Easter 2011

This will be a post of pictures but I wanted to write a few memories down before I forget:

---During the children's walk through of the stations of the cross on Friday, I thought Cuatro wasn't listening to ANYTHING. But we got to the part where Jesus is being nailed to the cross and VERY loudly he said, "Jesus died on the cross? Well that's not berry good!!" Just for the record we have told him many times that Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that was not the first time he heard that!! He also told a lady she had a fat tummy about two minutes later--we were on such a roll that day:)

---We went to my mom's after church for lunch and had our annual cascarone fight which I have avoided every year. I wanted pictures this year and got hit MANY times by little neices and nephews. By the way, the confetti has stained my skin in weird places

---on our way home we saw a sheep on the side of the road about to get hit by a car. We know the people who own the sheep (they live down the road). So Joe and I dropped in to tell them. Well they asked Joe to round the sheep up with them so all three of my kids were hanging out the window on the side of the road watching Joe and another good Samaritan help a momma sheep and her two babies back into their pen. Such a cute sight as the momma sheep was very protective of her little ones.

And without further ado, here are just some of the pictures from Easter 2011:

Let this cup pass...

My sister and I have so many honest conversations especially when we drive together somewhere. With all the chaos and noise coming from 4-5 small children in the back of the car, we end up pouring our hearts out about our walk with God, about life with young children, about anything!
The other day we were driving back from seeing an old friend whose mother had just passed away. It was a hard trip to make and there was so much on our minds on the way back into town. We had many worthy conversations but the one I am thinking about tonight is one I am still processing:

We were talking about the death of a believer and what absolute peace we have about dying. We know where we are going and that is comforting BUT can we apply that peace and trust in God's sovereignty to the death of our children? Sure, take my parents, my siblings, even my husband--but God, don't touch my children. I wouldn't survive. I wouldn't want to. Could you just let that cup pass from me? I can grow closer to You through OTHER trials and give you glory, okay? Just don't take my children--they are OFF LIMITS.

Now please do not get me wrong, I love my parents, my siblings, and my husband. But they are grown and have a relationship with God. They have lived, well, life. I would be incredibly sad to lose them on this earth. My world would be turned upside down to lose Joe. But I gave birth to these four beautiful children. I have wiped every tear, I have kissed every boo-boo, my heart goes wherever they go. They are the loves of my life. So I struggle with seeing children die even when their parent's prayed for that disease, that injury, that condition to not be the end. I have been to a baby's funeral and in the days leading up to her death, I remember having my own baby growing inside me and crying, "Why God? Why this?" . But her parent's walked through that fire and are a testament to God's unfailing love and faithfulness. They didn't curl up in a ball and stop living. They put one foot in front of the other and lived one day at a time. And four years later, they honor her on her birthday every year and remember her passing from life every year.

And Whitney and I ended our conversation with the intent to pray that we can REALLY give ALL of ourselves to God. It's not enough to say that sure, God, we love you and we will live for you. We have to live it. We have to intently seek out those areas in our lives that we are holding on to. Most people identify these holdovers as indiscretions in their life--bad habits, bad friends, bad, bad, bad. But what I hold so tightly to is the incredible blessings He gave in the form of four beautiful souls. What I forget is that He knows every story about them. He knows their every tear. He knows about every hurt that they have ever endured and He loves my children more than I ever could, ever would. He is a loving God that has been faithful to me my whole life and He will be the same God whether I have a child here on earth with me or away from me (for a brief time) in heaven with Jesus.

And then I had another thought, I have been so focused on ME when I struggle with this fear. I find it funny that it bothers me less that I am not worried about my walk, my sincerity with HIM. Does holding onto my children so tightly hinder my relationship with my Saviour? And so I went to Scripture and saw the answer in the following verses:

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."

---Matthew 10:37-39

"Not worthy of me"?---Oh Lord, may I take up my cross and follow you so completely that I might be worthy of You. May the focus of my walk be about You and not You based on me.

The Bluebonnets are a Bloomin'

The Bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. Everyone all over the state eagerly awaits the bloom of the bluebonnet every spring. And every good Texan knows that one is not supposed to pick these wonderful flowers--it's against state law. So a few weeks ago, Audrey had her picture done in the bluebonnets. She is on her way to becoming a good Texan...

Modeling for Charity

This past Saturday, the girls and I were asked to model some clothes from local boutique's for a Mother/Daughter charity Tea. Grace, Laura, and Audrey were able to wear two outfits each and I wore just one. We walked from table to table telling ladies about our clothes and giving out the shop's information. The girls loved it at the beginning but didn't get much of an opportunity to enjoy the actual tea party so I think next year we will just be guests. Here are a few pictures from the day:

Grace and Laura with a couple of other "models" from church

Audrey's "professional" look

Hard at work

Getting into the spirit

With my girls and sweet Amelia

The Tidwell Girls

Encouragement

Yesterday I was loading all four kids into the car after a church workday gone wrong with one of my kids. Two children were crying and the other two were complaining of thirst and wanted water RIGHT NOW. I was loading the stroller and didn't see that someone had been watching all of the chaos as she worked in a garden bed next to my car. That sweet lady came over and kissed my cheek and said, "You're a good mom, hang in there." And then she walked away. She didn't offer advice, she didn't try to correct my kids. She just loved me with her words. I know her and I know she has all grown kids now. She's been there. She knows that some days are so hard. She knows that there are not alot of "thank-you's" or "please, may I have's...". She JUST KNOWS and she chose to give the sweetest gift of her words. What a testimony of a Titus 2 woman to give encouragement to the younger generation in the thick of motherhood. So thank you, Mrs. Wilson. You made my day.

What happens when you have older sisters....

Cuatro and Harry will be really embarrassed one day but I had to share what they came out of Gwendolyn's room wearing one day (taken with my phone so ignore the bad quality):




(So that I remember, I asked Cuatro if he had kids--notice the doll-- and he said, "No, they died. And the daddy died and all we have is puppies". Seriously, where does he get this stuff?)

Being Real with a list of what I DON'T do...

I was inspired by a friend to do a couple of posts that show my "real" life. For my first post on this topic I will share what I do not do...hold on to your hats, folks, and try not to judge:

1. I don't make my own baby food and put it into ice cube trays. I never have...I had twins first, remember?? Yes, they ate jar food and they are just fine, thank you.

2. I don't do a load of laundry everyday. I sometimes don't get around to laundry for three days.

3. I don't remember to make my kids wash their hands all the time. I forget and usually remind them when the mom with the one child reminds her precious one.

4. I don't make a homemade meal everyday. I use frozen things. And again, my kids are just fine, thank you.

5. I don't serve all organic, gluten-free food in my house. That is all I'm saying about that since I don't want to start a fire-storm. Again, my kids are just fine, thank you.

6. I don't say no to TV. Sometimes it's about survival people.

7. I don't iron all of our clothes when they come out of the dryer. I don't have a designated ironing day either. I iron as needed.

8. I don't make my children's birthday cakes. I tried once and it looked like poop (it was a brown rattlesnake, so literally, poop). I buy the cakes now, it tastes better and looks better. Here is the first and last birthday cake I ever made:


9. I don't sew my own curtains or make my children's clothing. I tried a few times and it simply isn't one of my gifts.

10. I don't always take a shower everyday. We are being real, right? Sometimes it just doesn't happen especially when more than one child is sick.

DISCLAIMER: I don't think any less of you if you actually DO the above things. I actually think that is wonderful. Good for you---pat on the back. Feel free to feel better about yourself:) It's okay.