Special Dates....

K back to catching up! Back to end of May.....

Every year we go to a Cub's game with one of our besties, the Chevriers, from the usual suspects. Our college has an alumni event every year that's dinner and a Cub's game, so we make sure to join in the fun every year! This year the hubby couldn't go because of work so I thought it would be fun to bring one of the girls. To make things fair I said I would take one of them to a movie and one of them to the Cub's game.

Bella chose the movie, we went and saw Rio (so cute!) with a couple of her besties.

Sorry cell phone pics. :)

So we've been going to Cub's game with the Chevriers for the last 6 years at least.

2006 Bella joined us.

Couldn't find a pic from 2007

2008 Brynn joined us

2009 kid free!

2010 kid free but 7 months preggers!

2011

Well we got a sunny day but it was FREEZING!

They were giving away free ice cream which was just crazy, hence my crazy face.

However Brynn and Ryan happily ate this free ice cream.

Somer and I stuck to Hot Chocolate that was graciously being sold, along with cold beer. :)

Thanks Somer for the pics!

One thing that struck me about the evening was, first how sweet and well behaved Brynn was. But also that she did not stop smiling the WHOLE evening. She never complained about how cold she was and just seemed to have a great time. I don't really get one on one time with her, after this outing I realized I needed to do it more often, she loved it and I did too!

Crazy girl loving her ice cream.

So fun to have a special night with my middle baby!

First thing she told her big sis when she got home into her ear in a whisper-

"I got to sit on Uncle Ryan's lap and have dinner." Ha! Loves her Uncle Ryan. :)

11 years!!

Last Friday the hubs and I celebrated 11 fabulous years of marriage!!

Yes, I was a baby when we got married, just turned 20. :)

Dear friends of ours covered all the kiddos and we were able to have PF Changs, YUM, and real conversation.

I shared with the hubs things I have been wanting to share with him from my Hearts at Home conference in March.

It was delightful. I shared, he listened, he shared and I listened.

Perfect anniversary celebration.

Love you baby!

Over the years......

wedding....

honeymoon....

just announced our first pregnancy.....

8 years!

9 years....

10 year- our first trip since our 1 year anniversary!

And 11 years!!

(at the restaurant with my phone sorry bad pic!)

I am forever thankful and feel blessed to have 4 little ones, 3 on earth and one in heaven, with this wonderful man, husband, and father.

Thank you for unloading the dishwasher....

thank you for hiding laundry so I can have an empty laundry basket even for just a day....

thank you for raising 3 beautiful, God fearing ladies with me.....

thank you for great back massages....

thank you for bringing me home Baskin Robbins ice cream....

thank you for always going to Olive Garden for special outings....

thank you for keeping our household up and running....

thank you for supporting us so I can stay home....

so much to be thankful for and so little time,

I love, love, love you honey!!

I hesitantly post: Before and After

So I say hesitantly because I feel a bit foolish.

I hyped up my big haircut yesterday and now I'm not sure I really like it. :(

I wanted to post pics though (and this is NOT to fetch any compliments) so I don't leave you hanging anymore. :)

Not sure if I like how the bangs turned out and maybe if I should have gone shorter???

I considered donating like I did a couple of years ago but my stylist kind of talked me out of it and now I really wish I had. She ended up cutting 7 inches and then some and you need 10 to donate. I should have just stood up to her and done it.

Oh well here are the long awaited pics!

BEFORE

(I apologize for the terrible pictures, I had just woken up and we were rushing out the door for church)

Here is all my hair, it doesn't look that impressive but it was A LOT! :)

AFTER

Later that night I showered and styled it myself to see if I liked it better, hmmm...

Thank you.

Thank you thank you for all that commented or contacted me about my worry post. I even received a couple things from people I wanted to share today real quick. How awesome to have this forum where we can share, cry, laugh, surprise, and learn from one another!

This is from my friend Leah, she happened to be reading that day. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the part about how God's No's are stepping stones to His amazing yes'. Please read:

* Lynn Cowell

"The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'" John 1:43 (NIV)

Illuminating a small circle just in front of our feet, the flashlight provided safety and direction for only our next step as Rose and I took our pre-sunrise walk. Anxiety eventually gave way to comfort as we discussed the day ahead. We knew the light would lead us in the right direction. We just had to take the next step...

Taking the next step is something Jesus recommended a very long time ago. "Come and you will see." "Follow me." These were the words Jesus spoke to the disciples as He called them. He didn't sit them down and reveal what the next three years would hold. He knew they would be overwhelmed; possibly even turn around . He chose to keep it simple. "Follow me" was all He said. Take the next step...

As a teen, I wanted to know my future. Will all my dreams come true? What college will I attend? Will I work in a church; marry a pastor? Will I live in Iowa near my family?Jesus knew the answers to those questions all along. I didn't go to college. I don't work in a church, nor did I marry a pastor. He knew. In wisdom, He chose to reveal only enough light for me to take the next step.

Sometimes, I catch myself wishing again that I could see my future. I get wrapped up in fear or worry. Career worries: Will I still have this job in five or ten years? Mom worries:Will my children marry spouses passionate about Jesus? Marriage worries: Will my husband and I enjoy a long retirement together? I can spin around issues that really don't have anything to do with this day, with my next step.

Jesus knows. He knows which answers are "yes" and which ones are "no." He knows when and where to reveal to me my next step. My part is simply to take the next step in obedience.

When I was younger, I did not understand those times when He said "no" were stepping stones to His amazing "yes." I learned in the dark that when I step forward in trust and obedience, blessing is down the path. I also had to learn that even those pathways that held pain where part of the process. They were stepping stones in my journey of choosing obedience over worry, fear and control.

Now, when fear and doubt surface in the dark I silence the "what ifs." I remember Jesus' words, "Follow me," and get back on the path that is flickering just ahead-and simply take the next step...a step of trust. I ask Him what I need to do for just today. I walk away from worry by expressing my concerns to Jesus and trust His ability to take care of each and every step.

Dear Lord, the dark can be frightening. Jesus, sometimes my ability to trust seems s o much smaller than the step I need to take. Help me to build a history with You. A history of seeing You will help me trust You over and over and over again. I want that. I put my trust in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

*My blog friend, Kelly, also shared that this is one of her favorite verses when she is feeling fearful: God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

* And, last but not least, this was my devotional last night. Anytime during a time of suffering or hardship I will be saying this verse to myself over and over and over. Just so perfect. No one can convince me that God doesn't speak to you. :)

December 15

Rejoicing in Suffering?

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3, 4).

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Song: "The Joy of the Lord"

When my husband died suddenly, I was so devastated that I thought my own life was over. However, at that time the Lord began to work powerfully in my life, teaching me to persevere in my loneliness, molding my character, assuring me of the hope of eternal life.

As I went through that challenging time, the things on earth lost much of their value as my eyes focused more on spiritual things. My hope in Christ became clearer and dearer to me. God showed me that adversity is part of life, that it is temporary, and that He wants me to focus on Him instead of becoming entangled in fears and worries.

The apostle Paul reminds us that the early Christians suffered much. Even though they were persecuted for their faith, they rejoiced amidst their tribulations because they had set their eyes on the hope of eternal life. Even in times of trial, God showers us with unconditional love as He draws us closer to Him, imprinting eternal values on our hearts. That is our hope, and in that we can rejoice.

O God, creator of Heaven and earth, thank You for the joys and the challenges You bring into my life. Please help me to persevere in times of trouble, knowing that Your love is sufficient. Give me more perseverance, more Christlike character, and an ever-deepening hope. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, my merciful Savior and Lord. Amen.

The Post that was not my idea......

So I need to take a break from my light and fluffy posts for something deeper. Not sure why, but I've felt led to write about it. Its not something I particularly want to share about but when I feel God nudging me, I'm inclined to listen. : )

Perhaps, hearing my struggle will help someone out there struggling with something similar. Or perhaps He wants me to come clean about my short comings. Or perhaps He just wanted to give me some good material for a blog post. : )

Here goes...

I'm a worrier. When I was younger I worried about everything. Everything. Being a people pleaser also, it usually revolved around issues with friends. Or school. Or a boyfriend. Or whatever. You name it, I could worry about it. I remember something my dad would always tell me. He said 99% of the time the things we worry about don't happen or aren't as bad as we imagine. He was right, 100% of the time. : ) I always imagined much worse than the way things would turn out.

As I've gotten older my worries have become even more intense. Now I have a husband to worry about. Three daughters to worry about. Parents and siblings. Cancer in my friend's parents seem to be on the rise and it has me worrying each time one of my parents call. I see people going through such hard things, especially since entering the blog world. My eyes have been open to so many families going through unimaginable things. And I find myself worrying that something like that is going to happen to me, my husband, one of my kids. I have been SO, SO blessed. I have great parents and in-laws, a fortunate up bringing, great friends, 3 beautiful girls, a husband that loves and takes care of me.

All these great things, and I find myself worrying about when its all going to fall apart.

I know everyone goes through hardships in their life. And although my life has in no way been a breeze, comparatively, it has. I have this great, great life. And instead of enjoying and being thankful for it, I find myself wondering how long it will last?

Now I could be, and sometimes am, paralyzed by this fear. I could constantly worry about everything and never do anything or let me children go anywhere. But what kind of life would that be?

My only saving grace? Trusting in the Lord's Unfailing Love (hence the name of this blog : ) ). The only thing that keeps me from sinking into the pits of worry is I know that the Lord has great plans for me.

Do I worry about vaccines? Yes, but my husband and I are going to do what we think is right and trust that the doctors have in mind what's best for our children's health and trust God with the rest. Do I worry about something happening to one of the girls? Absolutely, but I will not succumb to that fear or I wouldn't truly be enjoying the time I do have with them. Do I worry about not having enough money to pay our bills? Everyday. But since I've put my trust in the Lord there has never been a day in which He didn't provide.

What comes from worrying? Nothing. Except being miserable and missing out on all the good in your life. Worrying about it doesn't make it better, not happen, or improve. So just let go.

This may surprise some of my friends to hear about me. I think I come off as a very easy going, go with the flow, come what may type of mom. And honestly, I try. I try very hard. And again, its only by God's grace that I'm able to.

Every now and then new things arise, like the horror of all things BPA, and I find myself panicking. But the Lord Almighty reels me in, I take a deep breath, and let it go. Along with my worrying flaw is my lovely nature of being control freak. And since there is no possible way for me to control all, my worry sets in. But listen friends. Let go, let Jesus take the wheel. We could worry till the cows come home (I know that makes no sense : ) ) and its not going to change a thing. Come what may. And if something does come, we have the King of the Universe by our side to see us through it.

I leave you with this verse that I meditate on when the worry threatens to sink me.

Joshua 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

He intends only good for us. Unfortunately, sin has entered the world but even with hurt and evil He has promised to be with us always and never give us more than we can handle. (the worrier in me of course worries about how much can I handle then, or does He think I can't handle a lot and that's why things have been good, but then I'm ok with that, but then maybe Satan will try to attack my comfort.... I'll told you I'm crazy. Only God can reel in my crazy. : ) )

And in case, the imaginable does happen, we have these, and many, many more words from God himself to cling to:

The verse from John 9, where the disciples have just asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Jesus’ reply: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” (9:3)

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143:8

And my blog's theme verse:

But I trust in your Unfailing Love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise, for He has been good to me!

Sorry way longer than I intended! And since I can't post without a picture, I leave you with my 3 cuties, who I love with all my heart and I put in God's hands!

Go Cubbies Go!

Also at the end of May (sorry having to back track a bit to catch up) we had the wonderful opportunity to attend a college alumni event. Its an annual tradition. We go with some of our besties, the Chevriers, and we use it as our excuse to get to our one Cub's game of the year! Each of our girlies has come one year when they were infants but this year we got to be solo. Our backyard neighbors and good friends graciously took the girls for the lengthy time we would be gone. We did however call it early so it wasn't too late of a night for them and the Cubbies were losing bad (big surprise this year) anyway! First there is dinner at Harry Carrey's and then we hit a night game.

Here we are with the Chevriers:

My lovely hubby likes to do crazy things with the camera and take silly pictures of Somer and me, this is one of the fairly normal ones. : )

It was a bit of a slow, low action, losing game. The highlight of the game was when the lights went out during the fourth inning. Everyones' camera flashes were going off, it was quite entertaining.

Finally, got the lights back up and running! Such a fun evening out. : )