Wednesday, July 29, 2009

More pics

It was actually raining when were out there but it didn't matter to them. I was hiding under the beach umbrella :) The water was really calm.


My little ones loved the beach. They wanted to be in the ocean the whole time. It was fun but having 30 lbs around your neck is rough :)
Jeremiah came into our room every morning to snuggle :)


I love this pic of the two of them.


There was a boat that came to the beach infront of our hotel every day (3x a day actually) and fired a canon... it eventually became known to our kids as the pirate ship. It was LOUD! The boys would yell "The pirates are coming!" very cute!



We had a lot of great memories. Here's a few...
Jacob would always find a group of girls in the pool to hang out with... older girls! He even gave one a hug and kiss :)
Jeremiah loved swimming but he would be the first to say "i wanna snack" or "i wanna take a nap"
Darcy tried her best to make friends with everyone... young kids and even older men.
Jessica and I spent some "momma/jessica" time... we even did the parasailing
Matthew and I laughed at night b/c our room was sooo stinking bright and we slept with boxers over our face to block out the light!
there's many more but I've got restless kids :)



Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Friend or Foe?

Most of the time I delete emails like this without even reading them... ya know the ones like you're my bestie and if you love me too you'll send this back to me and to 10 other friends... and if not then your dog will die... yeah i hate those kinds. But today I read this one... I guess it was meant to be b/c I really related to this devotion. It actually sounded like something I could have written myself. I have a hard time finding friends. I really desire to have "close" friends but it just doesn't happen with me. I find someone that I know is a good fit but then they don't put in the effort to be my friend and my feelings get hurt.

Read this... it was emailed to me today and I wanted to share it here.

Women: Friend or Foe?
28 Jul 2009'
Rachel Olsen

"I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules." Psalm 119:63 (MSG)

Not long ago I would've told you that I don't much like women. I counted a few as friends, but the rest of the gender I dismissed categorically as too much trouble. Never a "tomboy" by any stretch of the imagination, I just found guys so much easier to deal with. They generally say what they mean, let you know where you stand, and never size you up to determine who has the better haircut.

I didn't want to distrust women, but the majority of females in my life at the time evoked that response. They were catty, competitive, and conniving. They gossiped, backstabbed and manipulated. I have to admit that I often responded in kind. Isn't it strange how addictive relational drama can be?

I'm told you can put a frog in a pot of cold water on the stove and gradually turn up the heat, and it will stay in the pot until it reaches a fatal boil without attempting escape. Evidently the frog doesn't realize how unhealthy the situation is slowly becoming. I can't vouch for the accuracy of that fable - I'd never boil a frog! - but I've been in a few friendships that were like that. I stayed way too long in the pot before I realized this isn't healthy for me, and I got burned.

So what lead me to flip-flop my position on having girlfriends? First, I decided to follow Christ. This sparked many beneficial changes in my mind and spirit. Where I had been cynical and guarded, God's love penetrated and softened my heart. I learned the meaning of Proverbs 18:24, "There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (RSV). Christ was now my forever friend who could be trusted completely.

I also made changes in my choice of girlfriends. With the help of the Holy Spirit and lessons on character from the book of Proverbs, I learned to recognize which people and relational patterns were unhealthy for me. I was ready to be rid of the drama! The Bible teaches, "He who walks with the wise grows wise" (Proverbs 13:20, NIV). I wanted to walk with wise women through life. Many of my current-at-the-time friendships ran their natural course and dissolved. A few transformed along with me. But a few I deliberately phased out because my own character wasn't strong enough yet to remain Christ-like in their company.

Meanwhile, I prayed for quality friendships with women of faith. God heard my prayers, just as the Bible promises He does. Fun-loving, God-loving, gracious women at my church sought me out and invited me out. And I made the choice to trust them and invest. I discovered how beneficial it is to surround yourself with women who inspire your walk with God.

Over time, God birthed in me a huge love and great compassion for women. I began seeing them through His eyes and not just the lens of my own hurtful past. I realized that not all women are like those I had known. I also learned to forgive and pray for those who've hurt me. Today I cherish my friendships with the women in my life.

What about you? How are your friendships? Do you find yourself entangled in an unhealthy relationship? Are you in emotional hiding after being burned? Maybe you've written off the entire gender because of the trouble you've seen. Take that to God and ask Him to heal and bring restoration to your heart. Ask Him to send godly, wise women into your life. Then muster up the courage to respond and befriend them.

Neither gender is categorically a foe – but I count myself happy to be sipping tea, playing Dominos, doing Bible study, shopping and sharing my dreams with sisters of the fairer sex. Won't you join us?

Dear Lord, I want to have good friends, and to be a good friend. Help me to develop godly friendships, in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Is there someone you can befriend? Striking up a friendship can be a great way to introduce a gal to Christ.

Reflections:What is the current state of your friendships – are they nurturing? Godly?Are you open to making new friends? Why or why not?

Power Verses:
James 2:23, "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend." (NIV)Proverbs 22:11, "If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend." (GNT)

Monday, July 27, 2009

My favorite pics... or atleast some of them :)

Us
Jessica
Darcy

Jeremiah

Jacob



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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Beaching It

We're having a blast here in Panama City. The kids don't want to get out of the ocean. But they won't let go of us and its rough. They wanna bounce in the waves... which I love to do just now with 35lbs wrapped around my neck! LOL We go back and forth between the pool and the beach. They swim like fishies. We head home tomorrow.

Jessica wasn't able to bring a friend (b/c her friends mom wouldn't let her go) so I've tried to spend some girl time with her. She really wants to parasail but I can't bring myself to paying $120 for us to do it. Although I remember begging my parents to let me do it :) I wonder if I can talk the guy down on his prices.

We'll I'd better cook lunch for these hungry pirates :) I have lots of pics to share when we get home :)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Enjoy the pics

Rocky, Tara, Blaine and our crew minus Darcy who was riding the gator with Papa Wayne
We had a really good time at Jessica's party

Jessica & Stephanie

Jenga blocks... their new pasttime is building castles with these blocks :)


Darcy's "wild hair" for VBS... she's such a cutie!






Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Making it

I've been overwhelmed with the thought of having to do my paper for my new testament class so after weeks of putting it off I finally sat down today and started on it. So far I've got 2 pages typed. It has to be at least 3 pages and no more than 5. I don't think I'll have a problem doing 2 more pages. Once I got started it came pretty easy... its just having the time without distractions to do it. I want to have it done before we leave for the beach on Friday morning.

The weekend after this weekend we go to Mentone, AL with Matt's family. The following week school starts for Jessica and the little ones start that next week. Busy Busy Busy. I've registered for my fall classes. I'm taking 9 hours. I'll be taking my math 090 online. Speech is tuesdays & thursday at night and my bio 201 is on monday and wednesdays during the day. I'm hoping to go and speak with a nursing advisor tomorrow. I need to ask some questions about my schedule once I get into the nursing program.

Jessica's birthday came and went. She had her party at her nana's (her dad's mom) but none of her friends showed up.... only 1 girl from school. Rocky and Tara came down with their son, Blaine. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed ourselves... I just wish her friends would have came. Oh... her dad called her on her birthday. We didn't tell him we were having her party at Nana's ;) This was the first time he's talked to her since Christmas (unless you count the time he spoke to her in the driveway at his parents house a few weeks back).

Well I'd better get off the computer. I've got to study for a psychology test on thursday.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

My little guys and the burnt out mom

First a short something about the boys :
This applies to both of them. When they don't want something or to do something they say "I can't wanna____" its the cutest thing ever :)

Now moving on to the Burnt Out Mom:
I've lost my mom of the year award :( The last few weeks have been really stressful. I realize as a parent that my kids are bored and that they don't desire to sit and chill like myself. I know that I need to pick my battles. I know as kids they get into things and disobey but my job as a parent is to deal with those things in a godly way. I catch myself feeling guilty for the way I've acted towards them but I continue to do the same things. I'm in a rut. One of our good friends gave me a book called parenting for the burnt out parent... I really wish I could find it right about now! I read on Staci's blog the other day about yelling (she had no idea what I'd been going through) and it made me feel guilty all over again. One amazing thing about kids is they have that same sort of unconditional love that Jesus shows up.... or so it seems. Even after losing my temper my kids still want to rub noses with me and give me all their kisses.

Tonight in class we watched a video about a child who suffered from a mental disorder and I began to tear up. I'm so grateful for my kids. They are beautiful, healthy and smart kids. I tell them all the time that they make my heart grow bigger... its amazing how much love you can have for your children. I have a lump in my throat right now just thinking about it. They are precious gifts from God!

I refuse to stay in this rut!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Catch Up

Our roof is on... it looks nice. I'll get a picture when its not raining :)

Our ac upstairs is out again... like really out now. I have to call someone to come out... its beyond my hubby and fil now.

I took Jessica to Altanta yesterday. I didn't want to leave her. She has 1 roommate and they share a bathroom with 2 other girls.... those 3 girls are all from the same school. They go to a christian school and I was able to meet their parents. They all seemed like really nice good kids. I felt a little better about leaving her. She called me at 10:30 last night to tell me she was having fun but was really tired. Its going to be a long week for her. They'll stay busy from 7:30 till 11:30pm.

Jessica turns 14 on Saturday.

They boys are doing great with pottying training. They wear diapers at night only (only cause I don't want them to pee on their mattresses). They're having issues with pooping in the toilet but I know that takes a little more time. I've cleaned up a lot of poop in the last week but I'm confident they'll conquer it soon!

School is going good... I'm kinda burnt out and wishing I wouldn't have taken classes this summer. Its hard to make myself go to class when there's so many other things I could do with my family. But its all going to be worth it :)

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

A weekend of fun!!

Jessica's bf was able to spend the day with us on Friday.
Jeremiah learned the concept of peeing outside. He did this all weekend long... and one time Matthew said Jeremiah went outside just to pee! lol

Darcy loves ribs jus like her big sis (but of course i'm not allowed to take pics of jessica while she's eating)

Uncle Matthew with Cody

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More fun on the 4th

This was actually the last thing we did that night. Jeremiah loved em. Jacob didn't come outside and Darcy wanted more.

Jeremiah screamed more more more... I really enjoyed watching him freak out over the fireworks
Darcy hated them... I was the same way when I was a child. She started out outside but stayed inside most of the time. She freaked out... like F R E A K E D OUT!


this was the beginning... jacob didn't care for them. he disappeared inside and watched tv


Jessica was incharge of doing the fireworks while we watched








My Girls

Jessica... I can't believe she'll be entering into the 9th grade this year. My baby is growing up!
Darcy Bug

The simple things in life

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Girls Trip with Gog

They went to Gatlinburg... they stopped by the Mayfield factory to take a tour.
Darcy loves icecream!



Jessica and Darcy



Darcy got to go on stage at the Comedy Barn... my mom bought the video and we tried to watch it the night she brought them home but it was only funny to my mom and the girls... guess you had to be there to enjoy it. Darcy watches the video over and over all the time! Thanks mom!


They rented a car to take drive... Jessica liked it. Now this is the car she wants when she turns 16... only 2 years away! OMG!

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Boys being BOYS

Jeremiah, Cody and Jacob (my camera had fogged up and I didn't realize it)
I hope they all stay close as they grow up.



Jacob says "wook at my hat!"



Apparently my kids aren't the only ones that like to mark on themselves with Sharpies! LOL
(no this wasn't done while at my house)

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Friday, July 03, 2009

Productive Weekend... but still relaxing

Matthew and his dad worked on the house today. They didn't finish but it should all be done by the end of the weekend. We're getting our new roof next week so we need to finish all the painting before the roof goes on.

I painted our picnic table with $10 oops paint from the local building supply store. Its green but not shade that I care for... but its okay. I really wanted to paint it like a neon color or hot pink... something wild and bright. I might go back and repaint it but I just needed to get something on it b/c its already warping.

Jessica's bf was able to come over today and spend the day with us. He's a very polite kid.... atleast around us.

Tomorrow we're grilling out with the family. Everyone is coming here and we're going to let the kids play in the pool while the adults just chill. Well matthew and his dad won't be chilling... they'll be working on the house :)

At some point this weekend I have to take my midterm for my new testament class. I have to do it before midnight on sunday.

I'm really enjoying our weekend so far. Last night Matthew and I watched Stop Loss... great movie but I cried the entire way through it... AND cried myself to sleep! I don't cry over chick flicks (much) but give me a movie about military and I'll cry everytime! I think its easy for most american's to forget about whats going on over seas but that movie really made me stop and think... and pray! I prayed hard for our military last night. Soooooo don't get all caught up in the fireworks and food over the fourth but remember why we're celebrating and for all the troops and their families.