Dance, Baby, Dance

So, you chose to strike this pose before entering ballet for the first time.

I simply love the way you are standing in this picture...

Mika, you are an absolute joy to all. You are spunky, energetic, feminine, nurturing, and extremely empathetic. I have to be careful about letting  you see others when they are mad and sad because your heart hurts for them and you will often cry for them. You sing and you dance ALL this time and right now you do some seriously "legit"moves. I am so excited for your ballet/tap/gymnastic endeavor. You thoroughly enjoyed gymnastics and told me ballet was your favorite...We shall see, we shall see!

These last two pictures, I thought, were adorable...Although a little blurry, you can still make out that beautiful pony-tailed girl.  I have seen many a verse in my Bible about dancing or leaping with joy, therefore, I will try and help make it an act of worship for Mika as she gets older!  There are many songs that refer to dancing that I love. One is called The Untitled Hymn: 
O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live
                                                                                              And another...I Can Only Imagine:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I
fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I LOVE YOU, Mika!! You make my heart sing and dance;)

Even in China, Anniversary #7

So, even from China you have managed to sweep me off my feet. 

I have been fully prepared to celebrate our seventh anniversary upon your return home on July 28th.  But, knowing how this day would be hard for me without you here to touch, you had a few tricks up your sleeve to ease the lonliness....

                   First: The Hair!                                    



Thursday while visiting with you online, Shelly text me and told me to come see her at 2:00. Somehow, you managed to arrange for me to get highlights and a cut. I sincerely appreciated this and absolutely love how it turned out. This was so thrilling especially because you said, "Get whatever you want done!" Awesome, I chose blonde.



I was so pumped about my hair, I felt so "preettyyy" It took Mady and Mika a minute to really like it, Mady has always had a problem with change and said, "Mom, will you just leave your hair one way, please?" Then she and Mika couldn't stop touching it...This was pretty funny and if someone had been peeking in the window, they would have thought, "What is with those weird kids..." Anywho, final concensus: EVERYONE loves it, thank you.

Next: Twirl



As if the hair wasn't enough...Friday morning I had awoken to a stupid crappy dream. I told you about it and instead of holding off until the actual anniversary, you decided to give me this gift early. You text me to go out to your truck and look under the  driver seat. There I found Twirl, my favorite perfume ever!!  You always find ways to smooth over my rough edges and I thank you for this.



I consider the fact that as I was having a bad dream, you were kiniving a way to make me feel special and loved, this goes to show one little attempt the devil made to try and steal the joy you had been planning for me.

The Perfect Finish: Seven Roses



Dad had insisted I come down for dinner on our actual anniversary. He said this was just so I wouldn't be alone on our special day. However, when I got to their house, there was a surprise on the table. 7 Roses representing our 7 years together...




Aren't they just beautiful? I feel so spoiled. You really know how to take the bittersweet out of the day. I could do nothing but smile.
The card read: I love you always.

You want to know what I love most about my gifts? I love the fact that you knew what I wanted because you listen to me. In the midst of my rambling on and on all the time, and the Lord knows I never shut up, YOU were listening. When I said I was ready for highlights in passing one day, you took a mental note. When I came home from getting your Father's Day cologne and couldn't stop sniffing the sample of Twirl and said how much I like it, you were listening. To any woman in the world, just knowing their man is listening is a gift all on its own.......I'd like to find words to say, that could truly represent my love for you. I mean, as I look back over the full 7 years we've been married, I can only recall that each year we have gotten stronger and become better friends as time passes. I thank God for this correlation of  as time< so does  love/friendship<  Like I told you in that text, July 24th, 2004 was a great bass fishing day for you, but your greatest catch of all was ME and vice versa. There is one aspect of your life that is always constant, among all the hardships and heartbreaks this one thing won't change, since 1999 Stacy Cossey has been somewhere in the mix of your life.  I always will be, so long as you will have me.  I want to journey this life hand in hand with you until we accomplish our dreams and are old and gray on the front porch swing watching the great grandbabies play in the yard.  I love you and will not just tell you this, you will know it by my actions.  I am so excited about this upcoming year and what the Lord has in story. 2010-2011 has been full of growth and blessing and we are learning to trust our Awesome God even more!

July 24th, 2004: The day I married my best friend







See You Soon, Daddy!! CHINA has our hero for a month:(

Daddy and His Sweet Loves at LR National Airport

So today, I watched the love of my life walk through security and leave us...To China he goes, on and adventure. Well, as much as he can squeeze in while working! I have a barrage of emotions occurring at the moment and to be real honest, I thought I was stronger. I thought I could send him off and magically turn off the fact that I NEED HIM to remain emotionally stable! I mean, I guess this whole idea of a soul mate is true...my soul is not complete and I'm having trouble maintaining my composure and this is DAY 1!  Seriously, Mika (3yrs) walks up and puts my face in her hands and says, "Momma, you are making me cry...please stop this, you are making me sad....Oh, I miss my Daddy!!!!" Mady cried and finally fell asleep...we are slightly lost! I know my heavenly Father must be disappointed in my weakness, but proud  that I place so much value in this relationship. I know it will get easier and many women face harder goodbyes and I thank my God that Chris is safe and protected and I declare that no weapon formed against him will prosper and that angels are charged on his behalf! And, I praise God that he had a plan for me so early when Chris and I crossed paths in 1999. I can honestly say that I had some strong emotions for him 12 yrs ago but today that has grown into full blown I WANT U, I NEED U, Don't want to wake up without you next to me LOVE!!

Might I add, that this has been hard on Daddy too. The many times he caught me squalling or when I couldn't hide that I had been squallin added to his hurt. Today, his nerves were shot and he needed to get ahold of his emotions a couple of times too. He did so good to not let Mady and Mika see his hurt and I am so proud of the man he is. As we ate dinner last night together we told him what we will miss about him most and then he did the same about us. He will miss Mika yellin "Daddy" when he walks through the door and for Mady it was all the pictures she makes for him and from both their toots and wrestling!! To me, he said my olive shaped eyes, the fact that I love to do his laundry, my ears, and how I rub his back... He choked up while telling us this and that is when I realized he was hurting too.

My Love, you are a strong man who never puts himself before others. You choose to work hard when others wouldn't and you are so good to us.  I cannot tell you enough that God in heaven rejoices in the Man you are. Hold your head up and never forget that your children adore you and will one day understand why you worked so hard all these years. I'm blessed to be your wife, I'm blessed to call you friend...

This is just a little series of couplets that describe my heart at the moment...I do know that this is a blessing and God will bring forth something great from this very trip and I trust that He provides so don't let my "poem" sway your thinking that I know this is a blessing, just in the moment, people question

Is it too late to take it back, to say I can’t watch you walk away

Is it too late to yell your name, and run to your arms the only place I am safe......

You tell me to be strong and I lie and say I will

But you are what I live for so you know I’m not for real.......

Recalling  you smile and hug me close, I hear just what you say

But right now without you here, this memory's too vague.........

I’ve always known I need you, but now I see how much

To see our daughters hurting, I think, what have I done??????

Did we do this all for money and the chance to move on up

Did I know what I was doing as I lifted this prayer up..........

I thought that I was stronger, that I could wave goodbye

The truth is you’re my hero and I’m not okay tonight….

They were so strong in the airport for their Daddy! I was so proud of all of us during this time:)

When we got to the truck, Mika asked, "Why isnt my Daddy driving/" When she realized we were leaving without him, the tears came....

Her heart was devasted...She kept saying, "I love my daddy, I'm gonna miss my daddy."

Her tears ripped my heart out and it is like their Daddy could sense their hurt because he text to check on them at this point.



Mady took this shot of Me and My Love (s).

Daddy has this to look forward to VERY soon:

One more family member who misses Poppa Bear:



Pink Panthers and Mady the Slugger

This is your glow after your first homerun of the season...I thought I was recording and after you touched homeplate I looked down and in my excitement I forgot to touch record!!

You seriously look mean when you get up to bat and I love it!! You know your good at strokin that ball when you hear folks in the crowd say, "There's our slugger..." when you get up to bat!

Madyson Elyse, I have seen your Daddy come out in you so much this softball season. You have such passion for competition and display such a love for your sport. I'll tell you, when you strike out or get out, tears just roll from your eyes. This makes my heart smile because I do not know what it feels like to love a sport like this. But, your Daddy does! And, because of it, he went to college on a scholarship. I am so proud of your dedication and the smile on your face when youv'e worked hard at the game. You are so determined at such a young age and I know God is using and is going to use this trait that makes you so special.

One of your homeruns!! So good to see you hustle:) At one of your games, Mamaw Connie and Papaw Verlon, Nanna and Poppi were at, you hit your first grand  slam....It was priceless!

Easter!

The Easter Bunny hooked Mady up with art supplies and Mika up with a Rapunzel dress!

Oh, the joys of dying Easter eggs:) Mika had a bit of a panic attack when the dye would not come off of her hands. She ran around hollering, "Help! It won' come off, It won't come off!" A little baking soda did the trick!

Finished product: food coloring worked wonders!

We started today off the day with you girls sitting and listening to the letter from the Easter Bunny which explained why Easter is so special. You both know the true meaning and we have celebrated this for several days. It was yucky after church but Mamaw and Papaw always know how to make it fun! Dinner was great and hunting eggs with Thomas in the rain made the day feel complete. Nana and Poppi went out of their way to make you girls feel special as they always do. They got you Easter goodies and some new clothes. We are so thankful for the family who loves and supports us and pray that we, as your parents, will bring as much joy to our future grand-babies.

I am watching my daughters grow so much and at times it is hard to handle. Every stage has been equally beautiful but if I could just slow down the clock. I'm so proud of their Daddy, he is growing in his understanding of Lord in a way that he never has before. I see excitement in his eyes as we learn new scripture and March 19 he chose to pick out a Bible for himself (one moment I have prayed for for years). I feel so blessed to be his wife. He works so hard so that we are taken care of and so that I can take care of everything at home. This has been one blessed year as we have called upon the Lord and I want to shout it out. This life that I live is all because Jesus died and rose again and I choose to believe Him!

sidenote: education

An artist is never really ready to finish a painting; they feel as if there is always more they could do… In the same way, our whole goal in education is to create life-long learners; this means creating students that are never finished learning. To begin my analogy, students act as a blank canvas. They come to school ready to absorb whatever “colors” (lessons) are brushed upon them. Every canvas has a bit of texture; this texture is equivalent to background knowledge and experiences the students’ house. The painter (teacher) comes before the canvas with an image in mind (their goals based on Student Learning Expectations). Before the painter is ready to use her paintbrush (research-based lesson delivery method), she makes sure all her supplies are accessible. Her easel (community) provides strength and a foundation from which she can work. The rinse station (Department of Education) is the basis for maintaining a clean workspace and clean utensils (clean record, licensure upkeep). An artist must have a supply tray (superintendent and principal) for utensils that may be needed while working (professional development, latest technology, feedback on observations). As the painter chooses what colors (lesson) she will display, she must have a palette (curriculum coordinator); as a palette houses the colors the painter is using, so does the curriculum coordinator house helpful information regarding lessons and how to best meet SLEs. The painter chooses her brush (delivery method), and with each mark onto the canvas, the color (lesson) changes it. In every stroke of the brush authentic learning is occurring, rearranging and reshaping what once was there. Along the way, the painter may have to use a color shaper (special needs strategies) to bring forth understanding and form. And, there are times when paint razors/knives (enrichment) must be placed upon the canvas to give depth to the image. Once the canvas is full of color and the painter’s image(SLE) is impressed, it can then be framed and this desired product is metaphorical to that of a school’s curriculum, where experiences, goals, and key players come together to “fill-up” what once was a blank canvas.

Happy 7th Birthday, Madyson Elyse!!

2/19/2011 (NanaNette's surprise party)

Precious Mady,

I woke you up this morning and explained just where I was in the process of giving birth to you this time seven years ago. I also explained how cool it is that God chose me to be your mom and have the privilege of helping you discover the gifts He placed within you. We talked about the fact that the very God who created heaven and Earth also created you. There was something missing in the world and He equipped the one and only you to cease it. GOD made you for himself. Anytime you begin to feel small in the world just remember that...You were made BY God FOR God and that is no small thing!!
I love you and have enjoyed every minute of the last seven years, God really knew what He was doing with this whole motherhood thing:)
Here are a couple of things I pray over you daily:

• charge angels to protect you in the name of Jesus, build up a hedge of protection
• plead Jesus's blood over each of us and our home
• great is the peace of my children
• NO weapon formed against you will prosper
• many are your days on the earth
• by His wounds you are healed
• you'll find a man who already has blessing and he will love you second only to God and overflow with the fruits of the Spirit because he love his heavenly father
• there is divine favor upon your name
• wisdom will guide me and daddy to lead you the right way, you'll be wise
• you will listen when the Holy Spirit speaks
• EVERYTHING you set your hands to do will prosper

It's been Awhile!

2-19-11

It's March and flowers are in bloom... I'll have to catch up on what's been happening in our world in these next few posts!

To start, I just have to tell you that at these ages, you are both so very precious.

Madyson, I watch as you are growing in your understanding of our Heavenly Father and you'll never know the joy my heart feels to see you raise those hands during praise songs. You are so beautiful and I pray that me and Daddy have wisdom to guide you down the path that God has planned for you. Recently, your teacher came to me with a tear in her eye explaining you special you really are... When she asked your 1st grade class how we should treat our friends you answered with..."We should treat them with the fruits of the spirit." Your classmates were uncertain what this was, so Mrs. Sutterfield prompted you to share them...you DID and you said all nine, then helped explain them! Talk about the Word not returning void:) I'm so happy that you were there to initiate that conversation and so was your teacher...And so was one parent that was visiting your class that day. Did you know, she sent me text message telling me that you really touched her, how you knew those words and really felt 'em,  and that me and Daddy must be doing something amazing by you...I told her how blessed we are to call you ours and she responded, "Well, she was definitley a blessing for me yesterday." You are always touching someone's life, Mady, remember that.

Mika, Where to start? Child you are so full of energy. At the moment, you REALLY enjoy sleeping late. You get up between 9:30-10:30 am. As soon as your feet hit the floor, you're truckin it to the playroom with speed to get to those Barbies! You are particular about the clothes they wear and the charatcers you create are hilarious. You thoroughly enjoy preschool library day at the Faulkner County library and I love it too. I would not trade these days I have with you for anything! I'm watching you jump on the trampoline and laugh hysterically as Woody runs his track in the yard...Your laughter is like water to the seeds of my happiness.

Their Spiritual Sides...Mika and gifts? Mady reaching the lost.

Mika, already using the gifts of the Spirit, I believe so!

Mika, eating at Cici's on one of our "After-Library" dates

It all started one afternoon on a carride to the Redbox. I got out to return a dvd and when I returned, I began chatting with the girls about our day. Suddenly I looked over to Madyson who was choking (badly, I knew wasn't responding to my questions for awhile). She had tears rolling from  her face and could not speak, her hands were pointing to her throat. As I'm in the turn lane at a stoplight, I began BEATING her back. I'm freaking out...after pounding for what seemed like 3 minutes she vomited the devil's peppermint up. See, while I was out she had found a peppermint and put it in her mouth...I didn't even know what was in her mouth. After catching her breath, she cried hysterically, "Momma, Momma, I should have listened to Mika...Momma, Mika told me not to put that candy in my mouth, she said it was just for grown-ups...I should have listened to Mika..."
         Mika, somehow, you knew and you tried and I am soooooo happy that you chose to tell her, you did a good job!

Next, it was Church Day! I had on a certain pair of shoes that you absolutley insisted I not wear...I'd never had to wear them without socks like this day. You went and got  me new shoes and simply would not stop til I switched. So, it was a great day, feet were fine, UNTIL, I chose to run to Wal-Mart in the shoes you insisted that I not wear. My 30 minute trip to town in those shoes you warned against resulted in gaping bloody blisters that really hurt...I should have listened to you, Mika.
     I'm starting to see a pattern...looks like we need to listen to precious Mika more often!

Finally, I had taken you to the doctor because of some yucky crusty eyes and a snotty nose. You were great, you enjoy tripsand  it is really hard for the doctor to leave you once you get to talking. As we were getting ready to check out, you walked straight up to one receptionist and said, "Do you have a husband?" She responded, "No, not anymore" You continued, "Where is you husband at?" The lady said, with a tear, "He just went to heaven hunny, he died." All I could say was, "I wonder what made her choose you to ask that question, she has never asked anyone about their husband before...Strange."
        Mika, they say kids are more sensitive to the spirit world and I believe you proved that! I asked you if you saw her husband and you said he had brown hair, brown eyes, and a gray and red shirt on...Whether this was make believe or not, there was something that drew you to that woman with that question in hand.

I love the little child you are growing into, even though it is happening too fast! I pray that God gives me the wisdom to help you develop in all area's He has called you. You are beautiful!

Mady receiving her Good Listener Award (since Jan, you have also received star student, student of the month, and caught being good awards) So proud of the girl you are!

Ya know, you make me really proud? As if sharing the fruits of the spirit with the class, helping your teacher explain them, and receiving the text from the mom whose life you touched because of it, didn't make me smile enough...you've taken it to another level. You came home from school a little sad and told of a girl calling you a name... You responded by saying, "I'm not a dork, I'm made in the image of God!" And that settled that. Then you were so happy because you helped a mean boy out (I subbed, so I concur, he was mean) His friends were running off and leaving him on the playground and you could tell he was hurting so you told him that he should never be sad because he was made in the image of God and he could play with you if he wanted. I love that you chose to meet his need. You are a great girl!  You cracked me up a few nights back though. You THOUGHT you could have behaved better while we were at the gym and I found you in your room crying, holding your Bible...you already know the KEY to changing you world! And one day, when you were in trouble I asked you who you were serving, you said "myself" I then said who are you here to serve and you said "God."  I'm glad we know this at the age of 6...Now my prayer is for wisdom to develop/encourage this understanding so it continues on.