World Vision Experience: AIDS

Over the past several weeks, I have helped work on a special event that is going on at our church. The World Vision Experience: AIDS brings Africa to you. The sights, the sounds and most importantly the stories. In the Experience you have the choice of four different children to follow. Once you put on the headset and step through the curtain, you are that child. Some of these stories are more graphic than others, but they all give you a real sense of what it is like to walk in their "shoes".

Christian and I went through Emmanuel's story. He was 3 when his story starts. He knows that his father died of "THE sickness" before he was old enough to remember. He lives with his brother, Fred, and mother in a small hut over looking banana fields. Around the age of 5 his mother gets very sick. Fred takes her many miles to a clinic to see what is wrong with her. The workers tell him she has "THE sickness", she has AIDS. They give him some medicine and tell him how to care for her. AIDS can affect so many people across the globe, but it is harder for those that live in poverty. Without proper nutrition, housing and medical care AIDS ravages through a person's body quickly and painfully. Emmanuel's mother dies.

Fred is now the care taker...he is 9 years old. After burying their mother, Fred and Emmanuel walk many miles to see their aunt. They hope she will let them live with her and her family. She does not. She is afraid they may have "THE sickness" and does not want them around. They travel back to where their mother is buried and set up a makeshift shelter to live in. With out much food or shelter the boys have a very hard time. Emmanuel becomes sick over and over again...Fred is afraid. He talks with a teacher in a nearby village and he learns what AIDS is, how it can be contracted, how he may help his brother. When he learns you can get it as a baby he insists they travel again--to a clinic. They want to know if Emmanuel is going to be like their mother or father. They want to know if he will die. After many agonizing minutes they find out he is well...he is negative!!! By the end of this story Emmanuel is 7 years old. A World Vision worker has come into their life. They live in a real house, have clean water and can go to school. Not all of these stories have a "happy" ending, but Emmanuel did.

Going through this with Christian was very special. He was sad and concerned for Emmanuel and Fred throughout the story. He was sad when their mother died, but was so happy when he learned Emmanuel did not have AIDS. When your story is through you enter a chapel area with pictures of Africa and the people who live there. Your headphones are playing quiet music, some scripture is recited and you are encouraged to reflect on what you have seen/heard. A basket of pictures is nearby filled with children that need your help. You are asked to take one and pray over them. We picked a little boy named Samuel. Outside the chapel is a wall full of children you can pick from to sponsor. Some people like to pick one near the birth date of their own child or or other special date. Christian wanted to keep Samuel...he said that's who he prayed for and that's who he wanted to help. We talked about all the things that are different in Samuel's life and how Christian could pray for him. We agreed that some of the money he might earn for helping around the house could help Samuel get food/water, clothes or books for school. We have prayed for him each night (even though C was quick to point out that Samuel lives on the other side of the earth and he is waking up when we go to bed--such a smarty pants). We look forward to writing him and getting to know him better over the years.

Christian's eyes were opened to another part of the world. He asked some hard questions, but we were able to work through the answers. He realizes a little more just how good he has it. He made the connection that Daddy's hard work at the office every week is what pays for his food, house and toys. He said he was glad Daddy did that for him. He is grateful that his mommy is here to help him, love him and teach him. I hope he remembers this experience for years to come...I will.

Ramblings by me

I know some people still actually check in every once in awhile for cute pictures and stories. Sorry that those have been few and far between lately and they will continue to be so...WE ARE MOVING. I haven't blogged much about this journey b/c we weren't sure where it would end. After months of prayer and struggling to understand why things don't always go to our plans, we sold our house and are moving to Williamson county. We felt like this was the best way to get Christian (and eventually Baylor) the education we desire without totally breaking the bank with private school.
We began this process in Oct/Nov of '08 when we put our house on the market and moved in with my parents. I had no desire to keep the house show ready all the time and we hoped it wouldn't take for ever to sell. With moving out of the house we were able to clear out a lot of everyday stuff that every one deals with, but doesn't necessarily want cluttering up a house they are thinking about buying. To be able to live with my parents was and has continued to be a blessing. We ended up being, in my opinion, one of THE most walked through houses in Nashville...I lost count of how many showings we had. I would have driven myself crazy with last minute cleanings and we would have ended up spending a lot of time over at my parents anyway. With all the many showings we did not receive a single offer and that was frustrating. We knew the economy was bad and it wasn't the best time to be selling, but with ALL the showings we thought we would get some little something. We continued to lower our price and try to entice a buyer...It was not until July of '09 that we received our first offer. The people wanted the house for even less then what we were offering and it took A LOT of going back and forth (and prayer) before we finally accepted an offer that was still far less then what we had hoped for.

MEANWHILE...

In Feb '09 we found a plan and lot that we felt fit our needs and had begun the process of building a home. We prayed and prayed to see if this was the right decision and felt like we were making a good one. We are at the end of a street called a hammer head (like a cul-de-sac with no through road, but no houses at the end) The plan we selected was the first one I had looked at (and I had looked at A LOT) and felt my family in it. I know that may sound a little weired, but that's what is was like for me. I could see my family living day to day and it fitting our needs. The house was set to be completed in July and we felt sure our old house would sell before then. As you read above it didn't sell until mid July so we had a lot of stress and worry on our hands as to whether we would even get to buy the house we had built. We are very thankful that it has all worked out (even if it waited to the last second) and are eager to move into our new home. Closing is set for the end of August...right after the kids start school. Once again not the way I would have planned it, but still I am thankful.

This long post was mainly for me to record and remember. We (as in people) have many plans for our lives and this process has reminded me that we need to remember that God's plans and timing is not always the same as what we think should happen. He does provide and I have learned to be a little more patient and A LOT more thankful for what I have in my life. Family& friends are a lot more important than where I call home. Taking time to enjoy my husband and children is a lot more important then worrying about what will happen next. Placing my faith in God is just important period.

My 31st birthday

The night before my birthday our LG met at Las Palmas for some yummy (though not a bit healthy for you) dinner. We were going to Becca's house afterwards to talk about some Christmas service ideas and plan an outing for all of us to see all the lights at Opryland (will post pics of that event later). ANYWAY...I was surprised as could be when we walked up to her front door and saw streamers and a big Happy Birthday Christy sign. They had all been sneaky and planned a little party for me:) I have been told I'm a hard person to surprise so they all did good. My husband arranged for someone to pick up a cake and I even had a couple presents...like the comfy PJ's I'm currently wearing:) A picture was taken of me blowing out my candles, but I don't have it. It was lots of fun and I thank them all.

On the day I was woken up with sweet birthday hugs and Christian sang to me before I could even open my eyes:) Then I was taken out to lunch by my sweet friend Andrea, received loads of facebook messages and calls. My mom made us a yummy dinner and my kids helped make me another cake. My sweet husband gave me a small bronze statue of a four person family that I love!! AND $$ is always a fun present so now I just have to decide what to spend it on.

I'm a big kid at heart so it's always fun to celebrate. Thank you to everyone who made me feel special:)

I received this from MaryAnn...I'm supposed to answer these questions with only one word (even though I cheated on #8) responses and then pass it on to seven others.

1. Where is your cell phone? counter

2. Where is your significant other? work

3. Your hair color? brown

4. Your mother? quiet

5. Your father? dependable

6. Your favorite thing? family

7. Your dream last night? none

8. Your dream/goal? good wife/mom

9. The room you're in? office

10. Your hobby? Reading

11. Your fear? loss

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here

13. Where were you last night? home

14. What you're not? quiet

15. One of your wish-list items? condo

16. Where you grew up? everywhere

17. The last thing you did? dishes

18. What are you wearing? clothes

19. Your TV? on

20. Your pet? annoying

21. Your computer? laptop

22. Your mood? happy

23. Missing someone? sister

24. Your car? black

25. Something you're not wearing? shoes

26. Favorite store? Target

27. Your summer? exciting

28. Love someone? Jeff

29. Your favorite color? Blue

30. When is the last time you laughed? today

31. Last time you cried? dunno

I pass this along to:

Amy Westerman

Heather Miller

Laura Troup

Jenni Denny

Heidi Houston

Darci Belville

Kim Penna

Our typical week

I'm totally stealing this idea from my friend MaryAnn b/c I thought it was a good idea to record what our weeks were like when Christian was in Kindergarten. (One day I'll look back and think 'I thought we were busy then')

Monday: School day for each of you--Baylor, you LOVE going to school and are always excited when I tell you it's your day. We carpool with Mrs. Jenni and her boys. Monday is always my day to drive and we meet them in the Kroger parking lot. After school we come home for a little while before heading to TaeKwonDo practice for Christian--some days you're pretty tired, but you always like it once we get there. Mommy spends her time without you guys at the Y, working on her bible studies, housework and/or doing laundry. It's amazing how quickly the time goes.

Tuesday: We take Christian to school. You look so big climbing those stairs. Then Baylor and I attend a women's bible study at church. Afterwards we eat lunch with friends or meet up with Daddy. We normally stay out until it's time to get brother, make a stop at The Purple Cow for icees and come straight home for an afternoon of hanging at home.

Wednesday: Mrs. Jenni picks you both up for school. I do any of the things described on Monday and sometimes do a little something just for me (get my hair cut, read, etc). Soon I will start volunteering at a school near downtown every other week or so. When you come home we normally go ahead and do baths b/c the rest of the evening is taken up with TaeKwonDo, dinner at Chick-fil-A and church. By the time we get home it is straight to bed!!

Thursday: Baylor and I take Christian to school and most of the time stop at the Y on our way home...The grocery, Wal-Mart or the circle store (my kids name for Target) are popular stops on these days too. We pick Christian up and hang at home again until 5:30. That's when we meet up with Daddy so he can take Christian to Music class.

Friday: We've made it to the end of the week and I'm normally dragging you both out of bed. Mrs. Jenni and I trade off driving on Fridays. Baylor and I have Music class ourselves at 10:30 and we typically have lunch with some of our music class friends afterwards. Baylor, we've been taking this class since you were 5 months old, so they have all really watched you change and become a sweet little girl.

Saturday: is spent with Daddy doing whatever comes up:) Christian and Daddy do make a trip to the 'dump' (recycling center) every two weeks and bring us girls breakfast. Christian, you really enjoy school but you also LOVE this day b/c you don't have to hit the ground running like you do every other day of the week:)

Sunday: is spent at church (I teach the young 3's class every Sunday morning w/ my good friend Sherisse), having lunch with Tex and KayKay and doing dinner with our Life Group. We try to rest in the afternoon, but that doesn't always happen.

before we get to the pictures...

of school and everything I have a few stories to share. WARNING: this is long so you may not want to end up reading it all:)

First: I had so much to do yesterday that it was hard to focus and enjoy my kids starting school. One of the matriarchs of Otter Creek died over the weekend. She had a long battle with cancer and related issues finally got the best of her. She was so influential to so many. All that to say this was to be a BIG funeral. Being the head of the food committee AND on the rotation for August meant I had to be involved. So I spent Tuesday deciding what to cook and buying the needed ingredients. Tuesday night and Wednesday morning preparing the food. Both of my kids had Snoopy day(meet their teacher and SNOOP around the classroom) on Wednesday so I had to somehow get them to school and the food to church during the same period of time. In steps my good friends Tressa and Becca who both offer to help me out. I ended up dropping food off to Becca who in turn gave it to her Sister-in-law who was already going to the funeral.

Second: We had our Snoopy days back to back yesterday and even though Jeff and my mom helped it was a frazzling time for me. I felt like Baylor was totally overshadowed b/c I'm trying to get all her brothers kindergarten memories on film. She had to have sensed my frazzledness b/c the girl who went to Mother's Day Out all summer with hardly a backward glance got into the floor in tears when we tried to take her to her new class. (she calmed down quickly enough after they had to drag her into the classroom) As soon as her meeting with the teacher finished, we were supposed to already be in the kindergarten one. So I didn't get to mingle with the two year old moms b/c we had to throw Baylor at my mom in the parking lot, hurriedly show Christian his class and walk in late to the next meeting. We missed the introduction time so I don't know half the peoples names or who goes with what child. Some are from church so I already knew them, but out of the 18 kids that's only accounts for 5 (including Christian).

Third: I've been tossing and turning the past few nights for a couple reasons. One, when I have a lot on my mind it is hard for me to sleep and I knew my baby was beginning a new phase of life that takes him further out of my influence. He is going to be with some of the most godly people I know all year, but they aren't me and who knows what the future years will bring with other teachers and friends. Second, my dear sweet husband has been sawing logs like you wouldn't believe and keeps waking me up!!! I know he is exhausted right now and can't help it but I keep leaving the room to try and get some sleep. Last night when I left around 2am Christian was out of his room and said he couldn't sleep. He and I are very similar and I suspect he was nervous and that translates into hard to get sleep for him. I told him since Daddy was running me out of the room with his snoring anyway that just for tonight I would come sleep with him. We both snuggled in and slept pretty well til 6:30am (even though he is a bit of a bed hog). So now I can say we had a sleepover the night before he went to Kindergarten.

So today we had a little redo time before Christian went to school and I took Pics of the kids on the front porch with their school bags and videoed Christian going up the steps at school. This all leads to the fourth story.

Fourth: After dropping Christian off at school and doing a couple quick errands, Baylor and I headed to her friend Avery's house to drop off something and play a little. For the first time in all my driving years I LOCKED MY KEYS IN THE CAR!!! Part of that long track record was due to the fact that my two previous cars and a key code on the drivers side so I could always get in that way. But I was also very scattered this morning b/c even though I didn't cry I am affected by leaving my son at Kindergarten for the first time...so I was being a little scatterbrained. Avery's mommy was nice enough to let me use her car to go home and get the extra set of keys. Sounded like a great plan until I realized I couldn't get in the house b/c my keys were still LOCKED in my car. So I had to call my dad and ask him to meet me at the house to let me in.

You would think that would be the end of our day, but on to story number 5

Fifth: My dear friend Tara had Snoopy day with her kids today and we waved this morning as I dropped Christian off. She calls me shortly before time to pick him up and says her car is completely dead and could I bring her and her kids home...Of course I say. When I get to school people are trying to jump her battery for the second time and still nothing. They decided it is probably electrical and it needs to be towed. We get her kids car seats transferred to my car and think we are all good to go. The kids are all hungry and we are headed for the nearest McD's. After we drive a couple of miles she realizes that she still has her car keys and the tow people need them. We turn around, go back to the school and put her keys in the car as she is talking to the tow people giving them directions where to find her car. We head back to McD's, get every one's food and think NOW we'll go home, eat and be merry. The kids are being good, but complaining of hunger by this point and we reassure them that as soon as we get to Tara's we'll eat. We pull in her driveway and then she realizes (just like me a few hours earlier) that her house keys are with her car keys in the car that started all this trouble in the first place!!! Kids are still complaining of hunger and just want to get out of the car. Our house isn't that far away so we turn around and head there--assuring the children that yes we will feed you EVENTUALLY. We did finally make it to our house to eat and Tara's sister came to pick them up with an extra house key about an hour later.

That sums up my craziness over the past two days. If you have read all this, thanks for letting me ramble a bit.

BON JOVI!!!

Last night my husband took me to see my all time favorite band:) This may be a little known fact to some of you, but I love Jon and the boys!!! This was my 4th concert and I don't plan on it being my last. Jeff gave me the tickets for Christmas and we have been slowly counting the days ever since. Let me tell you that you definitely get your money's worth at their show. He played for over 2 hours and rocked the whole entire time...from the time the lights went down there was not a dull moment. LeAnn Rimes and Big n Rich made apperances too they totally rocked. You know it has to be something REALLY good to keep me up after 11pm...10pm is normally stretching it:) I leaned over to Jeff at one point and told him I was having fun and he gave me a big smile and said "I can tell". Thank you honey for letting me rock the night away and you were most definitely 'born to be my man'

GL Reunion

Saturday ended with the 41st reunion of my social club at Lipscomb. I pledged Gamma Lambda during my second semester at school. My best friend was in my pledge class and I even ended up in Europe with one of my pledge sisters the following semester. My time at Lipscomb was made better because of the girls I met through this club. Older and younger girls came together and had something to bond with There were about 40 women there for the reunion...small, but still a fun time. Danford (who has gotten married, but will always be Danford to me) worked really hard and made an enjoyable evening for everyone. What I find funny is there are quite a few GL girls at Otter Creek. Some I already knew about and a couple others I didn't. Some of us were already friends before we ever made the connection:) To top off the evening we even had two of the founding ladies with us.
Renae, me, Sydney, Debbie and Paula...in different pledge classes but as our motto says "A friend is not always a sister, but a sister is always a friend"
Me and Renae...she'll become a Mrs. in just 10 weeks:)

The Van

Meet "Carrie" the caravan...that is what my husband has named our new car. We spent the better part of three days trying to get her in our hands and here she is Christian and Baylor LOVE all the buttons. We are trying to teach them which ones are theirs and which ones ONLY Mommy and Daddy push. There is so much to learn...below you can see Christian trying out the DVD with his wireless headphones
So I do enjoy having new wheels even if they do belong to a van...it'll just take some getting used to. If you can't tell she is black and the seats are a light gray. She has automatic EVERYTHING that will either be a blessing or a curse:)

Ode to my Explorer

Dear sweet car~

You have been so good to me over the years. I had wanted you for so long...the day my dad bought you was so much fun!! He called me at school and told me to meet him on Thompson Lane. I could hardly believe it was true, but he was there to help buy you:)

Almost every trip I have taken since 2000 has been in you. You made many trips to Kentucky, Georgia and Florida with a few other states here or there. When I was a teacher you drove me to and from Madison daily. When I went on to become a Nanny you drove those 3 sweet girls everywhere they needed to go. It was you that brought our first little bundle home from the hospital and even though Baylor did not take her first ride in you she has made many others. You have driven a few friends around here or there, but there just isn't enough room inside you. We can't all be inside with either set of grandparents or Aunts/Uncles b/c we just need more space. With Christian starting Kindergarten there needs to be room for carpooling.

That is why today we have to say goodbye. All of us have enjoyed you--Christian always enjoyed looking for his blue car and now Baylor knows you by sight also. But the time has come for us to part...we will no longer be together, but you will always be remembered. Don't think I have given you up easily...I fought long and hard to get something almost like you, but it wasn't meant to be. Today I will trade you in for a car I said I would never drive, but the powers that be ( that is the one who actually makes the money in the family) had other plans and I have had to relinquish my hopes and dreams...I will always want something similar to my sweet Explorer and will hopefully someday return to my roots.

Goodbye sweet car and take care

Love,
me

These girls are what makes me happy every second Tuesday of the month. We call it Bunco, but we haven't played for several months:) Not everyone is pictured b/c some missed this night, but these girls are all AWESOME. We have laughed until we have cried, Seen babies born and more to be added soon:) I love these girls and look forward to many more fun times.

My (not so) surprise party

My sweet, sweet husband tried so hard to plan a surprise party for my birthday. Several things kept coming up and he just couldn't handle all those decisions to be made on his own. He finally caved to the pressure and told me about it on Friday. He wanted to make it special and make sure it was something I really would like. Even if it didn't stay a surprise...I had a blast! Thank you, Jeff, for always wanting to make me feel special. I love you!!!

With several changes some people were unable to make it and you were missed. The 6 of you that did go to dinner last night--Thank you. You are all very special friends and I'm so glad we both have you in our lives.
The birthday girl, Andrea, Tara and Mary Ann
The Braggs
The Laytons
The Greens

We now interrupt the Disney post for this important news bulletin:

It's my 30th birthday!! Those of you who didn't already know that is the whole reason we went to Disney when we did. Today I spent half my day doing something with my kids and church family...it was breakfast with Santa at Otter Creek (pics to come later). We had fun, but getting there always seems to be a challenge. 1st off I just need to stop volunteering to bring food. It never is done on time and it just stresses me out. I tried so hard not to this year and I still offered at the last minute. Key word there is I OFFERED...it's hard to stop myself. 2nd I need to take a chill pill and relax when it comes to my kids. I want everything to be just so and that just SO DOES NOT HAPPEN with children. I should be getting used to that now b/c I am 4 and a 1/2 years into this parenting thing, but the last minute hang ups still get to me. Christian was being his not so sunny self this morning and we were already late so I just got mad. I readily admit I probably over reacted, but that's just what I do at times like that. Jeff says I can make a choice to react otherwise...I'm trying.

The rest of my day was spent with my husband while the kids were with KayKay and Tex. I started my day off badly and it was gloomy outside...I let it affect my mood and I'm sorry to say I was pretty difficult, but he loves me anyway. We had a late lunch and tried to finish some last minute shopping. We are dying to go see National Treasure 2, but it is taking forever to come out. We'll have to save it for another date time.

So Happy Birthday to me...I may not have let this day be as special as it could have been, but I had the best birthday week EVER while we were at Disney. More pics and stories to come.

I'm spoiled

I will be the first to admit it. There are few things my husband (and family) say no to. Whether it is something goofy I want to do or something I've just set my heart on doing. They play along and humor me. I decided a year ago that for my 30th birthday (which will be Dec. 8th) it would be really fun to go to Disney World. I have never been this time of year and I have loved all things Disney all my life. I don't do into the depths of knowledge that some people I know do (Scott), but I just have a general appreciation and interest. I did several school projects through the years that involved it and I just enjoy being a kid:) I have only been 3 times in my 30 years but I would go a lot more if I could. This brings me to where I started...my sweet husband and family are taking me very soon!! (Christian doesn't even know it yet) I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I want to introduce my children to all the fun Disney World has in store--mix that with the Christmas season and you just about blow my mind. I know some people would rather jump off a steep cliff than go to Disney, but I love it. The best thing anyone can take away from a trip like this is memories and pictures help refresh those whenever you look back. I started asking for a new camera several months ago and tonight my hubby, parents and sister delivered the whole kit and caboodle. I am now the proud owner of a Canon Rebel XT!!! Now I just have to learn how to use it before our trip. (Call me Mary Alice) Although I am super excited, I kinda feel like a kid on Christmas morning that gets a really cool toy, but can't use it b/c Santa forgot the batteries. I have to charge this one until it's full so I can really play/learn:( My kids will get even sicker of seeing a camera in their faces while I practice! My newest toy...I will gladly take all tips from all you savvy photographers out there

Surprise

A couple of weeks ago Jeff told me not to make any plans for Saturday the 25th. I said okay and left it at that. Later he told me we had an 'appointment' at 5:45 and would have to drop the kids off at my parents by 5pm. Just before I got in the shower Saturday afternoon he finally told me where we were going. It was kinda a combination of treat for me and treat for him. We had dinner reservations at The Melting Pot (one of my very FAVORITE places) and then we were going to the Alison Krause (one of his favorites) concert at 8pm. I like bluegrass so don't think I didn't enjoy myself:) We got all dressed up for our KID FREE night, had an amazing dinner and fun at the concert. Below you see a picture of our friends the Shipps. Jeff didn't even know they were going to the concert (to celebrate their anniversary), but our seat were semi close and we were able to see them before the show.
Our seats were on the floor, front and center. The music was great and it was nice to have some time with my hubby. The kids had a great time with KayKay and Tex. I think KayKay would say the good time ended when Baylor decided to wake up at 5:30 this morning!! Mom had the monitor in her room since we knew we'd be pretty late getting in. I'm really hoping she ended up getting a nap this afternoon:) Dad is off to Seattle to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of UPS. Even though he is retired he wanted to be apart of the celebration and is meeting some of his old work friends out there.

10 YEARS

On Saturday I had a reunion with the group of people I spent 3 months overseas with. It is really crazy to me that 1) I really spent that long of a time away from everything I knew and 2) that it has been 10 years since then!!! I still run into some people on a semi-frequent basis, but I hadn't seen some of those people in several years. Not everyone came and I wish that I knew how some people were doing, but it was still fun to get together with those that showed up. Many had kids and even those that didn't ooh and ahhed over those that did. It was really funny to see some guys I just didn't picture around children letting little boys use their shoes as a ramp while they talked and pretended that was a normal thing. Some of our group have kept in close touch, but many of us have our own little worlds that we live in that really makes our time in Vienna seem light years away.

I was talking with one of the teachers that came along with us and he said that our group may go down in Lipscomb history as the biggest one ever. After 9/11 the interest (understandably) went down and now that people are into it again they are still trying to limit the number. We were the second group to ever go and I think that there were close to 40 of us.

We left Nashville just a few days after Princess Di was killed in that crazy car accident and we were already planning on beginning our trip in London. We were able to be there during a very important time in history. Several of us woke up early the morning of the funeral and lined up along the processional line. It is unbelievable to me that I watched the casket pass by and I could see the envelope her boys placed on it. We later watched the funeral on TV with the rest of the world and visited many of the memorials that had sprung up around town. After a week in London we flew to our new home in Vienna, Austria. Our group had an entire floor of a place called Kolping Haus...it was kind of a hotel/boarding house with a wide variety of people in residence. Four days a week our group took a train to a school near the Opera Haus for lessons in German, history, art and bible. Dr. Jerry Gaw was our main teacher, but Dr. Harold Hazelip (former LU president) came over for several weeks for bible and a local teacher Frau Ehler taught our german lessons. We had the other three and a half days to travel wherever we could by train--I spent weekends in Paris, Italy, Switzerland--totally crazy to think about now. We had two weeks that we spent as a group in Rome, Florence and surrounding cities. We also took a group trip to Prague and a mini mission trip to Zagreb, Croatia. So much history and we learned so much in our travels. We also had a fall break where we had an entire week to travel wherever we wanted...My sweet, sweet Daddy came to see me during this week. If you know me at all it should be no surprise that I was homesick. I missed my family and Jeff (we had already been dating a year+ at this point) so much. They couldn't all come, but Daddy did b/c he is the best!! We rented a car and drove all around Austria and Germany. The biggest places we hit were Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich, Salzburg (sound of Music's home town) and the concentration camp at Dachau. I'm so glad we got to experience these things together and it made the last month and a half easier for me:) This was the only year I have ever spent away from family at Thanksgiving...I think it may have been harder on my Mom, but I was till sad. There was also a group from Oklahoma Christian in Vienna and we had a big feast together. We invited our German teacher (who taught both groups) and had a great time. (We also had a big Halloween party with this group). One of the girls in our group spent the holiday in the hospital getting her appendix out--not exactly what she had in mind to bring her dad over for, but he was able to be there to help out which made it easier. A few days into December it was time to pack up and head home. No matter how homesick I was I enjoyed my time and knew I would never have an opportunity like that again. There was a nervous excitement all throughout the day as our group came closer to home. When we landed in Nashville the pilot let our group off first and it was a good thing b/c the other people on the plane would have had no idea what to do with the 300-400 people waiting at the gate:) It was AWESOME to feel loved by so many family and friends!! Jeff was there with open arms and needless to say this experience made us decide we couldn't live w/o each other--even if it was another three years before we got married:) I was reunited with my family that weekend (I think we came back on a Thursday night) and was so excited!! It's funny the little things you remember...I can still taste the first Dr. Pepper on ICE I had back in America--they don't put ice in your drinks in Europe--and the waffle I had that first night back at the Waffle House. Funny, right?!?!? My family still lived in Atlanta at this time so I eventually went back there for the Christmas holidays.

I know this has been a long trip down memory lane--thanks for joining me.

This week was...

HORRIBLE!!! For me anyway. To say I have been very sick hardly even gives you a glimpse. Starting last Saturday night I fell into my deathbed (so it felt) and started to make a climb out on Wednesday. Now I've got my legs back under me even if they are a little wobbly:) It was just the most ugly viral thing out there--so the doctor tells me. I had a fever for 3-4 days, body aches/pains, chills and sweats at the same time (if that's possible) and couldn't keep anything down for the first two days--too nauseous to move. My kids were shipped off to my parents house (THANK YOU KAYKAY, TEX & MIM) and my poor husband worked half days and tried to take care of all of us. Sherisse and Lila were even brought up in the line-up to help. Yesterday was the first day I ate "real food" in a week. I really don't remember being that sick ever and don't want to ever feel that way again!!!

One positive spin is my kids can't get enough of me now (I'm trying to tell myself that is positive:)) and my husband says I should ask my boss for a raise:):)

You're week had to have been better than that...

While I can't say all is perfect in our little world I am feeling a little better. I'm trying a few new things with Christian to try to cut down on the whining and Baylor is just going to have to grow up a bit before I can do anything about hers:) The girl needs some words!!

Anyway...big party for my sister tonight. I hope we get to embarrass her A LOT...

Got about 30 minutes of sleep...maybe 45!! Pray for my patience b/c it is thin when I'm sleepy...already been doing breakfast and our day is off and running:)

Ramblings

This is the second time in a week that I am up at 4am for no reason. When it happened last week I partly blamed my hubby with his snoring, but tonight he is quite so I have no one to blame except my overactive mind. I woke up around 2 and needed to go to the bathroom. By 3:15 I was still awake and tired of tossing so I just got up. I've been thinking about old friends a lot lately and just wrote cards to two of them. I was already thinking about people I haven't kept in touch with and I think all this Virginia stuff has sparked it even more. I wish I was better at keeping up with people after they have moved out of my daily life. I mean it's one thing when aquaitances(sp?) move on and you lose touch, but these two inparticular were very close friends...we would talk and hang out all the time and once they moved we just slowly lost touch. I know kids and life makes things hard, but I just wish I was better at it.
Unfortunately it doesn't only happen with those that move away. I've been saddened for some time now because some friendships that used to be on way simply aren't anymore. I guess the part that really bothers me is that I don't even know why. I try to do little things to keep them alive, but it's just not the same. Now I know that life just changes and people move on--there are some people we have known for years that we lost touch with (even living in the same city and sometimes going to the same church) that we have reconnected with. That is a good thing and I love it. Stuff just goes in circles like that. But this particular friendship puzzles me--things are just different and I don't know why. But just like old friendships seem to fade new ones develop. I enjoy making new friends, but it's hard to let that old 'comfortableness' go.

I know all I can do about anything is pray and tonight is just a time to get stuff out so here it goes: Dear holy God--you are my maker, my strength and my comforter. You are always there and I confess that I probably don't turn to you often enough. Thank you for my blessings--I have so many--my sweet husband and children being at the top of that list. I pray for Jeff as he nears his birthday on Sunday--I hope he realizes how much he is appreciated and loved--Even through our hardships there is no other man in the world I want to share my life with. Good times and bad he is my soul mate and I want to let him know how empty my life would be without him. I pray you help him find peace and contentment--not every little piece of his life might add up to where he wants it to be right now, but you have a plan--help him to be patient and me to be supportive. Lord, help me to be the mother you want me to be to my children--I want to raise them well and most importantly I want to teach them about you. I know I fail on a daily basis to be as patient and in tune with them as I could be. Help me remember to take time to play and enjoy being with them now because they'll be teenagers before I know it. I hear about all the sensless acts of violence in the world and I'm scared--scared for the world they will grow up in--PROTECT MY CHILDREN. I know this is the same prayer of so many parents, but I know you hear it like I am the only one. As they grow I pray your protective arms will cradle them and get them through this crazy life. I want them to be healthy, to serve you (Christian already sings your praises and I don't think I have ever heard anything as sweet) and become good christian adults. I want them to have children that can occassionally drive them crazy, but always give them joy--I selfishly would like Jeff and I to enjoy that too. Please give Jeff and I health and long life to enjoy our children's lives and the lives of their children. God I pray for my family--I am blessed to now have my parents living in the same city--literally down the road. That is AWESOME. I pray that you allow them to enjoy this new home and all the time they will now spend with their grandkids:) Be with my dad (and mom) as he adjusts to his retirement--it can't be easy to switch gears that have been running for 30+ years in the working world. Let him find new things to do and enjoy. There is so much joy to come--my sweet sweet sister is getting married!! Thank you, Lord, for bringing Travis into her life--he is a man after your own heart and we could not ask for more. Bless he and Kim as they begin their life together. Let them always keep you at the center of their realtionship. Give them both a sense of peace as graduation and wedding approach--give them strength and endurance to finish what needs to be finished and a sense of fulfillment of a job well done. Lord protect Travis as he begins his service to our country. I pray your hand will guide every helicopter he flies and mission he takes part in. Keep him safe and return him to Kim every time!! Protect them both wherever their journeys may take them and let them know this home is always open to them upon their return. My children are so blessed to have both sets of their grandparents in their lives--They love all four of them so much. Thank you God for allowing us to have this time with both of our families. Be with Nana and Papa as they serve so many on a daily basis--they bring smiles to so many that may not have gotten one that day. Be with Jeremy as he tries to finish school. Lord be with him as he makes plans for his future--make YOUR plans known to him and let him follow your path.
Friendships are really on my mind lately, God. New, old, those I see every day and those I have lost touch with. Bless my friends and their families. Help us all make time for each other and to be the friends you have called us to be. Allow me to understand that you have plans for everyone of us and we don't always know the hows and the whys.
Lastly, give me rest. I only have an hour or so before people begin to wake in this house. Turn my mind off and bless me with much needed sleep. Give me patience today and let me have fun with my children...Thank you Lord for listening to my heart...Thank you for sending your son...Thank you for being you...I love you Father, AMEN