I never thought that I would want to move, but I'm rethinking that thought.  How bad could it be to live in Virginia?  Beautiful mountains, cool summer nights....it's sounding better than ever.  Might start packing. :) 

Since I'm slow, busy and alot of other things, my 'mother's day post' is just now getting posted. :)  I am so thankful for all that my mom taught me in the years I was at home.  Sewing (she often picked seams open and fixed dresses that I had thrown in the corner), quilting, cooking, cleaning (i hated it most of the time), cross-stitch, patience, perserverance (if at first you don't succeed, try again), canning and gardening (shelling peas for hours and weeding), how to live for Jesus, and the list could go on and on.  But, I never really knew how much she did for me until I was married and had children.  Crazy how that works.  And now, when I think of all the things that I do for my children now, some of them just not very enjoyable, I wonder what they'll remember when they're grown...

Some of the things that I do for my children, in a week's time:

• 8-10 loads of laundry
• picking up toys an average of 3 times a day
• settling fights/being peacemaker...2-5 times a day
• making 3 meals a day, plus fixing bottles 3-4 times
• getting groceries at least once, sometimes twice
• changing aprox. 5 diapers/day
• giving 3 children baths, at least 4-6 times
• baking bread, cake, snacks, etc
• cleaning the house and putting 'stuff' back where it belongs
• reading countless stories

And this is in a good week.  Not saying anything for carrying them 9 months, going through surgery to give them life, all the sleepless nights, Dr. visits, cuts and scrapes bandaged, messes cleaned up (like markers on the carpet, flour spilled, etc.), potty training, and so much more.  But, you know, the more I think about it, the more I realize what an awesome priviledge it is.  To be a mom to 3 precious children.  And what's sweeter, than when they wrap their little arms around you and say, "Love you, mama."  And for sure, there are days when my patience is severely tried, and I'd give them away to the first bidder (well, not really), but there are just days like that.  But, you know? We only get one chance.  One chance to train them, teach them what they need to know, and love them with all we've got.  I was reminded of this song:

No charge

Now our little boy came up to his mom
In the kitchen this evenin' while she was fixin' supper
And he handed her a piece of paper he'd been writin' on
And after wipin' her hands on her apron
She read it, and this is what it said.

For mowin' the lawn, five dollars,

For makin' my own bed this week, one dollar
And for goin' to the store, fifty cents
An' playin' with little brother while you went shoppin', twenty-five cents.

Takin' out the trash, one dollar

Gettin' a good report card, five dollars
And for rakin' the yard, two dollars
Total owed, fourteen seventy-five.

Well, as mom looked at him standin' there expectantly
And I could see the mem'ries flashing through her mind
And so she picked up the pen, and turnin' the paper over
This is what she wrote.

For the nine months I carried you growin' inside me, no charge
For the nights I've sat up with you
Doctored you, and prayed for you, no charge
For the time and the tears
That you've cost through the years, there's no charge
And when you add it all up
The full cost of my love is no charge.

For the nights filled with dread
And all the worries ahead, no charge
For advice and the knowledge
And the cost of your college, no charge
For the toys, food and clothes and even for wipin' your nose
There's no charge, son
And when you add it all up
The full cost of my love is, no charge.

Well, when he finished readin'
He had great big old tears in his eyes
And he looked up at her standing there and said
Mama, I sure do love you
Then he took the pen,
And in great big letters
He wrote PAID IN FULL.

Lord knows when you add it all up
The cost of real love is, no charge...

 

*******************************************************************

Carson told me a little while ago, "Mom, I can't wait to go be with Jesus.  I love Him more than here."  And I wanted to say, "Please, dear son, don't go anytime soon."

 But, what is our goal?  One of Carson's best friends, Terrence Wagler's dad John, went to be with Jesus Wedn. night.  It's so hard for him to understand.  When I told him Thurs. morning, he said, "Mom, can we go there, too?"  I love that child-like faith!    

 

 

 

 

I wouldn't trade these little ones for anything in the world!

God give me the strength to raise them.

And thanks, Mom, for showing me what real love is.

~Amber

 

The 'day before vacation' is WORK!!! 

• The laundry is washed, but not dried and folded. 
• There are a million things left on the list to do. 
• The children go from one naughty thing to the next. 
• Avery cries and wants to be held.
• Party mix is made.
• Bread is rising. 
• Nothing is packed.
• Burger for my Fri. night meal, needs to be fried.
• I need a nap...

I can't wait till we're driving out the lane.  And I can heave a sigh of relief and soak in every single minute of 'nothing to do'!!! :D

Pictures and memories to follow... :)  Ya'll have a great weekend! I sure will!!

Every couple days, I visit this blog...she gives away lots of cool stuff and I faithfully enter my name to win.  Well, never thinking I actually would, because I've never won anything in my life, that I can remember.  Yesterday, I got an email, and it said, "You've won a bottle of Country Bob's Sauce!"   Paul snorted while I cheered...but, he's going to find out that this stuff is awesome (I hope) and it will make all grilled meat, just that much better.  We shall see, when my 'bottle of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce', gets dropped in my mailbox.  I can't wait!  Kinda like Christmas a little early.  

*Ok, I might be a little weird, but I love prizes*

I thought we were having spring...in fact Saturday was quite warm while 'we' spread a huge dump truck load of mulch.  And I say the 'we' very lightly. :)  I did shovel 2 Gator loads, but didn't get much credit for helping, so maybe it wasn't that much after all. I'd never admit that to anyone in this household, though!  

When Daddy let me drive...

I love my lilacs!

The flower beds look so nice, now I'm ready to plant flowers! If it ever warms up again...

I've found out in the last few days, how little I really know.  One of Carson's favorite men from church, is suffering from a brain tumor. And as of last week, has been given 2 weeks to live.  (To you Hillcresters who know Terrence Wagler, this is his dad.)  This is all very hard for Carson to understand and so very sad to see him (John) like this.  I've gotten lots of questions like this in the last week:

• What's in my head?
• What's a brain?
• Where is God?
• Who is God/Jesus?
• Where does God live?
• Am I old?
• When will I die? I don't want to die.
• Why does John have to die?
• What will happen to him, then?
• Who will come get him and take him to Heaven?
• Who will live with Liza? (his wife of only 4? years)
• How can God heal him? Does He use a pin or how will He get in his head?

He told me tonight, "I'm praying for John every day and Jesus might just decide to heal him, instead."  The faith of a child!  It's so hard to answer these kinds of questions and you wonder if he's able to understand by what you tell him.  I thought I was pretty smart, but I've realized how little I really know.  I'm not smart enough for this job!  Pray for the Wagler family.  This has to be so terribly hard. 

A few weeks ago, we came home from town and I was unlocking the front door and he said, "Mom. I know why we lock the door. It's to keep the Philistines out." Needless to say, I burst out laughing.  He brings so much laughter to this house, I don't know what we'd do without him. 

I 'stole' some tulips from Paul's boss' flower bed, since they were gone for a couple weeks and I thought someone should be enjoying them. :)  I just love them!!

My Baby and her favorite thing to chew on...

Paul's sister Evie is here for the week and tonight, her and Naomi made supper for us.  A wonderful treat! And a very delicious supper! I'm certainly spoiled to have such sweet sister in laws!  Well, I need to get some sleep.  Hope ya'll have a wonderful Easter.  Remembering what Jesus did for you and I...and being thankful that

Our God is Alive!!