Bend it like....Benji????

Ben breaking the cardinal rule of soccer...

My life has been fulfilled.....Some may think it "small"- or have the opinion that "lack ambition"- but I have had this one ultimate goal in life. I have dreamed of the day when I would sit on the sidelines and cheer for my son in a sporting event! I don't care what sport- anything- well ok, anything except golf. I have dreamt of it my whole life...fourth grade was the first time I remember it when Mrs. Sedlacek wanted us to make a portfolio of what we wanted to be when we grew up. I told her my parental ambitions to which she replied (and may I state that she WAS a mother), "Well that's not a career, a JOB, Marla". And to Mrs Sedlacek I very respectfully say, "HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" But moving on...

Ben played in his first soccer game in the Vestavia league with none other than our dear friend, Geno, as his first sporting coach! (No pressure, Geno) The weather was beautiful, Ben had a blast, and we hit DQ for a celebratory ice cream cone afterwards. On the way to DQ Ben kept saying, "Momma, I didn't just have a little bit of fun, I had a LOTTA LOTTA LOTTA bit of fun!"

And on along those lines, the #1 rule for the team is "HAVE FUN!" Mission accomplished!

Last Sunday was the best day of my life. And I don't know who was more excited, me or Ben!

More snow fun!

Daddy taught Ben how to make a snowball and then got pelted with one! (See his shoulder? Good job, Abs!)

They also made snow angels on the trampolene

and a snowman who lost his head!

What a gift!

Iwas laying in bed at 3:30am on Sunday thinking "Lord, if it really doesn't snow like they say it is going to AGAIN, the kids are going to be devastated! And we really wanted it to be a goal that they get to play in the snow this winter. Can you please make sure it snows? Even just enough for them to see falling from the sky? It would be the BEST gift ever!"

Tired of laying in bed awake fretting my children's pending disappointment, I got up at 5am and decided to look outside.....

Resting in an answer

I have found that it is very easy to ask God for something in prayer. I mean, really, there's nothing to it! "God, I'd really like to have this farm. I think it would be good for our family and would help us to not be so distracted from you." So then I would typically just sit and wait for God to deliver. I mean, I DID ask, right? So naturally His answer should be YES!

This time, with so much on the line (having two mortgages, needing to sell a house in a horrible market, having children with such strong roots that Ben has even given up his dream of being a fireman so he can live in Momma and Daddy's house "all of my life")- I threw in a security clause... "But God, if this is absolutely NOT a good idea, and NOT from You, don't just shut doors. Make it IMPOSSIBLE for us to get the farm, even if there were little ways that we could find to weasel around your will".

So this past Friday we were told that there are 3 offers on the farm and we had to come up with our "highest and best" offer to give the sellers. After much crunching of numbers and anguish- we put in a ridiculously crazy low offer. I am sitting here waiting to hear from the agent that we didn't get it. I'm fully expecting to be turned down. It was a beautiful little place that I truly could see us so happy at, but I am so incredibly thankful that God answers prayer. There's such a peace that comes from trusting Him. I know that He can see so much more than I can, so I'm just gonna rest in Him....and start shopping for a much needed new sofa!

The Farm

Andy and I have been dreaming of one day living on a little farm. I even remember telling one of my friends in high school that one day I wanted to live on a quiet little farm with a few animals, the kids running and playing, and the doors wide open. Well, it looks like the Lord is openning the doors to make it possible for us. We have found a farm. It needs some work and TLC, but she's a beauty and I think we are both in love with her. If you think of us, would you say a prayer for us...for wisdom, direction, finances, and someone to buy our home here in Crestwood? Here's some pics....

Is it February already????

Wow! That month flew by! We had a lot going on, but things are finally beginning to settle a bit. We got our truck back and it is working very nicely. I think we have just about decided to sell it. Why, you may ask??????

The farm. It's the major topic of discussion around here. We found a farm. We are in love with it, though it needs quite a bit of TLC. We are ready to get out of the city, and we pray this is the answer to our prayers for a quiet place in the country! NO more planes, trains, and automobiles! Open doors in the spring and fall, 2 bathrooms, and a full acre for whatever we want in the middle of someone else's HUGE farm! ALso, it backs up to a state park! (Tannehill) Can it get much better??? OH, it's really cheap!!!!! Please pray for us to be wise in this and not be blinded by how wonderful it all seems. We know that God divinely provided us with this house, and we certainly want to be where He would have us!

Abby and Ben are great! Abby turned 7 on the 22nd and Ben is outgrowing all of his clothes! Abby's really improving in her reading, which is a huge answer to prayers. Ben LOVES school and gets mad at me if I end our schoolday before he is ready! They are both just as precious as ever! (I say as they run through the house chasing each other and screaming!-That's it, no more brownies for lunchtime dessert!)

I hope you are all well and blessed! Drop me a line sometime! contentinallthings@yahoo.com

Christmas at Nonny's!!!!!

Oh my goodness, what a lovely time we had at Nonny's for Christmas. We barely got out of our loungewear- and spent most of our time just enjoying each other. Momma cooked for an army, and was left to eat most of it herself- I'm affraid! (Although I did steal the peanut butter balls and hid them in our cooler!) Santa found the kids, even though they 1)Left home 2)Didn't have a chimney and 3) Forgot to leave cookies and Dr Pepper! I believe Tomi, Beth's fiance, didn't know what to do with us as we openned presents one by one to see everyone's expression as they saw their gift.

And check this out....the greatest of all fete accomples.............we got Momma to go "After Christmas" shopping!!!!!!!!! She must really love us! As retribution, I have to take down her Christmas tree when I go down in a couple of weeks. Honestly, she would just leave it until next year if we let her!!!!

Don't you love the picture of Andy? I can never keep him out of the kids toys and presents!!!

Oh, and I have 2 big bits of news....my dearest and precious friend, Leigh, had a baby boy on New Year's Eve----and we finally got our truck back yesterday!!! HOOORAY!!!!