We Can Swim!

...sort of.

The kids and I spent all of last week in Athens so the boys could take swimming lessons from a good friend of my family. They really did a lot better than I expected. (And I did take pictures with my phone, but for some reason my phone and my laptop aren't on speaking terms...) Anyway. We spent a lot of time hanging out with the family, and my good friend Hannah and her kiddos were up, too, staying with their family and taking swimming lessons with us. We stayed with my brother and sister-in-law, as usual. We drove up on Monday morning, just in time for swimming lessons (okay, so we were a few minutes late). Hannah and I took the kids to McDonald's after swimming lessons (and a trip to Wal-mart), then that night, we had a big family supper at my grandparents', and everyone was there except Jeremy and Tenleigh. Tuesday, after lessons, we went back to my grandparents' for dinner and then next door to my aunt and uncle's for more swimming. Wednesday, we took the kiddos to Chick-fil-A for lunch and playtime, then back home for a nap before time to get ready for church services. Thursday, I got to spend a little (but no where near enough!) time with Roxann and Macy Kae, when they came to eat lunch and swim a little with us. That night, we ate at my parents' with them, Chris and Christie, and my grandparents. Then, when we got back to Chris's, I got all of our stuff packed back up. After their last lesson Friday, we stopped back by my grandparents' for lunch again, then headed back for Horton! We were all missing Daddy. Ty asked me Friday morning if we could just go home instead of swimming lessons. Bless their little hearts. We were all glad to get back home.

Today, we took the kids out to our pool (which we finally got fixed yesterday! Whoo hoo!) and tried to get them to show Jeremy what they had learned at swimming lessons. Nada. Just would not do it. Lazy, perhaps? Who knows. All I know is that before we left Athens, Ty was jumping off the side of the pool beside the diving board and making it back to the ladder by himself, and today he just cried when we took his life jacket off. And Troy was almost swimming by himself just a couple of days ago, and he wouldn't even take his life jacket off. Gonna have to do some thinking on this one.

Singin' on Sunday v. 6

You Are My Strength
Glenda B. Schales



You are my strength,
You are my shield,
You are my help, my deliver'r.
You are my rock,
You are my hope,
You are my all, my redeemer.

You are my light,
You are my guide,
You are the song I am singing.
You are my smile,
You are my peace,
You are the joy of my living. 




Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart to the Lord."

Thankful Thursday v. 9

Thankful this week for:

1. Spending time with family. We have been in Athens for the week and got to see my family, who we don't see very often.

2. A couple of good swimming lesson instructors. The reason we are in Athens to begin with. I wanted the boys to take swimming lessons from someone I know and trust.

4. My brother and sweet sister-in-law who let us stay with them when we come up, even though we strow their house from one end to the other. ;)

5. Audrey sleeping through the night every night but the first that we have been up here! I was afraid she wouldn't do well sleeping by herself in her play pen, with no fan on, but other than the first night, she has done really well.

6. Some quiet time after every one else goes to bed to read my Bible and just have a little peace.

7. My sweet husband who stayed home all by his lonesome to work while we are out playing this week. :( We all miss him.

8. Everyone who has fed us while we've been here. ;)

9. A good friend who made the trip with me with her 3 babies under 3. Thanks, Hannah!

10. For some time away from the internet the past few days. It has been nice to not feel glued to my computer, even though I have missed seeing what is going on with my blogging friends!


For more thankfuls or to link up, check out

Absent...

I know I have been missing the past few days. We are up visiting my family and letting the boys take swimming lessons. I will try to put up a good post when we get home this weekend!

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Thankful Thursday 8

Thankful this week for:


1.  Normal thyroid levels!! Whoo-hoo!!!

2. Publix milk prices, and that I happened to be out that way where I could stop. (We go through A LOT of milk!)

3. Reading just the right passage when I needed to hear it.

4.  Google search.

5.  Giovanni's with friends after worship service last night.

6.  Friends who know they can confide in me about anything.

7.  The Remember Me app on my phone.

8.  All three kids took a nap yesterday...at the same time!!

9.  Options. (Even if they do make my head spin sometimes)

10. Friends who don't care if my house isn't spic and span when they visit! ;)



For more thankfuls, or to link up head over to

He Will Provide

Have you ever prayed, and turned right around and read something that you really needed to hear? After speaking with the Lord rather earnestly, I opened my Bible, and part of my reading tonight just happened to be Psalm 116. I wanted to share it with you.

I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.
Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: "Please, Lord, save me!"
How kind the Lord is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours!
The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death and He saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.
He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the Lord's presence as I live here on earth!
I believed in You, so I said, "I am deeply troubled, Lord."
In my anxiety I called out to you, "These people are all liars!"
What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord's name for saving me.
I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
The Lord cares deeply when His loved ones die.
O Lord, I am Your servant; yes, I am Your servant, born into Your household; You have freed me from my chains.
I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people--
in the house of the Lord in the heart of Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!


It helped me so much just to be reminded that God cares, and that in the decisions we are trying to make, He will guide us if we will just let Him. "He hears my voice"....."I walk in the Lord's presence"....."Praise the Lord!"

My friends, I ask that you will pray that the Lord will give me clear guidance, and that I will find courage and encouragement. I thank you, and return the favor.

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My Own v. 2

Since I put myself out there with a Corri original last week, I figured why not do it again. So for your enjoyment (and my inner torture?), here is a poem I wrote a couple of years ago I wrote for my grandparents for their fiftieth wedding anniversary.


Love beyond measure, good deeds untold
While walking through life, each others' hands hold.
Their fair share of thunderstorms, sorrow, and pain,
But also of sunshine, laughter, and gain.
Their goodness and values will carry on still
By those families sprung up from Bowers Hill.
Wealthy the best way, in family and friends,
Their love's part of a circle that never shall end.
In a world where so many marriages turn cold,
They have proven that true love, as it matures,
                 turns to gold.






Let me know what you think. :) If I get some positive feedback, I might get up the courage to post originals fairly regularly....maybe. ;)

Singin' on Sunday v. 5

My Father's Voice
M. W. Bassford



I read the Word of God,
and then at once rejoice,
For when I listen to its call,
I hear my Father's voice.

Its ev'ry line repeats
His will decreed above,
And ev'ry word makes evident
His wisdom, might, and love.

Within its least of themes
and in its smallest part,
I find the fire to light again
His worship in my heart.  



Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart to the Lord."

Shuffling

...Priorities, that is.

Jeremy taught the boys' Bible class at church last night since their regular teacher is on vacation. He told me this morning that they couldn't answer any of the questions about God's first people (Adam and Eve). I was floored. We have gone over this. We have talked about this. I know that once upon a time they knew this. So how could they remember their memory verses from a year ago, and not remember this?

Maybe I have been a little lax lately in my Bible instruction with them. I know that their spiritual training should be top priority, and I want it to be. I know it is just an excuse, but it just seems like it is so hard sometimes, when there is so much going on. Especially when our regular schwedule relaxes so much in the summer time, and Jeremy is working longer hours, and yada yada. I know. Excuses.

But I have decided things are going to be different. Less tv watching. More time together spent talking about God. We used to do this. I'm not sure where we got off track, but I am going to make it happen again. This is about to be a different home. A different mom, in more ways than one. I actually had a dream last night about how I was a terrible mommy. I know, a little irrational, but it's kinda the way I have been feeling lately.

Man, when did I become such a Debbie Downer??

A little bit of funny to lighten up the post....Audrey has started shaking her head "no." If she is doing something she doesn't need to be, I say, "Audrey" and she looks at me, and I say "no, no." Then she grins and shakes her head and goes ahead and does it anyway. Lol. It's a learning process, right? :)



Proverbs 22:6  "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Update 7/19/11: I feel better now...we talked about the story and they could answer nearly every question I asked them. Whew! I don't feel like such a slacker mom now.

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Thankful Thursday 7

Here is a list of this week's thankfuls:


1.  Troy had a good check up at the doctor on Tuesday.

2.  Troy did so much better with getting shots than I had anticipated!

3.  Ty had a great time at his little kindergarten camp on Monday and Tuesday.

4.  Volleyball on Sunday evenings. :)

5.  I am s--l--o--w--l--y getting caught up on some things around here.

6.  Beans, beans, and more beans.

7.  Some alone time spent talking to each of my little boys one day end of last week.

8.  Susan's yummy banana pudding!

9.  Friday - for a couple of friends. :)

10. A hard working man, even if it means I don't get to see him as much as I would like.


linking up with

The Big One

Troy had his 4 year check up yesterday with Dr. P. You know, 4 year visit is THE BIG ONE. Where he had to get his shots to be able to start school (I still can't believe he starts preschool this year!) But it went better than I expected. Troy is my dramatic child. Everything seems 10 times better or worse than it actually is. So we get to the dr. (and I hadn't told him yet he was going to be getting shots). He does great getting weighed and measured (he was 36 lbs and 47 inches tall!), and even getting his blood pressure taken. Dr. P. comes in and checks him out and says everything looks great. When Dr. P. goes out, I explain to Troy that he is going to have to get a few shots. I tell him what is going on and why he has to get them. He asks will it hurt, and I say it will for a little while, but then it will stop. He seems fine with it. The nurse comes in and he hops up on the exam table all by himself, lays down, and puts his arms back behind his head, in a reclined, relaxed position....then she gives him the first shot. She did the worst one first, to get it over with. He did fine with the stick, but when she started putting the medicine in, he started screaming. Oh, the hard parts about being a mommy. It seems almost easier when they are babies, because they don't seem to remember it, and they get over it pretty quickly. But by the time they are 4, they know what is going on, and they (esp. our beloved strong-willed, fighters) know how to respond to it! He pulled his arms down, and bless his heart, tried not to grab at her, but just couldn't help it. I had to hold his arms back (with the arm that wasn't holding Audrey), but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, since he is a fighter and usually to hold him down I have to put my whole body into it. She gave him his other two shots, and stuck his bandaids on. I set him down off the table, and he started jumping up and down with both feet, screaming. I know it was burning, poor baby. I just wish he could cry without screaming bloody murder. We then walked hopped down to the lab to have his finger pricked, where he was still screaming, and screamed/hopped into the bathroom to get his urine sample. This is where he finally started to calm down, since he couldn't pee until he relaxed a little. After that, all was well, for the most part.  I was actually very nervous about taking him and Audrey by myself (Ty was at a little kindergarten camp), and having to hold them both, but all in all, it went much better than I would ever have thought possible. We drove back to Snead to get a happy meal, and he was good to go by then, having had a little nap in the car.

If you don't have a dramatic child, you are missing out on some interesting times. ;) I love my little T-roy.

My Own

I found my old poetry notebook (wow) from when I was a kid/teenager and while some of them are quite embarrassing, I thought I would share one of them with you, just for kicks. Hope you enjoy.

(written at age 16)


Looking at my life
And seeing where I've been,
Remembering what I've done
With my family and friends
My life has been a full one,
Yet there's still an empty place.
I'm not quite sure exactly what
Can fill this empty space.
I think it's to go places
That I've never been before.
That's the only way of knowing
What my dreams have laid in store.
I wast my self to be set free
And fill my soul's desire.
My mind's become inquisitive,
My heart is now on fire.
Only God, my Lord and Friend,
Knows what's in store for me,
And only He - my God - and I
Control my destiny.
Someday I'll do the things I want
And see those places far,
But for now my soul rests here, at home,
Where my friends and family are.

Singin' on Sunday v. 4

Light The Fire
Bill Maxwell




I stand, I stand to praise You,
But I fall, I fall to my knees;
My spirit now is willing,
But my flesh is so weak.

Light the fire (light the fire)
In my soul (in my weary soul)
Fan the flame (fan the flame)
Make me whole (make my spirit whole)
Lord, You know (oh Lord, You know)
Just where I've been (where I've been)
So light the fire in my heart again.

I feel Your arms around me,
As the power of Your healing begins
Your Spirit moves right through me,
Like a mighty rushing wind.


Light the fire (light the fire)
In my soul (in my weary soul)
Fan the flame (fan the flame)
Make me whole (make my spirit whole)
Lord, You know (oh Lord, You know)
Just where I've been (where I've been)
So light the fire in my heart again.




Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart to the Lord."

Cleaning Update!

Some of you may remember I posted here about my, um, challenges with house-cleaning and the war I decided to wage on my house. Well, I'm not anywhere close to winning this war, but I am making progress. As of right now I have bagged up about 15 garbage bags worth of stuff! Some of it stuff to give away, some of it just plain garbage, a couple of bags of toys send to the grandparents' houses, and SEVERAL bags of outgrown kids clothes (and some of my own...and will probably pare down even more before it is all over!)

I had really meant to be completely done with all of this by now, but you know how things go with kids. And gardening - which also means canning season is beginning and will soon be in full swing. I hope I survive till school starts. ;) Although that might be a better idea, to take it slow till school starts and I only have Audrey here with me....hmmmm.....



Update:   I cleaned out my pantry and added 2 more garbage bags! :-O

Preparation

Not too long ago, as we were getting ready to go to worship services one day, I started thinking about how much time we take preparing for things. Such as getting ready to go somewhere. Or to have people over. Or eat supper. Or whatever. It actually usually takes me longer to get ready for whatever we are doing than it actually takes to do whatever we have planned. I figure with 5 of us, it takes me 3.5 to 4 hours to get us all ready for a 2 hour worship service. You get the idea.

Then I got to looking at the bigger picture.

Our whole life is preparation. Preparation for eternity. Everything we do here on earth paves our way to heaven or hell, depending on how we choose to spend our time. Kinda makes you think a little differently about your time, huh? I did me. It gave me the motivation I needed to start studying a little bit more. Spending a little more time with my children and a little less worrying about other things. Realizing that my house doesn't have to be perfectly spotless to be acceptable, and that the hopelessness I felt in not being able to have it spotless was the reason it hasn't even been acceptable. It made me want to find the balance I need in my life to be the Christian, wife, and mother I need and want to be. I want to use my life to prepare my soul for eternity with God in heaven.

Thankful Thursday 6

This week I am thankful for:

1.  Jeremy and I getting to go out last Monday kid-free for the first time in a year!

2.  A great couple to hang out with on that kid-free night (and who actually called and invited us out!)

3.  Nanny keeping the kiddos for us.

4.  Getting to spend the weekend with my family and having a great time with them.

5.  Time with the Matlocks, too! :) It had been too long!

6.  Fourth of July traditions, like chicken stew! Yummy!

7.  The chance to actually get some exercising in the past 2 days. I think it entertains the kids. Haha.

8.  Chocolate milk before bedtime.

9.  The fact that although there are so many areas I am failing in right now, God and Jeremy still love me.

10. Knowing that although I might be failing in those areas now, I won't always be.


Linking up with Curious Georgi.

What a Weekend!

If you have missed me the past few days (you have, right?), we were in Thach with my family for our annual 4th of July festivities. We stayed busy busy, but we had a lot of fun. :) And here are pictures to prove it. ;)

Stylin' in Moma's shades

Tyler lazing in the pool.

Jeremy and Troy

Jeremy tossing Ty

Audrey multitasking - swimming and eating her toes.

Audrey at Moma Kat and Grandeddy's

Ty at Moma Kat and Grandeddy's on the 4th.

Tenleigh loving on Troy.

Audrey and Papa

Troy and Charity needed a drink.

The boys and Addison watching the fireworks.

Hanging with the Matlocks.

Audrey was trying to get the fireworks. :)

Debatable best seat in the house...Daddy's shoulders

Other best seat in the house...top of the van.

Now This is how you watch fireworks.

 

Buddies. :)

Singin' on Sunday v. 3

Oh! What A Time
Lucy Matthews

Oh my Lord, what a time, mm-hmm
Oh my Lord, what a time
From this old world we'll flee
To live eternally
Oh, my Lord what a time

In that fair land there will be no more night
No sun or moon, for the Lamb of God is light
It's good to know that He's prepared a way
To a bright and endless day

From this old world (from this old world we'll flee)
We're gonna live (to live eternally)
With Christ (with Christ our blessed Lord)
In a home on high (in a heavenly home on high)
We'll shout and sing
We'll walk and talk
We'll shout and sing
We'll walk and talk
We'll shout and praise His name
Every day (every day will be the same)
Oh my Lord, My burden bearer,
My help in trouble, My joy in sorrow,
My light in darkness, My sword and shield
Oh my Lord, what a time




Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart to the Lord."