Happy Birthday Honey!!

I want to wish my wonderful husband a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I thank God for you every day!! You are my best friend, love of my life, the best Dad, an awesome "Pop", and so much more!!! You mean the world to me!! I am so thankful that God created you and that He made you for me. I know that God worked in our hearts as we were growing up to bring us together and bless our lives together.

I love you more!!!!!! :)

 

Friends: Carry Me

www.dictionary.com definition of

friend

1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.

3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?

4. a member of the same nation, party, etc.

Doesn't that sound great... and wonderful?? Doesn't it make you feel special, lifted up, trusted?

Well... NOT ME... that is a terrible definition of friends. Ok... I get it, maybe, if its a casual acquaintance, someone that is not your enemy.... and I guess I could say that may fit some people in my life. 

BUT. NOT MY TRUE FRIENDS. 

My best friend in the world is my hubby. He is the person I can trust with my heart, my mind and my soul. He is God's gift to me and he completes me.

But, I am talking about true friends that I can share life, love, struggles, fears, etc. The friends,  I just didn't pick out of a crowd because they were like me, or they were popular, or beautiful. I am talking about the friends that God places in your life 

• to lift you up
• to pray for you
• to point you to Christ 
• to trust you 
• to share life with
• to carry you to Jesus....when you don't know if you can take another step
• and loves you even at your worst!

This week I was shown this story in scripture TWICE in one day (Sunday School & Sunday night service) so I would "get it" (cause I am slow like that :)

         Mark 2: 1-5 (KJV)

 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

The man that was sick of the palsy was brought to Jesus by his friends. They knew that Jesus could heal their friend. They didn't give up because there was a crowd. They didn't wait at the door for the crowd to leave. They took matters into their own hands, because they had FAITH knowing that Jesus would heal their friend. They did what they had to do to GET him to Jesus. And Jesus did heal their friend, "When Jesus saw their faith". This wasn't the faith of their friend they were carrying. It was the faith of them... the friends!!

Do you have friends that will carry you to Jesus, when you can't take another step? Do you have someone that will tell you the truth in love, whether you want to hear it or not? Do you have friends that point you to Christ and teach you things about Him? Some of you may know the type of friendship I am talking about. The friendship that you know in your heart, was God ordained. If you do, let them know how much you appreciate them, and let them know the importance of your friendship. Take time to spend with them and lift them to the Lord always!

 

Some of you may not have a friendship that I am writing about, but you really wish you did. Well, first of all ask the Lord to open doors for a friend or friends like this..... I will let you in on a little secret - before you can have friends like this....you have to be a friend like this. You have to open yourself up to others, trust where you haven't trusted before, and let someone in to those hard places in your life. You have to put them before yourself. Give more than you take. Listen more than you talk. Pray more and go to God's word before just giving your opinion when talking over issues or giving advice.

 

In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to thank my special circle of friends for carrying me to Jesus, when I can't carry myself. Loving me in spite of my failures. Holding me accountable in my walk with the Lord. Supporting me even when its tough. I am so thankful to the Lord for ordaining our friendship and for giving us each other to stand shoulder to shoulder with. Thank you for the prayers, the love and for being there anytime I need you! I love you girls!!

Thank you Lord for the blessing of true friends, ones that I know that you sent my way. Lord, bless them and their families, pour out your grace and mercy as they serve you. Give them a special touch. Help me not to take them for granted, but to take them to You.

Flashback Friday! 5 Years!!

Oh...sooo twice in one week.... still not catching up. I guess I am getting a  little sentimental in my old age!

HAPPY 5th ANNIVERSARY Am & M!!! 
October 18, 2008

You would just have to see this to believe it!! My handsome Hubby & Am do their version of  the Evolution of Dance!!  I just love love this picture of them! Makes my heart smile!

Thank you Lord for the blessing of family!

Worship Wednesday - Enough

Once again months have gone by without posting at all.... This post is in Worship & Praise to the Lord! Once I get off the roller coaster called October, maybe I will post again. And maybe we can talk about the word ENOUGH. 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 Philippians 4:19

Focusing on the one that Loves me with an Everlasting LOVE!!! 

Beach Trip 2013

Once again almost a month has passed since I posted. Where in the world does time go?? I had hoped to get back on and had hoped to catch up. Oh well, better late than never. I could skip and just start with now, bus I will not do that considering I am using this blog as a lazy girl's family scrapbook :)!

 Last entry caught us up through June.... 

Our family headed out for the Beach for July 4th week.... as many of you know that week is the main vacation week for most of the working world. Especially for many, many, many, people in our area. B works in furniture and it happens to be the week his plant closes, leaving it to be the week we go on vacation. This year we did a new thing. Now.... for those of  you that really know me, you were concerned (as I was) about this trip. We were going to be camping (yes, in a camper) with M & Am & Baby C with our 5. So, this was not our normal. But, we thought we could try it once. 

I will admit it was NOT bad. It could have been much worse. It could have rained all 7 days instead of 5. Yes, it rained everyday, but we did have some periods of sun and no rain, and some sun with rain. 

Despite all the storms, and all the liquid sunshine, this ole' girl made it all week without losing her mind. We did have a great time with our family, learned to compromise, put others first, some patience and ate really well!!  You will see that Am who is 8 months pregnant even survived the week!! Oh, and Kea who has always freaked over storms, was covered in God's grace!! He did not freak out on us once! (I have to admit....I was freaked out during MANY of those storms!!) And now it seems as if God has taken that terrible fear from him! GOD is good!!

Head outta the sand!

Bub

One of the many times spent under the tent while raining!!

See the clouds in the beyond the hotel??

Bub & Baby C cover Kea!

 One of the rainy days we headed to the upside down place - Wonder*orks..... let me note this place is an absolute NIGHTMARE....... fun for kids maybe? But for a parent that has a problem with CROWDS and rude people allowing their children to be rude.... this was a total waste of $$$. You could not do anything without someone pushing, shoving, or passing you in line. I know we should have know better than go here during the week of the 4th, while it was raining. EVERYONE WAS THERE!! And there brothers, too! When your 3 year old grandson say, "Lolli, I ready to get outta dis place" You know its time to go!! I can't remember who said this, but it is VERY true. It was like the Science Center on Steroids!!

Baby C is still stressed over his experience at Wonder*orks

Another afternoon in the camper, out of the rain. And yes, B is in a hoodie. He swore Am was trying to hang meat! :)

Here comes the sun!!

Uncle Kea reading to Baby C

This picture cracks  me up. Am is in the white hat, and they dug a hole for her belly (Baby M) so she could get some sun on her back!!

At least one gorgeous day on the beach!

The calm before the storm one afternoon.

Loves playing in the sand.

He wore his Daddy out, in the water, out of the water!

Bub! :)

Daddy & Sis

One of many wave rides

Running from the waves - funny!

A great place to rest

A frequent stop while riding golf carts

Baby C loves Sandy, we had to visit him often!

Yes, we had a good time! And anytime I am with my family, I will cherish it. Even in the wet, the soppy, the storms, the rains, the craziness, the sunshine and the sand. Time is fleeting, and my children are growing, and I need to be thankful for these times in my life!! What JOY my family brings to my life! So blessed! 

It's Been A While.....

I guess you could say I have been on a blogging hiatus. I didn't plan it, it just happened!
Warning LONG POST!

Life gets busy, and I have been out of the loop. Some of you may not understand this, but sometimes when things get busy, and feel out of control, I have to do what I can to survive, get where I need to be, do what I have to get done, and most of all, take the time I need for  my family!! April was a birthday month, and when I get to some of those pictures, well let me just say, the season of life that I am in, is not for me!! During all that baseball  was in full swing (no pun intended) and it seems as if a whirlwind occurred and now we are less than a month away from school being out. I don't want to bore you with lots of details, but I will catch up with some pictures with some tidbits of info as we go. 

See that catcher?? That's our boy!

Loves baseball!

Awesome picture... I cannot believe that I actually took it!!! He is so handsome & grown up!! :(

Mr Kea has started Karate and this was during a Kickathon for St Judes.  He is on the front row third from the right. 

 

Concentrating!

Easter 2013 (Baby C's Daddy had to work....We missed you M!!!)

Baby C.... who is  no longer a baby! Cute T Pie!!

All my babies (shhh don't tell me they are not babies, cause they are, really!!)

Bub, Sis & Kea... sweet (well they are most of the time)

This one, well he is the silly one.... hates to have his picture make.  So I will just post his silliness in blog world!

Handsome little fella that keeps us on our toes!!!

I know this is off center.....lol!! I had to post this one because the camera was on the window sill and B set the auto take and run to get in his place. We did this several times and this one was the best because we were cracking up!! :)

Our pretty girl!! All smiles!

Me & my beautiful girls!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 April is birthday month around our house. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE APRIL BUNCH!!! We celebrated Baby C and Bub's the same day, just a couple  hours a part. Yes, it was a long day, but it was a fun day!!!

This sweet baby is growing up too fast!!

Presents time!!

He was so excited and so was Mommy!!

Sweet picture....couldn't resist sharing!  :)

Now for Bub... not sure I can get through this without crying..... remember me telling you that I am not liking this season of life..... oh I have been warned, and I knew it was coming, but that doesn't mean I have to like it....NOT. ONE. BIT.

This silly boy.... 

My monkey !!

is still a monkey!

Happy 16th Birthday Bub!!!

B was trying to be serious and give a little speech and starting getting choked up. I have no idea what was said or caused them to laugh, but I just  love this picture!

Whoo hoo.... he got his license..... actually it was boohooohooo for me :(( 

Getting ready to leave for school.

Off my baby boy goes.... driving all alone.

Watching that boy drive away, I have to admit, was worse than taking him to Kindergarten. I was doing pretty good reminding him to be careful, watch out for others, and as I started to pray for him, I. LOST. IT. Bless  his heart, its a good thing he knows how his Momma is, he didn't roll his eyes (not that I could see, anyway) and he just hugged me tight. (ok, so I am crying again!!) As he drove off I told the Lord, ok, I see that I am not in control at all right now, you are! Part of  my life is driving off by himself right now. I don't even know how long I cried and prayed. I am still struggling with this... maybe I will grow used to it about the time he graduates...???

As I am struggling with the fact that he is 16.... two weeks roll around and this sweet little girl turns 20!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Sis!!

Can have a little attitude!

Such sweet smiles!!

All grown up now!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!!! Beautiful inside & out!!

So proud of her... after two years of hard work, she was accepted into the Nursing Program for the Fall. In a couple years we will have 3 nurses in the family (A & M are both nurses!! ). Maybe one will be willing to change my diaper when I am a lot older. :) She is going to make a great nurse. She is loving, compassionate and kind!

I still have lots to catch up on....like my SSMT verses, my 2013 word JOY (this post could qualify for a JOY post although lots of tears have been shed!) and some other things that are worthy of posting and probably some that aren't, lol!! 

Hopefully, I can ease my way back into blogging....I have missed it! 

Have a blessed week!!!