Whatever You are doing...

I have a bazillion thoughts spinning around in my head. I wanted to share the lyrics to this song. It is EXACTLY where I am right now. I couldn't express it any better myself.

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly
It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

Change

Wow! There certainly has been a lot of change in our lives in the past year! I intend to continue blogging but I have been thinking for awhile about what I actually want to say here. Facebook has made it more challenging to find time for blogging! Stay tuned (if you even read here!) because I will be writing more in the days to come!

Me

Happy New Year!

SO FUNNY!

We are getting to a very interesting age with Asa. The things that come out of his mouth are just so funny...most of the time. Well today the kids were playing in their room and I happened upon them.

Asa was standing on his Little Tikes picnic table and then Lily was standing beside him on an upside-down toy crate. Both are swaying and singing America the Beautiful to the "congregation". He then proceeded to tell the "church" that Pastor Dan (our senior pastor) was going to give you a card and you had to put it in the plate. Asa told me that Pastor Dan was the pastor to the "people" (not the children) and that he (Asa) was leading the people in worship!!

Mom bought him a little guitar when she was visiting and when she laid it in his lap he got all big-eyed and asked her if she thought that he could be part of the worship!!! OH I LOVE THIS LITTLE PERSON!!

Its funny what you catch your kids doing sometimes. When they aren't being naughty it's really nice!!!

Thanksgiving Randoms..

Of course everyone thinks of things they are thankful for around this time of year. I'm so grateful to the Lord for my husband and my kids. I'm SO thankful for His provision in these uncertain times and for always reminding me that he takes care of the birds of the air and He will take care of me. I'm so grateful that He meets me with my coffee and sleepy eyes in the morning. It has been refreshing to steal a few quiet moments from my otherwise busy day. I'm thankful for the MANY answered prayers no matter how little or big. I'm thankful that He continues to open my eyes to see the many blessings that I receive and I'm thankful that He shows me that they come only from His hand. There is so much to be thankful for and even on the days that I'm not "feeling" thankful I'm glad to be reminded to press on!

We had a great thanksgiving this year. We spent the day at home as a family and then with turkey and sweet potato casserole in hand we went over to my in-laws. We had a great feast and I feel as though I may remain stuffed until Christmas.

I finally sat down this morning and made out my Christmas list. It is unbelievable all the little things that must be done. I've decided not to do a lot of baking this year. I LOVE to bake and I LOVE finding new recipes but this just isn't the year to dive into the flour so to speak.

I'm finding this season of life sort of challenging with the kids. They are a great joy in my life and also a great frustration at times! They squabble a lot and that leads to the whodunit conversation. Now seriously..what am I going to get out of a three and one year old?...not much. I've seriously been praying and asking the Lord to give me wisdom as to how to best parent them but somedays I seriously want to pull my hair out!! On the other hand Asa had Wes and I laughing so hard at the dinner table the other night that I couldn't breathe and we both were crying from the laughter!! I love that little guy. Lily is at that stage where if she can't see us than we must not be able to se her! I catch her getting into mischief CONSTANTLY and she always has her hands over her eyes while she's being naughty. I caught her blindly walking across the kitchen floor with her chubby little arm flailing around trying to grab and english muffin off of the counter!!! When I scold her she just closes her little eyes ever so slowly. Again, if she can't see us than we can't see her!! What a trip!!

Well, I should go get my kids up from their nap and decide what we are having for supper! Until later...

I really never considered thinking of it this way before.

November 25, 2008 Operation Shoebox Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth James 1:17 (NIV) “Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows.”

Before you hit the malls and plunge into the Black Friday frenzy, set aside some time to pray, asking God to direct your shopping trip and give you insight as you purchase each gift. Interesting thought, isn’t it? I have to admit that I tend to plan, think and worry about Christmas gifts more than I pray about them. However, I recently heard a true story that has changed my perspective on Christmas giving.
Each Christmas, Operation Shoebox collects and sends over eight million shoeboxes stuffed with small gifts such as candy, school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo to children across the world. In Mexico, hundreds of boys and girls gathered at the church in a small village, excitedly anticipating the arrival of their precious shoeboxes.

Delightful chaos erupted as bulging shoeboxes, wrapped in brightly colored paper and ribbon were passed into the small, eager hands of each child. Wrapping paper was hurriedly ripped into pieces and tossed aside, a smile spreading across the face of each child as their long awaited Christmas treasures were revealed.
However, one little boy dissolved into tears as he lifted the lid of his box and peered inside to see what he had received for Christmas this year. One of the Operation Shoebox volunteers spotted the little boy and hurriedly made his way across the church to see what the problem could possibly be. With the help of an interpreter, the volunteer asked the now sobbing little boy, “What is wrong? What is in your box?” With tears streaming down his face, the little boy said, “Socks!” The worker instantly understood and assured the little boy that he could trade his box of socks for another box that might have crayons or a piece of candy in it. Alarm spread across the face of the child as he vigorously shook his head and quickly jerked the box away from the now somewhat confused worker.

Clutching the shoebox to his chest, the boy began sobbing out an explanation to the interpreter who listened for a few moments and then, with tears spilling out of his own eyes, turned to the volunteer and said, “You won’t believe this!” Taking a deep, steadying breath, the interpreter explained, “This little boy has a rare skin condition with which he was born. It seems to affect his feet more than any other part of his body. The doctors have tried various medications and treatments but finally told the little boy that nothing will work and his feet will never heal unless he begins wearing cotton socks. His parents cannot even afford food for this boy; much less provide socks for their son. So, all year long, he has been praying for socks.”

Have you ever considered the idea that your Christmas gift may very well be an answer to someone’s prayer? I have to admit that I have rarely, if ever, made a Christmas gift list with that criterion in mind. Always in a hurry, my first thought is usually how to find the greatest deal at the lowest price in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of effort and hassle at the first store I enter – and hope the person likes it – because that is what he or she is going to get. Ah, yes. That is certainly the heart of God, isn’t it?

Join me in making this Christmas season different. Do not allow television ads, catalogues or shopping fliers dictate the gifts you give this year. Turn your Christmas list into a prayer list and you may very well end up giving an “operation shoebox” gift to someone you love.

My blogging world has been neglected as of late. We can’t seem to get the whole WiFi thing figured out. I get on when I can and sometimes I have to go sit in the driveway of a local restaurant and tap into their free internet!

I’m sitting here with a big bowl of apple crisp for lunch and Sweet Home Alabama on the tube in the background. The kids are almost asleep (I hope) and I’m desperately avoiding tidying up my house. On Sundays it seems that a small hurricane hits our home and I’m left picking up the pieces.

We all seem to be going full throttle here in the McNeil world. Wes is still working full time at the Honda dealership. He likes the work and if the media would hush up about the doomed economy than he would probably be selling more cars! He did really well the month of October but November has been slow. We think if we can hold on until the spring than it will pick up.

I’m keeping really busy. Maybe too busy at times. I’m NOT used to the faster pace of life here and I find that I’m always in “catch up” mode. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are simply nuts. Monday and Friday seemed to be reserved for appointments and play dates while Sunday is Church and family time with Daddy. I joined the Choir for Christmas and it is really fun. I’m looking forward to the performances and Laurel even gave me a little solo! How fun!

Asa is LOVING his preschool. It is so much fun to hear about all the things he is learning. He does a little music class there and the teacher said all the kids are supposed to sit down but Asa just can’t seem to stay seated because he just HAS to move to the music. That’s my boy! It is amazing at how much they learn at this age. His memory is truly incredible! He does not forget A THING!

Lily is getting cuter and cuter everyday! She is quite the little ham and a really big talker. There are new sentences everyday and she just cracks me up! She has some new dance moves that Nana named “The Monster Mash”. She also has mastered jumping with both feet off of the floor. She is VERY proud of herself for that! Her little personality cracks us up. She is very fun loving and she adores her brother—well, unless he is chasing her or taking her toys.

I’m starting to trade babysitting with another mom at church. It will be nice to have some free babysitting each week. We also found a WONDERFUL teen who the kids love! She is a redhead like my Lily! She plays piano at church and Asa thinks that is just great.

I’m thinking about reading another book and blogging my thoughts on the whole thing. I liked doing it the last time and I liked the feedback and different ideas.

*second half of blog written after a very long, loud afternoon with screamy, whiny, crying kids *

Sometimes I think motherhood is going to do me in. I have many, many wonderful, memorable moments with our kids BUT there are those times when I feel as though my head just may explode. I’m trying to be creative and prayful but there are days when I just want to have peace and quiet. There I vented..enough said.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Today the kids and I were going through the Dunkin Donuts drive through and I saw this red suv drive by me (or should I say sleigh?) and stop in front of the store. Out came this man dressed in a beautiful Santa suit and he had long, white beard (it was real) and he was carrying a coffee mug. Seriously folks, he looked EXACTLY like how you picture Santa. Asa was so excited. We don’t go all out with the whole Santa thing but we don’t totally ignore it either. Anyway….

Mommy: LOOK Asa it is Santa with his coffee mug!!!
Asa: Santa drinks coffee?
Mommy: Yes I guess he does
Asa: But Mommy won’t he spill his coffee in his bee-yert?
Mommy: No I don’t think so Asa.
Asa: oh

So I’m guessing after that little encounter that Santa will not have milk and cookies at our house this year. If I know my Asa than dear old Santa will be having a nice piping hot cup of coffee!!! Sounds good to me!!!

I’m trying to get Asa to stop sucking his thumb in the day time. We were watching a show today and Asa was sitting beside me sucking his thumb.

Mommy: Asa, please don’t suck your thumb. Only at bedtime.

Asa: I tan’t…I had a hard day.


Kids. Yeesh. :)