Georgia and Boook Recommendations

Thanks to all who prayed for us last week. Brian finally made it home around midnight Friday night. We had a great day together as a family on Saturday. On Sunday, I brought the kids down to GA to visit some family from TX. It was a long trip but we made it. We are having a good time but I am looking forward to getting home and getting back into our routine. We will be heading home Thursday. We will be starting Kindergarten with our oldest this Fall. We are excited about Homeschooling and are looking forward to this new adventure.

Also, I have been getting some great book recommendations off some of your blogsites. I am trying to get some more. So, please post your favorite books for preschoolers and children. I would love to hear all of your ideas!

Grace

Brian called this afternoon because his flight was delayed. The kids will have to wait to see him in the morning. They were heartbroken but are looking forward to Daddy pancakes. He does them every Saturday and he goes all out - making Larry boy, Junior, Bob, etc. I only do circles - I know, boring.

We survived the week. Thank you for praying. It was tiring and my heart goes out to single mothers. How do they do it? Today, I was actually repeating "Grace, Lord. I need grace." My daughter finally asked me 'who is Grace?' Honey, Jesus is Grace and I am so thankful for that! I know alot of Moms do this all the time - especially those who have husbands in the armed forces. Let's remember to pray for these women, that they too would know God's Grace!

We will all spend the day together tomorrow and then on Sunday I am taking the kids to GA to visit my parents. The timing couldn't be worse, but we are going to visit with our cousins from Texas and we don't get to see them very often. It's easier for us to get down to GA than over to yonder Texas! I hope I don't melt from all of the hot, sticky humidity - you know - the kind that makes my hair all frizzy and curly?

Also, please don't think my house is always as picked-up as in my earlier pics. I just want you to think that I live that way! :) Just ask my husband and he'll tell you how it really is! We live clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy!

Rest of the Tour

Here's the rest of the pics from the Tour!


This is our playroom. We closed in the garage for some extra space. This is an old pic, right after we finished it. Definitely not this clean today. And we have a different couch in there now, the blue one is in the living room!

This is my little girls' room. I just finished painting my grandmother's bed for her. (Don't be mad Mom!) She LOVES it.

This is the boy room. Just finished painting thier beds too. (I know, I like to paint!)

My favorite spot - as long as it's not a million degrees outside!

Hope you enjoyed your tour! Come back again when you can stay longer!

Tour of Homes

Ok Leslie, you've talked me into it. I'll do this Tour of Homes thing. Although this is the last time I'm trying, I keep losing the post!

This is my living room.

Bookcase. Found it as a steal and painted it!

This is our breakfast area, rest of kitchen too messy! Check out the bench - got it cheap too and painted it - now we all fit at the table easier!

Kids bathroom.

Tip of the Day

Several balloons tied together hide under the train table. Don't vaccuum them up!

Prayer - You Might Get What You Ask For...

We only have 1 more day after today. TOMORROW evening we go get Daddy from the airport. Hooray! The kids have been doing great, but it has been exhausting. I even took a short nap yesterday.

Last evening, I was supposed to call Brian around 8:30 pm, after the kids were in bed and after he returned from dinner with his boss (it’s a man, not a woman). He forgot the charger for his cell phone so I knew it would be harder for him to get in touch with me. So I tried around 8:30 – then 9:00 – then 9:30. Then I started to worry a little. I know Brian’s concept of time, well, actually, he has no concept of time. But it wasn’t like him to not be there. I have watched Dateline too many times and began to wonder what could have happened. Were they in a car accident? He had told me his room was on the end of the hall by the door where everyone entered the hallway – could someone have gotten into his room? Yeah, yeah. I know. Don’t watch 48 Hours Investigates. I tried again at 10:00. No answer. The people at the front desk were probably wondering ‘who is this popular person in Rm 135?’ I was starting to get a little perturbed as well. Even if his cell phone wasn’t working, he has the long-distance calling card and he could call collect! So I decided to talk to the people at the front desk. I spoke with Tameka – sweet girl. After I explained my dilemma and my concerns, she told me they aren’t supposed to do this, but that she would have the House Manager knock on the door and see if he was there. I didn’t hear back for a while but finally got back in touch with Tameka around 11:00 and she said he had just gotten there and was waiting for my call. (After I talked to Brian, he shared with me that Tameka has said, “Mr., please call your wife, I think she's worried and I was scared she was going to start crying on the phone!”)

He finally answered the phone, and started off by saying he was sorry. He had been talking with his boss the entire time, at the restaurant and finally in the parking lot. I angrily relayed to Brian my frustration and fear. I had just looked up the local Livingston, NJ police department to call them and see if there had been any car accidents that evening. (I know, a little premature and dramatic – what can I say?)

I told him, “Well, he had better have gotten saved during that conversation or something for it to have taken so long.” Brian said, “well, actually I was able to share the gospel with him.” Oh. At that point, I felt about an inch tall. I apologized for being quick to anger and slow to understand. You see, I have been praying for a long time that Brian would have the opportunity to share the gospel with his boss. There was not an immediate decision but Brian was able to explain justification and what Christ did on the Cross. They were able to share openly and candidly. His boss was receptive and not cynical. My prayer is that God will continue this work in the life of Brian’s boss, and friend. It is God who saves and I am thankful that Brian was faithful to share the Gospel – and that his cell phone didn’t work and I couldn’t interrupt what God was doing! Thank You Lord for answering that prayer!

Passion and Purity

Today I was reading Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. I love to read and am trying to be intentional about reading more often. I was challenged today by these words: "It's not the wife's job to demand that her husband love her as Christ loved the Church. Her job is to submit in such a way (that is, gladly, voluntarily, wholeheartedly) as to make it easier for him to love her that way." Brian, I pray that I can make it easy for you. Look out! I may be a brand new woman by the time you get home!

What Is A Mom?

I read this article today through a link at MommyLife. How sad. It makes me thankful for my family and especially for my children! What do you think?

Another Day!

We made it another day! We played at home yesterday morning. After rest time, PawPaw came by so we could go get Daddy’s truck from the airport. The kids were able to have some ‘rough’ play-time with PawPaw! They really enjoyed that. I try to do a little with them – but it’s just not the same as Daddy. After everyone went to bed last night, I was able to catch up on some scrapbooking. The kids got their little gift from Daddy this morning – and now there are just 2 left! We’re counting down the days.

We Survived the First Day

We survived Day 1 with Daddy gone. We were actually pretty busy. We stayed home in the morning and then went to lunch with family that is in town from Maryland. We took them to one of the outdoor malls in Richmond for the afternoon. The children were able to ride the train around the mall and stick their hands in every fountain. I was exhausted from pushing the double stroller around all day. We ended the evening with a meal at Cheesecake Factory – thanks Granny! It was yummy! We ended up at home around 7:30 so the kids got a quick bath and went to bed exhausted. They all slept in this morning which was great! Now only 4 more days to go! My prayer is that I will be patient and loving as the days progress!

92% Dixie

I took this test today and found out that I am 92% Dixie. And no, General Lee is not my grandfather! The results aren't too surprising since I was born and raised in South Georgia. I now live in Virginia, which supposedly is a Southern state, but still very different from the Deep South. And I already hear the southern accent in my little girl when she says "yay-es" (yes). And she's cute as pie when she says it. What's wrong with being Southern? Thanks for the link to the test Jessica. Take the test to see what you are!

TGIF (at least it will be in 4 days)!

My husband is on his first (and hopefully last) 5-day business trip. He has never had to travel with work before now. He took a 1-night trip last month in preparation for this trip. So, we are in for an interesting week around here. Daddy is a very involved in the daily life of our home. He plays with the children while I finish supper and get it on the table. He spends time with them after dinner, does bath time and helps get them to bed. I am so thankful for how involved he is as a Daddy. I will miss him this week and the kids will too. He has left a little gift for me to give them each day. They are looking forward to that but they don’t understand the time-span of a week. I told them we are going to go to the airport on Friday to get him. They have informed me that they want to go to the airport tomorrow to get him. I said that we have to wait until Friday. “But Mommy, tomorrow IS Friday!” I wish it were!

In thinking about Brian being gone, I was reminded of a post I read last week. I have a feeling I will miss Brian because of how much a “help” he is to me. Now, I do think Dad’s should help when they can, especially when the children are small. I am thankful for how he “helps” me but I don’t need to demand that from him. My biblical role is to be a “helpmate” to him. My prayer is that I will focus on how I can serve my husband and “help” him. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that when everyone else in our home needs help with almost everything during the day. I want to be intentional about serving my husband in practical ways that encourage him in the ministries God has given him. So, Brian, get home soon so I can serve you! (Stop laughing, I’m serious!)

Baby Boy is 2!

Calvin turned 2 yesterday. We had his family birthday party today so he got a cupcake last night on his actual birthday. He loved his Larry balloon. He kept trying to kiss it and give it a hug. I did another Veggie Tale cake. I've enjoyed learning how to do special cakes for all of the birthdays in the family. I think he likes the cupcakes better. We are so thankful for this precious boy who brings so much joy to our lives! Happy Birthday Sugar Baby!

Summer Salsa Recipe

Now, I’m not Betty Crocker by any means. I didn’t even know how to cook when we got married. But in the last few years I have been working to increase my knowledge and performance in this area. Since we’ve been married, my husband has put on about 30 pounds so I guess I’m learning a little bit! Anyway, here is a great salsa recipe that I got a couple of years ago – try it out. Very refreshing in this heat!

2 cans of diced tomatoes (or fresh ones if you have those and the time)
½ green pepper, chopped
½ red (or yellow) pepper, chopped
*3 green onions, chopped
*2 garlic cloves, minced (or whatever you call it that you do to garlic cloves)
*3-4 jalapeno slices (I just keep a jar in the frig), cut up
*½ tsp cumin
*1-2 pinches cilantro, chopped (when I 1st got the recipe, I had not idea what cilantro was - it took me about 20 minutes to find it in the veggies at the store! Sad, I know.)
*1 tbsp brown sugar
(everything with the * - just make it more or less depending on the taste you like)

Blend it ever so slightly in the blender and enjoy with some tostito chips!

Still Going

OK. So the duct tape thing didn't work. Oh well.

The Gate

This morning I listened to a sermon by Paul Washer for the second time. I was challenged as I thought about “American Christianity”. Many Americans say they are Christians, but their lives don’t show it. I’m not being judgmental. After being saved by Christ, a Christian should be different. Holy living is not about legalism, it’s about the evidence of a saving encounter with Christ. I was reminded this morning that narrow is the gate, but the path is narrow as well. That means that we are going to be different than the world. Many people may look at us and think we’re crazy for some of the decisions we make on how we live, but that’s alright. I pray that we are different and that the decisions we make will honor Christ and not the world. Check out this sermon and be challenged!

Our Little Chipmunk

His crib is that way all around the entire bed. And yes, that rail is almost gone. I hope it lasts a little longer until we move him to his “big boy” bed! I have since put duct tape on some of the rails – hopefully that will deter him for a little while.

Matters of the Heart

Obedience. We desire this for our children. But why? Sometimes it’s easy to forget the ‘why’ of obedience. When I am out with our children, I can easily become prideful when others say ‘what well-behaved children you have.’ I have to remind myself about the heart of the matter. Outward obedience means nothing if there isn’t change in the heart. It is our prayer as parents that our children’s hearts will be changed and made sensitive to the Lord as we teach them to obey. We don’t want them to obey so that others can pat us on the back (although that is tempting at times). We desire for them to obey so that their lives will bring glory to Christ. We pray that their little hearts will understand that God gave them Mommy and Daddy as the authority in their lives. We pray they will see that obedience to God brings glory to Christ (that is a lesson for Mommy too). It’s easy to focus on the outward behavior and get consumed with that but I pray we will also focus on their hearts as well!

Rest Time

It’s taken me a while to post since I am having trouble logging on to my start page with our filter. I know all of you reading this blog (all 3 of you) are waiting for me to update you on my life. So, here goes.

Last week, being the kind of wife that I am, I decided to help out my husband. We had gotten behind on the yard because of all the rain we had that week. I decided to run outside during naptime and mow the back and side yards so there wouldn’t be much to do when he got home. Our oldest (and most responsible) was playing with his trains in the playroom. I told him to step out on the deck if he needed me. Our middle girl was resting in her room and the baby (well, the ‘baby’ will be 2 in a couple of weeks, guess I should say ‘toddler’ now) was taking a nap. So, I was good to go.

Did I mention that it was 95 degrees outside and the humidity was around 200%? I decided to come inside after about 40 minutes so I wouldn't pass out on the ground from heat exhaustion. As I did, I saw the oven smoking and immediately remembered the cookies that I had put in there before I decided to cut the grass! Then my oldest comes in the kitchen crying. My first thought was that he had tried to rescue his beloved chocolate chip cookies from the smoking oven. As I look at his hands, they aren’t burned, but his thumbnail is black. He told me he had slammed it in his bedroom door. Poor thing. I tried to comfort him and then I got the charcoaled cookies out of the oven, which had turned to ash. Alright. What else can happen?

Well, I go to get the baby out of his crib for snack time, and he had started playing in his dirty diaper again. (See post below about The Process of Sanctification). Could all of this really happen in such a short period of time? I just have to laugh - what else can I do? I’m just thankful that the kitchen didn’t catch on fire!

Family Pictures

Family Pics! We took some family pictures this past weekend. The kids did great and we had alot of fun. If you need a good place to go, go to Portrait Innovations.