Lesson Learned...by me :)

If you are gonna take the time to fold the clothes, just make sure you don't leave the basket of folded clothes in the boys room unattended! This is what may happen. Oops!

cRaZy 8!

Today marks eight years of wedded bliss for Elliot and I! Over the past few days, I just look at him, or boys, our life, and think, "wow! I never would have put it together like this....I could never have made it this good!" We may not posses all the things that the world thinks bring happiness, but we do have the most important thing....PEACE. Peace in knowing that we are right where the Lord wants us. We will thank him daily for the gifts of health, two delightful boys, a little cabin in the woods that just welcomes serenity, and an unending peace from resting in His hands. I am so glad that I serve a Savior who has since the beginning of time, had a plan in store for me! Little ol' me! Jeremiah 29:11 rings so loudly in my heart as I rejoice at the plans he has laid out so far. I can't imagine how the future could get any better, but I trust that no matter what it holds, it will be sweet! Thank you Elliot for being a man after God's own heart and loving me and our boys so much! I pray we seek Him to make our home a place where truth is clear, love overflows, and peace always abounds. Happy Anniversary!

Reunions

Well, the process of grieving for my Mamaw is certainly ongoing. Each day, I think of a memory of her or try to fathom what she may be doing right now. I can't begin to express the amount of time I have spent looking at my own life. One question keeps coming to my mind. "Am I making her proud?" I so desire to pass on the things she taught me, knowing that is what she would want. I found her Bible the other day while we were at her house. I remember that same Bible from going to church with her and Papaw as a small child. Almost every word is underlined or highlighted! One thing is for sure....she was a student of the Word. I want to emulate her in that. I want to know His Word, and I want it to transform my life daily. She did not just read it...she lived it. Many think there is more than "one way" or "one truth." Not so. Christ alone is the way, the truth and the life. She knew that. She believed it. She proclaimed it to all she came in contact with. She did not just speak it....her faith was not just words to her. She did not pick and choose what to believe and what to follow. She surrendered wholly to Him. Her life was not her own. It was His. She was His mouthpiece with which to spread the good new of the Gospel. Was she perfect. No. But she is now! :) AMEN!

So, one reunion has taken place, for sure. Mamaw has seen her Savior face to face. WOW! I get chill bumps just thinking of it. There are not really words. I know she anticipated meeting him while she was here on earth. I know she could not wait to see his face and express her, well, honestly, I don't know what you would be expressing....probably the awe of seeing Him would be so great, no words would be needed. My heart can only believe that they have had a time of reuniting and hugs, and that she has had a joyous reunion with her siblings, parents and other loved ones that she has missed for so long. Ahh, the joy she must be experiencing, and the bliss that must be hers. I miss her....tears come....

I don't think she is sad for us. How can she be? She is dancing, singing, running. There is no illness to slow her down, no pain to cause a grimace on her face. And, I bet she is eating all the most magnificent foods. Not even giving a thought to carbs, sugar or insulin shots! She is in a most glorified body....a perfect body! I think if she could communicate one thing to us it would be this......"HURRY UP! Get up here and enjoy this glorious place with me. His presence is amazing....you have to get here!" I believe the other thought she would share would be this: "Don't spend another minute living life for yourself. Surrender. Give Him your heart, your life...TODAY! There is too much to miss out on not to. Besides, I want you here with me forever."

The first true realization that came to me after Mamaw died was this: I have never longed for Heaven....until now. I have never really lost anyone close to me. Mamaw is the first grandparent that has died. I remember on the way to Denver for her funeral, I remember looking up at the sky on I-40. Tears streamed down my face as I looked up into the blue sky. The sky, and the heavens, took on a whole new meaning. There was someone in Heaven now that I knew and loved. I've always longed to see my Savior there, but now, Mamaw was there. Now there was suddenly a longing for Heaven that had not been there before.

Now, I simply keep running the race set before me. He is the author and finisher of my faith, just as for Mamaw. I will run the race before me with excellence and purpose. Living out HIS purpose for me. I will pass on the truth to my boys that she passed to me. I will tell them every story I can recall about their Mamaw. I pray they receive the same truth she and I did. She finished her race. Now she is just waiting at the finish line....for me! And for all of her family that has surrendered their lives to Christ. My prayer is that all those she loves will be at that reunion at the finish line! You know, nothing made her happier than when ALL of her her family was together! Until we are all together again...

Ilene Virginia Rinehart Somers...better known as "Mamaw" May 25th, 1931 - March 3rd, 2010

March 3rd, my sweet Mamaw went to Heaven to spend eternity with her Father! I am jealous! I miss her already and will constantly be reminded of the impact she made on my life. My comfort and assurance comes from knowing that her decision to follow Christ on this earth, set in place her eternity in Heaven. My decison to follow Christ, set my eternity as well, which means only one thing......I WILL hug her again! I WILL hear her say my name. I WILL hold her hand. "To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord."....but only if you have ask Christ to be Lord of your life, and surrender to him, knowing He is your best at heart, and in store! Thank you Mamaw for showing me that truth! Until we see each other again....

If you find my brain, please return it.

So, well, it has been an interesting 24 hours that just served as more confirmation that I am losing it! All day yesterday, I was contemplating the haircut i would get today. Would I go shorter? Edgier? Etc...I also talked with a client about dropping off her Mary Kay products to her at 1130 today at CVS. Well, last night about 8:30, the panic button went off. I realized a few things all at one time.

1 - I had a haircut (that i had talked about all day, but apparently forgotten

2 - I had scheduled a delivery at the exact same time as my hair appt.

3 - I had not even remembered to get child care in place for the boys while at my appt.

So, I called my friend Melissa in a panic, and asked if she could watch the boys for an hour. Already planning when I need to leave, what to pack them for lunch, etc. I also emailed my client and let her know of my mix-up and that we would have to plan another delivery time. Then I headed to bed, all plans in tact.

The the morning came. The girl who keeps my boys 3 days a week called and said that her kids were puking and she was not feeling good. (so, how does this affect me?) -- Well, she kept my boys all day yesterday, and they were in the nursery last night with my boys at church) So, as any good mom would do (lol!) I decided to cancel my hair appt, b/c I knew I could not take my boys to Melissa's if they were infected. For they would be sure to affect the other 4 children at Melissa's house. So, right before I called Melissa, I decided I would look at my calendar to see when I might could reschedule my hair appt. Well, there on my handy-dandy calendar, on Feb 18th, was only one thing written. And it was NOT my hair appt. My hair appt was clearly written down for 11:30 NEXT Thursday, February 25th! ACCCCCCKKKKK! Should I institutionalize myself today or wait till tomorrow!

Again, AMBER ALERT is out for my brain, so if you find it, please contact me! Thanks!

ps. I have been here with the boys all day, and so far we are puke-free! PTL! :)

The randomness of my mind....

So, seems my mind has been overwhelmed in so many ways lately. The "norm" has totally not arrived yet this year. January and February have held their share of chaos...mainly in the form of weather! I never thought I would be so ready for spring. I love snow, but, I guess I prefer small doses. I realized yesterday, that since we moved (halloween day) - there has been snow on the ground more than not! Seems that snow IS our new "norm". Still deciding how I feel about that! So, in my overwhelmed head, there have been many random thoughts....thought I would share some...(some are stolen, but worth repeating!)

1. I realized this week that I do not own a sweatshirt.

2. What can I invent that will make feeding time with Sawyer less stressful. He is such a disaster. He refuses to let me feed him, yet he demands to eat with a spoon/fork. Then when he is done, he starts mashing his food b/w his hands and slinging it across the house.

3. Very few people have legitimate sob stories. Most bring their misery upon themselves.

4. I am somewhat hard-hearted and need to extend more grace (Help me Lord, please)

5. If you are busy about the right business, then you feel energized and motivated to continue and do your best in other areas as well!

6. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

7. There are many babies about to be born to my friends/family over the next months. What have I realized, you ask...that I am not ready for another one quite yet. (refer to #2)

8. The first thing I am going to do this spring is clean my car out! (if i am not buried alive it it first!)

9. I love Mary Kay mineral powder foundation!

10. Having only 1 kid in diapers is more of a blessing than I ever imagined.

11. It really is hard to get "enough" vegetables into a toddler....(any ideas?)

12. Hearing Wesley say the blessing before dinner is the sweetest sound ever!

13. When Sawyer nestles his face in my neck and cuddles with me, all is well in the world!

14. Being obedient to my Creator is the greatest act I can commit each day.

15. "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads to poverty."

16. Elliot is truly a wonderful daddy and husband and I could not do this life without him!

17. Chocolate Riesens are a god-send!

18. 4-wheel drive is a good thing!

19. Some people do really stupid stuff.

20. Why are there black ants all over my house.

So, there you have it! Just a sample of my brain...scary huh! Looking forward to celebrating with Erin, Heather, Jennifer, Lisa, Dana, Brooke, Robin and Kelly! So many blessings all around! I think I will just use these thoughts as reminders that there are so many blessings in my life. A wonderful Lord and Savior from whom all good things are given. A never-ending amount of self-improvement to talk hold of. A husband and two boys who totally have my heart! The black ants and the flying food will only cause a little frustration to the abundance of joy that oozes from my life each and every day!

January 2010

Well, there is no need to start off a new year in a slow and boring manner...that would be no fun at all! So, we decided to start it full force...seems that is the norm these days. It has been a wonderful month with one MAJOR accomplishment! Wesley is officially potty trained! We began the process approx January 3rd, and by golly, I think he's got it! YIPPPEEEEE! He made it so easy for us. He is a big boy now with Thomas, and Cars underwear, and the world is good! We also dealt with our first bout of two boys being sick together. Nothing like a little "hand-foot-mouth disease" to slow you down a bit. But they are fine now, and so are we, after the cabin fever wore off! I did find out this month that my sweet grandmother has decided to let go of the medical treatment that is keeping her here, and go on to be with her heavenly father! It is such a bittersweet time, as we get ready to say goodbye. We are headed to Denver next weekend to have an all out PARTY to celebrate her! Complete with streamers, balloons, cupcakes, handmade valentine cards, and lots of laughter, walks down memory lane, and picture taking! I look forward to this time, but do ask for your prayers for our family! Snow Snow Snow.....well, let's just say, it is fun to see it come, and GREAT to see it go. I think I am pretty ready for spring! FOR SURE! Our kitchen is re-done (almost complete) - it looks so great! My husband is such a hard worker, and so diligent! I love him so! I love living with a handy man! It's the best! I am working hard at the church and also diving back into my pink world of Mary Kay! Shooting for 30 faces in february! If you would like to be a face for me, let me know! I would be honored to pamper you and very appreciative of your opinion of our products! They are the best! :) Until next time, enjoy the captured moments!

Me and my monkeys!

Finally got the trains hung in the boys room. (lisa, you will appreciate this - I've only had them for a year now!)

Brotherly love? Not sure - I call this my barcode-head-man, and my one-tooth-wonder! :)

My three loves!

My little pirate at Ella's princess/pirate birthday party. hilarious!

The infamous cabinets! They look awesome. We have the door pulls on now...you will just have to imagine them!

January 30th snowfall, view from our front porch. So peaceful!

The Wes-man!

Speechless!