Who is reading this?

I got an email today from one friend.....saw a comment posted from another....both ladies that I didn't even realize were reading the journal.  And it made me wonder.....who all is regularly keeping up with us?

It's such a blessing to see that my therapy (writing this journal!) is blessing someone else.  If you are reading this, please email me & let me know.  It's ok if you read a week at a time or a month at a time, or just read the entries one at a time as they're posted...whatever the case, let me know who ya are.  (In case you don't have my email, it is:  Lizreeves2@aol.com)

Thanks!

Thank You Lord (song lyrics)

:::sigh:::  Jesus, your presence is so sweet & merciful.  Thank you for your tenderness with me.

Thank You Lord

I come before You today, And there's just one thing that I want to say.

Thank You Lord!  Thank you Lord!  For all You've given me, for all the blessings that I cannot see.  Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord.

With a grateful heart, with a song of praise.  With an outstretched arm, I'll bless Your name.

Thank you Lord, I just want to Thank you Lord.  Thank you Lord, I just want to Thank You Lord.

For all You've done in my life.  You took my darkness and gave me Your light.  Thank You Lord!  Thank You Lord.  You took my sin and my shame.  You took my sickness and heal all my pain.  Thank You Lord!  Thank you Lord!

Sat July 8--2nd entry--The kids' dad

I was impressed today with the Spirit's leading to pray for G.  I know it's got to be difficult to read this journal and hear the kids come in & talk to him about all the things going on here.  I know that he is aware of the fact that this is the best environment for the kids, but it's still got to be difficult to recognize that someone else is raising your children...because you can't.  It makes me sad for him.  I am sure it's much like the way a birthmom feels when she gives her child up for adoption...she knows that it's the best choice she can make, but it's still hard.
We pray for your frequently, G.  The kids love you & speak of you often, but they are settling into life here.  Thank you for letting me raise your babies.  They are as dear to me as my own.  Next month will make 6 months since they've been here.  I wish I'd had them since birth (so that I'd know them even better).  What a precious gift to our family.  Our kids are learning lessons about life in a way that they'd have never known without A&K's presence.  Not everything is easy...in fact, much of it is very hard....but we love the kids & feel honored to have them in our home.  This has been the most challenging AND rewarding thing in my life, all at once.

Sat July 8

What a long, busy day....but a good one.

Things started out a little weird for me.  When I woke up this morning, I was very dizzy.  I couldn't sit up in bed without having the room spin, so I decided to lay back down!  At 9:00 when my sister brought Savannah home (she had spent the night w/ them last night), I jumped up & ran to the front door to let them in...bad idea.  The whole kitchen & living room were spinning then!  Whew....as soon as my sis left, I went back to bed again.  Not sure what happened with all of that, but it was nearly noon before I could get up & move around without feeling like I was going to fall over.  I made lunch for everyone, ate it & then we all had naptime!  (Yes, I know...weird...sleep off & on til noon, then take a nap!  LOL!  I guess I must've needed it, though.  I was able to lay down & fall asleep pretty easily!)

About 11:30, Larry left & took Andrew and Kourtney to Palestine to visit their dad & our family there.  They also went to see Kelly's grave.  Kourtney had forgotten to take a Mother's Day picture the last time, so she took that today & left it on the grave for her mom.

Back at home, Savannah showed Samuel how to use his email address & showed him a few online games (pbskids, disneychannel, nickjr.com, etc).  He thought it was really neat to send me an email.  I guess I've got another little computer kid growing up here.  So far, all of them love to play on the computer.  Savannah's been getting online off & on since she was in the 2nd grade I think.  She has a whole favorites list & everything.  (Of course, she's got some pretty hefty parental controls set up too!)  Andrew is beginning to get interested in some online games, too, so he's getting on now & then.  The younger 3 like to play CD-Rom games, though, so they're all on the computer at least a few times per week.

When the kids got home & got ready for bed, I went to tuck everyone in.  I asked Kourtney how things were with her dad today.  She just giggles & grins & acts all bubbly.  I guess that means "good".  :)  When I asked her if she went to her mama's grave, she enthusiastically said "She has her stone now!"  (the headstone).  Yes, she does, sweetie.  What does it say on it?  She didn't know, but tackled me to the ground hugging on me, so I guess she had a good day.  :)

Andrew asked me (as usual) if I'd snuggle for a while before he went to bed.  At first I said no (it was late), but he said "But I haven't seen you all day!  I need to snuggle!".  Umm...what decent mommy could turn that down?  :)  I climbed into bed & snuggled for a while!

Savannah had a tough morning.  I guess she was tired & just needed some attention.  She snuggled a lot this morning & then wanted some extra cuddling tonight, too.  She is pretty jealous of the extra snuggling Andrew's been getting at bedtime, so I'm trying to make sure to balance that out with snuggling & cuddle time during the day for her.

Another big step forward today---Samuel & Sarah both took showers by themself tonight!  They've both done it a time or two in the past, but both seem to be headed toward being able to do it regularly now.  Yahoo!  It'll be nice when I don't have to sit on the hard bathroom floor & bathe children.  :)  Don't get me wrong...I love 'em, but getting my shirt & hair wet, sitting on my knees in a puddle usually...it just isn't my favorite way to spend time with the kids.  LOL!

This afternoon, I was listening to a CD of love songs from the 80's.  Man...talk about some memories!  Loved it!  The kids all thought the songs were really weird.  :)  Nothing like a little "Eternal Flame" & REO Speedwagon to gag your children.  ha ha!

I'm listening to Paul Baloche's "Your Name" right now.  Awesome song!  The chorus says:  Your name, Is a strong & mighty tower.  Your name, is a shelter like no other.  Your name, let the nations sing it louder, 'cause nothing has the power to save But your name!

I adore pretty much everything Paul Baloche has ever done, though, so it's not a big surprise that I love this song.  He's an awesome man of God with a great talent for worshipful music.

I guess that pretty much sums up our week.  Thank you, Lord, for giving us another week together.  One day closer to seeing Your face....

July 3-6

It's been a busy week, so I will try to quickly recap!

Monday July 3 -- Larry's mom, my mother in law, and the kids' "Mammy" came to Tyler.  We had a counseling appointment, so she met us there & got to meet Ms. Lisa (the counselor).  It was fun to spend that time with her.  I'm excited that she's moved closer & we will get to spend more time with her now.

The counselor said that Andrew is having trouble identifying anger in himself, so we're working with a little tool she gave us to recognize it now.  So far this week, there have been several moments when he was madder than a bull & when I would point it out to him & say "Andrew, are you angry?", he says no.  Silly boy....he doesn't look at losing his temper, screaming & slapping as "angry".  Hmm...what would you call it?

Also on Monday we had a little problem to deal with.  In hanging the cabinets in the new utility area, Larry shot a nail into a water line.  We didn't realize it til about 30 minutes later when we found a puddle in the floor!  We had to quickly take the cabinets back down, cut a spot out of the drywall & repair the water line before we could move forward.  Luckily it's all hidden by the cabinet over the washing machine, so no one will ever know!!  Whew!

Tuesday July 4 --  Independance Day!  :)  A friend from church came over & layed our flooring for us in the new bathroom/closet/utility area.  It looks really nice!  We cooked burgers on the grill for him while he was here & had watermelon.  Yum.  It was a nice 4th of July lunch, even if we didn't have a big party going.  Thank you, James, for doing the floors for us!!  You did a great job!

That evening, we went to a big fireworks display that we attend every year.  It was really funny to hear Andrew talk "big"...like this would be so boring because he's seen big fireworks before.....and then to watch his jaw drop open & see the fascination in his face as he watched the fireworks in awe.  :)  He may have seen big fireworks before, but he was clearly still amazed by them.  I bet that's probably what God likes to see in all of us!  He hears us talk big about all the things we know how to do....and then watches us daze out in awe of HIM when He accomplishes some big work in our lives.

Kourtney, on the other hand, in her typical "I'm so bored" style fell asleep in my lap 20 minutes into it.  LOL!  I tell ya...it takes a lot to impress this kiddo.  She is so joyful & bubbly 95% of the time that I can't complain though.  She's just not impressed with big gestures to excite her.  A 200 ft. slip & slide?  No thanks, I'll just go down with my arms & legs crossed, rolling my eyes.  Huge fireworks that amaze everyone else?  Nope...I'll take a nap instead.  She's a hoot!

Wednesday July 5 --  I can't really remember anything that stands out for Wednesday....so I'll move on.

Thursday July 6  --  The bathroom is done!  Aside from some touching up of paint, installation of the countertop (which should come Mon or Tues) & decorating, we're done!  It's fully functional now.  YAHOO!!!!

Sunday July 2

Today was fun.  We had a church-wide picnic on Lake Palestine at the Schambach Revival Headquarters.  The main attraction was an enormous Slip & Slide that the children's pastor set up.  It was just a giant piece of plastic, about 8ft. wide & 200 ft. long!  It started at the top of a big hill & went downhill.  The kids LOVED it.  Some of the adults liked it, too!  :)  We had a big cookout with hotdogs & hamburgers and lots of desserts, but I don't think any of the kids actually got to the food because they spent the entire 3 hours on the big slide.  :)

As I type this, I am listening to the Casting Crowns "Lifesong" CD.  One of my 2 favorite songs from the CD is on.  I love the chorus to this song.  It says:

"Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him.  His yoke is easy, His burden is light.  You don't need the answers to all of life's questions, Just know that He loves them & stay by their side.  Love them like Jesus."

Amen.

Saturday July 1

When I tuck the kids in at bedtime, Samuel often hugs me tight & says "I love you more than anything else in the world except God."...or...."You're the best mama in the world.  I love you more than everyone else in our family."  Of course I love hearing that!  :)

Last night, Andrew caught me offguard.  He grabbed me & hugged me real tight & said "I love you equal to my mom & dad!".  I backed up, looked at him & said "What?".  He just giggled as if he was being funny to repeat the same sort of thing that Samuel had said, but he repeated the same words.

:::thud:::  (that's the sound of me fainting) wow....