Whipped Cream Par-tay

You count this as dessert too, right?

Pink and Blue

These two. The youngest two. 20 months apart.

I didn't know or think that the bond between them would be so strong. I think because I'd only had boys, I thought the boys would stick together.

These two love each other fiercely.

Sunday morning, I carried Annika downstairs where Levi was sitting at the breakfast table. She "uh-uhed" to be let down.

Levi said "Annika! Give me a hug!"

She toddle waddled over and hugged him.

Melt me.

Favorite Things 2

Another one of my favorite parts of Bayou City Fellowship, is that I get to serve.

Everywhere.

I serve in the Littles.

I serve in the Kids.

Mostly, I serve as a door greeter and an usher.

The two places I was most reluctant to serve, passing out communion and praying  up front with people are the two that I most enjoy.

The way we pass out communion is we have five couples stand up front and then everyone files up and takes the bread, which I hold and say "The body of Jesus, broken for you."

Then they dip the bread in the juice and Drew says "The blood of Jesus shed for you."

The first time I did it, I was nervous. I thought I might forget what to say.

I thought I might stumble through the words.

But then, the words came out my mouth and I thought about them.

And I thought about each person as I said this to them.

It's deep. It's raw. It's truth.

Without it, my life would be in shambles.

As I said "(Friends name), the body of Jesus broken for you."

I got a lump in my throat.

My voice got shaky.

And then, I would say the same thing to the next person in line.

I might know them, I might not.

But, it never fails, the lump comes in my throat, my voice gets shaky, I sometimes squeak it out.

One of my friends said, "Can I give you a hug?"

A precious senior man came through my line. After I shakily said "The body of Jesus, broken for you.", he looked me in the eye and said "And for you!"

I almost lost it, I almost did the full on ugly cry.

The next person, who was this man's son, I could only look at and get out "For you."

Another lady said "I receive it. I receive it."

I could hardly handle it.

If you are ever at my church and we serve communion, maybe you'll choose a different line!

Favorite Things

One of my favorite parts of Bayou City Fellowship, our 16ish week old church plant is prayer.

I know every church prays. I hear them pray. I see them pray.

But, our Pastor has set an example of prayer.

"We will be a praying church." He's said that too many times to count.

When we were an itty, bitty baby church and not open to the public, we practiced praying.

That sounds weird, to practice praying, right?

But we did.

Pastor Curtis told us, we're not here to pray just to hear ourselves speak. We're going to pray powerful prayers. Sometimes, the word "short" was before the word powerful.

And then, he modeled it for us.

And we joined.

We would all pray out loud together.

Pastor would be walking around with his arms open or lifted, in prayer.

And all our voices join together and lift up to our Lord.

Before the service begins, after every baby item, and kids table, and sign pointing a way to go, you will find us in the chapel, heads bowed or lifted up, praying.

Sometimes, we pray in a big group, sometimes, we pray individually or in two's.

We pray for the Holy Spirit to fill the chapel.

We pray for the lost to be saved.

We pray for each chair and each person sitting in those chairs, for their life to be changed.

We pray that our lives will be changed.

At the end of service, it's not uncommon for us to stand and join hands and pray together.

After church, it's not uncommon to see groups of people standing around, heads bent, sometimes a hand raised, in prayer.

Jesus loves it.

Is there anything that I can be in prayer for you about?

It's Not My Season

I want to do it all.

I want to be everywhere.

I don't want to miss a tweet.

A party or a girls night out.

A blog post.

Or an opportunity to serve someone.

I want to be the best wife and mom.

For the last thing to happen, the others, can't, not all the time.

And which of those things are the most important to me?

The last.

Hands down.

God has put a calling on my life. To be a wife and a mother. I know that is what I'm supposed to do, it's what I've always wanted.

And He gave me the desire of my heart.

I don't want to squander it.

So, for now, my mantra is "It's not my season."

I'm quitting my bunco group.

I'm saying no to training and running a half marathon.

I'm saying no to mentoring a girl in the public school down my street.

Because I have a super, duper, most important job.

I have 4 souls to raise, 4 people to pour Jesus' love into, 4 kids to read to, do homework with, answer questions, and a million other things.

And I don't want to miss a second.

I get each of them until they are 18 years old. Sage is already 7. I only have 11 years left with him.

I used to think (still kind of do) that this is a cop out. I should be able to do the things listed above and pour into my family.

I can't. Maybe you can.

I'm calling my bluff.

I'm giving myself an out.

I'm shaking off the guilt.

And it feels freeing.

This season won't last the rest of my life. Maybe it will be shorter than I think. However long it lasts, I'm going to enjoy it.

I choose to enjoy it.

A Boy and His Bike

Sage and I went to Goodwill after basketball practice and we walked out with a bike for him.

He started practicing right away.

And with no help from me or Drew, taught himself how to ride.

With only a few falls. 

Kolby and Levi riding their bikes for one of the first times since we moved into our house.

They continue to love riding on the driveway.
Pictures of Kolby and Levi were taken in November.

A Boy and His Dog

 Coco was the first present the kids opened on Christmas Day.

 Annika likes the kennel.

I've already threatened to give her away. Puppies are a lot of work! Who knew?! But, then I look at her cute face and change my mind. At least I don't have to wipe her bottom. 

January 4

I want to try to take the kids' picture every month on the fourth. I really did take these on the fourth!

 The best one of the four of them and Kolby is out of focus. Kolby is still in his school uniform and yes, I did grab that bow right before I took the picture. And yes, it was off right after we were done.

 Annika decided she didn't want to be touched, which is pretty normal. 

I said pose funny.

Two seconds after these pictures were taken, they started running around the backyard having a grand time. Two seconds after that, Kolby tripped and landed in a pile of dog poop.

Funny Levi Sayings I Don't Want to Forget

When told no to more m&m's Levi told me his tummy was sad. And more m&m's would make it so happy!

At HEB, Levi pointed out many Santa's, I commented "Santa is everywhere these days."

He replied, "No, God is everywhere!"

He still regularly talks about his Huns. They do a lot of the same things that we are doing. My favorite right now is that he'll ask me a question, like "When we spill a lot of water, we have to clean it up, right?"

"Yes."

"Oh, cause my Hun's didn't know that. They beat us home in their race car."

According to Levi, there are 3 Huns, all named Levi who are 3 years old. He will often ask me a question and say Oh, cause my Hun's didn't know that. It makes me smile every time.

Drinking IBC root beer

Today

Drove to the fancy mall.

Levi and Annika fell asleep on the way there.

Levi transferred to the stroller and stayed asleep the whole time.

I did some returning and exchanging.

As I returned a pair of boots, the man at the store asked if anything was wrong, I said no, just too small.

He checked the size on the box and said "41! Too small?!"

Way to win a customer, buddy.

Then asked if I wanted to look around for any gifts.

Since I have skis for feet.

Airplanes

A while ago, Levi started telling us that he was going to have an airplane party for his birthday.

So we did.

His favorite colors are green and orange.

Apparently, the pictures I took were of the decorations.

The Invite. Designed by Drew.

Complimentary In Flight Drinks.
Designed by Drew.

Complimentarty In Flight Snacks.
Designed by Drew.

Your Choice of In Flight Meal.
Designed by Drew.

Decorated by Drew.

Assortement of planes for party favors in a suitcase.

Paper Airplane Factory.

Checked Baggage.

Birthday Boy.

Blowing.

Airplanes in the Clouds.

Levi,

I think everyday since you've turned 3, you have said to me "Mom, I'm still free!"  And when we have said something like when you get a little bigger, you can do this, you quickly reply "But, I'm free!"

When you first started talking about your airplane party, you were so convincing that you were going to have one, we couldn't not throw one for you.

When Daddy first showed you the invitation, the plane was blue.  You said, "Dad, I wanted a green plane."  Drew tried to convince you that the plane was really great blue, but you knew exactly what you wanted.  Airplanes.  Green and orange.

You were a really impressive, incredible two year old, I can't wait to see what three brings!

You are a delight.  You are entertaining.  You make all of us laugh.  

Sometimes, we call you Chip because of your chipped tooth (Sage was holding your legs and dropped you on your face- that's the story you tell and it's the truth).  Sometimes, you'll say, "I Chip Yebi!"  

You love to tell me stories as we drive around in the van, a lot of times they involve poop.  

We love you, Chip Yebi!

Love, 

Mama

Adored

Huns

The Back Story:

Levi started talking awhile ago about "The Huns".

Sometimes, The Huns would come with us places.

Sometimes, they drive their own cars, orange and green and will beat us to our destination.

Sometimes, The Huns were people.

Sometimes, The Huns were dogs.

Every once in a while, he'll ask me if I know where The Huns are.

Monday, I was emptying some boxes out of our bedroom and got them ready to take them out to the recycling.

Levi and Annika were eating lunch so I took the opportunity to take the boxes outside.

Levi came running out.  But, I'd already finished.

As we walked back in the house, he started whining and crying a little.

"My Huns were in the box!  You threw my Huns away!  You threw them away!"

I assured him that I checked the boxes and they were empty.

He reaffirmed that I had indeed thrown them away.

I insisted the boxes were empty and his Huns were somewhere else.

Somehow, it just dropped.

I haven't heard about The Huns and if they did or did not survive my box throwing out.

I'll keep you posted.

Annika turned 1 (almost 3 months ago, who's counting)

Pink cupcake
Pink frosting
Princess

She needed some convincing to put the pretty in her mouth.

Mom remembered the bow! At the end.

Annika with Annika Louise. Her scripture is Ephesians  2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.  Annika means grace.

Daddy with his mini me.

Aunt Krista (who was here for your birthday!) got Ani her first cowgirl boots.



Thanks to my friend, Kelli, Annika celebrated her birthday in style in this sweet cucake bubble, like a true Southern belle.  Kelli drove it to our house the day of her birthday, so I made her stay for dinner.

I served a yummy homemade macaroni and cheese (recipe on the back of the Velveeta box), applesauce and broccoli.  A perfect 1 year old birthday dinner.

Annika,

You are so loved in our family.  You are the perfect princess even when you copy Levi and growl.  At 1, you aren't walking yet.  At 14, almost 15 months, you are trying so hard to get it.  You take about 2 or 3 steps and then fall on purpose.  Then you look up and make sure we all saw you and clap and smile for yourself.  And you do it all over again.  The other day, I videotaped you for 5 minutes doing that process.

You are very cautious.  Daddy says it's because you have to watch out for Levi.  And you do.  The first 2 times you stood up to your stroller walker, you got knocked down.  The first time you crawled up the stairs, you fell down them.  The second time you fell down the stairs, Levi was waiting for you at the top and you had some "help".  Now, when you want to come downstairs, you sit about 4 feet away from the top of the stair and yell until someone comes to carry you down.

Recently, you have started to sign "eat" and say "E!" at the same time.  I figured out tonight that means drink too.

You are a momma's girl.  And I love it.  The times you want daddy are when he has something to eat and when you don't want to go to bed.

We are amazed at your girlness.  You pick up a baby or a stuffed animal and you put it on your shoulder and pat its back.  Then you put it in your stroller walker and push it around.  I saw you pick up one of your brothers little bags with a car painted on it and put it on your shoulder like a little purse.  

You have a pink bear that Nana gave you when you were born that you really love.

I have loved watching your little personality come out and I can't wait to see more.

Annika, you have 3 big brothers wrapped around your finger.  They adore you and the feeling seems to be mutual.

Love you forever,

Mamma

Confession

I hate Halloween.

I hate the planning for the costumes.

I hate buying costumes.

I hate all the scary stuff. 

I might have changed my tune this year.

Because of a borrowed zebra. But mostly because of the sweet girl inside the costume. 

Because of a really happy, jumping Buzz.
A tough Jengo Fette.
A sweet Boba Fette.
And the cutest zebra ever.

And a fun neighborhood that trick or treats early, just for the neighbors.
(That's our house! I need to write an I love our house post.)

Fire Ants

I have two fire ant bites on my left foot.

It's red, swollen, itchy and fiery.

It hurts to walk, to bend my foot.

It hurts to wear my flip flop or any other shoe.

I know that I get bad reactions to fire ants.

I avoid them at all costs.

Yesterday, at the park, Levi walked into a fire ant pile.

Immediately, they start crawling on him and biting him.

He screamed.

I ran over.

Saw the ants.

Scooped him up and started brushing them off of him.

Knowing full well that I would probably get bit somewhere.

But, I had to rescue Levi.

I had to protect him.

His safety was more important than my pain.

And I would knowingly and willingly do it all over again.

As I walk around today with some pain in my foot, I was struck.

Jesus does that for me.

He runs into the fire ant pile to rescue me.

And He would do it again.

And again.

And again.

That's grace.

8 minutes

She tells him to go upstairs and get his underwear on and brush his teeth.

She sets the timer for 8 minutes.

He hears, go upstairs.

So, he does.

He wanders into the bathroom and looks around.

He decides to brush his teeth.

He carefully smears the toothpaste on his toothbrush the counter.

Then puts the toothbrush and the glob of toothpaste in his mouth.

And spits.

Resulting in a pile of toothpaste in the sink.  Stuck to the side.

Happy with his fresh breath and sparkling teeth, he wonders into his room.

Thinking he'd like to please his mama, he takes off his pull-up and puts on underwear.

His pull-up lays abondoned on the floor.

Then he sees some legos.

And lays down to build them.

In his underwear and pajama shirt.

His mama calls sweetly in a sing-song voice up the stairs "So-on, what are you doing?!"

He yells "I have to poop!"

Alarmed and sighing to herself, she starts up the stairs and goes into his room, flinching, wondering what might be awaiting her.

She sees that little boy laying on his stomach, in his underwear and pajama shirt building legos.

She says "Well, go poopy!"

She walks back downstairs to check the rest of the kids.

She hears him yell "DAD!"

And thinks, "Phew, I don't have to wipe him!"

25 minutes after she sent him upstairs to brush his teeth and put on underwear, he comes downstairs.

Still in his pajama shirt and underwear.

Brown Bag

The house is quiet.

Lunches are in the fridge.

Dishes have dripped dry.

Dishwasher is delayed.

Too many lights on.

Drew had a meeting at 8, left at 7:15.

The throes of showers, picking up and nursing Annika.  It was relatively calm when he left.

Sage in the shower.  Kolby on the computer.  Levi watching Kolby.  Annika nursing snoozing.  Me iPadding.

It stayed that way for .25 seconds after he walked out the door.

Life.

I get really flustered on home school days.  I just want to get all the school work done.  And quickly!

Sometimes, I need a brown bag to breathe into.

I want to say I drop to my knees instead.

Sometimes, I bark at them.

Do your handwriting!

Levi, be quiet! I'm teaching your brothers!

Where's Annika?

Are the bathroom doors closed?

I'm learning.

They're learning.



Linking up with just write.

Distractions

A leak in our pool

A left behind homework folder

Stolen car seats

Algae growing in our pool

Annika throwing up and then waking up STARVING in the middle of the night

Levi throwing up

Temperature gage coming on in the van

Hitting a parked car

Not all in that order but all things we've dealt with in the last couple of weeks.  Six of them just this week.  And it's Thursday.

It's like Satan is trying to see what he can throw at us to get us off our course.

It's exciting!

It's exhausting!

By the grace of God, we're making it.

By the grace of God, we'll continue to not just make it but to thrive.

Here's what I'm grateful for this week:

1.  The leak being reasonable to fix.

2.  Having the correct chemicals in our garage to clear up the algae overnight.

3.  A husband smart enough to deal with the chemicals for the pool.

4.  A friend lending us a car seat so we could order some new ones.

5.  Having the means to order new car seats.

6.  Annika getting sick after we finished school on Tuesday.

7.  And waking up for a longer period of time in the middle of the night when I didn't have to teach at home the next day.

8.  Levi being the easiest patient ever.

9.  Throwing up in his bowl all day long.

10.  Chrysler Helffman Dodge not charging us to look at the van and fixing the leaky coolant thing.

Expectant

Jesus!

That was the first word Pastor Curtis wanted to say at our first core group meeting for Bayou City Fellowship.

It seems so long ago and just yesterday all at the same time.

A couple of days before Curtis sent out the invitations to come and hear about his vision, Drew and I went to Pastor Curtis and Amanda's house.

We kneeled on their living room floor, invitations in the middle of the four us, spread all around.

And we prayed.

We prayed that these friends of ours would catch the vision.

We prayed that God would rise up the leaders for BCF.

We prayed that each and every person would have clear wisdom and discernment whether they were to come and be a part of this church plant.

We prayed expectantly.

We expected God to move, to work, to do miracles.

And He has.

And we continue to pray expectantly.

We are going to be meeting publicly for the first time on Sunday, September 11, 2011.

We pray expectantly that God will fill our meeting place, Houston Christian High School at 10 am.

We invite you to come worship our Jesus with us!

We invite you to come pour out your life as we serve our community.

We are expectant with anticipation.

Check out our website. 

If I know you in real life, call me, email me, text me, dm me, ask me!  We want you there!  And we want you to bring your friends!

Consider this your invitation.