Happy Day of Love

"So often these days we hide within the walls of large churches. We come in as strangers and we leave the same way. We smile at one another, give the impression that we are the one family that has it all together, and go home to our private wars. Life was not meant to be that cold. It is better to be known with all our hypocrisy and failings." -Sheila Walsh

I like being open and honest. I'm not afraid to answer a personal question. I'm certainly not afraid to confess my weaknesses and short-comings. Because I know the One who loves me in spite of all those things. The Son who helps me forgive myself and others. The Maker who makes me a better person. The Friend who enables me to love and be a friend to others. The Father who teaches me how to be a wonderful parent. Life is sometimes hard and I am not perfect. I felt like writing about some of that recently instead of only putting the "best" things on here. So please know that I am certainly better than ok. I was just venting and releasing some real feelings and thoughts and struggles. I think God wants us to be more open and honest with each other than we are. It's hard to be vulnerable because we think we have to be perfect. Once you realize you're not and you won't be this side of heaven, that's when real community starts to happen. When I cease to write, or stop answering my phone, or wear sweatpants every day, then you can worry:).

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." -I John 4:7

**And now to the scrapbook portion of the blog:

I took Elle and Grady to the doctor this afternoon. Elle developed a "secondary infection" in her lungs so we've got round two of antibiotics and the trusty inhaler every 3-4 hours. Grady had not been seen by a doctor yet, and I wanted to make sure there wasn't anything major going on with him. But this is week 5 of sickness for all three kids. It just won't go away. They literally hack and cough constantly. I'm beginning to think Dothan doesn't like us...

Today was a Good Day

Lest my few readers think I am in a total depression {I'm not}, here are some highlights from today:

• Leisurely Saturday morning with my family complete with Busytown cartoons and a shower for me.
• Play time with the family in the backyard complete with me dominating Steven in basketball. {I'm sure he will disagree. Sometimes the truth hurts.}
• Four hours, without my family, out on the town with an awesome friend complete with lunch, bargain shopping and girl scout cookies. {I've already eaten them all. Just two boxes. And I did share some.}
• A late afternoon trip with the family to a farm complete with a Clydesdale horse-drawn wagon ride.
• I'm going to end this great day with a little reading from my Valentine's Day present from my mom, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey.

And last, not from today, but just because it's something that should be documented: we actually had a positive balance on our credit card bill this month. I payed off the previous bill and then we got a credit from our old cable service and our balance was ($11.51). My dad would be so proud.

Good night to all!

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." -Romans 12:12

I came across this verse when I was reading this morning, and I thought it was very appropriate for these past few weeks. While I haven't been feeling very joyful, I have a hope that I can always find joy in, no matter my circumstances. If our "afflictions" last 3 1/2 more weeks, months, or years, the Lord wants me to be patient. Even if my prayers aren't being answered the way I want them to, I'm to be faithful in prayer. Keep talking to Him. Keep trusting Him. Keep believing Him.

Elle coughed so hard in the car today, she threw up. It was almost as nasty as the month-old Subway remains I found squished down in the pocket of the back seat.

I'm still somewhat in a "valley". My roller coaster is stuck at the bottom and the chain can't seem to pull it up the hill. I can't seem to get my fuse to be any longer. But by the Lord's grace, I will be joyful, patient and faithful. He's the same in the valley or the mountaintop. Now if I can just cling to that...

{Can you tell we've been learning about elephants this week?}

The Angry Voice

I'll be honest. I'm a little tired. My attitude is poor. There's not been a whole lot of joy radiating from my face. But I'm trying to hang in there. I've felt really burdened by some personal things in addition to our 3 1/2 week sickness stint and I think the Lord doesn't want to work them out the way I am asking Him to. Not my will, but yours. Right? Right.

These kids keep me laughing even when they make me want to pull my hair out. Elle told me that for her birthday she wanted her "eyelids painted." I asked her who had their eyelids painted {because I don't wear eyeshadow}, and she said nobody. She also wants a pocket knife and a wallet. Her birthday is 3 1/2 months away, but she's already planning.

Grady also told me that the reason he loves me is because I have a funny angry voice that goes like this, "Aaaaaaagggghhhhhhh!!" This would be in reference to the loud, heavy, frustrated sighs I give off every now and then to alleviate some stress. At least he loves it. And thinks it's funny.

A worthy cause

If you've been reading for any time, then you might remember me mentioning the Byrne triplets {They are my sister's uncle, aunt and cousins}. They recently celebrated their 2nd birthday. Olivia, George and Samuel have come a very, very long way. I never thought much about the March of Dimes, but a little perspective makes all the difference. Now that I know a family who was impacted and helped tremendously by this organization, I want to help. They are gearing up for their local March of Dimes walk, and the Byrne family is the Ambassador family this year. Click on the link to read her post and watch their video. Grap a tissue first. Then get your wallet:).

The Band's Forming

Steven found someone else to play with. He's quite possibly as good as me, if not better. Steven might have a fiddle in Elle's hands before too long. Not sure yet what Reese will contribute.

I spoke too soon about the sickness. I think the boys must have gotten a new viral cold during the week that the antibiotics won't touch. I am ready for some health for these kids. I know there are lots of parents out there who wish all they were doing was wiping snotty noses and holding cranky, coughy babies, and I am certainly not complaining. It could always be worse. But I'm sure they can emphathize with feeling like there's nothing you can do to make them feel better. And I just want them to feel better.

More Painting & Oral Hygiene

This is what Reese likes to do while I make dinner. He gets every plastic cup, bowl, plate, and utensil out of the cabinets and tries to set them up on the 12 inches of counter space I have to work with. When he runs out of space {which is usually about 2 bowls in}, he just places them strategically around the floor. He's such a big help:).

Once my helper went to bed, Elle and Grady painted some birdhouses. Earlier in the week, we played the "obedience game" and the birdhouses were their rewards. The game went like this: I hid the houses in a very secret location {the storage shed}, then I gave them a set of specific instructions they had to follow in order to find their reward. If they didn't listen and obey the instructions as they were given, then there would be no reward! We can't wait to get some seed this weekend and hang them up. We already have tons of birds around our yard and trees, but I think they will love the new additions!

Grady really loves painting. So does Elle. But I didn't know this about Grady until recently.


Steven was out of town last night. As I got ready for bed, I noticed I had no toothpaste. Fortunately {for him!}, I bought a new tube earlier in the day. But I texted him and he was very remorseful:

"Oh. Didn't even think about it. Sorry!"

Then I got one right after that said:

"Unbelievable. I have two tubes of toothpaste and no toothbrush."