Wednesday, November 18, 2009

picture post

Well. I have no excuses for myself other than it's been a CRAZY few weeks. I know it's bad when my husband asks me,

When are you ever going to update your blog?!

Because it's not like we don't live together, and he doesn't automatically know what's going on in my life and our house. But oh how I love that he enjoys reading what I write and cares enough to check in on a regular basis.

I do have so much to share, but until my house doesn't look like a hurricane blew through it, I feel like I should focus on a couple of other things before giving you the lowdown on the madness that was November. Until then, here are some Austin pics for your viewing pleasure. Rest assurred, despite all the craziness, he remains the light of our lives and favorite subject for any and every photo shoot at our house.


Chillin'


Just finished a week of Pops & Grammy Camp. Please ignore the very industrial background of this picture. The Temple IHOP didn't exactly provide a plethora of picturesque settings for us.


Modeling his Colorado hat and "thumbs." That's right, gloves are now referred to as "thumbs" in this house. Love. It.


Mowing the yard.


Potato sack race at the pumpkin patch.


Losing steam and his sack


My favorites!


Mommy and Haha :)


LOVE this face. It's so Austin.


Trying to pick up the pumpkin.


He loved the animals!


Our little pumpkin :)

More pictures and stories to come soon! Hope you're enjoying the Christmas season and experiencing the joy that knowing Jesus brings this time of year.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

a poem and some thoughts

Happy Tuesday! This post will be kind of short and sweet seeing as how I have too much to do and not enough time to do it. We leave for Colorado on Saturday morning and I feel like I'm already running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.


You're welcome for that mental picture.


But don't you agree that every once and alot you feel that same way? Don't lie to yourself. Or to me. It happens because we're human and sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking we can do it all. As much as I would like to call myself Super Woman, I have to be honest with myself and admit that I'm not, and I would never be able to fit in that ridiculous outfit anyway. {But in my wildest dreams I do and I look amaaazing. Because everyone should look good in their dreams.}


So here I sit posting on my blog when I should be vaccuming, straightening, and gathering things to pack. It's just that I read this poem on a blog I visit from time to time and it touched my heart. So of course I had to share it with you.


Because I like you that much!


I wish I knew who wrote it, but The Blog didn't say. So here's to Anonymous. Thank you for your moving words and touching insight.



Once upon a special day in Heaven up above , the tiniest souls sat at God's feet, surrounded by His love. ‘The time is coming, very soon’, God said, ‘Do not be scared. Your family awaits your arrival, now let us get prepared’.


And so God looked upon these souls, in mute consideration. He knew the life each one would live, He weighed each situation.


The souls chatted amongst themselves, and wondered who they'd be. They knew the day grew closer; soon, they'd meet their family.


‘How would you like to change the world?’ God asked each soul in fun. The chance to change a soul, a heart, is held by only one.


‘I'm going to make the world laugh’, one soul said with a smile, ‘for laughter heals a broken heart, and helps us through each trial’.‘Then take with you the brightest smile, and share your laughter well’. The soul thanked God immensely, and down to earth he fell.


‘And I'll remind the world to sing’, a sweet little soul told the Lord. ‘I have the gift of a beautiful voice; I can hit every note and every chord’.‘You’ll have the gift of music then, a voice, lovely and strong. Share your gift with others, and let them hear your song’.


‘I will show compassion’, the next little soul raised her hand. ‘Some people only need a friend, someone to understand’.‘Compassion is a good thing’, God said with much delight. ‘To you, I will give mercy. You'll perceive wrong from right’.


And so each soul shared every thought, their plans, their hopes, their dreams. And God explained that life, it is, much harder than it seems.


And as each soul began to leave in a scurry of laughter and fun, Heaven became quiet and still, for left was only one.


‘Come sit with me my little child’, God said with just a sigh. ‘Do you know how many you will touch, in a world left wondering why? Before your life comes to an end, you will know much strife, but you'll teach those who know you, to cherish the smallest things in life.'


And some may only know you through a simple photograph, they'll never hold you in their arms, or memorize your laugh. Some may only know you through the words they read each day, but you'll do something wonderful, you'll make them stop and pray’.


The tiniest soul raised her head up, to touch God's firm, strong hand. ‘Father, I am ready for the life that you have planned. And I will do the best I can without a word or deed. For you Lord, are the planter, and I will be your seed’.


She could already hear many praying, and although they had not seen her face, they were praying for her safe arrival, they were asking for mercy and grace.


‘What talent do I leave with Lord? What gift do you impart?’


‘All that you will need’, God said, ‘I've placed within your heart’. And so God kissed this tiny child, knowing all that she would be, and whispered as he watched her go...'You'll teach them . . . to love me'.



It seems like I've read alot of blogs lately about babies or small children who have passed away long before many of us think they should have. It breaks my heart and makes me so very thankful for a son who is happy and healthy! But it has also opened my eyes to just how powerful our God is. He can use the tiniest person to change many hearts and lives. It makes me feel extremely honored and humbled that I have the privilege of being called His child. I am so undeserving!


Now before I tell you this next thought, you should know that I do not like to think about death and dying. In fact, I try to avoid it at all costs because the thought of living in this world without just one of those I love is almost too much for me. However, the other day I was thinking about the verse that says,


"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith."

2 Timothy 4:7


And here's what God told me in that rare moment of Life & Death Contemplating. We are put on this earth for a purpose. {Duh.} But as soon as that purpose is fulfilled and we "finish the race" our Heavenly Father wastes NO TIME in taking us Home. Do you want to know what I believe? Ok, I'll tell you. Here's hoping it rocks your world like it did mine.


I believe that God really does wait for our arrival to Heaven with great anticipation. I think He longs for the day that He can physically embrace us and welcome us Home. {And I fully expect a big hug from him because quite frankly I will have waited a long time for it.} I know He thinks about us in great detail as He prepares our very own mansion. I'm willing to bet that He counts the days until we are with Him in paradise much like I did when Austin was in Dallas. He knows this life is not easy and that this world is not our home. I think that is one of the reasons He doesn't leave us here a minute longer than necessary. Y'all. I am just so thankful for that because I feel like I'm going to be a much bigger fan of Heaven than Earth.


I'm not gonna lie. I needed to be reminded of just how much He loves me. In fact, I told Him so just the other day and He came through in a big way. I really needed to know that no matter what I do or don't do, no matter who likes me or who doesn't, and no matter how wretched I am, He made me "fearfully and wonderfully." He loves me {and you} for who I am and who I'm going to be. At the end of the day, He is the only one who can love me perfectly because He is perfection itself. And I am just so thankful for that!


Have a great day!!

{Austin pics and update coming soon!!}