Thankful!

We had the privilege to host Thanksgiving this year and I really wanted this time to be a blessing for my family in a tangible way. So, when we sat down for our meal, rather than just scarfing down the delicious food in silence, we each shared one specific way every person is a blessing. It was such a sweet time of speaking life into each other, and it truly brought us closer. I appreciate my family for being willing to step out like this. Nothing can replace the words we heard that day! Proverbs 16:24 "Kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healing for the body."

 

...is channeling their inner Diva

...is celebrating 5 years with Jordy

Happy 5th Birthday, Jordan!

Before birthday hair cut!

10 inches of hair for Locks for Love

After birthday hair cut!

I

JB

chic-fil-a party with great friends and family!

...is Happy Halloween

...is trying her 'foot' at soccer

Kendall decided she would give soccer a shot this Fall. I'm not sure about this, but I think she mainly wanted to wear the outfit.

She enjoyed it primarily because of her teammates. And she had the added blessing of being on the same team with her BFF- Lily Kate. 

She was so cute to watch. She is not the 'get in the action' type of girl, rather she's the 'how's everyone doing' type of girl. I'd say she was the team cheerleader! If anyone got hurt, she was right there checking on her. If someone from the other team was hurt, she'd do the same. She always had a smile on her face and never thought much about it if they didn't win or score. As long as everyone was happy and together, she considered that success.

So, while she may not make a "career" as a soccer player, she seemed to have a great time! 

And that's a wrap!

...is Rome is beautiful this time of year

We had a wonderful time in Rome visiting Mimi. She is a lovely, beautiful, and vibrant lady.

 I enjoyed sweet conversations sitting on her patio watching the humming birds buzz around. Jason loved taking us to Cave Springs where he grew up going to. Kendall's highlight was feeding the ducks at Cave Springs while Jordan's favorite part was gathering sticks in Mimi's yard to make a 'fire'.

We are so grateful for our sweet time together.

...you put your arms around me and I'm home

The other day while I was driving home from work, I heard the song “Arms” by Christina Perri. It is pretty darn revealing of my inner life when Jason came into my life. I had never truly met a man who was as accepting, patient, faithful, and safe as he was (and is). I was unable to really accept that I was lovable. I was also very resistant to receiving God’s unfailing love, much less a man’s. And, with all my heart, I thank God that He brought this man to show me the way to be loved and to love. 

Here are a few of the lyrics:

“I never thought that you would be the one to hold my heart

But you came around and you knocked me off the ground from the start

You put your arms around me

and I believe that it's easier for you to let me go

You put your arms around me and I'm home...

The world is coming down on me and I can't find a reason to be loved

I never wanna leave you but I can't make you bleed if I'm alone...

I hope that you see right through my walls

I hope that you catch me, 'cause I'm already falling

I'll never let our love get so close

(then) You put your arms around me and I'm home...”

So, to my man: 

“You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.” (Psalm 45:2) Thank you for allowing God to use you to move mountains in my life. You have been a source of healing for me. Thank you for making me laugh and teaching me not to take myself or life too seriously. Thank you for staying grounded and faithful and taking the time to know me and love me still. Thank you for leading by example, being patient and kind. Thank you for listening so well (sometimes painstakingly), for staying present and responding with wisdom and understanding. You are my best friend and I love you. 

...is Defining Moments

There have been times that life as I knew it changed significantly by defining moments. Like the first time I met Jason, bringing two amazing little lives into this world, the day I met Jesus, each summer at Epworth, even losing a beloved grandmother to suicide and passing the National Counselors Exam...of course, there are so many more.

Well, life as we know it has once again been altered by a new defining moment: the decision to Homeschool. I seriously drug my feet for two months in making a definitive decision. I talked to so many wonderful friends who homeschool. I spent hours on the phone with curriculum people. I sought godly counsel and prayer. And the more I put off making a decision the more overwhelmed I felt. Then, one day it just seemed to click. It basically boiled down to the fact that if the girls attend school all day, they would not see their daddy for four entire days. So, once that became crystal clear- it was a no-brainer.

So the decision was made. And I immediately could see clearly and logically. That's what I do. I thrive in creating order out of chaos.

So, I began to face some of my fears:
- Will they learn what they need or better- will I be able to teach them what they need to learn?
- Will we all still thrive socially or will we feel isolated?
- Will I have the patience and understanding to love and guide them calmly and respectfully?

Once I faced my fears, I began to constructively put a plan in place:
1. Choose a Curriculum.
2. Create a space.
3. Build a network of support.
4. Begin teaching.
5. Pray constantly.

We started today and all is well at Lee Academy. Thank you Jesus!

...is she finally lost it

Kendall has been waiting all year to lose a tooth and it finally happened yesterday. She wiggled it and wiggled it, for three days straight. With the help of her Aunt Sis, it came out while we were at the beach. She was surprised when Aunt Sis twisted it out; I think from the fact that it didn't hurt like she was expecting. She put it in her little tooth fairy doll and when she awoke this morning, it was replaced by 4 quarters. Congratulations, Kendall Bendall, on losing your first tooth!

...we have the fever

The Bieber Fever, that is. In comparison, I'd say it's a low-grade fever, but still. And, I must send out a 'holla' to our friends, the Akins, for the encouragement.

The girls and I watched the Bieb's in his movie and now we're hooked. Kendall watched the whole thing with stars in her eyes while Jordan just wanted to dance like him. I actually liked his songs. We now have his album on our Ipod.

It kinda reminds me of the time in 6th grade when I watched a NKOTB video- the fat lady didn't sing, but it was over for me. I was in love. Now, I'm not 'in love' with JB- that would be way too inappropriate- but, the 6th grader in me may have a slight crush. I think it started with the drum solo. I may also have a slight attraction to Usher. I'm just sayin'.

Oh, the things we parents do to relate to to our children. I'm just trying to be in their world.

...is Hannah Rae

"Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children..." Acts 2:38 (The Message)

I had the honor to mentor my niece, Hannah, as she journeyed through the confirmation process over the past four months. Hannah has so many great attributes but one is that she is a very insightful and intelligent girl. She doesn't just accept something because I say it or she's grown up hearing it. She wants to truly understand for herself what God's Word means for her. It was amazing how she would grapple with a concept until she made sense out of it. Then, she would put it in context and bam, it would be integrated in her life. 

Like when she made a decision to follow Christ and give Him her life. She did not do this lightly or because she 'had to'. She spent weeks wrestling with this. She knew it meant giving some things up, but she also knew it meant receiving so much more. She asked tough questions; the kind that made me think about my own beliefs. When she made her decision, it was firm. Then, she expressed her internal decision through baptism.  

I can't even put into words what this experience was like for me and I can only imagine what it was like for her. What I do know is that God has His Hand on our family and His redemption is available to us all. I am amazed and humbled that God allowed me to be a part of Hannah's life and share in one of her most monumental life experiences. I love this sweet girl. 

...April was full of Fun- Part 2

Easter week was a special time for us this year. Steve and Debby gave us Resurrection Eggs and each morning, the girls and I would open a couple and experience the Easter story as it unfolded. It's very moving when your children begin to grasp truth.

Easter morning the girls awoke before the sun even threatened to crack through the sky, and ran out to find Pillow-Pets waiting for their loving embrace. It's the only thing they asked the Easter Bunny for and the Easter Bunny almost couldn't deliver, but the Easter Bunny persevered until the Easter Bunny came through. The Easter Bunny must know it was well worth it. Look at those sweet faces.

My sweet girls are all frilly in chiffon, curls, and accessories. I should have added gloves and a patten 'hand-bag'. Then they'd be the picture of Easter Marketing.

We spent the afternoon with some of our favorite people at the Annual Herndon Easter Bash and later at my sister's house. It's days like this that remind us of God's redeeming love. I can be confident that my little troupe will thrive in life because we are surrounded by such wonderful families. 

Families: Bridges, Holts, Rickers, Robersons, Lees, Jacksons, Herndons, Davis, Thompsons, Ramirez, Witherows, Akins, and Carters

Look at how 'lady-like' Lily Kate and Kendall are sitting!

Hunting Easter Eggs!

Kendall is fanning Bebe.

Coloring eggs with cousins, an Easter tradition carried on.

Kendall also had her first field day experience. The day started off perfect for Kendall, cloudy with a light breeze, because she doesn't like to sweat. Half way through the darker clouds started rolling in and field day was called off. She got a little activity in but never even broke a sweat. So, all in all, I'd say her field day was up to parr for what my girl would want. 

This is Kendall's concentration face.

Katie and Kendall