Sunday, September 30, 2012

Shiver me timbers

Ahoy Mateys! Capt'n Zachary is 5!

Despite a second bout of stomach flu, we still had a small shindig to celebrate!



Treasure Map Cake


Capt'n Zachary & Pirate C (Piracy)



Capt'n Zachary & First Mate Kadin


Pirate Booty 

Grub:
Meatballs & Octopus dogs
Shrimp Cocktail
Watermelon
Jello with fruit treasure
Veggies & dip
Salmon spread & Crackers
Punch with skull & cross bone ice cubes
Treasure Map Cake
Pirate Flag cupcakes
Jar O' Cookie Eyeballs


Jar O' Cookie Eyeballs


Pirate Pennant


Pirate Pinata


Happy Birthday Banner - Thanks my friend Sarah @ Peanut Button - Etsy


Pirate Booty Gift Bags


Balloons


Capt'n Zachary, First Mate Kadin & Me

I have the best treasure! 


Capt'n Zachary, First Mate Kadin & Daddy


As time passes and more momentous events come forward, I'm reminded of life and how truly valuable it is. I shudder to think about the possibility of me not being here for this, but I AM.  Let God be glorified for that!

Blessings.








Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Grateful

It always amazes me the little things that I'm grateful for...I think the world tells us the things we should be grateful should be huge, expensive, sparkly & flashy, but I think not!  Sure those things are nice, but today in a midst of stomach flu, I had a moment of gratefulness.

Today, five years ago, I was blessed with my first son, Zachary.  He has made me laugh, snicker, smile, groan, yell, cry & much more, but without a doubt HE IS A TRUE JOY to my life.  Instead of celebrating his birthday, we wishing away the yuckies. Stomach flu is going through our family (extended & not) and poor Zach got hit this morning. Kadin & I've already had it and we're glad we are done. About the grateful moment... as Zach is sprawled across the couch after a trip to the bathroom, I tell him that I'm so glad that I can be here to take care of hi, he doesn't yet realize the significance of me being her, but I am & that's powerful.  He is such a helpful & gracious patient even in the midst of sickness.

To better days!






Thursday, September 13, 2012

Derailed

Ever felt this way? I think we all feel this way from time to time and it varies in different levels of severity.  We have big derailments like death or disease of someone near & dear to us, a divorce, loss of job, a major life changing event, etc.  Then there are the smaller events that derail us like a negative exchange with some, some one treating us unfairly, disappointments & failures, etc.  But don't lose hope.  I've heard many say " God  won't give you more than you can handle" and I believe it.  Sure in those moments, I may question that, but God's grace is BIG enough to handle my doubt, fear, worry, uneasiness, or  what ever I feeling!  I love the saying 'turn your mess into your message!' Amazing! Make a positive out a negative!  Sure it's tough to do and requires a lot of gumption and isn't for the faint of heart.  Would you rather live  in the positive rather than the  negative?  Live in God's grace, forgiveness, and blessings or live in despair, anger, hurt & distrust?   

Which will you choose?

I'm choosing God & striving for being positive.  I'll have to be honest, I am not perfect! Well, duh! But, I mean to say I'm not perfect in this. I don't always choose the positive route, I don't always strive to see my message through my mess. After a long day with a 5 am trip to the gym, grocery shopping, chores, two boys yelling, arguing , wrestling, pushing, spilling, messing and anything else boys do (times two)... I'll admit, I sometimes lose it.  Both boys go to their prospective time out corners after the errors of their ways have been not so quietly pointed out while I sit on the couch fuming.  Ever had these moments (yes, more than one)?  I think everyone has these moments & if you say no then you're probably not being honest.  Thankfully, God forgives me for these moments & the boys do too and after we've all had a cool down moment we can readdress the said behaviors in a much quieter & nicer tone (by all).  I'm trying to better deal with my reaction to these situations as yelling really isn't the avenue I'd like to stroll down.  As of yet, I haven't figured out how to get my boys attention when they are screaming & arguing loudly.  

I'll take helpful hints, because I'd rather not break out my cowbell.

Thanks for listening & not judging the confessions of a sometimes overwhelmed & derailed me!

Blessings.

Ps. I do love my boys more than I can say! Side note: little boys are LOUD!


Play session in the garage after getting Zachary from school.


I sure love these boys, but at times they drive me BONKERS!