Just wanted to publicly declare a few goals that I have .... with attached deadlines. I figured if I "said" it outloud...then maybe I'd be more likely to do it so that I don't let you guys down! You know...all 4 of you that read. :)
1. Finish revamping this play kitchen set for the kids for Christmas. Deadline: well...Christmas Day! This is the before, and I hope the after looks the way it looks in my head right now!
2. Write a 9 week Bible Study for Youth on the Fruits of the Spirit. Deadline: End of Summer 2012. I just started a Beth Moore Study on Fruits of the Spirit/Being filled with the Spirit so I'm hoping that will give me some insight.
3. Read all the Harry Potter books. Deadline: End of Summer 2012. I've read bits and pieces, but need to read straight through. I know for some of you that seems like a rediculous timeline. If you are like my husband he could read all of them in one night! But I don't work that way. I really love to read...but I fall asleep very easily and when school starts...life is insane!
4. Make a blog or website for my name frames that I'm wanting to start selling. Deadline: End of August. I'm really excited about this! My friend, Randa, has a business called Karleigh Grace Boutique. She makes awesome clothes! She's a genius and so creative. Anyway, she saw my frames and said she wanted me to make a few and put them in her shop. She also gave me a few new and fresh and way cute ideas on how to make some different kinds of frames! I don't expect to make huge buckaroos off this. But just a little eating out money and such would be great!
So those are my goals. My goal is to achieve at least 2 of the 4 goals!
Now for a little side note. I would like to ask you guys to pray for my Colin. Its nothing too serious, but he's been showing signs of either a tick or mini-seizures. There also might possibly be some sleep apnea or something going on. Anyway, we are being referred to a child neurologist at LSU in Shreveport. Pray that we will be able to find out what's going on in his sweet little brain.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Goals!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
July 23, 2007
We had only lived in Marshall for less than 2 months. We lived in a teensy weensy married housing apartment at ETBU. We didn't really know anyone yet. We had visited our church only 2 or 3 times, but had not joined yet. I had JUST met my new teammates for the first time at a 3 day workshop.
I had been having "cramps," but didnt think much of it. Jeff began timing them and he starting getting really antsy and hyper. He begged me to go to the hospital. I kept saying, "I'm not going in there just for them to tell me I needed to fart! That would be so embarrasing!" And I still had 5 weeks to go, so I knew I probably wasnt in labor. We went home. He called the hospital and talked to a nurse who said I should come in. I slowly paced around the house not having a clue what to do while Jeff installed the carseat and grabbed our toothbrushes.
We called our parents and told them we were going, but told them not to come because we figured I'd just get some medicine and go back home.
We get there and they check me and say, "You are 5cm and 80% effaced. There is a 75% chance you are having this baby tonight." And I got a few comments of "How are you not in much pain right now?!"
So we called the parents. They came. I pushed for about 30 minutes, and by 5 am on Monday morning we had a 5lb 5oz relatively healthy baby boy!
He did have to stay a few extra days because of low body temperature, not eating, and pretty bad jaundice. But nothing too serious. I think back now about how lucky we are that he wasn't more sick than he was for being so early.
I love this boy. He is my first-born. He has taught me so much over the past 4 years about what true unconditional love is. About Christ's love. Being a mom forces you to learn what that is really like!
Let me describe this little man to you.
Colin is intense. He intensely loves, intensely feels, and REALLY intensely thinks.
I love Colin's brain! Its so unlike the way I think. He thinks deep and wants to really understand things all the way before he moves on to something else. Very much like his dad. He loves puzzles and problem solving games. He loves letters, words, and the next step for him is easy reading!
The boy loves him some sports! If we are watching a game on TV...it is not enough for him to watch. He must play too! So he gets all suited up for the game and copies what they do on TV. And dont EVER take him to a real game unless you are planning on taking him down on the field or court to actually play to. In his mind he is a part of that team.
He's been labeled by our friends as "spastic." Which is so true. He's got a ton of energy and when he gets excited...its kind of crazy. But Jeff and I get to see his "down time." He loves to just sit by himself and work a puzzle. And hes not too old (yet) to say, "I want to hold you," and crawl in our lap so we can sing to him or tell him a story.
I pray that as he grows up and has lots more birthdays, that he will begin a relationship with Jesus Christ and that this relationship will be "intense." Colin is a very different little boy and I pray that he will begin to find out what God has in store for him and how God will use his wonderfully made personality and gifts for His glory!
Happy Birthday, big boy! I am so proud of you and cannot wait to see how God uses you. You are my heart!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wee Bit Wednesday
how many best friends do you have?
Jeff always tells people about all the times I have tricked him into thinking I was pregnant. I'm weird I know. I don't know why I think its fun. I guess because I like the facial expressions I get from him.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Oh my goodness!
Once a month I meet with 3 other ladies in our church. 1 is my age, 1 is middle aged, and the other is a sweet little grandma. Every time we have met we have discussed a fruit of the spirit. We don't follow a bible study, we just each bring a verse or 2 and a thought or 2 about that fruit. I love those ladies and what they have taught me. So I thought Id share a little bit of what we discussed about this fruit of the spirit...
GOODNESS.
Now I am a word freak. I love scrabble, boggle, etc. But I also love word meaning games like Balderdash. I am on dictionary.com atleast once a week. Its not that I don't know what words mean, but sometimes I want to see a definition or some synonyms to get a deeper understanding of a word. So in preparation for this meeting, what did I do first? Looked up some definitions of "goodness."
Goodness, according to dictionary.com, is "excellence of quality" or "the best part of something." It refers to something that meets a certain standard or expectation. It fulfills the goal of the job. However, each person has different standards or expectation. But regardless of differing standards there is one thing in common - goodness brings about some benefit.
The Greek word for goodness is agathosune which means "good result or benefit."
Just think about it. We say, "That was a good sermon," because it benefited our hearts and hopefully resulted in a change in our life. We say, "That was a good hamburger," because that hamburger benefited our tummies and resulted in fullness.
But there is still that problem that each persons standards for good are different. What I think is good or good enough may not be what you say is good or good enough.
We often talk about "good" according to human standards, but how often do we remember that God alone sets the standard for goodness. When we say our efforts or our works are good, have we considered what God has expected? When we say a movie or a TV show is good, is it really what God would approve as good? When we think we are being good parents or spouses, have we considered the standard that God has set for a Godly household?
Now I'm not saying that everything you and I have ever done is worthless and is a waste of time. But I know that I am often content with my roles and my work because I label it as good according to what I think is good. I often fail to remember that God has so much more in store for me and has called me to so much more.
Now, don't beat yourself up and think, "Im not good enough!" (which was one of my first thoughts when we studied this). Remember that your life in Christ is not about you and how good you are. Its about HIM and how good HE is! But it is our calling as Christians to follow that perfect example of goodness. And we are at an advantage as Christians. When we become children of God we are heirs to everything that is his. Which means we DO have some goodness in us! Romans 1:14 says this...
God has given us his goodness! But not, however to benefit ourselves or to boast about. But rather to benefit others and further His kingdom.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
1 year
June 30th of 2010 was a day I won't forget! I woke up having contractions. We had a scheduled doctor appointment at 9am anyway so we decided to go there first. After they confirmed my labor we drove over to Good Shepherd Medical Center where they broke my water and got the process going! At 7pm my baby girl was here! 6lb 8 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.
February 26th of 2010 was a day I won't forget either! It was our sonogram day where we were going to find out the gender. I was convinced I was having another boy. Jeff and Colin were there too. Then they showed us "the part." Right away I could tell what kind of part that was and I said, "That's a girl isn't it?!?" "Yes it is!" said the nurse. But I was suprisingly excited! Part of the reason was because I could use my sister's name for the middle name. That was important to me.
I have always told people that I wanted a house full of rowdy boys. I never disliked girls, but just didn't have a desire to have one like I wanted boys. But it is awesome having a girl!
I do have to say that it is a bit intimidating to me when Carley is around other little girls at church or wherever whose momma's are amazing and know how to dress them perfectly with the perfect matching bow. My poor girl always has food on her face, and boogers hanging out of her nose, and has pulled out her pigtails so that she looks like she has horns on her head. But she's my girl, and she's a happy girl!
I love her personality and sometimes even wish I was like her! ...I know, I know...she's only 1. But she's just so cool. She's usually happy. She's very social and loves people right away. You don't have to do or say anything to her first...she'll just start waving and smiling at you. She loves to be around people, but she's also content playing alone. She knows what she wants and communicates it well. She doesn't make you read her mind! (How's that for a woman? haha) And the one thing I love about her that I am eternally greatful to her for...is that she SLEEPS ALL NIGHT LONG! The girl loves her sleep.
Even though it was just a little over a year ago, I have a hard time remembering what life was like before we had her. The other day Colin found a picture of the 3 of us before we were even thinking about having Carley. He looked puzzled and said, "Where's Carley?" It made me so happy. I remember at one point being so worried about him getting used to not being the only kid, and I was so worried about being a mother of 2 rather than 1. And now, its just the norm of our family. And I love it.
Carley just a few minutes after she was born!
3 months old
Valentines Day 8 months old
11 months old and happy as can be!
I love you Lita Lou! Happy Birthday! I am excited to see you grow up, but just slow down a little, ok?
Be looking for a similar post in about 3 or 4 weeks about her big brother who is about to be 4!
Thank you, God, for children. Thank you for what being a mommy has taught me about your love!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today, Monday, June 13th
Outside my window...our grass is getting a much needed trim by my hardworking husband.
I am remembering...piano lessons when I was little. Now that I am teaching piano it has got me thinking of my old teachers, recitals, competitions, and theory tests! My student is SO good and is already at a point where there is not much I can do for him. He is a self-teacher and figures things out before I even have the chance to explain it!
I am thankful for...pay-days....and even bills too. Thats something I can take for granted sometimes.
I am creating...1 wedding and 2 baby name frames this week. I also have a desk/permanent home for the sewing machine now, so hopefully there will be some stitchin goin on!
I am going...to swim lessons with Colin this week, Youth Camp next week, and then our vacation the next week! Let our Summer marathon of week-long events begin!
I am reading...Radical (almost done!), The Velveteen Rabbit (to Colin), and when Radical is finished I will start reading through the Harry Potter books. I inherited Jeff's kindle and I LOVE it!
I am hoping...this summer goes by slowly. Trying really hard to cherish every little moment of rest and moment with my kids.
On my mind... planning Colin and Carley's birthday parties. Going with Garden/growing theme for Carley and going with Disney Pixar Cars for Colin! Going to get a water table for little sister and going to get a bike with training wheels for the man-child. Can't wait!
From the learning rooms...Packed up! Done! Not thinking about it at all until beginning of August!
Noticing that... I am beginning to think that the American culture is WAY too busy. Its all about unrealistically high expectations, demands, deadlines, etc. I don't think it is all bad, but I do think there is a line that is crossed where I believe it becomes an injustice.
Pondering these words... "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." -Ephesians 3:17-19
From the kitchen...Tacos for dinner tonight! Tomorrow will be biscuit pizzas!
Around the house...clean and quiet. The kids are at school and Im not used to it being so quiet...or clean! I do feel kind of bad when I take them. I take them for 2 reasons. 1) I don't want to "lose my spot" in the fall and 2) Colin is such a creature of routine/structure. If I don't take him during the summer, then his first month back will be BAD. And he likes going! Its also kind of nice to do things like clean out closets, deep clean tubs, sew, etc. that I can't do as well when they are home.
One of my favorite things...Colin and Carley share a room. Every night they talk/giggle/jump in the beds for about 30 minutes before they go to sleep. It drives me crazy, but its so cute too. Last night I put Carley to bed without Colin in there and she was devastated to be alone in there! Too funny!
From my picture album... Our little Lita getting her tan on!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The heart of a youth ministry worker
These are the things that make me want to throw up my hands and quit youth ministry.
1. A jr high boy sees every rhetorical question as an opportunity to shout out something stupid that might possibly bring attention to himself. Oh jr high boys...bless their hearts.
2. A student sneaks into the ceiling at the high school, falls through the ceiling, gets sent to the hospital and therefore causes us to never be able to do church events at the high school again.
3. Someone (most likely a youth) breaks the push bar off the outside door to our new building. The suspect just leaves the push bar leaning against the wall instead of fessing up.
4. Hearing that one of your students was tested positive for drug use, or has been cutting, or got pregnant, etc.
5. Having to break up a make out session in the Senior Ladies Sunday School room.
6. Asking that student (30 minutes after bible study was over) when his ride was going to be there and him responding with, "Oh, can I borrow your phone and call my dad to come get me?" I mean seriously...do they think we live at the church and want to hang out with them until the wee hours of the morning?
But then...there are those few moments with students that make this all worth it. Like...
1. Seeing about 8 of our students (no adult help) lead the entire congregation in worship...and do it well!
2. Getting a text that says, "I found that verse that you were telling me about."
3. Having a student come up to me and say, "I want to talk to you about what you taught tonight."
4. Leading a girl with a learning disability to Christ.
5. Seeing a young man, who 3 years ago would never be caught doing anything in front of a crowd of people, play the bass guitar in front of our church congregation.
6. A student gives up her entire "new cell phone savings" to give to World Hunger.