Please Pray...

My hubby and his mom are in the BIG city of Little Rock today. They went up last night. This morning my mom-in-law is having another biopsy done. She found another lump in her breast the other day. If the results come back positive for cancer, this will be her THIRD round of this. It is hard not to ask God "WHY?" in these situations, but I continue to have hope and I know He holds her tightly in His hands.

Please pray for her.

Please pray for my father-in-law who has cancer and is fighting off the crud this week.

Please pray for my hubby as he takes care of his mom this morning... and for strength to take care of both his parents in the days ahead.

Please pray for our family that we will continue to keep the faith and depend on God's strength at all times. He is GOOD all the time. I have to believe that with all my heart no matter what the tests results show or what sicknesses pop up in the future.

Thanks...

Have you ever...?

Have you ever had a time in your life when you feel like crud (allergies gone haywire) and you want to just sit down and have a good cry because Satan KNOWS what your Achilles heel is and how to make you feel even worse about yourself on top of feeling bad and all of a sudden you feel over worked, under appreciated, ugly, fat, out of shape, tired, rundown, selfish, left out, unloved, frustrated at life, acting like a crazy women, throwing all you really know, believe in and hope to be true out the window?!!!

Yep! I have had one of those kind of weeks. When I get sick and tired, I get tired and sick in the head and Satan knows what punches to throw and when...and the sad part it I will just take it until I feel beaten.

But then something will happen. A glimpse of something beautiful. A hug from the Lord himself and all of a sudden my heart feels blessed. All of a sudden it doesn't matter that I am not a size 6, with a flat tummy anymore. It doesn't matter that I am underpaid (well it does, but for the sake of this post, go with me there...). It doesn't matter that I suffered a few kicks this week, because all of a sudden I will look up while on the computer and find this:

Without a word from me, last week my daughter put this where she knew I would find it. I was thankful then, but TODAY when I saw it still taped to my computer, I knew God had whispered in her ear, because He KNEW I would need that message this week. It was His way of saying, your family loves you and I love you even more than that.

Yes, I still feel like crud physically, but mentally and spiritually there is a bounce in my heart's step and a peace that comes with knowing and believing in the grace given to me by the Father God himself. And if that wasn't enough, here is my devotional verse of the week;

"Don't panic. I'm with you. There is no need to fear, for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keeping a firm grip on you." Isaiah 41:10 (The Message)

How can anyone not believe there is a God?

A gift for Poohpa...

My dad is a very creative and artistic man. My kids are pretty talented themselves. They are always looking for ways to show off what they can do, and get their Poohpa's approval. Last summer, while I was at youth camp, my son stayed the week with my parents. To help keep Jordan entertained, my dad did some art projects with him. One of those projects was wood burning.

Fast forward to Christmas. Jor wanted to make something for his grandfather. On his own he grabbed a piece of scrap wood and then went to work. The final project was AWESOME.

And my dad was so proud.

"As the deer is thirsty for water, I am thirsty for you Lord."

The Fairy Tale...is it really about the dress?

My daughter is like most girls...she has a dream, a big dream. She longs to find that "perfect" guy one day, her Prince Charming. The reality check is that the dream is fading faster and faster these days as divorce, premarital sex and adultery are becoming more and more common in every one's world. Even what the world considers the "perfect" family will sometimes be torn apart. My daughter has not been naive to this fact, while watching friends and families dealing with broken relationships all around her. My kiddos wouldn't be normal if they didn't even wonder once in a while if everything is OK with my hubby and I. In other words "trust" in people these days has fallen by the wayside. Even our favorite and closest friends and family have a way of letting us down. Nothing is without a risk. Nothing is sure proof or forever. Nothing...

EXCEPT Jesus Christ, himself, the true Bridegroom.

So, my job as a mom, is not just relishing the dream with my baby girl, of finding that "special guy," but rather finding the guy God has planned for her. Can I promise her a "happily ever after?" No. But I can attempt to show her daily, by example how to love Christ. I can try my hardest every day to put the Ultimate Bridegroom in my life first and then second show her how to be a devoted and a loving wife, to my earthly husband, her daddy. There will be days I fail miserably, but in that there is a lesson to be taught too, on how to give and receive forgiveness. I can teach her that no matter what ups and downs come her way in this world, that there is a "happily ever after" in following her Savior.

Why did I bring this up now? Why today?

Because it has been on my heart and mind a lot lately. Friends and family struggling to keep their families together, while I try my hardest to not let the busyness of my world disrupt my own family life. Struggling to find the "joy" in the mundane work of a "working mom;" keeping the bills paid, laundry washed and the kitchen stocked, while putting in a full days work and keeping up with kid and church activities. It can get CRAZY!!! I have to remind myself daily how BLESSED I am. I do have kids that I adore and a husband who adores me. Even greater, is that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me warts and all.

BUT,

that is not the only reason this has been on my mind...

The other day, my daughter and I were watching that CRAZY show "Yes to the Dress." I am glued while saddened that these ladies think that their wedding is ruined if they don't have a perfect dress. A dress that cost as much as a car, thank you very much!!! I want to say, "Ladies, it won't matter. You will hardly remember anything about your wedding. It is the years afterward that really count."

When I got married, my parents didn't have much money to pull off a wedding. I didn't have much money either. My wedding was small. I like to call it "handmade," because EVERYTHING was made by family except the invitations and the cake. My dress was made by my future mother-in-law and didn't cost 500.00, much less thousands.

So, the other day, while watching the show, my daughter asked me if I still had the dress. "Yes." She immediately went in search of it and had to try it on. I wasn't sure if it would fit, for I was a little smaller than her when I got married. (She also has a bigger chest than I had before I started having babies. :) ) But we managed to get it zipped up.

I WANTED TO CRY!

It is still hard for me to believe my baby girl is 15. It is hard to believe that one day her "Prince" will come. I don't want to think about her getting her heart broken as she searches for her special guy. I don't want to think about her leaving me. But I know that one day it will happen.

So, I took a picture. I took a picture so that I would remember to not only pray for what her day holds today, but rather what her dreams hold for tomorrow. I am praying for that Prince whoever he may be, that he will be deserving of my little gal, not that any one guy could. :) I am praying that they both are trying their hardest to know God and grow, now. I pray for my heart that when the day comes, I will be able to let go and let my baby girl let her dreams come true. I pray that she always knows who her TRUE Prince Charming really is.

Kayla wrote a poem for a project last year. The project was a scrapbook of where she sees herself in 10 years. Among the education, job, nice house, she had a wedding page and on it was this poem she wrote...

An Everlasting Relationship

There's almost nothing more happier than a wedding occasion,

Where everyone comes for this marvelous celebration.

The bride is primed and prepared in her beautiful white dress,

while bridesmaids apply makeup to look their best.

The bridesmaids hold their flowers and steadily walk down the aisle

Then the bride with her head held high, walks down with a slow steady style.

Everyone stands admiring her beauty and charm

Then she turns and see her father crying, while on her arm.

As they reach the alter she sees her fiance with a smile on his face

She turns and meets her father with a warm embrace.

The couple holds hands and exchanges the rings,

As he looks at her, her heart flutters and sings.

They both proudly say "I do,"

For their love is beautiful and true.

As their lips meet, they become one in one

And everlasting bond that cannot be undone.

This is my wish, oh how I long to be..

In an everlasting relationship with someone that 's close to me.

Kayla

Yeah, you can't tell me after reading that, that my gal doesn't believe in "happily ever after."

But then, I do too.

Thank you, Lord for being my Prince.

Thank you for sending my hubby, my way to take care of me here on earth.

I am blessed.

My Family...

I got to go "home" for Christmas this year. Yeah, I know I have been married to my hubby for almost 19 years now, but there is just something still so special about going to my parent's house. Rolling my eyes at my dad's jokes, eating my mom's cookin', laughing with my sister, hugging on my nephews while they wipe my slobber off...I LOVE IT. We are all so close, yet live apart and have such busy lives, that when we do get together it is special. It is like I never left. My kiddos and hubby also love getting away to Grammy's house.

Christmas day, after morning service, we took a few family photos. I LOVE these people!!!

My son and my other child...Baby Girl.

My hubby and his baby girl.

My precious family...so THANKFUL.

My beautiful "baby doll."

My beautiful sister and her three little monsters who I ADORE.

(Please keep these precious people in your prayers. They have had a tough year. Although I am not at liberty to explain, the big sis in me feels helpless sometimes, but I can ask for prayer.

God answers them and has already in so many little ways. God is good. I know He has my family in His hands at all times.)

My Aunt Jo and cousin Rich.

Taking their picture and getting them to smile is as hard as taking the kid's pictures.

Love these crazy two.

The Grandchildren.

The two kids out of the bunch who will let you take their picture...aren't they cute?!

My parents. LOVE them. Blessed to have them.

Grammy and Poohpa with their bunch.

My family.

God is good.

The Big Shindig...

My father-in-law turned 80 on December the 16th. After a roller coaster year of cancer treatments, we wanted to celebrate this year. We decided to have a "SURPRISE" party. I don't know how, but we managed to pull it off, without him having a clue.

Between 30-40 of his favorite people, friends and family gathered to visit, love on him and eat cake. Here are a few snapshots taken at the party...

My father-in-law loves God, his family and the great outdoors...in other words I married into a hunting family. I decorated the table with deer horns, camo and family photos.

The cake also had a hunting scene on it. I didn't make him blow out any candles. :)

It was a surprise party, but in the end he surprised us too. He came in the wrong door and snuck in behind us. It was too funny.

Family photo.

"Papa" with his grand kids.

With Jordan and Kayla.

Kayla and her cousin Claire.

My mother and father-in-law. Aren't they cute?

When I married my hubby, God blessed me with another dad. I love this man more than words can express. The things he has done for me...I could never thank him enough. I am blessed. I am so thankful that he is feeling good these days. Prayer does work. God is so very good.

Take the time to celebrate someone you love today. You in return will receive the bigger blessing.

Where have I been?!!! Let me just tell you...

We had a SURPRISE party for my father-in-law who turned 80 on December 16th.

Opened presents early, the weekend before Christmas, with my hubby's side of the family, since we wouldn't be together the next weekend.

(Kayla and her cousin Claire with their stockings...)

Went to see my beautiful family in north Arkansas, Christmas weekend.

(My mom, dad, sister, 3 nephews are pictured here with me and the kids.)

I bought my dad a puzzle for us all to work while we were there.

(He Likes John Wayne, so I thought this puzzle would be fun...IT WAS HARD!!! As you can see, we were up for the challenge, though.)

We DESTROYED some pretty packages on Christmas Eve. :)

(But I LOVED everything I received in those pretty packages!!! Thanks everyone!!!)

ATE A LOT of food the whole month of December. The week of Christmas was horrible for the scales, but oh so yummy for the tummy!!! :)

(Since Christmas was on Sunday this year, we went to Christmas service, came home for a lunch of sandwiches and finger foods and had our BIG Christmas meal that night.)

Monday after Christmas, the kiddos, my dad and hubby all decorated gingerbread houses.

(You can tell Jordan was really excited.)

We spent a lot of time in PJ's...that is ALWAYS fun!

(Here all us girls modeled our new Christmas pajamas.)

We watched Anne Shirley from her orphaned childhood till she settled down with her Gilbert in all three of the Anne mini series.

(They are a family favorite. I LOVE some Anne!!!)

On Tuesday we went to the Sight and Sound theater in Branson and watched "The Christmas Miracle," which is the story of the Nativity. IT was AWESOME!!!

(If you ever have a chance to go to a Sight and Sound theater, you will not be disappointed. We saw "Noah" two years ago and it was great too.)

And then we came home.

I was excited to hop on my little computer and share all my pictures and holiday stories with everyone and then I discover that my phone line is DEAD.

That means in my house, no computer, no netflix and no facebook or blogging for me unless I want to on the tiny screen of my blackberry. I was NOT a happy camper!!! :(

But maybe it was good. Instead of being on the computer, I finished my holiday from work, by cleaning out closets and catching up on laundry. And then today, the phone line was fixed. Gotta love that AT&T repair man whoever he is.

So there is a summary of what I have been up to the last few weeks. I will probably show a few more Christmas pics through the next week, but thought I would try to put it all neatly in one post, so not to bore you to death. :)

Hope you all had a beautiful Christmas. I really did. It was full of family, fun, lots of hugs and laughter and blessings from the Lord.

I pray that the New Year holds so much promise for us all!

Happy New Year, friends!!!

(Even if I am a few days late. :) )