Too much...

I recently was listening to a conversation between two of my girlfriends. No, I wasn't being nosy. We were at the Rangers game and one friend was sitting on one side of me and the other friend was sitting on the other side of me.

These two girlfriends and their families live in Flower Mound which is a city right north of Grapevine. Flower Mound recently added a new aquatics area to their Community Activites Center. Here is a definition from their website..

http://www.flower-mound.com/cac/aquatics.php
The Community Activity Center features several aquatic elements designed to serve a variety of residents of all ages. The indoor natatorium features a competition sized pool, splash pad, 150 foot slide, and one meter diving board.

The outdoor aquatics area features a zero-depth entry pool, large shallow area, and play structures for small children. For older and more adventurous guests, the pool also includes lap lanes, a lazy river, and two water slides.

I haven't been there, but it sounds awesome! Which leads me back to their conversation as one friend said to the other, "Well, I don't know if it has enough. I heard that if their older than 10 years old they'd be bored easily."

I've never been there myself.. but I thought, Bored.. who could be bored.

Our children have WAY too much stuff (as do their parents, myself included). When I was a child, my friend Cheryl and I would PAY to go up and down ONE slide all day long. Water parks had not been invented... we would either go to one pool with two diving boards or to the lone slide which we would go up and down. I never recall us even getting bored going up and down the same slide all afternoon long. We are privileged beyond measure!

Stuff!

How do two people accumulate so much stuff?
I am in the process of organizing a garage sale.. which is a real job in itself. So on Saturday, Wade and I worked all day in the garage. Cleaning, Sorting, Organzing.
Wade is now a mobile employee so he no longer has an office. Therefore, all of his memorabilia,papers, files that he has used for the past 17 years are in our garage.
I am no longer teaching elementary school so my files and boxes of teaching are also piled in the garage along with sports equipment, lawn equipment, tools, painting supplies, coolers, trash cans and numerous other miscellaneous items.
Wade and I made a lot of progress as you can see by the picture above. The trash men will love us on Monday.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation- a relaxing get away
Bible- God's Holy Word
School-a place where you learn.

VBS- A relaxing place where you learn about God's word.

Well, I don't know if VBS was relaxing this year, but it was definitely a blast! At my church,First Baptist Grapevine, we had over 700 children each day. We actually had 842 different children. Our theme this year was Outrigger Island.


Each day begins with an assembly time of worship and a competition between girls and boys of who can bring the most offering and who can bring the most shoes. Shoes?? Well, we brought shoes for the organization Shoes for Orphan Souls. Click here to read more http://www.shoesfororphansouls.org/

Then it was back to our classrooms for Centers, Crafts, Bible Story, Recreation, Music, and Snack. It is a fun filled three hours. Here's Cara and her friend, Madeline learning about The Good Samaritan.


The best part of the whole week though was that forty children made a decision for Christ! Praise God!

It was at Vacation Bible School in 1977 that I made a decision to follow Christ.
It is so easy.. just like learning the ABC's.
A- Admit that you are a sinner
B- Believe in Jesus Christ as God's son and receive Jesus' gift of forgiveness from sin
C-Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Even Caleb attended VBS, he had a great time.


However, today (Saturday) he took a 3 and 1/2 hour nap... you could say that VBS wore him out!!!

Cheryl 5 of 365 (40 x 365)

BEST FRIEND. If you looked up this word in the dictionary you could place my friend, Cheryl's picture right beside it. Cheryl is 9 days older than me and grew up across the street from me. She has been faithful, loyal, a listener, and a sister to me for all of my life. I can't remember a time before Cheryl. She has always been in my life as long as I can remember although I think it was in Kindergarten that we actually became close. As you can see in this picture, she has carried me through difficult times. This picture was actually taken on Choir Tour in 1986 in Vancouver, British Columbia. We have both walked some hard roads, but we've done it together.
Thank you, CC for being there for me and as long as I am here on this earth.. I will be here for you.

Let's Swim!!

Last week, we all hit the pool for swim time. Caleb and I enjoyed a Mommy and Me class of fun water play. Caleb loves the water. He enjoyed just playing and splashing!




Cara made her own splash herself. She has taken some kind of lesson each summer since she took the Mommy and Me class ten years ago! The past three or four years, I have put her in private classes. The lessons only last one week and she gets individualized attention. Cara is an incredible swimmer so she is just perfecting her strokes and diving technique. This was her first year in private lessons to have a male instructor. She didn't quite know what to think of him at first. His name is Shawn. She quickly warmed up to him. Cara informed me that he was the Assistant Manager of the pool so that he might be able to cut us a deal to come swimming! As you can see by the smile on her face, she enjoyed her week as well!

Things to come....

Monday was our first day of Outrigger Island Vacation Bible School. It is always extremely hectic the first day. I am the director of kids entering Kindergarten.
One of our many activities of the day was playing and experimenting with water in the water table. Our first group of 20 entered the room, five children quickly went to the water table. The teacher for that activity turned her back to get more seashells. KABOOM! Water was flowing everywhere. One of the children experimented a little too much and pulled the plug on the table. Water was flowing everywhere.

Fast forward about five hours....

I was giving Caleb a bath. The night before Wade had told me that he really didn't think Caleb needed the seat as he loves to splash in the water. So I thought I'd see for myself, I plopped Caleb in the tub and kept my eye on him. The first thing he went for was not the 50 bath toys, but the plug! The water quickly draining from the tub.

Made me wonder... will he pull the plug on the water table in the future?

No more Chips and Salsa! (for now)

It happened this Spring.. when Cara's cousin, Cole came to lunch with us. You see he is a picky eater, but he loves Panda Express. I have never been a big fan of any kind of oriental food. Give me Chips and Salsa any day, but I always passed on anything Chinese, Japanese etc. (You can ask my roomies from college because they loved it.)
Anyway, so Cole requested to eat at Panda Express. So I thought, let's venture out of our comfort zone so we did. Two days later, Cara asked to eat there so we did.. soon she was addicted. She began asking to go there weekly. Twice she ate Panda Express and later became quite ill. (no details necessary) However, she kept wanting to go back.so we reached out of our comfort zone of chips and salsa! I think I need to get out of my comfort zone more often.. I might find out a lot more about the world that way!

How long could you survive?

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

Totally blessed beyond measure!

Wade 4 of 365 (40 x 365)

I first met Wade when his car was parked behind my car at a College Bible Study. I had to go in and see whose car it was so I could ask them to move it so I could leave. I truly believe that God ordained our meeting. Later, I would ask him out to a sorority funtion. (If one thing.. sororities are good excuses to ask boys out on dates). He asked me out for the next night for a Wayne Watson concert at our church. That was 1989 and here we are 19 years later. Our journey together has not always been easy. However, no matter what turn we took.. God brought us through and together. I thank God for Wade and for walking with us on our journey. Wade has definitely shown unconditional love to me and is always so patient. I thank God for bringing him into my life.

Ninny 3 of 365 (40x 365)

I would have to say that the person right after my Mother with the most impact on my life was my Grandma who we called Ninny. She lived with me from the time I was born till my Mother remarried when I was 12.

Ninny was an amazing sister and friend, a devoted and loving mother, the best Grandma that ever lived, She had never ending love, her lips rarely uttered a complaint, she had a forgiving heart, ears that truly listened, She could cook anything and quilt and sew and mend. She could chase away bullies by the creek. She had an incredible smile and a wonderful laugh or should I say giggle. An incredible attitude toward life and a heart of Gold.

She joined my Mother walking streets of Gold on May 12th of this year. She was 95 years old! What an incredible example of Jesus she was to all who knew her! I miss her but I am so glad that she is with Mom in heaven.

We're all on the journey to our final destination!

I recently went to a taping of Beth Moore at the studios of James and Betty Robinson in Euless. While there, James Robinson mentioned this book, Same Kind of different as Me by Denver Moore and Ron Hall. I decided to get it one day from Amazon. I like to read, but it is not my passion. However, this book comes highly recommended. It is a true story of a millionaire and a homeless man who cross paths and their lives are changed. I believe my life is different from reading this book and hearing their story. The best line of the whole book is at the end .. " We all homeless working our way home." Denver Hall.

Read it!

Celebrating Caleb!

We celebrated Caleb's 1st birthday today! We had a great time! We ate lunch and opened presents. Then, it was time for the cake! Here is a picture of the cake that the adults ate.





Caleb had his own individual smash cake with a gigantic 1 on top in red icing an inch thick. Caleb was more interested in the huge Elmo balloon tied on his high chair than the cake itself. He did smush his hands around in the icing and with his Moms help he ate a few bites. Then, the icing that was all over his hands started getting in his eyes so it was off to the tub for Caleb. He loves water so he thought this was a treat especially since Uncle Steve gave him a fun new bath toy boat. We had a great time celebrating Caleb. He is such a joy!

FACEBOOK

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facebook
Originally uploaded by Slider22

So, I have a friend from church who is actually our Minister of Education, Bryan McAnally. He is very savvy when it comes to anything to do with the internet. He had sent me an invite to facebook a long time ago.. and I had no idea what it was all about so I just deleted the email and went on my merry way.

This last Sunday, I was chatting with him at the ministries table along with another fellow member of my church, FBC Grapevine. Bryan asked us both to join facebook. So, Sunday night I got my new handy dandy laptop and checked out facebook. "At least, it's free." I thought. Well, it is free but also very addicting.

I see it as MY SPACE for adults. You can search for friends. I immediately looked for people that I grew up with..I found an old fling from high school and passed on him...but then I found a ton of people from my church youth group most of which I had lost contact with. So, it is neat to see where they are and what they are up to.. interesting .. a lot of them are in ministry.

So I suggest that all of you (if there is anyone reading my blog) go and check out facebook. It is free.. but remember very addicting. My new addiction on facebook is the game scramble. I am trying to beat my friend Amy R.

Hope to see you there and I will confirm you as my friend

Mom- 2 of 365 (40 x 365)

Mom and Cara
Originally uploaded by j_kelley1

Mom

How can I sum up in 40 words what my Mom meant to me? Impossible! I don't even think I can begin to write ample words to describe her...but I will try
Loving example of Christ, Prayer Warrior, Incredible Grandma, Loving Wife, Ordained Minister to Preschoolers, Spectacular Mom... how did she do it? I never recall her raising her voice to me. (maybe I was a good little girl :-)) I strived to obey for my Mom .. knowing she loved me unconditionally, but yet I never wanted her to be disappointed in me.
She had an infectious laugh and a smile that would lighten up a room and beautiful blue eyes in which she always saw the world half full and never half empty. She was always finding a blessing in the midst of turmoil.
She is now walking on streets of gold, rocking her grandchildren that went before her, and now walking with her Mother who left us a month ago tomorrow. I miss you so much Mom. Not a day goes by that I don't wish that you were here so I could hug you and tell you one more time, how very much I love you!

40 X 365 (1 of 365)

I got this idea from another friends blog. Here it is
40 x 365

The goal: write forty words (more or less), every day for a year, about a different person with whom my life has intersected.

All the cool kids are doing it. will you? If so, let me know because I want to read about it.


Here it goes..
Jesus
I first felt his love through my loving parents and family and my Sunday School teachers even when I was only 6 weeks old. Then, when I was 8 years old my Vacation Bible School teacher, Mrs. McCaskill helped lead me to understand that I was a sinner and I needed Jesus to be Lord of my life. That is when I truly met him and he has walked with me through all of my days. He is the greatest blessing I will ever have!

Eighteen years goes by quickly!

It seems like yesterday that I was standing outside the door at Baylor Hospital as my brother held my brand new nephew up for me to see.

Now, he has officially graduated from high school. He no longer is that little boy who I took to Chuck E. Cheese and McDonalds and the park. He is "officially" an adult who can vote and be recruited for the armed services. He is still CODY to me. He has always been so loving. I am so proud that he graduated. It wasn't always an easy road for him, but he persevered.

These moments are difficult at times because both my mom and stepdad have gone to be with the Lord. These are the moments that we all wish that they could be here with us. I know that they both would have been so proud. I could hear my Mothers voice as she would have told my brother, "Well, son, you got him graduated! Congratulations!"

Eighteen years.. seems like a long time.. but really it isn't. In 8 more years, my own daughter will graduate from high school. Each day is such a blessing, but we tend to rush through the days and weeks to the next event, next holiday, next vacation. We have to find the blessings in each day. I felt blessed to be a part of this family event..not only with my overactive camera shuttering away, but with my heart hoping and praying that my nephew will continue to achieve great things!

My Miracle!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen Ephesians 3:20-21





I dealt with infertility for eight years. During that time, I asked God continually for a second child. Everytime I would conceive, I would lose the baby. My heart ached and my life felt incomplete. As many young couples do, we had planned how we wanted our family to look like. We had decided that we wanted to be married for at least five years before we would try to have a baby. Although we lost our first child, we conceived soon after and that is our Cara who is so loving, sweet and smart, but can also be sassy! When she was 1 we decided to add an addition to our family as we wanted to have four children and have them spaced about 2 years apart.

Well, life is not always how we have it planned. However, God does have a plan and he does work things for his purposes. So we prayed. I think the hardest part of dealing with infertility is that you feel at times that your body is letting down others.. including your spouse and your child. For you see, when Cara was 2 she began asking for a brother or sister. She prayed continually as well.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18



So my heart ached everytime she would ask in her sweet innocence..."Mommy, when will God give us a baby?" Especially as I knew that God had given us several babies, but that they had gone to live with him instead of us.



I continued to pray. We sought medicial intervention, but we were not successful. Finally, it was made clear to us that it would be a miracle of God if we were to conceive.



In October of 2006, God let me in on his plan as I learned that I indeed was pregnant again without any medical help. At the time, my husband was across the world on a mission trip. I would have to contain my excitement, joy, concern, delight, worry, happiness for over a week. God knew that I would need assurance so he planned it that I would find out that day that I was already scheduled for an annual checkup at my ob/gyn. So it was that I learned of my miracle.

I had a fairly easy pregnancy and delivery and a year ago today, I delivered a healthy baby boy, Caleb Wade. He is my miracle.



I can not believe that my baby is now one years old and becoming very independent. I can't imagine my life without him. Although my wait was long, I feel blessed beyond measure to have my boy.



One of the greatest blessings I learned throughout it all is to enjoy your child(ren). They grow up way too soon. For this very reason, I am a stay at home mom and I truly stayed home this last year with him. I tried to soak up and soak in every minute with my baby. I will volunteer in a few more activities now that he is one but I still want to just be with my son. I waited too long for him to leave him with a babysitter or not truly be with him.

Thank you God for answering my prayer. You answered it far better than I could have ever imagined.

"You don't look like my Mom!"

On Tuesday of this week, I went to get my hair cut. I did the typical Mom thing.. I lined up a babysitter, went to get Sonic during happy hour, rushed to get my kids there, dropped them off, rushed to the hairdresser. Then sat down in the chair, like I had all the time in the world. My salon (Avatar) had recently moved to a new sleek location. They were in a old strip shopping center and now they are in a nice,clean, sleek, brand new house with granite countertops and the latest and greatest wall coverings *have you heard of using Saran Wrap to paint your walls*.

My hairdresser, Laurinda not only cuts my hair, but is a friend. She is a wonderful Christian and so sweet! So when she came to the front to get me, she had to give me a tour of the new place. It is beautiful!

We then sat in the chair and she said "What do you want to do today?" I said, I think I am ready to cut it off... she then got a big grin on her face and she said let's do! It will look so cute! So we went to the new shampoo bowls and then off to the chair to cut.

(We also had a long discussion about my gray hair, but that will be for another post.)

So she cut and talked to me about how to style it and then I was off running again.

As soon as I walked into my girlfriend's house (Paula) she said, "I love it!" Caleb was just happy to see Mom new hair or not. I then got Cara and it took her about 20 minutes to truly look at me and she said, "You got your hair cut!" Well, yes I did! As we were driving home, she leaned over from the passenger seat and said "You don't look like my Mom!"

Is that a compliment? I took it as one! Maybe I had a new sleek hairdo and not a floppy mess!

Wade's opinion of my hair was rather interesting.. he said "When did you decide to cut your hair?" I said, I told you a week ago I was going to do it! So I replied, "Do you like it?" His reply was "I am still thinking about it." So... that is yet to be determined! However, my lawn guy said " Nice haircut!"

Something that got me thinking though... is when we get to heaven? What hairstyle do you think we will have? The one from childhood, junior high, high school, college, 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's , senior years?

Let me know your thoughts.

The World of Blogging!

A college friend and sorority sister, Lisa truly introduced me to the world of blogging! I had looked at a few blogs but never continual watched any of them. Until last year when Lisa sent me a blog that she felt I needed to read. This girl truly has a way with words. Check it out here

http://conorbootheandgirls.blogspot.com/ Well from that blog, I started reading another blog. This is the blog that got me hooked. http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/ This family has beat all odds. I read it faithfully at least once a week and sometimes everyday. Now that both the Mom and daughter are out of the hospital. I don't read it as often. I even found myself praying for them.

Read it to see all the details, but in a nutshell. This young mother has Cystic Fibrosis and against all odds conceived a child. Meanwhile, the mother was hospitalized and put on a ventilator. The baby was delivered very very early. The mother had to be put into a coma. Then she had to wait for a double lung transplant which she got. The night she was in surgery, I prayed continually for them. Well, that leads me to here. I finally decided to try my hand at this blogging. I see it more as a daily/weekly diary. In a world that is very busy, it seems that we do not stop enough and truly count our blessings. God has given so many to each of us and I think we forget to stop and realize all of them. Just the fact that we woke up today is a blessing!