A Life of Gratitude

Song of Solomon is a poetic book of the Bible that tells a beautiful love story. I've read the book before but I don't believe I've ever truly understood it. Today we had a guest speaker at church that taught from Song of Solomon, chapter 2. This chapter tells of a bride and her groom on their wedding day. They are head over heels in love with one another. We read first about the bride who is described as young, wild, and common like  the flower, a Rose of Sharon. She has stood firm in her purity and is overwhelmed with love for her groom. Secondly, we read about the groom. He is compared to an apple tree which speaks of his attractive nature and the protection he offers, like the outstretched branches of a tree. He is calm and gentle like a shepherd. He approaches his bride tenderly, regardless of his incredible strength. He is smitten with his bride and only has eyes for her.  That sounds like the beginning of a wonderful story of love between man and woman, doesn...

Today we celebrated Dylan's 4th birthday. I absolutely cannot believe he will be 4 on Tuesday.  Anyway, since Dylan loves to paint and draw and he is super creative, he chose to have his party at Artquest. In case you've never been to Artquest, it is a fabulous place in Greensboro, NC that allows children to get creative with all sorts of art supplies and fun, messy stuff. Dylan always loves going to Artquest so this was definitely the perfect place for his celebration. We had the entire art studio to ourselves, which was really nice. The kids had a personal Art instructor who helped them paint, draw, build, and make homemade playdough. We also enjoyed some yummy food and Dylan opened a ton of presents. The party was a complete success and everyone had a terrific time. When one of Dylan's friends was leaving the party she said, "This was the best party I've ever been to!" That just made my day!  Today I am thankful that Bryan and I were able to throw such ...

I've heard it said that people can't change. Well, I beg to to differ.... Today at MOMS we shared testimonies w ith a simple piece of cardboard and a marker.  Each person wrote one or two phrases that explain what they experienced before God's intervention on one side of the cardboard.  On the reverse side, the testifier told how God has changed that experience for the better. Seeing these testimonies was very touching and emotional. I was blessed as I watched each lady walk across the room with her proof that God still performs miracles. Some of the testimonies included... Trying to be self-sufficient / Fully depending on my Savior A slave to sin / Forgiven and Free Abused and Shameful / Chosen and Loved 2 miscarriages and infertility /  I now have a loving family with 3 adopted children I'm a widow / I've found love from The One Who Created Me A broken Marriage and fearful  / Learning to believe that all the unknowns are in His hands Always offended by oth...

My sweet boys have been a bit "under the weather" for the past week. Dylan was pretty sick but since he is older, his body seemed to handle it better. Poor little Evan has had a really rough week though. When I took him to the doctor last week we found out that he had a double ear infection and inflammation of the lungs. The doctor prescribed steroids, an antibiotic, Zyrtec in the morning, Benadryl at night, and Albuterol for breathing treatments. Although it seems like I've been giving him medicine and using the nebulizer every five minutes, I am so grateful for these medications! A week later and he is feeling so much better! Evan using the nebulizer. Its been a blessing to both Dylan and Evan. I love how he is holding it =) Today I am thankful for our terrific Pediatricians and the medicine they are able to prescribe. We often take things such as Benadryl and antibiotics for granted but today, as I was holding my 6 month old son and giving him a breathing treatme...

I've been thinking a lot lately about how amazing it is that God is completely involved in my life.  Psalm 139:5-6 says “You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” The idea that God "hems us in- behind and before," is so touching. I've heard the analogy that "hemming something in" is like being placed in a pocket with all the edges sewn shut.  Can it be true, Savior, that you have me in your pocket?  And that the seams are "hemmed in- behind and before” so I cannot slip away? God's love for us is so wonderful. Beth Moore's heartfelt words describe this love a little better than I can. "God chose the womb where He would fearfully and wonderfully fashion you. God hid you in a blanket of soft tissue and bid your heart to beat. For many days He alone knew you existed. You were His secret. God's own skillful hand knit you together, His watchful eyes ...

While working through my Bible Study this morning, I learned that the word "create" found in Genesis 1 is "bara" in Hebrew. The Strongs definition of "bara" is to fashion, shape, or form something new. This verb is typically thought of as "creating something from nothing." Which, of course, is exactly what God did in Genesis 1 when He created the Heavens and the Earth. Beth Moore also shared another verse where "bara" is used. Psalm 51:10 says "Create in me a clean heart O, God and renew a right spirit within me." I loved reading this verse while remembering the Strongs definition of "bara." God is able to create a clean heart within us. Since "bara" means to form something from nothing, I believe this verse is saying that regardless of who I am, who I've been, or what I've done, God is still able to create a clean heart in me. I had been thinking about that awesome truth when I heard a familiar so...

Bryan and I went out to dinner with some friends tonight. When we got home my mom and stepdad had the chocolate ice cream out for the boys. Now this isn't your average little box of ice cream. This is one of those enormous canisters of premimum chocolate ice cream like you would find at Ben and Jerry's or something. So, of course, we gave in and splurged. We all had to have to some that yummy ice cream. Evan got to experience chocolate for the first time and he LOVED it! I figured he would because Bryan, Dylan and I are all chocolate lovers!  Evan eating Chocolate Ice Cream for the first time. My and my sweet baby Evan. Dylan is a piggy! Sugar High....cheese!!! Tonight I am thankful for fun times with family. We all enjoyed sitting around the table eating ice cream together. These sweet times are precious (and yummy!) I guess I'll admit it...I'm thankful for the chocolate ice cream too! Hehehe...

While driving in the car this morning Evan was crying so Dylan started singing to him. He sang "He's got the whole world in His hands."  While singing he created some very sweet verses such as... "He has baby Evan in His hands." "He has Mommy and Daddy in His hands." "He has big brother Dylan in His hands." "He has Mitcher the doggy in His hands." "He has all the train-n-n-s in His hands."  "He has the cabooses in His hands." It was adorable. Evan stopped crying and listened to his big brother sing too! As I was listening, I couldn't help but think about that very basic truth. God created the Universe and everything in it. He is in control of it all and loves every single thing He has created. Since the world's population is approximately 7 billion people, the fact that God even knows each one of our names is amazing! Its more than that though. Psalm 139: 1-5 says " O  Lord , you have searched me an...

We've been cleaning (for what seems like weeks) to prepare for this year's Furniture Market. Since we rent our house out 2 times per year during each market, we have learned the "ins and outs" of making a house squeaky clean. Cleaning and packing and preparing isn't as easy as it use to be. Having 2 kiddos and a bad back makes it a little more difficult. So, today I am thankful for all that Bryan has done to help get us ready for market. I am also grateful for the ability to spend 11 days at my Mom's house. I always look forward to the Furniture Market because my little boys get to spend 8-12 days closer to their grandparents, I get to relax a little more because of the help my mom offers, and our home gets the ultimate spring/fall cleaning!  YAY for the Furniture Market!

Dylan absolutely loves Sunday School, or "Connection Class" as Green Street calls it. His teachers do a fabulous job and he has been learning a lot this year. We always ask him what he learned in class and for the longest time he would just respond by saying, "I don't know," but these days, he tells us the entire story they've read each week. Today, on the way home from church, he told us the story from Luke 17 about ten men who suffered from leprosy. They begged Jesus to heal them and He did. The healed men went to the see the priest as Jesus instructed but only one of them returned and thanked Jesus for healing him. Dylan retold the story and then with enthusiasm said, "only one man said thank you! Can you believe that Mommy?" Later this evening we were eating ice cream with Jordan and Shanna. Of course, Dylan had to sit right between the two of them. I was busy taking care of Evan and talking to Bryan when I heard Dylan's cute voice say...

My little gentleman =) Bryan and I often receive compliments about how polite Dylan is. Sometimes he really amazes me with his "thank yous," "pleases," and "excuse mes." Although I love the compliments, we honestly haven't done much except speaking politely to him. Mostly, being polite is just a part of his sweet personality. He has also become a great little helper, a terrific big brother and a very responsible young man. One of my favorite "Dylan qualities" that has begun to emerge is his protective and devoted attitude toward me. This afternoon we were sitting on the couch together, tickling Evan, when Dylan got up and danced around the room a little and then jumped on me. He squeezed me and said, "I love you Mommy. I'll never let anything happen to you." How adorable? He loves me and wants to protect me. He really has become quite the little gentleman! Today I am thankful that Dylan is developing gentleman-like qualit...

"For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.    My frame was not hidden from you   when I was made in the secret place,   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body;  all the days ordained for me were written in your book  before one of them came to be." Psalm 139: 14-16 Last night, at about 2:17am, I woke to the sound of laughter coming from the baby monitor. I went into Evan's bedroom and peeked over his crib to see the biggest smile on his face. I wanted to be annoyed because I had to get up in the middle of the night but when I saw his sweet smile I was filled with joy (even though it was 2:17am).  As I was rocking him and watching his little eyes flutter, Psalm 139: 14-16 entered my mind. I thought about how just a few months ago this pre...

I found these glow sticks in the dollar aisle at Michael's. There are 15 sticks in each box. So, I paid $1 for 15 glow sticks! That's less than $0.07 per glow stick!  Dylan absolutely loved "glow in the dark" bath time. He played until his feet were wrinkly. Believe it or not, he actually played with these last night as well. If you put them in freezer, they will work again! Who knows, maybe they'll work tomorrow night too! Today I am thankful for dollar stores, dollar aisles, and any other place where things are only $1. I have definitely gotten my money's worth with these glow sticks. It isn't often that products are worth the price way pay for them but this is definitely one of those times.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, Easter is probably a very special day to you. I think it becomes more special to me every year, mostly because I've grown closer to Christ but also because I have learned so much more about Him and His life. So, I was very excited to learn some new exciting and very interesting facts about the Easter story today.  Fact #1- After Jesus had endured the mockery, beating, and being nailed to the cross, He said "it is finished" and then breathed his last breath. The Greek word that Jesus used was "telelistai." This word was most commonly used in relation to debts being paid. During that time period debtors often spent time in prison to pay off their debts. Once they had fulfilled their time as payment the word "teleistai"would be posted on the prison door to indicate that their debt had been paid. How wonderful is it that our Savior simply said, "Telelistai?" He was saying that the debt (the ENTIRE debt) has...

To prepare for the upcoming Easter Holiday, our family has been doing a special activity during our family devotions. We have a basket of eggs with numbers and scripture references written on them. Each egg contains a symbol from the Easter story. For the past 5 nights Dylan has been picking the correct number and opening each egg. We discuss the symbol and read the passages. Each night we have read a part of the Easter story. We still have two nights to go but so far, we have really enjoyed it.  The 7 days of Easter: Our "7 days of Easter" basket Dylan on day 1....our symbol was bread. The passage was about the  last supper. Day 2:  Our symbol was silver coins. Our passage was about Judas and how he betrayed Jesus by accepting money in exchange for info about Jesus' whereabouts. Day 3: Our symbol was a "purple robe." The passage discussed how Jesus was forced to wear the purple robe and crown of thorns while He was mocked. Day 4: Our...