Santa Sez.....

So I talked to Santa yesterday. I know, I know, he's busy this time of year, but I told his secretary it was urgent, and he called back. The convo went something like this:

Me: Hey Santa listen, I kinda have a problem. I have no Christmas spirit this year. The tree is up, and the kids have forced me to put theirs up in their respective rooms, but as for the rest of the house, it just ain't gonna happen.
Santa: Ok. Go on.
(don't you just love that Santa? Such a listening ear...)
Me: So here's the deal. I'm a bit worried that you won't be making a stop at my house if I don't get all the other Christmas Crap put up in every corner of the house. And if you don't stop, I'm gonna have some serious explaining to do to my very precious children. So....
Santa: Hey Kristi, do you remember why we have Christmas?
Me: Yes. It really isn't about you at all. It's about Christ's birth.
Santa: Yes, dear child, you are right. And as long as you teach those kids about Him, I don't care if you decorate a single darn shelf, or put lights on the house, or anything else that makes it look like a "50% off sale at Hobby Lobby" Hurricane hit your house. Keep the Spirit of Him in Christmas, dear child. Those kids won't give a hoot about your house. They just want to feel the joy of the Celebration.
Me: Thanks Santa.
Santa: Oh, Kristi?
Me: Yes?
Santa: One more thing. Will you still leave me some Jesus' Birthday Cake? I love that you do it different...everyone else leaves me cookies. And I sure do love that cake you make.
Me: Really, Santa?! I never knew you liked it so much. Sure, I'll still leave you a piece of cake. Thanks again, Santa.
Santa: No prob, bob....I mean...HO HO HO! Merry Christmas!!!

It's about the SPIRIT of the season. Not the presents, the food, the clean perfect house that smells like cinnamon and pine and enough lights to make Clark Griswald jealous. It's about remembering a sweet new baby that came to save this world.
kris

Halloween 2008

I know, I know, I know.....it's been since Sept since I posted. This may sound weird, and if so, sorry - but the things in my head these days have been pretty deep...and I have attempted several times to write, but the words just don't seem to do justice to what is inside my heart and brain. There are two posts I wrote, but just couldn't post. I think sometimes the Lord uses my time to write as a time to teach me, and I just didn't feel released to post the things He was pressing on me. It was a time of learning to hear and heed, not write and read!

All that being said, I am here now, with Halloween pics to share. Here are a few of my babes from the Halloween season. Cameron was a skeleton one night, and a Red Raider the next night (yeah, we divided it up over two nights...long story). Meredith decided to be a monster this year. Our family rule is that we can't be anything scary...so after she told me she wanted to be a monster, I told her the rule. About 2 days later, she came to me requesting to be Sully - the monster from Monsters, Inc. She rationalized that he was a nice monster because he helped Boo get back to her house. How can you argue with that?! :)

As Memzie says, A little bit of 'Sas'!It really cracked me up when I was taking their pics...they both went straight for the tree in the front yard....its so funny to me how that's where they want to 'pose'. Oh well, I really don't care, as long as they'll sit still long enough to snap a pic! (and forgive us for the weeds in the flowerbeds...I would rather play with kids than pull weeds!)

Well, until next time....and if I don't post again until New Year's.....Merry Christmas! :) ha!

kris

Dear Friends,

I am crazy. I chase my children all day. Then I sleep. I keep up with most of you through Facebook. The profound thoughts I have are in my journal. Come over and read it sometime. Bring coffee when you come.
Love,
Kristi

Cameron's Birthday

You graced us, little man, two years ago today. Into this world you came, full of spirit and energy and passion. And you haven't stopped since! What a treasure you are to us. What a blessing you are. Daddy and I talked today about the circumstances surrounding your birth. From the early stage of the pregnancy when my body did not want to support you....yet the Lord saw fit to give Dr. Belle-Henry the wisdom to correct it..........to the day you were born, cord around your neck so precariously....and the diligence of the NICU team that worked to clear your lungs. The lump in my throat does nothing to express how utterly grateful we are for the provisions over you in those early days...and much more so for the covering over you now as a Two Year Old!

A JOYFUL, happy kid!

What a HAM you are now....this is your CHEESE!!!! smile! :)

Just a little ornery.......hummm....will I get in trouble for crossing the line?!.......But those EYES! Sweet, charming, beautiful! :)

What a joy it is to be your mom. I love watching you grow...It is so fun to see you learn and change and become the man the Lord created you to be. I love that you are firm, you are strong...you are passionate. I love YOU Cameron John Lowe - Happy 2nd Birthday!

Cameron with Jordan, his buddy. Are they SO cute or what?!
Joey going off the diving board!

Meredith jumping off the diving board...nice hair, girlfriend. (Seriously, she'll kill me someday for posting this pic with her hair like that!) :)

Oh the joy of swimming! We headed to the pool this afternoon with my friend Vanessa and her kids Joey and Jordan. It was a blast. Our pool closed on Sunday (don't they know that stay-home moms still need a pool until after Labor-Day?!), and since their pool didn't, we joined them for the afternoon. Thanks 'Nessa!

It's been a while since i've posted....here are a few things that have happened in our world:

1. Meredith found out she has Ms. Jiou for Pre-K 4 this year. Our 'tea-party' is on Friday. She is thrilled to no end about this fact, and is already plotting conversations and such with her new friends. I think her outfits are already picked out for the first week, and she's already guessing who will be in her class. She also has a countdown on her calendar until school starts (8 days). What a mess. A 4 year old mess!

2. Cameron John Lowe is ALL BOY. He runs constantly. CONSTANTLY! And, because he is growing rapidly right now, his feet and coordination have not caught up with his speed......so last Tuesday, he tripped while running full speed through my kitchen, and BROKE HIS NOSE on the kitchen cabinet. It was awful. He was screaming, and it bled profusely. Oh there's nothing worse than your baby getting hurt!! We took him to the dr, and it didn't have to be set (thank you, sweet Jesus!!!), but it sure left a big ole bruise across his nose. Of course, it didn't help matters that a day later, with the monster bruise on his nose, he is running (notice the pattern?) down our hall, trips and hits his cheek on the corner of the door to Mere's room. Nice. BIG strawberry-bruise on his face.....coupled with the broken nose. I just wanted to put a sign on his neck that said, "Please don't call CPS on us. He's just uncoordinated!"

3. In other exciting news, John and I have begun training for a half-marathon. several folks from john's work are participating, so we decided to join on the fun! Its called a Rock n Roll Marathon. There are bands playing at each mile marker....So if i totally run out of steam on mile 9, I'll just stop and listen to the Goo-Goo Dolls or John Maier for a while. Right?! I think I am just sick of where I am physically. I can't seem to get past this point in my 'baby weight loss' - IS it still considered "baby weight" when the kid is 2?! I digress......anyways, I am excited about the training. I'm using a program that Hal Higdon devised. Good stuff.

Okay...my timer went off. I have started limiting my time on the computer so i get stuff done around the house. So sad that I must discipline myself in this way. I feel like a child. However, the time seems to slip by if I don't set a timer. i'll look up and realize i've been on for over an hour. No wonder my house is a disaster!!!!!!!! Signing off to go tackle the darn laundry room........much love to each of you out there.

Kristi

Ps. oh, and if anyone wants to join me in the Half-Marathon....it's going to be in San Antonio, on Nov 16th. I'd love a walking/running buddy! :)

The Lathams Rock!

I HEART the Lathams! All of you! Even Papa Scott who didn't get to chat with us :( What treasures you each are! Beautiful folks who have hearts for the Lord. I love it...love it...love it! Also, you know I enjoyed our time together this afternoon (how nice to just 'sit a spell'!).......but I am certain that MAX did! The old dog didn't know what to do with all that lovin' :) ("Thanks for the scratches", says Max the dog) Blessings over your home until next time!

I'd like a Grande Sugar-Free Vanilla Soy Latte, no foam please.....

Yeah, it's a mouthful to say, but oooohhh, so good! The kids and I got out this evening to run errands...and I stopped by Caffeineville to get an evening cuppa joe. I actually meant to get decaf........but alas....It's 11:30p.m., and those who know me, know that I'm usually asleep by now. I'm more of a morning person than a night owl. (My mom wonders how I came from her womb, loving the morning the way I do!) But I'm a goober (which doesn't take much to figure out)...and drank a -say it with me-(FULLY CAFFEINATED)-Grande-Sugar-Free-Vanilla-Soy-Latte-no-foam-please this evening. They are yummy.

But I am wired!

San Antonio!!!!!!

Meredith took this pic of John and I...Our little budding photographer!

Well, I hadto post our most recent traveling experience......John had a conference to go to, so we loaded up and headed to the Riverwalk for a few days. It was hot there (you know that sticky-hotness that only San Antonio and Houston has!?), but we braved it....We took the kids to the Riverwalk for the first time (the pics are of us at Casa Rio on the RW, the BESTEST place to eat chips and salsa and Mexican food)!

Okay, I tell no lies. Cameron took this picture. Really. Meredith wanted a pic of the two of us. Cameron had just seen Mere take one of us (the one above), so he's giving me the 'uh-uh, mine' bit. (that's 2 year old code for "My turn.") So I let him 'take' the picture - he pushed the button while i held the camera.
And then, of course, I got to take his pic! He stood up in the chair the whole time we were there, eating his quesadilla. I think he just wanted to see the Riverwalk Boats go by. Really, big guy? Well, how about a ride in one of 'em?!

Here's Cameron and Daddy, on the boat on the riverwalk.

John, Cameron and Meredith

The next day we decided to go to San Marcos for some outlet mall shopping. I do believe I was much more excited about this than my better half. Something about acres and acres of bargains does not enthrall John the way it does me. But he pressed on, with a very good demeanor (as he always has) and even found a bargain or two himself. Attaboy, babe! (Maybe my shopping prowess is rubbing off on him. Or he decided he deserved a treat for hauling me and the two kidlets to Shopping-Mania. Whichever.) Anyways, I found some good bargains...pants at the Ralph Lauren outlet for John, and darling khakis at Gap for Mere. I even bought some lotion from the Bath and Body Works outlet - talk about a throwback....Flowering Herbs lotion. I remember when BBW opened (we were in early high school, i think)....that was THE scent to buy. Oh man I loved that stuff. So I bought a little. It takes me back. Yeah, I'm a dork. I do know that. But the funniest part of our day trip to San Marcos was that we let the kids get a toy from the toystore before we left. Meredith loves swimming, and picked out a snorkel and mask. check it out.....

Out of focus, but Mere with Daddy, checking out the new scuba gear!

Did I mention that we ate really, really well when we were there? I mean, we could not avoid partaking of the plethora of fabulous mexican food restaurants!! It really would be a loss to not give props to one more restaurant.....here's the link to The Alamo Cafe. Go there if you are ever within 100 miles of the place. Seriously good tortillas...

Well, I'm off to go workout . I have new tennis shoes that I should break in......and plenty of calories to burn off from the weekend! :)

Chicken

There is a phenomenon going on at my house that I must bring light to. It is a mystery that I cannot understand, although some conspiracy theories are beginning to emerge. I am fairly certain there are forces greater than me at work here.

Let me explain. I have health conscious issues that gravitate me toward lean meats, healthy choices. Fish is wonderful, pork is good (except for this one time that i really screwed it up...), and of course, our diet needs CHICKEN. Chicken. White meat is one of the best things you can do to prevent colon cancer. (as well as high-fiber diets). Chicken should not be a big deal, should it? Grilled chicken, baked chicken, pan-cooked, fajitas.......CHICKEN!

Now for the phenomenon going on.....It seems that my family, dear husband and oldest daughter, primarily, can SENSE the nights when Chicken is on the menu. It's like they know - they have this internal alarm that goes off - CHICKEN TONIGHT! IT'S BEEN A WHILE! CHICKEN!!!!!! I BET SHE'S COOKING CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me prove my point. A few weeks ago, as we were leaving my daughter's gymnastic's practice, John pops up and says, "Hey, I think Fuddruckers sounds good for dinner. What did you have planned for dinner?" Chicken, I say. "Well, how about I (John) treat everyone to Fuddrucker's?" Off to Redmeatville we go. (Let me reiterate, i have NO aversion to Hamburgers or Fuddruckers. Don't sue me, Fuddrucker's. It's wonderful...follow me here...).

Then, last night. I had chicken in the fridge, marinating, to grill with veggies. The kids and I went swimming....and on the way home..........Meredith pops up and asks for "Chopstick House". Chopstick House, aka, Pei Wei. She loves Pei Wei. We all do. Who doesn't?!! So, we get home, and she proceeds to tell Daddy that she wants Pei Wei for dinner. "Please Daddy, please. I realllllllyyyy want Chopstick house!!" He tells her that sounds great...."Honey, what did we have planned tonight?" Guess what we had for dinner last night?......

There is 'fowl' play involved. I'm convinced. I'm thinking that it's the Chicken's getting back at the Cow's from the Chick-fil-A commercials...."Eat Mor Cow"........Or it's a dark spirit that doesn't want my family to eat white meat. Or it's that my husband hates chicken.

Emily, Elly, Lara and Me.....plus our 9 wonderful kids!

Good friends are like stars,

You can't always see them

But you know they're always there.

Meredith, Cameron and I have just returned from a weekend with my favorite friends in the world. We stayed at the Gateway Getaway Cottages (YOU MUST GO THERE! They are amazing, wonderful, peaceful retreats!!!). It was a wondeful weekend...good friends, good food, laughing 'til i thought we would split our sides....and lots of those moments when we remembered how precious the gift of friendship is. We rode horses (the kids did), drank coffee (no, not the kids), went to the zoo, and played in the pool. It was funny to me how each of us has remained connected for so many years...we've known each other for more than 20 years now. So the history it brings to the 'gatherings' adds an element of trust you just don't find very often. I think I speak for all of us that we love the fact that when we get together, we just pick up like we had been together a few days ago. The three of these women are some of the most Godly women I know, and it thrills me to no end that the Lord has allowed us the joy of knowing one another. I know Carla has uploaded pics on her blog, so check them out...but i had to add a few that made me smile.

Lara and Jackson playing Horsey! Ride 'em cowboy!

Cameron's first ride on a horse!

Meredith and Cameron riding BB the horse, helped a bit by Jeff, who graciously helped Meredith decide that TWO horses in her back yard would be a good idea. We'll getcha back, JTC, trust us. John's already plotting revenge..... :)Loving the horse ride, are ya sweet girl?! Happy face!!!

Cameron and his buddy TSC making dirt look good.Happy face of a little boy who got to play in dirt, ride a horse, and top it off with a bag of Goldfish! Rough life, Cam!

The next day, we headed to the Zoo - Good times!

TR, TSC, and Cameron checking out the 'gator or croc. whichever that thing is. pretty cool, huh boys?!Everyone feeding the giraffe.

Mere and KG feeding the giraffe.

One of my most favorite girls holding her youngest treasure. Thank you Lord for the gift of wisdom and grace within this beautiful one. She is such a treasure to me, and so many others! Smile if you loved the weekend in Lemons Gap!!!!!!! Thanks Tahtee for the cottage, TaTa for the food, and Em, El and Lara for the precious gifts of friendship. Can't wait for the Winter Edition! Rancho Loma anyone? Or Oplin for dancing? Hummmm.........with us, you never know!

TAG?!

I wasn't good at tag in elementary school, and apparently, I am not so good with tag now! Diana 'tagged' me back in April...but I didn't know it until today. I'm pretty sure the object of this is to reveal 7 things about yourself, and then tag other people. So, with no particular order, here goes!

1. In honor of Father's Day, a random insight about my childhood - we were a hardworking, middle class family...and in the summer, my dad would earn extra money by mowing other people's yards. I would go with him and mow while he would do the edging. He would pay me a little for each of the yards we did. I still love doing yard work, and I am thankful that he taught me the value of sweat, hardwork and serving others.

2. I am addicted to Sudoku (the square game with the numbers). I profess that I play at least one game everyday. Somehow, it is my way of convincing myself that I still have braincells wired to do things besides change diapers and make PBJ sandwiches!

3. Private dream....I wish I could paint. I love colors, and mixing them...I love the sight of blank canvas and oil paint at Hobby Lobby, and wish I could buy some just to mess with it. Hummmm...Maybe someday I will paint (something other than color by number.)

4. I snore. Loudly. Ask my precious husband or my girlfriends who bunked with me when we went to the lake every summer....poor unsuspecting people....

5. I have a weird fettish with antioxidants. We recently discovered two new 'power fruits' - Goji berries, and Mangosteen. I've been a fan of Acai for a while now, as well as the other usual suspects. I guess this ties into the goal of living to be 100 and seeing my name on the Smucker's label when Williard Scott does birthdays on the TODAY show. And yes, I know he'd be like 188 when I turn 100.......but I bet some rascal in his 60's will pronouce my name just fine and tell everyone that I like Antioxidants, oil painting and going to Starbucks for my morning java. And that I am the reigning world champion of Sudoku.

6. My mom recently gave me a watch that was my great-grandmother's. I took it to the jeweler this week, and they fixed it so I can wear it. I love wearing it and thinking about her wearing it when she was raising my grandmother (who was the coolest lady I've ever known, fyi).

7. Let's see....one more thing....a bit vulnerable...but okay, here goes: I adore my husband. Today is Father's Day, and I believe he is the best thing that ever happened to me and our children. I love that I get to spend the rest of my life with him. I love seeing him with our children and often regret that his mom, Mary, isn't here to see the Dad that he is. I know with certainty that she was so proud of you as a Daddy to Meredith, and would have been amazed at how you have embraced the role of fatherhood to Mere and Cameron. You are a jewel of a man. I love you.


okay.......I now TAG Amy! (This gives you an excuse to sit down and not pack for a few minutes!) hee hee!

Things I Never Thought I Would Write

It's been a good week...I just love summer. It's filled with swimming, sleeping a little later, and just a bit more relaxed than the school year. And of course, TeeBall (WILL IT EVER END??????!!!).

I have to update what the kids are doing these days. It's great. They are just growing so fast and i can't believe it sometimes when i notice that Mere's legs are getting SO long, or Cameron's baby face is beginning to slim. A few random signs that my children are growing:

1. Meredith can go get cups and water from the sink without me now. It involves scooting a chair over to the cabinet....but seriously, that is a true accomplishment!
2. Cameron is now capable of terrorizing Meredith on purpose. He thinks it is hilarious to grab her shirt and just pull so that she screams and runs away.
3. I was the last person out of bed this morning. What? Did I write that correctly?! Oh yes, Meredith got Cameron out of his crib, and they were playing in her room this morning when I came in. Oh don't worry, they were only there for about 5 minutes. She came in and asked me if she could go get him. (I guess she secretly likes him terrorizing her! ha!)
4. We went swimming today, and Meredith didn't have to have floaties or me beside her. She can swim so well now that she goes and does her own thing with her friends. Crazy. Seems like yesterday I was doing Mommy and Me classes at Tech with my other buddies when we were preggers w/ our 2nd kids!
5. Meredith has entered the "mommy" phase of her childhood. The other day, she picked out Cam's clothes and dressed him by herself! (Do you think that she could start doing that everyday?!)

yep, they are growing alright. I know....I know....I hear it all the time - "They grow up so fast! Enjoy this time, it passes too quickly!" Well, let's just say that I'm trying to heed the advice...thus reflecting tonight. Love to each of you - Kristi

Neighbors

I know this is a random post, but really, I must. It seems when I was little, neighbors were people you knew, borrowed sugar or eggs from...and your kids played with their kids next door until after dark and your mom called (screamed) your name until you came home. You knew everyone on your block, and you knew which house the old geezer lived in (and how to annoy him!) Sadly, it seems, neighborhoods of that sort are disappearing. We all have such technologically advanced worlds that involve blackberry's, cell phones, ipods, and Garmins, that we find little time to get to know the people that live 10 steps away.

I happen to live on a street that is quite sweet, for the most part. The two ladies across the street have lived there for more than 30 years, and one of them has so much family that it's a virtual party all the time! We love the fact that there are kids around and besides the creepy guy on the bike (seriously, this guy is on his bike ALL the time), it's a sweet little block to live on.

Which brings me to my post. I debated whether or not to post this, but I must. It's just on my heart. My son's bestest buddy is moving in 10 days. He lives next door. His name is Charlie. (Cameron calls him Car-ee. It's great. He just points at their house now and says, Car-ee. Car-ee. Gotta love it.) Car-ee is absolutely the cutest, most adorable kid. And his parents rock too. They moved in 3 years ago, and have been the best neighbors a girl could ask for. I love that they show up with popsicles or call to ask if Charlie can have a 'brother' for the evening. They've been known to get phone calls from a hysterical mom (uh-hum.....me), when my kiddos were sick (did I mention that Andy's a pediatric dr.?) and I didn't have a clue what to do. They have played pracitcal jokes on us (remember the Tractor Protective Services incident?!), and made me laugh until i nearly peed my pants. They have just made this block so wonderful. And I am sad. I am sad to see them move. Of course, I am ELATED for them, on this new adventure in Virginia. It's just that they have been a blessing in so many ways...a refreshing reminder that good neighbors still exist, but are so very hard to come by. And I know that even though miles will separate us for a time, I trust that the Lord has allowed our paths to cross for good reason. What a treasure you three are to us, BowmanWest - and I am certain that wherever our lives take us, I'd take you as neighbors anyday. God bless you guys, may he keep you safe and protected as you walk faithfully - Kristi

Memorial Day Weekend

I am sitting here this morning watching Cameron eat Frosted Flakes (they'rrrrreeee GREAAAT!) like it's his JOB. Meredith is sound asleep. John left for work a little while ago. I have to say, this is my favorite time of the day. The buzz around the house isn't in full swing, it's relatively quiet, and I'm still in my pj's drinking coffee.

First things first - a shout out to my dad and mom - They just finished their first year of Coach Miller's Driving School! Congrats on surviving the first year - and I pray continued success. What a wonderful group of people that have come along side you guys in this venture. Thank you to all of you who have blessed them in such personal ways.

Question of the day.....Has anyone out there ever wanted to move, but knew it wasn't time yet? And even though you knew it wasn't time, you still REALLY wanted to?! We met with our real estate agent this week to talk about selling our house and moving...either to Abilene or somewhere else in Lubbock. And although we could buy something newer or in a 'better' neighborhood, something keeps us from taking the BIG step. When we pulled up to our house last night, I just looked at our cute little trees (you guys know HOW much i love the trees in my front yard, right? They seriously, are my babies. there's def a tree-hugger within me!), and all of the things that make our house, OUR house, and i knew we couldn't do it yet. As much as our heart yearns for us to live in Abilene, closer to dear friends and blessed family, it isn't time yet. And as much as I want it to be time to move, I don't want to move if it isn't right for our family. John and I agreed last night that what the Lord is doing with us here in Lubbock isn't finished yet. That being said, all of you blog-readers who are wishing and hoping to get the call that we're on our way to A-town.....i'm sorry to say it's not happening just yet. The desire is there, but the avenue isn't. **And on a side note, as I was proof-reading this....I kept seeing the same theme - TIME - and hope that each of you know that even though the TIME isn't right yet - we trust that the Lord will open the doors and make the path right when and if He allows. Thanks to all of you sweet folks...you guys are the reason we wish we lived there!

On a much brighter note, summer at the Lowe house has officially begun! The pool out at The Falls opened this weekend, and we have decided it is going to be the Year of the Floaties. My kids may have tan lines from wearing floaties so much, that's how often we're going to be at the pool!!!!!! Meredith is such a natural swimmer - and i'm totally a lover of the sun....so Cameron better put on those happy floaties and join us in the kiddy pool! Woo hoo!!

quick update....since beginning this post, Cameron finished his 3rd bowl of Frosted Flakes, and has decided he's had enough. For now. Boys!.......

Also on the summer agenda....TRAVELING! We are a traveling crew this summer....John and I are taking "holiday" in Cancun the first week of July, and then going to San Antonio at the end of July (can you say HOT?!). We have decided the kids will be completely spoiled rotten by August from staying with my parents! Meredith knows about our trip to Cancun, but is not as concerned about our trip as she is about the fact that she gets to MOVE (her words!) to Abilene for a week! She keeps telling me that she can't wait to move there so she can swim in TaTa and Papa Bear's pool THREE times a day. Here's a peek at what she believes should (and most likely will!) transpire each day:

Mere: "Mom, when Cam and I move to TaTa's house can i swim every day. So, after breakfast, we'll swim, and then we'll eat lunch and take a nap. Then we'll swim again. Then we'll eat dinner and swim again after that."

Oh she's a mess. But I wouldn't have her any other way! On the Cameron homefront, welcome to the world of boys. Since he finished his three bowls of cereal this morning, I have been playing baseball between typing. Here's the scenario: I hold the ball in my hand, he hits it like it's on a tee with his little plastic bat, then runs the "bases" around the living room. I am typing while he runs. It makes for interesting typing to make sure my thoughts seem somewhat complete!

Well, I should post. Seems i have a mountain of laundry to do, and a little boy that needs a clean diaper. More soon. Love each of you!!!! Kris

Stillness

Well, I sit down today to share something with you. Yes, it's been a while since i've written. I've actually tried several times to write, but things came up before the words got finished. Plus, it's been a bit of a 'season.' Between the small house fire, the gas line, the water heater, the air conditioner, the FENCE!, and now, my car........it's been a wild stretch! But today, I read some words that I really must share. and in light of my recent craziness, I do believe this is quite appropriate. The words come from Graham Cooke, and he is talking about learning to be still before God. I hope they bless you like they blessed me today! Love, Kristi

Graham's Monthly Teaching: Stillness

"Being still opens a channel of communication between us and Heaven. All of us have a background conversation going on in our minds. Head noise, as my friend, the British psychologist, Jim McNeish calls it, is an internal voice, a soundtrack for our lives. It's similar to a special feature on a DVD: an ongoing, one-way, stream of consciousness conversation, commenting on our life as it unfolds. Stillness is not about getting somewhere quiet, although that often helps, but about stilling that voice in your head. It takes discipline to quiet that voice, but you must do it. And you can do it, because God is with you.

It is this initial head noise that we convert into "prayers" when we rush too quickly into intercession. Because we have not stilled ourselves, we pray in our own strength, and we come to God's door under the weight and panic of the circumstances facing us. We speak often and are rarely still-in fact, we are the complete opposite of God.

God is always still and He rarely speaks. So there is a difference between the Lord speaking in us, and the Lord speaking to us. When we say, "Oh, God spoke to me," what has normally happened is that out of the storehouse of words, thoughts, meditations, conversations, and Scripture we carry in our spirit, God has selected something previously said to you and brought it back into your consciousness. Like a computer user loading a file, God pulls up the treasure He has already saved in us. "Oh yeah," we think. "That makes sense. That's the Lord speaking." God punctuates His silence with words, and when God speaks, it's an event. When He speaks to you, something is imparted. His presence is profound. He spoke once, and the whole earth was created. When God speaks, something happens, something is shaken, something is created and produced. When the Lord speaks to us, there is always a dynamic residue of His presence which remains with us-it is a signature moment!

In Psalm 46:10, God told David, "Be still, and know that I am God." It was a word that brought a profound sense of the presence of God to David in what were difficult circumstances. It's interesting that Psalm 46 began with an earthquake and finished with "Be still." Only God can talk about stillness in the midst of an earthquake. When the whole landscape of your life is shifting beneath your feet, only God can say, "Be still, and know that I am God."

Knowledge of God comes through peace and stillness. God wants to send us into battle, but if we don't find stillness beforehand, how will we ever find peace in the fight? Rest is our best weapon against the enemy, because rest allows us to hide in our secret place in God. The devil hates you with a malevolence and malignancy that is unimaginable, but he's not stupid: he won't chase you into the holy of holies-the very presence of God-because he knows who he's going to meet there. We need to learn how to use God as our refuge, as our fortress, as our high place, as our secret place where the enemy cannot touch us. If the enemy cannot find you, he cannot hurt you. God has provided a secret place in Him for you.

You have to lose your ability to panic if you're going to walk with God. You have to lose your ability to worry and be anxious if you're going to walk with God. There is a secret place set aside for each one of us. God is love and in His love He has set aside a place where you can live in Him no matter what. He loves to teach people where that place is, because when His children get into their secret place, they can fully enjoy life. It doesn't matter what comes against them--they rise to the challenge. Without stillness, our experience of God is limited. Stillness is the precursor to rest in the Lord; a spiritual discipline drawing us into a continual experience of His presence. It is this rest, this stillness, this secret place of God, which releases unbroken communion with Him; it releases what the Bible calls unceasing prayer."

Easter Sunday 2008

I do believe that Easter morning is more wonderful than any other morning I wake up. On Christmas morning, I am gleeful for the 'santa' stuff as well as Christ's birth....on my birthday, I am good.........but on Easter morning, when I wake up, my heart is flooded with emotion. Every year. Gratitude. Humility. For multiple reasons. On Easter morning, I am filled anew with an inexpressible joy for what Christ did on the cross over 2000 years ago. It's like I wake up with the tears just holding back....and within me is a "bubbling up"....emotions that want to just bust forth and dance around like a crazy woman! And this Easter morning was no different. I sat through the Sunday School lesson and awed over how the message of Christ's Ressurection was the central part of our salvation in the early church. Amen to that! Emotions still bubbling....we sat down in the pews of our little church. But the emotions overflowed when the choir began to sing. When I heard the praises being sung of Christ rising from the dead, that sin has lost it's grip on me....or when I think about what Christ endured so I could live - me, SINFUL, dirty, wretched.........There is emotion, vulnerability within me that I can't keep from bubbling over. The Spirit within me readily agrees! And I cannot keep contained the gratitude and joy I feel on Easter Sunday morning! Who cares that I cry during the worship songs!? I know, I know, I smear that mascara all over the place! But it is ALL in praise to our Father for the perfect gift of salvation through Jesus Christ!

On a bit of a different note....I have decided that there are numerous reasons I am (more) mushy on Easter. First b/c of Christ's death and ressurection. Second because my dearest friend Emily told me she was pregnant on Easter Sunday 2000 (I think that there's something really cool about finding out about a new life on the day the Lord gave all of us New Life!). And finally, and most wonderfully - I am reminded each year that on the evening of that same Easter Sunday 2000, my darling husband proposed to me. Just he and I in Buffalo Gap, TX, outside Nancy and Gene Henderson's barn. Well....8 years later, here we are....blessed in so many ways - the two greatest ones we hold so tenderly in our arms! Easter Sunday, 2008

Blessings to each of you this Easter Sunday!

Within me is a multitude of emotions today. There is joy, anguish, exhaustion and peace all within the same breath. I saw my grandmother for the first time in over 13 years yesterday. She is quite ill, in the hospital recovering from a heart attack - and at age 86, her body is beginning to give way to nature. The truth is, we had a falling out of sorts when I was a senior in high school. It's a long story, but suffice it to say, we were both at fault for not attempting to reconcile before now. Pride got in the way; immaturity, time and distance have a way of creating a divide that seems too large to fix.

But Monday, after a conversation with my brother, he encouraged me to seek out the truth of the matter. I had believed for years that she did not care - that there was total coldness with regard to me. I assumed. Lots of things, I assumed....but one of them being how she felt about me. And truthfully, I didn't want to see her, for fear of what she might say. Afterall, it had been 13 years. But later that afternoon, in a conversation with my dear hubby John, he confirmed what I felt the Lord asking of me - to go. Go to her, and make peace. Go to her and extend the olive branch. The Lord calls us to forgive - to live at peace with everyone as much as is possible within our ability. Now don't get me wrong- my flesh rose up within me immediately. You can't go. What will she say? What if she is ugly to you? The thoughts flooded my mind. Again the Lord confirmed within me to be faithful. Okay Lord, if you are asking this of me, make the path clear...arrange babysitting, etc. And he did. That's SO God - to take care of the details when He brings things like this to me.

So Tuesday morning, I walked into the ICU of The Medical Center of McKinney with my brother. He spoke first - and told her I was there with him. She had been on a respirator until earlier that day, so she was very weak and could not speak well. It was at that point I wanted to run - abort! ABORT! Run - save yourself the agony of rejection!!!!! But my feet were like concrete, and then my eyes met hers. And what happened next, I don't think I will ever forget. I think I said something corny like "Hey it's been a while". Or something like that. It didn't matter. Her eyes lit up. Her arms reached out - She didn't wait - she grabbed me and pulled me down to her. She began to hug me as tight as her arms could and rub my back. I could hear her trying to talk - she was saying over and over - "Forgive me, I'm so sorry. I love you. Forgive me, I'm so sorry. Remember that I love you." Over and over she said the same...Amazing. Grace. We sat for an hour or so, making small talk, mostly stuff she could nod yes or no at. It was unbelieveable how so much distance and time could be removed in an instant. I know that being there, at that moment in my life was exactly where I needed to be, and that really, at the end of the day, this is what life is all about. It's about letting go of our selfish pride and insecurities. It's about reaching out to people that have hurt us, and forgiving.

After our time with her was over, we said our goodbyes and left. It was bittersweet knowing that I may never see her on this earth again. But it was worth every mile I drove. It was a long drive home last night...6 hours in a car by yourself can give you a lot to chew on. In some ways, this healed old wounds, yet opened new ones. But I'll deal with them. One day at a time, as the Lord leads.

Happy Times

Happy Times at the Lowe House tonight! We had a little fun with orange goggles and sunglasses...and not to mention Silky the Cape and other random toys that doubled as hats! Enjoy the smiles - oh how blessed i am to have those beautiful smiles each day in our home. We are so richly blessed.

Super Girl! Flying with her 'Cape' (hey Lemons Gap Crew...notice the 'cape' - it sure is a special part of this Super Girl's life!)


Photo op with the Little Brother!



Cameron working on his Summer 2008 look :)



Time out for a quick call to Uncle Brenn - Happy 28th Birthday!

Newsflash!

okay, for all of you who have the same HAIR dilemma that i do...nasty flat hair on Second Day Hair (see previous post...). Thanks go out to my precious dear friend Jennifer....she told me that our hairdresser has the solution to the problem!

Nicole (our hairdresser) said that most hair products are 'water activated'...meaning that they work - or reactivate - when they get wet. SO...say you put hair gel on your hair after you wash it....it's still on your hair the next morning. All you have to do is lightly spray the crown (the top) part of your hair, and then reblowdry. Here's the key though - when you re-dry it, you brush it in the opposite direction that it lays (if you brush your hair down while drying, you make it even flatter b/c of the natural oil in your hair...So you dry it from the underside to create the First Day Body you had the day before!). Waaa-la! First day hair again!

On a different note, Meredith is sitting her with me, and she would like to write her name on the computer.....here she goes!: meredith lowe Good job Meredith!!! She is now requesting to write my name. Nothing like a learning opportunity on the computer! Here she goes!....
kristi lowe

well, i will close, Mere is telling me stories about cherry trees and george washington!

Hair....

First of all...I absolutely love the days when i have just washed my hair. Usually this occurs every other day. So say, Sunday, I wash my hair....and it looks great! Lots of body, no kinks or odd twists, everything in the right spot......good stuff. And it never fails...folks make comments....'oh your hair looks good today' or 'I love that haircut on you.' Things like that....and I think, yeah! The problem occcurs on Monday..........I call it...Second Day Hair. It's that day when you don't need to wash again (too much shampoo dries out your hair!)....but it's just not quite right. No matter how i poof and tease...spray or hair wax, it just won't do what it should!! I can straight iron, re-tease the top, even get the blow drier out and 'fluff'....nope. Still looks funky. Oh it drives me nuts. And I'll admit, I'm a wild woman at night. (no, not like that).......I toss and turn and mess the everlovin' fire outta my hair. I remember my Nana's hair....she had 'beauty shop' hair. She'd go to bed at night with beautiful hair, and it looked the exact same the next day. Amazing. How'd she do that?! Not me. It looks like rats have taken up residence in my hair overnight. Seriously.

Second Day Hair stinks. So....just know that if you see me, and you think, 'what went wrong with her hair today?!'...now you know . It's my Second Day Hair. I think I should invent hair products that are specifically for Second Day Hair. I think i'll call them Repoofers. Or Day2Fix. Maybe this one - 2DayHair - or Poof Fixer........or............Funky Fixer! Yeah, Funky Fixer.

Super Tuesday!!

Well, all I can say is praise the Lord for Tamiflu and Z-packs. It's been a rough week! I have NEVER had the flu in my whole life! Then, to have the flu and a nasty sinus infection all at the same time..........well let's just say I'm glad to be better!

Of course, it didn't help that me, John, Meredith and Cameron all had the flu also.....all at the same time! We were like an MASH unit....dosing out Tylenol all over the place, snuggled in our respective blankets on couches, recliners, kleenex boxes close at hand.......it was nuts! All is better now...YEAH!

As for me, today is a good day - it's SUPER TUESDAY! Yes, I am a political junkie...and even though my guy, Mike Huckabee, isn't gonna wrap up the nomination today on the Republican ticket, there is something cool about the election process. All over our nation (well, at least in 24 states) folks are casting their ballot for their 'guy' (or gal for you Hillary fans. Is anyone I know a Hillary fan?!).....WHat a cool country we live in that we have the freedom to vote. And I think by the end of the day today, we will be looking at John McCain as the next Republican nominee (joined possibly by Mike Huckabee as his VP running mate)........but those Democrats......I have a feeling it's gonna get interesting for those guys - poor Hillary, she's losing ground to Obama...it's so close in the national polls that it's considered a dead heat! What once looked like a slam-dunk for her is now ominous........especially with most of the Kennedy family stepping up their support of Obama......

okay.....I'm sure none of you give a rip about my political opinions....but hey, there you go...that's the beauty of blogging! So when you turn on the news tonight and Tim Russert and Chris Matthews are breaking it all down....just know that I'm happy as a clam watching all of it!

So..........Who are you excited about? Which one of these guys is your "Agent of Change?" - I'd love to know your views...that's the beauty of this country - we have the freedom to CHOOSE! Let me hear from ya!

What a Nice Evening

What a truly wonderful evening. Actually nothing out of the ordinary...but oddly, very revelatory. John had basketball games tonight, and for the most part, we usually go. But tonight, the kids and I decided to hang together. We ran to Kohl's and TJ Maxx...then to Market Street. We bought slices of pizza (and mac n/ cheese for Mere) and sat down at the tables. The little area that we sat down at was sparsely filled with a few families, but relatively quiet. Mere and Cam were blessedly happy with their little plates of food....but it was an odd experience for some reason. Normally when we get fast food - it is just that - FAST. Tonight was different. We sat and ate...not really in any hurry to be somewhere else. Of course, Meredith chatted with me thru the whole meal, and Cameron sat happily listening to us (I really think that kid will be a good listener like his Daddy...after all, he's surrounded by 2 girls who love to GAB!). But they were happy tonight.

And the thought hit me...I think that the majority of the time I am with them, I am in 'get where we need to be next' mode. That 'mom' mode that tunes out the emotion and focuses on what 'MUST' be done next. Get your shoes on. Go brush your teeth. Make your bed. Pick up your toys. Hurry and get in the car, we're running late. It 's time for gymnastics...it's time for church...it's time for school....it's time for.................

And I'm embarrased that tonight's slower pace is just not our usual m.o. Oh that's just sad to me...I sit here and think to myself how that must feel to be rushed around all over the place, ALL the time. And after we finished our little meal, we headed home. And when we got here, I resisted the urge to structure the time (that's code for "boss them around") and let them do as they pleased....Mere got out some toys and she wanted to play me with her.....Cam ran all over the house, ran outside in the backyard, chased the dog (notice the theme of running?!) and occasionally wrapped his sweet little arms around me before he took off again.

And at the end of the night, there was peace. No, the dishes aren't done yet (what else is new, anyway?!), but my kids had some down time. Time apparently that I need to build into the week more often. I think moms (unless I'm the only one here!) get so caught up in what 'needs' to be done that we don't stop and let the 'nothing' happen. We're so afraid that we might let something go undone, that the world will stop. I have a feeling that my kids will remember more what I did WITH them than what I did in the kitchen. Lesson learned. Posting now, and heading to bed...happily and peacefully.

Cowgirl Meredith

Oh my! We have a cowgirl on our hands! A week or two ago (yes, I'm SOO good at uploading pics right away....), we went to the stock show. At the end there is a "pee-wee show" - here are a few of my faves of Mere (and Cam too!) getting a taste of StockShow-Mania!

Before we left....we MUST pose in the tree......

Mere and THE PIG. Need i say more?!















Here, Mere w/ her pig. Notice Cam holding one of those sticks too...yeah, that's a little scary.

The pigs liked to run (imagine that!) from the kids...particularly to corners of the arena where lots of them huddled....I'm thinking....If pigs could fly...it would have happened that afternoon!

Okay, not the best pic...but Mere was so proud of her trophy!

Well, these are officially my first pics posted. I think she was in HOG-HEAVEN that afternoon. Yes, pun intended! Hee hee! Oh so fun. It was just great watching her, and I have a feeling I'll be posting pics of the same thing along this time next year! Love that cute cowgirl!

Wow it's Cold!

Well, winter has really arrived. Seems that the dog, Max, didn't even want to go outside this morning. frankly, I couldn't blame him! The weatherman said it was 19 degrees when i woke up. That's frosty, ladies and gentlemen!

I did make it to the gym this morning...although i think i froze at least one pound off on the way inside (boy do i wish!). Cameron goes to the childcare room while I go work off every brownie I've ever eaten...or wish i had eaten. So this morning is cardio and weights. Cardio is good...I like the eliptical and the treadmill....I even like the big machine at the end of the room that tells me how many calories I've burned off! But.......weights. Oh how I dread the weigh-lifting part of my workout. No, it's not that I'm a sissy, I know the benefits of lifting weights.......it's that when I walk in the weightroom, I feel like I am completely out of place! It always seems like there is that ONE guy who has muscles ripped on him everywhere, or the she-woman who looks like she knows everything she's doing. So, on I go...with my little 5 and 10 pound weights...while Sheera and Hercules hold up cars with each arm. Oh I was glad to get out of there! Now, I sit....feeling like jello for the remainder of the day!

As for Meredith and Cameron...an update on their worlds....Their closets are put back together, thankfully, and my house has returned to somewhat normal (although laundry is seriously still oozing out of the laundry room)....But as for Mere and Cam - they are good. Both have decided that the other is really fun to chase through the house! Seriously, each night we have marathon running.......all over the house, one will chase then the other will be the chaser. it is hysterical. The best part is when I hide........and jump out and yell BOO! when they run by! Hee hee...that's when they scream their heads off and run the other way! Yes, I'm so very easily entertained!

Well I should close. I took a shower two hours ago, and still haven't blow-dried my hair...It's starting to do an 80's thing that noone really needs to see. Glory to God for hair gel and flat irons.

Response

Just a thought tonight...I'm in a bit of a 'deep thinking' mode....tell me....when the Lord asks something of you, typically, what is your response? When He lays something on your heart that stretches you...makes you feel 'uncomfortable'...how do you respond?

i'd love to hear your thoughts...obviously i'm working on a "Response" of my own....

Small Victories

I am amused by so many things as i sit to write tonight. first of all, i am amused by the simple fact that if your house is a wreck, you can bet that folks will show up to visit. On Saturday, i decided to clean out my kids closets completely - COMPLETELY - and paint their closets...re-organize, the whole 9 yards. little did i know that doing that "simple" project would destroy the rest of my home. Nor did i realize, as in my days of yon, that doing projects with small children in the house increases the duration of the bloody project by no less than 500%. Seriously. Back to my children's closets.......my children are ridiculously blessed. they have enough stuff to entertain a small country, i do believe. seriously.

So here I am in all of my nasty-houseness...doing laundry (THE ultimate thorn in my flesh. I could care less about having a house keeper. Send me someone to do my FREAKIN' LAUNRDRY!) Okay, back to my nasty-houseness..........And of course, what happens? My precious next door neighbors show up. Thank goodness they are about the coolest folks on my block..But regardless of their seemingly unworried attitude of the plethora of CRAP all over my house, I was mortified. I may have apologized thirty times, I think. It seems that this sort of thing is my luck. Or my lack of organizational skills. Or my amazing blessing of having two children under the age of 4. I bet it has something to do w/ my organizational skills...but i'm leaving it up to you to decide.....

However tonight, I have decided to focus on the small victories. After my neighbors left (both running, and muttering, i'm pretty sure, that it was the most hideous home they'd ever been in), I got busy. With the help of a Curious George movie (GOD BLESS DVD PLAYERS!), I actually got my entire kitchen cleaned and all my dishes done! YEah! And as if I hadn't done enough (yeah, that kitchen was in BAD shape) I picked up the Living room and the Family room. I think that deserves a pat on the back. And a nice glass of red wine. Cheers! More posting soon.........

First Post

What a fun thing I believe this will be! After looking a several other blogs on blogger.com, i finally decided I had to do this for myself. I know how much I enjoy writing, so maybe this will serve as a way to put my ideas and words into a written form. More soon!