New Year's Eve

I simply cannot believe it is 12.31.2010. Wasn't it just Valentine's Day?

God has been simply amazing to my family in 2010 and I don't want to ever forget to praise Him for what He did or stop telling people how He changed my son's life by healing him this year. Seemed like yesterday that we were checking into the hospital for brain surgery and today I am sitting here watching that same son preparing to beat me in a game of Wii bowling.

SO many times my daddy would say "take it all in .. the days disappear quickly" and that is so true. I didn't always believe my daddy when he would say things like that, but I know, what he knew then.

Thanking the Lord for an amazing 2010 .. praying ahead for 2011 .. that I will hear from Him and be obedient to whatever is it He calls me to do.

Happy New Year to you and yours .. from me and mine!

Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas ... from the Temptations....ok .. us!
I just adore my sons.
Yes, this is son #1. No more babies.

Hanging out at the outdoor mall. The decorations were wonderful and there was a LIVE nativity scene.

Christmas Day. It has been a gaming kinda year.

We finally got a Wii. No excuses anymore. Lots of weight to lose.

Daddy showing Mr. Know it all .. how to hold the nunchuck.

Ok dad, I got it now.

My own DS. YES!

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It has been one of the best Christmas'. Not because of gifts, but because I think my kids really got it this year and we spent a lot of time w/ family.

Jesus is the reason for the season and my kids made sure they gave Jesus His gifts!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

15

15, 15, we are 15!

I remember when I met my best friend almost 16 years ago. It was after a class I was taking at church during Wednesday Night Bible study. I had signed up for another class which I didn't know at the time started 6 weeks later, so I decided to stay at church and drop in on another class.

After class a bunch of us stood in the hallway and a friend of mine introduced me to this very handsome man and said J perhaps you can assist this gentleman with finding a job. This handsome man was somewhat new to area and the job he currently had just wasn't the right fit and he was looking for a job in his field (which just happened to be radio/tv like me .. see how God works. :)

So D and I talked about the things he had done before moving to Texas and what type of job he was looking for in radio/tv. At the time I was a member of a local journalism group, so I invited him to attend one of our meetings and to call the jobline. I gave him my phone number and told me to call me when and I would be able to provide the location for our next meeting.

A few days later, he called and we talked about jobs, the meeting and life at our church. We seemed to have great chemistry and the conversation went on and on. I remember being late for the work the next morning because we were on the phone so late. :) The next two weeks would bring about many more conversations, with one call being a very special call.

I was working my weekend gig (I love to say that word, weird I know) and D said he would call me to ask a few more questions about working in media. He called and we talked about media and then out of nowhere he said, " I didn't just call you to find a job, but I also called to see if you would be interested in being more than just friends." (wha?) OMGosh ... YES!!!

Little did he know that I had been writing in my journal about him and asking God to show me CLEARLY what this relationship was about and what it was for. A few days we would go out on a date and D would reveal to me that he had been writing in his journal about me .. once he told me this, I told him what I had been doing. OMGosh.

God had been weaving us together and now was time. Finally a relationship where the "man" was pursuing me.

Many, many more "things" would happen to us in 1995, but they all confirmed to me that I was with the right person.

We met in February, we were married in December of that same year. I haven't looked back and am thanking God for a GREAT husband, friend and father of my babies.

I love you honey!!

Happy Anniversary!

Coming back slowly ...

I realize I am only typing to myself because it has been sooooooooooooo long since I posted an entry that I very well may have lost the 10 ppl who read on any regular basis.

Life took over and I put my blogs on the backburner, (Why I thought I could manage two blogs is beyond me) but continued to read some of my favorites and enjoy what they were writing.

Last week I realized I had been missing my own life. I have taken a gizillon photos, but they are ALL on my memory card and what fun is that, flipping through our lives on a 2in screen. Even though I had the photos ... I didn't have the "what we were thinking and saying" in that photo. I was enjoying others lives, but not my own.

So, I have decided to come back even if only a few posts per week, so I can go back and watch my boys grow, relive the funny things they say, brag on hubby and share some recipes and funny stories of what we call "Life".

Even though our lives have been thrown a curve ball ... God has been to us .. and I don't want to keep it in any longer.

Summer Fun

Lazy river...but without the cost of the water park.
You would never be able to tell him this isn't a real pool.

Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!

I think he's going to love the water. Next summer swim lessons for sure. This summer, we'll just stick to this kind of pool.

Thanks G & L for giving us this pool. Now all I have to do is blow ours up and fill it up with water.

Sundays

I love the fact that Daddy takes charge on Sunday mornings to make sure we are all in our seats to receive a word from God.

I also love the fact that the all our sons want to be just like daddy.

Even still .....

My computer crashed about 8 days, 53 minutes & 30 seconds ago and we have tried, tried, tried to get it back up .. to NO avail ....Even w/ the handy help of the customer service reps @ several well know computer companies. But who is counting? Certainly NOT me! :)

My van needed $600.00 worth of repairs ... & even after it was repaired, our other car "conked" out. We are a 1 car family now .. whohoo

Some $$$ I expected didn't arrive ...

This summer is starting with a BANG!

We are also STILL doing school because Ethan missed three weeks after his surgery in February and he is NOT happy.

BUT .. I have spent WONDERFUL amounts of time with my family, we attended the BEST VBS @ our church in 21 years, hubby & I have had more meaningful conversations than we've had in a long time ... we've learned a few new frugal lessons, we've baked lots new goodies, found a few FREE events & kiddo things to do (that will become a part of our weekly plans) and now I am planning out each day for the rest of the summer so my children can have "the best summer ever".

They are unaware of most of the lovely things going on around here .. except the cars, but they think it is fun to take daddy to work & hang out & talk w/ him in the car until he gets out @ his company and walk to places on the days daddy has the car.

With all that has gone on, I still believe that God has NOT left us .. He has held us in the palm of His hand. He has continued to provide for us & will continue to provide even past these "funny money" days for us this summer. I don't know how our ends will meet, but I'm not going to start doubting him now. There are a cloud of witnesses that have gone before me in the bible and in my own family ... He is a waymaker.

He IS Jehovah - Jireh

Memorial Day

This about sums it all up! Watermelon, watermelon, watermelon. I think he had 6 pieces just yesterday ALONE!Thought about an overnight road trip. Does it really take 4 BAGS?

Trying to get a good pics of the boys ..

If at first you don't succeed, try try again. DONE!

YES! Mom let us play in the water in our jammies. It must be a holiday.

Rethinking this "playing in the water" thing.

Headed out to get some slushes, but the troops have fallen asleep.

Good ... more for me & hubby! :)

Mid-afternoon Break

I decided we need to go for a walk after a long week of assignments, assessments & tests. So, we put on our walking shoes and headed outside for an afternoon stroll. Somehow, we ended up HERE!

Sooooo good, but now we need to walk for two more days to cancel out the MANY calories eaten at our little hometown favorite. :)

What happens ..............

When you leave your 3yr old alone for 2 minutes with a box of crayons & MARKERS you didn't know where in the box?

My daddy ...Originally posted in 10/2008

We spent the day with the Make A Wish Foundation and the Corvette Club @ Texas Motor Speedway and it made me miss my daddy. I wish he could have been here to join in on all the fun. Love you daddy.

I took an unexpected break from blogging, but needed the time away. My dad's birthday was last week (He's been with Jesus for nearly 3 years now) and my emotions have been all over the map.
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I was and am still a "daddy's girl" only daddy is not here to tell me anymore. There were 3 girls in my family and daddy treated us like his little princesses. I am the oldest, so I got to spend 4 extra special years being dotted on by my daddy. I had the privilege of having him walk me down the aisle and that is a day I will never forget.
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My daddy was a strong, loving, family man who loved his wife and his kids. He grew up in the deep south (Alabama) and endured many racial situations, but never used it as a crutch. We grew up being taught we could do anything and be anything.
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My daddy's yard was always impeccable and if it wasn't you knew something was wrong. Perfectly manicured even his older days. (His daddy was just like that). That gene must have skipped a generation, but I am getting better about details.
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My daddy told corny jokes ALL THE TIME, but we laughed anyway, because he always got a kick out of them and started laughing even before the punch line. The staff at the hospital knows what I am talking about. Mr. Jay and his jokes .. even the ICU and surgery staff ...
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My daddy loved all kinds of jazz including Ramsey Lewis, Carlos Santana, Miles Davis, just to name a few. I wish he could be here to see that he passed this love to his grandkids (my boys) because all three could live in front of YouTube and listen to Dizzy Gillespie singing shooby, dooby, oo, oo ... all day long .. they would only take a break to eat.
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My daddy barbecued (some call it grilling) all the time ... even in the dead days of winter. Now as an adult if my hubby says I am gonna BBQ, he is speaking my love language. My daddy could cook, man o man could he cook and he passed his skills on to his kids and grandkids.
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My daddy always had a sports car even after the children started arriving, that just meant he needed to get one with a backseat. In his 60's he drove a 5 speed candy apple red Chevy Camaro with mag wheels. (I have it now) He always wanted a Dodge Vipor and now so does my oldest son, if he gets one we will call it DaddyJay.
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He always said age is just a number and he was youthful to me every single day of his life. He was so handsome and many of my teachers through the years would always ask "How's your daddy?" in that special let me know if he is ever single voice. :)
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He taught the girls about cars and what was under the hood, so we could never be taken advantage of by the service department at a dealership. I know how to change the oil, listen for certain sounds and bargain like there is no tomorrow.
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God left a great reminder of my daddy with me, my middle son, looks, acts, walks and laughs JUST LIKE MY DADDY .. all Austin needs is a pair of blue jeans and a jacket to match and some Ralph Lauren cologne.
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My daddy knew he was gonna die, but was so brave about all the bad news from the hospital, but kept telling us we were gonna be okay. He just wanted to die at home which by the grace of God he did, we got him home just a day before he would go to be with Jesus.
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Thank God my daddy knew God and excepted Jesus as his Lord and personal Savior. Thank God for I know I will see him again.

Isn't she lovely?

My mother .. in her college days ... BOY, I miss this lady.

Mother's Day has not been the same since she went home to be with Jesus.

Love you mother.

Reading is fundamental ..

He doesn't even know all his sounds yet, but he LOVES looking through books.
If he could read all day, he would. I'll have to remind him of that in a few years, I'm sure.

Did you know that you can borrow the latest DVD, music, of course books from your local library? You can also borrow learning game systems like LeapFrog!

The key is .. to bring the items back on time ... or you will pay a fine. Not that I know ANYTHING about that. :)

Lazy Days

Sundays are always for family! We go to church, have lunch @ home and hibernate for the rest of the day. This past Sunday we ventured outside and I think we may have found a new getaway spot.

First time in the sand ..

DeClan


Ethan looking out on God's precious waters ...

I'm going to have some dirty boys by the time this is all over ......

We are going to do something different each Sunday after church until football starts again ... that's when I lose my hubby & oldest son to the NFL.

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month

I have volunteered and worked with children in foster care for more than 20 years. Each year gets harder and harder, but when I think about the children and pray for their futures, I know it is going to get better and better.

Fostering parenting is NOT for everyone, nor is it easy, but the children need people like you and me to step in and step up! However we can. You don't have to perfect, you just have to be willing to help and make a difference.

I know that there IS something every single person CAN do ... PRAY!

Pray for the children, the workers, the counselors, the therapists, the birth parents, the foster parents, the adoptive parents and the finances to continue the work that NEEDS to be done on behalf of people who have a very small voice.

To learn about foster care awareness month, just go here.

To learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent of children in the US foster care system, go here.

Happy Birthday to me ....

This year has flown by so fast, I simply could not believe my birthday is here. I spent most of the day with my oldest son @ the doctor's office and then we treated ourselves to Happy Hour at Sonic. Two thumbs up from Ethan's neurologist; there's not a better gift out there.

This past weekend hubby & I talked about breaking out the grill for my b-day, but it seemed like the rain was going to roll in, so I decided to shoot for another day to bbq. (my love language) Hubby decided we needed to go OUT for dinner to celebrate my birthday. I reluctantly agreed and off we went. We couldn't really decide what to eat and then I remembered a WONDERFUL Mexican restaurant my sissy turned me onto. YUMMO.This is AFTER we ate everything in sight:) I'm glad hubby vetoed my decision and made us go out to eat. I didn't have to cook or clean up and did I say, the meal was DELICIOSO?

Birthdays mean more to me now because you CANNOT take your life for granted and tomorrow is NOT promised. I want to live each day to the fullest, enjoy what God has given me and be in HIS will for my life.

Biggest for me is celebrating life and time with my family doing meaningful things that will make memories for my sons.

Everyday Happenings 3-2010

Spring Fever has sprung and we were itching to get out today ... We found a park for special needs kids and had a WONDERFUL time in the not so springy weather. It was 80 degrees yesterday ..... today it's 60.

Say Cheese!

Keeping Busy, REAL busy ..

We continue to bask in the goodness of God and watch my son heal. He had a visit to his neurosurgeon and his pediatric cardiologist recently and both marveled at how good Ethan is healing!



If you see him, you have NO IDEA this boy had brain surgery three weeks ago. We started back homeschooling the week after he came home, but this week has been especially difficult, because he knows all his friends are on spring break. I chose not to take this week because we were out of school for 3 weeks and fell behind and although his school said everything will be ok, I do not and know for sure Ethan will NOT want to have school still going on in August.




He looks out his window and sees the boys across the street playing, talking, and laughing and keeps asking, "aw, come on Mom, just one hour", but I know that hour will turn into ALL AFTERNOON and then we will have nothing to show for the day.



We added to our everyday, normally busy schedule with more therapy. It is something he needs, but we will all have to do some adjusting for the rest of this year. Twice a week we will drive to the hospital for OT/PT therapy and once a week he has speech therapy. I can already see a difference. I know it is going to do nothing but help him.



As the fall schedule approaches, we are going to have to start thinking about school for all of them. Son #2 starts kindergarten and Ethan may possibly start attending a new school. I really would just like to get him in one place so he can "sit down". :) Of course DeClan isn't too happy his brothers may leave him, so he wants to go to school too. If they all end up in school, I am gonna have to think about what happens next for me.



For 7 years my children have needed me flexible and needed me home. If they all start school things will be interesting around here.



But at least for the rest of this week, we gonna press on with school and try to have some fun this weekend. Hopefully, it will be a quiet one.

Recovering Well ....

#1 son and Dr. Weprin ... smiles all around!

We had our two week follow up appt and #1 son is recovering VERY WELL! It almost seems like he was never in the hospital! God is SO good. (God was good even when things didn't feel great too).



Praising God for His mighty miracle and a VERY healthy son!

Next week several bloggers will be in Kenya with Compassion International and one of them is Kristen of WeareTHATfamily. God has been doing some amazing things in her and her family's life and this trip to Kenya is no different.

Please join me in praying for her, the families she will meet and the children in the Compassion program that we hope WILL get sponsors THIS week.

**edited to add**
Her first post already has me in tears.

This ole blog o mine ..

I really do enjoy this blog, but have had to be neglectful in the last month. As we prepared for my son's surgery, things around us seemed to have fallen apart. I don't mean fallen apart as in we have no hope, but fallen apart as in schedules are broken, squirrels invading, and every last one of my modern maids going out on strike. First it was the washing machine, then the boys bathroom porcelain throne, then the dryer and two days later .. the dishwasher.

It has been so much easier to TWEET about the goings on of life, because my FB account is connected to my twitter account, so all I have to do is send a 140 character message about this life I live and all bases are covered. :)

But then there are so MANY things I have wanted to say and photos I wanted to add - - I have quiet a few "drafts", but have been able to complete any of them.

So I said all that to say to any of you who stop by or have stuck around (I am so sure I am speaking to all 2 of us) .. I will be back.

My son's surgery (both of them) went extremely well and I plan to blog about the two weeks we spent in the hospital, what God did for son #1 and a whole LOT of things I observed these first weeks of February. It was a lot and sometimes more than I can bear.

I also plan to blog about this teenager who mysteriously appeared at our house this weekend and how I plan to deal with him. It seems like OVERNIGHT ... OVERNIGHT .. the 13yr. genes kicked in and have exploded all over the place. HELP ME!

Praying for Ethan (Jordan)

With all that will be going on in a few weeks, we decided to create a CaringBridge website to keep you informed on son #1 progress. I am almost positive I won't feel like making phone calls are sending a lot of emails .. but D and I want to be able to provide updates for all of you who have been praying for our son and our family

I am feeling better than I was last week and finding peace from Christ in the midst of the storm. #1 son is doing well and has adjusted better than any of us. Children. They ARE a blessing.

In Two thousand ten or 2010

The phrase that keeps coming to mind for me for 2010 is to live my life "on purpose/with purpose". I am in my 40's now and each day God gives me IS a blessing.

No matter what comes my way, I WILL seek His face and get down on my knees to pray AND praise Him for what He has done. I really want to know how God wants to use me. How can I be a blessing to someone else.

Sometimes things seem so out of whack and out of sorts, but those are times when I need to stop and pray .. even if but a few words ... release what I have inside .. let go and let God. When things are this way, that is the perfect time to "serve" someone else. Easy to say, not easy to do, BUT if God says so ... I MUST!

The next few weeks are going to be hard, but I know who holds my hand and who holds the future.

He has my son in His hands. Right where he needs to be.

Happy New Year!