Looking forward to 2016...

Over the holidays, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on this year and looking forward to next year.  On one hand, 2015 has been a year of heartache and sadness and on the other hand, it has been one of great joy.  I have watched my kids grow into amazing adults, spread their wings, and chase their dreams. I have watched them prepare for the next chapter in their lives, and I have watched them struggle to make decisions and find their way.  This has been a year full of not understanding why things happens, learning from mistakes, and realizing that sometimes tough love is needed. 

The most life changing event happened on September 17 when we had a suicide attempt take place in our home.  The night and days following are some I will never forget. I have constantly looked back over the last several months and tried to figure out what I missed.  How could I not see what she was thinking, feeling, and planning.  I know that I could have never prevented what happened, but... there will always be the what if questions.  As I relive many of these events over and over in my head, I know I cannot live in the past.  I know I cannot change the events of that night, and I am extremely thankful for the phone call and the door bell ringing that night.  The phone call and door bell ringing, saved someone's life.  As difficult as those days were, I can truly look back and see where God's hand was in all of the craziness. 

Isaiah 43:18 says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."  A new year brings new opportunities and new adventures. We all need to remember that God has a plan for our life, and those plans are not in the past - they are in the future.  So often, we tend to pray but forget to wait for the answer. Or... we get the answer and do not like it, so we try to live without God's will being followed.  We do not need to dwell on the past, but look forward.  More importantly  as I move into 2016, I  need to remember the end prize, and that is eternal life with God our Savior. I should be striving daily to live my life in a way that brings glory to Him. 

So, as 2016 approaches hug your loved ones, tell them you love them, live life to the fullest,  and LIVE every single day! Try to be a better mother, daughter,sister,  brother or whatever you may be. Forgive quickly and laugh often! And more than anything... find happiness within you!  

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13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. ~ Philippians 3: 13-14 (NLT) 

'Tis the Season

It seems like every year Christmas comes quicker and quicker - the days and months go by so much faster it seems. I'm not sure why it seems to happen, but I find myself wishing that time would really slow down. All throughout the year, and especially as the holidays approach - we are all busy!  So busy in fact, that we forget to slow down and enjoy the little things in life.  We forget to spend time with and appreciate our families.  We forget to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. We don't mean to... it just happens. We all get so wrapped up in trying to make a living  that sometimes we forget to live our life.

 There are so many things that I love about the holiday season, but family traditions are my favorite. For anyone who knows me... they know that I am BIG on traditions. I LOVE tradition.  I love making the same pies every year, I love making Christmas cookies with my sweet daughter and nieces, I love going to Starbucks and having a sing-a-long on the way to look at Christmas lights,  the Christmas parade, dinner at my parents, and one of my all time favorite... the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church where we remember the reason for the season. 

There are so many things about this season that I love! This year, I would encourage everyone to slow down, and spend time with your loved ones, hug them tight, and tell them you love them - every minute counts!  Live in the moment, and enjoy every minute! Most importantly... remember the reason for the season, and be sure to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!

A time to give thanks...

The holiday season is upon us!  Thanksgiving will be here in less than a week, Christmas will be here in about a month - and i'm sitting here wondering where the time has gone, and how the year has flown by. This has been a crazy year with lots of adventures, craziness, love, and laughter - and, honestly... I wouldn't change a thing! There are so many things and people in my life that I am thankful for.  So... here are just a  few:

• I am thankful for a BIG God who is always there and whose love is unfailing.  
• I am thankful for my three amazing kids, who I cannot imagine doing life without.  
• I am thankful for my parents, and being raised in a loving Christian home.
• I am thankful for my crazy nieces and nephews  who I love like they are my own. 
• I am thankful for my brother and sister (and their spouses), and their unconditional love (even when they don't agree). 
• I am thankful that I have amazing friends, who make my life full of laughter (even more thankful that they are low maintenance). 
• I am thankful that I have a job that I love, and am able to take pride in the organization I work for.

I know that I am truly blessed!  We really should tell our loved ones each day that we appreciate and are thankful for them, but somehow - life gets in the way, and we get busy. So.. this holiday season, be sure to share your blessings, give an unsuspecting soul a big 'ole hug, show random acts of kindness - you never know when you are making a huge difference in someone's life! 

Things I have learned...

My life has been pretty crazy in the past six weeks, but I have been reminded of some pretty valuable lessons. So... I thought I would share a few.

We have a BIG God! Although, I have always had a relationship with God - it is a great place to be when you can look at all the craziness and tragedies that happen, and see God's hand protecting you and your loved ones every step of the way.

​Always appreciate your friends and family! Yes.. we always love our friends and family -but, how often do we stop to tell them that we appreciate them? I can tell you - not near enough. In the past six weeks, I can honestly say my friends and family have been my rock. They are the ones who shower you with prayer when you don't have the strength to pray, the ones who show up with food unannounced - because they know you won't eat otherwise. The ones who call you just to say they love you. APPRECIATE them and tell them you love them every day!

If you love someone - tell them! How many times in life do we neglect telling our loved ones just how much we love them? All too often! We tend to forget that sometimes, we just need to hear it. We need someone to reassure us that we are loved and valued. Don't let another day pass without telling your loved ones you love them - you never know if that will be the last opportunity you may have.

No matter how old your kids get - you will always worry! Regardless, if your kids are grown or not, whether they live at home or not, whether they are 44 or 22 - as a parent, you will always worry! This is not going to change, so we all need to remember being a parent does not stop when your children turn 18. It is something that remains with you forever. And... they will ALWAYS be your babies.
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When you pray and ask God for something, be prepared to run through the door He opens for you! All too often, we pray for things and we wait for an answer. But, when we get the answer - we do not act, because it may not have been the answer we wanted. It is not our job to question God, it is our job to follow His direction.

​Be thankful! Be thankful for everything you have been given in life. A loving family, children... even the little things like a roof over your head and food on the table. Be thankful for those who love you as family, even when there is no blood relation. Be thankful for siblings, who love you unconditionally - they are the only ones who know everything you have been through in life. Be thankful for those people who can give you a big bear hug, and you know everything is going to be all right. Be thankful for nieces and nephews who bring joy to your life! Honestly... be thankful for all things!

​Take a look around and be truly thankful for everything God has blessed you with. Be sure to hug your parents, your kids, your loved ones - tell them you love them and don't take them for granted.

Life lessons through sports...

Sportsmanship... such a simple word, with a simple meaning, but - so hard to achieve at times.  Since my oldest son (who is now 22) was 4 years old, sports have been a vital part of our family.  I have watched all three of my kids grow up in a ball park where so many amazing memories were made, and some awesome friends were met. Over the last 8 years, I have spent countless hours watching high school sports  (football, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and golf) with a child (or a niece/nephew) on the field.  I have volunteered on the Quarterback Club, in concession stands, auctions, and various other functions investing time and money into programs for our local high school.  As parents, we teach and encourage our kids to be good sports from an early age - but, how many times do we really examine the way we act in the stands. 

Let's face it, the majority of our kids are not going to be professional athletes, but.. we can all take away some valuable life lessons from the field. 

1. Always have integrity.  One of the first thing a child learns playing sports is you must play by the rules. Even when there is an opportunity to break the rules and get ahead - you must follow them and play with integrity. 
2. Always have respect.  Not only does an athlete have to respect the officials/referees, they must respect their coaches, parents, teammates and yes... even the players and coaches on the opposing team. 
3. Always show good sportsmanship.  Being a good sport is more than just being nice to your teammates on the field.  It is about lifting your teammates up, encouraging them, praising them. It means being a good sport on and off the field.  It means treating the opposing team the same way you treat your own. 
4. Always exhibit self-control.   Be positive, level-headed,  and show self control at all times.  Don't be that one guys who throws their helmet or bat across the field.  Don't be that crazy parent in the stands screaming hurtful things at other kids. 
5. Always be supportive.  Be supportive of your coaches - let them coach.  As a parent, it is hard not to coach from the sidelines - but they are the coach for a reason.  If parents are supportive of the coaches, the kids will be also. 

As I have sat in the stands over the past two months at various high school sporting events, I am reminded that we can all learn from the above lessons.  We can all come together and be support each other, regardless of the school you attend.  Parents can show support for their team, without yelling, screaming, and being hurtful and mean towards the opposing team.  Maybe as parents... we should take a step back and look at our athletes that do set the example. 

Two weeks ago on a Friday night at a local high school football game this happened:  two teams, one town, one injured player being taken off the field by ambulance, BOTH teams come together on the 20 yard line and pray! That my friends is what sportsmanship is all about! 

Days you remember...

There are always those days that you will never forget - the dates that are forever etched in your mind for one reason or another. Those dates are typically when one of two things happened... something good or something bad. Not only do you typically remember the date these things happened, but you remember the other details... what you were wearing, what you were doing, what time it was. These are the days that memories are made. Good or bad...they are the days you will always remember. 

In my life - I have multiple dates that are significant in my life, so I thought I would just share a few. The first date I remember was in the 9th grade when the spaceship Challenger exploded after lift off.  That same year, my granddaddy passed away. Then fast forward and there are the days my children were born  - to this day, they are still my greatest accomplishment. Then there is 9/11... I remember vividly standing in my bedroom, holding my daughter and watching The Today Show.  Then you have the proud moments... when your children are baptized or when the graduate from high school - the highlight moments of your life.  Then there are the dates that you have great memories... the day you fall in love, and realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with that one person.   And then...  the dates where the hurt was almost more than you could stand.

On September 17, 2015 - we added another date in our family.  Although, I will not go into details at this time... it was a day that forever changed the way I look at life. I have seen life from a whole other perspective in the last ten days.  I have seen the hurt that unforgiven wounds can cause.  I have seen the hurt that words can cause when not said with love. I have a new appreciation for true friendships and the love that is there.  I have a new appreciation for friends who turn into family, that are willing to be there regardless of the hour.  The friends who just show up, because they love you and want you to know they support you.  The friends who show up at 11:00pm, just to make sure you get home safe.  At much sorrow and hurt, as we have had in the last ten days - I can look at this time and see God's hand in the situation, even at the worst of times.  

This week, as we move on to the next chapter of in our lives...I would encourage everyone to mend those broken fences, to tell your loved ones you love them AND show them every day. Don't ever leave anyone with hateful word, because you never know if that is the last thing you may have said to them.  If you are going to love... LOVE BIG!  Love with everything you have in you!  Give that grumpy person a hug, mend a friendship (or at least try to) - you never know what will happen.  Maybe... just maybe - you will have a new day to remember where happy memories were made.  

A few changes and fears in life...

There are some things in life that always stay the same, some things in life that seem to always change, and some things in life that you are simply scared of changing.  Then, there are those things that you wish would change. The problem with change, is not so much the change - it's the fear of the unknown because of the changes that will happen (did that even make sense?). Everything in life changes.  Your job can change, your relationship status can change, your friends can change. Family traditions can change (not if I can help it), and the church you attend may change.  It's funny how the changes that you  were scared of the most, are sometimes the ones that phase you the least or are the ones that  needed to happen more than the others. I hate change - heck, I don't even like the menu for Christmas dinner to change, but it seems there is a lot of change happening. Joshua 1:9 tells us, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  

Over the course of the past 12 months, my family has had lots of changes. J has moved to Colorado and is loving it. Although, I miss him like crazy - I am so proud of him for living out his dream and being true to himself.  I have had one 20 something move out and another 20 something move in.  I faced my biggest relationship fear last week, walked away like a champ, and knew I was exactly where I needed to be.  

One of my biggest fears in the last year, has been looking for a new church home.  I have grown up in my church, and while I love it and what it has given me and my kids - it was no longer the place I needed to be.  I have prayed and prayed over this decision and have asked God to lead us to where we needed to be.  Last Sunday,  K and I sat down in a church and as soon as the service started - I knew I was EXACTLY where I needed to be.  

We need to remember change is not always bad - sometimes it is good.  Sometimes, we may need to remember that our life may not end up the way we thought it would, but we need to pray and ask God to have us exactly where we are meant to be according to His plan.