Precious

I love this little bottom. I love the toy story pj's and underwear. I love the speckled little legs and the birth mark on his foot. I love how excited he is to live life. I love that he is healthy, and able to climb just about anywhere he wants. I love that he sits on the bathroom counter everyday and talks to me. I love that he wants to be near me. I love that God chose me to be his mother. I love that there is soo much I will cherish about this picture for the rest of my life.

GC Photography

Just checking in!! I am alive!!! The past few weeks have EXPLODED into something crazy!!!!! I have always been very hesitant about pursuing my photography. I stick my toe in, then pull it back out. Then stick two toes in......over and over. I have been telling my friends and family...it's not that I don't THINK I can do it, I just don't DESIRE to commit to doing it. I have spent a few years praying and praying, and REALLY trying to listen and peek cautiously around each corner. More than anything, ever before in my life, this has been something I don't want to rush into. I want to KNOW it is a God thing, something he is providing and not ME! Well, the past few weeks have brought extreme change! I have taken a few people's pictures, feel a peace and excitement about it, and booked about 12 people in the last few days! Yes, 12. That's a big change from 0!!! I am trying to iron out the wrinkles in keeping my information organized. It's coming together. It is also SUPER important to me to make sure photography doesn't take away from my SUPER IMPORTANT #1 job of being Mommy!! It's amazing what I am stuffing into those afternoon nap times!! I am still taking it one day at a time. I want to listen each day and be used the way God wants to use me. I'm not advertising, getting a website, or anything like that yet. Just want to keep sharpening my skills, while at the same time making sure Balen's needs are met during OUR special time we have together. Pictures are such a special way to document the most important, special, exciting times in our families. It is a really cool feeling to know I am helping freeze those memories, forever!

Happenings

Today is the last day of school. I'm getting ready to go pick up my niece and nephew from kindergarten and third grade. I picked up my other niece from Pre School the other day, and almost cried??? I might be somewhat of a mess when I go through it with my own child. As a teacher, last days of school were always so bittersweet! There were some kids you would secretly hope you would never see again, and others that almost felt like one of your own.

I cannot believe that I have failed to mention, Paige, my sister in law, is now engaged! It has probably been about a month of wedding excitement now. They are rushing the wedding and having it at the end of July. I think I'm having more fun helping with this wedding than I did my own! Congratulations Paige and Austin!

I am also proud to announce....I completed my nine weeks of Couch to 5K!!! Now we will keep running our 30 minutes, three times a week. It is such a good feeling to be about to go run over 3 miles and not be dying at the end!! Amber, thanks for dragging me out to run on the days I didn't want to!

And...what's a post, without a Balen?! Jared took him out to work on something?? They came back like this. I still have no idea what really happened, something involving barbed wire! The next morning at church, a little girl dug her fingernails into his cheek. He is look pretty rough now. It's all good though!

Without the Love of Jesus

Can you imagine what it would be like? I can't. So many people believe in fate, accidents, and chance. But I believe the God of the Universe orders our steps and life isn't about coincidence.

I started reflecting on this yesterday. I have had a rough few weeks. Nothing major, at all. Just grumpy me and grumpy kid! Finally, about three days ago I started getting tired of it, and started talking to a few people to try to make myself feel better! I am ABSOLUTELY and UNDESERVINGLY blessed to have strong, faithful, Spirit led friends in my life. I have the kind of friends that e-mail or call each other for prayer. I have the kind of friends that are praying for you, even when you haven't emailed or called. I have the kind of friends who aren't afraid, when we are together, to say "hey, I need you guys to pray for me."

Well, stupid ole' me struggled for a few weeks before I realized I had not once "approached the throne of grace with confidence, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help me in my time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Fortunately, someone else, completely unaware of the situation, approached that throne FOR ME, and once again reminded me of that sweet sweet love of Jesus. A text message woke me up at 5:30 A.M. yesterday. I didn't even know people are awake at 5:30 A.M.!! The text read "Prayed for you this am. God put you on my mind. Hope your day is great! Miss ya."

I am so glad Jesus loves me enough to let me know these people. Small things we do, can speak volumes to others. She has no idea, until after she reads this, how much that simple text message meant. I hope that when the Holy Spirit places something on my heart, I will be as willing, as her, to pass on the love of Jesus.

Have a GREAT day!!

MUST READ!

Wow. I was reading some blogs last night and came across my sweet friend, Bethany. She had the best post that included the amazing article, on ESPN.com, about Nate Fleming and his family.

I highly recommend you take time to read this, if you haven't already. I will admit I may have shed a tear, or two. Okay..I sobbed like a baby. It is one of the most touching stories I have heard in a long time. I will give B the credit for her inspirational words. Bethany, you are a wonderful mom and thank you for sharing! Click HERE to read Bethany's post and the ESPN article.

Preparing for Parenthood

I can't take credit for this. I just read it on another blog and couldn't quit laughing. It is so true, and I have learned that no matter how bad you want it, you can never truly be "ready" to be a parent. It is the hardest, yet most amazing thing in the the world! I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. For those of you who have never had kids, this is my life. For those of you who have grown kids, laugh it up!! Hope this brings back some good memories.

11 Lessons to Prepare You For Parenthood

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.

2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.

3. Go home.

4. Pick up the paper.

5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

1. Methods of discipline.

2. Lack of patience.

3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.

4. Allowing their children to run wild.

5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)

2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.

4. Set the alarm for 3AM.

5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.

6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.

7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.

8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.

9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

4. Then rub them on the clean walls.

5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.

6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.

Leave it there.

2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.

3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.

4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.

2. Make a small hole in the side.

3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

Bonus: Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

One way!

Lately, it seems like I have been surrounded by one message. I have heard it at church, read it, seen it on facebook, received emails, seen it on tv, and heard it in songs. That message is that there is only one way to Heaven! Plain and simple, one way! The big misconception, and what we are being drowned by, is that there are many ways to get there. There are so many lies that people hear over and over and begin to believe as facts. A few that I keep coming across lately are: If I go to church regularly then I'm safe, If I give enough and volunteer enough I'm safe, I became a Christian when I was young so it doesn't matter how I live now, I am a good person who treats people well and does good things so I will get to Heaven. We are people who like to justify and twist everything we do, so that it really doesn't seem that bad. I hate that people don't see that this life is just a small, small tiny adventure to teach us a few things, find out what we are made of, get us to one of two places where we will spend eternity, and ultimately get more people to Heaven with us. We are so weak, selfish, and misled. I really think that sometimes God wants to shake us, and say WAKE UP!!!!!!!!! He loves us so much, but he isn't going to do all the work for us.

After hearing all of these messages, one thing keeps going through my mind. If we could see the final outcome, I honestly believe we would be absolutely shocked at the amount of people that thought they had their "ticket to Heaven", but sadly spent their whole earthly life being deceived by the enemy. Not "bad" people, but people we think of as decent Christians. People we sit in church with every Sunday. People we look up to and admire.

Some don't like to think about it, or think people are crazy for talking about it, but the Devil is real. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy everything you are, have, and hope to be. Don't let him. Don't be distracted, confused, or deceived. God sent his son so that you may have life and life abundantly. There is only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ, They Way, The Truth, and The Life!

I hope that everyone reading this is confident and sure of where they are spending eternity. It's going to be one party you don't want to miss!! :)

Flashback

I love my husband. Here are a few of his blog posts from the hospital. Thought it would be fun to repost and remember the exciting time. Enjoy!

Good evening Mommy Bloggers, this is Jared and I will be your captain this evening. I don't know that I have enough estrogen to blog appropriately, but I'll give it a shot. Here is what we've been up to today...Contractions woke Annie up at 5 this morning. I went in to work early so I could get some things done before we had to come to the hospital. She stuck it out at home most of the day and we came in late afternoon. She was dilated a 3 and having strong contractions. They went ahead and broke her water around 5:30. They gave her an epidural around 7, although she really wasn't in much pain yet. She is progressing slowly, dilated to a 4 about an hour ago.

It's been somewhat uneventful so far. Annie had a popsicle for supper, Justin set a new record on his iPhone Bubble Wrap game, and I've got my hour of Seinfeld in for the day. I think everyone is set for awhile. Stay tuned...we'll keep you advised.

First Big Day

Balen and I thought we would update mom's blog and give a rundown on the first day while she was asleep.

This is somewhere around 5:30 this morning. She was dilated a 10 and getting ready to go to work. It was really a walk in the park up to this point, as seen by the smile.

Balen decided to come and join us at 6:30 this morning, only after being coaxed out with the salad tongs. He looked like the long lost Conehead when he first arrived. Shortly after this Annie wasn't feeling quit so great. Her blood pressure dropped and she lost a lot of blood after Balen was out.

Annie holding her baby boy after she got a little color back

We had early visits from Mark and Paige. Surprisingly, Paige didn't drop Balen when he whimpered.

All of Balen's cousins came to visit this afternoon.

What up Cuz

My parents came back to see Balen again late this afternoon.

Balen gets his hair did

Look how far Paige has come in 12 hours. Maybe in two years, she can hold him while standing up!

He woke up tonight around 10:30 for the first time since this morning. He had his first good meal to finish off his first day and is ready for bed. Being the "Office" fan that he is, Balen lived his first day in the words of Michael Scott "I'm an early bird and a night owl. So I'm wise and I have worms."

Extra Extra Read all about it

I keep getting in trouble from faithful followers (who obviously must have a LOT of time on their hands to be worried about me!) I don't know what my deal is. I have hardly even had my camera out. We went to our family reunion at the beginning of July and it seems like it has been a whirlwind ever since.

It seems like I have been to about 15 meetings at church! I have joined the praise team, along with Dad and Jared. I am involved in preparing music and singing on Sundays. I am enjoying singing again.

Paige and I spent a week scrubbing Mark and Terrie's house because...THEY'RE HOME! Mark has to be extra careful about germs, so we conquered them all! A lot of our evenings have been spent with them lately. They are amazed at how much Balen has changed and what a little handful he can be!! :)

I have also mustered up some motivation to continue with my "going-on-4-years-house-renovation." I've been cleaning out closets, rearranging, throwing away, and getting ready for NEW CARPET!! That's right folks, the pink carpet will be gone FOREVER! The guy is coming Thursday to do our stairway, hallway, and my bedroom. I can't wait!!! I also got the hankerin' to move Balen's room. We run the heat/air on the west side of the house just for him and for some reason his room echos. So now he is on our side and we only have to heat/cool half! The first night, he woke up crying and I could just BARELY hear him. It was wonderful!! :) That sounds terrible but he does that every once in a while for about 10 minutes and then just goes back to sleep. See, he doesn't really need me! It has been a nice move. Hopefully someday we will fill the nursery again! Really hoping it doesn't take another 4 years.

We also attended Relay for Life. I always look forward to going every year. Balen lasted until about 10:30, then we had to leave Daddy on his own.

I starred in a commercial for my brother. Dreading the day I have to see it. OH2Go. That's all I'm gonna say about that!

Jared turned the big 29 yesterday. Wish I could say I planned something super exciting. We just kind of hung out. Ate out a few times this weekend with family. I'm thinking next year needs to be a little more special. Better get on that.

7 weeks until the KAY COUNTY FREE FAIR. In case you don't remember my post from last year, I LOVE the fair!!

And now, I am currently working on planning the most anticipated beach extravaganza of the year. Ha ha. Little Man is turning the big 1! We have rented the Braman swimming pool to share with Max and Karlie. Braman is Bigtime, I know!! Hard to believe it's already been a year! He is the most precious little thing that has ever happened to us. Hope his birthday party is special.

Hmmmm..

Hmmm...

Well...

• Currently redoing my bedroom and hallway. All of the ugly wallpaper is off, I have the bedroom textured, and paint started.
• There is a man banging on our windows for the third day now. He is replacing siding that was taken off when we got new windows.
• Banging on windows = hard for Little Man to sleep.
• Jared and I are currently on our 3rd, THIRD, day of flopping around the living room like two Nancies. Oh, I mean our third day of P90X!!! That's right folks. We are taking the fitness plunge. I say flopping, because right now we are so out of shape that it looks more like flopping than graceful exercise.
• Limited naps for Balen (due to banging) = No time to work on room, house, etc. for me!
• I can't wait for little tooth #6 to pop through. I can see it, there is an end in sight.
• Limited naps for Balen (due to banging and teething) = Aaagghhhh for me!
• I actually got ready, and blow dried my hair today to find out Bible Study was canceled. Guess now I'll go to town for ice cream with Tami and Laura. I can't waste a day of doing my hair and makeup just to sit here in Sumpter Land all alone (with the banging window guy)
• Bay (the kid) got to feed Bay (the horse) treats last night. He loved it! She would stick her big lips right above his head to get the treats out of my hand. He just stared in amazement. We also found the new kittens.
• As you can see, I'm not too worried about getting much accomplished around here. Guess I'll go get that ice cream!

Seasons

Everywhere you look in life, there are seasons. I guess this is all on my mind right now because we are starting the season, that to me, seems to be the beginning. Spring time is so full of new life. It feels so fresh, clean, new, and exciting. Things are being born, and everywhere you look you seem to find a renewed appreciation for things that shriveled up, lost their beauty, and lay dormant over winter. The seasons are represented in our weather and surroundings, and in our physical lives as we grow and age. But more importantly, the seasons are evident in our spiritual lives.

As we grow and mature as Christians, we experience a wide array of circumstances and emotions. We accept Christ into our lives and begin this journey of growth and development. Joy motivates us, encourages us, and flows out of us. Life is good! But just as the seasons change, we must also enter into a time of trial, testing, and the word I like is "refining." This is where so many people fall off the boat and get lost. No perseverance. Those once beautiful flowers that bloomed in Spring, lacked deep roots as Autumn and Winter approached.

No one escapes harsh Winters, no matter how good or bad you are. It's all about perspective. Stuff happens, period. How will you deal with it? Will you shrivel up, will you blow away?

I have recently began a new season in my life. Spring has sprung! My Fall and Winter has gone on for about the last four years. It was a time where God was CONSTANTLY saying, "Do you trust me? Do you trust me with your fears, with your marriage, with your job, with your friends, with your family, with your finances, with your faith, with your children?" Trial after trial, disappointment after disappointment, each time I had a decision. I chose, piece by piece, tear by tear, to be refined and molded a little more into His image.

You begin to see the beauty in Winter when you want to, when you can accept and be thankful for it while it is there. Seasons don't stop. It won't always stay Summer, Spring, Winter, or Fall. They all come, and they all go. If these seasons didn't change, we would never grow. Another beautiful thing about our "Winters" is that in time, we can look back and use them to bring others closer to their "Springs!"

I guess I've said all of this to encourage. If your stuck in the cold, hard, times and long for hope and sunshine, hang in there. Don't focus on the circumstances you see on the surface, focus on the growth that can take place spiritually. If you are flying high in the warm sunshine, hear the birds chirping and smell the pretty flowers, enjoy! Thank God for every second and constantly look for ways to bless others. Good or Bad, this too shall pass. The ONLY thing that stays the same, no matter where we are, is God and the unconditional love He has for us.

Senior Pictures!!!!

If you need a good laugh today check this out!!

http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2010/04/hottest-trends-in-senior-portrait.html

Walking vs. Climbing

I signed up for a life insurance policy a few weeks ago and we had to go through the drill of all the health/history questions. Well, as you know, I am not always the brightest crayon in the box! The lady asked if have been mountain climbing in the last 3 years. I said yes. A few weeks went by and they called back wanting to ask me some more questions concerning my "mountain climbing!"

They asked:

When was the last time I went climbing?

How often do you go climbing?

Do I climb alone?

Do I climb on trails or other places?

Where was the last place you climbed?

At what elevation to you normally climb?

Me: Uhhh...I've only been once, on vacation at Red River. We were on trails and I have no idea how high we were???

The lady could obviously tell by my answers that I had no idea what I was talking about.

Lady: Were you "walking" up a mountain or "climbing" it???

Me:(relieved) Walking!!!

Lady: So I'm guessing this was a one time thing and not something you do regularly. I don't think the rest of the questions apply to you. Thanks.

Oops! Apparently I'm not good enough for them to be considered a climber, which IS good for my life insurance, but the whole time I was thinking to myself...

"What part of this isn't climbing a mountain???!!"

walk 5 feet, rest 5 minutes, walk 5 feet, rest 5 minutes, walk 5 feet.....all the while COMPLAINING because you are CERTAIN if Jared makes you go ten more steps you really are going to die (and then he'll need the life insurance policy!!)

I can't decide what's funnier!? The fact that they almost considered me a true mountain "climber." Or, that I told them I was! Oh, and I DID make it to the top!

To the point

Have you ever had those times when you feel like losing patience with people and just flat out telling them how it is. I want to do that quite often but I choose to take a deep breath and try to focus on loving them. Well, I read a lady's blog today who chose to let it out! I have no idea who this lady is, but have been following her blog for a while. If she steps on your toes, at least it's not me this time!! :) I know it made me stop and think, hopefully it will help someone else.

http://momof3darlings.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/soap-box-revisited/

Weekend Highlights

• Had another birthday.
• Got a sweet mirror message from my boys.
• Jared and I spent our first night away from Balen.
• Survived the haunted hotel!
• Balen is trying SOO hard to scoot around and figure out crawling!
• Ate at three different Mexican restaurants.
• OSU beat Kansas!
• Put Balen in the tub with his socks on.

Dave Ramsey- Financial Peace University

If you are alive, this is for you!! Jared and I just finished going through a 13 week speed course of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace class. It was AMAZING! This goal of this class is not only to learn to eliminate debt and save, but it is about a heart and a mind change when it comes to handling what God has entrusted you with. It is not a magic formula that just happens, it takes a lot of hard work and discipline; but it works! "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" Hebrews 12:11.

Dave bases his class on 7 Baby Steps that will help you get out of the mess you have created! Step 1: $1000 in an emergency fund. Step 2: Pay off all debt except the house utilizing the debt snowball. Step 3: 3 to 6 months expenses in savings. Step 4: Invest 15% of your household income into Roth IRA's and pre-tax retirement plans. Step 5: College funding. Step 6: Pay off your home early. Step 7: Build wealth and GIVE! He constantly reminds you to "Live like no one else, so that later you can LIVE like no one else." Learn to delay pleasure now. Make a plan, and stick to it.

We are currently working on our baby steps and have began living on a strict monthly budget using the envelope system. It is so worth all the time we put into it each month. I don't ever have to wonder if I am spending money we don't have or wonder where all of our money went. We have the freedom to decide what we want to spend in each area and we stick to it!

We have enjoyed this class so much that Jared just began teaching the youth version to our High Schoolers on Wednesday nights. He is doing an awesome job and it is a blessing to see him use the gifts God has given him to change peoples lives. I highly recommend this class to anyone and everyone. They have them all over or you can even get people together and start your own.

If you would like more information or have any questions please ask! We are happy to share with you how God is working in our family and finances.

Mom who??

Well...looks like I'm no longer needed around here. Balen is slowly phasing me out! He hasn't mastered any of these things to perfection, but this month has been quite a busy month for him. He is learning to eat, sit up, hold his own bottle, turn pages in his books, put himself to sleep, and he got his first tooth. If a man can do those things why does he need ol' Ma!!

Too bad little man, you can't get rid of me that easy! Who would change your poopy pants, cuddle and play with you, give you 9,000 kisses a day, and remind you how special you are???

Tucker

I love that my family says I Love You.

I love that my family has deep roots.

I love that my family enjoys each other.

I love that my parents are full of integrity.

I love that they never drank or cussed in our home.

I love that they made us go to church.

I love that we talk about things most families don't.

I love that my dad makes me feel like a princess.

I love that my brothers do too.

I love that we have always had "deep family pow-wows" when things need discussed.

I love that if Justin is involved in these talks they can go on for hours!

I love that Josh can make us all laugh.

I love that he can also preach us a good sermon!

I love that we have been through so much together and still stand.

I love that I bought my dad a CD tower one year for Christmas.

I love that he thought it was the dumbest gift he ever received!

I love that my mom can be a little ditsy, and that I can be just like her.

I love that my mom can be so powerful, and hope that I can be just like her.

I love that my family loves music.

I love that my family prays.

I love that my parents never gave up.

I love that we don't yell and scream at each other.

I love that there was no abuse.

I love that we have spent many nights sleeping on hospital floors.

I love that we are all still here.

I love the family I grew up in.

Little Things

Everytime I see a pair of baby shoes on the floor it makes me cry. They always remind me how much I am blessed. I learned at a young age that life if precious. People are here one day and can be gone the next.

Sometimes we get caught up in "living" and don't take time to live.

As Christmas approaches, I can't help to think about all of the mothers who haven't figured it out yet, or maybe they have just forgotten. It's all around us. Nagging, complaining, abuse, and yelling.

As a teacher I have seen firsthand that so many kids never get a chance to know what love is. Even more sad, they never get to experience the Father's unconditional love.

These snapshots of life are the things I love. These are things I would miss if my Little Man was gone one day. They are things I see every single day, but so often take for granted.

Learn to love the little messes in your home, all the imperfections and people's quirks. Your wife yapping on the phone, your husband snoring too loud, your son's stinky socks and muddy shoes, your daughter's toys strung across the house.

Life is precious. Make this Christmas different. Be thankful for who you have. I think about how much I love my son and realize God's love for me is far greater than any love I can ever feel for Balen. That is amazing.

I challenge you to look around your house and become aware of all the little things that represent the people you love. Begin to enjoy and appreciate them while they are there.

Updates

Well, as you know there is a lot of sickness going on right now in our family. Lela is being a little trooper out at the nursing home. We are so thankful the transition has gone smoothly. She will be joined today by Harvey. They are releasing him from the hospital in OKC and he will be brought back to a skilled nursing unit at the same nursing home. He isn't really any better and has very little oxygen getting back to his brain. He is starting to get very confused about things. Today will be a very long trip back for him. Mark, Jared's dad, had a second port inserted into his skull on Friday. Yesterday he went to take his second dose of chemo but his white blood count was too low. They did go ahead and do the other chemo into his brain. They are hoping that today his blood count will be better and he can receive treatment.

Life. Sometimes it's full of things that are just no fun. It's always about transition. Things come and go. We are always going through different phases. I was telling Jared last night that with everything that is going on, even though I get sad, I feel a peace and contentment. This peace that surpasses all understanding only comes from God.

I plead the blood of Jesus over my family members and pray a hedge of protection around each one of them. Getting old is no fun to watch or experience. I pray that we all live the life we are supposed to live and use the blessings God has given us to carry out whatever he has asked us to do. I stand firm and believe in complete healing for Mark. The blood of Jesus is more powerful than any cancer cell will ever be. He will be renewed, healthy, and changed forever in Jesus' name. Our family has been very blessed and has so many things to be thankful for. As the holidays approach, I pray that the joy of the Lord will be our strength! The enemy can come at you from 15 different ways, but he can't steal your joy unless you give it to him. Don't let him distract you and cause you to lose focus. Keep life in perspective. If you're headed where I'm headed, we're all just passing through here anyways. Each day we are left here means there is something more He wants us to accomplish. I pray that we all figure out what these things are and learn to view life from His point of view.