Lead Me To The Cross

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemption's hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

[Chorus:]
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen

Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

Solid Foundation

The last 8-10 days has been filled with challenges at every turn. I sure don't ever think we're immune from things, but we've all had our mountains to climb these past days. The highlight of my week was the first gathering of our new life group in our home. Our house was filled with 19 other folks who were laughing, talking and smiling. We did some introductory games and I gave an overview of what we're going to look at this semester. I had something prepared to say, but since we had had some rough days I just decided to be a little more transparent and tell them that for sure we didn't have it all together. We for sure don't have all the answers, but without the foundation of God in our home, we would certainly have fallen apart these last days. It doesn't stop tears, fights, misbehaviors, conflict or the like, but the TRUTH of God's unfailing love, the TRUTH of HOPE in Him, and the TRUTH of His way anchors us. I'm so very thankful for a solid foundation.

What to do First?

I may be stalling, or maybe just sorting my thoughts. I have a lot on my mind lately and a lot to do.

Sheridan's last two basketball games are this week. It's been fun watching her play and enjoy her team.

We are starting our new LIFE GROUP this week at our house. We have 19 people signed up. I'm making dinner. I want everyone to be comfortable, I may have to move the furniture to make room!

Jordan is still playing Upward basketball and sometimes plays with a travel team. They're almost over but Richard found a soccer team for her to try out next week.

It's 4 weeks until my event and I'm working on it everyday.

The slab should be poured at our House on the Hill this week, and the frame will be next!

My little boy is struggling with obedience the last couple weeks. Precious boy is sometimes Mr Challenge My Mom boy. It's much more time consuming to raise good children than bad. It's taking energy and emotions to correct attitude and actions.

BSF is quite challenging this year, it's like a college class on Revelation. It's somewhat surprising how the lessons of God's ultimate sovereignty are absolutely as relevant today as they are in the message of Revelation.

And there's the Year of the Bible reading that I'm behind on. I can't quite get it worked into the same time each day and as much as our church is as encouraging and not pressuring us to read, I can't help but lay the guilt on myself.

On Thursdays, Lauren and I are planning her wedding. I'd like to give my daughter the day of her dreams, but I fear its' unchartered territory for me.

Richard is in his busy season with 4-5 days a week on the road. I miss my best friend and the only person who will listen to all the details of all my days of all my stuff.

...This morning at 1am a group of squirrels were having a gathering above our bedroom. I was home by myself and was a little crazed with the thought of a squirrel falling through the vent. In my sleepy, panicked state, I got the kitchen broom and tapped on the ceiling. Fortunately, it worked and they went away. Unfortunately, our landlord didn't send anyone today to check on how they got in.

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.

House on the Hill

We've had our plan for awhile. We've purchased two lots. The first lot was super wooded and we were excited about the street, but when we got with the land movers and our builder the cost of putting our house on the sloped lot was more than we wanted to spend.

We went back to our first choice, on a great dead end street with two cul de sacs and a beautiful view. We put the first lot on the market and have started building our house. As I've said before, I don't want to get too excited...I mean, it may be more work than fun...but now that I'm actually picking out windows, doors and more...it may be a lot of fun! Richard is running the budget, the contractors and the plan and I'm sure we're going to be thankful when we get there, maybe the beginning of summer, 2016.

Planning a Wedding

I'm resourceful. Not highly intelligent in any area, but very resourceful. I'm an event-planner by trade now, but journalism was what I got a degree in. I sang in approximately 20 weddings in the early 90s, but I do not know anything about planning one. And watching Say Yes to the Dress isn't really reality tv, if you know what I mean.

So, Lauren and I are two strong-opinionated women, who don't have much experience in the wedding business. We decided to tackle it one thing at a time during the week before school.

This is what we accomplished in 5 days:

1. We logistically figured out how to host the wedding, reception and dance, all in one place, although a big wedding has never been held in the church where we attend. That settled the date, Friday, June 24th.

2. We found a dress in our first 2 1/2 hours shopping. We tried 8 more on the next day, then came back to the first store and ordered THE ONE.

3. We contacted a caterer and she's both affordable and available. (We will tackle the no kitchen at the church issue later.)

4. We met with a florist and loved her ideas! She accepted our pins and pictures of what Lauren likes. She also offered her wedding coordinating services and I about crawled over the table to hug her when I realized she would do that for us!

5. We found a dress we like for the bridesmaids, that may or may not be available from China only. We will see.

6. We ordered the cutest cookies for her to ask her bridal party to be a part of her big day, and they have been delivered and all accepted!

7. Lauren and Ian finalized a guest list.

8. We found a replacement photographer when they were cancelled on, to take engagement pics for a SAVE THE DATE.

All this, and very little tears. ;) Yep, I think we can do this!

Eight is Great!

So when you're eight....waking up to chocolate chip pancakes is your preference! After school an 8-year-old would like to go get ice cream and play in the play area without any sisters, just a friend, for as long as he wanted. To surprise an 8-year-old we invited his older brother (and hero) to come "play" with he and his friend. That is what Cameron requested!

After some presents, of mostly things to eat that are all his own, he got dinner at his choice, Mac-Donalds. He has memories of eating at Mac-Donalds and so we oblige on this holiday. He scarfs down a happy meal and is indeed happy.

The biggest surprise came when Ryan was still here after school the following day and Cameron's bag was packed. He got to go to Ryan and Katelyn's BY HIMSELF! The following day there was a Razorback game and it was a HUGE HIT for our adventurous, fun and always entertaining, Cameron.