Date Nights May 17, 2010

I’m so bad at keeping up with this blog, who would believe that I actually love to write?  These days, I don’t seem to have the time to do a lot of things I’d like to do but…Friday night was one of those times, date night.  Not with my usual date, with sweet boy #1 Ramsey.  We discussed on Wednesday that we each needed some one on one time and so we set a date for Friday night.  I think it’s probably been like 18 months since we’ve had a date, pitiful and grateful Ramsey brought it to my attention.  My idea was to grab a cheap taco and run to Target to get him some staples like socks.  Ramsey rebuked this idea big time “Mom, that is not a date!”.  Agreed.  So we hit a movie and then headed to Bass Pro Shop to buy a cap gun.  This is a date, a perfect date w/ my favorite six year old son.  Yesterday Grins had a date too although again, not with whom you’d think.  I’m beginning to get jealous of date nights Grins has w/ our friend Steve.  Steve and Kelly hit a movie and dinner, and if you know either of them..strange indeed.  Steve has a business Chic Accents (which you should totally check out if you’re having an event in Texas) and so Kelly helps Steve, they set up, kill lots of time and then when the party’s over, break down the “Chic Accents“.  They’ve had a couple of “dates” especially if the event is a couple of hours away, glad they can at least hang out and kill time w/ some fun while they wait.

A family update…Raegan is quite the young lady.  I can’t believe she’s going to be in the 5th grade, it’s wild that we’re celebrating our 10th year anniversary in just a few weeks and have a ten year old, six (almost seven he reminds me) and a one year old.  We are so blessed.  Our children are healthy, God provides work for us, and great family and friends to celebrate it all with.  The kids are having a blast swimming in a pool that MiMi and PaPa bought them for birthdays.  Good times and when the temp reaches something near normal, Grins, Noah and I will join them.  School is almost out, BSF and AWANA wrap up this week and I’m looking forward to the rest.  Swim Team is starting and that will be a new, fun change of pace for us. My friend Amy is one of the coaches and I am so excited to see Ramsey take off w/ swimming, Rae doesn’t think she wants to compete so we’ll see.   Kelly and I are both in interesting places w/ our careers where we don’t know what the next month will bring.  I’m grateful that I don’t stress about it, wonder certainly but stress not so much.  God is faithful, always has been and always will be.  What an adventure to see where He’ll put us, thankful He doesn’t change, even as much as we do.

Until next time and who knows how long that will be…

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

A good gift December 29, 2009

Most people probably do not believe that I do, really do love to write.  Writing happens so infrequently for me, it has become a true luxury.  At this very moment, I’m hoping Noah is really asleep while Ramsey is content with his itouch and Rae is asking to play a board game, which of course I will…in a moment.  KD is working today, it’s about 40 degrees outside and rainy so its nice and quiet.

A friend told me recently that his laugh-o-meter had gone down dramatically in the last couple of years.  He’s been frustrated by recent situations which gave an opportunity to reflect on how he lets things get to him.  This has had me thinking, I too am guilty of taking things too seriously, where is the evidence that I give grace as it was and today is given to me?

Situations in a friends life and even in my own has me examining my own actions towards others.  Sometimes, my intentions are pure but my methods are flawed.  I must work on my methods, they need some serious fine tuning at times.  I also must really look with integrity at my motives…yep motives.  I believe any action we take has a message along with it so the question of late for me becomes what’s the message I want to send?  I want my message to be exactly what Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” And do such things!

The rubber hits the road with my actions and ultimately my heart for others.  A good gift this Christmas is God showing me where my thinking is flawed and then He changing my thinking.  Let go of some of the things that have me worked up and let Him be seen in me.

^“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Week One almost down August 27, 2009

It’s the first week of school and we’ve almost completed it without too much drama.  Dare I admit I’m not looking forward to TGIF as much as I would have say 4-5 months ago?  As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I’d even know it was Friday without someone pointing it out to me, how cool is that?

Rae did a major dissection of her closet/wardrobe, complete with tears to tell me she has NOTHING TO WEAR, seriously, what?  She’s grown recently (she just keeps doing that) and we have quite a pile of clothing to send to a friend.  So looks like we’re off to some shopping this weekend, her point was actually valid but must she make the point with such drama?  Fourth grade is proving to be a new challenge already, I’m so excited for her.  Camp Composition is in 4th grade, they spend the whole day writing and have smores, etc.  Writing is most definitely a strength of Rae’s so we’re both excited about that and the possibility of writing for the newspaper team, which she applied for today. She’s begging for a slumber party for her 10th birthday in two weeks and well I think I’m going to have to cave.  I’m only letting her invite 3 friends, again going for less drama.  Pray for me!

Ramsey is as laid back as ever, he is wearing his nicer shorts to school w/out arguing because they have belt loops to clip his water bottle to, ha!  the motivation is so funny.  Ramsey has very little to say about school so far, Ms. Arispe is speaking mostly Spanish, duh Mom.  Ramsey also starts T-Ball practice Monday, first game is the 15th and goes through the middle of October maybe?  Must hit Academy this weekend, he’s insistent that he CAN NOT play T-Ball w/out a baseball bag…boys.

Noah and I are enjoying quieter days where I’m getting much more done.  I have two training opportunities next week so a little anxious about leaving him but I know of course he’ll be in great hands.

Grins has started his third trimester, four ten hour days.  So far so good, we can’t believe it’s gone by so quickly.   He’s already doing a lot of studying,  gearing up for a major paper (20-50 pages) he has to write.

Off to make one of Grin’s favorites…Chicken Fettucini Alfredo.

Big day for Rae August 19, 2009

I remember maybe a bit over twenty years ago the first time I butchered my legs in an attempt to “shave”.  Well, here we are, and as I type, Raegan is in the next room shaving.  I filled the tub for her, got down the shaving cream and put a fresh razor in the blade.  I even showed her the best technique, successfully shaving one line on her very skinny left leg myself.  This moment, so very quick in passing is bittersweet.  I want to call mom and ask her how she handled me shaving the first time.  I remember going behind her back, hence the bloodshed but eventually mom gave her blessing and I wonder what was it like for her?

I’m excited for Raegan and sad for me.  Excited because she’s beginning a new part of life where she’s more concerned about herself, her body is changing and she’s becoming so mature in her thinking.  I’m sad for me because I only have one little girl and by one little decision at a time, she escapes adolescence.  Raegan is still very innocent and I’m so very thankful for that gift.  She has now completed the first shave , has put lotion on and is watching a little tv and asked me to tuck her in, so sweet it is.

Kelly was on the verge of a breakdown over her recent developments but seemed quite on board, more so than I about this shaving business.  I find myself sometimes thinking I don’t recognize my life, who is this I’m playing anyway?  Do I really have a preteen and a newborn?

Tonight Rae helped me do some grocery shopping and on the way, she explained that so many people judge by appearances and she really hates that and she admitted, very willingly she does it herself too.  I could see the wheels turning, contemplating her own thoughts, wanting to do better.  On the way home, she made a comment about a man on a bike and I called her out on this judgment and she was so sweet, “Mom, it’s really hard and I don’t even realize I’m doing it!”, I nodded and winked at her, said we all do it to some degree and just keep working at it.

I may dream of Mom tonight, strange the things in life that trigger me thinking of her.  It isn’t necessarily her birthday or Mother’s Day, just everyday things like this.

God Bless,

erin
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  – Matthew 11:28-30

A little about our little guy Noah August 7, 2009

Noah is three months today, I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone by.  I am enjoying this time way more than the other two, for various reasons, mostly I’m the most comfortable in my own skin as I ever have been.  I’m more mature, more laid back and Lord willing, I’ll retain some of these sweet memories.  Kelly laughs because I keep saying “I don’t remember the other two doing…..” and the truth is, I don’t!  So on to telling you a little about Noah…

At three months, this little guy has each of our hearts completely.  Kelly loves to make Noah laugh and as you may be aware, this is completely expected, Kelly can make anyone laugh.  Raegan thinks Noah is her baby, she takes him from me in the mornings, plays w/ him, rocks him, dresses him, etc.  Ramsey gets more comfortable with Noah each day and more interested in him as well.  Ramsey tells Noah, he’s the cutest baby he’s ever seen and climbs in Noah’s crib to kiss him from head to toe.  How sweet it is.

I had no idea I would enjoy Noah the way I do.  His cries are very distinct, I understand his needs more and am so thankful for the time I’m able to be home with him, it is a precious gift from God indeed.

Noah has begun to sleep through the night, it’s just delightful.  Last night however, he did not.  In fact, Noah woke at 3:30 am and when I went to get him, he had literally crawled out of his nightgown.  It was down below his diaper, I couldn’t believe it.  Had I not been half asleep I would have taken a picture.  This I know for certain the other two never did, I mean I would remember that!  So Noah is quite a mover and he was in womb as well.  I think he moved way more than Rae or Ramsey and he still moves more.  We were out this evening and another mom with a young boy asked how old Noah was and when we answered, she and her husband shook their heads, their son was born a week before Noah and doesn’t do half the moving around Noah does.  Oh boy, I’m tired just thinking about the future.

Noah also loves to sing, I just realized recently that’s what he’s doing.  We all sing to Noah each day and he really concentrates to sing too, music to me ears!   He’s the first that doesn’t so much appreciate the car or his car seat.  Maybe he’ll be  a home body like his big brother prefers.   Noah seems to enjoy the bath, especially when we introduce the water slowly, the shock thing isn’t so successful.  Noah much prefers his own bed to anything else, unless its snug right up against me and we both can take a bit of that. 

Next week both Rae and Ramsey are at His Hill Day Camp so we’ll be quiet around here, I’m not even sure what that means but I’ll find out soon enough.

Will write more soon, here’s a few pics too.

Ok, so it’s been a while. July 30, 2009

I love to write, I really do but haven’t in what, six months?  Embarrassing!

Kelly is more than half way through with nursing school.  It is intense and hard but he’s persevering. Our baby boy, Noah joined us May 6th, not without some drama.  I was induced 3 weeks early due to blood pressure issues and as we were about to be released to go home, I was instead wheeled back to the labor and delivery side (vs/ recovery) as my bp was 212/110.  I developed post preeclampsia and also HELLP syndrome.  I was in the hospital a total of 8 days and am now back to “normal”, or something that resembles normal.  Our family is doing very well, Noah fits right in and Raegan and Ramsey are loving him so well!  We’re having a delightful leisure summer…I was released from Wachovia, yesterday was my last official day and have severance through October, God’s provision indeed!  I start a new venture very soon as an independent contractor with isupportlearning, I’m so excited about this organization.

I can see God’s hand and plan in every bit of experiences He’s given me and allowed me to have.  I was a poor student to say the least, completely un-engaged and isupportlearning targets this audience. This is just one example of how I am equipped with what God has given to help other’s succeed and glorify Him.  What a marvelous creator I serve.

I promise to write again soon, enter funny stories, touching stories and general updates on our lives.

Love is patient January 26, 2009

I’ve been reading a lot of scripture this week, wanting His thoughts and not my own and am so thankful He shares His very character.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”- Philippians 4:8

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:14-19

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:8

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:11-13

If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[b] but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – I Corinthians 13

I think about what love looks like in the world and how we have it so wrong.  When I open my saviors word, I see love ever so cleary.  It is exactly what He did for us, simply His human birth is amazing and unfathomable. Jesus wants me, you, to know He knows every human pain, heartache, joy, discouragement, fear, brokenness, and finally redemption, He experienced it all for us.  He shows us that love is a series of actions, day after day, and that is backwards from what the world says.  His action of death on the cross was exactly what love looks like to Him.

I wonder what does love look like to you?

Oh Boy January 12, 2009

What a week last week was.  We are back at school, Kelly started nursing school and we found out we’re having a boy!  Kelly took two quizzes and two or three tests this first week, quite a leap into student life.  The kids didn’t miss a beat, did great on the back to school schedule.  Ramsey asked me last weekend, “Mom, do I have a schedule?”.  I answered yes, and tried my best to explain exactly what a schedule is, he’s very inquisitive and I’m thankful he’s not afraid to ask about what things mean.  On Friday afternoon Ramsey was playing w/ some boys outside and fell on his wrist.  It didn’t swell although he said it hurt so we iced it and didn’t think much more about it.  Saturday he told me he couldn’t even play his DS so off to the doc we went and I’m thankful we did, he has a buckle fracture, very common to lil kiddo’s.  We’ll see an ortho this week and hopefully have no surgery, just a cast for a few weeks…stay tuned.

So Rae got this game, Banagrams for Christmas and it is so fun.  If you don’t have, you must add to your gaming collection.  What I love is that while Kelly was hunting this weekend, Rae, Ramsey and I played and all had a good time.  Ramsey spelled Yo Veo Ramsey and of course I had to look that up and it spells I See Ramsey.  Rae was spelling all sorts of words and I wasn’t too bad myself.  Good Time!

We’ve finally got our Christmas stuff down and even most of it put away.  The last of it could be done tonight, I said could not would…don’t pressure me.

We’ve spent some time w/ our friends the Murphy’s, as Neal, Kelly’s dear friend is fighting brain cancer.  Hospice is in 24/7 so we just go curl up in bed w/ Neal and talk if he’s awake or read, watch TV if he’s sleeping.  It’s been really sweet, such a kiss from God to spend this time w/ Neal and Michelle, the girls and the entire family.  I’m so thankful they’ve left the door open and have allowed us to come and go and even encouraged our visiting. It’s very intimate to be apart of this journey w/ Neal and the family, like nothing I’ve ever experienced.  I’ve asked Neal what he thinks about seeing Jesus’ face and living in Heaven.  He’s been so real about fears, anxieties, the unknown and has me reflecting on my own faith.  I’ve shared different scripture w/ him, we read together, trying to understand exactly what God is saying to us, it’s glorious really. I constantly tell myself His way are not my ways and I’m only supposed to understand a certain amount, as much as He choose to reveal to me.  So I seek Him, to know his face and to see His glory in Neal, in fear, in uncertainty, in joy, in this life.

Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. – Exodus 33:15

What time is it? January 6, 2009

For the first time in I don’t know how many years, our entire family overslept.  Kelly rearranged our bedroom last night, getting a little “study” area together and somehow the alarm clock was turned off or the sound was messed up or something. I woke this morning to a little light in our bedroom thinking “what time is it?” when almost the exact same time, Kelly yells “It’s 7:18!”.  Yikes, the bigger part is that for his second day of school, he’s likely to be late, just a few minutes but anyone that knows Kelly knows if he’s not 10 minutes early, he’s late.   The kids were great, got right up, dressed, ate, brushed and off we went.  Fhew…

We just returned from a great trip “home” from Kansas City.  We hung w/ cousins, aunt and uncles and had such a good time.  When I’m here in Texas, I refer to Kansas City as home and when I’m in Kansas City I refer to Texas as home.  My heart is torn, what can I say.

So the kids are back in school, can’t wait to hear how this week goes.  We go Friday to find out the sex of this little one who is 21 weeks gestation and bets are flying everywhere. Ramsey really wants a little brother, can I blame him?  Rae doesn’t seem to care, she knows that as baby, she can have her way w/ them and as they get older it won’t matter, they’ll have a mind of their own.  Kelly isn’t so excited about having two weddings to pay for but we’ve made huge progress from him never allowing Rae to date to admitting at some point, he’s going to have to deal w/ her wedding, or so the case might be.

Kelly came home yesterday w/ a huge smile, very excited about school and already studying like a great scholar.  I fell asleep before he did, reading into the night.  Please keep Kelly in your prayers, that God would equip him perfectly for this and give Kelly total recall on what he needs to absorb.

Until next time, which I hope will be sooner rather than later.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust”. – Psalms 91:2

If I Just Had More Time December 3, 2008

If I had more time, I would write more on this blog. I probably think at least once a day…”oh, I should write that” and do I? Nope! Too busy w/ life to make a note of it, pitiful. Tonight, I went online to watch a silly show which wouldn’t load and then I thought, ha! I can write.

Raegan became a little older this weekend. Saturday, we were at our Christmas tree lot, Rae and I playing Phase 10 and she literally lost a tooth during the game. So she puts it under her pillow and writes the tooth fairy several questions…

1. Are you a boy or a girl?

2. How old are you?

and a couple more…

I passed out before she did so Kelly did the honors of writing back and sticking the money under her pillow. In the morning, she got up so excited the tooth fairy had written her back. Let me back up just a little…Rae is 9 and still believes in Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and so on. I love that she still believes but between last year and this she’s gotten teased a bit at school and man did she stand by her guns. So, I’ve asked God to help in timing and how to tell her etc. for several months now and then it came.

She looks at the answers and says “This looks just like Daddy’s handwriting!”. OK, deep breath, here it comes and thank you Lord because I did ask you for this. So, I take her to the other room, let her start asking questions where I explain, “yes, you are right, it was Daddy.”, “no, none of those others exist either”.

Well, wow was she mad. “You’ve lied to me my entire life!”. It took an hour to get her to stop crying and to most of you, that is no surprise. She then, came to her nine year old senses and now thinks she’s so cool to be apart of the secret. If Ramsey, Noland and Baby last until six years old, I’ll be impressed.

In other news, my amazing husband starts school January 5th! This is very exciting and kinda scary. Exciting in that he has a great future of career happiness ahead of him. Scary in that over the next year, we’ll be down to one income and he’s putting on a very different hat.

My boss told me today, what I already knew and that is I have a 50/50 shot at keeping my job. The good news is that I have a little severance, the bad is that hello…Kelly in school, baby coming, me only income. God is giving me lots of opportunity to trust him right now.

I’m thinking we may buy a camper, live in it for a while and just hang tight.

I look forward to meditating this month on Christ the Lord coming to earth for you and for me. Coming in human form, living here on earth, dying for us to live w/ Him in Heaven eternally. Who got the better end of that deal?

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1-18:25