365 Day Photo Challenge Day 32

365 Day Photo Challenge

Day 32

Here I am to worship you Lord.

I give you everything I have.

My brokenness.

My pain.

My suffering.

Here I am to worship you Lord.

With all of my joy.

My strength.

With all of my heart. 

You are all that I need Jesus.

You are all I need.

The world brings much pain and suffering.

But through you all things are new.

No matter what circumstance I go through I will always choose to worship you in everything.

Here I am to worship you Lord. 

My God.

For you and you alone are all that I need.

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 14

Hello there! Ok, after the 1st of the year I made it my mission to post a picture...every day...and blog about it...every day...but life got busy and I slacked and it just got to be too difficult. So, what I have decided to do is PICK my FAVORITE image from the last few photos of the day and blog about it. Maybe the ones that mean something to me :) So, here it goes!

Photo of the Day

Day 14

Lately I have been pondering the question as to why God gives us things in our life where we just can't seem to understand how to break past the feelings of anger, frustration, despair, pain. etc. Life is life and sometimes it's just no fun to deal with. Sometimes we wonder whether God exists? In fact He DOES exist whether we want to believe that or not. 

It is so hard but we can't do it alone. We may hate God for a brief time and wonder why? Life is just crappy sometimes. I know first hand. But I have learned that it's not MY burden but God's and only HE has the power to BREAK that chain.

Break that chain of hurt.

Break that chain of anger.

Break that chain of illness.

Break that chain of disease.

Break that chain of destroyed marriages.

Break that chain of broken friendships.

Break that chain of depression.

Break that chain of anxiety.

Break that chain of self destruction.

I could go on and on as there are so many to choose from! But I will stop there.

What is your chain that needs to be broken? 

Give it to God. Let Him break that chain and heal you and give you POWER in the Name of Jesus to move on free of any bondage that may be weighing you down.

There is power in the name of Jesus 
To break every chain 
All sufficient sacrifice 
So freely given
Such a price
Bought our redemption
Heaven's gates swing wide
There is power in the name of Jesus
To break every chain
There's an army rising up
To break every chain
There is power
In the name of Jesus
To break every chain

-Jesus Culture-

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 12

365 Day Photo Challenge
Day 12

I'm not going to lie. Last year was REALLY rough for our family. It has been the toughest year by far that we have ever had to endure together. God has really been putting us through a test: test to see how we will endure through chaos. Patience and waiting on God's timing is the key to living a life that's free of worry.

Worry, worry, worry is what I tend to do best. I worry and I freak out because I can't see the road ahead of me and I can't control it. I wonder sometimes why God just doesn't send down notes or little hints on what my future holds. But what fun would that be? How would that help my walk in Christ.

See God wants us to TRUST in Him. He wants us to walk in faith knowing that is vision and his plan for our life is far greater than what we can even imagine. Although I cannot see it now I KNOW that things will turn around because God is faithful. God is still God even in the hard times.

I don't know what the future holds but I do know that I will be pressing on believing for a change.

This picture is something I will cherish for years. I had made this little "love note" dry erase board for my our 10 year wedding anniversary. We keep it in our bathroom and we write little notes on it for each other. Usually it's about a once a week occurrence most of the time but I think it's so important to let your spouse know how much you care for them.

My husband is encouraging. Even though times are tough he knows that it WILL get better.

This WILL be our year!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Jeremiah 29:11

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 11

365 Day Photo Challenge
Day 11

The fondest memory I have of my kids when they were very tiny is reading to them. We read to them every night before bed. There are nights where it just doesn't happen but most nights we read. Next to prayer time reading is the most important part of our night. It gives the kids a chance to wind down.

My oldest is 7 (and a half if you are counting!) and he is now in first grade. He is reading smaller books and he enjoys it for the most part. 

Our favorite books are the Little House on the Prairie books. My boys have great imaginations and these books definitely keeps them thinking of how it was like living in a time period with no TV, no video games, no tablets, no phones. 

I hope they will always remember reading time and I hope they will always be fond of it like me. I hope it's a tradition they will carry onto their children.

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 10

365 Day Photo Challenge
Day 10

I remember the day he started sucking his thumb. It was a hot September day. I was driving to my parents' house and he was just NOT happy. He was always a colicky baby. He cried A LOT. We had a hard time calming him 
down most times and sometimes all he needed was a good nap! But for whatever reason he was just NOT happy on this particular day.

He was screaming at the top of his lungs (which was normal for him). I was driving and very frustrated because I could not calm him down. This crying went on for a good 10 minutes straight until....SILENCE.....

I couldn't believe my ears. He was QUIET!

As soon as I got to my parents I pulled in the driveway, got out of the car to check on him and low and behold he was sucking on his thumb! It was a miracle!

See, we had tried pacifiers and they never worked. He never liked them. 

Christian is 7 1/2 now and he's still my baby boy. He may act like a tough kid in front of his friends but deep down inside he still loves his thumb and his "bebe" (His blankie which is now just a little shredded 4x4 inch square) He still likes to cuddle and he still loves all of his stuffed animals.

He is getting so big. So big in fact that he takes up most of the couch! He's the size of an 8 year old and he wears deodorant! :( (shhh don't tell him I told you!) But no matter how big he gets he will always be my baby. And no matter how challenging he is I will always love him. 

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 9

365 Day Photo Challenge
Day 9

Last night I had a dream that I was floating down the river in a boat. It brought me back to when my husband and I took our boys canoeing this past summer. It was so calm and so peaceful (minus the kids crying because they thought we were lost!) 

Have you ever interpreted a dream before? I have and I learned from the best! My husband is actually REALLY great at interpreting dreams. 

Normally I don't remember dreams. Sometimes I have these crazy dreams, but they don't feel significant to me. But there are dreams that I know from the moment I wake up that MEAN something. I believe not only do they represent an important part of your life but I believe that God speaks to us through dreams.

We talk talk talk to God. We get busy and move move move with our day to day lives that we don't stop to LISTEN to God NOW. Sometimes the only way for Him to get through to us is making himself present in our dreams.

To dream of a river represents negative situations in life. It represents obstacles we have to face as humans. We are confronting unfamiliar or unwanted situations but situations that are important in our life. To dream of FLOATING down a river represents NAVIGATING those unfamiliar and unwanted situations. How well you navigate down that river reflects how you deal with the problems in your life.

In my dream last night the waters were a little rocky. The boat was tossing and turning and I found myself holding onto dear life, trying to keep myself from falling in! But there came a point during my journey down this river that the waters calmed down and I was able to navigate without any problems.

Life has been full of difficult situations for me, no doubt! Reflecting on this dream I have come to realize that I have not been handling the unfamiliar situations well. I've been trying to navigate the boat on my own, keeping myself from falling in and drowning in the waters. I have tried and tried to deal with things on my own, but have only cried out to God for help when I completely fail on my own.

Have you ever been through a situation like that? Where you have tried SO HARD to navigate that boat on your own, but you get tossed around and around? You go back and forth, back and forth. But have you just STOPPED and asked God to help you? Don't wait until you are ready to crack. Ask God for strength NOW and you will be able to deal with your problems as they come.

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 8

365 Day Photo Challenge

Day 8

Fires are beautiful. Don't you think? 

Fires can bring people together. In my 

family our fireplace is the heart of our family room. We love hanging out with 

each other, listening to the crackle of the warm flames.

But as we all know, fires can also tear 

things apart.

Think about how fires are started. With a little spark. One spark can ignite a whole 

forest fire.

It reminds me of how words can either bring people together or ignite a wildfire of malice 

and rage.

Are you being care of which words you 

choose? Are you choosing words of love or 

are you choosing words that cause damage? 

Trust me. This is a heart check for me, too. 

I have moments of bitterness and anger 

and I blaze up some heat with people I am supposed to love the most. 

But we aren't meant to live life that way. 

You MUST choose your words wisely and put 

out any fire you know will do harm.

God wants us to show love and compassion 

for people. Even those who don't deserve 

it the most.

Don't let your words be fuel to fire.

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 7

Day 7

This was actually supposed to posted yesterday, but I came down with a REALLY bad migraine last night. So bad that I almost had to go to the ER. My head never hurt so bad in my life! But thank God I am healed and I DIDN'T have to go to the hospital.

Have you ever been so beat up? So tired? So...worn? I mean just so tattered and so beaten down to the point of pure exhaustion? I have and I am there right now.

I truly believe God knows what He's doing and that He has a marvelous plan beyond what I can see, but right now it's hard to grasp and difficult to understand why I am struggling so much right now.

I am blessed beyond measure with 2 wonderful little boys and a great husband. I have a wonderful house, wonderful friends and an awesome God. So why do I struggle so much?

Almost a year ago my husband and I went through a very difficult situation and we were hurt by many people (CHURCH people) who we thought were our friends. We didn't know how we'd move on. We were hurt. We were angry. We were confused and we had said things we shouldn't have. We have tried to forgive and forget.

We felt abandoned. It ripped us apart. It ripped us apart so bad that it nearly ended our marriage of 10 years. It was the worst thing I have ever had to go through and I'm still struggling from it at times.

We are still struggling to see where God is leading us. But we are choosing to trust in Him and have faith that He has us right where He wants us.

Life will never be perfect but we serve a perfect God.

Have you heard of the song "Worn" from Tenth Avenue North?

I'm tired
I'm worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing

I've made mistakes
I've let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn

I know I need
To lift my eyes up
But I'm too week
Life just won't let up
And I know that You can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn

And my prayers are wearing thin
I'm worn even before the day begins
I'm worn I've lost my will to fight
I'm worn so heaven so come and fluid my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Yes all that's dead inside will be reborn
Though I'm worn
Yeah I'm worn

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 6

365 Day Photo Challenge

Day 6

Today was the most bitter cold day I have ever experienced. It was very well into the NEGATIVES. WAY too cold for me. And it was so cold that we were under a state wide emergency to stay off of the roads until 6pm. And clearly, there was no school. No work. Everyone was confined to their homes. Most of the time I wouldn't be OK with this because I tend to get a little stir crazy. With 2 young and active boys it can get downright stressful. I'm not going to lie!

But I think that God brings on days like today for a reason. We get so stressed living our day to day lives that we forget to stop and SLOW DOWN and savor every moment that we can. In the midst of jobs, school, extra curricular activities and even church we forget that life doesn't stop. And if we aren't careful to stop and enjoy our kids we will miss them growing up.

Christian is in 1st grade and Wesley is inching his way towards Kindergarten. My babies are growing up. There will come a day very shortly that both of them will be in school ALL DAY and there will be nothing left but an empty home. And when the time comes when they are out of the house for good I will be stuck as an "empty nester" and I'm not sure how I feel about that quite yet.

Today was a good day. There wasn't too much fighting and not much yelling on my end. I was content on how things were. Today we lived a simple life. 

I will always cherish days like today because in a blink of an eye time will have passed, they will have grown and moved on and all I will have left of my little boys is memories. As much as they drive me crazy sometimes I will NEVER stop loving them.

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 5

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 5 

 So, if you live anywhere near me you may have noticed that it as snowed a bit! ;) A BIT. Sense the sarcasm? This picture definitely doesn't represent the magnitude of this blizzard. 

I mean, we got hit pretty good! So good in fact that we are banned to leave our home unless of an emergency until tomorrow night (Monday night) at 6pm. Which means that my 1st grader doesn't have school and I don't have to work my "other" job :) And I am not taking any clients tomorrow. And that I'm ok with. Until one of my rowdy boys ends up hurt. Which is very likely!

 I love the beauty of snow. Don't hate me all of you snow haters! But I really do. I find it so beautiful. So calm. So quiet. So pure. It reminds me of God and how because of HIM we can be as pure as snow. 

 No matter how much we have sinned and fallen from Him He will always take us back and wash us clean if we just run to Him and repent.

 It reminds me of this old hymn that I have loved ever since I was little... 

 What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

For my pardon, this I see, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; For my cleansing this my plea, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; 

This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Now by this I’ll overcome— Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Now by this I’ll reach my home— Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Glory! Glory! This I sing— Nothing but the blood of Jesus, All my praise for this I bring— Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 4

Day 4

You're gonna kill me for posting this picture Sean but I'm going to post it anyway 

Yesterday we got a chance to slip away and grab some coffee at a local coffee shop Bon Bon's Coffee Company(one of my favorites!). My mom had the boys for the afternoon and we decided to make it a quick date for us.

Back before we had kids and very little money (hmm...funny. Seems like nothing has changed much...minus adding a couple of kids) we would hang out at our FAVORITE coffee shop The Grind (sadly, it doesn't exist anymore. Boo) We'd sip on our coffee shakes and play rounds and rounds of checkers. We'd laugh and be silly. We hadn't a care in the world.

Fast forward to the present day. We have 2 VERY hyper active boys. It gets downright stressful. I'm not going to lie. I love my boys and would do anything for them, but there comes a point when you need to shift your focus onto your relationship with your spouse. Because when it's all said and done and the kids are out of the house you two are all each other's got!

To be honest, we have somehow grown apart from each other. In the midst of jobs, stress, stress looking for jobs. LOL money, health..blah blah blah we have forgotten to stop and focus on what's the most important thing in our life (next to God).

Our marriage.

I think it's important to kick back and be silly. I think it's important to remember to always make time for each other no matter what. It's important to remember us earlier in our marriage and focus on that. All we had was each other.

Life gets crazy. It's important to slow down and make time for each other. Be silly. Be goofy. Don't be afraid to talk. Laugh and joke and even make fun of each other! LOL

Just don't lose your sense of spontaneity with each other. Remember that it's "till death do you part". And that's a loooong time! Have fun. It's a marriage. Not a sentence!

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 3

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 3 

 Ok, so this was taken on Christmas. Not today But this was too good not to share! Alright, Dad-get your kleenex ready I have always been blessed to be raised by a wonderful father. He has always stuck by my mom's side no matter what. And if they had issues they never argued about them when my sister and I were around. He worked hard to support his family. And when times got tough he worked even harder. He was always there for my sister Amy and I. ALWAYS. He coached our softball teams, took us on great family vacations and always did his best to provide a safe and comfortable home for his family. And he even wrestled with us!

 I grew up with a dad who wasn't afraid to get a little dirty. He wasn't afraid to take risks...INCLUDING riding the swirly, dizzy rides that my sister and I absolutely insisted on riding. (Now being the adult I understand why he never wanted to ride on one!) And I shouldn't forget the cat fights he had to break up between my sister and I! Those got fierce (sorry Dad!)

 I am thankful that he has a great grandpa/grandson relationship with my boys. My boys are blessed to have amazing grandparents! They really are. But to see how my dad loves and cares my my children as much as he loved and cared for his is truly a blessing.

365 Day Photo Challenge: Day 2

365 Day Photo Challenge Day 2

 Well, it's January 2nd and my house is still in disarray from the holidays! I'm not an organized person by any means, but when things get crazy and the rooms that we spend the most time in as a family begins to look like a tornado went through it I tend to have a little hissy fit. 

 I have been working more hours and unfortunately my house has been neglected. But with our schedules getting back to somewhat of a normal schedule on Monday there is a glimmer of hope! 

 I have been so sick today, with some kind of a nasty stomach bug. I get frustrated when I get sick like this because I can't do much of anything but lay around and I HATE that. But we as mothers don't do that enough. Shouldn't we be allowed to take a "sick day" once in awhile? We are so busy taking care of others and worrying about the day to day things in life that we forget to take care of ourselves. 

 And the next time I fuss about how big of a mess my kids make I will THANK GOD for the messes my family creates because I HAVE a family THANK GOD for the mess. THANK GOD for days like today, when I'm forced into a mommy time out, so to speak. THANK GOD for a HOUSE that can get messy. Because not everybody has that. 

 Next time you find yourself in the same position as me remember that beyond that mess is a family that is built on love and that is the most important!

365 Day Photo Challenge: Day 1

365 Day Photo Challenge
Day 1

2013 was a really tough year for my husband and I. In fact, it was the hardest year we have ever had to face as a married couple. Our marriage was put to the test and I had wondered at one point if we were ever going to survive. But because we decided that life would be better together we decided to forget all of the bad and focus on a brighter future together as husband and wife. We didn't just do it for us. We did it for our children and more importantly we did it for Christ.

This image represents our future together. If you notice, there is a diamond missing in my wedding band. That represents the flaws and imperfections in our marriage. But if we stick together and work through the difficult times than our future will be bright. As bright and fresh as the new snow after a fall.

I see 2014 as a new beginning to great things. God IS faithful. HE can make things new again.