Thoughts

It's funny how at the weirdest times you can have a profound thought or just have a burning desire to share something the Lord has laid on your heart. I was washing dishes and felt a need to share... Adam and I were talking the other day about spending time with the Lord. We were discussing how hard it is as parents of young children to find that time alone or quiet to spend with the Lord. I realized something that day - for me, some of my best times with the Lord have not been in a quiet closet completely silent with all the right conditions. In fact, it's quite the opposite. They are usually in the midst of it all - washing dishes, doing laundry, driving in the car - or a combination of all three (okay, maybe not but you get the picture). As a follower of Christ I have spent way too much time making excuses for why I can't be obedient to Christ. "I'm too tired" "I don't have time" "I have to take care of kids" "I have to work" "I just don't feel like it"... and the list could go on. I've also spent a lot of time feeling guilty because I couldn't create those "quiet time" conditions that day. If we wait for those perfect moments, this imperfect life may just pass by and we'll wonder how we missed it. I think sometimes we don't hear what God is trying to tell us, because we are too busy thinking about how we don't have time to spend alone time with God. Compare it to your relationship with your spouse - if we just wait for those perfect date moments -when there are no kids, candlelight, and spaghetti noodles connected between our lips (a little reference to my favorite movie "Lady and the Tramp) - to connect with our spouse then they may be few and far between. Yes, we should definitely create time for those moments, don't get me wrong - but that is not the only way you can grow deeper in a relationship. Some of Adam and my best talks and deepening moments have been when everything seems to be falling in on us - kids have driven us crazy for hours, the floors are covered in toys and leftover dinner, our nerves are on edge, and we're definitely not gazing into one another's eyes. It's not a breathtaking moment, it's real life - and through real communication and sometimes heart-wrenching conversation a new part of ourselves is revealed in some way.
I guess what I'm trying to say (especially to myself) is to look for God in those "inopportune" times. Pour your heart to Him in those real-life moments, because He cares about ALL the little details. Look for Him all around You, He's there. Listen all around You, He's there. Don't wait for the perfect moment when you have your highlighter, bible, journal, and bible study material all neatly lined up - you're relationship is real all the time - not just in your prayer closet.

More May Fun

Here's some more fun May stuff. This is Jonah's pre-K teacher this year. What a sweetheart she was - the class gave a plant to her as a thank you gift for being such a great teacher.

We had a field day at school. Here's Caleb joining in the fun with the other 2 year olds at the school.

Jonah's class at Field Day - The Green Team! All the kids had so much fun.

We had every event from potato sack races and obstacle courses to...the cake eating contest. Here's Jonah and friends diggin' in! The little girl on the right, Victoria, actually won. She was one of those quiet ones that sneaks up on you in the contest. Good job Victoria! Caleb actually participated in the 2 year old class and won! He even wanted more when he got finished! (No pictures, didn't get to see it!)

On Sunday, we had Caleb and Hannah's baby dedication. Caleb is not really a baby anymore, but we finally had an official dedication for him. We are so blessed to have these two wonderful kids. My prayer is that we will do our best to teach them to honor the Lord and love Him with all their heart, soul and strength! Caleb was not real happy about going on stage. I don't have a picture, but at one point he was flopped out in the floor crying. He wanted to go down and sit with his cousin "Wogan" (Logan) who was there to see the dedication. What can you do??!

My Dad came and said a special prayer over the family. Boy, I realize every day more and more how much I need the prayers of those around me. What an awesome responsibility to be a parent. Thank goodness for the grace of God!

Daddy comes over and says a prayer with the family. Caleb is still not real happy about the whole situation.

I finally get Caleb to stay on the stage with me. Here's the 8 babies who were dedicated at our church on Sunday. Afterward, some of us went out to eat. My side of the family had to get back home, but the rest of us enjoyed an Italian lunch. We were so blessed to see family that we had not seen in a while. Adam's Buckshot (grandfather from his mom's side), Mimi (grandmother from Adam's Dad's side), and Adam's mom Tootsie.
Mimi got to stay with us for a couple of days. The boys are enjoying a traditional Mimi story of Peter Rabbit. Mimi is a very gifted storyteller, and all the grandkids are very familiar with her many stories that she loves to tell.

Here is Mimi and Jonah in the kitchen cookin' up some treats. Mimi always has to make spinach dip which is Adam's favorite and she also made some Hello Dolly Cake. Jonah was excited to help out by crushing the cracker crumbs. I have a special love and respect for Mimi, because she too was a preacher's wife. She has so much wisdom and love to show to all around. On Memorial Day we visited the Dallas Arboretum. What a beautiful place. We got to see lots of storybook playhouses and of course tons of gorgeous flowers.
Here's Jonah playing in the water at the Arboretum. They have these little splash fountains that you can either splash in...or get drenched. Guess which one Jonah did? We didn't have any other clothes, so at first I told him to just get a little wet. Have you ever known of a kid to understand a "little wet". I don't know why I even bothered! Caleb was not into the whole wet thing that day, so he steered clear. Hannah just enjoyed watching her brother get soaked.

Whew! -An Exhausting Month!

Can you tell we've been a little busy this month? Hannah has to catch her zzzz's when she can.

Jonah's End of Year Class Party - Blowing Bubbles! Caleb joined in the fun!

Miss Angela, Jonah's teacher is such a wonderfully creative and fun teacher. She runs such an organized classroom and Jonah came home every day talking about what he learned. We love you Miss Angela!

Pre-K Graduation - last night we had an awards ceremony at our school, Forerunner Christian Academy. The Pre-K graduated complete with graduation music and hats. The hats were really cute made out of posterboard. Miss Angela and I had a fun time making them - I just kind of did what she said because when it comes to any sort of Geometry - my mind just goes completely blank! Somehow I missed that part of my brain. Thanks to my mom and dad for coming up to enjoy the ceremony and helping watch my little rugrats while I took pictures!

Here's Jonah graduating from Pre-K, diploma and all. He was so proud. He received an award for Academic Excellence for always doing his work neatly and he also got the most improved P.E. award. He adores his P.E. teacher, Mrs. Turpin and she's done a great job getting him excited about all kinds of athletic activities. He's even going to run a race at the end of this month.

Here's the Peter Rabbit skit the kids did for the ceremony. Jonah played the Gardener. He just loves to do anything that involves dramatic play or creativity. It's so fun to watch his little brain work. The other day in the car he just pops up and asks me, "Why did God make sickness?" Talk about a hard question to answer. Then he proceeds to tell me that "our world feels like we're in a book, and the trees and people are like the story - then when it's nighttime, it's like you closed the book"... Whew - too philosophical for my little brain!! I think I've been reading board books and changing diapers a little too long! :)

Boys will be Boys!

This scene will make any mother's heart melt. Somedays you wonder if your kids will ever stop fighting and arguing with each other... and the next minute you catch a spontaneous bear hug with your camera. Priceless.



We have a frog friend in our yard now. I'm sure he's not the only one. Jonah and Caleb ran all over the yard chasing this little guy. We were outside playing in the warm rain today. Jonah was so excited that we were getting to stay outside in the rain. We had to come back in a few times when it started coming down harder. There's something relaxing and a little rebellious about playing in the rain!

As always, Caleb was very into getting up close and personal with the frog. He's always ready to manhandle any creature that comes along. The frog has not "croaked" here, he's just turned over on his back. Caleb kept touching that little croaky part of their throat that moves up and down - and then he would just giggle. Poor frog - we let him go free after a little bit of love. Jonah really didn't want to hold the frog, he preferred just petting it.

Caleb is all boy!! We were eating popsicles outside, and of course Caleb is covered from head to toe in sticky. I looked over and he didn't have his popsicle, so naturally I thought he had thrown it down or finished it. After a few minutes he had it again. See if you can figure out what he had done with it...look closely at the picture...yes he had put it in his pocket for later! I guess that makes sense!