Year End Review

WOW, what a year we have had!!  You all know, that Brian and I both were saved and baptized this year, which has made a world of difference in our lives.  Gracie started Pre-K, and she started a new daycare.  Her world has changed too.  She wakes every morning by saying “Just let me sleep in a little longer.”  And since we have been on Christmas break, she has asked almost every day why I can’t retire and stay at home.  I finally got to see my brother, neice and SIL after 9 months, which was a great treat!   Brian and Gracie sang in the Christmas production at church and they did really good!  I learned that I should slow down and enjoy life, especially when it goes by so fast.  Gracie is growing up so fast, and learning so many new things, where is the time going.  She is getting to big for her britches is what is happening!

God, has blessed our family in so many ways this year.   We have so much to be thankful for, we sometimes forget that we are healthy, and loved!   We should be loving on each other as much as possible, and telling each other how much we love them, because you never know what could happen.  We should spend time with family and enjoy it, we should spread our blessings around , and slow down!  We shouldn’t be so selfish with our time, nor should we be about our possessions.   We can’t take them with us when we leave this earth, so why keep them?  We gave more to our toy store at church this year, because God allowed us to do so, and it was honor to do so.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I pray that everyone has a awesome New Year!  Many Blessings to you and yours! 

Be Thankful!

So…I haven’t written in a while, so here it goes…

I have an interesting past couple of months.  Gracie turned 5, Brian got saved and baptized!  Which is totally awesome!  Our family is making a change and for the better I might add.  Gracie has had a great few weeks at school, we are just chugging along at church and work, but something kept feeling like it was lacking.  On my part that is.  I kept feeling like I was lacking in the parenting department and I couldn’t shake it.  What if I wasn’t making the right decisions when it came to Gracie, why couldn’t I get her to listen, I didn’t want to have to get in her grill all the time to make her listen because then all I felt like I was doing was yelling and punishing.  I wanted “THAT LOOK”.  You know that look I am talking about, the ones our mom had, the silent but deadly look, we got and we knew we were gonna get it if we didn’t straighten up.  I realize she is 5 and just a little girl, but I want to do everything in my power to make sure she is safe and that she grows up to be a respectful young lady.

But today I read something that kind of put everything into perspective for me, and it kind of  hits home with me:

We yell, control, walk in silence, are short, abrupt, react, discipline out of anger, and so many of us make the shift from walking in GRATITUDE to walking in GRIPEITUDE!

PARENTS!! I acknowledge that life is tough at times, but we must remember that we have so much to be grateful for!

• Be thankful for kids! Some couples are unable to have kiddos.
• Be thankful that you have the resources to feed your kids.
• Be thankful that your kids are healthy.
• Be thankful that God has given your kids special gifts, passions, and abilities.
• Be thankful that God trusts you enough to give you kids.
• Be thankful that your kids have some spiritual hunger.
• Be thankful that Romans 8:29 says “all things work together for good”.
• Be thankful that when you are not in control…that God is.
• Be thankful that God loves your kids more than you!

Here are a few verses to help you regain perspective…

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Ephesians 5:20

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1

First Day of Pre-K

Here it is, it came and went like a flash of lightning.  Yes, we all cried, but I did leave her there, so that is a start, right?  I had to run out the door, while she was crying but that is an everyday occurrence.  I waited until I was almost to the car and then the waterworks started.  I know she will be fine, but she is growing up!  She was so excited this morning and I can not wait to pick her up in a little bit and hear all about it!

 

Gracie’s First Day of Pre-K

Starting Pre-K

On the eve of Gracie starting Pre-K, I must say I am a little overwhelmed.  I can’t believe my little girl went from this

 

To this

 

Where has the time gone??  She is super excited, she says, so we shall see in the morning! 

What is Guaranteed?

There are some things in life that are never guaranteed.  You are not guaranteed happiness, you have find happiness, and create it.  It comes with those who you choose to surround yourself with.  Love is not guaranteed, until you have a child, and then you will certainly know unconditional love.  I mean the kind of love that hurts when they hurt, the kind of love that is never ending.  I had a friend who lost a child Saturday.  That child just recently celebrated his first birthday.  He recently got to come home from a lengthy stay in the hospital.  He was at home when he passed away with his family, where he should have been.  No mother or father should ever have to lose a child, it is probably without a doubt the hardest thing they will ever have to go through.  I can’t even begin to fathom what they are going through right now.  One thing that is guaranteed though, eternal life.  They will both get to spend eternal life with their child,who will no longer be sick, he will be a healthy baby boy in heaven!

Please take time out to say a prayer for this family for healing and grace to make it through this difficult time. 

Moments that Matter

You know, things in life start looking a little different when a holiday rolls around.   I wish that wasn’t the case, but it is true it happens to everyone. 

With Father’s Day around the corner, I would like to praise the Lord for my husband. I'm so blessed to be married to him and pray for his continual leadership of our family.  He is trying so hard, and doing a wonderful job at it. 

I know that he gets to be the fun one most of the time;  he gets to eat popsicles with Gracie, and wrestle with her, and dance out in the middle of the garage like no one is watching.  But he also has to be the stern one sometimes too, but is very quickly forgiven.   Kids forgive so quickly.  He is making memories with Gracie that will never be forgotten.

Not that I couldn’t do all of that stuff too, but I am usually in the  house cleaning up after dinner, or do laundry. 

So, Brian Lynn, thank you for just being you!  You make me laugh every day! Olive Juice!

Revelation

You know there are some things in life that you just have to turn over to God.  Let God handle it.  If I didn’t do this with certain things, I would be lost.  I know he has the answers for me, and sometimes I am not listening.  Sometimes I am doing other things and not paying attention.  When I just sit and open my heart and ears I hear it…It makes it all better!  What a difference one single thing can make! 

Here is my favorite part of this song!

I know that you are holding all the answers
I'm tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

It is all about giving it to him, he has the answers, just listen…I just hope that I wasn’t listening to the wrong thing :)

What about when I get older?

Gracie is 4 years old, and she is always asking for things for the future.  Like she wants an iPad when she turns 7, and a cell phone when she is 5.  What makes her think we are buying her an iPad, before we buy ourselves one?  So, I started thinking, what do I want when I get older…

• To go to the restroom by myself, with no little fingers or dog paws under the door.
• I want to be able to take Gracie to Disney World, and let her get dressed up by the princesses
• I want to be able to hold a conversation with my child without her whining, “but MOM!”
• I want Gracie to be able to trust me enough and not hold anything back, I want her to tell me everything, even though I may not want to hear it, I still will listen!
• I want her to never be afraid to tell the truth, no matter what, I don’t want her lying.  That is a personality trait that I can’t stand!
• I want her to understand that even though I sent her to daycare every day, I loved and missed her dearly.  But Mama has to work baby!
• I don’t want her to remember the times that I was too tired to play, or that I used the TV as a babysitter, I want her to remember every time I got in that floor and colored with her, or played Barbie's with her.
• I want her to know the countryside, I want to be able to take her on trips all over the place!
• I don’t ever want her to be too spoiled to wear Wal-mart clothes, I want her to embrace it and wear it with pride, and never make fun of someone that is wearing it.
• I want her to be friends with everyone, be nice to everyone, no matter the color of their skin, their looks, or a disability…be nice to everyone
• I want her to know the Lord, and pray to him when she fears something, he will guide her through it
• Most of all, I want her to know that her Dad and I love her very much and that we would do anything in the world for her…except bail her out of jail (the first night anyway) LOL!

San Antonio Trip

We took a family vacation and went to San Antonio for a few days.  Took Gracie to the Alamo, the Zoo, Riverwalk, and Shopping.  She got a lot of stuff, and a good time was had by all!

 

 

Swimming

Gracie went swimming for the first time this summer on Mother’s Day weekend.  She said the water was freezing, but she didn’t care

 

 

My oldest nephew

Well, Harrison, my oldest nephew graduated about a week ago.  I am so excited to see where God leads him in his life.  I can’t believe that this little boy

 

grew up to be this big boy! 

 

Gracie answers questions about me

Last night at Mission Friends at church, the ladies asked Gracie a bunch of questions about me, and I want to share some of them with you:

What is something Mom always says to you?  Kiss Me Goodnight

What makes Mom sad?  Pinkie bites her

What was your Mom like as a child?  Watch TV

How old is your Mom?  14

How tall is she?  70

What is her favorite thing to do?  Clean

If your Mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  Going on TV at a Restaurant  (I was actually on Discover Oklahoma while they were filming at Guiseppes’)

What does your Mom do for a job?  Eats lunch

How are you and your Mom the same?  We have silver hair

What does your mom like most about your dad?  Kissing

Oh, how I love this girl.  I am so proud to be her mother!  And speaking of mothers, I am so very thankful, that the good Lord saw it fit to bless me with the mother I have.  She is just so great!  I love you mom!

Ok, so I am a horrible blogger…

Well, I have been busy is all I have to say… Here is a look at some of our Easter Pictures:

Here is Brian in his Easter Play at Church.

Easter at Aunt Kenna’s House

And Gracie Lou in her dress

She is something else!  We went to the dentist two days ago and they found a cavity, so that should be fun.  We leave for our trip to San Antonio in one week, and Harrison is graduating high school!  WOW, time flies!

What in the World??

So, I am going to  get on my soapbox here.  Have anyone noticed that there is a a lot of talk about bullying lately in the news?  It is so sad that these kids have to make other kids feel inferior to them.  I don’t care what you call it picking on them, just playing that got out of control, or bullying, your kids should not be doing it!!  And they should be punished if they are caught doing it.  I just saw a news story where a 5 yr old got tied up to a pole with a rope, duct taped his mouth shut, and cut his clothes, by an 11 year old.  The mother wanted to file a police report, but was told that they couldn’t file charges on kids this young.  Didn’t a 9 yr old murder someone in Colorado not to long ago?  They filed charges on him…I don’t want this happening to anyone in my family especially my daughter, and I plan to talk to her extensively about it, and continue talking about it.  This is an issue that will never go away, if she doesn’t know how to handle it.  I am very saddened by this and I am scared that my child will have to face it someday.

A new day…

So, yesterday was a brand new day for me.  A whole new experience for me, that I was so ready for, and didn’t know all this time.  I got baptized.  I think my husband was more anxious than me the whole day, I was ready for it, let’s get this show on the road!  I went behind the stage to get dressed and as we waited, one by one went in, I sat and waited patiently for my turn.  There it was, I was next, I asked if it was too late to go to the restroom :)  No turning back now, I walked out there, and smiled from ear to ear the whole time.  I kept thinking my face is on the big screen, you have to smile, plus I was happy!  I don’t remember a single word Brother Joe said to me, besides do you believe in Jesus, of course I answered Yes, Sir.   Then came the time to get out of the water, OH MY, first step, good night, second step, what in the world, everyone is watching me, third step, I’m out, and this robe has suctioned cupped itself to my body!  I thought, you need to get yourself off of that stage and fast.  I never thought about that part!!  And the towel, well I might as well had a washcloth, it didn’t cover ANYTHING!!  Oh well, that is not what we were there for right? 

 
See I told you I was cheesing!  There I was on the big screen!

I really don’t have to hold my nose to go under water!  Plus I think I grabbed my nose a little too quickly, he wasn’t ready yet.

It was a whole new day for me!  I couldn’t quit thinking about it last night, therefore I didn’t fall asleep until well after 11, but it was all worth it! 

Time out!!

Do you ever need to put yourself in a time out?  I need a time out today!  I need a break, a break to sit and think about some things.  A break to quietly pray about some things.  Maybe I will get it, at 10:00 PM tonight :)

You are more…

Sometimes things in life just have a way of working themselves out.  It is really funny how they work out, but they always do.  I am amazed to see some of the changes and good stuff  that is happening around me.  My cousin’s little boy is actually starting to talk a little, Thank you lord!  He is mimicking what his parents are saying, which is awesome!  Good job Colie Polie!  I am getting baptized Sunday night, that is a big change.

Gracie stopped going to children’s church, her choice, but she LOVES staying in her actual class, and helping out Miss Della.  If she loves doing it, then I am not going to pressure her to go to a different class.  Last night, talking to Brian, I told him, how I didn’t know but maybe 3 or 4 stories of the bible, literally.  I am not ashamed to admit it, I just don’t know them.  So, he suggested that while reading Gracie her bedtime story, I get her picture bible out and read that to her, that way we both learn the stories.  Needless to say, we learned a lot last night.  Gracie also sang the Father Abraham song to me, which was a nice treat.

Brian and I are having to do our daily devotionals at night for our marriage class, which makes us talk about things, that we normally wouldn’t talk about.  And it is nice to sit down and talk every once in a while.

Also, we are having date nights at church, to go along with the marriage class.  We are dropping Gracie off this Friday, and Brian & I are going on a date!  For 3 whole hours we get to be alone.  What are we going to do??

It is really nice to see all the good things happening in my life and my family’s lives, and believe me I am so thankful for them. 

SO, on that note, I heard a song this morning, that said:

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

If we all believe in our hearts that this is true, we can truly move on from the bad stuff in our lives, and start enjoying the good stuff.  That is what matters anyway right, the good stuff! 

Marriage Class…

So, Brian and I started a marriage class last night at church, and I am SUPER pumped about it.  There is a daily devotional that goes along with it, so tonight for Valentine’s Day, after Gracie goes to bed, what will be more romantic than pulling out our study guides and going over the first lesson?  NOTHING, I tell you, Nothing!  We are both eager to learn from this, we just hoped it was longer.  It is only 4 weeks, boo hoo!  Oh well, 4 weeks is 4 more weeks to a better marriage! 

Anyway, there are a lot a great people in our class and funny too, we both feel comfortable enough to talk and share!  So, here goes nothing…

Famous Quote…

“I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. First, let her think she’s having her own way. And second, let her have it.” -Lyndon B. Johnson

What a smart man! :)

Gracie’s First Sleepover

Gracie had been dying to have a sleepover, so I planned one, a surprise one.  I invited her cousins, Cailynn and Callie to come over and spend the night.  They were excited as well.  I told Brian we would get pizza, snacks, and let them play all night!  Luckily they were dropped off early enough and the weather cooperated, so they could go outside for a while.  They ran around and rode Gracie’s 4-wheeler.  They ended up not going to sleep until after 11:30, but it was so worth it.  Gracie was already asking to have them over again!

We need help!

We have SO much junk in Gracie’s room, and I can’t seem to ever get ahead of it.  I throw away, garage sale, and give away ALL-THE-TIME!  I am at a loss of what to do with all her stuff.  Please help, I need suggestions.  This spring, I would love to redo her room with paint and a actual bed set, along with curtains, but I need help.  Please I will take all suggestions!

AND i don’t want to hear one thing about quit buying her stuff, I didn’t buy all this stuff, you all did, for Christmas, birthdays, etc… Ok, maybe I did buy the shoes, but I swear, a lot of this other stuff came as gifts.   She is definitely one loved little girl!

Why do they always have to name it?

What is up with the weather guys and always having to name the storms that come through Oklahoma?  This one we are getting right now, Snowmaggedon 2011 is what I hear they are calling it, sometimes Blizzard of 2011, Snowocalypse, who cares!!  You know what, it is flippin cold, and blowing snow outside!  I don't care what you call it!  All I know is, my heater has been on non-stop since about 1:00 am, and it is still 67 degrees inside, and even though I left one of our faucets dripping last night, the shower was still frozen this morning.  Yes, I finally got it to come on, so at least I don't stink!  Brian had to dig out of 3 foot snow drift this morning to get his truck out of the garage to go to work.  Needless to say, he is not a happy camper.  Would you be if your pants were soaking wet, and your tail was freezing cold?  Our dog has peed in the kitchen floor, AND pooped in the living room!  All in all, I would say it was a typical snow day!  But I am very thankful to have what I have, especially electricity!  And to not have to work out in it.  Unlike my brother, who was at work outside, at 5 AM this morning with 5 layers of clothes on, in Elk City, OK.  Please pray he doesn't get frostbite!  Hope y'all stay warm!

Easy Beef Skillet Recipe—Looks good and easy

Zesty Beef & Rice Skillet
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 30 min.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 boneless beef sirloin steak, 3/4-inch thick, cut into strips (about 1 pound)

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Picante Sauce

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® Beef Stock

1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice

Chopped fresh parsley

1. Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until it's well browned, stirring often. Pour off any fat.
2. Stir the picante sauce, broth and rice in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender. Sprinkle the beef mixture with the parsley, if desired.

Makes: 4 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each).

What a trip…

So you ever been on the best trip ever and enjoyed it so much, you couldn’t wait to go again?  What if you had a child with a disability?  The ride of everyday life felt like a rollercoaster ride.  Trying to keep life in general going around the house for the other members of the family, plus your work life, and then on top of all that every appointment that your child with the disability has, and trying to be there for each and every one of them.  My hat goes off to you.  I am just tired looking at you.  Well, here is a story that someone sent me that kind of puts things into perspective:

A Trip to Holland

By Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability -- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans... the Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel, Gondolas. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting. After several months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives.

You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland!" "Holland?" you say. "What do you mean, Holland? I signed up for Italy. I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy." But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place full of pestilence, famine, and disease. It's just a different place.

So, you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It's just a different place. It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around. You begin to notice that Holland has windmills. Holland has tulips. And Holland even has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, " Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that experience will never, ever, ever, go away. The loss of that dream is a very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

Christmas Time and a Happy New Year

Well, we made it.  We made it through another year.  And I, for one am ready to begin a new year!  I am looking forward to this year!  Gracie starts Pre-K for one.  My baby girl is growing up.  WOW!  I know, we aren’t going to handle this well :)   Another reason to look forward to the new year, is that I hope our family all gets well and stays well.  I pray that this is the year of Good Health. 
Anyway, Gracie had a wonderful Christmas and got WAY too many presents.  I should have just bought her a cardboard box, she doesn’t really play much with toys I did buy her, except her guitar Brian gave her.  It is quite a funny site to see.  Although she loves her American girl doll, and all her Barbies.  AND don’t forget her Twinkle Toe shoes.  I haven’t gotten her to wear any other shoe but those since Christmas, so those were a hit.
  




The next week, Kara and I braved Chuck E. Cheese for the very first time, and Gracie and Jacob had a great time.  As a matter of fact, Kara is having Jacob’s party there, so all the kids will be so excited for that!  Parents, bring your medication! LOL!  Kara and I split 75 coins and we were there almost 2 hours.  It took forever, but it was truly fun!  Gracie was worn out and she said she had the best day ever.  The rest of my vacation, was spent cleaning, doing laundry, cleaning out junk, putting away Christmas stuff, and the list goes on and on…  I did not want to come back to work this week.  I have slept through my alarm once already this week
Oh yeah, Brian’s dad, Mike had surgery this past week for prostate cancer, he went home yesterday and all looks really well.  Please keep him in your prayers!
I am really going to try to do better with pictures this year and this blog.