I have returned from spending the weekend with my daughter, my mother, my grandmother and her sister.

It was a great time. It was a weekend full of home-cooking, hugs, stories, laughter and a bit of shopping.

We left for our journey back home mid-morning Sunday. Which means I didn't go to church. That hardly ever happens. It is rare that I'm not at a church on Sunday morning. We even go to church when we are on vacation.

I miss it. I miss hearing Gods word preached and hymns sung.

Anna and I made it home just in time for our Sunday evening service. We sat on the back pew because we arrived just after church had begun. The boys looked back and saw me. I wish I had a picture of their faces. It was beautiful. I fell in love with them all over again.

It was a great refreshing weekend away from home. And the homecoming was just as wonderful!

Family

In the last couple of weeks I have seen family.

Not just Stephen and the kids, but family-family.

I have seen my dad, his wife and her daughter, my cousin, her husband, and their daughter. My aunt and uncle, my sister, my mother and her aunt. My grandmother and my uncle.

And Sunday I think I am going to see another aunt and uncle.

I am being swarmed by family. Well, ok swarmed is not the correct word. Its just that we were talking about swarms of bees at dinner and it was still on my mind.

I am being loving hosted in the homes of loved ones. How about that?

It is the most fun! Usually I only see these people at Christmas and we are all together at the same place for a limited amount of time and no real visiting goes on.

(As I was typing that horrible run-on sentence I thought of my cousin Sarah and her family. I've not seen them since Christmas and won't see them in the near future. I wish I could!) (Oh! Sarah is an English teacher and is not a fan of the run-on or fragmented sentence!)

This has just been a great two weeks. Growing up, we were around most of this family and I took it for granted. But, I have lived away from home for almost 16 years now and I miss family.

I miss the identity I have in my family. I miss the love, compassion and familiarity of family.

But this has made up for it.

The rest of the story

The thing about a blog is that I only tell you what I want you to know.

It may seem like you are delving into my private life, looking in my windows. But what you are reading and what you know about me is only what I allow you to know.

Today I'm going to tell you that a prayer I've been praying for over 2 years has been answered.

Anna is potty trained!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I get a Halleluja!?!

We have been working on this since January 2007. Never stopping, never giving up, never buying diapers the whole time.

It hasn't been easy. It has been terribly hard. There have been many tears, many prayers, many tests run. Many times I have doubted my ability to parent.

Its really amazing how the will of a 2,3,4,5 year old make a grown mother of 4 doubt.

I wanted to tell you about this as soon as I realized we finally had success. But I've wanted to make sure.

Real sure.

I can't tell you how excited we all are. (Even the boys had been praying) There is a sense of freedom, a burden lifted, a secret silenced.

Anna is a darling little girl. She is growing up to be a beautiful, sweet and outgoing girl. And we are so proud of her.

I am in Kentucky.

It's my first time here and so far I'm really liking it.

Well, except for the fact that I haven't seen a Walmart or a Target since I've been here. And I need some Tre'seme hairspray!

I have listened to some great music and even greater preaching. There are some really good preachers out there!

Stephen and I are having a good time together. The kids are having a good time away from us. Everyone is happy and doing well.

We've eaten some good meals. Today we came across, quite by accident, a sandwich shop by the Univ. of Louisville campus called "The Lunch Pail". If you are ever in Louisville, I highly recommend this little place. Good stuff.

I have more to say, but it is time to go to sleep because we have to be at breakfast at 7:00! We have to BE THERE at 7:00! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

More later!

Any Theologians out there?

Anna, the 5 year old princess of this wild family has some theology that needs some help.

She said "Jesus is the sun and God is the world."

Did you notice my spelling of the word sun? It wasn't spelled wrong. That is what she thinks.

That Jesus is the big fireball up in the sky and God is the world(planets and moons).

So, if you know of anyone that can help us with theology let me know. Because our resident theologian isn't doing a very good job with this child!

A Mothers Heart

Last night did my heart proud.

It had been a rough day. A disappointing one. Not in my children, but in adults.

I was disgusted and just sad.

Then I got a note via Facebook (have I told you how much I heart Facebook?) that D&D had a baseball double-header. They were terribly saddened by the news.

You see, they don't really like to play baseball. They haven't been very successful in the sport this year. It just broke my heart to know that they were going to have to play 2 games in 1 night, when they didn't want to play even the first game.

But we went. And they played. And I mean THEY PLAYED. They both hit all but one time they were up to bat. They both made it home. They were so excited. I was so excited. They coach was happy and the other parents were so proud of them. It was a really good night on the pitching machine field last night.

While David and Daniel were "hitting the ball right and left" (that quote was by a team members big brother that came and got me) I was also having to watch Samuel's game.

You see, he also had a double header!
4 games-one night-one parent! Too much fun!!

Samuel also had a great 2 games! He hit hard, he ran fast. He played catcher tough and even got to play 1st base, which is truly his favorite position to play.

We got home at 10:15. And all of my boys were happy.
D&D weren't sad and mopey anymore. They were excited and had a renewed sense of accomplishment. Samuel was giddy about his team winning their division.

It did my heart good.

I hope ya'll have a great weekend.
And if you're on facebook, ask me to be your friend! I want to have more than Stephen!

I'm Back!!

And I'm sure you're excited beyond words!

I guess I should have told you that I was taking a break. But I really didn't know I was going to take one. It just sort of happened.

School ended on the 14th. I went out of town that weekend and then last week I just took a self-imposed week of silence.

I'm not sure why. It is as if God just shut my mouth. I had nothing to say. It was like I couldn't carry on a meaningful conversation. With anyone. Not even myself.

I wish I could tell you that I studied my Bible with a new found intensity. But I didn't. I wish I had.

I did spend quality time with my kids. I got some things done at church. I cooked a couple of ok meals.

I didn't even go to Walmart. Last week was indeed a strange week.

I hope this week is different. Although I enjoyed the quietness of me. As I'm sure those around me did too.

This week summer begins for us. Goggles have been purchased, sunscreen will be applied, floaties are aired-up, and the pool is open!!! This family is excited!

Summer is here and I am back. What more could you ask for?!!

Don't answer that!

Talk to you later!