6 Years

I love this man!!! I'm so excited to have just experienced 6 great years of marriage with Buddy. I love how through everything, Christ still remains at the center of our relationship. That is how we make it happen. This year has been a busy one too. New career, new town, and bought our first home. Thankfully, no new pregnancies. :) Sorry Meg!

Ode to the SEC Championship AL vs Gators!!!

Chillin' waiting for the game to start.

Oh Tim Tebow, don't fail us now!

We WON! Go GATORS!!!!

The Moving of the Spirit

On Sunday night we attended our church's Christmas production, "God Speaking." It was amazing. The amount of time, effort, and talent put into it was obviously astronomical. We chose to keep Aidan and Mattea with us instead of leaving them in the baby-filled nursery. (Sorry Zane!) My friend Meghann has often spoke to me of the importance of children staying with their parents a,nd Buddy and I have started to do this with great results.



Before it started, Mattea asked us if she could walk up to the front to look at the stage. My friend Sarah was sitting with us and so I said sure figuring we could keep an eye on her even though there were a billion people. All of a sudden she disappears. We were looking for her when Sarah says, "Isn't that your daughter?" Sure enough, this glowing body with bright pigtails is bouncing across the stage. Oops!! I made Sarah go get her. :) I wasn't going up there. It was just in time too because by the time Sarah got up there, a lady was trying to coax Mattea off the stage and all you could see were pigtails bouncing as she firmly shook her head. Sarah had to drag her off. Mattea desperatly wanted to sing and dance up on stage. Hopefully next year!!!



During the program, one of the songs was "Mary, did you know?" Most of you know what a moving song it is and they had set it to scenes from "The Passion." They showed a tasteful amount of the movie, portraying what was needed and one scene it showed Christ on the ground, bloody, and being beaten. Mattea sat straight up and with a gasp said, "What are they DOING to Him?!" She was horrified. I quietly explained as best I could and she, with tears running down her cheeks, asked why He had to die? I again explained and she just sat back and watched, still with tears. Later, they had a scene where a homeless man was led to a makeshift manger by an orphan girl who was to portray Mary with her babydoll as Jesus. (I told you, it was AMAZING.) She left him at the manger and he was sitting in front of it with his head down, sobbing. Mattea whispered anxiously why he was crying. I told her it was because he needed Jesus in his heart. She cried and said "Why doesn't he ask Jesus in his heart? He needs Jesus, Mommy! Can we help him? Please, Mommy, he NEEDS Jesus." Buddy and I were a mess. Her heart was so heavy. It was incredible to watch the Spirit move and yet so painful at the same time. She sat in rapt attention as Pastor Bruce gave the invitation. When we were in the car on the way home, she sat quietly (a miracle in itself) the whole way home still crying silently. When we got home, we asked her why she was so sad. She said because she didn't want Jesus to have to die. Aidan, ever the optimist and little logic, told her that Jesus only had to die once and that it was over now. He was alive so its okay. Mattea then tearfully begged me to pray to God and ask Him to help her know that Jesus was okay and that He was alive. Of course we immediatly prayed over her asking that God reveal Himself to her and comfort her. A few minutes later, she came to us with a big smile saying "I can feel God put His arms around me! I know that Jesus is alive and God told me. I'm so happy!" She went to bed with a smile on her face.



Words can not express what it feels like to know that God has used Buddy and I to position our children to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. We have often prayed that our children would come to accept Christ at an early age and I am believing that it will happen. I believe, with them being in the 3rd generation of christians that there is a special blessing on them. Thank you Father for allowing us to be used by You in bringing Your babies closer to You.

Switching from Fall to Christmas!!!

Sorry...but I LOVE prelit fake trees. I'm such a traitor. :)

My tree putter-upper hero.

I know there is alot of controversy amongst Christians on the celebration of a "secular" christmas. We, however, have yet to be convicted by the Holy Spirit on specific celebratory details. This is how our pastor puts it; "In essentials we have unity. In non-essentials we have liberty but in all things we have charity, or love." Until we are led in one direction or another, we will remain sensitive to the moving of the Spirit and respectful of how others celebrate.

We have felt a strong conviction in one area though. A deep disgust at the gluttony of todays generation has been particulary overpowering this holiday season. A dear friend of ours has 4 children and has shared this with us. If 3 gifts were good enough for Baby Jesus, it is good enough for us. I love that! We have prepared our children for that and they really have a good understanding of what Christmas is about. We are also undertaking several charitable programs this season. We are going through the kids things and they are anxious for their toys to go to the "right boy or girl." I refuse to let our children get sucked into the wastfulness and "gimmes" that this time of year brings. It turns my stomach when I hear of some children's wishlists. Literally thousands of dollars can be dropped in no time at all. Yet ask them to give something up and one would think they had been asked to cut off their right arm. DISGUSTING. We use this time of year, as a teaching tool. As christians, we are simply making the best out of any given situation.

Finally some fun!

Bumble Bee coming at you!

I just love her cheeks!

If only Zane's eyes were open. :(

Mattea is definitly in her element with the face painting!

Zane just happens to be the most adorable dragon ever!

Mattea really was having fun. This is just her "prickly pear" look. (Thanks Terah for that perfect description!)

I know these are obviously out of order but I have yet to figure out how to arrange them. All 5 of us had the flu for 7, yes 7, straight days and we finally decided to have some much needed fun. Thank God we are finally better.

I'm so INSPIRED!

Aidan attends a wonderful christian school called Coosa Christian. It is apart of the church Crosspoint Community of which we are members. Before we moved here, God led me to this school online and also to the church. We are so happy and thankful for being able to be apart of such a great community. I attend bible study there also.

Back to Aidan though...I love it because they use the ABEKA curriculum. I know it is extremely accelerated for which I'm thankful. He is in K4 and already learning cursive and how to read. His teacher, Ms. Higgins, told me today that he has turned out to be one of the best behaved children in her class and also believes that if he continues on the path he is on, he will be in her top reading group. WOW. Buddy and I pray everyday that God would instill in Aidan a peaceful and loving spirit that only Jesus Christ can produce. I have found that God is so faithful to answer our prayers! Aidan is not only responsive academically but with his character. What a blessing.

We started to put Mattea in the same school in K2 but ran into some issues. The main one being that she HATED IT! I thought for sure that she would love it. Last year when we would take Aidan to school, she always found a way to sneak into his class and try to stay. This year, she was thrilled when we enrolled her. But her first (and final) week was so TRAUMATIC. She was miserable. Do you know, I made it 4 days. The last day I took her she had her usual crying episode. (I was not used to these because not once had Aidan ever fought me to go. He LOVES going to school.) I took her to the bathroom to simply speak to her and I lifted my hand up, palm out to indicate for her to stop crying. She looked at me and then at my hand. She put her little hand up against mine and then just LOOKED at me. I finally got her to class but when I got to the car, I remembered something my mom always told me. "When you get tempted to expect too much out of your children, take their little hands and put them in yours. Look and SEE just how tiny theirs are compared to yours." It was then I realised it just was not worth it. She is 3 years old! I withdrew her that day. I collected the books I had already ordered for her and decided, since she loves doing school, that she would be my homeschooler. Mattea loves to be social, but I have found, that she isn't good with too much. She does love to be home. I have found that I don't mind at all!! In fact I love it.

This leads me to today. I'm so excited. God has brought me a home school buddy! My new friend Amber also has three children although hers are younger. Her oldest is just a little younger than Mattea. Amber and I are definitely kindred spirits. We both raise our children on Baby Wise and Growing Kids God's Way. We have decided that 2 days a week we will be schooling her daughter Cadence and Mattea together! We will be using a set curriculum and following a schedule. I do believe that God has put us together that we may sharpen each other for two are definitely better that one. I'm very much looking forward to seeing our girls grow in wisdom. I know they are young but it is really never too early to start and I have already seen how much Mattea loves being kept busy.

I'm very thankful that I serve such a loving and gracious God that He hears me even when I ask something on what I believe is such a miniscual scale. He is so personal and loving! I wanted to include the prayer that I found online and pray over my children everyday. (Ok, most days. ) I always see a huge difference when I remember to do it!

Praying For The Children
Acts 19:20.........I thank you Father that Your Word prevails over our children.
Isa 54:13...........That they are taught of the Lord and continue to be
Prov 13:1.......... the fruit of godly instruction and correction.
Isa 54:13...........Great is their peace and undisturbed composure.
Prov 2:6............ Father, give us counsel and wisdom in bringing up our children.
1Pet 1:14.......... I say they are obedient, not conforming to the things of the flesh,
1Pet 1:15.......... but holy, in all conduct.
1Pet 2:2........... desiring the pure milk of the Word that they may grow thereby.Jas 1:19............That they are swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.
Heb 13:5.......... Their conduct is without covetousness,
Heb 13:5.......... and they are content with what they have.
Heb 13:16......... They do not forget to do what is right and to share.
2Pet 3:18.......... I pray that they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord,
1Thes 4:1......... and abound more and more in how they should walk and please You.
1Pet 5:5........... That they submit to their elders, and to one another,
1Pet 5:5........... being clothed with humility.
1Pet 5:7........... That they cast their cares upon You, Father, for You care for them.
Jas 1:22............I thank You that they are doers of the Word, and not hearers only,
Ph'm 1:6...........effectively sharing their faith.
2Tim 1:7 ..........not having a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
2Tim 1:9...........Father, You have saved them and called them with a holy calling,
2Tim 1:9 ..........not according to works, but according to Your own purpose.
2Tim 4:18.........Deliver them from every evil work and preserve them.
John 10:5 ........They will by no means follow strangers, not knowing their voices. 2Tim2:22 .........They abide with others who call on the Lord out of a pure heart,
Jas 3:10 ..........and cursing comes not out of their mouth.
1Jn 5:18 ..........Because Jesus keeps them safe, the wicked one does not touch them.
Ps 91:11..........Give Your angels special charge to accompany, defend, preserve
Ps 4:8.............and provide safety for them, day and night.
1Jn 2:5 ...........Because they keep Your Word, Your love is being perfected in them.
1Jn 2:15 .........They do not love the world or the things in the world,
3Jn 1:11..........and they do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.
1Jn 1:7 ...........They walk in the light as You are in the Light,
Jas 4:8 ...........cleansing their hands and purifying their hearts,
2Tim 2:22 .......They follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
Heb 13:18........They have a good conscience and desire to live honorably,
Prov 3:4 ..........having favor and high esteem with God and man.

I know is long but I have found it to be such a beautiful prayer.

Some frustrations of small town living

We moved to Gadsden about 5 months ago following God's very clear leading. We knew without a shadow of a doubt that Buddy was to detach from the Navy and Gadsden, Alabama was where we were supposed to live. I did look forward to moving here because it is a small town and I really missed that feeling, after growing up in Sandpoint, Idaho. There are so many wonderful things about living in a town where everyone knows everyone. I thought it would be a delightful change of scenery. Plus, not being military anymore, I looked forward to getting to know "civillians" again. There were several things that I didn't take into consideration though and it has become very disturbing.

You wouldn't believe how many people I have met that are predjudice! Yes, predjudice. As in against other races and ethnic groups. I don't know how many times I have been having a normal conversation with someone about something, such as a school, and the comment is made; "it was a perfectly fine school until we started getting more black people then, well, you know, it kind of went down hill." ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? My friend Sarah, who I knew in California, lives here and she warned me. Foolish me thought she was exaggerating. Totally not at all! Then, foolish me again thought that I would have some sort of pat answer ready for when (if) someone ever said anything to me. Whatever! I couldn't even pick my chin up off the floor to come back with anything even remotely close to clever or anything at all! I was completely floored. I just want to scream "You stupid, ignorant, REDNECK." But that wouldn't be very christian, now would it?

The other thing that has been frustrating is somewhat understandable but still irritating. Alot of people around here have known each other for most of their lives and have a tough time branching out and welcoming a new person/family. They are all quick with their southern hospitality but that ends when the plate of freshly baked "welcome" cookies gets left on the doorstep. After that, its like..."do I know you?"

I know this sounds like a gripe session; maybe it is. I was just surprised at how some people around here behave. Ok, shocked. It makes me realise even more how I want to raise our children and how careful I have to be about what is being said around them that could influence them one way or the other.

Something Different

This seems a popular way to keep up some people's writing skills and fulfilling other's blatant curiosity. (Yes, I admit, I would be one of THOSE people....the curious one.) I have felt my brain becoming rather mushy lately. Not that parenting doesn't keep me on my toes but I need something to focus on occasionally besides the everyday chaos! You will have to forgive me while I learn to navigate a new site. I'm looking forward to this new and creative outlet!