Peyton's brain.

The 3 Dudes (aka The 3 Doods-- symantics)
I have a funny feeling that these guys are NOT nice.

Agh! Aliens.

Making it to the moon.

You [must] get past the sun first.

But beware of the aliens that might just capture you and suspend you in a cage over a fire and boiling lava.
They're a tough crowd.

Worn out and relaxing beside his masterpiece.
{you can do that here in December}

I guess Peyton isn't worried about the boiling lava. *shrugs*

His Goodness Never Fails

Some of you know that we have a been in an epic battle for Peyton's health. What started out as some wheezing about two or three times a year when he would pick up a respiratory infection, has morphed over the past two months to a round-the-clock regimen of breathing treatments, oral steroid doses and lots and LOTS of prayer. Nothing breaks my heart more than knowing the pain that Peyton feels and seeing him strive so hard to control all of the frustration and irritation caused by sleepless nights and his aching body. What a terribly helpless feeling.

For some reason, the house that we moved into when we came to Texas seems to be a culprit. We know that Peyton is allergic to dogs, dust and mold-- especially (and most significantly) mold. We live one block from a lake in a home that was built in the late 60's. Unfortunately we highly suspect that mold is lurking somewhere and silently attacking our little guy. What is acceptable to the rest of our family, wreaks havoc on Peyton. Because of this (and because what parent WOULDN'T move heaven and earth to keep their little one safe and secure), we had to find another place to move.

Moving meant breaking our lease. Ugh. We adore the owners of the house that we rent. They love Jesus. We love Jesus. We respect each other, and I want God to prosper them richly. And the last thing that we wanted was to leave them without a renter. But, at the same time, we needed to get Peyton out of there-- like yesterday.

So we found another house and got it secured. But we needed to find new renters for the house we were in. We tried. And nothing. No bites. I mean, seriously, in the most sought-after community near Lindale? What was going on? I was losing my hope. My faith was strong, but my hope felt gone.

Finally, yesterday morning I stood in the shower, and I simply surrendered. Surrendered Peyton. Surrendered my circumstances. Confessed that I have been allowing my peace to come from the perfect outcome rather than the perfection of the Orchestrator himself. My stress takes a toll on my health, my family and even *gasp* my faith (even though I don't always recognize it). And yesterday, I couldn't do it anymore. I just let go of it. And I asked my Daddy to come to my rescue.

And He did. My God rode on a white horse yesterday afternoon. Our friends-- the owners of our house-- called to tell us that they had spent time praying about what to do, and they knew that they were supposed to simply release us from our lease effective IMMEDIATELY. They are going to do some work to the house that needs done. My heart is still overflowing with gratitude and thankfulness. That picture of Peyton sleeping a sweet peaceful sleep up above, my prayer is that we will get moved into the other house over the next week-- and that Peyton will sleep in sweet peace again. I believe that there will be no more fitful nights with two or three rounds of breathing treatments just to open his lungs in the middle of the night. And most of all, I believe this: Psalm 4:8 "[Peyton] will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make [him] dwell in safety."

I sit here and weep. Because I'm thankful. Because I'm exhausted. Because I understand just a little bit of what some of my other sweet momma friends have gone through with their children (things I have never before fully understood). I'm too drained to go back and edit this post. If it's disjointed, oh well. It's all I can muster at the moment.

But the praise report was too important not to share. I love you guys!

Friendship for Grownups by Lisa Whechel

A copy of the book Friendship for Grownups by Lisa Whelchel (also known as "Blair" from the 80's sitcom The Facts of Life) arrived for my review at the end of April...just as we were packing up and shipping out of Indiana. Not quite ready to dive in to a new book, this gem sat patiently on my shelf until I opened it up one evening in June when all was silent around my house and all of my loves were tucked cozily in their beds.>

Let me just tell you, I could not put this book down that night. I sat in the recliner and tears streamed down my face. To say that I could relate would be an understatement. I even picked up my laptop and wrote a very heartfelt email to a friend. If you have ever felt just a little bit uneasy about the dynamics of genuine friendship, then this book is so worth your time. I will probably read through it again just to pick out some of the scripture and other literary references for my own quest into intimacy within friendship.

Lisa shares, quite poignantly, "Isn't that what we all want? To be seen, in all our glory, for better or for worse, the good, the bad, and the ugly and still be embraced?"

I do. I want to be loved for me...with all of my flaws...and with all of my strengths.

I've failed my friends in the past. And I've been failed by friends-- but that doesn't make me want to lie down and quit. I want to love more. Love bigger. Love stronger. And Love harder.

In any case, Lisa shares her own stories-- with raw vulnerability-- and I could relate. It was a breath of fresh air. In fact, knowing that she lives just an hour-and-a-half away, it makes me want to give her a call and invite her out for lunch. ;) Doesn't that sound lovely?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”