Weekends & More

Sara watching Micah waiting for a fish to clean

tippy toes

Priceless expression!

ok I think she got over the gross part of it all since she was soon playing with the fish and smiling

This past weekend was busy.  Ever since it started getting warmer and the season of softball and baseball started we find ourselves running in several directions.  Micah has gone crazy with fishing lately.  He went last week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, brought home fish all three nights.

 Friday found Micah and Sara fishing at Blue Ridge, Dillon at a sleep over, Karlee on her way to Paige for a choir trip, and Kyle relaxing.

Saturday, Sara had a game, Kyle team pictures, Dillon & Micah and a friend went to the Verde River to fish, and Karlee still out of town (arriving later that evening).  After Sara's game she went to friends house for a sleep over. Kyle had a friend over for a little while then he spent the rest of the afternoon getting sun burned at the skate park with his friends. I had a terrible headache and laid down telling myself for only a little bit...well I guess with the house empty and quite....let's just say I woke up 2 hours later without a headache and feeling very rested.

Sunday went to church.  I woke up in a very good mood with a happy heart.  I noticed that my family didn't share in this with me, they were irritated but that was alright.  We hadn't gone to church the last two Sundays and so I was excited that we were going.  Afterwards we stayed for the church BBQ and then went home to relax. 

We ended our Sunday evening with a very yummy dinner of grilled fish that Micah & Dillon had caught on Saturday.

All in all with all the running around and everyone scattered at times it was a relaxing weekend.  It was filled with many little things that brought a little joy and peace to our weekend.

Moments of kids getting along, talking nice to each other, listening, my husband holding my hand in church.....

Thank you Lord for the many blessings that you give my family.  Thank you for showing me these blessings in moments when I can't see them.

Kyle doesn't like taking pictures.  I always have to try to catch him when he's not looking.

He says he hates pictures because he doesn't think he knows how to smile.  I think he's smiling just fine.

In everything there is a blessing

The other day a friend of mine called me and asked if I would want to help with a project that they were going to put together to take over to Poland in the summer for a marriage conference.  She thought of me and the cards I like to make and thought it would something that they would want to include in their bags that they were making.  I said sure.  So she gave my number to a woman from the church that was working on these bags.  At first I thought okay sure I can help put something to gather, no big deal for their marriage thing.  I've been in a middle of a storm lately when she had called so my reaction to the word marriage was a little nonchalant.

This morning I met with the woman in charge of getting things gathered up for these bags they will be putting together in Poland.  We met for coffee at a local busy coffee shop.  It was in the middle of the "life" that was going around us that we talked and planned and I became inspired.  Something inside of me clicked and I got excited and wanted to go home and start on the project. 

I had seen this woman between services at church but never met her before.  We shared our testimonies with each other and things about ourselves.  At one point I sat and listened to her about her struggles with her husband and what she has been working on and the Holy Spirit was there, whispering in my ear, I knew then that there was a blessing in this meeting.  The thought popped in my head about my friend that help set this up...."okay you did it again".  It continues to amaze me how God orchestrates things in our lives, how works out a situation or a conversation to have a perfect spot in your life at the moment its needed.

I walked a way with a little insight from a new friend that I could use in my storm of life right now and with excitement to work on putting together little things to remind other married couples about how much God loves them and how much Christ is needed to be right in the middle of their marriage. 

I also realize now that while I work on this project, I've set up a perfect background for God to come work in my heart.

Thank you Lord
Thank you for my dear friend
Thank you for my new friend and our conversation
Thank you for the opportunity to use my creativity in this project to inspire others to put you at the center of their marriage

Our Historic Walk Down Town

Sara has a project that is due May 16th.  She has to do a photographic essay of Historical Buildings here in Flagstaff.  I got super excited to help her with this project since it involved being creative with pictures and picture taking.  Sunday afternoon we parked at the church and began our walk down town.  We took several pictures of buildings but along the way I couldn't help but stop and take some pictures of other views, like trees, flowers things like that.  At one point Sara scolded me gently and said "mom we need to be taking pictures of buildings"  I laughed and said that I was and that it would be alright if I took some other pictures too and sorted them out later when I put them on the computer.  Before too long she was getting into the idea of taking other pictures too not just for her project because she'd ask me to take a picture of her here or there, so we made a little photo shoot out of it all too.  I enjoyed walking around with her, listening to her constant little chatter and questions and being silly too.  She is such a ray of sunshine and happiness.

Kyle & Baseball

Kyle has finally been able to play in a game.  His back seems to have healed and is back in the game, at least by our standards.   The doctor has not cleared him yet and Kyle was crushed but after talking with the nurse and the Physical Therapist assistant and research we have decided to let Kyle play.  I prayed about it for awhile and felt in my heart that Kyle was healed and ready to go.  Kyle hasn't had any pain at all.  We've asked him to continue to take it easy and to avoid skate boarding for awhile and do some back exercises.  The PT lady suggested that I could get a second opinion (she was puzzled by the doctor too) or take Kyle to at least one PT apt. and talk to the therapist and then have him check Kyle then approach the Doctor and have him cleared. So that is or plan.  Kyle has an apt. on Wed with a PT.  We understand that Doctors have to take the high road for protection of themselves and their line of work and the patient, being a little more critical and cautious but I believe that after praying about it all that God has healed Kyle.

Kyle was so excited to play in the game on Friday night.  It was an awesome game too, very intense.  At one point his team looked as though they would lose the game but an amazing turn around and determined ball players turned it around into a win.  The other team at one point has 18 and we had 9 by the end of the long game we had 24 and they had 20.

What's next?

Over the last few days as Dillon's 16th birthday approached I started to...ugh I'm not sure what words to put together but basically I've really started to think about the next stage of life that the oldest kids in the house will start going thru.  Dillon is 16 now and Karlee is 14, she'll be 15 in September.  I sort of feel like all my thoughts are spinning around me.  In this next phase there will be driving, more responsibility, trust, girlfriends/boyfriends, letting go and trusting God.  I think that is the hardest part that I will struggle with.  Today in bible study things sort of clicked again for me and I was soon comforted knowing that I'm not in this alone.  My heavenly father knows the plan and will work out all the little details.

For example my husband and I are really not liking some of the things we have learned that Dillon's girlfriend does.  But aside from talking to Dillon and letting him know our concerns and leading him back to the cross there is nothing more we can do except let it go and let God.

Karlee has decided that she doesn't want to go to counseling anymore.  She had came to us and wanted to go so we got her started.  I started to worry the moment she told me and I saw how irritated and angry she got when I asked her to give it another try.  Maybe by letting this idea of her talking to someone else will open the door for her to go to the Lord and strengthen her faith and walk towards Christ. 

I have fallen in the trap of wanting to control the things that go on in their lives and it hasn't worked and all I do is get upset and stressed out.  Lord I'm sorry for not fully trusting you, not completely letting go and giving it all to you.  As I journey into the "what's next" phase with my teens in the house help me to go to you daily with my concerns and worries and to know that you've got it covered, all worked out to your plan.

Dillon's 16th B-day

My step-son turned 16 yesterday (April 23).  He is towers over me, and he's almost as tall as his dad.  It amazes me how much he has grown and changed just in the short time that I've known him (going three years now) 

We all went out to eat at China Star.  We enjoyed a nice dinner.  Towards the end the kids got a little silly and started playing with their food.  I now know why we don't take everyone out to dinner.  :)

Karlee was tired and when she gets really tired she is so goofy and silly.

Dillon laughing at Karlee

I'm not sure you should laugh when you have jello in your mouth...

Dillon and his girlfriend Shayna

This little jello monster.....her tongue matches her softball shirt

Sara went for ice cream but only came back with a cone.  My silly muffin!

Cheesecake time!

He is almost as tall as his Dad

A happy daddy hugging on his little baby boy...

boys will be boys

It was a really nice evening.  It was great to see everyone getting along, laughing and having fun.  Thank you Lord for blessings us with a nice family evening, celebrating Dillon's birthday.

My Little Softball Player

Saturday was Opening Day for Girls Softball.  Sara is on the Orioles this year.  This year is going to be so much fun watching her play.  It seems that after playing for two years and moving up to minor A that things are starting to finally click and it shows when she is gets out there to play.  She had her first game and her team won.  Sara made a good play in the beginning and really hustled out in the field. 

Sara and her Daddy

Sara is ready

Finally a helmet that fits this year.

I forgot a hat and was complaining about the top of my head getting sun burned so the next thing I know someone puts Karlee's glove on my head.

 It was fun day!  Sunday we'll end our weekend going to a BBQ, celebrating a friend of ours who adopted his step-daughter.  What a great way to end the sunny beautiful, fun outdoor weekend with food and friends. Next week we move on to more games and my step-son Dillon will turn 16 years old tomorrow (Monday April 23)