Our little Evangelist

Mary Frances loves girls - young, old, big, small - she loves them all! So, she makes lots of friends when we go out. She will walk up to anyone and ask them to play or talk to her. So, it was very natural for her, in Boston Market today, to walk up to a pretty girl in line and hold her hand. She drug her over to the table we were all sitting at. I said, "Did she just bring you over here?" And she said, "Yes! Actually I was at your church this morning." I assume she recognized Ray C. from the service. Anyway, it was her first time at the church. So, I told her we were hanging out with the group she would want to get involved in. They invited her to Bible Study this week, and she said she would be there! Can you believe that? Mary Frances is already serving the Lord with her hospitality. I truly believe that was a "little" divine appointment!

7/11 UPDATE: RAY C. WENT TO FUSION TONIGHT (THAT'S THE YOUNG ADULTS' MINISTRY) AND SAW KRISTEN, THE GIRL MARY FRANCES PULLED OUT OF LINE. SHE TOLD RAY C. THAT SHE WOULDN'T EVEN BE THERE IF IT WASN'T FOR MARY FRANCES! DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THE WAY GOD WORKS! I KNOW I DO!

Oh....So Embarrasing

We went to Boston Market after church with the Young Adults ministry at the church. They were so sweet to invite us AND the kids. Of course, ours were the only ones. They were so sweet and, as usual, a little difficult to keep up with once they were finished eating. Anyhow, soon before we left, we were standing around talking, and Thomas walked behind me and pulled up my dress to my waist!! I was mortified! Now, all the people we were talking to were in front of me. So, the only people mooned were the people in line for lunch. I chose to sit and not look back. I don't know who saw what, but all I can say is I'm glad I was wearing a new pair of panties! I mean, if you're going to show something off, it ought to look its best, right! That may have been the first impression for members of our new church! Welcome to Foundry!

Living Out of the Box...

The fun thing about moving is there are loads of boxes to play with. The kids have used them for all types of things. Tonight, they are sleeping in one!!! Don't worry! I didn't close them in. They are safe. You all are probably thinking I am crazy at this point for letting my kids slide down the stairs in boxes and now they are sleeping in one! Well, I think their babysitters think so. Anyway, why not? Let's live life to the fullest. Didn't you always want to slide down the stairs on a box? They really are safe. I want them to use their imaginations.... Sometimes you get hurt when you take risks but usually not as bad if someone is watching out for you, right!?! So, go do something you always wanted to do. Just be responsible! Where I am going with this.....?
Gotta love a GOODWILL deal! I found this precious stars and stripes dress last week for $2! Mary Frances was so cute in it. We had a great 4th hanging out with some new friends in our new neighborhood and then at our good friends' house for dinner and fireworks. The kids had a blast all day, and I barely did anything with them because they were so busy with the other kids!
Thomas discovered that singing can be a type of praying all on his own! This is Chris Tomlin's song "Indescribable." What a sweetheart - Thomas, that is!

Music to my Ears

When I was a teenager, I babysat all the time. One particular family was very precious to me. They had a little girl and identical twin boys who were about 2 years younger than her. I spent a lot of time with them. But one of the most precious memories I have is singing them to sleep at night. I put on a little concert for them once they were in their beds. The boys slept in one room and Ginny slept in the other, but they were right next to each other. So, I would move back and forth from one door to the next. I have always loved singing, and it was so fun for me to do that with them and have them enjoy it so much. I have seen them several times in the last few years, and that is one of the main things they remember about me! "If They Could See Me Now" was their main request - yes, the Broadway song!!!

Anyhow, I always saw myself singing to my own children. And I have sung some, but it just hasn't been the same until this week. They have been requesting that I sing to them, and it has been so sweet to me. Thomas' main request is Amazing Grace. Mary Frances loves The Rocking Chair, which has been a very special song for her and me since she was born. Chase just enjoys listening. But I love singing to them. I guess I just enjoy sharing my gift with them and seeing them appreciate it!

Alone No More...

I went out to eat with some other moms last night. We had a great time. There were 3 other moms all with three small kids! It was so nice to talk to other women that understand me and listen to their stories. I couldn't believe I was sitting there listening to them say the same hilarious things that happen to me. They have the same concerns and problems that I deal with. I am so grateful to be here and have the opportunity to go out and be with other moms! Even simpler than that, I just happy to know there are other moms. I really thought I was extremely unique in having 3 kids so close together, but I'm normal here! Thank you God!!

Ray C. is enjoying the church and we are looking forward to getting started on the new campus. Today, we are going to hang out in our new neighborhood for a 4th of July celebration. We were invited by some of our new neighbors who are members of Foundry. We are really looking forward to it. Ray C. was given 4 tickets to the Astros game last night and invited 3 other guys to go with him to get to know some new people. He has also been offered tickets for tonight and tomorrow. He is in Heaven!!

The kids are so happy here. They love playing and making new friends. They love going to church and the gym. Everything is an adventure. I will be glad, however, when we get in our house with our things so cooking won't be quite so much of an adventure. Cooking with one pan, one pot, and one spatula is possible, but it's nice to have a different pot for each food!! :) I've learned to get by on MUCH less than we have. We are perfectly content without bedroom and living room furniture. Our things are convenient, but I've learned that we don't NEED them!

God is Good all the TIME!!!!!

New Tricks

It doesn't take kids long to figure out the most fun way to do anything!!! All three kids have discovered how to "sled" down our stairs in a long box. They sit at the top, rock to get it started, then fly down the stairs while laughing hysterically. I've even seen them racing side-by-side! I love it!! They are perfectly safe, and they are having so much fun! I am so grateful for their imaginations and ability to have fun anywhere!

On a much more disgusting note, Chase has learned something I am ashamed to say my children do! Yesterday, I saw him picking his nose and then stick his finger in his mouth! It is true! And, the boy in him thought it was so funny that I was grossed out. So, he continued to do it to make me cringe while laughing so hard it made him start the hiccups!

To those of you not actively parenting small children, I apologize for the gross things I post, but this is a real part of my world. Yesterday it hit me, I have joined the ranks of moms whose children eat their boogers, and I am not so proud! BUT I am so happy to have my prissy little princess who only wears dresses now and my boys who do disgusting boy things. It's good to know they are regular kids! Thanks be to God!!

Redecorating...

The kids had fun with the chalk today! It was so nice to be outside!!!!

God Lives Here!!

As I walked passed the kids playing today, I overheard Mary Frances say "God needs his raincoat." So, I backed up to see where God was! Lo, and behold, Luke Skywalker is God!!! I asked why they thought he was God (they definitely were thinking it was a God figurine). They said because he was so big, and I must admit, if I was going to pick out a toy that represents how I view God, this would be at the top of my list. I have this idea that He is Big, strong, and blonde! I don't know why, but that's the image! What's even greater is that a family in our new church loaned us some toys while we are camping out without our things, and this toy was one of them! So, I guess you could say, as soon as we arrived at church, someone shared God with us!! Chase loves the dog next door. This is ASTRO! Whenever he sees the dog he says, "Mama, Dog, MY!!" We argue over whose dog it is, but he will not give it up! The dog loves him too!

Almost There...

We went by to check the house yesterday. We are so excited. It looks so good. We can't wait to move in - but I guess we'll have to!

This is the view driving up to the house. Always good to make a first impression with your back end, huh!? By the way, that reminds me...Do any of you moms realize that's what we do when we push strollers around? I mean, if no one helps you in the door (usually its a glass door - so everyone can see your rear-end before you even enter) ya back up to the door, press your butt up against it (so it will look bigger to those on the other side - as if showing it first wasn't bad enough), and open the door with it so you can then spin the stroller around and show everyone the face that goes with the butt they've already been acquainted with! Then, of course, all those people listen to you pleading with your kids throughout the store to be patient, come back, and to put down the glass pitcher!!! They're thinking, oh, that must be the butt lady!! Don't you love being a mom!?! I just joined the gym. Hopefully, I'll make a "smaller" impression soon!

Our new life.....

This is just our temporary home until ours is ready .... hopefully next week!
The kids are ready for church! I realized this afternoon that I should have saved these clothes for next week -- fourth of July -- red, white, and blue!! Oh well, who will remember, right? Aren't they cute?
Adele and Mary Frances playing dress-up. Mary Frances is Barbie! Mary Frances LOVES having girls to play with and dress up with! It makes me want to cry that she is so happy!
Chase is having fun too! He and Elizabeth were playing a game that blew butterflies in the air, and they were belly-laughing! It was so precious! He still doesn't want me to be far away, though!

Balancing in Gymnastics

Well, we just jumped right in! Mary Frances and Thomas started gymnastics on Wednesday. They loved it, and I was so impressed with how well they behaved. They sat when they were supposed to and did what Coach Frank told them to (the best a 3 and 4 year old could be expected to). I had a wonderful time watching them and getting to know the other moms. This place is going to be so great for us all, as soon as we get over the culture shock and convenience overload. We went from having to drive 75 miles to Wal-Mart to seeing one every couple of miles in addition to all of the other options: McDonald's, Gyms galore, Hobby Lobby,.... The list goes on and on. You name it and there is at least one within 5 miles! It is really overwhelming for us right now! But we love it!

Guatemala Work and Friends

Daddy, Evan, and Ray C. working at the church. We were helping build a church that was destroyed in Hurricane Stan in 2005. We weren't able to do as much work as we would have liked, but we were a help to the people there. Everything must be done by hand. Here, the guys are digging a huge hole for the bathrooms. The job could have been done in 30 minutes by a machine, but they are hard to come by and very expensive. So, they got less than half done in 3-4 hours with about 5-6 men working on it! WOW!! Construction is different in Guatemala. Just ask the two experts we took with us!
Uno.Dos.Tres.....ARIBA!!!!!!!We brought this parachute last year. The kids love it. It is so bright and colorful and attracts a lot of kids to Bible school each day. We go under it, bounce balls, and shake until our arms hurt! They love it!
The village children in Chuacrus were so proud of their tissue paper flowers. The children are always proud of the art work. They will always bring up their work when they are finished for us to see. It is so sweet. They will very accurately color one coloring sheet for 30 minutes. They are so artistic, too. And I believe that is because their minds have not been watered down by TV, video games, and staying inside all day. They have to use their brains to do anything. There are no simple conveniences in their lives. And yet, they still SMILE!!
Hose Daniel, Jacqueline, and Ray C. -- Hose Daniel hung out with us most days in Pana. He ate with us and sold us some of his "goods." He is a friend of Lloyd and Melanie's. His father left when he was very young, and he is his mother's only child. I believe he is 15. His mother had left for several weeks while we were there to sell her things. So, he was on his own. He told us he was renting a place, but I'm not sure where he was staying! He is a sweet guy, AND he loves the SEMINOLES!! He has been Americanized a little!!! But, when he saw Bill wearing a Gator hat, he went up to him ad playfully hit his hat and gave him a thumbs down! It was hilarious!
After a week and a half of Passport troubles, my daddy finally made it. He arrived on Saturday and was a wonderful part of our team! I was so glad he was able to make it. Leaving him here was hard for me. WORD OF ADVICE: If you plan to travel out of the country in the next year or 2, go ahead and get your passport now. The day after we left, they suspended the new law requiring passports for anyone traveling by air to Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas etc. They were too busy and weren't getting people their passports in time for travel! Many thanks go out to Senator Saxby Chambliss from Georgia and Representative Allen Boyd in north Florida! They made it happen!!

Buses and Kids

Caution: When in Guatemala, do not ride a chicken bus!! This is a chicken bus, named because anyone is welcome to travel on it even if they are carrying livestock - like chickens! They pile as many people on as possible and move on to their destination. They drive very fast, and as a result, about once a week, one falls off the mountain!

All of these buses are old buses from the U.S. that we don't want anymore. They are all decorated extensively with bright colors and named. Mary Lou has one of her own that travels in Panajachel - the Maria Louisa!! :)

These boys were hanging out at the work site. They were in school that day, but they were playing around during their 1 hour break for snacks - a very healthy snack of candy, chips, coke, and fake pork rinds. And we wonder why they are malnourished. The snacks are cheap and fill them up. They don't get much else! Check out the left shoe of the boy above. This is what most of their shoes look like. Next time I go, I am filling my bags with shoes! It is so sad. One of Elena's brothers was wearing sandals at least 3 sizes too small. His toes were hanging off by an inch!

And yet, they are still happy. They find joy in things we take for granted! I am so grateful for the opportunity to know these precious people whom I have fallen in love with!

I've been overheard...

...saying the following interesting things as people I called have picked up the phone and not even gotten out hello...

* ...did you wet your pants? (Her answer was "No! Who is this?")

* ...would you lick the bathroom floor? (Luckily that was my mom!)

*...I've gotta go! The baby's in the oven (He was really in the drawer under the oven, but that was the best I could get out quickly!! That person called my husband immediately and said he might want to come home!)

I'm sure I can add to this as the weeks go by!! I just thought it was funny since the wetting your pants thing recently happened and brought up other similar memories!*

Anniversary Celebration...

Today, we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary! Wow! I don't feel old enough to have been married for 9 years and to have 3 kids! It was a chaotic day but we spent it together! We opened a bank account, visited our incomplete new house, played at the playground, and went back and forth from the church for several reasons - camp for kids, kitchen utensils, gymnastics, etc. After a hectic day of running around, we dropped off all the kids at our friends' house with 2 babysitters to care for all 5 kids. Then, we all went out to eat. But first, Ray C. surprised me by taking me to the chapel in the church where we renewed our wedding vows.

Renewing our vows was very special. Our friend Mike is one of the pastors at the same church, and he officiated! It was so nice to repeat our vows and renew our commitment to one another. I am so grateful for a husband who loves me so much and is attracted to me. I am thankful that He loves the Lord and considers me a partner in ministry. God has been so good to us, and I am looking forward to what He has planned for our future. And of course, his good looks don't hurt either!! :)

We Made It!

Well, we made it to Houston! The kids are so confused, but they love it. Thomas and Mary Frances are going to camp at the church in the mornings this week. They love the church and were surprised at how big it was! They are enjoying making new friends.

Chase and I went to the new house today, and it is FABULOUS!! I can't believe it is mine. We are hoping to be in by the end of the month! We're just praying for an electric meter to arrive tomorrow so we don't get behind schedule!

The United driver agreed to hold our furniture on the truck until we need it next week. We just hope his supervisor doesn't tell him any different before we are ready to move!

I have no idea where I am. I can't even get to the house we're staying in! This place is so huge, but I love it! I am so excited to have an opportunity to make friends that I can have for a while. Everywhere else we've lived, I knew we would be moving, but I am hoping to be here for a long time.

I thought I'd leave you with a list of things we are thankful for in Texas and in our new environment:

1. stairs inside the house and not outside
2. lush grass and the ability to walk through it barefoot since there are no sandspurs. I feel like
a kid again running through the grass barefoot!!
3. a fenced-in backyard
4. children at church the same age as each of ours
5. young adults with interests like ours
6. Target
7. Wal-Mart
8. Kroger
9. Health food stores
10. GPS - although the purchase is a sensitive topic
11. a pool in our neighborhood
12. air conditioner
13. neighbors
14. stores with "SUV" carts for carting all 3 children


Well! I'm off to bed to study my new Houston map before falling to sleep. I'm the last one up and it's not even 10. Ray C. was asleep by 8:30. I would like to have been, but mom's don't often get that luxury. I am thankful for the sleep I get and for the nap I got today while my husband watched the kids!

Houston Bound

The moving truck pulled out around 4:00 yesterday, and I went to bed at 8:30! I've spent the day today cleaning. We went to the beach for the last time, and we tried to have a nice seafood dinner at an outdoor restaurant on the island, but it was too much for the exhausted children! So, we boxed it up and came home. It was frustrating, but it comes with having kids this young!

I can't believe we are really leaving tomorrow! I am excited, but I expect tomorrow to be an emotional day. It will be hard to leave this place. We will miss all the grandparents in the church. They have been good to us. But, we are looking forward to the children having friends, and rekindling relationships we never thought would be local again!

We are so excited about doing life with our friends from Seminary. God has been so good to us. The children are concerned about all their things. They just really don't get this whole thing, but they are looking forward to playing with their friends, going to school, having stairs inside our house (not outside), and leaving the sand spurs behind!

I still don't know where we are going when we get to Texas, but we'll be getting there on Monday or Tuesday. Our house will not be ready for another week or two, so we will have to stay somewhere else. Our things will stay on a truck trailer in Dallas until we are ready for them!! It will be an adventure!

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place and enjoy nature in a different way than we have grown up! Thank you for calling us to ministry and providing for us along the way. Thank for our families who support us, and thank you for staying by our sides all along the way! Bless our ministry in Texas. Protect us from opposition. Show us where you are at work where you can use us. Work through us that our lives will make a difference in your world. You are good, and we love you!

Amen!

Village Lunch in Panamache

Friday and Saturday we were in the village of Panamache. We provided a medical clinic, bible school, and we worked on rebuilding the church that was destroyed in Hurricane Stan 2 years ago. We loved the people in the village and they loved us back!!

On Saturday, the ladies in the church wanted to prepare for us a typical meal. We were all a little concerned about eating the food because “gringos” don’t do so well with locally prepared foods. Our systems are just not accustomed to the way things are prepared. They don’t use sanitizer and soap like we do. In fact, they just have a bucket of water and rinse their hands in it – over and over!!

So, after much concern, Lloyd and Melanie encouraged us to accept this gift that the pastor said his heart wanted to give us!! Lloyd actually said, it would be worth it for everyone to get sick if we accept such a generous gift from them! OH the power of words!!!! Five of us stayed back today with stomach problems. It was not a fun night last night, but we are all recovering. However, Ray C. said this morning, after spending a significant time in “el bano” himself, it was definitely worth it! They were thrilled to serve us. The women spent hours preparing us rice, fresh salsa – much better than we can buy – beef (which is a delicacy), and tamolitas – a mixture of cornmeal and water boiled in corn husks. It was delicious! After serving our food, they brought out “water” for us to drink. They had already poured it into the cups and started handing it out. We were very scared to drink it! It looked like watered-down skim milk. However, once again, we felt that we must accept the drink. I was scared to drink it, but it was deliciously sweet. I don’t know how they made it, but I really enjoyed it – probably for the last time in my life!! ☺

As we gathered in the temporary tin church building and the women began setting the steaming food before us on Styrofoam plates, I was overcome with tears! They gave us such a beautiful gift and many may have skipped eating so that we could. I was so humbled by their generosity, and yet they are so grateful for all the help we are giving to them!

We were thrilled to be able to serve them over the last several days and to meet some of their emotional and physical needs! Thanks be to God!

Pastor Hose, his wife, Juana, and 2 of their 5 children. They were so sweet to us and thankful for our help. Juana and some other ladies from the church made our lunch on Saturday!
Our first day of Bible school, we had to separate the children into boys and girls because there were so many - 120 girls and 86 boys!! It was crazy! This shows the boys playing a relay race and hitting Bill's hands at the turn around. As always, livestock was everywhere! The turkeys joined in the race!

Guatemala

I am so excited to be in Guatemala again! I love these people. The little old men and women are so precious to me. I am so amazed at how hard they work! There is NO retirement here.

Yesterday and today we are working in a little Mayan village called Panimache. We had hundreds of people show up for our medical clinic, hundreds of children for Bible School - yes, I said hundreds!! And, we worked on constructing the church buiding that was destroyed in Hurricane Stan in October 2005. The church family is so grateful for our help. We went to their service on Thursday evening, and they prayed for us. Isn't that amazing? It was very humbling!

We sang and played with between 2 and 300 children yesterday. I am scared there may be more today. Of course, it would be wonderful, but we aren't quite sure what to do with them all! We also took their pictures and framed them with popsicle sticks!

We had a medical clinic where we worked with a local doctor who is a Christian. We will work with her and her husband today and then two more days after that in a different village. We saw very many sick people. The older people have arthritis, and we can only give them tylenol for a month of relief. One child had lice so badly that the bugs had chewed thru her scalp and left a terribly infected hole! Many have parasites, amoebas, etc. We aren't able to do as much as we would like, but any comfort is better than nothing!

My dad has been delayed because his passport just came in yesterday, but he wil arrive this afternoon! I can't wait to see him and experience this with him! God is so good, and He lives in Guatemala - in the hearts and pueblos of the people here!

Our New House

The house is almost finished! We are so excited!! Flooring and landscaping is happening this week!

Another Feather in my Hat

Thomas came in my room trying to cough up something today. When I asked what he ate, he said he thought it was a small butterfly. OKAY!! I said, "Well, how did you eat a butterfly?" "Well," he said, "I saw it so I put my straw on it and tried to blow, but instead it went up my straw and in my mouth!"

I could not stop laughing. That was so hilarious. The thing "bugged" him for over an hour. He said it tasted horrible! So, don't try butterfly. Apparently it does not taste like chicken!! He tried everything he could think of to get it down. He drank, ate, stood on top of his head -- yep, he said that if he was upside down, maybe it would come down his throat and he could get it out. He did that for a little while but then concluded that didn't work either! So, he stuck his hand down his throat saying, "maybe this will work." Well, I felt so bad that it was bothering him so much, I agreed that would probably help. SO....I got a feather in my hat and an addition to my description as a mom for sticking my hand down his throat and helping him "cough" up the butterfly. BUT, there was no butterfly! Oh well! He eventually stopped complaining! It must have gone down fine!

Apparently there is no end to what a mom must do to help her children. I am:

the maid
the chef
the butler
the chauffeur
the launderer
the events coordinator
the enforcer
the bathe-er
the mender
the referee
the nanny
the food police
and more...

But, I am also pleased to be...
the audience for puppet shows and music theatres
the dance partner
the rocker
the teller of good-night stories
the boo-boo kisser
the hand-holder
the protector
the "best mommy in the world"
the recipient of many compliments from my adoring "fans"
the one who gets to share her half of the King Bed with 3 children at 6:00 in the morning
the woman God chose to raise 3 of His blessings in this world!

I pray that:

* I never forget how He has blessed me and how my attitude should reflect that.
* they will love Him and the people He has created
* God will use each of my children and their individual gifts and talents with which He has blessed them to change the world!

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to GO

another journal entry...November 2006

This morning I got dressed with nice shoes, a crisp, button-down shirt and my pearls. I looked great, but after Ray C. left for work, I realized I had nowhere to go. I felt a little depressed as I went back to the closet. I put on my comfy shirt and jeans, took off the pearls and shoes, and started cleaning the dishes. Maybe I can wear my pearls tomorrow - to the grocery store and soccer practice!

God's Dwelling Place

Thomas is totally perplexed about how big God is and where He lives. We have a discussion about God daily! So, this morning we were putting together the USA Floor Puzzle (great learning toy). While Thomas was placing Maine in its spot "above" the rest of the states, he said, "Mommy, is this where God lives?" He was thinking that Maine must be heaven since it was on top of the other states. I informed him that God lives in all the states. If I'm wrong, maybe we should consider a move north rather than west!!

A Productive Day

I want to end every day with the thought that I was productive. That might mean I spent a lot of time with the children doing fun things -- reading, doing puzzles, taking a walk, going to the park, etc OR it could mean I finally cleaned the house. So, today, I am pleased.

I finished sewing cushion covers for my $5 denim sofa by 9:30 this morning! They look GREAT, and they're washable - 3 kids, remember!?! Soon after, Mary Frances got sick and threw up all over me, my computer table, and my bathroom. My sister was getting ready to leave, and I got a little stressed out. Then, I told Mary Frances to go take a nap in her bed because she was exhausted. First I took off the quilt and shams. As soon as she got in the bed, she threw up again! Well, I've already packed the extra sheets, so she slept in her sleeping bag while I washed her sheets! Thank goodness I thought to take off the quilt, right! She felt better after her nap, and was fine the rest of the day!

I finally got to work packing around 1:00. After a while, I realized I hadn't seen Chase in a few minutes. I frantically ran onto the screened in porch and asked the kids where he was. They had no clue, but the screen had a 2 year old size hole in it. I told the kids to look in the bedrooms, and I took off down the stairs. When I got to the bottom, I could see him at the end of our rock driveway (I was barefoot) IN the dirt road, running! He was running away from home!! Could this be part of the "terrible twos"? I caught up to him quickly. He was laughing the whole way! I was not!

So, a little while later, I tried to put him down for a nap -- not happening! I won't go into the details, but after 30 minutes of screaming and him escaping from the bedroom, I decided I'd rather him not nap today, wake up with the cranky attitude he's had the last 4 days after nap, and let him go to sleep easily tonight! He had a happy afternoon and asked to be rocked at 7:15! What a difference! I think my sister was right - he's just gotten used to the older kid's schedule. I already know he doesn't like being left out, and he knows they aren't napping! So, we'll try this approach and see how it works! Sorry, mama! I know you were counting on that break next week!

So, after everyone took a bath, ate, and got in bed, I painted the boys' dresser black! I know it sounds crazy, but if I don't get it done now, it will be months before I get to it, and I want their cowboy room to look good when we get to our new house! I plan to paint the nightstand tomorrow. Then, I'll be finished!

It's been an adventurous - as always - and productive - not so normal - day! Productivity is great, but ending the day, especially one with many obstacles, with a joyful heart and a good attitude is a blessing! Thank you, God, for changing my heart!

Mary "Princess"

Mary Frances has been so sweet and enjoyable the last few weeks. I have really been able to tell that she made it through the "terrible twos" with a good attitude. God IS good!

the baby

The "Terrible Twos"

What happened to my baby? He's only 22 months, but he is hitting the terrible twos hard already! He has been so sweet, easy going and cuddly since birth. Now, he says "no" with a mean look on his face, wakes up in a rotten mood and crying constantly, and pitches tantrums in the middle of my floor because I won't let him escape through the screen on the porch!

I never called them the "terrible twos" until Mary Frances started 2 weeks before her 2nd birthday! I didn't even realize Thomas had gone through them until he came out of it and his sweet attitude returned! Mary Frances' attitude hit us like a freight train! My parents took my sweet little girl home with them for a week, and I swear they brought back a different child! Every night was a dreaded nightmare. Her doorknob has been turned around for over a year so we can lock her in her room just to get her to sleep! (We always unlock it before we go to sleep.) It has been a very difficult year and about 4 months, but she is finally coming out of it. The last few weeks have proven her to be very sweet and obedient - a completely different child than I have known since before she turned two!

I am truly thankful that God has given me a small rest in between the two "terrible twos" episodes. I remember when Mary Frances started, I realized I was only a little ways into this with another one coming right behind her. The twos might not be SO terrible if you didn't have three of them back-to-back! Anyway, I am grateful that Mary Frances is at the end of this phase as Chase begins. I also appreciate what the children learn in this stage. I am praying that Chase will learn how to be independent and obedient and that he will learn to control his emotions.

As Chase was pitching a fit about going to bed tonight, I went back in to take him from Ray C. I rocked him and cried praying "God thank you for these children. This is so hard. Please help me to make it through this stage, and show me how to be a good mom." Then, Thomas asked me to rock him, and I rocked my baby and my 4 year old together in my great-grandmother's tiny little rocking chair. It was a joy to share those moments with my sons!

God, thank you for blessing me with three beautiful children whose thoughts are always on you. May they love you with all of their hearts and mature in their faith and love for you as their bodies grow and mature. You are good. I know you are with me - that you have not given these lives to me and left me alone. You are my example. Show me how to love the way you love and see things the way you see them and respond the way you respond. There is no place I'd rather be than in your presence and working with you! I love you, Lord! Amen!

Perspective

A sign posted by our friends' pool!

Shower or Sleep?

This is an entry I wrote in my journal in September. I wasn't blogging yet, but I was already keeping up with my random thoughts and feelings. I thought this might "ring a bell" with some other moms! If you aren't a mom of young children, this won't interest you!

Should I take my shower in the morning or at night? I wish I could smell good and look great without one. It sure would solve a BIG dilemma! I'm exhausted at night. I don't want to take a shower then. I want to unwind in front of the television or with a good book, then go to bed, preferably by 10:00 to prepare for however many times I am awakened before 5:45 when the baby wakes up for good! It is nice to be clean for bed, but I'm usually too tired for a shower.

So, the morning is the only other option (because I sleep during nap time). I'm up early after all. The only problem here is that all three kids get up one right after another. They aren't usually in a good mood that early. So, they'll not be happy with me leaving them to shower. They'll stand at the door and cry the whole time or get into a huge mess. After all, they are only 1, 2, and newly four.

My husband is a GREAT help, but he likes his sleep and has a hard time getting up in the mornings. (He will NEVER admit it, but it is the truth!) So, I beg him to get up early enough for me to shower before he leaves. He'll watch the kids, and I'm lucky to get 30 minutes so I can get completely ready! Otherwise, I'll find time later today! (Yeah, right! I'll look just like this when my husband comes home tonight! You can count on it!)

So, the question is, if he sleeps in and there is no time for me to shower, am I justified in being upset with him? OR, is it my fault for not having planned better? After all, I could have gotten up at 5:00, before the kids woke up. Maybe I should just do it at night! I really can't figure it out. Every week is different.

One day the kids will be old enough to watch themselves and I can take a Bubble Bath!! Until then, its quick showers whenever I can catch one. I'm just thankful to smell good today!

I would like to say that the kids now sleep until 6:30 or 7:00 most days. My husband still makes time for me to take a shower most days, but if there isn't time, I can catch one during Curious George! I also take showers at night! Guess what: my husband watches them before they go to bed! That way I'm not too tired, I smell good, and I am prepared for the next day! Bless you, single moms! I do not know how you do things! You are awesome!

Encouragement from Strangers

Here are some of the encouraging words I hear from strangers we pass on a daily basis.

1. "You're not having any more are you!?!"

2. "I want three kids - NOT!!"

3. "Are they all yours?" My friend with 6 kids also gets, "Do they have the same dad?" I'm
serious!!

4. When I'm having an especially difficult day - "It only gets worse!"

5. "Just wait 'til they get to be teenagers."

6. "This is the best time of your life!" (Lord, please tell me that she is wrong!)


7. "Enjoy the love and hugs while they're young because when they're teenagers they'll hate
you!" (Wow, thank you for that spectacular advice!)

8. After discovering I was pregnant with my first son, the cashier at Wal-mart said, "I'm sorry!" She had obviously been burned out by men. I responded by saying, "I'm not! I'm excited to have the opportunity to raise a Christian gentleman."

Some people are kinder. They don't actually say anything to me. They just point and whisper. I actually heard a woman at Steak and Shake last year telling her friend to turn around and look at us. She was telling her that one was standing on the bench (oh my goodness, what a horrible thing) and one was trying to escape. I'm sure the baby was crying. She had a disgusted look on her face as if to say "how could she have so many young children? She can't even keep up with them." The thing is that they were just acting like children. I found myself for the first year of the baby's life feeling so embarrassed to go anywhere with all 3 because I felt like a circus on wheels: two in the double stroller and one in the Baby Bjorn. People pointing mortified me. I don't want people to talk about me.

So, as we were sitting in Steak and Shake, I said, "I am so embarrassed." And our friend with us asked why. At that point I realized that I was complaining about having three kids out in public to a friend who had just adopted one because he couldn't have children. I felt so horrible for complaining about the blessings God has given me.

So, I am no longer embarrassed. Talk about me if you will, but I love all three of my children. When, I 'm not totally at the end of my rope, we have a great time! They hug and kiss me all day long. They tell me I am beautiful and the best mommy in the world. Who cares what anyone else thinks and says. My children matter more! I'll take some good compliments, but I'll just feel sorry for the people who missed out on the JOY of having children and only have negative words to say! I pray for them and then forget their comment!

Reduce Stress Challenge

Okay, this one is a hard one. This week, I'm going to try going to bed so I can get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Now, for moms, this is hard because we don't know what is going to happen once we go to bed. The kids could decide to wake up really late, but they are more likely to wake up earlier than normal. You could sleep all night long OR you could be woken up at 3 a.m. by a child with a wet bed or someone throwing up. And, if your house is like mine, when one wakes up making noise, the whole house wakes up (except my wonderful husband who sleeps through anything, and that is okay, because he helps plenty when he is awake). So, then we are watching Cinderella at 3:30 in the morning. And by 6:30 a.m., I've already done more work than most people will accomplish the entire day --- 3 loads of nasty laundry, changed sheets, cleaned the floors, etc. So, let's just try. If I get in the bed at 10:30. I have a really good chance of getting 7 hours of sleep, but hopefully 8. So, I will go to bed between 10:30 and 11:15 every night this week. A good night's sleep does make for a better day!
Good Luck!

Thomas Makes a Discovery

Changing the World: One Bag at a Time

In the last year or two, I have become aware that Christians are known mostly for our stance on major, controversial issues like abortion. I am so aggravated that the environment is not more of a concern. Our God created this beautiful place and asks us to be good stewards of it. Instead, we are contributing to the destruction of it just as much as the next person. Preserving our environment has become more of a passion for me this year. I have made several changes in my daily life and in my home to preserve what God has given me. I realize that the best way to change the world is to start with myself and get people to join me. So, I would like to share with you the things I am doing to be a good steward of the gifts I have been given, and I would love for you to join me. If you do something I didn't include, please leave a comment. Let's save the environment together. These are easy changes that make a BIG impact!

1. I use canvas bags instead of plastic bags at the grocery store and other stores. I don't always remember them, but I use them when I can. I paid about $3-4 for each bag on ebay. One canvas bag holds the equivalent of 3-4 plastic bags. They have long handles to throw over your shoulder. So, I can get almost all of my groceries in one trip up my stairs with all 3 kids!! That's a benefit!

2. I started washing all my clothes in cold water. Warm water uses much more energy and really only makes a difference on greasy clothes, from what I hear!

3. I try not to turn on any lights unless it is necessary during the day. The sunlight is usually plenty with the windows open.

4. When we go on vacation, I turn the air conditioner up to 80 and close all the blinds to keep it cooler and not need the air conditioner!

5. We are working on becoming more fuel efficient. We are not buying new vehicles now, but we would like to buy cars that use less fuel - maybe hybrids. We are checking into it. I know they cost more and usually even out in price with the fuel, but the protection of the environment is the goal, not just saving money, although I am ALL for saving money!

6. Recycling of course, even if they don't pick it up. We have to take our recycling across the bridge because they don't pick it up, but we're going that way anyway. It really isn't a big deal to put your used containers in your car and throw them in a dumpster, right!!

7. We will be buying new appliances for our house. I am looking for appliances with the EnergyStar approval!

8. We also plan to use EnergyStar light bulbs in our new home. I think they use 75% less energy. That may not be the correct number, but that change alone is a HUGE value to the environment!

Thanks for reading! I hope you can join!

Reduce Stress Challenge

My AWESOME sister sent an e-mail to me about how to reduce stress - 36 ways, actually!! I was stressed just reading about all the wonderful ways to reduce my stress because there were so many that I can't remember them all. So, today, I will begin a weekly challenge. For those of you who visit regularly, you can work with me on reducing stress. This week's stress-buster is PRAYER!!! Everyday, let's spend time sitting and praying. The time may be different for each person, but the quality is more important. Pray for yourself, your friends and family, and thank God for the gifts He has given you!

Mighty Monster

I'm In Love

Treasure Hunting

Being still and keeping your hands to yourself during a shopping trip is almost impossible for a 3 year old. So, before we left to shop this morning, we made up a "treasure map" of things for Mary Frances to find during the day. She was looking for a red chair, a blue lamp with yellow flowers, a green bench, a pink flamingo, a green duck, a pink pig, and a purple angel. She found it ALL!! So, her reward was a HUGE ice cream cone. It was much more pleasant with her so busy!

Confession

My name is Jacqueline, and I am a Sweets-aholic. They make me feel so good when I am stressed. I know everyone eats for different reasons - comfort, taste, stress... Some people eat just when they are hungry. Imagine that!

I have come to understand that food is not supposed to be to fulfill any need other than actual hunger. But that is just not what we are taught - no offense to my parents because we ALL do it. I mean, what do you do when you get a raise - celebrate at your favorite restaurant. What do you do for your birthday - eat cake and ice cream. How about prom - fancy food and breakfast at 4:00 in the morning! What about if you lose 2-3 pounds your first week of dieting? What do you want? A big hunk of cheesecake because you resisted it every night, right!?!

So, here's the deal. God made healthy food for us to fuel our bodies - not to recreationally eat. We messed it up with man-made stuff like butter, cheese, mayonnaise, and ranch dressing. It all tastes good, but that isn't the way God made it, and it isn't good for us. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it's sinful to doctor your food, but it is sinful to eat for fun. We are ruining our bodies and minds.

I knew I had a problem the day I was hiding in the laundry room eating hands-full of M&M's because I was stressed out with the children. Ray C. knew I had a problem the other day when we came home from the grocery store with all three kids - that was our mistake!! We stopped at the convenience store on the way home for something I forgot, and I sneaked a tube of cookie dough in my bag without him knowing. When we got home, I was shaking from stress. I could hardly get the end off of the bag open. I grabbed a knife as quickly as possible and tore through the bag. Ray C. came over and said, "Jacqueline, that is not going to help." I replied, "Oh yes it is!" I couldn't wait to get it in my mouth. He said, "That's not any different than an alcoholic." And again, I replied, "I know, but I need it right now!" As soon as I got that dough in my mouth, the shakes stopped and my whole body felt calm. Isn't that horrible?

So, how do I overcome this addiction? I can't do it without my God! He is so good, and He will deliver me from this problem. Only God can truly satisfy my need. Only He can comfort me when I am stressed. I've been memorizing verses like Psalm 121 - "My eyes look up to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth!" and "In this world you will face many troubles, but take heart, I have overcome the world." (I can't remember the reference, but I'll edit when I get home!) I pray for help, and I try to reduce my stress, but without God I cannot survive!

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Callaway Butterfly Exhibit

These were the most beautiful butterflies we found!!! :)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Jacqueline, Mary Frances and Mary Anna (#1); Rosemary and Mary Anna (#2); lunch with the Purple Cow (#3);

Let's Hear it For the Girls

We've been waiting for months for this weekend to arrive.
We got to Pine Mountain after a very long drive.
The Lake is beautiful, the breeze is fine.
Mary Anna stayed in bed until quarter after nine.
Mary Frances woke up at 7:00 as expected.
In other words, my sweet dreams quickly became injected,
With sweet words saying, "Mommy, it's time to get out of bed."
"Let's go outside and see the pond," Mary Frances said.

So, now we're all awake and taking our showers,
Then we will be off to see the lovely flowers
At Callaway Gardens just a mile down the road,
We've left the chaos, we're welcoming a more relaxing mode.
We'll talk, and eat, and lounge and snooze
We'll laugh and cry and go to bed when we choose.

Girls need friends to chat and play
To talk and talk about their day.
We need friends who love us dearly
To help us see things a little more clearly.
God has given us the gift of friendship
And we plan to enjoy it on this trip.
We've been friends for 25 years.
So here's to the girls. Three big cheers!

Honey is Sweet

Soon after arriving at our "girls' weekend" destination, Mary Frances hugged my mom and said,
"Honey, I'm so glad you're in our story." (This is related to the earlier entry entitled "The Story of Life.") This was Mary Frances' equivalent to "I'm glad you're in my life!" Don't you know that made Honey's day?

Are You a Grupster?

Have you heard of grupsters yet? I just heard a report on the Today Show this morning. I couldn't hear it all due to the noise in my house. What I understand is that they are parents trying to maintain their own personalities and life with their kids. The main thing seemed to be that they were trying to not get lost in their children. Now, there may be more to this, but this sounds great to me. Parenting is wonderful, but I believe one of the best things I can do for my children is to maintain my interests and to continue to be me. I'm a better parent that way. I can't have my whole life wrapped up in them. I know many parents do, including many Christian parents, but I don't believe that God has only called me to be a parent. He has also called me to a pastor's wife, and that carries a lot of responsibility. He has given me an opportunity to make a difference in the world with the three children he has blessed me with, but He has also called me to minister to others. I have seen a lot of wonderful people lose themselves during the parenting years, and I don't want to be like that. I spend almost every minute with my children right now, but I try to go out with friends, date my husband regularly, and be creative as often as possible. Otherwise I would go insane, and then what good would I be for my children. I want them to see me reading, loving my husband, and enjoying the gifts God has given me.

Back to the grupsters - apparently, the law is no Barney or Wiggles (love it)! They wear clothes that are in style, not the only shirt without spitup on it and tapered jeans from ten years ago. They maintain their style - who they are. They have even started afternoon clubs in night clubs for the kids. It's an opportunity for the parents to share music with their children. It's kids music designed after pop and hip-hop!

So, what do you think? Are you a grupster? I can't say yet because I don't know enough, but what I've heard sounds good!

The Muffled Plunger

You know that sound you make when you talk into a cup? It's like a muffled yell, right? Well, I bet you didn't know that a plunger makes the same noise when you talk into the bottom of it! I do. Thomas demonstrated today just after I finished plunging with it!! I know you all probably don't believe all these crazy things happen to us, but we are definitely a house full of adventurous personalities. Thankfully, the plunger has not been used in the toilet in several weeks (to my knowledge) and I had just used it in the bathtub which was clogged with toilet paper! (Okay, now I'm telling just how crazy we are. I didn't even realize how funny it was until I just wrote it out. Just don't ask how the toilet paper got in there!! I honestly don't know!) So, I figure the bad germs were probably dead after sitting on the bathroom floor for weeks, and I just washed them off in the somewhat clean bathtub water, right!?! I prayed afterward that he doesn't get sick. What else can I do? Could you say a prayer for me?

I'm not SuperMom...

No matter how hard I try, I just can't be supermom! Being a mom is so hard! It is definitely the most difficult and exhausting thing I've ever done. I do laundry all week long, and I still can't stay on top of it. The day I finally mop the floor, someone spills milk at dinner and gets it all sticky again. As soon as I vacuum, someone drops a cracker and steps on it or spills cheerios all over the carpet. As soon as we get the toys picked up, someone empties the toy box looking for the toy at the very bottom. The dishes never end. The noise is louder than anything I've ever heard. The house looks like a wreck all day long and IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!

It would help if I could get up before the kids each day. I love to be the first one up - to pray and read my Bible while sipping coffee. But in order to do that, I'd have to get up at 4:30 a.m.!! Yeah! Chase usually wakes up between 5 and 5:30. I try reading my Bible as soon as we get up, but it just isn't the same. I'll read a few verses and then someone wants me to read a book, get something out of the closet, more juice... I don't know what to do. I can't put them to bed later because my functions shut down around 7:00. I need them in bed at 8:00 to have some time for myself. I read my Bible other times during the day. I get my time with God, but I'm looking forward to the day when I can start my days with Him again! There's nothing like it!

I love being a mom. It is worth every moment, but that doesn't make it easier. I used to tell my friends that anyone who does something 24/7 gets burned out no matter how much they love their job. It is so important to have time away. Unfortunately, I just don't have much of that right now. I am really looking forward to getting to Texas and having more opportunities. God has been good to me. He has allowed us to be in this relaxed environment - the island - during this difficult time with our children. Ray C. has been an incredible help to me. My hat's off to single mothers. I don't know how they do this! I am so thankful for Ray C., and I understand why God gave us two parents!

I'm sorry for the complaining, but I just needed to get it out this morning! God is good all the time. He will see me through this, and I will have an amazing story. I hope to be able to help others because of my trials!


Psalm 121 : "My eyes look up to the hills; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord; the maker of heaven and earth...." Thanks be to God!

Potty Training

I HATE potty training! Until I started potty training Thomas, I thought I was a great mom. My dreams were crushed as I realized everything is not as easily conquered as I had hoped! Potty training is one of the most difficult things I have faced as a parent so far. When Chase was born, we had 3 in diapers even after trying to train Thomas for a while. I tried every method there was. The fact of the matter is - you just can't make a child urinate or poop on command. They are ultimately in control. In Mary Frances' case, it was one thing she could control no matter what I did. So, she just decided it would be when she was ready. She knew what to do for a year but chose not to as part of her strong will. She finally decided she was ready when her cousin, Abigail, loaned her some Ariel panties and called to check on her. Ray C. says that he potty-trained her while I was away for the weekend. Normally, I love to give him the credit and brag on him as a hubby and daddy, but after working on this for over a year, I refuse to give him the credit for finishing the job. Thanks, honey! We can share the credit, but I can't just give it away after all of my frustrations over it!!!! You're still an awesome husband, and I am grateful for the work you put into the project!!

So, I've come to Chase. We now have 2 children trained. A few months ago, I decided I was not going to train Chase; I've realized it isn't up to me. He will do it when he is ready, and he has 2 older siblings to watch. So, I told Thomas he was in charge of potty training Chase, and that I would not interfere. He replied, "Thank you, mommy!" You are more than welcome baby!!

HOWEVER, Chase loves the potty. He is ready to learn, and I don't feel like I should waste the opportunity even though I have no desire to potty train. I keep telling Thomas to take him to the potty with him and show him how to do it! He does some, but I think I'm going to have to step in! I believe this will be a family effort. Thomas and Mary Frances will probably do more than I can. So, today, we broke out the Diego and Spider Man undies!! The 2-3T size is huge on his little behind, but they don't make them smaller! It's 9:00 a.m. and we've already been through 3 pair, but the kids are having fun. I wouldn't call it fun - more like torture. It makes so much laundry - and that's just the clothes. I also have to clean the floor where he was standing, wash out the undies in the potty, and keep the kids out of the mess while I'm cleaning it up. But I'm surviving. I don't expect he'll stay in the underwear all day, but he is doing good. Yesterday he went pee pee and poopy in the potty, and he was so proud of himself.

Well, say a prayer for me as I train this last one and move on to the next stage in life! For those of you who are wondering - No, I am not sad. I will be so happy to say goodbye to Pampers, Luvs, and Huggies. I have better things to spend my money on - like camp for the kids!!!! I've been stuck in this stage for a long time and I am ready to move on. We are having fun, but good things are waiting in our future!

"Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

Would You Lick the Bathroom Floor?

I had just hung up the cell phone after talking to my mom, last week, when I looked back and saw Thomas chewing on his shoe. Thomas is 4 1/2. He knows not to do that. So, I said, "Thomas, take that out of your mouth. That is disgusting! Didn't you just go to the potty at the store back there?" He replied, "Yes!" So to that I said, "Would you lick that nasty bathroom floor?" Of course he wouldn't (while I was watching, anyway)! "Chewing on your shoe after walking on the bathroom floor is the same as licking the floor! Doesn't that sound gross? As I was saying that, I looked at my cell phone and realized I had accidentally called someone during the conversation and they were listening. I was mortified to say "hello" and discover who I'd called. I said, "Helloooo?" My mom said, "You tell that boy he better not be licking any bathroom floors!!" Whew!!! I was so glad it was my mom! She had heard the entire conversation and was dying laughing! It was just another ordinary conversation in my world, but I'm glad my mom got to be a part of it!

New Toothpaste?

Quiet time was a lot of fun for the kids today! I took a nap with Chase, and mama took a nap in her room so she would be close to the kids and could hear them if they needed her! She must not have heard them. It sounds bad writing it down, but they were safe, I promise!! But they did have fun! When I woke up, Mary Frances took me to the bathroom and said, "look in the tub mommy." I was nervous. So, I looked in and found some sort of tube with white stuff all over the tub and all over her toothbrush. As I was picking up the bottle to see what it was Mary Frances said, "I tried brushing my teeth with it, but it didn't taste very good." IT WAS VAGISIL!!! There is nothing else to say!

Thomas, Mary Frances, and Chase

We went to Honey and Grandaddy's church this morning! We took them into "Big Church" to see what a BIG church was like since they are mostly only familiar with our little island church. They were so impressed. They couldn't believe it when I told them that our new church is even bigger than Honey and Grandaddy's. They are so excited! We only stayed about 15 minutes, but they enjoyed the music. Chase was confused why daddy wasn't there. I think he understood the correlation between our church and theirs. He kept saying "da-da" during the prayer looking around for him! We missed daddy too! He is on his way to a church-planters conference in Orlando!

Princess Poopy

I was reminded this week of something Mary Frances told me over a year ago. She was 2!! We were reading several books about potty-ing: "Once Upon a Potty" and "Everyone Poops." So, it was just on our minds! :) I asked her one day, "Mary Frances, what color poopy do you think a Princess has?" Her immediate response was "Pink" of course. What other color would it be? Mary Frances is a very girly girl. She tells everyone that pink is her favorite color. She loves to wear dresses and will twirl for anyone who comments on her dress. It is so much fun having a girly girl in between two true BOYS!!

Houston Bound

We're moving to Houston!!!! We are so excited! God has been preparing us to plant a new church for a while now. We've been praying about where, when, and what, but we did not have any specifics. We just knew that's what God was calling us to do! However, we assumed it would be in Florida - the conference in which we have rooted ourselves. Well, imagine our surprise when a friend from Houston called to offer Ray C. a job. We will be planting a new campus of Foundry United Methodist Church in a new development. God has been so good to us through this process. I have no doubt he will continue to see us through. Watch out Houston, the Hughes clan is moving in!!

CAT?

Haven't seen the cat lately! I think the kids scared him away!

The Story of Life

As we were returning to the car from lunch today, Thomas, my 4 year old, said, "Mommy, I'm feeling like this story is never going to end!" I asked him what story he was talking about, and he said, "our story." I said, "You mean the story that we live in?" That is exactly what he meant! What an incredible thought for a 4 year old. I know my husband was thinking, "There's a sermon in that for sure!"

Really, though, isn't it an interesting thought to think of ourselves as characters in a story where we affect the outcome? Thomas wanted to know when the story would end, and I explained that it wouldn't end until we die and go to heaven. Then I realized this was a teachable moment! Actually, if we love God and try really hard to tell others about him and do good things for Him, then hopefully our story won't end when we die. We talked about that for a minute and he decided he didn't want to share his story. He wants to take it with him to Heaven! Oh well, it was a great conversation! Who says you can't have adult conversations when you're only surrounded by preschoolers!?!

Beach Fun

What a fun day we had! The weather has been amazing here! So, we invited Heather and the kids over to enjoy it with us! People thought we were a little crazy to have 6 preschoolers with only 2 adults, but the kids were great! Of course, Chase continues to live up to his name! The person who told me you should never name a child a verb was RIGHT! So, I got my exercise running around, but it was fun and beautiful - a perfect beach day!! Thank you Lord for the gorgeous weather and time with family! You are good!

A Hughes Sandwich

Look at the seagull

"See...Ba.." That means "I see a bird!"

Gabriel?

This is our new kitty!!! He showed up at our house last week! He must have belonged to someone because we've been told he is neutered and is house trained! Our neighbors said he
is a Manx - he has a bob tail and his front legs are shorter than his back! He is a beautiful cat, and the kids love him! Chase yells "here kitty-kitty"! He won't be coming in the house. He just greets us when we are outside and he tolerates the kids pretty well. Ray C. says he is just using me for the food because he hangs out a lot at the neighbors who have a lot of cats! Well, we'll see! For now, we are enjoying petting him!

Wakulla Springs

We visited Wakulla Springs this week and met Heather and her kids! It was so much fun! We saw a lot of alligators - some were pretty BIG! The kids had a great time having a picnic, riding the boat, and enjoying being with their cousins. But, I think the most fun they had was playing "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" at the playground before we left! The best things in life really are FREE!! By the way, Abigail was amazing. She remembered the names of each bird the guide told us and would announce each time we saw another! "Hey look, there's a blue heron," or "there's a cooter" (that's a turtle)!

Time to Myself

My kids went to a playdate today, and I had time to myself! A lady from the church took them, and I was supposed to pick them up, but my wonderful husband offered to pick them up so I could have more time at the house! What a great day! When the kids left, I didn't know what to do! I was so overwhelmed with chores, reading, and the need to do research on strong-willed children, that I couldn't decide where to start. I was actually anxious. I wanted to be sure to maximize my time! So, I did a lot of work with breaks here and there to read Newsweek, my Bible, and mail! It was wonderful! They were gone for 6 hours. I've never been here that long by myself. I feel like I accomplished a lot and was able to enjoy my time. I am realizing how important it is to take people up on their offers to help. In the past, I would just be polite when someone would offer to keep the kids "sometime." But now, I immediately ask them if they really mean it and what they would like to do. It helps me not feel guilty when I actually do call them that I am imposing on their own time or that I am asking them to do more than they offered! My advice -- take all the help you can get!!!! None of us should be sitting alone isolated from the world! God didn't make us that way! We were created for community! Thank you God!

At Last, A New Bra

After three pregnancies and nursing all three children, I was in need of a new bra! I had a bra in every size in my drawer - and I mean cup and width! Okay, maybe not every size, but I had a lot! I've needed a new one since October -- really! As you probably know, any shopping that takes longer than a quick stop to check size (2T or 3T) and grab what I need, is nearly impossible with three preschoolers. In fact, I usually check the stores online before I go shopping for clothes. That way I know what I want from each store, and I really can run in and out! BUT, you can't shop for a bra that way, especially when you have no idea what size you're looking for! In addition, I live over an hour from even Wal-Mart. So, shopping for this bra had to be well planned out! Well, finally I got the chance while visiting my parents last week! I went to Kohl's and walked past hundreds of bras 70-80% off!! Jackpot! I found someone to size me (an odd job, huh?), and I was able to control Thomas (he was the only one with me) well enough to get my size and find plenty of bras. I even got to try them all on! I won't announce my new size to the world, but let's just say I went the wrong direction! But, I am thrilled to have new undergarments! It doesn't take much to feel like a new woman!

Boogers...

Okay, I know this may be gross, but I must record it! Mary Frances was in the bed with us early one morning, and all of the sudden she said, "Yuck, mommy! Something is on my finger! Get it off." Knowing immediately what it was, I jumped from the bed and said, "Don't wipe it on my pillow. Just wait. I'll get a tissue!" As I was hurrying back from the bathroom, she said, "Don't worry. It's gone now!" GREAT!!! Now there's a booger in my bed! Mary Frances says, "It's okay, mommy. It was just a crumb!" Oh good! That made it better. At least I was only sleeping with a small booger! Needless to say, that day became CLEAN SHEET DAY!!

Right or Left?

It's important to know right from left. Thomas always puts his shoes on the correct feet, but he prefers to put his socks on the "wrong" feet. I don't know why, but he always asks me if he is putting the left sock on the right foot and vice verse. I just say yes to make it easy. He was talking to Grandaddy about which hand was which the other day and said, "You know, Mary Frances, if you turn around, your right hand is your left hand and your left hand is your right!" Very observant...and how do you explain that one? I mean we tried..."No, your right hand is always the same hand..." But he does have an interesting point, you know!

As Little As You

Thomas can't wait to be a grown up. He says he will be as big as daddy! Mary Frances said, "And when I grow up, I'm going to be as little as you, mommy!" Hooray!! What a compliment! I was jokingly thinking that just before she said it! I love the way these kids think!

Chase, daddy's hat, and the John Deere gator

the Island Girls