Answered Prayers

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. -Romans 8:26

This has been my verse for the day. What a perfect verse in a perfect time. Yesterday I was having one of those days where I felt as though all the things I had been praying about were not being heard. I even voiced it out loud in that throw myself a pity party type way. Whiny voice, "Why God, why?"

I feel as though what I've been praying for God had ordained Like the selling of our house, Todd and I prayed for this decision and got the yes answer. So, we put our house up for sale. It hasn't sold, but not even that, we've had 2 people come look at the house in almost 4 months. Lots of hits on the website, but nothing on the next step.

As well, Todd and I had found a home in Willard that we really liked and met more than our needs at an amazing price. We really had not planned on putting an offer on it until we had more interest in our house, but after finding out that it was short-sale and possibly take months before we found out anything we decided to go ahead and put an offer down contigent on our house selling. Our realtor came by my work yesterday to let me know that they had received a full asking price offer which meant that knocked us out immediately. Very disappointing.

The job situations. Wondering what happened when there was a job so perfect and an application is submitted with perfect references that it should be yours. Then not even an interview.

I almost feel embaressed telling this part of the story. I am giving God a why over not selling the house, not getting a house we wanted and not getting a job that we wanted. But that is what makes what happened today so amazing. God showed me today that He is in control and He showed me what He finds important. I have been so focused on my few prayers of I wants not being answered that I had forgotten about some of the others prayers I had been offering up to Him.

One of those prayers I have been praying is how to do more with the kids in showing them how to love and care for others. I'm still learning myself how to be a completely selfless person. But my prayer is so much for our kids to now have a heart for others. God showed me today that this is the prayer He most wants me praying right now. This is what He is wanting to teach me and my family about.

Our Thursdays are our grocery shopping days. The kids and I head in early hit the bread store and sometimes Mama Jeans then to Wal-Mart. Today as we were leaving the bread store I had just put all the kids in the van and was getting ready to leave when a woman walked up to my window. She asked if I knew where a certain church was and so I proceeded to tell her how to get there.

She interupted my directions to ask if I could drive her there. She had been walking for about 2 hours trying to get to the church. The church was still about 15 minutes away in driving time. I agreed and she hopped in the van and proceeded to share with me her story. I listened and she talked the whole way to the church.

When I dropped her off I asked if I could pray with her to which she was very grateful. Then from the cash I had to go grocery shopping with I gave her some and waited in the van long enough to make sure she got in and waved me on.

As soon as I left the parking lot I started crying because it was then that I realized that God was so graciously teaching me what is precious to Him. His people. I had such an incredible time with this lady and was able to love on her and provide for her. He does answer my prayers, He gave me and the kids this lady to minister to today.

All I can say is, "Thank you, thank you Jesus for answering my prayers." Thank you for bringing one of your precious people for us to minister to. I serve an awesome and almighty God.

Shekinah Retreat

Last weekend Todd and I got a much needed retreat away with just each other. Thanks to my sister and mom who tag teamed taking care of our kids. Mal stayed at the house with the kids so they could sleep in their own beds, then mom came and got them so they could hang out with her on Saturday.

Todd had booked this cute little Bed and Breakfast in Arcola, MO not too far from Stockton Lake. Which this time of year the lake was not a draw, but the fact that it was away from everything and in quiet was what made it appealing.

I actually came across this B&B through a mailing I received at the church. We like the atmosphere they have and this one reminded us of the one we stayed in on our honeymoon. They both were huge houses turned B&B and they both had themed rooms. We chose the Garden Room to stay in. I know it might sound way corny, but the room was so pretty and relaxing.

The owners were an amazing couple and it was so nice to get to know them. They were so warm and welcoming, but also very professional. We never saw them unless we wanted to or they were bringing our food. We learned that every one of their children is involved with the B&B in some capicity. One of thier daughters fixed the romantic dinner we had on Friday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday. She will be leaving in a couple of months to go to culinary school. Her goal is to return once done with school to be the chef. She has an amazing talent. It has been a long time since I have savored every bite I am taking. Everything was homemade and seasoned with home grown herbs. Truely divine cooking.

We were provided our room, a library to sit and have a beautiful view to outside, a game room to watch movies or play games with each other, and amazing food. Todd and I truely got to relax and spend time talking without interuption.

I took my camera and here are a few pictures of our wonderful weekend.

Jude Turns 2

Saturday was Jude's 2nd birthday. We had a great day of celebrating the precious life God has given him. Friday night Jadon and Haven joined me on picking up some last minute things for the party the next day. It was such a joy to see them so excited to make his birthday such a special day.

Jadon was up early on Saturday so he could help greet Jude with Happy Birthday wishes and love. When Jude finally made his awake state known Jadon and I went running in singing happy birthday and Jadon saying, "Oh my, you're older and look how much bigger you are. Yep, I do think he's gotten bigger."

It totally cracked me up. Surprisingly Jude didn't know what to do with all the attention. I would never have thought of him as anywhere close to shy. But throughout the day he didn't quite know what to do with all the attention.

I am so thankful for his life in our family. He is definately starting to assert his independence. His favorite thing to say right no is uh-huh. He says it for everything, even if he means yes. So much is the term used, it's not really a word, that he gets serious discipline for it. Take that out of his vocabulary and he is a rough housing, yet gentle spirit boy who loves his family and has the funniest little personality. He mimmicks everything his big brother and big sister does and he and I share some of the most sweet times in the evenings sitting and reading books.

He loves having the Bible read to him. Oh how I pray this love for the Word only intensifies as he gets older. I am excited to watch him grow into the person God has planned.

Pictures of his big 2 party. Jude sleeping before the big day.

Jude wanted to try everything piece of clothing on that he got and he kept going to Great Gram to help him put it on.

Jude done with us singing and asking him to say how old he is. It is the cutest thing to hear him say "too" and cross his fingers.

Isn't this the sweetest face.

A few of the other really cute kids in the family. Haven was really enjoying her cupcake and was not planning on wasting any of it.

Later that evening we took Jude out to Chick-fil-a for his birthday dinner. Upon arrival we had forgotten about the Valentine Dinner set-up they were having. The whole place was decorated to resemble a fine dining place with a host to seat you, linens on the tables and waiters and waitresses to serve you. They brought the food you ordered out on plates instead of a tray. It was done very nice. The only draw back is we waited for over an hour for our chicken nuggets and chicken sandwich with fruit cups and fries. We received our dinner about the time we would be getting ready for bedtime. The kids were tired, hungary and not very patient. The play area is only fun for a while.

They were very gracious and knowing we had waited a long time ended up giving us our meal free and coupons for free sandwiches in the future. This was not prompted by us complaining or getting upset. Another reason to love Chick-fil-a. We took it as another birthday present for the little Juddlebug.

I think he had a great 2nd birthday and I know the rest of us enjoyed celebrating him.

Thank you to Mal for taking pictures, they all turned out wonderful!

I Need You Spring

I am so ready for warmer weather to be here. I really think the kids are ready. There is a lot of cabin fever going on around here and it has taken over my kids and turned them not so pleasant. That is the only explanation I have for their behavior of late. Well, except that they were born sinful and don't need any help in behaving badly.

I do think, however, that having some time outside with the warm sun shining down on their pretty little heads would help in fixing some of the weariness they have.

It seems that their sole purpose for waking up in the morning is find new and creative ways to annoy the crud out of each other. One wants to listen to music the other makes super loud noises making it impossible for the music to be heard, then it all comes out. The yelling to stop, if that doesn't work they resort to hitting or biting. Today Jadon actually head butted Haven because she was being too loud. This from a boy who is very protective of his sister.

Jude has even been getting in on it. Any chance he gets he takes something away from Haven and runs from her. She starts chasing and it never ends good. There has been plenty of talks, time-outs and spankings these past couple of weeks.

Today we were driving into town, I had a lot of errands to run, and Haven wanted to tell Jadon about something funny that happened. He seriously would not even look at her. She kept asking for him to look at her she wanted to tell him something. So, she hits him and screams at the top her lungs. I understand her frustration, but, oh my, there is a better way to handle that.

We're learning a lot about responding rightly, not responding by how you feel.

I really want to lock myself in my room and not come out. This too shall pass. I just really wish that it would hurry up and the kids that I know will return.

On another note. Here are a couple of pictures of the living room we painted for my mom's birthday. I think it turned out very lovely.

I had just finished typing this and Jadon comes in crying because he's had a bad dream. I hate it when one of them has bad dreams. It seems Jadon is having more and more of them. Tonight everything was very tall so I had to go in his room and pull everything down. Which means walk over to the window and pretend I'm pulling it down and then over to his closet and do the same and then pull his bed down. Then we prayed together.

Spring and Tulips

I love when it starts getting close to Spring. My favorite flowers are tulips and each year leading up to Spring Todd will come home randomly with boquets of tulips. Saturday Todd took the kids to Wal-Mart and came back with the first boquet of tulips of the year. They are beautiful and extra special since Todd and the kids picked them out together.

A Jude Story

This is probably more a story of what Todd and I did to Jude. It's confession time.

I will start by setting the scene and defending our actions a little bit. Thursday nights are very hectic in our household. That is Todd's school night, in which he leaves for school around 5pm and returns around 10:30pm, I have started teaching a Body & Soul class at the church on Thursday nights (I love it, it's a strength and toning class) and so the kids spend the evening at my mom's for a couple of hours.

After I get done with class I go over to mom's, we visit as the kids pick up the toys and then we head home. By the time we get home it is after 8pm and the kids are usually in bed around then. So, we get the house picked up, put out clothes for the next day, put on p.j's and brush teeth. This is usually all done by 9pm and the kids are put in bed. I finally get to sit in quiet for the first time all day and wait for Todd to get home.

Well, one particular Thursday not that long ago we did our usual busy run around get home do our bed stuff and we are almost in bed when I hear Jadon yelling for me from the bathroom. He was yelling for me and yelling at Jude to stop. As I walked in the bathroom there is Jadon using the potty and Jude standing beside him, holding toothbrush.....under the stream of pee. Oh gross, what is he thinking.

I quickly grab the toothbrush and threw it in the sink. I was afraid if I threw it in the trash he would dig it out. I had all intentions of going back and getting the toothbrush and disposing of it properly.

Okay, well I admit I didn't go back and the next morning we are brushing teeth when I hear Haven yelling, "Ewww, gross no Jude." I went running into the bathroom and saw Jude with his toothbrush putting it in the toilet.

Oh yes, the toilet. Oh wait, the toilet. Oh NO, the toilet.

My senses started coming back to me and I asked Todd where Jude got the toothbrush. Todd responded by saying that he got Jude's toothbrush out of the sink and had brushed his teeth. Oh my, yes brushed his teeth with the very toothbrush I had taken away the night before because he was contaminating it in the toilet.

It did get thrown away right then, but a little too late. I apologize right now Jude for letting daddy brush your teeth with a nasty, dirty toothbrush.

One more Jude story. Last weekend we were all watching cartoons together, Todd was a men's study at church, and Jude came over with Jadon's Bible in his hands. He handed me the Bible and asked me to read it to him. Very cool, this is not a picture Bible. He sat on my lap and for the next 20 minutes as we read through Psalms. It was a very sweet moment as he listened to God's Word.

Happy Birthday Mom

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. I am so thankful for her; her thoughtfulness of others, how she loves me, Todd and our children. I pray this year is full of blessings and amazing God moments for her beyond anything she can imagine.

This year we all pitched in and bought paint and my brother spent the entire day painting her living room. We had a whole cast of helpers, from going in on the gift (we had to buy a bunch of paint) to those in charge of keeping her away from the house the entire day to my brother and cousin doing the labor. It turned out beautifully and when I get some pictures I will post them.

She called me around 10pm when she finally got home and was so surprised and happy. She reminded me of the story I used to hear her tell of when she was a little girl. She loved the color Indian Red. She would color everything with that one color. When she saw her walls the color reminded her of Indian Red. I am so happy that not only does the color look beautiful in her living room, but it brought back such a happy memory for her.

Happy Birthday Mom/Nana! We love you!

Words From Haven

I have to say that I am truely a blessed mommy. The Lord has trusted me with raising two wonderful boys and a wonderful little girl. So far in my parenthood experiences I can honestly tell you that raising boys is so much less drama filled. With them what you see is what you get most days.

On the other hand our sweet little angel's moods can turn on a dime. Here's a few things Haven has told me this week.

YOU NEVER LET ME DO ANYTHING!!!!! (I smile because just she wait there will come a day I really won't let her do anything and I can even use the reason "because I said so.")

She sang to me in her cute little falsetto voice, My mommy has the sweetest smile.

After getting up from bed for the 2nd time to go to the bathroom I asked her why she was getting up so much needing to go pee-pee. (I knew it was just an excuse to get out of bed.) Her response as she shrugs her shoulders, "well, mom, people pee." There you have it folks in case you didn't know.

She wanted her hair in a pony tail, but didn't want me coming her hair. Here's our conversation:

Me: Haven do you want your hair down or in a pony tail

Haven: I want my hair in a pony tail.

Me: Okay lets go comb it.

Haven: I don't want you to comb it, it will hurt.

(Okay I remember how much it hurt when my mom used to comb my hair. I would often cry.

So, I really do try not to comb hard and try my very best to get those tangles out without

 pulling a handfull of hair out of her head. I really do try.)

Me: I will try really hard not to hurt you. Let's go get the comb.

Haven: Well then, if you want to hurt me then go ahead.

My thought: Of course I don't want to hurt her, but the hair is getting combed. Oh, boy are we in trouble.

She is so frustrating/funny, sweet/ornery at the same time. She is the perfect little girl to be put right between two brothers.