My little man

Case has been studying about Community Helpers in 1st grade. Last Friday they got to dress like their favorite one. He dressed as a Marine. Like father, like son. He was so excited when Travis said he could wear some of his old stuff. Travis was so excited that Case wanted to dress like a Marine. I wanted to cry. But it was fun to watch. Travis quickly went up in the attic and started digging out stuff. It wasn't long before Case joined him. They were both having a good time digging through all the boxes. As I watched Travis' chest puff with pride my heart sank deep in my chest. The reality that one of my boys might enlist. The thought has always been there but something just changed. Maybe it was just a nudge from the inside that made me feel it might be his calling. My brave little one. He is so small and innocent. But he is brave. The bravest of them all. If anyone can handle it, he can. His name means brave. God be with you, Case. Stay brave and strong and true to your calling. I love you!

The few, the proud, the Marines.

Losing is not an option

I read something the other day that I just can't shake, so I'll share with you. In Deuteronomy 20 Moses is giving directions for warfare, actually it says "Principles governing Warfare." It says, vs. 1 "When you got out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. vs. 2 So it shall be when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. vs. 3 And he shall say to them, Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; vs. 4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."



I had to read it two or three times because I just couldn't get past it. It was that moment that our Wonderful Heavenly Father that loves us so much showed me my "stinkin thinkin." You don't know its there until it is revealed.

Do you realize that God never expects us to lose a battle? He never does! Never, never! All we have to do is take Him with us, He will fight for us. All I can vision is little ole me showing up to a fight, but then having the biggest, baddest, toughest man walking right up behind me saying, "Don't worry, I got your back," or better yet, "I'll take this one!"

I hope this will change my stinkin thinkin. I hope I never again look at a situation or circumstance and say, "I can't, or you win some, you lose some." Its time that we realize that God is for us, He wants to fight our battles and He has an excellent record!



If you are in a battle I have one question for you: Did you bring backup? If not, you better go back and get it. If you do, KNOW THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU! HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE! MIGHTY TO SAVE! And He loves you enough to do it!



You may need to remind me of this in the midst of the next battle. But isn't that what we are here for? Be blessed, God has your back!

The kids

Here are all my kiddos. (L to R) Graham (4), Colson (8), Riley (just turned 3), and Case (6).

All dressed up in their Easter Duds. They are my life!

Why did you name me that?

This morning as I was brushing Graham's teeth he asked me this question, "why did you name me that?" I quickly said, "because I liked that name."

After I dropped them off at school, the question kept ringing in my head. Why did I name him that? I don't have to think twice, I know the answer and it wasn't the one I gave him. I named him after Billy Graham. Mainly because I can always remember my grandmother watching him on TV. She had very bad eyesight and didn't drive because of it. She always watched Jimmy Swaggart, Rex Humbard and Oral Roberts on TV. She had a big black Bible that she wrote everything in and it was very well used. I would give anything to get my hands on it. She planted many seeds in my life and I truly miss her.

Back to Graham. The meaning of his name is "generous." The scripture tagged with the meaning is,"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor. 13:13

Anyone who knows Graham knows he is a lover! Just look at those eyes. He often tells me who he is going to marry and how much he loves them. But he loves me the most. He is constantly telling me how beautiful I am, how much he loves me, I have the prettiest blue eyes, etc. And he always wants to kiss me. I am not his only love, though. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Brown, he loves a little girl in his class, and he loves a girl at church. His biggest crush is on one of my friends daughter, Erica. She is in her twenties, but he doesn't care. She is married, but he doesn't care. She lives in Texas, but he doesn't care. Nothing can stop his devotion to her. I'm so amused by his little crushes, but they grow the older he gets, and he is only 4 1/2.

As I'm typing he is in the background repeating the same sentence over and over. Something he constantly does, that drives us crazy. Sometimes he will even put it to a little tune. Travis and I were once talking about how he would make a good evangelist because he likes saying the same thing over and over and over. After his question today, it really has me wondering. Was I the one that named him that? Maybe God had his hand in it. He is named after one of the greatest evangelist, he loves to say the same thing over and over, and he LOVES people. Graham, I do not know what all the Lord has in store for you. But I know one thing, he has already placed these things in you. I pray you will always yield to the call 0f God on your life. May you always love people beyond their ability to love you. You are precious to me and I love you dearly. Thanks for the picture of the butterfly, I love it.

It begins

What in the world am I doing here? I often think that. Usually about different things, not always. I'm not sure how I ended up right here except for reading too many blogs! Next thing I know, I'm creating a blog. Like I need one more thing to do. I'm always encouraged by reading others and love to tell the stories that my kids, my husband and my Savior continue to teach me.

Well, I guess there are a few things you may not know about me. I grew up in Texas, mainly East Texas and moved to Mississippi 12 years ago. I met the most wonderful man in the world and married him 2 years later. We had 4 beautiful children in a matter of 6 years. Yes, we have been busy! Yes we know what birth control is, some people just want a lot of kids. We did, most days we still do. Just kidding. There is not a single one that I would trade in. Its amazing how each one can be so unique and you just can't imagine your life without them. They are truly a blessing from God!

I am a stay-at-home mom, even though I do not stay at home very much. I worked in the skin care industry for 15 years before coming home full time. I home schooled my oldest, Colson for 3 years and have just put all 4 kids in school. Colson is in 3rd grade, Case is in 1st grade, Graham is in K4 and Riley is in K3. She barely made it in.

Life is much different now. I'm used to having them with me ALL the time. Sometimes I drop them off and wonder "what do I do now?" So I go home and clean up the morning mess, smell there little jammies and say a prayer for them. They do not miss me at all. I miss them. Life is different, strange and new. But only for a little while. We will all adjust, or maybe it will be just me. Keep us Lord, keep us all!