And so it begins...

The fascination with the opposite sex... he is so intrigued - and was the whole time we were together!

Only God

An excerpt from a devotion by Gini Andrews found in the Women's Devotional Bible (pg. 1109):

"But even the most congenial marriage, the closest friendship, the most satisfying child-parent relationship is both transient and unpredicatble. Although some 1,500 years have passed since St. Augustine remarked that our hearts will never be at rest away from the One who made them, it's still true.

Just because he has created us as unique individuals, our Father knows the best way to fill each one's empty places. It is only God who can fill our deepest longings, who never has an appointment elsewhere, who never replaces us with someone he likes better, who promises never to leave us totally alone. He is the only one who wants to be and always can be the unfailing companion on our journey."

Thank you, God.

Not the best way to lose weight

So, most people would love to lose 4-5 pounds pretty quickly and not have to work hard for it - however, there is one way that I do NOT recommend - getting a stomach bug. Yes, the extra weight I couldn't seem to shirk after weaning my son is now gone, but the process of losing it wasn't worth it!

Mind you, this stomach bug has been going around for weeks...I think I even had a mild version about 4 weeks ago, but it didn't really put me down. Those around us got it, some even got it twice. We were feeling lucky...then 4:00 a.m. Wednesday morning arrived and I quickly began to feel like I was on my death bed. This is where it is a HUGE benefit my parents live in town - Mother rescued me from motherhood for the day so I could tend to myself and hopefully not expose the boy any more than I already had. The hubby took care of everything that night - including packing for a trip we were all supposed to take this weekend for a special wedding. Needless to say, the boy and I are home... I am a few pounds lighter and I am nursing the boy back to normal food after he threw up for the first time in his life yesterday (in the car none the less!).

For those we missed seeing this weekend, I am so sorry we weren't there. Trust me, I would much rather have taken the long trip than experienced this. Know that I love you, and I can't wait to see the pictures and hear the stories.

Hard at play outside too

Here are some pictures of Jonathan playing hard... I thought you might enjoy seeing his intense concentration and curiosity - especially in the other two posts. He is such an inquisitive little guy... and the joy of our lives!

Hard at play 2

More pictures of playtime...

Hard at play...

More pictures of Jonathan hard at play!

Easter pictures - part 3

My mother sent me the pictures she took today of the three grandkids... and I just had to share them... they are just too funny! I've included her titles for the pictures because they simply add to the humor.

R we done yet?

Sleepy boy

Easter 06

Enough already!

Jonathan praying for it to end!

Distracted boys

Three sweet grandkids

Easter pictures - part 2

Here are some pictures of the three cousins. Getting a 9-month old, a 10-month old, and an almost 5 year old to smile and look at the same time is quite a challenge, but I think we got some cute pictures!

Easter pictures - part 1

As any good first mama usually does, we took plenty of pictures today. It was a good Sunday - good worship, good message, good fellowship with family, good eating! We pray it has been a blessed day for each of you.

The Domino Effect

After the Egg Hunt was over (see the previous post), we decided we needed a group photo… that never really worked. I am not exactly sure what started it all, but Jonathan was not happy that Bailey touched him (or something like that)… he cried enough that Bailey started crying… and then the domino effect began as one by one they began crying.

It was quite an experience… and we finally just gave up… but I got some adorable shots of the tears!

The First Egg "Hunt"

This weekend, Jonathan had his first Easter egg "hunt"... I say "hunt" because babies don't really hunt for eggs. Eggs were placed all over the floor and the babies were let loose to collect as many as they desired. What a sight!

Most of the babies were walking or crawling - really only Jonathan and one other boy weren't mobile. It was fun to see the various personalities come out - we had a thief and a glutton (both being our ministers' kids). Jonathan, as usual, just took it all in. He did have fun playing with the plastic eggs and watching all the commotion. It was a fun first egg hunt...and I know they will only get better over the years!

Spring rain

The smell of spring rain...has to be one of my top 3 smells of all time. Nothing compares to that refreshing, rejuvenating, luscious smell...and I got two nostrils full today. For those not in Cowtown, we had a fabulous spring shower yesterday afternoon. It lasted less than an hour, started slowly and then blossomed into a hard shower blowing in three directions. Before I knew it, it was over and the sun was shining again.

I noticed it was getting darker and I was overjoyed to see the rain drops wetting our deck...you see, we haven't had a lot of rain this winter and the times we have gotten rain it was more than needed and caused problems. Anyway, I immediately opened the back door and bathed my senses in this glorious shower. The smell - warm, cleansing, refreshing. The sight - the randomness of the drops, watching the ground, fence and deck change colors. The sound - nothing is more soothing than rain, one reason I love the skylight in our bathroom on a rainy night. The touch - well, that begins the fun part...

Some might say I am insane, but I just had to let Jonathan experience the rain. Mind you, he has seen rain before and has even ducked and covered on his way to the car, but he hasn't truly experienced it. I totally put any "motherly" thoughts of the cold, of potential illness, etc. out of my mind because more important than any of that was that I share this, one of my favorite things, with my son. So, I woke him up from a nap and proceeded to take him outside. We stood under the covered porch at first so he could finish waking up and simply take in the sights and sounds. You could tell he was quite intrigued and couldn't quite figure it out. Then I stood him at the edge of the covered porch so his feet could feel the wet concrete. Surprisingly, he didn't mind. Then I took the plunge and we walked out onto the deck...it wasn't raining too hard, but it was definitely steady. He wasn't too excited at first - the rain was cold and it was different than having bath water poured over his head. But it didn't take long for the smile to form as he looked around taking it all in. We held out our hands to catch the rain...we blinked the water from our eyelashes...we twirled...we laughed...we got pretty wet. I decided we were wet enough so we went back under the covered porch and watched the rain some more...as we walked back inside he kept his eyes peeled out the door and window. He was so fascinated. He laughed at himself in the mirror when he saw the water dripping off his head...I loved every minute of it! We dried off, changed clothes, and ate a snack...what a great afternoon!

I loved that he seemed to love something I love so much. For all the big moments - the first smile, the first laugh, his dedication, and so on - it is the little moments, the 15-20 minutes this afternoon, of sharing a part of me with him that burn themselves deep into my heart and mind. I look forward to the day when we can go play in the puddles together (the water collects really well in the street in front of our house!) and enjoy all aspects of God's creation. I love having a boy and I am excited I get to relive childhood through his eyes.

Deal or No Deal

I choose...DEAL!!! I love a good deal. Clay and I were talking about this last night...I wasn't always this way. See, I grew up in a "keep up with the Joneses" town and can now see how I was convinced that GAP was the only brand to buy and I never really wanted much that was last season. Don't get me wrong - I had plenty that was last season since my folks didn't pander to my every whim, but there was definite lusting and coveting happening over friends clothes, cars, and the like. The longer I am away from said town, the less I care about brand name or status or whatever. Again, don't get me wrong - I enjoyed the purchase of our new Honda Accord in 2000 and our new Honda Pilot a year ago...and I love new things...but now, I get more of a rush out of getting a good deal than getting the latest fad. Clay says I sometimes get more excited about the mid-week circulars than him! (Now, I will disagree unless I find out it is double coupon weekend up to $2.00 at Albertsons...you can't blame me, can you?)

Clay says I have gotten more obsessed with a good deal after working with our pastor for a year. Randal can squeeze change out of a penny...and expects everyone else around him to seek to accomplish the same thing. I admire that he wants to be a wise steward, but it was really hard at first to make sure I found the best deal and used all our coupons, etc. when purchasing new things for the church. Even after being away from that work environment for almost a year now, I am still infected. I'm all about using coupons and going to 3 different stores so I get the best deal on various products even if all can be bought at one store. I wasn't always this way, but I have been bitten by the bug. However, I won't get the Sunday coupons because the paper costs too much! (I know, I'm a bit crazy.)

Anyway, it has been a good day...because I got some great deals and it has been quite a rush. Already this week I got fresh chicken on sale for $1.69/lb (how sad that I know that is a good deal). Babies R Us had Koala Kids separates on sale 2 for $8.00 plus I had a $5 off any purchase of $25 or more. So...I got four pair of shorts, 4 tops, and 3 socks for like $32...I am not positive the exact amount because I still had money on gift cards from returned items - so only $12.08 of our money was spent!!!! Then I headed to Target...thanks to my friend Kristina I learned they had some toys on sale. So I bought the boys (Jonathan and his cousin) the same toy (can't say in case Kristi reads this...don't want to spoil part of a birthday surprise) for $5.99 each. Then they had some realistic keys for $5.99 as well...and I just couldn't pass them up - Jonathan was so enthralled at the store. I figured I could "splurge" on such an item. I bought a couple of other things too; and thanks to a gift card, I only spent $17.41! I could hardly contain myself! Then on to Sams...now, many of you may think I am nuts to take my son to a third store in the middle of the afternoon, but he was being a peach...I think he caught on to my excitement and he never shys away from the myriad of complements and attention he seems to draw...now, back to Sam's. I got 54 oz of powdered formula for $20...that is an estimated 380 oz. of milk for $20!!! That is amazing...I also got a case of water (32 - 16.5 oz. bottles) for $4.12 for our retreat this weekend...YEAH!!!! I bought a couple of other items which also save us money and headed home.

YEAH!!! Saving money...and on top of it all, this morning I switched our phone company so that we will now have local service and DSL for the same price we have been paying for local service and dial-up...and I will get a $50 VISA gift card in 3 months...so now I won't be tying up our phone line when I am online and we have some play money...how exciting!!!

It has been a good day...I love saving money. I love seeing the fruits of my work to save money. I love seeing Clay's face when he realizes that I am trying my best to do my part to be a wise steward of the money he works so hard for. And I loved hearing Clay tell me last night that he completely trusts me with our money and doesn't fret when I go to Garden Ridge (or some other store) and spend a little (or sometimes a lot) because he knows it is a good deal and I will more often talk myself out of something than rationalize purchasing it.

I know, I am a bit crazy...but I have come to love the thrift store and Ross and coupons and our Discover card...for every dollar I spend, I make money... so, I was excited and I just thought I would share...and Saturday I will head to Mardel's where all Kids books and Bibles are 50% off along with other things...and I have a gift card!!!

Just take care of your own

From Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison (p. 182)

"...at an informal gathering at our church, a father asked our minister how he should take care of his son's spiritual life. The reverend's answer was simple: 'Just take care of your own.' Our children learn by imitation. And just as we try, through our own actions, to model for them the art of living, we can also model a way of spiritual seeking - of openness, of prayer, of faith and devotion. When we live in a way that is consistent with our own beliefs and ideals, we give our children a gift. We bring spirituality into the here and now. We teach them that deeds and words are expressions of the spirit, that our gestures speak for our souls."

Son, I will do my best to "take care of my own" all the while praying your eyes and heart are open to see the desire of my heart. I pray God captures your heart early in life so that you may experience the most amazing love in life and in death.

Things that made me smile

I had lots of reasons to smile this weekend, and I just thought I would share (in no particular order except how they come to mind)...

1. Jonathan playing a game with himself in a mirror (he leans forward to touch forheads)
2. Jonathan cuddling with me after his morning feeding
3. Using a chainsaw successfully for the first time in my life!
4. Seeing the fruits of our labor in the yard - no more weeds, for today anyway!
5. My husband's pride in himself for fixing the chainsaw (it broke while he was using it, not me!)

6. Discovering we had a free movie channel weekend

7. Worshipping with my brothers and sisters at church

8. Too many things in LifeGroup to mention by name...but it was quite a funny morning!

9. My son in his adorable shorts outfits

10. Jonathan's discovery of his bare feet while standing up

11. Jonathan's first experience with grass

12. Jonathan's babble/singing/squealing in delight

13. Jonathan's pure delight having his parents zerbert his stomach

14. Having a clean bathroom

15. Watching my husband cut down tree limbs...while he hatest the work, he enjoys feeling like a man!

16. Getting a 2 1/2 hour nap

17. Eating Chili's chips and salsa and bacon cheeseburger

18. My husband fixing me breakfast yesterday

19. Getting fresh chicken for $1.69/lb (and saving a total of $18+ dollars while only spending $22+)

20. My son went to sleep at his normal time even though it was still light in his room...daylight savings time doesn't seem to have really affected him!

I am sure there are many I am forgetting, but I am tired and my hand is cramping after the yardwork we did yesterday!

I hope you had lots of reasons to smile this weekend too...

Silence is no longer my enemy

I wrote this yesterday, but it wouldn't post... but all seems to be working today. May I note that my son slept until 9:20ish? It was a fabulous morning! On to my "deep" thoughts...

I sit here in the silence of my living room…I have come to love the silence. I used to be almost afraid of it, but now I find myself craving it – even the whir of the new DVR receiver in our bedroom can drive me crazy! I digress…I sit here in the silence listening to the whir of the computer, the wind whistling through our many trees (anyone want to come and take a few off our hands?), and the precious talking of my son who is rousing from his morning nap. What a precious sound…wish I were a fly on the wall watching him talk to the boy in the mirror or his feet or bunny (his special friend he only sees when it is time to sleep). Wish I were a fly in that brain to know what he is thinking and discovering and learning and feeling. Wish I didn’t have a list of things to do today so we could simply sit and play.

This has been a busy week for us – all good things – but busier than normal and I realize how much I miss what can seem like endless hours of playing on the floor. As I was getting ready this morning, mourning the busyness of this week, I realized that I want to teach Jonathan to enjoy the slower pace of life and to enjoy the times of quiet early in life. I am just now learning these lessons myself. I have been a doer and goer most of my life. I loved activity and people and fed off these things. I would need a night to myself at home about once every couple of weeks, but one night was enough. Too much quiet time to myself and I would go insane.

I struggled when I first started staying home – it was too quiet, too calm, and my mind started to wander. Now, only a mere 9 months later, I find myself longing for more quiet. I can’t handle too many nights out in a row. I find myself turning off the music in the car and the television often gets turned off after I see the morning news. (I know, a shocker to those who only a couple months ago heard me often quoting the hosts on The View or Dr. Phil or Oprah!) Sure, I may check in with Martha every once in a while or catch Jeopardy (I’ve got to stimulate those brain cells), but I have found myself less drawn to the television even over the last month or so. There is even a contrast to me when Clay arrives home. There is another person, more noise, and more activity.

Funny how I’ve changed, but I think it is a good thing. The quiet allows me more time for reflection, more time for conversation with God, more time to ponder my devotion, more time to notice His creation (the noise often drowns out the doves that perch on our roof and talk), and more time to feel the peace He has given. The quiet helps put things in perspective…certain things just aren’t as important or crucial…there is less drama…there is less anxiety…there is less worry. Funny, I used to allow the quiet to embellish life. Now, the quiet grounds me. No wonder Christ always withdrew to a quiet place…alone. That is where I am most filled. That is where I am real with God and myself. That is where I can see Him.

I hope you enjoy a moment of quiet yourself.

A Must, Not a Maybe

I wanted to share my devotion with you this morning because it really struck a chord with me (from the Women’s Devotional Bible, pg. 1071).

Mark 1:29-34
“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.”

Jill Briscoe writes,

“When you have a heart for God you have a heart for ministry. The two go hand in hand. When Jesus captured a life, healed a sick body or soul or mind, the recipient of those blessings invariably began to minister. Only on two occasions did Jesus have to tell them to do so. When Jairus’s daughter was brought back from the dead, Jesus told her parents to ‘give her something to eat’ (Mark 5:43), and when the Lord appeared first to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection, he told her to go tell the disciples that she had seen the Lord (John 20:17-18).

When you meet the Master, ministry naturally follows. Jesus forgave a sinful woman ‘her many sins,’ and she began to love him much (Luke 7:47). Having been forgiven much you begin to love much, and ministry is the natural outcome.

Martha and Mary, greatly loved by Jesus, loved him back by serving him, each in her own way. The mother of the disciple James, along with others served the Lord by preparing his body for burial (Luke 24:10), while Joanna supported Jesus out of her own means (Luke 8:3). Even the woman at the well, having met Jesus, began at once to share her discovery with the people in her town (John 4:28-29).

You do not need to twist arms once you have had a personal encounter with the Christ of Galilee. Ministry is not then a maybe – it’s a must.”

How many times do I find an excuse not to participate in ministry? How many times am I talked in to helping instead of simply volunteering? Shouldn’t I desire to give everything back to God because of the grace and mercy and love and sacrifice He has given me? Wow – my selfishness revealed. And it isn’t just ministry at the church that I shrink back from… I know that I have failed to be the wife I need to be because I am tired or want some “me” time or something else. I let something else entertain my son so I can take a few moments for me to email or check a blog. I don’t make that phone call to the friend who’s struggling because I think I don’t have the time or the words. I fail to reach out to the friend who’s on bed rest and going a bit stir crazy. And the list goes on… Shouldn’t I desire to give until my body wears out? What evidence of how the world has infiltrated the body of Christ. We are prone to think about ourselves and our needs and wants and schedules before those around us. What does that say about our hearts? I think it says we are not filled with God, but with ourselves. If we were to get real, we would have to admit that our hearts are more for our well-being than for loving and praising our Father and Savior. I know I am guilty.

Father, change my heart. I am a selfish creature in my flesh, but I am a new creation in You. Refine my heart and attitude to desire to serve You every moment of every day. Show me how You want me to serve and minister. Change the heart of the church so Your name may be glorified when others wonder why we are so different. May our hearts be so filled with You that ministry becomes a must.

I'm so proud...

Of my mother! Today, my mother passed the Texas Real Estate Licensing test. She is now an inactive licensee, and is just waiting on the paperwork to be an official realtor. I AM SO PROUD! At the young age of 57, she went back to school (3 weeks of 8 am – 5 pm followed by two home-study courses) and learned more than she ever thought she could about real estate, contracts, etc. I am not sure you all get it… real estate involves math… and math is not my mother’s strongest ability. Yet, she passed the national test on the first try and missed the state portion by only one point… and she passed it on her next try. I AM SO PROUD!!! They say the Texas state portion is one of the hardest in the nation… have I mentioned how proud I am of her? We are not exactly sure what God has in store for Mother in this area; but He led, and she followed. She is a great example of being willing to follow even when it doesn’t make the most sense. I mean, not many people would start a whole new career path in their late 50s, but she has never been one to shy away from where God is calling.

So, kudos to you, Mom. Once again…you inspire and challenge me!

Shaping a man

How can you not love this face? I just can’t get enough of him some days. This year is passing too quickly… and he is already starting to show signs of independence. My heart isn’t ready, but I know I must let go. Small steps here and there… I have dreams and aspirations for him, but I know that my dreams pale in comparison to what God has prepared for him to do. I am amazed God chose us to raise this special child. I am apprehensive about the role I have in this little man’s life… to help shape and mold him into a man of God, a kind and considerate male, and one who respects authority… along with so many other things. I simply pray that I make the most of every opportunity God gives me. I want to fill this little mind with the things of God, to teach him about God’s love and mercy, and to help him fall in love with the Father I love. How can I do that when I struggle so much to be who God wants me to be? I know I cannot accomplish this on my own, but simply trust God to call upon Jonathan’s heart. “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” I Samuel 1:27-28

Do you think I look like my dad?

We took these pictures Sunday morning before church... it was finally cold enough for both of my boys to wear their cords. There is no denying Jonathan is his father's child! I know I am biased, but aren't these two great looking guys?