Walking the Walk

It is hard to believe we are already through half the week and here in our corner of the world fall has pretty much arrived. We are enjoying cooler mornings and I have been thankful for less humidity! Kamdyn started therapy on her knee this week and we are hopeful that after three weeks of this she will be ready to go again. What did we ever do before therapy?!

Koby has a big game across the state this week, literally! We live 9 miles from the state border with Alabama and this Friday night we will go across the state and play 3 miles from Arkansas. Sounds exciting right? Thankfully Mississippi is NOT the size of Texas! It is an important district game so we are hopeful for a win.

Brendan has been completing his college and ROTC applications. I think it is safe to say the clock is ticking towards him leaving home and I am trying to be OK with it. I have began a list of things he needs to know, starting with how to turn on the washing machine and I have no idea what it might end with.

I wanted to catch you up on two events that our kids have participated in through FCA over the last week. Our boys and even Kamdyn have always loved being a part of FCA. They have attended camps and meetings and fundraisers since they were in 7th grade. Last Thursday, our 11th and 12th grade FCA members were asked to carry a cross 6 miles through our county and both Brendan and Koby signed up for the task. I went along as the school representative, thinking I would follow behind and maybe take a picture or two or ten. So, we left the court house at 6:40 AM heading up a main high way in town with three kids taking turns carrying a 12 pound cross...

Brendan's group moved at more of a running pace than a walking pace. I was a little unprepared for running 6 miles. It was one thing to walk with the kids but to run at the pace they wanted to move was more than I had bargained for!

This is Koby's group taking their second turn on the walk.

 

 

 

 

And this is where I finally gave up!

 

The kids all ran the last mile together, after we had already done  a large hill towards the end. It was at this point I just was honest with myself - I'm knocking on the door of 37 which means there is just no way I can do what these kids can do since I really am not a runner (nor am I in shape but let's save that for another post)!

 

 

At one point I helped two of the girls carry the cross, which was making it's way through our county and through our state. As I was walking with them I really had a chance to think about what it truly represented! It was just one of those moments I won't forget and I pray that the kids who participated won't forget it any time soon either. I don't know if they did it to get out of school or to just have a good time, but I can't help but think the power of the cross is etched a little closer on their hearts.

 

 

Today was "See Ya at the Pole" day and our FCA sponsored that as well.

 

 

 

 

 

I clearly remember playing a keyboard with our youth band in front of the flag pole at our school many years ago not knowing that one day my own children would have a similar experience. Today I watched our boys lead prayer groups, read scripture and even close out the morning in prayer. I don't share this to be prideful but to rejoice that God is fulfilling in them the things I pray in earnest about. I pray He is real to them, that His Word is constant in their lives and that above all they honor Him. This today was outside their comfort zone, but this is also what strengthens their walk. At any moment, Satan will tempt them and try them and sometimes they will fall. In the end, I pray the faith they claim will be a faith they lead their own families with and today I think I saw a glimpse of the godly men they will be.

 

Walking the walk is never easy and I have been committed to Hebrews 12:1,2 here lately. We can only walk by keeping our focus on Him, not on the one wanting to tangle our feet in a web of sin and destruction.

 

So I hope you are having a great week this week as fall begins its approach. I've seen pumpkins for sale already and some beautiful mums are being put out at roadside stands. I for one am ready for soups, fireside smores and boots! I'll check back in soon...







Because time doesn't stand still...

Some of you may be thinking I have gone into hiding after the loss the Aggies suffered against Alabama and to answer your question - no I haven't! However, after coming off a big weekend of wins we went through a weekend of loss and I needed time to recover. Or something like that anyway!

The truth is, we had a great time watching the Aggies battle it out with the elephants from Alabama. We just needed a little more time and I think we would've had them! But Koby's team had lost a big game the night before and two losses in less than 24 hours tends to put one down for the count! (Seems like there is something about pride coming before the fall)

Anyways, Brian and Brendan and Kamdyn had such a great time in College Station. If I had been there I would have had lots of pictures to share with you but since I wasn't this is all I have -

and there is nothing wrong with this picture but you all know I needed more!! I have decided two things - Kelly needs an iphone and I have got to teach my children the necessity of taking pictures!

Last week kept us busy and several times I thought about the need to sit down and type out a blog post but really that just sounds easier than it sometimes is. Our family seemed to be tied up most evenings and I left Thursday at 4:30 for the Lifeway's annual dot Mom conference with 11 others from our church! If I had blogged at all last week you would've known I was excited about this! We drove to Birmingham Thursday evening for some good food and shopping, two essentials on any trip where one or more women are gathered in a moving vehicle! Friday morning we made our way up to Chattanooga and began our time at the conference and oh what a blessing!

These are just a few snapshots of our weekend! Angela Thomas (top left) was an amazing speaker and if you ever have a chance to hear her or do a Bible study written by her PLEASE TAKE IT! She provided such a great challenge about the Kingdom's call for mothers and I have to say I appreciated her blunt words. Can I just tell you I am convinced that if more of us mothers would pick our heads up from the sand and take a stand for our children against the "busyness" that society seems to tell us is essential to our life well who knows what an impact we could make! So my kids will know I love the Lord, I love their father and I love them but I do not love the distractions Satan will use on our family to tear us apart.

Clearly I get a little excited about taking a stand! I will control my pressure now...

I just had the best time with some great friends from our church and we have already made plans for next year when Dot Mom will be in Nashville!! SIGN ME UP!

So I got in late Saturday night and I need to tell you that my house was clean!! Kamdyn and Brian had worked to clean up and straighten up and do laundry and I was very thankful! I am sure the boys did a little something to...the emphasis being on little! And this morning I got up and rode with Brendan to Birmingham to pick up Ellie. She hasn't been back to Columbus since they left in June and our family was SO happy to see her! We headed straight to eat Mexican food and tonight I even made her some cheese dip as friends came by our house to say hello. We snapped this picture outside tonight and I wanted to share it here with you...

Many times I have taken a picture hoping to make time stand still and this was one of them. I see it and realize time is slipping through my hands and there is nothing I can do to stop it. The boys and their girlfriends and Kamdyn looking more like a young lady than a little girl. This is God's plan, to grow them and then send them off, to be more for Him than I could ever have been myself. In them I see life and love and optimism and potential and I wonder if that is what God sees in me. If I want the world for our children how much more does God want for me?

Because time doesn't stand still I have put this picture right up front in my highlight reel of life - our children almost grown standing on the edge of all that is to come and I am reminded of this verse:

"For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:5

So, you have been caught up in a much shorter post than I imagined! I have a few more things to let you know about so hopefully this week I can make that happen. I am thankful for now for the cool fall weather and we even brought out the fire pit tonight complete with Smores! I hope things are well where you are...

Getting the "W"...

We have had an eventful few days around our home but what else is new! I had every intention of blogging Saturday and also Sunday but by Monday I realized it was just not going to happen. How excited I am to complete my goal this evening! It is a good thing I am OK with procrastination.


First of all, the floors are all in!! Maybe you don't recognize the significance of this moment in my life but just know there was a big shout of hallelujah when the floor guy finally left Friday. Brian and I are still working our way through putting everything back in place while also trying to throw some things out so it is not a completely finished project but the end is well in sight. And at the least we are walking on a real floor with normal walk ways and not on concrete around furniture scattered here and there.

Friday night we played in a home game and one of the best parts of a home game is the pep rally. It was Koby's turn to speak and I wanted to share the clip with you here:

Yes, our son promises a "W" (aka WIN) to the entire student body and staff. Nothing says confidence like that! The boys did play a great game and it was one of those close games that keeps you in it until the very end. With 23 seconds left to go we scored a touchdown that put us ahead and we WON!

Koby's enthusiasm kick started the team as he caught a pass in the end zone to put the first points on the board. It was one of those moments where I wanted not to look but looked anyway and I am certain I held my breath until he came down with the ball and the official gave the touchdown signal. I think I shook the bleachers all around me as I jumped up and down!

I was able to get this picture of him in action:

I think he was excited about the touchdown catch but he was more excited about the team getting the "W" he had promised! It was a great team effort and it started our weekend off in an exciting way!

We eagerly anticipated watching the Aggies play Saturday and thanks to technology and Brian's ingenuity we got to see the entire game. As we gathered around in our Aggie shirts we cheered the team on the entire game while enjoying some much needed family time. We were thankful for yet another win for our family!

Finally, Kamdyn's soccer team went on the road yesterday as they begin to finish up their season.

(By the way, I am certain I have sat in more heat over the last few days than I have at anytime in my life! I am praying the Lord sees fit to send fall weather sooner rather than later!)

Back to the game though... I am excited to report her team came away with a win, the second one of a very long season!

#22 played the whole game in multiple positions and received two foul calls for pushing down girls on the other team. She also came off the field after the game and asked me this: "Did you see me boxing out those girls?" By the way, boxing out is what we have asked her to do on the basketball court and I am pretty sure it is also against soccer rules much like taking two hands and shoving someone down. I am inclined to think her aggressiveness can be linked to two older brothers! At any rate I did remind her to play by the rules even when frustrated or tired, both of which she was by the end of the game.

Her team celebrated the win and I was happy for them to enjoy it! There are four games left in the season so the end is in sight - not only for games but also for the stinky shin guards that tend to smell up our car after a game.

So I am hopeful the wins we have had over the last few days will continue on this weekend! For our family we have a big football game Friday night against a team we went into 8 overtimes with last year. My heart may not take a game like that this time around!

And in case you have been living under a rock, one of the biggest games in college football history is happening Saturday at 2:30 as Texas ATM takes on the Crimson Tide in College Station!

So practice this saying with me:
"BTHO Alabama"

And as always, go Johnny go!

I'll check in with you later this week!

Unexpected Days...

Today I find myself in an unexpected situation which is proving to be a nice surprise so far! Our "floor guy" called on Tuesday to say he planned to be at our house today to put down the hardwood floors. Since Brian was not able to be off today, I am the lucky one to be at home and I have to say I am glad it fell to me!

At first I wondered what I would do all day because clearly I can't clean since I can't walk on the floors while they work! We have piled furniture in all kinds of places and I can't get to the dishwasher to unload dishes or the even at this point to the sink to wash a dish! There is some laundry but when is there not some laundry. So, here I sit blogging to you and enjoying just sitting!

So far this morning I have learned Kelly Rippa has a new hair cut, which by the way I am very envious of, and that there are many new shows coming this fall to NBC. I am planning to look through two cookbooks, which by the way seems so old fashioned since Pintrest is my recipe source right now. And, I will confess that most likely I will watch one if not two episodes of Downton Abby, which is the show I am currently addicted to.

But don't get too envious because this is how my morning started:

 

Today was the official kick off for FCA at school so Koby volunteered me to be at the school at 7:00 to cook pancakes! 

 

(In all honesty, this no longer surprises me.)

 

(Last week at the JV game I also learned I had been volunteered by Kamdyn to be the 9th grade homeroom mom and why not?) 

 

Anyways, we had 37 kids there this morning and I don't know how many pancakes that translated to but it seemed to be ALOT to me. The kids were so thankful and impressed with the wonderful "Light n Fluffy" pancakes!!

 

 

We have had some cooler weather here and less humidity, which is certainly a praise for me! However, Kamdyn's soccer team is still sweating it out in their games. Earlier this week we played in the delta and her team was able to find a great shade tree at halftime...

 

 

That would be our daughter sitting on top of the table with the bandanna around her head! We are hopeful she can last through the next 5 games. Her knee is giving her fits and the trainer has her on some stretches that we hope will improve her pain. If not, her soccer season may end a bit early so she can get some rehab and be ready to go for basketball.

 

I saw this on Instagram earlier this week and I knew I needed to share it here on the blog...

It made me laugh because isn't it the truth? I know it is at my house and I am not sure why our children think their dad can't answer questions. Here is a news flash: HE CAN!! He actually knows what I know, for the most part anyway. So to those of you who are struggling along just waiting on your precious little one to say "mama" please know they will say your name a million times more than daddy even if the say daddy first!

 

Well, I better wrap things up here! Hoda and Kathie Lee are on and multitasking has not always been my strongest trait. Plus it seems as though Hoda has accidentally given out her phone number on the show and since half of the country is calling her I may give it a try myself!

 

I hope your short week has felt shorter than mine! Why do we spend all week recovering from one day off anyway?

 

I'll be checking in over the weekend and until then here is hoping ESPN finds someone besides Johnny Manziel to talk about!  

 

 

Rest and Football

We have completed another FULL week and this morning I find myself in one of my favorite places with some of the favorite things - my Bible, my coffee, my laptop and ESPN Game Day. Yes in this moment life is good!

Kamdyn's team played two soccer games early this week. Both times her team came up short and she came off the field tired, sweaty and ready for Motrin. I have said before that I am so thankful soccer wasn't a big sport when I was growing up. Track season for this chubby sister was enough! I can't imagine the amount of running that soccer requires.

(I have some friends who might agree)

 (Hallee you are one of them!)

Anyways, Kamdyn does a great job and keeps up well. Her team has 5 games left and I am hopeful the Lord sees fit to bless us with some cooler weather as we endure these final five games over the next three weeks because let me tell you so far soccer season has been HOT!

Thursdays are chapel days for our elementary students at school. Every year I have my cheerleaders and some football players and basketball players speak at elementary chapel. My hope is that the older kids realize what a responsibility they have to be true examples to those coming behind them. I also like for the kids to think about what a true hero looks like. In today's world so many "stars" give an example I do not want my children to follow and challenging the kids to really put thought into being a hero hopefully helps them as they look at the world around them.

So, this Thursday was our turn and here is the group that led:

My cheerleaders do some fun chants and silly songs with the elementary kids. In between the songs and chants, I have the leaders come up and share from the Bible their favorite verse and what it means to them. I will be flat honest and tell you it stirs my heart to see young people hold their Bible and proclaim God's Word! It gives me chills every time and I was especially proud of this group!

Their verses came from the Old Testament and New Testament. They shared struggles and challenges. They shared the Word in a way where kids younger than them could see that there is importance and relevance when you read it. They were heroes in that 35 minutes!

Thursday night was our first home Pee Wee and JV football games. The school was in need of announcer for the games and look who they chose:

Yes sir!! Koby was the game announcer for both games and he did an amazing job! I might possibly have threatened him to not embarrass his father and me and reminded him to be sure to speak clearly but I was truly so proud of him. If you know Koby you know he doesn't lack entertainment skills so I think this was something he really enjoyed. A crowd of people and him on the microphone was most likely a dream come true!

As our little Pee Wee team wrapped up their game with a truly amazing play by our quarterback I heard Koby say, "and that was Carter Putt with a Johnny Manziel play as the Rams score to pull ahead". Yes, that is our son and Gig 'em!

Last night we played on the road against a team we just can't seem to beat over the last few years. This was not a district game for us but Koby and the boys called it a "statement game".

I snapped this quick picture of some of the team as I was on the field helping the girls get the sign ready. It made me think of how hard it is to know you are the underdog, the one nobody thinks is good enough. The truth is, Satan would like us all to believe we aren't good enough, we aren't worthy enough for the mercy and grace our Father provides.

Just like these boys would be tackled over and over in the game, Satan tackles us in life over and over. I was so proud of Koby and the team as they got up every time and kept their eyes on the end zone and I was reminded of Hebrews 12:2 where the author reminds us to "let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...". The devil wants us to loose our focus, to quit in the middle of the game of life. Our team came up short last night but they did not quit! They did not loose their focus! That challenges me in my daily walk with Christ. Satan will tackle me from time to time, but I have to keep my eyes on Jesus, the author of my faith.

And so this morning, here I sit with Herb, Corso and the gang. I am ready for some rest and college football! I will cook the family a big breakfast when they all finally get out of bed around lunch time and we will have something amazing for dinner as we celebrate the start of our beloved Fighting Texas Aggie football season! I have big plans to look up pintrest recipes and maybe even cook them over the next few days!! I might possibly do some cleaning and will certainly do lots of laundry but the bright side is I have a bonus day to get my tasks done and praise the Lord for that!

I hope you enjoy your long weekend! Gig 'em Aggies and Go Johnny Go!

Let's Talk Numbers....

Hello - my name is Kristy and I write a blog, at least every now and then when life isn't throwing constant curve balls.

I am finally sitting down tonight to catch everyone up on life in the Bailey home and I think the best way to do that is to talk numbers with you! In the past THREE weeks, we have encountered FOUR water leaks in our home.

When you have this many water leaks, this is what your bathtub looks like! Deer antlers mixed with scarves and hunting clothes and Sunday dresses are all filling up our master bath tub. The leaks have kept us moving furniture around, pulling up carpet and throwing away the things you find when you are forced to clean in ways you might rather not!

In other exciting news, this week I drove over 500 miles to watch Kamdyn's soccer team play TWO games. Please let me share my view from the game on Monday:

There is nothing like watching a soccer game from BEHIND a chain link fence! While her soccer team continues to struggle to find their pace, Kamdyn has improved and it has been fun to see her hard work pay off on the field! I am always amazed at TWO things - how far she can kick the ball and how she seems to have her mother's speed.

Every day that I check the mail Brendan seems to get at least FIVE pieces of college mail. Earlier this week I snapped this picture and posted it on Instagram with #keepingthepostofficeopen because I am confident that what colleges are spending in sending him information and letters and scholarship opportunities is directly putting enough money in the post office to keep it open on Saturdays!

He is still undecided but leaning towards doing ROTC through the University of Alabama. We continue to encourage him to seek the Lord's guidance on this decision, partly because it would be hard to move our Aggie son into a crimson dorm. However, should the Lord lead him to Tuscaloosa there is no doubt we would support that decision and in the end I would secretly be thrilled because that's a short ONE hour drive for me.

Friday night was our first home football game! As far as the numbers go let me just say it was 90 degrees with a 110 humidity and I don't really think I am overstating that fact. Or I might be but it truly was hot and also not good for my hair! I'll be blogging about the start of football season in a separate post but I couldn't skip posting about the game and especially #25!

 

Koby is playing wide receiver this year and on special teams. I was able to snap this picture when he came by the sidelines to spray himself down with water because as I mentioned earlier IT WAS HOT!! Our team played a great game and in the end the numbers on the scoreboard said it all...

WE WON 46-8 and that is a great way to kick off a season!

I am not the only one who put up some driving miles this week! My parents were able to spend some time with us at the end of the week to see Kamdyn play soccer and cheer at the pep rally and Koby in his first football game.

Gran came through for the kids as always - bringing them snacks and some of their favorite drinks! It means so much that they would drive so far to spend just a little time being a part of our kids lives.

So, the numbers in our life are big and small as I fill you in on what has been going on around here and this week will be more of the same. Kamdyn has two soccer games, Koby plays on the road Friday night and Brendan starts his two college classes. We are planning for new flooring to be put down this week so that means we will literally turn things upside down around here!

I hope the heat is not keeping you down and that you are all adjusting to being back to school! Talk to you soon~

Picking up the Pieces...

Time has definitely marched on since my last post, some days quickly and some days not so much. Right before we left out for the retreat we had a water leak in our house that pretty much ruined our flooring in the hallway, master bedroom and master closet. While I went off to the retreat my dear, sweet husband dealt with the insurance company, home warranty folks and the plumber.

I hate I missed out!!

Since that day, our home has become pieces of what it was before the leak. Our floors have been ripped up, there are holes in the wall from where the plumber had work on the pipes and furniture and clothing have been moved everywhere! Let me clarify that I did't live in a spotless house pre-leak because thankfully God did not give me the OCD gene and I am not for one minute upset about that. I can live with a little mess here and there, especially with three teenagers at home and our house serving as the hangout for them and any friends. However, the chaos that we have lived in since that leak is starting to rattle my cage and picking up the pieces has become the new normal around here.

Not only have we had the initial leak but we have also had two more since then. Let's just say I have new appreciation for a plumber and the ability to just turn on hot water anytime I want! I will be posting pictures of our less than peaceful home later this week... you will not want to miss out on those!

We have also said goodbye to summer at our house!

These are just a few of the highlights of our summer! The kids were thrilled to visit the official Duck Dynasty headquarters (along with half of the southern U.S.) at the end of June as we made a quick trip home to visit before things got really crazy in July. Koby loved time spent fishing and Brendan learned to have a little fun on the boat with Kasey and John. Our family also had a great week of memories and fun with my extended family earlier in the summer at the beach. The time spent there with cousins and sisters was worth every penny...and the bonus stomach bug!

Koby has enjoyed his travels over the summer to the mission trip and Super Summer, Brendan has been to see Ellie twice now and Kamdyn has been to more camps and sleep overs than we could have imagined! I do believe I was somewhat thankful to see the start of school come just so our family could all fall back into a schedule and routine. Chaos abounds in our home (please see the above paragraphs on the water leak) but it is nice to have that chaos in a routine that is familiar.

So, here is the crew on their first day of school this year...

The top picture was taken on Kamdyn's first day of Kindergarten, making Koby in second grade and Brendan in third. This year she is a freshman, Koby is a junior and Brendan is a senior. Please pause while I dry my eyes with a BOX of Kleenex!!!!

Sometimes I look at one of them and see those childhood faces and that is when it hits me that God gave Brian and I such responsibility in raising them, loving them, growing them into disciples that will walk with Him. There are so many pieces to their lives that I can now see God putting together and it is amazing to watch Him work. I am looking forward to all that this school year will bring as Kamdyn kicks the soccer ball, Koby takes the football field and Brendan gets back into the gym to prepare for basketball season.

Last night everyone piled up the books to start on the first night of homework and Kamdyn posted this on her Instagram page...

That is a picture of her pile of homework, complete with emojis and hashtags (AKA the number sign) to convey her excitement. This was after she got home from cheer practice and soccer practice to which I said, "welcome back to school sweetheart!" and didn't say, "remember when I told you it was hard to EVERYTHING?!".

As life continues to march on at our house, some pieces fit better in the puzzle of life but some have began to fall away. I would ask you to pray for my family as we walk through one of life's valleys. We sang an old hymn way back when I was growing up that has become something I find myself clinging to now...

I need thee Oh I need thee
Every hour I need thee

I am learning that in order to pick up the pieces in the valley I need Him every hour and isn't it just like God to remind us He never leaves us, never forsakes us, and walks with us even through the valley?

I hope to do better at writing and I still have so much to share with you about the kids and school and good books and life. So until then I hope you see God meeting you where you are - be it on the mountain peak or in the valley - and that you will trust Him to pick up your pieces.