Thursday, April 30, 2009

Press On

When I was first pregnant, nobody told me just how difficult it is to be a mother - rewarding, yes, but difficult - notsomuch.



As a mom of 3 little ones, I find some days that I'm just done - can't go on anymore. I'm burned out, I need a break! My kids are the light of my life, but yet, I can be honest and say that it just is not easy. Ive talked with other moms who are feeling this same way, so I know that I am not the only mom who feels like this sometimes, so that is encouraging. But what is most encouraging, is that if we just ask Jesus, he will give us the strength to PRESS ON!

On Sunday, our worship team at church sang this song. It really spoke to me. Here are the lyrics:

Press On - Selah

When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all

Chorus:
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
To press on

Just before Ryan and I were married, I found out I had a tumor on my pituitary gland. Shortly after we were married, we were told that it would be very difficult to have babies, but it was treatable and the doctors were going to do all they could to get us pregnant. A month later, without any medical help, I was pregnant with Chloe. 23 months after I had Chloe, I had Brett, and just 16 months after that I had Owen. All without ANY medical help! As a side note: I recently had an MRI, and it showed that the tumor was GONE! What an answer to prayer!!!

These three babies of mine are gifts from God. And I want to do everything I can to cherish them - especially while they are little. I want to find the joy in all the little things they do.

So the next time Brett and Owen walk through the neighbors wet cement driveway, (YES, that really happened) I'm going to ask Jesus for the strength to PRESS ON. And the next time that the boys get a hold of the Windex and Goo-Gone and decide to spray it all over their bedroom (Yep, that happened too!), I'm going to ask Jesus for the strength to PRESS ON! But I'm also gonna ask Jesus for the strength to see all of the sweet little things they do too - even if I am weary!

Excuse me now, while I go break up another fight - oh, and I gotta go practice what I preach! ;)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Praying for Stellan!!





Today, sweet Stellan is having heart surgery - actually as I type this, he is in the operating room! Please join me and my boys as we pray and wear Orange for little Stellan!


Thursday, April 9, 2009

Another year has gone by!

Last year I wrote this post. Well, I'm proud to say that today, my husband is TWO YEARS smoke-free! I will probably write this exact same post every single year, and I'm o.k. with that. It's such an important date for him and I want to acknowledge it. It just means we get more anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions with him! :)

Oh, and this year, the numbers have doubled, of course...

About 18,000 Cigarettes NOT smoked

About $3,100 NOT spent!

Just awesome!! Keep up the good work Ry!