SYL - What you make!

I know it's been sporadically quiet here. There have been posts but no real info. I am working on that! It's been a bit of a crazy week trying to sort everything and with my 21st birthday yesterday blogging was removed from the stove all together, no back burner placement here!

Any way, this week SYL from Kelly's Korner is What you Make! I thought I was post some things!

I began working with clay in 8th grade and over the years it has transformed itself into an art. I have done several other pieces but my favorites remain my bears! I have personalized bears for friends and family. Each one unique and other than the shape and size every part is different from the other!

The other thing I have been playing around with is this!

My mom and I started when my Boo had her first birthday and now we can't stop! It is so fun to take something and make it something else!

way mucho!

Inhale...exhale

My week in Tennessee went way too fast. I missed my bed and family but now I miss them being here. It kind of stinks without them. Just being honest. I am really thankful to be home but I wish I didn't have to leave.

My trip home began Saturday morning, so did a weekend full of...well, full. I spent the morning in Franklin with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew visiting the Factory. If you ever make it to the Nashville area TN make an effort to visit. Super fun place but not the point of my post, moving on!

We headed towards Nashville to try the Loveless Cafe that so many have recommended. We make our way through several twisty-turny roads turn a bend and clear a hill and there it is...we were a little surprised. There is ZERO around it and it didn't look quite like we were anticipating. But we thought we would try! We walk in tell them how many and ask how long it will take.

"oh, at this point about and hour...

...and 45 minutes."

Um no thanks! My plane leaves in an hour!

So we punch in China buffet that takes us near the airport, load up on the some egg rolls and rice and head the the airport! After a very teary goodbye and a relatively basic first flight I land and turn on my phone to find the rest of the trip is a little compromised...

In the beginning it had only been delayed by about an hour. I can handle that. Over the course of 30 minutes the delay works it's way from 1 hour to 3 hours. So, I spend 6 hours in an airport...alone! =0 Needless to say, I was tired and ready to be home at that point!

We land at home and I am greeted by my dad and sister with news that changed "some" things. Dad didn't want to skirt around anything so he came right out and told me. My sister, who had earlier in the week hurt her ankle was driving my car because it is automatic. Just before my plane landed that evening, she had been in a wreck. The bumper was a little messed up and the air bags deployed. Whew!

Praise the LORD she was ok and no injuries stemmed from the crash with either party. But, my poor car. Oof! It looks sad! With the airbags having been deployed the car is totaled. Because of the age of the car and the fact I had paid in cash I didn't carry full coverage. The insurance company can not total it because it's not covered but the agent said if I had been covering it, it would have been totaled.

So, unexpectedly I am in the car shopping market! I am currently sporting my grandfather's station wagon! I guess it's a good thing I am toting kids with me everywhere because I am certainly not attracting anything single and male let me tell ya!

Really it's not that bad! late flights, but I made it home! Crushed car, but I have enough saved that I am searching without breaking the bank.

To top it off the entire week I was gone my mom was putting together a bit of a 21 celebration here at the house for my birthday tomorrow! So Sunday after church some of my closest friends came over for lunch and games! We played well into the night and they only "had" to leave because of a communication glitch! It was fun and a nice way to wrap up my crazy weekend!

I took a bunch of pictures of my Beeto and I will post them later but I will leave you with this,

Man, I miss this boy! He has NO idea!

I'm gonna miss this

There was a Trace Atkins song floating around a few years back that talked about frustrating moments in growth of a family. It spelled out different instances of life that parents find trying or hard. The chorus goes like this.

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

I am not a country fan so I don't know the in's and out's of the music I just know this song for some reason! =)

I have spent the last few days in TN with my sister and her family helping her set up and unpack! It has been a crazy couple of days. Worked hard and haven't really stopped since we started Monday afternoon. Now, as of right now, we are done. The house is set up and livable...not only livable but everything has a place. Including all items that belong in the attic! Oh yes we did!

But, this week is coming too quickly to an end and Saturday my flight takes off mid-afternoon. I have so many mixed emotions about leaving. I know that when I leave I won't be coming back...and neither will they. I miss my family and I want to be home but I don't want to leave!

I know I am going to miss this (and by this, I mean a certain 2 year old that has stolen my heart)! All the times that we went through growing pains when we jumped to house of 9 last summer were pretty petty to how much we are all going to miss all 3 of them!

I am really not living in a Hallmark card and feel that sometimes you are not able to write how you feel without it looking like a dramatic presentation but in case you haven't noticed we are a pretty tight family!

We were not a growing family that was increasing in age, just size! But the chorus words still apply! I'm going to miss his little voice, his messing hands, late night ice cream and games with my sisters and brother in law, the massive amounts of laundry that had taken over our laundry room, toys everywhere, the smelly blanket lovingly called airplane, the constant kung fu panda dvd or imagination, the huge dinners, being called Hottie...(nickname from the Beeto)...there really is too much to name.

I'm not a crier

I am not a crier. I'm not. I tend to tear up and then suck it down. I will cry behind closed doors. Some times with someone if and only if the time presents itself.

I am not...I will not.

So thankful that God has me in a position to be able to pick up and go and spend an extra week with this guy.

Updates and a call for prayer

Things have changed big time over the last few days. It has been a whirl wind turn around since we found out my brother-in-law has a job! Remember this post? Well once again we are making a number change but in the way of subtracting not adding. The 3 (4) of them are packing the truck tomorrow and making their way across country to their new house! There is a post on that another day!

Anyway, to top off this insanity my sister and her hubby went to the doc this morning to see my Poco. They found out my Poco is.................

..............Nephew #2!!!!!!

Can I show my excitement enough! I am already in love with this guy and I am so thankful to be able to say "he" and "him" instead of "it." As far as a names goes he is still Poco...that is what I have called him from the beginning and will continue to call him that!

With all the good news came some not so great news. She was also told that she has been classified as a high risk pregnancy which has put her on mild bed rest. She doesn't have to be still in bed but zero lifting. Which takes her out of unloading boxes and even picking up my nephew. So, with the needs that have been presented I will be driving out there with them on Saturday/Sunday and will be flying home the following Saturday/Sunday. It is craziness how quickly things change but I am so thankful that I am in a place right now where I can take off and not have to make up anything when I come back or have loads of work to do upon my return.

So there are the updates of sorts and now for the call to prayer.

This is YK and he is from South Africa. He is 16 years old and he has cancer. He and his family moved over here to get treatment for him. In the year/year and a half he has been here he has been through several varying treatments, had some scares, and heard some pretty dim news. Lately the doctors have gotten to a point where there might not be anything else they can do. Ultimately we are praying that God be glorified in this and that whatever the outcome is He will be honored.

There are several requests but here are some particulars to lift before the Father.

• His dad is currently in Africa trying tie up some loose ends, get the house and car sold, and acquire the certain documentation to make the move here.
• His mom and sisters (13 and 18) are here and it hasn't been easy. His oldest sister is attending a college pretty far away and it makes it difficult to visit except for on holidays. His other sister is having a hard time being in the States and away from family and friends back in SA. Be praying for peace and strength.
• Specifically be praying for YK's friends. In school, in church, even at the hospital. All relationships he has made make for a huge opportunity in sharing Christ in this situation. But, even still for all his friends who do know Christ. This is a hard thing for them to go through and they need Christ just as much.

Thank you all for praying! I will be back soon and updates will be more often! =)

The horrific paci

This guy is a paci guy. He LOVES his paci. Loves it! Every day at nap time it takes very little time from the moment his toe steps in bed before he asks for it.

Yesterday his parents informed me that they were hoping to drop the paci habit.

Ugh!

Really!?

So, today began the paci protest. I "accidentally" misplaced the treasure and went on with the normal routine. He grabbed his lion, his curious George, his blanket, and...nothing. He asked for it. I "didn't hear." I told him good night. Gave him a kiss. Told him to stay in bed. Walked out the room. He didn't say a word.

Here I am thinking I am so off the hook. He just went to bed without it. He was down and not crying.

Not so.

Moments later, he is whining, crying really, for his beloved piece of plastic.

I couldn't go in there or I would have caved...and caved bad.

It was the LONGEST 2 hours of my life. I am well aware it probably felt like an eternity for him. 1:30 - 3:30...wide awake! Nothing...nada...zip...

He quit whining for it but did not, I repeat, did NOT sleep.

Hopefully tomorrow will go better...I am NOT ready for this kid to be awake all day! =)

I don't need to explain

...but I will.

Remember this post? When I finished that post I had just been offered the opportunity to spend 8 weeks in Peru.
If you have been reading ANYTHING on here you know that I would love for NOTHING more than to be there again! 8 weeks would be awesome! Since the first time I was there I had decided that I would like to spend more time there than we do. I had been feeling the want to go back and this was dropped in my lap.
A week of orientation in Lima, and 6 weeks of Quero, Bamba, and Rosa. Some intense moments of pure dependence on the Father. Not to mention a huge increase in my Spanish ability.
It sounded like a great opportunity. It was..it is. So, we started to pray about it. Even though I am all of 20 (almost 21) I still value my parents opinion and I want them to be at peace with this decision too. So we prayed. I prayed.
I at first was mentally preparing myself to go. I was ready. With this mindset I started trying to convince God that this is what I was supposed to do. I would pray things like, "Assure mom and dad." Um, yea...I said that! I was confident that I knew what God wanted me to do and I was working my tail off to let Him know that plan.
My plan was brilliant and I was ready to pounce. But God...
He did what I should have been doing. He waited for me to shut my mouth to let me know what His plan was. What I am going to be doing this summer.

I didn't like the answer.

I wanted to turn in the application. He said no.

I wanted to be "raising" funds. He said no.

I wanted to be figuring out how to fit 2 months in a suitcase. He said no.

There are some practical reasons that have come out of me staying put. My job is potentially coming to an end soon. If that's the case it could happen while I am gone. I would come back to nothing and have to find a job. My nephew/niece will be born while I am gone. I would never get past the fact that I missed out on that.

I could sit here and probably come up with a bunch more reasons why it is a good idea. Why I should be happy I am staying. Why it is the "best" thing to do. BUT, what it all comes down to is that the best reason for me not going is simply obedience. He has called me to stay here. I don't know "why" and honestly I am trying to care less. He called. That's all I need to know. I will not be spending 8 weeks in Peru this summer but I will be spending 8 weeks praying for my friends who will be. I am staying here out of obedience.

While I'm waiting....