Proud

Okay so I have to do a quick blog to brag on Addy. We were at a friend's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese yesterday. Addy, Keegan, and one of our friends were riding the mini-carousel...over and over and over and yes....over again. I was kind of getting dizzy just watching. An older boy walked up, probably 7 or 8 and said he wanted to ride. I told him that as soon as they got off he could. I was actually thinking in my head he was way too big and these 3 little ones were having a ball. He went to the Chuck E. Cheese picture car and put his token in and I thought it was done. When that turn stopped, our other friend who was on with us quickly put another coin in, she was seriously loving the carousel. Before I knew it, Addy got off the carousel and ran over to the little boy and told him he could have her spot. He was in the middle of his ride and Addy missed her turn. I was so proud of her. She is very thoughtful and I love that about her. She truly cares for people and looks out for them. I need/want to be more like that, forgoing my own wants and looking out for someone else's. Proud momma moment...thanks for letting me brag!

Clairol Makeover

Hey everybody. We're having a good week. I wanted to post again about our Clairol Makeover Party. Please keep voting for my friend Sheila. 7 of us stay at home moms did the makeover party. If we win, we all get to go to the People's Choice Awards in LA in January. We thought it'd be better to pool our votes and everybody vote for Sheila. We only have a few days left and our percentages have dropped. There's a girl from Wisconsin that is doing better than us so we're trying to get everybody who can vote to vote for us;) Thanks so much!!

http://www.totalbeauty.com/clairol/tx/4941/sheila

Balance

So we had a good morning at Catalyst. We were down with it being Memorial Day weekend and I was in the back with the big kids. I didn't get to hear Levi preach which I totally miss (I know you'd think I'd get enough preaching during the week...ha ha ha!!). The music was great. We had two electrics and I really enjoyed that...it was a neat feel up there.

Okay so on to the meat of this post....I want to preface this vague story by saying, this had not one thing to do with any one at Catalyst... AT ALL!!! I don't want anybody to think I'm badmouthing my friends at CatRow on my blog:) Anyway, I kind of had a bad preacher's wife moment today. It didn't even have anything to do with anybody that's a part of Catalyst and it actually had more to do with my attitude then my behavior. It's hard when you're trying to be nice to someone and generous and the attitude that is returned is "I deserve it" and even worse, "I deserve more than what you're generously giving." I feel horrible even typing that but that was the attitude that I encountered today and it rubbed me the TOTAL wrong way. I'm glad Levi's the pastor and not me because my fiesty-ness gets the best of me. Levi can remain calm and give the benefit of the doubt. I'm trying to learn to walk away with my mouth SHUT!! I do want to extend grace to people even when the attitude isn't what it should be. And I say that but my attitude wasn't what it should have been either. I have to check myself too. I also know that when situations like that happen, I am a harbor-er. I have a hard time letting it go and I want to re-hash it (A LOT!!). That's where I get stuck and instead of moving on and letting go, I stay in the yuck of the moment. My focus is on the wrong thing. I want to be a grace extender instead of a harborer. I guess I can learn a lesson from the situation today. Just needed to share;)

Vote

And don't forget to vote. I know I'm bugging you but there are a couple of other ladies that are close and we want to win:) How fun would it be to get an all expense paid trip to LA. I would LOVE IT!!! So vote for us please:) http://www.totalbeauty.com/clairol/tx/4941/sheila

Thanks:)

Catch Up

Hey!!! I'm trying to blog more...trying is the key word there. Life is good. Levi and I are doing really well together and the kids are doing great. It's so nice to be able to say that. Now, catch me tomorrow and my tune might change:) Our friend Phyllis had surgery on Monday and I think she's doing okay. I know she's in pain but I guess that's to be expected. Granma (who is almost 80) is at home with all the kids. I think she's surviving but I know they're all tired. Meagan and I went over last night and took the three youngest girls (4,1,and 3 months). They are so cute. So, we had 5 kids under 4...it was fun. We fed them, took them to the park, and then chilled while eating popcorn and watching a movie. It was a lot of fun (I know I'm crazy). It was kind of weird the way passerbys (is that a word?) would look at us. Meagan and I both pushing double strollers down the street with 2 white kids and 3 black kids and they were all mixed up. I don't mean to be crass but I'm just telling you how it felt. One lady literally eyed each kid and then gave me a weird frowny look. It felt very funny (not in a fun way). I hope I don't ever do that. It was strange. Maybe they were also looking because it was just Meagan and I and they were thinking a lot of other stuff too. And the fact that we had 5 kids under 4 years of age. Regardless it was weird. I think Meagan and I are going to try to do that more often. I know it would give the Penney's a break and let them rest for a few hours. I'm glad Meagan has a servant's heart. It's inspiring:) Love that girl!! Anyway, that's where I am right now. We're having Heather & Emily over for roast tonight and it smells YUMOLICIOUS!!! I'm back on the WW and working out train. I feel good about it. We'll see how weigh in tomorrow night goes. Wish me luck!!

Second in the Nation

Okay so I'm reposting this because as of last night, we are second in the nation in the Clairol Hair Coloring Party Contest. I added Sheila's before and after pics and my own. I know, I've got courage right....I look AWFUL in my before:)

I am just so excited at the thought that all 7 of us get to go to LA for the People's Choice Awards if we win!!! So, please take a quick sec and VOTE for us! All you need to do is click on the "Yeah, I love it" tab. You can visit daily and vote 1 time per day. You can vote for others of us and you can also vote no for the makeovers you don't like. Even if we don't win first place, there are some other great prizes.

Thanks for the help and I'll keep you posted on the results.

Blessings Pt. 2

That last blog was getting lengthy so I thought I'd start another....

Last night, I sat with two women who are both dealing with cancer. I felt extremely inadequate in their presence. I was amazed that they were sharing their stories (and actually alot of our conversation was not about cancer) and just connecting. We laughed and I cried a bit. They are both amazingly strong women and I seriously was so honored to be with them. I could go into more detail but it is amazing to look at how their paths have crossed at just the right time to be able to help each other. I'm so thankful for both of them.

Today Catalyst was rocking. We had a great crowd and more new faces. It was so cool. We had a newcomer's lunch afterwards. Mike and Annette did fabulous with the taco bar, it was so good:) It was so cool to look around the crowd and see so many newcomers. I'm in awe of what God is doing here and so thankful that He is using us. I hope that doesn't sound arrogant, I just want to be right where He wants me.

This week is hopefully going to be a little more laid back. I'll keep you posted:)

Blessings

So this last week was good. It was busy but really good. We enjoyed dinner at some friends' house and had a new family over. It is so good to connect with people. I truly enjoy that. It is worth cleaning and straightening my house for it:) We are seeing so many new faces at Catalyst and I really want to get to know everybody so having them over helps. This weekend was pretty laid back. We had the Sprangs over to celebrate Jonathan's birthday. I love hanging out with them. They truly are our family and we have a very cool and unique relationship. They're awesome.

Saturday was kind of a crazy day. A friend of mine took Addy to a mutual friend's birthday party. Levi and I had to sit through an ordination interview. We went into a room with 10 or so pastors (most of them were older- no offense). I didn't know that I would be involved in this interview until late Thursday. I was a little nervous. Levi didn't prep me at all. I kind of just walked in blindly. They asked him to share his story and then they asked me to share mine. I tried to keep it brief. We were able to again tell people how we got here and the cool things that God has done along the way. It was a good reminder for me of how God truly has had His hand on us this whole time. They asked Levi a lot of different questions and I mainly just listened (I did put my two cents in a couple of times). It was neat to hear his answers. I'm so proud of him and what he's done here. The committee prayed for us which was moving. They told us how refreshing we were. I'm not saying that to brag. It was just really neat to be sitting in a room full of older pastors and to know that we are on the right track with what we're doing. I was humbled and proud all at the same time.

Saturday night we had our open house at Catalyst. The weather was chilly but we still had people come out. We actually had at least two families at church this morning that came last night for the first time. God's hand again:)

Before & After: Please Vote

So my friends and I were chosen by House Party to host a Clairol Hair Coloring Party. We had so much fun!!

Please take a quick sec and VOTE for us! All you need to do is click on the "Yeah, I love it" tab. You can visit daily and vote 1 time per day.

Vote for Sheila and our entire group can win a trip or some other really awesome prizes.

Now, feel free to scroll though all the makeovers (I did) but I can assure you, Sheila's is THE BEST!!!!

Thanks for the help and I'll keep you posted on the results.

Bloggin' Slacker

So...I've been a bit of a slacker in the blogging area. And even as I type, I'm so tired and ready to hit the hay. I feel like I should have a lot to say but I don't. I'm actually reading The Shack right now and I'm dying to finish it SO....I'm going to jump off of here and do that. I will definitely fill you all in on my week (I know you can't wait to hear about it-said with LOTS of sarcasm) the next time I blog. We've got a busy weekend so it maybe a few days. Hope you're all having a great week.

Mother's Day

Okay so today is Mother's Day and it's a great one. I got breafast in bed and we're going for a nice dinner this evening. I love being a Mom and I truly can't imagine my life without my children. I've never thought I could love so deeply, hurt so greatly, and be as worn out as I always am. BUT I wouldn't trade it for one thing. I have made some of the most wonderful relationships with other moms which wouldn't have happened without my little ones. I've also got wonderful relationships because my kids have endeared people to them, they are our honorary aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. What a cool job. Hope you're all having a great day!

I wanted to post this badge on my page. It's from southwest airlines and it enters me into a contest to win 4 tickets. Woohoo!! I know that's random but I wanted to explain so you didn't wonder why the random badge was on here!!

Cool Video

Easter Pics

I know we're what a month late but when we ate at the Mcdonald's for Easter Sunday, they took some pics of us so I thought I'd throw them up there. And I included the one of Mea-Mea:)

Woo Hoo for Addy's Ears

I had to take Addy back to the ENT today. They were going to schedule her tubes surgery BUT when they did her hearing test and checked her ears her hearing was back to normal and the fluid was gone. The doctor was teasing her about getting better. I am so thankful and seriously told her that we needed to thank God for that. She will have to be on some allergy meds and maybe forever but NO SURGERY so I am super thankful!! It was good to hear some good news. We had to wait a long time for the doc and I had to take Keegan. The kids did so well. I was so proud of them.

Awful Day Part 2

Okay so this isn't more awful...it's just a funny story from yesterday. Okay so I called the Police to report the theft yesterday. The guy that I talked to on the phone says they'll send somebody over. The way it sounded to me, meant like sometime during the day. Let's remember I was out till 3am so I wasn't in a hurry to get cleaned up. BUT, I thought, I've got to get a shower before. So, I fed the kids and hopped in the shower so I would look decent. I get out of the shower and Addy runs in and says, "The Police are here!!" She's kind of freaking out a little. So, I am running around trying to figure out what to put on and should I keep my wet hair in a towel or brush it out. I was SOOO embarrassed. I still had mascara bags under my eyes because I didn't clean it off properly at 3am. I kept thinking to myself how bad this whole story appears. I finally let him in. He comes in, I can't find the keys to the van. I was a wreck. He told me he didn't need the keys, we could just go look. Addy is in the background saying, "Don't take my Daddy to jail." Seriously she said it probably 5 or 6 times before she stopped. I know that officer thought we were all from the looney bin. We're out back and he says, "We can finish inside so you can watch your kids." Oh yeah, I still have kids. I knew they were fine, they were eating. Again, another bad mother strike...oh my!! So, we come in and Addy starts again about Levi going to jail. And the cop asks me, "So, what time did you get in last night?" Oh crap, I think in my head. "Well, I didn't get in until about 3am this morning. I was at a Makeover Party. I know you can't tell it from the way I look right now. (nervous laugh)" Yeah, I seriously said all that. Anyway, he wrote everything down and called it in and gave me a report number. And left. I was humiliated at myself, how I looked and what I said. I was laying in bed last night after a not so funny day and had to laugh outloud at replaying the policeman visit in my head.

On a nice note, we have a neighbor who is a police man from another county. He heard our address over the scanner and checked on us. Isn't that sweet?? So good to know peeps are looking out for us!! I just thought I'd share some more of my craziness with you all :)

Awful Day

So today was a bad day, the worst in a while. Yesterday was a crazy long day. I get up and go to a 5am turbo kick class on Tuesdays, head to Starbucks to meet a couple of girls for Bible Study, head to Walmart or home and get crack-a-lacking on the day. I headed home and began cleaning and picking up. It was my turn to do my background vocals for Fusion's cd. It was a lot of fun for me. It was also so cool to watch Bryan, the producer work his magic with all of his software and equipment. It was very cool. That was all day. Levi and I literally switched vehicles and I went my way, he took the kiddos.

I have a friend who invited me to her Clairol Makeover House Party. I knew I was going to go from recording to party and not have time to go home. Which I did and I had a blast. Those ladies are so incredible and I am so thankful for their friendship. We colored each other's hair, waxed eyebrows, and my friend cut our hair. It was awesome but I did not get home until....are you ready for this??? 3 AM....yes you read that correctly. And I head right to bed, exhausted...up for 22 hours straight...crazy I know.

And at about 5am, K wakes up. When he wakes up, I usually put him in bed with us. He NEVER goes back to sleep. So, I think it was around 7am before we got back to sleep. Addy slept late fortunately but it's not the same.

I go out to take some trash out and notice the DVD player's aren't on the headrests. Levi left the van unlocked last night. Apparently, someone broke into our van, stealing our DVD players and Levi's dad's radar detector. I have been really angry about it all day. I was mad that Levi left it unlocked and mad that someone would walk in my driveway, open my vehicle, and steal. It just truly infuriates me. I wish I could say that I took it in stride and realized this was just material stuff. I wish I could say I prayed for the thief. I did however, this was my prayer. "God, please punish whoever stole this stuff. Please make them miserable." I think they should pay for what they did and I want God to throw a lightning bolt or something at them. Isn't that awful?? I knwo God doesn't operate that way. I'm trying to have a better attitude about it all. It really hit me hard. I think part of it is because I'm functioning on 4 or 5 hours of sleep, if you know me at all, you know I really enjoy my rest. So anyway, it was a bad day. I was short with the kids and mad at Levi (who feels bad himself) and that is so NOT how I want to be. I would really like to be able to take things in stride.

I struggle with justice in all areas...not just with things being stolen. I want things to be fair and right and just. I struggle with injustice and favoritism. I wish life was just that way. I wish people operated that way. I know that's not realistic in all things but I hate it...truly I lose sleep over it and I tell people off in my head about it. I know, probably a little mental but true. Again, I'm functioning on very little sleep although I did nap when the kids did today. Maybe tomorrow I'll blog a little more coherently but I needed to get it out. Tomorrow is a busy day....doctor's appointments and National Day of Prayer service.....

That's me right now....

Getting Old

I told Addy tonight that I was getting old. She looked at me and said, "Mommy I don't want you to look like a Grandma." I said, "Addy do I like look a Grandma?" "No, they have white hair and your's is blonde." She says the funniest things.

I met Xuan tonight for a couple of hours just to catch up. It was great. I enjoyed talking to her. I'm excited about church tomorrow. I really missed it last week.