Kids Kountry Fun Land

Ok, I was going to post these the other night with the last post, but I got carried away and ran out of time. I really just meant to post that picture of the cloud and description, but as I write sometimes I get reflective and windy. I was just reeling from what the Lord was showing me, and I guess I just wanted to share. I will try to keep these posts shorter with more pics of the kids. I certainly don't want it to be a soap box. (whatever that means-soap box? where did that come from any way?) These pics are from our Saturday trip to Branson. There is a fun place for kids that isn't as badly priced as "steal-your dollar city". WE had such a good time. We don't do stuff like this real often, and I was delighted at how the kids just had a good time. I don't think I heard one fight, complaint, or competitive argument the whole time we were there!! Not even when Alexis beat Aaron on the go-carts. Oh, the go-carts were so entertaining! Alexis would not let this little boy (not Aaron) get ahead of her. She kept cutting him off, without hitting him, of course. And then towards the end she was distracted from the road while waving and smiling at Eli and ran right into a parked go-cart! It was quite funny--nobody was hurt. After the little fun park we met Kevin's old boss, Ken, at the Landing near the Lake Taneycomo. Ken and his family were up from Dallas. His wife is from Branson. It was good to see them. We ate while it poured down rain outside. Afterwards we walked around and took some pics of the steam rising from the lake after the storm. Pretty cool!

swings

tea cups

bumper boats

first time on go-carts

Eli--not having so much fun--can you tell?

best I could do of all three--Eli needs his space

the sun was a little bright that day

the boys

the lake

P.S. By the way, I am a very music minded person--there is always a song playing in my head. That is the reason I have various songs playing. If you don't like the music you can click on the pause button to turn it off. Oh, and John Denver was, is, and will always be one of my most favorite singers. Probably won't be the last time you hear him on my blog. I hope that doesn't scare anyone off.

Discovering what is hidden

Isn't this picture amazing? I took this from my car last night. The closer we came to it, the smaller I felt. What was even more amazing was the crazy lightning within these 2 colliding clouds. I wish I could have caught some of that. This picture doesn't even capture what we were watching. This was one of those things that you just couldn't stop looking at! When we got to where we were going I wanted to go inside and bring my kids and my in-laws out to see it, but it was tucked behind trees and not visible. Isn't that just how the Lord is? He makes himself known to us in huge and powerful ways when we are seeking Him, but when we try to tell others our words don't do Him justice, they have to see and discover for themselves. They have to be looking for Him. Then when they "taste and see that the Lord is good" for themselves they will understand our joy. I am learning that we can't expect results until we are committed. I think I tend to go for things that are second hand, instead of from the giver Himself. I will read a great parenting book with the best of intentions, and neglect the one thing that will change me and transform me into the person, wife, mother, etc. that God desires me to be. I neglect Him. I neglect the word of God. I want results without commitment. It is through the word and through prayer that we are changed. It is spending time with Him first, chosing Him first. My preacher preached yesterday on this very thing. We want knowledge from a great sermon, speaker, or book (second-hand) and we believe it will carry us through. But it doesn't. Those things are good, don't get me wrong, but they are nothing in comparison to what the Lord wants to show us in His living and active word. It is relevant today just as it was in the beginning. I under estimate what He can reveal through it. I underestimate how He can even speak to my children through it. It is how He reveals himself to us, so that we can be changed and filled to the point of overflowing into the lives around us. It is how our lives can point to Him. I am guilty of wanting kids who love the Lord, but in my search to make this happen, to "get it right", I have made my children my idol (that's a whole other post!). I implement parenting styles that assure me if I do "this", I will produce "righteous"children. So, I go full steam ahead, and then when I don't get results, I crumble and I fall hard. But God has shown me that I can not have the cart before the horse. Things change only when I change, and I will change when my time is spent knowing and loving Jesus. That is real change, that is genuine--not manufactured. Believe me, your kids know when it is manufactured. They are smart. John 6:63 says "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." But this means discipline and sacrifice. It means giving up an extra hour of sleep, it means turning off HGTV, it means saying to my children--it's time to "Be still", it means shutting off the noise in my life, it means saying to myself "I am not entitled to an hour of self-indulgence"--whatever that indulgence might be. It means commitment and self-lessness. And boy, that is hard. Isn't it? But He just wants me to come to Him. He just wants me to abide in Him. I can't get this life "right," but if I allow Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit to live through me by actively living in the Word, He can move mountains. And that is Good News.

Happy (belated) Father's Day

To the dads in my life (all 4 of them):
I am no good at cards, and really not very good with verbal words, and honestly I kind of feel like Father's day is just another way to get consumers out buying! But I want you all to know you are honored--on father's day and every other day! I love you all from the depths of my heart and am grateful for all that you do! I know this is late, but I just wanted to let you all know how thankful I am for each of you!

Finally Friday!

Yeah, the weekend is finally here! Kevin was out of town most of this week, and now he is home with us! It down poured rain all day today! I think we got over 6 inches! But our basement is still dry--Praise God for that! I was looking at all my pictures today and had some real good laughs at alot of them. I thought I would post some of the ones that gave me a good chuckle! Enjoy! And have a great weekend!

Poor Aaron-- with a big sister around he's just gonna have to get used to being "dressed-up"

Notice the pj's in both shots! I think he was sucking some air in that 2nd one! That was sure a big water bottle.

we found her like this--asleep under her night table. I think she was about 3 in this picture.

Okay, she was standing on that chair that you can barely see, and I guess she bent over and somehow got hung on the drawer pull. I was not a very nice mommy because I went to look for the camera before I would get her down. She was not real happy about that--would you be? Still, hilarious?

just funny to me. They all three have the same expression.

And lastly, I love the look on Eli's face here--I see this look often, "help?"

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

The Kids wanted me to wish their Uncle Ryan a Happy Birthday on the blog! So to Uncle Ryan, We love you and we hope that you have a Happy Birthday! We only wish we could have found some real embarrasing pictures to post! Maybe mom has some she would send to me!?

Week in review

A week ago we celebrated Eli's birthday at the house with grandparents. We grilled some burgers and ate cake, and it was nice. Eli tried the cake, but really didn't care for it too much--and that is just fine with me. He just stuck his fingers in it and made faces about the mess. On his actual birthday, which was Monday, we just spent the day spoiling him with kisses and songs! We must have sang "Happy Birthday to you" over a dozen times! He would just clap and say "yeahhh!" It was our first week at home all together since school got out. It has been a period of adjustment! Especially for me. I had a couple of "bad mom" moments that I wish I could erase. On Wednesday the kids and I were getting ready to go over a friend's home and I got a little bit irritable with the older 2--don't really remember why--but by the time we all got into the car, I was quite frazzled! I took a deep breath before I started the car--afterall, that is no way to drive, right? I looked at my sweet kids in the rearview mirror, and felt the urge to apologize for the way I had been acting. I think I said, "Guys, I am so sorry, I don't know why I acted that way," and before I could say anything else, Aaron chimed in with, "Mom, I think you weren't obeying God. Maybe you should pray for Him to help you obey." Yep! Nothing more convicting than your 4 year old calling you out! But seriously, If we would just stop, be still and pray for just a moment when it feels like we are going to just lose it! Anyway, I am glad Alexis is home with us for a couple months. She misses her friends and her teacher, but she is glad to be home with us for the time being. We are implementing a schedule I made up this weekend that I am hoping will provide some structure, responsibility, and, well, order. I have decided it is necessary after this past week. I think we all do better knowing what comes next in our day. We will see how it goes. Here are some pics of our week.

Eli clapping while we sing happy birthday

happy moment

crazy moment

What's her deal?

Sweet Granny & Papa Picture

Part of the spoiling on Eli's actual birthday. He loves to be pulled around in anything--this was his lego wagon.

look out!

I don't know--I just thought this pic was hilarious!

My big one year old!

I got this one of Aaron. He wasn't sleeping--he was a little sad because dad and Alexis went somewhere without him. He waited by the window until they got back. (They were only gone 10 minutes.)

"That's all Folks!"

Happy Birthday, Little E!

Today is Eli's 1st Birthday! I can't believe he has been with us for a year, but I really can't remember what life was like without him. That is just how it is when you have kids isn't it? A year ago this morning I was up at the same time (6 am) laying on the couch with contractions. I still had 3 weeks until my due date--but Chism boys come early in this family! It was a rainy day, and all my babies came on rainy days. I knew it would be the day Eli would be born. I had some pretty intense contractions from the beginning--not mild ones like with the other 2. We went to the hospital later that morning and when I went to lay down on the table so they could hook me up to the heart monitor, the contractions stopped COMPLETELY! They said "you're too early, go on home." We met the kids and grandparents for lunch and about 1/2 way through the meal the contractions started again. So, Kevin and I went home! We took a walk when the sun came out for about an hour. I tried to rest, but the contractions were so intense I couldn't sleep. About 5pm we went back to the hospital. By that point, it felt like I was in transition. They checked me and I had not changed--no progression? I broke into tears. With my other babies I stayed in control, kept on top of my breathing--you know, in a zone! I lost control, and couldn't stop crying. How could I have not progressed with contractions this bad? They told me to take a walk. I remember praying at that moment, "Lord, I can't do this, I am too tired, be my strength because I have none left." We started walking around the L&D wing, and Kevin was my rock--the Lord used him to be my strength. He held my hand and when I would stop to have a contraction, I would hold his arm and lean in to him, rocking back and forth. I had never really let him be a real "part" of the process! With the other 2 I didn't want to be touched or distracted. That makes me sad now. But God took me out of the pilot's seat with this one. And I praise Him for that because those moments with Kevin were so peaceful and good! Within an hour Eli was born--it was fast and furious! He came into our lives a little after 7 pm, weighing 6 lbs. 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. The kids came in soon after and what I remember mostly was a whole lot of joy! We sure do love you Eli. Happy birthday, buddy!