These Girls ... My Heart

P.S. And this is why I have been missing from the blog world. :) Cause they and their Daddy are AWESOME!

'Cause He Does ...

... He laughs! And smiles. He's warm and sweet and precious and loving ... He is!

*photo credit "Bethel Healing Rooms" on Facebook.

Warmer

Getting warmer. It's a term our preacher uses. I've heard it used in hide and seek and other childhood games … and, I’ve been thinking of that in terms of getting closer to something, like meeting a goal or achieving a promise or something tangible. But this morning, it occurred to me that this getting warmer, it is a Person. It is the Person. Getting warmer ... it’s about standing next to God, sitting at His feet, listening, breathing, loving, hearing, knowing. It’s about walking out whatever next to Him. The reason things aren’t working the way I think or expect is because *I* am trying to make them work, instead of just breathing Him in and letting Him work, the way He has planned. Trusting God. And, the reason this isn’t happening is I keep sitting down. Pouting. I keep stopping in the road. I keep entertaining voices that are not His and allowing them to dictate what is life and truth and what can and can’t happen. Like the internet or a human voice or opinion is the boss of me. Not. It's His voice. It’s His voice and what He says and His way and He is wooing me and this time, this time, I want back where He has led me. I want to follow. I am a sheep. Getting warmer.

This is the beginning ...

 

... of my favorite season (three months) of the year! Seeing God's hand everywhere and it is lovely!

*Photo stolen from Pinterest. :)

So fast ...

Blink and they are out of diapers, drawing and having conversations with you. Blink again and they are in junior high and high school. So beautiful. So funny. So smart. So loving. So amazing! All three of them. We are blessed. Thank you Kimberli for the photo's you took that day way too long ago!

Nifty Fifty!

This week, Wednesday to be specific, I reached another change of decade. I turned 50! I realize it is a big number. Truly one you are never quite sure you will reach, until you do, cause it seems so far away. It is definitely not the number that matches the number I have for me in my head. Please people, I have a four year old!

This has been a week of celebrating me! Dinners out, Round Top, sweet surprises orchestrated by my amazing daughters and hubby and precious God-kisses. So, good! And, I feel appropriately launched into this new season, anticipating, excited!

I am celebrating by posting a picture I treasure. This is the last photograph of the three of us all together. Middle of the night, laughing and blurry. I love these women. I like to think my precious mom would be proud of me today. Smiling. Joyful. She lived her life as an example always for us, knowingly or not. Beauty-full. I miss her every day. I love you Mom! Happy Birthday to me!

For "those" days ... or "moments" ...

 

 

I think that pretty much sums it up. I'm certain there is nothing more for me to add to this. Except, perhaps, you're welcome! :) I don't know, but when I read this, it was in one of those "moments." That was all it took. I copied it and posted it on my wall and in my journal as a reminder. I'd even venture to say that God sent it just at the right time for me. Thank you very much! Now, back to the fight, because friends, I am NOT quitting. Like my Momma always said, "That ain't no hill for a climber!"

I'm Thinking ...

 

Isn't that sort of like, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Can I tell you this is very, very hard when you are in menopause with out-of-whack hormones and your mouth vomits words your brain is thinking that are totally not yours or that you never meant to say. And, where is the grace?

 

Yet, somehow, I think this is the whole point. My giving grace when my patience has faded and my tolerance is lacking and my ability to judge is at an all-time high. His amazing grace. Ugh. Because, truth-be-told, God gives me exceeding and ridiculous amounts of grace. And, just because I'm watching someone else about to jump into a "been there already, done that, why are you being so stupid?" moment, doesn't mean I shouldn't be giving grace. Perhaps the same grace given to me or even some of the grace I believe I never got from humans, but always get from God.

 

"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."    Hebrews 12:15 

 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."    2 Peter 3:18

 

 

Just This ...

Did I Mention ...

... Santa provided us with a "homeschool p.e." device for Christmas 2013?? Otherwise known as a trampoline! Oh the fun ...

P.S. Yes, I know these pictures are from Christmas Day 2013 ... and, yes, I am well aware that Christmas 2014 is a mere 4, four, uhm ... yes, 4 months away! No, I don't want to be reminded! Although my favorite season (fall, ahem!) is right around the corner. Just saying.

He Never Leaves Us

 

There are days I feel like this sheep looks ... tired, weary, bewildered. I want answers. I need answers. I don't understand. I'm need some help holding myself up. And, oh how I would love to know the route to the promise He has already given me, already confirmed, but His ways are not my ways. God knows those times. And, I find when I press in, when I cry out to Him, when I seek His face and, truthfully, when I fess up about how angry I am when I don't get it, He is ever faithful. He opens my eyes to see. He pours wisdom and discernment and answers into my heart. He has a friend text or call and just the right words. Why? Cause He is faithful. He answers prayers and opens eyes and doors and sometimes, He just gives me peace that passes understanding that makes the wait bearable. He is faithful. He loves us. And, let me be clear, this isn't just available to me. It's available to all of us who seek Him. Sometimes it might take patience on my part. Sometimes waiting a bit. But, it always comes. He is faithful!



Because It's Blog-Worthy!

So, I am so far behind on blogging, but this had to make the list. Our Peyton participated in the Katy Children's Choir this last semester and wow! One of the very cool things they got to do was sing the National Anthem at a Houston Rocket's Basketball game. Uhm, yep! A Rocket's game. The National Anthem! Very amazing! Very! Peyton said the other teams' players, who they met briefly, made even her Dad look short! :) This great event was end of January, I think. May have been beginning of February. See, I told you I am very behind. But, here is the awesomeness ...

 

The Toyota Center!

The Fans!



The Paparazzi!

Ready ...

Set ...



Sing!

There she is!!!

So proud of all these choir kids!

Brave ...

There are things in life that we go through that are hard and frankly, they hurt and make no sense. There are things that seem like a long time and suck in the walk. I'm not going to lie. Things that make us want to cry and to just lay down our spiritual sword and give up. And, there are Words and promises God has given and we wait and walk and have faith and keep having faith and belief and ask God to help us in our unbelief. Because He is God and He doesn't lie. He does what He says, and what's more, nothing, NOTHING, nothing, no-thing, is impossible for Him. Nothing. (Mark 9:23) This world is ruled by an ugly enemy and he makes no bones about, his goal is to take down whoever he can and his target is not unbelievers. But, God. Be Brave. Stand firm mighty warrior. God is FOR us. He is FOR us. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus. Don't look away. And, for heaven's sake, do not give up!

"You Make Me Brave"

 

I stand before You now

The greatness of Your renown

I have heard of the majesty and wonder of You

King of Heaven, in humility, I bow.

 

CHORUS:

 

As Your love, in wave after wave,

Crashes over me, crashes over me

For You are for us, You are not against us

Champion of Heaven

You made a way for all to enter in.

 

I have heard You calling my name

 I have heard the song of love that You sing

So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore

into Your grace, into Your grace,

 

You make me brave.

You make me brave.

You call me out beyond the shore into the waves.

You make me brave.

You make me brave.

No fear can hinder now the love that made a way.

 

 

Bethel Music on iTunes "You Make Me Brave"

Mistress Mary!

Today is my sweet, precious Grannie's 97th birthday! Ninety-seven! Just wow! Her life, it's characterized by laughter and tears and resolve and resilience and perseverance and joy and laughter and wisdom and selflessness and so much generosity and all those words that sum up a woman after God's own heart. She has seen the worst and seen the best and lived joyfully through it all. In her day, she was an awesome cook, like awesome! She was amazingly creative, quite the seamstress and she could do some serious crocheting. I will not discuss how many afghans I have as it might prevent me from getting any more. :) Just saying. She was a fierce competitor, just try beating her in Ping-Pong or being on her team and not playing up to par. And, she has loved her family well. Her servant's heart is unparalleled. And oh, the stories she could tell. I have learned much from her and, even today, just sitting next to her and holding her hand is a little slice of heaven on earth. She is a true matriarch and I am blessed she is mine! I love you Grannie!

Seeing Clearly

"He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then, his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly." Mark 8:23-25

How cool is that? This verse speaks to me in so many ways, I had to share. Once more. Partially at first and completely the second time. I just love how much He loves us. Once more. But God! Only God.

 

Camping out here ...

... because Momming a teen, a pre-teen, and a preschooler; standing on the verge of 50; wading through the "without warning" emotions of menopause; managing a household; re-learning living in a new place and standing on God's words, while waiting on several to happen, are challenging tasks in a worldly world. No other way to do it but standing next to Jesus. And, when I am standing in a gentle and quiet spirit, things go right. Focused on standing there. It's a work-in-progress. Thankful God loves messes, too!

FOURTEEN!

 

I just almost can't speak it! This beautiful girl is fourteen today! Mercy! And, what a blessing she is. I can still remember when she was a wee little 8 lb., 2 oz-er!! She is growing in God's grace daily. She is hilarious. I'm thinking she takes after her Daddy in sense of humor. She is an ace at hair and make-up, although said make-up is only seen by members of this household, as it doesn't go out of the house on her face! :) She is starting high school next year. High school, people! Did I mention I can hardly stand it? She is quite creative and got my Mother's gift for handwriting styles. She is our oldest and is learning to be a leader as such. She is the cat's meow! And, we love her. Happy Birthday Miss Madison!

Christmas 2013 Highlights - Catching Up :)

This was our first year having our own "real" house in three years, not saying the RV was not a real house because where God is is home! And, a "real" house rocks! We got to put up our tree and all our decorations. I LOVE some of these decorations. Precious memories of little people in many of them. Brianne sat on the chair next to the tree and sang "O Christmas Tree" (her version) until we all stood together and sang along. It was bittersweet without my Mom, but Paw-Paw was there and Grandma came over and saved lunch (more on that later) and Santa came! Whoop!

 

 

 

The girls all had their own trees in their rooms again ... so awesome!
And, baby girl was completely enamored of this pink one,
which she decorated herself! It matched her skirt! :)

Christmas Eve puzzle making!



Two coming down to check out what Santa left!

"No pictures please, it's too early!"

Oh, that Santa! He made three girls day for sure!

TWELVE!

We interrupt our catching up to bring you a very important news bulletin. This girl turned 12, T.W.E.L.V.E., tweeeeeelve, ten plus two, 12 today! And, oh, she grows more beautiful every.single.day! She is feisty, smart, funny, mischievous and adds a whole sweet flavor to our life. She loves her family and playing with our dog and singing in the choir and youth group and helping others. Her heart is so compassionate it blows me away sometimes. She is growing into a young woman but still likes playing with the babiest and using her imagination and is not into growing up too fast, which I love. It's a tight wire she is walking well. Can't wait to see as God continues to roll out her gifts and His plan in her life! Happy Birthday Peyton! Honored to be your Momma and Daddy! We love you!

Octonauts Birthday Celebration - Catching Up! :)

We had a little celebration for Miss Brianne marking her 4th birthday with our friends the Brimberry's. The twins are pretty much the same age and it's so fun to watch them play together. Not to mention, their Momma and I have been friends for almost 20 years. That's a long time people! Anyway, Octonauts are the coolest right now and "Kwassey" won the cake. We ate chili and hot dogs, played in Brianne's new play tent, and roasted marshmellows! So much fun!

 

Our big 4 year old!

Twin friends!

Playing in the secret house ... No big people allowed!

The fire is the other way ...

Marshmellows rock!

Great way to celebrate!