While I'm Waiting

Snaggle Tooth

FINALLY....

Brooklyn is almost 7 and hasn't lost a tooth yet. A tooth started growing behind another tooth that was barley loose. Well, the growing tooth kept growing and the loose tooth wasn't getting any looser. Then another tooth beside the barley loose tooth started getting loose too. Panic, is the best word to describe my feelings....I couldn't imagine what the dentist was going to say. This poor child. So, after about 3 weeks of worrying and working on her teeth, her papa finally pulled them for us tonight. Ouch! So she is caught up....she lost 2 teeth today. She is so cute!! I was working out tonight and she called me and said Mommy, do you wanna take my picture. I immediately knew what she was talking about. Relief! I'm glad we got thoose out before her other teeth grew in all the way. How do you explain that? lol :) While I'm sad I missed the event, I am glad it's over with. Now, the tooth fairy must show up tonight but Mommy & Daddy don't have any cash on them.....what do we do....rob her piggy bank? lol....go pulse money out of the ATM at 10:30 pm, or just explain to her the tooth fairy didn't have any money....hmmm...well I better go figure this one out.....check out a few pics....

Waiting on Him

I am hopeful
I am patient
I am confident
Waiting on you Lord

I will obey
I will serve you
I will worship
While I'm waiting

I will not faint
I will run the race
I am peaceful
I am faithful
I will praise while I wait on You, Lord!!!

Why Am I So Tired....

I received this email a few days ago and thought I would share it with you....have you ever had one of these days?

I decide to water my garden.

As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table; put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Pepsi aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The Pepsi is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need water.

I put the Pepsi on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot my cell phone charger.

Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when I go to charge my cell phone, I'll be looking for the charger,

But I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:

The car isn't washed

The bills aren't paid

There is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the counter

The flowers don't have enough water,

There is still only 1 check in my check book,

I can't find the charger,

I can't find my glasses,

And I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today,

I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day,

And I'm really tired.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16

I hope each of you enjoy a blessed day. I have a very busy day ahead of me but I plan to not complain about all that I have to do but I choose to be happy, spread cheer, and be thankful that I am ABLE to do all these things.

Please say a prayer for Ashlynn today, she has had an upset stomach all last night and today.....we are having to keep diapers on her.....I pray this does not put a set back in our potty training.

Thank you and have a wonderful, blessed day!!

A Day in the Life of the Backhus Family...

I have just recently pick up a BAD habit....drinking coffee. It's so bad that I drink a cup nearly every night. It's all Sis. Smith's fault....she got me hooked on this cinnamion creme creamer (teasing), it's wonderful. I started drinking it because it helps me stay awake....why would you want to stay awake....well my husband works night and day it seems like and I try to stay up with him most nights BUT not always does that happen....but if I drink a cup of coffee I am wide away UNTIL.... so needless to say I am pretty tired in the mornings.

Sometimes I will try to get clothes and lunches ready at night to help me in the mornings BUT that doesn't always happen either so it's always RUSH RUSH RUSH in the mornings. I hate the feeling of RUSH when I'm half asleep...lol Anyway, so I guess the moral to this story IS, I need to quit drinking coffee. So I'm running late to the office as usual and I get a call and it's my dear husband letting me know he is broke down. Argh!!!! This is not good. So I go rescue him and pay for the wrecker to tow our truck to the dealership. Hopefully nothing too bad is wrong....so about 2hours later my husband sends me a message that the engine in the truck may need to be repaired plus some other stuff...oh, NO!!! Okay, so my first thought was....if God can heal me, you and everybody else then He can heal an engine, right? So I prayed!!! Some of you may think I'm weird...but I had faith. So, about 2.5 hours later my husband calls me again...."Babe, the engine is alright"....sigh...Thank you JESUS!!! Whew.......saved us about $3500...see it pays to get on your knees.

About 3:00 pm Ashlynn's teacher calls and says she had fever....great....there is a HUGE, NASTY, sickness going around and I don't want it at all. So I go pick her up, give her motrin and pray in Jesus Name she does not get that mess....in fact we saw one of her classmates vomiting as they were leaving school today...yuk! So now we are on our way to pick up Jeff from work since his car is in the shop and all of a sudden Brooklyn starts crying that her stomach hurts, she's doubled over in the back seat of the car and in tears....great, what if she has this sickness too. So by now I'm just hoping we make it to Jeff's office before she gets sick in my car when BAM! Someone just hits my car! Yes, someone backed into my car! Great, we just got our car out of the shop from a drunk driver hitting us....lol. All I can do is laugh at this point. We have had a great day.

Well, I'm glad to tell you that my girls are doing better, my car has a bobo, my truck is in the shop, my husband is still working, I'm still up cause I had a cup of coffee and all I can do is laugh!

You know, when it rains it pours. I just want to make sure that I pass whatever test comes my way. I could of easily gotten a bad attitude about every little issue today, but there is something about being close to Him...everything looks different. What if I had a bad spirit or a feel sorry for me attitude....would my engine need to be replaced, would my girls still be sick, would I still be upset. I'm glad I gave it all to HIM to deal with. Thank you Jesus for being apart of my day. And thank you to all of you who shared in my laughter today. Laughter is good for the soul.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

I'm Back...

WOW, it’s been awhile since I sat down to blog….I barely have had time to read blogs. I have been extremely busy the past several weeks. I am very privileged to be able to work at the church which allows me to take off with the school holidays. For that, I am very grateful. We got 2 weeks off. Thanks Pastor! During that time off I got to spend a lot of time with my girls, Christmas shop, cook & try new recipes, attend Christmas parties, spend time with family….etc….however, this year during my time off I set an unusual goal…I wanted to have my 2 year old potty trained by the time we went back to school. I am proud to say that goal was accomplished!!!! YEAH Ashlynn!!!

I had a wonderful Christmas as well. Spending time with family, friends and shopping was some of the highlights but one of my Christmas wishes came true…..I got to talk to my dad. This is huge! This is kind of complicated to explain but needless to say I was truly excited.

So Christmas is over and now it’s time to plan a new year. I had been thinking during the holidays what I wanted to accomplish this year and I came up with a few simple goals…
- Let my nails grow
- Drink more water
- Exercise more
- Read the Bible through
- Have a more powerful prayer life

See, I told you those were simple…but the other day I was packing up all my Christmas décor and I started thinking about how loving, caring & giving this season has been. I’ve seen it in my family, at the church and friends. So as I packed, I decided I didn’t want to pack up the meaning of Christmas….JESUS….I want to continue to love like He loves, care for others like He cares, & give to others like He gives to us. I want to evermore make it a goal, an endeavor to be a part of my daily life.

Bro. Smith taught a lesson about this one Wednesday night last year… (I want to add this to my list of goals as well)

The 7 Up's

- WAKE UP - Begin the day with the Lord.
This is the day the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24

- DRESS-UP - Put on a smile. It makes you look better.
Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him, for the Lord seeth no as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Sam 16:7

- SHUT-UP – God gave us two ears and one mouth. We should listen twice as much as we talk. Don't gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen.
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid a man who talks to much. Proverbs 20:19 NIV

- STAND-UP – He that stands for nothing will fall for anything. Take a stand for what you believe. And Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Galatians 6:9-10

- LOOK-UP - Open your eyes to the Lord.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

- REACH-UP - Spend time in prayer for all your fears.
Trust in the Lord with all thine hear, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

- LIFT-UP – Exalt & Magnify the King of Kings!
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me. John 12:32

We have been extremely busy in the office this week. Catching up on two weeks of missed work, planning for a new year, cleaning out closets….etc.
We have our leadership meeting this Saturday and I’m pumped…..it’s going to be AWESOME. I can’t wait for the challenge. I love new challenges. I happen to know what Pastor is going to teach…I won’t spill the beans….but it is going to be good.

Well, now that I have caught up in the blog world, I will leave you with this…

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Roger Clemens' hands is worth $475 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A slingshot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will
Produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because... It depends whose hands it's in.

Can't Wait...

I just can't wait until church tonight....

I need strenght...

I need to be refreshed & refueled...

I love this time of year....however it very tiring with all the rush, rush, rush to get ALL your shopping done, attend all the parties and still make sure your home is clean. If you are like me it is so easy for things to pile up or get out of place when your going, going, going....BUT at the same time it drives me crazy for things to be out of place or undone....soooooooooooooooooooooo hence me feeling a bit tired today....

This is what tired looks like or lets just say how I feel today......but I know I will feel MUCHO better after being in HIS presence...

A Christmas Funny...

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas...

Today it started snowing in Conroe around 3:30 or 4:00pm....it was still snowing on my way to church tonight....still snowing on my way home.....how awesome.....especially in Conroe.

After taking some pictures we came in the house and sat by the fire while our taco soup was warming.....

Enjoy the pics....

STRANGE

Isn’t it STRANGE how a $20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to the church,
But such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn’t it STRANGE how 2 hours seem so long when you’re at church
And how short they seem when you’re watching a good movie?

Isn’t it STRANGE that you can’t find a word to say when you’re praying
But you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn’t it STRANGE how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible
But how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn’t it STRANGE how everyone wants front row tickets to concerts or games
But they do whatever possible to sit at the last row in church?

Isn’t it STRANGE how we need to know about an event for church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda,
But we can adjust our agenda for other events in the last minute?

Isn’t it STRANGE how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others;
But how easy it is to learn, understand and repeat gossip?

Isn’t it STRANGE how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say
But we question the words in the Bible?

Isn’t it STRANGE how everyone wants a place in Heaven
But they don’t want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Where’s Your Faith?

This evening we had a little episode with our oldest child and it prompted this thought…I hope it helps you as it has me.

Murmuring or complaining is one of those sins that are overlooked. Sometimes we get so focused on the “big sins” such as murder and adultery that we overlook this sin. This sin killed thousands of Israelites!

We can read how the Israelites who were desperately thirsty looked only at the fact that the water they had come to was bitter and undrinkable. And so they murmured against Moses. But honestly they were really murmuring against God.

So often just like the Israelites we focus on our desperate situation with our physical eyes and not with eyes of faith and then fall into the trap of complaining. We actually hinder the Lord’s answers to our problems by unbelief…which leads to the sin of murmuring!

Let’s not allow this sin to easily become a stronghold! The same wonder working God that led the children of Israel out of Egypt, is still at work today, but are we hindering Him? If we are grumbling and complaining, the answer is, “YES”!

And so, until we stop, we are missing out on His answers and blessings which are waiting on our faith in Him! Lord help me to trust You…tonight as I put my daughter to bed I prayed that she can see my faith & trust in the Lord. I prayed that I can be an example to her and to teach her that sin is sin no matter how big or small. It is easier to complain about something or have unbelief but it is more powerful to trust, have faith and believe.

Freedom

Just Wanted to Let Each of You Know....

To All My Friends & Family

God is still...

As many of you already know, our little precious Kenzie passed away yesterday. She took her last breath so peaceful, painless, & with no struggle. Although she's gone, her little life was such a miracle. The doctors & nurses were amazed at what a fighter she was and what a miracle they witnessed. God allowed us precious time with her for 7 days. Brandon & Letha are thankful for the time they got to spend with Kenzie.

These past several weeks my faith was at it's stongest. I don't ever remember a time that I had so much faith. I had faith for the whole family. I believed God was going to heal this baby. But His plan is not always our plan. His plan is perfect! Even though God did not choose to heal baby Kenzie my faith has not weakened. Because I know God is still...

A miracle worker
In controll
On time
A healer
Our provider
Our peace in the midst of the storm

I'm thankful today because I know that during this time my family has come to know His peace, His perfect love & His strength.

I believe God is not finished with my family.

Thank you to all who have prayed for my family and for Kenzie. She is so special to me.

Her funeral will be Wednesday @ 11:00 am.

Miracle Continues....

Little Kenzie is now 4 days old. She is soooo precious. I just love taking pictures of her. They all tease me when I come into the room because Kenzie will open one eye when she hears my voice and then immediately closes it cause she knows right behind the voice comes a flash. The paparazzi has arrived!!! I've taken about 600 or more pictures of this little miracle. I just love her to death.

Today has been a good day. Letha got discharged today but Kenzie's pediatrician asked them to stay one more day to monitor her feedings and to make sure her parent's are comfortable with the feeding procedures. Her little belly is processing all her formula. Much to everyone's surprise!!! They want her to process 23 cc of milk before leaving the hospital....she is currently on 20 cc every 3 hours. She weighs 4 lbs now. She is doing AWESOME!!! Mom & Dad are in good spirits. In fact when I came to the hospital today they asked where is Bro. & Sis. Smith. A special "Thank You" to all who have come by and brought gifts (she's got on Sis. Smith's outfit) and who are praying. It is very much appreciated not only from me but from my family and Letha's family as well.

Oh, here's another miracle...Ashlynn went potty in the "BIG" potty tonight....whoo hoo!
More updates and special going home pics tomorrow...Love Aunt DeeDee!!!

Update on Kenzie

She is beautiful! A miracle! A fighter! She is now 3 days old. Doing awesome to say the least. She is already a miracle in the doctors eyes. All her vitals are normal her temp is normal...in fact it's up today from 97.4 to 99. Because of the cleft palate she cannot suck on a bottle. So in order to get Kenzie to eat they inserted a feeding tube yesterday at 3:30pm. She has had a feeding every 3 hours since then. They have checked her to see if she is processing the formula and much to the doctors surprise she is. This too is a miracle. They weren't expecting her to process any of the food. She has lost a few ounces in weight but that is normal, in fact she has only lost 5 oz. Most babies loose 10 or more while in the hospital. So this is great news as well.

I just wanted to keep everyone updated and say a GREAT BIG THANKS to all those who have been praying. Please continue to pray not only for Kenzie but please pray for my family and their salvation as well. I love each of you more than you know and your love, prayers, & generosity towards my famiy makes my heart swell. Here are a few more pictures of Kenzie...