Monday, November 25, 2013

Life goes on

Jeff went back to work today (desk duty) and life is getting back to normal. I haven't done a good job of uploading pictures this last month with everything going on. Here's a few to share. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Olivia had her first choir concert in Lafayette. She was so excited to see Jeff there as she had it shortly after his accident and didn't think he would be there.  Their group did a great job.

Boys enjoying their Saturday morning cartoons.

Maddy is growing up to fast. She is full of smiles and is making lots of sounds. I think the funniest is when she sounds like an owl. She sounds like she is saying "Who, who" but every time I try to record it she stops.
Nate lost his first tooth!

We have been reading C.S. Lewis in school and I came across this quote that I must agree with. I love that I am blessed to be able to stay at home with the kiddos. I can't imagine life any other way.  “The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career. ”
― C.S. Lewis--
 

We finalized the adoption last Thursday. What an exciting day!





 
Olivia made a song up for Maddy. It's so sweet. She loves her little sis so much!

Monday, November 11, 2013

3 months

Full of smiles, becoming very vocal and squealing, getting up once or twice a night, loves being sung to, had her first sleep over, had her first slumber party with her cousins, reaching for toys, on the verge of rolling over, really recognizing voices and faces


Sunday, November 3, 2013

In the midst of the storm

Jeff had his accident a week and a half ago and I'm so grateful to have him here with me tonight. I know that God had his angels watching over him and surrounding him with a hedge of protection that day. Things could have gone so differently and life as I have known it for the past seventeen years could have been different tonight. So first of all I just want to praise Him for protecting him and giving me another day to have him by my side. However, I keep asking God what is it he is wanting me to learn from all of this? Why did He allow this to happen in our lives and what does He want me to take away from it. I know that God doesn't allow anything into our lives that isn't a benefit for His kingdom. So as I was getting ready for church this morning (I'm so grateful Jeff was able to go today!) I was asking God again what He wants me to take away from this. I feel like there are three things He was reminding me of, not necessarily things he wants me to learn as of yet. But reminders in my life. However, first let me say how I have felt this week so these three things make sense. This past week I have felt like I have been in a storm. Before the storm all was calm and life was great. As soon I got the call he was in the accident it was like a hurricane hit me straight in the face and I was tossed into one of the worst storms of my life. If one knows that a storm is about to hit they take the necessary measures to prepare. Life is the same way. You must be prepared for when the storms arise unexpectedly. 1. Prayer- We all do it and often haphazardly just going through the motions of it. Every night before Jeff walks out the door to work in Kokomo we pray together. We know the dangers in his job and to go out the door without prayer is ,again, like going out into the water without a life preserver. But for some reason when he works Walton we didn't take it as seriously. We often refered to this job as his "Mayberry Job", and never prayed before he went on duty for it. Even though we knew how the power of prayer worked for his Kokomo job it was like we were telling God, "It's ok, we've got this other job covered on our own." We thought nothing serious can happen to him there and I'm ashamed to admit we thought we didn't need to pray about that job. So that's the first lesson I've learned. Know matter what job your spouse has, pray together each day before leaving the house. 2. The Word- When you are on the mountain top it is so easy to get out of God's word. Honestly, you feel like you are rereading the same scriptures over and over. However, this past week I'm so glad to have read those scriptures over and over. There is a reason you need to be in the Word everyday. It's for the moments when you suddenly crash from the mountain top to the valley. When my world came crashing in on me those scriptures came washing over me and reminding me to be strong, and hold onto Him. James 1:2-4 has been flooding my mind constantly since the accident(it's funny you reminded me of that too mom- also Joe in his sermon today). "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." God tells us that trials will come and when they do the Holy Spirit will wash those those scripture verses over you to give you peace in the storm. 3. Body of Christ- I have seen the body of Christ at work in our lives in the last week. I have had to humble myself and let others do for us, which is so difficult for me as I like to do everything myself. Pride had to fall this week and I have had to let others fill in the gap for me and help me. Once again God's timing is perfect and I got a devotional in my email about trials and this is the quote that hit me, "We’re not intended to do life alone. I need the faith of others when I’m in trials and troubles to remind me that God is our refuge and a very present help when I am in trouble. And you need that from me when you’re in trouble. There is a promise that our hearts will be safe, that we will have the help and the grace we need to endure even in the midst of that storm, even in the midst of great loss." How true! I could not have made it this week without our family and friends. They have been there day and night doing whatever needs to be done. From knowing as soon as I found out about the accident I could call Brittany and Andrea and they would drop everything to come and get the kids, others bringing dinner every night, family getting the outdoors ready for winter, friends taking my kiddos (and just telling me your doing it) because they know I need a break, praying, praying, praying,keeping the kids all night so I could be with Jeff in the hospital, bringing me a coke and donuts in the middle of the day, texts to check in, hauling my kids to church last week, coming to sit with Jeff so I can run errands, helping financially, calling from town to see if I need anything, and the list can go on. I have been reminded again how so important it is to be in fellowship with other believers. We have been so blessed and loved I feel guilty that I can't do anything in return for all of you but just to thank God for all of you. Besides Christ, your outpouring of love and support is what keeps me looking up toward the top of the mountain again. I love you all so much and I am so grateful to all of you.