Friday, February 27, 2009

KozyPal Sale!



6 Hour Blitz Sale - 50% off at KozyPal!

Click the sidebar link to shop this great sale!

Jenn and I used ours side-by-side at CiCi's Monday night for Sam's basketball party. I gave her baby gift to her early so Ellerie could use it too :)

And He's Walking!


He's Walking! from Kim Voiles on Vimeo.

Mullet Be Gone

Fun For All Ages!


The Wii

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Seasons

I have yet to write about Hannah and her birthday. She has a post in her drafts and I love her sweet words so I think I will allow her to share the day.

We did celebrate in a special way and hoped to encourage her in this season of her life. So many people look at these years as tumultuous, full of strife and contention. I certainly viewed them this way when I was 14.

Of course the culture of being a "teenager" has not changed. Only the way I view the "culture".

Because sin does not play favorites except to favor the hearts of men, then we don't have to worry that our teenagers will fall victim to the pressure. Or at least we needn't worry more than we have since they were born. The pressure to be sinful has been present in their lives since the day they drew their first breath.

There. The groundwork has been laid for a much needed reminder. Because we exist to give glory to God we will find ourselves in seasons of want and the supply will not be given. Because it is during those seasons that our deficit becomes His resting place.

Our fleshly desire is to fill up that void ... especially if the desire is pleasant and justifiable. The problem begins when we compromise in order to soothe the ache.

Hannah is resting in a very quiet and solitary season. We have spent many nights seeking God and His provision for Godly friendship in her life.

He answers with grace alone.

Because she refuses to compromise, God is glorified.
Because she refuses to compromise, she suffers for His glory.

To be clear, she has many companions and her days are full of joy and laughter. What her heart desires is a friend who shares her convictions as well as her age and zip code ;) God has been more than gracious to give her contentment in her present circumstances.

Just because the ache is still present does not mean that contentment cannot coexist.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

-Philippians 4: 12-13


It is both a burden and a blessing to wait with her as God prepares her heart for friendship that is more than pleasantries. In the meantime I relish the opportunity to stand in the gap.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Saturday, February 21, 2009

I'm His Number #1 Fan

These last couple of months have created a new love for basketball around here. Samuel can't get enough and actually watches games with sincere interest and enthusiasm. His Daddy is just a little bit thrilled about that ;)

Samuel and Dad went to see JMU (Brian's Alma Mater) play VCU. After Daddy bought Sam the giant VCU foam finger it was on!

Samuel was a loyal VCU fan (since he had the finger and all) and the two were fierce rivals ... at least according to Sam.

Daddy & Sam before the VCU/James Madison basketball game

Samuel began playing Upwards basketball in January, which is where his spark for hoops was lit. We finished this past Saturday morning and had such a great season! And did I mention that the church has concessions? I am talking about sausage biscuits and cheese fries, ya'll.

At 9:30 a.m.

I don't think I need any more descriptive adjectives.
9:30 a.m. & cheese fries should suffice.

Samuel had a great experience, even if it took him the better part of the season to understand offense and defense are two different things. He did master the "juke-jive-you-can't-catch-me" move. It involves making moose ears at the kid who is guarding you and when the kid is stunned with confusion you jerk quickly to the left or right and totally fake him out.

A ball is completely optional.

'Scuse me. You going somewhere?
I don't think so.
I got yo' number.
He also mastered the "Run like you stole something"

And of course. Like all my children. There is the classic,
"Mom. Please put the camera away."
I love watching my boy play sports. For goodness sakes I would pay top dollar for the nosebleed seats and watch the kid yo-yo.

I can think of a few others who wouldn't mind joining me.

Good job brother. You took double dribble to a whole new level.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Happy Birthday Hannah! (again already?)

Apparently, while I have been busy trying to finish one measly post and spin the plates of life, my daughter has had the audacity to turn 14.

The nerve.

It has also become apparent that there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

So in an effort to be a good sport, today we will celebrate ...

A celebration of 14 years of motherhood (me! Can you believe it! 14 years!).

A celebration of Hannah's 14 years of life, where she has grown into a precious young lady that has shown a genuine love for God and His Word. She has also grown into a size 8 1/2 shoe and can consume six donuts and/or an entire pizza at one sitting.

Enjoy your days of that mock-speed metabolism, sister. They are fleeting.

We have a special evening planned for Hannah that I will write about this weekend (it's a surprise!). Samuel was pretty sure that if the surprise did not include inflatable jump houses, it would be a real flop.

We'll see what Hannah says ;)

I started this journey of motherhood with a great deal of joy but an even greater level of fear. At each crossroads I have been graciously met by the Lord and given such an abundant provision of wisdom to make the right choices as her mother.

Often, I have neglected that provision and opted for my very own foolproof and much easier method of self-sufficiency ... AKA: I royally messed up.

And even then, I was met with another heaping dose of grace. If there is anything that 14 years has given me, it is the precious hindsight that comes with making daily history (this too shall pass) and also, the necessary reminder that I need a Savior. Being brought to my knees and lifting empty hands before God in desperation over my own sin and inadequacies as her momma

... Well, I can't think of a better reason to celebrate.


Happy Birthday Big Girl. I thought being made a mother 14 years ago was the greatest thing about your birth. Holding you as a new creation in our lives and holding our breath in awe of His workmanship still marks my memory in a fresh and vivid way.

But God was creating new life in more than one way. We have so many reasons to be grateful. I will always count your birth as the beginning of mine.

Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." -John 3:3


Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Until Then...

I am trying to finish a post but it seems to be taking longer than I thought,
so until then ...

Can you see his reflection in the glass?

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Samuel on the Subject of Marriage

Samuel: "Momma? How did you grow up and marry Daddy?"

Me: "Well. I guess I just got older and so that made me a grown-up. Then after I met Daddy, we loved each other and got married."


***Hoping very much that the questions don't get too in-depth at this point. No need in mentioning Daddy's wrangler jeans played a large role or that I was far from being a grown-up when I got married.


Samuel: "Well, how will I meet someone to marry?"


Me: "Well, when you grow-up and become a man, you can pray to God that He will help you meet a girl who loves Jesus and wants to be your wife."


Samuel: "Well, like, what about if I marry Ellerie and then there already other people living in that house?"


Me: "Well son, if you get married, you have your own house."


Samuel: "Well ya know... my wife ... I get to be the boss of her!"


Me: "OH NO YOU DI-ENT!" (after collecting myself) "Son, there is difference between being the boss and being the leader." I remind him of the times he has been chosen as a leader in different situations and what the bible says about leadership.

Samuel then takes on a look of fret and concern. He is obviously weighing all this information and trying to make sense of it. After much deliberation and serious contemplation, he takes a deep breath and sighs real big ...


Samuel: "Momma. It's gonna be real hard to find me a woman."


I knowingly nod my head. I say a prayer for that little girl who will one day become that woman ... who will be hard to find.

"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels."
-Proverbs 31:10


The Mom Version of the iPod Meme

Lisa had this on her blog a while back and I laughed out loud and promised myself I would do it!

And strangely enough ... the iPod meme is a pretty true reflection of our life ... but the bizarre collection of songs might reveal some undiagnosed schizophrenic tendencies.

Here are the rules:

1. Put your iPod (or MP3 player) on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag some Moms you admire who could use a laugh and a song.


HOW DID YOU BECOME A MOM?
Our Great God - Clay Cross

WHAT DID YOU THINK THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BABY?
You Mean The World To Me - Toni Braxton

WHAT DID YOU DO THE FIRST MORNING AFTER A SLEEPLESS NIGHT?
The Devil Went Down To Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band

WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN SOMEONE COLORS ON THE WALL?
On Our Side - Chris Tomlin

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH A TODDLER’S BODILY FLUID ISSUES?
Unchanging One - Todd Agnew

IF SOMEONE SAYS “Can I have a snack?” YOU SAY?
Give It Up - Avalon

IF SOMEONE LEAVES THEIR STUFF ON THE FLOOR, YOU SAY?
You Can't Take The Honky Tonk Out Of The Girl - Brooks & Dunn

IF SOMEONE ISN’T SICK TODAY, YOU SAY?
The Best Of Times - Styx

HOW DO YOUR KIDS ENJOY YOUR COOKING?
O Praise Him - David Crowder Band

HOW DID YOUR KIDS DO IN SCHOOL TODAY?
Red Barchetta - Rush

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHILE SITTING IN CARPOOL LINE?
That Ain't My Truck - Rhett Akins

HOMESCHOOLERS, WHAT IS THE FIRST SUBJECT TAUGHT OF THE DAY?
Sweet Southern Comfort - Billy Jewel

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP?
Oh, What A Perfect Day - George Strait

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP?
House Of Memories - Ten Shekel Shirt

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY AS A MOM?
Lorelei - Styx

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE AS A MOM?
In Me - Casting Crowns

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO AS A MOM?
New Design - Thousand Foot Krutch

HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE REALLY A MOM?
Your Man - Josh Turner

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MOST OFTEN AS A MOM?
Love Heals Your Heart - Third Day

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY AS A MOM?
Time Well Wasted - Brad Paisley

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET AS A MOM?
Diamond In The Rough - Jennifer Knapp

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE AS A MOM?
My Desire - Jeremy Camp

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Troubadour - George Strait

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Choose Life - Big Tent Revival

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp

HOW DO YOUR KIDS DESCRIBE YOU AS THEIR MOM?
Somebody's Watchin' - Chris Rice

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
I Am The Way - Mark Schultz

WHAT WILL YOUR MOM OF THE YEAR CERTIFICATE SAY?
Feels Just Like It Should - Pat Green



***Now, I don't know if you can push the boundaries of 'eclectic' much further than from Toni Braxon to the Charlies Daniel Band.

And so you know. My kids know if they leave a mess layin' around, I will always remind them of their honky tonk roots ...

Cause after all, that is where this mayhem all started ;)

Friday, February 06, 2009

Bumps

Our school year is going really well. Homeschooling has proven to be a very rewarding and blessed gift in our life. It has also proven to be the most challenging thing I have ever done.

In my life.

At each bump in the road, when it seems as if apathy and frustration are taking root, I find myself asking, "Is it me?" or "Is it them?" The answer is always the same ...

Both.

Since we (the children and I) both exist in the same state of depravity, then we both tend to cycle through seasons of selfishness, which always seems to be the basic root of our discontent.

I am grateful for these seasons. They bring about a revival in our relationships with one another. They require serious heart examinations which reveal (again) how desperate we are for Jesus. We are then graced with the freshness of His mercy in our life.

Thank you God for the well-placed bumps in the road.

Thank you for the precious time together that we are given each day. Seated around our school table with the morning sun pouring in, reading your Word and lifting up prayers to your throne, we are reminded ...

It is well.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Kozypal


Kozypal is having a great sale right now! They are moving to a new design studio and their in-stock cart covers are up to 40% off.

The sale ends 2/9/09. I just ordered one as a gift for a little momma I know ;)

If you click on the link on my sidebar before shopping, it would contribute to my baby gift fund!

Then I can buy MORE cart covers for the ENTIRE WORLD!!!!

Or some pregnant people I know.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Where I Talk About Football


Let me preface this post about football (where I will be scrutinized and then hung out to dry if I mess it up) and say that while my husband and his brothers grew up loving the Steelers I cannot claim to have been a lifelong fan.

And so, this is the part where I hang my head in shame and admit ...

My name is Kim ... and I loved the Dallas Cowboys.

When I was in kindergarten, this poster hung in my room.

Even though Roger Staubach was the best quarterback, I wanted to marry Danny White ... much to the chagrin of my Papaw.

Cause Danny White was a pansy.
(his words, not mine)

I had a mean gambling habit back then and took my Papaw to the cleaners every chance I could. We had a standing bet:

I took the Boys.
He took their opponent.

The Cowboys were a force to be reckoned with back then, so needless to say, I went home with my pockets just a janglin' with coins.

That was until the dark day, when the new owner, Jerry Jones came along. This is the part where I have to show restraint and not speak honestly ugly about those Cowboys and their very scandalous, shady, obnoxious unprofessional behavior. Seems a bit like a co-winkydink that after Mr. Jones booted Tom Landry out on his keister, things started to stink in Big D.

And it wasn't just the Trinity River, either.

About that same time (1989) I met Chris. I didn't completely turn my back on the Cowboys but with each arrest or foul-mouthed interview I became more and more disillusioned.

Plus. I think Scott (Chris' brother) might have hated my guts or at least gouged my eyes out if I actually cheered for a team that opposed the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So there began my little journey towards becoming a Steelers fan. So without further ado, I shall now boast in the glory of the greatest football team in the history of the universe.

And as of Sunday, February 1, 2009 ... that my friends .... is a FACT! Despite having the hardest schedule in the NFL, they are the Super Bowl XLIII Champions!!!

The Steelers' franchise has won the most total games, won the most divisional titles, earned the best winning percentage, earned the most All-Pro nominations and has the most Super Bowl wins.

That would be six.

In August 2008, ESPN.com ranked Steelers' fans as the best in the NFL, citing their "unbelievable" sellout streak of 299 consecutive games.

When the Steelers are on the road and facing teams with poor attendance and low fan turnout at home, that would result in a local blackout on television, they usually end up selling out when hosting the Steelers, due to Steeler fans buying tickets.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have sold out every home game since the 1972 season.

Cheerleaders? I love that they have no cheerleaders. I said it. We don't need no stinkin' cheerleaders.

I like that football is for men and I don't really like women commentators. There. I said that too. (I might have to write a whole other post about this)

Who needs cheerleaders, anyway?

Pittsburgh has won more AFC Championship Games (7) than any other team. They have also hosted (10) and played in (14) more AFC championship games and than any other franchise.

There have been three coaches since 1969. All three have won Super Bowls.

Speaking of Super Bowls ... We had just a little bit of fun here on Sunday ;)

This first set of pics is from the previous AFC championship game:

Troy Polamalu ...#43
Loves Jesus and actually takes flight during a tackle.

Benjamin ...
Loves AAA batteries and makes a great protest when we remove them from his mouth.

We had some friends over Sunday and it was the first time that we have had a whole family show up in Steelers gear. It made us a little giddy.


We had a lot of food. So much, that just thinking about it has caused me to pop some Tums.


I have seen Chris and his brother lose their mind cheer enthusiastically during a game, so it was fun to have the additional commentary this time.


100-yard interception by James Harrison! A linebacker! Help him somebody! RUN! RUN! RUN!


Touchdown Steelers!!! Would you look at that baby's face?
Tell me the boy doesn't understand the game.


Here's the part where I try to protect the baby and his fragile eardrums.

It was hard to celebrate things like touchdowns because ...

"Did they just throw another flag?"

Gratuitous baby picture

Thank you half-time commercials. The children looked forward to this part all day.
Wouldn't it be funny if we saved the game on DVR and Samuel watched the commercials every single day as if they were an actual television show?

As if.

Hey look! We exist! At the same time!
And seriously, I had no idea we were posin' like "Twinkies" until after the picture was taken.


This guy showed up a day late and obviously a few dollars short. He was immediately taken outback, roughed up and painted black & gold from head to toe.


I think he learned his lesson.


It was an awesome game and we had a fair amount of confidence up and until this happened.



So then we all gulped real big.

Then we held our breath and waited for the minutes to pass.

I actually had my camera out and was going through pictures on the viewer and trying to pretend that this apparent loss was going to be okay.

I mean it is JUST a game, right? (Scott. I am just kidding. Please breath.)

And then. GREAT GOOGLY-MOOGLY! HAVE MERCY!
Did Holmes just catch that ball surrounded by THREE Cardinals with nary an inch to spare???
Are those his beautifully pointed toes that came down INBOUNDS to score the GAME WINNING touchdown with 35 blessed seconds left???



So I snapped the moment. Sure wish I had it on video.


Needless to say. We had a mighty fine time ;)

***And Happy Birthday Scott. This post is dedicated to you ;)