My 10 Things for 10 years

Gray skies covered North Alabama ten years ago today. It was a little dreary and cold.  But I could have cared less what the weather outside was like...I was about to marry the most wonderful man in the world.  Ten years, 3 kids and six cities later the weather is cold.  And I still don't care because I woke up next to the man of my dreams this morning.

In honor of ten years, here are ten things about this incredible man I love so much.

He is passionate. About Christ and the hope found only in Him. You hear it when he speaks. You can see it in his actions.  It is evident in the everyday ins and outs of life. This passion drives him.



 

 

 

 

He is a teacher.  More than just telling others about things, he wants them to learn and to know that they know for themselves.



 

 

 

 

He is adventurous. New places never bother him. He sees it as opportunity and looks for new things to see and do.



 

 

 

 

He is goofy. Never embarrassed easily, he loves to just be silly and goof off with the boys.



 

 

 

 

He is a learner.  After nearly 7 years of seminary and what seems like hundreds of books, he is always reading and learning.  Digging for knowledge and gleaning wisdom.



 

 

 

 

He is a fan. Of sports. All things University of Alabama.  Football and golf. We can even watch and play together.



 

 

 

 

He is a foodie. But only when it comes to the grill or sweets. He loves BBQ and Burgers. Chocolate Chip cookies and ice cream.



 

 

 

 

He is a friend. No matter the miles that separate, he will always call to check in with his friends, praying for them and laughing with them.



 

 

 

 

He is a father. Our boys know they can look to dad, talk to dad, wrestle with dad and just be in his presence. He gives them love and discipline, helping set the course for them.



 

 

 

 

He loves selflessly. Daily he helps with the boys, does household chores and makes sure that I have time to be in The Word. He wakes early and stays up late, making sure he is able to squeeze in all he needs to do for each day.



There are so many more details I could give but I'll just treasure those in my heart. I am beyond thankful for my man. And am looking forward to celebrating many more anniversaries together!

Peanut - A Gift

I'm not one of those girls who had their wedding planned before Mr. Right showed up and swept them off their feet.  I was a hopeless romantic who dreamed of the day I'd meet that man of my list.  List, you ask.  The one I made that included all things I wanted, and all things I didn't, in my husband.  I never dreamed of what I'd name my children or how many I had to have.  Of course, I wanted all this.  To marry Mr. Right and have children.

And in January of 2006, Mr. Right and I found out we were expecting our first bundle of joy.  The best two year anniversary present this girl could have asked for.  We scheduled our doctor visit, saw that sweet little life that was forming in my womb.  We nicknamed him/her Peanut.  The heartbeat...incredible.  In March, after having been on a business trip for several days, I returned home.  We went to our scheduled doctor visit only to find that there was no heartbeat.  After 3 days of blood tests and ultrasounds, my worst nightmare was confirmed.  We lost our little Peanut.

Devastated.

The gift was not only in the little life that stopped forming in my womb.  For days, weeks even, women surrounded me with cards, hugs and prayers.  They reached out to share their stories of loss and grief.  These were testimonies to the grace of God, who both gives life and takes life away.



 A gift.

I never thought I'd be able to handle something like that.  Losing an unborn child.  The greatest gift I received in it all was in drawing near to The Giver of life.  He taught me to trust Him even when it was difficult and I didn't understand. To lean in to His heart when all seemed to fall apart around me.   He has taught me how to turn every blessing He has given back to praise...even the hard ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giw2KfOZf0k

Fences

A week out from Thanksgiving and we are slowly moving back into a routine. Three states in three days with three boys under the age of five is rough on a gal. Especially when the 2 year old prefers demands his own bed for hours on end between say midnight and 4 AM for two nights in a row.

We were blessed to be able to stay with family we haven't had much of a chance to see over the past 8 years. So it was wonderful to be around them, even for the few short hours we did have. We stayed the first night with my husband's aunt in Tennessee. I love his aunt and uncle! They have always made me feel like part of the family. Acceptance is a beautiful thing. This couple has the most incredible home. It's more than a house; it truly feels like being at home. The boys bounced off stairs, pulled numerous toys from their unknown habitat. They played inside and outside. We went to see the train and even found a playground. The boys played upstairs, downstairs and under everyone's feet.

For the first time, and I'm not exaggerating, I let them be kids at someone else's house. I was a little apprehensive at first but decided it would be best, for them and for me. And here are a few things I learned.

1. My boys need fences not leashes. They are children that need to be trained not animals that need to be broken. I must allow them freedom to explore, to roam, to learn. Freedom to find out who they are and what they can achieve.




2. My boys will be what I make or break them to be. I have the opportunity now to set my boys up for success or for failure. Not just in a future business sense. Now is when they will learn how to be the men they will become.

3. There is safety and solace in boundaries. By setting boundaries for them, I am allowing them to take the reigns from time to time. Giving them a safe place to learn and explore. Which also means that sometimes their decisions may not be the best ones. However, there are times that making bad decisions is punishment enough.

Thankful for family, faith and fences!

Dear Kaitlyn

Dear Kaitlyn,

I read your Facebook status early this morning.  You know, the one that said, "Pray for my generation."  And I felt a tug on my heart to respond with more than a Like.  After a profound day in American history, I hurt for you and your generation.  Here is my response.

To a generation that hangs in the balance:

I’ve seen your plea.  Heard your silent cry for prayer, for help.  Know your need to be - heard, difference makers, part of something great.  And I confess, with deep sorrow, the state of this nation, this people, that you are on the threshold of inheriting, is the result of a selfish, immoral generation.  My generation and those before me.  Generations that thrives on the material for the pleasure of self.

And I grieve.

My generation as a whole, we are not role models for generations to come.  And I humbly request your prayers, encouragement and accountability - for me and for my generation.  Challenge us to be...

• God seekers


• Difference makers


• Commitment keepers.

I want to be able to say to you, follow us as we follow Christ.  Seek those to pour into you the truths found only in the Word of God.  Call us to account for our words, our actions and our inaction.

As Paul exhorts Timothy, I also exhort you in these:

• Train yourselves to be godly, focus on the Scriptures (1 Timothy 4:7, 14)


• Don’t let anyone think less of you because of your age (1 Timothy 4:12)


• Be an example to all believers in the way you speak, live, love, conduct your life and live out your faith (1 Timothy 4:12)


• Encourage the believers (1 Timothy 4:13)


• Serve the body - use your gifts (1 Timothy 4:14)


• Stay true to what you know is right - for the salvation of your soul and the salvation of others (1 Timothy 4:16)

The responsibility you have is great, as my generation will entrust yours with the influence and instruction of our children.  However, the responsibility of my generation is no less great.  We are to lead your generation, and those to follow, in the ways of righteousness.  Forgive us where we have and will fail you.  “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14)

My prayer for you is that your generation (& you specifically) will “Taste and see that the Lord is good” that you will find joy as you “take refuge in him!”  That as you “face many troubles” you will also be aware of how “the Lord comes to the rescue each time” understanding that “the Lord will redeem those who serve him”. (Scriptures found in Psalm 34)

Kaitlyn,  I look at you and your parents, and I’m thankful for the instruction and encouragement you receive.  Knowing that not all in your generation have what you do - both spiritually and/or emotionally.  May our Lord use you in a mighty way to influence others (of multiple generations) for Christ’s kingdom.

The Day the Dishwasher Broke

Sundays are incredibly busy days around our house.  We're usually up early and in bed late with little time for rest in between.  A couple of weeks ago, while in the middle of cooking breakfast for my tribe of hungry fellas, I opened the dishwasher to put away the clean dishes.  As I began unloading I noticed that the dishes appeared half clean.  Ugh! On a Sunday morning of all days.  Mouths to feed, boys to dress, somewhere to go, lunch still to prepare.  Broke.  I stood there in utter disbelief at first.  I quickly put the few dishes I had gotten out back in with more washing liquid.  Turned the dial on the dishwasher.  After several minutes I realized there was absolutely no water going to the dishwasher.  My frustration was mounting.  I didn't have time.  

Today, my dishwasher is still sitting idle.  There is no quickly loading and unloading the dishes in order to move on to whatever is next.  As a matter of fact, the day the dishwasher broke I learned some very important lessons.

• Time is valuable.  I never had to worry about spending time standing at the kitchen sink hand washing and towel drying dishes.  Now, I have to make the best use of my time in order to add one more chore to the list.


• Some things can wait.  I must confess, I'm a social media junkie.  If I'm not careful, I'll spend half my day staring at the screen on my smart phone or at the computer.  In reality, social media can wait.   It is not nearly as important as the three boys laughing and playing in my living room.  Time with my children I can never get back. Facebook status updates will still be there in an hour, a day or even a week.


• Down time is good for my spirit.  I'm a worrier.  I'm constantly thinking about what is or is not done, what needs to be done, why I haven't been able to accomplish this or that.  But when I stand at that kitchen sink, I don't have to think much about what I'm doing.  I can put some music on and just fall into that dish washing routine.

Though I can't say I don't want the dishwasher fixed, because then I'd be a liar, I'm thankful for the opportunity to put some things into perspective.  And see for what I truly should be thankful!