Wordful Wednesday

She's Fabulous!!!!
A friend of mine watched my two youngest girls today while I tutored. She is not who usually watches them, so it was nice that they got to spend some time with her. When I picked them up, she said....while pointing to Elli as she ran around smiling and jabbering, singing and dancing...."She's just uh....she's like this all day? You have it so easy!" To which I simply replied "She's fabulous!" And she is! I adore my fabulous fifth!
To join in on Wordful Wednesday, visit Angie's blog.

Praises and Prayers!!

My Lifelong friend left the hospital on Saturday and returned to her home and reality. Although she is so glad and thankful to be home, reality is hitting her hard. She said she feels like she is on a diving board waiting to be pushed into the deep end....she's been in the deep, and she doesn't want to go there again. Fortunately God will be there to catch her. The memorial for her son, Shiloh, will be on February 21, 2009! Thank you all for your prayers for her physical healing. Please pray for her emotional healing.

Sit back and relax for this week's therapy session. To play along or get another dose of therapy, visit MckMama's blog by clicking here. The following are things that I would NEVER EVER EVER do....in a million years!





This week while watching The Bachelor.... yes I watch it and yes I really enjoy watching it.... I did NOT cry when Jason (The Bachelor, for those of you who don't give into silly reality shows) sent Stephanie (the single mother) a packin'. Believe me I knew, or did not know, that there was or was not romantic chemistry between them....although Jason really wanted there to be; because he did or did not think she was such a great person. I really really really liked or did not like Stephanie. She was/was not so darn sweet and kind hearted. I was NOT really disappointed to see her go!





This week I did not enjoy date night with my prince of a son, Callahan. I did not send my 4 daughters and their daddy to our annual Daddy/Daughter Dance....where no mother is allowed....only to learn that my girls and their daddy actually did not dance together, or with their friends, or by themselves, or with each other; BUT they DID NOT dance.


I did not feel giddy and completely like I was back in High School when I went to watch Addi in her first drum competition....I wasn't in the band in High School (really I wasn't, but I wish I was), and I DID NOT really Love to hear the drum line play! I did NOT nearly burst with pride while watching my girl rock it or bang it amidst all those boys!

I am not having a hard time convincing myself that my little Drew is now officially 8 years old and no longer 7 years old, because she's so cute and tiny; she looks like she's 5 years old....except for the mouthful of big people teeth that she does NOT have.

I did NOT thoroughly enjoy watching Drew stand up in the booth while wearing a sombrero and being serenaded by the wait staff during her birthday dinner! That was NOT fun!

I did not continually ask my 2 year old Elli, "Where are we going?" when we were taking her sister to piano lessons, just so I could NOT hear her say "We going to pino mama." I do NOT think she is absolutely FABULOUS and I do NOT tell her that about a gazillion times a day.

I do Not think of things for my NOT ME posts, and write them down long before they are actually posted; so I don't forget for the next weeks post. I wouldn't do that....what a waste of time and energy....NOT!

I was not super duper excited to learn that my Lifelong friends' Todd and Joey are expecting their 7th child, and I WAS NOT and AM NOT and WILL NOT continue to be one bit envious and wish I was expecting my 7th child which in turn would mean that I would also be expecting my 6th child....since I only have 5 children...which in turn would mean I was expecting twins! I do NOT have twin envy! Maybe my friends will have twins....I would NOT love that. I do NOT wish NPayne would have agreed to a few more little Paynes!

That's what I did not do or say or feel this week....honest I did NOT! How about you? Oh and remember that pesky possessed fly problem we had last week from NOT ME's? I can now catch a fly between my fingers....of course I use a tissue and then flush it down the toilet. CLOSE THE DOOR PEOPLE!

Sunday Sermon Summary

Every year on the Sunday following the Super Bowl, Pastor Ken does a sermon about the commercials. He talks about the commercials and uses scripture to relate real life to The Bible. He has actually become very well known, in our area, because of this sermon; and last year he was on the local news. Today when my family arrived at church at about 8:45, the local news station was there ready and waiting.

This year he chose 7 commercials to discuss....he had given the congregation an opportunity to text or e-mail him our favorites. He used the top 3 and then 4 that he just liked. The scripture this week was from Ephesians 4:17-24....Message translation!

17 -19And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
20 -24But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

Here are the top 7...

7. The Hulu commercial featuring Alec Baldwin. The basic idea of this commercial was that hulu would turn people's brains into mush....How many of us would turn off our computer or TV off even if we knew it was turning our brain into mush? The key phrase in this commercial was Hulu is an evil plot to destroy the world-ENJOY! Ken used this commercial to reiterate how people, all people, do things that are not good for them....eat unhealthy things, shop on credit....people lose themselves in stuff. God wants us to enjoy life but not for the moment....for eternity!

6. Cheetohs commercial...in this commercial, there is a woman making judgements. Ken says that we have to make judgements as part of life, possibly when our safety or the safety of others may be of concern. He also said that sometimes a judgement is our choice....and that is not our place.

James 2:1-4

1 -4My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, "Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!" and either ignore the street person or say, "Better sit here in the back row," haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted?

What is the basis of your judgement?

5. The Cars.com commercial. In this commercial, the character is depicted as a near perfect person who can do nothing but miraculous wonderful things....except when it comes to buying a car, where he then becomes as nervous as the average individual. Ken used this commercial to reiterate that we all fall short, and we need God's grace. Romans 3:22b-24

22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

4. Pepsi Max commercial....directed to men, Ken used this commercial to reiterate that it is okay to confess weaknesses. Go to God and ask for guidance and help. He also mentioned that oftentimes men tend to put on the "I'm Good" persona which can cause them to hold back from one another. It's okay to be weak, and it's okay to ask for help in your weakness!

3. This was the Bridgestone...Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head commercial. Mrs. Potato Head is complaining and talking incessantly while Mr. Potato Head is driving them along. With one sharp turn, he hits a bump which causes her mouth to fall off. She then puts on her angry Potato Head eyes while his Potato Head mouth turns into a smile, because she was silenced. Sometimes silence is better...Proverbs 25:24

24 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. Ken said the word "wife" could easily be replaced by "husband", "brother", "boss", etc.

Paul said the following in Phillipians 2:14-15

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

2. The Etrade commercial starring the adorable talking babies. I have to admit that this one was my favorite. I laughed A LOT and LOUD....yes even in church! One thing that one of the babies says is "Take control and rise up". Ken says that as a christian you have to give up control and submit your life to Jesus Christ....Hebrews 12:9

9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

And the # 1 requested commercial was......drum roll please....The Doritos commercial....Wanna know the future? This is where they use the crystal ball to "tell" the future by actually throwing it. God wants us to pay attention and just look around to see where He is and what He is doing....you can see Him working right in your midst if you pay attention. Proverbs 29:18

18 If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.

Which Super Bowl commercial was your favorite? What scripture can you relate to it? I have to admit that I didn't watch one Super Bowl commercial during the actual Super Bowl, but I did enjoy watching these 7 in church (of all places) this morning; but what I enjoyed most was what God told me through them.

RANDOM PICTURE CHALLENGE 5.0

This weeks RPC, hosted by Brittany, was to choose the 5th picture from the end of your March 2008 picture folder, OR choose the 5th picture from the end of your 10th picture file.....whew....that's a mouthful. Anyhoo to play along, visit Brittany's blog. This is from my March 2008 picture folder. It had 163 pictures in it, because it was my sweet girl, Addi's 11th birthday! Once my children reach their 5th birthday, we still have grand parties, but we don't receive gifts from friends. My children choose something they would like to sponsor through donating time, money or items. On this birthday, Addi chose to volunteer at our local place of relief (GRACE is what it's called) with friends. They sorted clothes and games. Then we toured GRACE and found out how all of these items are distributed to those in need. We took the girls skating, and they had pizza and cake. Addi had asked them all to bring $1 or a gently used toy, appropriate for a toddler, to donate. At the end of the party, we were at home; and this is a picture of her opening her birthday cards. She has wet hair, because she had already had a shower and was getting ready for bed. My sweet girl used the money to buy canned goods for GRACE, and she donated the toys (some girls brought new ones and some brought used ones) to GRACE! We are so blessed, and we feel so appreciative that we can give back in service and donations.

P.S. Notice the cute pictures of Elli in the background....aren't they fabulous....thanks to my friend Cathy who took them.

I'm A Cry Baby....Proud and True!!

I have to admit it, and I'm actually perfectly okay with saying it.....I'M A CRY BABY!!! Don't be offended by that term, it's a term that my lifelong friends and I lovingly refer to ourselves as....cry babies. We, some more than others, can easily be led to tears. I'm one of the some that can. I cry OFTEN, but the good thing is.....they are usually tears full of emotional joy and praise. I am easily overwhelmed, not by the busyness of life in general, but by feelings and emotions and things that stir the before mentioned. One thing that can and most often lead me to tears is music and praise through music. However oftentimes a certain song reminds me of a certain circumstance which can cause some tears of sadness. I often feel my children staring at me, in church, waiting to see if I'm going to cry during the worship songs or hymns....which I often do. I sometimes even ask, ahead of times, when we have special events...."Which songs will be sung?"; so I'll know o be prepared with one tissue or several. These are songs that I most definitely usually/always cry when I hear....some for joy, some for sadness, some for both!

1. Blessed Be Your Name (actually I haven't cried in church the last few times we have sung this)....Matt Redman!

2. Bring the Rain...Mercy Me!

3. Remember Me.....Mark Schultz!

4. Forever....Chris Tomlin!

5. The Candle Song....Chris Rice!

6. Held....Natalie Grant (I can't remember if she actually wrote it or performs it only)!

7. How You Live....Point of Grace!

8. Word of God Speak....Mercy Me!

9. Lifesong....Casting Crowns!

10. A Baby Changes Everything....Faith Hill!

11. ANYTHING my children sing in church choir! I can't help but cry tears of joy when I see those sweet little children sing!!

12. Twinkle Twinkle or anything for that matter....sang by Elliot!

What songs inspire you to shed much needed and beautiful tears of joy or sadness?

8 Years Ago....The best day of 2001!

February 5th, 2001 at 9:33 am....this beautifully amazing person was lent to us by God Our Father! Eight years ago today, my life was changed forever for the better! Drew Michelle Payne entered our lives....a surprise blessing 8 months earlier, and a surprise on the day she was born....girl or boy???? It's a GIRL! She was my easiest delivery! She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Drew was planned but not planned at the time she was conceived. NPayne and I had decided that we definitely would have a 3rd child, but we thought we would wait a year or so; but God had other plans. About 8 months after we made that decision, we were blessed by her presence!

Drew is our granola girl....old soul with a free spirit! Animal lover, nature lover, and all things created by God lover! She has a sense of humor like her mother, and she is often caught laughing hysterically at the oddest things.....hmmmm that sounds vaguely familiar! I love that she has wildly crazy curly hair, and that she will often tell me...."just leave it crazy" rather than go through the torture of brushing it. I love that she will eat ANYTHING!

Drew is a joy to be around and truly one of the kindest people I know out of everyone I know....that says a lot considering she is just now 8 years old. My little girl would do about anything to help someone feel better, and she constantly reminds us (me) "to be thankful for what we have". She is content!

I love the excitement she feels and the way her eyes light up with pure joy at the littlest of things! I love how she is creative and bats her big green eyes at me when I tell her how much I love her! I love that she loves me more and more each day!

I love that she is a deep thinker and cries in movies. She is smart as a whip and loves to learn and teach new things. Although she is probably the most shy of the 5, she will step outside of her comfort zone from time to time....like when she sang "This Little Light of Mine" at our elementary talent show when she was in kindergarten....at the urging of her sister, Addi, who accompanied her on the piano. She sang it, not once but in two different performances.....SOLO!

I love that she has a fiery side.....hmmmm wonder where that comes from, but that she is not afraid to say I'm sorry or I was wrong! I love that she is sensitive but will stand up for what she knows is right. I love that she picks me flowers, ADORES her cutie patootie Elliot and refers to her as "baby girl". I love that she looks out for her brother, and that she is not ashamed of his differences but embraces them. I love that she admires her big sister, and I love that she tries to be a good example for Bryna. I love that she is determined! I love that she pays me the constant compliment of saying "I want to be a mama just like you!"

I love that she would have potentially been my biggest baby and is now my most petite child. Although she was due on March 1, she arrived 4 weeks early weighing in at nearly 9 pounds. I love that she shares her birthday with my dad, her Papa! I remember saying....wouldn't it be neat if the baby was born on your birthday, and him saying.....that will never happen. Guess what? It did.

I loved being on bedrest for 6 weeks waiting on her arrival, after starting contractions on New Years Eve! Yes I enjoyed lying around in my bed, being waited on and served completely by NPayne, Addi and Cal and monitoring my unborn child's every move. I love the fact that she was born a few days after my OB said, "I think it's okay for you to get up and around now." I love that we were surprised at the gender of the baby, and I love that Addi was so excited to have a sister (since she already had a brother). I love the fact that she was the only baby in our house to ever climb out of her crib.....and only at naptime. I love where Drew's name derived from.

I love the fact that she will gladly pull her own tooth, even when it's not loose enough, just to wait for the Tooth Fairy. I love that she is completely organized and a "let's clean up nazi"! I love that she loves to play outside and get dirty, and I love that she would rather be at home than do anything else. I love when I asked her, what do you want to do for your extra curricular activity, that she responded with...."Can I just be a kid?" I love that she is musical, and I love that she (of the 5) is the most like me! I absolutely love to watch her cute little legs run as hard and as fast as they can when she plays soccer.....I love to see the fire in her eyes when she plays. I love that SHE is my smack dab in the middle child. I love that she is a good and such a caring friend!

I love who she has become, and I can't wait to see her continue to blossom. I thank God for this child, and I am so grateful for this loan.

Wordful/Wordless Wednesday

Guess what's inside.... Surprise!!!!
It's the cutest 2 year old I know!

For more Wordful Wednesday, visit Angie's blog. For more Wordless Wednesday, visit Brittany's blog! Enjoy and have fun!

Welcome to this week's therapy session hosted my MckMama. What a great way to start your week.....denying, I mean, admitting to all of the things you absolutely DID NOT do! To join in or read more NOT ME'S, click here!

This week I did not do the following, and I will never say I did....

I did NOT purchase a box of my daughter's girl scout cookies and eat the entire box in about 30 minutes.....only to not come home, kiss NPayne, and have him comment on the chocolatey peanut buttery smell of my breath. I then did NOT, completely ignore his inquiry, of "what have you been eating?" Later in the evening, when we were at a party and won the 3rd place door prize of (you guessed it) a box of girl scout cookies, I did NOT admit to NPayne that I had in fact eaten a box earlier in the day. When he asked, "the whole box?" I did NOT hold my head high, and proudly say "YES, the whole box!"

I am not haunted by the amount of stupid flies that continue to enter into our house when the door is constantly left open, and I am NOT glad that the flies are in fact stupid; so they don't try to fly away when I swat at them. I do not believe that these flies are in fact, possessed, because they DO NOT try to fly away; and in fact, I am not extremely bothered and impressed that my son can actually catch these flies between his thumb and pointer finger. NPayne did not start to refer to our son as......Grasshopper, complete with accent, which in fact does not make me laugh so hard that I nearly pass out. I AM NOT ALARMED by any of the above mention fly scenario!

I did not sit in my pajamas all day on Wednesday when we were, literally, iced in our house due to an ice storm. I was NOT one bit glad that my children got to stay home and just play all day in their pajamas too. I was NOT a little disappointed that it was in fact ICE and no snow!

I did NOT cry in church.....I don't do that!

That's it for my therapy this week! Go ahead and let loose!

Sunday Sermon Summary

This week's sermon was titled "Transformed Not Conformed". Pastor Ken began his sermon with the following statement....."a little water changes everything." He gave the example of the ice storm that we experienced this past week and how that little bit of condensation, along with some below freezing temperatures, changed many plans for that day....school closings, events cancelled, treacherous drives to work! Then he gave the example of how a little water, in August, changes everything as well....plants and grass that have been literally dying of thirst can be replenished....a cool glass to drink can make you feel renewed and refreshed. The last example he gave was in regards to baptism....."in baptism, a little water marks you as a child of God." Today in the service that I attended, we witnessed a precious newborn baby being baptized. Our church also honored our annual tradition of the service of Baptism Renewal.....this isn't being baptized again, but a way for you to remember what it meant/what it means to be baptized. It is an optional opportunity, so you don't have to renew your baptism; and of course if you have never been baptized...then you wouldn't participate. When I was baptized many many years ago, I knew the promise I was making; but I had drifted away many times. I remember feeling a little disappointed, because I didn't "feel" any differently. As the years have passed, I have been able to grasp the meaning of being baptized. I like the idea of being reminded of what it means to be baptized......"In baptism, you are part of God's family; this is how you live." Jesus comes in and transforms your heart and your mind, we change the outside with His guidance and help.
Paul said the following.... 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
Unless our minds are transformed, we may get caught up in the moment; and miss the REAL moment. Do you ever get caught up in the moment? Do you ever judge people by their appearance, or their athletic ability, or what kind of car they drive,or where they live? Do you ever get so caught up in the crisis of the day, that it becomes your crisis? Remember what Paul said ...."Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing of your minds."