"LIFTED UP"

Today is the end of the week and I am so happy we have the weekend to rest....
I have debated on sharing this but I believe in the power of prayer and as always in my home I feel the need for constant prayer. So once again I am asking for your prayers!
This summer has been amazing, and God is so good! We have overcome what I thought and still feel may have been the most difficult thing as a family we have had to endure open heart surgery while Kaitlyn was being moved to North Carolina! I am well and taking care of my family again and only have occasional days of exhaustion left (as well as all the lovely meds) that remind me of Open Heart Surgery! Oh yes, and of course my scar and definite memories but I am strong and feel so overwhelmed with thanksgiving and praise! Kaitly has made some friends and even went to the football game last Friday and had two friends spend the night! Soccer starts in the Spring and I'm sure she'll be on the team scoring goals before we know it!

This week we have been testing my sweet Harrison for ADHD. He has had to go through four days (today is #4) of testing and questioning after questioning and he is OVER IT! During day ones evaluation with Harrison and I the phychologist looked at me and said, "Mom, you realize with this (the teachers) evaluation alone he has a HIGH LEVEL...." I just nodded and said I had an idea. She said she just didn't want me to be surprised! LOL! Really, surprised?? Okay, for 6 years I have just wanted to find the spout for his energy level and DRINK IT! I'm sad but not surprised!
As the days have gone on Harrison is so tired of the "games" - there not fun games mom they just have me read this or answer that or tell them what makes a tornado or how fires start and I just have to sit still for SO LONG! I know, buddy, it's almost over!
I just want to hold my sweet baby boy - the one with colic that wouldn't sleep for 8 months and start over and as we were up all night rocking I just want pray pray pray over him that he wouldn't grow up and be a 6 year old boy that has ADHD..... but it's too late I think it's here and I feel so helpless.... Please pray for us!
More than anything I just want him to feel "normal" and be able to sit still and read and be able to focus on his reading so he won't fall too far behind - actually, more than anything I just want to take this one for him! I NEVER EVER want him to feel different but he is and we all are somehow.... and That is the way God created Harrison - Perfectly in His image - THAT is what I want Harrison to feel ALWAYS!

SO! I read this sweet devotion this morning and of course - God chose it perfectly for me today and I wanted to share part of it (b/c it's long) with you and pray maybe He wanted You to see it today too!

Have a Blessed Day!
Christi

"Engulfed by the floods of life and surrounded by his enemies, David was in a vulnerable place. But he remained strong b/c he knew the One who could bring triumph out of tragedy and victory from defeat. David trusted his mighty Savior b/c their relationship rested ON A ROCK-SOLID, centuries-old covenant that could not be swayed. Like a small child enveloped by his parents' love, David EXPECTED GOD to intervene. Based on what he knew of God's character and his covenant promise to his people. David expected redemption. His hopes were not in vain. GOD REACHED DOWN AND PULLED DAVID UP FROM THE DEPTHS.
The ONE who rescued David still waits for his people to call on him during WHATEVER trials they face. The God who lifted David to new heights and gave him a song to sing wants to reach down from on high to lift your spirits and help you rise above your circumstances.
What can you do when the storm breaks? Where do you turn when your world seems to crumple around you? You're not in this alone! Follow David's lead and run to God, who wants to be your stronger tower. Look to God to regenerate your strength. Just as David did,... cry out to the Lord for help. Then SING PRAISES when he reaches down to LIFT YOU UP!"
Praise God, We are Never alone!

Back to School Prayer

A sweet friend sent me the most perfect "Back to School Prayer" and I really wanted to share it with you..... I tried to cut and paste but several tries later I was still unable soooooo I decided to post it! This is definately one I want to have forever and will be so happy I put it in our family blog - that I'm turning into a book (maybe I'll remember it and share it with the mommies and daddies of my own grandbabies one day :) Enjoy and copy.... and pray it over your babies - big and small and grandbabies!!

Lord, I entrust my child to You as he/she
goes to school. May they sense your
presence throughout the day. Help them
to focus and concentrate and enjoy
learning. Protect them from harm and
keep their feet on YOUR path. Grant them
good friends and the ability to be a friend
to those who are lonely. May they be a
light to classmates who do not know Jesus.
I pray for their teacher. Grant them
wisdom, understanding, and love for each
child. May YOUR blessing rest upon my
child, the teacher, all the students, and
the school.
In Jesus' Holy name, Amen.

First Week of 1rst Grade!

This was Harrison's first week back to school! He is in the first grade now and I can hardly believe it! In my mind he's still so little but he is growing and growing and .... I'm so proud of the sweet first grader he is! This summer was a really BIG growing time for Harrison especially because he was really my helper ALOT! In fact the other day I was sitting in the bathroom talking to Jason about how I really was having a yucky morning and I just could not shake this "hot flash" and nasia. Harrison walks up without a word and hands me a cold, wet washcloth and put it on my neck! WOW! What a sweet boy - he has helped his mommy out so much this summer that he knew just what to do to help me feel better!! He's so thoughtful!! I really am so proud of him!!
ANYHOW!! This week he went to his new class with his new friends and he was little nervous.... he said he "wasn't prepared" :) I assured him he was and he'd be great! After day one I picked him up and he got in the car saying "MOM, first grade isn't bad at all!" As soon as we got home Jason said, "hey, buddy! how was first grade?? Harrison said, "good!" "So what was your favorite part?" Harrison goes, "leaving!" LOL!! He is so funny! We wiped out!
He really does have a sweet teacher and I know God chose her especially for Harrison - there are many things about her that "make since" in Harrison's life and I know we're going to have another sweet year at Crosswind!!
I do have a picture of He and Mrs. Shelton I'm going to try to download it.... we shall see??!!

Have a Blessed Day!
Christi

I will Praise thee, Oh Lord with my Whole Heart... Psalm 9:1

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
Faith in my father and creator.... the true physician - I am feeling more and more like "Christi" everyday!
Hope in my future as a wife, mommy, daughter and friend - life will be sweeter and more appreciated for sure!
Love for all of you that have supported me and helped me and loved me and my family through this incredibly tough time in our life!

But most importantly love for my amazing husband that stood by me and helped me and has been the mommy and daddy for over a month now! In the hardest of times you find what you are really made of and I couldn't be more proud of Who he/you Really ARE! I love you even more now than I ever dreamed!!

Love for my sweet children... they have been AMAZING! STRONG! and HELPFUL! During this time they have grown more and more independent - one entire week Kaitlyn was the mommy-taking care of everyone! She even did a school project for a friend :) She will be a FABULOUS mommy one day! We miss her laughs and tickles and creativity already!! Once she moved to Charlotte Harrison- not suprisingly, became the amazing helper (even sitting with Lilly Ann as she potty trained - counting and singing abc's so she'd sit long enough to "get it all out:)" and making waffles one morning.. and Lilly Ann- well, I just know we will spend the rest of our lives holding our breath and watching her go - she's brave, independent and, well.... Lilly! She knows no boundaries - she actually made the decision to potty train during this time of recovery - and she's practically done it herself! She's doing great!!

Thank you all! For your patience with me and continuouse love and support! The meals were precious to me!! God perfectly planned them out and they stopped this week - the week I feel closer to the "old Christi" than I have since surgery!! What wonderful friends and family you all are - It means the world to me TRUELY!!
I am stronger and stronger each day!
God is so good!!

I know I have not been good at updating my blog lately - my desire and strength when I have a moment has not been there - in a free moment I have just wanted to rest rest rest! Right now I am feeling strong and anxious to update you all on our summer!! However, my computer will not allow me to download anymore picst to my Blog - it kicks me out! I am going to have to figure out how to get my 100000's of pictures off and safely somewhere else so I can add new ones and share them with you - sorry.... shouldn't be long :)

Love you!
Christi

Here is all I could get to take on my computer... I'm still working on it :)


The kids have been so amazing! In June, we went to the lake and then to the beach returning literally the day before I left for Minnesota for my open heart surgery.... it feels like a lifetime ago but with the summer coming to an end I want to update you and get back on track.... here are A LOT of just pictures..... of us before and after the surgery.... enjoy! I love you all
!!
Christi (not really a lot of pics - as I said... sorry)

One Sweet Night Out with Friends!!

Do you ever feel like you are surrounded by the most amazing friends and family ever! Like even more than any other time in your whole life?! I DO!
I have grown up in this city and have always had friends around me! But NEVER in my life have I been so surrounded by and loved by so many people!
My cup is overflowing!
God has blessed me with such an enormous amount of Precious God Fearing people in my life that I can't explain how amazing it feels!
I feel like I truly am part of this perfectly orchestrated "plan" and at the moment I feel I am directly in it - like the center of the plan?! I know it's not clear and maybe even sounds a little cheesy but there is no doubt in my mind that this entire "EVENT" was so divinely orchestrated for "such a time as this." These people were perfectly placed in my life at this time intentionally! At this time so that I would be surrounded by and loved by so many and prayed for by so many.....
Praise God He is in control -and I just love it when it's crystal clear!

So, some of these amazing friends of mine... organized a sweet going away dinner for me and we all met at Benihana's! (God's own little heaven on earth :) YUMMMMM!!! There were 21 girls together, eating, laughing, loving and then of course I cried -but it was so precious and sweet and amazing and I felt so loved by them all! Together they bought me dinner and a sweet care bear to take with me to surgery - since they couldn't come to Minnesota, AND the most beautiful necklace! Sterling silver with a cross and a circle. A local artist made it with her own hands and it was so perfect! I love them all so much and thank them for a wonderful night out with friends.... YOU ALL MADE ME FEEL SO LOVED!!
Thank you from the bottom of me "new heart!" :)

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

Here's to new beginnings!......sigh....And the next chapter in our lives! What a sweet weekend we had Memorial Day Weekend! This has been such an emotional roller coaster for me on so many levels and now...... it was here! The End of Kindergarten! Kait's Going Away Party (because SHE IS MOVING TO NORTH CAROLINA! )and Our last weekend on the boat (for who knows how long... we sold the boat)! It was such a bitter sweet weekend for us and I just kept replaying it over and over in my head.... I loved being together... laughing and playing and being silly and loving on each other (that would be the sweet) but uuuuuuuuuggggggghhhhh does this really really really HAVE to happen?! There is no question that where our treasures are - Weather it's in NORTH CAROLINA or a FIRST GRADE class or PRESCHOOL or..... in Collierville while I'm NOT(during my upcoming surgery)! THERE MY HEART WILL SURELY BE!! So.... Here's to a new beginning for all of us! Harrison finished - COMPLETELY - Kindergarten May 27th!! He had his sweet program on Friday and I want to begin there.... we will really miss Mrs. Beesinger - even though she will only be down the hall, and we'll visit her often! I have already begun to pray for our first grade teacher.... I'm sure she'll be precious!
Next..... KAITLYN'S GOING AWAY PARTY! We had a going away party for Kaitlyn - or rather for her friends to say goodbye to Kaitlyn. It was a BIG HIT! Kait and Best Friend, Hope, Hope's sister Rachel and another friend Natalie helped to decorate the Hawaiian Luau themed gym at Forest Hill Community Church. It was so cute!! The original idea was that we would have the party at our house but with the weather being so questionable we worried the back yard would be a swamp so we opted for the church and it was the perfect place! The "big kids" had a basketball hoop and karaoke and indoor seating as well as outdoor tables and chairs. The little kids had a gym to ride their big wheels in and lots of room to run and play! It was perfect for everyone and it was DRY! Kait and all her friends just meangled around and ate and sang Karaoke and had hula hoop contests and..... everyone got Henna Tattoos! As you walked in the front door Kait's friend Natalie had a table set up with a slide show on her computer of Kaitlyn with her friends as well as all these cute pics of Kaitlyn with her family AND a large frame where everyone signed a sweet goodbye note to Kaitlyn! It was such a sweet night for her! She is soooooooo loved and will be missed so much by all her friends AND FAMILY!!! WE LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH, KIKI!!

and... Memorial Day Weekend...on the boat - the last time....(sighhhh) for now!
We hope to have another boat later but with the surgery expenses it was a really smart thing for us to do to help with bills (who knows how expensive open heart surgery will really be??!! UGHH!) SO... it totally stinks but we all love the boating so much I know one day we will be blessed again with more Lake fun!
Jason and the kids and I obviously were all there, Brian and Tina, Jack and Lauren and Nana (Papa was recooperating from nemonia) and my dad, Grandaddy (Susu was out of town at her daddy's house in Byrdstown, TN - visiting family) each came at one time or another.... as well as the RAIN!! Again! We pumped right through it pulling over here and there and running from and in storms to get dry.... the kids had a ball, the grown ups did too and it was a sweet weekend together!
Even Lilly Ann decided to tube this time - lucky for her she has such a sweet big sister to go along and hold her tight - she braved the lake with Lauren and Kait and then the tube.... my little fearless girl (our boy with a bow - we call her) I think we will probably spend the rest of our lives holding our breath and letting her go.... she is so sure she's 6 already and to hear her talk I wonder sometimes too!

Kaitlyn was a really important person for this trip too b/c we knew she'd be moving soon after and at the time we didn't know we'd sell the boat so thank goodness she was there - and she ROCKED the new knee board! We are always amazed watching her... she's so incredibly determined!!! No matter what it is she sets her mind too... she won't stop until she's accomplished it! She'll probably run some company somewhere (or the country)one day!
And my sweet Harrison - I don't know who will miss the boat the most but he and Kait are definately top two or three! He's totaly in his element (reminds me of his daddy) when he's on that boat! He loves to go fast and he loves to fish and I swear he'll live on a Lake someday - it's him! Completely! And as long as Jack is there - life is totally good! I love that they are 3 months apart - they act like brothers and love so sweetly! Between the two our entertainment is complete - they are a hoot together!! Jack will absolutely be entertaining somewhere somehow forever! and Harrison he'll probably be wherever his family is... I imagine he and Jack won't be far from one another!
God is so good and our family is just so wonderful! Well, since I'm talking about all the kids I have to of course mention my sweet Lauren.... my American Girl Doll! Her sweet freckles and always painted fingers and perfectly matching outfits and sweet sweet heart, and beautiful face and disposition and just EVERYTHING! She is so wonderful! She takes such good care of my Lilly and really everyone! She will be an amazing mommy one day! I love watching her and listening to her sweet giggle.... she and Lilly Ann are about the same age difference as she and Kaitlyn and it's really neat how God worked it all out that way - Lilly thinks she totally hung the moon and to have both she and Kaitlyn.... Lil's was in heaven! And they never left her out!!