Mommasita!

Mommasita!

Mommasita taught Abby how to Hula :) --that's who she's looking at!

This is my mom: We call her "mommasita"...long story. Anyway, she braved a field trip to the Zoo--with me, my class from school (20 students) and about 20 parents! As you can tell, my kids are cute, but when they are tired--not to fun to be around (they didn't want their picture taken). Anyway, My mom is down visiting from Oklahoma...she comes quite often and my kids LOVE it! She actually will play with them all day, every 15 minutes she has a new idea that brings the kids attention full circle. She's taught them so many neat things this trip, including how to suck on honey suckle, enjoy a meal at crackle barrel, instead of McDonalds, and actually have a good time at Sam Moon. Mommasita is the best grandma in the world and we praise God for her. It would be better if she'd move to Texas (forney area) hint hint!

Kindergarten Around the Corner

I know I know, there are a ton of pictures of my kids...but I'm a proud momma :) This was taken at school where I teach Pre-K. I lucked out because all of them go to the same school now and I got the teacher's discount which was half off! Moms, you know how expensive good pictures get. They look so old.

The reason of this entry is because we are sending our oldest, first-born, little sweetheart to Kindergarten next year. The reality hit when we had "kindergarten round-up" at our local elementary school. Marty and I have been praying and pondering over the decision of homeschooling, private Christian school, or public school. It has been grueling. I know many of my regular blog viewers (Velvet, April etc.,) know exactly what I'm feeling. They too are sending their first-born, beautiful, precious baby girls and boys to kindergarten too next year! Anyway, after all these nights of pondering and praying, God totally answered our prayers. And most of you will be surprised (knowing us) what we have decided to do (well, what God wants us to do)...It came down to a christian school which was going to give us 1/2 off tuition or the public school. I was sold -- completely -- on the private school because it was all Bible Based curriculum and Isaac would've memorized 32 memory verses...but it was a further drive, out of our community and it would still be $200 a month. The flip side was public-- convient, right down the road, in our community, great possibility for evangilism and building eternal relationships SO WHAT TO DO???? Well, the administrator from the Christian school called yesterday and said they are not opening in the fall!!!!! So by answering our prayers, God shut down an entire school :) hee hee (since of course, I'm the center of the universe). I just praise God we have an opportunity to serve, meet people that know Him and don't know Him. But I DO NOT in the least bit, look forward to being away from Isaac 7 hours a day. I actually like being around him ! But if I like being around him, so will others :) right? Thanks for listening....and please leave a comment to help me with this transition :)

Cleanin My Heart

It's amazing the theology kids come up with. I'm going to share with you my 3-year-old theology, however it doesn't sound near as convincing without actually hearing from her voice...the "me did it" vs. "I did it" and her little lisp makes you smile inside. We were sitting in the bathroom the other night getting ready for bed and Rhea looks at me in all seriousness and says "mommy, I feel Jesus cleaning my heart!" "Really honey," wow, she's getting it I thought..."Yea, member when I fordot to obey you today?"..."Jesus has to clean that spot, and I feel Him doing it!" It brings tears to my eyes even now....the WORD says we are to have faith like a child! Oh Father, clean my heart and let me feel it!

Resurrection Sunday

Isaac is the ole' pro at this huntin' thing!
I know it takes me a while to get these up, but bear with me! I do want to talk about Easter Sunday. It was so sweet! Easter eve it SNOWED!!!! so the sweet little summer/spring dresses we bought are still in the closet for a warmer day...but here are some great pictures of my babies!
Because I am teaching Sunday School to 1-2nd graders, and do Pre-K Children's church, I don't get much "spiritual food" on Sunday mornings (well adult spritual food) :) I do, however, enjoy so greatly the faces of the kids when they finally "get it". Easter is NOT about the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs...but about a risen Savior who makes a way for us to live! As one little boy said, "I know, He died on the cross for us to live...for our bad words and stuff." and another girl "He 'rosed' up to have 'bictory' over dead people" paraphrased...we are victorious over death because of His glorious resurrection!

Sin=death (I'm sinful, therefore will die) Christ died for me! His death=life! (I believe in Him) Christ rose from the dead=(I get to too!)

The basics....but that's enough! Thank you Jesus!

Princesses!

Yep, we sure are, DAUGHTERS of the King! Rhea and I had the opportunity to go to Princesses on Ice together. It was a wonderful afternoon, just my sweet daughter and me! After attendinging a women's retreat (which I'll blog about that later) I was so convicted about my time with my kids. The speaker gave an illustration that was me to a T....she said, "here you go mom, off to your ministry, teaching Sunday School etc., etc., and your babies are pulling at your shorts wanting to just spend time with you." Well, it hit hard. I had already had this afternoon planned with Rhea, but what a blessing to be able to talk to her about what it means to be a TRUE Princess! Not a fairy tale, we are the daughters of the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS! Thank God for my babies! (resounding gong I know, but it's my heart) blog more later!

Keep Them Close

A very emotional day yesterday caused me to stop and realize what blessings I do have. During dinner preperations (which I hate), and somewhat distraught, probably recently yelling at the kids, Rhea came up to me and hugged me tight saying "mommy, I love you." "I love you too honey," was my response. She looked up at me with her big beautiful brown eyes and said, "no mommy, I love you even when you are angry." My heart melted and instantly had a glimpse of the grace of God and His unconditional love. As you mommies know, that is emotional enough...but later that night, we found out that our very good friends had lost thier baby boy (6 weeks old) He was born prematurely, but everything was looking up, he had gained weight, was eating and everything.--but God in His soveriegnty took him home. I realized then how precious my gifts are.
I have taken for granted the blessings of my beautiful children. They are my "post" right now in the spiritual warfare God has put me in. They are my ministry. I also found out that day that an 8th month old baby girl was in an accident right down the street from us. She was in her car seat, but something from inside the car had hit her head when the car hit a tree. She was care-flighted, but died a couple of days later. She was the same age as Abby.

All this to say, even when you (me) are tired, strung out, and the kids are getting on your last nerve....I've tried to stop and praise God they are healthy, smart, love, laugh, make me laugh, and are just precious gifts from God. I know you all feel the same about yours. Thank God for our Children.

Please pray for Troy and Rachel Ottinger. Gabe's funeral is this Friday. It's probably going to be a very emotional event, although they are strong believers, I cannot imagine losing my baby (thier first). if you want, go to their blog: www.myspace.com/theottingers I think they have some pictures.

We've Moved In...

For some strange reason, I was looking forward to "moving"...I thought, WOW, now I can clean out, organize and throw away a lot of junk....OMY, I am sooooo tired! I love my new home, but golly do I have a lot of STUFF!!!! Honestly though, I could not have done it without amazing friends. Some of Marty's buddies lifted, loaded and lugged for 3 solid days, while my mom and dad slaved from packing me up, babysitting, cooking, cleaning, building, hanging up things, unpacking etc., The kids adjusted well, apart from Abby cutting 5 teeth at the same time, we've all pretty much settled it. I like my high speed internet, and my crop room, and my beautiful kitchen, and my (Okay that's enough)....Thank you ALLLLL who helped out and made me feel special (Jennifer; you work horse, Becky; only a true friend will clean out a refrigerator; Mom and Dad, you just flat amaze me; all the guys who lifted pianos, armours, beds etc., Dennis, Mark, Oscar, Granddad...Thanks You've made our little McKee family SUPER happy :)