Grace

In case I forgot to tell you, Neil and Addi went on a mission trip a week ago.  They went to Missouri and helped out some folks who needed help.  They go the same week every June with our church, to a designated location, with several vans full of people and tools.  They LOVE it!  They work hard all day, do something fun every evening, don't sleep much at night, and come home really tired and filled with the holy spirit.  This year while they were there, they learned about a special camp for special needs children.  That night, when Neil called me, he told me that Addi had gotten really upset while watching the video about this.  I was a little taken back by this, because she is such a laid back person and has always embraced her brother and others with special needs.  It wasn't until they got home that he explained it further.  It seems that the video they watched about this camp featured mostly campers who were physically disabled....not mentally disabled (like Cal).  The campers were so thankful to be able to attend a camp that could accommodate them.  One of the things that one camper said on the video was how he felt so close to God and was so glad to be able to experience that feeling at this camp.  When Neil was explaining this to me, I started to understand.  He told me that Addi got so upset and cried so so hard when she watched this, because she doesn't know if Cal feels those feelings.  She doesn't know if he knows Christ, understands Christ, has a relationship with Christ; and it worried her.  When Neil was telling me all of this, he had big tears running down his face; because of the reaction that she had had.  He and I know that God loves Cal, and Addi knows that too; but for the first time....I think she realized what Cal may be missing by not understanding how wonderful a relationship with our Savior can be.  I use to think about that a lot and worry about it a lot, but then one day Neil said....."I think Cal knows a lot more than we think he does."  I chatted with my pastor, Ken, about this once; and he said the same thing....we don't know their relationship....it may be better than we could ever imagine!  Since that time, I haven't fretted much about what Cal was missing out on; because truthfully....I don't think he is missing out.  I think his relationship with Jesus is more pure and honest and wonderful than I could have ever hoped it would be!  Thank God for grace!

I Prayed For A Sock!

We went to visit my friend Leslie today and her daughter Beau and her husband Jeff.  While we were there, we sat in their new awesome barn that Jeff is building.  We drank coffee, we talked about a lot of things...mainly homeschooling.  We had lunch, we talked some more.  The kids played outside a lot and played in the barn.  Leslie got out the funky water sprinkler thingy she has, and my 4 youngest (along with Beau) had a blast playing and squirting each other.  When they were finished playing, they came in to put their dry clothes on; so they could continue playing in the barn or outside.  All the girls were dressed, and then it was Cal's turn to get dressed.  Leslie only has one bathroom, so they were taking turns changing.  When Cal came out of the bathroom, he was completely dressed minus one sock; and he had a VERY distressed look on his face.  I immediately knew that he couldn't find his other sock.   We had piled all their dry clothes in a pile in the corner of the room, so I was sure one of the girls had accidentally picked up his sock; and it was stuck inside their shorts or something.  As Cal started mumbling...."I need to find it".....I could tell he was really stressing out.  I started looking around for the sock with no luck and then began to silently pray that we would find his sock, because honestly I was stressing out too.  Leslie said, "Is this going to be a problem"?  I nodded and continued to look for the sock.  Cal became more and more upset.  Sweet Beau offered him another pair of socks, but of course he refused. After I undressed and redressed every child in the house and still couldn't find the sock tucked in their shorts or pocket, I sat down.  Cal came over to me, sobbing now and still saying "I need to find it"!  I assured him that I would keep looking momentarily.  I was hoping that he would calm down while I tried to figure out what I was going to do if I didn't find that sock, but he didn't.  I couldn't imagine where that sock was, but I knew we would probably have to go home; because he was so upset.  I wasn't planning on leaving Leslie's house for a few more hours.  I kept thinking how am I going to get him home....the drive is 1 1/2-2 hours?  Is he going to cry the whole way?  Will he put his shoes on without the sock?  Will he walk to the car without his shoes on?  He's 13 now and way too big for me to carry.  As he became more agitated, I told him I was going to the barn to look through the girls' clothes one more time.  I walked outside and then was stopped by Leslie calling my name.  I peeked back inside the house, and there she was.....holding the sock.  It had gotten stuck on a shelf in the bathroom beside the toilet.  She took it in and held it out to Cal, and immediately he relaxed.  You could see the look of relief through his whole body, and he gave Leslie a hug.  Leslie looked at me and I at her, and we both were fighting back tears.  Then I said...."I was praying for that sock.  Now let's give thanksgiving that you found it."  As we both were breathing a huge sigh of relief, I told her I kept wondering how many people had ever prayed for a sock.  I started to get a little emotional as I was telling her this, and she did too.  Praying for a sock may seem silly to some, but to me (and now to Leslie) it was a necessity.  The stress that Cal was experiencing was so real and intense, and honestly heartbreaking for both of us.  I said.....I know it's just a sock, but to him; it's much more.  It's part of his routine.  He ALWAYS wears socks except when he's swimming or bathing, and he needs them.  She understood completely.  Later she asked Cal if she was his hero for finding his sock, and he smiled sheepishly and said "YEAH!"  So yes....I prayed for a sock....believe me it wasn't the first time and probably won't be the last!  I've prayed for many things, as far as my boy is concerned, that may not seem like typical things to pray for for your children; but I don't limit God.  I know He is there to help Cal....even if it is something that seems as simple as finding a sock.

Father's Day 2012

Wanna see what we did for Father's Day?  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQv-w7GZ0mU&feature=plcp

If you haven't seen the Harvard baseball team's rendition of this, you should.  They actually started this whole phenom while traveling over spring break.  They are the choreographers, etc.  We loved watching theirs so much, that we decided to do our own version.  We had a blast!

Bucket List

I'm adding to my bucket list.....my original bucket listed consisted of the following:
1.  Going to a World Series Game....did that and even with my favorite team in it!
2.  Going to Graceland....not yet!
3.  Being on The Price Is Right....almost but didn't make it.  It won't be the same without Bob Barker and Rod Roddy, but I still want to go.

Now for the additions:
1.  Adopt a child/children.
2.  Grow a huge garden!
3.  Own a pink scooter!
4.  Travel to every flea market I've ever wanted to visit.
5.  Invest in more camera equipment!
6.  Take a dance class!
7.  Memorize more scripture!
8.  Remodel my house!
9.  Buy a lakehouse and redecorate it!
10.  Spend two connsecutive weeks at the beach!
11.  Live on a farm!
12.  Go on a mission trip!

I don't really have any particular order for these, but some I'm going to try to implement right away....
like memorizing more scripture.

The Wall

I can't even believe I posted this horrible quality photo, but I did.  I took it with my iphone, because I'm too lazy to get up, charge my camera battery, insert battery into the camera, and take it with the camera.  So as you can see from the below post, I've added 4 frames to my wall...yes I know they're crooked.  I'll fix that if I keep them there.  The good thing is I LOVE these frames....they're weathered and rustic and just my style.  The bad thing is I only have four, and I have five littles....that's where the problem lies.  The good thing is there is this really great antique/flea market type store right down the street from me, and I bought a 5th frame....it's not just like these four, but it's close.  The bad thing is I also bought a 6th frame, now what am I gonna do with that?  The good thing is I have lots of fabulous stuff to choose from.  The bad thing is I have lots of fabulous stuff to choose from.  I CANNOT DECIDE, so my friend Abbey is coming over tomorrow to help me figure it out and simplify. I can never ever ever begin to tell you how many fabulous frame worthy photos I have...literally hundreds, maybe even thousands.  I just CANNOT decide!  My dining room and living room are already covered with photos of my littles.  I'm trying to simplify here, but I truly have an addiction....to photos and chairs.  Have I mentioned my chair addiction....well it's a problem as well, oh and linens...lots of linens!  I really need another house to decorate, so I can keep all my photos, chairs, linens.....oh and pillows too!  ;)

More Exciting News, But I Can't Tell You Yet!

I have some very exciting news....no I'm not pregnant....SIGH!  And no it has nothing to do with our possible remodel...although that does excite me....especially when NPayne asks me what I would like in a master bathroom!  This is different news but still very exciting.  I can't spill the beans just yet....until the details are all finalized!  But you will know soon enough!  In the meantime I will share this other exciting news with you.....I am working on my new website and blog!  WOOHOO!  However I need some time and a little more time to get it finished up!  I have actually been busy....even though school is out....and my preschool job is about finished up for summer!  I have had two photoshoots, so I've been editing photos....and liking it!  I'm back in my zone!  Next week NPayne and Addi will be on mission trip, Drew and Bryna will be at day camp, Elli will be at Science camp; so Cal and I are going to do some closet cleaning!  Now that excited me too....no I'm not being sarcastic....I'm serious!  I'm not going to show you a before photo of my closet, because it would scare you; but I will show you an after shot...when it's done that is.  How about a before photo of my blank wall above my desk....that's getting fixed up too!  And please excuse the messy desk!  But how about that computer monitor...fabulous or what?

Can you say REMODEL?

I think we're going to remodel.  Trying not to get my hopes up, because we attempted this before; and it didn't work.  However I can't help myself....I'm excited at the thought of having a laundry room and a master bath, not that I don't love my kids coming into the bathroom at any given moment while I'm in there or the fact that I won't have to fold laundry on the couch;)!   I'm thrilled at the thought of having my kitchen finished once and for all....or at least until it needs to be updated again!  I LOVE our house....it's old and full of character...all of my babies have come home here.  We have lived here....all 7 of us....for as long as there's been 7 of us!  I'm excited...basically that's all I wanted to say!