A spring storm

We had a typical Texas spring storm last week. High winds, rain, hail, tornadoes...we experience them often in the spring. We've already had to have James, our roofer, come out to replace shingles and the metal piece that sits on top of our chimney once this season. James knows us well - we're the only house he's come to three times in one month (that was last spring). God bless him for securing the loose shingles he happened to find last week along with patching 3 holes! I digress...Thursday night was the most impressive storm we've seen to date at this house. It truly looked like it had snowed. You can see the force with which it hit in this picture...

The rain/hail was coming so hard and fast that the rock part of our flower bed was overrun. At one point Clay had to brave the rain to dig another trench so the water wouldn't reach our front door. Here's a handful of hail. It was only large pea size here, but there were reports of tennis ball sized hail to our west and north. Sadly, my beautiful azaleas didn't fair well. The blooms were plentiful and large before getting hammered. Now the few that are left look quite sad. I'm glad I got to enjoy them for a week or so...and maybe with some TLC they'll bloom again.












The boy was so excited by all of this activity. He kept saying, "It's raining! It's raining! I want to go outside!" while running back and forth between our front and back doors. Here he is watching Clay dig a new path for the water. He had great fun playing with some of the hail - and I think he even got a piece or two in his mouth. The girl missed the fun - sleeping through it all - and the dog was less than impressed. She stayed on my heels until it passed. Gotta love a Texas spring!

Unmotivated day

It's one of those days - when there are a million things I need to be doing, but I am totally unmotivated to do any of them and in a strange mood to boot. Fortunately I've had lots of good excuses come my way to help me procrastinate.

It all started when I rolled over and looked at the clock...it read 8:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m.?!?!?!?! It's a school day (school starts at 9:00) and on this particular school day I was meeting a friend early so she could make it to her dentist appointment. MERCY! I skipped the shower (something I really don't like to do, but seem to be doing more often these days), made myself somewhat presentable and started the morning routine with the kids. We made it out the door and met Abby and her girls in time - amazing and I'm still not sure how that was accomplished. I brought the girl and Abby's youngest home with me and we played. It was fun to watch the girl with a friend. I realized it had been a while since she had been here with another kid without the boy -those moments are rare. The two girls are only 7 months apart so they had a lot of fun. Of course I got nothing accomplished while they were here - who would with a 21-month-old and 14-month-old running around? Then I had the joy of visiting with Abby until it was time to pick up the kids from school. SCORE - more reasons not to get anything done. Gotta love a friend who comes through for you like that. And she brought me a coke...she's the best!

Now the kids are down, toys are everywhere, and their lunch is still on the table - well I did put the milk away. It's not been a total waste of a day - my lunch is cooking (yes, it's almost 2:00 p.m.), chicken is thawing for dinner tonight, and a load of laundry is in the washer. My plan was to exercise before lunch, eat and clean up (the house and me), but then I got a call asking for help. In about 1 1/2 hours, I'll have another little boy for about 1 1/2 hours. Rats - not enough time to get it all done and shower before he arrives. So, I'll just eat lunch, blog a bit, and shower.

Totally unmotivated I am (in the spirit of Yoda). And honestly, I don't feel too bad about it - which is obvious as I type this totally pointless post! Man am I glad we don't have a nanny-cam on days like this. If I hadn't let you into our world today you all could go on thinking I'm super-mom! (yeah, right!)

Spring Open House

Last night the boy's preschool hosted an Open House for family and friends. That afternoon the boy was all excited about going to school and having Pop and Grannylou there as well. The evening started with a short music program followed by the opportunity to visit the classrooms and have refreshments. (You'll most likely want to double click on some of the pictures to see them well, due to distance they are dark.)

We knew the night wasn't going to go well almost upon entering the sanctuary. The children were to sit with their teachers, and the boy was having none of that. We were sitting nearby so Miss Joanne and Miss Linda let him come sit with us. We kept trying to get him to sit with his friends, but he would only stay as long as I was right beside him. I did get one picture of him with two girls that we also go to church with. Don't they look beautiful? The girl was all about the activity. She paid close attention when the kids started singing.

Can't you tell how excited Clay and Pop are as they wait for the program to begin? What good men they are. When the program began, the boy enjoyed singing along with the older children. Then it came time for him to go on stage. The tears began...and the teachers suggested I sit on the floor near him. Can you see him clinging to me in tears? He didn't want me to go anywhere! (On the video, you can hear him across the sanctuary!)

I was finally able to pry him off and get him to stand near the other children. He cried through most of the song despite my attempts to get him to do the motions I'd seen him do at home. He finally made the horn go beep, beep, beep through his sobs. The only time he smiled was when a little girl ran by. He said he wanted to go race too. After the first song, we stood off to the side to be less of a distraction. He was perfectly content to watch the other kids perform.

He eventually joined in singing and doing the motions. He just isn't one for performing for a crowd (sounds like another male in our home). He was very encouraging, though, cheering and clapping wildly for his friends when they were done.


The whole event provided some laughs, but we'll be surprised if he grows up to be a public speaker or musician.

The rest of the night proved a bit unsettling for him as well. He didn't know what to think about all of us in his class. He pretty much stayed in Clay's arms until he got a cookie and then went to play outside. This morning we were back to the routine he knows there, and all was well. He sure does love that place and his teachers. Every night he thanks God for school and let's Him know that "school is fun!"

(I apologize for typos, blogger won't let me spell check!)

Cousin time

Aunt Kristi, Uncle Eric, Kadyn and Dylan moved into their new home this weekend. While the furniture was being moved, Grannylou, Kadyn and Dylan came over to play. The girl was enthralled with Kadyn watching her every move. It was fun to watch the boys actually play together. We all headed to the new house with lunch and the kids enjoyed the new BIG back yard and new places to explore.

Here's the girl Sunday before church. This outfit warranted pictures. She knew she was cute - that seems to be a theme with her...

(Thanks for the outfit, Mimi.)

Bring the rain?

I am almost speechless and yet I feel compelled to share...God is breaking my heart and I am so humbled. I've spent time today reading about a woman and her baby that I don't know (http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com), and I am moved to tears. Last night I watched part of the Primetime special on The Last Lecture, the story of Randy Pausch. Would I walk these roads with such grace and trust? Would I hold my head up high or bury my head in the sand? I fear the latter is where I would be inclined to go.

I think back over my life - such a charmed life - and realize that up to this point, I've not been asked to walk an incredible harrowing road. Sure, life hasn't been perfect, but can I really complain? NO! No, my folks weren't perfect. They fought. I didn't always have everything I wanted, but I never lacked anything. My sister and I hated each other for years. I was hurt by friends. I felt rejection. My heart was broken - and I know I broke some along the way. I battled self-acceptance (still do) and a need for the approval of others. But I know that there are many who would give anything to live the life I have. I don't say that in a pious way, but with humility. How often I take it all for granted. My parents are still together. My sister and I are now friends. I was able to go to the college of my choice where I met an amazing man. This man has refused to leave my side even when I've been completely unlovable. This man encouraged me to take the job I wanted even though it meant less money and longer to pay off debt. We bought our first house on our third anniversary. We are members of an amazing church that challenges my lack of evangelistic focus. We have friends to walk through life with - friends who drop things at a moment's notice to be there if we need it. Friends we want to drop life for when they hurt. I know this is rare. My folks live down the road. We have two healthy children. I get to stay home with my children, and the material sacrifices for me to do that aren't noticed. Charmed, I tell you. Charmed.

So as I walk along dark roads with friends and read about the struggles others have, I wonder why not me. And then I wonder if I would be able to walk those roads with the same grace and trust that I see them have. In many ways, I fear our short road of infertility was my big test, and I know I failed. I failed miserably. My moments of trust and complete abandon of my desires to His were few and far between. I was a roller coaster of emotion and angry more times than I wasn't. I tried to put on a brave face, but deep in my heart I wasn't okay with where God was taking us. Little did I know the blessings He had in store - blessings at the right time. He constantly has to raise my head hung in shame for the way I treated Him.

Some days I want a do-over. I want to be able to try again to show God how much I've learned to trust Him in the last few years. At least I think I trust Him more. I want to bring Him glory instead of focusing on my own hurt and pain. But can I honestly ask God to bring rain into my life to deepen my relationship with Him? Am I willing to accept whatever road He has for me if it means more intimacy with Him? What if the road He needs to take my husband or children on requires hardship? How I want to want all that He wants. How I want to be completely His; but when I am honest with myself, my desires often hold contingencies: As long as you don't take ____. As long as my kids are healthy and safe. As long as it has a happy ending. As long as I can still be comfortable.

I want more intimacy. I want more daily dependence upon Him. I want to fall in love all over again. I want my husband to fall in love with God all over again. I want my kids to fall madly in love with God early in life. I want...but am I willing to walk whatever road it takes for us to get there? Honestly, I'm not sure I'm willing to walk whatever road. And that saddens me. I'm praying my heart will soon be able to pray with all honesty and sincerity the words from a song by MercyMe:

Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain
but if that's what it takes to praise You.
Jesus, bring the rain.

A weekend with Audrey, Billy, Bessie and Jodi

This radiant lady is my grandmother, Audrey. We lovingly call her Mom (and now that she's a great-grandmother sometimes The Grand Mom). I just spent an amazing 3 days with her thanks to several family members - namely my hubby! To read the back story of how this came to be, click here.

What an amazing weekend to learn more about my grandmother and her faith, my late grandfather, my father, and other family. She is a kindred spirit, and I am so thankful for these memories. Rarely do I have her all to myself - and for 3 whole days! We laughed, we cried, we sat in awe of God, we worshipped, and we prayed together. We were scarcely quiet - even when reading late at night my grandmother laughs out loud when she gets tickled. My heart overflows with gratitude for those who helped us get away for this rare treat. I didn't think I could love this lady any more, but I was wrong.

Friday morning, I flew to Birmingham where I met my grandmother at the airport. Mom and I hit the road to Charlotte trying to beat the bad weather that was headed our way. Eight hours (filled with stories, laughter, heavy rain and much traffic) later we arrived at our beautiful hotel and crashed.

The next morning we headed to the Billy Graham Library for the day. Literally, I mean the day. They say to give yourself 1 1/2 - 2 hours for the tour - we were there a total of 6 hours (yes, S-I-X!!!!). We enjoyed ourselves so much that we didn't even notice how late it was. Not only are the grounds beautiful (even with a light rain), but they have thought of every detail. The library/museum is constructed like a barn - even down to the sinks in the bathroom! The cafe is called the Graham Brothers Dairy Bar and the hot dogs are named Billy Franks. (The family dairy farm was known as Graham Brothers Dairy and Billy was called Billy Frank by his folks since he is a junior.) They even have a robotic cow, Bessie, that starts off the tour with a song. She was quite impressive! Check out Mom eating her Billy Frank...

This is the house Billy grew up in just a few miles from its current location. It has been moved brick by brick and restored. We had the joy of talking with Rose Adams, Mrs. Graham's nurse in her last years (Billy's mother). What a treat to hear directly from the women who was so close to her in those days.



The focus of the tour is Christ. You enter the library through the foot of the cross. Every video, memorabilia, quote, and Scripture speaks of the message of the Gospel. Inspiring!

Two things really struck me while I was there:
1. The chain of faith as they called it. The chain starts with a Sunday school teacher who led D.L. Moody to the Lord. D.L. led someone else who did something else and on and on until it mentions Rev. Ham, the evangelist that led the revival when Billy Graham accepted Christ. We never know how our actions affect the Kingdom.
2. The faith and commitment of Morrow Coffey Graham (Billy's mother) and Ruth Bell Graham. These women served their families tirelessly and sought God above all else. What an influence they had on Billy and what crucial roles they played so Billy could do what God called him to do. What a challenge to me as a young wife and mother.

Ruth Bell Graham is buried on the grounds - at the foot of the cross. The sidewalks down to the grave site form a cross. What a beautiful picture. Her marker, a simple field stone from NC, reads, "End of construction. Thank you for your patience." She saw the sign as they were driving down the highway one day and said that it was what she wanted on her tombstone. The family agreed. I think it is quite poignant.


God blessed us in a myriad of ways Saturday. One of the best was getting to meet the director of the library, Wayne. Mom's pastor knows Wayne and told her to ask for him. Being a Saturday he wasn't there, but she left him a note. As we were about to leave the library, a guide caught us and told us Wayne had stopped by. He took a large amount of time from his day to share with us some details we didn't know about the library, the current happenings of the ministry, and Billy's health. He gave us a couple of commemorative magazines and gave my grandmother a wonderful book that chronicles Billy's life and ministry in pictures. We felt God smiling on us all day.

God blessed me personally with a real treat - tulips everywhere! I love tulips and the business complex near our hotel used them as the backdrop of their landscaping. The red, white, and unique orangey-pink flowers warmed my heart each time we passed.

The drive back to Birmingham Sunday was much less eventful, but full of worship as we enjoyed the CD Mom bought at the gift shop. Those old hymns brought back a flood of memories.

To cap off the weekend, my best friend met me at the Birmingham airport to visit while I waited to take off. She kindly brought a Sonic coke and Cadbury Creme Eggs - gotta love her! It was another wonderful refreshment for my soul to spend time with her. Always a treat - even if it was only an hour.

It was a weekend that I am still processing - a weekend of rejuvenation and refreshment. A weekend where God spoke.

And Clay and the kids did great just like I knew they would.

Make It Rain - The Sequel

In the spirit of Pebbles

Our daughter sported her first ponytail today.

I had to capture it - and got some of her famous faces as well!





And yes - she knows she's cute.

Our mini-adult

I failed to catch the best pose: him holding the paper open intently checking out what's on sale!

I'm hoping to teach him early how to find the best deal!

Bye bye curls

As promised, this was a full family affair. There was much thrashing and wailing, and at one point it took both of us holding him down! I was sad to see the curls go, but summer is upon us. As much as he loves to play outdoors, as dark as his hair is, and as much as he sweats, the summer cut was a must. He does look quite dashing though, doesn't he?

BEFORE

















AFTER

Enjoy the game

This is a phrase that is repeated often around our house right now thanks to Super Why! The "super story answer" to Red & Princess' problem is "enjoy the game." (I know that makes no sense unless you've seen The Tortoise and the Hare episode.) Anyway, I walked into the kitchen this afternoon and found this on our fridge...I confirmed that Dad didn't help- the boy did this all on his own! I'm quite proud...and have to protest those that say any amount of television is not good for our little ones. I agree too much can be a problem, but our boy has learned A LOT from Blue, BOZ and Super Why! that I'm not sure he would know by this point if it was all left up to me!

A little about us

Found this on another blog and thought it might be fun for those of you who don't know us all that well - and some of you who do know us might be surprised by a few of the answers (yeah, right!).

1. Who is your man? Clay

2. How long have you been together? married 9 years in May

3. How long did you date? 11 months before engagement, 7 month engagement

4. How old is your man? 30 (this is where he would point out that I am older than him even if it is only 4 months and 3 days!)

5. Who eats more? usually him, but I can put him to waste with chips & salsa

6. Who said, "I love you," first? he did the Sunday after we got back from a ski trip in the street - he led me to the interstate (we were in Memphis) and then I was headed home to Nashville - we'd been dating all of 1 month

7. Who is taller? HELLO - not hard to beat 4'11"

8. Who sings better? we can both sing on key, but it's not a natural gift for either of us

9. Who is smarter? again- HELLO - engineer vs. communications gal and he remembers all sorts of various junk he learned in school and on the History Channel

10. Whose temper is worse? On a regular basis - mine. His fuse is longer, but once it's blown it's blown big.

11. Who does the laundry? mostly me, but he will

12. Who takes out the garbage? I usually gather it from around the house and he takes the cans to the street.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? when you are facing the bed, me (see, it's different if you are talking about when you are lying down on your back)

14. Who pays the bills? I do, but he has and can.

15. Who is better at the computer? Depends on the program

16. Who mows the lawn? definitely him - and he does an awesome job!

17. Who cooks dinner? mostly me, but he grills

18. Who drives when you are together? him

19. Who pays when you go out? him

20. Who is most stubborn? usually me, but he has his moments

21. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? usually me because I usually am

22. Who kissed who first? we disagree a bit on this, but basically it's me because I misread his signals

23. Whose parents do you see the most? mine because they live 10 minutes from us while his are 8 hours away

24. Who asked who out? Since our first date was after our DTR, does this really count? But he was the one who asked for a real date the next week.

25. Who proposed? Him - he knew we were going to get married first too.

26. Who is more sensitive? Usually me.

27. Who has more friends? Probably me because I can talk to a fence post.

28. Who has more siblings? him - 1 sister and 2 half-sisters

Little Miss Attitude

Terrible twos. The tween years. These I heard about, but our little girl must be an overachiever since she is only 13 months. She has developed quite the little attitude lately. This morning she bit me - BIT ME ON THE CHEEK - because I wouldn't let her play with the computer. Some family members keep bringing up stories from my toddler days, but I just don't see the similarities (yeah, right). My mom found this picture from my dad's birthday party that captures one of her fits (without the arching back and flailing legs). As you can see, my dad is quite surprised as this was the first time my family had the honor of seeing her in full swing. Now you know better how to pray for me and Clay!

Easter

We had a fabulous Easter weekend. Mimi, Granddaddy, and Aunt Claire came to visit. We had a great time playing outdoors, watching basketball and just enjoying each other. Again, I didn't take too many pictures, but here are a few from Sunday morning. The boy is less tolerant of posing these days - thus why the family photo only has 3 of us in it! Hopefully I'll have more pictures to share once Mimi and Aunt Claire send some my way!