Truckin'
H.J. is truckin'. That girl is moving, I mean. All she wants to do is walk. Walk. Walk. Walk. She has even perfected the art of sucking her thumb while she walks. Beauty.
Never Stop Praying!
A new tactic to avoid going to bed/nap in our home is extended prayer time. A.E.'s getting pretty good at her prayers. She thanks God for everyone she knows. I mean, EVERYONE. She's praying for YOU, did you feel it? I think she and Daddy prayed for 30 minutes tonight.
Paul did say, "pray without ceasing"! (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Paul did say, "pray without ceasing"! (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The Birthday Party
Kelly is hosting another carnival today!
Birthday Parties!
The Ice Cream Parlor Party
Here are a few of the fun, crafty ideas from AE's 3rd Birthday Party:
Invitations- For me, it always starts with the invitation. I go to see what's on sale at and, ta da! I always print our invitations myself--er, we always print our invites--er, OK, The Daddy always prints our invites.
Don't worry: I blurred the photo so I wouldn't be broadcasting our address and phone number to the entire world. Your vision is indeed intact!
Ice Cream Cone Balloons- I fashioned these from poster board and helium-filled balloons.
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes- I baked cupcakes right into cones; then I iced them to look like ice cream complete with sprinkles and a "cherry". Click HERE for instructions on how to make them. Mine did not turn out like the pictures in the directions, even with a trial run a couple weeks before the party.
The Cake- The cake was iced with cream cheese icing and chocolate fudge filling. It had three layers: one strawberry, one chocolate and one vanilla to look like Neapolitan ice cream when I sliced it open. What a fun surprise! By the way, I always use boxed cake mix. I'm just not that good or adventurous.
Does that look like an ice cream cone?
The Games- The Daddy so graciously ran them for me. Always give this task to the husband. He loves it. Competition, remember!
Pin the Cherry on the Sundae- I used felt fabric to make the "sundae" then I hot glued it all to a poster board. The "cherry" was a wooden thing I found at Hobby Lobby. I stuck Velcro on the back of the cherry so it would stick to the sundae.
Ice Cream Cone Races- The kids had to balance a pom-pom on a real sugar cone and race across the back yard to their parents.
Homemade Ice Cream- I found an ice cream maker on clearance for $15 at Wal-mart. They also sold mixes to make the vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice cream. Pretty easy! Two gallons of whole milk and a night in with Lou Lou and voila!
We let the kids make their own sundaes with a smorgasbord of toppings OUTSIDE in the yard. My mama didn't raise no fool!
The Daddy holding HJ, Mama and the Birthday Girl
AE's best friend Brodie-a champ in the sprinkles department!
Ann Allen with the Birthday Girl
The Favors-
First find: dollar store candy that lets a kid make his own ice cream cone from gummy cones, ice cream balls, and even sprinkles.
Second find: stickers depicting ice cream and other fun summertime food.
Final find: At Hobby Lobby (my new favorite place), they had the most adorable waffle cone cups with spoons that looked like ice cream cones. The kids used these cups to make their own sundaes.
We had so much fun with all our friends and family who could come celebrate with us! I think it goes without saying that the ice cream sundaes must be constructed and consumed OUTSIDE! We luckily had perfect weather for outdoor events. Watching the kids make their sundaes was the part of the party I most looked forward to. Prizes should have been awarded to AE's friends Brodie and Ann Allen. They were most into the artistry in creating an edible masterpiece!
The Menu-
I forgot to mention the food. We had an assortment of heavy hors d'ouevres:
-Peanuts and Candy Corn
-Goldfish
-Corn Dip with Tortilla Chips
-Grape Jelly Meatballs
-Garlic Dill Dip and Veggies
-Pumpkin Dip with Sliced Apples
-Sausage and Cheese Pastries
-Beer Bread
-My Favorite Punch
Maybe someday I'll start a blog about food...but for now, I'm thinking about our next shindig!
-Peanuts and Candy Corn
-Goldfish
-Corn Dip with Tortilla Chips
-Grape Jelly Meatballs
-Garlic Dill Dip and Veggies
-Pumpkin Dip with Sliced Apples
-Sausage and Cheese Pastries
-Beer Bread
-My Favorite Punch
Maybe someday I'll start a blog about food...but for now, I'm thinking about our next shindig!
MORE Birthday Party Links:
Competition
Many a night, C. and I race to the computer after we put the girls down to bed. We both have a problem. Mine is reading too many blogs, facebook and creating this blog. His is Auburn football. In this house, it's never NOT football season. In the past, I have ridiculed C.'s passion for all things Auburn. He updates me on the swimming championships, gymnastic tournaments and basket weaving competitions.
SOOOOOOOOO, today it should not have surprised me when, with Aubie as my witness, as we stood together at Tiger Walk, my husband gave almost each player a high five AND called each young man by name. I realized something important: he is just as big of a stalker as me! Hooray! I'm not alone.
The Phillips Phamily Daddy loves to read about how practice is going, who's on the injured list and who stayed out late past curfew and got caught underage drinking.
I love to read about how to decorate a house, crafty ideas from the dollar store, funny real estate listings and other Christian mamas' lives with their kids.
C. loves to read EVERY article on the AJC so he will be oh-so-up on current events.
I love reading about the heartache and sadness in some women's lives and those women's ability to persevere through it all while giving all the glory to God.
C. loves to check the weather and look at Google maps.
I love looking at pictures of my friends and their family.
C. loves to read about politics on CNN.com.
I love to locate stuff I want to buy and wait for it to go on sale.
It's so funny when I list out our "online" differences because it sounds like we come from completely different worlds. However, we do have this one thing in common: this blog. He will read it each and every night before we go to bed. I love this about him. He supports me in my quest to regain my brain, catalogue our lives, treasure our memories and create a legacy for our children.
Does that mean I should always get first dibs on the computer?
SOOOOOOOOO, today it should not have surprised me when, with Aubie as my witness, as we stood together at Tiger Walk, my husband gave almost each player a high five AND called each young man by name. I realized something important: he is just as big of a stalker as me! Hooray! I'm not alone.
The Phillips Phamily Daddy loves to read about how practice is going, who's on the injured list and who stayed out late past curfew and got caught underage drinking.
I love to read about how to decorate a house, crafty ideas from the dollar store, funny real estate listings and other Christian mamas' lives with their kids.
C. loves to read EVERY article on the AJC so he will be oh-so-up on current events.
I love reading about the heartache and sadness in some women's lives and those women's ability to persevere through it all while giving all the glory to God.
C. loves to check the weather and look at Google maps.
I love looking at pictures of my friends and their family.
C. loves to read about politics on CNN.com.
I love to locate stuff I want to buy and wait for it to go on sale.
It's so funny when I list out our "online" differences because it sounds like we come from completely different worlds. However, we do have this one thing in common: this blog. He will read it each and every night before we go to bed. I love this about him. He supports me in my quest to regain my brain, catalogue our lives, treasure our memories and create a legacy for our children.
Does that mean I should always get first dibs on the computer?
Phriday Photos
Nana's Birthday
Nana's birthday is on Saturday, so we all gathered together to celebrate her and their home renovation completion. Even Uncle Craig came in town from LA. As a treat to us, C.'s parents are hosting a sleepover for A.E. and H.J. tonight so C. and I can travel to Auburn for the game on Saturday. Lord, give me strength!
H.J. and Nana
Paw Paw
Nana with her hands full
Happy Birthday to you!
Nana's birthday is on Saturday, so we all gathered together to celebrate her and their home renovation completion. Even Uncle Craig came in town from LA. As a treat to us, C.'s parents are hosting a sleepover for A.E. and H.J. tonight so C. and I can travel to Auburn for the game on Saturday. Lord, give me strength!
H.J. and Nana
Paw Paw
Nana with her hands full
Publix, you do a cake right!
Happy Birthday to you!
Blowing out the candles--A.E. is an expert, now!
CHEESE!
Two Updates of Sorts
H.J. took her first unassisted steps on the 4th of this month. She has finally grown confident enough to WALK AWAY FROM A PIECE OF FURNITURE! Whoa. That took almost 3 weeks to accomplish. But she's doing it. And she has a smile on her face while she does it.
A.E.'s teacher at MMO this morning informed me that she needs to learn how to stick up for herself and that the other kids bully her around. WHAT? I started to walk away and quickly turned around to ask, "What do you mean?"
"We've told her she shouldn't let the other kids tease her."
WHAT???
I said, "What do you mean?" again. "Do they take toys from her?"
"Yes, and she just lets them."
I'm not really sure if this should be a concern. My child is not taking toys from others. She is not bullying other kids. She's not biting other kids. She's not hitting other kids. She's just letting some other kid who hasn't learned how to share take a toy from her. BIG DEAL! I must investigate further.
"We've told her she shouldn't let the other kids tease her."
WHAT???
I said, "What do you mean?" again. "Do they take toys from her?"
"Yes, and she just lets them."
I'm not really sure if this should be a concern. My child is not taking toys from others. She is not bullying other kids. She's not biting other kids. She's not hitting other kids. She's just letting some other kid who hasn't learned how to share take a toy from her. BIG DEAL! I must investigate further.
Wednesday's Word
Today we began in Psalm 139, which I only knew because we have a children's board book version of the psalm. Mary began in verse thirteen, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." I have thought some about this verse, mainly in reference to my own creation, but thinking about it from the perspective of my child sheds some new light. God created my children with specific characteristics. He made them with their own unique minds, wills, and emotions. He made them with a plan in mind for each child's life. I knew we were all created differently, but somehow, I lacked the understanding that all of those characteristics, if properly celebrated, will lead my children closer to the plan God has for their lives. I felt extremely convicted today for worrying about some of the smaller, insignificant things I don't necessarily like about my children because they are not exactly like ME. Yuck.
Mary stressed fact that God has a plan for our lives, even our children's lives, and that He formed that plan well before we were born or our children were born. Even those children who may or may not be in our futures, they already have a plan from God. She also pointed out that we will most certainly not choose to follow the path God has laid out for us. As she talked about this point, I imagined a chart in my mind. You know, the line graph with two lines going up and down as it progresses across the chart. Picture the red line in the example below to be God's plan for your life. Then picture the blue line to be where you are living your life. Now, don't we all hope that those two lines will eventually become one? So how are we going to do that, first for ourselves, and also how are we going to teach our children to do that?
We have to seek God's will for our life, for how He created us. We have to teach our children to seek God's will for their life and for how He created them. The only way to do this is to ask Him. We have to ask Him to reveal His will to us and for us to obey. Whoa. That's going to take some prayer, some listening and some self-denial. So many times the reason we are off-the-chart, so to speak, is our inability to deny ourselves what we want instead of what we need. Are we doing what God wants us to do with how He made us?
For if we pray that "great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds" (Jer. 32:19) we can begin to look at ourselves the way that God looks at us. We tend to look at ourselves from the underside of the tapestry rather than looking at the finished picture. The backside of any needlework looks like a big ol' mess, but when it is done, and we look at it from the completed side, it makes so much more sense and is so much more beautiful. How can we see the beautiful picture of ourselves that God sees? Give that mess to God. Give it all to Him. Only He can make the ugly, knotted past of our lives into something beautiful. Only He can guide us to that red line on our chart that we call our life. Once we can do these things for ourselves, we can help our children do the same thing.
Realizing that we were "born into a sinful nature"(Psalm 51:5) helps us as parents understand that, yes, so were our children. But for our downfall, we must celebrate the good in our children. We must raise our children with a "spirit-led" heart. Mary brought that point straight to my heart when I asked her how old our children should be when we talk to them about salvation. I really had/have some hang-ups about using the words "sin" and "died on the cross" with my three-year-old. They just seemed so harsh. I didn't grow up in a Christian home, so hearing these words at such a young age I found to be a little strong, too much to handle, opening doors I would rather remain closed. The subject of death, especially. Don't want to touch that one until I have to discuss it.
A couple of things I learned today from Mary and other women in our group:
Mary stressed fact that God has a plan for our lives, even our children's lives, and that He formed that plan well before we were born or our children were born. Even those children who may or may not be in our futures, they already have a plan from God. She also pointed out that we will most certainly not choose to follow the path God has laid out for us. As she talked about this point, I imagined a chart in my mind. You know, the line graph with two lines going up and down as it progresses across the chart. Picture the red line in the example below to be God's plan for your life. Then picture the blue line to be where you are living your life. Now, don't we all hope that those two lines will eventually become one? So how are we going to do that, first for ourselves, and also how are we going to teach our children to do that?
We have to seek God's will for our life, for how He created us. We have to teach our children to seek God's will for their life and for how He created them. The only way to do this is to ask Him. We have to ask Him to reveal His will to us and for us to obey. Whoa. That's going to take some prayer, some listening and some self-denial. So many times the reason we are off-the-chart, so to speak, is our inability to deny ourselves what we want instead of what we need. Are we doing what God wants us to do with how He made us?
For if we pray that "great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds" (Jer. 32:19) we can begin to look at ourselves the way that God looks at us. We tend to look at ourselves from the underside of the tapestry rather than looking at the finished picture. The backside of any needlework looks like a big ol' mess, but when it is done, and we look at it from the completed side, it makes so much more sense and is so much more beautiful. How can we see the beautiful picture of ourselves that God sees? Give that mess to God. Give it all to Him. Only He can make the ugly, knotted past of our lives into something beautiful. Only He can guide us to that red line on our chart that we call our life. Once we can do these things for ourselves, we can help our children do the same thing.
Realizing that we were "born into a sinful nature"(Psalm 51:5) helps us as parents understand that, yes, so were our children. But for our downfall, we must celebrate the good in our children. We must raise our children with a "spirit-led" heart. Mary brought that point straight to my heart when I asked her how old our children should be when we talk to them about salvation. I really had/have some hang-ups about using the words "sin" and "died on the cross" with my three-year-old. They just seemed so harsh. I didn't grow up in a Christian home, so hearing these words at such a young age I found to be a little strong, too much to handle, opening doors I would rather remain closed. The subject of death, especially. Don't want to touch that one until I have to discuss it.
A couple of things I learned today from Mary and other women in our group:
- You must let the Holy Spirit lead you when discussing matters of faith with your children.
- You must create in your home an atmosphere for learning about faith, God and salvation.
- You can focus on the positive aspects of a relationship with God (ie, God made you. God loves you. God will take care of you.) to start educating your child about Him.
- You must spend time WITH your child to know her. Then you will have a better idea of how to approach issues of faith and questions about God.
- You don't have to know everything and have a "step-by-step" track set with your child.
- You can set the tone in your household by observing daily quiet times, reading your bible, singing praise music and praying with your child.
- You don't have to be THE ONE who brings your child to Christ. You do need to lay the groundwork for a relationship with Him.
- You can say "Jesus gave His life for our sins" instead of "died for our sins".
Love the last one. Whew. Lots of stuff today. We also talked about how satan keeps us busy in order to keep us from ministering to others and our children. Satan keeps us busy to keep us from getting to know our children, which will ultimately be a large factor in how we handle a relationship with our children. If we don't know them, how will we know how to pray for, care for, listen to, and love them? I think you know how satan keeps you busy. I could make a big list like we did today, but you already know what is stealing time away from you and your children.
So not to end on such a yucky note, I'll leave you with our funny moment from today:
As A.E. and I prayed tonight, she thanked God for Play-Doh and told Him that "we don't eat it!" Today was our first venture into the Play-Doh world and she certainly got the rules down quick!
Pending Approval
So here's the first draft of our Mission Statement as Parents.
To teach my children about:
- God
- God’s son, Jesus Christ
- God’s forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ
- seeking God’s will
About God:
· through reading and studying the Bible
· through prayer
· through Sunday School/VBS
About God’s Son, Jesus Christ:
· through reading and studying the Bible
· through holiday events like Christmas and Easter
· through Sunday School/VBS
About God’s forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ:
· through reading and studying the Bible
· through holiday events like Christmas and Easter
· through Sunday School/VBS
· through forgiveness in our familial relationships
· through discipline
About seeking God’s will:
· through reading and studying the Bible
· through daily prayer and quiet times
· through nightly dinner discussions about our daily lives and God’s presence there
So there's what we've got so far. I haven't shown it to the Phillips Phamily Daddy yet. He'll surely read it tonight when he gets home. (He's such a faithful follower!) I'll update you later with his additions/subtractions.
Fire Engine Party
The Fire Truck Arrives!
George Shaking Hands with the REAL Fireman
Dylan, Brodie, Lauren, A.E. and Mama
These outfits are so HOT!
They even had girlie firefighter outfits!
Fire code violation: too many children on one slide!
It might be time to retire this outfit, H.J.!
A.E. taking a whack at the pinata
Happy Birthday, George!
We're Alive! and One Year Older
Our family had a very busy weekend, so posting was not a priority. Sorry, folks! The Phillips Phamily Daddy went to Auburn on Saturday for a fun day but a disappointing outcome in the Tigers' first big home game. He made--from scratch--jalepeno poppers to take to the game all by himself. I did not help. I did not do a thing but sample them before he left the house with his friend, A.
H.J., A.E. and I attended another birthday party and had a wonderful time. George's party was complete with a fire truck! We rode it, sprayed the hose, tried on the fireman gear (toddler-sized, real-looking gear!) and ate lots of cake and ice cream. And I did not let that be their dinner. That wouldn't be right. Nope, not me!
Lou Lou came over to help me make homemade ice cream for A.E.'s birthday party which was yesterday on Sunday afternoon. Yes, we had a "Sundae" party on Sunday! (hee hee) Oh, and we had the Auburn game on, too.
But the biggest news, today A.E. turned three-years-old! We celebrated with a trip to the doctor and lunch with Nana and Papa.
Growth alert:
H.J., A.E. and I attended another birthday party and had a wonderful time. George's party was complete with a fire truck! We rode it, sprayed the hose, tried on the fireman gear (toddler-sized, real-looking gear!) and ate lots of cake and ice cream. And I did not let that be their dinner. That wouldn't be right. Nope, not me!
Lou Lou came over to help me make homemade ice cream for A.E.'s birthday party which was yesterday on Sunday afternoon. Yes, we had a "Sundae" party on Sunday! (hee hee) Oh, and we had the Auburn game on, too.
But the biggest news, today A.E. turned three-years-old! We celebrated with a trip to the doctor and lunch with Nana and Papa.
Growth alert:
- A.E.-28 pounds and 35 inches tall
- H.J.- 21 pounds, 2 ounces and 31 inches tall
I'll post more about the party later. C. and I are both ill. Headaches, sinus problems and too much sugar!
Funniest words today: "Oh no, the balloon died!" regarding the post-party limp pinkies.
Phriday Photos
Last week the whole family went to a birthday party for a friend of A.E.'s, Ella. Ella turned three and had a "Dream Come True" party at the playground in her neighborhood. The kids did a craft (so cute--the girls and boys just stuck foamy stickers onto a wand), they played, they ate cake and they played some more.
Craft Time
Craft Time
H.J. on the Loose
One, Two, Three...
Slide! (L to R--Claire, Brodie and A.E.)
Raise your hand if you want cake!
Mama and H.J. anticipating cake
The Birthday Girl Makes Her Wish!
I Wish the Internet Really Was Down
It was down, and now it's late. Just not feeling motivated this week on the blog. Maybe it's all the cleaning, organizing and ironing I've been doing.
So here's yesterday's Wednesday Word, courtesy of Mary Tabb:
If you are a parent, you need to have a mission statement as a parent. You need to have a game plan when it comes to your kids. Are you just floating along? Do you have some ideas of what you want to accomplish with your kids, but you haven't really figured out how you're going to accomplish them? Do you know what you want for your kids and just think, "If I go to church each week with my kids, it'll happen"?
Having a game plan: First, you have to have a goal. Second, what is the plan? How do you acheive it?
Here is an example of Mary's Mission Statement as a Parent because "where there is no vision the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Man, I wish I could type it the way she speaks it!
Mission Statement:
to raise my children to know, love and serve Jesus Christ
Goal #1: Salvation-- Ephesians 2:8, 1 Timothy 2:5
Plan of Action: Teach it, use books and videos, Sunday School, plays, have scripture plaques in home
Goal #2: Knowing God-- Deuteronomy 6:6-9*(one of my personal favorites), 1 Timothy 1:5
Plan of Action: Teach them to hear His voice, read my Bible, let them see me and hear me, seek God in every decision and discuss it with children, have thankful attitude, have a specific quiet time
Goal #3: Character-- 1 Timothy 6:18, Luke 2:52
Plan of Action: Teach and discipline with conviction and toward developing and expecting the character traits of Jesus. (examples: servanthood, sacrifice, unselfishness, kindness, generousity, thankfulness, gentleness, humility)
I like her plan. I plan on (hee hee) developing my own mission statement with the Phillips Phamily Daddy by next Tuesday and sharing it with you.
I'll leave you tonight with this fun thought by Chuck Swindol: Training should involve teaching a child to think for themselves.
So here's yesterday's Wednesday Word, courtesy of Mary Tabb:
If you are a parent, you need to have a mission statement as a parent. You need to have a game plan when it comes to your kids. Are you just floating along? Do you have some ideas of what you want to accomplish with your kids, but you haven't really figured out how you're going to accomplish them? Do you know what you want for your kids and just think, "If I go to church each week with my kids, it'll happen"?
Having a game plan: First, you have to have a goal. Second, what is the plan? How do you acheive it?
Here is an example of Mary's Mission Statement as a Parent because "where there is no vision the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Man, I wish I could type it the way she speaks it!
Mission Statement:
to raise my children to know, love and serve Jesus Christ
Goal #1: Salvation-- Ephesians 2:8, 1 Timothy 2:5
Plan of Action: Teach it, use books and videos, Sunday School, plays, have scripture plaques in home
Goal #2: Knowing God-- Deuteronomy 6:6-9*(one of my personal favorites), 1 Timothy 1:5
Plan of Action: Teach them to hear His voice, read my Bible, let them see me and hear me, seek God in every decision and discuss it with children, have thankful attitude, have a specific quiet time
Goal #3: Character-- 1 Timothy 6:18, Luke 2:52
Plan of Action: Teach and discipline with conviction and toward developing and expecting the character traits of Jesus. (examples: servanthood, sacrifice, unselfishness, kindness, generousity, thankfulness, gentleness, humility)
I like her plan. I plan on (hee hee) developing my own mission statement with the Phillips Phamily Daddy by next Tuesday and sharing it with you.
I'll leave you tonight with this fun thought by Chuck Swindol: Training should involve teaching a child to think for themselves.
Procrastinating and Decorating
So this Wednesday's word will be tomorrow. Just can't force my brain to work tonight.
A.E. has seen me putting out our Fall decorations and decided to do a little decorating herself. What do you think? She was working with limited resources... and yes, my house is always this clean. (stifling laughter)
A.E. has seen me putting out our Fall decorations and decided to do a little decorating herself. What do you think? She was working with limited resources... and yes, my house is always this clean. (stifling laughter)
Christian TMI
In the Christian world, how much information is too much information? I've thought about my testimony a lot and it's a pretty powerful story, even without all the gory details. It's actually quite a sweet love story between me, my now-husband, Jesus and God. Oh, and don't forget the Holy Spirit. Gosh, gotta give that guy some credit! He/she/it is within me and I just forget sometimes that he (let's call it "he" for my sanity) is there.
Anyway, what I'm really interested in talking about is, how much of your sinful life do you really need to reveal to make an impact on someone? Can you really expect another man or woman to hear about just how down and dirty you were/are and still respect you?
Sometimes I get lost in the idea of being a new creation.
Sometimes I think people from my past, who know a lot of the dirty, scary stuff about me, won't recognize or believe how much I've changed.
Sometimes I worry that the fun-loving, crazy side of me was lost when I admitted how sinful I was and that I really needed someone to save me.
Sometimes I burn with embarrassment when I think of my behavior and what people must think about me.
Sometimes I ask myself, "Have I really changed as much as I think I have?"
Sometimes I get bogged down by others' opinion of me.
Sometimes I soar on angel's wings with the thought of how much God loves me.
Sometimes I crash and burn with my own self doubt.
Sometimes I think, if only they all knew what kind of person I really am.
Sometimes I think, how did anyone ever put up with me?
I mean, right now, I have a huge knot in my throat just thinking about the life I led.
I've just recently gotten back in touch with many former classmates, friends, and sorority sisters via Facebook, aka Huge Time Gobbler. I even got to talk on the phone with a friend from WAY back yesterday. After high school we lost track of each other because she chose not to go to college and I did. She got married and had kids while I was in the depths of my darkest hours, i.e. my most sinful (is there really such a thing?) in college. She alluded to the fact that she had heard about how I was doing back then and that she was so happy I had come out of that time and found such a happy life. We talked about former classmates and how some have really changed but stayed the same. It's weird looking at people you once knew so well. You never thought, "Hey, she would be a great mother." But now, we've all grown up. Some of us are doing the exact same things we did in high school and college. But some of us have experienced real transformation. Some of us have become mothers. Some of us have become wives. Some of us have become aware that the world does not revolve around us. (Still working on that one.)
I wanted to avoid getting back in touch with my past because I didn't really want to be reminded of who I used to be. I didn't want to be reminded of what others thought or could be thinking of me. I didn't want to. Period.
I finally began to think, "Hey, these are the people who knew me-who REALLY knew me-and now here's the chance to show them how God can work."
God can take anything and turn it into gold.
God can work on even the most stubborn.
God can bring joy where there once was sadness.
God can pull you up out of your darkest depths.
God can listen.
God can speak.
God can love anyone no matter what you've done.
God can forgive through His Son.
God can forgive.
God can forgive.
That's the one that took me a while to believe. That's where I got stuck. That's where I had to give up complete control and allow myself to become what He wanted me to be. To be loved. To be forgiven. To be His.
So now you're wondering, "Gosh, what exactly are her deepest, darkest secrets that only God knows?" I guess I've gotten to the point where I believe that He has forgiven me, and I don't need forgiveness for those things from man. I have decided to keep those things close to my heart so that if I'm ever presented with the opportunity to share with someone who really needs those examples of forgiveness, I'll be ready. 1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
For now, we'll file those things under "Christian TMI."
Anyway, what I'm really interested in talking about is, how much of your sinful life do you really need to reveal to make an impact on someone? Can you really expect another man or woman to hear about just how down and dirty you were/are and still respect you?
Sometimes I get lost in the idea of being a new creation.
Sometimes I think people from my past, who know a lot of the dirty, scary stuff about me, won't recognize or believe how much I've changed.
Sometimes I worry that the fun-loving, crazy side of me was lost when I admitted how sinful I was and that I really needed someone to save me.
Sometimes I burn with embarrassment when I think of my behavior and what people must think about me.
Sometimes I ask myself, "Have I really changed as much as I think I have?"
Sometimes I get bogged down by others' opinion of me.
Sometimes I soar on angel's wings with the thought of how much God loves me.
Sometimes I crash and burn with my own self doubt.
Sometimes I think, if only they all knew what kind of person I really am.
Sometimes I think, how did anyone ever put up with me?
I mean, right now, I have a huge knot in my throat just thinking about the life I led.
I've just recently gotten back in touch with many former classmates, friends, and sorority sisters via Facebook, aka Huge Time Gobbler. I even got to talk on the phone with a friend from WAY back yesterday. After high school we lost track of each other because she chose not to go to college and I did. She got married and had kids while I was in the depths of my darkest hours, i.e. my most sinful (is there really such a thing?) in college. She alluded to the fact that she had heard about how I was doing back then and that she was so happy I had come out of that time and found such a happy life. We talked about former classmates and how some have really changed but stayed the same. It's weird looking at people you once knew so well. You never thought, "Hey, she would be a great mother." But now, we've all grown up. Some of us are doing the exact same things we did in high school and college. But some of us have experienced real transformation. Some of us have become mothers. Some of us have become wives. Some of us have become aware that the world does not revolve around us. (Still working on that one.)
I wanted to avoid getting back in touch with my past because I didn't really want to be reminded of who I used to be. I didn't want to be reminded of what others thought or could be thinking of me. I didn't want to. Period.
I finally began to think, "Hey, these are the people who knew me-who REALLY knew me-and now here's the chance to show them how God can work."
God can take anything and turn it into gold.
God can work on even the most stubborn.
God can bring joy where there once was sadness.
God can pull you up out of your darkest depths.
God can listen.
God can speak.
God can love anyone no matter what you've done.
God can forgive through His Son.
God can forgive.
God can forgive.
That's the one that took me a while to believe. That's where I got stuck. That's where I had to give up complete control and allow myself to become what He wanted me to be. To be loved. To be forgiven. To be His.
So now you're wondering, "Gosh, what exactly are her deepest, darkest secrets that only God knows?" I guess I've gotten to the point where I believe that He has forgiven me, and I don't need forgiveness for those things from man. I have decided to keep those things close to my heart so that if I'm ever presented with the opportunity to share with someone who really needs those examples of forgiveness, I'll be ready. 1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
For now, we'll file those things under "Christian TMI."
Sunday Blues
When The Phillips Phamily Daddy and I first started dating, we were each in a different city; he was in Atlanta, while I was still in Knoxville. Whenever we would go visit each other, on Sunday night we'd each get a case of the "Sunday Blues." We knew it'd be a least another week before we'd see each other or more and the prospect of a grad school, work, and only being able to communicate on the phone was not fun. Funny how we made it through that time without computers to IM (we did email--we aren't THAT old) or cell phones to text and call each other on a whim.
Our weekend was full, but not too busy. Friday night I went to a friend's house to scrapbook, but I ended up sewing most of the time and stuffing my face with the yummy dips, brownies and fresh fruit. Saturday morning, we headed out to a birthday party on an awesome playground up in Woodstock. While we were up that way, we went by C.'s parents' house in Marietta to see the progress on their home renovations and went out to lunch. After LONG naps at home, we then made our way back to Marietta to watch the Tigers play with our friends the B's and the Ruschs. The girls and I left at halftime, while C. stayed behind to will Auburn to win. Thank goodness, a win's a win! I hope this weekend's game will be less of a nailbiter.
Today after church we ventured over to Ted's Montana Grill to eat with the B's--I saw Stacy three days in a row: RECORD!-- and our friends from Birmingham, Ian and Amy. They brought along their new addition, Kate, who we had yet to meet. She was born in June and was just as sweet and beautiful as her parents!
The girls had long naps this afternoon while C. and I got some things done around the house and took naps ourselves. While I was brushing my teeth a few minutes ago, C. came in to tell me what A.E. said to him as he read Big Red Barn to her. It was the page when the animals are all in the barn at the end of the day, and it's dark, and they are all asleep. She said, "They forgot to pray!"
That kind of stuff just reaffirms to us that the little things we are doing with our children now will eventually be visible in our children's lives. How sweet and meaningful. Now my Sunday isn't so blue!
Our weekend was full, but not too busy. Friday night I went to a friend's house to scrapbook, but I ended up sewing most of the time and stuffing my face with the yummy dips, brownies and fresh fruit. Saturday morning, we headed out to a birthday party on an awesome playground up in Woodstock. While we were up that way, we went by C.'s parents' house in Marietta to see the progress on their home renovations and went out to lunch. After LONG naps at home, we then made our way back to Marietta to watch the Tigers play with our friends the B's and the Ruschs. The girls and I left at halftime, while C. stayed behind to will Auburn to win. Thank goodness, a win's a win! I hope this weekend's game will be less of a nailbiter.
Today after church we ventured over to Ted's Montana Grill to eat with the B's--I saw Stacy three days in a row: RECORD!-- and our friends from Birmingham, Ian and Amy. They brought along their new addition, Kate, who we had yet to meet. She was born in June and was just as sweet and beautiful as her parents!
The girls had long naps this afternoon while C. and I got some things done around the house and took naps ourselves. While I was brushing my teeth a few minutes ago, C. came in to tell me what A.E. said to him as he read Big Red Barn to her. It was the page when the animals are all in the barn at the end of the day, and it's dark, and they are all asleep. She said, "They forgot to pray!"
That kind of stuff just reaffirms to us that the little things we are doing with our children now will eventually be visible in our children's lives. How sweet and meaningful. Now my Sunday isn't so blue!
The Moon
"I can see the moon," sing-songed Mother.
"I do, too," answered A.E. "It's cheese. Let's go up there. And eat it sometime."
"Ok," Mother gave in.
"I do, too," answered A.E. "It's cheese. Let's go up there. And eat it sometime."
"Ok," Mother gave in.
Phriday Photos
We got a package today containing the girls' snow clothes for our trip to Utah this Winter. They had a blast trying their things on, even though it's 80-something degrees out. H.J. was especially pleased with her mittens. I was surprised she didn't want to take them off. There was no way she EVER would have gotten that hat off!
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