Who is like God?

Today has been a good day. For some reason it has been a highly emotional week where it seemed the cares of the world pressed in and weighed down. Then I had one of those moments yesterday where you see something and have a moment of realization that might seem like the cheesiest thing in the world to someone else but is just the smack in the head that you needed to get your thinking back on track. I was driving down the freeway and saw this little bird running back and forth dodging the cars hurtling at him at 65 miles per hour. He frantically dodged being smashed like a pancake until he remembered he could fly and went up instead of side to side. This was all a matter of seconds but as I continued driving, mentally remarking to myself on the low mental capacity of my bird friend, I felt that all of the sudden the Lord was nudging me to see myself in his little bird brain. Why do I spend time dodging worries, and stress, and in the borrowing of trouble when all I have to do is go up? And then I began to see all the ways I have been failing to go up lately. It can become so easy to get caught up in the spiritual training and development of my children and then have nothing left to put into my own walk. So, with renewed commitment to my own upward relationship with my Lord, I went into today, one of those days when going upward gets a lot easier.

Today was the big day. I think when you have not reached a mid-pregnancy sonogram five times because of miscarriage and when you have received the dreaded "here's what they found on the sono" call from a brother/sister and a friend, you learn to never take for granted the incredible beauty of a healthy baby on that little black and white screen. It is a moment where time stops and you realize that indeed everything IS okay and your heart can resume normal functioning. And there is also that precious moment as a family (all the kiddos were there) of hearing for the first time who this little person will be. Today it was, "Are you finding out the gender? Good, because he is really not wanting to hide it." :) That has been the same with all of our boys. They're proud males. Watching my kids' faces was priceless. Kailey's first response to a continued reign as the only princess? "I have lots of brothers. I be nice to them." Precious, precious girl. She is our beautiful princess. And she will, just like I did, know the incredible blessing of three brothers surrounding her with love and protection (even when she feels like someone needs to protect her from them). Levi just kept asking the sono technician to use the little wand on his tummy. He's obsessed with tummies and really wants a baby in his right now. Little does he know. John V was hysterical making his observations on the sonogram. "I think it looks like a mole. Or a sleeping bear." And after seeing the little heart pumping, "Look, he's talking to us!" Priceless stuff. We are all thrilled and excited to now be anticipating our little one by name!

God has been so good to provide us each time with a name that was special and had a story. Something to tell our little one that will hopefully show him/her the way God has been at work in his/her story from before the beginning. This one is no different. Back in the fall during the time of the two miscarriages we experienced in a few months, our kids were completely unaware of what was going on. We decided it was best for the time being and when they are older we will share more of that story with them. But during all of this they began praying for a sibling and John V came to me and said that we were going to have a baby, it would be a boy, and his name would be Mitchell. Now, for anyone who hasn't figured this out yet, we're kind of on a roll here with the "J," "K," "L," and now "M" name thing. John V wasn't really clued in on this so we thought it surprising and amazing that he not only suggested a great name but one that started with the correct letter. We thought we liked it only to discover that it means, "Who is like God?" It gives me chills. God declaring to us through our oldest son in the midst of the suffering that there would be another child and his name would declare the greatness of our God. Who says those Old Testament stories can't happen today?! We just have to be watching and listening...even to the least of these little ones. For his middle name we have chosen the name Austin which means, "Worthy of honor." We pray that for him and wherever we go in the years to come we will remember this year of change, of moving to a new city (Austin) and of crying out to the Lord for faith when everything seemed different and some of it painful, and out of that came this precious boy to remind us of where God has brought us. Of His faithfulness.

So, Mitchell Austin will arrive sometime in late August or early September and each time we call his name we will set up our altar to the greatness and faithfulness of our God. Thank you for praising Him and walking this journey with us!

Quick Rant

I'm going to go on a quick rant here. I have never been a fan of Barbie dolls. I don't think the message we really want to send our girls (or boys) is that the ideal of beauty is an impossibly small waist, enormous girls, and legs a mile long. I know I wouldn't measure up to that and feel very grateful for my years of girlhood playing with baby dolls and girl dolls who had no figures and had appropriate clothing (for example, check out the American Girl collection). However, I realize that everyone feels differently about that and many women have fond memories of their Barbie days. However, Mattel has reached a new low. And I do mean low. I don't frequent the Barbie aisle so there may be more just as bad or worse than this one, but check out one of the latest Barbie editions on your local toy aisle. I have to say that I quite agree with this blogger's rant. Seriously? For a child? It's time to really take a good look at the mountains of mixed messages we send our kids. They're not listening half as much to what we say as what we do and buy and approve of. Give me a break, Mattel.

Prayers for Christine - Days 28 & 29

Day 28...I recently read a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that says...'It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself'. I think of all of you who have prayed with us that maybe along the way, you too were blessed in some way. From the time Christine was very little, she had a joyful spirit...she loved sharing her joy with others. My prayer today is that she finds that joy again...that she can go about her life sharing her joy with others and not be continuously confined to bed. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 is a favorite...'be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus'. I continue to believe that there IS a stirring...and I can't wait to see what happens in the coming days and weeks...you are a blessing to our families...

Day 29...Psalm 143:11...'Oh Lord hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness, come to my relief'...we wait for His answer and continue to pray...

I had to dig way back, but I couldn't resist these pics. They reminded me yet again of all the play dates the boys have had when Christine was unable to be there because she was sick or hospitalized. This was the day Jack and John decided to start a band called, "The Crocs" (because they both had crocs). John was the drummer and Jack was the guitarist. Completely awesome.

Prayers for Christine - Catching Up

We had a wonderful weekend back with our families for Valentine's so I was away from my computer and have a bit of catching up to do on these updates from Mindy on our prayers for Christine. I have had a sense of urgency over the last few days as these 30 days of prayer come to a close, feeling strongly that I must pray with expectation of something big, something beyond what we are capable of understanding, and something soon. These verses in Psalm 18 seemed to fit beautifully with this cry, with the enemy being Christine's illness. "He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because HE DELIGHTED IN ME…For You will light my lamp, the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall." (I so wish to see Christine with energy and strength to leap over a wall!) "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him…It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places." Freedom from captivity to this illness for my friend, Lord! Freedom! Please continue to pray!

From Mindy:
Day 20 - Having a chronic illness is not only one of the loneliest things in the world, but also one of the most exhausting. The rest she is getting from this extended stay will hopefully put more distance between the 'spells' and she can enjoy a season of 'good' time. That is my prayer to...day. "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him." Psalm 62:1 Be blessed today.

Day 21 - 'The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.'. Psalm 29:11 Strength and peace...we all need a dose of those right now...God is so good and we know He will provide an extra measure of both strength and peace to Christine, as well as all the family...simply because, in fai...th, we ask; and in faith, we wait. Be blessed today...

Day 22...'Call to me and I will answer you...'. Jeremiah 33:3... So, so, so praying Christine will be home soon. Continuing to believe as the journey continues...

Day 23 - 'It's good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.' Hebrews 13:9. We continue to be thankful for God's showing of His grace...in Christine's life, but also in the lives of others. We are so glad for the baby steps in Jenny' fight for life...rejoicing as sweet Taylor welcomed her husband, Tyrel, home from... a 7+ month military tour...and today, especially praying for my nephew, Michael, and his 9th grade classmates in Franklin, TN, as they deal with the sudden and tragic deaths of two classmates' fathers. May the grace of God continue to bless Christine, those I've mentioned, and you!

Day 24 - I am amazed at how these days have passed so quickly! And yet, sometimes it seems so long. I was thinking the other day how I long for so many things for Christine...getting to be at home, being with Matt at home and laughing uncontrollably at each others jokes...tucking Sam in and singing his favorite nite ...nite song...sitting with Jack and reading or talking about all the things he is discovering...and someday, getting to hear her lead worship with the praise team. She has always used her gift to worship God...and what a sweet gift He has given her by protecting her voice through so many years of struggle. So my prayer today is one of hope and expectation...'i will sing to the Lord all my life; May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.' Psalm 104:33-34. Oh God, please continue to give her strength, as we all wait with hope and expectation...

Day 25 - Praying for Christine, Matt, Jack and Sam that they will be so blessed in knowing that God is totally in control...'i know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His...' Psalm 108:3. We are just a week away from the 2-month mark. Praying for God to intervene so this is a date we won't have to commemorate...be blessed...

Day 26 - 'As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved...Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...' Colossians 3...I love this...dearly loved...today I am praying Christine will feel washed over by His love, and know how much she is loved by everyone...and feel peace...

Prayers for Christine - Day 19

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 19...we praise God for Christine's continued improvement. We see progress, for the first time in a long time. God continues to protect her as this illness works her body over...'but You, O Lord, are a shield around me...to the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers." Psalm 3:3-4. God is faithful, and even in her illness, He blesses her over and over again...blessings to you, too!

John and Jack taking in the rodeo. Yeehaw!

Prayers for Christine - Day 18

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 18...Psalm 5:3..."in the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation"...Christine continues to ask that you pray for Jenny Bazaillion. We continue to praise God for all the baby steps Christine is taking...today, specifically, we ask that you strengthen her muscles, for even though the PT people work with her, she has been in the hospital for almost 2 months. We also continue to pray for relief from the fluid retention...the medication is helping, but it is uncomfortable. Christine also asked me to convey her deepest appreciation for all your prayers...she is so encouraged by them each day...blessings...

Can you say, "Oh my goodness!" Kailey loves her buddy, Jack, too!

Prayers for Christine - Days 16 & 17

(From Mindy) Day 16...her words... 'yesterday was a pretty good day'...praise God! She is thinking that maybe next week, home will be in the plan...we continue to pray for that...and wait for God to give the answer...

Me (thinking this position looked painful): "Jack, do you want to lie down to rest? Doesn't that hurt your neck?" Jack: "No, I'm not tired at all." Love that kid! Busy afternoon on the boat!

(From Mindy) Day 17...Christine has made a special request today...for now, she would like you to all focus on and pray for Jenny Bazaillion. Jenny is the sister to Josh Ross, and Josh and Kayci are good friends of Christine and Matt. You can link to Jenny's care page by scrolling down where I have posted it. We continue to pray for healing...

https://www.carepages.com/carepages/JennyBizaillionUpdates

Tiny Ballerina

"I love Eva, Mommy!"

Practicing their poses

"Cheese!"

If it's possible for ballet to have been more of a success than Kailey expected, it was. She has asked me constantly since then if we could just PLEASE go back to ballet. She told us all about dancing around like a bee, going under a parachute, and that she was a BIG GIRL! Sweet moments for a mommy of a little girl!

Prayers for Christine - Day 15

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 15...halfway through this journey of prayer, we are so longing to have her strong enough to go home. There has been blessing in this stay giving her body time to rest and heal. Praying that each day, she will continue to get stronger and stronger...Love this kid - Christine's Sam

Prayers for Christine - Day 14

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 14...while talking to Christine Wednesday night, I heard something in her voice I hadn't heard in awhile...hope. They continue to reduce the TPN...good thing...and are trying to get the fluid retention under control, so keep that as a request. But, today I am full of PRAISE...that God is renewing her spirit of... 'hope'...'i praise You because is fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know this full well'. Psalm 139:14

Amazing the things you can take for granted as a mom, like the energy for a zoo trip. May there be many for Christine this spring!

Prayers for Christine - Day 13

(From Mindy) Day 13...specific request from Christine...that her body will stop retaining so much fluid...her weight can fluctuate up to 10 pounds in a day...Psalm 34:4 says...'I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivers me from all my fears'...we continue to faithfully believe He will provide answers...in his time.Another reason Christine has to get well - her friends need her to be crazy.
(Yes, Tara will kill me.)

Ready for Ballet

Kailey starts her first ballet class tomorrow with her buddy, Eva. She pretty much thinks her previous life only led up to this point and time. This whole thing is really fun for me because I have such special memories of my ballet classes, especially my beautiful and wonderful teacher, Miss Angela. I LOVED her. Today the kids and I had a super fun outing getting her "dress code" ballet outfit, Panera for lunch, and finding a new Austin frozen yogurt place called Froyoyo. We had a great time just being out together. We haven't done enough of that since we moved. Here are a few shots of Kailey practicing her ballet moves, "just like Aunt Caitlin."

Prayers for Christine - Day 12

(From Mindy) Day 12...continue to bless her, Lord, with a renewed spirit and the knowledge that You are overseeing and guiding this journey...continuing to be blessed by the prayers of so many.This is one precious mommy who loves her boys!

Prayers for Christine - Day 11

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 11...praising God that the doctors plan to reduce the TPN, IV nutrition, by half today, and begin to add food slowly. We know and believe that God's hand is on this and continue to ask Him for healing. Christine has begun to retain fluids and that is part of this decision, so we also ask God to help her body rid itself of these extra fluids so that there will be no longterm kidney or cardiac issues. She is still experiencing occasional vomiting but not continuously...just when she intakes food...so we also ask God to continue to calm the storm in her tummy so that there will be no vomiting. Borrowed from Scotty Smith, an evangelist from Tennessee, "Jesus, help us to trust and rest more in Your grasp of us than in our grasp of You." Be blessed...Once again, this mommy has to get home. There are just boy things to do.

Prayers for Christine - Day 10

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 10...thankful for a new medicine that seems to be helping a little. Continuing to pray for renewed strength so that she can get back home...so thankful for all who are praying for Christine.One of the reasons his mommy has to get out of that hospital...it's almost t-ball season and Jack is just so cute with his curls hanging out from under his hat!

Prayers for Christine - Day 9

(From Mindy) Day 9...today's prayer is for Jack Franklin and Samuel Ray...two little boys who miss their mommy so much...both born too early but have grown into incredible boys, with an early understanding of faith...named for their grandfathers, Christine fought so hard to carry them...and I truly believe they were God's special rewards to Matt and Christine for faith that does not falter..."Sons are a heritage from the Lord...like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth...blessed are you whose quiver is full of them." Psalm 127...Christine wants to be home with them and they want and need her there...so Lord, please hear my prayer today,as I know you always do. There's nothing sweeter than listening to them pray each night for their mommy...thank You, Father, for letting them know how much You love them...and hear their prayers...

Jack and Sam in the plaid shirts. These boys are very precious to my heart and love their mommy so much!

Prayers for Christine - Day 8

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine Day 8...comfort her today...3 months ago today, she lost her daddy...such a daddy's girl...and missing him..."I will not leave you fatherless...I will come to you." John 14:18....what a precious promise from God...Christine's fun family including her amazing dad who went to be the Lord 3 months ago.

Prayers for Christine - Day 7

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 7...little did we know , Lord,that when I came to work at FWC, that the student body president, who remembered Christine daily in the opening prayer at chapel,would someday be my son-in-law. Thanking you today for a marriage that is built on You, Lord...that even when it gets almost unbearable to watch someone ...suffer, Matt never falters in his love, devotion, commitment...working hard every day, taking their boys up every night so they can have family time, and always, always striving to do Your will...what a blessing they are to each other...and what a beautiful example they are of what it truly means to love someone...thank you for guiding them on this rocky path and filling them with faith and strength...and for letting me be a part of this amazing couple's life...

Kailey's Favorite Thing

The incredibly well cared-for doll known as, "Baby."

Kailey with her current most beloved of babies, her cousin, Karsen.

Anyone who knows Kailey well, knows that she LOVES babies. This is not an "Oh, babies are cute." This is, "Mommy, I just saw a baby, now my day can be complete." She points every, single baby she sees out and says that she loves it, especially if it's a girl. While at the hospital the other day to see new baby Liza, Kailey professed her love for five babies and proceeded to talk about Liza non-stop for hours. Every night she puts her baby doll in a nightgown, feeds it, puts it to bed, tucks it in, gives it a bear, turns on it's mobile...an entire bedtime routine. In the morning she then dresses the baby and gets it ready for the day. Without fail, this happens every day, and she's only three! Talk about a good babysitter someday!

So, you can only imagine with what joy and excitement she has been announcing to the world (including perfect strangers) that she is getting a new baby at her house! This time not a pretend one, but a real, live baby to cuddle and love. That's right, Baby Critz #4 is due to make his or her appearance around September 1st! We are blessed, grateful and so appreciative of all those who have been praying for us during the ride we've had this fall. God is good all the time, and those moments when His goodness carries us through the rough places fill us with a deeper appreciation for these times when His goodness overflows into abundant blessings we wholeheartedly desire! So we celebrate with Kailey as she receives the "yes" answer to her many, many prayers. And John V is relieved because he feels a little closer to the "lots of kids" he keeps insisting we need around here. Apparently four is more like "lots" than three. :)
Thanks for being the kinds of friends we know will share our joy! Love to you all!

Prayers for Christine - Day 6

(From Mindy) Day 6...Father, remind her every minute of every day that You are already there..."The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you, He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid...do not be discouraged." Deut. 31:8. And thank you for our sweet time together yesterday...even in her rough time...she reached out and comforted her mama.Christine's precious Jack (on the left) who is waiting for his mommy to come home.