FOOTBALL!!

Shelbyville Eagles!

Isaac is in the green shirt.

Isaac is in the green shirt.

Isaac is #4. He is trying to block or tackle the other guy (#23).

Here he comes off the field! I love that football player of mine!

Isaac is playing football this year. This is something new for us. He has played baseball, basketball and soccer but this is our first year playing football. If you know Isaac you know that he is really in to football and loves football. For his birthday he got football trading cards and you would have thought that he got a million dollars. Anyway we decided to let him play this year and really tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted that this was what he wanted to do. Well it has been more than he ever thought. They practice every day except Wednesday and Friday for two hours a day. Before school started they practiced every day! Games are on Saturday and no telling where they will be....some are even going to be an hour or so away! He has had some tough times but he has hung in there and Bryan said that last night at practice Isaac did the best he has ever done. Of coarse with him being one of the smaller ones and this being his first year he doesn't get to play a whole lot, but if he keeps giving it his best he will play more and more. I will be honest....I do not like football!! It is not my favorite sport, but because of Isaac I am learning and look forward to seeing him on the field. I am very proud of him for trying and hanging in there even when it isn't that great. He told one of his friends the other day that he was playing football, he said that he liked it but it wasn't great! I will keep you posted on pictures and how the season is going.

Just a couple of things....

I forgot to mention in my last post that the Dr. said the baby weighed about 11 oz. That is one less once than a canned soft drink. Now run to the refrigerator and pick up a canned coke....imagine this baby weighing less than that. Isn't that amazing...only a God thing! That is something that I love about being pregnant and having children, I realize just how awesome God is and how amazing His works are. Only He could form this life inside of me and give it life and breath!! Thank You Lord, You truly are amazing!!

I have been reading this book called "The Legacy of Biblical Womanhood" and I highly recommend it! It has been a great book for me. The other day I read this in the book....

"Friends in Jesus strengthen one another in their obedience to Him. Friendships in Jesus are inclusive rather than exclusive. There is security in the relationship regardless of time, distance, and conflict. Friends are willing to inflict faithful wounds (Proverbs 27:6). Friendships are God's gracious gift to His children and should be celebrated."

Okay, when you read that I know that someone came to your mind, or I pray that they did. Who was it? Be thankful for them, those kind of friends are few and far between. Sure, we have lots of "friends" but there are those friends that are more. Friends that meet the description above. I am so blessed to have one of those friends. I hope she would say the same of me, but to me she truly is special.

Hope you all have a great weekend and pray that you Worship Him who is worthy...Christ our Lord!!

Pregnancy update....

Baby's face...can you see it?

View of whole baby from a profile point...see it?

The more "high" tech sonogram. You can see baby's face...see it?


Today I am 19 weeks pregnant! One more week and I will be 1/2 way through this pregnancy. Amazing how fast it has gone by! I went for a Check up yesterday and they did the BIG sonogram and we got to see our precious one!! We have never had a "higher" tech sonogram done, but today the lady just gave two snap shots in the "higher" tech mode and I have posted one of them. It is amazing what you can see! Tears came to my eyes, just knowing that this precious life from God is inside of me!! Yes, we ALL went and the kids did really well. They (Isaac and Sarah especially) loved seeing the baby! Now we are even more excited about holding he/she and giving she/he so much loving! Some of you know and some have asked....we are not finding out the sex of the baby. We have never known and would love for this one to be another surprise! Everyone is always amazed that we can wait, but once you have done it once it makes the others easier! It actually is fun watching and listening to everyone else guess and make their assumptions. I know and am sure it drives some people crazy (family) that would love to know what the sex of the baby is! So I have added a poll to the side bar of our blog and you can make your vote about what you think the sex of baby #5 will be. Please feel free to cast your vote and lets see how much fun this really is....someone is going to be right and someone will be wrong. The first 3 of our children we just had a feeling what they would be, but Timothy was a complete surprise. So I am not even going to try and figure this one out. :) Today at the check up the baby's heart beat was in the 150's and measuring right on time!

By the way, a precious friend of mine sent me a surprise package that I received on Monday...3 pairs of maternity capri pants! I am so excited and so blessed! I will definitely be getting the wear out of those! Thanks Kay!

Milkshakes Anyone?

Bottom's up!

It is almost gone!

Content with his own milkshake!

Sister trying to be silly as she enjoys her milkshake!

Something that everyone in our family enjoys is milkshakes!! About a year or so ago I started this thing called Movie and Milkshake night at our house. Of coarse we had those nights on Monday nights (all start with M). It is the one thing that everyone comes to the table for, no one refuses a milkshake. Things have been a little crazy since the move and now we have football practice (I will post soon about this) that Movie and Milkshake night doesn't always happen on Monday's anymore. Matter of fact sometimes the movie doesn't even happen and we haven't been having milkshakes once a week either. BUT we still make those milkshakes every now and then and boy are they good! Timothy has gotten to when I start getting things out to make milkshakes he starts pulling on my leg and whining. So I get his made first and sit him in his highchair and we don't hear another peep out of him unless he wants more! It is so funny!! I hope my kids will carry with them the memory of us all having milkshakes and on occasion a Movie and Milkshake Night...at the Camp home.

School has started

Timothy loves to participate. His coloring is going well!!

Isaac taking a Phonics test!

Elijah is learning to cut and loves to be able to do this.

Sarah is seeing what she will be doing this year.

If you don't know already, we are a homeschooling family. We started school for this year last Monday and spent the first few days trying to adjust and find a good routine for us. That meant mom made a schedule and after day 1 we had to revamp. I think after week 2 we have found a good schedule for us and one that will work for now. We have had a few people ask us why do we homeschool or how did we decide to homeschool, so I thought in this post I would give some of that information.

The first reason we homeschool is God has called our family to this. I remember Isaac being about 2 and we began to think what would we do when it was time for him to start school. We began then praying that the Lord would lead us to the right decision for our family. We didn't want it to be our idea or plans but the Lord's. Of coarse then I remember thinking that it would be forever before he was 5 and we had to make a decision. Well guess what, before I could turn around he was 5. We felt the Lord had given us a peace about homeschooling before he turned 4 so by the time he was 5 we knew that we would be homeschooling. Whether you homeschool, send your kid to public school or send them to a Christian school it should be a decision that you pray about and do whatever it is that GOD has told you to do.

The second reason we homeschool is we feel that for our family this is the best for our children at this time. Again God could call us to do something different down the line, but for now we feel that this is the best for our kids. Isaac's birthday being in August he would be in the 4th grade in public school but we have decided to hold him back a little because of his age. Don't get me wrong academically he is 4th grade or a little beyond but age and size he is more in the 3rd grade range. I love it that we can monitor our children's grade and if need be move forward in one subject and stay a little while longer (til they get it) in another subject.

Another reason(s) we homeschool is we feel that it is building family relationships, age segregated relationships and building responsibility in our children. I get to have a relationship with them and time with them that I wouldn't get any other way. They get to be with their siblings and learn how to play with and socialize with different age groups. I love to see my bigger kids get down on the little ones level and play or see the older ones have a conversation with older people that need some company. As for responsibility, yesterday there was an endless pile of clothes to be folded and guess who helped me...all the kids (Timothy is still learning). It wasn't just a chore for us it is time we get to talk or have a little fun throwing wash cloths at each other. Also it is a learning time, they are learning to serve others (Big brother folded sister and middle brothers clothes and put them up for them without being asked)! The little ones learn to match while matching socks. It is also a time to learn life skills that they will be able to take with them in life.

One benefit we have found from homeschooling is we can go on vacation when everyone else is at work and in school!! Oh and find something educational to do on vacation and count it as a field trip day...how awesome is that! We have enjoyed this journey of homeschooling and we are trying to make the most of it!

I will be the first to say that it is not the easiest thing that God has asked us to do. There are days that I have had to ask God to confirm that I have heard Him correctly. And He does confirm that. There are times that I think "Are they ever going to get this"....and they do (eventually). With little ones around it throws a challenge in there also, so I have to be creative...and it has been done before. God could call us at any time to send our children to public or Christian school but for now we are doing just what He has called us to do at this time in our lives and we want to enjoy every minute of it. Some days will be tough or hard but with the strength of the Lord we will endure and see another school year through.

I know this post has been a little lengthy but I pray that it has conveyed our heart, a heart toward home. I pray that this post has given you a glimpse into the reasons we homeschool and how we came to this point in our life. May you be encouraged and challenged on whatever journey it is that God has called you to.

They call me "Mama"

There is no other word that would be more precious to a woman who has been blessed with children..."Mama". Today has been a very trying day for me and the kids, even lost it with them a time or two today. I had just gotten through disciplining middle brother and then he goes to tell me something and says "mama ....." and it just hit me, he calls me "mama". It is like the title "Queen", just something special about being called "mama". I don't deserve to be called "mama". I have asked myself many times doesn't God see after 4 kids that I am not the best "mama" in the world. Why would He choose me to be a "mama" again? Yes, I fail often in being the mother that God wants me to be. When I fail I look around and see these little faces looking at me and they say "Mama....". That is the point that God reminds me that I can't do it, I am weak, very weak! He reminds me that I need Him and without Him I will always fail, He is strong, very strong!! I want my kids to see Jesus in their mother and sometimes that means them seeing me fail and trusting in God, admitting my failure and turning to the Lord. Maybe that is what being "real" means, not perfect. My heart tightens up when I have lost it with my children and then several minutes later I see them just as they are. They aren't perfect and neither is their mother. Don't get me wrong I believe that children must be disciplined and we need to train them in righteousness and sometimes, most of the time, that means correction. I love being called "Mama" and I want to be a godly, God fearing "mama". Those days, today, that I don't do well at being "mama", I want those to be molding days. Days that God takes this clay pot and molds it into the "mama" he wants me to be. He is still working on me and for that I am so grateful. I am so thankful and humbled to be a mother and couldn't be any more honored than I am to be the mother of those 4 precious blessings and 1 on the way!!

Birthday Party with Family!

Sarah opens her presents first

Then Isaac takes his turn

Little nephew opens his gift from us, bath stuff!

Big nephew opens his gift from our family.

Our Niece opens her gift that we gave her. She is growing up so fast!

The cake.

Sarah loves the water.

Big brother is enjoying the float.

I love this picture!

Timothy enjoyed the water hose more than the pool.

Our family. It is a little fuzzy because the lens fogged up and I forgot to wipe it off.

We went to Alabama and did a birthday party for Isaac and Sarah with our families. It was so good to get to see everyone! Since we can't make it home alot and don't get to attend the other niece and nephews parties we gave them their presents while we were there. We had so much fun! The first night we had supper with the dear lady who use to be our back door neighbor. She was so good to our family. We use to go to her house and swim quite a few times and she always welcomed us like family. Then we headed to my parents house to spend the night. We had a few things to do in Anniston the next morning and then after lunch and after the kids took a nap we headed down to the Camp's. It is always nice to stay with them, they have room for our family of 6. :) My parents and Bryan's parents are so very good to us and are always there to help in whatever way they can. Thank you Dad and Mom and Pop and Gigi. Bryan grilled hotdogs and hamburgers for supper and then the kids opened their gifts. Everyone always goes above and beyond to bless our children. Thank you Uncle Aaron, Aunt Stephanie, Peyton, Riley, Uncle Craig, Uncle Rusty, Aunt Candice, Jameson and both sets of grandparents!! After gifts we ate cake and ice cream. I made a swimming cake because it was suppose to be a swimming party but the weather did not allow it. My mother-in-law made the homemade ice cream, chocolate, and it was so good!! The next morning the sun came up and it was beautiful! We were in the pool at 8:00 a.m. and it was sooooo nice!!!!!! The kids had a blast swimming, riding the 4-wheeler and riding bikes and scooter. We ate lunch and then headed home to Tennessee. We had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed every minute of it!

A Sewing Project!

I have been wanting and needing some Blue Jean carpi's, did I mention maternity. So I thought that maybe I should splurge and buy some. Oh my, do you know how much maternity clothes cost? I ventured to the maternity store only to find out that the cost of maternity carpi's or shorts was $35. OUCH!!! Needless to say I left that store and said that I could just do without! Then it came to me that I could make my own! I went to the consignment sale that was going on here and purchased a pair of nice maternity blue jeans for $3 (that is more in my price range). I came home and put into practice the sewing know how that my mother-in-law and my mother have given me. I got out the scissors and cut those blue jeans off, got out the sewing machine and began sewing. Well, above I have posted pictures of the results. I thought for my first time they turned out pretty good (and even). What do you think?

Pregnancy note: I went to the Dr. last Thursday and we go to hear the heartbeat. It was so awesome! Everything is going very well. I will be 17 weeks on Wednesday and my belly is growing by the week!! LOL! I will go back the end of August for the big sonogram. Of coarse we will all go so that everyone can see the new family member. We will not be finding out the sex of the baby, so that will be a surprise. I will keep you posted! Thanks for stopping by our blog and keeping up with us!

Brothers, Balance and Blessings! Part 3

Blessings: "Count your many blessings, name them one by one...". So you and I would be here all day if we really counted our blessings! Think about this....even those times that we can't see the blessing in our situation, give it some time and we will clearly see the blessing that God has given us! When the kiddos had to go potty and we had to pull over for the 3rd or 4th time (argh!) just to later discover that there was a wreck and had we not stopped to take the kiddos to potty we would have been in that wreck! Ouch! So many times I fret and fuss about something that didn't go just as I had planned but afterwards I can look back and see God's hand of blessings the whole time!! I even miss those blessings in the boys He has given me sometimes. I get so busy wanting the house to look like "Better Homes and Garden" that I miss the blessings of enjoying my children.

"Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise...". It is God who gives me blessings and the least I can do is praise Him for them. I need to give credit where credit is due. My children are such a blessing from the Lord and I can't imagine one day without them. God uses those boys (and Sarah) of mine to be big blessings. Just like when Big brother made my bed the other day he did that without me asking, he was blessing me. When middle brother comes to me, kisses me and says "Thank you for supper, mommy", he blesses me. When little brother wants to crawl up in my lap and wants me to hold him, that blesses my heart. There are days that I think to myself "What if God gives us another boy", and then I am reminded of the blessings that the boys I have are. I am reminded of how God uses those boys to mold me and make me who He wants me to be. So if God does give us another boy (or a girl), I will feel God pouring out His blessings on me and I will turn and praise Him! I have so much to praise Him for.

Brothers, Balance and Blessings! Part 2

Balance: A friend with 6 children recently told me that she felt that one of the reasons God had given her each of her children was to reveal to her areas in her life that she had not yet surrendered to the Lord. AMEN!! This is where I feel that God is using my boys to bring balance to me. If you know me very well then you know that I am a perfectionist, but God has used my boys to bring some balance to my perfectionist ways. I now realize that it is OK that everything is not perfect in our home. It is OK that the wash cloths are not folded just right or that the dishes are not put up right where they belong or that its OK if middle brother messes up something while he is trying to help cook supper. This morning I went to Wal-Mart with all 4 kids by myself, a lady mentioned that she was sure there was not a dull moment at my house. She is right, but that brings balance to our days...ho-hum and then a little excitement.

One of the areas that I feel God has revealed to me that I have not completely surrendered to Him is my temper. Yes, you read that right t-e-m-p-e-r. God has brought me a long way and I have grown alot in this area, it doesn't take long for me to see that He is still working on me. The boys especially can bring this to surface, so I know that God has given me these boys for many reasons and one being to show me this unsurrendered area of my life.

Another area that I need balance in and that God is working on is balance with firmness and love. This is something that I know that God is using the boys to bring this balance. When Big brother was born I was all LOVE. I didn't understand firm because I had never been around boys. If you have boys you know that you have to be FIRM! With all children you need to be firm, but for me it is mainly with my boys. Then the older big brother got and then middle brother came along I realized that firmness was something I needed to have. Well, God is working on me to have balance here. I don't need to be one extreme or the other I need balance. It is like God's balance with us, truth and grace. He is not all truth and no grace or all grace and no truth, He has a perfect balance and I should look to Him for an example of balance.

I have had to realize that the interruptions in my day are opportunities for God to form this clay pot into what He wants me to be. Those little interruptions are the biggest blessings. For instance I have been getting up before the kids in the mornings and walking while Bryan is still here. This is the perfect time for me to be alone and spend some time in prayer or worship, I love this time. Every now and then, like this morning, one of my little blessings will have gotten up before I leave and guess what....they want to go walk with mommy. My first response is "NO" this is my time and that temper will start flaring up..."They need to go back to bed and leave me alone, they will ruin my walk." God has so humbled me and showed me that this is a great opportunity to spend with this child(ren) and what better way of worshiping my Lord than by enjoying the gift He has given me. Talk about balance...I get to walk, spend time with the Lord and enjoy being with my children. I will be the first to admit that my life is not a fully balanced life, but I pray that God keeps forming me and that through Him using my children I will live a more surrendered life each and every day.

Brothers, Balance and Blessings! Part 1

Brothers: Do you know what it is like to have a house full of boys? Of coarse my house is not all boys but with 3 boys it is a house full of them. I don't know what brothers are like because I was an only child. Some days I could pinch all three of them. Big brother is always wanting to win, be first, and doesn't quite understand how to not make the others holler. I have to remind him that they are watching him and that they are his disciples. Sometimes he acts 3 instead of 9 (he will be 9 this month). Then he is the brother who made my bed (did a GREAT job) this morning, helped me pick blueberries, likes to come and snuggle with me & still wants to rub noses with his mommy (sometimes). There is Middle brother who doesn't mind hollering as loud as he can when something doesn't go his way & likes to tell me "NO". He is the brother that is not afraid of anything and is always doing something (sometimes it is something he is not suppose to be doing, like trying to pull up the carpet). This is my most stubborn child (surely he couldn't not be out done) and doesn't like for anyone to tell him what to do (he is quick to say "You are not my boss"). Then he is the brother who loves for me or his daddy to read to him, lights up when I go to get him from his class at church, gives the best hugs (squeezes), has even made my bed by himself a time or two (doesn't look as good as when big brother does it, but it is the love that went in to it) and today when he got up from his nap came running to sit with me and love on me!! Middle brother also loves to give hugs and kisses to little brother (even if little brother doesn't want them). Now there is little brother who thinks he is as big as the other two. This boy can scream like none of the other kids, he is the one that has wanted me to hold him most of today, the one that I thought would never sleep through the night and he is the one that loves to get into things he is not suppose to be in (playing with cell phones or the computer). Little brother is also the one who can mess up any game that the big kids are playing and it drives them crazy. Then this is the boy who loves to give loving (and some of the best) when he gets up in the morning or from a nap. He is the one who can give you a smile that will melt your heart, can throw things away (not always things that are suppose to be thrown away) for you, enjoys helping pick things up (he thinks it is a game) and this is the boy who we can take anywhere and he loves it. These boys are a great joy to me and also what God is using to bring balance to me. (Part 2 (Balance) coming soon!)

Chicken Pot Pie

Thought I would share one of our favorite meals with you. It is real easy and very tasty. Hope you might try it and that you will enjoy it!

-boneless skinless chicken (3 breast give or take) cooked and shredded (I cook mine in the crock pot all day and then it falls apart when I get ready to shred it)

-1 lb bag of frozen mixed vegetables

-1 Can of cream of chicken soup

-1 can of cream of mushroom soup (you could use cream of celery instead)

-Salt and pepper to taste

-2 frozen deep dish pie crust (they come in a pack of two)

Cook and shred your chicken and mix in your cans of soup. Cook your vegetables and mix them in with the chicken mixture. While your veggies are cooking put out your pie crust so they will thaw out. Add salt and pepper to your liking. Mix really well (mixture will be thick) and then pour in to first pie crust. Invert second pie crust on top. Poke holes with fork in top crust. Place on cookie sheet (in case it bubbles over some) and bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until golden brown.