Multiply? Already??

This past Sunday night in small groups, we had to bring up the subject of multiplying. For those of you that aren't familiar with the term, basically, instead of having one huge group we are breaking up into 2 smaller groups so that we can both grow. Using the word, "spilt" sounds negative, so we are using the word multiply because we want to grow within the new groups. We have already grown within our original group. We started out with 26 people (with kids) and now we have 44 people, if everyone comes!! Our group is so huge that we can't invite anyone without them feeling like they are visiting a three-ring circus!

So, we had group Sunday night, but I was upstairs with the little ones. I fully expected the meeting to go long...I don't know why my faith was so shallow, but I did expect to be up there for the long haul. After about 20 minutes (it could have been longer, no watch) a parent walks in, smiling and says that they were finished. Finished? Are you kidding me? They figured out how to divide up our group that quick? It was awesome. Not one hurt feeling (as far as I know) and no one was throwing fits...well, the kids might in April when they figure out that their best friend is in the other group, but we can fix that with lots of sleepovers!!

I'm so very excited. Our small group church went from 44 people (that are busting out of my house!!) to 22 people (that is kids and adults!) in a very short amount of time. We won't meet in our "new" group until the first Sunday in April. We still have a month with our giant, not so small group, but we love it. But I want to know.....how did it happen?? Honestly, I am totally giving every bit of the credit to God. I know, I sound like a person excepting an Academy Award. But really, my stomach was in knots to think of all of the possibilities of how things could go wrong and how we could hurt feelings. I mean, you know, we are human and half of us in the group are women. But God stepped in and did his thing. He gave Aaron the ability to lead the meeting in the right direction with the right tone. God gave everyone loving and receptive hearts. Oh, and he gave me the patience to be upstairs and not want to be all in the middle of everything, just because it was a big deal and MY husband was in charge....you know how we women can get. It was great. We divided the group up geographically and the families that didn't really fit into that category, just picked what was easiest for them, kid and driving wise.

MAN! God so provides when we think that we are going to do things that are hard. Honestly, is it hard taking a big group of people and putting them into 2 smaller groups? No, but God was there to guide our group to make the transition so effortless. We so want to over think situations and if we just hand things over, God will provide.
Now we just have to figure out how to feed our group for the next 4 weeks...I'm thinking Pizza Garden!

Short Visit and the Vols!!

Aaron's mom flew in last Wednesday for a short visit. The kids were so excited to spend time with their DD. Aaron and I were excited to go out with just the two of us while the kids were in bed while DD stayed at home with them! The hard part was that when DD got off the plane she didn't feel great and then spent the weekend in bed sick! Yuck! It's no fun to go for a visit and be sick the whole time. She stayed in bed and did what she could around the house, but we mostly just wanted her to feel better.

I had to post this picture because Parker was being such a little ham!! Just a grinnin' and in a great mood. Little did we know, the kiddo has a double ear infection!! He ran fever all weekend and I took him in and confirmed what we thought might be true. It's so weird though...not one time has he tugged at his ears or anything! What a trooper, that Parkerman.

As like always when DD visits, we take on a project. This visit we decided to paint Parker's room. We are going with a Tennessee Vols theme. I know, I know...but it will look so very cute and little boyish when we finally get it done! We painted the ceilings and walls white (no, they weren't already white, they were builders eggshell, which now looks so very dirty compared to the white that looks so crisp and clean!) and installed a chair rail and painted Vols orange below the rail. And yes, there is a color called Tennessee Vols Orange, so we are official!!! When we get everything done, I'll post a picture. I still have to paint his little attached bathroom and order his bedding!! It will be a Vols explosion, but what else do you expect??

On another Vols note...the game last night was so sad. They did sooo great on Saturday night beating #1 Memphis, but I think it was just tooo many big games in a row and they couldn't hold out to beat Vandy. Oh well, at least they can say that they were #1 for about what? 29 hours or something like that?? Go Vols, anyway!!

The REUNION!

Miss Grace's memorial service was beautiful. Many people got up and spoke about her kind and gentle spirit and her wonderful ways with children. My favorite part was seeing all of the people that came to remember her legacy. Many of Josh's high school friends came to support him, my brother Jeremy included. It was nice to see those guys. My childhood friend, Margy, from Nashville came, along with hundreds and hundreds more. The Downtown Church of Christ was full.
Above is a picture of me and my sweet siblings. Jon, Jess, me and Jer. We couldn't remember the last time we all just sat in a photo with just the 4 of us...I bet we were in high school, maybe.

The kids love their Uncle Jon and he was a little overwhelmed by their love for him!!

Parker and Jonas love rolling the pool balls with the dogs...they roll them and the dogs chase them and bark at them. It's pretty funny.

Susannah and Jesse are best cousins. They played and played. This is them dancing...it was so sweet!! We are home now after a quick trip, but we are so thankful that we went!

Beautiful story...

My dad sent me this story in an e-mail (even though I'm here at their house....I guess he could have just read it to me outloud!) and I thought it was beautiful. Take a minute out of your day and soak it in this Monday morning.

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?' The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.'

Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?' The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.' Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said goodbye to son.

She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else.. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom..'

She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.' Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house.

She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter.

The letter said :

'Dear Mom,
I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.
Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important.
That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you goodbye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.
Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone.. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?
Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

Baby Paisley and her reunion

After much prayer, Mike and Shellie have decided to let Paisley go be with her Creator. Please continue to life them up in your prayers. I know these are going to be hard times for their family.

Also, I am driving with the kids to Searcy for Miss Grace's memorial service tomorrow after church. Our Grace said another neat thing today in the car. "Mom, do I get to go with you to Miss Grace's reunion service?" I LOVE that...not her memorial, not her funeral, her REUNION, with her Lord and Creator. Miss Grace is holding sweet baby Paisley. That is a reunion that brings me joy!

Miss Grace

Our dear family friend, Grace Brewer, died peacefully this morning about 10. A wonderful woman that lived a truly wonderful life. I'm so very thankful that she was a huge part of my life. I feel so blessed. As our Grace said, "She is baking her famous yeast rolls in heaven with the angels now!"
This is the e-mail that I got from her husband today.

Dear family, friends, and prayer partners,

The journey has ended.

THE journey has begun.

Grace passed away this morning around 10 a.m. God answered our prayers and her passing was gentle, quiet, and peaceful.

Rachel arrived last night, and Grace opened her eyes to see her. Then she went back to sleep until her passing.

We've been surrounded by friends this morning / afternoon who -- like us -- are grieving joy.

You have been with us throughout this journey. We felt your prayers and support from the beginning to the end. Believe this, now, with me -- our prayers for healing have been answered by a merciful God who has supplied Grace with an incorruptible body. I imagine when next we meet, she'll have a couple of babies sitting on her lap. Now she, along with Jesus, her mom and dad, and all the other saints who have gone on before, awaits us on the other side.

Grace wanted me to share with you this line by one of those saints. It may not be quoted perfectly. It's how she lived her life:

"We're living in the land of the dying, and dying to get to the land of the living." -- Marshall Keeble

If you would prefer, Grace recommended that memorials be made to Camp Wyldewood, Box 1255, Searcy, AR 72145. She suggested that a lot of flowers would not be needed for the memorial service, which will be Monday afternoon at the Downtown Church of Christ. Flowers are for the living, she often said. She smiled yesterday when I showed her the single rose that one of our elders brought for Valentine's Day.

God is faithful. He redeems us from the grave and makes us whole. Rejoice!

Love you all,

Rod

Prayers for my friends

Please pray today for my friends Mike and Shellie Salza.
She went into labor Tuesday night and had her baby Paisley Diane on Wednesday morning. Shellie was 23 1/2 weeks along and the baby was born at 1lb 7 oz. Shellie is sore but doing ok (had a C Section) Baby Paisley needs lots of prayer, this week is very critical for her. She was transported by helicopter down to Children's hospital in Denver (the live in Ft. Collins.) They are most concerned about bleeding in the brain. So far the ultrasound they did Wednesday did not show any, so that is a blessing. Shellie was discharged yesterday, 2 days early so that she can go to Denver. Paisley is in surgery right now to repair her heart. Please pray for this tiny baby and her family. I'll keep updates posted here as I get them.

My Favorite Valentines!!

Grace decided to do her own homemade valentines this year. They were so sweet and thoughtful. On the back of the teacher valentines, she wrote little personal messages. For the computer teacher, she wrote, "I love your computers." For her P.E. coach, she wrote, "I love your gym" and for her very favorite, Mrs. O'Neal she wrote, "I love YOU, Mrs. O'Neal!" It was cute and she did it all on Monday...I was pretty impressed. All I did was take pictures!! That is my kind of valentine help!!

Sus is getting so good at her handwriting. I would write out the name and then she would copy it onto the Valentine. She did a great job and we can read all the names...not bad for a little one who is in the 3 year old class at school!! I was very excited that she wanted to write them by herself...she is turning into a little student.

We ordered Valentine Pizza last night from Papa Murphey's. I know, it wasn't Valentine's Day yesterday, but it was a church night so we didn't have a lot of time. I taught the 2 year old class...so much fun...I love those little ones!! Aaron led singing last night and I heard he did a GREAT job!!

This morning the family ate pink cinn. rolls and had pink milk! A great start to a fun Valentine party day!! Hope that you enjoy your Valentine's Day with your favorite Valentine!!!

I'm sooo pumped!

Okay, if you know me, you would know that it doesn't take much for me to get excited about things. But today, I am really excited. First off, my friend Jill, did this beautiful blog design for me. I realized that I have been staring at the same template almost 3 years on my blog! WOW! So, Jill did this great make-over and I just love it. She did it just like I wanted it and better!! You have to check out her other stuff and if you have something else in mind, I know she can do it....she is a talented friend!

This is what I'm REALLY pumped about. Not that I'm not about my new blog design, but I just came from the church building and I'm sooo excited! We have just been up to our ears in the nursery at church the past few months. Parker's bible class (18-24 months) had 17 kids in there on Sunday! That is a LOT of kids!! What a great problem!! I love it, a growing church! A whole new generation of children that we can teach about Jesus. So, we are splitting up that class in 2 weeks. That solves that problem in bible class, but the nursery is still just crazy. So, I just went up to church this morning and talked to our children's minister, Kipi, and she made it happen. Poof! She made some calls, talked to some people and starting THIS coming Sunday, we will have 2 nurserys. One for the older babies (the walkers, 18-36 months) and then one for the babies. So, now we just have to find people who are willing to serve. I'm excited about all the growth that we are having. I'm so thankful that we have a staff at our church that can help us problem solve and do it quickly!!

Update on Miss Grace

I know that many of you have sent me e-mails asking about our dear friend, Grace Brewer, and how she is doing. I know that their family does thank you for each and every one of your thoughts and prayers. Our internet has been out for a few days so I just got e-mail from her husband, Rod, this morning. What wonderful and loving partners that Mr. Rod and Miss Grace have been all of these years. I'm praying for peace and no pain for our dear Miss Grace.


Dear family, friends, and prayer partners:

The journey is winding down.

I wrote that line at 11:00 this morning and

for one reason or another, couldn't think of

the next line.

Now here it is after 6:00 p.m.

Maybe I can get beyond that morning phrase "winding down."

The nurse visited twice this week.

Both times she reported that Grace's blood pressure

was good, her lungs were clear, and her bowels are moving.

Grace, however, has not eaten since Friday, Feb. 1.

She hasn't been able to take much water either.

She tends to choke on it and spit it back up.

(Around 3:30 today, she took a couple of oz of water I dipped

and fed to her with a straw; then she ate 5 crushed ice cubes -- a total of 4-5 oz, approx.)

Three times today and her last trip last night, she fainted on the potty.

After the last trip, I put a diaper on her. I hope that's going to be less stressful for her.

Her mind isn't "there" very often -- she's in a fog most of the time.

Last night I read her the emails and cards from yesterday,

She listened with her eyes closed. I'd nudge her

and remind her whose email or card I was reading.

She'd nod, okay.

(Beckie W, Julie B, & Colleen O -- Grace heard your words -- what beautiful expressions!)

----

Her strong heart and lungs are keeping her going.

I don't think she's in pain.

But she's ready to go home.

And I'm ready to place her hand in the hand of the Father,

at the time of his choosing.

In the meantime, I will sit and talk through the fog,

and tell her how much I love her and how many

men and women she's displayed the love of Christ to,

and take care of her needs.

Thank you for your continued prayers, cards, emails, etc.

Love to all!

Rod

Super Cool Blog Designs!!

Okay, ya'll....My friend Jill is designing these really cool blog headers and you can enter here at her blog- Jilly Blog Designs
They are super cute and if you go and comment tell her that you read about it here so that I can get 2 entries!!! Can you tell that I totally need a new header??? I love #7, but I think I would love to learn how to do them and make a big state of Texas on mine....any suggestions??? Until then, click on over to Jill's Blog and check them out!!

The jammies are off!

Parker wakes up just a few minutes after Aaron and Grace leave the house for school in the mornings. Usually around 7:50am. I then have about 3 minutes to run and get a cup of coffee from the kitchen, and just sit down at my computer when I hear his sweet little voice on the baby monitor. "Mama, Mama" and I run up to get the little thing. I have to tell you, I am not a morning person (at ALL), but hearing his little voice and then seeing his big grin when I open the door...well, he is changing me, for right now anyway. I'm sure I will return to the dark side when he can get himself out of bed.

So, this morning I opened the door and there was Parker, standing up in his crib with no PJ's on. Just standing there in his diaper. It's 30 degrees outside and he is taking off his jammies? He had thrown them on the floor and was attempting to take off his (very) dirty diaper. Yikes! What a way to start a morning. I guess I'm going to have to start duct taping his PJ's on from now on so he can't get them off before I'm up there!! What a kid....I wonder what he will do next?

Incredible weather!

Are we completely sure that it is really February? I mean really, it was 76 degrees when I went to pick up Grace from school yesterday!! How crazy and cool!! Sus, Parker and myself spent the entire day outside yesterday, jumping on the trampoline and just having fun in the nice weather. When Grace got home, we jumped some more. Needless to say, I woke up this morning with SORE legs. What a great workout and I didn't even have to go to the gym and get all sweaty!!

The kids had a great time and the static was the best on Susannah's hair. I couldn't take enough pictures of them having a great time together. The great spring like weather may not last, but we are going to enjoy it while we can. Grace did her reading homework in the swing in the back yard yesterday while the younger ones ran around the yard. When Aaron got home, they all jumped some more while I fixed dinner...I wonder if their little legs ever get sore??? Ahh, youth!! he he he

Oh, Aaron wants me to clarify that Parker is not dressed up in clown make-up in this picture. He had been drinking some of Aaron's rasberry tea just before we took the picture. I just think it makes him look like he has a bigger smile!!
Loving life in warm Texas for Tuesday!!

Grossed out!

Last night we had our small groups church at our house. After bible study we all sat around and ate while the guys watched the Super Bowl and yelled at the TV. I have to say, it was a GREAT game!! The Giants came out, shut down the Patriots and got to business. Now there are 2 Manning brothers that have Super Bowl rings and MVP trophies, 2 years in a row! That is pretty cool. I know, it could have been history made with the Patriots going undefeated and winning the Super Bowl. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda... But guess what? I guess they just didn't want it as much as the Giants because that is the team with the Vince Lombardi Trophy today! YES! Can you tell that I wanted the Giants to win?
Okay, enough football for today, I promise. I could post about college basketball and how exciting it is getting, but I won't go there for all of you non-sports fans (Miss Tammie!)

Here is the thing I got grossed out about last night....
When we were getting ready for everyone to come over last night, I did the same thing that I always do....Clean the bathrooms, vacuum, scrub the kitchen down and then get out the paper supplies for group. You know....plates, napkins, cups....We have one shelf that has all the stuff on it, so I just grabbed it out of there and put it all on the counter. Fast forward to when everyone is there, the game is on, it's loud (our group has so many kids, it sounds like Six Flags on a busy day...very loud.) Everyone is getting their food, and one of the dads says, "There is something on this cup." Then the mom says, "It's oosing out of this stack of cups." My mind is racing, why would there be dirty cups in my clean stack of plastic cups? Where did these cups come from?? I didn't worry about it then, I just took the stack of dirty cups, threw them alway and got out new ones (from the package that I keep in the laundry room.)

It bugged me ALL night. I mean, what if someone actually drank from one of those dirty cups? Oh, I am so grossed out...cringing at the thought. So then I asked Aaron. Yeah, should have known to ask my sweet husband. Love him, but should have known. Last week he went around and stacked up all of the dirty cups and put them on the counter to throw away, but the garbage was full so he left them there. Then me, wanting my counters to be cleaned off (I like for my kitchen counters to be clean...it really bugs me when they aren't. Although, I don't mind my clothes being all over my bed...another story) took the stack of cups that I thought were unused from that night and put them back in the cabinet. He just thought that I had thrown them away. Not his fault at all, he was going to get another garbage bag. I was the one who put the (unknowingly dirty) cups back in the cabinet. Agggh! That is just so gross to think about still....and I did it!!
Yeah, gross. Just say it. So, this morning I went and checked the cups that I put away last night. They are clean, un-touched. I promise.

Oh, and did I mention that Parker ate so much junk, (via us, his loving parents) that he threw up ALL over me, in the kitchen, right in the middle of all of the chaos in our house last night?
I LOVE my life. For real, God gives me a reason to look back everyday and smile. After that little one threw up and we had both changed our clothes, he hugged and loved on me before he laid down to go to sleep. And for THAT, I am so very thankful.

Still grossed out about the cups and the throw up, but thankful!