Lots to be thankful for on this Sunny Saturday

Today I give thanks for a warm sunny Saturday of 65 degrees on November 5th!

It was a day for sleeping in and no agenda.

It was a day to be home with my girls.

It was a day for doing a few last things in my yard before winter sets in.

It was a day for sidewalk chalk and kicking balls around in the yard.

It was a day for finding worms and making homes for them in glass jars.

It was a day for stopping to take in the beautiful creation all around us.

It was a day for sisters to make memories together.

It was a day for rest time, to revive the soul.

It was a day to practice some swimming skills at the aquatic center.

It was a day to celebrate Matt's birthday with the family.

It was a day to rest, to recharge, to take in the everyday beauty around me.  To enjoy the girls, to enjoy where we live.  To be so in the moment that I forgot to take a picture to remind us of the day.  The memories are etched in my mind.  Thank you, Lord, for all the things we tasted and saw today!

Today I give Thanks...

For all of the wonderful people who have helped us with the First Friday ministry.  We felt lead to serve families in the same stage of life as us by provided an opportunity to give parents a night off--free of charge.  We prayed about it for several months, and continued to feel the Lord tugging at our heartstrings to join Him in serving those around us.

It has been 2.5 years and we couldn't do it without the many helpers who give of their time and energy.  We continue to meet on the First Friday of each month and continue to see new kids come each month.  We have seen 96 kids come since we started.  We average about 25-30 each month.  We are so blessed to be a part of this ministry!

I know I will forget someone, but I'm going to attempt to list their names here.

We are THANKFUL for you.  Sydne Weerts, Nelda Strevy and Armeda Hayer serve month after month.  Tirelessly.  Without complain.  They WANT to be with these kids.  We are so blessed.

Others who have helped:  Pastor May, Pastor Steve, Pastor Dean, Dean Gibler, Freda, Dean and Wayne Miller, Jamie Kinley, Justin and Bridgett Morgan, Becky Elfers, Loretta Paulson, Alan and Cathy Morgan, Andy Carriker, Melissa Carriker, Jeni Tussey, Adam and Erin Kroll, Aaron Lawhead, Brenton and Heather Cammack, David and Shelby Ledbetter, Jamie Kellog, Darlene Kroll, Doug and Lori King, Megan Dorman, Carlena Schlunegar, Greg and Denise Huber, Morgan Willson, Holly Rimbey, Kylie Kackman, Riley Kincheloe, Emma Neu, Jaydon Soncarty, Chase Barelocker, Hailey Lomax, Airelle Grimoud, Dana Kincheloe, Cigne Reynolds, Norah Burrill, Lilly Swan, Averi Mackleit, Shyah Antoine, Greta Geier, Mark Morgan, Kimber Kelton.

WOW.  I'm sure I've forgotton someone, so please forgive me.  What an incredible outpouring of love to support young parents!

Not to mention those who have donated paper, money and other supplies to keep the ministry going!

THANK YOU!!!  What a blessing to join God where he is already working!  Come join us!

November 3

Today I am thankful for my freedom and my right to vote. I filled out my ballot tonight. While so much uncertainty and unrest is amongst us in this election, I am thankful I know the one who is ultimately in control and who ultimately has the last say and who has already won the battle.

No, there are no perfect candidates. But we have a right, and we should use it.

VOTE!!

November 2

Today I give thanks for life, for these girls.  They are a gift.  They have been entrusted to our care.  Not all babies make it into this crazy world we call home, but these two have, and we are so thankful for this time with them.  

They are beautiful-inside and out.

They live with passion.  They are unique.  They have a purpose.

I pray they find Jesus and seek Him with all their hearts.  

Psalms 139:14
"I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Every life is precious.  From the moment of conception and that first heart beat.  For He formed us in our mother's wombs.  He knows each hair on head.  He has a plan for each of us, and He set that in motion before even time began.  

Sitting in my Thankful Chair

I find when I am grateful, I complain less. So in a month where we are supposed to be thankful, why not put it "on paper."

Today I am thankful for my incredible husband. Life is busy, he works hard, we don't have much quality time together, and yet, he still knows the way to my heart. He loves me--all of me. My good, bad, ugly and beautiful.

This is how my birthday started yesterday.... :)

The note said to go buy myself a donut or coffee or whatever I wanted. The card was filled with words of affirmation. Ways I feel loved. The day was filled with these texts:

Love you!!!  Happy birthday!!!!!!

You are a great wife and mom!  Love you. Have a wonderful birthday!!

You are so great at Serving your family! Thanks for keeping us organized

I am honored to have you as my wife because you Love and pursue the Lord.

Thanks for making my lunch everyday!

You are a great wife and mom!  Love you. Have a wonderful birthday!!


I am blessed. Sitting in my thankful chair for the man God gave to me!

To My Sweet 6 Year Old

6 years ago today I held you in my arms for the first time.

You forever changed me.  For a moment, I was relieved of the stress I carried not knowing if you would be delivered safely into this world.  For a moment, I was overwhelmed with peace and a love I cannot explain.  A love that goes deeper than anything I have ever experienced.  

6 years ago, after that brief moment, the "Mom Radar" set in.  What was I supposed to do next?  How do I feed you?  When do I feed you?  What do I do when you cry?  When do I pick you up?  Will you pee enough?  Poop enough?  Cry enough?  Sleep enough?

I suppose you can say, it doesn't ever leave.  That built in concern and nurturing spirit you get for your children from the moment that pregnancy test is positive.  Some may call it worry, some may call it stress.  I like to think of it as the Mom Radar.  :) 

Fast forward 6 years, and today you start Kindergarten.  

You have grown into a beautiful young girl who is passionate, and lives life with everything you have. Anything "new" has always been a challenge, so you were nervous for today.  It's ok.  So was I.  So was your teacher.  :)  

I am reminded of so many lessons I feel the Lord was trying to teach me 6 years ago when I was fighting for your life on bed rest at 21 weeks pregnant:   

There are times (many) when I have to let go, and trust the plan of the Father.  This world is scary, and it's a world where I fear you could be swept away by so many things.  But I have to LET GO, in order to LET GOD draw you out out to the path and plan He has for you.  Yes, he has entrusted us to be your parents, but you were His first.  

I will always long for control.  It is my human nature.  Just when I think I can control something, or someone, I am swept off my feet (sometimes literally), and placed in a humble state.  

Let go.  Trust.  Pray.  Hope.  

I have been praying so much in preparation for this day.  It has helped.  We have talked a lot with you about this day.  What it will be like, who you will meet.  How things will be different. That it's ok to be scared.  That you are not alone.  

But nothing could prepare me for this next moment:

There were no words, just tears and I froze.  You clung to me and just cried and cried.  I didn't know what to tell you except that you had to go, and that you would be just fine.  That I love you.  We both survived and even had smiles before too long.  But those moments of letting go and walking away from you while you are in tears, tear at my heartstrings.  I know this is nothing new under the sun, that many have gone before me, and many will go after.  And the years will fly by and I will wonder where time has gone.  

We love you more than you will ever know.  We cherish you.  We are challenged by you.  We are humbled by you.  We learn to live life a little fuller because of you.  We prayerfully lead you.  But the hardest part is letting you go.  So today, we continue to open up our fists we tend to close around you, trying to control everything to be just fine.  

We let you go, prayerfully giving you back to the One who entrusted you to us.  We send you off to clear the paths God has placed before you.  

Happy 6th Birthday our dear sweet Kayla Grace.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

"But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one."

Joshua 1:9

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

We can't wait to see what lies ahead for you in the next part of your journey!  

Be still, my heart

Forgive the quality of these photos, but I just couldn't help myself the other night when I went to give my girls a kiss and found this:

Sometimes when the days are crazy and I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round, I get overwhelmed by my job as "Mother" to these two sweet ones.

Then I stop and see these sweet sleeping ones.

A dad who hasn't even cleaned up from his long day at work, and yet lays on the floor, bringing comfort.  I may be biased, but he truly is one of the greatest dads.  He is so great with the girls.  He works hard, but always has enough energy to play with them and listen to their stories from the day.

Little Sister who is full of life and sleeps soundly because she has made the most of her day.  As long as she has her "favorite blankie" all is right in the world.  Ah, if only life was so simple.

Big sister who lives her life with great passion and loves pink.  (If you couldn't tell.)  She challenges me every day of my life.  She teaches me so much and seeing her sleep peacefully is one of life's greatest gifts.

There will be a day when the "crib" is too small, when they don't want pink walls, or pink polka dots, or even don't ask us to "lay on the floor."  So for these moments, help me to slow down and enjoy and see the gifts that are before me.

It is a scary world we live in.  To release our kids to Our God is a daily job.  There are so many things I can't control.  Well, let's be honest--most I can't.

But I can rest in the fact that He is in control, and continually give them to Him.

I pray that they will "desire truth in the inner parts," (Ps. 51) in a world where truth and absolutes have gone by the way-side.

I pray that in seeking for truth, they will find Our God and desire a personal relationship with Him.  That it will be THEIR choice because God is drawing them to Himself.

I pray they will seek out great friends who will live life with them.

I pray they will never be afraid to ask questions and continually learn.

I pray they will be confident women who can stand up for themselves.

I pray they will learn to say "no" and respect other people's "no."

I pray they will continue to be best friends.

I pray they will always know how much their dad and I love them.  No.  matter.  what.

Lord, "teach me wisdom in the inmost place" (Ps. 51) and use us to continue to guide and shape these sweet girls you have gifted us with for this season of life.  Help us to not cling to them, yet rather hold them lightly--with open hands to You--enjoying the beauty of the moments.