It's Fall, almost..

Well, it's fall, and it's all about Razorback football, except that we are 1-3. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!! But hey, I am not a fair weather fan, I'm committed! Oh yeah, and it's Bikes, Blues, and BBQ time on Dickson this weekend. There are so many motorcycles riding around, too fun! We might be going tomorrow night, maybe to eat somewhere and hang out. We'll see, it might be too loud for us! It has been awesome weather lately too! 40's at night, 70's in the day, my favorite time of year! I so love new seasons of life, and I feel like I am in one myself.
I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do in this new season of my life, but more so I am learning how to truly affirm others in the Lord and pray scripture over people. I had lunch with a mentor of mine yesterday and we had a good talk about expectations of what we want out of our Bible Study this year. We are doing a Beth Moore, Believing God, and we talked about how, the women can't just come and do the study and do the lesson every week, but we need to come expecting God to do things in our lives, changing us from the inside out, and advance the Kingdom in the process! God is good! I am so thankful for my friends and mentors to hold me accountable in my walk!
So, I pray for you, that this new season would bring refreshment, peace, and a new season in your walk with the Lord.
Have a great weekend,
Kara

In the little things...

I had kind of a crazy day yesterday. It was my day off from work, so I cleaned a house for a lady, which I do every other Thursday. I then went to my mom's in Bella Vista to help her get her house and other things in order before she goes to Israel. (plus she was keeping Haven Wednesday night and I had to pick her up)We didn't get home until about 4 in the afternoon and we left around 8:30. Then Micah went to play golf with his dad that evening, so it was me and Haven for awhile, which she always knows how to keep me busy.:) I just wanted to tell the Lord thank you for my crazy day yesterday, that it was so busy, that I wasn't able to dwell on the fact that our second child's would-be birthday was yesterday. I called a dear friend I used to work with at Wal-Mart yesterday since it was her birthday as well and wished her a happy day, but she ended up encouraging me and just making my heart feel better. God is so good to do that! I know if I was at home and not busy, it would have been a lot worse....He knows us and knows our hearts and knows I am a thinker, so I would have been at home thinking a lot about my sweet baby.:) I have another sweet baby who is 3 and I am so thankful for her and for the siblings she will one day be an example to! There was a song I heard last night on the radio called 'In the Waiting' by Greg Long and it just spoke to me, where I am at right now in my life. I have heard it before, but it's one of those songs where, if it doesn't apply to you at that time in your life, I know I just kind of listen just to listen. But this time, this song, just really hit me, especially on the day I heard it, it was so precious to me, as if the Lord was saying to me 'I know Kara, I know your heart and I know it hurts, but know that it's going to be okay, I am still in control, I love you!'

Pain
The gift nobody longs for, still it comes
And somehow leaves us stronger
When it's gone away
Pray
I try and pray for Your will to be done
But I confess it's never fast enough for me
It seems
the hardest part is waiting on You
When what I really want
Is just to see Your hand move
I want a peace beyond my understanding
I want to feel it fall like rain
In the middle of my hurting
I want to feel Your arms as they surround me
And let me know that it's okay
To be here in this place
Resting in the peace that only comes
In the waiting
Time
Time to let it go and just believe
Trusting in what no one else but You can see
Free
Freedom from the fears that close me in
When I can't get beyond where I have been, but then
Again
The silence doesn't mean that I'm alone
As long as I can hear
That I am still Your own

I know this was a lengthy blog, but I just had to share how good our God is! To Him be the Glory, Honor, and Power, FOREVER!
Love
Kara

Being Stubborn

Yesterday was work day for me and play day for Haven at Ms. Katherine's. I picked her up about 5:00 so that we could go to Bible Study group at 6:00. Katherine told me that Haven was in time out for squirting juice all over Kyle's (the older child) shirt. Haven would not apologize, so Katherine put her in time out until she did so. I myself, as well as Katherine, thought she would have apologzied right after realizeing she would have to stay in the chair until she did the deed. She sat in the chair from 12:45 until 5:00!!!!!!!!! (we barely made it to Bible Study group in time) She would absolutely not apologize. Even when I talked to her, she still didn't. I used their paddle to give her some incentive to do so, and she finally did, but barely where no one could hear her. Kyle was so sweet and forgave her, but man, it was tough!!! It was like pulling all her teeth out for some strange reason just to get her to apologize! So, she spent all day in the chair---crazy girl! I am so thankful that Katherine is 'helping' me teach Haven there are consequences to her actions and that we aren't going to back down!!! Man, I knew she was stubborn and strong willed, but she has never done anything like that before!!! I don't know where she gets it! Okay, so maybe I do. My mom gave me 'The Strong-Willed Child' once we realized Haven fit the mold. My mom had had it when I was little--go figure, me, strong willed?? I actually have the newer version by James Dobson, and I have read it and it's really good.
I have definitely been praying for wisdom and patience in raising her and teaching her how Jesus would want her to act, not just how her mommy and daddy want her to act. So, I'll let you know how things continue to go.
Off to see my grandma in Ft. Smith with my mom. My grandma had surgery on her hip, that was replaced a few years ago. She is doing good, but needs her Haven fix.:)
Enjoy the cool weather and the rain today!
Kara

Swimming and being 3

Sunday we went over to my in laws to swim and eat dinner. Haven usually enjoys playing on the steps and has recently started getting in the water by herself with floaties on and 'swimming'. There were several other kids there that afternoon, so she was a little timid at getting in, so I went inside to hang out while Micah was out there with her. I looked out the window every once in awhile and noticed her jumping to Micah from the edge of the pool. I went out there, and saw my newly-turned 3 year old jumping in the water and going all the way under the water and coming up and doing it all over again, while my husband watched her. I was so amazed at this awesome milestone, that I started crying, because I knew that she was not a baby anymore and she had observed the other children and then decided to just do it on her own too! She hasn't quite mastered holding your mouth shut while under water, but she did great! And she was so proud!
Okay, I promise not every entry will be about Haven, but it seems, at this season in our lives, that she is just doing new things, and saying new things every day, and it's hard not to just be amazed at how the Lord is growing and developing her. I don't know when baby #2 is going to be coming in our family, but when it does, I know Haven will be so ready. She is such a helper and helps Ms. Katherine with her baby boy. (although the other day, she got a time out b/c Katherine had asked her to not shoot the nerf gun at people and she turned around and shot baby Carter in the head) So, she has her moments, but overall, she truly is a joy and it has been a privilege and challenge to raise her up in the Lord and to love Him!
Much love-
KL

My sweet Haven

For some reason, Haven has been having problems taking a nap in her new bed. (she just transferred from her crib Friday)She just went to sleep about 15 minutes ago, (her normal nap time is 1:00) her first nap since she got in her new bed. I laid down with her thinking that would help, and it didn't, but I tried to fake sleep so that she would follow suit, nope. But, she did hug my neck while we were laying there and she said, 'Mommy, I love you'. Of course, that melted my heart, which I don't know if it was said with ulterior motives or not, but at that time, I didn't care. It was just priceless.
Work is going good, an adjustment, but I am enjoying it and am so thankful for the provisions my Lord is making for our family. Haven is enjoying being over at Miss Katherine's and enjoying playing with her kids too. Her 'first day of school' went well. (that's what it felt like, so I know I'll be a crazy person when she has her first day of kindergarten.)
The ladies that I am fortunate to work with are a blessing--God is good!
-KL-

Kids are so sweet

This is my sweet nephew Cambron. This morning he came by (they live on the other side of the duplex) and knocked on the door. He said 'Is Haven awake? I want to say hi'. It was too sweet! It's been fun at this stage in their lives, they are both so into each other and enjoy playing together. He is such a protector and Haven does everything he does! (and wants to do, such as playing baseball when she gets older...)She always asks where Cambron and Kelley is and wants to know at all times, just in case.:) Anyway, I am very thankful that we are able to live so close--Haven has literally grown up with him as her next door neighbor, so when they move, she'll have to not knock on their door all the time!!:)
I think the Lord gives us children so that we can be reminded of how simple things can be and how much He loves us be entrusting them to us! What an awesome God we serve!
Cambron, you'll have to have your mom show you this! You're famous! Thank you for being such a helper with Haven and a protector of her. She loves you so much and so do we! And we love your mommy so much! You are her sunshine, and the coolest guy around!!

Kara

It's been awhile...

Hey! I know it's been awhile! Life has been crazy! The Lord has been doing some awesome things! I am working part time with my sister in law, Kelley, processing home loans and am so excited about it! I have also found a place for Haven to be at while I work. It will be her own 'little haven' while I am working and I know she'll love it! I am so blessed the Lord provided it at just the right time. I am new to this whole part time work thing, but am so excited! I know it's time for Haven too, to start to 'get out on her own' and 'see the world'. Okay, maybe not that far out, but she's almost 3 and at that age where it will be good for her to be with other people and kiddos besides her mommy. So, we'll see how that goes. I am still going to pursue the medical transcription thing and that do as well. I am very excited about that avenue too! God is so good! He knows just what we need when WE need it, and in HIS time, not ours. (I struggle with patience)So, I start Wednesday of next week, after training for a few weeks, I think I am ready. (or as ready as I need to be) The ladies there are awesome and we pray in the mornings, ect. And I am still able to go to my morning Bible Study on Tuesdays. It's just an exciting time, another season in our lives.
Haven's 3rd birthday is this weekend. I asked what kind of cake she wanted (not sure why, as I probably wouldn't be able to deliver on whatever kind she wanted, but oh well) She wanted a blue's clues cake. I looked on line and there was an article on how to make one yourself, but it was going to take like 3 hours to make (you have to cute and all that jazz to make it into Blue's head) and I thought, no thanks. So, I got a cake mix at Wal-Mart and I am just going to do blue icing. (hey, at least it's blue) She'll be stoked! So, that's that. I think she is getting excited. We are so thankful for her and her life that the Lord has blessed her to live and influence the world around her.
Take care and be blessed--more soon!
Kara