I  am blessed beyond words to have my Mom....... ...........

I was again reminded this Christmas how unselfish she truly is. She worked herself tirelessly to create a wonderful Christmas for her brothers, sisters, and her Mom not to mention the days of work she put in to creating a perfect Christmas for my family. It was difficult for me this year because I was not able to help as much as I would have liked due to my knee, but even with that she didn't make me feel guilty or feel like I wasn't doing my part. As I grew up I watched her take care of everyone else and even now she continues to be such an example to me. God blesses her for caring for her family and gives her such joy as she works. She is fulfilled and the happiest when she is "doing" for her family. I pray I am as dedicated as she is and that I don't sit until the last dish is done! 

I have gone well into December without blogging and I am not sure how that happened!! We are now in Memphis with Mom and Dad (NeeNay and Poppa). Christmas is just days away and the boys are giddy with excitement. I on the other hand not so giddy!! Last Sunday, December 14 I was having a lovely little Christmas party with my 9th grade girls and we had had 2 hours of laughter and fun. The party was coming to a close Alfred was upstairs and had put the boys to bed. We were playing a dancing game and to my dismay I suffered a small spill. Well okay not small in fact quite major....I jumped up in the air and when I came down my body was facing one way but my right leg was 180 degrees in the other direction. Needless to say I was down for the count and in more pain than I care to remember. Alfred took me to the emergency room after assuring the girls and several parents that I was okay. Now one week later am facing surgery which looms sometime the first week in January for a torn ACL. I am grateful for a precious extended family, Momma T and Aunt Holly, that pitched in and helped with the boys. I know that is only the beginning however.......

I am in such good spirits and I know that my God is in control and He has ordained this time of listening so I am.....listening that is to His heart and what he'd like His child to learn. No this indeed wasn't planned and it interfered with what I thought I wanted my Christmas to look like, but I a  grateful that I have a heavenly Daddy that gives me opportunities and takes care of me in the mist of my silliness. 

Giving All Thanks

I am so grateful each time I am allowed to "go home". Reverting back to what I knew so long ago and becoming someone's child once again. I am at such contentment at my parent's home and I am thankful that they allow my very loud bunch of Burgess men to invade during the holidays. I can close my eyes and store up all these memories....I am grateful they last all year through!

This is two of Barrett's good friends Isaac and Lanning. Before this year he didn't really like other little boys nor did he interact well. It's nice to see him growing up and God shaping him. 

Holly's Birthday

Last night was fabulous, Alfred and I had the honor to celebrate our dear precious Holly and give her a surprise party. We had lot and lots of friends and good food at the Oasis. We were able to sit inside in a private dining room and make as much noise as we wanted which was good because 5 of the 7 Day children came with Tracy:) I haven't smiled and laughed that much in a long time and it was long over due. It was one of those rare and perfect times when everything truly comes together and God is there in our mist.  

Pilgrims and Indians

Here are a few more pictures of our precious Bear and the Thanksgiving program that has consumed a large portion of my time as well as attention. He and his little brother are singing all the songs and probably will continue to do so over the next few weeks. Although there were a couple of times his enthusiasm made me want to scream (he was singing ahead of the music because he wanted to say the words first) his smile and his love for me and music flowed over his zeal. I will remember these short years where he was able to go to OLC and be with me at the same time. It is a gift that I am able to work and they can be at the same school and so close to me. I remember my Mom talking about that very thing when my brother and I were with her at Avondale. She always talked so fondly about those years and others that allowed her to be so close to us. I love how much I am like her and how much Bear is like me. God is good and generous in that way!

Barrett's School Feast

Today was our OLC Thanksgiving Feast and it was wonderful. Barrett was so proud Momma T sat at our table as one of our family members. Earlier in the week he was counting up all our family members and he said, "Momma we have 14 people in our whole entire family." I said, "Baby, who are those 14 people." He replied, "Well you know NeeNay, Poppa, Daddy, Brockie, Aunt Amy, Uncle Gabe, Ethan, Evan, Momma T, PaPaw Rich, Hillary, Aunt Holly, and you." I am so thankful we have "family" here in Austin and that my boys are so loved. After the feast today Trexa took Bear for the afternoon and spent time with him playing and at the park. So nice for him and for me too:) I am grateful for the Hilderbrand family and the blessing they are to my family. 

Birthday blitz

Brock turned 3 years old last week, Holy Cow this child knows how to enjoy and party! He had so much fun on Friday with his Mommy, Daddy, and Barrett at Chuck E Cheeese and then he partied at Momma T's house with some teenagers on Saturday and then wrapped it up on Tuesday with cupcakes in his class. He loved his birthday and now he is asking, "Brock's birthday again today?" This child makes me laugh out loud so often and he is just a natural social butterfly. He is a magnet for children and adults as well, my prayer for this little monkey is God will use that natural strength for His glory. As Brock draws people then God will draw them to Himself! I am so proud to be his mommy!

Falling all over myself for Fall

We are upon the most joyful and wonderful time of year in my opinion. Not only is this a time of cooler weather and closed-toe shoes(yes even in Texas every now and again we can toss the flip-flops to the back of the closet) but it is almost time to GO HOME. To make it clear it's not my home it's my parent's home but when I am there I am once again baby girl and I can sigh deeply and breath in those memories that are only stirred in that place. I know I am not alone in this phenomenon that happens to adult children, but I do think I appreciate it more than most.  I love the above picture of my father, he is not only my father but he is one of the greatest men I know. He makes me feel so adored and special, it is not something that is forced but a relationship that I cherish more and more as I grow older. I talk to my monkeys often about their "Poppa" and tell stories about my childhood with my dad so they can know him through my stories. I don't think  it matters much that we live 10 hours from "home"  my boys know their NeeNay and Poppa because Alfred and I know the importance of family and how valuable our bond as a family unit. I am in love with this time of year, ever ounce I drink it and thank Jesus everyday that I get this time to enjoy and to experience. Am I silly well if this is silly and dramatic then I embrace it and say bring it on!!!! 

Brothers, best friends and birthdays

It is one week until Brock's 3rd  birthday and he is so excited! Everyday he wakes up and tells us the one thing he wants (which has been the exact same thing for weeks-Transformer!) and then he gives us a sweet kiss and tells us he loves our family.  He is such a little prince with his golden brown eyes that dance when he talks and looks into your eyes. He loves his big brother and wants to have and do everything just like him. Barrett has begun to understand the weight of this and loves him back just as  intensely. I love watching and learning with them as they figure out how to be brothers, I know at times it is difficult but Barrett watches out for Brock in new unfamiliar situations and Brock always wants to play with Bear above any other friend in the world.  Barrett is excited for Brock's birthday too but it isn't for a selfish reason he knows his brother will be three and thereby inching him a tiny bit closer to him in age.  Even as I type this Barrett is dancing around and making alot of noise and Brock just told him to "Calm his Body" okay that just makes me laugh...thanks Aunt Holly! Anyway they are a joy to watch as same sex siblings since I have no knowledge base for it. A God given joyful learning experience for each of us. 

Breathing God's Word

Momma T gave Barrett a New Testament on Sunday, on Sunday afternoon I found him on the couch with it resting on his nose. I ask him what he was doing and he said breathing his Bible verses. I knew I couldn't laugh but this did make me smile. 

We need to all take a moment and breath...in and out slowly. Now we can think and let fact and not emotion rule our thought. In this time of uncertainty all around us has the truth of God being the creator of the universe changed?? No. In this time of fear has the truth of God being in control changed? No. In this day of self-reliance has the truth of God being our Abba Father changed?? No. We need to stop listening so intently to the media. We need to turn off our media outlets and get into scripture all the while allowing our fears be subsided by our creator.  It is not healthy for us to be glued to our television sets and our computers constantly. Our focus has one place, on the Word of Jesus Christ. Our children will see how we handle the world's crisis and mimic our response. 

Tired but Thankful

This has been a long week and I feel beat up, well that makes sense seeing how last week was so incredible spiritually..the enemy would want to tear down and attack. I find myself getting lost in the day to day and not focuses on the "big picture". Bear has been sick this week with that mysterious high fever that stalked him a couple of months ago and then turned out to be mono. He amazes me, in the midst of feeling so bad and hurting he looks at me and says Mommy we need to pray.....why don't we as adults stop immediate when we need the Saviour our Father and pray. Watching him this week has helped me to regain my focus and to see this for what it is an attack...so with that being said I say let us love like we've never loved and see people through the eyes of our Father and realize everyone we are "seeing" Christ gave His life for them!

Men of the Savior

When did it become acceptable to ask a dozen people what they think when God has told us to act? When did we think man would have an answer that only God was able to provide? When did we slip into a pretend Christianity and believe that we could just make our own rules and acceptable adjustments to the gospel? 

I am so troubled by the state of the church right now. To state it simply we have disregarded the gospel and have watered down our calling when we surrender to Christ. I don't have any answers just a heavy heart and a great deal of conviction that the Holy Spirit has given to Alfred and I as of late.  Last week we sat under the teaching of Dr. David Platt and through God's leading on his life and what he shared Alfred and I were so convicted that we are not living Radical. That word bothers me and always has...RADICAL. First of all youth groups and churches love to throw that word around and haven't the slightest idea what that means in our following Christ. If we were ask to give up the comforts we know and cherish for the poorest as Christ directed in scripture then we would slowly slip into some other cool term and go about our business as usual. Where are the men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and dare I say it Jerry Falwell.  I feel such a grave responsibility to raise Godly men...my men Barrett and Brock Burgess to be not just Christ followers but Christ seekers and Christ listeners and Christ-emerged! Let that be my quest as a mother and novice Christ follower. 

Monkey's first day of school

Well here they are my pre-kinder and my almost 3 year old. I can not believe how quick time passes and how I remember holding them in my arms minutes after they entered this world.  And now Bear doesn't need my help as often and Brock is still my "baby" but he too doesn't need me quite as much. I love these two little men. I love the tenderness that I see in their hearts and when Barrett prayed tonight he ask God to always keep him the way God made him. That is a profound statement for an almost 5 year old and it's my sentiments exactly. God, keep these two precious little boys EXACTLY the way you made them. I am grateful to be their mommy. They love OLC so much and going to school each day brings an excitement as they both talk and try to tell me every second of their day's experiences. It is almost comical to hear them talk louder trying to out do the other. Brock hasn't figured out he is the younger brother and is trying is best to keep up with everything big brother is accomplishing. I pray they continue this love for school and learning. This zeal for new experiences...it is so contagious and wonderful. I love school and all it bring...

United under the Crimson and White

Ah......it's here finally after months of anticipation...dreaming of missed opportunity and mounds of regret. The slate is clean for a  few more mere hours or even minutes and hopes are at an all time high. Yes that's right my friends......the greatest sport of all time football. And of this heroic sport college is the fairest of them all. Makes grown men's blood boil one minute and cry the next. Causes cheers of joy and pain. It is my obsession this time of year and I can't get enough.....

Here it is my friends.......ROLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!

This week school began, not officially until Tuesday but for the teachers and staff we began Monday of this week. I love the beginning of school, but I love it through such new eyes now that I have children of my own. Barrett had a difficult time not understanding why he needed to wait one more year for kindergarden, but finally last week the switch went off and now he is excited about "pre-kindergarden". He is so funny when he says the world putting extra emphases on PRE! What a dear, and Brock is so excited asking everyday to go to his new class and see Miss Missy his new teacher. They will get along smashingly I think:) I adore this time of year to begin and grow and nurture those precious little minds, what a blessing!!!

11 Years of Grace

It isn't easy finding words for this man......he has given me such patience and has an ease about him that calms me each and every day. Alfred and I were such goofy kids when we met at Liberty University, unaware of where God would send us or how He would chose to use us. I really can't image this journey with anyone else. He is a rock, MY rock! I gladly overlook things now that once I thought would drive me over a cliff and I look back 11 years ago and laugh out loud. He is a piece of work and no one but me knows how perfect that piece is:)

Sisters

I can not begin in the world of blogging without putting a picture of me and my precious sister Holly. No she isn't my earthly sister ,because I only have one brother, but she might as well be. We are two bodies with one brain 99% of the time. She make me laugh hysterically and think deeply. She gives me so much encouragement and love that it soaks right through my normally hard self-protective shell. She is a saint as far as I am concerned and I love her so dearly. She lavishes teaching and love on my monkeys and they adore their "Aunt Holly". It's a wonderful thing to find one friend that so completes a missing portion or adds to who you are as a person, Holly does that. 

So here they are in the flesh my monkeys, Barrett London and Brock Lincoln. Don't let those sweet sappy smiles fool you they know full well what they are doing when they wrap you around their little finger. These two get into mischief almost hourly and well I don't think I would have it any other way. Barrett gives his brother "suggestions" and of course Brock adores his big brother so he goes along never suspecting his wise older brother will lead him astray. Ah, but to Bear's defense he always tells me when the mission has gone south. These two make my life so amazingly full and funny. I don't think I have ever worked as hard or dreamed as deep. These monkeys sweet voice linger in my head when all else is quiet in the house and I thank God each day that He made ME their Mom.