County Fair 2008

BubbleShare:

Oh the county fair! I don't know why I enjoy the fair so much, but it is one of my favorite once a year traditions. Maybe it's the really greasy, totally bad for you food, which we didn't eat this year, except dessert of course! Really, I think it is the rides. I have always loved to ride rides, especially the ones that go around and around and around, however, this year I realized after riding my one ride by myself that I am really 30! It wasn't so much fun to have my stomach in knots the rest of the evening.

We had a fun time petting the animals, watching our big Karis ride rides by herself, riding rides with Karis, and watching Noah be Noah! Hope you enjoy the picks. I think I will try my luck again next year with a ride, just maybe I will stick with the Ferris wheel and not a ride that twists while going around and around!

Beach and Birthday!

My parents were supposed to come and be here for mine and my mom's birthday on the 16 and 17, but because of hurricane Ike, they didn't get to come. We had planned to go to the beach on Sunday after church and stay until Tuesday, which was my birthday. Justin and I decided at the last minute to go ahead and go to the beach. We were excited to see how Noah would like the beach. Karis enjoys anything to do with water, so we knew she would be excited to be there.
We had a very relaxing time. Karis had as much fun as a three year old can in the sand and water. Noah was skeptical at first, but after he ate about three handfuls of sand, he was good to go. We ate at our favorite restaurant for lunch on my birthday before we headed home. It was a very fun trip. Justin and I kept thinking that it didn't' seem right for us to be relaxing at the beach when our families were without power.
Here are some pictures of our fun time. One disclaimer: the pictures are not very good because we left our camera at home and had to use a disposable. I can't remember the last time I have had to look through a little hole to take a picture!

BubbleShare: Share photos -

Reflections on turning 30!

Yesterday I turned 30 years old. As I reflected on 30 years of life, God brought a wonderful realization to mind, I have been a Christian for the last 20 years of my life. WOW! By God's grace, I have spent the last 20 years being sanctified by Him into the woman He desires me to be, sometimes with ease but mostly with great difficulty. I have felt His presence and love for 20 years. I am sitting here without words but with an overflowing heart of thankfulness.

I thought it would be fitting to reflect on 30 things that my Savior has taught, shown, plucked out, changed, etc. in my life in these last 20 years.

1-Christ opened my eyes to see my need for a Savior.

2-Christ put godly examples in my life to show me more of Him.

3-Blessed me with two godly parents who have loved me unconditionally.

4-He gave me strength to withstand all the temptations of high school.

5-He showed me that He was all I would ever need.

6-He allowed me to witness and share the gospel with my friends without fear.

7-Gave me a glimpse of what a live who passionately pursues Him looks like.

8-Blessed me by allowing me to marry that man, Justin, in 1999.

9-Daily reminds me of His grace ever pouring out on me as I confess and put to death sins in my life.

10-Joy is found only in Him!

11-Allows me to see, know, and love Him more through His Word.

12-He has given me a passion to know His word and realize that theology is very important.

13-He has shown me that predestination is Biblical and true, I am so grateful that He has predestined me.

14-He will not forsake His own.

15-He is faithful even when I am not.

16-He delights in His children seeking Him.

17-His love is unconditional and always the same.

18-Blessed me with my first child, Karis Ann.

19-Blessed me by allowing me to be a pastor's wife.

20-He cares about all our prayers, even the small things that seem insignificant.

21-His blood has washed away my sins.

22-Jesus paid it all! There is nothing left for me to do but cling to Him and Him alone.

23-Blessed me with my second child, Noah John.

24-Blessed me with many godly friends to embrace this journey with, thank you all for allowing Christ to work through your life.

25-His grace is sufficient.

26-I need His grace daily to love, train, and discipline my children.

27-In the storms of life is where I can feel His presence most.

28-Singing praises to my Savior allows me to get the focus off myself and onto the one who deserves it.

29-He has shown me how selfish and prideful I am, and then He reminds me of His saving and sanctifying grace.

30-Blessed me with 20 years of being His child and knowing and falling more in love with my Savior.

Wow, I still can't believe that I am 30. God is good, and He never changes. I am thankful that He can and has changed me in a million different ways in the last 20 years.

Coupons and Craziness

I was so excited today to go the Harris Teeter and bring my coupons (triple coupon) time. I had a few things that I was getting for very cheap, and I just needed a few other things for the rest of the week. The sale paper came out yesterday, so I plotted out all the things I needed and how much I was going to save, since they send us $20 off of a $50 coupon for every week this month. After waiting ten minutes for the manager to find an item I needed, for coupon purposes, Karis, Noah, and I proceeded to check out. As I proudly pulled out my coupons, about $35 in all, I realized that I left the $20 coupon at home. A very disappointed and frustrated feeling fell over me. I had already celebrated my saving victory before I checked out only to discover that I only saved $20 instead of $40.
I guess this will teach me to be so prideful about coupons and saving money! Maybe next time I shouldn't be quite so organized!!

9 Months Old and Walking, Genius Book of World Records?

Noah just turned nine months old yesterday. He has been taking steps for awhile now, but just in the last few days, he has started doing it without our prompting. Wow, is this a world record, walking at nine months? He is not very sturdy as you will be able to see, but he is so cute. I am so blessed to be his mom. He is a mess, never in one place very long, but so much fun and always so happy. He loves playing with his sister, eating, and laughing. Here are two short videos of Noah displaying his walking skills. By the way, did you know that you can't walk without your arms straight up in the air?

I still can't believe he really is walking, where has the time gone, and why doesn't he just slow down!!!

Four Days Alone!!

Monday Justin left for his fall retreat, the kids and I alone for four days! We had a great time, we stayed busy and got a lot of things done. I am so thankful that my husband cares enough about his ministry to take these retreats to focus on his sermons and the future of Christ Baptist Church. I am also thankful that he didn't return home with the flu like last time.
I wanted to send a special thank you to our church family. Thank you to the Skinners for opening up your home for dinner, thank you to Sondra for going to Rocky Mount with us, thank you to the Noonan girls for coming to play with Karis, thank you to Nancy Tucker for dinner and for loving my children. It was a great week and I am blessed to have such a loving church family.
On a side note, Noah has decided that pull ups are fun. He is so strong! I would never have imagined. He is also taking about three or four steps at a time now. He will be walking before we know it!
Have a great weekend!

"School"

Karis was very excited to get back into "school time." I can't tell you how many times she asked me to do school this summer, but we both needed a break. I am not doing anything much different than I did last year. We started with the letter E this week and number 4. Here are a few pictures of her learning how to write her letters.

Tracing "E" in her Pooh book.

Letters A-E written all by herself.

This year I have decided make a few goals for her for school. We will complete the letters and numbers. We will learn our months, she already knows her days, and we will enjoy learning a little about each of the 7 continents. I hope to show her the different way people live and how God desires for all people to be saved as we learn the continents and about missionaries living there. Maybe this will spark a love for an unreached people group even at an early age, and it will also teach her (and remind me) of all the comforts we have here that we should be thankful for.

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our school day!

Fun at the Park!

Last Monday, on Justin's day off, we decided to take the kids to the park to play and feed the ducks. We have been to this park a few times, and Karis really enjoys it. I also like the fact that she can't really hurt herself because the ground is made of rubber, but it is a little hot. Noah always has fun in his stroller watching his sister play and eating!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

Clorox and Joy: Two Random Thoughts

I know that I am not the most intelligent person in the world, but sometimes I wonder how I could have graduated in the top 10 percent of my high school class and with a pretty high grade point average in college. Monday Justin and I cleaned off the front of the house (the porch rails and siding, using a mixture of clorox and water). I had already done one whole side before I realized that I forgot to take of my wedding band, thankfully this is only the one I wear when I am working out or just around the house, it is not my diamond ring. I looked down and realized that it was totally black, dug, clorox bleaches everything, including silver. I have also for the past two days endured some very soar and sensitive fingers. I guess next time I should wear gloves it I don't want to the clorox to eat away at my finger tips!!!
Sometimes I wonder if I am even capable of being a mom! God always reminds me that no I am not capable of anything apart from Him!!

This morning the Lord has again reminded me of my lack of joy in Him.

Psalm 4:7 says:

You have put more joy in my heart

than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Do I find more joy in Christ than in all the other things of life? Lately my answer to that question would have to be no. God is convicting me of my lack of joy and passion for Him. I am thankful that His mercies and promises are new every morning.

Fun Around the House

This month I am trying really hard to stay in the budget, it seems that every month I always go over, even when we are out of town. I keep wondering where all the money goes? I have been more diligent about staying home more and trying to be creative about what we do. Karis has had a good time playing in her fort (these where always a hit when I was growing up). Karis enjoyed reading all her books in her fort and tried taking a nap in it but that didn't work.
Noah has recently become intrigued with Calvin. He is always intently watching Calvin, trying to find the right time to pull up on him or grab him! It is very amusing to watch Noah interact with Calvin. I am so thankful that Calvin is so good with Noah, just like he was with Karis.

Karis' photographer debut. What a sweet close up of her brother!!

Karis decided that her feet were cold one day, it was only 98 degrees outside!

Noah and Calvin interacting through the door.

Karis reading in her fort. I am so glad she enjoys reading as much as her parents do!

Karis and I are starting our fun "school" this week. I am ready to be on a bit of a routine. We will still go to the pool a few more times before it closes, and do a few more fun summer activities.

God has really been teaching me these last few weeks. I get so overwhelmed thinking of how to "school" Karis. I don't have these manipulative's, I don't know what to do, I can't do this, why is it so hard to think of an activity for a three year old, etc. I have really had to lay down my perfectionist side and realize that Karis is only three. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Sometimes I just want to be more creative and have other talents than I have. I have to remind myself that I can learn new things and that my talents can aid in that, I just have to be patient and willing to try new things. I am thankful for the talents the Lord has given me, and I am continuing to learn how use them in different ways.

Knobs: Noah's new discovery

I never in my wildest dreams thought that a knob, any knob, would be something one of my children liked to chew or suck on. Noah has recently discovered every knob in the house and will anything he can to get his mouth around it. I have seen him put his body is very crazy positions in order to get his mouth around a knob, in the bathroom, kitchen, on the computer armoire. Does anyone have any explanation for my son's fascination with knobs, it's not like he doesn't have toys to chew on!! Here are a few pics to show you how much fun he is having!

The knob in my bathroom, he is just about to get his whole mouth around it.

"Look Mommy, this is good!"

The knob on the computer armoire is too high for him, so he wil pull himself up in order to get his whole mouth on it.

When I tell him, "no, no," this is the face he makes at me most all the time.

When I thought about the things I would have to clean, babies bottoms, spit up, hands, mouths, I never once thought that I would have to daily sanitize the knobs on all the furniture! Boys are so much fun!!!!

Choc-o-later

Did you know that a calculator is actually a "choc-o-later." Karis has recently been very excited about playing with our choc-o-later. It is so funny to hear her say it and laugh. Kids are so funny. I was trying to think if she ever ate a piece of chocolate that looked like a calculator, but I can't think of any time. Maybe that is really what she hears when I say calculator.

Growing BOY!

Noah will be eight months old on the 10 of this month. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone, he is everywhere and into everything, so unlike his sister. By this time she wasn't even crawling yet! He has been crawling since five months, pulling up on everything (including Justin and I), and is now transferring from one person or thing to another. He really enjoys pulling up on Calvin! I am amazed at how fast he can get somewhere and into something, like the dog food. His other favorite thing to do is chew or suck on knobs, like on the kitchen cabinets or drawers. Where did that come from? Frustration is now becoming evident when he can't get somewhere or a toy he wants. Karis is learning to be helpful with him, even though most of the time she just wants to take out his paci or take the toy he is playing with away. God is good, and the kids are learning to play together a bit. There is just so much playing a three year old can do with an eight month old!!

Noah's favorite time, BATH TIME! We always know when Noah is happy, his mouth is open wide!

The pack-n-play is a great thing for Noah when we are outside. He likes making funny faces.

Our little man standing up. What a sweet boy!!

Computer Crash

Our computer has crashed and my wonderful husband is trying to fix it. I am on his laptop at the moment, so I just wanted everyone to know that we are all doing good, listening to Noah jump in the jumper and Karis is doing a puzzle. I will be back in the blogging world once our computer is fixed or we get another CPU. Our week has been good, lots of fun with friends and family. Have a wonderful rest of the week, and I hope to be back online soon!
We asked Karis who broke the computer, and she said, "God did." Maybe there is a lesson in there about our reliance on the computer to communicate with others, maybe we should get back to the old way of communication: the phone and letters!!

Who am I?

I have been thinking a lot lately about who I am in Christ. Reading, Because He Loves Me, is reminding me of finding my worth and success only in Christ and what He has done for me on the cross. All of my accomplishments and successes are only that because Christ has paid my penalty of sin on the cross, what a freeing and challenging truth to mediate on daily. It is freeing because it reminds me that my self-esteem, self-worth, and self-love can only truly be found at the cross. The gospel should bring all these to light as only found in my Savior who loves me. It is challenging because it reminds me that ALL things are related to the gospel.
My identity for most of my life has been found in relation to someone else. I was "Coach Adams' daughter, Shawn's sister, Mrs. Adams daughter, Jeanna the athlete, then I became Justin's wife, for awhile I was Coach Childers' teacher/coach for two years, then I returned to Justin's wife, Karis' mom, and now I am the pastor's wife, and Karis and Noah's mom."
My identity is still in someone else, Christ. Every dirty diaper I change, every time I discipline my child, every dish I wash, bathroom I clean, floor I mop, etc, these are all things that I do bearing the identity in Christ. If my day seems mundane or ordinary, it is because I have allowed the world to try and dictate who I am and not who Christ says I am.
I am so thankful to be able to go to the Word to remind me who I am:

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." (Romans 4:7-8)

Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)

... and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that...he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:6-7

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. I this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)

These are only a few verses that have really reminded me of who I am in Christ and what His love has done for us. Sometimes staying home and raising my children leave me to feel like I do not have a my own identity, I am only the wife, mom, maid, cook, disciplinarian, etc., but Christ is my all, so I don't need any other identity but His. Hallelujah, what a Savior!!

Calvin likes to slide!

We discovered a few months ago on our own slide in the back yard, that Calvin, our dog, likes to slide. We thought it was so funny and had a great time watching him. I thought you might enjoy seeing Calvin slide with Karis. This is at the park down the street from our house. Justin, Noah, Calvin, and I all went for a walk, and Karis rode her bike, thus the helmet on her head. Lots of times at home when she is riding her bike, she won't take her helmet off when she goes to do other things. I hope you enjoy this, it really is a funny sight!

Texas Summer 2008

I am glad to be home after our two week and four day vacation in Texas. We had a wonderful time with both our families and with my mom's extended family. We flew into Houston on Monday June 23 and were met by my parents. They let us borrow their car to for our time with Justin's family on Orange. We shared a brief hug and kiss and were off to Beaumont to see Justin's sister, Courtney first. We then spent the next few days in Orange at Pop Pop and Grammy's house with Aunt Courtney.
We ate good Mexican food, went to the water park, and visited Mamou and Papou as much as we could. Noah meet his great-grandparents for the first time and slobbered and spit up on everyone! Here are some pictures from our trip. We already miss you all!


BubbleShare: Share photos - Powered by BubbleShare

More to come later from our time with my parents and the family reunion.

Sitting Up, Crawling and Learning to Share

My sweet Noah is moving way too fast for this mommy. As I have shared before, he is totally mobile now, crawling, sitting himself up, and going after whatever he sees. The word "no" has now become a word in his vocabulary. Not only is he mobile, he is now teaching his sister how to share her toys. Karis loves having Noah around, as long as he isn't messing up her toys or playing with them. She is having to learn that her toys are not hers, they are God's, which she tells me all the time except when Noah is trying to get them. I am enjoying seeing them interact. Karis really wants to teach Noah how to do things, she just wants him to leave her "creations" alone.
At six months old, aren't babies just supposed to be learning how to sit up? I am going to have to start baby proofing everything pretty soon, he is already crawling into the kitchen. I never really had to baby proof anything with Karis, she didn't get into things. I can't remember her opening cabinets or getting things in the bathroom, I think Noah is going to be my explorer!
What a blessing these two children are. I have learned so much from them, and God continues to show me His unending love as He gives me love, patience, and wisdom in raising these precious gifts from Him!
We are getting excited about our trip to Texas in just five more days!! I cannot wait to see everyone and let them meet Noah!

Recent Pics

Here are two recent pictures. Noah is sitting up pretty well, with help from the Boppy or a pillow behind him. Karis is having fun interacting with Noah now, she likes playing with anything he is playing with and reading him books! It is fun to watch them interact, especially when she tells Noah no for some reason. I have to constantly say, "is it kind to talk to your brother that way?" She usually says, "no, mommy, I'm sorry Noah."

Karis helping Noah sit up.

Noah decided that he would just sleep on Daddy while we were reading to Karis before bed. It must be nice to be able to sleep anywhere.

JOY Part I

I have really been struggling the last few weeks in having joy in all situations and all during my day. I searched the Bible for verses with the word "joy" in them, and God pointed out some sins to me and encouraged me with His Word. Here are a few things I was reminded and learned about joy:
1. Joy comes from being in God's presence-
"in your presence there is fullness of joy" Ps. 16:11
"you make him glad with the joy of your presence" Ps. 21:6
2. Joy comes in the morning-
"but joy comes with the morning" Ps. 30:5
This really convicted me to get up earlier to have an unhurried time with the Lord before my children wake up. Lately, I have felt rushed in my time, and it causes me to already not be joyful because my time was interrupted. This also goes with point 1 because if I don't have an unhurried time with Him, than I am not resting in His presence.
3. God should be our "exceeding joy."
"to God of my exceeding joy" Ps. 43:4
4. Joy comes from praising God.
"Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous." Ps. 35:27
5. God's creation shows us joy.
"beautiful in elevation is the joy of the earth" Ps. 48:2
"you make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy." Ps. 65:8
"The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills girl themselves with joy" Ps. 65:12
6. God's Word should be the joy of my heart.
"Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart." Ps. 119:111

Wow, I was so reminded of how joyless I can be when things are not going the way I think they should be. Who am I question anything when even the creation sings for joy to the Lord! I am so much better than I deserve, thank you Lord for reminding me of my need to be in your presence all the time. I will not exude joy if I have not spent time with my Savior.