HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEG!!!

Twenty-two years ago today, God blessed me with a beautiful baby girl. I remember being just barely 23 myself - and headed to the hospital at 6am on August 27, 1986 to have my second child. I wasn't really scared because I had done this before. Brandon was born three years earlier and weighed 9lbs, 3oz, so I knew I could handle anything. Once I got there and they admitted me, they induced labor. My regular doctor was out of town, so Dr. Curry was his back-up and decided to go ahead and induce me...she was two days past her due date. After several hours of labor, pretty intense labor, I wasn't prepared for what they were about to tell me...she was BREECH! Had no one figured this out before they decided to induce me?? They decided since she was "buttock" down, instead of feet down, they would let me go ahead and have her...no c-section needed. She was born at 2:15pm that afternoon and weighed 7lbs, 4oz. She was one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen. Beautiful skin, lots of brown hair and...Perfect. That's the only word that comes to mind. She was all, and more that I ever dreamed of. And, to top things off, she slept all night through beginning the first night she came home from the hospital. I wasn't prepared for that either. I would wake-up every couple of hours and just lean over and put my hand on her chest to make sure everything was okay. She slept the first couple of months in a bassinet next to my bed.

Three months after Megan was born, her dad and I decided to separate. We got a divorce after that and there I was, 23 years old, a three year old and a three month old. I can't tell you how many times I have thanked God for such wonderful children. They both were very respectful and never got into trouble. God has blessed me in so many ways, but being a single mom, I truly feel like he was always there to guide me each step of the way.

I was proud of her growing up, but I have to say...I think I'm even more proud of her now as a mother. She is a wonderful mother to Hudson. He is one lucky little boy.

Happy Birthday Megan! I can't believe my baby is already 22.

KB

Blue Like Jazz

I finished another good book today, Blue Like Jazz. If you liked The Shack, you might like this book as well.

I'm not sure if it is the books I've been reading, the fact that we've gone to several different churches lately, or listening to people that profess to be Christians - but are very judgmental of others and say one thing and do another. But something inside me has changed lately. I feel closer to God - but further away from the church. I almost feel angry at the church right now and I'm trying to figure out why. It's like going to several different doctors and they all tell you something different. They both practice the same medicine, but their diagnosis is different. I feel that way about the church. Aren't we supposed to love EVERYONE the same? No matter if they are rich, poor, Christians, non-Christians, etc...? I don't feel like I'm hearing that right now. In fact, I had a person tell me just recently (and let me mention up front, this is a person that has invited us to their church, go every time the doors are open, and talk about their walk with God), tell me that she was glad we were going to another church other than Life. She said her son was dating a girl that went to that church and when she wouldn't change churches, he broke-up with her. He wouldn't date anyone that went to a church like that. Huh?? I don't understand that. I always thought having a relationship with God, meant that you loved people like God loves you...unconditionally. Am I missing something? No wonder so many people stray away from the church. Sometimes I feel like I should apologize to people that don't have a relationship with God...that "we" are the ones that have pushed them away. I say "we" meaning the people that go to church and have a relationship with God. Shouldn't we be the ones loving those people RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE?

Blue Like Jazz is a little different, and some people may not relate to this book...but I started reading it because my son (Brandon) read it and asked me to read it. He really related to it, and to be honest, has struggled with church and his relationship with God in the past. I thought if this is something that will help him grow spiritually, then I need to take the time to read it. And I'm glad I did. There were several things I really liked in this book...one was when he (Don, the author) and a group of his friends decided to put a "Confession Booth" on the University Campus. Not knowing how people would react, but they felt the need to do it. And they ended up confessing their sins, and actually apologizing to non-Christians (or so they thought were non-Christians) and ended up reaching out to a lot of people. They got out of their comfort zone and I think that is something I don't do often enough. And the other part of this book I liked was toward the end...the Chapter called "Love, How to Really Love Other People" - I love the way he writes and explains his feelings toward other people. How he says he was using love like money, withholding it to get somebody to be who "he" wanted them to be...disobeying God. Later in that chapter he writes, "When I am talking to somebody there are always two conversations going on. The first is on the surface; politics, or music or whatever our mouths are saying. The other is beneath the surface, on the level of the heart, and my heart is either communicating that I like the person I am talking to or I don't. God wants both conversations to be true. That is, we are supposed to speak truth in love. If both conversations are not true, God is not involved in the exchange, we are on our own, and on our own, we will lead people astray. The Bible says that if you talk to somebody with your mouth, and your heart does not love them, that you are like a person standing there smashing two cymbals together. You are only annoying everybody around you." That made me stop and think how many times I've been talking to a person and not truly engaged...because maybe they aren't my favorite person. Again, it just makes you stop and think about things and put them into perspective. Who am I to be judgmental or decide who to love? Again, God loves us unconditionally and that's the way I want to be. May not always happen, but at least I will be more aware of it in the future. AND, that's the way I wish the church would be. I wish we (as a church) could love people unconditionally.

I will continue to try and figure all of this out within myself. But in the meantime, I would welcome any comments, thoughts...or good books :)

KB

Day Three....

This was the face I got when I pulled into school today. Happy? I think not.

This morning was a little better. Pierce had a great morning, and as usual we played games until it was time to go to school. We left the house a little early so we could grab McDonald's and go by and see Dad before school. He questioned why we were getting dressed so early, and I explained we were going to McDonald's! (trying to divert his attention). Not Pierce, he's too smart for that. But, like a trooper, he got into the car, put his headphones on, and off we went. Life was good...he was laughing at the movie, eating his Micky D's, and then it happened...we pulled into the school. I felt so bad because it was like I deceived him. I told him that school is FUN, and the more he goes, the more friends he will make. Again, the look. When he got into the car yesterday from school, he said me and daddy had told him school was going to be fun...and it isn't!

So today, like every other day this week, I walked him into school, talking to him - pumping him up about school...but he wasn't having it. He walked in, shoulders drooping and sat on the floor in front of his class. I talked to one of the mother's of a boy that is in his class and got their phone number. I think if we can help him get acquainted with some of the kids in his class, he will be more excited about school. Then again, as Brett used to tell me about Brandon...he may be playing me. I am full aware of that :) HOPEFULLY, the minute I leave he perks up and has fun.

Here's to his first week of kindergarten. Next week is Back to school night. A night that Sierra loves! The kids make things, hang them on the wall, and the parents get to go meet the teacher, see their work, and meet new friends from their class. I told Pierce this morning we would see him at Back to school night! He looked at me so serious and said...I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL AT NIGHT?

Bless his heart.

Day Two....

(Pierce sitting at his table in kindergarten. Notice how the kids around him are talking and seem to enjoy school)

And so the saga continues...

Pierce woke up this morning and decided he didn't like school and doesn't want to go anymore. THIS IS DAY TWO OF KINDERGARTEN!

Okay, so I do play non-stop with him...why would he want to go to a controlled environment? This morning we played Wii (tennis, bowling, golf & baseball). Then we moved to the study where we laid out my exercise mat and ball and did gymnastics(and he decided he wanted to be my trainer and put together an exercise program for me :)). We then moved outside to the trampoline to do more gymnastics and wrestle. After I was completely worn out, we came inside and I fixed him lunch. He ate lunch, watched Ben10, while I dressed him for school. This was all before 12:30.

I think I need to stop playing with him, "pretend" I'm really boring (ha)and he may be praying to go to school. Man, that's so difficult because I LOVE playing with him. Somethings gotta give...he has 13 years ahead of him and it isn't going to be fun if he doesn't want to go.

Well, here's to day three hoping it is better!

KB

School Year 08-09

I can't believe another summer has come and gone! Today was the first day of school for Sierra and Pierce. Sierra is now in the 3rd grade, and Pierce started Kindergarten this year. Thankfully, they are now at the same school. Although, Sierra has to be there by 8:45am and Pierce goes in the afternoon and doesn't have to be there until 1pm. I pick them both up at the same time, so that is nice.





Sierra was SO excited about her first day, and couldn't wait to get there. She insisted on matching her "book bag" haha - right down to her pink & lime green nails!














Pierce was a little less excited, but looked adorable in his new school clothes. Not so sure the "white" Polo shoes will stay "white" long, but they look cute nonetheless.

When I picked them up, I asked them both if they made any new friends. Sierra said she had made four new friends - and was on cloud 9. Pierce said it had been too long since he read their name tags, that he couldn't remember his new friends. :) I then asked what their favorite part of the day was...Sierra said everything. She really likes her new teacher, and had a lot of fun on her first day. Pierce said his favorite part was going to recess, and recess. Not so sure he is as "pumped up" about school as Sierra. Let's hope that changes as he gets older.

Brandon actually started school on Monday. He has already applied for graduation and is scheduled to graduate this December.

(Sierra and Pierce this morning. As you can see, Pierce is already playing video games and it isn't even 8am)



One day down...many more too come!

Olympics 2024...HERE I COME!

(Okay, straight down the center, turn, and come back...I can do that)





Megan and Hudson came over yesterday and we had so much fun with them. I can't believe how big he is getting! Sierra decided she wanted to swim, so we went out and sat on the deck to watch her. Hudson decided he wanted to throw all the diving sticks in the pool, and try on all the goggles. He is such a Ham! I guess that is why Pop's calls him HAMBONE! We think he's Olympic material, but then again, we are a little partial!









(Oh...it's so hard to decide which race to enter)

Great Wolf Lodge

This past week we took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas. Call it our "family" vacation, or call it part of Brett's birthday present...that's what we told him. No matter what the reason, we had a BLAST! We all are a little water-logged after spending 48 hours in the water, but no one really cared. The biggest part of the park is indoors, and they have an outdoor area as well (see photo taken from the balcony of our room). We rode every slide, took a tube down the lazy river, tried to jump over waves in the wave pool, and had a picnic under an umbrella outside. It wasn't a long vacation, but one of the best! The kids were awesome, and even said the drive wasn't bad at all. But why would it be when you watch movies (with headphones), play Nintendo DS, play with Bionicles, and eat McDonalds. In fact, I'm not sure they were ready to get out of the car. haha


(Swimming outdoors with the kids)






The room we stayed in was called the Kid's Cabin Suite. It had two separate rooms - one with a bed, tv, kitchen area with refrigerator, etc..., but the other was a cabin for the kids. It looked like a log cabin with two windows, bunk beds, and another twin bed. Oh, and did I mention...a flat screen tv and video games? JB was in heaven.

As we were leaving, they had an animated show for the kids in the lobby of the hotel. If you look closely, you will see our two on the front row - left side.
Last, but one thing they really enjoyed, was MagiQuest. It is kind of like a Treasure Hunt throughout the entire hotel. You purchase magic wands for the kids and they give you a treasure hunt guide book. You have to follow the instructions, go find the treasure, and then finish each quest. We split up and each took one of the kids. They got to keep the wands, and they are good every time they go to that hotel. There were treasures hidden in the stairwells, in treasure chests, and even pictures on the wall. The kids loved it and can't wait to go back. We are thinking about going over there Christmas break (if they have rooms available).

We will post more pictures once we download them, but for now, here are a few. If you ever get the chance to go - great place and they are adding on.




Picture in the lobby as we were leaving Thursday evening. It was 9:30pm and we had been swimming ALL day long (gotta love our JB!).

The Shack

I think I mentioned in a previous post - I've been doing a lot of reading lately. I've read self-help books, biographies, and even the occasional U.S. Weekly (that was for my husband:). But not until my most recent book, The Shack, has a book touched me so deeply. For some reason, I resisted the book at first. Maybe it was all the talk about the book, or maybe it was just the name that didn't appeal to me. Whatever it was, each time my husband mentioned the book, I would say it didn't interest me. Last week I had just finished a wonderful book titled - There is no me without you, by Melissa Fay Greene. It is a heart wrenching story of one woman's odyssey to rescue her country's children (got that straight off the book;). It is about Ethiopia and the the millions of children that are homeless and in orphanages. They have either lost their parent's to Aids, or their parents cannot afford to take care of them any longer. Very sad story, but one that makes me even more determined that adoption is God's plan for us. My dad said it best - when I told him we were considering adopting a child from Ethiopia - and can I just say he was one I was the most scared to tell. He looked at me and said every child deserves a chance. I couldn't believe it, it made me even more determined! So, if you get the chance, and like to read, this is a great book.

Back to The Shack...I researched online (which I do for about everything) and tried to find another book about Ethiopia, Adoption, Aids, etc... and with a few books in mind, headed to Barnes & Noble to get a new book. Once there, they looked for every book I had on my list - oh, did I mention I ALWAYS make lists? haha When they couldn't find any of the books I was looking for, the very helpful lady at the customer service desk suggested a book. I think it was called, Mountain to Mountain. It is a true story about a Dr. that has spent his entire life trying to help those less fortunate. Sounded good, I took the book from her, and as I was headed to check out, The Shack was sitting on a table close to the front of the store. Again, did I mention that we have actually purchased this book before, loaned it to a friend on a trip, and he accidently left it on the plane? I've also picked this book up almost every time I've entered the book store and never purchased it. For some reason, this particular day, I had my book, I was ready to go lay by the pool and read, and The Shack was staring me in the face. My first thought was, I'll buy this for Brett, but I'll read it too because it is something that interests him. So I put my book down, thinking I'm doing my husband a "favor" and I check out. Once home, I put on my swimsuit and head to the pool. I have a new book, the weather is beautiful, and I'm laying on a raft relaxing...what could be better? Well, I guess Brett could have been there with me and that would have made it better :) But this day I was content...just to read and relax (which for those of you who know me, that is difficult for me). I started reading the book and before I knew it, I had been out there for almost 3 hours! I couldn't put it down. I was halfway through the book and consumed by it. I haven't had another chance to read (Pierce & Sierra came over Friday afternoon), until today. Sierra went to the lake with a friend, and Brett & Pierce were inside playing a video game. So I headed back to the pool, got my raft, and began reading again. By the time Brett came outside, I was crying...and I couldn't stop. This book hit me like a ton of bricks...talk about real! I told Brett it is the strangest feeling, I feel like I got more out of this book than I ever did the Bible. Maybe it is all the guilt I carry around, or maybe it is just the realness of our Heavenly Father - Papa. But whatever it is...I want to read it again, and again.From the book: ~Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction~ Man, I never thought of it that way - but with each chapter, I wept more. It was like a ton of bricks hitting me with the realization that we blame God for things that happen in our life. That we feel that he is punishing us when bad things happen, or that he could have stopped it from happening. One particular thing that touched me in this book was when God was talking to Mack... All evil flows from independence, and independence is your choice. If I were to simply revoke all the choices of independence, the world as you know it would cease to exist and love would have no meaning. This world is not a playground where I keep all my children free from evil. Evil is the chaos of this age that you brought to me, but it will not have the final say. Now it touches everyone that I love, those who follow me and those who don't. If I take away the consequences of people's choices, I destroy the possibility of love. Love that is forced is no love at all. WOW...how true that is. We "as humans" are the ones making the choices to make this world so destructive, but how easy it is to blame God. Why is it so darn hard just to love people RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE? I can tell you one thing, it makes you stop and take a good look at yourself. The all so "passive-aggressive" behavior that we at times possess. And to think, if we go to church, we're Christians? What does that mean? Growing up I went to church every Sunday with my grandmother...then when I became a single mother, once a week wasn't enough. I took my children Wednesday night, Sunday morning and Sunday night...well, good for me. I MUST have been a good Christian. NO, I wasn't, I was just going to church...but I didn't have a true relationship with God. It wasn't until I met my husband that I truly understood this. At first, it was a hard pill to swallow. But now, I know more than ever what it means to have a real relationship. It's a day-to-day, hour-by-hour, one-on-one, relationship. Brett talks to God like he is talking to me. I always thought that was weird (or he was weird:), until now. I SEE IT! I really see it. He IS our Father and we ARE his children. He wouldn't hurt his children anymore than we would hurt ours...and he hurts when we hurt. Whew...sorry for the Burleson sermon :), but I want to thank everyone who recommended this book. I may be a little slow...but I'm getting there. And THANK YOU to my new family for helping me along the way.