Family Life.

I am certainly in my element. I love this job. While the holidays have had us so busy the tree is not even up yet...(face hidden...I know, its bad) we are still having a great time. Luckily, we will be spending CHRISTmas Eve night over at my inlaws. We will be opening presents and celebrating at their house...(so I can get away w/ my tree not being up!! )

While I write this some of the children are dancing to Deliberate Kids...(click title)...what fun! I just have to share what has been happing the last couple of days.
The kids got out Clay's guitars. I only got a couple of pics...but considering where we come from, and how Clay and I met...this is cool.


Since it has been so cold, and the boys room doesn't have a heater, they often choose to camp out on or bedroom floor in the winter. Cean is quite the snuggler and this morning we caught this...shh...don't tell Cody...


Today is one of Cody's friends Birthday...and since Michael is coming over for dinner, Chloe and her friend Alishea made some yummy brownies. What is it with tweens, chocolate and messes?? What fun!!

Ok-well, dinner company is here...I must run!

My Student of the Month/UPDATES

Well, this actually happened last week, but with all the busy-ness of the season, it took me a while to get a picture of Chloe with her certificate.

Students of the Month are chosen based on not only academic performance, but on citizenship as well. According to her teachers, Chloe is a joy to have in class and is very intelligent, compassionate and kind. We, as her parents already know these things about her, but we are really proud that she is being recognized by her teachers for the efforts she is making. Way to go Chloe!!

UPDATES:
My keys and the $50 bill have been found and returned!! Praise God...it wasn't anything He coundn't handle anyway!!!
AND......
In case you were wondering, yes...we will be gettting to keep some baby rats. They will come home sometime before the Christmas holiday. Chloe's teacher has given her first choice of the babies since they were born here...and she has chosen the only two little girl rats...lets hope they don't come home pregnant!!! ;o)
I am sure we will be posting pics and updates!! They are really cute and furry now!
I'm out for now...time to get dinner started!!

USED!?!!!

Now that I see clearly, this has been a WONDERFUL day.
Let me start at the beginning.
Last Night:
I couldn't sleep. The Lord had me pray for an aquaintance of a friend. I do not know the girl I am praying for, but I prayed specifically for her. My prayers are led.
Today:
*I am missing a $50 bill. (I usually don't have that kind of money just sitting around, but I was saving the bill)
*My hand lotion I keep in my van is also gone. (not too big of a deal...but still)
*While working my volunteer shift at the Y my keys (yes, car keys, house keys...all of them) are gone. I have no idea where they are...stolen??? Doesn't matter...gone.
So, I call my friend...praise God, she can come help me. She drove me home to get my spare keys..yes, house and van. Then she takes me back to the Y to get my van.
I then took Cean to school, and went to pick of a friend's little boy. From there I went to the dollar store...when:
*With my spare van key, I get there, put the key in the cup holder.(with the door unlocked) then go get Jacob out of his seat. Did you know that when you don't have the key in the ignition, and you close the door on a Honda Oddysey the door automatically locks?? Even when your SPARE KEY is in the cupholder??? Yeah...well they do! (did I mention that my outfit today did not have pockets...pockets would have prevented the whole thing.)
So, I call the same friend...she is busy...call another friend...
RESCUED AGAIN. Now my valet key is in my hand, getting me into my car...and I laughed when they gave us so many keys!!
Now- let me tell you, up until now, this has been fairly stressful. That is until I realize what is happening...lets do some math...
Pray for a girl who is struggling, only to find out that what I was led to pray was correct...all of it! + a day like today...hmmm...no matter what numbers you use, the answer is correct. This sweet daughter of Zion is fighting for her life, and I chose to obey and fight with her and for her...The battle is confimed through my day today...
Paul reminds me that "We are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (Eph 6:12 NTL) In each case that my day was messed up, God provided...RESCUED!
I have seen stuff like this before...there is no doubt in my mind...so,BRING IT...I will continue to pray! God will continue to work and to move, and this beloved daughter WILL be pulled from the fire.

VICTORY!!

Oh, months of praying has paid off!!

This store opened less than a year ago, or maybe there-a-bouts. My biggest issue with this store is that it is less that 1100 feet from my children's elementary school. One block away...not only do parents have to drive their children by the store to and from school, but children who walk are passing by twice daily. (Not to mention the danger some of the clientel of this store posed to kids)
Now, this store was not very discreet. Flashing lights, products and maniquins (scantily clad) in the window made it very apparent to all, (including children who have to walk by) as to what is inside.
BUT...God is more powerful than the allure of this store!! With God's grace, the prayers of our community have been answered...without any noise from those of us who are unhappy with it being here!! There were no protests, no negative slams against the store (that I am aware of)...just a bunch of moms, praying that it would close...and for the safety of our children!!
GOD is GOOD!!!

FUN! with color

Well now, this is an adventure. We have never done this before! What FUN!
Tonight, we added a little (temporary) color to some manes in the house.
Cean, got blue spikes! Even though soccer is over, he is super excited to have blue hair. His team, after all was the Mighty Blue Lizards!

Chloe went with a pink/plum color. We streaked it through the front and just a wee bit in the back. She can't wait for church tomorrow and school on Monday...yes, I am washing all of the pink clothing she owns!!

Cait has the same color, just a slightly different style. Her hair is not as thick as Chloe's...but boy, does Cait pull it off...check out her fashion model pose!! (that girl!!)


Confession:
I actually tried to dye my hair the plum color a few weeks ago when a group of us girls went out to 80's night at a local dance place. We had a blast...my hair didn't take the color very well, but it looked cool while it lasted!! (no pics...sorry to disappoint!!) ;o)

Tagged!

So, I've been tagged. Thanks BOB 1/31. (wink) -she knows what I mean!!
Wow- SIX of my favorite things...or something like that. Before I start...let me add this disclaimer...I have a tremendous headache right now...just took some tylenol...

#1. And most certainly #1...My most favoritest...is my Jesus. I have been pulled from the pit of despair. I have been rescued and healed. My past hurts and wounds are just that...PAST. I am am new creation...a new WOMAN. I am so thankful for my Jesus...for his pain, his humilation, for his blood. He is the only way to God and Heaven...I can't do anything to earn my way...Christ paid for me...because I am his Beloved. (No really, Amy means beloved) I am constantly amazed and how deeply I am loved. How I am always provided for, and how my Lord increases my love for him, along with my knowledge of him. I love how he opens my eyes, makes me laugh and cry with JOY...I have found the Bible to be a tremendously exciting book to read...(seriously...use your Lord of the Rings imagination, and go read about David!!!)

#2. I love being a mom. I know everyone says it, but this is the hardest thing I have ever done...and it is (usually) the most rewarding...laughs, giggles, dishes, laundry...oh, the glorious work of it all. I have never been more challenged!! Not one to be a scheduler...keeping four kids straight with who needs to be where at what time has been fun! -I am acutally using a planner!! This is actually Clay talking to me about who needs to be where and when...


#3. MMUUUSSSSIIIIICCCCCC. NOPE- I have not grown out of this. My tastes have changed over the years, though. I am not so excited when it comes to Motley Crue and the like...NO- don't get me wrong though, I still like it LOUD...and hard...only now...its all about Christ. Christian music has changed...if you didn't already know. Bands like Family Force 5, (www.familyforce5.com) Switchfoot, (www.switchfoot.com) Newsboys, (www.newsboys.com) Skillet, (www.skillet.com) and guys like Toby Mac, (www.tobymac.com) and Phil Joel (www.deliberatepeople.com)-Phil is a little on the more mellow side...but well...just go check it out!!! This music is my passion. Promoting it is my calling. (more on that at a later time) Luckily, my family is in love with this music as well...so much so, that Chloe got a one of a kind 8th birthday! A meeting with her favorite singer...Rebecca St. James-

At the same event, Caitlyn me her "favorite guy" former Newsboy, Phil Joel.

It was actually very cute. At 3 years old, she sees him (thanks to video, she knew who he was), runs up to him with a very loud, "I LIKE YOU!!!" He scooped her up in his arms and they just chatted! When the Newsboys came back to our area, Cait decided she would give Phil the picture of them w/ her autographed...and he would autograph her copy...(2005)

The other day, I was trying to figure out what is was that I love about this music so much...besides that we sing great things into our lives, and we praise God all the time...It came out of my mouth this way- "I love music so much because when I don't have words for how I feel, music speaks for me." Wanna know how I am...check out what songs I am listening to.

#4. This one is two of my most favorite ministries. Above Rubies (www.aboverubies.org) has changed my life. The teaching here has revolutionize the way I feel about the tough parts of being a mom. All that training, laundry, dishes...it is all my priveledge...and my joy. I GET to do this. I don't always do it right...but I am getting better with God's help, everyday! My other favorite is Deliberate People (www.deliberatepeople.com) This is all about getting deliberate in our pursuit of Christ. Getting to know him on purpose...not letting life lead where it may...check out the site...they say it better than I can!! I promise you...it will be more than worth it!!

#5. Shout out to DUTCH BROTHERS coffee. (www.dutchbros.com) DB is my treat...my yummy, yummy treat... 'nuff said!

#6. Well, this one is kinda vain...I love my hair straightener. Truth be told, I need a new one...but I love what a little straight iron and some heat does to my strawberry mop. Oh, Yeah...looking like a rock star! (not really, I just love to say that!)

#7. Wait...this was only a list of 6...So- there ya have it...six of my personal favorite things...I actually can add another...and I'll do it in picture form!!! Enjoy!
Cody and Brittany- soccer stars
Coaches and kids...Brendan w/ Brit, and Clay w/ Cody
uuhhh...yeah...???
One of Chloe's drawings
One more from Chloe!!

I had some of Cait...but they must be too big...maybe next time...
So, Now I tag...only two...
Kimberly and Tracy!!!

FUN WITH FRIENDS!!!

Another houseFULL!! I love it!
Tonight we had a basketball game 5pm. The YMCA was very crowded. With one of my best friends being out of town, we had plans to have her husband and her children over for dinner. That brought our total for dinner from our regular 6 upto 10. NICE!! At the end of the game, another good friend, whose wife works graveyard, asked what we were doing for dinner. HEE HEE!! Thank goodness I was prepared! We ended up with 15 for dinner...on the spur of the moment. God is SOO GOOD!! Brendan brought over a green salad and bread. I quickly whipped up a fruit salad, and I had enough crockpot chicken and potatoes to go around!! Phew!! The topper...last night my mother in law sent us home with a TON of desserts from Thanksgiving. Brownies, cherry cheesecake, carrot cake, watergate pie, chocolate pie...and breads!! Everyone left with full tummies!!
After dinner and the football game, the boys brought out the PS3...

--clockwise from 9- Clay, Cody, Christopher, Chris, Cean, Alishea and Brendan.

While some of the boys played, the girls also did their own thing...

--Caitlyn and Maddie (Chris' daughter)


--Brittany (Brendan's daughter) and Chloe

The other two boys, Michael and Jacob, both Chris' sons played with the PS2 in the boys room...(ignore the mess!!)


I have to be honest, I am so tickled. I love that people wanna come over to my house. It certainly isn't the cleanest...or the nicest...but apparently people are comfortable here!! I LOVE IT!!!

Ok- so, I have been tagged...That means my next post will be 6 things that I love...get ready...I get kinda loud!!

RATS!

Phew, what a wirlwind of a week.
Cody, Cait and Cean were home all week for Thanksgiving break. Wow- were we busy. While Chloe was in school, we cleaned up for company...(my mom came for the holiday) and we watched our friend's kids. Clay always said he wanted to have the house where all the kids wanted to hang out...well, this last week, that is exactly what we had!!
At one point on Tuesday, we had 9 children over!! What a blast we had. You should have seen the looks I got while doing some grocery shopping with the whole gang! That is one picture I wish I had!
Wednesday, the house was a little less crowded...we only had seven children that day!
On Wednesday, Chloe came home with some little friends. With Thanksgiving break from school, the little class room pets had to go home with someone...so why not my wonderful Chloe. She was SUPER excited to bring home Snickerdoodle and Squeekers!

They arrived with MUCH excitement and fanfare. The whole house, with the exception of daddy, was excited. We found, however that Squeekers was not very nice...while her cage mate, Snickerdoodle was a doll. Squeekers was so nasty infact that Chloe had to put a bandaid on a bite that she got!!
A few hours later...we knew why Squeekers was such a pain...she was in pain!
"MOOOOOMM- I hear from the girls room. "There is something in the cage...you need to come quick!"

YUP! We started with 2 GIRL rats. By the end of the evening, we had 9 rats!!! Ms. Meyers apparently bought one pregnant rat! The excitement in my house was contagious...much to my husband's dismay! It was very much like that scene in 101 Dalmations where the housemaid/nurse keeps coming out to the men who are anxiously awaiting news, with a higher and higher number of pups! I love how God reminds us how precious little giggles are. (and we had a lot of them that night!!)
By Thursday morning, Squeekers was back to her sweet self. She is quite a character, let me tell you. She has proven to be a very good mommy and a very fun playmate to all of us...well maybe not to Clay!
OK- confession time...I love these little guys...Squeekers is my favorite. She loves to play! We are having a blast with these little guys!
The pups are now almost 5 days old. They grow so fast. They still look like little naked mole rats, y'know...Rufus from Kim Possible?!!? They still have no hair and their eyes are closed...but they are growing quickly...and getting more and more mobile every day!!

They even try to wobble off your hand when you hold them...which Squeekers has been kind enough to let us do!!

With all of the excitement happening in our home, it makes me very curious as to what God has in store for us this week!! I can't wait to find out!!!

"ARE YOU READY FOR THE WORK OF IT?"

"ARE YOU READY FOR THE WORK OF IT?"

This was the question asked of me by my Lord last week. At that moment, I was not ready. I was not ready for the work of interceding, for the work my home needed, and sadly, I was not ready for the work of mothering. What HAD me bound?
Fear and lies.
Fear that it would be too hard, and that I would fail. My King answered me..."If I am with you, who can be against you?" I WAS afraid of facing the emotional work of it all, for at the moment, I felt emotionally drained already..How faithful our Lord is to give rest for the soul and renew our strength and resolve!
The enemy fought back..."Your hormones are messed up because of endometriosis, you can't handle any more"
"You can't do a lot of physical work right now because of your pain"
"You don't deserve healing"
L I E S (did you hear me scream that?)
In my moment of weakness, my Lord had me call a wonderful encouraging, STRONG, friend. Oh, how the Lord used her to build me up! Even still I remember her words, and the Lord uses them to encourage me. Do you know what she said to me when, for the first time, I spoke the lies enemy had been saying to me for a long time?
"NO!" She declared! "WHAT DID HE DIE FOR THEN? WHY ALL THAT BLOOD? NO!" (she stood in authority for me, when I had forgotten I had that authority through Christ myself-wow! God is good) JESUS DIED FOR YOU, AMY...DON'T STAND FOR THAT RUBBISH!!! That is what it is, you know." she said a little softer.
Yeah! I know. I wonder, sometimes how I ended up that challenged. But, I am not dwelling on that, I am moving forward!
The day after, I began interceding for a friends marriage. I fasted during the day for them, lifting them up, praying that each one would begin to put the other first. I loved how I saw them interact when they were over to our home yesterday! For the first time in months, they were playful with one another. My heart was singing God's praises.
I have been working on the attitude in my home. Phew, this one is a challenge. You see, I let the enemy get me down...and my entire household was affected during that time...BUT NO MORE!
I STAND FOR CHRIST!
I STAND FOR HIS PURPOSES!
Whining, arguing, complaining and talking back are NOT His purposes! I am turning it around!! How? You might ask. It was something Vange said in her mothering cd set. My children have eternal attributes. Heavenly gifts. The enemy tries to steal, rob and destroy this eternal destiny they have been given. So I am speaking the destiny that God has given them, into them. Let me give you an example. My daughter, Caitlyn, has been blessed with a strong spirit. We have redefined Caitlyn to mean "Strongly filled with the Holy Spirit". She knows that it is her destiny to have the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) The enemy fights back with rebellion. When Caitlyn struggles with this, I say to her "This is not who you are! You, Caitlyn, were created to be filled with the Spirit of God! God does not live in rebellion. He lives through you, in your obedience. You have a destiny to live in obedience to God, dear one. Put aside (or fight) this rebellion, and walk now in who God made you to be." You should see how fast rebellion leaves! It is wonderful!
Backing up a bit...I know how I ended up so challenged. God is good to reveal such things. Just now, I was reminded of my mindset then. During this time, I said to my husband (about keeping the house) "I feel like its one against five- and I am losing this fight to keep a tidy home" I did not seek the Lord in any of it. I was not in His Word. I was trying to do it ALONE- in my own power! Hello, my own power??? DUH! :o)
I love the way my Lord reminds me of who I am in Him. I know he does this for you...in the way He knows how to speak especially to your heart. For me, it is a reminder of my heritage. Did you know that Amy means beloved? It is the feminine of David...a man after God's own heart! I will take that! Looking at my life, and reading about David...I can see some similarities...I can rest in that! We know by his account that David certainly was human, and I comforted by his sins and his moments of weakness. He was human...just like me...sinful, just like me, and he loved God...and most of all- God loved him back! Yeah...through it all....GOD LOVES ME BACK!!! Wait...not just back...GOD LOVED ME FIRST!!!
OOH...I AM ready...Ready for the work of it!

Quinn Heros- taken in 2004

Soccer, Soccer, Soccer

Wow- I am amazed at how I love this game. Good thing too...since it seems to be a family thing. Soccer is Cody's favorite sport. He excells at it...and as you can see by all the mud, his dedication is well...his heart is certainly into this sport. Cody has been playing since Kindergarten...with Cait and Cean behind him.
This summer we gathered a team together and traveled to a few tournaments. Being our first tourney experience...we didn't win much, but Cody certainly held his own against many of the players on the teams we played...which by the way, ended up being some of the best teams on the West Coast!
We will know in about a week if Cody will be playing on a traveling team in the spring. This is an exciting time because it will mean tougher teams. The harder the team, the harder the game...the more Cody will develop as a player. The timing will be perfect as our region has an Olympic Development Camp that Cody will be attending in March.
We are all excited about the MLS (Major League Soccer) Cup match tomorrow...at 9am...(did you see the time of this post?) We are having friends over for breakfast (stuffed french toast, bacon, eggs and yummy fruit) and watching the game. I am bummed it means missing church, but we will be holding our own little service after the game...Thankfully we can download the message we will miss from our church's website! It should be a good match (go New England Revolution). I guess technically we are LA Galaxy fans...(who isn't with Beckham now on the team...sometimes...) Cody has loved watching DB play since he was with Man U. He still loves Man U, and we watch as often as we can. We are counting down until the Man U/Liverpool match. (Liverpool is my team!!) That will be another fun one!! Anyway...Its late, and I seem to be rambling now...going on and on about, well...nothing too entertaining! Enjoy the pics! since it is late...they didn't come out the way I thought. Top is Cean (key-ian) Cait is next...playing goalie, and the final two are Cody!!

A little about me..

Deep breath-
I am Amy, wife to Clay, mother of four. I Love, Love, Love being married to my husband. I have loved watching him grow as a man, and in his relationship with our Lord. I have seen him go from a selfish young man to a wise, encouraging man. He has been my greatest gift. Marriage of course is sometimes challenging, but I am excited about growing old with this man. We have made it though some very rocky roads...some fun rollercoaster rides...I told my husband last night that he brings out the dork in me! When we were dating...I was getting ready to leave his house. We were in the kitchen preparing a snack when he suddenly broke out in this dorky dance...I remember thinking "What the....is he doing..." I put my "proper" self aside, and just started dancing too...It was a blast!! Whoo... "...Don't care who watches, you gonna take it up a few notches..."Raise your hands in the air, act like a fool cuz you just don't care" Supersonic by Family Force 5. Yeah...I love this life.
My oldest child is my daughter, Chloe. Middle school has been a fun challenge...she is doing well! Conferences revealed my daughter is a straight A student. You GO Chloe!! She is the artist in the family, and as I figure this stuff out, I will post some of her drawings! She really is fantastic! She is God's helper and truely has a mothers heart. It was just last week that she had an emotional day...during this time, she revealed to me that some kids at school were teasing her...why, you wonder? Because she has been standing up for other kids getting teased...Standing in the gap. That's my girl...
Cody is my athlete. Soccer, soccer, soccer. Our town is challenged when it comes to good soccer development, but he has learned and developed inspite of this. He is a natural striker...with a nose for the net. He is excellent in math, and wants to be a professional soccer player first, and an engineer second. He spends a lot of time playing with and designing things with legos and knex. He is a joy to have in our family.
Caitlyn is my fireball. She has a strong spirit and loves the Lord. She, like all my children are destined to do great things for our Lord, Jesus Christ. Cait is a fantastic gymnist. She was taking classes at the Y...and I was told that she needed to move on to something more serious. Her instructers went on to explain specifically how she had natural talent. I love to watch her...she has an excellent handstand, and her cartwheel has come a long way. She spends more time on her hands, than on her feet!! She along with all her siblings are doing very well in school. Last year, she went through
the school year without missing ONE spelling word!! 100% on every single spelling test!! My baby!
Cean is my youngest. Since his name means Joy...that is what he is destined to be. We have some challenges at this point...but we are working through them...He is such a sweet boy. He is now in Kindergarten, and is doing well...he had a fabulous socccer season. So far he looks like a natural defender, and is a joy to watch. I have to be honest, I miss my baby boy. He is growing up so fast. I feel so fortunate that he still loves to play our favorite kissy cheeks game. He kisses my cheeks...one after the other...over and over. Then when he thinks I am gonna turn the other cheek, I surprise him w/ a kissy on the lips...he giggles every time! I love it!
I love being a mom, and wouldn't trade my life for a million, katrillion dollars!
Oh, no...why is my dryer making that noise...time to run!!