We're going to Hollywood!!!

Ummm... I meant, Dominican :)  

Matthew has been talking about taking me to the Dominican Republic to visit Rebekah since the 1st time he went to see her (April of '08).  The conversation increased a notch after he came home from there with the High School group in November.  We both really wanted to include our children in this DR trip experience (because they've been so aware and actively involved with Aunt Bekah's mission trip), but couldn't figure out a way that it would all work out with the schedules and still be financially responsible.  So... we delayed the decision and waited.

Here is where our Almighty God stepped in:

I was working at CPR on Tuesday (another story for another time :)) reconciling some end of the month credit card expenses and blurted out, "Do we GET anything for this card???" (not really expecting an answer, but thinking that we should be getting some percent of the amount spent back -- I'm always looking for a good deal or free money!!!).  Darrell, in the other room, answered, "What do you mean?  This credit card is connected to an AAdvantage account.  I thought you guys have been using the accumulated miles all these years?!?"  Then Rachel chimed in, "Maybe your kids will get to go the Dominican after all..."

This little exchange was the catalyst to a whole chain of events this week.  What we found out on Tuesday afternoon was that Matthew does have an active AAdvantage account and that there were a few hundred thousand miles accumulated in that account (enough for 4 tickets to the Dominican)!!!  We also found out that American Airline does service Dominican Republic and that there are flights available for the dates that we needed.  We were able to apply for passports for the kids on Wednesday (which just happened to be a minimum day!) and book all 5 tickets with seats together!!!

Tonight, Matthew was telling the kids about our trip and all the different things that we might see.  All three kids had all sorts of questions :)  Abby was concerned that she would not be able to talk to the kids, because she only knows how to say "hola" and "gracias".  Seth wanted to know if he could climb the trees in the jungle... and wanted to have permission to catch the monkeys in the trees.  Isaac pulled out The Complete Idiot's Guide to Italian History and Culture to read because he couldn't find one on the Dominican Republic or a book that would teach him Spanish :).  My kids have recently watched Swiss Family Robinson, so, they wanted to know if there are baby elephants, ostriches, tigers, zebras, alligator, snakes... in the DR.  Matthew told them that he didn't think so, but there are REALLY BIG wild pigs in the Dominican, even BIGGER than their mother!!!  Hmmm... not quite sure how to take that compliment :)

YEAH!!!!  I am so thankful that we get to go see Rebekah over Easter break!!!  I am so grateful for the sovereignty of God to have allow us to not have known about this AA account until now!  I am thrilled to be able to see all that God is doing in Rebekah's life and to see first hand how He is working in Monte Plata!  I am soooo excited for Isaac, Seth, and Abby to experience Aunt Bekah's mission field and to get a taste for what it means to serve God in a foreign country!

Where is that???

Tonight, we enjoyed a "no baseball" night.  Our whole family SAT DOWN and had dinner together (it's a bit rare right now to not be eating in the car on the way to someplace... sad, I know).  Over dinner, we usually have very interesting/entertaining conversations :)  Tonight was no exception!  Some how, I'm sure for a really good reason, we started naming off countries... this is what the last 10 seconds sounded like:

Alice: "Korea."

Matthew: "Hong Kong."

Seth: "King Kong!"

Abby: "Ding Dong!"

Isaac: "Ping Pong!"

Abby: "Bingo!!!"

Goodness... I can't remember what Matthew and I did for entertainment before we had children, but I know that this IS much better :)

What am I?

Have you ever left church thinking,  "Wow, I think the pastor (or Sunday School teacher) was speaking to me (and only me) the whole time this morning!"  Well, that was me this morning!  I was exhorted to take a good look at myself and my life in the arena outside of my church life.

We have been going through Acts for the last bit, and are currently on Chapter 9 (where Saul was struck down by God on his way to Damascus and in the process of turning into Paul).  Today's teaching points were #3 Focused on Service & #4 Be Filled with the Holy Spirit (of The 6 Characteristics of a Transformed Life).   I was challenged to not put off the things that I ought to do today (in my service or obedience to God) until tomorrow, because I can ALWAYS come up with a "good reason" why I don't have time right now, to deal with that character issue or that bad habit that I've been meaning to break.  In addressing being filled by the Holy Spirit, Matthew used the analogy of how the Holy Spirit is like the wind, and that if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we would be like the sailboat that catches the wind in our sails, allowing the Spirit to guide, direct, and MOVE us where God wills.  How often I am so afraid that I am not going to like where God's going to take me, so, I lower my sail!  Ugh.

Pastor Mike is teaching through Matthew 5.  Today, we were studying through what it means to be "The Light of the World".  We, as Christians, are God's design and tool in influencing and impacting the world for the Gospel.  I found it interesting that God calls us to be salt AND light to the world... in that, we are to influence and impact not only as SALT (that works invisibly and from the inside out), but also as LIGHT (working obviously, visibly, and illuminates externally).   I think I'm pretty good at being "salt", but it is harder for me to be "light".  It takes great effort for me to be bold and obvious in taking a stance when all the baseball moms are standing around discussing gay couples and other social issues.  It's so much easier for me to talk through social, political, and Biblical issues in the comfort and safety of my own home/car with my kids (or our carpool kids :)).  

Lord, help me to not be a "secret Christian", but to be bold and strong.  Help me to be willing to be put on a lamp stand to reflect Your light and glory to the world.  I want to be known, first and foremost, as "a servant of Christ" (even before I am know as Matthew's wife, or Isaac/Seth/Abby's mom, or any other titles/labels that people might associate me with)!  May I be willing to hoist my sails high and pull up my anchor and ask Jesus to take me where ever He would take me!  Father, may my view of Your greatness and my trust for You in my head be transferred into my heart, and then flow out through my actions.  May You use my life to magnify You!

 

1 Corinthians 4:1  ...Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God...

Oh my, thirty-nine...

Yes, I had a birthday on Wednesday.  My children have been announcing to the world that Mommy's birthday is on Wednesday and she is turning 39!!!  Don't you love it... there are no secrets in a house with little ones.  If you are around my children very much at all, you would know that comments like, "Mom?  Why does that man have long hair like a girl?" or "Mom... you have a big tummy.  Are you having a baby?" are all very normal in our household (and usually in the most uncomfortable situations).  You gotta love it :)

Tuesday night, I received this note on my bed from my 5-year-old:

On Wednesday, after the kids' chapels and helping out in Isaac's class, Matthew and Abby took me to lunch at PF Chang's.  Abby and I had a fun time going out with Daddy at his lunch hour :)  What a special treat :)  Right after lunch, we dashed back to pick up the boys from school.  With a quick stop by the house to change, we are back at the baseball field for Seth's practice, then off to church for AWANA.  At church, the High School group crashed the Sparky game time to serenade me for my birthday!!!  You guys are great!  

When the day finally slowed, and the kids were in bed, I found 8 voice messages, a text message, an email, and a card in the mail wishing me a Happy Birthday... and that didn't even include the call from Bruce at 7:30 am!  I also found a lovely floral arrangement and a beautifully wrapped package by the front door!!!  I am so spoiled :)

Isaac - all ready for practice :)

Yeah!!!  A new phone that keeps my calendar & my contacts!  Now I just need to figure out how it works... LOL 

On Thursday, my sweet husband arranged to be home by 4, so that we can go out as a family to celebrate my birthday.  Matthew even made the kids vow to have good attitudes and get along the entire time that we are "celebrating" :)  As a part of my present, I didn't even have to take Isaac to baseball practice (or pick him up!) that night!  I do have to confess... when Matthew called during the day to make sure that things are all lined up so that we can fit dinner in at 4, I told him that I would be so much happier if we could just all stay home, get homework done, and work on getting the house cleaned up!!!  (Yes, a messy dirty house makes a grumpy mom!)  Matthew's response was, "Nope... you don't get to do what makes you happy.  It's your birthday and we are going to go celebrate!"  Thanks, Babe, for always making me have fun, whether I want to or not :)

I am so thankful for each one of you that took the time to remember and to call (from near and FAR!)... I do feel very loved and so blessed to have so many special people in life!!!  Thank you, Matthew, for treating me like a princess and celebrating me :)  You DO deserve to have a bonus!     

Abby's Patriotic Chapel

 

Abby was chosen as one of the two children in her class to sing "My Country Tis of Thee" in their Patriotic Chapel (in honor of President's Day) last Wednesday.  It was a bit of a challenge to get pictures of her, but I managed to take a short video of her singing :).  This is one of my favorite Kindergardener chapel programs (maybe only second to the one where they recite Psalm 23).  The kids make these great George Washington and Abraham Lincoln hats and recite facts about these honored presidents.  So cute!  

Don't go, ABBY!!!

I think even Ezekiel and Rebekah enjoyed the program... or maybe they enjoyed the pretzels :)

 

Mother of Five

Last week, I was a mom of 5.  We had Ezekiel and Rebekah Jane with us, allowing Bethany and Kevan to go play with Mom and Dad in DC! 

Despite the lack of sleep (Ezekiel would get up several times in the night to wander the halls or to "play with cousins"), the sicknesses (I think there were at least 2 children sick at the same time all week) and the craziness of juggling school and baseball (!!!) schedules... we had a BLAST!!!  I had great respect for my mother-in-law before, but now, I have respect to spare (how did you manage to not lose any of them at the baseball field with 3 boys playing in the same season?!?).  I also see God's wisdom in having babies start off less than 10 pounds each... it was challenge for me when both Ezekiel and Rebekah needed love at the same time (while we are running to deliver Isaac's forgotten recorder and book... and to go up and down flights of stairs to turn in registration packets!).  I'm sure it was quite a sight.  Bethany, you MUST BE one buff mama to be able to lug those kids of yours so effortlessly!!!

Hmmm... what kind of food is Playdough, Auntie Alice?

Happy Birthday, Mama!  I made you a heart :)

Now this is more like it... I love cheese bagels!

Baby might like the cheese one, but there is nothing better than chocolate chips!!!

Saturday morning, not feeling too great :(

At the baseball field to cheer on Isaac's 1st game of the season!  Go Angels!

Uncle Matthew's finally home!  Push me way up high!!! 

I was very proud of Isaac, Seth, and Abby, for all their help with the little ones and for their independence!  I'm thankful that we can have such sweet "cousin time" even as young children!  Thank you, Bethany and Kevan, for trusting me with your little loves.  They are truly a delightful addition to our family... even if we've ruined them for you :)

I was reading one of the girls' ministry blog that I follow, and came across this.  I hope it brings you a smile too :)

If You Give A Mom A Muffin

Original Author Unknown

If you give a mom a muffin, 

She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it.

She'll pour herself some.

Her three-year-old will spill the coffee.

She'll wipe it up.

Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks.

She'll remember she has to do laundry.

When she puts the laundry in the washer, 

She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.

Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan for supper.

She will get out a pound of hamburger.

She'll look for her cookbook ("101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger").

The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.

She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.

She will look for her checkbook.

The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.

She'll smell something funny.

She'll change the two-year-old's diaper.

While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring.

Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.

She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee.

Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.

And chances are... 

If she has a cup of coffee, 

Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

Happy March!!!  Remember moms, you are not alone :)