June 20, 2011
Just one reason why I love my church so much! {Our pastor is the guy in the plaid shorts and flower shirt.}
This was the opening to the sermon in church yesterday!
6.20.2011
6.17.2011
A Year in Review
June 17, 2011
Wow. One year. I can hardly believe that it's been a whole year that I've been blogging. What an experience. I started this blog without any expectations. I began writing with the intention of gathering my thoughts in one place for my children. This whole parenting thing is way harder than I had ever imagined it would be. It's so complicated and heartbreaking and simple and heartwarming all at the same time! I constantly second guess myself. I wonder how my actions will impact my children on even a cellular level! My thought a year ago was "if they know that my intentions are truly for their benefit, maybe they won't hate me so much". That's how this blog got it start. And it has turned out to be something way more than just a book for my kids from their mother's heart.
I have discovered that I am not alone. There may or may not be one or two of you who have had some of the same thoughts, fears, trials, and triumphs that I have had. God has used me over this past year to encourage some of you at just the right time with my thoughts and insights, though I use that word lightly. I'm not sure how insightful I am. I'm just a girl who loves her God and wants to do right by Him.
This blog has kept me accountable to myself. I am not perfect. Hard to believe. I know. It's a secret I've kept hidden well. {That's a joke.} Things tend to get crazy in my head from time to time and it's really been helpful to get all those thoughts out there where they can be organized into something that looks like it could make sense.
I've also discovered that this is an outlet to share my kids' accomplishments. I am so proud of my kids! If you could know them like I know them you'd think that they were the most amazing things that God has ever created. You really would. I love their intricacies. I love how they've each got so many facets to their personalities. It truly is an honor to have a front row seat to their lives.
I am very grateful for each and every person who stops by every day to read my blog. And an extra special thank you to those who take the time to comment from time to time. You will never know how encouraging it is to know that you've enjoyed something I've written. It makes my heart smile.
I've grown a lot this past year. And I've loved sharing it with you. I hope you'll stick around and see where this year will bring my little family. I just know that God has got some wonderful things in store for us! I've loved opening my Bible every day to seek God's instruction, His encouragement, and His promises. I hope you've been blessed from time to time at what I've found. And I look forward to sharing our lives as we walk in God's grace.
And finally- my latest accomplishment:
"No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Wow. One year. I can hardly believe that it's been a whole year that I've been blogging. What an experience. I started this blog without any expectations. I began writing with the intention of gathering my thoughts in one place for my children. This whole parenting thing is way harder than I had ever imagined it would be. It's so complicated and heartbreaking and simple and heartwarming all at the same time! I constantly second guess myself. I wonder how my actions will impact my children on even a cellular level! My thought a year ago was "if they know that my intentions are truly for their benefit, maybe they won't hate me so much". That's how this blog got it start. And it has turned out to be something way more than just a book for my kids from their mother's heart.
I have discovered that I am not alone. There may or may not be one or two of you who have had some of the same thoughts, fears, trials, and triumphs that I have had. God has used me over this past year to encourage some of you at just the right time with my thoughts and insights, though I use that word lightly. I'm not sure how insightful I am. I'm just a girl who loves her God and wants to do right by Him.
This blog has kept me accountable to myself. I am not perfect. Hard to believe. I know. It's a secret I've kept hidden well. {That's a joke.} Things tend to get crazy in my head from time to time and it's really been helpful to get all those thoughts out there where they can be organized into something that looks like it could make sense.
I've also discovered that this is an outlet to share my kids' accomplishments. I am so proud of my kids! If you could know them like I know them you'd think that they were the most amazing things that God has ever created. You really would. I love their intricacies. I love how they've each got so many facets to their personalities. It truly is an honor to have a front row seat to their lives.
I am very grateful for each and every person who stops by every day to read my blog. And an extra special thank you to those who take the time to comment from time to time. You will never know how encouraging it is to know that you've enjoyed something I've written. It makes my heart smile.
I've grown a lot this past year. And I've loved sharing it with you. I hope you'll stick around and see where this year will bring my little family. I just know that God has got some wonderful things in store for us! I've loved opening my Bible every day to seek God's instruction, His encouragement, and His promises. I hope you've been blessed from time to time at what I've found. And I look forward to sharing our lives as we walk in God's grace.
And finally- my latest accomplishment:
"No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
6.14.2011
Old Glory
June 14, 2011
Did you know that today is Flag Day? It's easy for me to remember because my Dad's birthday is also Flag Day. Many people don't realize that it's a holiday at all, and fewer stop to think about it's meaning. Honestly, I've not given it much thought before. I have respect for our flag. I appreciate what it stands for. But, today, I am especially grateful for the sacrifices made throughout history and those that are still being made as I type this today.
“The colors of the pales (stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness and valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes on the seal) signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.”
We fly our flag because we believe in a country where everyone should be treated equally. We fly our flag because we believe in the blessings of liberty and justice. But, countless men have loss life and limb defending these rights for us. They walked away from their families, not knowing if they'd return as they'd left. No one wants to die for someone else. But, so many have displayed incredible bravery in the face of fear and done just that. And it's not just those who serve our country. It's their families. The ones who are left behind to hold the pieces of a life together, who lie awake in bed at night not knowing if their loved one will ever come home. It's fighting to put one foot in front of the other sometimes when things get especially scary and lonely.
Most of us will never know just what it takes to earn the privilege daily to fly Old Glory. But, today, raise your flag! Do it in honor of those who have given all so you don't have to. Do it because freedom meant so much to so many brave men and women. Do it because it's still worth fighting for!
"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." Romans 14:19
“The colors of the pales (stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness and valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes on the seal) signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.”
Why stars and stripes?
Stars are considered a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is a symbol of the rays of light emanating from the sun.
We fly our flag because we believe in a country where everyone should be treated equally. We fly our flag because we believe in the blessings of liberty and justice. But, countless men have loss life and limb defending these rights for us. They walked away from their families, not knowing if they'd return as they'd left. No one wants to die for someone else. But, so many have displayed incredible bravery in the face of fear and done just that. And it's not just those who serve our country. It's their families. The ones who are left behind to hold the pieces of a life together, who lie awake in bed at night not knowing if their loved one will ever come home. It's fighting to put one foot in front of the other sometimes when things get especially scary and lonely.
Most of us will never know just what it takes to earn the privilege daily to fly Old Glory. But, today, raise your flag! Do it in honor of those who have given all so you don't have to. Do it because freedom meant so much to so many brave men and women. Do it because it's still worth fighting for!
"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." Romans 14:19
6.10.2011
Name That Baby! Part II
June 10, 2011
I cannot even begin to fathom how I could have gotten so lucky to have been invited on this journey. My heart has laughed with him, broken for him, swelled to the brink of capacity with pride for him. I have loved more than I ever imagined that the human spirit could and I will forever hope for him. His life is filled with unlimited potential. And I get the special privilege to experience the first hand accounts of him using his God-given gifts, growing in his strengths, overcoming his fears, and developing into an amazing person that I am HONORED to know.
Happy Birthday, Brant! I pray that you have a wonderful day today and all of your tomorrows. I pray that you grow into the full realization of just how awesome you are. I pray that you see those things about yourself that make you strong, determined, fearless, funny, inventive, and lovable and you use them to their full advantage. I pray that your life is filled with people who truly love you and respect you. I pray for all the best things for you- health, family, happiness, a life grounded in faith- and no matter where you go, however near or far, you always have a place in my home and my heart! I love you, son. There is nothing you could ever do to make me stop loving you. I will always love you more, I will never love you less!
"for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:3-4
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| Eight years ago... |
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| ..... he came into my life.... |
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| .... he immediately captured my heart... |
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| .... and has forever changed me for the better.... |
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| .... with the special spark only he has.... |
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| .... a work ethic to be admired... |
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| ... an imagination that will carry him far in life... |
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| ...he lives hard, plays hard, and loves hard {and sleeps hard}... |
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| .... with an amazing gift of being able to reside in this specific moment in time, and not grow up too fast {to please his Mommy, I'm sure}... |
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| ... and giving me those rare moments of {despite being SUPER cool} total, unbridled affection and pure JOY... |
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| .... my little man has opened my eyes to be able to see this world in a whole new perspective! |
Happy Birthday, Brant! I pray that you have a wonderful day today and all of your tomorrows. I pray that you grow into the full realization of just how awesome you are. I pray that you see those things about yourself that make you strong, determined, fearless, funny, inventive, and lovable and you use them to their full advantage. I pray that your life is filled with people who truly love you and respect you. I pray for all the best things for you- health, family, happiness, a life grounded in faith- and no matter where you go, however near or far, you always have a place in my home and my heart! I love you, son. There is nothing you could ever do to make me stop loving you. I will always love you more, I will never love you less!
"for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:3-4
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