A couple of weeks ago Will, the pastor of Journey Church, challenged all of us to 'Journey Out' and to serve and love on others around us. At that particular service - we each received an envelope with a random amount of money inside and we were challenged to think of someone who we could bless with this money over the course of the week. Now I wouldn't particularly call myself an outgoing or relational person - so my first thought was to 'accidentally' leave my envelope at church. But low-and-behold it made it's way home and has been sitting on the desk taunting me. :) I thought about going through the drive-thru at McDonald's and anonymously paying for the person behind me, but I didn't feel that would fulfill the true goal of this endeavor. So I began to think of what I could do and got very excited over an idea to help do a home improvement project for friend that I have been spending time with over the past several months. She had noticed the picket fence I painted in Lacie's room and had mentioned wanting to do that in her daughter's room. Neither she nor her husband are 'handy' with that kind of thing - so she felt it might just be a pipe dream or something they did once they could set aside some money to have it done. After thinking of this idea I went to small group that night and heard an exciting story from one of the girls who had already blessed someone that week. Hearing her story only engerized and pumped me up to offer up myself to this friend. On Friday we met for a playdate and I waited for the right moment to explain what our church had challenged us to do and that I would like to offer myself up to her. While I did get the opportunity to fully explain what brought me to South Carolina, why I was apart of this church and so forth (all brought on by questions from her) - my opportunity did not come. For with every answer I gave to her questions - I was met with cold responses and obvious walls. I went away disappointed in myself that I didn't just push through and offer anyway.

I got to really thinking about it over the weekend. And felt myself beginning to feel discouraged and doubtful. Then I ran across Hebrews 12:2-3 that says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  This morning I decided that I would try again and called my friend. I explained what we had been challenged to do and that I would be honored to paint her daughter's room for her. After some hesitation, she very thankfully said yes.

My prayer for those of you reading this is for follow through - that I haven't just made some grand gesture and then don't act on it. And also that I really allow Christ to flow through me - not getting in His way - as a relationship with Jesus to my friend 'is fine if that's what you're into'. I ask for prayers - that I might put away doubtful thoughts, but trust in a God who can move mountains. Finally, I just ask that you pray for this family - that they in time (whether I am honored to experience it or not) come to know Jesus as Lord, Savior and glorious friend.

This week has been a lot of fun for Isaac because his buddy Joshua has come over to play and spend the day with him three different days (Monday, Tuesday and Today). Then to top that off we went on a playdate with Joshua, his mama Jenny, their baby girl Emma and our baby girl Lacie yesterday at the Charleston Children's Museum (an extremely cool place for those of you who live here in SC). In fact I felt like 'super mommy' yesterday because after a fun morning playing at the museum we had to go straight to the doctor's office for Lacie's two month check-up. Where we found out that our little girl - well, isn't so little. :) 24 inches and 12.3 pounds. 90-95 percentile for her age. WooWee! After long naps from both of them, we all trecked off to the YMCA for mom and dad to have some time to exercise. It was a hopin' day and a rather successful one at that.

So riding that high, today I thought to myself - I will put on my 'super mommy' underoos and fly through the day again. I will take all three kids out shopping. So I lined the back seat with carseats and piled everyone in. Having my handy dandy cracker supply and multiple sippy cups filling the center console - we were off and running. First to the dump- yeah the dump (don't knock it til you try it!), then off to Target or as it is affectionately known in our home the 'popcorn store'. About the time we reached the store - Lacie decided she was hungry. No problem. Parking at the far end of the parking lot I pulled her out and from the front seat proceeded to entertain the boys with every song that I knew of - filled with silly faces and funny noises I soon had the back seat giggling without control. Super mommy to the rescue. Finishing quickly we headed into Target and to one of their 'monster' carts. Sitting both boys in their seats and Lacie in the front basket, quickly buying our $1.09 popcorn combo we were off and rolling yet again. The boys sweetly shared their popcorn - Isaac would hand Joshua a piece 'Tank oo Isaac' 'Oh, you're welcome Joshua', all while Lacie sat bright eyed cooing and smiling at the lights overhead - sweetness oozed from the cart. Slowly I walked the aisles collecting only a few necessities and daydreaming about the things I wished I could buy. It was a lovely time. We checked out and made our way back to the car where Lacie realized that she was tired and would not be settled down with a mere pacifier. Placing the boys in their seats, giving them their cups and remaining popcorn - I gently rocked and sweetly sang Lacie to sleep. Super mommy rides again. We were soon on our way home when I heard a panicked voice from the backseat. "I got to pee!' This is not good. There is no way that I can pull over, unbuckle all three babies - hurridly make it inside somewhere and get him on a potty without an accident. What do I do? This is just not good. I actually thought to myself - maybe he can hold it - okay not a particularly smart thought. The crys and screams from the backseat quickly escalated as the poor child was doing everything in his power to try and hold it. I looked back to see a true look of fear and terror on his face and really could only imagine what was going through his head. So doing the only thing a 'super mommy' could do - I pulled the car over to nearest parking lot, flung him out of his seat, stripped him bare for all to see and loudly demanded 'PEE'! I can only imagine what people veering out of their windows must have thought. Of course I had no dry clothes for the boy (there was some leakage) - so I promptly placed my bare butt child back in his seat. And we have now made it home. Needless to say I think my 'super mommy underoos' now have a shot elastic band and I, like the children, am ready for a nap!

Here is what's been happening since Valentine's day...
     Built a fence
     Enjoyed our first family visit with Grandma and Papa
     Little man turned 3 years old
     Big man turned 32 years old
     Grew!
     Joined the YMCA
     Celebrated Easter
Chris is a little on the stressed side with work. :( But keeping a good attitude, doing awesome things for church, and still taking the time to love on his babies when he's home! (If I don't say it enough - this man makes me so proud to call him both my husband and best friend!). Isaac is really growning - he is so funny, incredibly smart, and more handsome everyday. And if you tell him 'you're so funny', 'you're so smart' or 'Isaac you're so handsome' - he will quickly say 'Yes! I am!' Okay so we need to work on our humility a bit. Lacie is growing. I like to say she's filling out. But with her chubby legs and double chin...well, let's just say I'm trying to talk Chris out of calling her 'pudge' or 'butterball'. She's just a healthy girl - and there's just more of her to cuddle. :) We go tomorrow for her two month check-up - wow, two months already. That should catch us up. Now that life with two babies is becoming easier to handle - our updates and stories won't be as scattered.