Rowdy with Four: December 2014

The Good. The Bad. The Ugly: Quote me…2014

10:42 AM

The Good. The Bad. The Ugly: A Christmas Gone to Pots

6:31 PM

I know what you must be thinking...how did your Christmas go to pots? It’s quite simple really. I had planned a spectacular Christmas Eve and Day in my head. The Devil, however, had something else in mind for us.

Yesterday, I planned on coming home to make my Christmas gifts for our parents. Then we would go to worship our Savior with our church family and return home to get ready for Santa to come. We would wake up, open Christmas gifts, have our traditional breakfast made by daddy, eat a big lunch and enjoy each other remembering what the season is truly all about.

I got home from town Christmas Eve only to be told by my husband that both our toilets were clogged. Needless to say, from the time I got home at 3:00 until a little after midnight my husband worked non-stop to fix our toilets. I even looked up on Pinterest some plunging ideas to try to help. The hot water and dish soap did not work! A dear friend saw our need and called in the troops. Our pastor at 10:00 at night met my husband half way to give us a plunging tool. We attempted the “snake”, but had no luck. Despite our efforts, we went to bed.

We woke up Christmas morning with no toilets, we opened gifts, had our big breakfast, talked to my sweet momma on the phone, did some laundry, played and put gifts together, had an amazing lunch, sang happy birthday to our Savior TWICE, and had no worries of being toiletless. In fact, we didn’t care. We put off fixing them. What’s the big deal? It’s just toilets. Right? So where did we potty? Outside of course. All day. That’s right this girl was squatting in the cold, Texas wind outside to pee. The boys, well they are in their element. They already have a tree designated as the “peeing tree”.

Going number one, no problem! Yet, we know there is also a number two. No problem! Poppa and Granny live less than a mile from us. Except, my youngest son is the worst at holding it until the very last minute. He comes dancing into the kitchen...I HAVE TO GO POTTY!!! So I tell him to go to the tree...I HAVE TO POOP!!! What do I do? That’s right. This momma grabs an old pot from under the kitchen sink and said go. Right there in the middle of the kitchen. Bagged those babies up and threw them in the trash. It’s Christmas Day! Nothing’s not going to spoil it. Not even a little poop.

Once you have a child go poop in a pot, you no longer feel the need to drive any of your other kids down the road for number two. I found myself telling them to grab a roll of toilet paper and head to the hay bales. And the oldest did without second thought. I did have to help my first grader balance. Yes, we are very country I know. But we are HAPPY country folk!!!

Now you know how our Christmas went to pots. As I did my Bible devotional tonight, God revealed to me why I believe He allowed all this. He wanted to show me how far my husband and I have come. In the past, we would have fought the entire time. Gone to bed frustrated, angry at one another. Don’t get me wrong. Last night we had a few minutes of who is right and why won’t you just watch my youtube video for help moments, but we didn’t give the Devil the victory. We have rediscovered our joy that comes only from Him.

This will be a Christmas that I will always remember. A Christmas gone to pots. I hope I have many more like this one. But, most importantly, I will never forget that very first Christmas that began in a stable, where my Lord and Savior was born, no crib, in a manger He lay His sweet head. Leaving His heavenly kingdom, living a sinless life here on earth to give me the greatest gift of all. Eternal life.

Merry Christmas!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this city of refuge you have brought us to. You are so humble and gracious. We celebrate our salvation in you not only today, but everyday. Let us be a light shining bright for You this New Year! Amen!

The Good. The Bad. The Ugly: Steadfast Love

8:49 PM

As I was ironing my husband’s work clothes, I was thinking about my Sunday. Now it’s clear as to why Satan has been fighting so hard against me this week. He could see my feet shaking off the desert sand...

This has been a season of so many tears. Tonight, I received a text from my sister. It was a picture of her and my little foster love. Tears just began to flow as I continued to iron listening to my Christmas music on pandora. Tears were finally gone when my husband entered our bedroom. He could tell something was wrong as I tried to shake it off like it was nothing. He hugged me and held me as we swayed to the music. I could no longer hold back the tears as I cried from the depth of my heart...I got another picture of my foster love.

It’s hard explaining these tears that welled up inside me for the second time this week over pictures. They had nothing to do with my foster love, but everything to do with me. They aren’t tears of sorrow, but simply desperate cries for redemption. The freeing of my heart and soul that has been stranded in the desert for longer than God intended. Fear has kept me here. Fear that there is nothing more for me than this.

I’ve made so many excuses in fear. Those that know me, know the love and passion that I have for God’s children. I long to be used by Him. But for some reason, I haven’t been able to. I had the opportunity to teach kids at a pediatric camp in October. I wanted to so bad, but I let fear stop me. I had a good excuse as to why I couldn’t. Satan had me believing that I’m not capable of teaching children. That God no longer needs me. Leaving a big whole in my soul.

I just celebrated my 13th wedding anniversary to a man I love so much. I desire to have a marriage centered on God, but Satan has a tight grip on my heart. He refuses to let go, encouraging me to keep him at arms distance, unable to be intimate, he had me believing that I’m not beautiful enough. That he couldn’t love me. Leaving a big whole in my heart.

I know God leads us to deserts. Forcing us to rely on Him. When I entered the desert, my soul was so dry. Unable to shed a single tear. Now here I stand. Vulnerable. Still in the desert. At the very edge. Feet in a puddle of tears. Staring redemption in the face. God has wanted me out of the desert for some time now, but it’s been easier to just stand here.

The thing is. The closer I get to the edge of the desert. To the promises God has for me, my marriage, my calling...the more Satan attacks. He brings it full force. Haunting my dreams. Making me relive the circumstances that bring me so much pain. He made sure he brought them last night. When I woke this morning, I was ready to make excuses. Excuses as to why we shouldn’t go to church. Knowing I was suppose to talk to the Associate Pastor about the ideas God has given me for our church’s children’s program.

I’m so glad I didn’t sway. Okay my husband didn’t sway. I tried to get him to go to my dad’s church and he said...NO! God had so much for me to receive. It was the push I needed to get out of the desert and claim the promises God has for me. I don’t want to make excuses anymore. I want to enter the land flowing with milk and honey. My promise land. I’m shaking the sand off. It’s time to leave the desert!

A sweet friend texted these verses to me just at the right time and I want to leave them with you. Be encouraged. You’re not on the battlefield alone.

“When I thought ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul...But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94:18-22

“For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be FEARED above all gods.” Psalm 59:4

The Good. The Bad. The Ugly: BAH!HUMBUG!

10:13 AM

It’s Friday! What a week...the devil has been working over time on me this week. The more I was reading God’s Word and praying, the more he attacked. Feeling defeated, I was ready to fall, put down the Sword, and wave the white flag of surrender he is so desperately trying to capture. This week I was loosing sight of what I am fighting for.

Unfortunately, he won a majority of the battles this week. To sum it up, my husband slept on the couch one night, and I slept on the couch two nights. Fiery words were being thrown back and forth, kisses were being withheld...don’t judge, you know you’ve been there.

Don’t worry! I didn’t wave the flag as tempting as it is. He makes it seem so appealing to just walk away and give up. You know, much greener on the other side...but is it? I was guilty of looking to greener pastures. So and so divorced. Look how happy they are now. So in love. What a pretty picture of second chances they paint. But, is Satan really showing me the whole picture...

He doesn’t reveal the ugliness that comes with divorce. I am a product of a broken home. My parents both remarried. They fight with their new spouse, have nights on the couch, they shoot the fiery words, I guess you can say they are still sinners...so what’s different? I don’t know...I do know my parents were left with weekends, summers, and holidays without their children.

It’s not my place to say when enough is enough to justify divorce. So where does this leave me? Gripping my Sword. Fighting! God reminded me through the book of Joshua, be like Caleb, faithful from the start and until the very end. Although Caleb’s inherited land still had giants, he knew the Lord would help him conquer them. I still have giants in my marriage, but I claim victory in the blood of Jesus.

Back in bed where I belonged, I gave thanks to God. He began to remind me how far we have come since last fall. How he has been working on me, my husband, and my children. Yesterday, was my youngest son’s Christmas party. I volunteered to help. Unlike, last year, I brought confidence and took the classroom by storm. I carried on conversations. I even made some new FB friends...

Then there was my son...I marveled at how much he has changed. Last year, he would bring me to tears with his fits he pulled in the classroom with his very patient teacher. Leaving me in complete embarrassment when he wouldn’t follow directions, I begged her to just walk him down to the office and spank his butt. But with love, she continued to teach and train Him in Jesus' name. Yesterday, I looked on with pride as he followed his new teacher’s instructions, going station to station, taking part in the day’s Christmas festivities.

This a reminder for me to wave my SWORD as God is always at work, little by little, one small victory at a time.

“The land on which your feet have walked with be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14:9

The Good. The Bad. The Ugly: Seeking the Sun through the Snowflakes

9:02 AM

The Good. The Bad. The Ugly: Keep Calm and Cruise

1:54 PM

For all you moms out there looking for a family vacation that leaves you refreshed while making vacation memories with your entire family, this is the way to go! Keep calm and cruise!

Here's my top ten cruise loves...

1.) Fresh towels. I love having a fresh, clean towel at my disposal every time I shower. Being a family of six, we do not get this luxury at home. Returning to our room each evening, to see how they are left on our bed, is just an extra fun bonus.

2.) Cleaning service morning and night. I don't have to lift a finger! That's my kind of vacation. I leave for breakfast and return to a clean room. I leave for dinner and return to a clean room. Twice in one day! Bed made. Floors vacuumed. Bathroom cleaned. Love, love, love!

3.) Naps. My favorite afternoon activity. Eat a big lunch and go back to my clean, quiet room for a minimum of an hour nap. What about the kids? They're in kids club having a blast!

4.) Kids club. I love that I can drop my kids off to have organized fun at just about anytime during the day. It's not just babysitting, it's scheduled fun during our down time.

5.) Hot showers. Oh my! It didn't matter what time I took a shower, I always had hot water. This is very rare at home also and all other vacation places we have stayed.

6.) The food. No cooking and no washing dishes. What a treat! With all you can eat buffets, burrito bar, hamburger bar, pizza bar, ice cream bar; we were fat, dumb, and happy! All the time!

7.) Room service. If you are too tired to walk to one of the food bars or buffets, that's okay. Three words...Free room service. I'm going to miss my nightly BLT and New York cheesecake at the press of a button.

8.) Mr. Sanchoz beach. This is the best and cheapest excursion. Free entrance to a Cozumel beach. If you do it right, you can go to the beach one way for $35. Not each person, but for all in your group...that's $70 total. We go early enough to beat the crowd to the FREE table and chairs. We are back on the ship in time for lunch. You don't have to spend a lot on port days, and you don't have to swim with the dolphins to make memories.

9.) Shopping. I love shopping in Progresso. Mainly because my dad gives us all money to shop with. Spoiled I know.

10.) Paris nights. Yes, I love my date nights with my sweetheart in the evenings. We start with dinner in the Paris dining hall followed by comedy and broadway shows, and our much needed quiet time alone. No interruptions. Yes, I know. Keep calm and cruise!

What are you waiting for? Schedule a cruise!!!

The Good. The Bad. The Ugly: Forever

9:22 PM

Rowdy with Four