Simply Heidi

So I grew up flying, so you would think that I would be okay getting on a plane….right? NOT so, I HATE PLANES. I mean I seriously hate planes. My husband keeps reminding me that it is safer to fly than to drive. Um, thanks honey that makes me feel better?! To top it off I am flying on a very small plane. I know some love the feeling of just being hundreds of thousands of feet up in the air. What if you crash? That in my book is the worst way to go. This has my stomach in knots. My mom said well at least you would see Jesus fast…thanks mom…appreciate that. Yeah I know I will see Jesus fast, but before I would see him I would be screaming like a mad woman. Anyways, I am sure I will be just fine. I just hate flying. Okay I feel better now that I got it all out! Everyone has something they really don’t like, and that my friend is what makes me queezy and nervous. Oh so, why I am I flying, well my lovely sister is having her bridal shower this weekend. And I have to be at it. My very good friend Ruth will be picking me up at the airport. I am bringing my camera so I will be posting lots of pictures on Monday. But for now I am taking a blogging break for the weekend to enjoy life and my wonderful family. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Squeeze your kids a little extra and kiss your honey a little longer. Life is so… well you just don’t know. Life is a gift. Enjoy it.

Have you ever asked God a question expecting a clear and right path to take? And the answer you receive is either silence or an array of choices. That is where I am at. And feel even more confused. I sometimes wish when we had a question for God that he would drop a sign from heaven saying, “DO this or DO that” Wouldn’t it be so much easier. Sometimes I think he gives us several good choices to choose from. I sometimes have a hard time making up my mind though. Trying to weigh all the pros and cons. IF life were only so Simple.

So tonight I am going to “Be Still” (Psalm 46:10) and ask the Lord for more wisdom in what I am dealing with. Sometimes we need to slow way down so that God can speak to us and so that we can hear him. I think sometimes we get going and get to busy to even hear what he is saying to us. So the kids are going to bed early. Tony is out for the night and I am going to sit and really think,listen, and pray. I feel the answer is right there and tonight I am going to get a hold of it. Me and Jesus are going to have a Heart to Heart , as my little sister calls it. I know he wants the very best for me and my family. I know he desires to speak to me and give me clear direction.

Jesus, I ask that you guide me. Lord I ask that while I am in the midst of my storm that you would be the calm that I need. That I would feel peace about the decisions that I need to make. That you would walk with me as I go along this path of unfamiliar territory. Lord I ask that you would protect my mind from fear of the unknown. I ask that each morning as I wake up that I would be refreshed and renewed. Help me to better prioritize my days. Give me the wisdom in how to raise each of my kids. As they all have different learning styles, but in the end I just want them to love and fear you. Give me wisdom to know how to love each one individually. Jesus I truly just want more of you. I know that you are growing me in ways beyond my years. I know Lord that with you by my side no matter what comes my way, it will be okay. You know all about my tomorrow before it is even there. Help me to focus one day at a time and to not worry about my tomorrows because I know you are going to give me what I need for that day. Lord I love you so much. I am so blessed. I mean I am incredibly blessed. You have given so much to me and my family. It is amazing. Thank you Lord for loving me despite my shortcomings. You are truly awesome and my example of what I strive to be.

So the kids are back to school…and everyone said AMEN!!!! No, I missed them today, but to be honest only to have 2 kids at home was so much easier. Running errands was easier. Less fights with the kids. My eldest loved third grade. WOW I have a third grader. He really enjoyed his teacher and said he is ready for the year. And my Chandler, well mommy was sad to drop him off at Kindergarten. He was nervous and excited all at the same time. He held my hand so tightly when we walked in. I just kept thinking, maybe he should wait one more year, is he ready, did I prepare him enough, Did I teach him how to make good friends, and to be a good leader. My mind was racing. But once I saw him sit at his chair and begin to color, I had great peace. And that is when the tears started. I tried hard to not cry, but I just could not help it. I know that he is going to do awesome. It is hard to watch your babies grow up sometimes. They were so excited to tell me about there days. BUT they are SOOO tired. My eldest fell asleep when he got home and Chandler and Ben are so cranky. They will be going to bed early. Anyways, I need to finish up dinner. And get some laundry done tonight. Cause it never stops. I wish I had a machine that I just threw it all in, and the machine would sort, wash it, dry it, fold it, and then put it away. I need a “George Jetson” robot!!!

In the quiet of my soul
In the stillness I hear Your voice call
And I am overwhelmed
And I am lost for words
To describe You

Chorus:
Jesus You’re more than a friend
Jesus You’re more than my heart could ever express
Your love and Your grace never fail me
Your merciful touch always heals me
You bring joy to my soul

My heart longs to worship You my King
And I long to bring You a pleasing offering
And I am overwhelmed
And I am lost for words
To describe You

Jesus You’re more than a friend
Jesus You’re more than my heart could ever express
Your love and Your grace never fail me
Your merciful touch always heals me
You bring joy to my soul

So I have been so sick…high fever….achy ALL over, headache, no appetite. I am kicking myself now for kissing my hubby when he had it last week. I am feeling better tonight thanks to Aleve. I have honestly not felt so sick in a long time. Anyways, I have been reading blogs in bed, knitting, talking to the kids every once in a while, watching TV. And I found this and thought I would try it out. So enjoy the song, It is one of MY favorites:

Dear Chandler,

I will never forget the day that we went to the hospital to have you. I will never forget when the doctor put you in my arms for the very first time. You snuggled right up into my arms. And then watching daddy hold you, and look at you with such joy on his face.

And now you are 5. The years have flown by. I remember people telling me to cherish the years because they go before your eyes, and they were so right. I cherish everyday that I have with you. You are becoming such a big boy. You have such a big heart. You are always so positive about everything. Your energy is contagious. Your laughter puts a big smile on my face. Your inquisitive mind is just one reflection of who God made you to be. Your sense of humor is just like mine. And I know as you get older we are going to have some great laughs. Your gentleness with everything around you is so amazing.

I dont know what you will be when you are bigger, but I do know that God has his hand on your life. And however he uses you, it will be awesome.

You have brought such joy to our home. The love that you have for your brothers, and little sister (even when you don’t get your way)…well it just makes me proud.

In just one week you will begin yet another chapter in your life…Kindergarten. It makes me cry to think about it still. I know you are going to do great, but is just means that you are growing up. I can’t wait to pick you up after your first day of school and see how it all went, and listen to your detailed stories. You really are detailed in everything you do, and very expressive in how you explain things.

I hope you know how much mom and dad really love you. We love you just the way you are. We are so proud of you. I know I have said this before, but the greatest thing in life is to know Jesus. My prayer for you will have a very personal relationship with HIM.

I love you Chandler with all of my heart.

Happy 5th Birthday m sweet baby!

Love,
Mom and Dad

you have 3 little boys that have been coming down to your room at 6:30 AM…..with out fail… Seriousely, what makes them get up so early. It is not like they are going to bed at 7. They have been going to bed around 8:30 sometimes 9. And they are wide awake too. I guess it is a good start to our school year (that has not started yet)! It is way to early people. I am a night owl….not a morning person. Especially as we go into this fall, the colder it gets the more I like to stay in my bed in the morning. There is just something about getting under the covers when it is cold out. And then when we gain an hour and it is darker longer, it just adds to my need of staying in bed.

Update on Starbucks: I bought one before church the other night and drank about 1/4 of it. Then left it on the counter at church, but went back inside to get it since I had forgotten it when I was leaving. Our friend Bruce saw me at the door and said, “oops I threw it away, but it landed straight down” SO he went back in and got it for me. I kept thinking okay I will drink it on the way home. I could not drink it. I threw it away when I got home. I have had no desire to go drink coffee there. I will get a green tea, but that is it. I still just enjoy going in there to sit, but not to drink coffee. I have been drinking coffee at home everyday, but that is it. I asked Tony if he had been praying for me to stop drinking it!!!!! Which he said “No too”

Everything is ready for school to start. All the clothes have been bought, haircuts done, new shoes, new backpacks, tons of supplies! The only thing I need to do now is to get lunch stuff. The kids are excited. Chandler will not let me teach him how to spell his name because he wants his teacher to do that. We go next Thursday night to meet the teacher night. It stinks though because both of the boys have there meet the teacher the same time but at different schools. So we are all going to run to one school and then run to the next.

Well I need to get started on laundry….cause i have a Mt Everest waiting for me. I have been slacking this week. So I have lots to get done today and this weekend. I am really trying to become a more organized person. But, it is so hard. Does anyone have any tips? What works well for other people with 4 kids and busy schedules? I remember my friend telling me (she had 4 kids), that it will never be the same. That 4 kids just, well , keeps you super busy and it is hard to get ahead of yourself. I feel like I have been chasing myself around for a year now!!! I do really good for awhile, staying organized, and then I just get too tired, and I have to start all over again. Maybe I am trying to do too much….but wait a minute aren’t I SUPER MOM!!! I know I am not the only mom out there that struggles with this. So what do you all do to keep stuff balanced?

2 Corinthians 12:9
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Do you know what that is? It is supposedly a rare childhood cancer. But if it is so rare than why does one child die every 16 hours from it. Why do more kids in the US die from neuroblastoma than AIDS, cystic fibrosis and asthma combined? IT is a horrible disease. Three more young children are at there end stages of life, due to this horrific cancer. There is no cure. Well we all know that Jesus can cure anything if he chooses, but as far as here on earth…zippo. My heart really goes out to these families. It hits home when you have friends whose kids have this disease. It is unfair for these children to suffer with these diseases. I know life is not fair. God never said that life would be without troubles, but sometimes I just have to ask why? I know it has made parents stronger, maybe they got there life back on track, maybe someone got saved at a funeral of one of these young warriors, maybe one of the kids were healed. I know it is ultimately so he will receive more glory and in hard times people are drawn to him. I hurt for these families though. My heart breaks for them. I think what if my child…. and then I have to stop because I can not even go there. It makes me emotional. Anyways, say a special prayer for these kids today that are fighting neuroblastoma.

I think if I have to write an address for one more invitation, well I dont know what I will do, but I can tell you that my hand is still hurting from writing. They are beautiful. So I hope that everyone that gets one will at least keep it for one month since so much work went into them. This morning I had a very yummy breakfast at the Original Pancake House. I had a dutch baby…and oh baby it was soooo good. For lunch we went to Chipotle, I had never eaten there but it was really good too. We caught frogs this afternoon, and shot the BB gun and the bow and arrow. Can you tell I have boys???

Anyways, here are those zoo pictures i was talking about:
My boys…

Chandler said, “Mom that rhino has a big butt!”

Ben,” What the heck is that mom?” …well I don’t know Ben…..”God gave him a mask on his face mom, kind of like Spiderman!”

Are you hot Chandler?

Ben said,”Mom that lizard has a disease!!!”

Ben, “Mom you have to put your hand in there and unstuck him!!!” I said “No thanks, I dont want to get bit” Then Ben said, “Mom the lizard is scared of going all the way down.”

BIG SNAKE….YUCK!

Since I have 3 boys…there favorite part of the zoo was the reptiles. We spent a long time in that exhibit.

Smile boys…

We lost the shorts, cause it was HOT that day…she is just chillin…so lady like too.

They were pretending to wrestle the alligator to the ground…My little crocodile hunters…

I actually really enjoy going to the zoo with the boys. It is fun to talk about how God created all of these animal’s and he has such an imagination to give them the colors that he does, and there shapes, and how they move, what they eat. We talked a little bit about Noah’s ark and all the animal’s that were on his boat. I was even amazed at some of the color on some of the reptiles. We talked about how if God took the time to make them so perfect how much more time he takes and puts into us. I have been really trying to take the things that we see and then turn it to reflect God. And show the boys how much the Lord loves them and cares for them. We left the zoo that day and my oldest said he feels called to be a zoo keeper. He asked me if that would make God happy. I told him that if the Lord called him to do that then of course He would be happy. He started talking about owning his own zoo and having shows and talking about God at the shows. I was like well that would be very cool. He said I could always get in for free and go on dates there with dad!!!