Busy, but Blessed!

Things seem to get busier and busier as a lot of you can relate, I'm sure.  I just love weekends, and I really don't know what I would do without them.  They are a time to relax, rejuvenate and get some of those things done that there just is not time for during the week.

Friday night, I enjoyed a date night with my hubby at Chili's.  And, what made it even better -- we had gift cards, so it didn't even cost us anything!  Does it get much better than that?  I think not!!  It was a wonderful evening!

Saturday we were able to pay off the remaining balance on the loan for my car, which was almost 3 years and 3 months to the day that I bought it.  I can't tell you how awesome it is to know we do not have to send that check each month anymore.  We also ran some other errands that morning, and then prepared for some sweet friends to come over for dinner.  We had fajitas, talked, enjoyed each others' company, and I even got some play time with their sweet baby boy (he's 9 months and oh-so-cute).

Sunday we went to church and Sunday school.  It was a great time to be rejuvenated spiritually.  Then, we went out to lunch with a bunch of friends from our class.  It was beautiful weather and we were able to sit outside and enjoy our meal.  We then came home, took a short nap, and accomplished a few tasks around the house that were needing to be done.  I cleaned the kitchen from our dinner, got some laundry done, but mostly I was able to finish up our guest room.  It used to be the one room in our house that was always clean, but then my clutter managed to find it's way into it this summer.  Over spring break I organized the closet, but there was still a lot of clutter in the room.  I managed to get rid of the clutter, vacuum, put fresh sheets on the bed, and now the room is fit for guests (just in time since my BIL & SIL are coming on Thurs)!  Here are a few pictures...

I know the room may not look all that special to most people, and may not look all that nicely decorated, but it is actually a very special room to me.  All of the furniture belonged to my Grandma (except the small round table in the corner).  The sewing machine was hers, as was a lot of the other little "decorations" in the room.  The quilt was handmade by my Grandma, the paintings were painted by my Aunt (but hung in my Grandma's home), and if you look closely at the mirrored dresser/vanity (whatever you call it), there is a handkerchief that my Grandma gave to my mom when she married my dad, and that I also carried when I got married. 

I know this post is probably a tad boring to everyone else, but it was just a great weekend for us, so I thought I would document it.  With all the busyness of work/school, it is nice to have the time on the weekend to just enjoy each other, friends and family.  I am very blessed, and very thankful for the wonderful life that God has given me!

Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of one of the things I've been working on...

It also happens to be something I haven't seen since probably October.  It is my closet floor.  I know, that's really sad that it's been that long since I've seen it.  I'm very embarrassed to even admit that, but I am proud to admit that it makes me very happy every time I walk in there!  My stress level drops a tad every time :)

In other news, I discovered this week that I must be neglecting my babies...one of them has picked up a very bad habit.  I'm guessing it must have come from the annoying, and un-parented dogs that live behind us...

I mean I know life is stressful as a dog of a family that loves and cares for it, but I didn't think it was so bad it would turn one to smoking! Ha!

Spring Break!

This week has been such a huge blessing in so many ways. I'm very thankful that my job as a teacher has these built in breaks. The kids are not the only ones that need them!  I am in no way trying to rub it in to those of you who no longer get a spring break, but just wanting to share what a blessing this week has been.

I was able to accomplish some things that I haven't had time and energy to accomplish during my normal routine, and was also able to get some MUCH needed rest and relaxation as well.  I also had lots of play time with my sweet furry baby boys!  They sure do crack me up! I often miss out on enjoying just living during the school year because I have so many things to do, so much on my mind, not enough sleep and definitely not enough time in the day for everything. This week, I actually just enjoyed myself, my friends, and my family (well the ones that I was able to to get to see).

We spent the first weekend in Austin visiting my sweet Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law. They were such wonderful hosts!  My sweet niece kitty, Aurora, even put up with us taking over her space (and terrifying her with the air mattress). We had fun spending time together, helping with Bark for Life (American Cancer Society fundraiser), my SIL helped me pick out a new purse, cooked and ate lots of great food, and just plain enjoyed each others company!

Unfortunately though, the morning after we got back from Austin, my wonderful hubby had to leave me to go to South Carolina on business. I managed to keep myself busy while he was gone though. I got to babysit my favorite little boy Tuesday night, had a wonderful lunch and girl time with my mom on Wednesday, had a fun St. Patty's Day dinner with my bible study group at Chili's Wednesday night, on Thursday I got some work done around the house and made PW's pot roast and mashed potatoes for some sweet friends in our Sunday school class that just had a baby, and on Friday I had lunch with 2 of my favorite people at the Whistle Stop (great chicken salad - mm mm mmm). Then before I knew it, my hubby was home and we had a relaxing evening at home with leftover pot roast, mashed potatoes, and our DVR'd shows for the week.

It is hard to believe the week is over though. It flew by so fast! This weekend we had one of the wonderful couples from our bible study group over for dinner. We had grilled pork chops, wild rice (I accidentally burnt half of it so we also had leftover mashed potatoes), PW's green beans, and yummy chocolate filled chocolate chip cookies. We enjoyed hanging out with them, watching college basketball, and playing the ever changing, oh-so-fun, game of Fluxx.

Today we made it to church ON TIME!  Which is a record for us.  We practically live across the street from our church, but still can't seem to make it on time.  Then, Sunday afternoon we had lunch, worked out (gasp! I know...crazy huh?), watched Aggie basketball (so sad they lost in overtime), did lots of laundry, and tried to prepare for the week ahead.  I really really really could use one more week though.  I think if I just had one more week, my house would finally be where I want it.  I did make some good progress though, and will hopefully be posting an update and some pictures soon!

Hugs to you all!!  I hope that everyone has a GREAT week!!!

Here and Now

Over the last year or so, the authors of some of my favorite blogs have been on trips supported by Compassion International.  If you haven't heard of them, they are a Christian organization that provides support to help children of poverty by feeding them, providing them with schooling, teaching them skills to help them out of poverty and most importantly they teach them about the love of Christ.

Each time one of the bloggers went on a trip, God tugged at my heart, and I wanted so badly to help ALL of these children.  But, I never acted on it.  I'm ashamed to even admit this, but I don't know if I didn't act because I felt like I couldn't help them all, so I didn't bother to help one, or if I was worried about the money commitment, or if I felt like if I sponsored a child then I'd have to accept the reality of the situation the kids are in, or maybe it was all of those.  I just never would actually sit down and commit to providing support for just one child.  The reality of the situation is that I am very blessed, and God didn't bless me so that I could be happy or have nice things.  God blessed me, so that I could then bless others in His name.

Recently, MckMama and her husband went on a trip with Comapassion to Kenya.  She posted pictures and stories, and with each one my heart ached more.  I knew in my heart I wanted to support a child, but I still didn't act right away.  Then, as God often does, He used a song to remind me of my purpose in life.  The song is "City on Our Knees" by Toby Mac and the very first words just really tug at my heart...

If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave

If you want to hear the whole song, click here.  It is so true...why not here? Why not now?  This song reminds me that it's not about my timing, it's not about what I think, it's not at all about me.  This blog post isn't even about me or what I'm doing.  I'm not trying to say hey look at me because I'm doing this "great" thing.  It's about sharing the love of Christ that I'm so blessed to have.  It's about giving another child hope, and an opportunity to know Christ.  I may never in this life get to meet that child, but I'm giving them the chance to meet someone so much greater than me.  I have heard the song so many times since then and tonight, my husband and I are saying we are going to start "here" and "now".  We have decided to add this sweet little boy to our family.  Meet Ishimwe Jean Luc.

He is 9 years old, and has 5 siblings.  One of his favorite things to do is play soccer!  He also enjoys playing marbles and running.  We are so excited to have Ishimwe in our family!

I know so many of you are way ahead of us in sponsoring children, but if you have never thought about it, please take a minute and consider it.  It is something that is so simple on our part, but so life changing for the child.  MckMama posted this video to show just how life changing your sponsorship can be.  Is it worth me giving up $38 a month in the savings account, or spent on fast food, or new clothes, things for the house, or whatever other selfish thing I might spend it on, to offer a child the chance to grow up, and know Christ?  It is so worth it!  I am thankful to be in a position that I am blessed enough to be able to give in this way that God has been calling me to give (even though I'm embarrassed it did take longer for me to get here than it should have).  If you don't watch the entire 9 minutes, at least watch it starting around the 5 minute mark.  I will warn you, you most likely will need tissues nearby.

I may only be able to sponsor one child right now, but that is still something.  And, it is so much more than just something to that child.  It's a chance for a better, healthier, happier life, and the opportunity for eternal life in Christ.

God's perfect timing

Why is it so hard to wait on God's perfect timing?  Even though God has always come through, and I have no reason to doubt that His timing is better than mine, I still continue to get impatient.  I have this "plan" in my head and I want it to be God's plan, but obviously it's not.  So why can't I surrender and just know that God obviously has a better plan than I do?

As I've been doing my bible reading (not always daily like I'd like, but I'm still doing it, and something is better than nothing, right?), I'm currently in Exodus and have been reading about all the plagues and how God continued to harden Pharaoh's heart.  As I'm reading, I'm going, "but God, if pharaoh's going to let them go, why not just let them go."  The Israelites were getting angry with Moses because he was bringing more hardships on them.  But when you get to the end, you realize not only did God let them go, but they left with all the riches of Egypt.  God's timing is so much better than our own.  If we can just be patient, not only will He give us what we need, but He will bless us with so much more.

To take it to current day and personal experiences, God blessed me with the wonderful husband that I have now, and it came after what felt like a lot of waiting.  I didn't date at all in high school.  Not really by my own choice either.   I struggled and wondered what was wrong with me? Am I that hideous? Do I have that terrible of a personality?  Maybe some people thought that about me, but God knew what I needed and knew what was best for me.  He spared me the emotional pain of  failed relationships, and in return gave me a wonderful man who loves me, respects me, and helps to balance out all my craziness! (And is pretty darn handsome if I do say so myself :) )

Then, when we went to buy our house.  We thought we found a great house and were going to get a really great deal on it, but the house had already gone into foreclosure and we would not be able to give an offer to the bank for another couple weeks.  I was devastated.  We decided to keep looking during the time and found the house that we now own.  It is so much nicer than the house we found first and we have just loved it.  When we saw it and put the offer down, it had only been on the market for 4 days!  It wasn't my timing, but it was Gods.  And, it was perfect!  Did I mention that it also happens to be 2 minutes from a church?  That we decided to try since it was so close? That we loved and have made some relationships with some wonderful people in and I wouldn't trade knowing them for the world?  And did I mention that God's timing is perfect?

The most recent reminder that I've had has been a big one, but in a tiny package. It's been just over 2 years since we joined our church, since we met Colin and Erica, and since we learned of their journey.  From the moment I found out about it, I felt so drawn to their story.  To make a long story short, they have struggled with infertility and when we met them, they had just had a second unsuccessful round of IVF.  Shortly after we joined their small group (bible study), they began their 3rd and final try of IVF.  This time they were successful and were blessed with a pregnancy.  Soon after they received this blessing of life, they had a miscarriage.  Words cannot express how devastating this was for them, and I cannot even come close to understanding their pain, but my heart was broken for them even though I had only known them for a few months.  I didn't understand.  I was mad at God.  Why would He allow that to happen?  I struggled with that for months and don't think I even shared with anyone that it had really shaken my faith.  I wondered how a loving God could give one of His children such joy through a new pregnancy only to take it away so quickly.  I tried to still act positive when I shared their story and would tell others that I knew God was in control and had great plans for them.  Really though, I was saying those things, but wasn't believing them.  I was MAD at God and wondering if He really was in control.  I had prayed constantly for Colin & Erica and their future children, but after I learned of the miscarriage my prayer life dwindled to almost nothing.  I was hurt, angry, confused, and questioning my faith.

A few months after the miscarriage they decided to pursue adoption through the state foster care system.  As they completed all the requirements and became eligible for a placement I found myself getting very excited and anxiously awaited getting the call that their child was on it's way into their arms.  My faith was beginning to grow again and I was starting to believe that God really did have a plan and He really did know what was best.  The day finally came, March 5, 2009.  One year ago, today.  Just 4 days old, a baby boy, 6.5 lbs of Heaven, was on his way to their home. I can't tell you how excited I was.  It was such a huge answer to prayer.  I wanted to drive myself over to their house that instant, but I didn't for fear that they would think I was crazy.  So, I patiently (or maybe not so patiently if you ask my husband) waited for an "invitation" to go meet their new addition.  The next day I got that invitation and was at their house in a heart beat.  It just melted my heart to see them so happy!  I fell in love with that sweet boy the moment I held him!  What a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness!  Nate truly is a gift from God.

I was fortunate enough to get to be reminded of that faithfulness all summer long.  Every day I got to hold him, play with him, watch him fall asleep in my arms, see him learn new things, and just plain love him.  I cannot imagine not having Nate in my life.  If it had not been for God's perfect timing, where would sweet Nate be right now?  Would he have had tons of people to love him?  Wonderful parents?  Would he be happy?  I don't know, but what I do know, is that God gave all of those things to him by giving him to Colin and Erica.  And through that, I was blessed too!  Even though my struggles have been different, I have been able to be reminded by that sweet little boy (who is so full of smiles, laughter and all around cuteness) that God's perfect plan is our "light" at the end of the long dark tunnel.  We can't see beyond our current struggle (which can make it so difficult sometimes), but God can.

As I was walking through Target one weekend, a butterfly caught my eye and since I love them, I had to turn around and go see this butterfly.  It was on a piece of wall art and as I looked at it, I noticed it had writing.  As I read the words, I knew I just had to buy it.  It's a simple reminder to me that doing something is better than nothing, and to start you just take one single step.

So as we go on this journey we call life, we really only need to take it one step at a time.  God sees what is ahead of us and if we put our trust in Him, He will guide our way.  No matter how hard the step is, with faith, prayer, and His Word, we can take that step.  After all, we only have to take one, and He will be there to carry us in those times when we don't even feel we have the strength to take just one.  Even though I can sit here and write all of that out, and try to remind myself that His timing is perfect and best...it is still so very, very, hard!  I still struggle A LOT, but it's those little reminders that help me to push through.  It's just a single step...

The Pioneer Woman knows my name!!!

This post, totally trumps this post. And if you're my friend on Facebook, you're already very aware of this, but...I just can't help it!  I'm super excited :)

I cannot believe it, but Ree (I can call her that because obviously we're tight - ha!) posted the pictures I sent to her and told her readers that I took them.  She knows my name, liked my pictures and posted them!!  I haven't stopped smiling since I found out about it.

If you don't believe, or even if you do, you should check it out for yourself!  Here is the link, and if you scroll a little down the page you will see the pictures.  Even if you don't read that post, you should AT LEAST check out her cooking section.  She has AWESOME stuff on there :)  I wish I had time to make it all!!!

I promise I am not a crazy person (well according to my husband all women have a little bit of crazy in them...which is probably true, but anyway), and I'm not a stalker, I just think she's a great writer, cook, photographer, mother, etc.  She's a VERY talented lady, and I'm hooked! 

I'm still waiting for that invite to her ranch though...a girl can dream right???