ANOTHER birthday party

July is the month of birthday parties, I tell ya! Here is one for our dear friend Lauren (or Lou as we lovingly call her) who turned 2. Her birthday is easy to remember because it's the same day as my grandfather's. Her mama threw a party extraordinaire - it's so bloomin' hot here that she cleared out her front living room so she could put a small bounce house and pool filled with balls for the kids. They served hot dogs and adorable cupcakes - and she even thought to fill a baby pool with ice to hold the kids' drinks. Streamers and balloons hung from the ceiling - it was so festive! (If you want some more great pictures, check out Abby's blog.) The boy had a blast - bouncing and cupcakes, two of his favorites. Here he is with the birthday gal and then with his best boy pal.












He did have to spend a few moments in time out, but it wasn't too traumatic for him. Amazingly, he picked out a rock and sat on it. When he saw these pictures, he remembered that he was in time out. The girl spent most of her time in someone's arms unless she was swinging. Guess she felt too cool to join in the fun. (In the pool shot, she's the one "observing" from Kristina's lap!)

We have another birthday party this Saturday, Uncle Eric's next Friday, and then another the second Saturday in August. I promise we aren't invited to EVERY party that happens either!

FYI: I'm selfish

I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. Really I just can't turn my brain off (and my hubs smells like Bengay), and I process much better externally. So I thought I would flesh it out here and I'm going to try my best not to edit myself (very challenging for this consummate self-editor). So bear with me if this makes no sense, seems juvenile or hits you the wrong way. This post is basically to get this stuff out of my brain - and I type faster than I write.

There's a recurring two-part lesson in my life: I am selfish, and life is not about me.

I've been through God's lesson plans before on this topic; but just when I think I've got a good handle on it, He peels back another layer for me to explore.

I am one intensely selfish human being. I look at most of my life through lenses of how to make myself comfortable, how to take the easy road, and how to make sure I look good doing it (or at least have others nod approvingly). In reality though - life is not about me. It isn't about how I can be most comfortable or how I can be the best or look good to others. It was a rude awakening to me one day in the midst of a pity party about how someone else didn't seem to really care about me that said person had her own life. It wasn't that she didn't care about me, it was simply that she had more important things at that time (ie. her family). She didn't schedule her world around me (say what?). She didn't wake up thinking about how her life would affect me. She focused on the tasks in front of her that day and on the people God placed under her care. It was a rude awakening to me that a certain trial (take your pick of which one - big or small) in my life may not be about me at all. I don't know the reason why, but there are plenty of possibilities that don't include me at all. Sometimes God uses one of His vessels to get the attention of another. Perhaps I needed to walk that road so my husband would surrender one more part of himself. Perhaps it was so my father would fall more deeply in love with God. Perhaps it was so a friend would be encouraged in her own walk. Perhaps it was so someone I don't know would hear about God as one of my friends shared my story. Only God knows. He's what life is all about anyway, right?

I shouldn't take it all so personally, but unfortunately I often do. Less than I used to, but still more often than I should. When someone else succeeds, it isn't to spite me. When someone else gets recognition, it isn't because I don't deserve it. When someone else looks better than me, it isn't because God didn't love me as much. When someone else gets something I want, it isn't because He doesn't want to bless me too. Because it isn't about me. It's about what will bring Him the most glory. He is about His master plan - to seek and to save that which was lost. It isn't about my happiness or my contentment or my comfort. It isn't about my popularity, my achievements, or my agenda. It's about Him, His love, His grace, His mercy.

How much easier life would be if I could remember that in the midst of my day instead of in the wee hours of the morning!

Hi, I'm Kaci. I'm recovering from selfishness; please be patient as I try to remember that life isn't about me.

Who am I? I am Yours.

I love when a familiar song seems to come alive all over again. It happened for me today as I was driving. Thank you, Father, for calling me to be Yours. Thank you, Father, for making my salvation totally dependent upon You.

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours. I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours. I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

You know you're tired when...

you fall asleep at the table while eating dinner in the midst of your parents' LifeGroup fellowship (say about 30 some-odd people including kids of all ages); and you aren't disturbed by your mom pulling you into her lap so you don't hit the floor, nor are you disturbed when your dad takes you from your mom so she can eat nor when your mom takes you to lay you on the couch and you remain there for another 45 minutes or so until your dad picks you up to head to the car. And you're really tired when you cry throughout your entire bath because you are so ready for your bed even though you've just had a good nap...

If only I had video or a picture...he was the "life" of the party tonight!

I held the door

So last Wednesday-Friday our church held a community sports camp and tournament for kindergarten - 12th graders. It is our little twist on VBS. The kids play a lot, but there is a always an evangelistic devotion given while they eat.

Thursday was just one of those days for me. I was frustrated that my ability to serve without condition no longer exists. I have children to consider - meaning childcare, meals, bedtime since the camp ran from 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. I was frustrated for a myriad of other reasons as well and found myself very down about how little I feel like I'm serving right now. I enjoyed serving on Thursday (I was unable to be there Wed.), but didn't feel like I was playing a crucial role.

Still, Friday I wanted to go for some reason. I didn't really have a reason not to go help so I packed up the kids and headed out, but my frustration and pity party from the day before lingered. I geared up to help with the devotion for the kindergarten - 6th graders learning I would be counseling anyone who wanted to make a decision.

After all my internal bellyaching, God allowed me the privilege to hold the door to heaven open as two young children asked Jesus into their heart that evening. I now have a new brother and sister...and I got the joy of walking them into the family. What an honor!

I was so humbled to be a part of something so much bigger than myself - and 'gently' reminded that His ways are so beyond mine.

Update on the rain

Still not at a point where I can share details, I wanted to update you on the rain that came in late May (see post from June 1). While the rain has stopped (praise GOD!), the cleanup now begins. Kind of like the rains in the mid-west where certain towns were hit harder than others, the ripple effects are still felt far and wide. The devastation left behind at moments seems beyond repair, but we know our God is HUGE. Cleanup, restoration, and redemption must take place one step at a time. Healing takes time - often longer than we wish it would. Sometimes a bigger mess is made before something beautiful and stronger emerges. Our prayer continues to be for forgiveness, healing, humility, and openness. We desire for God to be glorified through this entire ugly mess. He is known for making beauty from ashes, right?

Like Daddy

Me: Where'd your hair go?


The boy: I got a haircut!!
(followed by giggling)





Don't they look more alike than ever?



And check out his eyelashes!

His eyes just pop now, and he looks so much older.








(I am finally caught up with all my pictures/posting. It's been one busy summer and we've still got a lot to come - the boy goes to camp at his preschool for 2 weeks, a visit from my cousin, weekly playgroup, more birthday parties, my trip to San Antonio with my mom, starting another year of preschool, Clay's birthday, and then the much anticipated vacation! I must say I'm enjoying that our summer is a bit extended by waiting to do vaca until mid-September.)

Fun on the 4th

We opted to just grill out and play at home on the 4th. It gets dark so late here, we had the big party the next morning, and we aren't sure what the reaction to fireworks will be. Maybe next year. The kids enjoyed our backyard while Clay grilled an amazing dinner. Mimi and Aunt Claire caught some amazing shots - and then Aunt Claire had to join in the fun. Can you tell our kids love to be outside?

Birthday weekend part 2

PARTY TIME!!! Do you think he had fun?

We had a great pool party with lots of family and friends on his actual birthday this year. We are so thankful for fellow friends who let us invade their pool/home for the morning. Everyone seemed to have a great time. The boy was in heaven - swimming, jumping, cake and presents. I kept marvelling at how blessed we are to have so many friends that walk through life with us. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Birthday weekend part 1

We started the birthday weekend Thursday night by giving the boy his present - a wooden train set. He has been in heaven since. Fortunately the rug we bought came with an extra engine cutting down on the fights between brother and sister.

Mimi and Aunt Claire arrived late Thursday night, and we spent Friday morning at the Botanical Gardens. The kids had fun in spite of the heat, and the diva (I mean, girl) showed her modeling prowess. Claire took a ton of pictures but I haven't had time to go through them all yet. Here's just a sampling...