Today's Activities

Friday night we went to the Greenwood game! Lindsey is SO into watching the cheerleaders! She sometimes dances and last night was one of those...she was INTO it! So funny! The picture is blurry, but you get the drift. The band was playing and she was doing her dance! The Hollands came too. This is Kennedy! She and Lindsey are buddies!
This is Scotty and Courtney climbing and watching the game!

Then today we got up and went to watch Ryan's Upward game. I love watching him coach! Do you see Lindsey just standing on the side watching her daddy? She is SUCH a Daddy's girl right now! It is cute. Sometimes overwhelming to Ryan because she is attached to him like glue! He is so good to let her hang out with the boys on the bench and stuff. She says that she's his big helper. She goes to practices and everything with him. I love it! I pray they are close forever!

Today Ryan's team played our friends' son's team. So, Paige was there! This was at halftime while they were all sitting, so cute!

Paige's dog, Lucy, had puppies a few weeks ago! They are so adorable. The girls LOVE to see them. Their first litter was last year and Courtney was in love with the dogs. This time around it seems to be more of Lindsey's thing. We went over there this afternoon in this nice weather and played outside with the dogs! So stinkin' cute--to go cuddle with and then leave there! :)

They had this t-ball equipment for Paige to start playing! Courtney was very into it! HOW CUTE IS SHE!?!?!?! Oh.my.gosh! She thought she was big stuff!

She was trying to swing like Paige did, but she didn't get it. One day she will be our all star!

Every Mom Should Watch

Dear God, This is my desire. To be invisible for you! Love, Lindsey and Courtney's mommy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

Politics

I randomly found this on a blog today of a girl I went to high school with. Do with it what you wish, but there is some very telling video from President Obama and his view of abortions of ALL types! Please watch...

http://www.fightfoca.com/

Weekend Update

We had a good weekend. The girls were in Bentonville at mom and dad's house! It was a nice, needed break for all of us. Ryan and I enjoyed a FREE dinner at Doe's (which if you don't know is a VERY nice steak place) on Friday night with some Cintas people. Their french fries are to DIE FOR! I didn't even eat all of my steak so I could eat all of my fries and not feel SO bad! The steak was great too though!

Then on Sat. morning I went to a baby shower for a friend while Ryan did some errands--oil change and hair cut! :) Sat. afternoon we went to Ryan's Upward game. His boys lost, but played hard. They are 2-1 now. He is such a good coach! Seriously! It is amazing to watch. I enjoy it so much.

On Sat. night we went out with some friends to eat dinner downtown! BIG TIME here in Fort Smith! :) Ha! We just went to Landry's. It was a fun night, nothing exciting. Although after dinner we went back to the Bartlett's house for some serious Rock Band excitement! Ryan and I had never played, so we tried it! Ryan wasn't sure about it at first, but he liked the drums. He may not admit that, but he did! :) Travis, I must say, might have a career in singing---karaoke! Erin is pretty skilled on the drums as well. Although she did show some of her mad skills at singing some Beastie Boys!! So fun!

Today I met my parents and got my girls back. It was a good time for all. Lindsey ran fever on Sat. I was pretty sure it was just her congestion and throat hurting. They did the Tylenol and Motrin alternating to keep her fever down. Uncle Taylor came to play and they had a blast. Ryan took her to the walk in clinic today and they couldn't find anything, so decided that it was just sinus/upper respatory infection and gave her some meds. Both the girls are on antibiotics! Nice! Luckily they aren't "that sick" but just don't feel good. Maybe this week we can all be well! I pray so!

I have a few more things on my mind. We went to our home group that we have been doing wiht our "One Month to Live" study. It has been really good. Tonight our hearts were heavy with several children in our church that are battling serious illnesses. It is just a BIG wake up call of how blessed we are with our children! I could type more, but I will leave it there. So tough!

History....

In history, 28 years ago, my brother, Taylor was born! I wish I had some old pictures of him on my computer, but I don't. Plus, my scanner isn't working. This is from last weekend, the day we were celebrating his birthday. He's a great brother and wonderful uncle. I'm excited to see what life brings him! We want him to get married and have babies! :) Ha! He's not a faithful blog reader, so I can say that! :) I would say it to his face too, though! He would just shake his head I'm certain! Happy Birthday BUBS! I love you! Other history is taking place today. I haven't really had a lot of thoughts about it. I knew it was inaguration day, but hadn't put a whole lot of thought to it. I know it is historical. I know that God is in control. I'm so not "into" politics, so I guess that is why I knew what was going on, but wasn't caught up in it. Courtney woke up with fever, so I didn't really watch much this morning, just a tiny bit before taking her to the doc. I was there during most of the "service" and didn't turn it on when I got home.

However, when Lindsey got home from school my perspective changed. She was showing me what all she had done at school and out came a coloring sheet of our new president. Wow! Shocker. Not because I think that it is bad, but like I said I wasn't thinking much about it and therefore hadn't talked to her about it AT ALL. Maybe that is bad parenting, I don't know. It wasn't intentional, just how our life happened. However, after talking with her more about who that was, I realized that they had talked a lot about it at school. Nothing negative or positive, just who he is, his family, etc. So I started talking to her. FACTS. Nothing opinionated at all. I turned on the TV and there he was, of course. So I showed her. She said, "Is that the REAL Marak (yes, I typed that intentionally) Obama. That is what she said. Then I told her that was his wife and that they had 2 girls. I told her I thought they were like 8 and 10. She then corrects me and says that no, they are 7 and 9! Wow! She not only heard about it today, but remembers!! Then we talked about how he is the "boss" of the United States. She calls me the "boss" of MOPS, so that was the best way I knew to describe his job. She got a puzzle for Christmas from Ryan's mom of the United States, so we talked about that in relation to him. She then goes on to tell me that he is our "first one with black hair." Ha! I had to do all I could not to laugh. Obviously she meant our first black president. :) I didn't know how to correct her or what to say that wasn't going to lead to another BIG conversation, so I told her yes, he has black hair! She also informed me that the other one (president) is going to Texas! I realized quickly that I have neglected to teach her what has gone on today.

However, it reminds me of a few things. Not only did I want to remember the precious things she said and the innocence in her voice about it all. But I realized that 1) She is VERY aware of what others are telling her. She is listening and taking it all in! 2)Because of that I need to be telling her things too. I need to be the one teaching her. Her teacher at MDO did nothing wrong and I'm not upset in the least. However, it was a big reminder to me that she is at school, around others and their opinions and that I need to be teaching her things at home before she has to learn them "in the real world."

Send Harper a Message

My parent's church, Harper's mom and dad's church too, sent out this e-mail with a link. You can send a message to Harper!! Just thought you might be interested. No pressure! Just click on the link below. It is super easy, I just did it.

Harper Stamps at Children's in Tulsa can be reached at

http://www.sfh-childrenshospital.com/visitors/patientgreeting.aspx

Harper Report

This is from one of Kelly's (Harper's mom) friends: (as of Monday night)

Two years ago, I did a Bible Study at our church called, "Disciple's Prayer Life " written by T.W. Hunt and Catherine Walker. It was WONDERFUL and changed my perspective on prayer. PRAYER CHANGES THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got a good report on Harper today from Kelly. The MD talked to them for a while this afternoon and let them know that it is going to be a slow process, but Harper is making improvements. Her vitals are good and the brain test results were GREAT! Praise the LORD! He also seems to think her heart is great too.

We can be so thankful for these reports. PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!!!!!!!!!! Let's not slack off on the praying!Please pray that Kelly can get some rest and take good care of herself.

Week In Review

We have been super busy. I don't know doing what as much as we have just been busy. Last weekend, our friends from Seattle came to visit, Jeremy and Lynne. They have 2 daughters, Keira who is 4 and Savannah who is 1. You can imagine how much our girls loved having them here. Jeremy and Lynne are now serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators! They are going to be missionaries. It has definately broadened my "view" of missionaries past my trivial GA's experience! :) Ha!! We met them several years ago in our Newlywed class at FBC Springdale. We have stayed in touch and are great friends!
They brought their Wii Fit!! It was a lot of fun to watch Ryan hula hoop and Lindsey do some yoga! We have not yet bought the Wii Fit. However, they also brought Mario Kart...and we have since purchased that! Of course...

Courtney, Lindsey, Savannah and Keira before church. We took about 10 pictures, but of course there was always at least ONE girl not looking or smiling!

Jeremy and Lynne had their laptops out, plus ours...so we basically had our own little office!! We were busy with things like facebook, blogs, etc. :) Ha!! I think Jer was really working! This was last Sunday night. Ryan and I are doing a home group study with our church and they were sweet to keep our girls and told us to just go. Lynne took this and it was pretty funny!

They are now in North Carolina for training. They will then be assigned to where they are supposed to go! Please pray for them and their sweet family as they seek to serve the Lord and do what He has called them to do and use their boating skills all at the same time! We love you Paulus family!!

One day this week Courtney said she wanted Lindsey to put her down for a nap. Of course... it was precious to listen to. It actually worked too!! So I quickly opened the door and snapped a picture!

Friday night we went to the Greenwood basketball game. The girls enjoy going and during one of the time outs the cheerleaders asked the kids to come dance with them on the court. Pretty cute! Lindsey's friend Paige was at the game, so they got to go out there together. Paige danced for a short second, Lindsey and Courtney just stood there, but wanted to go out there! So fun!

Saturday we went to Fayetteville to Momma Dean's to eat for Taylor's birthday! It is a "hole in the wall" type place but very good food! "Soul food" is how the sign reads and they aren't kidding! There is a white board that you pick 1 meat, 2 sides, roll or cornbread and your dessert! Ryan and I both ordered chicken fried steak, fried zuccini, mashed potatoes and roll! YUMMY! That is all I can say!! The girls made Uncle Taylor birthday cards! I can't believe my little brother is 28! Wow!! Love you, Bubs!!

Amber, Taylor, Mom, Dad at Momma Dean's

Our friends the Flynts had twin girls just before Christmas. We weren't able to see them until just yesterday. Ryan was playing poker with some guys, so the girls went to see Kennedy and Bailey!! They were so tiny! Considering they were twins, they were big. But compared to my "babies" (HA!) they were tiny!

Lindsey was pretty interested in the babies. She was very interested in feeding them!! She loved doing that with Miss Lesli's babies too!!

Chris and Misty also have a little boy, Carter, who is 3 days older than Courtney! He wasn't there. So the girls loved playing with all of his toys! Chris was sweet to read with Courtney and pay attention to her!

It was fun to see them. The girls had fun holding the babies and playing with Carter's toys. Their girls are precious and I can't wait to see them again! Please pray for Bailey. She is doing fine, however, she has some kidney issues (I don't know enough to even try to type out the details, so I'll just say "issues" instead) that aren't serious, but need attention. They are going back to the doctor in a few weeks to see how things are improving or not, so pray that the doctors will have the wisdom and answers to do exactly what she needs.

Prayer Request

This family goes to church with my parents. She has a blog that is SUPER DUPER cute. I have never met her, but we have some mutual friends (plus she knows mom and dad). Anyway, she had their baby girl, Harper, yesterday. Harper has pneumonia. At first it was not looking good because they thought it was her heart. Now, they say it is very bad pneumonia. She's in Tulsa at Children's Hospital there because ACH was full. Kelly, the mom, is still in NWA and supposed to be getting out today to go be with her baby. Please pray for them. You can click on her picture above for the link to her blog.

Happy Birthday Martha!

Today is Martha's 30th Birthday!!! If you know me at all, which if you read this you should, then you know Martha!! She is NOT a computer person so she probably won't read this until next week or something. However, I wanted to give my "shout out" to her on her actual birthday!! For those that don't know the "details" of our relationship...here you go:



We became friends in the 6th grade. We were in the same class in 7th grade, but had a "falling out" because when 3 7th grade girls try to be friends...it doesn't work. (Shores, are you reading this...you would be the 3rd!) We worked it all out as most 7th grade girls seem to do, I guess. Then in jr. high we were inseperable (is that how you spell that??)! She played basketball as she always had and I cheered. Totally different yet, we loved eachother! We spent the weekends together proably 100% of the time! We have so many memories...snow days, her dad would come get me in his BIG blazer and drive up her icy drive way just so we could hang out! We played games all the time, made nachos, drank orange slushies her dad would make for us, play basketball (i think we did this ONE time and it was so awkward), we talked on the phone to boys (who WILL remain nameless!). Then came Willie....we ALL (the 3 of us) hung out at first. Martha was in 9th grade, so she couldn't car date. I remember the first time Willie ever came over to her house!! We we SO nervous and SO giddy! :) We sat in the basement and the "elephant in the room" was so obvious. There were like 5 guys, me and Martha....the entire purpose for their visit was for Willie and Martha to "hang out." With all of us there!! HILARIOUS! I don't even know what we did...I can just see us all sitting in her basement.

So then she and Willie got serious, and I got tired of being the 3rd wheel!! So in high school, our 10th adn 11th grade years, we were not as close. However, Martha is that friend that NO MATTER WHAT was between us, I KNEW if something happened she would be the one I would call! We were friends, just weren't hanging out as much...she was with Willie! Then our senior year came and that is when all the little groups of people started combining since it was our last year. People started hanging out and Martha and I were once again attached at the hip---if she wasn't going, I wasn't going. I had started dating Ryan, he was living at home going to U of A. I don't remember where Willie was going to school--he tried several colleges! So they would come along.

Martha went to John Brown, I went to U of A. We talked a lot and saw eachother some. Willie finally settled at U of A, he and Ryan lived together. So that was fun. Martha would come to F'ville from Siloam and we'd hang out with our boys and then she'd stay with me at my apartment.

I got engaged, she got engaged and we were eachother's maid of honor! It was a BLAST going through all of that together.

I moved to Memphis....she stayed in Lowell! It was SO hard to leave my family and Martha!! However, we leared to rack up our min. on our cell phone!! We talked all the time. I got pregnant and had Lindsey. Soon before she was born, Martha told me she was pregnant with her first baby too!! Soon after Lindsey was born, we moved back to Lowell, 2 streets over from Martha and Willie. NO, belive it or not we did not do that on purpose!! We even accidently found that house, we weren't even driving to it. When we went in, we realized it was the EXACT same plan as theirs!! So funny! We had so much fun in those early days of motherhood. We would spend so much time together it was crazy!! I miss those days for sure!

We moved here to Greenwood and we still talk all the time and are able to see eachother some, but not enough! Our kiddos know eachother and now play well together when we have time. At first, that wasn't the case. Thankfully they now love eachother! :) Cole WILL marry one of my girls so we can be family!! Ha!

This has ended up longer than I really set out for it to be. However, not having a sister, Martha is the closest thing to that that I will experience! I am so thankful for her. I don't know what I would do without her!!

Happy Birthday Martha, I love you!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

God is showing me so much! I just have to share!! Again, this is from "One Month to Live"--

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

"Jesus tells us to deny ourselves in order to find fullfillment. I have to choose to give up my way (yikes!) and follow God's plan and purpose for my life if I'm truly going to be fulfilled and live in the croses hairs of the abundant life He promised me. This is just the opposite of what we hear every day in the world around us. We have to exchange mantras--from satisfy myself to deny myself. Peter denied Christ, and he crashed. But when he learned to deny himself, he became a champion. Can you relate? Every single day of my life, I come to the place where I realize I can't do it. I come to the place where I say I want to enage with my kids (yes!), but I feel worn out. I feel selfish (me too!). I want to be a better marriage partner, but I don't have the love I need. I want to make a difference at work, but I don't have any energy. Every day of my life, I come to the place where I fall on my face and say, "God, I can't do it. I give up." And God says, Finally. I've been waiting for that. Now I can get involved and give you MY power and MY strength."

Wow!! I'm not the only one who feels selfish about MY time and wanting to be a better mom to my kids, yet I still feel selfish all at the same time?? That is "normal?" Seriously?!?! What a relief and encouragement that it is truly a DAILY thing for me to learn to say, "God, I can't do this without you. I feel like I should. I'm the mom. I can do this. THIS is my job. THIS is what I wanted to do my WHOLE life...be a mom. Why is it hard sometimes?!?! In my heart of hearts I want to do it, but just feel selfish and don't want to. So, now that this is in my head and my heart. I know what to do! Just.ask.God! Wow! It is that simple! Thank you Lord for teaching me new things everyday!

Let go of the monkey bars!

Our church is doing a study using the book "One Month to Live, Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life" by Kerry and Chris Shook. It all started on Jan. 1. Or it was supposed to...I started out a day behind. :) With all of my "perspective" posts lately it has been even more intense--I guess that would be a good word. Making me think for sure! Here is some of what I read last night:

"When my son was four or five years old, I took him to the park one day, and he immediately ran to his favorite spot. "Hold me up on the monkey bars," he said. So I lifted him up, and he grabbed the monkey bars, and I let go....After about a minute he got tired and said, "Okay, get me down." I said, "Just let go, and I'll catch you." He got a worried look on his face and said, "No, get me down." I said, "Well, if you just let go, I'll catch you." "No, get me down," he said. "I love you. I promise, I'll catch you."....He held on until his knuckles turned white and he couldn't hold on any longer. Finally he let go, and I caught him.

A big smile came across his face, and I sat him down, and he ran off to play on the swings. He forgot all abou tit. But it struck me that God had a message for me in this scene, almost as if he was saying, (THIS IS WHERE GOD IS TALKING DIRECTLY TO ME, SHARON!) This is the way you relate to Me. You hold on desperately, trying to do things in your own strengh. You struggle endlessly, tryin to control everything (me? really??), trying to make everything just right, trying to please people, trying to control every situation. You hold on and think there's no one to catch you so you'd better grip harder and cling tighter. While you're haning there and your knuckles are turning white, I'm saying, "Just let go, I'll catch you. Just let go. I promise you, I love you, and I'll catch you." ...God says, "I made you with My own hands. I made you for a purpose, and I died to buy you back. (WOW!) Why can't you trust Me? I gave My life for you. I'm the God of the universe. You can just let go, and I'll catch you."

God has been teaching me a lot about life in general. I need to let go of the monkey bars and fall straight into the arms of my Savior waiting to catch me....if I will only let go!

Perspective

Man...it has hit again. I was just talking to some friends this weekend about perspective. I didn't really care that I turned 30. It didn't bother me. However, I'm realizing that with 30 (or age in general) comes a lot more stuff to deal with. I have heard about so many divorces over the past few months, (no one particularly close to me personally, but people close to people I'm close to) cancer seems to be so prevelent within my very close friends' families, etc.

I am the new wedding coordinator person for our church. This past weekend I had my first wedding that I did all by myself. It was fun. However, my perspective was different on so many things. The bride's Grandad was there, who had been in the hospital just last week and he was obviously very weak. They said that he just lost his wife a few weeks ago and is so sad that she wasn't at the wedding that he didn't want to be there. As I watched this Bride sit with her Grandad and watched the family carefully bring him into the church and all, it was perspective on my girls. What grandparents will be at their wedding? What will it be like? It was just different. Then watching the wedding and hearing them say those vows (after hearing about so many divorces lately) made me sit there and pray hard for them as well as my own marriage. No one stands there and really understands the WORK that marriage is on that day. It is all fun and games....but then work comes into play! On a side note...my friend Shannon has found some great things on marriage and has been sharing them bit by bit on her blog! If you have time, click here to read them, you may have to scroll down. It is the 10 commandments and how they relate to marriage! VERY VERY GOOD!

Anyway...the real point of my blog is that a friend that I did my MAT at U of A with, named Bonnie, lost her husband today in a tragic car accident! Another friend called me and told me this morning. I haven't talked to Bonnie lately, but have kept up with her through her blog. I was speechless, felt like I was going to throw up, break down and cry, mad, chills all over, etc. all at the same time today when I heard the news. What?!?! They were a great couple, cute, wonderful parents. They have a little girl who is like 18 months old and she is pregnant with their 2nd! WHAT?!?! That will bring perspective if nothing else will. It made me think about A LOT of stuff. I won't type it all out here, but I just ask you to pray for Bonnie, Caroline and all of their family.

Looking Back....we are so blessed!

I have been reading some blogs that were writing about what this year brought. As a mom there are SO MANY things to look back on that you want to remember. So it was overwhelming to me to really think about and go back to. However, a friend (actually a girl I used to babysit a lot) has a blog that I love reading and she "looked back" by answering some questions. I liked reading it and thought I'd do the same thing she did! :) Good idea Lauren!

What was something you did in 2008 that you've never done before?

Camping!

Played with our new boat at the lake a lot!

Did you keep a resolution for 2008?

Nope! I started out joining the gym. It was fun. I wanted to be "healthy" as I would try and tell myself, but more than anything I really did want to lose weight. It didn't happen fast enough, schedules got busy and I quit! It was pretty humiliating to walk into the gym and tell them I wanted to quit my membership! Ha! I knew there was no point in paying the money if I knew I wasn't going to go! Oh well...one day I resolve that I will LOVE to exercise! Right?!?!

What places have you visited this year?

I don't think we went anywhere exciting during the spring. This summer we went to Destin with some of Ryan's family. It was so much fun!!

In October we went to Disneyworld! So much fun, too!!

What would you like to do in 2009 that you didn't do in 2008?

Wow...I really don't know. Is that terrible? I'd like to start an accountability group with my 10th grade girls. It has been on my heart so I'm going to try and follow through!

What dates will remain etched in your mind from 2008?

February--bought a pontoon boat

March--Kyle and Miah got married

March 20th--Ryan tured 30

September 20th--I turned 30

October--took the girls to Disneyworld for the first time

November--the first time we acted out the Thanksgiving story at Honey and Granddad's

What was the best thing you bought in 2008?

My camera!

Where did most of your money go?

So much of our money goes here...

Groceries and everything else it takes for us to live! Ryan once asked me if I could go only once or if I had to go 3 times a week! Ha!! Sometimes that would be our "outing" to go get a few things at Wal-Mart. Then the other day as we were getting out Lindsey said, "Wal-Mart has everything!" Yes...it does!

I didn't spend as much at Sonic as I did at Wal-Mart, but I was there as much for sure, probably even more!!

What do you wish you had done more of?

I wish I had spent more time in my Bible reading. I wish I had a better quiet time.

What do you wish you had done less of?

Eat! Ha! No...worry. Try to control situations so I don't have to worry.

What was your favorite TV program?

The Hills (so silly, but my most favorite by far!)

Biggest Loser

Big Brother

Desperate Housewives

Big Bang Theory

How I Met Your Mother

What was the best book you read this year?

Gosh, I wish I could pick just one...oh, wait...I can! I only read ONE book!

Who is someone new you met in 2008?

I'd have to say a "group" would be who I met that has changed my life the most. That group would be my 10th grade girls! I love them! They have taught me so much (good and bad--not bad per say, but as I look ahead to my girls, bad insights!) and it has been fun to get to know them! I love those girls!!

So this year that hasn't been any big changes. However, I'm learning more and more that my girls are growing up so fast! I am enjoying their independance (when they use it) and enjoy doing "big girl stuff" with them. We have fun shopping and they are trained! Courtney always says, "One more store!" when we are leaving somewhere! Maybe it is more to avoid going home! We are blessed. I have realized especially in the last few months how getting older (I know I'm not old, but older than I used to be!) you have to deal with all sorts of things. It is my friends' parents that are very sick, it is my friends dealing with divorce, hearing of a 16 year old boy that I didn't know that died of brain cancer, my uncle being sick, etc. that has made me realize how I desperately need to be depending on my Lord. I think I am doing that until something big in life hits. It always draws us back, but I hate that I have to be "drawn back" to Him. I want to just be there, realizing who HE is and how I'm supposed to be loving HIM and not have to be drawn back in those moments!

I am excited to see what God does in my life and in our families and friends lives in 2009!

Happy New Year!