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!!

Time To Get Out Of The Boat!

“Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

There comes a time in our lives when we have a choice to make – we can either take a step in faith and walk towards the light, or we can remain as we are, just getting by and going through the motions.

Christ came so that we can live life MORE ABUUNDANTLY. He paid too high a price for us to live any less than He planned for us and to walk in defeat or lack is pretty much saying that the cross was not good enough. Now that is not something we would actually say we believe, but if we are honest, our walk often times tells a very different story.

I have deiced that I want Freedom, true freedom that can only come through an intimate relationship with my Lord and Savior. I have always been a believer and that is certainly the first step but I want more, much more than to just believe in Him. I want to seek Him in each and every detail of my life and to submit to Him as the Lordship of my life. I want to instill this truth to my children and grandchildren so that they can live in victory and freedom and learn to walk daily with the Lord and know that He is all they need!

I begin counseling a few weeks ago and am learning I have some areas in my life where I have to lay at the feet of Jesus and that is exactly what I am going to. This will be a process for me and I am sure that there will be days when it won’t be easy. This is where getting out of the boat comes in…………I must take a step of faith towards my Creator and trust that He will give me what I need to walk on the water of my life. Whatever that means I am ready to take this step. It is requiring me to get out of my comfort zone and to allow God to reveal some truths in my life that I have operated in that do not line up with His word. It’s not easy but it must be done if I am going to become the woman that God created me to be. I am finally learning that it’s not about me and that has been a huge revelation for me, and one that I would have liked to have learned years ago.

I am excited about this journey to freedom that I am on. I know that with each step I take, I will hear the Shepherd’s voice calling to me and guiding me as He shows me the perfect path.

pardon me while I take a moment to brag!

Both Morgan and Alli are exempt from taking their exams so school is officially out for them as of today! I am so proud at how hard they have worked to keep their grades up while playing volleyball and of course all the other things teenagers do!

I feel so blessed with all of my children; I know they are not perfect but for the most part they are all really good kids. Of course Katie and Lucas are not “kids” anymore but they will always been my babies!

Speaking of babies, Katie is due in 2 weeks! I was hoping that he would come today for Jonnava’s birthday. She is such a baby lover this would just make her day! Jonnava aka Pinky already has three grandbabies! All boys………….she is an old pro at it and tells me I will be mush when they get here. I so already know that! Although Parker will be my first grandchild by blood, Devin and Kaitlyn have fast become the apple of my eye. I love them both dearly and consider them my grandchildren as well. They are so sweet and absolutely adorable; Cody already thinks I spoil them rotten! I do of course, but isn’t that my job?? I just love them!!!

Lucas is still dating Sydney; they are such a cute couple and seem to really get along. He is grown up so much and is still just as handsome as ever. He moved into our rental house this week, it is sweet to see him setting up a home and spreading his wings.

At the end of the day I know that no matter how many mistakes I have made over the years, and I know there have been many, I know that they turned out to be good people who love the Lord and that God has blessed me abundantly with each one of them.

I am indeed a rich woman!