Tired

I have been working so much lately at three different jobs and I am so tired. If I make it through this week, I will be very happy. Next week is much better and calmer. I am looking forward to an entire day at home -- nowhere to go sounds sooooo nice. 

On the positive side, the kids have been doing really well with this schedule. They have been getting their homework done while I am gone. That part has been going amazingly well. Jt has been working on improving his writing. That is our focus for this coming year. He has gotten much better with his attitude toward writing which I am grateful for that change. He simply has to learn to write better and kicking up a fuss won't get him out of it. 

So that is where we are at right now. Busy, busy, busy. And soon hockey starts and we will be really busy. I think I need a vacation. 

VBS

My kids went to VBS at the church where we attend AWANAs. What a fabulous place!! It is not our home church but we have always loved attending AWANAs there. They are so nice. My kids just loved VBS tonight and were so glad they went. They came home just bubbling over with what they had discussed. The topic was on God's Wondrous Creation and that "God turned alot of nothing into something cosmically cool." They had so much fun. I am incredibly thankful for the leaders and volunteers that are making this time so special for my kids. I appreciate that they are leading my kids to God in a way that is fun and exciting. I hope and pray my kids will always remember the special times they had at VBS and that they will continue the tradition by taking their own kids to VBS. 

This is their key verse for the day:

Before the mountains were born 

or you brought forth the earth and the world, 

from everlasting to everlasting you are God

Psalm 90:2

bible verse

Today has been a rather trying day. There are days like that. I was working on our yearbook from last school year. I include bible verses and in the process of looking for one for a page I was working on, I came across this verse. It really spoke to me and was a comfort. 

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10

I hope this verse speaks to you, also. 

Book - The Dream Giver

I really got alot out of this book by Bruce Wilkinson. The story starts out as a parable about a man named Ordinary. Ordinary has a big dream and there are bullies that prevent him from reaching his big dream. Ordinary asks, "How do I get all my Bullies on my side?" Ordinary is told, "Well, you might not be able to. Wisdom is the key. Try to understand what's motivating them. Look for the merit of their concerns. Some Bullies you need to simply dismiss or avoid. But most Border Bullies have concerns that can help you clarify your plans. That's how a Dreamer turns opposition into opportunity. .... Remember, when Bullies try to block your way, what matters most is who you choose to please!" 

I have had 'border bullies' in my life and this really helped me to see them in a positive light vs. negative. They can help to clarify your plans. They can help you to figure out if your plans are good plans - plans that can stand up to criticism tend to be well laid plans that will work out. So the border bullies play a good role. I always just saw them as opposition and it was painful for me as often the border bullies were those close to me. I just wanted their love and support and not their opposition. I found it helpful to view them in this light. 

The most important aspect though is to determine who we are aiming to please. Is the aim to please the border bullies or is it to please God? And sometimes we need to disregard the border bullies in order to do what God wants. Ultimately, it is only God who we need to concern ourselves with and seek His approval in all we do. 

Excellent book and I highly recommend reading it. 

Wonderful day

We had just a wonderful day. Dad took off work (YAH). We went to 6 Flags for the day. It was just a beautiful day - warm and sunny, yet not humid. We walked around the park in the morning. JJ wanted to go on some of the kiddie rides. He really had a great time and the fabulous thing is that the kiddie rides are near the nerf ball house. The older boys love going in there. I sent them in with Dad and I stayed with JJ so he could ride the rides he likes. This helps prevent the older two whining about going now and does JJ have to ride another ride. Having two parents along helps tremendously. We can divide up when necessary. It worked well. 

We ate lunch at the car. Dad remembered the chairs - I would have forgotten. It was so nice to not have to sit on the hot pavement. After lunch we went to the water park. The kids have been really looking forward to the water park. Last time we went it was a bit cool and although we did go to the water park - it was only for a very short time as quickly everyone was blue!!! Today was much warmer and it was a very pleasant day for water park activities. 

JJ is now big enough to actually do some of the bigger water slides. He was thrilled to be able to go. He found a favorite ride and insisted on riding it many times. He needed to have a bigger person go with him to carry the tube. Dad and I took turns. The older two enjoyed a bit of freedom. We find our chairs and they are now allowed to go off together - they must tell us what ride they are heading to and then after they ride they check back. And they must stay together. Still it is freedom for them. Up until this year, they had to stay with us all the time and that really limited what they could do as JJ wasn't big enough to do many of the rides. Even though JJ is bigger, he still doesn't ride all that they older two do. And the older two enjoy having a bit of space away from Mom and Dad. 

We stayed longer today then we ever have. I think with the kids getting older they have more endurance. I know that they are tired now though. All 3 went to bed easily and fell right to sleep. 

I think it is time for me to join the rest of the family and head off to bed too. 

A Heart Like Jesus

I just read A Heart Like Jesus by Max Lucado. A short but powerful book. 

"Remember, the secret of having a heart like Jesus is 'fixing our eyes' on him. Try shifting your glance away from the one who hurt you and setting your eyes on the one who has saved you." 

I wish that I was better at doing this but sometimes the wounds are deep and just thinking of that person causes pain to my heart. Another friend of mine talked about loving the person who hurt us but also setting up boundaries so that the person can't continue to cause hurt. I have done this with one but need to set better boundaries with another. 

Awesome song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZfsxydxEXA

Kari Jobe