Words of Wisdom

Every once in a while I have moments of great brilliance in my words. :) You can all stop laughing right now! The "right" thing usually comes to me hours, days, weeks later that I should have spouted off and come across as down right well...brilliant. I had one of those moments today.

Never knowing the correct way to respond when people ask me about how to get into the word or how to get closer to God. I usually give the standard answer of "Pray and the Lord will show you what you need to do." Of course that is the correct answer but there are other things that a person can do to get more involved in their relationship with Christ. This week I got faced with this question from someone who I have known a long time. Someone who I thought knew me and would know the real me. (And call my bluff) The person I still see myself as sometimes. I think I fooled her good. I joke because for her to say that I am a strong-christian-woman took my breath away. No way~you have the wrong girl.

I only share this correspondence between us because after I re-read my response I thought to myself there was no way I wrote that. I don't even remember 95% of it. And I just wrote it this morning! It was before I headed off to church so I felt rushed and was so hoping that she didn't think it was spur of the moment or not heart felt. But after re-reading it I realized that I didn't write these words. God did.

Keri,
I want to ask you a question if that's ok. I know that you are a strong christian woman and I want to know how to be that way to. I want to be closer to God and make Him my number one. It scares me how lost I feel and not knowing where I am supposed to be. I'm not sure if there are any good books to read or bible studies to go get.Thanks for your time.
Superstar (Names have been changed to protect the innocent)

Ha! Superstar I think I have you fooled! Although it might appear that I have it all together I don't girl. :) I am flattered that you find me to be strong. I do work at it and struggle daily. But by the grace of God I am finding that not only is He loving and blessing me daily I am working harder to please Him and show my love for Him as well.
As far as what has made me this way. Hmmm... I have a ton of contributors.
1. A good church home. Cameron and I church hopped for years trying to find which church fit our criteria. When we finally stopped shopping for churches like a new car and started looking into how we could join in and become an active part of church our lives were transformed. There were many opportunities to serve and do God's work and I didn't have to come up with any of them. I just joined in. That got me on the road to serving and finding my spot in the church.
2. Read one Proverb a day for a few months. There are 31 Proverbs and you can just read one a day for a month. This is an easy way to get into reading the Bible and it is full of hope, peace, wisdom that we all can put into action within our lives.
3. Start talking about God with your kids NONSTOP. When I finally made the decision to incorporate God into my words, conversations, daily life I felt more and more confident in my walk. Example: When I talk with Gracelyn about why not to do something I tell her it is because God doesn't want us to. Obviously I can't say this when she is asking for another cookie but if she is wanting to use a particularly colorful word I tell her that God doesn't want to hear her say those things. When I transitioned to using God as my source of information she started to automatically think that God was our GOD and we are here to serve Him. When she does something particularly wonderful I always praise her and say that I bet God is smiling because of what she did.
4. Pray with your kids and have them repeat after you. I know this is soooo simplistic but it is what got my prayer life on track. Listening to Gracelyn pray is heartfelt and pure. Can't get better than that.
5. There are several Bible studies that are good. I just finished up a Beth Moore study called Stepping Up. An Ascent Through Psalms. It was good but intense so it might not be the best one to start out with. Priscilla Shrier is good as well. If you have a Christian bookstore nearby just go browse the isles of stuff that pops out at you. There are a ton of bible studies on being the best mom you can be. Getting your life on track. etc...
6. Pray with Rockstar (Superstar's husband). It is soooo awkward at first. Cameron and I laughed and tried hard to out do one another on whose prayer was more heartfelt and heard better by God. (Good times!) But very quickly we saw God working and together we were able to rejoice in the differences together. God had always been blessing us we just never gave Him the credit. We played it off as luck or coincidence. There is no such thing girl. It is all God. But back to praying~when you are in a praying relationship with your husband there can't be anything better. It can only improve something that is already good.

I by no means think that you can start all of these things come Monday morning. But you just start finding ways to do 1 or all of these over the next month and see where the Lord takes you.

Superstar, I hope that you know I will be praying for you. I have been in your shoes. I have lived a relatively normal and uncomplicated life this far but when I finally got serious about my relationship with Jesus I realized just exactly what I was missing all these years. Living in His light is glorious and will fill your life completely. I can't imagine hard times without the ability to fall at my Father's feet and be in His presence. I find great joy in knowing that my Father is rejoicing with me in my earthly triumphs.

Again I want you to know that I have been right where you are. Wondering if there is more to this life than just existing and living day to day. There is Superstar and it is so easy to obtain!Blessings to you girl!
Keri

The only reason Superstar thinks I have my stuff together is because she sees what God has done for me. I haven't done it. God has. He is a mover and shaker so to speak and I am all about that. I know that I have much, much, much more moving and shaking to do. Praise God for that! I have successfully surrounded myself with people who show me God's love and what I need to do in my life. I am so blessed. It has taken me many years to get to where I am right now. It didn't happen over night.

I want Superstar to know that although it seems bleak at times living in the light of Jesus Christ is never dark and the answers are always there to be found. God has something up his sleeve just for you sweet friend!
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Look who came to visit!

Aunt Kassie, Uncle Jerry and Bella are in town!! Jerry had a week's leave so they came up to see everyone. We have had a great week of eating and playing at Splash. I didn't take my camera but the kids had a blast when they weren't falling under the water or getting splashed themselves. I rode the Sidewinder (Taco) about 5 times I think. WOW! It got my stomach every time. I loved it. We are planning to go down in a month to see Aunt Kassie and Bella in Ft. Worth. I can't wait.

Bella came for the afternoon to see us! :)

We had a great time and loved her being here. She is such a doll.

Adding some new blogs to the blog roll

I have added the following blogs to my blog roll. They are pretty cool so go check them out and say hi. We all know that the more comments you see added to your posts makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside! :) I know all of the people personally (except for Bring the Rain) and you might recognize a few faces as well.

Ladybugs & Bullfrogs
Little Bit~s and Miss Elaineous
Bring the Rain Don't know Angie Smith personally but love her blog!
"That's Life"
Haney Heritage
Baker's Thoughts
**ADDED**
Loving This Adventure

TONS OF NEW POSTS!

Be sure and check out the following posts... I know I have been a bad blogger lately!

Trip Down Memory Lane

Park Fun

How to take care of a baby according to Mason

I Hate Food Pictures!

I hate food pictures!

Seriously hate them. The only time food all over a child's face is cute is in the moment. Once you take a picture it is automatically transferred into the category of GROSS. I will throw the exception of birthday cake and the first time they try baby food in there! But other than that after the fact it isn't cute any more and turns my stomach every time. But alas I did take some pictures of food faces!

Mason's first experience with spaghettios~EEEWWWWW!!! The smell alone makes me nauseous.

Cannon has loved spaghettios since forever as well. I am so happy he is able to finally eat them with minimal amount of mess. He thinks every time you take a picture of Mason or Gracelyn he needs his taken too. I agree!

Mason climbed up on the kitchen table on morning while the cereal bowls were still up there. I think Cameron was suppose to be on duty. But anyways he was going to town with fists stuffed with soggy/mushy cereal.

How to take care of a baby according to Mason

1. Stealthily take baby from sister's room and carry her haphazardly down the hallway to the "chair". Make sure baby has cup for when she is thirsty.2. Turn around for photo opt. to show off skills. Don't loose the precious cup!3. Turn baby upside down because you are bound to get up there and her head keeps getting in your way.

4. Look like it didn't just take you 15 minutes to get up on the chair while holding baby. Be sure and never let go of the cup.5. Offer baby a drink from cup after you have made sure there isn't anything in it yourself. Although I do think there was some old water in it from a tea party last week. YUCK!

Park Fun

Last week Renay and I decided to head to the park because it was too cool for the pool. I am sure that I won't be saying that too many times this summer. It has been a scorcher so far. We stopped by the grocery store and picked up lunch and had ourselves a modified picnic. A real picnic would have a blanket and the essentials for picnic dining. All we had were kids, food and gravel. We made do just fine! :)

Keely and Gracelyn swinging like Renay and I did when we were girls. Funny thing is~they always think they are the ones that come up with this stuff and that although it has been around for YEARS they aren't buying it that we actually did the same things when we were there age.

Cannon swinging. He would have stayed in there the whole time we let him.
Maggie May. Last year when we would bring the twins to the park we would put them in the swing like this so of course we had to see if they would still fit. Like a charm!
Marlee Pie
Mason didn't think that sharing the swing was oh so fun like the twins. He hated it actually. It didn't help that Cannon was pushing against him either. Brothers!

Trip Down Memory Lane...

Well I know that the above title usually means long ago memories but not this time. I have pictures from May that I just got off my camera that I had to share with you guys. So although they aren't from way back in the day~they are older pictures. :)

Cannon in the bouncer for Cowboy Day at KU.

Caroline and Cannon. They are about 7 weeks apart and different as night and day. I would like to think it is the boy/girl thing but I think that Caroline just looks at Cannon most days and thinks he is weird. She is a sweet friend to my little boy!

Mommy and Cannon
Gracelyn at her graduation. Isn't she adorable in her cap and gown? I didn't get many pictures because the batteries on my camera ran down. Story of my life!

Boys are gross!

While we were out eating a local burger joint (I love calling it that) I had to go change Cannon and Mason's poopy diapers. They felt the need to poop together. How sweet...

...anyways I changed Mason first and got him down and put Cannon up on the changing station and while I am attending to elbow deep poop I hear a splashing sound. YEP! Mason has found the perfect way to keep himself occupied. The toilet. He was giggly and had the hugest smile on his face. He was sooo content to have one hand on the toilet seat and one hand in the toilet just splashing away. I was mortified. He had the water all over himself. His face especially. GAG!!!

Don't worry folks it gets better~While I recovered from the beyond-gross experience of the bathroom and am relaying it to Cam. I see Cannon come running up from the sandbox and he has a wad of gum in his mouth. I knew daddy didn't give him any so I asked where he got it and in his most big boy words said, "There mommy!" while pointing to a table. He had gotten under the picnic tables on the patio and proceeded to gather up all the previously chewed gum under the tables. How resourceful of him.

So many pictures and an incredibly busy week

Our women's retreat was back in April but I just got these pictures last night. Here is the whole group!!! I am taking the picture~ Kate, Me, Tami & Teresa (tallest to shortest!)
My trip to Colorado City to see Beth Moore.
Dinner at a place that was beyond impossible to get to!!!

Outside waiting Friday night. There were a ton of people and it was freezing!
Teresa's great-grandmother passed away the middle of May. Her and Riley got to meet David Beckham in Dallas. Teresa had to ask what was all the hoopla surrounding "those people". It was the Galaxy team of course and there were girls everywhere!

VBS was this week...Whew I am tired. We had roughly 55-60 kids each day and 30 volunteers to help us out. I was amazed by the amount of love that was poured out to our kids. This week was a huge success thanks to all of you! As much as I love VBS I am glad that it is over for the year. At about 11:00 today I was thankful that it would be a whole year until we did this again. But in the middle of the exhaustion and fatigue I am still so thrilled that we pulled off a successful week of teaching our kids about God's love. This year I got to co-direct with Teresa and it was different. I loved it. I usually sign up for teaching or being the guides for the classes as they travel around to different groups but this year God led me in another direction and I really did enjoy it. The theme this year was God's Big Backyard. What a fun idea and it was based on serving our family, friends, neighbors, community & Jesus. Our kids did a wonderful job and I have no complaints! :)

Here is Mason enjoying his time at VBS. He did have a few fits and got put in time-out (the crib) but that is not something we will speak about at the time.

Ms. Melissa & Ms. Teresa

My Gracie-girl

Gracelyn would rather me hold her than walk any day.

I think her daddy has spoiled her.

Renay and I (I love this picture!!!)
Grace and Aunt Nae
Boppy working in t he Backyard Bible Club

Tami, Kate, Teresa & Melissa (some of God's most precious people)

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday AUNT KASSIE!
Happy Birthday to You!

Hope you have a day filled with beautiful memories.

VBS

God's Big Backyard

Where Kid's Have a Blast Serving Jesus!

June 9th-13th

9:00-noon

Plum Creek Fellowship

Ages 3-5th grade

Please email me if you have any questions! :)

It will be so much fun.

Blogging Slump

I have a few blogs that I read that have recently been very intriguing to read. I check them often in a day and sit with anticipation for the next post. Do you guys have some you can't wait to read? I love my morning ritual of reading the newspaper online and then onto the blog roll that is increasing almost daily. You know the friend of a friend of a friend that made lasagna last night and it was heavenly and you just love looking at the pictures that prove it. Well I am a nerd like that and just love clicking on other people's blog rolls and seeing who all they know. I know I have posted about this before and I have been better about lurking but now my own blogging has been in a slump. I have slacked in the posting department because I have blog envy. I start something and think~hmmmmm.... Mason learning to wipe a booger on his brother is not near as interesting as what so and so is doing. Funny but not wow!! Okay I know that everything that my kids do is wow but come on~boogers compared to someone in deep emotional thought is just not comparable. So I have backed off of blogging for the fear of letting myself down. My friend Jordan recently blogged about not getting to write about a conference that was over-the-top fantastic because she wanted to do it justice and write something that would make us all proud. Well I guess I fall into that category as well. I want my posts to be wow.

Until I come up with something more WOW you will get boring, mundane posts about how sweet baby Mason has learned to wipe boogers on his brother! Now that is blog worthy!