the littlest ones are the biggest blessings

Are you ever amazed that God put YOUR kids in your life?
Are you ever blown away that little beings rely on you? For guidance? For love? For support?
That He makes you melt when you hear your daughter say bee-nilla ice cream?

Or that He made you melt when your son picked out butterfly earrings?

What about when He makes them laugh with each other day after day,
and lets you witness the joy that fills the house?
That He created a soft spot in your heart for their special whimper or
their head tilt when they want something?
Are you ever amazed at the energy that fills the room when they come bounding in?

 Are you ever grateful that you know unique things about your kids, like

~ your daughter puts her shoes on the wrong feet, even though she knows the right way, only because she wants to make you laugh ~ your son still asks to sleep in your bed every once in awhile, because he misses it ~ your son picks out the candy he knows his sister will like ~ your daughter makes drawings for her brother's room ~ your daughter will climb on anything like a monkey with no fear, but will cry louder than you've ever heard if she gets hurt  ~ your son is happy to grow up to be a sensitive man, because he knows it's like his daddy. ~ your son loves Harry Potter movies but is afraid of James and the Giant Peach ~ your son sings Apple Bottom Jeans a LOT, and your daughter tries to, also. 

Are you ever in awe that they display love without even trying?
Have you ever watched them play bubble gum bubble gum in a dish when nobody is looking?

Can you believe that their smiles light up the room and you get to see it every day?

Can you believe that they were put into your life to teach you something bigger?
That they teach you more than you teach them?

Because I am and I do.
Every single day.
Thank you, Lord. I am so grateful.

tugging at my heart

Awhile back, I listened to a morning radio segment about a fundraiser to help a woman (Annabelle) and her little girl (Aiyana), who were both hit in a crosswalk by a hit and run driver and injured very badly. 

I donated to the fundraiser, and left a message in the paypal comment section explaining that I felt awful for the position she was in, especially the part about not being able to take care of her daughter, because I have children and I cannot even imagine what she is going through. This was in May of 2010. 

Last week I received a direct response email from Annabelle, saying she was very touched by my message, and still needed help. Three years after the accident, her leg is still broken in several places, and without having medical insurance because she isn't working because of the accident, well you can see how this is a vicious cycle.  She asked if I could help provide anything from pain management tools, to ideas of where she could move to since she feared getting kicked out of her house soon, to any money I could spare, etc. My kids and I went to the grocery store and brought her groceries and money, but of course it just isn't enough.

Annabelle is close to my age, and Aiyana is 13 years old in junior high school. They have a super close relationship with each other, supporting each other through these tough times. Annabelle is a very giving, caring woman, who feels terrible asking for help but knows she has no choice right now. Aiyana is quiet and so sweet, and has played so gently with my kids every time we have come over.

I have been praying with Annabelle and trying to support her in any way possible, for her story just tugs at my heart. She is in pain, she is having trouble supporting herself and her daughter, she just received eviction papers, and I cannot even imagine how she must feel through all of this.

I tried to put together a contest/donation/giveaway on my blog on her behalf, but I could not get anything together without somehow going through a charitable organization, which of course she is not part of. So, I am posting this in case anyone feels the same tug at their heart, and wants to help her out.

Or go to paypal's main page, click on “Send money” and enter annabelleward@gmail.com in the “To” box
.

You can confirm her name through the information that is on the radio station's link at the top, and if you want her phone number to speak to her first, you can email me directly and I can pass it along. I just want to get her story out there, so that we can pull together as a community to help her out. 


I thank you for thinking of her and/or praying for her.

Proverbs 19:17

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Women of Faith

This past weekend, I attended the Women of Faith Conference in Anaheim, CA. Almost 9 months ago I went online and bought 2 tickets and then asked my cousin if she wanted to go, all because of a post Angie Smith wrote about announcing she was speaking at several of the conferences. Angie wasn't scheduled to speak at the Anaheim show, but we were excited to go all the same.

All year we waited in anticipation, and the weekend finally arrived!

The conference was broken down into 3 segments...Friday day, Friday evening and Saturday day. While all three get-togethers were awesome, my favorite was definitely Saturday day, when the speakers really opened their hearts and let the audience into their lives and past experiences. Brenda Warner, wife of NFL player Kurt Warner, had a exceptional story of trials and leaning on God for support and mercy. Marilyn Meberg led an amazing session ending with a call to follow Christ and Mandisa and Sandi Patty both performed wonderful songs of worship that fired up the audience with energy and excitement.

worship session

My favorite performance had to be Amy Grant, who not only performed several famous songs and a few new songs, but also spoke in-between songs about her life and walk with Christ. Oh, so touching and inspiring. If allowed (and I am, 'cause it's my blog), I definitely had a second favorite...Patsy Clairmont, who spoke several times throughout the weekend. Patsy is witty, funny and endearing, and boy does she have some stories to tell. She definitely had me laughing the most.

patsy clairmont

Brit and I missed Lisa Welchel's performance, which we were really looking forward to but missed because we took Brit's kids out to breakfast before returning to the conference on Saturday morning, but we're hoping it might get posted on a website somehow for viewing. {hint hint}

I came out of the conference thinking about 3 three things. One, us women are so connected through our similarities and all that we do in life, we really need to call on each other in a more positive way, lifting each other up and supporting each other. Two, We are all broken beings who NEED Jesus in everything we do. Therefore, call on Him without hesitancy! And three, when calling on Jesus for mercy and grace and understanding, sometimes I need to just BE STILL, so I can really hear what He has for me. It's hard for us as women who hold so many roles and responsibilities to be still.

I also decided I want to bring my mom and Brit's mom next year, because I know how much fun Brit and I had, and I can only imagine how much fun the 4 of us could have...especially the sleepover at Brit's house!

it was so cold in there!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Celebrating 2 years, with gratitude

I wish I knew at day one of sobriety the peace and support I would find at two years of sobriety, because it could have helped me so much more in the beginning. What started out as only enough bravery to tell my husband, and a heavy mask of fear as I entered my first AA meeting...has turned into more than enough confidence to tell all of my family and friends, internet strangers on my blog, and old high school friends on Facebook, because NOW I AM PROUD. Now I walk with my head high and am not afraid to say I am a recovering alcoholic.

I know there is no shame in being an alcoholic, but there is great achievement in living in sobriety.

I couldn't have done it without my Higher Power. He gave me the strength to get through this.

The cards, emails, voicemail and AA related trinkets I received on Thursday for my 2 year anniversary blew me away, and made me so grateful for my friends I have here on this earth, and the God I have up in Heaven.

I guess this would be a great time to pay it forward. If you are thinking you need to quit drinking, don't be afraid. Know you aren't alone. And know that one day this can be something you are proud to admit you overcame.

My life is so much better in sobriety.

Crazy Love

I have so much in my head to get out on paper {aka posts}, from the birth of my nephew and the scare my sister caused us all with her postpartum emergencies, to our family vacation in Chicago and sobriety dates. But for now, I am remembering one simple moment that occurred on our plane ride home yesterday, that is filling my heart with joy.

Our airline aisle sat three people across, so I sat in the aisle seat, with Loudoun next to me and Avalon next to the window. Ya know, to trap them her in. Rick sat one row in front of us, enjoying quiet time. I'll redeem my free time coupon for that one soon. My kids were very well behaved, minus two 5 minute meltdowns from Avalon, which I consider extremely good considering she's 4 and the plane ride was 4 and a half hours. Family travel has finally become fun all around!

I was able to read quite a bit on the flight, while my kids played video games and watched downloaded movies. I read the book Crazy Love (by Francis Chan) for the second time, which is already covered in notes and highlights from the first time. Loudoun was extremely interested in my book, and kept pausing his game and looking over to get glimpses of the page I was on. At one point he looked over to read 2 lines I had previously highlighted (page 51).

...nothing matters except our King and God...

                     ...He is everything. 

Loudoun stopped and pondered it for quite some time, and shared that it was really a neat thing to read about our God. Not only did he stop his video game. Not only did he show interest in what I was reading and actually read some of it himself, but he also took it in...the words and their meaning...in his heart.

It was the perfect way to end our vacation. God moving in his heart.

Visit Bigger Picture Moments over at Lenae's site today. 

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I am currently on vacation and took hundreds of photos yesterday while we were in downtown Chicago. I decided to use photos from our trip for today's Scavenger Hunt. 

1. Stairs

2. Macro

the battery on my Nikon DSLR died part way through our day trip,
so I had to switch over to my iPhone. Not quite macro, but close enough. 

3. Clouds

outside my sister's hospital room in Michigan, through a window.

4. Abstract

5. Smile

Simple Swap: A Creative Oasis

My friend Hy has come up with an awesome project called Simple Swaps, as a way to encourage her friends to live healthier, inspired, intentional lifestyles. On the first Saturday of the month, starting today!!!, she will post a project  which should only take 15 minutes, be free (or create long term savings) and make a positive impact on your lifestyle immediately. When she told me about it, I was excited! I love her ideas and heart. And I can't wait to see what projects she comes up with, month after month. This first month is Creative Oasis. I had fun with this one, following her instructions and creating a new space.
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I need a new space for me to unleash my creativity, other than the corner of the couch which is situated amongst the crazy, unruly kids (and husband). I sit there for all of my photo editing and blog post writing, and most of the time cannot concentrate. Welcome to life with 2 youngsters, right?


So, this Simple Swap project seemed like the perfect way to create a creative space. I already LOVE my bedroom. When we moved into this house, our first house, we splurged on a bedroom set and kept the decor and linens simple. So, immediately I thought to move my creative oasis into there. 


Here's how it looked before:

Sights
First on my agenda was to make the bed, fluff up the pillows and straighten out the pictures above the headboard. Next on my list was to clear out the kids' toys off my nightstand, and dust it. Seriously, I probably haven't dusted in 6 months. Getting it clean already made it feel more inviting. I had about 15 books piled high, which took up space and weren't easy to access anyway. Once it was clear, I brought in a cup coaster (AKA a caffeine holder) and my Bible for easy access. I brought in my laptop and laptop power cord, so I don't have to worry about running out of juice part way through creativity. 


Sounds
One of my favorite sounds is the hum of a ceiling fan, so I was already in luck there. I brought in my headphones and iPod, which is filled with my favorite new worship songs. 


Smells
I have two new favorite candles, which have up until this point been in 2 random places around the house. I figured why waste the beautiful scent of raspberry/lime and vanilla cupcake on my family (who don't pay attention to them anyway), when I could enjoy them in my creative space, so I placed them on the nightstand. 

I was a little nervous to take on this challenge, but once I looked at the space and started seeing the vision, it literally only took me 12 minutes, plus a couple minutes to take before and after pictures, and I am the proud new owner of a creative oasis. 

Now, how do I keep the kids out?
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Thank you Hyacynth, for such a much-appreciated idea!

OK! It's your turn to Simple Swap and create a Creative Oasis. If you take the swap opportunity, link up a post of your before and after picture over at Hy's site. The Creativity Oasis link will be open through next Saturday, September 10.