Mini vacation...well, sorta!

If parents of young children take their kids to a fun destination for a couple days is it still called a vacation?  I think maybe it's just a "trip" or "getaway", but it's not really a "vacation" is it?  Everyone who isn't playing "man-to-man" defense with their children anymore is gonna get my drift.  We've been playing "zone" for about 3 1/2 years now, so anywhere we go with our kids is a slight challenge.  Let me explain...

Casey and I have been wanting to take our kids somewhere for a while now, but we've really never done anything but the usual Wisconsin Dells run, Jellystone Park camping, or Henry Vilas Park zoo trip.  I don't really know why, but I think this was the underlying thought, "Can we really take all of our kids on a trip a couple hours away alone?  Yikes!"  Well, this past Friday, we did it!  We left work early, picked up our kids from daycare, and left!  Well, it was supposed to go that smoothly, but when Casey picked up Noah and Stella from daycare, Noah ended up throwing up in our babysitters driveway!  Yes, I am serious!  We weren't about to let that stand in our way though.  We paid for three days in a cabin up north, and darnit, we were going!  We grabbed a big deli bucket, threw it in the van and took off.  C'mon, he looks good enough to go, doesn't he?  He's just squinting trying to make the nausea go away!  : )

 

Stella is ready!

See!  Totally fine!

Well, I decided to drive.  Thank God because Noah decided he was gonna get sick about half way to our cabin, and Casey has much better reflexes than me.  All the puke got in the bucket!  Mess avoided!

The cabin we were staying in was in Warrens, WI.  Let me tell you, I don't know about your GPS, but ours has no idea where that is.  Actually, it could get us to Warrens, but had no idea where our cabin was.  This has nothing to do with anything, but on our way to Warrens, we went through a town called Elroy.  Was there an American Idol contestant from Elroy?  I swore there was, but Casey says "no".  Someone please tell me that I am not imagining this! 

Ok, so we got there...in one piece.  Here are some pictures of us in our cabin.



Caleb and Stella snugglin' by the fireplace.  Yes, I am aware Caleb looks like Kermit The Frog here.





The boys picked me some wildflowers that were growing outside.  How sweet!



Daddy and Noah.  Noah must be feeling better if he can try to make a scary face.



Daddy, don't you know that letting children hang over the rail in the loft is dangerous? 



Our cabin was pretty great!  It had two private bedrooms, and a loft with four beds, a full kitchen with dishes and a dishwasher!  It also had a living room with a fireplace that opened up to the dining room and loft area.  It was just like a house!  Way better than staying in a hotel.  The best part was...these cabins were linked with a hotel so we were able to utilize all their amenities.  The kids liked the waterpark.

 

Probably the best thing about our trip was the air show we got to go see in Camp Douglas.  Of course, our GPS had a hard time getting us there, but we ended up making it.  Betty, as we like to call it, told us to go through a fence.  I am glad we didn't because there were armed people at Camp Douglas.  We had to go through security to even get in the place.  There were cars being stopped and searched too.  Here are some pictures from the air show.

How cool is this one?  It says Wisconsin on the tail!



The trip to Camp Douglas was an unexpected event, and it, by far, was our favorite thing.  We got to see some fly over demonstrations, and one of the pilots names was Chili Dog!  No Goose or Maverick here!  The kids even got to sit in a chopper, and that Wisconsin plane that you saw above, we got to tour that!  We also got some great burgers and hot dogs...yum!

Next, we went to a place called Grandpa Nick's Petting Farm.  I can't say much about Grandpa Nick's except that it was strange.  They had six animals named Butterscotch, and one animal that's name was Duke the Luke.  That's Duke...not Luke.  That's what the tour guide told us anyway.  He was maybe a 13 year old boy.  I think he was just making up animal names as he went along.  I had to try hard not to laugh.  We did see some cool animals though, everything from robo hamsters to llamas...and, yes, they spit!  Oh, our kids got to pet a rooster and feed some pigs.  That was cool!  Here are a few pictures from Grandpa Nick's.  (I really never saw Grandpa Nick, and I am still wondering where he was.)





I forgot to tell you about the hidden treasure trail.  We wanted to do it, but about fifty feet down, Stella got bit by something and flipped out, so we turned around and went back to our cabin.  : )  Here's a picture of the beginning though!  Onward, Noah! 

The little kids were really tired after Grandpa Nick's, so I took them back to the cabin, and Casey took Isaac and Caleb black light mini golfing, and swimming again.  I wanna go black light mini golfing next time.  That sounds cool!

The last thing we got to do at the cabin was make a campfire.  Daddy did a good job too.  The fire stayed lit even after we went inside.  Our poor neighbor campers couldn't even get their fire to stay lit with lighter fluid.  We should've sent Casey over to help them.  Everyone had a fun time making s'mores.  Isaac is a pro smore maker.  I am a pro smore eater!

Well, today brought a whole new set of adventures.  We decided that instead of coming straight home, we would pack everybody up and bring them to La Crosse.  Casey's grandpa is buried there, and we haven't been back since the funeral over five years ago.  So, off we went.  It was only about an hour away from where we were.  We went and saw Grandpa Joanis's old house, and then we took the kids to Chucky Cheese.  I can't believe I am saying this again, but our GPS took us the wrong way...again.  Betty is going in the trash! 

Chucky Cheese was cool.  I haven't been to one of those since it was Showbiz Pizza.  Ya know, with Billy Bob!  Ok, does anyone out there know what I am talking about?  After that, we tried to go to the Mausoleum where Casey's grandpa was buried, but it's closed on the weekends.  I guess we'll have to make another trip during the week sometime.

Homeward bound, and Noah falls asleep.  About thirty minutes into our trip home I say, "Something smells funny."  I even went so far as to roll my window down to make sure the smell was outside the van.  Of course, right after I say that Noah wakes up crying saying, "Have to go to the bathroom.  Waaaaaaaa!"  Oh boy!  We get to the nearest gas station and get Noah out only to find that he's already peed his pants.  Now what?  We have nearly two hours left, and nothing to clean a car seat out with! The only thing I could think of to temporarily cover the seat with was swimming trunks...and it worked just fine.

Now do you understand why I ask the question if a vacation is still a vacation when you bring your little kiddies along with you? 

Vacationing with kids is certainly not easy, but I think one day we will look back at all the chaos and laugh.  Hey, we're making memories.  We may not be world travelers, but that's ok.  Our kids are getting awesome experiences in good old Wisconsin.  Ask them if they had fun.  I bet they'll all have a different story to tell you.  Noah said his favorite part was petting the chickens.  Stella just giggled at it all...

Oh, and one more thing (and my favorite part of the day), somewhere in the country around Bloomington we drove by a place that had a big sign that said "Honk if you love Jesus!"  Because I was driving, I honked a really long honk!  Man, that felt good!  : )

Who are the poor?

Proverbs 19:17 says this, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done." 

Poor...Webster's dictionary #1 definition "Destitute of property; wanting of material riches or goods; needy; indigent"  How about #4 "Worthy of pity or sympathy"

How would you define poor? Dirty, useless, lazy, maybe even a specific race _____, you fill in the blank.  Sounds harsh, I know, but if you're honest you've probably used one of these adjectives to describe someone who is poor. 

What happened to me today will forever change the way I think of these people.

My husband is such a rock star.  For an early mother's day gift, he was going to allow me some time to go clothes shopping for some cute summer stuff!  Alone!  All of those mommas out there know how cherished shopping time alone is.  : )  I didn't buy many summer outfits last year because I still felt half pregnant.  Haha!  That's the reality of having a baby.  Sorry, to all of you non-moms out there that think you're gonna have your body back two weeks postpartum.  Hello...reality check!  Anyway, this shopping trip was, according to me, much needed.

I decided that I would start out by going to the Maurices in Platteville.  For those of you who have been there you know that the turn going into that plaza is a pretty busy place!  Well, as I turned that corner I saw a large older gentleman holding a sign that said, "Homeless.  Anything helps."  What!  A homeless man in Platteville!  Are you kidding me!?!?!?!  If I am honest, those were my first thoughts.  I really didn't think there were homeless people there.  Anyway, I tried to turn the corner without making eye contact with him.  After all, I don't owe him anything.  He probably did something to make himself homeless anyway, right?

I pulled into Maurices and parked my car.  Before I opened my door, I had this overwhelming feeling come over me that said, "Why the heck are you still going to go waste your money on clothes you don't really need when there is a homeless man sitting within walking distance of you?"  So, I sat there in my car alone for awhile.  I don't know why, but I decided to drive my car a little closer to the man.  I mean, just because I parked closer to him didn't mean that I needed to get out and help him.  Well, there I was about fifty feet away from this man.  My heart was pounding out of my chest because I knew I needed to do something, but I didn't know what.  All the sudden a song came on the radio by Jeremy Camp.  Ever heard of "Give Me Jesus"?  http://youtu.be/lnfOMvYd1oE  Listen to it! 

That was enough confirmation for me to get out of the car.  At first I thought I should give him the money I was going to spend on clothes, but after hearing that song, I knew all I needed to give him was Jesus.  Well, I got out of that car and walked over to him.  He looked pretty surprised to see someone approaching him.  This is how the conversation went.  Me, "Hey!"  Him, "Hi."  Me, "You know, I don't know if you have a way to get to Dubuque, but if you can find one, there is a shelter for men there.  It's run by a church."  Him, "Ok, thank you."  I smiled and walked away, and as I walked away I heard this "God bless you."  God bless me?  God bless me!?!?!?!  No, not God bless me, God bless him.  He gave me the biggest reality check that I ever could have been given.  Here I am wasting away money on things, things I don't really need just because I feel like it!

Maybe this whole scene feels very simple to you, but it was one of the most impactful things that has happened to me in a long time.  It made me re-evaluate some things about myself.  I don't really see myself as much of a "thing" person, but maybe I am.  Maybe things do make me happy.  Shouldn't Jesus be enough? 

After that, I drove home.  I came home with empty hands, but a full heart.  A lesson learned from someone that I thought would be the last person on earth to teach me one. 

Give me Jesus.

You can have all this world,

Just give me Jesus.

You said what!?!

Ok, 11:07 p.m. and I am still awake.  I should really be in bed, but my mind is running, and when that happens I find it's good to put pen to paper...or whatever you want to call what I am doing.  I guess it's not really pen to paper anymore.  : )

I don't think I've updated you all on our kiddos for awhile, and I must do that because they are changing every single day.  I got some silly pictures of the kids recently that really captured them in their essence...





Noah is saying "cheese" for you.  Can you tell?

 

I think Caleb looks like Popeye in this picture...just sayin'.

Easter Sunday.  Once again, Noah is on strike!



Me and Stella.  She is just the most precious thing ever....ahhhh, love her to death!

Ok, I saved my favorite picture for last.  Me being mauled by my kiddos is an every day occurrence!

I love that all of these pictures come from an album entitled "funnies".  Ok, I guess I will share one more...

I seriously just snorted when I posted this one.  I cannot help but laugh every time I see this.  I'm sure many of you have seen it, but I have to explain more...So, after dinner one night (Subway obviously...the bags are everywhere and there is a piece of sandwich in this picture) Casey left his glasses on the counter.  Not safe with a three year old.  So without our knowledge, Noah grabbed them, put them on, and said in the deepest "dumb" voice he could muster up,"Hi, I'm Casey!"  Oh my were we rolling on the floor laughing!  Ok, here's one more that I wasn't brave enough to post earlier because he's drooling everywhere and looks crazy, but I just have to share it because it makes me laugh...

Yes, this is the kind of house I live in.  Sounds like a Dr. Seuss book, huh? 

Well, now I need to tell you about the little man Noah is becoming.  He is by far the silliest little sneak in our house.  Noah can be very quiet, which is dangerous!  Quiet = bad in this house.  When you don't hear him, it's time to start searching.  You might find him hiding eating chapstick (Burts Bees being his favorite), locked in the bathroom unrolling lots and lots of toilet paper for no known reason, or hiding under a desk eating a popsicle he snuck.  When asked what he's doing he will hide the popsicle, or whatever he has at the time, behind his back and say,"Uhhhh...nofing!"  Yea, right!  Sometimes when you ask him a question he will answer with a snort.  "Noah, what makes you happy?" "Uhhh...(insert snort here)."  Love him to pieces. 

Then there's Caleb, the human sponge.  I didn't know how sarcastic I was until my five year old started repeating things that I've said before...yikes!  I know you are wondering what has been repeated.  I'm cool with sharing too because I'm sure most of you have been in this boat before.  Well, one weekend while I was away my husband called to tell me that Caleb asked him if he could have a piece of "fricken cheese".  Ok, I didn't think fricken was a bad word, but now it is.  : )  Just yesterday Casey farted on me (yes people, it happens in this house) and Caleb looked at him and said, "You freak!"  Freak = bad word now too.  Oh, Caleb.  Mommy is learning right along with you.



Look at this child.  You'd never think anything like that would come out of his mouth.



Then there's Isaac.  Honestly, I don't have much to say about him except he's just a good kid.  Sure he messes up, and sasses back at times, but he's helpful, he loves his little brothers and sister (especially Stella), has a love for music, he does his chores without slacking much, and most importantly he has a love for Jesus.  I am really proud of the kid he's turned out to be and I can't wait to see what's in store for him because I think he could do something really great.  I try to hint that he should go to a Bible college and join a band.  Not sure if he'll buy into that!  Hey, it's worth a shot! 

Last is Stella.  Precious Stella.  It seriously seems like yesterday when she was this little...



Here, she was only known as baby Thompson 4.



Now she's this silly little thing that talks, and has the biggest smile ever.  She says things like "I want more pizza!"  She says "No" really good too.  She's compassionate...when a brother gets a boo boo she says,"What happened?" She gives kisses, and she really likes popsicles.  She calls them pickles, so we're really never sure whether she wants a pickle or a pickle or a pickle.  All which are translated to pickle, popsicle, or cucumber.  Get it?  : ) 

Not to get controversial on you all, but I really have to throw this in there.  There is a Bible verse that says "Don't you see that children are God's best gift?  The fruit of the womb his generous legacy?  I think we have been so blessed with these kiddos, they have taught us so much about love and loving others.  They love us unconditionally, even on our worst days.  I don't know about you, but I really admire the way my kids can love people and show love, even if it's as simple as coloring a picture for someone who's having a bad day.  I wish I could learn to love more like a child.  So, anyway, I believe we were gifted these little ones as are people that adopt children or are foster parents to children even for a short time.  Not a whole lot of gifts are better than that of a child. 

Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven - Henry Ward Beecher

The Journey Continues...

I think when I started this blog I had good intentions of making it all about my kids and the funny things that happen to us throughout a typical day.  To my surprise, this blog morphed into something more like a faith journey...my faith journey.  I hope you take so much more away from this than you would have from a blog about our kiddos.

It's hard to believe, but this picture was taken one year ago today.  Every time I look at it it stirs up one of the most precious memories to me ever.  I think if you took off those big old sunglasses (which just so happen to be my favorite), you would definitely see some tear streaked cheeks.  I think this particular Sunday will be forever engrained as one of the most powerful days of my adult life thus far. 

I know several of you have read about my trip to California, and how I felt God literally swept me up and changed the direction of my life, so I won't waste your time rewriting that story.  Besides, you can just go back to the old blogs and read about it.  : )  What I do want to share is one particular detail of that day.  It was just the fact that I walked into that church not really knowing what to expect, and I was completely taken over.  If you are a music person like myself, you never forget what song was playing when _____ (fill in the blank).  Ya know what I mean?  I remember walking into church and the song Forever Reign was being performed.  When I say the word performed, I really mean it.  It wasn't just a song sung because.  It was a worship team playing this song with every ounce of their being.  It was a song that was performed for Jesus.  If you have never heard it, you need to.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au3EGgISYMc&feature=player_detailpage  Isn't that just one of the most powerful songs ever?  When I wrote about the tear streaked cheeks, this song would be what started that.  It was a good thing.  It was the beginning of a powerful journey that I am so thankful to be on.

The one year anniversary of that day found itself being celebrated with the opportunity to play worship music myself.  Doesn't God have the funniest sense of humor?  I had no clue what I would be doing today, but He did.  When that revelation came to me that I would be playing on that very same day, I was so overcome with emotion.  I was literally getting ready for work, trying to put my make-up on, but that wasn't gonna happen because my eyes literally filled with tears.  I know, I'm such a sap, but I couldn't help it because to me that was God's way of showing me how much He loved me.  He knows exactly what brings me the greatest joy. 

I know this particular story was mine, but really, it applies to everyone.  When we pick up our cross and follow Him, so many things that we thought were impossible become possible.  So many dreams that we thought were lost become reality. 

I pray that this Sunday was a blessing to you, that wherever you choose to worship you feel nourished, that the music and message would just permeate your soul.

This is one of the last pictures that I took while I was in California.  It reminds me of something I read once that made so much sense...

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.  -C.S. Lewis

2011 Reviewed

Well, another year has come and gone.  I can't believe it!  I am not sure if time really flies when you get older, or if it just flies during the period that your kids are little.  Four is certainly a doosy!  Sometimes I feel like I spend my days holding my breath hoping that no one breaks a bone, that those boo boos won't leave any permanent marks, and that no one will come to my door when one of my kids is still in their undies.  Usually someone does come to the door when one is in their undies, and if you are one of the "ones", I am so sorry.  They just don't like wearing clothes.

Well, the year started out with us having a five month old...

a two year old...

a four year old...

and an eleven year old...

I think for those of you who know us well, you would probably say that these pictures are an accurate representation of our kiddos.  Let me tell ya, these kids are something else.  They are always good for comedic relief.  By the end of 2011 our kids morphed into something more like this...



Nevermind the person wearing the crazy glasses in this picture.  I was trying to show you a newer picture of Isaac.  I don't even know who that weirdo is anyway!

 

Our children certainly grew over the last twelve months, huh?  Actually, I think we all had our own period of growth over the last year.  Experts will tell you that a human being learns the most between birth and five years of age.  I think I may be a rare exception to that statement.  I think 2011 was a year of learning for me.  I learned some great lessons in some strange ways.  I think God can use anything He wants to communicate with us.  I learned great things through teachings at church, music, other people, even fortune cookies believe it or not!  I would like to share with you the best things I learned in 2011.

1. Sometimes one must step out and become uncomfortable to reach their greatest potential.
2. You must listen to that little voice.  I call it God, others may call it their conscience.  Either way, listen to it.  I've found that it is always pointing me in the right direction.
3. Whatever it is that you do, do it your best even if you don't feel like it.
4. People are starving for love.  Give it to them.
5. Give, give, give.  Whether that be your tithe, your talents, your time.  Whatever it may be, give.  You always get more in return.  I promise you that!
6. We Were Meant To Be Courageous!  (Thank you Casting Crowns and Courageous movie) If you haven't watched it.  DO IT!
7. There is no need to find significance in material things because God already gave you everything.
8. Women see the world through pink colored glasses, men through blue, but together they see the world in purple.  (Found in the book Love and Respect.  If you are married or plan to be and have not read it, do it.  Thank you dear Melissa for telling me about this.)
9. You will not be able to save every lost person you meet.  You won't be able to bring everyone from A to Z, but maybe you can accomplish A to F, and that's ok.  Something or someone else will bring them the rest of the way, but they will look back and remember that you planted the seed. 
10. If you want the rainbow, you have to tolerate the rain.  (Found in a fortune cookie, and the flip side of the cookie taught me how to say husband in Chinese.  Interpret this how you want.)

Dear ones, thank you so much for being part of our lives in 2011.  I really can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us.  Hopefully we'll learn even more, serve even more, pray even more, love even more, and maybe through all of this we will be able to change some lives in the way that we were changed.  Love to you all.





Dreams Do Come True

"God never abandons a dream.  The promise is still in you!  Look ahead in faith and begin to live out the dream He has for you."  -Joel Osteen

If I were to have come across that quote ten months ago, I probably would've said, "Yea, right!"  Now I say,"Yea, he's right!" 

Everybody that knows me knows that music is my thing.  It always has been.  I think the first time I sang in church was when I was three years old.  I remember my grandpa holding me up to the pulpit, and I remember singing He's Still Working On Me.  I still remember every word to that song.  When I was seven I started playing piano.  In fifth grade I started the French horn.  My life just always seemed to be filled with music.  The music I was interested in certainly changed over the years.  I look back and laugh at the stuff that I liked growing up.  Hanson, Britney Spears, N'Sync, Boys II Men, TLC, Nelly, those are just a few I remember.  Haha!  I'm seriously laughing looking at that list!  Now the list includes Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, David Crowder, anything Christian really.  Man how I've changed.  More like man, look how God changed me!

I graduated high school in the spring of 2001 thinking that in the fall of that year I would start my college journey out at Clarke in Dubuque.  Music Therapy was what I was gonna do.  Of course, the fall came and went, and I couldn't commit.  I still don't know why.  January 2002 started, and I enrolled at NICC.  Two years later I ended up graduating with a Marketing degree.  Marketing...Music...hmmmmm...obviously I still didn't know what I wanted.  This is probably a typical story.  One year later I was married, and a year after that I had a baby.  Music dream = gone!  At least that's what I thought anyway.  It's funny how God works everything out for our good.  I may have abandoned music, but not Him. 

For years, I played for myself, and occasionally for a Christmas pageant or wedding.  That all changed last February.  In February I flew to California to spend some time with one of my best friends in the world.  Her husband was actually deployed at the time, and I didn't want her to be on that journey alone.  My friend had been going to a Christian church and she knew that going there was definitely on the agenda during my stay with her.  So, Sunday morning came along, and off to church we went.  The moment I walked in that door, I was consumed with the Holy Spirit.  It was the music that hit me in the face.  Immediately I wept.  All barriers broke down, and Jesus literally took me over in a way that He knew I would respond best...through music.  After church, I went up and got prayer from their prayer team.  I totally needed that.  It is amazing what people can do when they put their hands on you and pray for you.  Did you know that we, as ordinary people, can be healers?  We can!  Then the most amazing thing happened to me!  I went into the bathroom to get a tissue, and one of the women that prayed for me said that God had given her a message to give to me.  She looked at me and said,"Music moves you."  She turned and walked away.  Then she turned back and said,"Worship music."  What!  This woman had never met me, and knew nothing about me, yet she knew everything. 

I came home seeking a different direction with Jesus.  I didn't want to just know who He was.  I wanted to be in a relationship with Him.  I needed Him more than ever.  What I didn't realize was that for nearly ten years I hadn't really had a relationship with Jesus.  I was in a "desert period" with Jesus and my music.  I needed a change.

Ya know, social networking can be really great when it comes to encouragement.  All I had to do was go on facebook, and find the most positive person that I knew.  One person in particular stuck out to me.  So, I decided to e-mail her and ask where she went to church.  She said,"Hope Church in Dubuque.  We'd love to have you come!"  I had nothing to lose!  Sunday morning I was there, and the Saturday after that, and the Sunday after that.  Amazingly enough, this church was a mirror image of the church that I had been to just weeks before in California!  Was this what God wanted for me? 

By the third weekend, I managed to drag my whole family along with me to see how wonderful this ministry was.  Then the best thing happened.  A man stood up and gave his testimony.  He talked about how he used to be in a band, and then he played for some churches, and then he found Hope Church and began playing for their music ministry.  After he was done, there was an announcement made.  They needed more people to be on their music teams.  Was this God handing it over to me? 

I went home that day and prayed and prayed and prayed about it.  I said, "God, give me a sign.  If I'm supposed to do this I need a sign."  On Wednesday of that same week, my son Isaac had a music banquet.  One of the speakers just happened to say,"If you have the gift of music, you shouldn't waste it."  Ok, that was enough of a sign for me.  I sent out an e-mail that very night.  Two weeks later, I played for the first time.

I want to show you a picture of this place because every time I walk through the doors, it changes me. 

It's not the building that changes me, it's the fact that Jesus is there.  Would've I have ended up going to this church had I pursued my education in music?  Probably not.  I would've already felt fulfilled.  Not with Jesus though, with myself.  God let's us have a "desert period" in our lives, to find out where we truly need to be.  He doesn't desert us though.  He does everything for our good.  Those ten years of spiritual emptiness were meant for my good.  And guess what, He's Still Working On Me.