The Rogers Family- Destined 4 Great Things!

The Story

2010-11-01T19:22:00.002-04:00

Everyday Greatness - True Stories about Real People

2010-03-22T09:30:00.005-04:00

I have just finished reading a book that has inspired and encouraged me with uplifting stories about real people! I love the way the book is broken out into different sections on different areas of life. The book is a compilation of Reader's Digest stories, with commentary and insight added by Stephen R. Covey. The book is well put together and is a great place to go to read true stories about real people.

The book is well put together and broken out into meaningful sections. These are just a few of the inspiriting topics covered.

Some of the sections (from the Table of Contents)-

Taking Charge-

Responsibility
Courage
Discipline

Starting Within-

Integrity
Humility
Gratitude

Creating the Dream-

Vision
Innovation
Quality

This book is an excellent motivational tool. Knowing that the well respected Stephen Covey gives his commentary and insight made the book even more interesting to me. I love the fact that so many inspiring stories are together in one place for me to reference when I need to see how someone else handled trial or adversity. It is a great tool for me to use with my children, too!! I highly recommend this book. You must know that it is a compilation of Reader's Digest stories and not a new book written by Covey. He is a contributor. But,it is well done and worth having on your bookshelf!

While there is NO substitute for God's Holy word that He wrote for us, this book is a great secular tool for motivation and encouragement through the stories of perseverance in other people's lives.

Pay Attention & Gain Some Perspective

2009-07-06T16:03:00.005-04:00

I know, I know, I need to finish posting journal entries from Austin's surgery, but today, for this post, I plan on writing a book review. I just finished reading a wonderful little book titled 'The Noticer'. It was written by Andy Andrews.

It is a powerful little book all about paying attention to the little things in life and about gaining a proper, fresh perspective for any given situation you may be facing in life. This book is about a man who is a 'staple' in a small town in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He has been coming and going in and out of this town for years and years. No one knows where he lives, nor do they know when he'll leave or when he'll return. But, he always shows up at just the moment someone needs him.

He seems to have this amazing wisdom that really helps a person see their life, dilemma, problem, or grief, in a whole new light. I was intrigued by the characters in this book and by his unconventional wisdom. The author did an amazing job of giving the readers enough detail to allow us to empathize with and care about each character, and that is saying a lot. See, there are many different characters woven in and out of this little book and I grew to care about each one of them. I loved reading about them and seeing their perspective change once they spent time with this wise man. There are a few sayings that I took away with me that will not leave me. Some of them are:

"There is absolutely no power in intention. There is no difference in the person who intends to do things differently and the one who never thinks about it in the first place. How often do we judge ourselves by our intentions while we judge others by their actions? Yes, intention without action is an insult to those who expect the best from you." (Italics mine)
"Most people think it takes a long time to change. It doesn't. Change is immediate! Instantaneous! It may take a long time to decide to change... but change happens in a heartbeat!"
"There are generations yet unborn, whose very lives will be shifted and shaped by the moves you make and the actions you take... tonight. And tomorrow. And tomorrow night. And the next day. And the next. No matter your age, physical condition, financial situation, color, gender, emotional state, or belief... everything you do, every move you make, matters to all of us-- and forever."
"If you set your mind on loss, you are more likely to lose... But a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person's life."

Reading this little book helped me to NOTICE several things in my own life, and not all of them were particularly good. I found a bit of myself in more than just one of the characters in this book. I promise you that you will not regret reading this gem of a book! It blessed me tremendously and I have decided to pay better attention to the people and places around me and to gain some fresh perspective as often as I can!

Trust & Simply Rest on the Journey

2009-06-12T23:45:00.002-04:00

Dear Family & Friends,

During the days right around Austin's surgery, we were unable to spend time on our laptops, and in a few instances, we were unable to even get internet access. So, since I couldn't update the blog regularly (in "real time"), I kept a journal of what we did each day, what we were feeling, and what we experienced each step of the way. Over the next few days, I will 'transcribe' this journal to an electronic format via blog entries. I kept this journal so that Austin can see it when he is grown and so that it will be a reminder to him of how faithful our God truly is! I also hope that it can serve as a reminder to him that he was very strong and courageous through it all. My hope & prayer also is that some of our friends and family will read these entries and find encouragement in them...

Because He Lives,

Joe & Cyndi

June 9th, 2009- Pre-Op Day

Today, we reluctantly left our comfortable, safe home and we headed for UAB Children's Hospital in Birmingham to get Austin ready for his shunt placement surgery tomorrow, June 10th. It was a long day that started at 6 AM, on the 9th, and concluded around 1 AM, the morning of the 10th. Though, we were busy and on the go from doctor's appointment, to anesthesia, to the lab, Austin never complained once. He was calm and peaceful and a joy to be around.

We had a 1 PM appointment at the neurosurgery clinic to see Dr. Oakes. This was our opportunity to ask more questions and to learn more about Austin's shunt placement surgery. We also completed an anesthesia consult and then went to the lab to have blood drawn.

The visit with Dr. Oakes went extremely well and helped answer a TON of questions for us. We were able to ask him more specifics about the surgery and we learned more about the placement of the shunt and he explained how it will work & exactly how they will place it in his brain. We also saw the actual shunt (a replica of the actual of course) and it amazed us that this will be placed into Austin's brain in less than 24 hours. WOW- modern technology is unreal! I found that it was a humbling experience to realize that we cannot fix this for our son. We need to trust our Heavenly Father and this talented neurosurgeon to 'fix' our son's brain. This put us in a place of complete and total humility like nothing we have ever experienced before.

We are trusting God's hand in all of this and we can see His provisions at every turn! It is unfathomable to me that He pre-destined this day and June 10th as well. He knew everything that would happen to Austin in these days and He has been there. So, knowing that our Heavenly Father, who loves Austin so much more than we do, has already seen what tomorrow holds, we know we can trust His heart, even when we can't see His hand! We would not have chosen this path for Austin, but we are earthly, imperfect parents with earthly eyes and a love for our children that wants them to endure as little pain as possible. But, our God knows the plans He has for our family and our son and we know He is faithful to see those plans to fruition, pain, joy, & all! We also know that He knows what will make us stronger and prepare us for what He has in store. So, we will go to sleep tonight, albeit for only a few short hours, trusting that He will meet us there, at that hospital, tomorrow!!

I have put together a video below of our day on Tuesday, including pictures of the shunt and some explanations about how it will work. I plan on updating the blog again tomorrow, and in the days ahead as well, with pictures and descriptions of each day, including the surgery day, and recovery days that we have in store.

The video is accompanied by one of Austin's favorite praise songs, "How Great Is Our God". It is so true, that we serve a Great God, so it is only fitting that this song is sung each time this video is played.

You will notice at the beginning of the video that both of our children were sleeping peacefully on the ride over earlier today. They didn't have a care in the world. They simply knew that they were with their parents, whom they trust to take care of them, and they rested peacefully along the way. They knew they were on a journey, but they trusted us and simply rested. Oh, how I need to "trust and simply rest" on this journey that I am on! How hard that is for me to do- trust and simply rest in my Father's loving hands!

2009-06-10T00:13:00.001-04:00

I am going to sleep SOON! We need to get some rest before 'Surgery Day' starts early- at 3:45 AM. We are trusting HIM & blessing His name!

The Tooth Fairy is coming to town...

2009-06-05T23:16:00.006-04:00

It has been since December, I think, since Austin has lost a tooth! WOW!! Those teeth are hanging on in his little head for dear life! I think 3 have been loose since that time. :) But, today, one finally met it's match. He lost his 3rd tooth today- on June 5th! And, he was SO PROUD!! After being a bit scared to pull it out, he actually pulled it out himself!! Way to GO!!

And, since we have this nifty new little gizmo called the 'Ultra Series Flip Video', I was able to capture it on video! What a day!! It was awesome to just pick up this little gadget and record away within seconds. I will have to blog about that little genius of technology over the weekend... we purchased it for the upcoming stay at the hospital and recovery time. Anyway, way to go Austin! And, in our home, that means that the Tooth Fairy is coming to town! Yep, I did it, I used the 'Santa Clause' song to sing about the Tooth Fairy! And, I sang it in my head while I typed. Well, since I have multiple jobs around here, one being that I stand in for the Tooth Fairy, I better get busy finding some cash! Enjoy the video....

"Oops... It Happens!"

2009-05-17T00:06:00.011-04:00

Don't you just love your perfect little life and the perfect little world we all live in? Oh, and the way we all go around portraying, to some degree, that we have it all together and everything is perfect in our own perfect little wonderful worlds?

Come on, you aren't buying what I am selling? Really? OK, OK... I KNOW our lives aren't perfect and I know our world isn't perfect and I surely know that I am not perfect, but doesn't it often feel like we are all trying to go overboard to make everyone else believe that "all is perfect and easy and well" in our little corner of the world? Well, contrary to all of this perfectionism, I saw something so refreshing last Sunday that I just had to talk about it! Go with me there, in your mind's eye, while I tell you all about the "perfect" performance I witnessed...

Imagine that 7 or so people are on stage performing, leading others into worship. They are all working together in harmony to create a beautiful song, using whatever instruments are appropriate. They are following the notes written on a page, laid out before them. The notes were written on that page by a composer and when they are played, or sung, or chimed, or rung

at just the right time...
with just the right rhythm...
with just the right tempo...
with just the right cadence...

the sound produced is a beautiful song pleasing to the ear, sounding just perfect, flawless and wonderful!!! It is amazing to hear and beautiful and splendid and, well, if performed correctly, PERFECT! But, last week, I saw something SO much more beautiful take place before my very own eyes. Now, go back with me and let's imagine it a little differently....

These same 7 or so people are on stage performing. They are all working together in harmony to create a beautiful song, using hand bells. They are following the notes written on a page, laid out before them. The notes were written on that page by a composer and when they are rung at just the right moment, the music sounds beautiful. But, imagine that the song and the notes and the tempo are a little faster and stronger and quicker than most songs usually are. Imagine that the 'performers' (if you will) are caught up in keeping the time, remembering their notes, counting out for themselves in their heads, working so quickly to keep up and ring at just the right time... and then they get ahead of themselves (or behind) and they start to count out loud (*gasp*), they start to ring when it isn't their turn (*the shock*), they are ahead of the music and they know it, and so does everyone else.

Finally, their leader speaks, during a performance where no speaking is required! The leader says, "Oops... We messed up! It happens! Let's start over! We are sorry." In the sanctuary, you could hear a pin drop, they all take a breath, pause for a moment and then they start again. Their song starts anew and it sounds beautiful, in tune, in time, the ringing of each note at just the moment the composer intended!

Did you see what I saw? Did you witness what we so often do not see? Or did you miss it? I saw it and it made me smile. It gave me chill bumps actually and it caused me to be so proud of the leader , who happens to be one of my dearest friends! I saw someone being real and being honest and saying, in front of a room full of friends & family (sometimes the worst critics around), "Oops, we messed up! It happens! We are going to try this again! This is new to us! Okay, here we go!"

Jennifer, my dear, sweet friend, had the courage to say it. She had the courage to say, "We messed up and we need to regroup and start over." Well, start over they did and the music was beautiful, wonderful, magnificent and played perfectly! When the music was finished & the people were ready to worship, there was applause! Not half-hearted "it was just okay" applause, but real, genuine, "we loved it" applause! I was so proud of ALL them and they did a fantastic job.

But, what I was most proud of and what we see so little of these days is their honesty! They didn't try to cover up the fact that they messed up. They took their chance to lay it out there, take a breath, regroup, and start over. You see, those were the only 7 in the room even brave enough to get on that stage in the first place. So the way I see it, they were the risk takers and the bold ones in the room before even the first note was rung. The rest of us knew we would mess up and didn't even want to take that chance, so we sat comfortably in our pews watching and well, most of us can't read music anyway, myself included!!

My point is this... how refreshing is it to know that we can be honest and say, "Oops, it happens! I AM NOT perfect. I AM going to fail sometimes, but I AM going to keep trying and I AM going to get out there and give it my all!"

Am I being REAL? Are YOU being REAL? Are we getting out there and taking chances, realizing that nothing and no one is perfect! Take the chance to be REAL with people and you will see what a refreshing change that can be!! You will be amazed at the applause, admiration, & respect you receive at the end of the song you are singing called your LIFE when that life is lived with authenticity, realism, imperfection, & the ability to admit, "Oops! It happens!" Thank you Jennifer for the reminder that none of us are perfect and that is OK!

But, what I was most proud of was the fact that they admitted they messed up, they regrouped, and they went on with their performance, playing every last note! That is pure, real, genuine, & refreshing! How often do we mess up and hope no one notices because (*gasp*) they might find out we are NOT perfect! They might find out we don't know all the notes or we missed our cue to come in. Well, you know what, neither are the people out there you are trying to be "perfect" for! They mess up, too, every day and you just don't know it!! Don't be afraid to be real and live authentic lives!!

Happy 7th Birthday Austin!

2009-05-08T00:54:00.012-04:00

"Don't blink! Just like that, you're 6 years old and you take a nap, and you wake up and you're 25 and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife... 100 years goes faster than you think! So, Don't Blink...."

Those are not my words. They are a songwriter's words, but those words have found a place in my heart over the past year. Those words pretty much summarize how FAST the past 8 years of our lives have gone by... in a blink, in a moment, & much, much too fast!! And we don't see it slowing down any time soon!!

It seems that May 22, 2001 was just YESTERDAY and we were holding our daughter for the first time in our arms. Then, less than 12 months later, 50 weeks to be exact, to the day, we were incredibly blessed to be holding our son, on May 8, 2002. AMAZING!!

Then, we blinked and Austin is 7 years old today!! It seems that the older he & his sister get, the FASTER the years go by. I have really started to think about what we are doing with our days with them and with the precious, fleeting moments that we have together....

Are we teaching them...

To love God with their whole hearts?
To love others freely and purely?
To laugh and play and to not take life too seriously?
To appreciate each moment, each day, each memory?
Are we showing them how you can love one another in a marriage completely, faults and all?
Are we teaching them not to blink, so you don't miss a moment with the ones you love?

Austin, I pray that Daddy & I are teaching you & your sister the important things-- things that last, things that are eternal, and things that really, really matter- like family, friends, investing in others, & loving with your whole heart! We pray that you grow to be a strong man of God & a person who lives life to the fullest!!! We pray that we are teaching you to love freely, forgive fully, and follow after God with your whole heart!!

I am re-posting a video I put together for his 6th birthday last year. I am posting this because it is one of Austin's favorites and he loves this song. So, some of you have seen it before and for that, I apologize, but it gives a great glimpse into who Austin is. I hope you enjoy watching this short video, because I know we enjoyed living these moments with him. Remember, when it comes to your family, don't blink, because if you do, you will miss something and every moment with your loved ones is a precious gift!

Austin, we hope you have a blessed, HEALTHY year ahead of you son! We love you so very much! And, we are SO PROUD of the faith & courage you have shown over the past few months! Happy 7th birthday little man!!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

How Do You Get THERE from HERE?

2009-05-01T14:20:00.007-04:00

How do you get from point A to point B? Sometimes the answer to that simple question is NOT so simple. Sometimes, you just don't know how you are going to get there, but eventually, with God's grace, you do. And then other times, you don't have the words to tell someone you care about, who is hurting, how they are going to get from point A to point B. That can be a loaded question. It was a loaded question for me the other evening while I was tucking my son into bed....

We were wrapping up our nightly routine... talking together, putting his favorite classical music on to play (Yo-Yo Ma), praying, and saying good night. This is when Austin asked me, 'Mommy, they ARE going to go through my mouth to put that shunt in my brain right?' I was stunned. I hesitated for a moment and then I realized that I need to give him an honest answer. So, I replied, 'No, son, that is not how they will put the shunt in your brain.'

He just stared at me and then he asked the loaded question, 'Then, mommy, how will they get it in THERE? How will they get the shunt in my brain?' My heart broke for him. He has been FINE with this surgery for the past week or so, but that was when he thought they were going through his mouth to get there. But, that was before.... BEFORE he realized they will have to make incisions in his brain to get there & BEFORE he realized that it might be more painful than he originally thought. (Have you ever been okay with a plan or something you were going through until you realized it had become more painful that you thought it would? I know I have!)

So, after I gathered my composure, and I finally found words, this is how our conversation went:

Me: 'Son, they will make 2 cuts in your brain so that they can put the shunt where it needs to go.' (His eyes almost popped out of his head!)
Austin: 'Really, mommy? They will cut me 2 times in my head?'

Me: 'Yes, Austin. They will. They are great doctors and this is how they put a shunt in someone's brain.'
Austin: (Sitting & thinking with his finger on his chin, looking somewhat puzzled... can you picture it?) Then, 'Mommy, this IS the part where I will be asleep, right?'

Me: 'Most definitely son, you WILL be asleep for this part. This is the surgery part.'
Austin: 'Mommy, where will you and Daddy be when they make those cuts? Will you be in the room with me and the doctor?'

Me: 'No, Austin. The doctors will have you in the operating room by that time. They don't let mommy's & daddy's go into the operating room. We will be with you until they wheel you back there and we will be there when you wake up. I promise you we will be there.' (My "mother's heart" was breaking for him at this point.)
Austin: 'Hmmmm.... I wish you and daddy could be back there with me in the... what was that called... the operating room?' (He sat and thought for a moment or two and then he spoke words that melted my heart!)

Austin: 'But, that's OK mommy, I know I will be alright. God will be with me in that room and I bet He will have angels in there too, to watch over me and to protect me.'

I didn't have words....

All I know is that it took the words of my 6 year old son to remind me that when we don't know how we are going to get there from here, ask God and He will not only accompany us on our journey, but He will be there waiting for us on the other side!! And, if we are truly blessed, He will place angels in our paths to watch over us on our way! I was reminded that many of you are angels in our family's path helping us get through this time!! Thank you for being there for us! We love you dearly!

I included a picture of Anna Grace & Austin with the World Of Coke Bear from our weekend outing 2 weeks ago! :0)

"Where are YOU gonna be?"

2009-04-22T22:19:00.011-04:00

Yesterday, on April 21st, we visited the office of Dr. Jerry Oakes, a pediatric neurosurgeon, for the first time. Before we left that doctor's office, we learned that we will be visiting him at least once a year for the rest of Austin's life...

Dr. Jerry Oakes was honest, kind, and straightforward, but he had to deliver the news that Austin does, indeed, have hydrocephalus. Simply translated, 'hydro' means water and 'cephalus' means brain. He has 'water on the brain' that is not draining away from his head as it should. We found out that our bodies make 1 quart of cerebrospinal fluid per day. Our brains (mine & yours) drain the fluid off, but Austin's does not. Dr. Oakes asked several questions to alarm us. Among those questions, he asked:

Is he developmentally delayed in school?
What did your previous neurologist say?
Are you sure you didn't see symptoms before February 4th of this year?
Does hydrocephalus run in your family?
Are you his biological parents? (This one was the kicker!!)

He asked all of these questions because he was simply shocked that we hadn't seen problems and symptoms in Austin before now. He said that the brain MRI images he just reviewed do not match up to a healthy 6 year old boy with only a few symptoms over the past 3 months. He was very surprised. That alarmed us, but then we realized this: God's touch on Austin's life is the only reason we haven't seen all of the problems that the doctor was asking about!! Only a supernatural, powerful, loving, gracious God can explain Austin's 'normal' health, given the swelling in his brain!

So, we had a talk with the doctor and asked many questions and listened to all he had to say. His recommendation and the best course of action is to put a shunt in Austin's brain. The shunt will be permanent and life-long. We will need to monitor it and he will have yearly check-ups with the neurosurgeon to insure that the shunt is still doing it's job. His surgery is scheduled for June 10th in Birmingham at UAB Children's Hospital. We will go over on the 9th for pre-op, lab work, and an anethesia consult. Dr. Oakes will make 3 incisions to perform the procedure- 2 in his skull/brain and 1 in his stomach. This 3 inch shunt along with tubing that runs internally down into his stomach will drain the fluid off of his brain for him.

It was a surreal day, but we know God is in control and He has gone before us EVERY step of the way so far, and June 10th will be no different. We know our God is going before us even now to prepare us for Austin's surgery and recovery.

Again, Austin broke everything down to 2 things that mattered to him. Let me share with you our experience when telling him about his upcoming surgery...

During the day yesterday, after we found out, we were careful not to let Austin see me (mom) cry nor let him hear us call family & friends to tell them what is going on. We decided to tell him last night about the surgery, after he asked us to please tell him what is going on. Joe explained the events of the past few weeks very simply and told him that the doctor we met today will perform surgery on his brain to fix the problem. Austin's first question was: 'OK. Daddy, hold on, will I be put to sleep for this surgery so it won't hurt and I won't feel anything?' Joe, of course, told him, 'Yes, son, you will be asleep so it won't hurt.' Austin was good with that and was perfectly fine to keep listening to his daddy explain things.

Then, Joe told him, 'Son, you won't feel well when you wake up and you will have to stay in the hospital overnight or for several nights.' Austin looked shocked & a little concerned and immediately looked over at me and asked, 'Where are YOU gonna be?' To that, I answered, 'Son, I am going to be right beside you, sitting in your room or I will be in your bed with you holding you if you need me to. Daddy and I will both be there in the hospital room with you the entire time.' Once we assured him of these 2 things, he was fine. He had no more questions and he is 'good' with the fact that he is having surgery in 7 weeks. Amazing!!

I am thinking to myself, 'Where ELSE would we be son but right by your side or holding you while you hurt or helping you while you are sick or scared? We wouldn't ever let you go through this alone, son.' I was surprised he asked that question, but he did.

And, then it hit me, how many times have I asked my Heavenly Father that question just before descending into a valley in life or while I was in the middle of a difficult or gut-wrenching time? How many times have I asked my Daddy, my Abba Father, 'Hey, where are YOU gonna be while I go through this very difficult time?' or how many times have I asked, 'Where ARE you in this mess Lord?'

And how many times did my Daddy, my Abba Father speak to my heart and say, 'I am going to be right beside you supporting you! And when the journey gets very painful and very tough, I will hold you and carry you through!' Don't you know He wonders why we continue to question Him during these times? Just like I couldn't believe Austin thought his daddy & I would be anywhere else, neither is my God going to be anywhere else but walking with Joe and I and carrying us through this valley.

I asked my Heavenly Father this afternoon, 'Where are YOU gonna be, God, on June 10th?' And His response was loud and clear, 'I am going to be right there with you my child and I will carry you through if it gets too painful!'

Austin's simple faith and simple belief system allowed us to see how BIG our God is and how faithful He is when we are facing a valley. Whatever valley you are facing, I challenge you to go ahead and ask God, 'Where are YOU gonna be?' I bet I know His answer...

Austin's MRI Results

2009-04-14T16:25:00.004-04:00

We awoke at 5 AM this morning, after very little sleep, to take Austin to the hospital for his MRI. The morning went very smoothly, much better than we expected, thanks in most part to many prayers going up on Austin's behalf! Thank you all SO MUCH for your prayers for Austin & our family today!! Many of you have encouraged us more than we can begin to say.

Austin did GREAT this morning during the entire process of being put to sleep, going to get the MRI, and waking up. He has not done well before waking up from anesthesia, so we were very anxious about that part. He did very well and only felt rough for about the first 25 minutes when waking up, but he was calm. By the time we had been back home for about 1/2 an hour, he was back to himself. We could sense the prayers going up on his behalf the entire time! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Also, we did receive a call from the doctor late this afternoon with the MRI results. Again, God has gone before us and prepared the way. He is faithful that way you know!! Though they DO still see the fluid build-up and pressure on his brain in 3 ventricular areas, the MRI DID NOT reveal any large mass or obstruction that could be causing the fluid build up and pressure. The doctor said that they saw nothing additional on the MRI to alarm them, other than a confirmation of what we saw last week. So, we are praising the Lord for that bit of good news!! Hallelujah!

Right now, we will wait 1 week before we see the neurosurgeon next Tuesday (04/21) at 10 AM CST in Birmingham. This is when we will find out more about our next steps and whether those steps include surgery to put in a shunt. Though we still do not have all the answers or reasons why, we are one step closer to finding out a resolution. And, our God already has ALL of the answers. We must simply trust His heart when we can't see where His hand is leading us. (Easier said than done sometimes.)

We are so grateful for amazing family and friends to lift up our son in prayer, as if he were your own! We love you so very much!! You are surely undeserved blessings in our lives! God is good all the time and all the time God is good! We will continue to wait on Him and praise Him while we wait. We indeed serve a God who can still move mountains!!

"Blessed Be Your Name"

2009-04-07T22:07:00.001-04:00

Over the course of the past 8 weeks, Austin has had episodes of throwing up and not eating and feeling rough for a day or so at a time. These 'episodes' couldn't be explained by a stomach virus or food poisoning or anything like that. We couldn't figure out what was causing them, other than a 6 year old getting sick occasionally. But, he has thrown up more in the past 8 weeks than we have seen in 3 or 4 years.

So, we took him in last week to check into it. The pediatrician recommended an eye exam first because she noticed something that alarmed her with his eyes and tracking things in his field of vision. His full eye exam last Wednesday showed that his eyes were fine. He doesn't need a prescription nor did they see any problems. So, the next step, before checking the stomach area and GI-related issues was a CT scan. That was scheduled for yesterday at T.C. Thompson's. We FULLY expected it to come back normal and then move on to the next test with a GI specialist. Well, we were shocked to get the abnormal results back. The CT indicates that there is increased pressure on 3 ventricular areas in his brain, meaning that fluid is building up and sitting on these areas causing pressure. His brain/body is not draining the fluid as it should. This is what could be causing what has been happening with him over the past 8 weeks. This has to be investigated further with an MRI and then a consult with a neurosurgeon in Birmingham, AL.

Our pediatrician scheduled an MRI for us at T.C. Thompson's. Then, they called the specialist in Birmingham to set up that appointment as well. His MRI is scheduled for next Tuesday, April 14th at 6:30 AM. It will be an 'MRI w/ anesthesia' since he is so little. They didn't have an appointment open until July, but our Dr. called and urged them to fit him in on their 'emergency cases' day, which is Tuesday of each week.

Then, they set up our first consult with the pediatric neurosurgeon in Birmingham, Dr. W. Jerry Oakes, for the following Tuesday, April 21st at 10 AM. He will review the CT scan images, the MRI images, as well as see Austin and then he will tell us what our next step is. We don't know what that step is yet. One possibility the doctor mentioned yesterday was placing a shunt in his brain to drain off the fluid. Needless to say, we were alarmed yesterday to get this news, but we have ALREADY seen God move in this situation and we see God's hand ALL over the situation in so many ways. We also found out yesterday that he has strep AND bronchitis. Poor child!!!! Bless his heart!!

Rest assured that we know God is in control and that His hand is all over this and He loves Austin much more than we do! So, while we wait, which is VERY hard for us- the waiting and not knowing is SO difficult- we will trust God's hand in all of this. As several of you have said to me in the last 24 hours, God was not surprised yesterday! He knew this was going to happen and He has made a way already. We just can't see it yet, which is the hard part for us. Austin's spirits are great!! If you ask him, he will tell you this:

'They took pictures of my brain yesterday and they need to do something to fix it and I am going to be fine! I have had surgery before and they just put you to sleep and it doesn't hurt when you wake up.'

He was singing the praise song 'Blessed Be Your Name' by Chris Tomlin yesterday when we got in the van RIGHT AFTER the doctor's appointment. That is SO GOD!! He was singing, 'You give & take away... so my heart will CHOOSE to say, Lord blessed be your name!' So, his spirits are great! To look at him, you wouldn't think there is a thing wrong with him!! Praise the Lord for that! We will be at the Easter morning service with bells on and Austin will be singing a solo with his sister. So, we will rejoice in spite of our uncertainty. We will continue to claim Psalm 91, which talks about 'abiding in the presence of God'.

Thank you for your time in reading this update and our family would covet your prayers right now for Austin's health and for our peace.

25 Things I love about Joe...

2009-02-13T10:06:00.013-05:00

I have been 'absent' from 'bloggyville', as my dear friend, Shana, calls it, for just over a month now. I realized I have missed it. I have much to catch you up on, but today, I will start with this tribute to my husband. (I hope I still have a few friends out there who will actually read this.)

My dear husband joined the '40's club' this past Monday, February 9th. We had a wonderful party full of fantastic friends and we celebrated for sure! But, given that tomorrow is Valentine's Day and his birthday was this week, I took an idea that is running a muck on FB (this stands for FaceBook, if you have been hiding under a rock for the last year and didn't know that) and decided to adapt it to Joe, my husband of 14 1/2 years.

25 Things I love about you Joe....

You are my true love and my soul mate.
You are my best friend and you know me like no other.
You are STILL my best friend even THOUGH you know me like no other.
You mailed me love letters about 3x/week during my last quarter at UGA. VERY romantic! (My roommates began to HATE going to the mailbox thanks to your letters.)
You have stood by my side and held my hand through some VERY TOUGH times.
You didn't give up during those times and you are very strong!
You make me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts and tears come to my eyes.
You are a wonderful provider for our family and you work very hard in your 'day job' to provide for us.
You are a wonderful daddy to our children.
You are the one I always want to spend my free time with, unless I get to go away with my girlfriends!! ;) (Just kidding, honey!)
You and I share a love of music and we both love to sing, dance, and listen to many kinds of music.
You love to spend time with the 3 of us playing games, watching movies, laughing, and just being silly!
You love to cook and cook great meals for our family.
You treat Anna Grace (& her mommy) like a princess.
You are teaching Austin to respect his mommy, others, and to be a gentleman.
You take care of us when we are sick.
You pray with our children (& sing to them when I can't be there at bedtime).
You listen to me when I need someone to talk to or cry to or complain to.
You have a contagious laugh that you somehow passed on to our son. I love to hear my boys laugh!!
You are a good friend to our friends. You would be there for them at the drop of a hat. You have a big heart and you care a great deal about others.
I have a great deal of respect for you and I am so very proud of you.
I feel safe when you hold me and I feel that I am protected from this cruel world!
I love that I get to spend the next 40+ years with you, my best friend, the Lord willing!
ILY... IWY... INY... and I am SO glad I said YES to our first date 15 years ago last month!!
And, most importantly, you love the Lord and are a wonderful leader for our family.

So, there you have it- my 25 things about Joe! I am humbled and amazed at God's grace, mercy, and favor on our family. I am amazed at what we have endured and I am hopeful, prayerful, and excited about our future as a family! I love you my friend and soul mate. Don't ever forget that.

Love,

Lou

Christmas Memories and Our Little Soldier

2008-12-31T01:26:00.009-05:00

We hope you and your family had a wonderful CHRISTmas! We had one of the best Christmases I can remember our family celebrating together. It was filled with celebrating Jesus' birth, love, laughter, family, and friends! What more could we ask for?

Some of the moments we will never forget about Christmas 2008 are...

This is the first Christmas that our children were able to pick out a gift for each other. They so loved doing something special for each other. It was wonderful to watch them focus on giving instead of getting.
This Christmas, we laughed a lot and we laughed together and we laughed LOUD. Austin's laugh, especially, is infectious when he really, really laughs! It was refreshing and such good medicine for our souls.
Anna Grace was a little soldier in the DTD's annual performance of the Nutcracker. She had the most fun and did a GREAT job AND she was able to get a date night in with daddy since mommy was terribly ill with a stomach virus for her 2nd night of performing. She LOVED having a date with daddy.
This Christmas is the first time my daughter realized that I not only pick out and buy hers, Austin's, and daddy's Christmas pj's, but I also pick out mommy's Christmas pj's. She was so amazed that I do all the shopping and pick out all of the presents that she offered to pay for MY Christmas pj's out of her own money and she insisted that once they were wrapped, the gift would be placed in her room. Then, she and Austin would present it to me. It REALLY, REALLY touched me to see her moved (to the point of spending her OWN money) to give back to me, her mommy.
Anna Grace wrote Santa a note and made special gifts to give him. I will have dedicate a post to that one subject very soon. It was precious. We left the gifts and the note with the cookies and milk. And, we woke up on Christmas morning to find that he ate the cookies, drank the milk, took the gifts she left, wrote a note back to her AND left them presents under the tree. She was THRILLED that he wrote a note back to her! She was almost more excited to see his note back to her than to see her presents!! (Remember, I did say 'almost' :) )
Austin and Gracie were a joy to watch on Christmas morning! We woke up to Anna Grace singing... 'Wake up! It's Christmas! Wake up! It's Christmas!' They couldn't wait to be with mommy and daddy and share this special day together. They savored each moment of that day and they were so grateful for each gift that Santa brought. Austin even commented that, 'Santa brought me extra mommy! He brought more than I even asked for. What a nice Santa. He really didn't have to do that!' This simply made my heart smile!! :)

That last memory above, can't you just picture God, our Heavenly Father, saying that to us each morning, 'Wake up! It's a new day I made for you! Wake up! It's a new day I made just for you!'? Don't you know that our God is THAT excited to see us, hear us, and commune with us each morning? He can't wait to see us get up and see what the day holds, what He has in store, and what He created for us and around us! I pray that we value that and make the most of that in the new year! He is so in love with us, His creation, the imperfect, simple, small creatures that we are! But, He is our Father and He can't wait spend each day with us! Try to remember to spend time with Him today and in the New Year ahead!! He may even bless you 'extra', more than you deserve, which is what we call in our house His AMAZING GRACE!!

I have posted some pictures below of our CHRISTmas together! I hope you and yours had a beautiful Holiday season together and I pray you experience His joy, peace, and many 'extra' blessings in the new year!!

Brady, Austin, Taylor, & Anna Grace (my brother's 2 children)

Christmas at my parents' home with my family

Joe and Gracie getting ready for their night on the town and then her Nutcracker performance

Haley & Anna Grace as 2 cute little soldiers!

Anna Grace getting 'in character'

Austin & Gracie on Christmas Eve leaving out the cookies & milk (& presents) for Santa.

Anna Grace showing off her note and gifts for Santa

All 4 of us on Christmas Eve posing in our new Christmas pj's

Austin & Mommy on Christmas morning. I am holding a gift given to me by Joe & Austin.

It's Like Pulling Teeth....

2008-12-08T22:46:00.006-05:00

Well, I couldn't let an entire month go by without posting.... I have had this nagging feeling that I REALLY need to post over the past week and I figured that tonight is the night... And, I have several ideas on things I want to write about, so look forward to several posts over the next few days... IF I have any readers left!! (I love all 4 of you!! :) )

We have had some exciting things happening in the Rogers home over the past month. One of those exciting things is Austin losing his first 2 teeth. He has desperately wanted to lose his first tooth for over 6 months now. His two front bottom teeth have been lose for over a month, but he wouldn't let me pull either one. (Daddy's not one for pulling teeth, so that is a 'mommy' job that I take very seriously in our home.) So, I tried one morning before school and he cried out, 'Ouch mommy! Don't do that!' (I had barely even TOUCHED him!) So, being the kind mommy that I like to think I am, I stopped 'torturing' my son and left him alone. Let me reiterate for those of you still reading... it was SO LOOSE it almost FELL out!! Almost FELL OUT, I tell ya!!

THEN, since it was a school day, he heads out the door to school with a full mouth of teeth... and he comes home that afternoon with 1 LESS TOOTH!!! (GASP!!!!!) I couldn't believe it. I asked him how his tooth came out, figuring it MUST have fallen out during lunch or something since he wouldn't dare let ANYONE PULL OUT that first tooth!!

Oh NOOOOOOOOO........ Mrs. B. pulled out his first tooth. What? Did I hear that correctly? His 1st grade teacher pulled out his first tooth? Yes, I heard it correctly! Then he tells me, and I quote, 'Mommy she KNOWS how to pull out teeth better than you do. It didn't hurt. She pulled straight up!' Are you kidding me? The tooth was practically ready to jump out of his mouth!

Well, I survived that 'stab to the heart' and tuned back into he and his sister's conversation when I heard, 'I think I will ask the tooth fairy for $10! And I think I will get it.' Boy, the child MUST have his dad's modesty and humility. :) (Just kidding Joe.) I had to laugh at that one. Well, he did only get $5 from the tooth fairy and then he lost his 2nd tooth 1 week later, and that one was pulled by none other than, the ever popular MOMMY! YES, my dignity and pride were restored! I was able successfully pull out the tooth of a 6 year old without causing irreparable damage. :0)

(I DO want to thank you Mrs. B. for taking care of things for me on the first one.) Really, Mrs. B. is an AWESOME teacher and we are so blessed to have her this year. Austin thinks she hung the moon. And, I think he believes that Mrs. W. (his Kindergarten teacher) taught her HOW to hang that moon. He loves those 2 ladies.

Anyway, he was so proud that he finally lost those 2 teeth!! I was so happy for him as well. It made my heart smile to see him proud. I have included pictures below of my son's first 2 lost teeth. Enjoy!!

Look mom, no tooth on the bottom!!

Still showing off the missing tooth...

RIGHT THERE mom....

See, I am leaving it RIGHT where she can find it and leave my $10. :)

I am SO EXCITED to see what the tooth fairy will bring...

God is Good All The Time...

2008-11-14T23:21:00.010-05:00

And ALL the time GOD IS GOOD!!

We say that so often, that many times, when we hear someone else start to quote it, we finish it for them. We say it, but do we truly believe it? Do we truly believe that our God is good ALL the time? What about when...

We are hurting?
We see a friend hurting, or losing a job, or going through a divorce?
We lose a friend, due to moving away, or a disagreement of some kind?
Our spouse is under persecution at work?
Our children are hurting or struggling and we can't 'fix' it?
When someone we love dies and we ache to see them just once more?

Is God TRULY good during those times? I say YES, not just a tiny, little yes, but a gigantic, huge, resounding YES! Now, I wouldn't have said 'Yes!' 9 years ago, or 5 years ago, or 4 years ago when I was going through some very, very tough things in my life at each of those times. But God is so good to keep loving and guiding us even when we are so foolish and even when we are so angry at HIM for messes we created or for situations that simply hurt us. He amazes me, that God of ours,... His patience, love, grace, mercy, and sovereignty over us and for us! It is quite UNREAL! No, really it is!!

This week, He has shown me that He works ALL things together for GOOD for those who are called according to His purpose and His will. Even though we see things as hard or heart breaking or down right terrible, He is working all around us to bring those events, heart aches, moments of anger, tears, even death to GOOD for those who love HIM!! I saw that today and this week in more ways than one...

I saw an answer to a prayer that Joe and I have been praying for almost 3 years now. He answered it TODAY right before my very eyes!
I saw a broken friendship beginning to be reconciled and healed in a way no one would have seen coming! And, this too, happened right before my very eyes!
I saw words spoken, put on a human heart by a powerful God, bring down walls that had been built so high that I wasn't sure they could come down!
I saw a co-worker blessed beyond words at a ministry that I take for granted in my work place.
I saw a friend's heart open up to hear the gospel and listen for the first time ever, right before my very eyes!!

You see, I saw Him, our BIG, HUGE GOD, that we try to put in a small, teeny, tiny box work things together for GOOD!!!! Do you hear me my sweet friends? Now, I am not saying, that over the coming years ahead, I won't falter, and I won't question, and I won't cry and ask why! I am SURE I will do all of those things. BUT, you see He showed me today, on November 14, 2008 that there is a reason we call Him....

El Shaddai - "God all sufficient" or "God Almighty"
Adonai - "Master"
Elohim - "Creator, Preserver, Transcendent, Mighty & Strong"
Jehovah- "I am who I am"
Jehovah-Ropha- "The Lord who heals"
Jehova-Jireh- "The Lord will provide"

Those are fitting, amazing names for our Almighty Heavenly Father, but the one He most likes to hear, I believe, is 'Daddy'. We are like little children in His eyes. And, today, my Daddy, your Daddy, showed me how BIG He is and how much He loves me and how He has been attending to all of these circumstances all of this time and I didn't even know it!

So, the next time you hear someone start out saying 'God is good....' finish it for them, with them, with much joy and excitement in your voice and then remember this, that's your Daddy they're talking about!!

God is good ALL THE TIME and all the time, GOD IS GOOD!!!

A "Perfect Blend of Friendship" Award

2008-10-29T13:03:00.006-04:00

And the award goes to.... me and 5 of you lucky blog readers/girlfriends out there, if I still have 5 left-- blog readers that is! (I know I have 5 friends left, but I am not sure they still read my blog!) :) I know, I know, I have not posted in over 3 weeks, so there is NOTHING to read... that is CRAZY!! I think I hear the 'blog police' sirens NOW!! :) October has been crazy busy and I have been sick a couple of times too, including RIGHT NOW!!! (I digress....)

But, nonetheless, a childhood friend of mine, Trina, blessed me with this award, so I am going to answer the questions on the questionnaire and then tag 5 of my girlfriends who blog so that they can be blessed as well. The questionnaire questions are below:

1. Do you have the same friends since childhood?

Yes & No is my answer. I have a few close girlfriends that I still keep in touch with from childhood. We moved around a lot, which was hard for me. I made new friends wherever I went, which is part of the reason I don't meet a stranger today and I am not the least bit shy! But, I am reconnecting with many of my childhood friends on FaceBook. It is GREAT to see where they all ended up and to see that many of them still love the Lord! That is awesome.

But, I DO have 1 childhood girlfriend who has stayed close and who has endured all of the moves with me, as well as all of the boyfriends, squabbles, church retreats, summer camps (@ Ridgecrest, NC), high school, sappy movies, sappy songs, college, getting married, and finally becoming a mom! Her name is Karen Shaw and she is one of the most wonderful women you will ever meet! I have such AWESOME memories of growing up and MANY of them, if not almost all of them, include Karen! I can't imagine growing up without her. She is such an awesome blessing from the Lord and she was given to me at such a young age!! I didn't even know how much she would bless me over my lifetime, and she still is blessing me to this very day!! And, through FB, I am able to be blessed by several other awesome ladies who I grew up with in church, like Trina T., Tonya L., Sharon L., Cindy B., & Meg G.

2. What do you value most about your friends?

I value their uniqueness and quirkiness. I value their love for the Lord! I REALLY value their ability to make me laugh, even on the worst day. I value that I can be silly with them, laugh out loud with them, or be crazy and let loose with them! I value that I can cry in front them or say something totally absurd in front of them and they still love me and they don't pass judgement. I value that they are real and transparent with me, even when it hurts sometimes. I value that they are such beautiful women, both inside and out!! I value that they would be at my home at 3 AM if tragedy struck, no questions asked!! I value that they pray with me and for me. I value that they all bring different viewpoints and opinions into my world and they make me think. I value that they each love their family and their friends passionately! I value that our precious children are growing up together!! I value that they are my true "HIDERS"!! I value them so very much and I don't tell them often enough how truly special they are to me!!

3. Are your friends your sounding boards?

YES!! They are!! Are you kidding me??!! You can ask Shana, I usually will ask them their opinion and input on almost any topic. Yes, I take it to my Heavenly Father and I pray, but sometimes, a victory, or a big decision, or just something that happened in the middle of an ordinary day needs to be shared with them or talked through with my girlfriends! They are awesome sounding boards and many times, it takes a long time to listen to me and a lot of patience! They are awesome at doing both-- listening and having patience.

4. What is your favorite activity to share with your friends?

A girls' night out, a girls' weekend away, or a great bible study evening where we worship, get in His word, study, praise, and then pray!

Now, I am passing this on to 5 friends...

1. Jennifer J.
2. Shana F.
3. Tammy H.
4. Terri R.
5. Meleia B.

-- NOTE: There are several more ladies who I would like to tag, but I was asked to only tag 5. So, that's where I stopped. I know these girls will get you 'tagged' as well!! :)

(I will go to your blogs girls and post comments so that you will know you have been awarded!!)

Have a blessed day my sweet sisters in Christ who are some of the best friends a girl could ask for!!

I've Been Tagged....

2008-10-08T08:45:00.008-04:00

I think I have been tagged by 3 or 4 people at this point (Terri, Kellie, Tammy F.), so I figure I better go ahead and post this before I get tagged again and then enters the possibility that I will be chased down by the 'blog police', if there is such a thing. :)

So, I'm IT for now and quite frankly, I don't know who HASN'T been tagged in my blogging family, but you can be SURE I will tag you!! :) (See the bottom of this post to see if you are one of the lucky TAGGED persons!!) The rules say that I list 5 things about these 5 things that are about me. And, then I have to "tag" 5 people. So, here it is folks....

The Five Tag

10 Years Ago I:

1. Was a newlywed of 3 1/2 years
2. Had just purchased our first home, which is still our current home! :)
3. Drove a white Ford Explorer
4. Was 19 years old, and amazingly 9 years ago, I was STILL 19 years old!! ;)
5. Didn't appreciate how much FREE time we had when it was just the 2 of us!!!

5 Things on Today's "To-Do" List:

1. Go by the grocery store
2. Spend some time in my Daniel bible study and some much needed prayer time with my Father!
3. Make brownies for Austin's class at school & bake a cake for someone's birthday at the office.
4. Prepare for a meeting I am conducting Wednesday afternoon at 2 PM.
5. Pick up Gracie & Austin from school and commence some of my jobs- see 5 jobs I've had below.

5 Snacks I Enjoy:

1. Chips & Salsa & Cheese Dip (especially from La Altena in Cleveland)
2. Homemade chocolate chip cookies
3. Plain Popcorn or Caramel pop-corn drizzled in white & milk chocolate
4. Homemade Rice Krispy treats (eaten while they are still a bit warm)
5. Chips & Dip

(I KNOW, I KNOW... none of those are good for you, but it said 'snacks I enjoy', not 'healthy snacks I have to eat'!)

5 Things I would do If I were a millionaire:

1. Pay off our house and give it to a family who needs it and then start building a new one!
2. Quit my "day" job and spend all my free time with my husband and children!
3. Pay off houses for our family & help friends financially.
4. Give generously to our church's building fund & to charities, such as March of Dimes, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, & Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research.
5. Travel, travel, travel with and without our children.

5 Places I have lived:

1. 4506 Chamblee Tucker Rd.
2. 137 Tamara Ct. (in Athens--- one of the BEST college towns EVER)
3. 129 Buckingham Dr.
4. 2705 Dug Gap Rd
5. 217 Vineyard Dr.

5 Jobs that I have had (or still have today in some cases):

1. Systems Consultant for Hewlett Packard
2. Senior Systems Analyst for Shaw Industries
3. Chief Activity Planner and Homework Coordinator @ Rogers Family, Inc.
4. Executive Laundry Specialist/Consultant @ Rogers Family, Inc.
5. "Best Mommy EVER" (a direct quote from my "employers") to 2 wonderful children & wife to 1 fabulous husband @ Rogers Family, Inc. (By far my very favorite AND most challenging job ever! I think this one counts as 2!!)

5 people I am tagging:

1. Jennifer J.
2. Erik & Angie
3. Justin
4. Trina (friend from childhood) She is SUPER sweet & has a great blog for home school moms!
5. Tamara

Quote of the Day- "My brain hurts from all this THINKIN'!"

2008-09-30T09:51:00.017-04:00

So, the 4 of us were having some great family time last night before bed. We were reading some books and then each talking about our day and playing our 'worst/best' game... (we talk about the worst part of our day and the best part of our day. It is OK to not have a worst part of your day.) It is great... you should try it at home one evening if you haven't ever done this!

Anyway, my son proceeds to tell me about the worst part of his day and he says he has had a bad day and it just wasn't a good day at school and he seems rather intense about it. So, I ask him a few more questions, to dig a little deeper you know, and to see what happened at school and finally we get to the root of the problem:

"Well, mom, my brain just hurts from all this thinkin' that I've been doing for almost 1 and a half years now in school!'

Did you read that?? HIS brain hurts??!! We couldn't laugh out loud just yet (didn't want to squash the child in him that still tells his mom & dad everything), but I was thinking, 'Come on! Are you kidding me!?? YOUR brain is tired??!! Think about how mom and dad feel!' So, I kept those thoughts to myself, like any good mom should, and I said simply, 'Son, you have a GREAT young brain and you are good in school. Are you telling me that your brain hurts from thinking so hard in school every day?' He says, 'Yes, mom, that about sums it up! My brain hurts from all this thinkin'!'

At this point, I did laugh, we all 4 did, as I hugged my youngest child, and told him that he needed to get used to this "thinkin'" thing, because he is good at it and he will be doing it for a VERY, VERY, VERY long time, like his dad and I have been doing! At this point, my oldest child chimed in and added, "Yeah, look at mommy. She has had to think for 29 whole years now!"

THIS is the moment when I realized I am SO proud of my babies! My son is one analytical thinker and my daughter is a GENIUS at math!! ;) Friends, haven't I TOLD you what a wonderful school my children attend!!?? They have fabulous teachers at that place!

Here's to all of this "thinkin'" all of us moms (& dads) have to do on a regular basis! And, here is my prayer...

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for filling our lives SO FULL of BLESSINGS that we get to THINK about a lot of STUFF each and every day!! But, God, can you help us out when our brains hurt from all of the thinkin' we do, especially those of us who are moms? Give us the courage we need to lean on YOU to do some THINKIN' for us when we are out of brain power, so to speak!! THANK YOU for giving us your Holy Spirit to do some of the thinkin' FOR US! Save us from ourselves when we aren't thinkin' straight!!! And finally, Lord, continue to bless the minds, hearts, and spirits of our little ones as they begin to think for themselves and learn and grow in your word! AMEN!

I pray heaping blessings on your heads today my dear friends!! And I pray you find rest from "all of this thinkin'" for your tired brains!

(I have included a few pics below of our cat, Sam. In a couple of these pictures, he looks like I feel after a lot of thinkin'!! I also included a picture of the kids with my niece and nephew- my brother's 2 children.)

He looks like I feel after a LONG, LONG, LONG week of thinkin'!

This is how I look during 'deer in the headlights, not sure what I am supposed to do' thinkin'!

This is a picture of our children and their cousins, who are just beginning to learn about all of this thinkin' stuff!

WE WIN!!!

2008-09-15T21:41:00.014-04:00

I ran across this video thanks to a wonderful childhood friend of mine, Ron Smith, who posted it to his FB account. He is someone that I grew up respecting tremendously. Not only was he a true friend, but a strong brother in Christ. He was this way when we were growing up and I still consider him to be both to me today. I am so grateful that he posted it so that my life could be touched in a small way by this beautiful young lady's life.

After you watch Jessie's amazing video tribute below, please take a moment to follow the link underneath it to see Lanny Donoho's blog post as a Final Tribute to this beautiful sister in Christ. All I can say is WOW!!! She humbled me. His post contains the same video and a beautiful written message as a tribute to Jessie. His words and her life are an encouragement and a testimony to the victory we can ALL claim in Jesus, even in death! After you watch the video of Jessie, read his post and remember this... WE WIN!! It is definitely worth a few moments of your time.

Remember this, my dear friends, either in life or in death, WE WIN!!

Lanny Donoho's blog post as a tribute to Jessie--- Final Tribute

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A Few Of My Favorite Things

2008-09-13T20:01:00.012-04:00

Yes, I am a 'Sound of Music' fan, but, I grabbed this idea from a dear friend of mine, Meleia. (I hope that is OK Meleia.) You should go check out her blog, 'Life With Libby'... it is one that I really enjoy reading. So, her post 'Get Your Grill On' got me thinking about what would be on my list of things that I could endure for a VERY, VERY long time... or at the very least, a list of my FAVORITE things. So, my list is below... ENJOY!!

1. LONG weekends.
2. Vacations at the beach or just about anywhere.
3. A hug and/or a kiss from one of my 'babies', especially the unexpected hugs and kisses!
4. A really good movie at the BIG SCREEN.
5. Getting lost in a story inside the pages of a GREAT book.
6. Cuddling with my hubby just about anytime, anywhere.
7. A FANTASTIC highlight and haircut-- I have a fabulous hairdresser! :)
8. A clean house.
9. A wonderful photograph that I took.
10. Spending quality time with my family.
11. A GREAT playlist on my iPod.
12. A blissful Sunday afternoon nap.
13. Going to a really awesome SEC football game, preferably played by Georgia or Auburn.
14. Seeing a child smile out of pure, simple joy.
15. Hearing the laughter of a child.
16. Holding a sleeping baby.
17. Rocking my son to sleep just about every night when he was a baby.
18. Singing and cuddling with my daughter at bedtime.
19. A girls night out or a weekend away with the girls!
20. A romantic date out (or in) with my hubby! (I am a HUGE romantic- flowers, notes, chivalry, dancing- all the mushy stuff! I LOVE IT!!)
21. A weekend away with just me and my hubby - preferably in a cabin in the mountains!
22. A nice, long, hot bubble bath.
23. Seeing the 'nice guy get the girl', usually in the movies, but I love when it happens for REAL... like in the cases of Joe Rogers and Brad Farmer - 2 of the nicest guys I know. ;)
24. Singing a beautiful praise song and truly praising my King!
25. Swinging on a porch on a beautiful, crisp Fall afternoon.
26. Laughing so hard that my stomach aches.
27. A full body massage at a day spa.
28. A really good hug from a dear friend-- the kind of hug you can still 'feel' even as they walk away. :)
29. Witnessing someone discover the amazing, saving grace and forgiveness of my Savior.

So, what would be on your list of favorite things??

Two Hearts

2008-09-08T23:21:00.008-04:00

I discovered a song Sunday night and I love it!! It is not the latest and greatest top 40 hit, nor is it a new praise song, or even a beautiful love song. It is a nursery rhyme lullaby. I LOVE the song! I have been singing it all day! I can't believe my little ones are 6 and 7 and I am just now discovering it. The song is titled, 'I See The Moon'. Do any of you know the song? The tune is so sweet and I love the words. The lyrics are:

I See the Moon

I see the moon (and) the moon sees me
The moon sees the somebody I'd like to see
God Bless the moon and God Bless me
And God Bless the somebody I'd like to see.

It seems to me that God above
Created you for me to love
He picked you out from all the rest
Because he knew I loved you best

I once had a heart as good as new
But now it's gone from me to you
Take care of it as I have done
For you have two and I have none

If I get to heaven and you're still not there
I'll carve your name on a golden stair
A way up high for all to see
Just how much you mean to me

Well, I was singing the song to the kids last night and Austin asked me about the '2 heart' thing. He didn't quite understand that concept. So, I explained to him, the best I knew how to explain to a 6 year old boy, that when a man or woman becomes a daddy or a mommy, that this is the day that we decide to let our hearts walk around outside of our bodies for the rest of our lives. This is true because we invest so much of our hearts and souls into our children and we love them so much. So, we say 'our hearts go with our children' because we love them so much.

You could see the light bulb go off in his head, after the second time I explained it! He understood what I was saying and was convinced that he had my heart in his precious little 6 year old body. He even talked about 'cutting the 2 in 1/2 so he could share it with others'. (Only boys would think of cutting the heart in 1/2!!!!) He said since he has 2 hearts, he can share with people who need more love. :)

(Sidenote: OK... you will need a little background here, Austin's heart normally seems to beat so incredibly fast and strong. Joe and I have commented several times on this fact in front of Austin after we feel his chest to check his heart beat. I have never felt a heart beat in a child the way Austin's does. It is unreal. We have often wondered if something is wrong with his heart to beat so strong and fast, but the doctors say there is nothing to worry about.)

So, after I finish explaining to Austin about the whole 'having a child is allowing your heart to walk around outside of your body for the rest of your life' metaphor AND the light bulb has gone off, my son says, almost under his breath and with a certain assurance,

'So, I have 2 hearts. Hmmm... That must be why mine beats so fast and strong!' He was quite pleased at this 'answer to the mystery' and I must say that I was too! Sometimes, their logic is oh, so simple!! It was good moment! ;)

True Greatness

2008-09-08T09:40:00.015-04:00

"True greatness is a passionate love for God that demonstrates itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others."

What is your definition of success? Is it having beauty, wealth, and fame? Is it being a stellar athlete, a successful businessman or businesswoman, or having a large home? What is your definition of success for you, for your children? Do you want them to get a good education, go to college, have a great career, marry someone who is handsome or beautiful, buy a nice-sized home, and then have beautiful grandchildren for you to admire and love? Is that REALLY all there is during our short time on this earth?

Before you navigate away from my blog and this post, don't get me wrong, those are all wonderful, admirable goals, and to be honest, those are some of the goals we have for our children and you probably have for yours. There is nothing inherently wrong with these things. But, I have been challenged to dig deeper, to look for more out of life than the 'American Dream' and to GIVE MORE back to life, to this earth that is our temporary home.

I am reading a fascinating book that questions our society's 'norm'. This book questions the definition of success for us, our children, and our families. The name of the book is Raising Kids for True Greatness: Redefine Success for You and Your Child by author & speaker, Tim Kimmel. I am only on the 2nd chapter of the book, so beware, I have not finished it, so my review may be a bit premature. But, it HAS started me thinking, what are we teaching our children and what is our own definition of success?

Again, please understand where I am coming from. we want many of those things for our children... successful in school endeavors, going to college, marrying a Godly mate, if that is God's plan for them, and having a joy-filled life. But, are we aiming too low if those are our only standards? Also, for those of you who know me best (and for Anna Grace & Austin's teachers out there), I am STILL going to push them in school to do their best! I am not quite giving up on Harvard just yet! ;)

But, this book is challenging me to teach my children what true greatness is, not in mine & Joe's words to them, but in our every day actions and in our service of time, energy, and efforts. In the introduction, Dr. Kimmel tells the story of how a lady named Agnes became known to the world as Mother Teresa, largely due to the influence her mother and father placed on teaching her about true greatness and not about mere success. Let me wrap up my 'thoughts' with a few excerpts from the book, which are questions the author asks after sharing the story of Mother Teresa...

Why do we dream such small dreams and expect so little from our children?
Why do we assume that we have such limited capabilities as parents?
Why do we assume that great peolpe have to be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to our efforts as parents?
Why don't we think that our children can ever take rank among the truly great?
Worse, why do we sell God's bigger plan for our lives so short?

I have the passage below posted in my office and I am going to post it in our home as well. It defines greatness by an entirely different set of standards:

Success looks inward; true greatness looks upward, then outward.
Success is about my agenda; true greatness is about God’s agenda.
Success accommodates selfishness; true greatness celebrates altruism.
Success is about receiving; true greatness is about giving.
Success worships what it sees in a mirror; true greatness grieves over what it sees through its windows.
Success pays off for now; true greatness pays off forever.

I know that teaching our children to strive for true greatness and to live passionately is a goal that Joe and I have. I don't know the future or what the Lord has in store for our family, but I would like to think that I can look back 20 years from now and see that we taught our children about true greatness and passionate living! We hope that we can instill in them a passion for loving the Lord and giving back to others. What will you look back on and see in 20 years? For those of you who know me well, you know that I believe, inherently, that we are all AWESOME and destined for GREAT things!

Happy Birthday Cyndi!!!!!

2008-08-29T08:32:00.013-04:00

Today is Cyndi's birthday, and I wanted to take time out to tell her how much we love her and to wish her a very happy and a very blessed birthday!

This marks the 15th birthday I have shared with Cyndi (I met her when she was 12) and my prayer for her today is that this will be one of the happiest of her life.

Cyndi, for all that you are and for all that you do .......

You are my best friend, my # 1 fan, my sounding board, my inspiration, my motivation, my greatest cheerleader and my dear wife.

You are an awesome mother to our children. You amaze me with your patience, your drive and your desire to meet their every need. You fill them with love, you pray over them and you are there for them no matter what.

You are a true friend and a true example to those around you. You have such a giving, caring and compassionate spirit. You are always willing to do anything and everything in your power to help someone out, to brighten their day or to help make their burden a little lighter. You are a smile maker.

You have such a sweet disposition, a contagious smile, and some of my favorite times in life are when we laugh together.

And most importantly, as much as you love your family and friends, you love Jesus more! I spend more time with you than anyone, and I know that you seek the face of your Savior daily. I thank you for helping to keep me grounded by your actions and through your witness.

....... for all of this, and so much more, I love you deeply and I'm proud to share this day with you.

So once again,

Cyndi Lou!

ILY, IWY & INY

- Joe

Denial

2008-08-25T08:38:00.003-04:00

I was troubled this weekend by a terrible memory of an event that took place just over 1 & 1/2 years ago. It was painful to recall and brought me to tears, unexplicably. My husband couldn't understand the reason for the tears. and, quite frankly, neither could I, but the memories came flooding back to me and broke my heart. The event was a blow to my self-esteem, my ego, and my pride. The memory came up from out of the blue without reason. I couldn't tell you WHY it came to my mind again, until today.... Read on....

I subscribe to the Ransomed Heart daily message and below is TODAY's daily message....

(All text within the quotes was copied directly from The Ransomed Heart daily message for 08/25/08.)

"Denial is a favorite method of coping for many Christians. But not with Jesus. He wants truth in the inmost being, and to get it there he’s got to take us into our inmost being. One way he’ll do this is by bringing up an old memory. You’ll be driving down the road and suddenly remember something from your childhood. Or maybe you’ll have a dream about a long-forgotten person, event, or place. However he brings it up, go with him there. He has something to say to you.

The lessons that have been laid down in pain can be accessed only in pain. Christ must open the wound, not just bandage it over. Sometimes he’ll take us there by having an event repeat itself years later, only with new characters in the current situation. We find ourselves overlooked for a job, just as we were overlooked by our parents. Or we experience fear again, just as we felt those lonely nights in our room upstairs. These are all invitations to go with him into the deep waters of the heart, uncover the lies buried down there, and bring in the truth that will set us free. Don’t just bury it quickly; ask God what he is wanting to speak to."

(Waking the Dead , 122)

WOW!! May Jesus speak to you powerfully this week, EVEN if He must take your heart back to a painful memory or event... Go there with Him and claim the freedom He has waiting for you!!

What is YOUR Important Thing?

2008-08-18T22:23:00.005-04:00

My apologies to my friends who heard this story last week at our Wednesday night 'Family Gathering' meeting at church...

Have you ever read the book titled The Important Book written by Margaret Wise Brown? It is a sweet little book, written by the author of Goodnight Moon that seems rather straightforward and simple upon first glance. But, I learned this week that it has a deeper, hidden meaning, so to speak. I spent some time reading to my children last week at school. I read in each of their respective class rooms. I loved it! I love spending time in the place where my children are 7 or 8+ hours a day. The teachers there are the BEST and I love getting to know them as well as the children that Anna Grace and Austin are around each day.

Well, I read The Important Book to Anna Grace's 2nd grade class one day. An example of the verbiage from the book is below:

"The important thing about snow is that it is cold,
It is white,
It falls from the sky,
It melts, but
The important thing about snow is that it is cold."

(I can't give you and exact quote because Amazon won't let me see the inside of the book anymore. They think I am trying to steal copyrighted material, but I digress!)

So, Anna Grace comes home a couple of days later and tells me that she is working on a book about herself in her class! She is so excited about this fact. She says to me, "Mom, I worked on my Important page today." Then, she says, "Mom, do you want to know what I wrote on my important page?" I said, "Yes, honey, I do!" She was so excited. Then, my daughter speaks the following words to me...

"The important thing about Anna Grace is that she loves God,
She likes to go to church,
She loves her family, and
She likes to read, but
The important thing about Anna Grace is that she loves God!"

She was beaming from ear to ear with a HUGE smile!! Just as I am right now, tears came to my eyes and I was speechless, which is a RARE occurence for me! My daughter wrote down and proclaimed, in her public school nonetheless, that the most important thing about her is that SHE LOVES GOD!! How that blessed me and encouraged me that day. It encouraged me to know that all Joe and I have been working to teach her and Austin is sinking into their minds and hearts. It was amazing to be encouraged in that manner on a day when I needed to know that all of this motherhood and parenting stuff is worth it!! (I am still wiping the tears from my eyes as I write this post....)

So, I started thinking, if my employer or my friends & family asked ME to write a page about what is the most important thing about me, what would I write on my page? What would I say is the most important thing about me on my 1 page that I would be given? A better question is this, 'What would my friends, family, and children say is the most important thing about me?' And the best question to ask is, 'What would my Savior, my God say is the most important thing about me?'

You see, it is one thing for ME to say what I think is my most important thing, but it is quite another for those who live with me and fellowship with me to say what they see as the most important thing about me.

I am still thinking about what would be on my 'Most Important page', so my 'answer' will be saved for a future post, but I ask you, what is YOUR most important thing? What would you write on your page...

What ARE you writing on the pages of your life during each precious day you are given? We need to remember this about our days on this earth, my friends...

They are numbered,
They are precious,
They are being watched by others, and
They ARE telling a story about each of our most important things....

Having a Gameplan... & Adventure Island

2008-08-06T02:11:00.007-04:00

What a fantastic week we are having! I am ashamed to say that I have not been on my computer much at all. I guess when you are on a laptop 'for a living', then not HAVING to be on it for a full week is part of what makes a vacation such a wonderful thing! So, I have not posted yet about our trip, except for Jehoshaphat's "choir". But, we have had a wonderful week which has included spending a beautiful morning in Auburn (Joe's alma mater- a special post on this is to come later), lots of time out by the pool soaking up the rays, some time at the ocean marveling at this amazing creation, going to LuLu's (our fave restaurant in Gulf Shores), and our annual trip to 'Adventure Island'....

For those who DON'T know, AI (not American Idol, but Adventure Island) is basically a money trap for parents and a virtual wonder land for children! We spent Tuesday evening there and so that 'official visit' is over for another year- HOORAY!!!! YIPPPEEE!! AI has it all- for a child, or a child like soul- go-carts, mini-golf (or goofy golf as Anna Grace & Austin call it), Lazer Tag (haven't tried that part yet) and, last but not least, a gaming arcade where you put in endless quarters to play games to 'win' tickets, to turn in for 'junk', um, I mean 'prizes' (picture my hand signals doing the air quotes like Joey did on a great episode of Friends) to take back home! Again, can I get another HOORAY-- we don't have to go back for another year!

But, Anna Grace and Austin grinned from ear to ear the entire night tonight as we played putt-putt, rode go-carts, and played in the arcade. They had a blast. They have been asking since last Thursday, when we left town, when we would get to go to 'Adventure Island'. The smiles on their faces were worth it all. Now, we will start saving up again for next year's trip to the money pit, um, I mean Adventure Island.

No, really, the weather has been beautiful, our condo is fabulous, our photographer AMAZING (another post on Jenny Ruble and her husband Lance, of Sand Dollar Photography, will be posted later), the pool simply refreshing, and the ocean just as beautiful as the last time we saw it. It has been a much needed break from our daily routines.

I do have to share a story that describes Anna Grace perfectly! We arrived in town on Friday evening around 6 PM. You know the routine for the first night at the beach--- a van to unload, bags to unpack, and a grocery store trip to be made. Well, we had to do all of that AND get something for dinner. The 4 of us were rather hungry. So, Joe and I kept talking about how to best accomplish all of this in the most efficient way. Oh, yeah, and we had 2 children simply BEGGING to go to the ocean or the pool or something FUN!!! After all, you don't come to the beach to go to the grocery store!! So, I sat down with Joe in the living room of the condo and he said, 'We need to come up with a game plan for tonight.' Then, we started planning. The kids were doing their own thing - coloring, talking, whatever- in a different room of the condo. But, only a minute into our conversation, Anna Grace walked over and she said, "Mommy and Daddy, I have a 'game plan'. Here it is!!" And the picture you see below is what we saw...

(If you can't read her handwriting, she wrote, and I quote, "Grocries, Food, Ocean.... Gameplan", and she was pointing at the most important part of the plan, the ocean! We just had to laugh because that is SO Anna Grace!!)

I have included some more of the pictures from our week below!

Our first stop--- Auburn... This one says it all, Joe loves Auburn University!

Joe, Anna Grace, & Austin under the famous 'Toomer's Corner' tree...

Joe walking his children towards Samford Hall on the Auburn Campus (I love this picture)

Joe & the kids at the main Auburn sign

Austin and his cousin, Houston, enjoying a lazy day at the pool...(I KNOW-- they are both names of towns in Texas- we've heard all of the jokes before. And, no, we don't know where Dallas is!!) Gracie having fun in the pool, too.
Austin & Gracie at the beach
Austin, Daddy, & Gracie enjoying the pool also!

Anna Grace & Austin posing for mom before a day of fun in the sunAnna Grace, Chelsea (our neice), Austin, & Houston (our nephew)

Getting ready to enjoy a night out at Lulu's

The view of a sunset sky from Lulu's... BEAUTIFUL!!Austin is ready for his night of fun at Adventure Island...Our 2 'Goofy Golfers' here...

Gideon's Bible & Jehoshaphat's "Choir"

2008-08-01T08:09:00.011-04:00

On day 1 of our vacation, I awoke at 5:40 AM (Central Time). It was joyous occasion for me, to be the first to rise on such a GLORIOUS morning, without an alarm clock! I was overwhelmed with excitement at seeing the break of a new day- a vacation day- nonetheless! I couldn't describe to you my joy to see my precious family sleeping peacefully in the still darkness of a Hilton hotel room in Auburn, AL (yes, Joe's sweet old Auburn), the only noise the lulling hum of the air conditioning unit's fan. Oh, what bliss to greet the new day so early and so peacefully!

NOT... Were any of you buying that??? Though all of the above happened exactly as I described, I can honestly say that I was NOT 'joyful' nor 'excited' that I woke up at 5:40 AM on my first day of vacation! I woke up in pain and not feeling well. In fact, I was feeling quite miserable and was headed straight for the bathroom in pain, yes, while my family continued on in blissful sleep!!

But, in the stillness of the dark, I sought out the trusty 'Gideon's Bible' that I was praying 'they' ('they' being our corrupt society) had not yet taken out of hotel rooms nationwide. (FYI... I had no luck in the TOP drawer, but low and behold, I found it in the 2nd drawer. If you are wondering, yes, I brought my Bible on vacation, but it is still packed in the car.) Anyway, on to the point and the title of this post...

I opened up the Holy Bible (NIV) to 2 Chronicles chapter 20. Have you read this chapter of the Bible? It has quite a powerful story to tell! The story is of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah at the time, and his army and his CHOIR! Yes, you read that right, his CHOIR!! The story goes that men told Jehoshaphat (if you think that is hard to say, try typing it over and over while spelling it right every time first thing in the AM!)... that 'a vast army is coming against you from Edom, just over the sea. They are already very close' (my paraphrase) (vs.2). Jehoshaphat was very alarmed and he RESOLVED to inquire of the Lord. (side note: How many times do I get very alarmed and wait until LAST to inquire of the Lord? He inquired of the Lord FIRST!!) He and the people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord! People came from every town in Judah to seek Him. THEY CAME FROM EVERY TOWN!

verse 6 - "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you."

The chapter continues on to describe their fasting and praying and then hearing from God through Jahaziel. Jahaziel speaks in verses 15-17:

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.
16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.
17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

Then, (bear with me here, I am getting to the choir part) after hearing this and 'consulting his people', Jehoshaphat (still isn't easy to type) did something remarkable (verse 20-21):

20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."
21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
"Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."

He had prayed and fasted and sought God and then he decided to send out the CHOIR first! Now, that is kind of scary. I am sure these men who sang gloriously were thinking, 'You want US to go FIRST? Has the King lost his mind?' Not many singers are ferocious warriors. But, that is what God impressed upon Jehoshaphat and his men to do-- bring in the choir. Well, the POINT of this is all found in the next few verses (22-24):

22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
23 The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

WOW!!!! As His people sang and praised His HOLY name, He set ambushes against those coming to attack them. They actually turned on each other and destroyed themselves from within. Jehoshaphat's men were outnumbered by a vast army (vs. 2) and there was no way his army could have beaten the multitude rising against them! But, when the king, who was greatly alarmed, chose FIRST to seek God, fast, and pray, and then first and foremost He decided to praise our Father in Heaven through singing of His love that endures forever, God heard their cries and saw fit to protect them and defeat their enemies! That is INCREDIBLE!!!

How awesome is it that God wants to hear us praise Him-- whether we are singing in our kitchen, in our car, in the shower, with our children, in a Hilton hotel room in Auburn, AL WAY TOO EARLY in the morning, or in our choir lofts on Sunday mornings before worship, God inhabits the praise of His people!

That humbled me and made me realize just how powerful our true, honest, fervent praise can be! So, the next time you feel alarmed, seek His face, pray, and then PRAISE His name and leave the defeating of your enemies to HIM!! He has gotcha' covered my friend!!!

Thank you Lord, for...

Early mornings given to us by You where we can seek You and find You,
Gideon's Bibles still in hotel rooms, even in the dark days of our corrupt society,
Inhabiting the praise of your children!!!
Waking me up early on a quiet morning to find You waiting for me to seek your face and to ease my physical pain!!
And, most of all, thank You that the battle is not ours, but YOURS, Lord!!

P.S. My 2 children are still fast asleep and I am now praising His name for His goodness and protection!! Also, please pray for safe travels as we drive down to Gulf Shores today.

Quote Of The Day

2008-07-28T21:01:00.003-04:00

Tonight I was tucking Austin into bed and he asked me if we could pray together first thing, before we did anything else (in our bedtime routine). I told him, 'Of course we can son. Do you want to go first?' He replied, 'No, mom, you go first and I will go last.' So, I prayed my prayer and then it was Austin's turn.

Now, Austin is a child of few words. He is direct and to the point, much unlike his sister and his mother. We both can be a tad bit talkative, but not Austin. His prayers are usually direct, to the point, and with no 'fluff'- a young man after Brad Farmer's own heart!! :) Well, tonight, as I waited for 'his turn', I expected the same 'to the point prayer'. And, this is what I got...

'Dear Lord, thank you for this day and for our family. Thank you for keeping us safe. Give us good rest tonight and a good day tomorrow.' (This is where his prayer usually ends, but he continued...)

'And, Lord, please help everyone in the world know about you. Help other people tell other people and those people to tell other people. Help everyone know about you Lord and know your name so they can see you in Heaven Lord and love you like I do! Please Lord! Please Lord!! Amen.' (With much enthusiasm)

What more can you add to this fervent request of a young child's heart but AMEN??

"But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, 'Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.' -- Mark 10:14 New American Standard version

Oh, and P.S., on a lighter note...

Austin is SURE that there are (and I quote) "thousands of Wii's in Heaven since God is so awesome and Heaven is such a perfect place"! Again, out of the mouth of babes....

Have a blessed evening!

So, what did mom do this summer?

2008-07-11T20:40:00.007-04:00

Let's see, in between going to work, taking children to Camp Joy, taking them to swim practice, picking them up from piano lessons, and doing VBS and all kinds of other stuff, mom squeezed in a women's bible study with the gals from Dalton EMC. The bible study is on the book 'No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern Day Idols' by Kelly Minter. It is fabulous and eye-opening! This particular study is coordinated through Beth Moore's blog- Living Proof Ministries Blog. It has been a great study so far and we are learning a lot about the true 'idols' in our lives AND we are taking time out of our CRAZY schedules to spend time with our Father and our sisters-- what could be better??!!!

Part of the study was a scripture memory video contest and we submitted a video. We had so much FUN putting the video together- thanks to the great ideas from Jenny, Shana, & the other girls in the study (I wasn't even there the night they came up with this great idea)- and for help from Brad and Scott- for recording it and editing it. Scott did a FANTASTIC job!!

Guess what...

Today the video was posted on Beth Moore's blog!! Wait, did you just read that last line??? The video of us looking crazy, and 'dancing' (loosely termed here) and having fun memorizing His word is on Beth Moore's blog!! How COOL is that!!??? The link to our video is here--- Jude 1:24-25 from the Dalton EMC Siestas!!! Take a look at the video. I hope you enjoy it!! We sure had fun making it. I have some wonderful sisters in Christ who I love dearly!!! And, we were posted on Beth Moore's blog!!! How truly cool and fun!! Who says that kids are the only ones who can have fun in the summer time!?? :) Siestas, I had SO MUCH fun putting this video together and worshiping our God with our crazy 'rapping'! I love you gals more than I can say! Thanks for helping me 'keep it real' this summer.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

2008-07-02T14:53:00.014-04:00

Austin is having a blast in the Tribe of Issachar! Macy & Anna Grace in the Tribe of AsherAndrew was the 'little guy' in the Issachar Tribe, what a cutie!! Ella is praising the Risen Jesus of Jerusalem! (My personal favorite)

Those cute Renegar boys- Ian (Tribe of Joseph), Andrew, & Isaac (Tribe of Gad)

Mary Kate & Abigail- two sweethearts!! Ella & Maddie just after visiting 'Mrs. Elisabeth's' Candy Shop... no wonder they look so happy!!Ella, Maddie & "Mrs. Elisabeth" (a.k.a. Mrs. Cyndi) The Candy shopkeeper

Austin & 'little guy' Andrew...

Mr. Jon & the Tribe of Issachar (their CRAZY picture)!! They loved posing for this one.
Little Catherine from the Tribe of Gad working in the Sand Art shop...
Mrs. Lacey (Tribe Leader), Malley, & Maddie in the Tribe of Naphtali Ms. Lisa smiling with joy & singing with her 'girl power' Tribe of Asher...

Mason & Bryce in the Tribe of Levi

Maddie & Malley in the Tribe of Naphtali

The 'girl power' tribe of Asher (Ms. Lisa, Emma, Kerrigan, Hannah, Anna Grace, & Macy)

Mr. Ken , Mr. Sandy, and the Tribe of ZebulunMrs. Elaine, Mrs. Karen, & The Tribe of Judah

Mr. Jon & the handsome tribe of Issachar

Kace after his visit to Mrs. Elisabeth's Candy Shop...

Ella especially loved her visit to the Candy Shop!!

Mrs. Elisabeth & Mr. Eleazar (a.k.a. Wade)- who was a GREAT assistant Candy Shopkeeper.

Mr. Jon & Austin (2 handsome guys)

Our sweet Mrs. Jo & Mrs. Jennifer (who did an AWESOME job!!)

Mrs. Tamara & Mrs. Shana- The very lovely Jewelry Shopkeepers...

Mr. Whit was a great tribe leader for the Tribe of Naphtali!

The Tribe of Asher... 'girl power' to the MAX!!!

Sweet Catherine singing and dancing...

Kailey carrying sweet Sara Kate from the Tribe of Judah

Mrs. Jennifer & Mr. Joe

Mrs. Elisabeth & the boys from the tribe of Issachar

Henry, Colby, Austin, & Brant from IssacharRachel (a.k.a. Mrs. Beth)

V.B.S.

2008-06-28T08:53:00.005-04:00

Very tired, Beaten down, Sleep deprived ...... or something like that!

I have to honestly admit, that's how I feel on the outside today; it has been a very long and very busy week. But on the inside, I feel quite differently. I am yet again amazed at the efforts of so many people to make V.B.S. at EMC such a wonderful success, and I am blessed beyond words to have been a part of it myself.

I remember a few years back when V.B.S. was being planned, and one Sunday morning in church there was an announcement telling all about the upcoming event and how we should invite as many young friends as we could ... there would even be a prize for the child that brought the most visitors. So on the way home that day, Cyndi and I asked the kids who they might like to invite and they started spouting off name, after name, after name, after name (you get the picture). So we invited a few friends, then the kids invited even more friends and by the time the week of V.B.S. rolled around we had enough kids to fill two tribes. I can still remember at the end of that first year saying to Cyndi "It was good that we brought so many visitors this year, but next year we may need to limit it to just a few kids". But by the time the following year rolled around, we once again invited every single kid that Anna Grace and Austin wanted to bring. And somehow, we got them all there and got them all home, and once again we were worn slap out, but we were also blessed beyond measure. This year was no different, and again, we are worn slap out but very blessed.

The past few years I have not signed up for a specific assignment, rather I have just been a floater so that I am able to help with the kids we bring and then do whatever else is needed. This year I helped with a tribe one night, worked in the kitchen some, worked in a shop off and on, helped with a "little one" one night, etc. The neat thing about being a "floater" this year was that through the course of the week I moved about the entire village and had the opportunity to see everyone ministering to the children in their respective roles. I visited every shop, I was in and out of the kitchen, I visited the village playground, I visited the synagogue, I was everywhere at some point during the week. And I must say that it truly warmed my heart to watch so many of my brothers and sisters pouring out the love of Christ onto the children that attended this week. On behalf of my children, their friends, and my family, I thank you all for the time and effort that you gave this week in ministry. It was truly an awesome event! The church has many important functions and activities throughout the year, but I truly feel that V.B.S. is one of the most important and rewarding.

I'll share with you my parting thoughts for the week. As most of you know, Cyndi was one of the shopkeepers this week in the candy shop. There were many visitors and we went through numerous pounds of chocolate, nuts & raisins. By about Tuesday night, the adult visitors began to out number the "little" visitors, and the concoction of warm chocolate, nuts and raisins that was being handed out became known as the "house special". Folks just kept coming back, night after night, for another helping of that sweet treat known as the "house special". They just couldn't resist it. Well, my final task of the week on Thursday night just before we left was to go and wash the crock pot that we had used to melt the chocolate. I don't mind telling you, it was a bit of a chore to get all of the chocolate out of that pot, and I was already tired, so it was a process that took a few minutes. As I was standing over the sink scrubbing the pot and reflecting on the week, the following thoughts went through my mind:

1) Just like the candy we enjoyed all week, how truly sweet it is to have the love of Jesus!

2) What a treat it is to serve side by side with so many wonderful brothers and sisters, and share in His love!

3) And finally, very much like the candy shop this week, how awesome is it that our Lord and Savior continues to offer us His "house special" daily?

Again, thanks to all of you that gave so much of your time this week to make this event such a huge success. I myself wouldn't have missed it for the world ... but now it is time for a nap.

- Joe

Amazing Grace

2008-06-25T10:53:00.010-04:00

This is belated, I know, but life has been crazy busy over the last month & a half. So, I am finally posting a 'happy birthday post' for our daughter and sister, Anna Grace. We are amazed that she is here! She was 7 years old last month, May 22nd to be exact. She was due to be here on July 9th, but she (& God I am sure) decided they couldn't wait any longer for us to meet her, so May 22nd was the day God brought her to us, just in time for Grandma Sissy's birthday on May 25th. It is quite ironic, or just God's amazing grace, that she came 'early' after a long, long wait for her arrival....

8 years ago, we were on the verge of giving up our hope of starting a family,
Today our little girl is now 7 years old...

8 years ago, we cried out for a successful pregnancy, let alone a healthy child,
Today, that 'successful pregnancy' is a healthy, vibrant, loving 7 year old girl...

8 years ago, we were on the verge of letting our faith go and giving up on God,
Today, our God is showing us how MUCH He can do with a little faith & 7 years...

8 years ago, we couldn't see past the pain & the loss and we couldn't see His plan,
Today, we see that our God knew the plans all along and our daughter is 7 years old...

8 years ago, we asked God to give us what we thought we deserved, the blessing of children,
Today, we see that He gave us what we surely DIDN'T deserve and so much more...

8 years ago, we only dreamed of being a mommy & daddy & the vision was growing more faint every day,
Today, We are so thankful that we are able to be called 'mommy' & 'daddy' every day, for 7 years now & counting...

8 years ago, we almost gave up on God, and on our faith, and on each other,
Today, we see that God NEVER gave up on us, our lives, our hearts, and our family!

Today, Anna Grace is 7 years old and she is proof that God loves us WAY more than we DESERVE, or could even dare to ask for or imagine. He truly showed us AMAZING GRACE!! If you are at a point where you feel you are about to 'give up' on God or your faith, just HOLD ON for a little while longer, you will be amazed with what He can do with a little faith & 7 years!!

'Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound...' It is a song that is special to many of us, but it carries an extra special meaning in our family. We were given amazing grace in even having 2 healthy children and this song has become a song that Anna Grace asks for almost every night at bedtime without fail. She asks for this song to be sung to her as she drifts off to sleep. So, we continue to sing of His Amazing Grace almost daily!

Happy 7th Birthday Anna Grace! We are so blessed by your smile, laughter, joy, enthusiasm, and love for Jesus and others! You have been more than we could have ever hoped for or imagined and we love you dearly! Happy Birthday Gracie!! May He continue to bless you all the days of your life!

Take a moment to watch the slide show below of the 1st couple of years of her life. And remember to thank God for your precious family today! We are truly blessed, ALL of us, to have family around us-- whether you are our family by blood or by choosing, you are all our family and we love you so very much and thank you for living this journey we call 'life' with us.

When the Lights go out, JUST BE...

2008-06-13T09:44:00.004-04:00

OK. So, I am trying to get out of this weary state, and I am getting awfully sad coming back to our family blog to read that I am empty & weary.... and hearing the song that Meleia says is depressing! (She may have something there, but I still really like the song.) So, I am going to tell you about something that happened on Wednesday night that really started me thinking...

It was 8:30 PM and a torrential downpour started to fall outside. I was home alone working on composing myself after a long, frustrating day and I was packing for my children to go out of town for over a week-- yes you heard that right, we get over a week to ourselves!! How wonderful is that!?? We need it!!! Thank you Lord for grandparents who will keep your children!!!

Anyway, my family was heading home from a swim party, of all places, and the bottom fell out! Well, when they got home safely, the power started flickering several times and we were preparing for the lights to go out, so Joe and I were lighting candles, and getting flashlights and such, all the while reassuring our children, who hate storms of any kind, that all would be well. Then, my son asks me, 'Mom, can we play the Wii when the lights go out?' I replied, 'No, son, if the lights are out, then the power is out and the Wii is connected to power.'

The poor child looked at me with a dumbfounded stare and asked, 'Mom, what will we do with no power and no lights? What doesn't need power? Hmmmmmm.... my Nintendo DS doesn't need power. I can play that!' I quickly told him that we can talk and laugh, play board games, play card games, tell stories, sing songs, or go to bed (now THERE'S a thought) since it was approaching 9:30 PM. There are A LOT of things you can do when the lights go out to bond as a family, that don't require power! I couldn't believe he was so awestruck at the lack of anything to do without power and lights.

You see, I was left pondering this.... why is it that our society, our children, the Enemy himself, thinks we should ALWAYS be...

GOING somewhere
DOING something
PLAYING something
WATCHING something
SURFING something on-line
TALKING to someone on the phone

We are so busy GOING, DOING, PLAYING, WATCHING, SURFING, or TALKING that we don't take time to just BE-- with our spouses, our children, our parents, our friends, our Heavenly Father!! If there is anything I have learned over the past few weeks of weariness, it is this- that I don't spend enough time just BEING. THAT'S HOW YOU GET TO EMPTY, my friends!!! I need to just BE with my Father. I need to just BE with my children and husband. I need to just BE with my friends. I need to just BE who He created me to BE. Whew, that will SLAP you in the face, huh? We have gotten so caught up in GOING and DOING so that we can keep up with everyone else, that we forgot how to just rest and BE! And I am guilty here just as much or more so than anyone else!!! Trust me on this one!!

In Spain, TODAY in the year 2008, they rarely use lights in a family home. They only use them in emergencies. I learned this fact this week! Interesting!! So, they must have figured out that there are things you can do as a family with no lights after dark.

So, I ask you this, what can you do this week to just BE? What would your family do with no power for 1 day and 1 night? What would you do to pass the time and bond? I am hoping to hear from you my friends....

I love you all dearly and I so treasure your prayers for me this week!! You are blessings in our lives and we couldn't live without you!!

Love,

Cyndi

All That I Can Say....

2008-06-09T14:27:00.023-04:00

I am empty. I am tired. I am discouraged, and I am weary. Those are the facts. That is the reality I am dealing with over the course of the past few weeks. I am not here today to encourage, or discourage, just to be real. I am also not here to gain encouragement from you. Again, I am just trying to be real. I really enjoy this blogging- connecting with friends and family this way. I enjoy writing. I enjoy pictures. I thrive on encouraging others. God created that in me, as part of my nature. But, I have no encouraging words to share or any neat stories to tell you today. I am just sharing that I am weary, tired from walking this walk.

Lately, at every turn, this world seems to be getting darker and more dismal, and I truly wonder what 1 person can do to make a difference. What can 1 mom, 1 wife, 1 daughter, 1 friend, 1 employee do to really and truly make a difference? I am still praying about that and pondering that, in my weary state. I need to be refreshed and rejuvenated. That is hard to do when you are running on empty. I have discovered a new song, as of late, and I think, NO, I know that God placed it in my path at just the right moment, at just the right time. Over the past 3 weeks, I play this song almost daily, many times more than once a day. I sing along with it, crying out to God. I cry to it. I meditate to it. I talk to my God to it. Sometimes, I am quiet and simply listen to it. The song should be playing now, as you read this post. Well, it USED to be playing. I changed the play list to play more upbeat songs. The words are below.....

All That I Can Say
By The David Crowder Band

Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
That's my everything.

Oh, didn't You see me cryin'?
Oh, and did You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down.

Chorus:
And this is all, this is all that I can say right now
I know it's not much
But, this is all that I can give
And that's my everything
This is all that I can say right now, right now
I know it's not much,
This is all that I can give
Yeah, That's my everything.

Bridge:
I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cryin' too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

So, here I am saying all I can say is that my Jesus, my Savior, my God is standing right here beside me. He is holding me and He is crying with me.

He is standing beside me, as I try to make a difference in this big, huge, world that seems so lost and off track.

He is holding me as I try to get up each day and face a new day by His grace and with His strength.

He is crying with me when my tears fall and my heart breaks for...

The loss I see around me in precious families that didn't deserve to lose precious babies, precious children.
The dear friends I see waiting to get their babies, whether by nature, or by adoption. They are simply waiting and it is agonizing.
Dear friends I see struggling with life changing decisions and making moves, out of comfort zones, that are very difficult to make.
A world that I see moving further and further away from the One True God.

I spoke to a very dear friend of mine, Shana, today who encouraged me very much with her words. It was over the phone and via email, but those methods work just as well some days. She said to me, 'Faith can change your circumstances, no matter how dark everything around you seems.' She also shared 1 John 5:4-5 with me. It reads:

'For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?'

So, though what my eyes see around me tells me differently, amidst a world that seems to grow darker each day, my Faith tells me that God has overcome and the victory is His, no matter how many battles it looks like we have lost.

And, in the end, this is all that I can say....

Teachers are AMAZING!!!

2008-06-03T22:58:00.017-04:00

I was humbled and amazed last Friday. I had the honor of having lunch with my children on their last day of school. It was a joy! Then, I was able to join them for their end of the year 'special snacks' (or party, whichever one you want to call it, depending on who you are). :) I was humbled by the teachers, their patience, and what they do each and every day.

They amaze me!! They truly do!! They come into your lives and they invest in your children! In our case this year, they LOVED on our children. They took extra time with them. They pushed them to work harder. They laughed with them when they told funny stories (and Mrs. Collins can assure you that Anna Grace told MANY!). They motivated Anna Grace and Austin to be the best they can be. These teachers put a smile on their face on days when I am sure that was the last thing they felt like doing. They made a difference in the lives of so many children! That, to me, is remarkable!

I like to think that I have become friends with my childrens' teachers. They are precious to our family and I am so grateful for them. On Friday, I had to say 'goodbye' to 3 of the most wonderful ladies I know. NO, they aren't going anywhere and neither are we, but our year together, of them teaching our children, came to an end and I will miss that bond. Of course, I cried when I said goodbye! I even told one of them that I have decided that we must have another child so that we can go through Kindergarten again! (Joe didn't seem to agree with my logic!!) :)

Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Miracle (Austin's teachers this year) are 2 of the finest ladies you will ever meet! They are genuine, enthusiastic, and they made a difference in Austin's life this year. They made a difference in MY LIFE this year. Mrs. Linder was Anna Grace's teacher last year and she is an excellent teacher and an incredible lady. She was such a blessing to us last year. Mrs. Gale has been Anna Grace's para-pro for 2 years now and we love Mrs. Gale. She has been so good to us and we are so excited that Austin gets to work with her again next year. Kindergarten was a FANTASTIC experience for our family and I, for one, will miss it and them very much!

Mrs. Collins was Anna Grace's teacher this year and she was exactly what Anna Grace needed! Anna Grace adores Mrs. Collins. She even called her 'wonderful' this past weekend. Anna Grace learned a great deal this year and she was pushed to write more, read more, and talk less. :) It was Mrs. Collins' 1st year at NHE and she did an EXCELLENT job! I am honored that we were able to be a part of her first year. It was a special year for me as well. I absolutely fell in love with the children in her class. They were a beautiful group of children who hugged on me each and every time I saw them. They even made me cry on Friday with a Thank you card signed by all of them and a beautiful necklace hand-picked by Mrs. Collins. Anna Grace even kept that a secret from me. AMAZING! Thank you to Mrs. Collins' class for my wonderful gift! I will look for each of you next August in the 2nd grade hallway. Way to go on doing such a great job in 1st grade!!

Lastly, to my dear, dear friends who teach or work in the public school system, in a private school, or even more friends who home school.... Mrs. Jo, Marisa R., Tammy Hil, Marilyn K., Jennifer J., Wade J., Beth P., Barry P., Beth C., Laurie H., Tracy R., Joey F., Terri R., Ken R., Nancy S., Lisa B., Kristy C., Christi H., Chelle R., Meleia B., Lyn D., Tim F., Angie G., Erik G., Belinda K., Erin K., Allyson M., Ruth B., Earl B., and my mom taught for a while, too... You ALL are very good at what you do! (I hope I didn't leave anyone out. If I did, please forgive me.)

I don't know what to say. You are a FABULOUS group of men and women. Let me just say to ALL of you that YOU AMAZE ME! Almost all of you are mothers, or fathers, at home as well as teachers at school. Your patience seems to be never-ending and your dedication is remarkable. YOU are the heroes in my book! You come in each day, whether you drive to a public school, private school, or you just stay in your PJ's and 'walk' to the 'class room' to home school, and you teach the little ones God has put in your path, with patience, kindness, boldness, creativity, gumption (in many cases) and talent. It takes talent to do what you all do and I couldn't do it. I may be able to program your computer or analyze your application, but teaching children is not something I am qualified to do. So, thank you to ALL of you who teach children and change their lives for the better every day.

'Thank you' seems like 2 small, teeny, tiny words, but please know how much we appreciate all of your hard work and all that you do. You are a wonderful group of men and women and I am so grateful to know you. So many of you have a hand in teaching and loving on the 2 little ones in our lives and we know that what you are doing is making a difference for them. Have a wonderful Summer break and know that you are my heroes! Also, I can't go without saying how much we love our Ms. Mary. Ms. Mary, we love you and are so grateful for the love and energy your pour into our children! I want to especially thank Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Gale, Mrs. Warren, & Mrs. Miracle for a FANTASTIC year and thank you for loving our children the way you do!!

And, to Mrs. Brooker, Mrs. Gale, & Mrs. Allison... we look forward to another great year with you next year in 1st and 2nd grade. I can't begin to tell you how excited Anna Grace and Austin are about being in your classes!!

Take a moment to watch the slideshow below celebrating Kindergarten & 1st Grade Awards day and the last day of school @ NHE!

Only God Knows... Please Pray for the Sponberg Family

2008-05-28T13:54:00.008-04:00

I am truly sad to be posting this, but please be in prayer for Greg and Nicol Sponberg. Some of you will remember that they spoke and sang at our Valentine's Banquet at EMC. They moved here to the Dalton area a while back because they loved the North Georgia area so much. They are a beautiful couple with 1 daughter, Summer, and 1 newborn son, Luke, who was only 10 weeks old. He was born on March 18, 2008.

Baby Luke passed away last night. Nicol fed him at 8 PM and put him to bed. She went back in to check on him at 10 PM and he wasn't breathing. I can't imagine their sadness and grief. Only God knows the purpose. Only God's grace and peace can make sense of this tragedy for this family. Please read the blog entry here posted by her sister-in-law, Angie Smith, about Luke.

'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.'
-Philipians 4:6-7 (emphasis mine)

Pray for grace, peace, and comfort for this precious family during this time!!

Don't Blink... (Part 3 of 3)

2008-05-23T12:29:00.005-04:00

'Don't blink! Just like that, you're 6 years old and you take a nap, and you wake up and you're 25 and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife... 100 years goes faster than you think! So, Don't Blink....'

Those are not my words. They are a songwriter's words, but those words have pierced my heart over the past month. I discovered this song, by Kenny Chesney, and it pretty much summarizes how FAST the past 6 to 7 years of our lives have gone by... in a blink, in a moment, much, much too fast!! And I don't see it slowing down any time soon!!

It seems that May 22, 2001 was just YESTERDAY and we were holding our daughter for the first time in our arms. Then, less than 12 months later, 50 weeks to be exact, to the day, we were incredibly blessed to be holding our son, on May 8, 2002. AMAZING!!

Then, we blinked and those 2 babies turned 6 and 7 this month!! It seems that the older they get, the FASTER the years go by. I have really started thinking what we are doing with our days with them and with the precious moments that we have together....

Are we teaching them...

To love God with their whole hearts?
To love others freely and purely?
To laugh and play and to not take life too seriously?
To appreciate each moment, each day, each memory?
Are we showing them how you can love one another in a marriage completely, faults and all?
Are we teaching them not to blink, so you don't miss a moment with the ones you love?

Well, lately, I have grown to appreciate my family so much more than ever before. My 2 children's birthdays were this month, along with Mother's Day, and my mom's birthday is this Sunday! Happy Birthday Mom! I love you so much and I am so grateful for you and your love in my life! You have helped to make me the woman I am today! Thank you for all you gave for our family!!

On that note, I have noticed that we blinked and our babies are children now and it won't be long before they will be graduating from high school, going off to college, and starting families of their own! Wow! (I know, I know, that is years away, but you get the point... You ALL KNOW I am a planner!!!- Where ARE those Harvard letters I already started for Anna Grace???) Where DOES the time go?

I hope you enjoy watching the last year of Austin's life with us. I enjoyed watching it as I put it together, but more importantly, I enjoyed living it with him!! Remember, when it comes to your family, don't blink, because if you do, you will miss something and every moment with your loved ones is a precious gift!

Austin, I hope you have a wonderful year ahead of you my son! We love you so very much!

GodSpeed Little Man... (Part 2 of 3)

2008-05-21T08:22:00.016-04:00

As I promised yesterday, below is part 2 of Austin's Birthday slide show. The title of this post, and the song used for the slide show, is extremely special for our family- especially me and Austin. When he was a baby, I started singing this song to him each evening before bed, along with a few other songs. But, this song became his most requested. There are even times now that my 6 year old son requests this song. But, the difference is that he and I sing it together. It is very special to us.

Our favorite line of the song...

'Godspeed Little Man, Sweet Dreams Little Man, Oh My love will fly to you each night on Angel's wings... Godspeed... Sweet Dreams...'

I hope you enjoy watching the next 2 years.... (If you missed the May 20th post, you can see the 1st 2 years below if you scroll down to the 'He Isn't a Baby Anymore... (Part 1 of 3)' Post)

Godspeed My Little Man...

He isn't a baby anymore... (Part 1 of 3)

2008-05-20T17:08:00.015-04:00

I know, I know....

So this post is almost 2 weeks overdue, (I have been sick for almost 2 weeks now and these slide shows took some work- 'some work' is a HUGE understatement) but we want to wish Austin a very Happy 6th birthday!! He was 6 years old on May 8th and the slide show below is our 'tribute' to Austin and our way of thanking him for a fabulous 1st 6 years-- not that there weren't hard times, but somehow we tend to overlook the 'hard stuff' and remember the moments of joy!! Actually, today's slide show is the 1st 2 years. I had to break the files up into 3 parts. So, parts 2 and 3 will come tomorrow and the next day!

On a side note, it was rather amazing to look back over the pictures and videos we have from the past 6 years. If you are having a rough day, take a moment (well my 'moment' turned into 3 & 1/2 weeks) to do this for your family! It has a way of putting things in perspective and helping you realize how blessed you really are! It also makes you wonder where in the world all the time went!! They aren't babies anymore.

Austin, God 'broke the mold', young man, when He made you and we know that He has big plans for you son--- you are truly awesome and destined for great things!! We love you and wish you a happy birthday!!

So, get something to drink, sit down, and relax for a few moments out of your day and think of your family as you watch this video. As I always say, better late than never....

When Your Children Pray For You!

2008-05-12T21:33:00.004-04:00

So let me paint the picture for you .... it was a Monday morning (today in fact) coming off of a long weekend out of town. We had a fantastic weekend, and we spent some really good time with my mom, my sister and her family, and some good friends -- but by the time we got home and got settled Sunday night ... it was LATE. To add to it, there were some very violent thunderstorms that rolled through Alabama on Saturday night, so we did not get a great deal of sleep. The weekend was fun, but we woke up this morning absolutely bushed!

Added to the lack of sleep, Cyndi and I both had to be at work early this morning for meetings. So we got up a little bit earlier than normal, got dressed, drug our little zombies ( ...oops, I mean kids) out of bed, packed lunches, got all of our stuff together and rushed out the door to take on the day.

Now I'd like to say that we were all pleasant to one another this morning before leaving home, and that everything went smoothly, but that wouldn't be the truth. In fact, there were multiple instances of "verbal motivation" required (okay, borderline yelling) for both kids. So we actually rushed out the door in a bit of a frenzy to take on the day.

I headed towards Cleveland around 7:00 AM with my brain already in work mode, and Cyndi left to take the kids to school a few minutes after. By the time I got about half way to work, Cyndi called me on my cell phone to share a story. She told me that she and the kids got into the van and listened to a praise song for the first few minutes of the drive (what a great Mom she is), then they turned the music off to say a prayer to start the week. I didn't mention this earlier, but Cyndi started getting a little sick on Saturday. So as they started to pray, Anna Grace said "Mommy, I am going to pray for you to feel better" and proceeded to pray a sweet prayer over Cyndi. Then Austin proclaimed, "I am going to pray for Daddy" and his words were very close to ..... (and keep in mind that when Austin prays, he is very deliberate and takes it very seriously) .... "Holy Father, please be with my Daddy today because he is exhausted. Please help him to have a good day at his work and keep him safe and thank you Holy Father. Amen!"

My whole attitude changed instantly, and I know without a doubt that my day was much, much better than it had started out to be because my little 6 year old son lifted me up in prayer. And he meant what he prayed.

I pray for my children constantly and thank God for them often, but how sweet it is to know that they pray for me too. It is so incredible when they demonstrate what we have worked to teach them, but even more incredible when they turn around and teach us too.

After I hung up the phone with Cyndi, I thanked God again for the precious gifts He has blessed us with in Anna Grace and Austin, and prayed for them and Cyndi. And then I did the only thing that seemed right to do .... I followed Austin's lead and lifted up my Mom in prayer.

"Nana" Elaine- Beauty for Ashes

2008-05-06T09:25:00.008-04:00

God spoke to me in a powerful way this past Sunday morning! I know He spoke to many of us this past Sunday, and you may think you know how He spoke to me, but only 2 others know how He spoke to me and one of them is Joe, my sweet husband, and the other is "Nana" Elaine. Many of you know her and you know that she is not really “my” Nana. I have always called her Elaine, but her family and precious grandchildren call her Nana Elaine. But, I think, after this past Sunday, I am going to call her Nana Elaine and adopt her as our second Nana as well!!

You see, this past Sunday morning, during an amazing worship service, I had to go out to wash the ink off of my hands from a pen that leaked while I was taking notes. I was highly upset that I had to leave the service for a moment to go do this irritating task. But, God used those moments in a powerful way! I ran into Nana Elaine in the restroom, of all places. Joe and I met Nana Elaine back in 1996 when we joined EMC. She was so kind and wonderful to us and she reminded me Sunday morning that we even chaperoned a youth trip together way back before Joe and I had even thought about starting a family. We talked about those days and how we have gotten to know each other so well since then. But Nana Elaine said something to me, that stopped me in my tracks. Let me explain…

She was one of the many friends and family in our lives who prayed so very diligently for us to start a family and to have a healthy, successful pregnancy. She, and many of you reading this post right now (and you KNOW who you are without my having to name names), prayed and prayed and prayed for healthy children for me and Joe. You prayed for a family for us. You were our prayer warriors and our friends & family, who some visited our home to pray with us, some cried with me in person or on the phone, some laughed with me when I didn’t want to think about starting a family, and some just sat silently with me and held me while I cried (thanks Mom for doing that SO many times) because we were so weary from the journey and our journey seemed at times, to me anyway, to be coming to the end, with no children in sight- only ashes, no beauty!

Well, Nana Elaine says to me on Sunday, ‘Cyndi, I truly noticed Anna Grace and Austin this morning and they are beautiful!! They are truly beautiful, handsome children! God really blessed you and Joe with beautiful children!’ Well, I was so grateful and thankful for her comment, but the next one is what got me…. Nana Elaine says, ‘You know all of those times I prayed, we prayed, for you and Joe to have children, we just prayed for healthy babies, but we NEVER prayed for beauty and look what He gave us! Look what He gave you in those 2 children! He gave you health AND beauty!’ Well, (Shana is not surprised at this one) the tears started to rise to the surface at that point! I was overwhelmed because she was right and God is OH so GOOD! We didn’t pray for anything but healthy children and in His time! But, He, in His amazing grace, blessed us with beauty that we don’t deserve in our children, both inside and out. He took the ashes of our pain, our struggles in our marriage, our anger at why it was so difficult, and our sadness over losing so many times, and He restored it with beauty!! He restored our marriage and gave us a family that we do not deserve!! He even blessed us TWICE within 12 months!! Beauty for Ashes is RIGHT!!

Nana Elaine, thank you so much for opening our eyes to show us that He goes over, above, and beyond what we can think, ask for, or even imagine when it comes to answering our prayers!! Our minds are so finite & imperfect and His is so INFINITE & PERFECT!! This post is most certainly NOT about having beautiful children, though I think all of us DO have that! This is about how God restores what we have lost, mends what we have broken, and gives us so much beauty for our ugly ashes!! I hope He shows you this week what He has restored to beauty in your life that would most certainly have been ashes if left up to you!!!

So, this week, the week just before Mother’s Day, I want to say THANK YOU and WE LOVE YOU to Nana Elaine, Grandma Sissy (my mom), our Nana (Joe’s mom), Chelle Regal (who was my prayer warrior during my pregnancies and encouraged me with cards and phone calls and MUCH prayer), and all of my dear girlfriends (you know who you are) who prayed so faithfully for our ashes to become His beauty!! Your prayers, and ours, have been answered and I am so grateful that He has shown me that this week!! He gives us more than we can ever fathom, think, or imagine and we don’t deserve it, but I am so glad that He is a God of grace!! He truly gives Beauty for Ashes, Strength for Fear, and Gladness for Mourning!!

All of these pictures were taken in early June 2002 when Anna Grace was 12 1/2 months old and Austin was 4 weeks old...

The Best Mommy Ever: 'Making Memories of Us'

2008-04-29T19:16:00.008-04:00

Let me 'paint the picture' for you...

It is 6:45 PM on a Tuesday (today in fact) and it has been a LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG day! Did I mention it was a long day?? My children and I have been home for 1 hour. My husband is working late and will not be home for another 30 minutes. I worked through lunch today due to a busy work schedule and a lunch meeting... not that it wouldn't hurt me to skip a few meals, but I digress!! I have just spent the 1st hour home prompting my son every 15 minutes to finish his '10 minute' home work assignment. (How hard can it be to write 3 sentences about 3 animals and then draw their pictures?????) I am looking for something to feed my family for dinner, while I have an increasingly pounding headache (remember the part where I skipped eating lunch?) and I am, quite frankly, tired of yelling, um, I mean 'telling' my son to finish his homework.

I try to cook breakfast for dinner and the eggs I am about to cook for my family are almost 15 days old. So, scrap that plan, turn off the stove and turn off the oven-- a grocery store trip is much needed! So, I resort to ordering Domino's for dinner- what a GREAT mom I am, huh???! Oh, and by the way, we missed our T-Ball game tonight due to, well we are all exhausted, so we didn't go. It doesn't help that both of their jerseys and pants are still in the dirty clothes hamper from last week. So, all in all, there will be no 'Special Mommy Awards' given to me today, as my friend Tamara would say!!! So, are you with me?

I am sitting there with my 2 children eating pizza in the living room (a special treat usually only reserved for Family Game Night on Friday nights) and I am thinking to myself, 'Will this headache ever go away?' Then, Anna Grace asks me, 'Mommy, is ALL of that STUFF your scrapbooking stuff?' To which I answer, 'Yes, honey, it ALL is!' She says, 'WOW! That is A LOT of scrapbooking stuff.' (I agree with her at this point and she looks at me like I am crazy!) Then, I say, 'I have lots of memories to scrapbook of you guys and your pictures.'

It is at this moment when it happens. This very moment in a mommy's day is what makes being a MOMMY so INCREDIBLE and OH so worth it....

My son, Austin, says, 'Mommy, you are the BEST mommy ever!! Do you want to know WHY you are the best mommy ever?' As I think to myself, 'This should be REALLY good after a day like today', I say, 'Yes, son, I would love to hear why!' He proceeds to say the following to me, with MUCH ENTHUSIASM...

-You order us pizza!
-You make memories of us!
-You scrapbook us! (This cracked me up!)
-You take care of us.
-You love us.
-You help us with homework.
-You drive us everywhere. (You can say that again!)
-You let us sleep in your bed sometimes and on pallets in your room.
-You laugh with us.
-You give good hugs to us.
-You pay for stuff for us. (Someone has to.)
-You take us to church.
-You sing to us.
-You are really smart (Did you read that last part Nancy & Shana? :) )
-You are the BEST mommy EVER!!

Then, he adds, 'Oh, and daddy is the best daddy too, because he does all of that stuff, too!'

Well, at this point, I was speechless and I realized it wasn't such a bad day after all! I don't know about you, but I think we might have just made another memory!!

Forever Friendships: Girlfriends are Grand!

2008-04-28T08:51:00.011-04:00

Well, I must say that I have been truly blessed! If I wondered at all about my blessings, or lack thereof, BEFORE this past weekend, I need not wonder any longer! You see, I have just arrived home from a FABULOUS weekend away with 18 of my girlfriends from church. They are an incredible group of ladies, as I learned more and more over the course of the past weekend. They are truly undeserved gifts from God in my life!!

I have learned that it is truly a precious gift to find one woman, much less several, that you can laugh with, talk with, cry with, pray with, complain to, scrapbook with, shop with, or just be silent with! It is amazing that we can truly call one another sisters in Christ and we can just 'be there' for one another.

I have said it to several of you and I will say it again, I shudder to think where my family and I would be without my sisters who have loved me through some very difficult times and rejoiced with me over my victories and my many, many blessings!! I know I wouldn't be where I am today and I know that God has orchestrated EVERY moment- the struggles and the victories to bring my family and me to this exact place!! I look forward to looking back when we are all old(er) and gray, and seeing that we have been in the process of creating 'Forever Friendships' in our own lives and in the lives of our children who are getting the privilege of growing up together with so many wonderful ladies (and men) in their lives. Creating 'Forever Friendships' is a lifelong journey and can be painful at times, but I am along for the incredible ride!!

In the coming months or year, a few of us may have to move away and call another place 'home', but they will still be a part of this bond and this special group of women!! God has grown our group over the past year and I am SO GRATEFUL for that!! I truly enjoyed getting to know several ladies over the past weekend and I enjoyed strengthening the bond I already shared with many of you! THANK YOU Lord for girlfriends!! They are simply GRAND- through the good and the bad!!!

I have posted some pictures from the trip below. Our view from the beautiful cabin was GRAND also, but I was enjoying my weekend so much that I forgot to take a picture of that. I simply took pictures of the beautiful ladies that I was blessed to spend time with. You are my 'hiders' and I love you dearly!!! Enjoy these pictures and have a blessed week- refreshed and rejuvenated!!

This is all 22 of us (including 3 precious babies)

This is several of us in front of our cabin just before we left on Sunday.

This is precious Ella playing with Nancy on Saturday evening. Praise the Lord for her health!!!

Tammy and Tamara enjoying a good game of Cranium! (I won't remind them who won, but let's just say it wasn't them!)

Here is Jennifer getting pampered with a pedicure and a back rub-- Marilyn is the one standing on the chair!

Kristy and Terri enjoying some good 'talking' time on Saturday evening!

Mary Beth, Tamara, and Tammy having a great evening!

Living In The Middle: "Blessed and Highly Favored"

2008-04-23T23:45:00.001-04:00

Wow! How time flies! I am amazed how quickly this week is zooming by, not to mention life in general. This week was a big week for me at the office. I have been working on a large project that finally went into production last Friday and I have been busy (and exhausted) to say the least. So, I have been focused on that goal this week and staying positive.

Well, I was knocked down on Monday with an overwhelming response from a lady when I simply waved hello and asked her how she is doing today. I was working in the Shaw facility in Calhoun all week and I have been out on the production floor with the employees training them and working with the Shop Floor system we just installed. So, it is around 3:00 PM, Monday and I have been there since 6:45 AM, and I am really just in the 'middle' of my day that will end around 11:30 PM, and I am a 'little tired'. I ask this nice lady how she is doing today, as a friendly comment, and she responds to me with 'I am blessed and highly favored! How are you?' with a HUGE smile on her face! Well, that blew me away! I was so impressed with her positive attitude! She looked so joyful and at peace. I told her that her response blessed me and then we went on our way. It was a 30 second exchange.

Well, as I head out into the plant to conduct some training for the 2nd shift employees, I see that Gloria is one the operators I will be training. I was so thrilled! I told her again how much she blessed me and she said this to me, 'God is good. Do you know Him? Do you have Him, too?' Well, she was so bold and I said, 'Yes ma'am, I do!' She grinned and gave me a big hug.

But, she then shared with me that she loved the Lord and He has been so good to her and that she truly is blessed and highly favored in His Kingdom. Then, she told me that her husband died less than 1 year ago. Her father died 1 month ago and her sister died 2 weeks ago. But, then she added that God is still good and she is still so blessed! All the time, she is smiling and telling me how GOOD her God is!!

I had no words for this amazing woman! I had tears in my eyes! How many days do I feel sorry for myself because I am not having a 'great day' or I am stressed out from all of the demands of family, work, home, church, school, just LIFE in general! I am stuck 'IN THE MIDDLE OF LIFE' and I sometimes just wish I could take a break and things could be a bit 'easier'. But, as Gloria reminded me, amidst some dark circumstances in her life over the course of the past year, that no matter what, she was blessed and highly favored and that she serves an AWESOME God! WOW! I serve that God, too and I, too am 'blessed and highly favored'!!! Are you??

Make this a GLORIOUS day and walk on, press on knowing that you, too, are BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED! Try answering someone like that today and see how they respond!

What do you "GET" to do??

2008-04-19T19:42:00.008-04:00

This has been an interesting week for our family. We have both worked very hard on projects at the office and our children have had a wonderful Spring Break vacation at 'Nana's Resort & Vacation Hide-Away' in Alabama! I am not even sure they missed us, what between all of the riding bikes, going shopping, playing their Nintendo DS's, watching fun kid movies, and drinking all of the Orange Fanta and eating all of the ice cream a kid could EVER want! I am thinking that maybe Joe and I should go to Nana's vacation hide-away for our next big trip! Anyway, I digress....

They might not have missed US, but I must admit that we have missed them, though the silence HAS BEEN golden!! This week reminded me of the '7 Habits for Highly Effective People' class that I took last Fall. It was a GREAT class that helped me analyze what is really important- our outlook on life, our goals, our priorities, etc. It was great... NOT that I am highly effective all of the time NOW, but that is not the point of this post.

One thing we learned was that so many times we say things like 'I have to do so and so...' or 'We have to go here or there...'. The reason this is so key is that we need to have a positive outlook and say 'We get to do so and so...' or 'We get to go here or there...'. This all started me thinking about what we didn't HAVE to do this week versus what we didn't GET to do this week....

We didn't HAVE to....

Wake up 2 sleepy children each morning.
Argue, uh, I mean debate, with my daughter over the clothes she will wear to school.
Make lunches each morning before school.
Wash 6 loads of clothes this week.
Answer the proverbial question, 'What are we having for dinner, tonight?' the MOMENT we pick them up from school.
Make sure they finished their homework.
Drive them to T-Ball, art class, or dance class.
Remind our children to put their shoes up and their clothes in the hamper each night.
Give anyone else a bath.
Tell anyone to be quiet, quit fussing, or SHARE!

But, on the flip side, we didn't GET to...

Get BIG HUGS each morning while our children were just starting their day.
Sing with them in the car on the way to and from school.
Watch them run down the hall to give us a BIG HUG when we pick them up from school.
Eat dinner with them and talk about the kind of day they had.
Cuddle up on the couch with them to read some good books.
Laugh with them when they tell us the silliest, craziest stories.
Watch them learn new things as we help with homework.
Hear them tell us that we are their heroes, which makes a bad day at work simply disappear!
Worship with them at church.
Pray with them before bed each night.
Tuck them in and tell them how much we love them.
Sing 'Amazing Grace' to them just before the last goodnight kiss.
Feel their small, sweet arms wrap tightly around our necks and hear them whisper in our ears, 'I love you!' for the tenth time before leaving their rooms.

We sure do miss them and now we can't wait to do all of the things we didn't GET to do last week, even the 'HAVE TO's'! I think I am going to try to look at things in new light and try to see everything as a 'GET TO' instead of a 'HAVE TO'! Try that for 1 day... don't say 'I HAVE TO..' for an entire day. Change your words to 'I GET TO...' and see how your outlook and attitude changes. It is amazing!

We know what we will 'GET' to do with our family this week, what do YOU 'GET' to do with YOUR family this week??

Good Night Gracie & Austin...

2008-04-16T18:54:00.007-04:00

Dear Gracie, Austin, & Nana,

We wanted to say good night and tell you how much we love you! We have missed you this week so very much, but we know you are having a WONDERFUL time at Nana's house! You DO have an awesome Nana!! Something tells us that Nana is having a wonderful time as well! We hope you both know how wonderful you are and how unique and special you are. God created you to be just the way you are and you have a special purpose for Him!

So, as you get ready for bed tonight....

Don't forget to brush your teeth...
Say your prayers....
Tell your Nana how much you love her and thank her for taking such great care of you this week...
Don't forget how much we miss you and love you (Sam & Sassy miss you very much, too)...
Enjoy your time with Nana...

Since we can't be with you tonight to tuck you in, we are leaving you with a very special song, "our song". We think you will really like it! You can play it as many times as you need to until we can sing it to you again in person. :) Give each other a BIG HUG from us!!!

Please remember that you are 'Awesome and Destined for Great Things'!! We love you more than words can say!! We love you too, Nana!!

Much Love,

Mommy & Daddy (& Sam & Sassy)

Blessings on the "Mommies"

2008-04-13T01:15:00.000-04:00

This blog is titled "Rogers Family", so I figured I had better post something before Cyndi took away my log-in priviliges.

Most who know me, know that I have a special place in my heart for children. I suppose that has a great deal to do with the personal struggles Cyndi and I went through to start our own family, and the blessings that God poured out on us with the gift of two precious children in Anna Grace and Austin. I'd like to tell you that we were faithful and were seeking His face through all of our struggles and pain back then, but that would not be truthful. But our God is the God of love and He blessed us in spite of our unfaithfulness. I shall never take these blessings for granted and will never cease to pray over our children.

We all question God in times of pain and struggle and want to know the same thing ... "Why?". We generally never get a direct or immediate answer, but through His grace we often times understand later in life how a particular struggle was meant to shape us into what He intended for us to be, or to prepare us for something bigger that we would face later. I can't honestly say that I understand the "Why" behind all of our personal struggles, but I return to my opening comment ... I have a special place in my heart for children. Somehow through the path that brought me to this point in my life, my heart yearns for the children that I have the privilege of interacting with each week. Through our church family and close friendships, there are so many wonderful, precious children that I get to spend time with. It warms my heart to watch them play, laugh, and interact with one another and to grow, love and live. I won't make the mistake of calling names because most certainly I will miss someone, but what a joy and a blessing it is to know these children ... YOUR CHILDREN ... and to watch them grow and see their personalities take shape. And in the light of numerous baptisms over the past year, it is such an affirmation that God is in the lives our children and that He has chosen to do so through us as parents.

Which brings me to the original intent of this post (finally, right?). At the Rogers' house, all things are a shared responsibility between Mom and Dad. We both work, we both clean, we both pay bills, and we both parent. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that "Mom" is the glue that holds us all together. She is so in touch with all of our needs and does a terrific job of making sure that we all have what we need, and just when we need it -- especially for the kids. For every dance recital, PTO event, birthday party, bump, bruise, fashion emergency, T-ball game, show & tell, bath, .... all the way to the bedtime prayer ... Mom makes sure all bases are covered. And though it is sometimes frustrating and she gets worn out, she does it with love and she does it without fail.

So I take this opportunity to say "thank you" to our "Mommy" for all she means to us, and to all of the "Mommies" for the awesome job that you are doing with "our" children. In the face of your most frustrating and challenging times of the week, be encouraged with the difference that you are making in the lives of "our" children and know that you are answering the call of your Heavenly Father. He is proud of you, and so am I. Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. You are an incredible group of ladies!

- Joe

Living In The Middle: 'Stick With It and Push On Through!'

2008-04-09T22:03:00.018-04:00

Well, some of you have asked me why I haven't posted an update on our March Of Dimes (4.2 mile) March For Babies walk yet from this past Saturday. Well, today is the first day since the walk that I can actually type without a muscle hurting!! :) No, really, I am kidding. It wasn't THAT bad...

Saturday started off very soggy, but the rain moved out of the way for us just in time. The whole gang was there. Our dear friends, Wade and Jennifer, and their precious girls, showed up to walk with us. Well, they were kind of 'obligated' since they had volunteered to walk with us about 2 months ago. In that same conversation from 2 months prior, we all agreed we would do some training to 'get in shape' before the big day, but how much training did we accomplish? Well, that would be NONE!! We had not trained one teeny, tiny mile!!! But, we were planning on walking 4.2 of them Saturday, all at ONE TIME!! Did you READ that last part- ALL AT ONE TIME?? I think we were INSANE!!

"The Walk" (meant to be an endearing term) started at 10 AM and the kids were SO EXCITED!! My 2 were walking and running back and forth (they hadn't figured out that doing this would add up to about 6 miles before it was over). Wade and Jennifer's 2 were riding in the stroller! (They really ARE smart girls!!) Okay, so the beginning was tough because, well, we had 4.2 miles left to go!! The end was PROMISING, because we could 'see the proverbial light' at the end of the tunnel - the FINISH LINE! But, the MIDDLE, well that was an ENTIRELY different story!

You see, we realized we were 1/2 way there because there was a stinking sign there to tell you this FABULOUS NEWS!! It read, 'You are at the 2 mile mark!' Well, that didn't do us much good, because that is when you realize that you are at the 2 mile mark of the famous 4 mile Dalton 'Loop'! So, here are your choices when you are smack dab in the MIDDLE of the BIG 'Loop':

- You can turn around and go BACK to the starting line- which is JUST as far away as it would be to just keep on going, hence being at the 1/2 way point.

- Pass out right then and there and pray that some kind friend in a car driving down Tibbs Rd will have mercy on you and stop and pick you up and take you to the nearest hospital. (I know some of you saw us walking and had pity on us! You told me so yourself!!)

- Stop right there to take a break and ask your walking buddies to finish the race and come back and get you! (One member of our team, who will remain nameless, actually asked us to consider this, but in the end, changed his/her mind and marched on to finish the race.)

- Or, just 'Stick With it and Push On Through' until you cross that finish line!!

Well, if you turn back, you waste all of your energy on retracing your steps and you have accomplished nothing.
If you pass out and pray for someone to come and get you, well you pretty much just gave up on finishing the race!
If you stop there and wait for those who stick with it to finish and come back and get you, well you miss 1/2 of the journey of just getting to the finish line! You spend all of your time 'waiting on the sidelines'!
OR, you can take a moment to realize that you are directly in the MIDDLE and the only way around it is to 'stick with it and push on through' until you cross that FINISH line! Well, thankfully ALL 8 of us chose to cross that FINISH line! And, shin splints and sore muscles aside, we are all glad we did!!! It was such a WONDERFUL feeling of accomplishment to know that we DID IT!! We finished the race and we didn't come in last place!!

It was an amazing feeling to come together for one cause to raise money for the March of Dimes and for the millions of babies' lives that have been touched over the years!! Our team raised around $725.00! That is FANTASTIC!!! Thank you so much to those of you who gave so generously to our walk! We are so very grateful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

Thank you to Wade & Jennifer and the girls for being troopers and walking with us! Also, thank you to Joe and Anna Grace and Austin for sticking with it and for putting smiles on their faces even though I KNOW they didn't feel like walking Saturday morning--- well, Anna Grace mostly rode in the stroller!! But, you get the point! Finally, we are so grateful to God that Anna Grace is a healthy, happy 6 year old little girl who has no long term effects of being a premature baby! All the time, God is Good and God is Good all the time!!!

On a serious note, one family team walking Saturday had about 25 immediate family members, extended family members, and friends walking. They wore bright red shirts with initials on the front and their personal family relationship to the child printed on the back (mom, sister, dad, grandma, aunt, friend, etc.) You couldn't miss this large team. I wondered which child was born premature that all of them would be out walking for this event. I wanted to meet this child with such an awesome family and support system. So, I asked whose initials were DL and was that child walking today? The response I got, from the mom, no less, was this, 'His name is Daniel Lynn and he is not here today. He was my son born 12 weeks premature weighing 1 lb. 5 oz. He only lived 3 days and then he died. We walk in his honor every year so that other families don't have to go through what we went through.' My heart broke for that mother. I cannot fathom her pain. Now, THAT is the essence of STICKING WITH IT AND PUSHING ON THROUGH my dear friends!!!!

Whatever you are in the middle of today, STICK WITH IT AND PUSH ON THROUGH! I PROMISE you that you will be glad you did! We are SO glad we DID!!

Living In The Middle: Here, 'I AM' To Worship...

2008-04-04T20:08:00.002-04:00

I know, I know... I am 2 days LATE with this 'Living in the Middle' post. But, again, I say, better late than never...

Wow!! I MUST share with you what I learned TUESDAY in our Life Lessons Over Lunch session. We viewed our last session titled 'Canvas- The Way Of Glory'. It was eye opening and revealing! I will only be able to scratch the surface in this post...

Hopefully, I can do A LITTLE BIT of justice to Andy Stanley and Louie Giglio (the preachers) by sharing what I learned from them Tuesday...

They talked again about Living in the Middle with the GREAT 'I AM'!! Louie Giglio spoke about how AWESOME our God is and how INCREDIBLE it truly is that He gave up HIS MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION for US!?? Yes, I put a question mark or two, because sometimes, I look at me and my life and what I chase after and what I worry about (and girls, you know I worry) and I think, 'You gave up your PRECIOUS Son for me?????'

Today, as I pondered this fact, I imagined if I was asked to give up my most PRECIOUS possession for a group of people. Not just ANY group of people, but people who spit on me, turned their backs on me, and broke my heart. Well, I came to the conclusion that in no conceivable realm could I give up what is most precious to me for a group of people who treated me like THAT! But, you know what....

The GREAT 'I AM' did just THAT!! No, really He did just that for...

- The boss who has treated you unfairly...
- The friend who no longer wants to speak to you for some falling out or another...
- The spouse who couldn't keep a promise to you or your children...
- The grown child who has seemingly turned his/her back on everything you taught them...
- YOU and ME, who are like little children in His eyes!!

The GREAT 'I AM' continues to amaze me with His love and grace for me. One more thing that was so VERY AWESOME about today's session is THIS...

Louie Giglio 'restated' the words to 'Here I am to worship'. Do you know that praise song? If not, the words are below...

Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that you're my God.
You're altogether worthy, altogether lovely, altogether wonderful to me!!
I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross!

Well, he put them in a 'new context' for us. Stay with me here.... In light of 'I AM NOT but I know I AM', he stated it from the perspective, of 'Here, 'I AM', to Worship'. In other words, we are not singing, 'Here I am...' as in 'OK, God, here I am to worship you. I showed up today and here I am worshipping you.' No, no, no, try this... "Here, 'I AM' to worship," meaning, "The great 'I AM', I am here to worship you, HERE in this place, in this moment." Here is little ol' me worshipping 'I AM'. The emphasis is NOT that I am here, but that 'Here, (I am NOT) is worshipping the great 'I AM'! I sang that song on the way home this evening (while I am sure I looked like a crazy woman driving down the road) and I thought about the 'new' context I was given this afternoon during the Canvas session and it gave the words and the song a whole new meaning to me.

Finally, Louie Giglio went on to say the line about 'Altogether lovely, altogether worthy...' Well, he said that (and I paraphrase here), 'Hey! We could stop at the word 'altogether' because that says it ALL! He is ALTOGETHER and He is the only one in the room who can TRULY say that.' We are definitely NOT altogether, no matter who you are. He is SO MUCH MORE altogether than we can ever hope to be!! (OK I may be speaking for myself here, because I am not 'altogether' most days, but you get the point.)

Isn't that SOMETHING??!!! 'Here 'I AM', to WORSHIP! You are ALTOGETHER PERIOD!!'

HE is the great 'I AM' and He is altogether, even on days when it seems my world might be falling apart. And, my dear friends, we all have those days where we fell like all of our efforts are falling apart before our very eyes.

Remember that HE IS the GREAT 'I AM' and He is ALTOGETHER, even when you and I are not the least bit together!

Here's to another week of 'Living In The Middle' with the GREAT I AM!! Here 'I AM', to worship!!!

Bugz, the Spring Musical....

2008-04-01T22:34:00.008-04:00

Well, I promised a post about New Hope's PTO the before the end of the weekend, so here is a quick 'brag' update, about Anna Grace and Austin. Better late than never, right?!? It was New Hope's PTO Write Night. The children were able to show off all of the neat stories they have been writing lately at school. Austin's writing has come so far! He is doing great and it was fun to let him show us around his classroom and show off his work. It was out in the hallway, too. He was very proud to 'show-off' to mom and dad!

Anna Grace had issues earlier in the year with writing. She would write JUST the minimum to give Mrs. Collins what she asked for. If she asked for 3 sentences, well that's what she got, not a sentence more. Well, Mrs. Collins would encourage her to elaborate and write more in her journal. (For those of you who know her, you KNOW she has the words to speak, she just needs to write them down.) Well, her stories now are VERY descriptive and colorful and elaborate- I don't know WHERE she gets it! :) We were amazed at how far her writing had come. I will have to post some examples when we get her work home.

Also, she had her performance in a mini-musical titled "Bugz"! It was a performance by the NHE 1st graders. She was a ladybug. They were so cute and they did such a great job! Mr Jeff Roueche is the music teacher at New Hope and he is WONDERFUL with the kids! They love him dearly. The kids had a great night and I have included some pictures from the evening below.

Haley & Anna Grace before the show.

They look so cute!!

The room full of 'little performers' waiting for their moment on stage.

Anna Grace is just showing off her costume for the evening.

"Living In The Middle" with STREP!!?

2008-03-27T21:48:00.006-04:00

Well, I meant to 'publish' this post on Wednesday for my "Living In The Middle" Wednesdays, but I found out on Wednesday morning that I have STREP!! So, I have been 'living in the middle' of my bed for 2 1/2 days now. I must tell you that this is not by choice. I have not been in the bed because I am lazy and just LOVE to lie around, but because my body aches tremendously- still does! This being sick sure is inconvenient! I couldn't do much of anything Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday night. The first night I have done much of anything is tonight and that flat wore me out!! I am amazed that I am here typing a post!! But, tonight, Anna Grace and Austin had PTO at New Hope and it was a BIG night for both of them! (I will have more on that in a later post this weekend!)

Anyway, this whole being sick thing, well, it started me thinking, is God REALLY in the middle of my being sick? And, what did Jesus do when HE got strep or really sick, so much so that He couldn't move?!? I feel that God WAS in the middle of this STREP with me...

Let's see, I had plenty of time to pray (pray for HEALING AND QUICK) and to think and to read. I am reading some GREAT books by author Randy Alcorn (more on those books in later posts as well). I had time to think about all of the things I am thankful for-- my Savior, my family, my friends, my husband, my children, my church, my home, my job.... water, Popsicles, Sprite, soup, antibiotics, Decadron shots at the Dr's office, and modern medicine!!!!

I had time to think of why I was sick and forced to 'be still' (not because I am good at being still (I am with Meleia here), but because I had no choice- every muscle ached, every bone creaked)- what is God trying to tell me this week? I am still learning about that and pondering that. I had time to think about Him being RIGHT HERE in the MIDDLE with me!

It is truly amazing that HE loves me even when I am sick and look like 'death warmed over', which I promise you my friends, I DID!! But, my Lord loves me even like that! Not even my sweet, loving husband wanted to be near me yesterday when I was SURE I was dying! I looked pretty rough!! I have learned that only a parent can love a child when they look that bad!! Boy, we should ALL thank our PARENTS for taking great care of us when we have been really sick over the years! THANKS MOM and DAD for taking care of me when I have looked that bad, as bad as I looked yesterday in fact!!! :)

I was hoping for something really profound for this week's 'Living In The Middle' Wednesday, but I feel that maybe I am short of the mark. Short of the mark though I may be, I learned something valuable this 'Strep' Wednesday. I learned that He loves me even when I am sick and hurting and aching and just plain feeling yucky! My Savior is right there jumping up and down right there 'in the middle' saying 'OK!! Now that I have you still, this is what I want you to learn!!' Maybe next time, I will slow down enough to listen to what He is trying to tell me BEFORE I must get sick with aches in places that I didn't even know existed and a sore throat that should be illegal for it to hurt this bad!! Oh, the lengths our Father will go to in order to get us 'STILL' in the middle of our crazy, hectic lives!!

Oh, and by the way, I am still not sure what Jesus did when he got this sick. I am betting He kept right on going. I am rather sure that He kept on healing people and loving them and working miracles! It IS a miracle that I got a shower today, much less took care of getting my children dressed and ready for PTO tonight!! But, our God still IS in the 'miracle business' now isn't HE?!!

Here's to another week of 'Living in the Middle' with the GREAT 'I AM'!! I pray that you find HIM right in the MIDDLE of your life this week!! Look for Him and I am sure you will find Him!!

I will leave you with a picture of Anna Grace and Austin after PTO tonight, while she was still in her ladybug costume (more on that in a later post, of course). Obviously, I am NOT in the picture. I was behind the camera looking for my bedroom ASAP....

Because He Lives INDEED!

2008-03-25T20:45:00.007-04:00

What a beautiful Easter it was on Sunday morning! We had one of the best Easter Sundays we have had in years. The kids had a wonderful day and they began to really understand this year the meaning of the day. We talked about it a great deal and it was very meaningful.

This was also the 1st Easter that Anna Grace and Austin celebrated after asking Jesus into their hearts last Summer! That made it an extra special Easter Sunday for them. It was just a wonderful day and our pastor (Pastor Dewey) preached an incredible sermon!! Our music was fantastic (or so I thought), thank the Good Lord, and the instrumentalists were awesome!! The kids also had a wonderful time going on an Easter Egg hunt in our yard on Sunday afternoon. Joe hid 50 eggs for them and they had a blast finding them all! It was really fun for all of 4 of us! I included some pictures from Easter Sunday below.

I pray that each of you had a peaceful day with your families and that you celebrated His Resurrection!! We are all here because He lives INDEED!!

Good Friday or "God's" Friday

2008-03-21T10:33:00.004-04:00

What a beautiful day it is today! I am so excited about celebrating this Easter Sunday. The Easter songs that our Music Minister, Earl Brackin, has selected for us to sing are just AMAZING!! I only hope that the Lord can bless our singing so that they sound as glorious as they are intended to be. I can't wait to sing them on Sunday!

I just wanted to do a short post this morning to wish you all a very blessed and joyous Easter weekend! I pray that you take the time to reflect on the AWESOME price that was paid for all of us so many years ago! I cannot fathom or comprehend what it was like to be there so long ago! As a mother now, I cannot fathom how God felt as this day approached.... how heavy His heart must have been. The sacrifice that the King made for us, his children, says SO MUCH about the King, about the AMAZING King that He is!! It is unreal to me how our Lord and Savior was so terribly beaten, mocked, and scorned on this day, 'Good' Friday. The GREAT I AM was killed for we who are NOT! Why? Because His love is so much greater for us than my finite mind can comprehend.

From our family to yours, have a blessed and joyous Easter weekend and take the time to really hug your family (and the call the ones who aren't there with you) and to tell them how much you really do love them!! And take the time to worship your Savior, who died for you & me and rose again all because of the great love the Father has for us!! Now THAT is something to celebrate!

Please take about 7 minutes to watch and listen to the video below. My dear friend, Tammy Hildebrand, sent it out to us via email earlier this morning and it is amazing!! I had to share it with all of you. It places a proper perspective on the ENORMITY of what actually took place on the 'FIRST EASTER' over 2,000 years ago!!

We love you friends and family!

Anna Grace's New "Do"!!

2008-03-19T21:15:00.011-04:00

Well, we took the plunge! Anna Grace has been asking to get her hair cut into a 'swingy bob' for several weeks now and I wouldn't give in and neither would her dad! :) Well, tonight she was scheduled for just a 'trim'....

On the way there, she asked again about getting it cut shorter. So, we went for it! I was a little panicked the entire time (and I caught as much hair that fell as I possibly could) and to that Anna Grace said, (and I quote) "Mom, don't have a heart attack! It's just hair! It will grow back!!" Her hair dresser, Dana, and I laughed and laughed at that comment! What do you say to that? The child had a point! Well, we love her 'new do'! Let's just hope daddy likes it too, since he is out of town tonight! We have posted a 'before picture' below and a couple of 'after' pictures.... including one with her brother! He wanted in on the picture taking action!'

This picture is the 'before' picture of Anna Grace and Austin enjoying the cupcakes that I made for them on Tuesday night...

This is the picture of her while we were taking the plunge!!

The pictures below are the 'after' pictures, after Anna Grace had about 5" of her hair cut off. This was officially her 1st 'BIG GIRL' hair cut! She is SO proud of her 'new do'!!!

OK, OK, so I think she was posing here....

And, by this point, they were in PJ's and READY for BED! She was saying, 'No more pictures mom!'

"Living In The Middle" Wednesday

2008-03-19T11:55:00.008-04:00

I must share something with you on this "hump day" Wednesday that I am learning about this week! I am watching a great series of videos at work (of all places)! The videos are offered by Andy Stanley as a ministry through North Point Ministries. It is called Life Lessons Over Lunch. We watch one video in a series every other Tuesday during our lunch hour. It is an awesome opportunity to bring our walk with God into the work place- into our daily lives among our daily routines.

Currently, we are watching the video series titled Canvas. It is about how God is weaving this amazing picture on the canvas of our world, our lives, and on our hearts all for one purpose only- to bring Glory to Himself. It is painting the picture, in my mind at least, of how BIG God really is and how small, teeny, tiny we really are! As Louie Giglio put it yesterday (he was the speaker yesterday), "We're loved little people with a HUGE, GLORIOUS GOD!' Let that soak in for a minute!! He is the GOD of the UNIVERSE and I am just little ol' me living in a small, tiny part of the world. Humbling, isn't it?

But, the part that really spoke to me, was that he talked about 'living in the middle'. He drove home the fact that God is working 'in the middle' of every situation we encounter!!

- No matter what kind of day I am having, HE is in the MIDDLE of it!
- No matter how tough my circumstances may seem, HE is in the MIDDLE of it!!
- No matter how long the night may seem, HE is RIGHT THERE in the MIDDLE of it!!
- No matter how tired I may get as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, HE is RIGHT THERE in the MIDDLE of it all!

He is all about bringing GLORY to Himself, no matter what the circumstance is in my life. We all focus on starting a new project, at home, at work, at church, wherever, or on accomplishing or finishing that project. Those are the focus points for our finite minds, and we gloss over what happens in the middle. But GOD is all about bringing Glory to Himself IN THE MIDDLE!! Life happens 'IN THE MIDDLE'!!!

You might as well have smacked me in the head with an iron skillet! I feel like most days I don't make a difference....

*I am in the middle of a big project at work, or.....
*In the middle of driving my children to school, dance, art, piano, or T-Ball, or Soccer, or...
*I am in the middle of spring cleaning my home (Can we all say UGGHHHHH here??), or...
*I am in the middle of trying to figure out how to get it all done in 24 hours each day...
* And you can add what YOU are in the middle of here...

The point I am learning is that HE IS THERE!! HE is RIGHT THERE with me in the middle of it all- no matter how big or small the task might be! That is what He wants to be about- about being with US in the MIDDLE!! He doesn't want us to start with Him and then 'live our lives' with Him on the shelf and then finish with Him when we see His face in Glory some day. He wants to be about being right there with us IN THE MIDDLE of our lives! He wants our MIDDLE to be about Him and glorifying Him no matter how big or small our tasks may seem.

HMMMMMM... I was humbled yesterday and I still am today. One other awesome thing that Louie Giglio stated was this.....

'I am NOT, but I know I AM!'

Exodus 3:14-- 'God said to Moses, I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Isrealites: I AM has sent me to you.' (emphasis mine)

Let THAT sink in for a moment! I am NOT but I know who is I AM!! I know I AM personally! He is MY GOD!! I am going to have to let that sink in for awhile!

* I feel weary and tired today--- I am NOT, but I know I AM
* I am frustrated with my children, my husband, my family-- I am NOT, but I know I AM
* I need healing for me or my family, or a friend -- I am NOT, but I know I AM
* I need more hours in the day to get it all done-- I am NOT, but I know I AM

Let's LIVE IN THE MIDDLE with the GREAT I AM! I pray you have a blessed 'Living In The Middle' Wednesday!

I love you my friends!

These 4 walls....

2008-03-17T15:38:00.003-04:00

OK. So, I am finally getting around to actually posting information on our family blog! It helps to actually TELL people about your blog if you actually WANT people to read it and see what is happening with your family, right?

I must say that all of my 'non-technical' friends have truly IMPRESSED me with their blogs!! Let's see, we have Jennifer J, Tammy Hil, Shana, Angela G., Meleia B., Chelle R., Angie & Tim F., and the list goes on.... So, here I am posting to our "official" family blog FINALLY. I have TRULY enjoyed reading the family blogs that my friends started!! It is awesome to be able to 'connect' with each other so easily.

I also love to read about day to day life in each of your homes. I think that is where 'the good stuff' happens, as I call it. Some of our funniest, saddest, most heart-warming stories come from 1 of 3 places:

1. Within the 4 walls of our own home
2. Within the 4 walls of a dear friend's home
3. Within the 4 walls of our church home, our sanctuary, our fellowship home with other believers!!

So, I LOVE to read everyone's blogs to see what is happening within YOUR 4 walls!! Those are where the most important people in your life live... within YOUR 4 walls!

So, here is to starting our journey in 'blogging land'!! I hope we can encourage one another, laugh at each other, and learn a few things along the way!! I guess now, I should actually send all of you an email so that you actually KNOW that we have a blog out here. I have not been willing to 'expose' it to the world yet. Some of your blogs are SO AWESOME that I am humbled to even try to 'compete' with them. But, it is not about competing, right?! Here's to a Happy Monday for each of you!!

Why Haven't We Done This Before?????

2007-11-20T22:40:00.000-05:00

As I was sitting here reading my friend Tammy's blog and looking at the pictures of her beautiful family, I asked myself (and Joe), why haven't we started our family blog yet? Tammy is one of the least technical people I know and she impressed me, so I thought, 'Hey, we might need to do this thing!' So, here we are posting to our blog for the first time! We will be posting pictures over the next few days, but I don't have any recent pictures on the PC I am working on right now. There will be pictures coming soon!! Let's hope this is a great way for us all to stay connected and for everyone to see pictures of each other's families- one of the greatest treasures each of us will ever know- FAMILY!!!