Life Changing

So it has been a really long time since I have written on my blog, not sure really why....Sometimes I think, I have nothing to say that anyone would care to read. But tonight I feel like writing. My family life is great, the kids are happy, healthy and doing well in school and are at a happy place. Alex and I are happier than ever. Church life is exciting and doing well. We are happy and doing well according to our culture, life is GREAT! But God has gotten a hold of our hearts and has been teaching us over the last few years, that there is sooooo much more than my little happy comfortable life out here, so much more. Our hearts and minds are on overload of what should we be doing, we have been pondering and praying for several months what it is that He wants us to do? Still as of today we do not have clear confirmation of anything earth shattering, mind blowing or totally jaw dropping. But what we do know is this: He want's us to love deeper and by doing this we should: care about the hurting, lost, poor, widowed and orphaned. Not just be concerned for them but actually do something about it. Build deep community with people, be real, be transparent and in the middle of all of this teach our children to do just the same. He want's us to be doers and not just hearers. So that's basically what's going on over here. Oh yeah, a few good reads that we have been chewing on have been: Radical by David Platt, Crazy Love and Forgotten God by Francis Chan check them out if you want to be challenged and changed!! :)

December Happenings

December has been a busy but fun month!! We started the weekend with the Christmas Stroll and Parade to get us in the Christmas Spirit. We have had school plays, class parties, school caroling and of course Joshua's weekly basketball games. With church we have had a busy schedule but lot's of fun. We had a recent Childrens Christmas Musical with our church and Alex and I had the privelage of being hippys. I have shared a picture just so you'll know what Alex would look like with an Afro. (By the way Jana and Kara once again... Great Job!)

Right before Christmas get's here, Alex has celebrated his birthday, gotten sick and now Matthew, Joshua and myself have pink eye all in the same 24 hrs. I was scheduled to have a small surgery Friday, but the surgeon decided to reschedule until the day after Christmas b/c of the pink eye.

Anyways... This Christmas Season I hope that you all have lot's of family time and make wonderful memories and of course enjoy, reflect and celebrate the real and true meaning of Christmas!!!

Happy Birthday My Awesome Husband

How do I love thee, Oh Alex- Let me count the 36 ways!!!

1. I love your passion and obedience for God and His word.

2. I love how you greet me with adoration when you see me.

3. I love how you adore your children.

4. I love how you play with your children.

5. I love how you encourage me and the children to never give up.

6. I love your ability to be able to help me around the house with any task.

7. I love how you strive to do things with excellance.

8. I love how you pray and believe that God is in control at ALL times.

9. I love how you don't judge others even when they have not been nice to you.

10. I love that you always are available to help people out with anything.

11. I love that you are always quick to forgive me when I have not been very nice.

12. I love that you have compassion pouring out of you for others.

13. I love that you like to play board games.

14. I love that you will watch a chick movie and not complain about it.

15. I love that you want to go shopping with me.

16. I love that you take such good care of us.

17. I love your sparkling blue eyes.

18. I love the way you make coffee.

19. I love it when you cook.

20. I love how you pour into the children and their families at our church.

21. I love how you pour into your own family.

22. Believe it or not I love that you walk around speaking with different accents at any different time.

23. I love that you choose JOY.

24. I love that you never get caught up in drama or gossip.

25. I love that you are a classic gentleman.

26. I love that you can memorize the strangest things: movie lines, songs, quotes from a book, trivia.

27. I love how you eat anything and everything that I cook and tell me that was delicious.

28. I love how you bring peace to our home.

29. I love how you correct and discipline the children with love and peace.

30. I love how you respect your parents.

31. I love that you like to celebrate holidays with such excitement.

32. I love that you listen to me ramble for hours sometimes.

33. I love that you give me such wonderful advice.
34. I love that you are the best packer in the world.

35. I love that you are older then me.

36. I love that you love me like I have never been loved before!

and one more to grow on....

I love your desire to continue growing in your Christian walk and faith.

Alex I love you and I hope that you have had a wonderful birthday!!!!

Remember, know matter what: God is in control

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.- Psalm 100

Happy Birthday Mom!

Well today would have been my Mom's 69th birthday. She has been with the Lord for 8 years already. Sometimes I can't believe that it's been that long and then other times it feels like it's been forever...

I just wanted to share a few random thoughts about her.

-She was a Southern girl from Miami, Florida
-My Dad and her went to school together and she did not like him, my Dad was mean to her brother. Her heart finally softened towards him when she was 28 and then they married
-She wanted a dozen of children, however she could never get pregnant. They adopted my brother when she 33 and me when she was 36.
-She always told us that we were special because we were hand picked :)
-When I was a teenager, we both were passionate and fought about everything. I wanted freedom she wanted me to never grow up. The wedding was real hard for her. She was not real happy about Alex taking me away from her. She secretly liked him!
-She wanted me to have a dozen grand children for her, and she told me they could all live with her.
-Kids at church affectionatley called her "The Gum Lady", the price was always a hug for a piece of gum.

Anyways I do miss her I know she would have been smitten with her grandchildren. Joshua is the oldest and he was 15 months when she died.

We keep her memory alive with our children by showing them pictures, telling them stories and telling them how much she would have spoiled them rotten :)

Anyways, just wanted to share a little bit of me

Noah's Ark Day

Different things to say

It has been a while since I have had time to put my thoughts down, so here it goes ...

Fall Festival is over!!!! Whoo Hoo !!!!! We had so much fun with this, however it is nice for Alex not to have so much preasure weighing on his shoulders. Every evening for the past month he would email, configure maps, think and plan. Yes it was a great night, however it was our 1st Annual Community wide fall festival. We had 13 other churches in the community who came together and offered our Community a night of free fun for their families. He now of course is putting together a list of all the what to do different next year things... I think he has to always be busy doing somehting, I'm sure that's most men.

Alex's dad had a mild stroke a few weeks ago and had to be in the hospital for a few days. He went back to work today and his boss told him that they were going to have to let him go :( my mother in law is so sad and stressed, but know's that God has it all under control. My father in law is trying to reduce his drinking and smoking I am praying that during this dissapointing stressful time he will call out to God for strength.

My Dad is still waiting for his appointment to be scheduled to have "The Halo" performed, which is the burning of the cancer cells. This has been a long few months. Anyways, it has been a new season in our life having both of our dads with health problems. Not a place we are enjoying but we now it's a part of life....

God has been so good to Alex and I. We are blessed. Even with the stessfull last few months, busy times, messy house, always behind on laundry, always pinching pennies. God is Good!!! We love our life. We love our kids. We love our family. We love our church. We love our friends!

That's the update on us!

Road Trip

We just got back from a quick road trip. We left Thursday night at 11pm and returned this morning at 6:30 am from Springfield, Missouri. We had the opportunity to go and visit Alex's grandmother. Her health has not be so great here lately so we took the trip with Alex's two sisters and my 3 nephews as well. We had so much fun visiting, laughing, eating and hearing funny stories from when they were all kids!

Even though we are exhausted and Matthew caught a stomach bug on the way home(no fun) our quick trip was a huge memory making event. My kids loved getting to know their great grandmother. We did agree that next time we will try to extend our trip out a little longer!

I am looking forward to going to bed early tonight!

I think we have good news!

First of all thank you friends for all your encouragement and prayers during the last few weeks. My Dad went to the oncologist and I think we got some great news. (Dr. Cody is an angel in my eyes)He feels that there will probly be a great outcome. He told us that the approach he has recommended has really been successfull thus far with his patients. My dad got a scan the other day to make sure the cancer has not spread and so far it has not!

I still need prayer b/c I have not had the "talk" about his salvation. I don't want to chicken out b/c I feel things are going to be okay. We go back on the 18th to see when treatments will begin. And that's the update on my sweet Dad!

Once again thank you my sweet readers and friends for your loving words. Your words truly gave me a calming over my crazy worries ! Thanks again!

I had a Bad Day....

It's been a long time since I blogged, I actually had some "mechanical" problems with my blog. So I removed my pink background and huge family picture and now everything is back to normal. Or as normal get's in my world :)

Yes as my title says: I had a bad Day, maybe actually a few bad days...

On Tuesday while we were at Splashway as a family (lots of fun for familys by the way) my Dad called me to tell me that his test results came in showing he has cancer. So I did what all take charge daughters would do, I said okay Dad what's the course we are going to be taking to get rid of it. So we went to the surgeon on Friday and truly felt like two things were going on while we were in the room. 1.) That I was a balloon and the air was being let out quickly and 2.) After he shared the grim news that he was the teacher from Charlie Brown- I'm not sure how to spell but you know- Whaaa, Whaaa, Whaaa, Whaaa, Whaaa, Whaaa he told us sugery is not an option b/c he had the surgery 10 yrs. ago and has lived past the expectancy (news to me) and that radiation /Chemo can only help him prolong his life for just a little longer. We go to the Hemotologist on Wed. to see about the chemo/radiation treatment. So yes I have a few bad days...But two things I want to share for prayer is: 1st- I am unsure of my Dad's salvation so I am praying how exactly we are going to have this conversation next week and 2nd- All the cancer stuff- healing, etc. I know God has the power to heal and I am believing that he will should this be the path for my Dad.

Anyways, sorry the post is so long!

SUMMER: What will this mean

We started our summer over a week ago and I have loved it! I like not having to be controlled by studies, projects, early bed times and all that school involves. The first day of summer we relaxed around the house, did some chores, played some games, made a few summer rules and just stayed home for a change. You know it's bad when your kids beg, PLEASE let's stay home even the 2 year old was begging. Then we stayed up late!!! The next day we all went and watched, Speed Racer. That was cool however we are a language sensitive family and there were 5 or so bad words :( The 9 year counted and kept telling the other's Oh don't ever repeat that word, it's a curse word and then the 3 year old kept repeating what he thought he heard was the word Ax. (of course that's not what was said on the movie) He kept saying it over and over and over. He would say my cousin C.J. has an ax. A really big ax. I really wondered what the people around us thought they heard. oh well....

Then we went and enjoyed the opening Free Weekend at the Pool. We had so much fun. My husband is such a big kid when it comes to life, and well... There were a few other boy's wanting to play with him. He is one of those that the lifeguard has been known to tell settle down in the pool, um sir.

We ended the weekend and started the new week off by celebrating family birthdays and Memorial Day at Lake Livingston with all the family. We had fun, we ate to much and stayed out to late. But it was alot of fun!

Then we had a Farewell Party for a precious family in our Church and community as they are moving away in the next week. We had a fun time visiting and letting the kids play in the park, however it is sad to loose them, but exciting to see what God is going to be doing in there life in the upcoming future. We love you and will miss you Alessa, Richard and Matthew!

My Dad came over for a few days to hang out with kids while I had a little bit of work to do. They had lots of fun with Papa. He loves to cook for them.

We are gearing up for VBS tomorrow. I am excited for this week to get here and to see what all God has in store for us this week. My mother in law will be joining us for the 1st few days of VBS.

Apparently I had a need to do a lot of talking (typing)... Sorry if I bore anyone, this is what's been going on in life of the Partie of 6.

Blue Bell Fun Run

I was so proud of my hubby!! He decided yesterday that he was going to run in the Blue Bell Fun Run. Some of you might not know but he just picked up running probably in May and had stayed pretty dedicated to it. He had lost a total of 35 lbs or so with exercise and diet. I'm so proud. However in November he hurt his knee and had to stop the running for awhile. He was not a happy camper. It did not take long to get out of the exercise habit and recently he stared back up again. Anyways.... He did great, we were so proud to watch him cross the finish line :) He ran in the 10 K (6 miles) in a time of 55 minutes. He ranked 130 or something along those lines out of 400 ish. He is looking forward to improving his time next year and having Joshua run it with him. So here are the pictures to share with everyone. One of the really cool things was that Blue Bell was there and shared their yummy ice cream with everyone. My kido's were in Blue Bell heaven!

Easter Fun

We had a great Easter. Our Church service was amazing that morning. This truly set the pace for the day for our Family! We reflected on the sacrifice that was made for us through Christ. We then joined some of our Friends for the afternoon, eating, relaxation for the men and children :) and lots of playing. We of course tossed in an egg hunt .... Wanted to share some pic's of our day.

Spring Break Fun!!

I'm always a little behind on what's going on with us. After looking at our pictures I'm reminded of some of the fun we had on Spring Break. It was a relaxing week of not being in the truck for long hours, not spending to much $$$, and finally just fun times together as a family. Joshua had the opportunity of attending Skate Board Camp (thanks John he had a blast!) Mariah, Timothy and Matthew went to the park several times, they had loads of Dad time and we spent the last few days in Conroe with the family. I really just wanted to share some pictures of the week. My kids always look like they have been playing in the dirt. Oh well, what do you expect their kids.

Special Day

This is a special day every year in the Morrison family. February 28, 2004 Joshua asked Jesus into his life. We enjoy celebrating but have not had the privilege do to the previous post about Matthew. We told him we would make it up to him tomorrow. He is leaning towards eating dinner at Beavers Kitchen. He love's their oreo pie & thinks it's pretty special.

I think back to that special day 4 years ago. We were in Ft. Worth and had taught Children's church that day and Joshua was the youngest one in the class. That day's lesson was on Salvation and Alex was teaching that lesson and I was the hand's behind the puppets :) YaY me!

Well when Alex finished the lesson. He asked the kid's what they thought about what they had just learned. Those of you who know Joshua: Let's remember: Wiggling, being silly, looking all around the place, ACTIVE and ENERGETIC were word's to describe him. Joshua raised his hand (since he was our own we kind of looked past him: b/c I was thinking he is probably going to tell me he had to go to the bathroom or get a drink or something like that. Who knew what it would be. Finally his sweet Dad was brave and said Yes Joshua did you have something to say. He said Yes , Dad you know what you were talking about: You know having Jesus in your life as your boss and Lord. Well Dad I want to do that. I want to make him my Boss tonight. WOW we were shocked. It get's better. Alex gave me the look and told me to take him in one of the nearby class rooms to talk about it. While he continued Children's Church. All the years experience I had doing this I felt were wiped away. I was stumbling over the scriptures and not remembering the right questions to ask. I was a mess. So I fumbled through the talk and said that we would sit down with Dad later on that night.

Sorry I know this is getting long. But I think it's a good story.

Well on the way home Alex and I talked briefly in code and we both agreed that we would wait and let Joshua bring it up. (silly parent's aren't we. I guess with our own we were scared with his age 4 almost 5 that he was not ready.) God was probably wanting to give us a big ol thump, let me tell you he did! As we pull up in the driveway I go to open my door. Sweet little Joshua said Mommy I thought we were going to talk to Daddy about Jesus being my boss and Lord tonight. I said we will honey. He then said: Are you not going to let me have Jesus in my heart tonight. So out in our driveway a few minutes later my sweet boy invited Jesus into his life saying his own prayer. Alex told him that he would need to say a prayer and next thing we know he is talking to God on his own in his own words with tears falling down his face.

Urgency friends....

That was a heart after God with Urgency.

WoW I still get a lump in my throat when I think about that special day. I'm excited to see what God is going to do in Joshua's life. He has passion for God and is sad for people he knows who do not have God as their boss and Lord. Matthew has been asking alot of questions about God and Jesus and Joshua told him that it's time for him to get saved. We told Joshua slow down with your brother. (I don't know, maybe I should stay out of the way when it comes to Joshua and spiritual matters.)

What are the odds?

I am the mother of 3 boys and 1 girl, and yes I knew the odds were leaning towards this happening. But come on, 2 broken arms within the last year??? My dear friend said to me- The Morrison kids don't just do things half way, they go all out. When Timothy (3) broke his arm last year he had to undergo surgery (Green Stick fracture). Matthew (5) was just walking in a friends yard triped and fell, landed on his elbow and broke it in two places. We are praying that surgery is not needed. However the Doc is going to check things out again in 14 days. He said the breaks that he has are very rare. He actually had to get out the text book and see the reccomended course of treatment for it.

Anyways.... To top it all off I had the enjoyment (not) of taking the 2 and 3 year old to the Ortho with us. I know call me crazy. I must receive the Insane Mother of the year award. Because that's what I felt like. We arrived at 2pm and left at 5:15. What an afternoon of fun Matthew and I had. Timothy and Mariah had their own kind of fun (called disobedience) they were shining stars in this category. Every chance I got we "visited the bathroom" Okay Mom's tell me you know what really happens when you visit the bathroom with the kids? You know when you are in that type of situation and you want them to be quiet. after it was all said in done I'm thinking the after effects of the "bathroom visits" were more disturbing then what they were previously doing. Lessons we and them have to learn! Of course as soon as the two little bandito's got in the car guess what they did, ZZZZZZ I guess they worked their self up to a nice nap.

Well this was my adventerous Thursday afternoon.
If you think of Matthew I know he would appreciate the prayers. He told me he want's healing as well as the pain to go away. He was in tears tonight from the pain.

Our Princess is now 2

We had the privilege of celebrating Mariah's 2nd Birthday a few weeks ago. We had a blast every opportunity that we had we sang her Happy Birthday. She woke up so sweet and happy I wonder if she could sense all the excitement in the house buzzing around her. Her 3 sweet brothers were anxiously awaiting her to awake from her beauty rest. When she walked out of her room they were squealing at her saying YaY Mariah your the birthday girl and you are the big 2. We had family come in that evening her Grannie V and Aunt Dawn. We ate dinner at K-Bob's and she passed out literally during her birthday dessert. I fed her a tiny bite of ice cream and it was a failed attempt. Oh well, the boy's enjoyed her treat :)

The next day we celebrated her birthday with a few friends and family. We had a Fairy Princess party, played with balloons. (One of my friends had the best yet simple idea. ) Blow up lots of balloons put them on the floor and let the kids have loads of fun with them. So much fun, cheap and easy. (Thanks Jana we have passed her idea down through the parties) enjoyed cupcakes and a few treats and then Mariah got to open her presents. She loved everything she got. Thank you friends you rock! Then they all played outside until they went home.

We had a great day! Alex and I are so blessed to have such a sweet and pretty two year old. (And no we are not biased:)

A small prayer for our baby girl:
Thank you God for blessing us with such a sweet girl. May we always raise her up in your way's and seek your guidance daily for her. May Mariah serve you all the day's of her life. We pray Lord that she has a servant's heart and desires your ways for her life. We pray that she is not only beautiful on the outside but that she is beautiful on the inside. May your joy shine through her face each and every day. Lord may we always cherish sweet Mariah each and everyday!
Thank you Lord!

Matthew turned 5

I know you all can relate when you think gosh it was just yesterday that your precious one was just born. I think that way every year as we celebrate 4 different birthdays. Matthew just turned 5 last week :( He has been waiting for this day for so long. ) The entire week was spent celebrating his birthday one way or another. He is a bit like his Mom and attempted to claim the whole month of January his birthday. He is rather convincing at times. . . I don't want him to grow up to fast, however I'm a little anxious of his career path. (politician, preacher, lobbyist) ???

Anyways, he and I were watching his home video the other day as we shared a rare few minutes of snuggle time. I was reminded of the way I prayed so fervently over him the first 5 days of his life. (He spent the 1st week in NICU and had a little rocky start.) We prayed scriptures over him, we sang songs and prayers to him, we were all about calling out to God for healing! What parent would'nt be. As I was now holding this big 5 year old, I was overwhelmed with emotion and thanked God for the healthy strong big Boy I know have. I was reminded that I still need to intervene in prayer on his behalf. More than what I have been doing. Thank you God for being so gentle with us but giving us that urgent feeling. Thank you God for my sweet Matthew! Who truly is a gift from you. Be reminded friends, especially in those hard Mommy moments we are truly blessed to be their Mommies! Thank you God for giving us such a blessing in our children!

Just wanted to share a picture of my rugged outdoorsman husband. It's stange I must say that when I 1st met him he was such a city boy stuck in a country town. He spoke several times of us moving to California living in Los Angelas surfing on the beach. Now he is out deer hunting and enjoing it. I hear him in coversations with other hunters talking about hunting and all that stuff that goes with it. Those of you weak at heart sorry if the picture makes you sad. I just try not to focus on it. (hunting makes me a little sad if I think about it)

Can't wait until turkey day!

Don't you love this weather today, high 50's-mid 60's. I love it. To see the leaves dancing across the grass, to walk in your yard and hear crunch because of all the pecans on the ground, to be able to put on a light jacket and feel so cozy. I love it. It makes me so happy. I can hardly wait to pack up our car for 4 days, loaded down with all of the stuff that we have to take with us. Having my four precious excited children asking us how much longer until we get there, over and over and then finally 1 1/2 long hours later :), we roll up in the driveway of our family racing out to greet us.(running past Alex and I to grab the kids) we are so loved. We have been planning on who's making what for over the last 2 weeks. We are a family that likes to cook, loves to eat and not really enjoy cleaning the mess we all made. We then all adjourn in front of the TV watching football and most of us pass out. Then we stay up really late playing games, talking, laughing and drinking lot's of coffee, the next morning is the most exciting shopping day of the year we wake up at a wildly crazy hour to be some of the many hundred's of people to be shoulder to shoulder at the stores.

I am blessed to have such a fun and loving family! Thank you God for this blessing!!!!

Have a great week preparing for your holiday!