If it Pleases the King...

It's been a long time...

2011-08-27T23:26:00.000-05:00

After a lengthy break from the blogging world, I am moving my bloggity attention to a new blog devoted to a big change in our family. You can see updates on our new adventure at

anotherdaigle.blogspot.com

Thank you for checking out what God is doing in our lives right now!

Her Daughter's Dream is done...

2011-02-04T19:52:00.000-06:00

I finished the book Her Daughter's Dream on Wednesday morning. I just didn't want to post anything until my sweet friend, Regan, could get into the book first.

Here are my thoughts on Francine Rivers' Her Daughter's Dream...I liked it. The first 35 pages were rough and the last 35 were also rough. Well written...rough on the heart. I do feel that the epilogue was balm to my weary soul which I needed after the conclusion of Marta's Legacy.

Enough about books for today. I have bigger news. After eight and a half years of mothering sons, I have (for the first time) extracted something out of a nasal passage. Yes, that's right! Larry held my darling Caleb down on the kitchen island while I used the tweezers to pull a raisin out of the precious little nose. Sweet Baby, it was bound to happen at some point. Thank you, Lord, for helping me learn Caleb's language so completely that I could interpret his distress.

Dr's Office Reading...

2011-01-26T15:52:00.000-06:00

This morning I had a doctor's appointment and decided as I ran from the house to grab Uncovered (by Susie Davis) to take along.

As I sat waiting for the good doctor, I read the most interesting chapter about how we morph from wife to mother, without the slightest thought to our husband's needs. It was a well developed chapter (not that my brief synopsis could do it justice), which laid out that we can sometimes, inadvertently and obviously unwittingly, forsake our femininity and our husband's desires, which can leave him open to temptation to look elsewhere for that sort of fulfillment. (NOT THAT IT IS CONDONED!)

Here's a quote:
"Because when we surrender the sexy part of our femininity exclusively to childrearing, we are giving away a piece that is rightfully ours as a woman and a wife. And if we're really honest here, we're giving away a piece that is rightfully our husband's too."

Hmmm...This seems like a good day to run to Target for some Gilligan & O'Malley!

***Side Note*** I became impatient with waiting for Her Daughter's Dream to be delivered by ChristianBooks.com, so I bought it today at the store. Terribly impatient, I tell you! So, I have decided to give the soon to be delivered copy to Bethany, since she is already half way through Her Mother's Hope. However, Bethany must promise to let Regan borrow it...since Regan will be borrowing my Her Mother's Hope soon! What a treasure, to have fellow nerdlings!

***Secondary Side Note*** My sister sent a text yesterday, asking if I had heard anything about Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs. My answer to my sister, "Dearie, I have that very book of which you inquire. I have read it and have felt nothing by angst as I await the second installment, Mine is the Night, which shall avail itself on the ides of March." That's the 15th of March, just in case that odd line from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar didn't haunt you like it did me! And, perhaps, that wasn't the exact wording that I responded back to Hannah...it's written as if I were actually in the book, residing in Edinburgh of 1745. But, I did love Here Burns My Candle...and I am waiting anxiously for the conclusion of this allegory of Ruth and Naomi. Highly Recommended!

To Blog or Not To Blog?

2011-01-19T21:09:00.000-06:00

I have been silent in the blogosphere for several weeks. No offense to you all, but I have been consumed by my real life. There has really not been a spare moment for sharing with blogdom.

I have decided that I enjoy blogging too much to ditch the idea completely. This week I have almost been convinced to get on Twitter, but I still have major reservations. Again, I am just too busy to add another scoop of nothing onto the plate.

So, I have decided that this year, I am going to thoughtfully blog about what I am reading. There may be an occasional cute story about the boys, or perhaps a tribute to my man. (That's something that I might just do because of a motivating post by my sister.) However, I am going to just occasionally post on what I have read, am reading or plan to read.

To catch up for the year so far...

I finished:

A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman - This was a Christmas gift from my sister. Knowing that tidbit, imagine my confusion when the first sentence was "Sisters are overrated, she decided." WHAT??? The first sentence for crying out loud! I got over it and finished the fictional romance, which was laced with the virtues of chastity and patiently waiting for God's plan. Not my all-time favorite, but it was good enough to get me hooked on the idea of finishing the series.
Breaking the Worry Habit...Forever by Elizabeth George - This is actually a book/Bible study. I desperately needed it. I am completely prone to worrying issues to death. In fact, the scripture that I am memorizing right now is Psalm 37:8, which proclaims that fretting "only leads to evil". Ouch...I mean, Amen.

I am currently reading:

James - Of the Bible. I am participating in the Living Proof Bible Study in Houston on Tuesday nights and so, since this study is on the life and book of James, I have been reading it daily. It doesn't take terribly long and it is gradually sinking into my thick skull. I am praying that these words, given by One Shepherd, will attach themselves to my heart like firmly embedded nails. (Ecclesiastes 12:11)
Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers -I am only a day or two from finishing this one. The second in the saga, Her Daughter's Dream is in route, thanks to ChristianBook.com. I am completely engrossed in the dramatic family, which is making the illuminating point that we cannot ever fully comprehend all of the events that have shaped a person we are dealing with. Without being aware of each and every detail of one's life, it's unfair to draw any conclusions of what he or she is thinking or feeling.

And in preparation for a marriage retreat that Larry and I will be speaking at...Yes, your eyes are still working...quit laughing...really, I did enough of that when we were asked...honestly...Can you imagine a more unlikely couple to still be married after more than a decade...and with not even one charge of attempted murder?...It's a miraculous working of God...I say working, because it's a constant effort...Enough, these are the books that are stacked on the table beside our bed:

Quiet Times for Couples by H. Norman Wright I am not sure how much I truly love this one. It's a great thing to do a quiet time with your spouse on a regular basis. However, that is not what Larry and I have done in the past. We have tended to do our own separate studies and then regurgitate everything that we learned for the other to hear. This is actually the first time that we have ever sat down together and studied the same devotional. We started on January 1st and have been somewhat consistent on doing this together. We will see how it goes from here.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman - I have read this in the past, but I know that we need to brush up on the principles it lines out...especially, since we are going to HEAVILY recommend this during one of the sessions.
Uncovered: Revealing the Secrets of a Sexy Marriage by Susie Davis - I am not far into this one yet (I am still pretty wrapped up in the Marta's Legacy series by Francine Rivers as mentioned above). However, I am SO looking forward to it. Who wouldn't be with chapter titles like 'Get Over Your Naked Self: You won't love sharing what you loathe' and 'From Roommate to Playmate: Does your husband have a girlfriend'? Don't those sound so appropriate and applicable? I can't wait! In fact, I might start tonight.

Planning to read in the near future:

Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism edited by David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke - I suppose that this is on the list because I am a bizarre nut, who likes to read the work of those much more scholarly than I.

You know, I should also include the books I read to the little boys...maybe I will begin compiling a list to be posted each week. Hmmm...that sounds like a good idea. I will have to think of a catchy name and a day of the week that I can consistently post on. Hmmm...the idea's keep coming!

Houston Chronicle - Belief

2010-12-10T12:56:00.000-06:00

It's hard to do, but I found a decent article in today's Belief section of the Houston Chronicle. You can check it out here.

We are not homeschoolers. Fortunately, we are blessed to be able to send our children to the public school in our area and still have our personal values and beliefs reinforced (rather than attacked) at school. However, Larry and I have discussed the possibility of opting to homeschool if there was ever an issue where we would have to be concerned regarding what the boys are being taught. So, this article caught my eye today.

I have to say, it was a pleasant surprise to read an article in this particular section of the paper and not mutter to myself in disgust the entire time!

C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S

2010-12-06T18:47:00.000-06:00

This morning, Joseph participated in the elementary school's spelling bee!

Out of each participating grade (3-5), the top spellers were selected to compete. There were a total of 15 spellers in the bee.

Joseph got 4th place! He was the last 3rd grader eliminated! 3rd and 1st places went to 5th graders and 2nd place was won by a student from the 4th grade.

M-O-M
I-S
P-R-O-U-D !!!

Scout's Christmas Lament

2010-12-02T21:14:00.000-06:00

Sweet Scout (our 3 year old weimaraner) has been severely traumatized this week. We have boxes of Christmas decorations everywhere and I think that she's afraid that we are moving. Tuesday was particularly hard on her. She has become obsessively protective and has resorted to collecting all of the Christmas plush toys that make sound and begging to take them outside.

There is a particular toy that makes her nutty. It's a dog, wearing a Santa hat, which sings 'Deck the Halls', then howls and sings 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town'.

Last night, in an effort to make her stop whining, Larry allowed her to take the dreaded Santa-Hat-Wearing-Dog outside. She pranced out the door, to a far corner of the yard, where she placed the toy, before turning around and scratching some grass up over it.

She came in and went straight to sleep. Larry went back out and brushed the toy off. It's now on a shelf where no little boys can set it off!

I thought that it would be the end of it. However, she has now shifted her suspicious behavior to ZhuZhu pets. Evidently, she feels the need to protect us from those intimidating creatures as well!

November in Quick Review!

2010-12-01T14:47:00.000-06:00

I took an extended blog break during the 2nd half of November and feel compelled to sum it up in the most efficient manner possible...Bullet Points!

Turkey Trot - The annual race at the boys' elementary school. Both of our guys did great in their grade level races!
Grandparents' Day - Another annual event at the elementary school. Grandfather was missed greatly on this day. Joseph still treasures the picture that Grandfather had on his refrigerator from our first Elementary school Grandparents' Day!
Potty Training - This is going extraordinarily well for Caleb and much earlier than I ever tried with the other three guys. He just desperately wants to be like his big brothers.
Thanksgiving - We typically spend Thanksgiving with my mother-in-law and Larry's step-father. However, they had big party plans with some friends, so we thought that we would squeeze ourselves back into my parents' plans. However, they didn't really have any. So, I volunteered to have it at my house. WHAT WAS I THINKING?! It was my first ever Thanksgiving meal to prepare. I must confess that I relied heavily upon my DVR'ed episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay featuring Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman. It went beautifully and we had lots of fun. I kicked everyone out early (at 8:30pm) because of...
2 ER trips in one week (of Thanksgiving) - This was due to some switches in my medication causing some critical functions to rebel. At the moment, everything is working fine and we are tweaking meds and seeking further answers. I believe that this will all end soon.
***GREATEST BULLET OF ALL*** Jeremiah accepted Christ! - We were driving home from the library and he asked, "Mommy, do you know the ABCs?" I found this to be an odd question, since we have been going through the aBeka K4 curriculum this year, but answered, "Yes, Baby." He continued, "Not the normal ABCs, the 'A - Admit to God you are a sinner' one?". To this, I quickly answered with a 'yes' and did a non-chalant u-turn to head back to the church for a conversation with Daddy. We made our way into the old chapel and ended an incredibly sweet and amazingly profound conversation with Jeremiah praying to receive Christ, while kneeling at the front row of the chapel. Precious...the top of my Thanksgiving list, for sure!

How was your November? I can't wait to see what December holds in store!

My Letters To Emily

2010-11-08T15:12:00.002-06:00

For those of you visiting from My Letters To Emily, she was referring to this post.

Thank you for coming by and visiting my chaos!

Weirdo Reward Response

2010-11-07T20:54:00.000-06:00

Cleaning this afternoon, I found a response to the reward poster that I had come across earlier in the week.

"Werd o i kent gev you that! Your my presener" (Translated: Weirdo, I can't give you that! You are my prisoner!"

My guys crack me up!

Once Upon A Time...

2010-11-07T19:33:00.000-06:00

I thought that I would grow up and marry an independently wealthy, handsome man. A man who would love horses and whales and living in a mountainous area. He would make me breakfast in bed and share my quirk of occasionally indulging in a cathartic cry over a ridiculously dramatic movie. (Like Armaggedon, for example...or the end of Moulin Rouge).

Once Upon a Time, I did marry a handsome man. He is not independently wealthy, nor does he love horses, certainly not whales, but, he does love the Lord. He is more of a beach/lake type of guy. He has never brought me a meal in bed and does not cry over movies...EVER. Over time, he has begun to anticipate the point in a movie at which I am most likely to be crying and he sweetly puts his arm around me or holds my hand. He has even watched Moulin Rouge and That Thing You Do, A Roman Holiday, and One Fine Day.

He loves me! We began dating in 1997, between Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, eleven years ago, about this time, we were starting to make goo goo eyes at each other.

We dated for two years and then married in November 1999. In fact, in an extreme display of devotion, Larry married me on OPENING DAY OF DEER SEASON. This may not mean anything to some of you or your guys, but this was a big deal to him. (Not to me...but definitely to him).

We lived in an apartment, bought a house near by, sold that house, lived in a pool house far away, rented a HUGE house, lived in a tiny duplex, bought another house, sold that house, came back to the same area and rented a darling house until we bought the home that we live in right now. *** How is that for a run-on*** This house my favorite! (In fact, I think that I am going to borrow an idea from a friend and do a series of blogs with a tour-of-the-house theme!)

We have had four little boys along the way! Joseph arrive first, just two months before our 3rd anniversary. Gideon came when we had been married 4 1/2 years. Jeremiah followed close behind, making his advent five days before our 6th anniversary. We were done! Wait! No, we weren't! And, we thank God for overriding our decision! Caleb came into the picture after we had celebrated 9 years of marriage.

I wouldn't have ever been able to imagine this as my life. I have exceedingly abundantly more than I could ever think of or imagine!

This past weekend, we had our 11th anniversary. It was a non-event...no special dinner, no dressing up and getting out. Larry had the junior high guys on a camp out. I was at a ladies retreat. Jeremiah was overcome by our stomach bug, so I got back just 18 hours after leaving. When Larry got home, we spent the rest of our anniversary evening cleaning the carpet and washing sheets and towels. But, praise God, we were happy doing it together.

Is every day happy? Heck, No! Have there been rough patches? Many! Would we change a thing? I don't think so!

I love you, Larry. You are my pumpkin!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

2010-11-04T23:35:00.000-05:00

While I was cleaning the little boys' play area, I found a piece of notebook paper containing the following message:

"You have consequinses. You must pay $2,136.00 play money. You have ten days to get this to me. Cause if you don't you will be my prisoner."

(It's then signed with my first born's full legal name)

At the bottom is a small section, saying, "WANTED: Gideon (his younger brother) REWARD $8,000,000.00"

I am not sure what crime Gideon committed to have become such a despised character, but it must have been a doozy!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...Literally, Gideon's class had a field trip to the Oil Ranch. Jeremiah, Caleb and I went along and we all had a wonderful time.

I heart Sam, the Eagle

2010-11-02T23:11:00.000-05:00

We are watching the election results and it dawned on me that Charles Krauthammer looks just like Sam, the Eagle (from the Muppets)!

What do you think?

Jeremiah at Five

2010-11-01T22:57:00.002-05:00

Jeremiah,

You are one incredible guy!

You have the most infectious laugh that I have ever heard.

You are extremely laid back. You remind us very often of Grandfather. He was just as much of a cool-cat as you are! There aren't many things that get you ruffled. You don't mind sharing with your brothers and you love sharing your room with Gideon. The two of you are so very close. There is nothing that either of you does with out telling the other. It is so funny to listen to your conversations, after you are supposed to be asleep. It's brotherly love, at it's most innocent, silly and flawless point!

You look exactly like your daddy. It's really bizarre how closely you favor him! I sent this picture to Grammy and Pa in an e-mail and they evidently stared at it in amazement for ten minutes!

You ADORE Daniel Boone. When I ordered the first season of Daniel Boone, I thought that I would tuck it away for long road trips. I never imagined that you would decide to memorize every episode. You like to wear your coonskin cap and play with the toy rifle that you and Pa made together. You wish that you had a real-life friend named, Mingo.

You are very concerned that everyone around you is happy. You consistently and methodically encourage and uplift your family members.

Not only do you lift us up, you crack us up! Your new thing to say is, "I'll tell you what..."

You still want to marry me when you grow up. I keep telling you that some sweet girl will come and change your mind...right now, you aren't believing me! But, we are praying for her and I know that she will be supremely blessed to have such an endearing husband!

You love your Curious George doll. However, you still love Nacho, the Giraffe. I don't know which is your favorite, but you are sleeping with both of them as I write this post.

You sleep on the top bunk. Not because you want to sleep on the top, but because we thought that it might help you stay in your bed throughout the night. You still come into our room some time between 2am and 4am...almost every night. I read a book about a mommy that lost her little 5-year-old. So, I don't ever send you back to your room. I know that you won't continue to do this forever. Yesterday morning, I stayed awake for a long time and listened to your little snore.

You always ask, "Do you need a hug?"

You are my favorite 5-year-old in the world. I know that I told you that you were my favorite 4-year-old, yesterday. But, yesterday, you were!

You wore a black felt cowboy hat to Incredible Pizza tonight...Just because!

We are so proud of you! You have been a precious and amazing gift to our family. We are blessed to have your laugh in our home every morning, noon and night!

We love you! Happy Birthday, Jeremiah!

A Week (or Two) In Review

2010-11-01T22:29:00.000-05:00

In the last two weeks:

Gideon lost a top/front tooth
I had my 34th birthday
Joseph lost a top tooth (next to front tooth)
I ran a fever (off and on from the 19th until now)
We took our family to a park to meet a sweet friend for some family photographs
Caleb did some #2 business in the potty
Gideon came down with a tummy virus
We attended two Fall Festivals
Jeremiah had his 5th birthday (which meant dinner at Incredible Pizza)
Joseph now has the super-wicked stomach bug

Good grief, looking back at everything that happened during the last two weeks, it's no wonder that I haven't blogged in a bit!

October Observation #1

2010-10-11T15:27:00.000-05:00

Okay, this observation is not specific to October. I was just aiming for the alliterative affect.

Here's my October Observation #1:

Grocery Store Sackers HATE Bread.

Good News and still waiting!

2010-10-06T22:12:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay in posting!

I do have some good news! After all manner of tests, I have been deemed safe to wait until February for a follow-up CT scan! YEAH!!! Thank you, God, for watching over me because I am Yours (Psalm 119:94-96).

All of the testing that has been done has been to make sure that the source of pain is not something other than the thymus. So, as of now, I know that my heart is great (just a flailing chord in the left ventricle, but that's fine, considering that the flow and valves are good), my esophagus is great (thank you, MD Anderson for that delicious barium shake!) and my lungs are clear. Yes, it is good to know that all of those vital areas are functioning and behaving properly!

The thymus has not changed and the spleen has become just slightly more enlarged. However, my blood counts have remained excellent. So, we feel like it is a great thing to wait. I am still quite uncomfortable and continue to find rest very difficult. If when the scan is done, they find that the thymus has grown, they will remove it. If it remains unchanged, they will consider radiation treatments (but may still remove it). If it shrinks, they will allow it even more time to 'self-resolve'. I am asking you to pray with me that the dern thing WILL BE GONE when the scan is repeated.

Great news!

I have promised Larry that I will not take on any new responsibilities or commitments without much prayer and talking with him. (This is something that I tend to do a lot!) I am still supposed to rest a lot. However, I think I have the most excruciating case of cabin fever. Really, I haven't even been confined to the house or bed. I think that it's just the fact that I am tired of being tired. I have a compulsion to run around the town and do stuff. Nothing major. Just get out and run around. You know, the "Let's Just Skip Over To Ikea" feeling. I do still get winded and run-down quickly though. So, I think that I will follow the orders of both my husband and doctor.

Over all, it continues to be a "Be Still and Know" season!

Tomorrow is Another Day

2010-09-24T14:48:00.000-05:00

So, after more tests last week and two more doctor's appointments this week, I now have to look forward to more tests and appointments next week. Yeah.

I did get a whiff of excitement as one doctor is now going in a completely different direction as we continue to deal with my current issues. Hopefully, the near future will provide some new options and improvement! Thank You, Lord!

Hope for Tomorrow!

2010-09-21T14:47:00.000-05:00

We have a busy day tomorrow!

Larry and his sister share a birthday tomorrow (seperated by just 7 minutes, Larry is the elder of the two).

And, I have a doctor's appointment. I am praying that tomorrow the doctor will say, "Okay, we don't have to worry about this any more. Just come back in a year to check in." That's my prayer. Pray it with me now! Can I get an "Amen"?!

Then we have church, with a new worship leader coming in for the youth group. This is super exciting. I can't wait!

Struck by the Poetry

2010-09-20T20:59:00.000-05:00

Last night, as I drove home from church, I was struck by the poetry of the song "The Love of God", which is sung by Todd Agnew.

Here is the portion of the song that caught my ear and heart:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

I must confess that I have skipped past this song a dozen times. However, it seemed an appropriate lullaby for the four tired fellows in the back of the van. Honestly, it's a soothing melody that I had never paid any attention. I might have missed it all together.

Larry - Friend to All

2010-09-18T19:27:00.000-05:00

I have to give a little shout-out to Sitemeter. This is a nifty tool that you can add onto your blog, which for a nominal fee allows to you understand who is looking at your blog, what they look at, how they got there, where they went afterward, and so on. I have been using it for the last few months. It's pretty cool! Check it out!

Anyway, it's been a fascinating thing to see what people look at on my blog. The second most frequented page is this interesting post.

However, the most popular, by a landslide has been this. So, in the spirit of the Squirrel Crashes Family Portrait squirrel, I present....

Larry - Friend to All!

(taken at Hermann Park, near the Houston Zoo)

Tennis Ball in the Dishwasher

2010-09-16T11:55:00.000-05:00

This morning, when I went to unload the dishwasher, I found a surprise! There was a tennis ball in the dishwasher. Hmmmm...in the words of Steve Urkel, "Did I do that?!"

Honestly, it is quite possible that I did! I have always had a propensity to absent-mindedly place things in the most random of locations. However, I think that this time it was the shortest member of our household. Caleb has become fascinated with the many buttons and knobs in the kitchen. His most recent love is the dishwasher. He sporadically stops or starts the dern thing throughout the day. He loves to switch the lock from one side to the other. (Have no fear, I have removed the knobs from the front of the stove!)

He is not hurting anything, but opening the door and placing a tennis ball inside is a bit overboard. But then, I should give him the benefit of the doubt, considering that it has been my pattern of behavior to misplace items!

***Health Update*** Monday, my parents watched the two little guys (the two big guys were at school) and Larry went along with me for the tests that the new doctor had scheduled. What was initially supposed to be a one hour echocardiogram morphed into two hours, then it was a quick trek down to the second floor for labwork. I have never felt more like a cow... just waiting for my turn to head down the chute. The diagnostic lab had a one hour wait when I signed in. Larry and I made complete idiots of ourself playing a game on his phone. I finally felt like we should grow up a bit and look as irritated about the wait as the rest of the people around us, but that wasn't nearly as fun!

We won't get any results until next Wednesday. The doctor that I have been matched with in the Internal Medicine Center only has clinic appointments on Wednesday. This Wednesday was already full, so we are scheduled on the 22nd. I am beginning to understand what one woman at church said when I was initally accepted at MD Anderson: "The care is exceptional, the process is tedious." She couldn't have been more correct! My friend, Regan, is familiar with the place also. Her grandmother was being treated there for the same type of cancer that Larry's dad dealt with. In fact, they were being treated at the same time, with her at MD Anderson and Larry's father at Methodist Hospital. Regan commented that MD Anderson knows nothing about instant gratification! Too true, my friend, too true!

I suppose I could sum it all up by saying, When we hear something, we will let everyone know. More waiting seems to be in store! Until then, I should go look around and see where the tennis ball is now!

Different Doctor, Different Tests

2010-09-08T16:02:00.000-05:00

Today I met with a different doctor at MD Anderson. I truly liked her. Yet, with a different doctor comes...yep, different tests. They couldn't get me into the schedule for the tests today and so they will call me later this evening to let me know of the appointment times.

Still, no news is good news! While there is clearly an issue, they have begun to rule out the major players, which is great. We are still going to have to repeat the tests for the thymus in a few weeks to see if it has begun to cooperate. However, there are still a couple of things that have to be checked in the meanwhile. So, please pray for clarity and direction...and relief!

It's Raining, It's Pouring

2010-09-07T14:25:00.000-05:00

It's finally raining in our area. Finally!

I put the little guys down for an early nap and have been cleaning house today. There is nothing better than cleaning in a quiet house!

Rainy Day + Lingering Scent of Cleaning Products + Happy and Well-Rested Children = Super Good Day!

On the agenda for tomorrow: An appointment with another doctor at MD Anderson...Hopefully, this appointment will provide some clarity to an otherwise foggy issue!

Posting from a theater to say...

2010-08-28T18:59:00.001-05:00

I can't stand the song "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder. It's right there with "On the Other Hand" by Randy Travis.
I can honestly say that no other songs can tick me off quicker than those two. I'm just sayin'.

Googlicious

2010-08-17T21:28:00.000-05:00

So, my sweet husband said that if you Google "Beautiful Youth Ministers' Wives", that my picture would come up.

Actually, if you Google "Beautiful Youth Ministers' Wives", this is the first thing that comes up:

Enjoy - I sure did!

Quotes of the Day

2010-08-17T13:53:00.001-05:00

"Satan frequently steals the will of God from us due to reasoning. The Lord may direct us to do a certain thing, but if it does not make sense - if it is not logical - we may be tempted to disregard it. What God leads a person to do does not always make logical sense to his mind. His spirit may affirm it and his mind reject it, especially if it would be out of the ordinary or unpleasant or if it would require personal sacrifice or discomfort." - Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind

And then this one is a favorite! From an e-mail that my dad sent my mom. He has been in Benin and Togo for the last few weeks while working on several projects with International Commission.

"I am longing for home... I am down to the last hole on my belt. I am confident that I can restock everything in a weeks time. I made the mistake of bringing my McKenzies cap. It is hard to look at while eating things you can not identify. Love, Mark"

Let's Go To Church!

2010-08-15T12:28:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure when I started doing this, but when we are backing out of the driveway to head toward the church, I say, "I was glad when they said to me..." and then the boys all shout, "Let's Go To Church"! (Psalm 122:1...Daigle-Style).

Growing up as a pastor's kid, I knew that raising our boys with a daddy in full-time ministry would put us in a position that few understand. It's hard to have your family at church all of the time and it not grow so familiar that it's not only not fun, but you can completely lose sight of the purpose of gathering together.

We have tried very hard to make sure that our boys enjoy going to church. Not that it's all about fun...but it is an important thing that I pray they will look forward to for the rest of their lives. So, setting up routines that make Sunday different from the rest has been a concerted effort, to say the least.

This morning it hit me. I haven't been looking forward to going to church. I think that the main reason is because I don't have any answers for the questions that people are asking right now. Our congregation has been so very sincerely concerned for me and our family that I have been speechless at many points in the last few weeks. We have had a 'Snack Fairy' that has left what seemed like a lifetime supply of Goldfish, Kool-Aid, and Cheeseballs at the front door. We have had meals brought to the house and more letters and phone calls than I could have ever imagined. I love our church family. I know that they love us. We could not have been in a better church family at this time.

Please don't think that I would like to avoid questions...it's just that I like to have answers to questions that are asked! I have been asking the same questions, trust me! It has been a big struggle to admit that I have no control over this situation. It has been a big hurdle to admit that really, I don't have any control over anything, for crying out loud!

The people at our church love us. They have been praying relentlessly for this situation to be used for God's glory. I am praying for that, too. I know that He has been using it to make me wrestle with Him over some rather ugly things. One of those things has been the pride in my heart that has not ever allowed me to ask for help when I knew that I needed it. (Then, I would find myself despising those around me for not knowing that I needed the help...honestly, did I think they were all-knowing?!)

So, just know that this morning, I honestly meant it when I said, "Let's Go To Church!", with my boys. I gave my same, "we're waiting", answer to the people that stopped me in the halls to ask about the status of our situation. I was able to worship with my heart a little more open than last week.

And, I asked someone for help yesterday. It wasn't a big deal to her...but it was a HUGE deal for me.

Progress is progress, no matter how slow!

I rejoiced with those that said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD." - Psalm 122:1

Less Rest, More Waiting

2010-08-09T10:52:00.000-05:00

Update on my thymus issue.

I am exhausted. I can't seem to rest at all. I am so uncomfortable at any angle other than sitting straight up or standing that it seems impossible to sleep. (Lack of sleep helps NOTHING at all).

I have 2 more weeks to wait for the re-testing and then we will find out the recommended course of treatment.

Not much of an update, I know. But, you couldn't possibly be more frustrated than we are!

$0.97 Strawberries

2010-08-04T17:25:00.000-05:00

Yeah, $.97 Strawberries!

Here's what I did today!

(Picture features new color of Kitchen and Dining Room: Seaside Retreat - Atlantic Grey SR1009...available at Lowe's)

Whirlwind Musical Weekend

2010-08-02T11:33:00.000-05:00

After a great week at Music Camp, we ran straight into the most hectic weekend that we have had in a while.

Saturday, we got up, had breakfast (again, Bisquick is our BFF), ran to Academy to pick out a tent. The tent was not for us, but was what Boy #3 wanted to get for his friend's birthday. We picked up the tent, ran home, wrapped that thing, hopped into the car and ran down the way to a party at the lake.

Party A:
Party A was at one of the other staff member's home on the lake. By on the lake, I mean ON THE LAKE. By ON THE LAKE, I don't mean one of those measly inlets, it was what the lake-folk call "on the BIG WATER". It was lovely. We were hanging out with a prospective new staff member and his family. They have something rare among our current staff...Girls! Of the staff members at the church, there are 14 'staff kids' and of those, only 2 are girls (and one is working on her Master's Degree at SWBS). So, we were all enamored!

From Party A, we ran like wild to Party B.

Party B:
We had stopped earlier and bought the tent for Party B. By tent, I mean PINK PRINCESS TENT. When we had received the invitation for the birthday party for the daughter of our Bisquick Buddies (See previous post), I asked Jeremiah what he would like to get her. He said, "A Tent". Simple as that, he knew what he wanted to get her. She turned 4, so we picked a Disney Princess pup-tent. Perfect. By the time that we were getting ready to leave, she had a tent in the middle of her bedroom.

After Party B, we had a nap and then took dinner to Grammy's house. We had barbeque and watched the boys play on the Slip-n-Slide. (Can I just say that thing is the most delightful sprinkler on the earth?)

Sunday:
Sunday was Sunday. Church...Larry got to baptize 5 people in the 3rd service...Mexican food for lunch...boys took a nap/Larry went back to church...boys got up/we went to Music Camp Musical!! The boys did great and looked so handsome in their dark blue music camp shirts and khaki shorts. After that, we stopped into the grocery store on the way home.

Sheesh! I'm still winded from that run of events!

We love Bisquick!

2010-07-28T19:27:00.000-05:00

Yes, we do! We love Bisquick, how about you?

We are a pancake eating family. Sometimes, when everything falls into place, I crank out some biscuits. But, we LOVE pancakes. And that is are typical morning fare. So, I thought that would just run it by our friends that own a local hot spot, for a cost on buying a food services size container of Bisquick.

Guess what! It's here! I thought that it would probably be an enormous container. But, it's a box full of extra-large boxes. They aren't as colorful and pretty. They don't have a label with Box Tops for Education. But they are much cheaper than those I have been getting at the wholesale club down the street. YeeHaw!!!

I was really excited that they came in boxes, that way I don't have to worry about getting an enormous airtight container. I just couldn't contain my delight!

What little odd thing makes you that happy? I'd love to hear it!

2010-07-23T20:11:00.000-05:00

I have been reading I Will Carry You by Angie Smith. I don't even know what to tell you. It's not related to anything that I am going through, but it has blessed my heart. Angie has shared a very painful experience in her life, in such a way that lifts up Christ, drawing any who hear her story closer to Him.

You may want to scroll down to the bottom of the blog and pause the music player...grab some tissue while you're at it.

The Tuesday of the Three Molars

2010-07-20T11:43:00.000-05:00

This morning I reached into Caleb's mouth to fish out a non-edible item (the identity, of which, I have no clue). The poor kid has been gnawing on everything he can cram into his mouth while trying to soothe some miserable gums. My fishing expedition brought me more delight than anticipated! Both sides on the bottom and the top right were occupied by the tiniest white points emerging from the swollen gums!

I know that there are still some drooly days ahead, but it's nice to know that we have made some progress!

Update Again!

2010-07-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

So, I wanted to wait until I had made it through a Sunday to post another update. Sheesh! I am flat-out tired!

At the moment, the boys are down for a rainy-day nap (the best kind in my book)! Joseph is the only one not actually sleeping. In fact, I can hear him singing along with last year's VBS songs while he has his headset on. Too cute! Last week the boys had a blast at VBS at my parents' church. I haven't had a chance to load his mp3 with the songs from this year, but that will happen pretty quick. Yeehaw, Saddle Ridge Ranch!

On Friday, just after I got everyone home, fed and napping (praise God!), I was able to finally speak with my doctor's office and was given information on the MD Anderson Pathology report of the biopsy that was done earlier. They found that there is thymic tissue and cells consistent with thymoma. Bummer!

Now we are still in a waiting mode to see how the thymus changes in the next several weeks. I will go in to repeat CT scans in August (along with a battery of lab work and a few x-rays). Based on the changes at that time, an appropriate game plan will be initiated.

So....

Please pray for the thymus to shrink.

Pray for rest in the time of waiting!

***Subject Change*** We finally painted our master bathroom this past weekend! Yeah!
Here are some pictures that I took of that room when we were looking at it for the first time...

As soon as I have the thing decorated, I will put some new pictures up!

Out of the Divine blue!

2010-07-16T14:20:00.002-05:00

Out of the divine blue, the curriculum for my Sunday school class had me studying and teaching Psalm 116 last week. When in my life have I needed it more?

I am certain that this chapter will be dear to me forever, now that I have clung to it like our Gideon does the Pink Blanket. In fact, I am thinking that I could probably scrounge up the necessary funds to have the thing placed on a wall of the house in that awesome vinyl lettering that is currently so very fashionable. Perhaps...although my method of colored sticky-notes has been doing the trick quite nicely.

On Sunday, I willed myself to be able to get through the chapter without crying. I some how did it. My eyes welled up, my chin did that ugly quivering thing that it does...but, I did make it through without cracking out the hideous-cry-face. (Larry and I went to a lovely wedding several years ago, where the gorgeous bride gently pulled a lacey handkerchief out of her bouquet and so daintily blotted the tears on her cheek, then chin, then neck and then gracefully tucked the thing back in amongst her flowers. Not so at our wedding! My poor father had to walk a blubbering prune-faced bizarro down the aisle. I DON'T CRY GRACEFULLY!!!)

So, the young ladies of the West Conroe Youth group were spared the exposure to Mrs. Bizarro, but the lesson was very well received and I think that God made each of us tender for what He wanted us to hear that morning. Who is like Him?

We are still waiting for the MD Anderson Pathologists to review the biopsy from the procedure done at another hospital on June 24th. I should hear something soon. At least, that's what I have been told.

Please continue to pray for relief from the tension in my chest, for good rest, for wisdom for the doctors and for favor (with God and man)!

New Favorite Commercial

2010-07-14T21:24:00.001-05:00

Update and More Waiting!

2010-07-14T14:05:00.003-05:00

So, my appointments at MD Anderson went very smoothly. Monday morning, we set out around 6am, while the little boys were still sleeping. Thank you to Pa, for waiting in the living room to feed and dress them before shuttling them to VBS.

Once we were at MD Anderson, we were able to get into all of the labs a little early, just in time to wait, wait, wait to see Dr. Walsh. Dr. Walsh's perspective on the issue was much less alarming! He reviewed the CT scans that we brought and agrees that the thymus is quite enlarged. However, he seems to feel that is uniformly so, without any particular area being disproportionate to the rest. Because of that, he decided to cancel the PET scan (which would lead to confusing results if the thymus is just inflamed).

So, we are going to wait for 6 weeks and repeat the CT scan and other labs. PRAY for positive change. There is a possibility that this is just a case of thymic hyperplasia (which is inflammation due to some sort of reaction or indicative of other diseases).

In the meanwhile, Dr Walsh has also requested the actual slides from the biopsy that was done earlier. He was very unimpressed with the pathology report and the vagueness of the evaluation. So, he has requested that the slides be forwarded to MD Anderson for review by MDA Pathology. PRAY that there is nothing suspicious or ugly there!

Pray for me to be able to rest and be more comfortable. Dr. Walsh's perspective was much more laid back and unalarming. This is great! However, I don't feel any better. I am still having the same discomfort and trouble sleeping as before. I wake up throughout the nights with the chest pain. No sleep is awful on one's emotions! PRAY for me to be able to sleep well.

Praying for Favor

2010-07-07T21:21:00.004-05:00

Please begin to pray for something specific for me! Pray that I will be the favorite of my doctors in the next few weeks.

Is that a weird request? It feels odd, but that's what I am asking right now!

Let me start at the beginning for those of you that are not in my family!

The last night at youth camp, I began to have a very uncomfortable tightness in my chest. Then, I felt as though my heart was going to pound it's way out of my chest and across the room. So, I did what any decent youth minister's wife would do...I put myself to bed and willed myself to be okay, since there was only 15 more hours left of youth camp. (Really, I was afraid that if I told Larry, he would take me to the hospital in the middle of nowhere.) We drove home the next day. (We=me in the van, following 2 charter buses full of exhausted teens and sponsors). Don't worry, I was feeling a little better and had told Larry at this point what was going on.

When we got home, I got the boys settled at home with Grammy and I was able to be back at the church before the last student was picked up. (Again, like any other youth minister's wife, I had to assume that there would be one student waiting on a parent for at least 45 minutes...never fails). We made our way to an acceptable ER and after a battery of tests, x-rays and labs, they did a CT scan.

A few forevers later, the doctor came in and began to go over all of the symptoms of a heart-attack, which I thought that we had already eliminated as a possibility, but we listened anyway. He had to step out and take a call, leaving the CT scan report on the side of the bed as he went. How fabulous! The moment he left the room, Larry jumped up with cat-like reflexes, shut the door and we were flipping through that baby Lickety-Split!

There were only two notations that stuck out:

An enlarged spleen

A prominent thymic gland (more so than typical for a patient of this age)

When the doctor came back, we went over the results and were referred to a cardiologist (just to double check everything) and a hematologist/oncologist (in regard to the spleen and thymus).

We have been seen by a local hematologist/oncologist. He ordered a biopsy of the thymus (and seemed relatively unconcerned about the spleen).

The biopsy was TERRIBLE!!! The thymus gland is located between the sternum and heart and SHOULD shrink away to an undetectable size in adulthood. However, my dern thing is making itself at home and disturbing all of the neighbors.

The biopsy had to be with CT scans throughout, which meant that I had to be awake to hold my breath each time that they did a scan, which was quite frequent. I am not a person that is intrigued with medical stuff. I NEVER look when I get a shot or have blood drawn. However, an incredibly large needle sticking out of one's chest, just a few inches below the nose is a bit unavoidable. Not to mention that I respond VERY WELL to pain medicine. I'm not sure what they gave me, or what I was saying, but throughout the procedure the nurse, doctor and radiologist were cracking up. I can just remember the wretched sensation of being poked in the core of my being and seeing that goofy needle wobbling about as the put me in and out of the CT scan.

This is getting too long...more to come later. However, here's the rest from then up to this point. The results weren't great. They were also pretty vague. So, the decision has been made to remove the thymus to be able to determine what the problem is and possible make some staging determinations.

Thymic Cancer is extremely rare. So, we went ahead and requested that the doctor try to get us into MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Houston Medical Center. We were told that they would probably not take us, since an "official diagnosis" has not been made. HOWEVER, God made sure that I got in with the best doctor for this type of issue!

My first appointment at MD Anderson will be on Monday! What an odd thing to be excited about! Praise be to God for making the opportunity available.

I will give more info as more is available.

Pray for Larry (he lost his dad to Leukemia last year) and for the guys (they are doing great and just know that Mommy's going to be sick for a while and that lots of people are going to come play with them at the house). Pray for my parents (I think they are more worried than is necessary, but of course, they are parents!).

Notice Any Resemblance?

2010-06-29T21:38:00.002-05:00

Do you think those guys are related, or what?

I love them!

Fun Saturday!

2010-06-26T17:52:00.003-05:00

We have had a great day!

We had waffles for breakfast! This is fun, since Gid wanted to get Larry a waffle iron for Father's day. Today was the first big waffle day, with the boys all seated around the breakfast table and with me and Larry standing at the island. Joseph and Jeremiah wanted chocolate chip waffles and the rest of us opted for plain. Strawberries and bananas are all gone and there isn't a drop of juice left in the joint. (Tonight I make my weekly grocery trip).
We swam at the pool. Aaahhh, the pool! There aren't enough words to descibe my love for the pool. The boys and Larry slathered on their spf 50 sunscreen and I, my spf 6 tanning lotion. Aaahhh, I love the pool! We met Grammy, Pa and Hannah there and had a great time. Such fun! To be repeated, I hope!
We had burgers for lunch. Aaaahhh, Burgers. I love burgers!
We had a nap. Aaaahhh, I love naps!
I made Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies. Aaaahhhh! I think you get the picture!
Tonight, we will have something easy for dinner (due to the end of the week scenario playing out in our pantry).
Tonight, we will have baths and go to bed early in preparation of Sunday morning.

Quotable Quote:

Every man has a right to a Saturday night bath.

Lyndon B. Johnson

I hope that you had a great week and a fun Saturday!

Camp and Re-Camp

2010-06-23T15:41:00.004-05:00

So, the first full week of June the family crammed every clean piece of clothes into every available bag and headed to youth camp.

Yee Haw! We were at Alto Frio Baptist Encampment from Monday (7th) through Saturday (12th). Larry stayed with the high school guys in a dorm (there was a seperate dorm with the junior high guys). Our little guys and I stayed in our usual cabin. I can't say exactly when cabin 232 became dear to my heart, but I truly do love it so! It used to be cinderblock grey throughout. However, a few years ago, I waddled in (great with child - Jeremiah) and found it painted the sweetest green, complete with sponge painting in the rooms and stencilling around the windows. Adorable. By my reaction, you would have thought that it was my own home on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I was a blubbering mess. (Really, I still am!)

Youth camp went great. Our youth group had a wonderful and challenging time, with growth in several areas.

Our darlings, Joseph and Gideon, were baptized on Thursday, June 10th, in the Frio River. It was a precious time, one that was caught on video by the camp video guru, Goober. It was also photographed by Matt with Ornan's Floor. Sweet, sweet time...talk about being a blubbering mess!

Once we got home, I seemed to do an unending amount of laundry before packing myself back up to go to the Pineywoods Girls Camp, where I had the privilege of leading a large group Bible study for the week. Again, such a wonderful week. I did have a new camp experience (which is odd considering how many years I have been at camp, as student and sponsor). On Thursday night, we had to evacuate the pool due to poo! YIKES!

While I was gone, the boys were occupied with VBS at our church, as was their daddy! They seemed to have a marvelous time. This week, Joseph and Gideon are hanging out at Grammy's church for Sports Camp. Their little brother, Jeremiah, is devastatingly jealous...but, he seems to be enduring the hardship pretty well. I have tried to make each day a little different and exciting!

Needless to say, I am so glad to be at home now...in my own bed, in my own shower, with my own children and, of course, with my main man!

Much love to you all!

Happy Fathers Day!

2010-06-20T18:20:00.006-05:00

Oh, Happy Fathers Day!

What a beautiful day it has been in our stretch of the woods. We spent this day like any other Sunday, with just one exception. We loved on our daddy like it was nobody's business.

After church, we met up for lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant (where kids eat free on Sundays) and had yummy chips and salsa with our daddy and my Daddy! It's been such a blessing to live close to my parents for these last 2 years. It is something that I never assumed would happen. But, since God is able to exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21) , He saw to it that we landed in the same city. What a joy!

Yesterday, the boys and Larry went to help Pa work on Mater. (Translated for those not in the family: They helped my dad work on his old truck).

I happen to think of my dad as the best in the world. Perhaps my little sister put it best in a post on her blog, when she said that not many girls have a dad that doesn't complicate their view of God as their father. Excellent point, Han!

I am so grateful for the man that is my father.

I am so very grateful for the man that is the father of my boys!

My prayer is that my little guys will continue to follow after God and become godly daddies someday!

Couldn't Keep Myself from Blogging

2010-06-06T14:29:00.005-05:00

There is so much that I need to tell my bloggity friends! It's been quite a while since I have had a good cathartic post!

Since I last blogged:
A - Joseph was showered with awards at the 2nd grade assembly
B - Gideon graduated from Kindergarten in the most darling of 'graduations'
C - Caleb is gnawing his knuckles to the bone on tooth #8
D - We are packing to leave for Youth Camp tomorrow

But, alas, I have not come to the keyboard today to catch you up on all of the family's events. I will! Truly, I assure you!

No, I have just arrived home from the normal Sunday morning routine. Sunday school, church services, Mexican food for lunch, dropped Larry back off at the church and now the boys are snug in their beds for naps, which promise to be long, based on their full tummies!

My purpose in posting on a Sunday afternoon can mean only one thing: Regurgitating a Great Message!

I can in no means accurately and completely convey the message that Jay preached today. However, I can tell you that it was one of the most moving and convicting that I've ever heard. You know, one where you sit and say, "Ouch...I mean, Amen!" Excellent.

Jay preached out of 2 Chronicles 29:1-11 and 1 Peter 3: 13-16 and did he ever let go and let God take off?! He spoke of the steps that Hezekiah took to bring about revival in Judah. He brought it right down to what I need to do to experience revival.

He used 2 fantastic examples in the course of the sermon, but this quote from Wilbur Reese, caught my heart.

I would like to buy $3 of God, please.

Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.

I don't want enough of God to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant.

I want ecstasy, not transformation.

I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.

I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.

I would like to by $3 worth of God, please.

Wilbur Reese

The portion that caught my heart in a vice-style grip, was the line, "I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth". Is that not exactly how I live? I want God to 'cuddle-me-up', as we say in the Daigle house, and take care of my every need and whim. I want to be comforted and safe. I want to be protected from any notion of exposure or risk. I want to have no responsibility or pressure. I want to be constantly coddled and adored

In our home, Caleb is our little guy, our baby. He isn't so much a baby anymore, but a toddler. IN THEORY. My so-called "toddler" will not toddle. (Before you write to me to have this-or-that checked, please know that I have had this-and-that checked). My little man just will not do it. He is capable. He cruises the furniture and will walk with his hands in ours. However, he is unwilling to do walk on his own. He has the skills, he has the muscle tone, the balance, the fortitude to do it...just not the will

Now, of course, I love Caleb. I adore and coddle him. I comfort him and ensure that he is safe. I cuddle-him-up and sing over him. He is my child. But, I want the kid to walk! I know he can do it!

So, when Jay read the Reese quote, the line, "I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth" rushed into my heart and poked me where it hurt. God wants me to grow up and live the life He has planned for me. Not the one in which I cruise the furniture and throw a tantrum when extra is expected of me. He wants me to live life abundantly in REVIVAL within my own heart.

You know that I could continue to go on, but the perfectionist in me would have to outline the entire sermon

And so, since this is the final hour before camp, I have to get packing. I am just going to post a link to the Sermons tab of the church website (Non-series sermons). At that link you can download or listen to the sermon and get a copy of the notes (if they are available

Jay's sermon - Revival in the Temple of Your Heart 06/06/2010.

By the way, Larry's sermon was last week, titled Samson - Hero or Zero 05/30/2010.

Pray for us at camp this week! We are expecting great things!

Much Love,

Gator 911

2010-05-28T21:43:00.003-05:00

***NOTICE: I am not announcing myself as a fan of this show.***

This evening, our regularly scheduled program (America's Funniest Home Videos) was bumped for a movie that we won't allow our children to watch. So, after karate practice, we settled in and tried to find an alternative.

We ended up on Gator 911.

Hmmm...Maybe it's the fact that I am a Texas girl, and perhaps that I am the ONLY girl in my home, but....Ever Heard of a Gun? Come on! Why jump in a revolting pond and wrestle a seemingly little alligator? Is it to rescue it from a quick death (which would only cost the average redneck, who already has boxes of bullets in a metal cabinet in the garage, less than a dollar)? And then what? Cart it off to a pen, where it can live out a completely boring life in a concrete pond? Honestly, shoot the darn thing!

I have ranted enough. My plan was to get to the comments that the show brought up with my four year old son, Jeremiah.

Comment 1: 'I wonder why they all have stamps on their arms!" (This was quickly corrected by the ever-hovering eldest son, Joseph. "They are called tattoos." Jeremiah..."Oh!"

Comment 2: This was made by my husband, in regards to the woman brought to the water's edge to have the 'honor' of taping the gator's mouth shut. She was GREAT with child. "She's got a bun in the oven!", observed Larry. "And, she's got a baby in her tummy!", exclaimed Jeremiah. At this point, Larry and I are grinning at each other, and I ask, "How do you know?" To this, he responds, "She's fat!" Lovely.

Kids do say the darndest things! So, with that, I pay hommage to Art Linkletter.

Comic Relief - Again

2010-05-27T16:31:00.001-05:00

Ca-Razy!

2010-05-21T12:43:00.004-05:00

This weekend is quickly becoming the most chaotic in our recent history.

Tonight, Joseph has a Student Council party and Jeremiah has a karate lesson.

Tomorrow, Joseph and Gideon have a baseball game. It is my turn to bring drinks, which means lugging a cooler along with the stroller, Jeremiah and Caleb. After the game, we will go by the boys' school for registration for next year. Our school district requires that every student "re-register" every two years to ensure that they have accurate information and updated records for each. After registration, it's a mad scramble to get everything ready for the reception after Larry's ordination, which is on Sunday. The ordination means that tomorrow, I must also make sure that everyone's clothes are laid out for Sunday morning and that I have outfits ready for the ordination as well. This includes my own outfits which, as you can imagine, will be the most difficult to pull together.

Late tomorrow night...sleep

Sunday - Standard Sunday morning scramble.

Go to first service with entire family (Caleb, only exception, will be in nursery)
Sunday school - As I have mentioned before, I teach the 9th grade Sunday School - no small feat!
Church service (Larry will bring guys home during 3rd service, so that they can nap before ordination/I will start preparing for reception).
Prepare reception area for reception - I have a couple of ladies that are going to help me with this.
Ordination - Wear waterproof mascara
Try to be the first one out of the chapel and run down the hall (gracefully, of course) to reception area thus beating everyone there
Quick scan to make sure that everything is "just so"
Try to relax and enjoy
Clean up reception area
Go home
Veg Out Completely!

PRAY FOR ME!!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Gideon!

2010-05-12T15:09:00.004-05:00

I know that six years ago...I was having a rough, but soon to be rewarding day! Your birth was the most difficult for me, and truthfully, after the 5th time that they tried to give me an epidural...I don't remember much! I know that you were born at 5:30 pm.

However, I do remember that you looked very different than your older brother, Joseph, had at his birth. You were so darling, that I couldn't stand for you to be in the bassinet in that hospital room. I wanted you right there, in my arms, on my lap, laying between my shins on the bed. I hated for you to be out of reach.

You were so miserable for so many months. You cried and screamed and cried and screamed and cried and screamed. Until we finally tried a medicine that would work to soothe your acid reflux. Little did we know that it was so new on the market that none of the pharmacists in the area had ever heard of it. We had to search for a pharmacy that carried it, with our search finally ending in the lobby of Texas Children's Hospital. High Maintenance, Indeed!

It was worth it! You were a new child. We finally tried that new medicine while Daddy was away on a mission trip. I introduced him to his new son upon his return! We were so pleased. You started sleeping through the night, laughing, cooing...doing all of those things that we had been waiting for!

From that point, you have been a growing machine! You LOVE milk. Love It!

You love the pink blanket that Laura Hawk gave to me for Christmas in the 5th grade. (That thing is 23 years old...and you still sleep with it!)

You LOVE animals! Love them! There isn't one on earth that you are not desperately concerned for. You are just now finishing Kindergarten. You love Mrs. Wilder and are confident that she is the prettiest teacher in the school. (She has been teaching Kindergarten for 27 years!) You are reading very well! You draw all the live long day! A few days ago, I was going through the pockets of all of the jeans before starting the laundry. I pulled out of your little pants a paper cell phone (complete with screen and all of the appropriate buttons) and a wallet (which was folded and contained two $47 bills - which obviously, you had made.)

We are so happy that you asked Jesus to be your Savior this year! You literally changed over the course of a week. Unfortunately, you have your mother's flare for drama. However, after you accepted Christ, you have been much more capable of controlling those wild emotions.

You are a joy. We love you overwhelmingly! Gideon, you are my favorite 6 year old in the world!

Hiiiiii-Yaaaaaah!

2010-05-08T10:41:00.001-05:00

Is this cute or what?

Van Conversations

2010-05-07T13:53:00.002-05:00

Jeremiah: Milk comes from cows, and cows are made of meat. Meat helps your body make muscles, so that is why milk is good for you.

Me: Hmmm...I see.

Caleb: Maaaaaaaa-ma!

Me (in response to Caleb): What, Baby?

Gideon: But, if there were still dinosaurs, there wouldn't be any milk.

Me (in response to Gideon): Really? Why?

Gideon: Because the tyrannosaurus would eat all of the cows.

Me: Oh.

Caleb: Maaaaaaaaa-ma!

Joseph: I know that people are not endangered.

Me (in response to Caleb): What, Baby?
Me (in response to Joseph): Oh, yeah?

Joseph: Because we are everywhere!

A Saturday at the Daigle House

2010-05-01T20:51:00.002-05:00

Today was Daiglicious!

We started out at the baseball field at 7:45am for pictures! We some how made it without even a single pillow crease imprint!

Great ball game, with both our players getting hits each time at bat!

Then we came home, had lunch, hung out for a while (Dad - mowing the grass, Mom - sanding down a garage sale find in preparation of new paint, Joseph - tromping back and forth across the small creek behind our house *BB gun in hand*, Gideon and Jeremiah - playing in backyard and Caleb - napping). That was awesome.

I came to a great stopping point (loosely translated - I needed to go buy paint), so we hopped in the van for a quick trip to Lowe's. I love Lowe's. I am pretty sure they love me, too! If they don't, they should. I have the checkbook register to prove it.

We came home and decided to go for a quick walk. At the last minute, we decided to take some plastic cups along...just in case we saw some blackberries. Really, around here they are dewberries, but who's keeping track?

We came home about an hour later with what measured out to be 9 cups of berries. 9 cups! At the grocery store that would be over $20 worth. So, I cranked out 3 quick cobblers. Yum!!!

We enjoyed one with my parents, Larry drove one over to the pastor's house and he walked one down the street to a couple who thought they weren't edible berries. Perhaps they will be convinced!

All in all, a great day!

Most Frequently Quoted Movie Line

2010-04-28T14:49:00.002-05:00

In the Daigle house, this is the most frequently repeated line from a movie (our favorite, Nacho Libre).

Favorite Book? Favorite Quote?

2010-04-15T18:43:00.003-05:00

It's been since Easter, but I haven't forgotten about you! We have been swamped with all manner of issues! But, we are all well and happy...so, being busy is not a big deal.

Here's an easy one for you:

What's your favorite book? Or, perhaps your favorite quote from a book?

Here are a few of mine:

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

Down Came the Rain by Brooke Shields ~~I read this while I was dreadfully depressed after having Gideon and while pregnant with Jeremiah (can anyone say 'Overwhelmed'?) I didn't find it particularly enlightening or helpful in my own postpartum depression. However, it was instrumental in pushing me to rely on God through that season of my life. It was nice to read that she had gone through similar things, but so sad to see that she had no hope or direction out.

A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter (Thank you, Aunt Laurie! I still have the copy that you gave me for Christmas in 1986, which I read every year on New Year's weekend!)
~~Here's a favorite from that~~It's the part when Margaret and Wesley are admiring the lunch box that they have purchased for Elnora. If you haven't read this, think of it as an older Blindside.

"Wesley opened the package and laid a brown leather lunch box on the table. 'Might be a couple of books, or drawing tools, or most anything that's neat and geteel. You see, it opens this way.'

It did open, and inside was a space for sandwiches, a little porcelain box for cold meat or fried chicken, another for salad, a glass with a lid which screwed on, held by a ring in a corner, for custard or jelly, a flask for tea or milk, a beautiful little knife, fork, and spoon fastened in holders, and a place for a napkin.

Margaret was almost crying over it. 'How I'd love to fill it!' she exclaimed. 'Do it the first time, just to show Kate Comstock what love is!' said Wesley."

And here's the quote that got me thinking about this:

"The square was especially crowded that morning. Countesses and dancing masters, advocates and wigmakers, judges and cobblers all shared the same buildings and, hence, the same stairs, spilling out onto the plainstanes of Edinburgh like buttons from a sewing box--carved horn, enameled brass, ornate silver, and unadorned wood, all jumbled together." ~~Liz Curtis Higgs in chapter 5 of Here Burns My Candle (a new release that I highly recommend)

I must have read that paragraph three or four times before I had enough of it to go on!

So, tell me...What's your favorite? (And, don't say the Bible...I KNOW that's your favorite!)

Easter Weekend

2010-04-03T10:11:00.002-05:00

We started Easter weekend with Maundy Thursday and a Passion Service at church that evening. It was a beautiful service, both somber and hopeful.

Instead of being served the Lord's Supper in our seats, as we typically do, the church was invited to come to the front in groups or individually. Our little family went to the front, where we were given little plastic cups of grape juice and tiny crackers. From there, we went and knelt at the altar before one of three crosses placed there for the service. It was Gideon's first time to take the Lord's Supper.

Perhaps it was the kneeling at the foot of the cross, perhaps it was because it was Gideon's first time to partake...I am not really sure what made that particular moment so freshly heartbreaking and heart-healing at once. It was agonizingly beautiful. Both crushing and renewing.

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5

Throughout the remainder of the evening, Larry and I would stop, look at the time and wonder what Jesus had been enduring at that hour, so many years ago. We thought about his walk to the Garden of Gethsemene, his arrest, standing before Caiaphas, before Pilate, hearing the crowd choose a notorius murder to be released, being beaten, carrying his cross. I thought of his mother. I thought of the two thieves, the centurion, the priests that had probably been present as Jesus was questioned...then standing in the tabernacle as the veil was torn. How horrifying that must have been for them...surely they must have known what they had been a part of.

I thought of scattered and confused disciples, of the women that had followed Jesus as well.

How great is our redemption, that such a price was paid?

Does Quiet Time Count...

2010-03-31T15:15:00.001-05:00

...if you are sitting on the floor of the bathroom, with whitening strips on your teeth and number 117 doing it's magic on your greys?

Just Asking.

Yahweh and Pals

2010-03-31T12:28:00.002-05:00

So, yesterday when I my clock radio went off at 6:00am, it was about 2 minutes and 45 seconds into the song "Signature of Divine". I LOVE this song. LOVE it! It's in the playlist at the bottom of the page...Listen to it...It is awesome.

Lyrics to Signature of Divine

Cathedrals have tried in vain
To show the image of your face,
But we are, by your design,
The signature of divine.

We'll always sing your name,
Forever and today.

Yahweh, Yahweh...
Great is your glory, you go before me
Oh, we sing...
Holy, Holy,
Your ways are lovely, So high above me
Yahweh.

The fortunes of kings and queens
are wasted chasing what we've seen.
Cause we are, by your reprieve,
The beauty framed by your suffering.

We'll always sing your name.
Forever and today.

Yahweh, Yahweh...
Great is your glory, you go before me
Oh, we sing...
Holy, Holy...
Your ways are lovely, So high above me.
Yahweh.

Take me and pull me through.
Cause I can't move without you.
I won't leave you alone, you say.
It will be okay.

Yahweh, Yawheh...
Great is your glory, you go before me
Oh, we sing...
Holy, Holy...
Your ways are lovely, so high above me.
Yahweh.
Yahweh, Yahweh...
Great is your glory, you go before me.
Oh, we sing...
Holy, Holy...
Your ways are lovely, so high above me.
Yahweh

Ancient of Days...
Yahweh!

So, anyway! I was belting this song out in the kitchen, when I look over at Caleb sitting on the floor watching me with both of his little hands lifted up. So, precious! It just gave me goosebumps thinking about it!

On a less spiritual note, Gideon was reading his nightly homework assignment to me last night and one of the words was "Pals". Since, they are now taking quizzes on what they have read for comprehension, I stopped him and asked, "Do you know what a pal is?" And this was his definition:

A Pal is someone that you like enough to call him 'Bro' and give him high fives.

Sounds like a pal to me!

A Great Day to be a...

2010-03-27T21:37:00.003-05:00

1) Today, it was a great day to be a GA. I had so much fun hanging out with a local group of GAs. It just so happens that the leader was the GA leader when I was in the 5th and 6th grade! She asked me to come and talk about my October trip to Rwanda, which I wrote about Here, Here, Here and Here.

They had a slumber party last night and I got to share with them this morning. They had just begun to get up when I walked into that sea of pink and purple sleeping bags! I have never seen so many puffy heads of hair! It was darling.

I can't wait to spend a week with them this summer. We will share a week at the campground where I went during each summer from the 3rd grade-my freshman year of college! Can't wait, just can't!

2) Today, it was great to be my husband's wife! We were so surprised a few weeks ago at a retreat, when a deacon and his wife approached us and wanted to provide us with a date night once a month. I thought, how neat it was for them to want to let us have a night out every once in a while without the cost of a babysitter. No, I totally underestimated God! They showed up tonight to watch the little guys and gave us a $50 to take care of our dinner and movie! Thank you! Thank God!

We returned home and found the boys snug in their beds. Evidently, they had a great time!

3) And, finally, it was a great day to be A BAT! Hang with me here! While we were in the movie, what should begin to flit in and out of the light? A BAT!!! And what to a tired youth minister's horror should begin? Teenaged girls Shrieking! Just what we would want to hear on our night out.

It was quite funny. The goofy thing would land on the screen and let us all watch it do a creepy little crawl/hang motion up to the top of the screen and into the darkness. Then for the next few minutes it was out of sight. Suddenly, it would swoosh across from one side of the theatre to the other. Totally distracting! But, it made for a unique evening to be sure!

It was a great day!

"Acknowledge and take to heart This Day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other." Deuteronomy 4:39 NIV

Dig a Little Ditch, Have a Little Fun!!!

2010-03-20T11:35:00.003-05:00

So, today is our last day of Spring Break!

Thursday afternoon, we left the boys with a friend and her daughter and took off for a night away with some of our friends. We all met in a centrally located town and had fun. Couple A drove about 3 hours, we drove about 4 hours and Couple B lives about 30 minutes from the hotel that we stayed in.

Thursday night, we ate dinner but couple B couldn't make it because of a previous engagement, so...The Daigles and Couple A decided to toilet paper Couple B's yard. Totally juvenile, I know, but we had a blast! It is especially ironic since Mr Couple B and Larry are directors of the Greater Houston Camp Association...you know, the type that know all of the rules and act as if the most important task is making sure everyone else abides by them! And Couple A are the Dean of Men and Dean of Women for the camp. You know, the ones that have to deal with the students that don't keep the rules. Very Ironic!

So, after our mischief, Couple B calls and says that they had broken away early and wanted to meet us for desserts. Yeah, what fun! So, while we sat and ate the WORST desserts ever, we had to keep straight faces and try to not laugh. We made it through and had a good laugh after they got home and the texts started coming!

Friday, we all met for lunch and made up for the awful desserts the night before. We headed home after lunch.

Got home, had a blast with the little boys and then slept like it was no one's business.

This morning, we woke up, had an awesome waffle breakfast and decided that since it was raining, it would be a great time to dig out the area that we are going to have to install a french drain. The baby was napping, the big guys were watching a new video and we went out in the rain to dig. It was actually quite fun! We talked about all kind of stuff and got soaked to the core. But, now our front yard is draining through the back and into the creek behind the property. We will see if the path and size are adequate to get the job done and then smooth it out, make the edges nice and then fill it in with river rock.

Yeah, it's starting to feel like we are at home!!! I hope that you all had a great Spring Break as well!

Spring Break

2010-03-16T10:03:00.002-05:00

So, our Spring Break started off with a bang. Larry took the youth guys on a camp-out and I had the youth girls in the Student Ministry Building for a Lock-in.

Boy Howdy, did I ever try to stay awake the entire time! It's just not in me and it never has been! At about 1:30AM, the older girls started to lay down and talk quietly, while the junior high girls sang on the stage. Those younger girls sang, laughed and played Amoeba. Amoeba is like tag, but when you are tagged you must link arms with the "It" and run with them to tag others...eventually, the game comes down to a huge blob of girls running after one or two. The last one is the winner.

I picked a couch where I could see the entire room and snuggled in. I texted Larry a few times to see how the guys were doing. I then lay there quietly and listened as the younger girls started to slow down. I made it until about 3:45AM before deciding that there wasn't anything odd being planned and then snoozed on and off until 7AM. At 7, I woke with a jolt and saw nothing but darkness and heard nothing. So, I got up quietly, made my way to the ladies room for a quick "fluffin' up".

The girls were difficult to wake up, but we were up, had the room cleaned and breakfast was eaten before moms and dads started showing up at 8AM. It was such fun! We also had some great devotional and discussion time. I was able to spend some one-on-one time with the girls and I feel like I was more refreshed and excited than most of them!

Now for the rest of the break! I can't wait!

***Right now, I can hear Jeremiah singing. He is where a headset and singing to the music as loud as he possibly can!***

A Very Random Update

2010-03-02T08:44:00.002-06:00

So, since I last posted a few little things and one MAJOR thing have happened!

Little things first!
Report Cards came home yesterday, with Joseph getting all A's and Gideon getting E's, S's and I's (Excellent, Satisfactory and Improving). I am so proud!

Caleb has slowly become willing to try to walk. It still takes a great amount of persuasion. IF he is in the mood, he will toddle across the room holding your hands. This is most likely to occur if Daddy is waiting with open arms.

Scout has somehow had her desire to tear through the trash rekindled.

Jeremiah has decided that he will be a 'Preacher Man'.

MAJOR THING!!!

Gideon accepted Christ in Sunday School! I was so delighted that I started tearing up in the hallway at church. When I hunkered down in the safety of the minivan, I just bawled. Very, Very, Very Major News!

Mom Hypothesis

2010-02-23T10:32:00.002-06:00

2nd of my observations as a mom...(Observation 1 can be found here)

Whomever designed toilet seats/covers never had to clean up after an ill child.

My goodness! I have never come across a more extensive collections of nooks and crannies in my life!

***Please note: This is not the first time I have thought this! Just letting you know that I do clean the bathroom thoroughly on a regular basis. It's just that this particular time was during a stomach virus. Particularly gross!***

How many years...

2010-02-18T18:06:00.002-06:00

Jeremiah's new question is...How many years ______?

Fill in the blank with anything you can muster in your mind.

Just now, it was "How many years have there been angels?"

I like to say that he's 'the kid who wants to know everything about everything'. (Reference to Sid, the Science Kid).

And the Survey Says...

2010-02-15T17:38:00.002-06:00

So, we had some tests run today on our little Gid. Everything came back as 'Normal', to which I thought, "Hang on to this moment, you may never be labeled in such a way again!" Of course, that was the best thing to hear at the moment.

Anyway, for now it is a small dose of a preventative and a compounded prescription for treatment when a migraine occurs. We have started a VERY DETAILED log of activities, sleeping habits, food intake and behavior. Geez-a-lou! Couldn't have picked a more active kid to follow! Once, for a variation in exercise, I tried following Gideon and doing EVERYTHING that he did. I rolled down the hall, I crawled under the coffee table, I jumped in place, I sang...for 30 minutes. Forget "Never Let 'Em See You Sweat"...try "Never Let 'Em See You Collapse".

On other fronts, we are going through the preliminary work for two of the 7 major papers that Larry has due this semester. I think they should give minister's wives a PhT (Pushed Husband Through).

Much thanks to you for praying for Gideon. I should have thought to mention that we should have prayed for the radiology technicians. Thank you, God for granting them patience to deal with our nutzy family!

Date Night!!!

2010-02-12T14:50:00.004-06:00

God Bless Children's Ministers!!!

Tonight is our church's quarterly 'Hang-Time'. This is a grand opportunity for parents to leave the children at church, where they have a rockin' good time and are occupied with numerous activities. All of this is offered for children, birth through 6th grade, at no cost to the parents.

My darling husband, often being seized with a moment of oblivion, has scheduled youth activities on these nights in the past. However, after the last occasion, which earned him a firm grip on each shoulder and a gentle shake, accompanied with a shrill, 'What were you thinking? This was our chance!!!'...did not schedule a youth activity for this evening!

So, I have it all planned out. The time frame is a little cramped for dinner out and a movie, so...Larry will take the kiddos to the church at the appointed hour, while I am making our dinner here at the house. He will return to a lovely dinner for two. The dining room is already set with tablecloth, roses, candles...the works! We will be having some of his favorites...The Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich (courtesy of The Pioneer Woman), Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Corn and Molten Chocolate Lava Cake. Yummy!!! Then, we can still make it to the movie theater and back to the children before the horse-drawn carriage turns back into a minivan!

I hope all goes well! I am sure that it will, what could go wrong when there is chocolate and a Marlboro Man involved?

Look at how cute we are! This was a few years ago, when we were living in a teeny-tiny rental house. Teeny-tiny, you could literally fit that place in our house 3 times. Tiny. Looking back, it's sweet to think of how God made sure we learned that He is all we need. And, boy, did He make sure we learned it early...and thoroughly!

Psalm 62:1 - My soul finds rest in GOD ALONE

Update on Headache Boy

2010-02-12T09:20:00.003-06:00

So, our doctor's visit was pretty low-key. We left with two prescriptions, both of which have to be compounded since he's such a little dude. Of course, if you've seen him, he's not little for his age, just little in general!

We will also have some tests done on Monday. So, be praying again. This guy is like his momma...DRAMATIC!!! We have already decided that it will be necessary to bring the 'Pink Blankie', even though it has been declared that it shouldn't be seen outside of Gideon's room. Here's a picture, from Christmas three years ago, featuring Gid with his blanket. What a cutie!

Migraine Sufferers Unite

2010-02-11T08:26:00.001-06:00

Please pray this morning. We are taking Gideon to the doctor because he has been having migraine-type headaches, which have become more frequent in the last 6 months.

Pray that the doctor will be able to help!

Pray that God would just take care of it completely!

Mom Hypothesis

2010-02-09T11:00:00.003-06:00

I think that SuperGlue is made out of milk-soaked Rice Krispies.

Have you ever tried to pry those suckers off a cereal bowl that didn't make it to the kitchen counter? It's ridiculous.

Dream

2010-02-08T17:53:00.001-06:00

So, I ran across this song on another blog and fell in love with it. I cannot get it to embed, but check it out at the link below. Let me know what you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKfDwChOoHI

SuperBowl

2010-02-07T20:22:00.003-06:00

So, how did you like the commercials? (You know that's the only thing that I cared about!)

I liked the Focus On The Family ad with Tim Tebow. Who wouldn't like one with him?

Focus on the Family - Tim Tebow Ad @ Yahoo! Video

You can see the entire story at Focus On the Family.

I have Layers Galore!

2010-02-06T16:14:00.002-06:00

So, I just got back to the house after a fun day with Han and Regan! We went to a book signing at Sam's (which was handled very well, Kudos Sam's) and for a haircut.

Now, just take a quick tour through our library of photo albums and you will see that I never have one hairstyle for long...However, I have spent the last 2 years trying to let my hair get long for my hubby!

He doesn't really care what my hair is like, but one day he commented that he remembered me having long, long hair in high school. (My initial reaction was...'You were never interested in me in high school'). But, then I thought that since he mentioned it, I would give it a shot. Long hair, just a little framing around the face has been my MO for the recent year.

Not so any longer, LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS!!! I love it. Just below the shoulder, lots of layers and some thick bangs. Looks awesome!

And, I got to hug Beth Moore today! What fun!

From My Sister...

2010-02-05T12:05:00.002-06:00

Nothing is better than getting a surprise from my little sister!

On Tuesday nights, we meet at a Bible Study in Houston. This week, she showed up with a surprise!!! It was a poem that she wrote for me (while she was in a class...tisk, tisk)! Here it is:

Colleen

My sister is amazing!
She's really, really great!
Tuesdays are for Bible Study,
But sometimes we're both late!

My sister is amazing!
Five Daigle guys has she!
They have fun playing with their dog, Scout
and Hula-Hooping on the Wii!

My sister is amazing!
She's really, really great!
And when we need a haircut,
we go on a sister date!

My sister is amazing!
I love her heart the best!
You don't think I love her?
Well, put it to the test!

My sister is amazing!
I love her the most, most, most!
If I stretched my arms to show how much,
theyd reach from coast to coast!

Isn't that sweet? Han, it's already on the wall in my office! My cyber-friends didn't get to see your awesome artwork, but I think that it's AWESOME!!! (And, by the way, I desperately need a haircut...Got Style?, here we come!)

I love you, Hannah!

Ronel in Houston

2010-02-04T19:16:00.002-06:00

So, according to Ernest's updates, he and Ronel should be at IAH at 7:52pm!

I cannot explain why I have taken this family's struggle so personally. However, I can tell you that I have been praying non-stop for their family to be together at home. And, tonight's the night!

I posted on Debra's page suggesting that she take a photo of Ronel, sleeping in his own bed. The picture that was taken when he had cried himself to sleep after being left behind was too much to bear. Quite the contrast between the two images in my mind!

Thank you for praying for this sweet family. There has been such a sigh of relief in my spirit since I read the updates today.

Tomorrow, I will feel more comfortable about posting about our relatively pampered and easy life. I haven't really felt that it would be appropriate up until now.

Good Morning, Sunshine

2010-02-02T09:00:00.004-06:00

***Remember to Pray for Debra Parker's Family...Now they are waiting on 'Da Plane'***

Okay, so it's wishful thinking...hoping for sunshine!

How, I miss the sunny mornings of summer. We have a huge window in our master bedroom that has a curve at the top. The window, which faces east, lets in the sunlight through that top portion in the morning. (Of course, the other portion is covered with blinds...wouldn't want the whole neighborhood peeping in the window!)

I don't know if that is feng shui or kung fu...or whatever, but I like that with the first little peek out of my eyelids, I can see the sky. Pink, orange, light turquoise...oh, I love the colors of the morning sky. (By the way, the picture above is of the sunrise the morning that I left Butare, Rwanda in October.)

Psalm 5:3

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice;

In the morning, I lay my requests before You and wait with expectation.

Keep Praying!!!

2010-02-01T09:48:00.002-06:00

Debra posted this yesterday!!! I am so excited. However, we should still be praying. I watched this morning as several women from a Baptist church in Florida were shown in Haitian prison because it appeared that they were rounding up children to bring back to the US. Evidently all of the children were not orphans.

Please pray that these women are released and that their 'help' doesn't impact the process for the children that were already in the process of being adopted.

PRAY FOR DEBRA, ERNEST, RONEL, CARLY, COLTON and JUDE. If all goes well, they are in for a big day!!!

Please Pray

2010-01-29T08:48:00.002-06:00

I don't remember how I got to this blog, but I am overwhelmed by the need to pray for this family.

Please Pray for Debra, Ernest, Ronel and new baby.

Where is Scout?

2010-01-28T20:01:00.003-06:00

There she is!! Doesn't she look tired? I took this picture after she sat so patiently as Caleb repeatedly covered her face with his blanket, put his hands to each side (signaling, Where is Scout?) and then ripped the blanket off. What a good girl!

Reflections on Philippians 1

2010-01-27T19:52:00.005-06:00

So, I mentioned before that I was going to be going through Philippians.

Here is my stand out for Philippians 1.

A prayer that I am going to be praying for my husband and children from this point going forward:

Philippians 1: 8-11 (HCSB)

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Some observations:

Our love for Christ shouldn't just be based on an emotional response. If our love is to 'keep on growing' it is going to be through a concerted effort to gain 'knowledge and every kind of discernment'. It is our responsibility as Christians to constantly seek after Him and continuously absorb His words to us.

If we work to gain knowledge and discernment, He will help us to 'determine what really matters'. Isn't that one of the things we probably all get wrong at some point? I can't even begin to number the times that I have DWELT (as in, camped out and stayed a while) on something that did not matter. DID NOT MATTER. What a waste! And, in doing so, I certainly wasn't focusing on trying to be pure and blameless before Christ.

If we work to gain knowledge and discernment, we will be filled with the fruit of righteousness. And, that is the entire reason that we are here, right? To bear fruit for Christ. Otherwise, at the time of our salvation, He would just snatch into glory. If we work to become more knowledgeable regarding Him, we will automatically begin to bear fruit for His kingdom.

The source of Righteousness is Jesus Christ. It says it right there in verse 11...'the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ'. Pretty plain and simple. If I appear to be righteous, but I am not walking with Christ, then it is only self-righteousness and it makes Him sick. (See Revelation 3:16)

If our love keeps growing in knowledge and discernment, it is only 'to the glory and praise of God'.

I think that I will go ahead and pray this for myself, too! But, just for kicks, the picture at the top was just to let you see my main men (in case you need a visual of who I am praying for)!

To Caleb - On Your First Birthday

2010-01-21T19:48:00.004-06:00

My darling Caleb, you are happiest person that I know.

Today you weigh 24 pounds.

You wake up in the morning at about 6am. You immediately have a bottle. Then at about 7am, our family eats breakfast together. You usually eat oatmeal and fruit. You like bananas, apples and strawberries quite a lot! You also enjoy wheat toast (cut into strips), NutriGrain Bars and Rice Krispies cereal (Mom or Dad help you with this one).

Your brothers get off to school at about 8am. That leaves you and Jeremiah at home with Mommy. We have a lot of fun. You are crawling very well and have even tried to ascend the stairs to the 2nd story of our home. You follow Jeremiah or Mommy everywhere. Our dog, Scout, follows you everywhere.

You still take 2 naps. One at 10am and one at 2:30pm. You are very tired by 7pm. We have made you and all of your brothers Babywise babies. Each night and at naptime, we love on you, give you a kiss and lay you down in bed. It takes you about 4 minutes to go to sleep. At first, you would cry...but, now you point at the bed as soon as I start singing your 'night-night song'.

Your Night-Night Song

I love you,
a bushel and a peck,
a bushel and a peck,
and a hug around the neck,
a hug around the neck,
and a barrel and a heap,
a barrel and a heap,
and I'm talking in my sleep
about you.
About who?
About you!

You also like:

There was a mom, who had a boy,
and Caleb was his name.
C...A...LEB
C...A...LEB
C...A...LEB
and Caleb was his name!

You love, Love, LOVE to take baths. You love, Love, LOVE to splash.

Your brothers each adore you. You laugh at them constantly. One day in Daddy's office, Jeremiah would tap on the desk with a pen and you would squeal with absolute delight.

You sometimes cry in the church nursery until they come and get Mommy. Then you snuggle up and look back at the Nursery Ladies and smile. (They figured you out and stopped calling me...But, at Grammy and Pa's church, they call me).

You crinkle up your nose and breathe in and out very quickly, when you think that you are funny. It makes us all laugh, because you are funny!

I prayed and prayed for you to have brown eyes. And, God said "Yes"! I love those big brown eyes!

Oh, and you don't have much hair. But, there is hope! You currently have one hair on the top of your head, which is about 4 inches long. We are not sure how that happened in such a singular fashion. However, we were excited to see it!

You were a wonderful, exciting, adorable surprise. We weren't ready for you. We didn't know how much we needed you in our family. But, God knew. He gave us exactly what we didn't know we needed. (He always does!)

Happy Birthday - from Daddy, Mommy, Joseph, Gideon and Jeremiah.

We love you, Caleb!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

2010-01-21T11:09:00.006-06:00

Our little guy, Caleb, turns one today! We could not have been blessed with a more amiable baby.

Here he is taking a bath this morning...you will see why with the next picture!

He had his very first Birthday Cupcake this morning at the breakfast table! Daddy's semester started last week and Thursdays he is not going to be home until very late. So, breakfast was our only opportunity to celebrate as a family. Tell me, what is better than cupcakes for breakfast?

Obviously, nothing is better than cupcakes for breakfast! Now I ask, how does one get all of the frosting off the top of the cupcake like that?

Here is another shot of Mr. Cool in the bathtub!

Happy Birthday, Little Man! You are the most precious thing that 2009 brought to us! We love you desperately!

First Bonk on the Head

2010-01-20T16:05:00.002-06:00

So, with just one day to go before 1 year old photos...IT HAPPENED!

The first Big Bonk on the Head!!!

Our little guy has been exploring more lately and has finally decided to cast his glance to items above 15 inches off the floor. So, the pulling up has begun! And with it came the first knot on the noggin.

He looks pretty cute though, smiling while unaware that everyone around is going, "Wowza, That's some Bonk on the Head!"

Philippians

2010-01-19T14:25:00.002-06:00

So, for the next 4 weeks, I am studying Philippians. 4 Chapters...4 Weeks.

I tried to sign up for a Bible Study being offered at the church, but there turned out to be no childcare for that particular night. Shucks! So, I contacted the precious woman who is leading the study and she said that she would gladly provide me with the study materials used in the class.

I am so excited. I will post what stands out to me each week. See you soon!

I was glad when they said to me...

2010-01-17T15:04:00.003-06:00

I was glad when they said to me...

Let's Go to Church! (Preschool version of Psalm 122:1)

So, this Disciple Now 2010 was fantastic. There were some last minute adjustments that had to be made...but there always are! Hurdles were jumped and the weekend was fruitful!

On Saturday afternoon, youth groups from 11 churches of 5 different denominations met together for a worship service. Ornan's Floor did a great job leading the group in excellent worship. And, Jonathon Curtis, from Seeing is Not Believing, presented the gospel very clearly. There was a line at each of the three aisles when the invitation was offered. God Moved Mightily!

And Satan threw a tantrum! The boys and I were seated in the balcony of the church (Conroe Church of Christ), since there was a bumper crowd on the main floor (600, at least). There were 7 of us up there (me and the guys plus a couple from our church). As I was taking pictures of the crowd from above...and marvelling at the group of students coming forward...the sprinkler over us went off.

To squelch any rumors...There was NO smoke...There was NO fire...the rest of the sprinklers did NOT go off after everyone was out of the building. There was a faulty sprinkler that burst. There was an angry enemy who was NOT getting his way.

But, there IS an Almighty. There IS a Most High God. HE was pleased to see the worship that was going on in that room. HE was pleased with the responsive hearts. HE receives glory and honor for what HE did this weekend.

Obviously, the service was cut short. Everyone left the building, with no panic...this is amazing! This is a miracle of the Lord. Groups dispersed to their host homes. The students that were in line to speak with their youth ministers were met with later in the day. I know of 3 that accepted Christ in our youth group alone.

We are so blessed to have been part of this weekend. Our church does an excellent job of cooperating between ministries. People provided meals for the host homes, people sacrificied their homes for the weekend...Yes, 'sacrifice' is a big word...and I meant it! If you have ever hosted Disciple Now, you know that I am right.

Thank you to everyone that participated. Thank you to the leaders that came in to teach each group. Thank you, Lord, for the protection and conviction that You poured over us this weekend. May it never be held back from us. May we receive it as openly as we have these last few days.

DiscipleNow 2010

2010-01-12T08:41:00.002-06:00

So, another frantic week is upon us! We always have DiscipleNow weekend on the weekend preceding MLK Day, so that students have a full day to recover before hitting the books again. It also doesn't hurt that Larry and I don't have to get the kids on the bus that morning!

This year, Larry has headed up the city-wide Disciple Now effort. In our town, several churches host their DNow on the same weekend and use the same curriculum, in order to harbor a sense of unity amongst the Christian teenagers. Previously, the youth minister from First Baptist has taken the helm. However, he was called to another church, in another city. So, he passed the reins to Larry.

There are 13 churches participating. With a kick-off rally tomorrow night and then the retreats starting on Friday in the many host homes. Saturday, there will be an Ornan's Floor concert. I am personally stoked about that! We had them at camp a couple of times and they are outstanding.

Pray for the weekend!

Pray for our little family. We don't have to host a group, but this weekend is BUSY for Daddy and we won't see him a lot. This typically serves as our enemy's favorite time to attack. Jesus, please guard us like crazy this week! (and all of the time, for that matter...You know what I mean!)

Pray for the students and the precious host families, who have sacrificied their homes (and likely all of their earthly goods) to reach out to the students in our area.

Pray for Larry! This is a big undertaking...with 134 students signed up at our church alone.

Pray for our pastor and his wife. They are hosting the 12th grade guys!

Pray for all of the details to fall into place.

Pray that God will move the rain around Conroe for this weekend. (Our forecast is showing 80% chance of rain for this weekend).

Return to Routine

2010-01-04T14:45:00.003-06:00

Ahhh...I can taste it...tomorrow we return to our 'routine'!

You know, the regular old schedule that can seem so boring! You know, the one that seems to get old and stale...but when it's gone...boy, do I miss it!

So, tomorrow is the return of the old, stale, glorious schedule.

Sad to see the holidays go, but happy to be back on track for a while also!

It's time to gear up for Disciple Now X and even time to start talking camp details. Where does the school year go? Of course, Larry is always thinking about camp. It goes with the territory, I suppose!

Welcome 2010!!! You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty! Psalms 65:11 HCSB

Christmas to Remember!

2009-12-29T10:56:00.002-06:00

It was a Christmas to Remember! We had an excellent Christmas weekend, which included Christmas Eve with Larry's family (both siblings and all the grandkids and MamMaw) and Christmas with my complete family (both siblings and all the grandkids and my parents)! How rare is that?! We were certainly blessed!

My boys loved their gifts and we have had a wild few days, with guitar playing, bow and arrow shooting, bike riding and a couple of major Nerf Gun wars. There has been astounding amounts of monkey munch, chocolate covered pretzels, pound cake, pie and countless other goodies consumed. Good thing that I got WiiFit Plus! And am I ever sore from SuperHulaHoop!

Caleb's first Christmas was so very fun and we love watching him play with his new Fav...its a Parents' Gumball Machine Toy (courtesy of Aunt Katherine)! He loves it!!!

He also had a wonder run of highly anticipated accomplishments! Our little guy hasn't seemed highly motivated to move. He has only rolled over a handful of times and hasn't really attempted to crawl. However!!! He moved from tummy to sitting in his crib Sunday afternoon and then last night, he flipped over in the night and couldn't go back to sleep! Nothing major, we just needed a little snuggle and went right back to sleep. I am so very excited! Larry was determined not to worry about the delay until Caleb was a year old (which is just around the corner). However, I was already fretting a bit. These are certainly great steps toward taking steps sometime in the future!

Great Christmas, Great Savior, Great big mess of Christmas stuff to take down and put away! I better get moving!

Happy New Year!

Christmas is Carnage!

2009-12-22T16:28:00.002-06:00

Have you ever seen the movie "Babe"? It's a hoot and I love it...

One of my favorite scenes is one where the goofy duck on the farm summarizes his horrible view of Christmas. He shares a 'logical' progression reasoning that...

Christmas means guests,
Guests mean Dinner,
Dinner means Death,
Death means Carnage...
Christmas is Carnage!!!

Quite funny if considering the holiday through the eyes of a farm duck.

Anyway, tonight we are preparing for Christmas Eve together with Larry's sisters and their sons. This will be a tough one, since this is the first year without Grandfather. Christmas Eve was always at Grandfather's (with the single exception of last year, since my faulty hip wouldn't allow the stairs).

I have tried to buffer the emotional blow with a multitude of chocolate laden snacks. Chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered Ritz PB sandwiches, fudge and monkey munch. Yumm!! Not to mention baked potatoes, broccoli rice soup, layered salad, veggie tray with fresh Ranch dip, celery with PB, and the like. Of course, there will be gumbo (which is a Daigle tradition).

After our family time, we will head to the church for the two candlelight services. Then it's time to tuck the four most adorable little men on the earth into their beds to wait for the visions of sugar plums. Christmas morning is for us alone. This has been a rule from the time we've had our little ones. We love the fun! Then it's off to Grammy and Pa's for Christmas lunch and time with my family and the kids' cousins.

I am sure that it will be a Christmas to remember!

Much love to you all and I hope you have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Quote for the Day

2009-12-21T15:58:00.002-06:00

I rummaged through a box of books looking for something that I 'thought' I read some time ago. And...wonder of wonders, I found it! I was thinking about Mary and knew that I had read a beautiful (fictional) depiction of her evening in the stable.

I thought I would share a poignant portion:

She closed her eyes and listened, stealing time like a hidden metronome, as high and as wide as she dared to think, but she still could not begin to comprehend. She, a common child of the most humble means who had never read the Scriptures for herself, was embracing the incarnate Word. The fullness of the Godhead rested in her inexperienced arms, sleeping to the rhythm of her heart.

Beth Moore - Jesus:90 Days with The One and Only p.38-39

Eye Ball Report

2009-12-13T20:53:00.003-06:00

Joseph is quite the docile patient and took his days of eyedrops like a champ. The bandage contact was removed and his eye has healed nicely. There will be a possibility of him having to deal with recurrent corneal erosion at some point in the future, but maybe not.

Again, I am so grateful for God's protection and provision via Dr. Mike Nell, TSO Conroe TX!

It's All Fun and Games Until...

2009-12-11T14:19:00.003-06:00

Someone gets poked in the eye!

Our little guys were having a delightful day playing (while Larry and I painted the guest room and extra bathroom) until Joseph was the recipient of a significant eye poke.

He came into the room quietly and said, "______ poked me in the eye really bad!" I took him into my lap and pryed the eye open just enough to see two gouges right at the pupil. YIKES!!! It's one thing to get poked in the eye...I thought I was just going to give his ridiculously long eyelashes a chance to get out from under the other lid...No...this was the kind of poke that puts big cracks in your cornea that your squeemish mother is quite sure could be seen from outerspace.

Not wanting to alarm him, I calmly said...After a pause for a deep breath, "Let's just keep your eyes shut for a second, while I get Daddy." At that, I went into the other room and acted out in dramatic pantomime the need for Larry to IMMEDIATELY formulate a plan, because I was too nauseated to think straight. In our marriage, we have a concrete agreement that I handle illnesses and Larry handles blood and bones. There was evidently an oversight in regards to poked corneas. Live and Learn!

I told Joseph that Daddy was calling an eye doctor to see what the best plan was for us. He got sniffly and said, in the sweetest quivery voice, "It's one of my senses!" So darling!

Larry was able to contact Dr. Mike Nell, an eye doctor that is a member of our church. Larry had to be at the church for our major production, Bethlehem City. So, I met Dr Nell at his office. He was so kind and was able to numb the eye in order get a good look at it. He gave us 3 prescription eye drops (an anti-biotic, an anti-inflammatory and a lubricant). He also introduced me to the most fascinating thing....a bandage contact lense. I was expecting a pirate-style patch. However, Dr Nell explained that since the eyelid would continuously irritate the cornea it was better to insert a contact lense that would allow the eyelid to continue to function normally, yet still allow the cornea to heal. This was able to reduce the recovery time and avoid the common problem of one eye suddenly becoming predominately stronger than the other.

Very interesting...and we were able to get back to the church before Bethlehem City even started! Much thanks to Dr Nell for helping us out in a pinch...Much MORE thanks to God for protecting Joseph and his vision.

Riddle of the Month

2009-11-19T20:28:00.003-06:00

So, there's a little church down the street that has an old-school marquee sign.

I am SOOOOO tempted to stop into the Cracker Barrell around the corner from our neighborhood and buy the Church Signs Book as a gift for this little church.

I am not trying to be ugly. Really, I'm not! It's just that the dear soul that is selecting the quotes to place on the marquee is obviously not 'down-to-earth'. I can't say that there has been anything that I have disagreed with on the sign.

No, I haven't disagreed with any of the quotes. It's just that even as a young lass that has grown up as a preacher's kid, married a youth minister, sat in church more Sundays than I can count, taught Sunday school, been to Bible school...even with all that upbringing...I need a thesaurus, dictionary, copy of Systematic Theology and several commentaries on hand to merely try to decipher the message.

Hence, the title...The Riddle of the Month. That's what Larry and I have come to call the sayings on the little sign in front of the church.

Honestly, could they not put a verse on the marquee? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 Right?! I'm just sayin'!

Wouldn't it make more sense to place something that lets the mere mortals passing by know that God cares for them? That He is aware of them? That He has paid the price for their salvation?

I suppose the dearheart that has been busy thumbing through volumes of commentaries sincerely thinks that it's rather inspirational, what he/she places out on that marquee. To me it just seems too lofty to be approachable.

Rwanda Pictures - Part 4

2009-11-17T09:16:00.002-06:00

After the last post, I knew you would want something exciting and joyous! So, what could be better than baptism?

Here is a picture of the first water going into the church baptistry. They started filling it on Wednesday (for the Sunday baptism service). The water has to be carried in large jugs on bicycles from the stream at the bottom of the hill (hill - that's what they called it...this Texas girl calls them mountains).

This is a little guys that had been winking at me all week. We don't speak the same language, but I just know that he is darling and has an ENORMOUS personality with charisma sprinkles on top!

This is the pastor praying after about 35 baptisms! How exciting is that?!

Here are the people that were just baptized. The little guy with the grey sweater and red sleeves at the very right is my little winking friend. He has his hands up over his mouth because he just realized that we are giving Bibles to everyone that was just baptized. You can't see from this picture, but the crazy lady holding the camera was blubbering and had eyes swollen from happy tears and a severely runny nose!

Praise the LORD!

Rwanda Pictures - Part 3

2009-11-13T09:02:00.003-06:00

These pictures are not going to be for the faint-at-heart. I contemplated not putting them in the blog at all. However, for those of you that were praying for me and our team, I wanted you to SEE the gravity of the situation that the Rwandan people have faced over the last 15 years.

Thankfully, we didn't go to the Murambi Genocide Memorial until the last day of our stay in Butare. It was at this location that close to 50,000 Tutsis were slaughtered at the hand of the Hutu militia on April 21, 1994. I cannot express the grief that continues to linger in my heart after visiting this sorrowful place. Spending a week with these beautiful people and then seeing the travesty that ripped through their land was an altering event in my life, be certain of it.

The location of this horrible event was at a technical school that had not yet been completed in 1994. However, over 60,000 Tutsi people fled to the school for protection from the Hutus. The French Army was reportedly going to protect them. However, after spending more than a week there with no food or water. The French Army left and the Hutus surrounded and over took the school.

This is the main building on the campus, which now serves as a reception area for visitors to the memorial. The grounds and facility are kept by survivors from the attack.

In the dormitories and classrooms in buildings behind the main building are rooms after rooms containing preserved bodies that were exhumed from the mass graves that have been found around the memorial. The French Army returned, buried the bodies, seeded the ground and placed volleyball courts over the graves.

This picture was taken in a room full of babies. I wept and cried. Completely overwhelmed by the horror of what was before me. This was an extremely savage massacre. There were not many guns used at all. Most people were killed with machetes and stones. These babies were not killed from a distance. These precious babies died at the hand...AT THE HAND...of their murderers.

As we left the memorial, my father pointed out that the trees were all 'weeping'. Every tree we saw for about a mile had droopy, weeping leaves. Even the pine trees were weeping. It brought to mind Genesis 4:10 when, speaking to Cain "The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground."

Such desperation. Millions of people in Rwanda have hearts that are raw and ready for the seed of the gospel. During the victory rally at the end of the program, one of the pastors from Butare prayed that America would have hearts that are open to the Gospel. Let it be so! Please let it happen, LORD. Please let it happen before we come to this.

Pray for revival in Rwanda.

Pray for revival in America.

Rwanda Pictures - Part 2

2009-11-10T10:32:00.004-06:00

These were the girls in my little entourage! We walked so far one day that the little children (finally) turned around and went home. The girls were so sweet, that I pulled out some gum and gave them each a piece (since the children were gone). The next morning, when I showed up, they were all waiting for me and still chewing the gum! Aren't they pretty?

This little guy was a goat-herd. Not sure if that's the proper term, but he was responsible for following his family's goats and getting them all home again by dark. He was a happy little guy that I saw often, but he was not able to go to school or church because of his responsibility. He did take a testimony one day and I saw him sitting and reading it. Pray for him!

This is Patience. If I could have chosen one person to bring with me, it would have been her.

This is the only girl I know that has teeth as big as mine! I took her picture as evidence! Horse Teeth Unite!

Rwanda Pictures - Part 1

2009-11-05T19:25:00.002-06:00

This is my dad in front of the United Kenya Club in Nairobi, Kenya. We stayed here one night on the way to Butare, Rwanda. It was very safe (with armed guards at the gate) and very nice. Hmmm...nice is a subjective term in international travel. This was the first lesson learned!

This is the most darling set of sisters I ever laid eyes on! The oldest is 12, the middle is 4 and the baby is almost 2.

These were the posters up inside of a home that we visited. CRACK ME UP!!! My roommate on the trip pointed out that they both have the same message: "I'll be back!!!"

I think that this is Larry's favorite picture from the trip!

Over 7,000

2009-10-31T10:50:00.002-05:00

Here is a teaser, since I have dedicated this week to getting back into the 'groove' with my own darling family!

There were over 7,000 people that accepted Christ while we were on our trip to Butare, Rwanda!

Interesting facts from the trip:

'Mazunga' (Not sure of the spelling)...this is what they call White People! I thought that they were greeting us, "Mazunga, Mazunga"...so, I waved and smiled and returned the greeting! I didn't find out until later what it meant! It's pretty bad when you come off completely dorky in another language!

We flew home on my birthday and we were flying "with the sun", so I ended up with a 33-hour long birthday! How is that for another strange blessing?!

The airport in Amsterdam has an art gallery. So, I spent part of my birthday in Amsterdam with my daddy looking at art from the 1600's. Pretty neat and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime day!

I spent a lot of the trip with a huge-case of missing my guys...but, it also broke my heart to leave the church on that last Sunday. I am now trying to convince Larry that a youth camp would go over great there. We shall see what God says about it!

More to come later. I am still trying to get everything back to normal routine here, including myself!

Much love and thank you for praying!

Cool and Weird Blessings...and, of course, Rain!

2009-10-13T13:25:00.003-05:00

Today, I ran to gather a few last items to pack before I take off. Then, Larry and I ate lunch with Caleb at McKenzie's.

It is funny how God can bless you in the weirdest ways! Larry and I ate at McKenzie's often (weekly, at least) while we were dating and especially when we were first married. (If Larry were typing this post, this is when he would add a joke about my early cooking abilities). They even catered our rehearsal dinner. We REALLY like McKenzie's BBQ.

This is the cool blessing: Now we really love the McKenzie family. When we came to West Conroe, we found out that Darin and Kathy are members of the church. Larry and Darin get along very well and I think Kathy is just adorable! They have great children, with the oldest in the youth group, one just about to move up to youth and the youngest in Jeremiah's Sunday school class. (My dad enjoys McKenzie's BBQ as well, and has stated that perhaps there could be an arranged marriage in the 3 year old class. I'm telling you, it's awesome BBQ!)

Today while we were eating there, Darin gave me a McKenzie's t-shirt to take with me on my trip. He has a group of pictures of people (wearing the shirt) in various places around the world. To think, me...on the wall in McKenzie's! That is the weird blessing!

As we made our way back to the church it started raining. So, it occurred to me that it might be wise to check the weather in Rwanda. Hmm...I think that I might feel at home there. Highest temp will be in the mid-80s and lows in 60s, with what else but...(insert drumroll here)...Rain!

Let My teaching fall like rain
and My words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.
Deuteronomy 32:2

If you are reading this between the dates of 10/13 and 10/27, please pray that God will wash me with the water of His Word and that I will be sensitive to His teaching and His words while I am gone. I will have a great long trip (with no children to watch over) and I am looking forward to marinating in His Word.

Also pray for the people that He will place us in contact with in Butare, Rwanda (and all along the way). Pray that His Spirit is already hovering over their hearts and preparing them to hear and accept the Good News!

Pray for my boys and Larry! You know me...you know what I want you to pray regarding them!

This is what it looks like...

2009-10-07T01:47:00.003-05:00

This is what Caleb's toes look like while he takes a nap!

This is what it looks like when you wake up because Mommy is taking pictures of your toes!

This is what you look like when you are Jeremiah on the first day of Pre-K.

This is what it looks like when our friends, Tab and Beverly, have a gorgeous baby girl!

This is what it looks like when Caleb has two teeth!

This is what it looks like when Gideon pretends to drive a WWII Jeep at the Texas Honor Ride.(Joseph in back seat, Caleb in stroller and me in Buc-ees shirt)

This is what it looks like when Joseph sits in the pilot's seat of a Coast Guard helicopter that landed in the church parking lot during the Texas Honor Ride. (Cool Outfit! Gig 'Em!)

This is the type of post you write when it's 1:47am and you should be sleeping!

How do you say "Frizzy" in Swahili?

2009-10-06T08:55:00.003-05:00

8 Days!

I leave in 8 days for Rwanda. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am getting.

There is a bag on the floor of our closet that I have packed/weighed/unpacked/repacked/re-weighed several times. This is going to be tricky! Once we get to Nairobi, we will stay the night and then fly into Kigali. This will be the point where we change airlines and are restricted to 44 lbs for luggage. Hmmm...packing for 2 weeks at a limit of 44 lbs is tough, especially since we have to carry our testimonies (which have been translated into Swahili or Kiswahili...I'm not 100%). These weigh about 5 lbs.

I have been trying different ways of styling my hair without using blowdryer, flat iron and curler this week. VERY INTERESTING...made even more interesting by the fact that it's been as humid as soup around here the last few days. How do you say Frizzy in Swahili?

Fun All American Weekend

2009-10-03T19:13:00.002-05:00

So, I feel like we are halfway through an all-American weekend. Last night, we left as soon as the boys were off the bus to go to a high school football game in Schulenburg TX. We watched as some of our friends' son played against the Schulenburg Shorthorns. (The only more Texan-named football team is the Hereford Hostile Herd...but that's just my opinion. By the way, Hereford's girls sports teams are known as the Lady Whitefaces...again, what could be more Texan than those names?)

We had an excellent time! We visited with friends that we haven't seen in so very long. It was extremely comforting to be with them. The weather was perfect at 75 degrees and the slightest breeze I've ever felt. Fair weather and sincere friends...what could be better?

We hopped out of bed and headed to my parents' house this morning for their garage sale. Again, a very standard American weekend activity extremely enjoyed by this girl! We had a blast just hanging out and talking with people that came and went. The boys played with a little girl from down the street. We sat in some chairs that were for sale and talked about how my parents are going to decorate their new house. We talked about how I should finish decorating my own house!

No stress hang time. I needed it desperately and I was blessed with it twice this weekend. Thank You, Lord.

Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone;
My salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation;
He is my Fortress, I will never be shaken.

Oklahoma's Proclamation of Morality

2009-09-28T20:23:00.004-05:00

This is an AMAZING Proclamation set forth by Rep. Sally Kern of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. You can access a printable PDF of the Proclamation here. And, you can sign a petition for a national version here. (I was only number 95 to sign the petition...they are trying to reach 100,000...spread the word and The Word).

Oklahoma Citizens’ Proclamation for Morality

We the People of Oklahoma, Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessing of Liberty; to secure just and rightful Government; to promote our mutual Welfare and Happiness, do establish this proclamation and call upon the people of the great State of Oklahoma, and our fellow Patriots in these United States of America who look to the Lord for guidance, to acknowledge the need for a national awakening of righteousness in our land.

WHEREAS, “It is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand” (John Adams); and

WHEREAS, “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by Religion and Morality” (John Adams); and

WHEREAS, “Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people” (John Adams); and

WHEREAS, “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government…but upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God” (James Madison); and

WHEREAS, “Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God (Benjamin Franklin); and

WHEREAS, “God who gave us life gave us liberty and can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God” (Thomas Jefferson); and

WHEREAS, “Whether any free government can be permanent, where the public worship of God, and the support of Religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state” (Joseph Story); and

WHEREAS, “We hold sacred the rights of conscience, and promise to the people…the free and undisturbed exercise of their religion” (Roger Sherman); and

WHEREAS, “This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians” (Patrick Henry); and

WHEREAS, “When you…exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed upon your mind that God commands you to choose just men who will rule in the fear of God” (Noah Webster); and

WHEREAS, “The principles of genuine Liberty and of wise laws and administrations are to be drawn from the Bible” (Noah Webster); and

WHEREAS, the people of Oklahoma have a strong tradition of reliance upon the Creator of the Universe; and

WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and

WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and

WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and

WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and

WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the undersigned elected officials of the people of Oklahoma, religious leaders and citizens of the State of Oklahoma, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world, solemnly declare that the HOPE of the great State of Oklahoma and of these United States, rests upon the Principles of Religion and Morality as put forth in the HOLY BIBLE; and

BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, believers in the One True God and His only Son, call upon all to join with us in recognizing that “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord,” and humbly implore all who love Truth and Virtue to live above reproach in the sight of God and man with a firm reliance on the leadership and protection of Almighty God; and

BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, humbly call upon Holy God, our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, to have mercy on this nation, to stay His hand of judgment, and grant a national awakening of righteousness and Christian renewal as we repent of our great sin.

Signed on the second day of July in the year of our Lord Christ Two Thousand and Nine.