Our encounter with dead guys, real dead guys!

OK, so it’s been awhile!  Ok, maybe a long while.  Anyway here is how things have been going!  Last week was Spring Break.  It was a long week for us.  On Thursday, we headed downtown to the farmer’s market.  Baker wanted to make a pie!  As we are pulling into the market, they are a lot of workers there, some from the city jail and others just doing landscaping duties.  As we round the last turn-a-bout, Cooper shouts with excitement, “Mom, real dead people!”, “Baker, did you see those guys, they were dead!”  I try with all my might to contain my laughter, I don’t want to crush his spirit.  Before I can get myself contained, he has convinced Baker that there were really 4 dead guys back there and Baker is begging me to turn around so he can see them.  Now, let me see if I can convience you that they weren’t dead people at the Farmers Market.  There were 4 hispanic guys laying in the sun on their backs taking a little siesta! (I think that’s right)  But it was the highlight of the Boy’s week!

Sunday Morning with the Schells

Well this Sunday was one of those that will go in the treasure box. We all woke up a little on the late side this morning. I rolled over to look at the clock and I should have gotten up about an hour ago. Here we go, I thought, it is going to be a crazy rush rush morning. Then Brandon and I deceided we were going to just stay home and have church here.

We all got up and enjoyed some good pancakes. After breakfast, we headed into the living room where our service was going to be held. We began with some praise and worship. Baker “played” the piano and we all sang. Boy is it hard to sing a song when the piano player has no clue what he is doing! But, we pressed on and did not let it show.

After praise and worship music, we began our lesson on frustration. Both of the boys shared a time when they had become frustrated and I also shared. Our scripture verse was from Matthew 11:28 “Come to be, all who are …burdened.” We closed our service with a game of Doggy, doggy, who stole your bone. Baker is insistant that his class does this on Sunday morning. (He gets preschool and Sunday School a little confused!)

All in all, we had a great family morning. Now comes my part…

I set out on a run this afternoon. I have not really ran over 3 miles because of my knee. My goal was to just run 5 miles or so. I began running and quickly and I mean quickly became very frustrated with myself. I have trained and trained and this was not getting any easier, in fact it was getting harder! I had myself a quick pitty party and then remembered our lesson from this morning…”Come to me all who are burdened…and I will give you rest.” I quickly ended my pity party and began to fucus on Christ and letting him have my frustration. I opened my heart and poured it into His hands. He gave me rest. Rest within myself. I had a sweet, sweet time with my Savior this afternoon. And I can proudly say that my Savior, my Ipod, and I did a personal best run this morning…10 miles! Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and your love.

Where did he get that from…

Last night Baker spent the night with his Grandmother while the other two stayed home with us. Mom bought Baker a new bug catcher. So we are on our way home and I am just tickled at the conversation between the two boys. Baker is asking his brother if he wants to be his “assistant” bug catcher. Baker goes on and on about how glamorous the job will be. Cooper is easily pursuaded into becoming the “assistant.” After accepting the job, Baker informs him that he will not be able to actually use or touch the new bug catcher. The glamorous job he had once described now consisted of simply searching for the bugs and doing the leg work. I sat up front in the van and actually laughed out loud thinking, where did he get that pursuasive and mischieves attitude from…then I was reminded!

As a young child, my older brother, younger sister, and I were playing hide and seek. My brother was “it” and we were hiding. I quickly convienced my sister that she should hide in the dryer. I totally glamarized the sititation, telling her she would totally win. He would never be able to find her. She was easily pursuaded to hide in the dryer, as I promised not to tell my brother where she was hiding. I barely got the door shut and jolten to my brother where I told him she was in the dryer and HE should go turn it on. I had to keep my hands clean! Thump…Thump…Thump…Thump…my brother and I were laughing hysterically! I, of course, came to her rescue and opened the dryer door. I quickly told my brother he should have never done that. I comforted my sister and our game was over.

Boy am I in trouble, huh?

Food for thought…

Brandon and I were talking the other day about where we were going to go for dinner and it hit us that in the Indian Lake area how many restraunts started with the letter C

Cheddars

Chilis

Cracker Barrel

O’Charley’s

Chop House

Carrabas

Have you ever thought about it?  Just wondering…

Finding Joy

I have had to refocus my attention lately because in my selfish world, I have lost my joy.  I remember before I was a Mom, snow was so much fun!  Brandon and I would head out in his 4 wheel drive truck and “rescue” stranded drivers.  We had a blast just driving around and helping others.  Now a days, snow means a full hour of just finding the “proper snow attire” getting everyone layerd up and don’t forget the pictures.  One day I will get around to scrapbooking again!  After an hour of the preperation, we head outside.  The kids last about 30 minutes and then are tracking snow and mud all over the house.  No, matter how much we try to contain it to the garage and tile floor, it ends up everywhere!  And then on to laundry and of course hot chocolate.  My kids think snow and hot chocolate just go together.  And of course they want to drink it by the fire, which is not a kid room!  So, more messes and more clean ups!  Wow, it is only 10am.  Already I feel like I have ran a marathon.  I began getting frustrated with the task of being a Mom.  My job never ends as I am sure many of you know.  I was reminded of two verses:

 1.  Psalm 127:3  Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.

2.  Colossians 3:23 (My life verse) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not men.

 Can you say guilt!  I feel awful about my selfish attitude and how I have let the devil steal my joy.  No longer!  I am refocusing my work as a Mom as to working for the Lord.  I am truly blessed to have 3 beautiful children, a reward from the Lord.  May you also find joy in all you do.