The other night, me and Tim where having a deep conversation. I realized at that time that the way we each look at life is so different in a lot of ways. Tim asked the question.....why do all these bad things keep happening to us? I ask him......why do all these GOOD things keep happening to us.
A little over four years ago I was very close to not being here any longer. Why I was spared, I don't know. I do know that I don't want to waste a second with what ifs and negative thoughts. While things in our lives are not perfect and yes we do face many challenges, hardships and heart ache, we also have so many happy, wonderful things that happen too.
I told Tim that he was dwelling on the bad things and those things are so small compared to the many good things that have happened to us. As I began to point out all the good things, he began to see what I was talking about.
We have three beautiful children, two new precious daughters and the most gorgeous new grand baby in the world. We have a home, good jobs, we are able to pay our bills and while we are far from being millionaires, we are able to do some things we enjoy without worry. Would I rather be a millionaire? Well duh! Who wouldn't? But, you know what......I am content. Isn't that a good thing?
We will always have challenges and rough spots but, we have each other. I will cry tears over the heartaches of my children, I will worry about them and it will hurt when I can't fix everything for them but, I will always love them and be there for them. There is nothing that we will ever face, that as a family, we can't overcome.
One of the most important things I have learned is to turn it all over to God. This is so hard to do and I am the worlds worst about turning it over to him and then trying to take it back. This is something I am working on.
I choose to live my life looking for the good. I choose to live it with humor. I also choose to live it with love.....lots and lots of love. In other words......I just choose to live a life of contentment!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Tim Nobody Knows
To give you a little back ground.....I met Tim for the first time when I was six years old, in the first grade, at Headland Elementary School! Back then he was known as Timmy. Actually, I called him Timmy until our oldest was a few years old. He came home one day and said "Don't call me Timmy......that is a kids name" Mmkay. If you ever hear anyone call him Timmy, you can bet they went to school with us. Any way. We were friends all through school and did not start dating until November of our senior year.
All girls want that boy that is sweet and thoughtful but, there sure is something about a bad boy....you know what I mean? Well, with Tim, I got all of it rolled into one.
Tim is quiet and really kind of shy. He is not comfortable talking in front of a lot of people and especially people he is not close to. I guess this is why he comes off as being standoffish. Tim can be strong, unbending and tough when he needs to be but, with us he is loving and caring. He has a tender heart even though he doesn't want people to know. Tim protects himself and his feelings by having that tough exterior. Tim doesn't show his emotions or show excitement but, I know him so well that I can see it in his face.
Tim can drive me crazy at times.....he tells me all the time...."don't you put my picture on facebook"....and of course I always tell him I won't.....so don't tell on me! He likes to argue with me about stupid stuff just to see if he can get me riled up. I of course get back at him by aggravating the stew out of him. He complains about all of the dogs and having to take care of them but, he turns around and sneaks them food off his plate and lets them sit all over him in his chair.
Tim never wanted a daughter, I found out when our Hayden came along, it was because he knew he would turn to mush with her. Hayden, at almost eighteen years old, still sits in her Daddy's lap. They laugh and act silly together all the time.
When we were waiting for Clayton to arrive, I asked Tim, aren't you just a little bit excited? He said "I am very excited but, don't tell anyone, you might ruin my reputation!" He told me the other night "I sure do love that little booger.....he has my heart"
After all these years, he can still make me smile.......hearing his voice on the phone just makes my day and watching him walk in the door still makes my heart skip a beat. Watching him talk to our two boys and love on our daughter just melts me inside. He makes me laugh.......everyone needs to marry someone who makes them laugh!
The Tim I know is a loving Daddy and Husband. I just wish everyone could know the Tim I know!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
My New Grand Baby
Back a while back, I posted about the little detour in our lives. I have been very remiss about updating everyone on this detour!
Our little Clayton made his appearance on November 22nd! He is beautiful and perfect in every way. On that day, I watched so many people fall completely in love with this little one. He has brought a joy into our lives that I never thought possible.
While this wee one was a detour that we weren't expecting.......he has been the best detour we have ever taken! His Daddy along with friends and family, prepared a home for the three of them. His Mommy did every thing right to make sure he came into this world the way he was supposed to. While his Daddy's plans for school changed, he is now doing what he wanted to do most. He is now a fireman! Little Clayton's Mommy will start her school and new job in a few days.
As I said before, Our lives sometimes take detours that we have not planned but, we always end up exactly where we are supposed to be!
Welcome to our world Clayton Allen!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Prayer, Healing And Believing
We were having a conversation today about healing and prayer. It made me start thinking about some of the times that I KNOW that I was a witness or recipient of healing through prayer. Some of my family and close friends know of these times but, I feel the need to share them here with all of you.
One of the first times I was given the gift of healing through prayer was when I was about a year old. My Granny was cooking in the kitchen and had opened the oven and I walked forward and fell on the oven door, severely burning my hands. My Granny had my Mother take me to a lady in our community who could "talk" fire out of burns. When we got there, I had my hands clenched so tight that she told them there was nothing she could do. I was taken to the doctor instead. My hands were bandaged for a long time and I was left with these really bad purple scars. My Mother had me at church and was looking at my hands and began to pray. Within a few days, those purple scars were gone and all I was left with was a couple of scars that unless I show them to you......you can not even see.
When my middle son Ethan was born, his blood work kept coming back showing that he had a serious blood disorder. They tested his blood a couple of times and each time it came back showing the same results. The doctor told me to bring him back when he was a couple of weeks old and they would do the blood work again. If it came back the same, we would be sent to Birmingham to a specialist. The day I took Ethan to the doctor, his little arms were so tiny that they had to cut a rubber band to tie around his arm to even be able to draw the blood. When I got him home I laid him in his crib and as he slept, I laid my hands on his back and prayed that God heal him and take this away from him. Two days later, the results came back and he was perfectly normal. To be safe it was checked a few more times and each time it was normal! The doctor could not explain it but.........I could!
This is a photo of Ethan sleeping just before I laid my hands on him and prayed!
As many of you may know, our baby, Hayden was really sick when she was born. Most of you probably don't know the whole story. When I was about eight months pregnant, I called the pediatrician to find out what their fee would be for her hospital check up. I was told that it was such and such amount and that I would have to pay that because it was considered well baby care. She then told me, now if the baby is sick or has anything wrong, the insurance will pay it all. Well, of course I laughed and told her "that's okay.....we will be glad to pay out of pocket!" After I hung up the phone, it was as if everything around me just went away and all I heard was this voice saying "there WILL be something wrong but, it will be alright.....you will get through this" I told two people about this, my Mother and Tim. Of course they acted like I was crazy and just laughed it off. Then, when my baby was born and she was so sick, no one could understand why I was so calm and able to deal with it the way I did. It was almost like they were mad at me. I explained to them what had happened and what I knew. Now, don't get me wrong, there were times that it all got the best of me, I cried and I was scared but, I ALWAYS had a peace about everything. You see, I had already been told it was going to be alright and I believe to this day that God spoke to me and gave me that reassurance and because I believed........Everything was okay.
Hayden in the NICU in Montgomery, AL when she was so sick!
Every day we witness miracles and answered prayers. Some things are really big and profound and other times it may be something small, but just as important. Some may not believe as I do but, I know the things that have happened in my life and I believe!
Isn't it a wonderful thing to know that through prayer, God can heal, soothe and bring us peace!
One of the first times I was given the gift of healing through prayer was when I was about a year old. My Granny was cooking in the kitchen and had opened the oven and I walked forward and fell on the oven door, severely burning my hands. My Granny had my Mother take me to a lady in our community who could "talk" fire out of burns. When we got there, I had my hands clenched so tight that she told them there was nothing she could do. I was taken to the doctor instead. My hands were bandaged for a long time and I was left with these really bad purple scars. My Mother had me at church and was looking at my hands and began to pray. Within a few days, those purple scars were gone and all I was left with was a couple of scars that unless I show them to you......you can not even see.
When my middle son Ethan was born, his blood work kept coming back showing that he had a serious blood disorder. They tested his blood a couple of times and each time it came back showing the same results. The doctor told me to bring him back when he was a couple of weeks old and they would do the blood work again. If it came back the same, we would be sent to Birmingham to a specialist. The day I took Ethan to the doctor, his little arms were so tiny that they had to cut a rubber band to tie around his arm to even be able to draw the blood. When I got him home I laid him in his crib and as he slept, I laid my hands on his back and prayed that God heal him and take this away from him. Two days later, the results came back and he was perfectly normal. To be safe it was checked a few more times and each time it was normal! The doctor could not explain it but.........I could!
As many of you may know, our baby, Hayden was really sick when she was born. Most of you probably don't know the whole story. When I was about eight months pregnant, I called the pediatrician to find out what their fee would be for her hospital check up. I was told that it was such and such amount and that I would have to pay that because it was considered well baby care. She then told me, now if the baby is sick or has anything wrong, the insurance will pay it all. Well, of course I laughed and told her "that's okay.....we will be glad to pay out of pocket!" After I hung up the phone, it was as if everything around me just went away and all I heard was this voice saying "there WILL be something wrong but, it will be alright.....you will get through this" I told two people about this, my Mother and Tim. Of course they acted like I was crazy and just laughed it off. Then, when my baby was born and she was so sick, no one could understand why I was so calm and able to deal with it the way I did. It was almost like they were mad at me. I explained to them what had happened and what I knew. Now, don't get me wrong, there were times that it all got the best of me, I cried and I was scared but, I ALWAYS had a peace about everything. You see, I had already been told it was going to be alright and I believe to this day that God spoke to me and gave me that reassurance and because I believed........Everything was okay.
Every day we witness miracles and answered prayers. Some things are really big and profound and other times it may be something small, but just as important. Some may not believe as I do but, I know the things that have happened in my life and I believe!
Isn't it a wonderful thing to know that through prayer, God can heal, soothe and bring us peace!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Born To Be Romantic Or Learned
I admit it.......I am a romantic at heart. My husband Tim is just not! He tries but, it just does not come easy to him. Tim does not understand that sometimes very simple things can be so romantic. I don't want him sending me flowera on Valentines day because that is one of those times he feels like he has to......that is not romantic. When he buys me a card instead, that means so much more for me. That meant that he had to physically walk in a store and choose the "right" card. So far he has nailed this one. He can handle special occasions but, it is the spontaneous unexpected moments that he needs to work on. Occasionally I will wake up and he has left me a little note stuck to my makeup case that simply says......" I Love You"! That gets me every time. Romance doesn't always have to be something big.
Where does a romantic person get it from. Do they learn it or is it something just ingrained in you some way. My boys can both be romantic. My oldest Zachary, took Erica to Disney World and booked the Cinderella's Castle dinner. That is where he proposed to her! I thought that was a very sweet and romantic thing to do!
When Taylor asked his now fiance Taylor our for their first date, he did the sweetest thing. He bought a rose and took it to school. He went to her first class and left the rose and a note asking her if she would do the honor of being his date for homecoming, and left it on her desk. How sweet and romantic was that?
Did they learn these kind of things from me or is it just in their makeup to be thoughtful and caring enough to know how to make things special? I hope I have taught them but, I also love the idea that they were just born to be kind, thoughtful men who have a romantic flair!
Who knows where it comes from but, as Mothers, we need to try to teach our children about being thoughtful and kind. I think when these things are ingrained in them, the romance just comes along with that!
While Tim is not the most romantic person in the world he has had his very special moments. When our oldest was born, he came in the room carrying a bouquet of my favorite flowers.....yellow roses! I still have them! I have all kind of little notes on scraps of papers that just have sweet little message on them. He also has his moment when I think hmmmmmmm. After having my back surgery, I had to wear my hear piled in a pony tail with no makeup for weeks on end. Finally one day, I was able to take a good shower and I put on makeup and washed and rolled my hair and put on real clothes. This is the comment I got......"Mama.....you sure do look pretty tonight......you know you have been looking pretty old and haggy looking the last few weeks but, you look alright tonight!" LOL......how in the heck do you take that? He DID tell me I looked good but, I am not sure I needed to know how bad I had been looking! Bless his heart.....he meant well.
Of course, my comment back to him didn't sit real well with him.....I told him "well, you see, I have been trying to dress down so the old man I live with wouldn't feel so bad about how he looks!" Thank goodness we are secure in the love we have for each other! LOL
Where does a romantic person get it from. Do they learn it or is it something just ingrained in you some way. My boys can both be romantic. My oldest Zachary, took Erica to Disney World and booked the Cinderella's Castle dinner. That is where he proposed to her! I thought that was a very sweet and romantic thing to do!
When Taylor asked his now fiance Taylor our for their first date, he did the sweetest thing. He bought a rose and took it to school. He went to her first class and left the rose and a note asking her if she would do the honor of being his date for homecoming, and left it on her desk. How sweet and romantic was that?
Did they learn these kind of things from me or is it just in their makeup to be thoughtful and caring enough to know how to make things special? I hope I have taught them but, I also love the idea that they were just born to be kind, thoughtful men who have a romantic flair!
Who knows where it comes from but, as Mothers, we need to try to teach our children about being thoughtful and kind. I think when these things are ingrained in them, the romance just comes along with that!
While Tim is not the most romantic person in the world he has had his very special moments. When our oldest was born, he came in the room carrying a bouquet of my favorite flowers.....yellow roses! I still have them! I have all kind of little notes on scraps of papers that just have sweet little message on them. He also has his moment when I think hmmmmmmm. After having my back surgery, I had to wear my hear piled in a pony tail with no makeup for weeks on end. Finally one day, I was able to take a good shower and I put on makeup and washed and rolled my hair and put on real clothes. This is the comment I got......"Mama.....you sure do look pretty tonight......you know you have been looking pretty old and haggy looking the last few weeks but, you look alright tonight!" LOL......how in the heck do you take that? He DID tell me I looked good but, I am not sure I needed to know how bad I had been looking! Bless his heart.....he meant well.
Of course, my comment back to him didn't sit real well with him.....I told him "well, you see, I have been trying to dress down so the old man I live with wouldn't feel so bad about how he looks!" Thank goodness we are secure in the love we have for each other! LOL
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