Well, around 3:20 last night I was awaked by the sound of convulsing next to me and realized that my hair was now the recipient of my 3 yr old’s stomach contents! He continued to empty his stomach on our bed as I jolted Jeremy to life. This began the mad dash…me to the sink to at least wash my hands and get this wet hair off my back by putting it up in a clip. Meanwhile Jeremy is trying to clean up Justin and almost adding to the mess! I released him to go run a bath and I proceeded to clean up Justin. Jer gave him a bath while I took care of the sheets and dirty laundry. We got everything taken care of…what a team!

Then, it was 4a.m., we had Justin all snuggled in the floor on layers of towels with a trashcan next to him and had just turned out the lights and it started again! The lights came back on and we changed his bed, changed his shirt, cleaned him up and put him back to bed..then decided that we would just stay up and start our day! He slept in and the other kids and I started our day as usual (of course, I’d been up almost 4 hours by the time we were in the kitchen starting our day! It was actually a blessed morning with the Lord and my husband…preparing me for whatever lies ahead. Justin did ok the rest of the day until 3:30 when he emptied his stomach onto the couch as I was reading a George Muller biography. This was the end of our school for the day, needless to say! Jeremy came home, we ate nutritional shakes for dinner (Justin had chicken broth) and Jeremy went to bed..and he’s still there right now. I keep asking him to get his pajamas on, but he is not rousing! So, the kids are all tucked in bed with quilts over their carpet just in case the saga continues throughout the night.

In light of that possibility and that I’m trying to get over a cold, I should probably join my husband in sleepy-land. I do just want to give the Lord praise for sustaining me throughout this day, for answering my prayers this morning for dependence on Him, and for the faithfulness I know He will demonstrate from this day forward throughout all eternity no matter what my outward circumstances.

Love you all,
Mindy

Well, on Sunday my Mom ended up getting sick. She went to church but laid around on the couch during Sunday School. She spent the rest of the day laying around. Sonya came Sunday afternoon and we got to see her mom for a little while. After the kids were in bed we had a good time walking around the neighborhood (exercising). The van was pretty much loaded and we went to bed. About 4:45 I awoke to thunder and lightning and remembered that I’d left the van windows down about 4 inches. Soooo, I got up and began looking for my keys! They were nowhere….I began praying and finally found them under some diapers on a side table in the office…just barely peeking out. So, I went out and rolled them up, but the seats were really wet!

So, the next morning we got ready to go. We put trashbags and towels down on our seats and headed out. We had an uneventful day driving. My plan was to either stop in Cookeville, or Knoxville, TN. We got stuck in traffic outside of Nashville due to a really bad 18-wheeler accident blocking the roadway, so we pulled off in Cookeville to eat dinner and then head onto Knoxville. While going to Taco Bell to use the restroom I stepped into the restaurant and the floor was like an ice skating rink…I slipped repeatedly and my hands went to the floor, but I never stopped and finally slipped my way to the restroom.

Now, I want to say thank you to the Lord for the rain getting our seats wet because the towels we brought along were much needed. While we were at Sonic getting dinner I was sitting in the back feeding Caleb and he threw up! So, we decided to go ahead and find a hotel and stay there for the night. I cleaned him up WITH ONE OF THE TOWELS and then cleaned the carseat and gave him a bath and we all went to bed.

Tuesday morning Nate woke up with an upset stomach. He spent the whole morning throwing up…thankfully it began in the hotel room so when we got in the car I put the OTHER TOWEL in his lap so the van was spared. We pulled off and got rid of the towel! He threw up a few more times before lunch and nothing ever got on the van. He spent a lot of time sleeping and drinking sips of gatorade…no more food for him til Wednesday.

We pulled into our neighborhood at 7:55pm and boy were we glad to be home!! The Mastromarino’s had decorated our door with balloons and flowers and Jer had the house completely straight…it was so refreshing to come home! It was wonderful to have Sonya here with me, too, as I was getting all the trip stuff put away. She is so good with the kids and truly loves playing with them and pouring out her life into them. THANK YOU, AUNT SONYA!

There’s no place like home…There’s no place like home…There’s no place like home…

This is a poem that Jeremy wrote for me when I was pregnant with C.J. He spent about an hour writing it and typing it up the day of my surprise shower and Shelley read it to me at the shower…I must admit that I was constantly saying to myself that I’m not that kind of wife, but even since then the Lord has been changing my heart and making me into a new creation in this area of my life. I have much farther to go, but much hope for change because HE is faithful and He will finish the work He’s begun in YOU TOO! Love you all, Min

Twenty Years from Now…

Caleb my son, mark my teaching well,
I love you and I again remind
You that an excellent wife is hard to find.

The enemy wants your soul in hell
And since he can’t, he’ll settle for
Spoiling God’s good gift and more
To steal God’s praise from off your lips
By shackling you with a wife who drips
Like a leaky faucet on a darkened night
And steals your joy and kills your might
And refuses to love to let you lead,
And breaks your spirit with spite and greed.

This is the enemy’s design upon your life
But look here and listen to the truth
You have an example of an excellent wife
In her–the bride of my youth.

She is better than I deserve, my boy!
No greater gift have I received
Save the very taste of sovereign joy
When my soul my Savior seized.

She’s rubies and emeralds for me my son,
And I trust her without a doubt.
Flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone,
She’s my perfect compliment.
Her wise words have comforted me,
And her wisdom guides you too.
She is my helper suitable, my friend,
My steady mate, the keeper of our home.
Strong like steel and
Soft like velvet,
Gentle,
Kind,
A meek and quiet spirit,
Brave and sweet,
Fears the Lord…

But son, I tell you what you already know.
for you rise and call her blessed.
You have watched and learned–you are ready to go.
Now. Here is the test.

An excellent wife you can find.
Press hard to the cross and seek His mind.
In His good time, there she will be…
Perfect for you, like Mom’s perfect for me.

And mark my words you can do no better
Than to love a girl just like your Mother.

Well, as some of you know, Jeremy and I have had a desire for him to be around the house more in these younger years of raising a family. First we tried to make that happen with AdvoCare. Since then there’s been a desire there, but not really an opportunity. Now, it seems that he’s applying his computer gifting to try to start a software company. As a wife, this means that the next few months I’m going to be needing lots of prayer. We would appreciate your prayers as we see what the Lord has in store for us. I desire to enter into this season with faith and a content heart. I desire to be the helpmate that God has created me to be. I truly want to be a helper and not a dripping faucet. I know that in my own strength this is impossible, BUT I also know that with Him all things are possible.

Thanks for listening and I will keep you posted.
For God’s glory,
Mindy

Sunday morning we enjoyed worshiping at our sister church , Grace Church Frisco! We got to meet Craig Cabaniss (the senior pastor) and the people were so attentive and friendly offering to help us with our children, welcoming us, engaging us in conversation, etc. Craig actually came to us after the service to welcome us. The kids enjoyed their children’s ministry classes after the worship part of the service. We really liked the older class where the children have homework that their parents must sign and participate in. They use John Piper’s Children Desiring God curriculum.

After church we headed back to Ft. Worth to enjoy a yummy brisket lunch with Papa Dean and Granny Sue. Then, we headed to Plainview…the 7 hour drive across Texas! We had to be on the watch as we drove because it has been so dry in West Texas. The only water or green grass possible is near the roadside…hence we saw 37 deer, 1 wild hog and ran over a rabbit. Last time we drove to Plainview a deer ran into the side of our rental van. Needless to say, we were very cautious this time through. We praise God for protecting us and made a decision to arrange our trips in the future so that they are during the daylight hours.

We enjoyed a very special time with Jer’s family. Mimi had to work so we spent alot of time at Nanny and Papa’s. It was so good to spend time enjoying the weather. First we walked over to the neighborhood playground that was build when Jer was about 8 yrs old. Jeremy was reminiscing about how much smaller things look now than they did back then. He also took some special pictures of the kids on top of a mulberry tree stump that had been cut down since our last trip to Plainview. He got a cross section of it and we counted the rings to see that the tree was 43 yrs old. He plans to put the cross-section on his desk at work. The next day the kids spent about 6 hours outside in the yard and then finally on Wednesday they ventured out to Kidsville (the big park in town). C.J. and I stayed home because I wasn’t feeling well. Mimi got to get off work early so she was able to enjoy some time with the grandkids (which she thoroughly enjoyed). We had all our dinner meals enjoying Nanny’s wonderful homemade cooking…boy, can she cook!!!

After taking half a memory stick full of pictures we headed back to Dallas. We went to Sonya and T.J.’s to unload and drop of the kiddos (except C.J.). Aunt Sonya kept Lela and Justin and Uncle T.J. took Nate camping. Aunt Sonya took them to Wendy’s and to the park to play. Then, they went to Marble Slab where she got Justin a chocolate covered sprinkle waffle cone full of chocolate ice cream with M&M’s and sprinkles in it. Everyone was commenting on how that was too much for him and she said, “Oh well, I’ll throw away whatever he doesn’t eat”. Needless to say, he ate the whole thing!! And, when she licked the side where it was dripping he said, “You licked too much.” He was still awake at almost 11 o’clock!

Nate enjoyed camping so much that they stayed an extra night. They cooked hamburgers (after driving back into town to get matches). Then, T.J. realized he may not have enough gas to get back to town so he had to have the campground manager bring him so gas for his car. After finishing up dinner around 10:30p.m. they got ready for bed. They got up at 5 to go fishing. No fish were caught, but Nate still had a blast. They spent the rest of the day hiking and attending to errands in town.

Jeremy and I had dinner with Kris and Julie Pate and their kids at Pappasitos. This was a great time of fellowship and we were so glad to get to spend the evening with them since we weren’t able to see Kris when we spent the night at their house. It was so nice to see how they work together to care for Anna, David and Thomas and how glad the kids were to see their daddy after he was gone for a week on business.

Saturday Jeremy’s dad and two uncles came to get him to spend the day with them before heading back to Maryland. They enjoyed a very exciting triple overtime basketball game where Gruver won their way to State. They had a great time making a memory together. I’m so glad it worked out where Jer was able to do this. C.J. and I ventured on over to Tamra’s to spend the night and go to church with them on Sunday morning. That morning C.J. had thrown up at Sonya’s house so I was hoping he hadn’t gotten the stomach virus that we’d been exposed to in Plainview. Tamra said to come on anyway….so we had a wonderful time of fellowship and late nights! I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations as we spurred one another on to love and good deeds within the contexts of our marriages, parenting and local churches.

Sunday morning I had a wonderful time in church as C.J. slept through the sermon in the nursery…this was my first uninterrupted sermon since I had him and the Lord had some specific things He wanted to say to me. I pray that He will continue to cultivate my heart and grow the fruit of the Spirit in my life. The law of sowing and reaping was expounded on and I was convicted as I thought about my life and what I’m sowing each moment.

Sunday afternoon I went back to Sonya’s to pick up the others and head to my friend, Koni’s. I had a wonderful time of fellowship catching up on the past year and a half while the kids played with Ryley, Kyrsie and Bailey (who was 4 days old last time we were together). She mentioned that they might come to visit us in Maryland..we would love for any of you to visit anytime!!! :o) The kids enjoyed time playing ball and riding scoooters in the yard. Grady was there to help us entertain them kids so Koni and I could get in some good talk time.

After this we headed back to Tamra’s to spend the night. We stayed up late talking once again and then the kids had some playtime Monday morning. The boys were playing star wars while the girls were in Cait’s room playing dolls and house. I just LOVE seeing the difference between boys and girls lived out in my children! :o) Then, we had some outside time in the driveway while we loaded up to leave.

The rest of the day was spent at the Coe’s before heading back to East Texas to close out our trip with Nana, Pop, JeJe, Paw and Uncle Thomas…and of course, Uncle John, Kellie, Annie and Thomas! Our day at the Coe’s was a blast! Diane and I had a wonderful time catching up and I was so provoked to live a life pleasing to God by just listening to her. She was my mentor for a few years before moving to Maryland and I’m so thankful for the Lord’s provision of her in my life. We talked about living our daily lives in the fear of the Lord (in the reality that He is always watching what I’m doing). We talked about self control and how a man without self control is like a city without walls. She shared how she’s put up some walls to help train herself to have self control in certain areas. This was very helpful for me and I’m now asking the Lord to help me to put up some walls of my own. She also copied a booklet that she put together to deal with conflict in relationships. I can’t wait to study it myself. I always feel so encouraged and like I’ve been drinking from a water hose when I leave her.

Monday night we got back to Nana and Pop’s and Tuesday John’s kids came. That morning I noticed that Justin had thrown up a little in his sleep and he’d been coughing alot at night. About midday he fell asleep and had a fever. He spent the rest of day just laying around. That afternoon Lela started feeling bad and was laying around. She fell asleep on the couch about 8 and about 10:30 got up because she’d thrown up. She threw up again about 11:45 and then slept the rest of the night. So, I guess we were affected by the bug we were exposed to in Plainview. I’m praying now that my friends and family won’t pick it up from us…if you read this I’d appreciate your prayers as well.

The kids had a wonderful time playing with their cousins even though we had the bug. The weather was nice so they were able to play outside. Now, we’re here and my mom’s (JeJe) and Kellie, Annie and Thomas are here too. The kids enjoyed the morning watching cartoons and now they are playing outside, playing school, and who knows what else the rest of the day will hold. We had a great breakfast (sausage, bacon, eggs, biscuits, jelly and gravy). JeJe’s a good cook too! For lunch we’ll be having Chicken and Dumplings (or maybe that’s for dinner).

Well, that’s the update so far.
Thanks for reading,
Mindy

This is a post I put on a friend’s blog about ways to stay healthy. I thought I’d put it up on mine, as well.

Yes, I would say rest, cut down sugar, rest, take a nap (did I say that!?), cut out sugar, exercise, drink lots of good pure water, rest……I think staying up to see Chris is important enough to take a nap for! I know it’s hard…taking naps is really difficult for me because I lay there and think of all the things I could be doing.

Another thing I didn’t see mentioned by anyone else is not only cutting out sugar, but white flour. Transform your kitchen to whole grains. Here’s what I have in my kitchen. Only whole wheat pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, lasagna, etc). I’ve even been known to by buy mac n cheese and exchange the pasta for whole wheat. For baking I buy Whole Wheat pastry flour (this can be exchanged one for one in any dessert recipe or breads and muffins). If you can’t find this you can use Whole Wheat white flour or Whole Wheat Graham. I also don’t use sugar anymore. I buy Sucanat (evaporated cane sugar). The only thing I’ve heard it’s not good for is making bread (that needs to rise like in a bread machine). Only eat 100% whole wheat bread or Ezekiel bread (sprouted grain bread).

The only other thing I would add if you have extra $ would be I take lots of supplements but if I had to just choose one in addition to my vitamins it would be this one. http://www.appleadayandbeyond.com/product_info.php?cPath=12_2&products_id=28 I buy mine from www.appleadayandbeyond.com and if you email your order in it’s 44% off instead of 30% off. They just can’t advertise the lower price anymore. I’ve been a customer for a long time! :o)

Well, that’s my advice…take it or leave it! I do not always eat good, but I do take my supplements, so I give much credit to the Garden of Life products for any good health that I enjoy…and the Lord’s blessing, of course!