Jun 05 2008
Auntie loves you so much! Thanks for inviting me to your birthday party I had a blast taking pictures of you enjoying your chocolate pudding finger painting!
And if you get a chance look at her Mom’s awesome photography here...
Nov 04 2007
“In our lives the darkest times, the days that are bleak and black, add depth to every other experience. Like the dark bits of color in a mosaic, they add the contrast and shadows that give beauty to the whole, but they are just a small part of the big picture.”
~ Amy Grant~
Mosaic: Pieces of My Life so Far
I did not originally write this post for this weeks quote, but it kind of fits so I thought I would use it.
Many of you are closing your windows and beginning to settle in for winter, we here in Florida have every window, door, etc…wide open. We are all dancing because it is finally COOL. Not cold mind you, but cool. I know all you that live up North are going to laugh, but as soon as it drops below the 80’s we get our winter boots out, our jeans, and yes even our jackets. We like to pretend like that. The breeze is blowing, the sun is shinning and everyone over the age of 65 is making their way to Sunny Florida.
I don’t think I could live somewhere where it is dark and cold all the time, but I do have to tell you it is hard to get in the Christmas mood when you are putting up your tree while wearing shorts. Hopefully this year we will have some sort of winter, last winter all we had was January. I will be heading to Phoenix soon, and even they are having cooler weather than Florida, so I will be packing all my winter clothes so I can at least say I wore them once this year. Ha.
Football is now over in Laurel’s household, we have a wedding to attend next weekend, and then we head to Arizona. I have not shared some very exciting news with you all, I guess I wanted to wait. Any of my regular readers know my sister has two very wonderful girls, both adopted. Before my sister decided to follow through with adoption she and her husband went through every possible method to conceive. You name it they went through it, nothing worked. It was a very difficult, emotional time for her, and I spent a lot of time on my knees pleading to the Lord. But there is beauty in ashes. Through this I was blessed with two nieces who I know were born for our family. And if my sister never had troubles they would not be here. I love them so much. Through this my sister and I grew closer, we were not always close growing up but this pain really deepened our relationship. God did such a beautiful work in my sister also, God broke her (and let me tell you it was painful to watch), but boy what a diamond she is today. Sometimes God has to break us and then build us up for his glory. He did that to me through finances, with my sister it was infertility. Neither one of us would want to repeat any of the pain, but we would never replace it either because of what the Lord developed in each of us.
So where does today find us? God is faithful. Many times our plans our not his plans, right now I sit questioning that on the selling my home. But here I sit practically debt free (except for one car and my house). And my sister is now 3 months pregnant. It is both ALL GOD’S DOING. Not us. I am reminded that God does things on His timing, and His time is always right. God knew those two precious girls that my sister is Mommy to, were born for our family and she needed to go through some pain in order to get them where they belong.
I have faith that God’s timing on the sale of my house is the same way. I wish I could say I sit content in this, alas I don’t. There are tears, there is frustration, and even dare I say anger at times. But I logically know God’s timing is best, and I would not want anything differently. So even though I am not faithful, God is faithful. His grace and mercy covers my impatience. And can you join me in being absolutely thrilled for my sister’s pregnancy, what an answer to a lot of prayers.
Elisa at Extravagant Grace is our wonderful host this week.
Oct 18 2007
And I want to say THANK YOU HONEY I love my new toy. It took me a half hour just to figure out how to put the neck strap on….um can someone tell me how to turn it on? Seriously I LOVE IT, I am going to have so much fun learning about all its bells and whistles.
If ya’ll have not figured out, I am blessed to have been born on my Daddy’s birthday. See you on Monday hubby is taking me away. There will be new stuff (READ MY POST BELOW THIS ONE), and all of it will be different, but yet same ‘ol me =))
Oct 11 2007
As I type this my cousin is on the airplane heading to Russia as a missionary. He will be there for 2 years. That is where it stands now, but I have a feeling this will become his home.
Please pray for safe travels, that he will get adjusted quickly.
Also keep my Aunt in your prayers, as proud as she is of her son and would not want to change at thing; it is hard for any Mom to put her child on a plane and to head to another country, knowing you won’t see him for at least a year. She is also a faithful reader of my blog (hi Auntie, praying for you). Aunt/Uncle…you’ve done good, now it God’s turn.
Love you Michael and I am proud of you.
From my Aunt (her whole response is in the comment section):
Hi Laurel,
Thanks for putting Mike on your blog.
He called me this morning at 5:30 to let me know he had made it to Riga. God is so good. ……. Thanks to all of your wonderful ladies who read your blog for praying for Mike. It means a lot to a mother to know that MANY people are praying for your son. I am beginning to know what praying without ceasing really means!!!
I want to thank you for the prayers also, it really does mean a lot THANKS!!
Jul 02 2007
I approach this holiday with mixed feelings. Two years ago today I was here in Minnesota enjoying my in-laws cabin and celebrating my sister in law’s return from Iraq. She was here to rest, relax and visiting family. That 4th of July parade was special, having her by my side. I could not imagine her ever having to go back, I cried when I knew the moment she touched down on U.S. soil once again.
Well today finds me missing her terribly as she is back in Iraq for her second tour of duty, a time all of us wished that would not come. Don’t get me wrong she does her job willing, and she loves defending her country (would not want to be anywhere else). But I selfishly wish she was back here with me again…safe and sound.
So for all the families who have love one’s that are not here this holiday, I stand with you with mixed feelings.
For all who have served, I give you my highest respect and honor. My son’s will be told of your heroics and your faithfulness. Your service will never be forgotten in this family.
And for those who have given all, I have no words except to say you will be remembered, honored and respected. Thank you for your service, you paid with your life along with some of the greatest people who have made our land what it is today…FREE.
May we never take our freedom for granted. Just read about the Israelites and how they bounced back and fourth between freedom and slavery. May we be a nation who remembers who is in charge, and who is our True Protector.
Happy 4th of July, thank you for all of you who have served our country.
Jun 18 2007
Well I was going to come here and whine about reality hitting me hard once I am back home from vacation. I had a tooth that became infected and the right side of my face swelled up. I knew when I had taken over 4 Motrin in the span of two hours, that something must be going on. Well 500mg of Amoxicillin and 650mg of Hydrocodone later…I am feeling pretty good. But oh no I am not going to whine because in the midst of my drugged state I got a phone call.
I have introduced you to my sister in law who is a photographer, she has the little girl I ran away to Phoenix to watch while they were vacationing. Then in this post I announced she was pregnant. Today I get a call…….
TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!If you get a chance, can you leave her a comment.
Jun 08 2007
My poor Mom stepped on a Scorpion last night, she had a real tough and painful night. Can you leave word of encouragement for her in the comments. I promise you she will see them, she is one of my biggest readers.
Mom,
I am so sorry you got hurt, I wish I was there to take care of you. But I know Dad is doing a good job. I pray you heal quickly.
Love you!
Jun 06 2007
template by Tracy Drane
This is my niece who I just had the wonderful opportunity to watch while her Mom and Dad were a away (see post here). My Sister in law’s Photography blog can be found here...
Oh that is right I said double blessings….guess what my niece found out just before her birthday?
SHE IS GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER!!! Can you see this Aunt jumping up and down??? You bet I am, my Dad said “well we know when Laurel is going to visit again” heheeh. (hear that Iris, possibly Feb)
CONGRATS SWEETIE ON BEING ONE, and let me tell you being the OLDER sister does have its blessings.
Love you and Happy Birthday.
Side note: this new baby is due right around my brother’s birthday. I was born on my Dad’s birthday. How cool would that be for Father and Son both to have a child born on their birthdays.
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