The Battle for Toby's Soul

In this house, we try to keep things pretty G Rated. I have a pretty sensitive soul...and I seem to have passed this trait onto my children. So we don't watch scary movies, we dont watch anything that has anything remotely scary or intense. Its just too much for our tender hearts to handle. So when my sweet little Toby started having horrible nightmares, it started to really worry me. There was nothing in his life, that he has been exposed to, to be terrified of. At first we thought they were night-tares. But after reading up on them, the symptoms just didn't match up. For starters, he would wake up, terrified, and tell me what was going on in his dream. But just couldn't snap back into the reality that he was awake. I read everywhere that when in the middle of a night-tare, the child will seem awake but be completely unresponsive. That was not the case here. Also, children will not likely remember night-tares in the morning, but Toby would remember every single part of it. He would wake up screaming for me. I would go in and he would proceed to tell me what was going on in his dream, or what was scaring him. Every 5-10 seconds, he would look somewhere in the room, get the most horrified look on his face (I mean...the super creepiest...he just saw an ax murderer kind of face...completely petrified) and just start crying hysterically. So the first couple of times, we got him up and tried to just snap him out of it. But that didn't work. So the next couple of times I just turned on his radio to AIR 1, and just prayed for him till he fell back asleep. Now this would put him back to sleep, but the next night or so, it would happen again. So I started to talk to people about it. His Chiropractor was one of them. He is a Christian and was asking if we thought it was spiritual. I did, I always think that stuff is spiritual. I mean come on, we have an enemy, that is constantly trying to stir up trouble in our lives. So I told him I pray for him when it happens, and that he will go back to sleep. But that the nightmares come back in a couple of days. So he mentioned something about unconfessed sin. I hadnt really thought about it much. But boy did I now. I did not want to think of my isuues affecting my kids. (which by the way...they always do...just not always in the same way) So I really spent some time praying and reflecting. All the while really praying for Toby too and that these nightmares would stop. So of course they got worst. A couple of the dreams he told me made me know for SURE that the enemy was behind them. He had one of them at nap time. He told me that there was a snake with three heads, and it was wrapping him up and wouldn't let him go. Another one, was that he was outside and there were people across the street. He said that he asked me to go over there, but I said no. He said "I made a bad choice and went across the street" (obviously knowing his disobeyed me) and he said that because he made a bad choice, the people turned into monsters and got him. I am sitting here shaking while I type. The symbolism in these dreams are just so spiritual in nature...there was no denying it. Well God revealed to me what my unconfessed sin was, and it wasn't some horrible deep dark secret, it was just some issues with Kevin that I had buried. No big deal really. But Kevin and I talked about them, asked and prayed for forgiveness. We also prayed for and over Toby. And especially over his room and soul. The next morning I was talking to Toby about how we prayed for him and how he doesn't have to be afraid of his dreams because Jesus is with him. I asked him if he knew that he could ask Jesus into his heart. I asked him if he knew that Jesus died on the cross for us. For him. For our sins. He died, so that we don't have to when we make mistakes or bad choices. He said he knew. So I asked him if he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. And of course I got an enthusiastic "YEAH!!" So we prayed together and asked Jesus into his little heart. It was beautiful. Every night, after our bed times prayers, I prompt him to "say it". He then screams out "I am not afraid...because Jesus is in my heart" He declares it, and I say "AMEN!!" So now for the most amazing news...THE NIGHTMARES HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED. Since he has asked Jesus into his heart, he has not had one single bad dream. I can't even tell you the relief that this brings to my heart. These dreams were in fact spiritual. There was a battle going on for his soul and guess what...God won...God ALWAYS wins. SO while these nightmares were horrible while they lasted, I am so thankful they happened. They forced me to look at my own heart and really fight for my sons. And all this resulted in (at least) one more soul in the kingdom of heaven. This kid will do great things for God...I just know it

Happy Easter...its my Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas…Happy New Year…Happy Valentines Day, and Happy Easter. Sheesh…I guess better late than never this year huh? 2011 was an amazing year. Between our loan modification and new lower house payment, the kids being older and pretty self-sufficient, and both kids being in school at least 3 days a week, the stress level at the Fisher house has gone way down. THANK THE LORD! Its only by the grace of God we have survived the last couple of years in tact. This year we finally feel like we could catch our breaths and enjoy life. And boy did we! The highlight of our year was being able to take our first real family vacation. We went to the Grand Canyon for 3 days. The kids were perfect and we enjoyed a train ride to the Grand Canyon, lots of quality time, and the Polar Express! It was so much fun. Kevin never changes much, which is fine with me because I love the way he is! He is still enjoying bbq-ing, food trucks, and long talks with my dad about both those things. Still working for Budweiser, and has been enjoying his Redlands route very much. The kids love to go meet him and see his “mack” big rig. He got into an accident and totaled his beloved Subaru. It was hard to let go of his fast car, but he ended up getting a truck, which he enjoys very much. He loves to take us up in the hills to go off-roading (or hot roading and the kids call it) I don’t enjoy it, but do enjoy the quality time with the family that it brings. So I am warming up to it! He and Toby also enjoy Nerf gun wars together. Boys will be boys huh? This year for me has been a year of thankfulness. I am SO thankful for my business, (which is continually growing and allows me to stay home with my kids) my health, (ran my first half marathon in April…13.1 miles!!! And have kept my 25lb weight loss off) my walk with God (He is SO good, and continually amazes me with his personal and intimate touch in every aspect of my life) and my family (LOVE MY FAMILY!!) With the kids being older needing less constant attention, I have rediscovered my best friend. I am very much enjoying being able just to hang out and talk to Kevin again. Life is just finally feeling right…I am finally getting the hang of balancing everything. Olivia is now 5 and in Kindergarten!! Oh my goodness how time flies. She has an amazing teacher, who is very serious about Kindergarten, so she is learning so much. In just 4 short months, she went from barely knowing her letters, to reading 20 page books. It is so cool to watch. She also got her first award in school, for personal accountability. Way to make mama proud!! She is still obsessed with animals, stuffed and real. She has such a tender heart for them. She really wishes Toby and I were not allergic. So she will have to stick to taking care of her 100+ stuffed collection. (Its ridiculous) Speaking of her heart, it’s the best thing about her. She is so in touch with how she feels and others around her. Worship songs make her tear up, and the sunset makes her “heart beat so fast”. I see the Holy Spirit wooing her already and it makes my soul so happy. She is SO beautiful inside and out…and I could not be any prouder of the girl she is becoming. Toby continues to be the life of the party…and our family. His happiness and laughter are contagious. I just wish his energy was! The boy is non-stop. Non-stop talking (we can understand almost all of his 100mph talking now), eating, (as much if not more than me) moving (He has to run everywhere), and growing (grew almost 3 inches and 3 shoe sizes this year!) He is so fun to be around and makes every situation or destination better. He has a great sense of humor and loves to play jokes and harass people (Just like his dad and Papa). He is now 4 and in preschool 3 days a week. He loves it. Wants to go everyday and talks about his friends at school all the time. He is so smart too. When I was teaching Liv her letters and numbers this summer, Toby would yell out the ones she didn’t know. Just watching me do the flash cards with her, he picked them all up. Its crazy how fast he learns. I am really enjoying our days alone together while Olivia is at school. On our “date days” we go do something just the two of us. He tells me a million times that I am his best friend and he loves me. I make him promise he will feel that way even when he’s 15. He says he will. Happy New Year!! Hope it has started off and will finish with love and thankfulness. Love, Kevin, Lauren, Olivia, and Toby Fisher

Quote of the day

Last night on the way home from bible study we were listining the radio. The song that sings "Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, your love makes me sing" comes on. Olivia loves this song because it was on one of her baby videos. She asks me to turn it up. After singing a few chorus' in her sweet little voice, i tell can her that I love to hear her sing to Jesus. She then says to me "Mom, everytime I sing this song, it makes me have tears in my eyes" (Which immediately makes me get tears in mine) I told her that when I sing songs I really love to Jesus, it makes me get tears in my eyes too. She nods. Then Toby says "Me too mom...but it makes me get cheese puffs in my eyes"

Haha...so glad I have both these amazing children in my life.

Toby is 4!!!

Toby's Stats:
Age 4
42 inches tall
42 pounds

Toby...oh where do I start with Toby. Toby is SO FUNNY. He is constantly making us laugh. Whether it be a knock knock joke, (where the punch line is always BUTT, followed by extreme giggling) a silly face, or just taking a million miles a minute tell his version of some story,...he is always entertaining. He loves gymnastics. I love watching him try to do the moves, because he is slightly uncoordinated, but tires very hard. He is always the one in the class taking, or telling something he likes to the gymnastics teacher. His voice carries SO FAR. He does not have a quiet voice once so ever!

He eats SO much. More than me...by almost double. Seriously, the kid can put down 3 hot dogs with buns...no problem. He will try and eat just about anything. But his favorites foods are cheeseburgers an cucumbers.

This last few months Toby has amazed us by doing a couple of things early for his age. At the beginning of the summer, at 3, he started swimming without floaties. My father-in-law offered him a granola bar if he would swim across the pool...and of course he jumped right in and swam the entire length. (I told you he LOVES food!) This summer, he also learned all of his letter. Uppercase, lowercase, and the sounds they make. I was doing them with Liv getting her ready for Kindergarten and he would just watch and listen. Eventually, he would start telling her the ones she didn't know. So I did the flash cards with him, and he knew every single one. I was one proud mama. Hopefully school will come easier for him than it did for me.

Toby loves his snuggle still. (His little blanket that he has had since he was born.) I tried to get rid of it this birthday, but he wasnt having it. Just cant relax without it. And I totally get it, I had my blankets till I was 10!! (ugh...right?!) So...I just let him have it at bed time now. And that works out just fine. Maybe next year!

Toby loves his family. He loves to play with his sissy all day long. Loves his mama SO MUCH! Tells me he loves me and blows me kisses all day long. I am soaking it up all I can while it lasts. He is such a sweet boy with me. So gentle and calm with me. (the exact opposite of how he is the rest of the day) He loves his dad. Loves to wrestle, have light saber fights, and throw any ball with him. He has to have daddy come in every night after prayers to sing "The itsy bitsy spider" which ends in the spider going up the Toby spout at the end and a tickle war always pursues.

Toby is such a happy kid. Loves to sing and dance, loves to watch movies and tv, loves to play outside, and loves anything with wheels. We are so lucky to have this boy in our lives. We love you Toby!!

Olivias Birthday Week Part 2: American Girl Cafe

On Olivia's actual birthday, my mom took Olivia, Toby, and Me to the American Girl Cafe. This is the 4th year we have gone for her birthday and I absolutely love this tradition. The place is amazing...and the experience is even better. I think my mom and I look forward to it as much as the kids (yes, Toby has a boy doll...and loves the place too...much to my dads dismay) Olivia wore her birthday hat the whole time so "everyone could know she was 5 now" She wanted a big girl doll...so she ended up "Honey". They got matching outfits that had to be put on as soon as we got home. We had a great time.

Olivias Birthday Week Part 1: Best Day Ever

Olivia's Birthday week kicked off on the Friday before her Birthday. My dad took her on her "best day ever". She got to pick where they went all day.

She wanted to start the day with lunch at Chuck-E-Cheese. Got an cheese and olive pizza, went on lots of rides, played lots of games, and made a new friend that she ran around with and took pictures with the entire time.

Next she wanted to go to the mall. She wanted to play on the playground and get Twinkle Toes. Her new Twinkle Toes and purple, light up, and have peace signs and glitter all over them. Something mama would have definitely not bought...but I love that her Papa let ger pick them out herself. She told him "Oh no...Mama's gonna be mad at me cause she doesn't like peace signs" She's so funny. (I was not mad for the record) Of course she picked up another stuffed animal along the way as well.

While walking through Nordies, of course she had to get a little makeover.

And they ended up their day at Chick-fil-a...because she LOVES their playground too.

All in all, I think she had a pretty awesome best day ever.

Olivia is 5

Olivias Stats:
5 years old
39 pounds
43 inches tall

Olivia is amazing. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. She loves so much. Loves her family, loves animals, (especially dogs...she hugs every dog she can) still LOVES stuffed animals, and loves to be up in the business. She is so giving. She always gives me one of her two oreos from her lunchable...everytime. She always offers to help any way she can. She helps Toby do the things he can't, even if it's something naughty. She is so much like her dad. Loves to be scratched, loves to hug and be close to people and just hang out. She still loves to be held, even though we told her we wouldn't hold her anymore once she turned 5. When we pick her up, she says "well, I'm still not too big...yet" She eats like a bird, but loves to eat all kinds of foods. Doesn't love veggies, but will eat up an entire plate if desert comes after. She is a chocolate fiend...just like her mama. She loves to "exercise" with me because she wants to be "healthy" like me. She cannot wait to start Kindergarten. We have been working hard all summer and she has learned all but about 4 letters and all her numbers to 10. I am very proud at how fast she has learned these, especially cause she didn't have any desire to learn any letters at preschool this year...too busy being social I'm sure. She never stops talking. Her and Toby would talk at me for hours if I let them. She makes friends everywhere she goes. She flips, summersaults, and runs everywhere. She just moved up to the tumble kids class at gymnastics and is doing so well. Although she "misses the songs" in the tumble tots class with Toby, she is much more challenged in this class and is doing so much better than I thought she would. She is really really good. She loves to swim, especially with her cousins. She is completely obsessed with them. When Ayden and Brandon are around...I don't exist. She loves to hang out and run around with them. She also loves "big girls". Loves her Aunties and Grandmas. She always gets super attached to at least one whenever they are around. Doesn't leave their lap the entire day. This summer she learned how to ride her bike with no training wheels. Just did it, all I had to do was push her off. She also started swimming really well this summer. She could get around the pool last year with no swimmies, but this year she is swimming the entire length of the pool, most of it under water. She still takes off most of her clothing the second we get in the door. Hates jeans and cute shoes if they are at all uncomfortable. She still wears the dresses I make her, (all 20 that she has requested over time) and still asks me to make her more. She is so affirming. Anything I do, she has something mice to say about it. When I am crafting..."Mom, that is beautiful, can you make me one" Or when I am exercising "Great job Mom...you are being so healthy" She says the most sincere "Thank you's" for everything I buy her or do for her. I just love her so much. I love the kid she is becoming. I love her heart. She talks about God all the time. Knows that He died for her sins so she "can make bad choices and still go to heaven" I can't wait to see her relationship with her Heavenly Father grow. I know she will be a bright light for Him someday. Her genuine kindness will bring Him so much glory.

Happy 5th Birthday my girl, I love you to the moon!