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!!