Time to catch up...

It's almost the end of my super busy season....we're now counting down the days. 5 and counting!

Life is moving so fast it seems like millions of things have changed since my last post so here go the updates:

*BJ's dad (Papa with no hair) was diagnosed with tongue cancer and has had surgery to remove the tumor. The surgery turned out far better than anyone expected and Barry is well on his way to recovery.

*Devlan is now officially a 2nd grader. He is learning so many things and growing by leaps and bounds. He is very into helping me do all sorts of things to earn money. He's saving up to buy a Nintendo DS game so he's always looking for ways to earn. He came into work with me last Saturday and helped me make copies and earned a one whole dollar...I'm enjoying that while it lasts...before long he's going to start asking for more.

*Drewdie started therapy Duke for his sensory issues. As a family we are learning so much and had no clue simple things like having him drink a milkshake through a straw can be very calming. I'm not really sure who figured out these therapies but I'm betting someone discovered it by accident, either way, I'm grateful that we have these resources....God's provision is amazing.
Drew also started Grove Park Chapel preschool, another excellent example of God's perfect timing. We got the call he got in the morning of the orientation. He loves going (so far) and seems to be getting settled in. He is precious in so many ways and I am grateful that I get to be the parent of this amazingly resilient little boy. I'm convinced God has big plans for him and hope that we can simply point him in the right direction.

*Some friends of ours went camping and invited us over Labor Day. I make no bones about the fact that I don't camp. Call me whatever you like (priss pot, princess, etc), but it does not sound like fun to go in the heat with no running water or close by facilities. I decided I'd be a good sport and go for a little while and just not spend the night. Unfortunately I had to get some work done, but mostly just couldn't get past the dooky like mud. Everything in me was saying "Run the other way". I left for home and BJ and the boys stayed at the lake for the night just for Drew and BJ to be awakened in the middle of the night covered in ants. They ended up sleeping the rest of the night in the truck....see...nothing about that sounds fun to me.....nothing!

I think that catches everyone up to speed!

Some random pictures of the boys

Hurry Up and Wait

So busy season is here and all of the regular frustrations have reappeared. You gotta love it when you've been pretty slow all day and a client sends in what you need to move on with a project at 5pm. However, in God's perfect providence He made some time to remind of some things.
*I have a most wonderful set of girlfriends. What started as a life group at Cross Culture has really become a family, and I like to say that Jesus' blood is certainly thicker than water! I never imagined I would get to learn and share my life with 6 of the most beautiful, talented, and hilarious women on the planet.....so thank you Coral, Jen, Jay-May, Kristi, Laurie, and Lisa. You each are a gift.
*I am truly blessed that BJ and I both have our parents and even some grandparents still on this earth. God has taken some very important people to be with him already, but our children's lives are filled with Grandma, Papa (with and without hair), Mimi, G-Daddy, Nana, Granny, and Grandma Helen. This also means that BJ and I are still babies at our parents houses and our hearts are full as we watch our children fall in love over and over again with these special people that survived our own childhoods, maybe with a few scars, but alive none-the-less. :)
*I love being a pastor's wife. Although at times I still question God's judgement on that one, I continue to see God moving in my life and growing me beyond what I ever imagined. I love encouraging women around me and just being real with other women about my struggles in the faith. I pray that God is more evident in my life today than yesterday, but although I am God's masterpiece I am still very much under construction...and YES, the paint is still wet! My husband is a joy to watch as he becomes more like Jesus all the time. He is perfect for me in every way, managing to make my weaknesses my strength and remind me to focus on Jesus through his passionate love for the Savior and His church. I fell in love with him because of his gentleness and sweet sweet spirit, (ok his drop dead gorgeousness helped) but I continue to fall in love with him more completely as I watch him be a Daddy (not a father) to our children, a Pastor to our church, and my very best friend (with benefits) ever! He loving me is a picture of what God's grace and mercy are all about.

Coming back from Family vacation

BJ, me, and the boys spent 9 whole days away the beach. BJ was a trooper and turned his blackberry off and disappeared to the world for a week. This was something our family desperately needed, but of course, in hindsight not for any of the reasons I thought. I thought that we were going to rest and enjoy some time minstering to and loving on each other. I thought we needed to "escape" for a bit and not be responsible for anyone or anything for a week. However, of course God had other plans...We got away just so God could remind us how very complete our ministry makes us. It was fun laying on the beach and napping in the sand, but at the end of the day I had little to contemplate but God's amazing creation. I longed all week to call my BFFs and find out what God was doing in their lives (and maybe check a reaction or 2 to the weekly So You Think You Can Dance episode). I missed cooking and delivering meals to the sick, I missed helping a friend with her kids, I missed encouraging a new mom, and I really missed corporate worship in the home that God has chosen for our family. So instead of waiting until Saturday to come back we tried to sneak in on Friday and grab one last day in the comfort of our own home together. We had been home about an hour when one of BJ's BFFs showed up to mow our lawn. BJ and I laughed about God's providence and how Joe didn't surprise either of us by coming by to serve our family. We are blessed beyond understanding to have friends that love us that much and friends that we know that well. So as we returned to "normal life" (whatever in the world that is) we felt renewed and reminded of God's call on our lives...really on all of our lives....to serve one another. When done with the right heart, it is the greatest joy on the planet...I can't help but think of my Pastor quietly reminding me...."We GET to do this", this being God's work. Why he lets a nasty sinner like me have anything to do with Him, I'm not quite sure, but I DO know that His endless love for me probably has something to do with it.
Now on to some funny's from our week of vacation:
*We learned the term "snogging" thanks to a Harry Potter movie with lots of teen romance at which Devlan declared in the middle of the movie theatre, "I have had ENOUGH!". Drew spent the rest of the week trying to "snog" mommy. He would pucker thoses little lips and smush them to mine while moving his head from side to side. Per our favorite South African snogging does = making out. I'm not telling Drew about this, I'm going to let him keep "snogging" me until the cows come home...before long he'll be like Devlan and offer me his head when I pucker up to him. :(
*Devlan got his 1st ever crick in his neck. For 3 days he held his head cock-eyed and complained constantly. When we tried to get him to take a single motrin (not children's, but the kind you have to swallow) he couldn't bring himself to do it. BJ (the really calm one) got really flustered with him and I quietly laughed from the kitchen.
*Devlan pooped in his pants (a little) on the way home. I don't know what he ate, but when we got to a rest stop he said "Mommy, my pants are wet", and sure enough there was a greenish brown circle on the butt of his britches. We then had the pleasure of explaining diarrhea to the boys. We obviously didn't do a very good job because Devlan said he needed some diarrhea medicine on Sunday. As I was reaching for the Pepto I asked some questions, only to find out that our brilliant son thought diarrhea is simply green poop.

God met me in the water

Over July 4th weekend, BJ and I and a crew of our friends went down to Emerald Isle for our 2nd annual hot dog give away. We have really good friends who have planted a church down there and love our yearly trip to give away a billion and one free hot dogs, drinks, and to play some music. The week leading up to our leaving was crazy (as normal) and I was feeling very sorry for myself. I was tired and of course my uterus was being nuts and I was just plain grumpy. After throwing a fit over not having skim milk, but 2% milk instead, my very patient and gentle husband had to point out I was being a brat. I went to bed a bit frustrated and was just hoping for some rest.
The next day we had some time for rest and relaxation on the beach, which happens to be my most favorite place in the world. I spent a long time out in the ocean, way out, jumping waves and letting many of them crash over my head. It was there that God met with me. Like only God can, out in the middle of a perfect picture of His power and might, He reminded me that He is in control. He clearly spoke the following to me out in the waves: "Nicole, I know you are weary and ministry can often be exhausting. I know that your uterus is killing you and I'm afraid you've forgotten some very important things. I have the the power to split this ocean in 2 and leave dry land in the middle. I also have the power to simply lift you to the top of the waves and allow you to walk on top of the waves....however, in my desire to draw you closer to me and make you more like myself, I am choosing to leave you IN the water and therefore the crashing waves. You don't need to understand why, it is far above you, but you are mine and I love you. I love you so much that I refuse to give you an always easy road, but I DO promise you a good road. Remember these truths and lay back and enjoy the ride. Fighting the waves will just tire you more....I'm here and I've promised I will never leave you and you will not drown in surf."
I spent the rest of the weekend trying to get myself together. I'm still amazed that God chooses to meet with me, often in the strangest places, but he's always chasing me down.
Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm, oh no, You never let go, every high and every low, oh no you never let go, Lord you never let go of me!

Busy, Busy, and did I say busy?

The past couple of weeks have been full of fun in the sun, loving on our friends, and for me, lots of snot :) BJ has been even busier than normal because he has picked up a second job with Chris Leader at a day camp. I think BJ is the only real "parent" there so needless to say, he wipes alot of noses and band-aids lots of boo-boos. The boys really enjoy it because they get to attend while BJ works there. I think Drew thinks he counselor...

We are preparing to head down to the beach for our 2nd annual hot dog giveaway! We had a ball last year and even though it's 2 days packed full of work, it's ministry at it's best. I guess it's a mission trip, like the rest of our lives should be.

I have been debating about possibly taking Devlan with us, we have made plans for Mimi and Grandma to watch the kids over the weekend, but Devlan is getting so big. He turned 7 on June 20th and it seems he's growing by leaps and bounds. This past Sunday night at life group he had his 1st babysitting experience. He helped Mr. Joe watch 4 other kids while the ladies spent some time in prayer. He is so gentle and sweet with little ones. I can already see so much of his daddy in him. (Hallelujah)! I want so badly to teach him that ministry is a lifestyle and feel like this little beach mission trip might be a great way to do that. I may just ask which he would prefer, but I'm pretty sure although he's pretty grown at 7, he will still not pick a weekend of working ministry for a chance to stay with Mimi, G-Daddy, and Grandma...I guess we'll see!

Time for a new doo

So because I'm getting old and I have no desire to change my family or my job, the only thing I have left to change is my hair. So the great Lauren went to work. Three hours later I was a curly headed blond! Of course that meant it was picture time. Daddy met me and the boys to try and get some good pictures for BJ for fathers day. I've been wanting to replace the candle thingie over the mantle with a huge picture of my sweet boys for some time. I guess I was waiting until Drew was big enough to cooperate...and boy did we get some beautiful pictures. Of course, I was so excited that I just HAD to tell BJ, so I ruined the suprise, but he got to pick his favorite!
Devlan is now officially on summer break and I am on baby watch. I've got one friend at work 4 days from her due date (and yes I'm praying she will go into labor AT work so I get to be there), 2 of my very close friends are due in August, then add Devlan's 1st grade teacher and our friend who is due in July. I don't know if there is something in the water or if people just got really bored this past fall....
We are trying to decide what activities the boys will do over the next couple of months. Devlan wants to play basketball in the winter, but could play baseball or football in the fall. I am totally against football because Devlan would be the one constantly getting hurt (after all this is the kid that I had to wrap an ace bandage around his leg when he skinned his leg on Sunday and it wasn't even bleeding). Drew would probably love football but isn't old enough and I doubt the other kids would be tough enough for Captain Destructo. I am thinking of sending Drew to gymnastics classes after he had ball at Emma's birthday party at the Little Gym (where they have all sorts of gymnastic equipment). And then we have to decide a short term camp or longer term classes....so many decisions and so little brain power