The Weekend Update

I haven't posted in a week, but at least now I will have lots to tell you!

We have had a good week for many reasons. Number 1 is that we have spent lots of time together as a family. We originally thought Ryan would be in orientation all this past week, but he only had to go on Friday. It was a week of much needed time to just be us.......with no obligations or distractions.

Also, this week, I ordered and received Jacob's preschool curriculum for this next year. Because I will not be working outside of the home, Ryan and I have decided that I will teach Jacob preschool. He will also be attending a preschool 2 mornings a week. We are considering homeschooling Jacob when he becomes school age, and so the next couple of years will be a sort of test to see how it goes. This first year will be mainly reading aloud to him and teaching him his letters and numbers..............he has already shown since he was able to talk an excitement for learning new things, so really, most of his awake time he is learning. I love teaching him things informally which is what we all do as parents whether we know it or not. It just seams so natural and at times more effective because things can be taught in context. An example: I let Jacob watch very little TV, but he is allowed to watch Barney on PBS while I prepare lunch. One day this week, Barney was teaching shapes. Now, Jacob already knows his basic shapes from daycare, but it was cool because while we were riding in the car that afternoon, he started pointing out shapes. So, I made a sort of I Spy game out of it and asked him if he could spot different shapes, which he did. I also taught him that the stop sign was an octagon. Well, today after lunch as we were out for a walk in the wagon, Jacob spotted a decorative vent on a house and said, "Mom, there's an octagon!", and he was RIGHT! So, this week we will begin some more structured time in small segments throughout the day where we will do "lesson time." We started on Friday, and we both enjoyed the time together.

On Thursday, Gary Adams and John brought the rest of our stuff...........most importantly, MY RECLINER!! Jacob discovered some outside toys today packed in his wagon that Gary brought, and commented, "I am so impressed!" LOL! Thanks Gary, Jean, and John. Tonight, Sarah is going to attend Cloverdale with us, and then have dinner with us!

On Friday evening, we attended a dinner for the CAMT families. After we ate, childcare was provided, so Jacob got to know several of the other CAMT children. The grown ups spent time listening to each 1st year CAMT student, including Ryan, tell of how they got to the program and what their passion/goal of ministry is. The stories were all so special and unique, and I am looking forward to getting to know and creating bonds with these other families who are preparing for ministry.

Worship this morning was so good. The college students are back and the singing was so beautiful and encouraging. Jacob is learning and loves his Bible class, and our Bible class was so good, too........kind of weird being in class with Ryan!

We are studying Joseph, and today we talked about when he revealed himself to his brothers in Egypt. The application made today is how God uses hardship and trials in our lives to achieve his purpose. For Joseph, the purpose was as follows:

Genesis 45:4-8
" 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."

The teacher asked us if we could look back and see times in our life where God used a hard time to achieve his purpose. The first thing that popped into my mind was the years we spent trying to start a family. Nothing turned out how we planned, and we suffered lots of grief and trials. I still have regrets about how I handled that trial in my life and wish I would have been stronger in my faith during that time. But God, had a different plan for the Parsons family. I did not know then that God had Ryan and I in mind to be Mommy and Daddy to a child that we would name Jacob. Praise God that he has a BETTER plan for us! I thought today, I want to be ready for other trials that God allows me to face. I want to trust him more. I also pray that he will allow me to use my past to help others face similar trials.

So, that is all for this edition of "Mommy's Corner." Now, I must clip some coupons!

Our first Sunday.

Well, this morning we rose at 7 a.m. like we normally do on Sundays to get ready for worship and Bible class. As you already know, we are attending Cloverdale Church of Christ which is just one of many congregations in Searcy, and it is a lot bigger than what we are used to. Another difference is that worship is at 9 a.m and Bible class is after worship at 10:30 a.m. (Also, evening worship tonight will be at 5 p.m.) So, knowing how crowded the morning worship can be, we got there a little early to secure a seat that was Jacob friendly (you know what I mean!) As we waited for worship to start this morning, a huge rush of homesickness came over me and I choked back tears through the first song and most of the first prayer. For some reason, I pictured my Pearland Church family and even my dad as you all were in Pearland and Angleton worshipping God, too. An awesome thought, but one that made my heart ache just a little. God was good, though. After worship and Bible class, we were approached by several members, some of whom remembered us from 8 years ago. They were also eager to meet Jacob. He went to his Bible class without a fuss, but was a little shy with all the introductions after church. Bible class was filled with adults of all ages, and we studied about Joseph as he was reunited with his brothers. The teacher did a good job helping us to make application to our own lives.

One of the ladies my age who introduced herself to me is a lady who has caught my interest on Facebook. She is also friends with a family we know in Searcy. I would ask you to pray for this woman and her husband and daughter as they say goodbye this week to a little boy who has been their foster son since his birth. This Wednesday, this child will be going to live with his new adoptive family and saying goodbye to the family who has loved him as their own. I know that all involved, although they are sad to close this chapter in their lives, are praising God for finding him his forever family. As a mother, I know that God allows us to love and care for children who might not have come to us biologically. I can only imagine the hurt that will be in their hearts this Wednesday as they say goodbye, and I am humbled and amazed at their sacrifice to care for this child so lovingly knowing that they would have to let him go. Please, please pray for all involved.

Right now, I am getting ready to start a new sewing project. I have cut out the pattern and am prewashing the fabric for another dress. I am also going to be sewing a purse that Donna gave me the fabric and pattern for!

You can check out my dress pattern here. I am making the middle view on the left. I will try to post pictures when I complete it..........if it isn't a disaster!

Here is the purse I am going to make.

See Ya!

Cheering on the USA

Tonight, while we watched the Olympics, Jacob had to put on his swimsuit so the he could "swim" in his "pool" (a blanket spread out on the floor). We cheered "Go! USA!", and Jacob learned that people from the United States are Americans. So, he asked me about everyone he knows, "Is _____ an American?" Me: "Yes" "Is _____ an American?" Me: "Yes".........and on and on. He also asked me, "Is Mr. Gary (Adams) a teenager?" Me: "Uh..........NO."

Day 3.....MOPS, Unpacking, & Neighbors

It is Day 3, and the house is almost completely put together......only 3 more boxes!! Uh, if you don't count the trailer of stuff Gary A. is bringing next week because all of our stuff wouldn't fit into the huge moving truck. Ryan is relentless when it comes to getting things DONE. He tortured me this evening by insisting that we hang ALL the pictures and put out all the decorations. It's funny how he likes things to be in their place. It helps him relax, I guess. Anyway, it looks like home now, and I enjoy the neatness, too!

This morning, Jacob and I headed to Downtown Church of Christ for the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) kickoff. There were several stations for me to get information and sign up for committees, and write prayer requests....and there were several things for Jacob to do while I walked around: moonwalk, face painting, bean bag toss, snacks, and a clown! The women there were SO welcoming and excited about the program....I can't wait to start in Sept. The group meets 2 Thurs. mornings a month and involves lessons for moms, food, fellowship, crafts, and a small group discussion. I met other ladies whose husbands are or were in CAMT (Center for Advanced Ministry Training) and one mom was the adoptive mother of a biracial 4 y.o. daughter. We both agreed that we needed to get together! God is so good! At MOPS, Childcare is provided, but Jacob will be attending College Church of Christ on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for a few hours for their Carpenter's Kids preschool program, so he will not go to Moppets. His orientation and meet the teacher is on the same morning as the first MOPS meeting, so I will be missing out on that one :( But, we will have fun seeing Jacob's new classroom and meeting his teachers and classmates. In addition to MOPS, I will be attending a CAMT Wives Class on Monday nights. I am excited about this because I will meet other women with husbands in the program.......we can offer each other support. And, maybe I will learn how to be a minister's wife!

Okay, now for the neighbors..................they are so nice! Wendy and Dirk have 3 teenage children and Dirk works for Harding. The kids go to Harding Academy. Both have come over when they have seen us outside, and Wendy took me over to see their storm shelter and invited us to come over if there is a storm (uh.....A TORNADO!!!). Today, she brought over her 16 year old daughter who said she would like to babysit Jacob sometime! Wendy's father will be confirmed as an elder at our church Cloverdale Church of Christ (there are LOTS of churches here) on Sunday, and several times Wendy has told Ryan that he can ride with Dirk to Harding since we only have 1 car. Isn't that cool!??!

Today was a great day, which is good because there were some tears last night at bedtime. I told Ryan to dry it up...........no, really, it was me! It is so hard to start over and be the new kid on the block. Especially, when I was content with all my loved ones in Brazoria County! The good news is and always has been that God's people are everywhere. (Laura - the picture of us on your 30th birthday sits by my CPU!)

One last thing:
At bedtime:

Daddy: Jacob what do you want to pray about?

Jacob: Me and Clara in her Ariel Costume.

(I am still giggling..............his usual request is him and Clara, but the Ariel bit is too funny!)

Here.

Well, after all the packing and saying "goodbye", we are finally here. In Arkansas. It is crazy how you can be so excited about doing new things and meeting new people, and at the same time, miss the old places and ESPECIALLY the (I won't say OLD, Laura!) loved ones you've left in Texas. It was so comforting yesterday as I drove for 10 hours to get phone calls from family and friends. Crying made the driving difficult. Tears make this post difficult.

Again, God has shown his love and power by having his hand in every step of our move. We are overwhelmed by all the love and generosity shown by so many back at home and here in Searcy. The cards, gifts, helpers packing and loading, friends preparing food, hugs and encouraging words.........all of those things made us feel so loved. Thank you for loving us in so many ways!

Ryan, well, he is off to Harding right now to purchase his books and get his student ID. He is so excited about school!

Jacob (who is napping) has been so great during all the craziness of moving. He was SO good on the long drive, especially after so little sleep. He made us so proud. Of course, he has spoken of his loved ones and friends often...........he doesn't yet understand what it means to move far away. His first words this morning were of his Clara, and he has mentioned Mallory, Lila, Slade and of course Dagan! Please pray for him.

Me.........I was so tired yesterday from the drive and unloading. I had to MAKE Ryan stop unpacking boxes (he's a little OCD) so that we could go to bed at 10pm. Today, we woke up early and headed to Sonic (which is down the street!!!!!) because we have no groceries. I will be shopping later. I have been unpacking the kitchen, which is just as stinky as packing the kitchen! And thank goodness my computer is now up and running.........I was starting to get the shakes! I miss you all so much! I am ready to get the house in order so that I can start preparing for teaching Jacob this fall. And, I have some sewing I can't wait to start........Mom, they have a HANCOCK'S!!!

Well, Ryan is back. More later.
Manda

It's so hard to say goodbye.......

Doesn't that remind you of Boys 2 Men from the 90's????

Yes, the time is getting very close. Ryan, Jacob and I will be heading out in 4 days for Searcy, Arkansas. I know, I know; I haven't written on this blog in months, but I see yall all the time! I am planning on updating more often so you can keep up with The Parsons.......you know, because we lead such exciting lives!

Today, I said goodbye to my dear Jamison Middle School friends. Chani, Rachael, Julie.........I am so sad that I did not get to hug my Classie one more time.! :( Last Friday, Summer, Chani, Rachael and I took our annual Schlitterbahn trip, only this time in Galveston! Go! Jamison Taco!!! It was a blast as always. I thank God for the blessings he gave me at Jamison. What a rare thing to work so closely with such REAL ladies who love to have FUN without all the high school DRAMA! I will NEVER forget the Dolphin Team, Footloose, the L.I.S.T., Bon Jovi, the MOLE, It's Hip to Be Square, math dept. meetings where i am, like, "What am I supposed to tell them???? (Julie, stop laughing at me!)...........the list (no pun intended ladies!) goes on! Oh, yeah, and Rachael and Kristen singing MY song (I am humming it as I type!)...........Chani and Rachael: I had planned on spending time chatting it up with you two as our sweeties played soccer tonight.......and I am so sad that we were cut short by ALL that loud thunder and dangerous bolts of lightening. Saying goodbye is surreal..........I love yall so much!

The next four days will be filled with packing (wow, we have a LOT of JUNK!....espcially Jacob!), spending time with friends and family, tears, eating, tears, packing, tears, eating to take away the pain, FACEBOOKing (did I invent that term???). Please pray that Ryan in all his sweetness doesn't drive me packing CRAZY...........Yes, honey, I do see now why it was so important to pack the kitchen on Tuesday (almost a full week before moving); that way we can eat OUT a LOT! No one ever accused my soul mate of waiting 'til the last minute.

If you are reading this (all 3 of you), and you have not signed up over at Facebook, go NOW! It will make you feel, like, all young and computer saavy (savvy??)! Kinda like saying "like" every 5th word..........Do you think they have a support group for Facebook Addicts??? Some of my friends need H.E.L.P.! And, don't forget to send me some sappy Flair..........What's Flair you're asking......go sign up on Facebook and find out!

It is now time for bed. Good night......................but let me check my WALL first.........go to Facebook and you'll know what a WALL is! Night. Send me some Flair.