The theme song for my house this Christmas is not "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree." The theme is more, "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..." I was adamant that there wasn't going to be a Christmas tree in Jackson's first birthday photos. The plan was to set it up after his party. But RSV struck and we had about 5 sleepless nights and I just. don't. have. the. energy. to put the tree up this year - especially since we are leaving next week to travel for a week to visit our Continue Reading

I've been planning Jackson's 1st birthday party since he was six-months-old. The theme was Little Blue Truck (one of our favorite books). There would be milk bottles to drink from, a special high chair for Jackson to sit in when he smashed his cake, and lots of gifts to open. A trip to urgent care and an RSV diagnosis was not part of the plan. It's been a rough couple of days, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't completely devastated that his party didn't happen like I had planned. I Continue Reading

The sound of giving is the telephone ringing and my mother saying she wants to do Christmas differently this year. It's hearing her say she wants her family to forgo exchanging Christmas gifts to help a child in need. "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) Joy fills my heart as I hear my mom's request - maybe she's beginning to Continue Reading

December is here, December is here! It's time to start spreading Christmas cheer in your community! If you haven't already heard about Light 'EM Up, you can get all the details here. I thought I would share a few of the ideas I've come up with to help keep my focus on giving this year. Remember, you don't have to spend a lot of money to participate in this! A hand-written note might be a wonderful blessing to someone in your life. In my opinion, more people need to take time to send cards Continue Reading

I was in  wonder of God this week. According to the dictionary, wonder is "a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable." A friend had asked me to pray for her sister. It seemed as if she was going to miscarry, again. I prayed. I cried. I asked God to comfort my friend. I was heartbroken. Then....the wonder of God. Then the miracle. My friend did not miscarry. There was a heartbeat. Once again, I cried. I was in Continue Reading