Now What?

The vacation has come to an end. Now what?



Each day, I spent time with the Lord asking Him for truth. Truth that I may not see or hear when I am at home with six little distractions. The last vacation Scott and I had, God so filled my heart with truth. I came home refreshed and challenged in several areas that I knew God had shown me direction in. But, each morning this week I asked for truth but was still waiting for it. Not that God's word is not full of truth, but as my mom calls it, I wanted the "meat" of the word, not just the "milk" of the word.



As I sat with Him this morning, I thought back on this week. I thought about how different I am on vacation. Every time Scott and I go away, I make it a point to exercise every morning. I ate better this week. I had a quiet time every morning. I never lost my temper or spoke in a harsh way. That is when God spoke to my heart, "Now that vacation is over, now what?" Do I just go back to doing all those things that are wrong just because I am not in the "garden of eden" any more? Again He spoke to me. He showed me how I have an idol in my life. My idol is stress.



Stress must be my idol. Look how I sacrifice to it. I do not do what I know I am supposed to do because I am stressed. Sometimes I choose to do wrong to relieve my stress. Yes, life is busy and full of opportunities for stress with six kids (or with one kid for that matter), but they are not the cause of my stress. My stress comes from not asking God what He wants my day to have in it, or from taking my focus off of Him and eternal issues and focusing on the present. Sure following Him here in the "garden" has been easy. We all need a time to be refreshed, but I know that He gave me meat this week so that I would be filled for the journey He has for me at home.



I sat there and thought about the sacrifices I make in name of stress. Then I thought about what sacrifices I could make in order to continue this "garden" relationship with Him. This is the list of things that I want to work on for the year. I want to look back next summer and see how I spent my time with Him and no other. One of the books I read this week, related it to marriage, in that I do not want to "cheat" on God. I want Him to have my whole heart just as Scott does. I know this will only come with an eternal perspective.



Here is my challenge to myself: Go home, remember all that God spoke to your heart this week, remember how He opened your eyes to many areas of your life, and live each day challenged to stay completely in love with Him.



Two of the books that I read this week, and would highly recommend, are:



How People Change

by Paul Tripp

(this is a book I will read over and over it is that good)



The Practice of the Presence of God

by brother Lawrence

Love Message to my Girls (4)

This is it!!

Your last day of vacation.

I have loved hearing all the fun things you've got to do with Meme.

I miss you all so much and can't wait to squeeze you.

Not that being away makes me realize how wonderful you girls are, but it does open up the eyes of my heart to pieces of you that I might be to busy to notice, as often as I should, at home.

Bryce and Sadey: You have grown up so much over the last year. There was such maturity in your voices each time I talked to you this week. I love that you consider it a joy, not a burden, to play little mamas. You have shown such gentleness, not bossiness, to the little ones this week. I am so grateful for the sweet spirit you share with others.

Macy: You were so brave when mommy and daddy were leaving so that Caymber would not see you and be more upset. You too are growing up into a thoughtful young lady. I know your joyful spirit helped cheer up the little ones several times this week. You are so helpful.

Caymber: I heard how you worked hard this week to practice obedience. In the car, outside, and even at bath time, meme told me that you followed exactly what she said. I am so proud of how grown up you are becoming. You have such a loving spirit. I know that as you grow up you will help lead your little sissies to do the right thing.

Aylee, Piper, and all of you: I miss you. I can't wait to see you and snuggle you. Have fun today. I love you!!!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Love Message to my Girls (3)

Hi girls!!!

Well the vacation is half over. I hope you all are having fun. Mommy and Daddy are. It has been a very relaxing time. We went to see a movie last night, and that was fun. Today mommy and meme went and played golf with daddy and papa. It was a beautiful course just at the base of the mountains. I took lots of pictures so you could see how pretty it was. We saw a bunny and a roadrunner and papa even saw a snake. We also got to see the home of two celebrities who live on the course. I took some pictures of that too so you'll see it when we get home.

I heard there was more bad weather there today. I hope everything is ok. Hopefully you will not have anymore for the rest of the week so you can play outside each day.

I was so proud of how good you babysat the other day. You older girls are such good helpers.

I can't wait to hear what you bought at the store. Be sure to tell meme a big thank you.

I miss you and can't wait to hold you all again. Enjoy the last part of your vacation and I will see you in a couple of days.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Love Message to my Girls (2)

Hi baby girls!!

I hope you are having fun at Meme's today.

Mommy and Daddy are going golfing today. The weather here is so nice. Just a gentle breeze and in about the 80's. I think daddy is going to play golf every day:) He said the course he was on yesterday had so many bunny rabbits running around. You all would have loved it. There is a cute little mommy duck and daddy duck that keeps coming up on the porch at Meme's room. They are looking for food. Meme took some pictures to show you when we get back. I wish I could bring back some of the strawberries they have here. They are so sweet it is like having a peace of candy. I know how much you all love strawberries, especially Macy. You would be eating these for every meal. All the fruit and veggies here taste so good because they are so fresh.

I was so glad to hear how much fun you all were having. I know you are showing Meme and Papa your sweet spirits. Don't wish for home so much that you miss all the fun this week. Soak up your time away with them. I will write you again tomorrow. We love you and miss you.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Love Message to my Girls (1)

To my, if any, regular readers you will have to excuse me the next few days. I told my girls I would send them a message each day while we were gone, but we cannot email from here. So, I am using this site to send love messages to my girls. Thank you for stopping by and come back when I am backing to real blogging.

Hi girls!! I hope you all are having a great time at Meme's! We are having fun here. Daddy played golf today and mommy and meme got to sit by the pool. It is very pretty here. We are going to go shopping tonight, so maybe we will find a suprise for everyone. Sorry I haven't been able to upload a video message for you to see, but I will write to you each day. We miss you all and can't wait to see you. I am sending you lots of hugs and kisses! I hope you get lots of spoiling time with meme. See you soon.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Momisms for Mom's Day

Inspired by Mother's Day, I am going to share some of my momisms.


You know, those phrases you repeat at least 100 times a day.


The phrases your kids use when doing their impression of you.


I can not take credit for coming up with everyone of these.


Some have been passed down from generations.


But these are the ones that my squirls get to hear most often:

"Don't say 'I can't'. That means 'I won't'. I want you to try."

"Close the door! Were you born in a barn?"

"When do we obey? Right now. Obedience is immediate."

"It's not clean until I say it's clean."

"Buddy up"

"Muster up"

"This is not a negotiation"

"Dessert is something you earn"

In case you haven't had enough momisms, I am adding this video that I know many of you have seen but it never gets old.

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