Feeling More Settled; Chandler Opening Up

The last few days have been better and busy; maybe those two go hand and hand. I feel like we are making great efforts to meet people and get involved at Chan's school. I am toying with the idea of applying to sub and to volunteer as much as I can in the office. Praying about what to do as far as work. I have also looked up going to Dental Hygiene school. I don't know and I pray that God will lead! He is so trustworthy. I see all things orchestrated by His hand and it really is amazing. I know I shouldn't be surprised. Maybe the word isn't surprised, but amazed. Amazed that He loves me and sheds his grace and favor on me and my family.

We took Ray to see the Astros game on Saturday for one of his Father's Day presents. He seemed to enjoy it. On Sunday we tried a new church. It was so different than what we are used to, yet it was good. I can't see us ending up there, but you never know what God's plan is.

After church we went to the house. Half of the home is bricked and sheetrocked. The men work so hard! They don't seem to rest. I pray God's blessings on them all. We went to get our mail and Chan had a card from Nana. We thought that there was a special surprise inside, but it ended up being a sock that we had left at her house. We laughed forever. Love our sweet Nana.

My new slogan is Congress spends, but Jesus saves...saw this on a sign. Hilarious. I love to laugh and in this new time of life I need to laugh as much as possible.

A movie, supper and bit of cleaning and normal life resumes!

I like this guy! Pray for him as he adjusts to a new home!

Houstonians

I guess we are not truly Houstonians, but we are Texans. I am happy to be back in Texas! The land of amazing traditions and where my family lives. My Lauren is only an hour away when she gets back to college. Life is pretty good.

The temporary living is ok. I like my own home, but I am learning patience. The house is said to be ready mid-August. Home really is where the family is. Ray, Chandler and myself like to be together. Each night we check out neat places. Of course, I love all of the fun stores! I am finding that groceries, clothing, and makeup seems to be less expensive. Eating out is outrageous! I will be cooking at home a lot.

The hardest part is having to move Chandler. He is such an excellent young man. I really have been blessed, at this point, to have kids that love God, family and friends. Thank you Jesus! Chandler is so outgoing and to see him fearful and nervous of all of the new situations makes me want to sit down and cry. I am really having to trust God. I have seen many evidences of it just these past four days. Chandler and I ate at Chick-Fil-A and there was the owner whom I have connections with from Pine Cove. He introduced me to a gentleman that helps with the baseball team, which is Chan's sport of choice. He also mentors high school boys at the school. Today we met a friend that Chandler played with 10 years ago. He is 6'6 and a nice guy. We meet another friend from the past tomorrow. Chandler is hopeful, but still not himself.

A New Name, Unibrows and the Love Dare

   I am sad to say that the college gal wants a change in name.  I like princess, kaching, kaching, heart breaker or maybe even Lars McCoy. I am consulting with her as I write.  I am amazed at technology.  I remember the college days of using a rotary phone to call my mom when I got back to school.  We talked every day.  It was costly and I dreaded the bill especially when my man and I were dating long distance. Today we can text, e-mail or call anytime.  I really like it because I can be in control by knowing everything that's going on.  This is not too good especially for the no name girl.  We are both working on the calling thing and the controlling thing.  I just love talking to her and bossing her. She is so good-natured about it, but she could turn on a dime so I better straighten it up.   The name has been decided upon.  Little ladybug.  I love it!  I call many of my friends ladybug and little ladybug fits perfectly for my gal.  Little ladybug it is!  

  Little man amazes me.  A little brag time!  He placed 1st in humorous interpretation and 3rd in Prose this weekend at a debate tournament.  He is hilarious.  He shocked me this morning as he was ironing a shirt. Yes, ironing a shirt.   He said a few girl's really like what he wore to the speech tournament.  YES!  He took my clothing advise.  Progress does happen.  He is even concerned that he has a unibrow and is plucking.  Should I be concerned.  Please don't repeat this as I will be banned from posting.  I think he has really nice eyebrows.  I love what my mom said a few visits ago.  "I didn't think he washed his hair, but I do see the shine in it."  You see he isn't too good at combing, but he does shower daily with shampoo and body wash.  Our next goal is a good brushing.  I love these years.  Watch for my next blog following up on the "Do Hard Things" talk with Chandler.  There are a few things in the works.

  My man, little man and I watched "Fireproof."  What a great film on marriage and commitment.  Chandler thought it was poorly produced and cheesy.  I pray he got the message that marriage is hard and that it takes work.  I also pray that he sees the profound effect it had on his dad and me. (We kissed on and off throughout the movie, he thought it was gross!) You see we have a good marriage and yet it can get stale. This film challenges you to go through a book called the Love Dare.  It helps you to go deeper, put away selfishness, call in the middle of the day just because and give a little gift to let your loved one know you are thinking of them.  It takes 40 days and we are on day 7.  I asked the man is this for real.  He said, "I will start with day 1 again until I get it."  He loves me so much and I pretty much adore him to death.  Take the dare.  Go to amazon.com and order the movie and book.  You won't be sorry!

Do Hard Things; A Table Set for Four

The grounding of the boy is about to come to an end.  Do I think he learned his lesson?  The envelope is still out.  His spirit is sweet and compliant and that's good.  I asked, him along with the Man of the House, if he has learned anything during this time of great contemplation.  He said, "Don't  do stupid things!"  OK!  Throwing rocks at a fountain was pretty ridiculous, but what about being in a place he shouldn't have been and defying authority.  I didn't hear anything about that.  Everyone who has been around me lately knows my phrase, "He is in process."   I am reading a great book that relates to this current situation.  Do Hard Things is a new book I am encouraging all my besties to read who have teenagers.   The young men who wrote the book are nineteen years old.  This is the age of the college gal.  They write, "The teen years are not a vacation from responsibility.  They are a training ground of future leaders who dare to be responsible now."  The young men are fighting against low expectations that our culture expects from teens.  You see this struck a note with me.  I am right in the middle of it.   I realized that he is not a boy.  He is a man.  He exudes a love of life. (isn't that true college gal!)  God made him in His own image and I don't want to thwart that.  I am praying for God's wisdom in teaching him excitement with self-control.  Can't you see him on the Bartlesville roadways with that gleam in his amazing, dreamy, green eyes.  THE NEED FOR SPEED!    OK, back to the book.  I will be reading and praying hard that God will help me to back up on my little man training. (sorry D!  I think that's your little man's name, but it's a good one).  I have had low expectations.  I really didn't mean to!  I just haven't challenged or pushed him the way I should and the way that he can.  

  Next topic!  Each night I set a place for four at the table .  I chuckle and place the fourth napkin back in the drawer.  I am not too sad any more, because I hear great confidence and contentment in her voice, as she figures out life.  She is getting it.  Do I wish she would lock the door to her room when she' s by herself?  Do I get aggravated that she has to get a Dr. Pepper late and night and goes by herself?  YES, but she is wise and she is cautious.  She will say "Mom don't worry your heart.  I am good! "  The Man of the House, Little Man and I have learned to Skype.  We can video chat with the college gal and the Norwegian family that we absolutely adore.  College Gal even leaned up real close and gave me a kiss.  Life is good!  She did her Hard Things this summer and I am convinced that this is what not only the college gal and little man need, but what the Big Mama needs.  I play life way too safe.  

"We can protect ourselves right out of our calling.  We must be willing to move from self-preservation to brave determination."  Beth Moore

  You see Life is Changing!  Want to change with me?

Monday; I Even Longed for It

 ( D(my favorite lit teacher), did you notice my punctuation in the title.  I am working on my sentence structures.  I tend to have many run on sentences. ) 

  What a weekend!  You know it's tough when you long for Monday.  My college gal left and has not really communicated too much since she left.  You're with the college gal for 6 weeks and then they're gone and the silence begins.  I am really trying to be a big girl, but the college gal is so fun and engaging to talk to.  Besides it all, I love her madly!

  The high school pubescent boy  has lost his mind.  In a span of two days he has back talked his parents, got kicked out of a special event at school for throwing rocks at the water fountain and for having a macho attitude about work, "no one is going to make me lift a finger if I don't want to.  After painting the front door and cleaning all the brushes, deep cleaning his room, grounded from all technology and relationships and having to hang out with his parents at a 40th birthday party(tough for an almost 15 year old) his heart is once again soft and pliable.  I at one time during the weekend I broke down and proclaimed to Big Daddy that the boy would be a "bad boy."  I even called the college gal for reassurance and she said he's just stupid.  I guess that made me feel better.  I am not losing heart, though.  Last night he showed me magic card tricks; he was amazing.  He is reading a biography on one of his favorite baseball team and is talking my ear off about life and stuff.  Maybe pubescent boys losing their minds occasionally isn't so bad after all.  I love him like crazy.

  I am praying for friends who are experiencing the pressures of lay-offs, hormonal changes,health issues, crazy schedules, missing a loved one who is with the Lord, going by to their cold home in Norway and empty nests.  This life is tough, but I know God often follows life's greatest burdens with great blessing.  Maybe not immediately, but in his precious timing.  To heck with scary Monday's!  I will take this day and run with it.