Sounds like life to me!

There have been many times in the last 15 years I've asked myself, "Do I have what it takes?" Can I make it through this situation and handle it with grace while reflecting God's love?

I suppose in that moment when your first child is born, you face the most overwhelming sense of responsibility. . . yet I don't think any of us realize in THAT moment, what the coming years will hold. Any more than I realize right now what the future will hold for these eight very different personalities - kids that I am seeking to raise up to love the Lord.

I've always thought that it's God's goodness that He doesn't show us what's coming. He gives us the grace AS the trials come, building our faith, knowing that if we knew ahead of time we wouldn't have the strength to anticipate what the trial will hold.

Yesterday, while sitting with Daughter (#6) before and after her out-patient surgery to remove a cyst on her neck, my mind wandered to some of that "Do I have what it takes?" moments in the story of our family here at the troops.

The first moment my mind wanders to is when Daughter (#2) had RSV at 5 weeks of age and spent a week in the hospital.

Then the multiple trips to the ER with Son (#3) in the middle of the night before finally finding that he has asthma. I don't think we slept through the night regularly until he was three.

Son (#4) pinched the end of his thumb off in my mom's folding coffee table when he was nine months. I remember thinking (all the way to the hospital), "He will be just fine without his thumb." So grateful they were able to reattach it and he has all 10 fingers to this day!

Same son also broke his arm jumping out of a rolling chair - he was about two. But the broken arms had the biggest year last year with Daughter (#2) AND Daughter (#5) both breaking theirs.

When Son (#3) broke his nose and needed out-patient surgery to fix it, that was a difficult time. He moaned and groaned for over a week afterwards. Even though I did everything I could to make him comfortable, it just took time.

There have been other moments for sure. But none of these compare to the grace that is needed to face a trial of the SOUL. Our physical bodies are going to get hurt and they will get sick. Here at the troops, none of those physical trials have been lasting. I know for some of you, you are living in the midst of a physical trial that is a spiritual one, as well.

We've had a few "Soul trials" here at the troops, for sure. They aren't the kind of thing that one can blog about. But they have made me realize that most things aren't the "big deal" that we tend to make them. Most of the time, bones will heal, they will recover. . . the soul things will matter for life. How we face them can change our character. The choices we make. The relationships we have with the Lord and with others.

I didn't intend for this post to be so depressing! :-) But it's where we are living right now. Striving with all that we have (by God's grace) to shape the character of our children. Knowing that character is developed IN the trials. Not wanting the trials at all! But wanting them to (and us) have the Christ-like character that makes us a shining light in this dark, dark world.

I know these precious children will fail. They already have. And I know there is more of that to come. My prayer, lately, has been that their character development will come without life-long consequences. But I realize that our Lord and Savior bore his trials unto death. And unlike us, He didn't deserve it. Hadn't earned the consequences of OUR sin.

So in following Him, we choose a hard road. I don't except my children to have "easy" lives. But I do expect them to have blessed lives. If they choose to follow Jesus, the joy will be beyond explanation. Even if there are scars.

And now? A little girl who wants some hot cereal for her very sore throat. She's been amazingly brave, tough and sweet through her trial. And Lortab certainly helps! Ha!

May the God of all Grace fill you with His comfort and strength today for whatever trial you are facing. And as our BSF leader always says - if you haven't just come through a trial, or are in one right now, get ready - it's coming. It's part of being a follower of Christ!

Today at the Troops

Morning, All!

Day three of 10 kids seems to be going smoothly. Visiting teen-age boys require much less of this mom than the little ones we've kept. They've been on their best behavior. And our days have stayed pretty much the same, as they are at school all day with our big kids.

We've enjoyed the laughter around the dinner table. They've been excellent guests. And Son (#1) sure loves the extra basketball players on the court in the evenings! The Coach even has extra help on the deck project. What a deal!

In the meantime. . . we've been trying to get organized and plan for Thursday. Daughter (#6) will be having outpatient surgery to remove what we think is a Thyroglossal duct cyst from her neck. Fun, huh?

She's had great courage in the whole ordeal thus far.

I've been so grateful for family and friends who have offered help. Meals, car pool duty, watching little ones. What a blessing!

The Lord keeps bringing to mind His amazing love and providential hand in our lives. Little did we know when we took Daughter (#6) out of school that this would happen. And yet. . . what a blessing that she hasn't and won't miss even more school at the end of this school year. We've been able to take a casual approach to finishing up her school work. She's read a lot, helped in the kitchen, just enjoyed being home. And now she will have the freedom to recover from this surgery at home without school work piling up and pressure to get back. God is so good.

Greatly appreciate your prayers for us this week. Life continues to be quite an adventure here at the troops. Wouldn't trade it! But it sure does wear me out!

Blessings on your Tuesday!

Thankful Thursday

My overwhelming feeling (and I know feelings aren't necessarily truth - but they are an indication of what's going on inside) lately, has been one of having too much. Too much to do. Too many kids (though I wouldn't trade it!). Too much food to buy and cook. Too much laundry to get done. Too much on my to do list. Too much pain in my neck (literally). Too much on the calendar. Too many phone calls and e-mails. Too many dishes. Too many. . . well. . . you get the idea.

But if I'm going to change my feelings, I have to change my thinking. Begin to think about what IS true (not just what I feel). You know what is true today? God's goodness. His love for us. I'm so grateful for that.

Here are a few other things. . .

1. We haven't blown away in this crazy wind!

2. My knees quit hurting on Monday. Whew.

3. Favor with the insurance company and a soon-to-be new roof! Yeah!

4. Only four weeks of school left. Ahhhh.

5. That the Lord is helping me be OK with NOT having it all together. Not being perfect. Not doing it all. Not always saying, YES. I don't LIKE it, but I'm OK with it.

6. A clean house. Sort of. Minus the laundry piles and dishes.

7. A quieter day, today. Wednesdays are crazy.

8. A beautiful yard. And three boys and a Coach who keep it that way.

9. Bird feeders and birds to watch. Little Man told me yesterday, "That bird is singing to me, Mom!"

10. That the red Sharpie came out of the carpet. Long story. Abundant relief.

11. That Daughter (#6) is catching up on some sleep this morning. And praying for her next week as she has surgery on her neck.

12. For God's grace to us, as parents, in spite of my inadequacies. Which are huge. Ugh.

Here's to holding on tight and riding this crazy roller coaster of the last few weeks of the school year without falling off! I will miss the "quiet" of the Winter months. But not the cold. And I will look forward to Summer when we can take a break from this hectic schedule. Not looking forward to being without the Coach and Son #1 for two weeks. But I will look forward to our beach vacation. It will be here before I know it!

Blessings on your Thursday!

First half marathon. Ever.

Had FUN on Sunday walking/jogging the OKC Memorial HALF Marathon!

It was an early morning.

We were at the starting line at 5:50. Ugh.

The Coach cheered us on at the start, then went back and got the girls and Little Man to come watch at the finish line. He should get a medal, too!

Son #1 and his cousin finished in 1:48. Wow!

It was a beautiful day! Windy, but sunny and cool. So nice.

And finally, with a chip time of 2:50, we came in. Woohoo! Little Man acted like he hadn't seen me in days. HA! Here we are afterwards.

It was a great day! So happy to have accomplished something NEW - something that seemed impossible in the beginning.

And honestly? I'm excited to do it, again. It felt better than I expected. Was more fun that I thought it would be. When I started training I thought 3:15 would be about all I could do. Then about half way through training I thought it would be fun to hit around 3 hours if we could. And to come in 10 minutes faster? Exciting!

Being out there with 23,000 people had it's moments - good and bad. I wasn't particularly fond of all of the pushing and shoving. But around mile 4 it started thinning out and it was such a pretty day and aside from some calf cramps (mom) and some knee twinges (me), we felt great and had a fabulous time out there.

Thanks for all of the encouragement! Thanks for sharing in my joy!

Happy Tuesday!

13.1

16 weeks ago, I started training for tomorrow.
I have no idea how many miles I've logged.
A lot.

I'm in awe of the real marathoners out there.
What I'm attempting is not even close.
But for me?
Tomorrow is a big day.

My bib is pinned on.
My Bloks are cut in half and in my belt.
With my chapstick.
And tissues.

My tag is on my shoe.
My clothes and sunglasses are ready.

I'm nervous.

Maybe not nervous.

Excited?

I have now idea what this will be like. This mass of people. This EARLY morning walk/jog. The whole experience is new for me.

But I've done the work.
And I'm ready.

Full report, tomorrow.
Or whenever I wake up from my nap.

Thanks for the encouraging words and the prayers. I've needed every bit of it.

Until tomorrow. . .

Random Observations

Well, Good Morning from the land of kids!

For those of you who do this each and every day (as if any of you have TIME to read my blog - ha!), hat's off to you!

I would have loved to have 12 of my own.

I think.

Sometimes.

It's been a FUN couple of days!

All in all. . . these are some fun easy going kids. Not MINE. The cousins.

The hardest thing about keeping extra kids is this. . . it brings out the worst in mine.

Ugh.

All of a sudden, the little troops are selfish, needy, picky, fit-throwing brats. (sigh)

I'm never sure if little ones obey so wonderfully when they visit us because they ARE really sweet and obedient (and they are, of course), or if they just see how often my kids get in trouble and it scares them into behaving. HA!

It's a possibility, for sure.

Our fearless Granddad, Grandmother, Nana and my Aunt took us all to lunch at Chick-fil-A, yesterday, and in one, rare, thoughtful moment (when we weren't taking someone potty or picking food up off the floor, or wiping up a knocked over cup of root beer), I realized something. YES - six kids (the other six were at school) with the oldest being a 1st grader is crazy.

Then it hit me.

Hello? Been there done that. And they were all my own.

No wonder I have more and more frequent lapses into insanity these days.

I am exceedingly blessed.

And a bit grateful that we are beyond that six kids seven and under stage. Yikes. Makes me tired just thinking about it!

Because now? I have a lot of help. My older kids are amazing. They do countless things to help our house run smoothly. From helping with meal preparation and clean -up to folding laundry and entertaining fussy little ones - even giving a bath now and then. Besides the fact that they are completely responsible for all of their school work. It's really a good place to be - this not having to do it all myself.

So here's to the Berenstain Bears library DVD that has made it possible for me to get a shower in the mornings.

Here's to Granddads who swing little ones so I can get out of the house for a minute and take us to lunch, after.

Here's to Uncles, Aunts and Grandmothers who pick up and bring home kids from two different schools.

Here's to late night trips to the store and husbands who help make cookies.

Here's to big brothers and big sisters who read books, wipe noses and sing songs.

Here's to swing sets and soft green grass and itchy legs.

Here's to massive casseroles, cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies.

Here's to cuddly little 2 year old girls who adore their uncle and cousins.

Here's to Monopoly, Wii, Uno and Netflix Instant Play Movies.

Here's to Advil and Chiropractors.

Here's to coffee and Diet Dr. Pepper (which I should SO not be drinking).

Here's to big washers and dryers and plenty of hands to sort and fold the laundry.

Here's to life!

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday

Looking out the big picture window in our kitchen, right now, I can see five kiddos swinging and giggling on the swing set on this beautiful, cool, clear Spring morning.

The dishwasher is humming quietly, the laundry is tumbling in the washer and chicken is baking in the over for tonight's dinner.

Circumstances aren't always this pleasant. I realize this. I know you realize this.

But as you also know, it's my desire to give thanks in ALL things. The reason I can? Because I trust my Heavenly Father to do what is best. To take care of us. Even when things seem "bad" and the "good" is only a memory. I trust Him.

1. Cousins. I love that we get to have cousins here so often! The kids love it. I love it. Eight is our number, for sure. But I love that it swells temporarily to a larger number. For the next few days? 12!

2. Kids. There are way too many moments, these days, when I'm more frustrated than grateful. I so desire to be transformed by the Lord to be a mom who enjoys and delights in my kids MORE of the time.

3. The Coach. Goes without saying. The guy is amazing. He puts up with my ability to attract extra kids to our house, invite people over, host this and that. Not only puts up with it. . . but pitches in to lighten my load. Amazing, I tell you!

4. 16 weeks of 1/2 marathon training done. When I looked at it back in December, I truly didn't think it would be possible for me to complete it. Didn't see where I would find the time. Didn't think I was strong enough. Things will still happen. But I'm awfully pleased that I've completed the training. Can't wait for Sunday!

5. My Dad. What other "Granddad" will come stay with five little kids (my three "at homers" and two nieces) so I can go to the Chiropractor AND let me drive his super-cool car AND give me a Starbucks card to stop for coffee on the way home. Admit it. He IS the best dad!

6. My Mom. She's tough. And even after completing six marathons on her own (Unbelievable!) she is stepping back to do the 1/2 with me this year. Couldn't have done this last 16 weeks without her. We've walked in 19 degree weather. We've walked in 80 degree weather. We've walked outside on the hills and inside on the treadmills. For hours. And hours. And have yet to run out of things to talk about OR get tired of each other.

And now, 555 interruptions since I began this post early this morning. . . it's almost lunchtime.

Have a great Thursday!