Children's Choir Premiere

A New Do!

If you know any thing about the littlest of The 4 Sullivans, you know that ME has a style all her own. We are proud of her independence and desire and ability to do things for herself. We have adjusted our idea of appropriate attire in an attempt to "pick our battles"...tonight she insisted on putting 10 clips and 4 ponytail holders in her hair...at least her hair was clean and so were her clothes!!! I am so thrilled God has blessed our lives with such special, unique kids that make everyday interesting!

Go Green Waves!!!!

Gideon involuntarily signed up for Upwards Basketball. The Upwards program is a sports league with a Christian emphasis. They have a devotion at each practice and pray before each game. We hope that Gideon will enjoy learning to play basketball, but more importantly learn how to have good sportsmanship, team unity and grow in his understanding of Jesus Christ. We are thrilled to be apart of the Green Waves and pray Gideon has a positive experience!!! Go Green Waves!!!

ME-isms

Last night, after reading a Bible story about how God created the World, ME said, "Did you know dark is called darkness and light is called lightening!"

Today, Daddy spanked ME and she told Gid, "I am scratching my spanking off!"

ME and Gideon both say, "I am going to beat you up" but really mean I am going to beat you or be the winner.

Our Very Own Behavior Chart

Gideon wanted to make a behavior chart for home to "practice" for school and so ME can get spankings too! He wanted to move ME immediately to yellow!!! Pray that we would be consistent in using the behavior chart to reinforce good behavior and that the kids would learn to make good choices...as well as mommy and daddy!!!

A Night (Or Day) At The Museum

Gideon woke-up this morning and said, "Today we get to go to the Night of the Museum!" We actually spent the morning at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, but it felt like a Night at the Museum. The kids had a blast exploring the dinosaur exhibits and pretending like they living in prehistoric times!

Fun family moments...


Future Archaeologists or Paleontologists digging for bones...


Taking a rest with our new friend Aniya...

Fun friends and all we could eat pizza!

We are so thankful for great friends and fun (crazy) adventures!!!

The History of The 4 Sullivans...

Keith and I explored our prehistoric roots today...OK, we really did not do much research, but thought this made cute pictures!!!

Thanks Jill and Team Ivanovo for rescuing and sending me my all time favorite sweater...I don't know why I love it, but I do!!! I love you guys!!!

Green Again!!!

Gideon finished off the week with 3 green days!!! He must be really motivated by tangible rewards. We promised that if he got 3 greens, after 2 yellow days and a fight, he could rent a movie from Red Box. We love Red Box, they are little movie rental boxes all over the city that allow you to rent movies for $1 a night...including the new releases!!! We can each pick a movie and still only spend $4!!!

Gideon Got GREEN!!!

OK, Gideon is not really green, but got green on his behavior!!! I spent lots of time praying for Gid today, talked to his teacher and the teacher who witnessed the "fight"...it sounds like there is a group of boys that "pretend fight" but when one gets hurt the fighting quickly goes from pretend to blood shed! Please continue to pray that Gideon would make good choices, realize that he is NOT Kung Fu Panda and that he would not have any more battle wounds!!! Gideon is celebrating his green with a bike ride!!!

Gideon is learning so much at school. In just a few months, he can write his name, count, add, identify all the letters and even read words!!! Today, he learned a little fashion...he came home with his belt loosened and his pants pulled down below his underwear!!! When will life return to its once state of boredom?!?!

Random Thoughts At 2 AM...

As I sit here contemplating whether I should return to bed or continue to bore the World (that would be you...again...Granny) with my totally random thoughts. Since I can't sleep, I will bore you!

First, I know that I must update the personal info on the Blog, since we are no longer living in Russia, but I can't! I want to, but I can't. OK, I physically can and I do know how, but I just don't know what to say..."We are The 4 Sullivans unemployed and wandering through the wilderness!"

Second, my thumb shakes. I just realized yesterday afternoon that my thumb, only my right thumb...my left is perfectly still, shakes when I hold my hand up. So...now I find myself every few minutes checking to see if my thumb is still shaking...and it is. I Googled "shaky thumb" and discovered that Bill Clinton also has a shaky thumb! I hope I don't need to hitch a ride soon or I will really be in trouble!!!

Third (and hopefully last), what should we do about Gideon? Why is he misbehaving at school? Why is he getting into fights? Is there a deeper issue? Is the school a safe place? Should I enroll in Kindergarten? Should I hire a body guard?

OK, I am off to bed!

JOY

It is 2 AM and I can't sleep! I am stressed about Gideon's behavior, school environment and "tired of Gideon coming home with battle wounds"...a quote from my husband's Facebook. Keith recently joined Facebook and I love reading his thoughts, banter with friends and whatever else he shares. I just read a note Keith posted and wanted to share it here, since it is The 4 Sullivans, but I am the only Sullivan to ever write and to share with those of you non-Facebook readers...that would be you, Granny!!!

Joy, by Keith...the head, wisest and best of the 4
For some of you this has no interest at all. But I just felt led to share some of what I have been going through lately. Maybe it will be an encouragement to somebody. Maybe doing this is more for me, than anybody else. Since we found out we are not going back to Russia any time soon, it has been the greatest wilderness experience I have ever had, since I have been a Christian. I got serious about my faith as I ended out high school. From that time, I never remember a time in my life when I didn’t have, at least, a somewhat clear idea of what God wanted me to be doing and what He had for me in the near future. It seemed I have always had some kind of direction. But now, I don’t. God is speaking to me and teaching me, but He is not showing me direction. Not showing me where He wants me to head. But he has been speaking to me. Just not in the way I would naturally prefer. As I look through my journal from the past few weeks, here are some things that he has taught me by His word:
1. Rely on the Lord, not on people. 2 Chron. 15-16
2. Sometimes we don’t know what do to, but our eyes must be always on Him. 2 Chron 19-20
3. God is able to restore to you more than you have lost. 2 Chron. 25-26
4. Adversity comes from God. Job 1-2
5. All old people are not wise. Job 31-32
6. What God does, He does so that we fear Him. Eccl. 3-4
7. Trust in God. Do not be afraid. Ps. 56
8. God gives me strength and power because I am His. Ps. 68
9. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart. Draw near to God. Put your trust in Him. Ps. 73
10. My God is the God who does wonders. Ps. 77
11. Listen to Him. Walk in His ways. He longs to bless us for it. Ps. 81
12. His footsteps are my pathway. Ps. 85
13. Ps. 93. With a God like this, who would have a reason to worry about anything?
14. Shout, Serve, Come, Know, Thank, and Praise. Ps. 100
15. I can expect great provisions from God. Ps. 105
16. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He will give me food. Ps. 111
17. Fear and Delight! Ps. 112
18. Fear the Lord. Trust the Lord. Ps. 115
19. The Lord is on my side. He is for me. Ps. 118
20. Seek Him with a whole heart and obey Him the same way. Then He can revive me and make me understand. Ps. 119
21. Trust in the Lord, for He surrounds me like a mountain range. Ps. 125
22. I trust Psalm 126 comes true for me.
23. Wait for the Lord. Hope in Him. Ps. 130
24. The command of Jesus is to persevere. Rev. 3
25. Do not worry about clothes or money. Seek Him first. Mt. 6
26. Jesus is at peace with my troubles. Mk. 4-5
Until looking back through these things today, I had forgotten many of these things. Remembering them brings great Joy.
Blessings to you.

What a great guy and even though we are in the wilderness and we all have battle wounds...I am glad we all get to wander through it together...I just pray it doesn't last for 40 years!!!

Frustrated, Overwhelmed & Exhausted!!!

Yellow AGAIN!!! Gideon got in ANOTHER fight today. Allegedly, he hit a boy after he pushed him...then the other boy threw a stick at him and cut him on the face and neck (it sounds horrible and for his mother, it is horrible, but the cut does not look life threatening...PTL!) Honestly, I am at a loss. I need wisdom. I need encouragement. Gideon needs...I have no idea what Gideon needs! We need your prayers!!!

On a more positive note, Harold's Clothing Store is going out of business!!! I am sad for poor Harold, but secretly rejoicing that they are slashing prices when both Keith and I so desperately need clothes!!! After I picked Gideon up from school, got the low down on the yellow clippy, cried, told Gideon how disappointed I was in him, I went SHOPPING!!! I normally do not drowned my sorrows with a trip to the Mall, especially in our current financial situation, but Harold's is going out of business and I have no winter clothes (I am currently wearing a sweater I bought in 1997 that sooo badly needs to be retired!!!) I spent 2 hours at Harold's Outlet (I had no idea there was a Harold's Outlet less than 10 miles away!!!) and bought 4 skirts and 3 sweaters and spent less than $150!!!

A New Hair Do!!!

Finally, Gideon got a hair cut!!! We were trying to wait for a free day to visit Aunt Leslyn, but when Gideon needed to borrow ME's hair accessories to keep his hair out of his eyes, we could no longer wait!!! His main concern is if Granny will still recognize him, because he has changed so drastically!!! I assured him that he would still be her Cute Face!!!

Gideon got his first yellow today at school!!! Green is good; Blue is OK...one warning, moving your clippy one time; Yellow is "out of control"...moving your clippy 2 times; and Red is a trip to the office and a phone call to the parents. I am sure that the fight last Monday would have qualified as red, but we escaped disciplanary action by leaving class early...in tears and horrified. But today, Miss Cook said that my sweet, little guy was "out of control"!?!? After a long lecture from daddy, Gideon has been sentenced to think about his behavior on his bed...for the rest of his life!!! Don't worry Granny, he will still get to eat once a day at school!!!

Princess (& A Few Princes) Party

A Fall Play Date turned into a Royal Celebration!!! The girls had a great time dressing up as beautiful princesses (ME looks more like the servant girl!), having a Royal Feast and ending with a Royal MESS as the court decorated cookies!!!

We all had a great time of fellowship!

Making new friends!

Thanks to the fabulous, gracious hostesses for a great day!!!

What Happened To My Little Boy?!?

Gideon lost his 8th tooth today...pulled it out all by himself!!! Sorry the picture was taken a little too soon...I hope the blog doesn't make anyone sick!!!

Do you notice anything missing in this picture?

Gideon has a training wheel free bike!!! Keith encouraged him to try to ride without training wheels, offered to help, Gid declined the help and took off...and did not fall one time!!! Way to go Gid!!! We are proud of you!!!

Funky!

I think weekly I experience a funk! I have had a much better day than usual at work, but came home in such a funk! God has been so faithful to provide for us, care for us, love us and speak to us through His Word...so why I am I feeling so funky?

This summer, shortly after we discovered that our return to Russia would be delayed, I read Genesis 4:12, “From now on you will be a homeless fugitive on the earth, constantly wandering from place to place.” Even though we never became fugitives…at least not yet…we did do a lot of wandering and were without a home for 4 ½ months!!!

Today, I thought the Lord would gives us further clarification into His plans for our lives, but I was wrong. Even though Keith had a great meeting (it was not an interview…I wanted it to be, but it wasn’t), we are still waiting and feel no closer to discovering God’s plan.

This was my “Word from the Lord” today…This is what the Lord says: “Babylon will be powerful for seventy years. After that time I will come to you, and I will keep my promise to bring you back to Jerusalem. I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me! I will let you find me,” says the Lord. “And I will bring you back from your captivity. I forced you to leave this place, but I will gather you from all the nations, from the places I have sent you as captives,” says the Lord. “And I will bring you back to this place.” (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

We are calling on the Lord, we are praying, we are searching for Him with all of our heart…when will he let us find Him? When will He reveal His good plans? When and where will our wandering end? Pray for us as we seek the Lord’s direction!

Gideon Can READ!!!

The first book I read ALL BY MYSELF...
Hot, Hot, Hot
Written by Maryann Dobeck

Thanks Granny!!!

Thanks Granny for the great new clothes!!! We love you and are so thankful we don't have to go naked!!!
Love, Cute Face and the Princess
PS. Granny, I feel off my bed and cut my eye brow on the bed frame!!! Send more band aides!!!
Love, Princess

Please Pray For D, Gid and Keith

Gid not only got his clippy moved for not being able to follow directions this morning, but got into a fight with this little boy, D, this afternoon. He got a busted lip and sent to the Office!!! I was already at the School to discuss Gid's progress, behavior and language difficulties, in my first ever IEP...and was shocked to find Gideon crying in the hallway, with a bag of ice pressed to his mouth!!! Exactly what happened still remains a mystery, but I think D was "encouraging" Gid to get off the monkey bars and got kicked in the face...of course, accidentally by sweet, innocent Gid :-). D retaliated with a kick to Gid's face!!! Please pray for Gid and D. Pray that they both would learn to control their actions, learn to be nice to each other, listen to the teacher and be safe!!!

On the way home, Gid said, "I twisted D's arm like daddy taught me!" I guess daddy and Gid have been having private self-defense classes!!! I was so tired when we got home, I slept for an hour!!!

Please also pray for Keith tomorrow as he goes to discuss job possibilities with the Director of Mission for Oklahoma City. Pray that the meeting would go well, the Lord would give Keith clarity into His will and that Keith would leave encouraged...no matter what the outcome would be.

Off To Church...

Even with an extra hour, I was begging Keith to wait for me and rushing out the door...late as usual!!! Gideon insisted on wearing a plaid shirt, poka-doted tie, navy blazer, blacks pant and Spiderman socks...but for Halloween, he did not want to wear a costume, because he did not want to stand out!!! I finally managed to squeeze into a darling pair of pants a sweet friend gave to me this summer...with a little help!

Another Missing Tooth...

Gideon came out of the bathroom and announced that he had pulled his tooth...I had no idea he even had a loose one!!! He was so proud of himself!!!

(This actually happened last Sunday, but I just found the picture!)

A Suprise Visit

November is a great time to take account of the many things that we have to be thankful for! This past few months have brought many challenges and changes, but we have been abundantly blessed through it all!!!

My dad and Barbara came to visit this afternoon, which was a huge blessing!!! It has been almost a month since we last got together. I am so thankful that we live in Oklahoma and can have suprise visit from my family!!!

Lessons I Am Learning...Or At Least Trying!!!

"Sometimes we arrive at a place where we can either lose or gain ground, but returning to life as it was before is no longer an option."
"God's ways are higher than ours, but we do not have to understand Him to settle the matter in our hearts that we can trust Him."
Quoted from Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David.

Krispy Kremes

We never buy doughnuts, but today was ME's lucky day!!! Some friend delivered fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The question is...how many doughnuts can a little girl eat? The answer: 4!!! What crazy, irresponsible parent would let their little girl eat 4 doughnuts?!? I think we are still recovering from sugar overload!!