You Encourage Me to Follow in His Footsteps!

What a beautiful Blessing! I am so honored that my friend Maria has been kind enough to share this award with me! It means a great deal to me, because of what it represents! It was designed by Karen @ Karen's Ramblings. This is what prompted her to create it:

Encouragement. A word of hope or affirmation is a real blessing to building one another up - with the view of leading us closer to God.

I have been really encouraged, inspired, challenged and stirred up by a lot of posts that I have read. They have drawn me closer to God, desiring to follow in His Footsteps more and more.

Maria describes why she has shared this blessing from her heart...

The people I have mentioned are the ones that I can click on even when I maybe can't focus or press in, because of time or state of mind, and KNOW that I will be drawn near to Christ and it will be impossible to miss Him while I visit with them.

I have been encouraged, uplifted, challenged and blessed by so many of you. And I've tried to share examples of this when the Lord has placed it on my heart, whether that be in comments to you or in posts, such as here. There are so many of you that deserve this award for various reasons. And there are some of you that I would give it to if you didn't already have it!- (Maria and Susan) I would now like to pass this blessing on to...

1. JMom @ Lots of Scotts, because she truly treasures the blessing of motherhood God has given her, and her writing is honest, heart felt, hilarious and encourages me spiritually in my own parenting endeavors!
2. Erin @ Embracing my Cup, because she is endearing and her love for the Lord and her family is so evident in every thing she shares!
3. Kimberly @ A Planting of the Lord - She is one of my new favorites. Although she hasn't been blogging very long, she strives to deepen her walk with the Lord.
4. Marsha @ Marsha's Musings - I appreciate and enjoy her daily snippets (5 minute retreats) of encouragement as well as her heart for sharing God's love and word through foreign missions.

These are a few blogs I encourage you to enjoy for your self! I hope to continue to encourage, and uplift those of you who visit my blog. Lord make me worthy to bear the name "Christian."

An Archive Tag!

Maria @ Free to Fly has tagged me, with an Archive Meme. Here is a description of how this meme works:

......when I find a new blog that I want to visit again, I rarely have enough time to go back a read everything from the beginning (although sometimes I do!). I want to get to know that person, but it's hard to commit to reading all of the posts from the last 2 years!This meme is designed to make some of those old posts readily available to those who may be new to your blog, or even those who are regulars, just not from the start. Here are the rules:

Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you have written. But there is a catch:
Link 1 must be about family.
Link 2 must be about friends.
Link 3 must be about yourself.
Link 4 must be about something you love.
Link 5 can be anything you choose.

Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better. Readers - don’t forget to read the archive posts and leave comments!


So, here is my list:
1) Family - Relaxing Rainy Days, 2) Friends - Unexpected Surprises!!!!,3) Something about me - The Core Of My Identity Lies In This....,4) Something I love - Moments In The Word, 5) Anything - Looking Forward!


The people I would like to tag are...
1. Susan @ Penless Writer

2. Emma @ Charming The Birds From The Trees

3. Monica @ The Homespun Heart

4. Katrice @ Monkey See, Monkey Do..

5. Kimberly @ A Planting Of The Lord
I can not wait to learn more about all of you!!!! Blessings on your day!

In His Father's Footsteps

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.







Trey adores his daddy. He wants to be where ever he is and do whatever he does. They're best buddies. Lately, he has taken to walking around the house in his daddy's shoes, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to capture it on film. It is just too precious! I am so thankful that they are so close. It melts my heart, just watching them together. I would be very proud to see Trey follow in his father's footsteps. But, more importantly, I want Trey to follow in his heavenly father's footsteps. I know that Hugh is trying very hard to leave Trey a legacy of strong character and Christian values. And I pray for his leadership in our home, and influence on our children, everyday. My heart's desire is to see our children grow to follow our heavenly father, not out of obedience, but Love! I hope that Hugh and I will fill our home with His love and and the light of His truth! I know that is the greatest legacy we could ever leave them!

"Spread The Love"..."Forget Not Thy Friend"...

I have been given a special gift from my bloggy friend Maria @ Free to Fly! The Spread the Love Award! I am so touched and honored. The award originated by Mica, at Garb-oodles Soup, a very lovely Victorian blog. The best part of the award to me is why she said she chose me..... because she really shows the love in her comments, and excitement over blogs that are important to her. Like me she is excited when one bloggy friend discovers another. I love that kind of excitement! Mica gave such a lovely description of Why she started the award I felt compelled to share it with you....

From earliest childhood,Victorians learned the value of friendship. Hand in hand, young girls ventured forth to gather wildflowers to press and make into gift cards; together they learned how to decorate the home and cook nourishing meals. They pored over ladies' magazines and studied their wardrobes, all the while forming strong bonds that would last them through courtship, marriage and the rearing of their own broods. Girlfriends were often called "Sister," implying heartfelt intimacy.

"Do You know what friendship is ? - Yes- it is to be as brother and sister, two souls which touch each other without meeting, like two fingers on the same hand."
-Godey's Lady's Book

And now I would like to share this award with Demetria and Mary Clair, because they have loved and welcomed me into their lives and their family, not as a sister-in-law, but as one of their own and as a true friend! We have shared from our hearts', laughed and cried together, and even been down right silly at times. I love you both so much and I miss you something fierce! Dena-thank you for introducing us to bloggyland. I know it has helped to strengthen the friendship between us! I would also like to bestow this honor upon: Ashley, (who has become dear to my heart and is a true hopeless romantic, like myself! I admire the love and admiration with which you always speak of your marriage.) Christy and Melissa, who like Maria, have become true bloggy friends. Even though we are still getting to know one another, you're always there, and you always have encouraging words and a prayer in your heart for the women that surround you. That is a sign of true friendship. -Thank you! Keep spreading the love along....Blessings to all!

Our Love Story!!! - Part I

A Pledge of True Love:

Because I love you, I will speak of my affection from my heart,
and it will be sweet music.
Because I love you I will use all that God has given me to move
whatever stands in the way of our love.
Because I love you I will gladly give all that I have away to gain
your heart.
Because I love you I will compassionately wait for you
Because I love you I am not jealous of you.
Because I love you I need not brag.
Because I love you my heart is humble and not vain.
Because I love you I desire grace to mark my actions
Because I love you, you come before me.
Because I love you my passion is gentle in your presence.
Because I love you, I have made weak my memory of wrong.
Because I love you, I celebrate the good I see in you.
Because I love you, Truth has become even more precious.
Because I love you, I shall forever defend you, trust you, hope
only good for you for the rest of my life unfailing.
This love that God has given me for you shall not fail!
When all that I have has left me and I am left alone with but my
love for you I will be content,
for I am sure that all that is now is partial, but one day soon He
will make my love perfect.
All the loves of my life are childish crushes in comparison to this
full and mature love I have for you.
As dimly as my sight may be this one thing is clear beyond all measure…
Loving you is most dear to my heart.

This poem is so dear to me. We used it in our wedding, for the lighting of the unity candle. Hugh pre-recorded himself reciting the poem to a back ground of instrumental music. I thought it was very unique, and something all our own. It also holds a special significance for us, because Hugh read it to me the night he asked me to marry him.

TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2000
Hugh and I spent the day out in Cascilla visiting with his dad, Ms. Nancy, papa, and granny Claire. We spent most of the day outside visiting. So when Hugh asked me if I would like to go to Memphis for the evening, I suggested that we just spend the evening in town-(Grenada.) Little did I know that he had our engagement planned with dinner at Houston's (our fav. restaurant) and the proposal at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. But I have to give him credit, ya'll! He never even blinked, when I suggested Fiorie's in Grenada. He really wanted me to be surprised, so he just rolled with it, and came up with a quick plan B. We had a lovely dinner. While we were there, Hugh saw Mrs Patti Smith and her husband having dinner as well. Hugh went over to speak to her, because she had recently broken her leg and Hugh was on the ambulance run that went to get her. (As a doctor he has a wonderful bedside manner, because he truly cares about his patients.) Ms. Patti gave him one of the roses she had on their table, which she brought from her own rose garden. She's done the flowers for many weddings in Grenada, and almost did ours, but that's a funny story for another time! After dinner, we went out to Grenada Lakes' man made beach, where we walked along the shore, got our feet wet, and snuggled a bit in the moonlight. Then Hugh said he had something to read to me. So we walked up by a bench that had lamp light where he could see better, and he shared the poem with me. Then he got down on one knee and said, "What I'm trying to say is that I love you with all of my heart, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Of course I said yes, yes, Yes! And he slipped a beautiful ring on my finger. We rushed home to tell his parents and call everyone we knew! Hugh told me how he had gone to Indianola over the weekend, while I was at work and took my parents out to dinner to ask their permission. I told ya'll - True Gentleman! It was one of the most romantic nights of my life!

A Year of Romance!

What does Romance mean to you? Is it an intimate weekend get away?- a moonlit walk?-or maybe just knowing that he still gives you butterflies, and you still make his eyes light up across a crowded room! I'm sure that the answers to this particular question are endless! Well, here is your chance to share your experiences and ideas on love! Maria at Free to Fly is hosting a year long challenge called "A year of Romance!" On the 19th of every month , she will be sharing how she is nurturing the courtship and romance in her marriage. And she thought it would be fun, if in true bloggyland style we joined her in celebrating and cultivating our own marriages. It may be a heartwarming story, a special gift or surprise, or encouraging words and advice. How can we help equip and encourage each other as christian women along the journey of marriage?

For the beginning of my own journey , I sat down with my sweetheart, and we had a heart to heart about how we could add a little more romance to our marriage. Together we made a list of things we pledge to do throughout this year.

1. Hugh said he would like to see us have at least one date night, every month. We feel that it is very important for our connection and communication with one another to start having some alone time again.

2. Hugh also said that he loves it when we cook dinner together, and try out new recipes. We used to do this all the time as a newly married couple, and it's something he'd like us to start doing together again.

3. Hugh loves, Loves, LOVES when I give him back rubs. He asks for them all the time! And I thought that it would be nice if I would "offer," without him having to ask , to give him back rubs more often. I told him that I pledge without fail, that on the 19th of every month, I would give him a back rub. Those of you that know us, know that his schedule changes from month to month. (Hugh is in his second year of his E.R. residency.) So, even if on any given month he may not get home until 2:00am, I pledge to get up or stay up, spend a little time with him and help him unwind and relax for the day/night. Why the 19th? His birthday is October 19th. We kissed for the first time on September 19th, and our wedding anniversary is May 19th! Kind of a lucky number for us! (hee-hee!)

4. I told Hugh that his gentlemanly conduct, reminds me of why I love and respect him so much. He still does little things here and there that show me how much he cares. Things like opening my car door, helping me with my coat, calling me to see if I'm having a good day, leaving me a little love note-(I showed him one at church this morning that I still keep in my Bible,) surprising me with lunch, or even holding my hand when we pray. These are all things that help me feel that I'm special to him, and put me in a romantic kinda mood. I'm going to thank him more often for these treasures, so that he knows that I do notice!

5. I vow to pray for him if not with him, everyday! We need to ask for God's protection and blessing on our marriage on a more consistent basis, and not take it for granted that God knows that we are thankful for the mate He has provided for us!

6. I am going to take the initiative to plan our seven year anniversary! I know that this will take the pressure off of Hugh to feel like he always has to plan the "romantic stuff!" I am open to any ideas ya'll may have, within reason. We're not wealthy by any means. Remember, he's still in his residency, with two small children to raise.

7. We vow to "bring sexy back," for each other that is... We have been changing our life style, with the help of weight watchers, as well as working out! I'm sooo glad this is something we are doing together! For our health and to keep the passion between us alive and well! Let me say it's working, so I highly recommend!

These are seven things we look forward to as we celebrate and honor of our seven wonderful years of marriage! I am excited to see what all of you have to share! Blessings to all!

Heartbroken.

I feel like my heart has been riped right out of my chest, and there's nothing left but, a big ugly hole. I knew this was going to happen. Inevitably, every time I take a new step along the path of strengthening or deepening my relationship with the Lord, the devil comes at me with both barrels in every possible way he can, big and small. And I feel like I've been fighting all of hell, for the past week,- internally. I know exactly what's wrong, I'm quickly approaching the second anniversary of my mother's death. And while I know logically and spiritually I don't have to allow myself to give into my sadness, I'm finding it harder and harder to fight off. It's been building for a while now. Hugh and I were married in May of 2001. Our wedding was beautiful, and as close to perfect as I could have ever hoped for. We were surrounded by our dearest friends and family. While the Lord has blessed our marriage , abundantly, we have not been without our share of heartache. We've lost six family members in the past six and a half years of our marriage. We lost Hugh's step dad, Neal first, followed by his grandfather, Hugh's beloved Papa. Then I lost my dad on November 25,2003, two days before Thanksgiving. And I lost momma two years and two months later, on January 31,2006. Daddy's death was real hard on momma, and the woman I'd always seen so strong, was suddenly paralyzed with grief. He had a massive heart attack, and we drove all night trying to get home, but he passed as we were about half way there. I was so grateful that my sweet mother- in- law dropped everything to go be with momma until we could get there. Hugh and I took the next week off from med. school and work to take care of the arrangements. We had a memorial in my home town of Indianola, and then a funeral and military burial at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. My aunt and uncle stayed with momma for a while after we returned to Kansas City, but when they left she fell apart. She closed up the daycare, that she and daddy had together, and spiraled into a deep depression. She came to stay with us for a while, and then traveled for a couple months with my aunt and uncle. That is when she ran into an old high school sweetheart. They rekindled their relationship and were married by the end of the year. It all seemed to fall into place. She sold our home in Indianola within a week, which is a miracle in itself. Then, she packed everything up and moved out to Arizona. She really seemed happy, and although it was a big adjustment for me, I was glad to see her smile again. Hugh and I were already living here in Ohio, when we found out we were pregnant, with our first child. My mom decided she was going to fly up here to be with me for my birthday (February 2nd,) for Trey's delivery, and stay for at least the first six weeks to help me adjust to mommy life. She flew into Cleveland the night of January 30th. I'd only taken off the morning of the next day of work, because I'd asked off for my birthday, at the end of the week. After Hugh left for work the next morning, she came and got in bed with me and we talked for a couple hours. Then we had breakfast together, and she hugged and kissed me goodbye, and waved me down the driveway as I drove off to work. Hugh found her a couple hours later, unconscious. He called an ambulance and started CPR, but it was already too late. They said the cause of death was a dissected aorta. Why or how, we don't know, and maybe we never will. The rest is a blur. The family, the funeral, even my son's birth two weeks later on the 16th. It was like walking through a dream. My step father, Sonny, whom I'd only met once, but seemed very nice, told me not to worry about all my "stuff"- (well, mine, my mom's and my dad's) it would be out there (Arizona) as long as I needed it to be. He'd store it and take care of it. I was grateful, because I was still detangling my way through insurance, retirement, and other papers and policies of my mom's and dad's, not to mention having a new baby to take care of. Eight months later, I was pregnant with Anna Grace. So, now fast forward to the present.....I've been praying and planning to go out to Arizona and finally take care of things. My childhood home is packed up in the equivalent of three to four storage units out on Sonny's land, right next to his house. As I started getting everything together for this trip, the Lord started dealing with me, about letting go, allowing myself to finally heal. "Yes, Lord!" I said, "I think this will help me to grieve and even put a little closure on the last couple years."-No, you're not understanding me, I mean, it's ok to let go! "I'm sorry Lord, I must be misunderstanding you, are you saying I shouldn't go out there?" Is it worth it? It's just stuff. Is it really worth it? Worth time away from your family (Trey and Anna Grace,) the expense it will take to fly down, rent a uhaul, pack it up, drive it home, just to pay to store it again- not to mention the time off of work Hugh will have to take. Is it worth all that? "But Lord, it's all I have left of my mom and dad." Then send your aunt some money to send to you what is most important, (my wedding dress) and (all my family pictures.) And if that is all you get, then be ok with that, but trust me for the rest of it. Ok Lord, if that's what you think I should do...I don't want to , but I will. -When I finally gave in, I felt a peace about it. That is until today. It's gone! Almost everything is gone. It's been stolen or sold, I'm not sure which, but most of it is gone. All the clothes, including my wedding dress (which momma had cleaned and vacuum sealed, and was storing in the guest bed room closet, which I know didn't grow legs and walk out of the house, but none the less is gone!) Baby clothes and toys of mine that momma had saved for grandchildren- gone, furniture-gone, home movies, pictures-gone, momma's angel collection that I was going to give to her sisters- gone. And so on...It's not the material stuff itself, my feelings are hurt. WHY?!? Why would anyone do that? I cried tonight and told Hugh, it just makes getting through this time of year that much harder. Because I don't have brothers and sisters that I can reminisce with about growing up. And when I forget the little things, they're going to be gone forever. I feel like someone stole my memories. Oh well, now that I have written the longest post ever about feeling sorry for myself, maybe I can let it go. For those of you that made it all way through with me until the end- I apologize. I just needed to get it out! Prayers, please!

Commitment to Loveliness!

Commitment to Loveliness was started by Emma at Charming the Birds from the Trees! In her own words...It is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life! I fell in love with this idea, and wanted to be apart of it. I think loveliness and femininity are characteristics of a true lady, which is something I aspire to!







Here is my list for this week:

1. I'm going to work on my posture, (sitting and standing.)

2. I going to allow a little time for myself each day for reading. I want to finish the book I'm currently reading, Passion for Jesus- Perfecting Extravagant Love for God, by Mike Bickle. I also made a small splurge purchase this weekend, that I'd like to find time to read as well- Parents magazine, and Parenting magazine.

3. I'm going to fill my house with music this week, and try to cultivate a little culture by exposing Trey and Anna Grace to different genres of music everyday.

4. I'm going to treat myself to a long, hot bath one evening this week, instead of my daily shower.

5. I'm going to be more complimentive of those around me this week! I don't think we can ever give too many compliments. And it always lifts my spirits when I'm able to brighten someone' day, if even in a small way.

Blessings to all!

Anna Grace - Up Date!

I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, and support. Today is the first day I've felt like our little girl may be out of the woods. The fever did finally break Friday afternoon. However, I think that Anna Grace is allergic to the antibiotics we've been giving her. She broke out in a new rash Friday night, and it got worse on Saturday. She stopped eating and couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned all night flailing and scratching herself. I stopped giving her the antibiotic, and started her back on the steroids the doctor gave us, as well as Benadryl. She started eating again today, and seems to be more like herself. However, tonight Hugh said we have to finish giving her the antibiotics, or the next time she gets an ear infection it will be immune to medicine. I told him how worried I was that the antibiotics were causing the itchy rash. So, he said that we would continue to give her the steroids, and watch her closely in case it is the antibiotics, so we could give her Benadryl, and we'd call her pediatrician tomorrow. So, please continue to pray! I know she has been in many of your prayers and on many prayer chains as well. I can't tell you how much that means to me, and how much it has eased my anxiety. I will continue to pray and keep everyone updated. Thank you and blessings to all!

Prayers for Anna Grace!

Bloggy friends, my little one needs your prayers. This last week, Anna Grace broke out in a terrible rash. It started on her stomach and moved to her right leg. Then to both legs, her arms, chin, and finally her face. After two emergency room visits, a trip to the pediatrician, a couple days of Benadryl and steroids, her rash has finally subsided. However, now she is running a fever. Yesterday morning it was a low grade 100.5. I didn't think too much of it, even with the rash, because she is cutting teeth. But then this morning, it rose to 102.6, and by the time we went back to the pediatrician this afternoon it had spiked up to 105.2. Which is very scary for an almost seven month old. (Actually, more scary for the mother of an almost seventh month old!) They are running tests for bladder/kidney infection, which we will know back about on Friday, and we are alternating Tylenol and Motrin to keep the fever down. We also are starting antibiotics for infection, because her doctor said the fever is too high for it to be her teeth. So, please pray! We're not sure what's going on or if the rash and fever are even related. She just needs the Lord's healing touch! So, please pray! Thank you and blessings to all!

Memory Verse Monday!

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

This is a passage that I feel the Lord has been leading me to all week. Especially since my "New Year's" post. I was talking to my sister, Demetria last night, and she was saying how she was kinda surprised by my New Year's post , and didn't find that to be true about what she knew of me. I told her it's not something I project outwardly, as much as it's an internal struggle. It's something I need to work on in order to prepare a clean heart and find a new level of intimacy with the Lord. I know that now that I have admitted to myself that this is something I struggle with, the devil is going to find new and cleaver ways to try and discourage me, or lead me to stumble and fall. So, I need to protect myself, with the armor of God. I am also starting a prayer journal with my morning quiet time, and I will be praying daily for all my bloggy land friends by name. Those of you I know, as well as those of you I just enjoy reading everyday. If there are any of you that read my page, and would like to be added to the prayer list, please leave me a comment and introduce yourself. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Blessings to all!

Can I Get an Amen!

Looking Forward!

Philippians 3:12-16
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

As I face a new year, and a new beginning, this is a passage of scripture that resounds with me. I don't have any new New Years' resolutions, I am just renewing my strength and readjusting my perspective in order for God to complete a work in me that He's not yet finished with. This last April, I ended up in the hospital for two weeks with an asthma flare up. I was two months away from giving birth to my second child, and even though I had the same (asthma) problem in my first pregnancy, I was experiencing other complications as well, due to stress. My ob and pulmanologist decided that they didn't want me to go back to work for the remainder of my pregnancy. The Lord started dealing with me about simplifying things. I needed to remove the stress and a lot of chaos that was cluttering up my life. I knew this was true both physically and emotionally. I was in desperate need of His healing and sustaining peace. Wanting to do it all, I took on too much. Unable or unwilling to say no, I let my pride rule me, and push my capabilities to their very limits. -Here is where the self analyzing gets deep... I never back down from a challenge, never- to a fault. I'm loyal, efficient, and good at what I do and I know it. The problem is I want everyone else to know it as well. (pride, pride, pride, pride!) I don't just do my job. I go above and beyond, because I want you to need me. I want to make your job so much easier that you can't do with out me. I've prided myself on being educated and on being a hard worker, and I've used every advantage of it to get ahead. It's like I've had some thing to prove, although I don't know what. I've even noticed in the last couple years, with the farther north we've moved, I've had to drop a lot of my southern hospitality and niceties, in order to be taken seriously. And I've done it with regret, because I was not being true to myself. But I know how to play the game. And I've played in order to achieve, which in the end didn't satisfy me. It only left me wanting to achieve more. I've used achievements, accolades and praise to fill a lot of empty spaces in my life, where self doubt and insecurity has reigned. Pride is an ugly little addiction that is hard to shake. But God knows how to slow you down,or stop you in you tracks. With the Lord's help, I've been able to slowly make changes. I'm learning to rely more on him, and take the focus off of self, self, self. It's amazing how the Lord uses events or people in your life to push you in the right direction or let you know you're still on the right path. As I've traveled through bloggy land lately, I've found that while the Lord is revealing himself to many of you, He has a word for me also. From Maria @ Free to Fly- "Restoration and Homecoming," Melissa @ Breath of Life- "Peace and Simplicity," Rachel Anne @ Home Sanctuary- "Making your homes a sanctuary of peace, order, and beauty," Emma @ Charming the Birds from the Trees- "A Commitment to Loveliness and Finishing School For Ladies," and Monica @ The Home Spun Heart- "Living Simply and with a Clean Heart." So, as I look forward into the new year, I am going to focus on...
1. My Health- (getting rid of all baby and excess weight, in order to get off all steroids and other meds for my asthma, which will help me give more of myself to my husband and my children, and will improve my over all quality of life.)
2.My Home- (cultivating deeper relationships with my husband and children, as well as, concentrating on keeping a beautiful home that is warm and inviting.)
3. And most importantly, My spiritual walk with the Lord!

Happy New Year

Hey Ya'll! Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We were a little under the weather here at home. Hugh and I started coming down with a stomach virus on Saturday (the 22nd,) and it lasted all the way through the following Thursday (the 27th.) Hugh even ended up going to the E.R., and getting a couple bags of iv fluids- he was so dehydrated and weak. It put a little bit of a damper on our festivities, but we still managed to have a nice quiet time here at home. It's amazing how magnified the littlest things can be when you're sick. Hugh started feeling it before I did. We took the kids to see Disney on Ice, along with Datha, Mark and their children. On the way home, we were involved in a minor accident. It had been raining all day, and the temp. dropped so quickly as we were leaving, that a sheet of black ice formed on the roads. A car several hundred feet ahead of us slid off the road, hit a pole, and spun back into on-coming traffic, smashing into the three cars ahead of us. Even though we were slowly breaking and only coming down the hill at about twenty miles per hour, we couldn't avoid the pile up all over the road, and took a hit head on. We slid over to the side of the road and Hugh got us safely to a near by parking lot. He jumped out and met up with the ambulance arriving on the scene, to see if he could help with any injuries. I called Mark and Datha and told them not to follow us down the hill. (They had stopped for gas a few miles back, and were able to avoid the accident-Praise the Lord!) Hugh said there were twenty-five accidents at that spot that night. Mark and Datha were able to get to us another way and Mark stayed on the scene with Hugh to help, while Trey, Anna Grace and I piled in with Datha and the kids and went to their house. Later, we were all able to eat dinner together, and exchange gifts. I noticed that Hugh was very quiet and a little down. He was worried about the car, and just the whole accident in general. I was just glad none of us were hurt and that it was all over. I kept telling him to cheer up, and not let it ruin our whole night. Believe me, a couple nights later, I was eating my words. By Christmas Eve, I was really struggling. But what I wanted more than anything was to go to church as a family. It has always been a tradition in my family, and now that my mom and dad are gone- it's so much more important to me to keep those traditions going, so I pushed myself. Well, needless to say, I struggled with Trey's two year old "wiggle worms," and loud outbursts, throughout the service. I was trying so hard to have a quiet, moment of refreshment with the Lord, and I was just so tired and irritated that I melted into a puddle of tears at the end of the service. All I wanted was to have a nice time as a family at church for Christmas.- Now it all seems trivial and blown out of proportion (in my mind.) But I was just feeling so completely rotten that it seemed like a great big deal at the time. Christmas day was rather nice in comparison. The kids had a wonderful time unwrapping presents and playing with their gifts. Their favorite is the aquarium we got for them. Trey loves fish. We're all enjoying it really! And it was so nice to have Hugh home for a couple days, even if we were a little under the weather. This was also the first New Years Eve we've been able to spend together as a married couple. One of us has always been working in the past. We brought in the new year with friends- eating and playing games. We watched the ball drop and toasted the new year with sparkling grape juice, a kiss, and a prayer. I'm excited about the new year and all that God has in store for me.- but that is another post for later on today or tomorrow. Right now, I need to spend some time with my beautiful babies! Blessings to all!