Our Little Lauren is Four!

As much as we say, "Beau is All Boy!" it is also true, "Lauren is All Girl!".

 

This precious soul is so beautiful on the inside, it shines through her sparkly chocolate truffle eyes and big bright smiles.

Lauren wants to take care of people, be a helper and is quick with an encouraging hug. When Beau cut his toe, she held his hand going up the stairs, got him "yemonade" and popcorn, a pillow to prop his foot up and made sure he was totally comfortable for 2 days. Gross things don't gross her out. We may have a future BSN people. She reads to her babies, holding the book so they can see the pictures and naturally keeps the smaller children at church in Preschool Praise under control. She has a very strong maternal instinct. Just consider the world OVER if it isn't conducive for her sit on the counter while someone's cooking. It is the worst thing you could do. Seriously. The nerve.

Lauren continues to eat whatever is in front of her - read: SLOWLY. I think she would prefer to graze rather than have a meal. Unless she is very hungry, its a challenge to get her to eat within a normal, socially acceptable time allotment. God Bless her when she gets to school.

Some of her "fravorite" things: riding bikes outside - anything outside for that matter, GYMNASTICS, blowing bubbles, playing with Beau (see note below), pink, reading stories, playing with her kitchen (and in the real kitchen), swimming, running, rocking in our chair, babies, Ridgekids, working beside someone, Papa's 4-wheelers, Ma's help with daily hairspray and "parfume", surprises and secrets. She also loves to crawl in Mama and Daddy's bed often, right around 6am for extra snuggles and a little more sleep. She still occasionally engages her cat tactics, weaving right under foot. I am so surprised we haven't fallen down the stairs. Thankful and Surprised. She is very much our Velcro/Sticky Note. Lauren is a prayer warrior. Our bedtime prayers will always be one of my "fravortite" parts of my life.  

*While she can be an absolute STINKER to Big Brother, any given day; they take care of each other, punch each other, play together, they get separated, but overall - they ADORE each other.

Lauren is so very tender-hearted in discipline. She and Beau are VERY different in this and I must do my best to remember and respect their differences. Hold her tight when she's in trouble, because her little heart is broken.

The majority votes she is a small Carrie with honey colored hair, if they knew me as a child.

The majority votes she is a small Melodee with honey colored hair, if they knew Melodee as a child.

It is awesome (literally) to hear and see all the pieces of all of us knit so beautifully together within these children. They are our heritage, our legacy, and my greatest joy.

Mommy and Daddy adore you Lauren Baker Crews. Happy Birthday Baby Girl.

 

April Seventeenth, Two-Thousand Fourteen.

This is a day the Lord hath made and I rejoiced and was ecstatic in it. This is the day we officially closed on the sale of the Hartville House and here are some words with which I would like to commemorate the occasion...

"Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servent your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and might works you do?" Deut 3:24

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." Psalms 34:4

"How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings." Psalms 36:7

"I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." Psalms 86:12

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; " Psalms 18:2a

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalms 69:30

"I will praise you as long as I live, and in you name I will lift up my hands," Psalms 63:4

And there you have it my Beloved Prayer Warriors. It is documented. It is finished. I cried happy tears of gratitude signing those papers.

Thankfulness

It has been a busy month. Busy for all the right reasons.

Hartville: We were able to coordinate a weekend with Mama, Daddy and Betsy to pack up and move up the rest of our things for the West family to... MOVE IN : ) Mama kept the home fires burning, keeping the Little's occupied. Dad and Betsy were instrumental in the pack up, load up, clean up efforts. If it was not for amazing parents, swooping in to help in a time of need, I would just be lost and so, so stressed. I can only say a very heartfelt, "Thank You" and promise to pay it forward with Beau and Lauren. I very much promise to love them and help them as much as you ALL continue to love and support us. Pinkie Swear.

The West family is so kind. They offered to keep many of our packed up tubs in the basement, out of the way. A lot of stuff came back with us resulting in stacks in the hallway, rearranging the children's bedrooms, the storage closets, going through ALL the baby paraphernalia for a certain soon-to-be arriving NIECE!, purging all things deemed unnecessary (thank you Nicaragua) and temporary general chaos for this Crackhead. I like to clean and have things in order. However, I will be the first to admit, the bathrooms are not always spotless. BUT, this kind of thing makes my left eye twitch. I need to have a place for everything and until I find the new home, I run at 115%.

Then, I get irritated.

It's the end of basketball season. Mike is totally drained. I get caught up in Stinkin' Thinkin'.
Ooh... woe is me! I have all these things to do! I just can't do it all. boohooohoohoo.

Hold the phone.

Why do you have all these extra things to do?
1. Someone moved into your house.
2. Someone agreed to buy your house.
3. You will be debt free with the extra income.
4. Your husband has an amazing ministry in the lives of young people via basketball.
5. Basketball brought us home to our family.
6. I have amazing help.
7. GOD ANSWERED MY PRAYERS

Remember this Carrie!! Stinkin' Thinkin' is my own selfish, sinful nature shining terribly through. Why in the crack of dawn should I be complaining when I've had nothing, NOTHING but blessings flowing over me? Because I mess up. I ask for forgiveness. I come back to Thankfulness.

And so... Basketball ended in a terrific game for the District title. While I would have loved to see them defeat a very unclassy team (just being honest here), I am thankful it is over ending on a beautiful note. To celebrate, the Little's went on a mini-vacation to Arkansas and I surprised Mike with a mini-getaway as well. Rest, Relaxation. Rejuvenation. All necessary.

We are THANKFUL to God for everything good and helping us through everything bad. And, for being busy for all the right reasons.

The House Testimony.

I've delayed in posting this information, simply because it has taken me a while to process what just happened in The House Testimony.

I'll tell you what happened.

This: We moved out of the house July 4th 2011. I got a call January 25th 2014. Two years. Six months. Waiting on God's Timing. Trusting. Listening. Learning. Refining.

Enter: My closest encounter with God. My prayers, hopes and dreams ANSWERED.

Now: We entered a Lease to Own contract with an amazing family in HIS perfect timing for both of our families. This family comes to Wright Co. from Kentucky via Willard. New pastors at the Baptist church. Retired Firefighter, called to the Ministry for a second career. Our needs match.

I prayed, "God, please just send someone who wants to live in the woods." Mr. West said, "I just can't live in this neighborhood anymore, I need to live in the woods."

I calculated the income we would need to be debt free. It would take 24 months. Mr. West offered the exact amount we need, for 24 months - before any discussions of payment. At the conclusion of the Lease, they will purchase The House.

Did they find the listing online? No. Through a chance ordained encounter with strangers down the road, whom remembered our situation and relayed our information.

Did we anticipate entering another rental agreement? Absolutely not. God said Yes. We obeyed and we have been BLESSED.

Mr. West said, "I don't want you and Michael to worry about anything. I want to be responsible for all the maintenance, repairs, insurance, everything." Thank you Sweet Heavenly Father. "Whatever you need to leave here at the house, is fine! We don't want you to worry about getting a storage unit. We will take care of it!" The weight fell off my left shoulder. "We are so excited to take care of a place that will soon be ours!" The weight fell off my right shoulder.

Mike and I have been through some really tough times in this journey I purposely have not recorded. While they are not recorded, they are not forgotten. Forgiven? Yes. Wisdom gleaned? Yes. Together, we entered this with eyes wide open, seeking GOD and all legal, financial and relevant situation wisdom, counsel. We heeded their experience and moved forward with a custom legally binding contract. And the Peace, y'all. I just can't put it in words for you to understand my heart. The burdens of worry are gone. Just Gone.

This is my closest encounter with God.

This is MY GOD who caught my tears, heard me at my breaking points doing my darnedest to list praises when I just wanted to curl up and pout. This is the God who sent perfect encouragement in hugs, prayers and love from those all around us. This is MY GOD I serve with perseverance. I have been tried and I will remain true.

Ask me about the time I waited for my baby for two and a half years... God is Faithful.

Miracles.

Do you believe God is still in the business of Miracles? This Girl Does!

In conversations with State Farm, we discovered the furnace repair would not be covered if it is deemed a mechanical failure. An outside source must be cited. The claim would cover the repair of the broken pipes only if the plumbing estimate exceeded our deductible.

The plumbing repair estimate came in $16 less than the deductible.

The HVAC team estimate to repair and/or replace the furnace was just a few thousand dollars {sarcasm}.

Looks like nothing will be covered. All out of pocket expense.

THEN.

The neighbor casually mentions to Mike there was a power outage the week of these happenings.

I call Laclede Electric. A tree branch broke a line!

I submit all invoices and Laclede outage report to State Farm. Say more prayers.

They cover it. They covered all repair expenses in conjunction with our deductible!!

The insurance adjuster actually told me with his own words, "Typically in a situation like this, we require the tree to hit a line on your personal property. But we're going to proceed in this claim to help you all out." To which I replied, "That is because God just answered our prayers. We needed this help and I am SO THANKFUL!!" To which he replied, "Um, yes, well that's good." HA!! Hahahaha!!

Woo! I'm feeling the hugs straight from Heaven.

THEN.

The Same Afternoon - a text from the realtor:
"Say some prayers, I have had several calls on your house this week. Will be showing a few times in the next several days."

No one has looked/called/inquired/cared a diddly squat about our house listing since, oh I can't remember. Months!!

I was able to escape from work a while yesterday, ran down there and made sure everything was perfect, check! Called the plumber with the terrific news and got on his calendar to start the repairs.

THEN.

Today I got another text from the realtor:
"I had another call on your house this morning wanting to look at 11:30"

Can you even stand it?!! I'm just over the moon with joy and praise. I've told anyone standing still for more than one minute and two ears about this MIRACLE.

Seriously. That Happened.

Praise be to God in the Highest. I will praise HIM no matter what happens.

These are the Days of my Life

Titled appropriately as The House continues to produce Soap Opera dramatic cliffhangers worthy of the Golden Globes (or whatever awards show does daytime TV; I have no idea).

Mike went to check on everything this past Sunday. In this episode, no heat and busted water lines. The water lines broke underground, under the giant concrete porch to be exact. He opened the well house to find water spraying out and several inches all around the ground. He sends me a text at church, "We have a major leak! From pump to house." That is all I got from him until about an hour later. The cell phone coverage is not terrific in the woods. As I kept reminding this to myself over and over again waiting on more information, I could only think of the worst possible scenario. I started crying. A few more texts arrived. A brief conversation. I was supposed to call the insurance company to start a claim, call the plumber, relay information I wasn't entirely clear on. I just cried, most of the day.

But God put a song in my heart.

You Never Let Go by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle
Of the storms of this life
I won't turn back, I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You
Still I will praise You

I did my best to keep on praising. And when I thought through the promises in the song, I'd cry a little more knowing and acknowledging He is in control.

This is where we Praise and Don't Pout:
The plumber was able to have a conversation with Mike about the pipes with bad cell phone coverage on a Sunday afternoon. The plumber was encouraging and let us know we are not alone. He had 11 other calls on broken water pipes that week. We had taken all proper precautions necessary. The weather just got way too cold, too fast and heated back up, making all matters worse. There was nothing else we could have done to prevent it.
Mike was sensible in the crisis and took care of taking photos, turning off breakers and draining the rest of the water lines.
As far as we know, there is no terrible interior water damage. It's all outside, underground.
Mike found a fruit bar for Beau to eat in the truck. He had not packed food. It was supposed to be a 30min trip, turned into 4 hours.
Beau had the best day ever running around in the woods.

As it is, this turned into a Two-Part episode.
In Part II. I call the HVAC service and let them know The House once again had no heat and PS... the pipes burst. A technician called me Monday afternoon to confirm the furnace had totally failed. It needs to be replaced. In the event we don't replace the furnace, the repair alone is $1150. BUT, get ready for the awesome news = this may be rolled into the insurance claim. It makes perfect sense.

This is where I started giggling. Of course we need to replace the furnace!! How fitting. How timely. Now we can market The House for sale with brand new water lines, pressure tank relocated into the basement and new furnace. You know what that says to me? Wait for it.... SOLD!!

I'm hopeful. Please pray for us that we can provide and claim all the perfect information for a seamless insurance claim and fast repair.

Until the next time, These are the Days of my Life.  

Lessons from Toddlers

GOALS. We work hard to encourage and facilitate positive behavior in our children. Good manners, kind words, forgiving hearts, helping hands, love and respect one another. We do our best to teach them and guide them to ultimately be amazing adults, honoring the Lord and serving others.

REALITY. I've been told a time or two they do not listen to me. They do not do what I ask of them the 1st time. They respond snarky and sassy. They roll their eyes. They can be sneaky and my precious children have told lies.

CONFESSION: I am not the Greatest Parent Ever. I fail in 100% consistency. Occasionally, I struggle with self control when the littles deliberately disobey. They can make me super mad.  

Some days, our family rocks it out with awesomeness. Some days are terrible. The terrible tears at me something fierce. Raising babies is a war against the native sinful nature of humans. I read once, "The ultimate goal of a toddler is to rule the universe". But I have HOPE because I am NOT ALONE. I have the village of amazing family plus friends and God in my Navy.

REVELATION: As I'm trying so hard to teach THEM, these children are also teaching ME.

These are a few of my favorite lessons.

Hear the music and dance. We dance a little jig while waiting in a line, or walking down the aisles. I think hearing the music (that could be easily be tuned out) helps us to seek the positive in any situation - from the mundane boredom of running errands all the way to a dreaded scary medical diagnosis. We must seek and listen to the positive. It is always there, even if in the background.

Eye Spy. It gets us through those times we need to hold still and be quiet for a little bit. I see details I would have otherwise missed. From quirky details tucked on shelves at restaurants to the seven freckles on Beau's nose. Details are easy to breeze through AND easy to see. Snow reminds me of details. Every snowflake is different. The newly falling snow highlights the most beautiful details on the tree limbs and all of nature. I hear God telling me, I care about the details of you too, Carrie Diane Baker Crews. Comfort at it's finest.

Priorities and Excuses. I am guilty of claiming those easy to accept excuses too often... I'm busy sweetheart; Just a minute, I'll hold you in a minute. We need to ____ first. Eww, I hate it about me. In previous posts I've filled us in on my Crackheadedness... the drive to get 3 million things done in a limited time frame. There are times to put it down and there are times for the littles to learn to be patient. I tell them, "Look at my hands, are they busy right now? I can ____ when I'm not driving across town in the snow." It is a lesson for both of us to be receptive to the situation. She needs to understand I cannot help her with a handstand when I'm cooking fudge on the stove and I need to remember I can put down the laundry and tape the ripped page in a book. The key is finding the sweet spot of helping each other. The key is also prioritizing and listening for the Holy Spirit. Sometimes that voice stops you in your tracks and sometimes it's full speed ahead on the God's Will Train.

Downtime. We are a family on the go. But I have learned (from the children and Mike) they need/want/must have/require downtime with us rocking in our chairs or snuggled together in their beds reading before nigh-night time. This downtime just puts so much more peace in our house. When we get home late and things are just off; woo it's no bueno. There is an intimacy of family just being next to one another and God needs/wants/must have/requires AND IS WORTHY of your time as well.

Forgiving. When they get in trouble, they reach for a hug right away. I can see their chocolate truffle eyes searching and needing forgiveness in mine. I do my best to say the words, "I forgive you. Let's try again." We talk about God's grace. The babies are so quick to forgive, they want to move on, get over it. Put that in your back pocket. It is a good way to roll.

Helpful: What Our Kids Really Hear When We Yell  And then there's this to read: The Important Thing About Yelling  Good stuff.

So these are things I'm learning and working on lately. Goals are good. Reality is a cousin of Missouri weather. Unpredictable. I'm going to keep on trucking, even though my 4-wheel drive isn't working.