From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!Family of Warriors
Friday 25 December 2009
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Courage
My real life hero happens to be much younger than me. She is a determined young lady that is fighting a real battle. I am blessed to be apart of her family. She is Mark's cousin and a survivor of breast cancer. Resently she was on her local station and I would love for you to see her courage and strength. She exhibits strength and courage in a real fashion. Enjoy the clip!
http://www.kvue.com/home/Austin-teacher-faces-cancer-with-optimism-determination-79185607.html
http://www.kvue.com/home/Austin-teacher-faces-cancer-with-optimism-determination-79185607.html
Sunday 13 December 2009
Meltdowns...
In my family of 7, we have meltdowns on a daily basis. No one is immune to these meltdowns. They just look different depending on your age. Micah portrays his meltdowns in the usual 2 year old way...screaming, kicking and all around unpleasantness. Stephen whines and puckers his lips. Joshua cries silently and has begun to scream at his siblings (the normal catalyst of a meltdown). Kaleb gets frustrated and begins to be rough to his younger siblings.
Now I bet you didn't know that Mark and I have our meltdowns too! They can be somewhat disguised by rude behavior and even a really loud voice. Every now and then you may see some tears come out of the meltdown.
Not to long ago while Mark was gone for a week, I fell apart. In reality I don't think I have ever come back together again. I basically had a freaking out moment of panic that lasted longer than it ever should have.
My lips puckered like Stephen. I began to cry hard like Micah. I was rude to those around me like Kaleb. I was even caught screaming a time or two like Joshua. The catalyst for my meltdown--fear.
To be bluntly honest I am scared. God is asking me to walk out on the water. I don't want to go. I want to stay in my comfort zone. I have no desire to taste life on the other side of my boat. For lack of a better word, I threw a temper tantrum absolutely huge out of control fit.
So, what brings me to confess all this to you. Well, I realized it is a lack of faith. Okay that was easy. Well, sort of , kind of easy...it is deeper than those words. The tide of unbelief took pride and idolatry with it. I had huge problems and my physical behavior was exhibiting it. So, here I am confessing it to the entire world or at least those few of you who read my blog.
I confess that I don't have it all together. I am not always nice to my husband or my children. I am not always waking up in the morning and spending my first fruits with God. I am not being who I know I want to be. I am being selfish, prideful and all around annoying. I don't ever complete my to do list. I have issues with perfectionism. My children do fight on a regular basis. I do have unkept floors and no my children don't have matching Christmas pajamas. Not to mention that I have not even done my Christmas shopping. Oh, I might as well tell you that there are days that I forget to brush my teeth until lunch time. How is that for confession?
Now that is over I would love to share with you what I learned through this long process. First of all, I learned that meltdowns were okay. I kept most of the anguish inside my heart and wouldn't let it out. My sister, who happened to call in the middle of the crying part, reassured me that it was okay for me to cry and let it out and to be HONEST with myself.
Second, I learned that I need to teach my children how to handle their meltdowns. So, I guess I better learn how to handle mine.
Third, I learned that peace comes to those who find complete satisfaction in God. I know it is easier said than done. In my Bible study, I was suppose to write down some times in my life that peace transcended my understanding. I began to think about peace and difficult situations. I came up with three different times in the last 4 years that God's peace transcended my understanding.
The first situation was when my loving husband went through a mentally tough time. God had me on my knees regularly praying for deliverance. Through all the 'junk', I was at peace with my God and my rocky situation. oh, God delivered my husband from his mental anguish and taught me valuable lessons in the process.
The second situation was when my Momma was in ICU and dying. She fought hard to live and she did for another 3 years. She fought not with weapons of this world but with the weapon of God's Holy Word. I will never forget her quoting Psalm 23 with a tube in her mouth. She didn't miss one beat. My sister and I couldn't remember the lines at the end because emotion overcame our broken hearts. Yet, I still had peace because His word sustained me.
The third situation is when we lost our two babies at 8 weeks and 18 weeks gestation. I couldn't breathe at times because the pain was so gut wrenching, but I never loss the peace that God was in control.
All three of theses situations have something in common. I was obedient to God and gave Him control of my life and trusted Him. How did I stay that way? I read the Living Word and allowed it to become living and active within me.
So, where am I going? I am going back to being a woman of prayer who is grounded in the Word and trusting that the God who has never failed me yet will remain faithful through it all. For He is faithful even when I meltdown. Now to hold on to His truths and teach them to the next generation--my children!
Now I bet you didn't know that Mark and I have our meltdowns too! They can be somewhat disguised by rude behavior and even a really loud voice. Every now and then you may see some tears come out of the meltdown.
Not to long ago while Mark was gone for a week, I fell apart. In reality I don't think I have ever come back together again. I basically had a freaking out moment of panic that lasted longer than it ever should have.
My lips puckered like Stephen. I began to cry hard like Micah. I was rude to those around me like Kaleb. I was even caught screaming a time or two like Joshua. The catalyst for my meltdown--fear.
To be bluntly honest I am scared. God is asking me to walk out on the water. I don't want to go. I want to stay in my comfort zone. I have no desire to taste life on the other side of my boat. For lack of a better word, I threw a temper tantrum absolutely huge out of control fit.
So, what brings me to confess all this to you. Well, I realized it is a lack of faith. Okay that was easy. Well, sort of , kind of easy...it is deeper than those words. The tide of unbelief took pride and idolatry with it. I had huge problems and my physical behavior was exhibiting it. So, here I am confessing it to the entire world or at least those few of you who read my blog.
I confess that I don't have it all together. I am not always nice to my husband or my children. I am not always waking up in the morning and spending my first fruits with God. I am not being who I know I want to be. I am being selfish, prideful and all around annoying. I don't ever complete my to do list. I have issues with perfectionism. My children do fight on a regular basis. I do have unkept floors and no my children don't have matching Christmas pajamas. Not to mention that I have not even done my Christmas shopping. Oh, I might as well tell you that there are days that I forget to brush my teeth until lunch time. How is that for confession?
Now that is over I would love to share with you what I learned through this long process. First of all, I learned that meltdowns were okay. I kept most of the anguish inside my heart and wouldn't let it out. My sister, who happened to call in the middle of the crying part, reassured me that it was okay for me to cry and let it out and to be HONEST with myself.
Second, I learned that I need to teach my children how to handle their meltdowns. So, I guess I better learn how to handle mine.
Third, I learned that peace comes to those who find complete satisfaction in God. I know it is easier said than done. In my Bible study, I was suppose to write down some times in my life that peace transcended my understanding. I began to think about peace and difficult situations. I came up with three different times in the last 4 years that God's peace transcended my understanding.
The first situation was when my loving husband went through a mentally tough time. God had me on my knees regularly praying for deliverance. Through all the 'junk', I was at peace with my God and my rocky situation. oh, God delivered my husband from his mental anguish and taught me valuable lessons in the process.
The second situation was when my Momma was in ICU and dying. She fought hard to live and she did for another 3 years. She fought not with weapons of this world but with the weapon of God's Holy Word. I will never forget her quoting Psalm 23 with a tube in her mouth. She didn't miss one beat. My sister and I couldn't remember the lines at the end because emotion overcame our broken hearts. Yet, I still had peace because His word sustained me.
The third situation is when we lost our two babies at 8 weeks and 18 weeks gestation. I couldn't breathe at times because the pain was so gut wrenching, but I never loss the peace that God was in control.
All three of theses situations have something in common. I was obedient to God and gave Him control of my life and trusted Him. How did I stay that way? I read the Living Word and allowed it to become living and active within me.
So, where am I going? I am going back to being a woman of prayer who is grounded in the Word and trusting that the God who has never failed me yet will remain faithful through it all. For He is faithful even when I meltdown. Now to hold on to His truths and teach them to the next generation--my children!
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Tree Trimmin 2009
This year putting up the Christmas tree was a blast. We decided to rearrange our house so that we had the big TV and couch downstairs. Rearranging gave us the ability to enjoy the fireplace with the twinkling of the lights. The boys enjoyed our annual sleep under the lights and watch Christmas movies and drink hot chocolate. Mary-Elizabeth loved the lights and the extra snuggles of the family bed! Mark and I are extra blessed to have such a beautiful and loving family.
Wednesday 18 November 2009
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Random Thoughts
- I am wondering how long can I wear long hair and get away with it? What is the magic cut off date of no longer wearing your hair long?
- My brother, sister-in-law, and niece are getting baptized this Sunday.
- My baby girl is also being dedicated this Sunday.
- I wish my Mom was here to see Patrick and his family be baptized. Hope there are holes in the floor of Heaven for this one!
- Mark is picking up steam in looking for a job. Wondering where we will be in 6 months!
- Needed a Bible study, so I started a Bible study and I am blessed to be apart of a great group of ladies!
- Mark's mom is here with us for the next 2 weeks..and we are all loving it!
- Wondering if I will ever be motivated for finishing up school and filing all my papers and folding all my laundry?
- Working on my Thanksgiving List.....a thankful heart is a happy heart!
- Glad you came back to read my blog..sorry for the long pause!
Picture Time
Joshua's way of cleaning up!
Mary-Elizabeth in her first bow without a headband!
Sweet Angelic face!
My Narnia Group...Mary-Elizabeth was Queen Lucy!
So, obviously getting 5 children to look at you for a picture is close to not happening!Awana Grand Prix Pictures
Baby Girl sleeping peacefully during the Awana Grand Prix!
Stephen and his Batman car!
Kaleb and his Green Lantern car...won 2nd place!
Joshua and his football car.
Micah and his Spiderman car...beat every car there!
Tuesday 27 October 2009
The Annual Things I Love
Every year on my birthday, I like to write about the things that I love. I can't really decide how many to write this year. So, I am just gonna write until I am too tired or get interupted....
- I love going into Mary-Elizabeth's room in the middle of night because of the light pink glow.
- I love watching Mark play backyard football with the boys. It always is good for a laugh!
- I love to watch the fire glow in the fireplace.
- I love the way my boys come to me for hugs when they wake up.
- I love the way Mark smiles at me from across the room.
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Look Who is 3 Months Old
Today my Baby girl is 3 months old. In 3 short months, she has changed my life. I am eternally grateful to be her mother and her brothers love to be right beside her. She has melted our hearts. She already has Daddy wrapped around her fingers. He can always get a smile out of her. It drives me nuts!
Mary-Elizabeth loves sucking her fingers, the fan moving, and being the center of attention. She is sleeping well at night and is slowly letting the fussy stage go away! She weights 17 pounds and is 24 inches tall.
Last weekend we moved her to her own room. She slept great, but Mommy and Daddy sure did miss her little noises.
She recently wore her first pair of jeans with ruffles. Oh, so cute! We love dressing her up.
Stephen loves playing with her!
I'm not screaming, I'm making a joyful noise unto God!
Seriously another picture.
Happy Girl! My Dad
Recently, Kaleb was given an assignment to do a character sketch on a family member. I would like to share with you what he wrote.
Hello I'm Kaleb and I'm going to tell you about my Dad. My Dad use to run an ice cream store, but they went bankrupt. Now he's in the military and I am happy my Dad serves our country. My Dad and I love sweets his favorite is snickers. He taught me how to play baseball. He started me on drinking cofee Mmmm. My Dad has gotten a lot of awards. (and from me good looking awards!) I am proud of my Dad. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. My Dad is tall and skinny. He has a wonderful smile. He also has blue eyes. PS. Go Daddy Go
[I typed this directly from his paper.]
Joshua was also given an assignment: "List 4 things your mother or father does for you."
My dad prays with me. My dad helps me. My dad will play.
It might not be 4 things, but it along with Kaleb's sketch spoke volumes. His children will rise and call him blessed. I am so thankful to have a loving father for my children.
Hello I'm Kaleb and I'm going to tell you about my Dad. My Dad use to run an ice cream store, but they went bankrupt. Now he's in the military and I am happy my Dad serves our country. My Dad and I love sweets his favorite is snickers. He taught me how to play baseball. He started me on drinking cofee Mmmm. My Dad has gotten a lot of awards. (and from me good looking awards!) I am proud of my Dad. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. My Dad is tall and skinny. He has a wonderful smile. He also has blue eyes. PS. Go Daddy Go
[I typed this directly from his paper.]
Joshua was also given an assignment: "List 4 things your mother or father does for you."
My dad prays with me. My dad helps me. My dad will play.
It might not be 4 things, but it along with Kaleb's sketch spoke volumes. His children will rise and call him blessed. I am so thankful to have a loving father for my children.
Wednesday 14 October 2009
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