Cutie Pie is done with Pre-K

WE MADE IT!  There were many late mornings, some missed days, and many memories that I hope we all never forget.  This first year of Pre-K was fun.  I have to admit that we are NOT morning folks here in the Taylor house.  Cutie Pie would wake up many mornings and beg to just lay in bed for a little while longer, but once she was up and moving, she was ready to take the day on.  All of my children still take afternoon naps, so with the coming school year we are going to have to learn how to live without naps in the afternoon.  I have to say that when we all went for the end of the school year program, I could tell that Sweet Pea was ready for school next fall.  Cutie Pie sang a song and was in the slide show.  I was also very impressed with the kindergarten standing on stage and saying all the verses they memorized to go with each letter of the alphabet.  We have done some memorizing with Cutie Pie, but she doesn't have the recall yet for them.  My child wasn't graduating, but it made me excited for the future.  I really do love seeing all my kids excel at their stages of development.  Just as with many other moms, when you see your baby tackle something and they accomplish it.  The smile and satisfaction that comes across their face is unmet by anything else in the world.  There were moments this year that Cutie Pie had this experience.  When she came home for the first time and read to me and her sisters.  She didn't want to stop...although after a while she wanted to play, but she started writing words just so she could read them.  I never thought that by this time she would be reading and writing words.  Both Cutie Pie and Sweet Pea are excited about staying for lunch and the afternoon next year.  It will give me a great opportunity to have some time with Honey Bear, but it reminds me they are getting so big.

This weekend, I was able to see my cousin graduate high school.  She is at a point in her life that has so many possibilities.  I remember back to the place I was at when I graduated from school.  I knew who I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.  Many thought this was a mistake.  That I was too young to get married....I had plenty of time to get married.  I first needed experience in the world before I got married.  Just as my cousin has a plan for her life, I had a plan and calling on my life.  There are choices that she will make that are going to shape her forever.  When you are young, whether in love or just wanting to leave all that is familiar and make a different path, you think that life will always turn out just as you plan for it.  I look at the faith my parents had to have to entrust me to Preacher Man, who is seven years older than me.  I look at my girls and pray that I will have to peace and trust that my parents did with us.  I know that some day in the near future...I am told by many, "it goes faster than you think..."....Cutie Pie, Sweet Pea and Honey Bear will be hugging me on their graduation day and I will have to let go of them.  I pray for that day often.  When the children that I am putting so much time into at this stage will look at me at that stage and see that what I am telling them is for their best, not to hold them back, or make life more difficult.  Right now, Cutie Pie and the girls want to hear what I have to say.  I just pray that will continue as they grow.  Poor Preacher Man will need some prayer in the years ahead with all of us girls in the house. LOL.  I was glad to see my cousin graduate.

Here are a few pictures of the end of school for Cutie Pie and my cousin's graduation:

Cutie Pie is the second on the left.  This is her field day team.  Preacher Man was the leader and did a great job playing with them.

Cutie Pie and Mrs. Wyley--We really enjoyed her this year and I am thankful for her meek spirit and the time she took pouring into my sweet girl.

Cutie Pie on the first day of Pre-K

Cutie Pie on the last day of Pre-K.  I think that she has grown so much from the first picture.  I wish I had the same pose to show you the differences, but I think you can still tell the growth.

Some of the family with my cousin.  As with most of our pictures.  I am talking in it.  I can't stop telling people what to do.  HA!

It was truly a great last week of school for Cutie Pie and an amazing first week of summer vacation!  I know we will soon see family again in July, but first I am so looking forward to going to youth camp in June.  We have 33-35 signed up.  I don't know the exact number because I have been gone.  This is something that I never dreamed would happen with this being our first year here to have a cabin to ourselves.  I am praying that God work mightily at camp to connect our youth together and make them a united group.  

Stronger

So I am not one to usually do this, but I have felt weak all day.  I have started to feel more and more aches in the morning, not enough get-up-and-go to play with the kids, just an overall feeling of being unhealthy.  Last week, I had a friend suggest me going to the gym with her.  Sure, I was up for the free trial.  After the first workout, I felt energized, not terribly sore, and just really a different out look on things.  Today, I have been going to the gym everyday this week.  I have been looking forward to my time at the gym to unwind and to have a few minutes to just not have any obligation to anyone but me.  I think that I hit a wall today.  I spent the afternoon and evening making some pillow case dresses with a friend.  I truly enjoyed the time together, but when I started home a heaviness covered me.  I really wanted to skip out on the gym tonight.  In my mind, I thought...You haven't missed a day yet, it won't hurt this one time.....it will take you out of this crummy mood your in, it always makes you feel better and stress free.  In the past, I made excuses as to why I shouldn't make this a priority.  I feel the urgency to do this, even when I feel so weighed down.  I wasn't just feeling heavy from my health alone, it was an ache in my heart.  Tonight, when I left the gym, not feeling stress free and still a little weary, this song came on:

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

My heart aches today because we have started the big decision of estate planning.  I know that many of you may think that Preacher Man and I are not wise for doing this before now.  God has protected us till now. None the less, we have made those decisions and feel relative comfortable with them.  When this came into play a couple of weeks ago, I struggled with my feelings of ministry life and friendship.  In my limited experience as a minister's wife, I have had many close friends that have moved or time has caused us to be less close.  When looking to our future, there is no certainty of where we will be or for how long.  I knew this going into ministry.  I don't ever for one second regret following God's leading down this journey.  However, there are weak moments when I let my thoughts run away with me. (ie. over analyze, critiquing myself, etc.)  I have to check my feelings and seek God.  I have been able to witness God's moving in peoples lives.  I have seen a teen girl who would hold a grudge like no other, turn her heart over to God, and she became this vibrant young woman who completely trust God with all her life.  I have seen God take a girl who had lost family and friends, and seemed to have it all together...get on her face and cry out to God to heal her heart.  She became this power house force to make huge changes in the lives of those around her.  I have seen a teen guy who was the sports 'jock', who had a heart so cold toward God, with all his friends praying for him.  God breathed warmth into his life and I saw this guy become the most peaceful, joyful guy.  There are many more examples of God's greatness.  Just as with many christians, they struggle in our world to live for Him.  I know that I will witness many more miracles and answered prayers.  I am thankful for so many people that have passed their faith to me, shown me that in imperfection-His is glorified.  There are men like Marion Garland, who look at this girl and tell her she was beautiful (my dad told me every Sunday morning from the time I was itty bitty that I was beautiful).  He would come to our house and sit and tell us stories of his wife and him when they were first starting out with marriage, kids, everything and how God worked in their lives together.  Marion was a man that even in his twilight years would come help Preacher Man set up a canopy for a festival.  I have mentioned Mr. Boney in another post, and there are men and women that I am getting to know that will forever be etched in my story.  With each blessing, I can feel my life getting stronger.

Loads of April Pictures!!!

I have already talked about Sweet Pea's birthday party.  She wanted for the longest time an Ariel party.  I don't really like cartoon theme parties, but she really really wanted it.  I joined the fun.  We decided the closest thing we could get to her under sea castle would be the Super Park.  

Here I am setting things up and Preacher Man snapped a couple of pictures.

The cupcakes were strawberry, which she asked for.  Come to find out not many people care for the taste, but she LOVED them.  I just made 48 cupcakes and some cake pops.  We had a lot of 'cake' leftover.

Honey Bear trying to enjoy a cake pop.  She could hardly get a bite at first.

Sweet Pea, her bestest friend, & Cutie Pie  

On our way home from the party.  Cutie Pie was holding most of the balloons.  Everyone was a bit wind blown and weary, but a great day.

Cutie Pie at Discovery Science Center.  Here they were using their "grace and courtesy" while waiting for instructions from an adult. (Side note: grace and courtesy- if you were to come to CCS, you would see students silent and hands clenched behind them while walking in the halls.  When we arrived at the DSC they were very excited and loud.  When the teachers told the students to have grace and courtesy.  They all, within minutes, were trying to be still and quiet.)

Climbing on one of the exibits.  Cutie Pie and a friend were getting some of that energy out.

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.  The last time we came here, Cutie Pie was 3 & she got bubbles in her eyes.  They were NOT tear free.  This time she was much more careful. (as you can see...lots of concentration.)

She wanted me to take this picture of her crawling through here.  I thought it was funny because she refused to look at the camera.  She was ready for the next thing her friends had already moved on to.

This dino scared all the kids...well, at least the girls.

Cutie Pie's impression of the dino above.  It made noises and she definitely used some noise here too.

Leave it to the girls to find the stage and dress up area.  I loved seeing them trying to organize a 'play'.  I think it was about a princess walking through the forest and the changing seasons.  It was a good twenty minutes long.

The whole crew in front of one of those loud dinos.

Easter in the Park.  After lunch they were allowed to have some free time to play.  Cutie Pie and Sweet Pea had a chance to slid down the hill.

Everyone gathering for the egg hunt.

No need to run.  The eggs were labeled with their names.  

Sweet Pea helping Honey Bear get a few eggs too.  I love that she was concerned with helping her sister.

Love this picture.  Before this the other two had eggs up by their faces.  Honey Bear wants to be like them.

One quick picture before we leave.  Everyone was a bit worn out.

Easter we went as a family and saw the stations of the cross in Groom.  Sweet Pea was really concerned when she actually saw the nails in Jesus hands.  In that time there, they had some great questions and really seemed to understand a bit more about Jesus sacrifice and gift.

Recital Time!!!

Sweet Pea was feeling a bit left out.  I thought since it was a dress rehearsal, it wasn't a big deal to let her get "made up".  

Quick Pose from Cutie Pie

Waiting patiently for their practice.

They were all a bit tired at this point.  It was about 8 pm.

Waiting for the music to begin again.

Cutie Pie thinks she needs to know the words to all the songs and sing them while dancing. She ends up looking very serious because of the concentration it takes to do both of those.

Shake Your Tail Feathers.  There is a part where they swing their arms in circles and we worked on that for a while.  She was so proud here because she got it right.  I love that look of satisifation with she accomplishes something that she worked so hard on.

Yahoo! We got done at 10 pm...she was so ready for bed.

Pouty face.  All the girls that had perfect attendance got a star trophy.  She was upset for a bit, but there were reasons that we missed those classes because we were traveling with the youth or going on vacation to see Oma and Opa.  When she remembered those times, a BIG smile came on her face.  This face was a little sad for me to see, but I also remember a few of those trips and the huge blessings we were able to witness.  

One last dance for the year.  I love this picture because they were off the stage watching the older girls dance.  I hope that Cutie Pie will always love dance and stick with it.  We will see what next year brings.

Preacher Man brought his girl some tulips.  I love this picture.  He had been at a Men's Retreat at Falls Creek.  He came back refreshed and looking forward to what God is doing.

Cutie Pie with one of her friends afterward.  

Honey Bear being funny while Preacher Man was reading to the girls for bedtime.  She seems to do the funniest things when everyone else is being serious or calm.  I think she will keep it interesting.  Lately our house has been filled with lots of laughter from all the girls.  The things they say and think are so funny.  It brings back memories of things I thought at their age.  I wasn't a quizative kind of kid.  I kept in a lot of my own thoughts.  I think that is how Cutie Pie is too.  Sweet Pea loves to discover all things new.  Honey Bear just really wants to bring a smile to your face.  With three girls there is drama, but lately our lives have been filled with joy and thankfulness. (Thanks Polly Anna!)

Rejoicing in the death of the wicked?

Since hearing the news of Bin Laden's death, I have felt a little relief to know that justice was served in some small way.  At the same time, I don't think we (as Christians) should rejoice in his death.  I know this man did horrific things to his country and countless others.  There were many men, women, and children that suffered greatly at his hands.  There are so many terrible things that happen that sadden God that we may never see or hear.  God knows us inside and out.  Much like He knew his people, in Ezekiel 18, He was rebuking and urging them to turn from their ways.  He was addressing a generational sin issue.  He was telling them just because your father is righteous...it doesn't make the son righteous and so on and so on.  They were judged on their own souls.  This was, of course, before Christ's death and resurrection from the cross.  He will never leave or forsake us.  We have a free will to choose our Savior.  Ezekiel 18:23, God says he does NOT rejoice in the death of sinful...He rejoices in the sinful turning away from their wickedness and toward him.  (I am paraphrasing.)  He mentions this again in Ezekiel 33.  This shows that God gives us all a chance to turn from sin.  He wants us to choose life.  Life with Him for eternity, not an eternity in hell.  It is a struggle to pray for our enemies great and small.

I have written previously about being a gracious woman.  My biggest struggle with this study was that you have to have gracious submission.  This is hard because God calls us to forgive as we would want forgiveness.  (I went into more detail about it in that post.)  I want justice for injustices.  When I have opened up my mouth and said things that have deeply wounded a friend.  I wanted mercy.  When I have betrayed some one's trust by gossiping about them (even when I thought it was venting to another person. tearing someone apart with another friend listening is gossip.  If you have an issue/problem, talk directly to that person.) I wanted mercy.  I know that I haven't ever murdered someone.  I have hated someone.  I don't want to admit it, but I did.  Jesus said, if you have hate in your heart for someone else.  You have committed murder.  I have repented and forgave.  It is a command to love our enemies, even enemies that harm us or others.

On another side of this discussion, there are millions of babies murdered every year.  Do we know who has done this? Do we know if they have repented and turned to God?  Do we rejoice in their death?There are thousands if not millions that are killed in genocide.  Do we rejoice when these leaders die?  As Christians we are called to pray for these and all people who haven't humbled themselves and accepted Christ's free gift.  Preacher Man has been reading a biography about Leonard Ravenhill.  Lynnie is what I have started to call him since he is in most of our conversations.  Preacher Man said that Lynnie was a man of prayer.  He had a long life of ministry.  He was not someone that had a mega church, but he spoke at many revivals.  Preacher Man and I have been convicted about our prayer lives.  It isn't enough to pray in the morning, before meals, and at night.  Our prayer lives should be like breathing.  It starts small.  When someone cuts you off when you're driving, asks you to move your car blocking their driveway when they aren't going anywhere, someone says something about you behind your back.  These little things left not prayed over, can turn to anger.  Anger and hate drives a wedge between God and us.  We need to fight against anything that will tear us from our Savior's grip.  Fight through all the garbage that society give us day in and day out!  We are called to be peculiar people, not reacting the way that the world reacts.