Abby and Me

This is me and Abby.

Abby is my 5 (almost 6) year old niece.

This is what happens when she comes over.

That is why she keeps coming...

plus I give her juice, popcorn, necklaces, purses and let her wear lipstick.

It's grand.

I'm not cool and now I'm "vintage"

My little sisters spent the night with us last night because my mom had to go to Houston for my Grandpa's back surgery. Please keep him in your prayers. He suffers from Parkinsons already and a back surgery like this is EXTREMELY difficult.

Any-who....

This morning I took them to school and Megan was wearing these sunglasses...

Remember them??

By the way, they are 16.

Then the following conversation happened.

Megan: "Aren't these sunglasses cool?? They are vintage. Like real vintage."

Me: "Vintage? Those are the same glasses I wore in 1995. What do you mean "vintage??" And they were probably mine!"

Caitlin: "Yeah, Megan. Are you like calling Natalie "vintage"? (snicker, snicker)

Megan: "Well, yeah. She's vintage, but she dresses modern. You know, she's cool. She's like modern vintage."

Seriously.

1st. When did your late 20's become vintage? What does that mean when I turn 30?

2nd. They used the word "like" about 7 times.

3rd. I hated those sunglasses anyway.

4th. In less than 2 days I have realized that I am not cool and now I am vintage.

5th. Okay, I did wear them all the time. I even had the ones that rolled and had them in every neon color.

They also didn't know Mariah Carey's greatest hits album. Such a sad day.

Happy Friday!

This Week....

Is it really Thursday already?

It has felt somewhat like a long week, but seems like it's going by very fast.

This week....

i realized Easter is in 6 Sunday's. holy cow.

got a cold.

thanked god for overall good health.

was easter-ly creative.

celebrated what's right with the world.

didn't sleep great.

straightened my hair.

was shocked.

reminded.

went to lunch with a good friend.

watched american idol.

found an old pair of earrings.

shopped at gymboree.

ate less.

ate too much with small group.

laughed a lot.

wondered.

dreamed of a vacation....one day...

was extremely convicted (reading Crazy Love)

made progress.

caught up on laundry.

cried for hurting children.

prayed for them.

prayed a lot for them.

realized some things never change.

realized some things NEED to change.

loved my babies.

kissed.

shared faith.

lived.

loved my keurig every morning....and sometimes night.

read the gospels.

walked.

went to the park.

this week had a lot of ups and downs. but....overall, i am just overwhelmed with thankfulness. god has given me so much. so, so very much. every day is a chance to live it for him.

Too cool already.

Today I experienced what it would be like to have a teenager.

It was sad.

And it wasn't Reagan...although I'm seeing glimpses of it from her little personality and love for shoes, Paris Hilton perfume and Taylor Swift. It was Jackson. My sweet, sweet Jackson....who now thinks he's too cool.

He was getting ready for school this morning and I had already picked his clothes out. I told him to go put them on and then to come brush his teeth. He did as I said, but then came in and told me that he was going to take the shirt off when he got to school (he had another shirt on underneath). I told him no and that he had to leave his shirt on. Without skipping a beat, he then threw himself up on the bed and cried, "I can't wear this shirt! It's not cool! I can't!!!!...."

Me: What???? (laughing a little) Yes you can wear that shirt! You will wear that shirt. You are 3 1/2 years old! If it's cool for me, then it's cool for you!"

He really didn't want to wear the shirt. I made him wear it. I figure that there will be worse battles than this later down the road. If he thinks he can win now then he will certainly think that later.

I have never experienced this before. More importantly, this means he doesn't think I'm cool!

So, now I am the uncool mother. At 26 years old. Mom, you're not cool....

Oh well. I didn't become a Mom to be cool. :)

Sweet Siblings

These two love each other more than I could have ever imagined. I know it probably won't always stay like this, but I'm so grateful that they have each other.

A few things....

Jack is always excited to see her.

Reagan goes to his room before seeing anyone else when she wakes up.

They play cars together in his room.

He lets her drink his chocolate milk.

She gives him her blanket & vice versa. (Which is a pretty big deal)

Jack made her a "Mii" on the Wii.

He calls her Reag-y.

She calls him Jack-Jack.

When we are jamming to music in the car, he yells, "Go Reagy, Go Reagy!"

She wants to be a drummer like him.

He wants to sleep in her room at night.

He always asks to that I pray for Reagan at night.

They are so sweet and although they have completely different personalities, I know they will grow up loving each other.

By the way, Reagan is now almost 18 months old. She's walking, running, talking and getting into everything. She's very brave, a risk taker and LOVES her daddy. Loves being at home like him too! She is starting to realize that she can do funny things and that it makes us laugh. She walked out the front door yesterday and I (THANK YOU JESUS) found her almost in the street. I told her to come in and she shook her head at me. She does not like waffles. Loves pancakes. And loves to say "Mommy" about 438 times a day. We also have slowly started moving her to a big girl bed. She did great the 1st night, but I still think she's too little....(or that could just be mommy not wanting to let her grow up)

Jackson is almost 4!! Holy Batman! He loves everything music. Just warms my heart. :) Loves the movie Cars and collecting every car from it. Loves to play make believe. Loves the Wii. Loves learning how to write and wants to already read, but since he can't he just makes stories up. Loves to pray. Adores his cousins. Would rather be out and about then stay at home...just like his mommy.

A Lack of Joy

Okay, so I'm going to be honest.

There have been days...weeks...NO, MONTHS...that I haven't been able to find a lot to be particularly "joyful" about. Of course, I love my husband, kids and all that God has given me, but my attitude has really stunk lately.

I have a lot to be grateful for and although I thought I was.....I wasn't doing a great job of showing it. There were some things in 2009 that affected me a great deal. It wasn't all bad, but it took a toll on our family emotionally, mentally, physically....etc., etc. We all handle things different, but I tend to forget what God has done and look at what (I think) he hasn't.

I know...dumb.

And when that happens, my attitude stinks. I get defensive. I become more discontent. I wallow. I become the victim. I am hormonal. Crazy. And I cry a lot in the shower.

Now, a lot of that is just how I am as a woman, but some of it purely is me losing God's vision. I went from holding on to His joy to holding onto my circumstances. That's the worst place I could be. In fact, I didn't even realize it until recently. I was getting ready for work one day and praying about my day. I prayed that God would bless it. Be with me. You know....that kind of stuff. And then my day turned out horrible. I came home upset and ready to spill my guts to Jason. Like a good husband, he listened and let me cry. But then (after my mascara was all over his shirt sleeve) he got up, turned around and said, "This is deeper than a bad day. What happened to your joy? What happened to relying on God?"

What a "punch in the gut, eye opener, take a look at your life changing" statement that was!

So, I sat there. I probably wallowed for 30 more minutes and then I realized...I had forgotten what that mean to rely on God. I had forgotten that HIS joy is my strength. It wasn't even something I had seen in myself. I didn't really know that I didn't have joy until I had thought back about certain situations.

Now it's Sunday, February 21st. It's been about a month since all of this came to a head. I can't say that I am always "joyful", but I have seen a change from the inside out. I've decided to not let my circumstances rule me. To rely on His joy to be my strength. To thank God. To praise God. To OBEY God. To listen for God. To give to God.

It's a good place to be and I have a feeling that I will see God do more through a heart fully surrendered to Him.

Happy Sunday. :)

Enchanted Rock

Jason and I have been wanting to go to Enchanted Rock for awhile. Both of us have never been. I am not from here, so I'm excused. Jason, however, has lived in San Antonio his whole life and has never even seen it. He had also never eaten squash when I met him. I mean, what kind of Texan doesn't go hike a massive rock and eat a yellow vegetable that is really only good when sauteed in butter and topped with melted cheese? Come on!

At the last minute, we decided to take the trek and drive a little

north of Fredericksburg. Aaron, Bre and the kids joined us. Of course, the boys rode in one car and the girls in another. Wouldn't have it other way. :)

When we got there the kids found a little creek to play in, we made hotdogs and then hiked up Enchanted Rock.

3 things I found:

I'm a wimp.

I'm out of shape.

And a man with only one leg shamed us all.

Repeat, lather, rinse.

The moment that made me get my butt off that rock and walk was when I saw the one legged man hiking up past me.

We made it up to the top though! Jason carried me....errrr,

Reagan on his back. My HERO!

Jackson, Abby & Carson LOVED every minute of it. It was a really fun day. I love getting out and it was so much fun to do it with family. I'm also glad that we haven't hit the Texas heat yet. Thank you God for cloudy, windy days!

This picture is so adorable. Obviously, (because it's good) Breanna took it.

Daddy & Rae. :) All 30 lbs of her!

Okay, so what I love is that you can't see Reagan, but you CAN see her bear.

2 funny points: A. She carried a bear up a mountain B. It's in our picture, but she's not.

I don't think Bre and I have had a picture taken together since she was 8 months pregnant in my wedding and wanted to kill me for putting her in a bridesmaids dress. :)

I love this picture!

This Week...

Is it seriously already Thursday?

This has been the biggest week of my life! Ok, maybe not as big as, let's say....getting MARRIED...or having a BABY..but, none-the-less it was busy.

This week I....

ate too much.

watched 9 children...alone.

saw Valentine's Day with Jennifer, Amanda & Rachel.

played Just Dance.

pushed myself.

spent time in prayer.

fought.

lead worship.

captured memories.

cried.

heard god speak.

laughed.

washed my hair, but didn't do it.

organized.

painted my nails.

HEB.

ate too much.

cleaned.

doubted.

happy hour at sonic.

cooked.

It seems like I didn't do much this week now that I've written it all out, but I have. Actually, I think it's by God's grace that I am seeing it as not a big deal.

My challenge from God this week is this....

¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I think that when we look at our lives like this...as a living sacrifice to God...he makes up for the tired, busy, doubting days. And then you write out what you thought was crazy and draining and you realize that God showed up in more ways then one. Hmmmm.....

little drummer boy

My son loves to drum. I mean LOVES it. He loves music in general, but drums are his heart. :) I have an awesome video of him a friend took, but I can't upload it to my blog. Darn!!! I really wanted to be "that mom"...just for a moment.

I love that about him.

But last night, when he went to bed, he slept with his drum sticks, his drum bag, his drum magazine (yes, he has one) and his drum pad.

He asked if he could. How could I deny the boy!?

Reagan loves food. I mean LOVES it. Today I found her sleeping with.......just kidding...

Although she would.

Things that are making me smile today...and think

Today's a happy day.....

but it's also a day that my mind is full of stuff to....think on.

Things that are making me happy today...

unsweet tea

gerber daisies from my hubby

sara bareilles

sweet baby kisses

dreams

old friends

sunshine

Things that I am thinking on:

compassion

sacrifice

love

a night off

contentment

fear

jelly beans

Who's that weird guy?

We went to a birthday party for a friends little boy who was turning one. Breanna & Aaron were there and (lucky me) she had her camera. :)

What I thought was a sweet picture of momma and baby girl ended up making me LAUGH OUT LOUD every time I see it.

I also have to add this picture. I love everything about it.

Thanks Aaron for always making laugh...and to Bre for capturing all the funny & beautiful moments. :)

It's almost Valentine's Day.

I love lots of things...

I love...

pretty flowers.

my hubby. :)

babies.

candles.

friends.

my sisters.

my baby brother.

MY babies.

fresh air.

san antonio.

pretty throw pillows.

coconut lime verbena.

twitter.

cupcakes

great friends....

nap time.

days off.

worship.

sunday mornings.

books.

my momma.

daddy.

cute shoes.

costco.

scarves.

HEB.

family.

spaghetti.

keurig coffee maker.

praying.

skittles.

movies.

magazines.

and....YOU. :)

"This Week" Thursday

Oh what a week it has been.....a good week, but a long week.

Let's see.

This week I....

went to costco twice.

rehearsed for a wedding i'm singing in.

loved deeper.

prepared.

prayed a lot.

made 36 cupcakes.....ate only 1. :)

thought about easter.

imagined i was in nyc.

visited my mom.

let my kids take a 40 min. bath.

missed my dad.

overslept.

read "same kind of different as me." A+

made valentine's cards.

saw sleet.

saw rain....again....

did yard work.

kissed my babies.

tweeted.

enjoyed friends.

was reminded of god's love.

twas a good week. :)

Foil Lined Windows and 36 Cupcakes

Today was cold, rainy (with a little sleet), but yet productive. It was a good day. I do love me some good days. :)

I had a creative planning meeting at Bracken Store Cafe. They have the best burgers around. We wanted to go somewhere that was secluded and was different than Chili's. My pastor said it would help with the creative process...

There's nothing like a thermometer covered wall and foil lined windows really helped get those creative juices burning. All the thermometers read 50 degrees and the bathrooms were right behind me. I am sounding more sarcastic than I mean to....kinda. It actually was fun and they REALLY do have great burgers!

Had a pretty productive rest of the day. Even with working on worship stuff at home with Reagan I got a lot done.

Jason & I didn't really want to eat a big dinner after our big lunch......so we ordered pizza. So light and healthy....ha.

Then I made cupcakes. Oh it just gets better!!! I'm actually laughing out loud reading this. It does sound pretty ridiculous....and wonderful.

Jackson and Reagan are having their Valentine's Day parties tomorrow at MDO. I was asked to bring cookies, but I thought it would be more fun to make cupcakes. I found cherry chip cake mix at HEB. Cherry Chip is probably my favorite cake mix ever. My great-grandma used to make it and I have never ever seen in until now. I had a moment in HEB.... I bought 4 boxes of it.

However, I forgot to buy sprinkles and my "valentines" cupcakes looked rather...white. Jackson bought CARS valentines for his class. There were a ton of suckers left over, so I cut them and put stuck them in the cupcakes. I also ended up making 36 of them! I figured we could each have 9 for the next 4 days.

Don't worry, I only kept 4 for us. :)

While I was making cupcakes we watched "Couples Retreat". There were some funny parts to it. I wouldn't call it "my favorite movie ever", but it was okay. I was glad that the ending was good and didn't result in marriages ending...

We had a low-key Wednesday night, but overall it was a great one. We've been way more intentional with our time as a family lately. Turn the phones & computers off....

I'm enjoying it. And so are my thighs.

A Convicting Reminder

My friend Amanda blogged about this on her blog today.

Jealousy stinks. I am guilty of it and boy do I hate that characteristic in myself! I loved what she said about having to take our thoughts captive and learning to be content. Sometimes I really forgot to do that.

I got home tonight and was thinking more about her blog. It really did resonate with me. I do need to work on being more content, grateful and taking my thoughts captive...immediately. I think about the things that God has given me and it makes me smile. Makes me happy...makes me content.....and convicts me!

So because I am...ME and I like to just see things visually here are my reminders. (Amanda also did this and I thought it was neat to see her process through the "jealous" items she might have.)

• My hair is not terrible. I know that's dumb, but I envy others cute haircuts sometimes. I like my hair actually.
• My house doesn't have to be perfectly clean! I like my house. In fact, I enjoy it. I am blessed that more than half the things in my home have been given to me.
• It's okay that I am not a size 2....or even a size 10. My weight often bothers me, but God still loves me and knows that I am working really hard on that....sometimes. Ha.
• Having one car isn't the end of the world. I don't know why that bothers me. I mean..I have a car! It could be worse.
• I don't have to be good at all the things my friends are good at. Does that ever get to you?? I hope I'm not the only one! We all have something we are good at, but yet we want something someone else has.
• I am a good mom. For some reason this one hits me hard. I get jealous of "good" moms. I feel like I am not doing right for my children when I work at the church, but at the same time I feel totally called to what I do. I am still a good mom...even when I work. My kids are loved, taken care of and balanced.

Those are some of the things I was thinking about when I read Amanda's post. I think God has something to say to me in this. I compare myself too much and for me, the root of that is insecurity. I really appreciated Amanda's transparency in her post. I am thankful for people like her in my life. This was really good for me to do.

just have to say...that I love you

I just want to say.....

that I wish I could take all of my friends and go to NYC for a week and see musicals and be crazy tourists...and have fun! And do it just because I love you all so much.

and ....that I am in an emotional mood today....

and that I love that I can come here and say that...

and that..I don't mind saying that because I know you don't care if I say that...because you love me.....

and that I probably have like 5 people who read this.

But I would take all 5 of you with me.

The End.

Slow Monday's and new gadgets

This is pretty much what we did yesterday.

Laid low and took pictures of ourselves.

Just kidding....

I just love this boy. We have Monday's off and I so enjoy that I get to spend them with my kids. Jack will go to kindergarten in less than 2 years...I'm enjoying all I can get!

We had a great day off. Spent time at Costco and ate for $6 as a family, plus samples. So exciting, huh? Both of our Ipods broke and since we have both been running it really stinks to not have music...so we bought this yesterday. :) We are sharing it....

Jason: It's mine. She will get to use it when I allow her to.

We will see. That green chair is looking pretty great in my living room....:)

50 things I've learned...from someone else.

I was reading Antique Mommy's blog today...I stumbled across it after reading Big Mama's blog. Antique Mommy just turned 50 recently and had a post about the 50 things she has learned in 50 years. I am not close to 50...at all, but I thought her insights were very wise, funny and OH-SO-TRUE!

My favorites? Number 2, 9, 11, 31, 38 and 44.

Enjoy!

* * * * *

1. If you want to be really really good at something, you will probably have to forsake something else in your life. The pursuit of excellence in any given field is not conducive to moderation or balance. Either balance is overrated or excellence is — I’m not sure which, but you can’t really have both.

2. Being average is not a bad thing – there’s a lot of good company in the middle of the pack.

3. In most matters, done is better than perfect. But done right is better than done fast, except for housework. Then good enough is good enough.

4. Never say “It can’t get worse.” It can get worse. It can definitely get worse.

5. It’s better to be content than rich. Riches are easier to come by than contentment.

6. You can disagree with someone and still like them.

7. You can dislike someone and still be kind to them.

8. Education is as much about enlightenment as employment. Education is never a waste.

9. You’ll never know how much your parents love you until you have your own child.

10. You’ll never know how much you hurt your parents until you have your own child.

11. No one will remember what shoes or earrings you wore to the party.

12. Getting drunk is extremely uncool. Always has been.

13. Honor your father and mother so that it might go well with you.

14. There are three things you can do to make your life very very difficult – making babies too young and without commitment, using drugs, and getting involved in credit card debt. I only know of one first hand; the other two I managed to avoid by the grace of God.

15. Teachers and nurses are two of the few vocations where you can really make a difference in the life of another human being. The rest of us are just pushing paper.

16. Maintaining flexibility is the key to aging well. Stretch your mind and body a little each day.

17. Life is a series of peaks and valleys. Like the weather, it’s always about to change.

18. Nothing in the mall will make you happy. For very long.

19. We can’t all be leaders.

20. If you can’t be a good leader, be a good follower.

21. Make sure the person you are following is taking you where you want to go.

22. Nothing good comes of a secret.

23. On the other hand, every thought does not need to be expressed.

24. Anger poisons the soul. A grudge prisons the soul. Forgiveness purifies the soul. Forgive with haste.

25. When you win an argument, you really lose.

26. Concede whenever you can.

27. Career is a fancy name for a job.

28. No matter how bad you think you look right now, 10 years from now you will wish you looked as good.

29. The only thing that makes me smarter than when I was 20 is that now I have an awareness of how little I really know.

30. Whatever stylish thing you are wearing right now will look ridiculous in 10 years.

31. Encourage more, criticize less.

32. Use the guest towels.

33. Television is anesthesia. Watch as little as possible.

34. Life is short. But it could also be long – start saving when you are young.

35. Quality Time is a big fat modern lie when it comes to your kid. Go for Quantity Time.

36. Life is too short to spend time trying to get curly hair be straight or straight hair to be curly. Find a hairstyle that suits your hair.

37. The only way to lose weight is to eat less and move more.

38. Fashion magazines are designed to make you feel badly about yourself. Save your money.

39. Speak less, listen more.

40. Every day, no matter how cruddy, is a great day to be alive.

41. Smoking is ugly, smelly, stupid and looks silly. Don’t smoke.

42. Anyone who says they have no regrets is lying. We’ve all done and said regrettable things.

43. If you haven’t done anything regrettable, you haven’t lived. Or at least not long enough.

44. The perfect purse is worth every penny.

45. Grocery store make up is just as good as department store make up, but if paying 3x as much makes you feel better, that probably makes it worth it.

46. Say please and thank you to everyone, but especially to those who do the cruddy stuff no one else wants to do. Your kids are watching.

47. Be quick to tell your kid you are sorry when (not if) you mess up. That in and of itself is a teaching moment.

48. Don’t underestimate the power of silence to make a point.

49. Let your children (and those you love) know every day that you delight in them, that they are a source of joy in your life; that you are glad they were born.

50. The person who most needs your kindness is likely the last person to whom you want to be kind.

Sunday, 5:30 am - 1:30 pm

5:30 am.....every Sunday. It sure does come early. So much for staying out late on Saturday's in the Powers household. By 1:30 pm I am completely exhausted. My kids are exhausted. Sometimes I just want to stay home....let someone else lead.

And then I go and I lead worship....

And I see the POWER of God come. I get the privilege to watch others experience God's presence.

And it's amazing.

And then the day is done...and my kids take 2 hour naps. They are my kids...God knew. And they are loved and they love going to church and it makes me smile to think that they are hearing about Jesus for 5 hours.

And then I think back at how we encountered God Sunday...and how it changed me...us.

And ...well, then I feel selfish about complaining about 5:30 am.

And then I get over that...and thank God for another Sunday from 5:30 am - 1:30 pm.

Happy Sunday. :)

This Week...

Thursday's have turned into my..."what have I done this week" posts. I know that Friday is still to come, but I never have anything really exciting happen on Friday's.

And now I'm just babbling....moving on.

This week I....

took a road trip.

drank coffee.

went to HEB Plus...awesomeness & great salad bar!

watched Public Enemy.

fell over in shock from a clean house.

actually kept the clean house CLEAN!

worried.

told my husband I loved him.

weighed myself to see that I have lost 5 lbs!

worshipped.

talked to Terra!!

cried.

watched "That Thing You Do." :)

laundry.

made Tilapia.

prayed for miracles.

found a missing earring.

surrendered.

overslept.

washed my hair.

had a wonderful lunch with my hubby.

felt loved.

planned a trip to the Caribbean......

okay not really. :(

saw God move. the best one of all.

Don't move my toaster!

I moved the toaster.

Jas didn't like that.

He hates it when I move things.

I move things a lot.

He couldn't find the toaster.

We had a....disagreement.

Seriously.

I have a problem.

No wait, he has the problem.

It was a toaster!

No..okay...I have a problem.

But then...I moved the coffee cups...and.....

they got moved back. :)

Houston and my clean house!

At some point last week, I decided that I would take a short trip to Houston on Sunday. My grandma has been asking me for weeks to come stay with her. I am very close to my grandma (we call her Mawmaw).....used to spend the night over there every weekend. Except now when you walk in the house doesn't seem as big and the bed you used to sleep in seems really hard and...short. Anyhow, I loaded the kids in the car after church on Sunday and headed to H-town. I had every opportunity to leave Reagan with Jas, but I wanted to give him a free night. Plus, he's taking off Wednesday and going to spend the whole day with her. :)

I can't believe I didn't take any pictures, but here is what happened on our visit...

*Kids slept the whole way there.

*Jackson got to eat macaroni & cheese AND have a root beer at dinner (he kept calling it beer)

*Mawmaw cut Reagan's hair (bangs). Yes, it looks okay.

*Fried chicken, homemade potato salad, lemon pie AND biscuits were consumed.

*I came home with a bi-jil-lion things. She kept trying to give me statues of birds, but I unfortunately just had to say no. "I just don't have any shelf space for those pretty birds." darn.

*The kids slept the whole way back.

Things weren't exceptionally exciting, but it was a good getaway. The best part?

I came home to a clean house. I don't mean just "picked up". I mean CLEAN!!!! My husband is so wonderful. The baseboards were clean. The windows were clean. Every single kitchen cabinet was organized. Jackson's room. Reagan's room. The bathrooms. The pantry. Laundry was done. Seriously. I was in shock. I almost fell over when I walked in the back door from seeing the carpets vacuumed. And that was the FIRST thing I saw.

AND there were flowers for me. He said it took him 7 hours and that he wanted me to feel good when I got home. I didn't speak for awhile. I just looked at everything in awe. I couldn't even say thank you at first. The green chair was even dusted! It seriously was the best gift ever. I love my husband!