Catching Up

I love the idea of regularly blogging about the events of life and my heart's deepest ponderings...

But, it just doesn't happen for me.  Not at this point of my life.  So, setting aside ALL perfectionistic tendencies, I am going to sum up the highlights (in chronological order, of course) of the first four months of 2013 right here.  Right now.  And I'm sure that all 13 of my blog readers will love every WORD of it!

Highlight number 1 - I got an iPhone.  I'd had an android up until a few months ago.  Not the same.  I love you iPhone.... You are wonderful.

Highlight numbers 2 and 3 - Breanna and Joseph were both chosen as character kids.  Joseph in January for the character trait of fairness. 

 

And Breanna in February for the character trait of trustworthiness.

I'm not one to brag about my children's various achievements and awards (though they are many) but we all know that good character comes from God - so He gets all the glory for this one!

Highlight number 4 - A date night and an 11th anniversary.  Super fun night and grateful to celebrate yet another anniversary with this guy...  Who LOVES picture time.

The next day was the first soccer game of the season...  Aren't they cute?!

Highlight number 5 -  Easter pics!  I'm the worst at remembering to take pictures, even though I try to make sure we all somewhat coordinate on Easter for the sole purpose of pictures.  This year, I remembered.  Please notice Joseph's first coat and tie - at his own request.  What mother could say no to her son wanting to wear "a tuxedo" for Easter Sunday?!  I could (and did) however deny Breanna's multiple requests for a dress with sequence, glitter or some form of brightly colored chiffon.  No, Breanna...  We go to church on Easter, not a Jersey Shore night club.

Highlight number 6 - Breanna turned 10! That's right people. TEN.  There are so many things that are out-of-control ridiculous about this.  First, I'm too young to have a 10 year old.  Second, she is growing up way too fast and it really freaks me out.  SLOW DOWN.  Breanna is such a blessing to our lives - funny, smart, caring and so talented.  Thank You, God for the gift of this sweet little girl.

That's about it, folks.  God is still teaching me more than I ever wanted to learn...  And by His grace, we are growing more into the image of His Son in our own messy, loud, rebellious, far-from-perfect way.  The only reason I know this is because it's a biblical promise...  And God does not lie.  You know the one - He who began a good work in you will be faithful to carry it on to completion until the Day of Christ Jesus.

Thankful for a moment to reflect in the midst of a crazy few months.  Grateful for His great faithfulness...

2013 Verse

Since high school, I have chosen a year verse at the beginning of each year (Thank you, Bev Kinley).  A verse to memorize and focus on in the coming year.

This year I happened upon this verse and literally sobbed as I read it.  I still cannot read this verse without crying. It so perfectly articulates the journey I am on and believe God will continue in the coming year.  I especially love the promise at the end.

2012 has been difficult...  God is restoring me.  To be honest, He has healed more than I even realized was broken.  And, I'm very thankful for it.


Psalm 126

When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion,
    we were like men who dreamed. 
 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negev. 

 Those who sow in tears
    will reap with songs of joy. 

 He who goes out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with him.

Say Cheese!

My husband HATES having his picture taken.  We always laugh at how awkward he feels when someone is trying to take his picture - he makes the weirdest faces.  Seriously, it is hilarious.

Because of this, he usually will "photo bomb" on purpose, which is why we have very few pictures together.  I've been trying to take more pictures lately, regardless of who cooperates. 

Last night I wanted to take a quick picture with him on my laptop....  As always, I had to take about 5 or 6 pictures to get a good one, but these were too hilarious not to share.  :)

Take 1

Take 2

Seriously, Sammy?

Awww!

Fun with the Cousins!

A few weeks ago my sister and I decided we should go to Bass Pro Shop with the kids.  We met for dinner at Logan's and then headed to "Santa's Workshop."  We had so much fun that I thought the night deserved it's own blog post.  :-)

As soon as we walked in they had a HUGE Christmas tree, so I had to try for a quick family pic.  Sammy looks a little miserable, but it'll work!  :) 

Then, Joseph took a picture of Sammy and me in front of the fire.

Next it was on to Santa's Workshop.  They give you a free print.  It was so cute a bought the digital copy.  :)

Then, my sister and I decided we should take our very first picture with Santa.
We're giving it to my mom for Christmas.  Hehehe!

The kids (and the dads) played for about an hour.  We stopped on the way out for a couple more pictures.  Joseph was trying his best to make a tough guy face on the 4-wheeler, but kept laughing.  :)

One with all the cousins.  They're so cute.

This is them "crying" because it was time to say good-bye.

Notice how dramatic Joseph is being.  So funny.

Yay for fun, free nights with our family!  :-)

Debt FREE.... Sorta

Today is a day I NEVER want to forget.  Some stories are so good, you just HAVE to share them with whoever will listen.

Today Sammy and I made our FINAL credit card payment.  This might not sound like that big of a deal, but trust me - IT IS HUGE!!  In just over 3 years, we paid off $25,000 in credit card debt.  TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

How did we get that much credit card debt, you may ask.  Short answer: By spending more money than we had.

We never spent extravagantly.  We just spent more than we made.  

By the summer of 2008, it had gotten bad - we often didn't know how we were going to buy groceries or pay our bills.

We had to come clean.

At first, because of our pride, we told very few people - my mom and the elders and deacons of our church.  NO one else.

I do not have the words to articulate the love, support and guidance we received from these godly men.  They not only helped us in the short term, but were willing to come alongside us and teach us what God's Word said about money.  They loved us, prayed for us, sacrificed for us....  They showed us God's grace.

We still have a long way to go...  We need to be more disciplined and organized with spending. Sanctification is a lifelong journey.

But, today is a big deal.

And I am THANKFUL.  I'm thankful that God never let us go hungry, or without anything we really needed.  I'm thankful that He surrounded us with such loving and generous believers.  I'm thankful that God taught us this lesson in our youth, instead of in our 50s.

And, I'm thankful that God so abundantly blesses the most feeble attempts at obedience.

 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;  he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!  --Isaiah 30:18