Redeemer

Today was the first meeting of Redeemer Church at Lake Nona.  It's been almost 14 years since my dad has led a church.  I have longed for this day for so long even when it seemed like we would be at Metro forever.

I enjoyed our 10 years at Metro Life Church.  There are aspects of a large church that are fun and convenient, but until the process began of beginning Redeemer, I had forgotten what it was like to be a part of the beginning.  To be a part of the planning and dreaming of a new, small church.  I love that my kids will be a part of this.  I pray one day they will have a love for the church like I had when I was younger.  Not just because their friends go there or it is "fun", but a true love for His people and His church.  A desire to serve the community, to want to serve on missions, to give their life away for others.

I pray PJ and I are an example to them as well.  I have watched my dad serve through thick and thin.  Not allowing circumstances to affect how he serves God's people.  I pray my children will learn from him, but also the two of us.

Inspired

I have been inspired by my mom to blog again. The great news is no one will know that I am, so it can almost be like my own personal diary. If I feel the need perhaps I will share I blog again.

For now, an update on my kids.

Kayla - 10 years old

Friends, basketball, horses, reading, and riding her bike are some of her favorites.

Wyatt - 7 years old in two months

Wii, JJ, basketball, riding his bike, Titus, Legos, and Battleship are his passions.

Anniston - 5 years old

Barbies, Pet Shop, bikes, animals, writing her letters, and playing with Danae are her favories.

Danae - Almost 4

Titus, getting dirty, barbies, Ellie, chasing neighborhood cats, playing with Annie are some of her favorites.

Titus - Just turned 3

Anything with Wallace, playing with Danae, annoying Kayla, laying with Wyatt, footballs and swimming are just a few of his favorites.

As for me, these people are my favorite.

A Boy's Life

It amazes me the difference between boys and girls. Wyatt's new obsession is Lego Star Wars. I tried and tried to get Kayla to like some sort of video game. I tried VSmile, Wii, and DS. I don't care so much for gaming, but it does have it's place.

Wyatt started playing Wii about a year ago, but we only had one game since Kayla never really enjoyed it. As a reward for him one day, I took him out and he chose Lego Star Wars to purchase. Dear Lord, it takes everything to keep him off that thing. I didn't even show him how to use it (since I had no idea how to use it), but somehow the child taught himself and was rejoicing today about making it to level 19 or something.

I guess now is the time to start making some rules about playing. When I was a kid, our rule was we could play video games on rainy days. Since we live in the "sunshine state" I am going to have to come up with something different.

Thankfully he still likes to run, romp, and swim outside because, although I enjoy having something quiet for him to do, I do not want a lazy, fat, sit in front of the t.v. type of boy.

I wonder how often most people let their kids play video games? I guess I should start asking around to see what other families do to keep this stuff under control.

Mom

I think I appreciate my mom more this year than ever before. I wanted to take a moment to honor her and tell my kids what she has meant to me.

Kids, your grandmother is one of the most amazing woman you will ever have the privilege of knowing. She has sacrificed her entire life to serve her God and her family. There are maybe fleeting moments she thinks about herself, but when she does you never know it.

She has laid down her life for her husband. She has laid down her life for her kids and she is laying down her life for you guys, her grandchildren. Mommy has watched her go through trials you may never know about, but her faith and trust in God is unwavering. She is a woman of great faith. A faith does not not end when the storms come, when trials overwhelm and when pain increases. Her body may tire, but her faith does not.

She has helped your mommy through some trials. God has used her to help me to love your daddy more, love her God more, and love you guys more. Not only from her example, but from her wisdom.

One day I pray you guys admire and love me the way I love Granma. I pray you will look at me and think "My mommy is strong. My mommy has faith when there seems to be no reason to have it. My mommy loves my daddy and gives her life to him. And my mommy laid down her life for me. My mommy loves her God."

I pray you know your Granma for many years to come, but when the Lord eventually does take her away, I pray her legacy is lived through my life. And through yours.

Just Checking

Does anyone at all still read this blog? Just curious.

I have been reading back over my past posts and realized how wonderful it is! I love reading about my life, my kids life, my thoughts at the time. I was cracking up at the things my kids said and loving reading what was going through my mind. A ton has happened over the past year and I easily forget what happened even 2 or 3 years ago. It is good for my soul to read it.

Therefore, I am going to start posting again. For me and my kids. I want to remember the times of my life. The good and the bad.

Even if no one reads it....

Kittens

Anyone want a kitten? Nate and Amy Graham's cat had some a few weeks ago. They are trying to talk us into getting one.

My kids have already named "their cat".

Quote of the Week

“You must regard parenting as one of your most important tasks while you have children at home. This is your calling…There is nothing more important. You have only a brief season of life to invest yourself in this task. You have only one opportunity to do it. You cannot go back and do it over. You live in a culture in which there are opportunities for you to do things unheard of in history. You are presented daily with scores of opportunities. There is more than you could ever do. [But] to do this job of parenting well, it must be a primary task. It is your primary calling.” Paul Tripp

Prayer

I have been thinking a lot about prayer. Mostly how I pray more often, harder, and deeper when there is something "wrong". Either something going wrong in my life or others.

I do think a lot about how God is in control, that I trust Him, and that all things will work together for my and others good. The problem is that sometimes these, overall good thoughts, should not take the place of prayer. My trust in Him should not make me feel less of a need to pray.





“If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say that it is in one word- Prayer. Live and die without prayer, and you will pray long enough when you get to hell.”

Charles H. Spurgeon

Update

I am not sure I could have taken any longer to update my blog. I certainly hope to be more consistent, but am making no promises. I think my schedule pretty much fell apart during the holidays and I have been unable to catch back up. So, to start off my new found desire to blog, I decided to start with an update.

Kayla - Continues to grow, and learn, and be mommy's little helper. I am amazed at how competent she is with Danae especially. It is nice when that I can send her to give a bath, feed breakfast, or just keep her happy while I get whatever done. She is doing well in school, and her only downfall is her own mothers lack of consistency.

Wyatt - My little buddy turned 4 the end of March. Crazy that it seems like only yesterday he as my crazy, collicky baby and than my out of control toddler. He has really matured here recently and seems like such a little boy. He pretty much talks constantly, which can be interesting at times. He always has the most wonderful questions.

Anniston - Not much has changed with Annie. She is still as cute as can be and loud, and mean, and all the other awesome personality characteristics she has. I do love my little stinker and so enjoy cleaning up her various messes and destructions every day.

Danae - My sweet baby love is now 1. She still does not walk or crawl. Yeah, she is a little slow. I blame it on her eye infection last year. I figure all babies that have eye infections don't learn to walk until they are 5. Right?

So there you have it. I am doing well, already planning for next homeschool year (I WILL be organized, I WILL be organized) and plan on hopefully joining a small co-op to help me keep motivated for the year. I am pretty excited about my curriculum choices, actually, and looking forward to checking everything out at FPEA. Hopefully.

That is about it for now. Thank you for your patience, if you are still out there, whoever you are.






Wyatt and our newest addition, Titus



Anniston and Elsie



Kayla



Danae at her first birthday

Day at Disney

You can see all the pictures on Facebook. There are some really good ones, especially with Annie and Mickey. I think Mickey was in love with Annie. It was so cute!

We had a great day, all the kids did wonderful, and I realized that it really is the most magical place on earth. I just love it there around Christmas time. We also saw the Osborne light show at MGM. That was pretty awesome.

Thanks to mom for working all that out!! You are the best Granma ever!

I do not know how to get my kids back to normal life after The Magic Kingdom. Good thing it is Christmas time!