Presents

My mother-in-law, Ruby, is a gem.

We haven't seen her in several months due to the fact that she had knee surgery. She comes at least every six weeks for a visit. She can't stand to not see her grandsons :)

We saw her this weekend as she was coming through on her way to Colorado and she had a big bag for each of us. Bags filled with surprises! The only thing important to me is that she loves, adores and spoils my sons, but she goes the extra mile and spoils me and my husband too!

I had a big bag with a new leopard purse (you can never have too many leopard purses) some new sandals and a Longhorns t-shirt.

It made me feel so special.

When you do the giving for your family, because it's what a mom does, and someone surprises you and thinks enough about you to surprise you, it means the world. Especially when your parents are no longer here.

At one point in our lives Ruby and I could not be in the same room together. It was the stereotypical mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship.

My mother would get so angry with me and would tell me, "She is going to be around longer than me! You need to be nice!"

I know my mother is thrilled that Ruby and I have mended our ways and have such a good relationship. I am too.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. spontaneous trips to the lake
2. suitcase surprises
3. fresh broccoli
4. jugs of water
5. sunburns

He's Finished!

Three years ago, our family began a journey...seminary. But the kicker was that my husband had to travel to Denver once a week to get his degree. We live two hours from the airport, so traveling takes a big commitment. Especially once a week.

My husband has been called to ministry for as long as I've known him, it was just finally the right "time" for him to answer the Lord's call on his heart.

Tonight is the first night in three years that my dining room table is clear of books and a laptop.

No clicking of keys on the keyboard, except for my writing.

No airline to ticket to Denver, waiting.

And my husband has his graduation ring on :)

I adore him and admire him for the work he has done.



I've never seen someone commit so completely to what the Lord has asked of anyone.

Next Friday he will officially become a commissioned elder in the Methodist Church.

I just am blown away at how good God is.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. safe journies
2. rings
3. Burt's Bees Lotion
4. ironed clothes
5. Wii Fit

Contentment

A full pantry and freezer.

Gas in the car.

Money in savings.

Children laughing.

A full belly after a homecooked meal.

A comfortable bed.

Watching birds at the birdfeeder.

A happy spouse.

Reading a good book.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)


What gives you a sense of contentment? Leave a comment!

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. My husband's last day of seminary
2. Christian starting Pre-K in August
3. lunch dates
4. long distance girlfriends
5. new glasses

Timing

In less than a week I will have a high school freshman!



It absolutely blows my mind. I have friends my age that are already grandparents and my Christian is four!



Isn't it funny how God works in our lives?

I couldn't have imagined having Lance when I was right out of high school. I also couldn't have imagined having my Christian any earlier than I did. They were both at the right time.

It's all God's timing. He knows what is best for us.

Looking back on I can see God's hand in my life. Even in the sad times. If things would not have unfolded the way they have, I may not be in the place that I am in right now.

Losing my mother when I was a new mom, hemophilia both times, chemo, losing a close family relationship...all of these things have made me stronger and have strengthened my faith. I wouldn't change a thing about how things have happened.

When Lance was about four, I so badly wanted another child. We tried and tried and even had medical intervention. Nothing worked. But God was wanting us to wait. To wait for the time He ordained for Christian to be in our lives. I don't know what is in store for my boys, but I know it is going to be big:)

Have you wanted something so badly that you questioned God....you asked Him "Why not now?" And then later, seen why it wasn't the right time?


Today I Am Thankful For:

1. wind
2. water hoses
3. a clean car
4. bringing surprises to friends
5. dog breath

Out of the Box...the finale

If you get out of the box long enough....the box disappears!

When are you going to step out of the box? What are you going to do?


Today I Am Thankful For:

1. safe trip home from Albuquerque
2. speaking up for my son to our hematologist
3. frozen strawberries
4. Night Knockers....friends that kept ringing the doorbell till we caught them :)
5. Christian doing at great job at chemo today.

Out of the Box...continued

It's not just camp that is making me step "out of the box", but grad school is doing the same. I will be taking a class this summer that requires me to be in residence at Iliff in Denver for about a week.

A week on my own at school.

Another week away from my family.

A week of studying and continuing to work.

Can I do it? I've put it out there so there's no going back.

Someone said that if you don't put things "out there" and force yourself to stretch, you will never experience all that life has to offer you. Makes sense I think. I mean, let's face it, we're not getting younger. And I often think about my mom, who started getting sick at my age.

We only have one life to live and I think God wants us to cherish our time in this world and do all we are meant to do...not to be scared of trying something new.

I don't want another season to go by knowing that I could have done something differently and having let my fears get in my way.

What are you being called to do? What is holding you back?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. swamp coolers
2. puzzles
3. nail clippers
4. Kool Aid singles
5. roses

Out of the Box

"If you want to grow, you must be willing to change." Gail Sheehy

Change.

Stepping "out of the box."

It's scary.

In a few weeks I'll be stepping "out of the box" in a huge way. I am going to be a camp counselor at hemophilia camp in New Mexico. Something I have never done before. I heard the local chapter was needing another female counselor and God kept bringing it to my heart (you know how He does).

The camp experience has been amazing for my Lance. He has been attending the hemophilia camp (Camp Ailihpomeh) in Texas for the past several years and it has changed him. He learned how to self infuse and take control of his bleeding disorder and he also has stepped "out of the box" and done things he never did before...archery, horseback riding, socializing with other kids with the same health issues he has... It's been a fantastic experience for him.

I just hope I can be an asset to the kids I work with. I pray that God uses me to touch these kids lives in a positive way.

Are you doing anything that is making you move "outside of the box" this summer?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. ACE wraps
2. dinosaurs
3. hot dogs on the grill
4. plant food
5. my walking buddies "T" and "C"

Rough Week

It's been a rough week. Work is crazy (a good kind of crazy), my depression has been hitting me and I've been fighting it, and we are anxiously awaiting the end of my hubby's travels to Denver (Masters Degree) with 2 weeks left!

A lot of things going on but not much to say this week.

I'm taking the day off tomorrow to get some things done and breathe a little.

I'll be back next week.

Blessings to you all!


Today I Am Thankful For:

1. cosmetic samples
2. UPS deliveries
3. little, white t-shirts
4. green beans
5. painted toenails

My Mama

Mama always had a bank envelope in her purse...always with a $20 bill for whoever needed it.

If she didn't have a bit of makeup on, she grabbed the lipstick and took off!

When you were hungry you could always count on a great pork chop and tortilla.

You could always hear her slippers when she walked through the house.

We could laugh at absolutely nothing...and she wouldn't make a sound!

My nephews would always find a surprise in her purse.

You could always count on her a Daddy having breakfast on Sunday's at Champs', with a couple of empty chairs waiting to be filled.

Every night you could bet she would be on the phone with her best friend, just to check in, even though they worked together all day.

When I was getting big and pregnant, and running out of things to wear, she would magically show up with a new outfit for me...and the baby.

She loved my husband like her own son, adored my son for his first five weeks of life, and I miss holding her hand.

I can still feel her touch.

I love you, Mama, and I miss you.

Happy Mother's Day.

The Simple Things

I am working from my home office today, all the doors are open, I hear the birds singing and eating from the birdfeeder, there is not a cloud in the sky, the breeze is making its way through the house, I have my computer on Pandora.com on the Baroque station, glass of iced tea and working on my email.

What freedom!

It's the little things in life that make such a difference. Finding a sippy cup under the table tells me a little boy filled his tummy with milk, a spiral notebook with a pencil tells me my other son was drawing and expressing his creativity. The pile of books on my dining room table reminds me that in three weeks my husband will graduate with his Master of Divinity degree!

I love the things that surround me.

What surrounds you that brings you joy?

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. rose buds
2. birdfeeders
3. a light breeze
4. band concerts
5. shadows

Accomplishment

I love the feeling you have after an afternoon of work in the yard. Since we've lived in New Mexico, we've not really had the opportunity to really "work" a yard (and it's very different compared to the climate in Houston). Our plan is to transform and pour some love into our yard at our parsonage. It has been neglected for several years....overgrown trees , plenty of dirt instead of grass...etc. We mowed and did a little planting Saturday...just some marigolds and rose bushes. It's amazing how a couple of small changes make such a big difference!

It's been hard in our first year of living in a parsonage. You feel like a "renter." What does it take to make it feel like your home? I think it's just investing yourself into where you are living and actually "living" in the present...not "worrying" about next years appointment and cherishing the time where you are at.

You know moving will happen but you can't let it consume you. Being in the itinerant system makes you feel like a gypsy sometimes (and we've only begun)! I am finding it to be a new challenge...to put down roots where we are called. As long as we are together as a family, where we are physically is a non-issue. It's just geography!

It's love that grounds us.

Love that fuels us.

Love that keeps us together (wasn't that a song....).

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. dirt
2. weeds
3. the smell of fresh cut grass
4. parades
5. little boy hugs