Zachary's Party

We celebrated Zachary's First Birthday this past Saturday. It was such an enjoyable day hanging out with our families. Zachary really enjoyed his first taste of birthday cake. It was so fun to watch him get all messy. He wasn't sure about all the icing, but seemed to like every bit of it. Greg wanted him to put his face in it and get crazy, but that never fully happened. He was blessed with a lot of fun outside toys including his sandbox (we gave him) and some new clothes and books. I think he is all set for the Summer! Thanks to all of you.

Turning my Mole Hill into a Mountain

It has been one of those weeks when it rains, it pours. I am thankful it's Friday and God has given me a new perspective, but it took a long time to change. So I would like to take this time to share with you my week and remind myself of God's goodness.

It all started Monday night after Greg's basketball game, when I came down with a serious stomach bug. It left me feeling weak and tired. I spent all day Tuesday trying to re cope letting Carlee pretty much do whatever she wanted, which means watching TV and playing on the computer. I felt like a bad mom, but sometimes you have to have a break and allow time for rest. That evening my sister came to the rescue after calling me and finding that I am in over my head and need help taking care of the kids while Greg is at another basketball game (it was a tournament and thankfully they won). Tuesday evening, Greg gets the stomach bug and is up most the night. Now I am not only weak, but he is too. Not to mention he has started his new schedule this week working from 6am to 2:30 pm and is not getting enough sleep period. He still goes to work on Wednesday and comes home to a big pile of mulch in the driveway (big meaning....5 yards). He spends the rest of the day/evening putting the mulch in our backyard where he is designing an area for Carlee and Zachary to play. I can't even believe he did this after being tired and weak from the stomach bug. He is Superman, I tell you. Wednesday night, Zachary wakes up several times with a temp. and another ear infection (I think this might be the 4th one). Thursday, I take him to the doctor while Carlee stays at church to play at Splash Day, after all the girl needs to get out of the house and have some fun for a change. Thursday afternoon, I have a complete meltdown and call my mom for some encouragement. She on the other hand is in her own set of circumstances and tells me, "Sometimes that is just how life goes. It's hard." I did not want to hear this, but knew it was true. After getting off the line with her my friend Amy C. calls (I'm still not sure why she called), but I am in the middle of my mole hill about to let it take over (in a pool of tears) and she offers to pray for me and help out. What are friends for.... I love you girl. Thursday late afternoon, Greg comes home from the doctors. He had gone to the doctors because of some red eye irritation and puss he had had all week. He tells me he has pink eye. I could not believe that I had not even looked at my husband long enough to realize his eye was red. Lesson number 1, when you have problems look at the people around you and be encouraged that you are not the only one. Thursday night, Greg stays inside and lets me go for a run. He knows this is a great way for me to let off some steam and build good endorphins. I am a happier person after working out.

So now it is Friday and I have learned many lessons.

1. Do not let the weeks circumstances overtake me and keep me from focusing on God. He will have victory!

2. Attitude is everything. Why not choose joy and trust Him through the process!

3. He is gracious and compassionate and will choose the least sever method to get me to where He wants me. After all, He is after my heart and all these circumstances is an opportunity for me to trust Him and remind me that He is faithful.

4. God can use me despite what I am going through. He showed me this at IW (Intercessory Worship)on Wednesday night. I felt that even though life was caving in, I still had Him and that would get me through anything.

5. Be thankful for what you are going through even if it is hard. At the end you will be different, improved, more affective, pure, holy and able to praise Him more after it is all said and done. After all He is only getting us ready for His return.

I went to a women's breakfast last Saturday and I was given a verse just for me. Romans 15:19 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This verse came alive this week. Wow! This is the story of my life really. God wants me to change my perspective and see through His eyes. May I learn my lesson today and start spending time with Him asking Him to reveal His glory through His word.

So tomorrow is Saturday (Zachary's party), there is still lots to be done outside (mulching the flowerbeds, getting the backyard ready for play, and the list goes on), but it is all good and God is with us and everything will work out. Greg reminded me that the party was inside anyway. I am letting go and letting God. He will be our Helper and the yard will get done when He wants it to get done. I was thinking about having people bring they're work gloves to the party. Only kidding! If you are still reading this, thanks for listening. I hope you all have a blessed weekend!

Zachary's Birthday Dinner

We went to Skeeter's for Zachary's birthday dinner (this was the first restaurant he ever went to as a baby). Carlee was so excited. She said (as driving into the parking lot), "This is where we're going to celebrate Zachary's birthday? WHAAWHOO!" We had fun together as a family. Carlee and Zachary spilt a chicken nugget. I can't believe they are splitting food now and Zachary can handle it. He would not have it any other way. Afterwards, we went to daddy's basketball game at the YMCA. It was a fun and eventful evening. The real festivities are happening this Saturday.

Happy Birthday Zachary!

You are one today! It was just about this time last year that you were entering the world and we were seeing you for the very first time. You came so quickly and life has not slowed down since. I never knew that having you would mean sitting down less, digging things out of the potty, searching for lost paci's, going off dairy so you would not have colic, loosing sleep for 10 months, having strong arms from holding you constantly, rocking you to sleep, playing with lots of balls, cleaning up lots of toys and food off the floor, worrying about your cough, smiling, laughing, crying, loving, having my heart melt by your smile, being chased around the house, and wanted so very much. Zachary, you have changed my life completely. You have turned my world upside down and inside out, but I wouldn't change a thing. You have brought our family closer together and made life a lot of fun. I can not remember life before you. You have stolen my heart and won me over with your adorable smile and laugh. I love you so very much son.

I pray you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. I pray you would look to Him for satisfaction and guidance. I pray you worship Him and get to know Him as your Heavenly Father, who cares and adores you. I pray you would fall in love with His word and let it be a lamp unto your feet and light unto your path. I pray you would remain pure and be a humble leader (like your daddy). I pray you would be dependant on the Lord and stay close to Him all the days of your life. I pray you would know His truth and have confidence in it. I pray that you would experience His grace and see your need for a Savior. God Bless you son!

First Swim

Zachary, Carlee and I went to the pool today with some friends. It was so nice to be outside and not hot. I have been looking forward to this Summer because Zachary would be one and would be able to handle the heat and the water (unlike last year when he was a newborn). I got a little floaty for him to sit in so I could be hands free for Carlee if I needed to. However, she showed me today that she can handle the pool all by herself. The lifeguards were very attentive and as I understand helped her when she went under. I must have had my back turned, but she was okay. She met some little girlfriends while she was there and basically stayed attached to them the whole time. She went down the slide sereval times and made sure everyone knew she was having fun by screaming with excitement. So cute and girly! Thanks Erin for catching her oh sooo many times. Carlee kept things interesting by having an accident in her swimsuit right before we left. Fun times! I'm just glad she was not in the water when it happened. Zachary was pretty tired by the time we got there, but he sat in his tube for a little bit and then fell asleep while I was holding him. I layed him on the chair and he crashed for one hour. Thanks for the pictures Erin! He thoroughly enjoyed himself at the pool. It was a fun day!

Memorial Day Fun

Carlee enjoyed some of the day outside playing in the sprinkler and on her trampoline while daddy grilled some burgers. She was a little hoot with the water. She would get a big gulp and spit it out like a fountain and then laugh. What is Memorial Day without grilled hamburgers? We have it every time. YUMMY! We loved having daddy home for an extra day.

Zachary chilled in his highchair, while I got the fixin's ready for lunch. We had some homemade choclate chip cookies for dessert. It was a blessed day!

Sweetness

These two.... sometimes they love each other and sometimes they don't. More like sometimes Carlee doesn't. Zachary always looks up to Carlee and wants to be right next to her. We captured a shot of them giving kisses to each other in the bath tub last night. It was so sweet! Zachary laughed every time and wanted to do it again and again. So Cute! These are the moments that make it all worth it.