School's Out For Summer

Did you used to sing that song on the last day of school? We are enjoying our change of pace! Whitney has already been to cheerleader camp. Next week she has basketball camp at our school, and then she'll be getting ready to head to Ruidoso for her mission trip. She's a busy girl, but she loves every minute of it. Jack is keeping me busy, & keeping me laughing. Today we took Whitney to have some cheerleader pictures made, and when we pulled up to the place he thought the shopping center looked a lot like CiCi's pizza. He said "mmm, pizza, games, & activities". Guess where we went next! He has learned to use the mouse on the computer all by himself, & will sit & play games on playhouse disney as long as we will let him. That's where he picked up the games & activities phrase. He's a hoot. I think Christine is feeling better, but won't really feel good for a few more weeks. That's when they are planning to go ahead & induce her! Talk about the light at the end of the tunnel! She has been through a lot, and we are all anxious for her to feel good & of course we can't wait to meet little Sam! Matt is working like a dog to finish things up & unpack at their new house so he can get his little family all settled in. Kyle is now in Germany. He called tonight & is having a great time. They are spending the night tonight in a castle. How fun! I hope he is taking lots of pictures! I am going to try to post some of the pictures I have taken of my summer. So far, Denton is as far as I've made it! We'll have some more exciting pics coming up!

Three Cheers For Kyle!!!

"A wise son brings joy to his father" Prov. 10:1

This guy has brought a lot of joy to our family over the past almost 23 years! His birthday will be here in about a week and a half. I can tell you about a jillion reason why we are so proud of him, but last Saturday he made us proud again when he officially became a college graduate! I was honored to be the one to put the hood on him, and walk beside him in my white robe. I sat there behind him looking at what an amazing man he has grown to be. I really think if I was going to give him an award it would have to be for his perseverance. He finished his freshman year extremely sick, and I really don't know how he managed to stick it out to the end but he did. The next fall he went back, but after a few weeks was too sick to stay. He came home for a year & took some classes at TCC. The next semester he & his good friend Shea took a detour to Louisiana College. The next semester he was ready to go back to ACU. This time, with his health much better, he was able to enjoy some of the best time of his life. He worked hard, pledged a club, & made some lifelong friends. He was a hundredth of a point away from being an honor student! What ever happened to rounding up to the next number??? Well, they don't know he was the most honorable student of all! He stuck through thick & thin & got that diploma! As I sit behind him, hoping I would be tall enough to hood him (yes he had to squat down!), I welled up & remembered how hard I tried not to cry when I had to move him home in the middle of that sophomore semester. I wish I could've been able to foresee this graduation day then. God has been good to answer our prayers. I guess that's why we need faith to get through the tough days, & believe what we hope for is on the horizon. Kyle will soon be heading to Germany for a fun vacation with some of his college friends, and then he will spend the summer in Tyler being a youth ministry intern. He plans to go back to grad school in the fall. I know God will continue to use him in a mighty way! I'm so blessed to be his mom!

Believe It Or Not

I'm still not believing it. After several days of being constantly monitored & watched in labor and delivery, the doctors decided she was one of those people who was just going to contract. They never gave her the magnesium sulfate because of a problem with her IV, but got the results of a blood test indicating she would not go in to true labor in less than two weeks. They readjusted all of her meds, and said she could go home! She is suppossed to be on bedrest. Matt came out to the waiting room to tell Mindy & I, & we just about fell out of our chairs. After soooo many prayers on her behalf, I really believe this is an answer. She still feels pretty rough, but it's great to be out of the hospital. Of course, Jack is thrilled to have Mommy & is providing full time entertainment. A great diversion to what ails you! They will be staying at our house for a while.We are glad to have them here, and help take care of her & Jack. Also, the remodeling at their house is still going on. It's getting close tho, & it's going to be so pretty. When the contractors get out, we can attack the boxes, & try to keep Christine on the couch telling us where to hang what. It will be hard for her to lay there with so much to do, but she'll be a great supervisor. Please keep praying for her to feel better, and for baby Sam to be strong & healthy. She may make it to their goal of 32 weeks after all. Maybe even longer. So many people to thank. People who helped move, remodel, brought food, sent flowers & cards, visited, and especially prayed. It's been a blessing to see God work through his people. You have truly been his hands & feet. I know we are not to the finish line, but I feel like we have made if over some big hurdles. God is good!

Father Hear The Prayer We Offer

Father hear the prayer we offer
Nor for ease that prayer shall be,
But for strength that we may ever
Live our lives courageously.

Not forever by still waters
Would we idly, quiet stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
In our wanderings be our guide;
Thro endeavor, failure, danger,
Father, be Thou at our side.

Let our path be bright or dreary,
Storm or sunshine be our share;
May our souls in hope unweary
Make thy work our ceaseless prayer. Amen.

This song has been stuck in my head all day. It's special to me because it was sung at our wedding, 29 years ago next month. I was only 19 years old & was definitely counting on more sunshine than storms to be our share. I must say it has been almost all sunshine & only a few storms. Tonight we find ourselves in a storm. Most all of you who read my blog know Christine has had such a difficult pregnancy. She's 26 weeks along, & has spent several months of it in the hospital. Tonight she was moved to labor & delivery so she could receive magnesium sulfate to stop contractions. She's not officially in labor, but is having way too many contractions. Please pray for her, for baby Sam, Matt & Jack. Pray for God's perfect timing & His power to touch, heal & protect Christine & Sam. I can't thank you enough for each prayer that goes up!

Have No Fear

This is what we found in our pool this morning. Cute...messy... We've tried to run them off. I left a message with animal control. Ray e-mailed the city. For a while I thought they were gone, then I went outside to have my quiet time & there they were enjoying this pretty spring day.
I opened my devotional book, and this was the scripture for the day. Ps. 112:7 "he will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." This may be a stretch, but I keep asking for & looking for signs that everything will be OK. This has been a rough week for Christine, & her pain just gets worse as the baby grows & stretches that unyielding scar tissue. We are all struggling with fear this week. For her & for Sam. But this verse & this momma duck guarding these little ducklings just felt like a sign to me. They refuse to leave, and I know God is watching over my babies and also refuses to leave us. He knows when it's safe & when the coast is clear! Help us Lord, to trust in your perfect timing. "even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious & compassionate & righteous man" Ps. 112:4