Hard Work Pays Off

If you have more than one child, you realize when they are just a bundle in your arms how different they can be. It is amazing the differences in my children. 

Our girls have always been very studious, and they worked (& still working) very hard in school. Never really had to push them to get their work done. They knew what they had to do, and they did it. Very smart, you know what they say about book smart? :)

Now Bub, well he is also very smart, but he is the athletic/social type. He tends to put things off til the last minute, and sometimes he does just enough to get by. When he puts his mind to it, he gets it done, and makes good grades. Since grades make a huge difference in High School, we have to push a little more, and sometimes I worry, so I bug him because, he rarely has homework which is a little odd to me. He says he does it at school. And sometimes I accept that and hope for the best! He knows what is expected and obviously he does work hard.

On Sunday, he was inducted into the National Honor Society!!! Proof that he has been working hard and doing what he is supposed to be doing!! It is an honer to be a candidate for NHS! Just having good grades, doesn't get you chosen. You must also meet the criteria of leadership, service and character! What a great honor to be inducted into this group of fine students!!! As parents, we know that he is a good kid, but we also know that the world can get in the way of a lot of things. You raise your children and you pray that God will lead and guide them and sometimes, some get lost a long the way. This makes us very proud that its just not us as biased parents but, that his qualities are recognized by teachers and faculty members as well.

He may not think this a big deal, but we are extremely proud of him and his accomplishments! 

Purposely turned his head.... I drive him crazy with the camera!

Awwww he smiled for me! :)

This pretty girl is a 2nd cousin! Can you see the resemblance? She is always beside him because of names being in alphabetical order! B & her Dad were cut-ups in school. They tricked a teacher into believing one was the other!

A great groups of boys fine young men! They have grown up together!! I can't believe that they are all driving!!!  :( yesterday they were only 9!

Bub, 

We want you to know that we are extremely proud of you and your accomplishments! Continue to work hard, as you see it pays off. You are a great example to your friends, and your classmates. Choose to be a leader and not a follower. Do what you know is right at all times. Even when you think no one is looking. Keep your eyes on the Lord and He will direct your path. We thank God for you and what He is doing in your life!

We love you!!! 

Dad & Mom

Laughter :) A day of it!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken

spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

I was reminded by a friend's post on "Laughter" that I definitely need more of it in my life. I am way tooo serious on most days. I know I am, and if I didn't know that about myself,  I am reminded by my husband and my children alot. I have days where I try to be watchful of things that God has in my path. Once I read her post this morning, I began to think, hmmm?? God sure has a sense of humor (again, something my family says I don't really have) because yesterday He gave me plenty of chances to laugh.

As a Mom, I try to do things for my children.(don't laugh, you have done it or WILL do it)  Especially when they ask, or insist and especially when it seems super important. Well, a note came home from school, asking if any parents would come in and tell about their job for their Community Helpers lessons. He wanted me to come so badly!! So ok, what's 30 minutes? And, he was super excited about me coming. When you volunteer for something, you probably should ask questions instead of just saying YES. I thought (something I should not do) well 15 students. That should be easy enough. HA!!!

He tells me a nurse came one day, and then a note came home making sure I was coming, they had some no shows. (Now I know WHY?) I talked my wonderful husband into going one day, too. WELL, a couple days before it was my turn I asked how many was in his class, he said, it not just my class, its the WHOLE 1st GRADE. Very calmly I asked, "How many 1st graders are there?" Oh just 60. (Seriously? No wonder there were NOSHOWS)

60!!?? Yes, he said 60. WHAT in the WORLD was I thinking? Obviously, I wasn't . 

Ok, so I try to figure out what to say... I  mean come on, I work for a small company, so I have NUMEROUS jobs, and to a 1st grader Human Resources, Accounting, Customer Service, all that probably sounds foreign and BORING. Best part of it all, he came home on Tuesday, and a POLICEMAN came that day. How was I to follow that??? My husband tells me, well there may be a little girl in there that doesn't want to be a Policeman. (ok, he has a point) and another friend tells me, tell them you train lions for movies or ride elephants for the circus.

Really?? lol!!

Go ahead, laugh I know you want to. Just so you will know. I faired ok, I guess. There were 120 some little eyes expecting who knows what from me and I just tried to keep it simple as I could. WARNING

THOUGH... if you ever have to do this, don't take things for them to pass around, because they got distracted in a second! But, really it was fun and funny too.  I mean when it came to question time, the most popular questions were, How many boys work at your work? How many girls work at your work? Boys were happy, cause there are 22 "boys" and 9 "girls". That did crack me up!! At least Benny has  been forewarned. He is on his own now! (I am laughing as I typed that!!) So as I was leaving, I just laughed and thought, well that was FUN!! They were cute and adorable and hey, I was off work early and I was with Kea & was getting to pick up Bub!!

God has blessed us with getting to work with Children's Ministry. This time of year is CHRISTMAS PLAY time....yes, its not even Halloween and we are singing Christmas songs!! Many times I get so stressed over it, so this year I am choosing not too....(don't ask me about that the 1st week in Dec!!). Last night, God gave me a lot to laugh about, smile about.... and just get tickled over. What a blessing He gave me! From the singing,  dancing (to the beat, ha!), to the acting, really getting into their parts, the giggling, the grins, the dimples, I just soaked it all in last night and I am still smiling today at just how much God will show you when you are watchful!

Yes, laughter is good medicine. And yes, God is in every part of my life!! I am so thankful!! I am thinking I need some extra doses!!

How about you? Have you laughed today???

Tiger Cubs, 39 for the 7th time, Johnny Appleseed, & Extravagant Love

Unless you live remotely close to my world, you are probably thinking...thats a stupid title?? I couldn't come up with anything creative, sorry that's the best I could do!! 

The past week has been full of things...busy, wonderful, GOD FILLED, hectic, lovely, blessed, funny, cute and more. I just can't get it all together enough to post. Each day I wanted to post something but didn't have take time, not because of my busyness, but in preparation for our Women's Retreat. (more in a bit or much later). I had resolved myself that I needed to take as much time as possible to focus on Him, pray and get myself together for the retreat.

So now I am attempting to write this post, although it may be lengthy, I may have to split in parts, and I definitely don't have time to write  it at once.

Monday was a Monday, much like the others and I loved going home and not having to go back out!! Everyone was home and I actually cooked!!

Usually I come in the door and Kea yells, Mommy! and comes and give me the best hug in the world. But uh, that didn't happen Tuesday. He does yell, Mommy....and as fast as the words can fly from his mouth he says, can I be a Tiger Cub?? They shoot BBguns, go camping, hiking, derby car races and more fun stuff. I really want to can I can I??? Seriously?? You need to breathe! I mean really? Tiger Cub?? Shhh don't tell him, but that's not in me at all. My idea of camping is like a camper type and that's pushing it....to be truthful its more like Holiday Inn. Nice bed, indoors, running water & electricity.Well, Buzz we will talk about it in a little while....... secretly hoping he forgets (NOT likely  I know, a girl can dream can't she??) maybe I can figure out something to distract this idea. I might as well go ahead and tell it. Where was I on Thursday night? Signing up for Tiger Cubs. (There was a box on the form to check to be a Den Parent. Let's just say I skipped it.) And thats my story. I am sticking to it!!

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On Wednesday something happened that no matter what, was going to happen. Well with the exception of the alternative. Actually my last birthday was 39! And after that year I decided I would have anniversaries of my 39th... this was my 7th Anniversary.... sure saves calling the fire department when they light the candles. I have my wonderful husband to thank for a great dinner. It was Wednesday and we had church so when I got home there were steaks, salad, & fries (with seasoning salt,  YUMM)waiting on me. I have the best gifts!! I can't ever ask for more.... my husband and my children!! I can't thank God enough for them!! Each year on my Birthday I again thank God for the many blessing he had given me! No material gift could ever take the place of my family. The best gifts are those that come straight from the hand of God!!!

My greatest GIFTS!!!

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Cloth Pot Hat and Apple Seed Bag courtesy of Granny Jo!!!



Do you remember 1st grade? Well, I vaguely remember a few things but I don't think that we actually took a couple weeks to study the life of Johhny Appleseed. It doesn't matter what they are learning, Kea is all about it. He digs deep into whatever it may be. We have had apples galore, apple cider, applesauce, dried apples, and well you catch my drift.... he was so sweet that he gave me an apple for my birthday and it would not do til I cut it and we shared it....he is so thoughtful!! Anyway Friday was Johnny Appleseed Day and they were having a parade. He was all about some Johnny Appleseed, as you can tell.

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The most amazing part of my week was the Women's Retreat. Ohhh there is so much to tell that I will just have to make it a post of its own. I will give a glimpse of it..... Extravagant Love. In depth study of God's Word, praise, time of fellowship, fun, friends,  full of hugs and encouragement, a visit to Billy Graham Library, more study and sillyness. Overall a wonderful time in the Lord, spent with wonderful sisters in Christ. What refreshment, what joy!!! What an opportunity!!

Until next time!!

Piper :)

Ch ch ch ch changes! (Part 1)

Well, I have thought about this post since Friday. Not sure where to start or exactly what to say. There have been so many changes in the past several months. The merry go round I am on seems to go faster and faster. So the changes in our family mostly have to do with our precious baby girl, who is not a baby, but a lovely 18 year old young lady. In April, when she actually turned 18...it hit me like a ton of bricks. If you know me at all you know that since the beginning of her Senior year I have been a bit emotional, (yes I know that's putting it mildly). Months of up & down bittersweet moments. Many firsts and many many lasts. As her senior year began, so did her brother's last year in middle school, and if all that wasn't enough, our baby boy started Kindergarten!!! So if I have slighted you in the past year. I am really sorry!! I know I am a basketcase!

Since she turned 18 she got her license(yes, at 18, not 16 or 17~I will tell that story another day), began dating a great guy that she has known since kindergarten, graduated (with Honors!!), got a job and as of Friday she became a full fledged LR Bear! I have had so many emotions going on ..... I am sure more so than I ever did when I was pregnant with any of my children.

On Friday, she & I went to her Orientation (Dad wanted to attend, but due to family obligations he didn't get to). A topic they covered was for on campus students, talking about RAs, $$, getting involved, etc. She looked over at me and said, I have my own personal RAs, a cook, a maid, with a giggle lol!! I was fine until the parents & students parted ways. And as she walked up the aisle (thank God she was with a couple friends from HS) I was a proud Momma..with a lump in my throat & a tear in my eye, God gave me a peace and I knew she would be fine. As I walked out of that auditorium a mother clung to her son just sobbing, I thought my heart would break! Right then and there I could not imagine leaving her somewhere. Praise the Lord my daughter would be coming home to her own bed that night. Right then & there I thanked Him for sparing me that. (He is mindful of me!!)

Although, she isn't going off to school there are still some major changes going on with her and our family. She is a wonderful young lady grounded in the Lord. She stands strong and doesn't give in to many of the world's temptations. We pray that she will continue to stay focused on what the Lord wants. That night, she did come home and spent a little more time with her boyfriend, he left on Saturday to head to college himself(tears, yes). After I went to bed that night, she came in my room with tears flowing (don't know where she gets being soooo emotional) I once again held my sweet baby girl in my arms and comforted her. As I pillowed my head that night I thanked God for giving me that moment with her once again. A great reminder that she still needs her Momma and great comfort in knowing that He will hold us in His arms when we face changes in our lives and need Him the most.

The weekend was filled with lots of Orientation stuff and she was in & out all weekend. Some dear friends allowed us to got on the lake with them and she didn't get to go. For those of you that don't know us, may not think that's anything, for the most part all of us go together wherever we go..... so not having her was different. It has happened more this summer than ever with her having a boyfriend and Bub having a girlfriend. Do we like it? UH NO! So we will not get used to it. EVER. We still miss our oldest, her husband and baby C when they aren't around.

She did get to go to church on Sunday, and I WANT TO SAY PRAISE THE LORD!! I have been praying for weeks about my children returning to school and Preacher D must have been hearing my prayers! We are so blessed in so many ways. We cannot thank God enough!! No matter how old my children get I will continue to point them to the Lord.

(Picture is missing Big Sister & Wonderful SIL)

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Psalm 78: 4 & 7

I know this is long and I have many more changes to record, I may or may not get a handle on posting before I forget, but I will post again at some point with Ch ch ch ch changes! (Part 2).

Things are changing as I post!!

Piper :)