Christmas 2008, so many wonderful memories.
Presley you are 3, soon to be 4.
You have been so excited about Christmas this year.
Your dad and I have been excited about sharing this Christmas with you.
Your first Christmas you have really understood and and have been expectantly anticipating Santa's arrival.
On your list for Santa - a violin, a camera, and some tools. (All of which you got.)
Of course you would often add to your Santa list everytime you saw some commercial on tv.
We spent Christmas eve at Grammie and PaPa's house.
So, nice and relaxing.
You got your violin and camera.
Santa must have told Grammie and PaPa exactly what you wanted.
You also got some "Pretty Ponies" from Kristin, Baylie and Aunt Rinda.
You played with those for hours.
Your dad thought you were not quite yourself.
He was right.
Christmas Day you were sick, like your mother! But more on that later.
Before you went to bed, we checked on the computer to see exactly how close Santa was to our house.
He was close, so we quickly put out the milk and sprinkle cookies (but forgot the reindeer food.)
Christmas morning, Kennedy got up first.
She loved all the toys!
Kennedy, you quickly noticed all the new toys and began to play with the kitchen set immediately.
This was your second official Christmas, and you were really into it.
You weren't much into unwrapping gifts, but once they were opened, you were all about playing with them!
I went upstairs about 7:30 to wake up Little Presley. Presley, I told you that Santa had been to our house and that she needed to come down stairs. You were excited! You came downstairs and looked at the toys Santa had left for you and Kennedy. Then you laid down on the couch and said your tummy hurt. I completely understood, because I felt terrible as well. It did not take long before you threw up. Only once at home. You started to feel a little better and enjoyed opening your many gifts. So many that you said you had to take a break for your arms to rest. Next year I think we are going to tell Santa we are doing the "three gift rule." Then we will not have the tired arm problem!
We made our way to Mimi's house about 9. Presley continued to be sick, throwing up in the trash sack in Mimi's living room. Santa left a few gifts for you at Mimi's house, a lovely doll house for Presley and a fun oversized kids chair for Kennedy! Kennedy had a great time at Mimi's with all the Tidwell clan. Presley and I spent most of the day in Mimi's rooms asleep on her bed. We went home about 3:30.
At home both of you girls took long naps. I had to wake both of you up at 6pm for another round of Christmas with PopPop. Presley threw up again and I was afraid she was not going to want to open any gifts. But after taking some Motrin, she perked up and had a wonderful Christmas night. I think the $1.99 Rudolph nose was the hit of the night!
Whatever Presley and I had only lasted 24 hours. I am just sad it was over Christmas day. Thankfully Kennedy and dad remained healthy.
Presley's favorite gift was her violin.
Kennedy liked whatever toy Presley was playing with.
Dad and I enjoyed watching the two of you having so much fun!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
"Beyond Belief"
I have much to blog about Christmas, I will do that in the next blog. We still have one Christmas to go today and then I will share all the great details.
I am reading "The Shack," but I have taken a short break to read "Beyond Belief" by Josh Hamilton. I finished it in a few hours. He is a Texas Rangers Baseball player who was the #1 draft pick the year my brother-in-law Chance was drafted in the first round a few more slots down. Josh was an all-american boy, drafted right out of high school, destined for greatness. He lost everything when he feel victim to drug addiction. He blames no one but himself. He credits God for his recovery and salvation and everything good that has happened to him since. It is a good story about the redemption, forgiveness and grace of God and how he is working to keep himself humble and accountable to Him. Definitely worth a read.
I am reading "The Shack," but I have taken a short break to read "Beyond Belief" by Josh Hamilton. I finished it in a few hours. He is a Texas Rangers Baseball player who was the #1 draft pick the year my brother-in-law Chance was drafted in the first round a few more slots down. Josh was an all-american boy, drafted right out of high school, destined for greatness. He lost everything when he feel victim to drug addiction. He blames no one but himself. He credits God for his recovery and salvation and everything good that has happened to him since. It is a good story about the redemption, forgiveness and grace of God and how he is working to keep himself humble and accountable to Him. Definitely worth a read.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Shack - chapter 10
Each chapter has been so rich, with much to ponder.
"Do you think humans were designed to live in the present or the past or the future?" p. 141
"Do you think humans were designed to live in the present or the past or the future?" p. 141
Of course we were designed to live in the present, yet we spend most of our time somewhere else. I feel this way often, living in the past or focusing on what the future may hold, trying to anticipate so I can react appropriately. But Christ does not live in the future, He lives in the present. He is in the here and now! I try to justify what I do by telling myself I am trying to "be prepared." I don't think I am being fearful, but perhaps I just don't see it.
"The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love...To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe I am good nor know deep in our heart that I love you. You sing about it; you talk about it, but you don't know it." p. 142
I want to know the love of Christ in that way, to truly believe so I will not fear, what freedom that would be. I know that kind of trust, knowledge, belief only comes by spending time with Him, lots of time. A conviction for me to spend more time with Him. I make excuses, justify why I don't, but really there are no acceptable excuses or any justification that makes it ok that I do not make time for Him daily. It should be the first thing on my mind when wake up and the last thing on my mind when I go to sleep. Then I would truly experience freedom. And that freedom would overflow into all my other relationships!
"To force my will on you," Jesus replied, "is exactly what love does not do. Genuine relationships are marked by submission even when your choices are not helpful or healthy....Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect. In fact, we are submitted to you in the same way." p. 145
Sometimes I do think forcing His will upon us would be kinder. It would help me to not make so many stupid mistakes. It would make my life easier, I think. Then I think about others that I love who have made poor choices that cause me pain, that cause me to greive for them, for their soul. I makes me think about my own children who will make bad decisions in their life, if I could just choose for them or if God would intervene and help them to always choose His will. But I do want "genuine" relationships, which means I must be submissive, I must love and respect. I am struggling to learn how to accomplish this! I hope I am able to master this before my own kids get much bigger! I think my definition of submission has been skewed for a long time. I have thought of it as power and obedience, not as love and respect.
"Because we want you to join us in our circle of relationship. I don't want slaves to my will; I want brothers and sisters who will share life with me."
"And that is how you want us to love each other, I suppose? I mean between husbands and wives, parents and children. I guess in any relationship?"
"Exactly! When I am your life, submission is the most natural expression of my character and nature, and it will be the most natural expression of your new nature within relationships." p. 146
In all my relationships I want submission to be the most natural expression of my nature. I am going to try to recondition my mind to a new definition of submission. I want to join that circle!
"The world is broken because in Eden you abandoned relationship with us to assert your own independence. Most men have expressed it by turning to work of their hands and the sweat of their brow to find their identity, value, and security. Or by choosing to declare what's good and evil, you seek to determine your own destiny. It was this turning that has caused so much pain." p.146-147
"The woman's desire - and the word is actually her 'turning.' So the woman's turning was not the works of her hands but to the man, and his response was to rule 'over' her, to take power over her, to become the ruler. Before the choosing, she found her identity, her security, and ehr understaning of good and evil only in me, as did man." p.147
"No wonder I feel like a failure with Nan. I can't seem to be that for her." p.147
"You weren't made to be. And in trying you'll only be playing God." p.147
"Is there any way out of this?" p.147
"It is so simple, but never easy for you. By re-turning. By turning back to me. By giving up your ways of power and manipulation and just come back to me." Jesus sounded like he was pleading. "Women in general, will find it difficult to turn from a man and stop demanding that he meets their needs, provides security, and protects their identity, and return to me. Men, in general, find it very hard to turn from the works of their hands, their own quests for power and security and significance, and return to me." p.147
"Women," Jesus continued..."turned from us to another relationship, while men turned to themselves and the ground." p.147
"..filling roles is the opposite of relationship...We want male and female to be counterparts, face-to-face equals, each unique and different, distinctive in gender but complementary, an each empowered uniquely by [the Holy Spirit] from whom all true power and authority originates...As you grow in relationship with me, what you do will simply reflect who you really are." p. 148
How true this is, I am guilty of trying to find my identity, value and security in my relationship with my husband. This is unfair to him, he was not made to be this for me. My identity, value and security is to be found in Christ and Christ alone. I know this and have for a long time, yet I find it difficult to re-turn my focus on Christ. I want to do better. Brad is my help-mate, I am grateful that God has blessed me with him. But I need to find my value and worth in my relationship with Christ. What a burden that would lift from Brad. That would enable our relationship to be better! Wonderful! Great! What great gift to us and to our children.
"...just like love, submission is not something that you can do, especially not on your own. Apart from my life inside of you you can't submit to Nan, or your children, or anyone else in your life, including Papa....I came to give you life, real life, my life. We will come and live our life insdide of you, so that you begin to see with our eyes, and hear with our ears, and touch with our hands, and think like we do. But, we will never force that union on you." p149
Lord, I do not want to live my life apart from you. I want you to live your life inside of me, I want real life, your life. I want to see with your eyes, hear with your ears, touch with your hands, feel with your heart, think like you think. I pray that you will enable me to fully allow you inside my heart so that I can experience all the fullness of You.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Differences
They say each child is different. How quickly you can begin to see the differences. (Presley is 3 and Kennedy is 1) But different is good. How boring this world would be if we were all the same!
One main differences I see in my two girls: Presley is cautious and Kennedy is anything but.
We have both ends of the spectrum. Both traits are good. Both traits have positives. One is trait is not better than the other.
Presley, from an early age you were cautious. Before you would do something that might be questionable you would turn to look to one of us to see if it was okay, safe. Saying "no" was all it took, and you would never try it again. Climbing up on the hearth, going near the hot stove, putting small objects in your mouth, opening cabinet doors, well you get the picture. That caution continues today, "is that curling iron hot? unplug it!" The caution does not stop with safety issues. There are times you are cautious in your life, afraid you might make a mistake. But caution is a good thing. I see you are wise and discerning. You think before you act, consider the consequences. When in doubt you err on the side of caution. I hope your wisdom and discernment will continue all your life. I have faith that you will make good, wise dicerning decisions that will prosper you, give you a hope and a future. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
Kennedy, cautious is not a word I would use to describe you. You are a risk taker. You do not know the word 'fear.' You go full speed. You love life. 'No' does not deter you. It does not matter how many times I pull you off the top of the kitchen table, spank you and place you on the floor, you do it again and again and again. You do not give up easily. Being a risk taker is a good quality. I wish I was more of a risk taker. While risk takers may fall and fall hard, they don't allow that to deter them or dampen their spirit. They just get back up and try again. When they succeed, they succeed BIG! Oh what a wonderful feeling that is. I look forward to watching all your successes!!
One main differences I see in my two girls: Presley is cautious and Kennedy is anything but.
We have both ends of the spectrum. Both traits are good. Both traits have positives. One is trait is not better than the other.
Presley, from an early age you were cautious. Before you would do something that might be questionable you would turn to look to one of us to see if it was okay, safe. Saying "no" was all it took, and you would never try it again. Climbing up on the hearth, going near the hot stove, putting small objects in your mouth, opening cabinet doors, well you get the picture. That caution continues today, "is that curling iron hot? unplug it!" The caution does not stop with safety issues. There are times you are cautious in your life, afraid you might make a mistake. But caution is a good thing. I see you are wise and discerning. You think before you act, consider the consequences. When in doubt you err on the side of caution. I hope your wisdom and discernment will continue all your life. I have faith that you will make good, wise dicerning decisions that will prosper you, give you a hope and a future. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
Kennedy, cautious is not a word I would use to describe you. You are a risk taker. You do not know the word 'fear.' You go full speed. You love life. 'No' does not deter you. It does not matter how many times I pull you off the top of the kitchen table, spank you and place you on the floor, you do it again and again and again. You do not give up easily. Being a risk taker is a good quality. I wish I was more of a risk taker. While risk takers may fall and fall hard, they don't allow that to deter them or dampen their spirit. They just get back up and try again. When they succeed, they succeed BIG! Oh what a wonderful feeling that is. I look forward to watching all your successes!!
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Shack - Chapter 7,8, & 9
"So this was God in relationship? It was beautiful and so appealing....Obivously, what was truly important here was the love they had for one another and the fullness it brought them...How diferent this was from the way he treated the ones he loved!" p. 105
"You don't play a game or color a picture with a child to show your superiority. Rather, you choose to limit yourself so as to facilitate and honor that relationship. You will even lose a competition to accomplish love. It is not about winning and losing, but about love and respect." - p. 106
"Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself - to serve." p - 106
This chapter did make me think about the relationship of the Trinity.
How they are three in one.
Something so difficult to comprehend and understand.
Something that I don't fully understand and will not until I am with God.
But I thought the author did a good job of trying to give a picture of how they are three seperate beings but all one.
It has helped me understand the Trinity a little more.
It also made me think about my relationship with others.
It is not about power.
It is not about winning and losing.
It is about love and respect.
It is about the best interest of others.
It is about serving.
If I would apply that, all my relationships would be richer, fuller, beautiful and so appealing.
"It's what everything is all about. The human, formed out of the physical material Creation can once more be fully indwelt by spiritual life, my life. It requires that a very real dynamic and active union exists." p. 113
Amazing to me that Jesus desires such a union in me.
To be FULLY indwelt by spiritual life, incredible.
Why I am not more active in seeking it is beyond me.
I know how precious it is.
I know how wonderful is would be.
Yet, that selfish nature, why do I allow it to have such power, such control.
"I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it." p.120
Sin is a punishment.
It does devour.
Especially when you allow sin to remain in your life.
If you allow it to remain to long, you don't notice the devouring as much, you get use to it.
Repentence, Remorse, Forgiveness is so important.
I pray I will continue to heed the Holy Spirit's prompting.
I don't want the devouring to be normal.
"You try to make sense of the world in which you live based on a very small and incomplete picture of reality." p .126
Trust is the fruit.
I like that.
I need to focus on knowing that Jesus loves me.
Then the fruit of trust will grow!
"Freedom involves trust and obedience inside a relationship of love. So, if you are not hearing my voice, it would be wise to take the time to understand the nature of the plant." p. 132
"Humans have a great capacity for declaring something good or evil, without truly knowing." p. 133
"You must give up your right to decide what is good and evil on your own terms. That is a hard pill to swallow; choosing to only live in me. To do that you must know me enough to trust me and learn to rest in my inherent goodness." p. 136
"..evil is a word we use to describe the absence of Good, just as we use the word darkness to describe the absence of Light or death to describe the absence of lIfe. Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence. I am Light and I am Good. I am Loveand there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist. So, removing yourself from me will plunge you into darkness. Declaring independence will result in evil because apart from me, you can only draw upon yourself. That is death because you have separated yourself from me: Life." p. 136
I am very human.
I want to be free, but lack the trust and obedience.
I know I am not wise.
I think I am good at discerning good and evil.
Ignorant to the fact that I am not the judge of either.
I want to know Christ intimately.
I pray I can learn to rest in His inherent goodness.
I am sad that I understand evil and darkness because I often find myself separated from the Light and Good.
I am sad that my struggle with my own independence is just that, a struggle.
I cling to "my rights."
"Jesus did not hold on to any rights; he willingly became a servant and lives out of his relationship to Papa. He gave up everything, so that by his dependent life he opened a door that would allow you to live free enough to give up your rights." p. 137
I know that I will not be able to embody Christ fully until I am with Him in heaven.
Is there any hope that I can be at least better.
I want to be a servant.
I guess being a servant is more of a heart issue, one I can definitely work on.
I want to live free enough to give up my rights.
Those are two of my New Year's resolutions.
To pray for a servant's heart and to be free enough to give up my rights.
"You don't play a game or color a picture with a child to show your superiority. Rather, you choose to limit yourself so as to facilitate and honor that relationship. You will even lose a competition to accomplish love. It is not about winning and losing, but about love and respect." - p. 106
"Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself - to serve." p - 106
This chapter did make me think about the relationship of the Trinity.
How they are three in one.
Something so difficult to comprehend and understand.
Something that I don't fully understand and will not until I am with God.
But I thought the author did a good job of trying to give a picture of how they are three seperate beings but all one.
It has helped me understand the Trinity a little more.
It also made me think about my relationship with others.
It is not about power.
It is not about winning and losing.
It is about love and respect.
It is about the best interest of others.
It is about serving.
If I would apply that, all my relationships would be richer, fuller, beautiful and so appealing.
"It's what everything is all about. The human, formed out of the physical material Creation can once more be fully indwelt by spiritual life, my life. It requires that a very real dynamic and active union exists." p. 113
Amazing to me that Jesus desires such a union in me.
To be FULLY indwelt by spiritual life, incredible.
Why I am not more active in seeking it is beyond me.
I know how precious it is.
I know how wonderful is would be.
Yet, that selfish nature, why do I allow it to have such power, such control.
"I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it." p.120
Sin is a punishment.
It does devour.
Especially when you allow sin to remain in your life.
If you allow it to remain to long, you don't notice the devouring as much, you get use to it.
Repentence, Remorse, Forgiveness is so important.
I pray I will continue to heed the Holy Spirit's prompting.
I don't want the devouring to be normal.
"You try to make sense of the world in which you live based on a very small and incomplete picture of reality." p .126
How true. I make assumptions. I predict the path, the outcome. I get angry at times. Often I am confused, perplexed, frustrated. I want to understand. I want to know why. I know I do not have the complete picture, but I often forget. God knows the entire story, how it ends. I know how it ends too. I need to remember that what I may see as bad is not always bad. Things may not always make sense to me, they may never make sense. They make sense to God, all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord. That needs to be enough for me.
"..you cannot produce trust just like you cannot 'do' humility. It either is or is not. Trust is the fruit of a realtionship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me." p. 126Trust is the fruit.
I like that.
I need to focus on knowing that Jesus loves me.
Then the fruit of trust will grow!
"Freedom involves trust and obedience inside a relationship of love. So, if you are not hearing my voice, it would be wise to take the time to understand the nature of the plant." p. 132
"Humans have a great capacity for declaring something good or evil, without truly knowing." p. 133
"You must give up your right to decide what is good and evil on your own terms. That is a hard pill to swallow; choosing to only live in me. To do that you must know me enough to trust me and learn to rest in my inherent goodness." p. 136
"..evil is a word we use to describe the absence of Good, just as we use the word darkness to describe the absence of Light or death to describe the absence of lIfe. Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence. I am Light and I am Good. I am Loveand there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist. So, removing yourself from me will plunge you into darkness. Declaring independence will result in evil because apart from me, you can only draw upon yourself. That is death because you have separated yourself from me: Life." p. 136
I am very human.
I want to be free, but lack the trust and obedience.
I know I am not wise.
I think I am good at discerning good and evil.
Ignorant to the fact that I am not the judge of either.
I want to know Christ intimately.
I pray I can learn to rest in His inherent goodness.
I am sad that I understand evil and darkness because I often find myself separated from the Light and Good.
I am sad that my struggle with my own independence is just that, a struggle.
I cling to "my rights."
"Jesus did not hold on to any rights; he willingly became a servant and lives out of his relationship to Papa. He gave up everything, so that by his dependent life he opened a door that would allow you to live free enough to give up your rights." p. 137
I know that I will not be able to embody Christ fully until I am with Him in heaven.
Is there any hope that I can be at least better.
I want to be a servant.
I guess being a servant is more of a heart issue, one I can definitely work on.
I want to live free enough to give up my rights.
Those are two of my New Year's resolutions.
To pray for a servant's heart and to be free enough to give up my rights.
The girls
Things I have noticed about Presley lately,
1. Presley you are very observant. You notice things quickly. Things I do to the house, my hair, things we have hidden in the garage for christmas, things I try to throw away in the trash, not much gets past you. This is trait that will serve you well, most of the time.
2. You are NOT directionally challenged. You always want to know where we are. When it is dark outside you do not like the fact that you cannot tell where we are. You tell me and dad when we go the wrong way. I think you may have my sense of direction, which is a good thing, because your dad has absolutely none!
Kennedy..
It is the same, you are busy. You two speeds, Busy or Sleeping. Many people comment on how busy you are. I left to do a bit of Christmas shopping last night, by myself. I left you and your sister with your dad, your Pop Pop, and your Pa Pa. I thought leaving y'all with three adults would be safe. Your dad called about 30 minutes after the last grandad left wondering how much longer I would be. He said he had not sat down since I left. All he did was follow you around. I was gone for 2and 1/2 hours. You are the type of kid you can't leave with just anyone. No one quite understands how fast you are and how busy you are. I have to keep my eye on you 24/7. When I miss a minute, I find you sitting in the middle of my kitchen table. I am wondering how much longer this phase will last. At this point I have already spanked you more than I ever did your sister. You understand me, you know what I am saying, you understand "no", you do obey me sometimes. I am not sure time out will ever work for you, you are never still! You are my strong willed child. But you are sooo cute. You have a sparkle in your eye. You enjoy life. You laugh often. You bring such joy to your Father and me. I love you so much. I think you will be a great leader. God will be able to use this strong willed trait for great things, I can't wait to see the plans He has for you.
1. Presley you are very observant. You notice things quickly. Things I do to the house, my hair, things we have hidden in the garage for christmas, things I try to throw away in the trash, not much gets past you. This is trait that will serve you well, most of the time.
2. You are NOT directionally challenged. You always want to know where we are. When it is dark outside you do not like the fact that you cannot tell where we are. You tell me and dad when we go the wrong way. I think you may have my sense of direction, which is a good thing, because your dad has absolutely none!
Kennedy..
It is the same, you are busy. You two speeds, Busy or Sleeping. Many people comment on how busy you are. I left to do a bit of Christmas shopping last night, by myself. I left you and your sister with your dad, your Pop Pop, and your Pa Pa. I thought leaving y'all with three adults would be safe. Your dad called about 30 minutes after the last grandad left wondering how much longer I would be. He said he had not sat down since I left. All he did was follow you around. I was gone for 2and 1/2 hours. You are the type of kid you can't leave with just anyone. No one quite understands how fast you are and how busy you are. I have to keep my eye on you 24/7. When I miss a minute, I find you sitting in the middle of my kitchen table. I am wondering how much longer this phase will last. At this point I have already spanked you more than I ever did your sister. You understand me, you know what I am saying, you understand "no", you do obey me sometimes. I am not sure time out will ever work for you, you are never still! You are my strong willed child. But you are sooo cute. You have a sparkle in your eye. You enjoy life. You laugh often. You bring such joy to your Father and me. I love you so much. I think you will be a great leader. God will be able to use this strong willed trait for great things, I can't wait to see the plans He has for you.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Shack - Chapter 6
I am finally reading The Shack.
I am probably one of the last ones to read it.
I have been putting it off because I know how it begins.
Now that I have my own kids, I do not like to hear, read or see anything that has to do with horrible acts against children. I don't like thinking about it. I know it happens, there is evil out there. But hearing it, seeing it, reading about it makes me think about my own precious children and "what if.....". I don't like going down that road, so I choose to go down it as little as possible.
I know that I am not in control, God is.
I know that I can only protect my children so much.
I know that even though I love my children with every fiber of my being that God loves them even more.
I would like to think that "if" something terrible happened to my children I would be able to rest in His love, but really I don't like to ponder that "what if." I would rather deal with that "if" it really happened.
So, I have put off reading this book.
But my mother wants it back, so I have forced myself to begin.
It is good.
I knew that it would be.
Too many people have said "they LOVED it!.
I knew the book did not ponder over The Great Saddness.
I knew it was mainly about the main characters relationship with God and how it became stronger because of this tragedy.
Because so many people said they wanted to re-read the book, I thought I would take my time the first time and ponder over some of the many thought provoking parts of the book.
Here are my thoughts over Chapter 6.
I like how some of the comments make you think about "how" I view God.
God shows up as an African American woman.
Some people have had a problem with this.
I thought the explanation of why was good.
"I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature.
If I choose to appear to you as a man or woman, it's because I love you. For me to
appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors,
to help keep your from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning." p. 93
The point is not that God appears as a woman or an African American woman, the point is God appears to us in a way that we will desire to embrace Him, want to draw near to Him, will want to know more about Him. That looks different for every person. How easy we do fall back into our religious conditioning. The God we serve is so much bigger than that!
I liked the conversation about freedom on p.95
Does freedom mean we are allowed to do whatever you want to do?
So many people THINK that is what freedom means.
Yet, those people are the ones who are so lost and empty.
What is freedom really?
"Only [God] can set you free, ... But freedom can never be forced."
Freedom is an INCREMENTAL process.
We don't fully comprehend that.
Often we feel like freedom happens in one swift act.
One moment we are in bondage and the next minute we are free.
Isn't that what happens when we accept Christ?
But..."freedom is a process that happens inside a relationship with him [Jesus]. then all that stuff you feel churnin' around inside will start to work its way out."
So well put.
We cannot truly be free until we have a relationship with Christ.
And a relationship is a process.
It takes time.
It must be culitvated.
It must be maintained.
It must be two sided.
It must be geniune.
'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
I have not ever stopped to consider how Jesus' sacrifice cost God dearly.
"Love makes a significant mark" p. 96
We see it as God abandonding Jesus, abandonding us when we are in pain and don't understand, can't see Him.
But God NEVER abandons us, and He did not abandon Jesus. He NEVER left him and never left us.
But when all we can see is our pain, we do lose sight of Him! p.96
We often say we are looking for Him, yet all we see is ourselves, our pain, our saddness.
We are human and in the midst of terribleness I think often it is impossible to SEE anything else.
But it is a comfort to know, deep down, when we are in the pit wondering how much further we can sink and it is all consuming, GOD is there, He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. It is us who does the leaving and forsaking.
The good news, that is not how the story ends.
It does not end with Jesus feeling forsaken by God.
Jesus found his way through it to put himself COMPLETELY into Gods hands. p. 96
Oh, what a moment that was!
That is the difficult part, the COMPLETELY part.
It makes me think of the hymn, "None of Self and All of Thee."
Yet He found me;
Day by day His tender mercy,
Higher than the highest heaven,
It is Jesus' love that changes us and allows us to COMPLETELY put ourselves into Gods hands.
Why I struggle with that so much is a wonder to me.
I know how much better things will be if I would allow it.
But I often allow the selfish desire with in me to overpower Christ's love.
it is detrimental I know.
It is stupid, I know.
It is absurd, I know.
Yet, I know and still fail miserably, over and over and over.
And I have a relationship with Christ.
How much more difficult must it be for people whose relationship with Christ is not on the best of terms.
"We were created to be loved... to live as if you were unloved is a limitation..." p. 97
"Living unloved is like clipping a bird's wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something [God] wants for you." p.97
"..pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly...if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place." p.97
I can think of others, many others, who have had to bear much pain.
Amber Dayton's friend Jenny. Husband diagnosed with rare, inoperable cancer that will eventually take his life at an early age leaving her a widow with two small children.
The Brown's whose 16 yr old son fell asleep while driving, had an accident that flipped the car and killed their 7th grade son, whose was wear a seat belt.
My friend Chantelle Read who lost a baby at 24 weeks.
My cousin, Stacie, whose firstborn died of SIDS.
My own father-in-law, whose father died of a massive hear attack when he was a young boy and he spent the rest of his childhood in foster care.
The list is endless.
I can think of many others.
Any pain that I have experienced really does not compare.
I know I have been blessed.
I know there is a great possibility that one day I will have a pain that could be similar.
I know pain can be crippling.
I know that pain can be unending.
But I like the comfort of being reminded that is does not have to go on being unresolved.
We think the pain should go away completely for us to be whole, for us to be able to fly again.
I don't think God expects that.
The pain will always be a part of us.
It is ok for it to not go away completely.
But we can resolve the pain.
We can fly again.
The pain can be a part of us, but not a limitation.
I am probably one of the last ones to read it.
I have been putting it off because I know how it begins.
Now that I have my own kids, I do not like to hear, read or see anything that has to do with horrible acts against children. I don't like thinking about it. I know it happens, there is evil out there. But hearing it, seeing it, reading about it makes me think about my own precious children and "what if.....". I don't like going down that road, so I choose to go down it as little as possible.
I know that I am not in control, God is.
I know that I can only protect my children so much.
I know that even though I love my children with every fiber of my being that God loves them even more.
I would like to think that "if" something terrible happened to my children I would be able to rest in His love, but really I don't like to ponder that "what if." I would rather deal with that "if" it really happened.
So, I have put off reading this book.
But my mother wants it back, so I have forced myself to begin.
It is good.
I knew that it would be.
Too many people have said "they LOVED it!.
I knew the book did not ponder over The Great Saddness.
I knew it was mainly about the main characters relationship with God and how it became stronger because of this tragedy.
Because so many people said they wanted to re-read the book, I thought I would take my time the first time and ponder over some of the many thought provoking parts of the book.
Here are my thoughts over Chapter 6.
I like how some of the comments make you think about "how" I view God.
God shows up as an African American woman.
Some people have had a problem with this.
I thought the explanation of why was good.
"I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature.
If I choose to appear to you as a man or woman, it's because I love you. For me to
appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors,
to help keep your from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning." p. 93
The point is not that God appears as a woman or an African American woman, the point is God appears to us in a way that we will desire to embrace Him, want to draw near to Him, will want to know more about Him. That looks different for every person. How easy we do fall back into our religious conditioning. The God we serve is so much bigger than that!
I liked the conversation about freedom on p.95
Does freedom mean we are allowed to do whatever you want to do?
So many people THINK that is what freedom means.
Yet, those people are the ones who are so lost and empty.
What is freedom really?
"Only [God] can set you free, ... But freedom can never be forced."
Freedom is an INCREMENTAL process.
We don't fully comprehend that.
Often we feel like freedom happens in one swift act.
One moment we are in bondage and the next minute we are free.
Isn't that what happens when we accept Christ?
But..."freedom is a process that happens inside a relationship with him [Jesus]. then all that stuff you feel churnin' around inside will start to work its way out."
So well put.
We cannot truly be free until we have a relationship with Christ.
And a relationship is a process.
It takes time.
It must be culitvated.
It must be maintained.
It must be two sided.
It must be geniune.
'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
I have not ever stopped to consider how Jesus' sacrifice cost God dearly.
"Love makes a significant mark" p. 96
We see it as God abandonding Jesus, abandonding us when we are in pain and don't understand, can't see Him.
But God NEVER abandons us, and He did not abandon Jesus. He NEVER left him and never left us.
But when all we can see is our pain, we do lose sight of Him! p.96
We often say we are looking for Him, yet all we see is ourselves, our pain, our saddness.
We are human and in the midst of terribleness I think often it is impossible to SEE anything else.
But it is a comfort to know, deep down, when we are in the pit wondering how much further we can sink and it is all consuming, GOD is there, He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. It is us who does the leaving and forsaking.
The good news, that is not how the story ends.
It does not end with Jesus feeling forsaken by God.
Jesus found his way through it to put himself COMPLETELY into Gods hands. p. 96
Oh, what a moment that was!
That is the difficult part, the COMPLETELY part.
It makes me think of the hymn, "None of Self and All of Thee."
"None of Self and All of Thee"
Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow
That a time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
“All of self, and none of Thee.”
All of self, and none of Thee,
All of self, and none of Thee,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
“All of self, and none of Thee.”
Yet He found me;
I beheld HimBleeding on th’ accursed tree,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
“Some of self, and some of Thee.”
Some of self, and some of Thee,
Some of self, and some of Thee,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
“Some of self, and some of Thee.”
Day by day His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee.”
Less of self, and more of Thee,
Less of self, and more or Thee,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee.”
Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
“None of self, and all of Thee.”
None of self, and all of Thee,
None of self, and all of Thee,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
“None of self, and all of Thee.”
It is Jesus' love that changes us and allows us to COMPLETELY put ourselves into Gods hands.
Why I struggle with that so much is a wonder to me.
I know how much better things will be if I would allow it.
But I often allow the selfish desire with in me to overpower Christ's love.
it is detrimental I know.
It is stupid, I know.
It is absurd, I know.
Yet, I know and still fail miserably, over and over and over.
And I have a relationship with Christ.
How much more difficult must it be for people whose relationship with Christ is not on the best of terms.
"We were created to be loved... to live as if you were unloved is a limitation..." p. 97
"Living unloved is like clipping a bird's wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something [God] wants for you." p.97
"..pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly...if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place." p.97
I can think of others, many others, who have had to bear much pain.
Amber Dayton's friend Jenny. Husband diagnosed with rare, inoperable cancer that will eventually take his life at an early age leaving her a widow with two small children.
The Brown's whose 16 yr old son fell asleep while driving, had an accident that flipped the car and killed their 7th grade son, whose was wear a seat belt.
My friend Chantelle Read who lost a baby at 24 weeks.
My cousin, Stacie, whose firstborn died of SIDS.
My own father-in-law, whose father died of a massive hear attack when he was a young boy and he spent the rest of his childhood in foster care.
The list is endless.
I can think of many others.
Any pain that I have experienced really does not compare.
I know I have been blessed.
I know there is a great possibility that one day I will have a pain that could be similar.
I know pain can be crippling.
I know that pain can be unending.
But I like the comfort of being reminded that is does not have to go on being unresolved.
We think the pain should go away completely for us to be whole, for us to be able to fly again.
I don't think God expects that.
The pain will always be a part of us.
It is ok for it to not go away completely.
But we can resolve the pain.
We can fly again.
The pain can be a part of us, but not a limitation.
"The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn't much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I'm not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think." p. 98
Beyond all that you can ask or imagine.
What limits we place on our view of God.
His goodness is unfathomable, yet we try to fathom.
His grace and mercy is uncomprehendable, yet we try to comprehend.
His love is beyond measure, yet we try to measure.
We want to know God, yes we desperately want to know Him.
So much so that we use our limited knowledge and resources to create in our minds a God that we can comprehend and grasp.
We fall so short.
In our creation we limit God and how He is able to work in our lives, how His love is able to permeate our hearts, how His glory is able to be seen through us.
It is a good thing "every human is designed to live - out of [God's] life." p.100
God wants others to see His life in ours.
I am grateful that we are not defined in God's eyes by our limitations, but by the intentions God has for us; not by what we seem to be, but by everthing it means to be created in God's image. p.100
What a comfort.
I have been created IN HIS IMAGE.
You have been created IN HIS IMAGE.
I need to stop seeing the limitations in my own life and in the lives of other and focus on HIS image in me and those around me.
"Love is not the limitation; love is the flying. I am love." p.101
I am so grateful that God is love!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Presley had her Christmas Program at her Preschool a few nights ago. The Presley Posse (Me, Dad, Kennedy, Grammie, PaPa, Aunt Rinda, Baylie, Kristin, Mimi, Aunt Lele, Uncle Chance, Cameron, and Pop Pop)was there to watch
you sing "Jingle Bells." Before the show, Alyssa O'Rear told me during rehearsals that you were "the Rockstar" of the class, a definite leader. You did not disappoint, you did an awesome job. I was so proud of you! Kennedy was proud of you too, she danced and clapped all through your performance!
Christmas Letter 2008
I guess the best place to start is with the newest edition to the family.......
Kennedy turned one in September. She began walking at 11 months and is now running EVERYWHERE! If you see her still, she is either sick or asleep, which means I am always on my feet and have little free time. She is happy (most of the time), has a beautiful smile and a great laugh, she laughs often. But when she is mad, she is very mad! It amazes me even the second time around how much personality you can see at such a young age. She is her own person and she makes sure we know it! As you can probably gues from her picture, she is a healthy eater. If someone is eating something, she wants a bite. She will walk by, stop and open her mouth like a bird, then run off to continue playing...until the next bite! She adores her older sister ( a feeling that is not always reciprocated). She follows her around everywhere and attempts everything her sister does. One of my favorite things to do it watch Kennedy dance. She may be "the dancer" in the family. (I know that is not saying much!) Anytime she hears music she stops what she is doing and starts moving. If we are in the car all four limbs an her head are moving. It is so much fun to watch. If we are at home her dance is a combination of professional bell ringing, head bobbing and some form of the Haka. She is a joy and we are enjoying our time with her.
Presley is three almost four (in March). She is quickly changing into a little girl. Those cheeks are not as chubby. That makes me sad. She tells me she just cannot hel getting bigger. It goes by so quicklyy. Things that keepr her busy....preschool, Bible Study Fellowship, church and gymnastics. Things she likes to do...color with markers, be outside, run really fast, play chase, WIN, and start over if she does not win. Her new thing is "Being the Boss." We have fully explained that "she" is not the boss. She does understand this and has settled on being "The Second Boss." Now when she wants her way, she will spout off the SHE is the second boss and is upset when that does not carry the clout and power she antipated. She is a good big sister. She is like a mother hen. We call her "The Enforcer." Presley is very sweet and makes us laugh. We love her so much!
Brad, I am sure most of you will be shocked to know that he has been busy playing golf this year. (Yes, he still has his day job. Oh the perks of working for your Dad and claiming "it is business!") Las Vegas, Mississippi, Austin, SanAntonio, Granbury, Vaquero, most Friday's, sometimes during the middle of the week, and too many tournaments to count, (Brad says tournaments do not count as REAL golf and should not factor inot my count.) Yet if you ask Brad he would tell you he did not get to play as much golf as he would have liked. My guess is that he has played at least 52 times this year, probably more, but who is counting!!!!
Me, mostly I am busy with the girls, especially the one I have to chase EVERYWHERE. I was able to squeeze in a few projects this year. With the help of my mother and my mother-in-law, I have a new tufted cornice and panels in my dining room and Kennedy has new bedding and curtains. This year my projects will be organizing the craft room and decorating the playroom. No major sewing this year, just painting and some light capentry work. My mother and mother-in-law can breathe a sigh of relief. but my dad needs to get ready!
Mercy, peace and love to you in abundance! - Jude 1:2
Kennedy turned one in September. She began walking at 11 months and is now running EVERYWHERE! If you see her still, she is either sick or asleep, which means I am always on my feet and have little free time. She is happy (most of the time), has a beautiful smile and a great laugh, she laughs often. But when she is mad, she is very mad! It amazes me even the second time around how much personality you can see at such a young age. She is her own person and she makes sure we know it! As you can probably gues from her picture, she is a healthy eater. If someone is eating something, she wants a bite. She will walk by, stop and open her mouth like a bird, then run off to continue playing...until the next bite! She adores her older sister ( a feeling that is not always reciprocated). She follows her around everywhere and attempts everything her sister does. One of my favorite things to do it watch Kennedy dance. She may be "the dancer" in the family. (I know that is not saying much!) Anytime she hears music she stops what she is doing and starts moving. If we are in the car all four limbs an her head are moving. It is so much fun to watch. If we are at home her dance is a combination of professional bell ringing, head bobbing and some form of the Haka. She is a joy and we are enjoying our time with her.
Presley is three almost four (in March). She is quickly changing into a little girl. Those cheeks are not as chubby. That makes me sad. She tells me she just cannot hel getting bigger. It goes by so quicklyy. Things that keepr her busy....preschool, Bible Study Fellowship, church and gymnastics. Things she likes to do...color with markers, be outside, run really fast, play chase, WIN, and start over if she does not win. Her new thing is "Being the Boss." We have fully explained that "she" is not the boss. She does understand this and has settled on being "The Second Boss." Now when she wants her way, she will spout off the SHE is the second boss and is upset when that does not carry the clout and power she antipated. She is a good big sister. She is like a mother hen. We call her "The Enforcer." Presley is very sweet and makes us laugh. We love her so much!
Brad, I am sure most of you will be shocked to know that he has been busy playing golf this year. (Yes, he still has his day job. Oh the perks of working for your Dad and claiming "it is business!") Las Vegas, Mississippi, Austin, SanAntonio, Granbury, Vaquero, most Friday's, sometimes during the middle of the week, and too many tournaments to count, (Brad says tournaments do not count as REAL golf and should not factor inot my count.) Yet if you ask Brad he would tell you he did not get to play as much golf as he would have liked. My guess is that he has played at least 52 times this year, probably more, but who is counting!!!!
Me, mostly I am busy with the girls, especially the one I have to chase EVERYWHERE. I was able to squeeze in a few projects this year. With the help of my mother and my mother-in-law, I have a new tufted cornice and panels in my dining room and Kennedy has new bedding and curtains. This year my projects will be organizing the craft room and decorating the playroom. No major sewing this year, just painting and some light capentry work. My mother and mother-in-law can breathe a sigh of relief. but my dad needs to get ready!
Mercy, peace and love to you in abundance! - Jude 1:2
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Updates
1. Kennedy got another tooth. It is your tenth. The bottom left front tooth. Still waiting on those bottom molars to come in. Your gums are very swollen and you are a bear most of the time. I will be glad when they finally break through.
2. I took Kennedy into the doctor on Monday because she has had a cough for weeks and it is getting worse. Found out she had a double ear infection. I felt like a terrible mom. I had taken her two weeks ago for the same congestion and she was fine. Poor girl!
3. Presley, I am not sure when this started, but when you have trouble sleeping you like me to sing hymns to you. Your favorites are "My Hope is Built" and "Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus." You call those the "fun" songs. Tonight was one of those nights. My favorite thing is what you do when I start to sing, you flip over in your bed with your back to me and get so comfortable and still. You look at peace. I know it is not my singing, I am sure you have figured out by now that singing is not my God-given gift. I know it must be the worship. Worshipping God always brings peace and comfort. When two or more are gathered in His name He is there. It is a comfort to know God is there with us during that time, that would help me go to sleep easier too!
1. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When Darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.
(Refrain)
4. When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!
(Refrain)
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessèd
He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Refrain
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.
Refrain
2. I took Kennedy into the doctor on Monday because she has had a cough for weeks and it is getting worse. Found out she had a double ear infection. I felt like a terrible mom. I had taken her two weeks ago for the same congestion and she was fine. Poor girl!
3. Presley, I am not sure when this started, but when you have trouble sleeping you like me to sing hymns to you. Your favorites are "My Hope is Built" and "Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus." You call those the "fun" songs. Tonight was one of those nights. My favorite thing is what you do when I start to sing, you flip over in your bed with your back to me and get so comfortable and still. You look at peace. I know it is not my singing, I am sure you have figured out by now that singing is not my God-given gift. I know it must be the worship. Worshipping God always brings peace and comfort. When two or more are gathered in His name He is there. It is a comfort to know God is there with us during that time, that would help me go to sleep easier too!
My Hope Is Built
1. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When Darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.
(Refrain)
4. When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!
(Refrain)
Sing The Wondrous Love of Jesus
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessèd
He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Refrain
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.
Refrain
Friday, December 12, 2008
December 11, 2008
1. Kennedy is officially a climber. Yesterday I was laying on the couch with Presley. I thought I should probably check on Kennedy. When I turned around I found Kennedy sitting on top of the kitchen table trying to get to the computer. If Brad would have been home, I would have taken a picture, but I was too worried you might fall! I have to watch you EVERY minute!!!!! Ughhh!
2. Presley you are such a good big sister. I know there are times Kennedy gets on your nerves. But there are times when I am so proud of you! Like yesterday. It was late in the afternoon, your Dad was going to be late and you and I were going to eat. Kennedy had already eaten but she was very fussy because she was tired. I sat her in her highchair and you gave her all your new christmas trinkets you had just got at your preschool christmas party to play with while we ate. It was very sweet. You asked about a few that you thought might be too small for her, but you willingly shared. It was so sweet!!!
2. Presley you are such a good big sister. I know there are times Kennedy gets on your nerves. But there are times when I am so proud of you! Like yesterday. It was late in the afternoon, your Dad was going to be late and you and I were going to eat. Kennedy had already eaten but she was very fussy because she was tired. I sat her in her highchair and you gave her all your new christmas trinkets you had just got at your preschool christmas party to play with while we ate. It was very sweet. You asked about a few that you thought might be too small for her, but you willingly shared. It was so sweet!!!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
December 7,2008
1. It is a good day. OU beat Mizzou in the Big 12 Championship game last night and today they were named to the National Championship game to be played on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Fla at the Orange Bowl. Brad is so excited. All Texas fans are hacked. What a crazy football season. The Aggies were terrible, but the rest of the Big 12 had a terrific season. OU was ranked #1 in October, until they lost to Texas. Texas was #1 until they lost to Texas Tech. Texas Tech was #2 until they lost to OU. The fifth tiebreaker sent OU to the Big 12 championship game against Mizzou (who earlier in the season was ranked in the top 5 with a Heisman hopeful in Chase Daniel a Southlake native). Texas fans are still thinking they were jipped because they beat OU. Texas is going the Feista bowl in Arizona, Tech is stuck with the Cotton bowl and OU is at the grandaddy of them all. I am sad that I may never see my Aggies in such a position in my lifetime, but I am going to jump on the Sooner bandwagon with my husband and enjoy the hype of being in the running for the National Championship.
2. Presley has shamed us into getting christmas lights on our house. Everyone (literally) on our street has lights on their houses. Everytime (literall) we leave our house Presley would ask when we were going to get lights on our house and deer in our yard. Finally Brad called to have someone put beautiful red and white lights on our house. When we came home from Mimi's today they were up. They look so good and Presley is so excited!!!! So are we. Presley is really getting into Christmas this year, it is so much fun to watch. A few nights ago, Brad was talking to his college roommate, Ryan. Brad told him he had to go and put Presley to bed. Ryan asked if he wanted some help? Perplexed, Brad handed the phone to Presley. When Presley handed Brad back the phone, she said Santa was on the phone and told her she needed to go straight to bed. Presley did not think it was the real Santa because she had never seen him with a phone, but she was going to go to bed just in case! It is such a wonderful time of the year. The whole world is celebrating the birth of our Savior. That is something to rejoice about!
3. Kennedy is still not talking much. For someone who does not talk, she communicates very well. I know she understands what I am saying to her, she will say "un huh" for yes or shake her head yes, and she says "no" very well, she points, when she is hungry she goes and bangs on her high chair, when she is thirsty she points to a cup. She is so cute and has such a temper! She wants to be a big girl just like her sister! I am afraid she is going to grow up way to quickly!!!!
4. Brad let me get Elfa shelving for my master closet, laundry room and playroom. Aunt Lele's best friend's husband works for the company that manufacture's Elfa and he gave us 65% off. I LOVE it!!!!!! I am still working on getting everything put back, but I am in love with my shelving. I think my favorite thing is that shelf space is no longer a precious commodity! I have shelf space for everything. Everything has a place! I am hoping/praying this will help me keep my house in order. We shall see!
5. We had our street Christmas party last night. We missed last year because Kennedy was too little. We had a good time. There were 10 couples on the street there. It was good to be able to spend some time talking to our neighbors and learning a little more about them. We live on a good street! God has been good to us!
2. Presley has shamed us into getting christmas lights on our house. Everyone (literally) on our street has lights on their houses. Everytime (literall) we leave our house Presley would ask when we were going to get lights on our house and deer in our yard. Finally Brad called to have someone put beautiful red and white lights on our house. When we came home from Mimi's today they were up. They look so good and Presley is so excited!!!! So are we. Presley is really getting into Christmas this year, it is so much fun to watch. A few nights ago, Brad was talking to his college roommate, Ryan. Brad told him he had to go and put Presley to bed. Ryan asked if he wanted some help? Perplexed, Brad handed the phone to Presley. When Presley handed Brad back the phone, she said Santa was on the phone and told her she needed to go straight to bed. Presley did not think it was the real Santa because she had never seen him with a phone, but she was going to go to bed just in case! It is such a wonderful time of the year. The whole world is celebrating the birth of our Savior. That is something to rejoice about!
3. Kennedy is still not talking much. For someone who does not talk, she communicates very well. I know she understands what I am saying to her, she will say "un huh" for yes or shake her head yes, and she says "no" very well, she points, when she is hungry she goes and bangs on her high chair, when she is thirsty she points to a cup. She is so cute and has such a temper! She wants to be a big girl just like her sister! I am afraid she is going to grow up way to quickly!!!!
4. Brad let me get Elfa shelving for my master closet, laundry room and playroom. Aunt Lele's best friend's husband works for the company that manufacture's Elfa and he gave us 65% off. I LOVE it!!!!!! I am still working on getting everything put back, but I am in love with my shelving. I think my favorite thing is that shelf space is no longer a precious commodity! I have shelf space for everything. Everything has a place! I am hoping/praying this will help me keep my house in order. We shall see!
5. We had our street Christmas party last night. We missed last year because Kennedy was too little. We had a good time. There were 10 couples on the street there. It was good to be able to spend some time talking to our neighbors and learning a little more about them. We live on a good street! God has been good to us!
Friday, November 28, 2008
So many things to be thankful for...
Yesterday was Thanksgiving. We did our traditional "go to Oklahoma on Wed, come back on Thursday" trek. We went up on Wednesday afternoon. It was a beautiful day, high of 75. My nieces spent the day riding on the four-wheeler. Both on my girls loved the four-wheeler as well. Presley saw a wild pig on her ride with Pa Pa. She told me the pig (which was dead) chased her and Pa Pa and they had to make a quick get away. The girls had a great time with their Grammie and Pa Pa and their cousins. Kennedy continued with her busy lifestyle. She was "go-go-go!" She did not want to go to sleep. Dad and I had to put her in the car and drive to town for her to go to sleep. We of course had to swing through Sonic for a little drink on the way. I would love to say that was the end of it, but Kennedy is not the best sleeper. She woke up for a short stint at 11:30, then woke up at 4am! She was up until almost 6am!!! UGHHHH!!!! It was a long night for mom. Then she woke up the entire house at 7am!!! She is such a stinker!
Presley stayed up until 10! She wanted to talk at bedtime, but was very tired and fell asleep in about a minute! Her two cousins just love her and will do just abou anything she wants to do. How fun to have two people cater to your every whim! You were excited about taking a "trip" to Oklahoma. You explained to me that "trip" was went you got in the car and went somewhere far away. You also started the "are we there yet?" question. You asked that about 10 times on our trip to Oklahoma.
Thanksgiving day was great. We ate with my side of the family in Madill for lunch. Almost everyone was there. It was the second Thanksgiving without my grandfather and the first without my grandmother. It was good to see all my aunts/uncles/cousins. Family is nice. God knew what He was doing when He arranged things the way He did. Presley and Kennedy were made friends with just about everyone. One of my favorite things was seeing Presley talking to my Uncle Otis. Otis is 90-something. He is so sweet and kind. He is getting old and in poor health, so it was good to see him there. He was sitting in a chair and I looked over to see little Presley had migrated over to him and just talking away. It warmed my heart. Presley is used to being around the elderly, she is over at Brad's grandmother's house often. I pray she will have a heart for them! Kennedy was busy, but very good. She was only running half speed! And she actually let people hold her. That is a rarity. She likes to be on the go all the time. Both girls were very tired so we left at 2:30 and they fell asleep almost before we got out of the driveway and slept most of the way back home.
Mimi's was calm. We missed all the people, we were sad, but glad in a way. Calm is good sometimes and we will see all of them in a few weeks at Christmas. Our Thanksgiving ended on a bittersweet note. Uncle Chance and Aunt Lele announced they had accepted a job in Austin and would be moving at the first of the year. It is a great opportunity for Chance, but it is hard to see them go. We knew that this was probably coming sooner than later, but we are sad. Two and half hours is not that far away, and it will only be for afew years, and it will be an adjustment for everyone, but God is good and He has great plans in store for them and for us. It will be exciting to see what good works God will do through this change.
We have so much to be thankful for....
"my animals, Cameron, my house and my bed!"
I would add to that list...
two healthy children,
healthy families
great husband
good friends and neighbors
God has been good to us!
I asked Presley to tell me a few things she was thankful for, her reply...
Presley stayed up until 10! She wanted to talk at bedtime, but was very tired and fell asleep in about a minute! Her two cousins just love her and will do just abou anything she wants to do. How fun to have two people cater to your every whim! You were excited about taking a "trip" to Oklahoma. You explained to me that "trip" was went you got in the car and went somewhere far away. You also started the "are we there yet?" question. You asked that about 10 times on our trip to Oklahoma.
Thanksgiving day was great. We ate with my side of the family in Madill for lunch. Almost everyone was there. It was the second Thanksgiving without my grandfather and the first without my grandmother. It was good to see all my aunts/uncles/cousins. Family is nice. God knew what He was doing when He arranged things the way He did. Presley and Kennedy were made friends with just about everyone. One of my favorite things was seeing Presley talking to my Uncle Otis. Otis is 90-something. He is so sweet and kind. He is getting old and in poor health, so it was good to see him there. He was sitting in a chair and I looked over to see little Presley had migrated over to him and just talking away. It warmed my heart. Presley is used to being around the elderly, she is over at Brad's grandmother's house often. I pray she will have a heart for them! Kennedy was busy, but very good. She was only running half speed! And she actually let people hold her. That is a rarity. She likes to be on the go all the time. Both girls were very tired so we left at 2:30 and they fell asleep almost before we got out of the driveway and slept most of the way back home.
Mimi's was calm. We missed all the people, we were sad, but glad in a way. Calm is good sometimes and we will see all of them in a few weeks at Christmas. Our Thanksgiving ended on a bittersweet note. Uncle Chance and Aunt Lele announced they had accepted a job in Austin and would be moving at the first of the year. It is a great opportunity for Chance, but it is hard to see them go. We knew that this was probably coming sooner than later, but we are sad. Two and half hours is not that far away, and it will only be for afew years, and it will be an adjustment for everyone, but God is good and He has great plans in store for them and for us. It will be exciting to see what good works God will do through this change.
We have so much to be thankful for....
"my animals, Cameron, my house and my bed!"
I would add to that list...
two healthy children,
healthy families
great husband
good friends and neighbors
God has been good to us!
I asked Presley to tell me a few things she was thankful for, her reply...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Things to work on....
1. The other day Amber Dayton took Presley to pre school for me, (I had to speak to the ladies class that morning). That afternoon the family took a walk and we ran into Amber. Amber told us this story.
Presley got into Amber's van.
She looked around.
"My mom's car is nicer than this one."
"And my dad drives a big 'ole truck."
We obiviously need to work on tack!
2. Kennedy had the princess backpack Mimi had boughtfor Presley.
Presley noticed Kennedy had it and decided she needed it.
I told Presely she could not take it from Kennedy, Kennedy had it first.
Presley began to follow Kennedy around saying,
"as soon as you put that backpack down, I'm gonna take it!"
3. Thanksgiving is next week. I can't believe a year has already passed so quickly. Last Thanksgiving was the "Flying Indian" Motorcycle accident. My dad ran into the log cabin, was knock out for a few minutes and had to spend the night in the Madill hosiptal. He had a few broken teeth, a few broken ribs, and it gave him an irregular heartbeat! He gave us a big scare! There will be no motorcycle riding this year!
Presley got into Amber's van.
She looked around.
"My mom's car is nicer than this one."
"And my dad drives a big 'ole truck."
We obiviously need to work on tack!
2. Kennedy had the princess backpack Mimi had boughtfor Presley.
Presley noticed Kennedy had it and decided she needed it.
I told Presely she could not take it from Kennedy, Kennedy had it first.
Presley began to follow Kennedy around saying,
"as soon as you put that backpack down, I'm gonna take it!"
3. Thanksgiving is next week. I can't believe a year has already passed so quickly. Last Thanksgiving was the "Flying Indian" Motorcycle accident. My dad ran into the log cabin, was knock out for a few minutes and had to spend the night in the Madill hosiptal. He had a few broken teeth, a few broken ribs, and it gave him an irregular heartbeat! He gave us a big scare! There will be no motorcycle riding this year!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Hard day
Yesterday was a hard day for Kennedy. She has learned how to close doors, but not very well. Especially when you have to pull the door closed. Yesterday she pulled the door closed and got her hand stuck. It was not a pretty scene. I have learned Kennedy is not a good hurt person. She does not like to be held, is difficult to comfort, she writhes around in pain, she wants you close but not too close. But I must say I am very proud of Presley and how she handled the situation. She did not like her little sister being hurt. Presley, all on her own, looked for ways she could mke Kennedy feel better. She brought me a soft blanket to cover her up with, and several toys she thought Kennedy would like. The teddy bear made Kennedy laugh. Presley was a good sister!
The rest of the day was not much better for little Miss K. She ran into the glass wall at LIttle Gym trying to get to her Nanny and she fell off the back of the trampoline and hit her back.
Kennedy is tough.
The rest of the day was not much better for little Miss K. She ran into the glass wall at LIttle Gym trying to get to her Nanny and she fell off the back of the trampoline and hit her back.
Kennedy is tough.
Monday, November 3, 2008
November 3, 2008
Little Kennedy may be an althele. She did a forward roll on the trampoline on Friday and on Sunday she did three or four times on the floor in Mimi's living room floor!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Halloween
Presley was Little Bo Peep and Kennedy was a sheep. They looked so cute. We went trick or treating with our neighbors. Presley really go into it and was running from house to house excited about getting candy. Kennedy was tired and ready for bed before we ever started. Mimi, Aunt Lele, Uncle Chance and Cameron came and joined us. It was a fun night.
Kennedy did a forward roll today, I think her dad and sister were just as shocked as she was!
Kennedy said "ouch" and "no" today.
Kennedy loves music, explores when she can, climbs on everything, thinks of ways she can do what she wants....i.e.- she wanted to climb on the couch, realized she was too short, so she drug the pillow off the couch onto the floor so she could step on it and climb on up!, she loves outside, likes to play!
Presley is beginning to think Kennedy is kind of cool, sometimes. They are beginning to play together some. She is improving in her gymnastics class, loves her daddy! She can say many of her colors in Spanish, loves playing in tutu's , wants her hair to be curled or in indian braids, is obedient (most of the time), loves BSF, her Bible, her songs, making pallets on the floor, knows she must eat healthy food before candy, and is starting to like water better!
Kennedy did a forward roll today, I think her dad and sister were just as shocked as she was!
Kennedy said "ouch" and "no" today.
Kennedy loves music, explores when she can, climbs on everything, thinks of ways she can do what she wants....i.e.- she wanted to climb on the couch, realized she was too short, so she drug the pillow off the couch onto the floor so she could step on it and climb on up!, she loves outside, likes to play!
Presley is beginning to think Kennedy is kind of cool, sometimes. They are beginning to play together some. She is improving in her gymnastics class, loves her daddy! She can say many of her colors in Spanish, loves playing in tutu's , wants her hair to be curled or in indian braids, is obedient (most of the time), loves BSF, her Bible, her songs, making pallets on the floor, knows she must eat healthy food before candy, and is starting to like water better!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Kennedy is Talking!
Today, October 24th, is the first day Kennedy has said something other than "mama" or "dada" and meant it.
She walked over to me, holding her arms up and clearly said " Hold You"
So sweet!
Presley and Dad swear she also said "Get up!" to Presley who was sitting in a pink chair.
I cannot vouch for that, but it is entirely possible.
I think the days of talking are fast approachin,g, heaven help us all!
She walked over to me, holding her arms up and clearly said " Hold You"
So sweet!
Presley and Dad swear she also said "Get up!" to Presley who was sitting in a pink chair.
I cannot vouch for that, but it is entirely possible.
I think the days of talking are fast approachin,g, heaven help us all!
Halloween Photos!
We went to have the girls pictures taken in their halloween costumes. It was a very unpleasant experience, but we did accomplish to get a picture!
Kennedy is one!
We went to have Kennedy's one year pictures made a few weeks ago and just got them back. We love them. Here are a few of our favorites!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
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