Cricket Logic....

I have been reading again. Actually, I read all the time, but since I am home I wanted to share a thought on a book I read a while back. It keeps coming up in my mind, so it's time to put it down on paper. It was a Max Lucado book....In the Grip of Grace. Good book, but here is what stuck out and is apparently stuck. In one chapter he was talking about how one Sunday he was in church, and there was a cricket on the floor. He began to think about that cricket. Was that the only life he ever knew? Did life exist outside the church? Was there an entire colony of crickets, who wondered about this. (Yes you need to stretch your mind a little bit here...) However, here's the point. He said, "Have we become so worried about worshipping the creation, that we've forgotten to worship the Creator??" There's a wake up call if you need one!! Have I gotten to the point where I have lost time to stop and worship Him? I hope not. I know there is always more time I could be spending. What is there in life that has become more important than Him?? Your family? Job? Kids? Time with Friends? the list is endless. There will always be something that Satan can use to take our time away from our Father. I think that is why I like the crickets so much. I love the fact that I am so simply reminded of love and how His love is always there even when I am sometime wayward, as we all are. Spend some time with Him today...even if it is just a few minutes. You won't regret it, I promise!!

Summertime, Summertime....

I am loving summer!!! I am off of work for just about 6 weeks and am home! It is such a happy time for me. I honestly feel like there is some invisible balance that has been restored in the house because of it. (it could be my imagination, but I promise that's how I feel.) I have been very blessed by my boss at work who let me have some time off this summer and found a school teacher who wanted to work this summer have my class and then is letting me come back to work in August after the kids go back to school. I worked all of June because Jim was home recovering from his back surgery. He is back to work and doing great!!! The kids and I are just hanging out...playing, whatever and it is great! I am working to get the house in order. Something happens when you work, it just isn't the same kind of cleaning when you have so little time to do it in. I don't really like to clean, but I have found myself enjoying it. HONESTLY!!!! We are taking a small trip to Ohio in a couple weeks because Jim's grandma is going to be 90. His mom is having a party for her and she doesn't even know we are coming....hopefully she will love her surprise...US!! Hopefully I'll find some time to blog a little while I am home, but you never know.

Mourning Doves....

Prepare to be shocked....2 posts in one day!! My friend Jennifer, blogs everyday, and I am just amazed by that, I have trouble finding time to get something written once a week....but anyway, this I thought was worthy of an extra post today. =) We have had a nest of mourning doves that we've been watching for a while now. Mourning doves are one of the few species of birds that mate for life. They are very sweet birds, but their nests are terrible. We googled it because it looked so bad, but apparently that's how they make them. Anyway, we have been watching our eggs and in the whirlwind of the last month, see previous update post, we missed a lot. However, yesterday appears to be "pushing out of the nest" day. (or maybe they fell out because it was so crappy. =) ) We found the 2 babies on the ground yesterday afternoon kinda wandering around. The kids were fascinated and wanted to sit on the grass and watch them. Here is a picture of them.

We have a play set in the back yard, and we finally saw mom and dad bird up on the play set cheering on their children to get to the safe place that they had found for them. It was so sweet. The one bird was pretty brave and flew off right away. The second, was a little more timid and kinda hopped around aimlessly for a long time, over an hour waiting on someone to come and get him. Jim finally got too close and he flew a little bit. He almost skimmed the ground it was so low and he was just not sure of himself. But he eventually got back to his family and hopefully they will find another home away from the neighbor's cats.

Update...we're back!!

It has been almost a month since my last post...thank you Susan...but what a busy month it has been!!! First let's talk about Jim's back. He sneezed one day and literally could barely walk afterwards. I guess it was just the straw that broke the camels back....no pun intended. So off to the doctor he went. They did another MRI and decided rather quickly, like 4 days that surgery was needed. So we scrambled to get things in order so that we were prepared for him to be out of work for what we thought was about 2 -2.5 weeks. The surgery went very well. The doctor told Jim later that he was surprised at how big the rupture was...about the size of the tip of your thumb....and couldn't believe that Jim was still walking!! Thank you God for small miracles even when we don't know about them!! Well, the recovery is going well and Jim had his follow up this week. The doctor told him that he was going to be out of work for at least another 2-4 weeks. Yuck....he is already bored. Also he will have to go on temporary disability and that doesn't pay the normal pay rate, but it is better than nothing. =) Since it looks like he is going to be home most of June, I can continue to work full time until he goes back to work and he can stay home with the kiddos. Not our original summer plan, but it works, so we're going to go with it!! Keep his recovery in your prayers and us as well....thanks!

On to the kids....school is almost out!! They are so ready, and so are we!! They have had a great year, but are ready for a break. I honestly hope that Shelby Co. Schools never again make us go after Memorial Day, this is just plain stupid. The kids really haven't done anything all of the past week, and aren't going to do anything next week either. They are supposed to have Field Day Tuesday, but it is also supposed to rain, so we'll see what happens there. We found out that Taylor didn't make APEX, and she is ok with it. A little sad, but she is better. Bradley is doing well too, still thriving on his new meds. We thought that he was going to need an IEP, but he was tested and it was decided that he wasn't in need at this time...praise God! The school will keep his file open and in the future if it is decided that he needs one, then we will already be ahead of the game.

Bradley celebrated his 6th birthday!! I can't believe my baby is that old and almost a first grader. We celebrated at Incredible Pizza. It was our first visit and it was really fun! It was not crowded, clean, and reasonably priced. We went on a Thursday, and spent around $60 and we all ate at the buffet and had $50 of game cards to play with. It was a good deal on Thursday, they double your game card money so that was really nice. The kids had a blast riding the bumper cars, playing mini-golf, mini-bowling, games, skee ball, and spending the tickets they earned.

Taylor finished up her 4th year of Girl Scouts and got to bridge to the next level, which is Juniors. She has been in the same troop of girls since kindergarten and they have a great time!! Her leader, Ann and assistant leader Susan are just the best!! They really work hard to make it fun for the girls and I know Taylor wouldn't love it as much if they weren't part of it!!

I think that is it for now!! Have a great weekend!!!

The wet fleece...or placemat in our case.

This morning after my walk, I am making coffee, and I notice that the place mat that the coffee pot sits on is totally soaked. Nothing else around it is wet and I found it very curious. So as I cleaned it up, my mind started to wander, as it does sometimes, and I found myself thinking of Gideon. Here's a guy who is literally fighting God every step of the way. God calls him, and he says no, not me, but if it is really me then let me go and prepare a gift for you and you stay here and wait...guess what that's what happened.

Then as if that wasn't enough, he says, this out of Judges 6: 36 Then Gideon said to God, "If You will deliver Israel by my hand, as You said, 37 I will put a fleece of wool here on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that You will deliver Israel by my strength, as You said." 38 And that is what happened. When he got up early in the morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung dew out of it, filling a bowl with water. 39 Gideon then said to God, "Don't be angry with me; let me speak one more time. Please allow me to make one more test with the fleece. Let it remain dry, and the dew be all over the ground." 40 That night God did [as Gideon requested]: only the fleece was dry, and dew was all over the ground.

It's kinda unreal when you think about it, but then when you do...ouch...that's us. We have so little faith and confidence in Our Lord. He is sovereign, He's got things under control. Yet we question that small voice inside our head....we listen to other things and other people and miss what God is telling us. I know I am so guilty of that. I love to hear that Voice, but sometimes to just do not want to be still enough to listen to it.

Just like in the story of Gideon, God will get the eventual Glory, in His way and His time. I love that, just like in Matthew when Jesus tells the disciples in Chapter 17 20-21: Because of your little faith," He told them. "For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting. Here's my thing: I want God to move, but sometimes I want Him to do all the work and I try to skip out on the prayer and fasting...ouch again. =) Something to work on even now. =) That's my thoughts for today. In case you were wondering about the water and the place mat: Jim went downstairs last night to take some medicine, he dumped a glass of water on the place mat. It was late so he didn't clean it up. But I still got something out of it.

Legalism and Dieting.....

I am pretty sure that this title caught your attention and you are wondering how those to things could possibly be related. However, for me they are. I have been giving this some thought recently. Last May, I started exercising. Most weeks 5 times a week I walk with my neighbor. We made it through the winter cold and are still walking, most mornings in the dark. I have come to enjoy, if not crave my exercise. This is a weird statement for me to make, but it is so true. Anyway, I am feeling the need to lose a few pounds. For once in my life I am fairly comfy with the skin I am in, but because I have started this quest to be healthier, I think I could go on a diet or something. Here's my thing, and where legalism comes in. I have done weight watchers in the past and have had huge success. After Taylor was born I weighed about 75 pounds more than I wanted and with WW I took it off and have kept 55 of it off for almost 10 years now. I was a great legalistic dieter. I just told myself to follow the dieting rule, I just couldn't eat certain things any more. By golly it worked. However, since I have given way to a new way of life and love of Jesus, most of those legalistic ways are melting away...which has been so cool. But now, I have no idea how to go on a diet. By the way, I hate the word diet.....I would rather figure out a way to make a lifestyle change that doesn't involve me giving up ice cream, bread, or pasta in order to become healthy. If I figure something out I'll let you know. If you have a suggestion, let me know.

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

42 years ago today, God sent a wonderful man down to earth. He is sweet, loyal, hard working, sometimes too hard working, =) loving, and kind. I am so thankful that God put our lives together and blessed us with 2 beautiful children. Yep, the road has not always been easy, but it has show us grace and mercy and most of all love!! So today as I wish the love of my life a happy birthday, join me for a few shots down memory lane. Thank you for being you!! Have a great birthday! I love you!!!!

Jim at about 18 months

Jim and his brother aren't they cute!!

Jim, his brother Steve, sister Jen, and dad Steve.

Jim with BIG Hair!!!

Our Family December 2008

You didn't know I was so computer savvy did you????

Chris Tomlin!!!

Last Tuesday night, we and members of our small group and lots of other people headed to the Forum to see Chris Tomlin!! It was really awesome!! I just loved being able to worship with Him in that place. It was just what I needed. It has been a C-R-A-Z-Y couple weeks and this night of down time was just what I needed. We took some pictures and Jim even recorded some of the live worship, maybe we may even get them posted! =) Life has slowed down a little bit which has been nice. That's it for now. Looking forward to a long weekend and Easter!!

Being Different

1 Peter 2 7-12
7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, " 8and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Our daughter comes home the other day and is upset. Some girl in her class told her she didn't like her because she was different. Taylor was crushed. She is almost 10 and just wants to have friends and fit in. As the adult, looking back, I am struggling on how to teach her it's ok to be different. The above passage struck in my mind, that we are called to be different. I've spent most of my life just trying to do the same thing....fit in. With my family, with friends, with people who don't even really matter in life but yet, there are days where I wonder why, just like Taylor. I believe this is where faith plays a huge role in life. When we give our lives to Jesus, there is not a promise of this easy blessed life that will follow. We are expected to stand out, to be different, in action, thought, and word. I am proud of Taylor, for whatever reason, she is different, and her friends can see it. She is letting her light shine and I can't ask for more than that.

Spring Break....

We are half-way through Spring Break! I can't believe it. I am only working half days this week, so the kids and I have enjoyed some fun the last few days. Yesterday, we decided to go to the zoo...along with the other 18000 people!! It was fun though. It was actually one of the most enjoyable days we've had at the zoo....I can credit most of it to the beautiful day, thank you Lord for your handiwork once again. Some of it, I think was because I didn't spend half the day yelling at Bradley...it was a nice change. It did take us almost 2 hours to get home because of all the traffic though. According to the Commercial Appeal, it was a record breaking day!

Today we went to the park and played with friends. The kids road their scooters and played on the playground. It has been so nice and warm too. It is supposed to cool down to the 60's and possibly rain tomorrow and that's ok, I've got to get some laundry done!! Friday we are having dinner with friends.

I am also going to consign the kids clothes for the very first time ever. I usually eBay them, but I just do not have the time. It is a local sale, but it is boutique only, so I am ready to unload some Gymboree. It is next weekend, Lollipopkids Children's Consignment Sale here in Collierville. Hopefully, I can make some extra cash to put toward a weekend away for us...and the kids too since I am selling their clothes! =) The drop off is Sunday so I've got to get this done too!

Sounds like an exciting life....but it is better than work.

LOL!!! Man Changing World One Facebook Group at a Time

Tominthebox News Network - Religious Humor/Satire: Man Changing World One Facebook Group at a Time

One for the record books!

Sometimes I just cannot believe people. What was this lady thinking???

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/health/18831330/detail.html#-

Seriously...I just don't know what to say.

3 Yankees and a Good Ole' Southern Boy....

Today I have finally realized that the South has entered my house. We moved here in 2005, when Bradley was only 2 and a few months old. He has completely converted our Northern ways to the gentle South. This morning, we were going to the library, and since it is weirdly cold here today, I told the kids they needed their coats. Bradley replied with I'll wear my coat, but I am not wearing a toboggan. A what? Last I checked that was a long sled, not a hat. Taylor looked at him and had no clue what he was talking about. In fact, the only reason we knew is Laurel, our friend always says it, and we had to ask one day what she was talking about. He has also told us he wants a dawg (dog), we can find the paper we were looking for on the pisle (pile) and when is Jew-lie coming?? (July) . His "slang" makes me smile, and wonder how different we will sound when we finally make it North again. At first, it was hard for me, because the speaking here is so much more relaxed than in the North. (But everything else is way more relaxed too!!) We were corrected as kids for not correctly pronouncing words, but here, it is just the way things are, and I am ok with that. Ahhh the ways of the South. =)

Yes Lord, but....

So here's my conversation with God today. Do you trust me?? Yes, Lord but...was my reply. I went to church this morning with my heart heavy and my mind swirling with things literally out of my control. As it seems, God and I had this conversation over and over the last couple days. And apparently I've responded with Yes Lord, but. So today I can almost see Him up in Heaven looking down at me with love and chuckling to Himself and saying...hard headed woman, I guess once again, I am going to have to show you Who is in charge here. And so He did, just to put me back in the place so I can remember just how much He loves me.

The year has brought some new financial worries for me. It seemed like we were just getting a hold on things regarding our finances. Then Jim's employer announces that all employees would be taking a pay cut the first of this year. While it seemed like a little, for us, it was huge. It was time to just pull our budget strings tighter and make it work. As I fretted this morning about many things, I forgot about How all things work together for good to those who love Him. Meanwhile, He was prepared the heart of another who would allow Him to use her to bless us and honor Him. He never ceases to amaze and humble me. So today, my new answer to Do you trust me?? Is simply Yes, Lord.

Jim's back and other stuff....

Ok, So I've already fallen behind in blogging, but I think I can still catch up with myself...haha. Jim has been having back problems for months now. He has had steroid injections once before and is planning on having them again on Thursday. (Mommies...think epidural.) Remember to pray for him and me on Thursday if you can. I'll try and keep you updated on it.

Bradley update. For those who didn't know, Jim and I had a conference with his teacher in December to discuss his lack of focus in school. It was becoming a problem for him and it was making him hate going to school. It was very frustrating for all of us. His teacher hinted that he was maybe struggling because he had ADHD and suggested that we get him checked out by the pediatrician. We chose a longer more in depth route with some advanced testing because we wanted to be sure before we made any decisions about medicine. All the tests pointed us to ADHD and so be began to pray about what our options were with medicine. We did some research and decided to try him on a medication suggested by our doctor that did the testing. We figured that if it made him crazy, or made him lose his personality, we would just take him off of it. Anyway....we have had huge success!!! The first few nights, we didn't get much sleep, but then he was fine. He is eating much less, but the improvement at school has been incredible!! He was in the lowest reading group and at what I call "the bad kid" table. After only 1 week he has moved up to the top reading group and has gotten his seat moved back with the rest of the kids. Amen for small miracles!!

Taylor update: She has been nominated for APEX at school. She made it through the first round of testing. We are very proud of her!! I keep telling her that if she makes it great and if not, that she is still the best in my eyes! We are just praying for God's will here. Also she sold a bunch of Girl Scout cookies and her troop is planning on going to Space camp in Huntsville, AL for a weekend in April.

That's it for now folks!!

I am second....

Hey all...Jim found this site and we thought it was pretty cool. It was nice to hear the different stories of the people. Go check it out. I am Katie Schillinger and I am second.

http://www.iamsecond.com/

10 Things I've learned in Marriage....

10. Go to the bathroom with the door closed. Once you have kids they will come in unless it is locked.

9. Does it really matter if the toilet paper is over or under?? (Jim and I have solved this by not putting it on the thing.)

8. If you wait until you are "ready" you will never have children.

7. If cooking is the way to a man's heart, then him cleaning up is the way to a woman's.

6. "'Til death do us part" is not a license for murder.

5. Ladies: If we want our husbands to be the leader of our house...it helps if we get out of their way.

4. Don't ask someone to change who they are for you...let them expand who they are...but be willing to do the same.

3. There are 3 people who make a marriage work...you, me and God. The 3rd one is the most important.

2. God's grace covers everything.

1. The only way to get to forever is one day at a time.

It's beginning to look like a house again....

Today, marks the end of the Christmas season at the Schillinger house. Now I know what you are thinking....Christmas was almost a month ago, but we love Christmas and decorating is a big deal for us. This makes the take down process very long and relatively yucky. However, it has given me time to pause and reflect over the Christmas season.

Our community of believers, Living Hope, did this awesome thing this year called Advent Conspiracy. Which helped us re-think how we did Christmas. It called for us to: Worship fully, spend less, give more and love all. This really inspired Jim and I re-evaluate somethings. In almost all years past, we try to make a budget and stick to it....but it rarely happens. In an effort to make things "even" and then finding that thing that someone "just has to have" we have blown the budget and just gone crazy. This year however, life has been a little different. As some of you know 2008 goes in the record book for me as the hardest of life to date. But, I wouldn't change a thing. When I first had my kids, many people told me that babies grown in their sleep and that was why they slept so much. Well, as followers of Jesus, grow through adversity and difficulty, at least in my case. I have had some incredible moments with my Savior this year, and honestly that for me was presents enough. But there were other people around us, so we decided to sit down with the kids and talk to them about AC and how some things were going to change for our family. We told them that since the Wisemen brought Jesus 3 gifts, this Christmas they were also going to get 3 gifts as well. (we do not do Santa at our house, so that was not a conflict.) In the beginning you'd have thought we told them Christmas was cancelled. But as they began to actually think about what they wanted if became a learning experience for them to really want the present and not just circle a bunch of things in the toy catalog. It's funny because I am the one who usually throws caution, and wallet to the wind at Christmas time, which is totally out of character for me...I am the frugal one of the house. But this year, knowing I had a budget to spend less and had to stick to it. God was so good....He provided just what everyone needed and somehow helped keep my spending even on each kid.

The kids even got involved too and my parents, even though they didn't realize it. My mom likes to bring crafts for the kids to do with her when she comes to visit. This year, the kids took all their crafts and wrapped them up for Jim and I for Christmas. It was so special and sweet. When Christmas came, it was so nice to not be buried under paper and bows, but to actually spend time with my kids and husband, together as a family therefore being able to give more of ourselves. It was not stressful running from here to there constantly looking for something. It was peaceful, and joyous, which I image that is the way it was intended.

Loving all and worshipping fully came as a package deal for me this year. This year has been a rather interesting year for me and my extended family. Some things have happened making our relationships strained. It has been very difficult for everyone. During his message on Worship, Gib talked about Mary, and how probably she wasn't where she'd thought her life was going to be, I began to think about my life and how it wasn't exactly where I thought it would be either. Jim and I were about to write off Christmas with the family and try again next year, but then it happened. God moved me, and reminded me that loving all was more about Him loving us unconditionally and how could I show that to others. It is my prayer that when we spent Christmas Eve with my family, that they saw more than just us showing up, but us honoring God and our relationship with Him. I am hoping we can take the things we learned this Christmas in to the New Year.

Happy New Year

Wow, the new year is already here and I have been slacking in the blogging dept. I am making it a goal to blog more this year...at least once a week. It has been very difficult for me to find the balance between working full time, being a wife and mom full time, taking care of my house and all that other stuff. Although I have to say that Jim has jumped in and has helped me with a lot of my house stuff...which I really appreciate. If you are wondering why I didn't send you a Christmas card this year, you are not alone....we didn't get them out. A first in our married life, I kept saying I was going to get to it, but it just didn't happen. Maybe next year. =)

My friend Becky who is From the Land of Elvis on my blog roll, wrote an interesting post the other day. It was so honest and I told her how much I appreciated that. She said how she longed to be out of the work place and home with her kids. Maybe I appreciated it so much because I share that longing. But it got me thinking, that even though this time in life I am working, God has blessed my so much by my job. I work at a preschool/daycare and my little friends sleep for 2 solid hours a day most days. I spend that time with the Lord...usually reading. I have several books to review. JR, our pastor at church gave me 3 to read a while back, I made it through one, struggled with the second and put it up for a while. The 3rd is next in line after I finish the one I am on.

I have some goals for the New Year, and I hope you do to. A friend told me that we need to strive for things, otherwise we won't do anything. Think about that for a moment. Personally I do not like goals....probably because I don't want to fail, but I am slowly learning not to be so hard on myself.