Unbearable Pain!

Last week one of our close family friend's 19 year old daughter passed away from a car wreck. This week I have been following Layla Grace's blog (www.laylagrace.org). She is a beautiful 2 year old girl dying of cancer and I cannot get this family off of my mind. Saturday morning my mother called and told me one of my friends from high school (Candace and Kevin Moon) gave birth to her son at 21 weeks and lost the baby- Carson James Moon. My pain shifted and hurt a little deeper because I know this family. I cannot imagine the sense of loss, the emotions, and all of the questions. There is so much heartache, grief, and pain happening all around me- it's overwhelmingly unbearable at times (and it's not even happening to me directly). As I took about 30 minutes to message Candace staring at the cursor trying to find the 'right' words to say- I came up empty so I offered the only thing I have- PRAYER! My heart physically hurt for this precious mother, I started crying and I felt the Lord whisper "Remember what I went through?" WOW- He endured the greatest pain of all- watching HIS SON suffer and sacrificing HIM for US. My pain grew larger but gave a glimpse of HOPE that even when people ENDURE the most they can bear HE is carrying us, guiding us, whispering to us, reminding us- HE HAS CONQUERED IT ALL. HE is our HOPE. This is my prayer to all of my family and friends who are in the midst of the biggest storm in their lives. I am on my knees- PRAYING you will feel his Peace- his HOPE.

THE BIG BASH

I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves but let me run down Wilson's Big Birthday Bashes. On his actual birthday Grammy Shep made us 3 dinner and a cake for Wils. We ate and then let him run around in his BIRTHDAY SUIT, which by the way is his favorite thing to do. Saturday, 2/20, we had his big party at Grammy Love's house with 52 people being there I would say Wilson is LOVED and BLESSED. The weather was 65 so the kids played outside. Wilson ate pizza, we watched the DVD I made him, he dove into his cake (which he LOVED), and then he opened up his wonderful gifts- after that- he slept for 2.5 hours- HE WAS POOPED. God has truly blessed us with our JOY. Thanks to everyone who came and loved on him!! ENJOY THE PICS!
MY SWEET SON!
GIMMIE MILK!!

The kids had a blast outside
Jackie made this incredible cake!!
His face the morning of his bday!

LOVE ON YOUR LITTLE ONES!

I read this blog today and it touched my heart. Let me review you on what you are about to read: This family of 5 is about to lose their 2 year old to cancer. The mother is blogging about her precious life- her name is Layla Grace. She is in hospice now and holding on and the mother is spending the last moments with her precious daughter AS I TYPE. If you read on down her blog she has a post called "Sleep, Valentine's Day, and Regrets"- it had tears running down my face. To think sometimes I could ever get annoyed when Wilson follows me around or if I dont get a full night's sleep. When I hear of families that have to go through this my heart hurts with burden/loss for them. It makes me appreciate ALL and EVERYTHING that comes with my sweet/precious son. Please join me and pray for this mommy, daddy, and sisters as they embrace and endure the last few moments with their daughter. And please appreciate EVERY MOMENT with your children/nieces/nephews/grandchildren- LIFE IS A VAPOR!

http://laylagrace.org/

Happy First Birthday Sweet Wilson

I was so excited because Wilson woke up before I left for work this morning so as I was feeding him I told him ALL about giving birth to him ONE YEAR AGO TODAY! He just looked at me with those big blue eyes SO SERIOUS. It was almost like he was thinking, "WOW MOM YOU DID ALL OF THAT FOR ME?" We put up FIRST BIRTHDAY banners and took pictures. Ryan spent the morning with him (I did not want to leave). But he brought Wilson over so we could have lunch together! We ate at Mccallister's and talked about how pretty soon Wilson will be walking into places-CRAZY- (Sidenote 'I need to buy him some shoes')! Grammy Shep is going to cook us dinner and made a special dessert for him. Tommorrow morning we are going to his ONE YEAR well baby check up and then the rest of the day will be our mommy/son date. I am thinking TARGET- hey, I can take him to places like that now because he doesnt know the difference- there will be a time where he will scream 'NO I DONT WANT TO GO THE STORE!!' I dread that day because I LOVE ME SOME TARGET!
We are driving to Sevierville this weekend for his party on Saturday- I am so excited for him to celebrate with all of our family/friends who love him so much. I pray he always knows how loved and blessed he is. Here are some recent pictures- ENJOY- I will post bday pics soon.
My little Eskimo!

Celebrating Pop's Retirement

LOVE THESE BOYS!

Dear Wilson

Dear Wilson,
My heart is full of joy as I write to you. You are turning one and growing so fast. As I look back the past year and smile at all of the wonderful memories excitement floods through me to know we are just going to make many more!! You have always been the most laid back, happy, snuggly baby. I love your laugh, the way your cheeks are red when you wake up, when you lay your head on my chest as I rock you to sleep, the way you eat (usually in 1 minute flat), when you open up your mouth to give me your sweet kisses, and the way your BIG BLUE eyes light up when you look at your daddy. There are many nights your daddy and I lay in bed talking of how BLESSED we are God chose us to be your parents. Your sweet spirit, fun-loving personality is really starting to shine through. You love to roughhouse with daddy, play peek-a-boo with Lillie, help me with the laundry, clap when you hear music (I smile just thinking of the way you clap), and your new favorite game is "CHASE"- you love to be chased around the house. Always know that we pray for you everyday- we pray God continues to keep you healthy and safe and you will see HIS LOVE through our parenting, marriage, our words, and our day-to-day. My prayer as your mother is that you will grow to know Jesus at an early age and will serve him everyday of your life. You are our GIFT and you are HIS. I love you more than you will ever know. I know the next 17 years will go just as quickly as the last one- never forget that God LOVES/CARES for you even more than I do. I hope you enjoy your party and the daddy/mommy dates we will take you on this week. You are my JOY.

Urgent Prayer Request- LIFE IS A VAPOR

Please pray for the Waser family. They have been family friends of ours for over 20 years. Their 17 year old daughter, Jenny, got in a horrible car accident this morning and is now in the arms of Jesus. Everyone is obviously taking it really hard and at a time like this- Prayer is the only thing we can do. Please join me on my knees to pray for God's Peace during this time- there are no words and God is the only one who can truly give comfort.
LIFE IS A VAPOR! We all have to be ready at any moment because we are not in control.

CALLING ALL LADIES!!

Ok girls, join me in Beth Moore's new study "SO LONG INSECURITY!" You can purchase the book cheaper at Amazon.com or you can buy it at Lifeway/or any bookstore. I have only read the Introduction and I can already tell you it's going to be amazing. Part of the book has insights from women and MEN she interviewed all over the country. PURCHASE IT- and click on the link below (her blog) and join me on this journey of dealing with one of the most powerful yet less discussed strongholds over women! I know personally this has always been an issue so I am excited to see how God will use this book to help/encourage! I will also discuss some things on my blog- so comment and let me know if you want to join me.
If you have to wait for the book to come in- no problem I will help you catch up.


http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2010/02/so-long-insecurity-discussion-group.html

M'BORO DISCOVERY CENTER

Ryan and I took Wilson and Carter to the Discovery Center Saturday and had so much fun. That place is AWESOME- Carter showed us the ropes. Wilson loved playing and watching all of the people- I am afraid he may make some people feel uncomfortable with all of his stares but HE loves watching. We had a great day!

Wilson playing at Grammy's!!

While I work a few days a week Grammy Shep watches Wilson and they have a BLAST!! Last week she took some really cute pictures of our Lil Buddy. He is growing so fast and does new things daily! Enjoy!

My CHUNKEY DUNKEY MONKEY!


MY FAVORITE PIC.

"Same Kind of Difference As Me"/ PRAY WITHOUT CEASING : LESSON 2

Hey guys!! I hope everyone has had a great week and you have taken a moment to spend time with GOD before you start your day- I must be honest I failed a little and ended up doing my study on my lunch break a few days! Oh the power of LAZINESS.
Here is what GOD taught me this week:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give THANKS in ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -WOW- LOVE THAT.

At different points in my life I have struggled with what God's Will is for my life and I believe this scripture reminds me that REGARDLESS what is going on- life decisions, sickness, the day to day struggle- I can choose to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks, and be reassured that THIS is HIS WILL for my life. This isn't easy either- Life is tough, stressful, and wonderful and sometimes it's all three at the same time!! But God is reminding me to be in a prayerful attitude and always give HIM thanks regardless of circumstances, the world, and even my own heart!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!