My Precious Girl

Since we've gone to 2 services, our older child, hasn't been thrilled about staying in the same room for 2+ hours.  Our kids are usually there around 9am and we don't leave until 12:30 or after...gosh it feels like a lot longer but anyway.  We've started letting her go the The Lab, which is for elementary kids, for one service.  She stays in worship with us and then goes back there for the teaching.  So, she sat with her daddy.  She was bobbing her head, clapping, & singing along. It almost makes me tear up just thinking about it.  One of our friends, Rachel, took this picture from her seat this morning.  This is what I got to look at while worshiping this morning.  Thanks Rachel:) 

miniblog on savings

Hey guys.  I had a friend (Stevo) give me an idea to blog about local deals and savings at restaurants, etc.  I'm thinking through that. This week has been crazy---ha just like all the others. I want to blog, truly I do I just run out of time.

Real quick though restaurant.com is having an 80% off sale.  That means you can get a $25 gift certificate for $2 (normally the $25 certificates are $10).  This is a great deal.  Now, I will tell you that you will still spend some money. It's not like you're going to get out of there paying $5 or something ridonkulous like that.  But, it's a nice meal and it's cheaper.  You usually have to spend $35 before the certificate.  It usually does not include drinks so clarify that before you go ordering.  And for $2 it's a great deal!!

Enjoy!!

Kickball can change a life.....

well it did my husband's.  I'm going to direct you to his blog for the details. I'm not usually big on, let's just do it..impulsive living.  BUT, at the same time, I'm trying to hear God's voice and prompting (because let's face it....not really heard a loud thunderclap or boom and a directive from the clouds).  I'm trying to be a giver, a cheerful giver. I'm trying to be a lover of mercy and truthfully I don't even know what all that entails or means.  I'm trying to live selflessly and that is so hard for a critical person who struggles with life being fair (this would be me I"m speaking of...what is that Character flaw numbers 5 & 6 I think).  So, when Levi came home from the 50 hour kickball game (..yeah you might want to read his post before mine) and after I was sure he was coherent, we began talking about the experience.  He began to tell me more about the impact that Chris Field and the Mercy Project had on him.  I struggled to fight back tears thinking that parents could sell their child and that a fisherman would really make a kid work 16-18 hours dishing water out of a boat so it wouldn't sink.  It broke my heart. I couldn't imagine A or K being in that situation.  So, Levi mentioned that Chris was going back to Ghana this summer on a mission trip and that at some point he would love to join Chris and see firsthand.  Levi loves Chris....BACKGROUND: Chris & his wife moved 2 doors down from us last summer to kind of plant or restart a church.  Isn't it funny how God brings lives together.  We've seen the change in Chris over the last year. He first went to Ghana last summer and his life was forever changed. So much so that he started a nonprofit organization called Mercy Project.  He was not only changed but he was moved to action and he is changing the world one day at a time.  Cut back to Levi mentioning Chris' trip this summer. I looked at him and said, "Go this summer."  He was shocked because one, I hadn't asked how much the trip would cost and 2, I was willfully letting him go for a couple of weeks without a guilt trip.  If I know anything about God, I know that He puts people and situations in our lives and uses others to demonstrate His mercy, grace, & compassion.  Chris is an example of those things to my husband and Levi (I hope) is the same for him in different ways.  So, a week later I don't know how much the trip will cost and we'll probably be asking for some help....don't avoid us:)  But, I know if there's a desire in Levi's heart to change the world, I want him to tap into it.  I want him to grab that bull by the horns. I want God to use him however he can and wherever He can.  I want to be supportive and not a roadblock for my husband. I tend to be the "I want to see how it all works and know the end" kind of person.  I'm trying to be the "I'm trusting and have faith" kind of person.  So...the moral of the blog is, kick really can change a life and that life can change another life and so on and so forth.

Sorry to go all spiritual on you...it's definitely a little deeper than normal life talk but I needed to process it a bit and share.   

It's almost Wed....

It's been a good week thus far.  We had a great family day yesterday and a great cookout with great friends to end the day. Today was fine.  Tomorrow is Wed., we have small group.  We just thirded our small group because we were so small but we were a lot of fun.  One thing I'm learning is that leading is hard sometimes.  You have to make decisions knowing not everybody's going to love it & sometimes even decisions that you're not going to love.  We did that in thirding our small group.  I'm going to miss our originals but at the same time, I am THRILLED that we have 2 brand new groups starting.  Lots of changes happening and sometimes it's just learn as you go and grow.  Sorry...not too eventful tonight:)

Saturdays....

are wonderful. I love the low key-ness of Saturdays. This one did not start that way but has turned out to be pretty nice.  The kids are in their bathing suits playing in the kiddie pool outside (truly not warm enough yet).  I'm catching up on emails and my blogs.  I'm about to start some freezer cooking & catch up on my shows while they nap.  Levi is playing in his world record kickball game which is quite frankly kickin' his butt. He is so tired. He said every bone and muscle in his body hurts.  I feel bad for him.  We've spent time out there yesterday and today.  These people are awesome.  They are seriously playing kickball for 50 hours NOT just for the world record but to raise money for these little children in Ghana that have captured Chris' heart. I love that. I love the passion that Chris exudes.  It's crazy and awesome all at the same time.  I love that he and Stacey live 2 doors down.  I love that he pops in with baby Micah just to let us see her.  I can't wait till they let us babysit her while they enjoy a "date" or "shower" or just some "alone" time...why am I using all the " " signs??  We're lucky people all the way around.  On a side note about love...I love my kids.  I fall more in love with them everyday. I about had a melt down at Walmart this morning and on our way to take our 18 feet of subs to the kickball game Addy reached over and grabbed my hand and said, "Mommy, I love you even when you're angry."  I had an "okay I'm a jerk!" moment.  Her love for me is selfless and unconditional (most days). I love that.  I love my kids.  I love hearing them laugh and play and pretend together. I love to hear them comforting each other.  I truly am a lucky woman!!!

So....it's been forever

since I blogged. I truly don't even remember where I left off. Life has been crazy in all ways.  We are now doing 2 services at church which is great and exciting all at the same time but also more tiresome.  We're growing and our C Group is growing and that's awesome but at the same time, change is HARD for me. I truly hate it.  Hate doesn't even seem strong enough.  Okay so this is for Andrea, that's character flow #3...Change throws me in a tizzy. 

Easter was great.  My mom, sister, and niece flew in and spent 5 days with us.  They just flew out this morning.  I love my family.  My kids adore Nana and Aunt Marshelle & of course Shelby.  They act like sisters & brothers and I'm thankful for that.  It was great.

I've been in a funk....insurance issues suck the life out of me.  I don't understand it all nor does it make sense when I think I do understand it.  I feel like I can't get a straight answer.  FRUSTRATING!!  A is going to have to have her adnoids out and a tube in.  She has slight hearing loss in one ear so hopefully the procedure will fix the issue.  But apparently, there's a waiting period for adnoidectomies...who knew?  And why?  STUPID. And why some facilities charge $2000 and others (Baylor) charges $5000 is beyond me.  Geez!! I know things work out but it sure is frustrating. 

Anyway, I'm good just working through change, frustrations, you know...life.  My co-teacher and I were talking yesterday about our lives and our issues and throughout the day, 3 or 4 other people dropped by our room and started sharing their stories. It was kind of weird how we both got the sense that we needed to put things in perspective and start praying for our coworkers and their families.  We both felt like we needed to be in the Word more and seeking God's voice for not only ourselves, but for our friends.  It was a good reminder.

As I read my devotions today and yesterday (at least I'm trying to catch up...right?), one of the Psalms started like this, "Not for my sake, no not for my sake..."  It's not for me or about me or to benefit me....I need that reminder sometimes. 

I'm going to try to be a better blogger.  Have a great Wednesday!