Muffins With Mom

A few weeks ago Riley's class was learning the letter M. Friday was the special day for moms to come to school for Muffins with Mom. Mrs. Lynne had the children work all week on special things such as invitations, place mats and answer some questions about their mom. We did not get to go since Riley had the stomach virus. :( However, I did get the sheet of "Some Things About My Mom."

1. My mom's name is Lori Lambert.
2. She is 20 years old.
3. My mom loves to spend her time playing on the computer on her farm.
4. My mom works at the church.
5. Her job is cutting wood.
6. My mom always says, "go out of the kitchen."
7. My mom loves to read "Johnny Appleseed".
8. My mom cooks chickalin and dumplins really well.
9. I love to cook with her.
10. I love my mom because I don't want her to die.

You got to love the innocence of a 4 year old!!!

A Slap In The Face

Travis had to leave for work earlier than normal this morning. He told me last night. I knew I needed to get up earlier this morning. Did I?? Heck no. He left around 7. No big deal. He had made breakfast and the kids lunches and they were all up. But as I was getting ready, I could feel the tension building up. "I'm going to be late." I continued to talk to myself, saying that I could make it on time. Not to fuss at the kids because it was not their fault that I slept too long. Remember to see JOY when I see them. (something new I'm trying) And about that time Colson walked in with one of my Willow Tree figurines and announces that Graham had broken it. I immediately stormed into the kitchen and yelled at him not to touch anything else that belonged to me. He dropped his head and said pitifully, "yes ma'am." I stormed back into my bedroom and for some strange reason, I turned over the angel and it said, "Angel of Grace."

Another test I failed.:(

I wanted to do two things at that moment. 1. Run back in to my child and beg his forgiveness because I had crushed his heart. 2. Shake my fist at God. I did neither. Both were the wrong reaction but I was immediately humbled to dirt level.I did need to apologize to Graham but he needs to respect other peoples things. Thank the Lord I had enough sense to not shake my fist at him. Instead I was sent off with a little more grace extended to all I encountered. Thank you God for life's little lessons.

Happy New Year

Goodbye 2009.

As I was thinking back over this past year, I could not come up with many fond memories. My first thought of it is that it has been a hard year for me. But reality is that it has been a year of discomfort. There were no tragedies, no deaths, no sickness or disease. Yes there have been some difficult times with Travis' work, my dad having an accident which led to him moving in with us and going back to work. My fairy tale has been turned upside down and shaken inside out.

But I have learned one thing: God will never leave me or forsake me.

I can remember the holy spirit quickening a question at the beginning of 2009. It was, "what do you want out of this year?" I have never had this experience before so I took several days to ponder it. I finally decided that what I wanted for 2009 was to know that I believed God no matter what came my way or what I experienced. That at the end of every day He was my God, my Savior, my Healer, my Provider, my Strength, my Need.

I wish I could say that this was an easy test and that I passed with flying colors. But not so. My belief system has been tested by extreme measures and I failed by extreme measures. Even though I knew I was being tested, some days I didn't even show up for the test. (automatic F) Fact is, I spent most of my days moping and pouting because I was not getting what I wanted; That I was having to go around this mountain again; That God did not love me because He did not magically make it disappear. I was not fighting my spiritual war, I was hiding from my savior. Truth is I did not want to take this test. I had taken it, passed it and did not care to ever see it again. But my Savior had different plans.

What is so funny, is I thought we were so doing without. But we still had cable, phone, electricity, water and air conditioning. We had all the necessities and then some. And still do. But any and all extras were cut out. And the worst of it was I had to go back to work. I know I sound very spoiled and I was. (still am) But I was taking it all for granted.

As I could close the door to 2009, I would like to leave a few things in the past. Like the ungodly belief that God would deliver me out of all my mess to leave me where I'm at. Or that my children would suffer. That I am as mature as I thought I was.

And there are a few things that I will take with me into 2010. Like knowing that God loves us enough to let us go through things so that we will grow in Him. That what surrounds you does not compare to who is inside you. That I am basically a sinner in need of a savior.

So, hello 2010. I welcome you with a much better attitude than the previous year. "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:13-14 This I will take with me everyday, and focus not on the test, but the Teacher.

Happy new year!

Christmas is over

Graham was not too happy with me that I took the decorations down. But he was ok because he helped me take most of them down. He even helped me drag the boxes to the garage and packed up some of his stuff. I told him he could leave some out for a little while longer. (He did put his 4 ft. tree in the attic.) But now, he is having second thoughts. Seems he left out more than I realized.

I wish you could see the stocking better. He cut it out of cardboard and painted it with glitter paint. If you are looking at it from the right direction, it really looks neat. On the table is sweet gum balls from the tree outside. I think they are supposed to be pine cones. And the green garland has been all over the house for several days. But he really likes it under the mantel. Also, he has put Riley's flower from her tutu in the center.


Here are the snowflakes that he cut out.



His little tree and friends.



He cut these trees out and covered a box and made stands for the trees.


I love this little boy! He amazes me.

Happy Birthday Graham

6 years ago, on December 23rd, you entered our lives! You were not expected for another 3 weeks!!! Travis had already left for work and I had a doctors appointment. I got up early because I could not sleep for this one constant pain I had. I soon discovered I had lost my plug and I knew you would be here soon. I called Travis to tell him he needed to finish work soon because he was going to meet his son today. I called Carolyn to babysit, Memaw to get on the road and Grandma to take me to the doctor. I started having contractions on the way to the doctor and made Grandma a nervous wreck! I think she thought she was going to have to deliver a baby!

The doctor checked me and said she could give me something to stop my contractions but I would probably be back that night in full labor. So she sent me over to the hospital after telling us all the risks of having a white baby boy early. The hospital was crazy busy! Lots of doctors were inducing to beat Christmas. The nurses were in bad moods. I had one nurse that was so rude that I told Travis to get rid of her or I was leaving. He agreed and told the head nurse.

My doctor showed up around 4:00 to check on me and if she would have gone far she would have missed delivering you. You were coming fast!!!!! She delivered you at 4:23. She was not fully dressed, I was not fully draped and there was no time to get the video camera. I could not even let Travis go get Grandma to let her watch you be born.

It was a whirlwind!!!! But now that I know you, it was totally your personality! You do not want to be left out of anything. Especially Christmas! You have such a love for it and everything about it. But what I love most, is your giving nature that goes along with it. This year you have collected stuff around the house and wrapped us all a present because you want to give to us. Last year you wanted to be Santa when you grow up so that you can give gifts to all the kids in the world.

That makes you so special!!! Please do not ever lose that character trait. It is one of the best you can ever have. You are my precious little man and I love you from your "Silent Midnight" song to your Christmas decorating and redecorating and placing baby Jesus under the Christmas tree. Keep your love for Christmas and you will always have a love for mankind.

I love you and you will always be my Grammy!

Music To My Ears

I am a list maker. I have been known to make a list for my lists. I can't function without them. There is something about making a list. Its like doing part of the job. Travis has often made fun of me for this necessity. But after 10 years of marriage, he accepts that I have to do it and that he will often be handed one to do.

This afternoon, I was talking to Travis and Riley walked in. She had a pen and pad in hand. She looked up at her daddy with a frustrated look on her face and said, "I'm trying to make a list and I can't." I quickly jumped up to help her make a list for Santa.

His life will never be the same.

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

Conversations

I love to tune into a conversation my children are having. You can usually hear some funny stuff! But sometimes you hear yourself and it makes you worried. :(

On Friday I had to deliver some letters to a store in Brookhaven, about an hour away. I took Graham and Riley with me. They slept most of the way there which gave me some much needed peace and quiet after several Hannah Montana songs! On our way back home the two of them had a discussion on the subject of marriage. This is funny considering they are almost 6 and 4. Riley quickly claimed that she was going to marry Slay. She and Slay have been "devoted" to each other for over a year now. They are in the same class and are thick as thieves! I guess Graham was wondering why she was still fascinated with him and asked, "Riley, why do you love him?" Without missing a beat she replied, "because he is the worstest kisser!!!" There you have it.