Enjoy each moment

Today I went to the funeral of my great Uncle. He was only 74 years old. He died as a result of a disease he has battled for several years now. The disease attacked his body in such a way that he eventually lost muscle function and movement of his ENTIRE body. He spent his last year and a half lying on his back in a bed in a nursing home.

At the funeral, one of his sons admitted that he is very bitter over the death of his father. He said that it wasn't fair that just when his dad was getting into his retirement and getting a chance to really enjoy life, his was taken away. The pastor commented later in the service that while he was a little bitter too over Charles early departure from this earth, that he was now in a better place where he wouldn't even miss the past 3 years or so he spent in pain. And the pastor also reminded us that we shouldn't wait until retirement to begin enjoying life. That we need to begin enjoying our life today.

That got me thinking about my life. How much of my life do I really enjoy? Do I enjoy "discussing" with my almost 4 year old why she can't have another snack after we just had that same discussion 5 minutes before? Do I enjoy changing 6 diapers a day, half of which are poopy - day after day after day after day...? Do I enjoy paying bills, doing laundry, cooking dinner, running countless errands to keep my family functioning, going to the grocery store??? My answer is no. But why don't I enjoy those things? Because they are things I can't stop doing, how can I begin to enjoy them? I don't have an answer but will be seeking God to help me find the joy in the daily tasks.

You see, I don't want to look back on my life in 30 years and wonder where the time went and wished I had enjoyed it more. This is my life, the life God designed and intended for me to have. He gave this life to me to enjoy and to make His name known. To not enjoy it would be an insult to my Creator - like I'm telling him the life he gave me is not good enough.

And by the way, who says I'll even be around in 30 years to wish for it all back. There is a quote that says, "Enjoy this moment, for this moment is your life."

What are you doing (or not doing) to enjoy this moment that God has given you? Please share - it may give me and others the encouragement we need to truly find the joy that God intended for us to have.

Not So Much

To date this blog has been about what is going on in our family, and it may still contain some of that. But I feel like God is calling me to stretch myself into a place of vulnerability that I've never allowed myself to go before. I'm not really sure what that means yet, but as an act of obedience, whether anyone reads it or not, I'm going to begin posting on my blog things that are on my heart - an online, open to the public journal, I guess. I like to keep to myself - I can count on one hand and have fingers left over the number of people that know me - REALLY know me. I have lots of friends, but I let very few all the way in. I feel like God is asking me...telling me really, that I need to not only let others in, but I need to let myself out. To be REAL - not hiding behind a bubbly personality or a witty sense of humor. Please, don't run off thinking I'm going to start vomitting my junk all over this blog - that's not the plan. I'm just going to take my lead from the holy spirit. (I think God knows I'm on a budget and can't afford therapy - you be the judge.)

We finally closed on our house February 15th. This picture was taken before they were completely finished so the outside looks a bit different now but it's been so stinking windy or cold here, I haven't wanted to head outdoors to take any more pictures. Spring, please get here SOON! We love our new home and invite you to come over anytime for a visit.

We really are building a house, we promise!

We've been getting lots of questions about how our house is coming along. This picture is not quite current but pretty close - they have put the roof on and are waiting on inspections before putting up sheetrock and insulation; the brick has been in the front yard for almost a month so we expect to see that going up soon, too. Building a house is a lot of fun but a LONG wait, too. We still hope to be in by March but we aren't scheduling any movers just yet. We just take it week by week and get excited just knowing we'll be there in a few short months.

We're still here!!!

Okay, let's just say I haven't quite kept up on the blog. Having 2 children is a little more time consuming that I expected. Kate still loves her little brother as much today as she did the day he was born. She can't keep her hands off of him when they are in the same room and he's the very first person she wants to see when she wakes up. They are too cute. And Adam is pretty smitten with his sister, too! It's been so fun to watch him grow and change (TOO FAST). I'm going to try to stay up on this from now on - we'll see.

I'm the BIG Sister

Kate is the absolute BESTEST big sister in the entire world...we are convinced. We prayed so hard that Kate would have a smooth transition once Adam was here and we got more than we asked for. She loves her brother so much and wants to hold him and love on him almost every chance she gets. Yes, she is 2, and sometimes we have to take control of the situation, but overall she is very gentle with him. I'm pretty sure Adam wasn't born with just one mom, but two! We should have LOTS of fun stories to pass along as the weeks and months go by so keep checking the blog!

He's Here!!!!!

After nine months of waiting, growing, and much anticipation, the newest member of our family has FINALLY arrived!!! Adam Ryan was born on Friday, May 4th at 7:55 AM. He weighed 9 pounds 2 ounces and was 20 1/2" long. He has dark brown hair and is absolutely perfect!