tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89234348095426589462024-03-13T15:25:25.235-07:00Authentic LifeBethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.comBlogger409125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-83161684812463293762016-08-28T20:25:00.003-07:002016-08-28T20:25:41.242-07:00Love Your Spouse Challenge: Days 1 - 7It's been a looooong time since I've posted, but a wise friend suggested I place all of my Facebook "Love Your Spouse Challenge" days here on my blog, so that I could have them "out there" and save them. So, here they are!<br />
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<b><u>Love Your Spouse Challenge Day #1</u></b><br />
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So, I’ve been asked by 2 different people to do the Love Your Spouse Challenge. I’ve seen mixed reviews about what people think about this, so I had tried to kind of stay away from it LOL. Some people think it’s totally awesome and want to do it, and some people are against and think it’s like showing that your life is perfect. So...when the second person tagged me to do it, I thought, Okay, well, I can do it my own way...right? And if you know me personally, you know I’m pretty authentic. I won’t vomit any business out here in Facebook land, but I will be real. Marriage is hard. We just celebrated 13 years, and I would say 9 of them have been happy LOL. The first ones were rough, and we had some big time stuff to deal with. We almost lost it in 2007, but by God’s grace and a lot of counseling, we pressed on. And let me tell you, if took both of us – both of us totally humbling ourselves to try to learn and seek God and stop addictions and bad habits and learn new beliefs that were actually TRUE about ourselves, individually. So, that’s my disclaimer. I want to participate in the challenge, but I want everyone to know...no perfection here. Struggles sometimes. Rough nights sometimes. Sometimes crying. Sometimes total intimacy that God completely intended for marriage. I wouldn’t trade the bad stuff we’ve been through, but at the time, it really did feel like death to me. But, guess what? It brought life. More life than I could have imagined.<br />
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So...here’s Day #1 of the Love Your Spouse Challenge. We look so young cutting this cake. I remember I was afraid Landon would smash my bite in my face, but he didn’t. I was so naive about marriage, and bless it, who isn’t?? I thought it was going to be a fairy tale. Looking back at our wedding day brings so much joy to see what we’ve made it through. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but today, God has sustained us, and I want to keep walking! My dress was beautiful, ya’ll! And my wedding rings – I would pick the same of almost everything today (well, except about 9 million things that I would change LOL). I will never forget our looooong vows, and Billy Joy doing our wedding, and David Wise and Christy Wise Descoteaux singing, and Jennifer Ritter Moore singing. It was total perfection in my mind. Such a wonderful and sweet day. Even spending our first night in new our home together – even if the car did drop us off and we were locked out of our house. Landon Frymire, I would choose it all again...I would choose YOU again. Here’s to unperfect, blessed, God-graced marriage.<br />
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<u><b>Love Your Spouse Challenge Day #2</b></u><br />
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I have a confession to make. I was a weeeeee bit controlling when we first got married. And by that I mean, I really, really thought I was Holy Spirit to Landon. I mean, don’t I look godly??! I wanted to tell him EVERYTHING to do; I wanted to change that man – shape him up to be who I married. Thumbs up. Great idea. I remember one night while I was showering (because I’m a night shower-er), I could hear something in the kitchen. Turned out, when I went in to investigate - Landon decided to get ice cream while I was getting a shower because he knew I wouldn’t approve of his ice cream eating. By the time I was finished in the shower, he had washed the bowl and put it back in the cabinet as if nothing had ever happened. Oh yes. This is a great marriage – you can’t even get a bowl of ice cream without your wife being on you about it. Holy Spirit is a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it...right?? Wrong. I created an environment in my home that made it unsafe for my husband to be himself. Unsafe for him to make mistakes. To try and fail. To confess wrongs. And trust me because now I know, that’s not a good environment. It’s a GREAT environment to foster wearing a constant mask and hiding big stuff that later WILL come out and be a complete disaster. Looking back, I wonder what would have happened if I had been a safe person from the beginning. But, we all have a journey to take, and this was part of mine. And, remember that being safe does NOT mean being a doormat – it doesn’t mean accepting abuse or not living with boundaries – it just means being a balance of truth and grace living and actually letting GOD do His own Holy Spirit job. Good idea, huh?<br />
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This picture is from July of 2008. We were celebrating our 5th anniversary at the Sundial in Atlanta. We had been living in Atlanta then (in Woodstock) for 2.5 years. We had been through a lot in that past year. In fact, we’d been through a lot since we were married. Soon after we were married, Landon felt a call to ministry, and I felt that too. With some great wisdom and incredible God stories, we moved to New Orleans for Landon to go seminary. 3 months later, we lost our home in Hurricane Katrina. Had no clue what to do. Moved back home for a semester. In the fall of 2005, we met Pastor Johnny Hunt and were introduced to Woodstock, and that forever changed us. Because of the mentoring opportunity Landon had with Pastor Johnny, he completed seminary remotely in Atlanta and in the middle of 2007, right in the middle of his mentoring year, we nearly lost our marbles (and by that I mean our marriage). God had sovereignly placed us where we were – a safe environment for help and counseling and groups when a big mess came out – and we fought for it and we learned and we made it. We began to learn what a marriage meant. So, by the time we took this picture in 2008, we were looking hopeful. Genuinely hopeful at our life. So, here we are at the Sundial. 5th anniversary. A broken man and a broken woman looking to Jesus for our identities and counting on Him for the Plan. And, that’s still what we’re doing. I learned that the real Landon is the one I really love. The real one – who leaves clothes on the floor sometimes, and forgets his stuff once in a while, and has some real struggles. Guess what...just like ME (gasp). The real Landon who I now intimately know and love – his deep thoughts and feelings, and his greatest loves and hopes and dreams, and fears. And you know, it was worth it. I don’t know what the future holds. Beats me. But I know I’ll make it because when I thought I would die almost 10 years ago, I didn’t. I made it. And Father became more real to me than I had ever known He could be. And that is what living is about.<br />
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<u><b>Love Your Spouse Challenge Day #3</b></u><br />
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Man, I love a vacation. Mainly the mountains. I love sitting out on the back porch drinking coffee in calmness and looking out over mountains (this is not possible when children are with you on a vacation). Oh yes, and I LOVE taking tours like a senior citizen. I am going to be the BEST senior citizen (which is coming quickly) and join my church’s senior citizen group so that I can take trips where we take tours. One of my favorite things to do with Landon is take some trips. If we were independently wealthy, I would have us on a trip somewhere all the time. We’ve been on some great trips. One that comes to my mind is a trip we took for our 1 year anniversary to Washington D.C. Before we married, my parents asked where I would like to go on a trip. My sister (the Sparklebaby, fun one of the family) would have chosen somewhere exciting. Where did I choose? Washington D.C. I had never been, and I really wanted to go. We had the best trip (except for when my mom got sick and had to throw up in a trashcan walking back to our hotel one night). So, when our 1st anniversary rolled around and we wanted to do something special, I learned that Landon had never been to Washington, and I wanted him to have the same experience – Grayline Tours and all. We packed our bags, and off we went – two little lovebirds, headed on their first real vacation (not counting our Carnival Cruise honeymoon which I should post about since I tried not to touch the shower curtain the whole time. Gross. Shudder). It wasn’t that fun. I mean, the tours were good. Always reliable, that Grayline. It was a little fun, sometimes. But, I had a cold at first, and then Landon got a cold, and he mostly slept during the Grayline tours while they were talking on the bus, and I mean...that made me MAD. Real MAD. I wanted him to hear all the historical information I heard the year before. But no...he kept accidentally falling asleep because he felt sick. After we had been there for a couple of days, we had both had enough. We got in a BIG fight in the hotel one night. We were arguing about what? I don’t know. Probably me complaining about him falling asleep on the Grayline bus. He offered (or maybe I offered?) to either put me on a plane back home or put himself on a plane back home. I can’t remember. But it wasn’t fun. I had all these grand romantic dreams of sitting outside the Lincoln Memorial like two patriotic Americans in love. You know what that’s called? An unrealistic expectation. Unrealistic expectations are my jam (is that cool to say? Does that make sense? I’m kind of dorky, but I want to say cool things like, “that’s my jam”, but I’m not sure if it has to be about a song for it to be your “jam”). I build up things in my mind like you would not believe. One thing I’ve learned in these 13 years...well, sometimes I’ve learned...I have to have realistic expectations.<br />
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I still love to travel with Landon, and I’ve learned (um, some) to tone down expectations. One of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken – and probably will ever take – was our trip with Pastor Johnny to Israel in 2007. It was absolutely incredible. That’s the picture I’ve attached today – us standing in front of the garden tomb. I’ll NEVER forget Billy Goodwin singing “Arise My Love” in front of that tomb. We love to go to Gatlinburg to cabins together, always love to visit the Mouse, we’ve been on three cruises (long ago...), out to L.A., oh, and lest I forget...NYC. That’s one of our very favorites. I think we could actually live in NYC. Traveling is awesomely fun with someone you love to hang out with (as long as they don’t have a cold).<br />
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One more story about our trip to D.C. We’ve had this bad argument. It’s the middle of the night. We are sleeping...soundly. All of a sudden, someone is knocking on the door. Out of a dead sleep, I start yelling, “SOMEBODY’S IN HERE!” In my mind, this is what you say when you are in a restroom, and someone knocks on the door. I guess, in my sleeping stupor, I was trying to tell the killer/stranger/housekeeping that someone was in the hotel room, so go away. Well, Landon thought I was yelling that someone was in our room, and it scared him to death. I laugh and laugh thinking about how funny that was.<br />
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Marriage as a team is great. Marriage feeling isolated and alone just plain sucks. Unrealistic expectations have caused me to feel alone many times, when if I’d just been willing to embrace reality, and lighten up a little bit, we could have laughed and moved on. Next trip for us...I don’t know, Landon Frymire, what’s your dream? I’d love to go out west somewhere. But we’ll see...hopefully, we have plenty of years together to travel to lots of new and exciting places...with realistic expectations, of course.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Love Your Spouse Challenge Day #4</span><br />
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Man, having kids changes EVERYTHING. Not in a bad way...but if you were a regimented type person before...hahahahaha...you get to learn some lessons on flexibility. I remember trying to decide together if we were “ready” to have children. I had people say that if you wait until you are “ready”, you’ll never have children. I think that is somewhat true. We had James after being married for 7 years. We didn’t plan to wait that long (I only had us on the 5 year plan), but life circumstances prevailed, and that’s just the way it went. I was fortunate to get pregnant easily, not having a clue that I actually had some issues that would require a couple of surgeries before being able to get pregnant again about 5 years later. I remember looking at the pregnancy test and thinking, “Oh my goodness! I am too crazy to be a mother!” LOL. It’s been the most wonderful journey. A journey of learning soooo much more about who I am. Motherhood is a new piece to discover about your personality, how much capacity your heart has to love, and how fiercely your desire is to protect someone. James was the sweetest baby. We were thrilled when he was born (born early...I went into labor on Father’s Day night, and our parents drove all night to get to the hospital just in time for the C section), and watching him change and grow has been an incredible privilege. In the midst of just regular daily life, it sure is hard to juggle – husband, children, job, going to the bathroom, cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry...I could continue for pages and pages of all “mom” responsibilities. One thing that I really, really struggle with is putting Landon above our kids. I wish I was writing this to say, YES! I got it figured out, and here’s how to do it!! But, I’m not. I’m writing as one tired momma, saying I know this is where I really fail most of the time. I feel guilty about it, and I just keep getting up and trying again. What I fear is waking up one day when our children our gone, and saying, “um, who are you again?” I want to fight to know Landon deeply despite being in this season where our children pull every last ounce of energy from us every day.<br />
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Most nights, once I get Silas in bed, then I move to James (if Landon is not already working on getting him to bed). After reading to James and praying with him, I tell him goodnight and leave his room. Sometimes it takes me what feels like forever in my exhaustion from the day to kiss him goodnight – he wants me to throw him on the bed, to try to kiss him and he tries to get away, he wants to to roll over at the last second when I try to kiss him, and do all that stuff over and over and over. Sometimes he grabs my head to keep me from getting away, and ya’ll, the truth is that sometimes I just want to bite him. He won’t let go, and I am D.O.N.E, and I have this urge to just bite him. Now, don’t worry, I’ve never bitten him, so no need to call law enforcement – just trying to convey how over it I am some nights. Even in the privilege of motherhood, exhaustion prevails. And then, I’m supposed to leave his room and be ready for the “wife” role. Caring about someone else more than myself when that’s all I’ve done all day, too. And you know what I really feel like? I wish I had rules. Commands. Don’t touch me. Nobody touch me. Not for one single reason. I need space. NOW. And lots of it, or I might bite you. I need to sit down. Alone. I need someone to get me some water and put it on the table by my chair. Did I mention please don’t touch me? Because at that point, I have to get started on my part time job that I do from home – and I work 3 or 4 hours, normally, each night, at least. I don’t feel the need for space every single night, but I do lots of nights. I love to wave to Landon across the room....hey, how are you?, how was your day?, hope it was good, don’t ask for me anything, I don’t want to help you with anything, I need space. But hey, that never created oneness, now did it? That only created two-ness. So, it’s a battle I fight in my mind. How to serve my husband best. How to put my needs aside. And Landon is awesome. He totally gets the season of life we are in. Heck, he’s exhausted too! He’s on the couch trying to do his work, too, even though he’s already worked all day. We are a tired mom and a tired dad. Yet, we know in our heads that intimacy is important – all kinds of intimacy.<br />
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The other night, we were climbing into bed, and Landon goes, “What’s this???” There was something dark brown raked all down the side of the bed – on his side. It was Silas’ banana chocolate chip muffin – the chocolate part – from where Silas has to grab onto the bed as hard as he can with his little fingers to pull himself up onto our tall bed. It cracked me up. I thought, yep, this is life. Landon said he could have a snack later if he woke up and needed some chocolate chips. I guess I need to change those sheets, huh?<br />
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Marriage is such a privilege – as is motherhood. And it’s a lot of work. A lot of investment. And I know that God gives a lot of grace. Grace for seasons of life. Grace for wanting to bite your kid. Grace for leaving the sheets on two days after you realized there was chocolate chip smashed down the side of your bed. Being Landon’s wife is a privilege, and sometimes when we once in a while sit together on the couch and eat dessert and watch Law and Order SVU, I feel settled and stable and grounded and reminded that this is where I want to be, and I’m willing to do the work. In this chocolate chip streaking, too long goodnight kissing season and the next.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Love Your Spouse Challenge Day #5</span><br />
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The boys are in bed, Landon is working on lesson plans for this new school week, and I have work to do. Oh, and I have a cold. I need some rest. Shoot, I need a vacation. Landon asked me tonight, “Do you ever think at any point in life you won’t feel stressed?” I said, “Maybe in retirement?” We laughed and went on, but it made me think how life is so much of what you focus on – if you focus on stressful things most of the time, then you are stressed most of the time. This is always, always a struggle for me. Always has been. I mean, haven’t we all been in a church service where the pastor asked us to bring our worries to the altar and leave them? I’ve left mine a million times and picked them back up. Every. Single. Time. Without. Fail.<br />
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Back in the fall of 2013, I was struggling with some health stuff. I began having heart palpitations that I knew were probably stress related, but they started to scare me. I couldn’t get a handle on it. I wore one of those heart monitors for 48 hours or so, and the results came back that I had PVC’s. Premature Ventricular Contractions. No big deal (unless they become a big deal), but one of the causes was stress. Our family had been going hard. We’d been dealing with church stuff, infertility/surgery stuff for me, James being in preschool, juggling my part time work, etc. We had not planned to take much time off for Thanksgiving, but as Thanksgiving drew near, we decided we really needed some family time. Some time to just get away and relax and recharge. After visiting my Granny down in Winter Haven over Thanksgiving, we headed to see Mickey Mouse. James had never been, and having grown up in Florida, Landon and I had been a ton of times and loved going as much as possible. We got a GREAT Costco deal (have I mentioned I crazy love Costco?), and stayed at a beautiful hotel. I remember us checking in on Saturday night, around 8:30pm-ish, and hauling our stuff up to our room. We busted into the room, and threw our stuff down. You know how funny kids are. James was checking it out, running all over the room (probably licking all the furniture before I could Lysol it), and then we heard a noise. Our hotel was shooting off fireworks, and guess what, they were right outside our window. We all laid down on the bed – facing the window. James in between us and our heads propped up on our hands. And all of sudden...I rested. I took the fireworks in. I only thought about fireworks. I glanced over, and I could see Landon watching them, and I could see James completely enamored by the fireworks, and I thought, “This is a really special moment. Remember it.” I wasn’t thinking about the church or my job or whether or not I was a good mom or a good wife or what James was going to have for lunch the next day, or what I needed to do to serve someone better - I just enjoyed something. I was actually in the moment.<br />
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Being in the moment is a struggle for me. In fact, being in the moment is such a struggle for me that years ago, a counselor told me I needed to “plan to be spontaneous”. That means you struggle with anything that is not planned ahead of time (AMEN and Can I get a witness??). That trip to Disney World was fabulous. We had an awesome time. Landon and I enjoyed the time together, and we enjoyed watching James discover everything DISNEY! We weren’t stressed, and it’s a great memory in my mind of a time when we really, really needed a break – some rest – physically and emotionally – and we got it. We were physically tired by the end of the trip, but I was mentally completely rejuvenated. It is a time I look back on now and remember. I don’t always have to push so hard. I don’t always have to have things figured out. It’s okay if I am not perfect sometimes. It’s even okay if someone doesn’t like me (GASP – I still have to repeat this one to myself often). And, it’s okay to rest. My best is good enough.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Love Your Spouse Challenge Day #6</span><br />
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Almost the end of the challenge. As I think about BIG moments for us in our marriage, I would say a big one was when James became a Christian last year. We have talked with James about Jesus since he was born – I remember singing “Jesus Loves Baby James (instead of the little children)” over and over to him, and “Jesus Loves James this I Know” while rocking and rocking in his room during those midnight feedings. The house was so quiet and still in the middle of the night, and he would drink his milk, and I would pray and pray. I saw Jen Hatmaker’s FB post yesterday from where they took their oldest son to college. I cried reading her post. She just left him there. Left him at school. And that was it. That season is over and done. I can hardly take it. I immediately thought I should have another baby right away so that I could have one more baby here that would be left and go to college last, at least. But then I came to my senses and knew I shouldn’t decide to have another baby just so I’d have a few more years with another child at home. Well, I think I came to my senses, at least.<br />
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My children knowing Jesus is life to me. I want to hold those two little buddies so tight in my hands. I want to squeeze them and never, ever let them out of my sight. We were discussing a situation with a wise friend about letting go of your children to do something I thought, specifically, was risky and could be unsafe, and I actually said a cuss word. And ya’ll, I don’t say many cuss words. The helicopter is sometimes so loud hovering above my children that I can’t hear myself think! But at night, when I’m rocking Silas (still, because he lets me), I pray and pray. I pray that I will hold both my boys with open hands. I visualize my hands literally open and both of them sitting in my hands and me lifting them up to the Lord. I ask Him to do anything in their lives for His glory. To bring Him glory. To show His power and might. And I ask Him to bring me to my knees before Him – not my will, but His. I pray for their future wives (hopefully), and I pray that I wouldn’t make any choices in my life that would count me out of my children’s lives later. You never know. We are all one decision away from stupid.<br />
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Silas can’t say Jesus yet. We are working on it. He says “pay” when we pray at meals, and he says “men” when we finish for Amen. But he runs his mouth and eats during the whole prayer. Hey, one step at a time, right? James asks lots of questions. And I mean a lot. He’s asked questions about Jesus for a long time. Just about since he could talk. We’ve answered them, and let him take the lead. I remember last September when he began really asking more and more questions. We could see he was close to understanding. We sought the Lord deeply to ensure that it wasn’t us leading him. That he really was coming as a child; understanding as a child understands. And he did. And now, discipleship. That seems more difficult to me than the initial leading to Jesus. Leading by example – are you kidding me? I want my children to grow up and remember that when they got out of bed in the mornings as kids, their mom was sitting at the table reading her Bible. If they were gone from the house now, they wouldn’t have that memory, because I don’t do that. But it’s a desire I have. And I pray that I will make it a reality. The night that James told me he was ready to become a Christian, but he wanted to talk to Daddy about it...my heart soared. It literally grew wings and flew around rejoicing.<br />
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I included the picture of the day he was baptized. What a celebration. To know that he will be with us forever and forever in heaven. And I’m sure a day will come where he will understand more and more and will come to a deeper understanding of what sin is and what Christ did for us and what that means as a young adult/adult. I pray we will continue to disciple him well. That God will give us the grace to meet James exactly where he needs it.<br />
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James also asks questions like, “Mom, does Dad get to see your chest?” And, I am not even joking. This was a conversation we had last week – one evening I was putting him to bed. I gotta pray for LOTS of wisdom for those kinds of conversations, too.<br />
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Having children is a privilege. Watching them with their Daddy is an unbelievable privilege. Landon is a great dad. He invests time with them, and not just time talking – hands on time, playing, wrestling, doing “man” stuff outside together, and talking to them about Jesus – on their level. There is no man I could have chosen for a husband that would have been a better dad for these two boys. Watching him with them makes me love him even more. I’m grateful for a life partner who is in agreement that Jesus is the most important thing we need to teach them – and when they grow up, I pray that they will say: I watched my parents follow Jesus. They didn’t just raise me in church; they raised me in Christ.<br />
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“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” – 3 John 1:4<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Love Your Spouse Challenge Day #7</span><br />
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There was a year when I didn’t think I’d make it. A moment for me when my world stopped turning. When the little Barbie doll dream house I invented in my mind was crushed. I was numb. I went to work like a zombie. I vividly remember pulling my keyboard tray out and typing like a shell of a person without any feelings. I rode home in carpool. And then when I got home, I would fall apart. Every day. For months. I would cry in almost every room of the house. One night I cried out on the deck and it started pouring rain, and I didn’t even care. I cried and I cried and I cried, and when I didn’t think there were any tears left, I cried again. But God. But God intervened. But God redeemed. But God whispered that He had a plan for me. It wasn’t what I thought. It wasn’t what I signed up for, Lord knows. I thought if you prayed hard enough and tried to make good choices that nothing bad would happen to you. But that’s not the way a sin fallen world works. A sin fallen world mows you down until you don’t think you can get up. Until you cry in every room until you are hopeless and spent and exhausted. But God. Months passed. I began to feel more. Deep pain came sometimes, but sometimes I almost felt like myself. Counseling continued. Changes happened. Boundaries were set. Healing began. Humility reigned after recognizing pride. I was prideful. I was black and white regarding life but expecting not to be judged in a black and white way. Friends stood by. They held on tight and didn’t let go as we walked a dream crushing journey. The journey that led to death. But the journey that then, after death, led to life. Sound familiar? Jesus’ death led to life. Jesus’ death led to healing.<br />
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And you know what? I sat today – almost 10 years after the year I didn’t think I’d make it – and I cried in a counselor’s office. Not for the same reasons I cried all those years ago. I cried trying to explain to the counselor how proud I am of my husband. How incredible I think he is. How much I respect him. How in the last couple of years, I’ve watched him walk through adversity and trials and betrayal and difficult people – and we’ve been a team through that hurt. If we hadn’t been through the death and rebirth of our marriage those years ago, I don’t think we could’ve remained such a team during the last few years. I’ve watched him seek God’s face. I’ve trusted beyond a shadow of a doubt his sincerity in hearing the Lord speak. I’ve trusted his honesty. I’ve watched him rise above situations that would have pulled me in and burned the fire out of some bridges. I watched our gracious, gracious Father open doors I couldn’t have imagined. Providential doors for the safety and emotional health of my family. Open doors to provide rest and healing. Genuine care. And even though I’ve seen Him work....through a calling to the ministry, losing our home in a hurricane, a loss of trust in marriage and then restoring that trust in an amazing way, our first pastorate...I am still moved with deep gratefulness for His love for me. His love for His children. He is not just good. He is amazing. In the midst of it seeming like He was not moving, He was saying, “Wait, Precious Daughter, I have a plan. Wait on Me. Keep walking. Just wait.”<br />
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And then. Boom. He moved.<br />
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Every season of our lives has highs and lows. Things we learn and take with us into the next season. More than ever as we begin a new season, I feel solid as a team with Landon, but not in an idolatrous way – not with Landon completing me. Walking beside Landon, as a team, trusting each other – faults and strengths – to work together with great, deep love for each other. I trust that God is completing me. God is enough to take care of me – no matter what in marriage. No matter what in life. And I’m sure He’ll allow me to be shaken again – because in this sin fallen world, that’s just how it works. And I’ll look back again when that time comes. I’ll remember that what I thought would bring death brought life. And I’ll pray for eternal perspective. Because my God is faithful.Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-74396728697672938832015-08-11T08:14:00.000-07:002015-08-11T08:14:02.814-07:00Starting Kindergarten - Sweet Baby James<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, time moves quickly. I know, tell me something I don't know. Sometimes it seems like one day lasts 5 days. And then, 5 years passed in the blink of an eye. James started kindergarten yesterday. Yesterday morning was awesome. James wanted pancakes, so Landon got up early and made pancakes for us to eat. We did our new devotion book together at the table. It was an exciting morning. James was a little nervous, but he made it great and didn't cry at all. And, neither did I. I had an opportunity for several meltdowns beforehand, so I was cried out by yesterday, I guess. </div>
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Lots of school supplies</div>
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Open house</div>
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James and his new teacher, Mrs. Tomlinson</div>
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The first day!</div>
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Leaving him at school - he's starting on his morning work</div>
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All his uniforms lined up and ready the night before</div>
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His lunch for day 1</div>
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When we picked him up yesterday - all of us :) - he told us about everything! He talked about earning pennies to buy items from the Treasure Box on Fridays. He talked about a time to rest your brain when the teacher played an audio book of Toad and Frog. He said no one in class cried, except one little girl - and she just cried a little bit. He said he raised his hand because he wanted to show Mrs. Tomlinson that his shoes light up, but she never called on him. She must not have seen his hand, he said :) He brought home a "Me" bag - a paper bag to put 3 or 4 things in that tell about thing himself - things he likes, etc. We put in it: Anekin Skywalker (no clue how to spell Anekin), Darth Vader, Harry Potter glasses, and a little figurine of Ron Weasley on a broom. So...Harry Potter and Star Wars. That's definitely what he loves right now. </div>
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This morning was a little more of a different story. Even though we put James to bed at 7:30 pm last night, he didn't go to sleep then. He always has many questions and NEEDS to get up several times for very important reasons. I think he probably fell asleep around 9. I knew he was exhausted, but he just wouldn't give it up. This morning, when I woke him, he was tired, sleeping hard, and I could tell. He did get up, but he didn't want to sit at the table. Didn't want to read his devotion with me. Wanted to eat Publix french toast sticks, not the breakfast I'd made. Wanted to watch tv. Wanted to wear his light blue uniform shirt, and not his dark blue. I sure didn't want him to get in trouble - second day of school and trying to be happiness and light so he would have a good day...so, I hung with him and we were able to get off to a decent start. He ate in the living room and watched a Star Wars Rebels, but I made him eat the sausage biscuit I'd made. I let him wear the light blue uniform shirt he'd wanted to wear. LOL. By the time we got in the van, he was great. Oh, and he said, he just didn't want to go today - he wanted to only eat lunch at home, not at school anymore. He only wanted to stay there for half a day. Oh well, Buddy, it's a whole new world.</div>
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Just like yesterday, I can't wait to pick him up and see how he's done today! I know he's having a great day. Excited for the changes in him and the awesome growing he's doing. So proud of our big kindergartner!</div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-33750650998151651402015-08-10T18:18:00.001-07:002015-08-10T18:18:19.967-07:00Silas...Son of the Forest - Months 1-5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, everyone told me, Siley, that when I had a second child, I wouldn't do the same things as far as picture taking and letter writing as I did with the first child. I didn't really believe this until it happened to me. Now that I'm living it, I can see that it's true!! With Brother and YOU...it is BUSY around here!!!! Brother started kindergarten today, and I thought that it would be a great day for me to write a letter to you and begin blogging about your sweet self. Here you are still in the hospital...what a beautiful baby. You weighed 8 lbs 3 oz when you were born and were 19.75 inches long. </div>
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We had a pretty rough time when we first brought you home. You cried and cried and cried. We thought it was acid reflux, and it was, but we learned at a GI dr. that you had colic. Oh my goodness! Your crying was so rough that Daddy and I had to take shifts to take care of you at night. We were both exhausted. Thank goodness for help from Grammie (Grammie stayed 3 weeks!), and then Nana coming (for 1 week!). Look at you at one month - you sure are precious - your 1 month stats were:</div>
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Weight: 9 lbs 14.5 oz (43%)</div>
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Height: 21.25" (30%)</div>
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Head Cir.: 15.5" (65%)</div>
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2 Month Stats:</div>
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Weight: 11 lbs 6 oz (40%)</div>
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Height: 21.5" (8%)</div>
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Head Cir.: 15.5" (33%)</div>
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4 Month Stats:</div>
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Weight: 14 lbs 11 oz (44%)</div>
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Height: 24.5" (33%)</div>
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Head Cir.: 16.75" (56%)</div>
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We haven't gone for your 6 month check up yet. It is at the end of this month. After about 2 months, you became a different baby as your colic subsided. You are an absolute doll. The main difference in you and your brother is that you are an EATER. I mean, Buddy, you like to eat! You are beginning to be able to sit up and balance on your own just for a few seconds. You get mad on your back now and crane your neck so hard to be able to try to get up off the floor. You do flip over lots and are on all fours oooooohhhhh...TRYING to crawl. Trying so hard! You try for a while and then get mad. You are getting the backwards crawl down, but no front crawl yet. You love James and watch him EVERYWHERE doing EVERYTHING. He likes to play with you, but he hates spit up and stinky, so that kind of cramps your style of playing sometimes - hinders him being able to touch you that much since you are a big spitter upper. </div>
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You have captured our hearts. You complete our family. You are loved more than you could ever imagine. You are a joy, Sweet Siley, our lil' biscuit. </div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-22103424344405801812013-09-27T07:02:00.004-07:002013-09-27T07:02:59.461-07:00Traps!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ah, the excitement never ends around here :) (not complaining, just making a statement). James has been in rare form lately - just BUSY, BUSY, and I wanted to remember some of the funny things he's been doing.</div>
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Yesterday morning I was on the phone with my boss. I knew I just needed like 5 min to ask her a quick question about something. Just like ALWAYS (most of the time) happens, as soon as I got on the phone with her, James comes busting in there and wants me to hand him some money that he sees on top of our dresser. Normally we never have ANY cash around the house. I am in the debit card generation and my generation carries no cash - we use our debit cards for a 2.50 purchase at the gas station. However, we came across $60 and it was sitting (3 $20's) on our dresser. I let James take the money so that he would be quiet for a few minutes. He trots off to the living room, which is fine with me, and all is quiet. I finish with Tamara and get off the phone, and come into the living room. I find James, seated in the middle of the rug with the big people scissors, and he is cutting apart the 3 $20 bills. I am not even kidding. I guess no one ever told him you don't cut money apart. Right...I was able to tape it back together, but I have not actually tried to use the money anywhere yet, so we'll see. </div>
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James has been big into Scooby Doo for a while. First of all, why are there so many different Scooby's on now? It is ridiculous...and on top of that, why in the world is there like an "adult" Scooby doo? I figured out quickly that we wouldn't be watching that one. ANYWAY, James loves Fred. And James loves that Fred is always setting a trap. So, James has now made it his mission in our home to set traps all the time, everywhere. </div>
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This cord below is a trap he had wrapped around the chairs outside until Landon took it down. Landon has the other end plugged into an outlet (picture under this one), and had his laptop plugged in outside. I come out on the porch yesterday to find James dipping the end of the plug into his bubble solution - can you say electrocution risk? Another teaching moment...(and a teaching moment for mom and dad not to leave random things plugged in...)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WrHsAa94Ac/UkOV1mG5BdI/AAAAAAAADnw/ZZwoIEjGi1E/s1600/2013-09-24+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WrHsAa94Ac/UkOV1mG5BdI/AAAAAAAADnw/ZZwoIEjGi1E/s320/2013-09-24+(4).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_2khzumlLg/UkOV5jeY30I/AAAAAAAADn4/RZMZ8QwXSKE/s1600/2013-09-24+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_2khzumlLg/UkOV5jeY30I/AAAAAAAADn4/RZMZ8QwXSKE/s320/2013-09-24+(5).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Alright, here's another trap.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUghtZ9QAF4/UkOWE_I-XpI/AAAAAAAADoI/dTplvrpAwYo/s1600/2013-09-25+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUghtZ9QAF4/UkOWE_I-XpI/AAAAAAAADoI/dTplvrpAwYo/s320/2013-09-25+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And another one.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpcJeQrMQec/UkOWPDkPFEI/AAAAAAAADoQ/omwwz3LzkbA/s1600/2013-09-25+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpcJeQrMQec/UkOWPDkPFEI/AAAAAAAADoQ/omwwz3LzkbA/s320/2013-09-25+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now, this one is pretty elaborate. A trap and a charging station, says James. This is two belts wrapped up in the dresser handles and then he brought his bike and put the belt through part of his bike. He let me know the bike was "charging". I think he likes electrical stuff...electrical engineer maybe?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnaIzhmdJdE/UkOV8uM3JxI/AAAAAAAADoA/n03eYHyYlTg/s1600/2013-09-25b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnaIzhmdJdE/UkOV8uM3JxI/AAAAAAAADoA/n03eYHyYlTg/s320/2013-09-25b.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The last thing is something dumb I did in Bible study the other night. I wanted to play the ladies a song that had really been speaking to me. I had the song on my phone, so I played it from there. I did it at the end of Bible study and then was going to close us in prayer. I don't know tons about the music stuff on my phone, but I was afraid another song was going to play. I was trying to push the pause button and turn the iphone down and push another button just to make sure everything was stopping. I then start praying, and the first I said was something like, "Father, thank you so much for loving and accepting me with all of my faults and in my sinfulness." And then, I hear Siri say, "You're welcome" OUT LOUD. I had accidentally pressed the button for Siri to come on, and when I started praying, she thought I was talking to her. HA. It was really funny - and bizarre.</div>
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Headed with Landon for him to do a wedding today! It's a beautiful day here for an outside wedding! </div>
<span id="goog_913232588"></span><span id="goog_913232589"></span><br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-34142414528967459162013-09-25T18:56:00.000-07:002013-09-25T18:56:06.048-07:00From 1 to 3 (for a few days)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of our favorite friends here entrusted their two children to us for a couple of days while they went to the hospital to have a 3rd baby! We had a great time here...despite me sweating the entire time. One child to three children means a lot more sweating for a momma! Here are the boys during "mandatory rest time". Ha.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5tnXsLC0rw/UjfBKHyUXZI/AAAAAAAADlo/bEWWU9hI-Bo/s1600/2013-09-11+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5tnXsLC0rw/UjfBKHyUXZI/AAAAAAAADlo/bEWWU9hI-Bo/s320/2013-09-11+(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, here they all are loaded up in the van :)</div>
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So precious!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ennu7FM7xQg/UjfBb7P6RpI/AAAAAAAADlw/lJFYWk0SANQ/s1600/2013-09-11+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ennu7FM7xQg/UjfBb7P6RpI/AAAAAAAADlw/lJFYWk0SANQ/s320/2013-09-11+(8).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Silly boys...</div>
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I had forgotten what a good helper a sweet baby is at this age! </div>
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Thankful for friendships God grows!</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-1947546806779399432013-09-25T18:53:00.004-07:002013-09-25T18:53:57.561-07:00Donuts, Chuck E Cheese, & Homecoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Loved being home for a short visit a couple of weeks ago. Landon was invited to speak for his home church's 75th anniversary. Enjoyed seeing our families!</div>
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Even got to be home for Madison's Chuck E Cheese b'day party! James is big into putting on his "goggles" right now during all pictures.</div>
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Sunday after church we stayed to eat lunch and tried to take some family pictures...yeah right :)</div>
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James & Aunt Wendy...and back to the goggles...</div>
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<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-41659620434931883242013-09-22T05:30:00.001-07:002013-09-22T05:30:06.484-07:00Dot Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ey0fDE7mxg/Uj7gZvIWP0I/AAAAAAAADnY/_LauF6KYKMc/s1600/2013-09-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ey0fDE7mxg/Uj7gZvIWP0I/AAAAAAAADnY/_LauF6KYKMc/s320/2013-09-20.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-opbnrBwRX24/Uj7gZ-kFEdI/AAAAAAAADnc/4ExE0bDe2YE/s1600/2013-09-20b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-opbnrBwRX24/Uj7gZ-kFEdI/AAAAAAAADnc/4ExE0bDe2YE/s320/2013-09-20b.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div>
I just got back from a fantastic weekend. Everything I’d hoped it would
be...it was. I learned, worshipped, and hung out with one of my favorite
people. </div>
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</div>
<div>
Last year I decided I wanted to go to this dot mom conference put on by
Lifeway. When I asked what some of the other ladies thought, several of them
felt that since we’d seen Beth Moore in the spring, it would be too much to ask
the ladies to pay for this conference, as well. I knew that it looked sooooo
awesome though (especially for a young mom), and I desperately wanted to go.
Lacey expressed an interest in going with me, so we just did it. We left for
Chattanooga yesterday morning and made the EASY 2.5 hour drive. Now, let me
just tell this. I have never been the “driver” on a real trip. I was driving a
pregnant woman – which makes me beyond nervous, AND, it was our first trip
together so I was afraid Lacey wasn’t going to say what she really needed (i.e.
bathroom, something to drink, snack) when she needed it. We arrived in
Chattanooga in plenty of time to get parked at the conference center downtown
and eat some lunch before the thing started. Lacey and I decided that we would
drive through downtown and find some lunch after we located the convention
center. I was so nervous about all the parking and directions that before I
realized what I was doing, I had already driven into the convention center
parking garage. I was so thankful it was easy to find that I just busted up in
there. Well, we all know that when you bust up in a parking garage, it’s not
easy to bust out...so...we stayed. That was my first failure for the pregnant
woman. I promised lunch – which clearly growing babies need – and then instead
I ducked into a garage to park our car. Luckily (sarcasm), there were
absolutely no restaurants around the convention center to eat at. It’s the
first downtown area I’ve EVER been to that didn’t have just random restaurants
all around. Weird. So, we had a lovely brunch in the Marriott hotel
restaurant. Weird. The conference began. I will address some spiritual stuff
that I learned later. Lauren Chandler was leading worship and it was AWESOME.
Good night. We did the Explicit Gospel series at church and loved hearing her
husband, Matt, preach. What an incredibly gifted couple! </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
So, yada yada, the
evening ends and we are ready to head to our hotel. Let me tell you what would
have been ideal. If we had been staying at the Marriott – which was attached to
the convention center – that would have been ideal. Then, my car could have
STAYED and we could have just brought some luggage in and up to our room.
HOWEVER, that was not the reality. The reality was that I waited too late to
book a hotel room and all the Marriott rooms were booked. Someone at the dot
mom table at the Beth Moore conference told me there was a really nice Hampton
Inn within walking distance and that I should check that out. Perfect. After
checking it on Trip Advisor to make sure it was not disgusting (and it wasn’t),
I booked a room. The GPS told me that walking distance was half a mile from the
convention center. I asked Lacey (who brought her stuff in a backpack) if she
thought she could walk to the hotel or if she wanted me to drive us. She was
game to walk. Now, at this moment, I knew it was not a good idea. I knew that
asking a pregnant woman to strap on her backpack and walk half a mile in the
dark in an uncharted territory of a downtown we’d never been to was not
fantastic. But, I thought....just half a mile...SURELY we can make it. Well,
wouldn’t you know it. Here’s Lacey with her conference bag in one hand (with
her purse stuck inside) and her backpack strapped on. Here’s me with my purse,
my conference bag (my purse was too big to stuff inside), and my big monogrammed
carry around bag (um, why didn’t I choose something with WHEELS???) with my
pillow stuffed down in it so it can’t even zip. I have to keep switching arms
because the bags keep making a red mark on my arm. I have the phone out with
the GPS (walking directions) and we ride the elevator down from N6 and head the
right way. Well, let me just tell you, Ms. little Siri, sometimes you are not
helpful. When you keep saying “Proceed to the route” that is NOT helpful. When
you keep calling out 20 different directions at once because you can’t figure
out where I am...that’s unhelpful. We get like 1 block from the hotel, and I
just can’t tell if the arrow’s moving the right way toward the Hampton Inn or
the wrong way...away from it. Then, some guys get out of a car and start
walking toward us. At this point I am MAD that I did not bring my gun with me
just in case, but hello, I would have had to say, “Oh, excuse me boys, before
ALL three of you rob us, could you let me put my things down so I can get out a
gun and be ready to defend us?”. Nope. They go ahead and pass us and we are
safe. Sigh of relief. And then, my bag weighs like 100 lbs, and poor Lacey is
out of breath (as is my ownself), and I can’t tell which way the arrow is moving...and I am
starting to panic. Where in the world is my ex-surveyor husband (um, I just
mean ex-surveyor, not ex-husband...he is my current husband) when I need him???
Oh, right, not at a conference for moms. At home keeping our sweet boy.
Right. So, I say to Lacey, “Look, I think we should go back to N6 and get in
the car and drive to the hotel.” Lacey is awesome and says she’ll do whatever I
want (and is thinking in her mind that she will never travel with me again since
I am putting her life and her unborn child’s life at risk on the downtown
streets of Chattanooga). What’s so funny is that I had been so worried about
getting to the hotel all day. I wanted to go when it was light but there just
wasn’t time. I wanted to check in before the conference started but it wasn’t
check in time yet. So, we booked it with our stuff...red marks on both arms and
now arms shaking...back to the car. Now we are safe. I get the A/C on (clearly
the most important thing) and lock the doors. We finally get to the hotel –
after having to get on the interstate again. Which I find highly interesting
since that was where the walking directions were taking us, as well. So, yeah,
I guess we would have been booking it with our stuff walking down the interstate in
Chattanooga downtown. Perfect. We get to the hotel and it’s a parking garage
situation like any downtown hotel. I pull into a parking garage for the hotel
and think it’s going to be a “take a ticket” deal. Nope. You have to have
something special. Then, I look and there are people pulling in behind me. Of
course there are. I am able to finagle the car and get us parked in a handicap
space. I NEVER park in a handicap space because I am not handicapped. But, let
me confess, that I did park there last night. I was stressed, there were no
more spaces, and I needed 10 min to go check us in. I made Lacey stay in the
car, which was weird in itself, in case someone tried to tow us. </div>
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</div>
<div>
I get into the Hampton Inn. There’s a family in front of me. They are
paying in cash and they have refreshments from the little store. The hotel
clerk is calculating their charges on a little calculator – like the first kind
of calculator you ever had to take to school. He is taking forever, and then
finally, their total is over $600. Fine, whatever. (Lacey’s still in the
car). Well, they are paying in cash. The lady gives him 6 $100 bills, and he
proceeds to lay them all out on the counter and mark all of them with a marker
to make sure they are not counterfeit. I’m losing it....I’m tired, stressed,
worried about my friend I’ve left out to dry in the car in a handicap space, and
I just need my room key. But, I’m deep breathing and trying to just be calm.
Then, the man disappears – the hotel man disappears. He finally arrives back
about 100 hours later and keeps going in and out with these people’s bags. They
had dropped off their bags before check in and went sight seeing and then needed
their bags back. Oh my heavens. None of this is a big deal except that I feel
I am responsible for Lacey since I brought her and I am tired and I just want us
to get up in our room and be safe and go to sleep. Finally, I get checked in,
go out to the car where, thank goodness, Lacey is still there, and we park in
the underground dungeon-ish parking, which is fine. Great. Our room was
fabulous (except that it was a king bed and I really thought I requested two
doubles but when I looked at my receipt...WRONGO...apparently I wanted Lacey and
me to sleep together), and when we woke up this morning it was raining. Aside
from the trekking down the interstate issues, thank goodness we did not walk
because both of us had just fixed our hair the day before – duh. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I learned: </div>
<div>
1. Don’t count on Siri for the GPS walking. She can’t handle downtown
areas very well. </div>
<div>
2. Get with my ex-surveyor husband and have him help me look at a REAL MAP
and map out my route from conference center to hotel before I go on a trip like
this.</div>
<div>
3. Never, just don’t, ask your friend to walk when it’s dark in a downtown
you don’t know anything about.</div>
<div>
4. And, if you’re going to have to drive anyway, stay somewhere that has a
Starbucks close by.</div>
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</div>
<div>
Now, for the spiritual side of things. This will be a jumbled mess, but I
want to write what I learned while it’s fresh.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The first breakout session I went to was on Marriage & Sex. It was
just fantastic with a couple that had a story a lot like ours. Not only did
they talk about marriage and sex, but they also talked some about having sons
and safeguarding your home. In their home, they have a rule that they collect
the boys’ electronics (like access to the internet stuff) at night before
bedtime. It’s just a routine they have, and I thought it was awesome. They
talked about creating a safe place so that your son would want to talk about
sexual struggles – when a life leads with grace, not judgment, it makes the home
a safe place. And, that it’s our job, as his parents, to help him guard his
heart and mind. Goodness. Fantastic.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The evening big session was taught by John Croyle. He was awesome –
soooooo from the South. He wasn’t trying to politically correct and mousy about
everything he said, and it was just great. Really refreshing. He talked about
loving and believing in your children. That we as moms are queens and we need
to teach our daughters that they are princesses. He said something like we need
to teach our sons what to look for in a woman – in a wife – and that it’s not to
have on short shorts with “pink” written on the butt. I thought that was
AWESOME. He said God is faithful when you teach your child character. He said
you should know who your child’s five best friends are and if you don’t, that’s
a problem. He talked about daddy’s serving mommy’s and vice versa so that the
children could see what a marriage looked like – because they most likely WILL
model the marriage they’ve seen. </div>
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</div>
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Another impactful session to me was by Angela Thomas. She said,</div>
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1. I am called to keep Christ at the center of my home.</div>
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2. A home where children are growing up where the spirit of God hovers –
hovers while they brush their teeth, eat their cereal, etc., and that I should
be asking God to fill my home with His presence. I am responsible to build the
boundaries that keep evil out of my home. She only allowed games rated E – no
teen or mature – in her house. I will have to give an account to the Lord for
how I took care of the children He entrusted me with. And, try to be fun – if
you are going to have tough boundaries, at least be pretty fun to hang out
with. </div>
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3. My laughter and joy is a ministry to my children. she talked about
being on the phone with a friend and being invested in the conversation and
excited about her chat and kept telling her children, be quiet, wait a minute.
She said she realized she had it backwards. She should have been excited to be
with her children. WE should treat our family like friends and our friends like
family – ha. I think this is so true most days. Minister to your children like
you would your friend. She said one night when she woke up because her child
was crying, she felt so angry, and then she realized, why are you so mad about
being a mom? How convicting. She wasn’t mad. just needed an attitude change.
</div>
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4. There’s no more life impacting picture than my kids watching me be
changed by God.</div>
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</div>
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I went to two awesome breakout sessions today, both by David Thomas (I
think), a counselor with Daystar, located in Nashville. The first one was
Understanding the Emotional Development of our Kids. </div>
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He went through numerous instructions and examples that were really
insightful – too many for me type out. About needing a safe place to channel
anger and emotion – and if they don’t have it, that’s usually the kids who end
up having a substance abuse prob or internet porn problem. At the end he gave ideas for furthering emotional development:</div>
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1. Games (the UnGame, Chit Chat)</div>
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2. Imaginative play/Role play – let our child dress us up</div>
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3. Books/Media – Kevin Henkes, Eric Carle, Cynthia Rylant, Max Lucado,
movies like Toy Story 3 that show emotions we can discuss with our
children</div>
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His second breakout was on Wild Things – about having a boy. I had tears
in my eyes through nearly the whole thing because I am just so privilege to be a
mom. I am so privileged to be raising a son, and I am so thankful to have tools
to hopefully help him become a godly man. And, just thinking about the daddy James has - I am so thankful! Landon is a wonderful daddy for James - knowing his own brokenness and faults and willing to learn and LOVES James. Anyway, he broke the stages of development
down and then talked about how to handle them. It was fantastic – talked about
what James needs at his age – boundaries, open space, consistency – a
multisensory approach when giving instructions. And not too many words! I
loved when he got to the 9-12 year olds because he talked a lot about preparing
for adolescence. He talked about dad and son taking a trip to talk – and
having an open dialogue – even reading Preparing for Every Man’s Battle
together...and then, as things started to happen – celebrating those events.
Celebrating that he was becoming a man – nothing to be ashamed of, but exciting
– exciting to see that God was developing him into a man just like it’s supposed
to happen. I loved some of the guidelines he gave about supervision and
guidance at this age, about asking good questions to a friend’s mom before he’s
allowed to go to their house, and about talking openly about certain issues.
And that most of the time, doing an activity while talking about serious stuff
makes it way less awkward for a boy to talk. </div>
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</div>
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The last speaker was Jen Hattmaker. Are you kidding me? I had heard of
her, but I had no idea how gifted she was. She talked about how all we are
doing in this society is being afraid. Being so fearful that our children will
be hurt or discouraged or rejected or will fail. She said I want to raise kids
who will GO FOR IT – not who are afraid of what’s under every rock. The world
is not safe. Our kids have to be prepared for hardships and suffering. Are we
raising them to be safe or to be disciples – are you kidding
me?????????????????????????? So convicting. Parent diligently, not fearfully.
I don’t want to be the reason my children choose safety over courage – if my
child says he’s called to Ethiopa then I want to be his biggest supporter. I’m
behind you and you can do it! Scared moms raise scared kids. Disciples raise
disciples. Someone’s gotta do the work to save this planet. We weren’t saved
to serve saved people. Live it or you have no hope of leading it. We are
called to imitate Christ. Say to our children, “Follow me as I follow
Jesus.”</div>
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</div>
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It was beyond fantastic. It was refreshing – and such wonderful music –
and such great teaching. Whew! I am tired, but I am so glad we went. Planning
already for next year when they’ll be in Nashville. Don’t worry dot mom, I’ll
be there – with hopefully more than just one next year!! </div>
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Thanks, Lacey, for hanging in with me. I hope you had a good time. I hope
you weren’t too terrified of walking in the dead of night in an unfamiliar
downtown, not being close to any restaurants at all, having to sleep with me in
a king sized bed, and I could go on. Thankful for times when God allows
friendships to grow closer. So thankful God brought Lacey into my life as a
friend and allowed us to experience dot mom together!</div>
</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-53892350283730727112013-09-08T14:35:00.001-07:002013-09-08T14:35:35.171-07:00My Big Helper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KcaqNnsZpiE/Uisrxj-SA0I/AAAAAAAADlA/vXGwpCscPVk/s1600/2013-09-06+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KcaqNnsZpiE/Uisrxj-SA0I/AAAAAAAADlA/vXGwpCscPVk/s320/2013-09-06+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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James and I made a yummy dinner the other night together - calzones! Yummy! </div>
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He was such a big helper with rolling out the dough, putting on the pepperoni, cheeses, and sausage...a three year old is a really fun helper age.</div>
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Doing a quick inspection before it goes in the oven...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIAAm8fpDc8/UisrxdBOSMI/AAAAAAAADlE/2PDjJQG49qo/s1600/2013-09-06+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIAAm8fpDc8/UisrxdBOSMI/AAAAAAAADlE/2PDjJQG49qo/s320/2013-09-06+(4).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I meant to take an after picture, but then we ate it all!!! </div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-82094982943710143252013-09-08T14:33:00.001-07:002013-09-08T14:33:14.343-07:00 A New School Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Why do I feel sadder about school starting this year than I did last year? I mean, don't get me wrong, I am thrilled about the start of school. James is CLEARLY older than when school ended last time, and he is CLEARLY a rambunctious boy, and I can tell he is just READY for more friend interaction, to learn MORE than I am teaching him here, etc. We had such a wonderful experience last year in K-2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and so I knew this year would be awesome, as well. I've been making some phone calls lately, for work, and it's been sort of nightmare-ish trying to schedule those around James - so school starting is a wonderful routine that I am looking forward to in scheduling my work!</div>
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ALL THAT being said, time is passing. He is getting older, and while I am beyond grateful that he is smart and growing like a normal 3 year old, this mommy would like to turn time back sometimes. We had a wonderful open house and first day of school. Here are a few pics.</div>
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James' good friend, Finn, goes to school with him, too. Finn is in a different class, but these two friends are excited to be at school "together"!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g478mZ4qcM0/Uik7NKMKIpI/AAAAAAAADkI/1uQ0ZtVbri4/s1600/2013-08-31+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g478mZ4qcM0/Uik7NKMKIpI/AAAAAAAADkI/1uQ0ZtVbri4/s320/2013-08-31+(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And, well, already kickin' it back like a boss on the open house day...two James in his class - James F. and James G. Interesing.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v8-KjmKSV8E/Uik7GL9tVnI/AAAAAAAADkA/I1jZYSd-ADI/s1600/2013-08-31+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v8-KjmKSV8E/Uik7GL9tVnI/AAAAAAAADkA/I1jZYSd-ADI/s320/2013-08-31+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is such an improvement from last year because last year, James wouldn't even stand with his new teachers...but look...this year - yay! Standing with Mrs. Sandy and Mrs. Jessica for a picture!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVeU0QhoJCk/Uik71Toi_KI/AAAAAAAADkg/997pYSz97aE/s1600/2013-08-31+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVeU0QhoJCk/Uik71Toi_KI/AAAAAAAADkg/997pYSz97aE/s320/2013-08-31+(5).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, here's the first day. This play doh picture is by the time James was like (nonverbally): um, okay, mom, how about you get on out of here...I'm trying to make friends and play this play doh.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8J8BPmy2aA/Uik7hl2QKCI/AAAAAAAADkY/fKe0scavrcc/s1600/2013-09-04+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8J8BPmy2aA/Uik7hl2QKCI/AAAAAAAADkY/fKe0scavrcc/s320/2013-09-04+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ready to go inside!</div>
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Some new friends and some familiar faces (thank goodness!)</div>
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Praying for his teachers this year and his friends. We sure love his school, and I am so grateful for the opportunity he has to go there. Looking forward to a great year!</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-33725373037568898722013-09-08T14:26:00.002-07:002013-09-08T14:26:28.542-07:00My Nigerian Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So...this is last Sunday. But, let me back up and tell the entire story of how this came about. We have a precious Nigerian family that goes to Bethabra. They came during VBS after Landon and I began at Bethabra, and they add so much to our congregation. Sometimes they wear their traditional outfits. A while back, I mentioned to Stella how much I loved their outfits and how much I loved it when they wore them! Stella nodded her headed like she knew just what to do about that. Next thing I know, they are bringing me my very own outfit - ya'll, I would call it the right thing, but I can't remember what it's called - I know the hat part is called a "gehli" or something like that. </div>
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I was pretty nervous this past Sunday when I wore it to church. I was so afraid the family would not be there for some reason. But, of course they were! Stella arrived right before church and fixed my hat for me - it's actually just a long, long, rectangle of fabric that she EXPERTLY wrapped up on my head...unbelievable. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnQOMFkdDMs/UiiDrKT1AaI/AAAAAAAADjc/lfSncqK6G-c/s1600/2013-09-02+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnQOMFkdDMs/UiiDrKT1AaI/AAAAAAAADjc/lfSncqK6G-c/s320/2013-09-02+%25284%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I would definitely be the whitest Nigerian there has ever been - ha. It was such a privilege to be given a dress like these sweet ladies, and for the opportunity to take a picture with them and feel like part of their family...priceless. I cannot even imagine what it's going to feel like in heaven - red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight! It's going to be incredible!</div>
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<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-51520292656423756102013-09-08T14:22:00.000-07:002013-09-08T14:22:00.238-07:00More Random<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alright...another quick mainly picture post that I'm trying to CATCH UP.</div>
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Carolyn finished the furniture cushions - they are awesome!!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n3xehdmC5zE/UiiCVL83n1I/AAAAAAAADi8/HOhudzQ19UM/s1600/2013-08-29+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n3xehdmC5zE/UiiCVL83n1I/AAAAAAAADi8/HOhudzQ19UM/s320/2013-08-29+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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James and Mommy eating breakfast at DQ one morning. That is literally the only restaurant where I like the white gravy. I've never like white gravy in my entire life - no matter who made it - until DQ. Anyway, James wanted it one morning and we had time. I'm trying to take time to seize moments that I know we won't get back and revel in sweet times with my baby. Time is passing so fast!</div>
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We met Hope, Adaira, and Aaron one morning at the park and had such a great time. I am so thankful for Hope's precious friendship. </div>
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James saying "thanks" to Grammie and GatorPa for a Longhorn giftcard they sent a while back for an occasion...yummy chili cheese fries!</div>
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Made muffins to take to Sunday School teachers last Sunday. So thankful for those solid people and their influence on others!</div>
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<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-60684120385298532742013-09-08T14:18:00.002-07:002013-09-08T14:18:23.421-07:00The Last Couple of Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I called this post "the last couple of weeks" when I started writing it a couple of weeks ago - ha. I need to just post pictures and GET CAUGHT UP!</div>
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James eating his breakfast some random morning...note his long sleeve pajama shirt. I bought him some long sleeved pj's and he then began wanting to wear them - even though I was trying to save them til fall. Teaches me NOT to show him new clothes I've bought him.</div>
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And, ready to rock n roll...only in the garage.</div>
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Playing with fun legos...</div>
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YAY! A late b'day present - a CARS backpack - just in time for school to start!</div>
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Look at the beautiful fruit bouquet someone sent me....so thoughtful!</div>
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Mmmmm....don't tell Daddy I was letting him play with the makeup as a distraction for a few minutes. AND, we've talked lots about makeup being for girls, so no worries. Just funny...</div>
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<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-25834495566882407962013-08-25T18:54:00.002-07:002013-08-25T18:54:44.852-07:00Though You Slay MeI have some different thoughts rolling in my head tonight. Isn't it interesting, with children, how many times we connect the Father's love for us with our love for our children? I don't know about you, but I have experienced this a whole bunch - and am sure I will continue to do so.<br />
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This has been an interesting past month. A wise friend of ours heard about our past month and said we were living life on life's terms. Ha. Isn't that the truth? We have had some challenges - traveling back and forth to FL, a death in our family, medical issues, etc. That's just naming a few and keeping it surface level. <br />
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Carolyn finished the porch cushions and they are gorgeous! We were sitting out there yesterday - and it was a gorgeous day. The Part 2 of painting our deck is beginning. Landon painted the floor a beautiful dark, dark brown, and now we picked out a color for the railing, and he's begun that project. <br />
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James and I were watching him get started on it, and we were all just chatting. James was playing with the ipad on the couch outside and I was talking to Landon about who knows what. Landon was sitting on the ground painting away. Then, James said, "Daddy, do you need any help?" For some reason, it was like all in my mind was quiet and I was just thinking what a precious moment it was. Now, I vacillate back and forth sometimes between complete discontentment and complete contentment. We were sitting on the couch the other night eating Pizza Hut pizza on paper plates, and as I looked as Landon and James, I thought there's no way my life could be any more complete. I mean, I hope we add to our family one day, but just was thinking how blessed I am. Simple. Pizza hut pizza. Simple. He asked his daddy if he could help him. So, Landon said, "Sure, Son, come over here and you can help." He got him all set up to help. Showed him what to paint. Talked about how to use the brush. James began painting. All was peaceful. UNTIL...James started painting the floor. The floor that's already been painted the beautiful brown. Landon jerked his own shirt off and started mopping it up, trying to get the light, light brown paint off the dark brown paint on the floor of the deck. James didn't quite know what was wrong, but he knew he'd made a mistake, and his face looked stunned. I knew whatever Landon said next would be crucial. Landon said, "James, why did you paint the floor? Did Daddy show you to paint the floor?" James said, "No, Daddy. I just did it." And then, Landon grabbed him up and hugged him tight and said, "Well, that's okay. It's nothing we can't clean up. Easy to clean up or paint over." And James little face just looked relieved. Looked like he could breathe again. <br />
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And again, like has happened to me a lot in the past and I'm sure will continue to happen to me in the future, I could hear my Father speaking to me. He was saying, "I know you want to help me. And I know sometimes you don't know the best way. Sometimes you accidentally paint the floor in an attempt to help when that's actually not the instruction I gave you. I fully love and accept you. I can mop it right up. You are not a mistake. Don't stop painting just because you are scared of doing it wrong." Boy, kids are moldable. I can see how easily we can mess James up - and we will. Unintentionally. Doing the best we know how. One thing I want him to know is that he is always accepted and loved by us - unconditionally. Through mistakes like painting the floor, our arms are open to comfort, even when he's learning a lesson. <br />
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Sometimes I feel like I try to hard and paint the floor...trying "help" God out in ways He didn't ask me to help Him. Sometimes I feel like I just want to throw in the towel, and I can't do anything right. And the enemy always whispers, "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence...", and he whispers it in any doubtful area of my life. And then, usually, Jesus sends me a sign. Well, I take it as a sign. <br />
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I was getting ready for church this morning and James wasn't awake yet (unusual). I remembered that someone had posted a song I really wanted to hear because I thought the words were intriguing. I played the song and ended up in the bathroom floor on the rug having a come to Jesus meeting before I even got in the van to go to church. Father had words for me this morning. He wanted me to know that if I'm sloppy with the paint or I get it on the floor, or if I'm just messing everything up, He's enough. And, this isn't the first time He's given me this message. He's given it to me numerous times. One time in particular when I thought my life was over and I wouldn't survive. But I did. I did because He was enough. He told me "I came for you just so that I could be enough for you in this situation. Trust me." <br />
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The song is a song by Shane & Shane called Though You Slay Me. <br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Though you slay me - still I will praise you. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Though you take from me - I will bless your name. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Though you ruin me - I will sing a song of worship</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">To the One who is all I need.</span></em></strong></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-19798912428364213762013-08-03T07:30:00.000-07:002013-08-03T07:30:05.813-07:00The Lego<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, what would a trip home to FL be without a visit to the Emergency Room? This was the first time anything like this happened, and I even though it's long since happened now, I know I need to document it so we can laugh in the future about it (still not laughing now). </div>
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Landon had already gone back to GA and left James and me in FL for a few more days. It was Sunday afternoon and Mom, Dad, and I decided it would be a great idea to head over and visit Grandma and Grandpa for a little while. We arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's house just like normal. And, then things went awry. Unfortunately. The first thing James did was go to the hall closet and get the toys out.<br />
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These American Red Bricks are a big part of the toys at Grandma's house. We have all been playing with them for many years. Now James likes to get them out when we go over. There are 3 tube things (my mind is drawing a blank about what they are called) in the floor of the closet. They are a mix of the red brick stuff, tinker toys, and a few mini legos. James got them all out and dumped them in the middle of the living room floor. We are still greeting Grandma and Grandpa, hugging, taking a seat on the couch, etc. All of a sudden, James was choking. I was right beside him in the floor but was focused on the greetings. He was making a crazy gagging noise - the one where you can tell no air is getting in or out. So, in an uncharacteristic moment for me, I did not panic, but just acted. I grabbed him and began doing the Heimlich. Then I could hear him gasping for air and coughing and choking more. I let him try to get it out. Then, he swallowed it. He screamed and freaked out as it was going down because whatever it was was painful and NOT supposed to go down your throat. Meanwhile, everyone is frozen in the living room, standing, and ready to help. I picked him up and carried him in the bathroom so that I could be alone with him. I sat him up on the counter and squatted down on the floor beside him. As I began to question him about what happened, he told me the exact story. See, there was a green plastic - very little - cup mixed in the with the legos. Sort of a tea cup. James put a mini lego in the tea cup and pretended to drink it. Except when he pretended, it fell in his mouth by accident, and he began choking on it. James used to be really bad about putting stuff in his mouth, but for a long time now, he's been much better about that. Once I could see he was okay, we headed back out into the living room where everyone was sitting on the couch, stunned, eyes wide, and waiting to see what was going to happen. Mom suggested we go to the ER so that they could x-ray, and I agreed. So, after staying 5 minutes and having a lovely, quality time, visit with Grandma and Grandpa, we left and headed to the Crestview ER. They quickly got us back (oh, and by then, James was completely fine and whined about how I wouldn't let him eat any crackers for a snack all the way to the hospital) and began to check him over. A lady came in and took an x-ray. James was still as could be for the x-ray - a real trooper. He and I played on the hospital bed (all over it, on the floor, jumping off of it, etc.), played Subway Surfer for a while, and finally decided to go ahead and call Landon to update him. We facetimed Landon and when he answers, he doesn't say hello, but rather just begins "Hey There, Delilah" really loud on his guitar and singing the song, because apparently I have caught him in the middle of a jam session with Walker Bramlett. He then realized that we are somewhere strange and stops serenading us. I explain the situation just as he doctor is coming in to talk to us about what they've found. </div>
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The doctor explains that they see nothing on the x-ray. They see nothing because you can't see plastic on an x-ray. I still was glad to they did the x-ray because they wanted to make sure nothing else looked wrong in there. So, they said we had to wait. The funniest thing was when they brought the x-ray in for us to look at. The x-ray lady had told James she was taking his picture. When they put the x-ray up to look at it, James, as serious as a heart attack said, "THAT IS NOT MY FACE." </div>
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So, we headed home with lots of warnings of things to watch for and the assurance that "most of the time", it passes in a few days. And, that's what happened. That's right, I combed through James' bathroom business for 3 days until I did find the lego. And let me tell you, it was a huge celebration. Each time we've been to Grandma and Grandpa's since then, James has assured us, "I will not eat a lego there." And, he hasn't. </div>
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I know that I have a boy and that there may be more excitement like this coming for me. I can still hope that this is the extent of the excitement though. Here's to hoping that this will be our only lego eating ER visiting X-ray taking incident EVER.</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-28432282972354272122013-08-03T07:02:00.002-07:002013-08-03T07:02:39.190-07:00James' 2nd and 3rd 3rd Birthday Parties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Birthday parties #2 and #3 happened in FL. One with Landon's family and one with mine. James got a bike from Nanna and Grandaddy! Wow!</div>
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He pretty much was completely obsessed with the helmet. Serious business.</div>
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All the sweet grandbabies (um, some not babies).</div>
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James' cake at Grammie's house</div>
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Celebrating James' and Daddy's b'days together</div>
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Playing the squirrel game from Aunt Olivia.</div>
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Cool truck from Grammie & GatorPa (Note: James wore his helmet the entire b'day party at the Wise household).</div>
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Great fun! No more b'day parties til 4 years old!!</div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-68084549754761560102013-08-03T06:46:00.003-07:002013-08-03T06:46:42.392-07:00James 1st 3rd B'day Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now see, here are the problems I run into wanting to blog. I want to tell about every event that happens, and if it gets busy and everything blows up, then I think about those events in my mind, sort of in a time line, and can't let go of them until I blog about them. Weird, I know. So, QUICKLY, I want to write and show pictures from James b'day party so that I can (in my mind) move on. :)</div>
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We had a Cars b'day party for James at home. I said that I was not going to have a birthday party for James at home because it was TOO much trouble. However, when I began investigating the cost of birthday parties elsewhere...we decided to have it at home. </div>
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We had a Cars jumpie, and Nicole made a BEAUTIFUL cake for James - it was awesome! Some of James friends were not able to come, but most of them were, and we had about 25 people. It was a lot of fun.</div>
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So thankful for these sweet faces! There were more kids than this, but apparently, I never put them together to take their picture (realizing this a month later).</div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-83315946515482363532013-07-27T16:12:00.001-07:002013-07-27T16:27:02.643-07:00He Who Walks with Integrity Walks Securely<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Phil-1-20" id="en-NET-29365"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. </span> <span class="text Phil-1-21" id="en-NET-29366"><sup class="versenum">21 </sup>For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. </span> <span class="text Phil-1-22" id="en-NET-29367"><sup class="versenum">22 </sup>Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer: </span> <span class="text Phil-1-23" id="en-NET-29368"><sup class="versenum">23 </sup>I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. - Philippians 1:20-23</span></div>
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What a strange day. This is the first time I have lost a grandparent when I remember. My Pa died when I was 3 years old, and while I think I might remember a little from all of that, today is the first day of my life that I've lost a grandparent I can remember. A great man. A godly man. A man of great integrity. A man who led his family biblically. A man whose word you didn't question. My grandpa. As we drove home to FL yesterday, a million scriptures were running through my head. Some Grandpa had talked about, himself, and some that just fit the situation. I was praying I'd make it in time to just see Grandpa alive one more time. <br />
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I was able to see him twice yesterday. He was unresponsive, but since they say the mind is the last thing to go, I really think he could hear what we were saying as we talked. As we prepared to leave last night from the nursing home, I leaned down to tell him goodbye for the night. I was talking to him about a conversation he and Landon and I had in the hospital last August when it looked as though he might not make it. We talked about how living is Christ and dying is gain. Being conflicted between the two. This was what he thought about his life - living his life with a purpose while he was here on earth, knowing that Father had a specific job and purpose for his life only, to use him in specific ways. I must have told him I loved him 20 times yesterday. Sometimes I wasn't sure what else to say but I just wanted to say something to him. <br />
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I have a million memories over many years. My most solid memory that I have thought of the most often during the last year was from times I would stay with my grandparents when my mom and dad were out of town. I can remember crawling out of my bed at their house in the mornings and walking down the hall to the living room and kitchen. Grandpa would always, without fail, be sitting at the kitchen table. I could smell his aftershave, and he would be drinking coffee and reading his Bible and devotion books. Sometimes Grandma would be still sitting with him reading her Bible and sometimes she'd already be up from the table cooking us flat eggs for breakfast. He would see me coming and say (in his special Grandpa voice), "Hello, Sweetie." It was that voice that was deep from just waking up. I have always felt such complete security in their love and support for me. </div>
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Over the years I have talked to Grandpa (and Grandma, too) about a million things. I remember them coming to spend the night with Steph and me at our apartment in Gainesville. That was really special. I remember them coming up to the townhouse in Woodstock so that Grandpa could come to the men's conference. I am so sorry he was never able to come to Bethabra. I know he was proud of how Landon followed God's call, and he would have loved to hear him preach there. I talked to them about our decision to surrender to the ministry and when we had been through some significant marriage struggles. He was a good listener. He was good at pulling truth out of the Bible and applying it to life. <br />
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And he loved his family. He and grandma wrote each other love notes in their Christmas stockings every single year at Christmas. They put money in our stockings, but love notes in each other's stockings. 65 years of growing together. My goodness. If you listened for just a second to him, you'd hear him talk about how good God had been to our family and how much he loved his wife, his sons, and all of us. He was a tight hugger. He gave a really good hug. The kind where you could barely breathe and it was a good kind of barely breathe :)</div>
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One of my favorite things was to hold his hand. He was a tight hand holder. Serious business. </div>
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I was looking at his Bible this morning. So much Scripture marked in the Bible. It's hard to tell what might of been his very favorite verse because so much is marked. Some of the pages are so worn they are about to fall out. </div>
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This is a little Bible he carried everywhere with him. Seriously? Look at how it's falling apart. </div>
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<span class="text John-14-3" id="en-ESV-26660"><span class="woj">This was back in the spring. God was so gracious to give me so many conversations with him this past year. Even a week and two days ago, I had a wonderful conversation with him about challenges in our lives and what we felt like God was teaching us. He said God was teaching him that it was okay not to be so independent. </span></span></div>
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Special doesn't even begin to cut it. To say that I love him doesn't even scratch the surface. While I was driving alone from the funeral home to he and Grandma's house this afternoon, I was talking to him, if he could hear me in heaven. I was telling him, "I know we just left the funeral home and are making arrangements, but it feels like when I get to your house in a minute, you will be there. Of course you will be there, where else would you be?" It's like even though I understand he is not here on earth anymore, it seems surreal, and impossible. I don't know how people live without the hope of Christ and heaven. I desperately cling to that because I know this life is not the end. Reminds me of that song, </div>
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"All I know is I'm not home yet</div>
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This is not where I belong</div>
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Take this world and give me Jesus</div>
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This is not where I belong".</div>
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I know just like he had family waiting for him, he will be waiting for all of us up there. I can't wait to see him again. I don't know why God chose such a good family for me. All I can say is thank you, Father. I love you FOREVER, Grandpa!</div>
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<span class="text Rom-8-35" id="en-NET-28137"><sup class="versenum">35 </sup>Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? </span> <span class="text Rom-8-36" id="en-NET-28138"><sup class="versenum">36 </sup>As it is written, “<b><i>For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered</i></b>.” </span> <span class="text Rom-8-37" id="en-NET-28139"><sup class="versenum">37 </sup>No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! </span> <span class="text Rom-8-38" id="en-NET-28140"><sup class="versenum">38 </sup>For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, </span> <span class="text Rom-8-39" id="en-NET-28141"><sup class="versenum">39 </sup>nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:35-39</span></div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-91218975341369998492013-07-25T20:24:00.001-07:002013-07-25T20:24:12.079-07:0010th Anniversary - GatlinburgWe had a really great trip. <br />
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When we arrived in Pigeon Forge Sunday night, I felt really strange. Like I wasn't supposed to be away from James and like I was a bad mom. We just had friends who left their kids to go on a cruise, and I encouraged them and told them, "YEAH! GO! You need to get away!!" And even though I know that, it still felt like I shouldn't. After crying about it a little it and sleeping Sunday night, I was good :) <br />
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Here's our sweet cabin:<br />
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We spent most of our time sleeping, resting, and watching Law & Order SVU reruns on Netflix. I am a serious Benson & Stabler fan. However, it could have made me highly paranoid, but in typical Bethany fashion, I did have one slight freak out night where I insisted someone was breaking in and made Landon get the gun. He got it, but then had to wait for me to go to the bathroom before he could go investigate the "situation", and by the time I finished and made it back to the bed, he was back asleep. I said, "Where is the gun? On your nightstand?" He said, "I don't have a nightstand. It's under my pillow." I said, "WHAT? Is it loaded?" "Of course it's loaded," he said, "what do you think I am going to tell the robber to count to 30 before you bust in here???" He eventually told me there was no bullet in the chamber which made me feel a little better, but it was basically a rough night. I am weird like that and every once in a while have to have a small freak out about something. Could be too many SVU's that evening. <br />
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We talked about going to a show. We didn't. We talked about walking on a trail. I forgot my big tennis shoes. So. We rested. And tried to beat each other in Subway Surfer (I'm winning still, by the way). And talked - a lot. And discussed some Bible stuff. And slept. And basically, just hung out and did whatever we wanted to whenever we wanted to for three full days. It was pretty awesome. Landon was in his batman snuggie and he put all the snacks on the table behind the couch. The cabin even had a Keurig, so I was all set.<br />
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We ate at the Old Mill - one of my favorites, and then I got to go to the Peddler for the first time! Here's what I thought. The steak - not good enough to be as expensive as it was. The atmosphere was awesome, and everything else I ate was awesome. I definitely want to keep going back, but I won't get a steak anymore. We sat right on the river and it was beautiful. A great place. <br />
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Here's what I wanted to do after our Peddler dinner...ride this! I loved it - I'm not a huge heights lover, but this was great! After it was over, I asked Landon why he didn't put his arm around me on the way down because it was romantic, but he said it was because he was scared and had to hold on with both hands. True.<br />
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Krista bought me this owl cup in Destin before I came to Gatlinburg. I took it as my trip cup. Anyone who knows me well knows that when I finished taking a test in college, I bought myself a new cup for a reward. I sort of have a cup problem. Mugs, glasses, plastic cups - you name it.<br />
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And, here's James. He was livin' the good life with Grammie while we were gone.<br />
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It was a wonderful trip. We are really blessed, and we know it. We've been through some pretty significant challenges - especially our first 4 years. Now we are at Bethabra, we have James, and although there are many challenges in those things, God has blessed us beyond belief. I'm so thankful for the life partner God had for me in Landon, and I pray the next 10 years will bring great fun and excitement and deeper friendship as we grow closer in every way!</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-37549289928689533802013-07-04T07:31:00.000-07:002013-07-04T07:31:08.245-07:00Whew, it's been WILDLY busy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Boy, I was doing great with my little updates and then...V B S. No need to say more. It was a wild and busy week - and a wonderful one! We had lots of children - lots of new children we'd never met - and an awesome carnival on Friday night. </div>
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Confession time. You know the baskets outside on the back deck that I have hanging up? I have been pretty proud that I've kept those alive. Well, there are birds everywhere around here (uh, not as much as at my parent's house which sounds like some kind of bird sanctuary), but lots of birds, nonetheless. I noticed they were tweeting like crazy and carrying twigs into one of my pots. So, I went out there and took it all out. I couldn't have them building a nest in a pot so that I couldn't water and fertilize the flowers! Well, a few days later...I was TOO late. They had already chosen another pot and there were already eggs in it :( Well, you know I had to leave them. I don't particularly like birds, so I hate that every single time I walk out the back door, birds are flying out of that pot and scaring me to death. Birds are very unpredictable, and basically, my mental state just can't handle that. So, the eggs hatched, the babies are growing, and once a week, I pull them down and try to water around them in the pot. I am really hoping they are growing up fast and will leave soon (wow, I am such an animal lover). BUT, then I noticed that those birds are carrying more twigs into another pot, and basically, I've just let them beat me. Whatever. Take over my whole porch. I can't handle it.</div>
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So, VBS was great. We had crazy hair day, wacky tourist day, and more I can't remember - all for Colossal Coaster World. James had a great time this year in his class and seemed so excited to go every day. One day we got to lunch after VBS and Landon asked James to pray. James said, "No, Daddy. I already pray to Jesus today." Like, yikes, I've had enough of Jesus today and I cannot pray. I thought it was hilarious :)</div>
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We had the carnival on Friday night with tons of jumpies and a train. The kids had an awesome time, and as I looked around that night, I just felt like it was a glimpse of what I pray will continue at Bethabra - families coming together and having fun and growing together...I think sometimes God gives us a glimpse of what's happening and to come and just sustains us to keep on keeping on!!!! It was wonderful!</div>
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James finished swimming lessons this past Saturday - thank goodness, before I completely lost my mind - ha. He did GREAT! Still doesn't like his face in the water, but he doesn't cry when water splashes on it anymore. If we were going to be here most of July I might have enrolled him again, but since we're going to be out of town a lot, we couldn't. </div>
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I walked by Gymboree the other day and the theme in there was GATORS. WELL, you know I had to go in there and check it out. I got James several CUTE Gator shirts (not like FL Gators, but to us every gator is a FL gator), so here he is before church last Sunday.</div>
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We met Eric, Kelli, and Caroline at Cracker Barrel this week. They were picking up their final boxes and stuff here and moving it up to KY. It was so great to see them and James and Caroline had an awesome time hanging out :) Such sweet friends!</div>
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Alright. The biggest story is....wait for it...I got the pillows. I got them yesterday and it was pouring down rain in a huge monsoon and I drove a long way to get them...and I just kept thinking that Landon would not have approved of this gas guzzling excursion in the pouring down thunderstorm - with James - to get these dumb pillows that I didn't even need right now. But, it was like I had become obsessed with them. I took James to Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Target, Wal Mart, and Lowe's to look for pillows the other day. Do you know what torture it is to get a 3 year old (who acts like 'hurrying up' is an impossibility) in and out of car that many times? It's a nightmare. He is sooooo slow. Hurry up, I say, as he gets a drink, buckles in his basketball, wipes something off the seat, finds a sticker on the floor. Oh my heavens. I had no success because everything is GONE from most stores because it's toward the end of the patio cushion buying season and the stuff is on sale. However, online, nothing is on sale AT ALL. And those bad boys are expensive. Then....a light bulb moment...I remembered Garden Ridge. I used to really like Garden Ridge over in Kennesaw and I knew they had rows and rows and rows of porch cushions. I looked up locations of other Garden Ridges and there was one about 30 miles south of us. So, I dropped Landon off after a fun lunch yesterday with the Wakeman's and headed down there. And. I. found. them. I was so excited about finding the right colors - I mean, even close to the right colors, solid colors, that I jumped up and down in the aisle and danced, and James thought it was the greatest thing. YAY!!!!! I got the rug and the pillows. I am SO THANKFUL!! AND SO EXCITED! Carolyn is supposed to make the bottom cushions while I'm in FL - I cannot wait to sit on my little couch and drink some coffee (although I will be completing this project in the dead of summer when it will probably be too hot to step outside). I just have to say that I would never do this again - unless I forget how bad it was (like people say happens with childbirth). </div>
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James took my pic with it because I was so happy!</div>
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Thankful for 4th of July today. Growing up in a military area and seeing all of those folks all the time is something I really miss. There was nothing like being at church on Memorial Day or celebrating the 4th at church and watching those men and women stand and shake hands - it's awesome. I am so grateful for their sacrifice and the passion they feel for our country. Headed to a picnic in a little bit!</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-39408660398922566822013-06-24T04:58:00.002-07:002013-06-24T04:58:56.467-07:00Furniture Update & the Random Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For various reasons, we have been playing outside a lot this summer. I've had my little furniture project to handle (more on that in a moment) and plus, if you're inside with a boy who is done with naps (for the most part),then you cannot stay inside all day. I don't mean that he can't stay inside. I mean, that I, personally, cannot stay inside all day long cooped up in the house. Even if I lived in a 50 million square foot house, it might be too small for the both of us at some point in the day. James has been LOVING his tractor - as soon as we go outside he drives it from the garage into the backyard, and it has all of my sandpaper/furniture scraper tools/drinks for outside/anything else we need in it in the trailer. Sometimes he "mows the grass" if Daddy hasn't been able to get to it that week, and lately, he's been lining up his other toys in front of it and pushing them all at once with the front of the tractor. He loves it. This is an outfit from Cracker Barrel (now, don't be so shocked). He had the 2T and now he has the 3T - I cannot remember which set of grandparents gave us which size, but I think both sets covered him with this outfit last year and this year. Not sure how visible this is, but James started pulling back out these older Toy Story crocs and wearing them every single day. They are too small to wear with the strap on the back, so he has to wear the strap pulled up on the front. They have fuzzy stuff inside - like for winter - and the fuzziness does not come out. I noticed a week or two ago that there was an awfully nasty smell going around everywhere we went. Then I realized...it's those shoes. The smell TERRIBLE. I have tried to get him t trade them in for the Scooby's that actually fit and don't have fuzzies inside, but once his mind is made up, you can forget it. Finally, I ordered him a new pair of Toy Story crocs in his current size and WITHOUT FUZZY STUFF inside, and they should be here tomorrow. Thank goodness because I cannot quit gagging over those things. Zappos is a great website to order shoes from. Landon needed some new flip flps and ordered on it, and then I found the Toy Story crocs on it (the crocs website was out of his size in them). And, you can return for free. How about that? Convenient. Anyway, it will be a happy moment when those shoes come tomorrow.</div>
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Alright, so here's an update on my furniture. I'm done. D O N E. That's just it. I did the chair awesome, then did the round table and two end tables pretty well, and the couch and final end table, well, they are just okay. I asked Landon yesterday in the car if he thought I could be done with them. He said, "I'm not sure. I'll have to look at them to see what I think." Then I realized. I don't care. I don't care what he thinks about it. I don't care what anyone thinks about it. I'm just done with them. I'm ready to paint them, and you know what? Guess? I don't care. I am a finisher of projects. I am not someone who starts things and doesn't finish them - especially if it's something that is basically junking up the backyard. That, I especially cannot stand. So, I'm ready to paint. I'm assuming I can spray paint this stuff - wait, let me rephrase. I'm planning to spray paint this furniture. If there are pieces of paint that still chip off, then I'll have extra paint and will spray paint over them every time a piece chips off. I need to head to Wal-Mart to investigate this next phase of my project. So...painting should happen sometime this week - even in the midst of VBS, I am hoping - and I will be one step closer! Whoo-hoo!</div>
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James has been big into this slip and slide that I bought at a consignment sale a while back. The problem: he doesn't want to wear his clothes when he plays in the water. Finally, yesterday, I looked and he had taken every bit of his clothing off. Not even his underwear was on. I just had to shake my head and keep moving on with my furniture scraping. I knew if the neighbors came out into the backyard that I would have to take him inside for some clothes, but until then I just let his little naked behind run around in the water.</div>
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Grammie has sent a couple of funny things for James lately. One is this preschool workbook that she wrote her name and GatorPa and James and Katie's on the animals...which cracks me up. Then, she sent James a Scooby Doo magazine and me a little Betty Crocker cookbook. When I thanked her by text for the little package with the magazine and cookbook, she responded, "Well, the cookbook's not that great." HAHA. This cracked me up - well, thanks for sending it then :) I think no matter what your age, you are always excited to get something in the mail (that is not a bill!!).</div>
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AND, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa sent James the sweetest card in the mail with some money! He was so excited!</div>
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Last night we went to Nicole Bramlett's wedding. It was just precious. It is so fun to go to a wedding when you can obviously see the bride and groom are Jesus followers and sincerely desire to have that kind of marriage. It was sweet. We missed Jeanette though! Jeanette...don't think we are going to let you stay there to live!!!! We miss you too much here!</div>
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Colossal Coaster World VBS starts at church this week. Here's James and me before church yesterday. We are EXCITED! We hope LOTS of kids come to hear about who can give them LIFE!</div>
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We went to Monterrey like usual yesterday for lunch with some of our favorite friends, and James and Ava lined the chairs up like this out on the patio (we were the only people sitting out there). I thought it was really funny - and strange. </div>
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And for my last thought. So, one of my favorite new things about our van is that I could load some pictures of us in to be a wallpaper screen - isn't that awesome?? Well, wouldn't you know it, James HATES it. I don't know why. Why does he care? Who knows, but I just know that every time that screen is on, he screams and freaks out about putting the "black" screen back...it is crazy. So, for some reason, he hates to see pictures of our family. Just fantastic. </div>
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It's going to be a busy week, and we are READY! More VBS preparation today and then starting tomorrow...Colossal Coaster World!</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-58624709695551511412013-06-21T20:42:00.002-07:002013-06-21T20:42:16.388-07:00James' Special 3rd Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, I was trying not to upload too many pictures for this post, but I just couldn't help it! It's been a LONG but wonderful day. I was awakened this morning about 5:30am when James started talking in his room, and since he's not in a pull up anymore, I was afraid he was going to wet the bed. So...I busted my sleepy self up in there and helped him sit on the potty. I could see he was not that interested in going back to bed (since it's light getting a little light outside then), so I let him come into our room and sleep for a couple more hours with us. While he was going potty this morning at 5:30 am he said, "Is today my birthday?" Seriously? That was the very first thought he had this morning. He slept until around 7:30, and I had 3 little presents wrapped for him that were up against the wall in our room. He sits up and sees those, and says, "Those are my birthday presents." We headed into the living room to open them up...</div>
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Then (Of course), we headed to Cracker Barrel to eat breakfast. Ms. Kathy asked me a few days ago if we were going to bring James in on his birthday, and I told her, sure, we'd be there for breakfast. I was SHOCKED when I saw what Rosemarie and Kathy had done for him. They had a new Buzz Lightyear for him (which was AWESOME), a Buzz and Woody spin around thingie, and a Woody bouncy balloon. Oh, and a cupcake that he ate ALL of the icing off of!</div>
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Then, we moved on to Dr. Cohen's office for James' GI checkup. That went great, except that we had to wait forever which resulted in a near nervous breakdown for me since James is rarely still - especially in a waiting room situation...</div>
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Got milkshakes on the way home...</div>
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THEN, we went to his first movie today. He thought people were going to come out on the stage like the Dolphin Show at the aquarium. He actually sat through the entire movie, Monsters University! I think Landon was about to have his own nervous breakdown over how loud James talked though if he wanted to tell us something. Landon kept saying, "Can you please talk quieter?" And James would say, "No, I cannot." It cracked me up.</div>
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We finished the day at Krispy Kreme, so we basically (well, not basically, just truthfully) have had nothing but JUNK today. BUT, it was sure a fun day.</div>
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I obviously never could have known what an incredible blessing a child would be. I am so grateful for the gift God gave us by allowing us to be his parents. Praying for many more years of great health for sweet baby James as he continues to grow into a "big big man" (his words). </div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-29383914582055634082013-06-21T19:53:00.002-07:002013-06-21T21:06:15.642-07:00FearlessI had the opportunity to join a summer book club. I decided to go for it, despite traveling lots of July and summer busy-ness. Right now we are reading the book Fearless, by Max Lucado. Fear is something I've struggled with off and on (mostly on) - and it's my biggest "go to" when things feel out of control or new or I'm backed in a corner. In the chapter I'm in now, I loved this one little paragraph so much, that I wanted to share it.<br />
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And to preface it, I was thinking especially about this while I was meeting with my Journey ladies last night. Ladies who are going through really tough times of unfaithfulness in their marriages - the kind of times where it's the first thing you wake up thinking about in the morning and the last thing you think about when you go to sleep. The kinds of times where you've cried in every room of your house all in the same day - the way that cancer rocks someone's world, or a tornado, or a deformity. Here's what Max says.<br />
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Do any of these moments serve a purpose? They do if we see them from an eternal perspective. What makes no sense in this life will make perfect sense in the next. I have proof: you in the womb. <br />
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I know you don't remember this prenatal season, so let remind you what happened during it. Every gestation day equipped you for your earthly life. Your bones solidified, your eyes developed, the umbilical cord transported nutrients into your growing frame....for what reason? So you might remain enwombed? Quite the contrary. Womb time equipped you for earth time, suited you up for your postpartum existence.<br />
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Some prenatal features went unused before birth. You grew a nose but didn't breathe. Eyes developed, but could you see? Your tongue, toenails, and crop of hair served no function in your mother's belly. But aren't you glad you have them now?<br />
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Certain chapters in this life seem so unnecessary, like nostrils on the preborn. Suffering. Loneliness. Disease. Holocausts. Martyrdom. Monsoons. If we assume this world exists just for pregrave happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so. <strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">But what if this world is the womb?</span></u></strong> Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for the world to come? As Paul wrote, "These little troubles are <em>getting us ready</em> for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing" (2 Cor. 4:17 CEV).<br />
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Did you ever watch Seinfeld? If you did (which we still watch reruns), remember how Kramer used to react sometimes? When someone said something that was shocking or when he opened the door to Jerry's apartment, remember how he would like shake his head and body all crazy...like...WHAT??????!!!!! That's how I felt when I read, "but what if this world is the womb?". We've got it all wrong. We've got it all backwards - including myself most of the time, and I allow fear to rob me of the peace I could have in the here and now. <br />
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In another book I loved, the author referred to this life as if we were a flower, and this part of our life is the bulb part down in the bottom under the soil. We have NO CONCEPT of the beautiful flower in the next life - just that it's all dark in this one and we cannot find a purpose for many things.<br />
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I have thought of this sentence every single day since reading it. Could be life changing, if I'm not too fearful to allow it in.Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-12464707898324470722013-06-19T05:18:00.000-07:002013-06-19T05:18:02.211-07:00Cooking 2 Nights = A Domestic Goddess :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent">Well, what is this world coming to? I have cooked two nights in a row AND made a pecan pie on Sunday afternoon. Just call me...um, who? Like the Little House on the Prairie lady, oh wait, no, June Cleaver. Just call me June :) I've never been a huge fan of pecan pie, but after Cracker Barrel introduced their chocolate pecan pie (or whatever it is), I started sliding down the slippery slope. I decided to make one Sunday afternoon in an attempt to do something special for Landon. Vanilla ice cream is a must have with this pie. It is Gooooood. </span></div>
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<span class="userContent">It's been a busy and good week so far. Just regular stuff. Looking forward to eating lunch with one of our favorite people today and looking forward to playing with sweet Ella and Ava this morning at our house (I've got to get off my tail in a minute and get that kitchen cleaned up or Lacey may take one look and start screaming and running back to her car with her kids). </span></div>
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<span class="userContent">Yesterday afternoon, I was working, and James was laying with his Geotrax in the floor. He kept bringing the bridges to me and wanting me to cover them with Landon's socks (just out of the dryer...a day ago - ha). I tried to help him do it, but the bridges are wide, and I could just see Landon up on the platform trying to preach with socks around his ankles because I let James pull and stretch Landon's socks over all his Geotrax bridges. I tried to get him to get a blanket and cover them up. </span></div>
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<span class="userContent">He then said to me, "God said the people of the Lord don't do that." I'm sorry, what??? It's like, how do you respond to that. You just don't. I just shook my head and moved on, knowing next Sunday, the socks would be around Landon's ankles.</span></div>
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<span class="userContent">Another funny thing - you just never know what's going to come out of his mouth now. My good friend, Malissa, from work, had taken a fabulous trip to France (I think) and brought back a little bottle of lotion for me. That bottle has been sitting on our baker's rack for um, a year maybe? I keep thinking when I am in the car that I NEED some lotion, and I keep trying to remember to throw that little bottle in, because I know it is great lotion. I pulled it out yesterday and put some on. James (of course) wanted some, as well. I gave him some and then smelled my hands and said, "Oh my goodness, this smells so good - like lemon." Then he smelled his hands and said, "Oh my goodness, this smell like poop. Dog poop." WHAT? It clearly did not. Ha. So, sorry, Malissa, about the really nice lotion you brought me from France - it's going in the van, and I think it's wonderful and lemony, but James thinks it's basically dog poop. I have no clue what's going to come out of his mouth at any point in time.</span></div>
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<span class="userContent">Finally, we made a big transition last night. When James turned 2 last summer, we switched him to the toddler bed (took the front of his crib off and put the little bar up on the side). The way our house is laid out, James room and our room are side by side down a little hallway by the garage. I could not stand it when he first had the freedom of being loose because he would come out of his room and stand in he hall, and Landon and I would be watching tv. I could sense his presence in the hall. It seriously creeped me out. I could not look up and would say to Landon, "He's there. I know he's here." And then, sure enough, he would peek around the corner and be out of his bed. Very quickly, I could see that I was losing my sanity (which is a quick trip) and so we tried putting a gate up in front of his door. This has been FANTASTIC. We've had it up all year, and now, this week, James turns 3. He's started this new thing where if I get on to him, he runs to his room and slams his gate and shuts his door. I get that he needs a minute alone and I don't care about that, but because of the gate, the door won't shut quite right and he's slamming that door over and over trying to get it to shut. Just. No. I cannot take that. I can't take anything happening in the house where it's like we are destroying it...so, I took the gate down. I explained that he was welcome to close the door if he wanted just a minute alone when he was upset (but not lock it and NOT slam it). He was SO UPSET about taking that gate down. Landon tried to explain to him that "Daddy is a big big man and doesn't have a gate in front of his door, and James is getting to be a big big man too so he doesn't have a gate at his door." So, we made it through night 1 fine. I am just waiting for the moment though that I have heard about from so many parents - the moment where you wake up and your kid is in your face just staring at you. Um, yikes. I will be at the funny farm if that happens. So, it's a new day. No gate and complete freedom. Better make sure the garage is shut and all the deadbolts are locked or that bro will be out at the street.</span></div>
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<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-32189323307249305802013-06-16T20:07:00.000-07:002013-06-17T05:40:02.922-07:00Father's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Goodness. I have so many thoughts today about my own dad, my Grandpa on probably his last Father's Day, and Landon. </div>
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We did a few gifts for Landon after church and lunch - that's how we have to roll at the preacher's house :) James was so excited to help Landon with his cards and presents!</div>
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A tile with James' handprint he made in preschool before summer specifically for Father's Day. He said on a card that the thing he loved most about his daddy was that "he wrestles with me".</div>
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And, Landon desperately needed a new ipad cover, so that's what he got. Just looking at this picture makes me smile. I am really blessed.</div>
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Speaking of blessed, this picture below is Grandma and Grandpa with all three of their sons today. Grandpa's health is continuing to decline, and it was such a blessing to see them last week when I was home for the day. </div>
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We ran to the mall this afternoon for some stuff, and some people stopped me while walking through the mall and were just laughing and laughing at what James had on. I said, "Um, yeah, so I'm that mom who lets her child wear whatever in the world he wants to in public...". They just laughed.</div>
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I am so thankful for my own daddy - for He and Momma introducing me to Jesus, but also for the integrity of his life. I have never, ever questioned his word. I have never ever questioned what I would find it I was looking for something in his chest of drawers or glove compartment in his car. He is a man of integrity, and I am so thankful for this example and the trust I can put in him because of the way he's living his life. Makes me think of one of my favorite verses that begins with, "A man of integrity walks securely," in Proverbs. I am so thankful for James' daddy, my husband, for the integrity in his life and for the genuine LOVE and QUALITY TIME he spends with James. Being a dad is a special and VERY HARD job. So thankful!</div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923434809542658946.post-49808550539388643862013-06-16T19:41:00.005-07:002013-06-16T19:41:56.468-07:00The Van Buying Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, first of all, James downloaded an app to make Care Bears postcards - ha. This cracks me up. </div>
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So, we bought a van. Every time I say this it reminds me of...We bought a Zoo...you know, that movie? We had hoped the Murano (well, orange car, as James calls it) was going to make it one more year with us. It would have been 10 next year, and I mean, we were hanging in with it. We have loved that car and put some serious miles on it. Anyway, we just spent a ton of money doing some work on it around Christmastime. Then, a few weeks ago, we found out that more was wrong with it - like a couple of thousand dollars more...so, it was time to make a decision. Thankfully, we had the flexibility to go ahead and make the decision. Landon and I were stuck between the Honda Odyssey (my choice) and the Nissan Quest (Landon's choice). </div>
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For our first trips into the dealerships, we were alone, and I joked about why in the world there was a kid play room and why in the world parents would bring young children in while they were trying to make a decision like serious. Well, I get why now. We had asked Carolyn to help with James so many times while we looked, that we had to bring him with us finally! It was getting ridiculous!! So, we got our new free Netflix trial (we had canceled Netflix a few months ago and they wanted to get us back and gave us a free trial), and got ready for the Scooby Doo's. James was FANTASTIC. Oh my heavens. Speaking of Scooby Doo's, could someone please just tell me what is the deal with the two different Scooby's that are on the cartoon network. From what I gather, the one that I DVR for James, What's New Scooby Doo, is more like what I'm all about. BUT, just so you know, there is another one called, Scooby Doo, Mystery Incorporated, and it is like a sort of "adult" Scooby Doo. They have shady outfits on (revealing) and adult sort of conversations, and it is not cool. Well, of course, that's the one Netflix has. Not cool. That was an aside.</div>
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It was a very long day, but we finally decided on the Honda Odyssey. It was what I wanted all along - loved all those safety features and rating - and Landon let me go ahead and get it. He still wanted the Nissan, but we rock, paper, scissored for the final decision and that was it.</div>
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Here we are celebrating after leaving the dealership about 10pm. Sometimes you gotta do fun stuff. James is pretty upset about orange car going away, even though he does like the van. He keeps saying, "orange car was sick, but I will go back to that dealership and get it." </div>
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So, the van is our newest member of the family and will hopefully be here to stay the next 10 years or so. I am thankful!</div>
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455633090357425071noreply@blogger.com0