Remember me? (and a prayer request)

I know, I know.  It's been nearly 2 months since I posted.  My home laptop died, and by time Big Daddy got home, I was just too tired to type.  I know so many of you can understand. 

Well, Monday night when Big Daddy came home from work, he brought me a new laptop!!  YAY!!  This lady is back in business!!  I have so much to catch up with, but for now I just want to get my thoughts organized so I can get them posted!  I also have a couple of finishing touches to put on the kids bathroom so I can post those pics too!!

I also have a favor to ask:  Could you all pray for my friend Bevy over at It's A Golden Day?  Her family had an incredibly tough week last week.  They lost her father-in-law and her grandmother in less than a week.  Her parents and children were in a car accident, and her mother is still in the hospital.   Bevy is such a strong, sweet lady.  Please lift her and her family up to the Lord to give them strength and peace in this trying time.

Ephesians 4:2  "Be completely humble and gentle;  be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Good to be back!

Aundrea

October 11, 2011

Happy 9th Birthday!!

I can't believe its been 9 years already.  Sigh.  Yes, this guy is ALL BOY (and then some), loud, talkative, and keep us on our toes.  But this young man is also the most loveable, sweet, sensitive, and caring thing ever!!  From the time he was born, this guy has taken us on many adventures that most parents don't even realize exist.  I still say that he should glow-in-the-dark with as many times as he has had x-rays! 

This picture was taken yesteday morning.  I only wish I could scan in his baby picture.  He used to be so fat, but now is tall and skinny.  What has not changed is the smile.  I don't think it EVER leaves his face.

Saying that the Lord blessed us with this child just doesn't even begin to adequately describe how we feel.

Happy Birthday, T, we love you so much!!

Aundrea

The exciting news

Okay, so I know I have been gone from blog land lately, but lots of things have been going on around here!!   Of course the big news..................

All kids have started school!!!!!!!!  Woo-Hoo!!!!!!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, I loved home schooling them, and do miss having them around during the day, but I am totally enjoying my time.  This is the first time in nearly 13 years that I don't have kids with me.  I have been able to do the grocery shopping- in peace.  Go downtown and stroll the shops- in peace.  Clean the house and keep it clean- for hours.   Have lunch with my girlfriends- in peace. 

Then,  I am refreshed and ready to hear all about their days and have some great snuggle time in the afternoons!!  I know it all sounds a little selfish, but it was time for a change around here, and we are all loving it!!!

I hope to get some pictures of the darlings posted soon.  My home laptop has been sick, and I just got the call that the hard drive is shot.  Which is the other reason for not blogging- no computer.  I only have access to one when Big Daddy brings his home from work.   For those of you who know me, this is a huge inconvenience as I do EVERYTHING online.  I am also, however quite frugal, so I won't be rushing out to buy another.  I will deal with waiting until my dear husband comes home to do whatever work needs done.  Unfortunately, by the time I get my work done, I am just flat out too tired to blog.  Sorry.

Otherwise, we are still here and as busy as ever.  T is in football,  J starts fall baseball tomorrow night, and A starts volleyball Tuesday night.  I get exhausted just thinking about it, but it will all work- somehow. 

Not sure if I have mentioned it, but after several years in competitive gymnastics, A has decided to quit.  Big change for our family, but we have come to appreciate having more time and money for our family each week!
L is also no longer doing gymnastics, but this was a really smart move now that school has started.  She can hardly function after a long day at school- I can't imagine 2  hours of gymnastics as well.

Enough babbling.  I am sure to be back with lots more updates.  I am getting ready to redecorate some rooms of our house.  I can't wait to share with you!

Aundrea

Just a quick post- literally.

Love bears ALL things, believes ALL things, hopes ALL things, endures ALL things.  Love NEVER fails.   (1 Corinthians 13)

Holding tight to this today. 

And that, folks, is all I have.

Baseball, desire, and attitude

If you are a baseball fan, you may have heard that the University of South Carolina Gamecocks won their second consecutive National Championship this year.  My husband, and therefore kids, are die hard Gamecock fans.

This past week, "J" participated in the All Carolina Baseball camp, featuring the coach of USC Aiken (Kenny Thomas) and the USC coach Ray Tanner. 

"J" loved the camp and learned alot.  I was able to hear the opening and closing talks by the coaches and fell in love with both of these guys.  They always focused the kids on making good choices both on, and more importantly, off the field. 

They also highly stressed that attitude and desire will always come before any level of talent.  I thought that was way cool.  I do remember after winning the College World Series, Coach Tanner (and some of the players) saying that he knew his team was not the most talented, but they had the best attitudes and most desire of any team out there.

The highlight of the week was the end of camp when Coach Tanner came out with the National Championship trophy and signed autographs for the campers and their families.

My boys with Coach Tanner(USC) and Coach Thomas(USCA)

Keeping kids fit

This summer we found an exercise program that the kiddos LOVE!!  Its called Kid Powered Athelete Traning (pretty much like Crossfit for kids).  

Its hot.
Its hard.
Its so much fun- my kids can't wait to get there!!

Can you believe it?

Kettlebells

Flipping big heavy tires

Hurdles for jump training

Squats anyone?

My kids honestly love it so much-

they totally

flip for it!!

I also flip for the adult Crossfit classes, but unfortunately, do not have the picture.  Although I totally did do the flip on the rings.  The kids thought it was awesome that an old lady could do such a thing.  I just kept looking around for the old lady to which they were referring.

Where in the world have we been???

Well, Wednesday was spent

on Pawley's Island, SC

with the IL's, throwing chunks of

raw meat tied to a string

to catch a few of these

And do a little posing, of course.

Happy Summer, friends!

Perfect, Powerful

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10

I have many friends that I have been praying for lately.  All for very different reasons, as each situation is unique.  As I was thinking and praying today, my thoughts went to a crosstitch that I did for my mother several years ago.  At the top was the verse above, and the many names of the Lord followed.

El Shaddai  -  The All Sufficient One

El Elyon     -  The Most High God

El Olam     -  The Everlasting God

Elohim       -  Creator

Adonai      -  Lord, Master

Qanna      -  Jealous

Yahweh    -  Lord (Jehovah)

Jehovah-nissi   -  The Lord My Banner

Jehovah-raah   -  The Lord My Sheperd

Jehovah-jireh   -  The Lord Will Provide

Jehovah-rapha    -  The Lord that Heals

Jehovah-shalom    -  The Lord Is Peace

Jehovah-sabaoth   -  The Lord of Hosts

Jehovah-shammah   -  The Lord Is There

Jehovah-tsidkenu     -  The Lord Our Righteousness

Jehovah-mekoddishkem   -  The Lord Who Sanctifies You

There are many more,  these are just the ones included on the cross stitch pattern.  I love that He has given us a way to personally call on Him when we have specific needs.

If ever a trial arises that is so overwhelming that you cannot get your thoughts and emotions under control, there is another perfect, powerful name that you can call out over and over.  It alone will bring perfect, powerful peace:   JESUS.   Simple, yet oh so effective.  I've tried it- it works.

Redneck Hot Tub

Do you have kids?

Do they ever utter the words "I'm bored"?

Well, here's an idea to get them NOT bored!!  Big Daddy has named this the Redneck Hot Tub, but you can call it whatever you want. 

Its cheap and easy.  All you need is a large, empty (and preferably clean) trash can and a hose!!  (Just don't worry about the water bill until it comes in the mail)

Happy Summer, my friends!!

Let the fun begin

Well, its official.  We are done with home school.  For the summer.  For the next school year too!!  I stayed up late - like vampire late- to get report cards done for the last 2 years.  Honestly I thought I did them last year, but since I cannot seem to find them I had to do them again.  I actually like vampire hours.  Just not real vampires, to be clear.

Tomorrow morning I will officially register T and L in elementary school!  The same one my kids have attended before (that we LOVE).  Except L of course.   I know everyone is ready for summer break, but seriously people, I am ready for August 15th.  Just kidding.  Kind of.

Don't get me wrong, I love having my kids around, and will miss them terribly when they go.  What you don't realize is that, for the first time in nearly 13 years, I will have time alone.  Without even one child.  Daily.  Wow.  Are we done forever?  Only time will tell.  I am just one of those "take it one day/week/month/year/decade at a time kinda gal.  Right now we are doing what we feel is right for our family.  That does seem to change over time.

Whatever will I do with the never-ending time few hours between drop off and pick up?  I will figure that out as I go.   I am thinking meditation,  mani-pedi and lunch with friends,  Bible study that I can commit to,  taking up Soap Operas and eating Bon-Bons,  making time for the thousands of house projects that need finished, starting a few more, chaperoning field trips, getting to go to the awards day presentations, getting back into a good exercise routine,  volunteer work...... Oh my word.  I may need to send them to boarding school to have enough time.

All I know is that today- It is officially SUMMER.  Let the fun begin!!

Happy Day

As I type, my house is filled.  Along with our 6 family members, we also have my brother's family of 6 here since Friday.  4 Adults, 4 boys ages *almost*15 down to 8, and 4 girls ages 12 down to 5. 
My parents and more family joined us yesterday. 

We had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating this woman:

My sweet mother.  She is a super hero, ya know.

You probably have your own, she is ours.

Happy Birthday Mom- We love you !!

I simply adore having company.  Yes, its crazy.  Yes, the kids eat like its the end of the world.  Yes, its crowded.  But its also the kind of busy, crazy that just gives you a warm snuggly feeling down inside.  I don't think we could've given her a better gift with all the money in the world.  She said her only wish was to have our (the family) brood multiply.  Hmmmmm, not sure we'll give her that much.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day!  In all the fun and celebration, please do not forget to be thankful for every man and woman that is working so that we may have these freedoms and special times with our family and friends.

It's a Great Monday

Today was a great Monday.  Just a few things I am happy for today:

J got up and ready for school on time and happy.

My girls slept until 9:30 am.  I think they were exhausted.

T did his school work like a champ, and will be finished tomorrow or Wednesday.

A got all of her work done (even caught up on some) and will be finished Thursday.

After Thursday- home school is DONE.  This year and next.

Baseball is over-for both boys.  Proud of them both, but glad to be done.

Thankful we have a savings account.  With the change of jobs, we have had to live on it until the new paycheck cycle comes around.

Got Stanford test results for A and T-  both have scored at the top for their respective grade levels.  After a year of feeling like I was ineffective and we were just surviving, this was great news!

Thankful for a husband that loves us so much and endures 12 hour days just to provide for his family.


While I realize this is just the riveting kind of writing that keeps readers coming back,  this is all my running-on-fumes-for-twelve-straight-days brain has to offer this evening.  I will be getting the kids to bed soon, and then I will proceed to become worthless  will be putting my feet up for some time with MY MAN!!  (That last part was just for Bevy!)

P.S  I have tried to upload a new (hilarious and totally cute) Boredom Breeds post, but unfortunately, I cannot get the video to upload.  Bummer.  I will continue to work on it.

ABCD

In my last post I talked about finding ways to serve, or do something to show love to your spouse.  Tonight, I have the perfect example!! 

Today was one of those days.  You know the ones.  The day where you think your head may literally come off, spin around, and then land back on your shoulders, though not in the same capacity that it left.

My 5-year old was acting like a 16-year old.  My 8-year old was acting like a 2-year old, and my 12-going-on-16-year old was acting like a 2-year old one minute and a 15-year old the next.  Get the picture? 

On top of everything else, we are still getting used to Big Daddy's new job an hour away, and the fact that he is getting home a little later.  This leaves me to handle all the afternoon activities for our 4 bundles of terror sweet little angles.

Alas, Big Daddy got home and immediately asked what HE COULD DO FOR ME!  (Can you say WOO-HOO!?!)  He allowed me to go running (always good for the stress levels) while he fed the little darlings supper.  THEN, while I took a quick shower, he put them to bed and had this waiting for me on the counter:

I rarely drink.  But this is awesome.  He could have gone with my favorite Diet Dr. Pepper, but no.  He understood my day, went with the only-on-special-occasions kind of drink. 

It was more than "sorry you had a bad day, honey".  This was "I am soooo sorry you had a rough time today, I care about you, and hope this will help show you how much I appreciate what you do".   See the difference?  A little ABCD is all it takes sometimes.

Above and Beyond the Call of Duty


Love intentionally my friends-

do not get comfortable

My heart is heavy.  I have been feeling an urgency to pray for marriages.  Mine and yours.  I don't need to know you, or your spouse.  I just know in my heart that marriages all over the world are under attack.  They always have been, but now more than ever.  Why?  Because Satan knows exactly what he's doing.  Do you know what he's doing?  You should. 

Marriage was designed and created by God.  Man alone could not have created something so beautiful, complete, or lasting.  Man alone does a great job at destroying what marriage was created to be- everlasting covenant between one man, one woman AND GOD.  Yep-all three.  I think people have gotten so comfortable that we are leaving God out of marriages and allowing Satan to sneak in the cracks like little insects in our homes.  We see little "signs" that trouble may be lurking, but until we realize there is an infestation, we sit in our comfortable little bubbles thinking all is well. 

Are you comfortable?  Are you just going through the motions assuming things are just fine?  Do you have the mindset that "it won't happen in our marriage"?   Do you think that just because things seem good, that they really are?  Then you are too comfortable. 

We who are married need to be intentional with the relationship with our spouses.  How you ask?  Here are a few things I have found to be HUGE:

• Pray- all the time for your spouse.   Do NOT pray for the Lord to change him/her.  Pray with an encouraging heart to build up your spouse.  Trust me- if you start nit-picking to the Lord about your spouse, the Lord will start allowing you to see all the areas you yourself need to change (*been there, done that*).  Pray that you will become the spouse of his or her dreams, and let the Lord work out the rest.  (*am there, doing that*)
• Serve- Look for little ways to do something for your spouse.  Especially when you think they don't deserve it!  Not only will this show unconditional love to your spouse, but its really hard to be mad when you are extending love.
• Communicate-  Set aside time where you and your spouse have time to communicate without distraction.  This is especially important (and hard!) with younger kids.  Even if you think what you have to say isn't important.  Trust me- it is important!  *Truth be told- this is a biggie in our marriage*
• Get physical!  Find time to give an extra hug, and hold it extra long.  Hold hands whenever possible.  Give a little extra squeeze on the arm or shoulder when you walk by.  Its great to even throw in a wink!!  Seriously- it will make you feel like you are dating again- with perks!!  And of course- have sex.  Sex is what separates the marriage relationship from all others!  It is God's gift to a couple.  It's the closest 2 people can be physically.  Let's just cut to the chase.  Sex is huge in a marriage, but let's not forget its only for those married to each other.  No swinging, no extras- in the bed or on the TV.  I personally think its sad to have to add that last part, but its a sad reality for our culture.  Like I said- Satan knows what he is doing!
• Encourage and Appreciate!  Never miss a moment to say Please, Thank-you,  I Love You, and I Appreciate You.  We are working on this, and I will say its great!  The more I do it, the more he does it.  Or maybe it's the other way around- who knows.

There are so many other things.  These are just a few that we have tried or are doing now.  No marriage is off limits.  Satan is on the prowl.  Don't give him an "in".  We have been there- are there and I know many of you are as well.  Remember this recent post?  Yep, totally the result of being too comfortable.  Remember where it said "I have been here before"?  Yep, totally the result of getting too comfortable.  I doesn't get any easier.  If anything- it gets harder.  I have shared some of our story with other women (older and younger) recently only to find that almost everyone I talk to has a story where their marriage is being attacked. 

I will continue to pray for all marriages (even yours).  Have a request? The comments on this post will be confidential until I read them.  If you wish to ask me to pray for something specific, I will not post it. I will, however, pray. Satan never sleeps, but neither does my God.  The best thing you can do for your marriage?  Pray for the protection that only God provides, be intentional, and DO NOT get comfortable.
Aundrea (for whatever reason my name won't load)


P.S  Here a some great books:
      "The Power of A Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian.  (Of course, they also have "The Power of A Praying Husband" too!!)
      "Becoming the Woman of His Dreams: Seven qualities every man longs for"  by Sharon Jaynes
      "Help Me I'm Married"  by Joyce Meyer

Boredom breeds......

I am back with another installment of what happens around here when I tell my kids they cannot have electronic entertainment.   If you missed the first Boredom breeds moment,  you can view it here.

While I will admit that this isn't quite as funny, I will say that it is quite creative.  I would have never thought to "drive" the wagon with the handle pulled in. 

I just love that 3 of my 4 kiddos were laughing and enjoying each other.  Unfortunatley, J was at school.  Our school is so much more fun!!

My Life in a Video

I have had so many things for blog posts swirling in my head, but no real time to sit and organize all of my thoughts.  Then, in the midst of the chaos, a video was released.  I seriously think the woman is stalking me, as the following is my life.  Well, condensed anyway.  I could add so much more.

Thanks Anita Renfroe.

Enjoy!

Things I did NOT do, maybe

I LOVE Easter and LOVE all of the things we did to celebrate this past weekend, but I have to say that I was e.x.h.a.u.s.t.e.d come Monday.  So, here are a few of the things I most certainly did not (ahem) do this week (*wink, wink*).  Of course this week meaning Monday and Tuesday since today is only Wednesday.

I most certainly did NOT allow my older kids to sleep in until 9:30 and cash in on some extra snuggle time with L in order to avoid this:

I also did not have to use this to clean the above dishes since I had already been to the store twice and forgot both times to buy dish detergent.  (By the way- it worked great!!  If, that is, I actually did this.)

I absolutely didn't put clean clothes on our floor at night, make my bed in the morning, and then put the clothes back on the bed.   I sure didn't think this would be a way to convince me to actually fold them before going back to bed!

Is it even worth mentioning that our bed is King size?? Oh dear.

After folding clothes, I also do not stack the clothes along the wall in our bedroom instead of walking them down the hall to the kids rooms.  Nope, that would be pretty slack.  Seriously, the kids can get them in the morning when they awaken, right??  (This may actually be an on going problem- not just this week)

I may or may not have struggled not to doze off at T's baseball game on Monday night.  The same game I did not forget was even on the schedule.  The same day Big Daddy started his new job an hour away from home.  The same night his loving wife may or may not have fallen asleep before she even got to ask him about his day. Sigh.

On Tuesday I didn't have a burst of energy to create the mess in the kitchen.  I did not have supper ready by noon.  I did not bake 6 mini loaves of banana bread or a pan of banana muffins.  I love to bake (NOT).  Our family did not get home so late that we sat down to eat at nearly 10 pm. 

Seriously.  Who does this stuff?

Apparently............me.

What kinds of things did you NOT do this week?

I am so ready

I am ready for summer.  I usually don't like to rush it, as I don't like the overwhelming heat and humidity that we have here.  Although this year, it cannot come soon enough. 

I am ready to........

Sleep in a couple of mornings.  (I am pretty sure I don't look this happy when I am asleep)

 Spend many hours at the pool watching my kids play and catching up with all my peeps

Have time to go run without having to squeeze it in whenever I can

Not have to worry about school.  Or lesson plans.  Or repeating myself to "sit back down",  "shhh-focus on you work".

Take off on a road trip.  I don't care if its across town or across the country.  Just to have the freedom is all that matters.

There will still be swim team and gymnastics, but we will just work around it all.  Big Daddy started a new job today about an hour away, so I suppose we will also travel to Columbia to the Riverbanks Zoo as well.  I am really just ready to have a different routine, one that is just alot more flexible.  All I have to do is make it to the first weekend in June.

I am so ready.