From Problems To Peace
Romans 5:1-5
Day 180

October 31, 2013

Team Zybko

My quiet time this morning lead me gently by the hand into Romans chapter 5. The first five verses are rich and full of goodness. So good I could actually park it right here in my big green Bible on page 1294 for weeks and never get tired of it.
I just may do that to enjoy the flavor of these words. Sinking my teeth into it's message a little deeper everyday, chewing on chapter 5 like a piece of turkey jerky. Sounds like a plan. 

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward forward to sharing God's glory. 

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 

We must believe with our whole heart.

Faith is an amazing thing.

Our Problems

develop

Endurance 

which

Strengthens Character

which

Strengthens Hope

which  

brings Peace and Joy!

Tega Cay Fall Festival

Halloween Confession

Day 179

October 30, 2013

(Happy Birthday Bryson)

Team Zybko

Here is my confession of the year. I am a Halloween buzz kill. Halloween is my least favorite holiday, there I said it. I don't do scary, I really don't get the whole thing. Plus, I am way too lazy to go all out with costumes and decorations for the house. Maybe cause I can barely keep up with the house any other day of the year and I the only thing I care to dress up as is a sloppy soccer mom. Yea, that's what I will be this year. A yoga pant wearing, messy bun, Milky Way eating soccer mom. Sweet! Speaking of candy, the one thing I do love about Halloween is candy corn. Although a few years ago I ate part of a leftover bag I found while hiding the Valentines candy and it pulled out my gold crown. So even this Halloween relationship is iffy at best. 

This past Saturday we found ourselves with a free few hours of October sunshine so off we went to Tega Cay. An open to the public fall festival with free pumpkins, all you can ride rides, local vendors, hayrides and a cheesy costume contest. All kids were winners and given a goody bag. I secured the 3 bags of candy while my Super girl, Army soldier and cute nerd performed like circus animals for the crowd. I gave them their participation prize right after picking out my favorite chocolate all the candy corn of course. I hear it's bad for their teeth. I do what I can.

The Tree

A Poem By Mother and Son

Day 178

October 29, 2013

Team Zybko

The Tree

I spotted the perfect tree today

I was positive for sure it was destiny

perhaps it was planted just for me

I said, Mom! Mom! Can we go see?

I have to climb it.

PLEASE....PLEASE....PLEASE

When we got there, it was bigger than I had originally thought

almost reaching and touching the bright blue sky

it was way taller than daddy, bigger than a house

looking up at it's glory I felt as small as a mouse

No problem, no way, I can't back out now

considered a challenge for any little boy

I will do it, I had to, I could just feel it

it was my tree to climb, it will be a joy 

Brave and strong nothing could stop me

taking my time as I started on up

Breath....Breath....Breath

slowly I climbed not in a rush 

carefully seeking foot holes for my Nikes to hide

You can do it Buddy! I hear from below

My mom thinks I can, she helps build me up

by far, hands down my biggest fan

its tiny branches catch me off guard

baby thorns got me bad, scratching hard on my back

Determined and focused I don't back off

by far better than school, my day is looking up

I breath, I step, I shimmy and hold

before I know it I have reached the tippy top

My moms now nervous her cheering is gone

That's good Drex! No more, that's far enough

ok mom, all-righty, whatever you say

don't tell her but I totally agree

I was high as a kite, time to come down

back to real life with my fears on the ground

I'll finish it off with a trick just for her

the least I can go, ya know give her a show

what can I do, what is my plan

the finale should be spectacular, perfect and grand

swing like a monkey, yea that's the way to go

one handed and silly to bringing it to a close

For the first few seconds all goes well

until my dirty sweaty boy hands and fingers let go

my grip is pretty iffy as I fear the worst

my mom doesn't like it she may have just cursed

No problems, no worries, no broken bones here

alternating hands and switching gears

using my abs and the strength I have left

tucking my knees to prepare for the rest

With the wind on my face as I fly to the ground

I think to myself......how could life get any better than this

DOWN.....DOWN.....DOWN 

a few seconds later all is ok

my feet are flat on the soft green grass

No medal or money as a prize do I win

only a big fat smile received with a grin

plus a momma bear hug and some encouraging words

GREAT JOB, I'M PROUD OF YOU SON

thanks mom I love you....can I do it again?

Family Portrait A La Crayola

Day 177

October 28, 2013

Team Zybko

I may need to think about getting a new home school art teacher, as one could really have a field day picking apart this family portrait. I will check the yellow pages tomorrow, but now, as the mother of the young artist, I give her an A plus plus plus. Grading on a curve of course, extra points are given for La La's lack of artistic gene pool, from my side at least. She can't help that and sorry mom and dad but ya know it's true. Nothing there, nada, zilch, big fat zero. I'd like to say we are better at creating verbal art instead, coming from a long line of talkers is quite an honor. Although I will say the smiley faces drawn with love on approximately 8 billion brown lunch bags through the years were terrific mom. I give you an A plus plus plus too mommy, mostly so you will pick up my call tomorrow or at least text me back after reading this.

Keeping these priceless pieces of crayola art just isn't practical. If you saved them all you would need a storage unit or one of those cool pod container things parked out in your front yard. That may get a little pricey and upset the neighbors just a bit. So instead, many of them get ditched in the kitchen trash, sent off to relatives or proudly live out their short lives front and center on the door of the fridge. This one is different though, a keeper for sure and I will tell you why. I love love love how she drew me. No not the big ole crazy eyes or the pink and blue dress similar to the one hanging in my closet that she tells me to wear every. single. day. of. my. life. I try and explain I have no shoes to match but she wants no excuses. I am surprised my fashion advisor didn't even give me shoes in the picture. Actually no one even has feet for shoes. Mental note, remember to find out about available art classes in my area. Anyway, the real reason I love it is the way I'm leaning into Baby Daddy. I won't bore you but this warms my pink crayola polka dot heart. La La must notice how close I always wanna be to her daddy, I want to lean in even when it's not the right time. My mind leans toward him when he is at work or on the other side of the soccer field. She sees that. STOP. WAIT. I am totally looking too deep into this. Who am I kidding, half her brothers and sisters  don't even have arms or noses. Bummer, it was just an accident we look so cozy. Oh well, it's still a keeper. I may even buy a frame, right after I buy pink heels.      

Sweet Sisters and Michael Buble Sweat

Day 176

October 27, 2013

Team Zybko

I had to get a picture before they were finished getting ready and all doodled up, Baby daddy and I were heading out to our own date night. Not a Michael Buble concert but alone lovey time never the less. This picture makes me smile, I am a bit partial to the natural look but that's not why. What I see is natural, natural excitement. Delaney on her way to her first real concert with her favorite big sister and big sister taking her under her wing to finally see a dream artist of her own. A Saturday night music bonding match made in heaven. 

Before the show the naive 11 year old gets all torqued up about getting Michael's autograph. Autograph? Oh no honey, y'all have good seats and all but you won't be close enough for any of that. There is gonna be like a million people there, no chance.

I will eat those incorrect, realistic words later, not now though, not quite hungry yet.

Fast forward 6 hours, right before the strike of midnight two blushing girls rush in our room to tell us the story and show us the video proof.

WE TOUCHED MICHAEL BUBLE

I have his sweat on my hand.

WE TOUCHED MICHAEL BUBLE

I have his sweat on my hand.

REPEAT

REPEAT

REPEAT

OK Ok Ok...slow down. What?! How on earth did you do that?

He just walked down the aisle, pointed to Delaney and then stood there and sang. Delaney fumbles though her camera roll on her iPod searching for the right video clip, she has basically filled up a gazillion giga whatever by recording half the experience. I don't blame her, I can't even imagine the fun they had.

Sure enough, the 55 second hand held documentation shows an up close Michael Buble, one really sparkly tux jacket, screaming girls and lots of sweat. It's official, she may never wash her hands again.  Not only has she replayed this part of the evening back in her head a thousand times but literally on her iPod a thousand and one times today. Pretty sure she will be there on cloud nine with her big sister for a while. Just her, Diane, Michael's sweat and her wall charger for the battery power to watch it at least a thousand more times. 

Snaps of Real Life

Keeping it Simple

Day 175

October 27, 2013

Team Zybko