New Year...not Resolution.

Soooo, every year I examine myself and find one particular thing I can work on for that year.  Last year it was "interrupting". I know this sounds silly but my sister used to HATE HATE HATE that I would interrupt her (and who knows who else) all the time. I decided to make that my mission in 2014...to do it less...and I did. Its hard and a conscious effort has to be made daily- but I definitely improved...A LOT!  

This year my thoughts are a little more personal. I just started this blog recently, and I'm not a SUPER open person when it comes to 'certain' areas of my life. This isn't easy. It's never easy to admit when you basically "suck" at something.

For the last 6 years I've been blessed to be called "mommy".  I love everything that job comes with. I love my kids in a way that I didn't chose to love them. It's instilled in me. This happened, for me, the moment I laid eyes on them. It's a love I can't protect myself from or limit....it's genuine and eternal.

For the last 8 years I've been blessed with an amazing husband.  One that I take for granted at times.  One that is hard working and caring and thoughtful (even if he doesn't execute on his sweet thoughts..LOL).  I feel like over the last few years, my patience and love has been pointed to my kids and I leave very little for Josh. He's my partner in life and my rock- yet why does he get "what's left" of my feelings at the end of the day. All this being said, my goal for 2015 is to lift Josh up daily. To show him and tell him how much he means to me. To put him before our kids but after God, where he should have always been. I've apologized to him for this and pray that God turns these thoughts and goals into a great reality.

So, think of something that you can do to lift someone else up this year!!! :) I really believe the more you lift others, the more you will be lifted!!

God Bless,

Em

Christmas 2014.

Hey all you out there in the blog world!!  Not sure if anyone even reads this- but I know my sister will, which was my goal in starting this...so...hey Kimmy!! ;)

I had already decided in my mind this would be one of the hardest holiday seasons in years....in 18 years to be exact. See, my mom passed away 18 years ago this year, and my dad passed away in Sept. My faith has seen me through this holiday season in an unbelievable way.  I had to have been sitting in the palm of God's hand because while my whole heart missed my dad, I felt such a peace--so I was totally wrong with preconceived notion of how this year would go. This Christmas was special. I was so appreciative of all of the family that I had around me. I didn't take a second for granted and I was blessed to have my sister (from GA) come and stay with me...and by stay, I mean, stuck to me like glue!!! My favorite way to be with her!!! Enjoy the photo dump...but most importantly....remember, even on the days your family drives you crazy...you will all be where I am writing from right this moment. Cherish the time you have.

Thanksgiving 2014

Well this Thanksgiving was a tough one as it was the first one without Dad.  I actually had a surprisingly great day and thought about how much I had to be thankful for.  God has a way of working in our hearts and I believe this past Thursday, he overwhelmed me with all I had to be thankful for....(even if my sister was 12 hours away ;))

In years past, Thanksgiving morning is definitely hectic at our house.  I am usually rushing to prepare warm food to take to our families gatherings, trying to get all the kids in their coordinating outfits with hair done and well to be 100% honest, Josh usually hunts. LOL. I told myself this year wouldn't be like this. I would soak in and savor every moment with my kids and families. Time is too precious to waste.

The day started (bright, early and fairly stress free) with a new tradition I hope to continue on in the years to come.  We went to church to help prepare meals to take the local county jail for each inmate and also served an "Open Community Thanksgiving" to those that had no where to go or nothing to eat. Josh, myself and all three kids helped and were involved in this and I absolutely loved the idea of giving back...I mean, after all, that is what the day is about....being thankful for what we have and sharing with those who don't. Below is me and three of my best friends (I'm blessed with many). I am thankful we were able to serve together on Thanksgiving and hope to continue to do so. 

After church (around 11:45 am) I headed over to Dad & Theresa's house.  Josh's family had his Thanksgiving at the exact same time so he took the boys with him and I took the girls with me. I will say, usually I wouldn't split up from Josh, but this being the first year and only 2 months after my dad's passing, I wanted to be with my family.  Jordan, Kim (my sis), Max and Jasper weren't able to be there....well, because they were having their own fun ;) (and visiting Jordan's family- who we love!)

We spent the entire day just vegging out......hence the photo dump. Overall, Dad would have been pleased...lots of food, resting, grand-babies and football!!! 

I'm thankful for the blessings that I do not deserve. I'm thankful for my salvation. I'm thankful for unanswered & answered prayers. I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for the 59 years I had with my dad. I'm thankful for the way he raised us....alone....when most men would have quit. I have so many things to be thankful....I  couldn't dare make this holiday about anything else.

God Bless,

xoxo Emily

Preparing for Thanksgiving

I really try to emphasize to the kids to be thankful all year long- but it is nice to just be deliberate in saying out loud what we are thankful for. This morning, on the way to work and school....I asked the kids what they were specifically thankful for this past year. Kase, (who seriously has the kindest heart) was thankful for his teacher Mrs. Kim. She is the best best teacher to him. In his exact words. Then, he proceeded to name the rest of his teachers and family members. Kinlee listed 55 people (at random) she was thankful for....and Kruz...well, he was thankful for the lucky charms he ate for breakfast. We will get there with him :)

We had a busy weekend!!! Saturday we went around the square downtown to the local shops and did a Christmas bazarre. We saw Santa and some beautiful things. These are some of our best friends...

 On Saturday evening, Josh and Kinlee went to a daddy/daughter hoedown at the high school. It was her first daddy/daughter dance and she had the best time. She looks at the picture they got that I put on the fridge every single day and tells me how she just had the best night. They played games, crafted and danced to the "wobbly wobbly"....lol

While Josh and Kinlee were "cutting a rug" I got to keep my sweet nephew, Beckham, for the night!! He is the best baby with the best personality!! I loved all the moments I got with him and Kruz and Kase really enjoyed having him too. (I could totally do 4, can I get an Amen?)

On Sunday it was interesting to get all 4 kids and myself fed, ready and to church on time (without the help of hubs)...we made it with 1 minute to spare. Shewwww. The service was great and so was Beckham! After church we hung at mamaw and papaw's while Josh was gone to the Colt's game with work (he left at 7 am and got home at 9 pm). Kruz insisted he sit just like papaw..this cracked me up.  

The kids were dying to see Josh, he had been gone "allllllllllllllll day", so I let them stay up to see him...they were clean and so excited. 

Blessed and thankful that God allows me to be the keeper of these three kids. Praying I raise them in his ways. It was a pretty amazing weekend- but we did miss Dad!!

Africa 2014

This past September, I was blessed to have been able to go with our church (SFBC) on a 2 week mission trip to Ghana, Africa. We have paired with "Seed Ministry; Bob & Bonnie Parker", and have gone along side them as they grow their ministry in Northern Ghana for the last 10 years. We have seen God's hand just blossom this ministry and all the work done is in his name to glorify the kingdom. I was able to go with some of the greatest team members ever! God used all of us in mighty ways in Africa and even some way back home. Just wanted to share some photos that are near to my heart.

Striving to Grow.......

Life is busy. Life is busy with a husband and three kids. Personally, I've been trying to carve more time out for God, and for genuine quality time with my family. It's hard. I want to grow spiritually and make special memories with my kids. I actually crave it. I want to grow as a wife and a mother. Maybe it's because I'm 30 this year or maybe I am just ready for a more "mature" phase in my life. I'm excited to see what God has in store. Don't get me wrong, I know this is going to come with obstacles, struggles and feeling uncomfortable. We grow in those moments. 

 

The last few weeks/months have been a whirlwind of emotion as my earthly father went up to be with my heavenly father on September 21st. He was diagnosed with stage 4 Liver/Lung cancer on Sept 4th was given 3-6 months to live per the oncologist. A quick 17 days later, he was taken home. The Ultimate Healing. It wasn't the healing I had wanted, but I knew if it was his time to go..my prayer was it be as pain free and quick as possible.  I miss him. I miss him a lot. I think to myself, I have been growing spiritually through this loss because, what else is there? What is the alternative? God is it. He's all I have that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is 100% certain. That is a hard truth. I have an amazing husband and three children that I call my own...but really they aren't. God has entrusted me this brief time on Earth with these gifts and he can take them home whenever he wants. My prayer, for you the reader is that you realize that this life is but a vapor. I have friends who didn't understand how I handled this loss with such peace and grace...well I didn't. God did...through me. I now have lost both my mom and dad...it feels terribly unfair to me...but to wish them to be down on earth instead of where they are.....it's selfish. I am selfish. I'm human. I want them here...but know they are SO much better off where they are. I have a great peace going into the holidays and I know this is going to be a hard time for my family and step mama, but God is always faithful. He will see us through. Until I see you again dad....