Happy Birthday Katie!

Today is the baby's birthday. Funny we still call her baby. She is 7! WOW! I can't believe she is this big. BUT, she's still the littlest in our family, so I guess that is why she is the baby.

I remember that when I found out I was pregnant with Katie it was a bit of a surprise. We had almost decided that we were going to be done with 2 and we got so busy with Jay's dad's illness that we never did anything permanent to be, well, done with 2. So, God decided for us that we were going to have Katie and she has been the best surprise present we have ever gotten.

My pregnancy with Katie was rough. I had a kidney complication and then Jay lost his job with Enron. We moved across the country and then had to find a doctor willing to take a 20 week pregnant woman with a complication. And I remember saying (several times) that this baby would be either a "wild child" or the "sweetest natured baby ever".

Well, we got the latter. Katie is the most delightful child. She always has a smile, a hug and some super charm to go with it all. She is always so loving and easy going and the first to not only ask forgiveness, but to give forgiveness. She is just precious.

Today is the day we celebrate her and it is so easy to do. She brings such laughter into our world. Such sunshine. And, she also brings us just a small bit of Bug. In fact, I often wonder if that is why we got our surprise.....so we would easily remember Jay's mother. After all, Katie is the one who looks so much like her grandmother. She loves everyone just like her grandmother and is super social, just like her grandmother. And, of course, Katie is the only one of our children to get her planner signed for talking (I won't say it but you know I am thinking it!). Then last, but not least, I am pretty sure Katie's "sense of style" came from her grandmother. LOL

So, thank you God for giving us our special little bit.....where we would be without her I shudded to think. She is truly a gift from above.

Taking Jesus out of Georgetown????

Okay, I can't stand it any longer. I really really REALLY try to keep neutral on my blog. I am not a political activist, I am just a mom and wife doing the best she can to raise my children with Godly morals and values in a country that gives me the right to do that.

But today, I can't do it, I just can't keep it in. I figure most of you reading this blog know my thoughts and feelings about politics anyway and if you are reading you either agree with me or agree to disagree and we remain friends.

So, warning now, if you are going to be offended by my words, please stop reading so we can remain friends.

So, today I read an article about our President asking Georgetown University to cover their "Jesus" sign before he could come there to make a speech. WHAT????!!!!???? WHY?!!!???? What in the world is that all about and why in the world would Georgetown agree to it? And not more than 2 weeks ago the President of the United States stood in front of Global leaders and denounced that this country (which was founded on Biblical principals) is not a Christian nation!

You know, I don't even know where to begin. I am so deeply saddened by the fact that the President of the Nation I love so much would stand before the world and denounce Christianity. And you know what saddens me more, is that Christians all over the world are allowing it to happen. Case in point: Georgetown agreed to his terms!

I did not vote for Obama, but I did make the decision to support my president and to not stoop as low as to say hateful degrading things about this man. But you know what, enough is enough.

If we continue to deny Christ, he is going to continue to deny us. That is just a plain and simple fact. And folks, this earth can get a whole lot worse before Jesus comes back. A whole lot worse. And I have to tell you, I wouldn't blame the Lord for letting us wallow in misery. After all, we have brought it on ourselves.

So, after my rambling I guess I just have to say. We have 4 years to see how far our new leader will take us from the Word of God and it's principles. Well, that is, if Jesus doesn't come back and take His family to Heaven. I would challenge any Christian to stop and think before the next vote. I know this last election year was tough. People were afraid and they were hungry. They wanted change. Well, is this the change you wanted? Are we willing to deny our Christ (Christianity) to place faith in a mere man? A man who has no problem standing before the world and denying the very Jesus we as Christians know laid down His life for US! Are you ready to stand in front of Jesus one day and say "Yes, Jesus, I supported a man who repeatedly denied you because I needed a job and didn't trust you to provide one for me. I had no choice Jesus, I needed that job."

Okay, so my ranting is done and since I have blogged it all, I am ready for the retribution, but please know, my anger is just for the mere fact that I love my Lord so very much and I know that all I have is given to me by Him. Even if I had no home, no food, I would have the precious gift of Salvation and that is my eternity. I think I owe it to Him to stand up for him this time. Even if my platform is this silly little blog of mine.

Good day

It was a good day. We were blessed to have 2 other families from church in our home today. I loved every second of it.

So, while I sit her reflecting on today, and I listen to my children talking about the day, I realize God has blessed us with such wonderful sisters and brothers in Christ. It was just a good day of fun, fellowship and a little smack talk on guitar hero (girls rule!).

Yes, it was a good day. I am so thankful God has blessed us with our church family.

Reflecting

Okay, so I can't let today go by without acknowledging that it is Holy Thursday. Each year as I sit in service and watch the story played out of Jesus' last supper with his disciples I am simply moved beyond words. Spirit filled are the words that come to my mind. Emotions fill me that, try as I might, I can't control. I simply can't keep myself from crying my eyes out.

I look around at this crazy world we live in. I look at the "norms" that occur in our world today and I think "why on earth would Jesus put himself through the torture and degradation he did for people like US?"

Why indeed? I know that I am not worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made for me. I am not worthy of the pain and suffering he endured before his death. But I am so very thankful for it.

Thank you Lord for the sacrifice you gave so that I could have everlasting life. Thank you Lord for coming to earth as a man to bear the sin of my life so that I would have the chance to live a life without condemnation. May I never forget the sacrifice you made for me and may I never take it for granted.

Overcoming disappointment

Recently we had a piece of property taken from us. I won't go into what or how, because that isn't what is important. But, it was tough to take. You see when the item was taken, we all were just so disappointed. Not because it cost us money, but because it felt like a big violation in our trust.

I like to think our family is loving and trusting of just about anyone. We welcome anyone into our home and we love doing it. So when a piece of our property goes missing, it just really hurts.

Now, add to that that the item that went missing was an item belonging to a 13 year old boy and it gets even more complicated. You see, Jay and I have been trying to process our reactions in a "MATURE" way and that takes a few days in and of itself. But add a 13 year old's hormones into the mix and it is rough for him to accept.

But, it's been a few days and things are settling down a bit and I think, through many conversations and discussions, we are all getting to a point that we are ready to let God deal with this whole thing. Why anyone would take something from someone else is still beyond me, but God will deal with that person. And, as of yesterday morning, Jayson and I had come to an agreement that we would be praying for the person who took the item. I was proud of him that he was able to agree that any person with Jesus living in his heart would never take something belonging to someone else. And THINGS can be replaced, but souls can't. And we could never wish anyone, even someone who took something from us, to have a life without Jesus in it.

So, although there is still sadness and regret in Jayson, I am proud of him for seeing it from God's side and trying his best to be "MATURE" about the incident. I know, from personal experience that it ain't so easy.

Hunter's day

Well, today my sweet Hunter turned 10. I know every mom says this, but I just can't believe she is 10 years old.

I don't use my blog often as a "bragging post" but I do hold the right on my baby's special day to brag a little about her.

Jay and I are just so proud of Hunter. She is an amazing young woman who loves Jesus and tries hard to think about what HE would have her do in every decision. She prays faithfully for the lost every night and the children in Africa. She is so tender hearted and always so thoughtful of others. I just adore those qualities in her and am grateful for her sweet heart.

But, let's not mistake her for a pushover. Oh no, on the contrary she has quite a bit of fiest to her. And therefore she is our true red head. It is not a pretty picture if she thinks you are trying to put one over on her or if you do something to hurt someone she loves. Nope, not pretty at all.

This year has seen quite a bit of change for Hunter. For starters, she saw her first birthday go by in a very long time that she was not having some sort of severe allergy occurrence. She usually is on a high dose of medication and sometimes a steroid running through her body on her birthday. Last year, the day after her birthday she had surgery to remover her adenoids and enlarge her turbinates because her nasal passages were swollen shut. It has been 1 year now since she has started taking the shots and she is doing WONDERFUL! Yay God!

She started a new school and is doing well in 4th grade. Hunter is easy to get along with so she didn't have trouble making new friends. She joined the choir and is having so much fun! She was also blessed with a great teacher who has really helped her out through the year of "adjustment".

And this is her year of "DANCE". Last May, she did her first dance recital and caught the "dance fever". Since June she has taken no less than 3 classes a week to get herself ready for company tryouts. She is currently dancing 3 days a week and she is one determined young lady, currently taking 5 (yes, 5) dance classes a week. I don't know if she will make it, but one thing I know is that she has given it her best effort. And she should be proud of herself. I, personally, think that she is a beautiful ballerina and can't wait to see her perform on the stage in June.

God blessed us with this gorgeous, beautiful, kind and loving girl. I can't imagine what our lives would be like without her in it. I can't wait to see what the year of being 10 will bring. But then again, I wish I could slow it all down and make her 1 all over again. It's such a mixed bag of emotions seeing your child grow. Waiting to see what God has planned for her, yet yearning for her not to grow up.

Okay, now that I started my tears, it's time to say: Happy Birthday baby girl! We love you so much and we are so glad God let us have you in our family!