FEET

Izabell and I had a girl's night tonight. It was the first time in a LONG time that I have sat and rocked her in the rocking chair. It's not near as easy as it used to be and she's really squirmy, but it felt good.

I couldn't help but compare our feet. The women in our family all have the same hands and feet. It's a very strong gene.

The end of the school year is here and that means we are busy, busy, busy. I have portfolios to finish, graduations to attend (and plan), concerts, recitals, etc. This picture was taken last Sunday before the Awana's award ceremony. That's one less thing that we will have to fit into our schedule for now. I am still trying to figure out why everything shuts down for the summer. We should learn to alternate this stuff. Maybe some things need to be moved to the summer so that we are not totally overloaded August through May.

Anyway, I plan to spend as much time as I can with Izabell this summer because last summer was over before I realized it was here.

Gone Fishin'

Izabell caught her first fish.

We went to Jessica's Graduation party on Petite Jean Saturday. We had a great time, eat great food, and Izabell learned to fish.

I realize that it is a small little brim, but she did it all by herself. I am so proud of her. I am also proud of Jessica, who now has a Masters and a 4.0. Wow!

Sorghum Hollow-The Series (part 3)

Okay, the last stop on our adventure over Spring Break. If you've ever looked at my blog you can probably recognize it. My favorite place in Arkansas, Half-Bushel. Izabell and I sat on the rocks with our feet in the water until we decided that we could not live on water and sunshine alone. So we made our way out of the wilderness and found food. We could have stayed longer, but neither of us can fish. Can you believe that this country girl doesn't fish?

Anyway, there it is. The end of the series. Mom, sorry it has taken so long. I attempted to post the other day, but my computer wont connect to the internet for some reason. Maybe my next post will be sooner.

Sorghum Hollow- The Series (part 2)

These pictures were taken at a place we call "the ford". Not sure why we call it that, but we do. Anyway, we couldn't drive all the way, so we parked the car and started walking. I began to fear snakes for a while and then realized that I was being silly. It was early Spring and still quite cool, so it was not likely that we would happen upon many snakes. Bears, however, were a possibility. And they might be hungry if they just woke up. And we were getting too far from the car to beat a bear back if it just happened to want to chase us down and eat us.
Isn't it funny how your imagination can go wild if you let it?


Izabell sat on that rock for what seemed like forever. (Appearantly long enough for me to talk myself into being scared of something that was not there.) But after a while, I persuaded her to head back to the car so that we could go to another one of my favorite places. And the name of that place is .................
Tune in tomorrow for another exciting episode of Sorghum Hollow- The Series.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been reading A Call to Die by David Nasser. Well, I just started feeling very convicted that I needed to become more focused in my Bible study. So, I got out the book that Kathy gave me over a year ago, The Daily Message, which is the bible broken down into daily doses that you should be able to go thrown in a year. It's not in cronological order, but I like the Message version, and it has a description of each book in the back. So I started reading the descriptions of each book and decided that I would study Deuteronomy. It's a really long sermon, and I like sermons, so it sounds like a great place to start. So I looked in the index which directed me to page 345, went there and guess what day of the year it starts on. March 27. So, I guess that's where I'll start.

Sorghum Hollow-The Series

If you know me, or have ever read my blog, you know that the two things in these pictures are two of my very favorite things in this world. The first being, of course, my daughter. The other is the place where I grew up, Sorghum Hollow. Yesterday, Izabell and I went to the "holler" to look at the beautiful water. I knew that it would be flowing nice because of all of the rains we have had. In these pictures Izabell is standing on the low water bridge. This is one of her favorite places to swim in the summer, but when it is flowing, it's not at all safe to swim in. Dad said that just a couple of days ago, the water was still rushing over the top of the bridge. Yesterday, it was just barely below it. I got to tell Izabell the story of when her uncle Rickey got sucked under. I love telling her stories about when I was little, because she really wants to hear them. She even retells them to anyone who will listen.

I will be posting more blogs about yesterday because, somehow, I took way too many pictures. I can't decide which ones to post. Therefore, I will be making it into a series. So, stay tuned.

A Hunting We Will Go

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!
I LOVE THIS PICTURE,TOO!
OKAY, I LOVE THEM All.
We went to the FBC Easter Egg Hunt today. Izabell got to do all kinds of fun things. She blew bubbles, rode a horse, hunted eggs and got her face painted. But my favorite thing to watch was when she forgot all about the eggs and decided to chase the butterfly. That's what she's doing in this last picture. Oh, and my other favorite thing was when she gave one of her eggs to a boy who showed up late and didn't get any eggs. She even gave him her pink egg, which was her favorite. I'm not sure that he was as thrilled as I was about it, but it was sweet anyway.

Spring Break

Hey, Ethan! I hope you love these pictures. This is our first day of Spring Break. Have a great Easter.

SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meet the Murrays. That's me on the left. I was much more beautiful the first time, before I broke my head off and had to start over. The first set was much more detailed and quite cute. But between my clumsiness and Izabell's disobedience, we had to start over and we both wore out before we finished the second time.

I spent most of the night on the couch with a fan in my face because I was so hot, so I was a little surprised when Izabell woke me up this morning and said, "Mom, look outside. It's white." I had totally forgotten about the chance of snow, which is not like me. I love snow. I love the look, feel, taste, and smell of snow. (I also love staying home from school.) I was worried the first time I took Izabell out in the snow. It was a few months after she began walking. I bundled her up with much excitement and we headed out into the snow. It didn't work out well. She didn't so much love the snow. I forced a few poses out of her but I didn't get smiles. Last year we got to spend a little bit of time in the snow, but she still didn't show much excitement. So, I was quite relieved this morning when she begged to go out and play in the snow. She still didn't last as long as I did before she needed to go in, but at least there's hope.

Hiking

Here's my little tree hugger. We went on a hike today with the Awanas group from church. Before we left Ms. Becky prayed for protection on our trip. While hiking, Izabell said "God's keeping us safe because Ms. Becky prayed for Him to." Isn't it great that she is so trusting of God? Wouldn't it be great if we all could be so secure in God? She also thanked God for making all of the beautiful things that we saw on our hike. I love that she is so appreciative of these simple things that we take for granted. I thank God for making Izabell so wonderfully.

Psalm 119

33 Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end.34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.35 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.*38 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.40 I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.

Blessed

We started a new series at church this week. Darrell did an excellent job of reminding us of how blessed we are. I tend to focus more on my blessings that come from the people who love me than I do on my material blessings, although I do realize that I am more than blessed there also.

Well, I haven't thought of the sermon much since Sunday, until now. I have spent the past hour or so reviewing my old blog posts. Wow, am I thankful now that I started a blog. I really take for granted that I will just remember things. Some of those entries seemed so distant from my memory that it was almost like reading someone elses thoughts. I was reminded of some pretty important lessons that I have learned and also how many wonderful friends I have. I started this blog close to two years ago. I read some of the comments that my friends wrote and that got me to thinking of how our relationships have grown since then. I love you guys (and gals). I AM SO BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flashback

I have battled with trying to see myself in my daughter. I secretly wanted her to be a little "mini me", but in my eyes she has always resembled my sister. Not just physically, but in her actions and attitude mostly. Well, over the holidays, I got the privilege of being around all of the family that I usually only see on Christmas (or if someone gets married or dies). I couldn't even begin to count all of the times I heard, "She looks just like you did". You can imagine how much I love to hear this. But also, I was told that some of her behaviors did, in fact, come from me.
So, as I was browsing through my pictures, I felt that I should post this one of our trip to Branson this past summer. We are climbing a look-out tower on Highway 7. I have pictures of my brother, sister and me on the top of this thing when we were kiddos. I'm just wondering how I got up there, because I didn't make it past the second level this time.
Well, I am relieved to find out that she may very well be my little "mini me" after all. But she does have her own unique personality that, I am convinced, is going to leave a mark on this earth somehow.

Holiday

Here are some pictures of the most precious children ever-or at least the most precious looking children. I got to spend some time with all of my family over the holidays. I just finished having supper with my dad. That was pretty great because it has been many years since we've had time together at Christmas. Anyone who hasn't experienced the awesome gift of forgiveness probably wouldn't understand why it means so much to me to have dinner with my dad on Christmas day. It's amazing how you can hold on to anger and resentment for so many years, and then it melts away so quickly through love and forgiveness that only God can give you and teach you.

Anyway, I had a great Christmas. My brother was at Grandma's house walking around and looking very healed. Not completely healed, but greatly healed. Thank you God.

I hope that all of my friends and family also had a great Christmas.

Love you all.

I'm back. I dont have time to make a proper blog at the moment, but I plan to get back to it since I now have a new computer. Things will be much simpler now that everything works properly.
Maybe after Christmas, I can post some holiday pictures.

How Great Thou Art

Last year when I began blogging, one of my first entries told of this place. Half Bushel swimming hole down in the "holler". Sorghum Hollow Rd that is. It's beauty has been captured in a painting and many photos. I probably have enough photos of it to make a book. When you are there, you can't help but be in awe of God's marvelous works.
My dad told me a few months ago that it will soon be dammed up and used as a water source for the surrounding counties. A water treatment plant will be placed on the property in front Grandma's house. This place that is home to my family and a peaceful retreat for me will be a big lake that we cannot swim in.
Izabell and I went swimming there the other day and as we were leaving a couple of girls came to swim. I began wondering if this is going to be as devastating to anyone else. They can find another creek to swim in. But this place is home to me. This is where my heart and soul feel comforted. This place holds valuable family memories. I wanted to make it the same for my daughter.
My daughter just came to me as I finished the last sentence and saw this picture and said, "That's my creek. Can we go swimmin' at the creek?"
So, hate to cut this short, but I have to go get on my bathing suit.
Love y'all.

On July 4, 2007 my family celebrated Independence Day. I was sad that I would miss this celebration with my family, but very excited about where I was. I was at the International Worship Institute in Grapevine, TX. I would be there for many days, and Wednesday the 4th was my first full day. I am just now beginning to see the irony in this.
First let me take you on a journey through that day.
~7:45 am: Choir practice
~9:00 am: Erik Eskelund taught a session titled "Who are you listening to? (The Wild Adventure of Hearing God's Voice)"
This is where I began to realize how much I was letting the distractions of the world hold me back from really listening to and worshipping God. Erik said that there is no way to accommodate God and the world. HMMM? Really? That's exactly what I have been trying to do.
~10:30 am: Worship lead by Lindell Cooley
This is where God broke me and started to heal me by dancing with me. If you don't understand all of this, you will think I am crazy, but He held me and danced with me and let me cry. This is also where I really got the meaning of the phrase "Pathway into His Presence". Lindell Cooley provided the music and the words and the atmosphere and then stepped out of the way and let God come in. It wasn't Lindell's spotlight, it was God's.
~11:45 am: Choir Practice with Tommy Walker
This was the most fun I have ever had. In about 3 hours we learned 9 songs. I had never heard any of these songs before, but I now have the CD. The picture in this blog is of Linda. She is the alto in Tommy's band and she taught us our parts. She also mentored me without knowing it. God's love flowed through her like crazy. She didn't seem the least bit proud, even thought she has the most fabulous voice. Thursday night we got to lead worship with them. This was very humbling to me. I couldn't figure out how I got there. Why would God let me have such an amazing experience. I was leading worship with people who do this professionally and in front of people from all over the world. I realized that nobody new who I was, or anyone else in the choir for that matter, but we still helped to lead them into the presence of God. Oh, what a responsibility. Oh, what an honor.
~2:45pm: Lindell Cooley lead a session titled "The Coming Sound"
Once again, I was taught that we were designed to minister to the Lord and quit trying to please the church. He said, "at the end of the best I have-it is still average." and "worship that does not come from our spirit does not please God".
~4:00 pm: Worship lead by Tim Hughes and Message-Leading like Jesus by Ross Parsley
I was still processing what I had learned during the day, but I did get one important thought that will never leave me. "We want to be servants until we get treated like servants". That hit me hard. We ask to be servants because that's what we know Jesus would do. But I guess I always had in my head that acting as a servant would bring me nothing but joy. But when people treated me as the servant that I asked God to make me, I didn't feel joy. I felt victimized. Wow. I was getting what I had asked for, but it wasn't producing the outcome that I had expected.

So, to wrap this up, I had my own Independence Day. I am free to worship in a way that is pleasing to God, not to the people of this world. I am free of the fear of judgement from the people of this world. I am free to create a pathway into His presence for the people of this world.

She's Here

My sister had her baby yesterday morning. Her name is Gracie Renee and she is beautiful. Izabell insists that she is going to be "the best big sister". I have told her that they are cousins, but she's not satisfied with that. Of course, after seeing Gracie, I believe that they could be sisters. As I was holding her, she would make little faces that reminded me of Izabell as a baby. Of course her head is about half the size of Izabell's at the time of birth, which is not fair. Maybe that's why Chelsea continues to have children and I don't.

Izabell did so well holding her. She rubbed her head gently, kissed her, and played with her toes. She was amazed by the tiny feet. Maybe someday Izabell will be a great big sister. But not anytime soon.

So, anyway, here's our new baby. She's beautiful and healthy. Thank you God.

Bell's Bath

Okay, I realize that I am chancing it by putting nude photos on my blog, but all of the "private parts" have been cropped out and there are a total of 3 people who ever even look at my blog, so I guess it will be okay.

I had to put this on my blog to show that I AM the best mom in the world. How many people let their 3 year old cut loose with a squirter in the bathroom and "wash Mommy's walls"? I know that my mother would have beat me. Of course, she would let her grandchildren do it, but that's one of those rules in the grandmother handbook. Rule #3- Let your grandchildren get away with anything that their parents would not allow, especially if you would have beaten them for doing it.

Okay, I'm done being silly. Seriously, I know that I am not the best mother in the world. There are many great mothers in the world and I know several of them. I have a great mom and my grandmothers are all great, too. But I have had to get out my old textbooks about behavior management and child discipline and positive guidance and whatever else they choose to call it. I think I have forgotten all that I thought I knew about disciplining a child. Or maybe I didn't forget. Is it possible that Izabell needs her own book? Oh, wait, maybe she already has one. Raising the Strongwilled Child. Does anyone have a copy of it that I could borrow? Maybe if I live through raising Izabell and niether of us are scarred too badly, I will write my own book called, How to survive the Strongwilled Child.

Well, I feel that I have painted a negative picture, so I am going to take a moment to clarify. I love my daughter, and God made her special for me. He knew how to challenge me and how to reward me. I wouldn't trade Izabell for any other kid. Maybe a dog. No. I like her better than anything else on this earth. And, concerning the picture, she was only allowed to spray the mirror-not the wall. And she did ask mommy first.