The PERFECT gift

Hello friends!
In the midst of all the craziness this time of year its hard not to realize how focused we are on gifts. Who doesn't love a gift? I love getting gifts just like anyone. Just the fact that someone has taken the time out of their busy life to think of me and want to give me something is so heart warming.
As I watched my children open their gifts today I loved seeing the excitement in their eyes, the anticipation in their little hands as they tore open those packages. Tonight as they put out the milk and cookies for Santa and the reindeer food it was so fun to see the anticipation of what gifts might be coming their way. I am savoring these moments of innocence that my kids have this time of year because I know these sweet moments won't last forever.
What's the greatest gift you've ever given anyone? Joey and I always have the same discussion each year about how awesome it would be to be able to give our friends and family whatever we wanted to give them as if money were no option. What a wonderful feeling that would be!
2corinthians 5:21 says that "Christ never sinned, but God treated him as a sinner so that He could make us acceptable to God." When I think about the BEST gift I've ever been given it is undeniably the fact that Jesus took my sin and I get His righteousness. WOW. That sure beats an iPad, or that new SUV I have been coveting. If you have never received this gift I want to give it to you. Not that it is actually mine TO give you, but it's what I want you to have. It's what I want everyone on this earth to have. Its what i want everyone that reads this post to have. It's not too late if you're reading this..
What is your gift to God? I saw a post on twitter yesterday from Rick Warren; " If I ignore Gods purpose for me on earth, my life isn't waisted, but it is pointless." I love that!! If you're like me I often wonder what my true gift is or what it is that I'm supposed to accomplish for God in this lifetime. I pray the He will reveal those gifts to all of us and that we wont waste them.


Merry Christmas!!

Magical moments

Tonight my family and I took a drive to Rhema bible college to look at Christmas lights. The weather was beautiful for a December night; no wind, clear, and cool. We got out of the car and walked around the campus, through the flashing light tunnel, and back to the car. It was truly gorgeous. For a few short minutes we were able to enjoy the scenery and forget about our worries. I caught myself taking it all in; thanking God for simple moments like this and realizing how His mercy has shown on my family over the last few months. Just like the lights that were shining all around me, God is consistent. He is everywhere if you just look and open your eyes and use the five senses He gave us. I enjoyed hearing my kids laugh and sing along to the Christmas music that was playing. I watched them run up and down a small hill, back and forth on the flashing lights bridge. I felt the touch of their warm little hands as we walked along hand in hand. Our mouths watered as we smelled the funnel cakes cooking nearby. Yes, it was much like a scene from a movie for a few short minutes. Take time to savor moments like these. Take it all in. You never know if you'll be given another one in this lifetime.
BF

Part of my insomnia is my friend

Ok, I'll admit it. Some of this sleep problem I have is self- induced. Here's the problem. My only ME time is usually from 11-2 am. I could choose to sleep or I can choose to do something for me that I enjoy. I have read 4 books during my recovery, one of which was a novel that I consider life altering. Redeeming Love is one of the best books I've ever read. It had mad me change the way I look at loving my spouse and forgiveness Nd unconditional love we should have when we take our vows.
I'm starting a third in a series by Karen Kingsbury, and I have two new ones my mom brought me from women of faith that I can't wait to start. I guess my deep thought for the day is that we all need alone time. I also try to always make sure that if I Sacrifice to stay awake that late I should spend some time with God. I shouldn't have to pencil him in....but that's the way it seems sometimes.
I hope you're all ready for christmas! I will send you my list soon....:-)

Deep thoughts

Wow- I haven't blogged in 8 months. Gotta love my consistency.
There's so much going through my mind right now. Granted, I am on prescription pain meds from having surgery earlier in the week so bare with me...
Do you ever wonder what your purpose is? I look at my kids and I just know that God has something big planned for them. I know He has a plan for all of us but sometimes it takes us longer to see it or to be content with where we are in our lives. I've had a lot of things weighing on my heart about what God has brought us through over the past 13 years. I wonder if I've done enough for Him? I've recently had it brought to my attention that I should write a book about our story. I would love to do this but I feel like our story is just beginning....that there are big plans for us and that i couldn't begin to put into words how I feel. In the meantime, I'm praying that the right opportunity for something like this will arise.
I should really go to sleep before this gets any deeper:-)
BF

So VERY random.....

Hey....remember me? I have not blogged in a while. Something happens everyday and I stop to think, "I should blog about that!" The problem is that I don't stop to take the time to actually log onto this thing called a computer (darn smart phones are WAY too convenient). There has been a lot going on recently. I thought the best way to express myself would be to just type out what my brain thinks and get it off my chest. The problem is that a lot of what my brain thinks I should filter due to the possibility of hurting some body's feelings or even causing a civil dispute. I hear some people say, "I don't care what anyone thinks.....I will say what I feel and they can like it or not!!" Well folks, that's not me. Its not my nature. Wish I could be a little more free with my feelings or thoughts but is that really how God has called us to be? Maybe to an extent.... Not that I think we all have to be friends, but really? I mean, do you really want to just hurt others and not feel any remorse?
Okay, I could go on and on.....

I thought I'd post a few random thoughts that have crossed my mind lately.
1. I feel old.......physically I feel old. I don't want my kids memory of me to be "remember how mom was always tired and wanted to sleep all the time?"  Therefore, I will be making some major changes in my life and my priorities. Working on making myself one of those priorities.....
2. Do not take your health for granted. You cant buy it people.
3. I want to be a better friend. I miss my friends. I miss spending time with my mom. I miss dates with my husband. I miss my brother. I miss golfing with my dad. But I am soooooo thankful for my kids who consume my life. "It won't be like this for long..."
4. Remember there are two sides to every issue or conflict you hear about. I hate being in the middle of drama. I don't choose sides. Maybe that makes me a bad friend? I don't know.....Call me passive.
5. It makes me sad to see people so focused on this life. Materialism is so unattractive. I will be the first to admit I like nice things, and I am NOT perfect but does it really matter? Do you think people won't see through all the materialistic stuff to see what type of person you are? Do you think Jesus will say, "since you drove a nice car and had the latest styles you're in!" It is not about this world. If you don't know Jesus and know HE is the only way to eternal life you need to get to know Him. I want all my friend and family to know Him. He forgives weirdos and screw-ups like me!!
6. Self-centeredness is so very unattractive. Have you ever met someone who instantly starts talking about themselves or tells you all of their aches and pains. We have all met that person who has "had it much worse. Oh yeah? You had a heart attack? Well once I had a heart attack and my heart exploded and I almost died and I was much worse......" ugh. If you really want to make people want to be around you and enjoy your company than focus on THEM.
(I have had health problems lately so I apologize if I have been THIS PERSON!!! ha ha)
7. My husband is amazing. I should really write a book. If you knew what he does everyday- beginning most days at 4:30am, you would just be blown away. He is my hero.
8. We are the most unique family. Husband in a wheelchair, mom that is 33 going on 80, a daughter who is stuck in the middle of all of us, and a son who holds his breath until he passes out almost daily but is normal in every other way.......Why don't we have our own reality show? Who cares about the Kardashians or the dreaded Jershey Shore crap? This is real life!! We are the Fast Freak Show!
9. I hope I make a difference in this world.
That is all. There is no number 10. Sorry for the randomness.......that's how I roll!

slow down

I hope everyone is enjoying this time. I am seeing a lot of posts about being bored, cabin fever, ect....I totally get what you're saying, but I don't. I cannot even think of the last time I was bored! (yes, I have a toddler...)
 I think we are all so used to going through life at a fast pace and not enjoying down time that we don't know how to relax or just "be". I hope you will take the next few days or hours that you are secluded to think of your blessings and be aware of your surroundings. Maybe God gave us this snowmageddon, snowpocalypse, or snowthunder to let us rest and just "be".  Now, don't get me wrong, my kids were loud and stir crazy today and I was slightly annoyed. But then I was reminded of the song "It won't be like this for long" and the lyrics in the song. It always makes me cry.....(shocking, I know)......You see, my Zoey will be 8 in 16 days and I was just pregnant with her the other day!!!!

Hope you're all safe and warm. Make some Paula Deen snow ice cream and chill......