When We're Wobbly

I haven't skated in over 30 years. Last week was the first time and I had the time of my life. I'm still waiting to fall although I pray before I go out there that I don't. Tonight my husband actually joined us on the floor, I'm so proud of him.

As I skated around today (I haven't remembered how to stop, actually it is quite possible I never learned how to stop!) I noticed a few things that made me smile.

My children are so courageous. I know they are boys, and they are young, but really, I'm so proud of them. They really are my superheros! They all put skates on for the first time last week and now look forward to going every week! Watching them is part of the fun for me! All so different in personalities.

Shane, my youngest and most athletic, he is so incredibly determined to conquer this. Last week was his first time EVER on skates. This week he could go around the entire rink in 40 seconds. Wobbly? Yes! Did he fall? Lots! Did he get back up?...YES! He is amazing! It won't be long...he'll be out skating his Mom!

Kyle, who didn't walk until he was well over year old, still holds on to the wall quite a bit, but for it only being his second week...he was seriously doing great! He has totally conquered the carpet and could have kept going even after an hour and a half of skating! He is so proud of himself..and that makes me smile! I couldn't be more proud. He and his sweet friend Reese skated around together and encouraged one another! I could eat them up they were so precious!

Then there is Brendan. He is my tallest child and my most cautious! He only fell once tonight. He wanted to give up, but I'm proud to say he didn't! He skated until the very end. One of his best friends is such a great skater, he is one of the reasons why we go on Tuesdays now. Brendan misses his friend Chase! I watched the two of them tonight. My how they have both changed since kindergarten - in some ways, but in some ways not (that makes me smile!)! I love these boys! Chase was so sweet to skate with Brendan and they caught up and talked (the benefit of Chase being such a good skater is that he can skate backwards and carry on a complete conversation)! I just love everything about it!

Then there is the reason I skate every week now.

This woman came into my life seven years ago, when our boys were in kindergarten together. I have to say, it has been a God inspired friendship, and I'm so thankful for the blessing it has been. We both have boys, she gets to have a bonus girl on occasion, you can see her blog at My Blended Recipe, but I love her so much! Our boys have been special friends all of these years and we've been able to walk through each others storms, and miracles, one after another. Watching the Lord work in this woman's life has been such a blessing to me - I have watched her faith walk grow by leaps and bounds in the past 7 years..it has been such an honor. We have so many many memories of times of prayer together...WOW! We've called each other for encouragement in homeschooling we just do life very similarly...I'm so thankful I get to have her in my life.

I watched her skate with her boy today and as she held his hand, I was reminded that that is what we're called to do for each other. Sometimes, we get wobbly legs during our faith walk...those are the exact moments when a sister can come along side and take your hand. I do hope that I am that way to others. I feel like part of who God has called me to be is someone who loves enough to stand next to you, cover you a little until you get steady enough to find the next person to help. Discipleship. I love that there are women in my life to help steady me, to pray for me, to love me right where I'm at! To remind me of who I am in Christ and to encourage me in my walk. Whatever the walk! Homeschooling, weight loss, parenting, faith...whatever the walk we're walking, it is always good to have someone to come along and encourage you once in awhile.

I have that with my weight loss journey too. There are two pretty special women in my life that I drive to Weight Watcher with (and one that meets us at the meeting). I wouldn't want to do this without them. Last week, we sat in our meeting missing our friend Ann who just broke her knee a few weeks back. Michelle took a picture of Beth and I to send to Ann to show her some love and let her know we miss her! You know what I love about them...it is the same thing I noticed about our boys tonight...there is no competition, just flat out encouragement. Even while some are succeeding faster than others (or can skate better than others) there has never been a feeling of competition. Competition has its place, but when we're walking these kinds of walks, its better just to have a non judgmental, loving friend to stand beside you and encourage you on your walk! OH I love it!

Who can you encourage today? Be mindful of the fact that just because someone seems to wear a smile and "have it all together", does not mean they don't need a word of encouragement too.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 

 1 Thessalonians 5:11

February is Full of Friendships and Birthdays!

Seriously, besides my friends Amy Dinardi and Linda Bradley, our Pop and Mike's Mom (my mother-in-law) were all born in February too. Less important people like, Rosa Parks, Charles Lindbergh, Norman Rockwell, Tom Brokaw, Ronald Reagan, Charles Dickens, Ted Koppel, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Sarah Palin and George Stephanopoulos (everyone needs to know that huh?) There are a ton more....but as I said...we had a very busy month celebrating the ones at the very top of the list. Amy and Linda are at the Houes of Blues in Downtown Disney for a little celebration.

One of the many things we are rich in are friendships. I'm so thankful for the people that the Lord has placed in my life. Every single one I meet, hold a special place in my heart. This happens to be a special birthday for my sister/friend Linda...after all, one doesn't turn 50 but only once!

My "loving" husband thought it might be "kind" of him to help Linda in with a wheelchair. I just have to say, payback may be fun...he is only 4 short years away from that himself!

Notice my Shane in his usual stance! What is with that boy? Also notice what Linda is holding in her hands...that would be our Love & Respect Bible Study notebooks. We are doing this study together as two couples every Sunday night and we have laughed and cried and really have been learning so much!

OH...this is my sweet Charlotte! She just blesses my socks right off! This girl who was born on the last day of January..lol!! has recently come into my life and stole my heart. She is a precious jewel and is learning to shine for Jesus every single day! Twenty five years old and very mature in so many ways. She has walked a long hard road in your young years, but the Lord has taken her so far and He is not finished with her yet! She has a destiny...and I for one can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do with my sweet friend. I just love her! Here we are at A Shore Thing...a little place on our beach right here in New Smyrna...that is all about New Jersey. Go figure. So thoughtful she was to bring me here...very intentional...and very fun!

Then here is my precious Katie Henry! Again, I love her with all of my heart. Like the younger sister I never had! Again, a woman after God's own heart she is....and she may be young, but Katie is another very mature beautiful woman that the Lord is working hard in her life...molding her into an amazing, world changing beautiful woman! I am blessed to call her friend.

I organized a trip to Downtown Disney to celebrate some birthdays and the completion of our Beautiful You Luncheon (more on that later)! Here are some memories made on that evening!

I thought with that face in the middle, no one would notice my very tired/exhausted look on my face! Susan is my newest precious friend. She and I have really bonded in the past few months. I am blessed to call her sister! We tell each other all the time that we hang together because it is good for our heart..in every way! ;)

Here we are "goofing" off! We had so much fun laughing that night....it will be one we remember for always!

Finally, loving my February outings with friends...so blessed...really....to infinity and beyond!

Pushmi-Pullyu & Pizza!!

We are all about learning here in the Engel home!! I have been reading "The Story of Dr. Doolittle", by Hugh Lofting, to Kyle and Shane and they just learned about the Pushmi-Pullyu today. Hence the picture above. Of course, you all know that it is the now extinct, rare two headed-horned animal, which are in the same family as the Abyssinian gazelles and the Asiatic chamois and a decedent of the unicorns. ::wink--wink:: It is a really fun book, especially for animal lovers!

Well, as I mentioned, my children aren't the only one's learning. Mom is learning too! I recently took a cooking class at my church and I have been practicing what I've learned. (The kitchen really isn't my favorite place...I'd much prefer reading a book or playing a game on the floor)!! I have made three meal suggestions from my teacher, Pat Howard...her smothered pork chops, chicken in the crock pot and lastly...my boys made their very own pizza!

Shane spread the sauce...

Brendan sprinkled the cheese....Kyle was appalled that there was cheese on pizza....hmmm...he thought when he said "PLAIN" he meant "NOTHING" on it!

Even my neighbor joined us in the fun. That would be Kyle blowing a kiss to the pizza, because it was going to take a miracle for him to eat pizza with cheese...what???

Seriously, doesn't that make your mouth water?! The whole family ate dinner! Yes even Kyle! He gave us the thumbs up! It was fun, CHEAP, and so yummy. I wouldn't personally know, because I must confess, I didn't eat this....way too many points for me! But it made me happy nonetheless, because I didn't hear this: "Umm..this is not my favorite" or "You are kidding me about having to eat that right?" or my personal favorite..."OH, if I have to try that I must have the bucket in case I get sick!" Yes, even Pop and Mike liked it! Next time the only thing I might change is...I'll have to have my children make 2! Not bad for under $3.00 huh?

How Many Hats Do You Wear?

In just one half hour at my home I have worn several hats. Being a Mom will allow for a plethora of hats. I happen to have this in my archive of pictures, but it is not unlike what I wear every day. Just today I have worn the following hats:

Nurse, Cook, Mechanic, Electrician, Referee, Coach, Bible Teacher, Preacher, Playmate, Mom, Shuttle Service, Maid, Wife, Teacher, Laundromat Attendant, Tutor, Therapist, Doctor (able to dispense medication), Granny Nanny, Secretary, Veterinarian, Computer Repair Service, and Bouncer!

I probably forgot to mention some. Just thinking about my day as a homeschooling Mom who helps care for her 91 year old grandfather in a house full of men and boys! Yup, that pretty much sums it up! I was due for a light hearted blog post after my more serious/teaching kind that no one dares even to leave a comment on! LOL!

So what hats did I miss? What hats do you wear on a regular everyday basis? No wonder we are tired at the end of a day!

What Is It With Boys & Bugs?

.....and frogs? UGH! Graditude List # 126--Thank you Lord for giving my boys a love for all things gross and creepy! I was so afraid to pass down my "fear of such things" to my little boys! Here are just a few that we've managed to capture on film. It is an ongoing event in this household (to catch them and to set them free)! Of course for Kyle, they seem to just fly right to him!

Redneck Entertainment

Oh my goodness, I don't believe I just typed that in the title line. We have lived in Florida for 5 years. Grant it, it is really the only place knows as home (my twins too for that matter). My boys have been very blessed to have such great friends (oddly enough, as hard as it is to find a Florida native around, they have 2 or 3 friends who were born right here!). A few days ago, I was in the kitchen cooking (don't laugh, I'm getting good at it!) and I peeked out the window.....this is what I saw!

That would be my boys and their friend yelling at the picnic table as if they were watching some sport on TV. Actually, they were watching their three bugs race up the side of the table. OH! Who will win?! Oh my goodness. It gets worse. I thought, at least Kyle is not partaking in this oddity! Well, yesterday I go outside to check my three sons and this is what I found...(to my friend in South Africa....I hope this makes you smile!)

Oh the joys of having boys!

The Wonderful Thing About Kids...

...is kids are wonderful things, they're bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, bouncy....Oh I forget the rest of the words, but did you get the tune? We had so much fun at the Jumpy Place! It is the best way for children of all ages to get their wiggles out. Jump, jump, jump for an hour and a half...in the air conditioning! We went last week and again today. We met friends this time and brought a bag lunch and snacks to share! Moms had fun and kids had fun! What more could we ask for!

It's All About the Marshmallows!

Brendan is happily camping, so I heard! Ms. Jamie was kind enough to give me a buzz today as she was sitting on the beach with the children at church camp under her charge.(Her call, I'm sure, has nothing to do with the fact that she called yesterday before he left and caught me crying) Brendan is doing great! He made it through his first sleep over EVER! He loves his camp counselor and he is swimming in the lake, diving off the dock, he had a part in a skit (he was a holy--no holey knight), heard a missionary speak, had some worship time and went to the snack shack and is loving his time at camp. Not a word of missing Mom. boohoo!

So Kyle, Shane and I are having our own set of experiences. My boys were a little jealous that Brendan got to go, and more than likely enjoy a gigantic bonfire and roast marshmallows. (That is what we do during our Women's Retreats up at the Lake) Well, we were not going to let Brendan have all fun fun!! No way!

Yup! Here we are on the grill roasting our marshmallows! It was fun and yummy! So eat your heart out Brendan - we are going to do this every night that Brendan is gone (or as long as the marshmallows last)! We are making some fun memories of our own. We went to the Jumpy Place - OH MY! What fun!! I forgot my camera! Don't worry we will go a few more times I'm sure!! We went for a long walk last night and we stopped at our Pastor's home, refueled and kept going. The boys wanted to keep going and going and I knew what was going to happen. "Mom, I can't take another step - please I have to stop!" "Mom it's starting to get dark!" Yes, we walked so far, we couldn't make it home! Ring ring.....Hi Aleatha? (My good friend and sista) Ummmmm...can you come get us?" What fun!

We miss Brendan, but this is good for everyone! I think I might send them all to camp next year -- OH JUST IMAGINE WHAT THAT WOULD BE LIKE! AHA HA HA HA HA!!!