A Life of Gratitude

I have been really struggling with morning sickness this week. For those of you who experienced a little nausea with your pregnancies, my type of morning sickness is a whole different ballgame. Seriously, everything I eat or drink comes back up, even water. This sickness lasts morning, noon, and night and even when my medications keep me from throwing up, I still feel incredibly nauseous and have absolutely no energy. Because of being so sick, I am having a hard time being the mommy and wife I want to be. I don't have the strength to cook the meals I normally cook or even do the laundry. On top of feeling so bad, I feel horrible for not being able to do everything I need and want to do for my family. I've been praying for days, begging God to give me the strength and energy I need. Today, He has made it clear to me that He isn't just going to dish out the exact amount of strength I need. Instead, He IS my strength. As I read this morning's devotion from Jesus C...

The boys have been hoping for snow all winter and today they finally got the chance to play in some! Dylan got outside first and absolutely loved sledding. We really thought that Evan might be scared to try it but he just jumped right on our make-shift sled and had a blast! As soon as he got to the bottom of the hill, he said, "Do it again!" The boys had a fantastic time sledding and running around in the snow. I am always amazed by how long they can play and never feel cold. I was freezing!  As I was watching the snow fall last night and playing outside in it today, I just kept thinking of Chris Tomlin's song "Indescribable." Do you remember the lyrics?  "Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow. Who imagined the sun and gives source to it's light, yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night. None can fathom. Indescribable. Uncontainable. You placed the star...

Do you see that little white dot on the right side of that larger black tear shaped dot? Believe it or not, that is a tiny human! Yep, that's our little blueberry! We had our first doctor's appointment today. We got our first peak at this little guy or gal too. The sonogram showed the baby's heart beating at 123 beats per minute. He or she is measuring just right and the doctor said everything looks perfect.  That is music to this Mommy's ears! Our littlest one is the size of a blueberry this week! It's hands and feet are starting to emerge, both hemispheres of it's brain are developing, and it's eyelids are even forming. There is some amazing stuff going on in there!  Today I am thankful for the first glimpse at my 3rd child. We've know that another little Shaw is on the way for a few weeks now but there is nothing like seeing it to help it feel more "real." I am also grateful for a terrific appointment and the assurance that ...

We spent the afternoon at my Grandma and Pawpaw Davis' house. They both passed away in the past 18 months so we needed to start cleaning the house out. It was really odd walking around with my cousins, picking out things we'd like to have to remember our grandparents by. I was blessed to get some Princess House crystal and my Grandma's mixer along with several others things I look forward to using soon in our new house. My mom was able to get the bunk beds that have been in my grandparent's house for over 40 years. Their children and their grandchildren have all slept in these bunk beds. Tonight, a couple of their great grandsons are sleeping in these bunk beds too! It took some work but Bryan was able to get the bunk beds moved from Grandma and Pawpaw's to my mom's house this evening. We rearranged the furniture in the boy's room just in time for them to go to bed. They couldn't have been more excited about their new beds!  Pure joy! Snugg...

Last night I went to a Women's event at church. It was a wonderful time with my sisters in Christ hearing from 5 lovely ladies from 5 different countries. Each woman shared about their culture, their salvation, the persecution in their countries, and what its like to be a woman in their country. I knew we had it good here in America but after listening to these ladies share, I am ashamed by how much we take for granted. I can't stop thinking about several of the stories that were shared last night. Honestly, women are all more similar than we are different but their cultures are very different from mine. The Pakistani woman shared that the women in Pakistan have to bring a dowry when they are married which includes all the furniture for the home, TVs, dishes, etc. If the woman isn't able to bring everything required, the mother-in-law kills her. She also shared that if the Pakistani husband isn't pleased with his wife's cooking he will shave her eyebrows or cut...

The heating unit at my mom's house went kaput a few days ago so we have been staying warm with little heaters and layered clothing. This morning we decided to hang out by the fireplace. We brought all of our schoolwork downstairs and laid on the floor. It was actually a nice break from the "norm" and Dylan enjoyed laying on the floor to do his work. Dylan completing his writing activities. Adding some things to our Biblical Timeline. Even this little guy enjoyed doing our schoolwork downstairs! Thankfully, the heating unit was fixed by this afternoon so we were able to shed our coats and move away from the fireplace. Tomorrow's schoolwork will most likely be done at the dining room table again but it was fun while it lasted. Today I am thankful for the flexibility that homeschool offers. We can learn anywhere, anytime. I am also thankful for house with working heat. The past couple of days have been really cold! I can't even imagine living...

“Before I formed you in the womb  I knew you,  before you were born  I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5 Tonight, after dinner, Bryan asked Dylan to recall some of the verses he has memorized. When he asked him to say Jeremiah 1:5 my heart just smiled. He recited the verse and then we talked about it some. I asked him how that verse applies to the baby I'm currently carrying. I listened to him talk about how God knows this baby already. He told me that God knows the baby's name, when he/she will be born and even when the baby will get married (which he thinks will be at 16 but that will not happen if I have anything to do with it!) It brought me so much joy to consider this truth. God knows my baby, even now, when its only the size of a sweet pea. To think that our great and mighty God knows the intimate details of this little life before it was even conceived just blows my mind. This week my baby's eyes and ears will be formed. But God already know...