BIRTHDAY BASH!!

WE celebrated Kathryn's 13th birthday with a party at the pool. You can see the zebra theme....she is planning on doing her bedroom in MO in hotpink and Zebra! Well, she corrects me and says...zebra print! not the actual zebra animal! Thanks Uncle Doug and Aunt Julie and Maryah and Kayla! It is going to be perfect!



We have asked everyone to try and give her words of wisdom or something reflective as she enters this great time in her life. The words people wrote were special, but the fact that Kathryn took the time to read all of them was absolutely sweet. She really took each card and cherished the words.




Julia and I sang her a song called, The Blessing. I can't believe I actually made it through without crying. She was crying as we sang it to her. I am trying to figure out a way to put the song on here, but am not that techinically inclined. I may just post the words in another post.




Grandma Stuckey sang her a special birthday song as well. We had a sweet time and it couldn't have been more perfect. I didn't do a great job taking pictures. When we are at the pool it just gets a little busy and crazy. I didn't even get a family picture that day with Eric in it. We grilled hotdogs and hamburgers and just enjoyed our great friends. We are privileged to have our children know such great people.




The weekend before we had some friends from school and church join us at All Fired Up to paint pottery. We had a great time. I enjoy being around Kathryn's friends and they all did a great job with their pottery and I loved being able to get in and have NO CLEAN UP!






Happy 13th birthday Kathryn! You are a great teenager. Here are the top ten things I appreciate about you!

10. You forgive me so quickly and easily when I mess up! I really appreciate that!
9. You are artistic....gone are the days when you need my input or suggestions. I am now coming to you when I want to know if something matches. Your keen sense of color and patterns amazes me!
8. You are a great big sister. I love the way you share your creativity with people
7. You are a risk taker. I look at the things you do and realize at that age I could not...would not be able to be like you.
6. You are so friendly. Most Moms say their teen is unbearable, lacking in manner, etc. But not you! You are mannerly and a great friend to have!
5. You are creative. I love the poetry and songs that you write.
4. You are sensitive to the things of the Lord. You are responsive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and it encourages me to do the same.
3. You don't let me EVER leave without hugging me and telling me, "I love you, Mom!." (even when I seem in a hurry and don't appreciate your effort) You have always been that way from day one! Better yet....when anyone returns you make them feel like they were truly missed! Again... you have always been that way!
2. You are pleasant! You work hard to demonstrate a pleasant disposition. It really is a pleasure to be around you.
1.You are the best 13 year old around! I am proud of you and blessed to have you!

Proverbs 21:30
"No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord."




I can't believe it has been almost a week since Eric was here for his surprise visit. I plan to post some pics but not all of them have been downloaded. I feel like today I am finally feeling rested from what proved to be a whirlwind of a weekend. But I wanted to go ahead and post something that has been on my heart.

One of the things we did while Eric was here was hike to the top of the Peaks of Otter. It really is iconic for this area. If you live in the Burg and haven't hiked the Peaks...you are missing out. As we posed for this pic we were all eager to hike and climb, unhindered in our spirits. In fact Ellie took off running as soon as that picture was taken. It doesn't matter how many times I hike that mountain I always feel like the top should be closer! We could "feel" like we were getting closer because the blue sky seemed to be getting closer! But then all of a sudden we would be winding down again. Julia commented that it seems like you "have to go down a lot to make it to the top!" Ah, but when we got to the top it was so wonderful. We picniced and enjoyed the view! Obviously the "work" of the hike melted away to the to majestic mountain scene that surrounded us. Everytime I see it I feel like it is just as glorious as the last time.

Over this past week since Eric's visit the reality that we are moving has set in. We talked constantly with the girls about the fact that we are "halfway" and that the next time Daddy comes it will be to move and we will be together. During this past week those realities have set in. It has revealed to me some strongholds of "control" that still linger in my heart. (I know it is hard to believe that I struggle with control!) As I sat in church yesterday I realized that I was still "mid climb" on this mountain hike. Honestly, I am beginning to struggle with our move, what I am leaving behind, giving up, etc. Now don't be misled here! My biggest desire is to be reunited as a family. But in all of the details, I had to confess that I regretted not being in control. As I was worshipping the Lord revealed to me that my strongholds were that of selfishness and flesh. I, deep down, regretted in some ways how all of the details fleshed out and what it was "costing me". It is really something I have been denying and not wanting to admit.I was convicted and had a renewed desire to embrace this change 100%. I prayed that I would release those fears and that I would be satisfied in His will for my life. I prayed "Lord help me to accept your will. It is the only place I will find freedom!" As only the Lord could....the next worship song had almost THOSE VERY WORDS! As I was singing I knew in a fresh way that the Lord would be faithful to guide me through dealing with these "losses". It was the Lord allowing me to see that blue sky on my mountain hike. I know I am not at the top yet, but I know through obedience I will be able to experience the beautiful view!





This whole experience has been a refining of my heart. I have been challenged to look at my motives, my actions, my passions, and my deepest desires. The Lord seems to be stripping the things from my life that I attribute to "ME!" and instead is replacing them with things and desires that I can only attribute to HIM! It is a scary place for me to be....without ME in control! But I know that I am experiencing the best that the Lord has for me. May He fill my heart with the passion to love Him deeply and may that flesh out in my life in ways that I can only attribute to Him!