Time for a change...

So I'm thinking it's time for a new background on both my blogs.  I really like this one, but I need a different title, banner...something. I've been researching how to make those nifty scrapbook-looking ones.  Now I've just got to figure out a color scheme.  I'm attracted to the monotone colors (you know the same color-on-color), but apparently many people are not.  Wish I could figure out the different colors that go together to make a theme.  Stay tuned...

Only 7 more years...

Hmmm...the burning question you may have...7 more years of what?

Let's travel back a bit...shall we...A few weeks ago I was filling out paperwork for the school for the end of the school year. Kyle needs a field day shirt, Emily needs a class shirt, and then the big one...send in a congratulations message to your graduating 5th grader for the yearbook.

Oh...that's cute. What a great idea. So I started writing....we are so proud of you...then it hit me. My daughter is going into 6th grade! SIXTH GRADE!!! Where did the time go? She was just starting kindergarten only yesterday and now she is going into middle school!

In 3 years she will be in high school and then in 4 years college!!! WHAT???!!! My baby girl will be leaving my protective, loving care in a mere 7 years!! How did I get here??

Didn't I just graduate from high school myself?

Am I really a grown-up?

Where did the time go?

It is unbelievable to think that I only have 7 more years to influence the type of woman she will become. Instill in her the morals and values that are important in today's society. Allow her to grow and become the independent woman I am raising her to be.

All I can do is hope and pray that I will prevail on these things in the next, more difficult chapter of her life. And then pray some more that I can let her go when the time comes.

Proverbs 22:6- Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Will he ever walk?

It's been 16 months since the birth of my third and last child. He is such a joy to have around us every day! The burning question that I get from everyone?

"Is he walking, yet?"


"Um...No..."

Not quite sure why. He seems very frightened by the whole concept of it all. He is cruising great along the furniture. Now and then I see him let go and stand there with his hands ready to catch him if he should tumble. The look he gives is just priceless! It's like he is on the edge of a bridge looking over and wondering if he should bungee jump. Pretty cute.

I'm hoping these glimpses of mobility is the beginning of his toddler years...where he actually...toddles!

Hello, Sleep!

Well, it’s been a while since you have come to visit, my Friend!  I’m so happy you decided to return to our home.  Please stay a LONG while.  Make yourself comfortable.  We gladly welcome your visit.  Nothing brings me more joy than when you are here.

 

Anna

Oh poor sick little boy...

Well, the first month of the new year is coming to a close and we have our first illness of 2010.  Congratulations, Joel Herring...and Mommy...and Daddy... 

Yes, you guessed it all three.  My poor little Joel was the first to start coughing and have his nose dripping.  Due to the massive amounts of fluid exiting his little face, it was inevitable that Larry and I would get it, too.  Fortunately whatever we have is a VERY mild case of illness, but illness just the same.  A little more tired...a little less energy.  Tylenol is our friend.

Tonight my poor baby was feeling oh so sick that he fell asleep in my arms.  Did you read that?  HE FELL ASLEEP IN MY ARMS!  It was so sweet and so pitiful at the same time.  His little lip stuck out and even as he slept he had a look of pain on his little face.  I know he is sick if he can fall asleep while I hold him.  HE NEVER DOES THAT!  Not since he was an infant.  He does not fall asleep anywhere but his crib. 

I'm hoping he sleeps through the night (that hasn't happened since he started teething) and feels a ton better in the AM.  We shall see...

This is not a picture from today, but you get the idea.

Happy New Year! A decade in review...

Well it is the eve of a brand new decade!!  Can you believe it?  Where were you for Y2K?  I was flying some where over the US during the GMT switch where the world was going to fall apart.  Good thing it didn't since falling 36000 ft due to computer malfunctions would not have been pleasant.

Now it's another New Year, another new decade and definitely a different phase in my life.  Here is how far we have come in 10 years:

• We produced 3 healthy children
• We bought our first house
• We sold our first house
• We bought our second house
• We stopped being a military family and just became a family
• We got out of debt
• We pursued a business
  
• We got back into debt because of our business
  
• We got out of debt...again
• We "invested" more into our business
  
• We got back into debt
• We decided to get rid of that business
• We found Dave Ramsey and are going to get out of debt once and for all!!!!

Phew!  When my husband and I look back we realize how much we have learned and how very blessed we are.  We have had a few "bad" years where it seems that nothing is working out for us, but in the end we know where our blessings come from.

I say farewell to the past and pray for continued health and happiness for our family and yours!

Life is short

I was confronted today with reality. Life if short. Sounds trite? Common? Of course it does because we hear it all the time. It is when you experience something that touches your heart and brings tears to your eyes is when reflection comes. I was checking my email and my brother-in-law twittered, "Such sad news, my heart goes out to this family. http://apinisfamily.blogspot.com"

Of course I went to see what was up. I'm of a curious nature after all. It was a blog about a little boy named Samuel who was born 4 weeks ago with a heart defect. As I read the latest post on their blog my heart just broke for this family. I immediately started from the beginning to get an inkling as to what had happened. Intermixed with the medical jargon and prayerful hope were pictures of this baby boy. As I browsed the pictures I saw two big brothers who met and loved their baby brother. As I read the parent's journal of the last few days before Samuel went to be with the Lord, I was overwhelmed with tears.

Often the pain of another can remind you of the depth of love and thankfulness for your own. Sometimes in the midst of frustration and exhaustion of parenting, God sends me that gentle reminder.

I pray for this family and will often in the next few weeks. Although I do not know them, my heart hurts for them and the pain they face.