a first

I have an almost six year old. SIX. SIX! I say it time and time again, but where in the world does the time go?? All these "firsts" are flying by. First time they say your name. First step. First day of preschool. First day of Kindergarten. And this past Friday, his first sleep over. It wasn't totally traumatic for me because it was at our house. Still totally weird to know I have a child old enough to have a sleep over. Daniel and Vic had such a great time playing together. I love 'em both!

*It's his cousin for everyone wondering why a girl would be sleeping over. :)

I cannot put into words how much I love Daniel and how proud I am of him. He is such a kind hearted, sweet boy. (And smart to boot! ;) ) Daniel, I love you more than you know. No matter how old you get, you are always my sweet little boy!

Valentine's Day

this Valentine's day, I'm thankful for:

these two boys that I am head over heels in love with

I'm also thankful:

to be married to my best friend

but most of all, I'm thankful:

that the ultimate sacrifice was made for me....because of His great love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw6Gj6FdGUk

if up chuck, throw up, or vomit bother you: stop reading

It's been an interesting weekend/week thus far. Elijah got sick Sunday morning while we were getting ready for church and we thought he had over-eaten at breakfast. No fever. Acting like a little monkey as usual. Just a fluke. Wrong! Almost to church, and the vomiting commenced. Needless to say, we turned around; but didn't make it home w/out another bout of up chuck. I would say that in a 12 hour period, that poor kid threw up about 15 times. Keep in mind, he isn't quite old enough to do this in a toilet, bucket, or even hard floor. Wherever he was standing, there it came. Monday came, and we thought we were in the clear. E was feeling good.

Tuesday morning:4 a.m. Elijah gave us his final throw up- at least I hope so! As we were getting everything cleaned up at that ungodly hour, I started feeling really queasy. I thought it was due to what we were doing. I bailed on Abe and laid down. Again, I was wrong. I had caught the nasty stuff. My amazing husband stayed home to take care of the kiddos and me on Tuesday considering I couldn't even get out of bed. He cleaned, took care of kids, did laundry, and took care of me while I felt {and looked} like death. It is some nasty stuff and I pray it is gone from our house now!

I picked up my phone yesterday evening to get on face book as I hadn't done much else that day. As I was feeling sorry for myself and how crappy I felt, I stumbled on a friend's page. A friend battling an illness that they still haven't even identified, basically fighting for her life. I felt pretty small. Our problems or issues seem so big sometimes until we really put them in perspective. They are not. I am thankful that I had a 12 hour illness. I am thankful my sweet little man only had a 12 hour illness. However, if that friend were to be me one day I would hope I would still be thankful. Thankful because God is the same no matter what we are going through. He stays the same- faithful, loving, merciful, just, and the list goes one. I hope I will forever be thankful for that, not matter what life throws at me.

On a much lighter and happier note, my hubs let me get an awesome new toy. I heart it {he does too.} =)

Friday night fun

What's your idea of a perfect Friday night? The time to unwind from the week and breathe; the day I realize I will not be changing a poopy diaper for the next 48 hours. Well, here's my idea of a nearly perfect Friday night:

takeout for dinner

game night with my favorite 5 year old and hubby

and movie with my honey....

Ahhhh...Fridays! :)

short but SWEET

Not much to say about this picture. It speaks for itself.

sweetly broken

We were in a Sunday School class a few months ago, talking about redemption. The class was asked to give an example of Christ's redemption in their lives. A time of healing, peace, freedom, etc.. *{Technical meaning of redemption: an element of salvation to express deliverance from sin}* I heard a few awesome examples of how amazing and merciful our God is. A cancer stricken individual found full healing; and the list went on. I thought "what is the example I want to share? I have many, but what's the best one?" I couldn't help but give the example of my dad's passing. (I know people were thinking "did you understand the question??") One of, if not THE most difficult experience in my life; and yet a time I felt unexplainable peace. I felt Jesus literally carrying me through that. I felt His love surround me like never before. I felt a new redemption. I felt His mercy and faithfulness in a way I never had before, and it was an amazing thing. The point? Sometimes the sweetest times we have with Jesus are the hardest moments in our life. Times we have to fall on our face and cry out for mercy, and HE HEARS US. He's listening. He's loving.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed of how in love with Him I am. I fail Him everyday, and He takes me back with open arms- my past sins forgotten. I am so very thankful for a Savior who never leaves, never disappoints, and always forgives our confessed sin.

I love this song.....its lyrics....its meaning:

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it's suffering I do drink
Of it's work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled


In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

lousy :(

I've kinda been a lousy blogger lately. I WILL get better and try to stay on top of it. We're in 2011, and that is crazy! Where did the time go?? We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. God has blessed me indeed.

So speaking of New Years, I'm not a big fan of the "resolutions." However, I think it can be a "start" to something you want/need to do. I have a couple of things I am really going to work on (I have more than that that I NEED to work on, but I digresss...) One thing that I want to do {with all my heart} is turn each and every day over to the Lord-no matter what. He is in control; and for this, I am thankful.

I think this song is wonderful, and I love the lyrics; kind of goes along with one of my "resolutions" :) and it was also one of my Christmas gifts from my hubby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8eq7dOQSMY

Here are some pics from Christmas~some of my crazy family whom I really love!

^ wrestling on Christmas....we're crazy :) ^

^ me and my favorite cuz ^

^ game playin' fun on Christmas {Taboo} ^

^ my little sisters & E ^

^ Christmas with the Nelsons ^

^ at least we got one decent family picture on Christmas day ^

^ this has become a Christmas decorating tradition for D and Daddy. one I'm not a huge fan of

^ we visited "Bethlehem" a few days before Christmas- really neat experience ^

Abe got me some wonderful gifts this year- he did better this year than ever! I have to give props to my cousin though as she may have out-done anyone. Three words: Peyton. Manning. Jersey. =)))