Catching Up!

As I sit at this computer, all is quiet within my house. I can hear the gentle trickle of the waterfall DS gave me for Christmas and the ticking of the clock.

I can hear the plow as DH is busy tilling up the garden and preparing it for winter planting. Cabbage and turnips will taste delicious this winter!

DD is sleeping in bed. She has a tough headache, probably brought on from being very tired as she and a friend were up into the wee hours of the morning working on wedding have-to's.

DS is at work. This kid has been working almost 40 hours a week at his job and has taken on a second job that gives him 10 or so more hours a week!! He is helping put up political signs around the area for a wonderful man that is running for Senate. The "real deal" as a Christian, we are praying so hard that he will be our next Senator. Anyway, DS is proving to really be stepping into the shoes of "mandom". We're proud of him and DD.

Things on the job front are going well. I do enjoy my job and I love my patients. They can truly bring many smiles to my day!

We are back off of vacation. If you've been on my Facebook, then hopefully you've gotten to enjoy the pictures that I posted. We had such a wonderful time of refreshing and renewal. Something we needed badly individually and as a family. With all of us on crazy different schedules, a one night a week family dinner can prove very challenging! It was great to enjoy a whole week and spend some time reconnecting!

Folks, I'm still praying and wondering what direction to take my blogging. It's no secret to those of you who have been faithful to keep checking back in, that my posting is sporadic at best. This is not something I'm willing to give up right now and I truly may, for a time, just post what's going on in our world. Maybe through that, someone can glean what it's like to transition from full time stay at home, home schooling mom, to a working mom of adult children, one of which is on the edge of flying out of the nest!

My, my how quickly life brings changes.....

Have a blessed Sunday. Go to your place of worship and do just that...worship. Praise our Creator and enjoy the blessings that He has given us.

Graduation

On May 22, 2010, we graduated our baby. He is 17 years old and out of high school now. We have homeschooled his whole life...it's all he's ever known. He's a well rounded, intelligent, happy young man and we are so very proud of him.

He has so many things that he enjoys but one of his favorite things is to run sound boards for bands. We've lovingly dubbed him our 'A/V junkie' and while it's a passion for him, with graduation he announced what his plans for the future are....our son is going to enter college in the spring and take 2 years of criminal justice. When he turns 21, he will join the police academy and become a police officer with a goal of being on the SWAT team. (BIG sigh.......) How proud I am and how this Mama heart fills her throat. I'm sure God has big plans for his life. After all, saving him in the womb is proof of that....I trusted God with his life then, and I will continue to trust God for his life now.

Enjoy just a few pictures from his big night!!...



Even celebrating..he's not crazy about crowds!


The big moment...diploma in hand!!


Gift time!! Sure to bring a smile!!

Son...I'm so very proud of you!!! I pray God's blessings on your life...

A Very Special Day!!

In place of my usual Created to be His Help Meet, I've decided that today I'm going to share a very special story.

About 25 years ago, I realized that it was going to be very hard for me to have a baby. There were many issues, the biggest being that I wasn't ovulating as I should.

A trip to my OB/GYN later found me using a Basal thermometer with sex on demand--not as wonderful as you might think (even for you men...ask DH), fertility drugs, more fertility drugs, higher doses of fertility drugs.

This was all mingled in with test upon test to see if I was pregnant. Each test resulted in a pink minus sign.

DH and I finally decided after 5½ years that enough was enough and began the process of adoption.

Not long into that process, my body just started doing these.....weird things. Not anything that made me feel like I was sick, mind you, just weird things.

After a week or so of pleading from my best girlfriend, I finally gave in and bought yet another pregnancy test. This time though instead of a dark pink minus sign....it was the faintest shade of a positive sign!! Maybe? Could it be?

I called that 1-800 number on the back and the lady on the other end of the line assured me that if I could even make out the faintest plus sign, I was most likely pregnant. An excited call to my Dr. and a quick trip to his office confirmed it.....after 6½ years, I was going to have a baby!!!!!!!!

I was blessed with a wonderful pregnancy and only 37½ hours of labor introduced me to the most beautiful little girl I'd ever laid eyes on in my life!!!

Her name is Beth and today she is 19 years old....



HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY AND MY MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Today is finding me enjoying a bit of celebrating with my family and stepping into a new season of life.

Today both of my children have to work. Thankfully they didn't have to go in until the afternoon and they only have to work about 5 hours, but still, it's interrupted my day as I've always known it as a mom.

I have to admit that in the beginning I was a bit sad. I want my babies here enjoying the gifts we've allowed them to open today (they get the rest tomorrow) and enjoying the soup or chili I decide to make. But then I realized this......this is God's way of slowly preparing me for the day that they have nests of their own and they will be building their own traditions and lovin' their own babies.

So...while I'm only mildly weepy eyed, I find myself thankful for the blessings of a Heavenly Father Who does everything right on time.

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday and time to join up with Sonya over at Truth 4 the Journey for Thankful Thursday. It's a time we set aside to list five things that we are truly thankful for.

It is such a blessing to be able to share what I am thankful for and rejoice with you in how God has blessed you as well.

Click here to join us in sharing the faithfulness of God!!!

Here are my thankfuls for this week......

1) I am thankful that my two teenagers strive to keep their lunch dates with each other. Every other week when they get paid, they go to lunch and spend the afternoon together. It blesses me so much to know that they are out together, making time for each other and strengthening the relationship they have together. I pray it is something they will continue all of their adult lives.

2) I am thankful for how well DD is doing 3 months into her dating sabbatical. She is at the halfway point and God has healed and revealed so much to her. She has grown so much in Him over these 3 months and it has been truly a blessing to get to witness that.

3) I am thankful for DD and DS who, upon meeting a family who had lost everything and was living in a hotel, went together and bought food and treasures for a Mom, Dad and 5 children who feel all hope is lost. They encouraged them and told them about Jesus and planted seeds that I know will grow and produce for Him!

4) I am thankful for DS's resolve to be faithful even when it means upsetting his girlfriend. She's a wonderful young lady, but is still learning that obedience to the calling of God is above anything else you can or could ever do.

5) I am thankful for my wonderful husband who has been by my side for almost 26 years and has been my total and complete strength and help in raising the beautiful teenagers we have today.

And one more..........I am most thankful to my Father in Heaven Who saw fit almost 18 years ago to draw on my heart and the heart of my husband. He saved us, restored my marriage and has blessed me with such a wonderful family. He is worthy to be praised!!!

"Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure His greatness."
Psalm 145:3, NLT

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday and time to join up with Sonya over at Truth 4 the Journey for Thankful Thursday. It's a time we set aside to list five things that we are truly thankful for.

It is such a blessing to be able to share what I am thankful for and rejoice with you in how God has blessed you as well.

Click here to join us in sharing the faithfulness of God!!!

Here are my thankfuls for this week......

1) I am thankful for the breakthrough that God sent my way yesterday. It has been a long several months in my 'fight' with God. He requiring more than I'm willing to give. Me asking for things He can't give because of my disobedience. But yesterday while hanging out in Proverbs and 2 Timothy, God got through this thick skull and I release, repented and gave in.

2) I am thankful that after giving in to my Father, it wasn't very long at all until, while I was sitting at this computer checking some things and listening to some praise music, that I felt a warmth all over me and I knew without a doubt that my Father had reached down and wrapped me up in a big hug....I really needed that!

3) I am thankful for another successful I Care Ministry Sunday and the chance to meet the most precious 89 year old woman that I've ever seen. She was a true blessing to me...and I was there to be a blessing to her!!!

4) I am thankful for the sweet, sweet comment that my DH left on my Help Meet post this past Friday. This man of mine is the best gift God could have ever given me on this earth!!

5) I am thankful for the open communication between me and my teenagers. It's not always been easy and sometimes it's been a downright tug-of-war to keep those lines open, but I know it's been worth it every time I hear, "Mom, can I talk to you?"

"Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise His holy name."
Psalm 30:4

Charlie Brown Made Me Cry

This setting is becoming the new 'norm' at my house....DH and I eating dinner, just the two of us. DH and I enjoying the outdoors, just the two of us. DH and I watching TV, just the two of us.

No, we're not empty nesters, but there is no doubt that having older teenagers is God's way of preparing us for that.

So...last night as DH and I were sitting on the couch, he reading the paper, me channel surfing...it was around 7 pm and while surfing, I landed on a channel that brought tears to this mom's eyes.

No not the channel itself, but rather what was on....the TV special that was playing was....It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown...and I broke into tears!!

How could Charlie Brown make me cry you ask? It is the first time in 18 years that there were no children at my house to watch Charlie Brown with me!!!!

DD was at work and DS was at his girlfriend's house and there were no little blond or brown curls jumping up and down in front of the the television screaming and clapping. There was no "big" sister shushing her "little" brudder. There was no little brudder running around the table clapping and chanting, "Great pumkin', great pumkin!!". Just me and DH settling in our new routine.

Yes, I turned the channel and for the first time in a long time, I did not watch the Great Pumpkin, but I did choose to be thankful (through tear-filled eyes) for those two wonderful teenagers, how responsible they've become and the warm, fuzzy memories that God has blessed me with.

Thankful Thursday

It is so good to be joining up with Sonya over at Truth 4 the Journey for Thankful Thursday! It's one time of the week that I really look forward to. Not only so I can reflect on my thankfuls, but so that I can rejoice with you over yours!!

Let's go with my five thankfuls for this week....

1) I am thankful for a sweet, sweet husband!! He surprised me with a dozen roses yesterday, just because!!

2) I am thankful for how well our biker day turned out at church this past Sunday. It was so awesome to see all of these bikers under one roof praising Jesus!!

3) I am thankful for two great teenagers...not perfect, just great!!!

4) I am thankful for the fact that God kept the rain off of us...except for a little drizzle...at Youthquake this past Saturday night. As always it was a great concert and Skillet was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5) I am thankful that I've been able to keep ahead of my laundry this week. No small feat to be sure, just a desire to be a better wife and steward of my time.

For more Thankful Thursday, click here or on the links above.

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 2:20, NLT

Thankful Thursday

It's time once again, to join Sonya over at Truth 4 the Journey for Thankful Thursday. It's the one day of the week that we purposefully stop and give thanks to the One that blesses us far beyond what we deserve.

It seems as if busy would be an understatement lately and I feel like I've been letting so much fall by the wayside. You see, I have a blessing/curse personality.....things must be organized and in order---I'm not obsessive, but almost---and when they're not, I feel like chaos has walked in and shoved me under and I can't get up enough to catch a breath of air....I've went around for this whole week chanting to myself, "I am where God wants me to be. I am where God wants me to be."

So, since "I am" sitting at this computer, here goes my 5 thankfuls for this week.......

1) I am thankful that my Dad's tests went pretty well yesterday. The blockages that were at 60% two weeks ago are now down to 25%. However he does still have a blockage of 80% in a main artery in his heart, so that means a stint for that artery in September. He did well yesterday however. I do ask you all to continue to pray for his salvation. His health is important, yes, but his eternity is so much more so...

2) I am thankful for the spoken word from God that DD got this past Sunday morning. It was an answer to one of the biggest prayers that DH and I have been praying for quite some time. The change in her thinking has been a total miracle this week. Satan is still trying to prod her and bring up past incidents to confuse her, but she is fighting him back with the Word and prayer. She is a very private person, but took the huge step (for her) this week to include several people outside our family to help keep her accountable.

3) I am thankful for new friends. This past Friday I was able to meet fellow blogger Lori from That's So God, her 2 sweet daughters, Sarah and Hannah, and the newest addition to her family, Anna. A person can never have to many friends or family in Christ and I'm thrilled that my family has gotten bigger!!

4) I am thankful for the relationship that my two children share with each other. I admit that there have been times, even in the last year, that I've wondered if they even liked each other--but I stand in awe when I see that every thing they've been through has just brought them closer together.

5) I am thankful for an awesome husband. I've mentioned before how demanding and high stress his job is. A couple of unplanned hours away from his job can cause him days of work. At a moments notice he dropped everything to go with me to the hospital yesterday and just sit. Even though we leave on vacation in 5 days. Even though this will make his next 2 days at work unbelievably stressed, he dropped it all to support me and my family. I am married to the most amazing man on the planet!!..

Just Needing to be Real Today........

I always try to be honest and real on this blog. Many of the comments and e-mails that I get, are encouraging and are just "thanks for being real".

Today, I just need to be real.....

I was all geared up to get up this morning and share a post on my weekend. Mainly on what God said and did during both services at church yesterday. It was so incredibly awesome the way the Spirit showed up, spoke and moved. Not only during both services, but Sunday school as well.
I will go ahead and put in a Sunday school plug here......if you're not involved in Sunday school at your church, you are missing a huge blessing!! That one on one with your brothers and sisters in Christ is priceless. I go to the ladies SS class at our church and it's the best time to be real with my sisters in Christ. We pray, cry, rejoice, study..we are obedient to however the Spirit leads and I wouldn't miss it for anything!!

Anyway........

The post I wanted to write just isn't going to happen this morning.

I sit here with a mild headache (thank God it's a mild one) and swollen, burning eyes. At this moment, I'm tired...tired of being a Mom. Seriously. I'm tired of the drama. I'm tired of trying to make someone understand that I've been there, done that and it's a dead end road leading to destruction.

I'm tired of being told that I don't "get it". I'm tired of being treated by my child like someone who needs to be spoon fed because I'm so stupid and pathetic.

I'm tired of someone asking me for my opinion and then when it doesn't line up with what they want to hear, they get angry and tell me what an idiot I am.

Okay....maybe those exact words aren't being verbally said because my two know it would land them a good smack across the mouth (sorry to those of you who don't believe in spanking and aren't parents of teens yet.....) but the implications are there.

I find myself wanting to get in my car and drive. Let them have it all and see what happens. You think you can handle things so well...fine!!....handle it!!!

I am angry, hurt and tired.

I'm tired of being told that they could be doing things that are so much worse. This I agree on. But it doesn't lessen the fact that there are things being thought, said and done that do not please the Father. Wrong is wrong. Period.

In the silence and darkness of the night, I prayed some incredibly stupid things. I find myself thankful for a Savior who looked at my heart, and went to the Father with my true prayers.

During the events of this weekend, DS made a statement that I have to admit was hard for me to grip, but true. He said, "You're going to have to reach the point where you realize that you guys have raised two good kids and trust us to do the right thing."

I agree with him, but when I/we see decisions being made that there is no doubt in the world is the wrong thing.....and we can't make them see, understand, come to the realization that the wrong decision is being made.....what then?? Sit back on our hands and let them go off into a place they don't have to go????

The issue is with DD this weekend. "I'm 18. I don't have the answers. I don't think what I'm doing is wrong. I'm not convicted about it. I can't talk to you anymore. You make it hard to hold a conversation with you. You treat ____________ like a jerk. You have no idea. You don't have a clue. This must be what generation gap means.(with eyes rolled) I don't think God would be displeased. Believe me, it could be much worse. I could be doing what ________________does."

So, while lying in the dark last night pleading, feeling numb, this is the Scripture that God whispered to me....

"I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD,the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2, NLT

I hear You, Father. You are my help. This situation, this time in life that I cannot handle, You can.

Ch..Ch..Changes...

Have I mentioned before that I'm not a creature who embraces change?? Please give me my rut...I'm actually quite happy there, thankyouverymuch!!!

We begin our school year today. We have always "began" the school year the Monday after my birthday....yes, last Friday was my b'day..the big 45!!! hmmmm.....50 didn't seem so real until last Friday.......

Anyway...the changes....

This year, I only have one 'student'. I'm only sitting at the table or on the couch with one child. I only have one grade level to focus on. Since graduating DD in May....it's just me and DS this year.....and if you think I'm being pitiful this year, just wait till next year when I have NO 'students' !!!!!!!!!

Really...this is the oddest thing for me. We have been homeschooling 11 years now--this year begins our 12th--and it's always been the 3 of us with DH stepping in now and then. It's been field trips and adventures. It's been balancing schedules and schoolwork. It's been crazy!!!! And now...it's like, "What am I suppose to do with only one!!" .........

Ahhhh...I guess when he rolls out of the bed, we'll do like always: he'll groan about bookwork (he's a very hands on guy!!) I'll remind him that I'm the best teacher he could ever have, he'll smile that wicked little smile of his and say, "Then I'm in BIG trouble!!". I'll whack him on the behind and we'll get started.

He only has 3 subjects this year: economics, American Lit and Bible....such a light load and not much help will be needed from dear ole' mom.

Am I having a pity party? Am I feeling sorry for myself? Do I want your sympathy? YES!!!!!!!! A resounding YES!!!!!!!!!!! But then I'd love for you to grab up those babies of yours and wrap them up in big hugs and tickle them and laugh and giggle and enjoy every single minute of their growing up.......all too soon you'll be teaching your last student, or sending your baby off to school for the last year and you'll be the one wiping tears over a keyboard and some green tea, thankful that you were SO blessed and wishing you could do it all over again.............

Posting at The Well

Just wanted to pass along that I'm posting over at The Well today, also. We are talking about those awesome teenagers!

Click here and drop by for a chat!

Light, Deception and Darkness

I've read and re-read this post, trying to decide if it makes any sense or if I'm just chasing myself. I've prayed and tried to sit quietly and hear from the Lord on what He would have me to do. I've decided to go ahead and post it, praying that the Spirit will reveal to you the urgency behind what I'm trying to say.
Thank you so much for continuing to read, comment and follow even when I'm frustrated that the points I'm trying to get across, don't seem to make much sense.
Blessings to all of you, my bloggy buddies.......

As I shared on Saturday, I've been given a real burden for the teens and 20 somethings that my teens know, hang around and work with.

It seems as if Satan is on a rampage everywhere I turn.

He is destroying marriages....3 of which I personally know, and he is destroying young adults.
It breaks my heart, but I find I've went from hurt to anger. The enemy should not be allowed to deceive and destroy as it seems he's been given the ability to do.

I realize that I am not immune to the weapons that the enemy tries to use against me. Almost everyday he tries to use the weapons of guilt, envy, discouragement...the list could literally go on and on some days.

But with the young people, I'm finding that they are getting drunk, having premarital sex, using profane language and then telling others that "God told them to......", "God showed them......"

Here's where I'm getting angry. Has satan so deceived our teens and young adults that they truly believe they can come to church, sing, praise...even "lead" others and then live for the devil the rest of the time?

One young adult has even told my DD that he sees demons on a regular basis...yet claims to be a Christian!! How can that be? What does this person do with the Scripture that states,

"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."
John 1:4-5, NLT (emphasis mine)

and the Scripture that states,

" Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbelief?"
2 Corinthians 6:14-15, NLT (emphasis mine)

Darkness and Light simply cannot coexist.

I'm reminded of the time that we visited Ruby Falls in Tennessee. The guide took us down into that cave and the farther down we went, the darker it got. Once the guide got everyone to the bottom and got us circled around, he turned off the lights. It was so dark that you literally couldn't see your hand in front of your face. It only took a matter of seconds before panic began to set in and fear rose at a roaring speed. Then the guide turned on a small flashlight. The tiny light beam from that tiny flashlight immediately removed all fear and panic. You got the feeling of...."I'm safe. It's going to be okay." ...All from a tiny beam of light.

How much more safe are we when Jesus is our Savior?? The Light of the World, living in me destroys any darkness that satan tries to convince me is still there. There is no more darkness in me.

Am I still tempted? Yes.

Do I still give in to that temptation? Occasionally. But it shouldn't be the norm for a child of God and what I'm learning is that with this age group, and even in the before mentioned marriages, it is the norm to give in to the darkness and then be a Christian at the appropriate times.

To me, in my opinion, that is not true Christianity. Open, blatant, daily, repetitive sin does not show others that Jesus living in us.

We are told in the Word,

"Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity."
John 12:25, NLT (emphasis mine)

also,

"And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me."
Acts 26:17-18, NLT (emphasis mine)

As Christians we are set apart, not of this world. Loving the life of this world, enjoying every bit of the sin and temptation that it offers will not gain us Heaven.

May I remind you that I'm talking about men who have proclaimed Christianity for years and years.

I'm talking about teens and young adults that are active in church right now and have also claimed Christianity for years.

I want to use this to remind you to also spend much time in conversation and prayer with your own children. It's so important that you take the time to mold them and shape them. Let them see you pray, read the Word and spend time with our Savior. Make sure the foundation they are standing on is Jesus Christ because once they step out into the battlefield, they will need to draw on every ounce of spiritual training and guidance you have provided for them.

Satan used this confusion to draw my own two precious teens into the wilderness. It was something that my DH and I never saw coming because we were so sure they couldn't be shaken. We were sure their foundation was strong.

We, as Christians, have to come together and stand in the gap for each other's children, each other's marriages.

A prayer partner is awesome, but two prayer partners are even better,

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT

Satan is cunning, for sure, but we must remember that,

".....the Spirit Who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
1John 4:4, NLT

Join with me, be part of that triple-braided cord, in refusing to any longer let satan take and keep control, where he has none.

Please Check Out DD's Latest Post!!

As most of you know, I don't usually do posts on the weekend. For me, this is time to spend with my family and catching up on those projects that DH and I enjoy doing together.

However......

Those of you that have been with me for any length of time, know that our children have both went through very tough battles in the wilderness in the last year. There were times when I truly did not recognize these kids.

But, as in everything, God is faithful. Through our prayers and the prayers of many friends, family and my bloggy buddies...through fasting and praying Scripture over them, they came through the wilderness victorious for Christ!!!!

So, with that being said, I would love for each of you to head over to DD's blog and read her most recent post. Added to her wilderness wanderings, bear in mind that the young man that had planned on marrying her in the fall, decided about a month ago to call everything off, break up with her and begin dating a girl 4 years younger than he.....in other words, someone barely 16...

Anyway.............

Please, for me, go over to DD's site and celebrate with us what God has done in the life of our daughter!!!

Thank you my friends!!!

Lovin' My Gifts!!

It was just another ordinary day. I was up by 6 a.m., had hubby up by 6:15. Watched the morning news to see if it was going to be good motorcycle weather. Hmmm.....95º with 100% humidity...yep, excellent melting weather! Hug and kiss hubby, hand him lunch, wave and he's off.

Take a minute to think about my day..should do devotions first, ahh...but the kids are leaving at 10 to go to the lake. All will be quiet, I'll do it then..BIG lie from satan....

Make the bed, comb my hair, brush my teeth get dressed.

Time for some iced green tea and checking the ole' e-mail box.

Great comments from some bloggy buddies, a couple of devos..read those....

Oooops!! Just remembered, meeting Mom about 9 to give her some egg cartons for her fresh hen eggs.

Kids up...go meet Mom...

Back home, kids are laughing running around collecting towels and sunblock.

R drops by for a few minutes and the kids are off to the lake.

Soon all is quiet and I'm enjoying some Toby Mac while washing dishes. Nothing makes dishwashing more fun than singing loudly to Boomin' !! Man!! That's a great song!!

Rrrrringggg!!!

"Mom. All of us are coming home and getting a bite to eat."

"All of who??" Mild panic begins to set in.....

"All of us teenagers. (duh!!) You know...all of us that went to the lake?? (duh!!!)"

"Okay....."

"We're hungry."

Oh no!!!! 6 hungry teenagers less than 2 miles from my house!!!! No time to run! No time to hide!

"Okay. See you in a minute..."

"Loveyoubye!!!" (No typo there...with DD, that truly is all one word! :o)

Sweat begins to pour as the panic begins to set in. I stand in the middle of my clean kitchen looking around at the orderly cabinets, clean counters and feeling the cool breeze from the fan.

I realize they've arrived. I hear the thumping of car speakers. I hear the yelling and laughter of 6 mouths, 3 male..3 female....Car doors slam..they're getting closer.....the door flies open and the feeding frenzy begins!!

"Hi Mama Willis!!! Thanks for feeding us!!"

Then begins the clanging of cabinet doors, the noise of ice falling into glasses and the pshh of soda cans being opened. Chips are everywhere, noodles are cooking, bologna sandwiches are being made.

"I LOVE Toby Mac, turn it up!!!"

Then the tv comes on....I know this because I hear the Gospel Music channel in the background....Stellar Kart gives it away...

I'm finally left in the kitchen with Toby Mac singing to me..."I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul...."

The door to the pool deck opens and their off. 2 hours of playing chicken and dumping teenage girls off their floats......

Soon it's time for DS and DD to get ready for work and the crowd disperses.

I look around and I'm left with wet towels, dirty dishes, no food and Toby Mac singing to me.....and I realize......

I wouldn't change this for anything.....I AM BLESSED!!!!!!

Psalm 127:3a "Children are a gift from the Lord...." NLT

Just Me and My Buddy....(And the Kids!!)

Oh what Moms will give up for their kids!!!

I have mentioned before that me and a friend of mine have a standing Girl's Day Out once a month. It's never on the same day. She and I have so many schedules to balance we could never schedule the same day each month. It's sometimes amazes us that we can even get out once a month at all!!!

This day is very important to us and sometimes it seems as if we have to move heaven and earth to make it come together. It's not that we do things that are just over the top fun and crazy....Most days find us getting a bite to eat....well, we always are getting a bite to eat....and usually we'll end up at Target and the Dollar Tree, for sure. Sometimes we'll go to the Thrift store and usually a Christian book store.

We just really enjoy the time out together. No hubbies. No kids.

Well, this will change today....

Today, R and I are on our way to Huntsville. It's about a 2 hour drive from our houses and she hasn't been there in, like, forever and I haven't been there in, like, forever...so we plotted and schemed. Planned and persuaded...and today's the day!!!

No husbands...no kids.....ooooppps....well actually, we have kids. 3 (possibly a 4th) to be exact.

R still has a son at home and both of mine are still at home. R also has a daughter who lives about and hour and a half away (she's where the possible 4th child comes in).

See, when our "precious" children found out we were going to a land with huge shopping malls, enormous thrift stores and food courts beyond your wildest imaginations....they ALL put in for the day off of work so they could go with us!!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO US???!!!

Well, actually, they made us feel guilty....

You know that whining that ALL kids can do. Makes you feel like you NEVER let them do anything......

"Why don't we ever get to go to the super cool malls?"

"We don't ever get to go anywhere fun."

"How could you go without us? Won't you miss us?"

"Don't you love us enough to want us along with you??"

Oh....puhleease!!!....You'd think we were running away to another country....but it worked.

They're going with us.

And it's okay.......sort of....I guess.....

No really. These kids have grown up together and are more like brothers and sisters than buddies.

So..with that we're off!! Off to enjoy (?) a total of 4 hours in a van with teenagers singing and yelling and squealing and annoying their sisters and 4 different voices asking in unison, "Oh!!! Can we stop there??!"......and 'there' being 4 different stores.....

Think I need some chocolate and a Vanilla Bean frappacino from Starbucks.....(Didn't you know that's what makes Target even better????!!)

Signing off......2 Moms and a Van Load of Fun..........

Looks Like She Made It!

I made it.

Yes, I cried....almost immediately. Yes, she cried..privately, when she hugged my neck and whispered in my ear, "Thank you."

We have graduated our first born from high school.

She looked so beautiful and we were so proud. Not just of her academic achievements, but of the young woman she's become.

So many family and close friends there to celebrate this wonderful moment in our lives.

Those that were there the day she entered this world. Those that were there when she took her first steps, said her first words. Those that were there when we decided to leave public school and those that were there when we took our first steps into homeschooling. Those who've cried with her over broken relationships and the deaths of friends. Those who sold her her first car and who watch (with their stomachs in their throats) as the poor car never stays in the driveway for long. (She bought her car from our neighbors)...Those that were there who work with her everyday and mean far more to her than the label, 'co-worker'.

Those that couldn't be there, but were lifting her up in prayer because they knew that meant the most.

THANK YOU.


Friends and family listening to Beth speak on her school years.


Holding the gift that her 'little brother' gave her.


Beth with Mom and Dad after receiving her diploma.

Thank You All!!...so much

It has been a very trying week (well..last several months actually) in our household, but as always, God has shown Himself faithful.

No intimate details, but just know my bloggy buddies, that your prayers have been very effective.

The situation that our DS has been in, God resolved. We have been praying for several months for him because satan has really been attacking him, trying...sometimes successfully..to lead him astray. This past Thursday though, God had removed enough scales from his eyes that DS was able to see clearly for the first time in....in a long time.

It was incredibly emotional, long, hard day. But God showed up and and showed out!!

It was so awesome to watch Him work in our DS like we haven't seen in quite some time!

Anyway..thank you for your prayers...I am so humbled and blessed to know that there is a whole network of buddies out there who are praying. Please continue to pray for DS--Zack--as God continues to strengthen and grow him.

Another blessing of this week was when I checked my computer Friday morning, I found out that I'd been blessed by Larie over at Proverbs 27:19. I found out I was one of her chosen friends and am being blessed with a beautiful plaque!!

In light of the week, this was just icing on my cake!! (you can see a picture of it here!)

I know this is a short post for me..but I am so behind on so much in my house...and knowing how hard I strive to be a Titus 2 woman..well, you can imagine how nuts I am right now!!

I love you my bloggy buddies!!..and God Himself helping me, I should be back on track come Monday.

" Yes, You have been with me from birth; from my mother's womb You have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising You! My life is an example to many, because You have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising You! I declare Your glory all day long."

Psalm 71: 6-8 NLT

Love and prayers and thanks to all of you!!!

(BIG GRIN..BIGGER HUG!!!)

Just Like God

She walked in the kitchen and looked around. Had it only been a couple of hours since she'd finished the dishes and swept the floor?

Looking at the counter covered in cheese wrappers and bread crumbs, it was hard to remember.

The griddle was still sitting on the counter along with half a dozen dirty plates.

Open chip bags along with an almost empty loaf of bread and open tub of butter confirmed the fact that teenagers had been present in that kitchen.....

She woke up tired that morning. Wishing she could sleep in, she slowly got out of the bed and began getting ready for church.

It wasn't that she didn't want to go to church--just the opposite..she needed the food that God would feed her through the message and the music--it was just one of those mornings that she wished she could go in her pajamas.

It had been a late night getting to sleep and she realized now that in many ways, having teenagers was no different than having tiny tots...you are still sleep deprived. Maybe that just comes along with being a parent....

An hour later found her and her family heading out the door for the 2 mile drive to church. She found herself thinking that back in the Little House days, they'd have walked that 2 miles, but now.......

As normal, God spoke to her weary heart that morning. There is much truth in the statement that you can only get out of something what you're willing to put into it.

Still physically tired, but spiritually full, she was looking forward to eating a small bite at home and then catching a nap on the couch for a couple of hours.

In the parking lot, only a couple of steps from her car, she was suddenly surrounded by 6 teenage boys..only one of them belonged to her.....

"Hey mom! Can B, S, R, J & D come over this afternoon??"

Oh how she hated to turn her son down. He'd always been able to charm her into doing pretty much anything.

"Now? Today?" Couldn't he see how tired she was? Didn't he remember the late night family meeting they had to have last night?

"Yeah! B & S have no where to go and D's grandma has to run an errand....and I just want R & J to hang out to!! Is it okay?"

Why is it that every time one of your kids want you to say yes, they always make sure their buddies are hanging around??

How do you say no to 12 eyes pleading for you to say yes?

"Sure. I guess it's okay.." What!! Did that just come out of her mouth??

A collective YES!! went up from the crowd along with a lot of high fives and then teenagers scattering to various cars heading toward her house.

Nap??? Yeah.....

As she and her husband pulled into their driveway, she couldn't help but think their driveway now looked like a used car lot. Even before getting out of the car the could hear the house thumping.....she couldn't understand the words, but she knew the surround sound in her son's room was at full volume.

DD and her boyfriend had decided that they would just go out for lunch...smart kids...

Walking in the back door she found 12 shoes of various sizes and styles...look for the positive.....at least they pulled their shoes off at the door.

She and DH changed and came back to the kitchen only to find the frig door standing open and a couple of guys trying to decide what soda to drink. One grabs a bag of chips and their son becomes the spokesman of the group wanting to know what was for lunch.

What do you feed 5 unexpected teenage boys? Well...it doesn't much matter..just as long as you feed them and you do it quickly.

She shooed them out of the kitchen and then she and DH decided that soup and grilled cheese sandwiches would handle the crowd.

Her hubby started opening the soup while she heated the griddle and buttered the bread.

Working together, it wasn't long before the soup was hot and 24 grilled cheese sandwiches were ready to eat.

Calling the boys in for prayer, they blessed the food and she excused herself while the feeding frenzy was in progress.

Only moments later she came back to the kitchen to find a wide-eyed husband desperately holding on to 3 sandwiches. With a look of utter fear on his face he presented the grilled cheese sandwiches to her and said, "I almost lost a hand trying to save these for us..."

She lost it!! Laughing until her tummy hurt and her jaws were sore. That's what she loved about this man...he knew exactly how to lift her spirits and make her smile.

Only minutes later the boys filtered back in, thanking them for the food and heading back to DS's room for more Rock Band. They shut the bedroom door, but it didn't do much good. She didn't think there was a way to contain that much noise....

She and her hubby finished their lunch and he headed toward the kitchen to help her clean it up. After a little insisting though, she convinced him to go relax on the couch and read the paper. He worked so hard and his job was so stressful, she wanted to make sure that he got the rest he so deserved.

Now..standing in the kitchen, looking at those cheese wrappers and that open bread and chips..she fought a battle. Part of her wanted to be so angry. How come her son didn't pick up on how tired she was? How come those boys didn't at least offer to help clean the kitchen back up? After all...they were a little unexpected weren't they??

But the other part of her was thankful for answered prayer. She always wanted to live in the house where the teenagers wanted to hang out. She wanted to be the cool mom. That had happened. God had answered her prayers. How could she be angry?

She began cleaning the kitchen and before long, joined her hubby on the couch to read the paper.

In only moments she felt her eyes begin to close and she just leaned her head back.

The house was still thumping and the laughter was loud, but amazingly..she got a nap. God provided.

And isn't that just like God?

Thankful Thursday

Today I join up with Sonya for Thankful Thursday.

I always look forward to sharing what I'm thankful for and catch myself spending my week putting those special things back in a little mental folder to share.

Here goes...

1) I am truly thankful for the breakthrough that DS and I had yesterday. He is really struggling with some things and God blessed and answered prayers and we were actually able to communicate...hear... each other yesterday. It was a very big blessing!!!

2) I am thankful that DD finally saved enough of her own money to upgrade her phone!! She has been talking non-stop for weeks now about this phone (even following us around the house to talk about it.....)

3) I am thankful that this week has had some beautiful spring-like weather. I've been able to open my windows and enjoy the subtle breeze and listen to the birds sing. Something I like to think God does especially for me..:o}

4) I am thankful our dog is feeling better. He was out of his fence this past Saturday and got into a fight. He got hurt pretty badly and didn't move too much for days. He actually met me at the fence yesterday for a nummie!!!

5) I am thankful that DH has the next 4 days off. He works in a highly stressful job, and even though the off time is due to a reduction in hours, it's time that he'll be able to rest up and catch up on some things that he enjoys doing!

To join up with more Thankful Thursday, click here.