Monday Memories in Motion

It was fun making a frankenstein cake for the church fall festival

 Baylen has really enjoyed jumping on the trampoline with Bo. I don't know who is rougher
He really is enjoying his healed leg!

 At Grammy's dedication....very sweet...they were the first to sit on the bench...I love how Samantha is holding Rebecca's hand...can you tell the sun was in their eyes?

 Hayride at the Fall Festival is always a favorite!

 Sweet Samantha

 Bo and Samantha both got into crafts!

and you can see the jumpy...the very one...that baylen broke his leg in...and as much as he loves them...he would not get near it! Amazing how he must have remembered

 Baylen ready for the football game...he actually went into Bo's room and got this all by himself...love the little mini helment he set next to him...he said it was for the baby...don't you love how he still managed to put his passy in!

 Could not resist taking a picture of her cuteness...love how she layers her Bows...she will put one on and clip another to it....

 just a little pumpkin shirt I made for Rebecca...she loves these...she gets VERY excited...

Some more fall festival fun.....

Samantha being silly with her friends


Supper club gals....

Thursday Thanksgivings

Feel like I have so much to say

First of all life really is all about how you look at things

I was super excited to save money shopping this morning

Baylen and I had so much fun

Counting prices and looking for deals

Then on the way home

got a ticket for running a stop sign

125 dollars

And of course I think of all I could buy for my family with that

A weeks worth of groceries

lots of gifts

lots of DQ slushies

a whole soccer season for sam

Karate for Bo

four football games 

But instead

(By this way, this is the second time I am writing this next part because when I was fininshing up my pinkie hit the delete and all was lost but from here up....go figure...BREATH)

Anyway...so instead 

I thought that Riley Walker and Grammy must have been protecting me from something

not sure what

but something

It really is how you look at things....

So I was thinking this morning on the way to my dr. appoitment

which I nearly forgot about

because it did not have to do with the children right in front of me...

I was thinking that I do not take the time to enjoy the kicks

and punches

and feeling of being pregnant

I will find myself looking at newborns 

or pregnant women and thinking

wow, that is awesome...I remember when I had a newborn or was pregnant

and then I remember

I am so serious when I say that

I swear I still am in a dream

I am still not beleiveing it

I know this one must be thinking...

What in the heck is going on out there...

I got to meet the girl that I keep hearing...

that girl that shows so much kindness...can be a drama queen, loves to craft, be on the go and boss the other two voices I hear around...

And that Boy, 

that is very loud

has to be reminded often of things, 

jumps around and leaps a lot

makes scary noises 

and loves to hug my mommy

And that little voice

the one that I hear whining really close toFall be late in the day

that loves to sing and jump

and seems so very smart....

and likes to say no mommy

this way...

yeah

I want to meet those peeps

It must be amazing wanting to bust out to see what this is all about

I noticed the leaves falling as I walked into the doctor

and realized that I love love love

fall

I love 60 degree weather

it puts me in a really good mood

the only time hot is good

is when you have a margaretta and a pool

Fall means football

and family

good food and holidays

I am also thankful for productive days

not today, but yesterday

where for two hours I just worked and worked and worked

got a million and one things done

phone calls

emails

bills paid

coupons clipped

potters house trip

check 

check check

I love talking to the orthaontist one minute for Samamthha

the next minute Bo's karate teacher about his tournament

and the next peditriong appoitments for Baylen

I love talking to Bo's teahers about getting him help wiith school and the next minute looking over samanthas very hard homework

then moving straight over to counting numbers and singing abc's with Baylen

I love love love it

I also love storytime

and the joy it brings to Baylen

watching him jump

find little mouse

and always checking backwards to see if I am still there

I love kids that come in to-to's and batman capes

why not?

I love that there was a man in line at the counter that when told by the man working

"sorry, I will be with you in a moment"

he said, take your time, no big deal

wow

you do not hear that much

why can't we all have that kind of attitute

it was very refreshing...
so
lots of thanksgivings over here

It wasn't just one thing that was causing stress and worry, but a toxic mixture of problems. 

Each day it seemed a new swell of problems engulfed me, adding to the accumulation of my concerns and stress.

It was a long season in which I felt sucked under by a raging current, barely able to hold my head above water. I was completely deflated and helpless, just like that little raft.

During that time, I clung to 

Psalm 46:1-3, "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!"

These verses offer wisdom about persevering through our difficult times. They serve as a reminder to stay aware of our need for God, and that none of us are equipped to handle life on our own.

You see, no matter how strong we think we are, there will come a time when stress gets overwhelming and we desperately wish we had somewhere to hide.

God understands what we're going through. His Word promises He will help us in times of trouble. 

Psalm 9:9-10, 

"The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You."

 

Tuesday Treasures

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for his love endures forever  1 Chronicles 16:34

I am giving thanks today

But feel stuck in mud

I have this list of about four things....

Go through my pictures on the computer

Go through all though the kids clothes and organize for summer/fall

get caught up on sermons and devotions

clean the house (that one never changes)

Go through a million pintrest pins

a million and one magazine cut outs

101 recipies

organize the attic

organize my workouts

my closet into cute outfits

make a Grammy box for each of the kids

 

Did I say four things

I lied

the thing is

each day I look at this list and think

I can't get all that done

I do none of it

exact for the clean up the house part

that has to be done

so

I have decided to take it a chunk at a time

I will work hard to get there

And I am sure I will come up with a new list when that is done

not that I forsee it being done anytime soon

My friend recently said she stays off Pintrest because all it does is depress her

She said it reminds her on a daily basis what she is not

cooking

doing

playing

reading

crafting

and making

this is so true

It is so easy to get caught up into thinking you have to do it all

it is very freeing when you look at it as a hobby and inspirtation

not as a I have to do it all

trying to live each day to the fullest

not comparing myelf to everyone else

becuase I know they are doing the same as me

we really are all in the exact same spot

But I do have one question...

how come everyone elses house does not look messy (well some do)

but instead look just lived in and cozy?

 

Treasures....

Story time with Baylen

Playgroup with Baylen

Watching Bo show his teacher his "homework"

Watching Samantha be Samantha....

Monday Memories In Motion

Baylen has had a strong attachment to Batman this week

He wants Batman to have icecream

ride in the seat next to him in the car

and have a blankie and passy

 Bo comes to our room every night

we are pretty snug in there

and lately I do not know if it is him or the baby kicking me

so we came up with the idea of making a cozy bed on the floor

He loves it

And as you can see

so does Piper

It is the cutest thing EVER

I wake up to see Piper cozy up to him

both passed out

She sleeps snuggled up to him all night

Here they are when I was sneaking out to teach a class

Here is Bo working on
"homework"
He all of the sudden this week wants to work on sight words
and read
I love how he looks at what he is doing
and checks it off
the sweetest
love watching him
He passed out with pencil in hand

Had a fun week

Samantha is swamped with play practice

but she is loving every minute of it

Pretty normal week for us

busy but fun

crazy yet rewarding

Bo had a great time with his little friend Janie

he spent time with her when we went to the football game

I love to hear him talk about her

They got married

but just hugged

and then went to the bar

When I asked him what the bar was

he said

You know, where you get skittles

Oh, sure I did

He has a loose front tooth

very excited

He is really starting to come along with school

He worked on 

"homework" 

all afternoon

he has a new found confidence and love for sight words

He is so sweet and loving

and Baylen adores him

they played together and he taught him karate moves

It is so fun to watch

It is so good that Bo feels he is a leader

and It is so cute to watch Baylen eat up everything he says and does!

Love my boys

Love my girl too

But really enjoying watching the boys growing up

they just need to slow down just a bit....

Thursday Thanksgivings

 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:19-23 

I'm going to try to remember all that is right instead of focusing on the little that may be wrong.

Distracted buy all the wrong things you will miss all the right things

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 4:8

 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 

Today a year ago my mother in law was diagnosed with cancer

seems like just yesterday

 I remember that night so well...

and the jorney began

in so many ways my life has changed so much in the past year

Thanking all the angles out there

that are always around

Very happy to focus on to good and not the bad

like the flat tire I had tonight during Samantha's soccer practice

It was all good

when I could have looked at it like it was all not good

Giving thanks in all circumstances

Also learning that when all seems calm

it usually means it won't last long

but it is fun to make the best of it

and enjoy every moment

Wednesday Whatevers

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Baylen you had so much fun at the park today

You are getting a little better using that leg

a little

it will come I know

I love to hear you giggle very loudly

You did that a lot today when I would chase you

You even convinced me to slide down an enclosed slide

Which seven months prego

well maybe was not so smart

Samantha

you came home early from school today

with a bad headache

But I could not keep  you pinned down

You so don't require any down time

ever

 It was all I could do was to have you rest in pjs

for about five minutes

then you wanted to play games

Not very sure how sick you really were

but

I did enjoy you home

I have a little secret to confess

when we work on homework sometimes I have to sneak off

and google answers

for real

I am coming clean

fourth grade math is starting to make me sweat a bit

thank goodness for google

Those times I say I am checking on something

or going potty

I really am googling prime and composite number

and rays

and the phases of the moon!

I had one of the best talks with you last night in bed

I love how you open up to me

My hope is that you always will

you had so many worries

so many questions

you have such a kind sweet heart

you were worried about middle school 

even though it is a ways away

well I like to tell myself that

You worry about changing and being a different person 

and not being nice

I told her I could never see that happen

I did a lot of listening

it was amazing all that came out of that little girls head

She said she wanted to stay little

I get anxious about parenting her right

and helping her through the upcoming years

But I must do what I told her

and take it a day at a time

and do all that I can do 

the best I can do it 

at that moment

I told her we will make mistakes

lots of them

but we will move forward and know that we learn from it

there is no need to worry

and put it all on our plates

right when we start to worry and feel overwhelmed 

we are not trusting God 

You shared so much with baylen today

You gave him your ring pop

He hugged you and said thank you pepper

this week yall got curly straws with your lunch 

for national milk week

you told me that you did not really need it

but wrapped it up to bring it home

to give to Baylen

because you knew Bo would bring one home

and you wanted baylen to have one

wow

Bo this morning you gave me a huge hug and said

lets get up now

I just filled you up with all the energy you need for the day with my hug

if he only knew how right he was

At dinner tonight you announced to everyone

I love everyone at this table the same!

You looked at daddy and hugged him and said I love you daddy because you are not mean sometimes

I love you mommy because I love you and you are so nice

I love you Baylen because you are nice to mommy and fun with her in the day

I love you pepper for checking on me at school

I love you piper because you are my best friend and you love to be with me all the time

then he ran over to Riley's picture and hugged it and Walkers

and said don't worry guys I love you too just as much as everyone in this room

now that is one sweet boy

he fills my heart with joy

they all

do

all day 

everyday

can't imagine how my cup will fill over with joy 

adding one more to this bunch

Tuesday Treasures

"He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is his name." (Amos 4:13)

If the Lord can do all this, surely He can equip and empower us for our daily tasks whether they include doing dishes, parenting well, finishing a work project or folding laundry.

On the other hand, if we set out to make ourselves the measure of all things, we will never experience the full blessing or "get" the full benefit of God's greatness.

James 4:8a, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." 

Loved today's devotion

Loved that Bo drew hearts on my hands today too

Loved that baylen and I spent the whole morning at story time and the park

love this weather

love the feeling of kicks in my tummy

love the taste of a slushy

Love that Samantha holds my hand walking down the hall every morning

Love that when Piper catches a squirrel she lets it go

love that baylens inability to walk to temporary and not forever

love seeing my kids hop off the bus

love cooking fresh batches of cookies in the afternoon

love the VERY blue sky

Love the feeling of giving it all to God

Love being calm and collected...atleast for the the moment :)

Monday Memories in Motion

We had a very fun weekend

Started it off going to listen to the band play

Baylen LOVED it

He is stuffing his mouth with Chicken above

We took a picnic dinner and listened to Georgia fight songs

AWESOME

Bo had a great time meeting friends and playing

He can meet someone so fast and hit it off

Samantha had a fun night with Aunt Carley

That was so neat

Off to soccer Saturday morning

I love that Bo has a really good friend

Janie

They are so cute running off together

He talks about her all the time

Above you can see that he was showing me that Janie drew hearts all over him

"mommy, I just could not stop her, I am so sorry"

Love it

I think

First taste of a girl loving my boy

What a funny sweet grin on his face!

Bo is still struggling with school

Having a hard time letting go

Came up with the idea today that Samantha went to check on him half way

He loved that

Showed us some awesome karate moves tonight

He also told me that he really wished that we had four kids in our family

I clued him in that we do

He said, oh yeah

that's great

and then ran out the room

Love that boy

Samantha is still loving the play

even though she has been super busy

that girl requires 

no sleep

Baylen makes up for her

Baylen is starting to say

missed you

he loves to hug and giggle

but he is by far my most bossy one yet!

"We are not all called to mission fields far away. We are not all called to pastor a church or lead a Bible study. However there is one thing we are all called to do as God's people: we're all called to stop, to be aware of the hurting around us, and to have compassion. We are called to share our bread with the poor."

Proverbs

Tuesday treasures

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 

Matthew 11:28

I poured out, He poured in.  At first when I read that I did not really get it. I poured out He poured in...then it hit me. As I feel like I give my everything and am so very tired, He is right there pouring back in! So, He is where ALL of my strength comes from! All of it. It is in Him that I rest and get refreshed
Amazing

It was refreshing today getting Baylens cast off
But brought tears to my eyes
I love how in the waiting room he points our everyone with a cast and says
She has an arm boo boo
He has a foot boo boo
She has a knee boo boo
I am thankful how his little spirit brings smiles to so many faces in that waiting room
They know him there
They carry him into x-rays and he smiles and knows the drill
His sweet little two foot self on that big table
He asks over and over
I see Mr. Jeff
When he tried to walk to today it was like watching your baby walk all over again!
His little leg would just buckle
Broke my heart
really it did
He wants to so bad I can tell
This is harder I think then it was in a cast, when I knew there was a barrier
Now to see him unable to do something when he is healed is hard

Poor Sam has 52 ant bites that are now itching
Those mean ants
And my sweet Bo
Tears still a flowing every morning
Trying many little tricks that worked with Samantha...
Drawing a heart on his hand that he can look at all day when he is sad....
My heart breaks for him too
It is amazing how these kiddos can have you wrapped around your little pinky
Love them to pieces

Feeling so thankful on this Tuesday
For My three kids and one kicking up a storm
For friendships with women I have met that are in the same walk I am in and open to share their struggles
For the little nip in the air that shows fall is so very close
My love for football
The kids so different personalities that keeps me on my toes
and My dad coming out of his mouth surgery and being able to talk to him tonight
Just love my family

Monday Memories In Motion

Sam came home yesterday from a fun afternoon with Me Me

All decked out...

Had visions of her as a teen...

dressing like the fo real!

Baylen said

NO! Pepper

 Today she came home

with about fifty ant bites

I had her show me her leg

Baylen quickly wanted his cast in the picture too

He held it up when I was holding her leg up

 Did not post last week from the beach....

 Could eat crab soup

Nightly...

inbetween Me Me's fried shrimp

I loved this devotion this morning...

You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24

It went on to describe what I acutally feel each day!  

I make a bold commitment each day... No more unglued mama mornings..afternoons or bedtimes. less frustration and chaos.

I am again reminded that when you think things will go smoothly they do not

I have my six year old clinguing on for dear life having to be pried off of my arm by his kindergarten teacher

Brings back so many memories from his sister, just three years ago. It seems to happen at the age of six. 

And then, if that is not on my mind all morning...I get a call that Samantha stepped in an ant pile, and is eaten up.

Reality

No big deal

There are kids that are dying, fighting cancer and the list goes on and on

I am indeed not grumbling here

Just stating the fact

Like Paul says in his letters

Tomorrow belongs to God

The second we think we own it

Life we show us, oh no we do not

The smooth days are rough

and the rough days show themselves smoothness along the way

Ironically enough 

Baylen has been a big ball of smiles today

I figured out from my devotion today that

I need to have about five minutes in the morining to focus

Not have a devotion

But to remind myself that I am not incontrol of the day

I am just doing it

Making sure that there is no grumbling

It is not like we wake up in the morning and say

I plan on getting frustrated with people today,

 But then the stress of the day  makes the crazies creep in.

Not that my day is stressfull

It is the little things that add up

the whining, nagging, dog hair and toy explosions

laundry piles, dirty bathrooms and telamarcatars

Mean neighors, closets and pantries that I swear were just straight

now not

Its the little things

The whining. The complaining. The feeling that I can't ever get it all together. It all escalates and sends me over the edge.

When I wake up, my mind is like a dry sponge. What I soak up first will saturate me most deeply. If I don't want to be consumed with the stresses of my day, I must soak up what will renew my mind instead — God's Word. Even if it's only for 5 minutes, I've got to put the world on hold until I've checked in with God.

I am managing Blessings....

If I want my attitude to be made new, I must keep things in perspective. While my frustrations seem big, things like lost shoes and less than perfect lunches aren't big problems. They are small aggravations that come with managing blessings.

I tell myself everyday

I will greet my husband with a huge hug and smile

Instead I swear it turns into a smarty comment

and never make eye contact until maybe nine thirty...

I also need to  let me kids do more, even though I want to do all for them....

My kid's irresponsibility will not become my emergency. I need to communicate my expectations so they know they're going to have to own the consequences of their choices. I can't own this situation and let it throw me into frantic, fix-it mode. I can let the consequences of my kid's choices scream, so I don't have to.

As I am just now sitting down to type
It is 9:29
Since practice for soccer went thirty eight minutes over...it also pushed dinner and bed back
I did it again
Kevin got it when I got home
His chipper mood when we walked in the door threw me over the edge
Dang it
Why did I have a snotty remark when he assumed dinner would be ready
And I proceeded to tell him we did not have a maid at home for it to magically appear....
He did not find that comical
I really did not feel stressed
I guess someone has to get a smart you know what comment when I hold them in all day
tomorrow is a new day
And yes
I will do everything without grumbling...I promise
IMPERFECT PROGRESS...always trying to be more like Christ, but finding it just about impossible!

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 

 Roamans 12:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."