Reinventing the Holidays

Now that the kids are older, our holiday seasons are different. Well, this mama is not ready to give up the family fun!! I realize they are too old to celebrate things the way we did when they were younger. Too often, I think people just quit rather than change or grow with situations at home, work, school, sports, church, etc… Hagertys don't quit!

Obviously my teens can do more on the serving side of things now, but we still need the festive side too! So here's how I "updated" our fall celebration!

This was the first year everyone was out of the "trick- or– treating" in the square phase and we weren't involved with a Judgment House Ministry. Outside of serving in our church's fall event, we still needed some family festivity!

Hagerty Halloween was born. It began with a big pot of Homemade Mexican Vegetable Soup, chips and queso! Followed by everyone carving (yes, I turned them loose with knives and closed my eyes) their own pumpkins, a bonfire with marshmallow roasting and apple cider. It was an evening at home with the family that ended with pumpkin pie (by request).

I sent them to school today with a special fall lunch that I think they were all excited about. Tonight, we'll be hanging out at home, handing out treats, eating pizza, and watching a "scary" movie…. E.T.

 

 

 

 

The weekend is full of team events, band performances, and taking college tours. They'll sleep in a little later on Sunday and I'll get them up for Bible study and worship. I want to make sure they continue to be on God's team.   I'll be tired but I'm glad we could squeeze in the fun. I'm thankful they enjoy our family time, each other, serving together, and that they put up with their parent's desire to grow with them. Our prayer is that when they leave home, they have learned to be content in all things, to not fear change, and to continue to put God first while keeping it real and having fun.

A Word From the Lord

This summer has been drastically slower than previous years but we've spent the least amount of time together than in years past.  I guess it's due to everyone being older and able to go off and do things on their own.  It seems we are always splitting up and going different directions.

Today, I was lamenting to the Lord about how little time I had left with the kiddos and how fast time seemed to be running out.  I even posted on Facebook that this time thing just isn't fair!

 

I sat down for my quiet time.  I'd been reading through 1 Chronicles and then later in Matthew.  Then it happened.  I felt my Holy Spirit tug at me to see what kind of video Beth Moore might have on YouTube.  Crazy, I know.  But that is so far from my normal.

So here's where it got interesting!  The first video of hers I came to was one entitled

"Beth Moore- Passion 2014"

I thought, well I do love the Passion Conference!  Let's check that out.  I was so shocked as the video began and her subject was TIME. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8QkuRL5ikg

 

 Like a jolt, I realized that I was looking at this time thing (the anxiousness) all wrong.   I've been thankful for the four blessings God allowed me to train all along and becoming anxious that time was running out, but all of a sudden I was more focused on keeping them all mine.  All mine they were never meant to be!  Not to mention the revelation that time is not running out but coming!  It's not fleeting but running towards the event for which all time was created for.

As I meditated on the things God showed me today, I began to realize that we can't just stay all together in our own little world.  We (even the Hagertys) have to spread out and continue to impact the world for Christ.  That is what our time was created for.  And Praise the Lord, time is winding up- not down.  We are running towards His return.

In my old testament reading, He reminded me that every person's part is important- that's why every name is listed that did any little thing.  In my new testament reading, He revealed to me that even though I knew to love Him most and even thought I did, my heart had deceived me.
I end this post knowing that every single morning, we are closer to seeing the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The anxious time thing- is for His return!  I must keep focused on Him and fight the good fight. I love my family, but I love Jesus more. 

 



So what were the signs??

A type 1 diabetes diagnosis was not a welcome addition to our Mother's Day Celebration.
Being the ever positive mom, I was certain there would be another explanation for Tommy's high blood sugar when we visited our family doctor. 

How it all began:

We picked him up from a "sleep over" on Saturday morning and were told he drank some juice and vomited.  Of course he was acting fine and didn't have stomach bug symptoms.  He was tired all day and we just assumed he was worn out from the sleep over.  On Sunday, he was uncharacteristically grumpy, quiet, and tired still.  We went to church where he still just was not his normal self.  After lunch at Honey's (grandma), we were all back home and sitting around in the living room.  Tommy got up to get a glass of water.  He gulped it down and went for another. And another, and another.
It was then all the pieces started to fall together.  People had mentioned in the last week that he seemed to have lost a lot of weight.  We checked his sugar and as much as we wished it not so... it was very high.  Careful monitoring all night and a visit to our doctor in the morning confirmed diabetes. 
We are thankful that we recognized the signs, had a meter to check, and a family doctor that saw us right away and got him to the best medical place around.  He was only hospitalized for one day and home just in time to attend honor's day!

 

We are also thankful for family friends that have been a blessing to our entire family.  Having experienced the same situation with their own family, they were  a huge support.  We thank God for putting them in our lives.  Our children collectively refer to themselves as the Hagewards.

 

If you keep up with this blog, you know that our family has had quite a few transitions this year.  The song I hear my heavenly father sing over me the most has been one of being under construction.  It's been a dusty mess around here, but praise Him, He makes beautiful things out of dust. 

In the midst of this storm, He has provided a new job for me.  It's exactly what we've been praying for.  An opportunity to multiply our influence for Him and stay within the same hours my children are in school, leaving me available for them in the afternoons.  

Thank you for your prayers.  Continue to pray as we learn to meet Tommy's new needs. 

It's a challenge, but we are so thankful for our faithful God. 

So what are you doing now???

The question I hear all the time now. 
So, Amanda, now that you've retired, what are you doing? 
I don't mind the question, but it's been kind of hard to answer.  I've given in to the terminology that I've retired, because it is apparently the only palatable answer people will accept. 

Anyone that really knows me, knows that my family has always been my priority.   But we have enjoyed my being home more often and back to being the full time homemaker I had been before taking a full time ministry position.

I spent the first couple of months repainting our home's interior and just sprucing everything up while praying, and waiting, and praising Him for what's to come. 

I spent a month filling out numerous job applications and sending out resumes.  Praying and waiting and praising Him for what's to come.

We've been camping, hiking, partying, entertaining, and praying, waiting, and praising Him for what's to come. 

While I'm waiting.... I've been babysitting some during the day, assisting with a friend's home business, subbing and continuing to search and apply for positions.  Yes, there have been opportunities, just not the right ones- yet.  So we continue waiting, praying, and praising Him for what's to come. 

In the meantime, life has never been busier.  I thought 4 preschoolers was challenging, but 4 middle and high schoolers ranks right up there.  It's not as mentally exhausting but can be physically exhausting while leaving you with your head spinning.  I am actually thankful to be at home right now as sometimes I feel they need me as much now as they did when they were preschoolers. 



Soccer Team

Registering for Junior Year

So....., that's what I'm doing now.  Just trusting God will provide while waiting, praying, and praising Him for what's to come.

Morning Madness

It's not something saved just for tween/teen families.  Families of all stages experience it. 
So...if you know it's coming, why not prepare for it?  To get our Hagertys Hustling, we follow some long established rules.  Oh they are broken plenty of times, but when followed :) everything goes much smoother. 

Before Bed:  Pack lunch, pick out clothes, pack sports bag and snack for after school activities
(All of this hinges on if mom has done her part- bought the groceries, washed the clothes, appointed snacks)

I prefer to provide a homemade breakfast for my gang.  No sugary cereal/pop tarts if possible.  That requires me to get up a little earlier but it's a  sacrifice I'm willing to make to make sure I set them up for a successful day.  But I love to do breakfast ahead when possible, especially for a busy week.  Today, Daddy was home and cooked up a huge batch of pancakes.  Yay for many days! 
They can't be eaten in one day so freeze 'em! 

 I stack them up with wax paper in between each one.

Then wrap them tightly in foil and drop in a freezer bag. 

Each morning, a few can be removed and microwaved for a minute or more and breakfast is served.

Add some fresh fruit and milk/juice and you're set!

 

 

I love serving my family as I know God has called me to do.  I know He also calls me to serve in my local church and community.  I don't intend to allow the things He has blessed me with (whether that be children, weekend retreats, boats, or other things) to serve as excuses not to serve. 

Setting boundaries, being organized, and keeping first things first is the secret to success.

Celebrting Dr. Seuss' Birthday with Egg Rolls- of Course!

One thing we Hagertys LOVE to do is celebrate! 

We (all of us) decorate, participate, and plan for the next one.

With Dr. Seuss' Big Day coming up....

I decided to cook up and flash freeze some egg rolls for their lunches next week.

You may be wondering... how do egg rolls fit in with Dr. Seuss???

Easy, if you are accustomed to Hagerty Logic as we call it!

 

They will eat them in the car

They will eat a bunch

They will eat them at the bar

They will eat them for lunch!

 

I can see Savanna's eyes rolling now.

 

There's been a big gap in the blog.  It's been really busy.  We've had some major events that have demanded our attention.  But as always, still thankful for each member of this crazy family and doing our best to keep first things first.

With Easter coming up (you know we're planning our party) we've agreed to read through the entire New Testament together during March and April.  We are looking forward to preparing our hearts to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  Why don't you join us?