Cooper The Passionate

I live in the middle of no-where. Yes, it's a town, a class 6A school, lots of big business, but it's still in the middle of nothing. We are something close to nothing. Don't get me wrong, I live in one of the prettiest ares of Oklahoma; tall grass prairies, beautiful hills, trees lots of ponds, wildlife. It's probably one of the only places in the world with flat land prairies and hills all in the same acreage.

Being in the middle of no-where means we have to drive every time we want to get somewhere, especially shopping, restaurants and our church. All this to say, when we hop in our buggy and head to town, Matt and I have time to chat, in between us telling the older two to keep their hands in their laps and stop screaming.

While driving to Grapevine, the subject of Cooper came up. Yes, the boy is a subject of his own; Cooper Talk.  Coop just woke up from a long nap in the car and if we talk to him and he's not ready he flips out. Then if you bug him he really flips out and goes to his high pitched screaming voice, "AAAHHHHHHH!!!" It's really a priceless moment, us making him mad.

Matt and I were describing Cooper. We were trying to come up with a book cover that describes him. You know how book covers give a brief synopsis of the contents of the book? We were doing that only Cooper is the subject. We were having a hard time, but then it hit me.

PASSIONATE.

When he's happy, he's passionately happy. When he's mad, he is passionately mad. Everything he does, he goes beyond the norm. Instead of a regular fist bump, he has to blow it up.

When I say, "Smile Cooper!" He smiles with his whole body. And he does that with PASSION.

Great Wolf Lodge Pictures

 The family.

 Love them. This was the last day and the kids were checked out. ha

 So there is a bell that Dings when the bucket is fixing to dump. I'm not sure if Chloe heard it but I wanted a picture of her when the bucket dumped.

 She jumped. haha

 View of the lobby from the fourth floor.

 The fireplace in the lobby. It's massive! That's Cooper at the bottom right.

 I'm raising three fish.

Most of the lobby

Christmas at Woolaroc 2011

The town I live was built around oil. Without going into the history of Bartlesville, mainly because I don't know that much, I'll just say this: There was a man named Frank Phillips (I don't even know how to spell his name, one L or two LL's.) He found Philips 66; an oil company. It is now known as Conoco Phillips. Good ol' Frank made a very hefty living on oil. He also had a passion for collecting really cool things. Back in his day goods were traded for other goods. Some of the "goods" he got were Indian blankets. Well, when you collect as much stuff as Frank did, you need a place to put it; Woolaroc. AND when you are as wealthy as Frank, you need a ranch to take your other wealthy friends; Woolaroc. AND when you hunt wild game like zebra, giraffes, deer, elephants... you need a place to put them; Woolaroc. AND when someone gives you these...

.... fancy, legit, shrunken heads, you need a place to put them; Woolaroc.

Christmas time is such a wonderful time but Woolaroc does a fantastic job. The decorate the grounds with tons of Christmas lights, offer tractor rides, hot chocolate, cookies and you can walk through the museum. It was hard to see all the amazing paintings and learn of their history, our history, because of the kids but the little time I did get to read I learned a lot..

Colbie doesn't care much for Santa or apparently Woolaroc for that matter.

This picture was taken in pitch black. The man on the other side of the trailer couldn't see a thing. I told him just click and we'll take what we get. haha This is about right for our family. haha

I took a ton of pictures of paintings but I knew I wouldn't be able to say exactly what I learned or read on the plaques so I opted not to post them so I didn't misspeak. I'm pretty sure this is Sitting Bull. If you have not visited Woolaroc, I highly highly recommend. It is a true gem of a place.

Great Wolf Lodge

This is a view of part of the water park. I took it standing in the lobby which is on the second floor. The bucket at the top dumps tons of gallons of water below. There's a glare from the Christmas lights that were hanging above me against the window.

The last time we stayed, Chloe and Cooper were just too little and unsure in the water to play on this. It has slides that once you've climbed to the top you can slide down. Both kids this year ate this thing up. Cooper would go down the slide, climb out and 'high five' the lifeguard on duty. He did this every. single. time. That lifeguard was so awesome with Cooper.

 Matt said he saw a kid get de-pants-ed (how do you spell that word?) when the bucket dumped.  

 This was in the lobby the day we arrived. There was a huge Christmas tree behind them and to the right of the picture is the window I took the above pictures from. You can see all the hanging lights. 

I have more pictures, so I'll post those later.

Family Vacay: Great Wolf Lodge

We are on our first real family vacation since Colbie was born!

Destination: Great Wolf Lodge or Big Wolf Lodge if you are Chloe.

We've had reservations for a while, then I came across a Groupon. It was a much better deal than I got so we jumped on it. So glad I did because our room is a million times better than what I had originally reserved. Couldn't afford this room without the Groupon.

I was worried how Colbie would travel. She tends to flip out when we drive to church and that's 40 minutes away. That little booger slept from the moment we left and didn't wake until we were in Caddo, Oklahoma! That's about 3 hours. She just did so great.

The lodge is decorated like winter and Christmas. It truly is magnificent. I'll take pictures and post them. The kids are at story time right now, I'm in the room with a sleeping Colbie. Somehow they make it snow in the lobby! I haven't seen it yet, but I can only imagine how cool it is.

Colbie is a fish!! We knew she'd love it here because she goes NUTS when we take her out of the bath tub. We swam for an hour and a half when we got here. When we told Cooper it was time to get out, well he went nuts. He looks cute when he goes nuts so everyone around us was trying not to laugh. I said it's time to go, he said no and baby stepped his way back to the water while keeping his eye on me, wondering if I was going to come get him. It was really funny.

The last time we were here, Chloe had a hard time touching in the kid pool. It's amazing how much she has grown. I can let her go play and just tell her where we are sitting. She being a first born, follow the pack kind of girl, she doesn't like to play alone. Cooper on the other hand, will play all day and not care if anyone is with him.

Is it worth the cashola it costs to come here?

Every. Dime.

My Family

November 2011

Chloe (5)

Cooper (3)

Colbie (1)

Matt and Megan (older)

Betsy Gregory Photography.

Do Not Copy This Picture! You do not have permission.

Trash Can Lesson

Doing a devo with the kids a few night ago. The lesson was based on Genesis 22 where God tested Abraham by asking him to "Take your son, your only son- yes, Isaac, whom you love so much- and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you." (Genesis 22:2) The story goes on and Abraham was willing and almost sacrificed his son but an angel of the Lord stopped him. (verses 3-13)

The lesson was to "Place a small trash can with a clean liner in a corner of the room. Tell your children to get a favorite toy, then ask them to place it in the trash can. If they protest, ask them whether they trust you and know you love them. Explain that God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. (You can return your kids' toys as you say this.) God was testing Abraham's faith. He was also giving Abraham a glimpse of His plan to save humanity: God's only Son would be offered as the sacrifice for our sins. He would have thorns on His head similar to the ram caught by his horns in the thicket."

(For more info on the devo and where it came from visit www.thrivingfamiy.com/advent) I am getting this from YouVersion Bible App.

Here's how it played out when we asked the kids to put their favorite toys, Cooper his Thomas the Train and Chloe her 'dog in a purse' thing, in the trash can.

Matt asked each kid, "Do you trust me?"  They emphatically said, "Yes father." The next question Matt posed was, "Do you love me?" With which each child said, "Of course!" Then Matt asked them to put their beloved toys in the trash and they being the God fearing children they are, walked to the trash can, placed their toys in there, looked at us happily, we prayed and they loved the Lord more after that day.

Ok, so that is not entirely true. This might be a more accurate portrayal of how it played out.

They each got their favorite toys, Cooper his Thomas the Train and Chloe her 'dog in a purse' thing. Then Matt asked each kid, "Do you trust me?" While bouncing around and playing with their favorite toys said, "Yeah." The next question was, "Do you love me?" Each giggling said, "Yep." Then Matt asked them to put their toys in the trash can and all Hell broke loose.

Chloe smiled like we were joking, ran to her room and "changed her mind on her favorite toy", Cooper had a melt down and went on and on about how dirty the trash can is even though we reassured him that it was indeed clean.

Matt asked each child personally, "Chloe will you trust me and put your dog in the trash can?" She said no and offered yet another toy from her room. Matt asked Cooper, "Coop, will you put Thomas in the trash can?" His reaction was typical of most kids. He hugged his toys close to his chest and yelled, well screamed, "NOOOOO!!!"

Matt and I looked at each other and gave a "pinch poke you owe me a coke" hmmph.

While the kids were still crying and yelling about how they refused to put their toys in the trash, Cooper more loudly than Chloe, I asked Matt a question, "I wonder if there is anything in our life we are hugging close to our chest with a vice grip, refusing to trust God with like they are with their toys?"

After about 5-10 minutes of asking if they loved and trusted us and getting no where, I got an idea. I walked to the trash can and dropped my phone in it.

The kids looked at me like, "Are you serious?!" I sat down on the couch and told them that I loved their Daddy very much and I trust him with everything. It took a few more minutes of Chloe wondering where the hidden cameras were but she walked over to the can and happily put her 'dog in a purse' in the can. Cooper took a little more talking and some more explaining, but he did it. He didn't know what was going to happen, but he did it.

After a few minutes of making them wait and talking to them about Abraham (G version, leaving out the 'sacrificing his kid' part) and talking about bringing our best to God, we told the kids they could get their toys back. (Bringing our best has been an accidental theme this Christmas, but that's for another post.)

So now I pose the question to you and again to myself, "What in our life are we holding on to, not letting God touch? What are we not willing to place in the trash can?"

Sensationlized Oz

Lately, I have become just done with news in all aspects. I'm tired of reading of some "Dad" tossing his kid off of a bridge, a drunk killing a family, war, soldiers dying, how dog's have an 'Angel Tree' because and I quote "Dogs have Christmas wishes also." What?! I'm going to bubble burst here, but No. They. Don't. I will tell you there are hundreds of thousands of kids who have legitimate Christmas wishes, go help them.

A person this morning on Crackbook Facebook  posted a video of Dr. Oz and his discovery that arsenic is in apple juice, children's apple juice. I'm not going to talk about that, I'm going to rant on the comments that followed.

I watched the video. Then I commented, "Taking my general dislike for Dr Oz out of the equation, yep that's crazy!" (referencing arsenic in apple juice)


Well, my dislike of Oz opened a Can O Worms. Apparently I hate the guy. Nope, never said hate. So I commented again, "I think he sensationalizes everything. (I dont hate him just don't watch his show)"

*If someone could open that second Can O Worms on the counter that'd be great.*


This was the flow of the conversation: 

Man: "To a degree Megan he does I agree, but I'd you look at the overall health of our country it is warranted"

Megan: "I don't think showing people how to change their lifestyle based on fear is ok BUT I do think the health of our country is 'blah' for lack of a better word."

Man: "I wouldn't say fear so much as shock. When you hold a smokers lung up and compare to a healthy lung it makes the point much clearer than "you shouldn't smoke" (To which I 'liked' his comment bc I partially agree and to try and keep the stones away.)

Weird Lady: "First off, if he didn't sensationalize everything then we would not be blessed enough to be able to access him anytime we want via our living room tvs! Hello, that's what TV is about! :) However, although he is a bit of a spaz, he is clearly 150% a full advocate for anything and everything pure, healthy and beneficial and that includes endorsing anything and everything that is NOT recommended and/or regulated by the FDA (i.e. nutritional supplements that Big Pharma does not profit from) and for that I commend him. Yes, there may come a day when he gets a big head like so many and sells his soul to the devil (Big Pharma) but from what I have seen, he is all about endorsing natural and scientifically proven methods for improving the overall health of our nation. You can tell this is his passion, it's clearly what he is born to do.


With that, I quit commenting because how can you rationalize with a person who thinks it's ok to sensationlize, instill fear into people, in order to have a TV show?! Are you stupid? "That's what TV is about!" Well, I'm about truth, I'm about hope not fear. Fear is sin. You know why people love his show? FEAR! Follow me a moment:

Fear is sin. 

Me, you, people are drawn to sin, ie Adam and Eve. People are drawn to Oz because of the 'Fear Factor.' It's the sin everyone seeks, that rush of fear! I'm not saying jumping out from behind a door and scaring your husband is a sin. I'm talking about living your life based on some fear provoking TV doctor. Let's live our life based on Hope, Truth, Confidence, Grace and Jesus. Let's not turn on the TV and then go dump out all the food in our pantry because Oz said, "It's ALL bad! You will die. You will get cancer." 

Jesus doesn't base his message on fear, but of Love and Hope.
  

"And His name will be the hope of all the world." Matthew 12:21

 

Weekly "I AM"

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises." -Psalm 34:1

Outside my window... It's dark and it's cold, really cold.

I am thinking... That I might start doing these "I AM" things on Sunday. Technically, the week starts on Sunday and I have more time to type these then. It's hard to find a moment during the week to blog. Well, I take that back. I have moments. I just don't blog when I have them. I usually eat or nap.

Colbie turns 1 on Saturday and I'm still in shock. She is just about walking. She can take one good solid step but then she sits down. She is signing like crazy 'milk' and 'eat.' Somehow she learned how to blow kisses! I'm not sure where she learned this heart melting skill but we love it and it's hilarious! She is very funny and within the past month or so has really started to try and make us laugh. Now I just wish she would sleep through the night. She just won't for us. Last night she woke at her usual 1:30. We fed her and got her back to sleep and in her bed. Then she slept until almost 9:30!!! What?! I don't get her.

I am really excited for Thanksgiving. Last year, I was screaming in pain, begging nurses to give me pain meds. I was in labor but not in labor. I was stuck at a 2cm for all. day. It was terrible and so stinking painful. She was born the next day after 24 hours of labor. If we have another kid, I wonder if I'll labor faster? Ya, doubtful.

I like coffee.

I am planning to cook... I have no idea. I do have all the makings for chicken and rice soup. It's a short week and my mind doesn't want to think. I do have desserts on my mind though! haha

I am reading... I had to put down "Bringing Up Boys" for now. I'll read it here and there but I just needed some more action and something I can read a little faster because I'm almost out of time to reach my goal of 26 books this year. Sooo, I bought a Bill Hybels book called "Just Walk Across the Room." I'm really excited about this one. I am loving it so far, but I love Bill and his way of teaching.

I am hearing... The tv is on in the background and Matt is getting his stuff ready for work tomorrow.

I am praying... For us moving, some personal things that I'm not ready to share here, and for friends.

Finding My Funny

I mentioned a few years ago that I felt like I lost my funny. I had been through so much with my not feeling well, not being able to exercise, not knowing what was wrong with me, having a family to take care of, a commuting husband, doctors thinking I'm crazy, to finally a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. The diagnosis didn't make the flowers smell any better but it definitly made me notice them more.

Now that I'm on the backside of that, I feel like I am finally coming up for air. I'm finally able to breath again. I'm able to laugh again.  Being able to run and exercise has beena huge factor in finding my funny.

I'm excited to bring back the funny. Now if I can just find the time.

Weekly "I AM"

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready for help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea." -Psalm 46:1-2

Outside my window... It's been raining, finally. I just saw on Twitter that there is a Tornado Warning in a handful of counties in Oklahoma. I guess a tornado was spotted on the ground. Need I remind everyone that it is indeed November! It looks cold out but the actual temp is in the upper 50's.

I am thinking... I'm rarely ever thinking one thing. A few of the thoughts I've had today are: The verse is to go along with our mega earthquake we had over the weekend. That was some crazy scary fun.

 I'm glad Matt stayed home from work, even if the both of us don't feel great. It's been really nice talking to him, making lunch for him and chatting over the lunch. We rarely have quiet moments, but today we had a semi quiet moment. Cooper was napping, Chloe was at school and only Colbie was up. She was good though. Matt and Cooper have had some bonding time today, cuddling on the couch and watching
cartoons. Coop stayed home from school because he started puking around 4 am.

This headache I have is either from being sick or from lack of coffee due to being sick and unable to keep anything down.

Contrary to the 'rude commentor' on my blog a month or so ago, we actually do support Compassion. They have been on my mind a lot today because a handful of bloggers are going to Ecuador to visit children. I really want to do one of these trips one day.

Church yesterday was about being a hypocrite. I'm sure there are areas in my life when I have been a hypocrite. I just hope if I do or am, that someone would lovingly point that out. I don't want to be one of "those people."

I am planning to cook... Since Matt was home, I made chicken and rice soup for lunch and it will go for dinner and possibly lunch tomorrow. Then, depending on how our bellies feel, I'm planning on a cheesy bean enchilada casserole thing, turkey chili and breakfast.

I am reading... I started reading "Bringing Up Boys." It's really good and I love Dobson, but I also really love reading stories. I'm behind my goal of 26 books in 52 weeks. I've got some catching up to do.

I am hearing... When I started this, I wasn't hearing much. Now, I hear Colbie laughing, Matt cleaning the kitchen, Coop and Chloe talking and watching cartoons. Nice to have everyone home by 4!! Gosh this never happens.

I am praying... For God to show me if I am the hypocrite, us moving and thanking God for all he has given me. I sure am a blessed gal.

This is our sweet Jersy. We have been sponsoring her for almost a year and a half. She is becoming such a lovely woman. We pray for her every night and although we have never met, we love her so much.

"Did you feel it?"

"Did you feel it?"

That will be the question every Oklahoman asks one another for the next few days. Instead of "How are you doing?" People will inquire if you felt the earth tremble. If you didn't you will feel a little hint of shame and embarrassment. If you did, you will have stories to swap that will most likely resemble the story of the other person you are story swapping with. "Ya, the house shook. I freaked. Have a good day."

If you are an OSU fan, you probably cracked some ridiculous joke on how God is a Pokes fan and he was jumping up and down in celebration. If you are like me and just got done watching OSU win, in a rather ugly fashion, and had moved on to the local news, you probably felt and heard what I felt and heard.

I thought the Life Flight helicopter was approaching the nearby hospital. I muted the TV to listen, it sounded louder than normal. Then I began to hear the air rumble. Then I thought the helicopter landed on my house. Then I jumped up, screamed, "HOLY CRAP!", ran to the bathroom and yelled at Matt that it was an earthquake, he responded in pure Matt fashion with, "Oh ya, is that what that is?" I proceeded to do the right and proper thing; head to Twitter and Facebook. I had to beat everyone to the posting/update punch. Then I ran outside to freak with the neighbors, only I was the only one there.

(The following was taken from USGS.gov)

Magnitude 5.6 - OKLAHOMA

2011 November 06 03:53:10 UTC

Earthquake Details

• This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

Magnitude	5.6
Date-Time	Sunday, November 06, 2011 at 03:53:10 UTC Saturday, November 05, 2011 at 10:53:10 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	35.599°N, 96.752°W
Depth	5 km (3.1 miles)
Region	OKLAHOMA
Distances	34 km (21 miles) NNE of Shawnee, Oklahoma 63 km (39 miles) SSE of Stillwater, Oklahoma 68 km (42 miles) ESE of Guthrie, Oklahoma 71 km (44 miles) ENE of OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 13.9 km (8.6 miles); depth +/- 3 km (1.9 miles)
Parameters	NST=298, Nph=298, Dmin=208.2 km, Rmss=1.54 sec, Gp= 22°, M-type=regional moment magnitude (Mw), Version=9

My Blue Heaven 2011

Last year was our first time going to this little treasure on the Little Buffalo River. We went with some friends and had such a wonderful time, we all decided to go back!

This was our view every morning. Gosh, it's such a beautiful place.

We left Colbie with Grandma and Grandpa so we could spend some quality time with Chloe and Cooper. They had such a wonderful time. Matt and I really enjoyed our time with them. These kids LOVE the outdoors, throwing rocks is their specialty. When we left, Cooper cried and cried. He wanted to go fishing. That's our boy.

Three C's

I needed some shots of the kids before the leaves completely fell off the trees. So one afternoon, I got the kids dressed and we headed out to take some pictures. What you can't see in the pictures is the brutal cold wind. I have a new appreciation for photographers who shoot pictures of children. It wore me out trying to get all three to smile and look at camera at the same time.

These were my three favorite poses and I edited them for a little more color. Fall is pretty but can also be very drab in color.

Love them.

Convenient Christian

..."so I replied by sending this message to them, "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why shall the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?" -Nehemiah 6:3

How would you define "Convenient Christian?"

I guess we could break down the words first. My trusty dictionary, Google, defines convenient as;

Convenient: Adj, 1. Fitting in well with a person's needs, activities, and plans. 2. Involving little trouble or effort.

The first thing that pops into my head is convenient stores or drive thru's. Those require little effort. They are quick, easy answers to a need. "I need a soda and gas and a gallon of milk and it's 2:30 in the morning. Oh what shall I do?!" Most people head to the nearest QT.


Now let's define the next word; Christian.

I'm not going to Google here, that would be too convenient of me. I'm going to choose the inconvenient path and define it myself. We'll call this the Meganary, not Meganary, that contains different meanings of words all together.

Christian: Noun, Adj, Verb, Pronoun, 1. Not fitting in well with some people's needs, activities, and plans. 2. Involving all your life, heart, emotions, thoughts and can be effortless because of Love. 3. Changing the world. 4. The belief that Jesus, born of a virgin, took my convenient life to the cross, died and then rose three days later all so that I can live.

This morning when a commenter on my blog called me, and I'm semi quoting here, a 'convenient Christian' I didn't get angry. When he or she used the word diatribe, that raised my blood pressure. What's a diatribe?! I'm too lazy to Google that one and I can't find it in the Meganary. When he or she basically called me an Edmondite! Now thems fightin' words!!

I decided to write this post not as a 'comeback' or a 'let me show you how I really am a Christian.' I'm not really sure what this is. I'd call it a diatribe but I still don't know what that means.

My angry friend, I am sorry you might have had a bad experience with a 'member' of LifeChurch. I am truly sorry, I am. Please don't conveniently paint all Christians with the same brush. I would agree some are convenient, but this Christian is not.

I am inconveniently in love with Jesus.

Nehemiah Type Burden

"So on October 2 the wall was finished- just fifty-two days after we had begun." -Nehemiah 6:15

(Yes, it's Monday and I normally do my "Weekly I Am," but I need to get something off my heart.)

The sermon series at church is titled "Change Your World In 52 Days." It's over Nehemiah, upon hearing the wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, his actions from that point and his work getting the wall rebuilt in 52 days. OH, it's also important to point out the wall has been destroyed for 140 years.

When Nehemiah learned the wall had been destroyed, it crushed him. He fell to his knees and wept and then he prayed and then he began his steps at getting to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.

These past few weeks, while going through this story at church, I have felt challenged. I've always known and have had a feeling for quite some time that there's just something I need to be doing, I just don't know what. The question was poised, "What issue brings you to your knees weeping because it breaks your heart so much?"

Well, that's an easy one; starving children. 

There are millions, MILLIONS! of babies literally withering away because they have no food, MILLIONS! Disgusting.

Flip that around and there MILLIONS of babies dying and I am just me. Then I think about Nehemiah. He did something no one dared do for 140 years and he completed it in 52 days. It sounds impossible, but all the babies in Africa could be saved in 52 days. You scoff, but I serve a God who can do it. He made the sun stand still didn't he?

My first job is my family, but it is becoming clear my heart's desire is to be a voice for these babies, these moms watching their children die. Sound harsh? Good. It's harsh stuff.

Want to help?

There is one great way. We support Compassion International You can sponsor a child, make a one time donation, meander their site, check out their color of choice, blue, or look at their Child Survival Program. They do great great work and they truly want to release children from poverty in Jesus' name.

Another site I stumbled upon last week is Sevenly.org Each week they sell special Tshirts and $7 from each T goes to the 'organization of the week.' This week it's Compassion! Yah! Since I only wear Tshirts and this helps an organization I love, I bought one. Go check out their site and watch the video.

PS. My heart spewed these thoughts, which includes the mispellings and improper English.

Symbols

"The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name!" -Exodus 15:3

When I picked out the hammered gold and silver wedding band that I would put on Matt's finger; it symbolized something.

When the Lord would tell His people, "build an altar;" it symbolized something.

When I grabbed the orange Walk MS shirt to wear, it symbolized something.

So many things in our world symbolize something. The golden arches, the brown trucks, an apple that has been partially eaten, a rainbow, a cross. To most those things mean McDonald's, UPS, APPLE, a Promise, Eternity.

Yesterday this helmet became an important symbol for me.

When I laced up my shoes, put on my bright orange MS shirt, headed to Turkey Mountain with my husband, peed in a porta potty, jumped over a car, crawled on my hands and knees under barbed wire, climbed a wall, swam in a poo smelling pond, raced up a mountain, attacked a cargo net, flopped in mud and finally hurdled over fire, the God of my heart smiled.

When I look at this picture, it symbolizes more than me looking like a bison, but of Hope of answered prayers. 

So even though these hats probably symbolize a couple of muddy bison, to us they symbolize something much greater.

They symbolize the Warrior in me, the miracle God has performed and His name is Yahweh.

Wordless Wednesday

Weekly "I AM"

"In those days I was the king's cup-bearer." -Nehemiah 1:11b

Outside my window... It looks like it's hot, but it's NOT!! Finally the temps are cooling off

I am thinking... First thing on my mind is Netflix and how they annoy me. The Warrior Dash is Saturday. I'm really excited for it but also a little tad bit nervous. I've seen the pictures of the people that do this thing and let's just say, if they can finish so can I. I'm going to wear an old MS shirt from one of the walks, so that'll be neat. My house is a disaster. I clean and clean and get it looking great, then I blink and it's like the stuff had baby stuff and it's taking over. You remember Gremlins, how if they got wet they multiplied. That's what's happening here only the 'water' is when I clean. Our Christmas shopping is done! Yes, you read that right. We decided to do no gifts for Christmas and take the kids to Great Wolf Lodge instead. We'll go the week before Christmas, stay a few days and just have fun. The kids are going to flip out. I told Matt since we aren't doing Disney World, we can present it to them like the parents do on those Disney commercials.

I am planning to cook... We will do the Crocked shredded chicken tonight and it will last for tomorrow's dinner also. Then Cashew Chicken will be sometime, then probably breakfast. I'm trying to get back into the cooking schedule. It's hard because the kids have swim lessons two afternoons a week and when they are done, I go workout so dinner is usually late on those nights.

I am reading... I finished The Help over the weekend. It was so great. I got to see the movie on Sunday and it was wonderful as well. It's hard to compare because they were both really great just presented differently. I thought the movie was a great companion to the book. I recommend both. Now I'm reading the first book in The Hunger Games series. Like a friend said, "It's not groundbreaking literature..." She's right, it isn't but I'm going to give this first book a chance and just read for the storyline and ignore the way it's written. If you haven't read Unbroken, that is still one of if not the best book I've ever read.

I am hearing... Just the keys on the computer. C1 and 2 are at school and C3 is sleeping. Very quiet.

I am learning... Be more purposeful in life. As small example would be... At night, when the kids are going to bed. To turn off everything and read to them. Normally Matt reads to them every night in their room but I have been reading to them a sweet little devo that is perfect for them to understand. I thought it wasn't sinking in, but one morning Chloe and I were walking out the door and we heard something strange in the neighbor's bush. Both of us froze. She asked what that was and by then I had unfrozen and said I wasn't sure. She started walking and said, "Oh well, doesn't matter, God is with us when we are scared." It was the funniest and also coolest thing ever because we had read about that, God being with us when we are scared, a few nights prior. So cool to hear her say it and see her believing it!

I am praying... Patience. To be like Nehemiah. Africa. My health. And many other things.

SOOC: Taken during my latest fishing trip with Matt. It had rained that morning, the sun was coming out and the clouds looked like snow drifts. It was really incredible. I saw a heart.

Growing Up

September 11, 2011: Ten Years Later

Since I print this blog, I wanted to document the Tenth Anniversary of September 11, 2001.

I don't remember much from yesterday, let alone 10 years ago, but I can remember vividly this day.

I had gone to Stillwater to stay the night with one of my best friends, Connie. The morning of the 11th, she came into the living room, I was sleeping on the couch, woke me up and said a plane hit one of the World Trade Center buildings. I can remember I was still asleep and I honestly paid no attention to watch she was saying. I wasn't familiar with NYC buildings, their size or location, let alone the comparison of the buildings to an huge airplane.

When I didn't pay her any attention, she snapped, "It's a big deal Megan." It was in that moment that I figured I had better get up. I don't remember if I saw the second plane hit. Those memories are clouded by all the images that have filled my mind and heart for the last 10 years.

I remember the mass chaos at the gas station as I was trying to get back to Edmond to school and my apartment. I remember going to class either that day or the next and the teacher was very somber. She was upset because her husband was so close to being able to retire from the military and she knew that he was going to get the 'call.' She cancelled class and told us to go home and be with our families.

I've spent most of today avoiding everything that has to do with September 11. I feel bad saying that, but I have a good reason. It haunted me, those images, they still do! I can see it all if I think about it. I can feel that same feeling I had 10 years ago. The knot in my throat, it creeps up on me and I don't like it. I can remember what happened that day therefore, I don't need to see any pictures, slideshows, tributes,  Presidents, past or present, people mourning.... All of that makes me sick, literally sick to my stomach.

So today, I spent loving on my family, serving my church and eating. Those things are small things, but a huge sacrifice was paid for me to get to do those small things.

I thank all those that have fought, have died and will fight again tomorrow for me to be here now.

First Day of School

This post is two weeks overdue, but at least I'm finally getting to it. It happened. The day came. Our first child went to school. Like real school with cafeterias, gym class, more than 12 kids to a room, more germs than the floor of Walmart, a principal and the lady who answers the phones who has been there since the beginning of public schools but after the slapping on the hand with the yard stick, about the time bathrooms got moved indoors.

The morning started with the whole family going to a local restaurant to get breakfast. After we devoured or food, we came back home to grab the new backpack and lunchbox. Then we headed over to the school with the masses of other misty-eyed fathers.We walked into the school, me trailing behind trying to get some good pictures of misty-eyed father and nervously excited daughter. 

Before we left for the school I took these. I got some of all three kids but I enjoy the progression of these photos.... (keep your eye on Cooper)

Weekly "I AM"

"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10) For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. 11) May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God." Philippians 1:9-11

Outside my window... The grass finally got a hair cut. My poor yard and flower beds. They look so neglected and in fact have been neglected all summer long. I cleaned the beds in the spring, but then it got so hot and I haven't pulled one weed since nor has Matt weed-eated the beds. It's pretty sad. Nearly all the leaves have fallen off the trees. Basically, the yard is in a sad state of affairs.

I am thinking... That Chloe cracks me up. As we were walking in to her school this morning, she's inspecting the ground like she normally does, on the hunt for a bug of some sorts. EUREKA! She spotted what I thought was an old crusty oak leaf. NOT SO! It was a Polyphemus Moth. I'm pretty sure it was, I'm basing this off of memory because she insisted she take the specimen in to her class and show her teacher. Mrs. B was so gracious and kind. I was worried they'd make her leave it outside or something, but they found it a jar so everyone could see. Chloe thrives on this kind of thing. She loves taking things, mainly bugs, to class and hearing the teacher say, "OH Chloe! What did you find?!" She loves hearing that. Words Of Affirmation, she is. As I left her, I bent down and whispered, "That was some great "I Spy-ing" this morning. She just smiled and I know it made her heart happy.

My ankles have been really really bothering me lately. It feels as though I twisted them. I didn't, but it feels that way. If I step on a curb or even a crack wrong, I nearly buckle. I'm not sure how to fix them.
Actually, I probably know how to fix them I just don't want to. (rest) I have my first ever triathlon on the 17 and need to stay in 'shape.' I use that word loosely. I also signed Matt and I up for Warrior Dash the following weekend. Yes, I'm a gluten for pain and punishment apparently. I decided the day I signed up for the triathlon that I can't let MS keep me on the sidelines. Come race day, I might feel horrible but I'll deal with it then.

I'm so ready for some cooler temps. It looks like I just need to power through this week and by Friday the temps will be cooling. Let's just hope they stay cool.

I am planning to cook... Not a fancy week in the dinner department. Crocked Shredded Chicken, Chicken and Rice Soup and probably Buffalo Chicken Burgers... I don't know though, it seems like a lot of chicken. We quit eating beef. Wait, I do order beef on my pizza at Hideaway but other than that, notta.

I am reading... I finished The Cross and the Switchblade. It was really good in the beginning but towards the end, zzzzzzz. It took me so long because it got boring. The Bible Study I'm in, just started a new study. It's a book that I will have to read which is fine but it wasn't on my list of 'Books I Want To Read.'

I am hearing... People's Court because I love this show. It's the only daytime show I watch. Cooper  and Chloe are at school and Colbie is napping. I'm thinking I should take a snooze also.

I am learning... Patience. Patience. Patience. Not just with my kids as most would assume, but in life in general.

I am praying... Patience. Healing. Africa. Moving. Patience.

Oscar the Grouch

When I was a kid, my Dad would often take us below the Keystone Dam to watch people fish or watch water come out of the gates. That's what country folk do in their spare time; watch water poor down a slide into a man made river type thing. To this day, I still enjoy a good trip to a dam and watch the dam water. (sorry, bad joke, but can't help it.)

Because my Dad is a creature of habit, we always parked in the same spot. On the edge of the parking area was a trashcan. I don't know how it all came to be, if I asked or what, but my whole childhood I believed Oscar the Grouch resided in that particular can. It made sense. That was the smelliest trash can EVER! (fish carcasses)

Today, or a few days ago, not sure when I'll publish this, my son asked me if there were robots in the grain trailer of a semi that was passing us. I remember mumbling and thinking to myself, hmmm where did that come from? Then out of my mouth came, "YES, Yes buddy there are! How many do you think are in there?!"

I don't now where that came from, I was going to tell him the truth that there was grain in there. Grain is what is used to make bread and farmers harvest grain, they sell it and someone buys it and this big truck drives it somewhere and someone makes bread or other grainy products with it.

Intriguing isn't it.

In that very moment, I felt the Holy Spirit teach me a lesson. Just because I know the truth of what is in that trailer doesn't mean my son needs to know. Let him believe it contains robots and there are five maybe three and they are BIG robots.... Sometimes the truth just gets in the way of their imagination.

Let them believe that trashcans contain Oscar the Grouch. That's more fun of a thought than fish carcasses and grain.

Weekly "I AM"

"Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever." - Daniel 12:3

Outside my window... It's actually raining!! Yes! There is water, actual rain drops, falling from Heaven! C3 and I stood in it for a minute so I could teach her what rain actually felt like. The yard needs a haircut. A little boy last week, probably 10-13, came by. He knocked on the door, scared me to death, and proceeded to ask if he could mow my lawn. "Ummm," I begin to think what Matt would want and Matt would NOT want to mow, "how much?" This little red headed boy was dripping with sweat. He was pushing around his mower with one of those red gasoline jugs sitting on the handlebars of the mower, "Six dollars." He tells me.

I realize I only have a $20. "Do you have any change?"

"No, not now."
"Well, if you get some change, please come back and you can mow the yard."

He walks to the next house and I realize I didn't see any water attached to his mower. I run outside, "Do you need a cup of water?"

"Um, sure!"

I ran in the house and began filling a cup. Then it hits me. How will he keep from spilling this?

I grab a water bottle we use to go fishing with and run it outside. "Keep it." I tell him.

"Are you sure?"
"Yep, just please don't get sick in this heat and come back if you get some change."

He never came back. It didn't dawn on me at the time. Here's a kid out sweating his booty off. I should have paid him the $20. I keep hoping he will come back so I can. Opportunity failed.

I am thinking... That the house is super quiet. C3 is napping and I have to wake her up to go get C2. I hate waking her up, she's hard to put to sleep at times. I might have C2 stay extended days on Monday as well, so I'm not disrupting C3's schedule so much.

C1 likes school I guess. I asked her if she liked school or home more. She told me she likes both, that she likes to go to school but she loves to come home. I'll take that. I think she loves home so much because she misses her baby sister during the day. She told me last week, "I miss Colbie when I'm at school."

I am planning to cook... yes, yes I am and my grocery bill reflected these plans of mine. Last night, was shredded chicken in the crock with the salsa and taco seasoning. I eat it as a salad. The leftovers will be tonight. Then tomorrow is a meal I saw on Food Network. Then another night will be a Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake thing from Tasty Kitchen. That should take us throught the whole week!

I have to prepare C1's lunches every morning. So far, she has been super easy to please. The girl ate a whole watermellon all by herself last week!

I am reading... I'm on the last few pages of The Cross and the Switchblade. I also was challenged by Chris Spradlin to have a nightly devo with the kids. Matt reads from Chloe's Bible every night but sitting down before we get to the bedtime stuff is really nice. The book is called Five Minute Devotions for Children.  Why I bought this particular one was the way it's presented. It uses bugs and animals to present the Gospel and the Message to the kids. If you know my kids, bugs and animals is the way to their heart and ears. It's a really good book. Only downfall is it's not very long. We will do two devo's a week to try and make it last a little longer.

I am hearing... I am ashamed and embarrassed to admit but Barney is on TV. We NEVER watch him, but I was on here doing this and it just came on. Honest!

I am learning... BOLD Obedience. If I feel the Holy Spirit prompting me to do something, I should do it. I realized I obey when what I'm asked to do isn't painful. For instance, we were at Hideaway this weekend. A lady was sitting by herself eating lunch. I felt like we should buy her lunch. Being the wonderful giving person I am, I questioned it and questioned it.... Then the waitress dropped off the ticket and I missed the opportunity to bless that woman. Shame on me. My goal is to obey without hesitation.

I ask that of my kids. Matt and I want them to obey the FIRST time I ask, not the second or third.... I need to obey the first time as well.

I am praying... Healing. And I've been going in the kid's rooms at night and praying over them. Yes, sometimes I pray from Colbie's door because I fear waking her up. haha But I've been praying for them and thanking God for them. It's a sweet time.

Weekly "I AM"

"But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say." -Acts 4:14

Outside my window... I can finally say something positive about what's going on outside! These past few days have been wonderful! We have had some significant rain. I can see leaves falling from the tree in the backyard. It gave up, couldn't handle it anymore. My backyard looks like fall has arrived with all the leaves strewn about.

I am thinking... Mainly about C1. The past week has been a monumental, hold the phone, cherry on top kind of week for her. She turned 5 and starts PreK. When we brought C1 home from the hospital, I can remember M1 and I talking about what she'd be like when she got older, her personality, her likes, her dislikes, her going to school, her loving Jesus... All the visions you have for your children. We finally had a person to dream for, a life to take care of; a child.

I see having kids as steps. Picture a mountain. Up the side of the mountain is a long staircase that goes all the way up the side, through the clouds, up and up to the very peak. The peak isn't visible from the bottom, but it's up there, hidden in the clouds. When C1 was born, she started on the first step. Each new thing takes her up the mountain. Along the way, there are monumental moments; first birthday, first tooth, first haircut. Once you cross the steps of these moments you can't come back down. We can never go back to her first tooth, first birthday, first time she prayed. All of those steps have been climbed, conquered. She can only keep climbing, reaching for the next moment.

And so as we go through the next few days and cross the step that is labeled "first day of school," I will cry, pray, rejoice, cry some more, pray harder and thank God for the woman He created and her mountain we get to watch her climb.
 
Ok, now I'm going to go have a good cry, I'll be back.....

I am planning to cook... Well, since the temp will be below 115 most days this week, I figured I'd have another go at this 'cook dinner for your family' thing I hear so much about. We are going to have Buffalo Chicken burgers, because that's how we roll when it comes to burgers. A chicken and rice type soup because it lasts for a few dinners. Then towards the end of the week, when things begin to get crazy with C1 and school, I'll probably toss some chicken in the crock.

I am reading... I just have a few chapters left of The Cross and The Switchblade. Then I will probably read the Louis Zamperini book I have. He was the guy in Unbroken, the Olympic Athlete. If you haven't picked up Unbroken yet, you must.

I am hearing... When started typing this around 6:30, I heard just crickets outside and my police officer neighbor coming home. Then C3 woke, then C1. C3 decided she needed me, so I put this away. C2 got up and he and C1 began playing. Now I hear C3 crying and 1 & 2 playing in their room.

I am learning... I did learn this weekend that After Hours clinics are worthless, just plain worthless. I'm still learning about being BOLD. The message this week dealt with, basically, standing up and speaking what we believe. If I see a friend living in sin, being BOLD enough to lovingly correct them.


I am praying... Still for my healing. For the Horn of Africa and I'm adding one more to the list. One of my nieces is having some hearing issues. My Sister In Law has been told her daughter has pretty much no hearing in one of her daughter's ears. I'm praying when they do a scan they will see nothing. I'm also going BOLD-er and praying for complete restoration of K's hearing. My God can do that!!

Weekly "I AM"

"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. And he told them, "Look, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!" -Act 7:55-56

"As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He fell to his knees shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died." -Acts 7:59-60

Outside my window... I have no idea as the blinds are closed to keep the cool air in. Do I sound like a
broken record? It's hot.... still.

I am thinking... Chloe has an "evaluation" in the morning for Pre-K. I'm kind of nervous about her going to school. She is so sweet an innocent. Pre-K kids are sweet and innocent any more. My plan is to give her until Christmas and we will re-evaluate. Home schooling isn't out of the picture, it's just not the plan as of now.

I'm also still thinking about yesterday's message. It was on "BOLD Prayers." It was a life changing message. When Craig brings those, they stick with me for a while. As does if I read something profound, it lingers in my mind and heart. My way of digesting and putting into practice what I've learned. Love when God does that; bugs me. ha!

I have an idea of something to do that is crazy, but would be something worth doing I think. I haven't made it official yet, so I'm not sharing, but as soon as it's official, I'll share.

This summer has been a weird one. I wish I could have done more things with the kids outside of this house! Just too hot. It would have been nice to go to the zoo a few times or the splash pad but having Colbie out there is also an issue. Matt said the other night, "Gosh everyone is somewhere cool." I looked at him, threw up my arms and said, "I KNOW!" It was my effort of 'dropping a hint.'

I'm planning to cook... Nothing!! I implemented 'sandwich days' last week. It's too hot to grocery shop and nothing sounds good to stand over a stove and cook. SO, I have implemented 'sandwich week.' This week will be all sorts of sandwiches; PB & J and grilled cheese. I might toss in some chicken breasts in the crock later this week if I'm feeling crazy.

I am reading... I finished Jaycee Dugard's book. Very graphic at points and very disturbing in the beginning, but I powered through and I'm planning on giving the book to the library. She's a tough woman though!

Now I'm reading The Cross and the Switchblade. I guess it's a well known book. I must live under a rock because I had not heard of it. This preacher in the book, he was BOLD!! WOW!

I am hearing... People's Court. Love that show. Also hear Coop and Chloe playing. They are actually playing nicely!

I am learning... To be Bold not only in my prayers but in life.

I am praying... Bold prayers. I will share two of them. One prayer is for complete healing from my MS. The other is for the Horn of Africa to have rain, food and peace. For the babies to survive and for aid to make it to them without opposition. Pray those with me.

A Family Tree

 This story begins in 1854 in Rueckenau, South Russia. A little boy, Heinrich Janzen, is born. He is adopted by his aunt and uncle due to the death of his parents at the young age of one. In 1875, he marries a girl, Katharina, and they have two children. Afraid of persecution for being a Christian, the family takes a ship to America.

They make their home near Inman, Kansas and by 1896 (they later moved) their family is complete with 10 more children. A total of 12 kids. Summer of 1879, their third child, Cornelius Janzen is born.

Cornelius and his wife, Anna, marry in 1903 and they have eight children. Winter of 1918, their fifth child, Paul Janzen is born.

Paul and his wife, Irene, marry in 1943 and they have four children. Fall of 1950, their third child, Kathleen Janzen is born.

In 1970, Kathleen marries Richard Knox. They have four children. Winter of 1973, their first child, a son, is born....

and I married him.

Weekly "I AM"

"The members of the council were amazed when they saw the BOLDNESS of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus." -Acts 4:13 NLT

Outside my window... We shall not speak about what's happening outside my window. The world is turning brown.

I am thinking...  If I can con Matt into taking the kids and I up to the Northeast for a while. I'm willing to have him leave us there and he can fly home and work. So far, my health has been fantastic BUT I take mega precautions. I rarely, mostly never, venture outside during the afternoon hours. I plan how to load and unload the car in the most efficient manner any time we go somewhere. I have many routines for all the places I regularly visit. I plan on where to park, how to walk in, how to get them in quickly and safely and how to cool off the quickest once inside. I mean, it's really an art.

I am having a hard time losing the C3 belly fat. I didn't gain much weight with her but I sure did get a big ol' round basketball belly. Matt and Chloe were gone for four days last week at a family reunion in Austin. I really wanted to go but travel in this heat with a baby is probably not a wise idea. I'm willing to travel that far in the cooler weather but not this heat. Chloe starts school very soon as does Cooper.

I bought some learning books for Chloe and Cooper during Mardel's big sale last week and I love them. I put some of the ones I ordered in the widget on the right. The "Draw Write Now" book is so fun. My kids love bugs and animals so I got Wonders of Learning books the talk about endangered animals and bugs. I also got a book called "My first book on the Human Anatomy" but I can't find it on the site. Go look around, they have some of those books I added to the widget on sale. Fun books for the kids.

I am planning to cook... Like I've said the past two months..It's too hot to think about cooking. We have eaten the same things over and over all summer.

I am reading...  Just finished one of the best books I have ever read. It's called "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbran. I put it on my 26in52 page of my blog. Click on the tab and it will show you all the books I have read so far this year. Next up is Jaycee Dugard's book, "A Stolen Life."


I am hearing... Mercy Me sing Spoken For on Pandora. So I can remember going to their 'concerts' when they were having them in churches around OKC. Crazy how popular they are now. Their first two CD's "Drops of Rain" were the best, I'm just sayin'.

I am learning... That I'm not as BOLD as I should be. I should be BOLD like Peter and John were in Acts 4. They could have been killed for what they said prior to verse 13, but they didn't care; they were BOLD. I want to be BOLD for the Lord. At church, Craig, posed a question to all of us, "When was the last time someone was amazed by your BOLDNESS?"  Umm ouch, I have to honestly say, I can't remember being BOLD enough to risk humiliation or even death. Do you have a BOLD story? I think in the U.S. we aren't as BOLD about our faith, our love of Jesus, as most Christians are in other countries, countries where having a Bible is illegal punishable by death. Here owning a Bible makes you look good, like a 'Godly' person, owning a Bible in Iran..... now that's BOLD. Let's be BOLD, let's do things that cause people to give you the crazy eye but that make Jesus give you the "atta kid" eye. I say this more for myself than for anything. I need to step up to the plate, it's my turn to bat. I'm going to pull a Babe Ruth; point to the fence because that's where we all need to aim. BOLD.

I am praying... For BOLDNESS and cooler weather.