Do you know that feeling you get when your stomach is tied up in knots? When you are absolutely positive the cause is emotional, not physical. That queasiness that we associate with anticipation, anxiety, and excitement. I get it every single time I run a race. From the minute I get there- to the time the race begins. I get the same feeling every time I ride a roller coaster. Those endless minutes of standing in line watching, listening, and counting how many seconds the ride takes. (Does anyone else do this?) I  have probably experienced this feeling most intensely the nights before the births of each of my boys. That familiar tug that holds me in its grip. For a little while at least. Just as quickly as the uneasiness begins, it ends. The horn sounds and I feel freedom with each stride. The ride starts and I get lost in the thrill. The sweet babies enter the world and love overcomes.

The feeling itself is not comfortable but there is a peace in knowing the outcome. I have ran handfuls of races, ridden countless coasters, and birthed three boys. I know how this all  should work. I know that with the release comes the unknown terrain, the unexpected drops, and pain of new life. However, I know that in the end it will be worth it.. The pain and unfamiliar territory is replaced with satisfaction and relief. I cross the finish line in one piece (so far), the ride ends with me still on it (I always worry about falling out), and the doctors hand me a precious baby boy (Thank you, Jesus.)  Just as I know the trials that precede the joy, oh how I know the contentment once I am on the other side.

Right now in this journey of life, it would be incredibly easy to be in a constant state of anxiety. It is a daily decision to put those jitters aside. We are entering a whole new world, leaving behind familiar ground. Our house is on the market and we do not know what the next few months will bring. We don't know where we will live or where Kevin will work if we move. We do not know where the boys will go to school. The list of questions with no answers stretches as far as I can think. But just as I find hope in the knowledge that races, roller coasters, and child birth eventually come to an end. This period will too. Just as I cry out to God during that last mile when my mind is telling me to quit and that last push when I am begging for a c-section, I will call to Him again. I will have faith. I will trust in His plan and His provision. I am so thankful to serve a God who loves me and offers me perfect peace. Contentment in the here and now.

Whew...a busy April!

It's been so long since I've blogged it's hard to know where to begin. I have written at least five blogs in my head over the last few weeks. But things are busy. Days pass quickly with little time to sit down and collect my thoughts. Much less type them all out into coherent thoughts. Heck, these aren't even complete sentences. (Which absolutely drives the English teacher inside of me crazy.) However, since I have not actually taught 9th-12th grade Language Arts one single time since being certified I don't guess I should be too concerned. My preschoolers do not hold me to high standards when it comes to being grammatically correct.
We spent last week in Disney. 4, 2, and 1. Almost 5, almost 3, and just turned 1. The ages of our boys. I bet I said it 20 times in 4 days as people looked at our boys and asked how close they were in age. It was a wonderful, busy, tiresome week. The Hatchell family does not merely go to Disney. We attack it. We prepare for battle as we plan out each day, pack lunches, and conquer the crazy Mickey world with our tiny short army. We have this mentality that since we paid so much for this vacation, we MUST do everything. We must ride every ride, see every show, meet every character. We are "those" people in Disney World. Nevertheless, it was an absolute joy to see our boys dreams comes true. Wow, that sounds corny. It's true though. At 4 and 2, their biggest dreams were meeting Lightning McQueen and Buzz Lightyear. Score. I know they won't remember this trip. Kevin and I will though. Their excitement and joy was worth it all.

Life did not slow down when we returned home. Disney was a great preparation for the month of April for us. Manning, Myers, and Kevin are playing t-ball/softball right now. At different ball parks. 4 nights of the weeks are spent chasing McCann around a ball field cheering for my loves as they play their beloved sport.

Not only are my boys busy but I am running full speed ahead too. The runt of our litter (in stature, not age or ability) is having a birthday. Our Myers will be 3 on Sunday and we are celebrating with a "farmer" party on Saturday. This is all he wanted. All he would even consider. Farmer party or bust. So I am currently surrounded with farm animal decor praying for no rain as we have planned hay and pony rides. Craziness. To add it, I went from an all-time low of teaching 1 aerobics class a week the month of March to teaching 4 classes a week in April.  If that's not enough, couple it with the fact that it is VBS time. This is not an official time for anyone outside of me and my sweet co-director. However, for us the next 2 months will be spent meticulously planning VBS. Not because the job itself is so difficult, more so because of our perfectionist tendencies. Seriously, there are some things that are proven to bring people to the Lord. VBS is one of those. It teaches our children about Jesus, it glorifies our Father, and it promotes a fellowship among believers as we work toward a common goal. I believe in VBS and I want to work hard to make sure we are doing it the way God indeeds for it to be.  

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24

Calvary Baptist Church will have our VBS June 24th-28th from 5:30-8:45pm. Please send your kids, tell your friends, and help us spread the word.