Lent

Although I am not Catholic, I have observed Lent for many years. For those who aren't familiar with Lent, it is observed from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday. Usually, the time is used for preparing oneself for the Easter holiday ahead. It is a time of reflection. We are to reflect on the time that Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by Satan. We are also to reflect on our lives and what Jesus' death and resurrection means for us. It is a time of repentance and during this time we are pray and think of ways to be of service to others. During Lent many people choose one thing that they will give up. It is supposed to be sacrificial. This year I have given up chocolate in the form of candy, cakes and cookies. I thought about coffee; but let me be completely honest, I don't think that would be good for anyone who has to live or interact with me. I thought about ice cream. I don't eat it enough for it to be sacrificial. I also thought about fast food. We usually have it once or twice a week. Although, I would still like to do this, there are those nights (swim team nights) that are just so crazy and Chik-fil-A has free kids meals that night, so it is so easy. So, I continued to think and contemplate. And the thought of how much I love chocolate came to mind. That's wrong, I know. So, I that's it! I am done with the stuff until after Easter service. It won't be easy, but that's the point.

Where is Spring?

I love warm weather and sunny days! I suppose I am in the majority in this fact. I know it is February. I know it is still winter. I am done with winter, okay?! I bought some adorable Gymboree clothes for Princess H over the weekend from a lady I buy from every year. Her daughter wears these clothes a few times and keeps them pristine (she needs to give my girls a lesson). When I brought them home, Princess H was so excited. On a little side note, with my older two girls I was all about choices and freedom. I am over that! The two little ones wear what I want them to wear when we leave this house. This way they actually match and look like I put some effort into getting them ready. I tried this with the older two, but I had already ruined that for myself! Anyway, Princess H was ready to wear all of the clothes, but I told her she had to wait until spring. It had to be warm for her to wear these clothes, I explained to her. Everyday since then she wakes up and asks, " Is it spring today?" No, it's still winter. Someday, it will be warm and I will put away the winter clothes and bring in the spring ones, but not today. Today it is 28 degrees outside at this very moment. I should count my blessings. I am not even remotely ready for (GASP) swimsuit season! Well, since spring has not yet arrived, I hope you guys have a fabulous winter day. Stay warm!

Meet Princess H.

This is Princess H. She is 5 years old. She has a heart that is a hundred times bigger than she is. She is loving and kind. She is friendly and the hardest worker I know. She was born without incident; but soon after her birth I knew something was not right. We went a year being told by her doctor that she was fine. At her year check-up, we switched doctors. The new doctor immediately ordered a MRI. A few days later he called with the news that things were indeed not right. After meeting with a neurologist, we were told she had colpocephaly. The prognosis was unknown. This is rare and at the present time there are not even specialists in this particular diagnosis. We went through one year of genetic testing. We would be testing for some really awful things. The conditions we were testing for were ones that would cause her to develop to a point then begin to lose those skills until she would die. There were times that the question of whether or not she would live to be 3 was a great uncertainty. All the tests came out normal and we eventually just quit. Our neurologist had said it was a miracle that any of us turn out "normal" and we believe that is true. He had told us at our first appointment that he believed her condition was just a fluke. Princess H goes to therapies and is one of the hardest workers with the most cheerful disposition you could imagine. She has obstacles that most people cannot imagine. She does not let them hold her back. She is a such miracle (all of them are). Having her has shown me some amazing things. I have experienced "the hope that surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). There were moments while we waited for test results when I would feel like I was literally drowning. In those moments, I would call out to Him and I would feel a peace come over me and completely calm me. I knew that regardless of what happened He would hold me. I am so thankful for this. I am so thankful for Princess H. I am so thankful that God let her stay with us. I am so thankful for all of my children and what having her in our lives has taught all of us. She is doing so well now. I hope that she inspires others. She certainly inspires me.

I miss Mickey

Every so often, one of my girls will say how much they miss Disney World. The truth is I miss it too. In my opinion it is the BEST place to vacation with children. I don't have to worry about transportation. I don't have to worry about the food. The food is gonna be good--really really good! The children will have fun. There will certainly be moments of "not fun" but those moments usually aren't in the majority. Seeing the girls meet the characters, ride the rides, watch the shows is just so much fun. I think back on our trip fondly and honestly can't think of a place I would rather take them. I don't know when we'll be able to go back, but I miss Mickey too.

The Scared Decorator

I have always loved looking at the inside of people's houses just to see how they have decorated them. I have even been known to look at real estate websites just to sneak a peek at how someone has decorated. However, I have not ever truly decorated any house that we have owned. I paint and throw some pictures here and there and maybe an accessory or two and I am done. Why would someone who loves the decorated look live in a house that is almost completely devoid of decoration? Because I am AFRAID!! I am afraid to buy something and not really like it. I am afraid that I will get bored with a certain look. I am afraid of spending too much. I am afraid because I know it can't be perfect. So, I sit here afraid in this undecorated space. That is until I came across a site that may just set me free.

http://www.nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/

You have to check out her site. The Nester may just be my BFF and not even know it! You will definitely learn something and have a laugh while you're there! I wish I had known all this before. Now, I have yet to mistreat a window. I did, however, work on making my master bathroom a room I love. It's not quite there yet, but I like it a lot more now! I am going to "shop my house" and I can't wait for yard sale season. I'll share when I mistreat a window or have a room I have transformed. Until then, I am focusing less on perfection and more on beauty!

Live Sent

This Sunday our sermon was about sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. I have to admit that this is not something I do very often. Of course I teach in church and tell others there and I believe that most people who meet me know that I am a Christian. This is not enough! I have included a link to a movie clip that was shown at our church to make us "get it".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM

Penn tells that he still believes there is no God and he sees religion as something that causes harm. How wrong he is about the existence of an Almighty God!! His views on religion are the typical view from those not in the church and those who used to be part of the church until they were hurt or disappointed by someone there. So many non-Christians see the church (whatever denomination it may be) as a place full of hypocrites. They want to call us out on the fact that we fail and disappoint them time and again. What they don't realize is that people who have accepted the gift of forgiveness know how sick they are. We know how much we need Him and we know that His plan is better than ours. We sin over and over because we are still here on this Earth. We are still humans. We (hopefully) feel great remorse and sorrow when we know we have sinned and we hope and try to do better. You don't become perfect when you become a Christian. I hope that my imperfection never keeps me from sharing Christ with others or would cause someone not want to know the God I serve. I want to be bold!! Our pastor asked us to pray for opportunities to share and to seek them out. This clip made me realize that it is cruel to not share. I want to live sent!!

Girls Night

Last night my big girls went to a Daddy Daughter banquet. They love this and look forward to it every year. They become especially girly on this night. They dress in pretty dresses. I put a little makeup on them to give them some sparkle. Daddy gives each one a corsage. We take pictures like it's prom night. Daddy washes the car and gets dressed up as well. It is quite a big deal! After they left the two little ones wanted to do something special too. I painted their nails. I curled their hair. I put makeup on them. We danced. Then we went and got Happy Meals and sundaes; and they got to eat the ice cream first. We watched a little Jon and Kate Plus 8. It's funny how they really do enjoy the simple pleasures. These are the kind of nights I love. When I pictured being a mom to girls, this is exactly what I pictured. Most of the time, the pictures in our heads about the way motherhood is supposed to look may not be the pictures we actually see. It's a little messier and usually a lot more complicated; but the reality of it is a million times better than I ever dreamed.