Vacation

We were on vacation from May 21st until May 28th... we went to Panama City Beach, Florida. It was just beautiful! There are no other beaches, imo, that can compare with those in the Gulf of Mexico! And I'm so thankful that there was no oil from the BP catastrophe there. The beach and the water were just perfect! We went with some friends. This was a first for us; we usually either go alone or sometimes with family.

Ryan (on the right) with his friends, Christina and Truss

Kate with her friend Lauren

Will and his friend Bennie

We enjoyed playing miniature golf. We went to the movies together. Some of us saw Shrek 4, and others saw How To Train Your Dragon. I saw Shrek, and I thought it was a really good movie. It had a really good moral to teach.

We tried a few new restaurants while there, one of them being Five Guys Burgers and Fries. We don't have one of those near where I live, and I thought the food was pretty good. They have an outdoor mall with lots of stores, restaurants, and even a small amusement park type place at Panama City Beach, called Pier Park. That's where we ate at Five Guys. Kate climbed the Rock Climbing Wall and Will jumped on the Super Bungee there.

Mike and Kate decided to try parasailing while we were there. Another first! They enjoyed it, but Mike said it wasn't worth the price they charged!

Mike and Kate way up there!

view from our balcony

me and my sweet hubby

We saw so much more sea life than we have ever seen before!

From our balcony, we watched these dolphins jumping and playing.

It was so cool!

sting rays

Ryan found more than just sea shells while snorkeling.

a rainbow at Pier Park

We spent one afternoon at St. Andrews State Park. Mike wanted to take the kids snorkeling on the jetties there. We saw lots of different types of fish there. We even saw some jellyfish. And I was able to get some great shots of my kids on those rocks.

seahorse we found

We had fun on vacation, but on Sunday night, the family we were on vacation with received heartbreaking news. My friend's sister's daughter was killed in a car accident. She was only 16. She and another friend were on their way home from a high school graduation when an oncoming car swerved into their lane and hit them head-on. So our friends left early Monday morning. The next few days for us were blue. It was hard (and still is) to believe this actually happened. We know the family very well; they were members of our church for years. Our kids have grown up together. They moved away a few years ago, so we haven't seen them much except for the occasional visit when they are back in town to see their family.  I know these next weeks and months are going to be very difficult for them, so I ask you to join me in lifting them up to our heavenly Father.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9

This is what I am praying for them.

Softball = Busy

Okay, I've been away from my blog far too long! So much has happened around here, as I am sure it has with you as well!

We've been caught up in softball around here, just another normal part of our lives.

that's my husband, one of the coaches, and my Kate is 4th from left, front row

Kate, playing short stop

Kate, on deck

I am sad to say that this team has pretty much disbanded before the district tournament even began! Too many girls quit the team. The head coach is going to ask if he can have some of the girls from the younger league brought up to play with us, but we don't expect much. Kate is sad because she loves softball. It is her favorite sport!

On a brighter note, now she will be able to be on the cheer squad at Appling Christian Academy this fall. She will be in 9th grade and she wants to go. She wanted to be on the cheer squad, but the practice schedule for cheer conflicts with softball practice and games. And of course if she had to choose, softball was going to win! Now there is no conflict, so she is happy that at least she can do that!

Happy Mother's Day

I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be a mother.

There is no feeling quite like holding your newborn baby in your arms and experiencing that rush of joy, that mix of emotions known only to a mommy. Watching your child grow, seeing him or her learning, living, and loving... there are no words to adequately describe these "mommy" feelings.

There is a saying that goes something like this: "your children hold your hands for a little while, but your heart forever." And another one says, "your children step on your toes when they're little, and then your heart when they're older."

I guess there is some truth in both of these sayings. They don't hold my hands much anymore, but they certainly have a hold on my heart! And they aren't stepping on my toes anymore either, but they sure have a way of hurting my heart sometimes.

Despite all of the growing pains we've experienced, I wouldn't have it any other way! I am so thankful for the privilege of being a mom to these gifts the Lord has entrusted to my care. My desire is to be a joyful momma, leading my children by example and directing them to the Lord. God is still working on me in this area (among others!). I'm so thankful He hasn't given up on me. I want to walk worthy of my calling.

my blessings

Mother's Day is always a little bittersweet for me. My own dear mother went to be with the Lord when I was 19. Although I love celebrating with my children, I do miss my momma terribly. I had a dream about  her a few nights ago. In my dream, I was in heaven and she was the first person I went looking for. When I woke from the dream, I felt guilty that she was the first person I wanted to see (instead of Jesus!) I don't really know if there is any significance in that dream. I would like to think that the first person I look for in heaven will be my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I guess I just miss her so much, even after all these years.

As I was lying in bed a couple nights after that dream, I was pondering it and thinking about her... and it dawned on me that I am now older than my momma lived to be. That's a weird feeling.

I miss her so much, but I am comforted just knowing that she is in heaven and I will be able to see her again one day! In the meantime, I pray that I can be half the mother to my children that she was to my brother and me.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  3 John 4

Changes

Our youth pastor (who, along with his wife, happens to be very good friends of our family) resigned from his position at our church recently. He has felt God calling him to church plant for some time now, and I guess it was God's time! They have moved to Orlando, Florida.

It was very difficult to say good-bye. How do you say good-bye after 7 years? We all know that this is God's will for them, but does that make it any easier? I am thankful for Facebook, for not only has it been a tool to enable us to keep up with family and catch up with old friends from days gone by, but it will also allow us to keep in touch with Rick and his family!

Tonight, the deacons and their wives and the church staff hosted a dinner to meet a prospective new youth pastor. Yes, I went. Yes, I'm supposed to be staying off my foot. But I felt that this was important. So I hobbled along and walked on my tippy-toes and tried to stay off of it as much as possible.

No, they are not Rick and Christie. But you can't really expect to replace people... friends, anyway.

My heart was comforted. I really like him...and his fiance. They will be married on July 10th. After listening to them share their testimonies, and answer questions, and after talking to them, I felt like they would be very good for our youth.

It was evident that they both have a heart for the Lord, and for youth ministry. I was glad when he said that it wasn't his goal to take the place of the parents in the discipleship process, but rather to be a resource to the parents. He also talked about his having had four different youth pastors in his church when he was a teenager, and that he hopes the Lord will allow him to be in one church long enough to form relationships with the youth, to mentor them, and to help disciple them over a period of many years.

I am thankful that the Lord allowed Rick to be our youth pastor for all of my son's years in youth. It does mean alot to them to be able to form the friendships with their youth pastor.

I hope the Lord will call Matthew and Joni to our church.

Awana Closing Ceremony

We had our closing ceremony for Awana last night.

This is an opportunity for us to reward the children for their hard work, memorizing scripture all year. And to recognize the leaders who spend all their time all year working with the children, teaching them God's truths!

Here is Will, receiving the Excellence Award from the Awana Commander.

This award is earned when three books have been completed in the T&T club.

Will is the only child I have in Awana now. It's kind of sad... The other two are in our church youth group on Wednesday nights. They have all grown up in the Awana program at our church. I think it is an excellent scripture memorization program. By the time they finish Awana they have memorized so much scripture and have learned so many of God's truths!

This is the T&T Club, 3rd - 6th graders

My foot was feeling so much better that I decided to go the ceremony. I just kind of walked around on my tip toes on my left foot. Surprisingly, I didn't have as much pain as the doctor told me I could expect! Therefore, I kind of walked around on it a good bit yesterday afternoon, and this morning.

But by mid-morning, I noticed my foot was bleeding through the bandage. I called the doctor's office and talked to the nurse. She talked to the doctor and then told me that whether my foot felt great or not, I need to try to stay off it as much as possible for the next few days.

So, it is back to the recliner for me...sigh. I didn't get to go to my daughter's softball game tonight. I won't get to take my kids to the "Farm/City Day" tomorrow. Our church deacons and their wives are hosting a dinner meet and greet for a prospective youth minister tomorrow night, that my husband and I are supposed to go to.

On a good note, my 11-year old son made homemade chicken noodle soup for our supper tonight while my husband and daughter were at her game. From the recliner where I was sitting with my foot propped up, I called out each step of the directions to him, and he followed them splendidly! The soup was delicious, and I was so proud of him!

Well, I know this won't last long and I'll be up and around again in no time. Until then, I've got lots of home school catalogs to pore over, pondering next year's curriculum choices.

Foot Surgery

I've been having some foot pain for the past three weeks, so I went to the doctor last Tuesday. It was a plantar wart and the doctor treated it with cryotherapy. Unfortunately, as of today (exactly one week later) it was absolutely zero percent better.

It was supposed to have blistered and begun cracking and peeling by now. But...nothing...stubborn wart.

So I went back in to see the doctor this afternoon, and of course he said he would have to surgically remove it. Yikes! I knew this would be a simple office procedure...therefore I would have to have a local anesthetic (as opposed to general...meaning I would have to be awake and feel this shot). I don't like needles!

He had me lie down on my stomach on the table, and while the nurse began spraying the freezing treatment on it, he injected the anesthetic. I began raising the upper half of my body off the table while simultaneously kicking my "unoccupied" foot! Ouch!

Thankfully, the anesthetic was very quick acting. Literally, within less than a minute I didn't feel anything anymore.

Then the doctor began removing it with a scalpel and cauterizing it with what my daughter described as a "mini-blowtorch!" He did tell me that it went deep. He had to cut and cauterize about half an inch down into my foot. He said it would definitely be very painful when the anesthetic wears off. As of the writing of this post, my foot is still numb and I had the procedure at about 5:30 this afternoon. I plan to take the pain medicine he prescribed in just a few moments and then go to bed. The medicine is to be taken every four to six hours (as needed), so that means I will probably wake up with some pain tonight.

So, to my blogging friend Tom, I can probably empathize (maybe a tiny bit) with you by tomorrow morning! I know it won't be ANYTHING like what he has gone through with his foot surgery, though.

On a lighter note, as the doctor was performing the procedure, he was explaining to the nurse and to me that when he practiced in a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, he performed this very procedure many times in a day. Only, he had a laser to cauterize it with (which meant less chance of damaging healthy tissue), and there was some sort of vacuum attachment that sucked up the burnt flesh so you didn't have to smell it as much.

Oh the joys of living in a small town!

Our Heart

One more post before I go to bed...

I am so excited to announce that today we officially began the adoption process!

No, we don't know who we'll be adopting, or exactly when. This is something our whole family has been in prayer about for quite some time now. We don't know if we'll be taking into our family a little one from some other country, or someone right here in our own state. We just know that after much prayer on our part, the Lord has finally said, "Go."

Right now, we are in phase one, better known as "the paper-chase." We've filled out paperwork, had our names added to a list of prospective adoptive parents. We will await the confirmation of an orientation, then we will begin a seven week course study, undergo home evaluations, interviews with our children (that part makes me a little nervous, having DFACS workers questioning my children about their home life, because after all, we do spank, and we homeschool...lol) and many more requirements to satisfy someone's idea of a good parent!

We are excited to see where God leads. We have friends who have adopted internationally, and when the Lord first began speaking to my heart about adoption, I just assumed that's where He would lead us. International adoptions are very expensive and I'm not concerned about that because I know that if that is His will, then He will supply the funds. But so far, no funds have come pouring in (lol). However, that didn't stop us from praying and seeking God's heart on this issue.

It seems to me (and to my dh as well) that He could be leading us to adopt here in the U.S. So, I set up an appointment with the Department of Family and Children's Services right here in our town. And that's where we are now...

In the "hurry up and wait" stage.

Scuba Dives and Vacation

My boys are almost finished with their scuba dive training. Actually, my oldest is finished. The youngest will finish up in the next couple of weeks.

Homeschool Co-ops

I thought I would share some memories we have made in homeschool this year. Two particular note-worthy events we participated in were co-ops, one on Australia and one on birds.

We really enjoyed both these co-ops, and we all learned so much. Here are some photos from the Australia Co-op:

learning about the geographical features of Australia

learning about animals that are native to Australia

here, the "platypus" had to cross the finish line while carrying his egg between his legs

making boomerangs

making an "emu" refrigerator magnet

"A Taste of Australia" - he didn't like shrimp on the barbie

The next co-op we participated in was about birds. We spent a full year studying birds two years ago, using Apologia's Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day. We learned SO much about birds that year and I was very excited to see how much they remembered during this co-op! Here are some photos:

egg races

holding baby chicks

learning about the anatomy of a bird's feather

discussing the structure and parts of an egg

making pine cone feeders to hang in the trees

learning about different types of bird nests, and how to attract birds to your yard

Whew!!

We are having a busy week at our house already, and it's only Monday; how about you? In addition, our church is in Spring Revival mode right now, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have to post anything much.

And to be quite honest with you, I kind of feel like I'm living in survival mode right now anyway...

You know what I mean...trying to finish up the last of the school work...well, at least get those 180 days checked off and turned in to the superintendent anyway! And schedule in all those ball games and practice days! And... well, the list goes on.

As far as the school work goes, is there anybody else out there who, like me, can't even finish this year's course load before beginning to pore over the homeschool catalogs, eagerly anticipating what we'll pursue for next year's curriculum?? I do love planning what we'll cover next year; it's just this last month of school that somehow gets me down. It happens every year. I don't know; maybe it's just me...

I'm looking forward to tonight's message at revival; can't wait to see what God has in store for me! (I know this post is very sporadic and changing topics too frequently, but I'm just trying to get my thoughts down before heading out the door in a few minutes.) We've had this preacher at our revival services before, and I really like his style of preaching. I think God really uses this man to speak to my heart! Maybe I'll organize my sermon notes and post about what God has taught me after we finish revival!

Sorry for the choppy post! I'll try to do better next time!

ACA Baseball

Today we watched the Appling Christian Academy (where my dh helps coach) boys suffer a heartbreaking loss for region title in Georgia Christian Athletic Association Class AA baseball...

It was a hard fought game for the boys. They rallied to come from behind 7-0, only to lose 18-15. Had they won, this would have been the first time they could claim region champs in Class AA.

Bless their hearts, it seems as if the odds were really stacked against them. They had to travel great distances for three games this week. Today's game not only determined who would claim region title, but also the seating for the state championship tournament. Since both teams had the same record, there was a draw to determine home field advantage. ACA won the draw and was declared the home team, yet had to travel to the other team's field to play... which made absolutely no sense at all! Home team means you play on your own turf.

Despite the loss (and a few bad calls from the officials), the boys displayed a humbling Christ-like attitude, which is more than I can say for one of the umpires. We may be down, but we're not out. This just means we are seated at number 2, rather than 1, going into the state tournament. We still have a good chance of obtaining the state championship. Either way, the boys have an opportunity to give God the glory on, or off, the field.

Words

"How can a mother be frustrated her child is not as she longs him to be, when she herself is not as she longs to be?" - taken from Ann Voskamp's post, "What Every Family Really Needs to Be Strong"


"When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger." Ephesians 4:29 (NCV)

Lately, my words to my children have been anything but edifying. Actually they've been downright harmful...to their souls.

Our Oldest

Another year has been added to the life of my firstborn. I can scarcely believe that he is 19 years old.

Here we are out celebrating his birthday at his favorite restaurant in our small town, Village Pizza

You can tell that he is thrilled about me taking his picture!

I know I say this EVERY time we celebrate another birthday in our family...but really, WHERE does the time go? I guess while they're little it seems as if we'll be in a certain stage of life forever, but it truly does go by faster than we think!

I'm reminded of the words in the song, Don't Blink, by Kenney Chesney. I'm not a big country music fan, but I do like a few songs, like this one, with poignant messages. The chorus goes like this:

     Don't blink

     Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you

     Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife

     Don't blink

     You just might miss your babies growing like mine did

     Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your better half

     Of fifty years is there in bed

     And you're praying God takes you instead

     Trust me friend a hundred years goes by faster than you think

     So don't blink

Lately we've been having some struggles, my oldest and I. I had such a hard time when he moved out for college, and then when he moved back home at Christmas, you'd think I would have been thrilled! I guess the young man that moved back home wasn't exactly the same one who moved out a few months before.

I think it has been a series of power struggles for us...him becoming the independent young man God created him to be, yet me, trying to hold onto his youth and keep him under my wing, so to speak.

Yes, I know there comes a time when I have to really let go...and let God. I thought I had already reached that place, but apparently God is still teaching me how to let go. It hasn't been easy, but I daresay that we have grown in our relationship with each other, as well as with God.

I have two more following closely behind him...

Hopefully, God will help me have this parenting thing all sorted out by the time we reach this point with them. But, most likely, He will not. After all, if I had it all figured out, then I guess I wouldn't need Him. And that would be a sad day, indeed. May I never get to the point where I feel like I don't need God!

I am proud of the godly young man he is becoming, and I am genuinely thankful for the blessing he has been to me. I can see that God has great things in store for him; I can see that God is growing him in wisdom, and in his relationship with Him. I am thankful....

More Easter

our new rabbit, Marshmallow

the night before Easter

Easter morning

our family