Thursday, December 30, 2010

Another Year

I know you've heard it a million times, but it's true! 2010 FLEW by.

How is it possible that I am now a mother to two beautiful boys and a dog? I was looking back through my blogposts from 2010 and I'm amazed at how much my life has changed and how much has happened in just one short year. I must say, this year is ending MUCH better than last year. Last year at this time I was 35 weeks pregnant and on bed rest. Wow, that seems like so long ago!

I am very thankful for such a blessed year. It hasn't always been easy, but thanks to my extraordinary husband and precious children and of course, the Good Lord above, it has been the best year ever. Some highlights:

- Caleb Nathaniel was born! This was definitely the highlight of the year!

- We added a new puppy to our family, Maximus. Caleb was only 4 weeks old, what were we thinking????

- We had a GREAT vacation in Myrtle Beach that included Nic's first helicopter ride.

- I planted my first veggie/fruit garden ever and it did GREAT! I did not have to buy any produce all summer because the garden fed us! I can't wait to do it again in 2011! Nic and I have so much fun working on the garden together and now Caleb will be able to join us, too.

- Hubby and I celebrated our anniversary with a weekend getaway, just the two of us. It was wonderful!

- I finished reading the Bible, cover to cover.

- We had a family reunion/80th birthday party for my Grannie. I love my big family!

- We worked together as a family to create a very unique Halloween costume that got the most attention I've ever seen a costume get!

- We hosted Thanksgiving and had lots of family over. Our hearts and our stomachs were full.

- We all participated in our church's live nativity with Larry, Caleb and I portraying Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Nic was a Shepard and the boys and I got to ride a camel for the first time!

- Nic turned 5, rode his first roller coaster, learned to swim, started kindergarten, played on a soccer team for the first time, lost his first 2 teeth and has excelled in school. He is already reading and writing well beyond his level. I am so proud of my oldest son.

- Caleb was baptized, started taking steps, celebrated his first Easter, 4th of July, Halloween and Christmas! He has already had two haircuts, has a much larger vocabulary than I ever expected and is eating like a horse. He is a happy, healthy baby, the answer to our prayers. I can't believe he will be 1 year old on January 18th! I am proud of my baby too!


These are just a few of the highlights from what has been a fabulous 2010! I am so looking forward to 2011 with my loving family and wonderful friends.

Have a safe and happy new year!

Friday, December 17, 2010

My Second Best Gift, EVER.

This morning, my 5 year old said to me, "Mommy, thank you for giving me a baby brother." It was one of those moments that, as a mother, I will cherish forever. It helped me to know that, when it comes to my kids, I'm doing something right.

That got me thinking.

I didn't actually give him a baby brother. After all, the baby is not mine to give. To say I gave my son a brother, or my husband a son is implying that I have ownership of that gift. But I don't have ownership, we all belong to God.

So, after wiping my eyes, I said to my son, "Your very welcome, sweetie. But, I didn't give you a baby brother. GOD gave us, our family, that wonderful gift." I then explained to him that all babies are gifts from God and that He is the original owner. He is the giver of those precious little gifts. I am blessed to have received that gift twice.

If the occasion ever calls for it, I will no longer say that I gave my husband a son. I will no longer say that I gave my son a baby brother. I will say to my wonderful husband that I am the mother of his son, that I bore him a son, or something along those lines. I will tell my amazing son that God gave us a baby brother for him, but NOT that I gave him a brother. I don't want to take the credit away from the One who truly deserves it.

With that being said, the second greatest gift I ever received has been my children. They are not mine, they are His. God has entrusted me with them while on this earth.

The greatest gift I have ever received, is the Salvation that came from the birth of Jesus and his subsequent sacrifice on the cross. Let's not forget that, especially at this holiday season.

Monday, December 6, 2010

The Best New Smart Phone Application

Okay, so this new application hasn't been invented yet. It is my idea and if there is anyone out there who can help me make this application a reality, please get in touch!

So....have you ever had someone send you a text or leave you a message asking you to call them right back? Of course you have.

How many times have you called that person back, right away, only to find they don't answer? Then they call you back five minutes later saying that they didn't hear the phone ring or that it was in their back pocket and they didn't feel it vibrate.

For those of us with friends and loved ones with hearing loss and/or the loss of sensation, I have the perfect solution.

So, you know how when leaving a message you hear, "Press 1 to leave a message, press 2 to leave a call back number?"

Well, I have thought of 3 new options and they would go something like this:

- "Press 3 to have the party you are trying to reach tapped on the shoulder to get their attention."

- "Press 4 to have the party you are trying to reach slapped in the back of the head."

- "Press 5 to drop the elbow on the party you are trying to reach."

I'm pretty sure one of these three options would get the attention of the person you are calling.

So that's it. The "Be Sure to Get Their Attention" application. Even if it can't be done in reality, it would probably make a good Saturday Night Live skit.

I would like to dedicate this blog post to my wonderful husband. The love of my life, the man of my dreams, a great Dad and the inspiration for this blog post =D


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

My Real Life David vs. Goliath

I think I know how David felt.

He was confident, he was faithful, he trusted in the Lord to deliver him from the those trying to hurt him and his family. But, David was also human. As a human it is only natural to feel a bit of nervousness before battle.

Without going into too much detail, I find myself in a similar battle. My battle is against greed, money and ignorance. Of course not mine, if you know me, you know how unimportant money is to me.

Even with this battle looming, I am remarkably comforted. I am still happy. Why? Because I have truth on my side and more importantly, I have the Lord. I know he will deliver me and my family from those who try to hurt us. You know why? Because He says so, many times. He tells me that I don't need to fear, that He will protect me:

Job 5:20-21
In famine He will ransom you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes.

Psalm 32:10
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

2 Thess 3:3
3The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation, who shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Also, because they are so evil and alone, they think that money equals happiness. But since our happiness has nothing to do with money, attempting to taking it from us will not take away our love and happiness.

You know what else? I feel sorry for them. Not in the, "I'm saying that in a sarcastic, mean way." I truly, from the bottom of my heart feel bad when I know someone is so miserable in their own life that they have to try to ruin the life of someone else. To live a life where you are so blinded by your own greed and envy that you can't open yourself up to find true happiness in your own life, makes me sad.

My family and I are incredibly blessed and happy because of our true love, we are happy because of God. Nothing makes us happier than just being together. Those things can not be taken away. They are not something you purchase at a store.

I will pray for my enemies as the Lord instructs us to do. I will pray that He can open their eyes and their hearts. They know that they are flat out lying, they can't be so far gone that they can't see that they are only being greedy and evil. As a mere human, I cannot correct those flaws in them. It has to come from their heart, they have to turn to God. I pray they find true happiness. I pray they can see that no matter what they try, they can't take our joy. They can try to take our money but, God is faithful and after the battle they will still be empty, alone and jealous. We will still be a family full of love and joy. We will be victorious.

I have a few other friends that I know are in the same situation, battling the money and the greed of someone else. You know who you are and I wrote this for you as well. I'm surprised at the number of people fighting this same type of battle. I'm shocked at how evil and greedy some people really are, especially at the holidays. Know, my friends, that you aren't alone, take strength in the Lord, trust Him. Everything will be just fine, God never lies!