Thursday, December 8, 2011

'Twas the Write Before Christmas: Day 2 {2011}

I'm joining a wonderful community of bloggers, celebrating the Advent season and simply writing!

Photobucket


Tuesday's prompt:
‘Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel’


*******


Brightly shone the moon that night
They stood locked in their embrace
He had to go away again
And tears streamed down her face

Goodbyes were never easy
Especially this time of year
He had a duty to his country
Standing strong she would not fear

She and the kids would miss him
Christmas might not be the same
They'll focus on their Saviors birth
And seeing him again

Wishing to reassure him
She whispered in his ear

"Jesus will protect you
Of that I am quite sure
And if His plans differ from ours
I'll see at the end of this earthly tour"


*******


To all of our dedicated men and women serving this great nation, I thank you. If you're away from your loved ones then I pray our Lord will give you the strength to hold on to His hope and know His love will see you home. God bless you and your families.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

'Twas the Write Before Christmas: Day 1 {2011}

I'm joining a wonderful community of bloggers, celebrating the Advent season and simply writing!

Photobucket

Our prompt for Monday's writing was an amazing photograph of snow covered trees, which can be seen here.

*******

"Mom, can we go back to Illinois?"
"No, Sweetheart, not right now. Why?"
"Because they have Christmas in Illinois."
"They have Christmas here, too, Sweetie."
"How can you have Christmas with no snow?"

The simple questions of a 4 year-old swirled in my heart for some time. The answers were easy enough to explain and she accepted them without further question and didn't ask again this year. But the conversation has stuck with me for over a year.

The truth is, it doesn't feel like Christmas without a proper Winter and the Mississippi Gulf Coast does not experience what I consider a proper Winter {especially considering when I began this post two days ago I still had my AC on}.

Growing up in Colorado I became accustom to the snow. I am a creature of change and was able to depend on the changing of seasons. I don't mind the heat as long as it's followed by the cool breezes of Autumn and the lush changing of the trees. I can easily tolerate the cold and the snow as long as the run-off uncovers the new life growing under the surface of the ice and snow.

Without these changes I feel stagnant, this leads to sadness, which leads to homesickness; where I, again, long for the Colorado and the changes of the seasons.

In our family, we celebrate Christmas as the birthday of our Savior and I understand, snow or no snow, we will celebrate and cherish the One who loves us beyond measure. But I do find it easier to get into the decorating spirit when the evergreens are blanketed in white.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

My Life: Being Held in the Arms of Love

I fell in love with my husband, again last night.

He had walked out of the living room and Bear drowsily walked behind him. Barely holding on to her Elmo, her head drooping to the side, as if she were too tired to hold it up.

I heard a muffled, "I want Daddy." Followed by a few moments of silence.

From around the corner, the two emerged. The not-so-little girl being held against her daddy's chest, embraced tightly by his strong arms. Her head rested perfectly on his shoulder, his head on hers.

I was amazed at the amount of love emanating from such a simple embrace.

A father holding his child.

As our Father holds us.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Goals: Accountability Update 2

I missed last week and am a day behind this week, but better late than never... {Right??}

Thank you, Ally, for motivating me!

**********

Recurring goals {items needed to be completed daily, weekly or monthly}:

Read my Bible daily!
I need to remind myself why I want to do this! It is in the Word that I find peace, I find answers, I am reminded of Jesus' love for me, I'm reminded how special I am, and that no matter what, I am NEVER alone!

Create and stick to a house cleaning/maintenance schedule. Enlist the children's help. {They really do enjoy cleaning}
I have my weekly schedule written, the girls help when I ask, unfortunately I haven't kept on top of it. But it is written!

Create and stick to a prayer schedule. {Praying for specific groups of people each day}
I have it written and I'm praying!

Complete monthly budget before the beginning of the month so Josh and I can have budget meetings.
I'll be wrapping it up today so we can have December's meeting this evening.

Take weekly "field trips," even if it's just to the back yard, to study something pertaining to that week's lesson.
I'm failing at this one!


Short term goals {in no specific order}:

Finish the baby's room. {His changing table is B's dressers, thus I need to get B a new dresser!}
We have the dresser, but it is nowhere near being finished.

Organize B's schooling, still allowing for flexibility.
This is now included on my schedule!

Be debt free! {Yes, this is short term! Thanks to Dave Ramsey this should be completed within the next couple months!}

Blog more.
Slowly but surely.

Get B back on a chore/commission work schedule.
She's been working around the house I just haven't paid her, I guess I should add that money to the budget.

Beginning with the Spring semester {I have to allow some time to figure out how to be a mom of 3} take at least one class per semester.

Memorize scripture.
I'll be working on 2 Samuel 22:2-3 this week if you want to join me.

Reduce TV time! I would like to reduce the amount of evening TV time too, but I do need to discuss it with Josh {I'm sure he'll support the idea.}
Still just a little better.

Have company over, couples over for a game night or something. I've got to get over this not-quite fear of hosting.

Get on an exercise routine.

Clean out garage.

Eat out less.
Hopefully we can stick to our menu this week.

Plan a date night with my hubby! I'd like to do this monthly but with work schedules and life in general I'll accept every other month or so.
Still hasn't happened.

Reorganize all closets and storage areas in the house, make better use of them.
I started with the cleaning closet and have moved on to Baby J's room, the girl's closet is a work in progress but it is progressing.

Reduce the girls' toys to about half. I'd like to complete this before Christmas!

This is actually complete but I'm not taking it off yet because I want to reduce the toys even more!


Long term goals:

Maintain "gazelle intensity" and save up enough money for {hopefully} a 50% down payment on a house once Josh retires and figure out where we're going to live.

Finish degree.

Learn a foreign language. I'm currently learning Latin with B but would like to be fluent in a commonly spoken language as well.

********

All in all I feel that I haven't done very well but I know, progress is progress and this week will be better!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

My Life: Update

As I finally have some time to write I know I should be writing something profound or updating my goals but instead I'll be conducting an experiment... I'm going to attempt to write this entire post from my phone while laying in bed. So it's really just going to be a personal life update because I know all three of you are sitting on the edge of your seats, dying to know what my week has been like.

Quite honestly, its been a little rough. Managing the girls while 34 weeks without the help from my husband is proving more difficult than I had anticipated. I had put in place, events and people to help the week go faster but that ended up failing as one person after another had to cancel, thus leaving with a whole lot of alone time with my girls.

With each cancelling text and email I felt more and more alone. Each person had a very good reason but when you're hormonal and a bit lonely it's hard not to take things personally, if only briefly.

So I cried, and cried, sobbing, asking God for help. He came through {as He always will} not in the way I would have chosen, but in the form of strength, grace and He helped my girls go to sleep early and without a big fuss. Thank yo, Lord!

I've been so tired this week! B has been waking up early all week, Bear has been having issues sleep during the night, she was up at 3am yesterday and stayed for about an hour. Couple the girls sleep habits with my pregnancy and sleep doesn't seem to fit in anywhere.

But alas, I lay in my bed yawning. I think it may be time to sign off, I have an early doctor's appointment in the morning.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Goals: Accountabilty Update

As part of the challenge put forth by Ally, we (Ally, Jaime and I) are checking in with each other in order to show support, please join us.

**********

Recurring goals {items needed to be completed daily, weekly or monthly}:

Read my Bible daily!
Doing pretty good, but I need to get better!

Create and stick to a house cleaning/maintenance schedule. Enlist the children's help. {They really do enjoy cleaning}
haven't yet but I have cleaned this past week! {woohoo, me!}

Create and stick to a prayer schedule. {Praying for specific groups of people each day}

Complete monthly budget before the beginning of the month so Josh and I can have budget meetings.
It wasn't completed before the first of the month but Josh and I did have our budget meeting.

Take weekly "field trips," even if it's just to the back yard, to study something pertaining to that week's lesson.
I haven't decided where we're going this week.


Short term goals {in no specific order}:

Finish the baby's room. {His changing table is B's dresser, thus I need to get B a new dresser!}
Budgeted money for the dresser so hopefully soon.

Organize B's schooling, still allowing for flexibility.

Be debt free! {Yes, this is short term! Thanks to Dave Ramsey this should be completed within the next couple months!}

Blog more.
Slowly but surely.

Get B back on a chore/commission work schedule.

Beginning with the Spring semester {I have to allow some time to figure out how to be a mom of 3} take at least one class per semester.

Memorize scripture.

Reduce TV time! I would like to reduce the amount of evening TV time too, but I do need to discuss it with Josh {I'm sure he'll support the idea.}
Getting a little better.

Have company over, couples over for a game night or something. I've got to get over this not-quite fear of hosting.

Get on an exercise routine.

Clean out garage.

Eat out less.

Plan a date night with my hubby! I'd like to do this monthly but with work schedules and life in general I'll accept every other month or so.
Hoping for this week, just need to work out a sitter.

Reorganize all closets and storage areas in the house, make better use of them.

Reduce the girls' toys to about half. I'd like to complete this before Christmas!


Long term goals:

Maintain "gazelle intensity" and save up enough money for {hopefully} a 50% down payment on a house once Josh retires and figure out where we're going to live.

Finish degree.

Learn a foreign language. I'm currently learning Latin with B but would like to be fluent in a commonly spoken language as well.

********

All in all I feel that I haven't done very well but I know, progress is progress and this week will be better!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Bigger Picture Moment: He Missed Me

BiggerPictureMomentsThankful



I've been feeling empty lately.

Going through the motions more or less; bogged down by the flesh, pregnancy, motherhood.

My prayers have been lacking.

I have not been encouraging my husband.

I have not been lifting up others.

I have not been using my God-given breath to glorify Him.

I've been feeling utterly empty.


The moment of awareness came one morning when I felt heavy, I couldn't take even one more step. The sickness and the tiredness I felt was not physical, it was spiritual. I laid on my bedroom floor, as prone as a 7 1/2 month pregnant lady can, and prayed. Knowing not what to pray for, I just prayed.

A few minutes later I was able to sit up knowing what I was supposed to do next. Within my reach was my Bible. Opening it to Psalms, I read the first chapter I came across, then the next, then several more until I finally felt I could stand back up.

I knew what God was telling me to do, come back to Him.

Seek Him.

Talk to Him.

He missed me.

Like a father misses his daughter when she doesn't call or write, He missed me.

He missed me!

I wasn't feeling empty because He had gone somewhere, I had stopped seeking, if only for a little while. I needed to find Him, seek His arms.

I was feeling empty so that He could fill me!

Fill me with His love, grace, promises, His goodness, His mercy!

All I had to do was to look, to ask.



Reading my Bible daily and spending more time in specific, intentional prayer, I have felt His peace the past few days. Oh how I've missed this peace. Life still tries to get in, the girls still act like, well, themselves, but I have my peace back. I have been hugged by my Father and my cup runneth over!

If you haven't picked up your Bible in a while, why not start with Psalm 23. It reads like a love letter in the King James version.

I am so thankful for the love letters He has given us!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Goals: A Beginning

I was once a very goal oriented individual and I still enjoying finding old journals with my goals for that season of life written out. I especially enjoy discovering the goals I've accomplished.

Currently, in this stage of life {having roughly 8 weeks until my due date with baby #3} my goals have gone a bit to the wayside as I've simply been trying to survive the day to day without pulling out my hair or turning into Momma Monster with the girls act like, well, a 2 year-old and a 5 year-old. But as time is drawing near I've been needing to put pen to paper {or fingers to keys as it were} and get back on a goal track so when this little boy does make his arrival I will be {somewhat} ready.

My dear friend, Ally has proposed a goal challenge and Jaime and I are joining her. I love the support and accountability inherent in an individualized group journey.

On to my goals.

**********

Recurring goals {items needed to be completed daily, weekly or monthly}:

Read my Bible daily!

Create and stick to a house cleaning/maintenance schedule. Enlist the children's help. {They really do enjoy cleaning}

Create and stick to a prayer schedule. {Praying for specific groups of people each day}

Complete monthly budget before the beginning of the month so Josh and I can have budget meetings.

Take weekly "field trips," even if it's just to the back yard, to study something pertaining to that week's lesson.


Short term goals {in no specific order}:

Finish the baby's room. {His changing table is B's dresser, thus I need to get B a new dresser!}

Organize B's schooling, still allowing for flexibility.

Be debt free! {Yes, this is short term! Thanks to Dave Ramsey this should be completed within the next couple months!}

Blog more.

Get B back on a chore/commission work schedule.

Beginning with the Spring semester {I have to allow some time to figure out how to be a mom of 3} take at least one class per semester.

Memorize scripture.

Reduce TV time! I would like to reduce the amount of evening TV time too, but I do need to discuss it with Josh {I'm sure he'll support the idea.}

Have company over, couples over for a game night or something. I've got to get over this not-quite fear of hosting.

Get on an exercise routine.

Clean out garage.

Eat out less.

Plan a date night with my hubby! I'd like to do this monthly but with work schedules and life in general I'll accept every other month or so.

Reorganize all closets and storage areas in the house, make better use of them.

Reduce the girls' toys to about half. I'd like to complete this before Christmas!


Long term goals:

Maintain "gazelle intensity" and save up enough money for {hopefully} a 50% down payment on a house once Josh retires and figure out where we're going to live.

Finish degree.

Learn a foreign language. I'm currently learning Latin with B but would like to be fluent in a commonly spoken language as well.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Loss

My husband had a birthday this past weekend.

My daughter has a birthday this week.

The difference this year is no cards will be coming from Pops, Josh's beloved grandfather.

We lost Pops last month, we really didn't loose him, he went to join his Heavenly Father and I can't blame him one bit.

But tonight when I checked the mail it dawned on me, no more cards from this amazing man.

Pops was great with his card sending. Sometimes they'd come a day or two late but he never forgot us. He had the incredible ability to find cards for "my granddaughter-in-law," "grandson and his wife," and of course, "to his great-granddaughters!" Cards I never knew were made, he'd find. And they always had the perfect sentiment or wit.

I don't think he ever sent a card without some personal inscription and I always enjoyed reading the inscriptions aloud, mostly because I could always hear his voice coming through his written words.

I will miss this gracious man, I will miss his phone calls, I will miss his cards. I will miss the way he doted on my children.

I miss you, Pops, but take comfort knowing I will get to see you again.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Writing Me: Where I'm From

I'm joining Bigger Picture Blogs in a community writing project. Such perfect timing as I'm getting back into writing, I love being able to share and learn from others.

WritingMe


I am from the Great Plains, red earth and willow trees. The smell of spring storms looming on the horizon.

I am from purple mountain majesties, white caps looming year around. I am from columbines and aspen trees.

I am from two stories, overlooking Boulder reservoir. A trampoline dug half way into a mountain side, Panther pride and blue and gold. Homecoming floats and three hour trips to football games. From, "Kiss my paw!"

From the wind and snow. Where Halloween costumes must fit over coats and snowsuits.

I am from two loving parents, discipline, church. From reading the Bible, believing Jesus died for my sins and knowing there are not enough good deeds on Earth that can get me into Heaven

From women who put family first and men who supported them. I'm from a place where you could never hear, "I love you" enough and men are manly for saying it.

I am from siblings who watch out for each other, pick on one another, tickle you until you pee. I'm from a sister who is my best friend and reassures me that I can handle these children and God loves me no matter what!

From the tight-knit, always have a place to go family. From imperfection, dysfunction, humor, and utter joy.

I am from devotion to duty, from a line of patriotic defenders. Doing my part to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America! I am from Haze Grey and Red, White and Blue!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Just Writing

I've missed writing, missed composing poems.

I find myself here next to a sleeping child, my mother-in-law entertaining the other, new life kicking inside and I want to write.

I want to catch up on all the lost words, months of words, excitement, happenings. But it just isn't feasible, too much was missed, too much time gone by.

Time continues to carry on while I sit and watch. Watch the children grow, watch my stomach grow.

The ebb and flow of life carries on, hopefully I'll be able to put some of it into words.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Adventures in Parenting: Learning or Attempting To

I find myself at a loss.

It took me several years to learn how B learns and specifically, how to teach her and get her to listen.

I now find myself staring down a similar barrel with Bear. I'm learning, quickly, what doesn't work. While positive reenforcement motivates B, Bear could care less.

I would rather support than punish but my goodness, I can not get that kid to listen! She takes selective hearing to a whole new level. I'm to the point I'm going to have her hearing checked to rule out actual hearing loss.

So tonight I begin my research for how to learn how my child learns. Any recommendations are very welcome, weather it be books or techniques, this is my plea for help!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

My Journey: A Student

I recently embarked on a new journey and am thankful it ended today. I re-enrolled in college and intentionally took only one class. I figured I'd use this one class to get my feet wet and eventually take more and finish off my degree. Shortly after signing up for (or maybe just before) I found out I was pregnant with #3. Deciding to stick with my original plan, I proceeded with my class, Art 205, Art Appreciation. I was surprised a bit by the amount of time the course took on a day to day basis but balanced it well, at the beginning anyway. I was doing well up until the last couple weeks. A death in the family prompted a visit to Iowa, I was granted an extension that served me well as the house we were staying in didn't have Internet. When we got home I knew I had one week to make up two weeks worth of assignments and knew it could be done. Then this week happened, if something could have happened, it did. B's first day of school (which I knew was coming but still added a bit of stress, but that's a blog of it's own), bug bites causing swollen limbs, doctor visits, surprise duty days, you name it and something would come up. But I prayed and God got me (us, really) through it.

So, long story short, I'm a college student again although I will be taking the next two semesters off so I can learn how to be a mom of three and homeschool B. But before ling, I'll be back in the swing of things!

On a side note, I've very much missed blogging. I almost wrote that I missed writing but I've been a writing fool, it's just been centered on art history.

And I know it's been a while but it you didn't catch it, we're pregnant with #3, due in December.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Adventures in Parenting: Nursing?

I just found this post, unpublished, written back in January. I'm posting it now with an update at the end just in case someone out there can find it helpful. Enjoy my adventure.

*****

It's a quarter after nine in the morning and both my children are asleep, in my bed.

This has been a long week, transitioning a snugly Bear out of our bed and into the queen size bed she shares with her sister. A move that shouldn't have been too terribly difficult is now bit exacerbated by that fact that I've stopped nursing Bear during the night.

The Back Story

She used to sleep through the night, she struggled a bit when we moved but fell back into sleeping. Then, sometime in October, she started wanting to nurse during the night and I haven't had a full night's sleep since.

Since B made the request that she and her sister share a bed and knowing Bear is such a snuggler, I thought it was a fantastic idea! {Couple that with the overwhelming support I received when I told a few people; I was actually surprised when they told me their children used to share a bed, cool!}

So when we were gifted a king size bed, we passed our queen to the girls. They were thrilled, well, Bear was until she found out I expected her to sleep in it. She was comfortable in her routine, nurse down in Mom and Dad's bed, mysteriously wake in the middle of the night in her own bed, return to Mom and Dad's bed, nurse and go back to sleep.

A change was needed.

I started slow, having her nap in her new bed. That was fine, she didn't care where she napped as long as she could nurse down. Then, it was time for the night time move. She didn't have a problem nursing down in her bed and for the first couple nights, when she woke up and came to my room, I took her back to hers and nursed her back down, then returned to my own bed. This was short lived. I was getting even less sleep then when she was sleeping with me.

What was I going to do??

When B was her age she liked sleeping with me too. I used the "cry it out" method with her and it about killed me. I'm so thankful I had an awesome friend who let me call her at any hour because that was so terribly hard and I can't help but feel pain whenever I look at the point of my parenting life. I knew I needed to try something else with Bear.

{If you're wondering why I went from our/us to my/me, I'm really not discounting my dear husband. Thankfully, I am not flying solo on this journey with Bear as I was with B, hubby was in Africa for that, but as I'm the one not sleeping he asks me, "what will help you sleep?" and we go from there.}

{Wow, I'm all over with this one, thanks for bearing with me.}

Armed with a new idea, we prepped B and warned her. When Bear woke in the middle of the night, I would soothe and comfort, call in Daddy when needed, and be there to support her and reassure her, telling her she did not need "Mommy milk" to go to sleep.


*****

And that's where it ended. To be perfectly honest I'm not sure where we went from there. I remember a couple times having Dad try to soothe her as he didn't have "milk" but she'd just get more and more upset. I would eventually send him and B to our bed so they could get some sleep and I'd spend however long it took to get her to snuggle back to sleep. Of course I'd fall asleep in her bed.

I've since weaned my Bear; a very personal decision. I do miss it from time to time but in the end I do feel it was the right decision for her and me. I made it gradual, after we stopped the night time nursing we were down to two, before nap and before bed. I dropped the nap first and she didn't put up much resistance. She still wanted to snuggle down and I was okay with that. It was almost two months of only nursing at bedtime before I finally stopped that one, too.

The first night I didn't nurse her she slept like a dream, thank the Lord. One thing that isn't mentioned above is how much prayer went into this transition. I could not have done it without His help, His loving grace.

Nightly nursings are not missed, they've been replaced with scripture reading, Bible stories and family prayers.

Friday, February 25, 2011

My Journey: Being Thankful for the Trials

1Thessalonians 5:16-18 says
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.


A wonderful piece of scripture and great advise, but how often do we apply the whole writing, everyday?!

16 Be joyful always

Easy to say on the good days, but what about the days of trial? When you're down and out do you find joy in God's everyday beauty? Or are you so focused on the problem at hand that you forget to even look?

While in a depressive funk about a year and a half ago, I discovered my "joy" and such a joy they are! I discovered God had given me a gift to love and enjoy; my children are my joy! Every once in a while I do have to ask God to help me enjoy my joy.

17 Pray continually

Maybe a little easier during the difficult times in our lives, as we pray for God's help, comfort, peace, healing, etc. It's easy to remember to pray when we need His divine assistance, but what about the other times?

Philippians 4:6 tells us not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. So why shouldn't we pray for help finding that close parking spot on a rainy day when the kids are with you? Why not pray for help deciding what to feed the family?

Just recently I quietly prayed for help and safety merging in traffic. Once safely in the lane, I said, quite audibly, "thank you, Lord!" and was scoffed at. Nothing is too big or too small for God!

18 Give thanks in all circumstances

Yes, read it again, it does say ALL. That means giving thanks during the trials.

And I did, I'd give thanks for all the blessings in my life. I would remember to be thankful for my family, my health, my family's health... It wasn't until very recently that I was reminded to be thankful for the trial itself. I truly believe God does NOT punish, He is a kind and loving God. I do believe He allows things to happen to us, for us to reap what we sow. But on that note, I feel in my heart, God uses these trials to mold us, to shape us into better Christians, to bring us closer to Him who loves us.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I don't know what purpose this trial has in my life but I know God will see me through and that I will be better for it.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Happy Momma Moment: A Full Day

Gems from my 4 year old.


"What do I look like, a pizza oven?!"

*****

"Don't give me that attitude."

*****

"I'm beat up real bad."

*****

A phone conversation between my mom, Yaya, and B.
Yaya- You should see Papa, he's wearing a red dress.
B- Is he pretending to be a girl?
Yaya- He fell off his high heals.
(Much giggling)
B- I wear high heals because I'm a girl.
Yaya- I don't have any high heals.
B- You can borrow Papa's!
(Much laughter)

*****

My dear B was filled with much wisdom today, more than I think a 4 year old should have. But nevertheless, I feel I got the message God was sending and I truly loved receiving inspiration from His little helper. She (and He) really perked me up after a few days (a few weeks) of a funk.

I am such a blessed Momma!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Bigger Picture Moment: Daddy

My father.

My Daddy.

My Papa.

I know that my dad has given so much for his family. He's endured crazy commutes so his family could live in a quaint little mountain town. He's moved, from house to house, state to state, for reasons I may never know. He's loved us, as only a father can.

He is the perfect earthy father, given to me by my Heavenly Father.

But I don't know that I've ever truly appreciated him as much as I do now that I have my own children.
















My father's an amazing man
Like none I've ever known

Strong in his convictions
Stubborn in his ways
Living life to the fullest
Each and everyday

When you need him he'll be there
To give you strength when you are weak
Guiding you throughout the day
When everything seems bleak

He raised his kids the best he could
And my how we have grown
We try to share everyday
The love that we were shown

My father is an amazing man
Of all, I say he's best
His love is everlasting
And I'm forever blessed




I love you, Daddy!


Simple BPM

Sunday, January 23, 2011

The Sunday Creative: Solace

The Sunday Creative



Seeking peace

Purpose

Finding a greater Love

Music dances, filling the air

Worship and Praise

Lost in a moment

Joy regained

Breathing in Life

Sharing a passion

Seeking solace

Finding Him

Thursday, January 20, 2011

My Bigger Picture

Bigger Picture Moment


I'm sitting here attempting to write my Bigger Picture Moment {this is draft number three} and no matter what I write, I end up on my husband.

In my first draft, I was writing about my children and ended up writing about how supportive my husband is, especially when I'm struggling with parenting.

My second attempt at a Bigger Picture Moment, I was writing about friendship. I was lost in thought, trying to convey what happens to friendships when moving every couple years since, well, birth {in my parents defense, we moved houses a lot but we only changed school systems three times}, when my mind wandered to my husband. I've had friends come and go, some have stayed in my life while other's haven't.

My husband has played a major role in my life for almost ten years! For the first time, my best friend was with me when I moved across the world, across the Pacific and across the country.

God had a time and a place for us, we know that know. We've discovered we've been in the same place, frequented the same establishments, lived a barracks apart {twice}, and celebrated Fleet Week in the same town but never met. For those who don't know, I met my husband while we were both serving in the Middle East.

Our lives have changed with deployments, transfers, children, Christ. My "I believe there's some kind of higher power" husband is now the spiritual leader of our family. I often go to him when I can't find something in scripture. He's helped further my relationship with Christ.

Watching God work in his life has forever changed my perception.

And today, he, my amazing, spectacular, wonderful husband, is helping me see the bigger picture.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Not Here. Please Lord, Not Here...

Something happened this morning that is making me take pause.

I know we live in a wicked world, evil lurking EVERYWHERE, and it is by the grace of God that we are protected.

As I loaded the girls up in the van this afternoon for a jaunt to the grocery store my eyes were drawn across the street where a firetruck sat idle. Dozens of people milled around on the lawns, only a few in uniform, the rest were donned in cargo pants, polo shirts and drop down holsters. An older woman sat on the tailgate of a truck being checked by an EMT. Whatever had happened, had already happened, I saw no tension, no one being carted off in handcuffs. This was the period where adrenalin had calmed and the professionals were getting the job done.

I didn't want to think about what had been going on just across the street, I knew what had happened, but didn't want to know.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Sometimes you just don't want to know how close danger is.

How close evil is.

In my head, spin the "what ifs" and I am thankful, ever so thankful for God's loving protection. Not just for me and my family, but for the neighbor's, the people living in the surrounding condos, even for the drug dealers. Who knows what kind of damage would have been done if their concoction had failed and exploded.

For a brief moment I though we should move but then the truth came to me, no where is truly safe and you really have no idea what your neighbors are up to.

So tonight, I will hold my children a closer and pray.

And pray.

The news link.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

On My Way Back

I know I've been away for a while, but I have not been far.

I went for a few months utterly lacking words, what few words did come into my mind were better suited for a journal than a public document. Nothing bad, sad, or otherwise, but better left for me at a later date {I do go back and read my journals}.

I am, slowly but surely, making my way back to the blog. I finally have stories and poetry streaming out of my head, I just need to get my fingers typing a bit more.