Him

He has a tender heart.

He laughs and cries at the drop of a hat.  His laughs are the deep kind, and his tears come because he's sensitive.

You will never see him standing in the center of a stage with a microphone in his hand.  But when he sings in the car, he hits every note dead-on. 

He's had a deep, raspy voice since he turned 18 months old.

He's always been a bit of a risk-taker.  Like the time when he was just one year old.  I couldn't find him anywhere...and finally I saw him standing in the middle of my kitchen table with his arm reached up to touch the chain that was hanging down from the fan.

He's been known to shake his booty.  At the end of every movie, while the credits are rolling.

He loves to roll his r's, and his favorite word to say while doing that is "rampanada".  I don't even know if that's a real word, or one he made up.

He's the kid that little kids gravitate towards.  He is very loving and patient with them.

Animals love him.

He's been given an award for the characteristic trait of joy.

Kids love to sit by him in class and at the lunchroom table.

He is fiercely protective.

He wakes up grumpy at least 2 or 3 mornings every week.

He hates to read fiction (unless it's by Rick Riordan or Mike Lupica), but loves to read anything about the war or Alcatraz.

He loves music.

He loves to draw.

He loves to make animals and other cool things out of folded sheets of paper.

He loves to sleep in my bed when Todd isn't here. 

He really loves when I sing him the song I would sing him to sleep with when he was a baby.

He's the one who can't stand the thought of me being by myself. 

He loves coffee. 

He loves food in general. 

He's a movie buff. 

He's also the only one at home with us right now, on this beautiful Saturday morning.

Who?

Drew. 

My Inheritance

Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.  You guard all that is mine.  

The land You have given me is a pleasant land.  What a wonderful inheritance!

I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.  

I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.  My body rests in safety.

 For You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave,

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.  

Amen. 

Psalm 16:5~11

Rain, Rain, Go Away

I need some sunshine!  My friend Kim made a drawing-like picture of a sun her facebook profile picture, and she has made it known how much she LOVES the sunshine.  Not that I didn't feel like that before, but I sure do now!!!  I am ready to hear birds again...instead of thundering, or worse, the dreaded tornado siren. 

God is good, though, and we have been safe.  He's good anyway...but He helped calm my fears last night through a friend's verse she put as her facebook status. 

Matthew 8:26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

I said it before: I don't know why I let the weather bother me.  This verse breathed comfort into me last night when I read it.  Apparently, when I copied it as my status, it had the same effect on others.  I am so thankful we have God's word to look to!!  It is just that...comforting.  I view it as God's letter to me.  

I actually slept really well last night.  Todd ended up getting called out like I figured he would, so I put Drew in bed with me.  The other 3 boys were sleeping soundly when I went up to bed, but Drew was wide awake and looked pretty scared.  He ended up sleeping with me all night...and after he laid down with me, he was out in less that 10 minutes.  Poor baby.  I was shocked nobody woke up, but as far as I know, we all slept very soundly.  Praise God for that...that is not the case for a lot of my friends this morning!


Speaking of sleeping...Todd is passed out on the couch.  Poor thing.  He came home at about 8:30 this morning and is snoozing away.  Not even Andy barking is bothering him.  Who, by the way, speaking of the poor horror-stricken dog, is just about beside himself.  He didn't even eat his dinner last night.  He ate it this morning.  And now he's pacing.  And going from the upstairs to the down and back...again and again and again.  I'm thinking we need to have an emergency supply of valium for him.  God love his little pitiful heart.  


This morning was an experience, dropping the kids off at school.  It was thundering and lightning, so we weren't allowed to let the kids out of our cars.  I am so blessed that our school cares so much about our kids!  I know it's the norm...but I am feeling very thankful this morning.  Anyway, I did finally get all the kids dropped off, so now, here I sit.  I guess I need to jump up and get a move on things.  Lunches need to be made and the kitchen could stand to be neater.  


Hope you all have a dry day.  Love to all!

Just Some Things

We made it through a school day with no tornado sirens!  But...the sky is looking a little too ominous for my taste.  :(  I do not know what it is about bad weather...just the unpredictability of it, I guess.  It scares me to death!  I know that God didn't give us a spirit of timidity, but one of a sound mind...but dognabbit!  I get scared!  My stomach ties up in knots on the inside.  Outwardly I appear calm, cool and collected.  But on the inside?

Good heavens.  And if Todd's not home, I'm tttttttterrified.  I don't know why.  I think the actual sound of the sirens scare me.

Anyway.  Moving on, now.  I'm thinking this might need to be a movie night.  I'm thinking Todd can keep up with the weather with headphones and this here laptop while the kids and I chill and eat dinner in front of a movie.  For the second night in a row.

Last night I let us all eat in the living room, because that is just what you do when you have to tell your kids you had to have their beloved Sambo the FatCat put to sleep.  :(  I almost can't even say those words without crying.  It's pitiful.  Even Todd cried.  Don't tell him I told you...he'll probably put a mean comment if he knows I told on him.  The poor cat had major urinary tract issues and he was very sick.  Instead of letting him suffer, we had him put to sleep.

All the kids took it surprisingly well...except for Drew.  His little heart was breaking and the tears just wouldn't stop.  I just sat and held him.  Poor baby...he is my sensitive boy.  He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he is full of compassion.  I love that trait about him.  He was better by seven last night, though.  We watched Megamind and just chilled.  And today he's been fine.  Hopefully he will remain that way.

So, here we are, another night at home because of either a canceled game or practice or both.  Not that I'm complaining.  I'm going to put on my pj's in a few minutes and wash my face.  Then I'm thinking we'll pick another movie to watch.  I dvr'd Toy Story 3 the other night...I'm thinking we need to watch that one.  Even if it makes me cry at the end.

Ugh.  It sucks being an easy cryer.  The older I get, the worse I get.  I'm usually a mess on Sundays.  And saying goodbye to siblings?  FORGET IT.

Well.  I'm going to get started on dinner.  I was hoping Todd would tell the maid to forget about cooking tonight.  Apparently he didn't and now she's mad.  And dinner is up to me.  :/

Don't blow/float away.  Love to all.

I Know...Another One?

I'm glad I have a Savior.  I am so glad that I don't have to depend on myself to get over something difficult.  I love the song that Among The Thirsty sings...I'd Need a Savior.  In fact, I love it so much that I will post a video from YouTube.  Before you watch it, go down to the very bottom of my actual blog and pause the playlist you see at the bottom. 



If you are looking at this from facebook, click here to watch.  

I am so glad I don't have to depend on myself.  I have a wonderful Counselor, a Friend who takes the best possible care of me.  I'm so glad that even when (seemingly) trivial things happen, like when a beloved cat has to be put to sleep, that I can lean on a Savior to give me the words I need.

I love that when something goes wrong, my kids immediately ask me to pray.  I love those words: "Mom?  Will you pray?"

I love that He comforts me, He protects my loved ones, He is the shield around me, the Foundation I stand on.  He is amazing...and the more I know Him, the more I love Him.

It's an honor to be able to pray.  It's an honor to be able to freely worship Him.  I cannot hold back my love for Him, and I won't hold back my highest praise.  I am not embarrassed to lift my hands in worship...we were made to do just that...worship.

I love what Luke 19:40 says in The Message translation:  'But He said, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise."'

He knew that we would need a Savior.

Definition of SAVIOR

1

: one that saves from danger or destruction

2

: one who brings salvation; specifically capitalized : jesus 1

See savior defined for English-language learners »

Variants of SAVIOR

sav·ior or sav·iour

Examples of SAVIOR

1. We all felt that she was our savior.
2. savior, arriving on the scene just as we were about to be mugged>

Origin of SAVIOR

Middle English saveour, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin salvator, from salvare to save

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SAVIOR

Synonyms: deliverer, redeemer, rescuer, saver

Isn't He something?  To know Him is to love Him.  Give Him a try.  

Seeing God in the Middle of Thunderstorms

I mean that literally and figuratively.  Literally, because today a tornado was spotted in The Ville.  I spent an entire hour praying and quoting Scripture in my head while consoling and fanning off kindergarten babies.  It was pitiful.  But our God is a protector and a shield...and all was well.  (I was quoting Psalm 91:2, 4)

Figuratively, because I can see God's hand in the decision I wrote about yesterday.  I keep getting confirmation after confirmation that we have made the right decision.  I often get overwhelmed at God's goodness...and how He cares for every little detail of our lives. 

So...other than the crazy weather, it's been a great day.  I'm so much better today than I was last night.  I am also very excited about Wednesday night...as are my kids.  We can't wait to give the new church its first try.  If you're looking for something to pray for, just pray that we will have a very easy (and welcoming) transition.  I would so appreciate it!

Well...I suppose my maid is running late again.  I guess that means I'd better to prepare whatever it was she was going to make for dinner.  :)  Love to all. 

#799

Yup.  You read it right.  This has been a great weekend.  Today was a wonderful day...a little bittersweet, but a wonderful day.  This day, the celebrated day of Jesus' rising from the dead, dawned bright and beautiful.  We had an amazing day at church, with incredible worship. 

It was bittersweet because it was our last day at my beloved church.  I know...I know...if it's so awesome, why are we leaving? 

Two words: my kids.  :(  It's not about us being happy in church...it's about the kids, and they have not been happy for a very long time.  I know this is what we have to do...but it hurts really bad.  We've been there for 12 years now, ever since Graham was born.  I love the people...I love the music...but my kids just need more.  More of what...I'm not sure, but we've already got a church in mind that we're going to on Wednesday night of this week. 

I made it through the whole weekend without crying.  I also didn't tell people because I didn't want to break down in front of them.  Then this morning happened...I cried on my sweet photographer friend, and I cried during the last song.  And I pretty much ran out the minute church let out.  Then cried more in my car...and I could not even look at my friend Marcia.  :( 

I know it's necessary, but I do feel peace about the whole situation, and I'm only writing it about it on here because I've already emailed our pastors.  The head pastor, my music pastor, and our friend Eddie.  Now that they all know I feel free to write about it on here.  But it stinks...the whole change thing.  I am very comfortable at Memphis First Assembly of God.  I love the music we sing, and I love helping lead worship there.  I am praying I'll find a spot at the new church.  I'm praying I'll even be able to eventually join a choir again. 

Anyway, that's what's been going on.  It was a really nice day.  The whole fam came over to my house after church.  I was glad to have everyone over here for once.  The boys had a great time, and hopefully everyone else did, too.  We watched Astro Boy late this afternoon, then ended our day by having a late, lazy dinner while we watched tonight's recorded Amazing Race. 

Good times were had by all.  Forgive me if I'm a little sad...kinda feelin' a little blah right this minute.  I'm about to go upstairs to read my new Karen Kingsbury book.  Love to all. 

What Makes My Heart Happy

My man.

:)

I love him.  I love that aside from being husband and wife, we are the very best of friends.  When I look at him, his face is more familiar to me that my own.  His voice is the one that soothes me and comforts me when I'm upset, and it's the one that often lulls me to sleep during our late night talks.  I love his laugh, and how loud and contagious it is.  He gives it freely and often.  I love that about him. 

I love that rather than have date nights all the time, we both agree to spend all of our time (almost all of it, anyway) with the beautiful family we were blessed with.

However, tonight is NOT one of those nights.  :)

There is an annual banquet that the sheriff department gives to all its' many volunteers.  And spouses have never been invited.  Until this year...so guess where we're headed?!   I'm happy that he wants me to come with him.  He could be indifferent about me going, but he's not.  He wants me there.  So I'm going.  His parents have very graciously offered to watch the boys while we do this.

And tonight is not an ordinary, easy night at home.  Graham and Drew had lacrosse practice, so they had to pick them up.  Then Drew had open house at the middle school at six, and Graham is in charge of the lighting and sound.  So he had to be there at 5:30.  THEN, they get to do a little meet-and-greet and a tour around the upstairs where they will be housed next year.  So, they agreed to take all of them and do all of that.

As if that's enough, they're even taking them to IHOP afterwards.

Aren't they great??

They are, even without doing all of this, in case you're wondering.  I thank God everyday for giving me such awesome people in my life...and I pray that my boys remember how close we all were when they are married someday!  Because I am always going to be the "mother-in-law", never the "mom".  And life has a strange way of throwing back in your face the way you treat someone.

Anyway, I'm excited about our night out.  I might even be able to talk my man into buying me a cup of outrageously over-priced cup of coffee after.  Ya think?

Well...I have to run.  Love your peeps tonight...your babies...your teens...and pray for them.  God is good, and time is in His hands.

Love to all.

*******************

Two hours later, I'm thinking it's funny that I wrote this on this night.  A night when he got special recognition from Sheriff Oldham on his outstanding service with the sheriff's department.  I'm so proud of my hubby...he is hard working man, and he loves to serve others.  He's been on this department for almost four years now, and I could not be any more proud.  :)

Oh.  And he INSISTED on Starbucks.  Grande decaf caramel macchiato.  Mmmmmm. 

The Important Things In Life

How we spend our time is very important.  I guess I need to say here that it's no secret how busy I am.  I think I spend the majority of my time hauling kids back and forth from practice.  I remember when my boys were younger, I would see my neighbor Beth come and go...come and go...come and go.  And I was sitting in my driveway, working on my tan, reading a book while my boys played all around me.

I miss those days.  Not just because of the busy-ness that seems to have consumed my life, but because of how fast they've grown up since then.  Not that they're old, or anything, but the days I'm talking about they were 2, 5 and 6.  It makes me sad that time has flown by that fast. 

Anyway, I remember seeing my friend Beth do all that coming and going and I would think, "Where in the world does she keep going?"  Hmmph.  Well, I've arrived.  If it's not practice, it's to someone's house, or to a restaurant they've been invited to.  But you know what?  I love it.  I love this stage in my life.  As crazy as it often is, I treasure each and every moment I get to spend with them...even if it's in the car on the way to a game or practice.  I love the time spent talking.  And the time I often spend praying for them while I drive.  With my eyes open, of course.  ;)

I'm saying all this to come to the point of my writing today.  I'm in a Bible study right now, on the book of Daniel.  It's on Monday nights at 6:30.  I received Jonah's and Noah's game schedule last night.  Guess when they play their games?  The majority of them are played on Monday nights at 6:40.  So after last night's game (this one was at 5:30), I jumped in Todd's car and hurried off to Bible study.  I would have gotten there 30 minutes late.  And it hit me..."why am I going tonight if I can't go anymore?"

Because as much as I love Bible study...this one in particular...I cannot and WILL NOT miss one game of Jonah's and Noah's.  They are only little for a very short time, and I don't want to miss anything I don't have to.  So, in talking to my mother-in-love on the phone while I'm turning around, she told me a story of a young mom she once knew.  This lady was a church-going lady and she was constantly participating in every Bible study she could.  While that is great and wonderful, her kids were left at home, alone or with someone else, wondering where in the world their mom was.  I don't want to be that mom.  I want to study God's word and learn more about Him, but I am thinking the time has come to find a Bible study I can do during school hours. 

So, the solution?  For me, it's making my schedule more family-friendly.  Life is all about a happy balance.  My dad often says, "Don't be so heavenly-minded, that you're no earthly good."  That is what I thought of when I heard Phyllis tell me that story. 

So, when I pulled back into the driveway last night, Jonah's smile lit up his face.  He was so happy that I was home.  Here lately when I've left to go to Bible study, they've all asked, "Mom, where are you going?"  When I would tell them, they would say, "Oh, man.  I want you to stay home."  So, that is what is happening...I'm only sorry I haven't been paying closer attention to them.  I don't ever want to take one minute with them for granted.  I know that our time on this earth is borrowed.  I know that my kids are not mine, but they are only on loan to me from God.  I want to cherish each and every second I get with them. 

I love the New Living Translation of Psalm 23:5.  The second part of the verse says, "My cup overflows with blessings."  That's where I got the title of my blog from, by the way.  God has truly blessed me...and my cup overflows with His blessings.  Time is precious and should be spent with that in mind. 

Well, life is starting here this morning, so I have to run.  Love to all. 

SpRiNg

I love that word.  Do you?  What does it mean to you?

To me it means new life.  I love the green I see on the trees, the pinks, whites and purples on the azaleas, the tulips, the clematis vines on mailboxes, the knockout roses in my neighbor's yard.  All of it, every single bloom, makes my heart sing with happiness.  I love nature.  My God has given us some glorious creation to enjoy and I am so thankful for His beautiful artwork I see all around me.

With all these beautiful colors around me, I am reminded of Him.  Spring to me is new life.  I have a new life in Him.  Lately I have been "stuck" in the book of Colossians.  There are so many wonderful truths in this book (well, in the entire Bible) that I cannot get out of it.  I keep going back to chapter 3.  In my Bible, the New Living Translation, chapter 3's header is "Living the New Life".

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.  Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory."  Col. 3:1-4

Isn't that just something?  Those of us who have Jesus Christ in our hearts have new life in Him.  Praise God for that!  I think of the "old me", and the way I lived my life to please only myself.  I was selfish, greedy, immoral, rude, condescending...I could go on.  Not that I am perfect now, I am a constant work in progress!  But I have new life with my precious Jesus.

I didn't have to do anything to earn it, either.  I just had to ask Him into my heart.  I had to ask for His forgiveness for all the sin I'd committed.  I didn't have to do any good deeds, I didn't have to do anything within my community...I simply had to ask...and then I had to receive.   I had to ask for His help in giving me a new way of thinking, and I had to ask Him to change me.

I could no longer let sin control the way I lived and I quit giving in to my sinful desires (Romans 6:12).  I had to give myself completely to Him (Romans 6:13). 

It's simple.  It will be the greatest gift you ever receive.  God the Father allowed His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born a man.  He lived a remarkable sin-less life.  And then He died a criminal's death on a cross...beaten, tortured, broken...all for us.  For ME.  For YOU.  All you have to do is ask Him in...and let Him do the rest.

"Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  So use your body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God."  Romans 6:13

If you have not...it's because you ask not (James 4:2).  Ask Him.  Receive Him.  New life...doesn't it sound amazing? 

Love to all.

my happy list

my husband when he's in a goofy mood (and all the times he's not)
the smell of freshly cut grass
birds chirping
quiet walls within my home
boys playing basketball in my driveway
friends...old and new
sun beaming down on me
the first taste of coffee in the morning
structure within my day
going to church
windows down, moonroof open
my favorite song blaring in my speakers
going 100 different directions, all at the same time, because of recreational sports
talking to my mom first thing in the morning
going to see movies with my girlfriends (and/or my kids)
klove
the smell of honeysuckle
looking out my french doors and seeing all the green on the trees
making my kids their favorite dinner
watching my boys play their sports
their friends coming over
summer. the. end.

ummm...

It's funny, when I type that title, blogger tells me I've already used that one.  Apparently, she saves all my titles.  Which is just a big laugh in the face because of my issue with titles. 

Anyway.  That's not what I wanted to write about. 

I wanted to write about guilt.  Do you struggle with it like I do?  I am a people pleaser...I like for the people around me to be happy and I like for them to like me.  I'm having a hard time with guilt this week.  And it's only Tuesday.  One of the things I'm struggling with is missing Bible study last night.  I love this Daniel study I'm doing for the 2nd time, but I was exhausted from our entire weekend being spent outside, in the sun.  But I missed our study last night, then found out several other women missed it.  It's nothing personal...I was just exhausted and didn't think I could handle going.  I even fell asleep in my chair two times before 8:30 last night.  In fact, when the boys went upstairs at that time for bed (yes, I made them to go bed early), I went up with them.  I read for about 20 minutes, then sleep took over. 

I told you.  I was tired. 

And because I wrote out the reason I stayed home from Bible study should show you that I really do struggle with guilt.  Those of us that are like this over-explain ourselves.  In reality, I shouldn't care what people think of me (because I'm not on earth to please people, but to please my Heavenly Father).  I should stand firm in a decision that I make and not feel the need to make excuses or explain why I did (or didn't do) something.

But that's in a perfect world. 

If I was telling this to my Daddy, he would use this moment to tell me about a class at church that I need to take.  It's called Search for Significance and he's taken it at least 5 times.  It's about all the forms of "bondage" we live in, and I know that I've heard him say that guilt is one of them. 

Ephesians 1:4 says, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." 

Blameless.  Without guilt. 

I know this...but why do I struggle?  I know that He has a lesson in this for me, but I need to pray that my spiritual eyes be open to Him and to what He needs me to understand. 

I also need to surrender this to Him.  He doesn't want me to feel guilty over my decisions in life...especially when they're not even harmful to anyone or to myself.  (My issue lies within me saying "NO.") 

Well...that's all.  I need to wake up the Doodle Bops.  Maybe this will help someone else today, too...but I wanted you to see a side of me that I don't usually display. 

Love to all. 

Monday Again...

Wow.  That is all I can say.  We had a whirlwind weekend away with Graham's and Drew's lacrosse team.  We had a tournament in Nashville (well, near it, I should say) and they played four games in two days.  In the beautiful, brutal sunshine.  I am so thankful for how amazing the weather was, but I was searching high and low for little slivers of shade everywhere we went.  I took a bath in sunscreen both days, and thankfully I'm not burned.  Neither are Drew, Jonah or Noah.  The other two are really red on the backs of their necks.  Rednecks.  Imagine that. 

The Dragons played their hardest, but it wasn't meant for us to win a game this weekend.  Or this season.  We're a new team of 5/6 grade boys, and usually when that happens it means lots of losses.  It's okay, though, it's a great learning experience for them all and even if they're losing, they are having a blast playing their little hearts out.  Most of them are like that.  A couple of the boys need a talking-to by their parents, but thankfully the rest of the team is in good spirits. 

Our Mom's In Touch meeting today is so important for our kiddos.  TCAP's happen this week.  This is such a stressful week for everyone who works in a school...administrators, teachers, assistants...it doesn't effect me so much, but it sure does everyone else.  Even if you can't come to our MIT meeting this morning, will you please pray for these kids and schools with us?  They could surely use it.  I talked with one of the LAX moms this weekend who teaches 7th grade, and was so inspired by her.  She told me that the entire time her kids take the test, she walks around the room praying for them.  I love knowing there are people there like her...who really love the kids and take the time to pray for them as they test. 

So that's what's on my heart for this week.  I'm thankful we're having an easy week (aside from TCAP).  No homework for anybody, no practice for tonight (our coach had pity on the team and canceled tonight's practice), and just not much going on.  I will be so thankful when this week is over...because after all the testing that takes place, time flies for the remainder of the school year.  I'm sad about not praying with my MIT mom's, though...very sad.  I look forward to this day so much every week that I will be sad to break for summer. 

Well, I need to get started on my day...hope all of you have a blessed day and week.  Love to all. 

Happy Thursday!

I cannot believe it's Thursday.  I had such high hopes of getting so much done this week, but it hasn't happened.  I guess I need to kick it in gear, though, because today I have to get it all done.  Or most of it.  After I meet my girlfriend for breakfast.  ;)  Hey, it's all about priorities, right?

We're leaving to go out of town for the weekend tomorrow.  I'm pretty sure we're checking the kids out of school early so we can get a head start.  I have snacks and drinks to buy (this afternoon), I have a lacrosse game to attend tonight, Jonah and Noah have their first baseball tonight, I have dinner to think about (probably bowls of cereal), laundry to do, and bags to pack. 

And it all needs to be finished by tomorrow when I leave for work.  My plans are to check out the kids at two and have everything ready to load.  That means it all needs to be downstairs either by tonight of in the morning.  And just a little sidenote here, yes, I am like a drill sergeant when it comes to traveling with 4 kids.  Hopefully we will be on the road by three...those are my intentions, I just need to make sure the hubs is on the same page.  :)

So...with all that I could be doing, here I sit.  I've missed writing this week, and I know I did the one post yesterday, but this is truly an outlet for me.  It's been a great week for us.  It's been really quick, which is always nice.  The boys are excited about seeing our Nashville family tomorrow night.  We're staying with Todd's brother Tim, his wife Tracy, and their 2 boys Nathan and Joseph.  They especially love seeing their cousins. 

Well, I need to get off and go do something productive.  Have a wonderful, blessed Thursday.  Love to all!

life in general

I need to start this post off by saying how thankful I am to my Creator for my beautiful, wonderful, crazy family.  I am so thankful that we've been blessed with healthy, active kids.  And I'm very thankful for a husband who helps me transport them to and from sporting events, practices, etc. 

But, holy cow, have we been busy.  So busy, in fact, that we haven't watched the Amazing Race from 2 Sunday's ago.  How crazy is that??  Actually, as I write that, I'm so glad that our life is filled with other healthy activities...instead of sitting inside, watching television.  But that's an example of what we've been up to.  If it's not Lacrosse games, it's practice, or work, or band festivals (Graham), or birthday parties, or just a beautiful night.  

Take last night, for example.  Graham and Drew had practice, so I took them.  Todd picked them up so I could get mostly finished with dinner.  We ate as a family (thank You, Lord, for another gift), then all 5 of them went outside.  Did you notice the 5?  Not 4?  Their dad went out and played a rousing game of kickball in the front yard.  My heart swelled up with thankfulness over a man who actually plays with his kids.  And it was just them...for once, no neighbors, no friends.  But what a great night. 

Todd finally came in and then had to leave.  He's taking care of his grandmother this week while his parents are out of town (I know.  What a guy.).  The boys finally, begrudgingly came in at 7:45 to do homework and take showers.  Then it was off to bed for them. 

I absolutely adore nights like last night.  I also love the busy schedule, although a night home every once in a while would be great.  I love that they're living healthy, active lives.  I am thankful that Todd and I can keep up with them.  I am thankful for this busy life I've been given.  

That being said, summer is on its way.  I can hear birds singing outside my window as I write this.  Baseball starts for Jonah and Noah this week, too, which means we're REALLY almost there.  I am counting down (well, not officially) for this school year to be finished so I can enjoy all my boys at home with me.  If we can just make it through next week...the dreaded week of TCAPS.  We'll make it...and have a fun weekend celebrating the finality of them while we camp out and enjoy the Alabama spring game. 

So...that's where I've been.  The blog hasn't gotten much attention this week.  I hope to write again soon, though.  I pray that all of you have a blessed day.  Love to all. 

A Meaningful Easter

Easter is on my mind.  I've been listening to our choir music that we're going to be singing, and my sweet Jesus has been on my mind.  A lot. 

How do I make this holiday (HOLY day) more meaningful? 

It's not about candy and Easter baskets and dressing up in my finest. 

It's about remembering...Who He was...Who He is...and Who He will always be.  My Jesus.  My Rock.  My Redeemer.  My Strength and my Song.  The Lover of my soul.  My everything.  It's about honoring Him...with my life and with my love.  I challenge you to think about this a little more as Easter weekend approaches.  

"Though He was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  

When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.  

Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Philippians 1:6~11