Moments I Should Cherish

Ok moms, how many of you would give anything to take a shower without one of your kids beating down the door to get in? My favorite is when I have four eyes starring at me while I'm trying to use the bathroom! Not exactly when I want a captive audience. "But mommy, I just want to be with you." These are moments I should cherish for one day they will not take their eyes off of the TV to acknowledge I'm alive, they will be embarrassed to be seen with me at a store, and they would be horrified to have to sit in a bathroom with me. (Don't get worried about me here, I would be horrified if they wanted to be in the bathroom with me!) Joshua and Eli will follow Josh and I around all day, every day. They don't want to be without us...not even for a minute. They love us THAT much. I can try to turn on their favorite show, push them out the door, lock it behind them, & within seconds there they both are...wanting to come in...wanting to be near me. Isn't this how God wants US to be with Him? Constantly seeking Him, wanting to be in His presence, no matter what distractions the world lays around us. Our God is a jealous God, desiring our attention and focus to be on Him. Thankfully, He never closes the door. We can come to Him anywhere at anytime. May you take the opportunity today to come to Him, whether you are in a spirit of gratitude or burden.

Psalm 34

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and purse it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.

Family Time

A few weeks ago, we agreed to help out our student ministry with their scavenger hunt. We were more than happy to participate but our only catch was that we would have to bring the boys with us. I love things like this, possibly more than the students themselves. However, as everyone was forming teams, Josh was chasing Joshua around the room and I was chasing Eli. We realized that everyone had a driver and we were not needed. I was crushed! I was ready to lead a team to victory. Jason, our student minister told everyone to "Go!" and we just stood there. However, there was one small, approximately 35lb, problem. Joshua spoke up "Come on Mommy! Let's go Daddy! We are on a race!" Oops. I had built this up to Joshua as well. He was ready to win. I thought & said to Josh, "we will look like idiots running around Memphis with just us". But my very wise husband replied, "Who cares. Let's have some fun as a family." And oh man did we. I think it was the most fun we have ever had with just each other. We were running all over the place...pumping a strangers gas, dunking the boys in a friends' bath tub, doing the chicken dance at a busy intersection, and the list goes on! It was a night of JOY. Psalm 126:3 says The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. That night reminded me of two important things: 1. Who cares what people think of you! My initial thought was our church family would think we were dumb for taking a 1 & 3 year old around town on a hunt. Not to mention who we may have run into. But worrying about others' thoughts would have stopped me from having the best family night ever. 2. We were not accomplishing one single thing but having fun as a family! I often wonder how Josh and I are going to make it through our boys school aged years & not get drawn into the craziness of life. I mean, good grief, we are already very busy people! How will we juggle sports, school work & most importantly, keep God our #1 priority? We live in such a busy world, we forget to just have fun. I think we often, for one reason or another, lose our Joy. Why? Because we lose sight of the wonderful blessings God has placed in our lives. We are so busy surviving life, we don't even take time to enjoy it. The Lord has done many many great things for me but the three greatest...Josh, Joshua, & Eli...bring me the MOST joy. Ready for the crazy part? We got 2nd place!

Stevie and Rachel

Happy Valentine's Day! Today is one of my favorite holidays and the main reason is not the romance of it all. My husband sent me beautiful flowers today and I loved them but he shows me he loves me more than just today. I really am reminded of all my friends and family that I am blessed to have in my life because I love them too! Josh and I have two very dear friends that are about to embark on an exciting time in their lives. However, it means they are leaving Memphis to do it. I have been so sad to think about them going! After they left our house the other night I just cried and cried. I told myself...Laura! Get a grip, you have lots of family and many other friends still in your life, why are you so bothered by their leaving? We have known them basically forever so there is familiarty in them being around. But there is one moment in our friendship that I will cherish for the rest of my life. As most have heard the story many times, Joshua was born with a birthmark on his forehead which meant he may have a neurological disorder. Needless to say, we were heartbroken at the thought and with my new motherly hormones I was a basket case. We asked everyone to pray that the CT scan would have good results and he would be a healthy baby. Of course everyone told us they would and I believe they did but this sweet couple did more than just nod their head and go to their homes to pray. That stood in Joshua's nursery and said, "Of course, let's do that right now." They held our hands AND they prayed for our precious baby boy. The next night, their fathers came over and prayed over Joshua. Love me and I am grateful...Love my babies like that and I am in your corner for life! I saw Jesus in them that night and I will never be the same because of it.

I pray I will be a blessing like that to someone one day. I pray people will see Jesus in me...just as I saw Him in my friends. I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father for them. Who has been a blessing to you? Who has shown you Jesus? Have you thanked God for them lately?

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

Where's my Focus?

I have to be honest and say...it's been one of those days! You know, the kind where nothing seems to go right. It started with me oversleeping...definitely not living the Proverbs 31 "gets up while it's still dark and provides food" verse today. Shortly after, here comes my three year old, "mommy when you get off work, will you paint my room red?" Seriously! Then came the total meltdown, because of course I'm not painting his room. "Wahhhhh!! But red is my fravrite...not yucky blue. Wahhh!!"
I get to work & realize I have lost something rather important! Search the office...nothing. Search the car...nothing. Back home to search the house...nothing. I use my lunch break to search my husband's car...nothing! Just great, now I have to admit to several people that yes, over the past 3 and half years something (or some things) has caused most of my brain to be sucked out and now I tend to lose things, which never happened to me in the past.
Ok...I'm getting over it, I'm moving on and then a conversation is brought up about soccer. Oh yea, I have promised Joshua he can play this year. Hmm...wonder when I need to sign him up. Oh...15 DAYS AGO! Nice...now I get worst mommy of the year award.
Then I'm reminded of Matthew West Song "My Own Little World"

Start breaking my heart for what breaks yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me

Ouch. I made this entire day about ME. I worried about how others would perceive ME, if MY kids would like ME, and how to get control of MY day back. Forgive me God. Each day should be about YOU. May I be a light for you & put my selfish ways behind me!

Who Would Have Thought?

We were recently blessed with the opportunity to go to Disney World on vacation. For Josh and I, knowing the trip would include a 15 hour drive, the dreaded double stroller, diaper bags, nap time, mad dashes to a public "potty" & then a 15 hour drive to get back home, knew this may not be the place where dreams come true for us. But I was determined to seize the moment and make these memories with the boys. The trip went surprisingly well! No major catastrophes or even meltdowns and there were several moments that I will cherish...Joshua's pure excitement to meet the characters (especially Lightening & Mater), Eli's first hair cut at the Barber Shop in Magic Kingdom, Joshua's laugh when he rode Goofy's Wild Ride roller coaster, & the way Eli kept smacking Daisey Duck when she was trying to sign their autograph book. However, none of them compare to that one priceless moment that makes the whole trip worth it and just when I least expected it...Boom! there it was. One night, we had decided to stay and watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom. I figured we may not last through the whole thing because Joshua scares easily at loud noises and after all, it was just fireworks. We had surely experienced more exciting things that day. Those fireworks started shooting off one after the other and my very active three year old froze in his place. He was in awe. It literally took his breath away to watch them. "Mommy, Mickey is doing this for us!" And then...the moment...the four words that made the trip ALL worth it...right in the middle of that beautiful fireworks show..."I LOVE YOU MOMMY". That was it, my heart melted, my mom got teary eyed (we still tease her about it) and for the rest of the show we all watched that precious boy instead of any fireworks.

It made me think...when is the last time I have stopped and been in awe of God's glory? How must He feel when I rush about by day and never pause to say "I love you?" Wow! The blessings He has given us is overflowing. The next time you have a moment that takes your breath away, stop and praise God for it. He does these awesome wonders for us, is it not the least we can do for Him?

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;

where morning dawns, where evening fades,

you call forth sounds of joy.

Psalm 65:8

Some Times You Just Have to Get Knocked Down

It has been so long since I blogged, I'm not sure where to start! Basically, I got sick and fell out of the habit. The fall of 2010 proved to be a challenging time in my life. As most of you know, I ended up in the hospital three times due to pancreatitis /my gallbladder. It has only been within the last month that I started feeling like myself again. Although I wouldn't say it's the best time of my life, I learned several things these past few months:


1. I have never been more in love with my husband than when I was laying in the hospital crying out in pain, throwing up, & recovering from surgery. Sound romantic enough for you? But he was right beside me the whole time...drove me to the emergency room, held my hand (and throw up bucket), & never left my side. Now, I'm sure he can think of other times that were more enjoyable in our marriage but I would not trade that for anything. God showed me the wonderful man I am blessed with having as my husband. I take him for granted way too much. I am THANKFUL to have Josh as my soul mate.


2. I could not help but think about those that are really sick. So many people around us are suffering with terminal illness; or even worse, their children. I hated not being home with the boys. I missed Joshua being a ring bearer in a wedding & I had to allow others to take care of my children. After I came home, I was still not able to pick them up or let them climb all over me for several weeks. Joshua would ask "Is your tummy better yet, mommy?". I was able to see the huge blessings God has given me. Although I had a few bumps in the road, I was getting better and I had two healthy little boys to be THANKFUL to make many memories with in the future.


3. I am a definite control freak! It totally unnerves me to let others "do" for me. Well, there is nothing like having a suprise week long stay in the hospital (on more than one occasion) to allow others to help out. Our parents kept the boys so Josh could stay with me, family & friends brought us dinner, came up to the hospital, & prayed for my health to get better. I was overwhelmed with the love and support we received. Once again, I saw more blessings from God. I am THANKFUL for the people He has placed in our life who we can always count on to be there for us. But I am also THANKFUL for the people that do not even know us that well but just wanted to show us God's love. Nothing was expected of them, yet they were there for us anyway.


So maybe to sum it up...I really just learned one thing: God has blessed me beyond measure & I am grateful for this wonderful life He has given me. Too bad it took all that to remind me of it. :)

Oh the Joys of Motherhood

Wow! It's been a while since I've posted. Time is going by too fast!

This past weekend I was looking forward to my friend's baby shower. This is her first and it's always fun and exciting to celebrate how much her life is about to change. Well...I made it to the last turn (30 minutes away from my house) when my husband sent me a text...would it be bad if you had to leave. I immediately knew something was wrong with one of our kids. As I'm turning the car around to head home, I call my husband to find out that our 9 month old, Eli, would not stop throwing up. He was acting very strange, wouldn't suck on his pacifier and kept coughing. He was breathing fine so he wasn't choking on anything. I call our doctor's office and meet my husband there. As we are waiting with the room full of sick kids at the weekend clinic, Eli started crying again. He threw his head back and I caught a glimpse of something shiny covering the roof of his mouth. Now, do I immediately lay him back and start examining his mouth? Of course NOT! I don't want all these mothers to see that I brought my child to the doctor because he found some garbage to chew on. So I glance around, make sure no one is looking, and pull out a piece of hard plastic from his mouth. Of course from that point on Eli seemed perfectly fine. We go see the doctor and when he ask what's wrong, I simply reply "I'm not going to lie. I just pulled plastic from his mouth and now he is fine. But I've paid my $25 so I thought I would see a doctor while we were here."

Now this is and example of when we as moms, can either cry and get upset with the situation or just laugh at one of our many "oh the joys of motherhood" moments. I tried to focus on the positive: he wasn't really sick and he could have really choked on the plastic, I saved on all the calories I would have consumed at the baby shower, and I came home to a freshly picked up and vacuumed house by my husband.

It's in these moments I repeat to myself: This is the day the Lord has made,
I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

It's the simple things

But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34

Why do we let ourselves get so stressed out in life that we don't enjoy the simple things? Joshua, my two year old, is such a great example of enjoying life. I love to see how excited he gets over...CAKE! Now, I must pause right here and say that yes, he does come by this honestly. Whenever I tell him it's someone's birthday...the first thing he ask is "Mommy, will they have cake?" He gets the biggest smile on his face and jumps up and down when we have a cake in the house. Joshua doesn't worry about the calories or how it's not the most nutritious item on the food pyramid. All he knows is that it's something special and it taste "so yummy." There are so many little things that make him excited...having a friend come over, playing trains with his daddy, building tents, or putting a water hose on his slide. So often, I get bogged down with the worries and stresses of life that I don't enjoy the wonderful blessings the Lord has given me. Maybe Marie Antoinette had it right when she said..."Let them eat cake." This week, Joshua and I are going to have us a piece of cake and enjoy every minute of it! What will you do?

Hanging Out with Mom's Like Me

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the man that falls and has no one to help him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

I am so glad each month we have a Mom's Night Out for mom's of little ones. Basically, we come together, talk & eat without having to worry about taking care of any babies/toddlers. I definitely needed this past Monday night! It was great meeting new moms and hearing some of their stories about their kids. I'm so thankful I'm not alone in this crazy world of motherhood. It has also been a great way to find out how to pray for each other. If your a BBC mom of a baby-kindergartner, I hope you will join us next month, August 9th!

A Week With My "Other" Kids

I just got home this past Friday from spending a week with my "other" kids. We took 134 children to our Kidz Camp at The Country Place in Moscow, TN. Although we got little sleep and I had to leave my two little ones at home, it was such a blessing! I am not really a "Kidz Camp" kind of girl. It amazes me how all these adults will take a week off of work, especially those that do not even have children there, to stay up late, leave their beds, & watch kids 24/7. The week before, as I started to "dread" Kidz Camp, I was convicted of my attitude. God had given me a chance to share His Good News and His love to others and I was complaining about it. I was reminded of how it's not about me. The world tells us to do what makes us happy but that's not why we are here. We should live each day serving Jesus and sharing the Good News of Christ. I'm thankful for the reminder becuase I had an awesome time. What ever God has in store for you this week, I hope you rejoice in the Lord always! I pray I never let my attitude ruin an opportunity to share God' Love & the blessing that's instore.

Three Cheers!

Although I am around children all the time, wether it be my own or those at church, they never cease to amaze me with the things they say. This past week, my aunt passed away. My heart has been so burdened for my uncle and her children. As when anyone we love dies, the saddness seems to take over. However, Ethan, that same four year old nephew that didn't understand why I would want a bald headed baby, was about to remind me what I should really be doing. He and my son were carrying on a conversation about the clouds and sky, which led to how heaven was "up there." When Ethan shared with my two year old, "Joshua, Aunt Lois is in heaven with Jesus!" My little four year old nephew threw his hands in the air and shouted "Three Cheers for Aunt Lois!" Of course, Joshua followed suit and they together shouted, "three cheers for Aunt Lois, three cheers for Aunt Lois!" You see, they may be only 2 & 4 but they get it. When someone goes to heaven, we should rejoice! We knew my aunt had trusted in Jesus. Our hearts should be burdened on those that don't know Him. We are not promised tomorrow, so share the Good News of Jesus today!

I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

A bald headed baby

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

I love to have conversations with my four year old nepehw. Kids can say the funniest things sometimes. We were discussing his little (3 month old) brother who has a ton of hair and my 7 month old who barely has any. My nephew came to the conclusion that he loved his brother more than anything in the world and after all "who would want a bald headed baby anyway." I told him how I love my baby no matter what he looks like. It made me think about our Heavenly Father. I often get down about the way I look. Why can't I lose weight? So many days I'm too tired to want to take a shower much less do something with my hair and put on make up. That's just the outside, I won't even get started on what I would change on the inside. But God loves me no matter what. After all, He did make me. Let's take time today to thank God for making us so wonderfully.

Great quote

This is how God works. He puts His people in positions where they are desperate for His power, and then He shows His provision in ways that display His greatness.

~David Platt, Radical

Not much longer!

Wow! I have been engrossed in all things VBS this past week. I can not believe in four short days, Bartlett Baptist will open it's doors to approximately 600 children. It will take over 200 volunteers to round up all the kids at this year's Saddle Ridge Ranch. If you are unable to join us, please be in prayer for all those children who may be hearing the Word of God for the first time. Please pray that God would move in the hearts of all ages that they may come to know Him. If you are a volunteer, know that someone is praying for you as well. Praying that God will use you in a mighty way for His glory!

Choosing Holiness

You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. Leviticus 20:26

I recently read a devotion about choosing holiness over the things of this world. Now, as a mom, I am constantly reminded that it's not just about me anymore. How can I ever expect my children to one day choose the pursuit of holiness over the pursuit of self gratification if I am not that consistent example for them? Of course, even if I was alone on this earth, I should strive to be set apart because that's what our Heavenly Father wants of us. But there is this overwhelming, humbling wow factor that comes into play when I think about the little souls that the Lord has placed in my arms. I want my children to see that I choose not to watch certain TV shows or movies that are displeasing to God...I want my children to see that I spend a part of my day reading His Word & praying...I want them to see that our priority in our home is Worshiping God above any other activities...In a nutshell, I want my children to see me pursuing holiness. Am I there? Unfortunately no, it's a daily struggle. But I better strive to get there fast because my two year old already knows "mommy's Bible" so he surely knows how much I'm picking it up.

ARK MINISTRY COOKOUT!

BBC ARK Ministry Cook-Out for all expecting babies-Kindergartners

@ the home of Josh & Laura Hassler 6345 Barwick Bartlett, TN 38134

This Saturday @ 4:00 pm

Come & Enjoy Fellowship with other families!
All food will be provided, just bring yourself.

Let me know if you are planning on coming...
Facebook, email (laurahassler@bartlettbaptist.org), 497-7781,
or leave a comment here!

If it's Free, I'm on board!

Ok moms...have you received the email about free summer admission to the Pink Palace & Lichterman Nature Center this year? Just in case you haven't... I wanted to share the news. So when it's 150 degrees this summer, let's get together and go to the pink palace!

http://www.memphismuseums.org/trial-membership/

I hope each of you have a wonderful Wednesday!

The Value of Mommy Friends

The following post is from another ARK mom. However, names have been withheld so no further cleaning will be asked of them. :)

Yesterday God taught me a very valuable lesson: the value of having mommy friends.

Last night at church we had a pot luck dinner. I really enjoy these fellowships. Seeing all the families together is always great! But I have a 2 year old – a very rambunctious 2 year old. She loves to run and play and make messes. I have a friend who also has a 2 year old – a very rambunctious 2 year old. Last night, we chose to sit together at the pot-luck and tag team our 2 year olds during the meal time. Surly 4 adults could handle 2 kids… right?

Well, we managed to keep them busy while others stood in line. (Disaster 1 adverted!)

We were a little closer to the front of the line so I offered to get my friend’s 2 year old a plate too because food always seems to calm! Besides, how in the world can you expect one of the kids to sit there and eat while the other one watches? That is just not fair! Plus the goal here is to get them BOTH eating as quickly as possible. (Disaster 2 adverted!)

Within seconds, and I mean seconds, of getting back to the table, my daughter turns over a full glass of tea. Two of the four parents who were at the table at this time, jumped right into action and we got the spill easily cleaned up. PS to the church – might need to spray and wash that table cloth! (Disaster 3 not adverted!)

So finally we get all plates and drinks and kids situated and all is going well. The kids are even sitting and eating – both of them at the same time. We breathe a little sigh of relief as we discuss the topic that seems to be most dear to our hearts these days… potty training.

OOPS! What’s that mess on the chair? Why is that chair wet? Oh no. So maybe we are not doing so great at the potty training. Daddy leaves to change child. Mommy cleans chair. (Disaster 4 not adverted but maybe no one else noticed!)

Dessert time! Let’s give them chocolate. Sure, that’s a great idea.

Finally, dinner is over. I offer to go let the kids “race” in an empty hall at the church if my mommy friend will clean up the table – and the floor – and the chairs – and basically anywhere our sweet little children have been.

The kids are having a great time “racing.” I am out of breath – but hey, neither one of us is having to drag our kids out of someone else’s plate or off the stage in the sanctuary or telling them to shhhh or the embarrassing scenarios go on and on in a mommy’s mind! (Disaster 5 adverted!)

Finally, my mommy friend comes to claim her precious little one and let me know my husband is ready to go. Her little one asks his mommy what’s sticky in the hall way. Sticky??? On the carpet??? We both look at each other and start running for our kids. STOP! No more running. She yells to her darling – “Are you muddy?” I yell to mine, “Did you poop?” Stop running! Let us check your pants. She gets to her kid first. It’s not him. I see the slight sign of relief on her face. OH NO! It’s mine. My kid didn’t just poop – its diarrhea! It’s all down her legs. (She’s wearing a cute little sun dress so her bare legs are covered in it!) It’s in her shoes. I pick her up – and it’s on me now. YUCK YUCK YUCK

Mommy friend helps keep other kids from getting in it. Daddy comes to clean up the hall way. I go to the women’s bathroom where there is a shower to hose her down. There is poop literally dripping off this child in the shower. What? NO water? It’s broke! What now? Mommy friend offers help. Go find someone to turn on the water. Someone finally comes to the rescue, but the water is broke. We clear out the men’s restroom and mommies and kid heads over there. Finally, shower works and we get the kid hosed down. Not sure at this point whether to laugh or cry!

Mommy friend checks for more poop in the floor and they get it all cleaned up. Thank goodness it’s time to go home! Don’t think I can take much more of this day.

This morning, got an email from my mommy friend first thing asking me how I was. She knows that it’s not really about the kid this morning – it’s about me.

The moral of the whole messy story… sometimes you need another mom that understands. You need moms that are where you are in life. You need mom’s that aren’t afraid to help you clean up your “muddy” child. They understand what it’s like to be pooped on, peed on, spilled on… and loved on, hugged on, and kissed on. They know the tears of being a mom – the frustrated tears, the sad tears, and the tears of joy!

God blessed me with a special mommy friend just like that – in fact, he blessed me with a couple of those special friends. My prayer for you is that you will find mommy friends like that too!

(PS - A perfect plug for our mommy’s time out each 2^nd Monday of the month. Come join us! We’ll try to save the poop stories until after we eat. Although, we are all moms and sometimes that’s our life!)

Verse for the week

...pour out your heart like water in the prescence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children... Lamentations 2:19

Thankful

I thank my God everytime I remember you. Philippians 1:3

Last night, we had an appreciation dinner for all of our ARK & Treehouse teachers & helpers. As the person who has to always recruit for the children's minstry... I am thankful for everyone's dedication to the ministry. However, now as a mom, I am so thankful for those who have, are, and will be investing in my children. They show us each Sunday & Wednesday how much they love our babies. If you are one of those special people God has placed in my children's lives... THANK YOU!!! And of course, if you are not yet serving somewhere in the Kids' Ministry...we have a spot for you!