Sunday, July 22, 2007

Playing Catch Up

Hello out there in blogland! (Do you remember that voice on Nick at Nite that would say "Hellooooo out there in TV land!"?) A lot of life has happened in the last week. Jackson and I drove down to Houston to spend some time with my family. Mom and Dad are leaving for Africa soon and we wanted to see them before they go. We had tons of fun, as always. It just went by way too fast.

We celebrated my sister's 25th birthday with a Thanksgiving feast. The food was so good but my son was in rare form. He was chucking the precious dressing and the yams across the table. There I was, with a delicious green bean casserole to my left and a cheeky little toddler to my right, trying to find my happy place. Then my dad decided to try to coach me on how to deal with it and it just went downhill from there. (I love you, Daddy!) It is really weird that my sister is 25. We are getting up there!

Dad and I went to visit my Pappaw in the hospital. He's really not doing well and it kills me. He is in a terrible amount of pain. Hopefully he will overcome this but I just don't know if it's going to happen. It was hard kissing his forehead when we left, thinking that it could possibly be the last time. I don't know what I will do one day when he's gone. He is very high up on the list of people who love me the most in this world. And vice versa.

Last Saturday night we concluded our Saturday night service. Today was our first Sunday back in the morning services. We have been a handful of times but it was like coming home from college or something. It was probably two months ago when Curt first told me he thought we should cancel it. It has been a hard couple of months for us.

"Hard" is all relative though. Sunni's younger sister Tiffani is having open heart surgery soon. Please keep her and her husband (of only two months) in your prayers. Sunni's in a tough spot because she needs to be in Houston with her sister right now but she cannot have Ava in the hospital. Please ask God to provide for every need.

In about a week we will head to Missouri where Curt will speak at the youth camp for his home church. We will also get to spend some quality time with his family. We can't wait! It will be our first trip up there since Thanksgiving.

Jackson has been doing a lot lately, like trying to say more words. He learned "cracker" yesterday and has been saying "ball" and "dog" somewhat clearly. It's very crazy to realize how much he understands of what we say. Seeing him learn is so exciting. My mom had him counting to four. Well, she counted to four and he said "two" over and over. He was mostly interested in playing with the rocks mom was using to teach him.

Friday night I got to help Janelle coordinate a wedding at our church. The bride, Ashley, was one of our college students when we came to our church. She and her friends welcomed me with open arms and loved on me from day one. They are all very special to me. We got to witness Ashley and Brant fall in love, so it was neat to be there on her big day. I remember eating lunch with her at Chick-fil-a one day and analyzing whether he could be the one. Ashley, you were a beautiful bride and you are going to be an amazing wife!

Saturday was family day. We took Jackson to Bedford Splash and had the best time. The two adults to one child ratio worked really well. Jackson is so adventurous in the water that it made it much easier to have two extra eyes, arms, and feet to tend to him.

This evening I conquered the grocery store with my long list of ingredients for three meals. So I have one week to make taco salad, chicken spaghetti, and chicken cheddar rice bake. That is a lot for me in one week, folks. I am so out of the habit of cooking. It's shameful, really. Tonight we had taco salad and a very pathetic version of strawberry shortcake. It was so pathetic that soon I will have to find Simri's recipe and try to mimic this masterpiece.

So with this last week at home before our trip, I am asking God for the June Cleaver anointing. Really, the Wonder Woman anointing. I need to do excellent work, be a good mommy, clean, cook, and be an attentive, loving, and selfless wife. Oh, and work out. I cannot imagine how I'm going to earn gold stars in all of these categories in the next 7 days. BUT, I have Christ in me, the hope of glory! Amen? And when I overcook the chicken, you better know I'll be praising Him for His grace. I may not be around much this week, but I plan on blogging more after camp. Have a great Monday!

39 comments:

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Welcome back from your blog Sabbath, Amanda! What a week...

Please know it touched me to hear you were transitioning away from your Saturday p.m. services..Of course I don't know details, but being a ministry wife I know change is hard, especially if this is something you loved and had to let go of...

Good luck with your week, June! I bet you look awesome in the heels and apron! :)

Lisa

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

p.s..

you don't have to post this but wanted to tell you I got a Deeper Still ticket..:)) In the main venue and everythang!

Shelly said...

Yep - I remember the Nick at Nite shout-out (man I miss that quality tv-ness! Yea - I just made up a word).

My heart goes out for your visit (and now) with your 'Pappaw.' I trust the tender comforting arms of your Father to be underneath you and sustaining you.

Thanks for letting us know about Sunni's sister. I'd come babysit little Ava, but it might take me a while to get there from GA...and then there's that whole goat training thing (prior post on my blog)...LOL

I give you gold stars ALREADY, for merely going to the grocery store AND having 3 pre-planned meals. (Does that tell you how pitiful I am!?).

Have a blast in Missouri! And glad you got to spend some time at home.

debra parker said...

Have fun in Missouri. I love that place. I tried to e-mail you last week to let you know that I was stopping in at Kellar's for a great burger. See how much you influence my life??? (sweetly). The e-mail came back so it must be an old one.

Let me know how all the June Cleaver stuff goes. I am with you...a fresh anointing!

By the way...I am sorry about the Saturday night service. God is good and he works all things for his glory.

Jackie said...

wow....look what happens when you leave us for a week :D I am glad your visit in Houston went well. I think you came during the rainiest time (well that has been the whole month lately) Glad you didn't get washed away. I will say a prayer that God gives you super powers for the week. I need prayers daily that God give me super-powers just to raise a toddler, keep a house and a husband :D
Take care, love ya-jackie

boomama said...

I would like to hear more about this chicken cheddar rice bake.

And I've missed you.

That is all.

A is for Audrey said...

hey amanda,
welcome back! just wanted to let you know that i am praying for your mom's trip to angola. i was actually born there and even though i have lived here in america most of my life, it holds a special place in my heart.
mariana

Joy said...

I am new to blogging; found your blog through a friend. Look forward to meeting new friends in bloggville!

Joy

Karla Porter Archer said...

I need to go take my vitamins after reading about your week...

Glad to hear from you!

Blessings,
Karla

Anonymous said...

I second BooMama. Chicken and cheddar sounds enticing.

The words "June Cleaver Annointing" made me cackle. I can picture you in heels, hose, 50's style dress and pearls as you cook, clean and most importantly work-out.

Praise and Coffee said...

Amanda,
My heart goes out to you with church changes, my last year has been filled with them. Talk about learning how -not- to put Him in a box.
(and feeling like...I LIKE my box!)

(((hugs))) to you and prayers too!

Love,
Sue

PS Don't sweat the small stuff!
:)

jen said...

Welcome back Siesta! I'm so sorry you're PawPaw isn't feeling better yet, we will continue to pray for his health.

I am going to pass on my "cleaver" cleaner to you. My husband actually told me to take a break today because I'd been cleaning TOO much. Can you imagine the shock on my face???? We're babysitting a little girl from church for a few weeks and she's got several allergies so I've been keep the house extra well because we don't want her to get sick. Yay for me! But I haven't kept up with the laundry like I should so I'm off to do that. :)

You'll be fine this week. Just remember extraordinary things come from God, not us. Rest in Him and He'll give you all the gold stars you need. :)

Love you Sistah!

Patty said...

Welcome back! You have a very busy week and I will keep this brief, I wonder if I can? Your food sounds yummy! It's ok to have the June Clever anointing as long as you don't wear the high heels cleaning. :)

I just got back from Nashville from visiting a friend of mine. She married a full blooded Italian. Guess what food I got to eat?!! AMAZING!! I am going to try and plead a recipe out of her for white sauce, chicken/spinach lasagna with homemade rosemary bread!! Her mother-in-law handed down all her recipes. You won't find a jar of Prego in her house, mine you would but not hers!!

Have a great week and trip.

Love,
Patty

Big Mama said...

You've been missed.

Anonymous said...

Amanda-

My heart really goes out to you.

I am a pastor's wife, also, and so much of what you write...I just think...I wish I could just sit in a room with her and let her just pour her heart out to me...or I think...I wish I could tell her how hard these ministry and parenting gigs are and will continue to be. :-)

I'm probably about 8 years older than you and have a child 7 years older than Jackson.

Hang in there, Sweetie. Praise God He'll never leave us or forsake us.

Blessings to you, my blog friend!

Heather said...

I know we don't know each other but I've been praying for your Pawpaw. I lost my Papa in October last year and then my grandmother passed away in April this year. It was SO SO hard. I lived with them for a while in and after college and have so so many memories with them. I loved them and appreciated their wisdom ... especially my Papa. He prayed for me so much and I believe it is because of his prayers that I have the goldy husband I have. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers (my hubby and oldest child have been praying as well!)

Janelle said...

I, too, want recipes for your 3 meals.

I live in Missouri and next week we are going to Ft. Worth. Looks like we are trading places. Do you need a house to stay in?

Glad you are back!

Allison said...

Great that your backt! I will keep your grandfather in my prayers. Have a great week!

Toknowhim said...

Welcome back.. I just wanted to say that your last blog about taking a "time out" spoke to me... It is so easy to get entrapped in things that seem harmless (like blogging). I recently gave up one idol, and found myself heading toward the same direction with the computer... Thanks for the reminder, the blog is for me, and not me for the blog. I just wanted you to know that.

Hope that you have a wonderful week.. Blessings :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Amanda(June),
I found your blog through another siesta's page and I'm so glad I did! Your hillarious and a great writer just like your Mom! Thanks for keeping it real! Have a great week cooking, cleaning and being super wife & mommy! I will continue to lift y'all up in prayer!
Blessings!
Suzi

Holly said...

Praying for Sunni's sister Tiffani, for your family as you travel to camp, your Pappaw and your parents. You are doing a great job with Jackson, Amanda! Sometimes the best way to teach your children about grace and not getting everything right is when we go downhill and respond with a word of thanks to God for giving us the ability to try again. He will show you how....even when the yams fly :)

Have a great week! I'm supposed to be off-line, but had an important email from a friend overseas...will you ask God to watch over our friends Cameron and Brian? Thanks!
Love in Him,
Holly

dreamingBIGdreams said...

Sounds like a great week. Have fun at camp!!!

Stephanie Kay said...

Glad your back.

Liz Ferguson said...

Missed your posts! Glad to see that you are back.

I am upholding your family in my prayers for everything you all are going through.

Lori, Landon and Logan said...

We are going to miss Saturday nights but we will cope just fine! I will miss the casual come as you are atmosphere and such intimate worship.
Praying for Tiffani.

R said...

It's good to hear from you again!

OK, this has nothing to do with your post or anything, but I just have to ask...if you had a friend who'd never been to Houston before and was going to have the chance to breeze by there for a few hours, what would you recommend she do while she was there? It could be anything--eating, shopping, sightseeing...

Hubby and I are going on a 3-day vay-cay soon, and we'll have the chance to briefly visit Houston. We got engaged in The Woodlands, but that's the closest I've been to Houston. (We'll be spending most of our trip in College Station.)

I know you're a native, so I just had to pick your brain!

Unknown said...

Missed you Amanda! Glad you had a great week! I especially loved the story about Jackson learning to count! Growing up is such fun!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! I missed your words of encouragement. I am one of those anonymous readers only because I am a dinosaur in the techno world. Somebody catch me up on the how-to'! Amanda, I love reading your stuff. I am a mom twice-baked. I have 2 grown sons and now a 2 year old darling girl. She came in a special way -God's way. Not birthed of my body but definitely birthed in my heart. Anyway just wanted you to know that you have helped me out more than you can imagine with your realness and love for our Jesus. Keep shining dear fried! With ya on the walk. Penny

Kelly S. said...

You go girl!!

To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 1:29

Angela Baylis said...

Another friend missed you! I respect you for taking your "time out".

Prayers for your Pappaw and your Dad. It's such a difficult time! (Also, your friend's sister!)
Keep enjoying Jackson... I love it... counting to four..."two"!!!

Love,
Angie

Anonymous said...

I'll be praying for you and your family!

Love,
Sarah, TN

McClure Family said...

I will be praying for you! It was so good to see you last week; sorry it was so short!

God's girl said...

Hope your camp goes well! I understand. I am also kind of a pastor's wife too (except we do not get paid for leading). So it is a full-time job but is done part-time with two little ones! We go to "camp" with our college students this weekend too! I will be remembering you in prayers as I pray for myself and ours. We are excited.
Much love,
Angela

MamaCass said...

What a busy week? And what inspiration for all us Mommies in that last paragraph. I just spent two hours in the kitchen and 30 minutes cleaning up. I think we may eat out the rest of the week or just have cereal for dinner. Seriously! So sorry to hear about your PawPaw. I will be praying for you and Sunni both this week.

Profbaugh said...

You're coming to MO??? Hey, you're in my neck of the woods! Finally, someone else in the good old midwest!

Sounds like you're busy as a bee right now Amanda. Hang in there. And cook some for me, okay?? As for me, I'm going to order out (tee hee).

P.S Being a mom is never easy at the dinner table especially when you're "visiting." Just remember. You're the mommy and only you get to say what happens with Jackson!!

~Cheryl
St. Louis

connorcolesmom said...

Oh my watch out for flying yams and dressing - hehe!
My youngest is 3 and we are finally over that phase. When we first moved into our brand new house my baby took a thing of yogurt and started shaking it all over the kitchen - you should have seen the mess it made LOL!!
This will pass quickly though so do not worry!!
I love that Jackson is talking more - just wait until he says I love you!!! So priceless!!
I will continue to pray for Papaw, Tiffani, your trip to Missouri and the Angola mission trip!
We missed you while you were gone.
Glad you are back :)
By the way, do you know anyone that might need a Deeper Still hotel room? I have 2 left at the Nahville Hilton (right across the street from the conference).
Blessings siesta,
Kim

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

so glad to "see" you back in blogland!! I have been thinking about taking a break myself, but it has bit of a different purpose for me. I press on!

Have fun cooking, etc. I would have thought after 13 years of marriage i would finally like to cook and all - nope, still don't!! I am sure it is all different for you!

Hope to meet you soon - just never know - it would be my pleasure!!

kim said...

Hi Amanda,

I found your blog from a friend who reads. Just wanted to say I love reading your blogs -- you are such a great writer and you have such a fun wit about you! (:

Blessings,

kim

Heather said...

How's your grandfather?