There is always tomorrow

Today is one of those days that has been bad. We've all had them-you know, the sense of dread when you wake up and sitting at the breakfast table wishing you all could go back to bed and start over. Well...things went from bad to worse. Things I am thankful for today-my father's determination that I learn how to use tools. I was able to turn the lock around on my son's door all by myself. Sad that I am excited about this but-yep I am. My mother for passing around her stubbornness. If any of these kids think they can out-stubborn me, they have not spent much time with my mother. She passed on the stubbornness of an ox (I mean that in the most sweet way possible mom!). My husband-that he can come home & see the house destroyed from an afternoon of 4 year old outrage & just give me a hug. I am thankful that I got a good workout-restraining a very angry child is a full body workout. I won't need to do any cardio for awhile (oh, who am I kidding, I can't even remember the last cardio workout I've done!). Most of all-I am thankful for all of you who read this blog & pray for our whole family.

This is hard-harder than I ever thought possible. The most frustrating part is yet to come-when the child that screamed at the top of his lungs that he hated me and wanted to run away, tried to bite me, head butt me, kick me, scratch me, cuss me out, etc. will then in a very dysfunctional way "need me". Gotta love this process. I should be getting used to it already. As little Orphan Annie says "the sun will come out tomorrow"!

We survived.

Yep-we survived Easter. We now have officially "survived" the two biggest Christian holidays as a large family & as a ministry family. Holy Week is CRAZY for a pastor! Dan is an awesome husband, father, and pastor. I am so proud of all of his hard work in all of those areas. He has tremendous responsibility in EVERY SINGLE aspect of his life. Poor guy-I'm amazed that he doesn't have a nervous breakdown! Do you know what he does on his day off? Does he go have a little "alone" time? Does he sleep in? Nope-he gets up, often cooks an amazing breakfast for all of us, sometimes lets me sleep in, and works tediously at his honey-do list. Yesterday, he spent about 4 hours putting a new storm door on the front door for us. I tell you-that man is AMAZING. I thank God for him each & every day.

For those of you who don't live with a pastor-don't forget that they are people too. They didn't just miraculously fall out of the sky glowing and ready for that huge pedestal they are too often placed on. Tell your pastor "thanks" and that you appreciate them.

Hey DAN-I love you! I am proud of you. Thank you for always being my shepherd & for the hard work you do for your family, your church, and your community. You are awesome.

My So-Called Life

Does anyone remember watching that show? I know it totally dates me but it was a favorite of mine back in the days of my extreme teen angst. Jared Leto and Claire Danes (I think that was who was in it). Loved that show-loved it! I wanted Claire Danes hair so badly. I'm such a nerd-but at least I embrace it.

Well...I don't really remember a lot about the show or why it had that title. However, I feel like that title relates to my life now. I'm living my life & the days are flying by. I don't feel like I have a life. Tomorrow is Friday already AGAIN! How did that happen? Sometimes weekends around here are not so great-school, more often than not, is a reprieve for everyone. I'm hopeful for a good weekend.

It's EASTER! Unfortunately, I suspect, like most American children instead of being excited about the NEW HOPE given to us by our Lord & Savior-JESUS dying for OUR SINS & raising to new LIFE-we'll be disgruntled about what we did or did not get in our Easter basket. I'm way too hard on my kids. I know it-I feel it even now as I type this. 3 of our 5 children have just recently heard the name JESUS. I cannot expect them to understand the huge significance of this week. Do I understand it? Truly? Yeah-I could spout off 3 significant things that Jesus did for me but do I GET IT? Do I truly get it? I mean, look at my life, do I glow from all my encounters with God? Of course not, I'm too busy being distracted by everything that everyone else is doing wrong. The plank in my eye is so big-yet it doesn't even hurt. So crazy.

Tonight, once Dan gets home from the church service we're going to re watch the Passion of the Christ. I'm so terrified of that movie-we watched in the theater when it came out & I cannot stomach it again. But I need to. I need to get out of my glamorized, Americanized, self-righteous, PROUD, PROUD, PROUD view of Christianity & get my sights set back on JESUS!!!

Sorry-this post is kinda preachy. Not my intention-but I need JESUS big time. I have been unable to get my life together since getting back from Spring Break. And the culprit of my troubles is myself-my selfish, arrogant self.

On a lighter note-we officially, finalized our adoption of our beautiful Shamie May. We are now the Freng Family of 7. Wow-that is so crazy!

Have a great Easter & remember what it means-I'll try to do the same.

He Has My Back.

Just in case anyone feels like messing with me I wanted to post a picture of the newest member of my arsenal. This is my stealth ninja-he is displaying his wide array of weaponry. He is lightning quick & he can disarm even the most hardened criminal with his smile. Yep-keep that in mind the next time you think about taking me on...This boy has got my back!