Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

 

Don’t say that I didn’t warn you in advance that this is going to be a long post, K?  As you may know it’s been a while since I last wrote.  Where do I begin?

I guess I will start by giving you a quick update on our little fam.  Jeff is doing wonderful with juggling home life, our new church, working a ton of hours and going back to school.  Straight A’s so far.  Way to go babe!

I’m busy as ever with field trips, teaching Jazzercise, homeschooling Miss D for Pre-School, volunteering at the kids school, babysitting for Lees Summit Community Church, serving on the Praise and Worship team at our church, and just generally trying to keep clean clothes on the kids these days.

Emmitt and Carleigh are already in “summer” mode.  They have had ice cream on our front steps at least twice this week.  And have stayed out literally until I couldn’t see them anymore because it was so dark.

Delaney is just trying to keep up with me, poor thing.  She has discovered that while I’m busy with housework she can go into Emmitt’s room and watch his TV and play his DS and he will never find out about it because he’s at school.  She’s sneaky like that!  Her freckles are coming in more and more and people comment on her hair color every day.  (You cannot get it in a bottle).

Since I last wrote we celebrated Emmitt’s birthday, buried my Grandma on my Dad’s birthday and celebrated Elijah’s birthday.  I could go on forever about my Grandma and what we have been through this past few weeks with Elijah, but I won’t tonight.  It’s still a little too hard to talk about.  I want to thank you all for your prayers, cards, emails, comments, food, and flowers!  We seriously wouldn't be as far as we are today with out the love and support of you all!

I want to comment on one last thing before I let you go for the night.  I’ve kind of been thinking about it all week.  Earlier in the week I had tucked the kids into bed and sat on my bed trying desperately to find something good to watch to unwind from the day.  (Where are my moms at?  You know the feeling of being busy all day and FINALLY getting a few minutes where you didn’t have to serve anyone food, clean anything, or even think for a little while.  My moment usually sounds like this “AHHHHH”) 

Anyway, I was little disappointed and upset that my “moment” if you will was ruined by a bunch of shows of “STARS” that we made famous for pretty bogus reasons.    One show had a former Playboy Bunny who just became a new mommy.  Another show had women who we famous for their bodies and looks.  Another show had women who were famous for being “SOCIAL”. 

What does that even mean?  Are they interesting because their husbands make a lot of money and they can shop whenever they want?  Or maybe they are famous because they wear designer clothing?  Maybe it’s because they are home all day and still need a nanny to take care of their kids?  Maybe it’s because they have changed the way they look through NUMEROUS plastic surgeries.  (Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a plastic surgery hater, I’m not going to judge ANYONE for that.  I’m human, there are things about me I would love to change if I could , My problem is when you do it 6, 10, 15 times and still feel like you need to be “fixed”.) 

I guess the point that I’m trying to get to (in a total round about way) is the mere fact that God created YOU and ME for a purpose.  We don’t need to have a television show to have worth.  You are beautiful and unique and God loved you so much that he didn’t want to create ANOTHER you. You are perfect just the way that you are.  Not because of what you wear, how much money you have, or how big or little your nose is.  Be the best mommy, sister, friend, co-worker, grandma, cousin, wife, and person that you can be.  I guarantee there are others watching you when you don’t even know it. (Just like your own little show).

Let me give you a sneak peek into a new show coming up…it’s called the REAL Housewives of KC.  We start off the day waking up before everyone in the house to have quite time with the Lord, then we proceed to get ourselves and our children and husbands ready for the day.  Packing lunches, making breakfast, cleaning, laundry, more cleaning, kissing a boo boo, exercising (not with our $1,000 personal trainer who helped us loose 30 lbs just two days after we had our baby), sneaking in a bite of our kids leftover lunch because we didn’t have time to sit down (no personal chef here), bank, library, grocery store, school, park,supper, clean, homework, clean, bills, snack, clean, bath time, bedtime routine with the kids, kiss another boo boo, prayer time, story time, and finally we fall into bed only to be fully satisfied, happy, and fulfilled.  May not be a “Hollywood” story.  Probably pretty boring for some folks.  Not in the least bit predictable.  Maybe they could call it “HOLYwood”. Just a thought!

“Hey Look, I Actually DO still Blog!”

Hello Blog Family!  WOW, it’s been almost 4 months since I have blogged.  I had to take a little time off for reasons that I don’t want to mention out there on the “World Wide Web”, however, I’m happy to let you know why I had a little break from writing if you are curious.

But, I’m BAAACK! He He.

I have so much to feel you in on but I don’t want to write a 4 page blog..so I’ll just have to do it little by little.

I guess what made me want to come back again is the fact that I stopped writing and people were constantly saying “ I was reading your blog the other day…”.  I find it amazing that even though they are very old blogs, people are still taking time out of their busy day to check in with us.  I think of it as an honor.  THANK YOU all for caring enough about us to check in every now and again.

We have been on a pretty amazing adventure these past 4 months.  The holidays went way too fast, Delaney turned 4, Carleigh lost her front teeth, and now we are prepping for Emmitt’s 9th birthday.  I try every day to just savor the moment, because it’s gone in the blink of an eye.

I was up at 2:00 a.m. this morning.  I couldn’t sleep because I felt like God was giving me things to write about.  I laid their trying to go back to bed, and then I would think of something else to write about.

The main thing I wanted to mention is that Jeff and I started 2010 in prayer, fasting and reading the bible.  I was able to fast for seven days and Jeff fasted for almost 40.  (He cut it short to have Birthday cake with Miss D).  The type of fast we did is called The Daniel Fast.  If you are curious about it go to http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/danielfast.php.  It will answer any questions you may have.

Let me just tell you that before the Daniel Fast, I had never fasted longer than one day.  To fast an entire week seemed almost impossible.  But, when we started talking about it, I knew in my heart that I needed to do it.  I wanted to give God the first week of 2010. I want him to show up and show off.  I’m tired of doing the same ol’ same ol’.  I want more.  I want to take things to the next level.  I want to heal from these past 3 years.  By day 7 I felt like a new Marsha.  I felt healthier, more focused, loved, refreshed and satisfied. The only explanation as to how or why I felt that way is JESUS. 

Since the first day of 2010 God has been dealing with me to give him my first fruits.  Giving of the first fruits basically mean to give to God from a grateful heart. It sets a pattern of giving back to Him the first (and the best) of what He has given us.  In the Bible people would give God the first fruits of the Harvest as an offering to Him. I started thinking about giving him the first hour of the day, first day of the week, first week of the year. 

Over the last few weeks I have been DVRing some of my favorite Biblical programs.  (Beth Moore, Joyce Myers, Joel Osteen and Paula White).  The very first one that I sat down to watch was Paula White talking about giving God our first fruits.  I thought to myself “That’s weird, I’ve been thinking about that since January 1, 2010”.  So I listened to every word she had to say.

The very next morning I got up 30 minutes earlier than my normal time and gave it to God.  All that I can say is that the day was sooo smooth. 

The very next morning I sat down to watch someone else and guess what they said “You need to put God first”.  I thought….”Okay, that has to be a coincidence.”  So after that show ended I watched someone else that I DVR’d and guess what they talked about?  Yep, you guessed it, giving God the first of everything. 

Needless to say that the 5 shows that I randomly recorded with four different people over the past few weeks all talked about “FIRST FRUITS”. I felt like God slapped me upside the head.  Okay God, got it.  (Does He ever have to slap you like He does me sometimes?  Unfortunately sometimes that’s what it takes to get my attention). He’s still working on me!

I said all of that to say this….where is God at in your life?  I used to not find 20 minutes in my day to spend with Him because I was just TOO busy.  Yet I could get on Facebook and check everyone's status.  (You all know that can eat up 20 minutes of your day or more).  Ouch. I want to challenge you to take the first few minutes of your day to pray, read, sing, or just thank Him for all that He’s done for you.  I guarantee you will not loose those minutes that you spend with Him.  Maybe you could get up on Sunday and just give him a couple hours at Church.  I know that you would leave there feeling better than before you got there. He will supernaturally multiply your time.  How do I know?  He’s been doing it to me since the first of the year.

I’ve taken enough of your time for one day.  I pray that 2010 brings you HOPE, healing, freedom, blessings and such an outpouring of love you almost can’t contain it.

Much love,

Marsha

Happy Birthday Sis!

7 years ago today at 8:16 a.m. Miss Carleigh Rae Hasty was born into this family.  She made her presence known with a “little girl squeal” and as daddy brought her to me to see for the first time my words to him were “I think I’m gonna throw up”.  He quickly moved the baby out of my face and I did exactly that.

I feel like I blinked and she’s now turning seven.  Where o where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were at the hospital and I was putting every pink bow that I could find on her little head.  Now she likes to do her own hair with as many sparkles as she can get.

A lot has happened in those short 7 years.  She has taught me so much.  She has such a personality, and I just thought for sure she would be my “strong willed child”.  However, she has become a wonderful young girl.  She is thoughtful, considerate, prayerful, a morning person, a good student, tidy, a healthy eater, talented, grateful, helpful, and many many more things.

Carleigh, we celebrate you today.  You my darling, changed our family forever.  We are much better people because of you.  Promise mommy you will never loose that pretty smile of yours.  I want you to always put God first and walk in His will for your life.  I pray that you serve Him all the days of your life and that you are a great asset to His kingdom.  Keep your head up, even when life throws you curveballs.  I cannot always make things perfect for you (although I wish with everything in me that I could) but even when times are tough never loose HOPE.  Love your neighbor, love your family, love your friends, and love God with all your heart.  Trust in Him.  He will not fail you.  Be kind to others, be gentle, be patient, be humble, be pure, be holy. The sky is the limit for you sweet Carleigh.  Reach for them.  Daddy and Mommy will be there cheering you on every step of the way.

We love you sooooo much!

Be blessed today!

Mommy, Daddy, Emmitt, Delaney, Jordan, Mia and Elijah

Just a lil update on our lil fam!

Hello Friends!  It’s been a while.  I’ve missed you.  I hope all is well since the last time I blogged.

I have had so much to say, yet I didn’t want to bore you with the little goings on of my life lately.  God has given me several things that I wanted to write about, but I would start to write, and he would stop me.  I don’t know why, but I was obedient.

Let me just tell you where we are all at right now:  Jeff is counting the days down until his last Chemistry class.  He has done well, but dearly misses us as he is gone 3 nights per week.  God has been speaking to him pretty regularly which just amazes me.  Sometimes I wish that God would speak to me even half as much as Jeff hears him.

Emmitt is doing well in 3rd grade.  He LOVES his teacher and his classmates.  His favorite subject is Science.  Who knows, he may be on Mythbusters one day.  (one of his favorite shows).  He’s definitely growing up and his personality is changing.  He’s also getting very tall, and he’s almost right under my chin. 

Carleigh is currently home sick from school today.  She hardly ever gets sick.  She’s my healthy eater so I think that contributes to her health.  She was recently asked what she didn’t like to eat, her response was “everything”.  Meaning she likes it all.  She is doing okay tonight, so I think that she’ll be going to school tomorrow.  She has to get well because she is having her first Sleepover Party for her 7th birthday on Thursday night. She is SO excited.  She’s been asking for a sleepover forever.  I think the girls are finally old enough to handle it.  We’ll see…I may be making some phone calls to parents about midnight of little girls wanting to come home to sleep.

Delaney is loving ballet still. I’ve had several comments lately from parents and children about how “good” she is already.  I thought that she would be more of our gymnast, but she may be on Dancing With The Stars one day.  She is as feisty as ever.  Here is a sample conversation she had last night with her daddy:

Jeff: “I love Ariel”

Delaney: “No you don’t, you’re a boy and boys like Prince Eric….Pssssht.”

How does a three year old learn to say Pssssht?  Who knows, but you just have to laugh at her.

 

I’m teaching a lot at Jazzercise lately, and keeping busy with volunteering at the kids school.  I figure I better do as much as I can now before I start back to work when Delaney starts school.

I also celebrated my 33rd birthday this month.  I had a pretty amazing birthday I must say.  Jeff spoiled me (as usual) by taking me shopping and baking me the best Pecan Pie that he’s ever made.  I celebrated last week with my sister and her husband and we had a blast just being together (as usual). I had a few lunches with friends and was really overwhelmed by all the love that was shone to me on my birthday. 

I had several birthday wishes by friends and family on Facebook which made me tear up more than a few times.  One word kept coming up and it was the word LEADER.  I hardly think of myself as a leader.  I fall daily.  But, I guess I do what we all do..I just get right back up and keep on walking.

Here is an email that just made me cry all over the place:

“I used you today as my example of an Inspired Leader. You are a great positive example to all who know you. I am honored to know you and hope some of your character will rub off on me!”

Guys, I’m not trying to toot my own horn, I wrote that to say this…whether you believe it or not, people are watching what you say and do all the time.  Our children watch us when bad things happen to see how we react.  My HOPE is that everything that I say and do be pleasing in God’s sight.  Before I get out of bed each morning I pray, “God, let everything that I say and do be pleasing to you, I want to walk in your will today, and always”.  I mean that more than anything.  Please let that be your prayer tonight.  You never know who’s watching you.  I’ve had my share of ups and downs in the last 3 years, but my prayer is that I was a positive example for my children in the face of adversity.  It majorly overwhelms me to think that some people think of me as a leader, but if they do, I better be the best that I can be, right?

That’s all for now folks.  I have to get kiddos ready for bed!

Blessings,

Marsha

Happy Fall Ya’ll, or is it Merry Christmas?

 

So we’re a few weeks into my favorite time of the year.  Fall going into Christmas.  I love it when the weather gets a little cooler, the leaves start changing colors, and life starts to slow down a little from a crazy Summer.

I’m still a little confused as to where 2009 has gone?  I cannot believe that it’s October already, and there is only 3 months left in the year.  It seems like we just celebrated the new year, then Valentines Day and Delaney’s Birthday, March was celebrating Emmitt’s Birthday, April was the month that we celebrated Elijah, May marked the end to another school year, recovery time from having Elijah, and Mia’s Birthday, June was spent running around trying to do all the things that I wanted to with the kids for the summer, July was Fireworks, and Jeff’s birthday, August was the beginning to yet another school year, and September honestly seems like a blur.  So that leads us to today, October 2, 2009. 

Has your year went like you had hoped?  Did you start 2009 with hopes to loose that last 10 lbs. of baby weight?  Or maybe you had hoped that things would start to look up for you and your situation.  Did you set a goal and start working towards it and then the bottom seemed to drop out?  Did you start the year with a healthy family, and then to your surprise, someone was diagnosed with Cancer or another serious illness?  In my case, on January 1, 2009 I was sick with morning sickness.  We had just found out about Elijah, no one new yet, but I JUST KNEW and BELIEVED and PRAYED and HOPED that he would be born to our family and that everything would change for us.  I thought that what had happened in the past with Jordan and Mia would be just that, the past.  But you all know that my year went terribly different that I had hoped. 

My question to you and to myself is “What are you going to do about it?”

I guess that we could become bitter, or loose hope because everything is different now.  We could become mad at God because things are not like we wanted and after all, isn’t he Santa Claus?

Today, as you read this I want to challenge you to make a difference in the rest of 2009.  It’s not too late.  It’s not too late to start eating better and exercising.  It’s not too late to work on that goal.  It’s not too late to positively change the rest of the year.  We sit around waiting on the world to change, with the lack of knowledge that we can change the world. 

You and I can help others through our circumstances. Maybe you are 6 months into a bad report from the Doctors, and you know someone who’s life just changed because of a bad report.  What are you going to do about it?  I guarantee that I’m not going to let someone walk the journey of loosing a child and sit idle, waiting for them to ask me for help.  I’m going to be in their face, encouraging them, telling them what God’s word says, listening when they just need an ear, and most importantly LOVEing them.  Maybe you can take a few minutes today to sit down and reevaluate the rest of the year.  What do you want to accomplish in these last 3 months?  I’d love to hear what you come up with.

A few of my goals for the rest of the year include:

• Continuing to stay on our budget, so we can get the Doctor bills paid off (hopefully by the end of 2009)

• I want to be a better servant, mother, wife, daughter, friend, sister, and follower of Christ

• and I want to take better care of my body.  Since Elijah was born I have not had an appetite whatsoever.  I go days with just a couple bites to eat.  The baby weight has come off (but that’s not why I haven’t been eating), and now it’s time to start putting those nutrients back into my body, and start being healthy for my family, so I can be around a long time

What brings all of the questions you might ask?  Call it shock.  I had a strange but awesomely amazing night last night.  Those who know me know that I LOVE Christmas.  But it just seems so early to start thinking about it.  Last night Carleigh tried out for an amazing Ballet production called The Mystery Of Christmas.  It’s a twist on the Nutcracker Ballet that tells the story of Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.  She had a small role in it for the past 2 years, but this year was a big deal because she had to “try out” for it.  It’s a much longer dance and she gets to dance with a boy. Ha.  (She told me that she wished that Emmitt was a dancer, because she didn’t want to hold anyone else’s hand but his). 

So…I spent the entire ride home humming the Nutcracker songs in my head, and out loud as well.  Then I got home and realized that I needed to send Vivian (my mother in law) a list of ideas for the kids for Christmas because they are planning on shopping for them today.  And then when getting ready for bed what do I hear on T.V.?  Jeff had turned up Christmas Vacation really loud because he knew that it’s my absolute FAVORITE holiday movie.

Wow, it’s October, not December right?  Are you sure?  Because as cold as it was yesterday in Kansas City, I could have swore that it’s the Christmas season!

So, that’s all for now.  I’ve typed your ear off.  A lot has happened since I last wrote, but I’ll save that for another time. 

Hope you all have a better end to 2009, than the beginning!

Blessings,

Marsha

Ya Ya Sisters Day and other random Hasty things!

 

Hello Friends!

As I type, Miss Delaney is hopefully down for an afternoon nap.  She has been running a fever on and off for a few days now.  Poor thing.  Unfortunately someone in our family has been sick for the last 4 weeks.  We’ve had the stomach flu, colds, more flues, and now another cold again.  I miss church.  We’ve only been once in 4 weeks. YUCK>  So if you think about it, say a prayer for Miss D tonight.

It’s just another Manic Monday.  Wish it were a Sunday. Ha.

Many of you may know that we celebrated YaYa Sisters Day on Saturday.  You may be thinking “what in the world is YaYa Sisters Day?”  This is a holiday that Angie and I created about 4 years ago.  We decided that we needed a holiday just to celebrate the fact that God made us sisters and friends.  Every year close to the first day of fall (our favorite time), we get together and give each other gifts, have a nice dinner and do whatever we want.  We tell secrets, we cry, we laugh, we HAVE FUN!  For the past few years we have both been saying that we needed to include my cousin Jenee who does not have a sister. She is our only female cousin on my moms side, and we are both very close to her. (she might as well be our sister).  So this year we extended our invite to include our cousin.  But we couldn’t invite her without inviting her mother who just happens to be my moms only sister.  So Sisters Day went from just two sisters, to five and WE HAD A BLAST!!!

Friends, if you have sisters or if you just have friends, you need to find a day to do this.  It will change your life.  It has brought us closer every year, and every year we are trying to think of something “fun” to do on our Sisters Day.  All year we are picking up small things here and there that maybe our sister mentioned they needed or wanted.  To see the look on their face when they open it and see that we listened to them and remembered what they said is amazing.  This year I got…a set of cookie sheets, Rachel Ray offset spatulas, Paula Deen mixing bowls, a snuggie, a Christmas Rug, 3 cookbooks, and Autumn basket, Halloween decorations, a Yankee Candle and air freshener, lip gloss, a sisters plaque, and 2 picture frames.  I’m sure that I'm missing something, but can you believe it?  None of us went overboard on our spending, but we just bought what we thought the other would like.  Too fun.

I won’t bore you will all of the details of our Sisters Day but I will share with you a few of our YaYa Sisters Day Commandments:

• Thou shalt not text home
• Thou shalt not count calories
• Thou shalt eat whatever you want
• Thou must go shopping
• Thou must not talk about anything sad, and if thou talks about anything sad, thou must put 25 cents towards the next Sisters Day (indecently we have about $10 in quarters saved for next year…what can I say, it’s been a hard year)

Okay, I’m almost done talking about our YaYa SD 2009, but I have to mention on other thing.  My mom bought us all snuggies.  We opened presents outside on the patio, the weather was nice and honestly we had so many presents we wouldn’t have fit inside the house.  We looked like a cult sitting outside in our black snuggies.  (they look like Scream costume minus the masks).  Anyway, mom has a motion light that kept going on and off.  At one point the light went off and I heard Angie say “can anyone see?”  When the light came back on my Aunt Lisa was standing up saying (in her long black “cult” snuggie) “And now our Sisters Day sacrifice can begin.”  Guess you had to be there, but we all laughed till we cried.  I’m sure the neighbors wondered what the heck was happening. LOL>

Other than that last week was a pretty fast uneventful week for us.  However, Carleigh Rae started her first “big girl” ballet class.  Up until now she has been in wee and pre-ballet.  Basically just an intro to ballet.  Now she’s old enough to be in the big girl class and it’s very serious.  She will be in a group of girls older than her and some a lot more advanced than she.  I’m praying that it really challenges her passion for dance.  I would have loved to have done something like that when I was young.  There is no doubt that if I would have started when I was her age I would probably own my own studio today.  I LOVE DANCE, and I see that same passion for it in her eyes.  She did great her first class and I can’t wait to see how much she advances this year.

Miss D starts her first ballet class tonight.  She is super excited.  I can’t wait to take pictures.  My friend Melissa (the friend that makes the cutest hair bows) made her a purple and white tutu and I cannot wait to put it on her.  She tells me “i’ne already a ballerina mommy”.  I’ll post some pictures tomorrow.

Emmitt turns 8 1/2 tonight at 10:53.  8 1/2 years ago our entire life changed for the better.  This kid is truly a gift from God. I know what your thinking, yes, I’ve already made the 1/2 birthday cake and yes, we will sing happy birthday to him tonight and eat said half birthday cake.  It’s tradition.

Lastly I have to mention that while last night in the shower I realized something…I’m “One Of Those Moms”.  If you don’t know what I mean let me clarify:

I’m “One Of Those Moms” who:

• says things like “make good choices today.”
• needs the occasional night out and when that happens usually two minutes after the kids are gone I’m ready for them to come home.
• doesn’t feel “freedom” when I'm by myself, I feel lonely.
• is the last person to sit and eat at the dinner table and while it’s clear that every one has at least had two or three bites already says (like I didn’t notice that they’ve already started eating) “Who’s going to pray over our meal?”
• is sometimes too tired to shower after taking care of everyone all day.
• tries to have warm baked goodies for the kids when they get home from school at least two or three times per week.
• gets frustrated after everyone leaves there stuff lying all over the house and instead of just telling them to take care of it, I pick it up and huff and puff the whole time so they can hear me.
• goes shopping for myself and ends up buying for the kids and not having money left for myself.
• volunteers every chance I get just so I can get an extra few minutes at the school to let them know that I love them.
• calls my kids “babies, hunney, nunney, love, sugar, sweetie and other annoying names
• feels like when the kids miss a question at school it’s a personal reflection of my parenting skills.
• hates to spank but is amazed at how quick it works.  (don’t have to do it often, and I HATE to have to do it at all).
• raises her voice at the kids (okay, yells), and then feels bad for a week afterward.
• feels like I have the best job in the world.  The positives waaaay outweigh the negatives.

That’s all for now folks.  Now you are up to date with the Hasty family.

Please keep in touch and let me know how you are!

Much love,

Marsha

Happy Labor Day!

Hello All!  Happy Labor Day!

It’s been almost 2 weeks since I last wrote.  I have tried to.  But for whatever reason, after I’ve written a couple blogs, I decided not to post them.  Just didn’t feel like they were important enough.  So, third times a charm.

Thank you for those of you who have been asking about my Grandma.  She is still hanging on.  She told my dad “A lot of people have been visiting me, they must think that I’m dying…I’m going to live a long time just to be ornery.” They told us that she wouldn’t make it to her birthday, and that was last week.  God’s not finished with her yet on this earth.

Do you have plans for today?  My plans are to do nothing and enjoy my family.  It seems like since school started we hit the ground running and never looked back.  You would think that since I have two in school that I would have a ton of time on my hands when they are gone, but no such luck.  I’ve been volunteering at school and trying to finish up their rooms.  Not done completely with their rooms but getting close.  Delaney is having fun just following me around.  And occasionally getting spoiled when I’m at the store trying to find things for their room.  She’s so cute you hate to tell her no, and she never asks for anything, so when she does it’s a no brainer.

Jeff is really enjoying Chemistry.  (sarcasm).  He’s a couple weeks into school now and is starting to feel a little more confident.  I feel bad when he doesn’t understand something because I am certainly no help.  He’s hoping to take Emmitt out on the golf course today for some much needed down time.  He’s on call today, so we’ll see if that actually happens. 

Emmitt is enjoying 3rd grade.  Everyday he comes home and says school was “awesome”.  He loves his teacher and also loves the fact that she gives them time in class to work on homework. If they get it done in class, they don’t have to take it home.  He’s soon to turn 8 1/2 and you better believe that there will be a half bday cake for him.  I can’t believe that my baby boy is so old.  Where did the time go?

Carleigh is getting ready to start ballet this week. She is super excited.  She is probably more excited because she has a few new leotards to wear.  The girl loves clothes.  She’s going to be a designer one day.  My sister told me the other day that when Carleigh wears a certain shirt with a scarf, she never wears the scarf the same way.  Every time Angie sees her she’s got it tied a little different.  And the girl loves shoes.  She probably has a lot more than I do.  She changes close at least 4 times daily.  All that aside she is the most thoughtful child that I know.  She’s always making someone something to eat or drink, or making a card for someone.  She never asks for the same in return.  I brought her a pillow and blanket last night while she was watching a movie and she was so thrilled that I thought of her.  “O, momma, Thank you!”

 

Delaney has a new word, PUNK>.  Let me tell you that it’s really hard to keep a straight face while telling her  “Delaney, we don’t call people Punks”. Ha.  I laugh just typing that.  She starts ballet next Monday and she is soooooooo excited.  She tells me that she’s already a ballerina.  And she twirls and whirls around the house to show me all her moves. You better believe that there will be lots of pictures taken her first class.  There is nothing cuter than a little girl in a tutu with her little pudgy belly hanging out.  I just hope that she doesn’t beat anyone up her first class. Joking.  She’s yet to actually beat anyone up. (but I’m sure the thought has crossed her mind).

I’ve been busy with kiddos and housework. I’ve really been seeking God as to what my next step is.  I thought that I would be home for the next 5 years with Elijah, so now that that is not a reality, I’m trying to figure out what is next.  Delaney will start Pre-K next year and then Kindergarten the year after that.  I know that I will go back to work at some point, so I'm trying to think  a head a little as to what I might want to do.  I’m sure that God already has it under control, but I’m still a thinker.  I’ve been fortunate to be at home for the last 8 1/2 years.  By the time Delaney will start school I will have been home for 10 1/2 years.  WOW.  Never thought that would have been a reality.  Thank you Jesus.  I’m so thankful that I got to raise my kids and see the firsts of everything.  It was worth all of the sacrifice.  I have the best job in the world.

Lastly I just want to say that I’ve really been praying for you all.  I know that there are tons of you going through some “stuff”.  From Miscarriages, to lost jobs, to lay offs, to sickness, to disease, to marital problems, to husbands being deployed.  I think about you all more than you know.  I will not stop praying for you and God’s best for you.  Hang close to Jesus and get in the Word.  It’s like a road map for life.  If you don’t know what to do, just open it and you’ll be sure to have a little clarity. Trust, Obey, Pray, Seek, Knock, Sing, Dance, Love, Forgive, Worship, Laugh, Serve!

Have an awesome day.  Thanks for taking the time to check in on our little family.

Blessings,

Marsha Stewart (tee he)