If You Give Me Cold Weather...

There are a set of books for children I absolutely love: "If you give a mouse a cookie, If you give a pig a pancake, If you give a moose a muffin" and maybe a few more. Anyways, this week the Lord has given us cold weather and I don't mean cool! I mean COLD from Canada air and it isn't the end of October yet.

Please don't get me wrong! I love cool, crisp weather and especially this time of year when the leaves are just starting to turn colors and football season is really getting good. But this week as the cool turned cold I began to do the things I do if you give me cold weather.

If you give me cold weather, I'm definitely going to be digging out thick sweaters! If you give me cold weather I'm going to be pulling on a sweatshirt and some sweatpants and be thrilled! If you give me cold weather, I'm cooking warm foods. And if you give me cold weather, in the morning I am looking for a heater and blanket to go with my cup of coffee and devotion.

This morning, Brian really went all out and I'll forever be grateful because he knew what I needed if you give me cold weather...

...yep a FIRE!!!

{I know at this very moment my dad is dying laughing and that my parents won't turn on the heat until I come home for Thanksgiving}.

Brian turned on our fireplace when he got up early to let the dogs out so it was all toasty and warm when I made it into my sitting place with my coffee and Bible at 5:45 this morning! And I have thanked the Lord a hundred times this week for cooler, colder weather and fall because I do just love it- all snuggled up and warm!

I have also cooked crock pot meals this week. Please be impressed because it was as fabulous as it sounds! I have been looking on Pintrest for a good potato soup recipe and finally combined two to kind of make my own. The whole family loved it, which if you know my family that is nothing short of a miracle. So, here is my recipe:

In your crock pot -
1 bag (32 oz) frozen Southern Style Hash Browns
1 can of less sodium chicken broth (you can use 2 if you want it soupy)
1 pint of half and half
lots of salt and pepper
onion powder (because we don't like onion chunks)
a spoon full of bacon grease

Cook on low for 6 hours then add 1 brick of cream cheese but not the reduced fat kind because it won't melt good. Let that melt (about an hour) then your soup is ready to eat! Top the soup with bacon, shredded cheese and a bit of sour cream. Taste even better the next day.

I also cooked a roast that we enjoy making into a sandwich:

In the crockpot-
1 roast
1 can of beef broth
1/2 cup Coke or Dr. Pepper
a few dashes of soy sauce
2 packages of dry Italian/Zesty Italian dressing on top of roast
Pepperoncini Peppers (however many you would like to add)
Sometimes I put some fresh garlic too

Cook on low all day. Shred the meat after it is cooked. Serve on toasted wheat hoagie buns with melted pepper jack cheese. Use the juice for a gravy! This is a great hot sandwich for a cold night.

So anyways, that is what I have been with the cold weather here. It is supposed to be 42 at kick off of our game tomorrow night so I am wearing lots of layers!! Koby's team is playing for the district championship and home field advantage in the playoffs so it will be a big night {and I will be a nervous mother}.

I'll hopefully be blogging with good news later this weekend!

Because I Need a Minute....

I think sometimes a mother just has to take a minute. When the kids were younger, my minute was needed after the boys had sharpied the brand new couch then each other in the span of the 45 seconds it took me to change a load of laundry. I needed it again when we were in Guam and Kamdyn had pinched three different kids at play group, leaving a good mark on one of them and an impression on every mom. {I told you she was a tough little girl!}

Those days wore this mama down, and a wise person told me that those days might keep me on my feet but the teenage years would keep me on my knees. This week, that saying came back to me as I realized yet again and over and over that I needed a minute.

It wasn't so much about something the kids did in their behavior. It was more because reality knocked me off my balance as I saw each of them achieving milestones and living life. And while my heart was full of joy, I think a piece of me also longed for those preK  stay at home days that are now a distant memory.

After celebrating Kamdyn's 15th birthday, I took her to get her permit mostly because she hounded Brian and I in a way that the boys never did! And after an hour and 20 minutes of chaos with the people at the DMV {seriously, it.wore.me.out!} this is what we came out with...

...and if you think she wasn't proud then clearly you aren't seeing the smile that is covering her face! And, I needed just a minute. This is our baby, the last one going through this whole "mom, what is the shoulder of the road?" and "how far back do you honk your horn?" routine of questioning that comes when studying for the permit test. I mean, there are questions on that test that I can not answer and I am a grown person, a driver for 20+ years! Yet, here we were taking a picture I have taken two other times, celebrating an achievement in her life that puts her one step closer to adulthood and puts me on my knees, praying for her safety and discernment as she wants to get behind the wheel.

Earlier this week Brendan got a large envelope in the mail from Alabama and several smaller ones. I knew when I sorted the mail and saw the envelope that I would need a minute. I called him into the kitchen and handed over the envelopes. In three seconds he had the big one open and here is what he brought me...

...a certificate of Admission to Alabama. He also had a letter of acceptance to the College of Engineering and information about housing and blah blah blah. Honestly, it got kind of blurry as my eyes filled with tears. This is what he has been working for, checking off his goals as he has done so many other times in his life and I needed a minute. I'm praying doors open for his ROTC scholarship and that he finds a good roommate and that there will be a church that he plugs into and that he eats at least two meals a day and on and on. The Lord probably thinks I am the only one to ever face sending their first born off the college what with all the time I am spending in prayer but I know it's best to just give it to God because there really won't be anything I can do once the time comes.

This week Brendan also led the National Honor Society induction ceremony because he is the president this year. And so there he stood, all dressed up and official and grown....

...and yep, I needed a minute. As a kid he used to wear Brian's hat or boots and on this day he wore his tie and shirt. And here we are in the blink of an eye, the Lord answering my prayers for a son who would be a leader with strong opinions and an independent mind.

In Koby's life, he has been the provider of quite a few minutes for me! With is live-big-or-go-home personality I never know what is just around the corner for him. This week, he did not disappoint! I snapped this picture at the pep rally....

...as he led the junior class and football boys in the chant for the spirit stick. That's him, big #25 laid back, cheering loud, always with a group of friends. He sees no color barrier, meets no stranger, wants everyone to get along and have fun and laugh. And then as I looked through my picture download this morning I also saw this picture....

...and there he is again! Big #25, setting up the play and rallying the team and I needed a minute. This child has no fear, gives you all his heart and is loyal to the end. And so he lined up again and again as his team took one big hit after another...

...and then made one big catch, being the spark the team needed for the only score of the night. This child who keeps that twinkle in his eye, who faces giants like he is one himself.

So this post is not so much about informing you or entertaining you, although even at best I don't know that I do that really. This morning this was just therapy for my heart and maybe one day, if the internet is still even relevant, my kids will stumble across this and know their mama loved them. Their parents were proud of the work God completed in them. And in the times when they might need a minute themselves, maybe they'll know they are not alone. It happens to us all!

I don't know what might be causing you to need a minute today, but God alone is your strength, provider and sustainer in the good times and in the bad. And, if you are on the other end of the parenting spectrum, enjoy the time at home - even the sharpied couch, crushed up goldfish, spilled koolaid on a cleanly mopped floor, fit throwing, child pinching days and know one day there may be quiet but peace will only come from time spent on your knees.

Celebration Time....

For the last two days we have been on Fall Break! Two days out of school and off work is something worth celebrating for sure but when you add two late night football games to the mix it makes a day off even more enticing.

Friday night Koby's team played in West Memphis, Arkansas. This was a 200 mile trip one way and we got home about 1:00 after playing a game that was hard fought. Our team struggled to find their way and came home with a loss, but our family was already looking forward to another big game on Saturday.

After serving in our local mission outreach Brian and the boys and I headed out to Oxford for the game between Ole Miss and our beloved Aggies.

Koby and I took a picture before we left for the game in some of our new Aggie apparel!

 

Then at the Aggie tailgate we found these guys and had our "yearly" picture made with them!

 

 

 

 

The thing you can't tell by the picture is that there are tons of Aggies behind us at the tailgate! We had so much fun seeing all the game clothes that Aggies were sporting - everything from black felt hats and Wranglers to bow ties and maroon khakis. It certainly kept us entertained!

 

We headed over to make an official visit to "The Grove", which is the tailgating spot to be for Ole Miss. It is a truly beautiful setting and the tailgate tents were decorated to the 9s. I honestly was so impressed! However, it was also muddy, crowded and flowing with short dresses and alcohol so I was thankful when Brian offered for us to go on into the stadium.

 

We got to see a really great game and we were thrilled when the Aggies came up with the win. I have tons more pictures and stories I could share about our experience but I hate to bore those of you who aren't Aggies. I have to say this real quick - we did stay after the game to see the players and Oh. My. Word. They were some proud boys! We said our hello to Johnny - through the security guards - and took our pictures with the players and began our walk to the car. Finally at 2:45 we made it home! And can I say that is why I was so glad to be on Fall Break!

 

So, Sunday we made it to church and the commissary (which is finally back open thanks to Washington) and then just laid around and rested! Monday morning we slept in and cooked a big, late breakfast. Brian and I went to see Captain Phillips and it was a great movie that I would tell any of you to go see! Then we just some time at home with the kids and dogs and laundry because that's what happens when you are gone all day on Saturday!

 

And today, we are celebrating a special day - Kamdyn's 15th birthday!

 

 

It is so hard to believe that she is already 15! It seems like just yesterday that we were holding this little bundle, wondering what we were going to do with a little girl. She was perfect and tiny and coming into a home with two little boys full of energy and tricks. Fifteen years later she is still our little girl but she is as tough as her brothers!

 

I had no idea what we were getting into when we brought her home. Her closet was full of pink and dresses and Barbies that I knew she would one day love as much as me. It was evident early on that God had indeed made her in His own special way, not exactly what I had ordered but so much better than I could've imagined! She loves sports and animals and reading her Bible. She will say hi to visitors, pick up a crying baby and serve others without noticing their skin color or language barrier. In her the Lord has given us such a special gift and in the blink of an eye time has flown by.

 

I remember watching her sleep in her cradle, dreaming about all the things we would do together! And today we spent the day shopping - at her stores, on her time because she likes to get what you need and go. Before going out for her birthday dinner I snapped this picture...

 

 

...and I realized the grains of sand are slipping through our hour glass. Our little girl is becoming a young lady! So today I have prayed she will always walk the way the Lord leads, love those He loves and impact His Kingdom with the gifts He created in her. I pray she knows the fullness of His love and that she stands strong in that. I have thanked Him for her over and over, the miracle that she is. And tonight, we celebrated her!

 

So, happy birthday sweet girl! Your father and I love you and thank God for the giving us the opportunity to be your parents!!

 

And that has been our Fall Break! It is hard to believe tomorrow is "hump day" already and these short weeks tend to be longer than a five day week most of the time once we go back to school. I hope to be more regular in blogging, which I know I have said a hundred times but I really do mean it!

 

Maybe you can also look for something to celebrate today....









Homecoming 2013 and more...

Hey ya'll! I hope the cooler (and almost cold) weather has made it to wherever you are! Here in our little part of the country we have been beyond blessed since about 12:30 Sunday afternoon, when the temperature began a drastic nosedive that has kept us in sweaters ever since! Seriously, after church we went to eat Mexican food and when we got back into the car the temp had dropped almost 10 degrees and it dropped another 3 or 4 just in the short drive home. By the way, give me a rainy and cold Sunday afternoon and I will flat tear up a good book followed by a short nap! I think the good Lord knew I truly needed a day of rest.

Last week was Homecoming at our school, which is probably one of my favorite weeks of the school year. The kids love dress up days and I really like the excitement homecoming brings, minus the fact that with each one I realize I am fast approaching my 20th class reunion and honestly that just sounds so old!

Anyways, this Homecoming week was special for lots of reasons. Mother came to visit, which is something the kids have been waiting for since school started. We enjoyed her being here to make the kids their favorite foods and cheer them on at their events and get to know their friends. And for the most part, I think we kept her entertained...

Kamdyn is on the Student Council at our school and she had to introduce the guest speaker for our Homecoming chapel Friday morning. There is nothing like going through 5 dresses the night before you need one for school but that might be best left to another post!

Koby's sweet girlfriend was the Homecoming Maid for her class. He was anxious to have his picture made with her after chapel was over!

Mother got to come back to school for the pep rally since Kamdyn would be performing! This is Kamdyn with one of her best friends.

One highlight of Homecoming was Ellie coming home! We were all so happy to see her and I am so thankful her whole family got to make the trip. She was able to hang out with us at home and at school. She got to catch up with her friends and her and Brendan took some senior pictures in the pre-cold front weather Saturday evening. It was great to have her here for a few days and we already miss having her around!

And in the heat of all the picture taking after the pep rally I was able to snap this quick picture of our kids. I didn't have to force anyone or make any threats - they just stood close and truly looked happy! These smiles are genuine so I am hopeful there will truly be a day where sibling rivalry will cease - or at least have a cease fire! In that moment that the camera lens snapped the picture I also realized for me there is no more homecoming where the three will be together so I have become even more dedicated to enjoying every moment this season of raising teenagers continues to bring. I truly believe in the blink of an eye, it will be over.

 

 

Our team played an amazing homecoming game, shutting out the other team 28-0! Following the game the team stayed on the field to watch the fireworks finale, which was a treat for everyone. There is nothing like the feeling of a win on homecoming and some little part of me wanted to stand and hold my number one while singing the BHS Alma Mater. It's kind of funny the things that stick with you over the years!

 

So, we survived homecoming and all the dress up days, events and special guests that it brought. We are doing our best to get through these next few days because Fall Break is coming our way next Monday and Tuesday.

 

Brendan is wrapping up his ROTC scholarship application, breathing a sigh of relief after the ACT scores came out this week. Basketball practice has started for him and Kamdyn and she is finishing up her last week of therapy on her knee. Koby's team plays away this Friday night and we are looking forward to the Aggies playing at Ole Miss this weekend!

 

I hope all is well where you are and that you are settling into this season of fall and all that it brings! Talk to you soon.... 

 

Because it's fall y'all..

Tonight I am catching up on pretty much anything that I didn't get done this weekend. Maybe you can relate! I mean, how does the work week creep by and Saturday and Sunday are just BAM and over? I think it's why I can't stand to sleep in on Saturday mornings, unless you count this past Saturday when I did in fact roll back over after seeing 7:00 a.m. on my clock because we rolled in from our game only five hours earlier!

But Brian and I didn't have big plans for Saturday other than the usual laundry, grocery shopping and cooking that usually comes with a "lazy day" at home. We were eager to watch some college football and I was anxious to eat something cooked in my own kitchen. This time of year it seems I don't cook as much as I would like so I always look forward to a weekend at home where I can do just that.

The weather here has turned cooler and I have been so thankful! We had steak Saturday night for our pregame meal (the Aggies played Arkansas) and then I made a big batch of Taco Soup Sunday afternoon for us to enjoy.

Our boys won a big game Friday night over in the delta and Koby was so excited! This game should make them eligible for the playoffs and that was one of their goals going into the season. Here are two pictures from the game....

Koby and one of his good friends usually lead the team on to the field...

...And here I don't really understand what it is that Koby is doing, but whatever it is he is doing it well I guess! He scored both two point conversions for the team and sometimes when I see him out on the field I remember a shirt he used to wear as a little boy - "Small but Mighty". It would seem that mantra stuck with him.

I love all that fall is bringing to the table this year - favorite comfort foods, football and fall festivities such as homecoming! Now, I know I grew up pre-social media and Pintrest, back in the dark ages of passing notes in class or making a phone call where your parents might answer and figure out who had an interest in you. But can I assure you times have changed!

Tonight Brendan came in with a Walmart sack asking Koby to come outside in the dark and help him do something. Now, this caught my interest for a number of different reasons, the top of which was our boys doing something together in the dark that involved kindness in their speech and a willingness to help one another out. It was a proud moment for this mother! And then I stepped outside to the drive way...

....where we found Brendan and no less than 250 candles! Be still my Pintrest heart!!! Apparently he decided to ask Ellie to the Homecoming dance this Friday and well, why use words on paper or over the phone? I mean we have come a really long way people!!

So fall has arrived y'all! Kamdyn and I have both pulled out our boots, I am on the lookout for that perfect pot of mums and I'll be digging out the fall wreath later this week. Each times the season change I am reminded there is a season for every part of life...and right now I am thankful for this season of raising teenagers, spending more time with Brian and slowing down our pace.

{If you have a chance, click over to www.boomama.net and read a post she wrote about another way things have changed over the years. It is sure to provide you with a laugh!}

Fall also brings new episodes on TV and I was thrilled Nashville was back! Since I can't see any episodes of Downton Abby until January, I was in need of some mindless entertainment and I really do love the country music in this show! Brian and I are also tuning in to the new show Blacklist (or something like that). You know I love a FBI thriller show and will be a fan in a minute if it even remotely makes me think of Alias or 24.

I'm hoping to post pictures this week from all of the homecoming festivities at school so I'll be checking back in soon unless I get sidetracked with my TV shows.

I hope the cooler weather has made its way to you ...

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...