Sole Provider

This evening as I was preparing dinner, I could hear laughter from both Brian and Coleman. Coleman was learning a new game - hide and go seek. They were having the best time. I teared up a little. This doesn't sound like a scene you might see the day the sole provider for a family has found out he's lost his job. But it was at our house. Brian and everyone else in his department found out that August 28th will be their last day. When he called me this morning to let me know, I knew that wasn't something he would joke about, but I just couldn't bring myself to believe him right away. He was so calm, and I have been too. I'll admit, there have been moments today when I felt like I might puke, but I haven't. Brian may be considered the sole provider for our family, but we aren't fully dependent on him. Our true sole provider, Jesus Christ, will take care of us. He already is! We feel His peace at this very moment. Brian may find a job that's even better than his current job, or he may not. We may be set financially until another job comes along, or we may not. But one thing is sure, God is God, and He is in control.

Sunday, Brian filled in for our Sunday School teacher. 1 Corinthians 10:13 was the verse he had shared with a coworker earlier in the week at a funeral, so he decided to use that verse in our class. Now God is using it to minister to us.

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

I also can't get Jeremiah 29:11 out of my mind.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

What an awesome God we serve that He cares enough to comfort us in our times of need. He is our sole provider.

Cristo Me Ama

Have you seen the M&M commercial where the 2 M&Ms are rowing slaves on a viking ship? They break out into the song "Rock the Boat." Coleman loves that commercial and has associated it with M&Ms ever since he saw it for the first time.



It's been at least several months since he's seen it. Today I told him he could have some M&Ms after he finished his sandwich. The commercial didn't even cross my mind, but he started singing "Rock the Boat!" Coleman can also tell you that "Ford is the best in Texas!" For a while he thought the Ford symbol and Texas were interchangeable! Those commercials really stick! Another reason to monitor closely what my child watches on TV. Unfortunately not all commercials are so cute.

And now you're wondering why the title of this post is "Cristo Me Ama" and if you don't speak a lick of Spanish you're even more confused. That's "Jesus Loves Me" in Spanish. For those of you who know me well, you may have witnessed the fact that I bust into song for no apparent reason, and sometimes the song is even in Spanish. So last night on the way home from church Coleman started singing his version of "Cristo Me Ama:"

Yes, Cristo me ama
Yes, Cristo me ama
Cristo me bellyflops
Cristo me bellyflops

I think Jesus knew what he meant and counted it as a joyful noise! Well, now we're listening to the midi file (it just seemed funnier than the real version) of "Rock the Boat" and Coleman is showing off some of his moves. He's not going to be happy when I tell him it's nap time...

Flushed Out To Sea

Coleman is under the impression that when you flush the toilet, whatever is in there goes to the ocean. That all started with a simple comment I made several months ago when I had him flush a dead bug. I told him the bug was going to the ocean, since that's a fun place to go. Now Coleman is learning to go to the potty like a big boy. Sometimes he uses his little potty chair, but other times he likes to stand on his stool and use the big potty like Daddy. Today after we got home from church we were in the bathroom and he was standing on his stool trying to go. He kept putting his foot over the bowl like he was going to step in. I kept telling him no. Then he started saying something about going to the ocean. I think that he thought if he flushed himself down the toilet he could get to the ocean! So I had to explain to my 2 1/2 year old that if we want to go to the ocean, we have to drive in the car, not flush ourselves down the toilet. That's a conversation I've never had before, and honestly never dreamed of having!

Well, toilet travel may not be in our future, but we do have exciting things happening. Today our church voted to call a new pastor! We had an opportunity to meet him and his family yesterday and hear him preach today. He is wonderful and we are thrilled. Our church has much change in store, so please be in prayer for us. Today he preached from Ezekiel 22:30, so this week my challenge is to stand in the gap and realize that one person can make a difference. Will I? I pray God will show me ways that I can make a difference. Have a blessed week everyone!

Spence's Head vs. The Coffee Table

I have to tell myself, "God knew what He was doing when He made me the mommy of two boys." Sometimes I wonder how I'm going to survive, or maybe how they are going to survive boyhood. Sure, girls are known for their drama, but there's a certain kind of drama around this boy-filled household. For example, today's drama (so far) was Will Spence's head hold up while being banged into the coffee table over and over? Luckily, it did! Brian assures me that little brothers are tough - tougher than their big brothers. They have to be! Maybe one day Spence and Uncle Brent can talk about all the torture they endured as little bros. And hopefully I can keep Brian from teaching Coleman all his big brother tricks! But just in case, I'll keep Spence's head away from the coffee table.

I Could've Been Playing Barbies

That's what I always say when Coleman wants to play some potentially harmful or weird game. I loved Barbies as a child, and always dreamed I would play them with my daughter some day. Instead I'm playing some altered form of football where tennis shoes are worn like gloves on the hands. I think I've figured out the rule: Do whatever Coleman tells you. So far the commands have been, "Mommy throw me the ball. Mommy throw it high. Mommy go get it." I guess it is hard to pick up a football with shoes on your hands. As much as I loved Barbies and wanted to have an excuse to play with them as a grown-up, I wouldn't trade my boys for anything. Even if it means having the trash can emptied on the floor so it can be used as a drum, lining 63 cars up around the edge of the coffee table, wondering how long it is before they try to fly off the top of the stairs, or watching the rescue vehicle DVD with that cheesy guy 3 days in a row. I've just been informed that it's time to go play cars. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing!

Amanda's First Post

I'm so excited about my first post. So is Spence. He's trying to help. OK, he is occupied with a rattle and a manual he found under the computer desk. Coleman is whining because I took his "car" away. It's being held as evidence in a hit and run. He allegedly used it to run over Spence. Otherwise all is calm here! Yeah, right... Maybe in about 18 years. But I love every minute of it. I know it goes by so fast. I assume most of my posts will be about the daily happenings of our household. Probably a funny saying uttered by a 2 year old. Like today, we were in the mall and Coleman said, "Look mommy! An alligator!" We were in the shoe department of Dillard's, so I thought, "Wow, how does he know those shoes are made from alligator?" I asked him to show me the alligator. Turns out he was talking about the escalator. I knew elevator was pronounced alligator in Colemanese, but I was unaware that escalator had the same pronunciation. Now I know. I'll try to keep most of my posts short so you'll want to come back often and read about my adorable, precious, brilliant children. Well, Spence is trying to disassemble the computer chair I'm sitting in, and Coleman is way too quiet. Better go...

Just for Fun

I'm playing with Windows Movie Maker and Photoshop this evening. Enjoy.

Really, I'm checking video quality from various video hosting sites. This one is from DropShot.


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Someone likes to belly flop

This Saturday we went to the pool. That evening saying our prayers, Coleman thanked Jesus for "kiddie pools and belly flops." See the video below for an explanation.

Here are some recent pics. Enjoy!

Mommy and her two little boys


Coleman teaching Spence "This Little Piggy"


Seriously Dad, we're in the tub.


Promise this won't be shown when we're teenagers.


4th of July (check out Daddy's scar)



4th of July

Oops, almost forgot.........

In case we haven't seen you in a bit, we've a second child. Spencer was born November 7, 2006. He's now almost 9 months old. On my previous website, we had pages dedicated to Coleman. I guess we're doing good to make the web announcement for Spence now. Quintessential "Second Child Syndrome".

Oh, by the way, our only picture of Spency is below.

Testing out YouTube Videos in my blog

This is just a test........ Actually, Coleman and Keller throwing rocks into a pond this spring. Just like little boys should.

I let a big burp

Eating dinner tonight, Amanda told Coleman that he needed to eat just 2 kernels of corn in order to eat his coveted chocolate cookie. He was standing right next to my chair would put one in and make a face and spit it out. Finally, he chomped on it once and swallowed it. He let out a little gag and around his eyes got a little red. He did the same with the second and let out another gag. The next thing we knew he puked all his dinner right on the floor. Just mere seconds later he turned to me and said, "Can I have my cookie now?" I laughed so hard I nearly had an asthma attack. He started laughing and said another gem, "I let a big burp on the floor." I nearly had to reach for my puffer. That little man....