My Second Greatest Hope for My Sons...

Dancing... because any doorway that has rounded steps in front of it is automatically a stage.

To the three little monkeys dancing in our home under construction...

My greatest hope is that you will at an early age come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and place your trust in Him -- and that faith would never waver.

My second greatest hope is that you will then strive to be as much like Jesus as possible -- learning from Him, having a relationship with Him through prayer and reading His words in the Bible, accountability with others who are also in pursuit of Him. May you put into practice what you (hopefully will) believe to be true, and may lasting effects of your relationship with the Lord be felt by generations to come.

So that your dad and I may not forget the importance of this hope, and for you to one day see why this is "kind-of a big deal" to us, please read this. It's a blog post that has greatly impacted me as your mama and given me a renewed sense of urgency (and patience at the same time) in teaching you about what a godly man should be. Your daddy and I love you so.

Blessing for This School Year...

My prayer for Caleb, that he will not fear the unknown of school but will embrace it with the strength the Lord provides. That he will know that God is with him at all times, and that he can trust in His guidance. That he will enjoy this new chapter, and learn and laugh a lot. That he will be respectful towards his teacher and peers. That he will continue his love of learning.

Twelve...

In twelve days, my oldest will leave me. For Kindergarten. I will no longer be a mom to three toddlers/preschoolers.

I am beyond thrilled and excited for this new chapter in Caleb's life. He is absolutely going to love all of the social interaction, the games, the crafts, the learning, the teachers, the routine, the bus... He's been excited all summer about starting Kindergarten. (He can't wait to 1. See his new classroom and 2. Ride the bus.)

We've had a countdown of sorts going on these past few weeks. Every few days, Caleb will ask me how many days are left until he goes to his new school. Today, when I answered "Twelve," it hit me -- that's just a few days away from being in the single digits. And that's just a few days away from being one week out. And that's just a few days away from The Day actually being here!We've tried to make the most of our summer with some new experiences for the boys. One more last hurrah will be taken tomorrow, when Ryan and I take the older two boys to Schlitterbahn waterpark in Galveston. Our days are now measured and planned around the school calendar, which is in some ways a new experience even though we've abided by the preschool calendar for two years now. We've gone "Back to School" shopping for some new clothes, a backpack and a lunchbox. We've pre-registered for Kindergarten. We've pre-ordered school supplies. We've got his Meet the Teacher night on the calendar, as well as our first Open House. As a former teacher, I remember how busy and crazy the first month of school was -- it will be very interesting to see it on the parent side now.
If the stinging in my eyes that threatens to turn into tears while writing this post is any indication, I'm totally going to be "one of those moms" who is wiping her eyes as she leaves the school without her child that first day of class -- and I'll probably repeat it when I drop each of my boys off at college, too. Hopefully it won't be the Ugly Cry! I truly can't wait to see how school unfolds for Caleb. I pray that he makes great friends early on, that he keeps his love of learning and discovery, that he's respectful to adults, teachers and peers, and that he just enjoys school.
I'm confident he will.

Vows for Parenthood...

Sometimes I wish there were some sort of vows for parenthood. Something that you promised to your children, something to recite back to yourself when trying days and weeks occurred in the parenthood journey, something to remind you of WHY you're doing this. Doctors have the Hippocratic Oath and married couples have their marriage vows - both statements made publicly to describe and proclaim their devotion and determination.

It's been "one of those weeks" for me. I have tried to teach, then to discipline, tried again, and again, lost my temper, yelled, cried, asked for forgiveness, prayed with and over my boys, and repeated the process more times that I care to admit. I've been reminded to stay consistent - and I'm truly doing my best - but I'm just tired. The closest thing I have to a parenting vow are these verses, and I am clinging to the first one for dear life...

Proverbs 22:6 - Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Deuteronomy 4:9 - Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Deuteronomy 11:19 - Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

The biggest lesson to me in these verses today is that I am leading by example - by my words, actions and reactions, and by my choices. I fail daily in saying the right words and making the right choices (and acting upon the right choices) each and every moment. But, I pray that somehow I am doing something right... maybe it's in letting them all see that their Mama is weak, and needs a Big GOD to help her out.
The saying "parenting is heart work" is certainly true. Sure, I'm physically tired from caring for these three (incredibly cute) boys - but it's the emotional side of parenting that will bring me to my knees every day.

A matter of the heart...

This is my sister-in-law, Rebecca, and her mom, Marilyn. Aren't they beautiful?

I have posted about Marilyn before HERE and HERE. Friends, please pray for her today, and whenever she is brought to mind. God is indeed mighty to save, and I know that He will. He is our Healer, our Comforter, the Prince of Peace, and Lord of All -- of this we know to be true.

Marilyn is nearing the end of her courageous battle with cancer. A decision was reached this weekend amongst her, her doctors, and her family that they would not pursue any more treatments in the war against her cancer.

Please pray for peace for her and her family as they seek to make the most of the next several days, weeks, months -- however much time they have with Marilyn. Pray for her pain to be managed well, for her to have amazing conversations with her loved ones, and for happy and lasting memories to be made. Pray for her husband, Doug. Pray for her daughters, Rebecca and Sarah. Pray for her sons-in-law, Eric and Ron. Pray for her grandson (my nephew), Josh. Pray for her unborn grandchild that Sarah is carrying. Pray for her parents who are flying down from the Washington, D.C. area to spend this time with their daughter.

Thanks, guys. Your prayers will not be wasted on this family.

Highs and Lows...

A couple of quick things...

-- A few posts back, I mentioned my friend's mom, "M", who had recently been diagnosed with cancer.  Here's a bit more to that story:  "M" is my sister-in-law Becca's mom, Marilyn.  Yesterday the doctors consulted with her, and let her know it is Stage 4 cancer because it has also been found in her bones.  The only course of treatment is to do chemo -- 6 to 8 rounds, with 3 weeks between each round.  Please pray for this family.

-- Go to my friend Allison's blog for some really cool news!!  Alli and I went to high school and college together, and she and her husband Andy have two little boys who are about a year older than each of mine. We've had some laughs over things like potty training and other 'boy things' in general.  (She also makes and decorates amazing cakes.)  Anyhow, this blog is about their journey to adopting .... well, I'll let you click over for all the details!  It's a fabulous reminder that God is certainly a God of details!

Prayer & hope...

Hey guys,

Will you do a favor for me?

Please put a sweet lady, I'll call her "M", on your prayer lists.  She is the mom of a dear friend of mine, and today was diagnosed with 'probable' stage three cancer.  More will be known after a round of tests on Monday, but today's news was understandably hard to take.

Please also keep my friend and her family in your prayers as well, as they walk this road alongside her mom.

My friend is hoping that the doctors and the treatments they are talking about will go a long way towards making the tumors a size that is operable.  She is hoping for more than a year and a half to spend with her mom.  She is hoping her mom will survive so that her grandson (my friend's son) will be old enough to remember her.  She is hoping for more.

I asked her if it was okay for me to hope - and know - that we have a God who is bigger than cancer, who can heal her mom completely.  I asked her if it was okay for me to pray for the 'big guns', even though it is nice for "M" to be at the world's best cancer treatment hospital with world-class physicians.  It's nice, and definitely a comforting bit of knowledge ... but we have a Great Physician who can and will hold "M" in His hands and is fully capable of taking this cancer completely away.  Miracles can and do still happen.

Hope is a very powerful thing, and God is certainly there and mighty to save.

Grandpa...

Right now as I type, the man you see above is undergoing heart bypass surgery.  That's my Grandpa, JB Marshall, my dad's dad.  Pop went up to be with Grandpa starting last Saturday and will be there for the remainder of the week, and my aunts and other family members are up at the hospital in Wichita, KS with Grandpa as well.  

My cousin Katie has been posting updates on Facebook.  I'm very thankful for Facebook today! :) I know Pop will call when Grandpa is out of surgery, but it's nice to see updates from her point of view too.  You see, she just finished with med school and is starting her residency!  Way to go, Katie!

Grandpa Skeeter - I am, and have been, praying for you!  

UPDATE:  Grandpa came out of surgery at about 5:40 this evening.  All went well to this point!!

Thankful Thursday, 4-23...

Well, I may have said something I shouldn't have said at the end of that last post - because I have to give a quick update on Caleb's progress!  As of this morning, he has filled in all of his potty chart - which means we'll be making a dinner trip to Chuck E. Cheese soon!  For three days straight pretty much all I've seen of him is a bare little behind.  While I think it's super cute, I admit I'm a bit tired of seeing so much skin! :)

Our next step will be to stay dry in big boy undies between trips to the potty.  He has done really well today, so maybe he's turned a big corner!  Hooray!

Essentially, that is what my Thankful Thursday post is about - that both he and I have survived being around each other the last several days, and that Caleb is doing most of his business all by himself!  I read this verse this morning, and before Caleb even woke up today I prayed it over him:

But thanks be to God!

He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57

I know that verse wasn't written with potty training children in mind, but I am confident that God is OK with me claiming victory in His name for Caleb's potty successes!

Prayer and decisions...

I took Logan for his one-year pediatrician's checkup today. No big deal - he's a very healthy little guy, and is measuring well for his age. He's currently 20 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces and 29 1/2 inches tall. He's walking, babbling, and waving. He is a fairly serious little guy, but also has a comical streak about him. He just may turn out to be the comedian of the family, because I have a feeling he'll be able to deliver one-liners with a deadpan face!

Anyhow, I've mentioned before how Logan has a funky crawl. He crawls on his left foot and right knee (with the right leg turned inward, like he's about to sit Indian style) - basically sitting down on his right hip with every 'step'. Amazingly, he covers an enormous amount of ground with each little step, and can keep up with me as I walk.

He started walking a few weeks ago, but still prefers crawling as his locomotive mode of choice. Over the last two or three days he has been walking a bit more, but as our pediatrician noticed today, he seems to favor his right leg when he walks.

He will take a step forward with his right foot, and then bring his left up to meet it - instead of keeping the forward motion going evenly between both feet, as most of us do. She had him walk back and forth across the exam room floor just to make sure she was seeing what she thought...and we walked out of our appointment with a referral to see an orthopedic specialist.

As I was told, she couldn't feel or see anything developmentally wrong with his hip or leg - but she also didn't want to miss anything. So, Ryan and I are currently praying about this situation and seeking out what the wise decision would be. Do we give this more time, in the hopes that as Logan walks more and more his gait will even out? Or, do we go ahead and schedule an appointment with the specialist, and start therapy early before he gets so set in how he walks now?

Funny, my biggest concern going into his appointment today was the fact that he is having issues eating table food. If it isn't pureed, he doesn't eat it. (We were told just to keep on trying.)

Since a post just doesn't seem 'complete' without a picture, I thought I'd throw this one in. This is from last Friday, Logan's actual birthday. It was taken at about 4:30am. Yes, "am" - the reason for the funny/sad face he has! Caleb stayed Thursday night and all day Friday with Gram and Papa, and Logan got to experience Black Friday shopping with Mom and Dad. We were able to find great deals and shop for friends and family, and after the initial shock of being woken up so early, Logan was quite the trooper with us. What a way to spend your first birthday!

Ike's left town...

And we're all OK. Just a minor leak in the ceiling of Logan's room, which a small sheetrock job can hopefully easily repair. We were without power from about 4am to 2:30 this afternoon. Right now, my folks and Ryan's parents are still without power, and since their electricity isn't run underground like ours it may be quite a while before it's restored to their areas.

It was a long night and morning, but everyone is safe. Praise the Lord for his shield of protection around our area! There was a lot of damage to many places around Houston and Galveston, so please continue to pray for relief, rescue, and rebuilding efforts. The worst has passed...

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!

Pictures soon to come of last night's "Ike Sunset"...

Summer Olympics - and a request...

I love the Olympics!

Really, I LURVE the Olympics!! Winter, summer, it doesn't matter - they're so awesome to watch. Don't they fill you with a new sense of hope for our world? Especially to be located in Beijing right now... what an opportunity to see and learn of a country that has been so closed off for so long.

It made me wonder this week what it's like to be a missionary living in China right now. Do they have more freedom to share openly about Christ's love to nationals?

It's been a week of big thoughts, I tell ya. Not only about the Olympics (which, by the way, Caleb was born during the last Winter games, and I have never watched so much of the sport of 'curling' than I did while I was in the hospital with him. They showed it at 2am every night. It's really fascinating - I'm hooked!) but also about God-given passions.

Ryan and I have just finished up a two-day leadership conference put on by the Willow Creek Association, and it was so full with amazing thoughts and ideas that I'll be re-hashing so much of what I saw and heard for a while. I hope to compile it to a post, so maybe that will come in the future.

But for now, as you and I enjoy watching our world's best young athletes and learn about China, will you please pray for a girl in our church's youth ministry?

I'll call her "T" just for her privacy, but to give you some background, T has a rare disease that severely affects her kidneys. She has been in and out of the hospital all summer, and was rushed back in early this week. Her kidneys are in complete failure, and yesterday she was in surgery to have a permanent catheter put in to enable her to start dialysis three times a week. The hope is that through dialysis, she can re-gain some strength in order to undergo a kidney transplant next year.

Here's a totally cool, God-ordained thing: her big brother (who is my age) has her same blood type and he was born with three kidneys. No kidding. One of those things that we might say is a mutation, but really it's God's provision.

At any rate, T is feeling very depressed, beaten down, and hopeless. Please pray that her hope and strength (physical, mental, and spiritual) would be renewed; that doctors would continue to have wisdom in her treatments; that her bro's extra kidney would indeed be a perfect match when the time comes; that she will have complete healing!

Thanks! Now, back to the opening ceremonies...

A rough patch...

This week has been one of the tougher ones I've faced as a parent. Some might say it's because my oldest boy is 2 1/2 and his age would be enough of an explanation, others would think it's because my 7 1/2 month old is teething, and still others would think it's because of the economy and the weather that we're all driving each other crazy.

Only God knows.

Whatever the explanation, I don't think I've prayed for patience and wisdom so much in my (parenting) life! Caleb is testing me at every turn, and being very defiant. This just wears me down - trying to stay firm, steady and un-emotional, and consistent is very tough and mentally draining! I find myself repeating in my head "I love this boy, I love this boy..." during particularly trying moments just to make it through.

Have you seen the movie "Evan Almighty"? ...the second "Almighty" movie, with Steve Carell? God, played by Morgan Freeman, made a very profound point. Or, at least, it seemed profound to me. He basically said at one point after Evan discovered he was to be the Noah of our generation that when we pray for patience, He gives us opportunities to be patient. When we pray for strength, He gives us opportunities to be strong.

Believe me, I'm not one to base my theological beliefs from Hollywood movies, but I do think that little bit of dialogue holds more truth to it than most other conversations you'll see in the movies.

It certainly seems as though God is giving me plenty of opportunities to be patient and strong in raising my boys at this time. He won't let me down, so I'll just keep praying and leaning on Him in the meantime...

I've heard the payoff is pretty awesome down the road.

Emotional highs and lows...

...at our local HEB, no less! (for the non-Texan crowd, HEB is a major grocery store in these parts)

The boys and I were out doing a bit of grocery shopping this morning, and it was Logan's first time to ride in the seat of the cart with his big brother (they have room-for-two in HEB carts). It was too cute - I do have a picture of it on my cell phone, so if I can figure out how to transfer it to the computer, I just may have to post it here. Caleb was really funny trying to show little bro what everything was..."This is cheese, Lo! This is bread!"

Don't we all wish we had a personal tour guide through the grocery store? But I digress.

We ran into a former co-worker of mine from my days of teaching 7th grade science at a local junior high. He taught art there until a year ago, when he decided to venture out into the business world. However, he filled me in on some of the goings-on at our former campus of employment, and it broke my heart. One of the teachers that taught on my team, I'll call her K, went through a divorce in the last year (her husband also taught at this same school) and her now-ex-husband promptly got married to the current principal's ex-wife. Supposedly K is now seeing the principal. It's a real-life soap opera, and their kids are all caught in the middle.

After hearing about all of that, I was in such a sad mood, praying for those involved in the apparent spouse-swap. It should be noted that when I taught with K, she was very vocal about her Christian faith, and how she was very involved in her church and helping with the youth group. At the time, her faith seemed quite genuine and quickly became a common ground that she and I shared. I have not spoken with K in a little over a year, so I do not know where she is at right now with God, but my heart is so heavy for her.

Anyhow, after that emotional low, we purchased our groceries and I was wrangling a toddler, his balloon, our grocery cart, and a crying 6-month-old out to the car when I heard a sweet voice say "Mrs. Griffin?"

And now to the emotional high...yea!

It was a former student of mine from 3, almost 4, years ago named Courtney. (Former students are the ONLY ones who call me Mrs. Griffin!) This sweet girl struggled so hard at the beginning of the year in my Chemistry class, but fought tooth-and-nail to make it work. By the end of the year she was one of my straight-A students! The very next year, at the end of her senior year, her father passed away quite suddenly, postponing her hopes and plans for college indefinitely. Courtney has 5 younger brothers and sisters...

She came running up to me, and waited patiently as I loaded Logan into his car seat before enveloping me in the biggest bear hug. She just held on for a long while, and I was bombarding her with rapid fire questions - "How are you? What are you up to now? Do you see any of your friends from high school? What are they doing now?"

After she let go of me, she said "Wait, I'll answer all of that but I have to tell you this first." Then she started to cry as she told me that she had been hoping to run into me for the last 2+ years since she graduated, just to give me a huge hug (check) and tell me that I was the best teacher she had ever had and the biggest influence on her life (GULP). I had apparently shown her that she can do 'hard stuff like science' if she just puts her mind to it, even if she has to work at it a bit more than other people. What really got me is when she said I had influenced her to pursue God's call and direction in her life, which right now is either youth ministry or missions, because of how I helped her and "lots of other people" I taught.

Pass me the Kleenex!!

As a teacher, I always prayed (especially before a new school year began) that I would be able to teach my students so much more than the curriculum I was paid to teach. I wanted to teach life - and how to have it to the full (John 10:10). Not easy in a public school system, but certainly possible (remember the saying that actions speak louder than words?). I remember walking around my classroom(s) and praying as I passed each and every desk. Courtney, thank you for being an answer to prayer.

She is starting college in the fall.