Saturday, May 5, 2012
Don't forget..
Well this post will be short, sweet and sans photos since this is all from my somewhat smart phone;) just didn't want anyone to think I was falling down on the countdown and forgot!
We are in Callaway Gardens with Ms Carol, April, Evie and Hannah as a little birthday celebration from Buddy it's so beautiful here and I just love the laid back slower pace for a change.
A little saying we saw while in one of the shops, Don't worry, don't hurry and don't ever forget to stop and smell the flowers:) What a nice little reminder to remember everyday, not just during weekend getaways and vacation time.
Until tomorrow:)
Friday, May 4, 2012
Live and Learn
Aha!! See, I told you I could do it:) I actually wasn't so sure myself so I'm as surprised as you are!! So, Day 2 into my 10 day til 30 countdown..
First, I wanted to share a picture of my latest little project...
I've been searching high and low for a buffet for our dining room since we moved into our house 2 years ago. At Easter I noticed this pretty little number in Memaw's garage. It had been there for years but I never paid much attention other than using it as a prop to take my shoes off or to lay things on as I was cleaning out our car. I asked Memaw about it and she said it was, her Mom's, my Great Grandmother's, dresser. How neat! I asked if she would mind if I used it at my house and if so, could I refinish and paint it. Being the giver Memaw is, she said of course. Well, after 6 very thought through glass knobs, a few piles of sandpaper, a pint of primer, 2 weeks and coats of paint and varnish later, this is our finished product..
I was so proud of her, I call her Bessie because that was my Great Grandmother's name..I just had to share! Memaw said Grandma would have LOVED it:) As for today, while on the subject of LOVE, I just got back from a field trip with Sunny:) She has been counting down the days to this thing and was so happy I could come along. At school lately there has been some girl drama:( Sunny has several of her closest girlfriends in her class and other relationships that are blossoming into something very sweet, but it's sometimes difficult to not leave someone out and make everyone happy..a lesson I still have to re-learn almost daily. But, I remember those years..it happened a little later in Middle School for me but these kids do everything faster and unfortunately this is no exception!
A few weekends ago was Sunny's birthday party. We had a girls phootshoot on Friday afternoon before the party Saturday...
On a sidenote, a great big THANK YOU and we LOVE you to Aunt Jessica for sharing her skills and being our fun photographer..with her trusty little assistant Lyla, of course:)
I just love seeing my kids carefree and with their friends just being "kids:)" Simple I know but I see how fast time flies more and more everyday and that these are truly the moments that last through the test of time. So it was a good day:)
Well, like us adults, the girls got back to the day to day hustle and bustle and responsibilities of school and sports etc and just let things get put on the back burner and just go through the motions. As soon as back to school it was back to bringing daily drama to mama every afternoon:( With cliques and gossip and just plain being ugly to each other. It makes me so sad because I truly remember it being that way, in the blink of an eye you go from that innocent little girl with not a care in the world to that same little girl taking on the world's problems.
So I guess in a kind of a cracked up nutshell my 'thought' for today somewhat goes back to the "choo choo train" bible verse. I remember in Sunday School we would do this verse a lot and we would always draw a train to go along with it to help us with the memorization..
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up your children in the way they should go..when they are older they will not turn away from it."
I can't protect Sunny and Christian from every bump in the road. They're gonna, unfortunately have to get some scrapes and bruises of their own. But I can prepare them for it and hopefully some of it, just a little bit of it, will stick and help out when they need it. A little like Grandma's dresser. After all these years, Memaw kept it. It was old and probably forgotten about to most everyone else. But it still had purpose and meaning and when the time was right, it was perfect.
I hope that will be the same for Christian and Sunny. Many times I feel like I'm talking to myself when I share my words of wisdom..I use the term 'wisdom' loosely when referring to my own words, but it's all I got so I work with it;) But hopefully when the time is right, they'll recall their meaning and give them purpose. One of my favorite songs ever is Gungor, Beautiful Things. It says that, "He makes beautiful things out of dust, He makes beautiful things out of us." God never forgets us or throws us away as dusty and broken down as we all get at times.
So I just have to remind myself of these things and remember if I am focused on Him and His way, my path will be made straight..for my feet and especially for the pitter patter of the 2 sets behind me:)
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Tales since September plus 10 'til 30 =)
Hello there! Well it's been 8 months since we last talked..that last post was pretty heavy so my welcome may have gotten worn out;) So hopefully the ole saying 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' rings true here and you're as happy to have me back in business as I am happy to be here!!
No excuses BUT just incase this is the one time in my life an excuse can count, my computer died on me in October and I JUST last week took it to the Apple store and got 'em to work their magic and voila she's back up and running:)
So let's see, where in the world to start since September (!!)
Let's start on a high note..J passed his chili cooking champ trophy, or apron, over to Christian(!!)
The 2nd year in a row winning went to our heads and we were a little fuzzy and indecisive so at Halloween we were pirates. Nope scratch that..a gangsta and a flapper..
Soon after and somewhat back to normal Christian turned 10 and was treated to a surprise guys golf trip with a sprinkling of everything from a land of Legos to a seminole stadium..
Then it was almost Turkey time so off to see another celebrated animal..the Mouse, Mickey Mouse that is..
And we even squeezed in little visit to our beloved Noles on the way to our beloved family's houses for lots of Thanksgiving meals..
Justin celebrated his 10 year anniversary of his 21st bday..
We had school play and field trip numero uno..
And then a partridge in a pear tree..or Christmas:)
Whoo! Hello 20-12:) Rung it in with cousins and beach balls in PCB..
Then it was to the Fabulous Fox Theatre round 1 for a little So You Think You Can Dance filming fun..
In the Fall we all discovered our mutual love for monopoly, hiking and fireplaces..in no particular order:)..
Then it was time for Cupid's yearly visit..
And time to say goodbye to an old friend after many years..
Christian lifted our spirits by being Mr. Citizen of the Month at school..
So we repaid the favor and kept the happiness going during a haul down to Orlando for some Spring Break fun at Legoland, propped our pinky up and got a little fancy for Pink Martini with Mimi and kept the fancy and happy for celebration of our Risen Savior for Easter..
Then somehow someway our baby girl turned 9(!?)..
And somehow someway I found my way back to the Fabulous Fox for the second time this year with some of my faves to attend the Dove Awards..
Found out my husband bears an eerie resemblance to the President..I've always wanted to be the First Lady even though this isn't exactly what I had in mind..
Speaking of eerie, went to the Renaissance Festival for the day then tried to balance it out with some current day normalcy with a trip to the golf course:)
And that brings us to today..May 3 this very moment. About 15 hours since a hug and kiss good night, 12 hours since a mama meltdown, 6 hours since a too early alarm but to faces that make it worth it, 4 hours since a much needed run and prayer time with my Jesus, and 2 hours since an invite to lunch from my husband..another moment much needed:)
Today marks exactly 10 days til I turn 30. Cliche as it is, I'm sayin' it anyway..time flies. It really does. And there are those moments that I have to just stop and take note. This life is so good. It is beyond my expectation in so many ways. It may not be where I planned to be at 29 years and 355 days, it may not be perfect and without a lot of mistakes, some regrets and a few scars to show from it all but through all my stumbling God has never wavered in giving me a safe place to fall whether I realized it at the time or saw it much later with that 20/20 thats somehow always fashionably late:)
So I'm looking forward to embarking on Chapter "30" of my life:) Hoping and praying these lifelong lessons I've learned in the 20's and before will stay with me everyday! I've set a 10 til 30 goal to share a treasured pre-30 truth everyday..I can hear your doubt coming out in laughter..stop it right now;)
Day 1 continue to remind myself to look up instead of in the mirror for my happiness, peace and contentment. What's in front of me changes, who's above me does not:)
Until tomorrow..yes tomorrow:) I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Breaking News
...all of my life, In every season, You are still God and i have a reason to sing..i have a reason to worship...
That song by Hillsong is such a truthful testimony for my heart lately. God is so good and gracious and greater than I am and I am so very grateful. The beginning of this year I began having some health issues. Minor in the scheme of what "health issues" could consist of but still I knew something was not right. The beginning of 2010 we moved into our new home. I already felt the tug from God to take time away from my work to be more accessible while the kids got adjusted to all the newness of school, home, and neighborhood. It was a sensational summer sizzling next to the pool every single day and looking forward to starting a new school:)
...some shots of last year's sizzlin' summer...
Then it was here, the hustle bustle of August and riding the bus, reading and homework, and forming new friendships. Then, as usual, the holidays hurried in and left us just as quick as they came and then, Happy 2011!! Not long after that is when I saw and sensed a change in myself. Everything "seemed" to be "right." It was time for me to go back to work, just like I had planned. God had a different plan. There's a song by JJ Heller called Your Hands. ...when my world is shaking, Heaven stands ...when my heart is breaking, I never leave Your Hands..I know You hate to see me cry but one day You will set all things right... I listened to that song a lot during those first few weeks of weird rashes breaking out on my body, stomach pains, headaches, out of control heartbeat rhythms, weight loss and random fevers. All of which made it hard to function, let alone, force myself back into my 16 hour day profession.
...J's Surprise...
...Christian's 9th Birthday Party...
...Thanksgiving at Memaw's...
...the Nutcracker tradition...
...Christmas at Memaw's...
...Christmas at GiGi Pat's...
...i will walk by faith even when i cannot see.. because this broken road prepares Your will for me... Jeremy Camp sings it and it was the song that became my background music for my prayer and Bible reading time each day this Spring. I felt just awful. As a wife I felt like such a burden, not feeling good, not working and just looking pathetic. As a Mom I felt like the worst, no energy, sad, and moody. As a daughter and sister I felt inadequate, wanting to help but not having the energy to be bold and share what God was laying on my heart for each of them because of my own personal preoccupation. As a friend I just felt unavailable, with everything else, there was just nothing of me left.
...Justin's Deacon Ordination...
I finally hit a wall and gave in to Justin's urging to atleast see a dr for something. I chose a dermatologist since the skin rashes were the first symptoms. They put me on a ton of medication after diagnosing it an allergic reaction that snowballed into an infection. Summer was now shining through the windows but that was the only way I was able to savor it sadly. I was on medication morning, noon and night for the "infection" and sun was a no-no. Pure torture. Comfort #1 God removed. At the time I didn't see it that way and just kept looking with my own eyes at the surface. I wanted to get better, get a tan and get back to work:)
...Six Flags with Keshia and Ava...
...Sunny's 8th Birthday Party...
The week before school started I finally hit more than the wall but the wall along with rock bottom. ..in the pain there is healing and in Your name, i find meaning ..so i'm holding on, i'm holding on, i'm barely holding on to You.. i'm still looking for purpose but You're looking for life.. It's Broken by Lifehouse. I began that week with what would be a long stream of blood-work and never-ending tests. Comfort #2 God removed. Within that same month I mustered up all my energy to be there for some of the people I love more than the next breath I breathe and would without a shadow of doubt, would lay my life down at this very moment for any of them. They were each at different stages of love and life as we all have been at some point and needed to lay it all at Jesus' feet as we all have to do every single day. It didn't go as I prayed and I planned and painfully became Comfort #3 God removed.
Today I sit here realizing He didn't make us carbon copies or robots for so many reasons. He put us here for specific purpose. He put us here to have a personal relationship with HIm, first. And when that is truly first, everything else falls into the perfect place for each of us personally. Just last week we found out air in our home was "compromised" due to it being new construction in 2007 and sitting until 2010 when we moved in. Poor air quality which leads to "health issues." The comfort of home became removed Comfort #4. ..here am I, all of me.. take my life, it's all for Thee.. Take my Life by Passion. That's what He was trying to teach me all the while. They aren't just words, it takes action, consistent action and giving something away that we love and want to have control over is a painful process.
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7 Those words. That beautiful and bold verse for us not to try and figure it out but to trust Him and then and only then does any of it make sense. The past couple months of my life have consisted of exactly that. I look at what by the grace and mercy of God which pieces of my life that have not been removed. My husband. My prayerful, loving, and providing husband. My children. My priceless, smart, and compassionate children. Family and friends with new babies, new jobs, new goals and new encouragement and love they are to me each day without even knowing it at times. And, above all else, my beautiful Savior.
...our usual impromptu family golf outing this week...
The past month for Justin's physical therapy company has hands down been the busiest and most profitable month in all the 5 years they have been in business. They have been blessed with the opportunity of helping more patients day to day and week to week than ever before. '..and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus..' Phil. 4:19 A verse He has continued to lay on my heart. In tears and on my knees, I knew exactly what He has been trying to tell me. This is where He wants me, for good. Oh I love my work. I love it so very much. I love it enough to have an entire post devoted just to allow me to "count the ways:)" But did I begin to seek my approval there and from 'man' more than from Him? Yes. Did that become a priority at times over what ultimately matters? Yes. And did I begin to love it and my will and desire more than my Creator's will for my life? Yes. Comfort #5 removed.
...making memories...
The night before last I began the sentence a total of 3 times before I gained clearance over the lump in my throat and forced the words out of my mouth to Justin, "I'm done with work." A rush of uncontrollable tears followed my speech then as they follow my typing now. This isn't what I'm used to, it isn't what I know and it definitely isn't what I had planned. From the age of 14 I've been working at this profession hoping my Dad would know I was beautiful, my Mom would know I was independent, my siblings to know I was consistent, my family to know I wasn't a failure, my husband to know I was smart, my children to know I was great, and my friends to know I was successful. But God knew all that to be true before and without the approval of people but through death of His precious Son to give me this life. And amidst all the unknown I have faith that God is used to this, He knew this would happen and this is His plan.
..AT THE CROSS YOU BECKON ME
YOU DRAW ME GENTLY TO MY KNEES, AND I AM
LOST FOR WORDS SO LOST IN LOVE
I AM SWEETLY BROKEN WHOLLY SURRENDERED..
Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle. A song that I have sang and prayed with many times over the years but have never truly experienced until now. In complete surrender and brokeness I look up and see so completely how we can never look to things or each other for our purpose because it's not found there. It's found in Him and only Him and specifically planned from Him for each of us. And I realize it's a daily walk and relationship. I know that He constantly has a plan for us and it's usually not what we think is next. Sometimes these seasons are shorter but usually longer than what our own patience provides. Which is exactly why He makes the point so many times, 'I realize you can't but what I want you to realize is I can so, please, just trust Me.' Romans 8:28 is one of the verses that assures us that ALL things work together for good for those who trust Him.
...love these moments...
Well, if you're still with me as I type these last few words I just want to say God bless you! I know it's a whole heap of a lot to take in a little more than 8 paragraphs, I've had 8 months and I'm still shaking:) I'll leave now with, you guessed it, a link to a song. This has been the one that has brought all this full circle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-fghqc8Oo
...our other favorite family outing lately, Kennesaw Mountain. a little <>< as a reminder to look anywhere and everywhere for a reminder of Jesus and His presence...
...and my favorite view from the mountain..not from the top looking down but from the bottom looking up. there's a lot of darkness and things we can't see but the bright light of the "Son" always breaks right through...
Hope you all have a beautiful blessing of a weekend:)
talk soon...<>< april
That song by Hillsong is such a truthful testimony for my heart lately. God is so good and gracious and greater than I am and I am so very grateful. The beginning of this year I began having some health issues. Minor in the scheme of what "health issues" could consist of but still I knew something was not right. The beginning of 2010 we moved into our new home. I already felt the tug from God to take time away from my work to be more accessible while the kids got adjusted to all the newness of school, home, and neighborhood. It was a sensational summer sizzling next to the pool every single day and looking forward to starting a new school:)
...some shots of last year's sizzlin' summer...
Then it was here, the hustle bustle of August and riding the bus, reading and homework, and forming new friendships. Then, as usual, the holidays hurried in and left us just as quick as they came and then, Happy 2011!! Not long after that is when I saw and sensed a change in myself. Everything "seemed" to be "right." It was time for me to go back to work, just like I had planned. God had a different plan. There's a song by JJ Heller called Your Hands. ...when my world is shaking, Heaven stands ...when my heart is breaking, I never leave Your Hands..I know You hate to see me cry but one day You will set all things right... I listened to that song a lot during those first few weeks of weird rashes breaking out on my body, stomach pains, headaches, out of control heartbeat rhythms, weight loss and random fevers. All of which made it hard to function, let alone, force myself back into my 16 hour day profession.
...J's Surprise...
...Christian's 9th Birthday Party...
...Thanksgiving at Memaw's...
...the Nutcracker tradition...
...Christmas at Memaw's...
...Christmas at GiGi Pat's...
...i will walk by faith even when i cannot see.. because this broken road prepares Your will for me... Jeremy Camp sings it and it was the song that became my background music for my prayer and Bible reading time each day this Spring. I felt just awful. As a wife I felt like such a burden, not feeling good, not working and just looking pathetic. As a Mom I felt like the worst, no energy, sad, and moody. As a daughter and sister I felt inadequate, wanting to help but not having the energy to be bold and share what God was laying on my heart for each of them because of my own personal preoccupation. As a friend I just felt unavailable, with everything else, there was just nothing of me left.
...Justin's Deacon Ordination...
I finally hit a wall and gave in to Justin's urging to atleast see a dr for something. I chose a dermatologist since the skin rashes were the first symptoms. They put me on a ton of medication after diagnosing it an allergic reaction that snowballed into an infection. Summer was now shining through the windows but that was the only way I was able to savor it sadly. I was on medication morning, noon and night for the "infection" and sun was a no-no. Pure torture. Comfort #1 God removed. At the time I didn't see it that way and just kept looking with my own eyes at the surface. I wanted to get better, get a tan and get back to work:)
...Six Flags with Keshia and Ava...
...Sunny's 8th Birthday Party...
The week before school started I finally hit more than the wall but the wall along with rock bottom. ..in the pain there is healing and in Your name, i find meaning ..so i'm holding on, i'm holding on, i'm barely holding on to You.. i'm still looking for purpose but You're looking for life.. It's Broken by Lifehouse. I began that week with what would be a long stream of blood-work and never-ending tests. Comfort #2 God removed. Within that same month I mustered up all my energy to be there for some of the people I love more than the next breath I breathe and would without a shadow of doubt, would lay my life down at this very moment for any of them. They were each at different stages of love and life as we all have been at some point and needed to lay it all at Jesus' feet as we all have to do every single day. It didn't go as I prayed and I planned and painfully became Comfort #3 God removed.
Today I sit here realizing He didn't make us carbon copies or robots for so many reasons. He put us here for specific purpose. He put us here to have a personal relationship with HIm, first. And when that is truly first, everything else falls into the perfect place for each of us personally. Just last week we found out air in our home was "compromised" due to it being new construction in 2007 and sitting until 2010 when we moved in. Poor air quality which leads to "health issues." The comfort of home became removed Comfort #4. ..here am I, all of me.. take my life, it's all for Thee.. Take my Life by Passion. That's what He was trying to teach me all the while. They aren't just words, it takes action, consistent action and giving something away that we love and want to have control over is a painful process.
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7 Those words. That beautiful and bold verse for us not to try and figure it out but to trust Him and then and only then does any of it make sense. The past couple months of my life have consisted of exactly that. I look at what by the grace and mercy of God which pieces of my life that have not been removed. My husband. My prayerful, loving, and providing husband. My children. My priceless, smart, and compassionate children. Family and friends with new babies, new jobs, new goals and new encouragement and love they are to me each day without even knowing it at times. And, above all else, my beautiful Savior.
...our usual impromptu family golf outing this week...
The past month for Justin's physical therapy company has hands down been the busiest and most profitable month in all the 5 years they have been in business. They have been blessed with the opportunity of helping more patients day to day and week to week than ever before. '..and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus..' Phil. 4:19 A verse He has continued to lay on my heart. In tears and on my knees, I knew exactly what He has been trying to tell me. This is where He wants me, for good. Oh I love my work. I love it so very much. I love it enough to have an entire post devoted just to allow me to "count the ways:)" But did I begin to seek my approval there and from 'man' more than from Him? Yes. Did that become a priority at times over what ultimately matters? Yes. And did I begin to love it and my will and desire more than my Creator's will for my life? Yes. Comfort #5 removed.
...making memories...
The night before last I began the sentence a total of 3 times before I gained clearance over the lump in my throat and forced the words out of my mouth to Justin, "I'm done with work." A rush of uncontrollable tears followed my speech then as they follow my typing now. This isn't what I'm used to, it isn't what I know and it definitely isn't what I had planned. From the age of 14 I've been working at this profession hoping my Dad would know I was beautiful, my Mom would know I was independent, my siblings to know I was consistent, my family to know I wasn't a failure, my husband to know I was smart, my children to know I was great, and my friends to know I was successful. But God knew all that to be true before and without the approval of people but through death of His precious Son to give me this life. And amidst all the unknown I have faith that God is used to this, He knew this would happen and this is His plan.
..AT THE CROSS YOU BECKON ME
YOU DRAW ME GENTLY TO MY KNEES, AND I AM
LOST FOR WORDS SO LOST IN LOVE
I AM SWEETLY BROKEN WHOLLY SURRENDERED..
Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle. A song that I have sang and prayed with many times over the years but have never truly experienced until now. In complete surrender and brokeness I look up and see so completely how we can never look to things or each other for our purpose because it's not found there. It's found in Him and only Him and specifically planned from Him for each of us. And I realize it's a daily walk and relationship. I know that He constantly has a plan for us and it's usually not what we think is next. Sometimes these seasons are shorter but usually longer than what our own patience provides. Which is exactly why He makes the point so many times, 'I realize you can't but what I want you to realize is I can so, please, just trust Me.' Romans 8:28 is one of the verses that assures us that ALL things work together for good for those who trust Him.
...love these moments...
Well, if you're still with me as I type these last few words I just want to say God bless you! I know it's a whole heap of a lot to take in a little more than 8 paragraphs, I've had 8 months and I'm still shaking:) I'll leave now with, you guessed it, a link to a song. This has been the one that has brought all this full circle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-fghqc8Oo
...our other favorite family outing lately, Kennesaw Mountain. a little <>< as a reminder to look anywhere and everywhere for a reminder of Jesus and His presence...
...and my favorite view from the mountain..not from the top looking down but from the bottom looking up. there's a lot of darkness and things we can't see but the bright light of the "Son" always breaks right through...
Hope you all have a beautiful blessing of a weekend:)
talk soon...<>< april
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