"Normal" and "Special"

First of all let me say that I am really busy this morning packing to go to Red Springs because we have to leave today. So, I kept thinking I didn't have time to blog. But I have a lot weighing really heavy on my mind this morning and I feel like I need to write it all down. It helps me so much to look back at posts like this and the Lord just keeps telling me to do this so here I go.

Sallie has been so defiant lately and discipline is getting much harder with her. Not so much that we don't want to discipline her but that maybe our approach is not working. It's hard. The older she gets the harder a lot of issues are becoming. I feel the weight of the world concerning educating her. I feel the weight of the world concerning where she fits in here and where she fits in there. I feel the weight of the world because I am tired of her being looked at so differently. I just feel the weight of the WORLD!

But today my perspective has changed some. My cousin Cindy is carrying her second baby-a baby boy and they have found that there is a chromosomal issue. My heart is so heavy for them. So because I have them and their situation on my mind I keep thinking so much about "normal" and "special". I keep thinking about how it is truly amazing that in development it all comes together as much as it does but the reality is that it often does not all come together the way science tells us it should. "Normal" and "Special" are words the WORLD has created. God created each and every one of us and our identities are in HIM, not the WORLD. Why does He allow some children (and their parents) to have to endure hardships, why does He allow some children to only live for a short time? I don't know the answer to these questions but I do know that God uses each and every one for a purpose. The question for myself is why do I allow the WORLD's view to identify my child. I hear adults making fun of those who are "special" and it blows my mind! I hear things like "the short bus" and it is so hurtful. Can we not see that we are all God's creation, can we not see that those children go through more than most of us can imagine, can we not see that there are parents of those children who hurt everyday for those children? At the same time there are those who embrace those children yet they just don't really know what to do or how to do it and I understand that. Do I still have to deal with the WORLD and their views on "special"? Unfortunately, yes but I hope that I remember that there is only ONE who matters and HE MADE US ALL!

Your prayers for Cindy and her husband Dodd are greatly appreciated. Their faith is very strong and for that I am so thankful.

Lots of Stuff...

I prefer doing shorter, more frequent posts (easier to do, keeps me from getting behind) but I am catching up and so this post has lots of stuff, so bear with me!

This past Friday night A officiated his first wedding. He did a great job! Somehow I failed to get a picture with him and the bride and groom but I did get one with his future brides! I am really not sure how he will ever make it through marrying them. Ell says Grandy will have to help him but the 2 of them together really may not make it through! As you can see the little girls are not interested in me taking their picture!

They are interested in this...My 2 oldest babies hanging out together!

On Saturday we had a GA's 95th b-day/end of year ceremony and reception. I thought this was a good pic of Ell on our way to the church. I curled her hair for her which is a change (me doing her hair and it being curled!). She actually liked it!
Sallie went to the last GA meeting and our leader and the other girls were so sweet to welcome her (which often is not the case). I did not know that she was including her in the ceremony. That meant so much to us. I did not even cry. I am not sure why! I looked over at A and he was crying and I thought why am I not crying!

This makes me so happy! Sallie got a gift and a certificate and she was beside herself!
Lizzie outside after the reception
And Millie
While we were in Red Springs 2 pairs of shoes were all of a sudden missing. We looked for them for an entire day. On Sunday I was standing at the sink and happened to look behind the microwave and this is what I saw. Lizzie said she did it but then later said she did not so who knows.

We came back home on Monday and had a lazy afternoon outside. I hope our summer is full of those lazy days in the blow up pool! If we can't have a real pool or even better the beach then we will take our deck and a blow up pool!!!

This picture is too funny! She went under and was needless to say startled!
We finished the day with A grilling! He actually grilled enough for 3 days so I have not had to cook this week! Last but for sure not least, this was Ell's door yesterday!!! We are now on SUMMER BREAK!!!

We are looking forward to a summer of fun, sun, water, and lots of Sonic Cherry Limeades during Happy Hour!!!

Greater Things

I found this after my post yesterday and wanted to post it. What a wonderful reminder that there are greater things for us through Christ no matter how bad the world around us seems. Maybe our new American "Idol" (I really do not like that title)can be used in a powerful way for the Lord.

On growing up, tee tee, and American Idol

Finally I am taking a minute to post this week. Our week has been very busy and no relief coming for the next several days. I normally blog during nap time and I haven't had any down time this week during nap time. So, I made myself sit down to blog this morning because I miss it and if I ever get behind I may never get caught up!

I remember thinking how is Elleigh in the 6th grade? Now that time is ending and I am really thinking how is she about to be in the 7th Grade! A and I did youth ministry for years and I just can't believe that my baby is about to be a youth! To our old youth who read our blog-can you believe it? Of course she has had lots of practice. She went everywhere we went! On Monday night she went on her first youth outing. The church paired up the upcoming youth with the upcoming seniors. Last night, we had our LIT end of year program. I did not cry. Really, I did not. Can you believe it???

Ell on our way to the program. Poor baby is not feeling well. She got 3 shots yesterday and bloodwork and started her typhoid meds on Monday and I think it is taking a toll on her. Oh, and my baby is 5'3" and our Dr thinks she will continue to grow for a couple more years! I think she is going to be 6 feet tall! This is the only shot I got at the program and she is walking away from being promoted from LIT's to youth. I think I might cry now!

I have to add that I got only one pic because I was wrestling with Millie (who was really good considering the program was nearly 1 1/2 hours). We all went and about 1/2 way through Lizzie tells me she needs to go potty and I tell her to wait just a few minutes. So, she climbs in her daddy's lap and tee tees all over him! Needless to say they had to leave. I guess she really had to go! However, on Tuesday she went 3 hours without going to the potty because she refused to use the port a potty at the park. Completely freaked out!!! Screaming "NO, POTTY NASTY, I WILL FALL IN!" She had a fit because Sallie used it. She was yelling "No Sall Sall, nasty, you will fall in!" (Her Aunt Rhonda would be proud!). We left the park and I said Lizzie why would you not use the potty and she said,"potty nasty, I will fall in, and it was in the back yard!" Hilarioius!

There was much celebration again this year at the Hall House on Idol Finale night. We recorded it since we were gone so it was late when we got to watch it but it was worth it to see Kris Allen win!!! He was just so sweet and humble and not to mention easy on the eyes! I love you A! I had to say that because he has given Elleigh and I much grief over our comments on Kris being a cutie! Danny Gokey actually was our favorite from the very beginning but if we couldn't have Danny then Kris was our next pick.
And ANYONE was our pick as long as ADAM didn't win! I don't think I could have stood another week of that!

Screaming, etc, etc...

Yes, she is SCREAMING "Jesus Loves You"! There is a story behind it. One day this week I was calling around trying to find cream mints for a baby shower we have this weekend at church. At one of the stores the man on the other end spoke very broken English and well I speak very fluent Southern and the 2 just don't mix! So, according to Elleigh I was SCREAMING "Do you have cream mints?" Why do we do that? They can hear us, they just can't understand us! Well Aaron's dad tells this story about a woman on a mission trip doing that same thing because of the lack of communication. He is hilarious telling about her screaming, "Jesus Loves You". So, of course Elleigh started laughing at me and screaming, "Jesus Loves You!" Later that day, Lizzie started yelling that at her baby dolls and she is still yelling it. In the video, you can hear Millie say Jesus!

Lizzie told me yesterday that Nigh (what she calls Nana) came in her room the night before and tore down the wall and got in the bed with Sallie. Either she is developing quite the imagination or she was having a very vivid dream but it was real to her!

Elleigh asked Millie on Monday when she was going to stop sucking her thumb and Millie responded, "morrow". That was Monday and now it is Friday and of course she is still sucking her thumb! We all have big plans for "morrow", right!

A begins his last Hebrew class on Monday. He will have 2 more Greek classes left but it will be a great feeling to have at least one language behind us! We greatly appreciate your prayers for our family. Pray that the focus will be there, for time management, for me to not demand more of him than he can give right now, that he will not become easily frustrated, and the list goes on.

A and Ell leave exactly one month from today for Africa! I can't believe the time is almost here. They get more excited each day and I get more nervous! I know the Lord will take care of them and they will both be changed by this but I know I am not going to have an easy time while they are gone (missing them, taking care of the girls with all my help gone!) But, it will all be worth it for them to have this experience!

We have a couple more weeks of school work to finish up. We are so ready! We have begun looking at different options for next year. We will still be homeschooling but not sure on curriculum, etc. We feel like we need to change some things but just not sure exactly what yet. It is quite an investment so there is lots of research to be done before making those decisions. Also, I will be much more intense with Sallie next year so we have lots of decisions to make.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Will it ever end?

Being around this and getting BABY FEVER!!!

I mean really, will I ever be able to hold a newborn and not want one??? I know, I am crazy! I can barely keep up with the 4 I have! This sweet baby is my friend Rebecca's baby. She is a little over 24 hours old in this picture. She is looking up at her mommy in this picture! I spent the night at the hospital with Rebecca last night so that her husband could be home with their 3 other children. I love me a newborn baby! I really thought after I had Millie I would never have baby fever again. Nothing against Millie but she was #4! Wrong! A told me it would happen. He knew it! He knows me. They start to become independent and I want a baby! No, I have not and am not making A an appt for a reversal! HE will love that I said that! My craving will pass! I do realize that those newborns grow up and have many needs! I didn't get much sleep last night but I did reflect a lot. I thought back through those first few days of each of the girl's births. Then I noticed THE SPOTLIGHT in the ceiling and I cringed!

Seriously, I appreciate your prayers for Rebecca and for Madison. Rebecca had a c-section which was her first and Madison is struggling with jaundice and they have 3 other children and no family in the area to help so they could use your prayers.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day a day late! Happy Mother's Day everyday! I had a great one! I really appreciate that A makes the day extra special for me. He knows how homesick I am every year on Mother's Day and so he makes every effort to pamper me and distract me from wanting to be "home" despite the fact that he would love to see his mom on Mother's Day as well. I would much rather be home giving that attention to our moms but at least for now that's not possible and I will take the day! The past few days the Lord really placed on my heart single moms and moms whose husbands don't treat them special on Mother's Day. It is just another day for so many moms and that makes me sad. We studied about Hannah yesterday in Sunday School and I was reminded of those women who long so badly to become mothers and how difficult this day is for them and of the relationship that Hannah had with the Lord. Amazing! If only we could all be like Hannah. I was reminded that they are gifts from God and they are His. A did not preach a normal Mother's Day message. He is preaching a series in James right now and this week's passage came from James 4:1-10 and he applied that to all our lives but to Mother's in particular and how one of the greatest things we can do as moms is to totally submit to the Lord-not with some things but with EVERYTHING! It was a great message! I am so guilty of saying Lord you can have this part of my life but I will take care of the rest which only leads to disaster. Satan easily creeps into those areas that we do not submit to the Lord. Verse 10 says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." The Lord is so good to have made that passage so applicable to moms on Mother's Day.

A cooked for me Saturday afternoon since he works on Sundays. We debated about going out to eat but he really wanted to cook. I do love this site!

We also debated over what he would cook and I just really can't think of anything he cooks that is any better than his shrimp alfredo. He added scallops this time as well and used all fresh herbs. Delicious as always!

My 2 favorite ice creams are cheesecake and strawberry and this cake from Cold Stone combined both! SO GOOD!

A completely surprised me with a Vera Bradley small duffel in one of the new patterns I love-Bali Blue! The girls also gave me a charm bracelet that I had been wanting. I love it!

Seriously, getting a picture of us is torture-on everyone! However, I keep on keeping on. I will have pictures even if it kills me (and them)! A took several of us and this is as good as it gets. I have no idea what Sallie is doing but I do know that she was very mad with me. She normally cooperates for pictures but she had better things to do and Lizzie always has better things to do unless you want to take her picture alone and then she is usually glad to cooperate. So, here we are after church on Mother's Day 2009. My heart feels so full when I think that God has chosen me to be the Mother of these 4 precious girls! May I never forget how fortunate I am.

Elleigh Palooza

I am not sure I have ever known someone who loves their birthday as much as Elleigh. She starts talking about it months and months in advance and she figures out how to extend her celebration as long as possible. This year was no different!

Opening the presents that came in the mail that I made her wait to open! She begins opening them as soon as she wakes up!

She opens a ditty bag from Nonnie and crew-the first piece she opened to her new VB luggage
I think she loves her new beach towel from Maggie-matches her luggage of course!
Money, coin purse, and luggage tag from Nanna and Grandy-money and more VB pieces-just what she wanted!

I asked her what she wanted for her b-day breakfast and she said a really girly breakfast. So, I made homeade mini quiches (which were delicious!), buttermilk spice muffins (Mimi's has their recipe on their website-I was so excited and they were wonderful!), strawberries, and fresh OJ. She loved it!
I think the little girls were slightly confused about our fancy breakfastFinally Daddy is home she can open her duffle bag
What better way to spend your b-day than at 6 Flags over TX. It was homeschool day so the timing was great!

Elleigh and Sarah at 6 Flags. They had SO much fun!
Elleigh with her Daddy at 6 Flags-he had just as much fun!That night we went downtown to P.F. Chang's-Elleigh and Sarah waiting on our food
Our family outside the restaurant-Lizzie does not want her picture taken!
Back home and time for cake and ice cream!!! She loved her cake-it was so her!Blowing out the candlesHer sweet sisters wait patiently...Millie says, "Give me some cake-NOW!"Cake, ice cream, and Jones'-LIFE IS GOOD!On Friday night I took Ell and her friends Faith and Taylor downtown for Uno's and a movie. Ell and I at Uno's. YUMMY!Taylor, Elleigh, and Faith on their way to the movies. It was another great night to end Elleigh Palooza! Thank you to everyone who made this birthday extra special for Elleigh!!! Until next year....

Happy 12th Birthday to my first baby girl!

Ell,

You know how mama gets on your birthday so you shouldn’t expect this one to be any different. In fact, the thought that next year you will be a teenager is even more emotional for me and once you are a teenager we will then have at least one teenager for the next 16 years!

What a year for you! I have seen more change in you in every way than ever before. We are so proud of you for many reasons but by far your greatest accomplishments this year were leading 4 young people to Christ! You are an inspiration to us!

I love that you love the Lord with all your heart and in turn you have a great love for people.

I love that you are a planner! You are very conscious of your decisions, especially with money!

I love that you are mature beyond your years yet you are still a 12 year old girl.

I love that sometimes you still want to sit in my lap and give me kisses.

I love that you share mine and your daddy’s love for cooking. You love to cook for others.

You are a great big sister and my wonderful helper. I am sure I don’t say thank you enough for all that you do for our family.

I love our talks. I love that you open up to me and to daddy and as painful as it is to watch your child hurt I am so glad that it is me you open up to. I pray that you will always come to us.

Writing this to you has made me realize even more how thankful I am to spend each day with you. It is far beyond anything I ever imagined. You know as well as I do that it is tough a lot of days (like when we have been together as long as we think we can stand!) but overall it is wonderful and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be with you during this hard time of growing up. Watching you become a young woman is one of the neatest yet scariest things I have ever experienced as a mom. It is neat to see who you are becoming yet scary to know how hard it is to be your age and what is ahead of you. Stay focused on the LORD! HE is your refuge and strength!

I love you Elleigh and I am so glad you are mine!

Out of the mouths of babes: Hall Edition

Millie will jabber on and on and Lizzie looks at her everytime and says, "diarrhea?'

Yesterday Elleigh said to Lizzie, "come sit down and talk to me" and Lizzie's response was, "No, I don't want to argue!"

If you ask Lizzie to say something you want her to say and she doesn't want to say it, her reply is, "no, I don't want to play that game."

Elleigh got out her old Junie B Jones journal from 1st Grade and she is allowing me to share this (it is a fill in the blank journal):
If I were the boss at my house...
1) I would tell my mom to clean up her room
2) I would tell my baby sister to clean my room
3) I would eat cookies for lunch

3 Rules I would change:
1) Dad has to drive (not sure if she does or does not want him to drive-I think does not!)
2) I get 155 snacks
3) I'd get to stay up untill 3 at night

If I ruled the school...
My new name would be queen
Whenever I walked down the hall, everyone would have to bow and prais the Lord
I would sit there each day and talk
Each day for lunch, I would have cookies

New School Rules I would make:
1) give me cookies (she really likes cookies!)
2) make every body pray
3) (blank) would be nice (there is a name there but I am not telling!)

And my personal favorite-The most perfect birthday party:
"My house totally fun crank the music up so fun so cool so rad. My dad would stay outside so he wouldn't danc or something like that" and she would invite LaLa, Maggie, Sallie, Mama, Ellie, Shelby, and Savanna

Kids really do say the funniest things. We have laughed so much over this journal. It is priceless!

And speaking of the babes, this pic is for Nanna and Ms. Abbey-yes they look just as cute in the dresses as you thought they would!

And with Ell (oh and I have to add that I did not pick out Elleigh's dress-she did without seeing what the little girls were wearing! I LOVE IT!)

Since I am on the topic of funny things kids say, here is Lizzie saying "I don't know" British style. It is a very short clip and it actually cuts her off a little early but it is the best I could do!