Thoughts about midlife

I am not sure if I am at midlife or not, no one really is since it is a varied age for each person. However, I have a checklist if you are approaching midlife, in the midst of it, or perhaps have kept yourself there. :) enjoy.

1. Use sun damage creme. Spend a lot of money on it.

2. Use a good moisturizer. Spend a lot of money on it too.

3. Try the collagen repair lotion for cellulite. Spend a lot of money on this.

4. Buy a pilates dvd series. Only Windsor Pilates will do, it is a lot of money.

5. Quit wearing long shorts, buy cute short ones. Spend money on these too.

6. If you don't look good in the shorter shorts, don't worry. There are things you can do about that too, but you have to spend a lot of money.

7. Hang around younger people, they keep you young and they like to spend a lot of money because they haven't figured out that money doesn't grow on trees.

8. If you want my personal opinion, midlife just costs a lot of money.

I am not sure what just came over me, but for some reason, I feel the boldness to go ahead and hit publish post button, as I am finding this amusing to even myself.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Happy Birthday Ben!!!!!! I love you so much and am happy to be your wife. :) I am listening to you sing happy birthday (again) to the daddy to yourself with the boys. You make me smile!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

HAPPPPPPPYYYYY BIRTHDAY~

Survival Swimming

David was so sad he couldn't play ball this year! Being able to see under the helmet surely is a requirement! :)

Here David is doing Pilates in my socks! The heals are up to his calves!

I don't know if they call it survival swimming due to the fact that the mothers make it through or that the children learn to kick themselves to the side and pull themselves out of the pool.

I honestly, have been pleasantly surprised to my bundle of energy, fit throwing, full speed ahead 3 year old. David has done AWESOME this week. We are on day two. He is still sinking when told to get to the side, but hopefully, he will improve throughout the week. David had a great time today and so did I. We kept making each other laugh when we went under at the same time! He told me he was full in the middle of the lesson and sure enough that boy's belly was poking out...full of water!

I made corned beef for dinner. We love it! It is a super easy meal that is crock-pot prepared. I put it in this morning and added cabbage to the pot this afternoon. I like to make reuben sandwiches with the leftover meat.

Today we went downtown and went to the train depot and watched a crane load a freight car with scrap metal. A most exciting day! Tomorrow, we are planning a visit to our Art Museum. They have a GREAT new area for kids. I must admit, I love it too! Check out all they have to offer here. I'll post pictures of our time.

Linger over your coffee, go ahead and throw that load of stinky clothes in the dryer (the one we left in the washing machine on accident or on purpose), and enjoy your day!

Lots of things and Monkey Eggs

This was taken by the Leon Loard Portrait studio. Thankfully this is NOT the portrait shot we chose, but it made me laugh!

For my own memory, or lack there of, I am recording some verbiage that has come forth in our home.

I bought Monkey Bread for breakfast. David apparently was a bit confused and called it Monkey Eggs. A gross mistake, but absolutely hilarious.

Benjamin has shown an interest in deodorant. He loves putting on Ben's before school. We are just glad he has an interest in NOT stinking. A bit premature, however, we'll take it when we can. I am going to switch us all over to aluminum free due to the health concerns that have continued to linger with this ingredient. Any tips on some for men, women, and boys under 8 would be appreciated. :) Okay not the eight year old, but I had to throw that in there!

Luke is now an official first grader. He no longer will be with me in the little bubble where I work. Although, we are thrilled with the big school he will attend, it pulls at my heartstrings to watch this little fellow go without me. I teach K5 and we snuck hugs on the playground, waved at each other during chapel, and of course were just there together! How I will miss you Luke, but I know you will do great next year! I do have to say Luke, you are a diligent little boy and you have worked hard this year. I am so proud of you!

This is Luke(2 1/2) and Benjamin (3 1/2) how quickly time has gone!

I can't believe Benjamin is about to be a second grader! We were looking at his baby pictures yesterday. Where has the time gone? He just finished coach pitch baseball. He really enjoyed it. He quickly realized it was more difficult than T-Ball, but it warmed my heart to see him warm up at bat and stop and ask Jesus to help him. He would just pause, look down, and I knew what he was doing. He has also begun to confess to us when he has been disrespectful to us. It often happens after bedtime. I am thankful for this step, as he is recognizing his own sin. He is sorrowful and honest. It is a blessing to reassure him that we love him no matter what, encourage him to talk to God about it, and to offer our acceptance and forgiveness. I am thankful how the Lord is working in his life and that this began WITHOUT Ben and I prompting him. I am hopeful that I will remember this down the road...the Lord works in his life as He sees fit.

A friend of mine, Christy, shared this with our Bible Study:

There was a family that was blessed with a very obedient and tender hearted child. She grew up to serve the Lord and honored her parents.

In the same family there was a son who became very rebellious in his teenage and young adult life and broke his parents heart. Of course they loved him unconditionally and trusted the Lord with this child. The mother asked her husband what they did wrong.

He replied, "Do you take credit for what the Lord did in our daughter's life?"

She said, "No of course not. That was the Lord."

He said, "In the same way, we cannot take the choices our son has made and take the blame or take the credit for the wise choices of our daughter. We have parented them in the same way. Not perfectly, but the Lord has a plan for each of them. And we will trust him with them each."

Isn't that a good reminder that as we serve the Lord and look to Him for guidance in our parenting, it ultimately isn't about us as parents. We are sinners. He is bigger than us and has a plan for each of our children.

Describe and Define

I was listening to a great radio program today on the way to get Benjamin. I heard two contrasting words that I often interchange; Describe and Define. As women, we often place the two together don't we? What describes us-mother, wife, daughter, teacher, etc. is not what DEFINES us. Fabulous thought isn't it? Not mine, but this lady named Liz on 90.3 FM. Anyway, it sparked some thoughts and led me back to an all time favorite book Hinds Feet on High Places. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend you pick it up, check it out, our go borrow it IMMEDIATELY. It penetrates my soul. I love it. The book is an allegory and is amazing.

There is a chapter in the book called Encounter with Pride. I feel that it brings to home that which defines us, perhaps more so what defines us.

"From the very beginning the way up the mountains proved to be steeper than anything Much-Afraid had supposed herself capable of tackling, and it was not very long before she was forced to seek the help of her companions. 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, and seemed able to pull and even lift her upwards and over places which she would have considered utterly impossible to reach. Indeed, without their aid they would have been impossible, even for a strong and sure-footed person.

(Much-Afraid has an encounter here with Pride. The rest of the quote is after Pride attacks her.)

"Before Pride could realize what was happening, Much-Afraid uttered a desperate cry for help and was calling up the mountain. "Come to me, Shepherd! Come quickly! Make no tarrying, O my Lord."

There was a sound of loose rattling stones and of a prodigious leap, and the next moment the Shepherd was on the path beside them, his face terrible to look at, his Shepherd's staff raised high above his head. Only one blow fell, and then Pride dropped the hand he had been grasping so tightly and made off down the path and round the corner, slipping and stumbling on the stones as he went, and was out of sight in a moment.

"Much-Afraid," said the Shepherd, in a tone of gentle but firm rebuke, "why did you let Pride come up to you and take your hand? If you had been holding the hand of your two helpers(Sorrow and Suffering) this could never have happened."

"For the first time, Much-Afraid of her own free will held out both hands to her two companions, and they grasped her strongly, but never before had their hold upon her been so full of pain, so bitter with sorrow."

"She learned in this way the first important lesson on her journey, upward, that if one stops to parley with Pride and listens to his poisonous suggestions and, above all, if he is allowed to lay his grasp upon any part of one, Sorrow becomes unspeakably more unbearable afterwards and anguish of heart has bitterness added to it. Moreover, for a while she limped more painfully than ever she had since leaving the Valley. Pride had trodden on her feet at the moment she called for help and left them more lame and sore than ever."

Do I allow my situations and encounters with Pride to describe me? Am I trying to write my own description and define myself? Or will I allow the Author of my life to write the story. Will I embrace the times of suffering and sorrow and allow them to define my character or will I resist their aide in my plight upwards and my struggle with fighting off Pride?

Today, I stand thankful that My Shepherd loves me for who I am in His beautiful Son Jesus. My description is not written by what I do, but my defining moment was when my life was wrapped in the cloth of His salvation. For that alone, is more than I ever deserve.

He is to me...

Jesus is many things. Right now, I am thankful for His faithfulness. I have to be careful not to feel that as long as things are Zippity Do Da, that He is faithful then; but to really know His faithfulness and BELIEVE His faithfulness regardless of my earthly state. If Jesus never did more for me, but purchase my salvation on a cross, that would be far more than I ever deserved (took this quote from Alicia). It is easy to fall into an "I deserve" or "God is faithful, see everything turned out my way" mentality. Andi, is owed nothing by God, BUT He loves me. He does because His body was put in a grave and the grave could not hold Him. Jesus did for me what I could not do for myself; save me.

I would love for us to share with each other, whoever reads this, what Jesus is to you. Tell me because there are times when I wonder, "Did this all really happen?" Then, I go back and think of how He has worked in my heart!!! It builds my faith to see His faithfulness over the course of my life. Tell me, what is He to you?

Life is...

You all may have seen the Life is good shirt. Luke was sporting his shirt and I asked him what it said.

"Life is not fair!" :)

Good ol' boy! He is too precious.

Rain Days

Rainy days can be full of fun! The boys love playing on the Plasma Car. To be honest, I love to ride on it too!!!! Our garage also doubles as a race track. :) I just back my bus out and voila, a race track!

David is a bit strong-willed. He got a bike for Christmas and didn't want anything to do with it. Then, all of the sudden, he likes it. He is also really into riding his "bitricycle". :)

Our eggshell grass is growing GREAT! They are happy little eggs with happy little grass sprouts!

Such Fun!

We enjoyed our time together over Spring Break! We loved getting to bop around Dothan and enjoy things like the Art Museum (which has a WONDERFUL children's gallery with hands-on-fun!!!), Landmark Park, and home. :)

I loved watching the boys have fun at Landmark! There is always so much to see and hear. I loved mostly, watching them be boys. It makes my heart happy to see the older two care for the youngest one. I love little hands in the dirt-feeling life! Throwing caution to the wind (safely)and hang upside down just for fun. I love how they take it all in!

Dear Boys,

I love each of you so much and can't wait to see your friendships grow in the years to come. We love laughing and making memories with you. You guys keep us on our toes, that is certain! Luke, we have been praying for David's salvation and you did a GREAT job explaining what it means to be a Christian. David isn't ready yet, but at the right time, the seed you have planted will be watered by Heaven, and it will grow. Just like we talked about. Daddy and I love how you and Benjamin are growing in your faith. We are thankful. David, we are thankful for how your understanding is increasing and we trust that at the Lord's timing, the Holy Spirit will touch your little soul too.

Do you see the picture of David's shadow? I want each of you to see your shadow and enjoy your boyhood. The small shadow will all too quickly get bigger. For now, embrace every little speck of dirt under your fingernails. Feel every bit of swinging upside down, the wind whipping across your face. LOVE life. Leave your handprints on lives, touch them. Because it is not merely your handprint you leave, but your Maker's. Make colorful music. Sing the song of life as loud as you can!

I love you more than you will ever know. You make my life song beautiful.

A Moment of Silence-Spring Break 2010

We are growing grass via cracked, WASHED egg shells, thanks Darby for the idea to use eggshells for Easter decorations. This was our science activity for the day.

Breakfast this morning was HUGE GREEN pancakes!

Shhhhh.

They are all ASLEEP.

A few years ago, my mom gave me wise counsel to nurture my own boys friendship with each other. So, many a day it is just the three of them. They are fortunate to be involved in sports, school, and church where wonderful extended friendships flourish, however, the rule at our house is=Your brother IS your best friend. Period. As in you are sticking by each other through thick and thin. Today, has been a day devoted to them. Their friendship, brotherly fun.

Here it is in pictures.

Rethinking

So, after I read Misty's comment, I realized something.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

I tend to be a black and white thinker.

I felt since I didn't have time to post pictures and do what I felt was a good job blogging, I just should not do it.

But I felt sad when the boys did something over the last few days that I thought should "make the blog."

THANK you for reminding me girls that I can be simplified WITHOUT giving up what I enjoy.

I am so a work in progress.

I will be sporadic in posting, but that is okay. I love that I can look back over the last couple years and read about our family. Little snippets from our life, our everyday comments, thoughts and pictures. I am in the midst of a really busy time. I want to make the most of the next few months with Luke before he goes to first grade all day and enjoy my time with David after school. Perhaps it has more to do with our stage of life. It is a FANTASTIC stage of playing ball with Benjamin and Luke(which is funny to watch me), trying to find ways to intertwine spiritual life lessons in the everyday moments, discipline in a meaningful way, as well as type a post with David on my back (actually happening at present).

Thanks.

Good Bye

I am thinking based on my lack of posts lately, it might be time to hang it up.

I have no nappers in the nest anymore.

I have many baseballs to throw, dirt to sweep out of the house, bugs to catch, and spray N wash to use.

I have loved sharing our lives with you; the funny, precious moments! It is hard for me to think about doing something in a kinda way. Thus, I have the need to explain what I intend to do and how it is I came to this.

Right now, I don't have the energy (at least not when I need to wake up) to stay up late to post. My afternoons need to be spent doing sight words, cleaning out my car, and pretty much getting the laundry put away.

I have loved your comments and getting to meet new friends as well as catching up with old ones!

I have loved reading about many of your families.

I will miss blogging so much, but my little guys and my big one need my attention. I have learned this in the last few years- I don't want to do it all. :) Not to mention, I can't do it all. So, that which God has called me to, is what I want to do best. PLEASE don't go thinkin' that I am some great Christian woman with her ducks in a row.....I dare you to look in my car, or my house for that matter, not to mention my heart! Many of you gals have a ministry of encouraging other women through your blogs and you are able to use it in great ways!!!! Please don't feel that I am saying blogging is wrong. By no means. This is where I am now, for me, for my family.

Here are some closing quotes from a Bible study I am doing on Becoming a Woman of Simplicity:

"In seeking the Best we soon find that our enemy is our good things, not our bad. The things that keep us back from God's best are not sin and imperfection, but the things that are right and good and noble from a natural standpoint...very few of us debate with the sordid and evil and wrong, but we do debate with the good." Oswald Chambers

"O Lord, may I be directed what to do and what to leave undone." Elizabeth Fry

"Because I'm less concerned with what others think, my schedule is less crowded with things I once imagined would earn me recognition and fill my empty heart. I now enjoy the freedom to say yes to opportunities that produce gladness in my heart and a greater freedom to say no, even if it's a good thing I've been invited to do. This doesn't mean that I'm less busy. It simply means that there's time now for things I was always hoping before to squeeze into my schedule." Fil Anderson

Wow!

Long time; no speak.

Bulleted remarks from a slack blogger:

*New York was wonderful! Wicked rocked my world!!! I would LOVE to be able to sing and dance on stage! That is why I teach Kindergarten! They think I can sing!!!!!

*I have a story that is written, not edited and probably at this phase of my life will hang over my head until summer.

*Today is Dr. Seuss' birthday, so cuddle your favorite kiddo and enjoy some fun Seuss books tonight!

*Dolly Madison is perhaps one of my newest interests. As of last night.

*I just finished 3 FABULOUSLY WONDERFUL books about the character of Mr. Darcy. Written after Pride and Prejudice, but keenly aware of the original time and characters with the development of new story lines! Highly recommend it!

*Happy Birthday to my favorite (and only) sister in law and brother in law!

*Laundry tip for winter: Put a load in when you wake up to wash, transfer to dryer at noon, fold by afternoon and put a load in washer, put in to dry after dinner and fold following morning! I have been keeping up with the laundry this way!!!!!! AT LEAST for now I should say! :)

ATTENTION Moms and Teachers:

GREAT website alert:

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Great resources for moms, teachers, and homeschooling parents~

Downloading pictures will/may come later!

Hello

Hey strangers!!!! We have been swamped down here. It is a busy season for our family. I leave this week for New York with my mom. We celebrated her 60th birthday last week and we are continuing to do so as we make our mark in the Big City. ;)

I have been reading like a mad woman. I love to read, love it!!! I want to be in a book club and enjoy tea and crumpets while reflecting, maybe one day soon.?.

I have just finished Help. An unforgettable story of life in the South through the eyes of different women in the 60's. Creatively written from different perspectives; a story of piercing truth that all truly need to feel. Prepare to weep and smile.

Today, I am thankful for sunshine. I am thankful that I woke up and that today is simply, a normal day. I know that is bizarre, but when so many things can happen in your day that change so much, one becomes thankful for normality.

Now, I am off to eat some chocolate cheesecake. Cause life is normal and cheesecake should be a part of a normal day.