Love my Siestas!

Wow! What a weekend! I have no idea who these girls are, but I thought it was a neat picture of the weekend. They may not have even known each other face to face before Friday, or they may have known each other for years! But that is what Siestas do...walk together under the umbrella of God's love through life's rain.

The teaching, the worship, being with the siestas, putting faces with screen names (like The Preacher's Wife and BooMama), spending time with Jen, my bff from high school, and my mom was great. But most of all I have been with Jesus! A couple of cool things...I made some cards for my roomies before we left and one of them was Psalm 16. After we sang incredible worship with Travis (one song in particular was In Christ Alone), Psalm 16 began to scroll on the screen. Then Beth said turn there for our main passage, I just got goosebumps! Then I flew home Sunday just in time to make it to church with my family. Guess what we sang...In Christ Alone and Enough! It was like God was saying, "yes, we had a sweet time in San Antonio, but here is where I have your lot set for now and for a purpose." Talk about God Stops! I just love it when He shows up personally like that!

The things they say!

My kids are notorious for saying silly things. And maybe it is just my sense of humor that finds them funny, but here is one of the latest...

SweetDoll was playing the boxing game on the Wii, and she was really into it--fists flying, feet moving, red cheeks. "Mom, I'm fighting like a prairie dog!" I didn't know that prairie dogs were known for their intense boxing skills! And at our house we have a running joke of school mascots that are just hard to picture. You know, it is easy to see the "fighting Tigers, " but the "fighting Zebras"? So if ever we are in a position to pick a school mascot, my vote might very well be...the prairie dogs!

Favorite Things--summer edition 2008

Jen suggested this post...

1. We usually get Blue Bell, but summer is the time for homemade vanilla ice cream!
2. Getting together with family--family reunions, camping trip, just-for-because trips
3. Escaping the heat to cool Colorado (missed that one this year)
4. The sound of my kids squeals of joy playing in the water
5. Yes, continuous spray sunscreen!
6. PJ/movie days when it is too stinkin hot outside!
7. reading
8. Air Conditioning--Are you seeing a theme here? We routinely walk in the house and say, "Thank You, God, for air conditioning!"
9. A slower pace where we don't have to be someplace every day.
10. SweetHeart's schedule relaxes and he is home for lunch most days.
11. Fresh garden veggies
12. Summer Bible study with the girls! (Have I mentioned that No Other Gods by Kelly Minter is incredible!)
13. In early summer the fireflies come out. I still think God really outdid Himself with those creative creatures! They just fascinate me!

Where did July go?

Hey! Long time no see! I'm sorry it has been a while since I last put up a post. Let's see...we have had a birthday boy! Happy Birthday, SweetBoy! And an All-Star Baseball tournament, visit from cousins on my side, Cousin Swap '08, trip to hometown, and I have had a cough that won't quit!

Let me just explain a little about Cousin Swap...this is what SweetBoy wanted for his birthday party. It is where all 11 of the lastname cousins, ages 15 to 2, come to our house for 24 hours. (Jen, the one on the left was the baby at our wedding!) The swap part is that next time it is one of the other families' turn to host it and we get 24 hours to ourselves! We had so much fun! We are blessed with some pretty great kids!

And I believe on the last post I mentioned a book that I wanted to tell you about. It is called The Love Languages of God by Gary Chapman. (He also wrote The Five Love Languages books.) The five love languages are pretty profound when applied to earthly relationships. If you have not read it, I highly recommend it. If you haven't read it yet, here are the 5 primary love languages he suggests: quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, and physical touch. He takes those same love languages and applies it to your relationship with God. "How do you feel most loved by God?" The answer to that question will most likely fit right in with your primary love language. For me that is quality time and words of affirmation, and I feel most loved by God when I spend time in His Word. I've always known it was important to read my Bible, but for me that really satisfies my soul and now I understand why! Then the author turned it to show how we can express our love for God in the various love languages directly to Him or to His children. Sorry I left you hanging so long, but I just had to share it. Great book!

Then I had a doctor's appointment and picked up a little book that would fit in my purse. It was The Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkerson. It is an indepth look at John 15 where Jesus teaches about He is the Vine and we are the branches. Hmm...it has some rich stuff! Another good quick read!

All of that to say...at the beginning of the year Jen asked what the theme of the year was. I said it was "giving my best." God is continuing that theme through the summer with what I'm hearing from pastors and teachers and what I'm reading and studying (No Other Gods by Kelly Minter--WOW!). He wants more of me, and I have to have more of Him. Unfortunately I get bogged down in the mundane of motherhood, but He can take that and make it valuable if I do it with the right attitude. I have no idea what tomorrow holds, but I'm holding on to Him knowing that He will show me the way!

That has been my summer reading! I did read a pleasure book too that was fun. Oh, and a book about coaching your kids to be leaders--very interesting too. I don't remember the last time I have read so much--before kids I'm sure!

Whew! The summer rolls on!

Well, we have had


a great-grandmother's 94th birthday celebration,
a last name family reunion,

a trip to hometown with grands and great-grandparents and on to visit other greats (it was so fun to watch my kids play in the house and with the toys that my brother and I used to play with, we played Fast Track, and Great-Granddaddy made the big kids stilts!) and back to hometown...

while we were there, we had fun on the Bonzi Blaster and played in the pool,

riding horses (some of Granny's friends have two horses that they let us ride for almost an hour--the kids loved it!)

Mema always enjoys the kids coming to her house for coffee break and playing or reading stories with her.

The big kids and I went for a hike to see a national monument one day. And camping in the camper in the backyard with Granny and Papa was a big adventure!

Then we came home to VBS at our church! Then a weekend of All-Star baseball! I know, "Makes me tired just thinkin' about it."

And this week, SweetDoll had a sleepover at a cousin's house, and SweetBoy stayed with Meme and Granddad. SweetTate stayed home, and Mom took a deep breath! This month looks like it will slow down, thankfully. I read a book I want to tell you about and I just started a really good Bible study...until next time! Enjoy your summer!

Let the Summer begin!

First of all, we have a birthday boy! Happy Birthday, SweetTate!

One of my goals this summer...string fun days together for a fun summer. Here we go!

What more can you ask for in the hot summer than fun in the water!

SweetBoy purchased a balloon kit, thankfully it included a pump! We spent the afternoon attempting to get them blown up and create something...before they popped! SweetBoy made some snails. Then I became the balloon sword craftsman and repair shop! Can't you just hear those giggles!

The Mom Paparazzi

As I sat on the sidelines with another mom with her camera, we teased that we are the Mom Paparazzi! Following our little celeb's every move and documenting their every accomplishment, ordinary days, and silly moments. Yes, that is part of my job description--Mom Paparazzi! Here are a few snapshots of my sweet celebrities that I have caught on film lately.

SweetDoll was seen at a friends dress up tea party doing a little spin on the stage.

SweetBoy had a great baseball season contributing to his team with many hits and rbi's.

The whole family worshiped together at church Easter morning before gathering with the rest of the family at Mamaw's for lunch and the big egg hunt.

Anyone for a campout inside?

What Mom? I'm just playing like Brother & Sister. This way I can reach the goal!