Count your blessings...

Today I received disheartening news that my friend and former co-worker had lost her 34 yr old husband. He left about 8:30 to go get medicine for their daughter. She put the kids to bed and was relaxing when she started to get concerned because he had not made it home yet and he had been gone for 2 hours. She called him but didn't get an answer so she called his parents. His mom stayed at the house in case the children woke up and she and her father-in-law went looking for her husband. They found his truck where it had gone down an embankment on the road that they live on. The truck was in the creek and he was pinned under it with his head underwater when they found him. I can't imagine the devastation that they must be feeling. She is beating herself up over it because after he left she found some medicine in the cabinet that would have worked so he hadn't really needed to go after all. Then she said... what if she had started looking sooner then maybe they could have found him in time. I just can't believe it. All day I have been thinking about how that could have been so many of us in the same situation. That could be our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, parents going through that very same thing. My heart is breaking for them and many prayers are going up on their behalf. I am counting my own blessings. I couldn't get through the day without letting Scott know just how very much he means to me. I thought about relationships in my own life. I thought about how sometimes things that happen are trivial and sometimes we don't realize it until its too late. This week in my devotion study on Esther one point has seemed very clear to me. Holding a grudge against someone who has hurt you may seem justified based on their actions but instead the grudge continues to hold you in bondage to them. Forgiveness is difficult but it humbles us and allows us the freedom to love again with a free heart. Today I am counting my blessings, especially those most precious in my life. I am so thankful for my family, immediate and extended. God has blessed me with them and I will honor Him by loving and cherishingthem.

Juggling...

Do you ever feel that sometimes life is a juggling act? It seems like we are juggling so many things. There are responsibilities, friends, family, relationships, commitments, finances, errands, appointments, jobs, co-workers, church, sports, helping others, needs, wants, time shortages, grad school, cooking, cleaning, laundry......etc. Some days it seems to never end. These things we juggle bring unnecessary stress and chaos to our lives if we let them. Sometimes we find ourselves losing sight of whats really most important all the while trying to appease others. I don't know about you but sometimes I wish I could minimize the stress and just slow down and truly enjoy life instead of juggling my way through it.

Sometimes you get a special card that touches your heart...... I am sharing part of my Valentine's card from Scott.

I asked the Lord

to bless me

with an angel

in my life.....

A woman

I could treasure

as a loving friend

and wife.

And so you came

from Heaven

as the answer

to my prayer.

And changed

my world forever

through the precious

love we share.

The longer we're married

the more I can see

What a wonderful blessing

your love's been to me.

The longer we're married,

the more I'm aware,

When I asked for an angel,

God answered my prayer.

I will love you Always and Forever because you are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me .

Love,

Scott

Happy 30th Valentine's Birthday!

Today is my sweetheart's 30th birthday. Wow it doesn't seem like its really been 9 yrs since we first met. He is my best friend....my soul mate....the other half of me. He's the one who knows my worries, hopes, dreams, and joys. He knows how to make me laugh when I feel like crying and he knows how to comfort me when I'm down. He pretends to like my cooking when sometimes its not the best. He keeps me grounded but lifts me up. He's my prince charming.... my one and only.

We tried to make this b'day extra special by showering him with gifts and goodies. Raegan and I even sang to him! I got him a new tackle box that he said he NEEDED and of course some clothes that he said he didn't need (I disagree) and then gave him money for a new rifle scope. I made homemade (all the way from scratch) biscuits and gravy, bacon, and hashbrowns for breakfast. I am making a cake later!!!!

Although this is his special day we also wanted to LOVE on little Raegan and let her know how special she is to us. She has been wanting some Minnie Mouse sippy cups for a while so we got her the cups, plate, bowl, and silverware set. We also found some really cute Minnie pj's that were hard to resist. What's Valentine's without a little candy? We got her a small pac of M&M's (her fave). She was so excited. I'll have to post some pics later.

Happy Valentine's Day !!!!!!

Flor is coming home soon!

Update: We went to the airport to meet precious Flor and her mommy Amanda. She is adorable in every way. There were soooo many people there.... It was nice to meet some of the blogger community and see their little ones. Raegan was amazed by all the little girls.

My friend Amanda is bringing her sweet daughter Flor home Friday. Please be praying that everything goes smoothly with their travel and adoption finalization. Stop by their blog to congratulate them.

Positive Update

Grandaddy is doing much better. He is alert and beginning to communicate more. We visited him yesterday and he was completely aware that we were there. Raegan loved on him more than she ever has. We have been told that he will be dismissed on Feb. 20th. At this point, we are hoping that he gets to come home. We feel that he can get the best care at home. The facilities that he has been at before have not provided the best care for him. It will be hard work for everyone, especially my grandmother. Her dedication to him is an example of true love. She is willing to care for him as long as she can which is such a sacrifice on her part. She is one incredible woman and I love her very much.

Visiting Grandaddy

We visited Grandaddy yesterday and he slept through our entire 2 hr visit. He didn't even know that we were there. He was up for 12 hours before he went to bed and they worked him really hard with therapy. They are getting him into an early routine startig at 6 am every day. Raegan got to visit with Grammy which was good for the both of them. She really misses Grammy. She almost won't let her put her down and if she does then she runs right back to her to give her kisses. She has been spending some quality time with my dad and she is getting a little attached to him which I am glad to see. She is happy staying with him and doesn't cry for momma as much. He has kept her some since her other Grandaddy and Grandmomma have been sick. Raegan is talking up a storm....when she wants to. Tonight we called to check on them and she was talking on the phone telling them all the new words she is learning. Too funny because sometimes they come out a little different than you expect. I'll have to post a video clip soon. She is growig up way too fast! I just can't believe it sometimes. Her Daddy and I are just in awe of her. Parenting her is definitely a rewarding job. Speaking of new parenting...
My friend Amanda just found out that she will be bringing her daughter Flor home next weekend. She has waited a long time for this day. Jump over to her blog and congratulate her.