Sharing day at CBS

I mentioned Community Bible Study in my last post. At the end of each semester, the kids sing and share with us the bible verses and songs that they've been learning all year.

Here's a small sampling of their talent:



B

But, what's funnier is the faces of my children... They are SO funny!

If they aren't being over dramatic, they're being over board or under interested... either way, they keep me laughing!

Romans

I attend a (wonderful) Bible Study on Thursday mornings called CBS (Community Bible Study). It's a national organization that has been around for years. My mom has been involved with it since it's inception in the Birmingham area (around 26 years), so I've been exposed to it most of my life. This next school year, we will spend 30 weeks studying the book of Romans. This morning, it's raining, Josh and I had a date night last night, he's still in bed, and the kids are up being low-key. I fixed me a cup of coffee and found some much needed time in the Word. If I was being honest, I just don't do it enough. Sure, I have little devotional books, programs on my phone that allow me to read and listen to the Bible, and even have scripture hanging on the walls in my house. But, I've been dry lately. Busy, drained, filling into others, and not taking care of myself. It happens, but it's not something that I want to be a regular thing. Yesterday, I heard a quote from Max Lucado, "The ripple of today's lie is tomorrow's wave and next year's flood. Be like Jesus and tell the truth!" That stuck with me. Not in reference necessarily to a lie, but about me and Josh. We're busy. Most weeks, we just co-exist. Two jobs, several ministries, three kiddos, after school activities. We live in the same house, but aren't always interacting with each other. We check in often and make sure each other is ok, but we really are just floating by each other some days. I heard this quote and it made me be concerned about our relationship. I know it is not healthy to assume each day/week/month that we are "just busy" and that our relationship is ok (it is, by the way). My point is this, days build into weeks build into months build into years.  If we don't give it daily attention, before we know it, the problem could be bigger than "we're just busy."

So, I also thought about that in my time (or lack of time) spent in God's word lately. I decided to read in Romans for a little prep for next year's study. Do you know what happens to people who "do not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God?" (Romans 1:28) They "become filled with wickedness, evil, greed and depravity... Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant and boastful... They invent ways of doing evil, the disobey their parents, they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless." (Romans 1:29-31) And "Although they KNOW God's righteous decree, they not only CONTINUE to do these very things, but also APPROVE of those who practice them." (Romans 1:32) So, here I am on a random, rainy, baseball game cancelled kind of Saturday, and I decided to dig into the Word. The Word that is living and active. The Word that is breathed by the Spirit of God and can divide bone from marrow. I opened it, and I was so deeply reminded that I am not in it enough! Senseless? Gossip? Greedy? These things happen when I decide it's not WORTHWHILE to retain the knowledge of God. Ouch!

Ouch!

So, I now have no excuse. I asked for His words to impact me. I asked to read something that I felt was real. That's what I got. Wow! And, as I proofread, I realize that I said my kids were being low-key for a Saturday morning. Well, that was a very temporary luxury. Although, the husband in the bed thing? That hasn't resolved itself yet :)

what does Laura do when Caden is playing baseball?

I'm glad you asked! Laura has decided that next year, dance is not for her. She loves the ballpark and (for now) says she wants to play softball next year. For now, we just enjoy our time at the park!

seven... really?!?

Caden turned 7 this week! I really can't believe time has moved this quickly. Next thing I know, he'll be 17... We've had our ups and downs this year with first grade. Most have them have been ups, but just learning how to raise a boy... it's hard! He's silly and strong, sweet and sassy... I had lunch with him one day and realized just how underpaid teachers are. Those kids burped, farted, spit, giggled and did just about anything they could do to get my attention! As frustrating as it can be, it's a constant reminder that it is the most important job on the planet. If Josh and I don't do it, who will?

Here are a few pictures from Caden's big day.

What were we thinking? A trampoline :)

His birthday was on a Monday, so we did the trampoline Sunday afternoon, so that he could enjoy it!

He was so surprised!

Handsome fella!

We woke him up with doughnuts and a celebration!

All of our extra time is spent at the ball fields these days, so a double stuffed cookie cake was definitely the only way to go! 

Thanks to MeMe and her love for Pintrest, we had cute party gifts. And, thanks to Sam's, we put 25 gifts together for about $15!

We've never had a big party for Caden before. He's usually had a few boys stay the night and we'll hang out and let them play. This year, Josh and I wanted him to have something different. He was so excited! We've learned a few things about parties once the kid is in school. 25 invitations don't last very long when you have 7 cousins and friends from school, church and baseball... We let Caden completely create the guest list. I know that we weren't able to invite everyone we wanted to, but we are SO thankful for everyone that was able to make it. The rain (a lot of it) came down just as the party started, and we were so thankful that we had gone the route of an inside activity! The staff at Pump it Up was outstanding! You get what you pay for. Everything was thought of and included!

The mad dancer schooled the instructor... "Ice cream and cake...."

That's a lot of hot air...

Caden- wise, funny, and lover of his mama!

He is Risen!

This Easter was one of our memorable days ever. Caden and Laura Grace had both asked Jesus into their hearts this past year. They were both asking questions about baptism and our Pastor had talked about having a service on Easter. Josh is an ordained minister (long story for another post-- he was asked to conduct a marriage ceremony a few years ago and so he was ordained...) So, when it was time for Easter to come, that our kids wanted to announce their faith and to be obedient in their act of baptism, Josh was able to be the one to baptize them. It was such a special opportunity!

We woke up and did Easter baskets

And then we took the obligatory family picture before church

Then Laura Grace was baptized. She had to go first because Caden had to see what it was all about before he was fully ready to commit...

Then it was Caden's turn

After church, we had a fantastic day of family and friends at John and Terri's. We just completely are blessed beyond words. We love that we can spend Easter with family from every side and every type of friend. If you live in our neck of the woods and don't have a big-fat-not-really-greek-family to spend your holidays with, please call me! You are welcome!

Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from egg hunts... You'll have to check out my facebook page to see the rest of them :)

2, 5, 6

These kiddos are growing and getting bigger everyday. Caden is about to turn seven and the littles are holding strong at 2 1/2 and 5 1/2. I know that Easter morning is always crazy at our house. I was concerned that we'd never be able to get good pictures of them dressed up for Easter pictures, so we took a little trip this afternoon to take some pics. We didn't get a ton of pictures because the bugs, and the sun, and the toddler... but, you know how that goes :)

these days

These days are BUSY! I haven't posted in forever, and I honestly hope to go back and post a little bit about birthdays and holidays that have past in the last 6 + months since I've blogged.

I am really focusing lately on finding a balance. As a mom, I have a tremendous amount of pressure on me. I work, I keep a home, I raise three little people. It's not unusual for me to feel scattered or frantic over what needs to be done next or what hasn't been taken care of yet. I have found that this feeling leaves me constantly unsatisfied. or stressed. or a crazy, hot mess! So, I'm trying to slow down. It doesn't mean that we don't have three baseball games a week, or dance practice, or praise team practice. Some weeks I wished it did, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about enjoying the time that I have. Enjoying the time I spend in the car with my kids, the late night catch up talks with Josh, the coffee visits with friends. I can choose to enjoy the time God has given me and do as much as I can with what I have, OR I can stress and fret and freak out.

So, the dishes might not get done this week, the laundry might pile up. But me? I'm taking it one day at a time and trying to reach out where I can. Be more aware of where God has me and the things He's asking of me.

"Your beauty should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."-- 1 Peter 3:3-4