Catch up Parent Moments/More

Teenagers!  Gotta love them.

My son Kyle, is now 14 years old.  I'm not sure what is store for us as he grows and changes but I know God will prepare us and help us.

The frustrations that I was dealing with Karlee on having a boyfriend was short lived.  Valentines Day she came home with flowers, candy and new shoes from Vans (Ian works at the Van store...discount)  Two days later she came home and said that we didn't need to worry about any rules right now because he went back to his ex-girlfriend that he kept his eye on at the dance he had taken Karlee too.  She said it didn't bother her and that she was okay.  I didn't believe her at first but I discovered she really was alright.  Apparently this guy was even a gentlemen when he talked to her and told her that his feelings had changed.  So I'm thinking that God was testing Karlee and I.  I think now we will be prepared for the next "boyfriend".

Just when things couldn't get more frustrating with Karlee...she adds to the list of lying to me.  I was crushed with disappointment.  I actually have Dillon to be thankful for in that I had this feeling that I shouldn't trust Karlee's word this time and called the school to find out for myself.  She ditched her last period class on her short day at school.  I had gotten an attendance call to my phone and an email sent to me.  I questioned Karlee and she said that she had a sub and maybe she didn't hear her answer when her name was called.  I told her to go to the office and fix it.  The next day I called and was told that there had been no sub for that class.  I wasn't too upset that she ditched (I never did but...) but more hurt that she felt like she had to lie to me.  She said she was sorry that she had lied.  She didn't feel like going to class, she had a bad morning and they were reviewing so she sat in a friend's car during that period.

Communication has been hard and tight off and on with us.  I'm swimming in uncharted waters without a floating device....oh wait I do have something...someone keeping me afloat in all this crazy water....my Lord and Savior!  So thankful

I find myself praying more and talking less to my daughter.

Jesus you are my navigator.  I do not know what lies ahead for me each day or moment with my children on this journey of parenthood.  Grant me the confidence to trust in your guidance and your strength. 

Our new friend

 

 

Meet Bosco!

 

This is our new little buddy!  We are enjoying him so much.   He has a sweet and loving personailty and he loves to play.  It will be a week tomorrow that we have had him and its amazing how quickly he has settled in.

 

Its crazy to see the affect he has had on the kids.  Especially on Karlee, she can take them or leave them.  For some reason she has always had a fear of these four legged creatures.  I don't remember her being bite or anything that would cause the fear but it is what it is.  She comes home excited to see him and gets down on the floor and pets & talks to him.

 

I think there may a little competion between Micah & I trying to win over his heart more than the other.  Micah was so attached to Cassie.  But I have a feeling that Bosco will be a friend to all and love us all just the same and not leave anyone out.

 

Some people are not animal lovers but they can be so healing and a happy corner in your heart.  We are thankful for these little 4 legged critters :)

A Writing of Love

There is just something about writing a note to someone.  It leaves me with such a good feeling.  Like I'v accomplished something for the day.  A note is so full of love and more rewarding than an email or a text message. 

A note is cherishable.  I'm thankful for the moments that God allows me to take to write out notes of love, friendship & encouragment.  Thank

Humility, Forgiveness & Love

Really saying what's in my head.......

Wow don't know where that came from.  Oh wait it came from me...wait did I really say that...I thought that was in my head for my viewing & hearing only.....ooops.

So last night Micah was messing around and teasing me.  He also was saying random, crazy, senseless, inappropriate things at the time too.  He was acting like a teenage boy I know that looks like him....Anyways you get the idea.

For the most part I just usually roll my eyes and ignore him but I had enough apparently.  Micah had made a comment at one point in the evening saying that the alochol was loosening his mouth up and the things that he normally keeps in his head were just spilling out.

Anyways I was making popcorn on the stove and I lost it!  Emotionally lost it!  I let the hurt show in my voice and the tears that had been held in for so very long were now being unleashed slowly  hand the "words that had ben in my head" lately came spouting out too.  Expressing my true feelings and state ofmind lately in regards to my relationship with my husband.

I simply spoke the truth "I tell you I love you all time.  I tell you I appreciate you and I hug and kiss on your when it annoys you...Can you just show me in your words & actions that you love me?"  Then I brought up what he was like before when we dated years ago....well I knew better and shouldn't have went down that road---after he spoke his next comment that is when the tears rolled down my face and I got so frustrated with him.

Seriously he went down the road of how I was physically different compared to now...

He walked away and went upstairs.  I finished making my popcorn and wiping my eyes.   I sighed deeply and felt bad.  I didn't want to get upset and have him move further away from me....

I headed upstairs with a yummy bowl of buttery popcorn.  I put it down on my dresser when I got into the room and went to Micah.  I hugged him and I told him that I was sorry.  I was sorry for expressing my thoughts that I know hurt him and make him feel like "see no matter what I do its not good enough"  and that I didn't want him to feel bad and that I love him no matter what and that I know he loves and cares for me in his own way and taht I didn't want to push us further away from drawing closer to eachother.  I'm sorry.

I felt his arms tighten around me and I know by the change in his face and his arms he felt bad and was sorry too. (it was like scolding a child or re-directing him)

He said he was sorry too and I saw the gently kindness in his eyes.

(we shared popcorn and watched a movie)

Today I shared

Today I shared in the Ladies Bible Study.  I was a little nervous but apparently I pulled it off alright, according what others said so that is good.  I actually enjoyed sharing quite a bit.  I realized afterwards that talking about something that you have a passion for is not really hard to express to others.  So below is my outline that I used to share I thought I'd share it with you here too.

When I think about my prayer life, I try to think about all the things that I’ve done to make it what it is.  But I can’t take credit for it.  Yes, I make the time in the morning to sit down on my couch with a cup of coffee and my bible and my journal.  Yes, I write in my prayer journal and look to scripture for wisdom and comfort but I don’t think its me doing all that on my own.  Its God.  I think all the tools that we learn to help us with our prayer life are great and very helpful.  (I have come to really enjoy my prayer cards)  But I think the turning point in my prayer life was when I totally surrender to God and his ways.  When I became so desperate, in that helplessness part of my life…..the moment I wanted to give up on what he had placed in my life to call it my life….my family…my marriage…etc.

It was that moment when I gave it to him….when I surrendered when prayer life came to “life”…when I could hear his voice and feel his guidance and know when he burdened my heart to pray for the needs that he placed there.

I don’t know where I would be if I was on my own….it wouldn’t be good.  But its because of surrender that has lead me into my dependence on the Lord and to have the prayer life I have.

I do use a journal.  I use index cards….I talk to Him many times during the day…..All this to say is that I think because of my helplessness….desperation and surrender to the Lord that is why I can’t go a day without praying….having a conversation with the Lord in order to take a step daily into this world with all that I find myself in.  I can’t do life without him or praying.

Praying brings peace and hope and most of all a closeness to God.

Surrendering is the key to having a prayer life.  The moment you totally give up and look upwards is the moment that you will have a prayer life that is not “planned out” that just happens with your Lord and Savior.

My prayer life and the constant looking for the joys and blessings in my life are the only things I find that helps me each day in every moment in this world….in all my trials and storms of life.

Surrender leads to thankfulness….you will always have something to be thankful for in your prayers.

(Share a couple of examples of pray being answered)

 

Now when it came to share some examples I wasn't sure what to say so I talked with my a very good friend/mentor of mine and she really helped.  Basically prayers are usually not answered in this big huge eye opening thing that you can't but help notice.  Instead its in the little things that God answers our prayers and he meets us right where we are in our life.  It's wonderfully amazing and comforting that He does this.  And she also helped me see how He has answered my prayers with my step-son and in my marriage.  God has given me so much grace to handle all the little and big moments in my life, the peace that I feel in the midst of it all is a God given gift.  Thank you so much Lord.  I can't do it on my own and you are there.

Parent Moment 2-17-14

I was so tired yesterday and I sort of didn't feel good.  I didn't want to go here and there after work with this kid and then here with the other, but I did because that is part of my "mom job".  So it's around 8:00 pm and I'm sitting in the church parking lot waiting for Karlee to come out from youth worship team practice and I look at my phone and I had a message.  Sara sent me a message.  She was in the bath tub when I had left.  It was a picture of her wrapped in a towel fresh and clean with wild wet hair and a silly smile on her face.  I couldn't help but laugh and smile to myself.  That little moment gave me a little burst of energy to wait a little longer for Karlee and then make it home to put my jammies on and relax.  I'm thankful for the little things.

Parent Moment 2-16-14

As uncomfortable and cautious I feel about Karlee having a boyfriend in high school I couldn't help myself but to bounce on her bed with joy and a smile to ask her how was the movie and ask a bunch of questions almost like a teenager myself.

Then it was nice to go down stairs and have breakfast toghter-yogurt, fruit and muffins.  We sat and talked a little more on the serious note of things but still keeping it light.  She responded well, we teased and laughed too.  A nice way to start my day with my beautiful daughter.