Only Love Can Break a Heart...

...and only love can heal it again!!! 

My dad's chocolate lab died last week.  She was about 13 years old and such a sweet dog.  She got cancer and it took her quickly!  Her passing was hard on my sweet daddy.  He is such a tender-hearted soul.  (I love that about him!!)  Some years ago he told me that "Only love can break a heart, and only love can heal it again."  I believe that is pretty true! 
So thanks to my oldest brother and a generous parishioner in his church family this is my daddy's new love!

She is a sweetheart!! 

We still miss "Cajun"!  And I am sure we will for a long time. She was a good dog!  But, it is nice to know that God can use a sweet puppy to help heal those wounds!

Valentine, oh Valentine!

Where did you go?  The day came and went without much show!  I was not surprised as our life moves along at a sonic pace.  But, still disappointed in the lack of blaze. 

Forgive me for my poetry!!  But, my Valentine's Day was just another day here!  I know I am VERY loved, but sometimes the demonstrative side of my family (husband) is a little lacking!!  Don't take this as a complaint though...because I would NOT trade my man for anything!!  Besides I did get a very sweet card. 

Nonetheless, here is my precious girl all dolled up for the day!!  I would share pictures of the boys here too...but dolling them up isn't much of an option any more!  Thank Jesus for little girls!!  Can I get an AMEN?

No Judgement, Just a Little Giggle

It is a pretty good sign that it is FINALLY time to wean your child when she sees a bra hanging in the store and says: "Milk, Milk, MILK."  Funny, huh?  Pray for me as I let this part of her infancy go. (slowly still!!!) 

Gentle Reminders

Not too long ago Andy got in a little trouble at preschool for pushing. Of course I was not happy with my son. So, when he got in the car that day I asked him what happened and why. He told me that he wanted to play with this girl on the playground from another class. And she did not want him to play. She told him to go away. So, he took matters into his own hands and pushed her.

I will admit that this mama was not impressed with my child. However, I wanted so badly to say to him: "Thataboy!" That little girl deserved what she got in many ways. And if someone does not teach her she will continue in that elite-type behavior. And she will continue to hurt feelings for a long time. But, you know I could not encourage my own child to misbehave because of someone else's poor choices. And of course, he and I talked about better ways to handle people in those situations. And I DO know these kids are 4 and 5-years-old, so I am sure she did not really mean to make him so mad. Afterall, he is a BOY! And she did say: "No BOYS!"

I don't like bad behavior. Especially the kind of bad behavior that makes others feel left out or sad. I wish that type of stuff was just for preschoolers. But, sadly it isn't. And recently I have seen it among adults. It makes me sad. And even a little lonely. Some times I even feel like taking matters into my own hands just like my little man did. I am with him on this one. If adults are going to choose to leave others out, then maybe a little push might help. Thankfully though the push does not have to come from me. I pray that Jesus does some heart pushing. I know He has pushed me on this one. And He has gently reminded me that I too have been guilty of this poor behavior. I am thankful for His forgiveness. Even YEARS later. Sometimes we don't realize the implications of our decisions. And many times it is not even a conscience decision.

Grace does cover ALL of our sin and for that I am relieved. But, I hope that I can treat others in a way that does not require me to need grace so badly. I also hope that God's tender prompts speak loud enough so that I am not the only one that hears.

(I thought the sad behavior picture would be appropriate here!! I like a post with pictures!! But, I can not leave her sad either....so I attached two! By, the way, Adam's wonderful and generous Aunt Moi (Marilyn) made this precious hat for my baby girl. We LOVE it. I am sure you can see why.)

Time to De-Clutter!!

I decided to sign up for a class through the Women's Ministries at our church. This is a class on De-cluttering and Organization. I have always considered myself a fairly neat person. But, I am not a TYPE A person. And I don't fancy myself as organized! Especially now that I have brought three little people into this world.

Anyway, I started this class last night. And I am SO excited!!! The class is actually entitled: "Being a Woman of Joy. Simplify Your Life by De-Cluttering/Organization." And the first lesson knocked me straight to my knees. I felt shame as I was so convicted.

The facilitator brought 3 Biblical principles that really inspired me to change things in my home. They were as follows:

1. "All we have is from God (our time, talents, and possessions), and we are to be faithful and wise stewards of it."

2. "Our God is a God of order."

3. "We can not serve the Lord with the joy we were intended to if we are living in clutter and chaos and hoarding things of this world."

In addition to these three principals she basically told us to "Let Go." There are many people that can use things that are in my home that I am not using. And I need to let go of so many things. I get caught up in thinking I MIGHT use it later. What about the here and now? And what about that simple principal of sanity? You know...too much stuff might eventually cause me to go insane?

And I have heard it said many times before...you simply don't see the hearse with a trailer behind it. She also told us to get over saving stuff for our kids. Unless something is specifically ASKED for or TALKED about....you can't expect your kids to take everything in your home when you move on to glory. Where would they put it all?

So, here I go! Off to de-clutter! Organization is next week's topic!

A New Year

I haven't ever been a fan of the month of January. I have always felt the big let-down after the celebration of Christmas. But at this stage in my life I am trying to look for the new in the new year. And so far here are some of the things I have found...

1. A New Date to get used to writing! 2010 that is weird to me.

2. A New Bedspread for my bed. Christmas gift from my parents!! LOVE. IT.

3. A New (refreshed) look to my living room since the Christmas tree is down.

4. New sleds so a bigger wish for snow!! (thanks to Mimi and Popi for these Christmas gifts)

5. New plans for some minor home renovation projects! Exciting! (funny how some plans always birth new plans!!)

6. A new devotional to do each day.

7. A new work-out plan...well not new...but just finally doing it!! For OVER a month now!!

8. A new basketball season for Nate. (and the last season with only one child playing at a time!!)

9. New toys to play with. (sometimes the DS gets more playing time from me than them!! ;o)

10. An exciting new year waiting for me to live each moment to the fullest!!!

I remember years ago thinking 2010 was SO far away. And here we are IN it!

Here it is almost mid-month and I am trying to savor life's moments and take a new perspective on things. Sometimes I am guilty of not looking at things in the correct way. And I am praying that as I face each new day I will see the opportunities in front of me. Even in the dead of winter! (a COLD winter!!--which by the way I LOVE!)

Happy New Year!! (Yes, I am 10 days late here! But, to my 3 readers---this is proof I AM still here!)

This was taken on New Year's Eve!

Busy, Busy.

Life is BUSY! But, not the bad kind of busy. The abundant kind! So that is why there has been a great lack of posting in the past month.

But, here is a quick synopsis of what the last month has looked like!!

After Nate turned 7 he lost both of his front teeth! And he looks adorable. I haven't ever seen teeth hold on like his do. The first top one he pulled while he was at school. YES, he pulled it! And finally as the second one held on with one little thread, he allowed his daddy to pull it out!!

This was the rotation year to spend Thanksgiving at my family's house. So we spent almost a week in Granite Falls. We did have to cut the trip short to come back for the finale of the NC State football season. It was my first actual game of the season. I did tailgate with the family once or twice before this year, but I actually went into the stadium to see the Wolfpack's win!! (thanks to Mimi for keeping the baby!)

My dollbaby was a little surprised at the big win, especially since she wasn't invited! (this is her surprised face---she has learned a few new tricks!)

She is now 18-months-old and is as busy as a beaver! Moving all the time and into everything! She puts her brothers to shame. She loves to RUN and climb and investigate. She does still love "babies" and girly stuff, but she is too busy for much of that! At least I get to dress her in pink as she runs from me! Just this weekend she told me "No" for the first time. So, here it goes with her! Another strong-willed child! Pray for me! They REALLY out-number us now!! And they are all much more determined than their mommy! But, Miss Priss is enjoying the season of Christmas. She loves the tree and all of its ornaments. And she frequently brings them to us. So far she doesn't get that we don't want her to touch it!!

My little middle man is good too. He also bounces around like a pin-ball! But at least now he does that at preschool 3 mornings a week. He is always saying something cute! At preschool the other day they had chapel. The pastor there was speaking to them about Gideon. And Andy said out loud: "I know him, he is in my Bible." I think his teachers enjoyed it! And I think they enjoy having him in their class!

We are ready for CHRISTmas and celebrating the birth of our Savior! Emotionally ready that is. Still working on the physical readiness! But, despite how ready we might be, Christmas is coming. And the paper chain-link count-down began at our house tonight!! I am hoping that as we continue to prepare our home for Christmas that we will prepare our hearts for a celebration of JESUS! Because that is what it is all about!

I hope I get to post again before Christmas, but I am not making any promises!