Hungry

This year two of our children are in school where many children are just plain hungry. I know that we have a large enrollment in the free and reduced lunch program, but I'm talking about emotional hunger.

My youngest was feeling a little depleted herself. She asked last night when Daddy's lunch hour was. I got the follow-up asking when she realized that he couldn't be her lunch date. I am horrible at thinking of doing this for the kids. I get so caught up in getting things done that I it just never crosses my mind.

Today was different. I stopped the "busy-ness" and grabbed some chicken nuggets (her love language). The smile on her face was huge once she saw me.

Her plan was to eat outside with a friend, but I felt bad for having to leave the 2nd friend out. So we decided to eat inside with the class.

She dove into her bag at lunch. The "hungry" girls begged to sit by me. Each girl had her own question. I realized as one girl interrupted yet again that my daughter was eating her lunch "alone" next to me. This frustrated me as I left (my daughter and I did walk through the book fair together - alone). I realized that my frustration wasn't at the children. I had hugged them, answered questions-told stories. My frustration is with parents-this world. These kids are so hungry. My kids get tucked in at night after a good meal, a bath, family time of some type, but so many kids in our Country go to bed "HUNGRY".

Lord, let us feed your sheep....

My gifts continue...#254-295

*daughter who drives cautiously
*quiet time at home
*a daughter who weighs wise choices and respects others
*lunch with my baby girl
*hugs from school kids that really need them.
*a teacher who is joyful
*green budding forth all over town
*watching people believe in mission of an organization and responding with time and money
*sharing God's message for the night with our kids.
*sharing prayer with friend
*walk that gets heart racing
*warm shower water
*words from women that make you think
*a free cup of my favorite coffee
*children who love the Lord and seek after Him
*a day of rest
*the presence of God with me today
*ability to fold clothes
*cool breezes of Spring
*revelations from God
*a day off from routine
*a husband who prays for me
*a good nights sleep even through a storm
*a day to catch up
*planning birthday parties
*a clean smelling house
*revelations from Your word
*anticipation of a date night
*an honest mother's heart as she aches for her dead son
*conversations that remind me to pray for my children's school more diligently
*Godly friendship and birthday celebrations
*Philip turning on my heating pad before bed
*a day of rest
*an understanding husband
*movie day with baby girl
*a celebration of an announcers long career
*a familiar voice calling the game
*a road win
*family helping when I can't
*relief from pain
*songs of healing (for the heart) after a day of pain
*cool breezes

GOOOOAL!

Magnolia Cup 2011 Winners- TFC 2000 Blue Boys

This weekend Trippe's soccer team had a tournament in Clinton. They played their league games on Saturday as a part of the tournament. Wynn had a Saturday morning piano competition so the girls and I stayed here. After game 1 Philip called to say Trippe's team had won 5-1 against JFC. He thought they might play well and go farther in the tournament than we had first thought. We jumped in the car and headed for Jackson.

On our way, Philip called back to say they had beat the next team 6-0. We arrived for game 3. Our boys happened to lose that one, but they had played their hearts and bodies out all day. They were just plain worn out. We were entering Sunday as the first place team so our game didn't start until 11:30. We got to sleep in...which is relative with 6 people in one hotel room.

The winning goal!

We played game four against the first team that the boys had played Saturday. We discovered this team to be a little tougher, but we won.  This set the boys up for the championship game. They had not gone this far in a tournament before and they were very excited.

The game began and Gulf Coast scored fairly quickly. Our boys were tired. Half time came and went. About halfway into the 2nd half, our boys scored. The game was tied. We had watched the previous game end so we knew that they were making championship games go to a shoot-out. Our game ended in a tie. We went to the shoot out and it too ended in a tie....the drama. Next up was SUDDEN DEATH! (what an unfair way after a weekend of hard playing) Trippe was first up to kick (feel my stomach sinking-I was immediately sick). The other team went first...the referee lined the ball up...the kicker aimed, shot and missed! Next up, was my BABY. He stepped up, confidently, set the ball, kicked and SCORED! TFC 2000 Blue Boys won the Magnolia Cup!

The humble boy getting his medal

Thankfulness

I've begun this journey of gratitude. This exercise of discipline. I am looking for the gifts that God places before me. What do I see? My list tells a story-a journal of God at work in our lives. This act of gratitude is a journey toward a joyful heart. It makes me stop and see the blessing in all things.

I sometime find myself writing the same thing down on several days, but I feel my gratitude toward that thing is growing even more. After a long, cold winter, I truly  find myself grateful for the warm sun shining on me.  Is this what God does? Opens my eyes, and my heart to the simple things.

My study of the 1000 Gifts book has lead me to ask today...What do I want? When Jesus looked at the blind man and asked him this question, the answer was "I want to see." That too is my answer, I want to see more of Jesus in my everyday. I want to slow time and enjoy the simple things that God has put before me. I read today that I have to be disciplined to be thankful for the good so that when I face the hard time I can be grateful for God's presence.  God is good, all the time and He loves me. These are two truths that I cling too!

My gifts list continues to grow....#200-253
*for teachers who love to teach
*for older girls who open up about their day
*Monday's car madness-because kids talk to you
*challenge teachers who love my kids
*a day beautiful enough for Sarah's horse ride
*a barbecue valentines dinner the family likes
*clean sheet day
*6 deer feasting on fields
*a cross in the brittle broken trees
*a long ride & visit with husband
*uninterrupted conversation
*retro music that remembers
*parking passes
*a night with friends
*beauty of ice hanging from the mountainside
*morning snuggles with a sweet baby
*your name from a baby's sweet voice
*morning ride through the backroads
*old girlfriends laughter as stories are told
*the heart of a new father as he waits to receive his adoptive daughter
*time to counsel new moms
*smiles of two new drivers as they pass their driving test
*time with daughters
*quiet time to re-group thoughts
*repairman who are smarter than me
*birds singing as I open windows at the beginning of Spring
*a clean house
*a washing machine that will go through 1 more load
*lots of coupons to clip
*hearing the joy in a friends voice as they share about their new job
*girls mexican night
*a brave little girl in her first piano competititon
*a warm sunny day
*birds singing in the spring morning
*birds soaring across the blue sky
*girls singing loudly and "rocking" the van
*sunshine warmth
*boys soccer that finally makes the finals
*wind blowing
*lunch outside
*kids eat "free" Sunday
*friends who love you enough to help
*birds flying wildly in the blue sky
*freckled faced boys who score the winning goal
*full orange moon to light the night sky
*dog kisses after a night away
*buds on pear trees
*forgetting my Bible-I missed reading!
*a walk of praise
*reconnecting with a friend
*daffodils
*a clerks heart softening after years of prayer
*saving $111 at the grocery store
*medicine that relieves a headache

A Day of Love

Today is Valentine's Day. Philip and I never have made a big deal of this day. Partly because of finances, but mostly because we've both felt that we should celebrate our love all year. My hubby is a sweet romantic of a man at times. I've gotten flowers when I got a new job-when I had a new baby (a large new job)-when he knew I'd had a bad day. I have even been know to receive flowers on Valentine's Day. This day I received my favorite gift....a hand-written note of 10 reasons he loves me. My man really knows me well. I am blessed!

One thing that we have been certain to do since our children were born was take Valentine's Day to celebrate God's love for them. We have left a card or a treat at their spot at the breakfast table. We want the kids to know how much we love them and how much God loves them. Today I gave homemade valentines with a devotion book or book about being who God has called you to be.

We are very thankful that He has blessed us with four children to love!  So...Happy Valentine's Day to my precious husband and four wonderful children....I LOVE YOU!

Today's love list from God to me....

# 154-#199
-how sick kids let you love on them no matter how old they are
-time with one child to share for the day
-coffee to warm the inside when the outside is so cold
-opportunities to share with a child what God just taught me-He shows me so I can show them
-the long eye lashes of a freckled faced, blue-eyed boy
-birthdays for children that just keep celebrating
-doctors who educate
-friends who call to give encouragement
-opportunity for date night
-kids who are honored for their accomplishments
- friends who support your efforts in missions
-time with family-enjoying our common favorite thing
-watching snow fall
-afternoon naps
-60% days at school
-family night at basketball
-seeing extended family
-a home team win
-a careful, wise husband
-a patient husband
-the snow covered ground
-laughter of family
-kids who listen
-clean clothes
-customer service you can communicate with
-women who write words that make you think
-teachers who listen to your child
-new revelations about God's word
-time for home improvements
-a beautiful, sunny day
-pound cake with strawberries
-little girls who get excited about boxes from the attic
-a little girls joyful reminder to praise the Lord
-a warm, sunny day
-a good nights sleep
-prayer shared with friends
-being on the same page with Philip
-watching young friends grow through their struggle
-alarms that wake even if later than expected
-precious notes of love from my husband-who really knows me
-a day to celebrate God's love over our children
-a walk with God's word
-a washing machine that is actually washing
-the smell of a "love" cake baking for after school
-a faithful friend who knows your routine

A Thankful Heart

In my counting of the gifts, I am recognizing that we have a choice in life. We are given this life by God...His gift of grace. He has chosen us to be his "treasured possession" (1 Peter 2:9). So if our Creator God, chose us to live this life then we must choose to live the life He has called us too. I think way too long I have lived life my way according to my plans. Now granted they have been good plans...I'm not some evil mastermind so I thought for so long God would approve of my plan. Wouldn't life be simpler? I would be happy, comfortable and the plan would be easy.

I am arriving to the thought that God's plan is so much better. He wants more for me than I can even imagine. He wants me to live life to its fullest...John 10:10. My prayer this year is that I can begin to live life in Thanksgiving for the many graces that God has given me. I think my gifts list focuses me on my thankful heart...my gratitude toward God.

I need to incorporate my prayer, my spoken words to family and friends, and my life song to this cause...gratitude...thanksgiving...God's abundant life!

My Monday Gift List...#130-153

*gift of energy needed
*opportunity to serve
*gentle sound of rain on the windows
*honest words-even if they sting a bit
*a minute of quite
*gentle hands that ease tension
*laughter of daughters
*the excitement of a birthday girl
*friendships rekindled
*old friends and the gift of prayer
*books that lead me to Eucharisteo
*a day off to renew a kids heart
*conversations about prayer for others
*teachers who point you to Christ
*friends who honestly look in with correction
*time with friends who "get" you
*soft puppies
*kids who honor other kids
*new hair days
*soft snow
*sounds of the fire crackling
*Your word that knocks us over
*kids who enjoy seeing You
*slower days - meant for catching up

The grateful heart continues to open...

Wynn's BIG day!

It is Wynn's 9th Birthday. She has waited so long for this day. Not only does she get to celebrate with friends and family at her party, but she gets to finally get her ears pierced (more on that part later.)!

Wynn had several friends and family for her Cooking Birthday Party. We  made each guest a personalized apron. Wynn's friends were from her class this year, preschool friends, and church friends. The girls gathered, and we had them make a personal pizza. I had pre-made the dough and the girls had toppings to make the pizza just like they liked them. While the pizzas cooked, the girls added fruit a bowl to make a fruit salad (strawberries, blueberries, grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew). They also added different ingredients to make a morning smoothie.  The girls enjoyed their smoothies while Mary Katherine lead them in games. Mary Katherine had different foods in a paper bag, she had the girls blindfolded choose a food then see what they tasted. The next game was letting the girls feed one another either yogurt or apple sauce. The catch was one girl (the eater) had her hands behind her back while the next girl (the feeder) sat behind her. This game was too funny! Trippe was the messiest recipient of apple sauce (which he hates).

The pizza was ready and the the girls enjoyed their pizza and fruit salad. The last thing for the girls to do were to ice their own cupcakes. They enjoyed adding icing and different colored sprinkles. It was finally time for Wynn to open presents. She is so blessed with sweet friends! We enjoyed a great birthday party.

Wynn's big day wasn't over post-party...she was headed to the mall to get her ears pierced. Wynn had called her Nana earlier in the week to join her. Nana had promised to get her ears pierced with Mary Katherine and Sarah ...each time she chickened out. Wynn was successful (and brave) ...she got her ears pierced first then Nana at 63 got her ears pierced for the first time. We were so proud of both girls!

We have two birthdays of our birthday season down with 3 (2 parties) more to go! My how fast they grow and how quickly birthday season passes these days.