TRUST in God!

     Have you ever received a note or email, that spoke more then words? It speaks directly to your heart and soul. My Nana has always been a good listener to God's words, and will always follow his direction. Well I know the Lord knows that I don't always listen as well, and speaks to me though her more then I probably know. He sure did this morning, when she forwarded the message from her daily devotion. It was just what I needed to hear! As the people closest to me could probably tell, I've been extremely stressed lately. I have been working my tail off to try to be the best mom, wife, child, and employee I can be. It has been increasingly exhausting constantly carrying all the worry and planning I felt like it took to be "prefect". 

    I know to trust in The Lord for he knows the plan, but never had I realized that his plan is so detailed he has each day, each second planned! Not only do I not need to worry how we will pay bills each month, but also not fret over getting somewhere safe, and making everyone else happy along the way. I know in my heart that he will provide for needs. We will not grow hungry and cold. He knew our needs before we were born, and will continue to watch over a protect us.
When times are hard I will remind Taylor that LOVE is really all we need in life, the rest will follow. Although at times I said it with doubt in my heart, I at least knew we would survive if we had each other. We may not have our dream car, house, job, or life. But what we do have is the most loving family and friends 2 people could have, and 1 amazing child who brings more joy and happiness to our lives then we could have imagined! And of course God's love and trust!

The following is the message I received. I hope that it can touch someone else the way it has me.

I am your Strength and Shield. I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
—Psalm 28:7

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
—Matthew 6:34

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
—Psalm 56:3–4

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
—Genesis 28:15

From Jesus Calling iPhone App- http://bit.ly/eF5kSq

Life is Good!

    Don't you just love it when someone says that? It makes me feel all warm inside and that if only for a second the world is right! In the new year, I have been stressing about family, time, work, organization, money, and trying to figure it all out. Well, I know now I can't do it all, everything except for family and work will just have to take a back seat and wait. I can't stress over it all, even though I will try too...I have to let some things go. Or at least try to let stuff go, and may even try to say no to some things. 
     In my attempt to organize my life I have realized I do need to "plan for the next day", but not to the extent I am extremely predicable. Yes I need to know what we are fixing for dinner the day before or even the day of, but I don't need to know a week in advance. I need to tell myself that cleaning and laundry can wait until after Hunter goes to bed. (I try to cram it in right when I get home, and hes crying in the other room while I feel the need to laundry!) No more will I tell him to wait, I will ask myself... Can I wait? I am going to try to limit my DIY list to 1 a month, and focus on just one hobby OK maybe two. I am getting to much on my plate... and I need to put some back. 
     After I had this realization and God gave me the peace to know it's OK if my house is dirty, for Hunter to go without a veggie at dinner, and for our entire living room to look like a giant toy box. What matters is that we love each other and we enjoy what we have in life (and possibly get a little sleep along the way).
    So compared to others my life might look like a big hot mess, but to me its good! Its what God has given us, and I will take it any day over someone else's!

After all how can life not be good when you have this little boy in it???

Learning to Clap.... Everyone misses at some point

Organization!!

      One of my goals for the New Year is to get my life a little more organized! I feel like I am being pulled in a million different directions, and I can't even remember what I need to do next. This past summer when Taylor was gone Hunter and I had a routine. Each night I would complete a different chore/project, Hunter would go to bed by 7 and I had a few hours to myself. Now I meet myself at the door coming and going, stress over whats for dinner, and can't even walk though our room without tripping over cloths and shoes. Maybe it was the holidays, maybe its having an extra human in the house... I don't know, but I do know I need to get it together!
     Those that know me, know I deal with stress by over planning, making list, and contemplating things for hours. Its how I prepare my brain for an important event. I try to think about all the things that might come up or go wrong and prepare for the worse. Well I am going to start planning for each day now. Maybe not to the extent of an important life event, but I have to do something. If for nothing but my sanity that I am about to loose. 

My first tasks are to:
1. Put away laundry right after in comes out of the dryer (folded and all)!
2. Clean my closet so I can walk in it again. 
3. Make a grocery list and stick to it
4. Make a list of dishes we have the ingredients for (like a Menu). 
5. Know what Taylor or myself is going to make for dinner the day before we make it. 
6.Start and finish miscellaneous craft project that I want to do (such as Hunter's quiet book that I was going to give him for Christmas)
6a. Create a calendar/board for the house with grocery list and place for bills to be paid (no more piles on the island)
7. Keep my house and my desk at work picked up! 

*This list may seem long, but if finished it will keep my daily post its and stressing over this stuff at a minimum.

This explains how I feel daily

Wish me Luck!

Finally Enough Snow to go Sledding

     Hunters 1st time sledding. Over New Year's Eve we got about 5" of SNOW! I couldn't wait to see if Hunter liked the snow as much as Taylor and I do....and he did! Yes it was only about 20 degrees out, but after a few minuets he was all smiles. Anyone have tips on how to keep a little ones gloves on? He didn't care that his hands were frozen (he just kept clapping). We are headed to the mountains in February, and now I know he will just love it! I can't remember the last time I enjoyed "sledding" like this. We ended up just pulling H around the field, while the big kids took turns getting pulled on the car hood behind the Gator.

    Also on this day we celebrated Christmas with The Young's (my mom's family). Her brothers and most of their families were able to make the drive from Georgia and Texas. Also her younger brother and older sister whom lives close came. It was such a warm feeling having everyone under one roof visiting and loving on the babies!

2012

What a year!! We went from having a newborn to a toddler and enjoyed lots of love and laughter throughout the entire year.

January, I went back to work after 15 weeks off before and after Hunter. 

February, Hunter started daycare with Miss Jenn, with whom he loves and learns so much. I also turned 25, which was a little scary to me but Taylor made it special by taking me shopping in STL. Oh yeah and T spent a week in the hospital with a STAPH infection.  

March we celebrated both our parents 30th Anniversary's and my moms 50th birthday.

April, I threw a surprise 25th birthday party for Taylor, started my job with the Residency Program, had Hunter's 1st ER visit for croup, and Taylor shot his 1st Turkey.

 

May, Taylor started back with CCG,  Walked in the March of Dimes walk, and we went camping with Hunter and went swimming in the lake for the first time. 

 

June, Hunter started his journey of multiple ear infections, and really hating the car. My Best Friend , Corinne got married. Mom, Bev, Hunter, and I took a road trip to Texas to see family, aside from driving the trip was a blast.   

                      

I guess I didn't get a picture of the Bride:(

 

 July, was a busy month! I got back to my pre Hunter weight, Hunter said he's first word "dada", took first plane trip to Florida, and played on the beach for a week. 

 



August, Hunter started to army crawl, while still fighting ear infections.Taylor and I went on a float trip with all of our friends and my parents. We welcomed a new cousin Jack Henry.

September, Hunter got tubes put in his ears and felt so much better. Said momma and started using sign language. All summer Taylor was usually gone 5-6 days a week, so Hunter and I had lots of quality time swimming, eating, sleeping, and snuggling. 

 October, Taylor and I celebrated our 2 year Anniversary by going to CMU homecoming festivities.

 

Terrible picture, but its all I have

November, Hunter turned 1 with a farm themed birthday party. And enjoyed his first Thanksgiving dinner.

 



December, Hunter developed into more of a toddler, by pulling up on everything and crawling!!! He has such a fun personality, and has really started to show it! 

  What a great year it been! Yes we had our downs but those are what really makes a family... Right? We have fun and love each other unconditionally, and wouldn't want to spend any year any other way. I can't wait to see what 2013 will bring us and what God has in store!

We wish you and yours health and happiness in the New Year!

Merry Christmas

      I know it's a few days late...but our Christmas was officially over yesterday in our house. What a wonderful season it has been! Having a toddler puts a whole new perspective on Christmas bustle. So fun to watch him with aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. Hunter is such a love bug and so funny! He loves to make people laugh and watch other kids play. We also learned a few things about the importance of going to bed at a good time during the holidays... We learned that one the hard way. We stayed up way to late Christmas Eve, and fought a sleepy baby Christmas Day! We survived and have never felt so blessed to have wonderful family and friends to share the season with. Most of our family live close so we are able to see everyone and enjoy visiting and of course good food. 

Christmas Morning...

SO BLESSED!