Mary Frances with some neighborhood girls!
Herschel Walker
Spidey
Cinderella's hairdo!!
The Hughes clan!It was a fun night!! The kids got way too much candy!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Trick or Treat
Mary Frances with some neighborhood girls!Herschel WalkerSpideyCinderella's hairdo!!The Hughes clan!
Best Mommy
My kids have been showering me with love the last day or 2. I have no idea what brought it on, but it has been so nice to hear "You the best mommy" and "Mommy, I love you." and "You pretty, mommy" all day long! I have gotten so many hugs and numerous germy kisses - no doubt laden with pneumonia and strep bacteria! I do the best I can to avoid the germs, but a kiss is a kiss, and I love it!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Queen of the Laundry
Today was Pajama Day at Mary Frances' school. So, on Tuesday night, when we were discussing what PJ's she wanted to wear, she said she wanted to wear here PINK Curious George Pajamas. Then she said, "I want to wear them tonight AND on Thursday to school. I know they will be clean because you do laundry so fast!"
I took it as a compliment and was sure to live up to her expectations! I'll take whatever praise I can get - however it comes!!
I took it as a compliment and was sure to live up to her expectations! I'll take whatever praise I can get - however it comes!!
Soccer Pictures
The kids have one last game this weekend! We celebrated with a party at Chuck E Cheese on Tuesday night! Mary Frances and Chase got their trophies then. Thomas will get his on Saturday!
The kids have had a good season and have played pretty good for their ages, but we're ready for the end of the season. Mary Frances has now discovered that soccer and tball are not her sports!! She just can't stay interested!
Chase has had a blast just being on a team finally!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The Gift of Independence
(AKA: the curse of the strong will)
After receiving a call from Mary Frances' teacher this afternoon, we had a little heart-to-heart. Again, we discussed being respectful to people - adults and children. I reminded her that people who love Jesus should not be disrespectful to their teachers and friends.
With tears in my eyes I told Mary Frances how special she is. "God has given you a very special gift of independence, and mommy and daddy want to help you learn how to use your gift." I truly believe it is a gift that requires much discipline to not be used as a weapon!!
I want her to be independent. My parents always told me that I could do anything I put my mind to, and I believe that. When you have a strong will you CAN accomplish anything. The tough part is channeling this "gift" for good rather than manipulation and malice! It is so hard to guide a 2,3, or 4 year old with this special gift (or curse - however you choose to look at it).
Parenting Mary Frances has been very challenging. She does not respond to the same style of discipline that the boys do. When she makes up her mind, it is almost impossible to change it! But, I believe that God has given her this gift for a purpose, and I truly want to help her discover how to use it to His glory!
In the mean time, please pray for Mary Frances, us, and her teachers! It is very trying and exhausting to constantly deal with a strong will! Lucky for me (and not so lucky for her), God blessed me with the same gift. So, she may be a match for me, but I am no pushover!!
After receiving a call from Mary Frances' teacher this afternoon, we had a little heart-to-heart. Again, we discussed being respectful to people - adults and children. I reminded her that people who love Jesus should not be disrespectful to their teachers and friends.
With tears in my eyes I told Mary Frances how special she is. "God has given you a very special gift of independence, and mommy and daddy want to help you learn how to use your gift." I truly believe it is a gift that requires much discipline to not be used as a weapon!!
I want her to be independent. My parents always told me that I could do anything I put my mind to, and I believe that. When you have a strong will you CAN accomplish anything. The tough part is channeling this "gift" for good rather than manipulation and malice! It is so hard to guide a 2,3, or 4 year old with this special gift (or curse - however you choose to look at it).
Parenting Mary Frances has been very challenging. She does not respond to the same style of discipline that the boys do. When she makes up her mind, it is almost impossible to change it! But, I believe that God has given her this gift for a purpose, and I truly want to help her discover how to use it to His glory!
In the mean time, please pray for Mary Frances, us, and her teachers! It is very trying and exhausting to constantly deal with a strong will! Lucky for me (and not so lucky for her), God blessed me with the same gift. So, she may be a match for me, but I am no pushover!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My New Prayer
For years I have been praying this prayer on a fairly regular basis:
"God, show me where you are today where you can use my help!" I think it is from the Bible Study "Experiencing God". Anyhow, I have always loved it and noticed that on the days I pray it, I am much more aware of what God is doing around me and how He can use me.
However, now that I have become so overwhelmed, I have changed my prayer a little. What do you think?
"God, show me where you are today where you can use my help, but also show me where you can use someone else's help!"
I think it is appropriate. God knows I can't do everything. So, I just want him to show me when there is someone else who can help him on that! :)
"God, show me where you are today where you can use my help!" I think it is from the Bible Study "Experiencing God". Anyhow, I have always loved it and noticed that on the days I pray it, I am much more aware of what God is doing around me and how He can use me.
However, now that I have become so overwhelmed, I have changed my prayer a little. What do you think?
"God, show me where you are today where you can use my help, but also show me where you can use someone else's help!"
I think it is appropriate. God knows I can't do everything. So, I just want him to show me when there is someone else who can help him on that! :)
Monday, October 20, 2008
"Shut Up and Relax"
There are certain benefits to being the pastor's wife, but yesterday I learned one thing that isn't a benefit!
You know how the last song of the service is usually a reflective song - a chance to go down and pray alone or with a pastor if you need to? Well, I was moved by the sermon, feeling the need to talk to someone who could help me sort through my emotions. Since I was sitting with Ray C., I thought, "Well, perfect positioning for me. I'll just talk to him here in my seat."
I started in with, "Honey, I'm feeling really overwhelmed."
Ray C.: "Why?"
Me: "I just feel like I'm always on ministry mode. Even now I only have 5 more minutes to relax until I go back into it."
Ray C.: "Well, shut up and relax then!" (in the kindest was possible)
WOW!!! Is that what preachers usually say to people when they begin to pour out their heartfelt concerns? So much for that benefit!!
You know how the last song of the service is usually a reflective song - a chance to go down and pray alone or with a pastor if you need to? Well, I was moved by the sermon, feeling the need to talk to someone who could help me sort through my emotions. Since I was sitting with Ray C., I thought, "Well, perfect positioning for me. I'll just talk to him here in my seat."
I started in with, "Honey, I'm feeling really overwhelmed."
Ray C.: "Why?"
Me: "I just feel like I'm always on ministry mode. Even now I only have 5 more minutes to relax until I go back into it."
Ray C.: "Well, shut up and relax then!" (in the kindest was possible)
WOW!!! Is that what preachers usually say to people when they begin to pour out their heartfelt concerns? So much for that benefit!!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Pastor's Family
You know the joke about how pastor's only work on Sunday? It's really not that funny...
If people had any idea...Pastors don't get to leave their job. They are always on call. They come home, but they could be called away any minute - a hospital visit, a much needed visit, crisis management, someone needs to get in the building, countless meetings, .....
Being a Pastor's wife has plenty of burdens as well. I don't know everything that goes on in the church, but I know more than most - hurting families are an incredible burden on the soul. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to minister to people in their time of greatest need, but it is hard to see people hurt - to want to do more!
My heart is broken for the families that are falling apart, but it is yearning for grace to be extended. It is difficult to develop deep relationships for fear that you might share too much.
If people had any idea...Pastors don't get to leave their job. They are always on call. They come home, but they could be called away any minute - a hospital visit, a much needed visit, crisis management, someone needs to get in the building, countless meetings, .....
Being a Pastor's wife has plenty of burdens as well. I don't know everything that goes on in the church, but I know more than most - hurting families are an incredible burden on the soul. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to minister to people in their time of greatest need, but it is hard to see people hurt - to want to do more!
My heart is broken for the families that are falling apart, but it is yearning for grace to be extended. It is difficult to develop deep relationships for fear that you might share too much.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Preachers
After coming to a wedding that Ray C. and I did together this weekend, Mary Frances has decided she would like to be a preacher so she can do weddings. I have no idea why should would rather be the preacher than the planner, but, oh well! If she knew that my job was "bossing people around", I know she would rather have mine!!
Anyway, I told her that preachers do a lot more than weddings, and she said, "I know. I can learn all of those things."
I also told her that before you can be a preacher, you must love God with ALL of your heart. She said, "I already do. I love God with all of my heart."
Thomas chimed in "Yeah, but you also have to love him with all your soul, mind, and strength!" He says he learned that from a song that we sing at church!!
I love that they are learning so much about God's love for them. I can't imagine growing up without church in our lives.
Anyway, I told her that preachers do a lot more than weddings, and she said, "I know. I can learn all of those things."
I also told her that before you can be a preacher, you must love God with ALL of your heart. She said, "I already do. I love God with all of my heart."
Thomas chimed in "Yeah, but you also have to love him with all your soul, mind, and strength!" He says he learned that from a song that we sing at church!!
I love that they are learning so much about God's love for them. I can't imagine growing up without church in our lives.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Parenting Handbook
Finally, "they" have published a parent handbook with all the answers!! I don't understand why I had to wait until kindergarten to get it, but I was so thankful when Thomas brought this home from school this week!
Unfortunately, I haven't had time to read it in between soccer, weddings, discipline, and play! Maybe I'll get a chance before the kids leave home!
Really, this is something about curriculum standards for each grade, but I did get my hopes up when I first saw it!
Unfortunately, I haven't had time to read it in between soccer, weddings, discipline, and play! Maybe I'll get a chance before the kids leave home!
Really, this is something about curriculum standards for each grade, but I did get my hopes up when I first saw it!
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Seriously?
My neighbor called at 10:30 last night to tell me people were decorating the yard! Turns out the youth at our church are having a weekend event. Last night they had a mission that included destroying our yard, and I don't think any boundaries were listed - thanks M.D.!! 
There must have been over 100 of them. They came in about 10 different groups until at least 1:00 - each one doing something new - our nice of them!
After being aggravated about all the clean-up that would have to be done, we decided to retaliate! So, the next group that showed up got sprayed with the water hose and sprinklers!
The next group got pounded with water balloons from the roof and sprayed with the water hose! Ray C. and I had a few moments of teenage fun as we defended Fort Hughes, but the clean up has not been fun!
We woke up to this today - toilet paper in the trees, saran wrap around the columns (someone cleaned of the car for us and took off all the saran wrap), forks, spoons, and straws stuck in the ground, boxes, mini-marshmallows, shaving cream all over the driveway, porch, and front windows, and EGGS!!! Luckily for the teenagers, the eggs were not on the house, but they are stuck all over our driveway and front porch. They were even nice enough to leave a Welcome Mat which the kids really do not understand!
So, in the hour we had to get ready for the soccer games this morning, we also cleaned up the yard with the help of a few neighbor elementary kids! It was more fun for the kids than it was for us!
If you were part of this, watch out! When we get enough time and energy to get you, it will happen!!!!
There must have been over 100 of them. They came in about 10 different groups until at least 1:00 - each one doing something new - our nice of them!
After being aggravated about all the clean-up that would have to be done, we decided to retaliate! So, the next group that showed up got sprayed with the water hose and sprinklers!The next group got pounded with water balloons from the roof and sprayed with the water hose! Ray C. and I had a few moments of teenage fun as we defended Fort Hughes, but the clean up has not been fun!
We woke up to this today - toilet paper in the trees, saran wrap around the columns (someone cleaned of the car for us and took off all the saran wrap), forks, spoons, and straws stuck in the ground, boxes, mini-marshmallows, shaving cream all over the driveway, porch, and front windows, and EGGS!!! Luckily for the teenagers, the eggs were not on the house, but they are stuck all over our driveway and front porch. They were even nice enough to leave a Welcome Mat which the kids really do not understand!
So, in the hour we had to get ready for the soccer games this morning, we also cleaned up the yard with the help of a few neighbor elementary kids! It was more fun for the kids than it was for us!If you were part of this, watch out! When we get enough time and energy to get you, it will happen!!!!
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