This movie is the latest rage…as it very well should be.  What an amazing movie!  I cried all through it. 

There is such a great message in this movie.  Marriage is a covenant with God…no a contract.  And it shows you that it is possible with God to love your partner like never before.  God bless the church that comes up with these ideas and more power to Kirk Cameron for only kissing his real wife!

This is the ending song by Warren Barfield.  It says it all!

I love you Josh and I thank God for what He did for us!

I have been quite lazy when it comes to keeping up the blog, so I must apologize. I have so much to tell you that I am going to make this a random blog. Here we go.

I hear from Josh about every other day, on average. We email about everyday and he is doing great! He says they feed him well, the temperature is mild (for now!) and he has a gym that is close. So he is satisfied…as much as possible. They work everyday, including weekends, but he is making good friends and all the work makes time fly by! Here is a recent picture.

Kiser is such a brain child. He went to physics class with me today. He didn’t have class b/c of President’s Day. The professor was explaining a concept about transistors and semiconductors and asked the class a question about the direction of flow. Kiser, as sweet and innocent as could be, raised his hand. The professor grinned and pointed to Kiser as if to say, “yes, son?” Brave little Kiser answered the stinking question…..and got it right!!!!!!!!!! The class, the professor and myself all looked at Kiser and just smiled. The question was SOMEWHAT easy. I say somewhat b/c you had to be paying attention and following the lecture to know the answer. Kiser did! I couldn’t believe that he grasped the concept. I must say that I was glowing!  I knew it must have meant a big deal to him to get such recognition in a college class.

I have been attending a Bible study on prayer and once the class is over, I will write a separate blog about it. All I will say is that I had no idea you were supposed to pray a certain way. I have learned so much from it (and even tested it out a bit ) that my faith has multiplied!

I feel like this year is going to be an incredible journey and season for Josh and I. I feel like God is going to do some amazing things in our marriage, in our lives and in our spiritual walk with him. I don’t worry at all about him. I know that God has put him there for a reason and his being there is an answer to our prayers. My worry is only a lack of faith in what God has promised me. I am so excited about life, about church, about GOD!! I couldn’t have asked for a better church family and group of friends to get me through this year than what God has provided for. Hind Sight is amazing…to think back at what lead us here and how God knew exactly what he was doing!! Just talking about it makes me so emotional. You should see me at church…I do an awful lot of crying. But it is cries of joy and thanksgiving!

I have discovered that, as much as I HATE it, Carrabba’s is where I am supposed to be.  God has put me there and has given me such a heart for some of my co-workers.  I was so set on trying to “convince” them that God existed that I would get so exasperated and feel like I had to tip-toe through the devil’s playground.  We would argue (not aggressively…more like a heated discussion) and I would leave feeling like a looser.  I learned this weekend that I can’t “convince” anyone that God exist.  What I have to do is be the light that shines in the darkness.  I have to be the one person that stands out above everyone else and make them wonder what I have that they don’t! I have to build bridges, make connections and show compassion.  Satan doesn’t want me there; that is why he kept telling me I needed to leave!  He knows why God has put me there and I frighten him.  He knows I am serious now and I refuse to let him win!

Beaner is great.  Growing so fast.  He is finally starting to talk. Only a few easy words, but he is getting there.   He can say:  please, cookie, stop, bye-bye, blue, ooh (so funny..he says this when we change his diaper!) and a few others.  He jams out at church to the praise and worship music and gives the ladies (and men) a run for the money!  His newest hobby is piling all the pillows on the floor from couch and jumping off the couch.  Check out the picture…too funny!

Ok, and finally….there really is an end to the rainbow.  No gold, but an end.  Never knew it actually touched the ground.  I heard about this picture when I was listening to our local christian radio station…WAY FM.  Isn’t is beautiful…and they say it hasn’t be photo shopped.  I think it looks impossible to do so.  God is so beautiful!!

By the way, I am adding new pics of the boys….so check them out ——->

The heading is meant to be completely sarcastic.  I learned the great trick of sarcasm from my husband and every once in a while I like to practice it…so there you go!

I found this icon to be completely appropriate for my life right now…especially in light of the two speeding tickets I have received lately. Count them…one, two…there is no mistaking it, I am telling you no lie…but thank goodness for friends in high places and tears…works just about every time!

You may (or may not) have noticed that I changed my  custom header to someone holding a physics book.  Why? you ask…b/c it seems to be taking over my life.  I don’t mean that in a positive way, although I am getting some really good sleep. 

 Physics has to be the most ridiculous science in the WORLD.  I think botany and astronomy have more relevance in my life than physics.  I know it seems that physics would be important to a PHYSICal therapist…but nope…not the class i am taking.  Maybe I am taking the wrong one?!?!  Nope…it is the right one, but it is stupid!  For instance, can someone out there in the physics world tell me how electric circuits and capacitors are important for my job of the future?  Can someone tell me when I will ever need to know that C=Q / V or that one electron volt = 1.6 X 10¯ 19 Joules?  And yes, I actually had to pull out the books to remember those …b/c in the whole scheme of life…they are really not that important!!!!

I just can’t wrap my brain around it.  I can manage to understand just about anything, if I don’t understand, I at least can devote enough time to figuring it out…but Josh call physics my kryptonite…it is honestly the one subject that defeats me!  I could try and try all day, but nothing.  Thank goodness for an understanding professor who lets us use notes and open books for exams.  Otherwise, it is highly likely I wouldn’t make it to grad school. 

The past week or two since class has started, I have been completely exhausted!  I am guessing it is b/c my brain is in overdrive trying to understand this mess of a science…but I am sure it also has something to do with the exercising I am trying to fit into my day, as well as the added stress of trying to do Josh’s job while he is gone.  So if you are looking for good sleep, buy yourself a physics book and read it.  I sleep like a log…I honestly don’t think I move!

We just found out that Kiser has been accepted into the Gifted and Talented Program beginning in third grade. He tested for it in November, but we just now got the results.

His letter states that he was accepted b/c his scores met the requirements: either by scoring in the 96th National percentile on the Cognitive Abilities Test or through a combination of all scores at or above the 93rd percentile on the total verbal, nonverbal, or quantitative parts of the aptitude test and scores at or above the 94th percentile on achievement.

We couldn’t be happier for Kiser. What a major self esteem boost to know that you are already recognized as being one of the smartest in your grade. (Not that brains are all that matters, but it sure helps make getting through school and college a lot easier when you have the cognitive ability to comprehend and apply!)

Forget no child left behind….that is what is wrong with our public school system now! Separate the kids out and celebrate their differences. Stop holding kids back because not everyone is as smart as the others. Keeping them separate would probably be good for those that struggle; at least then they would get the attention they need to excel and not feel chastised b/c they can’t catch on as quickly.

We have already made the decision to put Kiser in private school at Cathedral of Praise Academy next year… which I am sure is as good or better than the public school G and T program, but hearing the news is fantastic.  I think we knew all along that Kiser was smart.  He does have me for a mom after all

It is officially one week before Josh leaves me and the kids. He heads down to Atlanta next Friday for a week for some unfinished business and some more shots and then on Saturday, Jan. 24th, he hitches a straight flight to Kuwait. I have to admit that I am holding up ok for now. I did have a vulnerable moment in the car when I listened to the song by Sanctus Real…”We Need Each Other.” It is an incredible song if you really listen to the words. I think I am going to adopt it as our family theme song and play it for Kiser when we have “moments!!” Check it out!

I never realized how much Josh and I were a team until I started looking at all the new tasks I was going to inherit.  Talk about exhausting! I am going to miss him more than anyone could imagine but it makes me look at him differently a little too.  The commitment to our family and the sacrifice he is willing to make for us so that our life can be a little bit easier in such hard and difficult times make me love him even more than I thought was possible.  I thought I was going to have it hard, but he has to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for an entire year!  Plus he has to do it in the hot Iraqi desert.

You never really know what you have until you risk loosing it.  I don’t care how much you think you love the other…imagine them gone…

I am so bummed that Christmas is over!  People start putting away decorations and taking down the lights…but NO…not me. I plan on leaving mine up until at least mid-January.  I want to hang on to the magic as long as possible!

Our Christmas program was incredible at church!  God showed up in a huge way and lives were changed forever.  It is so amazing and I feel so lucky to be able to experience the Holy Spirit.  I am hoping that the choir becomes a permanent thing so that I can sing more often.  Being in a ministry in the church was such a great way to meet some really amazing people that I may never have met any other way…b/c our church is so huge.  My heart and spirit are definately set up for a big change this year.  I love the peace that God brings and have decided that peace is on the top of my prayer list for 2009!  There is a lot I need to relax about and with Josh leaving soon…peace is needed now more than ever!

Through talking to a few ladies and getting a unanimous opinion, Josh and I have decided to send Kiser to Cathedral of Praise Academy next year.  Cathedral is where we go to church and according to everyone I have talked to, the academy is just an incredible extension of the church.  It isn’t cheap, but we have talked (and will continue to pray) but think that maybe the overseas assignment isn’t just about completely paying for my grad degree, but could also be apart of God’s plan to help us afford Kiser’s private school.   Josh and I can’t make a big enough impact on Kiser’s spiritual life on our own.  We need all the help we can get through teacher influence and friends (since that is where he will spend a lot of time!) and have decided that no price is too high to pay for an incredible education and his salvation!

Christmas day was great!  Boston got a basketball goal, Lego’s, books, some clothes, an adorable Tom Brady Patriots jersey and the 50 state coin collection from my father.  Kiser has been collecting them since he was born and already has them all.  My father has collected coins all his life and over the past few Christmas’s, has given them out to the grand kids.  Talk about a fortune in collectible coins!  Not just that, but it is a huge part of my father’s past and it is super special to have that part of him. 

 Kiser got Rock Band (which was a gift for us all..it is so much fun!), clothes,  a Patriots jersey, and a $50 bill!  Thanks mom for setting the bar super high.  Now those .25 cent chores mean very little!

Overall we had a great time with my parents, Josh’s mom and the kids.  Christmas ‘09 can’t come quick enough!

I love Christmas A LOT!! Seeing it through the eyes of an adult is so different than through the eyes of a child! I love the smells, the lights, the hustle and bustle, FAMILY, music, pictures, food..you name it. Most of all, I love the story of the Birth of Christ, the magic of the season and the feeling of forgiveness and grace. I wish I could go back in time and experience it first hand, to be there with the Shepard’s, the women, the innkeeper! Imagine that moment…when all was silent..holy…and forgiveness and worth came to be!!!

All of that is a lot for kids. As a child, Christmas is magical and wonderful for so many different reasons. Kiser is old enough to understand the Birth, but not quite old enough to comprehend the magnitude of it all. So using Santa is a good way to teach them about cheer and selfless giving. I love to take them to sit on Santa’s lap. Kiser knows this isn’t the real Santa…only a helper (wink wink) but these moments of them as kids is something to keep forever. Boston on the other hand was a little scared, but his expression is just as priceless. Let’s just hope that he doesn’t grow up and have some sick fear of men with white hair and beards or this is the evidence that it is all my fault!

Yesterday, Boston looked at the potty and said “pee pee!” So, I took off his diaper and pee pee he went, right in the toilet! I hope it stays that easy! I guess you can say that it is officially time to start the potty training. YippY.

I love the un-contaminated mind of young kids!  No discrimination, no stereotyping….all kids are created equal!  I sound like MLK!!  Well, mostly equal.  Some are still trouble, some are still weird…and some are just….GIRLS!  I took these pictures of Kiser and his best buds today at their Christmas musical at school. 

Jailen, Seth, Kiser and Nathan

 Neil and Kiser

I love it that Kiser sees no color and just loves hanging out with other kids simply b/c they are cool.  In South Carolina, there really seems to be no ethnic minority and it is so awesome to see kids being kids and not judging people or segregating themselves like adults do.  If anything, this is one great advantage to public school.  Yes, there are a lot of negatives, but Kiser’s friends are so great, and we wouldn’t change that for the world.

Kiser is in a semi-accelerated class with these boys (Praise the Lord!!).  It isn’t documented that way…b/c segregation based on brains doesn’t start until 3rd grade, but his class has been separated based on the fact that they are a bit advanced…and you could see why!  Parents, Parents, Parents!  It is so true that having smart children has a lot to do with parent involvement b/c this room was packed out!  Kiser has had several in-class programs since we started Goose Creek Primary, but this is the first time that there wasn’t enough room for everyone to fit comfortably in the room.  Every child seemed to be represented by someone, and I have never seen that in the past, but it was so good to see.  It goes to show that you can have a smart child no matter what school they go to! 

 I hope with all my heart that Kiser keeps these friends forever!

You have to watch this video!  Boston, with the help of his older brother, figured out how to climb into his crib.  Needless to say, we had to convert his crib into the day bed so that if he does climb out, he doesn’t seriously injure himself. 

Does that look dangerous to you?!?!  Because it does to me…it screams of broken neck and fractured arms!  Kiser was brave, but I don’t ever remember him being quit this risky.  I love that he is so brave and that he is such a BOY, but he scares me to death sometimes too!