Grief

It has no concept of time. No one can tell you how to grieve or how long it will take. One minute you are about your day and the next you check your mail only to get a letter from the VA expressing their deepest sympathy on the loss of your father.

For those of you who do not know me locally my father passed away on March 20, 2012, at 1:41 am. He lost the battle to cancer but won the eternal prize of entering Heaven's Gate. I honeslty can't describe how I feel or even start to express it. It is just a strange feeling. One day they are here and the next gone. Some of us are given a warning and others it happens very quickly. So quickly that you really have no time to get things in order. Some days you cry others you laugh and sometimes you feel both emotions together.

For today, for now just grateful for one last face to face visit with my dad. Blessed to watch my brother care for our dad in a way you can't describe. Honored to be able to see my extended family.

For some reason this song keeps entering my head...

Spring!

Okay, maybe it isn't officially Spring but I have the fever. Do you? I am wanting to do things that are Spring-y! Ha!

so....I made this

This is how I did it!

straw wreath and you don't have to remove the plastic!

pick your flower in all different colors

I pulled off the stems to each flower. Then I glued them to the wreath. I did have an order of how the colors should line up but it still did not balance out as well as I wanted it to.

glue gun

thick ribbon any color of your choosing and you don't have to cut!

Once I finished gluing all the flowers on, I just tied the ribbon to the hanger on the door. This is easier than figuring out how much or how long to cut the ribbon.

My Spring Wreath

what it looks like on another door

I priced this type of wreath at stores such as Michael's, Hobby Lobby and Garden Ridge. The lowest price I saw it for was $35. If you waited for a coupon then maybe just maybe you could get it half of that. However, the ones priced at $35 were much smaller than mine. This project cost me well under $20. Now, I really could have saved money if I was paying attention to the ads that week because one of the competitors had marked their flowers down over 50% off. I only got a 40% off discount. So, could have been closer to the $12 price range. The fun part of making your own is you can do whatever you want! So, I challenge you to get out and do a simple project such as mine. My son also helped me in this project!

"It does not have to be perfect to be homemade!"

Hannah Years

Yes that is really her house in the back ground...;0)

I Samuel 20:42

"Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God's name, saying "God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!"

I knew God had a sense of humor when HE put Mel in my life. From the looks of it you would probably think we have nothing in common. If you just judge from the outside, you would be right.

She is thin & well I am not

Her jean size is a single digit and well mine is not

She is well put together in all aspects of her life and I am a little more spontaneous

Her house is decorated as if it jumped out of a magazine and mine is lived in or some call it comfortable ;0)

She carefully plans events & creatively pulls things together & I wing it!

She knows fashion. the latest jeans, cutest shoes and jewelry. I buy what I like or hang on to it for decades.

Don't even get me started on her well to do hair. Perfect in every way! Me, well I have natural curly hair and it can be a mess. I start out good in the morning and by the end of the day it looks completely different.

She is quiet, reserved and thinks before she speaks. I'm full of joy & laugh a lot and loudly.

If you were to put our lists side by side you would think they have "nothing" in common. If you only judge us by the outside you would be right!

Several years ago God was cultivating both our hearts for a very rough patch in our lives. I had no idea we would endure the same pain BUT GOD knew. We both struggled with infertility. The pain of wanting to be a mom so bad is where the chord between us is very strong! I could tell you every detail but that is not the point for today nor is the pain of living through infertility. We both faced the daunting grip of Satan's attack on our life. The outcome for both of us had different endings but the journey was still long.

Six years ago we stood before a group of women on a retreat at a bonfire throwing our plead for motherhood before them and God. That night we had already endured 5-6 years of our journey. Fast forward to the present, 2012 at another bonfire with a group of women on a retreat. We both stood there this past weekend as mother's of one child each. She has a girl and I a boy(I bet you would've guessed that much). This past weekend we had the opportunity to discuss the journey we took. After a lengthy, much needed conversation we both realized it took 7 years for God to bring our prayers to fruition. We like to call them our "Hannah years." Over the weekend several questions were given to us to ponder and answer in our small groups. One question was "who has been your Ruth or Naomi in your life?" (if you don't know the story then I would encourage you to go the book of Ruth in the bible. it is in the old testament). My sweet friend spoke up and mentioned me. I was so humbled by her sweet words and the tenderness in her voice. I too feel the same about her.

If God had come to me 10 years ago and said "you will be faced with this" and said he had hand picked her to walk by my side. Honestly, I would have laughed. It is not based on looks or style of life or stuff such as that. I just think sometimes we limit or discount which people can add to our life. I am at fault many times for this. I believe we think we have to be "in common" with folks in order to benefit or allow our pain to be revealed for God to work through it. We(me) at times can put "qualifications" on whom is to help us or give us wisdom during a dark time in our life. You never know whom God will put before you and how that person will be used for the Kingdom. Maybe it is an elderly person or a child or a teenager. It could be the woman whom seems to have nothing that ends up giving you everything. It could be the neighbor whose life is a mess yet God uses them and their gifts to reach you. In return God uses you to show them Christ.

Limiting has a 2 way street. We can limit those around us or limit ourselves. This limiting really means "preventing the Holy Spirit" to work on both sides. We call it quenching the Spirit. I too am at fault for this as well.

Limiting myself looks like this...I am not worthy

I am not enough.

I don't know how to.....

That is the problem...I & ME. When I say "God can and will, this removes the "self" out of the way. I am not sure why we must measure ourselves against the tasks before us. Maybe we believe or feel we must be fully equipped before we commit. Then where or how would God be glorified? His power is revealed in the helpless. His strength is shown in the weak. He is glorified in the ones who say "Here I am send me" even though they are not equipped. He will equip you for the job or task. You just have to be willing to to do & go!

Be Jesus

Do as HE instructs

Go where HE sends you

So I ask you...Have you been limiting the Holy Spirit to do good work?

Have you been comparing your "qualifications" to the task as to

whether you will do it?

Where are you being called to serve and whom?

Let God be your measuring stick and He will always line you up correctly. This does not mean we won't make mistakes. It just means He will provide the material to do the job.

Plus you never know what the outcome will be

Mel Bel if you are reading this..I love you and thank you for many years of love, prayer and guidance. I am better for knowing you!

I Heart...

this sweet boy....

The smirk says it all

I hope you are enjoying this day full of LOVE. More importantly I pray you know the Master's LOVE.

For Valentine's and future ones to come, I would like to talk about something that has been brewing in my head for some time. I want to raise a gentleman. One who respects all people and is loving. Lately, one thought brewing in my head is this whole Hallmark Holiday Valentine Craziness. I want to take it down about 20 notches! Trust ME I love it! I love the flowers, chocolates and gifts! However, my son may not marry someday and I have had to turn my wheels a bit. Do I wish for him to be married? You betcha. If it is out of God's plan? No way! I really want my son to understand that Valentine's Day can be celebrated in a different way by serving people. I am NOT saying you have to be married or with someone to celebrate it. I just want to make sure we at this house are celebrating LOVE period. LOVE comes in all forms and requires us to open our eyes.

Taking our neighbor to lunch who is without family & a job

Baking cookies for a man who is struggling since his wife left him

Making a card for an elderly person who is lonely & visiting them

Inviting a friend over for dinner who does not live in a Christian home

Choosing some of our toys to take to the Children's home and play with them

Picking a few of our clothes to bring to a home whose father & mother have been without a job for years and struggle to clothe their child

Things like that. Yes, I want it to go beyond Valentine's Day. For I want it to be every day about Christ. Whether with our words, hands or feet. May it all be for the sake of the call.

A side note...one tradition I am instilling here at our house is my son gets to pick the fancy menu for Valentine's and gets to help cook it. He sets the dining room table with the nice dishes and napkins. This is actual something we have been trying to do this year. To sit at the formal table 3 times a week with a nice meal. No toys! No phones! Just family time. I pray that you are having a wonderful day.

Is it TOO LATE?

To Post about Christmas....;0)

Life has just been super busy! We did have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family. It was very magical to me to be with my mom and in laws for the Christmas Holidays again. It has been many years since we all spent the Holiday together. I did all the cooking, cleaning, planning and wrapping. I REALLY enjoyed the weekend and the days around it. Hubby even got paid for being off and was off for 4 days! WOW! Never had that before! Below are some pictures of the blessed event!

Getting ready to go look at Christmas lights! A Christmas Eve tradition!

and YES we go in our P.J.'S!

Ready to go!(please keep in mind I had NO make up on)

Our son took this photo!

I love this one! I think it is because you can see the JOY on our faces. Just pure enjoyment of being together and making wonderful memories.

Oh yes! The bike & guitar from Santa!

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Success!

Tool Time in puzzle form!

I love that he is reading his book and there are still tons of gifts behind him.

So I Realize....

Picture on our Christmas card!

I haven't blogged in a REALLY LONG time! Have you missed me?(insert cheesy grin). I have missed you!

First, let me explain all the turn of events that have occurred and why I have stepped away from blog world. Yes, that includes reading them too! Even my favorites have suffered from my lack of attention. Ha! Our house in Houston has been under contract and we have been dealing with the selling of our home there. If you don't know what I'm talking about let me just say, it is a lot of negotiation! I mean a lot!

Second, my father was diagnosis with kidney cancer. My brother and I have been in the throws of decisions and choices. One doctor says one thing and another says something different. Either way we are looking at what would be quality of LIFE at this point. We are trying to get him moved here to be with me. If you will pray for wisdom and clarity on this matter.

Thirdly, we have travelled to the grandparent's house for Thanksgiving. Yes, that is how long it has been since I have blogged. We had a wonderful time celebrating each other and learning about daddy's town where he grew up!

Then we had 2 events at our son's school. One was a Thanksgiving Feast and the other was a Christmas Show. Both were so close together. The first was celebrated the week before Thanksgiving break and the other the second week in December. We enjoyed it!

Next, we were invited to see Santa in a very personal way. One of the moms' hired a Santa to come to her home, read stories and take pictures with him. Only 6 children and their families came to the event. This was very special!

Lastly, I had a major event at church where I volunteered to be a participant. They have what is called "Christmas Dinner & A Show." You buy a table, decorate it and choose to be the main hostess of that table. You answer any questions concerning about Jesus Christ and his gift of salvation. My new found buddy and I decided to invite women we run into almost on a daily basis. For example grocery store, bank, shopping at favorite stores and wherever else. She and I purchased the tickets together, prayed over them and the people who would come and then we began our planning of the table. Which I love to do! I will tell you that 21 women came to Christ that night and 20 others wanted to learn more about him through bible study. Praise God for a wonderful night! The church was decorated with Christmas Trees throughout the building but the most important was the message being delivered. After all HE gave us the best gift.

and somewhere in all of this we had to get Christmas cards out with our pictures on it! ha!

Here are a few pictures of the past events. I do not have my pictures of The Christmas Dinner and A Show Event downloaded yet but I will get to it, eventually ;0)!

Thanksgiving feast at school!

Thanksgiving feast.

Mother in law;s beautiful table setting for Thanksgiving!

Playing trains at grandma and grandpa's house

Scooter time!

Private Santa Party!

Christmas Show!

I HOPE & PRAY that you will have a wonderful time with your families for Christmas!

This is what happens

when you blog straight for 31 days.......you take a break! haha!

Actually, we had family in town and then I had a girl's weekend get away! I have been out of pocket for 10 days. Here is a little catch up! Paw & Memaw(hub's folks) came to visit over the Halloween weekend. We did our usual Trunk or Treat at a local church. It was very different from what we are use to back in Houston. It was still good but no one does it like Champions!

So, little man changed his mind 20 times for Halloween costume choices. He has said tinkerbell because she is really pretty to a monster truck since they get to race. The kid loves it all. I think go by the rule of "what ya said first" works for me! Hahaha!!!!! Unfortunately for him I went with the first decision he made waaaaaayyyyyyyy back in August. He really wanted to be a fireman! I either put them together(I don't sew yet), buy them super cheap or borrow a costume. So, I was able to get his whole costume for under $20! That included the hat. I am really grateful that I chose to not spend so much or find cheaper ways since my child only had it on for a few hours! Hubs and I in the past have dressed up right along with him. This year we didn't. I am not exactly sure why. Maybe I ran out of time! We still had a great time!

An interesting thing happen at trunk or treat. It was kinda scary. My mother-in-law was walking to get to the side walk when a car was backing up. I guess the woman wasn't paying attention and she came within one inch of running over my mil. My father-in-law step between her and the car to keep the car from hitting her. We were in complete shock! The lady in the car was in shock to the point where she couldn't speak. Her husband ran from the other side of the parking lot to check on us. He was in panic mode. Now, my mil has really bad knees to the point where she uses a cane so her chances of quickly stepping out of the way were very slim. This is why my fil had to yell and step in front of her and the car. My husband was with our son so he didn't see it until I yelled out to his parents. It was dark but most people turn their heads to look behind them. It couldn't have been a worst situation. Thankfully everyone is okay.

After all the trunk treats we headed over to my mom's neck of the woods. It has been such a blessing to live so close to my mom. I know most girls do not have that. I am blessed to have a great relationship with her and live close by.

We really enjoyed our first Halloween in Austin. Pretty cool town with lots to do! Of course we had to end the evening with one piece of candy with bear and blanket in tow. "Mrs. TD, you can see he still loves on those wonderful blankets you made."