So....

I have had the most amazing weekend so far. I attended the Extraordinary Women's Conference at The BancorpSouth Arena, last night and today. I must admit, I have only been to one shindig similar to this one to see Beth Moore and that was incredible!

The "bad" things about these events is you are separated from your family, and that is not always easy. But I am thankful I was given the opportunity. There was a "Satan Interuptus" moment that almost kept me from going...thank God for my friend Amber. She softly encouraged me and I went.

See, that is the problem I have many times. I believe what Satan tells me. He is CONSTANTLY whispering in my ear! It's like, no matter what is happening, I believe the lie that I am not good enough, or pretty enough, or smart enough. When the Truth is, even if I am not good or pretty or smart...God doesn't care! He loves me just the way I am.

Now, we all know we can't stay where we are! We must continue to change and to grow. I am living proof that something can be made out of very little. I was not a privileged girl. We were not wealthy, which is a difficult dilemma for a girl who wanted to fit in. I had the illusion, that if we just lived on "the other side" of town, I would have it made. Truth turned out, some of those girls, didn't have it made.

While I was sitting in my, "wrong side of the tracks" home, these girls were struggling with loveless homes, absent parents and the pressure to keep up. While I was being loved and nurtured by my mother. Mind you, it was very difficult for her to raise this strong-willed child on her own. We both messed up in the relationship department a time or two. But, NEVER, EVER did I feel not loved...NEVER!!!

I took care of that on my own...choosing boys I thought were the greatest thing since peanut butter...only to realize, they were not! What was I thinking? Well, I can tell you I wasn't thinking. I lost my father at the tender age of 12...the time when little girls REALLY need a loving earthly father to intervene and show them how to be loved. I missed out on that. And you could tell by some of my choices.

Don't get me wrong, there were some really great guys out there, who took a "shining" to me...but why would I want a really great guy, when I could be treated like a dirt pile? I mean really? So, I perpetuated the lie until one day in some of my loneliest of days, God sent my sweet husband, who was battle scarred from his hurtful childhood. We have made a pretty good team...there are many time-outs, many flags thrown, some personal fouls, but it is still pretty good and I can't imagine being with anyone else!

It wasn't until Anna Lauren was about 2 or 3, that the truth I needed to hear was revealed to me. In a Wednesday night Bible study, I was told for the first time in my life, that God wanted to be my Daddy...seriously? He is the Sovereign King of the Universe...The Creator...The Alpha and the Omega! Why in the world would he want to be my surrogate Father? Didn't He have more pressing things to do?

Turns out, the answer was..."No, Monica, you are important to me, you are a precious child...you are not Fatherless!" Don't get me wrong, I have a fabulous mother, and there is a VERY SPECIAL place in Heaven for my mother..A VERY SPECIAL PLACE!!! Thank you, Momma! But, a girl needs her father!

We have an awesome responsibility to our children. Once we get over the mushy, gushy feelings a baby gives us...we must realize we are raising future adults. If we don't get it partly right, we could make some terrible mistakes. I am responsible for Cole's self esteem...Brent is responsible for Anna Laurens' self esteem.

I have to show Cole how he should be treated by women...Brent must show Anna Lauren how she must be treated by men. Those are our roles...Brent must also show Cole how to treat women and I must show Anna Lauren how to treat men. The family dynamic turns on these principles. And it is evident these principles are not part of many family dynamics.

I encourage anyone reading this to just make the simple step of confessing we aren't super parents and we need some help from above. God will lead us to the answers we need, the bookstore, the website, the devotional...He WILL do it... YOU must first listen..

Here is a song that has blessed me this weekend...I love my girl and I don't want her to feel like her mommy did...It is Mercy Me with Beautiful


Beautiful

I must now go be with my beautiful family on Saturday night...the Gang's all here and life is really, really good right now!

Love to you all!

Monica

Baseball and Soccer

Hi, everyone! It has been a while since I have posted...life has been VERY busy for us! Last Sunday, we journeyed to The University of North Alabama to watch Wallace play 2 games against other Community Colleges. These games are more for exhibition, but they sure do get this baseball mom excited about the Spring!!

Brent, Anna Lauren, my mom, my mother-in-law and I all went together, while Beagle, Brent's brother, went on his own. We joined The Chisholms and Mandie, Drew's girlfriend, and sat down for a great afternoon...except for the COLD, and I do mean, COLD WIND. Lord have mercy, I thought there might be snow before it was all over with!

This was one of the culprit clouds...pretty but cold, hello!

Our poor mothers were freezing, see how the wind was blowing!

Beagle found a little warmer spot...you just had to stand the entire time!

Oh, and notice, he is on the phone...that's a Morse for ya!

Cole getting the signal...

And the pitch....

Cole's roomie, Jake Smith, rounding 3rd to score!

 BACK, Drew!!

The Lions won both games, and Cole pitched very well...they only pitch 2 innings in these games and there are usually scouts from 4 year schools watching them. It's really a very cool set-up!

Tuesday night was Anna Lauren's first soccer game! The girls didn't have a name until they decided they wanted to be the "Physchos"! Not sure about it, but the girls love it and that is all that matters! I figure if that is the worst I have to deal with...I will take it!

My Sweet Little Psycho!

A bunch of little Psychos!

Matthew came by to watch!

Even thought the girls lost 5-3 to Chaos...I was very proud of them!!

Go Psychos!!!

We went to Pontotoc Thursday night and they won 5-0!

I am very proud of both of my children. They bring their father and me so much joy. We joke and say we can't believe how well they are turning out despite having us as their parents! I wake up praying for them and I end my day praying for them, that is all I can do!

I hope you all have a fun-filled weekend! I get to enjoy an additional day, thanks to Christopher Columbus! Woo hoo!

See y'all!

Monica

Buddy Walk

Our Church family was blessed 4 years ago with the birth of Trevor Simmerman. I distinctly remember the phone call from my friend, Angie, after his birth..."They think Trevor is Down Syndrome." My heart lept into my throat, but I had no fear for the family. I sent Renea and Michael a note the day after he was born, and I told them that God chose them, out of all the people in the world, to be Trevor's parents. 

The odd part was at the time there had already been several families, here in Northeast Mississippi, who were blessed with a Down Syndrome child. One of the families, The Knight's, had just had their little bundle of joy, Peyton. A support group grew out of necessity, many families needed the love and help from other families. This group is the Northeast Mississippi Down Syndrome Society and boy have they done some wonderful things.

Today was the 4th Annual NEMDSS Buddy Walk and 5k Run. This is one of the biggest fundraisers the group has. Silent Auction, free food and live entertainment. This year, our Church, Saltillo First United Methodist Church, became a sponsor. We have always sponsored Trevor, with Trevor's Team, but this year we "made the back of the t-shirt" ! We love the Simmerman's so much, and the Church Family held true to their vow to love and support the Simmerman's.

As I stated, there was a 5K run, and my bestie, Kelly ran (for the first time I might add) and won 3rd in her age division! Woo hoo, way to go girl!!! Here she is after accepting her trophy, still in shock I think! ;)

Another member of our Church, Ann Shows, won first in her age division, of course I don't have a good picture, but "Way to go Ann!" There is also a walk around the City Park's track...

Trevor and Anna Lauren

Me taking a picture of my friend Suzanne taking a picture of me...

 Sweet angel, Trevor, with dad, Michael.

I have a cousin in Connecticut, Christa, who is Down Syndrome. Although, I haven't seen my family up there in YEARS (20 to be exact) I still love them all. I would come see them, but my husband refuses to board a plane or drive for 2 days. Plus he won't let me go without him...ergo, I remain in Mississippi! Anyhoo, I know the blessing Christa has been for her Dad and 7 brothers and sisters. They are forever touched by her presence!

God doesn't give just anyone the opportunity to raise special needs children, he picks the perfect ones! I am so thankful that God chose me to experience the blessing as well and given me such wonderful friends to share them with!

Remember to count you blessings tonight and thank God for each and every one!

We will head to University of North Alabama tomorrow to watch Cole play! Last week the game at Alabama was rained out! I believe tomorrow, the weather will be perfect! Tuesday night Anna Lauren has her first Park and Rec soccer game! So, stay tuned for more updates....

Love to all and good night!

Monica