My life with the 3stephensboys is exciting, trying, fulfilling, entertaining, amazing, tiring, inspiring... what God made me for & what I love. Therefore, you may not see many pictures of Darrin or me, but you will get an eye full of my 3stephensboys in all of their glory, amazement and cuteness! Thanks for visiting! Enjoy!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Dakota is Done with 5th Grade!!!



Beginning of the Year
to the left

End of the Year
below
on the right














Dakota is getting to the point of not wanting mom to take his picture, but I just had too today, the last day of 5th grade! It only comes once and I of course have to document it with pictures!!!


So as I took these pictures, he ran to the car so I wouldn't embarrass him anymore than I had already!

He has grown in so many ways this year and did really well in school too!


He will be in advance classes next year in 6th grade!!

Looking forward to the end of school, he was all smiles when he got to the car.

Summer fun is on its way!!!

Is it difficult for anyone besides me to believe that this little man is going into 6th grade!!!

Time flies!

We will update you often with summer fun and news!

We hope to see some of y'all more this summer!!!

Have a great weekend and a wonderful summer!

Kye My Little Artist!!!

Kye had a summer art camp this week.

He was studying the Impressionists.

Loving every minute of it, he made some fabulous pieces of art that I plan on framing and hanging!!

I know Monet and VanGogh for sure, but not sure of the other artist.
















He did magnificent!!!

He loves to draw!!!!

Way to go, Kye!!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Life with Boys!!!


Do you know what this is???

A Booger!!!

Today I went in to put something away in Kye and Kru's room
and this is what I found on the closet door!!!

A Booger!!!

Seriously, it had been wiped ON THE CLOSET DOOR!!!

Who knows how long it had been there, it was crusty!

I seriously doubt that those of you with little girls at
your house find nasty little "presents" left for you
all around the house!

Or do you?

Really???

Boys will be boys I guess!!!
:)

Have a booger free day!!!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Kye Has A New Favorite Movie

YEP! The original from 1966.
I can barely watch it, but he loves it!
Only Kye-Kye!!!
So funny!!!!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

You Are Invited


Bible Study beginning soon!!!

Locals and Out-of-Towners Welcome!!!

Go here for details and sign up!!!!

It's going to be great!!!!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

It was a Wonderful Day!!!

May 25, 2008

I just have to tell ya, today was a grand day!!!!

I slept in....

I got to go to prayer hour at church...

I heard an amazing sermon...

Lazed around in the afternoon...

Enjoyed a ministry meeting...

AND THEN!!!!!

I GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!

AMAZING!!!!!

So here is my attempt to put into words my experience Sunday night. Well, actually, I may have to go back to the beginning of my journey when I got saved.

My story: (I'll try to make it abbreviated)
It was the summer of 2000, Father's Day to be exact. I was 37 1/2 weeks pregnant with our little girl, Rayin, when I delivered her preterm stillbirth. That truly was the very beginning.

We moved to a suburb of Denver 2 weeks later, where Darrin and I both began new jobs. Doing absolutely everything they tell you NOT to do after a traumatic death, we continued on.

It was that February that my cousins invited me on a retreat. It was called Encountering God. Phew! It was so good and it was the first time that I had EVER felt the Lord speak to me! And do you know what He told me! That He loved me, that He never had left me, that He was crying with me and that He was right there and that He would never let me go!

Shortly after that, I began the study Experiencing God! That changed my life FOREVER!!! That is where I gave my life to Jesus and began a real, personal, and intimate relationship with my Saviour. Had I known of the Lord before? Yes! Had I believed in God since I was a kid? Yes! Do I believe that the Lord had been with me through my entire life? Yes! Did I KNOW Jesus personally? No, not until that point!!!

That's when I became a believer and "got" saved!!!!

2001 to 2008 is a LONG time! But boy has God changed me!!!!

Throughout that time, God has continued to speak to me, use me mold me, change me, ask me to do things that I would never have done, shown me things I had never seen, proved Himself over and over to me!!!!

One of the things that I loved most about what Butch said on Sunday night, was that the baptism isn't the beginning of the change, it's the obedience to what the Lord has already begun inside of you!!!! Being obedient!!! Baptism (OR ANYTHING ELSE) does not give us Salvation, it is ONLY the blood sacrifice that Jesus made for us. We deserve Hell, but because of the Father's love for us, Jesus stands in our place and takes away our sins! FOREVER!!! Accepting Jesus's sacrifice and surrendering our lives to Him, Jesus saves!!!

Another thing that I love about how baptisms are done at Living Hope, is that anyone who loves you and is willing to hold you accountable and stand beside you through our race, comes and stands around the tank! I wanted to take time and make eye contact with every single person there, but I couldn't. God is so good and has given me so many people in my life who stood beside me on Sunday night! I love you all and thanks for coming to support me!!!!

The best thing was is that I was SO AWARE of what was going on. I felt the Spirit ON me!! I knew what I was agreeing to, saying yes to. I knew and know that God died for me! That He died for me, but that He beat death and rose again on the 3rd day! That He is my only way to Heaven!!! That He is my everything! And smiling and crying at the same time, knowing that I love the Lord and He loves me! That there is NOTHING that I can do to merit his favor, it was only through Jesus that His grace saved me!!!!

I was AWARE when Butch said, "being buried with Christ in baptism" as the water went up and over me, that I was dying to self that I was offering my life wholly to Him, and then "and raised in a new life" coming out of the water to being alive because of what Christ did for me! That I am a new creation because Jesus lives in me through the Holy Spirit.

IT WAS AMAZING!!!!! It took my breath away!!! I was and am so happy!!! Everyone cheered and clapped and I felt different! It was everything that it was supposed to be! It was right! I had the peace that comes with obedience! I had the joy that comes from the Lord! (Still do) :)

I love that it was special! I love that it was a big deal, because baptism IS a big deal! I have changed so much and God never ceases to amaze me when He continues to show me how different I am!!!!

You see, a few months ago, Living Hope had another baptism. I sat there under HEAVY conviction! The Holy Spirit was so HEAVY on me, I thought for sure He was going to levitate me out of my seat!! Seriously, not even kidding!!!! I knew when Butch asked if anyone else needed to be baptized that I was supposed to go up there, but I disobeyed! Promising the Lord, next time.... He forgave me, but boy, as soon as I got my newsletter telling about the May 25 baptism, I called and got my name on that list!!!

Obedience is ALWAYS so much better!!!! PEACE, JOY, LOVE

So... Sunday was fabulous! I will NEVER forget it as long as I live!! Next too my wedding and my babies' births, this was the best day of my life!!!

Thank you Jesus for saving me!
Thank you Jesus for pursuing me!
Thank you Jesus for your forgiveness, grace, mercy and love!
Thank you Jesus for You Holy Spirit who convicts, woos and changes me!
Thank you Jesus that You and I are still on a journey together!!
I love You!
-Amen

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Kye is Done!

On Friday, Kye finished his Kindergarten year at Covenant Day School.
I knew I would cry, so I showed up right at Noon to pick him up.
When I walked in, everyone was in the hall taking pictures with the
teachers. I began tearing up immediately!
Yes, Darrin thinks this is weird, but I believe
it is a mom thing! Covenant was a wonderful place for Kye!
He was loved and cherished for who he was! No one tried to change the
way he is, no one compared him to anyone else. Kye was celebrated for he
is and what he CAN do! His time at Covenant was so special and sweet.
He doesn't know that,
but I do!!! And know we will truly know just how special it was,
next year in all day Kindergarten at Forest Ridge Elementary.

Kye with Mrs. Borski

Kye with Mrs. Scarmado

Kye and Zoe with Mrs. Longoria

Kye sitting in the hall with Zoe and Camille!
No one was really ready to leave!
After school, those who could met at Tanglewood Splash Pad
to eat lunch and play! It was a great way to feel as
though school wasn't really over!
Kye with Camille and Rachel waiting for the splash from the bucket!

We had some friends over for breakfast this morning, and we were
talking about change. About how we know it has to happen, but we really
don't want it to, but know that change comes. I know that we are just
transitioning into another phase of Kye's life, public school!
I have been praying and continue to do so for Kye's school life!
For the teacher's that he will get,
that they will love him for him and appreciate his strong areas;
his creativity, friendliness and love for nature and animals!

It was a bittersweet day! I'm thankful that I have the entire summer
80 some days to prepare myself for this next phase!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Darrin - a published illustrator!


Just wanted to let you all know that Darrin is a published illustrator!!! Although this isn't the first time his work has been published, this is his first time published in something that is for sale!!!!

Darrin drew and colored the cover for this book aimed at tweens and young adults!

How cool that something that he drew is on amazon.com.

Go and check it out!

He did this awhile ago, and never knew if anything would pan out, but here it is!!! My husband is very talented!!!!

WAY TO GO BABE! SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Please Pray for the Chapmans

From Fox News -

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.

The girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway on the family residence Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

McPherson said no charges are expected.

"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.

She said several members of the Chapman family witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville.

The brother apparently did not see the little girl, McPherson said. She did not have the name or exact age of the brother, only that he is an older teenager.

The girl died later at Vanderbilt Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.

Chapman, originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria.

Chapman has won five Grammy awards and 51 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association.

The singer's Web site said that Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, were persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.

The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.

"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing — our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site. "We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'

Chapman also has released a book about being a father entitled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess."


Speaking from one who has lost a child, I CAN'T IMAGINE what this family must be going through!! Not only the loss of their little girl, but the manner in which it happened is horrific. I truly believe that what the enemy meant for bad, God WILL be glorified through this Christian family and people will see where their strength comes from and will want to know Him too!

Please pray for this family!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Things Are Winding Down



Do you ever get sad at the end of a school year? (even though I am so ready for summer!!!)

Does it ever bother you when something that you have been
doing for an entire year has it's closing ceremony?

Do you tear up at the end of a challenging and fabulous Bible study?

When special people in your life move away, do you get sad?

Well, don't know about you, but I answer "YES" to all of the above!

I'm very melancholy today.... I have thought about it, prayed about it, pondered on it...

and have decided that it's because "things" are winding down.

* This is Kye's last week of Kindergarten at Covenant Day School.

He has been there for 2 years now and I love the teacher's there, their compassion for the kids and the small class sizes. I'm sad because he is growing up. I'm sad because next year in full day Kindergarten, it won't be as sweet as this year has been. I'm sad because we won't be so familiar with his friends and their parents and siblings. Kye's class is so special. And they are really close. I'm already crying about it!


* Dakota has 9 days of school left. Today is his last Monday in 5th grade.
This makes me sad because he is getting older and older!

* Dakota played his last soccer game on Saturday and scored on a *FREE* kick again!
(I got it right this time Whitney!)
This is sad because many of the 6th graders on the team
won't be back next season and they are working so well together!

Dakota scores!
Team Blue Thunder

* Too many of "my people" have left! :(
I miss them!!!
A few are coming back, but many were Seniors
who won't be back! :(

Miss Whitney!
Tom & Angie (sorry girl, no photo)
But they are both coming back, yeah!!!
Kyle

* Last night was the Awana Awards Ceremony. Kye got his certificate for participation and Dakota his award for finishing his 1st book. That means that Dakota learned at least 75 passages in Scripture this year and Kye learned close to 20. I love Awana and I love all the people who pour into my children's lives during Awana. One reason this makes me sad is that next year, my baby, Kru, will be a Cubbie. I'm already sad about that for next fall!




Miss Alicia, Miss Valerie and Miss Chelsea

Yes, I'm ready to spend every afternoon by the pool, and sleeping in, not having a schedule, and yes I'm ready for KidShine and VBS, and I'm ready to make new friends this summer.

But...

I'm sad when things wind down. I'll get over it, but today, I'm a little sad about it!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Seeing Jesus in the Strangest Places!

I am sure that the Lord uses many ways to communicate with us and to remind us of His awesomeness. I am also sure that I usually skip over them or get to busy to see them.

But ever since I have moved to Texas, I see spiritual connections in the strangest of places! I'm not sure if I've ever blogged about them, but have felt the burden to do so lately. So here go a few of my ramblings.

Moving to "the South" has shown me many differences from the region that I grew up in! And more often than nought, I stick out like a sore thumb when I open my mouth. I don't believe that I have an accent, but have been reassured that I do!

Last year when we moved, we got to go see a few of the Aggie's Women's Soccer games. It was fun, a bit of a cultural experience, but we were amazed with the way the Aggies did their thing! When Nebraska came to play, I was so excited! I put on my Husker red and wore it proud! I was super homesick and even though I didn't know a one of those girls from UNL, I felt a connection and made sure I said hello to them. One of the girls said, "Well, at least we will have 1 fan in the crowd." And I was definitely the only fan there!

During the game, I stood out in my red among all the maroon. I was cheering when literally no one else was. I found myself standing or jumping up when everyone else was sitting. It affected the way I "got into the game" especially the more stares I received.

The obvious spiritual application there is we ARE to stand out! We are to look differently! We are to be "cheering and jumping up" to different things than the world around us. We are to be all about Jesus all the time no matter if we are surrounded by fellow believers or not!! And in some circumstances, we may be the 1 and only one standing for the Lord, but we are called to do so no matter what! WOW! I have a long way to go!!

Since moving here, I have yet to say a few things "correctly." And I get reminded regularly!


I say pop!

Really, I do! Where I come from when we want a carbonated beverage, we ask for pop. "What kind of pop do you have?" Here this is always answered by: "What?" or "Did you just say pop?" Coke is Coke and Pepsi, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pepper. They aren't all cokes! And I can't get used to saying soda....so

I say pop!

Dakota came home from school just the other day and told me that he needed to practice saying "soda" so he wouldn't get teased at school for saying "pop". I told him that he shouldn't feel as though he has to change, it tells people that we aren't from around here and there is nothing wrong with that!

So... application:

When we look, sound, talk, different than those around us, are we going to change to fit in and be the same?
Or are we going to be alright with being different?
Or will we give in to the pressure around us and change?

Are we okay being different?
Are we willing to stand out and look, sound, and talk different than the world around us?

Jesus is forever changing me and wanting me to look more like Him everyday. I do have a long way to go, but I am so thankful that I'm not alone. Jesus is right beside me 100%, all the time, everywhere and no matter what! I love Him so much and I'm so thankful that He never gives up on me and that He never lets me stay the same! Forever growing in the Lord!

Thank you, Jesus!

I pray that you see how the Lord is growing you each and everyday and that none of us get too busy or too distracted to see Him at work!

Have a blessed weekend!

PS
I'M GETTING BAPTIZED NEXT SUNDAY!!!! May 25! I'm so excited!!!!

Monday, May 12, 2008

A Wonderful Mother's Day

Yesterday was such a sweet day.

One of my favorite Mother's Days to date.

I woke early and went to prayer at church at 8:00 and stayed for the 9:00 service. The sermon was for Moms from Prov. 31, and I was encouraged and reaffirmed in the role of wife and mother that I am to my family. I was also reminded that I can not be anything like the Prov. 31 woman without fearing the Lord first! Seeking the Lord first in my life is the only way that I can pour out the love that comes from an overflow of my relationship with Him to my husband and children. It was a wonderful message that we moms and women need to hear often! I was also challenged to not make the job of mother and wife more difficult than it already is by not having the world's standards for wife and family, but making sure to keep God's standards and priorities the ones that we try to live for!

I then went home and picked up my boys to go back to church to lead in Kid's worship for the 11:00 service. When I got home to pick up the boys, they had been busy!! They had cleaned the whole house and as soon as I entered all three of them in their sweet little voices all said "Happy Mother's Day, Mom!" It was so precious. On the couch was my gift. This wonderful piece of artwork that they each had a hand in! Darrin had taped off sections for the boys. He gave them complete freedom to do what ever they wanted and whatever colors they wanted. (Even though it was difficult for him to do so!) :)

Dakota's is on the far left, Kru's on the far right and Kye would be in the middle! True to Kye form, he painted his horizontal instead of vertical, but that makes it even more special, because that is truly Kye! Do you see my red lips in Kye's? I LOVE IT!!! Darrin thinks this may be a good tradition to do every year! I think I agree!

After I cried a little and opened a card with a Starbucks card inside! :) We loaded up in the van and headed back to church. I love worship and leading kids in worship, so I had a blast. We sang great songs, heard a wonderful Bible story and made a doorhanger for Matt. 7:7.

After church, we came home and picked up Darrin and went to lunch at one of my favorites in town, Bostons! It was delicious, and then to Dairy Queen for dessert.

The afternoon was lazy, which I loved. It was a stress free day! My boys made the day special and I felt loved! Thank you to all of my Stephens' boys! I love you all so very much!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Little Kru Man!!

I can not tell you how many pairs of clothing my boys go through in a day! With the weather HOT now, it only worsens! Mainly because Kye and Kru LOVE water. So they are forever getting wet as you can see a couple of posts ago, and every time they do that, it is another change of clothes!!

Kru LOVES to play in the water, wherever it may be, and this includes the kitchen and usually while I'm attempting to make supper.



He inevitably, soaks his shirt, pants, cupboards, floor and head each and every time he gets to the sink. He also has figured out how to do all of this without my assistance!

Again, can't wait to be at the pool daily!!!!!




Monday, May 05, 2008

So Proud!!!!

OK, y'all!

I have to brag a bit on my eldest son!!!!

Saturday he made 2 amazing goals!

This first picture is of him making a penalty shot. IT WENT IN!!! It was so cool. Someone had been fouled and Sarah, his coach, chose him to shot it. It was a powerful kick and he scored!!!

A couple of plays later, there was a corner kick. He has done a few of these now, but never scored off of them.

Well, this picture, I know it isn't very good, but Dakota is standing over in the corner where he just kicked from.

And what you can't see in the picture is the ball going into the goal! He scored off of a corner kick. I believe that ball hit the leg of an opponent and went into the goal!

It was so cool!!! Unfortunately, his dad was in DC and last week when there were a few spectators, (Granma, Pappy, Aunt Shelly, Stephen, Tom and Angie) he didn't score.

I wish I had a video of it! It was amazing! Way to go Dakota! Love you, you soccer scorin' kid!

Friday, May 02, 2008

A Sick House!


One of the worst things in hot weather is being sick! I mean, when it's "cold" outside, it isn't as bad cause you really wouldn't be outside any way, but with it warm and nice outside, you want to be out in it!

For the past 2 or so weeks, there has been at least 1 or more people sick in my house!!!!

I'm tired of it and wish it would be gone!!!

Late last night, Kru woke me up with a fever and cough.....

this morning, Kye isn't at school because his tummy hurts....

Dakota missed Monday and Tuesday of school....


Darrin came home early from work on Monday and didn't go to work on Tuesday....

I have felt not 100% now for over a week - coughing, sniffing - not sure if sick or allergies.....

SERIOUSLY....

I'M DONE!!!!! I WANT US ALL TO BE WELL!!!!

It's crazy how this stuff is going around like mad here!

I hope your household doesn't catch it no matter where you live!

And I pray that we will be well soon!!!!