A Short Little Funny...

So this morning, Rhett was awake before me. When I got up he was in the kitchen eating breakfast. "Good morning", I said. "Morning, mom", he said. "Mom, I need to tell you something, the tooth fairy didn't come again last night, I have had my tooth under my pillow for five nights now!" Those of you with less than five children or you "supermoms" can stop gasping now, as this has become a familiar scenerio in our home. I've decided not to live in shame anymore...I totally suck at being the tooth fairy. But you know, I guess part of it is I have never really bought into the concept. I mean, boys aren't real into "fairies" anyway, and how believable is it to any kid with reasonable intelligence, that some gifted being would really want to give them money in exchange for a dirty old tooth!

In all fairness, when the boys were really little or maybe it was just when the older ones were really little, I really did try to keep up. But do you have any idea how hard it is to keep up with all of these teeth? I mean how many teeth is it anyhow, like 16 x 5?!! That's a lot of teeth! And in this economy what middle class family can afford that! And then you have the added disadvantage of the older ones tipping off the younger ones so even if I remember to sneak in and swap the money for the tooth, someone is still awake waiting to see if I'm coming in the room! Once we had our fourth child it became a losing battle...so now I am content to be a "tooth fairy loser". Maybe those of you with less than five children should just stop reading now. I don't want to disillusion any of you.

So back to this morning...Rhett complains about the lack of profit on his most recent molar and I just look at him and wink. "Times are tough, Rhett, even the tooth fairy is cutting back." So we went about our day, took the kids to the high school distict wrestling tournament, then celebrated a birthday with one of our friends. So when we got home about nine, Rhett comes in to the living room with his tooth. "Should I put it under my pillow again?" he said. "Naah," I replied. "What's it worth to ya?" I asked. He smiled and said,"Fifty bucks". I said, "How about two?" "Sounds good," he laughed. We made the exchange and he ran off to get ready for bed. Even though I am a "tooth fairy loser" he thinks I'm tops. That's the great thing about kids!

P.S. My "yellow" friend is much less yellow. He is on the road to healing thanks to our loving Savior and lots of prayer! Thanks to all of you who have been praying!

My "Yellow" Friend...

I am always amazed when the Lord speaks to me. When He touches my heart at an unexpecteed time, like in the middle of a busy day, in the middle of the night, or in the middle of a pity party. Today was one of those times. But first let me tell you about my "yellow" friend.

The Lord has blessed me with a church body that I have come to love dearly. When my friend Kaylee's baby was born, the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to care for her and baby Lucy while they were in the hospital. It was such an intimate time for Kaylee, Bryce and little Lucy. Aside from nursing care, we were able to share God's blessings and glory with each other and a new relationship began. This young couple reminds me so much of Thane and I when we were first married and starting our family. It has brought such joy to my heart to be able to support and love them as they grow together in the Lord.

OK, so back to my "yellow" friend...So recently this family has endured much hardship. They have experienced job loss, tough economic circumstances, the challenges of being new parents, and now some serious illness. Bryce has been battling jaundice, abdominal pain, surgery and now pancreatitis. He has been seriously ill now for about five weeks, in and out of the hospital, trying to make medical decisions while trying to avoid further financial stress...all of it has been painful to watch, let alone endure. This family has been on my heart day and night. I begin and end my prayers lifting them up, praying for healing, for comfort and for provision.

So last night, after another procedure for Bryce, he headed home to get some rest at the end of a long ordeal that was suppose to mark the end of his treatment. The only problem was he got sick again. So after returning to the hospital, he was admitted in an effort to control his pain and improve his jaundice (aka "yellowness"). So when my day at work ended and I was feeling particularly sorry for myself, because I was tired, have a cold, have a sick kid, had a stressful day...waa, waa, waa...I headed up to Bryce's room to visit my friend. What I found in that hospital room was amazing, inspiring and a gift from God.

When I walked in Bryce greeted me with a smile, Kaylee was at his side smiling too. "Thank you so much", he said, "for letting us call you in the middle of the night." I asked how he was feeling and about the doctors plans for him. I told him how sorry I was for him and for all he was enduring. As I knelt by his bedside the most amazing thing happened. He started telling about the opportunities he had been given to share the love of Christ. Conversations with nurses and hospital staff centered around the faithfulness and love of our Savior. He also shared with me the strength and endurance he gains from Christ, and how he stands firm in the knowledge that this experience is part of his refining and growth. But the part that was for me, a message from my Savior, was when Bryce said, "You never know what it means to have God, until all you have is God." Wow...did I mention my "yellow" friend is 22!

Through tearful eyes I asked Bryce and Kaylee if we could pray together. Together, we asked for the Lord's healing, comfort, peace and most importantly we asked for this experience to bring glory to our Savior. Because that is truly Bryce's heart. How inspiring is that? My "yellow" friend glows with the radiance of Christ from his hospital bed. And today the Lord used him to speak to my heart, and for many other things I am sure. So, thank you Jesus, for my friend, for trials and for your unending love for me!

Messy house, messy car, messy desk...Blessed Life!

Wow, it has been a long time since I last posted. I wonder why? Oh wait, I think I know...it must be that new job, those five boys, my husband, dinner, the house and of course...laundry!! I know what you're thinking...excuses! All joking aside, the other morning as I was getting ready to leave for work I couldn't find my phone, then I couldn't find my keys, then I couldn't find my purse. Somehow, I made it out of the house and into my car where I found a banana peel, three coffee cups, a pair of socks and somebody's field trip permission slip. When I arrived at work, I couldn't open my office door because I couldn't find my keys. Finally, I got into my office only to find my desk buried in papers and a line of people waiting to see me. I don't know that I have ever felt so crazy and disorganized in my whole life. Can anyone relate?

Do you ever feel so stressed that you think there is just no way you can handle another thing? Some days when I get home I feel like I don't have anything left for anybody. But when I get home there are six guys waiting for me. Even though I may feel like a disorganized mess, like I can't accomplish anything, like everything I do is only half done...they still think I'm the best.

So after I get home and the sports for the evening are finished, it's finally time for bed. Thane and I always put the boys to bed together and sometimes it feels like it's just one more thing I have to do before I can finally go to sleep. The funny thing is even when I approach this task half heartedly...the Lord still blesses me. I usually fall down on my knees by their bed, hold my head in my hands and say, "OK boys, let's pray." They know the order, so they start to pray, and even though my heart and head are so self absorbed, as they begin to pray, the Holy Spirit speaks to me. It usually goes like this:

Rhett: "Dear Lord, thank you for my mom and dad. Please help my friend, Jacob, to know you. Please help me to be a good best friend to him. Thank you for saving me."

Aubrey: "Dear Lord, please heal my auntie Sarah, please heal my Grandpa Roger from his arthritis, please help Grandma Carol recover from her surgery. please be with Mr. Guffy as he shares your love. thank you for Jesus."

Gabe: "Dear Lord God, I need you to let me know if you want me to talk to Liam about you. I need you to let me know if I will get all A's. please heal my auntie Sarah and make her cancer never come back. I love you, Jesus."

Keller: "Dear Lord, forgive me for my sins, help me to do your will."

Brey: "Lord God, help me to be the man you want me to be."

So after their kisses and hugs goodnight, I turn off their lights and close their bedroom doors. My heart is warm, my spirit renewed. My God has once again reminded me of what really matters. I climb in bed and lift up voice to my Savior. "Thank you for my family, thank you for my crazy life...use it Lord, as you can use all things, for your glory." I close my eyes, knowing that He is faithful to do exactly that.