Amazing Grace

I attended my churches women's retreat this weekend. I can sum up what I learned with the very last words spoken at the retreat. We all, as Christian sisters, stood side by side, some hand in hand, some tears streaming down their cheeks, some sitting with so much emotion, some raising their arms so high, as to reach Jesus and say, pull me up with you. We stood there and sang Amazing Grace. It was so pure. So clean. So amazing, just as the name of the song. We talked so much about the grace that He has given us. The undeserving grace, that no one earned, that no one could even know how to ask for. We talked about the grace bestowed upon each of us. We talked about the grace we, as Christians, should give each other. That we should be reminded of Jesus and how he scooped us up. We need to be Jesus on Earth to others. Especially within our church.
Lisa Harper was the key speaker this weekend. She is such a great speaker. She brings the Bible and the stories to life. In a way you won't forget. A way you feel like you were there. You feel like the character she is talking about. Or you feel like the character she is teaching us not to be. That is the painful part. She reminded us of this story in John 8

1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."


That is so powerful. I have read this before, but they way she read it and illustrated it, the Lord was talking to me about something different from the story. A few things I will take from Lisa sharing this story are
1) In the second part of verse 6, you see that Jesus bent down... He bent down to speak to her, to shade her body from the crowd. To show that He doesn't think she is under him in anyway. This is a man you is sinless. He is the sparkling water among the sewer. And He bends down to her. That is the first sign of grace right there.
2) He of course says in verse 7 that if anyone has not sinned, they may cast the stone. I love that it is so clear in this verse that we have no right to judge, but yet we do. Especially when we say, 'I'm not judging them...but..'. Who are we kidding. Ourselves. That is who. We have no right to judge. Jesus doesn't say, if you have not committed adultery..he says sin. When you meet someone that is falling down because of their lack of following the Lord, that is when we need to reach out to them and show grace. Not judgement. Look into your own heart. Did you pass judgement? Did you gossip about someone that day? What sin have you committed that maybe only your Heavenly father knows of? And he does know. Save your judgement for dinner....is it good? or bad?
3) This is the biggest visual of grace for me. In verse 11 He says, "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Ahhhh. He doesn't say, repeat after me. He doesn't say, commit to church every Sat, Sun and Wed. He doesn't tell her to go and memorize a prayer. He doesn't tell her to confess all of her sins. He give her grace and instructions...'Go now and leave your life of sin.' He is telling us that the grace given to us, that we didn't earn, bc we are not capable of earning that kind of grace, is freely given by Him. Then he is telling us, walk away from the sin in your life. Go forward...

I know we will continue to sin every day. We are not Jesus. We are not without sin. And I think if you look at your week and say, "Oh I was so Christ like this week and didn't sin!" Then the enemy is just sitting there with you like a puppet. But what we can do is try so hard to strive and be Christ like. And when we fall short...and oh we will fall short...recognize it..ask for forgiveness from Him and from the person we may hurt. That is what He wants.

It was such a great weekend! I am so blessed to get to go to PBC retreat!

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see. "

Easter

When I hear the word Easter, the first thing that comes to mind Jesus and what He did for us. The next is the song we sang every Easter growing up, in church. It is just refreshing...uplifting.. reminder that we all can have a new life in Him. Just reminds me of innocents of childhood and not seeing the "real" world around me!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

Good-bye guilt, good-bye fear, good riddance! Hello, Lord, Hello, sun!
I am one of the Easter People! My new life has begun!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

Daily news is so bad it seems the Good News seldom gets heard.
Get it straight from the Easter People! God's in charge spread the word!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

Yesterday I was bored and lonely; But today look and see!
I belong to the Easter People! Life's exciting to me!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!
Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,
Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,
Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,
From now on!

Trip to Denver

Chloe had a ball in Denver. Flying with Ninny, Ally's 3rd birthdya party! Lots of hockey with Evan and Grant. Playing with sweet Camdyn and the best.....Her amazing Aunt who let them have green hair on St. Patrick's Day! Not to mention go out in the snow with no shoes!!!!!

While Chloe spent last week in Denver with her cousins and Ninny, we spent the week with a family of 5. It was so different. Anytime I was getting people ready, making lunch, getting in and out of the car...I thought...this is a breeze! But I sure missed my Chloe!

We did get to do some stuff with just the little kids. We went to the park a lot. It was fun to see Laurel and Anabelle playing with each other non stop. They didn't have Chloe to run after... And they actted like Corbin was such the "baby brother". It was a really fun experience. We took Laurel and Anabelle to see Horton Hears a Who! They were so cute. It was a cute movie..but watching them watch it was even cuter. Hearing Anabelle say, (about the Kangaroo)"She is mean" at the top of her voice, was darling...only in a kid movie though. Popcorn was the best part about the movie..oh and the M&Ms. They told me, "We are like Chloe!" She is their idol! Well, here are some pics! of course!

We prayed for snow!!!!!

We got just a little bit of snow 1 week ago. Just enough to say it snowed in Dallas. Just enough to get a little bit to make snow ice cream for the kids. Just enough to think it might be Christmas time! Then Wednesday night rolled around. I was saying prayers with Chloe when she said, "Mom, I think snow is my favorite season." At this point I had not bothered to look at the news, and we had no idea what the weather prediction was to be. We said our prayers...we thanked God for everything we have, our friends, family and our hearts that love Him, for the way we are like Him each day..the ways he has given us and taught us to make him joyful when he looks at us. We asked for his forgiveness when we sin...we talked about the sins we each experienced that day..disobeidence...unkind words, selfishness, for the times we are not following His word. Then we asked him to watch over us..to give us strength to love the friends that are hard to love, to give us courage to help others, to give us help with the areas our heart doesn't follow Him. Then lastly, we quietly and with big smiles both said...'Lord, please, if you have time...let it snow again."
Not thinking about our prayer again, I took the kids to school the next day. By noon I was bundling up and heading up to school to get the kids early. By 2 we had the most beautiful snow flakes. I thought none of it was going to stick. Then Fred calls that he is on his way home, around 3. By 5 we had so much snow. It was the best Thursday ever! I was making some snacks for the kids when Chloe ran into the kitchen and said, "Mom, we prayed for it..God is so good!" I said, "You are right!"
That is all she could talk about the rest of the day! She was so thrilled!
We all stayed a little cold going in and out.. she went to a hill and got to sled! The kids made a snow man. But it was cold and wet outside. The next day, we still had some snow, but the evening came in warm and melted it away. Our snowman lasted through the weekend. All we had left today were 2 celery arms laying in the grass! Hey, we had to use what we could find! Anyway, Friday night when we were saying prayers again...Chloe said, "Mom, I think we shouldn't pray for snow tonight...some people might be too cold already." I told her, "You are probably right. We should stick to prayers tonight to really help people."
Anyway, it was great! I am so glad we had our snow. Now, I am ready for flip flops! Winter is complete for me....

Williams Wedding!

Well, Ginny and Neal are married! It was a beautiful wedding and they are so happy! Enjoy some pics I put together of the weekend!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcuWbho0cMmoN

Laurel and Anabelle had their last Ballet class today. They were so cute and proud. Laurel definately loves Ballet. Anabelle just seems to love doing something that is busy!

4 little Valentines!

My sweet Valentines! The girls all screamed, "Happy Valentine's" when I got them up.
We got so excited and got our little dresses on. We sat down for breakfast before our parties at school, and my luncheon at church I was helping with...then Chloe ran into the bathroom and got sick! Poor kid. She had to watch all the other kids go into school to have parties and snacks! We dropped her sisters off, then dropped her Valentine shoe box off with her cards to her friends. And a few dozen cookies. She was so sad! She and Corbin spent the late morning at my mom's while I was at a luncheon. It was terrific. By the time I got the 2 kids from mom's and picked the other kids up, Chloe seemed fine. All the same...missing a party at school just stinks!

Super Bowl Sunday

Crazy Hair day and Jammie day!

Some fun pics!
Laurel and Anabelle got to wear jammies to school and Chloe had crazy hair day at school!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Fred took Chloe and her cousin Abby to the Daddy Daughter Dance on Saturday. They had so much fun. While we were getting ready they kept talking about going to the ball! It was fun to watch them be so excited. Fred said Chloe really enjoyed the chicken dance. And then there was some interpretive ballet dancing! Too, funny. He said it was like a wedding for 5 year olds! He can't wait to take all the girls. Such a good dad!

1st Birthday!!!!!!! a little late!!!!!

Oh my. How sad. I just noticed that Corbin's 1st birthday never made our blog. 4th kid. What can I tell you.
Sweet Buh Buh....little did I know that peaceful morning....that I new you were on your way....did I really know you were going to change my life.
I mean, how much can the 4th kid in a bunch change an already nutty world. You have blessed my heart beyond words. To have a sweet
little boy give me kisses and lay his head on my shoulder. I am so lucky. You are such a big boy. And I think that is what makes it even sweeter.
I think of the big strong man you will be someday and I pray you will still want to come and lay your head on my shoulder and give me sweet kisses!
You are so happy and so funny. I can't imagine how dull life could have been without your surprise appearance! God is amazing... he blesses
us when we don't ask...he gives what we don't even know we need...and boy oh boy...I needed you!
You are a perfect fit into our family....you snuggle right in the midst of it all. You may not get your pjs completely put on before we have to run off to
help another situation...you may have to take you milk in the car on the go to get someone somewhere else.. you may have to have a meal fed to you by a 2 year old sister or if you are lucky a 4 year old sister! But you have a Mommy who loves every inch of you....a mommy that still sneaks in your room and wakes you up to rock you at 1 am, bc that is the only time you
will sit still.... You have 3 sisters who think you hung the moon(when you aren't driving them crazy) and a Daddy who just thought he was wrapped by his girls....I can imagine what you are
going to get away with when he is in charge!!!!
We love you... we pray you become the strong Christ loving man you were designed to be!
Happy 1st birthday my sweet little Buh Buh!

Our house is TOO full

Just a little pun on the title of this blog! But seriously, I know we could squeeze into a 2 bedroom home and make it work...but we would like a little more space. And closer to work/church/ninny/school?. We put the house on the market as of Thursday! It is exciting and scary at the same time. I think it is exciting to see what the Lord is going to do with us. To do with our house? We don't have a specific place or area in mind to move to...I mean, it has taken us 6 years just to sell. I can't imagine I could decide where to go! hahahaha!
So the kids and I have to pick up like crazy every morning... ahhhhrrrr! What a chore! Fred cleans at night and vacuums....Can I get an Amen for that! I knew it would happen one day!
I love having such a nice clean home... but what work!
I am excited but I have a lot tied to that house. It is our first home. My first home. The home each of our babies came home to for the first time...stairs that everyone has fallen down(including mom)...stairs that have everyone's tears on them(including mom)....bathrooms that someone had their first potty in! Walls that heard first words....floors that held first steps.... lots of firsts....now please be my FIRST house to sell!

..............
so NO ONE has called to see the house today... wanna know why? bc the kids are at school/moms, shelby is trapped in the garage, I am at work and so is Fred, and it is spotless!
But yesterday when I had 5 kids eating lunch,
3 different lunches bc Corbin doesn't like nuggets...odd...I only had 2 corny dogs I promised Chloe and her play date, and L&A had nuggets,
I had stuff out from a wedding cake I had to make for today...Q and U got married at school and they did a full wedding for it.....
I had paints all over the kitchen as to keep L&A occupied so Chloe could actually enjoy her friend to herself...
there was a Barbie massacre upstairs.....
and I get a call at 12:40 that they wanted to come at 1! Needless to say, we pushed to 1:15. Mad crazy dash to clean up... I told Chloe and Adelaide to push everything under Chloe's bed...I gave Anabelle Corbin's fork to finish feeding him... Hello she is 2.5! Get everyone in the car and hang at Sonic....
Response from showing relator and client: "Very nice house....Very very clean.... shows very well.... client still looking...so we will let you know if we want to see it again!"
Golly....at least they might give me 25 minutes this time... for real.... I mean... the first few days of having the house spotless, I thought I was in Heaven.. Fred had to feed my type A personality... now, I can see spiralling down hill in a few short days! Sell Sell Sell for my sanity if nothing else

remember when

So, I couldn't help but stare at these pictures on the bar tonight. It sreiously seems like yesterday Laurel and Anabelle turned 1! But here they are at 2.5 and big sisters!

Well, yet another Christmas of Cheer and Joy! And a little craziness!
Celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus is about the most amazing time of year for us! It is almost like it ties in together everything we try and teach our kids throughout the year. And everything we try to learn and remember and live, ourselves, thoughout the year. It isn't so much like the final exam in high school. But more like the party at the end of the year! To celebrate how much we each have grown and what we have learned throughout! Honouring someone else and the thankfulness we have....the best party I can imagine!
Hearing all my kids tell me it is "Happy Bithday Jesus" melts my heart like I never imagined. I think about people that choose to celebrate the "holiday" Christmas. Or those who do not understand the true meaning of Christmas. And it doesn't irritate me or make me angry. It makes me sad for them. In a small analogy, it is the difference between eating cake, and eating cake that has filling inside and icing on top....and you did no more for it, then the person who is just eating the cake. You just knew which cake to get!
So, my prayer this year is that everyone has a deeper understanding of Christ. And in that they will be amazed at what Decemeber 25th will bring them! JOY JOY JOY!
So, of course we couldn't have Christmas with out a little nuttiness!
My sister was in with her husband and 4 kids, 2 boys(7 and 5) 1 girls(2.5) and 1 baby boy(1year old)...
My little sister and her finace... and us!
Here goes the gist of it!
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
A 1 year old who ran his 4 wheeler into the tree!
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
2 little girls, appearing to have a Tammy Fae Baker makeup incident...oh geez!
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
3 oh mys because of a jingle bell up the nose...off to urgent care ..oh wheee!
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Corbin, "aka Elephant Man" major head injury...
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
2 little one year olds splashing in the toilet joyfuly!
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A couple fighting fists, probably too much candddyyyyyy!!!!
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A little girl with a sore toe from the 4 wheeler that ran into the tree!!!!!
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
A screaming little girl...oh just let her beeeee!!!!
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
2 love birds who can't keep their hands off each other's knees!!!!
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me..
2 mommies who are about to fall asleep underneath the tree!!!!
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
2 Daddies on the golf course....that's why the mommies want to fall asleep under the tree!!!
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
1 Grammy who got left with 8 kids and probably tied her to the tree!!!
(Added verse)
On the Last Day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
A heart filled with so much joy and laughter....why I love my family is so easy and plain to see!

Choir program

Chloe had her first real Choir performance. She was so excited and L&A knew all the words to each song. They liked seeing Chloe up front. But the best part about the show, her cousins Evan and Grant were there! I have never seen someone so excited in my life!