Little boys

My kids have been able to take care of their own basic needs for years now.

I tell them to come down for dinner, they come down and eat and clean their plates and put them in the sink.

I tell them to get in the car so we can go somewhere, they get in the car.

I don't have any car seats. I don't worry about whether or not I have enough diapers (or wipes). I don't have to think about nap times.

Today I picked up my two nephews (ages five and 14 months) for the weekend. All those things that I don't have to think about on a regular basis, I have to think about when I have them.

And though it's only 3:30 and I'm completely exhausted, I am loving having them around.

We went to the park today and rode scooters and bicycles. We had grilled cheeses for lunch, and we tried to get a little one to take a nap. (He didn't cry, but he didn't sleep either.)

The five year-old thinks my 15 year-old is the coolest thing on the planet. Usually when they are together, I only hear from them when they're hungry.

The baby is running around the living room, bringing me remote controls and toys and saying things that I don't understand. I swear he's the happiest child on the planet.

(And I wouldn't tell anybody this if it wasn't so sweet, but he thinks my husband hung the moon. When he's around, I become invisible.)

He's the kid that makes my husband want another baby.

Tonight, I'm guessing I'll be in bed early. Tomorrow night I'll still have the boys but I'll be at their house instead.

Sunday is church and a Rangers game. Woo hoo!

Have a great weekend!

New blog

So, I've started a new blog.

Don't worry, I'm not changing this one again.

I just had a great idea for a "Dear Abby" type blog for (around) ten year-old girls. I have a cousin that age and a sweet friend from church that is a year older than my cousin, and I was thinking that it would be a good thing for them.

Something positive and fun and encouraging.

So far, so good. I'm really getting great responses from the moms, which is wonderful, but I'm hoping that the many hits I'm getting are from the girls.

So check it out and if you have any suggestions, please e-mail me with ideas.

And tell your ten year-old friends. =)

Be kinder than necessary.

That was my cousin's motto on her Myspace for a while, and anybody that knows her knows she has always lived by that rule.

I don't always succeed, but I do try.

When I was a kid, I was always drawn to the kids in my school that nobody wanted to be around. I'm not really sure why, but that's just where I naturally gravitated.

Even as an adult, when I'm in a group of people, I end up hitting it off best with the quiet ones. The ones that others seem to avoid. Maybe they don't do this intentionally, but somehow grown-ups tend to create cliques, too.

(And I'm not pointing fingers because I am guilty of it myself!)

My point is that I'm thankful God has given me a sensitive heart.

I've also always had a soft spot for those children and adults with special needs. I remember as a child having some friends of my parents come to our house with their daughter who had Downs Syndrome. I thought she was the most precious and sweetest girl I had ever seen, and I can vividly remember to this day sitting on our porch, swinging with her.

Then God gave me my own special person.

Maybe I baby him too much. Maybe I am too over-protective of him, but my heart melts for my son with Autism. There is just something about that boy.

And then I had a dear friend have a daughter with Downs Syndrome. And then another with Williams Syndrome. And then Autism, and the list goes on and on.

Watching these children laugh and play and accomplish something great brings lots of tears to my eyes. The video of J-Mac playing basketball turns me into a weeping pile of mush every time I watch it.

Today I had another special moment with a special guy. He is a bagger at our local grocery store, and I always get so excited when he ends up in my lane.

He is very talkative and always happy. He is sweet and funny, and I watch him always smiling and encouraging others.

Today as we made the short trip out to my car, he was talking about how much he liked the weather but that it just because we wanted it to stay nice, it was all in God's hands. "Some people think they know more than God, but when they try to put things in their own hands they really get messed up. We just have to let Him take care of everything," he told me.

He may never know what a blessing that was to me, but today my heart is full because of him.

Where do you go?

This is my place to dream and to think and to pray.

I am long past the stage of trying to find a quiet place in my home, since I now have three teenagers, but I still like to have that place that is just my own.

One of the things I was most excited about when we built this house is that we would have our own hot water heater for the master bathroom AND I wouldn't have to share my tub with anyone.

No stinky boys. No daughter taking bubble baths in my tub.

It's just for me.

I can take my time, just thinking out loud, dreaming about whatever is in my heart that day. Talking to the Lord.

It's absolutely one of my favorite things.

What is one of yours?

Busy weekend

Before I talk about my fun-filled weekend, I am trying to find someone who has read "My Sister's Keeper" so I can discuss it.

Oh, how I want to discuss it! Please e-mail me or leave a comment if you have.

Anyhoo.

Our weekend started out with my daughter's new boyfriend coming over for dinner to have a chat with my husband. Call my hubby over-protective if you will, but he wants to meet the boys my daughter is going to date and look them in the eye so that he can tell these boys how precious she is to him.

I felt a little sorry for the kid.

But it all went over well, and we spent the next couple of days with him and his family.

(We already know them and have spent lots of time with them. Hubby just wants to give the boy a hard time.)

Saturday, my daughter and husband had two church-league softball games and my middle son had p&w practice at church, so I spent my time driving back and forth between the two.

Saturday afternoon we went to the boyfriend's house for a cook-out and swimming, though the water was about 40 degrees.

The kids swam, the adults did not.

Instead, we played Spousology. It was so much fun! It's a lot like The Newlywed Game, so the reactions and answers to the questions were hilarious.

Sunday we went to church and my husband gave his testimony. Lots of tears were had (mostly from him), but people were encouraged and thanked us both for sharing it. Sunday afternoon was a lot like Saturday, except the boyfriend's mom actually talked me into getting into the 40 degree pool.

One game of water volleyball later, and all of the adults were out of the water.

We played another round of Spousology (with pizza and a glass of wine this time) and then went home and crashed.

Most of my Monday was spent in my pj's, doing just a few things around the house and reading. The book I am reading right now (look to your right) is really great. Lots of short stories about Lee Woodruff's life, and since I really enjoyed In an Instant, I knew I would like this one.

I love days like today-- holiday or not-- where I can wake up without an alarm and not be in a rush to get dressed and get out of the house. I am very much a homebody, and though I don't like being inside these walls every minute of every day, I would rather be home in my pj's with my family than anywhere else.

Have a wonderful week!

Happy Memorial Day!

As you are celebrating this weekend with your barbecues and your swimming pools, head on over to We Are That Family. Take some time to thank someone who has fought for your right for the fun in the sun.

You'll be glad you did.

Some links to check out

Mary Beth Chapman's Blog-- I don't know if you follow this one or not, but Thursday was the anniversary of the very tragic accident that happened in the Chapman's lives last year. Mary Beth is very open and honest about what God is doing, so read her story and keep lifting them up in prayer.


My friend Leslie is going to India in January with a group of people to help her friend, Sarah, as they volunteer at Sarah's Covenant Children's Home in Ongole, India. You can read about their fundraising efforts and adventures here.


The Queen B and her family are in the process of hoping to adopt a little girl named Maria from Guatemala. There are lots of obstacles ahead, but they are trusting God to make a way. (We know He knows how to do that!) Her daughter is making pink bracelets and will send them to anyone who wants to have a reminder to pray for Maria. I have followed her for a while now and am praying for this adoption. Go read all about it here.

Have a great weekend!

The power of prayer

Don't ever think that your prayers don't matter, because they definitely do.

God hears every word that you say. The bible says that "He perfects that which concerns you" (Psalms 138:8), which means that He knows the things that we think/worry/care about.

For that situation that looks completely impossible, keep praying and expect God to do something amazing.

For that person that you think is a lost cause, Jesus died for that person and they deserve just as much prayer as you do. Don't give up on them!

For those dreams that you have, believe God to make them come true or to change your heart to fit the plans HE has for you.

I recently began praying for someone who was in trouble, who seemed like a lost cause, whose life was a mess. My heart was broken for this person, and I couldn't think of anything to do but pray.

Today I was able to see with my own eyes the way the Lord is working through this person's life. He is making big changes--way bigger than I even imagined! Not because I have done anything, but because He loves this person even more than I do.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to see Him work.

Don't stop praying!

Can I just say I absolutely loved the AI Finale?

I'm sure there are blogs being posted all over the US of A tonight about this show. It was awesome!

I thoroughly enjoyed Danny and Lionel Richey singing. (Of course I just loved hearing Danny sing, period.) It reminded me that I want a Lionel Richey greatest hits cd.

Allison and Cindy Lauper were great. Kris and Keith Urban sounded awesome.

Seeing Kara out-sing bikini girl was nice, too. =)

When Steve Martin came out playing the banjo, I wasn't quite sure what to think. It took me a few minutes to stop laughing and realize that he was serious.

I mean, isn't that what you do when you see Steve Martin? Crack up laughing?

And I always love Rod Stewart.

(I won't get started on Tatiana, because my blood pressure started rising the minute I heard they were announcing the women nominees. Ugh!!)

And as for the winner? Well, I had my heart set on Danny, so I really didn't care who won. Adam is an outstanding performer, and Kris is really great, too.

But yay, Kris!!

Our next family obsession begins Thursday...

Good gifts

I know that God loves me, though my feeble little mind can't really comprehend how very much He does.

I also know that He loves to bless me, because His Word says so.

I, too, love to bless my kids. Whether it's something little (like going to Sonic for an ice cream) or something big (like sending my daughter to a UT volleyball camp), I truly enjoy blessing them.

Yesterday I bought tickets for my daughter and I to see Taylor Swift in concert. The seats aren't the greatest, but she didn't care. She was just thrilled to be able to go.

This is truly her dream concert. We saw her last summer, but it wasn't a full concert and she didn't to meet her.

But in September, she will.

Just the idea of how excited my daughter will be that night makes me so stinkin' happy, and it is in that moment I can catch just a tiny glimpse of how the Lord feels when He blesses us.

"If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." Matthew 7:11

Praying with my kids is more fun than praying for them.

I pray for my three children daily, and I started doing that when they were in the womb.

But to me, praying with them is even better.

I love it when they come to my husband and I with a problem (that seems huge in their eyes), and ask us for advice and to pray for them.

Do you think I'm a bad person? What am I supposed to do? I just don't know how to handle this.

Though they may be struggling when they think these things, that position is exactly the one God wants us to have in life.

He wants us to realize that we can't handle everything on our own. He wants us to be in a place where we have to rely on Him.

He wants us to remember that He DOES have a plan for us.

My mom always says that your kids aren't on their own until they have their own relationship with the Lord.

And seeing my kids recognize the Lord working in their lives without having to point it out for them is such a blessing.

Not blog block, just been bored.

I am awake this Saturday morning a little earlier than normal because I'm leaving in a little while to spend the day watching my nephews while their parents work on finishing touches at their restaurant. Everything is coming together and it's going to be amazing!

Yesterday I picked my daughter up from school, drove to a friend's house, and then climbed in their Expedition with her and her kids and went to eat and to watch the Rangers.

We had a ball!

Dinner was delicious, the company was wonderful, and the game was great. There were a handful of home runs, which means fireworks at the Ballpark in Arlington.

After the game, there was a big fireworks show (because that's what they do here on Friday nights), and then we all climbed back in the car. I must say, the ride home at 11:00 was way more quiet than the one on the way up there.

It was quite nice.

Hope your weekend is fabulous!

Don't read this if you haven't watched Idol yet!

Last week I spoiled it for someone. (Sorry again, Jane!)

No offense, Adam Lambert or Kris Allen, but I really wanted Danny to be in the final next week.

All three guys did amazing Tuesday night, so I don't think anyone could really predict what would happen.

It was really sweet to watch them go back to their home towns and see their family and all the people supporting them and cheering them on.

And I totally teared up when Kris was hugging his dad. Very sweet!

Though I am disappointed, I will definitely watch the final show next week.

(And I will be anxiously awaiting Danny's first cd!)

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Pretend Food

In the next couple of weeks, my daughter will begin a job as a hostess at my SIL and BIL's new restaurant. Last Tuesday and tonight, she had to go in for training. I was hoping to be a pretend customer and get to taste food this evening.

Well, I got part of my wish.

I got to be a pretend customer.

I was seated four times with four different hostesses, each time walking outside and then coming back in the front door.

Then I went through two different waiters who practiced doing everything from handing out the menus all the way to handing out the checks.

Everybody that practiced did a great job, and I know they are all excited about this new venture.

I was just bummed because I know my BIL is an amazing chef and I was hoping to taste some of that great food.

Soon, though.

After we left we swung by Costco and picked up some sushi and asparagus. Random, I know, but my daughter drove tonight and I didn't want to keep her in the car all evening.

Wednesday is busy for me as we get ready for Life Group and I pick up groceries for the week.

Have an amazing day!

What a wonderful weekend I had!

I hope yours was just as spectacular!

I went out-of-town this weekend to attend my SIL's brother's wedding and to spend time with my mom for Mother's Day. (And to love on two precious little girls.) Unfortunately, as soon as I pulled into town my mom called to tell me that she had fever and she wasn't going to make it to the wedding.

I was very bummed.

So, Friday afternoon I was forced to love on my two nieces all by myself, nineteen months old and five weeks old. It was torture, I'm telling you. =)

I am proud to announce that my oldest niece can now pronounce my name perfectly. I decided that the name she used to call me (Aya) is what my grandkids will call me one day.

Pretty original, I think. (So don't steal it, ok?)

Friday night was the outdoor wedding, and it was pretty eventful. My brother got a flat on the way down there, so if you drove down I-35 in Central Texas and saw a gorgeous (just kidding) woman standing on the side of the highway watching her brother change a flat, it was me.

After the tire change and the missed exit, the wedding was nice. My oldest niece was a flower girl and looked like a little princess in her white dress. I will eventually have to post a picture, of course.

She walked down the "aisle" and did her job, and then she spent the next three hours on the dance floor.

I am so NOT kidding, either.

(Her dad and her uncle provided the music to the wedding and did an amazing job, too.)

During the receiption, we adults enjoyed a nice dinner and visiting with others, and I was able to help my SIL out a lot with the babies, which was just like heaven to me.

We got in very late Friday night, and my big brother and I spent the night at our little brother's house. We were so exhausted we were asleep before we were even offered a pillow.

(Not anybody's fault, of course. We were pooped!)

Saturday, I spent much more time loving on my girls and having lots of quality time visiting with my SIL. She is such an amazing and precious woman, and I cherish the time I get to spend with her. (Since it's not very often.)

I also decided that sickness or not, I had to go visit my mom for Mother's Day weekend. It just wasn't right to be all the way down there and not see her. So the big brother and I did just that.

If you go to her blog, you will see that there's lots of work being done on their land. It's gorgeous! I was able to walk the long and winding road and see the beginnings of their new pool. I can't wait to jump right in!

She is totally fine, by the way. No fever, no nothing.

After visiting with Mom and Dad, we went back to my little brother's house for a very delicious dinner. Steaks and grilled veggies and key lime pie. Very yummy!

Since my mom was fine, I decided to spend Saturday night with my parents. I woke up this morning to a huge and very delicious breakfast, and more family came over to visit. I can't ever get enough of that.

I went with my mom and aunt on my way out-of-town today to say goodbye to the girls and to hopefully find some good stuff at Ross. I picked up four shirts, a new wallet, and a new (much-needed) bathroom rug for my boys.

I arrived at home this afternoon to a very clean house, (another) very delcious dinner, and some precious cards. My kids got me the one where you record your own voice. Oh my gosh, talk about make you cry! I will listen to it over and over.

When no-one is around, of course.

We also watched Marley and Me tonight. I cried like a baby, but it is a very sweet movie. I might even buy it.

This week I have a lunch date, an athletics banquet, life group, training for my daughter for work, and possibly baby-sitting my nephews.

I am totally digging this aunt thing.

I love my kids.

I really do.

They are all amazing individuals, and I love being a part of their lives.

I love sharing the latest "news" with my daughter and hearing all about her day. I love listening to my middle child jam on his brand new guitar in his room, learning new songs or just fooling around.

And I love my baby, my 13 year-old who is almost as big as his 6'4" dad, who has Autism, who cracks me up.

He hasn't been feeling great the past couple of days (and no, it's not the swine flu like his father and sister asked). He's been taking vitamins and supplements and good stuff all day, and he's about to take some reeeeeeally good cough medicine that should help him sleep well tonight.

I expect a complete turnaround by morning.

Tonight my hubby and I went to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. We rarely ever go to the movies anymore, so it was a treat.

The storyline was good, though I was wondering there for a little while, and we shared the entire theater with about six white-haired little ladies.

Before the movie we saw two previews of movies I want to see. One was Julie and Julia about Julia Child, played by Meryl Streep. It looks really cute, and I love Meryl Streep as an actress.

The other was My Sister's Keeper based on the novel by Jodi Picoult. I would like to read the book before I see this movie, though. That is, if I can make it through it. This is one of those that you'll need lots of tissues to make it through for sure.

I hope your weekend is wonderful and if you're a mom, I hope you are celebrated and loved on Mother's Day and every day.

Have a great weekend!

My first attempt at poetry

While sitting in front of the high school
I hear the final bell chime.
So many personalities
cause my silly heart to rhyme.

I see freedom on the faces
of those kids who have felt trapped,
And at the mercy of the teachers who
just want their futures mapped.

Lighters pulled out of pockets where
they've stayed in place all day.
Cheap cigarrettes become alive
To bad habits they fall prey.

There's p.d.a. that has been squelched
by all the many rules.
There's holding hands and kisses
and in love they act a fool.

Tearful faces walk alone
though there's hundreds all around.
"If only I could have a place,
my voice not simply drowned."

There's sweaty clothes walking to their cars
after running and working out.
Practices await the teams
for a winning game, no doubt.

I remember the yelling, sweating, and tears.
I remember the wanting to quit.
And though my girl is right there now
I don't miss it myself one bit.

I have to brag on him.

My middle child has a friend who's recently been out-of-sorts after some serious surgeries on his jaw. He's now doing really well (Yay for real food!), but in his down time I asked him if he would work on a picture for my blog for me.

(He wasn't too down or I wouldn't have asked him, I promise.)

I kinda gave him an idea as to what I wanted, and this is what he came up with. Isn't it awesome?! I absolutely love it!

Today has been a cloudy, rainy, lazy day around here. I did some grocery shopping and some cleaning, but I'm not even going to mop tonight for life group.

Between my dog and lots of people going in an out of the house all day, I just don't see the point.

Tonight, Life Group. Tomorrow night, date with my man. Friday, off to see family!

It's a great week!

What inspires you?

I've always been a dreamer.

I have always believed God's word to be true, that He is "able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all I can ask or imagine, according to the power that works within me". (Ephesians 3:20)

I have seen Him do this time and time again in my life.

I figure, if I can dream it big, He can do it even bigger.

But when it comes to the dream I have for myself, I easily get inspired to go after it.

My problem is that I give up too quickly.

There's no way I can be that good. It may be my dream, but it's probably not God's plan.

Have you ever felt that way?

I don't know about you, but I get inspired by seeing other "ordinary people" - like myself- use the gifts God has given them, to step out and reach for the dream that is in their heart.

It may sound silly, but what about those contestants on American Idol? Yes, they are extremely gifted, but they had to take that leap and audition. They had to be vulnerable, knowing they might not make it or may be harshly criticized, in front of the entire world!

What about those people who want to be on Broadway or in tv/film who go to audition after audition, hoping to get that one great shot?

And when they do get it and you see all of their hard work and faith pay off? That inspires me. (I know someone like that, by the way.)

What about someone who has a dream to be a rock star, who works so that he can live to play his guitar and sing, because that is what is in his heart?

I know someone like that, too, and he inspires me as well.

I believe that God created us to be dreamers. Obviously, we're supposed to work, too, but I don't think God would have given us the ability to dream if He didn't want us to do it.

I've been given an opportunity to live the dream that has been in my heart. It wasn't exactly the way I envisioned it, but that's because God is funny.

(I told Him I was giving it up, and if He wanted me to do something about this He was going to have to bring it to me. He did.)

And though it's scary to me and I know I will face opposition (mainly my own self!), I am still going for it.

I encourage you to do the same!

How was your weekend?

I just found something out that I don't like about blogger. If I highlight all of the text I have typed and continue moving the arrow button up or down it erases everything.

Not. Happy. Now.

So, to sum up all of what I just typed before it was quickly erased...

We had dinner for people over here Friday night. Saturday night we celebrated my son's 15th birthday. Today he is buying a brand new guitar and some extras, after watching Wolverine with his dad and best friend. I am on the couch in my pj's watching a movie with my daughter and thinking about a million things I really should be doing at this very moment.

I spent the afternoon with a ten year-old friend while watching the Hannah Montana Movie. My cousin (who is the same age) was an extra in the movie, so I had been itching to watch it. It didn't take much coaxing to get my sweet friend to go with me. (It was really cute, by the way.)

I have a week filled with home schooling, catching up on laundry, and getting ready for a special wedding. My niece will be a flower-girl and my brothers are providing the music.

How could I possibly miss that?

Hope your Monday is wonderful!

My mom got a blog!

She's on a "vacation" from work for a little while because of this little distraction we call the swine flu, and she's been doing all sorts of things with her free time.

Go check her out!

I got the funniest text about the swine flu the other day.

Somebody said it was the aporkalypse.

Have a super Friday!