Our Sabbatical

Starts after church tomorrow! Our pastor is so amazing to encourage us to take some time off. We will be taking a break for 6 weeks to rest, re-group, focus and spend lots of time together.

I am excited for:

uninterrupted conversations with B
my kids knowing Daddy will be home when they get home from school
reading
God to refresh us (especially B)
doing some projects around the house
time away with just B
praying
a 2 week vacation with my kiddos
seeing E and T in Tulsa
seeing all my Bham friends
sleeping
the beach
Disney
playing
seeing J and M in Nashville


I'm uneasy about:

getting to the end and feeling unaccomplished
B getting bored
not seeing people at church every week
feeling disconnected from no blogging, twittering or facebooking


I'm praying for:

renewed vision
rest
fun
safe travels
a healthy family
our van to make the trip

Thanks for reading and for supporting our family. I will miss you all, but I see the value in "unplugging" for a bit. We'll talk after Thanksgiving!

Caleb's 8th Birthday

Caleb turned 8 yesterday. It's crazy that we've been at this parenting thing for 8 years now! Being a mom is definitely the most challenging, and rewarding, thing I've done. There are days I feel like I'm conquering the world raising these 5 incredible personalities. There are days that I feel like a huge failure. Most of all, I think God uses my children to humble me and keep me reliant on Him. I can't imagine doing this without Him.

Caleb is an amazing kid. He is very bright and fun and loud and strong-willed. He is a lover of life and a deep thinker. I know God has huge plans for him!

We started celebrating his birthday last weekend, with a combined family party for him and Paige. This weekend, he had his party with friends at ArtSports. They had a great time jumping on trampolines and playing in the pit.

After they played, we went to his party room for pizza, cake and presents. I made his cake to match his themed "galaxy room". They actually put us in a different room (without telling us!), so the cake didn't match. He liked his Star Wars cake anyway.

I didn't love the way it turned out, but I think I learned a lot about making cakes!

He opened his presents from his friends.

Then we went home!

His actual birthday was on Monday, so he took some cupcakes to school to share with his friends. He got to choose the lunchtime discussion topic, so he asked everyone "when you grow up and have kids, what will you do with them?" Too funny.

That night, he opened one gift at home.

Then we went out for our family birthday dinner. He chose Texas Roadhouse. We had yummy food and the kids loved watching the staff dance. To celebrate him, they had him sit on a saddle while the whole restaurant shouted "Yeehaw!" to him.

Then he opened the rest of his gifts.

In the past, Texas Roadhouse had a magician and balloon man on Monday nights. I'm not sure why they didn't this time. The kids were disappointed, so we stopped by Walmart for some balloons.

I loved celebrating Caleb. It's great to see how he grows each year and how we're beginning to see the fruit of our efforts. I love you, buddy!

Why I Love Being a Pastor's Wife at New Life Church: Reason #538

Brad and I love what we do. How amazing is it that his job is to love people and enable them in their gifts?

My job coincides with that, but a lot of it is behind the scenes. I've heard many pastor's wives talk about how hard it is to "live in a fishbowl" to "be on all the time" to "not be appreciated".

Here is my response: I do feel people watching me, but I have nothing to hide! I am genuine in my struggles and my triumphs. I am a Christian woman trying my best to follow the heart of God. With that comes flaws!

I am not "on" all the time! And I will admit it!

I do not look for appreciation from the people around me. Just as in my role as a wife and mother, I look to the Lord for my validation. I know that He sees me, and my struggles, and comforts me when I feel under appreciated. It is definitely nice when someone says thank you, but that is not what keeps me going!

I do have to say, however, that I think my "job" is easier than for some women. I don't feel a pressure to be perfect. I don't feel like the people around me hold me to a higher standard. Maybe they do and don't tell me!! Regardless, I never feel pressure from them. I feel love and acceptance and grace.

Here is the great thing: Brad and I LOVE the people we serve. The people of the NewLifeWorshipChoir are some of the most genuine, God-fearing, loving people I've ever met. Our hearts are knit with theirs and they have become our family.

Life brings many changes, but we have seen people come and go, marry and go to be with the Lord. We have seen them victorious and struggling. And, yes, they've seen many of the same things in us!

Last night we had our leadership team over to our house for a night of socializing, eating, praying and planning. We have an amazing team of people (did I say that already?).

Everyone brought food and what an amazing spread we had!

Brad spoke to us and encouraged us in our role in leading worship and being intercessors. Later, we broke up into our leadership groups and talked through some nuts-and-bolts of our responsibilities.

It was so great to be together and continue our mission in serving the people of New Life Church. My heart is full!

My Winnings

My cards from amy and ann arrived! I love the packaging.

I think they are so cute and perfect for moms!!

This one is definitely my favorite.

Thank you to Paula for the giveaway and Amy and Ann for the amazing cards!

My Feet Would Appreciate These

So, I've had the same fake Uggs for 3 years now...the insides are completely worn. I have to wear my fuzzy socks with them so I don't feel like I'm walking on cardboard. These would make my toes very happy. If your toes are needing some love, you can enter here to win your own pair of fuzzy, warm, amazing Ugg Boots.

Quiet Time

In my reading this morning, I came across this set of scriptures. It was so encouraging to me and I think it goes along with what my pastor, Pastor Brady, has been speaking to our church about. I would love for this to be the description of the church...

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help,
and he will say:
Here am I.

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called

Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."

Isaiah 58:6-12

The Perfect Colorado Experience

Saturday, we took our annual trip to the mountains to see the changing Aspen trees. We have done this trip almost every year we've been married and it is getting more fun every year. Our kids are now getting old enough to enjoy the scenery and the tradition we've created.

Caleb had a late soccer game that day, so we weren't able to leave until early afternoon. We drove Hwy 24 through Woodland Park and Divide. I loved the kid's reactions as we reached the other side of Pikes Peak. "Wow, look at all that snow!!" "Look at all the gold trees!" We then drove Hwy 67 to Cripple Creek.

We stopped at the Pikes Peak Heritage Center for a break. The kids loved learning all about gold mining and the history of this beautiful mountain that overshadows our city. They had many displays the kids could touch and play with.

The museum overlooks the city of Cripple Creek, so we walked around and took pictures. It was the perfect Colorado day with 70 degree temps and the biggest, bluest sky with snow-capped mountains in the background. Aaahhh...



We drove back to Woodland Park and stopped at the Donut Mill for a little snack.



We ate dinner at the Mason Jar that night. It is such a cute restaurant outfitted in everything Colorado. It is very family friendly. The kids were each given a coloring sheet, crayons and Wiki Stix to play with. After the waitress took our order, she brought each of the kids a "snack plate" with an orange slice, piece of cheese and some crackers! How many waitresses think ahead like that? I don't know if they do that for all kids, but I was really impressed. The Mason Jar specializes in comfort food, so Brad had some chicken fried steak and I had some amazing fried chicken. Yum!

Then it was time to head home. We can't wait to do it again next year!