Branson Trip - Part One-" Lost at Sea"

It has taken me so long to get my trip posted. Jason has the laptop (with pictures) with him all day and I have been so, so busy that I am too tired at night to get it done. SO much has been going on. We had a great little 3 day vacation with some friends and came right back to the twins birthday party and then right into the (official) start of school.

Our friends Rod and Rachel have family that own a gorgeous house on Table Rock Lake in Branson. They allowed us to use it last weekend. It was so beautiful. I felt totally spoiled! They have a boat and jet skis. Right after we arrived I put Piper down for a nap, so when everyone else was ready to go for a boat ride I stayed back with her. They took a walkie talkie and gave me the other.

I settled in the quiet but not too much later I can hear Rod trying to talk to through the walkie talkie but it is breaking up so badly that I can't understand him. I can tell he is saying numbers, Perhaps a phone number? I just forget it since I really can't hear him. A little later it picks back up. He is definitely giving a phone number but I can't get all the numbers. I wonder if they are wanting me to make dinner reservations somewhere? But we brought our groceries.

A little later I hear Rachel saying numbers but this time I also hear her say "The boat won't work!" The 3 three adults are out there in the middle of the lake with 11 kids!!! I check on the baby and run down to the dock with the walkie hoping to get better reception. I piece together what I think is the phone number and call it - not knowing who it was I was even calling. After fumbling around with the voice on the other end I figure out it it is Rachel's sister. I explain and LONG story short, she arranges for a towing company to go get them

As they are being pulled back to our dock, Jason comes through on the walking saying "Just so you know, Tyson is going to need medical attention. He gashed his head open when sitting down too quickly." Oh boy. It just never ends for the Woodards!!

Everyone got back. We decided to clean Tyson's head (Rachel said there has been A LOT of blood) and let it heal on its own. We just couldn't imagine another uninsured ER visit!!

So - we started our trip off with a bang! Good memories!

Being towed back in...

The kids thought it was great!

Poor baby - he has already had stitches in his head twice!!!

3 ears pierced

Jason and I had decided long ago that we wouldn't put an age on when our girls could get their ears pierced. We figured when they were willing to endure the pain they could do it. Madison had ears pierced2 summers ago by my Uncle Lee (who also pierced MY ears when I was 11!). Somehow in the last few months one of her holes closed up.

Recently she had been begging to get it re-pierced. And with all the piercing talk, Ally decided she really wanted to get hers done too. We promised them both that when daddy got his first check from the job he is working now, we would get their ears pierced.

That check came yesterday and so while we were getting last minute trip things at Walmart, we popped into the jewelry department and got it done. They both tried to chicken out at the last minute but I just cheered them through it.

Ally is so happy now that it is over and she has her fancy ($10) diamonds on her ears. :)

Our little distraction

Homeschooling is hard enough as it is without a little cutie pants toddler trying to get the attention she craves. She stands up on our school table, tries to take the kids papers, and mimics them - all to get them to laugh at her.

She is the cutest distraction ever.

Today she came in while Ally and Cole were reviewing their new flash cards. This is pretty common for her. Also pretty common is Cole acting like he doesn't know the answer and everyone looking like they just rolled out of bed. :)

Super Cole!!!

Happy Birthday Colson Scott!!

My little superhero turned 7 on Monday.

We invited all the kids from our school group over to celebrate! The kids each got a cape and a mask to decorate. They all looked super duper cute - I think that is that super power... "able to get their own way with a super cute face!"

We had a superhero obstacle course so that the little heroes could show their skills in the areas of "faster than a speeding bullet," "able to leap a building in a single bound," and being "more powerful than a locomotive." It was really fun.

OK - I caved. I ALWAYS make my kids' cakes. I love to do it. I love to do something really creative and fun but this time around I ORDERED cupcakes from our local bakery. I felt like a bad mommy (not that it is bad to order your cakes - I have just always done it myself as a special gift to my kids) but honestly, the weight that was lifted off my shoulders once we placed the order (which was a spur of the moment decision) was fantastic. We ordered a red, white, and blue theme and used photoshop to create these SuperColes to put on the top. He loved them.

I just loved the cards he got - some of the kids made super sweet cards in superhero theme...

He got to register his first Webkinz - a little puppy names Scruffy.

I'm so in love with his little stinker. He is very funny. He hates school but is super smart. He still cuddles with me and loves to cuddle with his baby sister. I'm always worried about him getting lost in the shuffle but he's growing up more and more and starting to identify with his older sibling better. He is terrible at cleaning his room but wonderful at giving hugs. He is my one kids that I get most random, unsolicited gestures of love.

He would play video games 24/7 if we let him. He likes to put away folded laundry. He loves Star Wars and when he grows up he wants to be a zoo keeper (good thing - he's getting lots of practice right now! :) ) He can frustrate me till I want to burst into flames and can turn around and melt my heart with his sweetness.

I am praying that the Lord would draw Cole to Himself and hold him close. How wonderful it would be to see all his determination be used to advance the Kingdom of God!
Happy Birthday little man - I love you!

Oh, that I would be satisfied with Him!!

Years ago, when Jason resigned from a job, I had so many people tell me (in essence) "Don't worry, God has bigger and better" for you. This kinda became joke between my friend, Wyndie and myself. Bigger and better - does God ever promise us this for our daily life? No. He promises us that He will make us into the image of His Son. He promises to work all things for our good but He does not promise bigger and better as far as worldly possessions and positions. And yet, I hear this line of thinking from within the church all the time.
My hope in times of trial or discouragement is not that God is going to come through with bigger and better but that God will be faithful to me, that He will continue working in my heart, that He will be the source of my joy and hope. That He will complete the work He started in me. That is truly a hope that will not disappoint. I want to be able to say with Paul that I can do all things through Christ - this doesn't mean winning basketball games or getting good grades or finishing a decorating project on budget (like we so often hear). It means that whether in plenty or in want, I can find Christ all satisfying. That is what those verses are really saying:
Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Oh, that this would be true of me!
I thought this clip from my best bud, John Piper was absolutely awesome:

Couples Night Out

Once a month the moms in my co-op get together for a mom's "planning" night. We always have so much fun - it's my favorite night of the month. This month we decided to all plan ahead and get babysitters and actually have our husbands come along. What a great idea! We went to dinner at this new Mexican place and then went to the cupcake place next door for desert. It was such a fun night.

Have you ever belonged to a group of people that you truly loved and felt they truly loved you? Have you had a circle of sisters that encourage you to the deepest parts of who you are and yet make you laugh till you are wiping away tears from your eyes? Have you ever had friends that made your heart fell full when you were with them and started to miss them as soon as you were away? I had no idea this was what I would find when I agreed to be part of this group last year.

These women are the best of the best of homeschool moms. They are the best of the best of any kind of moms, the best of wives, the best of Christian women and the best of friends. I have so much love for them.

Every time I am with these women is like a breath of fresh air. It is like I can be drowning in the sea of homeschooling and parenting responsibilities but being with them allows me to come up for air so that I can go back down. I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing together this super special group.

Carson turns 10

OK -I know we all say "They grow up so fast!" I just cannot believe my special little guy is 10 years old! Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday he was born in my sleep (yep, you heard me - true story - but that is for another post!).

Carson is such a special boy. He is so talented. Watching him star as Wilbur in Charlotte's Web showed me just how gifted he is on the stage. He is smart and very funny. He is such a sensitive little guy and this makes him a good friend and a good sibling. He LOVES his baby sister.

For his birthday party he really wanted to go to the new Lego store in OKC. We took our kids and his guests, in the rain, to this Mecca of all things Lego. It was neat-o. The kids all picked out Lego sets and then got to fill a box from the pieces that fill one wall.

This Indiana Jone was crazy! Made entirely out of Legos. It was ridiculous and I think even looks like Harrison Ford!
Then we went back to our house. We played a game - who can build the tallest tower without falling over in 2 minutes. I would have won except mine couldn't really stand on its own so I let one of the kids win. (haha!)

We ate cake and ice cream and then opened presents and then the kids all decided to build their Lego sets.
OK - I really don't like the cake. I chose not to do fondant because it doesn't taste good but trying to ice this was a nightmare and I think they look awful. SO, no comments about how cute the cake is and no comments saying "Kristi, you're silly - it looks fine." Just let it go, folks. I have. :)
Carson loved his party. We had his birthday dinner (which he requested to be chili - not exactly what I want to be eating on July 27 but it's what he wanted!)

I can't tell you enough how much I love this boy. I think he is going to impact the world for Christ some day. That is my prayer. Just looking at these pictures melts my heart and makes me fall in love with all over again. I've got it bad for this one. :)