Just a Christmas Play.....

What??

Did I get your attention with the title of this post?

Well, this is what some people may think. Maybe it seems odd to them that I feel differently about a children's Christmas play. Sometimes I even want to shake them (don't judge - just being honest). But, I just keep my ugly thoughts to myself. Because, I understand, that God does not lead everyone to serve Him in the same way.

God uses everything He calls us to do for Him, and sometimes I totally miss the lesson He has for me.

God puts opportunities in our paths daily, maybe its just in the slow checkout line at the grocery store, and maybe its a children's Christmas play that takes two months of practicing.( which means learning the same songs over & over & over, which are still in my head, lol) He has a plan for each of them. Maybe its so that I will slow down and pay attention instead of hurrying along for my benefit. Or maybe its to bless me with being a part of something that requires patience, understanding, and being able to see that His hand is all over. And no matter what, He has everything under control and I just need to trust Him.

Not to mention, the most important thing the HOPE that was born on Christmas. In Christ's birth God provided HOPE. Hope to a lost and dying world.

God poured a blessing out on me through this play.Poor B, he has to put up with me, but he is so encouraging and I thank God, that He called B to children's ministry in the first place. He is such a kid at heart!! I love that man!! All the helpers that God placed to help us blessed me so much. And our children....  I know I am biased, but I mean it when I say... we have the best kids ever!!! They are such a blessing to me! A special  thanks to Deidre for posting the pictures  (I hope you don't mind).... I rarely get pictures of the play!!

My little Stable Boy!! He did such a good job!!  He was really into his part. As well as everyone else's!

Sing it Kea!!!

Pictures of most of the kids.... and E! She gives me goose bumps when she sings!!

This picture  - the donkey...he is cracking me up. And the sweet little maid... seeing her overcome a fear of singing  alone is a true blessing. Not to mention she loved doing the play.

Another sweet little voice!! 

Cutest angels & animals ever!

Our Hotel Manager!

This sweet girl has grown up way too fast.... I changed her diapers. (come to think of it... I have changed a lot of these kids daipers!!)

Sam, the Samaritan was great!!

So proud of all the kids that were in the play. They worked hard and they did their best for Jesus!! So for me it was NOT just a Christmas play.

In the busyness of this season, or in the daily struggles of life, in your heartache or pain, remember

When the mountain seems to high
and the river way to wide
there's a hand that is waiting to lead you to the other side
Never forget there is Hope!

I am a 1 Minute Indian.....???

When Thanksgiving rolls around in Elementary school, also comes the learning about Thanksgiving. You know about the Pilgrims and the Indians.... well, mostly general stuff that we all sort of know in our minds. Some of you, me, may be shocked at what your my second grader remembers about what they are studying. I know I haven't posted much about Kea and how his little mind works. The main reason I haven't, is well.... I am not really sure how to explain it.

Anyway....he has been asking about his ancestors for a while now. Every time the ancestry.com commercial comes on it catches his eye. "See Mom, that's what I am talking about." I know no one else does this, but I sort of, "mmhmm" and go on. I know I should pay more attention, but you just have to know that if I entertain him at all, it will go on & on & on.

Well, back to the Pilgrims & the Indians. The other night this is how our conversation went.

"Mom, do we have any Indians in our family. Are we part Indian? Were any of our ancestors?" (you see where this is going don't you?)

"No, not really, but yes, we do have some ancestors that were Indian." (me in my mind... why is it no one every asks if they are part Pilgrim?) 

"Well, can I go on ancestry.com?" (see what did I tell you??) I mean I would really like to know if we have any Indian ancestors. (this was a 15 minute discussion and finally I just gave in!)

"Ok, sure.... go ahead." (He started with my mother and 20 questions later, I tell him, that his Grannie Q was French Canadian, so he is probably not going to find Indians, that the Indians are on Paw B's side)

"So does that mean I am part Indian??" (oh dear here we go...)

"Yes, you are a very small part Indian" (I was trying to think down the line what I would be and what he would be).... " I think you are like a 32nd Indian."

As serious as he can be he says, "So, that means you are a 1 minute Indian?"

I thought for a second, and I lost it, I absolutely lost it. It was not the kind of laugh that you can hide, I busted out, laughed so hard I was crying. Even typing this I am getting tickled all over again! ((I know you may have had to think on that a minute, if it takes you more than 30 seconds you may have a problem, lol)

Bless him! His Daddy got a measuring cup out to explain it to him, because I could NOT keep a straight face.

When I finally composed myself, I called my Dad (& and he cracked up too) so that I could find out for sure and he said that Kea is a 32nd. So I guess I am a 1 minute Indian after all!!

I can only imagine what Kea will share at school..... I am almost afraid!!!

Love this boy!! We never know what he is going to do or say.....

Never a dull moment with this boy!!

Happy 8th Birthday!!

Dear Kea! 

Wow!! I cannot believe you, this precious chubby cheeked bundle of love is now 8 years old! I have to admit when we found out that we were expecting another baby, we were overwhelmed. After all, your brother was 8 years old, and your sisters were 12 and 20!! But, as we have tried to teach you that the Lord has a plan for each and every person, God had a plan for you to join our family. Praise the Lord that He knows better than we do. You are such a precious, full of life little boy and we love you soooo very much!! You definitely keep us on our toes! You are smart, and so funny. We never know what you are going to say next! Keep your eyes on the Lord, and follow Him. And do what you know is right! Be kind to others and never be too old to hug your Momma!! :) 

You may be 8 years old, and you no longer have to sit in a booster seat (yayy!!!), but we want you to know that you will always be our baby boy!! We love you to the moon & back  a thousand times & more!!

This is for Kea.....

Dear Kea,

As I walked you into school today, I was a little sad that we didn't head down Kinder/1st Grade hall. But, you are so grown up now, that you just turned left, because after all you knew exactly where you were going. You even said to me, "I walked to that same classroom for reading group last year, don't you remember?" You are so funny, you make my heart smile.

Sunday night, when you said you were a little nervous, I was a little worried, but when we got to school, God wiped all that worry away. You didn't seem nervous, you acted as if you hadn' t been away all summer. You are growing up so quickly. We know that you have some fears that you are working at overcoming and you know that we are praying about them for you.

As we talked Sunday night about the scripture that we chose for you this school year, we wanted you to hide God's word in your heart so that when you become fearful, that you can draw strength from this verse.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong - be strong in God's Power!
and of a good courage - be brave (knowing God is right there with you)
fear not, nor be afraid of them - do not be afraid, God says it, so you know He means it
for the Lord thy God  - He is your Heavenly Father
he is that doth go with thee - He is with you every step you take
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee - He will never leave you, He is right there with you always!

We love you and we are so very proud of you. We are praying that you have a great year, that you will be kind to others, and that you will let your light shine for Jesus!! We thank God for you!!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this precious little boy, that is growing up way to fast. Lord, you know his heart and you know his struggles better than we do. Please help him to commit this verse to memory, and help it to be a guide to stay focused on you and not the storms and the weather that the enemy uses against him. Help him with school, friends, and help Him depend on you. Thank you for his sweet and kind heart. May he continue to live for you. In Jesus name,  Amen 

Staycation!

The past week we have been on STAYCATION......and boy has it been

HOT HOT HOT!! Temps 100+  equals most of the time we were  inside somewhere...

Every year our vacation week falls on the week of July 4th because that's when B's work shuts down. This year we didn't plan a week at the beach....  :( makes me sad....but we just couldn't swing it this year. July 4th week is the most expensive week in the year and with the past few months of vehicle issues, (one right after the other), school expenses, baseball and just the things that happen in life we didn't get to go away for vacation. 

Sooooooo, we tried to make the best of things with the heat being a tough thing. We mostly hung out at home, while that may sound boring and sad....it wasn't. We spend little time at home. We are a family on the go most of the time. It was great not to have to do anything, or be anywhere. Last Sunday ended Legion Baseball, and as much as I love watching Bub play. I was really tired of going and going, and it was SUPER HOT!!! Plus, Kea isn't really fond of spending every night at a ball park or being out in the heat! So time to do nothing was long over due. We grilled out almost every night, went swimming,  Am, M and Baby C were over a couple times. We even got to pick him up one day at school.... lol! Love time with that sweet boy!! 

We did have a couple days out of the house, braving the heat, having fun spending time together. One thing I know, I love my family and it doesn't matter where we are, I am just happy for us to be together!!

We headed to the mountains on the 4th to get away from some of the heat! Praise the Lord it was a beautiful day and it was much cooler than at home. We found out about Valle Crucis park last year and we have been several times and we just love it. Here are a few pictures......

BOY DO I NEED A HAIRCUT!!

Not sure what he is doing?? 

My "oh so cool" hubby!

Look Mom! We are twins!! 

Deep in thought.....

Daddy & his baby girl!

JUMP!!

We also spent a day at C*rowinds.... (yes it was hot, but it was still a fun day!!) This was Kea's first time and he was so excited!! He was tall enough to ride several of the big rides and he was so brave he just went on without hesitation. And I am really really bad.... once again, I didn't take pictures, I left my camera in the van. TWICE!!! Luckily, Sis had her phone and took a few. Once again I will remind you, that I am bad to have my camera and forget to take pictures anyway. I try to do better now that I blog, I just sometimes have senior moments. Lol! 

After a long hot day, we are ready to head home!

The NC/SC state line. All day he let us know which state we were in.
Glad someone was keeping up with that! HA!

My silly silly boys!!
(fyi...my sister-in-law saw this picture on my son's F*cebook page and  let us know quickly that  he had a
picture on his page with a naked woman....baahaaaa.... lol!!

Well, today is our last official day off.... and tomorrow it's back to work! At least we have jobs to go to. 

After church, B grilled some awesome lunch, and now he is napping.... or trying to at least! 

The boys & Sis were watching tv...... are they the cutest??!!

Baby C in his Wo*dy Hat!! See his stickers??

With a biggg teea!! 

He stickered himself at church!! lol!! 

I am sooooo sleepy!! 

As we head into the next week we are preparing to go on a weekend mission trip with our Youth. Please pray for us as well as those that God will allow us to come in contact with. May each one going realize what an opportunity God has placed before us. We each have the ability to change a life for eternity! May God get the Glory!!

Thank you Lord for the time with my family! Thank you for each of them. Thank you that I have a family to love and cherish. Lord thank you for blessing me!!! 

Baseball & More Baseball

In hopes to get the past few months of pictures off my camera, I now present BASEBALL!! Both boys played and we juggled schedules to make the best of their seasons. With a rough beginning for Bub, with breaking his thumb he went on to make the best of a tough season. With a one week break, Legion ball began and we are in the final week of those games. I love watching my kids in everything they do, but I will have to say, I am ready for a break, a short one, but at least what is coming up has to do with intentionally serving the Lord. More on that as the events take place.

He always seems to know when I am taking pix... he makes sure his back is to me! 

In Action!

Kea does not have the drive and the heart for sports as Bub does, but he loves the social, getting to do something aspect of playing. He does very well and their little team had lots of first time players but at the end of the season they came together and beat a tough team in the final game of the season. You would have thought they won the championship the way us parents were acting.... its all good. RIGHT!!?? I am the Momma and I am going to cheer for my kids!!! So don't judge, if you don't cheer ecstatically, I know you want too. You just think you have an image to uphold. I on the other hand do not. lol!! Even though Bub would prefer that I sit prim, proper with my mouth shut..... (too bad, its just not in me!) So in being that MOM, I will post lots of pix!!!

Cute!!

GO KEA!!!!

SAFE!!

Finally makes it Home!! (all season he would get upset because he would get on base (a good thing) but would never make it home....bless him!! 

WAY TO GO PIRATES!!

Thank you Lord for the talents and the abilities of my boys!!