Brrrr!

Today as I look at the clock...

• I am still in my Pjs
• I was able to read a chapter of my book during the day
• I have done three loads of laundry
• I have had A Lot of warm coffee
• I have sat by the fire
• I have watched the kids play together (I have toys all over the living room)
• I have a load of wet clothes inside my front door
• I have gotten the chance to blog and browse Blog Land
• I didn't have to sit in the pick up line
• I didn't have to go to my payed job
• I don't have to get K-man to practice tonight
• I have gotten to see a beautiful view out all my windows

Gotta Love Snow Days!

First Time

There have been a few of things that I have done for the first time over the last couple of weeks...

1. I did a Bible study with someone I didn't know very well. I have done many Bible studies with friends and girls I have things in common with. However, this time was very different. The two of us are different in many ways: she is full blooded Indian, she has experienced prison, her husband is working on his citizenship,...the list could go on. I have met the girl along with her husband and children at church, but I have just smiled and said "Hi"...no real conversation. Well, I decided, when asked, to participate in a Bible study with her.

The study was wonderful (of course it was!!!) and my heart exploded with love for this woman and her "giving it all" to God. She has a a lot to loose deciding to let God be her guide. Her hunger for the Word was so humbling...so humbling!

B-Boy went with me and played with her little boy. Comments he whispered in my ear, "Momma...their house is short; they don't have carpet; where are their closets?; they have only three boxes of toys; I want to keep my coat on...I'm kinda cold; Did their house burn-it looks different." I'm not sure what picture this paints, but the picture is painted on my heart and on B-Boys too.

Though they had little, she was so proud of her home. The mattresses on the floor were made, the house spotless and there was a candle lit. I was humbled by her contentment and the way she took pride in what she did have. Her home was warm and I felt very welcomed.

God was present and working in all of hearts that day. May God continue to bless her richly.


2. Had two families/couples over for supper/lunch in less then 3 weeks! My adorable husband and I desire to have people in our home... To make our home open to everyone in our church family and to build lasting relationships and memories. The later couple that we invited over were an older couple that we respect and we believe are very wise. It was wonderful!...After the meal I was showing them the boys room. As I opened the door there were strings hung from the ceiling fan and things were tied to the bottom of them (including a sword!) flying around the room! I was so relieved that they had raised THREE boys and didn't think I had monkeys for children :)

3. I baked a Chocolate Buttermilk Pie...enough said!

Learning to Read

With learning to read comes a new awareness of the world around you.

As the K-man has increased his confidence in reading, I often hear him reading signs in town, book titles, signs I have in the home, labels...the list could go on. I usually just smile and say something like, "great reading', "that's right!"...however, this summer I had a heart stopping moment.

We were exiting off the freeway when I looked in the rear view mirror at my two boys in the backseat only to notice tears rolling down the K-man's cheeks. When I asked what was wrong he pointed to the man holding a sign at the traffic light. "Help. Have no Home."

"Momma, that man doesn't have a home!"

As I choked back tears and looked at my innocent little boys in the backseat my heart broke. I said something like, God knows that man's name and God IS working... It just made me sad that K-man was realizing things are not always, "Ok." There is hurt, hunger, sadness and loneliness in this world. We stopped before going in the next store and I prayed with all my heart! Out loud I was praying for the man to know God and for protection..., inside I was also praying for God to keep my boys' hearts soft for the hurting and to strengthen them for the hurt they will face and witness.

May we have soft hearts for the hurting, the hungry, the sad, and the lonely.

May we never stop reading!

Day Two of First Days!

Today was B-Boy's first day of Pre-K 4's ! (Tues. and Wed.)

He too was remided of being a Warrior for God in all things he does!

When B-Boy was brought into the living room this morning all he could say was,

"I'm tired! I want to go back to bed!"...Me too!

Here is the sweet, "ready for Pre-K" smile!

So grown up! Brush those pearly whites~

Our Favorite Preschooler!

B-Boy has always wanted to be "big" like his big brother.

Going to "school" makes him feel he is more like his brother.

The other day he told me he wanted to go everyday like K-man...no way, little man! You are growing up too fast already!

We love you with all our heart!

We are so very proud of the big boy your are becoming~

B-Boy's excitement this morning was getting to use his Scooby-Doo lunch box!

This year, we are letting him take a lunch box (again like his big brother). He picked the Scooby one out without any hesitation!

He was a bit hesitant this morning being with some older kids, however when he saw his buddy in the class he let a smile slip across his face. They started with the pledge this morning...this is my angel with his precious hand across his heart! Little did he know my hand was patting my heart all the way to my car thinking about my big, independent little boy.

As I got in my car to leave this was my view.

*Sigh*...Heart Pat!

Dear Father, you are our Savior, Protector and Friend. Please hold my little boy's hand today while he his not in my arms. Help him to be confident knowing he is never alone. Let the day go fast with you as his protector and guide. Let him learn things today that will allow him to be a growing servant for you. Thank you for your mercy and grace.

love, Me.

1st Day of 1st Grade!

To be honest, I have been a bit blue and the K-man has been a bit quiet.

The unknown can really be hard.

We always talk to the boys about being Warrior's for God and today was no different!

When K-man sat to eat breakfast there was another book,

"Will, God's Mighty Warrior" (we love these books)!

Seriously, 6:30 am is really early!

Ahhhh, K-man looks much better after a change of clothes.
He had a hard time eating breakfast, because his tummy was a bit nervous.

So, my '"little first grader" decided a bit of reading with breakfast would calm his nerves.

It might have helped his, but is Momma was still a bit anxious!

Through the rest of the morning I was a walking prayer warrior myself!

I so miss my boys when they are gone out of my protective mother's eye.

Our new FAVORITE 1st grader!

The shoes make the outfit don't you think?

K- Man couldn't wait to put on his new shoes!

Boys are ohhhhh so easy!

Our Father, Please guide us in the rearing of our sweet boy. Let the words that leave our mouth be worthy of entering his precious heart. Protect our little boy while he is not snug in our arms and allow him to feel you strong and mighty presence! Lord I trust in you. Thank you for your mercy. Love, Me.

When I said good-bye to K-man this morning in his classroom , he looked up at me sniffing with his eyes and nose red and said, "I better just keep coloring." My heart broke. He was trying so hard not to cry. My sweet boy was just so nervous. I know he will be fine, but I wanted so bad to sweep him up and carry him home with me.

At 10:30 am this morning B-Boy stated,

"Now, when do we pick up K-man?"

Here are our sad faces.
We both can't wait to pick up the K-man!!

I don't want to forget...

Last night, I took the boys out for a "Momma and Boys"night. We had some fun things planned. As we drove into town and came off the interstate, the boys noticed a man standing with a sign in his hand. My heart just broke when my car was the one that stopped right next to him waiting for the green light. As I looked in the rear view mirror, the boys were just staring. THEN, came the questions... I tried so hard to talk about God's love for the man and why we take food to church for the pantry...BUT in my stumbling explanation about poor and homeless, all that really seemed right was that we needed to pray for the man. Pray that he had a warm bed to sleep in tonight, that he would have food to eat, and that he would find the hope in God.

We pulled into the store parking lot and I turned around asking the boys if they would bow their heads so I could pray. K-man, looked at me with his big blue eyes, "Momma, I would like to say the prayer." As my little boy prayed for "all the poor" and the "those without a bed or food" I knew God heard his prayer and smiled on his sincere worry for the man.

I don't want to forget the boy's faces of concern for the man, the prayer that K-man prayed, the feeling of thankfulness that swelled up in me, and the urgency of the need to pray.