Das Not Funny! Friday: Busy Body

Well, I pretty much forgot about Das Not Funny! Friday today. Actually, I remembered about 11:00pm last night but I knew that I had to be up at 6:30am this morning and, well, I knew you'd all forgive me just this one time.

I was in a homeschoolers workshop all day today and it continues on into tomorrow. So, I won't be adding to your weekly laughter with excerpts from my darling children this week. However, if you would still like to play along (as I know my friend Wendi did) please feel free to leave a comment in the comment section and/or enter your info into MckLinky!

Have a great weekend!

I'm Not Who I Was

Last Saturday we had a yard sale. Okay, actually we carried all our stuff out onto our driveway, let it sit for about 6 hours, sold twelve $1.00 items, carried it all back into our garage then ordered pizza.

Successful we were not. Anyway, I spent most of my time "preparing" for the yard sale in the weeks preceding it by sorting through old boxes and looking at pictures that I had not seen in years. I found letters from old friends and photos of me and people that I had not spoken to in nearly a decade. The trips I took down memory lane brought smiles, fears, tears and much thought.

My past, well the past prior to my marriage, isn't one that I always enjoy remembering. Sure, I have great memories with wonderful friends. But overall my memories, particularly the ones I have from high school, are tainted. They include pain from broken relationships, less than desirable (but unfortunately true) rumors about my dating life and recollections of never being good enough.

Wait? Doesn't everyone feel the same way about their time in high school? Maybe. But maybe not. You see, when I got the invitation via email last year for my 10 year high school reunion I knew that there was no way in you-know-where that I was going back. Ever. I couldn't click delete fast enough. But let me make it very clear, it isn't because of shame that I refuse to go to that place. It isn't because I feel like I'm better than the folks who still live in my hometown or because I think that part of my life was pathetic. It's not that it all.

The truth is, I'm not who I was. I'm different now. At the time, I saw no reason to not do the things I did. I saw no reason to not have sex with the guys I dated or allow my body to be put on display for whomever to see. I saw no reason to live my life for anything but pure, selfish pleasure. My only fear was getting caught by my father, which actually happened anyway.


But looking back at those photos I realized that I was so broken. I was so lost. I could fix everything myself and if I couldn't, well I just pushed it to the back burner and hoped it would resolve itself.

You see, I'm not who I was.

I am changed. For as long as I could remember I wanted, desperately, to be rescued. I'd watch romance movies and just cry because I wanted that dramatic rescue from a man who would love me forever for who I was. That man never came. Sure they allowed themselves use of my body and tried their best to live up to my high expectations. But they couldn't fill the void. They couldn't rescue me in a way I needed. They let me down.

Finally, I realized a rescuer wasn't coming. I loved Luke and when you love someone and you're out of college you get married so that's what we did. Life was good. Sure it had its bumps but in general it was good. But the longing never faded. I still wanted the dramatic rescue, the unfailing love and the risk of a man losing it all just for me.

Then it happened. I met my Rescuer. I don't remember when and I don't remember how but I remember knowing that it was a Rescue of unfailing proportions. He did it, for me. He knew I wasn't the girl I was. He knew the girl I was going to be. With one mighty display of love, He rescued me in a way that I could never imagine. He wiped away all the sin, shame and scars from the life of a decade past.

And now, I'm not who I was.

48 Hours of Hope

If you've been around my blog for any length of time you know that Luke and I (and Elizabeth too) are avid supporters of Only Servants Ministries. Not only do we believe whole heartedly in the things that Only Servants Ministries is doing in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa but we also love Chris & Lindy to pieces. They truly seek the Lord for His desires in their ministry.

Their demonstration of obedience with their calling to the mission field convicted Luke and I to follow God's prompting to pursue becoming a foster family, and you all know how that has turned out for us (abudant blessings that we could have never imagined)!

Over the last several months Only Servants has begun to struggle financially. Although I know that God has the power to sustain any and all things He calls you to do, I also know that it takes people and their financial resources acting in obedience to provide.

With all that said, please, please, please go over to Michael's blog (he's our friend and pastor) and read about how you can support these dear friends of ours. Anyone can give an extra $5.00. With so many things pulling on your heart and wallet I know that this may sound like another request for you to dig out a few bucks that you really don't have any desire to fork over. (I know I certainly become jaded when folks begin asking for money.)

If you feel that way, please check out this post that Lindy wrote over on the Only Servants blog. It is powerful and thought provoking and it will make you re-evaluate that $5.00 you may or may not have spent on an Iced Latte this morning.

Das Not Funny! Friday: Big Heads, Chicken and You're-In

Welcome to this week's edition of Das Not Funny! Friday. After an exhausting week, I'm sure glad it's Friday. I don't know why though, because tomorrow promises to me even more exhausting than the whole week combined. We are having our second garage sale ever (well, in our married life). The first one we had was about 5 years ago when Elizabeth was just a few months old. Needless to say with 4 more children and a move to a larger home, we've acquired a lot of crap treasures. If you're in the area and interested in any of our crap treasures, stop by in the morning at 7:00am and help yourself.

Now, onto the real reason you're here...

For some reason Lucas thinks it's SUPER funny to stick his tongue out when I lean in to smooch him. I'm sure my shrieks of disgust do not aid in his displeasure.

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Now commonly heard by either Lucas or Ashlee while eating,

"Yummmm....dis taste wike chicken!" The kicker is, it is almost always not chicken.

However, a few nights ago we had home made chicken nuggets for dinner. Ashlee picked one up popped it in her mouth and said,

"Mom! Dis taste wike chicken!"

"It is chicken silly," I replied.

"Oh. Das why," she smirked.

Hysterical.

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Lucas to Elizabeth: "Bizzy, I'm bigger than you."

Elizabeth: "No, Bubby. I'm still the biggest. But your head is bigger than mine."

And, she's probably right.

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Lucas' obsession with outside urination reached an all time high last week. One day he decided it would be fun to pee on the edge of the driveway on top of some ants. As his urine ran across the driveway all three big kids played Jump the River. Their little game lasted for at least 30 minutes until their kill-joy of a mother made them stop.

Later in the week he thought it would be a good idea to pee on our van. Not the tire, the actual van. As I shrieked in disgust at his choice from across the yard, he obeyed my command of "Lucas! No! Not on the van!" and walked across the driveway, still peeing, to find a better location. Apparently better is across the driveway and into a figure 8 pattern on a tree. Who knew?

Okay folks, now it's your turn. Please, I'm begging you, tell me all the funny things you did/saw/said or overheard this week. It doesn't have to pertain to children to qualify for Das Not Funny! Friday. All you need is a sense of humor and the ability to enter it onto your computer.

First, if you have a blog, simply write your own Das Not Funny! Friday post. Then, somewhere in your post link back here to this blog. Finally, once you've done those two things, enter your info into MckLinky (below) so that my blog will, in turn, link back to yours. It's simple really.

Happy Friday folks! Have a great weekend.

Good News, Bad News: A Court Update

Baby Girl's Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) hearing was scheduled for this morning.

The good news is that I did not get arrested for contempt of court this morning.

The bad news is that the case was continued until August 20th. I do not feel comfortable sharing why the case was continued, just know that your tax dollars (for those of you living in NC) were wasted today. I am beyond frustrated.

Stepping Back

Maybe you've noticed (or maybe you haven't) that I haven't been posting as much lately. It's not that I don't enjoy blogging anymore, it's just that I've felt the Lord convicting me of the intent of all this blogging I've been doing. Originally, this blog was created so that I could journal all the frustrations, joys, hilarity, and growth in my life as a mother to lots of small children and as follower of Jesus.

However, over the last several months my focus had changed. I focused on making sure I posted something everyday. I focused on the things around me that were "blog worthy." Rather than blogging being a way to journal an already God focused life, blogging became the focus and God the icing on the cake.

I'm not saying that the things I've written were not heart felt nor were they totally irrelevant to what God was revealing to me in my life. That is not the case. But, you see, I tried to look at my day by what would make a good post rather than what would make some great memories. Does that make sense? Do you see the difference I'm speaking about?

So, I've made a conscious effort to step back and reevaluate the purpose of this blog. Sure, it is a way to connect with friends, keep family informed and journal the funny, crazy, lovely and blessed life that I lead. But, what are God's desires for me and this blog? What are the ways that I can look at life with His perspective and then journal them here? I feel that my life's focus has gone from God driven to blog driven and I know I need a blogitude adjustment.

So I'm stepping back. That doesn't mean that there still won't be weeks that I blog everyday (because let's face it, blogging is great therapy...and it's FREE). That doesn't mean that I won't continue to blog about hilarious things that my kids say. That doesn't mean that I won't still read other blogs and cry or laugh or pray. But, the way that it has consumed me must change. I must change if I desire to be fully surrendered to the One Who deserves my undying devotion.

Does all that make sense?

Anyway, tomorrow is Baby Girl's Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) court case. Birth Mom will be there and if the judge continues her case again I might get arrested for contempt of court. So please, if it is pressed on you heart, pray that the case is called quickly and that it is heard by the judge and a TPR is ruled. I will update you all as soon as I can tomorrow afternoon.

Have a great Thursday.

There's No Denying It

And to think, all this time I really wondered if there had been a mix up at the hospital and we'd brought home somebody else's son who inherited a bad temper from his birth parents. Guess not, huh?



We are both 3 years old when these pictures were taken. Crazy huh?

Das Not Funny! Friday: RRIAP and Jacked Up Grills

Until we went out of town I was doing so well with writing down the funny things the kids were saying. Since we returned I haven't done such a hot job. Guess that means that you all get the funny things that I can remember. Which, according to my husband, means you won't get much.

So here goes...my memory lapsed version of Das Not Funny! Friday.

While we played on the RRIAP one afternoon this week, Aaron attempted to crawl up one of the slide. Ashlee, in her usual baby loving manner, decided to play with him. As he crawled down the slide the tip-top of his booty crack started to show. Ashlee pulled his swim trunks down further and gave him a huge, big sister smooch right on his crack.

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Most times when we play on the RRIAP we play under a full moon.

(If you're still seriously looking for a moon in the sky, please click to enlarge this photo and check out the left slide. Full moon. Every. Single. Time.)

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The next day, while playing on the RRIAP again (are you seeing a theme here), Lucas announced he had to poop. I sent him inside to use the facilities. He returned with his shorts still around his ankles.

"Bubby, did you wipe yourself?"

"Nope."

"Oh, well let's go back in so Momma can wipe you, okay?"

"No, I no wanna wipe," he insisted.

"So, you want to be the stinky kid then?" I asked.

"Yup. I wike to stank."

"Well, if we leave the poo poo then your booty will be itchy," I responded.

"Oh. I don't wanna be witchy so wet's go wipe."

Good choice.

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For the twins' 3rd birthday party, I gave the attendees gift bags that included those fake looking rotten teeth. Now, I find them everywhere.


Okie dokie folks. Now it's your turn. All you have to do is write your own Das Not Funny! Friday post and somewhere in it link back here to my blog. Then, come here and enter your info into MckLinky. It's really that simple. I can't wait to read your funny posts. Well, I can't but I will since it's time to dress my naked children and head back outside to the RRIAP.

Happy Friday everyone!

The Wadermeldon Story

I should probably save this for Das Not Funny! Friday, but I can't. I'm sure you'll see why in just a few minutes.

Friday was, by far, the worst day I've had as a stay-at-home mom in a long, LONG time. I was tired so I allowed myself to "sleep in" while the 3 oldest kids climbed into bed with me and enjoyed some cartoons. Since it's summer and Lucas and Ashlee don't have gymnastics on Friday mornings, it's become our lazy day...or our day for field trips depending on how busy the rest of the week has been.

Anyway, I had told the kids the day before that we would venture out to the park the next day. After being gone and traveling in the car for over a week, the LAST thing I wanted to do was load everyone up and go somewhere. But, our cabin was beginning to give us a fever so we decided the park was a good option. I even had bread to feed the "ducks" (read: obnoxious geese).

However, our plans were being quickly foiled minute by minute. I rolled out of bed at 8:30am and began our breakfast routine. By 9:30am everyone was fed and semi-dressed. Elizabeth, being the fashionista she is, naturally wanted to dress herself. At first she picked a nice little dress with some strappy gold sandals. When I informed her that she must wear tennis shoes rather than sandals since we were going to the park, she had a breakdown.

"Moooooommmm! Tennis shoes won't look good with this dress! Only gold sandals look perrrrrrrrfect!"

"Well," I said, shattering her dreams, "I guess you'll have to choose another outfit."

She stomped into her bedroom to pick something else out. Seriously, is she 16 already? Geesh.

While I am attempting to wipe 3/4 of Aaron's breakfast off the floor and table, Elizabeth re-imerges from her room with jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops. The heat index outside had to be 100 degrees so I politely inform her,

"Honey, you will be way too hot in those jeans. It's very hot outside. Why don't you go pick out some shorts, and remember you have to wear tennis shoes, okay?"

Again traumatic wails follow my totally unstylish advice. Then, she bends over and turns up the cuff of her jeans about 4 inches.

"There Mom, now they are cooler."

Although I did agree that her current selection of high-water jeans looked cooler (or at least according to what all the young ladies are wearing these days) they were not, in fact, cooler in terms of regulating her body temperature.

"I'm sorry Sweetie. Please just go put on some shorts."

Screams, wails and utter torture followed her (almost) 5 year old body into her bedroom. I turned around to see Aaron covered with banana and I smelled some, umm...poo. So, I begin washing him off in the sink in the laundry room.

Ashlee is scampering around the house signing something and stopping to shower brief hugs and kisses (read: torture and pull her head almost off) upon Baby Girl.

During all of this, Lucas is patiently waiting with his clothes on, shoes on and backpack securely placed on his back. He's standing by the door repeatedly asking me "Momma, wend we gonna goed to da park?"

"As soon as I get everyone ready, okay? But it's taking a little longer, alright Buddy?"

The stomping begins. Lucas' temper tantrums are usually prefaced by excessive stomping. It's sorta like a warning siren letting you know that the tornado is about to hit and, Lord have mercy, it's too late to take cover.

"Buddy, now don't act ugly or we just won't be able to go at all. Okay?"

I turn and finish washing up Aaron and place him on the changing table. His diaper is on and I'm buttoning his outfit when Lucas comes into the laundry room and says,

"Momma. I dropped the bulerbelden down the stairs."

"Oh, good honey. That's fine." I reply not really listening.

"No Mommy! I pushed da wadermeldon down da stairs."

My neck snaps around, "You did what?!?"

I sat Aaron half dressed onto the floor and opened the door to the basement. Sure enough, covering our carpeted stairs was a completely busted watermelon in all its glory.

We didn't make it to the park that day. In fact, I am going to honorably say that it was a pure miracle we all made it to bed that night...alive and in one piece. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

Das Not Funny! Friday: Meltdowns, Guns and Petey

Ah! Friday already! It's been a long week in the Beaver house as we have readjusted to what life looks like after a last minute week long trip out of town. To say we've a had a few meltdowns is an understatement.

So, instead of dwelling on the meltdowns, let's focus on something funny, what do you say? Welcome to this week's edition of Das Not Funny! Friday. What is Das Not Funny! Friday? Well, I'm so glad you asked. Each Friday I compile all the funny things my kids have said or done into one funny as tarnation post. It's called Das Not Funny because our second daughter, Ashlee, usually says "Das not funny Mommy!" whenever I giggle at her unintended humor. Thus, this blogapolooza was born. Won't you join with me and create your own Das Not Funny! Friday post? You don't have to have funny kids or kids at all to play. Just tell us all about the funny stuff that happened to you this week (or that you saw someone else doing but please keep it anonymous as to not embarrass them, that is, unless you mother them). Then, link back here to this post. After you've done those two things enter all your info into MckLinky (Oh yay! A new linking system! Woot!) Let's begin, shall we?

After arriving home from our insane trip late Sunday night I asked my friend Grace to come over on Monday morning so that I could go to my women's Bible study. I like to torture bless Grace like that.

While at Bible study I get the following text from Grace, "Ashlee just ran through the house yelling, 'Gwace! Help! Ders a croc-dile poopin' in the baffroom! I can hear him in da air vent!"

Then, upon arriving home I find out that the kids highlighted the dog's head accidentally on purpose. I also found out that Ashlee (who was suppose to be using the bathroom) was found stark naked in the bathroom putting post-it notes on the wall with chapstick.

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While at my Dad's one evening, I thought it would be a great idea for my Dad to help Lucas shoot his beebee gun. Lucas is all about guns and I knew it would be the highlight of his trip. So, my sister filled up a styrofoam cup with water and set it just on the other side of the driveway, about 10 feet away. My Dad sat behind Lucas and began showing him how to aim. It went something like this:

Grandpa: "Okay, Lucas. Look at that cup of water. We are gonna shoot it and make it peepee."
(As a sidenote, clearly my Dad raised me and knew innately of my kids' obession with bathroom behaviors.)

Lucas: *giggling* "Otay, we gonna make da cup pee!"

Grandpa: "Okay, are you looking at the cup?"

Lucas: (Looking at a bug about 6 inches from him) "Ooooh! Let's shoot da bug!"

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My uncle has a horse farm and on it my cousin and her family have a small pony called Petey. To say that my kids LOVE Petey would be like saying that it would be convienent for them to breathe. Love is a bit of an understatement if you catch my drift. Since we stayed at the horse farm while we were there, Luke lovingly took the kids each and every morning to see Petey. All week Elizabeth referred to Petey as a "she." I gently reminded her that Petey was indeed a "he" but she didn't seem to catch on. Then, one afternoon after we had ridden Petey until he was about to pass out, Elizabeth and I took Petey brushed him, watered him and were leading him back to his stall. Suddenly, Petey decided to prove to Elizabeth that he was, indeed, a boy. She took note and said, "Huh? I guess I know now that Petey SURE IS a boy. Wow!" Sometimes seeing is believing.


So there you go folks. Das Not Funny! Friday from your's truly. Won't you join me? I'm guessing that MckLinky works very similarly to that other linking system I used previously. In fact, I'll try it out first to see. Happy Friday everyone!

Fostering Update: Adoptions and Court

All three social workers came by this morning (our licensing social worker, Aaron's social worker and Baby Girl's social worker). I found out that Aaron and Baby Girl's cases will be taken to Adoption Committee together on July 28th or 29th. That, of course, is contingent upon Baby Girl's Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) case being heard on July 23rd. If all goes well on the 23rd, her case will be approved for adoption along with Aaron's.

After Aaron's case goes to adoption committee I will meet his social worker at the clerk of court and file all the paperwork needed to legally change his name and make him an official Beaver. Then they hold the paperwork for 10 days (just some rule they have) and file it all after the 10 day mark. Once it is filed, he is legal! Woopie!

Baby Girl's case will not move so swiftly. When and if her case is heard on the 23rd the DSS attorney then has to draft the TPR petition. That petition goes to the judge that heard the case. Once that judge signs the petition Baby Girl's birth mother has 30 days to file an appeal. Now, don't think that drafting the TPR petition and the judge's signature is a quick thing either. I've heard of it taking as little as 6 weeks and as long as 2 years. (Yes, the 2 years was an exception, but it has happened in our county. SO frustrating!)

30 days after the judge has signed the petition, and if birth mother does not appeal, then Baby Girl would be legally free for adoption. All that would be left would be meeting the social worker at the clerk of court once more and then the 10 day waiting period (that is assuming that we were approved for her at adoption committee).

Whew! I inteded for this to be a quick update, but I guess when you have so much red tape, you're dealing with the legal system and when you are referencing adoptions, quick posts are an oxymoron.

Time To Embrace

My step-mom was a wonderful woman. She loved big, laughed often and fought fiercely for the things she believed in. She treated me like her own flesh and blood and loved me beyond what I will probably ever comprehend.

She taught me how to be myself and be comfortable with what I was created to be. She showed me that life isn't as serious as most people take it and if you learn to roll with the punches you'll laugh more often than you'll cry. She told me that standing up for the people you love and the things you live for is never a mistake. She raised my sister to be independent, loyal and poised. She loved people regardless of their situations, appearance and life experiences. She believed in a risen Savior who conquered the grave.

This past week, although I began missing her terribly, I realized that she is indeed experiencing something that I long for...Heaven. Knowing that she is there makes it hard for me to grieve the loss of her earthly life. Instead, I mourn for my sister and my dad. I watched my sister learn what life looks like without her mother. I sat across from her as she learned to breathe, walk and function in a strange new world where she is now thrust into a life she never desired. I saw a 16 year old who is more poised than I may ever be. I sat and just existed because I was unsure of what to say since I've been less-than-present in the last 11 years. I mean, after all, I barely know this teenager sitting in front me, struggling to make sense of a God that is allowing this to happen. The only bond we have is our blood and that of the risen King and I pray that it will be enough to ignite a relationship that spans the rest of our lives.

I longed for my dad to have one more moment with his wife. I stood in the parlor of a funeral home and watched 4 grown men surround my dad with their arms and mourn with him. These 4 men are long time friends that are closer to him that most of his family. I heard my dad cry out in pain over the loss of his wife and the mother of his daughter. That is a pain that I cannot imagine enduring. And even though my relationship with my dad has been strained for many years he is still my Daddy and it broke me to see him hurting.

Why is it that we never stop and realize exactly what is in front of us until it's too late? Sure, I'm grateful and I feel blessed for my children, my husband and my home. My family is remarkable and I am blessed beyond understanding in so many ways. But, never again on this side of heaven can I tell my step-mom just how much I love her. Never again will I be able to wrap my earthly arms around her and tell her thank you for raising me like her own daughter, even though she didn't have to. She will never see the faces of her grandchildren again, the ones she currently has or the ones yet to come.

As the understanding of all that my family has lost washes over me throughout my day I understand that there really is a time for everything just as Ecclesiastes says,

For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Now is the time that I rejoice over the life of my step-mom. I rejoice in knowing that she is worshiping God and seeing Him face to face, experiencing a joy unlike any I can fathom. This is a time where I reflect on all the lessons and love that she passed onto me. A time where I search out what I my role is in the life of my sister and my dad. A time where I seek the Lord like never before and allow his comfort and peace to surpass all of my understanding. But, it shouldn't take a time like this. Instead, my heart should be earnestly seeking Him all of my days, in each of these ways, like never before simply because of love.

It's Not My Job To Understand

I knew when I saw my Dad's number pop up on my cell phone that someone had died. My grandparents have not been in good health for a while now and it was because of their declining health that we visited Arkansas last Thanksgiving. So, it was natural for me to assume that one of my Dad's parents had passed when I saw his number. You see, my Dad and I have not had many conversations in the last several years. To say our relationship has been strained is a tad of an understatement.

Still, when my Dad told me that it was my step-mother that had died and not one of my grandparents my heart broke. Immediately I asked about my sister then all I could muster out was "Dad, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

I got in touch with Luke who was enjoying a rare guys afternoon out at the movie. He came home immediately and I began searching for flights.

The 4th of July holiday meant inflated ticket prices. The least I could get there for was $478. For that price, we could all go (by car). Luke and I decided over the phone that all of us would make the trip.

I called my Dad and told him I was packing at that we would be there some time the next day. "You don't need to load up all those kids in the car that long," he stated.

"Dad, I'm coming either way. If you'd prefer the kids not to come because they'd be in the way, I'm okay with that. But, it's your call."

"I'd love to see my grandbabies," his voice said with a crack. We hung up and I continued packing for the seven of us to make a last minute trip across the state of Tennessee.

At 9pm EST we pulled out. We drove all night while the kids slept, Luke and I taking turns sleeping. We arrived at my Dad's house a little after 8:00am CST.

The details of my step-mother's death are ones that I am choosing to keep private, but she did dies of natural causes in her sleep. My sister found her body the next morning while my Dad was gone fishing. I can't imagine the images that will haunt my sister's mind for the rest of her life.

She and my step-mom were close. Best friends, in fact. They were like two peas in a pod. My step-mom did a great job training up my sister to be a woman who loves the Lord. Both my sister and step-mom attended church regularly and were believers in Jesus. I know that my step-mom is dancing on the streets of heaven now, worshiping our Lord and for that I take comfort. But, my heart aches deeply for my sister.

She's 16 and not only lost her mother but her best friend. She's 16 and has the rest of her life to endure without her mother cheering her on. She's 16 and in her future lies graduations, weddings and the births of her children. She's 16 and has her entire life ahead of her, without the love and support that only a mother can provide.

But, with all of that said, I know that God is sovereign. I know that He knows His perfect will and how that includes my sister facing a life without her Mom. I can't begin to rationalize why God would allow my step-mom to die at this point in her life. I can't begin to understand why God knows that my sister will be closer to Him through it all. I can't understand because my mind is merely human and God's mind is all knowing.

But I can believe and I can trust and I can encourage and love her the best I know how from this far away. I can be on my knees, begging God to send her someone she can confide in, trust and fill a small piece of the void she must feel. I can beseech the most Holy God on behalf of my sister and dad and pray for His mercy and love to fill their hearts.

God is good no matter our present circumstances. I pray that you will join me in lifting up a hurting daughter before the King of Kings and a broken man who desperately needs a relationship with the One who can heal all wounds.

Thank you friends.

Home Sweet Home

We got home last night at 930pm EST after 36 hours of traveling (that includes an overnight stay and 2.5 hours at the Knoxville Zoo).

I hope to post more about my trip soon. Thanks for everyone who prayed for us, my sister and my Dad. I appreciate you all so very much. You bless me more than you know!

What do you get when you combine...

1 seven passenger conversion van, packed full of people and stuff

5 kids tired of their car seats

1 Dad operating on auto-drive

1 Mom being the official snack passer-outer, drink filler, video rewinder and general go-fer

362 miles of Interstate 40 (normal travel time: 5 hours 40 minutes. our travel time: 9 hours 30 minutes)

1 three year old boy with a raging stomach virus

11 bathroom stops

1 of the nastiest bathrooms in the United States, I promise

and 3 beds at the Comfort Inn?

Hopefully, 1 good night's sleep and home sweet home the next day.

Guess we will see...

Headed Home

Tomorrow morning we will begin the 12+ hour drive home, hopefully stopping somewhere overnight.

Thanks for your prayers over my family and for our safe travels. I hope to post more when we get home and back into the groove of things. It's been an emotional week but one where I could clearly feel God's presence.

Thank you all so very much.