Wiiiiiiiiii

They finally got around to playing the Wii.  Trust me, it brings out the worst in all of them.

At least Daisy brings out the best in them!

In the Christmas Spirit

It seems that people do strange things during the holidays, like eating chocolate covered cherries, wearing sequins to parties and singing in public.  Apparently, they also buy puppies when they have sworn that they have no desire to own a dog of any sort. 

With that being said,  I proudly introduce the newest member of the Scarcliff family, Miss Daisy May Scarcliff, aka Daisy Head Maisy.

We have absolutely lost our minds.  But she's cute, isn't she?

A few of my favorite things...

• Hot chocolate WITH marshmallows.  Without it, seriously, why bother?
• Lights.  Lots and lots of lights.  But even more than the lights themselves is getting to experience my sweet husband turn into Clark Griswold in the front yard, semi-cursing and trying relentlessly to get each and every bulb to work.  Oh the laughs I had at his expense this year :)
•  The smell of the Christmas tree.  Sure its a pagan tradition, but its awesome, and it smells great.  And since God made trees, I don't see the problem.
• Cream cheese.  I mean, is there anything better?  And it seems to be in everything during the holidays.  The more the merrier.  Who cares if its not REALLY cheese?  Processed or not, its delicious, and I love it.
• Did I mention chocolate?  
• A wood burning fireplace.  I absolutely LOVE watching a fire burn.  Its mezmorizing, and the smell is great too.
• Christmas sweaters.  Still.  
• Christmas carols.  Except for the sad ones and the one about meeting the old girlfriend at the gas station and buying beer.  Its stupid, doesn't sound good and it makes me furious.  I don't know why really, but I swear I want to punch someone everytime I hear it.
• Crafts that the kids make.  They are "snow adorable".  Ah ha, ah ha.
• Not having to dust the furniture.  Everything in our living room is covered in some type of Christmas decor.  I am having a blast NOT dusting all of it.  
• Shopping.  Its fun. 
• My Christmas village.  I want to be transported to that tiny world.  Everyone there is smiling and happy.  There don't seem to be any women with buggies full of toys trampeling down the isles and huffing because you're standing in the way.  I mean, there might be those types there, but I bet at that size I could do more than just attack them with vicious rhetoric.  
• Movies.  I have watched some pretty lame movies, but they're great because its Christmas.  Im sure that they will once again become lame on December 26.
• Time with my kiddos.  Im looking forward to them being out of school.  I loved the summer, having them wake me up in the morning, so I know I will enjoy them being home during the holidays.

• And last but not least, time with the hubby.  We drink hot chocolate, enjoy the crackling fire and snuggle.  Its dreamy :)

All is right with the world...

The birds are singing.

Wrongs have been righted.

Men and women world wide are merry with joy.

It is as it should be...

Alabama is going to the BCS National Championship,

AGAIN.

 

The weather outside is frightful

That's not the only thing.   But, SERIOUSLY?!  I want it to be cold already.  Like, cold or at least cool, not muggy and 75.  Oh well, I can turn my AC down and pretend its cold out there. 

No, whats frightful is the $2100.00 bill for our brand new transmission.  I love my mini, but not $2100.00 worth.  It just happened at the worst of times.  We are leaving Tuesday for my brothers house in Florida, so we don't have time to find another one.  I mean, we can find another van, just not one we can afford right now.  And we made the terrible mistake of looking at some new ones.  Excuse me, not NEW, just new to me.  Oh what I wouldnt give for leather interior and a sunroof.  I know that sounds really petty, but I want it.  The leather because, well, the three fruits of my womb are just a tad bit messy.  Just a tad.  The inside of the mini on Madelyn's side looks like she spray painted it with pink candy.  She probably did.  Apparently she's a graffiti artist.  A couple of weeks ago she was at a neighbors house and decided to write on another house with a sharpi.  Oh yeah, I said HOUSE, as in red brick... with a Sharpi.  Not that she knows or cares what "washable" means, but obviously we've tried to get it off and no luck.  I mean, I would love for her to be an artist, just not at the neighbors expense.  I just had to go and love Sharpis enough to buy an multi color pack, didn't I? 
And did I mention that our home computer is broken?  Again.  Oh yes.  Again. 
And our garbage disposal,
And our garage door,
And our play room DVD player. 

Im not complaining though.  Whats the use?  Im too excited about the Holidays to care about such non-essentials, including the frightful weather. 
If I don't post again before then,  I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Loves!

Funnies...

I might decide to make this a series, "funnies", because it seems that on a weekly basis, if not daily, one or more of my kids says something that makes me roll.  This week it was Madelyn.

Madelyn,  "Mom, we need to go to Pennsylvania."

Me,  "Why do we need to go to there?  Whats in Pennsylvania?"

In her best you should know this voice,  "PENCILS".






Its why God gave me three children, He knows how much I love to laugh.  :)

Halloween pics

Here are some pictures of my sweet babies on Halloween.  We had so much fun trick or treating this year, meeting some of our neighbors and getting LOTS of candy (darn you, fun size twix).  Why are they called "fun size"?  Because "smaller than the average candy bar" is insulting. 
ANYHOO... look at the cuteness...

Confessions of an heiress

No I DO NOT wish to be Paris Hilton.  But I did just start the bible study titled "The Inheritance" by Beth Moore, and she quoted the famed diva. 
Some jolting revelations always come to me when I do these types of bible studies.  Here are a few that have already revealed themselves to me...

I am such a princess.

Not royalty, not snooty, not Kate on the arm of William.  I am a princess because, of course, everything revolves around me.  I've heard that this is the fault of my birth order.  In essence, the babies, the youngest of a brood, are usually the centers of attention.  In my case, there is a triple wammie at work...  I'm the youngest, I'm the only girl, and my brothers are ten years older than me.  I  am  so  a  princess.
I have matured, you will be happy to know.  Now, unlike before, even though my initial reaction is about myself, God is able to gently remind me that its not all about me, and I am able to discern (at least some times) if the situation is actually about ME, or about someone else.  Its kinda funny, all this time that Ive been thinking everything is about me, and come to find out, hardly any of it actually is.  I think I am so much more important than I actually am.  Oh, the laughs Ive had at myself. 

Paris Hilton says that its hard to be an heiress.  Is it hard being a princess?  YES, I say it is.  Being consumed with yourself if very exhausting.  I am a lot to keep up with!  Especially when I am not walking in the Spirit, which usually means that I'm RUNNING in the opposite direction.  Another funny thing about me, I do not like to do things slowly.  That's good when I'm going God's way.  That's bad, real bad when I'm not.  Take into consideration, besides the fact that I'm a princess, that I'm unorganized, scatter brained and compulsive and you'll see I'm quite the mess. I've noticed these behaviors before, and realized that they are wrong.  Why then, have I not stopped?  Why do I continue to be compulsive?  Why do I refuse to cooperate with God and let Him plan for me?

Because I'm scared.

I'm scared to death of letting go.  Like Beth Moore said, I want a wild ride, and I'm afraid that won't happen if God is driving.  Apparently the princess thinks she can do it better than the King.  That is so typical me.  I never realized I have trust issues until now.   Do I trust my friends?  Do I trust my husband's leadership?  Do I trust myself?  Do I trust God?  Really, when I let it sink in, I know that I have no legitimate reason NOT to trust God.  And if I trust HIM, I don't need to worry about trusting everything or everyone else.  So what am I afraid of?

I'm afraid of being bored.

I'm flighty, what can I say.  I like to rearrange the furniture every few months.  I like to paint rooms different colors.  I like shoes and purses and jewelery, not because they are pretty and expensive, but because I can change them frequently.  I start projects with great vigor, and let them fizzle after a few weeks because I've moved onto something else that I just have to do. I re-wash loads of laundry because I've left them in the washer and forgotten them.  I pay bills late, I forget certain food items at the grocery store, and I lock myself out of the house.  Apparently, I don't like being bored. And I realized today (thank you Beth) that when I get bored, it isn't long before sin flows.  Beth said that as a christian, if you are bored, you are not in the will of God.  I have to say I agree with her.  Been there, done that.  Of course, boredom was not the only thing going on in my life at the time, but it was the straw that broke the camels back.  I was angry at God, resentful to my husband, and trying with all my might to model my life after other peoples.  People who were more organized, who had it together, who were "excellent wives".  I was failing.  Over and over again, failing.  I realize now that if I try to be someone I'm not, I will rebel.  And since I don't do things without passion, my rebellion was big, bad and ugly.  Interesting to realize that the things about myself that have totally frustrated me my entire life, are actually the things that God uses to keep me from being bored. 

Oh Lord,      You    are   good.

I never would have thought of that.  Using my weakness to show yourself strong.  What a concept?  All that time I was trying to buck the life you gave me for what I thought you wanted.  And instead, all you wanted was for me to be me, and let you be glorified.
That might be the most romantic thing that has ever been shown to me.  Thank you for being gloriously romantic Lord! I am excited to see what else God reveals to me about Himself, and of course, about myself.

Because, I am a princess after all.

Makeup?

John Abraham ran up the stairs, jubilation in his voice, shouting "look at me, look at me mom, I'm wearing makeup!"

Of course, I was primarily concerned with how to get this red marker off of his face.  To avoid cracking up in front of my boy, I sent him into Steven's office to be dealt with by his daddy.  And, of course, Steven's primary concern was the fact that John Abraham, our only boy, was "wearing makeup."  He lectured him on the difference in boys and girls and repeated the mantra "boys don't wear makeup, that's for girls" a few dozen times. 

Obsessed much? 

If I didn't know my boy was ALL BOY I would have had the same concern, but we're talking about the kid who jumps off of anything, sticks whatever he can find into any electrical socket, dives head first into any pile of dirt no matter how small and can't seem to keep his hands out of his pants. 

He      is     such     a     guy.  

And, if all that weren't enough, he.... um... appreciates the female form.  

Already.

This is going to be interesting.

Little girls

Isn't God always revealing Himself to us in all things?  I, of course, miss much of this because I am, well, basically a space cadet much of my days.  But somehow, this morning, I caught a glimpse.  It was in my girls.  Nothing out of the ordinary happened.  They weren't dressed extra cute, didn't say anything extra sweet on their way out of the van, they just looked...angelic.  I watched them walking into school as I was pulling away and I couldn't help but to tell God "Thank you for sharing them with me."  They really are HIS, not mine.  Everything good in them was given by Him, not me.  Everything that I enjoy about them is a result of HIS work, not mine...  Their sweetness, their curls, their questions, their laughter, their energy, their absolute love of me... all given by HIM.  They are treasures, right here in front of me, every day, yet every day I miss it.  I see them and hear them but I don't always see Him in them, hear Him in them.

Today I did.

My heart ached to see them walk away from me.   I am missing them even though they are only a few blocks away.  I am pondering all of the little things I love about them.

Why do I not do this with the Lord?

I don't remember the last time I sat and pondered the things of the Lord.  I am so busy with all of the things that make my heart ache, that I don't stop to consider that His presence could soothe all of that.  I am so undisciplined in pretty much every area of my life that I don't rightly include God in anything, much less in everything, the way I am supposed to.  Today, I will look at my sweet girls when they come home and soak in the beauty of them, and the glory of the mighty God who created them. 

He makes beautiful things, and He makes all things beautiful.

Thank you Father.

He's moving on...

A few weeks ago, John Abraham demolished a bag of cookies on the sly.  Yesterday, it was pizza.  We had leftovers in the fridge.  I'm pretty sure the box had four pieces inside.  You can see by the photo below what remained after the raid. 

Seriously!  I feed the kid, scouts honor!  I don't understand why he feels compelled to sneak into the kitchen the minute I am distracted and stuff himself with whatever he can get his grubby little hands on.  I couldn't even begin to pretend to be upset with him though.  Its not like I needed the pizza, so he actually did me a favor.  I did make him stand against the wall for a photo of shame.  Pretty soon I'll have a collection!

I love my boy.

My guys

They are inside a plane (not sure what kind) at the Air Force base in Shreveport.  Too handsome!

He has no idea how to play that thing.  In fact, we bought that at a consignment shop thinking we were doing the kids a huge favor by getting them their first real musical instrument.  Turns out, its a left handed guitar, so only Madelyn will be able to play it.  Shows how much we know!  We'll see how that works out, if she ever shows an interest in it that is.

First day, again

Sarah started the third grade today, Maddy the first.  My big girls, both of them so beautiful and sweet.  No fear, no tears, no sorrow.  Only a heart full of gratitude and joy that I have the privilege to share these precious children.  Thank you Lord.

Here is a picture of the girls before we left for school.  Its a little blurry but still cute.

Officially a junkie

I can't seem to put it down.

My iphone.

Ug.

I didn't want to be "one of those people", as my friends and I would say.  So I am making strides to put the thing DOWN and be a functioning human being, with a normal PC.

The addiction really began with some cool photo editing apps.  I have now found picnik.com, which allows me to carry my addiction over to my home computer.  Basically, I can ignore all my responsibilities and the four other people in my home from in front of the computer, instead of pretending to be involved while my face in planted directly in front of my phone screen.  (I need glasses, but as my favorite comedian says, "I'll see tomorrow".)

Some of the pics I've edited...

Seriously, he's hot in either picture, but there is something about this old, grainy filter that     is    just ..........

lovely.  :)

Fried chicken, round one.

My first attempt at frying chicken. 
I just recently read the book "The Help", and fried chicken was mentioned at least a dozen times.  I enjoyed the book, but was left with an insatiable desire for fried chicken.  So, I decided to put my apron on and get in the kitchen.  A very dear friend of mine gave me great cookbook (Pioneer Woman), so I went with her batter/frying method.  I decided to be very food-networkie and brine the chicken for 12 hours THEN soak it in buttermilk for 12hours.  The results:  Very tender, juicy chicken.  The only thing I will do differently next time is take the skin OFF first before battering.  I double battered to give it extra crunch, but this renders the skin useless.   Double battered, no skin, brine and buttermilk soaked is definitely the way to go.  Here are the pics...

  In case you are wondering, no I did not heat the crisco in the can.  I had it sitting there until I was ready to use it and just snapped the pic.  In the picture above, you can see the mashed potatoes and turnip greens, and corn bread.  I actually made the corn bread a few nights before, but my from scratch buttermilk biscuits didn't turn out as well as I would have liked.  Actually, I didn't like them at all.  Dry, flat, basically useless rounds of nothingness.  Here's the pic though.  At least they looked pretty on the plate.

The end result was fried chicken for two days in a row, turnip greens gone after day one, and a tray full of biscuits in the garbage.  We'll try those again another time.

As the cookie crumbles...

At 3:30 today, after lunch at Full Moon BBQ and a hefty afternoon snack, my sweet boy calmly exclaimed "I'm hungry".  Rrrrrright.  "You've already had a snack, John Abraham, and you will have to wait until dinner, which will be in less than two hours.  Now go play."

Quiet.

I go into the kitchen to find that I had left the box of Nilla Wafers open on the counter.

Mistake.

I looked at him (trying with all my might not to smile).  His response to my glare? 
" I was really hungary."

Back in the Ham

We're home.  All moved in.  No snakes, thank you LORD!

We all love our new home.  The kids adore the yard (funny how much you miss having your own play area, your own grass, your very own room to run in until you are cooped up in an apartment.  Ahh, I can hear the lawn mower purring)  We're getting into a groove, Steven has started his big boy job and is loving it, and I am contemplating starting a book club.  Me, proud owner of the Twilight series, is going to start a book club.  I feel more socially relevant just thinking about it.
Ah ha, ah ha.  Like I care about being socially relevant.  I thought about doing this since I will actually have some time on my hands.  Without my Shreveport gals to keep me entertained on a daily basis, I've got to do something!

Speaking of Shreveport...
I MISS YOU DEARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mindy, Kristen, Terri, Abbey, Lauren, Angie, Sammie, Emily and all of the rest of you sweet, precious ladies, I cherish you and treasure you in my heart!  Cry for me Argentina!

Ahhhem....  sorry about that.  I tend to get a little weepy and sentimental when I think about my sanctuary in Shreveport.  But I'm here now.  And as I said in one of my first blogs, I'm going to be IN THE NOW from now on.  But I do expect each and every one of you to call me on a regular basis and tell me that you miss me.  :)

uninvited guest

I don't have a phobia of snakes.  Roaches make me spaz, but snakes have never really bothered me before.  Until now.
 

I     do    not    like    it.

Just some pics

These are some pics of Sarah's baptism.  I wish they were a little clearer, but I was emotional, and my camera is slow!

Some funny faces, and funny hair...  

Some sweetness...   

Translating

So, as far as bibles go, I used to be a staunch King James Version only kind of gal.  Then, our sunday school class did a bit on church history, and I found out that King James wasn't the nicest of people, and thought that I would try another... see how it fit.

Error.

Firstly, the fact that I was going to "see how a bible fit" may be one of the most ludicrous things Ive ever done.  That's pretty much me making God who I want Him to be, not letting Him be who He is.  As if the bible is a shoe... I try one on that I like, if it's uncomfortable, I try another one, etc, until I find one that "fits".?.  The Word of God is what it is, the WORD OF GOD.  Comfortable or not, I can't change that.  Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think that other translations of the bible are evil and that it's necessarily wrong to read them.  I just mean, for me, I was looking for something a little, well.... easier than the KJV.  To be perfectly honest, I've been reading the NKJV for quite some time, but I am a creature of UN-habit.  I like change.  I like new things.  I like the look and smell of a shiny new bible and the feel of the new crinkly pages and the fact that there is room in the margins for note taking, and ................
....And, me me me me me me me me me.
I SHOULD love the bible for the contents inside.  Now, I do.

Back to the search for better scripture...
I grabbed hold of my father's old bible.  I say old, it's not really old.  It's barely worn.  Apparently some years ago he lost his and my aunt bought him a new one.  And, apparently, my father wasn't anymore keen on it than I am now.  I have been holding onto it and reading from it because I love the thought of anything that ties me to him, my earthly father.  But now that he is on the other side of eternity, I am trying to cling to whatever ties me to my heavenly Father, and I am thinking it is NOT this bible.  Here's why.
Steven reads from the NKJV, and there have been a couple of times that we've read the same scripture, only it was different.  The difference isn't huge, but it's different.  I've also noticed in my dad's bible, that in the references (on the large side margins that I love) the words "literally means" would appear with the literal translation to a word in that particular verse.  Odd, I thought, but continued to hold this bible tight, looking past the oddities.  Then, today, I decided to read the "Preface to the New American Standard Bible", located in the front.  It begins by saying how great the old King James Version is, and how thankful the writers/translators are for the history and word-for-word transliteration.  Then it goes on to describe the "Principles of Translation".  The first one reads...
Modern English Usage:  The attempt has been made to render the grammar and terminology in contemporary English.  When it was felt that the word-for-word literalness was unacceptable to the modern reader, a change was made in the direction of a more current English idiom.   
Insert sound of tires coming to a screeching hault here.
I was so offended by that entire entry that I don't even know where to begin.  Let's start with the definition of the word literal. 

lit·er·al

–adjective

1.

in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical: the literal meaning of a word.

2.

following the words of the original very closely and exactly:

3.

true to fact; not exaggerated; actual or factual: a literal description of conditions.

EXPAND

4.

being actually such, without exaggeration or inaccuracy:

 

So the translators of the NASV are saying that the true definition of each and every God breathed word in scripture is      unacceptable?

Unacceptable to me?  No, unacceptable to the modern reader.

Let's define modern.

mod·ern–adjective

1.

of or pertaining to present and recent time; not ancient or remote: modern city life.

2.

characteristic of present and recent time; contemporary; not antiquated or obsolete: modern viewpoints.

 

Ancient.  Antiquated.  Obsolete.

Did I say earlier that I was offended?  Yyyyyyeeeauh.  Just a tad.

 

Last but certainly not least, let's define idiom.

id·i·om–noun

1.

an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements, as kick the bucket  or hang one's head,  or from the general grammatical rules of a language, as the table round  for the round table,  and that is not a constituent of a larger expression of like characteristics.

2.

a language, dialect, or style of speaking peculiar to a .

3.

a construction or expression of one language whose parts correspond to elements in another language but whose total structure or meaning is not matched in the same way in the second language.

It's number three that really gets me.  Honestly, I had to read that sentence a few times.  I still don't know that I really understand it.  But as for what I've gotten so far (five times reading it), I think its saying that you basically take something written in one language, word it so that it makes sense in another language, and completely forsake the fact that it means something completely different in its original language because you want it to be relate-able.  Doesn't the bible say something like "the truth shall set you free".  

 

Hogwash according to the NASV.  

Ok, I'm done for now.  Back to my NKJV. 

Crawley the Bug

Today I decided to stay indoors and begin the long and tedious packing process, much to the kids dismay.  To be indoors for the majority of the day is about as bad as forcing them to eat lima beans and do home work.  Despite the gloomy outlook for their schedule, they have been relatively peaceful and have played sweetly with each other.  They even found, and lost, a new pet.

Crawly the Bug.

John Abraham was in the bathroom for a little longer than necessary, so I decided to peek in on him.  He was crouched down on the floor watching a tiny little beetle-type bug crawling on the floor.  "Oh, he's so cute" says my sweet boy.  Of course, I wanted to squash it, never desiring any sort of creepy crawly thing in my home.  But John's little face was filled with fascination as he watched the bug, so I couldn't dare kill his new friend.  I went about my business after telling John that he could keep the bug in the bathroom.  Eventually the girls realized what he was doing, and with a look of disgust Sarah ran into the kitchen and shouted "MOM, John Abraham is playing with a BUG!!"  (She is so my child).  I smiled and told her that it was ok.  Its just a tiny little beetle and I said that it could stay in the bathroom.  A good ten minutes went by before I realized that they were all in the bathroom together, "playing" with the bug, which had been affectionately named Crawly.  They put two of John's matchbox cars in there, because Crawly needs transportation.  They built a city on the step stool, because Crawly needs a place to relax and shop, if he so desires.  They even put an almond on the floor, in case he gets hungry.  Then Sarah had the great idea to get a shoe box so that Crawly could come outside with us later (not really "outside", the garage.  It must be cleaned and alas, I'm the one to clean it.  Ug)  The three of them went out on a search and came back into the bathroom just in time to see Crawly make his way underneath the baseboard, not to be seen again.  They were frantic, especially Madelyn.  At this point, John Abraham lost interest and went back to watching Scooby Doo.  The girls, however, were contemplating what terrible fate surely awaited Crawly in the bowels of the walls.  Sarah was voicing her plan of action in the event that Crawly made it back out, while Madelyn was pleading with her that they just stop and pray to God to bring him out.  Sarah, of course, wasn't listening to Madelyn.  So she decided to take matters into her own hands.  She stomped off, saying "FINE, I will go pray by myself in my quiet place!"

My daughter has a "quiet place". 

When I heard her say that, my heart became mush.  She went into my room, between my bed and the wall, and whispered a little prayer.  Immediately, when she was done, she jumped to her feet, called Crawly's name and ran to the bathroom, fully expecting to see him in the middle of the floor.  I heard her disappointment as she went into the living room to cry to Sarah.  I found her and told her that God has to do what is best for everyone, including Crawly, and perhaps Crawly needs to be in the wall... maybe that's where he lives.  We talked about it for a bit and she is settled on the fact that God is taking care of Crawly and she might see him again someday. 

Thank you God for bugs.

I'm feeling...stretched.  Not busy or stressed, not being pulled in two different directions based on a decision I have to make.  I just feel it.  For some reason, the past still haunts me.  I say for some reason, although I know exactly what that reason is.  The Enemy, ruler of this world, loves to remind us of the us we used to be.  Even more so, loves to remind me how easily I slipped into that version of me.  And thats where he can get me every time.  Any reminder, no matter how small, sends my mind into a whirlwind of questions;  who am I?  who was I?  why am I?  who should I be?  Endless questions.  And of course, instead of immediately going to God's Word for answers to those questions, I prefer to chew on them a while.  I wait until they taste disscusting and I can't stand the process anymore and then, THEN I seek Him. 
So my quest now is to find my spiritual gift.  Sounds hokey, right? 
I certainly don't feel gifted.  I don't feel like I deserve any gifts, don't feel like I have any.  But, according to this new, really really big book steven bought, ALL believers in Christ have at least one spiritual gift given to them by the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish His work in their lives.  (the book, Systematic Theology) 
Soooooooooo

I can cross a few off the list.

Definitely NOT speaking in tongues.  Lord knows, I speak enough in my own language, and without God's approval most of the time.  No other languages need to be exposed to the sound of my voice.
Pretty sure its NOT healing or miracles.  Why do I know this?  Easy.  Im vain.  The second I healed someone of an illness or turned water into wine, the entire world would know and my head would be as big as my minivan.  That, and I would probably become an alcoholic.  Neither one would be good.
And from what I know about my lack of patience, Im tend to think it would not be the gift of teaching.  There are times, with my own children, when the ask me a question, the thought that comes to my mind is "do you seriously not know the answer to that?"  Now, I don't actually say that to them, but I think it.  That doesn't seem very Holy Spirit like, right?
So that leaves prophesy, edification and discernment.

Maybe its discernment, since I have clearly discerned that four of the seven are no goes for me?

All this time Ive been questioning my spiritual gift status and all I had to do was blog about it.  Awesome.

United States Air Force Academy

The superintendent of the

United States Air Force Academy

announces that

Faith Lois Sanders-Walker

of the Class of 2011

is a candidate for the degree of 

Bachelor of Science in Foreign Area Studies

with a minor in German

and a commission as a 

Second Lieutenant

in the 

United States Air Force

Wednesday, May 25th

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado.

Is that not just the coolest thing?  My sweet niece is graduating and this is how the announcement read.  I got all teary eyed and proud!  

God bless all of our military personnel, including my sweet niece Faithee pie.

Experiencing new things?

My son put his head in the toilet.


What am I supposed to say about that?

pics of the birthday party

Sarah and John Abraham had a joint birthday party this year, and of course, I forgot my camera.  Luckily, a sweet friend took some pics for me.  My little man LOVES batman!

I feel bad because I didn't get a pic of Sarah blowing out her candles.  The cup cakes were from her cup cake tower, shown below.  And as you can see from Madelyn's face... delicious!

Only me

Somehow, I just signed up to follow my own blog. 

Ahh, the idiocy of me.

Whatever

not a mama's boy anymore

Im frowning right now.  Actually, its not a frown, its a sad face...pouty lips, furrowed brow.  Sappy, sappy, sappy.  Today, after I buckled John Abraham up in his seat after picking him up from pre-school, I asked him for a kiss, just like I do every time I pick him up.  His response, "no".  In his cutest of all voices ever to hit my ears, he responded "no mama, I don wan to kissie kissie you today."

This   is   not   happening.

Two nights ago as we were getting ready for our family worship time, John was sitting in my lap.  When Steven sat down, he bolted from my lap and sat in Steven's.  I felt the twinge then.  The sting.  The jealousy. 

I know this is normal.  This is a good thing.  It is healthy for his development.   It's the way it should be.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH   HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE that my boy is in love with his daddy.  I want my boy to be a boy.  I want him to be strong like Steven.  To be a leader.   I just didn't expect him to leap from my skirt hem to be Steven's wing man so soon.  I am having to fight the urge to force my love and kissie kissies on him.  All I could think about today was wanting to hold him and coddle him and make baby talk to him.  (Steven will make a sickened face when he reads that line no doubt).  But I am going to resist.  Im going to try and find some good wholesome advice for mothers in my situation. Surely James Dobson has written something about people like me.  Maybe that will relieve my woes and make me feel a little better.

If it doesn't, I am going to snatch him from his bed in his sleep and hold him all night.  And while he is sleeping, I can give him kissie kissies galore.

God help me.

New house!

We bought a new house!  We will close at the end of May and will be moving in sometime in mid June.  Im so excited.  And I just can't hide it. 
Lame, I know.
But I really am giddy about the whole thing.  God really helped us find the perfect fit for our family, and everything so far has gone very smoothly.  THANK YOU LORD!  Steven is excited that we are only painting one room in the house.  I am excited that I get a nice big kitchen to cook in.  The kids are excited that they get their own rooms.  Well, Sarah is anyway.  Madelyn is a bit sad at the thought of sleeping in a room alone.  But hers is the room we are painting, so Im hoping that the pink explosion Im planning for her bedroom will be enough to distract her from tears.  We will be minutes from the Galleria, the kids school, and three of our favorite restaurants (seafood, bbq and mexican)  Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm. 

What was I saying about cooking in a new big kitchen?  Jubilee Joes is already calling my name. :)

my kiddos...

Since I don't facebook anymore, I thought I would post some pics of my beautiful kiddos.  These are some of my favorites!  We took them on a chilly day here in the Shreve, at an old abandoned barn by a lake.

"Children are a heritage of the Lord:  as arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth."