A Life of Gratitude

At the beginning of June, I made this long list of fun activities to do with the boys this summer. We've done lots of them already and they have really enjoyed it. Since starting the chemo treatment for AS, I'm not sure how I'll feel from day to day. Thursdays and Fridays are especially difficult and our weekends are usually pretty busy so, that only leaves a couple of days each week to get our #campmommy activities done! So, I decided to pack a few into one day!  We started with marshmallow shooters! It was so simple but they loved it! We just used balloons, empty toilet paper rolls, and marshmallows. They had so much fun seeing who could shoot their marshmallows the farthest! Next, we made sidewalk paint. The older boys thought they were too big for this activity until they saw how much fun Tyson was having! All we needed was cornstarch, water, and food coloring. It makes for a fun pastime!  For our last activity of the day, we made a marble...

I've always believed, to some degree at least, that Spiritual Warfare is real but over the past year or so, I've come to realize that it is more real than most people think. In fact, I believe one of Satan's greatest tactics is to cause people to believe he doesn't exist or that he isn't constantly deceiving and sabotaging God's children.  1 Peter 5:8 says "Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around  like a roaring lion  looking for someone to devour." I'm not sure why we as Christians haven't taken this warning more seriously. As Peter says, we have to be on guard to protect ourselves and our families from him. If not, he will use every chance he can to trip us and weasel his way in. We must be diligent and intentional, not letting down our defenses. The current battle my family is facing is no exception. Satan probably sees this as the perfect opportunity to distract us and cause us to doubt God's goodness.  ...

One week ago today I found out that my immune system is literally trying to destroy my body. When my doctor called and told me that I am suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis, I asked her to please spell it. I had never heard those words before and had no idea what she was even saying. Since then I have read article after article, watched tons of videos, and joined several groups where I am able to interact with other people that struggle with this disease. At this point, I feel like an expert on AS, even though I know I've only hit the tip of the iceberg of this incredibly rare, complicated and inconsistent auto-immune disease.  Now that I know so much about AS, it is evident that I have been dealing with this foe for many, many years. I think some of my first symptoms started in high school or college. My back injury in 2009 was probably the trauma that got my immune system going full speed and it never has stopped.  The past 3 months or so, my immune system has really ...

Since being diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis last Tuesday, I have been devouring as much information as possible about this disease. It's sort of weird to think that last week at this time I had no idea what is causing all of my pain and discomfort.  Actually, for at least 6 years I've had no idea what wrong with me but now, this enemy of mine has a name, a definition, and a very intimidating reputation.  I've also been spending a lot of time in God's Word because as good as it is for me to know my enemy, it's more important for me to know the One that has promised me victory. One thing my God has been reiterating to me, over and over again, is that I was built for THIS battle. That HE built me FOR this battle. It would be so easy for me to be full of fear and worry and doubt at this point. Honestly, there are moments where those emotions creep in but then I'm reminded that before I ever took a breath, God knew each and every difficulty I would ...

I haven't felt "normal" in at least 6 years. I know "normal" is a relative term but seriously, this can't be the way everyone feels.  I've struggled with muscle stiffness for hours each morning, serious fatigue for most of the day, whole-body muscle soreness, neck pain and stiffness, and just feeling bad in general. I've been to so many doctors. Every type of doctor that you could think of. No one has ever been able to figure out what causes me to feel so bad. I've been misdiagnosed and prescribed all sorts of medicines. I've been given supplements and exercises to do. I've gone to integrative specialists and done a hundred different diets and tried at least 4 of those all natural programs that guarantee to help all that ails you. I honestly feel like I've done everything I could to figure out and/or fix what was wrong with me. Nothing works. About three months ago all of my symptoms worsened, I started having severe pain on t...

I started doing a Bible study recently called "Truth Over Lies." Mostly, the entire study is scripture the author has chosen that applies to the weekly topic. We have learned to study scripture using the S.O.A.P. study method.  S stands for scripture---writing out all the verses. O stands for Observation---writing down what is observed in the verses. A stands for Application---writing down how God's Word has become personal. P stands for prayer---praying God's Word back to Him.  I wasn't sure if I would like this method of study but it has proven to be a wonderful way to dive into God's Word! After 4 weeks of studying this way, I am hooked! I have been learning so much without anyone else's input. I'm just reading God's Word and pulling out what I see and how it applies to my life. It's amazing what God is teaching me! I recently studied Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, " Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own un...

Every year we make sure to get our free meal at Chick-fil-a on Cow Appreciation Day! I mean, who doesn't love free Chick-fil-a? We had fun making our costumes this afternoon and then off we went with our herd! Our 4 Little Calves Making our hats....Evan was too busy! Haha Allison was really amazed by everything going on at Chick-fil-a! Dylan and Evan got to sit at a table by themselves since our party of 6 can't fit at a booth! Haha My buddy Tyson is such a cute little calf! Cutie Patootie! This is how Tyson eats his ice cream cone! Today I am grateful for fun times with my little (well, not so little) family! These simple little activities might seem silly to some people but we look forward to making memories as a family, however we can!  I'll take the free food, too! I am also thankful for my little herd. I keep hearing people say that we only get 18 summers with our children. That has really made me think lately. I wan...

I was listening to the radio on the 4th of July and I heard someone say, "Even with the state of our country, there is still no place I'd rather live!" I've been thinking about that statement for the past 2 days and I have to agree 100%. I know there a lot of sad things happening, good people hurting, and unusual changes occurring but honestly, the USA is still a wonderful place to live. While things aren't perfect, we do enjoy so many freedoms. I'm especially grateful for the freedom to worship Jesus, boldly, anywhere I want to. I am also thankful for the freedom to homeschool my children and raise them in a way that I believe is pleasing to God. There are many other countries where my faith and my decision to teach my own children would not be approved of. Even worse, there are some places where I would be killed for my faith and my choice to homeschool.  Some countries I wouldn't even be allowed to have 4 children!  It's easy to spend a lot of ...