In Over My Head ...

Holding On

2011-06-25T13:14:00.001-05:00

~ This post was drafted several weeks before we had learned of our news, a move to Colorado. Our journey continues. Only God holds our future, each and every day He sees the end to the beginning. ~

When I pray I feel it near, the verge of something bigger than me, the edge, the closing, excitement stirring in my heart. I know He goes before me, before us and guides us and this is what I cling to. I'm here now.

No news yet on a potential job position that would allow Matt to cover the entire state of CO. We are in limbo, holding on and holding on. Yet, in the uncertainty, I know we are on our way. I have known for a while, that this chapter will end soon. The Lord has allowed me an awareness, and a stillness to things I need to keep in focus.

The privileges I have known, being His child. He holds me together, and breaks me apart. Teaches me, grows me, stretching me and it continues. His timing, the way he reveals piece by piece, He amazes me. I didn't know why during satisfied moments my heart would shift, but now I do. He pushes me through, makes me go beyond my own comfort and I'm grateful, tearfully grateful.

In 2008, I saw the CO landscape for the first time and was awe struck that people could actually live in such gorgeous surroundings. Never had I dreamed that the Lord would offer this and so much more to us, in just three years. In 2010 we took our first family vacation to Granby, CO. Driving into the mountains during holiday traffic, my sunglasses hid my tears. How can home be a place I've never been? I didn't know then and I don't know now. What I can say is that only God allowed me to know that day that I was entering a time in my life that would prove significant.

I journal this to give testimony to the One who holds my life and directs these changes. I don't ever want to forget where I've come from or how I get to where I'm going. Everything I have grown into is because of His grace and wherever I am, His grace is with me. He holds me together now, before any official news, and He will hold me together during a frenzied, bittersweet ending to a beautiful chapter in my life.
Lord, while you move me, help me hold on.

Happy Birthday Samuel!

2010-11-18T10:26:00.010-06:00

It's official, the big number four candle has been blown out. He reminds me daily that he's not a baby, verbally and physically, and just like his brothers, he shows me no mercy. He insists on zipping up his own jacket and putting on his shoes. He gets the keys to my van, pushes buttons to open doors and climbs in his seat. He snaps on his belt and says, " K Mama, I'm ready." When I leave him at Mustard Seed, he simply says," Bye Mama." He fills his own cup with water and he pushes in his chair after meals. He knows how to navigate my iphone and sucker me into buying apps. Small people knock on my door and ask me, "Can Sam play?"
I could just cry a river and at times I have. (The night before his birthday, to name one.) He has technical skills and he shows intelligence and independence, he has manners and confidence ... he even has a social life! What is happening??
This is all part of the deal, right? The part of parenting that allows you to be so happy and so sad all at once. The bittersweet cup we drink from, the pride mixed together with pain ... the slow flight from our nest.
Dear God, Thank you for the appointed calling of being a mom. Please give me strength to endure the process and fill me with gratitude for every moment. Enable me to love them the way you love them, and help me recognize your work in my children, who belong to you first. And as they all outgrow their footed pajamas, may they rise up as men for your cause.
Happy 4th birthday to my precious little man ... who will always be my baby.

Silly Sam

2010-06-09T15:28:00.014-05:00

Being adorable can be both, a blessing and a curse, just ask Sam. I am usually biting the insides of my cheeks to keep from smiling when I have to discipline him. He makes me laugh. He makes us all laugh. Everyday. It's everything, from the way he dresses himself to the half wink, pirate eye that he uses to be cool or mad or shy or funny. It's a multi expression face, you can use it for whatever you feel like and it works. It's very similar to the arrangement of multi purpose words that he uses. A group of words that rhyme, you just fill them in wherever you want. They usually start with footy booty or pooty hooty. It can sound like this- " Sam, what do you want for breakfast?" " Hooty pooty. " or "Sam, where are your shoes?" " Footy booty pooty. " or "Sam, why are you so cute?" (smacking himself on the forehead,smiling) " Tooty Pooty Hooty. "

There are so many ways this boy keeps us smiling! :)

A Birthday Prayer for Elijah

2010-02-16T23:08:00.012-06:00

~I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
and that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
so let my love give you roots and help you find your wings~
-Mark Harris

After I read this post to Elijah today he said, "I'm gonna get wings?"

Catching sight of eagles in Alton, Illinois... and ice cream, of course.

2010-02-02T10:23:00.008-06:00

Lauren....

2010-01-20T18:53:00.009-06:00

This is not a figment of your imagination....do not adjust your dials.... you're not on the wrong blog. The pictures posted above are genuine in existence. That's right you are looking at a baby girl born to Matt's oldest brother Jeff and our sister-in-law Shannon. She is just this tiny little bit of a baby, perfect in every way. Congratulations to Jeff and Shannon and to all the extended family. After three sons and six grandsons....lucky number seven for my mother-in-law and father-in-law is precious little Lauren.
~ Daughters are like flowers, they fill the world with beauty and sometimes attract pests~ AU :)

Just thought I would give Jeff some trouble about the future with this little beauty. ;)

Can It Really Be?

2009-11-16T22:21:00.004-06:00

My baby turned three! Samuel is all of a boy that you could ever dream of. I can hardly believe that three years have gone by since the day that I first got to see his beautiful face. My heart is full of all the mixed emotions of watching your baby grow. I am so happy and proud of my exuberant boy and at the same time I have that ache inside knowing that he is growing up and there is nothing I can do to slow it down.
" Oh the pleasure of watching the children growing is mixed with a bitter cup,of knowing the watercolor ponies will one day ride away"....-Wayne Watson

Pumpkins 2009

2009-10-26T12:02:00.012-05:00

The Wabash and Pacific Railroad

2009-10-15T14:27:00.007-05:00

Another crisp October day, perfect aboard a 12 inch small gauge steam train. It runs right along the Meramec River in Wildwood, MO. We had done this trip once before but Eli was a baby and it was summer and very hot. This time though the weather was cool and the scenery was beautiful. All the boys got a kick out of this for different reasons.... and it is only a three dollar donation per ticket. If you have not been it is a fun little trip and if you have a choo-choo fan it is very worth it.

Keep Me As The Apple Of Your Eye...

2009-09-30T11:32:00.008-05:00

Here it is- FALL! YIPEE! We welcomed fall with our traditional apple-picking day. It was cool but warm, windier than normal and bright blue in the sky. The boys ran down several rows of trees, searching for perfect apples, and they found them:)
Bring on the apple crisp, apple cake and maybe apple butter??

Missing Matt and Java

2009-09-12T18:44:00.006-05:00

I truly adore Matthew Missey. He is all I have ever prayed for. He has grown into a beautiful husband and he is an extremely playful daddy, and I am so grateful to God for "The Hook-up".
It's funny how when just one person is missing from your family, everything feels so different. Matt is kayaking on the river and tonight is the third night I will put the kids to bed without Daddy praying with us and tucking the boys in. Sammy has asked me everyday where his Daddy is and also told me that he is going to go in Daddy's boat. "One more day", I say, "Daddy will be home tomorrow."
I do a lot of things around here and love being a SAHM, but I know that behind all of me is an incredible man who gives me the confidence to be a better wife and mom.
Love the one you are with, give them your all and nothing less. Life is best when it is shared with those we love, fill them up, do kind things for them even when your tired, speak encouragement and forgive a lot.
Matt makes me coffee every morning and on this morning there was a sweet note to go with it. Something so simple but a reminder to me that I am cared for and loved. (He also loves his kids and knows they will have a better day if their mommy had her coffee)
Hurry home Honey.......I'm in husband and caffeine withdrawal!!

Busy Bees

2009-09-10T21:10:00.003-05:00

We are using up a lot of brain power over here....most of it mine, as I try to stay creative in ways that both entertain and teach. I am feeling extremely blessed this time of year, that we get to do this again.

Art Projects for Kids

2009-08-26T14:08:00.001-05:00

Last Batch of Naked Mole Rats

2009-08-26T13:48:00.004-05:00

May-B's babies, last round... she has an appointment on the calendar. It has gotten very hard to get rid of them, not due to a lack of homes, but due to the broken hearts in our home when they go. Only two babies this time, nice and fat, they don't have to share. We are enjoying every minute with these little cuties and I send out daily reminders that they are not ours..... somehow I don't think this will save us any tears, maybe I'm just saying it for myself. I hope myself is listening:)

Playtex, Anyone?

2009-08-21T15:08:00.003-05:00

You never know what happens in your home while you are gone. Last night I had some girl time with my sweet friend Nicki, we headed to the movies and saw Julie and Julia, which was really cute. Upon returning home it looked relatively normal in my house, a stack of dirty dinner dishes on the counter, Hot Wheels and shoes strewn across the family room floor, bathroom light was on, all the boys were sleeping except Sam, who tenderly requested that I sing him "Jesus". (Jesus Loves Me) Matt was in bed, blue shadows from the T.V. flickered in the hall. "Good", my heart spoke effortlessly,"Everyone is safe and resting." I never care what I come home to as long as everyone is well.
Morning came to soon and shined it's light on the secrets that night had kept from me. Getting Sam up and out of bed I noticed plastic tubes in his bed and on his floor. "What in the world?" Upon closer examination, meaning prying one out of his death grip, I realized he had opened several tampons and the little tubes and plugs of cotton had been disected. "Oh my gosh, you got into my tampons, you little stinker!" I scratched my bedhead and proceeded with our morning routine. That's when I said," Come on, let's change your diaper." Sammy shouts back at me with, "No, don't change my tampon!!" Well as you know, as soon as I started laughing he kept on repeating it, "Don't change my tampon! Don't change my tampon!"
Two reasons why I don't need to go out much, 1. My kids are a huge source of entertainment. 2. I sacrifice my personal hygiene products to the powers that regulate my home:)

Summer Forges Ahead

2009-08-04T12:34:00.002-05:00

Make sure to pause the music on the playlist at the bottom of the blog, so you don't get overlapping music.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I Know I Can't....But I Wish I Could

2009-07-21T00:00:00.053-05:00

Collin Raye sings a song about saving moments, putting them in a jar and keeping things just the way they are. Sounds like a glorious plan to me, but we all know better and the inevitable is happening...my dearest occasions are fleeting.
But, say there was a jar, we could keep it on our window sill or our bedside tables, all of our life just swirling around in a precious jar. From time to time, we could take it down and open it, pull out a day or night and live in it again, breathing in the smell of newborn baby boy skin, or listening to the sound of thunder while a sleeping boy lies in your arms or blow dandelions across a yard with a boy who still believes in wishes. My jar would have lots of ordinary minutes in it, but all the minutes mine, my smells and my sounds, all of the colors that beat in my heart.
I can't stop the world from turning, but I am doing my best to savor all the bits and pieces that come with raising three boys, the good, the bad and the ugly, in no particular order:), I am welcoming it all, it is my gift from God to dwell here, in this space, in this time, where I am breathing.
Open my proverbial jar and see what I captured, today, it's full of Benjamin junctures.( I probably would'nt set my jar on the window sill, I'm sure it would vibrate right off the edge:)........
Star Wars movie watchin', Lego buildin', frog catchin', car noticin', diving board jumpin', tree climbin', water balloon tossin', guitar practicin', big brother bossin', star gazin', temperature gaugin', time tellin', strawberry-and-whip cream eatin', hide-and-seek hidin',no-floatation device swimmin', blue-eyed wonderin', sweet huggin', light saber fightin', firestick pokin', s'more makin', creek swimmin', Webkinz collectin', Scholastic book readin', lizard findin', Jeremy Camp rockin', permanent teeth grinnin', pancake orderin', war playin', shy singin', most of the time well behavin', number calculatin', Fruit Stripe chewin', bike ridin', skate board learnin', wise-beyond-years communicatin', celery gagin', adventure delightin', carefree dressin', friend gatherin', rock hammerin',against room cleanin', jump out and scarin', always negotiatin', love deservin', blanket heapin', wild imaginin', bird identifin', video gamin', bug huntin', not-so-fond- of-kissin', energy overflowin', knowledge offerin', gas passin', tender prayin', bunny rescuin', Pepsi sippin', 64 lb. weighin', target shootin', rubber band wearin', puppy dog smellin'.....
Another birthday, another reminder, cherished time is ticking.
When you can catch em', hold em', fast and slow, hard and soft and I don't care how big they get, never stop saying how much you love em' and how much everything would be different without em'.
Happy 9th Birthday to my blonde baby angel, who exhilarates my life and fills up my jar.

The Developing Vocabulary of my Two-Year Old

2009-07-16T12:19:00.004-05:00

Sam uses "H" for "L".
So, when he says, "hipstick", he means lipstick, refering to his chapstick.
When he says ,"hegs" - legs.
"I love you" comes out, "I hub you" so, of course now we all say, "I hub you"..."I hub you more."
The funniest was this morning though, I asked, "What ya doin', Sammy?"
His reply, "Petting Hoochi"
.....So yeah, our boy cat, Loochi, who used to be our girl cat, Lucy....is now "Hoochi"

If your curious about how Lucy turned into Loochi go to the blog archives, June 2008, it might amuse you:)

Our Peachy Day

2009-07-15T13:26:00.001-05:00

Make sure to pause the music on the playlist at the bottom of the page first.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Liam ..."Strong Protector"

2009-07-12T21:39:00.003-05:00

Meet the newest Missey!! Congratulations to the Missey family for producing another boy! This family's lineage isn't going anywhere!
I apologize for the blurry photo, my camara was in manual focus and I didn't know it, UGH!
Oh well, I guess that just means I will have to snap some more of this precious baby boy!

Home is Where Cats Nap in Sunbeams

2009-07-09T07:17:00.003-05:00

Home of the Brave?

2009-07-05T11:53:00.003-05:00

Here's how Sam watched the show last night.
It was fun, food-filled, and loud!!!
Hope your fourth was a great one!

More From My Family Circus

2009-07-01T09:50:00.003-05:00

"How do French people kiss?"-Elijah

"I'll be outside collecting lady bug larva."- Ben

Me to Eli-" Did you get all the shampoo out of your hair?"
"Yeah, I even got all the air conditioner out."
"The what??"
"The air conditioner, you know the stuff in the green bottle that makes my hair soft."

We spent the day at a waterpark, and there was some loud music pumping. I seized the moment and started to sing and dance along, some lady turned around smiling at me, and I told her I love to embarass my kids. My eight year old responds with," Mom, your only embarassing yourself."

I walk by the fridge and Eli has his nose smashed up against the freezer.
I am wondering, "Should I even ask?" I went for it. "What in the world are you doing?"
"I am smelling the ice cream."
So, I stick my nose right up besides his and sure enough it smelled great!!

After church I Got Eli out of his class and he said,"Church was so long I forgot what you were wearing."

At the doctors office I was trying to overhear what the dr. was saying to the lady in the next room (she had a screaming baby who apparently had tonsilitis and ear infections) Ben says, "Mom, are you meddling?"

"Goldfish make me fart."- any guesses???

Sammy is my little british baby who says, "Ello, mummy." Cracks me up every time, and then I talk in my british accent(I picked up from watching so many episodes of Thomas the Train) asking my kids things like, "Would you like a spot of tea?

"It's the last hour of the day where all the numbers are the same."- Ben

Eli slowly releasing air out of a balloon, says, "Listen, I can make my balloon sound like Summer." (His four month old cousin who really has a good set of lungs.)

Ask Sam-Sam to do anything for you these days and he says, "Okey-Okey" or "Roger Doger" (sooo cute)

"Honey, After This Trip You Should Really Think About Shaving Your Legs"

2009-06-09T15:07:00.004-05:00

What I like best about camping is you can get really dirty. Either your all by yourself so no one else sees you, or everybody your with is just as dirty as you are so no one else cares.- anonymous former boy scout

We had a pretty dirty weekend and nobody cared. We packed up on Fri afternoon, drove down to Sam Baker State Park with Matt's oldest brother's family and set up camp for the weekend. We did smores, hot dogs, and Matt got our camp fires started with his ginormous propane torch, ahh, fun was had by all. Props especially go out to our sister-in-law, Shannon, who did all this at ten weeks pregnant!!! ( She only threw up in her mouth one time.) Congratulations Jeff and Shannon!! Enjoy the cute smilebox, pictures were taken with Matt's iphone.( I know, I can't believe I forgot my camera either!) (But, whoever thought of the camera in the phone was just a true genius as far as I'm concerned:) SQUIRREL!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

B.D.S.

2009-06-01T14:25:00.011-05:00

On most days, genetically speaking, Samuel is the spitting image of Matt, except for his B.D.S. Notice how he's got just a little extra going on back there today? Just a little more than he normally would, hangin' off the back of the bench? Is that his one strand of his momma's DNA? The one lineal trait that I handed down? Or...is that just B.D.S.?
(click on image for detailed B.D.S.)
B.D.S. symptoms- swollen or enlarged rear end, soggy and possibly cold,
seeping water from area when child sits.
B.D.S. usually affects children between birth and three years, most common in summer months but not exclusive to. If you feel that your child is suffering from B.D.S. no medical attention is required. It is not contagious, It is easy to diagnose and easy to treat. There are no known complications at this time.
With just a small amount of effort you can relieve your child considerably.
One option would be to allow the child to run naked, another would be stay away from water, probably the most common form of treatment for B.D.S. is available through your neighborhood grocery store or drugstore. A package of swim diapers usually clears things right up, and you should see heiny size return to normal immediately after placing the swim diaper on your child.
While B.D.S. can look a bit frightening the prognosis is excellent!!
( So little Sammy didn't inherit his momma's bottom after all, just another case of Bloated Diaper Syndrome )
( If Momma would spend more time on the treadmill, her B.D.S. would clear up and her and Sammy could both be healed!!)
( Let's not be greedy, one miracle at a time:)

20 Lessons Collected And Reflected, From My First Year Homeschooling

2009-05-27T13:04:00.032-05:00

Yes, I have survived second grade again and have attained much more this time around. These lessons are based solely on my own experiences, as homeschooling vastly differs from family to family. I do not claim to have all the answers, just a willing spirit and hope for the ones that God has entrusted to me. Trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord and doing my best to pass it on. Maybe I just stated my number one lesson.
1. Do not compare yourself or your children to others, God created each of us in a wonderful and unique way.
2. Trust that you will make mistakes and your kids will still love you.
3. Be who you are and embrace the freedom that comes from unconventionalism and not pleasing anyone but God. (and it is freeing.)
4. See your kids as God made them, understanding that, will help them discover His will for their lives.
5. There are so many resources for a homeschooling family, reach out and be resourceful.
6. Every moment is part of an education.
7. My children are naturally curious and excited to learn, this ignites my passion for homeschooling.
8. Keep lessons short, recognize "glaze over".
9. Everything is a science project.
10. Encouragement goes a long way.
11. Sometimes they need to just be left alone with a project and they will get it.(i.e. Elijah using scissors)
12. Manners, behaviors, beliefs and actions are a VERY important part of homeschooling and should be incorporated 24/7.
13. Adjust accordingly, it's okay to let something go that isn't working out, let God direct.
14. Jumping on a trampoline counts as gym. (Thanks Kelly.)
15. Animals are wonderful teachers for empathy, compassion and responsibility.
16. I have more support than I thought I would.
17.Alot of Cafe Malta and alot of prayer can get you through January, February and March.
18. That it is okay when people doubt my sanity and even more okay when they elevate me to sainthood.
19. Faculty meetings can be fun when your crazy for the principal.
20. That ALL my trust is in God, and He who began this good work in our family will faithfully complete it.
As we wrap up the official "homeschool year", I consider my time spent with the boys teaching them academic lessons and life principles, as well as the study of Moses, and how to make scrambled eggs. As I do, more and more that I have learned comes to my heart and mind, but I will end with this as I have learned how to "recognize glaze over."(see #8) So while we may put away our grammar books for the few short weeks that we call summer, our journey continues, our learning never ends, our enlightenment pursues and we await lots and lots of freeze pops.

Works For Me....

2009-05-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

Thanks for this economically wise idea, Mom:)

A Whale of a Moth

2009-05-26T15:34:00.006-05:00

Just had to share....

another reason I love having boys, they find all these really cool creatures that I wouldn't dare touch. Have you ever seen a moth this big? His body was the size of a big, chubby thumb!!!

Water Wars

2009-05-26T14:44:00.006-05:00

This is what the kids did today on their unofficial first day of summer.
What does your water bill cost during June, July and August?

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T11:25:00.003-05:00

Thankyou to all who serve...

2009-05-18T11:11:00.009-05:00

Still round the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate, and though we pass them by today, tomorrow we may come this way and take the hidden paths that run towards the moon or to the sun.
The Lord of the Rings
A Walking Song sung by Frodo, Sam and Pippin, as they set off for Buckland

2009-05-15T17:22:00.005-05:00

Before you play this you may want to pause the playlist music at the bottom of the blog or else you can just listen to two songs overlapping each other.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It's a Jungle In There

2009-05-14T18:16:00.003-05:00

Ben and Eli switched beds over the weekend,apparently not only do you get to wear boxers when you turn 6 but you also get automatic promotion to the top bunk. Ben was cool with this so he could set up a jungle. Here is the way I found him when I checked on him during his quiet read time(a.k.a. mom needs a break time)
If you look closely you will find a living, breathing critter tucked up on the side of him, under his arm.

Forty Winks

2009-05-14T11:36:00.003-05:00

This is what life looks like after the kids are gone.(Looks pretty good to me,except for the engorged breasts)(I feel for ya babe)
All Mabel's kittens found homes within the one day, thanks to Craig's list. Letting go of this litter was especially hard, Eli cried and said nothing will ever make him happy. That was tuesday, I've seen a few smiles since then.

Roto-Rooter Drama

2009-05-05T17:01:00.005-05:00

Husband wakes to take a pee. Husband notices that the toilet water is at the brim of the pot. Husband wakes wife. Wife doesn't like to be woken up for non-emergencies.(non-emergency being anything other than the bed being on fire) Groggy wife scratches head. Bladder-full husband asks wife what she threw in the pot. Crabby wife pulls pillow over her face. Husband gets the plunger. Wife never hears a thing..... Morning arrives, husband goes to office, wife gets the kids breakfast.....day progresses. Wife goes to take a pee. Wife opens toilet lid, here is what wife finds... wife laughs. Wife remembers her dream last night of crazed husband with plunger. Wife takes a picture because that is what wife does.
(Wife buys Clorox in bulk)

A Regular Day (pun intended)

2009-04-29T14:12:00.011-05:00

Have any idea why my two-year old boy got out of the tub??
Here are some ideas:
A. He was finished bathing and has become so independent he now drains the tub and towels off.
B. He was looking for his favorite toy that dropped in the water.
C. He pooped and was so taken aback by the sinking turd that he bailed.
If you chose C, you are genius!!! Meanwhile, do you have any good ideas for disinfecting 500 toys at once?

Be It Ever So Humble, There's No Place Like Home-

2009-04-28T15:36:00.004-05:00

John Howard Payne
Elijah cat nappin' with his favorite kitten whom he affectionately calls Cutie

My Baby, He's A Chippewa

2009-04-23T22:43:00.006-05:00

"Ben, how did you get that bruise on your forehead?"
"What bruise?"
I inspect him closely, his chin is in my hands and I'm perplexed as to how my child has bruises and I have no idea where he got them. "Did you hit your head on something a few days ago or were you drawing outside with sidewalk chalk?"
"No."
"You've got bruises on your cheeks and forehead, honey, what did you do?"
"Let me go see."
Ben calling out from bathroom," Oh that? I rubbed dandelions on my face."
(That was gonna be my next guess) Me shouting back, "Whadja do that for?"
"We were playing indians and I used dandelions for war paint."
(Makes sense to me.)
Me laughing," Come here and let me take your picture."
"Mom, are you going to put this on your blog?"

The Next Food Network Star??

2009-04-23T13:26:00.008-05:00

This is a prodigious example of one type of entree Chef Sammy can put together for you. He really has a knack for creating.....unexpected meals. If left alone in the kitchen, all he really needs is just a few minutes and voila. Really, the next time you are over I can make for you this delicious medley of bbq Pringles and Jif peanut butter. The peanutty flavor with just the right amount of crunch, spice it up with the sweet and mild taste from the bbq..... mmmmm. It's like a shindig in your mouth. Hey, don't knock it till you try it.

Another Round of Naked Mole Rats

2009-04-21T22:54:00.009-05:00

Mabel's newest liter, five in all, two little blondies and three dark gray, a bit fuzzier than her typical kittens. Needless to say we adore them and think they are the cutest kitties in the world. One of them belongs to my brother Shawn, he has yet to see them and pick out his favorite. It will be his first pet, that is so sweet, my 6'2 brother picking out a wee baby kitten. I took them outside for the first time today to get some pictures of them before they are gone. I don't think they were to sure of the great outdoors, although they did get their first taste of Kitten Chow when they came in. They gobbled that right up. Anyway, they are adorable and only have two weeks left to reside at our house, so the tears won't fall today.

2009-04-21T12:51:00.004-05:00

This is Sammy in his little Flintstone car, he grabbed my keys, put on my sunglasses,and if you look closely at his shirt you can see that he is wearing an old name tag that he ripped off of his hoodie jacket. So, at least wherever he is going they will know his name. He stuck one arm out the side and waved his hand at me. He laughed and yelled," Bye, Honey!"

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Shameless Piggies

2009-04-17T15:02:00.003-05:00

He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was upon Him;

2009-04-12T12:50:00.008-05:00

and by His wounds we are healed. Isiah 53:3

Today I celebrate my thirty-third birthday and more importantly I celebrate the resurrection of my king, Jesus Christ. I would not even be here to blow out my candles if my creator had not breathed me into life. Everything I have come from, everything that I am, everything that I am becoming is all because He has granted me life, and because He chose me, He has granted me eternal life.
Nothing can compare to my thoughts and feelings on the cross and what it means to me. I am a passionate person about alot of things. I am a passionate person for some very dear, dear people,(and you know who you are:) but I owe everything to a savior who chose to hang on a cross and die because He knew that someday I would be born, and that I would be born a sinner, with Him as my only hope. He knew that without Him I would die a miserable and eternal death, and because He knew that, He chose to wear a crown of thorns, He chose to have nails driven into His hands and feet and because He chose this I can have eternal life and I can celebrate my thirty-three years that He has blessed me with.
What a day for a birthday, what a day to reflect upon all the mercies in my life. What a sweet mingling of having a new age in front of me and having the amazing reminder that Jesus makes all things new.

Live in the passion of what Easter really is, HOPE for us all, a risen king, a love that flowed down from a cross washing over and bestowing us life.

Just because someone asked me, I thought I would share with anyone else wondering. The picture for this post is one that I took of Rock Presbyterian Church in Imperial, MO. This church is sweet to me because it facilitates The Mustard Seed Pre-School, where Ben and Eli attended for a total of five years all together.

2009-04-11T16:56:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2009-04-08T16:28:00.002-05:00

My sweet little niece Dakota. I had to post this picture that I took of Kota, I have been playing around on photoshop and just love the way this turned out. It helps when you have really cute subject matter.

"When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life."- Antisthenes

2009-04-01T15:45:00.005-05:00

Sam Missey: Live and Unplugged

2009-03-27T15:30:00.004-05:00

This is the common scene around our house lately. In this picture he was lucky enough to get a hold of his big brother's guitar, but when that is hidden away from sticky two-year old hands, just about anything can be a guitar. He says," tar-mom." Matt will hand Sam a pick to try and help save the guitar from being injured, but anyone who plays the guitar knows that a pick goes on your lips, it has to just stick there on your bottom lip and hang while you play with a different pick. Even Sam knows this, if he finds a pick anywhere it goes straight in his mouth. In a few years after we have worked on some of his finesse,..... DaDa better scooch over. Psalm 33:3 Sing to Him a new song, play skillfully and shout for joy!!

Political Correctness

2009-03-14T18:23:00.002-05:00

Elijah was dressing up in his Star Wars clone trooper costume. Him and Ben were going to go outside and play with their light sabers. Well, Elijah was having a difficult time getting his costume on, he had already taken it off and started over once because he had it on backwards the first time. Now he was starting to sweat as he tried to manuever the costume up his body. He was in a squating position and he was stuck. He was in between tears and a laugh when I heard him say," Hey Ben, I'm a midget."
Benjamin was growing very impatient with Elijah and I swear he answered him just like this,
"Eli, they aren't called midgets anymore they are called little people."
Where did I get these two from???

2009-03-13T16:13:00.002-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2009-03-13T15:01:00.002-05:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

English and Furballs

2009-03-03T10:29:00.004-06:00

No, his dog didn't eat his homework. His cat just lays all over it, craving attention.

Mabel, our sweet little girl kitty just loves to plop herself down right in the middle of Ben's school work. She's like, "How dare you try and learn something when all I want is a little love."

Ben obliges until Mom gives Mabes the boot, back to chapter 12 review.

Mabel giving Ben an eskimo kiss.
Ben avoiding underlining pronouns.

Sweet Sticky Chins

2009-02-26T11:51:00.028-06:00

Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,

shy and adventurous, full of surprises,

with mishapen halos and mischievious grins,

small dirty faces and sweet sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy and yet all the while,

nothing can brighten my world like his smile.

No greater treasure has brought my heart more joy

Than my curious, active and lovable boy!!

It's Only February, But It Sure Looks Like Summer!!

2009-02-26T11:12:00.016-06:00

Welcome to the World, Little One!!

Summer Lynne Moss made her grand debut one week ago, on February 19th, 2009. Melissa had a scheduled C- section at St. John's at around 2:30 in the afternnoon. She delivered a beautiful and healthy baby girl weighing in at a whopping 6lbs. and 10oz. she measured 18 in long.

Mom and baby are well and are back at home adjusting to life. I am suffering from withdrawal because I haven't held her in five days. Oh, she is so precious and such a reminder of God's miracles.

Congratulations to the entire Moss family and the Thierath family!!! Children are a blessing from God, and you my dear family have been blessed!!!!!!

Ben says, "I bet it wouldn't take to many balloons tired around her, for her to fly up to the sky."

A Birthday Blast

2009-02-10T17:12:00.002-06:00

Okay, you have to admit it just doesn't get any cuter than turning six years old and sporting a wide toothless grin!! My most adorable Elijah had his sixth birthday last saturday, I look at him and just say, "What an awesome blessing." He gives me my daily dose of laughter and at least once a week I'm in tears due to his tenderness, all this in one very special little guy.
We celebrated at Monkey Joe's and brought our own monkey's!!! All the monkey's slid down giant inflatable slides and bounced off rubber walls, fun was had by all.
Happy Birthday to my little prince, my knight in shining armor, my tender-hearted romeo!!!! Love You Lij more than a million galaxies:)

Snow Days

2009-02-10T09:54:00.007-06:00

Yeah! It finally snowed! If your gonna have winter you might as well have snow.(in my opinion)We loved it, Ben and Eli played out in the frigid air for hours, they snowboarded, went sledding, built an igloo, made a snowman everything that you can do in the one short week we had white stuff on the ground. It made for some really fun shots of the boys! We enjoyed it while it lasted,it is only Feb. maybe we will get lucky and have one more hit before the end of winter.

I Scream You Scream....

2009-01-20T01:07:00.009-06:00

One rocky road, one butter pecan, one mint chocolate chip and two cookies and cream = One very happy Missey clan. We took a break from eagle viewing and had a few licks. Old man winter isn't gonna get the best of us! No sir, we are dedicated to fun..... and ice cream!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, My Babies are in the Tub

2009-01-16T12:17:00.005-06:00

Okay, so it's the middle of January and it's about 5 degrees outside, no joke. My boys are driving me nutty, we are counting the days until spring. 63 days. The skies are gray, the ground is gray, the trees look gray. What is a mom to do? (besides pull her gray hair out? UGH.) Today the boys are going in the tub. I know that by the time they get out my bathroom will resemble the locker room at the YMCA, but I don't care, it's worth the wreckage. With the help of a little or a lot of watermelon bubble bath and some or maybe the whole can of cherry foam soap, the boys will have fun and they will be squeaky clean. They will have pruny fingers and tropical smelling hair, and I will have just enough time to take their picture and post this blog. Then I will make their lunches and fight the gray day.

Wish I had a wet mop....sigh

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-09T14:03:00.006-06:00

And.....I'm back. Okay, so the holidays got the best of me and I haven't been able to blog or post pics and for that I apologize. My Uncle Keith came in from Florida over Thanksgiving and we had a great time with him. The last time we saw him before this was in 2005, so we were a little excited.
We also celebrated my mom's birthday with a trip to Skip's, one of her favorite hangouts. We all had dinner and a few brave souls or should I say tipsy souls tried a little karoke. Happy 29th birthday, Mom.
Christmas was fun and crazy and a bit stressful for me if I'm honest. The kids were awesome, they were so good, if gift giving was truly based on being naughty or nice my kids deserved every gift they received. Matt and I had so much fun with them, these are the sweetest days.
We had a wonderful christmas service and supper at church, and I'm so thankful for my church family. Grandmother Missey had the entire Missey bunch for a Christmas dinner at her retired living apartment, it's always fun to see folks you don't see very often and to see how big all the Missey kids are getting.
We also celebrated Christmas with Matt's parents, his brothers and their wives, and our nephews. We had our traditional fondue dinner that Ron and Jan put together for us. It is always guarenteed fun, we laugh and eat for hours.Christmas Eve was really laid back, for the first year ever since Matt and I have been together we didn't have plans. It was sooo nice. Ron and Jan came down to the house we had dinner and played with the boys we set out cookies and milk, and when the kids went to bed we wrapped gifts.
Christmas Day we were at home, the boys woke up at around 7 am and kept running down the hall and hitting the door trying to wake us up. We had fun and made them wait until about 9 before opening gifts. It is such a pleasure to torture them!! Webkinz were the big deal this Christmas, a stuffed animal that comes with a secret code so you can take care of them in a virtual world. That and StarWars, and I still don't get Star Wars.
Christmas afternoon was here with Grandma and my brothers and my sister and her family, Mom had to work, Dad didn't show up. It was a good day and I tried my best to focus my love and attention on all who were here.
Moving forward into 2009, (wow, I can't believe I just typed 2009) Matt and I anticipate a great year together. We got to ring in the new year at a B&B in Hermann, MO. (thanks again Melissa and Josh!!) I praise God for each new mercy, and go forward with great expectations, trusting that He will do all that He has promised, He always does.

So just a recap for my record-keeping blog and to anyone else who reads through this stuff, I call my life.

Terrible Two's?.....Nah.

2008-11-05T01:15:00.005-06:00

Determined, Joyful, Silly, Curious, Strong-Willed, Kissable, Adorable, Playful, Independent, Dapper, Energetic, Alert, Enchanting.....

Only two years ago he laid in my arms and nursed at my breast. Now he runs from room to room, calls out my name and eats Happy Meals.

Now that's what I call progress!!

Happy Birthday Sammy Jo!!!

You are the clap of thunder in our family and we love you very much.

Cutest Kids On The Block

2008-11-05T00:55:00.002-06:00

From left; Cowgirl Dakota, Cowboy A.J., Cowboy Ben, 50's Diner Waitress Ally, Knight in Shining Armor Elijah, and my little Lion Cub Sammy.
Trick or Treat 2008

Pumpkins for My Pumpkins

2008-11-05T00:44:00.003-06:00

Taking a break.

Sometimes you just need a brother to carry you.

"No problem Dad, I'll grab these two." Samuel picking out the perfect pumpkins at Meert's in Festus.
October 2008

2008-10-16T23:50:00.009-05:00

Jesus said," Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16

Sometimes a regular, old, ordinary day turns out to be a day that influences eternity. A soul etching day. When I started reading "The Great Dinosaur Mystery And The Bible", I had no idea the questions this would stir up in my five year old boy. Oh how our Lord loves us so!!! Everything from, "Will we see extinct animals in heaven?", to... "Will you and Dad pray for Jesus to come into my heart?" While it feels so natural to lead my children to the Lord, I am in awe of how good God is and how He can move the heart of a boy only five years of age.

Elijah accepted Jesus to be the Lord of his life, to love Him and follow Him. How deep is Elijah's understanding? I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that Jesus prompted my boy's heart to seek out who He is, and that Jesus has instructed me to train up my child in the ways of the Lord. The Lord will lead Elijah into a deeper knowledge and understanding as he grows, I trust in this with everything that I am.

There is nothing we can do to save ourselves, only Jesus can save us. By turning to Jesus you and I can be forgiven and one day live forever with Him in paradise. Just believe Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins. Thank Him for His love and ask Him to come into your life forever. If you have not done this yet, why not do it today? This is the best decision you will ever make.

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 will live on with me into eternity, for this day has been etched into my soul. For this is the day that my five year old son became my brother in Christ. Keeping everything in perspective, you can be sure that of all things, my children's eternal life is what matters the most to me.

A Chicken and a Care Bear See Each Other for the First Time

2008-10-02T14:54:00.005-05:00

Samuel 5 days shy of his 1st birthday
Dakota age 8 mo.
I was looking at last year's Halloween pictures and started cracking up when I came to this one. They are looking at each other like -whatchu lookin' at? The expressions on their sweet baby faces are so funny. I love dressing the kids up at Halloween and seeing what my cute little nieces and nephew are going to be. I can't believe how big my baby got in one year!!! I know I say that all the time but when I look at pictures that seem like I took a couple of weeks ago, I'm like, MAN!!
Hope that you get a kick out of this flashback picture, I sure did!

All Charged Up

2008-09-30T16:18:00.005-05:00

Here's my boy having a successful day at the playground. This one has so much energy even his hair can't contain it.

"International Harvester"

2008-09-26T18:43:00.008-05:00

I'm a God fearin' hard workin' combine driver
hoggin' up the road on my p-p-p-plower
chug a lug a lugn' 5 miles an hour
on my International Harvester.

Went to Eckert's orchard today, the first day of fall, although it was feeling a bit more like summer. The boys picked three bags full of apples, so they will be coming out of our ears over the next few weeks. I always like taking the kids apple picking, it has become a tradition at the start of fall. I don't think we have missed one year since B has been born. Warm sunshine on your back, little boys all around you trying to find the biggest apples, my hubby's hand in mine, (when he was through picking his own apples, of course, and have no doubt he found the biggest ones. Big apples for a big kid.) While life on the road with Matt was an unforgettable trip, it is so good to be back home taking care of my three little people and picking apples.

Lovin' Daddy

2008-09-23T13:41:00.004-05:00

Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys. - author unknown

Far Removed

2008-09-17T11:34:00.005-05:00

Here it is folks, a place so far away from home, a beautiful place called The Grand Canyon, a place where the earth worships the Lord. To see this with my eyes was an honor. I will still remember this day when I am 100 years old. We stopped here on Sunday on our way to Vegas. The Lord's timing was perfect because we were able to watch the sunset here and then see the full moon rise up over the canyon. This experience was so unbelieveable. It didn't look real. There aren't enough adjectives in the thesaurus to describe to anyone what this sight looked like or how it made me feel. In our simple language the words that come to mind are amazing, astounding, magnificent, miraculous, astonishing, phenomenal........and even as these words tumbled around in my brain I stood there at the canyon edge completely speechless. (Yes, it's true I was speechless.)

A Classic Elijah

2008-09-08T22:19:00.007-05:00

"Mom when are you and Dad going to the desert?"
"In about eight days"

"When you are gone I'm going to sing-I miss you, I miss your smile, I still shed a tear every once in a while....."

Funny, I'll be singing the same song.

Washed Up And Ready To Go

2008-09-08T13:20:00.020-05:00

I can hardly believe that next week at this time Matt and I will be in Las Vegas, Nevada!!! We are driving all the way, something like one gazillion miles. Over the river and through the woods all the way to the Mirage Hotel. Matt has to attend a VM World convention Tues. and Wed. ( I get "ME" time, what's that mean again?) On Mon. we are planning on a trip to the Grand Canyon, I've only seen pictures of the Grand Canyon and every time I've ever seen a picture I say the same thing, "I can't even imagine what this place must look like in real life." Now I'm about to see it with my eyes "in real life" You can be sure I will be breathless, I might even cry.

The middle of the week I plan on working the slot machines and winning $1,000,000!! ( I typed that with my sarcastic finger.) Seriously, research Las Vegas online. I've packed some trail mix, extra blankets, my flashlight

and have a few bottles of water but as far as wearing "sensible shoes", well, you know me.

Anyway, I can't believe I will have free time all to myself, maybe I'll just stay in the bathtub the whole time, you know it's been a while since I've soaked and I might not get another chance before our next trip to Vegas:)

On Thursday we leave Vegas early and drive to South Fork COLORADO!!!! OMGosh!!! The only thing to get me back home from Colorado will be.... my babies, ...my family,... my furry babies,... my home,.... my church,... my friends,..... well okay, I'll be coming home, but if I could move all of this with me let's just say I'd move to Colorado. We are staying at Apple Dumpling Inn, a beautiful B&B in South Fork, big and victorian in a valley atop a mountain in the San Juan mountain range, I think it's somewhere around 14,000 feet above sea level!!! Wow... that brings us to Friday, the day we get to ride a steam locomotive from Durango, CO to Silverton, Co. There is a two hour layover in Silverton, this sweet, western, historical town in the mountains, time to eat and shop and explore. On the way to Silverton we will be riding in a parlor car on the way back to Durango we will be in the Silver Vista car, this car is open air with nothing but the mountains to surround us. To say I can hardly wait for this expedition is like the under statement of the year.

So, while you won't find me in the casinos or nightclubs, I probably won't have time to see any man-eating,tiger shows, don't even look for me in ski's or atop a snowboard, I won't be skydiving, extreme cliff jumping or even white water rafting (although the last one I could probably be talked into, shhh, don't tell Matt.)

I will be taking advantage of every mile between here and there to sing loudly to the ipod with the windows rolled down, talk, talk, talk, stop roadside for those perfect photos, enjoy as many Cinnamon Dolces as I can consume, talk some more, stop in small towns and hit antique shops and praise God from my grateful heart for this precious opportunity with my sweetheart.

You might find me walking "the strip", adventuring into as many stores as my "sensible shoes" will allow. Look for me at any outdoor cafe, if you can't find me there, check the hotel bathtub. (did I mention it's been awhile:) I might be at a spa, I might be at the edge of the canyon, crying (because of God's beauty and magnificence, not because I miss the boys, although I won't pretend this won't happen:) Look for me on the front porch of the B&B breathing in fresh mountain air or riding on a train in the middle of nowhere.

I'll admit I might be difficult to find so maybe you should just wait it out. We will be back home in one weeks time. Yep, you heard me we are cramin' all of this into about eight days. Once I'm back, you know where to spot me. H-O-M-E. One small and humble place but my very favorite. No matter where in the world I will go , I will always look forward to coming home.

Blog ya soon.

Technicalities

2008-09-01T01:30:00.003-05:00

Your future is secure. Little techie in the making. That's right folks, you can never start em' to young. While I unload the dishwasher I put our almost 22 mo. old son to work, trouble shooting on the laptop. Straight away. Ah-ha, it looks as if he found the error. No need to call the Geek Squad over to our house. Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

Baby Franky

2008-08-26T19:50:00.008-05:00

To a wee boy I know,

who fell on his head.

He got a great big gash

and his hair turned red.

His father gasped and his mother cried,

making for a very long ambulance ride.

While he held on tight to bear-bear,

so brave and so strong,

his family talked to Jesus

all night long.

Thirteen staples later

and a thrilling story to tell.

We're so proud of you A. J.

and we wish you

very well.

Things Overheard In A Minivan Part 1

2008-08-21T23:38:00.008-05:00

Ben to Eli, "When we grow up and move out of Mom and Dad's house I'm going to be a conservationist, what are you going to be?"
I glance in the rearview mirror back at Eli, curious of his reply. I'm sure Eli is thinking, What, I have to move out of our house???
Eli to Ben,"A Dad."( When the Lord knit Eli together He wove in extra large amounts of preciousness, so much so that at only 45 lbs. it often falls out of him. )
Eli to Mom," Mom, when I grow up will you buy me a house?"
Oh how I love this tender boy. I told him that when he is a grown-up the Lord will provide and he will be able to buy his own house.
Lord, please let it be the one next door to mine. Amen.

What Does Your Ortmann Say?

2008-08-21T23:06:00.005-05:00

Matt and I were completely stumped Wednesday evening after a dinner of Hunan chicken and sweet and sour pork.We were sitting around cracking open cookies when Eli kept asking us what his ortmann says. Matt resorted to," ortmann is one of the dragons on Dragon Tales."" Yeah right", I say because I know my dragons names and there isn't a one of them named Ortmann! Cassie, Ord, Zac and Wheezie, just so ya know. Okay, I admit he was close with Ord, but this still didn't make any sense. When Eli finally got tired of repeating himself to his confused parents, he picked up a small strip of paper sitting next to his cookie, held it up in the air, sighed (loudly) and said " What does this ortmann say?" Of course you know what happens next. Matt and I bust up. Oh okay we get it -FORTUNE !!! Duh!! I take the strip of paper and read it aloud to Eli, "Your ortmann says, Life to you is a dashing and bold adventure." Pretty fitting ortmann if I do say so myself:)

A Noteworthy Post For My Uncommon Man

2008-08-21T02:00:00.001-05:00

Okay people, this post is about to get really sappy. So, if you don't like all things sugary, honeyed and oozing with love, You might want to just back your little self right out of this blog. This post is for you Matt, and for anyone else who wants a glimpse at a few of the wonderful reasons I love you.

August 21,1991, a very special day in the history of my life,I'm sure the sun was shining brighter and the birds were singing sweeter. You and I started "officially" dating. Yes, "officially", meaning our parents drove us around for our dates since neither of us could drive at 15 years old!! You are the love of my life and I wouldn't change one thing about us or our journey from teenage sweethearts to young newlyweds, then parents, to the thirty somethings we are today.

We are proof that it dosen't have to be the"perfect marriage" to be worth it. We are definitely a "worth it" marriage. Matt, Thankyou for loving me and for your commitment to me. You are a gem and I look forward to all that life will bring and all that God's love will see us through.

Shannon's "Top 100 Favorite Things About My Husband" list (in no particular order)

You are kind.
You have green eyes.
You put gas in my van.
You follow Christ.
Your sense of direction.
You understand my simplicity.
You laugh at my goofiness.
You are my personal "book of facts."
The way you squirt whip cream straight from the bottle into your mouth.
You believe in my abilities, way more than I do.
You enjoy long drives.
Your hospitable.
The way you pray.
The way you grill steak.
Your strong.
Your love of trains.
You smell good.
You care about friendship.
Your evil laugh.
Your love of the outdoors.
You admit when your wrong.
Your a playful daddy.
You encourage my passions.
Your a gentleman.
Your gift of music.
Your desire for a close family.
The way you kiss.
Your fun.
Your nerdy side.
Your pyro side.
Your chiseled jaw.
You love me on my ugly days.
You like Chinese food.
You are adventureous.
You dress nice.
You are a pick-up man.
You take pride in supporting your family.
Your willingness to lead.
You are diverse.
Your hands.
The way you held our babies.
Your love of animals.
You lavish me with complements.
Your spontanious.
You'll watch chic flicks. (I won't tell anyone)
Your an encourager.
Your romantic.
Your inner meterologist.
Your bum.
Your love of roller coasters and all things speedy.
Your thoughtful.
You like to snuggle.
You can fix things.
Your hunger for The Word.
That you were at my side for the birth of our sons.
Your sweet-tooth.
The way you pamper me.
Your competitiveness.
You say sorry.
You watch cartoons and laugh out loud at them.
You call me from work just to say "hi."
Your affectionate.
The little boy in you.
Your predictable.
Your unpedictable.
You challenge me.
You don't understand my complexities.
Your on my side.
You help maintain our home.
You have let the power of God's love change you, and you have let me watch.
You let me be me.
You write me letters.
Your a decision maker.
The way you talk to the boys.
The way you look in a suit and tie.
The way you look in comfy clothes.
You do things that I like to do.
Your cluelessness about girly things.
Your voice. (singing and speaking)
You play guitar.
The way you rub your hands together when your excited.
The way you look in a hat.
Your understanding of science.
Benjamin John Missey
Elijah Matthew Missey
Samuel Josiah Missey
Your work ethic.
Your very protective of us.
The way you can't keep a surprise.
You show me constellations.
You try new things.
You like to "remember when" with me.
Your heart for worship.
The way you hold my hand.
Our inside jokes.
The cowboy in you.
Your tenderness.
Your support.
Your broad shoulders.
You love me for me. That' s right babe, these things made "Top 100" but you know this list could go on and on. Happy 17 years together!!! I love you.

To anyone else who read through this - I warned you, so get your head out of the toilet and stop puking.

2008-08-19T11:59:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Ahoy, Matey!

2008-08-12T16:35:00.000-05:00

Meet Jack Sparrow, the cat not the pirate. What's that? You say, he looks familiar? As well he should. Jack Sparrow was born in our house underneath the stairs in a Christmas tree box. So now you know where to place him. Jack Sparrow lives across the street at the Callahan residence, but I think he still misses his mommy,Maybelline. Yes he has lived there since he was only five weeks old and yes he is over a year old but regardless, this is how I find Jack Sparrow nearly every morning. Peering in through the sidelight window as if he is just checking on us making sure we still live here or maybe he just wants to catch a glimpse of his mommy. Whatever the reason, I always like when I walk by and see his cute pink nose on the glass. It makes me go, that's Jack Sparrow and he was born in our house underneath the stairs in a Christmas tree box.

Deep Thoughts And Talking Salad

2008-08-12T13:58:00.000-05:00

Okay,I must confess I am just a tad bit jealous that my dear hubby was able to go up in a small cessna with our good friend Derek Kalista!! Derek finished flight training and now he's a "real" pilot, way to go Derek!!! Matt took some really awesome pictures during their flight and I could'nt help but ponder how small we must look to our almighty God. I know what your thinking, "Great, she's pondering again." But, for real, this time I was actually having mature grown-up ponders, well minus the singing cucumber and tomato, "My God is so big so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do.....woohoo......."
It just seems like so often I let life bog me down and block my view of God's size and power. The deficieny is in my own faith. I forget that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world,1 John 4:4. Why can't I grasp the significance of this? An all-powerful God defies my imagination. All-powerful refering to God being able to do anything He wants to do, being the source of all power, physical and spiritual, posessing perfect, sovereign power. Great is our Lord and mighty in power;his understanding has no limit.Psalm147:5
This powerful God is on our side friend, He really cares, He really is in control, He really brings good out of adversity. No problem or person is all-powerful. Only God. The odds in our favor are limitless.
So sing on cucumbers, let it fly talking tomatoes......My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do........
F*Y*I Our house is on the center street 5th one up from the botttom. The one that looks like a stalk of broccoli is in the yard. funny.

The Naked Mole Rat (update)

2008-08-08T16:18:00.000-05:00

So, whatd'ya think? Do our babies still look like little rodents that eat their own poo? This was one of the pictures I had out on Craig's list. The Kaufmann family took two of our kitties and gave them a sweet home. The other three were out on Craig's list for less than 24 hours. I posted the ad at about 6pm on Monday, at 8pm I had a lady and her 4 year old daughter picking out their favorite and by Tuesday at 6pm they were all in their new homes. I miss our little rats. Maybe we will manage to get Mab's fixed before she goes out and gets prego again. Maybe not. Anyway at least we will get a break from the boys building kitten habitats:) Oh, you don't know what a kitten habitat is? A kitten habitat consists of mounds and mounds of pillows and blankets (from all rooms in the entire house)piled as high as they can go with a small empty spot usually at the center but not necessarily, then you pile all of the kittens in there and they nest. Then a small but mighty force similar to a tropical storm comes along and puts his hand in one of the openings and goes awwwwwww.key.awwwwww.key. This usually marks the beginning of the end of the kitten habitat. Until tomorrow. UHHHH.

Has Eight Years Really Gone By????

2008-07-21T12:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Benjamin!!!!! To my beautiful eight year old boy, who has surpassed all of my expectations on what it would be like to be your mom. You are everything I imagined you to be and more. I still remember the very first time I held you and cried,"My baby, my baby," you were a dream come to life. Everyday that I get to be your mom is a blessing and I am so glad the Lord put you in our family. In eight years from now you will be sixteen and I won't even post how old that makes me!!!! Slow down babe, let me hold onto you a little bit longer. I love you more than you could ever know and I am so proud of who you are and who I get to watch you become. Love, Mom

It All Comes Out In The Wash

2008-07-17T15:04:00.000-05:00

A plastic tiger,a grape jolly rancher wrapper,a Nerf dart,a red Flipping Frog, a G.I. Joe guy, a few water balloons,a battleship peg,a pencil, a couple of rocks,keys,a Lego helmet,a Chucke Cheese token and some other not as important coins, a tube of sunscreen for lips, a spinner to a happy meal toy, a big black bug, an outer space gun, some sort of hook thing that says "not for climbing" (oh, they don't know my boys),a Shiver Me Timbers braclet, a pretty swirl rock, a guitar pick and the one thing you might expect to see come out of the laundry pile....a dryer sheet.
Camoflauged beneath Power Rangers underwear and in between Old Navy t-shirts,these are the little surprises that accumulate in our laundry pile. These items just linger in the basket waiting to be rediscovered and claimed by the ones to which they belong. Some will be fought over, others tossed aside,and a few will be mindlessly shoved into small pockets only to repeat the cycle. The Normal/Heavy Duty cycle that is;)

Without A Stitch

2008-07-17T10:45:00.000-05:00

This is not the way I was expecting Sam to look when I got him up from his nap on Sunday. When he laid down he had on a diaper, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and when he got up....nothing, nada, zip, zero, zilch. He has expertly learned how to disrobe himself and since Sunday, three more times. I walk in his room and there he sits in his crib au naturel, just a grin on his face. He is very proud of his inventive acquirement and I am equally amused. Is the "miracle of the moment" when I am wiping poo off of bed rails or changing crib sheets again? Maybe the miracle is that I would do this everyday for the rest of my life just to see the charmed little boy smile,to feel his hand in mine while I walk him to the tub, and to tickle his bare naked tummy.

Surviving The Fourth

2008-07-07T15:36:00.000-05:00

It's crazy but true, the fourth of July has come and gone, all without a hitch. Wow! It was amazing. The guys put on an incredible show once again, the weather was perfect, tons of food, good friends, and everyone still has ten fingers and ten toes.(all the moms can breathe) The night was fabutastic!!!(my own made up word) Now we just sit around and talk about it until the next fourth. It's kinda like the post- Christmas feeling, only it's 96 degrees outside. A huge hug and thankyou to all who serve this country with courage, today, tomorrow and yesterday and to the One who set me free, I'll serve You, from a humbled, broken, and grateful heart. Relentlessly.

2008-06-30T16:55:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Moss Addition!!!

2008-06-30T13:01:00.000-05:00

My sister will love me so much for posting this hospital picture of her, but what a sweet way to announce that the Moss family will shortly add another baby to their clan. This will be baby #2 for them. Allyson Moss(baby pictured above) will be five in October.(hard to believe)She is going to be a big sister and I'm sure a little mother as well. Speaking of big sister's acting like mother's to their siblings, I have this deep sense of desire to basically hold Melissa's hand through this. Like my little sister isn't a grown woman! It's like I want to make a lasagna and bake bread and deliver it to her house with a vase full of white daisies and make sure she takes her pre-natals and go to every dr.'s appointment with her to make sure they treat her well and that she understands it all and then I want to drive her home, tuck her in bed and make sure her feet are elevated so her ankles don't swell. This is ridiculous I know, but it's just the way I feel. I love you Melissa and I can hardly wait to meet this new niece or nephew of mine. Please take care of yourself as I don't live nearby to compulsively take care of you.(to which you breathe a huge sigh of relief:)CONGRATULATIONS JOSH AND MELISSA!!!!!!!!!!

A Heart Full Of Weeds

2008-06-28T23:07:00.000-05:00

The small boy came towards her, sunshine gleaming on the crown of his dark hair made him appear angelic. Clutched within his fists were two lopsided flowers. This wasn't the first time he had brought her flowers but it didn't matter it had the same effect every time. Her heart panged with the moment and a choke was around her throat.

"Look Mom, I found these flowers for you." said he. She knelt in front of him and looked into his eyes, intrigued by the way a season or the color of his shirt or his tears could make his eyes a variety of shades. Today they were stormy gray with golden brown flecks in them.

"Thankyou, Elijah", the mother said," these are beautiful."
He bounced away into another childhood escapade, and the mother went inside and put the flowers into water. She set them in the window and took a picture, so as to never forget the way that love can present itself. Glowing sunsets across an ocean, an inspirational song, the promise from a friend and sometimes, weeds in a dixie cup.

The Naked Mole Rat

2008-06-26T11:02:00.000-05:00

An interesting little creature that have been known to chew through concrete. Their class is mammal, their order rodentia. African people often refer to them as sand puppies,but today no puppies in sight,just five adorable newborn kittens. My lover of all animals son told me that one of Mabel's kittens looked like the naked mole rat. Well I will let you be the judge of that. Mabel's kittens were born yesterday on 6-25-08. Five in all, two orange,one buff,one gray and one black. Mommy and babies are doing well. Oh, and by the way these so-ugly-their-cute little rodents eat their own poo, the naked mole rat that is not the kittens.(although growing up we had a dog that...well maybe in another post.) That's right they do this in order to absorb more nutrients from their food. Two meals for the price of one. They don't only eat their poo they also roll around in it, this is done so they can identify members of the colony vs. an intruding colony. Quite similiar to the way I identify my own colony after a hot summer night of playing outside:) Just thought you would want to know:)

Luciano Pavarotti

2008-06-23T23:31:00.001-05:00

Me: Matt, Oh, my gosh, come here.
Matt: What?
Me(while petting our new kitten who is laying upside down on my lap): What is this bump right here? Oh my gosh!
Matt: What bump?
Me: This bump right here. Touch it.
Matt: I don't want to touch it.
Me: Lucy's got balls. These are balls.
Matt(while holding Lucy under a lamp and blowing on the fur around her private.LOL): Yep, these are balls.
I could'nt make this stuff up if I tried people. So, yes, the beautiful little kitten that we have fallen in love with is a boy. Of course what else would he be?!? As Eli would say " Mom, your boy trapped." From this post forward Lucy will now be called Luci pronounced Loochi, as in the dead italian opera singer, Luciano Pavarotti.

"What I Like Best Is Nothing."

2008-06-23T22:43:00.001-05:00

"What I Like Best Is Nothing." " How do you do nothing?" asked Pooh,after he had wondered for a long time." Well, it's when people call out at you just as you're going off to do it. What are you going to do, Christopher Robin, and you say; Oh, nothing, and then you go and do it." A.A. Milne (The House At Pooh Corner)
Yes, this is what my boys like to do best- nothing. I could'nt help but take a few pictures of all the nothingness. Pushing sticks in the ground and playing in laundry hampers is what makes up the golden adventures of being a boy at our house. Never underestimate the significance of nothing.

A New Birthday 6-20-08

2008-06-20T23:41:00.000-05:00

Before I made you in your mother's womb, I choose you. Before you were born,I set you apart for a special work. Jeremiah 1:5
Long before I ever even had a thought of Benjamin, the Lord knew of this very night. A night when Ben would make a decision to ask Jesus to come and live inside his heart. Tonight Matt lead Ben in saying a prayer for salvation, I stood beside him and held onto Ben's hands. I know that my little boy's life has a place in God's kingdom for all eternity. The angels are rejoicing in heaven tonight and this mom's heart is so grateful for the cross. In all the ways that I will fail my children, grace will fall on me, and to know that the very boy I have given back to Jesus over and over again will now have the same grace fall on him, it is so much for my heart. Thankyou Jesus for your saving love and for the greatest privledge I've ever recieved, being your daughter.

2008-06-20T21:16:00.000-05:00

Sammy's Whip Cream

2008-06-20T14:01:00.000-05:00

Love

2008-06-20T13:43:00.001-05:00

Lucy Jane

2008-06-20T12:45:00.001-05:00

Mustard Seed

My First Entry

2008-06-20T00:16:00.000-05:00

Well, this is it, a place for me to exhale. I look forward to learning how to blog. Hopefully there will be lots more to come. Stay tuned:)