Roller Skating

Tessa & Taylor had their birthday party at the Skateplex Saturday. I had never been. I was pleasantly surprised. It was pretty nice and clean. I got brave enought to put on some skates, and it was just like riding a bike. It all came right back to me! I had a blast. It was Alek & Aidan's first time. I think that is something we will try to make a regular bad-weather afternoon activity when we can. And it is good exercise. My mom & Dad skated, too. There were pretty cute! Uncle Keegan finally got brave enough, and Keita took JJ out on the rink for a while. Aunt Carrie fell, and hurt her arm pretty badly. Family is such a blessing, even when they aren't, ya know? So I looked around at everyone having fun, and thanked God for everyone, just the way they are. God blessed me with a spectacular family.

Close call

Last Sunday, Aunt Carrie came over so we could go look at new houses to get ideas for her bathroom. Jeremy was home with our kids. Alek was running down the stairs in his socks and slipped. He hurt his neck and had to go to ER. He actually hit a really hard bone in the skull right behind his ear, and it affected a muscle in his neck. The doctor said he was surprised to see an injury like that in that place. It wasn't serious, he couldn't be active for a week, but dr. said the more likely scenario would have been for him to hit on his neck or back and injure a disc or vertebrae. I know God had his angels catch Alek that afternoon. . . . he was leaning on the bannister on his right side. . . . he hit the edge of the stair on his left side. . . . Alek is back 100% now. . . . AMEN!

Prayer Request

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE LESTER FAMILY. THOMAS, OUR GOOD FRIENDS' FATHER/FATHER-IN-LAW/GRANDDAD FELL OFF OF A CLIFF AT A LOCAL CANYON AREA ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. HE IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL AND HAVING A VERY HARD RECOVERY. VISIT AMY'S BLOG "A day in the life of a Mom"(link is on my blog) FOR DETAILS ON HIS ACCIDENT AND CONDITION.

New Year, Looking Back on 08

Well, we rang in 2009--all I can do is pray for this coming year to end as well as 2008 did. Believe me, in January of 08, I wasn't sure that was going to happen! Just to sum up some personal challenges God took us through; Jeremy's 2nd major surgery in 10 months, Sage leaving again to his "mother's", getting Slaton to Graduation, Financial toll of surgery and recovery time, Sage & Mary taking us to court for child support THE weekend of Slaton's graduation, cleaning out and selling my Nano's house, Jeremy's ongoing recovery, the accidental death of Jeremy's brother's best friend and brother-in-law, Slaton moving out on his own. Reflecting on these things all at once reminds me how God has carried us and gives my fears for the coming year a good kick in the butt!!

Thanks Amy & Aunt Carrie for watching my boys during Jeremy's surgery (Both times). Thank you Misty, who always made sure we had food! I want to thank my parents for their finanical and emotional support during the surgery. Also, to all of Jeremy's family and clients who brought food, took the boys, visited Jeremy, to Dr. Gentry who did Jeremy's surgery knowing we would have to pay him out, and most importantly, the PRAYER WARRIORS I know were out there praying for us.

For all of the drama and worry, we were able to squeeze in a family trip with the Lester's to San Antonio in the fall. That was fun and a mucho needed break from reality!

God is amazing and good. History was made with this year's election and it still gives me chills remembering when I heard the announcement. We still have more of a chance in this country than most around the world of living a safe, healthy, and joy filled life, and I thank God for that and pray it stays that way. And I usually have to remind myself daily, or I would give in to pure terror after a few hours of the news. . . . .

Road Trip

On the way to and from Dumas today, this piece of song stuck in my mind, Holidays are going to be hard for so many people this year. . . . . .

Sometimes it’s in an instant

Sometimes we wait for years

But it comes down to the moment when faith eclipses fear

Your wandering is over The other side is real

You’ve broken through Your mountain

And mercy is revealed

His mercy is revealed,

yeah Yesterday is long Gone ….

Toby Mac, "Suddenly"

Book--The Shack

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to go hear the author of "The Shack". He was in town and had an impromptu luncheon at a church to sign books and speak. My dad gave me the book to read before he read it. Needless to say, I could not put it down! In one day I read it. I had the author sign it to my Dad. Staci went with me. She is a new friend who I met through Amy and we had both loved the book. She is also a new Christian, and so fired up for the Lord--she reminds me of how the fire has dwindled in me and I need to get it going again!

The story of how God worked to put this book out blows my mind. It was really cool to hear that story from the guy who wrote it--not even intending for it to be anything but a story for his children outlining his healing process from years of turmoil and loss. It is hard to explain how the book has such an impact on people. I was sobbing, for joy and sorrow, guilt and hope, begging for forgiveness; it stirred up places in me I didn't know were there. For me, it brought God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit into a whole new light. It also made me look at Creation in a very different way. I am going to give my dad the signed book so he can read it, but I am still buying me a copy because it is something I will want to go back and re-read many times. My Dad and Aunt are going through such a shattering loss with their Mom, (Nano) I hope this book can somehow remind them of the comfort the immense Love of God provides.

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
Proverbs 4:23, NLT

This verse came in my email box yesterday. And I pray for God "to protects our hearts for Him" when the boys & I pray at night. It just scares me how hard this is going to be in this day and age as they grow older. I watched Dr. Phil earlier with Alek because it was about risky teenage behavior. Some new hallucinogenic drug that is legal, the choking game, crack called "cheese" or "strawberry quick" because they want to appeal to younger kids(actuall strawberry quick is added!). The knot in my stomach gets intense thinking about what my boys are going to face in the coming years, I feel so helpless. I felt like Alek talked openly with me and he understood what I wanted to tell him. He is only 10, and I am having to talk with him about drugs and same-sex couples. . . . . can you imagine this conversation with our own parents? Back then they just said it's wrong and don't do it or accept it. Heavin forbid we tell our kids being gay is wrong!!! Uggghhhh, anyway I won't go off, but it is really on my heart how much prayer these generations need to find their way thru all the crap out there that can stomp on their futures.

I also wanted to add I really had fun at "Birthday Club" last night. Thanks Amy & Amanda W. for inviting me in a few years back. I feel blessed to have a group of great Chrisian women I can go hang out with, laugh, and just have a good time! Never really had that before. . . . .

Precious Boys

Alek wanted me to post pictures of his "friends" that he sleeps with on his bed. It sounded wierd to hear him ask,"mom, will you put this picture on your blog?" Alek is getting so big. He doesnt' want me to hug or love on him anymore, and he wipes my smooches off. He farts, burps, and uses deodarant now. Where'd chubby "sweet boy" go? He was so lovy and perfect--that was his actual nick-name. Alek does love to talk, and he does it 90 mph! I can barely keep up w/ his story lines, and he has some doosies, let me tell ya! His favorite thing is to tell me "inventions" he has come up with. I do want to brag--his first 4th grade report card was straight A's. Math was the lowest--90. I am so proud of him!

I don't know if Aidan is going through an age, phase, or if it is just his personality; but he has to have constant attention. "Watch me, see this, do that, I want you to watch me. . . . " If I even blink while I am supossed to be watching him do something, he huffs and says "mom, ur suppossed to be WATCHING!!! Even a video game, he wants Jerm or I to be sitting there watching. I was making him a sandwich the other day and he asked for Miracle Whip on it. He said, and I quote, "Miracle Whip is my most grown-up taste bud so far, mom." How stinkin' funny!! And if I put up Alek, I must put up Aidan or he will let me hear about it for sure!

I can't believe how God has blessed me with such two healthy, precious, onery, smart, energetic and loving boys. I thank Him so many times a day. My life would be so dull w/out them. THANK YOU LORD! JESUS WATCH OVER OUR PRECIOUS KIDS EVERY DAY AND PROTECT THIER HEARTS AND INNOCENCE, PLEASE!