Christmas 2013

Without my parents, brother and my boys, I'm not sure I would have made it through Christmas 2013. This year was been a whirlwind. Full of raw emotions that I'm not sure I still understand. This is the first year in over 7 years that I've been alone on Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I'm OK with being alone, however it is much more difficult when children are involved. 

Christmas is about family, love and togetherness. And that is just what this Christmas was all about. The boys and I were surrounded by people who love us unconditionally. They are there for us in good times and bad...through thick and thin. Because after all, isn't that what family is supposed to be? The one person who has your back when no one else does? 

One thing I've definitely learned is the people you think have your back and are there for you no matter what are NO where to be found when things get tough. They are the first to turn their back and pretend they saw and know nothing.

For me, Christmas 2013 was new traditions. A new "normal" for the boys and I....picking out our first live Christmas tree in over 14 years. This is the "first" of many to come. 

So with 2014 knocking on our door, I look forward to new beginning, making new memories and new traditions. The past year has been full of broken promises, disappointment and heartache. The past does not define our future.  The best is yet to come!

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It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

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There's No Future in the Past...

With every post I always say that I'm going to post more often.  And before I know it, time has gone by, things have changed and it's been months since I last blogged.

I'm not even sure where to start.  This year didn't exactly start off like I had ever imagined.  By March every hope, dream and prayer I had seemed to be crushed.  My marriage of 6 1/2 years was over.  I prayed so hard that God would bring us back together and we would be able to reconcile.  And then it became very clear to me.  Pastor Perry Noble with www.newspring.cc preached on a series and one thing I learned was God loves me, is always with me and has greater plans for me.  No matter how hard I prayed, we have to remember to pray according to God's will.  I truly had to accept that maybe I wasn't praying according to God's will and just maybe it wasn't meant to be.  Just admitting this alone brings tears to my eyes and is hard to accept.  I've remained silent about so much and to protect my children, I choose to still do so.

Instead of focusing on the negative, I chose to focus on goodness and blessings in my life.  I have a job with Berchtold Corporation and work with some awesome people.  People that I consider my friends.  They have went from being complete strangers to helping wipe away tears when  I needed someone the most to just be there for me.  You truly do find out who your friends are and who will turn their back and pretend they saw nothing.  To my true friends, I will be forever grateful.  God has truly put you in my life for a reason.  You have been like His angels helping me see my way.

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"What if..."

All too often I've tried to determine my own destiny.  All the while questioning and doubting along the way.  The "what if's" have been endless.  You would think I would know by now that faith is not believing that God can see us through, it is knowing that He will.  This past year has been one uncertainty after another.  And as much as I'd like to say that I didn't lean on my own understanding, I did just that.  I tried to make sense of each and every turn of events.  After two career changes (in less than six months), a husband injured in two separate accidents, financial hardship beyond what I could have imagined and a marriage of five years continued to hit below rock bottom, I think every ounce of faith I had crumbled.  As hard as it is for me to understand, I have to believe that everything happens for a reason and through each and every trial, there is a lesson to be taught.  Life is truly a gift and so are the loved ones we share it with.  Our time here is not guaranteed and it is got promised to be an easy one for us.  We are promised God's unconditional love.  A love that surpasses all understanding.  A forgiving love when we screw up time after time again.  A love that provides comfort, healing and understanding.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8   Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited; ⁵ does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; ⁶ finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  ⁸ Love never fails.  I love the lyrics of this song.  It reminds me that some of the greatest blessings do not always appear to be blessings at all. 

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

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A New Chapter

It's been awhile since I have blogged about pretty much anything.  To be honest, I really didn't know what to blog about.  The last six months (well, really the last year and a half) has been like a "choose your own adventure book".  Remember those?  If you want to enter into the pitch black dark cave, turn to page 87.  If you want to turn around and run, turn to page 98.  For the most part, I think life is somewhat like a "choose your own adventure" novel.  We reap the outcome of the choices we make, and sometimes (a lot of times for me) I quickly realize that maybe I picked the wrong adventure. 

Over the past year or so, I've learned a lot.  I've learned that if you pray for patience, brace yourself for the trials; because they will come...I promise you!  I love the (MSG) translation of Deuteronomy 31:6.  "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." And you know what?  He won't.  He doesn't let you down when you fail miserably.  He doesn't turn away even when you push him away.  In the midst of my darkness, God was right there, waiting for me to turn to Him and put all of my trust in Him.  You see, I'm somewhat of a control freak.  I like to know what is going on, I need to know all the details and I like to know well in advance.  So when my life was rocked to the core, my first reaction was that I have this all under control, I can fix this!  Umm...wrong...again!  I'm still learning that I can't fix what isn't mine to fix.  I have to let go, hand it over to God, and stop relying on my own understanding, because quite frankly, look where my understanding has got me this far?  It has my marriage at rock bottom, on the verge of divorce and has me so far away from God, that it scares me.    

One thing I do know is that our God is a forgiving God.  No matter how many time I've totally blown it, He is always right there waiting for me to turn to Him.  Right there waiting for me to hand it all over and surrender.  I struggle daily with surrendering it all.  So as a new chapter of my life has begun, I know that the outcome will be catastrophic if I continue to walk alone in my adventures.  Instead of the Lord waiting on me...I should be handing it over and patiently wait on God's perfect timing. 

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve You

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve you while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

 

By John Waller

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Wordless Wednesday

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It's Summertime!

Oh the joys of summertime! I have always loved summer. I know it's blistering hot and the humidity is 100% in Charleston, but I really don't think I would have it any other way. This June the boys and I went to visit one of my bestest friends in New Jersey. Now the weather was not quite as hot as Charleston, but to be the north, it was still toasty.

We defiantly stayed busy. We went to a couple of parks, had a birthday party for our great pal Cole, rode a train at a state park, had a Tastefully Simple party (more on that later...) and went to the Philadelphia Zoo.

Most of all, I love being able to spend time with the boys.  With me working full time, sometimes it just seems like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done.  So to be able to sit back and enjoy the kids was a treat...at least for the first couple of days!

I'm not sure who the brilliant person is who invited this contraption, but it is sure to make a kid dizzy enough to lose their cookies. 

Not to mention that once it starts spinning, it is nearly impossible to stop.  Must be the same person that invinted the merry-go-round.  Hmmm?

You can't really tell from this picture, but this was really nice at the park.  It is like a mist sprinkler to cool off the kiddos from the hot sun.  Pretty neat and the kids loved it. 

                       

While in Jersey, we went to a state park.  It was a great day and the kids had a blast.  It was very educational and we ended the day with a train ride.  Hunter was more interested in the deer roaming in the field than the actual train ride and Owen was not letting his Momma very far away without a bunch of tears. 

As I mentioned before, we had a birthday party too!  Our little friend Cole turned 1!

Cole had a blast at his first year birthday party with his friends.  I think you can probably tell from the picture that he really likes cake too!  We had an awesome time in New Jersey with our friends and we miss them terribly already.  I sure do wish we lived closer to be able to share more adventures together. 

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Wednesday Words

My life has led me down the road that’s so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Tryin’ to find my way, tryin’ to find the faith that’s gone

This time, I know that You are holding all the answers
I’m tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

My life has led me down this path that’s ever winding
Through every twist and turn I’m always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without

I don’t know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won’t You show me where I need to go
Oh oh
Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it’s the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been trying to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move

Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You
Oh, give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

Revelation, by Third Day

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Now this is some funny stuff!

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Give me your best shot...

While we were downtown Charleston last weekend, I snapped a couple of these pictures. I just love the historic homes, garden and rustic feel of downtown.

What have you been capturing this week? Head over to Better in Bulk to show us your best shots.

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Looking for my Blue Angel...

This past weekend the Navy's Blue Angels preformed an air show over the Charleston Harbor.  The weather could not have been more beautiful.  We packed a picnic lunch, grabbed some chairs and headed downtown early.  We found a perfect spot on the Charleston battery, overlooking the Charleston harbor with the USS Yorktown in the distance. 

This young man could not have been happier.  You see, the last time he went to see the Blue Angels in Beaufort, SC, the weather took a turn for the worse and the show was rained out.  He was so upset that he didn't get to see them fly.

And this little guy didn't understand what all the noise was about, but he had a great day too. 

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This little Piggy...

Uh em...I mean fella, just melts my heart with every little kiss.

It is feeling like Spring along the eastern coast, so last Saturday my littlest guy enjoyed some time outside learning to ride his little scoot around bike.  He almost has it mastered. For some reason he can go faster backwards than forward.



I can't wait for the warm weather.  There is nothing like long days on the beach and picnics at the park.  Life is good!

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Flash Back Friday

Hunter at his 2nd Birthday party! 

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A Carolina Sunset

It doesn't really get much better than this!  There is nothing like walking along the sandy east coast shore and watching the sky turn shades of pink and orange as the sun sets.  It is still a little cold here, but watching God's beauty transform across the horizon, brings warmth and peace to my heart.

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Tantrums? No...Not my Child?!

   

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have always prided myself on how well behaved my oldest son was (and still is).  As a small boy, I could take him anywhere.  He was always polite, used proper table manners and acted like he had been in public before.

When I found out I was pregnant with my second born, I was determined that things would be the same.  I would have a well mannered little boy, just like his older brother.  Besides, if I could accomplish this with one child, I certainly would have no problems with the second.  Right?

Sure!  I've got it all under control!  This is not my 18 month old son lying on the floor pitching a fit.  And if he did pitch a fit, I most certainly would not allow him to do it in public.  You know, like on the dirty tile floor of McDonald's or something.  And if he were to have a complete melt down in the middle of McDonald's on a Sunday afternoon during the lunch hour rush, I most certainly would correct the problem immediately and not take a picture! 

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An Update on an "O" so special little boy!

I keep asking myself where the time has gone. It truly amazes me that time has flown by so quickly. Owen is 1 ½ years old now. In six months, I will be planning his 2nd birthday party. Can I tell you that I still haven’t given out his 1st year pictures that were taken? Owen’s first year of life seems like a whirlwind. Everything is happening so fast and trying to enjoy every moment of his precious young life leaves me a bit exhausted (and cranky) at times, but I truly am blessed beyond measure.


So what’s going on with Owen, you ask? Well…

He weighs 23lb 11oz and is in the 25th percentile for his weight. (So, Mr. Hunter, you can stop calling him fat boy!)  This is only 2oz more from what he was at 15 months.  This may result from him being a very picky eater.  He does not eat pasta.  No spaghetti, no mac n cheese, no Chef Boyardee...none of it.   He takes after Daddy and prefers meat and potatoes. He loves goldfish crackers, cheerios, yogurt and grilled cheese and will live on that alone if you let him.

He is 32 inches tall which puts him in the 50th percentile.  There is still hope that he won't be a shrimp like his Bubba.  ;)

You have probably noticed the new specs that Owen is sporting around in. At Owen’s 15 month check up, his pediatrician noticed that Owen appeared to have strabismus (crossing of the eyes).  We had already noticed this and it was on our list of things to discuss with him. He referred him to a pediatric ophthalmologist with MUSC. Using a retinoscope, the doctor was able to determine that Owen is severely farsighted and has accommodative esotropia.  This means that Owen can not see well up close. When he tries to focus, his left eye almost always crosses inward. Owen’s glasses allow him to see up close without any crossing of the eyes. He went for a check up this past Tuesday and his Ophthalmologist said that he is doing great. His glasses are correcting his vision and keeping his eyes from crossing. The doctor is certain that Owen will have to wear glasses throughout his adolescent years. He did say that around age 8, Owen’s farsightedness should start to improve and that by the time he is a teenager, he will most likely be out of glasses. 

Owen’s vocabulary is expanding daily. He can say, Momma, Dada, Bubba, Nana, Papa, no, bye-bye and dawg (dog) to name a few.

He said his first phrase, “Good Job”, just a couple weeks ago. He now gives self praise all the time. Even when he puts something back that he was not supposed to touch in the first place.

Owen is a true blessing to our family. We all love him so much. He is such a joy and brings laughter to our hearts. We love you, Owen!

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Etsy News...

I'm so very excited that my chocolate covered strawberries are featured in Etsy's Handmade Blog, the Storque.  Thanks Etsy! 

These sweet treats arrive in this cute little box with ribbon and card. They are bound to bring a big smile to your little Valentine's face. Perfect eco friendly addition to their play kitchen or lunch box. 

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Who Knew?

That squeezing a rubber duck could be so funny?

Well...when you live in a house full of boys, it doesn't take very long to realize that ANY noise that somewhat resembles the sound of flatus is not just funny...it's hilarious.




And there you have it folks. Owen is officially corrupted. He laughed so hard at his rubber duck making what he thought resembled butt noises that he got the hiccups.

Boys will be boys!

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What little boys are made of

Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Alligator Tails?

That's what my boy is made of! This past weekend, Hunter and I went to Bee City for a day of fun; just the two of us. This past nine weeks, Hunter really stepped up his game. He made the A/B honor roll, had perfect attendance, met his A/R goal and He received the citizenship award from his teacher. So what is a proud Momma to do? Well, we headed out to the great outdoors for a fun day of "boy stuff".

You know...like hunting holding GATORS!

And why YES, this is a real alligator and YES I let Hunter hold it (because I'm cool like that) and NO she does NOT have her mouth taped shut. Hunter was fascinated with the baby alligator. I thought she was pretty cool too and would make an awesome pocket book. Just Kidding...

They also tried to get Hunter to hold a few snakes and a tarantula, but there was no way that was going to happen. I really wanted to hold the tarantula, but I was too chicken liver.

Among holding a gator, he also held a turtle and fed some goats, monkeys, lemurs, chickens and rabbits. His favorite though was this little guy (or shall I say girl).

Although she did get pretty close, she would not eat out of Hunter's hand. He was a little disappointed, but thrilled that he was able to get this close to a deer.

Hunter and I had a lot fun. I'm so proud of his recent accomplishments and the smart young man he is becoming (minus the smart mouth). I love you Hunter. You make your Momma proud!

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Flash Back Friday

I am repeatedly told that Hunter looks just like me. It's kind of funny because I remember when I was a little girl, everyone use to tell me that I looked just like my Daddy. I have to be honest and say that it truly is a good feeling.  I look into those little eyes and smile and I see my own reflection in him and also....

I see my Dad's too!  My Dad is 9 years old here.  The first time Hunter seen this picture, he thought it was him.  Now, my Dad would probably kill me for posting this picture on the internet of him, but since I hardly doubt that he actually reads my blog, I probably don't have too much to worry about.  ;)

Either way, I love that Hunter looks like his Momma and I love that he looks like his Papa.  They both have my heart!

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