Class Christmas Party

I had the best time going to Cameron's class Christmas party! The classroom Mom party planners at his school are serious and the food, games and crafts are TOP NOTCH! Cameron has a great teacher and she has done so much to help him stay on task this semester! She has read questions with him, helped him ask questions to process better, and also have helped him build his confidence. He has some sweet friends he plays basketball and football with and he loves going to school.

These things all came into play when God started prompting me to bring him home next semester. I've never thought it was an option, as parenting and training have been my main priority and I just haven't ever thought I could also tackle his academics. He's had some GREAT teachers who have loved him taken great care to teach him, but now it's my turn. It's been a month of praying, talking and questioning, but Richard and I have agreed to obey what I feel in my heart.

Cameron's heart is on the line. He is impressionable and drawn to anything that he thinks is fun, no matter it's value. He is incredibly drawn to cultural songs and media and things that might make him "cool." He is like many 8 year olds and school just isn't that important to him. He weighs every assignment with this question..."How long will this take?" My goal is to give him lots of repetition, make learning fun, give him opportunities to build his confidence, and help set his moral compass. I want him to trust me more, listen to me more, and know that I can be the loudest voice he hears...until, of course He hears the Lord.

We will also do Bible study and memory and I know it will have a positive effect on him that only the Holy Spirit could direct. I know days will be hard, weeks will be long, and days when Richard is gone may be more frustrating, but HIS STRENGTH IS PERFECT.

Not a Factor

When someone thinks of volleyball players they probably think of tall, strong folks who can SLAM the ball over the net. Well, Sheridan is neither tall or particularly strong but she's playing! Her height is not a factor but her work ethic is. She's also a bit of fun on the court. I mean, she's a little taller than the lower ribbon on the net...she stands behind the TALLEST girls during some of the set up, and yet, she's getting a little playing time on the 8th grade team. I'm proud of her hard work and keeping her chin up even though she's not in the starting group and sometimes doesn't get much playing time. I'm glad she's not sitting at home wishing she could play. Thankful for coaches who see determination and let her travel and play.

Photo cred: Double R Sports plus

Back to School Week

3 packets of info to fill out, 1 picture collage, 10 new remind apps, and 3 full backpacks.
45 minutes in lines to get 3 kids after school today.
One parents night at the elementary school and a volleyball parent meeting with more paper work to fill out...concussion forms!?

This week:
Junior High:
$5 locker fee
$10 choir t shirt
$24 2 junior high booster club tshirts
$15 choir uniform fee
Middle School:
$30 band instrument rental fee
$45 generic instrument mouth piece
$11 beginner band book
$10 PE t shirt
$10 band t shirt
Elementary School:
$5 PTO membership

Wild Week

Whoa. I'm sitting in a room filled with my family watching a crazy movie but I have so much in my head I need to record it. It's been a WILD WEEK. There are times when so many things come up that it's hard to balance emotionally, physically and mentally while still talking nicely to Richard and my kids! Of course, if I was healthier I could probably do the days better...and if I kept up with all my meds and kept us all on task, I would probably do better too. But this week I crashed because I'm not healthy and had so much to do and keep up with, I did not do well. I feel better right now than I have all week, so I can record how God sustained me even when I do not have strength.

There is NOTHING like a bad day, bad week or a bad situation to show me how He has the whole world and even me in His hand.

Last Sunday I got to sing in our praise team. I got to lead two songs because someone on the team was sick. I was swept up into the Holy Spirit's anointing during the singing and even though I know He always wants me there when I'm leading, he also was preparing me for the week ahead.

Christ Is Enough:

Christ is my reward and all of my devotion

Now there's nothing in this world that could ever satisfy

Through every trial my soul will sing

 No turning back, I've been set free

Christ is enough for me, Christ is enough for me

Everything I need is in You, everything I need

Christ my all in all, the joy of my salvation

And this hope will never fail heaven is our home

Through every storm my soul will sing

Jesus is here to God be the glory

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back, no turning back

The cross before me, the world behind me

No turning back, no turning back

Monday: Sheridan had volleyball every day this week. Richard was home and we took everyone to the movies (we don't ever do that) to celebrate the last week of summer.

Tuesday: Volleyball, trips up the house to order blinds, Richard out of town. Sheridan's Open House at the Junior High at 6pm. (#1)

Wednesday: Cameron's teacher is listed at noon and Jordan and Cameron's friends come over to play all afternoon. Meanwhile, I have details about my upcoming event that are completely out of my hands.  Not only do I need to be chasing down things, but I'm distracted by packing and keeping kids sane on this last week at home. I make a decision to postpone our BIG marketing day until details are worked out, and need to send mass emails and social media posts to let people know.

Thursday: Richard is home and tying up all loose ends on our house so we can move in. We decide to move in next weekend, but move non-essentials this weekend. Lauren comes over to help and helps me get things orderly so I can feel OK about how we're going to do this. Cameron has open house at his elementary school. (#2) The driveways are laid at our house although we didn't think that would happen. However, we can't drive on it until Monday.

Friday: Erin, Richard, the girls and I start moving as much as we can in two SUVs and a trailer. We'll park as close as we can to the doors and walk it in! I'm not used to the humidity, the heavy lifting or this stress and I'm not handling it very well. I snap at the girls and then ask their forgiveness. (Through every storm my soul will sing, Jesus is here, to God be the glory) Jordan has open house at the middle school! (#3)

Saturday: Erin and a friend are here, Jordan is getting new braids, Richard and I pack cars and take more to the house. I've worn out my muscles in the last two days, so I unpack boxes and do what I can to direct traffic and wipe down floors after dirt comes in. (The house we're moving in to is the most beautiful place I've ever seen! Richard has built us a wonderful place to call home) The details of our move & my event are weighing on me and Richard and the kids continue to love me more than I deserve and gives me time to take a much needed nap so I can recoup. Momming is hard, but not harder than He can handle.

So now the movie is over, and the Olympics are still on and I'll try to decide how much I can watch tonight before I need to turn in. I can't wait to worship tomorrow at church. I need the TRUTH, the FELLOWSHIP, and the FOCUS on all that is really important in life.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

Fast Forwarded

I very specifically remember the day we took Ryan to school in Fayetteville for the first time. It's been a very fast (for us) four years and I can't believe we just witnessed his commissioning and graduation!  What has he done in 4 years?

1. Bull pen catcher for one year with the Razorbacks
2. ROTC military science classes and physical training all 4 years
3. Played baseball in the Dominican Republic for one summer with Athletes in Action
4. Shoulder surgery and recovery
5. Lived in an apartment with 3 great friends for 2 years
6. Met, dated, and married Katelyn
7. Was discipled and led a life group with his church in Fayetteville
8. Went to Burundi, Africa, on a ROTC mission during one summer
9. Went to over 5 other SEC stadiums for football games with the university and 2 bowl games
10. Stayed in touch with his family and was intentional to build a relationship with his younger siblings
11. Received a degree with 3 majors: Spanish, Sociology, and Criminal Justice

Of course, there's more, but the boy has turned into a man and now has a job until he's 30 with the US Army! Katelyn is a super-smart gal who got her bachelors degree in 1 year and her masters this year. They both celebrated graduations this weekend and I'm SO VERY PROUD AND THANKFUL to have been a part of it all!

School days...

Busy week at school...last days of basketball season and Parent/Teacher conferences for all three kids. Jordan's art was hanging in the hall, and her report card was awesome. There's something very special about a note from one of your kids' teachers that says "Love having her in class!" So thankful. Cameron's class had a valentine's day party complete with ice cream sundaes. Thankful for these kids and the growth they've shown this school year! 

Cameron puts his groove on!

For 24 hours I tried to convince Cameron that we did not have a hippie costume for him for school dress up day. No bell bottom pants, no afro wig, no fringed vest. For some reason he was just not accepting my answer!

Fifteen minutes before we left for school today he pulled out this homemade tie dye shirt he made, and asked if he could wear it and a headband. I had pulled up pictures of hippie costumes and he picked up on the head band thing. Anyway, after he put on the glasses I remembered a package of mustaches I had purchased for a party and attached one to his lip and cut another one for side burns. Whew! So glad we could make this happen.

What a Weekend!

It's been a crazy weekend for our family. Richard left on Friday, Gramps came in and kept kids so Lauren and I could go to NLC Woman conference in LR. Richard came back Friday night and took the kids to Cabot ALL DAY Saturday for a volleyball tournament with Sheridan. Sheridan's team went undefeated and won the championship. How many times can I say how thankful I am for the friends she has surrounded herself with? NOT ENOUGH. Richard, Jordan and Cameron spent the WHOLE DAY in a gym in Cabot cheering on all the Russellville teams. I'm so thankful for our family, as Erin and Lauren and I were being FILLED at the conference in LR. Ryan and Katelyn were on a charter bus most of the weekend going back and forth to Knoxville for the HOGS game. Well, miracles happen as the HOGS brought home an SEC win! 

This morning I got to be on the worship team for the first time at NLC. It's been awhile but every weekend I experience the excellence of our worship time I am engaged by the Holy Spirit for the teaching time and I have wanted to be a part of that. So thankful for the opportunity, even though we reported in at 6am...and didn't leave the church until 12:45. God bless the pastor who teaches 3 times! 

Looking forward to Monday morning so we can get back in the routine and not be headed out of town somewhere. Well, not until Monday afternoon! 

Hustle!

Sheridan is jumping in to athletics here. It's helped so much with her transition, she's made friends gotten more confidence and kept busy. She has volleyball every day after school, and practices volleyball two evenings a night. Jordan, Cameron and I follow her, play outside at the soccer fields and cheer her on at the games. They don't win them all, but we're still enjoying this season.