Helping me mother

Kennedy is into helping with EVERYTHING.  She loves to tell Jaxen "no-no" - and to be a Good boy and OBEY...ha!  At least we are getting through to her right?!  

Well - I am constantly saying - "Let me be the mommy"....

so today - Jaxen was hitting his toy on the TV...and Kennedy said "HURRY MOM...Hit his hand!"...

HA!  Perhaps we need to have a clarification between hitting and spanking....  :)

"Ted"

Lately we've been praying that we would have eyes like Jesus. That we would be able to see people for WHO they are...not how they are dressed - or how they act - or what they do....but for the creatures that God created them to be. This has given us an ENTIRE new outlook on people...it's been an insane ride. 
It's so easy as humans to make friends that are so much LIKE us - everyone wants to be a part of the "in" crowd - and be invited to things - and feel accepted....but that doesn't always happen! The problem with this is that Jesus didn't model that for us in any way, shape or form. Instead of staying close to his disciples and being surrounded by them 24/7 - He would break away from them and go out to meet others. The disciples would have never reached out to the ones that Jesus did...and in fact questioned Him on several occasions! THIS is the model that we are supposed to follow! Christ didn't see these people as sinners - or poor - or the ones who weren't dressed properly...he didn't look to be friends with the guy who was the funny one - or the girl who had all the talent. Instead he found the individuals whom no one else would befriend - and loved on them. This is the mindset that Jon and I are TRYING to adopt. In and through that goal - we have been able to find friendships in the strangest places! People who we would have never dreamed we would befriend - or people that are easily over looked. In return - we've been sooo blessed by meeting some of the neatest people and developing relationships that are growing! 

Today - Jon came home from work and told me that he took time out today to talk to this guy at work. He's kind of the "dork" of the office - and whenever he talks - people usually snicker and roll their eyes. First of all - that breaks my heart in a million pieces. Jon asked him if he had kids today...and the guy proceeded to tell him that he had 2 boys about 16 months apart. Immediately Jon could relate to him b/c of how close in age our kids are. (You have no idea how many relationships this has helped us find common ground in) Jon was telling him that our kids are at the age where they are so needy and they've started "fighting" (which we won't allow) over toys and things. 
"Ted" told Jon that he didn't have to worry about fighting with his 2 kids. Jon was a little excited by this and was hoping the guy would say that "In a year - they'd be best friends". Instead this guy (who has been ignored by ALL in the office) proceeded to tell Jon that his son had almost drowned a year ago. He went on to say that his son was unable to take care of himself in any way. He's unable to even move his head or raise his eyebrow. This guy - (who has been ignored by ALL in the office) has been carrying around this heavy burden. It has just been a year ago that this happened. See - this guy just moved his family here from Oklahoma, has no friends, just started a new job, and leaves his wife every day with one special needs child and one "normal-functioning" child - to fight traffic and sit behind a desk...only to be laughed at and made fun of. Gosh - I don't know about you - but I can't stand the thought. My eyes fill up with tears and my heart breaks for this man. 
All it took was Jon taking his eyes off of himself and his problems - and his every day stress - and taking time to listen to this guy. Jon was able to stop what He was doing - stop trying to get ahead - and just STOP and listen. He was able to share some scripture with him - and did so without being apologetic. "Ted" was completely moved by these actions...and perhaps - if only for today - he can go home FULL...and be able to serve his wife and kids - even if only for today. 
I hope that we ALL take these precious opportunities....I hope that God puts people in your path that you can just stop and listen too....that you can take time to get to know....that you can GET OUT of your comfort zone and be a little uncomfortable with! It makes me shudder to think about how many opportunities I've missed out on...just because I was too busy and too selfish to notice.

Jaxen's 1!

Looking back a year ago today...was a very different time!  First of all...I had just had a c-section...and was recovering in the Hospital.  Secondly - I had a beautiful baby boy named JAXEN! :)  Crazy!  Also on this day - the CELTICS were winning the championship (GO PAUL PIERCE) .   (Sorry Jon)

I can't believe Jaxen is 1 already.  With your first child - it seems like the longest year of your life!  You are pushing them to hold their bottles - then trying to get them to crawl and then pushing them to walk....but with your second...it's completely different!  Suddenly time can't slow down - and life starts flying by without you feeling it!  

Also this day a year ago...our house had been sitting on the market for 5 months.  We KNEW we were moving - but didn't know when or how...and we were VERY unsettled in our current state of life.  Funny part is - that on this day at about 4pm - we got a call from our realtor that our house had gone under contract!....We KNEW God had just the right timing - and we called for a 45 day closing - which would allow us to move by August 1st.  

We had so many unanswered questions - the hows and why's were HUGE and the not knowing KILLED ME!  I remember calling my mom and Danielle - and crying to them about how this was NOT fair....how could a man (Jon's boss) play with our lives!?  What were we supposed to be doing - and how was it going to happen!?  Where would the money for the move come - and how could we afford our car - etc.  So many questions - no answers.  

I am thankful - looking back - for the time we went through.  It made us stronger - we knew we were on the same team.  Suddenly - we didn't need anyone else - it was just about us and the good of our family.  It was an amazing time of growth.  We are thankful for giving us 2 healthy kids...they bring us so much Joy.  (As I'm writing this - they are BOTH screaming their heads off and crying)...so I keep telling myself that they bring us mostly joy.  :)  

I know we have many more memories to make and fun to have as they grow.  We are also so thankful that God moved us to Charlotte.  What an incredible feeling to be right smack dab in God's will for us!  We feel like we were brought here to be a part of Crosspoint (which I've said over and over) - but each new day and new story and new life changed reminds us of that.  

It's been a great year!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAXEN....and many many more!  

Bout of sickness

Well -this week has been awful. :) I agree with a good friend who said..."I'd like a Do-Over please?" The kids and I have all been sick. Super sick. Horrible viral sinus stuff! Both kids had ear infections as well....that makes for an interesting day. 2 sick toddlers and 1 sick Mommy=no fun! :) All mom's can agree having sick kids is the pits! To top it off - Jon had MAJOR meetings at work this week. He had to leave the house at 6:30am - and didn't get home until 8pm. Whew! There were a couple of days where I didn't know if I was going to make it. Couldn't even climb the stairs b/c of dizziness and fever! :(

We got Kennedy some medicine - and well...found out it didn't quite agree with her body...in the middle of the mall yesterday. :) We were finally feeling better - and so we decided to try to get out of the house. There was a guy who was doing Consumer Report Research which paid you $20 to do a short survey!! (of course I signed Jon and I up!) $40 to do a 10 minute survey each...sweet! That could be a dinner out! First of all - the guy doing the survey was VERY SLOW...and I don't mean - UN-FAST. I mean slow. It was sad. He didn't know how to spell...or read. :( I felt so sorry for him - but it did end up taking longer than 10 minutes. I signed something saying I wouldn't talk about the survey...but let's just say I failed...and it had to do with tasting chocolate. HA! (Maybe I am the slow one?)...so I only got $5...still...that's 5 large Tea's at McDonalds!

When I came back Jon and the kids weren't there. Of course - my nature thought the worst...what if they left me!? HA! I had been SUPER sick and snotty all week.... :) Maybe he thought I could use a good walk home ... by myself!? I waited for a while - walked around...they were nowhere! Finally, I started checking bathrooms...and of course - had to check the mens! Ugh. They were in one of them....and as Jon was coming out, I saw that Kennedy was only in her diaper. :) Ahhh....turns out she exploded in the kids play area. EWWWWWWWW. All over her clothes....dripping down her legs....oh man. What a diaper for Jon to get! HA! (oops) It was ALL over the bathroom floor, all over the garbage can, all over the changing table. We can't even begin to explain the LOOKS we got as we exited the mall with a naked child. haha! It's happened 2 more times since then....but in our house...thankfully!

We are getting our carpets cleaned Monday...and calling the Dr. for a different medicine Monday. :)

On another note...Grandma...my tomatoes are starting to bloom! (Is that what you call it?) they are green - and about the size of a large cherry tomato! ;) can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!! Random...I know this.

A wise man once told me....

Just because you're supposedly "good" at something...doesn't mean it's your time to do it.

I mean...just because you are funny...doesn't mean you are "meant" to be a comedian.

Just because you can speak in front of people - doesn't mean that you are supposed to be an orator.

Just because I can teach my children a lesson about sharing - doesn't mean I'm supposed to be a teacher.

Just because I can carry a tune...doesn't mean I'm supposed to be a singer.

I can't tell you how free that made me feel! I am so thankful for his wise advice! He also told me that God takes where we are weak...and uses it to make us strong - so that when we are done...the only thing people can say is "Look what God has done!" .... That is EXCITING TO ME!!! I am not a Children's ministry expert...or even knowledgeable in any form or fashion! I have no experience (besides the past few months...and no fancy degree to hang in my office...ahem...my living room) ;)

This is all trial and error for me! I pray that God will lead me and give me wisdom in the decisions I make regarding the ministry....and that when all is said and done....people will exclaim..."Come and SEE what the Lord is DOING at Crosspoint!"

Top Ten Updates

1) Kennedy will do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to be like Jon or I - except go potty on the big girl potty.... (PS - Jon goes on the "Big Boy" potty)

2) Yesterday I caught Kennedy with my syringe in the bathroom - trying to squirt water into her mouth. (I've been doing this every time I eat anything since my wisdom teeth came out)

3) Kennedy is starting to talk up a STORM...she's always jabbering - and it actually makes sense! I LOVE talking with my little girl! She is so sweet.

4) Jaxen is too cute to discipline. (Come on...you've all been there)

5) When I DO...force myself....he usually looks at me and laughs...or gets his little heart broken. (Which is also SOO cute b/c his lip comes out so far) HA!

6) I'm having baby fever...but doing nothing about it...just sayin' (We're not done...if God allows)

7) I have the best husband known to man. I'm serious about this...he's too good to be true...still. And he doesn't have to try hard. It comes naturally to him. I appreciate his character - and for being 1 step ahead of just being "good". I can not name even 1 girl he thinks is pretty (even movie stars)...b/c he knows that it's doing nothing to edify me by pointing out pretty girls!!! I love this about him..even though I don't think it would make me jealous - it gives satan NOTHING to play with my mind over...EVER.

8) I love my job...love it. I couldn't ask for a better gig right now...the paycheck is just a bonus used to pay my childcare and cell phone....but I'd do it for free! (if I had free childcare and unlimited cellphone plan) HA!

9) Jaxen is into EVERYTHING...and I mean EVERYTHING. When he starts walking...I am in trouble...seriously getting nervous about this. (Hense #6 and waiting)

10) It's almost officially summer...and we have some pretty exciting stuff coming down the pike...HURRY up and get here!!!!! Most of it consists of seeing YOU! (if you're reading this from out of town!) :)

In case you're wondering....

In case you're wondering WHY I do what I do...why I love talking about my church and why I LOVE my job...

please read the following...
This was written by our Pastor (Jimmy Wade)....

How can you NOT be a part of something like this?!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Burden

I have such a burden for my church and for my community. I want our church to know the joy of following Christ as a way of lfe. I want them to know what it means to radically submit their lives to Him in complete abandon and surrender. I want them to realize that our church is a body that isn't complete unless everyone finds their place of service on Sunday mornings throughout every ministry. I want them to long for Sundays and not dare miss our worship gatherings because they know Christ is there. I want our church to see the vision of filling every seat in Ardrey Kell, not because we want to be big but because we want to make a dent in the vast seventy-five percent of people who don't attend church. I want them to feel the burden that Jesus has for our community and see it through his eyes and sense the lostness and hopelessness that pervades much of our city! I want our church to find ways to tell their friends to "come and see" because they know they won't be ashamed to bring them to Crosspoint! I want them to see themselves as Christ's hands and feet in this community and give of themselves because they have so much to give and they can share of the world's goods because they know they have more than they need. I want our church to love this community, not because it offers them so much but because we can offer it so much! I want our church to love the unloveable, to touch the untouchable, to give to the ungrateful, to forgive the unforgiveable, to do whatever Jesus would do no matter who it is! I dream of this, I long for this, I pray for this, I believe in this. May God make it so!