Spring Fun

So, I haven't posted in a while. Sorry about that :) I've been sick, Nate's got a sinus infection, and other "personal things" have kept me away. I've got tons of new pics from the Easter week/end. I have one slideshow put together, and will get the other together shortly. But for now, Nate is finished in his high chair and not really in a mood to sit there any longer! So I must get this posted and take care of him. I'll be back for more after PJ gets home :)

Some pics from the week. Enjoy!

Rub A Dub Dub

So, I realized I didn't have any of those classic blackmail bathtub pics of Nate :) I had TONS by this age with JRay. SOOOoooo he got the bathtub camera torture this evening :) He's finally able to sit in the tub by himself so these were lots of fun! Crazy kid :) Just like his daddy! *rolls eyes* now how on earth do ya'll suggest I put up with TWO PJ's? Open for suggestions, here! Anywayyyyy... here ya go... some cute ones here, so be prepared to laugh :)

Spring Fun

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day! JRay, Katy, and Erin had a wonderful time outside! I went out with them a while and snapped some pics of their fun. It's so nice to see some warm and yummy weather again :) I can't wait for more days like this! I took ALOT of pictures, so I had to split them up between 2 slideshows :) They were having such a good time, and it was really good to see JRay getting to spend some time with the girls again. I know he's missed them so much, and has missed having someone to play with!

Rare Form

So Nate was in rare form tonight. Got a few cute pics of him and Daddy being goofballs. He was just in an unusually great goofy mood. It was too cute :)

I'm starting to fear I'm getting that stomach bug. I feel extremely ill tonight. Hope it's just the hot dogs I ate for dinner. I do NOT want to be sick right now. UGH!

I'm REALLY enjoying have JRay home this week for Spring Break. He's been so much fun, and he and Nate are having a BLAST together. He's loving having his Bubby home all day :) JRay's missing out on having the girls over (his cousins) at Nana's to play with since Nana's had the stomach bug, but he's not really acting like he cares since he and Nate have been having so much fun. I love that my boys love each other so much (insert hearts here). I hope it sticks :)

Here are the pics I took :) Notice those deep sweet dimples! I honestly have no idea where those came from, but I LOVE them :)

Great Progress :)

First I want to thank the Lord for His precious grace and love. Then I want to thank all of you for your prayers and pleadings with Him for such. Daddy is doing great today. He's feeling MUCH better today :) He got home around 2 am this morning, slept in, and is back to his normal goofy self today :) PJ made it in safely around 3 pm from his prayer retreat, and I can see a change in him. I don't know what he experienced there, and don't know that I ever will, but his temper has toned down quite a bit, and I've only been around him for a couple of hours :) God really is awesome! I am so happy to have found His grace and love :) Please continue to keep us in your prayers for many reasons. One, that none of us get this horrible virus! and Two that we learn to be more content in waiting on God. I need to be content that PJ at least has a job, and not so bitter with his employer over things. PJ also needs to find that contentment. I also need to learn to get a better grip on my anger and attitude. I am slowly getting better at being slow to anger and bridling my tongue, but still have quite a way to go. Only thanks to God's neverending grace and love have I managed as much as I have :)

Long Day...

So it's been quite a day :) FIrst I woke up to a rude comment, in which I prayed over my response, and hope that I answered it in the way God wanted me to. I feel confident that I did. Then, of course, it was just one of those days, where I couldn't seem to get it together and get anywhere on time. I was running late all morning and afternoon. Then PJ got home, and put off getting ready for his prayer retreat until the last minute (which he ALWAYS does) which had me frustrated with him, and being ugly to him instead of loving and supportive. I HATE being late, and he is always making us late (isn't it supposed to be the other way around?). After making 2 trips to drop him off at the church (he forgot his sleeping bag and pillow, so we had to come back!) I came home and me and the boys hung out a mom's for a bit. Nate was cracking us up chasing Bubby around on the floor. JRay would take off crawling and Nate would get to going after him so fast he'd trip over his hands! We watched him go up the hump into mom's kitchen, then to come back down it, he would lay his head down on the lower floor and basically ROLL head first off it. It was hilarious. JRay decided to spend the night with Nana, and me and Nate came home. I sat here on the computer for a while, and at 9:50pm I got a call from PJ. I was excited to be hearing from him thinking I wouldn't because I figured he didn't have a signal where they are. Well, the first words I hear following "hey" were "Are you sitting down?". My heart sank to my stomach. I said, "Yeah.... why?????". He told me Dad was in the hospital, and of course I just screamed WHAT? WHY? WHAT HAPPENED? thinking he'd had a heart attack or something. I couldn't believe mom hadn't called and told me already! Well, that was because mom didn't know. So I didn't want her finding out on the phone via PJ, especially since it had been a couple of hours since he went to the hospital! I grabbed Nate out of bed and headed over there to tell her. Apparently he'd been sick all afternoon with diarrhea. Then he laid down sometime before or after dinner not feeling well. Some time along the line, not sure of in which order, he started vomiting profusely, and passed out and had a seizure. They called an ambulance, and PJ and another brother in Christ followed the ambulance in the church van. We spent a little while not sure what was going on, but suspecting dehydration. So I just talked to mom and they were releasing him from the hospital after giving him fluids, which perked him up quite a bit. According to the brother bringing him home (PJ went back to the retreat) he looked TONS better just from the time he'd left the hospital to take PJ back to camp, and got back to get Dad. So he should be home in a couple of hours. I made JRay come home since I didn't want him over there to catch it! I hope PJ doesn't get it! I'm sure at least one of the men on that church van will come down with it! The nurses said at the hospital that there have been alot of different stomach bugs this season, but that one has been one of the worst ones they've ever seen. They said it hits you out of nowhere, and hits hard and fast. So, please keep my Daddy in your prayers, as well as PJ and all the other men at that retreat that have been confined in small spaces with daddy since this afternoon! Just please ask God to put a bubble around them and keep them from all getting it! And pray that mom doesn't get it! With her heart I'm sure a virus like that would do a number on her. Mine and her diabetes makes us very prone to getting sick QUICK and BAD. We usually end up in the hospital severely dehydrated with ketoacidosis. I am just sooooooooooo happy that Daddy is ok. That was so scarey. I don't want to lose my Daddy! I love him too much to let go of him!

For your enjoyment...

Please listen to the song as you view my two precious boys :) I want us all to remember what Easter is REALLY about. I have never been one to play the Easter Bunny role. I feel that this is THE most important holiday we celebrate, and I want to be certain my boys understand what and why we celebrate on this day. So enjoy the pictures, but please enjoy the music, and open your heart to what God has for you. He loves you so much He sent His son to die for you. Could you or would you do that? I know I wouldn't. THAT is an incomprehensible love. It's AGAPE LOVE. Please don't let another sun set on your heart without coming to know Christ. I really want to see each and every one of you in Heaven :)

Love and Patience

So, I've really struggled with my patience lately. I have also come to realize that with that, has come a struggle within myself to love as God has commanded me to love. I've been very intolerant of people who do things I don't agree with. I have been very intolerant of my son's school and teacher. Intolerant of my husband's employer. Intolerant of so many things. It seems today, as we were sitting in Sunday school, it occurred to me that if God were anywhere nearly as intolerant of me as I am others, then I would be a total wreck at this point. I mean, He provided PJ a job when he needed it. He has always provided our needs with his low paying job so that I don't have to leave our children and work, and when we needed a vehicle, He provided it. So why is it I'm always so impatient and unhappy with God's way? He is not going to let us down. He never has, and He never will. Yes, we hate PJ's job, but he did finally get $1 raise this week. Is it really enough for the life we'd like to have? No, not even close. But somehow, our bills always get paid, even if late. We always eat. We always have our medications. He will not let us down.

So why do I not trust Him? I have no idea. I do trust him, but not like I should. I have a BAD tendency to let self get in the way. to let DESIRE get in the way. I want a life where we have a home that doesn't leak, a back that allows me to keep the home clean, a car that doesn't go *jerk jerk whine* when you hit 40mph. Not to mention a 2nd vehicle so that I don't have to drag the kids out at 5 am to take PJ to work when I need transportation. But the fact of it is, as much as many people may not agree... none of those things are NEEDS. My house leaks, but only in my bathroom. Nowhere that affects our ability to stay dry. My van is acting up, but it is STILL getting us where we need to go. 2nd vehicle, just a convenience, not a need. The house doesn't get cleaned very well with my back, but at least I can still walk. At least I have a home to need to clean!

So yeah... I guess maybe it's been God smacking me upside the head... no... he's done that alot when I NEED it, but this time it's more Him gently taking me by the hand, and reminding me of just how good I really have it. Reminding me that He loves me, just for me, and will always take care of mine and my family's needs, as long as we are faithful to trust Him and faithful to give back to him what He blesses us with.

Just a thought...

Philippians 4:19
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory, by Jesus Christ"
We look at that as supplying our physical needs. But to me, this scripture is telling me God will supply my SPIRITUAL needs. He has already supplied that biggest need "by Jesus Christ" by sending His son to die for us, so that we may inherit the kingdom of Heaven, "His riches in Glory"

Isaiah 58:11:

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

I think this one speaks for itself. He will take care of us. ALWAYS.

There are so many scriptures that back this up. So I know what I must do. I must learn to trust God, and to be grateful for the blessings which He has bestowed on me and my family, and stop looking for what else He can give me, but better yet, look more for what I can give back. As my old pastor used to say, "You can't out give God" :)

I'll leave you with this wonderful song, by Darrel Evans, one of my all time favorites. It truly speaks to my heart, and I hope it will yours

I'm Trading My Sorrows


Verse
I'm trading my sorrows, I'm trading my shame;
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.
I'm trading my sickness, I'm trading my pain;
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.
Refrain
We say yes, Lord, yes, Lord,
yes, yes, Lord,
yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord,
yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord. Amen.
Bridge
I am pressed but not crushed,
persecuted, not abandoned,
struck down but not destroyed.
I am blessed beyond the curse,
for His promise will endure,
that His joy is gonna be my strength.
Though the sorrow may last for the night,
his joy comes with the morning. (to Verse)

Playtime Fun and milestone

So I had some playtime for a while with lil bit this morning. We had quite a time :) Then, I put him down for a nap (of course he fought me) left the room, waited for him to fight it out for a couple of minutes so I could repeat my routine of going in there, replacing his paci, rub his back, etc... well, a minute passed, and he got quiet. Wait a minute... that's not what he does... he does not give up that easily. I went in there, and this is how I found him... yep, it's official...

He's Pulling Up. Oh BOY! Life as I know it is OVER.

And a slideshow of playtime (cause you KNOW I took pics) We had a lot of fun with our toys, and the Baby Einstein Playtime CD. He's learning to develop different skills alot more since I childproofed his room and started turning him loose in there :)

I love these boys :)

These two are always doing sweet, crazy, silly, hilarious things to melt my heart :) If you want to be entertained for life, have boys. So much fun. Really.

First up, we have Mr. JRay. Hah, there's not a lot else necessary to be added to that! I mean, come on, he's JRAY people. This has got to be the funniest kid I have ever known. You honestly NEVER know what to expect from him.

So, this is how mornings look around here. (You think this is funny, you should see his Momma in the mornings!)

Then there's the moment you look at him, and he's got the 'stache going on. And all you can do is grab the camera :)

And, of course he must do it better... wouldn't be JRay without that competitive edge!

Next up, we have his younger counterpart, Nate. I can see so many personality similiarities is SCARES ME. I'm terrified to think of the things these two will cook up together! Nate is already so infatuated with Bubby, and vice versa! In these pics, we had put some boxes down to block Nate from getting to Bubby's ever so dangerous room (the baby gate got broken by yours truly trying to set it up), and this is how he responded. He never made it over, but he sure tried for well over an hour! Relentless like Bubby, too. No one else in this family is relentless, so he MUST get it from Bubby, right? (straightens halo)

So he decided to try to climb the boxes for a while, almost got over a few times, and a few times gave me this "look" when I asked him what he was doing (notice the socks in the floor, not on his feet? and ignore all the crumbs in the floor, I'm too busy raising my kids to worry about the petty things like a spotless house. Cheerios are loved here too)...

And of course, after he admitted defeat (or decided to take a rest, but we'll pretend for my sanity that I won this battle and he admitted defeat) He just HAD to find something else to do...

His favorite pastime..

So now I hear the "coughs" coming from the nursery and must go rescue the poor pitiful sick baby *winks* Ah this age is so fun :) Both ages! (minus the attitude developing in the 7 year old, but he's still my lovey little boy!)

Busy Weekend

So this has been a pretty busy weekend. First, JRay had the Pepsi Bowling tournament sectionals. I highly doubt he'll proceed to the state level, as he didn't get his average once, but I'm still super proud of him. He tried very hard. He's come a LONG way this year. He's learned to have an actual approach, and as you can see from the below picture, he has GREAT form. he's gonna follow in his Daddy's footsteps, and be an excellent bowler. At 7 years old, he's currently holding down an 85 average :) I took several pics, but this one just melts my heart. He looks GREAT in this shot :)

And results were:
STRIKE!

Today was a big day for the family :) We joined the church, and dedicated both boys. JRay was never dedicated due to the circumstances of his dad's and mine's spiritual situation at the time, so I felt that it was right to dedicate him alongside his brother. I can't dedicate one child to God and not the other! Anyway, it went great. JRay was so well behaved during the service. He's usually in children's church, so I was SOOOOO proud of him :) I even forgot he was there a few times he was so good! He's turning into my lil man *cries*. Nate, well, LOL... first while we were standing before the church and Bro Hal was talking and doing his bit, Nate kept pulling JRay's hair. It was HILARIOUS. Poor JRay! Lil Bro is gonna be such a bully to Bubby I think! Then when Hal took him, he was just MESMERIZED by him. I think it's the billowing voice LOL. Anyway, a couple of pics of that. Feels good to be "home" again :) I really missed my church family at FIMC :)