A Little Help....

We are trying something new for the kiddos having to endure some 'fit throwing'. We are in a little space-no place really to escape the sights, sounds, etc of one on a rage. Thanks to someone's blog I read (can't remember who or I would give them credit) we have started rewarding the ones having to listen and watch, wait patiently for Mom's attention, etc. They have been rewarded with some extra tv time, extra reading time at night, drink/dessert at S0nic.....So today Brother noticed that J was about to escalte-very in tune he is-so he says "Hey J....now would be a great time to throw a fit, because I would love some ice cream" She looked at him a bit shocked, I guess if I was looking in the mirror I would have seen a shocked face as well. He continued "If you scream and I have to listen to it, I get to help Mom come up with a reward for having to listen to it......I would like some ice cream". Well I guess his little challenge was enough to stop the escalating, she did not like that idea and kept her cool. A little later he said "well.....guess I can hope we get ice cream for dessert later". I think a little help from Brother is what I needed today and hope it works again.

Broken Arm

Brother broke his arm today during P.E. at school. Of course his left, thankfully he is a bit ambidextrous. Broke both bones just above his wrist. After a quick stop at the minor ER to verify a break with a scare of needing surgery, and a 9 hour stay in the children's ER, it is now 'set'. Thankful for that 'gut mommy instinct' that made me demand that an orthopedic see the x-rays and visit with us. Yes, I know kind ER doctor that you have seen lots of breaks, yes I know kids' bones heal quickly-precisly the reason I don't want it casted in a 'wrong' position, I can hear that it is a busy day in the ER and my kid's problem is minor, yes I understand I will have to wait for the ortho on call to come down.....but guess what this is my kid and he happens to be my most important 'case' and only the best care is what he will be getting and he will be looked at by a pediatric specialist 'cause I know my rights :-) I wish I was very wrong about the whole thing but "I told you so" doctor lady, thanks for semi apologizing. Bad break, needed to be straightened out or would have had a crooked arm and who knows what other side effects. We are home and he is finally resting peacefully. He is quite bummed after having his first baseball practice for his first season yesterday. He loved it and was so excited for the season. His first concern in learning he had a broken arm was baseball and not being able to write for school-letting his teammates/teacher down. He is such an amazing kid, with an incredible spirit and pain threshold. Hard to see my boy hurting and sad. Once again blessed by my children's great, caring teachers and baseball coaches all for checking in on him. Blessed that we dealing with 'just' a broken arm. Prayers please and thanks!

Fun Family Time

We had some much needed relaxing family time this weekend. Here are some pics of our fun at a friend's pond. Someday sooner than later we can be doing this on our own pond-YEAH!

Profound Words

Sometimes it amazes me, how many times I have to be given the same message to 'clue in'. Thankfully God just keeps sending messengers my way to drive a message home. There are a couple of people in my life who are able to see when they look at me or hear it in my voice that I am struggling. A simple "I am praying for you" without having to share what's on my heart, means so much to me and reminds me that God has surrounded me with His love. This week there have been several messengers as God is teaching me something, or trying to if only I would be a willing student. I would like to share a bit about two of the 'messengers'. One is a friend who is so incredibly encouraging, offering support, laughter, mini-escapes, loving corrections, always willing to listen, so much fun just to 'be' with and has truly come along side me in this parenting journey as adoption has changed that path. The wise words she shared with me this time (after she had listened to me purge about a rough day)...let's pray that "God will make the best choice the desire of your heart". What wise words! As I shared with her about struggling with a parenting decision, she didn't tell me one way was right/wrong, she didn't try and fix the issue, she didn't even tell me I was crazy :-) She simply said I will pray for confidence and wisdom about the decision and ask for God to make the correct choice the desire of you heart. If you are a parent, you know that some times it just stinks (at least if you are honest). Yes parenting is very rewarding, full of joys and precious times that I feel like I could not live without.....but other times are simply rough, hard and/or painful. What wise words to have been blessed with by a friend during a time of struggle. What are the desires of my heart?

Another messenger was a songwriter. Ever been driving along in the car when the words to a song simply floor you, cause tears to come to your eyes, cause you to go to the Lord right then?

I wish I was smart enough to link the song here for you, but I am not. However, I can share with you the lyrics that hit me head on and caused me to buy the song and listen to it a 100 times.

You know far better than I

And if destruction's what I need

Then I'll receive it Lord from Thee

Yes, I'll receive it Lord from Thee

And it's your eye in the storm

Watching over me

And it's your eye in the storm

Wanting only good for me

And if you are the war

Let me be the casualty

'Till I'm yours alone

I am only yours

I am yours alone. Lord

Hard to ask for, hard to long for.....is it really my desire receive destruction? Indeed when there is less of me there is more Him. Yet, is war and destruction in my life the only way I 'get it'...guess so. Guess when I am plugging along trying to do it all myself-solve all the problems, carry the load, be the 'wisdom' for the situation, fight the battles.....I get in the way. I long to truly receive the destruction as a gift, not as a hinderance.

So thankful for messengers who share God's word with me.

*This morning this verse was part of the devotion I was reading during my quiet time

"Dear...sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." James 1:2-3 (NLT)

Guess I am still in need of a few more messengers, guess I am a bit hard headed....shocker I know to those of you who know me ;-)

Car Conversations....

Yes we are in the car a lot! I was grinning from ear to ear while they were talking, I wish I could have recorded it-here is what I can remember-

Topic today:Heaven.

Brother: If I could take a picture of anything in the world......just one picture........it would be of heaven..then I could paint and draw more pictures of what it will be like.

Princess: I wonder if there will be cars, because if there are there could be car wrecks.......and that means tears and hurting and there isn't any of that in Heaven.

Brother: There HAS to be cars! (Nascar fan)

Princess: Well, apparently there must be cars......cause you like them a lot.......and Heaven is full of things that make you happy. Maybe there will be scooters.........those seem safer.

Brother: Scooters?!?! All six of us can't fit on a scooter!

Princess: We could each have our own. Besides we probably won't all get there at the same time.

Brother: I wonder how old we will be.......will we be kids........or old people.......I think I have too many questions for God when I get to Heaven..........I think I will talk his ear off.......it will take way more than 1 hour to ask all my questions

Princess: Good thing you will be there forever then.

Brother: It must be a really big place too cause there are a lot of people............well at least I think there are a lot of people that believe.........cause you have to believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins if you would like to get there....wonder why some people don't believe that.

Princess: I like to draw pictures of crosses........it reminds me of Jesus.......(as she is smiling) He died for me.

Brother: I think I will ask Him why He made things like mosquitos and why there are people who like to steal from others........I don't think I will remember all the questions I have to ask.......Mom you think you can remind me when we get there?

Me: I sure will try

Easter-He is Risen!

The weather today was absolutely perfect! What a beautiful day to spend outside celebrating our risen Savior with family and friends. This picture was taken at our church's sunrise service-God 'painted a beautiful picture' as my children say, we were blessed with quite a view as we gathered to worship. The air conditioner went out at church but thanks to this amazing heat and air guy I know and his great company before the end of service we were all cool again-Thanks Hubby for 'serving' not only rocking babies this morning but sharing your talents to help us all feel a bit more comfortable in our Easter attire.

The Easter egg hunt after our bible study ended with the releasing of butterflies-so fun! Tony's brother's family was in town and joined us for church-so we were able to worship this morning with all the cousins for the first time :-) So when you look at the pictures below-no we have not multiplied, just enjoyed our nieces and nephew. After church we went to the annual

Waggoner family picnic. I LOVE the extended family I married into. Some of the funnest, most gracious, giving people ever. Plenty of delicious food, a plethora of eggs and prizes for the abundance of children and lots of smiles and laughs.