I really want to say “kicking my butt” but I thought that might bring an ugly comment from my mom—yet it describes what is happening at my house!  We have 2 new foster children, ages 2 and 1—coming from no structure, no discipline, and no attachment–yeow!!!  They have been here a month and they are getting better, but I keep having flashback to the twins who were nearly my undoing!!!  It’s a good thing they are so cute!!!  Wish I could post  pictures of their cute faces, but that’s against the old privacy rules–you just have to trust me!

If you see me and I have that haggard look, you will know they are still kicking!!!

It’s official — the octomom is insane!  Jon and Kate are completely nuts!!  I know this for sure!!!  This weekend I was the primary caregiver for 4 children — 3 years and younger—two boys (foster children) and two girls (friends children)!!  It was almost like having two sets of twins!  It was hard—Wray was home Saturday and Sunday which was lots of help!!

I usually don’t think it’s so tough to have lots of kids in my house—maybe I’m just getting too old to try to entertain them all day and hope everyone sleeps all night!

It was pretty entertaining though to watch everyone staring at us and wondering what on earth we were doing!!  We got lots of stares at the McDonalds playground, but we did have the best kids in the whole place –must have been jealousy!!!!

I have never been to Haiti, but I really want to go.  It’s an incredibly poor country and I think the opportunities for ministry are tremendous there.  I would love to go and try to add a little laughter to the lives of the children there–after the recent earthquake, it seems that there is great need in Haiti.  As I look at the news and see the devastation, it seems really unbelievable.

While I was in Kenya several years ago, they were experiencing little earthquakes.  We never felt anything, but were totally blown away when the news media there said that a big earthquake would devastate that huge city because the buildings were so poorly constructed.  We saw builders holding up sides of buildings with sticks waiting for the cement to dry.  I am sure Haiti’s construction is much the same.  We need to be praying hard for the people of Haiti, not only now but for years to come.

I have to admit that I am glad 2009 is over!!  It was a tough year for the Rives family, but yet there were so many blessings also!  Wray lost his job in January, but was able to find work in March–bad news/good news.  His new job doesn’t pay much, but God has continued to provide for us through out the year —bad news/good news!  Wes graduated from Texas A&M and has a great job with Spring –good news/good news!  Jacob is doing great at Texas State and will graduate in December 2010–more good news!  Josh and Mindy continue to be able to work at jobs they love — still more good news!  I love my job and we constantly get to welcome sweet foster children in our home–yet more good news!

I guess when you sit down and consider all I have to be thankful for, 2009 was not so bad!  I hope 2010 will be another great year!  This year I resolve to count my blessings daily!!!

This was our very first year to spend Christmas in Coppell.  We usually go to Houston to spend it with my family.  Although we missed being with the Winters clan, we had a terrific Christmas. 

It is amazing what you can learn from children!  Last Friday night I had another babysitting night to raise money to go to Zambia—and here is what I learned:

1. Polly Pockets are really little pieces.  Even when you think you have put everyone away, there is still a little tiny piece stuck somewhere!

2.  It is possible for one child to play Rock Band for 4 straight hours!!!

3.  The Indiana Jones handheld game (I think it’s PSP) has camels that when you click on them they fart!

4.  One little girl listened to the radio where they told about a girl who was “jumping on a  trampoline and wasn’t paying attention so she fell and her face fell off”.   That must have hurt!

5.  Peanut butter fudge is not as much fun as rolling out cookies then icing them!

Good times!!!  I can’t wait until this Friday!!

I had put off signing up for Camp Life 2010 –not because I didn’t want to go, but because I was torn about when to go!!  I love going for week 8!!!  I love all the people who go for week 8!!!  This year I am going week 3 which is June 10-June 20.  The reason I’m changing is because Josh and Mindy will be there at that time—they are going in May and staying for about 6 weeks!  Nothing  is better than watching your children serve the Lord, so I’m headed out week 3!!  I’m looking forward to making new friends too!  Carolyn is praying about going — ya’ll pray with me that she is lead to Zambia this year!  My prayer partner and children with me in Zambia —-AWESOME!!!!!

Okay mom, here goes!!!  I have not written in so long because they changed the format of my blog, and with my very limited technical knowledge …I haven’t been able to do it!   My mom has been after me to try again so here goes—–

This last Friday night I did a babysitting fundraiser.  I am raising money so that I can go back to Zambia this summer.  We will need our monies earlier this year because the World Cup in South Africa is messing with a lot of the flights.  I decided to do Christmas babysitting to help out parents and to get to spend time with some great kids doing fun  holiday things.  Last Friday I had 13 children–we made cookies and iced them–yum!!  We made some ornaments, watched Merry Madagascar, and played with the dog.  It was a great time!!  I am doing it for 2 more Friday nights and I can’t wait!  I hope the children are having as much fun as I am!!

Wray and I joined Josh and Mindy with her dad and family in Colorado.  Billy, Mindy’s dad, has a wonderful house in Buena Vista, Colorado.  The weather was gorgeous, the Aspens were breath taking and the mountains were spectacular— God did some of His best work there!  We saw chipmunks, deer and elk!  Mindy took some great pictures and I’ll put those up as soon as I can figure out how!

It’s a good thing it was cool today or I may have just headed right back!!!!

Preschool starts tomorrow and I am so HAPPY!!!  I love the beginning of the year when the rooms all look so fresh and clean.  I love all the new little faces that will be coming in the door, and all the parents who will be rushing out the door.  It’s going to be a great 2009 beginning at Vista Ridge Methodist Discovery Preschool!!!