A Whirlwind of Thanksgiving

It has been so extremely busy around here!! I knew it would be though what with the holidays and all. I rearranged all my furniture in the house to make room for our humongous Christmas tree. I really like everything this way. It feels a lot more cozy and homey in here. Brooke had her Campfire Sleepover a few weeks ago. They had a blast and she was officially welcomed into Tina's Adventure Club since Mommy is retired as a Camp Fire leader!



The next night, her friend Lauren came over to spend the night and they had a good time. The three of them--Kayti, Brooke and Lauren played really well together most of the time. The next morning, we got up early because I promised to bring Lauren to church at NorthPark and the rest of us decided to visit again, too. I visited Lauren's parents SS class and I think I may have finally found my place. Of course I want Jeff to visit first before we decide and he had stayed home that day to work on my van, which he fixed, praise God! But then he met us at Fronterra for lunch with Lauren's family.

But more on NorthPark...the pastor was speaking about being a good steward of your family and he said something that touched me deeply. He said that too many parents drill it into their kids heads to "go to college, make a lot of money" and while there is certainly nothing wrong with those things, what we should be focusing on is teaching our children and encouraging them to follow God's plan for their lives. I was convicted! Since the day we brought Dylan home from the hospital, we have dressed him in Alabama Tshirts and talked about him going to Alabama one day and making lots of money so he doesn't have to struggle like we do sometimes! I apologized to him as soon as we got into the car and told him that I hope he knows that we will love him no matter what he decides to do with his life but we hope that he does indeed follow God's lead and not ours.

The next day, the girls and I were at the library and we checked out the following book:


The Legend of the Three Trees


The book is about 3 trees. One wanted to be a treasure chest. One wanted to be a huge ship that would carry a king and the other wanted to be a towering tree that would remind everyone of God's creation and pointing people to God.

The first tree was disappointed when he was cut down and made into a feeding troth for some animals. The second tree was disappointed when he was cut down and made into a simple fishing boat. And the third tree was struck down by lightening, forgotten and eventually taken to a scrap yard.

Years passed and long story short, the first tree ended up being the manger that held the Baby Jesus--the greatest treasure of all. The second tree ended up being the fishing boat that Jesus (the TRUE king) was on when He calmed the storm. And the third tree ended up being the cross--still pointing the way to God today!

It was a wonderful story that just went right along with your message that even though we have big plans for ourselves and our children, God's plans are even greater!!!

So I know God is speaking to me here!

Monday night, Brooke had her CampFire Thank you party:



Dylan was out of school the entire week of Thanksgiving but he still had wrestling. He lost his wrestle-off against the other guy in his weight class so he did not actually get to participate in the tournament they had on Wednesday but he still wanted to go and watch for a bit so I dropped him off and he hung out for awhile. Jeff got off early on Wednesday and then we went shopping for Dylan's birthday gifts. I borrowed an idea from my parenting guru, Lisa Whelchel but I tweaked it a little to better fit our family. Here's what he got for his birthday:

First, a plain birthday card that read "Dylan, we are overwhelmed when we think of the outstanding young man you are becoming. It has been our joy to be your parents. You are the best son we could have asked for. Thank you for the privelege of being your parents. Love, Mom & Dad and now...the presents!!

A savings account and a Dave Ramsey book--Part of being an adult is learning to handle money. I wish I knew so I could teach you! Seriously, good habits are best learned young. the older you get, trust me, the more difficult it is to change your behavior or correct your mistakes (and everybody makes them!) Please do better than we have in this area! Take advantage of the resources you have and the opportunity to learn. Read this book. Get into the habit of tithing to God first. He will supply your every need--and most of your wants! Be a saver. There is so much value in delayed gratification and her's some help getting started!

A Family Guy DVD--A sense of humor is very important and I'm so glad you have one. Too few people do these days and thought it is also important to make good choices regarding music, TV and movies, it is all about balance. Each of us knows when our line has been crossed. That line is a wonderful gift from God and I hope that we've done a good job of teaching you how to discern for yourself what things are pleasing and not to just follow the crowd on anything--good or bad.

An Alabama Crimson Tide toothbrush--You have been blessed with a fierce loyalty to the things you know and love. It is perhaps your most admirable quality. Don't ever lose it. Roll Tide!

A chocolate cigar--Hopefully you won't have to deal with friends trying to get you to smoke cigars (or anything else!), drink, do drugs or make other bad choice s. But the people you surround yourself with over the next few years will become increasingly important to the way your life turns out. You've always been very selective--make sure with each new relationship you ask yourself, "will this friend (or girlfriend) draw me away from the things of God or stand with me to make good choices?"




A photo collage with family pictures--Other than Jesus, there is no more important relationship in life than the one with your family. Your dad and I have both been blessed in this way and it is--always has been--our greatest goal to pass that blessing along to you kids. Value your family as your greatest treasure.

An Academy gift card--From today forward, we will listen to your requests and desires more. We want to be able to communicate with you openly and honestly about everything. Though we are your parents first and foremost, we are also your friends. No one loves you more and no one ever will (except for God). We will always be in your corner. Not only when you succeed but when you fail. We want you to know you can trust us as we know we can trust you!

On Thanksgiving, we went to Jeff's mom's for dinner and then to my aunt's for dessert. We got to see my cousin's stepson, Heath and his family! I had not seen Heath in quite awhile. He was ringbearer at our wedding and is just a few years younger than my sister, Melanie. He was a rebellious teen and they had a lot of trouble out of him but he has really grown up!

Me and the girls spent the night with Mom Thanksgiving night and my sister, Melanie did, too so we could all get up and go shopping together on Black Friday! We had a blast! We started out in Fultondale/Gardendale and then mom took us to lunch at Habeneros and then we hit the Galleria and other Hoover shopping. I, of course, spent more money than I had planned to but I did get some good deals on things I needed for gifts and to decorate the house. I'm not normally an enthusiastic shopper--people get on my nerves when I'm out like that but the day after Thanksgiving, when you would expect shopping to be at its worst, I actually enjoy it. I don't know if it's a spirit of the season in the air or what but I'm not as bothered being out that day. We had a great time and were gone most of the day. While we were out, my dad friend us a turkey and then Jeff came to pick us up.

Saturday was the Iron Bowl and Dylan had friends over to celebrate his birthday. Alabama lost but everyone still had fun.

Sunday, we went to Lower Shadow Lake to make our Christmas Card picture: I can't decide which one I'm going to use. Any votes?





Then we came home and put up the tree!




Yesterday, Dylan stayed out of school again and we drove to Oneonta so he could take his driver's permit test. (we tried at CenterPoint TWICE last week when he was out of school and both times the line was so long we were turned away) He passed--he only missed one question! So look out, everyone! There's another teen driver on the roads of Clay!

Today, we resume our regular homeschooling routine and continue our preparations for the Christmas season. I just love this time of year!

What I'm Reading This Week



It's Christmas, right? So I have to read something about Christmas! I actually read this book a few years ago when I first bought it. Yes, it's another Lisa Whelchel--are you noticing a pattern here? I just love her philosophy on everything--the Lord, family, being a mother, etc.

Since rededicating my life to the Lord five years ago, all I have heard is other Christians complain about how Christ is lost in the shuffle of the holiday hustle and bustle. They complain that stores say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" and they stop participating in holiday rituals that once meant alot to them as children. I've always found that very sad. I think God loves it all. Of course, with everything, there has to be balance but the intro to this book, The ADVENTure of Christmas says it better than I ever could. Lisa writes:

If you were to ask my children, "What is the meaning of Christmas?" they would dutifully reply, "The birth of Jesus." But I know them better than that. To these three little ones, Christmas is really about opening presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree, and stringing twinkle lights with Daddy.

Sure, we read the Christmas story, attend candlelight services, and quote the obligatory, "Jesus is the reason for the season" while simultaneiously wiping tears from their eyes and drool off their chins in the Barbie aisle of Toys R Us. But if you could see into my children's hearts, you would understand that, to them, Christmas is not only about the birth of Jesus--it's also about celebrating the birth of Jesus.

I recently learned that celebrating Christmas is not far from the heart of God. Feeling like Jesus had gotten lost in the frenzy of the holiday season, I asked the Lord to show me what I could do to teach my children the true meaning of Christmas. I was caught off-guard when He simply replied, "Don't do anything differently. Look in the middle of the celebration and you will find Me."

How awesomely true is that?! The Bible even tells us that in everything we do, do it for the Lord! So rest assured, when we visit Santa, when we shop, when we bake and do crafts, we are doing it all for the glory of God and celebrating His greatest gift!


Blessings!

And yet another busy week!

Every day this past week has been involved with something to do with the school play--rehearsals, dress rehearsals, cast party and finally the big performance! It went great! This play was even better than last year's. I like musicals but I'll take a comedy over that anyday and this one was great. All the kids did really good. Here are a few pictures:





This is Brooke as Vivian Nonsuave, a picnic girl, dressed in circa 1965.



This is Kayti as Mama Sheep.

They had a pancake/pajama party for a cast party. They played several very fun games, one of which was a scavenger hunt which had to be done while traveling with a group underneath a sheet!





Other family news...

We have adopted a soldier! I won't share his name just yet (would like to get his permission first) and I don't have any pictures but he is a young soldier with a pregnant wife and two small children and just beginning his second deployment. We are praying for him and his family and sending items of need and encouragement throughout his deployment. Please join us in praying for him and for all our brave men and women proudly serving our country.

What I'm reading this week

Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox

In this candid autobiography, he describes his life's accomplishments and his struggle with Parkinson's disease since his diagnosis in 1991. I have been in love with Michael J. Fox since his Family Ties days. Everyone told me I was nuts. During an era when my peers where pining for Erik Estrada on Chips or Van Halen's David Lee Roth, short little Michael J. Fox had my heart! I don't know why, just something about him was cute to me. I was elated and I felt my crush on him vindicated when he went on to be a big star in Back to the Future and other films. I can pick 'em! LOL

He is so talented and though I hate to hear about anyone's suffering, it really hits home when someone you grew up watching, someone who is so talented and such a great person is faced with the challenge of a dibilitating illness such as Parkinson's. But I totally understand his perspective of how an illness can be a blessing in many ways. Having been through Crohn's disease with Jeff, God uses everything in our lives to bless us and to teach us what's really important in this life. I'm glad he has learned that and is using his fame to bring attention to the need for better research. I really pray that better treatments and a cure is discovered in his lifetime.

What a week!

We have been so busy this past week and the next week is going to be pretty much the same. I would imagine it will probably be that way until after the holidays.

Monday, the girls and I went to the Pumpkin Patch. We picked the absolute perfect day to go! We had the entire place practically to ourselves! No school field trips, no big crowds of families with whiney babies. Just us and a few others. We even got discounted admission to the inflatable park which was good since it didn't take the girls long to get bored with that. And the weather was just beautiful. We took our hayride, picked out our pumpkins, looked around the giftshop, had a funnel cake and then we were on our way home. We spent more time at the courthouse! LOL

Here are some pictures:








Tuesday we made Halloween cookies for the dance parties and carved our pumpkins:



The girls and their dance teachers:





On Wednesday, we went to Mom's for a Halloween party with her daycare kids:



The girls did a Halloween puppet show:



We played some games and had treats. This is my mom's dog, Maggie:



That night we went trick-or-treating and hit a few church festivals. Then we set our pumpkins outside:



Thursday was play practice, violin and track practice in addition to all our usual Thursday stuff. We remembered at the last minute we were supposed to do Children's Theatre so we high-tailed it downtown in time to get caught up in all the Christmas Village traffic! We couldn't find a place to park so we went to the Art Museum instead.

We found an antique vanity desk at a yard sale in Moody and we took it home, refinished it and put it in the girls' room. They just love it! I had one just like it when I was a litle girl.

Friday was co-op and then the girls wanted to go shopping for some items to keep in their vanity.

Saturday morning was Brooke's track meet and I am so proud of her! She ran her course (3k-nearly 2 miles, I can't even WALK 2 miles!) in 18 minutes 16 seconds. She placed 2nd and is currently thinking about doing the State meet.

Crossing the finish line:


With her awards:


Afterward we went to mom's for the Alabama/LSU game.

Today, Jeff and I celebrate 18 years of marriage!

What I'm reading

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I can never get enough of Lisa! Her stories inspire me to be a better mom and to look toward the eternal and not just the everyday. I highly recommend any and all of her books!

Blessings for a great week!

My prayer for today...

Lord Jesus,

I just praise you for all that you've done in my life. I so do not deserve any of it nor do I deserve the things I'm about to ask. Please know I do recognize you at work in my life. You've saved me time and time again from my own self, from the messes I create and it frustrates me that I can never do anything to deserve the blessings I've been given. I know that's what grace is all about but the whole concept of it just is so overwhelming that I could be looked at and loved by you....it just blows me away.

You know my heart, Lord. You know I desire for my family to REALLY be on fire for You, Jesus. We've dropped out of church because we were hurt by others--sinners, just like us and we can't seem to find our way back. I try and I try to let go, to forgive, to move on and I just seem to keep getting in my own way. I want to submit to my husband, Lord but he won't lead! Someone has to take charge around here! I try to be patient and wait for you to speak to his heart and I beg your forgiveness that I'm so impatient. My heart screams like a child wanting something NOW NOW NOW! Lord help me remember that you are a loving parent to your daughter and that you always have my best interest at heart and that for now it is your will for me to "wait".

You know I fall short in so many ways of modeling a godly woman for my children. I confess to being double minded sometimes and don't try hard enough to live in this world without being of it.

We have not been responsible with the things you've given us and now we are struggling once again. I'm frustrated that it seems we have so little when we don't even want a whole lot to begin with. I just want to be able to homeschool and be there for my family while my bills get paid on time, to be able to tithe like we're supposed to, give generously to others and have a little left over to have a little fun. I know this is so selfish because there are so many going to bed without anything to eat and we do have full bellies. Lord help me to fully trust you and help my husband to realize how blessed we are, too. Sometimes it wears on me trying to stay upbeat and optimistic and get him to be that way when I'm scared myself.

And Lord, I don't know how to witness to my extended family anymore. I love them dearly. Please show me how to get them to know you like I do without it sounding like I'm judging them because you know I'm not, Lord. You see all of us sinners, your children, the same just as I love all of my own children the same, no matter what they do.

Forgive me, your humble daughter and show me the way!

Week of October 15-19, 2007

Same ol' same ol'

Last Monday, we had a few prayers answered and things are looking up a bit now. Though I'm always content, it's hard to maintain a spirit of contentment when everyone around you is stressed out. Anyway...

I did get a good start on the girls play costumes though I'm not finished. Dylan signed up for wrestling. I'm taking a 'wait and see' attitude on it. I'm not thrilled about it but he'll probably be okay. I read through the information and they seem to keep a better eye on athletes' weight, etc. than they did in Jeff's day.

We did not get to do Race for the Cure but many of my in-laws did. Hopefully, Brooke will get to do the Maple Leaf Run this weekend. My mother-in-law says I did not miss anything and that the Race for the Cure is getting too big--too many people. There is no history of breast cancer in my family but other types of cancer, yes. I have also known a few people that have had it and having nursed three babies and married a confirmed "boob man", this is a cause I do care about!

Monday was Amelia Woo day at Chic Fil A in Trussville and the girls and I worked a few hours. At last count, they had collected a substantial amount to help with her treatments. Her aunt was very excited and touched as was the manager. Such a beautiful young lady, Amelia is, it's a terrible tragedy. It makes me nervous for Dylan to get his permit next month, there are so many young people getting in serious accidents around here. Don't think I won't be praying hard!

Today was the sock hop and Brooke had a ball! I am posting pictures to our homeschool blog. But she won the hula hoop contest, she danced and had a great time. Things did not go so well for my "middle child". She got frustrated because she couldn't hula hoop very well and things went downhill from there for her. Please pray for my sweet daughter. I don't know why she can't be confident and satisfied and why she always seems to make things worse than they are for herself. I try so hard to encourage her but it never seems to be enough.

What I'm Reading This Week



This one I have actually already finished! I don't know what it is about these books (the Yada Yada series) but I have found them to be more helpful and more uplifting than any sermon I've ever heard. Sadly, this is the last book in the series but the author, Neta Jackson, is already hard at work on another series due to debut in 2009. Hurry, Neta!! I'm looking forward to it!




I'm sure I'm not unique in that I take my role as a mom very seriously. I know I'm not perfect by any means and as such, I'm always looking for insight, advice, etc. My own mother has been an invaluable source of information, strength and encouragement to me for the last 15 years and I'm thankful to have her. She is by far my "parenting guru". Of course, all wisdom and strength comes from THE parent, our heavenly Father. And I'm so thankful when he leads me to other Christian women like Lisa Whelchel, Karol Ladd and Vicki Courtney. I'm about halfway through with Your Boy and I already feel an intense kinship with the author. The way she described her feelings after giving birth to her firstborn son is EXACTLY the way I felt when Dylan was born. And yet I laugh when I learn that I am not the only mom who embarasses her son by cheering him on in the different areas of his life. I think that's in our job description, right? Anyway, I'm learning so much and highly recommend this read for all mothers of boys regardless of their age.

What God is Teaching me

God has been silent this past week and I hate when He does that! LOL I've been praying hard for so many things this week and I don't seem to be getting answers (unless it's "no" or "wait", which apparently it is!) and I keep giving myself pep talks. "Keep trusting. He has promised to never leave nor forsake you." So I'm holding onto that right now. During our Bible study this week, the girls and I read about Jesus going into the wilderness for 40 days and being tempted by Satan when He was at His weakest. I've heard the story before but when I read it this time, my blood ran cold. Waiting on answers, I've been so tempted to take matters into my own hands. I am so glad I resisted that temptation. That is no credit to me, however, because it is only through Him that I was strong. Without Him, I most definitely am nothing. So I continue to wait for the Lord.

As promised...

Here is Kayti's "Car Hop Girl" costume!

Week ending October 7, 2007

It's been a long, hard week and very discouraging week. I'm so glad it's over. Nothing devastating happened but it's just one of those lame weeks where nothing GOOD is happening, you're stressed beyond imagination about something really stupid and you just gotta think next week will be better. Somehow.

Wednesday, I worked for my mom for a few hours, if that. I got to hold a newborn baby for about an hour and watch a few more. I sometimes wish I could have more children, even if it is the last thing I need.

Friday, Jeff worked at the football game and I have spent the entire weekend sewing! I sewed Brooke's costume for the school play. I still have to add buttons and a belt. It's supposed to look like 1965 so I went with small purple gingham (material I had leftover from another project since I am so broke!) and I modified a previous pattern to make a sleeveless sundress. It looks pretty close.

Then I finished Kayti's 50's/Halloween costume. She wanted to be a carhop girl. The skirt, the petticoat and the apron were no problem but the shirt was a pain in the neck. But I managed to get through it! I will post pictures as soon as the batteries in my camera are charged up.

I still have to figure out what I'm going to do about Kayti's costume for the play. She is supposed to be a mama sheep. I am supposed to get a white sweatsuit and attach cotton but I can't envision it. Plus I don't have those things on hand already and like I said--I'm busted. It'll have to wait until Thursday and then I'll have to bust a move Thursday night and get it done because the costume parade is Friday!

What I'm reading/read this week:





Liz Curtis Higgs' Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible This is the choice of Lisa Whelchel's book club so I'm trying to keep up with that and finding it all very interesting. How encouraging that such extraordinary women who found favor with the Lord were also flawed--like me! Maybe it's not too late for me, huh? LOL



Also Real-Life Homeschooling by Rhonda Barfield. I really enjoy hearing others' homeschooling stories. Why they homeschool, how they do it, what a typical day for them is like, etc. I find this, too, very encouraging.

What God is teaching me

I am continuing through the Psalms and also finished 1 & 2 Peter this week. I continue to ask for His wisdom and strength because I'm really needing it right now. This week's reading gives me the chance to once again cast eyes on one of my favorite all time scriptures:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I'm casting, believe me! And it would be hard to be more humble than I have been this week. I know without a doubt that God will bring us through all trials, even the ones that are our own fault. But I have always been a detail-oriented person and I am concerned with the how, where, when, who, what, and why. I want to KNOW what God is going to do! It's like I tell Brooke sometimes, "Don't worry about it, I'll handle it." But she always wants to know WHAT I'm going to do about whatever situation she's brought to my attention. At least she comes by it honestly!

Blessings!