The Fontenot Four

Thankful Thursdays Link Up - v 17

2012-03-08T03:00:00.000-05:00

WELCOME TOTHANKFUL THURSDAYS{a weekly link up}
Psalm 9:1 (NIV)I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Source: adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Once again, our family faced a challenge. Peyton wound up back in the ER on Monday night. I wasn't sure she needed to go, but her nurse thought she should. Then she started coughing up blood. That convinced me. This week has been another intense week.
All that said...
I am SO thankful for Peyton's health. You might think WHAT?? Health?? Yes, health. Because no matter what your situation, there's a good chance there's someone out there who is facing a bigger challenge. Yesterday morning, outside Peyton's room, the medical team for a child down the hall was discussing options. They were grasping at straws on what to test for, what to do, what to try. I heard the attending say "Death isn't imminent." Friends, these physicians, these great people with the capacity to physically heal our bodies using talents God has given them were struggling mightily as this family down the hall was facing a very hard reality for their child. It was sad. It was scary - a lot of the stuff they were discussing sounded like they were talking about Peyton. So, after hearing all of that, yes, I am thankful for Peyton's health. I am thankful that she came home late yesterday afternoon.
I am beyond thankful for all the prayers, love and support shown - once again - to our family during this time. The prayer warriors are too numerous to mention - and I probably don't even know most of the people who have been praying! From the bottom of my heart - thank you.
Sometimes people struggle with what they can do to help. I'm really bad at asking for help, so when people jump in and just do...well, that really blesses me. Thank you to my friend Jenn who brought me a much needed coffee!! Thank you to my friend Melissa who was so kind to bring me a wonderful lunch yesterday! I am blessed that you even thought to do these things for me and your actions are so appreciated.
We have been blessed by meals from people for a while now. I can't tell you how much simpler life is when you have so much going on and someone blesses you in this way. Thank you.
Thank you to a wonderful family. For a husband who somehow manages to keep it all together on the homefront while I'm at the hospital with Peyton.
Thank you GOD for being a loving and merciful God who is such a mighty healer and source of strength. I could never have made it through to this point without HIM.
And THANK YOU God for getting Peyton safely home from the hospital at 4:30 yesterday afternoon. It was a hectic rush between leaving the hospital and coordinating the resumption of nursing care upon her return home, but we managed to get our nurse here and get to church for First Wednesday. By 6:30 we were enjoying our missions dinner at church before the service. At 6:45 I went to say hi to my choir people to wish them well because they were singing. I had no expectation of singing since I'd missed all the rehearsals leading up to this because of Peyton's illnesses. By 7:00 I was on stage with my choir family, singing at our First Wednesday service.
God is so good!!!
Is there any way in which I can pray for you?(for privacy, you can use the email link on the right side bar)

Source: lovelytruth.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.
Feel free to grab a button {use CTRL+C to copy!} for your post and/or your blog and be sure to link up below!!

I'm so excited to read your posts!

Perhaps an Answer to Prayer

2012-03-07T07:07:00.001-05:00

As I sit here next to Peyton's hospital crib, I am thanking God that this time around, the hospital stay is seemingly more of a precautionary thing. She hasn't had antibiotics since that night in the ER. She had coughed up blood that night, but not since. My feeling is that we will be home soon.

We have been upset time and again over nursing hours being cut back, only to get a temporary increase after Peyton has been hospitalized. After her last stay a few weeks ago, we got a bump up through March 17. So I wonder, was this stay enough to let the powers that be know that a temporary increase isn't sufficient, and that a permanent increase, even if those hours are still far les than what we used to get, is justified? Surely our temporary increase in hours will be extended past the 17th now.

I won't have an answer til I know when Peyton is going home, but I can't help bur think that maybe this is a God thing. She is in he hospital, yes, but things could have been worse. Perhaps this is just a means to get Peyton the adequate home nursing help she needs.

Pray with me for that, please. Let this temporary setback result in something that is so necessary for Peyton.

Update: Peyton will be getting an additional four weeks of nursing at 56 hours per week. It isn't perfect, but it's something to be grateful for.

Prayers Appreciated

2012-03-06T07:14:00.000-05:00

I don't have much to say just now except to ask for prayers again for Peyton. We came to the ER last night with a high heart rate and having coughed up blood. It appears her pneumonia is back. That could be the source of the blood. She was admitted late last night. I am waiting to see the doctor this morning. I will update later but appreciate your prayers in the meantime. Thanks!

Meet My March Ad Swappers!

2012-03-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to introduce to you my March ad swappers!!I have several. Some you have seen here for a while and some are new.Regardless of whether they've been here for a few months or a few days,I am really excited to have them on board this month and I want tothank them for allowing me to display your ads on my sidebar this month!Click on the buttons to head over to their blogs!{keep scrolling...there's more to read below these buttons!}

Then there are a bunch of bloggers who I feel have been instrumental in helping this blog to be what it is today. These people aren't swappers - their ads are on my blog out of thanks and respect for them being part of the original bloggers who "made it happen". I've guest posted for some of these bloggers. I've had some of them guest post here. One of them is even responsible for the design of this blog!! {and I'm still loving it!!} Some of them are people I know in real life and I think they are some of the most amazing women I know.

Regardless of how their buttons got on my sidebar, I love these ladies, and I hope that you will head over to their blogs and show them some love!!
If you are interested in sponsoring or swapping ads, please contact me!Just click the "email me" link up on the top right of this blog.{More details here.}

Intentional Relationship With God

2012-03-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

Friends, I want to introduce you to one of my IRL friends today!!

I'm so excited!!

Gretchen has recently begun blogging over at

Rubber Pencils and Underwire Bras

about her faith journey as well as her journey of recovery from addiction.

Gretchen is one of the sweetest ladies you'll meet.

She has a contagious personality -

you cannot help but be excited about the Lord after talking with her for a bit!

I asked Gretchen if she would like to guest post here on being intentional.

She agreed.

Here she is talking about being intentional in your relationship with God!

*****

Being intentional is such a hot phrase right now. Be intentional with your parenting, your time, your money, your relationships, and the list goes on and on. Is this a fad like "Wazzzzzzzup?" or "Groovy" or is this the beginning of a new ideology within the community?

What does it even mean to be intentional? Well folks, it means to be deliberate, done on purpose, and intended. I don't know about you but one of my assets is being incredibly stubborn. If you're on the receiving end of my bull-headedness you might find my willfulness a character flaw but I'll tell you what, I certainly have strength in my convictions. There are certain facts that I know to be true:

1. There is a God who loves me so much that he sent his son to die for me so I may have everlasting life.

2. I know him personally.

3. There are 24 hours in a day.

4. My children are the smartest children to ever walk the earth.

5. Only 4% of the entire world are natural redheads and I am part of that special club.

6. I have many great qualities but humility is my best one. (heeheehee...get it?)

So why does this matter? Why should you care about my convictions? Because if you are going to live an intentional life there are certain things you need to do.

You see, the God whom I know personally wants to know me personally too. He wants to spend time with me. He doesn't want to be an afterthought or someone I squeeze in when I have free time. He wants to have relationship with me. How can you really get to know someone, lean on someone, and trust someone if you don't spend any time with them? If you only go to God with requests, as if he is some Santa-Jesus in the sky you will never know the true joy that comes through a relationship with him. God doesn't just want you to have a life...he wants you to have an abundant life.

This brings me to the heart of the issue. To truly know the Lord you must be intentional about your time. All of us lead busy lives full of jobs, housework, kids sports, music lessons and the like. I hear you saying, "I just can't fit Jesus into my schedule." Really?

Here's a great analogy I heard on the radio the other day. Imagine your favorite celebrity. The one living person you would just love to meet. Let's say it's George Clooney, cuz you know you're digging him. Unless you're a man then maybe it's Angelina Jolie...or George Clooney...no judgement. I digress. Pretend that George calls you on the phone and says, "Hey. Wanna hang out with me today?" I bet you dollars to donuts you would absolutely, positively find a way to clear your schedule and hang with Gorgeous George.

Guess what? Jesus says to you each and every morning, "Hey. Wanna hang?" I picture him sitting on the sofa, relaxed and peaceful. When he sees me his face lights up with excitement. He pats the sofa seat next to him and chuckles when I jump right up, sit criss-cross-applesauce and prepare to chill out with my Lord. We talk. He shows me parts of His Word that I need to get through my day and elevate others. I tell Him about my struggles. I praise Him for who He is. I listen as He whispers His plan for me. Sometimes I sing Him a song and He enjoys it as if I'm His favorite child and you know what? I am His favorite and so are you. Gods love is so big. So broad. So exponential. We can't even begin to grasp just how great His love is but He wants to show us. He says, "Be still and know that I am God." I am still. I am still. I am still. And I know that He is God.

God probably won't send you an email with your schedule for the day. There won't be a text message saying "Had a gr8 time 2day. See u soon." I wouldn't expect any snail-mail from Him either. Here's what can happen though...if you are intentional about your time God, will meet with you. Just like we tithe our money we also are to tithe our time. Think about it...at least 10% of our time should be spent with Him daily. This shouldn't be a chore. I don't want to hear you say, (sighing) "I guess I have to go have my quiet time with the Lord now." Shouldn't we be excited? We have a living God who wants to be our friend. How freaking cool is that? Seriously, that is way past awesome.

So why don't you try giving God your first and foremost of your time? Don't go to Him as an afterthought after you've done everything in your measly human power. Wake up in the morning and commit to spending time with Him. Picture Him happy to see you. Maybe he gives you a fist bump. Maybe you need a hug. He can do that too. Get instructions for the day by reading His word. He will reveal to you what you need to know. And then, be still. Listen for His still small voice speaking to your heart. Feel His love. Know that God's promises are true. What is impossible with man is possible with Him. He can do immeasurably more than we can even hope or imagine. Be intentional about this relationship. Be deliberate. Dig in your heels and open your hearts.

If you are intentional about your time with God all those other things will fall into place. He has unimaginable plans for you. The dishes will get done. The laundry will eventually be put away. The kids will finish their homework. When I meet Jesus face to face in heaven I want Him to tell me how much He loved spending time with me and not that I had a really clean house. When you see Jesus face to face what will he say to you?

*****
Thank you SO much, Gretchen, for such an amazing post.{and I'm happy to be in the 4% with you!!}I just love your heart and thank you so much for sharing with us all here today!Please, friends, take a moment to visit Gretchen's blog and follow her.You will be truly blessed by her writing!

Everyone Loves a Sale!

2012-03-04T16:56:00.000-05:00

I've had these items in my Etsy shop for a while now and haven't sold yet.

I am now offering these to you at a discounted price!!

There is ONE of each item available for purchase, so first come first served!

Just click the PayPal "Buy Now" button below the picture and it's yours for purchase!

Price includes shipping!

"Fun Fur" Scarf {Purple}

$12.00

{originally $15 PLUS shipping}

*****

Chunky Knit Cowl {Butterscotch}

$20.00

{originally $25 PLUS shipping}

*****

Chunky Knit Cowl {Fig}

$20.00

{originally $25 PLUS shipping}

Thank you so much!!
Please check out my shop for lots of other items!

Simply Scripture on a Sunday - v.12

2012-03-04T05:00:00.001-05:00

Source: members.fortunecity.com via Sarah on Pinterest

What are we called to do as Christians?

Be the hands and feet of Christ here on Earth.

To advance the Kingdom on Earth.

To serve.

I had a very humbling experience yesterday.

For the first time, Ron, Moira and myself participated in Adopt-A-Block

at the Dream Center in North Charleston.

It is an outreach of our church in one of the poorer areas of town.

It's been on my heart to do this for some time,

but we just hadn't gotten around to it.

Always excuses for not doing what should be done, right??

We finally did it.

I wanted the family to participate.

Obviously Peyton cannot, but I wanted the rest of us to go.

To show Moira that even though we certainly don't have it all,

we live in a very nice area {that's a whole story in itself},

and that there are a lot of people who truly have very little.

I feel like Moira is a very compassionate child as it is,

and I wanted to expose her to this side of things

so she could see that while we may not have a house of our own,

what we do have is pretty nice.

While she doesn't have every game, toy, or American girl doll going,

she has a lot more than some kids her age.

I have been wanting to embrace this opportunity as a family

to show her that there is something we can do.

Honestly, I was nervous.

I had no idea what to expect.

Yes, I've been on a couple short-term mission trips to impoverished areas in Mexico.

But I've never traveled within the area I live to see how some people are living right in our own backyard.

We met up at the Dream Center to sign in.

There was a little music and prayer, and then we were off to our block.

I was meeting up with some people from Sisterhood, so it was nice to have people I knew around.

We drove to an area at the end of a run-down road,

quite literally on the other side of the tracks.

It was an area of trailer homes consisting of just a few short blocks.

The furthest ones out were so close to the overpass of the freeway.

The main street was just down an embankment from where the railroad tracks pass through.

We split into a few groups and each group took a street.

My family went with one of our Sisterhood leaders and her family.

Door to door we went.

We watched as my leader interacted with some of the people.

Then Ron and I became the ones knocking on the doors.

Most people weren't home,

or were doing a good impression of people who weren't home.

But we did interact with a few from the community.

I want to go back.

I want to push myself further out of my comfort zone.

I also want to cry.

My heart breaks for these people.

One young pregnant woman had a small child outside with her while people were working on the inside of her trailer home. She's due at the end of May. I couldn't help but think of what this new child was going to be coming home to in just a few months. While I'm respectful of the fact that this is her home, I can't imagine being in a position where this is what I would have to call home. Perhaps it's all she can afford. Perhaps it's better than where she may have come from. I don't know her past history at all. But it just made me sad to think about what it must be like to be in her shoes.

Thank God for roofs over their heads,

but they need more than that.

Praying for these people that God will continue to shelter and protect them.

Praying that He will bring employment to the people who are in need of jobs.

Praying that He will give direction and hope where they are needed.

Praying that they will take advantages of the services that are being offered through the outreach of the Dream Center and any organizations that may be in the area.

Praying that I am granted wisdom and guidance where this ministry is concerned.

It's something I definitely want to go back to next month.

But I just keep thinking there's something more I could be doing.

Source: theoaksweb.com via Sarah on Pinterest

linking up:

Daily Wisdom Challenge 2012 - Week 9

2012-03-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

Source: oneyearbibleblog.com via Sarah on Pinterest

On January 1, I began my second-ever year long bible study.Our pastor calls it the "Daily Wisdom Challenge" or the "Twitter Bible Study".

The purpose is to engage in a reading plan for a year, and each day, post insight from your reading in 140 characters or less.

Here is what I learned this past week:

{links included for the scripture referenced only}

Proverbs 10:17 It is wise to accept discipline so we can learn from our mistakes and be able to follow the right path. Ignoring it leads us astray.
Psalm 43:3 Amidst unjust situations, allow God in and let His light shine so that truth can prevail.
Proverbs 10:19 Sometimes it is best to just keep your mouth shut.
Proverbs 10:21 Be a light to others - be encouraging with the words you speak.
Mark 10:43-44 In order to effectively lead, we must know how to effectively serve.
Mark 11:25 We must enter prayer in a spirit of forgiveness for those who have wronged us al that we too are forgiven.
Proverbs 10:25 In challenging times, those who are firmly rooted in God will find strength and not be swept away.

Source: emilysutherland.wordpress.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Just. Me.

2012-03-02T07:06:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Happy Friday!!!

I just wanted to say hi and welcome any new readers to this little blog of mine.

Even if you've been coming around here a while,

please know from the bottom of my heart

I appreciate you!

If you are new, let me just take a minute to share a little.I am a wife. A mother of two.One daughter who will be 8 in 8 days! {yikes!!}The other is 5. She has multiple special needs. She is medically fragile.To say our family life has been full of challenges would be an understatement.
We've been through so much. More than a lot of people our age.But I don't pretend that we've been through more than everyone else.
This blog is a place where I try my absolute best to find the blessings and joysin a life that might otherwise be very easily dragged down to the depthsbecause of all we have been through and continue to go through.
This blog is a place where I try my best to give thanks to God for everything.He set us on this path for a purpose.Challenges and all, it is right to give him thanks,because it is through this journey that I have been able to come to Himand truly know that He is for me and not against me.
Yes, there are days when I'll post something totally random -like a top 10 list of my favorite '70s shows.Oh yes, I do have a love for the Lord, and I want to share that with you here,but I also want to show you that it's not all serious and "churchy" all the time!!I'll share experiences about the Daniel Fast that I've done -and while is sharing part of the spiritual side of me, I'm also trying to share some recipes which, face it, were just plain delicious!I'll also share some book reviews from time to time. It's been a while on that one!If I've read something that has really helped me strive to be a more godly woman or wife,then I want to share that with you.
What you won't find here is a facade.You won't find the portrayal of something that seems perfectwhen in reality things are falling apart.You won't find a persona that is all for the blog world.You won't find spiritual untruths.You won't find criticism.You won't find that the primary goal of this blog is cash flow for me.{trust me...that's so not my purpose!}
What you will find is this:Faith.Truth.A place where blessings and joys are shared.A place where I share how the gospel has come to life for me.A place where I might occasionally share a struggle and a cry out for prayer or support,although I really strive to keep this place a positive place.A place where struggles are shared because they areexamples of how I have found Christ in my life and how they have blessed me.A place where you can feel safe sharing your stories in the comments section,or by emailing me.A place where you can find a friend.A place where you know that if you ask, you can find prayer and support for yourself.A place where I am completely transparent about life,showing you the good times and some of the difficult -because I want to share with you that there can be joys and blessings in it all.
I do have have sponsor spots for a pretty small fee if you are interested.{and no, this isn't a call out for sponsors right now}All that fee would do is to help me spread the word about this blog...I'm not nearly about to retire on that "income"!!I'm not that big of a blog, but I would love to reach more peoplebecause I feel that there is something {I hope} worth sharingin the pages of this blog.I have a ton of swappers - check them out -I want to be able to help them reach more people.We can all help each other out!
So, friends,the point here is that what you will find here isJust. Me.
I am so grateful that you stopped by,whether it's for the first time or the hundredth time.I appreciate you!!

Thankful Thursday Link Up - v 16

2012-03-01T00:05:00.000-05:00

WELCOME TOTHANKFUL THURSDAYS{a weekly link up}
Psalm 9:1 (NIV)I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Source: lisaphelps.org via Sarah on Pinterest

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
The going got rough for us last week. The events shook me up. Rattled me to the core. But I fought hard to stay ahead of those feelings and try to pray it out. While I can't say that I understand why things happened, I can look back on this experience, though it isn't finished yet, and be thankful to God for presenting me with a challenge that surely tested my strength and my ability to lean on Him for support through it. I hope that my response to the situation was pleasing to Him.
I'm thankful for having extra home nursing hours for Peyton...at least for the next couple weeks. Any increase is better than no increase, even though it is only temporary.
Blessed and grateful to people within our church family who have offered meals to us as a way of helping us out since we came home from the hospital with Peyton. It is so very much appreciated.
Grateful for having soccer as an outlet for Moira.
Extra grateful that Peyton's health finally seems to be improving a bit since she came home.
Beyond grateful for a loving and supportive husband.
Thankful for little things...like my Keurig coffee maker...'cause I'm needing lots of coffee lately!
Grateful to God for all the blessings He has given to our family in all our circumstances and through the people we have encountered along the way.
Is there any way in which I can pray for you?(for privacy, you can use the email link on the right side bar)

Source: Uploaded by user via Sarah on Pinterest

A Word on Intentional Parenting

2012-02-29T05:00:00.000-05:00

Everyone, I want you all to meet one of my best bloggy friends, Kelli!

She blogs at Eat Pray Read Love {formerly More Bang For Your Bucks}.

I just love Kelli and her heart for her family and for the Lord.

A while back, I got it in my head that it might be a really great idea

to gather some people together for an informal blog "series".

Really, I'd just be posting random guest posts.

But the topic was to be about being intentional.

I asked Kelli if she wouldn't mind writing something about intentional parenting.

With that, I give you Kelli!

*****

When Sarah first asked me to write a post about parenting, I inwardly panicked. Not because I didn't want to help her- because I did. No, it was because it had been a hard week and I felt extremely inadequate to get through the next hour of parenting, much less write advice for others!

Sarah specifically asked me to write about the topic of "bringing the message of Christ to our homes on a daily basis." As a pastor's wife, this is something my husband I often talk about, and always wonder if we are doing well in this capacity. How do we measure this exactly, I often wonder.

A few days after Sarah e-mailed me, I felt a little better and had an amazing experience that made me realize that even small things that we do have great impact on our children.
That day, it was raining, storming. The thunder was very loud, and I could tell Landon was scared. Quietly at first, he started singing,
"When I am afraid I will trust in you, I will trust in you. When I am afraid I will trust in you, I will not be afraid."
This brought tears to my eyes. This scripture (Psalm 56:3) set to music is on a CD that we listen to often in the car. {It's amazing how much easier scripture memory is when it's accompanied by music. Anyone want to create an album set to less childish music? :)}
The fact that Landon not only remembered this verse, but applied it when he truly was afraid, made my heart soar. Isn't that why we memorize Scripture, after all? Not so that we can be prideful of our knowledge, but so that God's word can transform us and help us when we have times of loneliness, or fear, or temptation, and the list goes on.

Landon and I the day he was baptized.

So if I could give one piece of advice for parents, it is teach scripture memory when your children are young. I can still remember my mom driving us to school and having us repeat scriptures over and over. And I also know from experience that is much easier to memorize things as a child, so what better time to teach our start hiding his word in their hearts than when their precious minds are being formed?
I want so bad for my children to love God, obey his commands, memorize Scripture because they want to. But before they'll want to on their own, we have to teach them. Somewhat like I've taught them to brush their teeth, or say thank you. God's love honestly has to be something talked about every single day.
Do I fail? Oh, yes, miserably at times. But by God's grace I hope to be raising children that love Him and want to follow Him with their whole hearts.

I just love this, Kelli!Thanks so much for sharing here today!
If you are interested in writing a guest post on being intentionalin some area of your life - marriage, diet, family, finances, etc. -please shoot me an email!{email link is in the upper right side bar}

Spring Sale!

2012-02-28T20:18:00.000-05:00

SALE ALERT!!
On Saturday, March 3rd, I will be participating in a Spring Salealong with The Vintage Honey Shop on facebook!Please head on over to her page and "like" it so that you are in the loop come Saturday!This Spring Sale will be taking place on that page.
Other shops participating include Nat's Napsack, The Mrs., and Eat Pray Read Love.Why don't you click on their links and "like" them as well!
Below is a preview of the items that will be up for sale on Saturday!Be sure to save the dateandcome to The Vintage Honey Shopon Saturday!!

Tuesday 10 - A 1970s Sick Day

2012-02-28T07:41:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling a little sniffly today. My throat hurts.I was trying to consider what I could come up with for a Tuesday 10 list,and it hit me...in the 1970s or early '80s, what would I have watched on TV today on my sick day??Here goes:{in no particular order}
1. I might start my day with a little Mr. Dressup...'cause I grew up in Canada, eh!

Source: google.ca via Sarah on Pinterest

2. A little Happy Days to cheer me up.

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Sarah on Pinterest

3. Followed by a little Laverne and Shirley.

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

4. Then I might catch a little Alice.

Source: liketotally80s.com via Sarah on Pinterest

5. Of course, I'd have to catch Family Affair at some point.{note: last year Peyton had an occupational therapist named Buffy, a physical therapist named Jody, a home nurse named Sissy, an Uncle Bill (who we still have!), and a school principal named Mrs. French (sorry...not a Mr., but still pretty close!!)}

Source: timstvshowcase.com via Sarah on Pinterest

6. I probably would have caught The Brady Bunch somewhere along the way.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

7. I was feeling sick, so I'd have to take it all One Day at a Time.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

8. If I tried faking sickness, my mom might have said Gimme a Break.

Source: google.ca via Sarah on Pinterest

9. I might have a little alien encounter somewhere in my day with Mork and Mindy.

Source: Uploaded by user via Sarah on Pinterest

10. And last, but certainly not least, I'd catch up on The Facts of Life.

Source: google.ca via Sarah on Pinterest

What a fulfilling tv-watching day that would have been!I could have listed so many other shows.They sure don't make tv like they used to.{Am I dating myself in this post???}
linking up:

It's The Little Things {v.5}

2012-02-27T08:33:00.000-05:00

Last week was a really, really, really rough week.

I wrote a post the other day about taking these situations and putting on the armor of God each and every day so that we can equip ourselves to fight against the Enemy.

{note to self: should have done that this morning...I'm feeling a little grumpy today}

This weekend was busy.

Moira had a soccer game Friday night.

It was to be against a potentially fierce opponent.

It looked gloomy outside. Then the torrential downpour came.

Yet soccer was not called off.

We left it to the last minute {and then some}

and we finally head out in the stormy weather,

commenting all along that this was insane.

We got there.

It was dark. Chilly. Windy. Raining.

Game on!!

Oh. Joy.

I guess this is the dreaded point in a sports parent's life where the child plays

regardless of conditions.

{except for maybe in the event of lightning strikes, hurricanes, tornadoes, the apocalypse, etc.}

The ref was there.

Our team was there.

But where oh where was our opponent??

They didn't show.

I guess they figured the game would be cancelled.

It wasn't.

Come game time, there was no rain.

None. Not a drop.

So the ref split our team in two and they played against each other!

What a great experience for them!

They played a full game,

but every now and then he'd stop them where they were

and offer coaching points.

It was fantastic.

We don't know yet if the game will be a forfeit {as it should be}

or if it will be rescheduled.

Regardless, the girls wound up with a great practice.

On Saturday, the team had a soccer tournament.

The Carolina Cup Club Day,

which was all part of this big Carolina Cup pro series going on at the stadium.

It was a "for fun" 3v3 tournament.

Moira's team was split in two. Each played 3 games.

The first game was actually against each other.

Moira's team lost.

The second game was against another team.

Moira's team won.

Then the third game.

Oh my.

Well, I don't even want to hazard a guess as to what the score was.

But it wasn't pretty for our girls.

Still, all in all, it was a fun day for them.

I think Moira was completely wiped out by the end though!

Saturday evening, as part of this tournament,

we had tickets for a couple of the pro games that evening.

We made it through the first half of the first game.

Just a note to my northern friends:

I realize it isn't snowing here and it isn't like a good old fashioned Canadian winter.

But cold is relative.

When it was a very surprising 75 degrees one day {a little unseasonably warm!}

followed by 40's the next...

that is cold.

It was cold and windy and we were sitting in the stands shivering.

As fun as it would have been to see the games in their entirety,

it was not to be.

What we had was a very busy, and fairly successful "3" family day!

{sadly, minus Peyton - home with the nurse}

This so rarely ever happens now.

I'm grateful for this "little thing",

which is actually a pretty big thing!

What little things made you happy this past week?

Feel free to link up!

{pictures from the day follow the link up}

Moira waiting on the sidelines

Moira hustling after the ball.

I want him on Moira's team!!

Washington D.C. vs Chicago

Shivering in the stands
{yes, I made the cowl I'm wearing}

Silly Moira

linking up:

Simply Scripture on a Sunday - v.11

2012-02-26T11:27:00.000-05:00

Our church has been doing a series on the book of Galatians for the past few weeks.

I have read and re-read the entire book {it's only 6 chapters} a few times over the course of this series as our pastor encouraged us to do.

There is so much insight to be gained from this short book of the Bible. I would highly encourage you to read it as well {if you feel so inclined}.

We are called to give up our old selfish, wicked, sinful selves and to live in the Spirit.

It teaches that Jesus Christ has rescued us from these ways by giving his life for our sins.

Source: thecureforpain.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

We are made right with God, not by the acts that we do,
but our belief in His son, Jesus Christ.
He is the key to freedom from our sins.

Source: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

We must fight daily against the evil in this world.

Those things come from the Enemy,

but the Spirit longs for us to do the opposite.

Source: internetcafedevotions.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

When we live for Christ and live in the Holy Spirit,
we will be richly blessed.

flickr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

We are called not to boast in the things of this world.
Worldly things do not lead to a life in Christ.

If we must boast about anything, boast in the cross of Christ.

Source: loveofstpaul.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Daily Wisdom Challenge 2012 - Week 8

2012-02-25T09:11:00.001-05:00

Source: jonathannation.com via Sarah on Pinterest

On January 1, I began my second-ever year long bible study.Our pastor calls it the "Daily Wisdom Challenge" or the "Twitter Bible Study".

The purpose is to engage in a reading plan for a year, and each day, post insight from your reading in 140 characters or less.

Here is what I learned this past week:
{links included for the scripture referenced only}

Psalm 37:23-24 The Lord directs our path, and though we may stumble along the way, He will never abandon us.
Psalm 37:39-40 The Lord is our shelter. Our refuge in times of trouble. Follow along a godly path and He will rescue you.
Proverbs 10:9 I would rather gain wisdom from the Lord and walk safely on His path than to follow my own will along a dangerous path.
Psalm 39:4-5 Our life is but a breath. What difference will I make for the kingdom with the time I have been given?
Proverbs 10:12 Practicing love towards someone who meant you harm is a huge test but God desires we respond in love not hate.
Psalm 40:16 Let those who ask the Lord be filled with joy and may they proclaim His greatness!
Mark 8:6-9 The Lord will always provide, even in situations where it might seem impossible.

Source: lamplightart.com via Sarah on Pinterest

So You've Had a Bad Day...

2012-02-24T07:52:00.001-05:00

The past week of my life has been fraught with challenges.
You've seen my posts about Peyton's hospitalization.Through that time, I truly felt the Lord's presence.He was with me - and I am fully aware.I saw the many blessings in that situation and am so incredibly grateful.I felt like we went to the brink and were safely returned.
But then we came home...
I don't feel the Lord prompting me to share the specifics of our week on this platform.Yet I do feel let to share what I'm about to share.
Since Peyton has been home,every. single. day.has involved some sort of obstacle or challenge.Individually, maybe they'd seem small in the grand scheme of things{and truly in the grand scheme of things, aren't all our problems so to Him since He has the power to help us overcome them all??}but there was one specific event which, to me,was cataclysmic.Malicious.Spiteful.Hurtful.Vengeful.Heartbreaking.In a nutshell - it made all other issues seem much larger than they were.Insurmountable even.This one event overshadows them all this week.I've never experienced something like this and I hope never to again.
While the pain is great {I say is because I'm not going to pretend that it doesn't still hurt to think about}I have been fighting all week to stay ahead of this hurt.To fight and somehow remain Christ-like about the situation.
Even in the initial stages of what was happening, I felt it was important to pray.Yes, for us in that situation.But mostly for the person involved in this.
Remember earlier this week when I posted this song:
Little did I know that this song would be something I would cling to all week.My comforter.My all in all.Here in the words of Christ I stand....On Christ the solid rock I stand.All other ground is sinking sand.
I have had several verses of scripture come to me over the week.From people. Through daily scripture. Through a daily verse email.So many of these verses spoke about harm and evil and how God intends good in our lives.One of my Sisterhood leaders gave me this scripture:

Genesis 50:20

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

I also came across this scripture the other day:

Proverbs 10:11-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. ¹²Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

I just claim these verses through our situation. I believe that, for whatever reason, the Enemy has his hands all over our situation and is attacking me where I am already weak or vulnerable. My faith has been growing and I saw the hand of God at work in Peyton's hospitalization. I saw what I'd consider a minor miracle. I don't believe that the Enemy likes that very much. As I said, every single day there has been some challenge, small or otherwise. Could it be that the Enemy is not at all pleased with my faith and with the miracle and blessings I saw?
What I have learned so well this week is this:
It is so important do equip yourself and to put on the armor of God each and every day.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

We must be prepared at all times for the attacks of the enemy.We must be strong and unwavering in our faith so that when these attacks come{and they will}that we are prepared to fight against them with all our might.

Ephesians 6:11-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we^[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^[b] ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^[c] ¹⁷Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The next time you're having a bad day, think about whether what you're feeling is really an attack from the Enemy, designed to hit you in your week spots during a vulnerable time. I firmly believe that is what has been happening with me this week.
Now do this.
Pray. Fiercely.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Pray. Constantly.

Source: lamplightart.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Go into your battle with the enemy,not like this.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

But like this.Every. Day.

Source: sewnwithgrace.com via Sarah on Pinterest

linking up:

Thankful Thursday Link Up - v 15

2012-02-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

WELCOME TOTHANKFUL THURSDAYS{a weekly link up}

Source: redbubble.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Welcome back
My daughter Peyton came home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. THAT is something to be incredibly thankful for! We thought we might have to go back to the ER yesterday, but we avoided that! Praise God!
I can't even begin to express how thankful I am for all of the people who have been praying for Peyton through her illness.
We've gone through a few really difficult things since coming home, and I am deeply grateful for your continued prayers over those situations.
I am grateful for the incredible support I've received through the blogging community. Love you all!
Back to normal business...I am thankful for the opportunity to do an ongoing adoption fundraiser in my Etsy shop for my friend Jessica. Buy a coffee sleeve for $4 and I will give Jessica's family $3 per sleeve sold. I have given Jessica a total of $57 through this fundraiser! I am grateful, as is she, for your generosity and support! I am honored to be contributing to this very worthy cause!

As always, I am so thankful to have an amazing church home. I've received enormous support through church. We are truly blessed.
I am also grateful that, through my church, I have been linked up with some amazing women of God. I am so grateful to have been brought into a huddle where this small group of four women has a mission of discipling others.
I am grateful for the support of my Sisterhood family at church.
I am so incredibly thankful for a wonderful family. For all they do to support us, I am so grateful. I am so very thankful for my amazing husband and for all he does to support this family. I am also blessed and grateful that he works with me to help encourage me in the things that I need to build me up both spiritually and as a person in general.
I am thankful for God's provision. My word for this year is endure. I often feel weak in this area - falling into the temptation of complaining about the things that aren't right in my life. I am thankful for the strength that God gives me to endure - to press on through these feelings. I still feel very weak, but I'm trying.
I am so very thankful for God who is always faithful, loving, merciful, and never-failing. I am thankful for His grace when I fail and for always being there to show me the right path. I am thankful for his gracious healing, for inspiration, and for hearing my prayers. I am thankful for the patience He grants me when the answers to those prayers seem to take a lot longer than expected or they don't come in the way I expected. I am grateful for the abundance of goodness which has blessed our family this week. I am grateful for new mercies for me each morning.
Psalm 9:1 (NIV)I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Is there any way in which I can pray for you?

Source: jesustotheworld.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

(for privacy, you can use the email link on the right side bar)
Philippians 4:6 (NLT)Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.
Feel free to grab a button {use CTRL+C to copy!} for your post and/or your blog and be sure to link up below!!

I'm so excited to read your posts!

In Christ Alone

2012-02-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I had an extremely frustrating morning.I was just feeling so broken, exhausted, frustrated, sad, and overwhelmedbecause of the nursing issues we are facing this week.By mid-day, the issues were finally resolved,but in the meantime, I was done. I'd had enough.
It's so hard to refocus your thoughts when you're feeling like this, isn't it??It's so hard to calm yourself and just pray as God asks us to.It's hard to step out of the situation and give it over even though you know you need to.
I wanted to.
But I was just so frustrated.
I finally grabbed my kindle fire and found my Pandora music app.I turned on my Christian music playlistand this was the first song.
Take a listen.
In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock - Travis Cottrell

In Christ aloneMy hope is foundHe is my life, my strength, my songThis cornerstone, this solid rockFirm through the fierces, drought and stormWhat heights of Love, what depths of Peace,When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!my comforter, my all in allHere in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone who took on fleshFullness of God in helpless babeThis gift of love and righteousness,scorned by the ones He came to save,Till on that cross as Jesus diedThe wrath of God was satisfied;For every sin on him was laidHere in the depth of Christ I live

There in the ground , His body lay,Light of the world by darkness slainThen bursting forth in glorious dayUp from the grave he rose again!

And as he stands in victory,Sin's curse has lost its grip on meFor I am His and He is mineBought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in deathThis the pow'r of Christ in me,From life's first cry, to final braeth.Jesus commands my destinyNo pow'r of hell, no scheme of manCan ever pluck me from his handTill he returns or call me homeHere in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand .....

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/in-christ-alone-lyrics-travis-cottrell.html ]
Read more: TRAVIS COTTRELL - IN CHRIST ALONE LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/in-christ-alone-lyrics-travis-cottrell.html#ixzz1n4FpMbBN
Copied from MetroLyrics.com

To say I needed to hear this song is an understatement.I just wanted to share this with you today in case it might lift someone else up today.{and because I have no energy for a regular post today!}

Meet My February Swappers

2012-02-21T07:43:00.001-05:00

This month has been crazy busy,especially with the unexpected hospitalization of my very sick 5 year old.
As it is getting on in the month,I wanted to be sure that you had seen my ad swappers on my right side bar!Please take a moment and meet these lovely ladies by visiting them on their blogs!

Speaking of swapping...
If you are interested in sponsoring or swapping for the month of March,please check out the information here!I would love to have you on board!

Tuesday 10 - Worship Songs

2012-02-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

I am linking up once againwith Lena from Mom 2 Memphis and Rubyfor "Tuesday 10"!
Today I wanted to share with you what is likely in my top 10 worship songs right now! I am in the worship choir at church and I love singing these songs! I found videos for them on youtube. Take a listen if you like!{songs are in no particular order}
1. Jesus Paid it All - Kristian Stanfill

2. We Are the Free - Matt Redman

3. Furious - Jeremy Riddle

4. Nothing Holding Me Back - Bryan & Katie Torwalt

5. Rooftops - Jesus Culture

6. Love Came Down - Brian Johnson

7. How He Loves - John Mark McMillan

8. Mighty to Save - Hillsong

9. Cannons - Phil Wickham

10. Your Love Never Fails - Chris Quilala / Jesus Culture

linking up:

It's The Little Things {v 4}

2012-02-20T08:21:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, I missed something important while Peyton was in the hospital.

Moira played her first soccer game of this season.

Her third season ever.

Her first with her team in this new league

as the Cainhoy Athletic Dynamite.

They were in the rec league locally,

but their coach really wanted to see the team grow and improve,

so he looked at options and we moved leagues.

Sure, it costs a little more,

but it's worth it.

I mean - check out the cool new jersey!

It's a real soccer jersey...not just a t-shirt!

Moira continues her tradition as #3.

Actually it's worth it for many more reasons than just a cool jersey.

Fortunately, I have a wonderful loving and supportive husband

who brought the camera with him to the game so he could capture the moment for me.

{ok, maybe I threatened him just a little if he failed to do so!}

In the end, the Dynamite beat the Cainhoy Athletic Bullets 5-1!Not bad for a team that is in it's first year in this league,and is in the "least experienced" division.
I am very proud of Moira for playing her heart out{even if, as Ron said, she got a little too tired in the 2nd half}and helped her team win their first game.
It's the little things that make me smile!What are your "little things"?I'd love for you to link up!

Simply Scripture on a Sunday - v.10 {and then some...}

2012-02-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

On Valentine's Day night, we attended a wonderful church event -
a Luke 14 Banquet.Even in that post, I suggested that Peyton just wasn't feeling like herself.We got home and while I busied myself preparing that blog post,the home nurse worked on getting Peyton ready for bed.Before long, Peyton had thrown up.She had a low grade temperature.
That night was rough. I didn't sleep much.Peyton was extremely junky sounding and I was having to get up to suction her frequently.When morning came around, she was so not herself.She's hooked up to a monitor at night and I immediately saw that her heart ratewas extremely high. It was 180 when it should normally be much closer to 100.Her temperature was 103.5. One of her highest temps ever.More throwing up.
Rather than calling the doctor's office when they opened,we decided the best approach would be to get Moira ready for school and off on the busand then take Peyton to the ER.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I arrived here with Peyton and got her checked in.Triage is off to the left. The door out of the waiting room and over to the ER is to the right.We went right.Skipped triage altogether.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

While Ron was parking the car, Peyton and I went back into the ER.
We were taken to a room similar to this one:

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Within what seemed like seconds, there were about 7 or 8 doctors and nurses in the room.

Lots of questions being asked.

Peyton's port was accessed before I knew it.

{usually there is some sort of drama over that}

Ron came in in the middle of everything.

Somehow in the amount of time that had elapsed between leaving home and arriving here,

Peyton's condition worsened...

a lot.

She was extremely lethargic.

I don't honestly know if I've ever seen her like that -

and that's saying a lot considering how many hospitalizations she's had.

The nurses got fluids going immediately.

However, her blood pressure was really low,

while her temperature and heart rate were really high.

The orders were not just to start an IV line into her port to get fluids going,

but, rather, to give her a huge bolus of fluids into her line using a big syringe.

Somewhere over 300cc of fluids were given immediately.

Then the IV pump was set to administer a continuous drip.

The children's hospital was exceptionally busy and the only room available

was in the step down unit of the PICU.

Now, by the time she got her room, she probably could have gone to a regular room.

But the way came into the hospital, this was actually where she needed to be.

Of all the hospitalizations she's had,

Peyton has never had to stay in the PICU - step down unit or full blown PICU.

This was something new for us.

An indication of how bad things were.

It wasn't until all of the chaos of the ER simmered down

and we were up in a room seeing the PICU team

that I truly realized how scary things had gotten.

One of the first things the attending brought up to me

was whether or not our DNR orders still held.

This was something that we'd dealt with back in September 2010

when Peyton was at the height of her repeated respiratory illnesses.

DNR orders being brought up to me this time was a bit of a shock to the system.

Can I remind you all that these orders are for my five year old!!!

I'm not going to spend time explaining or justifying our decisions for having those orders

as those are incredibly and intensely personal.

No decision we've come to {and there is a lot involved here}

was made with out plenty of medical consultation and

and enormous amount of prayer.

The fact is, Peyton was incredibly sick when we brought her in this week.

Without being asked about those orders,

there were some incredibly difficult moments

when I was looking at her wondering if this was it.

There were moments this hospitalization {as there have been in others}

when she seemed so bad to me that I couldn't imagine how she'd bounce back.

Moments when you wonder if you're supposed to accept an outcome

you're so not ready for.

I pray that none of you ever has to go through this with your child.

Part of my scripture readings this week was Psalm 34.

Source: oneyearbibleblog.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Friends, I had so many people praying for Peyton.To be honest, there were probably countless others praying for her -more than I could imagine.
We were scared.But we trusted in God and we prayed for her.
God knows our fears.And He is able to deliver us from them.When I read Psalm 34, it really struck me.We are to pray to Him.He desires that we cast all our burdens on Him so that he may deliver us from them.
And deliver us, He did.
Can I just say that in the past, when Peyton's had these illnesses,she's never in the hospital for fewer than five days.And she's actually stayed in for eleven days once.
We came home on the fourth day.
Consider everything I just shared about the shape Peyton was in initially.DNR orders being confirmed.Pneumonia. Bacterial infection.
FOUR days!!
To be home in that short a time, in my opinion,is nothing short of a miracle.
Praise God for His mighty works.Pray without ceasing.Don't worry.Just pray.His will be done.

Source: flickr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

linking up:

Daily Wisdom Challenge 2012 - Week 7

2012-02-18T19:01:00.000-05:00

Source: getyourhandsoffofmystar.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

{links included for the scripture referenced only}
Psalm 33:18-22 The Lord protects those who fear him. Trust in Him. His love is unfailing.
Psalm 34:4-6 Pray to the Lord. Cast your worries on him and He will free you from your burdens.
Proverbs 9:9-10 The more we come to know the Lord, the greater will our wisdom be.
Proverbs 9:11-12 You shall benefit from the wisdom you gain, but should you mock wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
Mark 2:4 We mustn't let obstacles keep us from a life with Christ in it. Sometimes we have to do whatever possible to get to Him.
Psalm 36 The Lord is our light and our life. His love never fails. It is as vast as the heavens.
Leviticus 6:7 The Lord wants to forgive our transgressions if we just come to Him with our confessions of our sins.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Weary

2012-02-17T15:29:00.000-05:00

Source: wallpaper4god.com via Sarah on Pinterest

When Peyton is in the hospital, I am with her constantly.From the time we leave the house to head to the ER,to the time we leave the hospital to head home -whether it's one day or ten -I am with her.
It took me several hospitalizations with her to even set foot outside her room!I wouldn't even head down the hall for water.I'm still that bad,although sometimes I do head upstairs when they offer the free family dinners.
I update people.I read.I sit with her.I pray.I'm just...here.
I wouldn't be anywhere else.That's just how it is.
But it is draining.My spirit gets a little weary.I am tired.
Ron and Moira get up here for brief visits.But I'm not at home.And I am missing out on life with them.
I wouldn't be anywhere else.But I am missing things.I missed Moira's soccer practice Wednesday night.I missed Sisterhood mornings yesterday.I am missing the opportunity to be at a conference at church tonight and tomorrow morning.I am missing Moira's first soccer game of the season tomorrow afternoon.I may wind up missing church this weekend.
Knowing all of that can bring me down just a bit.I know this hospital stay may be for another couple days.And I wouldn't be anywhere else.Peyton needs me here.
It's one of those times when I have to just be still and wait.Wait on God.Wait for improvement in Peyton enough to get her home.
Through the waiting, I pray.I think.And I do my best to try not to let all those things get me down.Because that could take me to a really depressing place.
So I try to just reassure myself that this is just a bump in the road,and that our life outside the walls of this hospital will resume shortly.
In the meantime, please pray with me that Peyton continues to improve so we can get back to that life.
Thank you so much friends!

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Prayer

2012-02-16T19:10:00.000-05:00

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinteres

When Peyton was taken to the ER yesterday morning,

I sent out emails,

I tweeted,

I facebooked.

I told people what was happening in our family with Peyton being sick.

I asked for prayer.

I had responses from a few family members.

I had responses from friends.

I had responses from bloggy friends.

I had responses from church friends - my church family.

I missed Sisterhood this morning. I was pretty down about that,

but I knew I was where God needed me to be - with Peyton.

Still, I really look forward to this each week and to miss it made me sad.

Then I got this tweet from our leader in women's ministry:

Friends, I cannot tell you how humbling it is to receive something like this.

Over 100 women. Praying for my needs this morning.

Whether you were one of the many people who let me know

through twitter, facebook, or my blog that you were praying,
or if you were one of the many who emailed me asking how things were going
and said you were praying,
or texted me to check in and say you were praying,
or if you were part of this group of 100+ women praying for us,
please know how much I appreciate your prayers
and your thoughtfulness during this time.

Yesterday was pretty difficult.
I'll save that for another post.

Just know that all your prayers are such a blessing and an encouragement.

Thank you.

(for updates on her progress, visit her CaringBridge page here)

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

linking up:

Thankful Thursday Link Up - v 14

2012-02-15T21:28:00.001-05:00

WELCOME TOTHANKFUL THURSDAYS{a weekly link up}

Source: libby-bonjour.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Welcome back

I am thankful for Pinterest! I have found so many inspirational pins there lately. I love changing them out each week on this post. They are a nice little reminder that there is always something to be grateful for no matter what the circumstance.
I am posting this one a little early. My daughter, Peyton, is in the hospital. She was admitted today with pneumonia. My husband came up this evening with his laptop {why I don't have mine is a long story} so I could write this post! You may notice the pins haven't changed from last week and some of the things I am thankful for have remained the same. I'm in a bit of a time crunch right now. Bear with me please!
First of all, I am thankful to so many people - friends and family - who have been offering up prayers all day for Peyton. You have no idea how much that means to me during this time.
I am beyond thankful and am truly blessed by the medical staff who are now caring for Peyton during this illness.
I am thankful for this blogging community. I am grateful for the friendships made and for all the love shown in this community. I value this very much and I appreciate all of you! Know how much I value you as friends!
I am thankful for the opportunity to do an ongoing adoption fundraiser in my Etsy shop for my friend Jessica. Buy a coffee sleeve for $4 and I will give Jessica's family $3 per sleeve sold. I have given Jessica a total of $57 through this fundraiser! I am grateful, as is she, for your generosity and support! I am honored to be contributing to this very worthy cause!

I am so thankful for my little Etsy shop. It's just a tiny little homegrown business. It's nothing fancy, but it has given me an opportunity to use my talents to make some simple little goodies. I am so grateful for the sales I have had since I opened up in August and that God has blessed this little business for us! I'm in a "quiet" season right now, but grateful all the same for those who show an interest in what I am offering.
As always, I am so thankful to have an amazing church home. I say that every week. But that's because it is the truth. Aside from my family and friends, my church home is most important in my life.
In a nutshell, I am so grateful for the Luke 14 Banquet put on by my church on Valentine's Day. You can read all about that event here!
I am also grateful that, through my church, I have been linked up with some amazing women of God. I am so grateful to have been brought into a huddle where this small group of four women has a mission of discipling others.
I am grateful for the support of my Sisterhood family at church. I am sad to be missing Sisterhood mornings this week, but grateful and blessed by their prayers and support.
I am so incredibly thankful for a wonderful family. For all they do to support us, I am so grateful. I am so very thankful for my amazing husband and for all he does to support this family. I am also blessed and grateful that he works with me to help encourage me in the things that I need to build me up both spiritually and as a person in general.
I am thankful for God's provision. My word for this year is endure. I often feel weak in this area - falling into the temptation of complaining about the things that aren't right in my life. I am thankful for the strength that God gives me to endure - to press on through these feelings. I still feel very weak, but I'm trying.
I am so very thankful for God who is always faithful, loving, merciful, and never-failing. I am thankful for His grace when I fail and for always being there to show me the right path. I am thankful for his gracious healing, for inspiration, and for hearing my prayers. I am thankful for the patience He grants me when the answers to those prayers seem to take a lot longer than expected or they don't come in the way I expected. I am grateful for the abundance of goodness which has blessed our family this week. I am grateful for new mercies for me each morning.
Psalm 9:1 (NIV)I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Is there any way in which I can pray for you?(for privacy, you can use the email link on the right side bar)

Source: illbeasunbeam.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Luke 14 - A Valentine's Day Tradition

2012-02-14T22:20:00.000-05:00

Luke 14:7-14

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

⁷ Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table. So he told them a story. ⁸ He said, "Suppose someone invites you to a wedding feast. Do not take the place of honor. A person more important than you may have been invited. ⁹ If so, the host who invited both of you will come to you. He will say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be filled with shame. You will have to take the least important place.

¹⁰ "But when you are invited, take the lowest place. Then your host will come over to you. He will say, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. ¹¹ Anyone who lifts himself up will be brought down. And anyone who is brought down will be lifted up."

¹² Then Jesus spoke to his host. "Suppose you give a lunch or a dinner," he said. "Do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, or your relatives, or your rich neighbors. If you do, they may invite you to eat with them. So you will be paid back.

¹³ "But when you give a big dinner, invite those who are poor. Also invite those who can't walk, the disabled and the blind. ¹⁴ Then you will be blessed. Your guests can't pay you back. But you will be paid back when those who are right with God rise from the dead."

For the past few years, our family has taken part in a different kind of Valentine's Day tradition.
Our church has partnered with a place called Healing Farms to put on a banquet for "the least of these".
Special needs individuals and their caregivers from all over the community are invited to take part in this banquet. This is the third year they've done it - and our third year going!

The banquet is based on the scripture above from Luke 14. All who are invited are welcomed with open arms. They are literally given the red carpet treatment. Everything from the time you pull up in your vehicle to the time you leave is done for you. You are waited on and served from start to finish. Not just the person with special needs, but whoever they were accompanied by as well, which, in our case, was the four of us plus Peyton's nurse.

Every table had a volunteer sitting at it, so they have a friend for the evening!
Volunteers were constantly making sure the glasses are filled with water, tea or lemonade.
More volunteers were taking orders for the table - there was a set menu but you could choose from chicken or pulled pork. Even more volunteers went around later to offer desserts.
There was live music playing and there were volunteers out on the dance floor with anyone who chose to dance {it was mostly kids, including Moira}.

But wait...I'm not giving this year's event enough emphasis.
It was huge compared to past years.
Our church has multiple venues in the building.
There's the main worship center. Another venue is called "The Warehouse" which is a smaller, more casual venue for services. In year one, the banquet was held in The Warehouse. Last year it was bigger, so they held it in the worship center. This year it was so big that it was held in both venues simultaneously.
There were over 500 guests and "more than 250 volunteers, donors, sponsors, churches and ministries represented" at this event {per the information sheet that was in the gift bag we received when we left}!!

Can you even imagine??

Let's not worry about the size of the event for a moment.

Can you even begin to imagine how much this event means
for a special needs family like ours?
Perhaps not.

For us, it represents a night out.
A night out as a family.
A night out where we don't have to worry about accessibility.
Stares.
Awkward moments.
Noise levels.
Suctioning Peyton in a public space.
What other people are thinking.
and so on...

For us, it represents a time when an entire church family reached out to bless us.
To bless a community of special needs people and their caregivers.
To make sure that they were treated with respect, with dignity, with honor, and with love.
To make sure that, for one night, we didn't have to have any worries.
To make sure that, for one night, we knew that there were scores of people
just waiting to love on us.
To embrace us and make us all feel like a part of the body of Christ.
Don't get me wrong...Seacoast Church does an incredible job of including "the least of these".

But a lot of the people who were there were not children...but adults coming from group homes.
Their caregivers are paid caregivers - not family members.
They may not even have a church to call home.
Can you imagine how many times in these peoples' lives they've had an opportunity to go out in public to a "fancy" event such as this?? How often do they get to put on their best clothes and be treated like royalty??
For our family, this event is huge, but for these people - I can't even imagine what they must be feeling!!

We are all worthy members of the body of Christ.
All of us.
Able bodied or not.
Young or old.
Family or no family.
We are part of the same body.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

A huge thank you to Seacoast Church,

to Healing Farms,

and to all the countless people who were involved in making this event so spectacular.

I cannot express enough how much we look forward to this event

and how much it means to our family.

Pictures from this year's Luke 14 Dinner:

Peyton was having a little difficulty tonight - we got home and she wound up having a fever.
She just wasn't herself today.

There she is! Kind of. Bottom lip sticking out. Yeah, she's not feeling well. Poor kid.

Moira is the whirling dervish in red with the flower in her hair. It was not easy to get her picture!

Still not sure about this thing...

Yeah...definitely not feeling up to a party tonight.

Moira doesn't have to be dancing for it to be difficult to get her picture!

Ron and Moira. So serious.

Head's up. But still not smiling.

Grilled chicken, pulled pork, mac and cheese, and green beans.
SO good!!

Moira wanted to dance with her Daddy.
Note: it may not look like there are that many people here, but we were in the overflow room which WAS packed.

The volunteer who sat with us at our table just happened to be Ms. Darcel, who just happened to be Peyton's special ed homebound teacher last year, and who just happens to be in the worship choir with me!

Moira calmed down enough for me to get a nice picture of her.

Front entrance of our church.
I LOVE my church and church family!!

Our table had all kinds of Valentine's cards from kids on it when we arrived.

We received a tote bag with a prayer blanket and a candle.
They had a "photo booth" set up so we could get a family picture.

This is our first family picture since Peyton was ONE!
Among the things "normal" families take for granted - the ability to go out and have family photos done.
It's not easy...hence the nearly 5 year gap between our family photos!

My church.

Love Is...

2012-02-14T07:41:00.000-05:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, I decided that my "Tuesday 10" was going to be love-related.

1 Corinthinans 13 is the source to go to if you want to know what love is!

Ron and I used part of this scripture at our wedding back in 2000.

{and you may have too...it's pretty popular!}

I visited Pinterest and I wanted to share my 10 fave pins relating to this scripture.

Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: nonelikejesus.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: lamplightart.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: craftsandsutch.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: pinterest.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: redletterwords.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lauren on Pinterest

linking up:

It's The Little Things {v 3}

2012-02-12T23:37:00.000-05:00

I posted last Monday twice about the little things in life that make me happy.

You can read about those here and here.

I also asked if there might be interest in a linky party for just that thing -

taking a moment just to share one of those "little things" in life that bring a smile to your face!

So here are two things that make me happy:

a SALE and a LINK UP!

First, the sale.

I have a little Etsy shop where I sell simple knitted goods.

Right now, anything in my shop can be yours at 14% of in honor of Valentine's Day this week.

Just use coupon code VALENTINES to receive the discount!

Visit my shop here!

Here are a few pics of items from my shop

{visit the shop to see what other goodies I have!}

Second, the link up!

Please feel free to link up your posts of those "little things" that make you happy today!

Simply Scripture on a Sunday - v.9

2012-02-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I mentioned last week that our church began a new series called "The New Normal",which is a study of Galatians. In addition to my daily bible reading {I'm on the "One Year Plan" on youversion}, I am also on a Galatians reading plan. This one is 3 days, so as we go through the series, I am going to do this 3 day reading plan repeatedly so that I can really learn Galatians.
At the service last week, we were challenged - if we were asked what the gospel was, what would we say?
Do you know what you would say?
It's simple really.
The truth that we need to believe and understand is this:
Jesus Christ came to earth.He died.He rose again on the third day.
If we are believers in this truth, we can have eternal life with Him.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Daily Wisdom Challenge 2012 - Week 6

2012-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

On January 1, I began my second-ever year long bible study.Our pastor calls it the "Daily Wisdom Challenge" or the "Twitter Bible Study".

The purpose is to engage in a reading plan for a year, and each day, post insight from your reading in 140 characters or less.
Here is what I learned this past week:{links included for the scripture referenced only}
Psalm 29:1-11 How majestic is the Lord. Honor and worship the Lord who gives you strength.
Matthew 24:42-44 We should be prepared for the Lord's return at any hour. We do not know when his return will be.
Proverbs 8:11 Seek the wisdom of the Lord - it is far more valuable than anything else you could desire.
Matt 25:35-45 However we treat those around us is how we treat the Lord himself. Would my actions please Him?
Psalm 31:19 The Lord lavishes goodness on those who come to Him for protection.
Exodus 31:3 God has gifted us in unique ways so.that we may do our part to advance the kingdom on earth.
Proverbs 8:35 Seek the Lord and His wisdom. You will find life in Him and He will look favorably upon you.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Worry

2012-02-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

This morning I saw a couple pins on Pinterest about worry.I woke up this morning with no blog post written, scheduled or planned. I had no idea what to write on.When I saw those pins, I knew that's what I'd write about today.
Worry.
We all do it.
Sometimes we worry about things that are truly concerning to us.Sometimes it's little things that are seemingly insignificant to those around us.Sometimes it's about things that we have no business worrying about.Sometimes we take the worry of others on ourselves and worry about it too.
When we worry, we place an extraordinary amount of stress on ourselves, don't we?When it's the health of a loved one, of course our first inclination is to be worried about the situation.In reality, though, we have very little {if any} control over the things we worry about.

Source: bonnieotto.uppercaseliving.net via Sarah on Pinterest

We must realize that when things seem like the are out of our control when we are deep in worry, that someone is in control of it all - God. He's got your back. He knows your fears and worries and wants you to cast them on Him so that your burdens will be lessened.
It all begins with taking a step of faith. We sometimes don't know how to relinquish that control because we want to maintain some sort of power in the situation. We may feel like if we give up the reins, that we are incapable people. Ceasing to be in control of the situation doesn't mean that you don't care or that you're incapable of solving your own problems. It means that you trust God that He is in control and that He has the power to handle whatever your situation may be.

Source: tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Remembering that God is in control, we have to realize that when we worry about the outcome of something, we are projecting our fears onto the situation. We fail to see the bigger picture sometimes. We've dealt with a special needs and medically fragile child for almost six years now. I worried...I worried a lot. But all that worry wasn't going to change the fact that Peyton has some serious issues. Those issues may cut her life short. I eventually stopped worrying like I used to. I gave up control and gave it to God. I don't understand why He created Peyton the way He did, but He did create her that way. Nothing God does is by accident. There is a purpose behind all He does. I failed, for a long time, to see the bigger picture. Because of my worry, I failed to see that God was trying to use her {and me} for another purpose that I wasn't envisioning. I still worry a bit from time to time, but when I give all of my concerns to God, I allow Him the freedom to use our lives for His purpose and glory.
Instead of worrying, I pray.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

linking up:

Thankful Thursday Link Up - v 13

2012-02-09T04:26:00.000-05:00

WELCOME TOTHANKFUL THURSDAYS{a weekly link up}

Source: flickr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Welcome back!

I am thankful for this blogging community. I am grateful for the friendships made and for all the love shown in this community. I am grateful for the opportunity to reach out to others and to potentially make a difference for someone. It's not about the numbers, friends. It's about sharing the ~~goodness~~ greatness of God in my life.
I have mentioned this adoption fundraiser each Thursday because it's important to get the word out there, but I am truly thankful for the opportunity to do an ongoing adoption fundraiser in my Etsy shop for my friend Jessica. Buy a coffee sleeve for $4 and I will give Jessica's family $3 per sleeve sold. I have given Jessica a total of $57 through this fundraiser! I am grateful, as is she, for your generosity and support! I am honored to be contributing to this very worthy cause! Jessica and her family are facing a sizable fee at the moment. Any help she can get towards this would be much appreciated! Thanks for considering it! We are all part of one larger community. I love the fact that we can reach out and help others within that community through something like this.

I am so thankful for my little Etsy shop. I'm in a "quiet" season right now, but grateful all the same for those who show an interest in what I am offering.
As always, I am so thankful to have an amazing church home. I say that every week. But that's because it is the truth. Aside from my family and friends, my church home is most important in my life.
I am grateful for the opportunity this weekend to have an afternoon of respite with Ron thanks to a home nurse for Peyton and the special needs ministry at church who will look after Moira even though she's the sibling of a special needs child!
I am thankful for having been connected with some amazing women of God at church. I am so grateful to have been brought into a huddle where this small group of four women has a mission of discipling others.
I blessed to be a part of Sisterhood Mornings and am grateful for each of the women at the table that I am leading. I am also grateful for the opportunity to lead a table this semester!
I am so incredibly thankful for a wonderfully supportive family.
I am so very thankful for my amazing husband and for all he does to support this family. I am also blessed and grateful that he works with me to help encourage me in the things that I need to build me up both spiritually and as a person in general.
I am thankful for my children. For the blessings that they are to me. For everything that they have taught me.
I am thankful for God's provision. My word for this year is endure. I often feel weak in this area - falling into the temptation of complaining about the things that aren't right in my life. I am thankful for the strength that God gives me to endure - to press on through these feelings. I still feel very weak, but I'm trying.
I am so very thankful for God who is always faithful, loving, merciful, and never-failing. I am thankful for His grace when I fail and for always being there to show me the right path. I am thankful for his gracious healing, for inspiration, and for hearing my prayers. I am thankful for the patience He grants me when the answers to those prayers seem to take a lot longer than expected or they don't come in the way I expected. I am grateful for the abundance of goodness which has blessed our family this week. I am grateful for new mercies for me each morning.
Psalm 9:1 (NIV)I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Is there any way in which I can pray for you?(for privacy, you can use the email link on the right side bar)

Source: Uploaded by user via Sarah on Pinterest

Meal Planning Simplified

2012-02-08T05:00:00.000-05:00

I have seen so many posts lately on meal planning.Honestly, I'm a little jealous.I have never really been able to organize my life that way.I mean, it's great. I would love to have everything laid out like that.But it just never happens.
Ron and I were discussing recently about how we need to be more intentional about different things in our life - making small improvements which, over time, will improve our family life.One area of improvement is in the kitchen - making sure that we are cooking more meals at home, and then eating together as a family at the table. Sadly, that doesn't always happen because of everyone's different schedules. I miss it when we don't. That's not how I grew up. It is how Ron did. So, we're trying to get back to how things should be.

Source: realhousewivesofbc.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Ron found a great tool for helping us in the cooking department. It's really important to us to be on a strict budget right now, so eating out all the time isn't an option - even though take out is so much easier sometimes!! But the concept of meal planning just isn't working for me. I am absolutely, totally, thoroughly exhausted beyond belief most days and to have to think about what to cook - especially in advance - just boggles my mind.
Enter E-mealz.
Have you ever heard of E-mealz??I hadn't. Not until a couple weeks ago!
Go to their website and take a look around.Essentially, it gives you a variety of menu plans to choose from:regular family menus {7 meals for 3-6 people}regular menus for 2 {5 meals for 1-2 people}specialty family menus {i.e. gluten free, low carb, etc.; 7 meals for 3-6 people}specialty menus for 2 {5 meals for 1-2 people}
You decide which menu plan is what you'd need and then you select the grocery store.{kind of limited: Kroger, Publix, Ralphs, Aldi, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, and the generic "any other store"}
You sign up for a plan which winds up costing about $1.25/week.{but you don't pay by the week}
For whichever store and plan you selected, when you log in to your account, you will be able to view Last Week's Menu and This Week's Menu. You click on the one you want to see, and it pulls up a pdf file.
What E-mealz does is take all the legwork out of meal planning for you. They go by the sales flier for that store for that week and they devise a meal plan for the week based on what's on sale. No coupons needed - strictly sale items. So if you don't have time to coupon, at least you know they're pointing you towards what's on sale.
The first page of the pdf file will be the menu plan. We have the Regular Family Menu {7 meals} plan for Publix. They have a chart showing Meals 1 - 7 in the first column, all the ingredients for each recipe in the second column, and the directions in the third column. For example, last week we had "Meal 3", which was E-Z BBQ Chicken Slaw and Corn Muffins for the crock pot. It outlined everything you'd need and then all the cooking instructions. Easy! Each meal has a main entree, side and veggie.
The second page of the pdf file is the grocery list. It itemizes by grocery store department. In the left-hand column, it states which meal number that item is for. Then it gives you the price for the item. Each menu plan is said to be about $80-$90 worth of grocery items. Note, it's the main ingredients only. They do, however, list {by meal number} which staples you will need to have on hand. These are listed below the grocery shopping list and are not priced out.
This way of doing things has made it - so far - very easy to price out our meals and find the best deals. You aren't tied to the brands they put on the shopping list. If you see something cheaper, by all means, get it! Or if you have brand loyalties and don't want the specific sale item mentioned, get what your family likes. This is just a guideline. It just really simplifies the meal planning, one week at a time.
So why pay for this{even if it only costs about $1.25 a week}??Because I don't have time these days to do couponing like I used to.Because we don't get a newspaper.Because going through the sale fliers takes time.Everything is right at my fingertips on the two pages of that pdf file.
All we have to do now is to pick out which of the 7 meals on the list that week we really want to cook. You see, we will only have to purchase the groceries for the items we want to make, not the entire list. So that will cut the $80-$90 worth of groceries down further. The recipes so far have been pretty good. We had a brown sugar meatloaf the other night which will be in our cooking repertoire from now on!
No one asked me or paid me to do a review of E-mealz.I simply wanted to share this new thing that we had found in case it might benefit you and your family!

p.s. Since I posted this THIS MORNING, it is now E-Meals {with an "s", not a "z"!!} So when you go to their site and see the "s", don't be thinking I'm a dummy for using a "z" throughout my blog! :)
p.s.s. if you're wondering where all the linky parties i had listed on the left side bar went to, i have consolidated a lot of stuff on the "daily reads" tab {top right}. there you will find buttons for some of the various blogs i enjoy, series that other bloggers are doing, and daily linky parties that i enjoy. check it out! if you would like me to put your linky party on that page, let me know!

Tuesday 10 - My 2012 Reading List

2012-02-07T06:32:00.000-05:00

When I was trying to come up with a "Tuesday 10" topic, I thought, you know, I'm going to set a challenge for myself with this one! I am going to list the 10 books that I intend to read in 2012. Hopefully I get to read far more than ten books this year, but these are the ones that are high on my list.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: goodreads.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: planbbook.com via Sarah on Pinteres

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: aholyexperience.com via Sarah on Pinterest

linking up:

It's The Little Things {v 2}

2012-02-06T21:18:00.000-05:00

I've written a few posts lately that pertain to Peyton,

so in fairness, I am writing this one to brag on Moira just a little bit!

She is in a new soccer league. She has the same coach as her last two seasons, but she's now playing in a different league and is at the U9 level instead of U8. The advantage to this new league is that there is an affiliation with the Charleston Battery, which is a local pro soccer team. This evening, Moira's division got to practice at the Battery stadium {conveniently located right next door to Ron's work, which is about five minutes from home} with her coach as well as three people from the Battery. I don't know that they are current players, but they are real players. Wait...that kind of sounds bad. They are real soccer players.

It was so awesome to see Moira doing technical drills with her teammates under the direction of some "real live soccer players". Moira {nor I} would have had a clue who they were if it weren't for this practice but she was looking just a little star-struck to be coached by someone potentially famous.

I just loved watching her practice tonight. She definitely had a lot of fun.

I am so proud of her!

Cainhoy Athletic Dynamite with the team coach {former coach of Moira's former team the Sweet Kickers} on the field of the Charleston Battery stadium.

The Dynamite, some girls from the other teams, the coaches, and one of the "real" players {in black}.

The Dynamite getting some instructions from the Battery coach/player.

The Dynamite being instructed by not one, but two, "real" players {guy in back left, the arm in the front right}.
Do you think Moira looks excited?? {she's in blue with the polka dot socks}

The girls from the different teams were paired up and in one big square in the middle of the field. The three "real" coaches went around with their clipboards instructing and coaching all the girls. They were getting some baseline information on the various techniques they were being drilled on.

You can see the three "real" coaches in this picture {the three guys in black}.

And a fun time was had by all!
This is one of those little things in life that makes me happy right now.How 'bout you??
I am considering starting a Monday linky party calledIt's The Little Things - Mondaywhere you can link up your posts {like this one} where you share with us something that you or a family member did, or something that you saw, or made, or thought that just made you happy.
Sometimes it's just the little things in life that make you smile.
What do you think? Linky yes or no??

It's The Little Things {v 1}

2012-02-06T12:55:00.000-05:00

I decided last week to rescue my bread machine from seclusion.I hadn't used that thing in probably three years!The only reason I know I have used it at some point since we moved to Charleston in August 2008 is because I had a few packages of yeast which were still a year away from their expiration date.So, out it came, but the manual with all the recipes was nowhere to be found.
I wound up searching the interwebs for a basic white bread recipe and I found one calledThrow Away The Bread Machine Instructions!....White BreadThe reviews of this recipe looked pretty good, so I thought I'd give it a go.I did and it was outstanding.A couple days later, I made it again and it all but disappeared before my eyes.Today is the third go around with this recipe in less than a week.Seriously, folks, it is delicious!
Just so you know, it is not my recipe. The recipe belongs to Kittencalskitchen.{as posted on www.food.com - click on the recipe title above for the original version}I am not claiming this recipe as my own. I am merely claiming to have made her recipe and am showing you how it went using pictures that I took in the process of recreating this recipe.If you go to the original recipe, you'll see all the nutrition information for this bread too!
1 cup of warm water {110 deg F}add to the bread machine pan first

add 2 tbsp sugar and 1 pkg of yeast

at this point, the original directions to tell you to let it "foam" for 10 minutes,

but I had no clue what that meant.

here is what that will look like.

{closer to the 10 minute mark, it does look a teensy bit "frothy",

but we're not talking a major foamy explosion here}

once the ten minutes has elapsed, add 2 tbsp melted butter, 2 tbsp oil, 3 cups flour, 1 tsp salt

{I remember my missing instruction manual stated that the ingredients for any recipe had to be put in in the order they were written, so I did that}

use the automatic setting for basic or white bread and press start

{my machine automatically sets for 3 hours 50 minutes on a basic setting with regular crust}

When the time's up, here is what you'll have!

I promise you it is so delicious!!

This is one of those little things in life that makes me happy right now.How 'bout you??
I am considering starting a Monday linky party calledIt's The Little Things - Mondaywhere you can link up your posts {like this one} where you share with us something that you or a family member did, or something that you saw, or made, or thought that just made you happy.
Sometimes it's just the little things in life that make you smile.
What do you think? Linky yes or no??
\

Simply Scripture on a Sunday - v.8

2012-02-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend at church, we are beginning a study of Galatians. This new series is called "The New Normal". To prepare for today's message, we were asked to read Galatians 1. Galatians 1:15 struck me the most out of this chapter. Usually, I'll search Pinterest and Google images for a pre-existing image that captures the scripture I'm using each week. Nothing caught my eye so I decided to create my own image.
The photo I used is of Peyton taken on May 17, 2006. She was two days old. This was also Ron's birthday. On this day, we were reeling from the news that our precious baby had multiple brain malformations, had cataracts, had a heart murmur, and had hip dysplasia. We hadn't yet found out that she was going to be diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss. That would come within a few days. This was the start of trying to figure out what our family's "new normal" was going to be. Five and a half years later, it's still a work in progress. May new issues have come up with Peyton and our "normal" continues to evolve.
We had no idea what was in store for our family before Peyton was born. But God knew. I have often said that Peyton has taught us more than we could ever possibly teach her. I know there is something very special about this precious child of God. I know that He is using her for His purpose.
This scripture captures her life perfectly.

Daily Wisdom Challenge 2012 - Week 5

2012-02-04T09:21:00.002-05:00

Source: whateverislovelyblog.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

On January 1, I began my second-ever year long bible study.

Our pastor calls it the "Daily Wisdom Challenge" or the "Twitter Bible Study".

The purpose is to engage in a reading plan for a year, and each day, post insight from your reading in 140 characters or less.
Here is what I learned this past week:{links included for the scripture referenced only}
Matthew 17:19 Want eternal life? Keep the commandments. Sounds simple enough, but we must strive to do this each day.
Matthew 20:26-28 A true leader will place himself in a position of service.
Matthew 21:22 Ask in prayer with sincerity and true faith, and you shall receive.
Exodus 15:13 God will provide a way for us if we just have faith and follow Him.
Psalm 27 Do not let your faith be shaken. Remain confident that the Lord is your refuge and protection.
Psalm 27:11-12 The enemy is all around us waiting for us to stumble. Seek the Lord and follow His path.
Proverbs 7:3 Carry the Lord's commands deep in your heart always. Trust in Him for wisdom and guidance.

A New Addition...

2012-02-03T17:40:00.000-05:00

I've got a new addition...on my blog that is.If you look over on my right side bar, you'll see a new widget amongst the "follow me" options.I found this on a facebook post from Kristine at The Foley Fam.It's a great little widget called Linky Followers.I know a lot of you are on WordPress and will no longer have the option to use GFC on your blog at some point soon. This might be a viable alternative if you're interested in a way to keep track of your followers. It's really cool because it is also a bit like Bloglovin' where you can keep a private blogroll so you can view all the blogs you follow all in one place!
Here are some screen shots from my dashboard:
1. Here you can see the list of blogs you follow. As I have only just heard of this, the only blog I know to follow so far is The Foley Fam! {And you should too!!}

2. You can also see at a glance who is following you. FYI "Brent Riggs" is the guy behind Linky Followers, so that will automatically show up.

3. The private blogroll allows you to enter the blog info of all your favorite blogs so you can view them all in one place.

4. Basic account management.

You will see this image on my right side bar. The person/blog's name will display when you hover over the picture.

If you click on their image, then it brings you to their profile {see example below}. From there, you can click "visit blog" to go to their blog.

I hope this is something that you find helpful! If you do add it, please follow me and I will return the follow!Spread the word too!
I have also linked up for a blog hop.Click on the button below and head on over to join in the fun!

Living With a Special Needs Child

2012-02-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

I am a wife and mother of two girls.The younger of the two is five and a half and has multiple special needs.And she is medically fragile on top of that.Her whole life, we have lived with no diagnosis.Several individual problems, but no diagnosis exists for all of the conditions she has.She has profound hearing loss, had cataracts removed at 2 weeks old, is legally blind, has multiple brain malformations and is missing a portion of the back of her brain, hip dysplasia, severe central sleep apnea, chronic respiratory illness, a heart murmur, extremely low muscle tone, shoulders and knees that dislocate all the time, a g-j tube, reflux, and the list goes on.She's endured 19 surgeries.Our life that we live is our version of "normal",but I can assure you it's no "normal" most people have ever seen.
A few years back, someone shared with me a story called"Welcome to Holland"which really captures what it's like to be on a special needs journey.I wanted to share that with you.

Source: kidzorg.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Our journey definitely got re-routed when Peyton was born.I definitely felt the loss of many things that just won't ever be.I carried an enormous burden for so long about what could have been.It took me a very long time to realize that it's ridiculous to think of what could have been,because it was never to have been!God created Peyton just as she is.God created Peyton for a purpose.God chose us to raise Peyton.God entrusted us with her care.God didn't have another plan for Peyton. This IS His plan for her.
And I've seen with my own eyes that this precious child has a purpose.She is loved.She is valued.She doesn't know anything but to be who God intended her to be.She is my child to care for here on earth.She is His daughter on loan to us.For a purpose.
linking up: