A Thankful Heart

It's that time of year again, where we purposefully reflect on the blessings we have.  I find it sad every year it seems we have Halloween and then Christmas marketed early and everyone skips Thanksgiving.  It's a shame because being thankful and counting our blessings can help us keep a positive attitude, and realize just how truly blessed we are.  This year, I decided that I would write about my blessings.  This year, I've learned a lot and hope that through this entry, maybe you too will stop to recount all your many blessings. 

I am thankful for my wonderful husband of 10 years, who loves me and constantly looks out for his family.  He is unselfish and kind, honest, and my hero.  This man that God led me too has been a blessing to me, and in many times through his sweet, giving spirit, I've seen God's love through him.  We have moments where we argue of course, what couple doesn't?  However, my husband is my protector, my lover, and my best friend.  I am truly blessed to have found such a man!

I am thankful for both my boys, both C and M.  C has such a tender spirit, and is much like his daddy where people are concerned.  He loves other children, and his little spirit is crushed when he sees another person hurting.  He wants everyone to feel included, he wants to be everyone's friend.  He sees the world as a place where he can help and make a difference.  M is my youngest, and of course also has a special place in my heart.  M is starting to learn how to read and write, and has such enthusiasm for learning.  It blesses my heart to see him trying with all his might to do what his big brother does.  When he looks at me with his sweet little 4 yr old eyes, and says "mommy I like you," it just melts my heart.  I am so blessed to have two beautiful, healthy little boys.

Of course, in addition to my husband and boys, I'm thankful for the usual things.  My job, my home, my family, etc etc.  However, what I think I'm most thankful for this year is grace.  Within the past few months, God has really spoken to me.  Am I perfect? No! Far from it.  I struggle with my words, pessimism, depression sometimes and all around stress.  However, this year I've really learned more about grace.  More then just the theological terms I've heard and known all my life.  In April (as the previous entry depicts), I was in a car accident that left me terrified.  It left me hurt, scared, and thankful that what could have happened, didn't.  God spared  M and myself, from what could have been so much worse.  I still have some physical evidence in my left arm and hand from that accident.  However, I'm so thankful for that wreck.  God used it to show me my weakness, my mortality and also HIS GRACE.  I've always known and learned in church about God's SAVING grace.  What I hadn't really identified with this year is how to LIVE by grace.  I've always beat myself up about my short comings, my issues, and really felt like I had to clean up my act or God would look on me as less of a Christian.  I've realized by beating myself up constantly, berating myself, and trying desperately to do better so God would love me more, was in fact pride.  All that achieved was making me feel depressed and useless.  When Christ died on that cross for me, He extended grace to me.  Grace that cannot be earned, and by my trying to do better to gain God's favor, I was cheapening the gospel.  I was actually living by works.  I knew you couldn't be saved by works, but here I was unconciously, trying to gain God's favor by trying to earn His grace.  It finally dawned on me this year, that this was not biblical.  When Christ went to the cross, He died for my sins past, present, and future...every bad thing I've ever done or will do.  He CANNOT love me any more or less.  Does that mean I'm free to "live it up" and do what I want because it's already forgiven?  Absolutely not!!  But it is freeing to finally realize in my heart, that God LOVES me in spite of my sin and ugliness, and that my life efforts to do better should be out of gratefulness to  God and His grace, not out of obligation or guilt.  All the things I learned and knew in my head, finally CLICKED.  Grace is so much more then I really understood, and I find myself once again in awe of my wonderful Saviour who loved me so much, loved all of us so much that He would extend such forgiveness to all that would accept it.   HOW EXHILERATING!  HOW FREEING!! HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!  That is why I will say without reservation, that THIS Thanksgiving, I'm most thankful for GRACE!

If you are interested in reading the tremendous book that has helped me understand the concept of living by grace so beautifully, I will include the title.  Read it with a teachable spirit, and I PROMISE, you will be blessed!  The book is Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love.  By Gerald Bridges

Please join me in learning to LIVE by grace and the peace that passes all understanding!!

 

MODERN DAY MIRACLES (A REMINDER)

I have an amazing story to tell, about a very traumatic time for my son and I.  To you, the reader, it may not be all that amazing.  If you are not a believer in the Lord, it may just seem like a ton of random coincidences to you.  However, I am a child of God, and I do not believe in coincidences.  I do believe in miracles.  This story is about miracles God has put in my life, I believe to remind me of two things:  1.  Life is so very, very fragile and can be over in a matter of seconds.  The realm of the natural and the other side of eternity is only a breath away.  2.  My God is bigger than my circumstances, He is bigger and finds ways to communicate that He's still in charge...IF you look and listen.  If you are still with me, here is my story:

April 26, 2012 will never be forgotten, it is cemented in my mind and will forever be that way, I'm convinced.  My 4 year old son and myself got into my blue Ford Explorer that morning, just as we do every morning to take him to the babysitter on my way in to work.  I remember that morning, as I was getting ready,  feeling like something was going to happen...but I attributed it to the fact that my husband and I were set to go out of town for a marriage conference.  We'd been planning it for several months, and in just 24 hrs we would be there...investing in our marriage, in our lives together.  I was so ready to get out of town too, it would be the first weekend away from our boys for 2 nights and we couldn't wait to see what God had in store for us as a couple.  Little did I know, that lesson would be much different then what I had anticipated. 

I buckled my little boy into his booster seat, got in the drivers seat, buckled up...turned on oldies music, gave my son my Windows phone (add shameless plug here) so he could play his preschool games on it,  and headed out the driveway.  Just another morning, sunny and breezy...so beautiful outside that I rolled down the front windows halfway.  We drove along like this, M playing on my phone in the backseat, and me enjoying the breeze and sunshine.  After about 10 minutes or so driving, I came to the intersection that crosses over another road to my babysitters house.  We were almost to our destination.  I stopped at the stop sign, and looked both ways (this is a very bad intersection and I've always been cautious, only one way had the stop sign).  There was a gas station on one side where the cars are parked right up on the road hampering one's view, and there is road construction on the other side making for a very dangerous place to cross.  As I pulled out from the stop sign, I saw it...a blue minivan---way too close, an impact was imminent.  There was someone there after all, and I missed it.  At that split second, I had a choice to make: slam on the brakes or hit the gas and maybe avoid a collision.  MIRACLE #1  I just knew I had to hit the gas...it just happened, I believe that thought was from the Lord.  Later I found out, had I stopped we would have been t-boned, and likely the outcome would have been MUCH worse.  I nearly made it...but was clipped in the back passenger side.  As I heard the impact, the windshield cracked all over, like a giant spider web...and then I felt us turning over on the drivers side.   A feeling I will NEVER forget.  At that moment, I knew I was going to die and had one thought, God please spare my child. I never lost consiciousness, my eyes were wide open, and then the next boom as we hit the ground and turned sideways. The second I registered that we hit the ground, I started screaming for my child.  I screamed his name several times, and finally I heard a very timid quiet scared little voice saying, "I'm ok Mommy."  I managed to unbuckle my seatbelt and stand up while I was yelling for him.  As I turned around and stood on the door, I saw my little boy still belted in his carseat hanging sideways.  He said "Get me out Mommy and began to cry."  I tried so hard to get to him, but I couldn't...and it was at this time I realized, I was hurt.  My arm was crazy swollen, I had a hole in my elbow and a hole in my hand, with blood dripping from both places.  Gross, I know, but it's relevant to the story.  At this point M also realizes I'm hurt and bleeding and gets even more scared.  He manages to unbuckle his seatbelt and stand up looking with a wild look in his eyes for a way out of the car.  However, there wasn't a way out.  I remember screaming for help, and for someone to call 911. I wish I could say I was calm, but I wasn't.  Not knowing how badly I was hurt, thinking my wrist and elbow were fractured, and dripping blood, I tried to put pressure on the gaping hole on my elbow where the bleeding was worst.  I remember a deputy showing up and screaming for him to get my child out of the car.  He was watching me bleed, and he was so scared, we were on the gas tank side...I wanted him OUT of the car.  Of course, they wouldn't do anything until EMS arrived, as I was standing up and hollering and they could tell M was not visibly hurt, and I was bleeding, but not in immediate danger.  Sure didn't feel that way though, I remember telling them to call my husband, to call my job, and to get my child out of the car.  The deputy asked me to turn off the car, which I did but couldn't get the key out of the ignition.  I remember asking if the other people were ok, and they were, their car had sustained minor damage.  When finally the EMS guys arrived, one of them bandaged my arm as best he could through the passenger front window which was halfway down, while the other one looked for a way to get us out.  At their request, I managed, to reach down at my feet and unlock the doors, so the back hatch could be opened.  At my continued insistence they got M out, who looked at me to make sure it was ok, and at my assurance the man was there to help he crawled out the back and to safety.  I remember  asking if I could try to come out too, and was told to wait...as they wanted to be certain the vehicle was braced well enough for me to move around.  After it was determined safe, I too crawled through the car and out the back, stumbling as they held me to the waiting ambulance.  M walked like a big boy with his backpack on and got in the ambulance.  He talked the whole way to the hospital...lol. After a few hours at the hospital, it was decided that I had no broken brones (miracle), and ended up with 9 stitches in my elbow and 6 stitches in my hand.  Miracle # 2 M wasn't hurt at all, and I walked out with minor injuries. 

A few days after the accident, I looked at the pictures of the car and had the strangest revelation.  Remember, that the car had fallen on the drivers side...the side both M and I were on?  Remember, that I thought as we were turning over for God to spare my child?  Remember he wasn't hurt at all?  Then, I saw it...every one of the windows on the drivers side was broken out EXCEPT my baby's.  His window did not even have a crack...NOTHING.  At that moment I was filled with such gratitude and assurance that God had heard my silent prayer and had indeed protected my child!!!  I will call that Miracle #3!!  The next week and a half was challenging as I couldn't work, couldn't really do much for myself.  My dear sweet husband basically had to help me in the shower, get dressed, open medicine bottles...chauffer me around, which he did without complaining.  On Mother's Day, he took me in his arms and told me just how scared he was that me and M were seriously hurt when he got that phone call.  We both teared up, and just held one another...so thankful for God's protection and for each other.  It's funny how when these things happen, you begin to realize how quickly life can change and just how much we take for granted day by day.

Finally, almost 2 weeks in, we get a check from insurance for the totaled vehicle that I had.  Now, we had to look for a vehicle.  I prayed that God would help us find a decent used vehicle, that we could pay cash for comparable to what I had.  We really did not want a car payment.  With $4,804 in hand we prepared ourselves to start looking.  Josh had by this time gone into work, and surprise, we find out that one of Josh's and mine co-worker moonlights as a used car salesman.  He told Josh he thought he had just the vehicle for us.  We had looked at several lots, and everything was too rundown, too much $$, too many miles, etc. He told us to come by after work.  He showed us a Gray Ford Explorer...an Eddie Bauer (nicer then the 2001 Ford Sport Explorer I had).  It was $4500.  Josh and I test drove it, and a few days later after they made some cosmetic changes to it, we went in to pay for it.  After all the fees associated with car title, taxes, registration transfers and everything we paid cash $4807.00....ONLY $3 MORE THEN WHAT WE HAD IN CASH!  Miracle #4 MY GOD GAVE US BACK A NICER FORD EXPLORER THEN WHAT I HAD, AND NO CAR PAYMENT!!  I remember, being surprised that the total of the car was almost exactly what I had (oh me of little faith), but you know what??? IT WAS NO SURPRISE TO GOD WHICH CAR HE WANTED ME TO HAVE, AND HOW MUCH WE WOULD NEED TO GET IT!!

I may never know why God allowed this to happen, especially on this weekend where Josh and I so desperately wanted to go on a weekend trip together and focus on our marriage.  What I do know, is that even though that weekend and those several weeks did not turn out like I had planned, it turned out EXACTLY the way it was supposed too.  Even in this time of trial, my God was there meeting our needs down to the last minute detail.  PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS, PROVISION, AND NEVERENDING LOVE TO HIS CHILDREN!!  My prayer for you all, is that you know the God of the Bible, the Jesus who died for all our sins on the cross, in a personal way.  We don't know how long we have on this Earth, or when we will draw our last breath.  In the end, there's you and God, nobody else.  Life is short, may we spend our time here wisely in God's forgiveness and grace.  That way, when it is time for us to leave, we may hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"  I fail my Lord so very many times, but He is longsuffering, and forgiving...and always Jehovah Jireh my provider!!!!

THE SIMPLE THINGS

I am sitting on the back deck listening to my music on my laptop and watching the boys play outside.  Tossing a football around with daddy, playing airplanes in the backyard, while we enjoy the beautiful sun and breeze...quite peaceful.  It's the little things that make me happy, the little things that are so important.  Not a vacation in paradise (though those are nice I suppose), not spending tons of money taking the kids to an amusement park...just a peaceful relaxing time in the backyard on the weekend.  I'm so thankful for my boys, my husband and the little things.  A place where I belong, where I can be me, and where we all have a safe place to love and live.  I couldn't ask for anything more!!!  Except maybe that the weekends could last longer...  I could be ok with that!

THE BOYS FIRST HOCKEY GAME

Saturday, we took the boys to their first hockey game, and boy did we have fun.  There are only two sports I can tolerate and that's hockey and basketball.   I managed to score a set of 4 tickets for $25, so we chose this past Saturday to go.  Of course little did we know, we managed to go on Breast Cancer Awareness night.  It was really neat how they had survivors stories throughout the game.  There was one lady who had 43 rounds of  chemo, and she looked GREAT!!  I've got a bunch of pictures, to my husband's chagrin (he says it's like traveling with the paparazzi when he goes with me anywhere). I'll attempt to hit the highlights with the pictures, and some explanations. 

This was me and the boys before the game.  I'm slouching, but the boys were ready to go...they couldn't wait.  See the excitement on their faces???

  The rink with the pink overtones as the team was getting ready to come out.

The team as they came out on the rink.  They were wearing pink jersey's.

The rink after the lights came on.  Yes we had crappy seats, but for $25 for all 4 of us...not complaining.

C was making a face, I'm not quite sure why.  Did I mention, he kept yelling "GO BREAST CANCER?"  I was like um....really???? I'm pretty sure that's not sounding right. 

Josh had Micah, who wasn't quite sure what he thought about this experience in the beginning.  It was very loud.

REALLY MOM?????

The cheerleaders and the survivors during one of the breaks.  this was kind of neat.

The smoothie king kids...the orange kept falling down.  Poor kid, 13,000+ people were laughing at him!!

The Chic Fil A Blimp.  The boys were disappointed it didn't come to our side of the stadium.  What can you expect when you're in the crappy seats?? haha

Again with the weird looks...

M hollering "Goooooo checkers"

They had a promo they showed for the mummy exhibit at the Discovery Place.  Some pretty graphic pictures of the mummies.  C's expression below says it all....LOL

The Breast Cancer truck outside after the game.  They just HAD to climb on it, and I didn't see the harm.  Made a cute pic after all...

A little blurry, but a closer shot.  It was night time, and there were a LOT of lights, not to mention moving children and a cell phone camera...

Both the boys were exhausted and fell asleep on the way home.   10PM is waaaaay past their bedtime.  Definitely a great time at the game, even though the boys were pretty ticked we would not let them have cotton candy.  We did however, spend a little and got them a drink (water) and popcorn.  Ok so we spent a LOT.  Concessions are ridiculous these days!!

Sooooooooo....

I have not been updating.  There has been nothing major happening in my life that I felt the need to write about.  Sooo...I will just update what I have been doing.  I'm trying to lose this big band of fat I've accummulated since I've been married and had 2 little boogers.  BEFORE I turn 40, I'd love to lose this extra weight, and feel pretty on the outside again, and improve my health.  This is going to be a long drawn out process, b/c of course, as I age my metabolism slows...stupid little devil.   I've been doing this endeavor since mid Nov...lost 7 lbs, gained about 3 back thanks to CHRISTMAS and my DISLIKE of exercise.  However, I have been exercising about 5 or 6 times a week for 30 min a day (I bumped it to 45 this week..yahoo) since mid Jan.  To date I've lost 7.6 lbs and lost inches in my waist and hips.  I've dropped 2 pant sizes and I'm very MUCH excited about that.   I have been doing Leslie Sansone DVD's and let me tell you, she's kicking my butt!!  However, I do feel stronger, my body has more energy and I feel "sturdier."    I said that to my husband and he thought it hilarious that I feel "sturdier."

Funny story:  My boys like to exercise with me, and I have to keep getting out of their way.  They like to do side steps opposite me so we are crashing into one another.  ha! I finally got them to stand in front of and behind me so they are not in my way.  However, one fine night I had a tremendously insane idea to do crunches with Leslie Sansone in her Boot Camp workout.   She has you lay flat on your back and lift your legs high and straight.  then you crunch up with your stomach.  Ok well....I finally get my fat butt on the floor, and got my legs as straight as I could get them (now keep in mind LS gets her legs perfectly vertical and ruler straight, which is a whole other level of annoyance), and say out loud for nobody in particular, "wow this is hard holding my legs up like this.  what kind of dumb idea is this anyway??"  The next voice I hear is that of my 4 yr old Micah.  He chirps up in his cute little 4 yo voice, (as he too is laying flat on his back with his legs perfectly vertical and ruler straight) "it's easy 'fo meeeeeeee mommy.  it's easy 'fo meeeeeeeeee."   Thanks son for the encouragement.  I only have a few more years and lbs on you, but I'm so glad it's easy for you (and Leslie).  It was super cute though...I had to laugh.  Silly boy, oh to have a young and flexible body again!!

ETA:  After this little endeavor with crunches, I hurt myself and had to visit my AWESOME chiropractor.  He  likes the idea of me losing weight.  Between you and me, I think it's just because I do stupid things and hurt myself and have to pay $$ to get them fixed.  Just kidding CH, just kidding!!  ;-) 

A SOCIAL GOSPEL AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

Let me just start this out with first saying, that MLK did some great things in his lifetime.  He drew attention to injustices leveled against minorities in a time that was less then flattering for our nation.  I have no problems giving him kudos for that.  HOWEVER, I DO have a big problem flaunting him as a "saint" or a man that I want to emulate.  He was the largest proponent of  a social gospel in his time.  By his own admission, he didn't believe in the inerrant, infallible, literal word of God; the virgin birth of Christ; His death and Ressurrection.  He viewed the Gospel as just another belief alongside the Greeks and other "myths."  How then can you be a Christian, a follower of Christ and deny these fundamental truths??   I contend, you cannot. 

In his paper titled "What Experiences of Christians Living in the Early Christian Century Led to the Christian Doctrines of the Divine Sonship of Jesus, the Virgin Birth, and the Bodily Resurrection" he writes:

But if we delve into the deeper meaning of these doctrines, and somehow strip them of their literal interpretation, we will find that they are based on a profound foundation. Although we may be able to argue with all degrees of logic that these doctrines are historically and philolophically untenable, yet we can never undermind the foundation on which they are based.


A more adequate explanation for the rise of this doctrine is found in the experience which the early christians had with Jesus. The people saw within Jesus such a uniqueness of quality and spirit that to explain him in terms of ordinary background was to them quite inadequate. For his early followers this spiritual uniqueness could only by accounted for in terms of biological uniqueness. They were not unscientific in their approach because they had no knowledge of the scientific. They could only express themselves in terms of the pre-scientific thought patterns of their day.


The last doctrine in our discussion deals with the resurrection story. This doctrine, upon which the Easter Faith rests, symbolizes the ultimate Christian conviction: that Christ conquered death. From a literary, historical, and philosophical point of view this doctrine raises many questions. In fact the external evidence for the authenticity of this doctrine is found wanting. But here again the external evidence is not the most important thing, for it in itself fails to tell us precisely the thing we most want to know: What experiences of early Christians lead to the formulation of the doctrine?


The root of our inquiry is found in the fact that the early Christians had lived with Jesus. They had been captivated by the magnetic power of his personality. This basic experience led to the faith that he could never die. And so in the pre-scientific thought pattern of the first century, this inner faith took outward form.



Now, I don't set myself up as judge and jury of MLK...I am not God and don't claim to know his heart.  However, if he held to such thoughts on the very fundamentals of the Gospel...I find that troubling.   He did some great things for racial equality, but as a Christian man he was misguided at best.  I DO believe in the inerrant literal word of God, the virgin birth of Christ who came to die on a cross and rise again for my sins...because He loved me so much.  I also believe as the Bible teaches there is ONE way to Christ, not many...not whatever religion you want to seek in your own way.  Our society has become too "accepting" and "politically correct" to see TRUTH anymore. It's saddening  :(

BEING A BETTER MOM

My husband and I are preparing to go to a marriage seminar this Spring and invest in US.  I love my husband more than anyone on this planet, aside from parents of course.  But it will take work to make it last, and I want it to go the distance.  As I was browsing their site at www.familylifetoday.com  I found a blog just for mom's.  I found this list at the following URL http://tinyurl.com/63ggq5v  (don't wanna get busted for plagerism on my blog LOL) , called 8 Ways to be a better Mom.  I thought it was very insightful, and which of us mom's can't use a little encouragement to better ourselves??  Anyway, here it is:

1. Make your relationship with the Lord your number one priority. If you’re too busy for God, you’re just plain too busy. Make time for the most important things. You won’t regret it.
2. Get a consistent routine in place. Make your routine simple (maybe even just five or seven things you want to do in the same order every day), write it out, and make yourself stick with it for three weeks. After that, you’ll probably find it’s become somewhat of a habit. Don’t set your expectations too high. If you’ve never had a consistent routine, you’re not going to go from chaos to a regimented schedule in two days. Start small, take baby steps, and make loving and enjoying your children your priority — far above a clean home or strict schedule.
3. Read aloud from a plethora of good books. Look at the pictures together. Talk about the stories. Stop and listen and answer your children’s questions. It’s not about finishing the book; it’s about investing in your children’s lives.
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Ask yourself, “What will matter 25 years from now?” and then live your life accordingly.
5. Take advantage of teaching opportunities. It’s amazing the things you can learn and explore together when you’re willing to stop what you’re doing and seize a teachable moment.
6. Praise your children liberally. Do you correct or criticize your children more than you praise them? As parents, it’s our role to guide and nurture our children, but that doesn’t mean we can’t also be their biggest cheerleader!
7. Realize that no mom — however put together she might look — is anywhere near perfect. Stop comparing. Stop feeling guilty. Focus on what works for your family and be okay with the fact that you aren’t gifted in all areas.
8. Don’t give up. Being a mom is hard, hard work. If you’re anything like me, you have days when you feel like you just can’t do it anymore. And I’ve come to learn that I can’t, in and of my own strength. But “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I believe I could use some improvement in #'s 1,3,4,and 6 the most.   Being a mom is hard sometimes (especially if also working full time like yours truly) ...but we CAN with Christ's help!!  Hang in there sister... Our kids are our legacy...let's invest in them a very special part of ourselves, so that they will be prepared for life.  Next time you feel too rundown to read them a story, do it anyway.  It will matter....and it is way more rewarding to see your child smile then catching up on that TV show you wanted to watch!!  Those Hollywood actors/actresses don't idolize you like your children do.    I will endeavor to do better, what about you??

Homework

Another brag.  We've been working on neatness and spacing with his handwriting.  This is SUCH an improvement!!!!

Sent from my Windows Phone

MY SWEET LITTLE BOY

This post is a shameless brag on my little Caleb.  At school today he was recognized for his giving nature.  If you know my sweet boy, then you know he has a big heart.  He loves to help and care for others around him.  I'm so proud of him getting this accomplishment.  He is very proud too!! I hope he never loses his tender heart and sweet spirit.  CALEB MOMMY IS SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!! YOU ARE SUCH A SPECIAL LITTLE BOY. Love, mommy <3<3

I AM A FRIEND OF GOD

On the way to work this morning, Phillips Craig and Dean's Song "I AM A FRIEND OF GOD" came on through the speakers.  The words hit me like a ton of bricks.  I am a friend to the Almighty Creator of the Universe.  The ONE who reached out to me while I wandered around in the darkness of sin.  My Bible Reading was Ephesians 1 this morning.  vs. 7-8 stood out.  They are as follows:

"In Him we have redemption (delivery, rescue)  through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace ( mercy, clemency, pardon)  that He lavished (to give in great amounts with NO LIMIT) on us with all wisdom and understanding."  NIV

Wow!  I need rescued...usually from myself.  My own negative thoughts, or my insecurities.  I need rescued from my words...especially when I get in the flesh which happens far more often then I would like.  My biggest struggle is with my words...and trying not to use curse words.  It's my thorn in the flesh I think, the one thing God uses to remind me that I'm a screwup and need HIM.   This verse makes it clear though, I've been RESCUED through HIS blood and granted a PARDON when I don't deserve it. Not only did He give me grace once, He LAVISHES it on me...on us.  There is NO LIMIT to the grace He gives.  I take that for granted sometimes.  The closest thing I can relate this too is my wonderful husband.  He spoils me, He looks out for me, He gives me what I want most of the time, even if it means he does without.  Also, we do the same for our boys.  We spoil them, we shower them with love, we kiss their boo-boos and forgive them of their many childhood mistakes.  No matter what they do, they are still our beautiful little boys on loan from God. Sometimes, though we forget they are children and get angry.  I know it's a shock...we aren't perfect parents!! LOL  However, that doesn't mean we stop loving them, or taking care of them.  HOW MUCH MORE SO DOES GOD DO THIS WITH US???  Indeed, even in my most ugly wretched state...I AM A FRIEND OF GOD!!   PTL!!!!!!!!

Baby It's Cold Outside

I really like that song. Not sure why but I do. LOL It's been a long morning so far. Nothing fascinating going on today. I'm at work dealing with people who are more hateful than usual. It's to the point I want to start offering free prune juice samples at my desk. Maybe that will help them feel better and not hate life so much, or those of us who have no choice but to encounter them out in public.

Hopefully the remainder of the afternoon will improve. Hopefully...but I'm not holding my breath. In the meantime I'll sit at my desk with a stupid grin on my face and do my darndest to stay off the radar.

And on a random note, enjoy the song that I love so much!

New Year's Eve



We went shopping for our "party." The boys enjoy unloading the cart...so why not let them?? lol



So we attempted to have a "party on New Years Eve.  It was basically us watching "Despicable Me" as a family.  The boys got to stay up late and munch on popcorn, gummy angry birds (yes I know,  I'm raising nerd children...just like their momma) and potato chips.  Healthy eh?? LOL 

Then Caleb decided he wanted to stay up til midnight to see the "ball drop."  He was so excited. For 5 hours that's night, that is ALL I heard..."when is the ball gonna drop mommy??"  LOL  so when midnight actually came, after all the anticipation...I cracked the bubbly (NO I DID NOT GIVE MY CHILD CHAMPAGNE) sparkling grape juice and the ball dropped.  Then Caleb says...That's all mommy? That's all it does??? I guess it was very anticlimactic for him...poor thing.  Of course as soon as his head hit the pillow he was OUT.  He asked me today if he could stay up till midnight again.  My reply was, nope not til next year.  It's way past your bedtime and mine...lol 

Um....apparently midnight is still too late...this is what I should have been doing. LOL

Caleb was actually awake, but faking that he wasn't  haha