Implosion- of a building, not a child

This morning before church we woke the kids up really early and went to a building implosion on central south of royal. it was so awesome; we got to stand just behind a chain link fence and watch it go down. It was so loud and such a rush. it amazingly folded into a sandwiched pile of rubble without even a tree being harmed. Check it out! The boys LOVED every minute of it- except when they thought the birds would get blown up too, but they weren't even that concerned about them either.
http://www.wfaa.com/video/?nvid=301633

Thankfulness or lack of it...

Where have i been, why haven't i posted in a while?? I have been in a hole since the time changed last Sunday- i am exhausted and i have no idea why (no i am not pregnant for those of you with dirty minds...)

We have had sickness (babies and kids) that will knock you back several weeks and the general busyness that accompanies raising and feeding 4 boys. Well, I have been wondering what to write about (a little brain dead) and i always pray the Lord will encourage me to share with transparency what is going on with us so... here goes.

This month our family devos are about thankfulness and our verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." We have shared the cliche thankfulness statements..."our family, home, dogs, food..." But we had a family celebration (turning a sitter-less Saturday night into steaks and "family fun") and each boy got to share something their brother had done for them that they were thankful for. It amazed me how well they remember the times someone extended grace, a kind word, or encouragement.

Reed was thankful Mason threw the football with him. Garrett was thankful for our baby (surprise). But as i was thinking back on the week and sadness swept over me. True heart wrenching disappointment and just plain sorrow. The Lord has been nudging me all week to be thankful and do all things without complaining or arguing. ouch!! We are training (I mean attempting to train) our boys to run the race with greatness and i am standing at the starting line.

You know those moments when you have to wipe up Izze off the kitchen table (and it is VERY sticky) and when the baby poops AGAIN; I was not thankful. And when garrett cannot read a clock and comes down at 5:30am to tell you he is ready for breakfast or Mason is tired of Garrett copying him; i was NOT thankful. When mason has a full on asthma attack during flag football and Garrett has killed one of Shaeffer's snakes; i was not thankful. (see pic of the snake before Garrett accidently stepped on it with his cleates on) Does it really say ALL circumstances or just when the circumstances are convenient for me?

How selfish am I? The Lord shows me a million times a day His forgiveness, His mercy, His love, His sovereignty, His grace, His majesty, His wisdom....i could go on forever. And i complain about the circimstances of dirty dishes, piles or laundry, sinfulness in my family, and baby puke down my sweater sleeve. i have such a small perspective of God, i put Him in a box so that I can comprehend this world. God is bigger than world we'll leave!

I am thankful He is who He says He is, who He has given me to share my life with, who He gave me to be raised by, and where He is taking me. "I am blessed" seems such an inadequate way to describe my life. And i don't mean blessed because my life is comfortable; blessed because He is the God of second chances and has the power transform me - not just my circumstances.

Well, i guess that is why we are talking about thankfulness for a full month. Maybe his week I will get it a little more than last week.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday Coach Ames!!

I am no Betty Crocker!!

May of you experienced the "great ghost cookie debacle" with me (thanks for your support!) . Why is it that bammm! when you least expect it the slightest thing sends you ever the edge? I wanted to be that mom who can make homemade cookies for an entire class of 4 year olds, check homework, run the laundry, take kids to parties and practice, and have a warm nutritious meal on the table all from 4 to 6 in the afternoon. Instead i am the mom who can only make cookies, asks Kyle to bring dinner home for the kids, calls Laura to help carpool, and still looses it!
Oh well here is a pic of the cookies that most moms can make with their eyes closed (my gifts lie elsewhere- out of the kitchen). They were yummy and i have conquered the ghost cookie- way to go!!

Happy Birthday Reed!

man time

ok - first off i feel like an inadequate blogger. As i spend time (senseless hours) reading random blogs, i realize i am just a mom with a computer stuck at home during nap time. There are people blogging about "real" things, adopting children from foreign nations, changing the world through missions... I never promised to change the world just to make you laugh and cry while you read about a life the Lord has blessed me with immensely! I love this life and thank my husband for making me open to what the Lord is doing!

Now for the real stuff...garrett and kyle went on their first official camp out with the kindergarten boys of wre. it is a group called Building Christian Men that 10 or so dads and sons are involved with. i was thrilled to see him on Sunday when they returned (it is scary that with one kid gone i still had 3 to care for - frightening!)

First of all, a little about our second son. He is the most tender child stuck in the toughest body. Nothing is fair for Garrett. He is just close enough behind Mason that he realizes what he is missing. He hated his blond hair and blue eyes because Mason has brown (until Wags was born).

He spends hours in the backyard harassing nature. He loves to hunt, ride bikes, sing in his head "out loud", go on dates with mom or dad, and be the life of the party. He has probably never worked a puzzle with me or read a book all alone. He has always had a brother sandwiched around him. He has claimed the role in our family as Wagner's protector. He gets angry if you laugh at Wagner's hair and carries him everywhere he can. He is so passionate and loving - i love being his mom!

This is the child who is so particular about his clothes, sometime is is no collar, sometimes only a collar. he did wear a "uniform" to preschool because mason wore one to WRE. He is the first to notice and compliment my pedicure, new hair style, or a new outfit. He gets excited about sugar and will eat ANYTHING you put on the plate! His birthday is the highlight of his life - where on earth does he get that???

Garrett has taught me loud is ok, messy is fun. Just when i put Garrett is a box he surprises me. He is the first one ready for school (for those of you who know Mason, this is a shock!), and he can do ANYTHING by himself. He reminds me to see the beauty God has created - the roach is even a gift...

This is why it was such a treat for he and kyle to spend such great one on one time together. I fear he will get lost being between Mason and Reed- we did have 3 boys in 4 years. Ouch! I thank God that He made Garrett such a unique and lovable child for this reason.

I hate green beans!!

I remember a very similar experience several years ago with Mason. My dad asked my mom to NEVER serve green beans to Mason again. I guess Reed is just following his brother's legacy???

october 19

ok- on my first blog ever i said i was not tech savvy. well...i have been unable to sign in to the blog for a week or so now. thanks to don dinnerville (amazing computer/tech guy) i am back in action. so here we go...

For those of you who knew michelle parma, october 19, 2002 was the day she went home to be with the Lord. the circumstances were shocking and tragic (a car accident with her cousin) but the fact she went is divine. every year i forget the week before the anniversary of her death, but the smell of fall and the sight of pumpkins triggers the feeling of loss in my heart. i dread the day because of the sadness and so i pretend it is not here. she would expect this from me but tell me how so wrong i am (amy and becca are not surprised!!!).

from the moment i was told of her accident to even this moment i have not forgotten for one second that God is sovereign. life on earth is temporary we are all preparing for eternity. she just got there faster - must to the sadness of an extraordinary number of friends and family who knew how remarkable this woman is. she was created for purpose and she had more life and love in her pinkie than i have in my entire being.

the Lord reminds me (by hitting me on my thick skull) life is not about me and my comfort- even in tragedy. He is the God who "...has plans to give you hope and a future". i still forget that just because i don't like some of the things He does, He is always a loving Father. i don't understand and never will.

I loved Michelle like a sister and she knew me, my struggles, my strengths, and everything in between and loved me anyway.
i miss her. i miss her laugh. i miss the way she would fight for you even if you were so wrong just because she loved you. i miss the way she brought people together. i miss the way she loved the Lord. i miss the way she cared for my parents. i miss the way she would listen. i miss the way she freaked out. i miss the way she drove (well kinda). i miss the way she danced. (i hated dancing with her at clubs!) i miss the way she loved Neill and thought he hung the moon. i miss her strength. i miss her room. i miss her nasty feet. i miss her passion.

but i would never of asked for it to be any other way. thanks michelle for loving me and kyle and our children like they were yours. i would never ask for more- God knows what he is doing. thanks for the privilege of sharing 22 years of my life with such an extraordinary friend, daughter, girlfriend, and sister....

check out the non-profit her mom stared to finish serving, loving, and helping others in her daughter's name. http://www.dancetolive.org/

A fast catch up of the past several weeks!

Just because he is so stinkin' cute! Our baby is growing up was too fast! I am sure the Wendy's kid toy is completely safe for an 8 month old to chew on??????

Fair Fun! He could care less about a pic with mom - he wanted a candy apple. is he my kid or what?

Why eat the apple?

More Fun at the Fair- love those forced smiles! Kevin and Anna met us for hours of endless food, fun, and farm animals.

Kevin and Anna came for a visit this past weekend and we had a blast hanging out with them. The boys cried for 2 nights asking why they have to live so far away from their "favorite" aunt and uncle. (Yes, Wes i am trying to taunt you into coming to visit!) Anna had no idea what she was getting into when she said "Yes!" to Kevin. I love having great catch up time with them - they are the best!

I spent 3 days on "vacation" in Roundtop, Texas with several girlfriends shopping for antiques. This is what the boys ate while i was gone. haha Kyle did a fantastic job running the show solo! I have the best husband in the world!

Reed and his favorite buddy Sam at warm up for their soccer game. Reed scored 2 goals this past Saturday. He is just excited to have a uniform of his own! I think i am going to send the next 20 years on the sideline cheering someone to victory!