Renewed...

This weekend my husband gave me the most wonderful blessing!  He kept our 3 sweet boys while I loaded up with some of my most favorite girlfriends to go to the Whole Hearted Mother Conference in Los Colinas.  I love being home with my children. I love playing games with them, and jumping on the trampoline,  I love being able read books to them and doing the mountains of laundry that comes along with being a mom and a wife...ok, ok I lied, I secretly hate laundry! 
As much as I love being a mom and a wife there is something so refreshing about being able to sneak away and have a chance for a time of laughter, encouragement, and renewal.


While the conference was wonderful and I am still processing all that God had to say to me there I especially loved the down time I had with these sweet girls!

We had deep conversations and silly conversations.  We laughed more and harder than I have in a long time.  We even had hotel security called on us when our laughter got a little out of control!:)  We also enjoyed the melodious sounds of our next door neighbor's snoring...not!

Thanks girls for a wonderful weekend.  I can't wait to hear all that God does through the things we have learned this weekend.

We missed you Kim!!!

Look Who's Crawling!!

Tomorrow my sweet Kolson will be 9 months old!  He is officially at my most favorite stage.  You know the one where they are so cute and sweet that you start thinking you would like to have another one!:)  Kolson has been rolling over for a while now and has been turning in circles on his belly for a month or so.  In the last few weeks I have seen him up on all fours but tonight...He did  it...he crawled!

Go Koley go!!

Kolson also recently learned to hold his own bottle...

However, he would MUCH rather have someone hold it for him!

We have so loved having Kolson as a part of our family for the past 9 months.  He is such a sweet and happy baby.  It is rare to see him without a smile.  He loves to be held and gives such sweet little hugs.  I know that the years to come are just going to be so fun...three boys laughing, playing, and I am sure a little fighting here and there.  We serve a great God who has truly blessed us beyond our wildest dreams.

Happy 9 months sweet Kolson!

Where to start...

February has been a wild month!  Not only did my sweet baby sister get married (pictures coming soon!) but we are also in the middle of the most amazing revival  I have ever had the chance to be a part of at our church!  God is moving in so many AWESOME ways.
And can I just say that I think we WAY over use the word awesome...we use it talk about food or cars or movies, when really, it is such a powerful word.  The dictionary says the word awesome means- inspiring awe or wonder.  I LOVE food but I am not sure I have ever eaten anything that inspires awe in me!:)
I say all of this so you will understand that what God is doing in this community IS awesome...it is inspiring awe and wonder...because ONLY He could do something so amazing.

Here are the facts:

Over 180 pizzas have been eaten by students, children, and their parents!

2, yes 2 cars have been given away!

2 Nintendo game systems have been given away!

600 steaks are being prepared for tonight as I type!

Over 450 in attendance on Monday and Tuesday night!

But most importantly...

Over 83 people have given their hearts to Christ!!!

Like I said... awesome!

Here are some pictures that I stole from Allison's blog!

It's not too late to come join the fun!  7:00 tonight...FBC Malakoff!  See you there!

Scripture Memory Journey

Have this sweet friend Kim.  She just so happens to be our music minister's wife, but more than that, she is lady who seeks to know God more.  She is constantly sending out encouraging e-mails and is serious about us girls holding one another accountable.  I am thankful for Kim and her friendship.  I am also thankful that Kim has inspired me to take on a challenge this year.
Last year Kim participated in a scripture memory challenge through Beth Moore's LPM blog.  The challenge was to learn 2 verses per month for the whole year.  Kim not only started the journey but she finished and finished well.  She even got to have her picture made with Beth at the big scripture memory celebration!

While the LPM blog is not doing the challenge again this year, Kim is continuing the challenge and invited me to join her.  I am a little behind on posting but I have been working on my 2 verses per month.  As of today I have 3 memorized and I am working on the fourth.  To provide myself with some accountability I will be posting on the 1st and 15th of every month with the verse I am going to be memorizing.

There is nothing fancy about it.  I choose a verse that God has led me to or one that I think may be helpful to know as I am dealing with everyday life.  I have a little notebook that I write my verses in and I try to practice when I can.  I am so excited to see what God does this year.  I believe there is SO much power in hiding His word in our hearts!

So far I have been working on:

Philippians 2:14-15

Do EVERYTHING without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a cooked and depraved generation in which you shine like the stars in the universe.

(obviously if I could just learn to practice the first 6 words in this verse life as I know it would totally change!)

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of SELFISH ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.

Proverbs 29:11

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

(So what would I be considered if I just give a little vent to my anger?? This is another verse I really want to learn to practice not just memorize!)

Philippians 4:8

Finally brothers 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 on these things.

(I spend WAY to much time dwelling on things that are not excellent or praiseworthy...namely, my own selfish desires, and how I think things should go MY way...see why I need to know verses 1 and 2!)

It's not too late for you to join up and take this journey with us!  We are only on verse number 4!  Let me know if you want to join up...we are still thinking about what we will do in December when we meet our goal!

Happy LOVE Day!!

I have always wanted to be one of "those" kind of moms.  You know the ones I am talking about, the ones that are at all the school parties and who go out of their way to make even the little things super special.  Ok...I will admit that I have even pictured myself in the cute little holiday aprons preparing special treats for my family.
While this is how I want to be, most days the ordinary takes over and I just don't find the time or the money to make my little dreams a reality.
I determined that Valentine's Day this year would be different. (After all, I do live is house full of boys and it is the ONE day when I can get away with having pink and red and hearts everywhere!)  Since we are still trying to stick to our budget I knew I would need to get creative with the things I had around the house to make this holiday special.

So  Kaden and I made some Valentine cupcakes...even a few blue hearts for the sweet boys in my life!

We also practiced our pattern skills while we made a "love" chain to decorate the kitchen window.

We made love bugs to hang over the table (and yes we have lived here for over 2 years and we still have not moved the chandelier to where it hangs directly over the table...someday!).

My parents had also sent a few goodies for the boys to celebrate Valentine's Day so after they went to bed I set out all of the goodies, hand made Valentine's that Kaden made, and the special heart hats I made each of the boys. I didn't think Sam would be too excited about a heart hat...but she did get some chocolate and a few pairs of cute heart socks!

Here is the table all ready for Sunday Morning:

We celebrated "Love Day" with some sweet french toast for breakfast and a great day at church worshipping the who loves us most of all!

Thanks for the warning...

As a parent I have found that I do so many things the way my mom did them.  It is just what I know.  To be honest I think my parents did a great job and so why fix what isn't broken...right?  Well, today I wish my mom would have warned me how unpredictable kids can be.

Since Kaden turned 5 he has really moved out of the nap stage.  However, there are some days when he gets really whiny or cries easily and I just know that he could really benefit from a nap.  Today was one of those days.  I knew there would be some fussing involved but I was pretty surprised by what actually happened.

Here is the conversation:

Nathan:  Kaden I think you need a nap today.

Me: I agree, a nap would be good

Kaden:  I don't want a nap

Kaden (after some thought): well I am just going to run away.

INSERT FLASHBACK:  I remember as a kid telling my mom that I was going to run away.  Instead of getting my way like I was seeking, she calmly told me that she would help me pack my bags.  I cried and changed my mind within seconds.

Knowing how my mom handled this situation with me I thought I was totally prepared...

Me:  oh Kaden if you want to run away you better pack a bag.

Kaden: ok...

And off he went to his room, grabbed a bag, and began filling it up.  He even got a snack for the road. 

Here was the shocker:

He didn't even give us a hug before he walked out the door.


I was sure he would turn around before he got to the end of the driveway.

I was wrong.


He walked two houses down to his friend Hunter's house.  Hunter wasn't there so he just sat at the door. 

Sam finally convinced him to come home.  He was still not happy and still insisted that when Hunter returned he would be out of here.

So I took another approach.  I thought I would explain to him how awful life would be if he had to go live with other people.

None of it worked.  He is one tough kid.  He didn't even bat an eye when I told him that not all mommies and daddies buy toys and snacks for their kids.

He is in his bed now... and I am sure he is dreaming of a home where little boys don't have to take naps.

Thanks for the warning mom!  Things didn't go like I thought they would.  Now I don't know how to help him see how much we love him and how different life would be for him if he did run away.  I am sure it is just a phase...but man watching him walk out that door hurt my heart.

Any suggestions??

Snow in Texas???

Because I couldn't resist sharing a few pictures of my boys and their first ever snowball fight! 

Kaden was excited until he the snow made him slip!  He finally came around and joined in the fun!

I am not sure I have ever heard Karter laugh more than when he hit Nathan with a snowball!

I am cherishing these moments.  Moments that I know will go by more quickly than I would like.  I am more careful now to stop and give my precious Lord thanks for the blessing of my sweet family. 

Thank you Jesus for days like this...days to enjoy your creation with the ones you have created!

The Church

This is our church...

It is a beautiful building.  But really it is just the building that houses our wonderful church.

This is really our church...

Although most of them would not allow me to take their pictures...our church IS our people.  People who love to go out of their way to love others.

We have always known that FBC Malakoff is a special place but this week they came out in full force.  In  one of our most difficult trials in life our sweet church family came up beside us and held our arms up.  Our phones were flooded with encouraging messages.  Our e-mail boxes were over flowing with messages and prayers.  Our mail box was full of cards when we returned home.  Nathan's desk had a stack of cards waiting on him when he returned to the office.  A sweet family brought a meal to us tonight and we have two more coming this week.  Over 35 people made the drive from Malakoff to Shreveport to be at Maria's visitation or funeral. 

Church family, you will never know how much you have blessed our hearts in this time.  We consider it such an honor and a blessing to being serving along side you!  We love each of you...thank you for loving us!

This is why it is so important to get connected with a church.  Yes, my husband is the pastor and you may be thinking that is why these people did all of this...boy are you mistaken, these people love Jesus and in turn they love people.  In the last month we have had 2 other families in our life group class lose a parent...and our sweet people lined up once again to pray, bring meals, send cards, and call with encouraging messages.

Being connected or plugged into a small group or life group or Sunday school class(whatever you want to call them)  is so rewarding.  Not only are you challenged in your walk with the Lord but you also have the great opportunity to share your life with others.  You have the wonderful privilege of serving others in your class while they are hurting and then when life hands you some lemons your group is there with you, helping you make lemonade out of those lemons.

I know it can be scary and intimidating even to visit a new class.  It may even take visiting a few different ones until you find one that works best for you.  It may take you a while to really "click" with the people in your group...but hang on, really work at getting to know the people in your group...LET OTHER PEOPLE IN and before long you will not know what to do without those special people who love you even at your worst and who really genuinely want to pray for you.

I love the verse in Proverbs that says: as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.  God uses us to sharpen each other.  When we come together to worship Him and to serve one another we become more like Him.

So...

If you are looking for a church...we have a great one and we would LOVE to have you here!

If you are a part of a church...GET PLUGGED IN!

To be absent from the body is to be with Jesus...

The call came...Our sweet Re is rejoicing in Heaven today...totally cancer free!

Thank you so much for your prayers...please continue to lift up the family in this time of heartache.

I have almost been scared to answer the phone for the last two days.  Nathan left yesterday morning around 4:30 to head to Shreveport.  Maria told John that she thought it was "time". 

The doctors seems to agree.

In God's great mercy he allowed Nathan to get there just 15 minutes before she feel into a very deep sleep.  He was able to hug her and talk to her and he was able to watch her tell his sweet Dad how much she loved him.  Since that moment she has been in that same deep sleep.

So every time the phone rings I hold my breath looking to see who is calling.  If it someone other than Nathan I breath deep and answer.  The times Nathan has been able to call I have barely been able to get the word hello out of my mouth.

I know that Maria is more ready than ever to meet our precious Savior.  I know that everyone has had a chance to say goodbye.  I know that we have had time to prepare our hearts for this.
But...

Are you ever really ready for something like this?

So I continue to wait for that phone call.  Praying continually for God's great peace and comfort to fall on that place.

Would you join me in  lifting up Maria, John, Nathan, and the entire family in this time?