Praise You In This Storm

It was pouring rain a few days ago, and Jaqs wanted out in it so bad, so we opened the back door and let her at it. She loved it, and the whole time I watched her play and dance in the rain, I kept hearing the song lyrics to "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns playing in my head.

taking it slow at first

This time of year is always difficult for me simply because I have to "let go" of my hubby for  several months after having tons of time together in the 6 weeks prior. In the last couple of  weeks leading up to coaching school, I feel the sadness start to creep in...I begin to feel a little empty and overwhelmed at "single" mom-ing it again. Then I start to feel guilty because I've got it so easy compared to military wives and single moms. After all, my hubby still ends his day beside me in bed, and I know he's safe.

this may be a new fav...if only it wasn't an iPhone pic!

 I guess we can't really help the way we truly feel though, can we? I know that I'm blessed, and I have to remember that in those moments when Jaqs is throwing her 15th fit of the day because I made her close the refrigerator door or asked her to stop running around with a toothbrush hanging out of her mouth (true stories). I know there are many women who would give everything to spend their days with their babies, and I know it because I've been there.

post rain dance snuggles & milkies

I have to keep in mind that I'm not the only one "missing" out. I know it can't be easy for Rob to be away from his family 90+ hours and 7 days out of the week no matter how much he loves his job, which he absolutely does. I also know that Jaqs would love nothing more than for all 3 of us to be together to play all day every day. I've got to keep in mind the gaps I must fill for each of them, too. It's what families do, right? They're there for each other for love, support, encouragement, and GRACE through whatever situations we may face. After all, this life I'm living is all I've ever dreamed of AND MORE.

first time wearing a tshirt, and I have to say, it's one of the cutest things I've seen!

"I lift my eyes unto the hills,

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

The Maker of Heaven & Earth

And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are,

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn,

I will praise You in this storm."

*Let it be know that I definitely realize this "storm" is a mere sprinkle, but I try to keep it real here on my corner of the www as this is our family scrapbook. Thanks in advance for not rolling your eyes ;)*

Happy February!

We've had a relatively warm winter so far...in fact, we were wearing shorts and t-shirts just yesterday (with temps in the 70s), but this morning we woke up to a little winter wonderland! To my northern friends (Mateya, Annie ;)), y'all don't make fun of my snow pics...Haha!

We're only in the teens today with single digit over night temps, so school was cancelled today! The restaurant where I work was also shut down for the day, so Rob and I are enjoying a little snow day at home. Love it! I've been pretty productive so far, and I hope that continues...after my nap!

I really love snow days in Texas...they kinda force us to just slow down and spend time together. As giddy as it makes me, I can't help but get a little sad today. If things had worked out the way we'd "planned," I'd be snuggling a precious newborn today. It's hard not to get down when I think of what "should" be, but I have faith that I will be snuggling with babies on snow days in my future!

"'For I know what I have planned for you', says the LORD. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you,' says the LORD."

Jeremiah 29:11-14

If you don't know what I'm even talking about, read this post.

Christmas 2010

It never really "felt" like Christmas to me this year, so I can't believe it has already come and gone for another year. I guess it just never felt like the holidays because there has been so much going on! We still had a wonderful Christmas though, don't get me wrong!

Our Christmas celebration began a little early this year due to the fact that my Dad had to work Christmas day (as well as the week around it). Since my brother & Nicole were already going to be here for my graduation weekend, we decided that that was the winning "Christmas" weekend!

That Saturday night after my graduation was our "Christmas Eve"...we had a yummy dinner and just relaxed and played games!

Sweet little Natalie even came over to play :) Angel girl.

Rob and I spent the night at my parents' house, and we got up early Sunday for presents and breakfast!

Mom may have gone a little overboard on the stocking stuffers because they turned out to be a bag full of goodies! I'm not complaining though ;)

This picture makes me laugh. Mom always gets us Christmas jammies, but Rob's turned out to be a little bit snug!

I must have been a good girl this year because I got a lot of fabulous stuff! My first pair of Tom's was one of my faves! I've been wearing them just about every day since I got them. I think I might have to get another pair...these?

Of course, we all are so thankful for material things, but being together was the best part of our early Christmas weekend!

On the true Eve of Christmas, we celebrated with Rob's mom. I don't have any pictures to prove it, but we had a fun time with her and Rob's brother, Will!

Christmas day was definitely different from any of my past Christmases. This was the first time in my 23 years that I have not seen or been with my family on Christmas. It was a little sad, but I got over it once we went to Rob's grandparents' house that morning.

We enjoyed a leisurely and relaxing morning with the Galusha's!

And I gathered quite the loot there too...not pictured is a beautiful cowhide rug that I will show you when I post more house pictures!

Rob & Will with their (our!) precious Nanny...Popo must have been playing with his presents!

On Christmas Eve, we started this puzzle, and it turned out to be our entertainment for most of Christmas morning/afternoon. It was incredibly frustrating, but we finally managed to get it done!

The finished product...I think we decided we put around 30 man-hours into it. Ridiculous. I think we've all had our puzzle-fill for awhile!

I'm thankful that I got to spend Christmas day with my "other" family! It was nice to be able to relax in one place all day rather than rushing around town trying to see everyone. My mom did make it back in time to have dinner with us though, so I was glad for that!

I'm also grateful that I know that Santa is not the reason for the season...

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger..."

-Luke 2:10-12

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Give thanks to the LORD,

for He is good;

His love endures FOREVER."

Psalm 107:1

May you & yours be blessed today & always!

I'm Ready...

So a few weeks ago I mentioned that I had had some health issues come up but that I wasn't quite ready to blog about them yet. I think everyone that needed to find out from me now knows, so I'm finally going to write it all out here. I'm sure this post will be scatter-brained, but I'll do the best that I can!

Let me just start by saying that I've wanted to be a mommy for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was a momma to all of my baby dolls, and I have been {lovingly} called the "mother hen" of my friends on more than one occasion. I've just always had that motherly instinct.

When Rob and I got married, we both knew that we wanted kids in our future. For some reason though, I've always had this fear that I wouldn't be able to have them naturally. I just kind of wrote it off as one of those things I worried about that would probably never be an issue.

In May we quit using birth control. I didn't really tell anyone because, frankly, it's not really anyone's business and because I didn't want the question, "Are you pregnant yet?!" coming up every time I talked to someone. The months went by with no pregnancy, and I began to worry even more. My body was also telling me that something was wrong. I wasn't having regular "cycles" and my skin was A.W.F.U.L.

By September, I knew something wasn't right. I made an appointment with the nurse practitioner at my OBGYN's office. I told her everything that was going on along with the dates of my "lady times," but she didn't seem all that concerned. I asked her if she thought that Poly-

Cystic Ovarian Syndrome could be the cause of the symptoms I was experiencing, and she said no. I ended up having some blood work done (at my request) anyway to check all of my hormone levels, and everything was normal except my testosterone levels. An indicator of PCOS.

They scheduled me to have a sonogram to verify that it was PCOS, and it, in fact, was. My worst fear was realized that day in my doctor's office.

I was told that the chance of me getting pregnant without fertility treatment was slim because my body does not ovulate on its own.

I cried my eyes out every day for a week. I still do some days. It's hard, and I don't understand it, but I find comfort and peace in the Lord. I know that He has a plan and that His plan will prevail. My biggest struggle right now is that it seems as though everyone around me is getting pregnant, and I'm not. And I can't. I struggle with being bitter and being jealous. I'm so happy for those who are having babies, but at the same time I envy them. I know jealousy is a terrible trait in a person, and I'm trying to work on that. I'm just being honest here.

For the time being, Rob and I are not moving forward with any infertility treatments. I'm not emotionally ready to deal with that just yet. Right now, we are just going to enjoy being "us" for a couple more years. I'm so blessed to have such a sweet husband who has been right by my side through all of this. He has been my rock, and I'm so thankful that he lets me cry on his shoulder whenever I need to.

My family has also been amazing through all of this. They've cried right along with me, prayed over me and helped to occupy my mind with thoughts other than baby, baby, baby.

I have received so much encouragement from loved ones. Your cards, notes, calls and texts have meant the world to me. Thank you for loving me.

In my heart, I know that we will have a family one day...I just don't know how it will form yet. That's the beauty of God's plan. I don't have to know because He does. I'm not the best person in the world at being patient, but I know that a precious child will be worth the wait.

This is so comforting to me...

"The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness,

for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

-Psalm 23

Reminders.

Don't you love when God gives you a little reminder of why you're doin' what you're doin'? Did that make any sense at all? I'll explain...

Football season can get a little challenging for me at times. I miss my hubby. I selfishly want him to just be able to hang out with me. Sundays are lonely. I don't have kids that are missing their daddy, but I know that's also a challenge for the mommas that do.

Tonight, Rob came home and told me about a conversation he had with one of his players today...it went a little something like this...

Kid: Coach, are you married?

Rob: Yes...

Kid: Do you have kids?

Rob: No...

Kid: Well do you want kids?

Rob: Yeah, sure...some day.

Kid: Would you ever adopt me?

Rob: Sure, I'd adopt you if you didn't have a place to go.

Rob said the kid's face just lit up when he told him that he'd adopt him if he needed to and that he seemed totally surprised that Rob said yes.

The reality of this particular situation is that the kid does have a home and does not need to be adopted, but it just made me appreciate Rob so much. It reminded me of why we are doing this. A lot of these kids do not have positive male influences in their lives, and coaches often play that role. These young men really look up to their coaches...for acceptance, for love, for advice, for discipline, for stability, and for guidance. Rob is doing so much more than simply turning them into good football players. It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of this time of year, so I'm thankful for these little reminders from the Lord to be grateful for the honorable man He has blessed me with. I could not be any prouder of my hubby!

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." --Romans 12: 9-13

God won't ask...

I got this in a forward and just wanted to share it because it is so true....sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in all the "stuff" in life instead of focusing on what truly matters.

God won't ask what kind of car you drove...

He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

God won't ask the square footage of your house...

He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet...

He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

God won't ask what your highest salary was...

He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

God won't ask what your job title was...

He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

God won't ask how many friends you had...

He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived...

He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won't ask about the color of your skin...

He'll ask about the content of your character.

God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation...

He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

We serve a mighty God!

Thankful Thurs....errr.....Friday

Whew, these last couple of weeks have been difficult for this homeowner. You know that saying, "When it rains, it pours?" That's how I've felt, and here's why: our washing machine was backed up, a plumber had to be called out; our dishwasher quit working, so I called a repair man who informed me that the motor was completely shot and we needed to buy a new one....oh, and "the floor will probably have to busted up in order to get this one out and a new one in." Great. Our grill wasn't working properly, and the weed-eater was also not working. I mean REALLY?! WHAT ELSE?!

I was definitely wishing that I could just call out a landlord and have him take care of these things for us, but that was not an option. WE had to take care of it. Ugh. As you probably know, plumbers aren't cheap...and neither are dishwashers. And neither are dishwasher installers I learned. Thankfully, my awesome dad (aka Mr. Fix-it) repaired our grill and can fix our weed-eater! THANKS DAD!

Anyway, I realize that all of this sounds pretty superficial, no ones sick or injured or anything major like that, but it's still been a hardship of sorts. We've had all these unexpected expenses in such a short time, but guess what...God has taken care of us. And for that, I am so thankful. Both Rob's family and mine have instilled in us the importance of saving and "paying it forward." Of course, dishwashers and stuff like that aren't what I'd like to spend $$$ on, but I am so thankful that we were able to pay for these things without having to worry about how we're going to come up with the money to pay our other bills. What a blessing.

One of my favorite sections in my bible is the "What to read when ______" part. I love going there and seeking His word to find the encouragement or words I need. Here's what I found:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
-2 Corinthians 1:3-4

And just a funny story to end this post on....today, I was cleaning windows, and I had the front blinds pulled up all the way. Well, they got stuck and would NOT budge. I kept messing with them, pulling on them, yanking the string as hard as I possibly could. I was getting pretty frustrated with them, so I stepped back for a second to re-group (seriously-haha) and I said, "God, pleeeeaase let something be easy today," and then I tried again. THEY WENT DOWN!! Haha, I think God was just humoring me, but it did give me a little sense of peace, as silly as that sounds. It's like He was just letting me know that it was all gonna be okay! Praise Jesus!