This past Thursday night, I had to privilege of talking to Red about his salvation. He has been asking questions for quite some time now. Thursday night he started asking and was worried about if Christ returned Friday then he would be left and he didn't want to be left. It was then I knew that he was ready. We used a witnessing aid that was given to him a few years ago when he played Upward football at one of the local churches. After we read it and discussed it, we prayed together and he accepted and trusted Jesus as his Saviour. I was so excited. Today we went and discussed this decision with our pastor who confirmed that he knew and understood things. I know that my daddy is not here, but I know that he is rejoicing in heaven because another one of his grandchildren is saved.
Now we just have to decided when he is going to make it public. See Red is terrified of getting up in front of people. Playing sports is no big deal, it's the standing up and people looking at you while you look at them. But we assured him that I would be right there with him. I joke that one day God is going to call him to preach because of his fear of being in front of people, but you never know. I am just praising God that he is saved.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Time
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.
The stockings hanging on the mantle...
... the laughter, ...
... the sweetness of the kids ...
... but the waiting seems to take forever.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
A Moving Reminder
At Back to Bethlehem, there was a short clip that was shown after viewing the live nativity. I have seen this clip so many times but it always gets to me. This is the entire video but our minister of music took bits and pieces of it to show.
The video plus the song brings it so real to me. Amazing.. that one word describes Jesus so well. It's amazing that God allowed His Son to come down as a human, to live among us and then to take our place on the cross. Amazing that He could have called an army of angels to rescue Him, but He choose to die for us. Amazing is the love that He has for us.
As I watched this video it was all I could do each time to hold back the tears. To first see that innocent baby lying there and then to see the clip showing his life as an adult was at times too much for me. It made me think of my own two boys. I can't imagine me freely giving them as God did His Son to take the place of us on the cross. There is no way that I could, yet that is exactly what God did for us over 2000 years ago. Amazing is the only word that can describe what He freely choose to do for us.
I pray that we remember that there is more to Christmas than gifts, decorations and parties - there's the birth of the One that gave His life for us.
The video plus the song brings it so real to me. Amazing.. that one word describes Jesus so well. It's amazing that God allowed His Son to come down as a human, to live among us and then to take our place on the cross. Amazing that He could have called an army of angels to rescue Him, but He choose to die for us. Amazing is the love that He has for us.
As I watched this video it was all I could do each time to hold back the tears. To first see that innocent baby lying there and then to see the clip showing his life as an adult was at times too much for me. It made me think of my own two boys. I can't imagine me freely giving them as God did His Son to take the place of us on the cross. There is no way that I could, yet that is exactly what God did for us over 2000 years ago. Amazing is the only word that can describe what He freely choose to do for us.
I pray that we remember that there is more to Christmas than gifts, decorations and parties - there's the birth of the One that gave His life for us.
Back to Bethlehem
This first weekend of this month our church put on an event called Back to Bethlehem. It is such a fun and wonderful event to be a part of. In this event, you travel back in time to the night that Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem. The streets are crowded and there are so many "selling" their goods and wares. The visitors are led to several key points along the way to hear people talking about the exciting news that is being spread through out the land that night. At the end, you stop at a live nativity scene that is always moving.
We have done this several times and each year I am moved just by being a part of it. I especially enjoying being a guide and leading people through the streets. Watching the eyes of the little kids light up as they see the people all dressed up and the live animals we have. Some of them get so excited and ask where the child is. Some adults too get all into it and some actually want to walk ahead of the guides and some almost get lost from the group because they want to stop and look at every little thing.
The older two were only able to participate the last night since they were gone to their dad's for the weekend. They were so excited when I picked them up and they loved dressing up. My nephews were there too selling furs. I had to make a stop at their place every time I brought a group through. What a great way to remind ourselves and others what the true meaning of Christmas is.
We have done this several times and each year I am moved just by being a part of it. I especially enjoying being a guide and leading people through the streets. Watching the eyes of the little kids light up as they see the people all dressed up and the live animals we have. Some of them get so excited and ask where the child is. Some adults too get all into it and some actually want to walk ahead of the guides and some almost get lost from the group because they want to stop and look at every little thing.
The older two were only able to participate the last night since they were gone to their dad's for the weekend. They were so excited when I picked them up and they loved dressing up. My nephews were there too selling furs. I had to make a stop at their place every time I brought a group through. What a great way to remind ourselves and others what the true meaning of Christmas is.
Friday, December 3, 2010
One of Life's Little Lessons
Life lessons are hard to learn at any age much less when you are a tween. It's in these moments that we can either point our children to the world or point them to God.I choose to point them to God. The pressures that kids are under these days is enourmous. There is the pressure to be a certain weight, wear the right clothes, look a certain way and be like everyone else. It's mind boggling to think about it.
This week I had the pleasure to have such a life lesson with my kids. It was to stress the importance of what we speak - to speak the truth even if you yourself are at fault. Words are a very powerful thing and can damage others without little or no effort. Kids don't realize at their young age just how powerful their words are. And I am not talking about bullying or making fun of another kid. I am talking about speaking truth - telling both sides of the pancake. There is a phrase that I preach with my kids everyday - "Remember there are two sides to every pancake". They come home to tell me about something that someone did or said and I tell them that they need to remember that they are only hearing one side - what about the other person - what's their story?
All of the happenings of this week pointed me back to James 3. Paul talks about the tongue and how it is a two edged sword. As small as it is, it has the power to bring down nations. Out of our mouths we bless God and curse men. It shouldn't be this way and it hit home with me. I had to be honest with my kids about it. So often we bless God and want to get back with words and actions at those who have wronged us or just didn't give us what we wanted. We have all been guilty of it and something that I am not proud of. Praise God for His Grace that speaks to us when we are wrong and forgives us for our sins. I am thankful for His Word that comes to us when we need it at the right moment. We have to take moments like this and learn from them so that we can be more effective and open to God and His Will for us.
For my kids, I don't care if they never wear the latest fashion or if they are considered to be among the popular of this world. I desire for my kids to be a man/woman of God. One that has the good morals, character and one whose word can be trusted. I pray that it's their desire too.
This week I had the pleasure to have such a life lesson with my kids. It was to stress the importance of what we speak - to speak the truth even if you yourself are at fault. Words are a very powerful thing and can damage others without little or no effort. Kids don't realize at their young age just how powerful their words are. And I am not talking about bullying or making fun of another kid. I am talking about speaking truth - telling both sides of the pancake. There is a phrase that I preach with my kids everyday - "Remember there are two sides to every pancake". They come home to tell me about something that someone did or said and I tell them that they need to remember that they are only hearing one side - what about the other person - what's their story?
All of the happenings of this week pointed me back to James 3. Paul talks about the tongue and how it is a two edged sword. As small as it is, it has the power to bring down nations. Out of our mouths we bless God and curse men. It shouldn't be this way and it hit home with me. I had to be honest with my kids about it. So often we bless God and want to get back with words and actions at those who have wronged us or just didn't give us what we wanted. We have all been guilty of it and something that I am not proud of. Praise God for His Grace that speaks to us when we are wrong and forgives us for our sins. I am thankful for His Word that comes to us when we need it at the right moment. We have to take moments like this and learn from them so that we can be more effective and open to God and His Will for us.
For my kids, I don't care if they never wear the latest fashion or if they are considered to be among the popular of this world. I desire for my kids to be a man/woman of God. One that has the good morals, character and one whose word can be trusted. I pray that it's their desire too.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
15 Month Old Checkup
(Hanging out at my mom's house watching some college football.)
Today the Hubs took the twins for their 15 month old checkup. Yes we were behind due to the holidays but our physician was cool with that. So here are our stats:
Bulldog:
Weight: 27.2 lbs
Height: 32"
Sweet Pea:
Weight: 23.6 lbs.
Height: 31"
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Harry Potter
A couple of weeks ago, yes I know that I am behind, I helped a friend take a group of girls to see Harry Potter, Part 1. It took a lot in me to volunteer to help. No it really didn't since I am a big Harry Potter fan. The only part that I wasn't prepared for was the ride up the parking deck. Picture it - a spiral tight parking deck full of cars and a suburban driven by yours truly. By the time I got us to a parking space I was a nervous wreck. I looked like one of those women who have the big car but have no business driving it because they can't park it.
We took the kids to the IMAX theater near us and the girls (my son was along because he wanted to see the movie too) were so excited. While we stood in line, a kid walked by that was dressed up just like Harry Potter. He was the cutest thing.
The movie lived up to all it's hype. Some parts I have to say were not made for the IMAX but it was quite an experience. I think we will watch Part 2 in IMAX again. Now we have to wait until summer to see the ending.
The biggest highlight of the night was spending some time with the older two.
We took the kids to the IMAX theater near us and the girls (my son was along because he wanted to see the movie too) were so excited. While we stood in line, a kid walked by that was dressed up just like Harry Potter. He was the cutest thing.
The movie lived up to all it's hype. Some parts I have to say were not made for the IMAX but it was quite an experience. I think we will watch Part 2 in IMAX again. Now we have to wait until summer to see the ending.
The biggest highlight of the night was spending some time with the older two.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wordless Wednesday
It starts with one...
... then the other joins in ....
... until the first spots Momma and puts an end in to the fun.
... then the other joins in ....
... until the first spots Momma and puts an end in to the fun.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday - A Simple Piece of Furniture
It's been a while since we had a week with hardly anything going on. Usually it's a practice or we have to run to or some other event at school. But this week we have been able to slow down. The hubs didn't have to close so it was all six of us at home.
Tonight as he was finishing up the ribs on the grill, I had the older two turn the TV off because they were more interested in it than they were listening to me. You would have thought I had destroyed their world when I made them do that. Then without them realizing it, they completely forgot about that show they were watching and started to have fun with the family.
It was so nice to sit around the table and just talk. We do this as much as we can because I believe it's so important for a family to do. Around the table, the kids open up about what's going on and we get to talk to them about important issues too. I believe it's around the dinner table that a family really connects. After dinner we played Sorry while the twins played in the floor. I didn't want tonight to end - didn't want bedtime to come do quickly. I wanted to soak all this in while they are young. The days are passing by so quickly.
Tonight I am thankful for a simple piece of furniture that serves as a place to create memories. I look forward to many more nights like we had tonight to come. I know as a child I have so many memories of spending time with my family around the dinner table, whether it was eating, playing games or cards, doing puzzles or whatever it was some of my most treasured time with my parents. When my kids grow up, I want them to have the same memories and know that they were loved.
What are you thankful for today?
Tonight as he was finishing up the ribs on the grill, I had the older two turn the TV off because they were more interested in it than they were listening to me. You would have thought I had destroyed their world when I made them do that. Then without them realizing it, they completely forgot about that show they were watching and started to have fun with the family.
It was so nice to sit around the table and just talk. We do this as much as we can because I believe it's so important for a family to do. Around the table, the kids open up about what's going on and we get to talk to them about important issues too. I believe it's around the dinner table that a family really connects. After dinner we played Sorry while the twins played in the floor. I didn't want tonight to end - didn't want bedtime to come do quickly. I wanted to soak all this in while they are young. The days are passing by so quickly.
Tonight I am thankful for a simple piece of furniture that serves as a place to create memories. I look forward to many more nights like we had tonight to come. I know as a child I have so many memories of spending time with my family around the dinner table, whether it was eating, playing games or cards, doing puzzles or whatever it was some of my most treasured time with my parents. When my kids grow up, I want them to have the same memories and know that they were loved.
What are you thankful for today?
Wordless Wednesday - New Way to Drink
We caught he drinking her milk like this. She stayed like this for several minutes.I apologize for it being fuzzy but if we got up to get the camera she would have stopped.
Friday, November 5, 2010
A Special Thanks on a Hard Day
I want to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers for my family today. My daddy was one of those people that you met and you walked away with a smile on your face. I never knew how many lives my daddy had touched until he passed away. We probably saw over 400 people at visitation and the church was just about full at his funeral. I wanted to share with you some of the things that people said about him today on his birthday. It just goes to show the type of man he was.
But when he passed away there was something said about my daddy that just blew me away. I received this email from a friend that I had worked with many years ago at my first job out of college. Daddy would come to the office and have lunch with me. And when he came by he always had to talk to everyone or invite people to come with us. This is what my friend wrote:
"Happy Birthday! I know it's a hard day for y'all, but just think of the glorious party he's having today. Bet the first birthday in heaven is pretty awesome! Thinking of your family and praying for y'all today...."
"I always remember your dad having that sweet smile on his face. Praying you'll find comfort in the wonderful memories of him.
"saying a prayer for you, he such a warm hearted man."
"Your dad was an awesome man!!"
"I loved your dad. You guys are in our hearts today.""
"you and your sister were so Blessed to have one of the finest Christian men we know, for a "father" - Remembering your dad with Precious Memories, and the "Legacy" he left upon his family ....""
"You were very blessed to have such a wonderful father and such a wonderful legacy to pass down to your children. I can't imagine how much you miss him, especially on days like today. I have so many memories of your whole family growing up next door. He was like my 2nd dad growing up. It makes my heart smile to think of those old times. Priceless memories!!!!"
But when he passed away there was something said about my daddy that just blew me away. I received this email from a friend that I had worked with many years ago at my first job out of college. Daddy would come to the office and have lunch with me. And when he came by he always had to talk to everyone or invite people to come with us. This is what my friend wrote:
I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your loss today and for the grief I know you are feeling, but I am thankful for the comfort that you have in knowing your Dad is in a much better place and that we will all get to see him again one day.
I only met him a few times and I know we used to tease you about your "Diddy" back in the DTS days, but I wanted you to know that since my little girl was born, I have thought of the two of you many times. Even as little as I knew him, he was an inspiration to me to be the kind of father to my daughter that I believe he was to you. I can only hope that when I leave this world, my daughter will still think of me as her hero. I hope that I can give her the kind of spiritual foundation, strength, and confidence that your daddy gave you. His was a life well spent.
Be well and know that you & your family are in my prayers.
This one email that I got back in February spoke volumes to be to the impression that my daddy made on the lives of others and me. My daddy was the finest man I have ever known. He touched so many lives and I am so thankful that I can proudly say that he was my daddy.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday with a Heavy Heart
Thursdays' posts are usually about things that I am thankful about and today is no exception. The only thing is today is very hard. See today is my daddy's birthday, but it's the first one without him. I had thought about writing several posts leading up to today to give you insight on who he was and how great of a man he was. But I am not ready for that. Every time I have tried, I end up in tears. I plan to write a series on him but not right now. This post is hard enough to write.
This time last year we never thought we would be gathering at Cracker Barrel for our last birthday celebration with him. We laughed like we always do and he had the Mama's Pancake Breakfast with extra syrup. He was a diabetic but he always had to have the extra syrup.My nephew's girlfriend's birthday is the day after daddy's so we celebrated hers too. She was his little ray of sunshine. He thought the world of her. I can't even imagine going to eat there today. Just going there during the year is hard enough at times. It brings back all the memories of all the good times we had with him there. If I had known this was his last, I would have taken more pictures. Of the ones that I took this one is my favorite because every time I look at it I can hear him laughing.
I so wanted to wake up this morning and have him back so that I could call him and wish him a happy birthday, but that wasn't God's plan. He called my daddy home when He was ready for him, not when I was ready. I have been told that the first birthday, Father's Day, Christmas, etc are the hardest ones. I certainly do believe that.. I went by and saw daddy and will go back today at lunch to put some flowers on his grave. Not the way I wanted to spend his birthday but I have to remember that I still have my mama to take care of. Today I will eat with her and remember the good times with him.
We have some hard days ahead with the holidays approaching. Just thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas without him is hard. So today with a heavy heart I am thankful for the daddy that I was blessed to have in my life for almost 39 years. He taught me so many things about life, how to love your family and what commitment was for he and my mama were married almost 49 years. He is my hero. Today he would have been 73. His absence has left a hole in our family that can never be filled.
Happy Birthday Daddy! I love you and will always be a Daddy's Girl.
This time last year we never thought we would be gathering at Cracker Barrel for our last birthday celebration with him. We laughed like we always do and he had the Mama's Pancake Breakfast with extra syrup. He was a diabetic but he always had to have the extra syrup.My nephew's girlfriend's birthday is the day after daddy's so we celebrated hers too. She was his little ray of sunshine. He thought the world of her. I can't even imagine going to eat there today. Just going there during the year is hard enough at times. It brings back all the memories of all the good times we had with him there. If I had known this was his last, I would have taken more pictures. Of the ones that I took this one is my favorite because every time I look at it I can hear him laughing.
I so wanted to wake up this morning and have him back so that I could call him and wish him a happy birthday, but that wasn't God's plan. He called my daddy home when He was ready for him, not when I was ready. I have been told that the first birthday, Father's Day, Christmas, etc are the hardest ones. I certainly do believe that.. I went by and saw daddy and will go back today at lunch to put some flowers on his grave. Not the way I wanted to spend his birthday but I have to remember that I still have my mama to take care of. Today I will eat with her and remember the good times with him.
We have some hard days ahead with the holidays approaching. Just thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas without him is hard. So today with a heavy heart I am thankful for the daddy that I was blessed to have in my life for almost 39 years. He taught me so many things about life, how to love your family and what commitment was for he and my mama were married almost 49 years. He is my hero. Today he would have been 73. His absence has left a hole in our family that can never be filled.
Happy Birthday Daddy! I love you and will always be a Daddy's Girl.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Halloween
While the twins are young and don't really care, I have decided that I want to dress them alike. We thought about doing Thing 1 and Thing 2 or clowns, but decided on Pebbles and Bam Bam. I searched all over the web looking at costumes and just couldn't would not pay as much as they wanted for the costumes. Plus they were rather ugly. So I made them instead.
We were going trick or treating Saturday night so of course that morning I was working on their costumes. My nephew's girlfriend came over to help me out and to help watch the babies. She worked on Pebbles shirt while I did BamBam's outfit. I bought sweatpants and shirts from Wal-mart and made the bone out of a t-shirt that I cut up. I don't sew but use to cross stitch all the time so I had a little experience. And I think they turned out rather cute.
We made stops to see the grandmothers right quick before heading over to our friends' house for a party. The babies loved being around all the kids and especially loved the bobbing for apples that was set up.
We had to put Bulldog's shirt in the dryer because he put his hands in the water. And of course the Hubs just stood there laughing and taking pictures.
Once it was dark, we headed out to trick or treat. We all got on trailers with hay and they carried us from place to place. BamBam fell asleep right after we got started and she only went to a few houses. The older two were at their dad's so they didn't get to go with us this year. We missed them so much and so did all their friends.
I hope everyone had a great Halloween. Looking forward to next year already since the older two will be there with us.
We were going trick or treating Saturday night so of course that morning I was working on their costumes. My nephew's girlfriend came over to help me out and to help watch the babies. She worked on Pebbles shirt while I did BamBam's outfit. I bought sweatpants and shirts from Wal-mart and made the bone out of a t-shirt that I cut up. I don't sew but use to cross stitch all the time so I had a little experience. And I think they turned out rather cute.
We made stops to see the grandmothers right quick before heading over to our friends' house for a party. The babies loved being around all the kids and especially loved the bobbing for apples that was set up.
We had to put Bulldog's shirt in the dryer because he put his hands in the water. And of course the Hubs just stood there laughing and taking pictures.
Once it was dark, we headed out to trick or treat. We all got on trailers with hay and they carried us from place to place. BamBam fell asleep right after we got started and she only went to a few houses. The older two were at their dad's so they didn't get to go with us this year. We missed them so much and so did all their friends.
I hope everyone had a great Halloween. Looking forward to next year already since the older two will be there with us.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Is Being a Parent Hard Work?
Yesterday on the way home from tumbling my oldest asked me "Momma, is being a parent hard work?". I of course told her that it was. But then she said "But you wouldn't trade it for anything right?" I was blown away by this. Of course I wouldn't trade being a parent for anything.
When I first became a momma over 11 years ago my life forever changed. It was no longer about me but about this little being that had come into my world. I was humbled and am still humbled everyday that God has blessed me with my children.There is nothing that brings more joy to my heart and life on this earth than to see and hear my children every day. To get that hug and kiss each morning and to hear them tell you "I love you" - oh how my heart melts. That part is easy.
Then comes the part of parenthood that is hard. You know the times that I am talking about - the discipline part, the heartaches they go through, and most of the the time that we have to let them go and be their own person. To me I believe that last one will be the hardest one of all. The day that they leave the nest and fly on their own. I will probably, no I will definitely cry when that times comes. I remember my daddy always hated the end of summer which meant I had to go back to college. I always thought it was sweet and knew it was hard on him, but never until I had kids of my own did I fully understand how he felt.
Yes being a parent is hard work, but the award far out weighs the work.
When I first became a momma over 11 years ago my life forever changed. It was no longer about me but about this little being that had come into my world. I was humbled and am still humbled everyday that God has blessed me with my children.There is nothing that brings more joy to my heart and life on this earth than to see and hear my children every day. To get that hug and kiss each morning and to hear them tell you "I love you" - oh how my heart melts. That part is easy.
Then comes the part of parenthood that is hard. You know the times that I am talking about - the discipline part, the heartaches they go through, and most of the the time that we have to let them go and be their own person. To me I believe that last one will be the hardest one of all. The day that they leave the nest and fly on their own. I will probably, no I will definitely cry when that times comes. I remember my daddy always hated the end of summer which meant I had to go back to college. I always thought it was sweet and knew it was hard on him, but never until I had kids of my own did I fully understand how he felt.
Yes being a parent is hard work, but the award far out weighs the work.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday - True Thankfulness
Thankful. We write or try to write posts about it every Thursday, but have we ever really sat down and thought about what that word means. It means
grateful: feeling or showing gratitude
We often say how thankful we are of this and that, but are we just saying that out of habit? Do we really mean it? I know a lot of times I say that I am thankful for something but really don't mean it. I believe we have forgotten what it means to be truly thankful. Today on Twitter I read the following and it pretty much sums up why we forget to be truly thankful
This got me to thinking about how we can become ungrateful and not have true thankfulness. We forget WHY we should be thankful. We forget or take for granted WHAT we should be thankful for. I have to shamefully admit that I at times fall in this category. I look around me and only see the negative. I forget WHY I should be thankful and WHAT I should be thankful for. I forget when things are good that I should be thankful for the sacrifice my Lord made for me and the free gift of salvation that He gave me even though I don't deserve it.I should be thankful at all times that my Lord is always there for me and will never leave me. I should be thankful that I have a roof over my head and a nice house even if we are packed in here and out of room. I should be thankful for all those things that I just get tired of doing over and over again because it means i have the health and the ability to do these things. I should be truly grateful for every moment I have with my kids, husband and family.
So today, at this moment, I want to be thankful for all that God has blessed me with. I am not talking about the material things of this world that money buys. No I am talking about those things in our lives that can't be replaced - our children, spouses, family. So many times we go through this life with good intentions but end up taking the most precious things around us for granted. We think they will always be here but that's not always the case. In a blink of an eye everything we hold precious can be taken from us. Don't take one moment for granted, be content with what you have, love God with all your heart - these things I believe are the keys to being truly thankful.
What are you thankful today?
I am convinced we get burned out not because we do it, but because we forget WHY we do it.
This got me to thinking about how we can become ungrateful and not have true thankfulness. We forget WHY we should be thankful. We forget or take for granted WHAT we should be thankful for. I have to shamefully admit that I at times fall in this category. I look around me and only see the negative. I forget WHY I should be thankful and WHAT I should be thankful for. I forget when things are good that I should be thankful for the sacrifice my Lord made for me and the free gift of salvation that He gave me even though I don't deserve it.I should be thankful at all times that my Lord is always there for me and will never leave me. I should be thankful that I have a roof over my head and a nice house even if we are packed in here and out of room. I should be thankful for all those things that I just get tired of doing over and over again because it means i have the health and the ability to do these things. I should be truly grateful for every moment I have with my kids, husband and family.
So today, at this moment, I want to be thankful for all that God has blessed me with. I am not talking about the material things of this world that money buys. No I am talking about those things in our lives that can't be replaced - our children, spouses, family. So many times we go through this life with good intentions but end up taking the most precious things around us for granted. We think they will always be here but that's not always the case. In a blink of an eye everything we hold precious can be taken from us. Don't take one moment for granted, be content with what you have, love God with all your heart - these things I believe are the keys to being truly thankful.
What are you thankful today?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Homecoming 2010
This past Friday, our local high school celebrated homecoming. Because I work from home now I was able to go to the parade and see Red riding with his team. He had to be at the high school by 2 even though the parade didn't start until 3. He and his friends were so excited about riding in the parade armed with candy to throw.
The kids all lined up ready to see the parade. Lil' Mama and her friends were excited to be there but more excited that they got out of school early.
And of course Red and his team were the last ones in the parade. He threw candy at me because I was walking beside them trying to take pictures.
The next day was our homecoming game. Each age group has two teams so Saturday for homecoming we play each other. They called each kid by name as they ran out onto the field.
They even had a homecoming court that consisted of the cheerleaders and each had an escort. It was cute. Some girls would walk up leading their escort instead of the other way around. One girl had her daddy on one side and he granddaddy on the other. That choked me up for a minute when it dawned on me that both of my girls will never be able to do that.
We played hard and won 18-0. The boys were so excited!
Only two more games left for the year. If we can win both of these we can make the playoffs. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping we make it.
The kids all lined up ready to see the parade. Lil' Mama and her friends were excited to be there but more excited that they got out of school early.
And of course Red and his team were the last ones in the parade. He threw candy at me because I was walking beside them trying to take pictures.
The next day was our homecoming game. Each age group has two teams so Saturday for homecoming we play each other. They called each kid by name as they ran out onto the field.
They even had a homecoming court that consisted of the cheerleaders and each had an escort. It was cute. Some girls would walk up leading their escort instead of the other way around. One girl had her daddy on one side and he granddaddy on the other. That choked me up for a minute when it dawned on me that both of my girls will never be able to do that.
We played hard and won 18-0. The boys were so excited!
Only two more games left for the year. If we can win both of these we can make the playoffs. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping we make it.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
My Boy of Fall
I love the new song "Boys of Fall" by Kenny Chesney. If you haven't heard it, the song talks about Friday nights during football season. We are not playing high school football yet. We play on Saturdays. And I have my own boy of Fall.
We are not doing that well as a team, but Red is loving playing ball. He was in on a score during the last game and he was so excited. We lost but he was excited that he got to be in on a score. That one comment made me realize that it's all about them playing and learning the game of football.
We are parents want to get caught up in the records and take things very seriously. I have to admit that I am like that to at times because I am so competitive. I don't like to lose but I have to remember that these are kids. Yes they want to win but they are playing ball. They are learning the game that they see the big boys play every Saturday. They are more worried about what number they will be because they want Mark Ingram's number or Bo Jackson's.
They were recognized before the start of our local high school football game and all the boy were so impressed and excited.
The high school players would walk by and they would just look at them like they were professional players. The boys watched warm ups before the game. Some played around and others watched like it was the biggest game they had ever been to. But kids look at things that way. Before I know that will be him playing high school ball. Oh I am not ready for that. I want to slow time down but there's no way to do that.
I try to take pictures of him during his game but when I am fighting the twins keeping them under control, it's hard to get any. I will miss this when it's over, but I will always love my Boy of Fall.
We are not doing that well as a team, but Red is loving playing ball. He was in on a score during the last game and he was so excited. We lost but he was excited that he got to be in on a score. That one comment made me realize that it's all about them playing and learning the game of football.
We are parents want to get caught up in the records and take things very seriously. I have to admit that I am like that to at times because I am so competitive. I don't like to lose but I have to remember that these are kids. Yes they want to win but they are playing ball. They are learning the game that they see the big boys play every Saturday. They are more worried about what number they will be because they want Mark Ingram's number or Bo Jackson's.
They were recognized before the start of our local high school football game and all the boy were so impressed and excited.
The high school players would walk by and they would just look at them like they were professional players. The boys watched warm ups before the game. Some played around and others watched like it was the biggest game they had ever been to. But kids look at things that way. Before I know that will be him playing high school ball. Oh I am not ready for that. I want to slow time down but there's no way to do that.
I try to take pictures of him during his game but when I am fighting the twins keeping them under control, it's hard to get any. I will miss this when it's over, but I will always love my Boy of Fall.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday - Cooler Temperatures
The cooler temperatures has brought us outside more. I love being outside with the kids and Hubs and of course with my camera in my hand. They all hate to see that thing come out, except the babies. They are too young to realize what Momma is doing.
I love to watch them play ball in the yard...
and play with their friends. Sweet Pea decided that she wanted to play with the older girls so she went straight to them. She loved every minute of it. And the girls didn't seem to mind a bit either.
Bulldog is finally standing up on his own more and more. He took 3 or 4 steps twice yesterday and we were so excited. It won't be long before I will have two walking toddlers. I have been saying that I wanted to get some exercise.
I love this time of year - the cooler weather, the beautiful colors, the bright blue sky. Most of all I am thankful for the wonderful memories that we are making everyday with our kids. Sure they remember the big things that you do with them, but they will remember the little things more because those are the times that you show them just how much you love them.
What are you thankful for today?
I love to watch them play ball in the yard...
and play with their friends. Sweet Pea decided that she wanted to play with the older girls so she went straight to them. She loved every minute of it. And the girls didn't seem to mind a bit either.
Bulldog is finally standing up on his own more and more. He took 3 or 4 steps twice yesterday and we were so excited. It won't be long before I will have two walking toddlers. I have been saying that I wanted to get some exercise.
I love this time of year - the cooler weather, the beautiful colors, the bright blue sky. Most of all I am thankful for the wonderful memories that we are making everyday with our kids. Sure they remember the big things that you do with them, but they will remember the little things more because those are the times that you show them just how much you love them.
What are you thankful for today?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday - Life Happen
Today was one of those days. Things have been piling up all week - work, kids, activities - basically life happened. One of those weeks when projects at work kept piling up with no end in sight, book reports due, schedules to keep, things to do. And it all came crashing down on me this afternoon as I sat at my desk working. I felt defeated, overwhelmed. Tears began to flow. No one around me - just me and my God.
As I began to dwell on all the things that needed to be done - house was a wreck, book reports due, open house at school, football practice, supper, finding someone to keep the babies for the next couple of days - it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulder.How was a possibly going to get everything done. Then it happen, like God was telling me that all these things I was focusing on were temporal. There was more to life. I heard the sounds of the twins playing in the den and the older two coming in the house. The laughter filled the house as the babies saw them coming home from school. That is what life was about outside of my relationship with Christ - my family. My husband and my kids were so much more important than everything that had to be done around here.
Sure we need to get the house ready to put on the market but what's another couple of weeks if that means that I get to spend an afternoon playing with my kids or spending time with my husband. When they are older they won't remember if the house was super clean - they will remember the time I spent with them and that they were loved.
So today I am thankful for those little reminders that there is more to life than our to do lists. Sometimes we need to put those to do lists off to the side and enjoy life.
What are you thankful for today?
As I began to dwell on all the things that needed to be done - house was a wreck, book reports due, open house at school, football practice, supper, finding someone to keep the babies for the next couple of days - it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulder.How was a possibly going to get everything done. Then it happen, like God was telling me that all these things I was focusing on were temporal. There was more to life. I heard the sounds of the twins playing in the den and the older two coming in the house. The laughter filled the house as the babies saw them coming home from school. That is what life was about outside of my relationship with Christ - my family. My husband and my kids were so much more important than everything that had to be done around here.
Sure we need to get the house ready to put on the market but what's another couple of weeks if that means that I get to spend an afternoon playing with my kids or spending time with my husband. When they are older they won't remember if the house was super clean - they will remember the time I spent with them and that they were loved.
So today I am thankful for those little reminders that there is more to life than our to do lists. Sometimes we need to put those to do lists off to the side and enjoy life.
What are you thankful for today?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wordless Wednesday - Crazy Dog
I know that it's Wordless Wednesday but I just had to say a few words. He loves to sit in the swing and even sleeps in it. I can only imagine what he will do once we have the fence fixed where he can't get out. Our fence was build to keep a 85 lb golden in not a little dog like Roscoe.
Yes we have named him, well at least the Hubs has. He named him Roscoe P. Coltrane. Looks like we have a new family member.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
My Hiatus
To my readers, it seems that I, without planning it, have taken a short hiatus here lately from my blog. I thought when I started working from home that I would be able to post at least once a day but that has yet to happen. Life as we all know it has a way of changing our plans and good intentions. From football practice and games, tumbling, cheer camp, school, homework, church activities, and finding time to spend at home as a family, this has all taken priority over my blog.
I have so missed blogging. It started at as a little thing, but during my daddy's illness and after his death, it has become at times a place where I can express my feelings and has helped heal my pain of my family's loss. Starting today, my intentions are to get things more organized and cut a little time out everyday for myself and my blog. I have managed to upload my photos to my Flickr account which is a relief. So hopefully today's post will be the first of many to come this week. I have a lot of catching up to do.
I have so missed blogging. It started at as a little thing, but during my daddy's illness and after his death, it has become at times a place where I can express my feelings and has helped heal my pain of my family's loss. Starting today, my intentions are to get things more organized and cut a little time out everyday for myself and my blog. I have managed to upload my photos to my Flickr account which is a relief. So hopefully today's post will be the first of many to come this week. I have a lot of catching up to do.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday - My Daddy
Over the last few days I have seen several posts on Twitter about people's dads. Posts about their dad's cracking corny jokes, sending them text message to tell them that they are loved, coming to visit them and on and on. I smile when I see these and pray that these sons/daughters will not take these moments for granted. I am so thankful that I didn't.
I am thankful that I had a Daddy that loved my sister, mom, grandkids, his Lord and me like he did. If he knew how to text, he would have sent us several throughout the day. He sent at least 15 emails a day and would ask if we read them. He would call when the weather was bad or he heard about a wreck to tell us to be careful. I miss those calls and emails. I miss him coming to my house and looking for candy because since he was a diabetic my momma wouldn't let him have very much of it in the house. I miss him period.
It was 7 months ago today that we were spending our last moments with him. Still praying for a miracle but knowing that God was calling him home. There are times I wish I could hear his voice just one more time. The other night, I had a dream and he was there. It was like having him back - I hear his voice and his contagious laugh. When I woke I was crying, just as I am now writing this. Yet I am thankful that one day I will see him again.
So if your Daddy is still here, call him today to just say hey and that you love him. Thank him (and your mom) for all the things that he has done for you throughout the years. Enjoy those annoying emails, corny jokes, silly text messages and let him spoil his grandkids. Love him and your mom like there's no tomorrow.
I am thankful that I had a Daddy that loved my sister, mom, grandkids, his Lord and me like he did. If he knew how to text, he would have sent us several throughout the day. He sent at least 15 emails a day and would ask if we read them. He would call when the weather was bad or he heard about a wreck to tell us to be careful. I miss those calls and emails. I miss him coming to my house and looking for candy because since he was a diabetic my momma wouldn't let him have very much of it in the house. I miss him period.
It was 7 months ago today that we were spending our last moments with him. Still praying for a miracle but knowing that God was calling him home. There are times I wish I could hear his voice just one more time. The other night, I had a dream and he was there. It was like having him back - I hear his voice and his contagious laugh. When I woke I was crying, just as I am now writing this. Yet I am thankful that one day I will see him again.
So if your Daddy is still here, call him today to just say hey and that you love him. Thank him (and your mom) for all the things that he has done for you throughout the years. Enjoy those annoying emails, corny jokes, silly text messages and let him spoil his grandkids. Love him and your mom like there's no tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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