Summer has kept us very busy, but we have had a lot of HOT texas fun!  We joined a local athletic center and have been swimming and exercising every week.  The kids have a blast at the outdoor water park and I have enjoyed helping Cam learn to swim.  She took 2 weeks of swim lessons and now has great confidence in her ability!  I have to keep a close eye on her!

We have spent the last two weekends taking the boat and heading up to Lake Texoma.  It is great family fun-swimming, tubing, relaxing and playing the lake with Daddy.  Last weekend, we were invited to join some friends to stay in their condo.  So we boated, dined, skied and splashed..what a great memory! 

A few weeks ago we celebrated the twins 8th birthday.  It is unfathomable to me that they are a few years away from being 10 years old.  I cherish each day that God gives me to love on them. 

Next week we leave for summer vacation to the beach.  We are heaed to Gulf Shores, Alabama and plan to have a great week of  R&R!  I can't wait to sit on the white beach and feel the sun on my face, sand in my toes.  I want to run through the waves with the kids and make sand castles galore. I want to walk hand in hand with my hubby on the beach and drink a glass of wine watching the sun set over the ocean. I want to take in the beauty of the oceans that God has created so perfectly for us to enjoy. Ahh...sounds dreamy!!  We'll see!

When we return, it will be that time once again to prepare in antcipation for another great year of home schooling.  I was visiting with a neighbor yesterday who is in a public school employee.  She asked me if I was planning to attempt home schooling again.  I said enthusiastically, "yes!"  Her response was "bless your heart."  I am not sure she understands the joy & peace that comes from being a teacher to my children and spending so much time with them. Although it is not always easy, I know it is my calling and I delight in it.  This year we will be studying the countries and cultures of the World as we focus on Geography and finish up our first year of Foreign Language-Spanish.  I am also excited about some ministry opportunities for the kids-we hope to be subs for the Meals on Wheels Program in our area.  I want the kids to have the chance to show the love of Jesus on their own and touch the lives of others.   

I started a great Bible Study now on the book of Psalms and enjoying digging deeper into God's word. I will be meeting monthly with other moms in the area as we share what God has opened our eyes to.  I can't wait to get up every morning and see what the next Psalm has in store for me that I have never noticed before.  I will end this post with the characteristics of a faithful person as discovered in Psalm 1:  JOY, DELIGHT, LIKE TREES PLANTED ALONG RIVER BANKS BEARING FRUIT WITHOUT FAIL, LEAVES that DO NOT WITHER and as a person of faith we prosper or have SUCCESS!  Thank you Lord!!

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Unfortunately, my marathon days have come to an end.  My training ended ubruptly two weeks ago when incredible leg pain brought me to tears after the long almost 12 mile run.  After many doctors, x-rays and MRI, I was diagnosed with a stress fracture that starts at the inside of my knee and runs all the way down to the bottom 1/3 rd of my leg along the tibia bone.  So, life has changed drastically with crutches as a permanent part of the wardrobe at least for a month.  The normal mundane tasks of taking care of a home and 3 children have been difficult.  The leg hurts and swells some if I am up and about too much. Sleeping has become a little harder, but finally with the help of pain meds I rest at night.

Here is the cool part: This is all apart of God's plan nad I am totally surrendered (after crying like a baby for a day for not getting to complete my goal).  I wanted so badly to cross that finish line and follow through with something!!  It was not what the Lord wanted me to do at this time and I am okay with that.  I want to do his will and not mine.  So, in the midst of this pain, I have found peace and look forward to so much needed time to sit at the Lord's feet.  I have found JOY and peace and thankfulness that comes with suffering through a trial.  I look forward with anticipation to what the Lord will change in me for his glory through this.  I have learned to accept the blessings of others serving me in time of need- something that has always been hard for me.  The Lord is changing me, by his mercy.  Thank you, Father.  Sometimes lessons are hard to learn!

In addition to myself, 2 other runners were injured.  So, I will be sitting at the finish line tomorrow morning not with nerves for myself but with joy for my friends that get to accomplish this goal in the Lord.  I can't wait to cheer them on and encourage them!

Whatever your marathon is in life, embrace it and let God work in you so that his kingdom is magnified!

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We awoke this morning to a beautiful gift of the Lord...a winter wonderland!  The snow fairy came to town last night dusting the fences, barns and pastures with a glorious blaze of  white!  What a sight to take in.  As I sit here in awe, I am reminded of why I love living in the country so much.  Hundreds of trees covered perfectly on each branch and lit up with the morning sun.  If I could only figure out how to upload pictures, I would love to share this amazing sight!

The kids are off to trudge through it and make snowmen with the few inches that are left.  They know they must hurry, for the sun is melting it fast.  When God blesses us with his amazing creation, it always makes me so intrigued with his wonders and helps put things in life back into perspective.  It makes me realize that we must slow down and enjoy the beauty of precious life and enjoy each moment that is given to us.  It makes me thankful for a God that loves us so much that he would send us these gifts when we need it most.  Yesterday, I was down in the dumps, today I am basking in his glory, full of thanksgiving  Thank you Lord, that your blessings are many and your mercies are new each and every day!

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The marathon training is moving along good , but I found out quickly after running with my friends a few times, that I run MUCH slower than they do.  These girls have all been running for a long time.  One for at least 4 months and others for years and years.  I get a little discouraged when I have to stop repeatedly while I am running with them, but I am determined NOT to give up.  I can do this, the Lord has already told me that. Oh, but it is hard. This morning I was up before 5 am to go and run in the dark and have been so sore for days that I can hardly sit down. This is so not like me to take this on, but I am ready for a change...ready to have energy and feel great in 2008!  I thank God for my health and the ability to be able to give this a try.  I will keep you all posted.  Thanks for the encouragment and prayers!

"Let us Run with Endurance at the race that God has set before us!!"  Hebrews 12:1

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I hope this New Year brings blessings in abundance to you and your family!

 We have started back into a routine with school and life at home.  We are not so busy right now which is such a blessing.  We have had time to slow down and have fun together.  We have gone to movies, taken nature hikes through the woods, ridden on hay rides with Daddy, and been to the park with friends.  We took several weeks off school and enjoyed a much needed break~it was nice. 

This past week we started back to school and all went well.  This coming Friday we start back to our Enrichment classes.  This semester Cayla is taking Ballet, Gymnastics, Speed Stacking class and History on the LIfe of Pocahontas.  Connor is excited about P.E., Amazing Finger Painting, Geology Rocks! and  Verterbrates.  He loves Science, so the rock study and animals will be right up his alley.   Cayla has also decided to take up learning to play the piano, so she is taking lessons from a great lady at church. 

With anticipation we jump into a New Year full of new things.  We are not going to add much more to the plate because I have learned that as a family we have so much more unity when we are at home and not always running to this or that.  I want to build memories around the dinner table where we talk and share about our day, not where we are grabbing another take out dinner in the car as we rush to the next event.   Do they really remember later all the things we think we must sign them up for anyway?  Nah.. I heard Kevin Lehman talk on this subject on the radio last week and he said if you have to sign your kids up for things outside the home, make it only one activity per child per semester. Dr. Dobson agreed that many parents now a days go way overboard on being too busy and not just focusing on just being a family the way that God designed.   

This is also a New Year for me to try something totally off the wall and unexpected for me.  I have several friends that have talked me into training with them for a half marathon! Ha!  For me this is a huge, big discipline.  I would have never imagined myself doing this.  I have always hated to exercise and looked at it a necessary evil!  Over the next 10 weeks, I will learn to LOVE running.  In order to run 13 miles in April, I will have to learn to love it.  I am excited to see myself complete a goal  (I am horrible at follow through!). I anticipate the cross of the finish line and for now just take it day by day beacuse every muscle in my body is aching from just one week of getting warmed up!  Not to mention the numerous times I have almost twisted my ankle running on a gravel road!  I know and BELIEVE that with God all things are possible.  Big D..here I come!! 

Ending with a favorite verse to start the Year:

Fix your thoughts on what is TRUE and HONORABLE and RIGHT.  Think about these things that are PURE and LOVELY and ADMIRABLE.  Think about things that are EXCELLENT and WORTHY of Praise.

Philipians 4:8

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This year of holiday jubilee will be one to go down in the family history book.  The day after black Friday, my 7 year old twins (who knew I had been Christmas shopping!) decided to join forces and partner in crime.  While I was on the phone, daddy was gone and the 3 yo sister was napping, they decided to take the keys from my purse on top of my armoire and sneak into my car to see all of their Christmas presents!  JOY!  After committing their crime, they crouched down running under the front windows of the house, through the door, down the hall, and and together slid under the bed.  As if Adam and Eve in the garden, they were ashamed, knew they were in trouble and hid!  I wondered what they had been up to, but bever imagined that they would have pulled this off!  When approached under the bed as to what they were doing, my daughter fessed up and said they had been in my car, and that they had seen their presents.  In a flurry, each started blaming the other.  I just could not believe it!  How could they spoil the joy for Christmas morning? I was devestated.  I was shocked.  I was sad.  I cried.  I was mad!  I sent them to their room after spanking them and called my husband in a panic to tell him what HIS kids had done.  Following buckets of tears, repentance from both and a long talk, my husband and I decided a good consequence would be donating one of their toys to a underprivledged child.   Needless to say, I think it will never happen again.  This will be a Christmas to remember!

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Today I took a DISC Personlaity Test for the first time in over 7 years.  The results were suprising, but so pricisely true.  The last time I took the test, I found myself to be a High I "Influential, Social, Outgoing etc." with a High Dominant trait also.  This time proved to be much different!  First of all, let me set the stage by telling you last time I did this test I was without children, into moi' and "selling" homes making really great money.  Life was grand, or so I thought.  It was all about the next sale, the next Bonus/trip and the next ranking I would receive.  It was about accalades, achievemnt and recognition, pats on the back!  I had no problem being the center of attention as arrogance was  my name.  I loved being top in customer satisfaction, and coveted being top salesman for the NYSE company that I worked for.  I prided myself in being excellent at paperwork and follow-up with my customers.  I knew more than the average home sales gal about the way a home was constructed and also could show you many options for financing the house. 

Fast forward to now, 7 1/2 years and several pounds later I am a full fledged MOM with three wonderful very busy blessings.  I am not only a Mom, but I stay home (giving up all recognition), and I school my kids at home (giving up selfishness!).  I traded in my high heels and fancy clothes for a long denim jumper with a bun in my hair.  Okay, not really, but it is truth to say that my wardrobe has changed a lot and appears to be more stained with my kids lunch foods, mud and snot rather than dressed for success!   It is really a different world, but oh how I love THIS world.  You see, it is really right where God wants me to be.   He wants me to be right in the middle of their lives, curiosities and questions like, "Mom do you think there is Pizza in heaven?"  So, all this being said it leads me back to my personality test.  Where am I now?

Well, my traits have completely and totally flipped!  Now, I am high on the S with a supporting C.  What does that mean?  Well in a nut shell it says that I like to be myself,  have a kind-hearted nature, soft-hearted, compassionate, showing sincere interest, like non-threatning voice tones, agreeable spirits, preferring stable/peaceful environments and by all means avoiding confrontation.  Ha!  I tend to blend in with a room now, seeking out those that make me feel non-threatened.  This is the total opposite of the former me who was seeking to overcome every single objection to why a person at that moment could not buy a home.  I was in their face ready to go to battle for the almighty dollar.

I thank God that he brought me throught that to reveal just how much we don't need to depend on ourselves, but ALL we really need is him.  I am proud to be compassionate and not dominating at this stage of my life.  I am peaceful in knowing that I love a stable environment and not living on the edge.   I am joyful and my cup runneth over.  I enjoy caring and loving people.  I consider it an honor to pray for others.  I would not want to chage anything about the blessings I have been given.

Thank you Lord that you have changed me into a S/C.  I want to be remembered as someone who genuinely cared for and loved people...that is TRULY my heart. 

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Here is a link to an article I found interesting.  I would love to know thoughts from others on this!  

http://dir.salon.com/story/mwt/feature/2005/06/02/Louv/index.html

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Greetings from life back on the farm!  Life in the country has been full of blessings for our family!  I never imagined how happy and truly content we would be leaving a larger more modern home in town, to go back to a smaller older home on land which requires more maintenance!  The Lord is so good and even through some obstacles (like a flooding garage) after arriving we have been witnessing the beauty and true joy that comes from being right where the Lord wants us to be.  I actually look forward to waking up in the morning and seeing the dew dropped miracles that are made in each web that has been spun overnight.  I love to take walks and marvel at the brightly colored cardinals and the doves that are always waiting for me in the morning.  I can't wait to breathe the fresh crisp air of the country breeze and see the yellow monarch butterflies dancing around in the sky.  It is truly like being on vacation every day.  Or maybe it is just finaly taking notice of what God has so graciously given.  Either way, I am humbled and thankful to be where I am.  It makes me think of a verse in Beautiful One that says "You have opened my eyes to your wonders a new, captured my heart with this love.  There is nothing on earth as wonderful as you."  AMEN!

A week or so after we moved, I was brushing my hair in the bathroom and saw something move outside through the window.  I was amazed and baffled at what I had locked eyes with.  Three of the most beautiful deer I have ever seen were glaring at me cautiously through the window.  These were no ordinary deer.  They have huge rounded antlers,  big spots and galloped when they ran!  They are amazing!   It was like God sent them right to me to say..see what I had for you if you would only trust me? I ran to get the kids and we sat with mouths open in awe of their beauty.  From what we have learned these are Axis deer that escpaped from a local nature reserve and set up home here in our little woods. We have seen them almost weekly, and just a few days ago, we even saw a baby fawn!  Again our jaws dropped at how wonderful God's creations are.  

We are getting ready to start back to school, field trips and enrichment and the kids are excited to start something new.  It will also be another busy season, as both kids are playing Soccer.   I am so at peace and look forward to what joys and wonders God will bring our way next.         

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Easter is my favorite holiday each year.  I love the special time of focusing solely on the ultimate sacrifice that Christ gave for us through his death and resurrection.  It intrigues me that a person in human form could go through so much pain (mental and physical) and turmoil for my sake.  Yet, the Bible tells us that Jesus was simply submitting to God's will.  It makes me think of my life and how I also should have the same purpose in all of life's events and choices. How peaceful would I be if I submitted to his will in EVERYHTHING!  In this life, we can do nothing on our own, however in the flesh we always think we are so "capable!"  Ha- I bet God laughs at us sometimes! :)

Not only did we spend the weekend celebrating Christ, but also Camryn's 3rd birthday.  She had so much fun playing and riding the rides at Chuck E. Cheese.  It was such a joyful day for all.  I am so thankful for another year with this precious child.  She has expressions that light up even the most distant stranger. She makes my heart overflow! 

This time of year I always start to pray over and consider a curriculum for home schooling next year.  I feel like God is leading me toward a Unit study, hand on more fun approach for my kids.  So, I am investigating KONOS.  I would love feedback if anyone out there has any.

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Hard to believe that another Christmas has passed and January is here again.  Sometimes it feels as if we are in warp speed!  We had a nice holiday season, but much too hurried.  I vow next year to slow down and enjoy the season more with my kids and really focus on Jesus, the reason for the season!   We are about half way through the year with home schooling.  The kids are doing well and are showing interest in a lot of things academically.  They are both finaly reading well and do so all day long everywhere we go!  It is fun to know we are almost there when it comes to getting the reading down! It has been a booger- teaching 2 to read, but the Lord got us through just as he has everything with having twins!

We are preparing mentally for the move back to the country.  It will be a bittersweet time for me as I have really enjoyed having friends for the kids to play with and have really enjoyed the pleasure of my precious neighbors.  We have made such great friends here that I hope will come out for many visits! :)  We plan to move in March and place our home on the market.  Meanwhile, we are fixing up the country home to prepare to move back in until the new house is built.  The building of a house overwhelms me oddly enough (as I worked in that industry for so many years).  I think the fact that there are so may decisions to be made is what makes it over the top for me.  The Lord will pave the way and his hand will be with us in every step. Thank You Lord!

I am encouraged more than ever this year to make a commitment to increasing my time talking with the Lord.  Our pastor at church has been preaching a series on Prayer and how we cannot gain closeness with God without lots of time in prayer.  I have to admit, this is an area that I desperatly need growth.  I usually find myself praying quickly after spending the majority of my quiet time in the Bible, so that I can get to my Mommy duties and take care of things.  I yearn to be in prayer more and covered in peace more.  I know the Lord knows this desire in my heart and he will help me find a way to priorotize my time better.  As I get older, I realize that the Lord is changing me by his mercy and through his will and that I cannot do anything on my own. Only his peace can guide me and guard me!  I submit Lord and pray that you will mold me like a piece of clay and use me for your Glory.  

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We are starting week 8 of school and we are settling nicely into a routine.  The kids are enjoying learning new things and showing improvement already.  I am enjoying most working on their character building.  So far we have covered obedience, orderliness and now diligence.  Yes, we are spending many days on each one and looking up and memorizing the scripture.  It has been the best investment I feel of my time and the most beneficial for their hearts.  

What else are we doing? Camryn is enjoying preschool and having so much fun with her classmates.  I miss her but we are able to get great quality school time in while she is away twice a week.  Connor is having a blast playing soccer and Cayla is learning the skills of a ballerina.  We attend life group several times a month through church and are absolutely loving growing in the word and the Lord and closer to new friends.  We really have so much to be thankful for and are trying to count our blessings each day.       

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We have just completed our first week of 1st grade. Yipee!  It was fun as we added a few "new subjects" and expanded some others.  I was more organized this year with typed lesson plans and goals which I know will give us more structure.  I feel more than ever the overwhelming joy and peace as I know that I am called to teach my  children in the admonition of the Lord. I love having my children snuggled up right beside me as we read a great book or kissing them on the head as they are diligently working at their Math.  It is such a great feeling knowing you are where God wants you to be. It is not always easy, but sometimes a sacrifice produces such a great blessing.  I was reading the kids the story in the Bible of Isaac and Abraham this week and how Abraham was blessed tremendously for obedience to the Lord when he brought Issac forth to be sacrificed.  Abraham never spoke back, questioned, argued, or had to be told again (this leeson was for the children).  The lesson in it for me was the reminder that he has CALLED me to homeschool my children and I am being OBEDIENT to his calling.  Is "Homeschooling"  the norm? not always, Is it the easy way out? Certainly not!  Is it cause for persecution & explanation at times? Oh,Yes.  But does it matter that other people think about what I am called to do?  NO.   God plants each of us where he wants us to bloom..I certainly believe that.  It is not always the same garden for the same person.  If it were, the flowerbeds would not be very colorful!!  God is so faithful and he provides for us in ways we cannot even see.  He will always give us the grace and mercy to get through and then provide the beauty in the blessing or gift on the other side.  Ending with a quote from Beth Moore:  Faith in faith is pointless.  Faith in a living, active God moves mountains.

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When we obey God, we are sure that we know him...We truly love God only when we obey him as we should, and then we know that we belong to him.

I John 2:3,5

I really like this as it implies if you truly love & are walking with the Lord, then we are in obedience and have confidence in knowing that we are his! How sweet that is!

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Our summer has been a BUSY one.  We spent the days of summer participating in worship camp at church, swim lessons, lots of play dates with friends and celebrating the twins 6th birthday.  It has been a great time.  Just when things seem to be "settling down" we will be putting our home on the market and getting ready to start 1st grade Ugh!  We are preparing to make the move back to the country and are very excited! The only challenge will be fitting us all contently back into a smaller space until the building process is complete! I love this scripture: "I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or empty.  Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the ONE who makes me who I am."  --Philippians 4:12-13 Msg.   The Lord is so good.  We have much to be thankful for.  He is a great provider. Even though we have planned our course, the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9  I often wonder how people ever find peace and happiness without the Lord?  I am so blessed to be a daughter of the King.

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Well it is a sad day in Dallas as the Mavericks lost the National Basketball Championship to the Miami Heat.  I love watching the games and cheering on the Mavs with my dear husband.  They had such a good chance and fought right up to the end, only losing by 3 points in the final minutes of the game.  I heard last night that one of the players has Psalm 91 tattooed on his chest or back, so I had to look that up this morning.  Here is what it says: 

 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.  For he will rescue you form every trap and protect you from the fatal plague.  He will shield you with his wings, He will shelter you with his feathers.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors in the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.  But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.  If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling.  For he orders his angles to protect you wherever you go.  They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.  You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!  The Lord says, " I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name,  When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue them and honor them.  I will satisy them with a long life and give them my salvation."

WOW!  It is so great to know that the angels are holding our hands, the Lord is constantly protecting us, rescuing us and answering when we call.  Thank you Father for your mercy and grace that is poured out upon me, a sinner. I am truly thankful! 

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I read a really good devotional in "Our Daily Bread" book a few days ago and wanted to share.  We all experience some sort of pain in our lives. This encouragement was really uplifting to me.  

2 Corinthians 1:7: says this from Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, "We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God's comfort."  1 Corinthians 10:13 says "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able."

The story of Amy Carmichael, the missionary amazes me.  She was in India rescuing hundreds of boys and girls from abusive servitude and had become bedridden with horrible arthritis.  She was in constant pain, yet she never once questioned God.  She was still the inspiration of her rescue group Dohnavour Fellowship, and kept on writing.  Her writing, meditations and poems were covered in praise to God and encouragement to her fellow pilgrims. 

Leads to the question: when an affliction strikes us, how do we react?  Are we embittered or do we put our trust in God's sustaining grace?  Do we prayerfully encourage those around us by our spirit enabled cheerfulness, our courage and our confidence in the Lord? 

 As we fully rely on the Lord, he can help us turn pain to PRAISE---Vernon Grounds.

Can God trust you with sorrow;

with anguish, and with pain,

Or would your faith soon falter

And faint beneath the strain?----Nicholson

When your up to your neck in hot water, be like a teapot and start to sing!

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I hope you all had a restful Memorial Day.  We enjoyed spending time with friends  cooking out and boating.  The kids enjoyed stuffing their faces with all the watermelon, ice cream and hot dogs they could eat but most of all loved time playing in the water with friends.  The water activities included swimming in the lake, playing on our neighbors fun water slide and swimmng in the pool. What more could a kid want!  And of course at each event the baby had to get naked!!  

As I sit back and watch my kids grow and enjoy life I remember how truly blessed we are.  We are together, we are in a country where we have the freedom to worship, we are all healthy (praise be to God), we have a home, food on the table, an income, really great friends, a wonderful church family, awesome neighbors...the list goes on and on.  So, on this day I will humbly thank God for his abundant blessings and walk on in my mission to be more like him.    

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Days in the life of a Mom are not always easy.  Yesterday was a day of discouragement as my children were sowing the oates of disobedience (throwing fits, telling little white lies, being disrespecftul to other adults and so on!).  Ugh! Just when you think you are making headway with training them they blind side you! Wham!  I know we are ALL sinful by nature, but boy was this a day! Here's a recap:

I fight with the baby all morning to stay dressed..she is constantly taking her clothes off and running around naked. I put them all back on, she takes them all back off and runs form me when I come after her with clothes.  ALL DAY!  It is cute after a while for a 2 year old, but it gets OLD and TIRING!!!

I decide to drop her off at my grandparents for some time with them and a little break for me.  Then we are off to gymnastics.  So far, the day is going good. 

We went to a friends after gymnastics to play.  Of course we have the talk on the way there about "expected behavior."  It must have gone in one ear and out the other.  The kids were disobedient to my friend and then Connor insisted on something other than water to drink when offered by saying "what else is in the fridge?"  Yikes!  Manners anyone? And of course they did not respond right away when I said it was time to clean up and go.

As I ask Connor to get out of dress up clothes and back into his, he informs me that he has no underwear on. What? Says he could not find any in his drawer this morning. So... I guess he decided to hang ten and go without! Well, I probably would have not thought so much of it had we not just gone to gymnastics... so his coach probably got quite a view during cartwheel practice....UGH!! GROSS!

On the way home we stopped by Mamaws to pick up the baby who was of course running around almost naked!  She kicks and fights me to get her clothes back on. We walk outside. Connor and Cayla have discovered the landscape rocks in the flowerbed. Connor fills his pockets.  I asked them to put all rocks back except for one.  So he proceeds to do so.  He walks past me and I notice his pocket still bulging.  I ask do you have any more rocks?  He lies and says NO. I feel his pocket, told him he will be disciplined at home for lying, tell him to put the rocks back one last time and get in the car. Meanwhile Cayla throws a major fit because she wants to keep 2 rocks instead of 1 and starts kicking, screaming, crying and hitting the car window and seat. She cries all the way home and says noone loves her.   Upon knowing the discipline that is awaiting at home, they both start crying and doing the don't spank me dance in the door of the house begging not to get a spanking! I closed the garage door quickly so the neighbors would not think I am beating my kids! After a spanking to each followed by hugs and reading of scripture, they appear to be repentant. 

Then on to making dinner, doing laundry (so Connor has clean underwear!) and wrapping up the day.  When Jon comes home, the baby is again naked as I put dinner on the table.  After dinner, Camryn (now at least in a pull up) decides to change her own  poopy diaper in my bedroom, takes off the pull up and proceeds to wipe her bottom with the wipies.  She brings me a new pull-up again naked and says "I poo poo Mommy."  I am off to clean up her mess and her! After putting her to bed for over an hour, she is still fussing and calling "MOMMY!"  I get her up, love on her and change her diaper again and put her back to bed at 8:45.  Needless to say by 9:00 I was ready to absolutely collapse!!  I ended the day with a few pages from "The Excellent Wife," by Martha Peace as my hubbie cheered on the Mavericks in the background.  Maybe somewhere in all this I can learn to be a better wife!!  

As I look back on my day, I sigh as to how I did not seek God in the midst of it.  I think I cried out once in desperation, but really wish I would have stopped and prayed with my kids. (Be still and know that I am God.) 

In Psalms 34 this morning the Lord lead me to this passage "Let all who are discouraged take heart", "Those who look for him to help will be radiant with joy.." I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.  He set me free from all my fears."The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.  He rescues them from all their troubles." 

Remember when your day is not going as you would like to reach out, seek, cry out, stop and look for the Lord.  He is so good and he will rescue us if we take the time to ask.  I pray that next time I am in distress that I will send out the smoke signal for help from our loving and almighty God.  May your day be blessed! 

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So how was your Mother's Day?  It is always a day for me to soak up and reflect how blessed I am to be a Mother.  I love to see how my kids choose to "honor me" on this one day.  Cayla had made me a card that was titled "Happy Mommy's Day" and had drawn hearts all over it.  In one of the hearts she wrote "You are speshal" and "I Love you" in another one.  She also had placed 6 "sparkly" rocks in a Foley's jewelry box ( kinda tricked me for a moment!), and gave me a shell and a few other things from her treasure box.  It was so cute...she had even gotten a gift bag out of the closet and had wrapped my gifts beforehand for me.  Connor also made me a card and drew me a picture that said Happy Mothers Day (he asked me to spell it!)  He asked me when he was making my card when it was Children's Day! Ha! I was sick all weekend, so not feeling too peppy on Moms Day.  Daddy earned big hugs by cooking breakfast and presenting me with my first IPod!  A true surprise, I think I will really enjoy if I can figure out how to use it!  This Mother's Day I am so humbled to be standing in God's will and treasuring these precious moments with my children.  I praise and thank God for his abundant blessings!

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