Friday, November 4, 2011
Thankfulness Day #4
Well, these are in no order of importance...but today I am thankful for my new shoes!! I seriously love them!! It is like my feet are wearing sweatpants.
My left heel hurts. Often. This helps it hurt less!! So, thank you, Nike!! :)
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thankfulness Day #3
Hand in hand with yesterday's blessing of marriage, today I am thankful for my husband, Eddie. I am thankful for his faith. For his love. For his friendship. For his strength. For his sense of humor. For his loyalty. For his encouragement. For his faithfulness. For his help. For his support. For his example. Somehow, God saw fit to pair me with this man, and for that, I am so thankful!!
Now...Halloween pictures of my babies...
What are you thankful for today??
Now...Halloween pictures of my babies...
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| So hard to get all of them looking and/or smiling at the same time |
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| Strong Spidey |
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| Silly Cinderella |
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| Sweet Elmo |
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| Unsure about this lion |
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| Roar!!! |
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Thankfulness Day #2
Today I am thankful for my marriage. God has blessed me beyond what I deserve. Eddie is the greatest man I know. I am thankful to have someone to share life with. To share my dreams and thoughts and burdens and responsibilities. He is truly my partner in life. What a wonderful institution God established when he ordained marriage. I am not saying that our marriage is perfect, but we are getting better at working through the not-so-perfect times. In the words of Blake Shelton in "God Gave Me You"....
On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo
December will be our 12th anniversary and I look forward to the next 70!
What are you thankful for today?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thankfulness Day #1
I am going to TRY to name at least one thing I am thankful for everyday in November. God has blessed me so much, and I want to live with a grateful heart. And what better month to focus on this than the Thanksgiving month?!
First and foremost, I am thankful for my salvation. God, in His great mercy, pulled me out of the depths of sin. I have done...and can do...nothing to earn this. It is his free gift that I have chosen to receive. If you have not made this choice, it's not too late! This is a gift that is available to anyone who will receive it. It sounds so trite, but this is the most important decision of my life. I am overwhelmed that Jesus would die for such a selfish, sinful person. Thank you, God, for your great salvation!!!
Having just returned from my mission trip to Colombia, I have had the opportunity to share this great news with so many people. What a privilege to hold someone's hand and watch them pass from death to life. Overwhelmed does not describe it! I want to tell you all about my trip...and I will....but it's so hard to articulate my experience. But I'm working on it!
And finally....what kind of mom would I be if I didn't show off my cuties in their Halloween garb? Well... my phone died as I was about to send pics...so that will have to be tomorrow! I know...the suspense is killing you!!
If you want to join me in this Thankfulness Challenge, leave me a comment and tell me what you're thankful for today!
First and foremost, I am thankful for my salvation. God, in His great mercy, pulled me out of the depths of sin. I have done...and can do...nothing to earn this. It is his free gift that I have chosen to receive. If you have not made this choice, it's not too late! This is a gift that is available to anyone who will receive it. It sounds so trite, but this is the most important decision of my life. I am overwhelmed that Jesus would die for such a selfish, sinful person. Thank you, God, for your great salvation!!!
Having just returned from my mission trip to Colombia, I have had the opportunity to share this great news with so many people. What a privilege to hold someone's hand and watch them pass from death to life. Overwhelmed does not describe it! I want to tell you all about my trip...and I will....but it's so hard to articulate my experience. But I'm working on it!
And finally....what kind of mom would I be if I didn't show off my cuties in their Halloween garb? Well... my phone died as I was about to send pics...so that will have to be tomorrow! I know...the suspense is killing you!!
If you want to join me in this Thankfulness Challenge, leave me a comment and tell me what you're thankful for today!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Colombia Bound
,Hey y'all! Just wanted to let you know I will be MIA next week! I will be on a mission trip to Cartegena, Colombia.
I know...bless my heart, right?! But seriously, we will be sharing the story of Jesus with these amazing people. I would so appreciate your prayers! God is doing great things in Colombia and I am so excited I get to be a part of it!
Not sure how reliable our Internet access will be, but hopefully I'll be back the next week with lots of lives-changed stories!! :)
Pray also for my sweet husband and kiddos (and his mama, who is coming to help out!).
Hope everyone has a great week!
Not sure how reliable our Internet access will be, but hopefully I'll be back the next week with lots of lives-changed stories!! :)
Pray also for my sweet husband and kiddos (and his mama, who is coming to help out!).
Hope everyone has a great week!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Idle Words
"But I tell you that every careless (idle) word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37
WHOA! Every?!
2 Timothy 2:16 tells us to avoid idle chatter because it will lead to ungodliness.
Idle talk is defined as of no real worth, importance, or significance. I had always been of the mindset that sins of the tongue were the obvious ones....cursing, lying, gossiping..things that were inherently bad. But idle talk...that seems like it's not necessarily saying BAD things...just insignificant things. Wow.
See...I am not a fan of awkward silence. So what do I do to fill the silence? Ramble. I mean nonsensical, who gives a flip, I should have shut up 10 minutes ago rambling. Ouch. I began to wonder why this would be considered bad. And then it hit me.
When I say things without thinking about them first, that's generally when I look back later and regret what I have said. That's when I let something slip that I shouldn't have. When I don't stop to consider my words, I make unwise choices with what I say. I am careless with my words. Which is dangerous.
This has happened to me many times....most recently one Sunday night at church. I said something to a sweet couple at church just off the cuff. It was thoughtless and dumb and uncalled for. I left after church and headed to the beach. The whole week of vacation I was fretting over the one stupid comment I made. I enjoyed my vacation, but I still had that feeling of dread in the back of my head the whole time. As soon as we got back the next week, I apologized and felt so much better.
But what heartache could I have saved had I not resorted to idle chatter. Let's think before we speak! I saw a great acronym that I am determined to try to put in to practice....THINK
T...Is it true?
H...Is it helpful?
I....Is it inspiring?
N....Is it necessary?
K....Is it kind?
If not...let's not say it!! Do any of you struggle with this? What helps keep you from idle chatter?
WHOA! Every?!
2 Timothy 2:16 tells us to avoid idle chatter because it will lead to ungodliness.
Idle talk is defined as of no real worth, importance, or significance. I had always been of the mindset that sins of the tongue were the obvious ones....cursing, lying, gossiping..things that were inherently bad. But idle talk...that seems like it's not necessarily saying BAD things...just insignificant things. Wow.
See...I am not a fan of awkward silence. So what do I do to fill the silence? Ramble. I mean nonsensical, who gives a flip, I should have shut up 10 minutes ago rambling. Ouch. I began to wonder why this would be considered bad. And then it hit me.
When I say things without thinking about them first, that's generally when I look back later and regret what I have said. That's when I let something slip that I shouldn't have. When I don't stop to consider my words, I make unwise choices with what I say. I am careless with my words. Which is dangerous.
This has happened to me many times....most recently one Sunday night at church. I said something to a sweet couple at church just off the cuff. It was thoughtless and dumb and uncalled for. I left after church and headed to the beach. The whole week of vacation I was fretting over the one stupid comment I made. I enjoyed my vacation, but I still had that feeling of dread in the back of my head the whole time. As soon as we got back the next week, I apologized and felt so much better.
But what heartache could I have saved had I not resorted to idle chatter. Let's think before we speak! I saw a great acronym that I am determined to try to put in to practice....THINK
T...Is it true?
H...Is it helpful?
I....Is it inspiring?
N....Is it necessary?
K....Is it kind?
If not...let's not say it!! Do any of you struggle with this? What helps keep you from idle chatter?
Monday, October 17, 2011
I am 1 in 4
Saturday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. It has been said that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. I am 1 in 4.
10 years ago, I would not have believed I would be that statistic. The day I was officially hired for my first job, Eddie and I decided to try for a baby (which was around May of 2001). We knew we wanted a big family and we were ready to get that going! We tried on our own for about a year with no luck. So we decided to talk to my doctor. He ran some tests and we decided to go the Clomid route. After several rounds, we got pregnant!!
I looked back through my pregnancy journal, and I found out I was pregnant on October 16, 2002 (which was 9 years ago yesterday). At that time, Eddie was working on his doctoral degree, so he was in class in New Orleans. He happened to be going to a friend's house for supper that night, so I called her and told her to do something special and have him call me. She wrapped up a baby photo album and gave it to him when he got there. He was confused. He was like, "Uhhh, thanks, but we don't have a baby." She told him she thought he'd better call his wife!! He called me and I told him and we were SO excited. He got home late the next night and I had left this picture for him on the door:
We had our first doctor's appointment on Halloween. We were given a due date of June 23, 2003. We had a sonogram, and saw the gestational sac. They said it was too early to see a heartbeat. Ok...no problems. We were excited. We began to dream about our little one. We talked about names. We bought baby books. We set up the crib someone had given us. We told everyone within ear shot.
November 21, 2002...about 8 that night, I started spotting. Eddie was, again, in a doctoral class, this time in Memphis. I was terrified. I couldn't get in touch with him, so I called my mom and she came over. She called a family friend who was an ob-gyn, and he told me just to stay off my feet and to come in the next day for a sonogram. Eddie came home immediately after his class. I cried, we prayed, and we hoped. We hoped with everything in us that this was nothing. Just normal implantation bleeding. Hoped that everything was well with our precious baby. Hoped that our dreams for our family weren't coming to an end.
Unfortunately, when we went in for a sonogram the next morning, there was no heartbeat. I had miscarried at 11 weeks. I had a D&C that afternoon. I'm glad I kept the pregnancy journal because everything surrounding that time is a blur in my memory. But I did keep all the cards and encouraging notes that were sent to me, and I treasure those.
As common as miscarriage is, one thing I do remember is that many people didn't really know what to say to me after that. And many people said weird or hurtful or just wrong things. I know everyone meant well, but one thing I learned is that when I don't know what to say, just saying "I'm so sorry and I'm praying for you" is usually good enough.
The card that I found that I treasure most is from my sweet husband that he gave to me on what should have been our due date. It said:
"I know this isn't the easiest time in the world for you and that the challenges you face would test the strongest faith - and yet, I see the spirit of God shining through you as each day you just keep putting one foot in front of the other...You are an inspiration and a blessing to everyone who knows you. But I am aware that hanging on and hanging in and being brave are not as easy as you make it look, and that's why you're constantly in my prayers...I ask God to comfort you, give you strength, and to bring you better days. It's what you deserve, because you are truly one of His beloved children."
I didn't think I would ever stop actively grieving. Or crying every day. Or questioning what I did wrong. Or wondering if I would ever have a baby to hold. But you know what? God did comfort me. And He did give me strength. And He did bring me better days. And as an extra bonus, He brought me 4 precious babies to hold.
10 years ago, I would not have believed I would be that statistic. The day I was officially hired for my first job, Eddie and I decided to try for a baby (which was around May of 2001). We knew we wanted a big family and we were ready to get that going! We tried on our own for about a year with no luck. So we decided to talk to my doctor. He ran some tests and we decided to go the Clomid route. After several rounds, we got pregnant!!
I looked back through my pregnancy journal, and I found out I was pregnant on October 16, 2002 (which was 9 years ago yesterday). At that time, Eddie was working on his doctoral degree, so he was in class in New Orleans. He happened to be going to a friend's house for supper that night, so I called her and told her to do something special and have him call me. She wrapped up a baby photo album and gave it to him when he got there. He was confused. He was like, "Uhhh, thanks, but we don't have a baby." She told him she thought he'd better call his wife!! He called me and I told him and we were SO excited. He got home late the next night and I had left this picture for him on the door:
We had our first doctor's appointment on Halloween. We were given a due date of June 23, 2003. We had a sonogram, and saw the gestational sac. They said it was too early to see a heartbeat. Ok...no problems. We were excited. We began to dream about our little one. We talked about names. We bought baby books. We set up the crib someone had given us. We told everyone within ear shot.
November 21, 2002...about 8 that night, I started spotting. Eddie was, again, in a doctoral class, this time in Memphis. I was terrified. I couldn't get in touch with him, so I called my mom and she came over. She called a family friend who was an ob-gyn, and he told me just to stay off my feet and to come in the next day for a sonogram. Eddie came home immediately after his class. I cried, we prayed, and we hoped. We hoped with everything in us that this was nothing. Just normal implantation bleeding. Hoped that everything was well with our precious baby. Hoped that our dreams for our family weren't coming to an end.
Unfortunately, when we went in for a sonogram the next morning, there was no heartbeat. I had miscarried at 11 weeks. I had a D&C that afternoon. I'm glad I kept the pregnancy journal because everything surrounding that time is a blur in my memory. But I did keep all the cards and encouraging notes that were sent to me, and I treasure those.
As common as miscarriage is, one thing I do remember is that many people didn't really know what to say to me after that. And many people said weird or hurtful or just wrong things. I know everyone meant well, but one thing I learned is that when I don't know what to say, just saying "I'm so sorry and I'm praying for you" is usually good enough.
The card that I found that I treasure most is from my sweet husband that he gave to me on what should have been our due date. It said:
"I know this isn't the easiest time in the world for you and that the challenges you face would test the strongest faith - and yet, I see the spirit of God shining through you as each day you just keep putting one foot in front of the other...You are an inspiration and a blessing to everyone who knows you. But I am aware that hanging on and hanging in and being brave are not as easy as you make it look, and that's why you're constantly in my prayers...I ask God to comfort you, give you strength, and to bring you better days. It's what you deserve, because you are truly one of His beloved children."
I didn't think I would ever stop actively grieving. Or crying every day. Or questioning what I did wrong. Or wondering if I would ever have a baby to hold. But you know what? God did comfort me. And He did give me strength. And He did bring me better days. And as an extra bonus, He brought me 4 precious babies to hold.
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