New Mercy Monday

Last Monday, a refrigerator snafu left me pondering the goodness of God and his mercy in the minute details of my life. Since most of my 3 loyal readers have heard the story, I won't elaborate. However, in light of that moment, I'm going to dedicate my Monday posts to seeing God's hand in the small stuff (or big stuff or wherever I happen to notice!). The point is: I'm going to make a point to see God's mercy. And, I'm going to raise an Ebenezer right here on my blog each Monday entitled "New Mercy Mondays." Welcome to the first edition!
I spent the majority of my day (so far) paying my respects to a friend. Alice and I never went to lunch, hung out at the mall, or vacationed together. I never called to borrow an egg or to ask her to watch my children. In fact, I have no contact information at all for my friend Alice. I know her only because she and her husband, Gerald, faithfully attended my classes (no matter the format) in my full-time, part-time fitness instructor days.

I was fresh out of college when I began teaching (in addition to my real job) fitness classes for Aerobics to Go. Instructors at Aerobics to Go were "pimped out" to other venues and only a select few were allowed to actually teach at "the studio." I started as a call girl and eventually got asked to sub a class in "the big room!"

To say that this was NOT an easy crowd would be like describing the Grand Canyon by saying "this is not a small hole!" In fact, the way new fitness instructors were treated inside the "big room" is a felony in most of the fifty states!! The clients there had no qualms about picking up their steps and walking out as early as the warm-up! If they were feeling especially entitled, they would even storm out with sighs, huffs, and whispers in order to make as HUGE a scene as possible! It was a long time before a few of the members decided that I could move to the "acceptable" list of instructors; but, long before I was member-approved, I was Alice-approved! She encouraged me and spoke to me like I was a person with feelings, not like the hired help!

She and Gerald soon became two of my most faithful attendees. They were always the first to arrive. Gerald would set up his and Alice's steps (in their official respective spots...much like church pews, these spots were non-negotiable!) while Alice drank coffee and smiled warmly and greeted everyone else as they arrived.

Alice had a warmth and sincerity that was enrapturing. She would often take me by the arm, pull me aside and ask me how I was doing and, it wasn't just common pleasantries. Alice really cared to know. Her love for Christ and passion for living seeped from her and poured out onto everyone around her.

At the peak of my oh-so-non-impressive fitness career, I saw Alice 4-5 times a week. To say I knew her well would be a vast over-statement; yet, had I been asked to speak at her memorial service, I would have described Alice exactly as I heard her described.

As I sat and listened to people who knew Alice far more intimately than I speak to her warmth, kindness, and character, it became even more clear that Alice was as incredible as she seemed. The way she treated me was exactly the way she treated everyone. Hearing of her legacy inspired me to be the kind of person she was. I want to be the kind of person who leaves people feeling sincerely loved.

Therefore, on this very first "New Mercy Monday," I'm thanking God for relationships. What a beautiful gift he has given to us. The fact that we have the opportunity to share life and enjoy life and enrich the lives of others is an indescribable blessing. We should not take that gift lightly. I believe that every person we are privileged to meet is a gift of God's mercy. Always for His glory. Always for our good. Alice was certainly both.

I'm the queen of productivity...

Did you ever have one of those days where you just can't bring yourself to do much? Not that there's nothing to do, I've got more than enough to do. I just don't WANT to do any of it! I think there is a medical term that precisely describes my condition: L.A.Z.Y.

I'm feeling a little lazy today. With closets to organize, toilets to scrub, and laundry to iron, I'd rather curl up with a good book (which I happen to have) and do absolutely nothing!

Lest one might be tempted to think I'm ALWAYS this productive, here's a few pictures of what we were doing last weekend. (None of them actually make a case for my not being lazy. However, a couple make a mighty fine case in support of Wes!)

We spent the last couple of days of Spring Break at my sister's in East Texas. It was a work weekend. (Although we did managed to squeeze in some fun in the way of laser tag and ultimate frisbee!)

Wes had one assignment: rock the fireplace. I'm sure I was doing something mighty productive before this project began. How else would you explain my not having a real "before" picture? I forced myself to slow down in order to snap the "midway" picture:
And the "after"...

This is JP trying to look emo
And here's my nephew who's 14 years old and 5'11' curled up on the ottoman sound asleep (which either proves his laziness or that he worked so hard, he couldn't even make it to bed...let's go with the latter!)
We LOVE EVERY MOMENT we get to spend with our family. And though we worked our fingers to the bone (as my late "MeMe" would say), we had a fantastic time.

I'm going to have to go now. All this typing has worn me smack out. Not to mention I've a very good book waiting on my bedside table! Hope your weekend is a productive one!!

Who's your mamaw?

This morning, Emma meandered into my bathroom in her first thing in the morning daze and said...

Emma: Mom, did you color your hair?
Me: Yes. Well, not me but...
Emma: When did you do it? Last night?
Abbee: You're just now noticing that because I noticed it first thing when I got home from school yesterday?! It's Aggie colors.
Me: What?
Abbee: It's maroon. Like the Aggie colors!
Emma: {giggle}
Abbee: Miss Estes couldn't dye her hair Baylor Bears' colors because green or yellow hair would look funny! But, maroon OR white hair is a real hair color! Like...what's that lady's name we know who has white hair?
Me: Carrie?
Abbee: Yea, like Carrie has white hair and you have maroon hair!

Just for the record, it's supposed to be dark brown. Now, I'm totally paranoid about my purple mamaw hair! So, Jenny, I guess you're right! I AM still winning the mamaw race! But you're right on my heels, girl, right on my heels!!

We Heart the Zoo!

I'm not sure why, but the zoo never gets old! Perhaps it's the mating monkeys that also do funny butt tricks or the huge white tiger that licks the glass right in front of your face or even the 5 dollar icees without straws or lids; but, whatever it is, we can't get enough!





I loved listening to Glory express her excitement at every animal. She made lion "roars" and monkey noises as we would walk from one exhibit to the next! She even cried when we had to leave "Nemo!" (There was a big clown fish and a baby clown fish going into and out of a sea anemone! We told Glory it was Nemo, and it was over!)

Even JP, Emma, and Baylee were so excited to be there. We back-tracked several times just for them because they really wanted to see the lion being fed. Although we missed it, we did hear it let out several LOUD roars right as we were leaving.

Thanks, Aunt Leigh and Uncle James for taking us to the zoo...we had a blast!

Easy Like Sunday Afternoons

Sunday afternoon, Abbee and JW both left on two separate camping adventures with friends! So, Jordan and her friend H, along with Emma and I, tried our hand at making cake balls! At first, we tried to get all fancy smancy and make them look like Easter Bunnies. But they just ended up looking all mangled and scary. So we shaped them into eggs instead...much easier! Not only were they super cute, they were also super YUMMY!

After we stuffed our faces, we took Max for a walk to the park. Max was so excited to be out of the house after being rained in for the last several days. Emma was riding her scooter and he would run like crazy trying to keep up! He also enjoyed meeting other people and dogs along the way.

(I'm pretty sure JP has inherited my mad photography skills!!)
We didn't take it easy on the poor pup and when we returned, he completely CONKED OUT! (Emma's not really asleep! She just thought it would make a cute picture!)

We are off to a fantastic start with the perfect Spring Break weather! I hope we get to be outdoors all week!

Princess Prissy Loves Pizza and Popcorn

Friday night, Glory came over and spent the night. The girls love spending time with her and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual! I didn't purposefully make it a "P" theme, but we had pizza and popcorn Friday night followed by pancakes for breakfast on Saturday! (Who knew GG could eat her body weight in popcorn?)



This picture does not do it justice; but, Glory has some seriously crazy morning hair!! It kind of reminds me of someone else I know whose curls just might get a little matted and mangled during the night.
Does this picture scream "I'm two!" or what?
LOVE THIS GIRL AND ALL HER PRISSINESS!!

A Spring Break Activity of Sorts!

If you have some time, you should go here and listen to "What is the Recession for?" by John Piper. It really struck a chord in me about how even the pain that is brought into our lives is an act of God's mercy. Piper articulates it so much clearer than I could. So, go and listen and come back and tell me what you think.

Teacher of the Year...Too!

(I really wanted to post this last night; but, the hubby "fixed" our internet connection...except he didn't...he broke it worse instead! I still love him though. He was all distracted being Jesus to our neighbor whose house was broken into. He helped him put on a new back door in the freezing cold rain!)

ANYWAY...I don't know why; but, several (and by several, I mean almost ALL) of my closest friends happen to be teachers. Some are pre-school, some are home school, some are public school teachers...but, I hang out with lots of educators. In my opinion, they are some of the best educators around!

Case in point: Two days ago, I got to be a part of my BFF Jenny's surprise announcement of "Teacher of the Year" at West. My friends Marcy and Emily were both nominated for "Teacher of the Year" at BHE. Then, yesterday morning, I get a text from someone (who was not texting me from work!) announcing Emily was awarded "Teacher of the Year!"

Which brings me to the reason I'm posting in the first place: WAY TO GO MISS ESTES!!! Miss Estes is not only my friend but she happens to have also taught two of my kiddos! (Abbee came home and told me about Miss Estes winning and added..."she gets that every year 'cause she is the best teacher!" This is not exactly true...the "every year" part...but, she has been nominated three years in a row!)

Emily is one of those people who remind me that nothing in this life happens by chance or coincidence; but, every "chance encounter" is actually a beautifully orchestrated plan in which God allows us to play a part.

When JP was in third grade, she wanted to try out for UIL spelling. I, of course, let her and Miss Estes officially entered our lives. Miss Estes was JP's UIL spelling coach and JP LOVED HER! So, when it came time to think about who should be her fourth grade teacher, Miss Estes was my top pick. I didn't know that much about her; but, I did know that she had made a BIG IMPRESSION on both Jordan (who was in third grade) and Abbee (who was in first). I remember Abbee saying, "yea, she even plays basketball with her class at recess!"

Although I had never requested a specific teacher for any of my kiddos, I thought being JP's last year at BHE, I would go for it! So, I boldly requested Miss Estes for her 4th grade teacher. Imagine my disgust when I learned that the teachers were told that anyone who had requested a teacher COULD NOT have that teacher. (This gave me a great opportunity to deal with my anger issues! I was SO ANGRY. I knew that parents requested teachers ALL THE TIME and the administration picked this year to make a point.) Anyway, I had no other choice but to give it God; so, that is exactly what I did. I prayed all summer that JP would have the teacher God thought was best for her.

I guess it shouldn't have surprised me; but, OH I WAS SO SURPRISED when the teacher postcards came in the mail and Jordan's teacher was indeed Miss Estes. I didn't learn until much later how it had all played out; but, if you had a cup of coffee, and this post wasn't already so long, I'd tell you that it was so much the very hand of God at work and you would just be amazed...because there is absolutely no other explaination for it.

I knew that Jordan had just landed a top-notch teacher. What I didn't know was that I had just landed a top-notch friend. God's beautifully orchestrated plan in action!

This year, through another series of wild events, Abbee has also been a part of Miss Estes' class. The difference in my child is incredible. Jordan has always had a passion for learning; but, Abbee (while completely smart and capable) has never really been passionate about it...until now. I remember early in the school year Abbee crying in her bed because she was supposed to look at the moon and draw it for her homework assignment and it just so happened the moon was no where to be found. I remember her exact words as she sobbed, "I don't want to be the one who lets the whole class down." WOW. Abbee had bought in to Miss Estes' philosophy of teaching ("we all succeed together"...which is my own paraphrase of it!) hook, line, and sinker! And, her passion for learning has been ignited!

So, Emily, I want to publicly say thank you. Thank you for doing your job with excellence. Thank you for knowing that every kid matters. Thank you for approaching your work as if you are working for God himself. Thank you for knowing that you are working for God. You are indeed making a difference. You have indeed made a difference in two young lives that happen to be pretty important to me. And, you have also made a tremendously positive addition to mine. I'm truly grateful for who you are and all you have done to enrich our lives.

West Elementary's Teacher of the Year goes to...

Mrs. Jenny Chapman!

This girl fought long and hard to get her teaching degree and we were all so excited when she took her first teaching job at West Elementary before she even completed her degree! She landed "Rookie of the Year" her first full year at West and has now acheived the top honor!



Jenny, we are all so proud of you! Congratulations!! Thanks for changing the world...one kindergartener at a time!

So much for quiet...but it was nice!

This was weekend one post UPWARD and giddy doesn't even begin to describe my mood!

Friday night was to be a quiet night for me and Wes. Drop the kids off at the church (check), get some Mexican food (check), sit on the back porch (check), and enjoy the evening (almost)! Just before 8:00, we got a frantic call from JP that JW was "PUKING ALL OVER THE PLACE."

JP has a flair for the dramatic. But, puke is puke. And, nothing spoils a nice quiet evening at home quite as fast as some puke. So, Wes left to go pick up the kiddos and my first thought was, "Crap. I just washed his sheets!" (It's the big things in life that get me.)

When he returned, Wes put JW to bed and my attention quickly turned to Emma who was crying about hurting her ankle at the gym. I looked at it and assessed that she was faking (because I'm compassionate like that) and gave her an icepack (so that she would think I had real compassion) and hoped to settle back into my nice quiet evening. (Apparently, I'm either extremely optimistic or extremely stupid. Either way, quiet was out of the question for the remainder of my night since Abbee had a friend spending the night and we had family stopping over for the night on their way to New Mexico.)

JW made it through the night with no further issues; but, Emma woke up Saturday saying her ankle was hurting even worse. She won't put any weight on it and is now using some "crunches" to get around. I'm still hanging on to the possibility that she is faking; but, boy, am I going to have great guilt if she is horribly mangled and irreparably damaged. I'm icing and elevating in the meantime in order to err on the side of caution and also to try and force a confession when the burden from all the work involved in maintaining an alleged injury becomes impossible to bear and she cracks from all the pressure and admits that she has had us all eating out of the palm of her hand the whole time! But, until then, she's on crutches and she's pretty cute hopping around on them.
We got to enjoy a little Lady Horned Frog basketball on Saturday afternoon with a few of our basketball friends! The girls were much more enamoured with the concession stand than with the basketball although $6 for Nachos seems a bit steep! We did cave and get them a 1/4 cup of Dippin' Dots for $4 and I nearly made Abbee lick them off the floor when she inadvertently flicked her spoon and sent $1.50 worth of dots flying through the air.

On another completely random note, I want to congratulate the sixth grade UIL Spelling Champion...Miss Jordan Powell! That girl is a spelling DIVA. Way to go, JP! We are proud of you!
So, while quiet was not a word I would use to describe our weekend. Quite nice are two words I would! With the beautiful weather and stomach bug that wasn't, I'd say it ranked pretty high on the pleasure scale!

Happy Birthday, Leigh!

Leigh is by far one of the most sincerely sweet people I know. They just don't get much better than her. And, I'm so grateful I get to share life with her as a part of my family. She's definitely the smartest thing James ever did!! Happy Birthday, Leigh...glad you decided to marry my baby brother!

Words of Wisdom

One of my favorite parts of the day is Kindergarten pick up where (as I've mentioned before) I get the privilege of escorting two very knowledgeable boys home from school each day. Their conversations are always enlightening. Today was no exception!

JW: Grown ups don't really play with toys much because they don't really have time to play with them.

Luke: Yea because they have to do the important stuff (with heavy annunciation on the "t's" in important!).

JW: Yea like go to work so they can make lots of money so they won't die. (slight pause) I don't really wanna die.

Luke: Yea, me neither.

JW: Do you know how to make lots and lots of more money so that you can be very very rich?

Luke: Yea. You have to get up really early and go to work even longer and work even harder so they pay you more money.

JW: Noooooo. You have to marry someone who already has lots of money!! (BIG GRIN as he looks at me) Isn't that right, Momma?

Dinner Requests

Emma's prayer before dinner tonight...

Dear Jesus, Thank you for this day. Tell Dr. Seuss 'Happy Birthday!'

**Laughter errupts here!!**
**Everyone regains composure**

Thanks for this good food. In Jesus name, amen.

Good Luck With That...

So this morning before church, I received a text from my dear friend Jenny wondering if we could possibly squeeze in a little BFF time over lunch. It took me all of about thirty seconds to decide JP was definitely old enough to babysit her siblings for a couple of hours so that Jenny and I could catch up.

We decided on Chili's because it was relatively close by (in case my split second decision turned lethal) AND because she had a gift card (a sign from God that it was indeed a wise choice to leave JP in charge!). The waitress asked us if we were ready to order about 15 times before we managed to open the menu. (We were catching up.) So at one point, Jenny made some sly remark to the waitress about our needing to find the greasiest thing on the menu to which I quirked, "But don't worry. We are planning on starting our diets tomorrow!"

Fast forward two hours. Here's what our table looked like....

Just before we received this...

In our defense, we split the appetizer, the entree, and the dessert.

Here's to Mondays!