Magic Kingom.. We Survived!
We just returned for a last minute trip family trip to Magic Kingdom, at Disneyworld, oh the joys of living in Florida (we get a discounted rate all over Orlando)! After 3 days of the park being closed due to reaching full capacity we braved a night in Orlando on Friday and a day, with 15, count them, 15 people at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday! Needlesss to say we had a blast! This was my 28th visit to the park, yes I'm one of "those" type of Disney fans and I encountered a first while there! It was the first time I got trampled while getting on the tram in the parking lot! It was pretty humorous actually and I survived without a scratch although the rest of the family was sure I had been swept up with the Haitiain family of equal size as ours- they were much better at overtaking the tram seats than we were.
Anyway we hit all the major rides, the mountains, roller coasters, greeted characters, ate and still made it out without taking out a second mortgage on the house or selling any children- and they are cute!
I've got to run to church but have been advised to ride down, oops write down my Magic Kingdom tips for all to see. After all even the Disney employees were impressed by the number of rides we took in, with litle wait time I may add, and my sister-in-law even commented on how relaxed and happy we all remained. Oh yeh here were the kids ages: 18 month, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13, and 15- add one set of grandparents and 3 moms- one pregnant and 3 dads- one looking pregnant to round out our group.
It's off to church but I'll write up my travel tips for younger and older Disney travellers. Have a wonderful day!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
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1. He was born in March of 1996 2. He was born on an Air Force base with 5 other boys the same day 3. He was born quick- 2 pushes 4. He was recently baptized 5. He recently overcame a fear of going under the water (this allowed #4) 6. He has the most compassionate heart I know, he gives his snack to homeless people we meet at stop lights 7. He is very creative, at the age of 2 he made his own skateboard out of paper and tin foil 8. He is more of a loner and posses some behavior traits of an autistic child 9. On day I'm sure he's going to turn in the Legos he spends so much time with 10. When he grows up he wants to be a Christian rapper or video game designer 11. His nickname is Ace Ventura because all animals, tame or wild come up to him. I'm not kidding, birds, prairie dogs, buffalo (scarey), the cats that live behind Wendy's (yes, the restaurant)- going to the zoo with him is a trip! 12. He prefers to stay up late and sleep in 13. He has taught me to love like no other  |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Go over to Pass the Torch and leave a comment. $1 per comment will be donated to St Jude Medical Research Hosptial. What a wonderful way to continue in the spirit of Christ! Let her know that I sent you.
We've never had to use St Jude's but here's our little premie (on the left) who was projected to need special care... he never did! Praise the Lord!
We've never had to use St Jude's but here's our little premie (on the left) who was projected to need special care... he never did! Praise the Lord!
Monday, December 25, 2006
Christmas day! What a great morning we've had! My mom stayed the night as usual and my grandmother made the trip over for pancakes and sausage, a la Steve! The boys had a blast shopping for me this year and I received a massage "pad" for the whole body! They know me well. I also got some great new books and 2, I say, 2 new journals, one for writing one for sketching! I can't wait! Mom blessed the whole family with a camping trip to one of Florida Springs- our choice! Steve was ever so thrilled with his books, both reading and Mensa puzzle books. My boys! I am so blessed to have the children I have, they are so thankful and appreciative at Christmas, always remembering the greatest gift of all- Jesus! Of course their Lego gifts weren't bad either!
Well it's off to read and drink more coffee until my in-laws come over later this afternoon! Merry Christmas to all!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Lately I've given some thought to our behavior as followers of Christ. I begin to think on a grander scale and then try to make the effort to bring things down on a personal level. After all, I am responsible for my own behavior, not the behavior of the group.
My thoughts started as how wasteful we are as Americans, then I secluded Christ followers out of that and marinated on the wastefulness we as believers practice. In recent months I have acquired a free stove, a free dishwasher, a free above ground 14-foot pool, and a free "only been used 3x", kickin' grill. These items have replaced at my house a broken two-burner stove (which worked fine for me for the past 3 years), and empty dishwasher hole in my kitchen, a non-existing backyard pool, and a very old and rusted out grill that was on the brink of crumbling under the wonderful Florida humidity and salty beach air. Yes, I am extremely thankful for these items and the details surrounding them are none only from God - but that is a whole blog of it's own.
So each of thee working items was replaced in their former home. Replaced by newer models, shinier ones, fancier more "in' items. Anyway else thinking of the Brave Little Toaster movie? Some of these newer models were paid for in cash, others on credit and still others are awaiting their "no-interest, no payment" date.
Why are we this way? Why are we replacing perfectly good items for a different version of the same thing? Where are we placing our importance? Are we being wise with what the Lord has given us?
"But Michelle", you say, "I needed the new appliances to match my new kitchen, my pool just wasn't big enough. I work hard for my money why shouldn't I buy nicer items for my home, after all I tithe to my church, I volunteer my time..." Blah, blah, blah.
Yes I hear you and by no means am I judging, the Lord knows where I stand on this one, the issue of judging, what I'm asking is where are your priorities? Are they on things of this world tat moth and rust destroy or are they on things eternal?
So as great as it is for me to see how others are at fault, I need to look at myself. Where do my priorities lie? I'd like to think they lie solely on things above, but I am done lying to myself. Yes my deepest desire is to serve God only, give Him my all - I just keep failing. Not that failing is bad - at least I'm putting forth effort to fail at. So where are my priorities? Did I mention a new "entryway" is being added on to my house? (and trust me I have good reason why I "need" this entryway) I wonder: Is what the Lord has given me, you know my house, my car, my health, my family, my EVERYTHING, not enough? here I sit adding on to my house while missionaries in Kenya live on $100 a month, or better yet children go hungry down the street.
So as Christmas day approaches and I think of my dear Saviors birth. I imagine His first night in this world, the simplicity of it, the calmness and the peace. I picture the stable, smelly, chalky with hay, no reclining bed or private bath for mom; the manger, rough and worn, without a matching sheet and bumper pad; I think of the love that night, the love that radiated from that manger to my heart today. I think of a wonderful little baby who lived a simple life and shared a simple message.
So it is my desire that we all as followers of Christ think about our priorities. That we would not find comfort in what material items surround us, that we would find comfort in the simple things of life. The simplicity of trusting and believing God.
May the simple life of Jesus inspire us all this year.
Merry Christmas!
My thoughts started as how wasteful we are as Americans, then I secluded Christ followers out of that and marinated on the wastefulness we as believers practice. In recent months I have acquired a free stove, a free dishwasher, a free above ground 14-foot pool, and a free "only been used 3x", kickin' grill. These items have replaced at my house a broken two-burner stove (which worked fine for me for the past 3 years), and empty dishwasher hole in my kitchen, a non-existing backyard pool, and a very old and rusted out grill that was on the brink of crumbling under the wonderful Florida humidity and salty beach air. Yes, I am extremely thankful for these items and the details surrounding them are none only from God - but that is a whole blog of it's own.
So each of thee working items was replaced in their former home. Replaced by newer models, shinier ones, fancier more "in' items. Anyway else thinking of the Brave Little Toaster movie? Some of these newer models were paid for in cash, others on credit and still others are awaiting their "no-interest, no payment" date.
Why are we this way? Why are we replacing perfectly good items for a different version of the same thing? Where are we placing our importance? Are we being wise with what the Lord has given us?
"But Michelle", you say, "I needed the new appliances to match my new kitchen, my pool just wasn't big enough. I work hard for my money why shouldn't I buy nicer items for my home, after all I tithe to my church, I volunteer my time..." Blah, blah, blah.
Yes I hear you and by no means am I judging, the Lord knows where I stand on this one, the issue of judging, what I'm asking is where are your priorities? Are they on things of this world tat moth and rust destroy or are they on things eternal?
So as great as it is for me to see how others are at fault, I need to look at myself. Where do my priorities lie? I'd like to think they lie solely on things above, but I am done lying to myself. Yes my deepest desire is to serve God only, give Him my all - I just keep failing. Not that failing is bad - at least I'm putting forth effort to fail at. So where are my priorities? Did I mention a new "entryway" is being added on to my house? (and trust me I have good reason why I "need" this entryway) I wonder: Is what the Lord has given me, you know my house, my car, my health, my family, my EVERYTHING, not enough? here I sit adding on to my house while missionaries in Kenya live on $100 a month, or better yet children go hungry down the street.
So as Christmas day approaches and I think of my dear Saviors birth. I imagine His first night in this world, the simplicity of it, the calmness and the peace. I picture the stable, smelly, chalky with hay, no reclining bed or private bath for mom; the manger, rough and worn, without a matching sheet and bumper pad; I think of the love that night, the love that radiated from that manger to my heart today. I think of a wonderful little baby who lived a simple life and shared a simple message.
So it is my desire that we all as followers of Christ think about our priorities. That we would not find comfort in what material items surround us, that we would find comfort in the simple things of life. The simplicity of trusting and believing God.
May the simple life of Jesus inspire us all this year.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Thursday Thirteen #1
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
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1. His name was chosen before we knew he was a boy, a family tradition, and his name means "little one" 2. I didn't know I was in labor until I was 9cm 3. He was born at 30 weeks and weighed 4 pounds 3 ounces 4. He and stayed in the hospital for 26 days, coming home on Dec 26 5. He is totally self-sufficient in his homeschool 6. He loves the Lord with all his heart 7. When he met his best friend at age 10, his first question to him was "If you were to die, do you know if you'd go to heaven?" 8. He later led him to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ 9. He loves to play football! 10. He grew 6 inches this last year 11. He'll always be my little Sweety Tweety 12. He's beginning to like his dad and granddad over me and my mom 13. As of last week he is officially the biggest eatter in our home  |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Parenting always produces challenges and this last year has posed new ones for me. When my boys were little things were much easier, much more black and white. No, we don't yell in public, no, we don't run into the road, yes, we hold hands, yes, we say please and thank you... you get my point. As we've approached the tween years and now enter the teen years things got a little more gray for me. Like how do you deal with an attitude problem brought on by no particular reason or what do you do when your 12-year-old hears you ask to take out the trash and then on the way to pick up the bag 5 feet away he forgets and walks on by to go do whatever?
So the other day we had a great moment!! It went something like this:
I was on the phone with a friend in need, I knew it would be a lengthy conversation so I suggested V go to the neighbors house and ask his friend if he wanted to go to the homeschool park day with us. I informed him I'd be on the phone until the moment we had to walk out the door.
I get off the phone and we all head out only V heads to the neighbors house. "I don't think so", this option had already come about it was now time to leave. He got upset, I got upset, I raised my voice and we headed off to the park. For whatever reason we couldn't let it go and neither of us would "drop the ball" as we put it, until finally I posed one question "What causes fights and quarrels among you?" James 4:1
Silence
Then we both responded with "Doesn't it come from the selfish desires that battle within you, you want something but don't get it." James 4:1-2a
I then asked for forgiveness because I wanted obedience and didn't get it. He too asked for forgiveness because he wanted to go over to his friends and didn't get it. We both wanted something and didn't get it and it resulted in a quarrel.
How awesome that we as parents don't have to have the answers, all we have to have is the Word of God. Thank you Lord for the truth of Your Word, it brings peace, it calms hearts and it settles arguments.
So the other day we had a great moment!! It went something like this:
I was on the phone with a friend in need, I knew it would be a lengthy conversation so I suggested V go to the neighbors house and ask his friend if he wanted to go to the homeschool park day with us. I informed him I'd be on the phone until the moment we had to walk out the door.
I get off the phone and we all head out only V heads to the neighbors house. "I don't think so", this option had already come about it was now time to leave. He got upset, I got upset, I raised my voice and we headed off to the park. For whatever reason we couldn't let it go and neither of us would "drop the ball" as we put it, until finally I posed one question "What causes fights and quarrels among you?" James 4:1
Silence
Then we both responded with "Doesn't it come from the selfish desires that battle within you, you want something but don't get it." James 4:1-2a
I then asked for forgiveness because I wanted obedience and didn't get it. He too asked for forgiveness because he wanted to go over to his friends and didn't get it. We both wanted something and didn't get it and it resulted in a quarrel.
How awesome that we as parents don't have to have the answers, all we have to have is the Word of God. Thank you Lord for the truth of Your Word, it brings peace, it calms hearts and it settles arguments.
Welcome to our home and the celebration of our Dear Savior's birth!Here's our Martha Stewart, pre-lite tree- I love it!!
This bowl sits on our dinning room table, full of our favorite beach finds, we customize it each season.
Again more of our beach finds with a little greenery thrown in.
Here's our new manger scene from the Dollar Store!
And another manger scene, never mind the wise man's hand at his feet! It must be something about boys and wise men hands, just ask Sarah.
And lastly our Santa table.
Thanks for coming! Visit Boomama for more!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
This was taken from my personal Bible journal not to long ago. I had/have been struggling with an issue in my life and the Lord led me to this passage and this freewrite.
We all mock God I think. If mocking God is going against what he says then we mock Him. The original Greek word that mock comes from means to turn up the nose or sneer at. Oh I don't even like to to write that, so what I'm saying is I mock God. Please forgive me Lord, I do not desire to mock You, I desire to praise and obey You.
We all do it in different ways.
The Lord recently opened my eyes to Galatians 6:7-9, about reaping and sowing.
First of all I saw I was being deceived. "Do not be deceived: God can not be mocked." I had been deceived to think I could continue to mock God in an area of my life and not have any consequences. "A man will reap what he sows"
Next I had to evaluate who I was trying to please: my sinful nature or the Spirit? "The one who sows to please his sinful nature from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." So since I have come to the conclusion that I am currently sowing to please my sinful nature I am reaping destruction! That's a strong word, destruction. So all encompassing, when I think destruction I picture a huge mess, I picture nothing but piles of charred remains and smoke drifting up to the heavens. Gray skies, no life.
There's no way I want that! Since destruction in my life would mean a spillover into the lives of my husband and children and beyond, I say no. No more do I want to please my sinful nature; I will sow to please the Spirit, and reap eternal life.
Eternal life has such a life glow to it. Something about those words bring visions of angels, white puffy clouds and 3 Musketeer bars to mind. I think of eternal life as not only life forever in heaven but a peaceful life here on earth, a life grounded in the faith of knowing whatever the current situation God is with me and those white puffy clouds of His love surround me here on this planet, in this life, in this current life issue I face.
"Let us not grow weary in doing good." I have been doing good in some areas but in others, I have grown weary, in some ways given up.
"For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Hang tight! Don't give up! In the proper time a harvest will be reaped! Since this does not go along with my time line, patience will need to be put into practice. I too often get upset with God when His timing is "off" from mine. Proper time, God's time.
Anyway, I made a decision today to please the Spirit on this one issue in my life, to not grow weary when I want to turn back to pleasing my sinful nature, to continue to lift this up to the Lord and see the truth in the destruction it will bring, to not be deceived any longer! Oh how I look forward to the harvest!
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While posting this today one of my favorite songs comes to mind by a group called LA Symphony. It's called Hold On, here are some of their lines that came to mind
"Hold on my homies, in the middle of the night, hold on my people in the thick of the fight, hold on my friend, you gotta keep the faith, so soon it will end and you will see it was worth the wait." Let us not grow weary (vs. 9)
"we must win in the end through perseverance, I'll only be hearing the uplift and cheerin' " ... do not give up! (vs. 9)
"to leave the life of your past that had you homie dyin'...hold on to the decision you made to change your living" do not grow weary... do not give up (vs. 9)
"nothing can break us, nothing can stop us, hold on like pit bulls lock jaws cause there is a hope, for better day, a better us, a better way" Let us not grow weary, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if we do not give up (vs 9)
"you'll reach your destiny, you'll reach your goal, find that strength deep down in your soul." Let us not grow weary (vs. 9)
We all mock God I think. If mocking God is going against what he says then we mock Him. The original Greek word that mock comes from means to turn up the nose or sneer at. Oh I don't even like to to write that, so what I'm saying is I mock God. Please forgive me Lord, I do not desire to mock You, I desire to praise and obey You.
We all do it in different ways.
The Lord recently opened my eyes to Galatians 6:7-9, about reaping and sowing.
First of all I saw I was being deceived. "Do not be deceived: God can not be mocked." I had been deceived to think I could continue to mock God in an area of my life and not have any consequences. "A man will reap what he sows"
Next I had to evaluate who I was trying to please: my sinful nature or the Spirit? "The one who sows to please his sinful nature from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." So since I have come to the conclusion that I am currently sowing to please my sinful nature I am reaping destruction! That's a strong word, destruction. So all encompassing, when I think destruction I picture a huge mess, I picture nothing but piles of charred remains and smoke drifting up to the heavens. Gray skies, no life.
There's no way I want that! Since destruction in my life would mean a spillover into the lives of my husband and children and beyond, I say no. No more do I want to please my sinful nature; I will sow to please the Spirit, and reap eternal life.
Eternal life has such a life glow to it. Something about those words bring visions of angels, white puffy clouds and 3 Musketeer bars to mind. I think of eternal life as not only life forever in heaven but a peaceful life here on earth, a life grounded in the faith of knowing whatever the current situation God is with me and those white puffy clouds of His love surround me here on this planet, in this life, in this current life issue I face.
"Let us not grow weary in doing good." I have been doing good in some areas but in others, I have grown weary, in some ways given up.
"For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Hang tight! Don't give up! In the proper time a harvest will be reaped! Since this does not go along with my time line, patience will need to be put into practice. I too often get upset with God when His timing is "off" from mine. Proper time, God's time.
Anyway, I made a decision today to please the Spirit on this one issue in my life, to not grow weary when I want to turn back to pleasing my sinful nature, to continue to lift this up to the Lord and see the truth in the destruction it will bring, to not be deceived any longer! Oh how I look forward to the harvest!
***************************************************************************
While posting this today one of my favorite songs comes to mind by a group called LA Symphony. It's called Hold On, here are some of their lines that came to mind
"Hold on my homies, in the middle of the night, hold on my people in the thick of the fight, hold on my friend, you gotta keep the faith, so soon it will end and you will see it was worth the wait." Let us not grow weary (vs. 9)
"we must win in the end through perseverance, I'll only be hearing the uplift and cheerin' " ... do not give up! (vs. 9)
"to leave the life of your past that had you homie dyin'...hold on to the decision you made to change your living" do not grow weary... do not give up (vs. 9)
"nothing can break us, nothing can stop us, hold on like pit bulls lock jaws cause there is a hope, for better day, a better us, a better way" Let us not grow weary, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if we do not give up (vs 9)
"you'll reach your destiny, you'll reach your goal, find that strength deep down in your soul." Let us not grow weary (vs. 9)
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
The Journey Continues....
My life is changing. I'm not sure that I like it.
For the past 13 years I have been a mother. Pregnant when I graduated high school, I married my high school sweetheart and began my career as a stay-at-home-mom. I loved the early years, the late nights, the early mornings, the crying, the cuddling, the crawling, the freshness of life seen through the eyes of a child. The baby stage, the toddler stage, I just loved it!
I love the elementary stage. The learning, the exploring, the parks, questions. I loved it! We climbed trees together, we caught bugs, we grew mold and made play-doh!
I now find myself smack-dab in the teen years! and things are changing around here. We listen to music for fun and jump off of really high things. V towers above me and asks everytime we turn down our road "can I drive?", I'm not sure I like this whole mom thing. I didn't sign-up for this. I didn't want to leave my kids home alone when I run out for a gallon of milk, I didn't want my child to be independent of me. I never expected them to answer the phone and take a message! The other day V called the internet company and worked out our internet problem while I schooled J in the other room - while some may find this a good thing, I'm not convinced it's right! This is not what I signed up for. I wanted them to stay little, to ask me to tie their shoe (so OK J still does this) or cut their meat, I never intended on having them make their own orthodontist appointments or do their own laundry. Somehow in my parenting journey these things all have happened. Somehow I've been phased out of so many of my duties. Somehow, someday I will have worked myself right out of a job. I don't like this, no, not one little bite.
So what comes next?
This is something I've prayed about and wrestled with God about. I've found it very hard to move into this teen stage, what's a mom to do? Here's what I believe He's been telling me. Stick to the task at hand. You are not done, in fact you are far from it. Your duties are changing, embrace them, with My strength and help you'll get through.
So I press on, I press on even though my duties have changed, even though life has taken a turn I'm not crazy about. I'm begining to see my "little men" become little men, I'm begining to see them as young adults, independent and not living under my roof. As much as I hate to see them this way, I must. I need the time to prepare myself for what lies ahead. To prepare myself for the drive to college, the first job, the first home outside my own and even, yes if I must say it, for my being replaced one day by another women, their wife.
So I write today as the mother on a teenager, ready to embark on a journey I'd rather stay behind on, a journey into unchartered waters, a journey I pray, I trust, I know will be a great adventure!
For the past 13 years I have been a mother. Pregnant when I graduated high school, I married my high school sweetheart and began my career as a stay-at-home-mom. I loved the early years, the late nights, the early mornings, the crying, the cuddling, the crawling, the freshness of life seen through the eyes of a child. The baby stage, the toddler stage, I just loved it!
I love the elementary stage. The learning, the exploring, the parks, questions. I loved it! We climbed trees together, we caught bugs, we grew mold and made play-doh!
I now find myself smack-dab in the teen years! and things are changing around here. We listen to music for fun and jump off of really high things. V towers above me and asks everytime we turn down our road "can I drive?", I'm not sure I like this whole mom thing. I didn't sign-up for this. I didn't want to leave my kids home alone when I run out for a gallon of milk, I didn't want my child to be independent of me. I never expected them to answer the phone and take a message! The other day V called the internet company and worked out our internet problem while I schooled J in the other room - while some may find this a good thing, I'm not convinced it's right! This is not what I signed up for. I wanted them to stay little, to ask me to tie their shoe (so OK J still does this) or cut their meat, I never intended on having them make their own orthodontist appointments or do their own laundry. Somehow in my parenting journey these things all have happened. Somehow I've been phased out of so many of my duties. Somehow, someday I will have worked myself right out of a job. I don't like this, no, not one little bite.
So what comes next?
This is something I've prayed about and wrestled with God about. I've found it very hard to move into this teen stage, what's a mom to do? Here's what I believe He's been telling me. Stick to the task at hand. You are not done, in fact you are far from it. Your duties are changing, embrace them, with My strength and help you'll get through.
So I press on, I press on even though my duties have changed, even though life has taken a turn I'm not crazy about. I'm begining to see my "little men" become little men, I'm begining to see them as young adults, independent and not living under my roof. As much as I hate to see them this way, I must. I need the time to prepare myself for what lies ahead. To prepare myself for the drive to college, the first job, the first home outside my own and even, yes if I must say it, for my being replaced one day by another women, their wife.
So I write today as the mother on a teenager, ready to embark on a journey I'd rather stay behind on, a journey into unchartered waters, a journey I pray, I trust, I know will be a great adventure!
I find I spend much of my time counting down or preparing for something in the future. Today I sat down to add a new "ticker" to my myspace counting down the days until my hubby will return, this replaced the ticker of how long until he left. Last night I sat down and planned my home school week (yes I know the week had already started), next I am making out my grocery list, planning the next week's worth of food. It got me thinking about all I plan for and all I don't plan for.
For instance I don't plan to share Christ with people. I mean I do plan to, one day when I'm a missionary- yes this is really what I want to do when I grow up. I do plan to when conversation and the Holy Spirit lead that way, but I don't deliberately plan to set out and share Christ. Don't get me wrong I try to bring up Christ in conversations but when was the last time I sat down and planned it. Yes, yes I know living and sharing out faith is not necessarily planned out but why can't it be. Follow me here, why don't I sit down and write a list of the people I come into contact with regularly; the cashiers at Publix and Wal-mart, the librarian, the lady who works at the gas station, the teller at the bank. Why don't I sit down and pray about each of those people or situations, then come up with a plan to share Christ with them. I mean if I had a ticker that counted down to the day until Christ returned or if everyone had a ticker of their days left above their head I'm sure I'd find a way to share Christ with them right now.
So I've decided that while in the midst of the counting down season I will make a point to share the reason for the season to these individuals who I see each week; I will plan to be deliberate in what I say, to go out and make disciples of all nations, starting with the one I live in. I encourage you to do the same.
For instance I don't plan to share Christ with people. I mean I do plan to, one day when I'm a missionary- yes this is really what I want to do when I grow up. I do plan to when conversation and the Holy Spirit lead that way, but I don't deliberately plan to set out and share Christ. Don't get me wrong I try to bring up Christ in conversations but when was the last time I sat down and planned it. Yes, yes I know living and sharing out faith is not necessarily planned out but why can't it be. Follow me here, why don't I sit down and write a list of the people I come into contact with regularly; the cashiers at Publix and Wal-mart, the librarian, the lady who works at the gas station, the teller at the bank. Why don't I sit down and pray about each of those people or situations, then come up with a plan to share Christ with them. I mean if I had a ticker that counted down to the day until Christ returned or if everyone had a ticker of their days left above their head I'm sure I'd find a way to share Christ with them right now.
So I've decided that while in the midst of the counting down season I will make a point to share the reason for the season to these individuals who I see each week; I will plan to be deliberate in what I say, to go out and make disciples of all nations, starting with the one I live in. I encourage you to do the same.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
My Baby's a Teenager
Yes today I am the parent of a teenager. Yes I know, I know, I'm not old enough to have a teenager, but I am; it's the natural consequence of being a teen mom, your kid turns 13 and you haven't quite yet figured out this whole parent thing!
We've had today planned for months now. French toast for breakfast, subs for lunch and a big Medieval feast for dinner. V woke this morning and after breakfast jumped into my father's trailer truck and headed for a delivery with his grandfather 1.5 hours away. We always wake up on our kids birthday and begin to reflect on those first years they were in our home. Those who are in our family know these stories well, but you, well, you don't so let me open a page of V's baby book: here's is V's birth story.
November 30th was a Thursday back in 1993. Steve and I had been married 3.5 months. Saturday, December 2 was our 1 day lamaze class so when I began to have pains around 3pm I never imagined I would be in labor. Steve was a senior in high school, crazy I know, and I stayed at home and helped coach cheerleading for some extra cash. It was at cheerleading practice that my "cramps" started and as I drove home that night I wondered what was up. Steve's diagnosis was gas and I showered before my mother-in-law heard me moan while on the phone with Steve. It was Steve's away!
Not thinking anything we arrived at the hospital around 8pm. It wasn't but 5 mintes later we got the diagosis: I was in labor at 30 weeks and there was no stopping it! I was dialated to 9! They gave me a shot to slow down my labor so the NICU could arrive from a hospital 30 minutes away. It was around 9pm when I was given the OK to push and 14 minutes later little Vaughan was welcomed into this world. His little 17 inch, 4 lb 1.3 oz body had no fat on it and he resembled an alien photo I had once seen (of course I didn't notice that tilyears later). He was breathing so I could hold him right after birth and a few minutes later he was hooked up to monitors. One monitored his heart rate, another his pulse, still another over his mouth reminded him to breath and an iv tube kept him full of the neccesities. Once he was "stablized" and ready for travel the ambulance swept him away to another hospital while I sat alone trying to wrap my mind around everything that had happened.
The next morning around 7am we awoke, grabbed a box lunch from the hospital, went home, showered and headed to the hospital to see our little one. He was so tiny and slept so peacefully in a little incubator next to a 1 pound girl and a 3 pounder. It took a little bite to get use to holding him with all his monitors and cords, but the love of a mother overshawdows any incomvience. By day 3 he was off of the extras and only heart and breathing monitors remained. He spot in the nursery was moved twice as he began his 26 day visit in the NICU at Dartmouth medical center in Hanover, NH.
Every day we visited him, I spent many an hour in the breast pumping room, pumping breast milk to be fed to V through a feeding tube. He had no gag reflect and couldn't suck until he was about 3 weeks old. My cousin and Steve's friend Justin visted daily as well. He was the only preemie in the place that attempted to talk, his "billy goat" sounds brought a smile to every nurses face. He barely cried and swam in the preemie clothes we bought. I saved a preemie diaper just because and everytime I pull it out I am reminded of the miracle that was given to me 13 years ago today.
When I look back I do not remember feeling afraid or that something bad could happen. Never did I think he wouldn't be fine - there's something to being a teenager and knowing everything and feeling invincible and then having a child. When you feel that for yourself you feel that for your child as well. Our youth kept us stupid enough to enjoy each day in the NICU, fretting was not on our radar. Today I give the praise to the Lord. He had His hand on every second of V's first hours and days, He kept our hearts still and at peace. It was God's grace that entered out lives when V was born.
So that is the story of Vaughan. He now stands 5 foot 7 inches, still as skinny as a rail. He loves the Lord. His best friend is a great Christain kid. He likes PS2 and making his own movies using a camera and movie maker. He's in the 7th grade, homeschooled since kindergarten, and is a great big brother to J. He's respectful, kind and loving to strangers and those in need. He talks back and moans whne I ask him to do the dishes, but he does them. *smile* He's done his own laundry since age 8, feeds his cats without being reminded and he loves to play football! How could I forget that, he doesn't like to watch the game but when football starts he's a machine! He's a Boy Scout and he loves Sunday School and youth group at our church! Still a lego fan and also likes Bionicles and Heroscape.
As I look back over the last 13 years, I can't help but look over the next 13. They will be gone quick as a flash and I'll be reflecting back on the day my baby became a teenager. My prayer for him is that he will grow in the Lord. That his heart will be a heart after God. I pray he'll know his purpose in God's kingdom early on and live a life for Christ. I pray for his future wife, that she too would desire to seek God above all else in her life.
I also ask you for your payer for me as we entered into these teen years. I have a feeling the terrible two's and three's are nothing compared to these years to come.
Oh my baby's a teenager, kind of makes me sad.
We've had today planned for months now. French toast for breakfast, subs for lunch and a big Medieval feast for dinner. V woke this morning and after breakfast jumped into my father's trailer truck and headed for a delivery with his grandfather 1.5 hours away. We always wake up on our kids birthday and begin to reflect on those first years they were in our home. Those who are in our family know these stories well, but you, well, you don't so let me open a page of V's baby book: here's is V's birth story.
November 30th was a Thursday back in 1993. Steve and I had been married 3.5 months. Saturday, December 2 was our 1 day lamaze class so when I began to have pains around 3pm I never imagined I would be in labor. Steve was a senior in high school, crazy I know, and I stayed at home and helped coach cheerleading for some extra cash. It was at cheerleading practice that my "cramps" started and as I drove home that night I wondered what was up. Steve's diagnosis was gas and I showered before my mother-in-law heard me moan while on the phone with Steve. It was Steve's away!
Not thinking anything we arrived at the hospital around 8pm. It wasn't but 5 mintes later we got the diagosis: I was in labor at 30 weeks and there was no stopping it! I was dialated to 9! They gave me a shot to slow down my labor so the NICU could arrive from a hospital 30 minutes away. It was around 9pm when I was given the OK to push and 14 minutes later little Vaughan was welcomed into this world. His little 17 inch, 4 lb 1.3 oz body had no fat on it and he resembled an alien photo I had once seen (of course I didn't notice that tilyears later). He was breathing so I could hold him right after birth and a few minutes later he was hooked up to monitors. One monitored his heart rate, another his pulse, still another over his mouth reminded him to breath and an iv tube kept him full of the neccesities. Once he was "stablized" and ready for travel the ambulance swept him away to another hospital while I sat alone trying to wrap my mind around everything that had happened.
The next morning around 7am we awoke, grabbed a box lunch from the hospital, went home, showered and headed to the hospital to see our little one. He was so tiny and slept so peacefully in a little incubator next to a 1 pound girl and a 3 pounder. It took a little bite to get use to holding him with all his monitors and cords, but the love of a mother overshawdows any incomvience. By day 3 he was off of the extras and only heart and breathing monitors remained. He spot in the nursery was moved twice as he began his 26 day visit in the NICU at Dartmouth medical center in Hanover, NH.
Every day we visited him, I spent many an hour in the breast pumping room, pumping breast milk to be fed to V through a feeding tube. He had no gag reflect and couldn't suck until he was about 3 weeks old. My cousin and Steve's friend Justin visted daily as well. He was the only preemie in the place that attempted to talk, his "billy goat" sounds brought a smile to every nurses face. He barely cried and swam in the preemie clothes we bought. I saved a preemie diaper just because and everytime I pull it out I am reminded of the miracle that was given to me 13 years ago today.
When I look back I do not remember feeling afraid or that something bad could happen. Never did I think he wouldn't be fine - there's something to being a teenager and knowing everything and feeling invincible and then having a child. When you feel that for yourself you feel that for your child as well. Our youth kept us stupid enough to enjoy each day in the NICU, fretting was not on our radar. Today I give the praise to the Lord. He had His hand on every second of V's first hours and days, He kept our hearts still and at peace. It was God's grace that entered out lives when V was born.
So that is the story of Vaughan. He now stands 5 foot 7 inches, still as skinny as a rail. He loves the Lord. His best friend is a great Christain kid. He likes PS2 and making his own movies using a camera and movie maker. He's in the 7th grade, homeschooled since kindergarten, and is a great big brother to J. He's respectful, kind and loving to strangers and those in need. He talks back and moans whne I ask him to do the dishes, but he does them. *smile* He's done his own laundry since age 8, feeds his cats without being reminded and he loves to play football! How could I forget that, he doesn't like to watch the game but when football starts he's a machine! He's a Boy Scout and he loves Sunday School and youth group at our church! Still a lego fan and also likes Bionicles and Heroscape.
As I look back over the last 13 years, I can't help but look over the next 13. They will be gone quick as a flash and I'll be reflecting back on the day my baby became a teenager. My prayer for him is that he will grow in the Lord. That his heart will be a heart after God. I pray he'll know his purpose in God's kingdom early on and live a life for Christ. I pray for his future wife, that she too would desire to seek God above all else in her life.
I also ask you for your payer for me as we entered into these teen years. I have a feeling the terrible two's and three's are nothing compared to these years to come.
Oh my baby's a teenager, kind of makes me sad.
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