February!

February- already?

Where has the time gone?

My little girl turned one! ONE!!!

Look at that cutie! She scarfed that cupcake down!!!

I embarked on a makeover of her little table that was handed down from her brother. These things are a dime a dozen at yard sales and the like, but did I research that with Cade? Nope. Shoulda-woulda-coulda. The end.

Since I'm all about pink, I decided to give it a shot. What could it hurt?

 

I purchased the materials at JoAnns. First the cute patterns, then the clear overlay. The chair tops were the most difficult, as the screws and material were no longer reusable. I improvised with Velcro. A lot of it. As for the rest? A stapler and some patience. It certainly isn't perfect, but cuteness loves it and so do I. I had to include one more of her sitting at her table because one shows her hair better and the other-her teeth! Hilarious!

For those that were asking for more information on how to do this, I'd be happy to help with suggestions (though I'm more of a free spirit when it comes to these projects)...feel free to email me! My contact is up on the right side of my blog page.

 

Wishing you and yours a happy day!

Never Once...

Three years. Three very fast, LONG, struggling years.

I woke up this morning early. Sitting down with a cup of coffee and my devotions, I was thrilled to have the time to myself. I am on the final chapter, reading through the Psalms of ascent. When the psalmist is calling God to remember, and to draw near.

As I was encouraged to do in my study, I looked back. And I remembered. Three years ago, choking down my grief, I stood before the mirror asking myself, "what's next?" Three years past, I was in surgery at this exact time. A double mastectomy. Lifelong scars. Heart memories of when God drew near. I looked into a mirror this morning and asked myself the same question..."what's next."

I choked out my thanks this morning as I was fixing my hair. How beautiful the view this side of three years. Fear was a motivator then. At times it still is, but I have learned some things in these past three years of life...we never walk alone. Never once.

Whatever your circumstances are right at this very minute, stop where you are. Close your eyes. Whisper His name. He is near. Emmanuel.

Let this be your thankfilled prayer and motivation: He is faithful. It's His gift to you...

'Tis the Season...

The twelve days of Christmas. I have the song or the story (if you've read the book) stuck in my mind. Its been there for...twelve days. :) Thirteen actually, if you count today.

This week has flown past.

Cade had surgery yesterday. He had a hernia repair. Yes, minor and very fixable, but it seriously had this mama concerned. It's my baby. ANY time a kiddo goes under for a procedure of any type, I'm concerned. Not that I could do anything about it, but hey-a moms gotta worry, right? He is recovering nicely, with little to no pain. Such a blessing and so very thankful that things went great!

Aaron's aunt is in from OH. Our busy weeks of Christmas fun have begun. My presents are purchased, the decorating done, now all I need is a warm winters nap. Since that isn't likely to happen anytime soon, I'll settle for a warm peppermint mocha. Non-fat, no whip, grande. Perfection.

I'm not exactly sure when my love of all things peppermint started, but I have a strong like for the cooling goodness. Chap stick; mocha's; creamer; shakes (the Trim Healthy Mama kind); you name it-I love it!

Yes, the season is upon us. CHRISTmas. The time for singing.

Let's be honest. If you're a worship leader, your yearly nightmare has begun. I have tinkered and thunked my way through a good many Christmas carols this year already. Goodness. I love to sing them, but to play them-oy!

Regardless of what it is this season, I hope it finds you well. Good tidings of great joy to you and your family! Whether its visits from loved ones; favorite Christmas songs and traditions; yummy desserts; or you have a heavy heart this season, remember this. Emmanuel, the God with us, is better to us than He has to be. Always.

The Same Love

This afternoon we had the blessing of watching a true gem. A handsome young man belonging to some good friends of ours. He came for just over an hour, but gave us a life-lesson of laughter and joy.

He doesn't communicate like you and I. God has gifted "Mr. T" uniquely. Perfectly. He was uncomfortable outside of his routine (I could relate: I'm so much the same). He began repeating over and over that he wanted to go for a ride. That he wanted to sing. He ran into the kitchen where there was a CD player and turned the music on. Loud. And he began to dance. As he grew more comfortable with us, he and Cade began chasing each other through the house calling each other names. "Monkey Butt" was the game they played/made up/called each other. Pretty spiritual, eh?

You choose the humble and raise them high

You choose the weak and make them strong

You heal our brokenness inside and give us life.

 

His excitement over the songs was contagious. Palpable. It inspired us all. This joy-filled boy, fist pumping in the air shouting songs that would rival any holiday music station. I know for sure the neighbors didn't catch this dance scene as they did earlier in the week as I was having a personal celebration. But I know that God saw. And dance we did.

 

During this beautifully, birth-pained season that makes memories both good and bad surface. It suddenly seems brighter. Hope-filled.

 

Yes, we danced. If you can imagine it-we even fist pumped. The loud cadence of the drums, felt to the tips of our toes. Cade, Mr. T, Aaron, and myself. Dancing to the rhythm of love. To the tune of "The Same Love." God's. Holy, unblemished, and wholly pure. Calling us to put aside our worry. Drawing us out of our mental reverie. Yes, each of us.

 

The same love that set the captives free

The same love that opened eyes to see

Is calling us all by name

You are calling us all by name

 

The same God that spread the heavens wide

The same God that was crucified

Is calling us all by name

You are calling us all by name

 

 

I guess sometimes the only way we can hear it is to be like Mr. T, and turn the music up.

 

Loud.

 



 



Traditions...

Good Friday morning to you!

This is our typical day, where in our family, everything is "tradition." Libbi still hasn't quite caught the gist of things, so we will let it slide...

Speaking of Libs, she had me awake early. Non-traditionalist that she was being (instead of sleeping in) we were playing at five-something. It's difficult to be frustrated by such cuteness. Seriously. She has two huge teeth in the front, along with about six others in various stages. Did I mention she has curls forming?

Cade is my "stick-to-task" manager. Almost to the point of annoying, but again-the cuteness factor. I'm a sucker for my kids!

Our tradition holds that we put up the tree and decorate everything. Every color imaginable. Each year we find new and exciting ways to celebrate the risen and coming King. Yes, there will be cookies, movies, and music.

With my almost-walking ten month old-this could get interesting. 😳

I pray this holiday season has a wonderful start of the joy for you and yours. I'll try to capture some pictures to share. If you stand around here too long, you are likely to lose your Achilles heel as Libbi is proficient and deadly with her walker. The little tooth-filled smile is quite healing.

So I told you I had some exciting news coming in a previous post...well i do! Not only have I begun the guest blogging with pinxwear.com but I have also finished the editing of my book! Yeah! (fist pump happening here!) Yes, I have a few things to review before it gets sent back. Prayerfully considering titles and covers. Whew! I never thought I'd be here to this point. Exciting!!!

My bio and selfie (I despise these)...along with my first contribution is up and available for review over at pinxwear.com. Check it out and let me know what you think!

My little cuteness is up from her early morning nap, so I must go.
Much love to you all,

Erin

Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving. Thankful. Joy. Blessings. Humility. Family. Friends. Encouragement. Food. Fullness.

These are just a few of my favorite words to describe this thank-filled holiday. It's one of my favorites. Actually: they ALL are my favorite. ESPECIALLY the fall/winter. Is there anything better than curling up with a good book, a blanket, and a warm, steaming, cup of coffee? Blessings in itself! Imagine it! The cold wind, biting outdoors while the rest of the world wraps up warm to wait. Wait out the long winter months. Chrysalis-like. Can you see it? Its a wrapped gift that we save until Spring. How can we not like Spring too?

I don't have my presents purchased yet, but my list is growing by the day. Some decorations have made their way out of the dusty storage room. Funny how the very first thing I do to commence the coming holidays is bring out the music. The praise. The happy. The festive.  It puts me in the right frame of mind. Thankfulness.

Here is a photo bucket full of my thankful. From years past to years present...and in no certain order.

For a good Christian School for my son to learn and grow. For two years they worked to fashion Cade into the likeness of Him. The giver of all good things.

For a boy who has learned the difficult way that life isn't always a box of Chocolates, but he does enjoy the smooth and silky goodness on occasion.

For friends that see us through. Carry us. Love on us.

For family we love much in our hearts and share over a distance.

For the obedient heart of my man; listening to the Lord.

For my precious promise: Libbi. Not the daughter I thought I'd have from my womb, but the one born in my heart.

For the heart of my man-child. Seeking the Christ-child.

For the forced smiles and camera struggles this picture represents (and the people in it).

For memories worth a thousand words. Precious. Priceless.

For do overs, and new starts. For this crazy family I'm privileged to call my own.

For life.

 

God is good. In the good times and the bad. And all the in between. For this we have a reason to praise. To be thankful.

 From our hearts to yours...Happy Thanksgiving!

You Can't Fix Broken...

This past week, we enjoyed a wonderful visit from my sweet friend Sarah. She brought her family down for a quick weekend visit. Fast and furious. We LOVED it!

Prior to their arrival, Cade picked some flowers to display in a watering can. His artistic nature shines through at times, making this mama proud. He is like me in so many ways. Needless to say, he found his flowers-picked off my front planters. Perhaps I should share with him my resources. The stores I use. We could go together. Be on the same page, or something like that!

I let it go. You can't fix broken like that. No matter how ugly those mums look now, its going to take some time. Time to heal. Time to simply be broken a while.

Cade has to see a surgeon today. He has a hernia in a delicate spot. Perhaps if he wouldn't have joined gymnastics. Maybe it was Soccer. T-ball? My mind works constantly trying to figure it out, only to be met by the doctor suggesting that perhaps he was born with it. Okay. I can reason that. What I didn't count on was Cade's reaction to this. Just this simple surgeons visit has him angry. Not just a little, but slap-yo-mama-bad. Yes. You read that correctly. He slapped me. Hard.

My wonderful man-child is growing up. He hates to be called anything "big and strong, or soft and cuddly." Okay. So what is left? Grumpy? Just kidding.

His heart, or so he told me last night, is angry. Furious. Full of questions and a whole lot of little-boy-scared, he crawled into our bed last night and asked us to pray. Pray for peace, for wisdom, for healing, for courage. My heart secretly broke as I had to take a sideline position. This mama can't pull out her superwoman costume and fix a broken like this. I wouldn't try. The Lord is working, and mending a hurt that began three years ago. Cancer makes an enemy of families and friends alike.

Yes, my little boy is growing up. He is learning to wield his sword against the powers of this dark world. To fight the invisible evil ever present in every day.

This mama was proud. Is proud. To hear him repeat the words of hope in his bed as he lay his head down is healing. For him and for me. Yes, you cannot fix broken but God can.

The mums? They'll return in the fall of next year as we anxiously await the changing colors. Yes, they'll be there, perhaps better than ever. The unprovoked pruning was probably just the thing they needed.

Cade will be the stronger for it. Lots of hugs, kisses, bribes, and encouragement will go a long way for his sort of brokenness. The God who lives is drawing Him near. Teaching Him to trust Him. This is simply the first of many that Aaron and I will stand close by and watch as God works as only He can. Cade has put his everlasting hope in the Savior who saves. It is only natural that God begin to develop Cades hope in Him, not in me or my faith or in Aaron or his beliefs.

I'm not going to lie. It hurts. Seeing Cade learn such a big-boy lesson is not easy.

"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)."

We will let Him work. Let Him fix broken as only He can. In the mean time we will use what we have. Whether it is little or much. Broken or whole; to offer Him what He deserves. All of us. Surrendered. Worshiping. On our journey to complete wholeness.