MOPS Convention 2009

My spiritual journey took a turn for the better 3 years ago when I attended my 1st MOPS Convention in Orlando. I remember being in the auditorium filled with 5,000 other Moms and listening to the powerful words coming from the talent of Matt Redman, who served as our worship leader that year. I closed my eyes and was overcome with such a fantastic flood of emotions that trickled through my body in the form of goosebumps starting at the tips of my toes and extending all the way up to the top of my head. At that moment I knew that the ministry that I had become a part of was going to be a life altering lifeline for me as a wife, mother, and child of God. Last year Kelly and I went to Convention together in Texas and we had a great time together and again I left feeling spiritually rejuvenated. This year we traveled to Nashville, 6 of us total, and spent 3 days in worship and fellowship with about 4,000 other Moms. We were led in worship by Matt Redman and Christy Nockels, and heard other Christian artists such as Plumb (who has the voice of an angel and song lyrics that move you to tears), Matthew West, and Natalie Grant. They all brought their families and introduced them to us, which just put a smile on your face knowing how they were in the same life moments that we all were. We said Good-Bye to Elisa Morgan who spent the past 20 years at the President of MOPS as she relinquished her reign to Naomi Cramer-Overton, laughed to the point of tears through the comic geniousness(this is my own word) of Ken Davis, and gained everlasting insight and wisdom through our individual classes.
This time around I spent much time in thought and thanking God for all of my blessings! After almost losing my Dad last year I had SO much to be thankful for. He pulled through his traumatic ordeal and is making strides toward becoming fully healthy again, I gave birth to our Angel, Addison Rae, Bill made it back safely from his tour in Afghanistan, Jeff didn't lose his t.v. show which we thought was going to happen due to budget cuts, and so many more personal triumphs! Now along with these blessing have come our fair share of obstacles as well, but I am reminded that as long as you believe in the power of prayer, good things can and will happen! I am eternally grateful to my husband who allows me to be a part of this spiritual walk every year as he stays home and takes care of our 3 children and runs the household and there is no better feeling than the anticipation on our long journey back to Gainesville of seeing them again and when I open the door to our home and they run to me with open arms and smiles that cover their faces from ear to ear, I am confident in knowing my purpose here on Earth.
Being a part of MOPS has truly changed my life and I leave Convention this year living day to day focusing on the motto first illustrated in the Bible and being taught by Elisa Morgan through her writing..........."She Did What She Could."

Kids and their feet

Sometimes I like to goof off in the car while Jeff is driving and I am sitting in the back with the kids. Taking funny pictures of them is one of my favorite things to do and they make sure to perform for the camera. The other day the decided that their feet were the funniest things ever....



And Addi thought they were just plain tasty!

18ft waterslide

Lyce turned 6 and had a fun outdoor party complete with an 18ft water slide. The kids had a blast!

My heart has officially been melted!

It's hard to describe in words the bond that Addison and I have created, but there is just something special there! It's not to take away from the love I have for Brooke & Austin, but Addison and I are very close. Since birth she has been very attached to me and has had a hard time letting me out of her sight. I think it took almost 6+ months for her to even let someone other than me put her to bed at night. She is still nursing, which I totally love sharing that particular bond with her and now
I think she does it more out of comfort than necessity....which is okay with me because I love spending those precious moments with her. She is truly a blessing from above! It is not uncommon for her to overload me with hugs or as I am holding her she will put her head on my shoulder and start rubbing my back or arm......*sigh*! I longed for her first words to be "Mama" but from a previous post you already know that just didn't happen, but that's okay with me. Last Sunday, September 20th, I went to get her out of her high chair after breakfast and as I walked over to her she looked up at me, put her arms out and said "Mama" for the first time (with meaning anyway) and it was clear as day. Brooke and Austin will tell you that she's said it before, but I think it was truly just her baby babble that sounded as though she was saying it. I truly couldn't believe my ears! In that moment I think my heart simply melted! Later that day she was lying on our bed and actually rolled from belly to back for the first time. She pinned her arm under her and cried, but at least she actually did it because up until that point she had been pretty immobile. Now she will lie on her belly and scooch her but up in the air as thought she's trying to learn to crawl. Her mobility has been slow-going, but I'm sure she'll get it...........someday!

She Speaks!!

So, as many of you may know, I was truly hoping to hear "Mama" for the 1st time from Addi as I had previously heard "Dada" from Brooke and Austin as they muttered their 1st words. Well, much to my sadness I didn't get my wish......but......and that's a big BUT.......I didn't hear "Dada" either! As I posted in one of my previous submissions Addi has been really enjoying herself if the mirror and has perfected waving to not only herself, but others as well. On Thursday. September 10th, we were at Mimi's house and as we were getting ready to leave I told Addi to wave bye-bye. Well not only did she wave, but she said clear as day "Buh-bye!" My Mom turned and looked at me and couldn't believe it.....neither could I for that matter. So, it's official....she has now spoken. Maybe her second word will be "Mama" One can only hope......right?!?!? Oh and I also found that teeth #5 & #6 had popped through on the same day. Tomorrow she turns 8 months old and I find myself wondering how time could have escaped me by so quickly. Can't she just stay little forever (***tear***)????

Brooke's Room

I am finally FINISHED decorating Brooke's room. We bought her the new bedroom set a few months ago and I put all of the finishing touches on it (including the butterfly murals) this past week. I am totally in love with the finished product and love hanging out with the girls while they play in the room.
Now I just have to finish one of the murals in Addi's room and paint one more canvas for it and I will be done with her's as well. So, look for that post in a few weeks (I hope!)

Labor Day Celebration

It was nice being able to spend the day as a family and relax without having to worry about doing housework, etc. I spent the morning working on a new mural in Brooke's room (which is now complete.....minus the GIRLY chandelier I eventually want to replace her fan with!) I promised my Mom that I truly am done working and changing her room. It is so beautiful and such a girly/girl space that I find myself staring at it and wishing that I had a room just like it when I was little.(not to say that my Mom did a bad job decorating, but I shared a room most of my childhood, so Brooke is truly blessed to have such a space to call her own) After naps we went to my parent's house to get in a little swimming before fall is upon us and the dog days of summer where we could relax by the pool all afternoon are nothing but a distant memory. We had a great time! Brooke and Austin decided to swim with only 1 floatie each for a while and then Brooke decided she was too cold and wanted to get out and sit with her Granni. I was able to focus on Austin while Jeff played with Addi. I asked him if he wanted to try to swim without the floatie and he said "no". He then thought about it and looked at me and said "Mommy, I want to try to swim without my floatie." I was happy because I REALLY would feel more at ease if these kids could swim on their own without the dependence of arm floaties. My Dad looked at us a few minutes prior to Austin's decision and said to me "I bet he will be swimming before Brooke does." So, the floatie came off, Austin stuck his head in the water and SWAM!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. HE was actually swimming!!! It was like something came over him and he just knew how to do it. He's only sunk to the bottom before so this was truly a miracle. I knew it was the real thing he did it over and over and over again. He even jumped in and then swam to me. It was such a proud parenting moment and I even got a little weepy from how overcome I was with pure elation for Austin! The only problem we have no is that he thinks he can do anything and he has no fear. He isn't proficient on the whole treading water thing so if he's not actually swimming with his head down in water he doesn't know how to stay afloat. That will be our next thing to work on, but for now we are so proud of him!