My Love Song

The Eighteen Month Old

2012-02-10T22:03:00.003-06:00

Miller is one and a half years old today! He had a check up today. He weighed in at 23 lbs and 32 inches high. Still in the 25th percentile. He is a little guy. With a larger than life personality. Dr. Pettit pulled a mass of impacted wax out of his ear and saw some fluid. Both Noah and Miller always have fluid. But not infections? I don't get it. Regardless because of his speech delay we are headed to the ENT for tube evals. Maybe it will help. I will say that after having his ears "cleaned" he has been super happy and in a sweet mood. Check out his dance moves.
He also debuted a new word today....a wave accompanied with bye bye. He adds this to other new trick pointing to his eye and saying eye. I am pleased with his progress and much less worried about his progress. I am really hopeful that with a summer of intensive purposeful play he will be right on track! He is such a snuggler at night in "our" chair and freely gives away waves and kisses. He loves books. He loves loves Noah. And being tickled. I so enjoy out time together!

The Love of All Things Noah

2012-02-10T21:40:00.003-06:00

Noah is absolutely adorable these days. He makes up songs. Yesterday he made up one about God being with us in weakness and all day. Very cute. He made all the neighbor kids Valentine's. He is super helpful and loves to help with the laundry. He isn't as good at helping when you ask him :) He is writing letters. He put Brooke's name on her Valentine. I was impressed! It may be right to left but we will work on that. He still adores cars. Lately he is interested in space and dinosaurs. He also like dinosaurs and super heroes particularly Batman. I love his curiosity. I love his amazing memory. I cannot be sad about how fast he is growing because I am too busy marveling at the amazing little boy he is becoming. I just love him. Every bit.

The Lost Tooth

2012-02-07T21:09:00.004-06:00

Before Noah was even one he had a series of accidents at school that pushed one of his front teeth forward a good bit.(Read about it here) It was always a source of guilt for me. Because obviously he wouldn't have accidents if were at home with me ;)

Today I was in a meeting on my prep period and I come back to my phone and three missed

calls from daycare and an email from Adam. Worst nightmare. Noah had an accident. He had fallen and knocked out that little tooth. He bled a good bit, was scared and cried and cried. And I missed the phone calls. Adam of course went up there, picked Noah up got him a milkshake, and called the dentist. He is such a good father.

Noah told me over the phone that the Tooth Fairy was going to bring him a blue race car. Note taken. He sounded good and just excited.

After I hung up, I cried. I wanted to be the one to pick him up. I wanted to buy him ice cream

and talk about the tooth fairy. Hug him and hold him. I was mad at that meeting. I was mad I left my phone. I told my intern, "This is that part of being a working mom that really sucks."

But it wasn't thirty seconds after seeing this face....

all the frustration, guilt melted away. Adorable. It might take two years to get his tooth in. I don't mind one bit. How adorable!

The January Joy Dare

2012-02-05T21:03:00.003-06:00

Last year I read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I really feel like it was a huge catalyst in my continually growing relationship with Christ. The premise is counting all your blessing and gifts from God from the simple thing like the flip of your child's hair to new jobs and answered prayers. I have her app on my iPad and I made a weak attempt last year on the blog to count to one thousand. For 2012 she is setting up a monthly dare on her blog. You count just three gifts a day in a given format. I am going to take the challenge and post each month's blessings.

Here is January:

1st- 3 things you about yourself you were grateful for.....

1. Jesus in me 2. patience in traffic and in line 3. mothering

2nd- A gift outside, inside and on a plate......

4. sunshine 5. photographs of my family and friends decorating my wall 6. cheesecake, creamy and yum

3rd- Three lines you overheard that were graces....

7. Noah's innocent prayers 8. Miller's laugh 9. Papa and Noah having a conversation

4th- one gift old, one gift new, one gift blue....

10. a candle in my Granny's mason drawer 11. new fun makeup 12. Noah's bright eyes

5th- Something you are reading, something you are making, something you are seeing...

13. How to Tuck in a Superhero 14. lots of casseroles to freeze 15. Adam's face

6th- One thing in your bag, your fridge, and your heart....

16. a matchbox car 17. prepared meals and leftovers 18. joy

7th- 3 graces from people you love.....

19. Adam's patience 20. unasked for hugs and kisses 21. generosity of our parents

8th- Light that caught your eye, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely....

22. sunshine pouring through the clouds 23. my hair looking healthy and long 24. sunlight and shadow in the foyer

9th- A gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with.....

25. Miller's small hand 26. my neighborhood 27. Adam at dinner...ALONE

10th - A gift that is sour, a gift that is sweet, a gift that is just right.....

28. candy 29. chocolate kisses 30. God's timing in my life

11th - 3 yellow things that strike you as new mercy

31. cracked eggs in a frying pan 32. bright bright sunshine 33. new daffodils in bloom

12th- Something above you, something below you, something beside you....

34. bright blue sky 35. driving over the river 36. laughing running boys

13th- 3 noises you here

37. laughter 38. alarm clock 39. praise music

14th- 3 ways you glimpsed the grace of God

40. thing after thing about Adam's new job 41. the way His word speaks to me 42. opportunities to speak about His grace to others

15th- One thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared....

43. New shirt, flirty and cute 44. time 45. food with a good friend

16th- 3 ways you witnessed happiness today....

46. joy over play 47. laughs from little ones 48. attempt and pride over Miller's communication

17th- One gift that made you laugh, one gift that made you pray, one gift that made you quiet...

49. Noah's knock knock jokes 50. Miller's tantrum 51. Adam's love

18th- 3 gifts from God's word

52. Sermon on the Mount 53. the whole gift of James 54. "The Lord will fight for you. You only have to be still."

19th- A grace in the kitchen, a grace in the weather, a grace that might never have been....

55. the crockpot 56. 68 degree weather in January 57. hug from a struggling student

20th- 3 gifts you only saw close up.....

58. brown spot in Noah's eye 59. wreath on the front door 60. comfy desk chair at school

21st- One in the sky, one thing in your memory, one thing that is ugly beautiful

61. colors in a sunset 62. smile from a stranger 63. football

22nd- 3 gifts found in Christ

64, forgiveness 65. freedom 66. abundant life

23rd- One grace wrinkled, one grace smooth, one grace unfolded

67. My Granny's face 68. Miller's baby skin 69, the layer's of blessings in Adam's new job

24th- 3 things blue

70. Miller's eyes 71. Mr. Bears 72. bright sky

25th- one grace borrowed, one grace found, one grace inherited....

73. tent for camping in the backyard 74. lost shoe 75. love of God

26th- a gift before nine am, a gift before noon, a gift after dark

76. library time 77. healthy lunch 78. story times

27th- 3 gifts that might never have been

79. Noah 80. light in student's eyes 81. miracle babies that I love

28th - 3 graces found in your friends.....

82. creativity 83. wisdom 84. ways to relieve the stress

29th- a song heard, a soft word, a light seen

85. "You are good when there is nothing good in me" 86. "Don't let the school bugs bite" 87. light at the end of the tunnel

30th- 3 old things new

88. outfits 89. friendships 90. old frames for decorating

31st- A gift found on paper, in person, in a picture

91. note I found in my Bible 92. a undeserved compliment 93. joy captured on the faces of friends at the birth of a new baby

There they are! Looking forward to counting even more gifts from God this month. If you'd like to take the dare here is a link to the month's gift list.

The Saturday of Play

2012-01-29T00:03:00.004-06:00

We have a busy week. And we have had a lot of this.
So today was sweet because we just played and spent the day playing. We went to Chick Fli A for free biscuits, played on the playground, had a visit from Nana and Puddin, played outside, and built castles and fast food places. Miller is teething again or just randomly is drooling buckets, and having bad diapers and a low fever. So he was clingy and snugly. I enjoyed it.

How I love my boys. All four of them. I am thankful for this life of laughs and mess!

The Stars

2012-01-28T23:18:00.002-06:00

For the past year or so I have been praying that God would make my heart sensitive. That He would break it over things that break His. This is a dangerous prayer. Over the past week my eyes have been open to several situations at school that are heartbreaking. I don't really have any control over the circumstances and there isn't too much I can do to help. It has left me somewhat frustrated. After we put the boys to bed we were working on some things and had the Capitol Journal ( a really really boring report on Alabama Public Television about the legislative session in Montgomery)playing as we worked. The show was going on and on about the Education Reform ideas and teacher performance and taking money from the Education budget. And I got really worked up. Really worked up. I mean...... have they stepped foot in a classroom these days?! I had been making a pretty pink elephant banner for a baby shower. I walked out side to deliver it to my neighbor down the street. The cold air cleared my head. And I looked upward. All I could see were stars. Massive amounts of stars. I thought about how He made them and scattered them. They are bright and beautiful. He has his hands on everything. And has since before time. He has a plan for my students that I can't help. He has a plan for the things out of my control. Things that don't make sense. And on the things that do. I will rest in that. And then I walked into my neighbors truck.

The January Update

2012-01-26T21:41:00.004-06:00

Ann Voskamp wrote for {in}courage today. I cried. Because it was so beautiful. If you have the time read it all here. If not chew on this.....

I remember when you were small enough to hold in my arms, warm against me, this sun bathed stone, us engraved into rock here. I hadn’t known how fast the wings would come and that you would fly into the dark, into the sun, and so soon. That when you became a man, I’d feel so empty – and so very fulfilled. I wish we had read even more books. And I had said yes to every game of Scrabble.

Time totally flies. It seems like I just unpacked from the whirlwind of Christmas. But really we are wrapping up January. Things around here are beautifully busy with things like this.....

Miller is receiving services from Early Intervention every other Wednesday afternoon. We are learning ways to help create situations to encourage language. Not too fast he is extremely frustrated these days. It is frustrating to me. Our time together is so precious just a few hours a day and we spend most of having fits.

Noah is growing and growing. He counted to 100 and is sounding out words. He is drawing the cutest little dinosaur figures. I have never seen cuter stegosourouses.

I have an intern and that is going well. It is always great to have company in facing the trials and heartbreaks and triumphs in the classroom.

I am co leading Bible Study on Wednesday nights. We are doing Beth Moore's Mercy Triumphs: James. It is AMAZING. I highly recommend reading or downloading some of the lessons. This week, session three was some the best teaching I have heard. About joy and anguish in coexistent. Anguish turning to joy. It has really been amazing to me. Several years ago in another Beth Moore study the phrase "Choose Joy" became a big mantra for me. Joy is a choice. And in the midst of all things you can find joy.

Adam is enjoying his new job at the University. And we are enjoying all the extra time together.

I am trying to make good on my 2012 goal of doing a better job being more social. I went to a preschool mom's dinner this week and then also met up with some of my dearest and oldest friends from Homewood. We had a blast laughing and sharing about life and our kids. I always dreamed about doing that exact thing when we were just girls. I loved every minute.

We have had some active weather. Which makes us Tuscaloosians a little jumpy. We need to really get our safe place in shape. It is going to be a long spring.

We have moved around a bunch of furniture and added painted bookshelves to create a playroom out of our dining room.

I am just walking around in an exhausted state of happiness. I look at our loud sweet family and our bust beautiful life and I am humbled by his love and blessings.

The Bedtime Stories

2012-01-15T21:16:00.002-06:00

I love bedtime stories. Don't you?

Very sweet memories. That relief stressful days. And restore a tired heart.

The Upcoming Annivesary

2012-01-09T20:29:00.004-06:00

I am sitting in the living room watching the national championship. I am finding myself cheering internally for Alabama. I needed to distract myself before it comes out vocally. (Someone get me down to the Plains soon!!) So I thought I would do a little blog post on this handsome man.

We are celebrating our seventh anniversary this weekend. They say the seventh year is the worst. I however have high hopes for this year. When Adam and married each other as young twenty three year olds, we had no idea where live would take us. Or where it wouldn't take us. But here we are more in love today than that day. I may not be any closer to understanding his humor or his reasoning behind some choices that catch me off guard but I have no doubt that he is putting me and the boys before any of his own desires or cares. Just look at the shape his shoes are in or count the number of times he has run back to the store to pick up something without complaint. Or log the number of hours watching the Bachelor. Or listening to my plans for the house or our children with endless patience. I am thankful that he still makes me feel beautiful when he smiles at me. I am thankful we have the same idea about what to do with our time together away from the kids. Sleep. I am thankful he knows what to do when I go into stress overdrive. I am grateful he understands the power of baths, chocolate and a glass of wine. I am thankful I have learned how to talk him down from worries and anxieties. (Somewhat) I am thankful for his strength when he held my hand as I brought our sons into the world. I am thankful that when I feel like things are falling in pieces around me he helps me pick them up. I am thankful he thinks I am cute when I cry. I am thankful for the kind of father he is. I am thankful that when I lose my joy and the world gets dark he helps me find the light. I am also grateful to understand more that no matter how amazing he is (and he is very) that he is not my world. He is not my everything. Jesus is. Jesus is perfect where Adam is not. Adam has seemingly endless patience but Jesus really does. Adam is my very best friend. But Jesus fills my soul like no other could. I am grateful that Adam loves that about me.

And I am oh so happy I said yes! Happy Anniversary Love! Here is to the best year yet!!!

The Mother of Boys

2012-01-07T21:56:00.003-06:00

Sometimes my life feels like this.

And I want to get out and do something girly. But I wouldn't trade it or them for anything!

Well....maybe some quiet?

I hope they feel how much I love them. Even the wrestling. Even the noise. Even the mess. Where I once dreamed of ballet recitals and tea parties I dream instead of football games and camp outs. And muddy little shoes. As long as the let me kiss them whenever I want....I'll save the tea parties for my nieces!

The Saturday Morning Fort

2012-01-07T14:22:00.002-06:00

On Saturday mornings my amazing husband lets me sleep in. It is incredibly selfless and loving. And I am not sure I would survive without those extra hours. I usually rise to the sounds of all kinds of boy fun happening just beyond the bedroom door. Today I got up and found this:

A magical fort. For big boys only. And Charlie watched over it all.

The Alabama Weather

2012-01-04T21:59:00.004-06:00

Is crazy. Warm. Freezing. Back and forth. But I do love spending sunny winter weekends at the park. I won't complain!

The Early Intervention

2012-01-04T21:10:00.002-06:00

Over the past several months we have been worrying just a tad about Miller Biller. He is just a few days shy of being seventeen months. And he wasn't walking or talking. Our doctor recommended at his fifteenth month appointment to Early Intervention. After some interviews and observations Miller qualified for services in motor development and speech. And then three days later he started doing this:

Oh Miller you are a Biller! (Biller: bil-er n. meaning baffling little trickster). He will still get some speech therapy. We are all about doing anything we can to help Miller be successful. But I think he might just be stubborn and one day all the words will come tumbling out!

The Year That is Gone...

2012-01-01T20:39:00.006-06:00

A little reflecting..... or a lot.

2011 was both a beautiful and hard year. We buckled down financially after spending a sweet six months at home with Miller. Things were tight but I feel I really learned to make the most of the things God blessed me with. Then the storm. We are so blessed to be a part of our church family and this community. God used this tragedy to touch me in a new way. My faith and love for Him were strengthened. This summer we had lots of fun learning and visiting with family and an incredible beach vacation.I opened my little tiny Etsy shop Paper Happies. I also killed myself at boot camp three mornings a week at 5:30 am. I kicked carbonated drinks to the curb and lost 15lbs. (Although I think they are all back over Christmas Break!)This fall I started school with a new attitude. I have enjoyed the school year this year so far. I really feel like I am fulfilling my purpose there. The fall has been busy with Bible Study and mentoring. Plus fall is fun with lots of memory making fun. In November Adam got a phone call offering him a new position at UA. The phone call (after two rounds of interviews) may be the highlight of my year. The look on Adam's face is gratitude incarnate. In December he became the public relations director for the College of Engineering, a position that will certainly change 2012 for the better! Noah was at a magical age this Christmas and I took so much delight in him the whole season. I will always remember it. Here are some picture highlights:

January- I faced a difficult situation in going back to work after five months at home with Miller. With a new principal and fresh working mother guilt it was hard to remain joyful. But these faces helped!

February- I turned thirty. Yea ;)

March- This is silly....but March has a difficult month and my highlight is the opening of the new elephant exhibit at the zoo over Spring Break.

April- Shortly after a sweet Easter a devastating tornado destroyed lives and large parts of our city. Such a difficult time for many of my students.

May- God used the storm to tell His story of redemption through His people and their love and generosity. God worked in my heart and I fell deeper in love with Him. Adam and Noah prepared for summer lawn care :)

June- Another summer of learning and neighborhood fun.....

July- A trip to WaterSound made unforgettable beach memories!

August- Little Man turned one!

September- I was present for the birth of this long prayed for little one. Such a wonderful memory waiting with Laura and John's loved ones for little Libby.

October- A month full of fall fun!

November- A month of Thanksgiving was capped off with Adam getting a new job at the University of Alabama. And big man turned four! Can you believe it?

December- A month of whirlwind holiday activities but a sweet time of joy in our Savior.

Thank you Father for your love. For your saving grace. Thank you for holding me close, comforting me and for another year of abundant joyful life.

The New Lens

2011-12-30T14:35:00.002-06:00

For Christmas I got a new lens! Adam's parents had given me a gift card to get PhotoShop but my camera has been acting up since the summer. Sometimes it couldn't focus to take a picture. In the last month it went from sometimes working to not working at all. My smart mom suggested that my father in law and I (He has the same camera.) run a little experiment and switch lens to see if that could be the problem. We did that yesterday and it was my lens and not the camera body! I was so relieved because lens are much more reasonable than a camera. So I used my gift card and got a 50mm fixed lens. It is a bit wider than mine so it lets in lots of light. Which makes taking inside pictures so much easier since I hate using a flash. I am so happy! I am in love. And can't wait to take some more pictures.

The Simply Wonderful Christmas

2011-12-30T14:05:00.003-06:00

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas! We spent our laughing and enjoying our families and of course the joy of the boys.We spent time with both sides of our family, at a beautiful Christmas Eve service, and here at home on Christmas morning. The memories of this Christmas will always be super special to me! Adam and I decided with Noah's first Christmas five years ago that we would try to keep things simple in hopes to focus on Jesus and the joy of His gift to us. We give him two presents form us, one a memory building presents(like last year's trip to the circus or this year's once a month game night). We hope that keep things a little more simple will help the attempts to spread kindness and celebrate Jesus shine. Noah's extreme love of presents and hoping gifts might have overshadowed his understanding of Christ's love and sacrifice again this year. But I hope that eventually he will get it. I know Jesus is speaking to me through Noah's joy. He is just so excited over a simple matchbox car. I hope he always finds the joy in simple things.

The Baking

2011-12-22T23:02:00.002-06:00

Christmas means baking at our house and lots of it! I have two super helpers.

The Family Pictures

2011-12-22T22:57:00.002-06:00

I am so thankful that my mom wanted a picture for her Christmas cards of her and dad and all five kids. And that Jenny is friends with a fabulous photographer that mom hired. Because the results are just adorable! Here are just a few from nicolerobertsonphotography.com She is great! And super easy going which is key to getting great shots of big families! I highly recommend checking her out! I am sure you will see many more of these images pop up on the blog.

The Neighborhood Santa

2011-12-22T22:45:00.003-06:00

Oh Clear Creek, how I love thee. A couple of times I have mentioned how much my neighbors love holidays. (Click here to read and see more about it.) This year didn't disappoint. Our neighborhood is full of Christmas joy. I have never seen so many lights. (Two nights in a row we have seen Escalade Limos taking a lights tour here.) This year there have also been many nativity scenes and "Happy Birthday Jesus" presents. In fact Tuscaloosa News has a Christmas Lights Map that includes three houses from our neighborhood. We have so much Christmas Spirit that Santa comes to see it himself. Every weekend in December Santa comes and visits from 6-9. It is the sweetest and most selfless and joy filled act for these neighbors that do this! I love it. This year we thought Noah was over his fear of people dressed up.... but no. He did at least step foot on the porch and speak to Santa. It is a start. Miller wouldn't participate either. Regardless I will cherish the memory of our sweet neighborhood Santa!

The Zoolight Safari

2011-12-22T22:31:00.003-06:00

It is no secret that I ADORE the zoo. I especially love it at Christmas when it is magically lit up with millions of lights. I was thrilled that Emily made it part of Xander's birthday party this year. As a girl I dreamed constantly of a family and all the traditions I would establish with them. So this night, walking through the zoo, under all the lights with my family (and about three thousand other people) I was thanking my Father for making all my dreams come true. I am so thankful for my husband and adorable boys and our parents and sisters and brother in laws and nephews and nieces. Sometimes I am simply taken aback by all the blessings I am so rich with. And this simple moment at the Zoo walking under the lights with my family was one of them.

I'm not sure these two are "all in" since they are in school or employed by the other school :)

The Little Nephew Turns Two

2011-12-22T22:17:00.003-06:00

Happiest of birthdays last weekend to my sweet littlest nephew Xander! Aunt Banana loves you so very much! I think you are just stinking adorable and smart (Maybe you will get a 4.11 in college like your Mommy!)! I love watching you grow and play!

Xander at two. Family pictures taken before his party.

Xander and me at his 2nd birthday party! The theme was Xander Turns Two at the Zoo. It was so cute. Lots of stars and twinkling lights and zoo animals. The cupcakes and fun animal favors were Noah's favorites. Mine, besides the adorable birthday boy, was Miller taking his first steps right in the middle of the party. Of course he hasn't done it again. After the party we all headed to the Zoo for Zoolight Safari.

Xander and me at his first birthday party!

Xander and me on his birth day! My how time flies and what a sweet blessing my nephew and godson are to my life!

The Halls are Decked

2011-12-22T21:46:00.005-06:00

They were decorated a few weeks ago. I thought I would post a little bit for my own memory purposes later on down the road. This year I didn't really have the time or energy to change much and without my Hobby Lobby for inspiration I was left a little unspirited. Most everything inside is reminiscent of last year. Outside changed a bit due to our wreaths finally biting the dust. (But I don't have an outside picture.) I spray painted two urns bright green and put in two little fake trees with sparkly red and green ball stems and topped with red bows. It probably looks better in your head right now than it does in real life! Our windows have big green wreaths with red sparkly bows and bright green polka dots and ornaments. Or front door has a fun red ribbon wreath. And Noah was quite insistent that we put lights up. So we wrapped our little tree in them. Outside is supposed to represent "Joy" with all the bright colors. I did the Advent trees again this year but have been less than consistent with the countdown which includes acts of random Christmas kindness. This area is supposed to represent "love".

The mantle is pretty and white and sparkly. I used all my stars here. I had the intention of painting/printing a quote about the Christmas Star and creating a canvas but...well somehow it already the 22nd. The mantle is supposed to be Peace.

Our tree this year is a Douglas Fir. It was nice and fluffy. And Adam and I couldn't remember why we always pick Frasiers over Douglas. But I think it is because Douglas Firs don't seem to last as long. Doug (we name our trees every year. And we are creative.) is looking a little crispy. Doug is sporting all silver ornaments with red berry sprigs and glitter words like Noel, Faith, Joy, Peace and Hope. The boys made so many adorable ornaments at school this year that I think next year I am going to lobby for a fancy tree and a special ornament tree. And Noah wants a little pink tree in his room like Brooke. We will see about that. That is the 411 on the Christmas decorations. I will just say that I really miss Hobby Lobby and their prices. I am thankful they will be reopening soon!

The Blessed Moments

2011-12-12T21:18:00.003-06:00

I am feeling very blessed this Christmas season. God gave us His son. As a gift. To bring us home to Him. And it just blows me away. So many sweet moments in the past few weeks. Watching my two little ones enjoy the season, take awe in the lights on display, shouting "Happy Birthday Jesus" when he sees them, discovering what our Elf has done,reading the Christmas story again and again, getting excited about parties and celebrating Jesus, it is all so new and precious. It is all about love. Christ is love. In the flesh. Sunday Noah and the Preschool department sang some Christmas Carols. It was so beautiful to watch these little ones growing so big. Many of them I have been praying for since they were in their mother's wombs and now how they are on stage singing praises to baby Jesus. I was filled with love as I watched.I was

overwhelmed. This weekend we took the boys to a living nativity where you ride through on a hayride. They read the Christmas story as you sit on hay bleachers. I sat there warm and cozy, Noah in my lap and breathing in the smell of hay, listening to how my Savior came down, born to save. Me. To save me. I watched Noah and Miller listening and watching rapt with attention. And I was overwhelmed. Today was Adam's first day at his new job. He beat us home. He had all the lights on and the oven pre heating.

The boys were so overjoyed and excited to get to play an extra hour with Daddy. Watching them I was filled with love and thankfulness. On the radio this morning I heard the retelling of a story that stuck with me all day. A mom was attending her son's grade school "Holiday" program. She was surprised to learn her son's class was singing a song called "Christmas Love", since the school had taken great pains to say "Holiday". As they sung each line (C is for....) a child flipped the letter. The little girl holding the M was holding it upside down. Students in the audience snickered and teachers frantically tried to signal her to fix it. She was blissfully unaware. When the last letter was turned the mom was taken aback by the message. The signs now read Christ Was Love. What a message. It is the message God is sending my heart this year , all year long. I hope it is the message my life sings. I hope is the lessons my boys learn from me.

When I feel overwhelmed by the baking, gift wrapping, Christmas picture taking, card mailing, Elf mischief making, running around, parties and exhaustion, I remember Christ is love. And we celebrate that. Not just in December but all year. Oh how He loves us.

The Last Sunday

2011-12-04T22:48:00.002-06:00

One of the best things about Adam's new job (and there are many, like half off tuition for us. I am dreaming of a specialist degree and half off! ) is that he will be here on Sundays. Adam thinks I have not full appreciated what working Sundays has done for our family. But I have. I understand that it gives a flex day to take off during the week that has really come in handy for times when we had sick little ones. It also has given him Daddy Son Days with both boys. That quality time is irreplaceable. And my heart loves him even more for not taking the boys to daycare on Fridays and loving on them. I can't say there wouldn't have been days that I would have dropped them off with kisses and ran errands or cleaned or done laundry or napped. Sundays have given me several hours of me time. Hours in the bath. Time to blog or cruise the Internet. Time to paint my nails. Or just to be quiet. Quiet and alone. That has been well used time for recharging. But for almost five years this Sunday editor position has meant late nights and tired Monday mornings. It has meant shorter weekend trips. Saying no to Sunday afternoon engagements. During the school year it has meant a day and a half weekends as a family. Well tonight I am enjoying me last Sunday night alone. I took a long bath with a glass of wine. I picked up the house. Did a little craft. Listened to Pandora and dreamed on Pinterest. It has been nice Sunday night. But I won't miss you. I'd take time with Adam anytime over you.

The Hope

2011-12-04T22:13:00.002-06:00

This picture has nothing to do with the post. But I think he is so cute!

Last week was the first week of Advent and at Calvary we lit the Candle of Hope. Christ is our hope. And He brings hope to all mankind. And I sat in my pew just utterly grateful for the hope He has given me. And to see that hope fulfilled.

The day before Thanksgiving we were packing up the boys and the dog for Thanksgiving in Birmingham when Adam got a phone call that I will never forget. He was offered a job as the University of Alabama College of Engineering Spokesman. This job, which he accepted and starts in a week, is an answer to so many of our prayers. Not only does it provide us with more time as a family with more consistent hours (8-5 M-F instead of M-Th 9- to somewhere between 6 and 8 and Sundays 2-11pm) but it also gives us more financial security. It is something I have been hoping for. For a long time. I am so thankful to have an answer to this hope for a new job and the great things it will mean for our family.

On the flip side it would be dishonest if I said I was a 100% thrilled. I am an Auburn grad. I grew up in Birmingham and both set of parents are there not to mention countless high school and college friends that I am dying to get back to there. I have been living my life here the past several years as if it was temporary. A little respite. Our new opportunity was just around the corner and we would leave Tuscaloosa with good memories and a few good friends. But God had something different in mind. I am so very thankful He is in control and He knows what the rest of my story is. Not only that but that He uses me to tell His story. It now includes Tuscaloosa as my city. My city. In all its crimson and houndstooth glory. Time to embrace it. (But not wear it) Time to put down some roots. To act as if I am here for good and not guard my heart against losing friendships because they will be temporary. Also it is time to stop taking my older friendships for granted by thinking well one day I will be closer. Because I probably won't and since I miss these friends and value them dearly I need to figure out how to make the distance work.

I am hoping this Advent season to be open to what God has for here, in my city. I hope He uses me and my family in ways I can't imagine. And I am thankful, oh so thankful for hope fufilled.

The Silly Brothers

2011-11-29T22:41:00.003-06:00

I had an hour tonight with nothing pressing to do. So I got out the laptop to write an serious post about Thanksgiving and Hope and God's faithfulness in my life but I wanted some pictures. And I got caught up with editing pictures. And it struck me. I have some silly brothers. Crazy brothers. It is getting harder and harder to get a picture with them both in the same frame. But they sure do love each other. Every afternoon when we walk through the door laden down with backpacks and lunch sacks they take off for cars. And they play. Semi together. Rolling cars all over the house. Making vroom vroom noises that they were born making. Tonight Miller gave Noah a kiss. And my tired worn out mommy heart just about melted. How precious is their brotherhood. I water it with my prayers and praise. I hope I never stomp on it and that I only nurture it. I hope their brotherness brings others closer to God. It sure brings me to His feet :) Love them.

I'll post Thanksgiving posts later. For now I am just going to sleep. More cars to play tomorrow.

The Boy That Baffles Me

2011-11-22T22:05:00.002-06:00

This little one is no doubt precious. But he baffles me. He does not seem to register the word "no". He is in to everything. And he expresses frustration by biting. Me. and Noah. All the time. Dinner time is painful. If you don't guess what he wants to eat and when it gets thrown on the floor. Time out and being put out of the high chair and even getting his little hand spank have NO effect. And then he will be so sweet. Giving kisses and snuggling close. He is very affectionate and prefers to play while nestled safely in your lap. I am at a loss. I have no ideas. Neither did our doctor. I am praying for suggestions. Does anyone have any?????

The Thankfuls

2011-11-22T11:57:00.002-06:00

Nov 14th- I am thankful for my role as a mother. I love the sweet moments of bedtime and snuggles. And fixing little things with a hug and kiss.

Nov 15th- I am so very thankful for my neighbors and neighborhood. My neighbors are so helpful and loving. Tonight I had a meeting and I also wanted to make cupcakes for Noah's class in the morning. I had decided to buy some. When I got home from my meeting there were homemade cupcakes on my porch. From my neighbor who knows I want to be "that mom". Such a good friend.

Nov 16th- Today I am so very thankful to have the ability to celebrate my sweet Noah and his four years of life! I am thankful to have a job and a boss who understands the importance of family. And for personal days.

Nov 17th- Today I am thankful for Teaching American History Program. I love the professional development and collaboration with peers and the technology the provide. In this day of under funding it is nice to be a part of something that still helps you provide new things in the classroom. Today we got to go to s tiny Civil Rights museum in Greensboro and interviewed foot soldiers in the Civil Rights Movement.

Nov 18th - I am very thankful for my coworkers. Last night a pipe burst in my classroom and it flooded a little bit. I camped out in the library with my kids. I enjoyed the hospitality in the library and my coworkers and administrators who helped my clean up!

Nov 19th- I am thankful for music. I love how that song can change your mood, or remind you of that time in college.... or when the lyrics move you to tears, or help you to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Music can energize or relax. I am thankful for that.

Nov 20th- I am really thankful for clean. Silly. But true. Today Adam and I took the boys to school and we cleaned the entire house top to bottom. With homemade "green" products thanks to Pinterest and my mom. The house is shiny and amazingly clean. And it smells awesome! I love that feeling!

Nov 21st- Today I am thankful for being safe and comfortable in my clean house with my family while it rains and rains and rains!

The Four Year Old

2011-11-16T08:35:00.000-06:00

Four years ago today this little baby made me a mother. In a complicated arrival he made my heart burst with love. Noah has has done so many things for me as a person. He brought me closer to God. He made me more dependent on prayer. He made me fall even more in love with Adam. He made me a better teacher. He made me cherish my time with at home. Because of Noah I found out I was stronger than I ever thought. And more selfish than I realized. Being his mother has been been the best adventure of my life.
Noah has been an absolute delight to every member of his family. We love his adorable face and fun personality. We have countless memories of his funny questions and curiosity.
One of my favorite things about Noah is his joy over the simple things. Trucks on the highway, fall decorations being put up in the house. An extra bedtime story.

Noah's second and first birthday cake.

This year Noah has grown into a little boy. Dropping some of his baby habits and becoming a preschooler. He loves his cars and candy of all kinds. He still loves playing with Brooke outside. At school he has lots of friends and loves telling us all about them. He is sounding out words and spelling some. He is actually quite good at math too. He will add and subtract simple numbers.
Noah has dropped some of his fears and is becoming much more sure of himself.
Noah is still super curious and asks tons of questions about how things work and why. He is so smart and constantly amazes us with his ability to remember EVERYTHNG.
Noah is a great big brother. He always can make Miller laugh and he is quick to help when he can. He has captured Miller's heart with both hands. And is definitely his hero. And even though their love is sometimes (or many times) manifested through wrestling matches, we love watching them be brothers.

Noah has the best imagination. His games are complicated and have lots of twists and turns. He loves to play cars and build neighborhoods. Sometimes tornadoes still come through and destroy things, but it has been interesting to see how Noah has worked through the storm through his play.
This summer Noah loved being at the beach with our family and loved being in the pool and playing in the sand. He wasn't as sure of the ocean. He would have nothing to do with it.
One of Noah's favorite places to go is to church. I love this about him. He is always excited to go and learn about Jesus and play with his church friends. He learns more and more verses. I was looking back at my birthday post last year and this was one of my prayers and hopes about his year. I love the foundation God is busy laying in his heart and I look forward to the day when he gives that heart to our Lord. I never tire of answering his questions about God and heaven. My favorite one recently was "How did God put on our skin?"
Noah has recently turned into quite the artist. He loves coloring and often asks to make things. He is starting to draw people and cars. His art at school is getting to be quite good. He also rarely gets time outs at school. He is always bringing home rewards for being good and not getting any "checks". He is also displaying good manners often saying yes mam and no sir without prompting. He is a sponge.

He is not super fond of taking pictures so I am always pleased when I get a good one.
I am so thankful for Noah. I hope as he grows he recognizing how thankful Adam and I are for him. I hope he can relate to God's love through our love for him. It is my hope and prayer that I can do a good job of demonstrating God's love for him on a small scale so that Noah can fall in love with Jesus too. One of my favorite stories about Noah this year came in the aftermath of the tornado. I was going through the house packing up clothes and dry goods to take to the donation center and Noah started picking out cars and toys for the children who lost theirs. Without prompting and suggestion. He immediately recognized the need and responded to it. I hope there more and more stories like that to share about Noah in the coming years.
Sometimes I look at this little boy and I am just filled with so much joy and love I simply can't describe it. I am blessed by him.
And I am humbled that God saw me fit to be his mother. He teaches me so much about life, love and my Father's love for me.
In this fifth year of Noah's life it is my prayer that he learn more and more about who God is. I pray that he grows closer to committing his life to God. I pray that he continues to thirst for more and more learning. I pray that he continues to make good choices with his friends and with his brother. I pray that he continues to develop an obedient sweet spirit. I pray for Adam and I that we would continue to seek His wisdom on making choices for Noah. And that we not be a hindrance to the plan He has for Noah. I pray that Noah would continue to be a shining light and that others would see God in him and through him like his parents do.

Noah, I love you sweet boy. Happiest of birthdays.

The Fifteen Month Old

2011-11-14T20:17:00.004-06:00

Miller turned fifteen months old on Friday! It is so funny to me how different our boys are. Blonde and brunette. 90th percentile and 25th. Miller weighed in at 22lbs and 30 inches. I went back on the blog and checked on Noah's 15 month stats. He was just about 27lbs and almost 33 inches and in the 90th percentile.

Noah at fifteen months.

Miller has a couple of words, kind of. Mammaaaamma and dadadadadada. He has said "high five" a few times. He roars. He stands. But does not walk. He signs "all done" and just tonight "more". He loves to point and grunt at things he wants. He is stubborn and knows what he wants and when he wants it. He is also quick to laugh. And he laughs a lot.

He loves to climb in and over and out of things. And despite the not walking he is very good at getting around. He loves his brother. And his mommy and daddy. He is getting better at sitting and reading.

He has his favorite books including "The Very Busy Spider" and "That's Not My Monkey". He is still taking bottles. I can't help it. He is just a baby ;)

I wish I could say it was just the night night bottle. But he gets one in the morning. And sometimes if he really needs a good nap he'll get one then. I need to get serious about getting finished with the bottle. Our prayer for Miller is for a kind heart and a strong relationship and friendship with his brother. We see those developing in him. And of course that he falls in love with his Savior.

He has a beautiful and fun spirit. We enjoy watching Miller grow and develop although sometimes he baffles us :)

The November Thankful List Continued

2011-11-13T22:03:00.002-06:00

November 5th- Today I am thankful for college football. I know it sounds silly. But I really love the excitement and tradition that comes with college football.

November 6th- I am very thankful for our Church. Calvary has been a great place for our growing family. As a newly married couple Adam and made great godly friends and grew together as a couple. As parents we were welcomed into the preschool ministry and have served there and watched as Noah learned about God and His love for Him all while developing a love for going to church. As Noah got a little older we started going to church on Wednesdays too. Adam and I have come to love our Wednesday night Bible Studies and I have enjoyed teaching this semester. Recently I was asked to be a part of a new mentoring program with Calvary's awesome college ministry. I met with my two girls last week and look forward to growing our relationship together and with God! Calvary is a place where I walk away knowing more about my savior from the teaching and worship. I leave feeling more equipped to love and live out God's story of grace in my life.

November 7th-Today I am thankful for modern technology. From everything to the washing machine, the internet, the calculator.... I am thankful for the ways it makes life easier and helps us all stay connected.

November 8th- Today I am thankful for the ability to read. I am taking an online class about struggling readers. It really opens my eyes to what a gift being a reader is. I think I really take for granted that reading is easy for me. I am thankful that Noah loves to read. Adam is reading him James and the Giant Peach and Noah loves that story time so much. I am thankful that we have the resources and time to invest in reading with him. And my heart breaks for the kids I teach whose parents may have never had the time or opportunity to read bedtime stories.

November 9th- Today I am thankful for time alone. I got the chance to run a few errands for Noah's party alone after church. I love people. Especially my sweet family but there are just some times when you need a little alone time. I am thankful Adam recognizes that and never complains when I ask for it!

November 10th- I am thankful for accountability. Today the central office did walk through at school. This process can be intimating. There are whole check lists of things we have to be doing at any given time and some have nothing to do with teaching our content. But at the same time they hold us accountable. And I think that is good. There are many of us who are working really hard to ensure that our kids are getting the best we can give but our situation can be tiring and frustrating and it can be easy to give in to the old habits of laziness. Accountability helps keep you on track. I need more accountability. Not just at school but with fitness and eating routines, spiritually, and in the area of housekeeping and organization. I am thankful God gave us accountability and each other.

November 11th- Today I am SUPER thankful for our veterans. AND their families. I am so humbled by the sacrifice they make for me and my loved ones. I know it can't be easy. I am grateful for my grandfather who fought in WWII and for my cousins who have served and still serve with the Army and the Navy. What would we do without these brave men and women? Where would we be without their willingness to protect? And have you seen the YouTube clip of the girl in Alabama who is at her schools Veteran's Day program and her Dad turns out to be the special guest?

November 12th- Today I am thankful for celebration. And all that goes with it! I am so happy to celebrate another year of Noah's life.

November 13th- Today I am thankful for medication. Today I am feeling yucky and under the weather with what seems like the never ending sinus infection. It never goes away. For long. But as I rested as much as possible today and took Advil Sinus around the clock I thanked God for medicine! I really appreciate what it does for me and for others.

The Fourth Birthday Party

2011-11-12T20:19:00.002-06:00

This morning we celebrated Noah's fourth birthday! (His actual birthday is next Wednesday. ) Noah asked to have his party at the Playhouse (an area daycare with a big indoor playground and jump things) and after much debate Adam and I decided not to invite our friends and their children in Birmingham. We love them all and certainly want them to be a part of Noah's life but we felt we were asking a lot of them to come an hour and a half for two hours of birthday party.

So we invited his class and the neighborhood kids to Noah's race car themed birthday. Since it

was on location I kept the decor low key. I used primary colors and I was planning on making cupcakes but at the last minute Noah asked for a race car cake. So being the crazy mom I am I took that challenge during the busiest week at school in a long time. I have never seen Noah so excited as he was this

morning! Ecstatic. We had a low turnout, it is a busy Saturday (or everyone hates me;) ). But Noah thought everything was perfect and a wonderful time with his family and friends! He had a blast!

Nana and Noah.
Miller has the best seat in the house.

Noah gets a little taste.

Can't believe there are four candles on this cake!!!!

The boys in the bouncy house.

The shabby chic race car cake ;)

Pinterest inspired fruit race cars.

Goody bags with cupcake to go, tattoos, paper yo yo, bracelet and car sucker.

The Thankfulness

2011-11-04T22:12:00.003-05:00

For the past two years in the month of November I listed things I was thankful for everyday on the blog. This year I am not sure I can make a daily commitment. Since I am already four days behind. But I will list them weekly. At home we are doing a thankful board with Noah. Everyday we all list something we are thankful for and pin it to the board. Today's Noah's was "going to school!". Love it.

Here are my thankful notes for the week:

Nov 1st- I am thankful for my job. It is hard. It is stressful. But it is also God's will for my life and I am thankful to serve Him. And maybe just maybe I teach some history.

Nov 2nd- Home. I am thankful for our house, for our neighborhood and neighbors. And for the home we have built here. I love feeling cozy and warm and loved inside these walls.

Nov 3rd- Salvation. I am thankful for my loving Savior. I am thankful for His love. His grace. His Mercy. His forgiveness.

Nov 4th- Weekends!! I am so very thankful for the weekends! For Friday night. For sleep in Saturday and for Sunday worship.

What are you thank you for???

The Halloween Fun

2011-11-03T21:10:00.005-05:00

Halloween around these parts was super fun! We went to the Fall Festival at Noah's future elementary school. We went to the Fall Festival at Calvary and Noah had lots of fun sliding down the super inflatable slide! He is getting so big these days. He used to be afraid of bounceys just a few months ago. He loved dancing at the DJ booth. He had a fun school party.Then it was time for the Halloween Night Party at Clear Creek at the Waldrop's. Yummy spread, hayride and trick or treating. Mimi, Papa, and Emy and Elmo came too. But I didn't use my camera much. I was too busy chasing giraffes and Superman :) Picture are all out of order of course.

My contributions to the party. Cookies, and two Pintrest ideas. Halloween bark and Pumkin Treats.

Miller checking out his loot.
Being Superman is a serious job.

What a beautiful giraffe.
Looks like fall around here.
Noah's treats for his school party. Have S'more fun! Thank you Pintrest.

We totally didn't plan this. But the BFF's were Superman and Superwoman. We had no idea. Did they????

The Jack O Latern

2011-10-25T21:15:00.004-05:00

Saturday we carved our jack o lantern. Noah was super excited. We don't have fancy tools. Just a pink sharpie and a kitchen knife. But it gets the job done.

I couldn't help but remember this post from two years ago. I thought about how the Holiday s

eason is approaching fast and furious and I really want it to be a special time for me and Jesus. Ans before I focus on thanksgiving, growth and the miracle of Christ I need to deal with some stuff.

Scoop it out. Throw it away. Hollow me out. So that His light can shine out from me.

So here it is. The think the big thing I am struggling with is vanity and selfishness. I feel like I have really grown in my faith this year. Like God is growing me up. Turning me into a grown up. Changing my perspective. However..... I find myself focusing on my wants. Like new shoes. A cute pair of jeans. An outfit that wasn't on sale.Something trendy. Oh my. Did I forget that God clothes flowers? Who am I to worry about clothes? Do I have some? Yes. I do. More clothes than 90% of the world. Why do I whine? Is that what really matters? I feel petty.

I struggle with laziness. I am so tired. So often when I have a few minutes at either end I do nothing.

I struggle with trust. My heart knows God has plans for me. But my head wonders when our break will come.

And I worry. I have had about four to five severe headaches a week for the past month. I am pretty sure they are stress related. There is some secret worry buried deep. I need to hand it over. Hopefully after being honest with myself and my Grace Filled Savior I can work on scooping out that gunk. And letting my light shine. In the dark places God has positioned me in.

Like our lantern. Willie.

The Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-24T21:00:00.006-05:00

Last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch at Bennett Farms. It is a smaller operation but kind of in the middle of Tuscaloosa and Macon, Ga. So it was fun to have my sisters and all the

cousins running around. I think Mimi enjoyed it the most. And Papa too. After the pumpkin

patch we headed to my Granny's house. My parents are having the house remodeled to

accommodate more people. The plans are fantastic and I am super excited about having an

escape. An escape to a place filled with my childhood memories. And now my own boys will have

memories of running around in the country too. Then the entire clan went to get pizza at a favorite of Adam's in Anniston (he interned there), Mata's. It was a great long day. And I look

forward to many more.

These pictures are in reverse order of the day. And most are self explanatory except the first two. Noah is sitting on the stoop of Granny's. So many wonderful memories on this step. Touches my heart to see him there. The next one is the only picture I captured of Michael. The oldest and ever patient cousin. He is so good to his cousins who think he is the coolest thing ever.

Always wrestling.

The Teaching

2011-10-24T20:41:00.003-05:00

Posts have been very few this month. One reason is school. School is extremely stressful this year. Not in the ways it has been in the past from a management or despair standpoint but from pressure. We are deep into the process of failing to make AYP for several years in a row. This has lead to lots of extra documentation and accountability and LOTS of data collection, documentation and analysis. All good things for our kids. But all very time consuming. At eye opening. We just recently gave our kids a reading assessment and the results were staggering. Staggering. No wonder the act up and won't do classwork. My heart breaks over it. And I decided to take an online course to better understand some reading strategies to help. I am also on some great committees designed to help the morale and organization at Bryant. Every month we put together a social for the staff and faculty. Last month it was a BBQ tailgate. Noah had a good time.

God has really changed my heart about my work. There has honestly not been one day yet where I have dreaded going to work. He has blessed me with several opportunities to minister and love on my kids. I don't want to share too many stories since this is a public blog but there are two moments so far this fall that I will remember and cherish always. Where for just one minute I was able to minister and love and comfort students, touching them with God's love in a way I am certain impacted them.Just by taking the time to let them know that even though things are rough someone loves them. It blessed me just as much. Sometimes He lets me see the long lasting impact of loving on these kids like this weekend I got a random phone call at ten o'clock. It was a student from last year who lost his mom and two weeks later his apartment in a fire. He still comes by and hugs me everyday. He was calling from the hospital. His sister just had a baby. He had become an uncle and I was the person he wanted to call. God has me right where he wants me. It may be stressful. It may not be fun. But its rewards are great.

The Boys

2011-10-18T21:41:00.004-05:00

I am so very behind. But life is full and busy. I see a light at the end of the tunnel. A weekend almost free of things to do just four days away. I will catch up then. Until then.....

I sure do love my boys.

The Successful Day

2011-10-02T22:28:00.003-05:00

Saturday was a good day in my books. We had a garage sale that made enough money to cover my trip to the Kid's Market Preview Sale. Plus some. I spent a lot of time deciding and pondering over my choices and walked away with all of their fall and winter needs taken care of right on budget. While back at the house Adam and my parents carried on with our garage sale. And Nana and Puddin loved on the boys. And Noah got some fancy new tennis shoes that he is obsessed with! Later that day my gracious mothers went to the guest sale and filled in some of my less practical desires for the boys. They are ready to style and profile in the cooler weather. It felt so good to make good and wise money choices. My mom also scored two metal Tonka dump trucks and a big wheel at a neighboring garage sale. Noah thought it was Christmas morning. In October. He was so excited. Miller enjoyed them too.

He won't walk but he will ride a Big Wheel and climb aboard a dump truck. Hope everyone had a great weekend as well!

The Cutest Stick People Ever

2011-10-02T22:22:00.004-05:00

Noah has recently started to LOVE coloring. Wants to color everyday after school. He has just over the past couple of weeks started draw recognizable shapes. And today I received the cutest family portrait ever. I don't know what it is about this little family that chokes me up. But I find them as adorable as their artist. They might live on my fridge forever. Noah's first stick figures. Please note that I have brown eyes. And everyone else has blue. And we are all a little serious.

The Faces

2011-09-22T21:32:00.003-05:00

Time is passing too quickly. Yesterday Miller turned one and I started back to school. No, that was well over a month ago already. I feel like it is slipping through my fingers. In a month and a half I will have a four year old. A four year old. This week I had the opportunity to share in the event of the birth of one of my dearest friend's first baby. A sweet baby girl. The whole experience was so completely edifying and I am again taken aback by her amazing friends and loving family. I honestly feel like her mom loves me as one of her own. The story isn't really mine to share so after my friend does some sharing of her own I will post about how that night changed my heart. But I can tell you this, it has made me quite nostalgic about my own two babies. Who aren't really babies. And even though they were fast asleep when I got home I held them both tight and kissed them. And I pictured them eight, ten and sixteen. And it broke my heart.

What will I do when these faces are so big and their bodies are so big that they no longer fit in my lap. Or I cannot rock them a song as Noah puts it? It is my prayer that I will not take one day or one hour with them for granted. They are growing so big. I pray that I will be strong when their rebellion and rejection in the teen years breaks my heart. And I pray I can be strong enough to hand them over to their wives as Adam's mom did for me. They are mine for only a little while. And ultimately it is not about me as their mom but about God using me to love them and teach them. Because really they are His. On loan.

The "Enough"

2011-09-22T21:14:00.002-05:00

Came across this blog post from Beth Moore's blog "Living Proof Ministries". It is written by her daughter and it is extremely heart wrenching. I am diving into a Priscilla Shirer study called "One in a Million", all about living abundantly in the life God has called you to in the Promised Land. And it is quite challenging. I want to be a woman who walks into the promised land and who takes God up on His offer. But this world calls to me. Beckons me. I struggle when I put on the same pair of shoes everyday and just long to go out and buy a pair of cute and needless flats or fall boots. But I don't really need them. Nor do the boys need monogrammed holiday shirts. I am uncomfortable with what I feel like needs are and what I desire. I want to be satisfied with what I have. This blog post tugged at my heart. I felt like I really needed to share it. What is your "enough"? I am so rich. And I have prayed for God "to break my heart for what breaks yours" and I realize it is a dangerous prayer. But I so long to be used by Him. To be His ambassador of love. To do radical things. I even need to learn to satisfied with serving him within the four walls of my home. At school. In the grocery line. It may not be in His plan for me to adopt or go overseas on missions. But I do know He can use me daily if I ask and if I am open to being satisfied in Him. In the manna He gives in his Son. A sweet satisfying yet simple gift. That He alone be my joy. Click here to read Melissa's post. And to hear Shaun Grove's new song Enough. I think you will feel it worth the few minutes to read it.

The Pinterest Ideas

2011-09-22T14:22:00.003-05:00

A while back I decided that if I was going to spend so much time on Pinterest I had better put some of these ideas into practice. So I try to use something I have pinned once a week. Last week we painted with ice cubes and used them in the bathtub too.

Noah thought this was awesome. I liked it too. It gave us something different to do. And I felt like it justified the staying up way too late pinning things when I should have been sleeping so I could get up early and exercise. Because Noah loved it. And I love when Noah loves things we do together. Right? :) Oh Pinterest. I love you but hate you in the morning.

The Underserved Grace of God

2011-09-16T12:23:00.002-05:00

Many of you have known me a long time so you know just how scattered I am. It is probably my biggest weakness. Scatterbrained and unorganized. It is something I continually work on. I have good intentions but somehow the details escape me. I try to establish routines and schedules and systems that help me with this. But my mornings seem to be the worst. This is an area where God is really working on me. Two Friday mornings ago I woke up late. On purpose. IE I hit snooze three times on my alarm. I am sure Adam loves it when I do that. I left the house in a rush with my teacher bag, lunch bag, water, Carnation Breakfast, tea, and school iPad. I set everything on the hood of my car so I can load everything into its proper and secure spots. (Three different cupholders). My mind was thinking about how Noah had cried every afternoon I picked him up and how he already hates me and how that wasn't supposed to happen until middle school. I was thinking about Labor Day. And sleeping in the next morning. I was thinking about Auburn football.

About seven minutes later I was singing praise songs and looked out my windshield and saw my school iPad hanging on for dear life as I cruised down Highway 43 at 55 miles an hour. "Oh Lord that is my iPad. Help me." I slowed down slowly and got over to pull over on the shoulder when it took a dive into the middle of the road with heavy morning traffic whizzing by. This iPad was given to me through the Teaching American History Grant. And so it really belongs to Tuscaloosa City Schools. All 600 dollars of it. Not only that but it is where I store my grade and attendance records. I had backed up on paper about a week before but there it was in pieces on the road.

I turned around and prayed and prayed as I went darting through traffic to retrieve it. I didn't cry on my way to school. I formulated a plan. I was still in shock I think. On our current budget we don't have an extra 50 dollars much less an extra 600. It was going to take a long time for me to work and sell enough stuff to pay for it. The teachers around me who know and love me despite my scattered tendencies all commiserated with me. A few even sent condolence emails. But God bless Lisa Matherson. She suggested we plug it up and see if it was readable. We did and believe it or not iTunes recognized the wreckage and preformed a backup. We then summarized that it just needed a screen and digitizer replacement about 350 dollars instead of six hundred. Much more doable. Still making me sick. Where in the budget was I going to squeeze that from?

I double checked the warranty and solidified the fact that no it didn't cover stupid accidents. I made some calls and made an appointment for the Apple store for the following Friday and set to work to salvaging grades. Then I remembered I have a personal Tuscaloosa/Birmingham delivery service. Emily is in class at UA and is here everyday. She gladly offered her services and took it to the Apple store that night, thinking they would send it off to be fixed and I could pick up when in town next week. I had a week to come up with 350 dollars.

This is where the story really picks up.

Emily called me around six to say that the Apple store told her to wait while they fixed it. I immeadiately freaked out. How on earth am I going to come up with 350 dollars in thirty minutes?? My mom graciously offered to cover us until we come into town the next weekend. And she prayed that God would use this situation to show His power and love for me. But on many levels I was still stressing when Emy calls me back.

She said they had to replace the whole thing. And my heart drops. That is 600 dollars!!

Then she says she had some good news. They decided to do it for free. As a surprise replacement. FOR FREE. A SURPRISE. I am in tears. Why would Apple randomly decide to go against policy and basically give me a free iPad?

Because Our God loves me in all of my stupidity and carelessness and decided to extend His grace to someone who clearly did not deserve it.

And beyond the replacement, the backup not only saved all of my app purchases but all of the data in them down to every last grade. Like nothing happened. God is good. Real good. Even in the little things. Even when we don't deserve it.

The Verses

2011-09-12T23:02:00.002-05:00

I put a lot of pressure on myself to train Noah spiritually. I feel such a huge responsibility to model God's love, grace and patience and I fail at it everyday. It is a hard realization that I can not force Noah to love Jesus and give his heart to Him. I can not make him obey or make him be loving and forgiving. I want Noah to find his security and worth in God. And I want Noah to love all of God's people not just the ones like him. But ultimately this is his choice. All I can do is talk about God, sing about God, read about God and model loving God. For Christmas I got Noah an ABC verse memorization book. We work on a letter a week and work on writing these instructive verses on Noah's little heart. Along with these we work on the church's monthly verses as well as the ones he learns from school. I love to hear him say these verses he knows and it brings me comfort to know they are hidden there forever. Last week I got Noah to tell me the seven verses he knows for the camera. He did pretty well. I am so proud of him because I know he memorizes these by choice. I can not force this little one to do anything :) Of course he always thinks candy will be somehow involved.

The "Hello?"

2011-09-12T22:43:00.002-05:00

Miller is doing this adorable little thing that I think all babies do at some point in this age of cell phones. Every object becomes a phone and he holds it somewhere in the vicinity of his head and makes a sound that resembles "hello?" or "Hi!". It is adorable and we now count "hi" among his words. Right up there with "moo". We actually got it on video last week. I know a video! I haven't posted a video in four years. Maybe never of Miller. Well here it is:

The Good KInd of Busy

2011-08-31T12:14:00.005-05:00

The blog has really suffered this past month. I hope September is better. But we have been super busy in a good way. School is full swing. Football even started last week (with an awesome win!). I am trying not to lose my sanity with the alternating A/B block schedule. And going from having 75 kids a semester to 150 kids. That's a lot of names and papers and lesson plans to keep straight! I am also on the Morale Committee this year which I love! But it is busy and hard work cheering everyone up. But I love spreading encouragement. Especially since it is something I feel that God has me at this school to do.

Then there is Paper Happies, my very small paper goods business. I have had two Etsy orders this month. On top of two orders from FaceBook. So that is a blessing. And about double the sales I had all summer. Just a little play money or in this month's case, back to school money.

Adam and I are also teaching Kindergarten Worship Care on Sunday mornings this year. That is a whole other post. Wow. Teenagers I can wrangle. But six year olds run circles around me.

Then the fall starts fun things like Bible Study and other clubs/groups. One friend in my neighborhood started a monthly Ladies' Craft Night. I am so excited about crafting and putting all my Pintrest ideas into action. I am really trying not to be a social recluse this year by doing book club and other sociable things like the MomTime activities at church.

And Consignment season is about to start so I am pulling clothes, sorting clothes and just clothes, clothes, clothes. We are about to have a giant garage sale in October. We have collected stuff from my parent's house that they are about to remodel. We are no longer parking in the garage! We are hoping to do really well so that we can make some headway on our financial goals for the year.

And my goals for Fall. They include putting one Pintrest idea into action a week. (So that all the time I spend there is not a waste.) So far I have made large lemon ice cubes, sinful Oreo brownies, homemade ice cream in a freezer bag, hand print art and this week I am doing some freezer recipes. Another goal is having a freezer full of ready made meals. I am LOVING this. It makes after school time, time. Time with the kids playing or watching them play while I do not cook. I currently put two freezer meals into our weekly menu plan. But hopefully I can make that more and more. I would love to have freezer meals on weeknights and cook fun things on the weekends. I am also working on the fitness. Although I have stood Jillian Michaels up everyday this month. But tomorrow starts the Shred. I saw so much progress and have dramatically changed my eating habits. I am hoping to be back to my pre Noah self or better by the Spring!

And then there are my loves. Adam. Noah. Miller. Adam is busy covering his beat and kinda half of another for a coworker who just had an adorable little baby. But she covers councilil meetings. At dinner time. Just once every other week. But Adam is the kind of husband and Dad that his presence and helping hands are sorely missed whenever absent. Noah is in his new class at school and thriving. He loves all the crafts and weekly letter show and tells. He is also loving the weekly prize for good behavior. For the first week they learned about manners and I saw a direct rise in thank you's and mams. The best is when he said no one could eat until we were all served. Really?Apparently this was a new concept to him. Not a rule in our house or anything :) Miller is Miller. Not walking. Not talking. But smiling and charming everyone. And loving his people. He loves to play independently these days. I am trying not to freak that Noah had about ten words at this point in his toddlerhood. While Miller can moo like a cow. And say mamamamamamamama. And of course he says DaDa.

I am feeling super convicted about savoring every moment. So I am doing my best. Like the saying , "Don't feel sad. Just go be awesome." I saw it on Pinterest. It sounds like something Michael Scott would say. But I am just trying to spend all of me I can. Lay it all out there. Use everything He gave me. I am here for a reason. And all I can do is live and live fully. But I really could use a nap.

And because no post is complete without a photo... here is one my friend Susan tagged on Pintrest. When I saw it I cried. Worship. I just love it.

And now back to work on these lesson plans. Just wanted to post something during the month of August!

The Heavy Hearted Start

2011-08-18T21:15:00.002-05:00

A smile and a warm hearty hello go a long way towards making someone's day better. Sometimes more than you know.

My school can be a pretty hard place to work at sometimes. We work with kids who carry a lot of baggage. And if you let it, it can be heartbreaking. We teach with out a lot of resources and sometimes we never see results. And if you let it, it can be disheartening. Over the last six years I have learned to look on the bright side of my job. To focus on the smiles and to be one of them. One of my favorite smiles came from Teddy Fulgham. He was the head of our security team. He walked the halls with a big booming voice and a big smile. He always spoke when he saw you whether he leisurely patrolling or quickly moving towards trouble. He was by my side when I faced some of my biggest disciplinary challenges. And he always encouraged me. When I taught two of his children He was always popping in to check on them. The kids loved him, respected him and had a healthy fear of him.

Teddy died Tuesday night before school started. And it left a big hole in my heart. I still find my self listening for his voice echoing through the halls. And I miss his warm greetings. I attended his funeral on Saturday. It was an emotional and celebratory send off for his entrance into heaven. I know this Godly man is one I will see on the other side. And I look forward to worshiping the Father with my friend.

His passing led to a heavy heated start to the school year. We also lost our band director in July to a heart defect. He was a young father of two little ones. As well as a figurative father to many of our fatherless kids. He will be missed.

We are also missing those who retired or moved on to other schools. This year we have 2 new vice principals, two new counselors, a new football coach, a new baseball coach, and close to 18 new teachers. But all of the new blood seems to be a good thing. There are many new faces, new procedures, and a new schedule. Lots of new committees to help make the school the best it can be. I think good things are happening here this year. And I am thankful for the blessing of being a part of it.

Pretty much everyday I have heard the song, Never Once by Matt Redman on the radio either on my way to school or on my way home. It has such a beautiful message. I hear You God! I know you never leave me alone! One of my favorite lines (or several lines) is growing very dear to my heart. And I hope that I grow in grace and be an amabassodor of grace at school, at home, and everywhere. I hope I can grow to exude praise even in the toughest of times.

"Scars and struggle on the way but our hearts can say..never once did we ever walk alone. Carried within your constant grace. Held within your perfect peace. Never once. No never once did we walk alone. Never did you leave us on our own. You are faithful. God you are faithful. Every step we are breathing in your grace. Evermore we will be breathing out your praise. "

The Weekends

2011-08-13T23:51:00.004-05:00

We are back to school around here. School does many things to our routine and daily lives. One thing it does is make our weekends much more precious. We try to draw out the minutes and enjoy each other. But who wouldn't enjoy spending time with these two?

The Birthday Letter

2011-08-11T22:12:00.002-05:00

My Dearest Miller,

Oh how I delight in you. You have added such a bright light to our little family. Your joy for life is contagious. One days when I am tired and stressed all I need is a quick smile from you and things look brighter and better. You are a bit spunky and already know how to charm. But your sweet streak outweighs any mischief. You love your brother so very much. I love to watch you adore him and I love watching him enjoy being adored by you. Being a big brother is new to Noah and your love for him has certainly won him over. I think your love for him is mutual. He loves you too. You are such a fun combination of so many family members. Many look at you and see different parents or grandparents in the shape of your face, in your smile in your eyes. I look at you and see God's blessing and gift He sent me through you. I have prayed for you most of my life. And last year I was excited to meet you (especially after such an easy delivery). Your birth story is fun to tell. And our connection and bond with you was immediate. I enjoyed every minute I spent at home with you for the first five months. I will never forget our mornings alone while Noah was at school. Sometimes we spent the whole time rocking in our green chair. You were a bit of a fussy baby unless you were settled into my arms. You grew out of that when you mobilized. Some of my favorite things about you are the way you light up a room with your sweet smile and cute laugh. I love your charm and even your sneaky streak. I may not be able to grant your every desire or spoil you the way I would like but you never need to doubt the depth of my love and delight for you. That is the truth I want to speak straight to your little heart. That my unconditional love for you runs so deep but barely scratches the surface of the love of your heavenly Father. Whose love is perfect. We can not earn it nor do we deserve it. But He lavishes it upon us. Even when we do not see it or feel it it is all around us. I dream so many things for you. But mostly I want your inner joy to multiply. I want it to be uncontainable. I want you to spread it everywhere you go. To school. To the grocery store. To your neighbors. To the world. I want you to live this life abundantly. And to never be limited by the stress or worry of this world. Miller your Daddy and I love you so much. We have loved watching you grow in this first year of your life and look forward to the many milestones yet to come! To quote good ole Sandra Boynton "Happy Day. Happy Year. Happy Always and Ever. "

The One Year Old

2011-08-09T21:16:00.004-05:00

What an amazing year full of delight and love. We are all so very thankful for Miller and the addition of life he brings to our family. He is so many things to us. I love watching him and Noah grow as brothers. I love his sweet yet spunky personality. I look forward to watching him grow and grow. But not too fast .....

Tonight we were saying our prayers and we were thanking God for the things we love about Miller. Noah said.."Thank you God for playing with him in the bathroom. For squishing him. And for letting him play cars with me. I love him."

We all love him.

The First Birthday Party

2011-08-07T16:10:00.009-05:00

Miller is turning one on Wednesday! That is so crazy to me. Wednesday is also the official first

day of school. We decided to celebrate Miller this weekend. I am going to save all the sweet emotional stuff for later in the week. Because I am having a hard time with it :) For now I will just post about his party! For months Miller has been pure sunshine. We call him that all the

time. He is either super happy and smiley or crying. So a sunshine themed birthday party was

perfect for him and August.Mimi and Papa brought a Snowcone machine and bubble machine for a little backyard party. We served just cake (in the form of cupcakes and cakeballs) and ice cream (pre scooped and frozen in mason jars, thank you Pinterest.) I made several white and

yellow banners and Nana and Puddin' brought lots and lots of yellow balloons. We were planning on playing in the sprinklers and Miller's new water table (Happy Birthday Baby!) but we had too much fun eating snowcones. I made Miller a sunshine shirt, hand appliqueing pieces I cut using the Cricut.

Nana made matching shorts for him. Soon I will learn to make shorts too so I quit asking others to make them for my shirts :) Miller did a great job with his cake. He enjoyed it but not too much. He enjoyed basking in the attention of all his people. Adam and I are so thankful for our family and friends who helped us celebrate this sweet little boy. We adore him and his brother. We feel blessed to be their parents and spend our lives trying to show them God's extravagant love and grace.

Aunt Emy and Xander

Aunt Jenny and Lillie!

The snow cones were a big hit!

These miniature side walk chalk tubs and bubble wands served as the party favors. The sunshine motif was on the invitations and all over the party.

This banner hung on the mantel of the fireplace where I put pictures of Miller. But just a few because I realized last minute I barely have pictures of him printed! I have never made a banner where I used fabric as the ties but I love it! I will be doing more in the future.

I love this picture. Miller looks like he is covering his face for a surprise just as a put the cake on his tray!

This frame was on the mantel and used the same idea as his shirt and invitations.

I have made canvases with this scrapbook like effect and for this I used a wood plaque and hung it from ribbon on the front door.

Almost all the Key cousins in the pool! Just missing Michael. So much fun watching them all play together!

Playing with his present from us, a water table. We had no idea what to get him since e have so many vehicles and other play things for Noah. But we made the right choice. HE LOVES IT!

Miller loves his grandmothers!

Lillie looking adorable!

Xander loves the bubbles!

Nana and Puddin sharing a snow cone with Miller.

Bring on the cake!

Ava sharing a snow cone with Noah. She is so sweet. Noah told me this morning Ava will be his wife and they will come visit my house every night and morning.

My neighbor Sara and her daughters Ava and Tessa. She just a sweet little boy named Ryder! Banner outside on the porch.

Cupcake tree, I didn't take pictures of the cake balls. Or mason jar ice cream. But it was cute ;)

Miller was very serious about his cake.

My sweet birthday boy!

The Baby Shower

2011-08-07T14:02:00.003-05:00

I am so unbelievably behind! The past few weeks have been crazy and soon it will crazier. I wanted to attempt to catch up before that happens. And I thought I would start with this sweet celebration.

My dear friend Laura has hosted many baby showers. She has always been so supportive of all of her mom friends and now it is her turn! Laura and John are going to be fabulous parents and I am so happy to celebrate with them! One of my favorite things about being a part of this shower was planning it with Laura's friends. I love Laura's friends. It is always so much fun spending time with these great girls! When we began dreaming about Laura's shower we pictured classy and fabulous. Like Laura and the Coco Chanel quote..."A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." We had a great time celebrating Libby and Laura and look forward to meeting her in September!

Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures! Laura's amazing sister in law Alyson is a professional photographer. So when she pulled out the "real" camera, I put mine up and will wait to see all the fun pictures she took!

The Bad Teether

2011-07-27T14:28:00.003-05:00

My adorable ball of sunshine has turned himself into a crying, fussing, fit throwing, back arching gremlin. And the culprit is teeth. And the result is a crazy momma! I have ten days until the 2011-2012 school year starts. Then the next day is Miller's first birthday party. I am also super blessed to have some orders for Paper Happies to work on and a super special baby shower this weekend. So this morning I was playing on the floor with a baby clinging to me for dear life, a large dog resting his head on me to lick the crying baby while a three year old was climbing all over me like I was a mountain when my phone beeped with a delivery from my RSS Reader. My delivery..... this blog post on verses to read to be a more patient mom. Isn't God good? That and naptime were the perfect remedy for my complete lack of patience. I really do want to enjoy these last ten days and transition smoothly into the new year! So come on teeth. Until then

Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (NIV)

The Last Beach Post- Peach Park

2011-07-26T15:44:00.004-05:00

Peach Park is such a post beach tradition. It always signals the end of a great time.

And that is the end of the beach pictures! Thanks for indulging me. I took just a few too many! I am loving my camera and all my adorable subjects!

The Seaside Afternoon

2011-07-26T15:32:00.004-05:00

Seaside is my favorite place in the Southeast! I love it. Love. It. Too bad the babies were pushing naptime. Luckily Adam and I went back on datenight. And then the women went back for some shopping. The boys are sporting the crab shirts I made them. I love how they came out on the outside. The underside was a MESS. Adam overheard some women talking about how cute they were. Then we saw some similar shirts on sale for $38! I'm sure the underside of those looked perfect. There is just something about making something for the boys at about 1/4 the cost that makes me all giddy inside.

Doesn't he look a bit like a sullen teenager?

The Sandcastles

2011-07-26T15:17:00.003-05:00

The Boy and the Baby

2011-07-26T15:13:00.003-05:00

The Family Pictures Attempt #2

2011-07-26T14:22:00.004-05:00

The family pictures in white were not as successful as the ones in blue we had some fussy babies. But there were a few winners.

The Thankful List #76-87

2011-07-25T22:55:00.002-05:00

76. THE BEACH

77. the vast ocean, disappearing in the horizon

78. family, every member, strengths and weaknesses

79. my husband's patience and kindness

80. my camera

81. a snuggly baby

82. books and the ability to read

83. The joy Noah expresses when he says his memory verses

84. generosity of our parents

85. garage sales

86. creativity of others

87. comfy beds
(This list is a record of the things that God has put in my life as gifts of love to me, and a practice of thanksgiving as inspired by One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp)

The Photo Idea

2011-07-25T17:32:00.003-05:00

I have been LOVING me some Pinterest. Saw this idea on there and played around with it. Even though I go back to school in 12 days and do not have time to play around. Oh well.

The Family Photos Attempt #1

2011-07-20T16:58:00.006-05:00

Nana has been really excited about taking family pictures at the beach since they booked our

trip in the Spring. I know this is not unique to her as most grandmothers I know adore taking family pictures. As we have three little ones with us we planned on taking two sets of photos.

One in blue, for which Nana made all three little ones matching outfits for. And the other one set in white.We took these blue ones last night. I love some of the shots I got last night. So just skip this post if you are really tired of the obsessive picture taking that I have been posting at the beach :) Hopefully some of these pictures will become cherished family memories and hang on our walls for years to come!

I hope this doesn't embarrass them but the favorite pictures I took so far were these of my in laws, Sandra and Mike. I think I just love what it shows of their relationship and just the beauty and strength of it. I am glad my children have their genes. Plus I think my mother in law is beautiful! It makes me want to get my parents out on the beach and photograph them too!

The Uncle and the Niece

2011-07-20T16:49:00.004-05:00

Yesterday Robin and Chris went to play some golf while all the babies were napping. When sweet Aubrey Kate woke up we were excited to get to spend some time with her. Girls are so different than boys even as little ones. I took a lot of pictures of AK! She actually looks at the camera as opposed to her older cousin who refuses to have his picture taken without a bribe!

Adam is an awesome dad. He is also a great uncle. And I loved watching him play chase with Aubrey Kate. I think all of our nieces and out nephew are always going to love their Uncle Adam.

The Beach Club

2011-07-20T16:41:00.003-05:00

Noah really loves spending time at the Watersound Beach Club. The pool has zero entry on all sides and two giant sea turtles to climb all over. There a private cabanas scattered about and awesome poolside service. It has been hard to pull him out of the pool to head to the beach even though he has been loving that too. Here are some pictures from the pool:

Yesterday Noah and I ordered poolside lunch just the two of us. We split a milkshake too. I love that we got to spend some alone time together. Many time I take Miller and Adam takes Noah so I really miss one on one time with Noah. He is a funny kid!

The Dinner Out

2011-07-19T16:10:00.003-05:00

Last night the nine of us braved the adventure of dining out. We went for dinner at George's in Alys Beach. It was a short wait in the beach dining world and we really enjoyed the food. Our two however did not last the whole experience and dissolved into tears. We took several attempts at a family photo. But it might be years before we ever get one with all four of us looking in the same direction :)

The Sunny Day at the Beach

2011-07-19T15:42:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day at the beach. And we enjoyed as much as we possibly could.

The Lunch in Rosemary Beach

2011-07-17T22:06:00.003-05:00

Today was another rainy/cloudy day at the beach. The four Tuscaloosa Joneses headed for the outlet mall but first we decided to stop for lunch at Summer's Kitchen in Rosemary Beach. And of course we had to stop by the Sugar Shack for some candy. They had a toy car filled with sweetarts. Does it get any better than that? These pictures are in reverse order. We did eat lunch before going to the Sugar Shack :)

The Rainy Day at the Beach

2011-07-17T00:47:00.003-05:00

We are at the beach and loving it! Today was a bit rainy! Hoping for more sun but thankful for the relaxation.

We are at the b

The Obituaries

2011-07-13T14:34:00.002-05:00

Adam will probably kill me for this but here it goes (but a wife has to brag sometimes, right?):

In April the tornado that ripped apart life for many in Tuscaloosa killed 44 people here. The Tuscaloosa News decided to write an obituary for each of the victims. They split them up between several reporters and Adam volunteered to take all the children. He thought that perhaps a father's perspective would lend some tenderness to the stories.

Over the past several months Adam has been working hard on writing the stories of these families. It has been hard and the stories he tells me about the interviews have been heartbreaking. But his products have been beautiful tributes to these victims who lost their lives. They have been reminders to all of who have been able to move on lamenting the loss of a few stores that our loss and disruption are small in the wake of the storm. It makes us thankful for our loved ones and their safety. It reminds us that recovery is a long painful process. And that there are those who still need our help.

One of the things about this undertaking that touches me the most is that Adam takes a copy of the paper to the family who he interviewed. I love that man so much. He thinks of the small and big things. I am so proud of his work and his part that he plays in the recovery of our city.

Here is the link to one of the latest stories:

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110709/NEWS/110709722?tc=ar

The Camping Week

2011-07-12T15:33:00.004-05:00

Camping out in the backyard with Daddy! (Only it was still 90 degrees and too hot to stay in the tent too long)
We made a coffee grounds bear and had honey toast as a snack.
We read Curious George Goes Camping and made S'mores on the grill.

The Fourth of July

2011-07-12T14:49:00.005-05:00

This post is a tad late, but here it is all the same.

On the Fourth we made BBQ and our families came in to town with lots of sides and extras. We ate well and then headed to Adam's office. His office overlooks the new amphitheater and the river. Tuscaloosa had a Pops concert and fireworks on the river. A rainstorm had cooled everything down. It was a perfect set up for some great family time and beautiful fireworks.

At the house play with Aunt Em's iPad.
Fireworks always throw me for a loop. I always end up like a five year old staring at them in awe. And then I remember all the things that were done to get us the right to celebrate this day. And I am a goner. This year was no different maybe a little worse. During the fireworks Miller cozied up in my lap and put his cheek next to mine. It was such a sweet moment that I hope I always carry with me. I prayed for Miller that he would always strive to see the good in America and that he would appreciate all the sacrifices of those who went before us. Noah however was still terrified of them and went inside with Adam to watch from the big windows. They came out after an awesome finale. But then about five minutes later it started back up. And then again. Poor Noah.

Hope you had a happy fourth as well!

The Blessings #64-75

2011-07-12T14:39:00.002-05:00

We have been experiencing some computer issues but now they are half solved. So I am a day late on my blessings counting!

64. painted sunset skies

65. watermelon

66. answered prayer, even small answered prayers

67. the way Noah says , Poke Office... makes me smile everytime

68. washing machines and dryers

69. cameras

70. post workout burn

71. generous people in my life

72. creativity

73. really good books

74. naptime

75. sweet newborn babies

The Counting of Blessings #52- 63

2011-07-04T14:59:00.002-05:00

Recap: I am practicing giving thanks for ALL things. It comes from the book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. There is a tab at the top where all previous lists are included.

52. red, white and blue

53. freedom

54. sprinklers on during night runs

55. sacrifice

56. excited babies

57. earning a piece of pie

58. fireworks

59. marrying a patient man

60. budgets

61. clean house

62. shaved ice and a three year old

63. baby pools

The Night Run

2011-07-03T10:46:00.002-05:00

I am not the most physically active person. Growing up I enjoyed playing and being outside. But I did not enjoy any kind of sport where I might get a ball thrown at my face. My athletic career consisted of two years of basketball at HMS (only because I was one of the tallest eighth graders), one year of softball,and one season of pledge intramural flag football. I did dance for about nine years. As a ballerina. But I wasn't that good.

I felt really convicted this spring about my health. I often complain about my weight and my body. Yet I never do anything about it. And the nurses voice rings in my head from my Gestational Diabetes diagnosis ...that I will be 20% more likely to develop Type II Diabetes. Unless I make exercise a part of my life. So I decided I no right to "sit still" and complain. In March I joined Planet Fitness. No commitment, 10 bucks a month, nothing fancy gym. I got pretty regular with my treadmill date at 5:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. But then I got a bad head cold and a tornado came and took away my gym. I was right back where I started. Still.

This summer I decided to get back to it. I would dance with the Wii. I walked and walked before the temp could climb to triple digits. And then I joined boot camp. And now I love it. I almost threw up on that first day. But nothing can compare to that post work out high. Where I revel in the fact of the things I just made my made of putty body do. And I love that good sore body feeling as I stretch out in the morning. I don't make it look pretty nor can I preform at the level as the others taking the class. But each session gets better. I also continued working out in between. Walking. Just Dance II on the Wii. (It really is a workout. I promise. I start to sweat just thinking about "Proud Mary.") Then I thought you know maybe I should go for a run tonight.

The last time I went for a "run" was with my freshmen roomate Laudan in college. In college. Well I take that back, Adam and I did run around the Quad when we were first married and were getting pudgy off my cooking attempts. And I was kind of running on that no frills treadmill. Anyways, I went for a night run. I stuck my praise music in my ears and took off. I surprised by how well I did and how far I went. It was exhilarating. And I saw Him everywhere. In the stars. In the gardens of my neighbors. I felt Him in the cool breeze coming off the creek. In the mist of the sprinklers. And I took joy in the smells of fabric softeners working in peoples laundry and hamburgers on the grill. I prayed and prayed. And I emptied myself out with each pound on the pavement.

I decided that night runs are just about perfect. I will be engaging in them more.

The Watermelon Eater

2011-07-02T22:46:00.001-05:00

The Desires of My Heart

2011-06-29T16:02:00.005-05:00

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of the of your heart." Psalms 37:4

Miller was asleep for his morning nap. Noah and I made S'mores on the grill. I started The Help. Noah played in the sandbox. I looked up from my book to see that he had taken his shirt off. And he had his trucks and cars and diggers and has just happy. He was running around and I found myself staring at his little belly button and thinking about how I carried him in me for 35 weeks. We were attached. Right there at his little belly button. My choices for him then were simple. I was so easy to nurture him and to keep him safe when he was folded safely away inside. I look and watch him play in wonder. His childhood will be quick. Almost four years gone in just a blink of an eye. He has taught me so much about the nature of true love. Of patience. Of the nature of God. Of my limits. And how they are not as close as I thought. And I could not love him more.

Tonight I was standing in the pool watching Noah and Adam play. And trying to keep my baby who knows no fear from drowning. Miller looked up at me with those eyes and smiled and then suddenly his frantic attempts to jump headfirst into the water ceased. And he leaned against me and rested. His trust and love for me, for Adam and for Noah is refreshing. It encourages me. It restores me. He is beautiful and innocent. He is a vessel of God's joy and love. It is a privilege to be his mother. And I soak in every second I can.

Growing up I thought that Psalm 37:4 meant that if you were good and diligent in your obedience to God you would be rewarded. But as I have gotten older and closer to the Lord I see it in a completely different light. As I find delight in His Word and His works and His creation I find that He gives me the desires of my heart. As in He put in my heart the desire to be a mother because He knew it would stretch me and I would love it even when it is hard. He put in me the desire to teach because He knew how it would fit in with my goals as a mother. Lately He is molding my desires and changing them. I desire to challenge my body and wake up at dawn to do so. I desire to spend time adoring Him. And thanking him for all he has given me including these two babies who are truly dreams of mine come true. I desire to impact my community and friends with His joy and love. My desires are changing from fancy vacations and a closet full of expensive clothes to more time with these boys, building memories, a longer run, a great salad, new ways to save money, a new craft project, a uninterrupted talk with Adam. God is molding and changing my desires to what He knows is best for me. Best for those He has me in place to impact. Best for the bigger story He is writing. Now if He could mold my desires to be a really clean house and totally clean laundry :)

The Hillen Visit

2011-06-27T11:04:00.003-05:00

My friends Dan and Jana work with Youth for Christ in Indiana. Fishers to be exact. But they have a special place in their hearts for Tuscaloosa where they spent the first few years of their marriage and ministry. Dan headed up a group of youth volunteers to come down and volunteer for tornado relief last week. Jana drove down too, following them with their two children Micah and Alana. The three of them stayed with Dusti and Thomas. It was great to get to visit with her and the kids. It was hard to "visit" with the kiddos running around but we did enjoy the time together. (Last week I started a bootcamp class a sweet woman in our neighborhood is running for free! It is three days a week at 5:30am. And it really kicks my tail and zaps my energy. I am sure I was not the most energetic of companions.) We were a little busy to snap lots of pictures but we did get a few. (Mostly at Calvary's Preschool Pizza in the Park Night and Friday at lunch with Grace and her kiddos.)

It is funny to think that just four years ago we didn't have all these kiddos. How time changes things even friendships. Jana got me onto Pinterest. It is so much fun. Even though I am having trouble adding the button to my browser , I still recommend it.

The Zoo Week

2011-06-26T22:13:00.005-05:00

Last week was zoo week at our house. All we did was go to the zoo with Mimi. I had really good intentions for crafts and snacks but you know....life happened. And bootcamp. But Mom and I took some pictures of our trip, to document Zoo Week.

It was Elephant Week at the zoo. I will just fess up and say that I teared up a little bit I was so excited. For Noah, of course.
These giraffes were kissing. Isn't that sweet?
They had zookeepers training the elephants and telling you all sorts of things. And the gave away samples from the Peanut Shop.
It is always a great idea to take a photographer with you everywhere you go. Mimi is always sure to take some great shots. If you haven't been to the Birmingham Zoo since the Trails of Africa has opened... do. They have done a great job on the exhibit and it has lots of fun extras. For days leading up to the trip to the zoo Noah kept going on and on about the "super cool animal". We really had no idea what he was talking about. But here it is...
the Giant Anteater! It is a pretty neat looking animal when you think about it! I have been playing around with a new editing program today. It does some fun things.

The new exhibit has a playground with bongos, masks, plastic climbing termite mound, a a dung ball to roll. Noah loved it!
I really love elephants. I can't help it. I have always loved them. They fascinate me. I am so glad to have some back at the zoo so I can marvel at God's creative work.

The Love

2011-06-22T22:36:00.003-05:00

Today I just really loved on my children. Sometimes I get these moments where I am completely overwhelmed with love for these two boys. Today was just a normal ordinary day. But I feel like God let me get a glimpse of just how precious children are to Him. I have been asking Him to.

At the breakfast table Noah was attempting to eat cereal with milk in it. Such a big kid thing to do. He looked at me and asked, " Mommy? When I am a big kid can I have some new big kid toys?Like that light thing. You know a light saver. After I watch the star movie with Daddy. Then I will be a big kid." apparently watching Star Wars is a passage into big kidhood. It was so adorable. I wanted to stop and take some mental pictures of this little three year old wishing to be a big kid.

Later in the afternoon I was rousing from an afternoon nap during a round of thunderstorms. Noah very sleepily sauntered into my room in his t shirt with Diego underwear chewing on his Spots and climbed into my bed. And burrowed into my arms. I held him tight. He is often too busy for snuggles. I thought about how eighteen is not that far away and how precious this small moment is. I prayed silently to never forget this sweet moment. And I was just simply overwhelmed with love for this small boy.

Miller is just plain delightful these days. A constant smile plastered to his precious little face. Tonight when I was rocking him he reached up and stroked my face and I just about melted on the spot.

People ask me if I am enjoying my summer.....

Oh yes. I am simply soaking it up.

The Thanksgiving

2011-06-21T14:27:00.003-05:00

I have not done a good job keeping up with my gratitude list. Trying to get to one thousand or more. On Mondays on Anne Voskamp's blog she hosts Multitudes on Mondays, where people link up their gratitude lists. I though I should start linking up. It might help me keep on track. So here it goes:

(1-39 are found under the "One Thousand Gifts" tab. And I will add each week's list there.)

40. safety in storms

41. humor of three year olds

42. making it through bootcamp without throwing up

43. the ability to excercise

44. the unconditional love of my husband, he loves me even when I am crazy

45. unsolicited Miller smiles

46. an amazing Godly earthly father who still loves me so much

47. an amazing Godly earthly Father In Law who loves me too

48. an amazing Godly earthly father to raise my sons

49. a new wreath for my door

50. creating

51. cleaning, yes cleaning

The Farm Week

2011-06-15T21:58:00.009-05:00

Last week was Farm Week at the Jones house. It seems that our activites centered around special snacks and less on the crafts.
This is "pig slop". Choclate Pudding and candy and cereal goodness. Yummy!

We went to Tuscaloosa Barnyard, to the farm! Here is Noah feeding the fish with the farmer.
Noah petting the young chicken.
Working up the courage to touch the baby pig.
Quack!
Oink!
Baa!
Noah loved finding the eggs in the henhouse! We had spent a lot of time talking about the foods we get from the farm.

Cute baby goat who followed everyone around.

Horses.

These are haystacks made with Chinese noodles and butterscotch and choclate chips.

We also made butter from cream in a baby food jar. Noah lovedd making butter and spreading it on crackers!

Shake shake shake!

D is for Ducks!
And of course wherever we are there are cars.

Farm week was a blast! This week I am at a conference so we didn't do anything together. Next week is Zoo week. I am also hoping to brave the library next week. I have a major fine. I had some books due the day after the tornado. One of them is on my bedside table!

The Ten Month Old

2011-06-15T17:05:00.004-05:00

Last Friday Miller turned ten months old. I really don't have words for how precious this little boy is to me and our family. His quick and easy smile and laughter brings us joy again and again. At the point where I think I have reached the end of my rope and quick snuggle from Miller sets the world right again.

His joy is a simple reminder of the love of God and a reminder to come to him like a child does.

This was a big big month for Miller.

He has started pulling up on anything close to him. He is eating real food, you know as opposed to fake baby food.

crawls after me pulling on my leg calling Mamamamamama.

And the other day when Adam walked into the room he greeted him with a joyful, "Dada!" .

He also broke his two top teeth. He still adores Noah. And Spikes. And Charlie. And really anything that smiles back at him. I am so thankful for Miller. For the brother he is to Noah. I pray daily that he will love the Lord like he clearly loves us.

The Baby Dedication

2011-06-11T18:00:00.001-05:00

The greatest gift I hope to give Miller is a love and thirst for God. I yearn for him to be assured of God's love and love Him madly n return. I want to see Miller be His hands and Feet. I long to see

Miller seek after God and follow His will. I long to see Miller live the life God has planned for

him abundantly and joyfully. This past Sunday Adam and made a vow to Miller, to God and to our families (and church family) to raise him with these goals in mind. We did some preparation study and homework to prepare for the dedication and one of the exercises was to imagine the end. Imagine Miller at eighteen years old. What would we want for him? I want him to love. God and others. Passionately. I want to see in him the fruits of the spirit. I want others to see kindness, gentleness, joy, self-control, goodness, patience, love, peace, and faithfulness. I want them to fall in love with God by watching Miller's life. I loved the service and it was so special to have our parents with us. Afterwards we celebrated at a lunch at Cypress Inn and cupcakes and cake balls for dessert. We wrote some blessings for him and his grandparents prayed for him and blessed him. It was a simple celebration of a sweet commitment.

Noah is showing the church his car :)
Both boys looking to the cross.

The First Birthday Party

2011-06-11T09:08:00.000-05:00

My precious niece Lillie turned one back in May but we just had her party last weekend. I was so pleased to get to help put together her decorations. I also acted as photographer which made me so nervous. Emily and I decided on her present months ago and actually kept a secret. We gave her a cake server to use every year on her birthday and then at her wedding. Emily also made a plate with her initials to use for her special days! I hope these become precious to her. She played the part and was absolutely adorable. She has a cute little personality and we ca

n't wait to watch it and her grow and grow! Happy Birthday Lillie! I love you!

My hope for both my sweet nieces is that they grow to love the Lord, that the are confident that their worth can be found in Him, that His love is amazing, and that I love them and will always make myself available to love and listen my whole life long. And when I can I will be cool Aunt Carrie that saves the day! Both my angels turned one this Spring and I look forward to seeing what this year has in store for Lillie and Aubrey Kate!

The Girls Weekends

2011-06-10T22:20:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago I had a blast with some of my dearest friends from Auburn for our annual Girl's weekend. But as I was getting ready to post about the fun we had, I realized that I hadn't posted about my sweet April Girl's Weekend in Nashville. I am so blesssed to be friends with women who strengthen me and encourage me. Both weekends were amazingly restorative, refreshing and encouraging. I came home feeling like a better person having spent time with friends who I know will pray and love me through all sorts of messes. Iron sharpens. The long hours of talks both serious and hilarious warm my heart. I also apparently ate a lot. Looking forward to our next trips.

Sunday Brunch at Chuck's Fish in TTown. This is chicken waffles with bacon ice cream. Sounds gross. But it wasn't. Trust me.

Saturday Night dinner on Bristolwood Circle. Friday night we ate at Tuscaloosa's new Five. It was yummy. We also stayed up till two talking! Saturday we hung out and I had my first taste of Yogurt Mountain and I am now obsessed!

Emily and her little one. Susan is a professional photographer and I am sure she got some great pictures.

Dusti and Jana in Nashville.

Chocolate chip pancakes at the famous Pancake Pantry!

Shopping! We totally did!

Yummy treats at local French Cafe.

The Lord has truly blessed me with life long friends who truly make me a better mother, wife and friend!

The Etsy Shop

2011-06-07T22:15:00.005-05:00

I am overwhelmed by all the posts I am behind on. Tonight I will start to catch up by posting about my newest endeavor. My Etsy Shop, Paper Happies. Here is the link to the shop. And here is the link to the blog for the Etsy Shop. I decided to open it because I have so much creating these things and want to share them as well as make a little play money. Here are some pictures of what kinds of things I am making. If you have Etsy shops please share about them in the comments. I love seeing what all creativity God has blessed us all with!

The Swimming Pools

2011-06-03T15:24:00.003-05:00

Yesterday it was hot. HOT. So we waited until the sun was going down and we got the swimming pools. All of them. One each.
Except for sweet Cade. He's too little!
Miller had so much fun in the pool.
But not nearly as much fun has these two best friends.

We love summer. How about you?

The Transportation

2011-06-01T22:59:00.005-05:00

I am a nerd. I make Noah go to summer school and I am the teacher. I love watching him learn and discover and I love to make things with him. So every summer I plan activities focusing on some of his favorite things. We work on math, letters, and science activities. When we can we include a field trip. And of course special snacks. Its transportation week around here. This what we have been up to:

Tracing letters and transportation words.

Rolling cars through finger paint to make tire tracks.

Airplane sandwich at lunch.

Cars finger painting.

Noah takes this very seriously.

Traffic light snack. M and M's and frosting and crackers.

Fine motor skills :)

Traffic light mosaic.

Noah really enjoys our activities. He wakes up asking what we do today. We do most of it during Miller's morning nap. It gives us fun time together and reinforces what he has learned during the school year. It also keeps us from getting too bored and crazy! Stay tuned for next week... Farm Week!

The Start of Summer

2011-06-01T22:48:00.004-05:00

It is summer time! We opened up the summer season on Memorial Day by hanging out on Brooke's blowup water slide, grilling out and enjoying the hot weather and each other. We are planning on soaking it up. All summer long.

The Promise of Summer

2011-05-24T21:58:00.003-05:00

Oh summer how I love thee!

In two short days I will be released from my responsibilities of teaching history for the summer. Not completely since I am attending workshops and moving classrooms and teaching new classes that I need to brush up on. But you get the picture. In two days more free time and less stress and more TIME with my two ANGELS. I cannot wait.

Summer also gives the promise of more time to blog. May has been very spotty on this web address. But summer holds the promise of time to catch up. So many things to blog about. Like

the girl's weekend in Nashville almost two months ago, my new Etsy shop (don't worry I haven't sold a thing) my worries over Noah's fears, my adorable nine month old who claps on command, my desire to get healthy, my ever deepening love of Christ and all He has done for me (y'all have got to read One Thousand Gifts and Heaven is For Real), and my new idea for organizing my crazy life, and my upcoming return to the beach after a two years too long hiatus. And I can't wait to get back into cooking and for an Auburn AOPi reunion in Tuscaloosa this weekend!

Aren't you excited to kick off the summer with me?!

This picture is just for fun. Because it shows Adam's least favorite thing about summer :) But at least he has a helper right? My favorite thing about this picture is the light coming out of our front door. I remember riding around neighborhoods in the car with my parents looking at the glowing lights and thinking that one day I would have a home that would glow inside . Silly I know but just makes me think of family warmth. Adam just loves how much I love to leave light on :)

The Day Tuscaloosa Became My City

2011-05-23T21:44:00.002-05:00

I have not been shy about how my heart has not been in Tuscaloosa. There are many things I love about living here and many things I do not. I have wished many times to be back in Birmingham or anywhere else at times. But in the past month that has changed. The tragedy that hurt Tuscaloosa last month is one that forever changed me. And while physically I lost nothing...my heart lost its longing to be elsewhere. The Tuesday night before the storms I was working hard on my resume and cover letter to apply for possible positions in the private school setting. I was longing for the Christian atmosphere and environment and to be away from the daily onslaught of pain and godlessness I face daily. But the Friday after the storm when I stood on the streets of Alberta and embracing parents and students who came up to the school that day I knew I couldn't send them out. My students are that. MY students. And after all that we have been through I could not leave now. Last Wednesday night I was driving home from church with Miller and I heard this song for the first time, Jesus Rides the Subway. If you have the time and aren't familiar with it listen and read the lyrics. The premise of this song is Jesus and His mission. It was not to hang out with fellow religious leaders and righteous people. It was to minister to people. The song really got to me. I cried all the way home. I had to pull over. Not all of my students are stricken by poverty, not all are fatherless, not all are thieves. Some are. But they all have burdens. We all do. And over the past couple of days God has made it clear to my heart and soul that I am to be His hands and feet in my school. That I am to help my students and the staff lay their burdens down.And my heart longs to recognize Jesus everywhere He is. I don't want to turn my back on what He places in front of mine. Saturday we were coming back into town after spending the day in Birmingham. And for the first time in six years I felt like I was coming home and I liked it.

The Nine Month Old

2011-05-15T16:09:00.006-05:00

Last Tuesday Miller turned nine months old. This little man is ACTIVE! It is getting more and more difficult to pull off these bed pictures. Miller is so full of life and joy that I just can't wait to be with him and love spending time making him smile and laugh. He is becoming less interested in his bottle and more interested in food. He has one tooth and another you can see is about to pop through any minute. He is crawling. He isn't as fast as Noah but he gets into things. He will be content to stay in an area but he will mess with everything there. He seems to have a magnet attraction to cords.

He continues to adore Charlie and Noah. And his lovie Spikes. Those are his favorite things. He likes being outside and he is getting better at reading stories. He loves to entertain and interact. He is so adorable it hurts sometimes.

Adam took Miller in Friday for his nine month check up. He weighs 19.8 pounds and is 28 inches long. Both are in the 50th percentile. The doctor was pleased with his growth and development. Everything is normal. He did have the perpetual fluid on the ear. So he will go back next week. Why do both my boys always have fluid but not infections? Or is my doctor saying fluid meaning he has an infection?

In honor of Miller's nine months of blessing this family and the soon arrival of my summer vacation I thought I would list nine things Miller and I are going to to this summer....

1. Get in the pool for the first time!

2. Go to story time at the library.

3. Lots of snuggling. (He is too busy to snuggle but this summer we will!)

4. Take naps.

5. Swing on the back porch.

6. Visit the elephants at the zoo.

7. Go to the beach. Yea!

8. Play with playdough.

9. Learn to say mommy before saying daddy! :)

The Mother's Day Mud

2011-05-08T22:40:00.003-05:00

I had an awesome Mother's Day.

Several weeks ago I made photo books for our moms and I made myself a little Mother's Day present book as well. I am so glad that for once I took care of things early. Mother's Day hasn't been in the forefront of my mind of late.

This morning Miller was supposed to be dedicated. It was postponed. Nana headed out of town

with Puddin' for a reading conference and Mimi and Papa want to Lillie's baby dedication in

Macon. We Tuscaloosians were left to our own devices. After a sweet breakfast in bed we headed

to Calvary for worship. Dr. Lovett has been amazing in motivating and mobilizing our church to heal and minister to our broken community. I highly recommend taking a look at what Calvary is doing especially if you are trying to think of ways to help, http://www.calvarytuscaloosa.org/tornadorelief/. God is doing amazing things.

The service this morning had absolutely nothing to do with mothers. Dr. Lovett said, "Being a mother is not the ultimate calling of Christian women. (dramatic pause) Reflecting the glory of

God is." Wow. That really impacted me. He reminded us that the church can be selfish. We want to do things the way we always have and celebrate certain things in certain ways. But it isn't

about us. It is about HIM. It was a great time to be reminded of being God's hands and feet.

Tuscaloosa is really experiencing an awakening. I love it. And I love that it isn't about me. My life isn't about me. When you get down to it that is kind of refreshing. My life is not about me. If only I could truly live like I believed that!

After the service a sweet church out of Montgomery fed us hamburgers and hot dogs and to Noah's delight a seemingly endless supply of Little Debbie snacks. Adam and I spent the

afternoon moving and putting together furniture for some of the families Calvary adopted. I had the pleasure of working with two International students from UA. We sent the afternoon talking

about Ghana. I can't think of a way I'd rather spend a Mother's Day afternoon.

The boys got some rest time in the late afternoon and then it was out in the yard to play with

Brooke and now sweet Baby Cade. Although he doesn't really play as much as he sleeps. Noah and Brooke somehow ended up in bathing suits and mud. But they loved every second and I couldn't have been happier watching their innocent joy.

I love being a mother but I think the best thing motherhood has done for me is bring me to my knees. It has taught me to be patient and forgiving and loving and humble and proud and dependent on God. I am thankful for my two boys and they ways they have taught me about the love of my Savior.