These Days....

are filled with school and play. These awesome spring days are just what we need after a long winter!!! Mike's Spring Break ended today and I am sad about that. He and I spent a lot of time last week, in between schooling and sleep, reorganizing the garage. We got rid of some stuff and packed away other stuff.

One thing we came across was the bassinet. I took everything off of the frame and washed it. I started thinking about that bassinet and whether I should get rid of it. See, I am unsure whether we will have any more children. Not because I don't want another one but, because we have left the decision up to the Lord whether we have another baby or not.

When I was trying to get pregnant for five years it almost consumed me! I thought about it almost all the time. It was always in the back of my mind. Finally, Mike and I decided we needed to have an outlet so we started certification for foster parenting.

We got our foster son and had him for 3 months until his family could take him. During that time I found out I was pregnant! We were so excited!! Then, I got pregnant with my third child when my middle child was around 15 months old! TOTAL SHOCK!! We just didn't think that I would get pregnant that soon with 9 years between our first and second child.

I am so ready to just let the Lord have His way in the size of our family. I look at that bassinet with wonder, not desperate longing. I have had the desperate longing and it was agonizing. I wonder what God has in store for us. I wonder what God will use in our family for His glory. I wonder if He will fill that bassinet again. I am okay with whatever He has for me and I like to wonder.

wonder-1. a person, thing, or event that causes astonishment, and admiration, marvel 2. the feeling of surprise, admiration, and awe aroused by something strange, unexpected, incredible, etc.

A Neat Surprise

My hubby and I walk at the mall 3 times a week. We were walking the other day and we went by the entrance at Sears. They had a display up for the Portrait Studio and I glanced over at the table. I stopped dead in my tracks! There was a picture of my daughter sitting right there looking at me!!

I was shocked!! Mike was shocked!! It was last years pictures of her in her flower girl dress from our friends wedding. She looked so beautiful in them!! They had printed the word princess on the picture and it looks so sweet.

I took her to the mall for her to see it yesterday. She was so excited that it was her pictures. Cool! That was all she kept saying. Such a sweetie pie. Then, she looked at me and said, "Okay, can we go to the playground now?"

A New Book

I got a new book today! I love going to the mailbox and having a package in there. This book is what we are going to use for history. If you have been reading here any length of time you know that we love to read.

I am excited about using this book to learn some history of the world. I got the recommendation from a home school mom that has her daughter in the same dance class as mine.

I hope the kids get into it like I want them to. I have been looking for something their Dad can read to them when he gets up at night that will go along with school. I know he would love to be more involved with school but right now he just doesn't have a lot of time. He loves to read to the kids when he can.

* Update *~~ I have learned my lesson!!! We started reading the book last night. Mike and I didn't like the book because it talked about some things we do not believe in. I will not post about anything that I haven't thoroughly looked at and Mike has given his stamp of approval.

What is that to You???

My husband preached a sermon two Sundays ago and the title of it was "What is that to you?". I have to say it spoke VOLUMES to me!! I sat there and listened to that sermon like the Lord was talking directly to me. And~~I know He was through my husband.

Mike used John 21:20-25 where Peter is asking Jesus about John. Now, remember, Peter is the bull-headed, hot-headed disciple and, believe it or not, I totally relate to him. I am all of those things and more.

Here is where it really gets to my gut~when Jesus answered Peter He said, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? YOU follow Me." Then some gossip went out that Jesus said John wouldn't die and that is not what He said.

Basically, if Jesus decided that John would not die till He comes what is that to Peter. Jesus wanted Peter to just follow Him and not worry about what everybody else was doing.

Here comes the sticking part with me~I don't need to know what everybody else is doing~I just need to do what Jesus has called me to do. Sometimes I get so distracted with what everybody else is doing I neglect to do what I am supposed to be doing.

Since that sermon I have really tried to stay focused on what I am called to do. I have stepped up the schooling and getting my kids where they need to be, spiritually and physically. I am happy to report that we have stayed on track with our Bible reading for the last week and a half. We have read more books than we were reading and our chores have been getting done.

Now, I didn't say everything has been perfect but my focus has been different and to me that is very important. I have a long way to go and I am sure that I will have to be directed back on track again. I am thankful for this message from God through the faithfulness of my husband. I know his heart and I know he wants to be God's servant in the ministry.

Keep on keeping on my fellow Christians!! In Christ's Name!!

TREVOR IS HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you tell I am excited? He flew home yesterday afternoon and that was the first time he has ever flown. He did great. He had a layover in Baltimore but he did fine. The girls couldn't hardly contain themselves. Then again, neither could I.

We made him a sign and the girls held it up so he could see it as soon as he came toward us. A lot of people walked past us and thought that our sign was cute. Trevor was so excited about flying. He said that he loved it.

All we have done today is spend time with him. We went to clean the church and went to the park. Then after school work we went outside and played tag. We laughed our heads off! He goes back to work tomorrow and I know he will be glad.

We are sooooo happy he is home!!!

Carrying on the Library Legacy

Today after a play date with friends and ballet class, the girls and I went to the library. Now let me tell you about the library. I pretty much grew up there! My Mom loves to read and she took us to the library at least twice a week, sometimes more.

We would spend hours just looking for any kind of book that we wanted. I have had a library card since I can remember. I get all excited just seeing the book returns outside. My Mom taught us how to care for books and be responsible for the ones we checked out.

My brother, sister, and I ALWAYS had at least one library book in the house at all times. So~~it was with great pride that I took my girls today and got them their very own library cards. They are tickled to death and so am I.

Their little eyes just lit up when the lady handed them the little piece if plastic hooked to a lanyard. They got to pick the color of the lanyard and just thought that was the greatest thing in the whole world.

I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship! Of course, we have been going to the library all along. I have just checked everthing out on my card. Our county made the decision to limit the number of things you can check out to 25 items and to tell you the truth, that is not enough for our family.

We get movies, CDs, audio books, and yes, books! Trev has had a card for years and Mike and I have one. Now the whole family has one! I am off now to read a book I picked out today! Isn't the library great? If you don't think so, don't tell my Mom she might just smack you with a book. One of her own, she wouldn't dare mess up a library book!:~)

My Sweet Abby's 5th Birthday

Today is my Abby's birthday. She has the sweetest little voice you have ever heard. She loves little treasures she finds any where we go. She can tell you where she got what rock, leaf, or stick. She is a little bundle of energy with a wonderful imagination.

None of my children were planned. They were all blessed surprises. When I found out we were expecting her, Shelby was 15 months. We had tried for 5 years to have another baby before Shelby came along and we figured we didn't have to worry about having another one so soon. When I went to my yearly check up I got the news.

I was scared at first because I would have two babies so close together. My fears were unnecessary. Her and her sister are close and I pray that they stay that way forever. I am glad I am her mother and my heart feels ready to burst when I think of how much I love her.

She has been such a blessing. I can't imagine my life without my Abby and I am a better person because she is on this earth. Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!