Back to my friends...

So, I had this grand idea of writing about my friends for a week, and well, I had those other things on my heart so, I kind of got a little sidetracked. Today..... let's talk about Darci!

Oh, Darci. You and I have been through so many good things together, as well as many trying things. Thankfully, through it all, we've been there for each other, we've been there to pray, and we've been there just to be there. Your friendship is a wonderful blessing to me in many ways. You have taught me a lot about being a better friend and person. You have shown me your faithfulness in God. You have been an example of an excellent, patient, self-less parent.

You are a natural teacher. An instructor with the best motive - love and true devotion to your student... no matter what the area of study. You have determination, motivation, and excellent execution of your plans. You follow through with what you've set your mind to, and I admire that very much. So many of us have these amazing plans and ideas but never really follow through with them. You, however, set a goal and totally go for it.

I still question sometimes why you call me 'friend', but I'm so glad you do. I am also so pleased that our sons have become such wonderful little friends. God is faithful, friend. God is faithful.

Only One.

There's only One who never fails to beckon the morning light...

-Only One by Caedmon's Call

Every shadow is evidence of sun...

-Sunrise by Nichole Nordeman

Only you can see the good in broken things...

-Hallelujah by Bethany Dillon

I believe You are good and righteous...

Be Near by Bethany Dillon

And, pretty much all of the lyrics to Beautiful by Shawn McDonald. (check this out)

These are just things that have been on my mind lately. There's so much junk in this world. So many things that are clearly wrong that are gradually turning into being accepted. Don't offend others, keep your beliefs to yourself. There are so many people (myself included) who are losing focus. My son is nearly 4 years old and we've done a very bad job of making sure he's been to church to learn about Christ. This is something I've been feeling extremely guilty about lately. We pray with him every night, and I'd like to think we set a good example of trying to be kind to others, help others in need, and just love, but that's not enough. It's not enough to be "good people". It's not enough. So many people are losing that core belief that Christ needs to be our Savior. We need to admit that "good" isn't enough.

Taking him to church does not guarantee his salvation. Churches can have just as negative effect in people's lives as well. I know this. But, will he ever know Christ if I don't expose him? Will he ever know the Way, if I'm not showing him?

Gulp.

Yes, exactly why I needed to write this post. To call myself out. To quit being a coward. To get my happy behind out of bed Sunday mornings and show my son what it is to obey. Churches can hurt people. I know this full well. But, churches can love people too. Churches can be something good. And, I know this full well too.

So readers, I'm asking that you pray that we find a church where Gabe can grow up. Where he can see us actively involved and obeying.

I know I'm being very personal here - and why blog about this? Well, no more worrying about what people think. It's exhausting feeling like I need to please everyone. This is part of the reason I stopped blogging before... I felt overwhelmed with feeling like I wasn't as great as these other blogger moms out there. I felt inadequate. I felt inferior. But, I guess I'm feeling stronger now or something!

Thanks for listening, friends. And, thanks for letting me be me. :)

Autumn's Blessings

Just because I'm feeling incredibly blessed:

• I have wonderful inlaws (on both sides of the family) who feel more like immediate family than "inlaws".
• I have a healthy, happy, hilarious little boy.
• I have a loving husband that loves me for who I am.
• I have terrific friends. Love them to pieces.
• I have the best siblings a person could ask for.
• I have awesome, talented, intelligent, cool nieces and nephew (and another little one in the oven... :)
• I love my part time job as a photographer.
• My business has been growing without advertising.
• My house is clean.
• It's Autumn - my favorite time of year.
  

What made my day...

Ok, we must have a break in the Momma Getaway talk about your friends week for this important announcement! Ahem...

I am going to be an Aunt again!

That's right! Dan & Sonya are expecting their first child. I am so thrilled because I know more than anything they want to be parents. And, they will be awesome ones. They are just naturals with kids... they will do such a great job with their own little bundle.

Congratulations, Brother & Sonya. I am praying for a happy, healthy, joy-filled pregnancy! Can't wait to meet that little one!

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage!

Today's Friend??? ...Marya!

Miss Marya (pronounced Mary-uh) is a great kind of friend. There are so many times that I'll just look at her and start smiling, trying not to laugh. Then she will look at me and say, "What?!" She just cracks me up. Often times, I find myself smiling, near laughter, as I approach the walkway to her house. I told her this one time - she didn't know why I'd start smiling. And I told her, "Because we always have such a great time together, and I just know I'm going to be laughing!"

Today is Marya's day because she and I scrapbooked together today. Gabe had preschool this morning and I was off work. So, she came up and we got to scrap. She and I can sit and scrap for hours (and we do!) It'll be nothing for us to start at 9:00 in the morning and not be done until 12:00, and that's only because we know we have to get home!

She's a mom that's a lot like me - pretty easy-going, yet worries about what she does or doesn't do to be a good mom. I know a lot of moms are like that, but she's just a lot like me. And, she's a lot like Tami. And, I think that's why the 3 of us get along so well! Marya has a very gentle heart... she will cry at any sad story. I love that about her, because she is able to show her emotion easily - not something that comes very easily to me.

Another thing about Marya is that no topic of conversation has not been approached between me and her! My husband always says, "What did you and Marya talk about tonight?" My response is always, "You know, weiners, like always!" For some reason, my husband thinks that's all women talk about when they're together! Another thing I love about Marya is that she takes crap from Greg and gives it right back to him. And, I think he really likes her for that. I don't know about you, but it's pretty cool when your husband likes your friends. Another way Marya and Tami are similar!

Marya, thank you for being a friend I know I'm guaranteed to laugh with, a friend who will talk about weiners with me (hahaha), and a friend who has been through thick and thin with me.

PS: Marya, please don't hate me for this picture... we really need to get some new ones of us together. I couldn't find ANY pictures of you by yourself! Hopefully this picture made you laugh... it sure made me.

Write About Your Friends Week!

So, I thought I'd write a little something (or sumfin, as Gabe would say) about each of my friends attending the Momma Getaway in a couple weeks. All these ladies mean so much to me, and well, I think I should share a little about them!

First up? Mrs. Tami Lyons! C'mon on down! You're the first friend on the Write About Your Friends Week!

Tami is one of the best people I've ever met, and the coolest thing about her is, she doesn't even know it. She and I have some of the best times ever, some of those being at the Momma Getaway's. Since I'm a snorer (booo...) I have to sleep in the snoring room. Well, Tami doesn't want me to be in the scary room by myself - If you saw where this lodge is located, you'd be afraid too... It's like Deliverance!

I digress.

Anywho, we have some of THE best conversations in there. We always lay in our bunks (not in a gay way - she in hers, me in mine!) and talk. Just when we say goodnight, one of us inevitably starts talking again, and we end up staying up for an hour or more talking! What a good friendship.

She's put up with my insecurities, my forgetfulness, and my busy life. She's cried with me when I've been upset, and she's given me hugs even when I didn't know I needed them. She's the best kind of friend - one that loves me for who I am and isn't afraid to tell me if/when I'm making a mistake, or doing something I may regret.

She & her family have introduced me to a world of new things: Serious garage sale shopping, Dominoes, Twilight, a new appreciation for scary movies, sewing, etc... Her family has embraced mine as their own. She and her husband Steve have raised fun, unconditionally loving, hilarious kids that we have grown extremely close to.

Tami, I am so thankful for you. Thank you for being my Bestie.

MG Fall 2010

Oh my goodness... I am so ready for the Fall Momma Getaway! What's a Momma Getaway you ask?? Well, let me just provide you with a little bullet list of details...

• Me and a few of my very closest friends. I'm kind of the common denominator among all of the ladies... I introduced them and we all seem to get along great!
• A LOT of scrapbooking. I mean A LOT. We each get a large table, put them in the shape of a large square (so we can see each other when we're talking) and scrap, sew, make jewelry, whatever from Thursday night to Sunday mid-afternoon! It's kind of like the old quilting bees.
• Good food. Each lady is responsible for providing a meal to share. And, we all bring snacks and our own drinks.
• Good conversations... sometimes its deep, sometimes its just funny!
• Staying up as late as we want (sometimes as late as 3:30 am... wowza... we're rebels!
• A lodge-type cabin... complete with a stuffed bear. (for our protection)
• Bunk beds! :)
• A snoring room - I won't say who's sleeping there.
• We have a TV/DVD combo there and we like to have movies playing in the background and we'll bring music too.
• No distractions and no "MOM!!!!!" or "I'm Firsty!!!" :) It's kinda nice to be able to relax a little without being distracted by all you have to do around the house too.
• Great husbands that realize that we work hard all year and understand that we need a break too.

Momma Getaway might seem a little selfish, but this is really the only time of year I get to scrapbook. We have a late winter/early spring one too. During the rest of the year, I'm busy as a Mom, wife, and photographer. Greg travels a lot with his job too, so this gives me a little away time. For like the entire month before, I'm busy organizing my pages (a lot of the fun of the whole thing for me!!) and just thinking about all I hope to get done. This year, we're going to incorporate some devotions in as well. I'm excited about trying to tie that into a scrapbook layout or craft idea too.

Momma Getaway - we're ready!

when I get where I'm goin...

I've thought a lot about the moment I get where I'm going. Now, because I'm a Christian, I believe with my heart that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. So, that means I'll meet Him in Heaven some day. I've thought about that time, walking with my Savior... What I'll ask him. What will matter. Will infertility matter? Will being overweight matter? Will the answer to whoever killed Jon Benet Ramsey matter? (Yes, I really want to know who dun it!)

Well, I don't think I'm going to ask 'why' me for infertility.

Crazy probably for me to think that way, I know. But, also remember, I have dealt with this for many years now - 8 or so. I've kind of come to a peace with it now. I know what my motherhood purpose is - to be a mom to the little boy I hear playing Batman in the tub right now. The little boy who makes me laugh everyday. The little boy that is guaranteed to frustrate me at least once a day. :) And, the little boy I would give everything up for. The little boy I would do it all again for. The hormone shots, the negative pregnancy tests, the waiting, the crying, the waiting, the pain, the waiting, ...

I would do it all again. In a second.

So, I guess it's not going to be one of the things I ask Him "Why?" I know why. Every road led me to Gabe, every tear, every heartache, led me to the little boy who is the center of my world. I could not love him any more than I do. I don't feel like he's someone else's. I don't feel like I missed out on the pregnancy. I feel like I got my own blessings in adopting a child. I don't feel like I was short-changed or cheated in any way. I feel blessed that I didn't experience the physical pain of labor. I feel blessed that Gabe's birth family has become part of our family. My boy has so many people in his life that love him so much.

So, I know why it all came together now. It took me a long time to get here, but I'm here. I feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be, and God knew that all along.

So, other women out there with fertility issues, remember God knows what He's doing. And just as a parent looks out for their child (even when they don't think it's fair - something I'm going through with a toddler right now), God is doing that for you. He knows how it will all pan out, and remember, His plans are to prosper you, not to harm you. He will fulfill the desires of your heart. Trust me, I've been where you are. Through great pain, and I mean awful pain, comes wonderful, amazing things. Just trust that He will get you through it.

It's good to be back.

So, after a break of blogging, I realized that I missed it, and well, it's good to be back. I really enjoyed writing about our lives, so I thought I'd try and get going on it again. Life's been pretty busy this summer, but awesome. My sister, Lindsey married her high school sweetheart on Cocoa Beach in FL in June. We had a reception for them at my parents' farm, and it was a great time. We took a few formals by the barn too.

My niece/Goddaughter was born July 24th to my sister, Jenny and her husband, Rene. She is the most beautiful little girl and I already feel such a bond with her. I was able to be in the room when she was born (an experience I will always cherish and be thankful for) and I got to hold her just minutes after her entrance to the world. Jenny and Rene are wonderful parents. She is such a sweet little one with such a calm, easy-going disposition. Love her, love her, love her.

And, August 28th, my little brother, Dan married his sweetheart, Sonya. I was honored to take the pictures at their wedding too. Sonya was a beautiful bride and their wedding was so special. I know I've talked before about how these "kids" (Jenny, Lindsey, & Dan) were all in an accident. Watching Jenny and Rene bring new life to the world, watching Lindsey and Matt say their vows, and watching Dan and Sonya dance to their song brought back a lot of emotion. Believe it or not, I'm not a very emotional person. I feel a LOT in my heart, but for some reason, I'm not a big crier. I sympathize and empathize with many, but tears don't come very often. Tears flowed from my eyes as I watched my brother and Mom dance to Always a Child.

Our family has experienced so many blessings in the past year. I have a new sister and two new brothers. I have a niece. I have a healthy boy and husband.

This adorable one starts preschool up again on Tuesday. He is very excited about it. I have to admit, I'm a little selfish when it comes to preschool starting again! I like having that 2 1/2 hours to get some work done, uninterrupted! I think I am a better mom for it! If I get to work those 2 hours when I'm home, I have more free uninterrupted time to do things with my son too.

On the business front, Wish I Might is staying very busy. I'm in senior picture mode and have several sessions lined up for Sept/Oct. It's been a blessing to have Wish I Might and I feel like I'm learning more and more everyday. In July, I had my first Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep session. I made it through it, but it was very difficult. I cried the entire way home from the hospital. I really was glad that I did it though. And, I had an awesome photographer there to help me through it. Really, emotionally and technically, she was so supportive. She let me take the entire session, but was there when I had any questions. I've really been thinking a lot about the session and wondering if I'll be able to do it on my own, and I think I will be able to. I'd like to be a part of 1 or 2 more sessions first - just to be a little more comfortable.

Greg had his first carpal tunnel surgery Thursday, so I'm playing nurse this week... pretending I know what I'm doing while changing bandages! :) With a mom and 2 sisters as nurses, some of it had to be passed to me too, right?

Thanks all for reading, putting up with my indecisiveness, and for coming back! :)