Please LIft This Precious Child Up Today to the Lord--HE is faithful and Hears Our Prayers!

On January 20, Sam's family discovered a mass the size of a golf ball on the lower part of Sam's neck--which eventually led to a diagnosis of cancer.



Read and follow Baby Sam's journey here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/samduckworth

Something For Just Him

Our middle monkey is 4 years old.
He is a delight.
He is a sensitve, sweet, cuddle bug.
He is also truly funny.....and I think he knows it. :)
But often we feel like he gets lost in the middle--a wee bit in his sister's (who is 6) shadow and not quite above the noise of his baby brother (who is 2).
We have to be very intentional not to overlook the little things that he needs us to notice.
We have to be very careful not to miss what he is clearly trying to get us to hear.

Today, his daddy is going to take him for T-ball sign-ups.
We are not a family that likes to do a lot of extra stuff--school, church, and just life seems to naturally fill up so much time already--that we feel as if we need to protect the rest...

But we think he needs something JUST for him.
I am hoping there are not a lot of practices, games, etc.--hope it is in moderation and not on Sundays. Sundays would be a deal breaker....

So stay tuned for updates on our little player!

The Lord is on MY Side

Today:

I may be pressed on every side, but I am not crushed.
I may be perplexed, but I am not in despair.
I may be persecuted, but I have not been abandoned.
I may be struck down, but I am not destroyed.
(2 Cor 4:8-9)

Etsy + My Princess = Perfect Match

Same Kind of Different as Me-- Must READ!

"A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel.A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream.A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana . . . and an East Texas honky-tonk . . . and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda . . . an upscale New York gallery . . . a downtown dumpster . . . a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, this true story also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love. "

If you haven't read "Same Kind of Different as Me" -- it is a MUST READ!

Who Will Stay, Who Will Leave?

One of the hardest things for me is the fact that not everyone stays in our lives.
Some will stay forever.
But others will merely pass through...
eventually leaving.

I get attached quickly and fairly easily.
Once I connect with someone, I am connected.
When they choose to leave, it hurts.

Most departures are subtle.
A message not returned.
An invite ignored or never accepted.

Time passes.
And then I realize....
Wow! This person really isn't in my life anymore.

I think of the past a lot.
Maybe more than I should.
I think of people of my past a lot.

I know that God placed each one in my life for a specific purpose.
I can usually look back and see that purpose.

And I know that God takes each one out of my life for a purpose just as important.
I can't always see that purpose.

My heart has many engravings--each from someone very special.
I am thankful for them all.

Updates

The two little girls I ask you to pray for--we did NOT match with them. CPS decided to place them with a family that had NO children. So we continue to trust God with His perfect plan.

Our little one is on day #3 of potty training and doing SO great--a little hard to believe. He is telling us when he has to go and even had a BIG success if you know what I mean this morning! Whoo Hoo! We are so proud of him!!!

Our sweet angel girl will be baptized on Sunday! I shared her story of salvation over a year ago--but she is finally ready to share with our friends and family what Jesus has done for her through baptism. We are so excited for her!

We moved to a new town in Texas in July--so we have been here for 7 months already. Isn't that insane how fast time flies?? We are LOVING it here. We are finally "home"!!! God has blessed us in so many ways--a great neighborhood to raise our children, great schools, great friends, a great church, hubby has a great job.... the list could go on and on. We are so thankful.

Ready. Set. Go.

Let Potty Training Begin!!!
I can't believe my little guy is ready for this--how can this be?
I am trying to convince myself that I am ready--I can do this right???

Christmas Cards Turned Into Prayer Cards

Thought I would share an idea:
We have saved all of our Christmas cards and have placed them in a basket in the center of our table.
Each night, we draw one and pray for that family.
Not an original idea-heard it shared a few years ago by someone--but we are really enjoying it.
The kids are so excited to draw a family and pray each night!

Please Say a Prayer...

Please say a prayer for two little girls ages 4 and 5. Their lives are on hold. They wait to see who will want them, where they will be placed.
I can only imagine how scared they must feel.

We submitted our homestudy tonight for the first time.
We trust God completely with everything.

Our hearts break for these little girls.
Our prayer is that God will unite them with the family that is PERFECT for THEM!
He knows them; he is their creator!!
What peace in that truth.

Just In Time- Right Before Any New Year's Resolutions Have Been Set

In My Presence you have infinite approval.
You often judge yourself on the basis of what you see in the mirror, even though you know how fickle and shallow that ever-changing image is.
You tend to be equally enslaved to viewing yourself through the eyes of other people, rigorously evaluating your personal performance and almost always feeling displeased with something you've said or done.

"Enslaved" is an appropriate word. You are indeed a slave when you try to measure yourself through any perspective but Mine.
Evaluating your worth based on how you look, to yourself or to others, is always a trap.

It's as you are sifting sand in a search for gold--looking only at the grains of sand filtering through the sieve, while ignoring the priceless nuggets that remain.
The gold represents the eternal part of you; your soul.
It is invisible to everyone but Me, the One who plans to spend eternity with you.
Though invisible, a well-nurtured soul can actually improve your appearance.
As you rest in the certainty of MY unfailing love, your face glows with the joy of my presence.

My approval of you is infinite because it will continue forever.
It is based entirely on MY Righteousness which is yours for all eternity.
When you look in a mirror, try to see yourself as you truly are--arrayed in perfect righteousness, adorned with a glowing approval.

Wow!
(This is from Jesus Lives by Sarah Young)

Facebook Reveals What I was Doing This Time Last Year

Jan 2009 Facebook Status Updates :)

is being entertained by watching my 17 month old make himself fall and laugh --full belly laugh! Oh, can they just stay little.
cleaning out--cleaning out--cleaning out!!!!
wants to fix it.
facing the reality of having to keep the house clean all the time...yikes! Gotta love selling a house.
just tucked in her sweet children.
feeling like getting under a cozy quilt.
is realizing I should have been in bed hours ago!!!
-planning a vacation is hard work :)
does dropping off my little one at school ever get easier?
is thankful for a wonderful husband.
thinks this is how it all begins......
is whoo hooo--very exciting!
is ramping matchbox cars from a homemade ramp--boys rock
should be packing!!
is waiting......
is almost ready for a road trip.....
is so very confused.
is so glad to be home and back to a normal routine!
is so happy her bestie is back home!!!!
is not motivated to do anything but nap!
is so this is what it looks like when I decide not to do anything for 1 day....
is thinking she just lost her hubby to the Vols!!!
my help comes from the Lord.
has to learn to like mornings more--for the sake of my family!
sleep baby sleep!!!!
is not sure why I waited this long to meal plan--it is a no brainer!!
is clay creations--great way to stall until daddy can get home--and I am quite proud of my clay duck and frog!
is gotta clean so the housekeeper can come tomorrow--what the heck is that???
is wishing she was in bed...
enjoyed meeting her sweet man for lunch--thanks babe!
tonight was date night with my hubby--it doesn't get any better!!!
is excited about a day with my family and sweet friends!
loves the gift of friendship -- time, distance vanishes as soon as you are together again.
is ready to face the day.
is stop barking McKenzie so these boys can go to sleep-UGH!!!!
thinks walking 5 miles after Mexican food is a bad idea.
is useless today--shame on me for staying up to 2 am!
enjoyed a walk with my hubby and sweet kids.
is in pain--my back aches...
has a renewed motivation this morning!
is glad Matei is home early today!
loves that Bryce is starting to obey more frequently!!!!
is watching my bipolar child go back and forth--happy, crazy, happy, crazy.
is ready for a vacation.
is thinks it is so cute how excited Julya is about going to Doughnuts with Dad this morning!
is OVER IT!!!!! TIME TO DECIDE!!!!!
is overwhelmed with peace--yay!!!!
is back from pizza night with the family :)
my heart is somewhere else.
is excited about my date today!
thinks her hubby is the best--thanks for taking me for some retail therapy today.
is seeing results!!!
is Sunny days....I think we are coming to a clearing.
is watching her OLD hubby sleeping!!!
is Bored and NOT sleepy---I wonder if he would get mad if I wake him up?
is back from volunteering at Julya's school. :)
is literally bouncing--i wish I could store up this energy for when I really need it!!!
did I really just paint my child's hair pink???
and cut out 100 dogs! School days :)
is wishing my man was home with me!!!
is 3 kids up at 6:30 and all out the door by 7:30!!!! Good job me!
-thinks it is weird I enjoy going to the dentist.
is cold, ready to pick up my sweet pea from school, and ready for my date tonight with my precious hubby.
so thankful for God's provisions.
is wishing the house would clean itself!!!!
is thankful she was protected from the potential fire. Scary!
can't wait to see her Shreveport friends this weekend!
is putting things off.......
is gotta get busy!
has proved that she can get things done in little time! Whoo Hoo! Now, where is my hubby so we can leave!!!

Wondering what 2010 holds? Excited to find out!

Perspective

How much do you think someone's life experiences is about perspective?

My Christmas Sweeties

Reaching, Tasting

I have this necklace with an image of a tree on it.
I love to wear it. Each time it gives me a gentle reminder.
It reminds me of one I love, one that thought of me and showed me love.
But it also reminds me of a Truth.

It takes me back to the garden and the tree.
I think of the desire for more, the reaching out for more, the tasting for more.
The addiction of more.

I desire to only long for, to only reach for, to only taste for THE TREE.
The one and only that can give me TRUE LIFE.
I desire for HIM to be enough for me.

Fill me O Lord, Fill me. May my heart be satisfied my YOU.

Christmas - A Celebration for Our KING!

Celebrating our King's Birthday has been FABULOUS!

I have treasured this week and all the memories that we have made as a family.
From cooking together-lots of Christmas goodies, to delivering them to our neighbors, to baking a Birthday cake for Jesus and having a party in His honor, to choosing a perfect gift for each loved one in our lives, to receiving love from others, to playing games, driving through Light parks and neighborhoods to see lights, decorating our home in His honor, and finally taking time to dwell on His Word and the event that changed each of our lives--His Birth.

I am soo thankful for my husband, my three little ones who are such a blessing. I am also grateful that I got to spend Christmas with my mom, dad, granny, and brother.

Sharing meals together is top on my list of big fun. I love cooking, preparing, and setting the table. Watching everyone join around and eat and fellowship is so much enjoyment~! Christmas Eve we made waffles with Caramel, Apple Topping and Whipped Cream and a Sausage and Egg Quiche. Yummy!!! Then for Christmas Eve dinner we had BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, Yeast Rolls, and Veggies--can you say a Texas Christmas? :) And finally for Christmas morning we had pancakes, chocolate chip muffins, biscuits, quiche, and strawberries. Again, so yummy!

The kids had so much fun opening gifts. We try to set a limit on the number they receive, because it can get overwhelming. We aim for 3--but this year we ended up with 4 each. Of course, by the time grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. give -- our children get way too much. But I guess you are only little once?

For a 6 year old little princess her favorite finds under the tree and from loved ones:
Julie--American Doll
Liv Dolls and Liv Salon Chair, etc.
Crawling Baby and Mommy Me Talking Baby
Cool Painted Suitcase Trunk filled with Dress Up Clothes
Vet Puppy
Fur Real Adopted Baby Cub
Barbies
Princess Vanity


For a 4 year old little monkey his favorites:
Dragon House and Flying and Fighting Dragons
Nintendo DS / Backyardigans Game for DS
Trunk of Dress Up Clothes
Robot
Bakugans
Working Crane Truck
Movies

For a Sweet Little 2 year old his favorites:
Learning Tool Bench
Cash Register
Pull Wagon with blocks
Wonder Pet Lego Set
Remote Control Car
Nintendo Doggie
Gears, Gears, Gears Set
More Blocks and More Blocks (He is REALLY into Blocks!!)

Mommy's Favorites:
Perfume from Her Sweet Hubby
Willow Tree Nativity
New Purse
Pajamas
Scrapbooking Stuff
Jewelry
Clothes
New Kitchen stuff--double boiler and a roaster


Daddy's Favorites:
Cologne (from His wife)
Tie
Digital Frame
Books
Clothes
Best Buy Gift Cards

Fun stuff :)

If Given One Wish

If I was given one wish--one thing I could change about myself in an instant...
it would be - no doubt--

That my tongue would be tamed.

It breaks my heart each time I hurt someone with my words.
James 3:8 says,
"but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

I choose to bask in His grace this week. He loves me regardless if my tongue is full of deadly poison.

I choose to continue to ask for HIM to tame my tongue. I know HE can change me.

I am thankful for the grace given to me by others.

Thanksgiving

We travel down to Central Louisiana for Thanksgiving each year.
My granny and most of my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. all live in the same small town.
When I say small, I mean SMALL.
There is a caution light, a couple gas stations, and a post office..but that is about all.
The closest city is about half of an hour drive.

To my children, this small town is like a foreign country.
They get to climb fences, play on hay bales, see baby calves born on Thanksgiving day and participate in conversations over the meal about whether the calf is feeding well!
It is quite the experience for them.

I love seeing my family.
I love hearing about each of them.
I love all the food--my granny and aunts are the BEST cooks :)
I even love the country scenery (it makes GREAT backgrounds for pictures!).

And then I LOVE coming home.
I am a city girl.
Okay, not New York City or anything.
But I like a little traffic, I like all the stores being within 5 min, and I like the nice, neat rows of houses that we like to call neighborhoods!

Trust

Adopting a child--big event in our life right now.
Huge.
This has been something we have dreamed of, prayed about, dreamed of more, prayed about more for over 10 years.
The fact that the time has finally arrived to do it--really exciting!
Going through the process-trainings, paperwork, home study, TB testing, CPR training, etc. --again big events.
Lots of waiting in between events.
Lots of unknowns ahead.

But for some reason it is not consuming my brain.
I am actually a bit shocked by this.
I am not anxious.
I am not concerned.
I actually go through much of the day without thinking about it.

I feel complete peace.
Excitement beyond belief but complete peace.
I feel no need to go over and over the details.
I feel no need to try to figure out the end result.
I feel no need to talk it out with everyone.

Peace.
So why peace now?
I am not always this way.

Tonight, as I finished the last lesson in my bible study (Yay for finishing strong!)...it made sense.

I trust that God is going to do what He has told us He will do.
I trust that God has the perfect child awaiting us.
I trust that God will place that child in our family at the perfect time.

Trust equals peace.

Wish I always got it. But thankful I do this time.

Our second homestudy meeting is Nov 24th.
Very excited!

Rejection

Rejection is hard.
It doesn't matter who it is by-it is hard.
But when it hits close to home, it is harder.

This morning, I am left confused, heart broken, and a bit angry.
I hate the angry part.

In my fantasy world, when I love someone, do kind things for someone, pray for someone, hope for someone, sacrifice for someone, forgive and forgive someone, and encourage someone---
They will obviously accept my love and see me as loving.

But this doesn't happen in reality.
This person is real.
And I have tried to do all of the above for this person.
Only to be rejected.

They hate me.
They curse me.
They talk about me.
They call me names.
They question my salvation.
They tell me I am a horrible person.
They tell me I am evil.
They tell me to get out of their life.

It is so hard.

Again, the Spirit told me to give that person a very specific message, and I did.
Again, I was rejected.

But the Son of God was rejected.
He experienced the Ultimate rejection for my sake.

So this morning, as confused as I am, I will continue to seek Him first, His Kingdom.

And His Joy is Mine.
Thank you for that steadfast JOY!