THANKFUL TUESDAY - March 31, 2009

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

1. I am THANKFUL for my three boys and the fun they bring to my life.

2. Andrew is THANKFUL for golf, baseball and God!

3. Christopher is THANKFUL for God sending His only son to die on the cross for us, his parents and for food!. . . I think he really means "snacks".

4. Kevin is THANKFUL for God, Jesus, soccer and his blanket! Kevin is so attached to his blanket that he calls "Mae Mae." He smells a particular corner when he is sleepy!

5. I am THANKFUL for Kevin's preschool. He has learned so much, made great friends and continues to have a love for school and learning.

6. Daniel is THANKFUL for his happy, healthy, strong family and baseball.

7. I am THANKFUL for my family and the love they have for God. I am thankful that we are able to grow together in our walk with God. I am thankful that I have the Bible, God's instruction book, to help me raise my children and help make their lives joyful. "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

8. I am THANKFUL that we have wonderful neighbors and that we are able to help each other out when in need.

9. I am THANKFUL that American Idol and Biggest Losser are on TV on Tuesday. It is a great night of relaxation with Daniel.

10. I am THANKFUL for my boys' teachers that have prepared them for their iLEAP test they are taking this week. "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 I truly feel that teachers have been given a special gift of teaching that they use to serve God's children. Thank you God for our teachers!

Have a very THANKFUL TUESDAY and the rest of the week. If you look closely there are many blessings each day that we should be thankful for.

Meaningful Monday - March 30, 2009

Today's Prayer:

Happy Monday, God. As I look forward to this week, I want to start by thanking You for all the many blessings You have given me. The little things I so often take for granted, like having food, clothing and shelter; being able to work; being able to get up out of the bed even. Keep me, my friends, my family and anyone reading this focused on what is important in life. Help us to sow good things in this world. If I'm not doing enough, or not doing all You want me to do, please remind me and guide me. I pray for those that do not know You personally that they will have the hunger to seek You. I praise You, God, and give You the glory, great things You have done. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Deliverance from the Black Hole:

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman09-30-2008

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5b).

A black hole is a place of total nothingness. It's a time in our life when God removes the resources and supports that we normally rely on to feel secure - our careers, finances, friends, family, health and so forth. It is a preparation time.

When you find yourself in a black hole experience, don't just sit and brood. Take stock of your life. Take a look at your relationship with God.

First, ask God if there are any sins, habits, or attitudes that He might be judging in your life. It's important to discern whether the trial we face is the result of God's discipline for our sin?or if it is preparing us for a future leadership role.

Second, when you enter a black hole, don't trust your feelings. Trust God. Your feelings will tell you, "God has rejected you. Abandon hope. He has left you utterly alone." Feelings change; God never changes. Feelings come and go; God is always with us.

Third, remember that your black hole experience is not only intended to refine and define you; it's also intended to influence and change the lives of hundreds or even thousands of other people. Our adversity is not just for us, but others in our sphere of influence.

Fourth, don't try to hurry the black hole process along. Remember, when Joseph was in the depths of the pit, there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn't climb out, jump out, levitate out, or talk his way out. All he could do was pray and wait upon the Lord.

Fifth, lean on God. Even when you don't feel like praying, pray. Even when you don't feel like reading His Word, read. Even when you don't feel like singing songs of faith, sing. When you pray, don't just talk; listen. Be silent before Him and listen for His still, quiet voice.

Sixth, be alert to new truths and new perspectives. During a black hole experience, God often leads us to amazing new discoveries. A black hole can be a storehouse of unexpected riches for the soul.

Pam's Thoughts:

It is amazing to me how God just puts something right in front of you at just the right time. I so needed to hear that God is there ALL the time. And that this black hole I have in my life right now is a time of preparation and that God is doing wonderful things in me. Even though I know this truth, it is so easy for the devil to whisper into my ear and tell me I am forgotten. There are trials in my life that I wonder if they will ever go away. If I am living my life for God, do I want them to go away? As I think of this now I have to say I would love a break from it. But that is my own voice talking to me now. I want God's Will for my life. Therefore I know I will have "storms" in my life that will prepare me for the wonderful life God's has planned for me. " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 So I will continue to stay in His Word, Pray and sing Praises! I will also continue to pray for you to stay strong when you enter a black hole. Hope you have a great week. See you on Thankful Tuesday!

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Kevin's Easter Performance and Art Show

What a way to start your Friday morning off. The sweet sound of children singing. The parents couldn't stop smiling and laughing the whole morning. The children were so proud and having so much fun with their performance. After they sang we went to their classrooms and viewed their artwork. They also served us lemonade and cookies that they had prepared. Hope you enjoy the sweet sounds of these two songs. You can't help but be IN THE ZONE when listening to innocent children sing. Don't forget to put the other music on pause.

We heard this song all week - at home, in the car and anywhere else he could sing it.
"I'm Squishing Up My Baby Bumble Bee"

This is the song that melted my heart. The song is "Lord I Lift Your Name On High." They are also signing the song. What great words for these children to be taught and to have in their heart.

(Verse) Lord, I lift Your name on high

Lord, I love to sing Your praises

I'm so glad You're in my life

I'm so glad You came to save us

(Chorus) You came from heaven to earth

To show the way

From the earth to the cross

My debt to pay

From the cross to the grave

From the grave to the sky

Lord, I lift Your name on high

Kevin knew I was taking his picture so he had to strike a pose.

Kevin is pouring his mom and dad some lemonade. . . parents were not allowed to serve themselves, the children had to do it - the Montessori Way!

Kevin and his Preschool 3 Teacher, Mrs. King

Quint and Kevin - "best buds" - giving each other a high five for a good job done!

Here is Kevin's Easter Art Show display - He was proud!

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS - Baseball

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS are on the game of baseball. It is springtime and baseball has begun! There are children sporting their new uniforms, getting those uniforms dirty, mom's trying to clean those uniforms and dads remembering how the uniform got dirty. It makes you forget about the world around you. The headlines scream out the troubles and turmoil in the world today. The economic news goes from bad to worse, with the stock market on a roller coaster of ups and downs, gutting many nest eggs and retirement funds. With all the changes in our world and the focus on our economy the game of baseball still remains America's Past Time. The game gives you an escape from the "real world." The video taken from the Field of Dreams movie says it best.

You need to pause the music before you begin the video.
These are pictures of Daniel at the farm where Fields of Dreams was filmed. He went with some of his Marlins' teammates when he was playing in Iowa.

Daniel and I love springtime so much. . . you can feel the new beginnings in the air. The flowers blooming, the green grass peeking through and the start of baseball season!

Don't tell me about the world. Not today. It's springtime and they're knocking baseballs around fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curve ball. ~Pete Hamill

The most fun I ever had in my life was hittin' a baseball. And the best sound I ever heard in my life was a ball hit with a bat. Powww! ~ Ted Williams

I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby

Baseball is a game where a curve is an optical illusion, a screwball can be a pitch or a person, stealing is legal and you can spit anywhere you like except in the umpire's eye or on the ball. ~Jim MurrayThe Best of Jim Murray, 1965

Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off. ~Bill Veeck

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby

Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer. ~Ted Williams

Andrew hit the ball to the left field fence. He got on to me for not filming correctly. Apparently I was suppose to follow the ball and not him. Hey I'm a mom, I don't want to follow the ball I want to follow my child!

Christopher ends up getting an "in the park" homerun off of this hard hit ball.

These are videos of Andrew and Christopher hitting . . . did we think of the economy or bills that needed to be paid while watching our children hit the ball and run the bases? No, we were in our world of baseball and FUN! When we enter the ball park, we are definitley IN THE ZONE!

Have you seen a good ol' baseball game this spring?

A Lifetime Ago!

Ok it is still WACKY WEDNESDAY so I thought it would be appropriate to post these pictures of me and Daniel. Wow, I think this was a lifetime ago.

The first picture Daniel and I are sitting in the dugout at Louisiana Tech. It was our sophomore year. We are sooooo young! But we were so IN THE ZONE with having fun and living in the moment!

The second picture Daniel and I are at the Marlins Spring Training in Kissimmee, Florida. Daniel got the call to play for the Marlins the Sunday after we got off of our honeymoon on Saturday. He left on Monday and I stayed behind. . . .only married for a week. I was a little ZONED OUT about that decision. But had no choice at the time. I got to go later. We were loving life and having a blast. . . no kids and living in Florida! But really broke and didn't know any better - the apartments were very expensive, we lived 10 minutes from Disney World.

Isn't this WACKY! It truly feels forever ago. We will be married 17 years in June.

WACKY WEDNESDAY

I like WACKY WEDNESDAY because my life is pretty wAcKy with 3 boys, a husband, two dogs, an old cat, a demanding guinea pig and a hermit crab. Hope you enjoy reading about my wAcKiness. You decide if they are IN THE ZONE or ZONED OUT moments in my life!

1. Is it WACKY that I love the TV show The Biggest Loser? I get motivated watching the people making changes in their lives. I'm just waiting for the show to come take me away and help me lose my "baby weight" that is no longer classified as baby weight. Who makes up the rule when you have to have the "baby weight" gone anyway?

2. Is it WACKY that I love watching my three boys beat up their daddy at night but I usually look away because their "rough boy play" worries the mom in me? They live for that night time "take down daddy" time!

3. Is it WACKY that all our "stuff" is parked in our garage and my two cars are collecting the dust outside the garage?

4. Is it WACKY that I am finding old high school friends on Facebook that live in the same town as me and didn't even know it?

5. Is it WACKY that I just cleaned my kitchen last night - then woke up this morning, got the kids' lunches together, fed them, got them dressed, took them to school, came back home and looked at my kitchen that is no longer clean and dishes are stack in the sink AGAIN? Is it WACKY if I don't clean it anymore because it's just going to get dirty again?

6. Is it WACKY when you enjoy shooting marshmallows into the air with your son's science project . . .at 10pm at night and you're telling your family to be quiet you might wake up the neighbors? We had the project done for awhile but had to buy marshmallows to test the success of his catapult design. It was a great family time - Andrew shot the marshmallows while his three yr. old brother retrieved them - then ate them. Even the grandparents came over at 10pm to see the big launch. Who needs sleep?

7. Is it WACKY that we have to hide the lunch snacks because the kids eat them all when they come home for school? Is it WACKY that they find them and we have to hide them somewhere else?

8. Is it WACKY that my middle child takes his bath at night and gets dressed for school. . . then sleeps in his clothes so he is ready for school and can sleep in a little longer?

9. Is it WACKY that my soon to be 12 yr. old son goes on a weekend retreat with his church and calls me at 1:30am to tell me "Good night and I love you!" and I think it's sweet even though he woke me up? Again, who needs sleep in our house?

10. Is it WACKY that I love my life even though it can be hard and challenging, my house is a mess, no one listens to me around here and I get no sleep? I am truly blessed with a wonderful life - I didn't say perfect life!


Do you have some WaCkY In The Zone or Zoned Out moments? Would love to hear about them on the "comments" below.

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Thankful Tuesday - March 24, 2009

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

1. I am thankful that anything is possible within Him and He gives me strength to face troubles, pressures and trials. "I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13


2. I am thankful for my Christian friends and family that help me walk an obedient life and make me accountable if I stray. . . because I will stray, only Jesus walked on this earth as a perfect man.


3. I am thankful that I got to coach Kevin's soccer game and watch 6 baseball games on Saturday. I was truly IN THE ZONE with all these sporting events. I am thankful that we won all 6 baseball games. I don't think we won our soccer game. . . we don't keep score in 3 yr. old soccer but the other team seem to have the ball a lot more than us - maybe it was the coach!

4. I am thankful that I have friends with 3 yr. olds. . . Kevin has some really good friends to grow up with!


5. I am thankful for my 4th Grade Sunday School class that warms my heart each Sunday. Sweet children that come to church faithfully and love the Lord!

6. I am thankful for the rain. The rain that will wash the layer of yellow pollen off of my car. . . my car looks a little ZONED OUT!


7. Daniel says he is thankful for his family, roof over his head, his job and that baseball season is finally here. . . "Take me out to the ball game!" He is feeling IN THE ZONE!


8. I am thankful that I have Daniel to help with Andrew's science project - Building a catapult that will shoot a marshmellow a minimum of 1 meter. Yeah, his went a average of 7.2 meters over 10 test trials! I am also thankful that project went to school today and out of my kitchen!


9. I am thankful that He gives me the power to pray and give request in Jesus' name and that I have God's word to keep close to my heart even when my heart is not pure:

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:6-7


" I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of the truth." John 14:12-17

10. I am thankful that today is THANKFUL TUESDAY. I am truly blessed by reflecting on my life and what I am thankful for. Praising God for mercy and grace in my life has been a blessing. I am so thankful for all these things. Today is going to be IN THE ZONE for me! Hope it is for you too!

Meaningful Monday

Today's Prayer:
Great are You Lord, and most worthy of praise. You are a mighty fortress. I clap my hands and sing praises of joy before you, most awesome Lord on high. I know that You, God, reign over the nations and You, God, are seated on Your Holy Throne. May You be exalted. Please protect Your people and help us to be united for You as we live and minister to one another in this world. Help us live for the future of Your Kingdom and not for short term rewards this earthly life gives. It can be hard to live for something we can't see, so I pray for our faith. I know that You love us all and want to reward us when we come home to You. I pray that today we are obedient, giving and forgiving. In Jesus' name, amen.

Two Types of People
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman03-18-2009

"O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life" (Ps 17:14).

There are two types of people in the world. There are those whose activities are designed to generate a reward in this lifetime. And there are those who live to generate a reward when they meet our Lord in Heaven.

Not every Christian models the latter. How does one judge whether they are living for the future reward versus the earthly reward? There are several key indicators.

Future reward people tend to be givers. They make their time and resources available to be channeled for Kingdom purposes. They realize their sowing will ultimately be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ where what they have done on earth will be judged and rewarded by God (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Future reward people live a life based upon obedience-based decisions. They don't make decisions based on their perceived outcome. They realize a decision based on obedience alone may not result in an immediate outcome. Jesus was obedient to the cross, but the immediate outcome was His own death on the cross.

Future reward situations show up in daily life in a number of ways. Perhaps a person has wronged you and God calls you to forgive and even bless that person without expectation of their response. Perhaps God calls you to sow money into a ministry or another person's life without expectation of return from them. Perhaps you are called to serve another person without expectation of any earthly reward. The situations we might encounter are unlimited.

Are you living a life based on a future reward, or short term reward? Today, evaluate how you make decisions and how you allocate resources. This will reveal whether you are a future reward Christian.

Pam's Thoughts:
Oh my, this hits home! It is so hard not to live for earthly rewards. You want to provide for your children and give them "earthly rewards." Whether the earthly rewards are material items, popularity, academic success or athletic ability, you want these things for your children. How do you teach them these are not the purpose for our lives. . . because in their short life these are what the world teaches us we "need." How can I expect my children to live for the future's reward when it's so hard for me as an adult. I understand it better now that I am adult and my relationship with God has grown, but it is still hard when you are surrounded by all the temptations of this world. I have to constantly keep God at the forefront of my thoughts or I will get lost in trying to receive earthly rewards. But how great it is that God has given us power over these thoughts and can help us defeat the temptations. You just have to access this power. . . put His Word in your heart so you can pierce through the temptations like a sword. And pray, pray and pray that God will give you His strength and wisdom through out the day. Go for the future rewards! Get IN THE ZONE with God!

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3rd Grade Multiplication Banana Split Party!

Learning multiplication facts in 3rd grade was a blast and should I say pretty yummy! Christopher's math teacher made learning their math facts very motivating. They "built" their banana split each time they learned the multiplications facts for a particular number. For example: When you passed the 0 and 1s multiplication test, you earned the bowl for your banana split. When you passed the facts for the 2s you earned the spoon and so forth. Back in February 2009 they had a great time celebrating their knowledge.

Christopher says "thumbs up" to his banana split. Hunter says "eat up!"

As you could see from Christopher's mile high banana split, he passed all the tests and earned all the items for his banana split. Way to go Christopher! Christopher really likes math, so this was a great way to celebrate learning and to continue his love for math! Way to go Mrs. Kimbell!!!

2009 Basketball Season

This was a fun basketball season for Andrew and Christopher but a little bit of a schedule challenge. Daniel was the head coach for Andrew's team and the assistant coach for Christopher's team. We were a little Zoned Out by the end of the season. . . baseball began at the end of basketball season and all our Baton Rouge and State swim meets were happening during basketball. The boys love playing basketball so we managed to fit it in. We were really blessed with the teams that the boys were on. . . great parents and kids! These families are really IN THE ZONE.

Some of these pictures are a little out of focus. My camera didn't like all the action and motion.

I didn't get very many good pictures of Christopher playing

basketball. Christophr is #35.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Being the Louisiana Tech Bulldog fans that we are, Daniel and I have learned to like LSU just a little bit. . . what we do for our children. Living in Louisiana LSU is EVERYWHERE! We still bleed red and blue but our children like LSU and wanted see Mike the Tiger. Andrew and Christopher had a swim meet in Baton Rouge the weekend of January 23-25, 2009. (Seeing that we are now in March 2009 I have some catching up to do with events. So look for January and February events to be blogged soon.) So off we went to see Mike the Tiger before the boys swam that afternoon. We tried to get tickets to see a basketball game that night but it didn't work out. . . this was a weekend for a "big" game. So we went and saw the movie Hotel For Dogs instead. . . cute movie. Swim meet weekends are a great time for our family. We usually try to do something fun in the area where we swim. Andrew and Christopher did well swimming. Andrew was only 2 seconds away from an 11/12 year old state time in 50 Free and 50 Back. Christopher was and still is 4 seconds away from a 10 and under state time. Andrew really wanted to make a state time so we headed back to Baton Rouge 2 weeks later. Christopher stayed home with Mama Mc and Granddaddy for his last basketball game of the season.

The Robinson boys walking the LSU campus on a scavenger hunt to find basketball tickets. It was a true scavenger hunt. Every door we went to had a sign telling us to go somewhere else. We finally ended up at the ticket office with a sign posted telling us they didn't open until an hour before game time. We said no thank you and headed to the movies with another swim family. . . I liked that idea better anyway!

Notice Kevin is not in the picture. He was the one really wanting to see Mike the Tiger but he decided he looked better from the distance.

What a set of boys!

You can't hear the sound that goes with Kevin's motions. He is roaring like Mike the Tiger. . . roooooaaaaaar!!!!!

And here he is. . . Mike the Tiger.

So now it is two weeks later February 7-8, 2009 and we go back to Baton Rouge for the "Last Chance" swim meet before the Louisiana State Swim Meet. Andrew swam in several events he was close to getting a state time. It came down to the last event on the last day and we didn't have a state time yet. . .we were getting a little Zoned Out with this meet. The last event was the 50 back and he nailed it! He got the state time and much better!!!! That swim almost did my heart in. He wanted it so bad and as the mom I wanted him to have it. So the ride back home was a pleasant one. Yeah for Andrew, he was really In The Zone with the 50 back!!! He made the state time in the 50 back but also got to take the 50 free as his other event. So off to Sulphur, Louisiana the following weekend February 14th.

During our second visit to Baton Rouge for the swim meet we took Andrew and Kevin to the Baton Rouge Zoo. We thought this outing would really be for Kevin but Andrew was really enjoying himself. We use to take Andrew and Christopher to zoos all the time. I guess we stopped going because you can just look at animals so much. Well it had been awhile and Andrew surprised us and took his little brother and mapped out our adventure at the zoo. Daniel and I had a great time with Tour Guide Andrew and Tourist Kevin.

These pictures are representative of Louisiana: State Reptile - alligator, State Tree - Cypress tree, State Mammal - Black Bear

The giraffe picture is my favorite picture of all. Kevin wanted to see the giraffes from the beginning of Andrew's tour of the zoo but they happen to be at the end. By the time we finally made it there Kevin was about done with the zoo tour. We got snow cones and headed to the see the giraffes. As soon as we turned the corner, Kevin yells, "They have their own ball park." It took us a few minutes to understand the excitement. After staring at the giraffe exhibit for a few minutes, we finally understood. . . parents can be slow learners sometimes. Look at the picture - there is a field with an "outfield" fence, a taller fence for a "backstop" and a "safety" net for foul balls. How could we have missed that? We then came to realize we are at the ball park waaaayyy too much!

We were really In The Zone during our visits to Baton Rouge, Louisiana!

But there was a moment Kevin got a little ZONED OUT while waiting to see a giraffe. . .