Schedules, Scripture, Charts, and Children...

Well I wish I could say that we are incredibly consistent with ALL the things above, but I must confess it is up and down. At least the children are here all the time!! We will have seasons of being in healthy routines, choosing to do the first things first (like purposefully teaching our kids God's Word and really training them in non-confrontational times - not just putting out fires, etc) and then we will have seasons where it seems that not as many issues are presenting themselves, and then we will have seasons where we are just totally off track. Survival only seasons. How do I let things get to that point? Something will happen - maybe a busy season like Christmas, maybe a vacation, maybe stuff like moving and house remodelling, or sometimes I'll just get lazy... None of these are excuses, by the way, just the misguided reasons that I (key word) allow to take precedence over what is most important!

And then things hit the fan - bad attitudes are common, first time obedience is not! And of course these times coincide with times when I am not only being lazy about training my precious children but also when I am not seeking the Lord by spending regular time in the Word and praying like I need. Why such ups and downs? Why is it that I cannot just realize once - "Wow - life is much harder when I am not allowing myself to be filled with the Holy Spirit each day, when I am not being renewed by the truth and power of His Word on a regular basis."? No, I seem to have to relearn this lesson many times over!!! I can do nothing apart from Him!
John 15:5
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing"
I know this, I believe this - but yet I do not always act on this truth. Lord, thank You that Your mercies are new every morning and that Your grace is never failing.

So after being painfully aware of the fact that we needed a fresh start - again - well first I made a plan for myself to spend regular time in the word and began reading back through a Sally Clarkson book, MomWalk. I made a basic daily schedule with chores, pulled back out the training charts that we use from time to time, made a plan to work through an awesome devotion book that has been very valuable for us, Our 24 Family Ways by Clay Clarkson, and made little verse books with construction paper folded and stapled for each child. So now everyone is doing their chores, exciting about getting stars on their charts, knows what to expect each day, and learning scripture that is a far better teacher than I could ever be!

It has been fun too! And so amazing to see an almost overnight change in their behavior. It is like they were just bored and confused over what was expected. I was feeling much the same and everybody was grumping and arguing. This led into more criticism on my part for their behavior which of course did NOT result in a great desire from them to obey me!

Anyways, I am so thankful that God is gracious to me and that He is teaching me that when I fail I don't have to stay there and I don't have to beat myself up. I just have to call out to Him and seek His grace and mercy and power in my life. And I pray that I am more consistent - even (or especially) with the busy, exciting times we have just around the corner - moving AND adopting!

So, just wondering - what works for your family? What things that have helped you stay consistent and do the things you intend to do? I would love any insights you have in this area! Just click on comments below.

Out of the Box...Or Maybe In It

Well, I was in the process of putting together this great video with music and everything...it was so funny. In my mind it was a work of art. BUT, when I got to the adding music part it wouldn't work and then I saved the project to work on later. Well, when I reopened it, it was all messed up... So, a few pictures and descriptions will have to do!



As I already said - the Potts are moving. Not right away but fairly soon. Here's the deal. For really our entire marriage, we have dreamed of raising our children in the country where we could work together outdoors, raise animals, ride horses, and just enjoy nature...Some of you know we bought a few acres in College Station before realizing that God had different plans! We were sad to leave that land have been incredibly thankful that God did not allow us to build on it, because now it is so clear that this is where He intended us to be. So...to make a long story short, we looked and looked for land that was close by the New Braunfels/San Marcos area and affordable and enough land to do what we wanted. Oh, and it had to have nice trees and good dirt too.





It turned out that what we were looking for happened to be in the backyard! Well, not ours - my parents! My parents live on about 80 acres and have offered us about 8 acres on one end for quite awhile. We knew it would be a permanent decision and if you know us, we don't make decisions quickly - but after much prayer, lots of talks and various events, we realized that this was just where we needed to be. Some have wondered why we didn't realize why we didn't figure this out sooner :) We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity to live so close by our family and to have a gorgeous piece of land to build on, with even more land next door that we are able to enjoy with those we love dearly. At first it seemed a little bizarre - I mean my sister ives on the other end, my parents in the middle and now us too. Like a commune, right! :)





But you know what? We love these people and we enjoy the 'village effort' of living life together. We love the interactions and the way that we help each other's families and feel very blessed to have a family that we are so close to that we truly will love being next door neighbors!





So, that brings me to the next part of the news - the video clip (which was going to be put to the tune of Green Acres :) ) I was making was of last Monday when our house moved in. It had such great footage, with my very favorite cowboy :)

That's right we are moving...

From This...

To This!

The plan is to live in the mobile for a little while and then build our home in a year or so. The beauty of this plan is:

*We have an amazing view (pics soon)
*We will save LOTS of money for awhile
*We can move the home to one of Zach's properties after we are done living in it and actually make a small profit rather than losing years of rent money while we build
*SIMPLICITY (in more ways than I can begin to list for soooo many reasons)


It may be a little cramped, especially with very possibly soon being a family of SEVEN, but hey, great bonding times!!! And would you believe that it actually is about 2000 sq feet - that is really pretty big.

So, we are very excited and wanted to share!

Song Choice

Okay, I have been trying to think of the perfect song to describe a big change that is about to occur in our lives and after many possibilites:

Heartland by George Strait
Gone Country by Alan Jackson (I think)
Green Acres
and well, I'l have to leave off the last one until later -

okay I'm having waaaay too much fun with this - but then it is my blog so I can :)

But I decided on the one you are currently listening to

Where the Green Grass Grows by Tim McGraw

Okay so maybe some of you have guessed what the Potts are up to....

WE'RE MOVING!!! TO THE COUNTRY!!!

I will update with details very soon...

Stay Tuned...

Things are really about to get interesting around here...

Lost and Found

As you can see from the title - we lost Ben's hampster yesterday! It was quite the drama yesterday morning when we realized the cage had been left open and he was gone! We began searching the house with no sign of him -or should I say tearing apart the house (moving furniture, pulling things out from under the beds, even pulling out the dishwasher). Of course this happened just as my babysitter arrived - it was pretty crazy :) I knew he was sleeping somewhere and we'd have a better chance at night so we were careful to keep the doors shut and the cat out!

Sure enough, yesterday evening I found him in the bathroom - probably looking for water. There was much rejoicing :) Hopefully this will be Teddy's one and only unsupervised trip around the house!!

Riding Accident!

My sister and Allee's amazing horse trainer was giving Allee a lesson this afternoon. Allee's little pony, Major, was having a bit of an attitude during the lesson - probably due to the hot weather. We have noticed some attitude problems with this horse before, but today was worse. So Ashley told Allee to get off and decided to correct Major. She did a few corrective turns and then with no warning he started bucking and threw her off and then proceeded to try and kick her. Now Ash is a truly incredible rider and has ridden many horses much more challenging than this rather small pony. But this feisty little pony caught her by surprise. She hit the ground very hard on her lower back. She was in a great deal of pain that we discovered (after a trip to the ER for x-ray and CT scan) was due to two broken lower lumbar. The part that cracked is the outside tip and the doctor said that it will heal itself with no need for any brace or anything else. But it causes a GREAT deal of pain, and she will be on pain meds and not able to do much for 6 -8 weeks. She plans to get a 2nd opinion from a back specialist to make sure that they are not missing anything that would need further treatment.

So we are incredibly thankful that she was not hurt worse and that this will not cause long-term injury. But we are sad that she is put out for awhile and especially just before her trip to Ethiopia. I just hate that she has to deal with this - she is so awesome to teach her students with such skill and care for each one of them. We are so blessed to have her teach Allee to ride and could not imagine having a better instructor. What is especially ironic about this is that Ash really emphasizes riding safety, makes sure that kids do not progress any faster than they can safely do so, and makes a point to only have safe, well-trained horses. Well, guess who just lost out on that status! Major will soon be finding a new home - he had shown a few slight concerning behaviors before, but with his act today, there is no way that he could be trusted with a child on him. It is sad for us all because he is super cute and Allee has done really well on him. But safety must absolutely come first. This horse is well-trained and this attitude really can't be 'retaught', so it looks like he will be returning to the person that Ashley purchased him from.

So Ash, we love you and pray that you make a super fast recovery - but don't push it!!!! We will help with you with anything you need - just call!

Alexandra is in DOUBLE DIGITS!!!

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY SWEET ALLEE!!!

Wow, I can't believe this girl is 10 years old today. How quickly ten years has passed and yet I cannot really remember life without her. Allee has been a joy and light to all those around her since she was born. Just a few things I love about our sweet girl ~

She is still full of energy and life. She fully engages with whatever she is doing - if she is acting out some play she created with the boys, she is doing with complete enthusiasm, if she is worshipping at church, she does it with complete abandon and with her full self, if she is enjoying a day outside playing, she completely lets go and just soaks it all in and is one hundred percent present in her surroundings. I love that she is always one hundred percent and her joy is truly a gift and is contagious to those around her. She often is leader among her siblings in having a positive attitude or in serving one another with a happy spirit. She is truly our very own Pollyanna :)

Allee is full of compassion - if I am sad or down she is quick to encourage me with a sweet note and picture or a kind word. She has done this since she was three years old. And she is sensitive to her brothers - she used to cry when Jadon and Ben received spankings. She understands now the need for this but it still makes her a little sad. And she is so sensitive about the needs of those around us outside our family. We saw this with her relationships at school and especially with her willingness to give and serve and sacrifice for Nastya and Katya.

She delights in giving to others. She saves most all of her allowance and money that she earns and she loves to buy gifts for others. She also is always making crafts or cards and wanting to give them to those around her.

A few things Allee loves:

1) Horseback riding - wow has she taken off in this area lately!

2) Little House on the Prairie - I think she has seen every episode

3) Reading LOTS of books

4) Talking :)

5) Playing all sorts of imaginative games outside

6) Swimming and tubing in the river

7) Snow skiing

8) Mommy time on Monday nights - sometimes we go to Freddy's and eat some yummy ice cream while doing our bible study

9) Daddy dates

10) Sweet friends

11) AMAZING aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews -how blessed we are

12) American Idol - yep we let her in on the fun this season :)

Okay and just so I don't seem too biased (but can't a mommy brag a little when her baby turns 10?) I also must mention a few quirks I love. She shares with me incredible clumsiness that she inherited from me. You can always see stains on our clothing or new bruises on either of us from running into tables or tripping or spilling our food. She actually tripped going up to receive her award at the end of school program and that's when a friend of mine realized who it was!!! And she got a bit of Zach's forgetfulness or ADD as some might say :) - I can say "Allee grab your bag and get in the car" and it never fails - the bag is still in the house... Oh and did I mention she likes to talk? ALOT?!!!

Today we had a wonderful birthday beginning of course with the birthday cake to wake her up with. We had the extra treat of having Gran and Poppy with us to celebrate. Then we (Gran, Allee, and I) went to have pedicures. Well, Jadon was with us too, but he found other entertainment :) Then we went to Huisache - a great little restaurant in New Braunfels. Afterwards we all found matching flipflops :) Then Allee cashed in on her birthday coupon - a Beta fish. We went to the pet store and she picked out a beautiful blue Beta that is now in her room.

Thank you Lord for my sweet daughter and for a wonderful day to celebrate her!

SCHOOL'S OUT!!!

WOOOO HOOOO!!! We had our final day of school today. Jadon is officially done with Kindergarten and Allee with fourth grade. Today was so much fun. We had Fine Arts Day this morning. Jadon's class did enactment and recitation of some Ogden Nash poetry called Carnival of the Animals. (hopefully I have that correct) Anyways, they all dressed up as different animals in a carnival. Jadon was lion and the whole thing was so well done and super cute. Until the end that is - Jadon and his good friend David bumped into each other (I think Jadon went the wrong way) and David got a pretty good knock on the head. I didn't know what happened - but was soooo glad to learn that it was an accident! He received the godly character quality of patience, which I can definitely see in Jadon when he is working on a difficult project or task or learning a new skill, such as in soccer. I hope to help him carry this quality over to his relationship with his brother this summer!

Allee's class recited the poem "Sick" by Shel Silversteen. It was also very cute and they each dressed up with a different ailment described in the poem. Allee received Honor Roll medal for the year. She did so well and always did it without complaining. She received the godly character quality of kindness. I can very much see this as part of character that defines her. She is very kind and thoughtful to those around her.

So then we went to a swim party and the kids had so much fun while the moms got a chance to talk. We have all made some wonderful friends this year and I am truly blessed by the sweet families we have come to know. We are so thankful for this school - it has been very evident that this school was founded through prayer and for the purpose of bringing God the glory in helping to equip children. It continues in that purpose and it has been amazing to see how the Lord is using different people with their varying gifts but with a singular focus to know and glorify the Lord and brought them together in this school to work together in teaching these children. I hope I am making sense - I just love how so many different people can work together with the same goal but who all do different jobs to make it all happen. And we have been able to see God at work in providing for this school family. We have a new school home - a permanent home for the first time and it has been provided in some amazing ways. Our Mom's In Touch group that met weekly to pray for the kids, teachers, and school, continually prayed that somehow this new home for the school would be provided in a way that would bring God, not man, the glory. And the way it all happened, could not be more evident that the Lord provided in a way only He could do.

Anyways, it was a wonderful year, but we are so glad for summer!! I can't wait to sleep in a bit tomorrow!

Summer Preview...

We had our first taste of summer this weekend! The kids had off school this past Friday and this Thursday will be the last day of school! Yea!! So on Friday we pulled out the slip-n-slide, the water ballons and put on the bathing suits. It was great fun outside and so nice to not be going anywhere. Just enjoying each other and being home! Then, we had another classic summer activity with some watermelon and a seed spitting contest :)

Saturday rolled around and we repeated many of the same activities with Daddy home and a bit of outdoor clean-up mixed in. We were so excited to be outdoors that we spontaneously decided to go tube the river. We had to gather supplies - tubes, snacks, etc - on the way because we realized we were a bit ill-prepared. But it added to the fun. Benjamin picked this lime green tube and it was so small - but just perfect for him. I wish I had my camera - he was too cute on the river :) It dawned on me that we have entered a new phase of life - no really small children. Which means naps are not always necessary, and we can do things like tubing that even a year a ago were very difficult with Benjamin. I do love babies but it is exciting to be able to enjoy more things with our children - especially since Zach and I love doing outdoor, adventuresome type things. And it's so much easier when I can say, "Okay everybody put your swimsuits on, grab a towel, a drink, and a snack and get in the car" rather than do all that for them.

So then today I was treated to a wonderfully sweet Mother's Day. They woke me up (late) with breakfast and coffee in bed. Benjamin made a vase with a candle in it at MDO for me and has been dying for me to open it since Wednesday. He brought it to my bed and asked if NOW I could open it. It was so sweet to see him so happy to bless his mommy! So we opened gifts that each of the children had made for me, went to church, and then enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the park. I even got to go to the movies with my mom and sister this afternoon. AND to top it all off, my sweet husband went to the store and MADE me chocolate covered strawberries. I feel so very loved and so very grateful for the amazing gift of my family. What a humbling honor and blessing it is to be a mom. To be honest, sometimes I take it for granted and sometimes I get annoyed with my family and wish for more solitude. But when I step back and consider what it means to be a mom, I am awed at the privilege and the joy of this journey. I wouldn't trade it for anything and I am praying that the Lord helps me to cherish each moment and to not get caught up in the busyness and miss the joys that are all around me! Thank you Lord for a blessed weekend!

What out if you see one of these!

The venom of the Coral Snake is neurotoxic, paralyzing the nerves. Often handled with impunity by reckless persons. Usually hangs on while biting, injecting as much venom as possible. There is a high percentage of fatalities from the coral snake bite. Treatment should start as soon as possible.

About three species of coral snakes are found in the United States. All are small, brightly colored snakes. The venom is neurotoxic and attacks the nervous system. Coral snakes have small grooved fangs which are permanently erect. They usually hang on after biting.

Wow - I'm sure glad Zach got him first!!!