on my heart...

There is so much on my heart right now but today I want to share some verses...

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you.  O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:25-34

16 years and counting...

I can not believe I've been married 16 years.  Where has the time gone?!  It was a rough start, and didn't exactly happen the way I would have planned; but who'd of thought that we would've landed where we are today.  He is crazy, loving, insane, crazy, loving, crazy and more crazy!!!!!!  Did I mention that he is crazy?!  I love him just the way he is.  God works everything to His glory and that is so true in our lives together.  He turned what we could've messed up into a beautiful life. I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's.  It's not always easy to be married but God says if we put Him first, the rest will come; and it does.  It's easy to love when you love God.  I love where God has brought us and am so looking forward to where He's going to take us.  I thank Him for giving me John every day.  Thank you John for loving me even when I'm not very lovable sometimes.  Thank you for loving our children and providing for us, and protecting us, and everything else you do for us.
I truly love you with all my heart!  I can't wait to see where the next 16 years will take us!!!  I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Praise God... and den two a dem...

Thank you Jesus I've got 2 great updates!!!
John John's surgeon called last week.  It's good news...  The cat scan showed that everything has healed exactly like it is supposed to.  There is nothing pinching that nerve nor anything that it is getting caught on. The problem is that he is just to skinny.  He expressed a lot of concern over taking out that particular bolt, saying it is an important part of the hardware inside of there.  We trust his opinion and John John has agreed that we are going to start trying to bulk him up some.  (You know, those high fat high calorie shakes?!)  Who'da thought I'd be trying to force my kid to gain some weight?!?!?!  It seems for the next year or 2, at least, that is our only option but it's one we'll gladly accept.  It's a ton better than another surgery!!  Praise Jesus!

Update 2...  I took Jordyn to the urologist last week.  She's been having some issues (quite honestly, her pediatrician diagnosed her with incontinence... yes, my 7 year old!!)  It's been rough to say the least, what with having to stop for bathroom breaks literally every 5 min sometimes.  She's had some other symptoms that something wasn't quite right so we saw a specialist.  Thank Jesus, again, it appears to be something very minor and easy to fix.  We are hoping that by the spring all of her issues will be fixed ( well bladder ones anyway ;0)! )

So, God has shown up in our lives in a big way lately and I just thought that I'd share!

"For I know the plans I have for you"

I'm so glad that God has a plan.  I can sleep well at night trusting that He loves us more than anything, that He has a plan for our lives and that it is "not to harm us, but to give us a hope and a future".  Sometimes I don't always agree with that plan and I fight it and hope it's not the right one.  I'm so thankful that He loves my children more than I do!

So, here we go again...

Two weeks ago John John was having some pretty significant pain in his lower back and down his left leg.  After 2 days of him complaining and nearly in tears I called his surgeon and made an appt. to go in.  John John's description was this, "the bolt hurts, like a burning, every time it touches something; and sometimes it shoots down the back of my leg".  Now, this may sound strange to some of you, the whole "bolt hurting" thing...  John John is an extremely skinny guy.  He's proportioned well and doesn't look sickly, he just has no meat on his bones.  Every time we see the back dr. he jokes that we need to get some meat on his bones.  It's just not gonna happen, John John is just not built like that.  Well, after surgery almost 2 years ago, there came a spot on his lower back at one of the bolts in his pelvis where his body built it's own protection.  He was so skinny and I guess that bolt was irritating the inside of his skin on that side so basically it calloused over.  He has a knot there.  It's not a concern, they've x-rayed and tested to make sure that's what it is and what happened and it's fine.  It's just the way his body protected itself.  It's been a place that he's had to be careful of just because it tends to get sore easier because of the fact that it protrudes off his back a little, but again, not really an issue.  (That's the "bolt" hurting).  Well, he started describing it as a burning pain and I immediately started listening closer.  I knew that was a sign of nerve pain, not just a soar spot.  He's been complaining about that for a little while now but not all the time and it's always gone away when it stops being touched.  When he started complaining about the pain down his leg I knew I should call the dr.  That, I didn't think, should be happening.  Now, I was pretty sure that it was not anything serious, but last time I thought nothing was wrong he started growing crooked 2 months later and couldn't bend over; I wasn't waiting for that again!  So I made him an appt.

We went yesterday and it didn't go how we expected...  It wasn't terrible news, just not the "Oh it's fine, it's just gonna happen every once in awhile, it's nothing to worry about" answer I thought it was gonna be.  He is going to have a cat scan done.  They did x-rays in the office but he said he wants to get a closer, more detailed looked.  He said according to the x-rays everything looks like it should.  The cat scan will be more specific - to the way his bone healed, to if his bone has healed all the way, to the amount of room that nerve has to "move around", etc.  Those are the things he's looking for.  He said he thinks that it's just that there's no meat around that bolt to protect his nerve from it.  There's a chance that, for some reason, there is no room for the nerve to move/stretch but he didn't seem to think that.  That was just kind of a passing statement he made, just one of the things to look at.

The next question was, how do we fix that?!  Not the answer we wanted!!!!  He would have to remove that bolt.  Less than 8% of people have to have the hardware removed after spinal fusion and such.  Seriously?!?!?!?!  Our guess is that wouldn't be a major kind of surgery, as long as it's not the "there's not enough room for the nerve" conclusion after the cat scan; but it just brings back everything we went through 2 years ago.  It's crazy, this all started almost exactly 2 years ago.  

So that's where we are.  Waiting for cat scan and results; and knowing that "He knows the plans He has for us.  Plans to proper and not harm, plans to give hope and a future."  

Please be in prayer with us, that God's will be done, no matter what, and that we will praise Him and He will be glorified in this situation. 

I will keep you posted....... 

Happy Birthday Travis....

... a day late, sorry!!
The things I remember...
I was MISERABLE pregnant!  Due the end of September, I thought summer would never end.  I was huge, hot, and, well, just miserable!
I was in "labor" for about 2 weeks before they finally induced me.  You would beg for about 5-6 hours a day to come out and then all of the sudden just give up.
We knew you were gonna be a big boy so we planned an induction, pretty early in pregnancy, for a week early.  Because you were very ready, you only took about 4 hours to make your way into the world.
Because of the complications after John John's birth they gave me some medicine right after you were born and I don't remember a whole lot from the first about 4 hours.
I remember waking up and you were gone, which wasn't the best feeling in the world, but daddy quickly made me feel better and said that they had taken you to NICU because your blood sugar was low.
You were indeed a big boy, you weighed 9.2 and were 23" long.
I had no complications after you were born and as soon as I woke up I took a shower and went immediately down to hold you.  I was not about to let them keep another baby from me!
You were born the day hurricane Floyd came through and everyone kept joking we should name you Floyd.  (yeah, never even considered it!)
The day we went home our air was out.  In the middle of September, in FL...  it was HOT!!  Daddy got someone out very quickly to fix it.
The next day we woke up to your 3 year old brother throwing up!  Needless to say, it was quite an eventful first few days.  I remember sitting on the couch crying, so exhausted and overwhelmed!
But oh you are worth all of it and so much more!!!
I love you.  You are becoming such a caring, loving, christian young man.  Your heart for others is so exciting to watch.  I'm so proud of all you are and do. I pray daily for God's will to be done in your life, whatever that is, and am so happy to be one to be get to watch it all.  I can not wait to witness all you will do with your life and in the lives of others.
You are the best Travis and I love you with all my heart!

Mommy

My mother would be so proud...

First a little back story.  One Thanksgiving when I was in high school it was my responsibility to mash the potatoes.  I don't remember exactly what happened, but the mixer had been turned off and I was moving the bowl from under, getting it ready for the table.  I dropped the whole bowl.  Ruined was one of the staples at our Thanksgiving dinner table.  I remember I was extremely upset, humiliated.  Since then, every Thanksgiving it is my job to do the potatoes (note, I've not dropped them since).  Well, tonight for dinner I decided to make, from scratch, mashed potatoes, all by myself.  First time ever on my own, not on any holiday.  They were delicious, and I didn't drop one bite!

I'm sure you're all so glad I shared, I was very proud of myself.  And my husband was pleasantly surprised too.  He was glad to have something yummy that he was able to eat (he had his wisdom teeth taken out almost 2 weeks ago and now has dry sockets, he's been STARVING!).

If only I could say it as good as...

Well, clearly Elizabeth George in "A Wife After God's Own Heart", since I pretty much shared the book here a couple months ago.  She just explains it so perfectly!

Or, Bob Carlisle in "Butterfly Kisses" - SUPERB!

Or, Chris Tomlin in "How Can I Keep from Singing Your Praise" - makes my heart happy!

Or, Matthew West in "My Own Little World" - who I want to be at the end of this year

Or, Francis Chan in "Crazy Love" - what I'm reading now


I guess that's why these, and MANY MANY more, make the big bucks huh.  They say it perfectly!

Oh the things you can do...

... and feel good about!  Any of you that know my family at all know that we REALLY like to eat out!  Well, over the last six months or so I've been trying to steer us away from that.  It's healthier, and definitely cheaper to eat at home.  Now, I've always enjoyed cooking but never was very good at it.  I could cook anything in a box; but come on now, that's pretty much cheating and probably still not very healthy.  So, I've really been branching out.  I plan a menu every month.  We eat at home every Mon, Tues, (used to be Wednesday but church starts back this week so we'll be eating there most Wednesdays), Thurs night John and I try to go out for dinner (just the 2 of us so that's usually the kids sandwich dinner night, or ramen noodles, etc.), Fri, and at least one meal on Sat.  The first month or 2 was pretty boring I must admit.  I have a pile of cook books but was really afraid; that the kids wouldn't like it, that I would have no idea what to do, etc.  Around Mother's day (I think) we sold a cook book at church to raise money for a local children's home.  It was made up of family favorites from around the area so I thought "why not, other families like this stuff".  Well, our meals suddenly became much more involved; which was fine with me!  The family loved most everything I made.  We were all sitting at the table together enjoying each other in a much quieter atmosphere, and it wasn't breaking the bank!  The past month or so I've been digging into that pile of cook books.  Turns out my family is pretty willing to at least try anything; and they are still loving most everything.  If there is anything that even one of us doesn't like we talk about why, and if it's something that can be altered to fit us better; we decide I'll try it like that next time and we'll go from there.  It's absolutely wonderful, and I feel so good about being able to cook and provide good healthy meals for my family.  It also helps that I'm being money conscious for John.

How it happened...

Well, today was meet the teacher day for Jordyn; yes, "the teacher"!!!  We were quite anxious when we pulled up to school.  As we walked to class we discussed that the year was going to be great, that God has a plan, that we prayed all summer for our second grade teacher and that God answered our prayers with "the teacher", that God would never put us somewhere where we would get hurt because He loves us so much. We walked into the room and "the teacher" was with another student so we stood back and waited.  As I watched I was feeling more and more relaxed.  Watching her with that child was like watching a grandmother with her grandchild.  It was so warm and gentle.  Next was our turn.  Jordyn walked up and introduced herself and they talked about all the fun things that they would be learning this year, and about basic classroom activities.  Again, my heart was softening (think God's trying to teach me something?)  After they talked she came over and her and I talked.  We discussed a couple of pertinent subjects and then we left.  I was much more confident in how the year would go.
Next we went to visit last years teacher (the one we were hoping for this year!).  We walked in and she ran over to us.  She gave us a big hug and nearly cried.  She told us how it happened.  That they made classes while she was on maternity leave (she had a baby right at the end of the year last year), and she came back to find that some students did not make her list that really should have.  She said she told them her feelings but that it was to late.  I became kind of emotional.  I knew at that moment that God totally has this under control. (Why is it that even after YEARS of Him showing me that, I still doubt.  When will I learn?!?!?!)  There are to many reasons why she should have been with last years teacher and still isn't.  As we walked out of the school Jordyn looked up at me and said, "She was really nice.  I'm excited about going back to school."
God is going to do great things this year, I can feel it in my bones; and the closer Monday gets, the more excited I get!!!

today was the day...

Well, we've been waiting all summer to find out who Jordyn's teacher is for 2nd grade and to find out if the boys got in the classes we hoped for.  Let me start by first saying, I was told once (about 7 years ago when I was so worried about Travis starting school) to pray daily, all summer long, that God would place him in the class best suited for him with the teacher best suited for him.  I started then and have never swayed.  I pray starting at the end of the school year until a few weeks into the year that God will place all three of them in the best situation for them for the year.  It has been a WONDERFUL, miraculous thing watching God work in this way when I trust and watch.  A few examples, of course with Travis, when he was in 1st grade he got a teacher that was WONDERFUL.  She helped my behavior challenged child blossom into an independent, mostly attentive, by the end of the year hardly ever getting in trouble, 7 year old.  It truly was a miracle and I am forever grateful to her.  In 4th grade he was put with a teacher that I was sure was a mistake!  John John had had him in 4th grade as well and though I loved the teacher was sure it was not who was best for Travis.  Two weeks into the year I received a letter stating that the class was being split and did I have a preference or not.  I prayed again and chose not to choose believing that if God wanted him moved He'd find a way for him to be one of the ones picked.  Travis stayed in the class where he started and it ended up being one of his best years yet.  God truly does have it all under control.
Now, back to today...  Actually it started last week.  John John got his schedule last Wednesday and thankfully is in all the classes he requested.  Travis, of course, was the one I was most worried about.  We got his schedule over the weekend and were very happy to see that he got into the classes that we wanted for him.  Now, today the elementary lists came out.  We knew who we wanted, and I probably could've requested, but as I said before, I have trusted God so far and it's been nothing but perfect so why change things now.  On Saturday I checked the list of teachers and was very surprised to see some teachers had moved around.  The teacher whom Travis and JJ had had in 4th grade had moved to 2nd grade, and another teacher had moved from 5th grade to 2nd grade.  The lists showed today that Jordyn not only did not get in the class we wanted, she got the last teacher I would've picked!  Now, first things first, I have never met this teacher; have had no experience with her at all, this is strictly based on things I've heard, and one thing we've experienced.  This particular teacher has a reputation of being very strict.  In a way this could be very good for Jordyn; she needs to learn to follow directions the first time, to pay attention to what she's being told and doing, and to be in a little bit of a hurry.  However, I've also heard that this teacher is not very kind.  I know that last year one day in the parent pick up line Jordyn had to use the restroom.  When she asked could she go this particular teacher told her no and proceeded to yell at her when she started to cry.  Needless to say Jordyn wet her pants and was forever terrified of said teacher, whom she will now be spending an entire year with!!!!  I am having a very hard time, right now, trusting that this is the right place for her.  I know that God loves her more than I do and would never put her in a place where she would be hurt (in this case emotionally); but it's all I can do to not contact her teacher from last year, whom we LOVED and completely "got" Jordyn, and make sure that this is gonna work.  My baby is so sensitive and becomes very flustered when she is scared and let me just say that if she comes home one day crying....  Well, anyway, I'm praying hourly now that I become more trusting.  As I said before, it's been a wonderful thing watching God work in mysterious ways that I never would've thought.  I just have to keep reminding myself of that over the next few weeks!  Thank you God for the love you have for my kids.  Thank you for teaching me trust in this time when all I want to do is run crying to someone to save her!  Thank you for hearing my prayers over the summer and putting my children with the teachers that will love and care for them the way you, and I, would want.  Thank you for preparing the way for them!  In your name, Amen

Jordyn is 7...

WOW!!!!  I can't believe it's been over seven years since one of the biggest surprises of our lives!!!  I'll never forget the day I found out I was pregnant.  I was actually afraid to call John and tell him.  He was so adamant that he was done having children, our home was perfect just the way it was.  I even called my sister first, crying.  When I finally called him he was definitely shocked at first, like for DAYS, then the shock wore off and we were all pretty excited.  The day our princess was born our family was definitely complete.  No words can describe the happiness she brings to all of us.  

God has truly blessed us with an angel here on earth.  She is caring, compassionate, loving, kind.  She is the light of our lives.  God knew what we needed when He gave us Jordyn.  He knew we'd need the laughs that she adds to our days, the little grins she gives when we see her across the room, the way she runs to us when we haven't seen her all day, the random kisses and snuggles she gives.  I've seen her walk up to the boys, on separate occasions, and just reach out and hold their hands.  I love the nights that I hear her little footsteps down the hall and across the kitchen into my room til she makes it into my bed. My precious little girl is growing up way to fast.  I hope she always knows how much we love her.  That no matter what, God loves her, and He gave her to us to raise as one of His children.  I pray she'll have a wonderful life.  That we will be able to give her all that she needs to grow into a most godly woman/wife/mother.  

I love you Jordyn!      

the right attitude...

Well, I've been trying desperately, lately, to make choices based only on how God would want me to live.  As a woman, as a wife, as a mother.  It has occurred to me that a lot of the things I've learned, per say, I've known for, well, pretty much ever!!!  So, what's different now?  I don't necessarily think a lot of people would even notice the "outward" changes I've made.  I've learned it comes down to the heart.  It's not only about doing the right thing but doing it with the right attitude!!  Now, this is a very new adventure for me; a whole new way of life, and it's NOT EASY!!!!  The first few weeks went really well.  It was all new, I felt really good about what I was doing, the choices I was making, the example I was setting, and so on.  If I'm completely honest though this week has been TOUGH!!!!  I have not had a very good attitude.  I've lost my temper way to often with my children, I've certainly not had the right attitude toward submitting or even serving my husband, and I think, no I know, that the reason for all of these things is because I've not been in God's word this week like I should be.  My world falls apart so quickly when I don't keep God in it.  Even if I'm doing the right things, I'm certainly not blessing anyone, or showing God's love to anyone, if I'm not being godly about it.  My prayer is "Lord please forgive me for leaving you out of my life lately.  Please forgive me for my attitude this week about nearly everything I've done.  I ask that you bless those I've been neglecting this week by neglecting You.  In Your Name"

my boys....

Well, in case you hadn't noticed.  It has been pressed upon my heart to learn about becoming a godly woman/wife/mother.  It is the desire of my heart, I yearn to know more about how and follow through with the things I learn.
At first it started out to be just info for me; but then I realized that I have the perfect student right under me too, my soon to be 7 year old daughter.  I would love for her to learn and be prepared for being a godly wife, before she's been married 15 years with 3 kids!  Then, in the last few days I've realized something more, just as important.  I am aware now that I am also teaching my boys what to look for in a wife.  They should know their role but also their wives role!  How awesome to think that I could have a drastic part in my sons choosing of a wife possibly just by how I treat my role as a wife/mother!  It also makes me feel better that hopefully they'll look for a spouse that knows her role, and in turn be treated well and be well taken care of.
Anyway, not a lot to say this time.  Just something that I've realized over the past few days!

A wife's heart...

First, our verse this past week.....  James 1:3 "...because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."  HOW TRUE!!!  I have been working on my study of James as well, but that'll wait for another time I think.
Today I really feel the urge (need) to share about the book I've finished, and am reading again.  It's by Elizabeth George "A Wife After God's Own Heart".  WOW, pretty much sums it up.  Here are the basics, the notes I've taken.

Growing in the Lord
Obviously before you can become a wife after God's own heart you have to have a heart for God.  If you haven't come to have a relationship with Christ that should be your first step.  He loves you/us/everyone; sinners that we are, His grace is sufficient for us ALL!!!  A relationship with Him alone will eternally change your life.  After you've taken that step these are some helpful things to do to know what God's has planned for you as a wife.  Read your bible EVERY DAY!!!  Pray for your husband EVERY DAY (3 times a day!)!!!!  Write a commitment letter to God.  Tell Him everything; confess what you struggle with, ask Him to show you the way, tell Him what you want - what you hope for - for your marriage.  Save the letter and refer to it often.

Working as a team
your husband is to lead - and in the same way we submit to the Lord we should follow our husband's leadership
your husband is to work and provide for his wife - Gen 3:17,19 says all their lives men will have to labor for their families to eat and live
your husband should love you
you are to help your husband - Gen 2:18 says man needed someone who could share man's responsibilities
"Little things"
Thank your husband.  He works hard to provide for you and the family.  Even if he's the "stay at home" parent, he still works hard, he does his part.  Thank him for whatever part he has in your team as husband and wife.
Show him respect.  Look at him when he's talking, don't interrupt, ask instead of tell, speak sweetly.  Pray and ask God to show you and help you follow His plan for your "team".   
Submit to him.  (No this doesn't mean be a door mat.  This means trust him to make the decisions and let him.  He has a huge responsibility in this.)  If someone has to lead (which according to God should be the husband), then someone has to follow (which God says should be the wife).  God's perfect plan is for the husband to lead, love, and work hard to provide, while the wife follows, loves, helps, and appreciates his efforts.
Love him, unconditionally.  Do not be a "husband-watcher".  Do not take it upon yourself to play the role of "Holy Spirit" in your husband's life, pointing out his faults.  Take care of your own faithfulness to your God-given assignment as the wife.  Do not postpone your obedience to your role as a wife and make it conditional to your husbands obedience. Instead of rating your husband, check out your own score as a wife.

Learning to communicate
Speak softly - "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" Prov 15:1  "A soft tongue can break hard bones" Prov 25:15
Speak sweetly - "Sweetness of the lips increases learning" Prov 16:21
Speak suitably - "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones" Prov 16:24
Speak scantly - "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" Prov 10:19
Speak slowly - "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" James 1:19
Do not be a constant "dripping".  Do not be angry, crabby, nagging, quarrelsome, etc.  "The contentions of a wife are a continual dripping" Prov 19:13;  "Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman" Prov 21:9; "A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike" Prov 27:15
"... wish for your speech to minister to your husband and edify your relationship with him."  It's all about how we say what we say.
Learn to pray, learn to say nothing, learn to wait.
"Little things"
Follow God's guidelines... "put away" speech that doesn't match up to God's standards; ask God to guide you, identify any speech patterns that must go
Make it a goal to encourage your husband; help, heal, and minister (Eph 4:29)
Be quick to say sorry
"Say what you mean but don't say it meanly"
Seek to please God with your words

Enjoying Intimacy
"Little things"
Go to bed at the same time
Tackle the "I'm to tired" excuse

Managing your money
Money matter's to God
Money is to be earned; "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing" Prov 10:2, "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich" Prov 10:4, "Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase" Prov 13:11
Money is to be given.  Your money comes from God and should be used for His good.
Money is to be saved; "Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches" (Prov 24:3-4)
Money is not to be desired  "Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice" (Prov 16:8)
Grow in character, be content with what you have, aupport your husband's efforts, and be a diligent homemaker and financial warrior as you "build your home"(Prov 14:1)
"Surely, if my husband is to provide, I can do my part by helping to make life easier for him in as many ways as I can."
Your character is more important than money (Prov 11:20); your reputation is better than money (Prov 22:1); wisdom is more important than money (Prov 14:24); and humility is better than money (Prov 22:4)  You, as a godly wife, are your husband's greatest asset.  You, as a godly wife, are better to him than money! (Prov 19:14)
"Little things"
Honor your husband's direction; check before making purchases.
Create a budget; for the areas you can control, that you are involved in; wait until funds are available.
Give to God's purposes.

Keeping up the Home
"Build" your home - "The wise woman builds her house" (Prov 14:1); a wise woman considers the caring of her house important and a priority in her life.
Watch over your home - "She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness" (Prov 31:27); shallow and unproductive activities should have no place in your life.
Manage your home - "marry, bear children, manage the house" (1 Tim 5:13-14)
Keep your home - "...be busy at home..." (Titus 2:5)
"Little things"
make the beds daily
make a daily to-do list
make a weekly meal menu
do one thing you've been putting off
work on your attitude "Heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Col 3:23); work with a positive attitude; work to better the lives of your loved ones; work with all your heart
work on growing; keep learning; as the season of your life changes so will the keeping of your home; look for ways to improve

Raising your children
praise God for His overwhelming grace!!!!!!!
no matter what stage of child rearing you are in God has given you an assignment like no other!
pray and seek to have His heart and mind-set toward your children
do not resent your children, do not complain about them, do not grow impatient with them, do not desire to get away from them; pray to love them, to love being with them, to love being a mother
teach your children; teach God's word; teach diligently; teach daily "My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother" (Prov 1:8)
"Little things"
get up before the kids - if you get up after you start your day behind and there is not getting ahead; it gives you time to pray and have your quiet time, to start your day with God, officially wake up!
have a daily bible time with mom - read the bible together, talk about it, pray about it, make the bible a part of their daily life

Extending love to family
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you" (Ex 20:12)
"Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be will with you and you may live long on the earth'" (Eph 6:2-3)
don't get involved in mother-in-law bashing, and don't put her down to your husband either "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." "Let all...evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice" (Eph 4:29,31)

Make time for fun
joy must begin in your heart; your thoughts and attitude, not your circumstances, make the difference
"Little things"
plan one fun activity a week
make each anniversary unique - even if it can't be on the exact date

Serving the Lord
serve at home first - don't give others what you haven't given at home first; serve your husband and children, give your love to them first, then share with others; it's not important what people at church think, first it's important what people at home think
serve with your husbands blessing and support - your obedience to God's will for you as a wife will greatly determine God's blessings on your serving, no to service may be God's will as much as a yes!
serve however you can - even if it's at home praying or making phone calls
"Little things"
pick one little thing to do at church
check your heart - and check your schedule
pray for others

Reaching out to others
God very clearly says that we are to "without a word" show our Christianity by our "conduct"; this doesn't mean don't ever speak out but God wants our life to send the message
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much" (James 5:16)
reach out to your husband, reach out to your children, reach out to your neighbors, reach out to your family, reach out to the world
"Little things"
invite your friends and neighbors to a bible study
open your home
Pray

WOW!!!!!  That's a lot of info!!!!  I guess you may not even need to read the book now huh.  Oh well! It's amazing how much the little things that you don't even think about can make so much of a difference.  Just allowing your husband to be the man God has called him to be, the provider, the protector, the leader, can go a long way!!!!  I've started implementing some of the "Little things" into my daily life and, just this week, our house has become so peaceful, happy, organized, etc.  God's plan for us as wives is simple, not necessarily easy, but with God's help if we are trying our best, yearning to follow His plan, if we just ask Him, He will guide us!!!!

James....

Well, thanks to an idea I got from a friend's blog that I follow, we as a family have started this week "hiding God's word in our hearts".  My goal for us was to memorize a verse every two weeks.  Well, I've decided it's going to be one every week, since my kids pretty much had it memorized in a day!  We are going to take a week though because I want them to really know it.  We are starting in James... James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds".
I, also, have decided to do a short study on the book of James, to better understand it as we memorize it.
I've been considering a study bible that I want to purchase next, but as I've started this study on James I think I've changed my mind.  I know that I want to purchase a Life Application Bible in the fall, but I think instead of "per say" a study bible, I think that as I start in Genesis, I'm going to do a study of each book as I read it.  It's amazing how much I learned and retained from my reading the bible.  I just started at the front cover and read, like a book.  I'm so excited to start my next reading, and really study as I read.  I also think I'm going to start a study on religions.  My kids, and my husband, randomly ask questions about other religions and what they believe and how it's different.  I've decided I want to really know the answers, not just a basic idea.

Anyway, not a lot going on right now in our lives.  It's the 4th week of summer and we've already had VBS and youth camp.  We have a couple weeks off (except the beach to visit my mom, and brother and his family) and then our first family mission trip to W. Va.!!!  (Which we are most excited about!!!)  Then a couple weeks off and school starts.

It's been awhile since I've put pics up...  Here are some over the last month or so...

Travis' 5th grade graduation...  His teachers, Mrs. Itner and Mrs. Vera, were also John John's 5th grade teachers...

Recital...

(I have a video of Travis' dance but have to figure out how to upload it. As soon as I do I'll share, it's AWESOME!)

Some of our week at youth camp...

4th of July...

15 years....

Wow!!!!  I can't believe it's been 15 years since I gave birth to my first born. I could not have been more scared and excited all at the same time.  He made his debut at 7:23 pm that evening, June 15th, 1996.  We hadn't found out what we were having, though I knew without a doubt it'd be a boy...  and obviously I was right.  John was so excited, and I was so in love immediately.  John John was born before they left babies in your room.  They took him to the nursery and promised that we'd see him in 4 hours.  I had some minor complications after his birth and couldn't get out of the bed, but John was allowed to go see him through the window in the nursery.  At about 11:15 we heard a baby crying in the hall and thought for sure that was the nurse bringing our baby boy to us.  John walked out to meet them.  After about 10 min they weren't in the room yet, and I heard no baby crying anymore.  Next thing I knew John walked into the doorway extremely upset.  I will never forget his first words...  "It's ok, he's not dead!"  Of course I instantly paniced, not being able to move I just started to cry.  What in the world could be wrong if those are the first words he has to say after seeing our son!  It turns out John John had a breathing issue.  Basically, they said he "forgot" to breath, 2 times in 5 mins.  When John left the room to "meet our baby", it turns out it wasn't our baby we heard and he had walked around to the nursery to see if they were getting ready.  He walked up to the window and noticed John John was BLUE!!!  He sayed he started beating on the window to get the nurses attention.  As soon as they touched him he took a breath but they layed him back down and when they took their hands off him again he forgot again.  Needless to say they weren't able to bring him to me that night.  They moved him to the NICU, and hooked him up to a few monitors.  I was still having complications and couldn't get out of the bed.  It was nearly 24 hours before I got to see my baby again.  I remember thinking, "what if something happens and I don't get to hold him again".  I was so afraid, those hours seemed to go like days.  John would go down every 3 hours and feed him, and come back and reassure me that he was perfect.  He'd had no issues since those 2, and he was fine.  I'll never forget the first time I got to see him again.  They wheeled me down in a wheelchair and into the NICU.  John picked him up out of the bed and layed him in my arms, he was truely perfect.  Wires and all, I didn't care.  He was my baby and instantly everything was okay.  I had to stay in the hospital an extra day, which turned into a blessing.  John John had to stay and be monitored for 6 days.  It was one of the hardest days of my life, leaving him that Monday night.  I was physically and emotionally exhausted.  I spent 3 and a half days at the hospital, from wake up til bed time.  It was a long week to say the least!
Anyway, it's now 15 years later.  John John has 2 of the 6 feet of my heart.  I couldn't be more proud a mother of him.  He is nearly perfect in every way.  He is so caring, compassionate, smart, talented, I just can't say enough.  That precious 9 pound toe head has turned into a God fearing, God loving, young man that has been through a lot in his short 15 years.  I wouldn't trade one second of his life for anything in the entire world.  God has blessed me with the opportunity to train up one of His own and believe it or not he has taught me probably as much as I've taught him. 
John John, I love you.  I'm so proud of the man you are becoming.  I'm so proud of the life you lead, and the choices you make.  They are not always easy, and they don't always end the way you'd like but you seem to always press on.  I'm so proud of how you allow the struggles in your life teach you, and mold you into who God would have you to be.  I pray for your future.  That you would continue to strive to put God first in your life.  I know that you have only great things ahead of you and can't wait to see where the next 15 years take you in this thing called life.  God has GREAT things for you!

It's official....

Well, it's official...  I now will have children at each "level" of school!!  Jordyn 2nd grade (still elementary school), Travis 6th grade (MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!), and John John 10th grade (still high school).  I can't believe it, never again will any of my children be at the same school.  Kinda makes me sad, kinda not.  Most of my sadness is from Travis going to middle school, although he makes me feel so much better about it because he's SO excited!!!  I pray it's all he wants it to be (though I'm afraid it's not gonna be as "cool" as he thinks).  The rest of my sadness comes from John John being about to drive!!!!  OMW, is he really that old?!?!?!?!  (Am I really that old?!?!?!) (More on that next week).  Not one bit of sadness about Jordyn.  I guess maybe because this isn't gonna be a big transition for her. I don't really know why, but I'm nothing but excited to see what's gonna happen with her next year!
Anyway, I know it's been awhile.  It's gonna be a crazy summer but I'll update as much as I can.  I'll definitely be back next week for John John's 15th birthday!!!!

A fabulous Jordynism...

Ok, two Jordyn stories...

One evening this past week I had to go to a friends house to pick up a FABULOUS picture she painted for me! I had Jordyn with me; as we got in the car she proceeded to tell me that she hadn't gotten to see the upstairs. I said no big deal it was just bedrooms. She then said that she had gotten to see in the living room. She stops and looks at me and says, "what do they call it, the living room, the family room, the den, hhmmm I wonder...". So matter of fact.


Thursday she was taking a shower. I went in to rinse her hair and she started to tell me a story. "Mommy,remember the other day at school when I had my Easter egg hunt. Remember the blue bunny gummy that I got?". Me, " yes ". "Well do you think I will like it?". Me, " no, you don't like gummies". "Well do you think Travis would like it?". Me, "I don't know, does he like gummies?". "He eats them but he doesn't really like them. Wait, we need to start this conversation over.". She then proceeds to turn and face the wall, put her hand against it. "Fast forward backwards, minaminaminaminaminaminaminamina, pause, play, ok mommy, remember the other day at school when I had my easter egg hunt.". REALLY, she then proceeded to completely have the whole conversation again!!!! Dead serious, my jaw almost hit the floor. It was all I could do to not laugh in her face.

My daughter, SO HER FATHERS CHILD!!!!!

Love.....Obedience

So, last week in church my pastor asked a pretty thought provoking question...
"What happened last week to make you choose your will or His?"
So, what situations was I in that I really stopped to think WWJD?  I know it's become a kind of cliche, but it's true.  We, as christians, should be living our lives by "What Would Jesus Do"?  There are so many every day aspects of life that we don't even stop to think about how are we handling this, and are we living in His will or our own?  It's not about us, this life is only about God; about us showing Christ to each other, us allowing Christ to shine thru us so that all the world will see.  Our love for Him should translate as obedience to Him.  Sometimes that obedience requires sacrifice on our part, which in turn a lot of times could make us ignore the question "my will or His?"

So, I ask the question again; "What happened last week to make you choose your will or His?" or you could rephrase, "What could happen this week and will I choose my will or His"?  Be ready for the enemy, stand strong in your faith, hide God's word in your heart, be prepared at all times to maybe have to make a sacrifice.  I can promise, from experience, it will be worth your while to choose Christ's will.  The possibilities are endless with God on your side; the alternative, the possibility of a Jesus spanking that you can't even imagine!

oh to be excited for Jesus...

Well, not a lot to say, I've been thinking a lot though.  I have a friend who has just recently been saved.  She just posted her testimony on her blog (which I've heard quite a few times in the last few months and could listen to a thousand more times easily).  She's such an inspiration to me.  I've been a christian for a LONG TIME, like since I was 5!  There's no doubt that I was saved then, I can remember the exact place and circumstances; but It's amazing how much of being a christian becomes daily routine if you're not careful, especially if you've been "doing it" since you were 5!  I think that when you become a christian later in life it's so much more "exciting".  Now, saying that I will also say that I pray for my children to have, what our student pastor calls, a boring testimony; but I also have decided that I want to inspire them to continually be excited about being a christian.  I want them to have the feeling my friend has had, and in turn has taught me to have, all the time for Jesus!  I pray that they never get bored, stuck in the routine; but that they are constantly renewed and refreshed with excitement for Jesus!  I mean, the joy on my friends face every time I see her and the excitement in her voice every time I talk to her makes me constantly think, "Am I that excited for Jesus?  Do I exude that joy and excitement to my friends, or even strangers for that matter?"  It has become my desire, my passion, to try desperately for that.  I must honestly say, it's not easy, especially when I'm at home.  I lose patience with my kids and immediately that joy and excitement turns to yelling and chaos.  I pray daily for Christ to give me patience, to keep me slow to anger, to shine thru me like none other so that people only see Him, not the sinful, impatient, irritated, tired mom/wife I feel like!  How am I gonna inspire my children to be joyful and excited for Jesus if all I do is yell at them?  I know that this journey could not/cannot happen without Christ leading me.  I know that I am "only human" but I'm starting to think that that's not a good enough excuse, because God is so much bigger than that!  I know that I'm not perfect but being perfected.  He will use every mistake I make to teach me and transform me, but saying "I'm only human" gives me an excuse and I don't want an excuse.  I want there to be God in my life and only God, and I want everyone else to see Him without me saying a word.  I want to be joyful and excited for Jesus, always!

I love you Allison, my new sister in Christ!  Thank you so much for your joy and excitement for Jesus and for the inspiration you are to me!

(Well, I thought not a lot to say.  It's just what's been on my mind!)

wow, Random....

So, I have some random thoughts today.  Something I've been thinking about for a while, then something just brought to my attention yesterday, and something we did this weekend...

First, Matthew 4:22... It says "and they IMMEDIATELY  left the boat and their father and followed HIM."  Really, immediately?!?!?!  WOW!  They left their comfort zone and their father, to follow someone they hardly knew.  REALLY?!?!?!  Again, WOW!!!  How many are truly willing to do that?  I mean, sure, it's easy to leave the crappy parts of your life to follow Jesus, but to love him more than your family?  To trust him enough to leave everything you've ever known?  To leave your life as you know it and follow someone who tells who how hard it's gonna be but that the blessings will far outweigh the heartache?!  To trust enough to do that....  REALLY?!?!  I don't know about you but that is soooooo not easy for me.  That is a daily decision I make.  "Ok, Lord, today I'm gonna follow you.  I'm going to make every decision for the day based on what you would do."  And then... an hour later I've COMPLETELY failed already!!!!  So maybe it's an hourly decision, an extremely hard one at that!!!  It is my goal daily to follow him.  I'm soooooooooo grateful for such a merciful Lord!  I'm so grateful that, undeserving as I am, He loves me enough to pick me up, wipe off the dust, kiss the boo boo's, and encourage me to try again!

Now, the second thing going through my head...  The newest bible study I'm doing is "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore.  I must say, so far it's a huge smack in the face to the truth about what's holding me captive; what is keeping me from the abundant life God is trying so desperately to give me.  One of the things that hold our hearts captive from God is pride.  Did you know, "pride often disguises itself... "  people think they are "too far gone to save, too wicked, too sinful.  Such people would be shocked to hear that their attitude is a form of pride as well.  They think their sin or problem is bigger than God."  WOW!!!!  Never thought of it that way.

Next, Matthew 5:6...  This past weekend our youth participated in a Disciple Now weekend.  The theme was "hunger".  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."  Hunger for Christ, He is the only thing that can completely satisfy us!  He will never "dry up", He will forever overflow, with mercy and grace and love and... well the list goes on.  Whatever you need He has and is ready and begging to share it with us!!

Well, I just thought of something else from my bible study that I'd never thought of.  I would say that faith is not  a huge issue for me.  I'm just not a person who has to touch, see, feel, etc. to believe.  However, I also acknowledge the fact that MANY people are.  Now, saying that I also must say that I have a hard time understanding why.  How can you not, after Him showing you umpteen times, have faith that he's gonna do it again?!  Well, here's the wake up call I got....  "If you are not struggling with belief, be careful not to judge another's weaker faith (Rom 14:1 - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions).  Some believers have been in chains for so long and have tried so hard to break free in the past, they have almost given up hope for the future." - Yeah, Joybeth, don't push them farther away by "judging" or questioning!  Pray for them, give them a break, show them through your faith that God will provide, again and again!

I pray that my life will glorify christ in all I do!  Please forgive me, Lord, of my impatience and misunderstanding!  Please show me how to help those around me come closer to you, and please continue to bring me closer to you!

Be courageous enough....

Well, let's go back.  It's 9:00 pm, the date is 2/19/10.  John and I are trying to be quiet, get comfortable, be confident, be positive, all these things while our son is laying in a hospital bed in the picu after over 6 hours of surgery.  It was a year ago today that God blessed us so much I can't even put it into words.  There were truly so many amazing blessings and miraculous moments in the few weeks leading up to that day and every day since.  God showed up more than we could have ever imagined.  I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who prayed for John John, John, me and the rest of our family.  It was felt and appreciated more than you'll ever know.
I heard an interview on the radio the other day and the woman was talking about her children.  She was discussing how worrisome our childrens lives and decisions are for us as parents.  She commented on how for months everytime she prayed she would feel God whisper to her heart, "Be courageous enough to let me write their testimony".  That is such a true statement.  Why can't we?  Why is it so hard to know that his will will be done in their lives, no matter what we do?  It's our job to teach them to trust Him but we can't "save" them.  We has parents have to be courageous enough to let Him write their testimony.  We know he won't mess that up, there have been many moments in my childrens lives that He has proven that.  Some so small as showing me when they may be about to make a wrong choice.  Some so big as to trust that he will carry them through excruciating pain, major surgery, and a not so fun recovery.  If we can truly let go and be courageous think of the lives our children could have.  God's will for their lives is gonna come to fruition whether we "butt in" or not, but I'd imagine it'd probably be a much less bumpy road for them, and definitely for us as parents if we could just....

BE COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO LET HIM WRITE THEIR TESTIMONY!!


Just a few reminder pics of where the last year has brought us....

 12/09

 1/10

 2/21/10

 7/10

What if....

So, there's a song by Matthew West called "My Own Little World".  I've come to LOVE it and have decided it totally describes who I want to be this year!  I've heard it so many times in the past week and it really makes me think.  Am I doing enough?  Am I thinking outside the box?  Is what I'm doing making a difference?  I don't know.  Sometimes I like to think so but when I really get down to it is it pride or am I really giving selflessly of myself or time?  I mean sure, I help out a lot at church.  Between the preschool, children's department, and youth I'm always doing something; but am I really giving it all I have, or thinking about what this could really mean in the life of someone else?  I think this is my challenge.  It's easy for me to "love" people.  I'm good at that, I enjoy giving and helping; but I'm beginning to think that there's more to it.  I think maybe what I really should be doing shouldn't be so easy.  If I was being sacrificial it wouldn't enjoy it so much right?  I don't know, I'm still trying to figure that out.  Clearly God doesn't want us to not be happy, to not enjoy what we do; maybe I'm beginning to think it just should be more of a challenge.  Maybe step out of my comfort zone a little.  I believe it'll still make me happy, it'll just be God making me happy instead of me choosing to do something because "I know I can easily and maybe it'll be fun on the way. "
Anyway, if you haven't listened to the song you should.  It's really inspiring!

Well, enough of that...  I hope everyone is having a fabulous year so far and I look forward to seeing who we will all be this time next year!

family fun...

Well, we just got home from our annual trip to TN!  We have been VERY much looking forward to this since we didn't get to go last year due to John John's broken back and all.  We booked this vaca last year, paid and everything so it was even more fantabulous that we didn't have to pay!!!!!!  We stayed in a gorgeous cabin about 1/4 up a mountain.  We woke up our first morning there to about 6 or more inches of snow!!  It was BEAUTIFUL! (I know for you that live in it every year it's nothing special but for my children it's better than sliced bread!)  We had so much fun playing and relaxing.  It was a perfect family vacation.  I love thinking of vacations that I took as a little girl and hoping that I can help my kids make memories just as fun or even better.
Here are a few pics (or more) from our snow days and touristy play days...

New Years "resolutions"?

So, I was listening to the radio this morning on the way home from dropping kids off at school.  I generally listen to the local christian radio station here.  This morning a girl called in and gave her "two cents" about the new year.  I was so inspired by what she had to say.  Apparently this past Sunday her pastor was talking about new years resolutions.  His take on it is... why make a resolution to DO something when you can make a resolution to BE someone!!!  I am going to, this week, decide who I want to be by this time next year, not what I want to have done.  Deciding to be someone will automatically cause me to do something.  I believe that choosing to be instead of do will also bring me closer to God.  As humans we think we can DO most things on our own.  The person I'd like to BE can only be done by God, I do truly believe that!!  I have full faith that reading his word and keeping an open communication with him will turn me into the person I want to be; not only for me, but for my husband and children!

I hope all those that know me will see a better me soon!

Hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and New Year!!

See ya soon...