Random Thoughts

It's been a tough week.  The kind of week that could really let you get discouraged.  Unless you take a stand and know that God has great plans for you.  Hmmm. . .I wonder what He's up to??

H. has been sick. 

On Friday, she woke up and refused to get out of bed.  She wouldn't speak, wouldn't even nod her head.  Since she'd been throwing up the day before, I figured it was time to call the doctor.  When they said come in NOW, I panicked.  (Her doctor's office never does anything quickly!) I sent a text to my prayer warriors and had over 20 responses between home and the doctor.  I am convinced that God intervened.  She's fine now.  And just as sweet as ever  : )

And now, my sweet hubby is sick. 



When it rains, it pours!!  I think he has actually been out of work for illness maybe four days in 17 years.  So, when he calls me and says he left work not feeling well, I know it's bad.  He spent the day in bed.  I hope he feels well soon. . .our house just doesn't function well without him.



Last night was our last night of Women's Bible Study at church. 

I must admit, it was really depressing.  That's the highlight of my week, being able to spend time with women talking about God and realizing, I am not the only person who deals with lots of day-to-day issues.  I am really going to miss this group of ladies on Tuesday nights!!

And now, to top it all off, I am sitting up working on my blog at 1am because. . . you guessed it. . .

Now I'm not feeling well!!



But. . .






I am learning that complaining is not the way to look at these things!  I know God will use every instance for His good! (Romans 8:28)  Did He make us sick on purpose?  Nah.  But, He is allowing our bodies a chance to rest and recover from daily hassles!  Does He want me to be down and out about Bible study ending?  Certainly not!  He wants me to get out of my comfort zone and USE what He's taught me!

A sweet friend of mine shared something with me earlier this week that I just can't shake.  She is stepping out on faith and doing some writing that God is leading her to pursue.  After some persuasion, she allowed me to read what she wrote.  The basic principle that she was addressing was how women get caught in a trap of comparing themselves to other women and forgetting to be thankful of the woman they are and the talents they have.  I do that a LOT.  A LOT.  Did I mention a LOT?!?!?  And, God is slowly showing me that admitting my talents and finding my spiritual gifts are part of His plan.  I need to focus more on ME. . .not in a boastful, selfish kind of way, but in a really-look-inside-and-see-what-He-has-given-me sort of way. 



I need to appreciate my God-given gifts more and USE them to serve Him, rather than dwell on the gifts I don't have (or at least that I don't think I have). I want her to know that I really appreciate her willingness to share with me.  I needed that reminder.  And I am so thankful to have her in my life. 







Use the gifts you have, ladies!  Help your children find their own God-given talents.  Be a Barnabas!!!

The Princess is Sick!! The Princess is Sick!!

Sigh.

Have you ever had one of those days? 
You aren't really in the mood to complain. . .
But you aren't really hanging from the chandeliers, either.

That's my today.

Just plain ordinary.  Nothing exciting.  Nothing dramatic.

H. has been sick.  I was really scared for her on Friday.  But, the doctor just said we had a really bad respiratory infection, and to wait it out.  She was so pitiful.


























So we made a big pot of soup. . .








Vegetable. . .Yummy!!!

And then we gave the Princess a bubble bath. . .

(Eventually I'll learn how to turn these around, I promise!)















. . .complete with a bubble mohawk!

And, then, we took silly pictures, just to get her to laugh.  We hadn't heard her laugh in three days, so everyone was getting a little depressed.  Just a few of our cheer-H-up silly pictures:


T's ear.  Really, son, don't you wash those things???


And T's bellybutton. . .










Daddy's eye (this one creeps me out a bit!)






                                                     And here's Daddy's mouth. . .


And H. and Mommy just being plain silly:

Geez. . .the things we will do just to make our kids happy!

PeeWee Champions 2011

My sweet T. is a true champion.  A champion for Christ.  A champion in school.  A champion son.  And now. . .
A FOOTBALL CHAMPION!! 
This is such an awesome group of kids!!  (T. is #65)

Let's just start at the beginning of the game, and work our way through, shall we??

Opening Prayer. . .

Our National Anthem and a moment of silence for our Veterans. . .

Team captains for the championship game (see anyone you know?!?!?!?!)

The coin toss. . .(guess who got to call it????)

And, the game. . .

That's my boy!!!  See him???











Our only Touchdown!!! (But, it only takes one, remember??)

Leading the pack after halftime. . .











The Fan Club. . . top center 

Mom giving her famous Indian cry after an awesome play. . .

And Dad with, yep, that's right, a COWBELL!!



I LOVE football season!!


The CELEBRATION!!!!  This is Coach Clay.  I wish he would get excited during a game  ; )




























These guys are our other coaches.  I so appreciate all of the time and encouragement they have given to our boys this season.  They are truly great guys!!

And, let's not forget the trophies. . .

I am so proud of all of these boys!!  They played their hearts out.  They are true champions, inside and out.

CONGRATULATIONS

VALDESE TIGER PEEWEES

2011 COUNTY CHAMPIONS

Simple Saturday

I have a feeling that, through blogging, I am going to realize what a BORING life I have!!  Maybe this new adventure will encourage me to get off my can and DO something with my life!!

I decided to keep the weekends simple. . .a word I don't use often enough. 

So, simply put, these are the things that are occupying my time and my thoughts these days:

1)  My women's Bible study

. . .with the greatest group of ladies on the planet!!

And, this is Deidre. . .

She is brave enough to lead our group.  : )
She is also the one who convinced me that I should start a blog of my own.  I follow her blog regularly. . .you should too!! 
I so admire her. . .her passion for the Lord is mind-boggling.  I pray that  someday I can be as dedicated as she is.  She is a great friend!

2)  The Help by Kathryn Stockett 

This is such a great book!  I didn't really think I was going to like it, but now that I am well into it, it's hard to put it down!!  I can't wait to see the movie!!  (I always like to read the book before I see the movie!)

3)  The Big Balloon Race by Ellen Coerr

My kids are going to read this starting on Monday.  I like books that teach children to persevere, to keep going, to never give up! 

And. . .

4) Reindeer.

Yes, I said reindeer.

The theme our second grade classroom is going to work on between now and Christmas.  We are going to read "Rudolph," study Olive, the Other Reindeer. . .

. . .and watch the movie "Prancer."

Please share any reindeer ideas you might have.  We are going to make reindeer, study reindeer, even feed the reindeer!!

Ahhh. . .the life of a teacher!

Have a beautiful weekend!

My Sweet, Sweet Boy

I devoted yesterday's post to H.  Today, I want to introduce you to T.

This. . .is T.

My firstborn.

The one who makes me proud.

The one who keeps me grounded.

The one who is definitely Momma's!!








T. is involved in all kinds of stuff. . .but he loves his sports!
And, I must admit, he's pretty good at them.

Baseball. . .

But, best of all. . .
FOOTBALL!!!

Ohhhh. . .how his Mommy LOVES those Saturday morning football games!!  And he ALWAYS makes me proud!!



There is even his Harry Houdini impression. . .that was for the 3rd grade Wax Museum.  He was the only one in his class that memorized his entire speech. 








Did I mention his driving skills?

Or his love for style and fashion?

But, what I love most about T., is his silly side. . .

And his love for Jesus.

I tried forever to turn these around, until I finally just gave up  : )







And that he is a wonderful big brother.

And the fact that, simply put, he is Momma's boy.