we skipped school today

and this is what we learned instead....

I was reading an article on the recent Duck Dynasty happenings...

The Patriarch, Phil Robertson, was recently asked in a GQ magazine his personal belief on Gay marriage. His response was that he believes what is in the Bible - marriage is a union between and man and a woman. In my opinion, the reporter knew what his answer to this question would be without ever asking it. They have always stood FIRM in their faith from day one. It was a baited question to stir controversy and it worked. A&E decided to remove Phil from filming with the family on the show. (I could go on and on about this topic but that's not why I am writing this.) Phil's response is that more people needed to love God and love their neighbor. He loves people and does not hate.

 

Parker was sitting beside me and said "Mom! The Duck Dynasty CREW!" what does it say? And I told him that Phil was asked a question about marriage and what it means. He responded with words and his belief in the bible, that marriage is with a man and a women, and because he stood up for what God's word said - he was not allowed to be on TV anymore and the show would probably be gone. Parker looked confused. I told him that lots of people in the world do not believe what the Bible says. He said "ok... (short pause) and mom, when I am seven I really want to go to the school where I can learn about the bible and talk about it. I don't want to go to the school where I cant read the bible."  "And do you remember that king (Nebuchadnezzar) who wanted the three guys to bow to him and pray? Mom, they just stood there and prayed to our God instead. They were thrown in the fire, God saved them!" I was so amazed that a barely six year old could see the relation to this persecution and the importance of standing firm in your faith when you are being tested. And then he said "you know what else mom? Jesus loves all people. even when they are wrong." "Even when I don't listen to my mom and dad, Jesus loves me." He literally had a TEAR in his eyes and said "these are happy tears. Jesus loves me."

 

Speechless.

 

The Little Children and Jesus

¹⁵ People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Theology from a six year old.

I am SO glad we skipped our 3 hour school day so I could have this conversation

 

 

Paige

 

 

PS... Colton was listening so closely to this conversation and when I looked over at him he had teary eyes and said " Mom. I have happy Jesus tears too."

He said it with red and green stains all over his nose.... from the M&M's he had just stuck up his nostrils.

Two years later....

It's time to get back into this blog! It's been TWO years and a LOT has been going on... I was reading old posts and I love that this journal is here for our kids to read someday! Let's get back to it, Mom!

Let's see....

First of all, Chad and I are going on seven years of marriage! Still madly in love and enjoying life together! We moved into a new home in Magnolia one year ago this week. Chad is working for Spitzer in Houston and doing great! He is a project manager and really enjoys his job. He is blessed to work with a lot of fun guys that all enjoy the outdoors!

Parker is SIX years old! He started Kindergarten and is loving it. He is starting to read, tie his shoes, do math problems and is quite the little man. He still has a great vocabulary and is such a helper around the house. He is a delight!

Colton is now 3 1/2! He is an adorable little mess! He is so tenderhearted still, loves to make people laugh, super duper smart - can memorize any book he reads, SILLY and accident prone... he breaks something almost every.single.day! It's a good thing he is so darn cute and affectionate ;) His favorite thing to tell us right now is "I love everyone that lives in our house... mommy, daddy, Parker, Aubrie and me"

AND speaking of Aubrie....

We have a daughter! Aubrie Grace is 12 weeks old and absolutely perfect! She was born on July 29th, 2013 @ 3pm sharp! She weighed 7# 13oz and was 19 1/2'' long. She is the sweetest thing. A snuggly, little princess. God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams!

Thankful for all of our abundant blessings in this life we live! Praying that God continues to use our family as an encouragement and light for families around us!

And... highlight reel from the last two years....

Colton 18 months, Parker 2 yrs 10 months

 

 

Parker 4! Colton 1 1/2

 Parker 4, Colton 2

 

4, 2

 Colton's 2nd bday! 2012

 

 

Camping for Easter 2012

4 1/2, 2

Parker's 5th bday

October 2012... Parker 5, Colton 2

Moving into our new house while daddy is Elk hunting!

Daddy coming home to our new house!

 

5 and 2

The new ranch in South Texas!

2013

 

 

 

Colton's 3rd birthday

Mommy pregnant with Aubrie Grace, Colton 3

Day before Aubrie was born!

First day of Kinder and preK 3

 

Make my heart your Bethlehem

Merry Christmas! 

Life is so good. So sweet. So incredibly blessed.

I'm so thankful for Jesus and the celebration of His holy birthday. 

If you could see behind me as I type this, you would see a disaster. The sound of noisy children. An undecorated Christmas tree. No gift wrap. A hot mess. I frazzled hair mom. Imperfect people. 

But in the midst of this disaster and craziness there is a peace here. 

A peace that only comes from the One who was born for each one of us... He would have been born even if you were the only one he would die for. This is the reason we celebrate this HOLYday (Holiday) so weather it be Happy Holiday or Merry Christmas... I pray that everyone have the opportunity to know God, know peace and know what it feels like to live with Jesus... make your heart His Bethlehem.

Stokely Family Guidelines

Although this list is not original, it's filled with Biblical truths and was found from a resource of the Duggar family from 19 Kids and Counting on TLC, It encompasses so many "guidelines" Chad and I would like to have for our family. We now have it framed and sitting on our bar to help serve as a reminder of how we will serve the Lord inside (and outside) our home. And... what a great reminder for this stay at home momma ;) Hold me accountable friends! 

Deut. 6:4-9 "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Stokely Family Guidelines

1. Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well. 


2. Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.


3. Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others' character.


4. Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.


5. Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.


6. Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.


7.Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through (Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose)

8. Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.


9. Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don't wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.


10. Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line. The power of sin is in secrecy. 


11. Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.


12. Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, right, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy, think about such things Romans 13:14 Clothe yourself with the Lord JC, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of sinful nature).

13. Always give a good report of others. Don't gossip! Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. (Use Matthew 18.)


14. Never raise a hand to hit.


15. Never raise a foot to kick.


16. Never raise an object to throw.


17. Never raise a voice to yell.


18. Never raise an eye to scowl.


19. Use one toy/activity at a time. Share! 


20. Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.


21. Never let the sun go down on your wrath.  
(Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)


   22. Amendment J.O.Y.  Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

SuperMom or Abiding Mom?

Here is a link to really great blog post from a friend in College Station, Kendra Duty (her husband is the pastor of NewLife Baptist Church and Kendra and I were in MOPS together). It is loaded with some awesome Truth and great reminders for our motives in mothering and in friendships - in person or on the web.

This is the post:

This week I was able to give another devotional at my MOPS group, one that the Lord has placed on my heart for awhile. There are a few others I have typed up:here, here and here. Honestly, as much as it impacted anyone, the Lord used my thinking through it, meditating on it and evaluating my own motives to impact me. I told the ladies in the room that I was preaching to myself, and they were just there to listen in! I was encouraged to hear that it struck a cord with other ladies there, as well. (Phew!)

The social networks (facebook, twitter, blogs…) are all the rage these days. I got on facebook the year after I graduated college and had NO idea it would take off like it has. All of social media is a mixed bag to me. It can be used for good, but many times is not...the evil is lurking, especially in the area of self-promotion. 

Social networking makes it super easy to gain glory for ourselves. There’s even a phenomena known as the “SUPERMOM”. Have you heard of her? Well, anyone can be one. 

Simply:

• keep the home like Martha Stewart, perfect and beautiful
• but don’t spend any time doing it because that time should be spent doing learning activities with your children constantly (so that they are baby geniuses, of course)
• be a dating diva who plans thoughtful dates for your hot hubby
• be the ultimate do-it-yourselfer. As a matter of fact, don’t pay for anything. Make it all (but just make sure it doesn’t look like you made it)
• oh, and you should be looking fabulous while you do all this (?!)

Do you know this woman or are you this woman? The first thing one of them said to me was, "that's you!" I don't doubt that I have tried to be this woman, but I have fallen short or I have given up the most important things if I have succeeded. I tend to DO a lot of things, just like Supermom, but I certainly don'twant to be Supermom. I want to be an Abiding Mom. The Abiding Mom IS.

Click for a chart put together by Confessions of a Homeschooler, called Abiding Mom. I laminated this chart and put it on my fridge to remember the truth of abiding in Christ rather than the things that I do. 

Our true character is who we are, it’s NOT the things we do, NOT who we appear to be and NOT the way we are perceived by others. Dave Kraft puts it this way,"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are." 
Here are some truths that we can cling to daily:

• I am fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator of the universe
• I am known by Him (He searches me, He knows me, He discerns my thoughts, and there is nowhere I can go from His presence).
• I am created with purpose, fulfilling the calling He has given to me
• I am loved and treasured by God
• I am of great worth in God’s eyes

Why is it so hard to rest in this truth though? Why do we feel the need to gain worth through others' acclaim and praise for something we've done? It's tangible, that's for sure. You can post something funny or awesome and a few hours and 28 comments or tweets later, you feel pretty sure of yourself. What are your motives in getting that praise? And what about the day-to-day HARD work of mothering that often doesn’t result in much praise? I know I don't feel very thanked during diaper changes when I am kicked, screamed at and flung poo at. Nonetheless, I can rest in the fact that I am being faithful to God's call for me as a mother. 

Some may struggle with the other side of the spectrum, not feeling valued and of worth no matter what you have done. Either way, we are failing to rest in the truth of the Word, reminding ourselves of the truth often. Instead, we let the lies of the enemy or the lure of the world drown out His truth. If we have a right view of God, hold fast to scripture and train our minds in truth we will be ready when those temptations come. I am asking God to help us as women to be confident in who we are in Christ, recognizing the amazing grace we have been shown (especially when we fail) and practicing that grace not only with ourselves, but with others (the goal here being to determine your motives, not someone else's, recognizing our own need for a Savior).

In Jesus’ life, he healed many and there is something to be said for the state of those that he healed: they knew their desperate need and they put all their hope in Jesus. The world teaches us all too well how to masquerade as if we have everything under control and aren’t broken, aren’t in need of healing…we pretend to be strong, pretend we don’t need to be redeemed.

Jesus wasn’t just a good teacher who had wise sayings that we can read about every now and then, He wasn’t even just a healer of physical afflictions. He was and is God who came to the earth to redeem us once and for all. God wanted to restore the relationship with us that had been broken by sin because He loves us and wants to commune with us. We separated ourselves by our sin and made that impossible. So, he made a way. It was painful, sacrificial, excruciating... It was the ONLY way. He sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf. Jesus didn’t stay there for long though. After three days, He showed His power over death by rising from the dead and defeating the power of sin in our lives. Those who believe in Him, He says He clothes in robes of righteousness all His own, having nothing to do with us. 

Romans 10:9-10 says that all who confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and all who believe in their heart that God raised them from the dead will be saved. 

To paraphrase Mike Wilkerson:  Imagine your worst moment of guilt and shame. The memory that would haunt you to the grave if you let it. In light of that sin you can’t imagine that God would forgive you. Let me let you in on something. It was at that moment that Christ died for you. At your worst, God gave you His best. If you’ve not done what the scripture says up to this point, don’t delay. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved.

2 Cor. 5:17 puts it this way, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old(sinful self) has passed away, behold! The new (pure, spotless, blameless) has come!

If we know Christ in this way, there is no reason not to see ourselves in this light. The new has come! Amen!  We don’t have to earn anything to add to who we are. We don’t have to “measure up”. Christ measured up perfectly on our behalf. We don’t have to impress others because we serve Christ (not man, not woman, not supermom). And if we serve Christ, we make it our goal to please Him in our calling (as a wife, as a mom, as whatever else He has called you to), being aware of His amazing grace towards us when we fail (which happens all too often!). 

Your self-worth and confidence is based on the righteousness of Christ on your behalf. When God looks upon His children, He doesn’t see supermoms or superchristians, baby Christians or baby mamas, He sees Christ. We forget that and instead try to measure up, hiding our imperfections and finding our worth in the things we do or how we are seen. 

Mike Wilkerson has a great analogy in his awesome book, Redemption, he says this:

“Imagine you were to fix a theater spotlight on a stage actor and then point a toy flashlight at a blemish on the actor’s face. What happens? Nothing. Why? Because the spotlight is so bright that the flashlight has no effect. It’s not that the flashlight isn’t shining, it’s just that it doesn’t make any difference. The glory of God in the face of Jesus – his grace, mercy, forgiveness, cleansing and healing – simply outshines any of the blemishes that haven’t faded yet; but they are fading and in the end, they’ll all be gone.”

Who are you in your Father’s eyes? Are you confident in His spotlight (the radiant child who points back to Him) OR are you desperately seeking a flicker or glimmer of your own goodness and deeds to be noticed in order to feel worth?

In one of my favorite books, Loving the Little Years, she mentions fruit-bearing trees and says this regarding them, “God told them to make something, and they do it enthusiastically. They don’t care what happens to the fruit. They do not measure their efforts or fuss when no one appreciates it.” 

Oh that we could be like those trees! Confident in our purpose and confident of the results or lack of results, knowing that we are simply doing what God has called us to do. In many ways we have let our cultural admiration for efficiency find its way into our parenting…but there are times when digging in the dirt with our kids and making mud pies (completely throwing our selves into an otherwise useless activity) is the best kind of fruit we can bear in growing our relationship with our children.

There is something freeing about laughing at yourself, knowing that amidst a fallen world, God is calling YOU to live victoriously in all things, including mud pies. 

So, how is God calling you to forsake the calling of a supermom and simply be the abiding mom?

Happy 4th Birthday, Parker!

Happy FOURTH Birthday, Parker Lane! 

It is hard to believe that four years ago we were blessed with you! The moments have flown by and I really believe that each day with you is more special than the last. You have grown up so much over the last year. You have grown into a boy. There is no longer anything little or toddler about you. You have grown into your head ;), you have lost your chubby round face, you are long and skinny like a little boy should be. You are smart... you have the sharpest memory and you continue to speak like a grown man. You are very independent and I love that (most of the time) about you. You are an amazing big brother to Colton. You both adore each other and are the best of friends. I love watching you interact with him; sharing, teaching, playing. You absolutely inherited the 'hunting gene' and would rather be outside exploring, hunting, camping, playing more than anything else. You are so wise. You are growing each day in your love and understating of our Creator. You are a beautiful child of God and we are so blessed to be your parents. We pray that you continue to grow in health and happiness over the next year. We pray that your heart continues to grow for the Lord. I can't even begin to imagine what the next year might bring with you! We love you forever! Mommy and Daddy

Colton at 20 months! :)

And an object of mass destruction! ;) 

Anywhere Colton is, you will be smiling. He is the cutest toddler i've ever been around. He has a look in his eye that means mischievous. He will climb, throw, jump, run and tumble into fun and destruction anywhere he goes! He is 100% in love with his big brother and looks just like his daddy. Colton is super affectionate and loves to hug and kiss on his mommy. He has grown so much in the last month. He is turning into a babbling boy, trying to exert independence and learning new things every day. 

I love my gig as a stay at home mommy and wife to Chad. I feel so blessed that God has us right where we are supposed to be. Planting seeds of His love. 

Hello, World!

Hello out there, to anyone still interested in following a blog that is infrequently updated! ;)Our life is completely different from the seven months ago when I last posted a picture update!

We are now feeling like residents of New Braunfels, Texas and our hearts are settled in too. Our home is no longer a beautifully built structure but "home" is now defined as where we hang our hearts. We are cozy, comfy and have a beautiful view of the Guadalupe river! We've really been able to enjoy the awesome place God created here, rivers, lakes, parks, rope swings, a slower pace of life. It's been a blessing in ways we had never imagined. Family time is frequent and our time with the Creator in His creation has been awesome. Literally!

The boys are busy little blessings! :) I love being their mommy and I am so so so thankful that God has allowed me to be at home with them. Parker is almost FOUR! He is Mr. super personality. He is full of knowledge and uses words like "stupendous" in context daily. He is still completely into the outdoors and has a great imagination. He is writing letters and has a love for learning anything new! He has been on a Gluten Free diet for the past 3 1/2 months and has been healthier than ever. Colton is 18 months tomorrow! He is a joy! He is running everywhere, brings a smile to everyone (unless he is hijacking a toy from big brother) and is a lover! He is so generous and shares easily. He is trying hard to verbalized words and anyone that's been around him has heard his signature ear piercing squeal. :) And I almost forgot to mention that Colton's lovey is a Woody doll and goes everywhere, even swimming, with us. Parker and Colton play really well together and I love watching them grow up side by side. They share a room, toys, friends, laughter (some tears), love and lots of great memories!

Chad is still really enjoying his job and that is such a blessing! :) He definitely has a place in the marketing/outside sales world! His light is shining out there and it's so neat to watch your spouse grow at home and in his career.

I've definitely been entertained by the boys on our days at home! From blowing kazoos with their noses, potty training messes... Yep, that included painting the pantry door with poop- actually I want to document that story so here it is...

Colton woke up one morning, sat on his little green frog potty and stumbled into the kitchen for his morning milk cup. I gave him is cup and started unloading the dishwasher. Colton helps out and I continue. I smell a "fresh" new aroma in the kitchen turn around and yep! Mommy forgot to put a diaper on and now has a pile to tend to! I clean up the mess and surprisingly
Colton didn't even step in it! What a relief. I continue with the dish washer and am greeted by another smiling face. Parker gets his milk and turns around and then says "Mommy!!!! Is that POOP?!" ..... What?! I thought I cleaned that mess, could it be?! No....
Colton had another accident, this time by the back door. He had grabbed a spatula out of the dishwasher and decided to paint with it. YUCK! And humorous. A good scrub, sanitizing and one bath later we were ready for our next adventure!

So a little encouragement to another mom to littles out there, we might not be feeling important in our daily tasks.... Really how does cleaning up poop compare to board meetings and the real world? Girls, we are raising the real worlds future. We can show patience, crisis control, mercy and other fruits to our children in situations like these! A poop mess or a future poopy mess of life... Responses just might be similar and I'm trying to embrace these moments as God gives them.

So that is us! In a nutshell. Blessed by His grace, loving because of Him!