Weekend Getaway!!

We are heading over to the Doorpost for an early weekend. The hard working Daddies are going to have some no questions asked men-only camping. We are going to try to keep the kids enterained and fed at the house. I am so excited to spend some time with our sweet freinds. These guys go WAY back. They were at our wedding we were at their wedding. They were some of our first friends at college. Now our families are friends. They are a true blessing in our life. I hope we don't wear-out poor Mandy! Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday, FaithLyn Diane!

That's right! She's our BIG 6 year old as of Saturday! We have celebrated 3 times now. FaithLyn was able to choose 3 girlfriends for a party at Chuck E. Cheese. (with FL you have to distinguish between boy friends and girl friends....she has LOTS of "boyfriends") We did that a week ago because this past weekend was Homecoming and you know how small town Texas is crazy about football! It was a full weekend! But we were still able to squeeze in an intimate family party at the park. I have no doubt FaithLyn felt well celebrated this birthday! She even got to take cupcakes to her class and celebrate with all her new friends at school.

Doesn't she seem so grown up?

This game is SOO much fun and it's for ages 3+ and it really is a game a 3 yr old could play. The girls can play together and they love it!!!

The love of my life, my encourager, my Danny!Here is the Princess Party. Girls Only!


FaithLyn we are so proud of the young lady you are growing into! I love your sensitivity, your strong sense of justice and your ever-loving spirit! May the God of Peace continue to develop your heart to love others and walk humbly in His path. I pray you always have the courage to speak up for those who can not speak for themselves and continue to love the less lovable!

The Honest Prayer of an Imperfect Mother

Those of you that know our family well know that discipline is a big thing with us. We believe that God created the family unit. He created it for a purpose and it is the parent's job to train for that purpose. Though we believe only He can accomplish that purpose.

What is the purpose of family? There are several.

1. The marriage relationship is meant to represent our relationship to Christ. The man giving of himself as Christ for his wife and the wife humbling herself in submission to the head of the family, like we as christians submit to the will of our Lord. (Ephesians 5:22-33)

2. The parent/child relationship is created to prepare our children to follow, submit and love the will of our Heavenly Father. (Deut. 6: 6-9) I personally believe the parent/child relationship is also meant to bring us down a peg or two in our own eyes!

3. I believe the family unit as a whole is a representation of the body of Christ. One body, many believers working for one purpose, to glorify the Living God.

Now, how we accomplish this grand task of glorifying the Living God through our family......well I don't dare claim to have that nailed down! But I do know that "To do what is right and just is more acceptable than sacrifice." Proverbs 21:3.

How do I teach my children to do what is right and just? Well, first I have to teach them what is right and just because, I probably don't have to tell you that, even our sweet children need to be TAUGHT right from wrong.

Next, we need to teach our children to CHOOSE to do what is right and just. Our children are still fairly young. We are mainly still in the stage of teaching what is right and wrong. To us that goes hand in hand with teaching our children to obey. How can we expect our children to obey God our Father if we do not expect them to obey their earthly parents? Perhaps I am wrong but I fear that if they do not learn to obey their earthly parents, who love them and want what is best for them, they might not choose to obey their Heavenly Father who is infinitely more loving and good. I also understand that, ultimately, I have NO control over their decision to follow Christ and accept His salvation. But I can certainly do my part to lead them to the door where I am promised that Jesus waits ready to welcome and receive "...whoever hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me." Rev. 3:20.

In our effort to teach what is right and wrong I fear I have missed the mark. It is much easier to tell a child what is wrong than to teach what is right. My good friends and family know that I am a control freak. Many misinterpret our discipline as simply control. But I must admit that they are unfortunately not far from the truth. You see I often forget that the goal is not to control my children to do what is right. I am supposed to train them to do what is right, and training leaves room for choice. I like to think that I give my children choices. They have the right to obey or not. And when they do not they can depend on discipline. I am realizing that my role is not their ruler. I am to be their guide. I need to show them both paths and tell what lies ahead on both, and for now, I will take them on the correct path, but soon it will be my job to allow them to choose their own path.

I will never prepare them for that day of choosing if I never allow them make wrong choices. I would much rather my children make poor choices while they are under my care. Then I will have the power to guide them back to the correct choices while I ease them through the consequences in a loving and forgiving enviornment. When they are no longer under my care I can only give advice and guidance when it is sought. Will they seek my advice if they are finally so glad to be out of my control?

There is a fine balance between the relationship of mother and child. I must be the parent not the friend, but I must not sacrifice the relationship in order to be "in charge." Honestly, I haven't figured that part out yet. I know that there is a balance. I want my children to see the love of Christ in me. I want them to recognize His voice because they have heard it before through me. But I spend a lot of my time saying no, and correcting wrong behavior. My earnest prayer is that I will not damage my relationship with my sweet children cutting off any opportunity to impact them with the LOVE of Christ.

I am humbled daily by my sinful anger and hurtful reactions to my children. And all to often they show me the love of Christ through their loving forgiveness more than I do through my loving guidance.

I tell you what, this parent thing, IT AIN'T EASY! But it brings me to my knees more regularly than any other relationship or responsibility in my life. There is no question that I love my children. I just sometimes forget the BEST way to show it. I know there is a middle ground between disciplinarian and permissiveness. Fortunatley I do not struggle with being too permissive. I am seeking out that middle-ground from the PERFECT parent. I feel confident that even if I am unable to perform the task flawlessly He will show me the correct path. So to all you fellow parents on this long hard journey of parenthood, I pray for you also. May you guide your children to the one Perfect Father, and find peace and joy in the journey yourselves.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT ANGIE!!

WE LOVE YOU!

Been a While

Our Big Preschooler!

1st day of Preschool. She was super excited and had a great time. And it wasn't quite as hard for me as I thought. Now, a full week into this schedule and we may be getting the hang of it.

I just want to point something out about Elise....
She picked the only empty table and got to work on her puzzle.

Then you notice that other kids came, left their seats, and sat with her at her table....She has something about her that is so magnetic!

Bragdon Theaters Presents:

MOVIE NIGHT !It's the only theater around that I know of that encourages it's patrons to wear their pj's. Here you see the girls with their tickets waiting for the snack bar to open.

Daddy picked up all the treats we would normally get only at the movie theater.

(Junior Mints, Twizzlers, and Popcorn)

Here they are watching the previews. It was a kid movie (Ariel's Begining) and they had lots of fun! Thanks to Redbox $1 movie rentals we had a really fun evening in for less than $5.

It was lots of fun making this night special for the girls. They had tons of fun. I did too.

Thirst for Knowledge

Well, FaithLyn is an old pro at this school thing now. I had to take a picture to document her first actual day of class. She looks even more grown up in this picture than the day before! She has had so much fun and is counting down the days until she gets to stay all day.

I on the other hand hit a bit of a wall. Today, it all sank in. I am thankful I had a week between FL starting K and Elise starting Pre-K. I am pretty sure I couldn't have handled it all at once.

It didn't help that Steven Curtis Chapman was on Focus on the Family this week. They were discussing the recent accidental death of their sweet little girl Maria. She was 5. It all came clear to me today how extremely blessed I am to be able to walk FaithLyn through this next step in life. It feels like the first step in a long line of many that usher her into Independence. I know that is the ultimate goal. It is right and good. But DANG if it doesn't all happen TOO fast! The Focus on the Family show ended today with Steven singing his song Cinderella. It's already a tear jerker about a little girl asking her daddy to help her practice her dancing for the ball with the prince, then for prom and then for her wedding. Well the chorus is something like, So I will dance with Cinderella while she's still right here in my arms cuz I know something the prince never knew, that soon she'll be gone. The song ended with with the chorus but He changed it a bit. "So I'll dance with Cinderella, while she's still here in my arms cuz I know something the prince never knew.....The Dance still goes on."

No joke, if the girls hadn't been in their room playing nicely they would have been worried about me. I was SOBBING curled up on the chair in the fetal position! Yeah, I lost it. You see there is so much emotion going on in my heart right now. I am SOO excited to see FaithLyn and Elise and Olivia and Judson growing and maturing and learning to love others and God. It's one of the most important things I will ever do with my life, direct their hearts to our Saviour. I love seeing them learn to be kind and put the truth of the Word of God to work in their lives. I WANT them to grow up and become contributing adults who make an impact on the world for Christ. Oh, but when I get a glimpse of what that means. Ultimately, when they leave to create those lives........with. out. me. It's like the most wonderful, heart-breaking feeling in the world.

Maybe it isn't so awful to have to wipe noses and bums all day. To have to refill sippy-cups and play endless-mindless games all day, well, maybe that isn't so beneath me! Maybe I can endure that for a while longer and perhaps even CHERISH those things. The 50 pairs of tiny panties I wash every week. The stains I am constantly working on. Those impossible to clean sippy-cup lids. The ALWAYS dirty floor under the table. The constant picking up. I mean, really, what WILL I do with myself when I am successful at eliminating these tasks from my everyday? I am not quite ready to be planning weddings and sending my sweet children to start their own families just yet. So for a while longer I will be content and even satisfied with what each day brings my way.

Oh Lord, do help me to CHERISH my children every moment. I pray that I will give of myself so much that I am lost and they only see YOU. May my husband and children be blessed daily by who You are creating me to be. And above all, I pray that Dan and I mirror for them an image of You that is so attractive they NEVER desire anything else!

First Day of Kindergarten!

It's the official first day but we only went to meet the teacher today. How exciting. I had forgotten how much I love school! You know elementary school is still exciting. You don't have that feeling of doom and darkness that fills the hallways of Jr. High. It's so exciting to be in elementary school! The teachers are excited, the students can't wait to experience their first taste of freedom....And knowledge is lurking around every corner just waiting to be found! For a moment I got caught up in it all. At that moment I was able to let go of my mommy guilt, anxiety and what could have beens. I am so excited for FaithLyn. She is going to LOVE school. Isn't she so grown up!?
All the proud sisters.
They were all pretty pumped to get to go and see FaithLyn's school and meet her teacher. I saw Elise come alive in a way I rarely see! So exciting!


PRECIOUS!

Here is the classroom and her desk, in the background you can see FaithLyn's first new friend, Andrea.
Here is Mrs. Richter. I think she is going to be GREAT!! She is so excited! I hope I get to help out lots. I really want to encourage this sweet young teacher. You could tell she put a LOT of effort into her planning. I hope our family can be a blessing to her.
Teaching strategy has changed so much since I was in Kindergarten! These kids are going to learn lots more than their letters! How fun. I really think this energetic young teacher is going to be a good fit for FaithLyn. They can let their excitement build off of each other.

Tomorrow is the first half-day of class. FL is sure pumped! Do you remember your first day of class? I remember not sleeping at all the night before my first day. I played on my bed ALL night long and sang songs dreaming of all the things that would happen.

It was so sweet to hear FaithLyn singing songs this morning in her bed before I got her up.

Lord, cultivate in her spirit a desire to learn that reaches far beyond the walls of "education." I pray that her love of knowledge would never be quenched and that she would desire Your knowledge above any other! Help her to keep her identity grounded in You and Your word. Keep me so engaged in her world that I can guide her to You always.

A Dose of Good Medicine!

"A cheerful heart does good like medicine" Proverbs 17:22a

These dear saints make our hearts cheerful and their visit was good for our souls like medicine. It's funny how just 2 hours with some dear friends can do more good than a whole week away on vacation!

Clay and Marty have been our mentors, our family, our friends, our fellow Texans far from Texas, our co-workers, our encouragers, our boss, our prayer warriors, our advisors......We love them a lot. Some how having them visit this house made it feel more like home. It's complete now, you know?

Thank you, Father, for your saints who diligently seek You and through that have changed and impacted the lives of so many, our little family is only one of MANY! And thank you that we are truly "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses"(Hebrews 12:1). May your love be futher proclaimed through this dear couple and the kingdom work that they so diligently attend to!

The Triple Birthday Bash!

August is a busy birthday month! Olivia celebrates at the end of July and Judson follows her one week later and then Cousin Luke has his big day at the end part of August, it's actually coming up pretty soon. Dan got an opportunity to preach that weekend so we decided to make it a party! It was a blast! Aunt Angie and Luke came up Friday night and Nana and Papa came Saturday evening. We all went to church together and had some great, fresh produce from Nana and Papa's garden for lunch along with Brisket. Then after naps we celebrated with cake! I love having my family over. It's so much fun to have them here. It was a great weekend! I can't wait until I get to go see Angie and Luke. It is definitely my turn to make that 6 hr. drive!

Luke says, "You want me to do WHAT?" Olivia, "Like this, Luke!"
Isn't he sweet?
Not the best picture but I only had 2 with Nana in them!
Everyone loves Papa!
There's my sweet boy! Check out those teeth!

CHEESE!
You know there has to be presents.
Lots...and lots of presents.
Look, I did it all by myself! Cute, huh?

My two best friends!
Yummmmm
That is one happy boy!

Making up For Lost Time

This computer, (mine not yours) has entranced me. I love having it. It is my window to the world. I get to "converse" with other like-minded women. I get quick answers to many questions here. I also spend WAYYY too much time.

It calls to me..."hey, come sit with me a while. You don't want to do the dishes? That's fine, come and see what everyone else is doing. Read about their lives....sit..sit.."

So, me and my pal the computer are going to have to have a DTR. We need to determine our relationship. I need to remind myself that I have 5 living, breathing human beings that need my attention right now, in the present, real time.

I have once again let this black box become my enabler, accuser, and best friend. I know you won't judge me, you've probably been there too.

I have lots to post....but I have so many things I have been putting off all week and now I have a hot date to get ready for and a babysitter to prepare for. Yikes, only 2 1/2 hours left...

Professional Development

Being a Homemaker is something that I am proud to be. I wear that title with joy and pride........in public. Behind the door of my home I often wear that title like a heavy weight. And I am afraid all too often I am not too cheerful to carry that weight around. The responsibility of being Wife, Mom, housecleaner, chef, laundress, activity director, spiritual and moral guide and nurse can often be overwhelming. I don't want to be so overwhelmed that I forget about the unspeakable joy it also brings!

That's what I want my children to remember about me, the joy I found in caring for my family. I love to cook and I take pride in having a clean and inviting home. But it's been a while since I felt at peace within the walls of our house. I can't imagine what it must feel like for Dan to come home. I understand that making a home is much more dependant on attitude than ability. I also understand that different stages of life afford for different levels of clean and inviting.

Today I am having to face the fact that I have been focused for far too long on ability. SO much so that my attitude had been allowed to deteriorate until this place is not so inviting anymore. I love to care for my family....yet I find myself resenting it. The piles of laundry that are forever multiplying, the dishes that won't stay clean, the kids that are 'bored'. You see, I have lost the joy.

I know how. I focused on myself. You can not find joy in service to others if you are focused on yourself. The essense of service is OTHERS. Sometimes you can convince yourself you are serving others for their benefit when really you are only doing it for the self-gratification you recieve or the accolades. But true service is blind to self.

That's why I am committing to some professional development time. Not to develop a new skill. No, I simply need an attitude adjustment. I need to find the joy in serving my family. I don't want another job, more pay, better benefits or new co-workers. I just want to perform in my professional field with the most fervor and passion that I can. I can't offer more ability right now but I can offer more heart and in the home that can change a whole lot.

UH-OH! Look Who's Truckin'!

Can I tell how proud we all are of this little guy! His future wife will have to be really good at encouragement cuz this little man is sure used to his girls making a big deal about EVERY thing he does!

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Have trouble finding new breakfast ideas? I have some pretty picky eaters around here. And this recipe put a smile on every single face in our house. And you know if something tastes this good it's going to probably have lots of fat. But at least you are in control of all that you put in it! You can feel good about that!

I have been experimenting with breakfast lately and this one will be a keeper. It takes a while to bake so if you aren't an early riser it will be great for brunches or later breakfasts. I am going to take this the next time I take breakfast for our Sunday School class.

Betty Crocker's Classic Sour Cream Coffee Cake

The Big Birthday Boy!

I can't believe it has already been one whole year since this little man joined our family! He is 100% boy. He's loud, busy, and already pulling the girls hair. He laughs more than any of the other kids. He loves to play peek-a-boo. And he has his Momma's heart wrapped around his tiny little fingers. He gets lots of mothering as you can imagine. Just look at that group. There isn't one of those girls who doesn't dote on him. And you can tell from his expression how he feels about that! But most of the time, Judson is just as happy as can be. He is pretty laid back and if he gets mad, he will get over it pretty quickly. Just hang around and you'll see him smiling again soon.
So, I am no cake decorator, but it sure was yummy!



I had to change his clothes after that mess.