The Most Important Thing...

Last week, while I was doing stuff around the house, Evan (5 years old) walked in and said, "Mommy, God just called out to me, and asked if he could come into my heart?"
My response was, "Really?" "What did you say back?"

Then he said with the biggest smile you have ever seen,
"YES! I have plenty of room!"

We then had a long discussion about sin, and Jesus dying on the cross, and him raising from the dead, but the coolest part about it was that Evan pretty much told ME everything! I just asked questions, like, "What is sin?" and "Why did Jesus die on the cross?" But, Evan knew and gave me examples! WOW! I can't even put into words what that is like!

THE Star Wars Party!!

EVAN TURNED 5!!!

We have had a blast celebrating his 5th birthday this weekend! I am worn out!
Friday night, my mom wanted to make him his birthday dinner, so she did, and WHAT A FEAST!! She and my dad made his cake! Evan wanted Spder-man, so that's what they made!! We then opened presents, and EVERYONE had fun playing with EVAN'S birthday presents! (You'll see what I mean in the pictures below!!)
On Saturday, we played video games at "Grammy's" and then we (Eric, Emily, Evan, and I) all went to see the "Star Wars: Clone Wars" movie that is in the theater right now. Evan LOVED IT! Emily didn't like it, so we went to the bathroom about 6 times... Oh well! Then we spent the remainder fo teh day getting ready for Sunday! (Sunday was his party with FRIENDS!!)

Several months ago, Evan told me that for his birthday party everyone was going to come and they were all going to put on a show of "Star Wars." He was always talking about it, and telling me who was going to be what character, etc. So, I decided to make his idea reality...
I called up my sweet friend, Ian, whom I used to be in shows with long ago, and asked him if he could be Obi One Can obi. He said yes, but we really needed to practice to make sure everything went okay and no one got hurt. So, we had rehearsal. (I have never heard of a rehearsal for a birthday party, but we did, and had FUN!!) Ryan ended up agreeing to be Darth Vader, and we had everything in place. I bought costumes online, found the "Imperial March" in "funk" style, and we were good to go! I made light sabers out of pipe insulation by wrapping them in neon colored duct tape, and then spray painting them with neon paint, so that they would glow under a black light. I had a strobe light, lots of black light setups, and a fog machine. We were ready to go!
We had the party at Pump it Up! Everyone got there (we were late as usual!), and played in the bounce houses, climbed up the 9 or 10 foot slide, and then trickled down, and ran till they could run no more. The last 15 minutes of our time in the bounce rooms was spent with Obi One giving Jedi lessons to the kids there, and then for the finale, told the children that they were going to get to see a fight!
So, the music started, the lights went out (black lights on), the door opened, and Darth Vader marched in and had a mighty duo with Obi One. After a long and tedious fight, and Vader chasing Obi One up the slide, and Obi One crashing to the bottom, we needed reinforcements, so here came YODA (also known as EVAN!!), and he fought a courageous battle against Darth Vader, and Vader was defeated!!!
Then, after several photo opps, we all went into the party room and ate cake! (Which I forgot, but thankfully, my dad ran to the store to pick up!! I also forgot all the plates, and decorations... BUT I DIDN'T forget the party favors or the stuff for the "show!!" Heather had to go to my house and get everything I forgot! --You're awesome, my friend!)
Our sweet friends Glen and Lydia came with their son, Drew, and they filmed the whole thing!!! I am sooo glad they were there!! I thought that my mom wasn't going to get to come, but she was very brave and MADE IT!! I was shocked to see her! But, I am still glad that we have this whole fiasco recorded!!
Due to the fact that I didn't take into account that the bounce rooms had skylights, so the whole BLACK LIGHT thing wouldn't work... We ended up plugging in the black lights in the party room, and the kids could see their light sabers "glow!"
Everyone left with their light saber and a bag of candy!! As all the children were leaving, my dad had a Clone Trooper helmet on, and poked the kids with a light saber before leaving! (Evan told him to do that...)
I have already described myself as ridiculous, but Evan got the party he dreamed up in his head, and that's what matters most!

Eric's BIRTHDAY!!

Today was Eric's Birthday! Don't ask me how old he is because I always get it wrong.
We had a fun day! The kids and I all went to the office and took him a big balloon that sang about having a "Rockin' Birthday...Shoop Shoop Di Doop!" We also gave him one of his presents at the office. From my mom and dad he got a custom tailored suit that he looks great in!! So, we gave him a new black belt...(we are boring).
Then, the office had a breakfast party for him!!
After a long, hard day of work for everyone, we all settled down and went to the Harbor in Rockwall, and went on a sunset sail around the lake, and then ate dinner on the patio at Gloria's!! It was perfect! We had a great time!

Funny story, if you have your sound on right now, you could be listening to the song, "Love Boat." Well, a few years ago I was autioning to be in the cast of a show here in Dallas, and after I did my thing, the guys holding the audtions saw Eric sitting there and asked him shy HE wasn't auditioning. He gave several lame answers, and then without any preparation at all stood up and sang "The Love Boat." He had everyone, the producer, director, accompianist, EVERYONE laughing histarically (mainly because he is a huge HAM...)
Well, he was cast in a LEAD ROLE, while I was left to be the "town floosie and chorus girl." Need I say more? Now every time we hear that song, it brings back those bitter-sweet memories of how I got "out cast" by my own husband! (We love laughing about it!

Here are the pictures!

ON THE HUNT!

Why didn't anyone ever tell me that buying things like cars is CRAZY!! The last car that I sort of bought was in 1997, and my parents bought it for me, so that doesn't really count.
We have been shopping for a car for over 40 hours this weekend... We have had a babysitter for 25 of those hours... I need a vacation with my kids!!! I am so tired of test driving. We think that we may have narrowed our search down to an Infiniti FX35, Honda Accord, Honda Pilot, Buick, BMW, Ford Explorer, or a helicopter. Hopefully by January we will be able to let my mom have her car back, and have our OWN car!
On an honest note, we aren't trying to rush this whole process. We really want the car that the Lord has for us, but in the process, Eric is making me research every single car that has been made since 2005. I have learned SO MUCH! And, I think that I may have test driven one of each car that has been made since 2005. My next job is going to be a car salesperson. (I have worked in a dealership before, but I worked the free prize counter...) If you go with us to the State Fair of Texas this year, we may end up selling YOU your NEXT CAR! Well, I'd better get back to the research. Eric thinks that I am still "doing my homework..."

Today was a great day for mom!! She has worried all week about today because she was scheduled to get her hair cut and nails done. She hasn't been able to do that in over a month...
She also started some kind of medicine, but I can't remember what kind. She said that she feels like a new person. Her face still hurts, but she has been able to handle the pain so much better today!!
I think that she looks alot better too!
Please continue to pray over her complete healing!

Eric and I car shopped ALL DAY LONG. We still haven't bought a car. It would be so helpful if we knew what we wanted. We are going to continue the search tomorrow and Monday. Kristen and Kate Bernard were so gracious and babysat Evan and Emily all day long (10 hours)! They went to the Science Place and Chick fil a, and had a blast!

A glimps at my heart...

TODAY: Emily and I went to mom's house tonight for "girl's night!" We watched "Air Bud!" The guys all went to a Rough Rider's game with the boys from Evan's school.
My mom is still hurting and getting very tired of it. I can't imagine being sick this long!! The doctor called and told her that she does have swelling in the top and lower part of her brain (on the left side). She said that luckliy the pain is mainly there as well. (Better than being EVERYWHERE!) They wanted to do a spinal tap of some kind to see about infection, but mom said no -- no yet. She thinks that it will go away. Please continue to pray for swift and complete healing!

Dollie (our dog) we think got wacked by our new electric fence, and we thought that she had a broken shoulder, but found out (after spending many hours and dollars at the dog hospital) that she just spranged it pretty bad...

Eric and I are going car shopping tomorrow, and are in the process of closing on our house... crazy times! Pray that we get the car the Lord wants us to have!

A GLIMPS:
There is so much more going on that I would love to write down. God is so good and is doing great things! You know how you can walk through life, and -- when you are looking for God's finger prints, you can see them? I am so encouraged about what my mom is learning through all of this mess. Knowing WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST is something that you will never fully understand, or maybe even fully grasp, but when you can come to "grips" with that fact that you are HIS, it is so freeing. We are HIS -- GOD'S! There is nothing you can do to change that perfect little fact! I love that, if you have accepted the precious, free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, that no matter how easy, perfect, happy, tough, painful life may get, that we don't have to ask why, or when, or what for. We just have to say, "Father, I am yours, and I trust you no matter how easy, perfect, happy, difficult, tough, and painful each chapter of my life may be. I TRUST YOU!" Never let go of WHO you ARE! Don't forget of the POWER OF GOD IS IN YOU! Never forget that YOU ARE NEVER ALONE, no matter how alone you may feel, or how hopeless a situation may be. Remember that it is not YOU who are in control, and you really need to be greatful for that fact.
I often forget the truth of who I am in christ. It is so easy to forget. Especially with the distractions we have around us.
A question that has been beating in my head lately is, what is your "Kingdom" work? What am I doing to further the Kingdom of God? (Some of my friends are going to think that I have gone off my rocker...) My first calling is to point my children and my husband towards HIM. And, to encourage them so see who they are in Christ. I don't want to live the way I used to -- living up to the expectations of what I thought others had of me. I struggle with that, but I really prefer to be who God naturally made me to be. It scares me to think of who could be without him.
The second thing that the Lord really presses me and pushes me to do (and honestly scares me to death for some reason...) is WORSHIP. Living a life of prayer and worship of our precious Savior. Prayer is easier for me than worship. Worship requires me to surrender something more of myself deep within, and say, "Yes, Lord! YOU are LORD!" I don't really know how to describe how heavily God has placed worship in my heart. Worship is something that happens when you enter HIS HOLY PLACE. Returning to that holy place where it is just you and the Lord. You acknowleging who he is, and him speaking diectly to your heart in a way that is indescribable.

The results are in on Eric's MRI, and he has a minor bulging disc...ouch, but fixable. He needs to exercise, and not sit at his desk all the time.
As far as my mom goes, I personally think that her doctor is SLOW! She should FINALLY hear something tomorrow...Friday.
She is hurting alot, but looks much better. She is SO SICK OF BEING SICK! She's moving around alot, and doing what she can. Pray over her head aches, neck aches, and eyes. Her face still feels like it's on fire.

MRI Day

Eric and mom had MRIs scheduled for Monday at 4 pm. Eric was getting one for his back, and mom on her head. I don't have any updates as far as the outcome. Once I hear something, I will update the blog.
I haven't talked to my mom since Sunday, so I really don't know how she is. I've called, but haven't heard back yet.

Doctor appointment results

Well, they feel that an MRI is needed, so she is going in on Monday. There are concerns, so better to be sure. As far as I can understand and put into words, the nerves that are supposed to be working are not, and she has symptoms of swelling in the brain. Her eye hurts more than anything today. Mom said that four days ago the pain more than doubled, and that it is almost too much to handle. She takes pain meds when she absolutely has to, but doesn't want to risk addiction to anything, so suffers as long as she can. Dad said that every time we come over, she pretty much "crashes" as soon as we're gone. And she can't do anything for hours. I know that she loves company, though, so I keep taking the kids over there to see her, but I go because I really need to see her too. Every time I go there, my dad is there as well, and he's in a three-piece suit witha bow-tie, so I am sure that means that he goes to the office. But, maybe it's been a tattoo all these years...

I did find it funny that my mom for "therapy" the other day, mopped the floor. She said that she needed to do something, and unlike most women who go to the spa for relaxation and therapy, she goes and mops her kitchen floor, and vacuums the den. (Then she slept for several hours)

Just so that you know! She IS NOT CONTAGEOUS AT ALL! So, for those of you who were worried, there is no need to!

In need of prayer

Hey guys! Just a quick update on mom. Apparently they are doing tests on Thursday to see about infection in her brain called Encephalitis. There are signs that they are concerned about, and want to HOPEFULLY rule that out... So, please pray that all is clear! I could say so much more, but... I praise God, the Maker and Creator of all things, who was, who IS, and IS to come! We are so fortunate to have a Savior!
YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE!


I love you mom!

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands!

Earlier in this blog I mentioned how I truly do believe that prayer is powerful. Well, I am happy to say that Emily undertands, as well, that prayer works!

Yesterday, we went to see mom before going to the school. I just had a feeling that if we wnt over there and saw her, then we would help her! So, we did. We got there, and had fun seeing mom, "Grammy!" Emily made Grammy a gold medal at church and wanted to give it to her, so she proudly carried it to her Grammy! She then decided that we needed topray over Grammy. So we all bowed our heads (my dad included), and out of her little, three-year-old mouth came these words.
"Dear Jesus, please help Grammy get better. Put a BIG BAND-AID over her head, so that she can feel ALL BETTER! Amen."
All I have to say is that prayer is the only thing that can make her feel better right now, and it sure helped her that morning!

First week at my new job!

Well, as many of you know, I am venturing out, and instead of running Grace Camp (Grace Academy's after school care program), I am now working in the office as their new Development Assistant. I get to help with all the events!!I wasn't really planning on working this week, but gladly went, and had a blast! We are frantically getting everything ready for school to start this coming Thursday! BUT, as a fun surprise, Mr. Clarke, our school's headmaster, kidnapped all of us and took us bowling for "In Service!" We also had a banner contest. We had 6 teams for bowling, adn each team had to come up with a team name and a really cool banner. It was so fun watching every one get really into it!
Once school starts, I am supposed to only be working on Monday, wednesday, adn Friday mornings while Evan and Emily are in school. I think that this is going to be really great for all of us!
I am still doing weddings, but that's my weekend job...

(Mr. Clarke's favorite show is "The Andy Griffith Show")

Fun-filled weekend! (last week)

We had a fun-filled weekend! Ir started off with shoe racing. Evan and Emily wore Eric's shoes, and raced around the house. (Evan won, but don't tell Emily). We also had our friends Brian and Danielle over. We hadn't seen them in a very long time.
We then headed to Harper (close to Fredericksburg, TX) for our neices wedding. Evan and Emily were in it, and they had lots of fun!
Eric's dad surprised us with a hotel room in San Antonio, so we stayed there for a fun evening, and then woke up the next morning to see the Alamo!

Hawaii Pictures (Part 2)

Prayer is such a powerful thing, and it's honestly very contageous. I am not trying to sound "spiritual," or pat my back, but I don't know how not to pray. Yes, I guess there are seasons in my life where prayer is at a dull "lull." But, there is nothing more powerful, more comforting, more convicting than prayer. We may be busy mommies, and busy at work, or doing whatever we can find to do, but even in midst of DOING, you can still PRAY! Even if it's while your folding the families underware, or changing the stinky diaper, you can still pray. I love that no matter how busy we may think we are, God is never too busy to listen with love.
All of that to say, please continue to pray over my mom. You may be getting tired of it, but she really needs it. She took a turn for really bad this weekend, and it isn't getting better. She has fever, her eyes are really swollen again, and the sores constatly burn like fire. Needless to say, she is miserable. And there is nothing worse than being stuck at home, alone (much of the time), and in MISERABLE pain.
And, just so that you know, I am here to pray over you! If you have things that are heavy on your heart, and you don't want to be the only one praying over that certain issue, I am here and would be honored to go before our precious Father with you!

As far as life goes, our niece, Jamie, got married over this past weekend, so we ventured to Harper, TX (close to Fredericksburg) and Evan and Emily were in her wedding. Then, Eric's dad surprised us with a hotel room in San Antonio on the Riverwalk! We had fun and saw the Alamo, and ate yummy mexican food! If was a fun family adventure!

(For those of you who would like to see pictures, they are coming -- perhaps this weekend...)