Noah kept saying that word over and over on the way home from church yesterday. He has been saying Mama for a long time now.. but something about yesterday.. stirred up a ton of emotions and memories in me. I can't believe that God chose to give me this gift called.. a child! I can't believe I am really a mom. I can't believe I have a little one (who I pray) thinks of me the same way that I have always thought of my mom. A little one that will always love me like I love my mom.
I.AM.A.MOM.
Really? I love it! I love my baby boy. He lights up our life! I guess since losing Shane.. I fear leaving Noah early too. It has been on my mind a lot lately. One of the biggest things I have been thinking about it my lack of self control with myself... and how I am just letting myself gain more and more weight. I had gotten to a point when we went to Japan where I was wearing cute clothes and finally, after like.. uh, a whole life of being huge, I felt GREAT! I lived life there.. put on a little, but was still happy. Got pregnant and since I had Noah I have just added the pounds. It is like I have no... self control. I want it.. so bad I can taste it.. but I am not doing something about it.
this.will.change.
Even if for the one reason that Noah deserves a mom that can run and play with him and one that he can look back on and remember that she was fit and there with him. I want this for him. I want this for my husband. I have started a workout with a friend- it is SOOO hard and my body hurts SOOOO bad!! But... we are going to do this.
I love the word MAMA! Lately it has been MommY!!! I love it! I love that I am the one that my boy comes too.. and cries too.. and wants! I love being his mommy. I love that he runs to me and hugs and kisses me.. I love how he stands at the door and waves bye-bye at me on the FEW occasions I leave him home with Daddy! I LOOOOVE this kid!
I know this post has two different things in it.. but my brain has been jumbled.
Monday 26 September 2011
Tuesday 20 September 2011
Winner
Random.org Chose Dixie Shaw! :)
I promise, although she is my mother in law, she did win it with Random.org
I'll be mailing the gift card soon.
I promise, although she is my mother in law, she did win it with Random.org
I'll be mailing the gift card soon.
2-8
Am I really 28 years old? WHOA! Where did the time go? It is crazy to realize that I am 28 and met my husband when I was 16... and never dated another man. These are just the biggest milestones in my life since I met that boy 12 years ago.
At 16: Thought I was on top of the world... met the boy of my dreams. Man, he was a cutie.. but he was kinda a 'bad boy'... and I was a 'good girl'... hmmm. At this point I was trying to be a better sister to my baby sister. I was always so mean to her. But at this point in our life we were beginning to have a real sisterly bond. My brother was my hero and I looked up to him. He was going through a lot at this time... leaving the Marines and getting divorced, but I was so proud of him. My mom was one of my closest friends! I have always had a good relationship with her. I am sure at this age, I had a bit of attitude. We all lived out in the country in our home.. and grandma and grandpa up the road. Man, to turn back the hands of time! I worked at Pizza Hut with the Nater... and we spent every moment we could together. Pretty much.... I didn't hang out with any of my High School friends anymore! :)
At 17: I was still loving life with my cutie, Nate.... working and getting ready to graduate from high school. Life continued much the same with my family... I was working as a after school nanny/tutor for a young boy... applying for all kinds of scholarships. I graduated a year early and got so many scholarships it was unreal. I headed to East Texas Baptist University and met some of my lifelong friends there. I had the best roommate whom I love dearly. I broke up with Nate and felt it was time we both grow separately. We seemed to be on different baths. (i.e. bad boy vs. good girl)...
At 18: I spent a summer in Wyoming as a summer missionary for United Baptist Church there... and it was AMAZING. Met one of my best friends that summer... we planned to go to Hawaii the next summer together as missionarys.. both accepted into the program to go there... Spent 12 full weeks in Wyoming.. and 12 full weeks with ZERO contact with Nate!! ZERO! I prayed and prayed that if he was not the man for me, God would remove him from my life completely. ..... You see where I am today! :) Thankfully. Went back to college in the fall as an RA (resident assistant) .. fun times! :)
At 19: As I enjoy college, the Natster and I start talking again.. as friends. Then in December of that year, we decide to get married (WHAT! WHOA! 19... Crazy, I say)... I had to make the choice not to go to Hawaii with my girlfriend.. killed her. I wasn't 100% sure I was making the right choice.. (get married instead of serving in the mission field).. and I wouldn't see it until years later how that was CLEARLY the right choice for me, Nate, and my friend Angie. I planned my wedding while in college.. and got married to the man that is my LIFE on May 10, 2003. We lived in an RV for our first few months of marriage and he attended Fire Academy while I worked to support us and the FEW bills we had. College was now on hold for me.
At 20: He got a job as a firefighter in Kilgore, Texas... and we moved into our first apartment. My sweet, amazing grandpa passed away after battling with dementia and alzheimer's for several years when I was 20. Broke my heart. I promised my gpa that I would name my little girl Sydni after him... I still don't have a little girl! :) Then Nate decided to join the AF, we moved into a house his parents owned until he left for basic... I stayed in Gilmer while Nate attended Basic and Tech School for a Firefighter in the AF. He was going in for 4 years only.. then we could go back to the civilian world. NEVER, EVER did I see the military as part of MY life. My sweet brother had been in the Marines.. but never did I think it would be a direct part of my life! We got word that our first base would be Columbus, Mississippi.. I cried! :) But as I took care of Nate's kind Grandmother in the hospital after a broken hip (I believe)... i found peace in that base.. because there was a University that had an amazing Teaching Program in our city.. so I could finish my degree. This began a brand new adventure.
At 21, 22, 23: We lived in Columbus, Mississippi in a 3 bedroom house! We made great friends and I started college. It was fantastic! :) I was making friends on the base, at college, and at work. I worked at a department store... and enjoyed my time there. We were just living the life. I then began working at Applebee's.. made some great money, loved my life.. and enjoyed my job as a waitress as I finished college. Nate deployed for the first time and I stayed in the Mississip. Hurricane Katrina hit and it was just so sad.. broke my heart.. and it was scary as heck since Nate of course, wasn't there! :) I graduated from college when I was 23 and got my first teaching job. I taught 5th grade Science and Math. What an experience. We really loved our life in Mississippi and although we didn't realize it until we left... it was so great to us. We met two wonderful people, Gloria and Maurice, who are still so dear to our hearts. I met them through Applebees.. and they were so great to me.. Cared about us, truly. Attended my college graduation party AT my house with my family! They were family to us.. and we miss them so much. Maybe more than anyone! :)
At 24: Somewhere in the time we spent in the AF, we decided it was best for us that we stay in the military. WHAT?!?! When did we decide this? I thought this was only suppose to be for 4 years? The military has been a great life for us.. even with our time apart. So.. then... We got the word that we would be moving to Japan! JAPANNN!!! WHAT? I was like.. uh!? "This wasn't even on your dream sheet." Nate's response: "Yea, it was"... who would have known that moving to Japan would be one of the greatest experiences of our life...??? So at this time we begin figuring out what we would take with us and what we would leave in storage in Mississippi. In June of that year, we told our families good-bye and got on a jet plane for the BEST time of our life, thus far! :) Oh, how our lives would change in the next three years!!! Upon arriving, we met the Wade's... the best friends we would have for our duration at that base... and beyond.
At 25: We really loved Japan. We ventured out as much as possible. We hung out with our friends and had so much fun. I started work on my Masters Degree, got a job with DoDDs.. and Nate deployed again. With Nate deploying I met the DeMoss' who would hold such a huge part of my heart for the rest of my time there.. They became the other part of our Misawa family.. and then it was always us.. the Wade's, Shaw's, and Demoss'. My little family! We would introduce the first child into our Misawa family during this year.. Sweet Allie. Nate's family came to visit that year and my mom and sister came for a month as well. It was a great time. I can't even begin to list the amount of things we did during my 25th year of life! My sister got engaged and we began to look forward to heading home for a few weeks for her wedding and Christmas. Nate returned home from deployment in time to spend the month with my mom and sister. Man, the three of us did so much during that month. It was AAAAAAmazing. Good times, Good times. Nate and I left to go to Tokyo a few weeks after my mom and sister came.. We climbed Mt. Fuji.. AAAAmazing! :) Then.. the best news of all that year! I WAS PREGNANT!
At 26: Life changing year. Totally. Would never expect either of the things that changed my life so drastically to have happened. We were enjoying the new experience of being pregnant and learning all about how to be parents. We never really thought we would get pregnant.. or have the honor of being a Mommy and Daddy. Nate works, I work.. just enjoying our last few months of .. JUST US! :) Who would have known that I our life would change so much becoming parents!? Oh.. you did? :) Why didn't you tell us! :) We loved it. Got the news on December 3, 2009, just 9 days shy of us going home for my sister's wedding.. MY BROTHER DIED IN A CAR WRECK. You can read about it here: http://shaw-family-adventures.blogspot.com/2009/12/saddest-news-of-my-life.html So Red Cross sent us home. You truly never realize how short life is... but my big brother is gone. It is terrible to know that daily!! I hate thinking about it and realizing it is true.. And even more to know we are almost on the 2 year mark.. Not fair. Life is short and it is so precious.. Cherish the people that are near and dear to you. You can read all of December 2009 posts that year to see what was going on. I won't take you through it again. Among the saddest thing that happened in my life... the happiest time of my life happened as well.. we had our baby boy, Noah. My mom and mother-in-law came to visit again too! You can read about that time in my life here: http://shaw-family-adventures.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html So.. then began our new adventure as parents. We went home that summer so everyone could meet our little joy! What a year that was.
At 27: I had to go back to work and put my little one in daycare. He stayed with Ms. Julie.. truly a blessing to us. I would not have made it through that year teaching had she not been part of our life. .... We love her and she was so amazing to my boy. My life changed this year too.. I lost one of my best friends.. FOREVER! But I have moved on and God has truly helped me.. let go. AND He gave me another woman to rely on as a best friend.. I never thought that would be possible.. and He strengthened my bond with another best friend and made me realize just how much I LOOOOVE her! Love you Kimmy D! Nate deployed again that year. We went home for Christmas again... because Daddy was gone.. and Noah enjoyed his first Christmas with our family in Texas.. and I was so happy to be able to be there again for my family and brothers kids.. since he is no longer here. We received word we would be PCSing to Beale AFB in California.. thus begun our dreams coming true.. searching for our dream home. We had to leave our best friends in Japan.. My best friend had another baby.. and we miss our friends there so much. Demoss', all FOUR of them.. oh and Rusty the dog.. And Ryan.. we miss all of them soo much. We bought our first home in California and have enjoyed our life in Cali so far....
At 28: It is just beginning.. but I know it is going to be a great year. I am loving my life as a stay at home mom and so far Nate is enjoying his time at Beale. We are hoping he doesn't deploy for at least 2 years.... who knows though! :) We have found a church home that we are very happy with and now we just eagerly wait for family to come visit... NEXT MONTH! :) So, I will keep you posted on how this year goes.. Stay tuned.
At 16: Thought I was on top of the world... met the boy of my dreams. Man, he was a cutie.. but he was kinda a 'bad boy'... and I was a 'good girl'... hmmm. At this point I was trying to be a better sister to my baby sister. I was always so mean to her. But at this point in our life we were beginning to have a real sisterly bond. My brother was my hero and I looked up to him. He was going through a lot at this time... leaving the Marines and getting divorced, but I was so proud of him. My mom was one of my closest friends! I have always had a good relationship with her. I am sure at this age, I had a bit of attitude. We all lived out in the country in our home.. and grandma and grandpa up the road. Man, to turn back the hands of time! I worked at Pizza Hut with the Nater... and we spent every moment we could together. Pretty much.... I didn't hang out with any of my High School friends anymore! :)
At 17: I was still loving life with my cutie, Nate.... working and getting ready to graduate from high school. Life continued much the same with my family... I was working as a after school nanny/tutor for a young boy... applying for all kinds of scholarships. I graduated a year early and got so many scholarships it was unreal. I headed to East Texas Baptist University and met some of my lifelong friends there. I had the best roommate whom I love dearly. I broke up with Nate and felt it was time we both grow separately. We seemed to be on different baths. (i.e. bad boy vs. good girl)...
At 18: I spent a summer in Wyoming as a summer missionary for United Baptist Church there... and it was AMAZING. Met one of my best friends that summer... we planned to go to Hawaii the next summer together as missionarys.. both accepted into the program to go there... Spent 12 full weeks in Wyoming.. and 12 full weeks with ZERO contact with Nate!! ZERO! I prayed and prayed that if he was not the man for me, God would remove him from my life completely. ..... You see where I am today! :) Thankfully. Went back to college in the fall as an RA (resident assistant) .. fun times! :)
At 19: As I enjoy college, the Natster and I start talking again.. as friends. Then in December of that year, we decide to get married (WHAT! WHOA! 19... Crazy, I say)... I had to make the choice not to go to Hawaii with my girlfriend.. killed her. I wasn't 100% sure I was making the right choice.. (get married instead of serving in the mission field).. and I wouldn't see it until years later how that was CLEARLY the right choice for me, Nate, and my friend Angie. I planned my wedding while in college.. and got married to the man that is my LIFE on May 10, 2003. We lived in an RV for our first few months of marriage and he attended Fire Academy while I worked to support us and the FEW bills we had. College was now on hold for me.
At 20: He got a job as a firefighter in Kilgore, Texas... and we moved into our first apartment. My sweet, amazing grandpa passed away after battling with dementia and alzheimer's for several years when I was 20. Broke my heart. I promised my gpa that I would name my little girl Sydni after him... I still don't have a little girl! :) Then Nate decided to join the AF, we moved into a house his parents owned until he left for basic... I stayed in Gilmer while Nate attended Basic and Tech School for a Firefighter in the AF. He was going in for 4 years only.. then we could go back to the civilian world. NEVER, EVER did I see the military as part of MY life. My sweet brother had been in the Marines.. but never did I think it would be a direct part of my life! We got word that our first base would be Columbus, Mississippi.. I cried! :) But as I took care of Nate's kind Grandmother in the hospital after a broken hip (I believe)... i found peace in that base.. because there was a University that had an amazing Teaching Program in our city.. so I could finish my degree. This began a brand new adventure.
At 21, 22, 23: We lived in Columbus, Mississippi in a 3 bedroom house! We made great friends and I started college. It was fantastic! :) I was making friends on the base, at college, and at work. I worked at a department store... and enjoyed my time there. We were just living the life. I then began working at Applebee's.. made some great money, loved my life.. and enjoyed my job as a waitress as I finished college. Nate deployed for the first time and I stayed in the Mississip. Hurricane Katrina hit and it was just so sad.. broke my heart.. and it was scary as heck since Nate of course, wasn't there! :) I graduated from college when I was 23 and got my first teaching job. I taught 5th grade Science and Math. What an experience. We really loved our life in Mississippi and although we didn't realize it until we left... it was so great to us. We met two wonderful people, Gloria and Maurice, who are still so dear to our hearts. I met them through Applebees.. and they were so great to me.. Cared about us, truly. Attended my college graduation party AT my house with my family! They were family to us.. and we miss them so much. Maybe more than anyone! :)
At 24: Somewhere in the time we spent in the AF, we decided it was best for us that we stay in the military. WHAT?!?! When did we decide this? I thought this was only suppose to be for 4 years? The military has been a great life for us.. even with our time apart. So.. then... We got the word that we would be moving to Japan! JAPANNN!!! WHAT? I was like.. uh!? "This wasn't even on your dream sheet." Nate's response: "Yea, it was"... who would have known that moving to Japan would be one of the greatest experiences of our life...??? So at this time we begin figuring out what we would take with us and what we would leave in storage in Mississippi. In June of that year, we told our families good-bye and got on a jet plane for the BEST time of our life, thus far! :) Oh, how our lives would change in the next three years!!! Upon arriving, we met the Wade's... the best friends we would have for our duration at that base... and beyond.
At 25: We really loved Japan. We ventured out as much as possible. We hung out with our friends and had so much fun. I started work on my Masters Degree, got a job with DoDDs.. and Nate deployed again. With Nate deploying I met the DeMoss' who would hold such a huge part of my heart for the rest of my time there.. They became the other part of our Misawa family.. and then it was always us.. the Wade's, Shaw's, and Demoss'. My little family! We would introduce the first child into our Misawa family during this year.. Sweet Allie. Nate's family came to visit that year and my mom and sister came for a month as well. It was a great time. I can't even begin to list the amount of things we did during my 25th year of life! My sister got engaged and we began to look forward to heading home for a few weeks for her wedding and Christmas. Nate returned home from deployment in time to spend the month with my mom and sister. Man, the three of us did so much during that month. It was AAAAAAmazing. Good times, Good times. Nate and I left to go to Tokyo a few weeks after my mom and sister came.. We climbed Mt. Fuji.. AAAAmazing! :) Then.. the best news of all that year! I WAS PREGNANT!
At 26: Life changing year. Totally. Would never expect either of the things that changed my life so drastically to have happened. We were enjoying the new experience of being pregnant and learning all about how to be parents. We never really thought we would get pregnant.. or have the honor of being a Mommy and Daddy. Nate works, I work.. just enjoying our last few months of .. JUST US! :) Who would have known that I our life would change so much becoming parents!? Oh.. you did? :) Why didn't you tell us! :) We loved it. Got the news on December 3, 2009, just 9 days shy of us going home for my sister's wedding.. MY BROTHER DIED IN A CAR WRECK. You can read about it here: http://shaw-family-adventures.blogspot.com/2009/12/saddest-news-of-my-life.html So Red Cross sent us home. You truly never realize how short life is... but my big brother is gone. It is terrible to know that daily!! I hate thinking about it and realizing it is true.. And even more to know we are almost on the 2 year mark.. Not fair. Life is short and it is so precious.. Cherish the people that are near and dear to you. You can read all of December 2009 posts that year to see what was going on. I won't take you through it again. Among the saddest thing that happened in my life... the happiest time of my life happened as well.. we had our baby boy, Noah. My mom and mother-in-law came to visit again too! You can read about that time in my life here: http://shaw-family-adventures.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html So.. then began our new adventure as parents. We went home that summer so everyone could meet our little joy! What a year that was.
At 27: I had to go back to work and put my little one in daycare. He stayed with Ms. Julie.. truly a blessing to us. I would not have made it through that year teaching had she not been part of our life. .... We love her and she was so amazing to my boy. My life changed this year too.. I lost one of my best friends.. FOREVER! But I have moved on and God has truly helped me.. let go. AND He gave me another woman to rely on as a best friend.. I never thought that would be possible.. and He strengthened my bond with another best friend and made me realize just how much I LOOOOVE her! Love you Kimmy D! Nate deployed again that year. We went home for Christmas again... because Daddy was gone.. and Noah enjoyed his first Christmas with our family in Texas.. and I was so happy to be able to be there again for my family and brothers kids.. since he is no longer here. We received word we would be PCSing to Beale AFB in California.. thus begun our dreams coming true.. searching for our dream home. We had to leave our best friends in Japan.. My best friend had another baby.. and we miss our friends there so much. Demoss', all FOUR of them.. oh and Rusty the dog.. And Ryan.. we miss all of them soo much. We bought our first home in California and have enjoyed our life in Cali so far....
At 28: It is just beginning.. but I know it is going to be a great year. I am loving my life as a stay at home mom and so far Nate is enjoying his time at Beale. We are hoping he doesn't deploy for at least 2 years.... who knows though! :) We have found a church home that we are very happy with and now we just eagerly wait for family to come visit... NEXT MONTH! :) So, I will keep you posted on how this year goes.. Stay tuned.
Friday 16 September 2011
Happy Landings
Today I attended a class called "Happy Landings." This is class to welcome spouses to Beale. Most of the information I already knew.. but it was a nice refresher, nice to meet other spouses, and nice to have time away for just me. We had a lot of interesting speakers talking about base. IT was a great time. Toward the end of the 'class'... during lunch... the fun began. People from the local area came in to talk to us about what all this area has to offer us.. AND we started getting prizes. Everyone ended up with their own door prize, which was different from everyone else.. and we all got a lot of the same prizes/gifts. The speaker called it "My Favorite Things'... similar to what Oprah has done.. Man, I was ready for it to be OVER because... I was starting to feel guilty getting all of the free things. So, I am going to list out to you what I got for FREE today.. and I might leave some out.. but these are most of them..
From the Yuba Sutter Public Library we received a nice bag with some brand new books:
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
-Portraits
-The Golden Compass: Lyra's World
-How to speak Dog :)
Gift certificate for:
1. Free Wine Tasting at a Winery
2. 20% off at Twice Loved Thrift and Consignment Store
3. Free Coffee at Java Time
4. Free Men's Haircut at Sports Clips
5. 1 Free Specialty Coffee at The Brick Coffee House Cafe
6. Buy one get one Smoothie at New Earth
6. TWO Free Charbroiled Chicken Salads at Carl's Jr
7. Free Regular Sub at Charley's
8. $10 at String's Italian Cafe
9. $20 Gift Certificate at Yuba Sutter Mall
10. $10 Gift Card from New Earth
11. FREE Cookie from The Cookie Tree
12. Meal for 2 at Chipotle
13. $5 Gift Card for Dancing Tomato
14. $5 Gift Card for Grocery Outlet
15. $10 Gift Card for Cool Hand Luke's Steakhouse
16. FREE BREAKFAST for your WHOLE family at Linda's Soda Bar and Grill
17. $5 Gift Card for Fat Daddy's Frankfurters
18. $20 Gift Card when I sign up for a SAM'S Club Card
19. FREE Apple Cider at Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
20. $25 Gift Certificate for KLOTZ Mobile Detail
21. $20 OFF any 60 minute facial at Image Salon
22. FREE haircut WITH color service at Image Salon
WOW! Right? Amazing.. Crazy.. Thankful.
Then for the door prize.. WHAT did Cassey win? Oh, I will tell you. Valued at $200 .. Cassey won:
ONE FREE NIGHT LODGING at Feather Falls Casino
AND
$50 Dining Certificate at Feather Falls Casino
Plus there was a shirt, mug, stuffed turtle piggy bank, and a keychain in there.
WHAT.AN.AMAZING.DAY!
From the Yuba Sutter Public Library we received a nice bag with some brand new books:
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
-Portraits
-The Golden Compass: Lyra's World
-How to speak Dog :)
Gift certificate for:
1. Free Wine Tasting at a Winery
2. 20% off at Twice Loved Thrift and Consignment Store
3. Free Coffee at Java Time
4. Free Men's Haircut at Sports Clips
5. 1 Free Specialty Coffee at The Brick Coffee House Cafe
6. Buy one get one Smoothie at New Earth
6. TWO Free Charbroiled Chicken Salads at Carl's Jr
7. Free Regular Sub at Charley's
8. $10 at String's Italian Cafe
9. $20 Gift Certificate at Yuba Sutter Mall
10. $10 Gift Card from New Earth
11. FREE Cookie from The Cookie Tree
12. Meal for 2 at Chipotle
13. $5 Gift Card for Dancing Tomato
14. $5 Gift Card for Grocery Outlet
15. $10 Gift Card for Cool Hand Luke's Steakhouse
16. FREE BREAKFAST for your WHOLE family at Linda's Soda Bar and Grill
17. $5 Gift Card for Fat Daddy's Frankfurters
18. $20 Gift Card when I sign up for a SAM'S Club Card
19. FREE Apple Cider at Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
20. $25 Gift Certificate for KLOTZ Mobile Detail
21. $20 OFF any 60 minute facial at Image Salon
22. FREE haircut WITH color service at Image Salon
WOW! Right? Amazing.. Crazy.. Thankful.
Then for the door prize.. WHAT did Cassey win? Oh, I will tell you. Valued at $200 .. Cassey won:
ONE FREE NIGHT LODGING at Feather Falls Casino
AND
$50 Dining Certificate at Feather Falls Casino
Plus there was a shirt, mug, stuffed turtle piggy bank, and a keychain in there.
WHAT.AN.AMAZING.DAY!
Thursday 15 September 2011
Blessed Be Your Name
Lately, Noah and I have been doing some serious jamming out to this song while we are in the car. I can't help but play it over and over and over....
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
There are two parts of this song that just make my heart ache...
"Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name"
I just keep thinking about when Shane (my brother) died in a car wreck. This was the time in my life I was definitely in the most desert place, walking through the wilderness, on a road with suffering... and at this time.. I did NOT say blessed be your name. Instead, I was angry. SO ANGRY! I spent about a year in this anger. Even my closest of friends don't know of this... don't know how I dealt day in and day out... the things I went through in my mind and heart... but you know what... when I look back to that first year after his death... I see how I pulled from Him... and i know that my close friends could definitely see that!
So many people, especially those that I worked with, always told me that I always seemed so happy... a smile on my face. Let me tell you.. I can fake it until I make it with the best of them! :) But back to what I was saying.. I struggled you guys.. so bad. And during this, I let my faith falter.. I quit going to church as much, I quit going to Bible Study, I quit praying as much, reading the Word.. and during this.. I watched one of my best friends fall along side of me.. and the other... just press on. God has been so good! A friend I never really even knew was a Christian.. today is one of the most Godly women that I know. I just wish I had been able to be that Godly friend for her... during the hardest time of my life... but I FAILED guys. I failed. I let Satan take control over me.. and make me angry.
No, I did not turn into a bad person.. but I did turn from the Lord... and I didn't confide in Him. I let my heart grow weary and cold... and parts of it still might be. It is a work in progress. For me, I know that my God is an amazing God ... a healer. My sister once said to me that she didn't understand why God didn't just heal Shane... why couldn't God have just let him get hurt? Why did he allow my brother to die? I know He didn't cause the wreck or anything... but He does have complete control.. right?
Sooooo.. this song. It just makes me cry and smile all at the same time!! I wish I could say that through the hardest time in my life... I had cried out and held strong to the Lord... but... I didn't. I failed in that area.. and THAT hurts my heart. So, with that said... Tell me about a time you found yourself in the desert place... Did you cling to the Lord or find yourself fall away? Leave a comment and you will be entered into a drawing. I see so many of my blogging friends doing this... I too, will do it! For our first drawing, I am not going to tell you what it is.. But you have until September 20th to comment .... that will enter your into the drawing... if you share my blog on FB.. comment again and tell me, that will give you an additional submission into the contest. We will see how this goes.. maybe I can do a drawing monthly.. but this will be in honor of my 28th birthday!
Let me know what you think!
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
There are two parts of this song that just make my heart ache...
"Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name"
I just keep thinking about when Shane (my brother) died in a car wreck. This was the time in my life I was definitely in the most desert place, walking through the wilderness, on a road with suffering... and at this time.. I did NOT say blessed be your name. Instead, I was angry. SO ANGRY! I spent about a year in this anger. Even my closest of friends don't know of this... don't know how I dealt day in and day out... the things I went through in my mind and heart... but you know what... when I look back to that first year after his death... I see how I pulled from Him... and i know that my close friends could definitely see that!
So many people, especially those that I worked with, always told me that I always seemed so happy... a smile on my face. Let me tell you.. I can fake it until I make it with the best of them! :) But back to what I was saying.. I struggled you guys.. so bad. And during this, I let my faith falter.. I quit going to church as much, I quit going to Bible Study, I quit praying as much, reading the Word.. and during this.. I watched one of my best friends fall along side of me.. and the other... just press on. God has been so good! A friend I never really even knew was a Christian.. today is one of the most Godly women that I know. I just wish I had been able to be that Godly friend for her... during the hardest time of my life... but I FAILED guys. I failed. I let Satan take control over me.. and make me angry.
No, I did not turn into a bad person.. but I did turn from the Lord... and I didn't confide in Him. I let my heart grow weary and cold... and parts of it still might be. It is a work in progress. For me, I know that my God is an amazing God ... a healer. My sister once said to me that she didn't understand why God didn't just heal Shane... why couldn't God have just let him get hurt? Why did he allow my brother to die? I know He didn't cause the wreck or anything... but He does have complete control.. right?
Sooooo.. this song. It just makes me cry and smile all at the same time!! I wish I could say that through the hardest time in my life... I had cried out and held strong to the Lord... but... I didn't. I failed in that area.. and THAT hurts my heart. So, with that said... Tell me about a time you found yourself in the desert place... Did you cling to the Lord or find yourself fall away? Leave a comment and you will be entered into a drawing. I see so many of my blogging friends doing this... I too, will do it! For our first drawing, I am not going to tell you what it is.. But you have until September 20th to comment .... that will enter your into the drawing... if you share my blog on FB.. comment again and tell me, that will give you an additional submission into the contest. We will see how this goes.. maybe I can do a drawing monthly.. but this will be in honor of my 28th birthday!
Let me know what you think!
Wednesday 14 September 2011
East Texas FIRES
They are too close for comfort for me. They have been in my 'neck o the woods' for a little bit now.. but last night I got the phone call that my nieces and nephew had been evacuated... then I began to see pictures from their moms phone! SCARY! My heart just hurt. I know the kids are young and don't understand a lot of things... and would likely not remember any of this. But my heart is screaming- NO! These kids do not need more turmoil at their age... they only lost their DADDY less than two years ago. Their Daddy who will not be with them anymore. These kids have memories from their daddy in their homes, with their stuff. I know it is all JUST stuff..... but! I guess I just got really bothered because there is nothing I can do to help. I hate that!
But Praise God! For now their houses are okay. Bless those people that continue to lose their homes. I just don't understand. I wish all of it would just stop. The whole world is just crazy right now. Please continue to keep my fellow Texans in your prayers.
But Praise God! For now their houses are okay. Bless those people that continue to lose their homes. I just don't understand. I wish all of it would just stop. The whole world is just crazy right now. Please continue to keep my fellow Texans in your prayers.
Monday 12 September 2011
Mass Update Email
Friends and Family,
We are finally settled into our new home. If you keep up with us on facebook you have seen a million pictures of our home, our little monkey, and all the fun we are having. We are waiting on our stuff to get here from our storage from our first base in Mississippi... it is going to be like Christmas! Almost our whole house is in order and it is GREAT! We love our home. We know that God had this house here waiting for us for a reason... it is so perfect for us. We are adjusting to life in the states ok. We, rather I, miss Japan a ton and my family there.... I would be back there in a heartbeat. It seems to be much harder being stateside because I am SOOO close to my family and yet, so far away. We love our neighborhood... it is all we have wanted... a nice, friendly, fun neighborhood to raise Noah in.
We have found a church and have gotten plugged into a Small Group. What a blessing these people have been in our lives already! God is so good. I have been seeing Him in so much that has happened and been going on since we arrived here. We really enjoy our preacher as he is amazing.. and gives great Life Lesson Sermons. We don't feel like we are being preached at.. but learning so much. Nathan loves the church and said we didn't need to look any further! :)
Nathan is loving is job at the Fire Department here. He is staying busy and learning new things.... as going to any new base brings new adventures and more education. He was born to be a home owner as he loves all of these little projects that keep him busy around here. Cassey is waiting to get licensed from the state of California to do childcare. She is ready to start but also enjoying every moment with Noah. She truly believes she was born to be a stay at home mom. Again, if you keep up with us on facebook or our blog, you see all her new endeavors. Noah is amazing. He is just so fun. Growing and learning something new everyday. He talks so much. Repeats everything you say. This age is too much fun. This month he will be 18 months. WHERE, oh where, did the time go. What happened to our baby? Dezi loves it here.. loves having a back yard and just enjoying being settled. She didn't care too much for the traveling.
For those that don't keep up with us, feel free to follow us on facebook or check our our blog occassionally.. Cassey tries to update it regularly.
http://shaw-family-adventures.blogspot.com/
Blessings!
Nate, Cass, Noah, and Dezi
We are finally settled into our new home. If you keep up with us on facebook you have seen a million pictures of our home, our little monkey, and all the fun we are having. We are waiting on our stuff to get here from our storage from our first base in Mississippi... it is going to be like Christmas! Almost our whole house is in order and it is GREAT! We love our home. We know that God had this house here waiting for us for a reason... it is so perfect for us. We are adjusting to life in the states ok. We, rather I, miss Japan a ton and my family there.... I would be back there in a heartbeat. It seems to be much harder being stateside because I am SOOO close to my family and yet, so far away. We love our neighborhood... it is all we have wanted... a nice, friendly, fun neighborhood to raise Noah in.
We have found a church and have gotten plugged into a Small Group. What a blessing these people have been in our lives already! God is so good. I have been seeing Him in so much that has happened and been going on since we arrived here. We really enjoy our preacher as he is amazing.. and gives great Life Lesson Sermons. We don't feel like we are being preached at.. but learning so much. Nathan loves the church and said we didn't need to look any further! :)
Nathan is loving is job at the Fire Department here. He is staying busy and learning new things.... as going to any new base brings new adventures and more education. He was born to be a home owner as he loves all of these little projects that keep him busy around here. Cassey is waiting to get licensed from the state of California to do childcare. She is ready to start but also enjoying every moment with Noah. She truly believes she was born to be a stay at home mom. Again, if you keep up with us on facebook or our blog, you see all her new endeavors. Noah is amazing. He is just so fun. Growing and learning something new everyday. He talks so much. Repeats everything you say. This age is too much fun. This month he will be 18 months. WHERE, oh where, did the time go. What happened to our baby? Dezi loves it here.. loves having a back yard and just enjoying being settled. She didn't care too much for the traveling.
For those that don't keep up with us, feel free to follow us on facebook or check our our blog occassionally.. Cassey tries to update it regularly.
http://shaw-family-adventures.blogspot.com/
Blessings!
Nate, Cass, Noah, and Dezi
Saturday 10 September 2011
September 11, 2011
Where was I? I was a freshman in college... and I was asleep. My roommate ran to the room to tell me what had happened. Classes were cancelled at East Texas Baptist University.... and we had a lot of prayer times in the chapel. I was just in a state of shock at what I Was seeing on TV. I was only 17 years old. I'l never forget. I remember that Nate was taking a road trip and I was worried sick about him. It was days before I heard from him.... I was never so happy to hear that boys voice. I remember being in the chapel crying for the lives lost... and not understanding AT ALL.. I remember that next summer as I boarded a plane to Wyoming to serve as a summer missionary, how scared I was to get on that plane (first time ever).... all because of 9/11. We will never understand... I read many of the books that were put out by spouses.. and it broke my heart. Though I will never truly understand the pain because I Was not impacted personally.... I'll always have the pain because I am America... my husband leaves because of this very thing.... I'll never forget.
On March 11, 2011.. I remember where I was as well. SIX months ago, my students had just left the school and my best friend, Kimmy was coming to get me. We were going to go pick up Noah to go to Hachinohae to Toys R' US. The earthquake hit! OMG! I thought I was dying.. I am not kidding. It kept going.. they kept coming. Kim shows up.. we decide to go ahead and go.. we had no clue what had just happened was so terrible. WE were used to earthquakes.. we had one pretty sucky a couple of days before. As we were in the parking lot... getting Noah's carseat switched to Kim's van.. we just watched as cars shook from side to side as the aftershocks/earthquakes WHATEVER you want to call them... kept coming and coming!!!!!! They wouldn't stop. We still thought.. maybe we will go. Driving around base was somber..... all the lights were out. #1 priority.. get noah from off base. We did... everything was off otu there too.. We finally decided it was best to go home. (Keep i mind, our guys were deployed) I can tell you that we had no clue the extremity of the situation in Japan... I would dare to say most of us did not. We spent the evening with no electricity and running to the car, to the doorway, or perfectly still.. always grabbing a kid or two.. depending who was closest -- each time another one hit. It was constant. No lie. We finally decided to drive to Main base and see what was up.. we ended up going to the Commissary and they just let us in even though there was no electricity and they were closing, but we got batteries. That night we sat in her dark house with our candles just talking about 'what if this hit the news, our family would be so worried'... but not seriously, like we were laughing. We had NO CLUE! All through the night we kept getting the quakes, it was so scary. I just knew it was the end of the world. The next morning we were able to get AFN (our base radio) going on my radio and we heard the guy say something about "President Obama's address to the nation about the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan." We just looked at each other. NO WAY!!! NOOO freaking way. So, indeed our family did know about it, as did the rest of the WORLD! As we listened throughout the day we would learn just how bad it was.... but we still had no clue. The base set up an Emergency Center were we could go call our families. Even when we talked to them- we told them we didn't know how bad it was... everyone in the United States (or rather WORLD) knew what was going on much more than we did!!! We were able to check our email quickly at the FD and I couldn't help but sneak a peak at some of the pictures online.. I was IN SHOCK!!! I couldn't believe it. My home.. and it was SO close SO close to us. Now, I sit here 6 months later.. my heart craves for Japan because that place became home to me. I went through a lot there... Losing Shane, Having Noah, 2 deployments, Earthquake and Tsunami.. and all of this I walked side by side with my best friends. I love that place and half of my heart is still there.. Always will be. :(
I may have written more about the Japan tragedy... but those memories are so fresh- and I just have so many more vivid memories on it. 10 years ago today our world changed. The scary world we live in became THAT Much more scarier... and since then my dear husband has left his family THREE times on a deployment ... sacrificing so much for our country. Many times a country that is so ungrateful for our men and women in uniform who are out there protecting us. As we remember the lost today... remember those that have lost also fighting this War on Terror. Remember all of the families that have been left behind and gotten word that THEIR loved one is gone.... just as the families on 9/11. I have to turn my TV off.. because I find myself consumed. My heart aches for these families. I cried many times this morning watching it... MANY times. A boy gives a speech about losing his father... I relate because I think of how Addi, Ashtyn, and Chloe are going to feel in 8 years when they say 10 years ago I lost my Daddy... A mom gives a speech about her son. My heart hurts because I think of my own mom who lost her son at such a young age. Boys and girls talk about losing their brother... I can't take it. AT aLL.
I am not comparing my brothers wreck to 9/11. I am just saying.. when these people talk- it stirs up so much in me that I just can't handle today. Not today! Anyone that loses someone close to them... they know the pain. I know how December 3rd feels each year. I know what a reminder the 3rd of any month is. ... I know how it feels to go through the anniversary.. and wonder WHY! I am praying for these families today.. and as I go to church today, I am so thankful for another day that God has given my family and I... and I am reminded that my days are limited and I need to SERVE him! May God bless you today!
On March 11, 2011.. I remember where I was as well. SIX months ago, my students had just left the school and my best friend, Kimmy was coming to get me. We were going to go pick up Noah to go to Hachinohae to Toys R' US. The earthquake hit! OMG! I thought I was dying.. I am not kidding. It kept going.. they kept coming. Kim shows up.. we decide to go ahead and go.. we had no clue what had just happened was so terrible. WE were used to earthquakes.. we had one pretty sucky a couple of days before. As we were in the parking lot... getting Noah's carseat switched to Kim's van.. we just watched as cars shook from side to side as the aftershocks/earthquakes WHATEVER you want to call them... kept coming and coming!!!!!! They wouldn't stop. We still thought.. maybe we will go. Driving around base was somber..... all the lights were out. #1 priority.. get noah from off base. We did... everything was off otu there too.. We finally decided it was best to go home. (Keep i mind, our guys were deployed) I can tell you that we had no clue the extremity of the situation in Japan... I would dare to say most of us did not. We spent the evening with no electricity and running to the car, to the doorway, or perfectly still.. always grabbing a kid or two.. depending who was closest -- each time another one hit. It was constant. No lie. We finally decided to drive to Main base and see what was up.. we ended up going to the Commissary and they just let us in even though there was no electricity and they were closing, but we got batteries. That night we sat in her dark house with our candles just talking about 'what if this hit the news, our family would be so worried'... but not seriously, like we were laughing. We had NO CLUE! All through the night we kept getting the quakes, it was so scary. I just knew it was the end of the world. The next morning we were able to get AFN (our base radio) going on my radio and we heard the guy say something about "President Obama's address to the nation about the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan." We just looked at each other. NO WAY!!! NOOO freaking way. So, indeed our family did know about it, as did the rest of the WORLD! As we listened throughout the day we would learn just how bad it was.... but we still had no clue. The base set up an Emergency Center were we could go call our families. Even when we talked to them- we told them we didn't know how bad it was... everyone in the United States (or rather WORLD) knew what was going on much more than we did!!! We were able to check our email quickly at the FD and I couldn't help but sneak a peak at some of the pictures online.. I was IN SHOCK!!! I couldn't believe it. My home.. and it was SO close SO close to us. Now, I sit here 6 months later.. my heart craves for Japan because that place became home to me. I went through a lot there... Losing Shane, Having Noah, 2 deployments, Earthquake and Tsunami.. and all of this I walked side by side with my best friends. I love that place and half of my heart is still there.. Always will be. :(
I may have written more about the Japan tragedy... but those memories are so fresh- and I just have so many more vivid memories on it. 10 years ago today our world changed. The scary world we live in became THAT Much more scarier... and since then my dear husband has left his family THREE times on a deployment ... sacrificing so much for our country. Many times a country that is so ungrateful for our men and women in uniform who are out there protecting us. As we remember the lost today... remember those that have lost also fighting this War on Terror. Remember all of the families that have been left behind and gotten word that THEIR loved one is gone.... just as the families on 9/11. I have to turn my TV off.. because I find myself consumed. My heart aches for these families. I cried many times this morning watching it... MANY times. A boy gives a speech about losing his father... I relate because I think of how Addi, Ashtyn, and Chloe are going to feel in 8 years when they say 10 years ago I lost my Daddy... A mom gives a speech about her son. My heart hurts because I think of my own mom who lost her son at such a young age. Boys and girls talk about losing their brother... I can't take it. AT aLL.
I am not comparing my brothers wreck to 9/11. I am just saying.. when these people talk- it stirs up so much in me that I just can't handle today. Not today! Anyone that loses someone close to them... they know the pain. I know how December 3rd feels each year. I know what a reminder the 3rd of any month is. ... I know how it feels to go through the anniversary.. and wonder WHY! I am praying for these families today.. and as I go to church today, I am so thankful for another day that God has given my family and I... and I am reminded that my days are limited and I need to SERVE him! May God bless you today!
Wednesday 7 September 2011
I am truly blessed...
I am so thankful for who I am! There are only a few things about me that I am unhappy about- and they can all be fixed. In general I am a very happy person... We move around regularly.. and I love it. Yes, it hurts to leave the amazing family that you make each place you go.. but once you start meeting new people and getting plugged in... it is just such a home feeling! As long as I am with my boys and can get in touch with the family via phone, I am good! :) Although I do wish I was closer. I guess for this season of our life that we aren't meant to be closer to home. Britt, my sister, said it perfectly.. she was really upset we didn't get stationed in Abilene, Texas.. as that was our prayer.. to be living in the same city... but she finally had to come to terms with it and realized.. well maybe God is waiting to send us that way for closer to retirement! :) Happy thoughts!
MY SISTER AND ME!
I still think of Shane, my brother, very often.. like everyday. There are sometimes that I want to call him and tell him something or ask him something.. and I remember I can't. Why can't heaven have a phone? Seriously. I wish more than anything that he could meet Noah. My gosh, he would LOOOVE Noah! And vice verca. One of Noah's new favorite things to say is "Whose dat"... and in Noah's room is a picture of Shane and his son, Ashtyn. I don't even second think it when I answer Noah's pointing finger and sweet 'Whose dat?" to my brothers picture. I tell him "That is uncle Shane.. can you say Uncle Shane?"
THE PICTURE BLOWN UP IN NOAH'S ROOM
What a blessing noah is in my life and the times when I miss Shane the most .. either someone tells me of the resemblance of him and Shane or I see Shane in him. Today I visited with new friends. They know nothing about my brother. They know nothing about me. Well one friend, her BROTHER is visiting this week and she is sooo excited. I am excited for her. I would lie though if I told you that it didn't pain my heart a little when the girls were talking about her brother visiting and how he hasn't seen her boys in a couple of years and hasn't even met the youngest one. It pained me.. because my brother will never meet my Noah on this side of the earth! BUT! I am truly happy for her.
ME AND MY BIG BROTHER-- THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM (day I left for Japan)
I can't wait to meet THAT friend- you know, the one that you can share everything with. The one that you call anytime and they answer. The one that you can just go over and not call before hand. The one that you can walk around the store with for nothing. The one that will drop everything to help you. The one that will keep your kid, or vice verca, when needed. You know the one I am talking about!??! I can't wait to meet that friend here. I see so many potential people! :) I have been blessed to have a couple of those friends in my life. Some of them will FOREVER be that friend, even with the distance! :) God has been so good to me.
MY FAVORITE GIRLIES.. THEY HAVE BEEN WITH ME THROUGH SO MUCH.. AND THEY WERE/ARE THAT FRIEND!
This is my favorite picture.. because it is us in action- where we normally were together: The kitchen.. and i was pregnant.. I loved being pregnant!! It makes me smile.
*UPDATE*was just informed that I am NOT pregnant with Noah in this picture.. hah! It was Easter and Noah had been born the previous Sunday! With that said, I was still super happy... I loved being a Mommy from Day 1*
There seem to be so many thoughts in my head lately! I miss my mom. If you are the praying type, pray for her. She still struggles so bad with losing her first born, her only son. I can only imagine the pain my mom feels. On top of that, things have happened in the past year and a half that are crazily stupid.. but have put a division between my family. I hurt for my mom. She has this hard shell... yea, that must be where I get it from! :) (And I know you will eventually read this, but it is my heart).. I just pray that God breaks that shell... and she can heal. As much as a mom can heal after losing her son. I wish that we all lived SO much closer.. I wish I could be there for her like I need to be. I wish I could be part of those kiddos lives. What an amazing mom. She picked up with what Shane was doing.. and she has his kids when he would have. It is sOOO great for those kiddies, but sometimes so hard. I love my mom. Pleaes, please. just pray for her.
TRIED TO UPLOAD A PIC OF MY MOM. AFTER 2 TRIES AND 10 MINUTES EACH TIME, I GAVE UP. THANK YOU BLOGGER! :(
MY SISTER AND ME!
I still think of Shane, my brother, very often.. like everyday. There are sometimes that I want to call him and tell him something or ask him something.. and I remember I can't. Why can't heaven have a phone? Seriously. I wish more than anything that he could meet Noah. My gosh, he would LOOOVE Noah! And vice verca. One of Noah's new favorite things to say is "Whose dat"... and in Noah's room is a picture of Shane and his son, Ashtyn. I don't even second think it when I answer Noah's pointing finger and sweet 'Whose dat?" to my brothers picture. I tell him "That is uncle Shane.. can you say Uncle Shane?"
THE PICTURE BLOWN UP IN NOAH'S ROOM
What a blessing noah is in my life and the times when I miss Shane the most .. either someone tells me of the resemblance of him and Shane or I see Shane in him. Today I visited with new friends. They know nothing about my brother. They know nothing about me. Well one friend, her BROTHER is visiting this week and she is sooo excited. I am excited for her. I would lie though if I told you that it didn't pain my heart a little when the girls were talking about her brother visiting and how he hasn't seen her boys in a couple of years and hasn't even met the youngest one. It pained me.. because my brother will never meet my Noah on this side of the earth! BUT! I am truly happy for her.
ME AND MY BIG BROTHER-- THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM (day I left for Japan)
I can't wait to meet THAT friend- you know, the one that you can share everything with. The one that you call anytime and they answer. The one that you can just go over and not call before hand. The one that you can walk around the store with for nothing. The one that will drop everything to help you. The one that will keep your kid, or vice verca, when needed. You know the one I am talking about!??! I can't wait to meet that friend here. I see so many potential people! :) I have been blessed to have a couple of those friends in my life. Some of them will FOREVER be that friend, even with the distance! :) God has been so good to me.
MY FAVORITE GIRLIES.. THEY HAVE BEEN WITH ME THROUGH SO MUCH.. AND THEY WERE/ARE THAT FRIEND!
This is my favorite picture.. because it is us in action- where we normally were together: The kitchen.. and i was pregnant.. I loved being pregnant!! It makes me smile.
*UPDATE*was just informed that I am NOT pregnant with Noah in this picture.. hah! It was Easter and Noah had been born the previous Sunday! With that said, I was still super happy... I loved being a Mommy from Day 1*
There seem to be so many thoughts in my head lately! I miss my mom. If you are the praying type, pray for her. She still struggles so bad with losing her first born, her only son. I can only imagine the pain my mom feels. On top of that, things have happened in the past year and a half that are crazily stupid.. but have put a division between my family. I hurt for my mom. She has this hard shell... yea, that must be where I get it from! :) (And I know you will eventually read this, but it is my heart).. I just pray that God breaks that shell... and she can heal. As much as a mom can heal after losing her son. I wish that we all lived SO much closer.. I wish I could be there for her like I need to be. I wish I could be part of those kiddos lives. What an amazing mom. She picked up with what Shane was doing.. and she has his kids when he would have. It is sOOO great for those kiddies, but sometimes so hard. I love my mom. Pleaes, please. just pray for her.
TRIED TO UPLOAD A PIC OF MY MOM. AFTER 2 TRIES AND 10 MINUTES EACH TIME, I GAVE UP. THANK YOU BLOGGER! :(
Discouragement
Learning Ladder Childcare won't be opened until AT LEAST December!
I heard from the state of California yesterday. They said they are backed up, so I was curious to know what that meant exactly.. a couple of weeks, a month? I had definitely expected to be able to start next month. I am told they are backed up by about FOUR months.. and I am on the list for them to come inspect my house in DECEMBER!! So discouraging. I was really upset at first. I HATE not being able to contribute to my family financially. If you know my husband, you know that he doesn't really think stay-at-home moms do much... BUT! I want him to feel like I am contributing with more than taking care of our son.
So today I have had this huge thought in my head... I know that GOD has a plan and HE has control over everything, including this inspection. WHAT is the reasoning behind this four month delay? I know there is something the Lord wants me to take from it? I am just trying to figure out what. I keep thinking.. Hm.. maybe he wants me to learn how to be a dedicated mom who educates my son and takes care of my husband. Maybe I need to be putting things in different places in my life? I am eager to watch Noah learn. It is so much fun. He is saying so many new, big words EVERY day. It is so much fun. I am waiting for my curriculum to get here that I bought. I intend to go ahead and get Noah on the schedule that I will use for my daycare. With the exception of playdates (such as today)... we will go!! I think I need to prioritize my life a little more.
On a bright note, I can take ONE family at a time to keep. And I got a phone call yesterday about keeping an 8 week old. I have an interview with them tomorrow... so if it is the right fit, I pray that Lord will show all four of us that it is!! ;) With that said, I am getting off of here to work on a puzzle with my little man!
I heard from the state of California yesterday. They said they are backed up, so I was curious to know what that meant exactly.. a couple of weeks, a month? I had definitely expected to be able to start next month. I am told they are backed up by about FOUR months.. and I am on the list for them to come inspect my house in DECEMBER!! So discouraging. I was really upset at first. I HATE not being able to contribute to my family financially. If you know my husband, you know that he doesn't really think stay-at-home moms do much... BUT! I want him to feel like I am contributing with more than taking care of our son.
So today I have had this huge thought in my head... I know that GOD has a plan and HE has control over everything, including this inspection. WHAT is the reasoning behind this four month delay? I know there is something the Lord wants me to take from it? I am just trying to figure out what. I keep thinking.. Hm.. maybe he wants me to learn how to be a dedicated mom who educates my son and takes care of my husband. Maybe I need to be putting things in different places in my life? I am eager to watch Noah learn. It is so much fun. He is saying so many new, big words EVERY day. It is so much fun. I am waiting for my curriculum to get here that I bought. I intend to go ahead and get Noah on the schedule that I will use for my daycare. With the exception of playdates (such as today)... we will go!! I think I need to prioritize my life a little more.
On a bright note, I can take ONE family at a time to keep. And I got a phone call yesterday about keeping an 8 week old. I have an interview with them tomorrow... so if it is the right fit, I pray that Lord will show all four of us that it is!! ;) With that said, I am getting off of here to work on a puzzle with my little man!
Tuesday 6 September 2011
9lbs of bread,. WHAT?!
Am I going to become the person that turns my blog into the new foods that I cook? NO!! But I am so proud of some of my new recipes.. that I want to share. Today i decided I wanted to make bread. Well... I babysat tonight, so I was a little sidetracked. I started the recipe for 9lbs of bread. I couldn't go back.. not after I used all the honey! :S... so I made 9lbs of bread. Holy Rising Bread!!!
I freak a little.. call the mother in law and we decide I should try to freeze some. She has a friend who has done that and it has worked out well. So I divided my bread into six balls. Froze three... Cooked 2 loaves of bread and one of the balls I turned into cinnamon rolls...
The rolls came out tasting great.. I haven't tasted the bread yet, but i am sure I will tomrrow. I am having TOO much fun cooking. Now I just can't wait to get my wheat grinder from storage.. although after three and a half years, I have a sinking feeling that it isn't going to work anymore. I am tempted to ask the husband to get me one for my birthday.. but there are several things I would like to treat myself to for that day... and I Am not sure which one that I want the most. I want a grinder and a sewing machine pretty bad.. Oh well.. such is life! :)
I freak a little.. call the mother in law and we decide I should try to freeze some. She has a friend who has done that and it has worked out well. So I divided my bread into six balls. Froze three... Cooked 2 loaves of bread and one of the balls I turned into cinnamon rolls...
The rolls came out tasting great.. I haven't tasted the bread yet, but i am sure I will tomrrow. I am having TOO much fun cooking. Now I just can't wait to get my wheat grinder from storage.. although after three and a half years, I have a sinking feeling that it isn't going to work anymore. I am tempted to ask the husband to get me one for my birthday.. but there are several things I would like to treat myself to for that day... and I Am not sure which one that I want the most. I want a grinder and a sewing machine pretty bad.. Oh well.. such is life! :)
Sunday 4 September 2011
Homemade Bagels
*Note that these took some time and were quite tedious, but YUMMY*
Yield: 15 bagels, 1 cookie sheet
Oen: 450 degrees, 12 minutes
Water, warmed: 2.5 cups
Oil: 2 tsp
Sugar: 1/3 cup
Yeast, Active Dry: 4 tsp
1. Combine the above in a 4-5qt mixer bowl with dough hooks.
2. Use wire whisk to dissolve yeast
3. Let sit until foamy; 5-10 minutes
Flour, all purpose: 7.5 cups
Salt: 2.5 tsp
4. Combine and add
5. Mix until combined. (Dough will be very stiff)
6. Increase to medium speed and mix for 7-8 minutes or until gluten is developed (a small piece of dough can be stretched paper-thin without tearing)
7. Cover dough and let rest fro 10 minutes.
8. Roll into 16" log. Cut into 15, 1" slices.
9. Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
10. Cover and let balls rest for 5 minutes.
11. Shape into rings by poking finger in center of each ball. Then work in a circle to widen the hole to 1.5-2" wide.
12. Place on cornmeal-dusted cookie sheet, 5 rows of 3.
13. Cover tightly and chill overnight.
NEXT DAY
14. Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit for 20 minutes.
15. Boil for 30 seconds. Remove to wire rack. (I found it better if you boil for about 15 sec on one side and make sure it flips to get the other side)
16. Place on greased cookie sheet.
17. Bake at 450 for 12 minutes or until browned. (Mine did not really brown on top.. but I felt them and could tell they were done)
ENJOY!
Variations:
HONEY WHOLE WHEAT: Substitute honey for sugar. Substitute whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour.
CINNAMON RAISIN: Add along witht eh flour: 1 and 3/4 tsp cinnamon and 1 cup raisins.
Saturday 3 September 2011
I want to be "THAT" mom and wife..
Is it finally happening? Am I finding the time now that we are settled to be "that" wife and mom that I have wanted to be for.. well, forever! I think it might be true. Who would have ever thought that everything my mother-in-law has ever preached to me... from whole wheat, baking my own bread, cooking from scratch... all the way to homeschooling-- would become the desires of my heart? Who would have thought it... ???
Finally after eight years of marriage... I no longer have a job outside of the home. I am currently waiting for California to get up to speed and come inspect our home so I can get my daycare license... but that is just a waiting game with the state. But I get to stay home with Noah! I have joined a veggie 'co-op' where I will get tons of fresh veggies each week!! I am so pumped about this. Our wheat grinder should be here by the end of the month, so I am looking into getting wheat so I can grind it myself. Say goodbye to store bought bread and everything I can make. Tonight I am working hard on homemade bagels.
Yesterday I realized that I love it here. I love my home. I love it all. Do I miss my family, YES! It was so much easier being in Japan.... I didn't really have much of a choice to go home. But they are just RIGHT.HERE... yet still 30 hours away. Makes it hard. Makes me sad I won't see any of the soccer games and such for my brother's kids. I just hope I can see it one day! I miss my family in Japan SOOO much.. but I am learning to live my life here.. without them, as sad as it is. To a normal person, that may not seem like you can do it.. but with the life we live, we do. But I can tell you I made friends that will be my friends FOREVER over there... and will always, ALWAYS be my family.
God has blessed us with a church home already. I am eager to get involved and get to know more people in the church. We are already involved in a small group, which is so nice! I purchased my preschool curriculum today. I hope it is as great as I think it will be. I know I could have wrote my own, but to be honest... I just didn't want too!! As I love life here, I leave you with a couple of pictures... of my new favorite things right now!! COOKING!!!
Friday 2 September 2011
A whole lot o' nothin'
There is nothing going on new here. Just waiting for the state to give me my in home daycare license so I can get started. I will be so happy to start bringing in some income to contribute to our family again. I have always worked.. so every time we move and I am without job-- it sucks for a bit! :) I mean, WE are okay.. but mentally I need to know that I am contributing financially to my family. The area we live in is so great to me. It isn't too big... but it isn't too small. We can get anywhere we need in just minutes. We have our security system installed- so you should know that I slept a whole lot better last night. Working on getting the Rooster head to sleep on his own.... I joined a vegetable coop.. I am excited about that. Fresh farm grown veggies WEEKLY! Noah has started eating a whole lot more food. He had his check-up yesterday. Dr. is shocked with how much he does. This morning he said BANANA clear as day to me.. I was like.. Uh, excuse me.. please go back to being a baby! :) I am so proud of the little boy he has become. I am one proud mommy. Sure miss my family and because we are stateside, I wish we were close enough to drive home for a long weekend... but we aren't .. gotta learn my new, new! :) Miss my friends.. and I sure miss Japan! :)
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