Nothing Exciting

I follow several blogs atleast daily (more like several times a day) and I am so inspired. I think WOW they are such good bloggers and they have so much more interesting lives to share. I guess that is why I don't blog more often, I don't feel like I have anything exciting or earth shattering to share. No words of wisdom or great inspirational examples of this Christian woman I call myself. But I figured since it has been almost a month I should share something.

Halloween brought fun for my kids .... Madison was Madeline because her costume that she wanted never came (thanks to the Freiberg's letting us borrow the costume), Tanner was a part of the SWAT team and Jayden was Squirt (turtle) from Finding Nemo. I will try and post some pictures. On Halloween, we (with my Mom) traveled to my sisters house. She lives near DC. We got to Trick-or-Treat with my two favorite nieces. I love them and wish I could see more of them. On Saturday, we went to DC and did lots of walking. Madison really loved seeing all the "sites." She was very excited and came home and made a scrapbook. She is such a good writer and artist. She amazes me. Those are not talents she got from me!

So, now the month of November is on us and I am spending time thinking of all the things I am thankful for. Without a doubt I am thankful Jesus died on a cross for me! Although, I struggle daily to walk in His ways I am proud to call myself His follower. My prayer is that when others see me they get a glimpse of Him. So this month, I will focus on my example. At church, we have been doing a study on sharing the gospel. This is hard for me but I know it is what I am called to. Secondly, I am thankful for a husband and three children who forgive me for ALL my shortcomings (and they are many). I love them with all my heart and can't imagine life without them. Okay, so enough of that. Let me see if I can post some pics of the kids!

Blessed Be Your Name

There is a song by Matt Redman entitled Blessed Be Your Name. It talks about no matter what life's circumstances are God is good and He is Blessed. It is a song that I have always liked on the radio and sang hundreds of times at church. I never spent a whole lot of time thinking about it - I just sang it over and over. There is a verse that says: You give and take away, You give and take away, My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name. Two years ago today, this verse came to life for me. It totally describes my Mom. You see 32 years ago today God gave my Mom the gift of life (Me) and 2 years ago today, God called home another life (my sister), and still today my Mom would tell you Blessed be the name of the Lord.

I wish I could tell you without a doubt if God chose to take one of my children any day (much less on the birthday of one of them) that I could write Blessed Be Your Name. The truth of the matter is that God is Awesome despite the circumstance. It's just easier to say that during the good and blame during the bad. I know He knows the bigger picture - that's just hard for my finite mind to understand. So, in following my Mom's example, I will say Blessed Be Your Name!

Stef - I miss you and I love you. I wish I could tell you one more time. I wish my phone would again ring at 2am because you were bored and couldn't sleep; I wish one more time you would beg me for Madison to come over; I wish you could see Jayden and what a joy he has brought to our lives. I know where you are and that I shouldn't wish you back but some days I honestly do!

A Weekend to Remember

My mother in law graciously sent Stephen and I to Family Life's A Weekend To Remember. I can honestly say it was just that! If you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it. I feel like our marriage is better than ever and I am learning what a blessing and gift Stephen is in my life! Thank you to Stephen's Mom seems to little but from the bottom of my heart it is how I feel.

The kids are doing great! Madison had soccer practice today. She seems to really love it and she has quite a good team. Her coach is wonderful. Tanner is loving school and growing bigger every day! He has the sweetest disposition and most of the time is very good mannered. I can remember when he was younger how WILD that boy was. Words can't describe how crazy he was. When I found out I was pregnant with Jayden and I didn't know how in the world we were going to survive. I could barely keep up with Tanner there was no way I could keep up with another little boy. But Tanner has calmed down so much and really turned into such a sweet, sweet child.

Good Week ....

Well we have had a good week. Busy but good.

I am reading Karen Kingsbury's newest and last book from the Sunrise Series. It is really good. Wow - I wish I could be a part of the Baxter family! It is so very amazing and it inspires me.

I am excited about the new movie Fireproof. I hear it is awesome - if you get a chance go see it and let me know what you think. I think Stephen and I are going next week. His Mom is so sweet - she is sending us to a "Weekend to Remember" and keeping our kids. How awesome is that! Thanks Mom!

Tanner had a fall at church on Wednesday. His nose is all banged up.

SO.... I thought since it was Friday I would try to come up with something profound that happened this week. I guess this week would have to be that God has given me some really good friends. One of my close friends lives away from me and while I miss her deeply, I am thankful that God has given me some friends who live so close!

It's Monday.....

Well, I hope everyone went and researched Carol Kent - if you did tell me what you think?????

Jayden had his 15 month appointment today. He is 26lbs, 33 1/4 inches (I think) and his head is uhhhh big! He was in the 75% for height and weight and greater than 90% in head. I have a bad memory but that is about right. He had two shots and got put back on his steroids for his asthma. Guess I made a bad decision taking him off. His doctor said the next step is to take away the pacifier. Urgghhh....any suggestions?? Does it really matter if he goes to college with it? I mean he is cute with it :)

Madison has a bad cough. Poor girl. She is doing great in school. She had soccer practice tonight but had to miss because I had a PTA meeting at her school. She did score two goals at her first game last Saturday. She is a pretty good soccer player if a mom is allowed to brag!

Tanner is awesome. He is just a cute kid. What else can you say?? My favorite is when he says, Mommy and I say yes, Tanner and then he says I Wuv you! Oh melt a Momma's heart and put it on a platter.

An Exciting Weekend

I had some Mommy time this weekend with two of my best girl friends. I went to the Extraordinary Women's Conference in Lynchburg, VA. It was awesome to put it mildly. I set out going because Karen Kingsbury was one of the speakers and I LOVE HER BOOKS!!! I can read one book in a day. I strongly recommend her Redemption Series. You will fall in love. To my surprise all of the speakers were great.

Friday night started out with Chonda Pierce. She is a comedian and she was hilarious. What is great about her is she was able to use some of her life experiences, humor and love for God all in one presentation! On Saturday, Angela Thomas, Carol Kent, Karen Kingsbury and Thelma Wells spoke. Mandisa performed and she was phenomenal! I especially loved her American Idol story of how she forgave Simon form completely humiliating her about her weight. What a testimony of the power of forgiveness.

Carol Kent by far was my favorite. I had never even heard of her before going. In fact, I had gotten up to go get lunch when she started to speak but her testimony brought me back to my seat where I stayed unmoved for the entire time. She talks about her new "Normal." If you ever get the chance to hear her speak I would strongly recommend it. I would drive hours to hear her for 10 minutes - honestly!! I will share more tomorrow but for now it's time to hit the hay!

Blessed beyond measure and better than I deserve,
Heather

Seven Years Later and it still makes me cry

As I was coming home from taking Tanner to preschool, I was listening on the radio about it being 7 years since 9/11. To me that was just an amazing - that seven years later I can still remember EXACTLY what I was doing. Down to the details of what the sky looked like what it felt like to sit in a chair holding my first baby and not knowing if we would ever live to see her first birthday. I can remember the fear I felt, and how I never thought life would be the same. It is amazing how much life has gotten back to "normal." I guess that is good but I have spent this day trying to focus on all of those lives lost. I heard a startling fact that over 100 babies were born after their fathers lost their lives on that day. Wow 100 babies who never got the chance to meet their Dads (atleast on this side of heaven) and I am sure many more who were too young to remember.

Driving home I started remembering all the "things" life was like back then and while I would never want to go back to that day - there are so many things that have changed since then that I wish I could go back. First being, Madison was just a baby. I miss those days so much. Her and I were at Gymboree play and music when I heard the news of what was taking place in our country. I dearly miss those days of being at home with her. Now 7 years later she will soon be eight. Secondly, my Dad was still alive. He only met Madison (not the boys) and he loved her soo very much. I remember I was suppose to fly to Nashville to see him in November but I was too scared so we drove. Dad died the February after 9/11 and I so wish I could tell him one more time I love him and even more so I wish he could have met my boys! Thirdly, my sister Stephanie was still alive. We talked at long lengths about how scary the times were. There are so many times late at night when I am lonely that I wish I could call her just to talk. When its too late to appropriately call the rest of the world you could still call her!

Thank you to all the men and women who serve our country (Fireman, Policeman, Hospital and Ambulance workers and of course are Servicemen). I am forever indebted!! God Bless America - and lets promise to never forget.