New Beginnings

Welp, today could be the first day of the rest of my life.  That's the way I have to look at it. 
I'm still trying to be discreet about things that are happening in certain aspects of my life now.  But those of you that are my closest, dearest friends already know.  Thank you all for being my support system and loving me through this and praying me through this.  Keep praying because I will need an official new beginning very soon.  And thank you to my mother-in-law for reminding me of this scripture: 

Hebrew 12:11
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 

So I will take the discipline now and will reap the fruits of righteousness when we come out of this on the other end, smiling. 

James, Justin and I are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Sam.  It feels so weird to say I will be an aunt.  But I guess I'm at that age now.  :(  I guess Katie felt kind of weird being an aunt at 16, so I can do it at 30.  We are also VERY excited about our May trip to Knoxville for the big graduation!!!!!!  VERY EXCITED!!!! 

The past few weeks, I've been watching some old home movies of my husbands family and have learned a few things. 
1.  Katie is most sleepy when she's eating.  So if she doses off, just move her soup.  Oh and she was NEVER meant to be a dancer, cause she's just not that interested in it.  She would much rather make music for people to dance to.  I love that about her. 
2.  My husband can walk on stilts.  Who else can say their husband can do that????  Yeah that's what I thought.  HAHA. 
3.  Oh and Joey is always wanting more.  From a very young age til now, he always wants more.  This is definitely a good quality.  Always strive for better.  Never settle. 

I guess I'm at a point in my life and in my relationship with God where I just don't worry anymore.  He carries all my stress and worry for me.  I will come out on the other end of this in a better place.  My whole family will.  We will be better people and better Christians because of the things that happen for us and to us. 

I hope that everyone in our life knows how precious they are too us.  Whether you are a relative or our selected extended family of friends, we love each and every one of you dearly. 

Have a blessed day and an amazing weekend everyone!!!! 

He took it alright!

Happy March 1st everyone!!!  I believe Phil may have been right.  We may just be done with winter for the year.  But in August, when it's 100 degrees and hasn't rained in 3 months, we'll be asking for cooler temperatures.  It's a vicious cycle really.  
I realized this morning as I pulled away from the school that we have almost made it through kindergarten and both Justin and I are still alive.  Which is no small miracle.  That child can certainly test my patience.  But when he's good, he's so very good.  And it makes all of the craziness go away.  
This is an exciting time of year for us when we plan our annual vacation and anything else we can squeeze into the summer.  
I really hope this year brings lots of trips to Wilson Creek for camping.  You never know . 

Even though my mind is going a thousand miles a minutes, I'm just sitting here relishing in all of the blessings.  So here I go again.  I give it all to you Lord.  Take it.  Make it what it's supposed to be in your will.  And please give me the knowledge to know the difference. 
Phil 4:7 " And the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  

I pray today that you take all of the burden and all of the anxiety and make it what is should be.  I pray that you keep my family and my friends safe and healthy and that you continue to bless us as you see fit.  Thank you Lord for everything.....even and especially the hard times. 

Take it!!!!

My heart is SO heavy today.  I'm carrying every little thing around with me.  Every word, every look, it's all weighing on me right now.  I am doing everything possible to try and be a better person, mother, wife, Christian, a better everything.  Every time I feel like I'm looking upward, something has ahold of my shoe strings pulling me back down. 

Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint."

I want to be able to be strong enough to wait on the Lord and his will and soar like eagles and never stumble. 
I'm hear just waiting on his direction.  I'm making a resolution to give it ALL to him today and from now on.  I will no longer be bothered with things that don't affect me and my relationship with Him. 
I pray that he helps me to surround myself with people who are healthy for my faith and my relationship with God.  And that he uses me to give courage to those that need strength and prayer.  Help me to be the friend, wife, mother, Christian that I need to be. 

Warmth

I don't really have anything to post today, but I did find this new cool summer background.  It made me want to be on the beach with my toes in the sand spending time with my friends and family.  I know everyone knows this, but I can not WAIT to have summer cook outs and let the kids just get dirty and rinse them off in the sprinkler or the pool.  I love to watch my little guy play outside with his dad and make bows and arrows out of a stick and a rope.  That's how simple life should be. 
Hope everyone has a great day!

Love is in the air.

WOW!!!!  Spring has sprung...hopefully.  It was a flip flop wearing kind of weekend.  Still needed long sleeves, but the toes were definitely OUT!!!!!  Hallelujah.  Not sure I could handle one more stuffy weekend inside.  Bought paint this weekend for the hallway and kitchen.  I know, you can't believe it right!  For those of you that so dearly love my sheet rock walls, they will soon have paint.  :) 

We have been so fortunate all winter to be living healthy lives with no sickness.  Of course, spring will change all that when the dreaded allergies strike my house.  But allergies, I can deal with. 

11 years ago today, my husband asked me to be his wife.  Never once have I ever doubted my love for him.  He's a pretty amazing person.  He gives with his whole self.  He's so tough on the outside,  but definitely soft and lovey on the inside.  He's a great dad and a great husband.  I couldn't ask for more.  I am truly blessed and lucky that God gave me him. 

Thank you Lord today, for everything that you give to us but especially the love you give from yourself and others.  We are definitely not worthy of your affection, yet you give it always, unconditionally. 
Your love stands in the shadow of no other and can overcome anything.  Thank you for humbling my heart and thank you for giving me the strength to get through the past week. 
Thank you for Spring and for new life and new beginnings.  You're awesome.  We love you!!

Attitude Adjustment

Lately, I feel like I am absolutely no fun to be around because I have this stinky attitude about everything.  I feel like I'm sour about work, about home, and everything in between.  I need a serious attitude adjustment and there's no one that can do it except God, with my cooperation of course. 

Things that were said and happened earlier in the week have me in a really nasty place.  I am resentful and bitter about a lot of different things right now.  I want to let go and enjoy my life just the way it is, no matter what anyone else thinks. 

1 Peter 3:8 says:  "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 

And I realized, Hmm.  It's that easy.  Have a tender heart.  Here I am walking around all bitter because other people don't do what they should and don't treat me the way I deserve and I have to STOP and un-harden my heart.  There's definitely not room in my heart for Christ and all of my bitter feelings as well. 

So I'm praying today Lord that you take any hurt feelings I have.  Heel them and help me forgive.  Take any of the bitterness and judgemental feelings and wash them away.  Give me a clean slate and make me a blank page for you.  No matter how tough I seem, I am only your child and can not do it alone. 

Agape Love

Yesterday was quite possibly the worst day I have had in a long time.  Someone I thought cared about me said some really hurtful things.  I know I may not be the prettiest person in our family and I'm sure not the skinniest.  But I deserve to be loved and respected whether I'm a size 6 or 16.  I can already see the disgust in your face when you look at me but the things that were said yesterday just re-affirmed what you think. 
To go one step further and say that we live like pigs and are unclean people.  We may not be perfect, but you know what, that's okay.  We have people that love us for who we are and don't judge us for what we have and how we keep it.  I have never been so hurt and insulted in my life. 

But then I thought, wait, I don't really need your acceptance.  I have a heavenly father who loves me with unconditional love, agape love.  And as long as I live my life to his glory and to serve him, nothing that anyone thinks matters.  He is the one and only one who will ever judge me and it matter. 

So I only scrub my toilet once a week.  And I may only vaccum once a week too.  I'm not perfect, nor did I ever claim to be. 

So today Lord, I pray that you give me the wisdom to forgive and move on from these things and you give me the strength to not judge others.  Because being judged makes you feel the lowest of low.  I pray that you will keep your blessings on my family and my house as you always do and I pray that you will continue to provide for us as you see fit.