What a wonderful day!

My children woke at their usual time - around 6:40 a.m.. Gabe yells "mommy" sitting in his bed from his room until I get him and he then usually wakes up his sister who is sleeping in the room right next to him. Camryn starts squealing right away. It's amazing that they have their sound machines blaring like the sound of a Nascar engine and they still wake eachother up. It's also amazing that my daughter ALWAYS wakes with a mess in her pants. We call them "blow outs". They aren't just messes, they are down right disasters in her diapers. We rarely call her by her name. We call her "Teeny" or "Sis". It's just so cute to hear Gabe calling her Teeny, but he mostly calls her sis. I fear that she will always be called Sis and I'll do my best to stop calling her that at a reasonable age. Who am I kidding? I call my sister who is named Laura Anne, "Annie", and I call my other sister "Bucks" instead of calling her Becky. It's her fault, though, she had the buck teeth growing up. Let me rephrase that: Becky had the teeth that most resembled a beaver. I had the teeth that most resembled dracula and Laura's teeth were downright just jacked. It makes no sense that both of my sisters smiles are beautiful now, they should have been damaged for life. I have another tidbit of information for you. In the 7th grade Hector (who took our pictures at Chesapeake's school) told me this: "son, stand next to your sisters and be a big brother". He also said this "girls, your big brother has a great smile". I DID have a horrid haircut and no boobs, however; I did have a gray and yellow striped sweater with teddy bears on them, yellow stirrup pants and big ugly yellow beads around my neck. Funniest looking boy I've ever seen. Oh, and girl. My whole point is this....after my children woke up I brought them downstairs as usual, I turned on Breakfast with Bear and started making breakfast, let the dog out, made coffee; etc, etc, etc. I knew that Karen was coming to babysit this morning while I worked and it was key to keep praying with Gabe for his attitude before we started our day. Gabe usually says "no" during our prayers but this morning he didn't. He put his hands together and closed his eyes, he even said "amen". He says "amen" a lot but it's usually in like the 200th decibal. I think I spelled that wrong? Decible? Decibal. Whatever. He really prayed. This is like the 10th time we've prayed about having a good attitude and being kind but this time seemed so different. I did wonder if he would be different that day. Well, Karen came over and I had him hand Karen a card and some flowers (her mother had just passed away and we could not make the funeral service) and I think that made her happy and Gabe was very happy to give her the gifts. I talked with Karen for a few minutes and headed upstairs. I worked the hardest I have ever worked when Karen has been here AND I didn't hear Gabe being very nasty. I heard him scream and get loud, but not get nasty. It's so silly because I tear up thinking about it, but if you know my son, you know that is a feat! Naptime can also be horrific and he went right to bed. I can't believe it. It's all because my little boy is learning to pray and understand calling onto the Lord! (I think!!!!). I can only lead by example.....

God's Grace

It's amazing to see God's Grace poured out in my life time and time again. I have been going to the Ladies Bible Study at church and we are reading a book titled "Lord, I need Grace to make it today" and it is beyond excellent, one of the best. I so need this right now and I can't imagine my life right now without this study and it's only week 3! Oy!

Lord, thank you for sending your Son. Without Him, I can't imagine life. Help me to be an example of your love, Lord. Help me to be patient with my children and teach them love, Father. I am always falling short, Lord and it's your Grace that brings me back to life. It seems as though sometimes 5 minutes can't go by without me sinning Lord. It's a scary thing to know that you are watching me, Father because I'm so horrible. -- yet, you see me and you carry me through these trials and help me to grow. Lately, my sinning has been teaching me lessons Lord. Lessons I never want to learn over again but thankfully, your Grace has been there, Father, just like it's always been only now, I'm realizing that it is "your grace" and not just a small conviction. It's amazing that I have always felt and called guiltiness "conviction" and have robbed you of one of the most precious gifts called "grace". Well, both of my children don't want to take a nap, so I have to stop praying!!!!!