I have just on thing  to say, I feel so busy!  I feel that I run my tail off and in all of the “to do’s” I have lost a little of me in this mommy thing.  If you want to read some great posts about this, jump over to Lysa’s blog.  She is blogging about losing yourself in life.  I have trouble with this, how about you?  I think there is a balance to be found.

I am active in a women’s bible study and attend a Moms in Touch group.  I also like to attend a local aerobics class.  Taking kids to school, picking them up, housework, cooking, laundry, errands, time…does anyone know where we can get more of it?   In the past, I would do my bible study and check it off the list, just like something else.  In my self evaluation and in my prayer time, I really felt God changing my heart in this area.  I had made quiet time just another thing to do.  I need to cherish my time with the Lord.  Really listen to what he has to say about my life and how I use my time.  So I have started getting up at 6am…yes..6am to have my quiet time and I LOVE it.  I have my coffee, the house is quiet and it’s  just me and Jesus. This has taken some discipline.  It”s so easy to hit that alarm and roll over in the nice warm bed.  But, what I would be missing out on…nothing compares.  It is my fuel for the day. ( To help my type A mind from wondering and worry I have started journaling my thoughts and prayers.)  

While adjusting my schedule to life with both girls in school and trying to get on a good routine I have discovered that I have no hobbies.  None.  I have great friends who have introduced me to fun little projects but I have nothing to claim as my hobby.  So after chatting with my hubby really pondering on what I like to do and what I enjoy receiving,  I have decided to start stamping. I really enjoy encouraging others and I think this is gonna be a fun way to do that.  If you are like me, I love getting fun mail.  What a fun thing to get, a homemade card, to make you smile.   I am really excited about it.  About 10 years ago I had a Stamping party and tried to get into it but life quickly changed and I got sucked into a whirlwind of doctors, therapy and craziness.  I felt totally overwhelmed with getting all the “stuff” out and than putting in back up because I did not have an area to craft in and leave it all out.  Than we moved, twice, and the stamps went into a box. 

Well, time goes on and God has introduced me to a delightful friend who is quite the crafty gal.  She is an avid stamper and an excellent one at that.  So I am gonna give it a whirl.  I have a spot in the basement set up so everything can stay out and have purchased some paper, ink, new stamps, ribbon etc.  I have made a few cards, having to dig deep to find my creativity that has been placed on a shelf for many years and discovered, it is fun.  When you sit and think about the design, put it together, finish it…ah…a finished token of encouragement, that I made…me..little old me!

So what do you do for ”playtime?”  Do you bake, sew, bead, scrapbook, woodwork, garden, read, photography?  Share what you do and who, how you got into it.  It is important that we let our creative sides come out. I suppressed mine for so many years, using busy to keep me from pursuing anything fun.  This led to a very boring hum-drum life. God created us to be creative.  He gave us personality and curiosity.  He himself is so creative.  I love the colors of the changing seasons. Creative. The new colors of fall. Creative.  Get up one morning and view the sunrise, or in the evening view the sunset, than the starry sky.  He is creative and He is beautiful.  We tend to take all that for granted in our busy lives,  but have you ever just paused and  looked at the views God paints for us?  Magnificently creative.  Do you ever praise him for the marvels?  I challenge you to find them daily.  It might just get your creative juices flowing!! 

footnote:  the card in this blog is not one that I made but I do love the design.

Celebrations, oh, the cake, balloons, gifts, family and friends, did I mention the cake.  Births, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, really any reason to celebrate…and to get some cake.  Phoebe turned 5 in early September.  We had to cancel her birthday celebration due to illness.  I want to share some of the pictures from her celebration we had over this weekend with family.

As you can see she had a My Little Pony birthday cake.  That is what Phoebe is into right now.  My little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake.  It’s funny because when I was little I had those things too.  Things do come back around.  She received very nice gifts and had fun visiting with grandma’s, grandpa’s, and great aunt and great uncle.  This weekend we are having her “friend” party.  We normally don’t spend the whole month celebrating birthday’s but we had to reschedule things due to illness.  So it has felt like we have had a party every weekend!  But hey that’s okay because I love celebrations…and cake!

Today is September 17, 2009.  Today is the 8 year anniversary of Natalie’s brain injury.  If you don’t know Natalie’s story than hop over to her site and read about it. 

I wanted to take a moment and say a few things about Natalie.  First, she is precious to me and I love her with my whole heart!  I absolutely hate that her life is like it is.  She has taught me so much.  She brings such joy to our family.  Here are some thoughts that come to mind,

Natalie,

you make me laugh when you laugh

you have more hair product than I do girly!

you are such a trooper, going through all the things you do

I know that you love Jesus

you are a testament to God’s love

you are the sweetest thing in the world and others fall head over heals with you within minutes of meeting you

your smile lights up a room

you are a GIFT

I go through agony when I know you are in pain and I can’t fix it

you are part of a bigger plan designed by Christ, be proud of it!

you are my cuddle bug, you always have been and always will be

I treasure each day I have with you

I trust that Jesus has a destiny for you and I can’t wait to see it come full circle

I so anticipate the day that we meet in heaven and you extend your arms and say “hi Mom”, GLORY!!  We are gonna be singing and praising the Mighty One!

I would give up EVERYTHING to have you healed and out of pain!

YOU BLESS ME!   I love you

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

You run this race because your reward awaits you!  I am proud and honored to be your mom.

I love my prayer card box Elliott made for me.  It is beautiful and smells wonderful.  He made it out of cedar.  Here are some pictures.

The original box

original box open

The set came with a plastic card holder that fits nicely in front

Another side view

I will treasure this wonderful box forever.  Thank you so much Elliott, I love you to pieces and am so glad we are together on this journey! P.S.  You can visit Beth Moore’s website to get these cards.  They were inexpensive and will definitely come in handy, being a blessing to me!

Moments…we all have them. Like on Thursday night when Phoebe told me her throat hurt. Oh, no I thought. We had to cancel her birthday party. Do you know how a little one responds to “honey we need to cancel your party.” Not good! Well, it continued to get worse. Fevers, sore throat, chills and than on Saturday, ear ache. Thankfully our pediatrician is open on Saturdays. I took her in and she has an ear infection and sinus infection. She is on antibiotics and resting. Thank goodness for this long holiday weekend.

Natalie’s surgery went great. Her ears were a mess. The doctor said they had lots of “gunk.” The tubes went in beautifully. Her pulmonologist (lung doctor) came into the little conference room and smiled. I thought he was gonna tell me that she had pneumonia and needed to be admitted. He said that her lungs looked incredible. Really, they looked great, not inflamed, red or anything. Praise Jesus! Now we just have to keep her that way through the fall/winter season. I came home and wiped all doorknobs, remotes and phones down with a disinfectant wipe. Guess that will become a routine thing.

I had an incredible moment on the way to school Wednesday. Here is how it went. I was driving Phoebe to school and we were listening to a local christian radio station. The song, There’s a Light at the End of This Tunnel by Third Day came on.  Phoebe yelled for me to turn it up. She was singing her little heart out. This is such a blessing to witness. Than this happened:

Phoebe: You know mom when they are talking about the light at the end of the tunnel they are talking about Jesus!

Tricia: That is right Phoebe, Jesus is our light. (smiling from ear to ear)

Phoebe: (with tons of excitement in her) Yeah, because when they went to the tomb and the stone was rolled away the angel said “He is not here” He is Risen!!

Okay,  I had a revival right there in my car!!  I about came out of my seat!  I didn’t know what to do with myself.  I prayed right than and there that God would water that seeded soil and allow a strong, rooted spirit to grow inside of her. We threw on the praise music and gave God the glory. God sent me such a gift in that conversation and girlfriends that was a MOMENT!  She makes those comments and it takes my words away..imagine that me speechless. She asked me the other day if when we get to heaven Natalie will be able to walk up to us and give us a hug.  I told her absolutely.  Her comment was, “that is cool”    WHEW…I pray to get more of those conversations.  

When I was at the Beth Moore simulcast I bought these prayer cards.  They came in a cardboard box.  I wanted something prettier to put them in.  My husband is a hobby woodworker and he said he could build me a pretty box to place them in, that it wouldn’t take much time to make.  I hear the tools going in the shop, so I am gonna peak.  I will post a picture of it when it’s done. 

I went through the pictures on my camera and realized that I had not shared some of the great times we had at the end of summer.  So here they are.

Natalie and Sam

 This is Samantha, Natalie’s friend.  This girl has such a big heart and I feel honored to know her.  She looks past Natalie’s “differences” and enjoys being her friend.  She is a blessing and I pray she is blessed for her compassion.   Samantha reads to Natalie and Natalie loves it. 

Phoebe at Christmas in July. This was at First Church

This is how the kids and some adults got wet!

Too much fun!!

This was an event held at our home church supporting a ministry that takes toys to children that are in the hospital over the holidays.  It was Christmas in July, they had a Polar Plunge, Kona Ice, all kinds of games and sweet treats.  The admission was a new toy to donate.  The kids had a blast.  As you can see the local fire department came and opened up a hydrant to “cool” off everyone.  I couldn’t tell if the fireman were having more fun than the kids.

First day of 4th grade

First day of kindergarten

The first day of school was great!  Everyone, including mom did well.  It was tough seeing Phoebe go off to school.  She’s my baby.  It is odd not having her around all the time.  She loves her teacher and is having tons of fun.  Natalie’s notebook is coming home saying she is having a terrific time in school.  She is all smiles and enjoys her class. We are getting used to the new routines of baths, stories, bed.  It is hard because it is still light out at 8:15-8:30. 

Okay, so I went to the Beth Moore Simulcast.  All I can say is “WHOA”  It was awesome.  I tried to take some pictures but they came out way to dark..bummer.  Her teaching was incredible.  She taught on Psalm 37.  I love how she gets you to a point where you want to dig and dig into God’s word. She puts it on an easy to understand, break it down way.   I had so many “moments” this weekend and I was nudged in my heart about some things.  Oh, and the worship, just let me tell you about the worship.  Rocking!! Clapping, moving, hands raised praising.  It was amazing.  It was just what I needed.  Travis Cottrell is a gifted worship leader.  If you can ever get to a simulcast or get to the real deal…GO!!  You won’t regret it.  I am forever blessed. 

Well, Phoebe turned 5 today so I will be posting pictures about that soon.  We took mini cupcakes to school and I helped in the room.  When Natalie got home we took Phoebe out to dinner and let her open one gift.  She is having a party on Saturday with family and than one with her friends the following week.  I am really tired so have a blessed rest of the week. 

Oh, Natalie is having some minor surgery on Friday, so could you say a prayer for her.  Things that are simple can get complicated quickly with kids like her.  I am confident that God will blanket her with his protection and peace.  Thanks so much and I will update you on how things go.