All sorts of grumbly things to say...

I prayed and prayed that this school year would be better than last year. Some pretty lousy things happened last year and I prayed that it was all behind us. Not so much. Apparently, some teacher at the school saw me get grumpy with my children at the splash fountain and said something to my son's teacher. Am I the only parent in the world that gets stern with her kids? Am I the only parent in the world that doesn't hover over her children every second of the day? Apparently I am. I could go on and on, but that won't help me leave this at the Lord's feet. Believe me, I have some things I would like to say to "Mrs. Perfect-Parent" but what good would it do? Although if I ever find out who it was, I will certainly ask her to walk a mile in my shoes and ask her for parenting tips.

So after venting with my two dear friends, I decided to go to the gym and run off this frustration. While in the locker room, I ran into someone I know - who I can really relate to and what her to become a friend - and I told her about it. I was just about in tears again.

Finally I make it to the treadmill, plug in my iPod and start running. The problem was, I forgot my ear buds and had to borrow these really cheap headphones. I could only hear drums and guitars. But on the third song, God had something to say. I heard the words to the following song, crystal clear...

I know this song is about something much more gigantic than my situation. I know there is a whole lot worse out there. But this song brings me comfort and since this is my blog, I can share it and relate to it!

Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
I have traveled many moonless night
Cold and Weary, with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, You have come
Chosen me now to carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone
Be with me now
Be with me now

Breath of Heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holyness
For your holy
Breath of Heaven

Do you wonder
As you watch my face
If a wiser one, should of had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

Sometimes, ok, all the time, I do not feel equipped to be the mom of Zach and Ryan. But I know God chose me. And since He chose me, he will "Help me be strong". But I do wonder if He ever wishes he chose someone better; I know I sometimes wish He had.

So for the one person who might read this, please pray for my family and this school year. I just want a smooth one. I don't want to harbor these feelings towards my chidlrens' school.

On a positive note... my kids actual classroom teachers and aides are PHENOMENAL and they are the primary reason we still go to the school.

Quote that keeps me going

It's no secret that I have been through the wringer with my boys (and what parent can't say that?). My journey has a purpose and I pray that it includes helping other moms.

I am doing the "Esther" Bible Study by Beth Moore and in the very first lesson, I'm already blown away by what I'm learning!

Beth describes the opening of the Book of Esther as a "once upon a time." This is used 5 times in the Bible and each time there has been a major catastrophe/drama!

So on page 14 she quotes (someone, I can't find the reference)..."The ending to each story is happy, but before that happy ending is realized, much grief occurs."

Ok, I can see that... but then she goes on to say (and this is the one that really speaks to me/keeps me going/makes the drama tolerable) "When we trust our lives to the hand and pen of an unseen but ever-present God, He will write our lives into His story and every last one of them will turn out to be a great read. With a grand ending. And not just in spite of those catastrophes. Often because of them. Don't just wait and see. Live and see."

This reminds me that I have two "funky" kids for a reason! I need to make our lives count! Sign me up for the adventure, God! (But could it be one of those multiple-choice adventures?)

El Mikarts aventura Mexicano 2009

Have you ever seen so many pictures on my blog? We just finished one of the best vacations... It was pretty hard to top our Jamiaca trip (even though Ryan spent 2 nights in a rural Jamaican hospital...) and our trips to Michigan have been pretty fun too. But, cruising... way fun!

We got to Ft. Lauderdale Sunday afternoon and stayed at the swanky Westin on the beach. It was a super great deal on Hotwire...
The boys loved playing on the beach - and the big waves of the Atlantic...

Mark and Zach, of course, enjoyed the pool. What is a swimming "session" without Mark tossing Zach into the water?

I almost got a perfect picture of the boys together. Almost....

Then on Monday, we got to our cruise ship in Miami. Tuesday morning was Key West, but since we've been there often, we just got off the boat to get Lactaid pills for Mark and crazy Hawaiian shirts. Ryan was pretty exhausted and just rode around on Mark's shoulders.

Wednesday afternoon was Cozumel. I was a little nervous about what we would do because I was too cheap to pay for an excursion... So we went to the market and then...

We rented a Jeep and drove around the island! Cozumel is GORGEOUS! ME GUSTA MUCHA!!

We went swimming at this little beach - Chen Rio Playa.

Drank coconut milk at a different beach.

Took millions of pictures of the coast.

And then got lost in Cozumel Cuidad. Fortunately, Mark speaks Spanish and we made it back to the boat!s

A whole lot of time was spent at the Water Play Area on our boat:

Zach loved the hot tub.

And they were obsessed with the bunk beds in our cabin.

We ate, we relaxed, we played, and we were merry! I can't wait until our next cruise. Anyone want to come with us?

Oh - and this was actually a cheap vacation! We came in under budget! Imagine that!!!!