I'm worn out



Cora passed out on the kitchen floor

 There are things happening all around me that are zapping my energy. I feel like someone has pounced on me like a bunch of spider monkeys. I think I could sleep for days without waking up, but that's not very practical with little ones pulling on me and vying for my attention. I am continually praying for restored marriages, freedom from addiction, peace and comfort for those who have lost loved ones, peace in the midst of the storm of bad news, provision for those who have lost it all...literally, comfort and healing for those who need a physical touch from the Great Physician, peace among families, and a calm spirit and cool head (as opposed to a hot one) to deal with people who are not so lovely to deal with.

Have you ever been there? Of course you have. Haven't we all? Sometimes it just seems like when it rains, it pours. There is SO much sadness all around us. We are in a drought around our part of the world, and that's how my spirit feels...parched. I'm really missing my sweet girl too...her little button nose, her soft skin, her sweetness. My third little step in the line of our children is gone, and I miss her. My heart aches for her. My arms yearn to hug and hold her.

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

Studio Ainsely Supports Emma's Hugs

Hey all you Houstonians! Maca, with Studio Ainsley is giving a portion of the proceeds from her 5 year anniversary celebration coming up in August to Emma's Hugs. Especially if you live in the Richmond-Rosenburg area, please stop by and take advantage of having some beautiful photos made of your family but also share in supporting Emma's Hugs. Check out the flier below. If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them, or you can give Maca a call. You can find her contact information on her website and blog by clicking here or here.

Wordless Wednesday

His face says it all...

Some things I've been doing

Here are a few of the things I've done around the house lately (or not-so-lately. I just don't always remember to post everything in a timely manner.)...

In the winter, I made the cutest ruffles to lengthen Carleigh's velour pants that were just a tad too short. She's at that awkward clothes stage where her legs are long and require a size that will swallow her waist. I'm not too big on shopping, so maybe they're out there, and I just don't know it, but why do the girl sizes go from a 7/8 to a 10/12? Does that seem like a huge leap to anyone besides me? Anyway, here is a pic of the pants with one side done and other not so you can see the before and after...

Something else I've done is reclaim the small armoire from Carleigh's room and paint it black. I'm planning on organizing it with all of our craft, scrapbook, and sewing stuff. I also painted the backside of the long mirror with chalkboard paint. It's just been sitting in Carleigh's room with all of Emma's clothes still folded in the drawers. I couldn't bring myself to empty it for a long time. Now Cora is big enough to wear the cute clothes. It's bittersweet. It's sweet that Cora can wear her sister's hand-me-downs, but I sure do wish her big sister was here for me to say, "you wore that when you were little, Emma!"

The verse is for our new Balcony Girls group. Click here to find out more about Balcony Girls.

 

Got the idea for the knobs at Maple and Magnolia.

Here are some flip flops I made for our friend's 1/2 birthday. What's that? You don't celebrate your 1/2 birthday? Well, you should! (Long story about how I can't get my act together. I'll share at a later date.)

Another thing I've accomplished is sorting through and organizing our large armoire. It is now designated for Cora's toys on the bottom section (since she doesn't have her own room yet) and the big kids' coloring/activity books and games on the upper section.




Oh boy, what a mess! Sorry about the poor quality of photos. These are taken with my cell phone. I couldn't get my camera to download anything. Ugh!

 


Might not look a whole lot better, but it is organized now!

The next project in the works is removing the cabinet above the bar, as well as the fur down, and replacing it with some lighting and possibly a pot rack. I had a pot rack in our other house and loved it. I would also love to remove the fluorescent light box taking center stage in our kitchen, patch the hole, then add some recessed lights in it's place...oh, what a beautiful day that will be! I. hate. fluorescent. lights! I would rather cook in the dark, than have on the fluorescent light.

So, what are you up to? Any fun transformations around your house?

A peek into my life

Here is a peek into a day (or two) in the life of me...via my cell phone...

On our way home from the Rotary Fish and Shrimp Fest last Saturday. It was gooood! Cora and Luke had fun. Carleigh was playing at a friend's house. She was digging through Carleigh's purse on the way home and found these shades...you look marvelous, dawling!

Luke had a ball checking out the firetruck and S.W.A.T. vehicle at the festival. He looks adorable in the firefighter hat!

My mega fine man driving home with a belly full of fish and shrimp! YUM-O!

I couldn't resist! Aren't those piggy tails the absolute cutest thing you have ever seen?!

Lovin' the money she received in the mail for Easter yesterday from some very special friends. She was swaying back and forth, so my photo is a bit blrry.

Saturday evening Carleigh performed with one of our high school's drill team during their stage show. The girls got to participate in a dance clinic and showed us what they learned during the stage show performance. She was so cute! Our future "Star!"

My precious friend, Rachel and the cork board I made her for her birthday yesterday. I was honored to join her and our other sidekick, Jana and Rachel's mom for lunch at a fabulous tea room, Teapot Depot.

Lunch was soooo yummy! Of course the company was even betta!

Three amigos!

I stole this idea from Big Mama. LOVE her. She is hilarious! 

Worst Blogger

I won't be winning any awards for the best blogger...maybe the worst, though. I can't believe how fast the days rush by. I look back over the past week and I'm almost breathless. Sometimes I wish we could go away, far away, where there are no schedules, laundry, phones, computers, or TV and just be. The ocean, the mountains, Italy, Australia, it doesn't really matter. I'm just tired. I want to recuperate, sleep, eat, play with my kids, rejuvenate, talk with my husband and rest. Summer is just around the corner, and it is so welcome. I haven't won the best mom award lately either. I continue to be who I don't like, continue to screw up. I yell, I'm unorganized, I forget, I say things I regret and cannot pull the words back into my mouth.

Thankfully, there is One who forgives and restores, and gives grace and mercy when it is so desperately needed. Thankfully, we have this holy week to remember and reflect upon the most wonderful gift He gave. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me in spite of myself. For giving, becoming one of us yet remaining sinless, taking the sin of the world upon your shoulders to provide a bridge to God for us. Thank you that you continue to forgive my terrible parenting, my disheveled self, my crazy life. Thank you.

Thankful today for gifts #42 through #51 ...

a friend who took the challenge with me to memorize Colossians.
One chapter down.
the energy of our children
the sweetness of our eldest
innocence of youth
new friends
graciousness
good recipes shared with good friends
encouragement from a friend
a husband who stands firm
healing.

Joining with Ann and others in counting One Thousand Gifts...

Save Our Marriages

Lord,

My heart is heavy tonight. I cannot contain the tears. So many marriages are crumbling around us. Dear, dear friends are separated from their soul mate, the one with whom they made a covenant before you and with you, oh Lord, to unite as one flesh. Oh God, please intervene. Show them a marriage more abundant. Save them from destruction.

"In the original creation, God made male and female to be together. Because of this, a man leaves father and mother, and in marriage he becomes one flesh with a woman—no longer two individuals, but forming a new unity. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart."  Mark 10:9

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies.



I Corinthians 13

Giving Thanks

Giving thanks for
#30 our sweet Cora who sings, "Jesus Loves Me," in the car, into the microphone, in the backyard or wherever suits her fancy
#31 friends who encourage me
#32 strangers who do the same
#33 calm amidst the craziness
#34 unexpected gifts (thank you, Jessica)
#35 cool spring night with the one I love
#36 sausage on the fire pit
#37 Refiner's fire
#38 Committing Colossians 1 to memory
#39 my friend who did as well
#40 rising above
#41 Jesus paid it all...o praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead

Joining Ann and others in giving thanks today.
Won't you join us too?

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time, there was a sweet mommy who had two sweet little girls, and was left to raise them on her own. The oldest little girl, Christy, was in first grade, and the youngest little girl, Cindy, was a toddler. The mommy did the very best she could as a single mommy, but she was very lonely, despite the company of her precious little ones, and prayed, begging God to bring her a Godly husband. After many months of praying in desperation, one of the mommy's friends from work told her he had a friend she might like to meet. So, one day, the man's friend knocked on the mommy's door. She was very nervous, but opened the door, and to her delight, her knight in shining armor was on the other side! It was love at first sight, and after a few weeks of courting her, the knight in shining armor asked for her hand in marriage. The sweet little girls were thrilled! They really liked this man, and were excited to think they would have a new daddy. So, the couple made plans to get married, and joined their families together just a few short weeks later! The little girls were a little bit confused and sad to know their last name did not change when their mommy's did, but they pretended it did anyway. After a couple of years, the mommy and daddy asked the little girls what they thought about the daddy giving his last name to them. They were delighted and could not wait! So, the mommy and daddy, the little girls and their new little brother went to the court house. They stood before the judge and the little girls, Christy and Cindy, said, "Yes sir," when asked if they would like to take the name of their new daddy. The judge explained that the big word for what was happening was "adoption." The little girls and the rest of the family were very happy. God had made them all a great big family! They all wore blue shirts with a picture of their house on the front with the words, "God made us a family," and on the back was the first AND last name of each family member. It was all very sweet, and it took place on April 5, 1982. Every April 5 thereafter has officially been known as Langston Day for the mommy, daddy, little girls and little boy.

What a blessing for my mom to have found her knight in shining armor and a wonderful daddy for her little girls all wrapped in one great package! I am forever thankful! Happy Langston Day (a day late)!

Baptism

Sunday, Carleigh and Luke were baptized. We were all so excited! 

Carleigh went first. They were both a little bit nervous, but they did great! You never know what Luke has up his sleeve, but he didn't pull anything like doing a canon ball entry or shakying his hair like a shaggy dog when coming out of the water. I'm sure if the seed would have been planted he would have been tempted. He kept trying to look under the curtain while we were all backstage and the praise band was leading music.

Their sweet little souls are so precious. Jesus said we should all come to him just as little children. I hope and pray Carleigh and Luke's walk with God is made stronger every day. I pray they will be giants for the Lord. I have to remember too, that they are watching Kelvin and me. Oh Lord, that I would be a good example for these children. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Living a Life of Thanks

Giving many thanks for...

#23 "His peace guards my heart and mind." Phillipians 4:7 And again, His Word is just what I needed and showed up at the perfect time.
#24 Bountiful blessings at church yesterday. Our Carleigh and Luke were baptized. Many friends and family stood in their honor. I was so proud I almost burst!
#25 a man, my man, who has stood by my side during a rough week.
#26 friends with encouraging words and uplifting texts.
#27 a 2 year old who sings, "Happy Birthday" to herself.
#28 daylight into the evening
#29 promise of a risen Savior.

Joining Ann and others in giving thanks today.

Won't you join us too?

Bogged Down

I've been a bit bogged down this week. It's been pretty rough at some points. I wish sometimes the Pollyanna world in my head could be real. I wish everyone spoke to each other with kindness and love, and when they disagreed with each other, they took the time to sit down and talk and share their differences. For the coming days I am claiming "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future." Proverbs 31:25. It sure would be easier not to, though. If you think about it, can you say a little prayer for me? Thanks so much!

Have a beautiful Sunday. I know we will. Carleigh and Luke are being baptized in the morning. Oh glorious day!