! So we talked about what she was going to order on the way and I took the birthday hats and noise makers along for a little treat. She was more interested in the noise maker than her lunch and I didn't even make eating an issue. I just let her enjoy her time with just Momma with out all the rules and regulations that usually accompany me.

Then I let her pick what ever treat she wanted. She picked the brownie and a chocolate milkshake. I didn't even bat an eyelid when I realized she had taken one bite of chicken and one bite of strawberry. This is a special occasion, I say!!

Well, Mommy ended up eating the brownie and now that she is napping I am also finishing off the milkshake. Hmm...it's a good thinkg this is a once a year thing!

Check out those green eyes, Aunt Angie!

I am learning so much about this sweet little girl!! She is so very different from her sisters. Not that I am surprised but it is becoming so much more evident with each passing day. She is a little bit too much like her mom if you ask me. She is very independant but not in a loud pushy sort of way. That is all her own though because I have always been a little pushy about getting my way. She doesn't do anything until she decides that she can do it and do it well. This child will not settle for second best or mediocre. She has either mastered a skill or yet to try accomplishing it! Let's take potty training for instance. The last you heard she had finally gone poo-poo on her own. Well, now a few weeks later she is completely potty trained and has gone for at least a week and a half with NO accidents of any kind!! She's done. She doesn't even wear a pull-up for nap time. She makes it most nights with a dry pull-up. Skill mastered. I am sure there will be some accidents but this kid is amazing!! She just decided it was time! She is very grown up now.

I have learned that sometimes she needs a little push to help her get started but push too hard and she will shut down!! This kid can not be manipulated.

I am so thankful for her strong spirit. I am praying that she will carry that determination with her always. I pray that it will serve her well in those delicate years of peer pressure and the need/desire to fit in.

I have also learned that Elise knows what she likes and once she has decided that is that. There is no wishy-washy back and forth with this little girl. One day she decided purple was her favorite color and it has been ever since. Her favorite sandwich is Peanut butter and Jelly. That is what she wants for lunch, EVERY DAY!! She loves milk!! Would rather drink milk than water and sometimes even juice. Snuggle Bunny has been her bedtime pal since birth and she calls him Snuggs.

She is also a very good big sister. Elise would rather play with Olivia in Olivia's room than watch TV. No arguments here! She always trys to include her baby sister in what ever she and FaithLyn are doing. She never asks me to let Olivia play in her own room with the gate up. She wants everyone to be included. When she sleeps with someone, she is a cuddler. IF we are all watching Curious George in the afternoon she would much rather sit in my lap than on the couch by herself. If I am reading a book to the girls, my lap is her favorite place. Sometimes when I go in to kiss her goodnight she wraps her arms around me and says, "Mommy, I want you to sleep with me."

I know there will come a day when she won't even want or need me to come in and kiss her goodnight. But I know that she will always have her way of letting me know that she loves me. She is very good at making people feel special and she is very loyal. She has a heart of gold. I love this little girl and I am so proud of her. I trust that the Lord will cultivate that golden heart and use this sweet, tiny, little girl for His wonderful purpose. I pray that I can be a large part of that cultivation.

Then: Feb. 16, 2006

This a picture of Elise at her party last year. I remember thinking she was so grown up then. I have learned so much about this girl in the past year. She is growing up and I love her more every day I get to know her.

Happy Birthday, Elise. You are such a blessing and I am so thankful for you. May God bless you as you grow into the woman He created you to be.

The Saga Continues

Hope everyone had a fun Valentine's Day! The girls and I made Dan a cookie cake and it's already gone!!

It only took me about 2 hours to make! But that was because Olivia had a fever of 103.1 all day yesterday! She wasn't too big on me having any projects that didn't allow for me to hold her. But we got it made and decorated for Dan before his lunch hour was over. I had to run out for more children's Tylenol and Motrin for Livie as soon as Dan got off work last night and fought with all of the shoppers who forgot it was V-day. When I got home I walked into a very romantic candlelit home with the table waiting for me to eat. FaithLyn had the idea to light the candles and she even set the table with fancy glasses for us. It was quite a treat after a very long day of caring for super sick baby.

I guess though that some of you are waiting for an update on the interview. It went really well and it was such a blessing for me to get to be there. Thanks again, Gerlthouse!!
It was so fun to see Dan get passionate talking about all his ideas for youth ministry. It really felt like God was going before us and preparing the way because several of Dan's ideas where things that the youth or youth workers had recently expressed an intrest in to each other. Dan really got going and I love to see him talking about his passion for the Lord!

We have heard from a friend that the commitee is calling all of our references. They are meeting next week to decide if they want to call us in view of a call or not. SO I guess next week at or around this time we know just how well the 2nd interview went. We, again, had a really good time during the interview and laughed a lot. It was a pretty special time to have with Dan. I was able to focus on him completely and we really enjoyed ourselves. But hope not to make interviews the norm for our time out alone!!

Please continue to be in prayer for us as we seek the Lord's will for our family.

I guess I should also make the official announcement that we ARE in fact expecting baby #4! I am due Aug. 21. We are praying that God will protect both baby and Mommy this pregnancy. I am specifically praying that this baby will be full-term, a champion eater, and fabulous sleeper! We would also appreciate your prayer for this little blessing. The girls are praying for a little brother and have been since we moved here to FW. I just want a healthy baby! Well, I also want a good eater and sleeper, too. But mainly just a healthy baby!

We will keep you udated!

The Best Friends in the WHOLE Wide World!

Today is Dan's interview. I have to admit it has gotten very hard for me to keep my perspective clear on this thing. Let's just face it, I am a drama queen. I confess. So it's pretty safe to say that my emotions often run away with me. I create these elaborate scenarios in my head. I know that I shouldn't because if I do I will more than likely be disappointed.

I realize it is doubtful that all of the people we meet with today will look at each other and feel the spirit leading them all at the same time to call us to this postion. I understand that there are certain protocol for situations like this. I know in my mind that they will not take us on a tour of my dream house that they have taken upon themselves to find and purchase for us. But in my mind's eye, I have a very elaborate idea of how things will go this afternoon.

I guess that's why the Lord has made it possible for me to accompany Dan at this interview. To knock a little sense back in to my overly active imagination. I wanted desperately to go. I wanted to make sure that I felt the same peace in this small town and loving church that I overwhelmingly felt at our last visit. I wanted to make sure that it wasn't my active imagination that created the connections I felt with the committee members. I also didn't want to have to hear about it second hand from Dan. He is a great storyteller but, bless his heart, he isn't the best about remembering the details of day to day. He might miss that one crucial facial expression, or be oblivious to that underlying question that everyone implied but didn't ever ask. Not that I will be vocal during the meeting, well, I am praying that God will help me, Today of all days, be the helper suitable that Dan deserves. I know Dan will represent us well whether I am present or not but to experience this first hand and be able to know right away if I can hold out hope or move on with my heart, that is a gift that I wasn't expecting.

Unfortunately, my good fortune comes at a price for those dear ones who are so willingly making it happen. Gerlthouse agreed to keep our clan this afternoon and into the night. They even offered to let the girls spend the night!! The only catch is, this is Chad's first real day off since he returned from a 10 day business trip! I am still a little ashamed of myself for even asking it of them but they are such gracious friends and hopefully they will give us the opportunity to return the dear favor. I am dealing with some guilt about it but I am also so very thankful to have this opportunity and a little time with just Dan.

We have so blessed by so many who have sacrificed for us in so many ways. Thank you Gerlthouse for your sacrifice of love and I am praying that God will bless you for it. What dear friends we have. Thank You, Lord, for this sweet treat right around V-Day and thank you for such loving, caring friends who make it possible!! We love you, Gerlts!

More Encouragement!

We got a call last night from the church in Iowa Park. When the phone started ringing I knew it would be an important call because I had just convinced Dan to sit and take a break with me from reading to watch the premiere of Lost. But regardless of our plans this was a call we were glad to take!

Dan is going back next Tuesday to meet with the Youth Workers/Volunteers. This is a very important meeting because these people are the backbone of the whole Youth Ministry Program. But we are really excited about this next step. Again we are trying not to get ahead of ourselves because you never know! We are trying to take this one step at a time.

My Mom has already reminded me that Iowa Park is only 3 hrs. away from them!!

One funny tidbit: The gentleman that called us and has been our contact person, presumably the chair of the committee told Dan that the only concern that was expressed about Dan during the meeting was a fear that he might be too gentle and calm to connect with the youth. hehehe.
I guess they didn't get a full view of Dan's character did they? They did ask me this question during our interview and I had to laugh!! IF this where God calls us, then they will find out soon enough, won't they?

Please be in prayer for us. We want to follow God's will for us and we really feel like full-time church ministry is a part of that will. SO we want to be sure that this is the place that God is calling us. We will let you know!! The interview is Tuesday, Feb., 13, at 5:30.

Blessed Encouragement! Heavenly Provision!

Dear Friends-

God is so good and He always knows our hearts. I sent up a prayer for some provision a couple of days ago and found the answer to that prayer sitting in my mailbox this afternoon. We recieved an anonymous gift of money in an envelope with no return address. The only message was this verse typed out,

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Attatched to the note was a money order for a not at all small amount. So, to our dear friends and co-laborers, Thank You!! Thank you for blessing us, thank you for being obedient to the Lord's leading, thank you for the encouragement, Thank you for the Love.

Thank You, Lord for your faithfulness. Even when I lifted up a tentitive prayer you listened, comforted, and proved faithful. I am so humbled by my Savior's care for us, even when we feel unworthy and undeserving. This is a fight worth fighting and we will follow our God down any road that He leads.

I have a sneaking suspicion that our friends at WSS has something to do with keeping this a mystery. The letter was folded like it arrived somewhere else first in its own letter and was post marked from Altoona, PA. But that is as far as my deduction skills will take me. But that is unimportant because this way I can give complete credit to my Lord and Savior who heard my prayer.

This journey has been one of the most wonderful I have ever taken. I hope that others will be encouraged by our journey. I realize that is will never end. I am thankful for that. We have been so blessed!

The interview on Tuesday went well. No matter how it works out we had a really good time. That counts for something. You can't always say that about interviews. It's hard for me not to fall in love with every church we visit as a prospect but I am doing a better job this time of keeping it all in perspective. I know that God has a church for us to serve in and in His time He will lead us there. I have to be patient and wait. So I am trying very hard to be patient but we really liked the church and people that we met.

Dan started his Seminary job today. He is an electrician. . . . At least he is learning a marketable skill. He is hoping to meet some people and forge some relationships, too.

That's the update for us. I'll let you know more as we learn more.