Elfin fun...

My family and I have prepared a fun Christmas message for you. Please enjoy...and Merry Christmas.

Sugar wars...

(In a post-Halloween world)

I have always prided myself on being a balanced mother when it comes to sugar. I allow my kids to enjoy treats and sweets within reason, but I don't let them overindulge. If I ever doubted that statement, this weekend was a testament to it's truth.

There has been a battle raging since Friday night in my house and it is still continuing. My children are literally engaged in a war against sugar. Their little bodies consumed more sugar on Friday and Saturday than they are accustomed to and oh can you tell by their behavior. They are tired, cranky, and snappy with me and with each other. World War III took place at my breakfast table between 7:15-7:30 am this morning. One minute they are up and the next minute they are crashing.

I have been tempted to secretly burn the candy in the backyard at night while they are sleeping. But I am a bit concerned the neighbors will see my gleeful face and think that I am making a ritual sacrifice to some pagan god. Oh well, I guess this is what my poor parents went through every year at Halloween...and so it goes...

weekend Wisdom...

"21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:21-22

Happy Halloween...


Have a wonderful, spooky, family filled, sugar overloaded kind of day!!

Majestic Oak Farms...

When we lived in Louisville, Kentucky, we got spoiled to living so close to Indiana farmland. We experienced our first pumpkin patch in October of 2001. One of my favorite pictures of Dawson is at that farm, next to a pumpkin that is almost as big as he is. When we moved to Virginia, we were blessed to have a church sponsored pumpkin patch that we went to every year. But when we moved to Florida...well, pumpkin patches are few and far between, unless you count the asphalt varieties.

So, I decided to google pumpkin patches and see what came up. Well, I found a wonderful farm called Majestic Oak Farms. It's located in Cottondale, FL...about an hour's drive from Panama City. It was a find!! We spent about 3 hours there. They have trikes and bikes for the kids to ride...hay rides...real Amish horse and cart rides...pumpkins...apple cider demonstrations...carmel apples...apple bobbing...fishing...swinging...chickens...horses... It was such a peaceful way to spend the day. If you're looking for a great place to spend a fall day...this is it!! The kids had a great time and we will be back (Lord willing) next year.

Our sweet family.

Our pumpkin load.

Fishing & enjoying the many photo ops.

Grandmommy & Grandaddy

Grandma & Grandpa

Family camp...

I am not what you would call an outdoor girl. Don't get me wrong...I enjoy being outside (evening on the porch or on a porch swing is the best!), but I do not like to be hot or to sweat. I was the little girl, who when sent outside to play, would stand at the sliding glass door with just my nose stuck inside so I could breathe the cold air.

As I am emerging from the baby making years, I am again open to trying and experiencing new things. I want my children not to be bound by their neuroses, or mine for that matter. It is with that heartfelt conviction that I went camping this weekend. We loaded up our 3 kids and headed off to Defuniak Springs and the Boy Scout Camp Family Weekend.

Overall, it was a fun weekend. The weather was perfect. Cool day...warm sun...even colder night. We all slept huddled together in our new tent...smelling like smoke and dirt...but blissfully together. The only draw back to the entire weekend was a visit from my special friend (not a good time to be without indoor plumbing). We came away better for having gone...more cemented as a family...and appreciative for our nice, warm beds.

Craft time...

Our new tent...it has 3 rooms!

Genevieve & Daddy at the bonfire.

Me & my boys.

unapologetic blogger...

I know that it has been a while since I have posted a new entry, but I have been busy. I don't want to be one of those bloggers that starts every post with an apology or excuse. I have been experiencing life and taking care of my family. My goal is not to go for long periods of time between posts, because that only stifles my creative outlet. But, as I said in my very first post, this isn't about expectations...it's about just letting go and being. So...no apologies. But please keep checking back...it's not much of a blog without readers.

Here is a picture of the boys after Cherry Street's Fall Festival, this weekend. It was a fun way to spend a Friday night and help out our local school. God Bless!

and no...I did not let them go to bed like that. I thought about it, but I'm not that good of a mother.

weekend Wisdom...

"19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

James 1: 19-20

movie #2...

Here is another film that Dawson created, starring his brother. You may have to turn up the volume to be able to hear all of Carter's dialogue. What makes this funny is his pronunciation of "grim reaper"...his speech impediment makes it an adorable "gwim weeperw."

weekend Wisdom...

"12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

directorial debut...

Dawson is a budding movie director. We gave him a video camera for his birthday and he has amazed us with the zany and often hilarious short films that he comes up with. Carter often gets commandeered to play the leading role. Over the next week, I will post some of my favorites. So, without further ado...

life with Roids...

I went to my doctor on Tuesday. He decided that much of my symptoms (dizziness, headache, etc...) sounded like chronic sinusitis. Hmmm....maybe that explains why I've never been able to breath!! He feels like that constant state seems to be aggravating my vertigo. So, he's put me on a 3 week medical clean out with an antibiotic and steroids.

Two days later I am feeling better. But the steroids have already been a trip worth blogging about. I took my first dose yesterday morning and by the afternoon I was a sweaty Superwomen. I was the Proverbs 31 women, literally on steroids. So much so that I was finally able to drift off to sleep sometime after 3:00 this morning.

So, today....I am a very tired Superwoman who is being held up by a prescription. Please pray for me...and my family. This is going to be one wild ride.

Cardboard Testimonies...

My mother sent me a link to this video on the Richland Hills church site. It is extremely powerful. We all have a story and so we all have a testimony in Christ Jesus. We matter!! Our lives matter and they can be the link between some one's hurting and dying soul and the cure for it all...Jesus Christ. Please watch it (with a Kleenex or 2) and think about how you can be a living, breathing example of Christ to this lost world.

weekend Wisdom...

"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4"

a Great way to Wake Up...

I was awoken this morning by my precious 4 year old son. He told me that he didn't feel so good and proceeded to throw up all over me, my bed and the floor. After all of the clean-up, I think that I am still in shock. Two things that I am extremely grateful for this morning: David (who came home to help me clean it all up) and Lysol. Carter, of course, is feeling much better and mad at me, because I won't give him whatever he wants to eat. "C'est la vie"...that's life!

moment with God...

I had an interesting experience today. I was working in the kitchen and I was playing through my mind all the events of my illness this past summer. When I am not feeling really good and I have a moment that is what I do...try to figure it out and solve the puzzle. Well, today, I realized that I was just getting wound around the axle and letting worry and anxiety overtake me. So, I stopped right there in my kitchen and cried out to God to help me stop the "noisy dialogue" in my head. I had this amazing tingle overtake my whole body and I felt as if someone was physically supporting me. I have no doubt that the Spirit of my precious Heavenly Father provided immediate comfort and help. I've had a lot of experiences like that this summer: phone calls from David in the desert at a moment when I was wishing I could talk to him...a friend offering to help in some way...a fellow church family providing a meal...physical moments of peace and comfort, stamina and strength to get through circumstances and days I didn't think were possible to endure. God has been showing me His constant presence through all of the suffering and trails. I've learned through all of it to look for Him in every moment, because He is there. I once heard a wonderful quote: "There are no coincidences for those that seek the Lord." "Every good and perfect gift comes from above"...we just have to open our eyes and be a willing recipient.

What is it with Wednesdays?

I feel like the biggest good-for-nothing on Wednesdays. I just want to stay home all day, in my pj's with a greasy face and uncombed hair. Today is no exception. Here it is 2:30 in the afternoon and I am doing everything I can to avoid taking a shower. It's the same every week. I don't know why... Is it just human nature because it is the middle of the week and I've already put in 2 long, hard work days or is it Satan trying to keep me from going to church with a grateful attitude? I don't know if anybody else fights this... Maybe that's why someone a long time ago, in their infinite wisdom, thought Wednesday church services were a good idea. Maybe they struggled with the same thing and realized that's when they needed the time with fellow Christians the most. But, that is the constant human condition; running and struggling from the things that are the best for us and that we need the most. So, as soon as I post this entry, I'm going to go get cleaned up...physically and spiritually. Have a great mid-week service. And if you don't normally go...check it out. It might turn out to be just what you needed.

"stay shoe"...

Genevieve wanted to cuddle on my lap yesterday after I got her dressed. After a few minutes, I tried to get up, but she started fussing and saying no. I needed to get ready, so we could meet my Mother to run some errands. So I told her, "We can't go see Grandmommy if I don't get a shower. Let Mommy up." She looked at me and said, "No. I stay shoe." It took me a minute to realize that she was saying, "I stay with you." Well...who can resist that!! So, I stayed with her for a few more minutes until she was ready to get up.

I was really struck by how sweet her comment was and thought how much I should be like her. I should be curling up in my heavenly Father's lap and telling him, "I want to stay with you." It reminded me of the scripture from Ruth:

16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Ruth 1: 16-17

Those moments holding our children are precious, but greater are those moments when we are held by our Father.

MoNDay...

Monday again. Alarm clocks...rush to school..."juicy Mommy"...can I have something to eat?...laundry piles...weekend mess to clean up...sheets to change...bills to pay...grocery list to be made...lunches...naps...school pick-up...errands to run...homework to be done...dinner... dishes... baths...bedtime...hugs...kisses..."i love you mommy"...blessings...so many blessings.

weekend Wisdom...

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Chaplain fight night...

I love my husband. He is such a boy at heart. This video absolutely proves that about him!! Now you can see what he was really up to while in the middle east.

"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do
not [box] like a man beating the air." I Corinthians 9:26

nothing Gold can stay...

I thought that I would share one of my favorite poems with you today. I always think of it this time of year. Enjoy!

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

-- Robert Frost

fall...

Yesterday was the first day of Fall. It is my favorite day of the entire year. I feel like I am standing on the precipice of the most delightful time of the year. I love the fall season. I like fall because it is full of all the sights, smells and sounds that I love the most. The weather gets crisp and family draws closer together. It is a time of harvest, reflection and thankfulness...a time to delight in our inner child and connect with those who mean the most. I've met some people who do not like the fall, because it reminds them of death. Even though the earth is entering the death phase of it's yearly cycle, I love that God chose to make this one of the most breathtakingly beautiful seasons of the year. It reminds me of the scripture,

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."Psalm 116:15

Besides, this isn't the end...new life is just an eyeblink away.

the wedding video...

The boys found out the other day that we have a video of our wedding ceremony. This really intrigued them and they have been asking for a week to watch it on the television. Yesterday afternoon, while Genevieve was napping, we cuddled up on the couch and began to watch. They giggled and made a lot of comments on how different we looked. Carter made an assessment of me, David and my mother with the following comments:

1. Mommy, you're face looks different and now you have glasses.
2. Daddy, now you're old and you're bald.
3. Grandmommy looks really wierd!

Okay, so we've established that we don't look quite the same as we did almost 13 years ago. And by the way, neither do some of you who are reading this...so be careful not to laugh too hard, because we have the video to prove it (wink!). Anyway, they seemed to enjoy the video and Dawson summed it up best when he said, "I'm so glad that you are married now!"

My sweet boy, so are we!!

weekend Wisdom...

But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18: 16-17

freedom...

I was impacted by a quote that I read this morning.

"We routinely disqualify testimony that would plead for extenuation. That is, we are so persuaded of the rightness of our judgment as to invalidate evidence that does not confirm us in it. Nothing that deserves to be called truth could ever be arrived at by such means."

It is a quote that seems to grow richer the longer you meditate on it. As Christians, we are sometimes afraid to examine the truths that we hold so dear to our hearts and souls; as if they will crack under the pressure of scrutiny. But they are God's truth and, therefore, can handle any inquiry. In fact, the more we test their validity, the more sure and precious they seem to become. Our fears are what constrain us, not God's truths. God promises that the truth will set us free (John 8:32). I am making a conserted effort to stop being fearful. I don't mean that I won't scream when my children jump out from a hiding place and say "boo". I mean I won't sit around worrying and fretting over all the "what-if's". That kind of fear really limits God's power and limits our ability to enjoy the freedoms we have been granted in Christ Jesus.

"...let us throw off everthing that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

the best Banana bread...

I love to be in the kitchen and cook, especially this time of year. This morning I was inspired by 3 overly ripe bananas that were a day or two from their trashcan fate. I made my o' so delicious chocolate chip banana bread. I got the recipe from a family magazine and it is the best that I've ever had. I believe that food is at it's best when shared and that recipes are not to be kept to one's self. So, I've decided to share this fabulous recipe with you. Enjoy!!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 medium-large very ripe bananas (1 cup mashed)
1/2 cup sour cream

1. Heat the oven to 325°. Line a 5- by 9-inch loaf pan, preferably one with a light interior, with enough waxed paper to drape over the long sides. This will make the baked bread a cinch to remove and the pan easy to clean. Set the pan aside.

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. In a large bowl, cream the butter using an electric mixer. Gradually add the sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Next, add the vanilla extract and blend briefly. Set both bowls aside.

3. Peel the bananas and place them in a separate bowl. Mash them with a fork or a potato masher and measure out 1 cup. Add the sour cream and stir to blend. Set the bowl aside.

4. Using a wooden spoon, blend a third of the dry mixture into the butter-sugar mixture. Add the rest of the ingredients in this order, stirring well after each addition: half of the banana mixture, half of the remaining dry mixture, the rest of the banana mixture, the rest of the dry mixture. Next, add 2/3 cup of chocolate chips.

5. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spoon. Bake on the center oven rack until a tester inserted deep into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 70 to 75 minutes.

6. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and cool it in the pan for about 20 minutes. Using the waxed paper, lift the bread from the pan and place it on the rack. Pull down the sides of the paper and allow the bread to cool thoroughly before slicing. Makes 10 or more servings.

my Father's world...

I walked outside this morning to wave goodbye to my son as he went off to school and there was a noticable nip in the air. Now, you have to understand that I live in Florida and that means something different to me than to my northern countrymen. Nonetheless, the air felt cool and fresh. I absolutely love mornings like that...where the day just seems to vibrate with life and possibilities. This morning it put a song on my heart that I just cannot shake:

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise the morning light, the lily white declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world. I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, his hands the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world. O' let me ne're forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world. Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is king, let the heavens ring. God reigns. Let the earth be glad.

This is my Father's world. He shines in all that's fair. In the
rustling grass, I hear him pass. He speaks to me everywhere.

weekend Wisdom...

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." James 1:17-18

family...

David arrived back home yesterday. It was a truly joyous day. The kids were absolutely beside themselves to have their Daddy back. Once we got home, they wanted to show him every toy they've ever owned and tell him every thought they've ever had. It was really sweet. I found myself feeling like I wanted to do the same thing. I had to remind myself that he is here to stay for awhile and that, Lord willing, there will be plenty of time to catch up.

As happy as I am to have him home, I find myself feeling nostalgic for the summer. I don't think I fully realized what the children and I had accomplished until he stepped back into the picture. We really survived a difficult time and I will never look at them or myself the same again. I think that we are better for the experience. I am so grateful for their warrior hearts!! We realized that we can survive without Daddy here, but that we don't want to be without him. Family is such a gift and a privilege and we should never take one moment with them for granted.

Please take a moment today and tell your family how special they are to you; or better yet, show them!

touchdown #2...

David has safely arrived back in the States. He is spending the night in Baltimore and will be flying out first thing tomorrow morning. Lord willing, and there are no delays, he should be back home by lunch time. Please keep him in your prayers.

touchdown #1...

David called me a little before 5 a.m. this morning and he was safely in Germany. He is now somewhere over Europe/Atlantic Ocean on his way to the United States. Please continue to pray for his safety. I will let you know when he has arrived in country.

the power of the Dark side...

We went to Target today after Dawson got out of school. That normally incites much excitement from my children, but today it reached epic proportions. You see, my children have been waiting patiently for the Halloween merchandise to be put out on the shelves. I know a lot of Christians have mixed feeling about Halloween; but at our house, it is a fun time to dress up and overindulge in family and candy.

My boys have known for a month what they want to dress up as for Halloween. So, we decided to go ahead and get the costumes, while the selection was good. Carter had been squealing and jumping up and down each aisle, but his volume reached decibels that are not fit for human ears when he spotted his Darth Vader mask. My mother asked him to calm down and he said,

"Well, I'll think about it..."

(then pulling on the mask)

"...but you don't know the power of the Dark Side."

sweet Hour of prayer...

Here are some memorable phrases from tonight's prayer time with my children.

Dawson:

"Thank you for Grandmommy and all the other holidays."

Carter:

"Thank you for going to heaven when we are all done here."

Genevieve, what do you want to thank God for?

"ummm... pink girl (her favorite Barbie video), ummm... Bibble (a character from a Barbie movie), ummm... cheeburg (cheeseburgers) and Nemo."

And the church said...Amen.

a great day to be a Woman...

Ok...I admit it...you were bound to find out sooner or later, but I am a registered Republican. I really struggled with this decision in college. I love the "help the downtrodden" philosophy of the Democrats, but I couldn't ignore the fact that my morals seemed to line up more with the Republican party. I come from a family who has always taught, "vote for the man, not the party." So, every election, I decide my vote based on this philosophy.

This year is no different. I have listened to the speeches and the debates on both sides and have again sided with my party. I hope that this doesn't offend my Obama-supporting readers, but I am a McCain-Palin supporter. I am awed at John McCain's story and how he has overcome so much to serve this great nation of ours and how he always looks for the good in our country and it's people.

The thing that excites me the most about this election is Sarah Palin. Look, I know that she is human and she is not perfect. But her wonderful human flaws mean that she is a lot like me. I am proud that we have such a beautiful, no-nonsense, articulate and down-to-earth woman representing us in this election. I am proud that my daughter was born during a time when women are not bound by their gender, but by the measure of their character. I am raising my daughter to be God's girl in all things and to follow His purpose for her life. Whether that leads her to a life of raising her children at home or to the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office...it's a great day to be a woman.

a Thankful heart...

One day last fall, my son Carter, who is 4, was helping me make dinner in the kitchen. I love this age, because he wants to be in the middle of everything and he hasn't made the distinction about what is "women's work" and what is "men's work." Of course, I am secretly hoping that one of my sons will be a gourmet chef one day. Anyway...I was making soup and Carter helped me make the cornbread that was being served along side. He was quite happy with his accomplishment and I was excited for him to share this information with the extended family who were joining us for dinner. As he said the prayer for our food that night he included this memorable sentence,

"Thank you for the bread that I helped to make and thank you for the yucky soup."

Although that makes me laugh, to this day, when I think about it, it also presents a beautiful lesson on having a thankful heart. God has a plan and a purpose for every moment of our life. Even in the midst of the "yucky soup", we should be thankful.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Happy day...

My daughter recently turned 2. It seems that she really enjoyed her birthday. I know this because, for the last 3 weeks, she has been singing "Happy Birthday", making imaginary birthday treats with her new princess tea set and carrying around her gift bags. She even stuck her pretzel sticks in her sandwich at lunch yesterday and pretended to blow out the "candles". Whenever she is engaged in this behavior, she always says, "My Happy day."

Oh, to live in the world of a two year old, where every day is your "happy day." But, maybe we can. Maybe it is more about a state of attitude, than the innocence of youth.

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful..." Proverbs 15:13

Infinite possibilities...

I have had this blog for 3 years and I have never posted a thing. Writer's block, busy life, procrastination...any of these are "valid" reasons. I've had a desire to post, but never really known where to start. As I sit here now, looking at the blank screen, I am waiting for something creative or profound to hit me like a bolt of lighting. No sparks, but I am struck by the thought of infinite possibilities. Instead of getting blocked in by perfectionism, I should simply start and let my thoughts take on a life of their own. They don't always have to be deep or profound or even perfect. They just have to be.

When our children are born into this world, we don't expect them to come out waxing philosophical. We just expect them to be ours and grow into themselves. Isn't that what Christ has called us to? A life of being what He has called us to be. He knows we won't always be profound or deep or perfect. But He wants us always to be His. When we get blocked in by what we think we should be, we miss all of the infinite possibilities that He has for our lives.

So, it is with that imperfect vision that I start my blog. I am simply going to let it be and see where it goes. Thanks for going on the ride with me.