"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12



“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”- William Butler Yeats





Friday, February 6, 2009

WAITING....



This video and post was completely stolen borrowed from a friend's blog who just can't help but fill me with hope in our Lord when I go there. I'm talking about Kim from The Byrd's Nest.

The video is from the movie Fireproof, (which I highly recommend you watch). As Kim posted on her blog, the song is not just for married couples.

I sat at my computer last night listening. I closed my eyes and took in every word. As I did, I not only thought about everything that Scott and I are waiting on God to accomplish in our lives, but at the ever-increasing prayer list that I have going. I am humbled and honored when many of you write to me asking for prayers. I know God's watch always seems to run so very slow, but in the end, we can all testify that His timing is always perfect.

So, this song is for myself and each and every one of you who I lift up in prayer daily. I especially think of those of you that have asked for prayers because you have children that are suffering some sort of illness, those of you that have lost jobs and are wondering how you will pay your bills, those of of you that don't know how much longer you'll be able to stand the incredibly long wait to hold your child, those of you whose hearts have been open to adoption but your spouses heart has not, those of you that have suffered miscarriages or are struggling with bad decisions you have made in your past, those of you that have family members with cancer and their future is so unsure, and those of you who have children who struggle with attachment issues, delays and/or disabilities.

I lift every single one of you up in prayer now and ask our Lord to hear your cries, to hear our cries. But in the meantime, while we are waiting on Him, please continue to worship and praise Him. He has never, and will never, leave your side! Ever. Our spouses, children, family and friends at one point or another in our lives have or will disappoint us. But God will never disappoint you! He is so worthy of praise, not only when He blesses us, but as He carries us through the fire while we wait.

Thank you Kim for the reminder.

(PLEASE REMEMBER TO SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO TURN OFF THE BACKGROUND MUSIC.)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

The B-I-I-I-G-G-G MONSTA!

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Even with a band-aid covering her boo-boo and chocolate all over her mouth, I think she is so beautiful!


I was going to give an Anna Grace update this morning, since I know there are quite a few of my dear prayer warrior buddies praying for her, but instead I want to journal a quick story of what happened last night.

For the past week at bedtime, Scott and I have been allowing the kids to take turns each night and tell us "a story". It's a way of getting them to express themselves, develop their language skills while at the same time allowing them to stretch their imaginations.

There's been a lot of copying of stories so we try to guide them a bit. The big story climax for the past couple of days has always been "a monster in the window". Usually said monster is fought off by the brave boys, etc. and a quick "The End!" follows.

Last night was Anna Grace's story night. It was different. This is how it went.

SCOTT: "Ok, Anna Grace. Your turn for a story tonight."

ANNA GRACE: (beaming while clearing throat in preparation) "Once upon a time, there was a biiiiiggg" (arms outstretched) "monsta." (then quiet.)

ME: "What did the monster do?"

ANNA GRACE: "He came into my bedroom and jumped on my bed." (more silence.)
ME: "Ooooh, how scary. What did you do?"

ANNA GRACE: "I ran to Mama's room and get you." (Again the same pause)

ME: "Oh my! Was I scared? What did I do?" (expecting to be the one to fight off the monster)

ANNA GRACE: "No, Mama! You not scared." (we continued to wait for more...but silence ensued).

ME: "So? What did I do?"

ANNA GRACE: "You pwayed for me!"

ME: (Looking at her through blurry, tear-filled eyes) "And did that take the monster away?"

ANNA GRACE: (indignantly) "Yes, Mama! Whenever you pway for me everything is all betta. Oh! The monsta tond into a rainbow. The End!"


Definitely a sign that all those prayers are working! Thank you!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

THE MAN is movin'

As most of you have noticed, I've been writing an awful lot about abortion lately, especially as the inauguration date approached and the days following. I wasn't really sure why, but everytime I was getting ready to blog, abortion was always very heavy on my heart. So, I prayed and started writing. Well, our omnipotent and sovereign God knew exactly why.

No further words are needed to explain, except those of praises and thanksgiving to the King of Kings! Thank you, Jesus for touching hearts to save your babies and thank you for using me as a vessel to do so. I can think of NO GREATER honor!

I received this email on a night I could not sleep last week. I opened it up at almost 2 a.m. It is being reproduced with permission to bring glory and honor to our Savior. The names have been "X'd" out for privacy.


Ohilda,

I read your blog at least 3-4 times a week. One of your main topics lately has been abortion, and I want to thank you for that. God had a reason for me visiting your site so often, other than the fact I love what you have to say, your not me Monday's crack me up, and the Ped Egg.... I did not know weather to laugh or gag.......... lol! I will always think of AJ each and every time I use mine.

I digress, back to my point. In my younger days I was vehemently opposed to abortion, but in the recent years my opinion had changed some. I thought that every women should have the choice to make her own decision and often wondered why I was so opposed in my younger years. I even went as far as to tell my mom if
XXXXX ever became pregnant at an early age I would urge her to end it....... i hope this does not make you think bad of me.


So as I continue to visit your blog abortion came up quite often, I read what you said , gave it some thought and then went on.

Fast forward to last Tuesday, when I found out
XXXXX, my 16 year old daughter is pregnant!!! Holy cow has my life been spinning since. I have not and will not mention abortion to her, she is choosing to have the baby, and I stand behind her. If it had not been for you and your blog I may have not handled it as well, but you helped me see that no matter what, that baby is a blessing. It did not come at the perfect time, but nonetheless it is a reality and I will love it with all my heart when he/she makes her appearance sometime in September. I guess this is my long way of saying thank you and keep up the good work. You just never know whose heart you may be touching.

((((HUGS))))

XXXXXX


Sunday, February 1, 2009

It's Monday, Folks. And We All Know What That Means



Time for some more Not Me fun! This week was not quite as exciting as last week.



I can attribute that to the fact that is was certainly not me who was coughing so hard at the grocery store that I ended up with living proof of my weak bladder on my pants. I did not quickly grab the last item on my list as I penguin-walked, while keeping my legs together, all the way to the register. This did not occur while I making sure I was hidden by the shopping cart carrying my 3 children and while my mind was thinking 100 mph in case someone commented on the fact that I had "sat on something wet" what excuse I would give. It was not me that drove straight home, plopped the kids in front of the TV and went straight into the shower. Nope. That certainly would not have been me, because having a weak bladder at my age is something very embarrassing and definitely something I would not share with the public world!



It was definitely not me that broke the most sacred of rules in our household. This would not have occured when AJ and I met some of my girlfriends for breakfast and after about an hour of chatting realized that my child was totally, bored stiff. It could not have been me that had the absolutely genius idea of letting him get out of the high chair for him to "stretch his legs". Knowing full-well what happens when he is let loose, I continued to believe that he would act his mature age of two. This was after having a talk with him and telling him that Mama would get him out of the highchair but he had to promise to stand right next to me. Needless to say, it was not me who within 3 minutes of the child's feet touching the ground had to excuse herself because he was practicing doing sprints from one end of the restaurant to another.

Furthermore, it certainly wasn't me who literally had to pull him away from the table that he had clung to when he saw me coming for him. I did not have to unclench his little fists, while he was having the mother-of-all-tantrums, as the entire restaurant looked on while he screamed at the top of his lungs, "I DON'T WANNA SIT". No sir. It really was not me that so incredibly embarrassed that I went back to our table, excused myself and said that AJ was in desperate need of nap, knowing full well he had just woken up 2 hours before that and that he was just being a plain 'ole brat two year old. There is no way that would have been me, because my child is respectful and obedient. He sits quietly coloring on his paper while his Mama converses with friends. Then he politely says goodbye as we quietly walk out the door of the restaurant.






It truly was not me who was introduced to the new intern in Kai and Anna Grace's class last week. This very nice gentleman happens to be in a wheelchair (not sure why). After meeting Mr. P. I thought it was such a great learning experience that the children could see how having a disability does not prevent you from accomplishing anything in life. This lecture went on for a couple of days until Friday morning when I was running late and was zooming down the street trying to make the green light so I could turn left on US 41 and then go into the school parking lot. The reason that I stopped lecturing the children about what an achievement it is to do everything from the wheelchair was because dear Mr. P. was almost flattened by my car as I was making my left turn. How in the world a man in a wheelchair feels safe crossing a 6 lane highway is beyond me. But I honked and he almost jumped out of his chair, not only scaring me half out of my wits thinking I had hit him, but then having my children who were safely in their car seats say, "Mama, you almost hit Mr. P!!" At that point is when I realized that I should speak to them a little about traffic and wheelchair safety. So, the lecture then went more to the tune of "you should never cross busy streets on a wheelchair. That could be very dangerous and you could even die!" They all sat wide-eyed listening. We scurried into school and the conversation was forgotten.

That was until I picked them up. When we got in the car, both Anna Grace and Kai were both very eager to tell me that they had told Mr. P. how their Mama had told them how "dangerous it was and that he should not be riding his wheelchair in the street if he didn't want to die." Needless to say, I will not be dodging Mr. P. in the mornings because it was not me that almost ran him over!




Lastly, it is absolutely, positively NOT ME that is bursting with excitement to tell you an amazing "God story" (A real short one this time. I promise) that will leave you standing there covered in goose pimples, with your socks-blown-off, and your mouth wide open. You may even experience a tear or two. I sure did! No, actually, I bawled! Doesn't that sound like the kinda feelin' you love getting? Well, make sure you check back soon because I'll be posting it within the next day or two.


For more Not Me, Monday! fun, you can head over to MckMama's blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week

PS. Since it's been a while since I've posted pictures of my sweeties, if you did not get a chance to see them earlier today, please click HERE.

"You Can Come To My Birthday Party!"

This seems to be the popular phrase in our household lately. It's very often that I am either on the computer, cooking or somewhere in the house that I hear, "AJ. You're my best friend. You can come to my party." AJ's name is frequently substituted by Anna Grace or Kai, as they all take turns in partaking in this very serious invitation. It is quite the honor to be granted an invite to such an event. An event that Mama has no clue who is planning.

On the other hand, when a tiff arises and the opposite is heard, the tears flow and I soon hear, "M-A-M-A!! AJ said I can't go to his birthday party." (Again, you can substitute AJs name for any of the three critters.)

Yesterday a local church put on a wonderful Winter Fest Carnival! There were ponies, snow (!!), bounce houses and even a cake walk where I won a delicious pineapple-upside-cake! It was a gorgeous Florida winter day and one of the coldest we've had, with the temps being in the low 50s.

I took the opportunity to practice some of my picture taking on manual mode from tips I've learned online. Please keep in mind that although I absolutely love taking pictures, I am the epitome of the word amateur. But even being an amateur, you have to admit you have to admit that my subjects are pretty darn cute!







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