My children...

We heard it all the time when we had babies- "O the time will go so fast" and as the toddlers become school age we heard "Wow they are getting so big"- and now we are the ones saying "O my goodness, where has the time gone! They are nearly adults!" Yes, it is true- those sleepless nights that once seemed as though they would not end- have been long gone and now we are preparing for SAT's and looking at colleges! Wow, a few blinks and here we are.

The thing is- I LOVE being a mom! I love my kids being here and hanging out on the weekends. Each night when we watch the news at about 10:05ish the chief of police comes on asking if we know where our kids are and I love to say- Yes, they are all in their beds, sleeping safe and sound! (Silly- maybe but in the same sense- I know too soon those days are coming that they won't all be under the same roof.) I get it, I know it is the way it suppose to be. Parenting is a temporary job. I fought the beginning stages of parenting back in 1994 and had a lot of selfishness to die to along the way, but now I am grieving the season changing.

Mind you I know not all of them are about to flee the nest, and I would love for them to hang around for their first year or two of college, but the fact is- we are on the downward slope of this mountain. I am so thankful for the uniqueness each of them have brought to our family and I am so proud of them.

Things I have seen recently that are treasures in my heart: Keira taking a spelling test and because it was a review list- she had some words showing on her paper and she took time to scratch it all out so she would not be able to cheat. She has done things like this on her own many times. I love that each Sunday she remembers to bring her own communion cracker because she doesn't like the ones at church. We go to grab the cup and she pulls her cracker out of her pocket week after week. haha I love their faithfulness when they say they are going to do something- like read for a timed amount of time- they do it to the sound of the buzzer. My oldest, Marisa, will disagree with choice of clothing, but most days she will come back out having changed into something I approve of- though I didn't "make" her do so. My Shyla- has shared some wise insight recently and it just made my heart swell with joy. She is gaining wisdom as she fumbles through her first year of high school. She has always been so encouraging to her older sister too in the many things Marisa has done from gymnastics to soccer to writing and singing songs. It has not all been easy- life isn't easy. These moments are so precious to me- seeing their character take shape and I love to see them choose right- not because I am standing over them, but because they want to do it the right way. I hope and pray they will always come back to this place- even if they detour for brief periods of time. They are so much wiser than I was at their ages. I am blessed beyond measure to be their mom.


Just one of those mommy kind of days that I am playing the reel of life through my mind and I must say- thank you Lord. I am so very appreciative for this life you have given me to walk in. Some days and seasons are tough (and this is one presently) but I still have so much to give thanks for. Just their breath of life today is a gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Finish line in sight...

For the passed 9 months I have had my attention directed toward a completion of a goal that began 20 years ago- getting my AAT degree. To most this is not a big deal- you get it right out of high school and move on to bigger and better things- whether it be higher degrees or better jobs, etc. Well for me, I have carried in me all these years that this was an unfinished goal of mine- one I felt was an important one. Not because I wanted to walk through another graduation line. Not even because it guaranteed some better employment. It was something left undone in me and though it didn't consume my life and I have loved the life I have walked in- it has always bothered me that it was left unfinished. So with some encouragement from my wonderful friend, Rachel, I enrolled again summer of 2011 and became a part time student. I am in my last week of reaching this goal. I have wrapped up all classes, except one. In this last class, I have completed all the homework and I am down to two important hurdles near the finish line. I have a final that I must pass and a presentation I must give in order to receive the final four credits needed to achieve this long-time goal. I am weary, I have been stressed for months now, and I am so ready to cross this finish line! I have no intentions of walking in a ceremony or anything of the sort, but I do believe that on this day next week- I will be ecstatic to have accomplished this goal.

Do you have things in you- however little they may seem- that have been left unfinished. Things that maybe only you and the Lord really know about- but they pop up in your life every so often? Well, by all means pray about it- but maybe they keep rising to the surface for a reason. Accomplishing it may be tough and at times down right frustrating. However, if you can't let it go- maybe you aren't suppose to. Only God can work that out with you. And His timing is critical.

I will say that as I am coming to the finish line- I am thankful for the nudge to complete these classes. I do not know what the future holds or if I will continue classes. I plan to take time to breath, be thankful, and enjoy life. I have been too short-tempered with my kiddoes and my husband and so I am looking forward to just serving them again- joyfully. I am looking forward to doing some yard work, enjoying the spring season, and drawing near to the Lord. I could not have accomplished this in my own strength and I am so thankful for His work in my life. Glory to God for carrying me (and my family) through this time. I believe this is a gift from God as He has known the desire of my heart.

"He has made everything appropriate in its time...I know there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor- it is the gift of God." Eccl 3:11-13

Thanksgiving...

As we celebrate one of the most wonderful holidays of the whole year, I hope and pray each of you are blessed beyond measure. It is a wonderful thing to be with people you love and make memories together. It is good to have a holiday that is about giving thanks for the things that we have, the things we may take for granted the rest of the year. I hope each of you will spend time reflecting and giving thanks for the blessings in your life.


Our day is being spent with one of the most wonderful families we know. We are doing something a bit different, but I am excited for it. We are doing a community dinner in the little country town they live in. Five turkeys and five hams will be cooked up and it is a potluck meal- so there will be quite a variety of food to choose from. We are honored to be with them this holiday. I do hope each of you are blessed today, with wherever you are and however you are celebrating.

I am so thankful for my family, friends, and the beautiful place we get to live in! I am thankful for Jesus Christ, and his love, grace, and mercy. I hope you are filled with love today for those around you.

May we also pray for those who are alone today and those who are hurting because they have lost a loved one. Lord may you be their strength today and cover them in your peace that passes all understanding.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever!