Wordless Wednesday

You know you have kids in your house when your decorations are "decorated" with toys. Courtnie made a "The early bird gets the worm" sign and Colton must have lost a lego at some point. Not quite sure when the lego made it into the decoration, maybe around the same time the wick of the candle was cut off. Hmm...

Do Not Be Afraid

Life has come at me in full force lately. My plate is literally overflowing. My mind is constantly working; it never seems to stop. My heart is broken. Tears flow nonstop. I am very lost.

I took Cameron to youth tonight and on my way home I just cried. I literally cried out to God asking "why?" and wondering how to get through this valley in life. My friends have heard my frustrations, my Mom and sister have seen my tears and my poor husband has held me close through this season in life. I love you all =) This hasn't been a small valley. But you've each stayed close by and continued to pray with me and for me. You've provided words of encouragement, a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. Thank you.

I crawled in bed tonight to read Chapter 2 of The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace. This is what I read:

"Because God is gracious and compassionate, He cares about your struggles and the hurts that you feel. As is His gracious ways, God will walk with you through whatever circumstance you encounter. He will listen to you when you cry out to Him. He will shower you with His care. Because God is holy, His care over you will always be good and righteous. You can completely trust Him..... Because God's strength and understanding are unlimited, He knows what you want, feel, desire and need. He considers all the possible ramifications. There is no limit in His understanding. This enables Him to determine what is best for you and how you may glorify Him the most. There is no limit in His strength to care for you. He can heal you heart even if it is broken...... God promises to use all of your life experiences, including any evil that has been done to you, for your good. One example of good that comes from adversity is changes in your character as you become more like the Lord Jesus Christ. Another example of good that comes from adversity is that God is tremendously honored (glorified) if you respond biblically. God promises to use all things for your good if you love God. You love God by being an obedient Christian (John 14:15)."

I am sitting here crying happy tears. I'm at peace. I've put my book aside for the night to soak this all in. I need His arms wrapped around me and holding me tight. I can sleep tonight knowing He is with me and working these situations for my good. I have to trust Him. I am casting my fears and relying on Him. I will be forever grateful for His unending love. How awesome is it when you feel so down that you wonder how to move forward and there He is providing words to provide an overwhelming sense of peace and love. Thank you God. Thank you.

Baseball Season Has Begun!

Because Cameron is anti-camera right now and often seems to be MIA from my blog, here are some pictures a mom snapped of Cameron at one of his games this week. She's a professional photographer with a NICE camera; oh how I love when she has that camera out =)

National No Housework Day!

Apparently today was National No Housework Day. I accidentally participated by just being lazy after work todaybut that's okay. I think I am going to start celebrating this one yearly!

When : Always April 7th

No Housework Day is your chance to do anything, except housework. Better still, have someone else do the chores for a day. Housework is a daily, seemingly endless and repetitive groups of tasks. It often goes unrecognized and worst of all..... taken for granted. But, watch out! If the dishes aren't done, or there's no clean towels, somebody takes note.

There's two ways to celebrate this day:

If you normally do the housework around the house, cease and desist for this day. Instead, kick back and enjoy the day. Relax and do anything, except housework.

If you are a spouse or significant other, do the housework for your mate. It gives her (or him) a break from the housework. And, you just might get an appreciation of how much work it takes to keep up the house.

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Origin of No Housework Day:

Our research did not uncover a particular person who started this day, or when it was first celebrated.

We're pretty sure it originated by someone who was a wee bit tired of doing the daily chores, and just needed a day off. Most likely, they threw up their hands and said something like "That's it! I'm taking a day off from all of this work".

Whoever the genius was who first created this day, we salute you!

Gabriel Sean Coe

Mom had a baby boy, Gabriel Sean Coe, 23 years ago today born with anencephaly. He made his debut without a single breath but very much loved. I was 7 at the time of his birth and remember very little. When Jason and I started dating we went once or twice to visit him. Not too long ago I invited Mom to go with us. She was thrilled to go and I was so sad to hear she hadn't been in so long. Now we make sure we invite her each time we think of going to visit him. This year Breanne came with us and how wonderful must that have been for Mom to have all 3 of her children in the same place at the same time. It's a visit mixed with so many emotions - joy, sadness and longing. I cannot imagine losing my child without ever hearing him talk or breathe, without seeing him smile or walk, without sending them him off to school, without holding him in my arms. She is a strong woman to have gone through so much and yet still hold a smile on her face. We are not supposed to bury our children, but some mothers have to. I just cannot imagine. I also think about all we, as siblings, have lost. We never had that brother to toughen us up, or the brother to stay strong for us or to be a protector. I can't help but to think about him on his birthdays. We'd probably be nagging him to grow up or joking with him about his latest girlfriend. He may have even found the perfect woman and be ready to ask the big question. Because we don't have these memories, we have to hold the ones we do close to our hearts. I can find joy and peace knowing he is in the arms of our Lord and there is no better place to be. He never suffered but was loved unconditionally. That's a very nice life! And I'm so thankful that God chose my Mom to be his mother. He couldn't have made a better choice.

Happy Birthday Gabriel!



PS - An extra bit of information - Cameron's middle name is Sean named after my brother. He is very proud of his middle name and to be named after his uncle. He knows it's a special name to have and a great way to remember the son, brother and uncle we've never known.

More Easter Pics

You won't find Cameron in too many Easter pics now that he is too old. He wasn't "on the run" like the other cousins; well there was the ONE Easter egg someone hid about a half mile away that Cameron had to go and get. lol. It gave him something to do!

Happy Easter!

Another Easter season to remind us of all our blessings. I bought this neat interactive Easter book and it starts at Palm Sunday, then to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and ends with Easter day. The kids really have liked it! I truly enjoy watching the kids get so involved and to hear them tell us the story before we read the next page. It's so amazing how much information they soak in at such young ages. I will definitely try to do this again each year. We went to church tonight with the family and sung my favorite song (okay, one of my many favorites) and it's such an awesome Easter song.

Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

Funny story to share.... after church we went home to color eggs then decided to head out and grab some dinner. We were in line and Colton is holding onto my legs (very similar to the way in the picture above) and out of nowhere lifted my skirt up. No lie, I know my face turned bright red as tears sprang to my eyes. Humiliation is an understatement! It was very innocent; he wasn't being rotten. He is just super touchy-feely and was loving on me and then it just happened. Of course when my skirt went up, my hands pushed them down and I immediately turned around to see if anyone else saw. My Grannie did and one other lady, which of course we were all laughing at (probably more to comfort me at this moment). All I could think about was how thankful I was the guy standing near Jason was oblivious to it all. O.M.G.