Sunday, September 30, 2012
in which I was so mad I couldn't even yell...
My children sit alone in church for the worship time because Paul and I both are in the worship team. This works for most of the time. Not today. Today there was all manner of misbehavior on the front row. There was running between the chairs. There was poking between siblings. There was pulling of hair. There was crazy dancing...not worshipping, crazy dancing. There was pushing. There was mommy, on more than one occasion, looking DEEP into their souls telling them to STOP with my eyes. There was a attitude of "what are you going to do about it?". Then the songs were over and I came off the stage and told my children to get their things and walk.out.the.door.
We walked home in TOTAL silence. I told them I was so angry I couldn't even yell. It is at this point where they knew it.was.serious. I told them to sit down at the kitchen table and I passed out some notebook paper and told them to start writing what Church meant to them and there would be no talking. Then I walked away. Mostly to change my clothes, but also so I didn't rip each of them limb from limb. I knew I was beginning to make an impression because of the silent tears streaming down some faces, including mine. Poor Paul, he didn't know what to think. He can't see the kids from inside the drum shield and I could not adequately portray to him the severity of actions on the front row. So he supported me by repeating my instructions and adding that an apology would also be written.
When I came back into the kitchen I asked if they were done. Surprisingly, they all said, "no". So I told them to keep going. Then I made a list of the other things they would write, including 1.What does Church mean to you? 2.What does Worship mean? 3.What does being respectful mean? 4. How can my behavior be better next week? 5. What does Worship look like? 6.An apology to God and to Mom and Dad as well as a verse that will help them remember how to behave in church.
This took about 40 minutes to complete, which was fine. I cooked lunch and kept the silence until they were all done.
After reading their responses, I am THRILLED that they DO KNOW the "right" answers and were just choosing not to act properly. On the flip side, I'm so ANGRY right now at the headway the Devil has made in my kids diverting their attention during Church. This has been a few weeks in the making. I've been noticing their behavior deteriorating over the last few weeks and I should have taken care of it earlier. I didn't. Until today.
I won't subject you to all of their writing because that would be a longer blog than even I would want to read and my little Spanish speakers's (Abby & Caleb) English spelling is AWFUL because they spell all the English words with Spanish letter and sounds.
But here are a few highlights:
(Don't worry...I'll fix all the spelling errors. Your'e welcome.)
From Abby: In response to #1. Church is awesome. We sing and when we are done we are in the auditorium and we read in the HOLY BIBLE(her emphasis, not mine!) We are Christians and we worship Him because He is awesome. In response to #4. Obey the gospel of Christ and pay attention to the scripture.
From Caleb: In response to #2. What worship means is celebrating God and He lives in Heaven. People are at church because of God. In response to #6. I am sorry for my behavior, God and Mommy and Daddy and for disobeying you and please God please forgive me. Proverbs 24:10 If you give up when trouble comes it shows that you have very little strength.
From Jacob: In response to #3. Respectful is a nice way of saying something. Being respectful to God is the most important thing in the world. Being respectful to your parents is pretty important, you should do it all the time. In response to #6. I made a big mistake. I should have sat still and worshipped God. God please take my sins away. I should have just sat and worshipped you. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son so whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
I don't write this blog today to toot my own horn, in fact I feel just the opposite. I'd rather NO ONE know what happened today. I was embarrassed and frustrated. I am however, not going to give Satan the victory over today. My children do know how to behave and chose not to. I leave you with 3 pictures. These are the pictures they all drew in response to #5. Abby, then Caleb and finally Jacob.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Caleb Says the Darndest Things...
...and sometimes Paul and I just look at each other and say, "He gets it."
Lately Caleb has been having all manner of Spiritual conversations with Paul and I. Today it stemmed from a song that we are singing at church tomorrow called Love Shines. It has a line in the chorus that says,
"Love shines, love shines at Calvary Calvary
And we proclaim that Jesus reigns in victory victory"
On the way home from dove hunting tonight, Caleb was trying wrap his brain around the "love shines at Calvary" part. He was struggling to understand how God's love "shines" from Calvary. So Paul explained that Calvary is where Jesus died for our sins and how Calvary is the epicenter from which God's love is spread to the rest of the world.
Caleb, in his own little mind, said,
"So it's like an Army base that has a gas explosion? When the gas explodes then it floats out to all the surrounding area. Just like God's love explodes out from Calvary."
I have no idea why it has to be an Army base...except he is a boy and most things = "Army". I have no idea why, in his own mind, a gas explosion comes to mind when he thinks of God's love spreading out from Calvary, but it does. I have no idea what paths his thinking takes on a regular basis to get to an understanding that is all his own, but God has wired him that way.
Only my precious one compares God's love to a gas explosion and, in his own mind, he gets it.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Fridge Full of Food
This is my fridge full of food.
Look quickly, it will not stay that way for long.
School lunches and Dinner and will whittle it away.
We will eat all the food and then....
I'll have to go back to the good 'ol HEB for more.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
His Grace is Enough
Many times in my life I have been sitting in conferences of one kind or another or worship services for many reasons and the speaker has started with something like this: "Just put all your concerns behind you and focus on God this weekend. Leave everything from home at the door and just worship here in this place for now. It will all be there when you get home, so just don't worry about it."
I can't stand this philosophy.
Even as recently as this morning I confessed an overwhelming feeling that I was having about the next couple of weeks and I was given a line of this sort. Just focus on leading worship right now and don't worry about tomorrow. Scripture was even quoted, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:14" The thing was, I was feeling overwhelmed today...My feelings were of today even though they may have stemmed from the future. The thing was, I wanted God to deal with me right now. today.
I have long believed that it was too much ask, especially for women/mothers, to "leave it all behind and forget what's happening at home to focus on a worship service." We are inherent multi-taskers and often other concerns, particularly the ones that involve our family, children or homes, are very difficult to put aside for any amount of time. I have also long believed that God was fully capable of meeting me in the MIDST of my concerns, not outside of them.
He did not disappoint this morning! One of the songs in the worship set this morning was Your Grace is Enough by Matt Maher. God totally met me during practice this morning. As we were running through that song, I was reminded that His grace is enough for me. However I am feeling, whatever I am going through, in the midst of it all, His grace is enough. I don't want to "check everything at the door" I want God to walk me through the door holding it all whispering to me that His grace is enough.
So tomorrow morning starts my "back to school". I'll get up early tomorrow and go to work and for the next two weeks plus 180 school days, His grace will be enough.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
A Pinterest-y kind of day!
So it's been forever since I have blogged... Oh well
Moving on.
I spent the first part of this summer very ill with a weird infection in my tonsils which (long story short) led me to have my tonsils removed. I spent the first part of this summer on the couch...literally...for 3 straight weeks. I passed the time on Pinterest gathering ideas for my classroom as well as ways to organize my house or clean it or decorate it.
Well, after a wonderful week of rehab at my parents house, I am finally home and ready to get started on all those Pinterest projects I pinned!
Today I accomplished some kitchen items. Now some of these may be ridiculous to you, but my kitchen is on it's way to Better Homes and Garden's front page...ok, maybe not that...
Anyway, I cleaned/disinfected all my counter tops AND cabinets today. If you have seen my kitchen, you know that I have approximately 9000 cabinet doors, so this was a feat. I also made DIY scentsy nuggets (I don't know what else to call them) with my leftover candles. This was awesome and SO easy! I also made a fruit fly catcher. This one, sadly, is the one I am most excited about! I have a ba-jillion fruit fly's in my kitchen. They are so annoying and I want them gone...without getting rid of my fruit!
I started cleaning my grout and will have to continue this over the course of the week.
I never thought I would enjoy cleaning my kitchen so well, but after so many weeks just sitting on the couch, it feels so wonderful to be ABLE to clean my kitchen.
I am going to ride this wave this week and get my house clean! This might be a good time to visit...just saying...it's not like this all the time!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Jacob gets a 4!
Well, it's been no secret around these parts that Jacob has had some struggles in writing. His teacher has really helped him along and today he brought home a practice writing test with a 4! In the standardized testing world a 4 is AWESOME! I know you are all just dying to know what he wrote about...well...here it is! Forgive the typos, I'm going to type it exactly.
Chairs are an amazing invention. There are all kinds of chairs. There are baboon chairs, wooden chairs, metal chairs, plastic chairs, and cushion chairs that roll. They even use chairs in the most poorest places on earth.
I use chairs every I go. I use them in church, school and in the movies. Who likes standing up for six hours? Who would stand for a movie? I know you stand up for singing but thats a defferent story. Because the invention of chairs I don't have to stand. I'm not bored and my legs don't go to sleep on me. Even bleachers are great kinds of chairs for football, baseball and soccer.
When I have a chair to sit in I am comfortable. I'm off the floor and it's awesome to have a great invention to sit it.
Ok seriously, is that not the greatest paper you have read on chairs in the last five minutes? I am just over the moon at how organized and well written this paper is...and since Jacob wrote it and he is proud of it, that just makes it better!
So, while you are sitting here reading this blog, take a moment and reflect on the awesome invention underneath you!
Chairs are an amazing invention. There are all kinds of chairs. There are baboon chairs, wooden chairs, metal chairs, plastic chairs, and cushion chairs that roll. They even use chairs in the most poorest places on earth.
I use chairs every I go. I use them in church, school and in the movies. Who likes standing up for six hours? Who would stand for a movie? I know you stand up for singing but thats a defferent story. Because the invention of chairs I don't have to stand. I'm not bored and my legs don't go to sleep on me. Even bleachers are great kinds of chairs for football, baseball and soccer.
When I have a chair to sit in I am comfortable. I'm off the floor and it's awesome to have a great invention to sit it.
Ok seriously, is that not the greatest paper you have read on chairs in the last five minutes? I am just over the moon at how organized and well written this paper is...and since Jacob wrote it and he is proud of it, that just makes it better!
So, while you are sitting here reading this blog, take a moment and reflect on the awesome invention underneath you!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Fourth Grade Journal Prompts
I downloaded this journal prompt packet to better help Jacob in his writing and I thought I would give one of the prompts a try...
Here goes...
"What is your favorite month?"
This one is EASY!
I love November. I love it for MANY reasons. I'll use a list to make my case..
1. November is the official beginning of fall for me. I know it's not the official start of fall on the calendar, but somehow, it just doesn't feel like fall to me until November.
2. NOVEMBER IS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH! I just love my birthday and I LOVE celebrating it for longer than a day!
3. November is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the first of the Holidays and it's the best time of year...until Spring comes along and then I feel like THAT is the best time of year...until Summer comes along and then I feel like THAT is the best time of year....until Fall comes around.....
4. Starbucks red holiday cups come out!
5. This year the boys did not play football and so I am LOVING the fact that we are getting to spend some quality family time more often than not.
6. FALL WEATHER! After a blistering South Texas Summer, I am really enjoying the cooler temperatures that make it much easier to be outside with the kids. (see number 5)
7. Scarves. November means cooler temps (see number 6) so I don't look like such a dork with my scarves around my neck!
8. Christmas movies! As soon as November rolls around, I feel much more validated in the watching of various Christmas that I love including such classics as: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Irving Berlin's White Christmas and The Santa Clause trilogy as well as some newer "classics" such as: Elf, Christmas With The Kranks, and The Polar Express.
Well, that's it. The reasons I love November!
Here goes...
"What is your favorite month?"
This one is EASY!
I love November. I love it for MANY reasons. I'll use a list to make my case..
1. November is the official beginning of fall for me. I know it's not the official start of fall on the calendar, but somehow, it just doesn't feel like fall to me until November.
2. NOVEMBER IS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH! I just love my birthday and I LOVE celebrating it for longer than a day!
3. November is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the first of the Holidays and it's the best time of year...until Spring comes along and then I feel like THAT is the best time of year...until Summer comes along and then I feel like THAT is the best time of year....until Fall comes around.....
4. Starbucks red holiday cups come out!
5. This year the boys did not play football and so I am LOVING the fact that we are getting to spend some quality family time more often than not.
6. FALL WEATHER! After a blistering South Texas Summer, I am really enjoying the cooler temperatures that make it much easier to be outside with the kids. (see number 5)
7. Scarves. November means cooler temps (see number 6) so I don't look like such a dork with my scarves around my neck!
8. Christmas movies! As soon as November rolls around, I feel much more validated in the watching of various Christmas that I love including such classics as: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Irving Berlin's White Christmas and The Santa Clause trilogy as well as some newer "classics" such as: Elf, Christmas With The Kranks, and The Polar Express.
Well, that's it. The reasons I love November!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
I'm feeling...
well.
I was really sick a couple of weeks ago and I'm feeling so much better. I'm STILL taking my antibiotics like a good little patient. Finishing all of it is apparently important. I'm just glad I'm better. I have NO TIME to be sick...and on top of that.... there is nothing more annoying and frustrating to me than being sick. Thank you God for making me well.
bummed.
On that note. Abby is sick. She is pitiful and sweet and asleep, finally. She is about as good a sick person as I am. Meaning she will go and go and go until she hits a wall and then she melts into a pile of helpless whiny-ness that is basically unbearable. We've been to the doctor. She has her pills...after all, she is a big girl and liquid is for babies. Not my words, hers - to the doctor!
tired.
Because it's Sunday. Sunday's make me tired. We are up early, and trying to recover from the rest of the weekend in the afternoon and if the work week could be Tuesday-Friday I'd be the happiest person alive.
anxious.
Jacob is working really hard in 4th grade, but is struggling a little in reading/writing. He is, as I said, working REALLY hard and we are praying that things start clicking for him. The same goes for both Caleb and Abby. They are both in Spanish Immersion and, on top of regular school work, learning a new language. Our prayer for them is the same, that sooner rather than later, it would just click.
proud.
Of my husband. He's pretty much awesome. He's G.R.E.A.T. at what he does and has such an AMAZING connection with students.
ready.
For this fall season. We have had a little hint of cooler weather and I have put up some fall decor as well as lit some fall candles. I am ready for fall. I'm ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This promises to be a fun time in our household and I am ready.
short on time.
I keep feeling like I'm running out of time to get things accomplished....and then I tally up my time spent on Pinterest.....
maybe I should reevaluate and prioritize.
done.
with this post ;)
I was really sick a couple of weeks ago and I'm feeling so much better. I'm STILL taking my antibiotics like a good little patient. Finishing all of it is apparently important. I'm just glad I'm better. I have NO TIME to be sick...and on top of that.... there is nothing more annoying and frustrating to me than being sick. Thank you God for making me well.
bummed.
On that note. Abby is sick. She is pitiful and sweet and asleep, finally. She is about as good a sick person as I am. Meaning she will go and go and go until she hits a wall and then she melts into a pile of helpless whiny-ness that is basically unbearable. We've been to the doctor. She has her pills...after all, she is a big girl and liquid is for babies. Not my words, hers - to the doctor!
tired.
Because it's Sunday. Sunday's make me tired. We are up early, and trying to recover from the rest of the weekend in the afternoon and if the work week could be Tuesday-Friday I'd be the happiest person alive.
anxious.
Jacob is working really hard in 4th grade, but is struggling a little in reading/writing. He is, as I said, working REALLY hard and we are praying that things start clicking for him. The same goes for both Caleb and Abby. They are both in Spanish Immersion and, on top of regular school work, learning a new language. Our prayer for them is the same, that sooner rather than later, it would just click.
proud.
Of my husband. He's pretty much awesome. He's G.R.E.A.T. at what he does and has such an AMAZING connection with students.
ready.
For this fall season. We have had a little hint of cooler weather and I have put up some fall decor as well as lit some fall candles. I am ready for fall. I'm ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This promises to be a fun time in our household and I am ready.
short on time.
I keep feeling like I'm running out of time to get things accomplished....and then I tally up my time spent on Pinterest.....
maybe I should reevaluate and prioritize.
done.
with this post ;)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Stream of Consciousness
I'm about to write a blog that is completely stream of consciousness. Something many of my English teachers over the years would highly disapprove of, but they aren't here. I'm in charge of this blog and so I'll do what I want.
Anyway. Tomorrow starts a new journey in our lives. I will begin my first year teaching Kindergarten. I'm excited and nervous and then excited again. Hopefully all goes well. I have 21 students in my class and my principal asked me the other day if I was, "ok with that." First of all, do I have a choice? I didn't say that...I said, "sure, I've got God on my side." Not really sure why that was my answer, but it was and she was really excited/impressed by that. Ok. My kids start school tomorrow too. I now have a 4th grader, a 2nd grader and a 3rd grader. 2/5 of my family will be spending the majority of their day speaking Spanish...that's a little strange. Paul is REALLY excited about all of us going back to school. He will get his days back and and be able to get "a bunch of stuff done."
I'm watching the Cowboys right now and eating popcorn and chomping ice while I write this and I've told my kids to go get back in bed at least a bajillion times since 8:00. Apparently it's too hard to go to sleep "while it's still light outside"! When is Daylight savings time, again?
On a completely other hand. Church in our new building has been really good. No major glitches. Next week is our dedication service and our pastor announced that there will only be one service and sunday school next week which is going to make for, what I'm going to call, a "nursery nightmare" if you will. Oh well, we will get through it!
In other news, some of our best friends are moving in two weeks. I'm happy and sad all at the same time. Happy because it's going to be a better opportunity for him and his job as well as their family. Sad because, seriously? Does it have to be so soon and so far away? Ugh. I keep reminding myself to go back to the part of the story where God is in control. I reluctantly go back to that part of the story and God continually reminds me that His will is best, no matter how I feel about it.
It's now 8:24, the announcers on the game are showing pictures of New York City where it's pouring down rain. We haven't had rain in I don't know how long. It's getting pretty bad around here. It just doesn't matter if we water or not anymore. Everything is dying...even the cactus. Yep. Cactus'?...um....Cacti?....um....Cactuses? oh whatever....anyway....the plants that live in the DESERT are dying!
I just had a wave of nervousness about tomorrow. I really need to get a hold of that. They can smell fear, right? Kindergarteners? oh wait...is that dogs? I'm truly looking forward to this year and one of the things I've done is commit every Monday morning to pray with and for my colleagues and I'm also praying for my class. I hope that more of my colleagues show up as a result of me inviting them over and over. I would love for God to use this opportunity as a way to bring light into a dark place.
Speaking of dark place, I just switched over to CNN during half time. Need I say more...
Ok. I'm done. I'm going to finish up this evening watching mindless tv with my husband and I hope I sleep well tonight.
doubt it.
Anyway. Tomorrow starts a new journey in our lives. I will begin my first year teaching Kindergarten. I'm excited and nervous and then excited again. Hopefully all goes well. I have 21 students in my class and my principal asked me the other day if I was, "ok with that." First of all, do I have a choice? I didn't say that...I said, "sure, I've got God on my side." Not really sure why that was my answer, but it was and she was really excited/impressed by that. Ok. My kids start school tomorrow too. I now have a 4th grader, a 2nd grader and a 3rd grader. 2/5 of my family will be spending the majority of their day speaking Spanish...that's a little strange. Paul is REALLY excited about all of us going back to school. He will get his days back and and be able to get "a bunch of stuff done."
I'm watching the Cowboys right now and eating popcorn and chomping ice while I write this and I've told my kids to go get back in bed at least a bajillion times since 8:00. Apparently it's too hard to go to sleep "while it's still light outside"! When is Daylight savings time, again?
On a completely other hand. Church in our new building has been really good. No major glitches. Next week is our dedication service and our pastor announced that there will only be one service and sunday school next week which is going to make for, what I'm going to call, a "nursery nightmare" if you will. Oh well, we will get through it!
In other news, some of our best friends are moving in two weeks. I'm happy and sad all at the same time. Happy because it's going to be a better opportunity for him and his job as well as their family. Sad because, seriously? Does it have to be so soon and so far away? Ugh. I keep reminding myself to go back to the part of the story where God is in control. I reluctantly go back to that part of the story and God continually reminds me that His will is best, no matter how I feel about it.
It's now 8:24, the announcers on the game are showing pictures of New York City where it's pouring down rain. We haven't had rain in I don't know how long. It's getting pretty bad around here. It just doesn't matter if we water or not anymore. Everything is dying...even the cactus. Yep. Cactus'?...um....Cacti?....um....Cactuses? oh whatever....anyway....the plants that live in the DESERT are dying!
I just had a wave of nervousness about tomorrow. I really need to get a hold of that. They can smell fear, right? Kindergarteners? oh wait...is that dogs? I'm truly looking forward to this year and one of the things I've done is commit every Monday morning to pray with and for my colleagues and I'm also praying for my class. I hope that more of my colleagues show up as a result of me inviting them over and over. I would love for God to use this opportunity as a way to bring light into a dark place.
Speaking of dark place, I just switched over to CNN during half time. Need I say more...
Ok. I'm done. I'm going to finish up this evening watching mindless tv with my husband and I hope I sleep well tonight.
doubt it.
Monday, June 13, 2011
BraveRespectfulAvailableNeighborDevoted
A couple weeks ago our family took a short weekend trip to a nearby lake and stayed in a lake house owned by some dear church members. Paul and I desperately needed some "vacation time" after school let out and this was the perfect opportunity for us to get away and spend some good quality family time.
We got to the house and the first thing the kids noticed was the chess board....so....I taught them to play chess.
I bet they played chess more than 50 times over the weekend. They played with each other, they played with Paul and I. Sometimes they won, sometimes they lost. It was wonderful to watch them play such a thoughtful game and enjoy the company of each other while doing it!.
We watched a lot of Animal Planet and Softball in the evenings. We fished. We did NOT catch....
Paul also had an idea to spend some concentrated Bible Study time as a family. So he used our last name as an acrostic and drew the concepts out of some familiar stories in the Bible. The kids were really excited about this (actually)! So the first night we went through the first two letters of our last name.
B
R
Brave
and
Respectful
Paul taught us the story about David and his friends being taken into Nebedchadnezzar's kingdom. ...you know the one....
David had to be BRAVE to ask the guard to serve him and his friends different food. He also had to be RESPECTFUL when he asked the guard because if he were rude or disrespectful his request might not have been granted.
The kids really grabbed ahold of the concepts...maybe a little TOO well! They started correcting each other throughout the day saying, "that's not respectful" and "just be brave and go get me a drink".
The next day was the story of the good Samaritan and the letters
A
N
Available
and
Neighbor
He told us the story and then we watched a You Tube video depicting the story through Legos! Yep, that got their attention! It also got the point across. We talked about how being available doesn't mean just "being around" but it means to also be WILLING to help someone in need and being a neighbor is not just the "next door" kind but making yourself available to others in love and compassion and kindness.
Again, the kids really "got it"!
They started calling each other out about being available and neighborly! Paul and I were glad they were getting the points of our Bible stories and concepts, but we had to keep reminding them to actually BE respectful to each other while they were reminding each other of the other things we talked about.
And finally...
D
Devoted
This one brought everything full circle. The reason why David needed to be brave and respectful was because he was devoted to God. God was more important than the King's diet and so he devoted himself to God and bravely and respectfully asked for new food. The reason the Samaritan stopped to help the robbed man was because his devotion to God caused him to have love and compassion for the hurt man.
I got another idea to extend these lessons even further....I'm pretty sure it was a God thing. Since there are 5 of us and 5 letters in our last name, I had the idea to do a family art project. Each of us took a letter and a concept and painted a picture. After praying about our pictures....this is what resulted....
Caleb had "B" for "brave". His painting is of the letter B with big muscles showing that he's brave.
Love.
Paul had "R" for "respectful". His painting is of two people (stick people ;) of course) being respectful to each other.
Love.
Abby had "A" for "available". Her painting (clearly) is of Daddy helping to change someone else's tire on the side of the road. Can you see it?
Love.
Jacob had "N" for "neighbor". His painting is of a "spiky haired guy" working on his friends 4X4. It's not his next door neighbor...he's being a neighbor because loves his friend enough to help him... in case you didn't know. ;)
Love.
I had "D" for "devoted". I was wondering how I was going to paint "devoted" but when I asked the kids what it meant I got my answer. Caleb answered, "Devoted is like 'sticking to' something!" Yes! So I painted "sticky notes" with notes about the things that our family is devoted to.
Love.
This art will be displayed proudly in my kitchen very soon and
I.
LOVE.
IT.
We got to the house and the first thing the kids noticed was the chess board....so....I taught them to play chess.
I bet they played chess more than 50 times over the weekend. They played with each other, they played with Paul and I. Sometimes they won, sometimes they lost. It was wonderful to watch them play such a thoughtful game and enjoy the company of each other while doing it!.
We watched a lot of Animal Planet and Softball in the evenings. We fished. We did NOT catch....
Paul also had an idea to spend some concentrated Bible Study time as a family. So he used our last name as an acrostic and drew the concepts out of some familiar stories in the Bible. The kids were really excited about this (actually)! So the first night we went through the first two letters of our last name.
B
R
Brave
and
Respectful
Paul taught us the story about David and his friends being taken into Nebedchadnezzar's kingdom. ...you know the one....
David had to be BRAVE to ask the guard to serve him and his friends different food. He also had to be RESPECTFUL when he asked the guard because if he were rude or disrespectful his request might not have been granted.
The kids really grabbed ahold of the concepts...maybe a little TOO well! They started correcting each other throughout the day saying, "that's not respectful" and "just be brave and go get me a drink".
The next day was the story of the good Samaritan and the letters
A
N
Available
and
Neighbor
He told us the story and then we watched a You Tube video depicting the story through Legos! Yep, that got their attention! It also got the point across. We talked about how being available doesn't mean just "being around" but it means to also be WILLING to help someone in need and being a neighbor is not just the "next door" kind but making yourself available to others in love and compassion and kindness.
Again, the kids really "got it"!
They started calling each other out about being available and neighborly! Paul and I were glad they were getting the points of our Bible stories and concepts, but we had to keep reminding them to actually BE respectful to each other while they were reminding each other of the other things we talked about.
And finally...
D
Devoted
This one brought everything full circle. The reason why David needed to be brave and respectful was because he was devoted to God. God was more important than the King's diet and so he devoted himself to God and bravely and respectfully asked for new food. The reason the Samaritan stopped to help the robbed man was because his devotion to God caused him to have love and compassion for the hurt man.
I got another idea to extend these lessons even further....I'm pretty sure it was a God thing. Since there are 5 of us and 5 letters in our last name, I had the idea to do a family art project. Each of us took a letter and a concept and painted a picture. After praying about our pictures....this is what resulted....
Caleb had "B" for "brave". His painting is of the letter B with big muscles showing that he's brave.
Love.
Paul had "R" for "respectful". His painting is of two people (stick people ;) of course) being respectful to each other.
Love.
Abby had "A" for "available". Her painting (clearly) is of Daddy helping to change someone else's tire on the side of the road. Can you see it?
Love.
Jacob had "N" for "neighbor". His painting is of a "spiky haired guy" working on his friends 4X4. It's not his next door neighbor...he's being a neighbor because loves his friend enough to help him... in case you didn't know. ;)
Love.
I had "D" for "devoted". I was wondering how I was going to paint "devoted" but when I asked the kids what it meant I got my answer. Caleb answered, "Devoted is like 'sticking to' something!" Yes! So I painted "sticky notes" with notes about the things that our family is devoted to.
Love.
This art will be displayed proudly in my kitchen very soon and
I.
LOVE.
IT.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
A Mother's Day Overview
It all started last night at dinner. Paul and the kids made me dinner and each had a WONDERFUL thing to say about me and my "mom skills". Then we played a very "serious" game of Ninja and hung out as a family.
I was woken up this morning by my three beautiful children, each bearing a hand-drawn card they had made for me. My husband got them all ready for church and then took them to Starbucks to get my favorite cup of coffee. We worshipped together as a family and then went to lunch with some friends.
After lunch we headed out to a Missions game, where much more fun was in store for us!
When we got there we found out that moms and their kids got to go onto the field for the National anthem. While we were on the field Caleb and Jacob got to take a ground ball from a Missions player and keep the ball!
Our seats were directly behind the dugout...which was handy for the kids to put their drinks on! So every time the Missions came in from the field the kids called for a ball from a player. Finally in the 9th inning, Abby got a ball from a player. At the end of the 7th inning, I got to go up on top of the dugout and play a game...and I WON a $25 gift certificate!
At the end of the game we hung around the entrance to the locker room and got some autographs.
I was such a FUN day! Happy Mother's Day to me!
I was woken up this morning by my three beautiful children, each bearing a hand-drawn card they had made for me. My husband got them all ready for church and then took them to Starbucks to get my favorite cup of coffee. We worshipped together as a family and then went to lunch with some friends.
After lunch we headed out to a Missions game, where much more fun was in store for us!
When we got there we found out that moms and their kids got to go onto the field for the National anthem. While we were on the field Caleb and Jacob got to take a ground ball from a Missions player and keep the ball!
Our seats were directly behind the dugout...which was handy for the kids to put their drinks on! So every time the Missions came in from the field the kids called for a ball from a player. Finally in the 9th inning, Abby got a ball from a player. At the end of the 7th inning, I got to go up on top of the dugout and play a game...and I WON a $25 gift certificate!
At the end of the game we hung around the entrance to the locker room and got some autographs.
I was such a FUN day! Happy Mother's Day to me!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Gun Strategy
So I've been sitting here with my computer open for almost the entire episode of The Biggest Loser trying to figure out what to write about. There are many things. Do I want to talk about all the good things that God is doing in my life? Do I want to be profound and talk about what I'm learning? Do I want to toot my own horn and talk about how well my classes are doing? Do I want to be a proud mama and talk about how well my kids are doing in school? Do I want to talk about how busy the schedule is right now? ...so busy that my husband and I have literally put family time and date time on the calendar.... Do I want to talk about all the baseball successes in our family right now?
no....
I want to talk about Jacob's TAKS strategy.
A little background. Over the past few weeks, Jacob's teacher and I have been talking about Jacob's reading strategy... specifically for TAKS. His reading grades have not been super over the last few weeks. He just has a hard time focusing on passages that are pages long! For goodness sake! He's NINE! Anyway.... He's been bring home 70's and 50's to correct over the last few weeks. Not great. So yesterday Paul took him out of school early and had a guys day. They went to the shooting range to shoot Paul's handgun and then to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodderick Rules. They both had a great time and this morning on the way to school Jacob and I came up with a new reading strategy.
It's called the Gun Strategy. It goes like this....
1. loading the clip = reading the passage the first time
2. putting the gun on safety = reading the passage again to gain understanding
3. taking aim at the target = reading the question and marking the paragraph for important information
4. Firing = answering the question correctly
So I let his teacher (WHO IS F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.) in on the strategy and she thought it was a great idea because it speaks to Jacob and his interests. She also told me that he would have a couple of times to practice today. So this afternoon I get a text from Jacob/Paul with a picture and the caption "The Gun Strategy WORKS!"
Well....see for yourself!
no....
I want to talk about Jacob's TAKS strategy.
A little background. Over the past few weeks, Jacob's teacher and I have been talking about Jacob's reading strategy... specifically for TAKS. His reading grades have not been super over the last few weeks. He just has a hard time focusing on passages that are pages long! For goodness sake! He's NINE! Anyway.... He's been bring home 70's and 50's to correct over the last few weeks. Not great. So yesterday Paul took him out of school early and had a guys day. They went to the shooting range to shoot Paul's handgun and then to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodderick Rules. They both had a great time and this morning on the way to school Jacob and I came up with a new reading strategy.
It's called the Gun Strategy. It goes like this....
1. loading the clip = reading the passage the first time
2. putting the gun on safety = reading the passage again to gain understanding
3. taking aim at the target = reading the question and marking the paragraph for important information
4. Firing = answering the question correctly
So I let his teacher (WHO IS F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.) in on the strategy and she thought it was a great idea because it speaks to Jacob and his interests. She also told me that he would have a couple of times to practice today. So this afternoon I get a text from Jacob/Paul with a picture and the caption "The Gun Strategy WORKS!"
Well....see for yourself!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
70 years of marriage
My Grandparents are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary next week. SEVENTY YEARS! Is that unimaginable to anyone else? I mean, Paul and I have been married for 11 years and it feels like a long time...not in a bad way, just the passage of a lot of time. I cannot even imagine 70 years. A few facts about the year they were married, 1941
* Lenn T. Seaborg isolates and discovers plutonium
* First issue of "Captain America" comes out
* Cheerios was introduced
* The New York Yankees win the world series
* Walt Disney releases "Dumbo"
* "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Glenn Miller gets the first gold record
* The first solid-body electric guitar is made by Les Paul
* Gas was $.19, bread was $.08, a house was $6954.00, a car was $925, and minium wage was $.30 an hour
Things sure have changed. One thing that has stayed the same, through 70 years, is the love that my grandparents share. I pray I get to love my husband for 70 years.
* Lenn T. Seaborg isolates and discovers plutonium
* First issue of "Captain America" comes out
* Cheerios was introduced
* The New York Yankees win the world series
* Walt Disney releases "Dumbo"
* "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Glenn Miller gets the first gold record
* The first solid-body electric guitar is made by Les Paul
* Gas was $.19, bread was $.08, a house was $6954.00, a car was $925, and minium wage was $.30 an hour
Things sure have changed. One thing that has stayed the same, through 70 years, is the love that my grandparents share. I pray I get to love my husband for 70 years.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
THIS is what I've been wanting to say....
This is what I have been wanting to say for some time now. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one dealing with this spirit of infirmity in our household.
I'm also pleased to report that God is answering prayers and moving mightily in other ways!
Check it out!
I have no idea how to link to the actual page...so I just copied and pasted it.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go
The Jones family has been under the weather for the last week. I came down with some kind of weird stomach bug last Sunday night. I tossed and turned all night with a horrible stomach ache that stuck around for several days. I finally consulted Dr. Google, who diagnosed me with a stomach ulcer. That would make sense since I tend to be an overly anxious person. Remember my resolution not to freak out about things?
When Jackson started complaining of a stomach ache on Wednesday, I knew my problem had been a virus and not an ulcer. That's good news. The bad news is that Jackson had to go through it and now a week later, this virus is still in our house! Jackson refused his breakfast this morning and said his stomach hurt. It sort of appeared as though he'd learned to wield the power of the bowel complaint and was using it dishonestly. Surely the virus was not still in his body five days later. I busied myself getting ready and we finally got in the car to leave. A minute down the road Jackson's complaints got louder and his face was as white as a sheet. Curtis turned the car around to drop us back off at home and I started crying. I just wanted to have a normal Sunday! My attitude was pitiful. The kids and I had missed Wednesday night church because of this, too. I was and am so ready for everyone to be healthy and for us to get our lives back to normal.
I had Jackson lay down in his bed and he didn't fight me. That's a pretty good sign that he wasn't bluffing. A few minutes later he was in the bathroom puking. Bless his heart. My pouty attitude quickly changed to compassion and thankfulness that God did not let Jackson get sick in the car or at church. This was the first time we've seen puke all week and I'm definitely grateful for that. Hopefully this is an extension of the first bug and not a new one. Ugh!
So many weird health issues have come up lately that I'm wondering if there is a spiritual component to all of it. If the Lord brings us to mind, will you pray for my family that this infirmity would leave our house? I know without a doubt that there is a spiritual battle going on around our family - and yours too - and I would be grateful for any of my friends' prayers for our marriage and children.
As weird as this sounds, when we turned off our TV we became much more aware of the battle. For example, one day I started feeling unreasonably afraid for my kids' safety. It had been quite a while since I'd fretted about it and this paralyzing fear came out of nowhere. I might have blamed it on something scary I'd seen on TV, but that was no longer an issue. Because I was able to discern the source of this fear as darkness and not truth, it was easier to reject it and not let it set up shop in my mind. (I'm sorry I keep talking about the TV thing, but it has brought so much fruit into our lives.)
God is building our faith and giving us vision, which is incredibly exciting. He is answering prayers that we've been praying for years, but it has definitely turned up the heat. Pray that we will not shrink back from the enemy's intimidation, but that we will fight the good fight and believe our powerful, almighty God. Thank you, friends.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
The web address is...
http://babybangs.blogspot.com/
I'm also pleased to report that God is answering prayers and moving mightily in other ways!
Check it out!
I have no idea how to link to the actual page...so I just copied and pasted it.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go
The Jones family has been under the weather for the last week. I came down with some kind of weird stomach bug last Sunday night. I tossed and turned all night with a horrible stomach ache that stuck around for several days. I finally consulted Dr. Google, who diagnosed me with a stomach ulcer. That would make sense since I tend to be an overly anxious person. Remember my resolution not to freak out about things?
When Jackson started complaining of a stomach ache on Wednesday, I knew my problem had been a virus and not an ulcer. That's good news. The bad news is that Jackson had to go through it and now a week later, this virus is still in our house! Jackson refused his breakfast this morning and said his stomach hurt. It sort of appeared as though he'd learned to wield the power of the bowel complaint and was using it dishonestly. Surely the virus was not still in his body five days later. I busied myself getting ready and we finally got in the car to leave. A minute down the road Jackson's complaints got louder and his face was as white as a sheet. Curtis turned the car around to drop us back off at home and I started crying. I just wanted to have a normal Sunday! My attitude was pitiful. The kids and I had missed Wednesday night church because of this, too. I was and am so ready for everyone to be healthy and for us to get our lives back to normal.
I had Jackson lay down in his bed and he didn't fight me. That's a pretty good sign that he wasn't bluffing. A few minutes later he was in the bathroom puking. Bless his heart. My pouty attitude quickly changed to compassion and thankfulness that God did not let Jackson get sick in the car or at church. This was the first time we've seen puke all week and I'm definitely grateful for that. Hopefully this is an extension of the first bug and not a new one. Ugh!
So many weird health issues have come up lately that I'm wondering if there is a spiritual component to all of it. If the Lord brings us to mind, will you pray for my family that this infirmity would leave our house? I know without a doubt that there is a spiritual battle going on around our family - and yours too - and I would be grateful for any of my friends' prayers for our marriage and children.
As weird as this sounds, when we turned off our TV we became much more aware of the battle. For example, one day I started feeling unreasonably afraid for my kids' safety. It had been quite a while since I'd fretted about it and this paralyzing fear came out of nowhere. I might have blamed it on something scary I'd seen on TV, but that was no longer an issue. Because I was able to discern the source of this fear as darkness and not truth, it was easier to reject it and not let it set up shop in my mind. (I'm sorry I keep talking about the TV thing, but it has brought so much fruit into our lives.)
God is building our faith and giving us vision, which is incredibly exciting. He is answering prayers that we've been praying for years, but it has definitely turned up the heat. Pray that we will not shrink back from the enemy's intimidation, but that we will fight the good fight and believe our powerful, almighty God. Thank you, friends.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
The web address is...
http://babybangs.blogspot.com/
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The sickness/bacteria/germs in this post are just staggering, I tell you.
So I walk into the waiting room and the receptionist says, "Have you been here before?" And I look at her and in my funny and yet sarcastic, drop.dead.serious. voice I say, "Oh yes. This is my third time here in a week...but I'm out of children now so I don't anticipate coming back any time soon." She looked at me with an, "I'm really sorry I asked/I'm really sorry" look and handed me the SAME EXACT piece of paper that I have already initialed TWICE in a week so that I can initial it yet again...this time...barely legible. halfway on purpose. not really. ok kind of.
But let me start at the beginning.
A long, long time ago.....scratch that.
Ten days ago, Caleb started feeling pretty yucky because of the huge-gantic, ginormical pollen count that we have been experiencing here in the hill country. Paul took him to the Urgent Care on Friday and they determined that he had tonsilitis. So they gave him some meds and we began the process to healing...so we thought.
On Sunday he was still feeling really crappy and so I took him back to the Urgent Care and after long minutes and waiting and consoling my child who looked and felt h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e. they determined that on top of his tonsilitis he also had the flu. Good times. So we started more meds and NOW we are on the road to recovery...for real this time.
Skip to Tuesday. Caleb is back at school. Jacob is home from school. That's right. Jacob woke me up at 4:00 am with a significant fever. I took Caleb and Abby to school and then took Jacob back to the Urgent Care. I told them about Caleb, so they started with the flu test. Which by the way, takes 15 minutes to process. Do you know what there is to do in an exam room that is 1.way to warm and 2.way to small and 3.way to beige. Nothing...except for maybe look at my options for kicking my husbands tail at Words with Friends. ...anyway, back to the flu test. Negative. What? Are you sure? (that's what I said!) So on to the strep test. Positive. So they gave him some meds and we began the process to healing...so we thought.
Jacob did not bounce back from the strep like I felt he should and so for 5 days he laid on the couch and bed, eating nothing, drinking little and spiking high fevers every 4-6 hours. Today, Saturday if your counting, was the first day that he was upright and he ate 3 meals today...a record for the week.
But wait! I'm not done!
Abby has been complaining about her head hurting for the last couple of days. On Friday I really thought she was playing the "how come the boys get to miss school and I don't" card, so we let her stay home. She was spiking fevers every 4-6 hours all day on Saturday and we had decided to just let the sickness run its course. Until...
She was crying and her fever was on fire! I gave her some Tylenol and took her to the "Agent Care" (aka Urgent Care). That's when I had the little banter with the reception that I opened with. Fast forward.
And we waited and waited for Abby's flu test to be done. Side note: She was wearing her "What happens in Kindergarten, stays in Kindergarten" shirt and she said, "Mommy What GERMS happen in Kindergarten do NOT STAY in Kindergarten, they come home with me and get me sick!" We had a good little chuckle over that! Anyway...Abby tested negative for the flu and negative for strep. The doctor remembered me and Jacob and asked how he was. When I told her about his week long affair, she apologized and told me she should have gone with her gut. Which was to treat him for both flu and strep. That's just what she did for Abby. So they gave her some meds and we begin the process to healing...I hope, I pray.
I do not want to go back to the "Agent Care" no matter how nice they are.
Urgent Care Co-pay1 - $30
Meds round 1 - $48
Urgent Care Co-pay2 - $30
Meds round 2 - $132
Urgent Care Co-pay3 - $30
Meds round 3 - $8
Urgent Care Co-pay4 - $30
Meds round 4 - $132
...not to mention the countless bottles of Tylenol and Motrin...I've lost count
Being able to say, "My children are well." - I'll pay anything.
But let me start at the beginning.
A long, long time ago.....scratch that.
Ten days ago, Caleb started feeling pretty yucky because of the huge-gantic, ginormical pollen count that we have been experiencing here in the hill country. Paul took him to the Urgent Care on Friday and they determined that he had tonsilitis. So they gave him some meds and we began the process to healing...so we thought.
On Sunday he was still feeling really crappy and so I took him back to the Urgent Care and after long minutes and waiting and consoling my child who looked and felt h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e. they determined that on top of his tonsilitis he also had the flu. Good times. So we started more meds and NOW we are on the road to recovery...for real this time.
Skip to Tuesday. Caleb is back at school. Jacob is home from school. That's right. Jacob woke me up at 4:00 am with a significant fever. I took Caleb and Abby to school and then took Jacob back to the Urgent Care. I told them about Caleb, so they started with the flu test. Which by the way, takes 15 minutes to process. Do you know what there is to do in an exam room that is 1.way to warm and 2.way to small and 3.way to beige. Nothing...except for maybe look at my options for kicking my husbands tail at Words with Friends. ...anyway, back to the flu test. Negative. What? Are you sure? (that's what I said!) So on to the strep test. Positive. So they gave him some meds and we began the process to healing...so we thought.
Jacob did not bounce back from the strep like I felt he should and so for 5 days he laid on the couch and bed, eating nothing, drinking little and spiking high fevers every 4-6 hours. Today, Saturday if your counting, was the first day that he was upright and he ate 3 meals today...a record for the week.
But wait! I'm not done!
Abby has been complaining about her head hurting for the last couple of days. On Friday I really thought she was playing the "how come the boys get to miss school and I don't" card, so we let her stay home. She was spiking fevers every 4-6 hours all day on Saturday and we had decided to just let the sickness run its course. Until...
She was crying and her fever was on fire! I gave her some Tylenol and took her to the "Agent Care" (aka Urgent Care). That's when I had the little banter with the reception that I opened with. Fast forward.
And we waited and waited for Abby's flu test to be done. Side note: She was wearing her "What happens in Kindergarten, stays in Kindergarten" shirt and she said, "Mommy What GERMS happen in Kindergarten do NOT STAY in Kindergarten, they come home with me and get me sick!" We had a good little chuckle over that! Anyway...Abby tested negative for the flu and negative for strep. The doctor remembered me and Jacob and asked how he was. When I told her about his week long affair, she apologized and told me she should have gone with her gut. Which was to treat him for both flu and strep. That's just what she did for Abby. So they gave her some meds and we begin the process to healing...I hope, I pray.
I do not want to go back to the "Agent Care" no matter how nice they are.
Urgent Care Co-pay1 - $30
Meds round 1 - $48
Urgent Care Co-pay2 - $30
Meds round 2 - $132
Urgent Care Co-pay3 - $30
Meds round 3 - $8
Urgent Care Co-pay4 - $30
Meds round 4 - $132
...not to mention the countless bottles of Tylenol and Motrin...I've lost count
Being able to say, "My children are well." - I'll pay anything.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Warning...this post is raw feelings and emotion. Reader beware.
Well I hope you took heed to the warning in the title!
This is a post that is coming from a pretty raw place in my life right now. It all started almost a year ago when Paul and I really felt like God was calling me into a new place in my life. I went back to "school" and got my teaching certificate. (and by "school", I mean, 6 weeks of intense classes, reading, projects and a significant amount of money)
I finished and all I needed was a teaching job to complete the process. We felt so confident in the way that God was leading us. I had my first interview in May 2010 and waited and waited and waited to hear about the coveted job that I was seeking.
Well fast forward 8 months to January 2011. I have now been through the interview process 4...FOUR times and still have very little to show for it.
Don't get me wrong, I have a job, with the district, that I like. Which is MUCH more than many people have and for that, I am grateful. However I am so far away from where I thought I would be! I thought I would be in a Kindergarten classroom by now, teaching, using my gifts and knowledge.
Instead I have an aid position teaching preschoolers. Not a bad gig at all....just not the direction that I thought God was moving me.
I now have been passed over again. I will get to move to my kids' school (for those that know the full story) but it is a lateral move to another aid position. Please hear my heart when I say, I am THANKFUL that I get to move to my kids' school...again...just not at all where I thought I would be at this point.
Maybe my expectations were too high. But is that really possible with God? Is it possible for my expectations to be higher that His? I of course don't think so. Somewhere I went wrong, though. Or I'm not understanding His ways that are clearly higher than mine. Is He protecting me from something? Is He holding out on me? Is He saving something better for me?
For whatever reason, I know with my head that His best is always BEST. I struggle with believing that with the rest of my heart though. Because I cannot fathom what is better. I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought I knew what would best suit me. Apparently, I don't.
I'm so frustrated. Have I don't something so wrong that God is punishing me for my disobedience? Am I so far out of God's will that I can't even hear or trust Him with my decision? Honestly, I don't know.
I KNOW with all of my being that God has control and knows what is best for me. I also know that just because things are hard doesn't mean I'm out of God's will. But I. am. struggling. deeply.
This is arguably one of the hardest journey's I have been on with the Lord. I find it very difficult to decipher His voice from my wants and desires. My husband helps. a lot. but I must struggle through this. Honestly my desires and wishes continue to push to the front and it's a constant battle to hold them back long enough for me to hear what the Lord is saying to me. It's a constant battle with my flesh to hold back what I want in order to do what God wants.
...and I'm terrible at it...
God is still answering prayers for me though. For the longest time...and by longest time, I mean, this semester... I have wanted to be at the same school as my kids. That prayer has been answered...although...I'm so jilted about this whole process that I'm sort of at a "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude. I confess that attitude as sin though. I'm also to the point that I'm expressing my frustration to God. I believe He delights in my honesty and yet seems to be holding back on me in the answer department.
Of course I don't believe that God is really holding out on me. He can do as He wishes and is in control...as much as I'll let Him be. Which is another area that I am struggling in. big.time.
What I really want is to hear Him more clearly in this situation. AND for His will to be my will. The problem is what I struggle with is I want my desires to be His will and at the same time MUST remain in His will because I KNOW it's the best place to be.
However, I can't see the forest for the trees. I can't hear God's direction because I'm so focused on what I thought He wanted for me. UGH!
I'm ready for this entire saga to be over, but I'm afraid it won't be over until I've learned what I'm supposed to learn from it. So I'm praying that God will be the Revealer to me over the next hours, days, weeks.
Above all, with tears streaming down my face, ABOVE ALL, I want more than anything to be in God's will for my life and for my family. I want what He wants, no matter how hard it is. I'm willing to do whatever. I may go kicking and screaming at times, but I'm going. I will serve Him. I will praise Him. I will trust Him.
Because I know He cares for me.
This is a post that is coming from a pretty raw place in my life right now. It all started almost a year ago when Paul and I really felt like God was calling me into a new place in my life. I went back to "school" and got my teaching certificate. (and by "school", I mean, 6 weeks of intense classes, reading, projects and a significant amount of money)
I finished and all I needed was a teaching job to complete the process. We felt so confident in the way that God was leading us. I had my first interview in May 2010 and waited and waited and waited to hear about the coveted job that I was seeking.
Well fast forward 8 months to January 2011. I have now been through the interview process 4...FOUR times and still have very little to show for it.
Don't get me wrong, I have a job, with the district, that I like. Which is MUCH more than many people have and for that, I am grateful. However I am so far away from where I thought I would be! I thought I would be in a Kindergarten classroom by now, teaching, using my gifts and knowledge.
Instead I have an aid position teaching preschoolers. Not a bad gig at all....just not the direction that I thought God was moving me.
I now have been passed over again. I will get to move to my kids' school (for those that know the full story) but it is a lateral move to another aid position. Please hear my heart when I say, I am THANKFUL that I get to move to my kids' school...again...just not at all where I thought I would be at this point.
Maybe my expectations were too high. But is that really possible with God? Is it possible for my expectations to be higher that His? I of course don't think so. Somewhere I went wrong, though. Or I'm not understanding His ways that are clearly higher than mine. Is He protecting me from something? Is He holding out on me? Is He saving something better for me?
For whatever reason, I know with my head that His best is always BEST. I struggle with believing that with the rest of my heart though. Because I cannot fathom what is better. I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought I knew what would best suit me. Apparently, I don't.
I'm so frustrated. Have I don't something so wrong that God is punishing me for my disobedience? Am I so far out of God's will that I can't even hear or trust Him with my decision? Honestly, I don't know.
I KNOW with all of my being that God has control and knows what is best for me. I also know that just because things are hard doesn't mean I'm out of God's will. But I. am. struggling. deeply.
This is arguably one of the hardest journey's I have been on with the Lord. I find it very difficult to decipher His voice from my wants and desires. My husband helps. a lot. but I must struggle through this. Honestly my desires and wishes continue to push to the front and it's a constant battle to hold them back long enough for me to hear what the Lord is saying to me. It's a constant battle with my flesh to hold back what I want in order to do what God wants.
...and I'm terrible at it...
God is still answering prayers for me though. For the longest time...and by longest time, I mean, this semester... I have wanted to be at the same school as my kids. That prayer has been answered...although...I'm so jilted about this whole process that I'm sort of at a "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude. I confess that attitude as sin though. I'm also to the point that I'm expressing my frustration to God. I believe He delights in my honesty and yet seems to be holding back on me in the answer department.
Of course I don't believe that God is really holding out on me. He can do as He wishes and is in control...as much as I'll let Him be. Which is another area that I am struggling in. big.time.
What I really want is to hear Him more clearly in this situation. AND for His will to be my will. The problem is what I struggle with is I want my desires to be His will and at the same time MUST remain in His will because I KNOW it's the best place to be.
However, I can't see the forest for the trees. I can't hear God's direction because I'm so focused on what I thought He wanted for me. UGH!
I'm ready for this entire saga to be over, but I'm afraid it won't be over until I've learned what I'm supposed to learn from it. So I'm praying that God will be the Revealer to me over the next hours, days, weeks.
Above all, with tears streaming down my face, ABOVE ALL, I want more than anything to be in God's will for my life and for my family. I want what He wants, no matter how hard it is. I'm willing to do whatever. I may go kicking and screaming at times, but I'm going. I will serve Him. I will praise Him. I will trust Him.
Because I know He cares for me.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
On Thanksgiving Day
This is the turkey that sat on a plate
On the table just before everyone ate
On Thanksgiving Day
This is a turkey the little ones made
Telling of the thanks that we gave
On Thanksgiving Day
These are the rolls that across the table were thrown
By children of all ages including those grown
On Thanksgiving Day
This is end of the table number one
Where the kids sat and had great fun
On Thanksgiving Day
This is Mattie Lynn as cute as can be
Sitting directly in front of the cooked turkey
On Thanksgiving Day
This is cutie pie Caleb Paul
Who sat by the stuffing that stuffed us all
On Thanksgiving Day
This is Abby Sue
Posing at the table just for you
On Thanksgiving Day
This is Brayden who is saying hurry
I'm ready to dive into some yummy turkey
On Thanksgiving Day
This is Jacob showing his name card
Knowing that eating the turkey would not be hard
On Thanksgiving Day
There were so many memories
To many to really share
Like my grandpa telling old war stories
Of his bravery there
And all of my family together again
On Thanksgiving Day 2010
On the table just before everyone ate
On Thanksgiving Day
This is a turkey the little ones made
Telling of the thanks that we gave
On Thanksgiving Day
These are the rolls that across the table were thrown
By children of all ages including those grown
On Thanksgiving Day
This is end of the table number one
Where the kids sat and had great fun
On Thanksgiving Day
This is Mattie Lynn as cute as can be
Sitting directly in front of the cooked turkey
On Thanksgiving Day
This is cutie pie Caleb Paul
Who sat by the stuffing that stuffed us all
On Thanksgiving Day
This is Abby Sue
Posing at the table just for you
On Thanksgiving Day
This is Brayden who is saying hurry
I'm ready to dive into some yummy turkey
On Thanksgiving Day
This is Jacob showing his name card
Knowing that eating the turkey would not be hard
On Thanksgiving Day
There were so many memories
To many to really share
Like my grandpa telling old war stories
Of his bravery there
And all of my family together again
On Thanksgiving Day 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Phone Photo Phun
Well it's been a month since my last post and I just don't think I'm going to win the "blogger of the year" award this year! Oh well, there's always next year...
Anyway, here are a few of the latest pics from my phone...hence the name Phone Photo Phun!
Now, before proceeding, you have to promise not to judge. We put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. I used to have a fairly strict rule about this, but a couple of years ago I decided that this was supposed to be FUN. It was supposed to be about my family being together and celebrating CHRISTmas. So from then on we have just been having some family fun nights when the schedule allows and put things up gradually and it's no stress. Tonight was one of those nights...and here are the results!
Here is the boys tree. Sports of course.
Here is the top of Abby's tree...just thought I'd tell you in case you couldn't tell...
Here is Abby's tree...it basically throws up purple...and that's just the way she likes it!
Here is the top of the boys tree...
Here is Abby's favorite ornament on her tree. It is a ballerina from the Night Before Christmas Ballet.
The boys tree is not a fair-weather tree. We are fans, for real.
Anyway, here are a few of the latest pics from my phone...hence the name Phone Photo Phun!
Now, before proceeding, you have to promise not to judge. We put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. I used to have a fairly strict rule about this, but a couple of years ago I decided that this was supposed to be FUN. It was supposed to be about my family being together and celebrating CHRISTmas. So from then on we have just been having some family fun nights when the schedule allows and put things up gradually and it's no stress. Tonight was one of those nights...and here are the results!
Here is the boys tree. Sports of course.
Here is the top of Abby's tree...just thought I'd tell you in case you couldn't tell...
Here is Abby's tree...it basically throws up purple...and that's just the way she likes it!
Here is the top of the boys tree...
Here is Abby's favorite ornament on her tree. It is a ballerina from the Night Before Christmas Ballet.
The boys tree is not a fair-weather tree. We are fans, for real.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Schedule and all the Craziness That Surrounds Us Right Now.
So let's start with last weekend.
The inlaws...mine, not Paul's...came into town to spend the weekend with us and watch the kiddos play football/cheer. Both of the boys played hard, but ended up losing and Abby danced/cheered really well. We ate out alot, specifically at Rudy's, and went shopping. In fact I'm pretty sure I graced the Target entrance THREE times in the weekend! Hey, people...things had to be purchased...and *shocker alert* I wasn't super organized about the list of things we needed so that warranted the three trips. Oh well, I can always blow some time and money in Target!
Sunday was church and all the things that go with it, for us. During the second service on Sunday, our children's minister had a "meeting" (for lack of a better term)for anyone who wanted to hear more about accepting Jesus as their Savior. Jacob decided to take his best friend up to the meeting. After hearing the presentation, Jacob and I talked with his friend and he decided to accept Jesus as his Savior! I was so excited for him AND for Jacob! He is 8 years old! He told his best friend about Jesus because he cared for him. It was such an exciting time!
Monday....hmmmm....Monday was school and Bible study and football practice. Pretty standard these days!
Tuesday....again pretty standard. Paul had band practice for Fields of Faith and I took the kids to eat and shop for the THREE birthday presents we had to get! That's right...all three of my kids are giving out birthday presents this weekend. Apparently, 9 months prior to this weekend was a poplular time - 9 years ago, 6 years ago and 1 year ago. So we went to IHOP for dinner, because pancakes for dinner is always a winner. I was really excited to spend some fun time with the kiddos. We were sitting in the booth at IHOP and Caleb looked at me and said "Mi gusta IHOP, mommy!" I just gave him a BIG smile and thanked God that Spanish Immersion is working!
Wednesday was CRAZY. We got pulled over by two Comal Co. Sherriff's IN OUR DRIVEWAY! That's a funny story I'll tell you one day. I went to work. Paul went to work. Paul got the kids from school and took them to the football field while he set up for Fields of Faith. Then I got the kids from the field and took them to another football field for Jacob's practice.
That brings us to today. School, out to eat...AGAIN! (This has got to stop soon!) and then to praise team practice. While Paul set up his drums, me and the kids played four square in the gym. We sang for an hour and then home. All are in bed. All is well.
Paul and I have a day date planned for Saturday after the football games! We are going shopping with my first paycheck! Yahoo! I'll try not to spend it all...but my son, God love him, (which is code for "I'm glad it's not me!") has very few items of clothing to wear for the upcoming winter months. We have had a few chilly mornings here and his sweatshirts are all 3/4 length sleeves! He put on a pair of wind pants today and he needed to wear long socks...
Of course I'll be shopping for me too! I can only wear jeans on Fridays so that means I need some more pants! ...and maybe shoes, shirts, jackets...etc!
And on a completely random note. It is 9:58pm and there are construction workers next door at the church with all of their beep beep beeping and lights and tractor/big machine thing-y noises. That could be annoying.
That is all. Thank you.
The inlaws...mine, not Paul's...came into town to spend the weekend with us and watch the kiddos play football/cheer. Both of the boys played hard, but ended up losing and Abby danced/cheered really well. We ate out alot, specifically at Rudy's, and went shopping. In fact I'm pretty sure I graced the Target entrance THREE times in the weekend! Hey, people...things had to be purchased...and *shocker alert* I wasn't super organized about the list of things we needed so that warranted the three trips. Oh well, I can always blow some time and money in Target!
Sunday was church and all the things that go with it, for us. During the second service on Sunday, our children's minister had a "meeting" (for lack of a better term)for anyone who wanted to hear more about accepting Jesus as their Savior. Jacob decided to take his best friend up to the meeting. After hearing the presentation, Jacob and I talked with his friend and he decided to accept Jesus as his Savior! I was so excited for him AND for Jacob! He is 8 years old! He told his best friend about Jesus because he cared for him. It was such an exciting time!
Monday....hmmmm....Monday was school and Bible study and football practice. Pretty standard these days!
Tuesday....again pretty standard. Paul had band practice for Fields of Faith and I took the kids to eat and shop for the THREE birthday presents we had to get! That's right...all three of my kids are giving out birthday presents this weekend. Apparently, 9 months prior to this weekend was a poplular time - 9 years ago, 6 years ago and 1 year ago. So we went to IHOP for dinner, because pancakes for dinner is always a winner. I was really excited to spend some fun time with the kiddos. We were sitting in the booth at IHOP and Caleb looked at me and said "Mi gusta IHOP, mommy!" I just gave him a BIG smile and thanked God that Spanish Immersion is working!
Wednesday was CRAZY. We got pulled over by two Comal Co. Sherriff's IN OUR DRIVEWAY! That's a funny story I'll tell you one day. I went to work. Paul went to work. Paul got the kids from school and took them to the football field while he set up for Fields of Faith. Then I got the kids from the field and took them to another football field for Jacob's practice.
That brings us to today. School, out to eat...AGAIN! (This has got to stop soon!) and then to praise team practice. While Paul set up his drums, me and the kids played four square in the gym. We sang for an hour and then home. All are in bed. All is well.
Paul and I have a day date planned for Saturday after the football games! We are going shopping with my first paycheck! Yahoo! I'll try not to spend it all...but my son, God love him, (which is code for "I'm glad it's not me!") has very few items of clothing to wear for the upcoming winter months. We have had a few chilly mornings here and his sweatshirts are all 3/4 length sleeves! He put on a pair of wind pants today and he needed to wear long socks...
Of course I'll be shopping for me too! I can only wear jeans on Fridays so that means I need some more pants! ...and maybe shoes, shirts, jackets...etc!
And on a completely random note. It is 9:58pm and there are construction workers next door at the church with all of their beep beep beeping and lights and tractor/big machine thing-y noises. That could be annoying.
That is all. Thank you.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A few things about this and that and such and such
I started a new job! I teach 3-4 year olds at Rebecca Creek Elem. School. These kids are all faculty and staff's kids and they are the age appropriate models for some special education kids that are in the program. I like my job. There are a few things that I am getting used to and the hubs and the kiddos are adjusting well.
I am tired of hearing about bullying. I know that it is a major problem. I just think that every once in a while the bully needs a quick kick in the pants, a punch in the gut, a black eye, or even a good whipping. There are so many people talking and talking and talking. I really hope someone is teaching these kids to stand up for themselves. I know that they are teaching everyone about not being a bully...but how about teaching the ones who are on the receiving end to stand up for themselves.
ok...I'm done with that.
Caleb wants to go to Africa. He wants me to go with him. I told him we would go someday. I pray I can make that happen for him. Why does he want to go? Because he's never been there, of course. Someone should probably let him in on the fact that they don't speak Spanish in Africa...therefore all his hardwork and accomplishment in Spanish Immersion will not help him one little bit!
I'm excited for the fall season. I like the cooler weather, the football, the holiday seasons, all of it. Paul and I are going to a costume party this year and are super excited! We are going as Mario and Princess Peach (from Nintendo's Mario Bros.) Of course I'll post pics after the party...thanks for asking.
We started doing P90X at bootcamp. It's not exactly what I thought it was. That's all I have to say about that.
I am loving the Bible Study I am doing right now. It's Beth Moore's study on the fruit of the Spirit and it.is.goooooood.
I love my husband. He surprised me today with a massage and I got to get my nails and toes done.
He.is.amazing.period.the end.
Ok...well that's about all I have for tonight. I'm tired. Goodnight.
I am tired of hearing about bullying. I know that it is a major problem. I just think that every once in a while the bully needs a quick kick in the pants, a punch in the gut, a black eye, or even a good whipping. There are so many people talking and talking and talking. I really hope someone is teaching these kids to stand up for themselves. I know that they are teaching everyone about not being a bully...but how about teaching the ones who are on the receiving end to stand up for themselves.
ok...I'm done with that.
Caleb wants to go to Africa. He wants me to go with him. I told him we would go someday. I pray I can make that happen for him. Why does he want to go? Because he's never been there, of course. Someone should probably let him in on the fact that they don't speak Spanish in Africa...therefore all his hardwork and accomplishment in Spanish Immersion will not help him one little bit!
I'm excited for the fall season. I like the cooler weather, the football, the holiday seasons, all of it. Paul and I are going to a costume party this year and are super excited! We are going as Mario and Princess Peach (from Nintendo's Mario Bros.) Of course I'll post pics after the party...thanks for asking.
We started doing P90X at bootcamp. It's not exactly what I thought it was. That's all I have to say about that.
I am loving the Bible Study I am doing right now. It's Beth Moore's study on the fruit of the Spirit and it.is.goooooood.
I love my husband. He surprised me today with a massage and I got to get my nails and toes done.
He.is.amazing.period.the end.
Ok...well that's about all I have for tonight. I'm tired. Goodnight.
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