A Word of Encouragement

February 15, 2017Leave a comment

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Often times I get so caught up with the things I’m asking God for, that I completely forget about the things he so diligently provides me with. The last couple weeks have been a bit difficult for my family as we slowly enter grounds we have never had to before. Last week I dropped Nate off at school, jumped in the car and let it all out. I cried the way Nate and Lei cry when they want one more piece of chocolate and I won’t budge (serious crying here 🙂 ). Thankfully Eric was in the car and he was able to bring me back by reminding me of God’s goodness. And this is the thing, His goodness is so good, it is overwhelming. He is here to overwhelm the things that overwhelm us.

In the midst of difficult moments, He is always there although it may seem as though he is absent. The more I calm my mind and let go, the more I seem to see his hand over my life. Difficult moments will always be part of our life simply because we live on this earth, but they don’t have to be hopeless. God delivers us hope. He has given us the weapons with which to battle against anything. Crying is welcomed. He listens and he loves us for who we are. He understands.

Thankfulness is key. Do what you can for others because you can. You have the power to change the atmosphere of any circumstance. Be bold. Go about your day knowing that he will deliver, because he will. Perhaps not in the way that you expect it, but he will never let you down.

Happy hump day!

To be Brave

December 5, 2016December 5, 2016Leave a comment

Yosemite Family Hike 2015

Bravery is said to be the act of being ready to endure danger or pain; showing courage. But it is so much more than that. We can all take pain or endure danger for our loved ones, especially if you have children.

Nate & friend taking a breather

Life hands us so many things. Some good and some that we would rather hand over and toss in the trash bin. But that’s not the way life works. We must roll with the punches. Play the hand we’ve been dealt. We all end up doing so. And this is where courage takes place. Courage to deal with the worst possible news in the most positive way possible, even when it feel completely unnatural to do so.

2014

I had a conversation with my mother this morning. We’ve been given some life altering news. We sat there processing together, while our hearts felt every emotion in the book. While I came in with the goal that I was coming in to comfort, I was comforted. My mother, she is the epitome of Bravery. She has fought breast cancer since 2001, and never has she given up, lost hope or wavered in her faith. And let me tell you, there been plenty of times and reasons to waver on this long journey.

Thanksgiving 2016

It takes courage to say, no, I don’t want to undergo another chemo therapy session. I don’t want to undergo anymore. It takes courage to say yes to another chemo therapy session. Another radiation session.

It takes courage to support your loved ones’ decision. It takes courage to walk the road with them, hand in hand, every set back, victory and tear. It takes love to hold on to hope, when little has been given. But we are not alone. We’ve never been alone. It’s always been us and our Father, walking in front of us, holding our hand, head high, telling us to keep on, keep on, because the battle is not over.

The power of prayer is remarkable.

The power of love is extraordinary.

The power of kindness is incredible.

Donut love 2016

In the midst of change and an unknown future, pray for our leaders, pray for each other and don’t lose hope.

Xoxo

You are such a douche bag!

October 19, 2016October 20, 2016Leave a comment

My fingers had pressed the button and before I knew it I was yelling it out for all to hear, “YOU ARE SUCH A DOUCHE BAG!!!” and I would have probably continued had it not been for the little voice coming from the back seat, ” Mommy, that is not very nice”.

Oh man.

So let me give you some back story before you think I was completely in the wrong here. We pulled up to the gas station and like civilized people, we pull up behind the cars that are waiting their turn to fill up with gas. Mind you, we have both kids in the car and we are driving back from church on our way to a friends house for lunch. Along comes Mr. I Don’t Care, against traffic and snuggles right into the number five pump. The pump we were pulling up to. I put up my arms to show him the line behind us and he gives me a hand gesture clearly signifying, I don’t care. My blood boils, the window rolls down, and it is out of my mouth before I can blink.

Nathan playing Emotions Bingo

Patience has never been a virtue of mine. It is very difficult for me to hold my tongue when something is clearly wrong or unkind. But I have 100% improved and managed to be wiser with my words and have gotten proficient at counting to 10 and breathing in and out for the sake of my children and my marriage. I would even go as far as saying, you would think patience was one of my strengths now! I can’t even remember the last time I lost my temper since I have been married. Holy moly! Patience is definitely one of Eric’s strengths and he has done a marvelous job of being the example I need to see every day. But on Sunday, I lost it. I was so shocked by my own actions, I was shaking and paid the price for my actions (immediate headache all day). I had to apologize to Nate for showing him something he shouldn’t do. I explained that mommy was out of hand and why I had gotten so upset. I also gave him examples of what mommy could have done to express her anger.

Surrounded by love

Then I thought to myself (all day, practically) how I allowed myself to get so crazy. And how thankful I was that the other driver wasn’t a maniac. In a world where so much craziness exists, there is really no reason for me to allow someone else’s actions to affect my day. Kindness (in my experience), whether it is returned or not, will always (eventually) bring out the best in most.

Elea at school

BE KIND.

Saturday morning family selfie

We can always be better human beings. Every day I hope to be better than the day before. I hope to teach my children kindness through words and my actions. I want to show them to be kind. To show love. And we all need reminders. So instead of beating myself up for my crazy actions on Sunday, I will choose to see it as a wake up call to remind myself that I can be better and have plenty of room for improvement.