david

Please keep him in your prayers. His fever has gone up and down all day long. It seems to want to stay at 105. He's keeping the tylenol down which is great, but he's not taking the dimetapp. Poor guy has a horrible gag reflex and just won't take anything he doesn't like the taste of. So he's thrown it up twice tonight. He's sleeping now so I'm praying his little body will rest from all this fever nonsense. Please pray with me that he will have a restful night and wake up feeling better in the morning. His fever was so high this morning that even his little eyes were red. I hate that he's having to suffer.

Lord please watch over my baby boy. Give him the rest he needs and calm this fever that doesn't seem to want to leave him. It hurts so badly to see him suffering and to know that my efforts have been fruitless. I want him well. I want him over this fever and arguing with his brother again. Please help him Lord. Take the fever away from him and give him peace from it. Let him sleep peacefully and wake up feeling better. And calm my nerves please Father. I'm a wreck. I hate seeing him like this and feeling so helpless. It is so draining of my strength and patience. Help us both to stay strong and fight this virus. And help us both get through this night. Sweet Lord... I am at your feet. Pleading.

emergency room first

Well, this morning we reached a new first with David. He woke up around 2:30 this morning with a 102 fever. So I gave him tylenol and he laid on the couch and slept again. All is good, I went back to bed. That was until 9:30 this morning. Biggest boy woke up with a temp of 105.6. Total freak out. Clothes were flying, dad was getting cold rags, I was running for more tylenol and water, and David was miserably slumped on my bed. So after about 15 min of no temp change, I in my pj's and David in his slippers drove to the ER. Thank goodness my mom is more level headed than me. I called her right before we left the house and of course began bawling almost immediately. (bawling is apparently a nervous tick of mine these days). So mom came and met me at the ER and stayed with us the whole time. At the ER they gave him some motrin that had his fever down in about 2 hours. He was giggling and laughing and having himself a good old time by the time the Dr. finally made it in. He has a virus. Didn't even need a prescription. Talk about relief. He's had high fevers before, but never that high. So we got some instructions about how much and why kind of OTC medications to give him and were sent on our way. Now I know I could feel like an idiot for rushing to the ER like that, but all I feel is gratefullness. When I saw that temp on the thermometer I panicked. Doctor's have always told us that anything over 105 is B-A-D bad, and this was well over. I am so thankful that he wasn't terribly sick with the flu or phneumonia or anything like that. Today I am thankful for a virus which will eventually get us all sick. Am I crazy? Maybe. But at least my baby isn't dealing with anything too serious! Thank you Lord for keeping David safe from all the germs that seem to be floating around wherever we go. And thank you for letting my mom come with us and keep me calm. And thank you Lord for the insurance that we have for the boys, I don't what we'd do without it.

So for the first trip to the ER for both David and I, I think we get an A+. And some McD's! And we'll be sending up some praise for this virus. Just a virus. Nothing else. Praise the Lord!

turning 6

Well it's happened. The boy turned 6 Wednesday. Where did the time go? 6 years have flown by. I have seen him grow from my sweet sweet baby into my amazing boy. Bittersweetness is what I feel looking at him now. He is growing up, and there is nothing I can do to stop it. There are so many moments I wish I could have stopped time for. He changed my life. I know most people sometimes just say that to say it, but in my case it is true. He not only changed it, he saved it. I look back and can't believe some of the circumstances I was in before he came into my life. I have to give all the glory to God for sending me this angel. I would have never known Christ had this boy not interrupted my life. I would have been a totally different person right now. Someone that I now would never have even recognized. But God knew even when I didn't that it was time. Time for me to become His, time for my life to radically change, time for me to become what God wanted me to become. I know it's a lot to put on the birth of a child, but if you had known me before David, you would know as I do that this kid changed every part of my life. There was nothing untouched. God used that moment in my life to shake me to my core and bring me to my knees. And now this boy is 6.

6 years of learning and being taught by this boy.

6 amazing years of loving on this boy, even after he started pulling away from hugs and kisses.

6 years of hearing "kiss and a hug!" being chanted from his room at bedtime.

6 years of seeing those amazing blue eyes light up.

6 years of wiping away "boo-boo" tears.

6 years of seeing his smile light up my world.

6 years of being his mommy.

6 years of tucking him in at night.

6 years of re-tucking him in after he's pulled off all his blankets.

6 years of searching high and low for "tenny-bear".

6 years of finding Tenny right where he should be - under the pillow.

There have been so many ups and downs these past 6 years. Our family has gone through so many things. But David is always constant. Always there to hug or hold. Always there to hold my hand. Always there to give a smile or tell a funny joke. Always there to brighten up any day with just the twinkle in his eyes. He is an amazing son. My heart is over filled with the joy he brings me each day. I love this boy with everything in me. And there are not enough thank you's on the earth to express my gratitude to God for this amazing miracle. I can not imagine my life without him.

Happy Birthday my biggest boy.

Merry Christmas!!!

Well folks we are gearing up, loading up, and getting excited! We're off to my parents house for my mothers birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!!, and we'll be busy busy with family and joy until after Christmas. So I wanted to stop and take some time before we leave to tell you all Merry Christmas. I can not even begin to explain the blessings God has given me through each of my blogging friends. You have all meant the world to me. You are always so encouraging and so sweet, and always lift my spirits. I get such joy from reading your comments, and your blogs! I think you are all amazing and unique women whom God has blessed greatly. Thank you all for being a part of my "blog life" and for being an even bigger part of my real life! I carry you each with me every day in prayer.

So Merry Christmas my sweet friends. I hope you all have a tremendously blessed Holiday and are filled not only with great food, but also with the love of God and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. My wish for you all is that you would have more fun than you can imagine and be filled with more love than your heart can hold!


Merry Christmas!!!!

special prayer request

If you get on tonight and read this, please spare some time praying for my friend "E". His story is not mine to share, but he needs some lifting up tonight. He is facing something a young man his age should not have to face right now.

Thank you friends for praying for him.

Sweet Father... You know what is going on and You know what is on the hearts of those involved. Although I don't understand why my friend is going through this, I know You do. Please reach down tonight and comfort him. Please hold him and let him know you are with him. And when it gets tough, let him know You are there to fall on. Comfort him, Lord, in the way that only You can.

Amen.

oh those kids

I am head over hills for my kids in choir. They are awesome. We've been working now for about 14 weeks on our Christmas program and this past Sunday was the big day. Well night, but you get the picture. We presented "Bows of Holly" and they did amazing! I was SO proud of them! Right up until the last few practices I was really worried. We'd added some last minute script changes and had some interesting choreography, so the kids were a bit shaky and I was more than a bit nervous. But then Friday rolled around and we had the best practice we've had the entire semester! And our dress rehearsal, while still a bit flawed, went great! But Sunday night... oh man. Those kids worked their little hearts out and put on one of the best shows! It was so darn cute! Yes we still had some mishaps (mics not working, kids not wanting to be center stage, one scene so forgotten you'd think we hadn't worked on a million times!) but over all, it was wonderful! The audience laughed when they were supposed to, applauded every song, and one scene! It was wonderful! I can't say enough how proud I am of those kids. :)

Two things in particular stuck out to me and were my absolute favorite unscripted moments.

1. My child who a year ago would not sing or do motions or even smile, sang SO loud he was almost the only child you could hear in a few songs. (every time I cupped my ear, he SANG out). I later asked him why he was singing so loud and (get your tissue out...) he told me, "so God could hear me". Yeah. He's amazing. :) And he got a solo in this program and that boy did his part to the beat and word for word. He could not have made me prouder. I even had to shake the tears away while directing.

2. One of the little girls in our choir had a meltdown. And I mean melt DOWN. She's 4 and really really cute, but was a bit hard to manage Sunday night. She didn't really "get" what we were doing, and wasn't all that into the dancing and singing. BUT her favorite part of the show was the song with the flashlights (yeah, awesome part!). Only... her flashlight didn't work. (we discovered later it was because she wasn't turning it on right, oh well) So meltdown #1. She walks over to my mom who is hovered behind a short wall on the side of the stage. Mom gets the light working. Then she gets back to where she is supposed to stand and lo and behold, there is a rotten boy on HER tape and he WON'T move. Meltdown #2. By this time everyone is looking at her, people are wondering what on EARTH happened to this sweet little girl, and kids lose all interest in singing or doing motions. Sigh. I have to snap loudly to get their focus back. :) Luckily for all of us, this was towards the end. So we do one more scene and song and we're doing our bows. We get through all the main characters and are about to do a final bow with all the choir kids and out comes the little girl, straight to the center of the stage, head up and with shoulders back, she throws one hand to her waist and gracefully bows for all to see! And oh my goodness, the auditorium erupts with applause and laughter, and "miss thang" saunters off and gets in her spot. And yes, it was that dramatic! LOL! It was quiet possibly one of the cutest things I have ever seen a kid do. But it better not happen net time!!! LOL!

Anyway, we have had such a wonderful semester! All the kids had their parts memorized, things went so smoothly! (aside from a few) :) And we even got done in the 40 minutes that the script called for. Yay! If you are reading this and had a part in helping with this program - Thank you SO much for all your hard work! I could not do it without you! And Mom and Dad - y'all were the backbone of this entire program. You have blessed me so much with your willingness to help and your heart for the kids. I don't even think I can fully express how grateful I am that y'all volunteered to help me. You are the best parents a girl could ask for!

Thank you everyone who supported and encouraged us and thank you parents for letting your child be a part of our Kids 4 Christ Choir. See you in the spring!!!

casting crowns- if we are the body

Debra's post a few days got me thinking about this song. You can find her blog using the link on the side of my page.

can't explain it...

So this week I've been letting God speak to my heart. Straight to it. Not holding Him back, not closing off pieces of me, just letting Him in. Som interesting revelations about my life and my future have become clear. Decisions set in stone. While there are still unknown variables, the decision is made. Somehow I was wanting more though. I'm the kind of person that needs good old affirmation once a decision has been made. I need to KNOW it's right. And in this case, I need to know firmly that I am following God. I believe I got that sign today. I volunteer in the nursery every 2nd Sunday. This morning we had us an overflow of babies. Nine babies ya'll. NINE. Anyway, one in particular has an amazing story. It is not mine to share but I can say this, God is all over that baby girl. This was my first week to be with her and as soon as I held her something inside me broke. That is the only way I can describe the amazing emotion that washed over me. I began to cry, and am crying again now. My heart broke and I was instantly in love with this sweet child. God broke down the wall of my fear of not being able to fully love a child that is not my own. Through this sweet child God confirmed in me my decision. While some may think it's unrealistic or just a plain terrible choice, I choose to follow God. I choose to claim His affirmation, and I choose to fully open my heart. We will be researching adoption. I know from where we will adopt, but what I am unsure of is how to get started. If you can help us learn more please send information to scott.rector@att.net If you would like to pray for us, I would most certainly appreciate it. I strongly believe in the power of prayer and I am so ecouraged and stregthened by your prayers. All I can say is that God stirred me deeply this morning, and from that there is no going back. My very soul has been hit and I can not adequately tell you the emotions racing through me. It is both amazing and terrifying. It is awesome.

some of my favorite pics

Matt Redman - The Heart Of Worship

this is how I feel this morning... I just want to get back to simply worshipping my Father. Taking everything else out of it, laying everything aside, and just worship Him...

make a difference

Please go to my sweet friend Bev's blog and see what God would have you do. Blessing any child on Chistmas is a gift from Heaven. I hope you'll have a part in it.

gifts for the family - updated with pics

So each year we struggle with what to get extended family for Christmas. There are many in our family which means many gifts. And even though we love them very much, it can get costly at the holidays. So we try to find items that we know they will appreciate that also show them we care. This year I'm trying something new. I have taken a few really great photos of the boys and am dabbling in framing/matting my favorite shots. So when hanging these beauties around my house, the idea hit me. What if the extended family got something like this for Christmas?? Giving pictures of our kids is kinda cheesy, I know, but these are black & whites that are matted and framed and look really nice. (I think). This is where you all, my sweet blogging friends come into the equation. I need your opinion. Being a grandmother/cousin/or brother/sister in-law, would you enjoy getting something like this?

Updated with pics: some will be in 8x10 frames, others will be in 5x7 frames. What do ya'll think?

Make a slide show, scrapbook, or ecard

{scrapping} blog

Well with some prompting I have created a scrapbooking blog. Just something where I'll share my latest project and tips that I used to make it easier. So check it out, save it to your favs, leave me some love. :) I hope you enjoy it! Click here to visit the page. I hope you like it!