God's Sovereignty

This has been a year where God continues to remind me that He is truly sovereign and is taking care of me in an awesome, awesome way!!

For example, last night my van wouldn't start after I dropped off some lab work at the hospital (Nate's poop sample, if you're curious!). Well, it was frustrating, but I called Triple A and proceeded to wait for what seemed like forever to someone to arrive with jumper cables. A friend came to pick up the boys, as they were going nuts in the van. Anyway, Ian missed soccer practice. Well, I just found out his soccer coach wasn't able to make it to practice, so there was a substitute coach. PRAISE THE LORD THAT THE VAN BROKE DOWN!!!!!

In this last year, we have learned that Ian THRIVES with routine and schedule. He doesn't do well when something is different or unexpected. If I had tried to take him to practice with a different coach, it wouldn't have been pretty. He probably wouldn't have even gone out on the field. We probably would have both just left in tears. I am so thankful that God worked it out for us NOT to be there...I feel like He protected me from a hurtful situation. I feel loved and cared for...I LOVE MY GOD!!!! When God says to give thanks in ALL circumstances, He means it! We don't see the big picture, but He does. Praise Him!!!

Well, I also got a super-encouraging and random text today from a woman who I was able to share the gospel with MONTHS ago. I gave her a Bible (she didn't own one), a journal, and the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. TODAY, she texted me thanking me for the Bible and journal! God is WORKING in her!!! I hardly talk to her anymore since we met and saw each other through our boys' baseball team, so her text truly was random. I am blessed!

God is SO good!!!!!!!! I love that He loves me. I am so undeserving, but He loves me. He loves me!!! HE LOVES ME!!!!!!!!

He loves you, too! :)

infected

All week I have been feeling kind of light-headed and dizzy with a dull, lingering headache.  Well, on Friday, I woke up with a crazy headache on the left side of my head, especially below my eye. 

At the prompting of Andrew (our college student friend who is spending his winter break with us), I went to the doctor.  Yep...you guessed it.  I have a sinus infection.  By the time I left the doctor (who I have decided I don't really like, she's not very friendly), I was running a fever and just wanted to crawl into bed.

Anyway, today was a little better, but I am still staying home tomorrow and doing nothing.  I need to menu plan for the rest of December; hopefully I'll fill up to it. 

du-funkifying...

YES...I know, I totally made up that word.  I used to make up words a lot.  So much so that I should just have a Margo dictionary. 

Anyway, I may have found the source of some of my funkiness...TRADITIONS.

Well, or maybe not being able to keep traditions is a better way to say it.  Our traditions are being threatened this year, and it has really, really got to me.  I like us to be home on Christmas morning.  Actually, the only Christmas that we weren't home in the morning was the year Nathanael was 10 months old and we went to Houston for Christmas. 

Here is how we have celebrated Christmas in the past.  On Christmas Eve, we go to our church's Christmas Eve service.  We went in Maine.  We have gone in Oklahoma.  Then, we come home and have a birthday party for Jesus.  Then, we have the "What God Wants for Christmas" nativity set that we do with the kids.  We also pick one present for the kids to open. 

Then, on Christmas morning, Santa doesn't come to our house.  Sorry guys...we don't "do Santa" in our house.  We just don't.  We wrap Christmas ALL around Jesus...no fairytales here.  I'm not anti-Santa; I have some decorations of Santa and will gladly respect your decision to "do Santa".  I just want my kids to know that God loves us unconditionally and gave us Jesus and that we love them unconditionally and have chosen to bless them with a few gifts...not because they're naughty or nice, because we LOVE them.  We are so blessed by God to have our four boys and just want to love on them. 

But back to the gifts...yes, I said a FEW gifts.  We do not go crazy at Christmas for a couple of reasons...first, we don't have a crazy amount of money to spend on gifts.  Second, we want our kids to understand that it really just isn't about getting, getting, getting.  It's really about JESUS.  And, just as I will respect your decision to "do Santa," I surely hope that you will respect our decision not to "do Santa."  (Okay...typing "do Santa" so many times has started to bug me, but I can't think of any other way to write it.)

So, on Christmas morning, the boys run into the living room to find gifts from dad and mom (and from other family members).  However, we don't just go crazy with opening the gifts.  First, Michael reads Jesus' birth story from the bible.  We pray, thank God for His Gift to us, THEN we open gifts.  

Then, usually, we eat a breakfast casserole that I have prepared the night before that has to soak overnight in the fridge...I just throw it in the oven before gift-opening and it's ready to eat after. 

Then, we play with the new toys and build Lego sets and enjoy family time.  Lunch or dinner is in there somewhere.  This year I was really excited to make a Christmas lunch "my style"...you know, with yummy, REAL foods...no partially hydrogenated somethings lurking about.

Well, this year we may not be here for Christmas Eve or Christmas day and I'm really upset.  I mean really, really upset.  This year, before knowing about the possibility of not being in our home for Christmas, we started an advent wreath devotion.  Now, I have lost all desire to even continue it.  I'm just bummed.  We more than likely will be going to a home where Santa is preferred over Jesus and where I will have no say about the menu.  I'm just bummed. 

hmmmmmm....

I'm in a funk.  Do you know what I mean??  Do you ever get like that??  It's where you just feel, well, BLAH. 

The actual definition is "a dejected mood."  Dejected means disheartened or low-spirited.  Yep.  That's it. 

BLAH.

Well, it occurred to me yesterday that I haven't been talking to God like I have in the past.  Typically, I naturally talk to God throughout my day.  I mean constantly.  So, when did this stop and why??  When did this no longer become typical?  I have no idea.  Is my new typical NOT to converse with God all day?  I sure hope not. 

Anyway, I'm just rambling, but I think that is exactly what blogging can be sometimes.  So, I am choosing to be purposeful and intentional about talking with God all day.  I sure am hoping that this will once again become my "typical" and that I will get out of this crazy, annoying, blah-ful FUNK. 

Psalm 121

 ¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?  ² My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.
 ³ He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber;
 ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.
 ⁵ The LORD watches over you—
       the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
 ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.
 ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;
 ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

Happy Fall!! (a very scattered-brain post )

Fall is here.  Already!  Where in the world did summer go??

I've noticed that colder weather (ha...that makes me chuckle because what I say is "colder" here would still be HOT if I lived in Maine) brings the game of soccer INDOORS in our household.  I really don't mind, actually.  I guess I'm a crazy mom or something!!

And Mike's job...he's been going at the new job for almost 3 months now.  Praise the Lord!!!  It has been SUCH a blessing for our family!  I continually pray for God's blessing and favor upon Mike!

As for me, I am learning to truly DELIGHT in Jesus!!  I have felt incredible joy and freedom in Him...joy inexpressible!  I am experiencing a true excitement and celebration of WHO HE IS and who I am in Him.  He is sovereign and good!  He establishes my steps and DELIGHTS in me! 

1 Peter 1

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, ⁵who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Oh, and PLEASE read Psalm 37:1-9 and 23-24!  God DELIGHTS in His children!  He is holding our hand when we stumble!  I LOVE that!!!

Okay...see, this is a crazy, crazy post!!!  Oh, and I just got my tonsils out.  OUCH!  I'm off to bed!

to blog again and more

I really need to start blogging again! I just thought I would let you know that...well, I don't know if there are any "yous" left reading this!!!! However, if it is only to scrapbook my family happenings, I need to do it!

More to come SOON...hopefully!

Oh, and PRAISE GOD for Mike's new job!!!!!!!! We are one week into it and LOVING it! If you do read this, please pray for his transition. This is all new to him and there is quite a learning curve! I know, without a doubt, that with God's help, MIKE WILL BE GREAT in this new role!!!

My new favorite verses are from 2 Samuel 22... (this is David speaking after God delivered him from the hands of Saul and all his enemies)

³⁰"For by You I can run upon a troop;
By my God I can leap over a wall.
³¹"As for God, His way is blameless;
The word of the LORD is tested;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
³²"For who is God, besides the LORD?
And who is a rock, besides our God?
³³"God is my strong fortress;
And He sets the blameless in His way.
³⁴"He makes my feet like hinds' feet,
And sets me on my high places.
³⁵"He trains my hands for battle,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁶"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
And Your help makes me great.

I so desire to be a great mom, a great wife, a great teacher, a great friend...and you know what God showed me through these verses? I can be great. I WILL be great, but only if I am seeking refuge in my heavenly Father, only if I am resting in Him, only if I am looking to Him for help!!!

God's help makes me great. AMEN!!!

God will supply

Right now, I am clinging to scriptures such as these:

Paul writes in Philippians 4...

10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

14Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;

16for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.

18But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

19And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Paul is telling the Philippians that just as they have provided for his needs and his ministry, God will also supply for their needs!

I love that!

God will provide, and I will be content. I mean, for real, Paul who was majorly persecuted and actually did know what true hunger was, could say he was CONTENT! Shouldn't I be able to say the same, when in reality, I have SO much?

So, if you're wondering what has prompted this type of blog, our oven broke...or so we thought.

On Sunday, before I left to run an errand, I put dinner in the oven. A little while later, Mike called me to ask if I had ever seen "e2 f3" on the oven display followed by it shutting itself off. Well, no, I have never seen that.

Well, today I had a repair man come to fix our oven, which is a Whirlpool Gold top of the line that came with the house TWO years ago. The service call costs $75 for the first hour and then it just starts adding up after that...wonderful :( Wouldn't you know that the error message DID NOT make its appearance and the oven worked like it should?? So, while gritting my teeth, I write my check for $75 and send the super-talkative and a little richer oven repair man on his way.

URRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Then, I started crying. That's right, crying like a baby...a mad, upset, disappointed baby.

I mean, why?? Honestly, it kind of makes me wonder what in the world God is doing. I mean, we are trying SO hard to be diligent with making very wise decisions with what God has given us. We definitely don't have a line for "have a repair man come and then not fix anything...$75" in our budget. God knows that. And, as my incredible husband pointed out, at least we didn't have to pay $75 plus the cost of a part. But, STILL....urrrrgggghhhh!

Okay, I'm done.

I know that God is BIG and awesome and an incredible provider. I am thankful, so very thankful for His provision. I am very, very, very undeserving of God's love and mercy and grace and INTEREST in little, broken, falling apart me.

He LOVES me.

And I LOVE Him.

two worlds collide

Today, two of my roles collided in a bad way....Worship Leader Margo and Mommy Margo.

Well, I wish I could say I handled it gracefully, but I so did not.

Because it was my last Sunday to help out at New Hope, all six of us made the trip to Mannford. Mike and the boys had never gone with me before to this church. Since I always have told the people there that I would bring them some day, today had to be the day.

Everything was fine until Sunday School and church actually started. The boys really didn't want to go into class, and then there wasn't children's church. It was just a little crazy. On top of this, they all sat on the FRONT row less than 2 feet from me and the piano. It was just so hard for me to play, sing, and WORSHIP.

You see, usually, my drives to Mannford are just me and God...praying, worshiping, and listening to an awesome sermon on my iPod (the one that was stolen.) So the service is usually just bathed in prayer by the time I drive the 45 minutes there, and I am feeling so ready to lead others into worship. Then, the services go well and God really speaks to me through Pastor Manuel's message. I leave REFRESHED and RENEWED and BLESSED.

It just didn't happen today. Today, I left FRAZZLED, EXHAUSTED, and EMOTIONALLY SPENT. I just wanted to cry.

So, what have I learned today? I have learned that my ministry as a mom needs to be first. Not that I can't serve in other areas, but I need to minister to my children while serving in other areas. Today, I just felt like they were in my way...how horrible is that? I could have just rolled with it instead of getting a little angry with them...after all, they are still very young and were in a totally new place with all new people.

God has given me these 4 amazing sons to lavish in His love. That is so my heart's desire...just to love on them and enjoy them and serve them and minister to them. I never, ever want them to feel like they are in my way. They are truly blessings, gifts, rewards from my Heavenly Father.

these were taken a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon drive, Lake Oologah

Father, help me to remember that my boys are a blessing, a gift and reward from You. I praise You for your grace and forgiveness. Help me to love on my boys today...to enjoy them, to laugh with them, to play with them, to serve them, to point them to You in all that I do. Thank you for Nate, Kyle, Ian, and Caden.

some soul searching...

Introverted. Reserved and private. Little interest in small talk. Not socially-oriented.

So, I just got the results of a personality test that I took for our praise team at church. The above words are a few of the words/phrases that were on MY RESULTS.

I'm thinking....WHAT????? Seriously. Honestly, I was a little upset. And, since God is working on freeing me from a tendency I have to obsess over things, I feel as if I need to think about this ONLY TONIGHT and then move on. Somehow.

Actually, I'll probably lose sleep over this, because that's how I tend to be.

You see, I really have NEVER thought of myself as reserved or not talkative. Now, please don't get me wrong; it's okay to be that way, but it is SO OPPOSITE of what I think I am. My husband is usually more of an introvert and I am the extrovert. I have had to take many personality tests over the years, and this one just came back different.

But, then again, upon further reflection, I AM DIFFERENT.

Ten years ago, I loved being the life of the party and talking to everyone there at least 25 times. Now, although I do enjoy a night out with friends occasionally and hanging out with my close friend over coffee, I love being home with my husband and sons. I love it.

Also, I look forward to and long for some alone, quiet, down, ME time. I love my Sunday drives to Mannford, just me and God. I LOVE long, quiet, relaxing baths. I love curling up with my favorite book. I love going on walks alone. I feel like I give, give, give all day every day, so if I get a chance to sit quietly for a while...AWESOME.

Now, these situations sure don't happen very often, so maybe this personality test picked up on the fact that I DESIRE more alone time...therefore, I am an introvert.

So, it's not that I'm unfriendly or unsocial, I'm just in a totally different place in my life now.

And, I'm okay with that.

I do, however, have the capability of being a crazy, outgoing, loud, fun person who LOVES dancing with the kids during kids' worship at church! It's in there. Maybe it's just a little deeper in there these days.

To close, here is the beginning sentence of my summary:
"Margo is an intense, results-oriented person, whose drive and sense of urgency are tempered and disciplined by her strong concern for the accuracy and quality of the details of any work for which she is responsible." hmmmmmm.....

judged???

Have you ever had one of those days where you just really feel like you're being judged? You know, someone is questioning your mothering, your wife-ing (made that word up, I know), your housekeeping...or anything else to which you can add an "-ing"?

Well, that is how I felt today. Unfortunately, it was my mothering. I do not respond well to that, AT ALL. I left a place today feeling so defeated...crying actually...and mad at my boys, unfortunately.

This is something I really need to give to the Lord over and over and over and over again.
Because really, God knows that I am trying...He knows me. He knows me better than anyone. He knows that I bathe these boys in prayer after prayer. He knows that I rejoice when they rejoice. He knows that I weep when I mess up. He knows that I get teary eyed when they do something new for the first time or write me the sweetest note EVER. He knows how badly I want them to grow up to love Him and serve Him. He knows that I am trying my very best to be more than even a wife and a mother, but a homebuilder who points them to Him continuously.

So, why is it that when someone makes a comment about one of my boys I feel so defeated and start questioning God? Today, I actually said to God, "why did you give me these boys? I just can't do it. I am not a good mother." What lies! I am a good mom...I am. I am. I am.

I am just a sinner saved by God's awesome grace who is trying to raise four boys who are also SINNERS! We are not perfect. My boys are not perfect. They will disobey, throw fits, hit other children (gasp); they will sin. All I can do is discipline in love and pray for the Spirit's guidance.

Oh well if someone questions me. Oh well if someone acts like my child is HORRIBLE because he didn't obey immediately...oh if it was only that easy. I lose sleep over things like this. I dwell on things such as this; can you tell?? Give it to the Lord; give it to the Lord...

Oh Lord, help me to remember that You look at my heart. Help me to move on and forgive. Help me to be sensitive to others and not to judge if someone does something differently. Father, thank You that you know me so well.

a new week

I'm excited for a new week to begin. Yes, that's right...I'm excited!! Even when things kind of seem stinky, I trust my heavenly Father. I know that He truly has a plan for my family! We are His workmanship and He works all things together for our good. He sees the big picture!!

I just thought I would share that.

cheering up

Okay, so is my blog a total downer or what? I think I always am writing about how hard life is. I need to just get over it! God blesses me and blesses me and blesses me! That's what I need to be writing about!!

Take this for instance. I walked into my living room last week where Caden was sitting with his ankles crossed on the couch playing a Leapster game...well, maybe he was just pretending to play and pushing buttons. Tears filled my eyes. I love this little guy so much! What a blessing he is!! I immediately grabbed my camera...


Then, check out this picture! These are two of my closest friends, Steph and Lisette. God has totally used these two ladies to bless my life! My life is richer because of friends like these, both here and afar!

Also, since moving to Oklahoma, my mom and dad ("Mema" & "Papaw" to the kids) have become a huge part of our lives. I am SO blessed by her and my dad! They were both here this week. Here is Memaw playing cards with the boys...

I am blessed!!! Praise God for all my blessings! And, please, I give you permission to remind me when I start being all downer-like again!!!

there is one of me scaling a wall

There is one of me. No matter what, there is only one of me. I only have 2 hands, the ability to fully concentrate on one conversation, and only one mind.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THAT TO MY KIDS AND MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND???

Today, 3 of my 4 kids were all trying to speak to me (or whine or cry or yell) all at the same time. Then, the phone started ringing...I was thinking SERIOUSLY....AAAAHHHH!! I totally wasn't going to answer it.

Well, it stopped ringing. The one child who wasn't speaking, whining, crying, or yelling at me decided to ANSWER THE PHONE. Of course, all he did was push the "talk" button. I don't think he actually said anything. So then, I grabbed the phone and it was my 90-year-old grandma, who I love very much. Don't get me wrong. It just wasn't a good time.

I was already completely feeling overwhelmed when she started talking to me about something, I'm not for sure what. I tried really, really hard to nicely tell her that "right now is really not a good time" and "can I call you back in a little while?" But, to no avail...she is almost deaf and couldn't hear the whining, crying, or yelling in the background. Finally, we ended the phone call and then I burst into tears.

Today, I realized that no matter what, I am completely outnumbered. I am overwhelmed.

It's not even that anything necessarily BAD happened today, except for some sneakiness on my kids' part. For the most part it was just a typical day in our household, but today it got to me. I found myself just crying out to God, "Help me, help me, help me. I am overwhelmed. I need Your wisdom and understanding. Please, please, please help me."

Check this out:

2 Samuel 22:29-31

29 You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.

30 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

31 "As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.

I really like verse 30, can you tell?? I'm telling you, raising these four little guys is tough, and it seems almost impossible, like scaling a wall. But with God's help, I can scale a wall!!! That totally makes me want to flex my muscles :) With God's help, I CAN DO THIS!!

good-bye 2008, Welcome 2009

Okay, I must confess as a little girl that I thought we would all be driving/piloting flying cars by the year 2009!! Did anyone else think that??? (seriously, read the rest of the post, and then comment on this...I'm curious!)

Anyway, this year has been a year of trials, joys, and new ways of life! As I reflect upon this year, I remember my tough days, like the day I got really mad and broke my door/wall. In case you missed that, you can read about it here. Although it is definitely not something I am proud of, I still wrote about it because my blog is a place where I wear my heart on my sleeve and talk about my struggles as well as my accomplishments! I love my boys so much, but being a mommy is the hardest job/ministry I ever thought I would do.

Unfortunately, I also remember 2008 as the year that my husband worked and worked and worked and worked, sometimes 70 hours/week. I will remember that this year was a very hard year for our marriage. Even now though, I can praise God because I know that He is the Healer and can get us through anything! I didn't write about the marriage part that much on my blog, I don't think. I think I really wanted to hold my tongue and trust that God truly, truly works all things together for those who love Him...and oh, how I love Him, my heavenly Father!!

This year was also full of many joyous occasions! I have made some of the most awesome friends this year! What blessings! I also left my 20s this year....YES, this is JOYFUL!! I loved my 20s and look forward to what God has in store for me in my 30s. You can read the prayer I wrote on the eve of my 30th birthday here. I also have loved homeschooling my children. Oh yes, it has its hard days, but I just love spending time with them (well, not so much on the fighting days) and do treasure the time I get to spend with them. I love seeing them learn and experience new education milestones with them. I have had some awesome dates with my husband, even one that included an OU game! My family brings joy into my life, especially when I have the right mindset to allow myself to be joyful!

I will also remember 2008 as the year that I officially overhauled our family diet, eliminating from our house these 10 ingredients. With that, I also switched us totally to raw milk products and began making my own house hold cleaners, dishwashing soap, and laundry soap. I also eliminated paper towels and napkins (we still use toilet paper, don't worry *smile*). This adventure has led me to the aisles of Whole Foods versus those of Wal-mart, but it has definitely been an awesome change for us all. We all have been healthier and have been able to experience new recipes, new fruits, new vegetables....it's amazing to watch my young sons LOVE an organic spring mix salad with organic ranch dressing...sweet! I have began making more and more recipes completely from scratch (even chicken ON the bone) and learning so much along the way! It's been a fun food year! I find peace in knowing what is actually IN the food that goes into my body and my families' bodies!

So this year....here are some of my goals:
1. Do not put any holes into doors, walls, or ANYTHING else. In a nutshell, this means practice some self-control and working on my anger issue...God and I have some major pow-wowing to do!
2. Enjoy my kids more.
3. Pray for my kids more.
4. Love on my kids more.
5. Enjoy my husband more.
6. Pray for my husband more.
7. Love on my husband more (his love language, I learned this year, is quality time and words of affirmation...that is what I am going to work on!)
8. Tell my friends I am thankful for them more often.
9. Eat out less...even though I have done awesome with changing our diets AT HOME, we eat out entirely too much, which is not good for our bodies or the budget!
10. In addition to planning our dinners, plan our LUNCHES. This, hopefully, will eliminate drive-thru runs.
11. Love God more.
12. Pray more.
13. Memorize more scripture/write more scripture songs.
14. LOVE LIFE!! Smile at the future (you know, that whole Proverbs 31 thing)
15. Work-out more (I had to add that one, doesn't everyone include that one!)

So, I will end this post with a prayer over 2009:

Father, I praise You for my life. I praise You for caring about me. I praise You for loving me, even though I fail miserably, often. You have blessed me more than I could have ever imagined. Praise You for Mike, Nate, Kyle, Ian, and Caden. Help me, in Your strength and with the Holy Spirit's guidance, to be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend. I give You me, completely. Use me this year to glorify You and to bring others to You. I love You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Christmas, again, and Caden

I love Christmas. Seriously. I know I wrote that on my last post, but I really do!

Along with Christmas trees, I also LOVE Christmas lights!! I get so excited driving around each year looking at the lights! I can't wait to go to Rhema this year. Last year we went Christmas night, which is probably what we will do this year! It was still awesome, even after the ice storm.

Well, I think that my love of lights has passed down to Caden. I haven't written anything, I don't think, about how much that kid is talking, but it's AMAZING!! He has a huge vocabulary and talks and talks. He doesn't need prompting; he can just carry on real conversations with me.

Anyway, he was cracking me up on our way to church tonight. At every house we saw with Christmas lights, (which is like everyone of them, except for ours), he would say clear as day, "WOW!! That's nice!" It took me a second to even realize it was him and not one of the other boys because it was SO CLEAR. He is just so dang cute!!

On Thanksgiving night, we drove through Bartlesville's Fantasyland of Lights after spending the day at my Grandma's. It was awesome!! Here's just a couple of pictures!

John 8:12
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

1/2 the kids

It's amazing experiencing life with only two children when you're used to having four. This doesn't happen very often for me, that's for sure! Since Sunday evening, I have only been responsible for Ian and Caden since Nate and Kyle are at my parents' until tomorrow (We took the week off from school)! Wow!! I get SO much more done with 1/2 the kids. Crazy. I do miss Nate and Kyle; don't get me wrong! It's just been a nice little break.

Anyway, both Mike and I were able to take Ian on two separate dates. On Monday, after dropping Caden off at Parents' Day Out, Ian and I had our date! We ran a couple of errands and then went to the mall to play on the playground. While there, we actually got interviewed by one of the local television stations about how to stay safe while shopping. I should have just told him, "Hey, I'm not shopping! I'm just here for the free playground." But, that probably wouldn't have got me on the news. Plus, I do shop. Just not often and mostly for groceries! So, Ian and I had our little 2 seconds of fame...yes, that is about how long they showed us. Oh well, it was fun!

We got our picture taken in one of those little photo booths...Ian was so excited, but I couldn't get him to actually LOOK at the camera. He just wanted to look at himself in the screen ABOVE the camera :) We finished our date off with lunch at Taco Bueno where he got a "Happy Meal," which was a real treat! When I have all 4 boys with me, they usually just get 2 party burritos each and share a drink. Yes, I am frugal and NOT a germ-a-phob (anymore)!

Then, Mike took Ian to see the movie Bolt tonight! Ian really wanted to see it because of the movie's website he somehow found via the Playhouse Disney website (a marketing ploy aimed at 3-year-olds that totally works). He LOVES playing the games from the website. Anyway, they got "pah-corn and Spite" (popcorn and Sprite.) I snapped a few pictures when they got home and then used Picasa to make a collage! How fun is that!!

home

This weekend we spent a couple of nights at my parents' house. It was really nice to spend some time with them and just get away from our house for a little while. For me, it meant two extra sets of hands to help cut pancakes and wipe mouths. It meant not looking at LOADS of laundry that need to be folded and bathrooms that need to be cleaned and floors that need to be mopped. It was nice.
Of course, Caden DID NOT sleep well there, so I didn't sleep well either. Actually, on Friday night, 3 of the 4 boys were up at one point or another. But still, I wasn't looking at piles of laundry.

On Saturday, we went in two cars down Talimena Drive. If you live in Oklahoma or Arkansas and have never done this, you really should. We were a couple weeks past the peak foliage colors, but it was still a beautiful drive. Oklahoma really has some pretty scenery! Anyway, the drive was beautiful but a little stressful after the kids started waking up from naps! Here are a couple of pictures...


Now, we are home. Well, Mike, Caden, Ian, and I are home. Nate and Kyle stayed there for a couple of days. My parents are bringing them home on Wednesday in time for the pie-making and other Thanksgiving festivities. So, I only have TWO KIDS for a couple of days!!! I have half the kids that I normally have...what am I going to do with myself?!? Probably tackle a few mountains of laundry and clean some toilets. Yippee!! I am also planning some really good one-on-one time with my heavenly Father...resting in Him. I can't wait!

Actually, tomorrow Caden will be at Parents' Day Out, so Ian and I are going on a DATE. He wants to go to a toy store and to the mall to play at the playground...I am so excited!! Of course, that does mean the unfolded laundry will still not get folded, but I wouldn't give up my date with Ian for anything! Ian is excited about it, too. He wanted to pray about our date when I tucked him in tonight. Sweet!

anniversary

Today I have been married 9 years. Nine years. Wow! Could this picture really have been taken 9 years ago?? Crazy!

I love this man!!

silence

I am still alive! I even want to write something on my blog. Just nothing seems super blog-worthy right now...weird, I know. In two days is my 9th wedding anniversary; I'm sure I will think of something to write between now and then!!

just a little something....

Consider it pure joy, my brothers (sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith, produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault. And it will be given to you!! (from James 1)

Have a super, blessed day!!

a perk of homeschooling...

...an impromptu game of indoor tag in the middle of the school day where we all end up in a pile on the floor from laughing so hard and running so fast that we are totally out-of- breath...all that followed by a tickle-fest...you just can't beat it!!!

I love moments like this where fun, laughter, and joy reign in our house! I think that is all just part of God's joy and living an abundant life in Him!! I truly enjoy my boys and am blessed to be their mom!