No kidding - this is a true story!

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Romans 8:37

This past Wed. I spoke to an AWESOME M.O.P.S group (Mother's of Preschoolers). And, I used one of my favorite messages. The bottom line of the message is - We need to spend time alone with God daily. It was easy to direct that to group of preschool moms because out of all the people on the planet they are the ones least likely to EVER be alone. I mean come on, they even have little people follow them into the bathroom!! Talking about no privacy! Thus, the calling of a mom with young kids:)

I also talked about BUSYNESS, feeling pressure to be Super Mom and told them this personal story about how having to much on your plate can really catch up with you!!

I have two girls, my 2nd grade daughter, Savannah who attends Madison Creek and a 6 year old daughter, Cassidy who was in a pre-K class at Gene Brown Elementary.

So two girls, two separate schools, but in the same county. And – every year the schools have a county wide drug free week called Red Ribbon Week. And during the course of this week the kids get to wear something different and fun each day (like silly unmatched socks, sunglasses and so on.).


So – I receive my two notes from each school explaining the week’s dress code. Some days the girls dress the same and some days are different. You guys know where this is headed I’m sure!
Ok – it had been an unusual week and I had been doing a pretty good balancing act until Thursday. That’s when Cassidy (my younger daughter) and then my baby boy came down with a stomach bug at the same time!! I’m rushing around on Thursday knowing that it’s going to be a long night. I’m getting as much prepared for Friday as I can. And, I look at the paper telling me what Savannah is to wear on Friday and it’s called “Wacky Tacky Day”. Which means, you are to purposefully not match any of your clothes. The crazier and more mismatched the better.

Well, I yell upstairs to Savannah so she can help me by finding her own clothes -- and she has a blast in her closet finding the coolest mismatched outfit she can find for the next day. Stuff like that is really up her ally. She has a red sock, a blue sock, a green paisley skirt, an orange shirt and has laid out some eccentric hair accessories.


I was right. Thursday night was horrible. I’ve had 0 sleep and I’m driving Savannah to school in a daze and as she gets out of the car --- I think, “Uuh – That’s strange. Not many people dressed up today.” and I’m off!

And it was not until oh – 15 min. before Savannah was to get off the bus that afternoon, while I was disinfecting our kitchen – I really stopped and looked at the Red Ribbon Week schedule posted on my fridge and I could have died!! You guessed it. It was not “Wacky Tacky Day” at Savannah’s school. It was sports apparel day. “Wacky Tacky Day” was at Cassidy’s school, but she was sick so didn’t go to school that day. And, to make things worse for Savannah --- they had an assembly in the gym for the entire school K-5th grade. And she was the line leader for her grade and had to walk in front of everyone around their gymnasium.

It was an honest mistake, but one that was made because I was overwhelmed, rushed, frustrated and didn’t even slow down enough to read the correct sheet of paper posted right on my refrigerator.


Now, I could maybe get away with saying I had sick babies and that could happen to anyone (trying to make myself feel better). But, the truth of the matter is my calendar of craziness the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday before my babies were sick on Thursday was the root of the problem. Because I had so many things crammed in to my schedule for the entire week – when the unexpected happened – the bottom fell out!

AND after this weeks talk and this fabulous reminder ---- I DID IT AGAIN!!!! This morning, Savannah is all dressed up this time. She's in gold dress shoes, a skirt and blouse matching accessories and as we pull in the parking lot she says - "Mom, I'm supposed to have on my class T-shirt and tennis shoes! We are running a marathon today!!!"

God keeps me around for entertainment I'm sure of it!!! How is it that one person can be so scattered yet try so hard to not be!!

Once again, I realize my need not just for HIM daily, but moment by moment!! "God, through you - who loves me so much - that is the only way I will ever the able to conquer my daily schedule! I'm so thankful that You have not given up on me yet!!! Amen!"

FYI Parents of kids in public schools

Please go to http://www.missionamerica.com/ and read what the next homosexual activism has planned.

This is an event for April 25, 2008. The Nashville area schools that plan to participate are:

HILLSBORO HIGH SCHOOL
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR MAGNET
PEARL HIGH SCHOOL
NASHVILLE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

There is information on how to become proactive. It is time for Christians to Speak Up!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE look in your area - I know people all across the States read this, find out what schools in your area will be participating.

Disney Pics

You can't take a trip to Disney without spending time with Mickey!

OK - I really do try to watch my spending on souvenirs while on vacation, but who could pass up these Mickey Mouse shades!! What a cutie:)

The girls LOVE Mulan. This was a rare treat! She is not around the park often, so to see her was extra special.

Savannah has been over the "Princess" thing for a few years now, but for some reason was fascinated by Cinderella. So much so that she is already declaring that she wants to dress up like Cinderella for the church Harvest Party in October!

Yes - my kids either have on matching clothes OR the same color scheme most days - BUT, especially while on vacation!!! By the way, we celebrated Cassidy's 6th B-day while we were down there (thus the cupcake shirt). The park gave her a special button to wear so all the characters were quick to wish her a Happy Birthday.

We were just at Disney in October (if you are planning a trip - ask me anything! I feel like it's our second home!!) and we didn't make it to Sea World. We went this time and it was great! Did you know they have one of the best roller coasters in the world??? Who knew!

Cassidy's favorite ride, Splash Mountain, was at Magic Kingdom. The kids rode it 1,000 times (or so it seemed!). The last time they took a spin, I sat out with Jamison. While I was waiting - I met Bret Favre's wife!!! No kidding! Evidently, good ol' Bret was just a few logs back behind Russ and the rest of the family. She was sweet as she could be!!

One of our favorite rides (including Savannah who is just 8!) is Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. It's a roller coaster that goes forwards, backwards and upside down! You've got to try it!!

Since it was Spring Break for the entire USA the week we were there (crowds were insane!), we took advantage of the Extra Magic Hours which means we could stay at the park until 1:00AM. Most people are not that crazy - so the park was no where near as crowded during that time. We are a family of night owls so it worked for us! The kids would sleep till 10AM and we would go back to the park after lunch. They feel asleep nearly every night on the bus back to the hotel.

Here are some grumpy kids -- not ready to go home! We were leaving MGM/Universal Studios to hit the road for the 12 hour trip home:(

What's been the hold up?

"I will put My Spirit into your children; My blessings will be like a stream of water flowing over your family. One will say, 'I belong to the Lord,' another will write on his hand, 'The Lord's'."
Isaiah 44: 3, 5

Oh how I LOVE that verse. I have it written on a tile (you have to see it to make sense - it's a small tile like you would have on your kitchen back splash and the Is. 44 verse on it --- a crafty friend made it!). Anyway, the tile is on a stand and it's in the center of all my kids photo's on a table at the entrance of my house.

I look and see that it's been a month since I last blogged! YIKES!!! I have two reasons 1) no computer and 2) KIDS! We spent 8 days in Disney (which you will see more than you ever wanted to in just a minute!) and they have consumed me more than normal. And, they have shared many funny and thought provoking stories that I'm sure will wind up in a future blog or speaking engagement.

So, since my time is brief - I wanted to just post some pics for family and friends of our recent trip. Those of you who really have missed me - THANK YOU! Your e-mails have been so encouraging to me and I REALLY want to get back to this devotional/blog thing. So - say a prayer that I will be able to get a new computer soon. It's going to cost as much to fix the old as to buy a new one. AND - after this trip to Disney, I just don't have hundreds of dollars stashed under my pillow!

ENJOY the Disney pics on the next post:)

Wave your Bible in the air!

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Hebrews 4:11-13

Well here it goes --- I'm about to get on a tangent! I'm sorry in advance:)

Our pastor once again had an AMAZING message on Sunday. And even though the entire sermon was Right On, one thing really stuck out to me. It stuck out to me because I had been very burdened and praying about something for a few months now. It has to do with the issue of Bibles.

I had started to notice the lack of Bibles being brought to church and it was really bothering me!!! My thinking was - OK, this is the place where you are supposed to bring your Bibles, right? So - if you are not bringing them where you are supposed to --- are they (the Bibles) being opened any other time of the week?

Now, I must clarify! I was not walking around with pen and paper taking tabs on who had their Bibles at church or not. I'm sure over the years - in the midst of dragging diaper bags and donuts for the Sunday School class for breakfast - I've forgotten my Bible. But, our pastor made a great point. In the world of Power Point presentations with the Scripture for all to see during the worship service AND the trend of Sunday School literature to have Scripture printed out for you each week - it's easy to see our Bibles as one less thing to carry to church. Brother Ken challeneged our church to start bringing our Bibles. I'm glad he addressed this -- now I wouldn't have too (haha)!

I wish I could remember the name of the pastor that was referenced in Brother Ken's sermon, but let me end on this note. There is a pastor somewhere who starts his sermon's like this: "If you brought your Bible today, let's hold our Bibles way up high and wave them around so we can make the Devil good and made this morning." Would you be able to make the Devil good and mad today?

Take Up Your Cross - Part 2

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23

Some of you might remember a post I made in January about this verse. I was inspired during my devotional time to create this wall in my home. I promised pics so here you go! I LOVE it!! Some might think it's a little over the top --- who am I kidding! It is, but I like it. Oh -- and I can't take credit for painting the verse! I hired someone to do it and she did a wonderful job!!!

It looks like I'm at least one more week without a computer. I miss blogging, but hopefully this won't last much longer!!

Official Soccer Mom

“Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:4

Well, I’ve done it. I’ve traded pom-poms for the soccer field. Not completely – the girls are still cheering, but wrapping up their competition season. BUT, my little Jamison is hitting the ground running on the soccer field at barely 3 years old. Yes, we are nuts. But hey – he runs around the house and kicks things all day, so why not channel that energy into something more appropriate! And, we live so close to the park we can literally walk to his soccer field if we needed too. All this sports stuff just works for us.

But, today – I’ve got to tell you what God showed me on Monday. Well, Monday’s are always a little stressful around here. It’s the day before my Apples of Gold mentoring thing at my house (I’ve mentioned it in previous blogs – in short: 20 plus ladies come to my house for food and Bible study every Tuesday) so I’m cleaning more than usual. And on Monday’s the girls have cheerleading from 6-7PM. So, guess when Jamison’s soccer practice is!? Yep. Monday’s from 6-7PM. Well, this Monday was his first ever practice and being “good parents” neither my husband or I wanted to miss this!!! Since we are very comfortable with the girls’ gym – we decided to drop them off early, head to the soccer field, watch “little buddy” be cute and run around in circles, leave Jamison’s practice early and then go pick up the girls, go home, eat, take baths, put on P.J’s, and go to bed. Sounds like a good plan, huh?

Well, it’s 6:00 PM and I see LOTS of people at the soccer field, but no one for Jamison’s team. I see LOTS of coaches, but not Jamison’s coach. So, I’m going around asking everyone are you Coach So & So. After asking everyone who looks over the age of 15 if they are Coach So & So, some lady stops me and says – “I heard your coach was running late and practice would not start until 6:30.”

Gang, I was getting angrier by the minute. I thought – do people not know I have two other children to pick up across town by 7PM! Also, while I was making a fool of myself asking everyone if they were Coach So & So --- my mother in law had called my husband. She wanted us to go out to eat after the kids practices (and not somewhere quick, but a NICE sit down place.) I was screaming in my brain IT’S A SCHOOL NIGHT, PEOPLE! But, I was trying to take deep breaths. Now, my mother in law is precious and we just lost my father in law recently so – I was not angry with her at all! Any time we can spend time with her – I want to do that. But, this overall situation was making me most upset. I mean come on – what good coach is 30 minutes late to the first practice (and didn’t even let the parents know!!).

So, I decided that I was going to call Coach So & So and not be rude (of course!), but explain in no uncertain terms that I do have a life and what in the world could be the hold up on the very first night of soccer practice!!! Remember, it’s a school night!!!

When the Assistant Coach (the wife) picks up the phone I hear a baby screaming wildly in the car. That already begins to soften my attitude. I know what it’s like to be running terribly late and have a VERY upset child strapped in the car. So, I immediately change my approach and put the blame on myself by saying …… “I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t made a mistake. I’ve been here since 6:00 and I’ve not found you guys.”

With her screaming child in the background she apologizes 1,000 times for running late, but they had a death in the family. They had been out of town at a funeral all day and were stuck in traffic on the way back home. She wasn’t going to make it, but her husband was nearly to the soccer field. When he arrives – he is in dress slack and shirt the whole nine yards. His little boy in dress pants and a nice sweater --- not at all soccer attire, AND with good reason!

Oh my goodness! What had I doneL I was so wrapped up in my world, my schedule that someone ---- actually several someONES (my mother in law and now this new soccer family) were hurting all around me and I was concerned with my kids getting a good nights rest!

In an instant – God changed my attitude. So much so that on Tuesday I called the Coaches wife back just to ask if they were doing OK or needed anything. I told her how we had lost Russ’ dad recently and we have small kids too, so I understand how hard things can be. That’s not like me. I don’t up and call people I don’t really know. But God was really pushing me to do that. I could sense the thankfulness in her voice that I had called to check on her family. But what’s odd is I don’t know these people! I’ve still not personally met the wife. I don’t know if they are believers. If they are church attendees? They could be atheist !

So the moral of this blog --- don’t take your life so seriously (especially with silly things) that you fail to be used by God to those who are truly hurting all around you. Am I concerned with my own interests, OR the interests of others?