Vacation

For the first time ever, we took a family vacation.  Cory and I both took a week off work and took the girls camping.  We went to Mid American Museum and the water park in Arkadelphia.  We took them to an Arkansas Travs game in LR and to eat dinner with Uncle Shannon.  The girls fished, rode bikes, and made new friends.  Overall, we had a wonderfully relaxing and fun time!!!  I'm already planning next year!

When Anna would get hot, she would sit on the edge of the boat and stick her feet in the water or would wade in the edge of the lake.

 Well, they fished, but didn't quite catch enough for supper!

Of course, what's better at a ball game than funnel cakes and frozen lemonade......?? :)

.....maybe getting a foul ball that someone near us caught and gave to the girls!

And, on any vacation, we need a little silliness!!!

Love my girls!!

End of the school year

The end of the school year seems to be one of the busiest times.  The girls are so busy with extra school activities and trips.  But, it is also one of the most fun times!  I can't believe we are finished with another school year....now I have a 3rd grader and a 6th grader....middle school!

The school district has a yearly literacy celebration.  This year, Governor Mike Beebe's wife, Ginger, participated.  Afterwards, she read to Anna's class!

Audrey and some of her classmates were able to visit the State Capitol.

Anna's school had a Spelling Bee this year.  She won the competition in her class, so she went on to compete against other 2nd grade classroom winners.  She won and is the Spelling Bee champ for her grade!  I was so very proud!

Audrey was able to participate in METS (Math, Engineering, Technology and Science) competition this year.  She and her partners built a soda bottle rocket that was launched across the football field.  While hers didn't win, she learned a lot while doing the project.

Anna's school had their end of the year Field Day at a local park.  There were tons of activities and they had a picnic.  The school and PTO did a great job!!!!

So far behind

Wow, I didn't realize how long it had been since I posted.  So I will work over the next few days to get caught up.  Since the last time I posted was before Easter (almost embarrassing), I will start there!  We went to church that morning and then had an egg hunt with family :)

Easter story ideas

So, I need some help.  I am responsible for the story at our church Easter egg hunt next weekend.  I want to find something that has some visual aids and will capture the attention of the children.  It can't be too long since we will have some pretty young kids there.  I have seen the Resurrection Egg lesson, and right now, that's what I'm leaning toward.  But, I am still looking for other ideas! 

Thankful

I have so many things to be thankful for in life, but today I am especially thankful for weekends!  I get to spend a weekend with no major plans and a house full of kids.  There is not much better in life than the sounds of laughter and giggles from happy girls.  I love that my girls love to be at home and are comfortable inviting their friends over.  I'm thankful for happy, healthy girls and a fabulous husband.  Despite life's trials, life is good.

As I was having a test run yesterday at the clinic in Texarkana, the technician (Brandi) and I were talking.  She was super sweet, and I felt like I had known her for years.  We started talking about keeping life in perspective.  She recently lost her grandfather and has really struggled with that loss.  But, she said that as she starts to feel really down, she is often reminded that there are certainly those in worse situations in life.  We all know people or know OF people who are in dire need of healing and prayers.  That reminder was good for me.  I was a little anxious about that test and some other circumstances in my life, but I was reminded that I have so many things to be thankful for....family, friends, health, food, clothing, shelter, and so many more. 

So, today I choose to thank the Lord for weekends full of little girls :)  Now THAT makes my heart sing!

Trials

First off.....yesterdays oncology appointment went fine.  He never has the blood test results when I see him, so he always says he'll call if there is a problem.  So, no news is good news. 

Anna's knee is healing well.  She gets her stitches out this Friday, and she is so ready.  She wants to get on the trampoline!

The Children's Choir sang in church Sunday night, and they blessed my heart.  I love to see them praising the Lord, and they do it with such confidence.  They don't seem to doubt like we adults do from time to time. 

Here is my issue for the day (pretty sad that I seem to have a new "issue" each day)!  I have a dear friend who is facing some trials in her life right now.  She is a very private person, so I will not divulge any details to respect her privacy.  But, I have found myself really struggling alongside her.  I KNOW that God has a plan for her life.  I find myself, however, begging God to make that plan the one that would be most comfortable for all of us.  Some of the possibilities she is facing are not good at all, and that breaks my heart. I want her to be ok.  No, I NEED her to be ok.  I know that is selfish, because that is thinking of what "I" need.  I want to be able to reassure her that things will be ok, but I don't have that knowledge or confidence.  This situation is not one that I can fix or make better for her.  All I can do is pray. While I know that is the most powerful thing that I can do, it leaves me feeling pretty powerless for some reason today.

As I sit here writing, a song is playing in my mind.  The song reminds me of a time in high school when life was not so great for my family.  A man named Benny Johnson in LR would come to our church from time to time and would sing this.  It soothed my soul back then, and it still does to this day.  When this song plays in my mind, I hear Benny singing it :)

So, I will leave you with the words to "His Eye is on the Sparrow".  God loves my friend, her family, and me as if we were the tiniest sparrow.  He has a PERFECT plan!

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for Heav'n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
A constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches over me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches (I know he watches)
(I know he watches me)

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me (He watches me)
He watches me (I know he watches me)

"Let not your heart be troubled,"
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth
But one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
From care He sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He cares for me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He cares for me.

Stitches

Well, we made it almost 10 years with kids before our first set of stitches!  Our 2nd grader fell on the playground yesterday and required 2 stitches in her knee.  She was understandably scared to death, but once she figured out that it was going to be ok, she was a really big girl.  Of course, she is milking it for all the attention she can possibly get!

Here's my deal with the whole situation though.  I first called the dr office to let them know we were coming even before I picked her up at school.  The clinic asked what kind of insurance she has, and they then recommended taking her to the ER.  Well, that made me mad so we went to the clinic anyway.  We were seen by a fabulous dr and nurse who took amazing care of her.  But, what it left me wondering was what they would have said if I had provided a different answer to the insurance question.  What difference did my insurance make?  Either the clinic had someone to take care of her or they didn't....insurance shouldn't have made a difference.  It just really bugs me because taking care of an injured, scared 8 year old should have been the issue rather than insurance.  Now, I clearly have an opinion because my baby was the one needing treatment so maybe I'm not being objective.  Just venting now.....

In the end, all that matters is that she is ok.  It could have been much worse than just a knee, so I am counting our blessings!

Creativity

No one has ever accused me of being exceptionally creative.  I am not really crafty or artistic.  But, I do have that creative part of me that craves to find an outlet.  I have been working on details for New Student Orientation, and I would love to create an amazing t-shirt.  We have a current design, but I think we could do MORE.  I also long to find ways to really engage the students at orientation rather than lecture them.  While I realize the importance of what they are hearing, I don't think they do.  I think they tune it all out.  So, I'm brainstorming ways to engage them from the moment they walk in the door and to keep their attention throughout the process while still providing them information.  I guess I want it ALL!  Any ideas?

TGIM--Thanking God It's Monday

How often do we really say that??  "Thank God It's Monday!"  While I'm exhausted and am really fighting allergies, I'm thankful to see another week.  I'm thankful that the Lord has plans for me today....even though it's Monday. 

The mission team from church came home from Ecuador this weekend, and they shared in church last night.  Their stories have really weighed on my heart.  They reminded me that I have so much to be thankful for, and I know who deserves the praise.  So, I'm thanking God for Monday....in all it's glory!

TGIT (Thank God It's Thursday)

I am truly thanking the Lord that it is Thursday. Since we are working four 10hr days this week, I will be off on Friday.  While that is great to have a short week and spend less on gas, it makes those days that much longer.  They are proposing moving to that schedule all the time to save money, and I see where that makes sense since we only work half days on Friday.  But, that would really make things hard for us in the mornings.  I would have to leave by 6:40 to get to work on time, which would leave me in a jam with my girls.  We do that in the summer, and it gets old in a hurry.  We may end up having to look at being bus riders in the mornings, and I know two little girls who WON'T like that!  Even that isn't a solution....I would still leave before the bus comes :(  Not sure what we'll do.

I am really ready to go home and spend an evening with my family.  One of the girls already has plans to spend the night with a friend, but I just need time to rest.  I have a TON of work to do at home (cleaning, laundry, etc.), but most of that will just have to wait until tomorrow.

I really think the Lord is pushing me out of my comfort zone.  I know that the best way to make God laugh is to make plans of what "I'M" going to do.  Right now, there is so much in my life that is turned upside (or so it feels).  He is the one consistent in my life, and I am so thankful for Him.  He is preparing my life for greater things to come....I keep reminding myself of that to fight the anxiety and fear of the unknowns.

I am preparing to go back to the oncologist in April.  Usually, that overwelms my thought process as the weeks close in on a visit, but I have not been so focused on it lately. Perhaps I have a been a bit preoccupied ;)  But, I am developing the typical anxiety I feel when I'm preparing to go.  I think that's ok though.  I don't ever want to become so complacent that I am not vigilant in this fight.  I do have some questions regarding these meds that I really don't like, so maybe we will get to address those. 

I have been fighting a sore throat, stuffy head, and ear aches this week.  It couldn't possibly have anything to do with the pollen that looks like a dust storm when the wind blows! lol  Hoping to sleep good tonight and get some new meds tomorrow for this!!!

Abandoned

This has been a really hard week.  Without going in to much detail, I will say this....I have learned a lot about what family is and about who in my life is most important (Cory and my girls).  I have learned to guard my heart because I have felt very abandoned by people I thought would always be by my side.  I have felt what it's like to have a "love one" keep score for years and how it feels to not be defended by someone you love.  I have also been reminded that in all situations, God can work.  He is using a less than perfect situation to make me stand on my own two feet. 

My Sunday School class has been doing a study called "If Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat."  The first week, I came home feeling like God was speaking to me.  The lesson was about taking a step of faith and not looking back/down, and I related that to a possible major change in my immediate family (possible job change for Cory that might involve moving).  Now, these changes in my extended family this week are going to cut some ties with the boat and will hopefully make it easier to get out of the boat.  I HAVE to find good in this.  The good will help heal my heart.

I'm picking up my girls today.  They called last night and this morning crying to come home.  While some clearly disagree with my decision to let them come home, Cory and I agree that there is no reason for them to stay somewhere else if they desire to be at home.  They are always welcome in their own home. I will just say that I'm ready to hug my girls and to receive their love.  I have missed them!

My prayers this week....that God would soften my heart and foster forgiveness both from me and toward me....that God would provide safe travel....that God's plan would be clear in the area of job/home for us....that God would continue to work in the lives of the mission team from our church in Ecuador right now and that He would bring them home safely.....that God's perfect will would be done in the lives of my family.

Battle

I talked with the girls again on Skype last night, and they are having a great time with Nana and Pappy.  They had been shopping and went to the park twice.  Those who really know my girls know that they LOVE to go to the park and play, so that made the day wonderful.  They have big plans for the rest of the week too! 

To some, this may sound crazy or radical, but I really believe there is a spiritual battle going on in my life.  Not so much that I am personally struggling with spiritual issues, but I feel as though my family and I have been under Satan's attack lately.  There have been lots of small things, but there have been some really big job and family issues as well.  Now, individually, none of these things would lead me to this conclusion.  But, the combination of them all, along with the source of one particular issue, makes me think there is a bigger picture.  One person in particular has really personally attacked me, and I would never in a million years have expected it.  The words and behaviors are totally out of character for him, so it makes me think that there is something else going on.  The common factor among all of the recent drama, both in my life and the lives of my husband and girls, has been an attack on our character and who we are as people.  Verbal attacks about using people, being hateful to others, being brats, belittling other people, having inapproriate conversations, and on and on and on......It is one thing for attacks to be about our behaviors, but it is a much more personal attack when it is about who we are as people.  I honestly believe that Satan is using these attacks to try to make us bitter and angry people, and I refuse to let him win.  God's power is so much stronger than Satan's, and Satan will NOT win this battle in our lives.  It does make me angry that he attacks my children, but I believe he only attacks those who are working for good and who threaten him.  I am so thankful for the way my mother raised me....one comment she always used to make was, "Would you do that if Jesus was sitting right beside you?"  Well, I now take comfort in knowing that Jesus IS with me through this battle, and  he WILL win.

Spring Break

Well, it's Spring Break, and I am working.  Since the girls are out of school this week, we took them to Nana and Pappy's house for the week.  This is certainly not the first time that they have spent time at their house or that they have been away from me, but I am definitely having the hardest time with this trip.  The girls were happy when we left, and they will have a fabulous time.  But, for some reason, I have struggled with leaving them there.  We were able to see their smiling faces on Skype last night, and that was great.  They had already been to the circus, so they gave us the full story on the circus.  Anna's favorite part was riding a horse.....apparently, if a special ticket is purchased, you can ride a horse at intermission!  She was very proud!!  They have other plans like going to a chocolate factory, visiting a Discovery Center, having tea with a French friend of Nana's, and checking out the plane that belongs to Pappy's company.  Lots of fun!!!

While we were in Springfield, we had dinner with my two step-brothers and their wives.  I haven't seen Casey and Chris in 10 years and had never met their wives.  Casey and his wife, Carrie, are expecting their first child and are so excited.  It brought back lots of memories of when we were first expecting Audrey.  Oh how things change once you become parents :)

Guess I should start the work day.....really wish I were still in bed asleep.  A flying trip to Springfield and back wore me out!!!!

Lemons in to lemonade

As I first sat down to write today, I was set to write about some experiences that my family is going through that really frustrate me.  I was focused on being angry about some situations that are really discouraging and are messing with morale in my family.  And then I looked outside.  What a glorious day!!  The sun is shining, the temperature is amazing, and the sky is blue.  Sometimes God puts things in my path to get my thoughts back on track.  This beautiful day is one of those things.  While I am still discouraged by those issues, I am so thankful to be living this life.  I am blessed to have my health, to have eyes to enjoy God's creations, and to have family to share this life with.  Perspective can make all the difference in the world, and God quickly gave me perspective.  I have so much to be joyful about, and I REFUSE to let others steal the joy of my family.  No matter what happens with our jobs, friends, finances, etc., God is in control.  If he cares enough to create such a beautiful world, then I need to sit back and let him work in each of these situations.  His work, both in the world and in my life, causes me to be speechless!

Now, I need to find a "field trip" to be able to get outside a bit and enjoy this weather :)

Raising Girls

Raising girls is hard.....I don't care who you are or what you say, it's hard.  It is so hard to know just the right thing to say, just the right thing to do, and all the things NOT to say or do.  Girls can be vicious.  We all know that girls have a tendency to wear their feelings on their sleeves anyway, and other girls play off of that. 

We have had some issues in our house lately with other girls (in case you couldn't tell).  I really struggle as a mom with this.  I know the "right" answer is to encourage my girls to turn the other cheek and follow the Golden Rule.  That is the RIGHT and Christlike thing to do when someone is mean.  The very human part of me gets really angry at anyone who would intentionally hurt someone I love. 

Don't get me wrong....my girls are by no means perfect.  I certainly hold them accountable for their actions, and I would be really upset with them if I EVER found out that they treated others this way.  So, this is not a case of me seeing my own children through rose-colored glasses. 

But, I have seen others be really malicious recently with my own eyes, and it makes me angry.  It makes me want to say something to the child, the parents, the principal, anyone who will listen and FIX it.  You know, bullying comes in many forms.  For some, it is very physical.  It can be cyberbullying.  I have a tendency to call this "social" bullying....intentionally leaving others out, alienating them from social groups, belittling them in front of peers, just plain ole' being mean.  A "side effect" of this has been that the child then does not want to participate in any extra activities that involve the one who is bullying. 

These situations make me sad because I see the emotional toll it takes on the girls.  They cry at the drop of hat over little things that normally would not bother them.  They become very easily overwhelmed.  They don't want to go to school anymore.  I see ways that this is changing them, and I want them to remain the joyful young ladies that they are.

So, as a mom, how do I protect my girls without hiding them away completely from the meanness of this world?  I want to raise them as strong, independent young women who can fight their own battles and handle their own situations.  But, I also want them to maintain a reasonable amount of innocence that is appropriate to their ages.  It seems like this has started so much younger than when I first had to deal with it, and it makes me sad for them.  I want them to stand up for themselves and not be door mats, but I want them to handle themselves as Jesus would call them to behave.  Is that wanting to have my cake and eat it too?

Raising girls is hard.  I pray daily for my girls, for their peers, for their teachers, and for anyone else who comes in contact with them.  That is the best thing I know to do.

Blackboard training

I have spent most of the day in training to learn to use the new version of Blackboard that SAU Tech will go to in the fall.  This program delivers our internet courses, so, as an adjunct instructor, I need to know what I'm doing.  There are some great features and some new things that we were not previously able to use.  Aside from obvious "tech" things I learned today, I was reminded that it has been a while since I sat in a classroom for a whole day.  I have a new appreciation for my students and my own children when it comes to having a tired brain.  I understand a little better why my girls need to spend a little time refreshing and playing before buckling down to do homework. There is so much that they are asked to process (and that I needed to process today) that they need a chance to rejuvenate.  My brain is tired!

Now off to work on my "real" job for a while before heading home....

Girl's Day

My mom and I took the girls shopping in Texarkana yesterday.  We wanted to start looking for Easter dresses and swimsuits before they were all picked over and before we were pressured.  Mainly, we wanted a day to spend together and to just have some fun.  Now, you have to understand our usual shopping trips....they are pressured to address an agenda of items that MUST be purchased and we try to pack way too much in to a day.  Yesterday was different.  We were able to just go wherever we WANTED to go and look at what we WANTED to look at.  Anna had a rough night with her asthma Friday night, and I started to cancel the whole day.  I'm so very glad I didn't.  The girls behaved wonderfully....no cross words or frustration.  We were able to find Easter dresses for both girls and jeans that were the right length for Anna (big accomplishment). 

As we were looking at swimsuits in Kohls, I lost Anna momentarily.  She was with the shopping cart on the other side of a pole.  They had one of the scanners where you can check the price, and she was "price checking" all the items in the cart :)

Those who know my girls, especially Audrey, know that they are "kids with a cause".  After I had cancer, they were all about raising money for cancer research, wearing or purchasing pink ribbon items, etc.  Audrey once picked a shirt at Joe's Crab Shack simply because some of the money goes to children in need.  They raise money for diabetes research, new playground equipment, books for the library, food for food pantry....So, they really wanted a pair of Toms shoes because they heard that the company provides shoes for those in need in Africa.  Since they have a new cousin adopted from Africa, they were especially interested.  We were able to find a pair at our last stop of the day.  So, both girls got a pair, and they took a picture of the box on the way home!

Our rule when we are shopping is that we eat lunch somewhere we don't have in Camden.  The girls love Chick-fil-A, so that's where we ate!

I was so glad that we were able to have a great day.  Audrey had a rough day Friday with some other kids, and she often has a hard time finding clothes that she likes.  Saturday was wonderful for her....we laughed and smiled a lot, both girls found lots of things they liked....we just had a lot of fun.  I cherish days like this.  I know that I won't always be able to spend a great day with both my daughters and my mother, so I hide these memories in my heart.  My mom is so very special to us, and I love that we were all able to hang out for the day!!

2011 Southwest Regional Science Fair

So, Audrey participated in the Regional Science Fair today in Magnolia.  She did a project comparing the sense of smell in young people and older people; her results were that young people have a better sense of smell than adults.  At the fair at her school, she won 2nd place.  At regionals today, she won 2nd place too!  We had been preparing her for whatever the results, so she was a little surprised when she won!

We let Anna go with us today, so she really felt important!!

While the judges were checking out all the projects, there were several science presentations.  One was a set of chemistry experiments, and it was really neat.  The Game and Fish Commission brought their giant fish tank.  Luckily, it was a sunny day, so we could all enjoy being outside.  The kids from Audrey's school were able to purchase matching t-shirts, and they were cute!!

Another activity was to learn about the snakes that are kept at Logoly State Park in McNeil.  They had brought two of them, and the kids were able to pet the.  Anna was pretty excited about that!

Of course, who wouldn't want to celebrate with ice cream at Dairy Queen??!

Overall, this was a great experience!  I think it inspired Anna to be a scientist too....she has been asking for all kinds of chemicals and solutions to do chemistry with since we got home ;)

People in need

The Lord has really placed certain people and families on my heart this morning.  My best friend has not been feeling well for quite some time.  She is having surgery this morning and will hopefully feel better really soon.  It is so hard watching her struggle with no resolution in sight.  My boss' family has been through so much lately.  Most recently, her family lost two of her young nieces yesterday in a car accident.  I can only imagine how difficult this experience is on the whole family.

I just turned the news on, and they are showing images from the giant earthquake in Japan and the tsunamis.  My heart breaks for the people affected.  I can't help but think that the Lord will return to take His children home soon.

Please join me and lift these families up in prayer.  I know that the Lord has a plan that is much greater than any of ours.  The struggle is when we can't see beyond our own pain to see HIS arms around us.

Science Fair

We are headed to the Southwest Regional Science Fair today.  Audrey is really excited, although I'm not sure if it is about the actual science fair or about missing a day of school. 

Upward Basketball is over for the year, but the girls are still talking about basketball.  This program has truly blessed our lives and has introduced them to a sport that they might not have otherwise been a part of!

It is such a blessing to watch the girls line up with their teams and have prayer before starting a game.  Can't wait until next year....and I KNOW they will still be talking about it!