Finally Graduated

Well, I realized that I haven't posted on here since March of 2010. YIKES! My excuse is that I was working and going to school, being a wife and mom! Well, one of those is gone now since I have finally graduated from DBU with my BBS in Business Administration. I will try to be more diligent in posting. I use Facebook more for that, but I will do my best.

We had family pictures made this Christmas by one of Randy's college buddies and he did a fabulous job. We love our north Texas sports teams so we went with that as our theme. The boys had so much fun with their poses too!

Ethan is in 5th grade now and thriving in his classes. He is in the gifted and talented class (LEAP) at his school and his teacher is so impressed with his creativity and love of reading. He placed 5th in their Spelling Bee - the word widget got him. He is also on the children's praise team at church, which totally surprised us since he doesn't like getting up in front of people. He loves to sing and dance on stage during "Rock" (children's church). He's very nervouse about going into the 6th grade next year so please be praying for him. He is still on the A honor roll at school and has decided he wants to attend TCU in Ft. Worth and be a microbiologist or marine biologist. He's still "thinking it over". He learned a valuable lesson about saving his money after his last birthday. He received lots of cash and gift cards and resisted the temptation to spend them right away, but saved them to get something he REALLY wanted without Mom and Dad having to help him. That's a good start!

Jeremiah - where do I begin with this little rascal. He broke his first bone a few months ago. The initial break happened on the playground at school (we didn't know) and then he fell off his scooter that same night and finished the job. He wore a hard cast for 3 weeks and then a brace for 3 more. Getting the hard cast off was a horrible experience. I told him to remember this moment before he tries anything dangerous in the future! He is in 1st grade and loving it! He seems to know "everyone" at his school and they know him. He is definitely our little social butterfly. He is so full of life and loves his friends. He is a hugger and loves to hug EVERYONE to show he loves them. His teacher, Miss Peoples, is a doll and she is so impressed with his work ethic in class. He, too, is on the A honor roll. He has made 100 in several of his classes, Math, Science and Spelling are a few. He loves to count everything and ask us addition and subtraction problems. I love seeing how much he loves to learn. On a spiritual note, he is very close to asking Jesus to come live in his heart so please pray for complete understanding on his part. He shares Jesus with all his buddies, but is being a little stubborn in that area. We have to tread carefully so we don't break his spirit, but enforce the biblical values we believe in at the same time.

Well, until next time. Merry Christmas!

Mom Would Be Proud

So, I get the mail today and there is a letter from Dallas Baptist University. The letter is informing me that I have been nominated as an inductee into the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society at DBU. The Honors Banquet is April 29th at 6:00 p.m. If you want to come, I need to know by next Wednesday. The tickets for the dinner are $14/ea.

This may not mean much to others, but it does to me because Mom fought so hard for me to be inducted into the National Honor Society in high school. But because we moved my senior year, the new school would not allow me to be inducted because I had not been in attendance there for at least a year. She got "spitting" mad because I had such a high GPA and worked so hard. She knew that it would also help me get an academic scholarship to a good college. Oh well, God has always had a plan for my life and my journey has been enlightening even without having that honor.

I just wish Mom were here to see the fruits of my hard work. She always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, I just had to work hard and finish the task. Well, it's taken my almost 20 years, but by golly, I'm gonna finish the task at hand. Only now, the hard work will be for the benefit of my young family. Having an honor such as this on my resume, will help me to get a better paying job and/or promotion. It's funny that corporate America has to see a piece of paper stating that you're smart rather than actually seeing your intelligence every day.

They won't even consider me for the job in Denver because I haven't finished my degree. Forget that I've worked 20 years doing this and I'm well-qualified for the job, they need to see that piece of paper that says I am a college graduate and worth their promoting. Go figure.

Well, if I can make it past this class and research paper, I'll have 5 classes left before I graduate. Hopefully next year!!

My Brother, Citizen Soldier

Please be in prayer for Stephen and his unit. They are getting ready to head over the pond. I can't give details due to security (OPSEC). We won't have contact with him for about a month while he's transitioning in Kuwait. Please pray for my sister-in-law, Lacy and his 3 kiddos, Ashley, Jaime and Hunter. They miss him terribly. We love him and are so very proud of him for sacrificing time with his family to serve our country.

Remembering Loved Ones

The past couple of months have marked the anniversaries of several loved ones that have gone to be with the Lord. A sweet baby boy that I only knew through the stories his mom told on her blog. Oh how I wish I could have known him in person. As a mom, my heart breaks for the grief she's going through. I wish I could see her and give her a big ole hug and kiss to show my love for her and her sweet family. A hug and a kiss can go a long way to comforting a hurting heart. We pray for our family members that live so far away - pray that the Lord sends them comfort and peace.

My thoughts have turned to my precious mother-in-law and the loss of hearing stories about Randy when he was a little boy. The stories of how much she loved him and Jodi and how different they were. Stories only a mom could remember. My heart hurts because my sweet little boys will not get to know her and hear her words of wisdom in dealing with the ladies. She raised Randy to love and respect women. She raised him to put others before himself and to give generously and to love unconditionally. I thank God for her every day because she blessed me in the way she raised her son, my wonderful husband. My heart hurts for Randy because he and his mom were so close. They were 2 peas in a pod. Both artistic and tender-hearted, quiet but full of wisdom and grace. Mary Jane was such a free spirit. She loved life and experiencing new things. She loved to send special gifts on birthdays or just because. She had a way of reading people and knowing what they would like. Randy got this trait from her and for that I am greatful because it has helped me to not be so anal and "go with the flow". Old habits die hard, but I'm trying. Hey, he's gotten me to eat Chinese food!

The most recent loss was that of my mom. It's hard to believe she's been gone a year. Life does go on and we learn to deal with our grief, but it's never an easy task. I missed Mom calling me on my bday this year and singing off key to me. She would do it just to get a laugh. It's hard when you don't have anyone to call when your boys are sick and you don't have a clue what to do. It's hard when you're so tired and stressed and in pain and nobody understands. Mom always did and she would always pray with me and tell me "everthing will be alright, baby. God is in control." I wish I had a recording of her voice saying those words to me so I could just push play when I'm feeling tired and stressed. I wish I could just curl up next to her and have her sing to me and play with my hair like she used to when I was little. Grief is a funny thing. It can reduce you to a puddle of tears one moment and the next, you'll be laughing uncontrollably at some silly memory. My boys didn't get to spend near enough time with her and it hurts that they won't have more memories of her.

She won't get to see her son off to serve his country. She was so proud of Stephen's choice to join the Texas Army National Guard. She was so proud of all of us. When we hurt, she hurt. What's that old saying, "you're only as happy as your saddest child." She celebrated our successes and always wanted more for us than she had - that's what moms do.

"They" say time heals all wounds. I don't think time will heal the hurt of losing a loved one, it might lessen as time goes by, but it will never be completely healed. There are so many firsts and special occasions that will not be shared with them. That is the hurt I feel for my boys. They've lost both of their grandmothers. Grandma's are supposed to be the ones to spoil them when mom and dad are not around and bake cookies with them and make special gifts for them and a whole host of other "special" things. I don't wish for them to be back in this world for me because I know they are in a much better place. But, oh how I long for my boys to be able to have these special memories with their grandmas. Kids need their grandparents around to tell them stories of yester-year and to teach them the Word (along w/their parents) and to share their wisdom and insight into the world we live in. I remember my dad's mom teaching me how to make her "special" fried chicken. We didn't get to see my dad's parents often, but when we did, it meant the world to me. I loved hearing her say, "I'm so glad to see you, baby doll. Granny's got your favorite dinner cooking." She said it to all of us, but it made each of us feel special all the same. I loved her hugs and watching her go through her nightly routine. She always cleaned her face with Ponds cold creme. I love that smell.

It's truly amazing the things you remember when loved ones have gone. I wonder what my boys will remember about Nana and Grandma?

My prayer is that we all remember that life is short. Outside our relationship with God, family is the most important thing. The one thing that has pierced my heart since losing our loved ones, is that you cannot replace a loved one once they're gone so spend all the time you can with those you have left. The only guilt I feel is that we let lack of money keep us from visiting our loved ones more often. We lost out on special memories not only for us, but for our boys.

May the comfort and peace that passes all understanding be with you and your loved ones. May God bless you richly with family and friends that love you unconditionally. May your home be a destination and not a stop along the way. Be intentional in all your relationships. Share Jesus. Share Love. Share Yourself.

Eagles Soccer

Ethan decided he wanted to play soccer this fall. He's having a fun time learning. Their record is 3-3 and they have 4 more games to go. I've uploaded a bunch of pictures and videos on my Facebook page.,but here's a few for those not on Facebook.

We're just glad he's found some type of physical activity he likes. It's hard prying him away from the computer and books.

Brotherly Love

This my favorite picture of the boys.

Ethan - Our Soon-to-be 3rd Grader

It's so amazing how fast time goes by. It seems like it was just yesterday that Ethan was born. He is growing up to be such a loving and smart boy. He's very shy and doesn't like to have his picture taken (always covering his face), so I don't have any good ones of him to upload.

This year has been a little tough on him. We moved to a new school district and switched churches so that he could be more involved in the children's ministry and meet new friends. Then, my mom passed away. He has felt very insecure this year, but has still managed to make straight A's, except for 2 B's in 2 different six weeks. He has a hard time paying attention because his mind is always wandering to some new "creature" he's making up in his mind or some new invention he wants to make. We do not want to squelch his creativity, but he's gotten into trouble several times because of it. So, if anyone has any suggestions on how to keep him focused on the task at hand, I'm open to hearing them.

He and Jeremiah have become much more interactive with each other as of late. By this I mean that they are constantly getting into little skirmishes. You would think I would be used to it with 4 brothers of my own, but they are SO LOUD!!! I guess it doesn't help that we live in a small apartment and sound carries. You know that I wouldn't change it though. All this "fighting" now will only help to secure a strong bond as they grow up. Brotherly bonds are VERY strong and not easily broken.

I was always following my brothers around when I was little and we are all very close. I call them all "Bubba" so when we're all together, they all turn. It's so funny! It's amazing how memories come up at the oddest of times. We're all in our 40's and 30's, but we still act like little children when we get together. I wouldn't change it for anything because we love each other so much and I know they've "got my back" if ever I needed it.

Anyway, back to Ethan. He has met a sweet little friend, Connor. They are very close and do all kinds of stuff together. We have started a babysitting group with his parents and we trade off for date nights. What a blessing they are to our family. We all go to church together, so that makes it even sweeter. Jeremiah thinks Connor is his friend too and it's hard for him to understand that he and Bubba will each have different friends. Connor is sweet and tries not to get frustrated with him...he's an only child and not used to having a little one tag behind him. They are all so cute together.

He went to the dentist last month and only had one tiny cavity. It's on one of his baby teeth...that's loose and about to fall out. He will thank me as he gets older for making him brush his teeth so much. He did pretty good during the cleaning. We tried to get Jeremiah to sit in the chair, but he wasn't having any part of it.

Here's Ethan's class picture.

Front Row, lst on left

I'll try to remember to do this more often.