A Tribute to Uncle GG

So my brother in law taught Joshua this song on the guitar the last time he was here and it's ALL he wants to play. He literally plays it every day. Today he asked me to make a video for his uncle, so here it is. (And of course we must give a shout out to Mr. Helms, his guitar teacher ;) Get ready Elevation worship team! Here's your future member! :)

1st day of school

No expectations.  That's how I had decided to start the new school year today.  I have made the mistake, in the past, of trying to plan out exactly how the school year is going to go, only to be disappointed and frustrated when my plan doesn't pan out the way I had imagined.  But then I end up looking back and realizing that there was and  is purpose in the chaos, and it is always during those unplanned situations,  that we learn and grow the most. So I've learned to let go of my expectations, and leave plenty of  room for God to work.  At least, I thought I had learned. 

Now don't get me wrong, homeschooling three with a baby in the mix takes some planning (a BIG thanks to my AMAZING mom, who has been helping me organize and get all my school work together for the last few weeks).  But as far as where each day takes us, I've been trying to keep an open mind...especially when it comes to the preschooler and kindergartner.

So as I climbed the stairs ready to crawl into bed last night, my only expectation was a good nights sleep. (Wait, didn't I say NO expectations?)  Then I opened my bedroom door and heard the same sound coming from our 11 month old daughter that I heard the night we ended up in the ER.  Fast forward to about midnight and I'm standing in a hot steamy shower, trying to comfort Erin, and praying her breathing would ease up.  Eventually it did, and I was able to put her back to bed and crash myself.  Fast forward a few more hours and something else is waking me up.  (Oh, it's my alarm...wait, no, some one's calling me. Whispering.  Maybe it's both. I reach over to turn off the alarm.  I can't even open my eyes.  How can I get out of this bed?  I feel like I just laid down.  And it's so warm...and wet.  Why do I feel wet?  "Mommy"  There's that whisper again.  All of the sudden I realize Ella is in bed with me.  AND I suddenly recall her telling me last night she did not want to wear a pull-up to bed. "I think I may have tee tee'd just a little bit in your bed, Mommy"  Welcome to the first day of school.

So the rest of the morning was spent washing sheets, cleaning up the 3 year old and myself, and feeding the baby, who consequently woke up early herself.  Needless to say, I did not start off the morning with the best attitude.  That is, until the oldest three came bounding into the kitchen, eager to help with breakfast and "start school".  At that point, they pretty much took over the day. 

As I was about to leave the kitchen, I glanced back and saw the flowers Donnie had bought me a week ago, looking pretty sad on the table.  I immediately thought, "that's a pretty good picture of how I feel this morning"  The thought had barely entered my mind as Ella says, "Hey Mommy, will you read this to me again?"

She was pointing to the verse we had all just learned over breakfast and that she had helped put up on the fridge.  "Sure honey...All men are like grass, and their glory like the flowers of the field.  The grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever"

Wow.  She had no idea the truth the Lord just spoke directly through her, straight into her Mommy's heart.

Our lives may not be all that glorious, especially when we're standing in a steamy shower with a sick baby or washing urine soaked bed sheets.  But there is One who is always faithful, always loving, whose word endures forever.  And he has given us these beautiful, eternal souls, to raise & love & nurture & teach.  And I am so, undeniably grateful.

So the rest of the day we colored, played games, learned some letters, did some chores, danced in the kitchen, read some books, did some math, vacuumed the floors, practiced handwriting and typing, ate Popsicles, read some more, went on a scavenger hunt, took a break to eat Daddy's homemade (from scratch) cookies, played outside, practiced guitar, played outside some more, ate dinner, took dinner to some friends, spent time with Daddy, and went to bed.  Which is where I'm on my way to now...with NO expectations. :)

  

Happy Birthday Caleb!!!

 Our baby boy is.....

Party prep...

 A house full of Marios and Luigis

 The battle between team Mario and team Luigi was on!

 Lot's of fun gifts from friends and family.  And the long wait for his own Dsi finally came to an end.

 I'm embarassed to say how many hours this continued past party time.

A HUGE thanks to the grandparents for all the help with the party!!!



We love you Caleb James!  You bring so much joy and laughter to our family!  Happy Birthday!!!!!

Erin's new sleeping preference

Oh, what the neighbors must think

Me:  Hey, will one of you go get the mail?
Joshua: (looking over at Caleb & snickering) Hey, Caleb, why don't you go!

I'm a little confused at this offer seeing as how they usually argue over the opportunity

Caleb: (taking off for the front door) Sure!!

Then it hits me as the front door slams and Joshua doubles over in laughter. 
But it was too late.

Grammie & Granddad

Do you think the kids are enjoying their time with Grammie & Granddad?

...I think so :)

A weekend to remember

God is so good.  Those are the 4 words that have been repeating over and over in my head.  I have never been so thankful that so many members of our family (though not complete) are here with us this weekend.  We were going to need them more than we knew...but God knew.  He knows a lot that I don't, and I can't imagine living without that hope...the hope of knowing He is in control and that my life and the lives of my family are in His hands.

My parents arrived last week, and since they've had to downsize quite a bit in order to begin their full time RV adventure, they brought several things they thought I might like to have.  Among them were two foot lockers that belonged to my granddad from his time in WWII.  I knew he had been in the war and that his plane had crashed in the Aleutian islands, but he never talked about it as far as I can remember.  Yet as I stood in my kitchen looking through his things, I was overwhelmed with emotion, thinking of all that he must have experienced and endured.  And all so that his family...his children...his grandchildren...his great grandchildren...our children that never had the privilege of knowing him...could enjoy the freedoms we now have. 

The 4th of July took on a much deeper meaning for me as I stood in the kitchen and held his dog tags in my hand that hung around his neck as he fought for his country and for me.

I noticed after his name on the tags, the name Mrs E.M. Peek.  His mother.  The one who gave him life.  And following it read "Annona, Texas".  The place where he came from...and the place he would return to, despite what may happen.  I don't know the details of his plane crash.  How long his mother had to wait for news of her son.  But God is good.  And what my great grandmother didn't know...He did.  Our life is but a breath and our days are numbered.  But God is good.  He did come home.  Married my grandmother.  Had two children, 4 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and counting.  It's been 14 years since my grandad unexpectedly left his earthly home and left us all asking why.  But God knows why. He IS good. And because of the hope I have in Him, I will someday put my arms around my granddaddy again.

Two nights ago, I held our 9 month old baby girl in my arms as she had a seizure, turned blue, and stopped breathing.  As I held her, and my mother in law held the both of us, and my father in law held the three of us, all we could do was call out to Him because we knew that her life was in His hands.  "In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."  I didn't know when or if she would take her next breath.  But He knew.  And He is good.  And today she is sleeping peacefully in her crib and we are blessed with another day.

Then yesterday we celebrated, through baptism, Joshua's decision in May of 2010 to accept Christ into his heart as his Lord and Savior.  Just as my granddad fought for our freedom, we have someone who fought and died on our behalf to save us from the one thing that separates us from our heavenly father.  And I am so thankful today that our firstborn knows this truth and has chosen new life in Christ.  As I watched Joshua being baptized, witnessing his outward expression of an inward change...I was reminded again of my granddad's dog tags that represented who he was...his identity.  Just as his mother's name...the one who gave him life...was stamped below his own, Joshua now has a name stamped over his life as well.  The one who not only gave him life, but gave His life for us.  And his name is Jesus.  He has a new identity in Christ.  He also has a home.  Not Indian Trail, NC, but heaven.  The place he came from, and the place he will return...no matter what happens.  His destiny is secure.  My granddad had a war to fight, and I'm so thankful for the sacrifice so many have made so that we can celebrate our freedom today.  But there is another war, against sin and death, that we will never win on our own.  But we can have victory if we give our lives to the one who gave his life for us.  And if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed! John 8:36.  God is so good!