My Climber (aka Sir Titus Hillary)

So you know - every kid has their funny little thing... All of my others did. Most recently has been Joshua's freakish athletic abilities. But baby brother behind him has his own little quirky thing... HE'S A CLIMBER. Titus loves to climb on, over, and inside anything he can! He loves the stairs, the gate blocking the stairs, my kitchen cabinets, my desk that's missing a cabinet door (hey - got it at Goodwill for 12.99, what'd you expect?)... He likes climbing into laundry baskets, inside the cubby of the entertainment center, and this morning cleared out a couple of shelves on my book shelf so that he could climb into it... But the other night wowed us all. I was doing some cooking for Thanksgiving stuff and happy to have Titus slightly away from being underneath me, so I let him play in the pantry. He was pulling cans off of the shelf and happily occupied for a few minutes. Then... it was quiet....* This is always a warning sign*. I turned around to check and this is where I found him - UP ON THE PANTRY SHELF!!! Here's the wreckage below.

He decided to search for a snack. All that climbing will make a man hungry.

Of course Bug had to get in on the fun... There were 2. And then there was...

only 1. This was a split second after Titus leaned forward and face planted into a box of saltines. :) Hahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me tell you, we laugh a lot at our house... every single day. :D

Marriage First

I'll admit that I often read magazine articles or see articles on line (or sometimes just see the title) and kinda roll my eyes at how shallow or ridiculous they can be. But today I saw this one and thought, you know - this is right on. Now, it's without any scripture or the foundational truths of God's ideas on marriage, but for a secular article, I was impressed. It's simple. And it's right. I am always glad for this reminder, and heaven knows that I've wanted to gently remind some of my friends and loved ones... This is an easy thing to get out of whack, and yet, it's SO IMPORTANT. Hope you are blessed by this read.
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/loving-husband-more-kids-key-good-life-181900983.html

Thanksgiving History

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."

—George Washington

Best Friends

Tonight while I was cooking supper, the house was full of joyful "noise". Taylor (not so quiet, especially as he demonstrated gorilla sounds and jumping :)) came in the kitchen with a little brother in each arm and said, "Does anybody else think it's kinda funny that I weigh over 300lbs and my 2 best friends here weigh about 50lbs combined?" Ha! :D I love it. Titus and Joshua continue to believe that their big brother is some kind of super hero. Those 3 are so darn beautiful. Makes me cry with joy.

Go Texans!

Tay had another big football win last night. The Texans won 40-14 over the Gonzales Apaches. It was an interesting night for me. I didn't go to the game so I could stay home with baby Titus. He's having another round of the cold crud, with a bit of a nasty cough. I wrestled all day yesterday (nothing like feeling torn between 2 kids) with what to do and finally Troy said he thought it would be best to not take him out in the wind.

So Titus and I stayed home and my friend told me about a wonderful thing... -THE GAME WAS ANNOUNCED LIVE on the radio/online. I can remember when I was a kid listening to the Dallas Cowboys' games on the radio with my Dad, but I'm not sure that I really cared all that much. Last night was a whole different story. Let's just say that I'm glad no one could see or hear me. I turned into a bit of a lunatic. I was whooping and hollering and dancing all around the kitchen. Titus thought it was great. :) One time when we scored just before half time (an amazing play, only 11 seconds left on the clock) I splattered soapy dish water all over the kitchen! :) Now, I do hope to be at the next game in person, but I was impressed with this radio thing. Not bad.

Speaking of the next game... How exciting is this?! Football during Thanksgiving week!!! Woohoo! How fun! Tay is out of school this week, with exception of practice each day. Yes, even on Thanksgiving morning. We are so grateful for this wonderful gift, that no one even minds that the traditions are being shifted a little.

At the moment Titus and Joshua are having sword fights with plastic golf clubs and it's getting a little out of hand... I better run!

I AM A MOTHER AND I HAVE A PURPOSE!

I am not languishing. I am not floundering. I am not deceived.
I have a vision. I know who I am and who God created me to be.
I know my purpose. I have direction. I know God's mandate for my life.
I am walking in the perfect will of God.

I know it's not easy. I know it's hard. But I've counted the cost. My goal is set. How could my career be easy when I am impacting this nation for God?
Also the generations to come! And eternity!
How can it be easy when I am destroying the plans of the devil?

Such is the power of my God-ordained career,
the highest calling ever given to women-motherhood!

I have embraced my calling. I am not intimidated by antagonists.
I will not be moved. My heart is fixed.

I may be hidden in my home, but look out world! I am sharpening and polishing my arrows. I am getting them ready to shoot forth and destroy the works of the enemy. In the power and anointing of God I am advancing His kingdom!

By Nancy Campbell

I appreciate my husband!

Yes, I sure do appreciate my hubby! He has always worked hard to take care of us. He has always sought to provide a way for me to be at home with our children. When others have encouraged me to go get a job, my husband has said - no way - and has gone to extreme measures to pick up an extra job to make ends meet. Of course I am thankful for all the non-financial things that he does for our family - and that's a very long list. But today, I just want to say that I'm proud of Troy for his commitment to provide financially.

1 Timothy 5:8 says, "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (italics mine)

Now, it should go without saying that I don't think this scripture is referring to all those that are struggling and without work during these tough economic times. But, I do think the verse's major focus is that the man recognizes his responsibility and does his very best to provide for his family's needs.

Troy has always been so faithful in this area. Always. Even when were so very young and he was a full time student, he never shirked his responsibility to work. Never. In fact, he had to humble himself to do a few jobs that payed little and were not very glamorous... But - HE DID THEM ANYWAY.

On a related note, he has always GIVEN (he gives of himself wonderfully, but again I am referring to money) very generously. This is a beautiful trait that he learned from his precious Mama. I KNOW that God has met our needs in some very lean times simply because he honored Troy's generosity to others. Heaven applauds and blesses those who give. I am thankful that this reward for Troy spills over onto all of our family.

Lord, thank you for providing for us. Troy, I thank you too. I am so proud to be your wife.