Blessings.

Throughout the course of a monumentally fun day, I would think about how we have been blessed to have a certain fun toy or a really useful gadget, there was always a common denominator - my family.
God has always been our source, but my family has been more of a blessing than any I have known! Almost every good thing that is in our home can be linked to one of them.
Whether it be an item or a memory - I am so grateful to have the blessing of family.

A Daddy who has always held me up and been a spiritual leader for his home. Such strength comes from that man. I remember when I was a little girl, he would let me dance on his feet. He would lift his feet up from underneath mine and hold me up. If I had to paint a picture of what my Daddy has been to me, it would be that very thing. He has been the foundation for our family. A rock. He has been the very ground on which I placed my own two feet, over and over again, so that I could dance.

I am blessed with a Momma who daily holds my home up to my Heavenly Father in prayer. I am certain of this. She has been an example of commitment and purity. We have often teased her for her naivety, calling her gullible. But she's not - her level of faith renders me speechless at times. I have modeled myself after her, knowing that she is as close as any on this earth to the Proverbs 31 woman.

A sister who has looked after me her whole life and put me before herself so many times. I look at her inner fortitude, knowing what she has been through, and I, again, am left without words to describe my gratitude for her. She has filled the roles of more than sister and friend in my life. She has shown me love that holds nothing back.

I have been blessed with a brother who truly loves my children as if they were his own. He could have gone on living his own life and not taken such consistent and careful notice of what is going on in mine. Instead, he stands in the minds of my kids, "A hero." They love him so. He loves us so.

Who on earth has a family this giving? This wonderful?
Such blessings cannot be ignored...
It is undeniable that God Himself put us together.
Thank you God for Your careful attention to the tiniest detail. You have knit us together with love. We are so blessed!

Buzz Cut.

There was a reason I stopped cutting my son's hair. Today, I was reminded of it.
I am not good at cutting hair. I used to think I was alright - but the events of recent past have me convinced otherwise.
My son kept asking for that set of clippers at Wal-Mart so I got them for him. it seemed like the financially savvy thing to do.
Poor baby.
He's still very handsome to his momma!

A Gaggle of Girlfriends.

Today was so much fun! Regardless of the weather, a few sprinkles here and there - almost like God himself was shooting waterguns at us!
It was refreshing to be face-to-face with real people - real ADULT people.
The kids were just beside themselves all morning waiting on their friends to make it over. A total of 7 little ones under 5 years old - not including little Ramirez on the way...
Thanks to all of you who came - it was truly a breath of fresh air!
~M. - I'll start with you because you got here first - You brighten up every conversation we have! I hope you have a truly awesome time on your date tonight - it was so exciting to help you 'get ready' (almost like getting ready for prom - only not at all) hahaha! You were so excited about it and your enthusiasm for life is infectious!
~ C. - I continue to be intrigued by you! You are the perfect combination of feminine reserve and all-out fun! I love hanging out with you and little Daniel Cook!
~ E. - Why in the world have we never gotten closer? I was so glad you stayed awhile and the kids and I truly enjoyed your company! It was like magic too - right after you gals left, the kids were down for the count! Now there's a real magic trick!

What a dear group of friends!
As I was thinking back over the day, I smiled.
What more can a momma ask for?

A day in the sun.

If it sounds like fun to you,(and you live close enough to make it) I have decided to make this thing happen. Whoever wants to come over to my house tomorrow afternoon (Friday) around 2PM. I'll set out the kiddie pool and make some lemonade. You're invited! It's either gonna be a great, big play date or a cozy afternoon with my kiddos! Even if you don't have kids, if you have a mouth and something good to say, you're invited too! This is an "everybody" playdate! So come on over...

Because of privacy issues, I won't post my address or phone number online - I would suspect that there are enough people who could get that information for you - i.e. the church office.

Yes, I do know.

I am aware that trying to follow my thoughts is like chasing a wild goose. That's just part of the deal. I write down my thoughts here on this blog, and if you choose to read it, you get to be confused. This is my filter. My entertainment. My shoulder to cry on. The only place where I (and whoever else happens to be reading this) get to know who I really am. Chaos it is. Welcome to my mind.

Trim.

The word for the day is trim.
I need a trim.
I spent the better part of my day feeling like things were fat. Me. My life. You name it.
I feel like there is so much responsibility sitting there for the taking - if it sits unclaimed for too long, it must have my name on it.

~This morning, I woke up and spent a good while at the hospital because my brother was undergoing abdominal surgery. It was Chris' day off - so the kids stayed with him.
~Yesterday, I scalped the lawn. In theory, I thought, if I mow it really short, I won't have to mow it again as soon. (Try finding time to mow the lawn with 2 toddlers around...) In REALITY, the lawn is now scorched, bald, and looks terrible. But it's not overgrown! :) Trimmed that one a little too close. OOPS!
~Today, I trimmed the hedges. I must say that I have a unique talent for trimming hedges. It's an art-form. It's also a stress-reliever.
After spending so long outside doing yard work that I felt like I would literally pass out, I came inside.
I walked into an utter nightmare. The biggest mess. Not in just one room - but E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E!!!
A. looked around and said, 'Momma, your house is messy, clean it up!'
I couldn't disagree.

I cooked dinner, got the kids started on it; and while my family ate, I vacuumed.
As I vacuumed, the kids complained about the meal I cooked and refused to eat it.
These things separately would normally not phase me - but I got to feeling guilty about vacuuming instead of eating with my family, then I just got plain mad that these little scoundrels would actually throw their peas on my freshly vacuumed floor... AFTER I slaved over a hot stove, you see where this is going...

So I have decided that there's too much to do on my "To do" list and it needs a trim.
It's time for me to get to playing.
Anybody who doesn't mind having a playdate at a not-so-perfectly-clean house with a terribly butchered lawn give me a call - because the ONE thing in my life that doesn't need a trim is my social life!

The Whirlwind.

We just got back into town from a trip to see my sister. It was so much fun peeking into her new life! Until now, it has pretty much been a mystery to me. As all things go with small children, we had our share of little catastrophes. Overall though, it was a great trip.

My sister has really blossomed there, and is being used for ministry (which is absolutely her cup of tea). She is so happy! I have not seen her this happy or fulfilled in her adult life - it is beautiful!

Her song at church on Sunday was nothing shy of magnificent! As a trained vocalist, little things always stick out to me when I listen to singers - not to say that is what I listen for - just you know, when you know something, it's hard to pretend you don't - anyway, she was flawless! But there was more to it than that, from a technical standpoint it was great, but from the "God is here this very minute" standpoint, it was tender and real and wonderful!

What a gift for God to find His people and to use them! To place them exactly where He wants them for their ultimate purpose.

I have prayed for this in my own life. To be in the exact and perfect will of God for my life. I don't think I have hit the center of the target yet.
Being a mother is the closest I have come in adulthood to being in God's Place for me. I have loved the mantle of responsibilty He has given me and most days, I really rise up out of myself and I do it absolutely.
But lately, there is something missing. I have felt this undeniable need to fulfill a ministry hole. I don't know. I just know that whenever it happens, I'll know. It will have to be something very tailored for my life the way that it is - so that it doesn't interfere with the "greater work" that is going on while we're not watching. But there is something I have that I can contribute to God's Kingdom, otherwise I would not be burdened so.

Since before time began
no one has ever imagined,
No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you
who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who happily do what is right,
who keep a good memory of the way you work.
Isaiah 64:4

Happy, Happy 4th!

We had the best time at the church Freedom Picnic!
The kids got their fill of kiddie pool, hot dogs, and little friends - and I got to tear it up on the volleyball court...
It's entirely possible that to onlookers - I looked like I got tore up on the volleyball court - it IS all about perspective, you know...
I also enjoyed seeing everybody. I realized that it's not everyday that you find a church where there is a spirit of inclusion. Everyone is accepted, flaws and all. Just like Jesus did. I am so grateful to be a part of a church that is so accepting.
The church I was raised in would have turned their backs on me when I turned up pregnant and unmarried, but this church welcomed me with ABSOLUTELY no judgement. I had never even been to a service there before that. Five years later, I call it my home.
Thank you! Thank you! Thanks to your unwillingness to let me slip through the cracks - I am back in love with my Jesus and having the time of my life!
It could have gone so differently - but you guys stepped up and loved me.
I don't think I have ever been a part of a church like this one before - I am very grateful for you all!
At the onset, I didn't think this was going to be a mushy blog - but mushy can be good too...

Summer Fun. Love, love those babies.

End of tunnel.

There is - I repeat, IS light at the end of this tunnel.
I have been knee deep in vomit and the "runs" (no explanation necessary) for the last 5 days. On Thursday, I thought we were home-free, but much to my dismay - the bug was still lurking in little tummies...
I am sorry, beautiful town of SA, for exposing you to our contagions.
I cannot tell you how unfortunate it felt Saturday night when J. came into my bedroom during the wee hours and told me he had just 'spit up' everywhere.
Everywhere would have been the perfect adjective, too.
I instantly regretted the choice to reward him with Twizzlers earlier that evening...

Alas, I feel that for sure this time we have kicked it.
Please Lord, let us have finally 'kicked it.'
OY!