God is in Control

My Dad had surgery today. His back has been giving him a lot of problems as of late. He went to the Doctor last week, and they scheduled and MRI. The radiologist contacted my Dad right away and told him it was imperative that he see a neurosurgeon. He got into the Neurosurgeon on Wednesday. The Surgeon postponed his vacation so he operate on my Dad today. It's a been a whirlwind. I'm glad to report that the surgery went well. There was some risk that he would have some permanent nerve damage that would leave him in a wheelchair. Praise God they were able to get in there and stop the progression of that nerve damage. There are a few other issues he will have to deal with due to some permanent nerve damage in other areas, but we are just so grateful that he will be able to walk! None of us knew it was this "bad". We knew he was in a lot of pain, but we did not know the danger he was in. Thank you Lord for taking care of him!

Another great thing happend today. As many of you know, my little Caleb has some severe speech delay issues. He is almost 4 and communicates at about a 2-2 1/2 year old level. He will "parrot" a lot of words back to you, but does not communicate needs or wants with words. We have him in a speech delay preschool and have used some sign language with him. It's very exhausting trying to figure out what he wants. I just want to know what is going on in that little noggin.

Today, I took the boys to a pumpkin patch. Caleb picked up a little pumpkin and said... "Turtle hungry". What is remarkable about this statement, is he is recalling the memory of a different pumpkin patch that we went to A YEAR AGO. They had a large tortoise there that was eating a small pumpkin. The more I thought about it, the more choked up I got. He was able to, for the first time, relay a memory to me. A memory that he has up there in his little head...and it was finally able to make it past his lips...and I could understand what he was saying. It was a HUGE deal, and leaves me in tears still.

Both of these events, though very different , impress on me that God is in control. He is moving and even though the progress may be slow or the process painful, He is in control. He is in control.....

Saved by Love

I love my boys.   They are amazing little gifts.  I am so greatful for the time God has given us with each of them.  However, in the midst of having a 2, 3 and 4 year old, I'm tired.  I'm flat out exhausted.  I want to be the best wife and mother that I can be. I've only got one shot at this.  It's just hard sometimes.  I've been struggling lately.  I'm easily annoyed and frustrated.  This is not who I am.  It's not who I want to be.  It's just a tiring season.  I want to raise these boys up to love and serve the Lord.  I desire for them to fall in love with Jesus and to be great men of God.  I need refreshing.  I need to know I'm doing a good job.  I don't want to fail at the greatest oppourtunity God has given me.  

I think sometimes when the day is over, the toys are picked up, the dishes done and the house is quiet is when I feel the most overwhelmed and relieved all at once.  It's a strange emotion.  I can't really explain it.  Maybe other of you stay at home Moms know what I mean.  Its at these moments when I truly need to cling to my Father in heaven.  He knows what I can handle.  He knows where my breaking points are.  He knows what I need.  The rest I desire is not just physical, it's emotional and spiritual as well.  Lord...help me on this road of Motherhood, to be who you want me to be.  Nothing more, nothing less.  

Jesus Is My Friend

Ok..sit back and laugh. My sister sent me this clip the other day. All I can say is ...."wow...."

Summer 2008

Here is a taste of our summer...now that it's all over....

Actual Conversation

I was at Hobby Lobby with JD yesterday. We were in line waiting to check out, and a friend of his from church and his parents were behind us in line. The conversation between the two 4 year old boys went as follows:

Tate: "Hey JD"
JD: "Hey Tate"
Tate: "So how ya been doin these days?"
JD: "Good"
JD "So, have you been watching the Olympics?"
Tate: "No, I haven't"
JD: "Well, you should, Michael Phelps is the Coolest.."


I had to laugh. We have watched A LOT of the Olympics around here!

My First Crack at Homeschooling

Well, after much prayer, a lot of discussion and honestly a lot of reservation on my side, we have started the

homeschooling journey. We've decided to take it "year by year, and kid by kid" to see how it goes. This year, JD gets to be my guinea pig. ( Caleb is going to continue his speech delay classes M-W at a local school and Nater is not quite 2 so no school for him yet!)

Our reasoning for homeschooling (or at least giving it a shot), has a lot to do with Monty heading into the military chaplaincy. In a couple of years, we will Lord willing go active duty and then we will be at the whim of the Army as to where we live. Most often this means moving quite a bit. I think it will be difficult for them educationally if they are jumping around from school to school during their formative elementary years.

JD technically would not start Kindergarten until next year in the Public School system. So, we thought this would be a great "dry run" year. If I find that I can't handle it, or absolutely hate it, we can move on and try something else. At least this year I'm willing to give it a shot.

I've started Kindergarten curriculum with JD this week. I have honestly been very surprised how much we both like it. I'm not a real "crafty" person. So, the whole idea of breaking out scissors, paint and glue was not exactly my idea of a fun way to spend the morning. I have really enjoyed it so far. We've had a lot of good time together, and it's been a lot of fun.

A time to Clean..and a time to make a mess

This is how the Johnson boys make cookies....