Back to Reality

We got back from Destin on Wednesday and went back to work the next day. The trip was wonderful in spite of the 3 days of rain! The beach was absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed 2 days of sunshine. The beach house we rented was beautiful and was big enough for all 10 of us!

Parker seemed to like the water and was such a good baby. He is growing so much and his smile lights up a room. He loves attention and got plenty of it from all of us Parker fans!
Kaityln and Devin loved the beach and had a great time. We videoed a lot and will treasure those memories for a lifetime.

I am so thankful that we had this time away together; God is so very good to us! It was a refreshing break from the busyness of life and I look forward to many more times ahead.

Now back to reality!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soaking Up The Word

The past few weeks have been a time of reflection for me and for diving into God's word seeking his will and wisdom for my life.

I am so hungry for Him that I find myself seeking His presence more and more in my life.

With all the negatively going on in our world and all the doom you hear, it has only brought me closer with my Creator. I find such comfort knowing that God loves me and will take care of me no matter how bad things seem to be.

I strive to walk closer with him everyday and to be obedient to His teaching which tell me to Be Still and KNOW that He is God. I don't have to figure out the next step - He already knows it and has planned every step of the way.

What a freedom that has given me. Freedom from worry, from lack, from want, from knowing that all is well when I depend and put my trust in Him.

I feel like a weight is being lifted off my shoulder; I feel alive and cherish the simple things in life more each day.

I encourage you my friends and family to embrace each day and to seek the Father in ALL areas of your life. Nothing is a surprise to Him, He is the maker of the universe and He already has the Victory. The battle has been won.

Cherish life, love each other and give all glory and priase to the ONE who gives us life!

Bittersweet

Alli turned 16 on July 2nd and is now driving. With this comes a new chapter in all of our lives. This can’t be happening – our girls are almost grown! As I look back I realize the truth in God’s word that says our lives are just a vapor in the wind. Time really does fly by and to waste even one day of it is a shame.

I am learning to embrace each new turn in the road of my life and to enjoy the ride. As I watch Morgan and Alli drive down the drive way, anxious to get to their most important destination, I have to take a deep breath and say a very familiar prayer and trust that we have raised them in the way they should go, knowing and trusting that God promises us that they will not depart from it.

It’s hard to let go, I am not ready but as I reflect on my new adult relationship with Katie and Lucas I know that I am not losing them, I am beginning a new journey with them that will get better and better with time.

I want to cherish each step of the way and to count my blessings and not take anything for granted. Life is a precious gift that we have to handle with care and to give our heartfelt thanks and praise to the giver of life.

Be Blessed!

No Rest For The Weary!

Parker was 3 weeks old yesterday and for the past week has been extremely fussy. I guess they call that colic, when they can’t come up with any other reason for it.

It seems his formula was upsetting his stomach so last Thursday they started him on a new formula that we hoped would ease his stomach pains and give him (and Katie) some relief. For the most part, his tummy seems better but now he doesn’t like the formula so he is hardly eating which is making him all the fussier! We are praying that he will get used to the formula soon and begin the road the recovery!!

It’s so hard to see someone you love in pain, especially when there is little you can do about it. Katie is simply exhausted but otherwise doing well!

On a brighter note, we celebrated Kaitlyn’s 4th birthday on Saturday. We had a princess themed party with a huge pink castle inflatable! Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the pool most of all since it was so HOT!

All in all things are good in our household……….just seems like we are running all the time, time is really flying by!

Alli turns 16 next Thursday so we are planning that big event! Not sure Skip is handling this very well…………..he is definitely not liking the teenage years so far!

Morgan is having jaw surgery tomorrow to correct her severe TMJ issues. They will put her to sleep and go in and clean her left socket and give her a steroid shot in the joint; then she will be on steroids for five days. She laughs and says she hopes the steroids will enhance her volleyball skills! She is just ready to have some relief from the jaw pain that she has had for the past six months.

Well that’s all for now, more later!

The Light Shines In The Darkness

My mother emailed me the other day and asked me to review an article she was writing for her church bulletin; I was so moved by the writing and by her thoughts and was actually blown away. The article was just perfect the way it was and didn't need a thing!

I asked her if she would mind me sharing it my friends so that they too might find a blessing in her beautiful words that I have found.

In the virgin darkness before creation's first dawn, God spoke, and there was light.

In the unknowing midnight of a Christmas morn, God sang, and there was light in the eyes of a little child.

In the brooding gloom of a Friday afternoon, God was silent, and the Light bowed his head on the cross.

In the damp blindness of a garden tomb, God shouted, and the Light burst through the chains of death.

In the doubtful dimness of an upper room God whispered , and the Spirit-flames spread among the nations.

In the shadows of a rebellious world, God commands, and the Children of light go forth to share his healing love.

In the welcoming brightness of the "Day to Come", God laughs and the Children dance in the light of Love's eternal smile.

I hope that this blesses you the way it did me.

Consider it Pure Joy!

As I read in James 1 today, it says to consider it pure joy when trouble comes, for when your faith is tested your endurance grows.

For me this isn't something that comes easy; if I am honest most of the time when I go through trials and trouble, joy isn't the first word that comes to mind.

I have to ask myself why is that? IF I am walking by faith and standing on the foundation of God's word, the truth, then why don't I welcome those bumps in road that come, and come often?

James goes on the say that God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. The word also promises that if anyone lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives generously.

I think the problem lies in consistency. In order to live and breath by the word, you must know it, inside and out so that you can anchor on to it when the winds of life are blowing. For that to happen a decision must be made to seek God with everything we have in us, each and every day.

In order to have freedom and victory in Christ, we must know who we are in Him and completely and utterly trust Him in every situation that comes our way, even when our flesh is screaming out of control.

We have to pursue Him as if our very life depended on it, because it does.

I want all that God has for me and my family; I want to live abundately and rest knowing that the Creator of the Universe holds me in the palm of His hands and is in control of every detail of my life.

I choose to trust Him in ALL things.

Parker is Here!!

Noah Parker Archibald made his debut into this world on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 3:09 pm, weighing a hefty 9lbs 12oz, 22 inches long!

Katie was induced, which was a good thing because if she had waited another week Parker would have been over 10 pounds!

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 am but by the time they got Katie set up for labor it was closer to 7:30 or 8:00 before labor offically began. Katie did an amazing job and the whole family was there to suport her.

Morgan, Cody and I got to be with her for the delivery and it was such a sweet and wonderful moment for all of us to share.

God has so blessed our family over the years and this is yet another one of His beautiful gifts to us.

You can officially change my name to Memo............and you will find me floating up in the clouds on cloud 9!

To God be the Glory!!