My Baby is 7!

Today was Austin's birthday. Wow when did she get so not a toddler, she is a kid--and it makes me sad!! What a doll she is. She is for sure our carefree, want to make you laugh, tell a STORY, hug on you, love on you, not afraid of anything, little girl.

We started our day with the usual decorated door. Although her and Avery "camped" out in the living room--I still did her door--started to decorate the mantle--didn't have the same feel to it. And of course Mr. Patient, Carl helped after midnight with the task of the night.

It was not the most creative but it matched her invitation and so, well enough said!

Love having a birthday on a Saturday! We celebrated with breakfast on the patio and a candle in her breakfast burrito--which was her menu request.

Next she was off to take Abby swimming (Abby needy a little mommy's day out away from the puppies--yes for those of you who do not know--PUPPIES--AGAIN--we are irresponsible dog owners what can I say?) via a bike ride with Daddy. She looks soooo old.

We had her party at Bounce U--which for those of you who know me KNOW I do not (or rarely) do a party any where other than my home. You can do much cuter things in your backyard.

But Bounce U is where she wanted it--so Bounce U it was. I was reminded why I do my own parties when it was time for 25 kids to have pizza...and...no pizza. Give me a C...give me an O...give me a N...give me a T...give me a R...give me an O...give me a L. What's it spell---CONTROL!!! I like control. So needless to say I wasn't very happy with Bounce U. However I was very sweet and nice to our two little hostess girls...for the record.

So we opened presents, blew out candles, made our own ice cream sundaes...and THEN the pizza came! They didn't even give me a discount---and believe me I tried. So my advice to you would be just say no to Bounce U. But Austie had fun and so did her friends so that is all that counts. Right. Whatever.

So after her party we came home, got a bath, and then packed her bags to go spend the night with her best little buddy Kinsey.

What...yes it's true my baby, my last little chick in the nest, went to spend the night on her birthday with a friend. I am okay....really I am. But seriously could everyone just STOP GROWING UP!!!

So right now I am going to bed with a clean house--thanks to Bounce U--what a minute I am mad at them.

And going to bed thankful for the little gift named Austin Olivia Lopez that the Lord gave us 7 years ago today!

My Little Boy is 13!

Okay so today is AJ's birthday and he is 13! What are you kidding me? I promise he was in kindergarten the other day and could not say his r's, l's or s's. We have been over the top blessed with AJ. We are already seeing God's call on his life. Sunday night he was riding in the front seat with me driving home from church and he said, "I can't wait for Mexico." Which to be honest has been the common phrase at our house for the past month. Our youth group is going to Rosarita, Mexico near Tijuana to an orphanage during Spring Break. Yes--in case you are wondering, I do know that the State Department has issued a warning for people NOT to travel across the border. YES in case you are wondering if that concerns me--it does!

So anyway that statement was not uncommon, but taking any opportunity I can to have my kids talk to me I asked AJ, "Why do you say that bud." He said, "Because I think God's going to do great things." Okay, YES in case you are wondering I was totally proud. No describing do you hear me--none-- the feeling of your children getting it. Knowing that God is going to use them and that it will be GOD that does it.

Yes in case you are wondering I cried later that night thinking about and thanking God for that little guy!

So today in the normal Lopez fashion AJ got his birthday muffins with a candle in it.

He woke up to a decorated door this morning. I decorated his door with a golf motif--had a 3-d golf club, putting green and you guessed it 13 golf balls with a sign that said:

AJ We think you are one Tee rrific Guy.

A little cheesy--well here take a look for yourself. Hard to see the balls against the white door but they were there!

Not as creative as usual but it was nearly 1 in the morning because I stayed up chatting with my sister on Facebook--oops! Yes in case you are wondering this sadly to say has become a bit of a habit.

So tonight AJ went to RCG--youth small group in homes and had a Sandlot moment where someone tossed his football over the fence into the neighbor's yard and it got eaten by this guy--AKA--The Beast!

Yes in case you are wondering I think that is hilarious AND what a great 13th birthday memory for AJ.

Then we made our way home to find that Carl, Avery and Austin made AJ a birthday cookie. Which we quickly ate so that we could get to AMERICAN IDOL. YES in case you are wondering I already have my favorites and opinions--will blog another day about that! Loving Kris, Danny Megan and even Adam!

Life is just a little more fun with AJ!

One compliment that we get regularly about AJ from his coaches--regardless of what sport, is that AJ is very coachable. Love that he wants to learn and that he takes instruction from others--that will serve him well in life.

This is our first spring since he was in kindergarten that he has not played baseball. This was my favorite picture of AJ last year--a little happy to score! I love when a little boy moment sneaks out! They are coming further and farther between but am thankful our friend Mark caught this one on camera!

AJ is on the Jr High golf team for Union. He had his first tournament Monday. They took third--behind Broken Arrow and Jenks--was not pretty--but he looked adorable in his little golf outfit!!Yes in case you are wondering I am a proud mom! We are loving getting to see God grow this once little guy in to a young man that wants to live for Jesus Christ! Happy Birthday big guy!

Grandma Vivie

Well I certainly didn't mean for it to have been 6 weeks before I blogged again but well it is.
The day after my last post my Grandma Vivie went home to be with Jesus. We were all expecting it, she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year ago. Her four children took turns EVERY single night spending the night with her and caring for her and my grandpa for an entire year. Talk about your children rise up and call you blessed--her children rose up and blessed!!!
My little Grandma really was a walking miracle because she lived way longer than any doctor thought that she would. In fact for more than 10 days, hospice kept telling my dad and his sisters that it would be 24-48 hours. Finally on January 6th, the hospice nurse told my sweet little grandpa that he should tell her good-bye and let her know it was okay to go. So that afternoon he did. Can not imagine what that must have been like to tell the love of your life good-bye after 70 years!
I am thankful that I got to tell my grandma good-bye and to thank her for being faithful--because a thousand generations of our family will be blessed because she chose to love God and live for Him "...showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments." Exodus 20:6
Although we were expecting it, and even though I thought I was ready; I was not ready to let this lady who influenced much of my life go.
My grandma was an only child. But boy did she make up for the lack of relatives when she married my grandpa--the third of four boys!!
When Grandma died, she had 4 kids, 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Not to mention all of their spouses. Isn't that amazing!!
I had the awesome privilege of growing up in the country right next door to my grandparents.
One of the things that amazed me most about my grandma is that each grandchild had their own special memories with grandma--that were ongoing. Her grandchildren, at the time of her death, ranged from 20-50 years old! The youngest, Andrew was one of the grandkids to speak at her funeral and he mentioned that my grandma never missed one of his birthdays. Which may not seem like a big deal but a couple of those birthdays were in Virginia and at least 7 of them were in Singapore!!
I have a ton of great memories of my grandma--we both loved antiques. The first antique I bought I called my grandma up (from a payphone mind you!!) and asked her if it was a good deal---she said yes, so I bought a pie safe. We got the famous Grandma Vivie's Hot Spice Tea recipe when were were antiquing in Greenwood, Missouri--in 1985. She served it every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas until last year. It really is delicious, but that isn't why she served it, it was a memory--that's why! I could go on and on about barbies, doublemint gum, The King is Coming, Hello Dolly, Silver Dollar City, etc etc. But the crazy thing is that every grandchild--all 14 had special memories with this lady. How on earth did she have the time??? I guess she made the time. Wow--I want to be like that. To MAKE the time for those who are special to me.
So I have been missing my grandma. The greatest thing about my grandma is that she chose to follow Jesus. She got saved as a little girl but really it was as a young adult that she began to LIVE for Him.
I am so thankful for a godly heritage from this sweet lady, an example of loving and living the Word of God and a heritage of taking time for family.

New Year's Resolutions

Hmm First let me offer my apologies for my absence in the blogosphere. To be honest I blog once a day in my head and think I need to go log in and get that down--but I do not.

Secondly, I have Facebook which is a great thing but also a time consumer. So I need to find balance between Blogspot and Facebook.

Thirdly, I had an amazing A Christmas Gathering tour. We did 5 Gatherings from November 7th to December 5th. Sooo much fun and God blessed all of those events from Nashville to Jackson to Corpus Christie to Tulsa!

Fourthly, we had puppies--8!

Fifthly (is that numerically correct?) I have four very active--cute but active children. So, well you get it.

Sixthly--hello it has been Christmas.



On to my New Year's Resolutions...

1) Blog more consistently--tee hee



Seriously, For the past several weeks the word that the Lord keeps bringing to me is PEACE. He has done this through different avenues. Of course through my quiet time--one verse in particular that has been showing up everywhere is "My peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

I do not know what 2009 will bring. I don't know what will happen or not happen in 2009. But I have resolved that whatever it is I will be at peace and I will get my peace from God--not the world.

Another thing that the Lord has been showing me is that my home needs to be a place of peace for my children. We run a tight ship around our house. It is a loving ship but a tight ship. But I always want our home to be a place of peace and not stress--a refuge for my children.

Another thing is that I want my life to exemplify peace. For whatever reason crazy and I mean crazy things happen to me--don't ask for them--don't go looking for them--they just happen. Um check out some previous blogs if you don't believe me. And I think it is easy to get stressed--worked up--whatever you want to call it about craziness but I want my life to show PEACE--the Peace that only comes from walking daily with a Holy God.

So that's my resolve for 2009--Peace--His Peace. Anyone care to join me?

Purity, Purpose, and Praise

Two weeks ago tonight I attended the praise service to celebrate the life of Marilyn Jett. Marilyn did not want a funeral she wanted a praise service and that is exactly what she got. Amazing tribute to an amazing woman of God.

God gave me a gift of spending a week with Marilyn one week before she passed from this life into eternity with Jesus. She could not hardly move other than to hold her Carnation Breakfast milk slushy. But we had the best time laughing and talking. I consider those four days really to be a highlight of my life. She blessed me, encouraged me and continued to pour wisdom into my life.

She was surrounded by her family, loving on her, caring for her every need and bringing her Starbucks. They definetly lived out, "her children rise up and call her blessed." So many precious moments that I will never forget.

At her praise service, Wade Akins spoke and said that Marilyn was a woman of purity--purpose--and praise. Three things that I want to be a woman of as well. Marilyn was a great example to follow. The music was unbelievable.

Sunday before lunch, Dr. Jett blessed the food and prayed for the day's events. Two things hat he said that have had a profound impact on me over the past 14 days. First when he prayed he said, "Lord today is a different day for us, but it is a good day." and then he said, "And Lord in our grief do not let us lose sight of Your Presence." An amazing man of God that not only preached the Word of God but has lived it even in the saddest day of his life.

So many things I could say about this great couple of faith. Marilyn Jett left a legacy of living for Christ--everyday and I want to live like that.

Avery Avery She's Our Girl!

Yep another birthday for the Lopez family. Today Avery is 9. She is our only little Dixie Chick--she was born at Jackson General Hospitol in Jackson Tn.


Everyone loves Avery. The comment made regularly about Avery is, "She is so funny!" And she is! She has this great sense of humor and incredible sense of timing in her humor. Witty little girl!


Wow I can't believe she is 9. So to celebrate we had a Movie Star party on Saturday night. So fun! Although boys were invited, because of ball games etc etc none showed up except our favorite little neighbor boy--Hunter!


We rolled out the red carpet...
(If the truth be known, it was red flannel 3.99 a yard at Hobby Lobby and 30% off, but hey it worked!)

Ate a little cake...



Opened presents...



And took some pics with our little party favor...

Avery woke this morning to a decorated door keeping with her movie theme. Not my best work but a decorated door none the less.


There was only Austin and I left this morning to sing Happy Birthday to Avery. Andersen and AJ both catch the bus at 7:15 so...Avery chose to sleep in rather than have a birthday choir. Nonetheless, she blew out her birthday candle on a chocolate chip muffin.


No telling what God will do with Avery--it is so much fun to see God at work in her life. WOW we are blessed!

Happy Labor Day--and I Mean Labor Day!

14 years ago today I was actually in labor! What a payoff I received for all my hard work. We were given a wonderful gift named Andersen Layne Lopez!






We got to celebrate this weekend at Beaver Lake with Mother and Daddy and my sister's and their families and Carl's mom.










And in our usual Lopez family tradition, Andersen woke up this morning to a decorated door. This is the first year we did not have a party with a theme--so what was I to do? Andersen decided to have a few friends go to The Cheesecake Factory rather than a party--I was a little sad (you all know I am all about a party with a theme!!) But I must admit that it was alot less work than you know a Survivor party or Who Done It scavenger hunt or a Luau, or a Backyard Carnival, or a Movie Star Party, or...just to name a few over the past 13 years!

I did not have a theme to decorate her door by so I simply put HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDERSEN and then wrote on each letter an adjective describing my Happy--Amazing--Peppy--Peacemaker--Yippee--Beautiful--Interesting--Ready--Terrific--Helpful--Delightful--Athletic--Yes Maamer--All-Star--Never boring--Daring--Exciting--Relaxing--Special--Easy-going--Nice 14 year-old daughter. Of course with the help of my ever patient sleepy husband, who graciously handed my tape at midnight as I decorated her door!





And then this morning we had breakfast burritos with a candle in it to celebrate.





And then to top off her birthday, she cheered at her first 8th grade football game at Jenks High School. (PS JENKS STINKS)

Their uniforms were not in--why I don't know but she looked just as cute. There is just something about a 14 year old with braces and a big ribbon tied in a bow that I just can't get over!

Andersen has been a joy for 14 years--wow she for sure is a gift because I do not deserve a daughter as incredible as she is--just goes to show that prayer works!