In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13



Saturday, January 16, 2010

Pressing Through

Update.

Klaire had her re-eval. She did not qualify for speech. The speech path told me that Klaire has the ability to do everything she should be able to do at her age. She doesn't measure how well she does it or to what extent she can do it....just that fact that she can. I am thrilled that KG has caught up a 1.5 year delay in less than 5 months, don't get me wrong. But I feel the same way I did after her hearing test. Just unsettled. The dr. said that she thought KG's behavior was the problem not her speech anymore. Awesome. Exactly what I want to hear.

The dr. we are seeing next week is suppose to look at KG as a whole person. I guess like a puzzle person. Seeing how all of this we are going through and have been through fits together.

I am asking the Lord calm my spirit. I find myself so stinkin angry most days and when I'm not, I still fly off the handle really easy. I am really have a difficult time with the girls. They have entered this stage where they are upset, angry, screaming, hitting, spitting and just being down right disrespectful to us. I am so tired of this that I am in tears. I have asked a few people if their kids have done this and they look at me like I am crazy and of course their child would never do that. I desparatly need a woman who has been where I am to give me guidance and wisdom. If you know her, please send her my way.

Thank you for walking motherhood with me sweet ones.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Coming up...

Tonight starts a busy semester for our family. I am so excited to be back in my Revelation class under Jen Durham and Kay Arthur. It rocks my world every semester but never fails to leave me desiring my God even more...this really stuck out to me as I did my homework.
"Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed."
-Kay Arthur (Revelation 4)

Next Monday starts my 2nd semester of Sign Class. I really love it! I can see what joy it has brought to Klaire being able to talk with him. I hope the Lord continues to use this. It has opened doors that we never would have walked through before.

Over the next few months, we have four different weddings that we are involved in. Some more than others but all require a lot of attendance. I always love weddings but always really glad it's not me. One time was good for me! :) I think J and I would go to Mexico if we could do it again. :)

Klaire has re-eval tomorrow. Please be in prayer for her to be in a good mood, rested, cooperative and talkative. We need her true colors to shine forth. We also need the drs. to be ready to interpret her. We are asking for them to think outside the box. The Lord has given us an opportunity with another Dr. who specializes in kids like Klaire. We will meet with her on the 25th of January for a very very thorough array of testing. My heart is excited for a fresh breath of air with my Klaire.

PS...KJ is sitting on top on the couch and not moving because there is a lizard in the playroom next to her milk. She won't get off the couch and neither will I. Klaire will have to get it when she wakes up from her nap. :)

Gotta jet...

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Happy Birthday KJB!


Happy Birthday Karoline Jewel Billups! It has not hit me that you are three years old yet. I can still see you as a little bitty 6 1/2 lb peanut! You have brought joy to me that I have never known and challenged me to be more than I was. I have learned what it means to humble myself, sacrifice and laugh really hard! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you this year. You, sweet one, are a treasure to your Dad and I. We are honored and forever grateful that God chose us to be your parents. Our prayer is that He would continue to draw you to Himself and that we could continue to point you to Him.

We love you sweetheart!

Menu Monday....on Tuesday :)

Monday: Southwestern Enchiladas with Rice
Tuesday: McDonalds for K's bday!
Wednesday: Church
Thursday: Chicken Rollups
Friday: Leftovers :)

Crazy week and not many dinners due to the bday girl!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Psalm 107

This has been my heart's meditation over the last few months.Psalm 107

I cannot wrap my mind around our God. He is so good amist the chaos. I see hurt, pain, death, confusion and so forth all around me yet there is hope. There is joy, laughter, peace. People who are struggling are giving the most to others. My heart is encouraged.

When I quit my job to stay at home with the girls and minister here I knew it would be hard financially. I have been going over all the numbers this week and they just don't line up. Everything I try to cut out can't be. I know that we could always sell our home and buy less food, etc. But then we would be disobediant to serve those around us who need shelter, food, water, a washing machine, a friendly couch to hang out on...ya know? There is too much joy in obeying the Lord. You just can't put an amount on that!

Pastor John is doing a series on Wednesday Nights called, The Escorted Bride...it's Church history at its' best! I was left with such a sense of purpose and quickness in my spirit.(If I remember right :)) He said that during this age (70AD-312AD) Christianity spread like wildfire because of these five things...1)The Gospel was presented as a personal testimony and witness of how great our God is. 2) Christians were loving believers and non believers alike...

"(Christianity) has been specifically advanced through the loving treatment render to complete strangers and the way they care for the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well." -Julian the Apostate

WOW! Surely we can provide for those around us. We may not have strangers coming in and out but we can for sure love on those as they prepare to go out and share the Word! I want to be apart of a wildfire of the gospel. Isn't it wonderful that God has called us into His story of bringing the world to Himself. Let us not be shy because of money or time to invest in the Kingdom!

Back to John...3) Anyone was able to come to Jesus...men, women and slaves! No one was shunned from the love of Christ...that's a message! 4)Christianity gave answers to people who were searching. It's only answer to what we should do with our sin? We give it to him with gratitude and He takes it with no conditions. 5)Lastly, Christianity spread because Christians died with peace. They were not afraid. They knew why they lived and why they were asked to die. No shame, no reservations. They were in 100%.

All this to say...Let's spread the gospel this year like wildfire...Let's love on another differently than the world....Let's speak boldly out of a fearless heart!

My heart is busy these days in preperation for something. God is getting me ready for this year. Let's join together and loose the "fluff" and dig in deep!

Excited about 2010 :)

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

What's on the menu Mondays?!



My friend Amber has restarted this Monday blog so I thought I would jump on board.

Here's the stats...
-We budget $400.00 a month.
-We eat at home 4 nights a week.
-One night we eat at church and the others are filled in with leftovers, night out with friends or something random.
-We eat cereal, biscuits, waffles, eggs, etc for breakfast.
-We eat soup, ravoili, sandwiches, macaroni & cheese, etc for lunch.

This week we have...

Monday: Spicy Chicken Alfredo with Bowtie Pasta & Garden Veggies
Tuesday: Tator Tot Casserole with Corn
Wednesday: Church
Thursday: Chicken Tetrazinni with Steamed Broccoli
Friday: Hamburgers with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Dessert this week...

Funfetti Cake with Chocolate Icing
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Have a great week!!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Reflections 09

I came across this list of reflection questions and thought I would share...I would love to know your thoughts on 09 too!

Reflection Questions for 2009

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
Having the opportunity to stay at home with the girls.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Learning to keep up the house on a daily basis.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Getting a mini van.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
Finding out about lil K's delays.

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
Rewarding, Lonely, Revealing

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
Faithful, Stressful, Better

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009 (again, without asking).
Busy, Exciting, Better

8. What were the best books you read this year?
The Power of Prayer to change your Marriage by Stormie Omartian

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
J

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
Trying to retrain my life from a working mom to a stay at home mom.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
It has been really difficult to be alone most of the day with just the kids. I have gone through a season of loneliness. At first, it was hard to be alone and a little uncomfortable but now I almost like myself again. I don't need others to fulfill me.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
The Lord has drawn me into a season of loneliness to draw me to Him. When I was constantly surrounded with others, they are who I shared my life with first not Him. He has changed that! I find myself talking to Him all day long about the dumbest things. My relationship has more depth than I have had in quite some time. He is teaching me to walk slowly with Him, moment by moment. Not getting ahead of what He is showing me. I am learning what it means to be a mom/wife, how to create a home. My job is now to love my family, cook, clean, etc all for the glory of serving the Lord through serving them. I need to do it with joy and excellence. It's a work in progress!

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
I'm still around 105lbs. A lot of heart issues this year along with a few deficiencies. Working them out and waiting for the Lord to give guidance.

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
Listening and be able to relate to others moms in my transition.

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
I don't think I have one yet.

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?
Laundry.

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
TV...I like it too much.

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Making extra time to spend with J...he's my favorite!

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
How important it is that J and I stay on top of our girls...especially discipline. We can't give them an inch :)

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.