In whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. .

I must admit that the past week has been filled with craziness. (Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthening me (KJV)There have been so many blessings amongst the storm, I really have no reason to complain about anything! Our entire family has been sick for more than a week. Sam started the ball rolling last Friday (The 19^th) with throwing up and a fever of 102. His best friend (Sam Tyler) was sick with the same thing so I went on and took Sam to the doctor that afternoon and they gave him some antibiotics. Since I was not supposed to have the car all weekend (Scott was working) I asked if he could give Lilly something just in case she picked up whatever Sam had. I'm grateful he did because the next afternoon Lilly began running the fever, she had a runny stomach instead of the vomiting.

I was also feeling bad. I went in the same day Lilly started feeling bad (thankfully Scott only had to work a half day) and was prescribed an antibiotic. I continued to feel bad throughout the course of my antibiotics and had to go back yesterday (the 26^th) and get on a different medication. I'm hoping this one works because I'm ready to be able to move around and spend time with my kids again! The pool is about to close and it has been two weeks since we have been able to go. Not cool.

This past week I started a new job and I'm loving it. I work Tuesdays and Thursdays at Baptist Tabernacle from 8:30 till 2:30 with their Mom's Day Out program. I have my own class of 3 and 4 year olds and I just love it! I'm beginning to wonder if the Lord would have me go into teaching. They have been a joy and the job has truly helped me with my patience here at home. I'm so glad the Lord blessed us with a good church so that I may work with the kids, being around other Christians. I'm able to take my kids, Sam is actually in my class.

The Lord has shown me something over the past week. One morning I woke up at 5am. For those that know me know I hate being up early and am not a morning person. I could not sleep so I went ahead and got up (had to work anyway) and went downstairs to read my Bible, pray for the program and day, and spend some time with my heavenly Father. I opened my Bible and began to read Philippians. My favorite book of the Bible. I got to Philippians 4:11, a verse I have read many times and repeated many times. .but never have I once looked at it like this. The verse says

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (KJV)

I know what this verse is talking about but the word that caught my was state. Since we moved to Louisiana I have been counting down the days for our next PCS. There have been only three good things about being here and that is my friends, it is only 8 hours from home, and our church . I have complained a lot in my heart and to some of my close friends about how I dislike it here. I was reading this verse and it was like the Lord showed me that no matter what state I am in (state, like..the states. . Get it?) I need to be content. I am an Air Force wife and now I must move with my family. I need to be content because I am so blessed. My husband has a stable job, with stable income, I am able to stay home with my children, he is not deployed. There is really nothing I should be complaining about! I should be content!

With that being said. . There is a possibility we could be getting orders soon. Please pray for this situation. I have changed my heart. It is no longer where I want to go (though I really do like the idea of this assignment) but wherever the Lord wants us to go! If it means staying here in Louisiana then I want to be content with that!

Today (the 27^th) is Scott's birthday. He turned twenty-eight and I am so proud of my husband! I could not ask for a better man to live my life with or a better father for my two wonderful children. We celebrated as a family and as Sam put it had the 'best birthday ever'. I believe he is right. Rob bought Scott some video game and he stayed up till 3 am this morning playing it so he slept in, while he was sleeping the kids and I left to go to town. We picked up balloons at the dollar tree and then went to Wal-Mart (where same began throwing up again). Scott got a new coffee pot from me and a brand new watch from the kids. He also received money from Mom and Dad so he purchased some nice new Nike Free running shoes. So far so good! He can't wait to feel good enough to go running in them. :) I would like to start running too, if only we could buy a double jogging stroller. That would be nice, I might start looking for one used.

Yesterday we went out to eat at Applebee's and then went to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It was a pretty good movie! I would not mind watching it again. Thanks to my bestie (you know who you are!) for watching the kids while we went. I don't know what I'm going to do without you while you go off on your new adventure!

We also have another huge prayer request! We're hoping to sell the trailer and land to some family members. If they can get it then it would take a huge burden from our shoulders. I'm praying the Lord will work everything out for all of us. If it is not in His plans for us to sell (He knows the future) then I want to be content with His decision! Everything will work out for the best and in His time.

I've added several other Bible verses in this post but I want to add one more. This has truly been my Bible verse for the past few months and I believe it may be finally sinking in.

Provers 31:36 (KJV) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

I must remember that I am the first witness my children ever get.

I'm ending my post with that tonight. Thanks for reading! May God Bless you and yours!

Hangin' Out With Gran and Chief!

 Before we joined the Air Force someone told me "You will miss your family but the time you do get to spend together will be so much sweeter. So special."  I have to admit that this is very true. Since becoming an Air Force Wife (and Mom) I am so busy tending to the duties that come with tending to a home and caring for my blessings that I don't have to much time to miss my extended family. Every once in a while I'll let myself miss them and sometimes it hurts but I have found the time I get to spend with them is so sweet. I cherish it and look forward to it. I no longer take it for granted. 

We have had a fabulous time so far with Gran and Chief.  The kids always love to come and spend time here because they get away with so much more and everything is so new and exciting.  I look forward to it because sometimes I just need a break, need some help in tending to the children. What Mother doesn't?  My Mom is such a blessing and so is my Sister. They help me take care of the babies while I'm here, some days I get to sleep in, I am allowed to shower without having to jump out every five minutes or have two little people accompany me. 

I don't really care for the reason we are here but God will send someone along to rent our property. Some days I have more faith than others. At times it is easy to get discouraged. Still I am getting three weeks to spend 'at home'.  

We have been able to see everyone from Grandview Pines Baptist Church and that is always a great thing. The Holy Spirit truly dwells there.  He is always moving and working.  Maybe one day we will be full time members there again and can work with our friends and family.  

Emotions are strange things because while I'm having a great time and enjoying every minute I also miss home. My husband is away and I miss his touch and smile. Hearing his voice on the  phone only makes me long for him more but after 9 weeks of basic training and the past two months of nights I believe three weeks are not that hard.  At least he can call, text and Skype with me and I am already use to not having him in bed with me.  I miss ALL my friends back home. It has been strange not having to go here, there and yonder for play dates! I miss it! The most material thing I miss? My couch. I have a spot in my couch that my rear fits perfectly on and it is already broken in!  Here the couch doesn't know my bottom so it is a little awkward!

Now I guess I need to try and get some sleep. 

Fun in the Sun, Turning 2 and Six Months!!

Now that it is getting warmer the ladies here at the base stay busy. We have already been here a little more than six months! We are constantly hanging out, letting the kids play outside, crafting, talking and watching movies! We have also started to walk every night once the sun begins to go down. Without changing my eating habits (which I desperately need to do) I have lost two pounds. In the past two weeks I have missed one night walking. With Scott going in at night I leave the house right as he does so the kids do not have any time to miss him. We walk, go to the park, come home to have a bath and then just chillax the rest of the night!

My mind has been consumed with Lilly's second birthday the past week. In just three days Lilly turns 2! Last year we were at Keesler and had not met very many people so we had a very small party but this year we have several friends that are planning on joining us in celebrating everything Lilly!! I found some really cute plates with butterflies on them at the Dollar Tree so I decided to plan her party around them, with the colors and a girly bug theme! I believe it is going to be super cute and she is going to love it. After the party we're going to fill up the little swimming pool and let her and whoever wants to hang around play outside!

Both of my children are growing so big! I am taking a different route with teaching Sam preschool. Instead of going by a book right now and fussing over whether or not he knows how to write his letters we're working on the alphabet, how to count to fifteen (he can count to ten), his main colors (he is having a tough time with colors) and a Bible verse. Right now he is learning Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Lilly is learning right along with him.

My children are such blessings. I will post pictures of my sweet babies party!

Friends, Family and Fun

Hello World! It has been a while. You never realize how important family is until you are not together all the time. How a smile or laugh of someone you know can brighten your day. I miss my family back home. Yes, I have made some excellent friends and my family has grown so strong but I do miss seeing my other family every day. Still I have made some fabulous friends! Some I have had from the moment this journey began and others that only recently came into my life. It is amazing who all the Lord will place in your path the friendships that grow.

Things have been insane here lately that is the reason I have not had a chance to throw some words out there. We've been hanging out with the lake (Grand Bayou Resort is awesome). I need to post some pictures from that day. I've had play date after play date and the weather has been so nice the kids and I are soaking it up before it gets to hot to even breath when you walk outside! We bought the babies a small plastic pool today, so I hope they will enjoy that. Hopefully I can get some pictures of that tomorrow and post!!

Mom and Dad will be spending this week with us and then I'm going home with them for a week! The next couple of weeks are going to be insanely fun!! I cannot wait to see what kind of excitement we'll have! Good times! Good times!!

Every day Sam finds another way to steal my heart. Just the other day he took me by the face and gave me the sweetest kiss and says “Mom, I love you. All the time” Such wonderful words! Moments like those are truly priceless!

God Blesses!

If someone was to ask me right now for one word that would sum up my life I would say: blessed.

Thursday and Friday were a little bumpy. Sam had not gone to the bathroom in six days, had a distended stomach, and was complaining of pain when I pressed (lightly) on his abdomen. I made him a doctor's appointment on Thursday for that afternoon. Well, about an hour after I made the appointment he began to run a fever so I called the nurse at the doctor's office and they canceled that appointment and told me to head to the emergency room. We got to the emergency room and after 45 minutes after checking in he finally ran to the bathroom! We stayed just so that they could check him out and everything. He was fine after that.

For those that know me know I sometimes had bad cases of vertigo. Friday morning about 3 AM it hit. I woke up feeling like I was falling with the world spinning around me. I began to pray and beg God to please take the sickness away, I had to do a follow up doctor's visit with Sam and go to grocery store. I could not be sick. I took some medicine that had been prescribed for me the last time it hit (a year ago). The Lord did not answer my prayer in the way I wanted, he did not take the spinning away completely but it did subside enough for me to drive and tend to the kids. If I bent down the world would spin but other than that I was okay. I still didn't feel great. Vertigo is caused by an inner ear infection. So, you had a headache and feel like you would with any infection: lousy. Lilly took a good nap so I was able to sleep all Friday afternoon once Scott got home, by the time I woke up I felt better.

So, we had two rough days but GOD BLESSES. He gave us two FABULOUS days Saturday and Sunday!! Saturday Katy came over and relieved me and Scott from parenting duties for several hours! We were able to go have an adult meal at Applebee's, and then we had a very adult time at... Toys R Us!!! Ha, Ha. We went and got Lilly's birthday present. It's still a little early but we hear it gets hot here in Louisiana so we wanted her to be able to enjoy her Sand and Water table before it gets to hot. It is exactly two months from today and my baby girl will be 2!! They love their new outside toy!

We did go to Lowe's and get 4 (much needed) outdoor chairs! We've been spending a lot of time out on the front porch and back porch and we were tired of moving the kitchen chairs around. Plus these are much more comfortable!! We also got the kids a water gun a piece and they love those!

Today we had a wonderful day at church and playing outside! We've been were blessed to go to the missions conference at Baptist Tabernacle almost every night! We need to remember to pray for our missionaries around the world but we do not need to forget that the United States is a mission field to. Every time we step out our front door we step onto the mission field!

Time Passes Quick (Weight does not)

I believe there is a saying that goes something like "The days pass slowly but the years quickly" or something like that but while I was searching the quote I stumbled upon this one and it stopped my search because it is so true "The years pass slowly. Neither will they come again" by William Sharp. This is so true and sometimes I believe we get so busy with things that we forget the most important thing, to enjoy every minute, spend as much time with your family and doing things that will matter eternally. It's very easy to get caught up in the day to day activities.


But while the days are passing quickly it seems like the number on my scale is not. I am slowly changing my eating habits and attempting to exercise daily. I have been doing this for 2 weeks and I have only lost 2 pounds. More inches I believe because my pants are getting loose on me but still I'd like to see my weight drop. Being a Mom it is hard to find time to exercise, but I am eating healthier, not for me but to be a better person for my kids. They learn from us and I don't want them to grow up and struggle with their body image like I do at times (I'm sure they will, because everyone does).


I have felt better since eating better. I have come to love 100 Percent Whole Wheat and Nutella, I'm using that as a sweet during the day. As long as you don't go overboard then it's fabulous when trying to eat better, instead of a candy bar a teaspoon of it has just as much chocolate and is only 33 calories. 


The kids are learning so much every day. They are growing and surprising me. Not a day goes by that I am not amazed.  Sam is such a good big brother, he is so willing to help and has been doing so well with his manners. He is also doing well with his potty training. No diapers or pull ups during the day for him, not even on play dates or when we go to town! Just at night. I'm not worried about night time right now. Lilly will be two in just a few months. That is crazy to say.  


I can't believe it's already Thursday!

Happy.

When Scott and I first got married he mentioned joining the Air Force as a way of supplying for our family. Before he could even finish that sentence I quickly told him 'no way', if he wanted to be military he could but I was staying behind in Deatsville Alabama. I was not ready to leave Momma, even though I was married. How immature. I was only seventeen at the time, though and the thought of the unknown scared me.

He never did mention it again. Now I look back and think 'Why couldn't I have just given in and talked to him about it?' he would already be an E-5 or E-6 and we'd be well off. Who knows where we would be. Then again if we had joined our marriage might not have survived and we would not be together or have two beautiful children. We probably wouldn't have met the people or have the friends we do now.

When we got pregnant with Lilly I knew something had to change. Mom and Dad were buying groceries and diapers, they were bending over backwards to do everything they could to help us, we were married, adults, with two children. It was time for us to start providing for ourselves. We spoke with some very close friends, they were Military and had been for many years, Air Force. They do and will always hold special places in our hearts. We look up to them. Without meaning to they planted a seed.

I cannot give them all the credit. God gave me strength and courage to face what I had never known and take the jump. Without Him we would not be where we are today. We are finally providing for ourselves, we are our own family, making our own way in the world. We're happy, truly happy, for the first time since I can remember. I miss my family greatly. I miss having Mom's help, getting Dad's advice, seeing Nathan growing up and accomplishing things, spending time with my sister and my brother. I believe they are happy to know we're happy.