Samuel and the Faithful God

Sometimes, I am totally amazed at this little one. Some moments he is perilously clinging to my leg for dear life and other moments he is a complete ham, ready to be the life of the party. This was taken at White Water while we were waiting for everyone else to get off the big kids water slides (the ones even Benjamin was loving). Samuel and I were very good caretakers of both the sunglasses and the shoes. :) I say that in a joking way, we really didn't mind waiting, I got to have moments like this with my little one. He was having a ball, sitting with mommy and trying on all the sunglasses. Aunt Erin's were the funniest, and thus earned a picture. Nonetheless, we went to the doctor this morning and had the scheduled shots and what-not, and though tears were shed, by the time I put him in the car seat, he fell asleep and has been a happy camper ever since.

When we got home I was reading 1 Thessalonians and something stood out to me. It's such a small verse, one that I must have overlooked all this time, but is says this: "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." The one who calls me to motherhood is faithful to lead me through it, despite all my paranoias and fear of failure. The one who led us to this ministry and this house IS faithful, and he will provide for it. What simplicity, we so often forget it, but it is truth in the heart of the Father. If he is not faithful, then he is a liar. And if a liar, how can he be a Savior? I have spent the last four years learning the faithfulness of the Lord, and yet on days like today, it seems I still have a long way to go. Thank you Lord for such subtle and yet huge reminders in the lives of our children. May you continue to teach me about yourself through them. Thank you-

The Zoo Birthday Party

So we had a wonderful 4-year old birthday party today, and though I only have a few of the pics listed, I thought I would tell you some memorable quotes from the day:

1. How many of us are there? 11 kids and 10 adults. Oh.
2. Do we have to pay for all the kids to ride the train? (Lydia to the ticket lady, she didn't appreciate the joke.)
3. Honey, don't kiss the dear! (Mommy Meg to daughter Aaliyah)
4. The parents get to ride the carousel for free????? Yes! (Lydia to second, and much more friendly ticket person)
5. Settle down guys. Here's the plan. We're going back to my house, eat hot dogs, eat cake, THEN open presents. (Benjamin to Seth and Gaberielle in the back of the van!)

Nonetheless, we totally had a ball and it seems the party was a hit.

Happy Birthday my love, may the Lord continue to shelter you and raise you in His promises, for His are much more everlasting than anything I have to offer you.

Samuel and the New Song

So Samuel has become a lover of music as well. I don't know where he gets it, but Benjamin really loves this new song and we have been listening to it quite a bit. I turned around the other day on the way home from Arkansas and watched him wake up and start "dancing" as this one came on. He likes it so much that we even got out the camera restarted the song and he did it again! What fun my little dancer/worshippers!

Videos and more videos

Okay, so you may have to look sideways, but if you can tell, Samuel had spent the day at White Water and was really tired as we were eating. I thought I would add a picture of him happy after he woke up too! Love that crab! (We didn't want him to sleep too long, because bedtime was coming soon!) Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time in Branson- Love being with family-

Coffee? Oh yes, most definitely yes!

Hello to all my fellow coffee drinkers! I have just recently joined the world of coffee drinking. It is a bit entertaining, since my husband has been drinking it for years. We have long since known about the addiction to caffeine. Fayetteville High School so aptly introduced me to Mountain Dew that I was having one of those early on. Caffeine is another issue all together, and someday we may have to deal with that one as well. However, for quite some time I have been trying to lower the sugar content of my diet and I was trying to figure out how to take away sugar, still have caffeine, and not feel horrible in the mornings. Tea wasn't good enough, diet wasn't a choice (sorry mom and candace!), and I didn't think I liked coffee. So after a couple of $4 Starbocks numbers, I decided that it might not be that bad! My husband has taught me how to make my very own pot here at home, and though I do put a large amount of milk and sugar in it, my sugar totals have dropped dramatically. Amazingly enough, I am actually feeling much better all around. About a coke or two a week and I do great these days. SO, to all you coffee drinkers, thanks for letting me join the club. I love it and I'll probably be staying around for a while!

Much-Afraid and her travels

So I am here in Branson, MO with my wonderful and dear extended family. For those of you who haven't heard, Branson is a family place that some have called "christian vegas." I have to laugh out-loud at such a statement because I am not sure that those two words could ever be used properly in the same sentence. Nonetheless, we have had a grand time at Silver Dollar City and White Water. I will be sure to show pics when I get back to my own computer.

However, for today I had a stunning thought to share. I try to post things about my own heart, though as a mother those things sometimes get lost in the midst of my children. Today, with wonderful help from NaeNae, Papa, Erin, Will and Kelly, I had a moment to read in the sun. I am reading a wonderful book entitled "Hinds Feet on High Places." I read it many years ago and it touched my heart so deeply that I felt it needed another read. Listen to this word:

"Each time she shrinkingly took hold of the hand of either Sorrow or Suffering a pang went through her, but once their hands were grasped she found they had amazing strength, able to pull and even lift her upwards and over places which she would have considered utterly impossible to reach."


In this story, the characters are aptly named for the emotion they most often espouse. Much-Afraid is most often afraid and the wonderful shepherd (Jesus) has given her companions in the journey she is about to undertake. Much to her surprise and disdain the two helpers the Lord chose were Sorrow and Suffering. Now, I will be the first to admit, when it comes to those two I have not had much experience. Only a small bit in the births of my children, but I have tasted them. I know, if only for a short time, what it means to experience the suffering of my children and a sorrow about it. In my limited experience, I saw so clearly what it meant to hold to sorrow and suffering, to cling to Jesus in them, to recognize that in those moments I am closer to the Father than ever before and that pain and love cannot be separated. In my own heart, I am drawn powerfully close to the Father in the midst of sorrow and suffering, He is a rock and a strong tower. The dynamic that connects the human heart between pain and love is so intense that at times they cannot be connected. The emotions I feel for my children cannot be separated in those moments. The pain for them and the love of them are one in the same. I wish I could describe it better, but "once she grasped the hands of Sorrow and Suffering. . . . shr found that they had amazing strength." It is in the hands of sorrow and suffering that we seek out the Father, it is in that place that we can truly see that His burden is light, and it is in that place that we understand the reason for Sorrow and Suffering in a believers life. We must hold to them, that we would be drawn near to the Father, that we would know His strength, and that we would truly understand the power that can only come from holding to sorrow and suffering. For if we do not hold on to them, we become angry and bitter, confused as to why they had to happen. I would much rather testify to the power and strength of the Father in those moments than complain about sorrow and suffering. Lord, may I understand even in the midst of life that you are in control. Your hand is always with us and you will never turn against us. Let me live m life in such a way that I will testify to you and your burden. Amen.

My first slideshow-

Well, I figured out how to make the slideshow, but I failed to get any kind of explanation onto the same post. So, needless to say, I have added a second to explain the previous (though to some it may be totally self-explanatory!) Erin came for a visit!

So, I know I write about it everytime she comes, but we really have so much fun. Erin came for almost a week a couple of weeks ago and we went to the zoo once, went swimming twice, took naps three of the five days, took baths four times, and ate all the time! Here is a brief snapshot of all the fun!

I want to add that she is totally amazing, and that tonight she called with word that she has gotten her fist full-time, grown-up, non-student, regular paying (though not that good) teaching job! I can't even explain how excited I am. It's this weird relationship dynamic, like I'm half mom and half sister/friend. I really try to be much more friend/sister than mom, I know that makes her crazy. But tonight, I was so excited and proud that I wore my mom heart freely. I am so proud of her, she is an amazing teacher and the Lord is clearly directing her heart and steps. She will bring peace to those she encounters and she will be a voice for "those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy." (See Proverbs 31:8-9) I love you sis! You will make an amazing teacher!

Check out my Slide Show!

Camping Fun with Daddy

Okay, so there's alot to say in one day, but the computer wasn't reading the camera card for like three weeks, so now there's been a ton of fun stuff going on. Hopefully after a couple of more of these, I'll get to the things in my own heart (though there is always some of that in everything).

Benjamin and Daddy are truly beginning to value their time together, without mommy. And sometimes, I am just as glad to see it come! I am also beginning to value my time with just Samuel. I guess this is the all-time dilemma of parenting, especially when you move from man-to-man defense to zone defense (having more than 2 children). Right now I think we are doing okay, but I figure at some point we'll have to make a new game plan.

I also find it really amazing that my Benjamin has a heart much more like mine, and he and his daddy have a special connection, while my Samuel has a heart just like his daddy's, and he and I have a special connection. The Lord has such wisdom and he knows us so much better then we know ourselves. I walked down the aisle to my wedding terrified, not knowing myself very well, and only knowing a bit about this man he had paired me with, and the Lord has blessed us over and over. He truly knows. I am always amazed at the fun they have together. And at the fun we have together. :)

So, we have jumped into talking. All the sudden he started saying "uh-oh" as clear as day. He has also adopted mama, dada, and we are working on bobo (brother). As with my oldest, he makes the jump incredibly quickly. We are just hoping to have lots of words before we see the speech therapist in September! I am reminded as quickly as I begin to think about it, that the Lord is a healer. He healed Benjamin and I immediately, and He healed Samuel. Fully. Without a doubt, I will stand on the promises of the Lord and will again be amazed at His goodness to us. But really, how cute is that? "Uh-oh!"