Great Weekend

 i think this was her first time to jump in leaves...so fun

 the boys got a good workout

look what tori made

 first real tree my kids will ever have...it will be a fun Christmas for them

a little of our thanksgiving weekend to share...

we went to dewberry farm today to get a real tree for wayne and jodies house.  i will enjoy the smell of a real tree.  this is not something we usually have.

there were so many fun things to do at the farm.  i am so glad we joined them.  all the kids had fun...especially the biggest one.

Thanksgiving

Today is Black Friday, which I no longer participate in.  I tried a few times, but it was just never worth the savings to me.  Yesterday, I even looked through the ads and saw some good deals, but just didn't want to get into the crowds.  I do not like crowds.  They overwhelm me and I just don't care how good the deal is.  I will Christmas shop while Erika is in preschool, and most people are at work, thank you very much.

I am a little sentimental lately.  It didn't help just now reading a friend's blog who is also moving.  Moving is hard.  One part of me just wants it over and us in Belize and out of suitcases and in our own home.  The other part of me...is sad to go.

Wednesday night we headed to Lee's parents house.  Simply because I had a bad day as far as not feeling good and this house is too big for me to keep up with Erika and we wanted some time with my in-laws without everyone else.  It is nice to have lots of space, but when I just need to lie down, it is hard to keep up with a four year old:)  My mother in law had a nice dinner for us, made coke floats for dessert, and we slept in our own bed.  It was amazing. 

Thanksgiving day was eventful.  My mother in law woke up early to make a ham and turkey.  She pulled the ham out to make us cinammon rolls-she's pretty amazing that way.  Then when she went to stick the turkey in, the oven caught on fire.   She handled it so well.  I would have frieked out, and cancelled thanksgiving.  But not my MIL.  She took the turkey to her mom's house, the ham to her sister in laws house, and we baked the sides out in their RV.  She was so graceful through this whole process.  Then she went and picked it all back up and her mom as well.  She hosted a beautiful dinner, as always with some of her extended family as well.  Then began cleaning the dishes, etc.  I gave Grandmother a ride home, because she needed to lie down, and I knew my MIL was tired.

No sooner did I get back and the phone rang.  My MIL answered and it was the alert system.  Grandmother had fallen.  She hit a sharp hall tree with her breastbone.  By the time, my MIL got there, she could barely breathe due to pain, so they had to call an ambulance.  They spent the evening in the ER, then came home the same time that we got back from swimming at another relatives home.  Then we all went to sleep and slept well.

I wanted to share this story, because I am thankful for my in-laws.  They are just great people.  I am blessed they love me like a daughter.  My MIL is a great example.  She serves her husband and children.  She is an amazing cook.  She is not fancy about it, but her pancakes are amazing.  She just has the touch I guess.

As I laid in bed last night, I was emotional.  Thinking that is where I will sleep our last weeks in America.  That it is so close.  I am excited and terrified at the same time.  I really don' t know how to prepare.  God has done so much on the inside of me, yet, there are still so many uncertainties. 

I want to handle things with grace.  To look back, and see calm and peace through this journey.  I want to put my full trust in the Lord.

I am so thankful for friends and family who have blessed us during this time of transition.  It is so much better than a hotel.  My kids seem to be doing great.

some things about me

some things about me

• i love chocolate...cant ever get enough
• and peanut butter or milk with that chocolate is even better
• i love babies...if you have one, im going to ask to hold him/her
• i love lotion, i currently have three forms of it on the table beside me..and two tubes in my purse, one in my car:)
• i love watching movies...dramas that make me cry
• i love to read...just went to the library today...christian fiction, devotional types, non-fiction stories about families
• i love to worship.  i can't sing at all, but will belt it out in my car.  love music that is loud and that i can dance too...contemporary christian or worship
• i love rainy days, as long as im inside and not running errands
• i love to shop for just about anything except electronics
• i love to give gifts...if i had more money, i would give more gifts...but lee has me on a budget
• i love to be around kids...they make me happy...and laugh...and bring me joy...i will be the babysitter up in heaven

I have always wanted to....

• go to Paris...but only if it is a luxury trip
• rock newborns in a NICU
• have an orphanage
• write a book...not sure what about though
• go on a shopping spree, where i didn't have to budget the money...and it could be at marshalls or kohls for all i care
• be able to somehow help people who are in poverty to break the cycle
• teach preschool
• take my kids on a fantasy type vacation where we could just get whatever we wanted...

but as i look at that list, i am sort of thankful that i am on a budget, and that my kids are not spoiled, because they and i are more thankful because of it...

Thankful

thankful

today, i am thankful

i am thankful for a sleeping preschooler who had a blast for her thanksgiving party

i am thankful that said preschooler has an amazing preschool teacher

i am thankful that we will not do school for the rest of the week

that we will sleep in

and bake

and eat

and relax

and enjoy family

i am thankful that this weather will soon turn cold---it just has to

i am thankful for a sister-in-law who spoils my children

and me

i am thankful to be feeling better

much better

and that we found it here in america

and for doctors

and wisdom

and meds

that come because God gave them that wisdom

i am thankful for my husband

that he is home now

that I have a husband

who loves me

and takes care of me

i am thankful for three very amazing children

and their unique gifts and talents

and that for each of them i asked God,

and they are my best gifts ever

i am thankful for this coming holiday season

and time with friends and family

before our move

i am thankful for faith that sees me through

that God goes before us

and prepares things for us

and goes with us

i am thankful for friends and family who open their homes to us,

our kids,

our dog,

and our boxes

and that they still love us

after our noise

and our mess

i am thankful my children are homeschooled

most of the time

and that we can make our own schedules

and that i get to spend more time with them

than i used to

and most of all, i am thankful

for a personal God

who i knew from a young age

and that i get to serve him

and he blesses me...just because

he loves me,

not for anything i have done

and i am thankful for pecan pie on thursday, the worst thing calorically,

but the best tasty-wise:)



Isn't this the coolest?

I found this on another blog...isn't it neat?

My Dreams or His Dreams????

currently, i am sitting in a dark room trying to get my youngest to sleep...she did not nap and has not been well behaved...she needs her daddy to come home.  he is on his way.  i am so ready to be us again instead of just me.

this morning, since the guys were in tulsa, the girls and i went to life.  it is always nice to go home.   the worship was amazing, as always.  i had actually driven around about 30-45 minutes before church wilth my worship blaring and erika in the backseat.  it was a nice way to prepare to enter his prescence.

so, during worship, our worship leader's daughter sang a song she wrote.  i so wish it was on itunes or youtube so i could refer you to it.  it was about going through the fire.  god refining us.  he does that.  he has done and is doing that in me.  i wouldn't trade it.  i am a better person for it.

but as we were sitting there, worshipping, many words were given.  i personally felt god telling me...we ask him to fulfill OUR dreams....we need to pray that he will show us HIS dreams for us.  he is our dad.  he knows what we need most.  he knows why he created us, what he wants fulfilled through us.  but instead, we ask for this and that...god fulfill my dreams...do this for me, help me, make all my wishes come true.  his plans are better than ours.  his ways are better.  he knows where we are best used.  sometimes it is a not a path we would have chosen, but if we are earnestly seeking his will, we will look back and see how he guided us.  my journey is so much evidence of this.   i would not have chosen this past year and a half.  i wouldn't.  i was content, for the most part.  but god had bigger plans for us.  and i am thankful that i have a husband who listens.  i want to and am seeking to listen more intently.

that is another thing the lord showed me in my car worship today.  i have felt at times, lost, or bored, over the past few months.   but he has stripped me of all responsibilities, except being a wife and mother, so that i would be free to just sit and listen at his feet.  this is still a challenge, but even this morning, even though erika was in the car with me, i was able to just talk and listen to him.  it was so cool.  my car is the only "space" of my own that i have left.  but it became my sanctuary to spend time with my friend, my savior, my everything.

so i walked away this morning, just asking, god, what are your dreams for me?  because i want to be right in the middle of what he has planned...cause i know they are good plans.

What's Happening????

 First of all, isn't this the most beautiful girl you have ever seen?  I know you all have your own beauties.  But I just think she is adorable:)  Today, I literally had nothing to do.  So we mosied around HEB, with the amazing car cart.  Erika loved it.  We came home and had a leisurely lunch.  Everyone else came and went all day, but Erika and I stayed home.  She played out back.  We went for a walk and fed the ducks.  This is her, just relaxing, asking if we can stay for a while.  And we did.  It is kind of nice not to have to rush, and to just be.  It is a unique place I find myself in these days.  Some days are crazy, and some days I have absolutely nothing to do.  No house to maintain, really.  Not too much.  Its nice.  I can just enjoy my kiddoes.

 Promise enjoyed the walk as well.

Earlier in the week, Tori enjoyed a cooking class with her BFF.  We are actually going to make the little pecan tarts for Thanksgiving next week.   Tori said they were good.



Erika took my camera and took a few pictures of Tyler's batcave, a secret hideout under their stairs that Jodie created years ago.  Erika really enjoyed playing in there.

This is the special Dora room that Aunt Jodie created for Erika.  She can take these special sheets, blanket, and extra stickers with her to Belize...and look what else???

And yes, Aunt Jodie spoiled Tori and I with flowers in our rooms and hot cheetos for the kids.

We moved here Thursday morning.  I was really tired, but it feels good to be semi-settled for a few weeks.  When Lee gets home, we will put some more things into storage.  We have a little more room here and a very large bathroom.  Erika is enjoying the swing set in the backyard as well.  And Tori is enjoying her cousin Ryan.

It is hard to believe the holidays are upon us.  They feel different this year.  Not to have my own home to decorate.  Not being responsible for planning things.  Not setting up a Christmas Tree.  But that part is okay.  We will enjoy Wayne and Jodie's real tree.  We will probably even go with them when they get it.  I have not had a real tree in 17 years, so it will be a nice treat for me...

This journey I am on is so different...different than anything I can compare it to in my lifetime experience.  Ten years ago, when we moved to Katy to start Life Church, we also lived her with our in-laws.  I was such a different person back then.  It is cool for me to see that.  I have learned so much these years.  I have spent half my marriage here in Katy.  I wouldn't change it.  But this experience is good.  Rarely do I grieve the things we no longer have.  I realize they were things.  I would like to get rid of more, honestly.  It is so freeing.  I have this feeling that this is just the beginning.  God wants us to declutter our lives, whether we go to the Mission Field, or live in America.  He wants us to be willing and free to serve Him.  For material things not to hold us back.  For us to give til it hurts.  Really.  Instead of buying a new wardrobe, to buy a little less, so that we can give to those who need it.  Instead of taking luxury vacations, to sometimes substitute it with a Missions Trip.  I promise, one thing I have learned...you get more out of going, then they get from you coming.  It will be interesting to see what God does in me in Five years...after what He has done in me in just short trips...

Okay, enough rattling, time to throw that adorable princess in her special Dora Bubble Bath (yes, from Aunt Jodie too), and maybe even give myself a pedicure...we'll see.