Life Lesson Learned

Holden has a fascination with the telephone, as do most all children, I am sure. Problem: Apparently, if you dial **8***253**, this number will be answered by a 911 operator. If no one responds, and the phone is promptly hung up...the 911 operator will call back. Within the following 5-10 minutes a police officer will knock (ever so persistently) on your front door until you, trailed by your snotty nosed accidental caller, answer the door and explain. Makin' memories...!

Life Lesson Learned

Apparently, if are willing to start them early and you would like to introduce your 19 month old to the taste of fermented wine...just let them find an old sippy cup of long lost juice. WOW! Not sure about the taste, but the smell was ... well, you can imagine.

Life Lesson Learned

Blake learned today that metal travel mugs do not go in the microwave! Hmmmm... The explosive experience scared him so badly...and me too! The smell through the house is nauseating...so check that off for "lesson learned".

The Oldest...not necessarily the bravest!

Blake had to go to the doctor on Tuesday, we thought he may have the flu based on his symptoms. The wait at the doctors office just to go back to the exam room was an hour and a half. Of course, I had Holden the Destroyer in tow, and he was not too content with having to sit still for that extended period of time. Obviously, we had to sit in the sick room, because Blake was sick...but Holden and I, were not...at least that is how it started off. I was praying for an invisible shield of protection to surround us from all of the disgusting sick germs. One lady mentioned that her son had thrown up on the way to the office.... NICE! Seriously, invisible shield!

We finally went back and the nurse brought in the nasal and throat swabs to check for the flu and strep. OK...here is when it gets really ugly! Blake starts screaming, "NO! I will NOT allow you to do that to me!" I try unsuccessfully to reason with him, telling him that it is no big deal, it's just a cotton swab. He is having none of it! The nurse, at this point is telling him that we are going to have to hold him down. I am telling him he is going to get consequences. He continues FREAKING OUT! I swab myself to show him that it is no big deal...to no avail! The nurse is losing her pleasant calm and she says it is time to hold him down. So, I grab his hands. OK, NOW is when it gets really ugly...not before...comparatively, that was not so bad. So, he starts screaming, "DON'T TOUCH ME! GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME! How could you do this to me?"

Seriously? Number one...I was so embarassed! I felt like I was trying to pull his pants down or something. NOPE...just trying to let the nurse SWAB HIS NOSE!!! Number two...how disrespectful for him to talk to me that way, right? Oh...it was AWFUL! The child is 3 weeks out from turning 10 years old! The doctor came in and could tell that it was NOT going well! She asked if it was a Calgon day...if she only knew! At the end of it all...he tested positive for strep and he has to write a letter of apology to the nurse!

So, now he is supposed to receive the flu vaccine shot AT SCHOOL! They are discouraging parents from being there for several reasons. I am feeling sorry for the school nurse...she has no idea the hell she is about to experience giving this child a SHOT! He freaked out getting a SWAB! No skin was broken! I may need to send him in with some Calgon to give her!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for so many things today! I am thankful that Russ had the day off yesterday, and though I would have liked to have spent the day with just he and I, he stayed home with sick Blake and crazy Holden and I spent almost 3 hours at lunch with a friend. Praise! I am thankful that Blake is feeling better and was able to go back to school.

I am thankful that Gavin was awesome at the dentist this morning. He had a couple of cavities, and they wanted to sedate him in order to fill them. It was going to cost $375 just to walk in the door...NOT. After much finagling, Russ convinced them that Gavin did not need to be sedated. We were hopeful that he would be a trooper and prove to the dentist that he did not NEED to be sedated...and HE WAS AWESOME! Not a peep! We did have to brag on him to the other boys, because I am preeeeety sure Blake would have had an out of body experience in the same situation! So, I am thankful for Gavin's bravery!

Weight Watcher Wednesday

So... it has been one week and two days since I decided to take control of my body! I have six less pounds to control this week! Yeah, Baby!

Read the Bible in One Year

So thanks to my friend, Kris, I have been motivated to read my bible through in one year. I have taken the amount of pages in my bible and divided them by 365 to figure I should read about 5 1/2 pages each day. So, I started today. I got to page 21 already! YAY! So, we will see how it continues. If you would like to join me on the journey, let me know, because I would love to have a friend to help hold me accountable! :)

So far:
Tuesday November 10th - page 1-21 , Genesis 1-9
Wednesday November 11th - page 22 - 26, Genesis 10-12:9
Thursday November 12th - pages 27-32, Genesis 12:10-15
Friday November 13th - pages 33-38 1/2, Genesis 16-18
Saturday November 14th - pages 39-44, Genesis 19-21
Sunday November 15th -pages 44-50, Genesis 22-24

Monday November 16th - pages 51-56, Genesis 25-27
Tuesday November 17th - pages 56-62, Genesis 28-31:21
Wednesday November 18th - pages 62-69, Genesis 31:22-35
Thursday November 19th - pages 69-75, Genesis 36-38
Friday November 20th - pages 75-81, Genesis 39-41
Saturday November 21st - pages 81-87, Genesis 42-45
Sunday November 22nd - pages 87-91, Genesis 46-47

Monday November 23rd - pages 91-96, Genesis 48-50
Tuesday November 24th - pages 97-104, Exodus 1-3
Wednesday November 25th - pages 104-110, Exodus 4-7
Thursday November 26th - pages 111-116, Exodus 8-11
Friday November 27th - pages 117-122, Exodus 12-13
Saturday November 28th, pages 122-127, Exodus 14-15
Sunday November 29th, pages 127-133, Exodus 16-18

Monday November 30th, pages 133-139, Exodus 19-21
Tuesday December 1st, pages 139-145, Exodus 22-25
Wednesday December 2nd, pages 145-151, Exodus 26-28
Thursday December 3rd, pages 151-156, Exodus 29-31
Friday December 4th, pages 156-163, Exodus 32-34
Saturday December 5th, pages 163-168, Exodus 35-38
Sunday December 6th, pages 169-172, Exodus 39-40

Monday December 7th, pages 173-180, Leviticus 1-4
Tuesday December 8th, pages 180-185, Leviticus 5-7
Wednesday December 9th, pages 185-191, Leviticus 8-10
Thursday December 10th, pages 191-196, Leviticus 11-13
Friday December 11th, pages 196-203, Leviticus 14-16
Saturday December 12th, pages 203-209, Leviticus 17-20
Sunday December 13th, pages 209-215, Leviticus 21-23

Monday December 14th, pages 215-224, Leviticus 24-27
Tuesday December 15th, pages 225-232, Numbers 1-2
Wednesday December 16th, pages 232-238, Numbers 3-5
Thursday December 17th, pages 238-244, Numbers 6-8
Friday Decemer 18th, pages 245-250, Numbers 9-11
Saturday December 19th, pages 250-255, Numbers 12-14
Sunday December 20th, pages 255-260, Numbers 15-17

Monday December 21st, pages 260-267, Numbers 18-21
Tuesday December 22nd, pages 267-273, Numbers 22-25
Wednesday December 23rd, pages 273-279, Numbers 26-29

Thankful Thursday

It is not Thursday yet...only Sunday...but I just am so thankful for our small group. There are 6 other couples that we meet with each Sunday night to talk about how God is working in our lives, what we are struggling with, to praise Him for our blessings and to study God's Word. Then we lift one another up during the week with prayer. The more we get to know these couples, the more blessed I feel. I really believe that the Lord put us with this specific group for a reason and I am enjoying getting to know them all better. This group is so genuine and "real" and I am thankful to have them help me be accountable. Blessed!

Random Thoughts

I love it that Gavin asks everyday if tomorrow we go to church...and then he cries when (rarely) we cannot go.

Random Thoughts

I do not want to be a "SUPERMOM", just a SUPER MOM!

Weight Watcher Wednesday

I am almost done with week one of my weight watcher challenge... so far, so good! I earned 26 extra activity points, that I did not use! Whew hew! No cheats! Whew hew! Yay me! I am ready to say goodbye to the extra junk in my trunk!

Thankful Thursday

Gavin goes to school four days a week. The one day that he is out, is Thursday. He LOVES Thursdays and so do I! We try our best to stay in our PJ's ALL day and snuggle. Gavin gets his love of being at home honestly, his momma loves to chillax too, so on Thursdays we are thankful for our time together doing just that!

Holden on the other hand, not so happy about "chillaxin". Seeing as to how he is one of the most destructive children I have known, he makes it extremely difficult to enjoy that "downtime" ... but it's all good!

I am so blessed.

Family Funnies

Gavin had not one but two substitute teachers today. Mrs. Donna Carole Kitchens and Mrs. Gloria were apparently both sick. So here goes the converstation upon returning home from school...

Gavin: "Mom, guess what?"
Me: "What?"
Gavin: "My teachers have eyes in the back!"
Me: "Ha ha ha, do you mean eyes in the back of their heads?"
Gavin: "Yes! THEY DO!"
Me (still laughing): "Is that what they told you?"
Gavin: "Yep!"

Don't you love it?

Thank you Lord for Friends....

Blake had his new buddy Bennett spend the night last night. We actually heard the sound of gut laughter from our Blake again...we heard it until 12:30 am or later, but none-the-less, we heard it. As many of you know, this move has been really difficult on our Blake-Man, and there have been extensive struggles. Of course, we are not 100% sure where "Moving Grief" ends and "I think I am a teenager already" begins... or how skewed the line in between happens to be. UGH!

Landon was supposed to have been a birthday sleepover last night, however, Pearce's mom got the flu and they had to postpone it. We told Blake he could still have his buddy over, but my word... poor Landon and Gavin just do not get it. They think Bennett is their best friend... actually...poor Bennett! He is completely smothered by my children ... ALL OF THEM! I wish I got that much attention if I went to spend the night with one of my friends..." I am sitting beside Holly!" "I am going to lay beside Holly while we watch the movie!" I am on Holly's team!" Ahhhh, what sweet music to my ears. Hee hee hee!

Crazy! So, who is ready to fight over me like that? Ha ha ha! Obviously, I am joking, but it just cracks me up!

100 Things About Me

100 Things About Me
1. I am not happy about growing older.
2. I am a stay at home mom
3. and some days I think I may go crazy or cry! ...okay, maybe lots of days.
4. I DESPISE Spiders and Snakes!
5. I love collecting cookbooks with pictures...the ones without pics are useless to me!
6. I love to cook and try new recipes.
7. I prefer Dunkin Donuts coffee to Starbucks. (I think Starbucks is way over-rated.)
8. I have no idea where I learned to cook, but I am not bad at it...if I do say so myself.
9. I am tired of moving! but we are supposed to do it AT LEAST ONCE MORE>
10. I want to sew and reap a successful vegetable garden.
11. I would really like to have another dog...or two.
12. I love to read but have little time to do so.
13. My favorite type of book is Christian fiction.
14. One of my favorite childhood memories is laughing and singing into brushes with my mom.
15. I would love to write a book.
16. I actually feel sorry for movie stars and musicians
17. I think the public obsession causes egocentric issues
18. which in turn give them a lack of reality.
19. I hated college.
20. I wanted to be a soap opera star when I was in high school.
21. I am thankful for how much my mom loves me...
22. it was my first glimpse of self sacrifice...
23. I talk to my mom on the phone almost every day.
24. I have 0 siblings.
25. I have a bachelors degree in Environmental Science.
26. I have a reoccurring dream that I did not earn my degree because I failed one class.
27. I LOVE to laugh.
28. My spiritual gift is hospitality.
29. I'm not a morning person.
30. I wish Amy , Chris and Micah (Sister/Bro in law and nephew), my parents and Russ' parents lived in our neighborhood.
31. I used to teach aerobics.
32. I love being a mom, but do not feel like I am a very good one.
33. I would love to have a boat.
34. I drive a minivan...and have no issues with not being "COOL".
35. I would love to learn to play golf with my boys. (It sounds more appealing than hunting)
36. I would love to go on an RV road trip to the midwest.
37. I would also love to try snow skiing.
38. Though I could not handle another child, I still grieve not having a daughter.
39. But I know God is in control and His plan is better than mine.
40. I would love to play tennis on a regular basis.
41. I will not spend more than $20 on a purse.
42. I love the beach, it relaxes me.
43. I think the most amazing moments in my life have been the four moments when I met each of my children
44. Happiness to me is LOVE. (love of God, love of spouse, love of children, love of family, love of friends, love of giving)
45. I love roller coasters.
46. I hate scary movies.
47. I have a fear of the nighttime.
48. I believe that God was very present in the meeting between Russ and I
49. and that He blessed our marriage.
50. I believe Russ is truly my soul mate
51. We met on a blind date.
52. I am not the same person I was in high school and college...
53. I was very self serving then...
54. Now I am a child of God
55. and I am forgiven.
56. I hope anyone who knew me then, could forgive me now.
57. My favorite restaurant is Nami Japanese Steakhouse. (unfortunately, it is only located in Pembroke Pines, FL)
58. My favorite store is SuperTarget. (but we don't have one in SC)
59. Hearing the prayers of my children is one of the most precious things to my ears.
60. I would love to have my own business or business product.
61. I love making great memories with my family.
62. I'm not allergic to anything.
63. I love smell good things...shower gel, candles, fresh laundry, room spray.
64. I like going to Goodwill.
65. I love new clothes.
66. I would buy a new outfit daily if I could.
67. I love playing games...
68. not so much when I have to constantly explain the rules.
69. I wish we could take a real family vacation every summer.
70. I think personal hygiene commercials are a little odd.
71. I LOVE to bake.
72. The Herwig Family is the closest thing to family we have known (that is not actually family)
73. I do not believe in regrets...the things I have done, have made me who I am today...which has required a lot of repentance, but none-the-less has taught me a lot.
74. My favorite ice cream is chocolate chip and mint chocolate chip from Baskin Robbins. (I think it is due to the memories of my Granddaddy and Granny Byrd that are tied to it)
75. I love rainy days
76. when my whole family is home together with no place to be.
77.I love to sing
78. though I am not great
79. I love music
80. I live in comfy pajama pants at home.
81. I love to dance
83. I like to fish...just not to touch the bait or the catch.
84. I would love to go on a horse and carriage ride with Russ for a romantic date night.
85. I hated being pregnant
86. though I am a sad that I will never be again. I feel like it is saying goodbye to a stage of my life (which I also mourn...YOUNG ADULTHOOD)
87. I am blessed by GREAT in-laws and talk to my mother-n-law almost every day.
88. I worry about being a parent of a teenager.
89. I am not interested in going on a cruise.
90. I think the best things in life ARE free...
91. Beaches, Steel Magnolia's and The Notebook are three movies that make me gut wrenchingly sob... the love and loss of friends, the love and loss of children and the love and loss of a soulmate.
92. If I could hang out with one person in the entire world for one uninterrupted day...it would be... still thinking... maybe the President , not because I like him...but because I am not a fan.
93. I love watching Funniest Home Videos with my kids.
94. Guess what...my kids aren't perfect...and I am not ashamed of that...
95. I am convinced when my boys have kids (their wives) that they will have ALL GIRLS
96. I AM FORGIVEN!!!!!!!!!!!! Have I said that already? :)
97. I am so thankful that God called and I answered.
98. I love Jesus
99. And I’m going to heaven when I die.
100. Because He saved me.

101 Goals in 1001 days:

I saw this on a couple of other blogs and was inspired. So here it goes...

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.


Some common goal setting tips:


1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.
2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.
3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.
4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.
5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

Here are my goals for the next 1001 days!

101 Goals in 1001 Days

Health
1. Lose 25 pounds by my birthday. (September 21, 2010)
2. Participate in a 5K race for a cause...with my mom.
3. Exercise 4x's per week for at least 2 weeks. (One week and one day down three days to go to meet this goal).
4. Don't eat after dinner for 30 days.
5. Do 50 sit ups without stopping.
6. No sodas for 2 weeks.
7. Drink 48 ounces of water/day for 2 consecutive weeks.
8. Take vitamin daily.
9. Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day.
10. Try a new vegetable.
11. Join the gym and GO!
12. Run a mile without stopping.

Spiritual
13. Complete two personal Bible studies per year.
14. Prayer journal every day for 1 month.
15. Lead a bible study at my home and invite someone who does not go to my church.
16. Read one spiritual growth book-not about parenting!
17. Memorize 50 scripture verses.
18. Review memory verses twice a week.
19. Read through the Bible in 2 years.
20. Share my passion for Christ with a stranger.
21. Complete the 30 Day True Woman Challenge
22. Complete Beth Moore David devotional
23. Complete the Passion of Christ by John Piper


Personal
24. DO a photo journal for Blake.
25. DO a photo journal for Landon.
26. DO a photo journal for Gavin.
27. DO a photo journal for Holden.
28. Paint bedroom.
29. Paint boys bathroom.
30. Paint master bathroom.
31. Paint front bedroom.
32. Decorate and furnish back patio to make it suitable for entertaining.
33. Read 10 books before the summer.
34. Go one week without clothes left in my room waiting to be folded and put away...in other words, do it IMMEDIATELY!
35. Keep my van clean-really clean for 1 consecutive month. (Maybe this will happen closer to the end of my allotted time when Holden is more accountable)
36. Find an effective organization system for coupons or find out from Kris Hughes.
37. Organize freezer with baskets.
38. Go one week without arguing with my children.
39. Be friendly and talk to a person in a checkout line.
40. Go one week without complaining.

Family
41. REREAD Love Languages for Children.
42. Start a family devotion time once a week.
43. Pray with the boys every night for 30 days.
44. Respond to my children with a soft answer for 7 consecutive days.
45. Read one of Blake's favorite books and try to share that story with him. (He likes weird books!)
46. Plan a family fun night that does not include tv.
47. Read a book to children every day for 14 consecutive days.
48. Plan one fun family activity every week for 1 month that does not include tv.
49. Reread Creative Correction to refresh on ideas to creatively deal with sibling disagreements.
50. Get new family photo.
51. Go on a date with each of my boys separately.
52. Play kickball with my kids.
53. Go camping.
54. Go on RV road trip with family.
55. Make a snowman. (not sure where, but that is not the point of this)
56. Start and keep a journal of the cute things the kids say and do.
57. Make my bed everyday for 30 days.
58. Go one week without raising my voice to my children.

Marriage
59. Start once-a-month date nights and do for 3 months.
60. Start doing nightly devotion and prayer time with Russ again.
61. Go on a date and don't talk about the kids.
62. One overnight date a year.
63. Greet Russ at the door or driveway everyday for 2 weeks...I am pretty sure we may need medical treatment on day 4, but hey, I think it is worth a try!)
64. Thank Russ once a week for something specific that I usually take for granted (ex:working, playing with the kids, helping me) for 4 consecutive weeks.
65. Planning a surprise outing for Russ and I.
66. Complete the 30 Day Husband Prayer Challenge.
67. Go to the beach in the evening for a walk with Russ... :)

Friends
68. Go on a girls weekend with Emily.
69. Go on a girls weekend with anyone else who wants to go with me.
70. Ask a friend how can I pray for them.

Financial
71. Do or create something that will earn a little extra income for my family just so I can feel a part of helping in that way.
72. Buy groceries for someone who cannot afford them.
74. Only eat out once a week.
75. Save for Christmas budget.
76. Pay off loan.

Just Because
77. Write a letter to a government official regarding an issue I feel passionate about.
78. Tour 3 college campuses with the boys.
79. Go to a battle reinactment at Boone Hall.
80. Sponsor a college student or 2.
81. Do a kind gesture anonomously and for no reason.
82. Write a letter of appreciation to someone I appreciate.

Household
83. Dust entire house once a week for 2 consecutive months.
84. Clean out entire refrigerator and freezer.
85. Organize recipes.
86. Steam vac the carpet in the whole house.
87. Clean inside and outside of glass doors.
88. Mow the yard once a week for 1 months.

Just for Fun
89. Take 1 quality picture a day for 30 days.
90. Join a book club.
91. Grow fresh herbs.
92. Grow a vegetable garden.
93. Bake something for each of the boys' classmates.
94. Make lettuce wraps.
95. Make a quilt.
96. Get a massage.
97. Learn to make jewelry with all my supplies I got 2 years ago! :)
98. Make a new recipe once a month for 6 months.
99. Make dinner for my neighbors.
100. Volunteer at the homeless shelter at least once!
101. Buy myself a new outfit in celebration of completing my 101 goals!!!

Start date: November 6, 2009
Completion date: September 2, 2012

Whew! This is going to be challenging and fun! I should add one final note: as a Christian, God can and probably will change some or all of these goals as He sees fit. So, pretend that there is a "God willing" after every one of these items.

It is a new day...and I will rejoice in it!!!!!!!!

I woke up this morning, and made a decision! My decision is to make the choice to take care of myself! I joined the gym... and I am going to go! First class down, bring on the next! I will do Weight Watchers again, and I started TODAY! I will not be a victim of my own lack of self control! Food will be fuel... with a little treat every now and then...no more food as my constant comfort. I have a Comforter, and His name is Jesus! From now on, I will turn to Him in my sadness, stress and frustration with life...not to my own self pity and "feel good food" coupled with sedentary living. It's time to live again! I am ready to have the energy to chase the boys. It is time to be who God wants me to be!

Are we square pegs?????????

This was not a good Sunday morning for the Brown Family! The boys were not happy about going to church today, there were few happy hearts in our van this morning, but church is what our family does. For us, it is not about just "going to church", but about praising our Lord, studying His Word, seeking His guidance in our lives, hiding His truth in our hearts, living our life for Him, and thankfulness for all of His blessings upon our lives. Sometimes it is easy to become lazy in our flesh and not want to go, which is where our Blake and Landon were this morning. They had outright disobeyed as we walked through the church halls, by telling me they WOULD NOT GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL after church. WRONG!!! We NEEDED Sunday school, and we were going.

Russ and I have been trying to find where we fit in at East Cooper Baptist Church. We joined a small group which meets on Sunday nights, which we felt God very vividly directed us toward. (As noted in a previous post). We do enjoy the people we are getting to know in our small group, but we feel like we need more. Sunday morning worship is GREAT! The praise and worship is great and Pastor Buster Brown is really awesome! He seems to be truly embedded in the Word of Christ and seeking to serve Him. We really do value his pastoral leadership. We have tried a Sunday morning bible study a month or so ago, and just did not feel a "fit" for Russ and I with this group. We were recommended to try another Sunday school class for young marrieds and we were very excited to try it. Our hope was to find a group of people in the same life stage as ourselves, who we could study the Word of God with on Sunday mornings, while getting to know them on a deeper more spiritual level, so as to hold one another accountable in our walk of faith. For years, we had a great Sunday school class were this goal was the same, and this goal was attained.

SO, this morning, was THE morning to try this highly recommended class. The class that was recommended by a couple of different people whom we had mentioned what we were looking for, and they said, "OH, THIS IS THAT GROUP!". So off we were...

We walked into a room with 13 couples, they looked like us in age, so we thought...AWESOME...this must be THE CLASS! Again...we walked in, no one said a word to us...no one was saying much to each other. We sat down...no one said a word to us. We sat there in silence, because the class had not yet started... and yet no one said anything. I leaned over to Russ and mentioned how weird it felt that not one person said hello to us, or introduced themselves to us, NOTHING! The leader, we supposed, told us to talk amongst ourselves since his lesson was not very long. SILENCE. Apparently, he was filling in for the regular leaders, and he was a little nervous about it. Class started, and not one person acknowledged that they had never seen us before. They had an ice breaker as we went around the room everyone had to describe what their favorite Halloween costume had been as a child, (if they were allowed to participate in Halloween), and what their least favorite candy had been.

Everyone went around, said their part, class started, class ended...not one word to the new folks... Now, I am perplexed that not one person welcomed us into this class! Isn't that what church is supposed to do? Isn't it the goal of those within the church to make people feel welcome, so they want to come back? What if we had not been Christians? Shouldn't they want us to come back? I am just in such shock at our experience that I it was all I could do not to burst into tears as we left the room. In that moment, we needed to feel connected. We needed to feel welcomed! I started feeling a little angry, and bitter. Russ asked if we would have welcomed people in the same situation if we were on the other side...ABSOLUTELY! WE ALWAYS DID! We welcomed people in to the point of almost running them off because we were TOO friendly!

I started asking Russ if maybe this was not the church home for us... but the thought of taking the boys out and looking for another fit at this time sounds so daunting. Are we square pegs trying to fit ourselves into round holes? Why does it feel like such a struggle? Lord, show us where we belong. The boys love it once they get there, I cannot imagine moving around at this point. We need guidance...and definitely more prayer...

We will probably go back to this Sunday school class next week...not because we felt welcomed (because we absolutely did not), but because it is not about us, but about what Christ wants to teach us through His word. It is my belief that God places us in situations for a reason...we will just have to wait and see what it is...