Oh How I've Missed This....

I couldn't be happier to be sitting at the computer this morning... downloading pictures from our first home game and releasing all the tension built up in me on the little letters that are fortunate enough to create words that may or may not express how I really feel!  I'm so glad the whirlwind in my life is settling down...and most of all that I can sit, relax, and write. 
My devotional this morning was very fitting... one small part was from John 8 when Jesus chose to write in the sand instead of responding to remarks made to Him.  I ended this morning with Proverbs 22.... how fitting... for my children to see how to live... how to respond... how to pray for those who need.... and of course... I may need to get that wooden spoon out sometimes too for discipline!  Today... I'm going to write a blog... it's my sand! 

 Sweet girls getting ready for the first pep rally of the season.  For those who have never been out of the box we call Lincolnton, they don't know how blessed they are to be here.  Sometimes they may focus on things that really don't matter... and I have to remember they haven't been other places to see what it's like... but for me, I focus on the fact that the girls that KB stands on the sidelines with... I know all their parents... I trust them... I know they will watch after my child and I will watch after theirs.  It's so comforting to know that when she says she wants to go home with someone... I know that home... I know that it's centered on Christ... and for that, I'm blessed.  Thank you Lord that I am in a place that let's me know the children, the parents, the grandparents... and I never have to wonder if she is in the right place and safe! 

 Baby Thom doesn't look so much like a baby anymore as he towers over the team... He has the Mattison height... and I'll talk about those other body parts like us later! 

 This is Lincolnton... a place where boys dream to wear the red and white and represent their hometown on Friday nights... Being in that huddle is privilege....these boys and their parents should remember that the four short years they are there... will be some of the best memories they make in their lives!  They are a team... and for that... we can all be thankful! 

 She smiles... she enjoys it... she loves to cheer.... I'll be honest... one night as we were coming home from tumbling this summer... she told me she missed dance... it brought tears to my eyes... I know where her heart is... she loves it.... I wondered if she would have the glow of the cheerleader that said she was out there for the right reasons... for the love of supporting a team... for the love of entertaining the crowd... for the love of the game.... I worried, I prayed, and I watched... I didn't want her to regret the path of cheerleading she took... but Thursday night... the glow was there... maybe she can fake it... but I look at her and know that right now... she is where she needs to be.... I'm hoping that smile is for any crowd she stands in front of... it's infectious to me... she loves being in the center of attention!  And one day... you will dance... I know it! 

Put those legs together!  As we sat and watched her do this, Mama said, "I didn't know she could do that!"... for the first time... she did it without support and she did it with a smile... I love that she jumped off the ledge and decided to try it!  Once you jump to the other side... you will never regret it!  Do everything in life that you have the opportunity to do! 

 So maybe she needs her haircut!  I just think this is a funny picture!  One of those, "Mama... why would you put this on here?"....

 She carries the S for the flag... It stands for Sis, Sassy, and Smiling... or maybe it is just the last letter in Devils! 

 When I was cheerleading coach, I had to MAKE the girls carry the flags when I ordered them... NO ONE wanted to do it!  They didn't like it!  And look now... they are all smiles! 

 I like to mimic the college teams... I saw these at the Clemson game and knew that the Red Devils needed them too!   They are still alive and well... and look great!  It's a good addition to our entrance on the field. 

 And there is Sis... carrying the S... and Baby Thom showed up in the picture too! 

 Praying... so many things can be done in prayer... a small, southern town... we pray... I hope this isn't the only time these boys pray, but I am glad that on Friday night... before they take the field... they pray... I'm not sure they will ever understand the impact this makes on the little boys in the stands... and me! 

And look who is back.... He spent many nights at our house when I was in middle and high school eating and watching movies with Daddy... sweet, sweet man... It was so good to see him back on the field!

 And the girls pray too... and we always have... find that comfort in asking God for safety.... and guidance... and a loving heart! 

 On top of the world... serious... and waiting on kick-off

 If Boo-ma could see this picture... she would tell her she looked like a "hussy" with that red lipstick...

 Aren't they sweet?  In the background... you can see our boys will shine... I think the girls were shining! 

 And behind that coach... is Mark.... with the chiefs... he loves to make fun and pick that he likes them better this one week out of the year! 

 Back to Baby Thom... that other body part... he got our Mattison butt!  Ain't he cute?

 Bradford and his double chin... he is adorable! 

 She truly doesn't need a megaphone... I think she is super loud! 

And Caroline... the baby whisperer.... bless Addelyn Burt's heart... it was so hot, but she still managed to get a little nap in! 

 It was my turn to feed the cheerleaders... I have often questioned myself in giving up coaching... but as I watched these girls... some were ones I coached... I'm so glad not have that drama... and rush on Friday nights of being there early... and deciding on who gets to do what... Just teasing... I loved being with them!  I'd do it every Friday night! 

 I love our band's half-time show... Mr. Dukes truly picks songs for the crowd... I'm sure students think it is old school... it's my school... good show! 

Baby Thom with the ball.... I told him after the game that I was not happy that he got to go in... you know that's all he wanted, but I worry about my babies getting hurt... I am much more at ease when he is standing on the sidelines... I feel the same way about Ben! 

The end of the game... a tradition! 

 After a few showers... and a few chicken strips... the boys needed milkshakes at Jane and Butch's... This was Ray's first time over... he thought he needed to sit at the kitchen table to eat... I quickly told him we were not like that... eat where you want... Jane doesn't expect you to sit at the table!

 Oh my goodness!!!  Mawmaw would be so happy to see her grandchildren and niece back together again... they are three devilish looking adults to  me.... you can look in their eyes and see it!  I love that Ashley is back... and Zonya came to visit! 

And these three... may they love each other in fifteen years like they do now... cousins are the best!  Just like the first picture of three cousins.... let's hope these three can pick back up where they leave off... So glad that Noah and Reese are here!  Ben needed a few more people to boss around!  They all got a special treat last night because they got to go with Mark to do the team devotion.  I hear they liked it....and they want to go back!

And now... I'm so glad to be back to somewhat normal... my role as interim is over and I couldn't be more ready for a vacation... by looking at this picture, you would never know that I was in the middle of a migraine... she is hot, sweaty and rushing to get to more pictures, he isn't happy about having to put on a dressy outfit for a picture... and then... the one who can never have a normal face in a picture is trying, struggling to make our picture look somewhat normal... so while it looks great...there are lots of things going on inside of us.... and that's where we need to focus... the inside... our hearts... I know mine needs a little cleansing... I need to find that filter for my mouth... pray... and hope that all those ugly thoughts won't keep popping out of my mouth when I get my feelings hurt!  I want us to be as happy on the inside as we look on the outside... and sometimes that might mean not getting upset about a house that is dirty, laundry that needs to be done, flowers that need watering, groceries to be bought, reports due, and all those other things that pull at my heart.  As I look back over these pictures... I'm so lucky... I know it... and may I continue to see that in the good times and bad.  Let nothing that comes out of my mouth be harmful or hurtful anymore... I owe that to God... He has given me so much... so if you see me... and I don't talk... I'm trying!  I think I may need to go look for the duct tape. Here's to the 2015 season... may each Saturday I get to write...and pour my love of my family on pages of this blog so they will always know that I loved them will all my heart, my soul... and my being!