She's 60 today!! :)

Things used to be different.

When I was pregnant with my first, I began carefully concocting a plan that would raise my children different than I had been raised. They would learn to be prompt, responsible (with a list of chores to do every day), well mannered, etc...

How immature I was! A new mother with high hopes and very little patience!!

Now, after four, I've changed my views a whole lot.

Now I want to be like the beautiful mother that raised me! Forget our crazy schedules...well, we really never went by those anyway! And the impeccably clean house and floors...I want my house to welcome to all, young and old. Sticky fingers and dirty toes!! Yes, I want to indulge my children in fun play, tea parties, snuggles in my bed, exciting excursions! My childhood was filled with excitement and every day was different from the last.

My Mother taught me generosity. She never withheld anything from others to better herself. She would rather YOU benefit!! She taught me hospitality. There was never a sign on our front door that read, "Do Not Disturb!". Everyone was welcome with open arms at my childhood home.

Momma taught me that prayer would move mountains and staying faithful to God is the most important priority I could ever have. We were not raised to be hypochondriacs. Yes, we went to the doctor occasionally, but we prayed first. And, miraculously, it cut our doctor visits in half!! After a touch from the Lord, there was no need to go! :)

She also taught us that money had nothing to do with our personal worth. Rich or poor, we never knew the difference!! In my earlier childhood we had anything money could buy....and more. Sometime during the teenage years, our family's financial status changed drastically. We would count our change to buy a taco at Taco Mayo. We were never destressed by it, though! Mom was joyful, content and happy with our life. She never appeared stressed, depressed or otherwise. She made counting pennies great fun! She displayed a heart of thankfulness for each day and all that God had blessed us with.

My mother is so multi-talented!! She could have made millions with her talents and had a household name. Instead, she chose a beautiful position that kept her closest to her children...homemaker. And, while this isn't possible for some, she had the option. She could have chosen different.

This year for her 60th I may have gone a little overboard, but the older I get the more I realize the importance of "cherishing".

I want to look back on my life and have no regrets...just like my momma :)

So, today Momma is 60 years old. Doesn't seem too old now that I'm nearing 40!!

Here's to you, Momma, the absolute perfection and definition of the word "Mother". Happy Birthday...all my love! ~Darla

19 years ago today.....

I remember asking God to give us at least 5 years together...then 10....then 15.... :) (I guess I feared that something so good couldn't possibly last very long!)

I still marvel that we have shared 19 years together!! You were the mysterious "Randy Jones" that made me laugh and relax and look at life in a unique way. You were kind and very much a gentleman. Mature. Fun. The whole package! I wanted you.

I still do.

Nine years together...by ourselves. We loved to take exciting and exotic vacations, stay up late and have friends over every weekend!! :) Things are quite different now with four beautiful, little people to share our roof with! And the late nights are not so appealing as they used to be! Having friends over has become increasingly challenging and...the vacations...well, Nashville feels like vacation to us ;) (Ok, before we start feeling sorry for ourselves, Seaside has become a wonderful retreat, too!)

But....even after 19 years of marriage, I've learned a few things.

I've learned that there is still incredible findings in you that I have yet to discover. (It's just that most of the time, I'm too exhausted to try!)

I've learned that if I shower you with love, affection and attention~you will return it to me in bountiful ways!

I've learned that if I expect you to fulfill all my dreams and desires, I will be disappointed. There is no human that can fill the void that only my Lord can. So, I'm learning to draw all my expectations from Him instead of people, friends, dreams and family. I know that I can't fulfill yours either. That sounds incredibly transparent, but in all reality it's true. The fantasy of being newly wed hides this fact for a couple of years, but eventually it surfaces. God created us to be a blessing to each other. Sometimes I forget this beautiful concept and become frustrated. Forgive me for those selfish, self-centered times.

After 19 years, my some of favorite qualities that you possess are honesty, compassion, faithfulness, consistency, dependability, wisdom and logic, common sense and strategy. And I treasure your sense of humor!! It brings sunshine to a cloudy day!! There is depth about you that amazes me. You are a starter and finisher. I love your "early morning" approach to everything!

I want to thank you for....

Giving me the elite opportunity and privilege of staying at home with our children. It's the most challenging experience I've ever had, but the best!! I know this time won't last forever and that one day we will look back at all the chaos of these years and say they were, without a doubt, the best years of our lives. You sacrifice to make this happen. I pray that God returns the blessing to you and gives you the opportunity to pursue your dreams in whatever field you desire....cycling, drumming, etc. Some people may only see the Cycling T-shirt and jeans, but I know you. You were created for greatness.

Thank you for putting up with my "green, non-toxic, organic" type ways! :) You actually act like it's a fabulous idea, too!!

Thank you for being a daddy that truly invests in and loves our children. It's not the popular "Quality Time" that really counts, it's the "Quantity Time". Bible Quizzing, baseball games, tucking them in every night...I could go on and on. You are not a daddy that considers his children a "part time job".

Thank you for not making high demands of me. Thank you for ironing your own shirts, cleaning up your clutter and taking pride in "your stuff". I look at others and sometimes feel quite spoiled :) And this brings me to the next point...

Thank you for letting me be who I am. I do not try to act like someone I'm not. Knowing that you love me for me, makes me feel secure. I also find a sense of security in knowing that you trust me. Totally.

Have I any regrets in marrying you? Nope. Not at all. Zero.

Now I can say it: You've had me longer than my momma :)

Happy Anniversary!!

I love you, Sweet Thang!!

Loves, Dar

Exercising for the Elderly ;)

Yes, I know I need to!!

I'm simply too busy to find the time to exercise!! I want to feel strong and run free, but my body is beginning to feel like it's 20 years older than it actually is. :( So, I've resolved to find an accountability partner and start moving!!

I know these first few days will not be easy, but I'm hoping that early mornings will find me walking outside with the Lord and the beautiful sunrise!! Nothing beats spending time with Him first thing in the morning. I'm looking forward to it!! Problem is, I'm not a very good morning person. I've always wanted to be, but neither was my momma!! :) My precious hubby rises with the roosters and always has. Lucky him! Whatever the case, my 7am is going to turn into 6am and those tired, old legs (Lord willing) are going feel the shock of early morning movement!! :)

And, to whoever will join me, $1 goes to each day that I don't do it!! (You know this can add up!)

With that kind of commitment, I'm too broke not to exercise!!! LOL!!

I'm remembering the kid's BQ verse, "Bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things.." (Sorry, I'm not good w/references) But it did say that bodily exercise does profit, even if it is a little :)

~Dar

Happy Mother's Day!!!

When I think of perfection in Mothering, my precious momma comes to mind!! I am so blessed by her love, compassion, generosity, patience and true meekness!! She's a true giver, not just to her family, but to everyone! She never meets a stranger.

If I were to sum up her lifestyle, it would be in this one sentence:

She shows the love of God in a practical way every day of her life!

I love you, Momma!!!

~Darla

P.S. The boys are doing just what it looks like! Nursing Anna's cabbage patch twins!!! (I had just recently weaned them....lol) This picture was taken about a year ago :)

A Note of Encouragement to our Bible Quiz Family!

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.....

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth....

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."

Ephesians 6:10-13, 14, 17

A Roman soldier's girdle was a strong belt which wrapped around his loins, binding the armour tight to his body, and preventing it from interfering with the freedom of his action.

The girdle braced him up, gave him a sense of firmness and a consciousness of compact and concentrated force.

See the application: Take the TRUTH, and wrap it round about your life. Wear it like a belt, to give you strength. Let it gather up the whole of your life, and bind it into compactness. Don't allow your life to be loose, indefinite, limp and inconclusive. Let it be firm, assured and decisive.

The Apostle Paul wore this belt and nothing could intimidate him. This belt gave him a sense of power as he cried out, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me!"

Are we wearing the belt today? Are we trying to live the Christian life without daily revelations, without the sustaining power of the mighty truths which Christ made known?

Revealed truth is the dynamic of the spiritual life.

~devotional by Rev. J. H. Jowett

Now, you dear Bible Quiz Family! Each day of your labor in the Word is sharpening you and your child's weapon for spiritual warfare. The Word is Truth! In today's society there is doctrinal confusion on every side. That is why it is so important to tighten the belt of truth around us while we carry this precious Sword.

Remember that Bible Quizzing is only a tool to tighten it! It's repetitiveness will seal His Word deep in the root system of our minds and hearts!

Be encouraged today!! You are saturating your Home with the wonderful Word of God!!

It will be WORTH IT!!!

Blessings!
Darla

The Day That Gave Us Freedom

Today we are remembering....

The broken body of our Lord. His pain and suffering. His tears and blood flowing from a heart of love.

This day, over 2,000 years ago, was the day we began our liberation as Gentiles. He died for our freedom! Every time I see an American flag flying high and so proudly, I choke back tears of thankfulness for the men who paid the price for our freedom. Singing the patriotic songs always brings a soberness to me. I'm not a political fanatic (as my dad is :), but I understand that I am living the American Dream because somebody sacrificed their life for it.

That freedom is simply not compared to this one, though. You can be in the darkest prison, the loneliest of situations...you can be locked behind bars...even as a prisoner of war...but no one can really bind your spirit! I've seen cancer with it's ugliest face overcome a child of God and I knew they were not truly bound. The freedom of hope in their eyes proclaimed the Liberty that was given them because of this day! There have been others that have faced fiery trials and seemingly hopeless situations with great faith.

Christmas is awesome with all it's celebrations and the joy of Jesus' birth. But this weekend was the real reason He came. Shouldn't it be celebrated with as much enthusiasm?

Tonight we will carefully read the beautiful story of His suffering. I know my kids won't understand my tears, but one day they will. As Daddy gently holds the Word and explains why He died, I pray that revelation light will come to my children's young minds. And a new, fresh love for the ways of the Lord will illuminate our hearts. It is our hope. Those tough-looking Roman soldiers just thought they had Him bound! :)

Early Sunday morning, as our family tradition goes, we will gather on the front porch and watch the sun rise as we complete the Story of His Resurrection and Power!! Hot biscuits will be steaming from a basket and blankets wrapped around little arms as Daddy leads us in the BEST STORY EVER TOLD!!

What about the Easter bunny? We like the candy, but my 3 year-old twins are scared to death of him! ;)

Blessings to your family on this beautiful weekend of remembrances!

Darla

BQ Winners and Losers

Awwww!! The tournament is over and winning feels SO good! Bringing home a trophy and the glory that follows winning brings a pep in your step and a contagious smile :) We've known that feeling so much over the past few Bible Quiz seasons that the opposite has been quite difficult to welcome. Yesterday we were confident! Practice, practice and more practice! Quoting and quizzing had literally worn me out and the boys :) The April tournament was here and we felt so ready. Our first game was barely won by the last question! Whew!! Thankful to pull through that one. Nerves were in shreds, but a gleam of excitement were in their eyes. Next game...easy win....or so we thought. First time season for our opposing team. Our boys...a little too over confident. Time after time, too many early interruptions and, before we knew it, we had lost. Could it be? Our Championship boys of the March Tournament being defeated by this team? I watched the disappointment in their eyes and my heart felt for them both. As we were leaving the auditorium, another coach-friend of mine was passing by us. "Can you tell me how to eat humble pie?" I asked. She looked at me with sympathy (theirs was the team we had defeated during the first round) This precious coach has always been an encouragement to me! She smiled gently and explained that only a few minutes before had she overheard the team we had just lost to excitedly telling that this was their first win and they were just about to give up and quite Bible Quizzing. I had tears in my eyes now. What this meant to me was that now this team will continue to meditate, memorize and quote God's Word for the next month, anticipating the May Tournament! I shared the wonderful news with our boys and they, too, were thankful that God had turned this crazy loss into a real win! I've said it before and I'll say it again, you can't lose in Bible Quizzing!! There really isn't any BQ losers! :)