Another Year Wiser?

O.K. it is my turn celebrating another year....my birthday was Saturday. You know when you're the one blogging it's a little ummm, how should I say, hmmm difficult to celebrate yourself. You know for Griff and Breck's birthday I devoted a post to them and celebrated them. I wasn't going to ask Breck to post one for me but I did ask Jared to do a post on his site.

He got Griffin to join him and what they came up with can be seen at A Boy's Writings. I just started Jared a blog because I thought it might encourage his writing and creativity. I thought it would be a fun way to improve his skills and capture his creativity. There is a link in my blog lists. Please leave him a comment because I know that will encourage him to write more. You know a Momma's gotta do what a Momma's gotta do to get her boys learning.

I guess I would have to say I feel extremely blessed because not only does God love me more than I can even imagine, He gave me Breck, Jared and Griff who love me too. I was overwhelmed on Sunday sitting in our church service and just being blown away at how amazing my life is and that I get to love on these guys everyday. I have a husband that never fails to let me know that he thinks I'm beautiful......I have a husband that also is my best friend.....I have a husband that I laugh so hard with I cry......I have a husband that goes to work everyday and never complains and loves that I'm a stay at home mom.......I have a husband that loves his children and invests so much into their lives with truth and fun.....I have two sons that will still sit in my lap and let me love on them.....I have two healthy sons that I watch run, play and laugh everyday........Everyday folks I get to love these guys and they love me too!

I don't want to take anything for granted and be grateful for everything and I mean everything. Their laundry, the dishes they forget to put in the dishwasher, the dirty clothes that didn't make it into their baskets, forgotten homework, missing the bus...........Because at the end of it all I have them to hold onto and to feel their arms around my neck and hear their whispers of "I Love You". Sometimes when I have my hand or head on their chests I just listen to their hearts beat or feel it beating and thank God. I reflect on Psalms 139 where it talks about God knitting our bodies together in the womb and being fearfully and wonderfully made. I know that God formed them and wired them uniquely for His purpose. Ladies I have a front row seat to what He is doing in the lives of Breck, Jared and Griff.

I get to be there when a tear needs wiped, when a dream is reached or a dream is shattered. I get to share in their excitement, victories and defeats.............And you know what? It is all worth it, I wouldn't trade any of it, nope not any of it. I am grateful and blessed!

So I guess I'm celebrating being me because it is awesome to be me and living this life, not because of anything I've done truly it is God's Amazing Grace that has put me right here at this time in this family with this husband and these boys. It is not anything I did to deserve any of it but all because of Him. I'm grateful but I wasn't always and I do not want to go back. I know I'm fortunate and I know I need to do more with what I've been given. God is continually asking me to trust Him and that is what I want to do as I step out every day.

Please please please hear me, I know there are many many many wonderful Christ followers that have unspeakable pain going on in their lives right now on this earth and I do not believe for one second that makes our lives different. You see God said in John 16:33 New Living Translation I)I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus told us we would have, not might have, trouble on this earth and as Louie Giglio said not little bitty kind of trouble but big time trouble where you begin to question if there really is a God that loves you. That verse goes on to say but "Take Heart for I have overcome the world" I read a commentary that the word used for heart is a form of courage meaning courage in the face of danger. This world is full of disappointments, great sorrow and big time trouble....Jesus does promise us that we can have peace in Him, not in this world. Oh Ladies we have an Overcoming Savior, we have a God that created a way for us to be reconciled to Him through the death of His Son on the cross. I pray I will always go back to what Scott said a few short hours after his only daughter who was 16 died in an automobile accident "If I praise God in the good times then I will praise Him in the bad times".

Didn't mean to preach, I just want to find my peace in Him, the one that knitted me together in my mother's womb. I want to be grateful and bring glory to the Giver of all good things. I will continue praying for all those I know who are finding themselves in the midst of trouble or deep sorrow in this world and ask our Overcoming Savior to overwhelm each one of them with His abounding love.....matchless grace.......peace that surpasses all understanding.......hope that does not disappoint........mercies that are new everyday.........and renew their strength.

Isaiah 40:31 it's a good one. for some encouragement. Now for a couple of pics so you can see my blessings.....Jared and Griffin and my BFF Breck!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tooth Fairy.......

Don't you just love those toothless grins. What a circle of life...you enter the world with no teeth and sometimes you leave the world with no teeth. Something to think about. I remember when our oldest first got his 2 bottom teeth, Breck referred to him as "our little stapler".

Griff has always had a full mouth of teeth but has been slow to lose them. While many of his friends were losing their teeth and also his older brother it seemed to him that his teeth would never fall out. This week he finally lost his two big front teeth. I think they have been loose for awhile because they were pointing outwards and one looked to be turning dark. I encouraged him to wiggle them and to keep after it until they fell out. Bonus this week he lost them both....two days in a row which of course meant the tooth fairy would be visiting two nights in a row.

The tooth fairy has been extremely generous to Griff since it took him so long to lose a tooth and then it had been awhile since he lost his last one. I think the tooth fairy doesn't always plan ahead or carry much change. Wednesday night the tooth fairy slipped in and out without being spotted and slipped a $5 in the tooth pillow. I know big score for one tooth! When Griff came home on Thursday he had another tooth ready for the pillow. This time the tooth fairy must have arrived in the morning and been in a big hurry. I think the tooth fairy thought she was leaving $4 because everyone knows when you lose teeth back to back you never get as much as you did the first day.

I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when Griff announced that the tooth fairy had left him $9 because one of the bills was a $5 instead of a $1. I had to investigate more closely and looked over the bills to see if it was true......I had to say "well it's not $9 because you have one $5 and three $1s so what does that equal?" Griff says oh yea it's $8. I had to go and quickly tell Breck about the generosity of the tooth fairy............

Is it legal to reduce tooth fairy money after it has been received? Jared was in disbelief and just could not believe that Griff got so much money from the tooth fairy. Let me just say Breck and I were surprised as well. How does that happen? I'm sure many of you who have children that have had tooth fairy visits have never been so fortunate. I have heard some children have received those special gold $1 coins from the tooth fairy but she has failed to leave any of them for our boys. It is a mystery isn't it how some kids get the special $1 gold coin.....or $0.25.....or$1 bill. I guess the tooth fairy never knows when she might be swinging by your house and maybe you get lucky if you're last on her list and she runs out of change.

Silver lining.......while Jared and Griff are eating breakfast, Griff confesses that actually the $5 bill was really from the day before and he really got four $1 bills for his second tooth. Well of course that made a whole lot more sense. Not sure what prompted Griff to tease us all like that but we had a big laugh about that one.

Thanks for stopping by!

What Every Woman Should Know.....

Ladies if any of you shop at Target or Wal Mart and are fond of their 100% cotton t-shirts that are always priced right I want to give you a little warning. Since I am primarily a stay at home mom I have found that buying my clothes at Target or Wal Mart help me save money and are usually cute enough that I don't think they look cheap......Well that is until now!

Since I'm in blog world mode I'll drag the story out just to make it a little more interesting so bear with me......Last night was a very big night for one of my friends from high school. You see, she and her husband were flying in from Vietnam with their little boy they just adopted. There are 4 of us gals that live here and graduated together down in Ardmore so we have been friends for a really long time. Of course we were all there to meet them and get to meet their little guy. And of course we had our cameras to capture Bo's arrival and of course we had to have our picture taken with Bo too.

This ladies unbeknown to me is not the time to be wearing a t-shirt purchased from Target or Wal Mart or some other discounter when the t-shirt is thin. To the naked or lens aided eye all looks just fine, but.....when a flash enters, the results are disastrous. I know you think I might be overly dramatic here but when I got home and downloaded my pictures and was so excited to see our group photos, I was just horrified. You see I had worn a black long sleeved thin t-shirt I purchased from Target with my long and lean Gap jeans and thought I was looking casual but chic! Did I mention I had on a white bra? That my friends was the critical error because when I looked at our group photo all I could see was my bra shining through......yes......I didn't see Bo and the rest of our smiling faces because the bra was like a beacon. I just couldn't believe it so I had to immediately call one of my friends and ask her if she could see my bra through my shirt, because in addition to going to the airport I had been at a baseball social for Jared's team. She of course reprimanded me for not wearing a black bra...who knew the flash would cause such disastrous results. She assured me she had not seen my bra.

I excluded the two group photos from my album on fb not wanting my bra to be a beacon. So ladies if you are going to be taking pictures be aware of what you are wearing and if it is an ever so stylish shirt you purchased at Target or Wal Mart match your bra color to your shirt and that should save you.

I have tried to fix the photos because I just stumbled onto a button that said fix so I played around with the pics and think I have camouflaged the bra. I think there are some little white spots but it is not as glaring. Crazy I know but shouldn't every woman really know this tidbit of information. You can't control how many cameras might be at an event!

I wish you safe photos..........And here are my re-touched photos!

And this little Honey is Bo our newest little American boy....isn't he the cutest?

Thanks for stopping by!

Camping My Way

I could pretend that this is our campsite where we all slept out under the stars and on the ground but then that would not be completely honest and well I want to be honest. This is the fort in the woods that the boys made. This is the Cain family that my boys really can not get enough of! It was so much fun.

I will put some more photos of our camping at the end of my post. We go camping in a fifth wheel trailer that has all of the comforts of home, microwave, oven, refrigerator, freezer and my favorite, the bathroom! We even have a queen size bed. We bring a t.v., movies and sometimes even one of our gaming systems but this time we left the x-box and wii home. I know roughing it! :) I admit it I am spoiled but honestly when you hear the raindrops falling on the top of the trailer I think all of the boys are thankful we are not on the ground in a tent.

Camping is really a lot of fun and we love sitting around the campfire and roasting marshmallows to of course go on our smores! Mmmmm.....just thinking about those makes me ready to go again. Speaking of our campfires, one evening my cousin, Susie, and I were sitting around the campfire with a few of our sons and I posed some questions for everyone to answer. We laughed so hard and I realized just how funny and clever my Jared is. I know you're probably wondering what were the questions?......1. If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead who would it be and what would you ask them? 2. If you were stuck on an island and could only have 3 things what would you take? 3. If they made a movie of your life what actor would play you?

I realize some of these questions are the usual but they made for interesting conversation. My Jared wanted to have dinner with Rosa Parks so he could ask her questions to get the answers for a test since they were studying her.......smart I thought. The first thing he was going to have on his island was a genie....because of course everyone knows you get 3 wishes with a genie! Every time one of his cousins would begin their list Jared would say "dude you've gotta have a genie". When my cousin Susie gave her list for the island..... bible, panties, Mary Kay lipstick...my Jared promptly blurted out "you're gonna die the first week". Oh we laughed so hard and continued to quote him with the "duuuuuude you gotta have a genie" and "you're gonna die". Now the fifth grader said he would want a friend...."you know like a girl" with which Jared interjected with "duuuude your genie could be a girl". We laughed again really hard and of course teased him about the "ladies".

There were a total of 17 of us camping at 3 sites and 4 stayed in the lodge, we also had a family of 3 drive up and join us for breakfast on Saturday. Of course my friend found it humorous that I was cooking pancakes on my electric griddle inside our trailer and calling that camping. I had to confess to her that I really don't like eating outside, although I will eat smores outside anytime. I'm just not crazy about bugs and flies. The weather really was great and there were no flies!

My boys love hiking, exploring, gathering firewood, riding bikes, playing ball, fishing and visiting the nature center. The nature center had a coyote that loved a football and even let the boys pet him. They also got to pet a possum and a corn snake.....yes good times...... The nature center has foxes, a bobcat, a bald eagle, two owls, a beaver, too many snakes and some fish. We visited there a couple of times....and the great thing......it's free! I don't think the boys would ever get tired of going there.

O.K. now for a few pictures:

Breakfast around the table, don't mind the Culligan water cooler in the background! :)

This is the coyote trying to get him some football, apparently he used to be a pet.

The possum which we learned does not hang upside down by his tail it is a myth! Who knew?

We are a little heavy on the boy side, and we were missing the two biggest boys, Kaylee did have some reinforcements when one of her friends came on Friday, :)

O.K. all you girls that need your Mary Kay lipstick to survive on an island.....camping can be fun so next time you want to get away from it all, find a campground and get back to nature! I might have forgotten to mention while I was camping I got my hair colored complete with highlights! See ladies I know how to camp!

Thanks for stopping by!

Randoms...

The Cains and my boys, looks like one extra cousin behind the green balloon!

Tonight I learned that my favorite radio station Spirit 102.3 that played Christian Contemporary Music is off the air due to the economy! :( I loved that station and tuned in whenever I was in the car but no more. That really stinks!

I'm sitting here listening to Breck play his guitar which is his nightly ritual. I surf t.v. and Internet while he practices. The boys have gone to their cousins and I'm sure are in heaven. There are 4 boys and with my 2 we're talking 6 boys for my cousin and her hubby! Are they brave or dumb? Generous yes and so gracious to want my boys to come down. My boys LOVE the CAIN BOYS! They don't care while others are Spring Breaking in exotic locales that they are in a little town of 12,600. That little town has the greatest attraction for my boys "THE CAIN BOYS"! How great must it be to feel such love! I can see the reunion, yelling, jumping up and down and of course running around! :) I know they are having a ball and will no doubt not want to come home.

We spent Sunday with some wonderful friends that have a little boy that just turned 2. My boys just think of them as family and love their little guy. They love playing with him and are always wanting to see him smile. Griff always wants to pick him up so I'm constantly having to bark the "put him down" command. We always love our time with them, they are special to us and we are grateful for their friendship. It is hard sometimes to find families that fit....you know what I mean? Sometimes it's the wives that really enjoy each other and the husbands just are along for the ride. Other times it's the husbands that really enjoy each other and the wives are along for the ride. Then there are other times that the couples really hit it off but have trouble loving the other ones kids. Then there are those magical times that it all just fits and everyone in the families genuinely love getting together! This is one of those magical families for us.

Sunday was our turn to do the nursery during worship and we had 5 little girls and one little boy all around the age of 2. There was one little girl that was crying and we asked Jared to sit down with her and hold her. When she started screaming he was ready to give her up but we just encouraged him to relax and talk to her. So he did and even sang a little to her. Let me just tell you that little girl stayed in Jared's lap the entire time and was perfectly content. I was so proud of him how he took such good care of her. Griffin was entertaining with some dancing and making our one little boy laugh and squeal with delight. Griff also shared his goldfish crackers generously. We had graham crackers to give out but Griff's goldfish were the bigger hit. I just bragged on my boys and told them how proud I was of them in the way that they took such great care of those kids. I think it is important that kids learn to serve and are aware of the needs around them.

Allergy season is upon me and I have been downing some Allergy D (target brand) trying to hold off the drainage that is so very pleasant! So far so good! I understand that folks in Arizona don't have the problem with allergies like we do here in our great state! Breck and Jared suffer from those seasonal allergies too, but it seems like Griff escapes them.

Griff has been telling me that everyone at school keeps asking him if he is a China Man? I of course ask him what he says and he told me I just say NO I was born in Russia. He says that seems to be working because people have kind of stopped asking him that anymore. I pray Breck and I will have all the answers when he begins to ask questions. I got a note from his homeroom mom that wants a baby picture from all the kids to do something for Griff's teacher since she is expecting. I realize that she has not given any thought as to if everyone has a baby picture or not. Often times when you adopt, there are no baby pictures and especially when you adopt a toddler. The pictures start after you meet them for the first time. I'm not sure how I need to broach the subject with her, I do have one that is a color copy from our agency but it is the only one I have and I'm not willing to part with it. I read something recently that said we folks who have adopted need to find out from their teachers what kind of family assignments there might be so they could be adapted to fit our child too. It seems everyone already makes the adjustment for kids whose parents are divorced but more education needs to be done for adoptive children so they don't feel left out or embarrassed by an assignment. Interesting isn't it? I would not have thought about this but after reading that and then getting this request it showed me the need. I'm sure as Griff gets into more and more writing assignments things might come up.

Just another thing to think about. One of my friends that have adopted domestically is trying to get the laws in Oklahoma with regards to how a birthmom can relinquish her rights changed. Most states have the 48 hours wait law but Oklahoma requires that the birthmom appear in court before a judge and endure questioning. Sounds like an intimidating process. My friend says the 48 hours is a good standard but the birthmom should be able to relinquish the rights in the hospital and not have to wait 2 or more weeks for a court date and then stand in front of an intimidating judge. She says sometimes these brave women are not treated with care and are actually belittled. Man I don't get that.....a woman that chose life and an adoption plan for her child should be honored for her selfless act of love and courage. I think there may be some correspondence that needs to happen from us at some point down the line to help get this new law passed. You can go to http://www.promoteokadoption.blogspot.com/ and sign up to follow so you can be in the loop when it is time to write our congressman!

I told you it was randoms. That is what was on my mind tonight! Still learning to trust God more and more with it all! Thanks for stopping by!

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Breaks...

Today is the first day of our Spring Break and Friday night was the last night of our first session of Verge. I am taking a break from Verge, not because I don't love it but because my family will need me to be available on Friday nights. Jared is playing baseball and there will be games on Fridays. My gals are all going to do the next session and I told them I would be around just not there every week. It is a great program and I think it has helped some teenagers begin to understand that they are deeply loved by God and He has a plan for each one of their lives.

Good stuff happens at our church on Friday nights! I am praying the connections I have made with some of the gals will continue and strengthen. I wish I could tell you the courage I have seen in 13 and 14 year old girls that would just blow your socks off. They are brave and have so much to offer the world and I know their impact on the kingdom can be incredible if they will allow God to use them. In CR they always say God Never Wastes A Hurt. I think the scripture in II Corinthians 1:3-7 affirms that quote.

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

I am grateful for the ministries of CR and Verge where people are encouraged to share their hurts, habits and hang-ups in order to bring healing to themselves and others. It is powerful stuff when someone shares their story of redemption and reconciliation! God is Good all the time and all the time God is Good! Simple little phrase but when you just meditate on that it is both an encouragement and a challenge for me to trust Him more. I know the importance and value of me living an authentic life in order to impact the world around me.

I loved my bible study time today with my girls and was greatly encouraged when Priscilla Shire said it is "God's responsibility to cause us to hear His voice.....it is our responsibility to seek after God. That really has taken a burden off of me. I am really needing to hear God's voice and want Him to direct my path. I have joked on more than one occasion I wish God did a newsletter so you knew what was coming up so you could prepare. But I've also been reminded that God doesn't want us to handle anything on our own but trust Him with all of it and not rely on our own understanding. That my friends is Proverbs 3:5-6 God's word is good stuff!

My boys are all sleeping and I really need to go to bed too! I pray everyone has a wonderful Spring Break! Thanks for stopping by!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

O.K. this photo is from our last Winter storm but hey it is really cold today and it's even chilly in my house. I think I have been cold all day. They say in OK if you don't like the weather just give it 15 minutes! It is true you never know what the weather will be like from one day to the next it seems like.

We have one more day of school and then we are out for Spring Break for a week. I sure hope that it will be Spring weather and not Winter weather for our break. My boys are off playing as I sit here in the living room typing this post. Griff is on the computer and Jared is in the Lego Club with his favorite playmate....his Daddy! Jared loves him som Daddy time and boy does he miss it if it doesn't happen.

Tonight after Griff's voice lesson we ran by some friends' house and the boys played with the kids as I visited with the Momma. The friends asked us to stay for dinner and I was o.k. with it but when I spoke with Breck he said "well I promised Jared some Daddy time tonight and if we do that it will cut into our time". I said well I'll ask Jared and see what he wants to do and Breck said he was o.k. either way. Now these kids are ones Jared loves playing with and we haven't played with them in a long time so I was expecting Jared to say stay but he said "no I really want to play with Dad!" The husband was home by this time and couldn't believe that response.....he said "Wow that must really melt Breck's heart to have that kind of response" And yes it does. The boys love them some Daddy time and Breck loves him some little buddies time!

I'm grateful to my husband with the way he pours himself into the lives of our children. I'm grateful that our boys know the love of their earthly father so the jump to our Heavenly Father is not a jump at all but just a walk. I have heard many times how difficult it is for someone to trust God as their Heavenly Father when their earthly father was so lousy. It is hard to even contemplate the number of children who are not loved and cared for the way ours are.

When we pray with our boys every night we ask God to let us be His hands and His feet to those around us who are in need of His touch. I'm not sure what God has planned for us but we want to be the family He wants us to be. We are praying and learning to trust God more with how he wants to use our lives.

Thanks for reading!

Learning Styles

In the blog world there are some amazing writers and I love reading them. Sometimes I am inspired, challenged and learn things. The other day I read this on a blog I found from another friend's blog and thought it was really interesting.

This woman is an educator and talked about how she had her students identify what kind of learner she was. She gave them classifications of paper clips, magnifying lens, teddy bears, and slinkies.

Paper clips are mastery learners, organized and attentive to detail. Teddy bears are interpersonal learners and relationship driven. Magnifying lens seek understanding through questioning. Slinkies are self-expressive, creative and high-energy learners.

In a classroom setting all of these learners are there and the average classroom is comprised of:

Paper clips - 33-35%

Magnifying lens - 18%

Teddy bears -33-35%

Slinkies - 18%

There are challenges with each type of learner; Paper clips - learn step by step, Magnifying lens - learn doubt by doubt, Teddy Bears - want everyone to feel comfortable and worry more about the emotional well being of others, Slinkies - learn through movement and choice. The writer went on to say that many dropouts are Slinkies because school doesn't typically use this style.

So if you identify the style your children's teachers are and then identify your children you can see the challenges one might face. The writer also said that the categories of learners not only defines the classroom but also defines the workplace, church or social group.

I of course had to engage Breck in identifying ourselves and our kids; the results Griffin very much a Slinky, Jared a Teddy bear, Breck a Magnifying lens and me well I have to go with Teddy Bear. I'm not sure what that says about our family but I think that there is probably a little bit of each category in all of us. I also think what it is you are trying to learn would factor in as to what style might be the most effective. I know when we sang our phone number and address Griffin picked it up immediately. I do see the importance of being creative to engage Griff in learning new things and sometimes it is exhausting. Jared can use the paper clip method just fine but I see that way is difficult for Griff.

I pray that their teachers recognize that not all their students learn things the same way and that they use a variety of styles to capture the attention of all the kids. I think this year Griff's teacher is a Paper clip.......Jared's seem to be Slinkies. Interesting to think about!

Next time I'm having to explain something to Griffin or Jared I'm going to keep this info in mind and see if it might make things go easier and smoother! I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blustery Day Here In Jenks America not the Hundred Acre Forest

Photo from 2007 But still so Cute!!
Today Jared's baseball team had a little scrimmage with the ball team he played on in the fall. Last fall Jared played on a team for fall ball, as they call it, where each Sunday afternoon they would play a double header. The weather was usually pretty nice and it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The team he was on has their own ball field. Yes you read that right! The head coach has some land where he built a baseball field. Now let me tell you it is not the sandlot it is field of dreams. Beautiful field with great fencing and trees that provide shade for the spectators. It really is amazing and such a privilege to be able to play there.


The Coach of Jared's team this year arranged for them to scrimmage Jared's fall team so we knew many players on both sides. The coaches on both sides are all very encouraging and gracious to Jared. I love seeing others encourage him.


For those of you that know me, probably know I'm a little opinionated when it comes to the sports my children are participating in. I think I have mentioned this before but I come from a very enthusiastic sports family, in fact my brother is a College Baseball Coach. So I guess you might say I have baseball in my blood since I probably have logged more hours watching it than any other sport. Jared is playing 9 and under competitive kid pitch. Usually I'm not interested in competitive but I talked to a Mom whose son played instructional last season and she said it was so boring because all they did was walk or get hit by the ball. I figured the competitive might have more kids that have some skill and would be able to put the ball in play more and let the kids actually learn some things. So here we are in competitive but the season hasn't started yet so I'll keep you posted if it was a good decision or not.



I'm constantly learning and one of the things I learned about myself and I think I already knew really was how badly I want to protect my boys from pain. I also realize that from pain often growth comes. I have been saying "Jared can't pitch he's just not mentally tough enough" You see Jared is a passionate little guy in a big boy body. He feels and cares deeply, so much so that his emotions are huge and come out in tears at times. He also can be really hard on himself and just get so down. If you know baseball you know how much pressure is on a pitcher so I don't want my baby to pitch! Or so I thought.........today after watching several of our kids attempt to pitch and not be hugely successful I started thinking that perhaps my thought process wasn't really the best for him. Breck immediately after the game told Jared that he wanted him to try and pitch. Jared was really hesitant and I'm sure it was very much in part to my opinions and attitudes. I don't know if I'll ever learn just to keep my mouth shut and my opinions to myself.


Once we got home Breck and Jared worked hard out in the yard on pitching, catching and batting. Jared now thinks he would like to try pitching. I had to have a little heart to heart talk with him and tell him I was sorry for saying I didn't think pitching was a good thing for him. How grateful I am that he has such a good Dad that knows how to push his son to do more than he even thinks is possible. I really have to trust God more and realize I can not spare my children from pain. Pain and disappointment are very real parts of life and they just can not be avoided. I wish they could be but I know they can't. I also can't control no matter how hard I try when pain and disappointment will come for them. I can just be there to love them and encourage them.

Thanks for stopping by!

My Birthday BIG Boy....Yes it's Breck!

How could my blog be complete if I didn't take time to post about my wonderful husband! Today is the day he was born some 41 years ago! Whoo Hoo can you believe I'm married to such an old man? (I doubt he'll ever read this so no worries) O.K. for those of you that know us you know I'm older but it's still fun to tease him! He says all the time "I'm not supposed to be 40" so now I guess he'll be saying "I'm not supposed to be 41" Time does seem to just get faster and faster!

What can I tell you about my Birthday Boy? I guess I'll start at the top of his bald head! (like I said he won't read this) I think his bald head is the result of his heart! His hair started thinning after his Mother passed away. You see this man has a heart that is so full of compassion and tenderness it is overwhelming at times. When Breck's Dad was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma and needed full time care Breck was there. I saw my precious sweet husband down on his knees spoon feeding his precious Daddy. He has a servants heart and models it for us in so many ways.

When I had Jared, it was an unplanned c-section so he had to spring into action in being the first one to change his diapers. He did such a great job taking care of me and Jared. He has served at our church in many ways. One of the special things he has done is to be a buddy to a little girl who has special needs. Breck would take her into a Sunday school class and be her hands, he would lift her out of her wheelchair and clap her hands. He would wipe the drool off of her sweet little face and he would even suffer her biting his head if he wasn't careful. Breck would take such joy in getting to know her and try to understand what she was wanting or needing. I remember one of the times she was in the hospital and how her face lit up when she saw him and how he didn't hesitate to swoop her up in his arms. There was another man from our church there that witnessed that and he said to me "wow I wish I were more like that, not afraid of getting messy". I was so proud of him and how he was God's arms to that little girl that day.

He's smart too and I am all the time asking him how does he know all that he knows, of course his usual reply is 5th grade......Smarty pants! He is valued at his company and always seems to gain the respect of everyone he works with. He is reliable and dependable and works very hard at everything he does. His hard working has allowed me to be a full-time stay at home mom and I am so grateful. I'm dabbling in working now but not at his request just to try and take some of the burden.

Breck has gone to Russia on several mission trips and has given of himself. He always studies his Russian in order to be able to effectively communicate with the kids and help to break down the communication barrier. I know those kids have loved him and the workers in the orphanage have too.

He currently plays guitar in our Celebrate Recovery Band every Friday night. He is fantastic and works really hard at perfecting his playing. He is our spiritual leader and is so very wise. I depend on his wisdom in so many different instances and I know when he speaks at church it is always going to be insightful and thought provoking. I have always said and fully believe that God gave me exceedingly and abundantly more than I asked for when He gave me Breck.

A post wouldn't be complete without some thoughts from our boys:

Jared: always there for us a wonderful dad, sets a goal he does it. he is funny and fun. he knows whats right, usually he knows what a wise choice is, I feel safe with him and I don't think anything is going to get me at night. really a good player on his guitar. nothing bad to say about my Dad.he's not fat. he's in good shape. he loves what we love. he plays with us, he hurries home to be with us. he's not gone all the time. he's a really really really good Dad, he's awesome. You could say a million things good about him and trying to squeeze that down into a bunch of words is hard. he rocks. I'm so happy that he went all the way to Russia and answered my prayers and got me a little brother, Griffin. Anyone who knows him (Breck) would love him instantly. Best time spent with my Dad; in the lego room building and he was amazed at what I could build.

Griff: he is a really good Dad so glad he was born nice, he is really good at teaching me how to do stuff. he's a rock on guitar player. I'm so glad he married you (me) (I then said so you're saying he's smart?) what do you like to do with Daddy: I like playing songs with him Best time spent with Daddy: going to walking with dinosaurs.

As you can tell he is loved loved loved by his boys and they think he is IT and you know what he IS! I love love love him too! Happy Birthday Honey!!!

Lots of Needs

I don't know if it's just me or what, but it seems like I have so many folks I'm praying for. At times I have trouble keeping up with them all. To be honest I don't really have all the answers when it comes to prayer. I know there is a verse that tells me to cast all my cares upon Him because He cares for me. How many times am I supposed to pray about something or for someone? Do I do it daily? Do I do it once and call it good? I really don't know the answer and so I try to pray daily for the many needs I'm aware of.

There are people who need physical healing for broken bones, unexplained pains, high blood pressure, infection with cystic fibrosis, appendectomy.......and the list goes on. Then there are women who are pregnant and need prayer for themselves and their babies. Oh and then there are those that are grieving, the loss of a husband, baby, daughter, grandson, son, mom, grandma, wife, dad and the list could go on. Today Breck and I attended a memorial service for a little baby boy. His twin sister survived but he did not and so there was a celebration of his homecoming. Man it just seems like too much to take in at times.

Then there are those that are struggling in their relationships and are in need of spiritual healing. Every need just reminds me of how much I need my Savior. I am powerless to fix any of these situations. I can pray and I can make food and I can sit and I can cry and I can just be there. Often times it just doesn't seem enough. Today Breck and I were talking about how sometimes there "just are no words". I think I have been uncomfortable with silence but I am learning that it really is o.k. and not every minute or every day needs to be taken up with sound. It is in those quiet moments that God often speaks to me. I know He is calling me to trust Him more.

I have gained so much from my friend's blog that writes about her grief. Did you know that when someone is in the midst of their darkest days it's o.k. to say "I don't know what to say" it's o.k. to just sit with someone and not say a word. Sounds crazy doesn't it? So this past year I have taken her advice and sat quietly with a friend or family member in the midst of their grief. In the silence I would talk to God mainly begging for wisdom in the event I did speak but most of all that He would overwhelm them with His love and hope. I would pray that His presence would be so strong that they would actually be able to feel Him.

I do pray that God will allow me to be His hands and His feet to those around me that are in need of the Savior's touch. I pray that with my boys each night that God would use our family for His glory! Just the other night Jared said it sure seems like a lot of people need our prayers. It does seem like there are a lot of hurts in this life, but how very grateful I am that I have an Overcoming Savior! That is not an easy place to live in the midst of deep pain and sorrow but oh how I pray that when not if but when I am in the midst of despair and hopelessness I will hold onto the Truth! I know I have said this in the past but our church has many people who have modeled the Hope we have in Christ in their darkest hours. I am grateful to God that I have had the privilege to see their example.

Boys will be Boys!!!!!!

Lego Club House is Open
Must Sign In on Attached Sheet!

Let me begin with Saturday......Breck and Jared but mainly Breck spent most of the day organizing lego pieces. Breck bought a couple of 4 drawer containers so the lego pieces could be organized thus making it easier to build things.

We have a closet under our stairs that now has become the Lego Club House! Yes there is a sign on the outside of the door where you can sign up to become a member. I think there are #25 lines for 25 members. There is not room enough for all of the Lego Club members to come into the Club House at one time but it appears that Jared has high hopes of many that will want to be a part of the Club House. Maybe it's a boy thing but the sign is in pencil....where are the bright colors? I have some visions of bright cheery colors to make it really inviting but Jared is a pencil guy! Go figure?

I will try to paint you a picture of how this all goes.....The room (closet) is all cleaned out and the lego containers are put in place on one end and there is a little table so they have a stable place to build their lego creations. Well immediately Breck sees a design flaw because if all the lego boxes are at the back of the room (closet) not everyone will have access...they must be moved to the middle of the room (closet). Crisis averted and placement now seems to be perfect. I of course want it to be a little more comfortable so I tell Jared what about some pillows so they'll have a comfy place to sit? He and Breck both like the idea so he goes to get a couple of pillows.

Just when you think the Club House is complete, my sweet imaginative Jared says "Mom it just looks a little plain on the walls, don't you think?" I agree and ask him what he might want to do? Well, Jared thinks it might be nice to have some of their drawings hung up on the walls to make it feel a little more ............(he searches for a word) I say cozy? "Yes, exactly" he said. I suddenly have what I think is just an incredible idea and one that I think he'll just go crazy over......I say "What if you just draw on the walls?"

O.K. have you ever seen The Last Lecture? There is a University that has a series titled Last Lectures and Randy Pausch a professor who was terminally ill participated and it was very inspiring. In his lecture he said something about letting your kids draw on their walls and how grateful to his parents he was that they let him draw on his walls. This man was really creative and had some pretty amazing accomplishments! Thus that is where the Draw on the Walls came from.

I just figured....it's a closet....it would be easy to paint over.......why not? The outline of the Lego Club House logo has been drawn on the wall........in pencil! I will see if I can talk him into adding some color, will see!

O.K. so now you see the Lego Club House not completely decorated but ready for occupants so Breck, Jared and Griff are all able to fit and begin working on their creations! What fun they have had on a Sunday afternoon creating and building together!

Now that is not the end of the story because after my little boys were tucked in bed and sleeping soundly my big boy leaves the living room and does not return. I am doing important things...facebook......blog reading....email......and laundry. I thought Breck (Big boy) was in the office on the computer! I go to our bedroom to put some laundry away and as I enter I see the Lego Club House light on....door open and some size 13s hanging out the door! I almost peed my pants! There sitting on the floor in the closet (I mean Lego Club House) was my Big Boy working on some Lego creation! I laughed so hard and so did Breck......I think he almost snorted some coffee. Now of course he tried to pass it off that he was sorting but I knew better and when he started filling the bathroom sink with water I knew it was to see if his creation would float!

I love all my boys, the Big one, the big one and the little one! They are so very precious to me and I look forward to spending some time in the Lego Club House but I'll have to be near the entrance.....I'm claustrophobic!

Thanks for stopping by!