An update

1. We had an incredible week of vacation last week. There is nothing like getting away from home with your family. To slow down enough to realize- I still laugh the hardest with my husband, there is great delight in watching our kids, we enjoy time together doing anything, to take time to see the Lord in all of these things...We came back greatly refreshed.

2. Back in March I realized I was drinking way too many diet cokes...the people at Sonic knew my name and whenever we pulled up Payton would roll down his window and yell, "I need a large diet coke, not a lot of ice and with a little vanilla and cherry." This and some other things in my life made me realize I was drinking too many. I quit cold turkey....and started drinking Starbucks. This past Monday I decided I would become a water girl (for at least a while)...All water, all the time...still going strong at this point, I'll keep you posted...

3. On Wednesday it was announced that one of my dearest friends, Nika, was the region 11 Teacher of the year. Out of over 20 districts she was chosen...I was so excited. Tonight she will be called out onto the field at the Ranger game to accept this honor. We will be there cheering! It is so fun to watch the Lord lift friends up. We have rejoiced over this gift straight from His hand.
Yesterday her brother Mark opened a brand new Starbucks (On Colleyville Blvd. right across from Market Street). Mark is the manager. Last night was friends and family night where we got to go and have free Starbucks before their big grand opening today. I picked a crummy week to commit to water. Its been fun to celebrate with the Maples this week.

4. The other night I was putting Benjamin to bed and Tony was in the living room reading. I told Payton, "Why don't you go and sit with your dad and I can be with you in a minute. " Payton walked in, sat down in the chair across from Tony and said, "Dad, Tell me about your problems."

5. Benjamin's favorite show at Sea World was the water-skiing show. At any given moment he will kick his legs up and start going through the whole routine. It makes us laugh everytime. He even makes the "overly- excited face" that the water skiers did at Sea World. A sight to behold...Ask him to show you his water-skiing next time you see him. It will not disappoint.

6. While in San Antonio we met up with our friends Koy, BJ and Reese. BJ and I roomed together in college. We used to talk about how we hoped our husbands would be friends and we would get the joy of watching our children play together. It was so great to spend 2 days with them. We loved every minute of it and left feeling so blessed to call them our friends.

7. I am not a nail biter. Selling stuff on Ebay makes me want to start.

8. Payton has always been an early riser. A couple of weeks ago Tony bought a digital clock and put electrical tape over the last 2 numbers (the minutes). He explained to Payton he could not off of his bed until the number turned to a 7. For the first few mornings he would crow like a rooster, "It's 7! It's 7!" Then he started sleeping past 7. This has blessed us and him greatly!

9. I love reading other peoples blogs. There is great joy in seeing old friends and new experience great joy in their life. I love reading about the good...I love having the opportunity to pray when there is something not good. My brother started this blog for me last year...Hence, if you go back to the original posts you will see some pictures and some posts that were written by Sam as if he were me. His words made me laugh then, they make me laugh now. He used the threat of continuing to post and comment as Becky on other peopes blogs as motivation for me to take over this one...Obviously, it worked. I am thankful he brought me into the blogging world. It has blessed me.

10. I am speaking next month at a Women's retreat in Fairfax. So much of what I will speak on comes from Matthew 11:28-30 (the Msg.) when Jesus says,

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I 'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely lightly."

I want to learn how to accept that invitation, how to point others to do the same, not with words, but with my life. I want to keep company with Him. In His grace He invites us to do just that. I am overwhelmed that, for each of us, the invitation still stands.

A year ago

A year ago today our family gathered around the bed of my grandmother and watched her faith become sight as she passed from this life to the next. I was one of the speakers at her funeral. I read the words I wrote, a year ago now and feel a lump rise in my throat. I miss my grandmother. I miss seeing her face light up when Payton and Benjamin walk in the room and yet...I come back to the same thought I had a year ago...My grandmother has joined the chorus around His throne, How can I keep from singing? Here are the words I spoke at her funeral:


I love my grandmother and I love my family…I have approached the writing of these words carefully. I long to honor and bless my family. I long to honor the life of my grandmother, our mom-o as we called her and above all I long to honor our Father God who was the very reason her life had such a profound impact on so many.

As I have thought and prayed about the words I would share Psalm 102:18 has been running through my mind… “Let this be written for a future generation that a people not yet created may know the Lord.” There are 11 Cardwell grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many more that have yet to be created. I look to the day when the words, the stories, the very heritage, that has been shared today will be passed to generations yet to come.

My cousins and I are full of memories of our grandmother. So much so we could fill hours with recounting them all…thankfully the Lord gave us the opportunity to do just that. In the past week we have sat by her side as we have held her hand and shared our memories. (share memories page)

During this past week we have watched our three mothers honor their mother until the very end. The impact of having four generations present at mom-o’s side as she left this world was life changing. The room seemed to overflow with tears, praises being sung, scripture being read and love being expressed. All the life that filled the room at her moment of departure was inspiring.

Over the past week I have thought often of Isaiah 51:1 “listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn.” My grandmother and my mother have taught me to always use scripture in context and I am aware that this is a verse that was meant to encourage the exiled Israelites. However in mom-o’s final days I quoted it to her and told her I was finding great encouragement from it. For I look at the rock from which our family was cut and see a lineage of faithfulness- I see my cousins and I are people who have descended from those who have pursued righteousness. My cousins and I have watched my grandmother in her final days and in her final breaths find comfort and peace in the Word of God. Her passing has left a void, no doubt, but in a profound way I find difficult to express in words it has been an encouragement.

Our mothers, Vicki, Jan and Suzy loved their mother in a beautiful way…We witnessed them singing hymns over her, massaging her sore limbs, sleeping on the floor surrounding her bed so that if a need arose they could be the one to meet it, we saw them support each other as each grieved in a different ways, we saw them encourage each others children to express hope, love and memories to mom-o, we saw them take care of each others grandchildren, we saw that when one has the hope of heaven laughter is possible- that in 1st Corinthians 15:55 when it tells us the sting of death has been swallowed up in victory- it is a verse to be claimed and rejoiced in. We saw this verse lived out for eight days as each person came to realize the destination of the journey that we were on. We saw three sisters who loved their mother tell her it was ok to go…to claim her new body…to run to Jesus…to receive her ultimate healing. We saw them declare their love for their mom and for the Lord who was waiting to take her hand. As their children we were impacted in a way we are still absorbing. But in the entire world…you will not find 11 children more proud or more thankful to call Vicki Goode, Jan Kelley, and Suzy Jeffrey…Mom. Our Lord has given us a heritage of those who fear His name. There lives will continue to give testimony to the heart and life of their mother and father.

I have always loved Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Yet now at this stage of life I find this verse has taken on a deeper meaning. On August 10th at 9:33 I saw my mom-o’s flesh and her heart fail, yet in that moment I saw her take hold of a portion that will be hers for forever.

In 1860 a hymn was written by Robert Lowry…his words even now speak to my heart about our grandmother’s passage from this life to the next.
"My life flows on in endless song;Above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the sweet though far off hymnThat hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;It finds an echo in my soul—How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His—How can I keep from singing?



May the Lord be praised for the life of Val Cardwell. She has joined the chorus around His throne…how can we keep from singing?

Hands raised in Praise!

Just sent this email out to over 200 people that have been praying...I want the World to know how great is our GOD!

dearest friends-

The Lord has heard our cry and today the courts of Benin granted the long awaited piece of paper that Kelly and Randy have needed to begin Lael's American adoption...We are beside ourselves! So thankful to the Lord and so thankful to you for asking, seeking and knocking on our behalf!

You can read the details here: http://rkvaughn.blogspot.com/ There are more steps to take but the process has started...something we have longed for for over a year now!

Join us in rejoicing He has answered our prayer of Psalm 90:16, "Let us see your miracles again; let our children see Your glory at work!"

His goodness is overwhelming!

Becky

Benjamin

Thank you for your prayers for Benjamin! He is feeling so much better. Tony spent the weekend in Tyler with his parents, Payton went to the ranch with my parents, so Benjamin and I had the whole weekend together to concentrate on getting him better. It was so sweet to have that time just he and I. We loved every moment of it...but the definite highlight of our weekend (right after welcoming Valerie home from England) was when we were reunited with Payton and Tony. I love watching Payton and Benjamin embrace...It is such a joy to watch their friendship grow!


I took these pictures of Benj a couple of weeks ago at the ranch. Tony has cleared out a new section of land and we had come over to explore. Tony was finishing trimming a tree so we sat down to wait on him...I loved how contented he was to just sit there and wait on his dad ( I am showing you 3 of about 10 pictures I took of this same scene...)

Encouragement

This has been an interesting week...

Too many details to blog about... some mundane, some not mine to share, some just everyday frustrations of life on earth, and then on top of all of those issues, our sweetest Benjamin has been the kind of sick where he does not sleep unless held. He is currently on breathing treatments amidst other things trying to get his breathing back to normal and his temp down from 102.9...I have layed down beside his crib the past 2 nights listening for every breath (when he would allow us to put him in there) and I have prayed and thought of him and many of you.

I say all of this to say...23 comments on that last post...unheard of on this blog. But so appreciated. To all of you who commented, encouraged and made me smile, thank you! I thought of Proverbs 18:4 last night as I prayed for each of you..."A person's words can be life -giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook."

Thank you for offering life giving water to me and to my family. You thought you were posting a comment on a blog...the Lord used you to refresh my soul!

Pictures!

This was the boys at their birthday party...they were so excited! The party was at Glenview Baptist Church...they have a 4000 square feet, 4 story playland that our kids love.

(It was built with the vision that if you make the church a place kids love to come...they will bring their parents. They have open play several times a week when you can bring your kids and they have their childrens ministers walking around ministering to the community. We love the vision, we love the place!)








Benjamin in his flip flops...Notice he wears them between his 2nd and 3rd toes...It pains me to look at them, but everytime I fix them, he puts them back...People stop us constantly to tell me, "His flip flops are on wrong." My response, "Thank you , He's 2."













Payton was (as you can see) so excited to open his guitar. He loves it. He sits and strums and sings for hours...This morning I was holding Benjamin who was completely lethargic due to fever and Payton said, "This ones for Benj...I"m trading my sickness, I'm trading my pain, I am laying them down for the joy of the Lord..."


Benjamin blowing out his candle for most likely the 50th time! He wanted them re-lit iuntil we burned that 2 down to a nub...

The latest...

For my family who continues to check this blog...

1. We were at the ranch last weekend and had a great time...so great that I left my camera in the little compartment on the front of the four- wheeler. Hence, still no pictures from the boys birthday...They are coming eventually (if my camera has not melted).

2. The boys and I just got back from downtown Ft. Worth where we went to see Andy and his office for the first time. His office is on the 8th floor overlooking Sundance square. Needless to say, I am impressed when someone's first job actually involves an office and a window. We are so very proud of him...Payton was a little disappointed...on they way home I was talking about how great it was and Payton said, "yes, but it does not have a pool or a train." Payton would of preferred Andy to get a job at 6-flags.

3. Sam graduated on Tuesday and is now officially back from his training and is once again with his family in the DC area. We are so proud of him as well. I believe his title is that of Special (something) for the Defense Department...He graduated at the top of his class. Way to go Sam! (and Emille, Bailey and Brylee!)

4. We continue to pray for the adoption process of precious Lael...Kelly and Randy will not be able to return to America until this happens. Please continue to lift this situation up in prayer...dealing with the government in Benin is difficult.

5. About a year ago Tony and I were feeling lost at our church. We loved it, just did not feel like we really fit anywhere. We had alot of great friends but were still feeling lonely...it was one of those times in life when you start feeling restless in your spirit and realize the Lord is trying to do something new in your heart. We started praying about staying, praying about leaving, thinking of all the great places we could go and thinking about the great place we were...Completely orchestrated by the Lord we started meeting with a group of people we did not know well at all who had one common thread...we were all searching for the 3 C's...Community-Commitment-(above all) Christ.

This group has become more than a class to us (we started meeting as a class in Feb.), it has become a lifeline. We walk out of class each week talking about Great the Lord is...only He could bring a group of people from all different walks of life together and make it feel like family. It is a group of people eager to experience more of the Lord, ready to get out and share their faith, ready to love each other and ready to be Christ's hand extended to the world...I love being a part of the Body of Christ. His ability to bring unity from diversity is beautiful!

6. Payton asked the other day while I was putting him to bed for his nap if he needed to close his eyes this time. I told him Yes. He came out of his room about 5 minutes later and walked in and said, " I need you to understand something, when I close my eyes I can't see." I laughed and told him that was the point.

7. Benjamin is Eddie Haskell. He is a doll but he is up to something almost always. However, if he hears anyone coming or calling his name he quickly folds his hands behind his back and grins...if he is doing something he knows he should not be doing (like dumping syrup all over the floor) he will kick it up a notch and say, "wuv you mommy".

8. We are in a fun season of life. We love each other, our kids, and the Lord. I don't know if this makes sense but for awhile it felt as if we were constantly striving...for what, I am not really sure- it made for a hectic, fast-paced life where at the end of the day we would look around and feel as if we had accomplished nothing... there is now a deep peace in our home that we both feel and we recognize it for what it is- contentment with the Lord and the life He has given.

9. Today my car is in the shop...when we walked out into the garage today and the boys saw we were going in Tony's truck both of them started clapping. Benjamin saying, "Back tuck! Back tuck! (translated, Black truck! Black truck!) after I got them both buckled in Payton said, "Someday when I am big and you are little I will drive this truck and I will be cool, just like dad."

10. The book "Sacred Parenting" is one of the best books I have ever read. It is a life changer that talks of how the Lord seeks to mold you through your children. Tony and I were both challenged by this quote:

" What the majority of us spend the the bulk of our time worrying baout-our 9-5 job, what houses we live in, how we're going to spend the weekend, how physically fit we look, what vehicle we drive--ultimately amounts to nothing adn gets completley forgoteen. what we often ignore in our pursuit of the above--that is our children, and our families--are the only things we truly leave behind....

When I embrace my historical insignificance , I am set free to concentrate on very real--and eternal--relational significance. I matter to my wife. I am very important to my children. I have secure standing as an adopted child of the Most High God. (I matter to advancing His Kingdom) These are the relationships on which I want to focus my life. This is where I want to spend my energy."

If you actually made it to the end of this, I am impressed...I am figuring by now I am writing to an audience of one...my mom, who has felt obligated to read every word I have written through out my entire existence...Thank you mom- I knew I could count on you!

Payton's Birth!

At the time of Payton's birth we were not skilled in birthing room pictures or our new digital camera...all we took have a little too much exposure for web viewing...The rest were taken with a non-digital camera...Feel free to drop by where you will be shown his creative memory scrapbook still beautiful in its box and then shoebox after shoebox of pictures taken in the first days of his life!

Payton was due on July 4th. With the exception of our wedding date, we have never anticipated a day so much in our life...(and actually we anticipated Payton's birth much longer than we anticipated our wedding, we met and married in 7 months, we waited for Payton for 9) When July 4th came and went I felt like a huge part of me deflated...except for the fact that I was still massive. We began every other day sonograms to make sure the placenta was viable and the amniotic fluid level was still good. The song that was very popular that summer was a song whose tune stuck in my head...I don't remember a word of the song except for the chorus..."You know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you, if I could just hold you, tonight...." I remember singing that to Payton over and over again as I would drive down the road...and thinking I really would...we wanted nothing more than to see our boy. After 2 trips to labor and delivery because my dr. felt on the 1st one- Payton's heart was doing weird things and 2nd- he was not moving as much as he should...only to be sent home each time I was beside myself...as in seriously, I need to get a hold of myself- beside myself. My blood pressure was up so the Dr. asked me to quit excercising and take all salt out of my diet...I did and came back the next week...She told me her concerns about inducing...I listened and then begged for that option. (I look back now and think why was I so anxious...) She said not yet. Give it another week. I was dialated to nothing and was not at all effaced.

They decided to admit me to the hospital on Sunday night, July 14th at 5. Tony and I ate at Cracker Barrel on the way. The manager came by to ask how our dinner was and Tony said great, "this is where we wanted to eat on our last meal before we became parents, is there a special discount for that?" Uhhhh-no...

We got to the hospital, got my cervidil, Sam and Emille brought Subway- I was not supposed to eat again after 6 (hence my 2 huge meals within an hour of each other) and then we hung out. The hospital said there was a good chance my body would start its labor on its own...so I waited...Tony went sound asleep on the couch bed and finally around 3 AM I went down to the lobby where my mom and Emille were waiting and told them to go on home, I bet nothing happened until tomorrow. They did and I literally sat in my bed watching the clock, praying, trying to sleep and wondering if I would ever have this baby. They checked me in the morning and the cervidel had done nothing.

My doctor said with my blood pressure up, projections on the size of Payton's head up and the fact that Tony had just explained if she sent us home we would just go wait in our car until I went into labor... she thought she would see if she could break my water. She did and they started pitosin at 7Am. I had decided, with Tony's support, to have Payton naturally. The thing I vividly remember was that I did not have any building block contractions....they were hard and fast immediately. By noon I was whipped from not having slept and not having eaten, by 2 I was exhausted...Tony, Emille and my mom where there being so encouraging the whole time...They had been checking me all morning with little result...I remember at 2:15 the nurse saying, "she is still not dialated to even a finger tip." I was crushed. The nurse explained that because my contactions were literally off the charts my body was having a hard time catching up, it was not able to relax and perhaps I needed a pain pill to take some of the edge off, my dr. came and said she highly recommended that...I said I was not sure, Tony said he was...and in the sweetest moment came over and said your exhausted, hungry and beat...let's do this and meet our son. I took the pill and went to sleep.

I was in and out of the deepest sleep the rest of the day. I remember waking up and seeing the clock read 6:45 PM and then feeling a contraction and realizing I still had not had my baby. At 8:45 they said I was ready to push. Tony later told me they had given me my epidural at 7:00 but I slept through it. I pushed on every contraction, or at least I thought I was pushing...obviously my epidural was a little strong...Tony said I was sleeping in between every contraction, (now that I have had Benjamin it is hard to imagine that is possible but I do remember him waking me up to push)...Finally after 5 minutes they decided to try to the vacuum...the first time the suction broke on Payton 's head and the dr. literally flew across the room...she then siad, we are trying this one more time, assemble the c-section team...My mom and Emille were waiting right outside the door when 5 more nurses pushed through...this time the vacuum held and out came the the most amazing baby. He screamed so loudly and then stopped suddenly and looked right at Tony and I. It was the most incredible moment. Payton James Brooks entered the world at 9PM, July 15th, 2002 weighing 7lbs, 9 ounces, 19" long.

During the last 2 weeks of my pregnancy with Payton my mom would often be the one that took me downtown for my sonograms. I remember one day in particular driving home with her and crying the whole way about how badly I wanted Pate to be born. My mom was agreeing with me and said, "I know you are ready but there is something so special about having your baby inside of you. It is wonderful when they are out, the absolute greatest joy...but there will be a part of you that misses and aches for them the rest of your life." I remember crying then, but I understand that on a different level now. There is a vulnerability to having your children exposed that brings about the greatest joy and the deepest of aches. I would not miss it for the world. The last 4 years Tony and I have laughed more, cried more, praised the Lord more, sought Him more and because He has brought us to place of realizing our children are ultimately His, we have trusted Him more. Today is a day we mark with great zeal because it is Payton's birthday, but we mark it for another reason as well. 4 years ago we became parents, when our hearts became exposed to the world in the form of our first child. What an incredible gift from the Lord!

Unofficial Birthday Post

Today is Payton's birthday...He could not goto sleep last night he was so excited...

This morning at 6AM he came in and put his hands on my face (I was sound asleep) and said, "Mom, am I really four?" I told him he was and the grin on his face was priceless. His next announcement was, "let's go tell Benjamin..." In an effort to give Benjamin a few more hours of sleep I told Payton I would take him to get a donut...Once in the car he asked if we could go to Starbucks instead. This was the first time he had been in one (We are drive thru fans).

He loved sitting on the couch to eat...(that does not happen at our house, the boys have to remind me of that often). As we were sitting there eating our Reduced fat chocolate Bannana cake (his favorite) he said, "Mom we have not talked to God today." I told him he was right. He said, "we need to tell him thanks for this Starbucks and especially for letting me be four. I think this is going to be the best day ever." I asked him to pray and he pretty much repeated everythig he had just said to the Lord. My heart was full.

I vividly remember bringing Payton home from the hospital and crying in the back seat, sitting next to his bucket, and wondering how in the world we were actually supposed to know how to raise a child. The responsibility seemed so huge and still does...In moments like the one we had this morning, my heart is filled with the purest joy and delight- I am so thankful to the Lord for placing Payton in our home, for giving us the awesome responsibility of raising him, and for letting him be four...I think this is going to be the best day ever!

***We are having the combined birthday at 10...lots of stories and pics to follow!***

Benjamin's Birth!

Benjamin turned 2 on Monday. Our dog chose to celebrate by digging out and getting thrown in the pokie, so the time I usually would of spent writing about our sweet boy was spent negotiating her release...

On July 9, 2004 I woke up and called my mom and sister in Africa and told them I thought I was beginning labor...They were coming home the 15th (Payton's birthday and Benjamins due date) and both said they hoped I was not. I knew I wanted them there but I was also so excited to see who this baby was....we had not found out if this baby was a girl or boy and we were anxious.

Later on we took Payton to a friends house and headed to the hospital where they told me...I was not in labor. I was stunned...Tony was too- we did not have maternity coverage so before we left we had to write out a 500$ check...Ouch.

On the way to get Payton we stopped to get lunch at Cracker Barrel (you will soon notice this is a running theme in our birth stories) and I told Tony over lunch.."I am having some hard contractions..." I believe he said something really romantic like, " I will be able to see the head before we go back up there...." I continued to have hard contractions throughout the day but nothing regular so we swam with Payton and just enjoyed our day together. I went to bed early while Tony stayed up to watch a movie...around 11:30 I came in told Tony I knew I was in labor. We decided I would start timing the contractions and then we realized we had no idea how far apart they were supposed to be (I was induced with Payton.) Our computer was down so we called our friends Danny and Jody Allison-(Its midnight by now) apologized for waking them up -(Danny said , "No big deal, Jody just walked in from Wal-mart.") Jody googled contractions and we realized mine were coming regularly every 3 minutes...Jody drove over to keep Payton while we paced, breathed and tried to find my dad. (He had left his phone downstairs at the ranch and was sound asleep.) I called Sam and Emille and woke them bawling about how I could not find my dad...let's say that was pregnancy hormones. Sam was so encouraging and said he would take over calling my dad. Meanwhile we are on the way to the hospital...I am actually using my lamaze and cool as a cucumber Tony was actually starting to sweat.

On the way to the hospital Tony said, "We still do not have a boy name..." I said, " I know its a girl , we don't need one...if its a boy we will just see who he looks like." We both wanted another boy so badly knowing Payton would have a brother so close in age that we had decided not to find out on our sonogram...We knew we would be absolutly thrilled with a girl...we just thought we would do better finding out on the spot when she was actually in arms. We got to the hospital at 1:30 and I was dialated to a 7 and 1/2 ...The nurse said, "looks like you are going to have this one naturally." I said, "Actually I saw on TV the other day there are drugs to slow a labor down, I will have one of those and then get my epidural. (For all my natural friends that do not know, I had tried to have Payton naturally, the result was not pretty and I knew I coudl not do that again with a 2 year old at home.)

They were able to slow my labor down, I got an epidural and began pushing at 6:30. After about 15 minutes the Dr. said, "Ok- on your next push you will have your baby...ok GO" and Tony's cell phone rang and he answered it...The Dr. said, "Ok lets wait till dad is off the phone." I beleive my word were, "Babe, are you serious?" Too which he responded, "Its your dad, you have been crying all night wanting to talk to him..." We both burst out laughing then as I explained I was now focused on something else. (My dad had awoken to find he had 68 missed calls, had figured out what was going on, and was headed back to the Metroplex. ) I started pushing again, heard a cry and heard "ITS A BOY!" We were thrilled, beside ourselves, overwhelmed with love, shocked and speechless.

Tony cut the cord (this was a story that is vivid in my mind but must be told in person.) and then said, "what's his name? he does not look like anybody." We pondered names for awhile and then decided that Deuteronomy 33:12 was a verse we loved and wanted to claim at birth for our son.

" About Benjamin he said: " Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, For HE shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."

I love it even more in The Message, "Benjamin is, God's beloved, God's permanent residence. He is encircled by God all day long, within him God is at home."

That continues to be our prayer for our precious son. He is Benjamin Jeffrey Brooks Born at 6:47 AM on July 10th, 2004, 20 inches long and 8lbs, 9 ounces. He is ours, He is the Lords.

My Roommates

We had the absolute best weekend. There is nothing like being with friends who know you inside and out, who know what it is like to live with you on a daily basis, who know things you are proud of and things you would rather forget (and sometimes they even let you)...there really is no friend like a college roommate.

As I drove home on Sunday I thought of countless blessings that come from a weekend like the one I just had....

1. I called Tony on the way home...he and the boys had had an amazing weekend at the ranch. Tony, my dad, and my brother spent the weekend taking care of our boys. I knew Payton and Benjamin were truly experiencing life with the guys when I called on Friday night at 11:30 to see how things had gone and Tony said, "I am going to have to call you back, I am in the middle of making the boys dinner..." What?! They had the best time. My dad blessed me by saying "Tony is the absolute best dad, it brought me alot of joy to watch him parent the boys."

2.I called my mom and dad and once again thanked them for ACU... loved it while I was there, love the fruit of friendship that still grows as result of my time there.

3. I am so blessed to have friends with which we can be laughing over something so ridiculous and in the next minute someone has their Bible out sharing a truth they have just taken hold of.

4. I am realizing what a gift it is to have friends who don't just support me in my marriage, they love my husband. All through out the weekend I was reminded of each of us standing as bridesmaids at each wedding...at every wedding we felt confident our friend was making the best choice but now, years later- to see that affirmed by stories told and actions seen makes me love the Lord that much more. As I reflected on the weekend I realized no one ever shared a negative story about their husband...So many were told of walking through tough times and seeing the strength of the men we married...We prayed together often for these men long before we even knew them...This weekend we rejoiced together that the Lord brought Tony, Richard, Mark, Mike and Koy as the answer to those prayers.

5. We spent many a night in college staying up talking and snacking on Rice Crispie cereal...we have definitely matured...we stayed up late on Friday with an actual "fountain of chocolate" dipping everything in it we could think of.

6. We have learned a weekend is too short to spend it acting like someone we are not. I love these weekends because I am always reminded of who I am without all the layers. We laugh together a lot...but there are always challenges of really? why do you feel that way? explain that? I love the realness that emerges.

7. It is great to realize that though life is changing us...the core of who you are and your God-given gifts remain the same...

I started trying to list off every roommate and all of their gifts, but I can share that with each of them rather than the world (or the 2 people that will actually read this). The point is this...I remember on a trip to Africa when I was a child I got lost at a marketplace. I was not gone long enough for anyone in my family to even know I was gone but being in a foreign land, with a foreign language being spoken and feeling seperated was terrifying. I remember the feeling of immediate peace when I saw my dad's head (He is 6'7) across the way. My dad was there I was safe.

My senior year in college my grandmother died...I was sad, exhausted, and altogether worn out from the day of visitation, funeral and everything that goes with it. I remember feeling lost in it all as I got out of the car for the burial. I vividly remember looking up and seeing my roommates - they had all driven to Weatherford to support me. The feeling of peace was immediate, the feeling of being secure in a friendship brought tears of thankfulness.

Each year when we come together each of us has experienced joys and pain, trials and victories...easy to get lost in it all...and yet the security of old friends brings a peace and a joy that is truly a gift from God. As I drove home on Sunday I wiped away those same tears of thankfulness. It was a wonderful weekend!

The latest on Payton

Just a few quick notes from the life of our Payton...I will not go into every last detail of his life as that is coming next week...Monday- Benjamin turns two...Saturday-Payton turns four. Hold onto your seats for the upcoming birthday posts.

We are practicing blowing out candles at every turn. I have become a master this week at sticking 4 candles in one chicken nugget. The boys want Happy Birthday sung at every meal "Just to practice"- NO problem- we are happy to do it!

Payton and Benjamin and I were eating at Chick-fil-a when Payton said, "Mom- you want to hear a secret...lean in close." I leaned in and he said, "You might just be the cutest thing in here." I laughed and said, "thank you" and he said, "Mom- I am serious."

Later as we were driving home they were playing with their new toys. Benjamin somehow managed (they are on opposite sides of the SUV) to get one of Payton's action figures and an argument broke out...Basically an argument consists of Payton asking Benjamin for something back and Benjamin screaming NO in a bloodcurdling scream over and over again. I told them that that was enough, we were nearly home and I would work things out, but until then, no talking until we get there...about 2 minutes later Payton said, "Excuse me Mom, Is it ok if I unbuckle myself and hit Benjamin?" at least he is polite even in violence...

Today Payton asked if he could watch Playhouse Disney- I told him No...he said, "Mom, trust me, its fun and educational."

Today Payton said he had a surprise for me in closet...I needed to walk into Benjamin's room and sit down. As I walked in he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Boys and Girls...I present to you, Your president, (He opens the door and Benjamin walks out of the closet) President Orange Bush." We're still working on that.

I leave tomorrow for our 10th (is that possible?) annual college roommate weekend! So excited! This is the first one in 4 years that someone has not brought a baby. BJ is due with their second (a boy) at the first of November. Mike is keeping the Stegemoller 3...Koy is keeping Reese...Richard is keeping Josh and the twins and Tony is going to be having a guys weekend with our boys...Payton loves explaining to me that that means I cannot come.

I will post some pictures when I return on Sunday!

Benjamin

In these pictures you get a glimpse of Benjamin and why he is not allowed to eat popsicles inside.

Everyone was playing outside the other day and we looked over and Benjamin had taken off all of his clothes and was sitting in the dog dish. Someone has tried to explain to me that he takes off all of his clothes and crawls into small spaces trying to recreate the womb...REALLY?! (said in my best, "I am trying to be respectful but you can't be serious voice.) Because I am sure the dog dish and the womb have striking resemblances...

For some added fun...my sister has added pictures of my boys on her blog. I love delighting in my children, but it is the sweetest joy to watch my family love on them as well.... Kelly and Randy have about a year left in Benin before they move back this way...Our boys anticipate their arrival (they are crazy about their cousins) more than any other event. It will be the sweetest of reunions! Check out http://rkvaughn.blogspot.com/

Our family would covet your prayers that Lael's adoption would proceed quickly. She cannot leave the country until she is official. She is more ours with every beat of our heart but the process is long as far as paperwork is concerned. Please join us in praying that the Lord woud allow all those involved to pursue the completion of this with a fervent heart. Kelly and Randy have done all of their part ..now we wait and pray.

FYI

I have been trying on and off to post some pictures and blogger is blocking me every time...so frustrating.

Until I can get some pictures up and running here are some words I wrote recently to a friend when asked about Benjamin.

"Benjamin will turn 2 next month on the 10th. He is an absolute delight. At about 5 months I told my mom..."Benjamin has a sparkle in his eye that looks like he is up to something...I wonder if that will hold true in his personality...." Well 18 months later it does. He is constantly on the move, not entertained by a video, would rather be dismantling something or tasting Tony 's aftershave or just trying to figure out a way to turn on the shower (he tries to rig a stepladder out of whatever he can get his hands on.) He also does not enjoy clothing, preferring nakedness...except for a navy blue pair of sandals that we cannot get off of his feet. I used to fight it....now I have decided at least he is cute and navy does seem to go with everything. :)

We are entering the stage where we are in a constant discipline mode. When we tell Benjamin no he seems to think that means, "Go ahead and do it, just do it with a smile all the while never looking away from your parents." He makes his brother laugh like no one else. They are loving playing with each other and do great until one of them tackles the other just for good measure. Then it is a full blown wrestling match...I believe I am starting to understand why I remember hearing my mom say, "You guys have got to learn to stop before someone gets hurt." They are boys loving to get dirty, roll around, jump off of high places and take a bath, and then find some mud and roll around some more. "

Hopefully soon I will have pictures to go along with this... To all my faithful readers :) There is more to come!

Stung by a Wiseman/ Watched by an Angel

Today Payton was stung by a wasp. There is a huge nest on the bottom of our slide (I obviously found it after this occurred.) The boys were playing on the slide when all of the sudden they were swarmed. I grabbed them both and ran but Payton had already been stung twice on the finger. I believe he has my flair for the dramatic...even after he stopped crying he would look down at his finger and say, "Oh...Help me....Help me, someone..." He keeps asking who hurt his finger, I reply "a wasp" to which he says, "a wiseman"...I have tried to correct him but he continues to tell people "A wise man stung me today." I am quite sure his Bible school teachers will be impressed...those guys have not gotten alot of press since they delivered their gifts to Jesus.

Yet another Payton story is that as we were reading his Bible (with pictures) the other night, we came to the page that has the angel sitting in front of Jesus tomb. Payton said, "That looks like that guy that is at Precious house." (Precious is what all of the grandkids call my mother.) My parents do not have angels hanging up anywhere in their home so I said, "I don't think there are any angels in Precious house." Payton replied, "He is not in the house, he is the backyard, he watches me and Benjamin while we play. He watched Bailey when she was here, we like him." I said, "Has he ever talked to you?" Payton said, "No, he does not talk he just runs beside us and smiles when we smile at him. He just makes sure we are ok."

I am so thankful Payton is ours...but even more thankful he is the Lords.

Looking for Some Good News?!

8 Years ago, we put my sister, her husband and my brand new niece on a plane to Benin, West Africa. It was one of the hardest, most emotional days of days of my life. However...news like this makes me look back at that day with different eyes...that day remains an emotional one in my memory, but is now a day I see as a turning point for a nation, a people many have never heard of...The Aja people are transforming into His image as they get word of a Savior who loves them, who died for them, who frees them from the fear of Voodoo, who has conquered all.

I am so thankful that they went, so thankful that they stayed...(there have been many hardships in the past 8 years). The Lord Has been and continues to be good! His Word goes forth!

http://rkvaughn.blogspot.com/

Read the May 21st report!

MAY 16th- what a day!

33 years ago today Tony Brooks entered the world. 7 years ago today we went on our first date. We were married 7 months and 2 days later.

I look forward to May 16th every year. It marks the start of the best season of my life. Falling in love with him was so great...waking up with a smile on my face before I even could remember why...applying at the same place to work because we really thought the only way life could get better was if we worked together...realizing the Lord's best doesn't require alot of debating, it is easy to recognize.

Being married has brought even more smiles, there is no one I laugh harder with than Tony...no one I would rather talk with, pray with, be with...He is it for me! I praise the Lord that 7 years ago the best part of my life began!

I celebrate this day each year with my whole heart. I am so thankful he was born! Happy Birthday Tony!

Best Day

Yesterday was a such a great one. We went downtown adn road the Forest park train. All four of the kids loved the experience and so did their moms and their Precious.

Tony and I recieved word from some dear friends about a precious baby girl that is fighting for her life in Dallas and would we pray for her?...All the time I was enjoying my life with my kids and our cousins I had Baby Eva in the back of my mind, pleading with the Lord for her life and for her family. As I grow older I am reminded of how life twists and turns goes up hill and down. The Lord is faithful through it all. I cling to Him remembering His ways are higher than mine. Much, much higher. I ache to see Him return. In the midst of a joyful life here on earth, we still are longing for the ultimate healing that will only be found in Him.

Benjamin gets a coke

Benjamin had his first coke yesterday. Needless to say, he loved it. Yet another needless to say, Tony was neither amused or accepting of the fact that I offered it to him. I am with Tony, (who is the most disciplined person to walk the planet by the way), However, it made for some cute pics.
This series of pictures made us laugh. We could not get the kid to put down his cup. He literally walked around the park with his face covered.

Emille, Mom and Brylee

My sister-in-law Emille is the best. I love laughing with her and talking with her. She is a great mom, great wife to my brother and a great friend to me. Every role she has she does well. It is a joy to watch her be a mom to Bailey and Brylee, who really are the cutest little girls.