Picture cuteness...

OK, if you read my blog then you may remember when I lost my cool over a school picture. Jordan forgot to tell me it was picture day, I didn't send any money, therefore I will not have a 4Th grade class picture for him this year. The good news is they took single portraits too. Pictures that they send home and you decide whether you want to buy them or not. I wasn't looking forward to getting them because I still didn't know how he looked that day...but guess what? They turned out pretty cute, for a school picture!




Isn't my baby cute. Those pictures are sold! Mom, you just have to tell me what size you want...

Be still my heart...

My son walked in to kiss me goodnight, last night. Before he walked away he had kind of a nervous stance...you know that body language your child has when they are afraid to tell you something for whatever reason? Expecting something to the nature of; "Mom, I broke..." or "Mom, about school..." or "Mom, I got in trouble when I..."

I almost had to giggle when he let out his important statement..."Mom, do you think I could get a hair cut before baseball officially starts?"

And then I had to try and control the giggles some more, when he felt he had to defend his suggestion... "Mom, you see my hair sticks out under my ball cap and it doesn't look too good and I get so hot under my helmet and well baseball players don't have long hair..."

I managed to smother my giggles long enough to tell him that I "would see."

After he left, I laughed out loud, enjoying my victory. It sometimes pays to pick your battles, which much to my mother-in-law's dismay I do daily with my son's hair. After all, there are much worse things he could be doing than desiring to look like Zach and Cody off the Disney channel. However, every year at ball time, I tend to give him the "mom speech," something to "think about."

The speech goes something like; "Jorboy, you know you would look better out on the field if you cut your hair and it wasn't all shaggy under your cap, and it would be cooler when you wear your helmet and well you don't see many baseball players with long hair..."

Hee! Hee! I haven't given the "mom speech" yet this year...guess I won't have to. He actually does listen to me every once in a while... Shh! Let's just let him continue to think HE TALKED ME INTO THIS haircut stuff. I will try to keep the "joy" from plastering itself on my face while we are at the salon!

Truth is I kind a like his shiny shag at times! But HE IS RIGHT...for baseball he needs a haircut!!! Well, if he insists! :)

I know you have been dying of curiosity...

Since my little mouth surgery, I know you, my friends and family, are dying to see how puffy my cheek really is...

Need I say anything more?




**On a side note: say a prayer for my nephews. They are very sick with high fevers. Thanks!**

This Mom asks WHY???

Let me start this post with a simple "I love my children." I still remember being pregnant with each one (kinda wish they could remember what I went through!) and picking out the perfect name (although does any kid grow up liking their own name?) and the joy that I felt when they finally decided to enter the world crying (Kayla was two weeks late, I was crying!!!).
In other words I count my children among my biggest blessings, so undeserved...well I'm actually humbled sometimes that the Lord saw me fit to raise these two...but that is another story...

Today, although I love my kids, totally wanted them, would give my life for them, etc... I'm tempted to put a sign on my lawn that says "Free Kids! Get one and then get another one free!" Do you ever have those days?

Here I am, recovering from having the tooth ordeal done, still enduring chipmunk cheeks, resting after attempting to do some cleaning today, when my kids come barreling in the door after school. Rather than hellos or how are you feeling I hear "Mom!!!" Not the good "I love you" mom, but rather I'm fixing to kill someone if you don't do something about it, mom.

The kids have been home for two hours and have argued, fought (yes, the kind where you get hurt!) tattled, fussed, bossed and now are laughing together watching Sponge Bob. Huh? How did they go from a "fight to the death" match, to "let's be best friends and watch TV together" in the space of 30 minutes? Did I miss something? Do they just do this for pleasure... "let's see how long it takes before Mom pulls her hair out and then stop!"

I have a friend who had had enough of her fussy boys one day, so she pulled over at the top of her dirt road and told them to get out and that they could walk the rest of the way home. She said if they needed to fuss, they could just do it without her! By the time they reached the house, they were best buds again, with stories to tell... they had somehow forgotten they had permission to fight on the way home!

I try to remember what went through my own head when I was younger, those days when I would hit my little sister one moment and then protect her in the next breathe. I guess that is childhood. Your sibling ends up being your frustration "punching bag" because you know they will still love you at the end of the day. Thanks Amb, for taking the emotional "hits" during our growing up years! I'm sure you endured many! (And gave your share back!)

I guess there are some things that are simply a part of growing up. After all, I would have to look at someone kind of funny, if they told me their kids never fought. That just isn't normal! The same look I give people, I guess, when they say I have good kids! I want to say; "Show up after school one day...you might change your mind! In fact I would probably have to pay you to take them!" But inside it does make me feel good that in "public" my kids show restraint.

I just have to be oh, so thankful that they save the show for me...

There are just some things this Mom will never understand...

I'm ALIVE yet half as wise!

I'm a worry wort. I have some crazy childhood fears that like to come back and haunt me every once in a while. It all came to a head Friday morning. Kevin is driving me to the dentist (AGAIN!). Only this time it is the real deal...surgery! Do I even have to tell you I am scared to death?! Since the drive over there is over an hour and then I get there early, well I've had plenty of time to think about it too. I'm really trying to be a big girl...

They call me back, you will be proud to know I went back by myself, Kevin didn't have to hold my hand! The nurses put me in the chair and start to work, getting me ready for the dentist. Now, because of my fear of needles, one of my worries has been the IV. God had a plan to help me out...the other nurse put the blood pressure cuff on so tight that it HURT every time it went to read my blood pressure. My arm has a bruise from it! Anyway, I didn't even realize the other nurse had stuck me until it was a done deal. God has a sense of humor!

I really don't know much else, for after that I just remember Kevin helping me to the car...and I barely remember that!!! However, once the pain meds started wearing off, I HAVE FELT IT! So, I know they did something. I had one wisdom tooth taken out, yet besides pain, my main problem so far has been reactions to the medications. One makes me itch, one makes me feel like I could throw up and the gargling with salt water just plain tastes bad! How is a person suppose to rest with all that going on?

I'm on day three and still have some pain, but my faithful friend Tylenol is now helping me out. I look like a chipmunk with a very swollen cheek. ( No, I didn't take a picture, so you will just have to take my word on it.)

I did learn a few things about myself and my family during this experience... I can be a Big girl when I set my mind to it. Mom and Dad, I didn't make them chase me around the room!

My God is the God of peace. He provides it when we need it most!

My husband can take care of me. The man who runs for the hills when someone is sick, came through for me and has not fussed once about getting me something or helping his wobbly woman make it to the bathroom in time. He even cleaned house and washed clothes all day Friday since he had to stay at home with me. Gotta love him!

I also learned that kids are going to fight whether you are sick or not! I guess not everything makes itself perfect while mom is down and out! Jordan did make his mom gargle her salt water and cooked me some easy mac for dinner, since daddy had to be gone last night for a few hours. It does a Mother good to know that she is raising a nurturing son...

So, after great worry and stress, I'm ALIVE! However, I am still a little worried...after all, I am now down to two wisdom teeth. Does that mean I am only half as wise? I'm going to have to pray about that one, for this blond mom needs every ounce of wisdom she can get!

The Disciple Now Experience

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I am still very much alive and kickin'...well just barely. I am exhausted! I got off work at 5:15p.m. on Friday and went home, changed clothes and was at the church by 6:00. It was a big weekend for my family and for our church. As the wife of the Student minister, well this was a big one. I spent most of my time away from home this weekend, helping with our Disciple Now. I am tired...yet I have to say it was worth it.

God is AWESOME! We had a great weekend of studying God's word, growing together as a group and just plain having a good 'ol time! By the time the event was finished on Sunday afternoon, I was worn out physically, mentally and SPIRITUALLY! I took a 4 hour nap Sunday afternoon!!! And yes, I still slept that night.

Anyway, to family and friends, I wasn't trying to ignore you. I was just plain busy! Thank you for your prayers...

Oh, by the way, I have a little minor surgery scheduled on a tooth on Friday. Please say a prayer for me...I am just not very good with this medical stuff. I'm trying to be a "Big Girl" about it all...if you know me at all, then I know you understand what I mean by this statement.