Jackson's Birthday

Jackson turned 4 on Friday.

What a sweet birthday celebration we had. He got to invite 3 friends over for cake & ice cream and a sleep over. They all stayed up late and watched Alvin & The Chipmunks (2 times). There was laughter, giggles and sweet memories made.

I am so thankful for my little boy. He is such a blessing to our lives and I can't imagine it without him. I can't believe he is 4 now!! When he woke up Friday morning we sang Happy Birthday to him in his bed and he immediately asked if I would measure and weigh him to see if he grew. Hilarious. We have the whole summer ahead of us for him to grow even more. It's going to be a great one.

Wednesday. Just Because.

I got my ring cleaned.

It's sparkly now.

I had lunch at Magnolia Pancake Haus today with this pretty lady. Happy Birthday. :)

I ate too much.

My daughter is beautiful.

She also drives me crazy.

Jackson & Reagan's last day of school is tomorrow. Boo.

I am a lefty.

I like to dance.

But I can't.

My husband and I talk a lot.

We talk about everything.

Jack turns 4 on Friday.

Wow.

I love sweet tea.

But I usually only get unsweet.

Bill Miller's is my obsession lately.

But I like Subway too.

I like the name Kennedy.

He was a democrat.

I like magazines.

Candles.

Bubble baths.

I need to lose 75 lbs.

But that would be too much.

I am insecure sometimes.

But working on being more secure.

....in Jesus. He loves me and that's all that matters.

God loves you too.

Sleeping in is great.

Oversleeping is not.

I love flowers.

Today is Wednesday. And this post is random....

A Few Updates From Church

I have decided that I shouldn't let a big part of my life go "un-blogged" here. I mean, we are basically always at the church. Why not post about it.

So, it's no secret that I work there. That Jason works there. And that we love our church. I really do love it. I don't say that to win you over. I just do. It brought healing to Jason's life. Well, God did...but...well, you know. And for that (& many other reasons) I know that God is there!

Now, here is what's been going on that I am so excited to talk about.

*For starters, we are growing. That's been cool. And not because it's about getting numbers up to pat ourselves on the back. I believe with every ounce of my body, soul & mind that we do what we do because people need to know that God loves them. That's why I do it. So, I think it's awesome that we are growing because more people now know that Jesus loves them and they never have to be alone.

*Paul Colman came to our church last week and I got to sing with him!!!!!!!! I know. It was so cool. Ha. I know that I am probably a dork, but it really was cool to meet him and I even got to go to lunch with him to ask him about worship and his feedback for us. It was a great day at RCCC in my opinion. He was an awesome guy who truly has a sensitive heart for God. And cool for me too. :)

*Operation Passion Sunday! It's this Sunday. We have basically moved ALL of our church services and asked people to head down to Wheatley Courts to serve their community. We are fixing yards, cleaning up homes, neighborhoods and putting on a carnival for the kids in the area. We have asked EVERYONE to come, serve and love others. I'm so thrilled. Couldn't be more excited to see us get out and focused on others. Love that about RCCC.

*This is another reason I love us. Check it out. Laugh. Or maybe make fun of us...

So that's what's going on. I love it. I am passionate about it. And I couldn't just not talk about it when it is something that is such a huge part of me. Hope it encourages you too. :)

Jackson's First Baseball Game

Friday afternoon we packed up the kids and headed to Houston. Jackson turns 4 on May 28th and we wanted to celebrate this year by taking him to his very first Astros game. Jason grew up with an obsession for the Astros and since I grew up in Houston (with a Dad with the same obsession) we felt that it was time for Jackson to become an avid fan.

We had the best time. And as you can tell, so did Jackson.

His Daddy had to buy him his own Astros shirt....and one for himself as well. :) (Excuse the quality on the above photo.)

During the 8th inning we walking down to the bottom and Jason got these pics.
This was our view. Beautiful stadium. And outrageously priced food!

I wanted to show this photo because it makes me smile for my husband. When Jason was growing up he played baseball. He played in high school and college. It was his life. Every time we drive by a baseball field he always comments on the time he and his dad spent on making the fields look good. They were obsessive I'm sure. We got to the field early and Jason took this picture. It just makes my heart smile because I know there is still a kid in him.

It was a great trip. There were great memories made. My favorite moment: Walking out of the stadium hearing thousands of people belt "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." Just reminds you that people still love the simple things.

How do you clean?

Earlier this week I asked for parenting advice...and here I am now asking for cleaning advice. This may be a dumb post, but I'm curious as to how people clean their homes. Do they do it everyday? What do you use to clean? Etc.

As a mom of 2 and also working from 9 - 2, my house gets overlooked at times. I wouldn't say that I am a messy person, but my house is not ever immaculate looking. However, it aggravates me when it isn't.

A few things I do every morning to make it look "clean" are...

*make my bed every morning.

*pick up the living room.

*put dishes in sink.

*clean the kitchen table.

*sweep my kitchen.

I'm really bad about not folding laundry right away. And I'm even worse about not picking up "stacks" of things I have piled in our room.

I usually spend my Saturday's cleaning my house. So at least for 4 days everything is clean until life happens again. :) I clean the bathrooms, the kitchen, kids rooms, vacuum, clean floors, dust...and all that jazz. I love 409, Green Works (from clorox) spray, Comet, Costco Cleaning Wipes (because you get a huge amount), Orange Pledge and anything that has a lemon smell. I also love lighting candles and listening to music while I clean. It makes the experience better for me. For some odd reason I really enjoy cleaning because it feels productive. But sometimes I can get obsessive about it, but that's probably a character flaw having something to do with control. :)

So, this may be a really random post, but I would like to know what you do. Does it make a difference when you are a stay at home mom? Do you fall behind when you are always busy? Or do you keep on top of it because you are obsessed? :) Be honest.

Reagan

Today was just one of those days that I wanted to pull my hair out and eat a cupcake.

So I did.

A Coconut Cream Cupcake to be exact.

And I dont' care that it totally messed my Weight Watchers goal for the week. I. DON'T. CARE.

Part of the reason that I had to eat 320 calories in one sitting (I'm guessing) is because of this child....

She looks sweet. But don't let her deceive you. This girl KNOWS what she is doing. Oh she knows.

Today she....

*screamed in my office until I saw people putting on their headphones to drown her out and I left. (VERY embarrassing, btw.)

*threw herself on the floor when I wouldn't give her chocolate and bruised her leg.

*cried the entire way home because she didn't have lemonade...because I gave her juice...deprived child, I tell you.

*pushed Jackson out of the way so she could ONLY watch Veggie Tales.

*screamed all day.

*cried all day.

*told me no.

*went to bed at 6:30. Okay that was because I made her.

I seriously have run out of options in how to discipline her and have started seeking counsel. I have told her no a million times, put her in timeout (which can be somewhat effective for her) and have had to use other forms of discipline as well. :) I'm serious, nothing has worked. What's hard is that although she understand everything she is not at the age where I can "reason" with her or talk it out. She's smart though. I think she knows that too. I have not given up though. I refuse. I even looked at her today and said, "Who's the boss? Mommy's the boss!" Ha. It sounds funny, I know.

This is what she did when I left her alone to play. And I am not joking when I say it was less than 6.5 minutes. I'm serious. Totally.

I know this is a stage, but Jackson was never like this. Ahhh....HELP! (No, really...)

Monday

Yesterday was our day off. I love Monday's off.

I made pancakes and bacon. We took the morning slow. Around 11:00 we loaded up the kids and went to get me a new phone. I happen to be horrible with phones....and mine broke...again. No comments please.

So, off we went. Jason somehow talked me into him giving me his Palm Pre (Sprint) and he got the new Google Phone. The rest of the day we didn't speak....

And that's because he was consumed with his new phone. I told him he was allowed one day. I won't tell you what he said back. :) It was like having a new baby for him. Except it doesn't cry. Or throw up on you. Instead it's just...well, amazing. And I can't believe I let him talk me into it. Whatever.

The rest of the day I did 20 loads of laundry and organized the kids clothes. Reagan went to timeout 10 times and I drove myself to get a Diet Lemonade from Chick-fil-a to calm my nerves.

I was supposed to meet up that night with Jenn for coffee at B & N , but unfortunately started feeling horrible with a headache and called it a night. I was bummed about not getting a kid free night!

When I went to bed, Jason was still playing with his phone. Reagan was asleep (enough said). And the clothes were clean. I woke up this morning and somehow there was another load of laundry already and Reagan went to timeout the first hour she was up.

Hello Tuesday!

Funny Jackson

I was putting Jackson to bed a few nights ago and laying down next him while we prayed together. As I began to pray he interrupted me and whispered....

Jackson: "Mom, I don't like the way you smell."

Me: "Jackson!! Is it my breath?"

Jackson: "No, it's just you."

So, now I have been humiliated by my (almost) 4 year old.

I am so thankful...

that I get to hug on these guys everyday.....

staying home with Reagan today while I work. So thankful for these precious moments.

And realizing that God HAS blessed me with a chance to minister others and my children...all at the same time.

Me.

Me.

I've been...

good.

better.

tired.

contemplating.....

things...

thinking about the future.

wondering why.

happy.

and I guess you could say that I've been working on....

being more content.

more joyful.

less insecure.

a smaller size.

yada yada yada.

and I just really want...

to go to the beach.

sonic ice.

and a massage.

Yes, a massage.

but here I am....

sitting in the kitchen.

listening to the trees.

watching kids play outside.

smiling.

and I'm okay.

Wimberley

When I was a teenager I spent every summer in Wimberley, Texas with some friends. It was my favorite place to go. Small town. Quiet. Good hamburgers. The River. And cute boys. Because that's all I cared about when I was there.

Thankfully, I found a cute boy of my own who loved taking me there. Still does. :)

So, yesterday we packed up the kids and took the long way to Wimberley. The shops have changed, but that's about it. It's still small. Still quiet. And they still have that same burger joint.

I was glad that we kept the tradition and brought the kids along. Plus, when else do you get to your 4 year old asking "Where are we going?" for an entire 45 minute drive? :)

I'm feeling blue.

We've been in our home for 2 years and I am finally painting something other than our living room/kitchen.

I've been wanting to paint our bedroom forever, but I guess it's one of the last things to get done when life keeps you busy! Jason loves for our home to be a place of refuge. I have been thinking about that a lot lately and because of our demanding schedules at times, I really wanted our home to be just that. When Jason gets home from work the first place he goes is the bedroom. So...

it's now a pretty blue.

Refuge. Love that word.

Doesn't it make you feel safe?

Just like this room. It looks safe and inviting. Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law, who helped me paint, it is painted and pretty. Now, there is nothing on the wall above my bed yet, but at least it's painted.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ^{"I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."}

The birds at the zoo hate me.

The kids and I went to the zoo. The birds hate me there. We tagged along with Jenn and the her kiddos. Her poor Jackson was sick, so that made for 2 mommas with 5 kids!

Everything was easy the first half of the day. There was a cool breeze, but I was prepared and packed every jacket I had.

Everyone was happy.....Except Reagan. She pretty much sat there the whole time with her blanket and "mimi" and did not smile. This look says, "Leave me alone. Stop taking pictures of me. Give me your credit card and let me get out of here." I'm sure a sign of what's to come.

But Luke was happy. :)

We saw Rhino's...

And pretty birds....(the good ones)

A little while later the kids got hungry. So, we found the "beach area" so the kids could play in the water and eat their lunch.

And then Jenn left me. And the world fell apart.

Luke fell and cut himself because I wasn't watching. I wasn't watching because a bird pooped all over my lunch. Then, with the bird poop in hand I ran to get Luke who was screaming and crying. I know someone was watching all of this and shaking their head in disbelief. "Ahh...look at her not paying attention to those children!"

We got all that settled and then Reagan knocked over Jenn's diet coke that she had just bought. And we all know how much we love a good fountain diet coke. I sat Reagan down and another bird pooped all over me. Gross.

I went to buy another diet coke and while walking there with Reagan in the stroller, my diet coke spilled out and then someone next me looked up and said, "Oh look it's raining bird poop." And there I was standing right under it. Why God didn't take me right then and there, I don't know.

They were wondering the same thing....

After an hour of realizing that my luck had run out we decided to leave. All the kids were freezing cold and I redeemed myself as a useful part of this world when I pulled out all my jackets for them.

Except this is what they looked like......

Ahh...good times.

Mother's Day 2010

Today was my 3rd year to celebrate Mother's Day. I am so lucky to have such 2 beautiful children. I adore them. I still can't believe that I am a Mom. With a capital "M".... :)

I also have to say that I am so thankful to have a husband who loves and supports me as a wife and a mom.

To my baby boy. This was one of the most amazing days of my life. I couldn't believe that I could love someone so much and so instantly! Jackson you light up my life!! I love you in every possible way. I love being your mom and I LOOOOVVVEEE that we share a love for music. :)

To my baby girl. An equally amazing day! I was nervous that I wouldn't know how to love you as much as I loved your big brother. But I was so wrong. I was so overcome with emotion the day you were born. You changed my life and added another amazing piece to our family. I love that you are already my little "girly girl". I'd be lying if I said I didn't pray for that!

What a beautiful gift God has given me. Prayers and blessings for all you Momma's and Moms-to-be. And a VERY special prayer of hope to those who have lost their Mom's and are praying for a child. I say a BIG "Happy Mother's Day" to you because I think women were made with the gift to nurture and influence others.

Lots of love.

A Quick Post

The kids spend their Friday mornings at my friend, Jenn's house. It is such a blessing because it allows me to go to staff prayer on Friday mornings and have one last weekend meeting before Sunday services. Plus, I know she LOVES them!!

This is just a little view into what they get to do over there. So fun. :)

Another quick note....

Jason had an amazing opportunity to go and meet Karl Rove last night with Sean (our pastor) and his friend Galen. There were only about 150 people there and they got to meet him. I know it was one of the neatest things he has ever gotten to be a part of. You can read all about it on his blog.

Randomness

Sometimes random blog posts are fun.

Sometimes they are just random.

Sometimes they aren't good and are totally boring.

This is probably one of those. I have lots of things to blog about, but I am so busy I don't have time to do sit down and tell you all the exciting things going on in my life...like how my room is now blue, and how I discovered pretzels filled with peanut butter.

I will make sure I tell you all about it later.

In the meantime, pray for me. Tomorrow I am leading in a time of worship for Cheryl's celebration service. I am so nervous...and honored. Please pray for their family.

Cheryl Miller

A few years ago, I blogged a prayer request for a good friend of mine who was diagnosed with brain cancer. She passed away on Saturday morning and is now celebrating her life with Jesus! She fought a good fight. She loved Jesus more than anything. She loved her children. Her husband was the love of her life. She was the most amazing woman I have ever met.

Her daughter emailed me today and asked if I would be willing to sing at her celebration service. I am more than "willing", I am completely and totally humbled....and honored. I sure hope I can make it without crying the whole time! For any of you who knew her I wanted to let you know the details of the funeral. It's at ParkHills Baptist in San Antonio at 1:00 pm.

Cheryl's life is one to be celebrated, but her husband and 3 children are missing their mom. Please pray and lift them up during this very difficult time.

Today I am thankful for another day with my loved ones.

Blessings on all of you!