When the world seems to be falling apart........

Tonight I feel that everything is very gloomy and sad. There is so much pain in this world. People that I do not even know personally have lost a child to cancer. A small toddler has basically lived a life of cancer and now has died. Her poor grieving parents. I cannot begin to fathom what they feel. A lady I do know had to bury her young adult son a few short months ago and she relives the tragedy of his car wreck every day. Another lady is overwhelmed at work. She is responsible for several departments in the hospital and has many employees that report to her. She feels like she has too many plates spinning and cannot control their speed. Oh, by the way her son is getting ready to graduate high school and go to college! Divorce looming over a few of my friends who would rather toss it out the window than bust their bottoms to keep it together. Yet all this being said I do have a reason of hope. I am able to hold on to the fact that this world will pass away and I will be able to give glory and honor to the God who gives me the strength to get through these days. The God who created all of this world, the good and the bad for His glory. I don't want to wish that my children do not grow up and have a life to live, but I do not want them to experience any of the pain this world has to offer. Yet again I have to trust that God is sovereign and he has a plan just as he tells us in scripture.....Jeremiah 29:11 is a very popular verse.... For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.... Yet verse 12 brings it home for me.....it is our part..... Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.

What Did You Expect?

I must admit that our marriage is better than ever.  I have come to learn that even the best marriages go through seasons.  I am pleased to report that our marriage is in a great season. Yes I will admit that it has not always been great.  I truly believe that our marriage is great because God has ordained our marriage and wants it to please Him.  One thing that we regularly do is take time to work on our marriage.  Usually on a yearly basis we go away to some sort of marriage retreat and re-connect with each other in the way that scripture reveals. These trips usually allow for a lot of time to talk.  I mean really talk....not just about the kids or work or a current headline, but to connect on a level where you cannot if the kids are pulling at your shirt tale or fighting in the next room. Now we have started a  book study on Wednesday nights at church.  I am eager to see where this takes us.  So far; it is pretty convicting even in this great marriage.  It is not just for couples, but for those wanting to know what to expect in a marriage as well.  I highly encourage you to read it. 

Do we have too?????

Christmas pictures will no longer be the same..... On two different days each child, Emma and Dougie, asked me if they HAD to sit in Santa's lap this year!  WHAT?  Emma tried to convince me that she is "too old" to sit in his lap.  Dougie just flat out said "I don't want to and if you make me I don't want to wear a red shirt."  So he also has an aversion to red shirts now???? Hmmm, on that note, I took the little kids to see Santa at Christmas on Liberty Street this year.  In our small town some of the local businesses open up on a Friday evening for special hours of shopping.  The high school chorus wears old timey outfits while singing Christmas carols in front of the courthouse, and Jolly Ole St. Nick is at the end of the street! 
I must say, I was a little curious how Santa was going to seat all four kids on his lap! 
Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is getting in the spirit! 
Love,

One Short Year Later.....

                                                                Lily Claire -  1 week old

                                                             Lily Claire birthday celebration

                                                                 Lily Claire - 1 year old


Wow, it seems like yesterday that Dr. Bartley said, "It's a......." and turned you towards me so I could see for myself that you were a girl!  The entire pregnancy I accused you of being a boy.  Oh boy, am I glad you are a girl.  Oh how I love dressing you in pretty dresses and playing with your curly red hair. 
So, a little remembrance for later...... at 1 year old, you weigh 20 pounds.  I really don't know how tall you are because we have not gone for your check up yet.  You love Sammy dog and know that she is a "wuff wuff."  In your most serious face, you bring your lips together and quietly bark, "wuff wuff". 
You recognize all your family members and especially go crazy over Dougie.  He is Da (duh) - and Daddy is Da (dah).  It is funny that those two are the only ones you have named. 
You started walking at 10 months old.  You love for Daddy to 'chase' you.  You have four teeth - 2 top and 2 bottom.  So far you haven't met a food you do not like. 
You have the happiest disposition.  Very rarely do you cry. Your sleep patterns could be better, but you go straight down only to wake up a couple times a night.  Never upset, you just want to play.  Mommy is not a night owl, just in case you haven't noticed.  You love love love your baby sitters - The Goering's. They dress you up and take more photos of you than I do! 
LC, Lily Claire, Elsie, we love you so much and are truly blessed by your life.  Happy 1st birthday. 

Rocking in Savannah

Can't you see me in the photo? Oh, that's right I was 1 of 23,000 people running in Savannah this past weekend. My very good friend, Cristin and I have been training for 12 weeks to complete our first half marathon. We did it! We also had a blast traveling together and I just wanted to record some of our "note to self" moments. I have such a terrible memory, I would like to have this to look back on one day.
The weekend started on Friday afternoon at the Talmadge St Bridge. Actually on the bridge for quite a long time and I have a fear of heights. Traffic was obscene! It was an hour wait to get to the Expo Center to pick up our race packets, swag bag, and bibs. Note to self - don't wait until Friday afternoon to pick up items (with the other 22,000 people) when you could get them Friday morning.

Thankfully, I called the hotel to see if I could cancel my second night reservation since we were only staying one night....did I mention that there were 23,000 people running this race and I stumbled upon a hotel room just 4 weeks prior to the race? One small thing, they wanted a two night minimum. Check, got the room, will settle that problem when I get there. Oh and by the way, that shuttle ride we promised you on race day, you know the one from the hotel to the start line.... well, the trolley service backed out of the deal. Good thing I called because we were able to reserve tickets on another bus for a ride to the start line at a whopping 35$ a head. At least now I had suffice reason to start my plea to cancel my second night reservation. Did I mention that it was estimated for Savannah to gross 23 million dollars from this event? You have got to be kidding me? Note to self - reserve room closer to event and give yourself a little more search time.

Port a potties can be your friend at 6:15 am in unseasonably cold and windy downtown Savannah. We were right on the river, the wind was whipping around at 15 mph and it was still dark outside. I was shivering to the core because I had a long sleeve shirt and shorts on....so I preceded to find a food tent and help pass out bagels just to stay warm. SO not only did I run the race, I was a volunteer for about an hour. That tent was so cozy and warm compared to the naked wind. I still had about 15 minutes prior to the race so I sought a port a potty to give me shelter from the cold weather. I'm not proud. Note to self - wear warmer clothes when windy conditions are advised.

Ok, so then we ran 13.1 miles - that was truly the easy part. The hardest part is the first 3 miles, the rest was a breeze. I just want to remember the people of Savannah that were outside standing in their lawns or along side of the road cheering on total strangers. There were kids and adults hanging out their hands for high fives as the runners passed them. People were enthusiastic and excited to be there. What a great host city for the first Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon I completed. The words of encouragement and signs made for individuals brought tears to my eyes multiple times. Individuals were running for different reasons.... some survivors, some in honor of friends and family members they lost to leukemia. One lady had a picture of her 6 year old son pinned to her back - she was a mom running in his honor. Note to self - live everyday as if it is my last, love my family and friends, and don't sweat the small stuff.

Spidey a little tighty....

Happy Halloween 2011. Luke decided he wanted to be Spiderman say about 5:45 pm on October 31. That would be why he forced his 5T wearing body into at 2T Spiderman costume. You could say it was a "belly shirt" for him. I was rolling, wish I had my camera then. I came to my senses and decided we would be forever known as the red neck trick or treaters if I let him go out of the house dressed that way. Thankfully, I had a blue t shirt that did the trick to complete his outfit! Sorry, couldn't help the fact he was wearing high waters...... but isn't that the cutest little spider you have ever seen? Spiderman and his catch.

Pack your bags.....

My birthday was last month. Yes, I am 29 again.
My wonderful husband suprised me with a trip to the mountains to Asheville, NC during the peak weekend of the leaves changing colors on the trees. The pictures I took do not do it justice. The trees were vibrant red and yellows that made a statement. The color was astounding to see as far as my eye would view - western area to the eastern area - a beautiful country side, undeveloped with buildings and littered with signs. Pure beauty. So peaceful.....hubs treated me to the best breakfast I have ever tasted. I do not remember the name of the resturant, but it was right downtown, within walking distance from our hotel. We had a cozy little table for two, nestled in the back of the building, listening to music and just chatting. The potatoes were to die for. I mean the scrumptious duo of a sweet potatoe and a white potatoe mixed with herbs and butter..... Did I say no kids came on this trip? Yes, no kids were allowed......ahhh.... a weekend to remember. I love dating my husband. I hope you date your spouse if you have one ;).