Chad: How does Jesus heal us?

Kai: He sends a healing thingy down into our bodies and heals us

K: Why do some people only have one car?

A: Like who?

K: Nana

A: Well, Nana lives by herself so she only needs one car.

K: {thinking} if nana lives alone who protects her?

A: Mills (the dog)

K: Mills can’t he’s a dog

A: Well, Jesus is her protector.

K: How?

A: Well, Jesus lives in Nana.

K: How?

A: Because Nana asked Jesus to come live in her. To forgive her for what she has done wrong, to protect her, and to teach her.

K: Can he come live in me?

A: Well, yes. You have to ask him to do it.

K: What do I say?

A: Jesus, I love you. I want you to forgive me and live in my heart.

K: {Thinking….a few bites later} Mom, can you help me pray and ask Jesus to live in me?

A: ABSOLUTELY!

K: Dear Jesus, I love you and I really want you to live in me. I want me to teach me and protect me. Amen.

((((TEARS))))

I can honestly say that I love my baby boys heart for the Lord. I do know, however, he said this with out recognition of his sin. I’m in no way saying this was a salvation experience….just a sweet prayer from a young boy who really loves his Lord and Savior.

On the third Roanoke held their annual celebration/fireworks. Lyndee and I decided we didn’t want to do much. We frequently go to her mom’s and let the kids play outside for hours. We don’t have to entertain….all we do is make sure everyone is fed and happy and we get to sit back and relax. We had talked and both wanted to be able to chill on the 3rd. So, we made and easy menu, blew up the pool and sat back to relax. Of course, we also got drenched in a sudden storm but it was all fun. Our great friends the Miles’ joined us.

After playing at my in-laws, we went up and parked in front of the church, perfectly positioned across the road from the fireworks. I wasn’t sure how the night would go, honestly. First of all, Kenlee is in bed between 6:30 and 7 every night. The fireworks didn’t even START until 9:35. Yikes. I went totally prepared to leave early, but somehow girlfriend pushed through. My other concern was Kai. Kai has never mad it through a fireworks show. We usually end up in the car. The sound really bothers him. But, by the end of it, he didn’t have his hands over his ears….PTL!

By the time is was all over and I was driving home Kai said, “mom, i’m so tired can i just change and get in bed?” ha! I have never heard that from him.

All and all a GREAT day.

Then, on the actual fourth, after church, we headed over to my parents. I love their new backyard. We really cut our night short on the fourth. I think the kids were still so sleep deprived. Kai was asleep by 7:30 and Kenlee 7. Not going to lie, those are great nights!

In 2006, EP was jetting off to New Mexico for Midnight Clear and we had a dilemma. We had two Honda Accords at the time. My college Accord that I had ran into the ground and the ‘new’ Accord that we had purchased shortly after getting married (when we got rid of EP’s red truck –PTL!). EP was driving the old accord but unfortunately it wasn’t in the best condition to be driving across the state in. It was either me drive the old-we-don’t-really-know-if-it’s-safe-to-drive anymore car with baby SB so EP could drive the good car to his job or we buy a new car. So, without any prayer, we ran out and bought a car from a guy that EP knew from personal training. I liked the car and it was affordable, but nothing else.

That wonderful Nissan Xterra didn’t last long before it started having some trouble. AC, over heating, etc. We both knew that we rushed the decision but there was nothing we could do about it. I wouldn’t say that car was a bad car, but it wasn’t the right car.

Right before Starlet was born, I put both car seats in the car and very quickly realized we had no space. None. Even moving the front seats back was hard because of that big old rear-facing car seat. The four of us fit pretty snug in there with all of our gear. So, we started looking at bigger cars. The obvious choice, the Tahoe/Yukon. Besides, this was in the heat of the GM crisis so we though we could score big. The sales guy said, “Have you seen the new Traverse??” He went on selling me on the point that this car had the same interior space but basically had flat folding seats rather than removable seats. I fell in love, but not with the body style. Luckily, the Traverse is also the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and the Saturn Outlook. All Lambada (?) body styles. ANYWAY, in April 09, EP and I test drive an Acadia and LOVE it.

We walked away from the lot (well, I waddled) talking about what a great car it was, etc…Unfortunately, neither of us felt good enough to buy it. I was sad but knew we had better trust our Spirits. We were waiting for the contract he was working on to be renewed and decided once that was done THEN we could move forward. But, it never happened. All summer we discussed a new car, especially since it was so hot and precious Starlet was facing the rear of the car getting no AC…but not once did we feel the time was right.

Over the last YEAR many times I have referenced my new car. Mainly after my Xterra’s ceiling started to sag. I even got SB on it that every time he saw a GMC he’d yell, “GMC” and when he’d see an Acadia he’d say, “look mom, there is your car.” I kept telling him how even mommies and daddies have to be patient and wait for things and that we were asking God to give us a new car. Now, I’d could go on about confession but this post is already too long as it is. The point is, I knew what I wanted (as opposed to before) and I was reminding myself it was mine. This may seem silly to you, but trust me, it isn’t.

One of the biggest reason we hadn’t moved forward (besides just knowing it wasn’t time) is that we never really know our next step. It’s kinda hard to really change the financial situation you are comfortable in when you don’t know what’s coming down the pipes. And we knew it would change our situation because we wanted a bigger more expensive car.   

Let me say, in the last year there have been numerous times as I scanned Yahoo! Autos and Auto Trader that I thought we could do it and every time we didn’t have a peace. But as I began to pray and meditate on it last week…and after having seen so many different times where God provided, it was almost as though God was saying to me, “I can never move if you don’t give me the opportunity. I have faithfully provided for you time and time again. You can move on this now.” I just felt released to buy. I went to EP and he absolutely agreed it was time. I think his text said, “I’d absolutely love to buy my family a nice car.” (Melt –he is such a great husband!)

So, I started looking. We each had a few things we wanted. I wanted an Acadia (for the space). EP requested leather and captains seats for the second row. We preferred a 2009 or above….$20k miles used, possibly new. You have to write the vision (we did this with our house as well!) we didn’t want to compromise on what we wanted. We looked a few times out of our lines but always moved back.

Keep in mind, I have been searching the ads for almost a year, every two weeks or so so I have an idea on what we are going to pay and the numbers gal in me is using every Edmunds calculator out there to determine what I could afford etc. It keeps rising up in me to get anxious and nervous “Oh my gosh, can we really do this?” “What if we don’t get any jobs?” “What are we thinking?” …but I keep just praying and going.

I guess I should just sum this up (since the backstory took so stinking long). We ended up finding the exact car with more bells and whistles and better model for below True Market Value price. We had them add all the additional features I wanted (extra tint, ipod dock, etc) for free. Walked in and got an outstanding rate and a monthly payment almost $100 less than expected. WE GOT MORE THAN WE ASKED GOD FOR!

If you know me at all you know how frugal (ahem-cheap) I am. I return almost everything I buy, seriously, because I get horrible buyers remorse. ((I think I skipped the female gene for shopping)). Going into this I was never more confident. Confident that it was the right time. Confident that it was the right item. Confident that it wouldn’t effect us financially. I went to bed the night after signing my side of the papers (yeah, so the car still isn’t “technically” ours yet) with ease….usually I’m freaking out. Because we waited and prayed the ENTIRE ordeal went smooth and without hiccup.

I cried the whole way home from the dealership. (and you know I’m not a crier) It’s amazing to me every single time how awesome God is. How he loves you and wants for you. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts and He wants us to have even MORE! Abundance.

Praise the Lord!

And I might add that when we walked into the garage today SB exclaimed, “It’s our GMC! We finally have an Acadia.”

I had never even heard of such a thing. People drink milk that isn’t of cows and bought in the store?? NO WAY!

My mother-in-law has a friend that owns her own goats for milking purposes. (she also owns a health food store and is pretty much my first call in most situations) Merrilee milks the goats when this lady has to be away for a milking time or when she is on vacation. My mother-in-law LOVES this job. It’s therapy for her. Seriously.

Not long before I got pregnant I joined her to milk. This was a new experience for me. I was very unsuccessful.

Once SB was born my MIL filled my head with why it was better that babies be on goats milk rather than formula. I listened but i wasn’t quite ready to make the jump. When SB was 10 months I went out with her to milk. (for the life of me i cannot find the pictures!!!) This time I was very successful (guess you have to nurse to really understand milking –okay that’s kinda gross, sorry). I took home some of the milk and started giving it to SB and he loved it!!

I got some questions from my pedi about feeding my child something raw, unpasturized and from a goat….but it worked. SB was on goats milk until the goats stopped producing that year.

With Starlet, I’ve been waiting for these goats to produce. Yes, I realize there are places in the area you can get milk, but I was okay with formula. (I’m only semi-crunchy remember — oh and I’m super frugal and that stuff is PRICY!).

Last week we went out, as we do almost every year, and played with the baby goats. SB & The Negotiator had SO much fun. TN is fearless and will pick up any goat. SB on the other hand prefers to see them from afar. Starlet enjoyed some goat love too….maybe a little too much goat love.

You can really tell how much SB isn’t really into this. He quickly left to play in the barn. (LOOK at TN’s face!!! CUTE!!)

Momma Merrilee in her element!!!

The Negotiator picking up more goats….

Starlet eating a goat. (poor baby. this was 20 min before her dr visit for strep i had no idea she was so sick!!)

Why is goats milk better?? Well truly I’m not 100% sure. I know that it is easier to digest. I know that it is the closest to breast milk and that anything in its raw state is better. But for the rest google it! Here is the frist link from when i googled. LINK

the negotiator was born a year and a half after SB. SB didn’t really know what to make of him…

By Christmas they were fighting over uncle tory’s attention.

Then, SB suddenly decided he liked The Negotiator. (Guess he figured out TN wasn’t leaving)

Soon, SB and The Negotiator became best buds. I guess that happens when you are together most of the week. Up until SB was 3 (so a year and a half) they both stayed at Nana’s while mommies worked. They also spent Sundays and Wednesdays in the church nursery together. And then there is the fact that The Negotiator’s Mama and I LOVE to hang out on her day’s off. We play outside at Nana’s, go to the Zoo, the rodeo, the park, the list goes on.

The Negotiator gets his name because he is just that, a negotiator. It’s hilarious. He will stretch you as far as he can. His favorite word for awhile was “I JUST” I just put it over there. I just touch this part. What ever we say he tried to put his spin on it.

These two boys are like brothers. They love like brothers….and they fight like brothers.

(waiting on Uncle Tory)

Best Cousins Forever…..

HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY NEGOTIATOR!!!!!!!!

Last night:

playing with two cars. clearly one was being bad.

car #1: don’t do that we are supposed to be walking in love. being mean means we are not walking in love.

car #2: how do you walk in love

car #1: by sharing, and hugging, and being nice to people

this was so sweet to me. it was completely unprompted. he learned about walking in love on Sunday morning in kids class. let this be a testimony for all of you teaching that don’t think kids are listening…they are!

Right now:

SB is out back with his trucks. I’m inside listening to him from the couch.

car #1: i’m a girl

car #2: i’m a boy

car #1: well, i’m a girl

car #2: I KNOW YOU”RE A GIRL. You get to go first. Girls always go first.

actually…..this girl boy first last talk is still going on.

I think one of the best things as a parent is to hear your child repeat things that you have taught them when they don’t know you are listening. It’s one thing when they answer the questions you ask them correctly, but to hear him applying the things we discuss makes my heart SWELL!!!

Since I couldn’t be there EP emailed me pics along the way. I was so shocked they were able to do the x-rays…I mean, we talked about it but I even hate that part!!

Seriously, look at this kids feet?? Could he be any more relaxed??