You Will Be Safe In His Arms

Friday was a hard day for me this last week. 7 years ago on December 9th I was driving back to school and I got a phone call I will never forget. My sweet friend called to tell me that one of my close friends had tried to commit suicide and was in ICU. My heart stopped. That very morning he came over to me and told me he loved me and thanks for being such a great friend. Little did I know it would be the last time I ever heard those words from him. On December 10th Bryan went home to be with our Father.

Freshman year of Highschool I was the new kid. I had been homeschooled up until 9th grade and didn't know anyone that first day of school. Brian was one of the first people I met at North. He had a smile that could light up the room and the personality to match. We quickly became friends. He always made me smile. Every time he was around I knew how much he cared. He never let a moment go by that you didn't know how much he cared about you.

Brian changed my life. After losing him I stopped living just for the heck of it. I started cherishing every moment with those I loved. Nothing seemed more important than a relationship with God and other people. Little things stopped getting to me so much and if it wasn't a life or death situation I learned to let it go cause it just isn't worth being upset over. Seven years later and Bryan still crosses my mind all the time. He reminds me to love without looking back and cherish every moment with those I love.

This Christmas hug your loved ones a little tighter. Never hesitate to tell someone you love them and love as deeply as you know how. Live each moment like it's your last and be so thankful for your blessings that it hurts. We never know how long we have or when this life will be just a memory.

Brian,
I still miss you and your sweet smile every day. Can't wait to see you again! Rest in His arms friend!
With all my heart,

Little Things

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-Robert Brault

The last couple days have been hard on me as a Mommy. I have had quite a slap in the face how fast time is flying by and how quickly my little man is growing up. On Friday I went and picked up Hudson's big boy car seat. No more infant carrier. No more gently carrying him into the house in his car seat when he is asleep. Those days are gone. He now sits up like a little man and loves it I might add :) Then yesterday I got some of his newborn clothes down to let a friend borrow them and sat there a little teary eyed looking at how tiny he was. Looking at him now just 8 months later its hard to believe he ever weighed 5lbs 11oz. Itty bitty! Later in the day we started moving a lot of his baby stuff up to the attic. The bouncers, the bumbo, more clothes, and I couldn't help but miss the days when we first brought him home. I spent countless hours sitting and starring at that precious little face. At the time they were little things. Now they seem huge. On top of all of that I laid him down for his nap in his crib and he was still awake. I walked from his bedroom to my living room and told Bryan he was still awake and picked up the monitor. As I looked at it I about stopped breathing. He was standing in his crib. I darted back in there and swooped him up. So needless to say yesterday afternoon I had to lower his crib. I really wasn't ready for all that in one weekend. I mean he is only 8 months old and I just wasn't prepared to take these next steps! :) He will always be my baby, my firstborn, and the first little person to completely steal my heart, but he isn't my tiny little baby anymore. He is a goofy, smiley, opinionated, babbling, squealing 8 month old. I couldn't be happier with the stage he is at right now. Definitely moments I will never forget. Needless to say this weekend was just one more reminder at how we HAVE to live each moment as if its our last. Make every second count and more than anything cherish the little things, because one day you WILL realize they are the big things.

8 Months Old

Wow another month has gone by already! I can't believe I'm only one more month away from having you here with me for as long as I was pregnant. Those 9 months seemed to drag by and the last 8 have gone by faster than any other part of my life. You have given me a new reason to smile each day and life is so much better with you in it! We love you more than you could ever imagine!!

Here's just alittle bit of what you have been up to...

*You are still eating the same foods as last month. With all of the craziness of Thanksgiving we haven't started any new foods. We are going to start several different new foods this month.
*You have started on the Gerber Puffs and Yogurt Melts and LOVE them!!!
*All of your 6-9 month clothes are almost too short. Your PJ's are way too short and we are waiting on some to come in the mail that I ordered for you.
*Size 3 Cruisers
*We went to the doctor for a check up on your ears and you weigh exactly 20 lbs
*You love to squeal, and you are REALLY REALLY loud!!! Mimi brings out most of your squeals!
*You are taking all of your naps in your crib, but still sleeping in your pack n play in our room at night. Since the people tried to break in our house Mommy has had a really hard time letting you be out of my sight. Each day gets easier and I know God is your protector and I'm just His helper. Hopefully within a month you will be sleeping in your crib at night too!
*You aren't crawling yet, but are getting closer every day. The problem is you would much rather walk so you have very little interest in crawling right now. Instead you scoot and barrel role across the floor and get to wherever you want to go without crawling.
*You took your first steps last month while holding onto Mommy's fingers and now you will walk all the way across the room and back. You are going to be walking very soon I think.
*When you hold onto the furniture you can take a few steps each way.
*You sleep in your pack n play all night now and wake Mommy up every morning talking with a precious smile on your face.
*You absolutely LOVE to play and be silly. You laugh at everything and end up making everyone around you laugh as well.
*You are very opinionated and let us know when you aren't happy about something.
*I think you will be getting your bottom two teeth very soon because your gums are swollen.
*The Christmas tree has become a major source of entertainment for you the last few days.
*Your new carseat should be in any day and its definitely time. Mommy will be kinna sad when we have to put away your infant carrier. :(
*We had to put up your bouncer and bumbo a couple of weeks ago. You somehow learned to escape out of both of them.
*The doggies are your best friend and if we ask you where they are you look straight to the back door. Every time they get close you get a HUGE smile on your face and bounce up and down.
*You are now taking about 3 naps every day and they range from 30 min to 2 hrs

Can't wait for the next month my little man! Love you!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving

So for those of you who know me, you know I sometimes go overboard when I do something. This November I decided to take on the task of doing the 30 Days of Thanksgiving. While I did get behind, catching up was a breeze because I have so much to be thankful for!



30 Days of Thanksgiving

Day 1
I’m thankful for my parents. Without them I would not be who I am today. They have sacrificed multiple times for our family and I will be forever grateful. Each of them are wonderful Godly examples and I am so thankful my children have grandparents like them.“Thank you Father for my earthly parents who have loved me the way you do!”
Day 2
I am thankful for my husband. Bryan works hard to provide for Hudson and I. Everyday he helps me stay calm ☺ and brings a smile to my face. He is truly my other half and I can’t imagine living life without him. “Thank you Father for a man who respects me and loves me unconditionally. Place your hedge of protection all around him every day.”
Day 3
I am thankful for my precious baby boy. Hudson has opened my eyes in more ways than one. I now long to live another day so I can spend time with him and watch him learn new things. He is the most perfect blessing I could have ever received. “Thank you Father for entrusting me to be Hudson’s mommy. Thank you for being his protector and mine.”
Day 4
I am thankful for my brother. When we were little he drove me up the wall and I continually called him a ‘baby’. I was so jealous that I was no longer the center of attention that I could hardly get past it. As we grew up we began to actually become friends! ;) Aaron and I have a good relationship now and I love him very much!! “Thank you Father for a brother who has had my back my entire life and for the true man of God he has become!”
Day 5
I am thankful for God’s protection on me and my family. We live in a mean and cruel world and I am reminded of it almost daily. I am so thankful for a God who is my protector and whom I can depend on. Without him I would be a total basket case and worry more than I already do. Horrible things happen to people who do not deserve them every few seconds. I am thankful that for the last 24 years God has protected me. “Thank you Father for protecting me and my family. I pray for your continued protection every day.”
Day 6
I am thankful for my true friends. The friends that have been there through thick and thin have helped make life wonderful. They are true blessings from heaven and I can’t imagine not having them in my life. I am also thankful for the friends that come and go. They seem to pop into life when you need them, stay for a season and then move on. “Thank you Father for allowing us to have friends to help us do life with.”
Day 7
I am thankful for our home. So many people will be cold this winter. I am so thankful to always have a warm house to come home to. I am thankful it is no longer just our house but truly a home. We have so many wonderful memories here already and I can’t wait for many more to come. “Thank you Father for a warm home to come home to everyday. Thank you for being my provider.”
Day 8
I am thankful that my God provides. Whenever I think things just aren’t going to work out they always do. He has never failed to provide everything we truly need. While we can’t always buy everything we want, God has ALWAYS provided EVERYTHING we could ever need. “Thank you Father for being my provider. Thank you for always being there and being a firm foundation.”
Day 9
I am thankful for my for my dad and husbands job. Johnstone has been a wonderful place for both of them to work. I am thankful that Papa worked so hard for so many years to make the company so strong. I am thankful for my Daddy who has worked so hard for many years as well to make the company even better. “Thank you Father for providing the men in my life a wonderful occupation that they truly enjoy and has always provided a steady income for my family.”
Day 10
I am thankful for our troops. I am so grateful that they selflessly give their lives everyday for people they don’t even know. They have given us our freedom for many years and I will forever be thankful. I can’t even imagine having to leave my husband and child to fight for someone I don’t know. What a true act of service. “Thank you Father for the men and women who give there lives everyday to protect mine. Bless their lives and the lives of their families. Surround them with your protection and love.”
Day 11
I am thankful for my freedom. The freedom we have in the United States is like no other country and I pray it always remains that way. I am thankful for the freedom of speech and to have my own opinion and be able to voice it. I am thankful for the freedom to worship my God when and wherever I choose. Our country was founded on our Father and I pray our leaders NEVER forget. I am thankful for the freedom to live without a constant fear of an attack breaking out. “Thank you Father for freedom. For the men and women who have fought with their lives to give us freedom. Bless those in the service and protect them each and every day.”
Day 12
I am thankful for my Mom. She is my best friend and knows me inside and out. Anytime things are rough she is one of the first people I call. She is the Godly woman that I look up to the most and I can’t imagine life without her. “Thank you Father for my precious Momma. Thank you for giving me someone to look up to and a friend.”
Day 13
I am thankful for the beautiful Fall we have had this year. Most of the time Oklahoma goes from summer to winter within a matter of hours. This year the trees have been beautiful and the weather absolutely perfect! I have felt like I’m in Colorado and that NEVER happens here!! “Thank you Father for different seasons and for giving us such a beautiful Fall this year!”
Day 14
I am thankful for my sweet Emma Mae. She has giving “Mans best friend” a whole new meaning. I never thought you could love a dog as much as I love her. She is my little shadow. She is wonderful with Hudson and he absolutely adores her. “Thank you Father for such a sweet doggie. Thank you for giving her the ability to brighten any day. I absolutely love her to pieces.”
Day 15
I am thankful for my crazy best friend Brooke. She has been a part of my life since Freshman year of highschool and I can’ even imagine how calm highschool would have seemed without her! ;) She is truly someone who I know would do absolutely anything for me at the drop of a hat. We have been through so much together and I can’t wait for the crazy things in the future. “Thank you Father for someone to always make me laugh and keep me on my toes. Thank you for her friendship and for all the laughter and tears we have shared together.”
Day 16
I am thankful for my car. It is such a relief knowing that I have a reliable car to put my baby in when we have to go somewhere. “Thank you Father for reliable transportation.”
Day 17
I am thankful for peoples help. Whether it be someone to watch Hudson, pick up the house, run an errand for me or just help in general. It makes life a little less stressful and more enjoyable. “Thank you Father for people who will help with simple things that mean so much.”
Day 18
I am thankful for my Nanny and Papa. They are such Godly people and I cherish each of them dearly. So many of my childhood memories include my time spent with them. “Thank you Father for giving me grandparents who love me and have spent so much time pouring into my life.”
Day 19
I am thankful for my Daddy. I have no clue what I would do and who I would bug each day without him! ;) When people tell me I am just like him it makes me proud. He has always provided for my family and has taken such good care of us. Not only that he poured his extra time into spending time with us. I love him with all of my heart. “Thank you Father for my earthly Daddy. I couldn’t be more blessed to have him in my life.”
Day 20
I am thankful for all the toys that keep my little man entertained when I have to get things done. “Thank you Father for providing him with something to entertain himself with.”
Day 21
I am thankful for good health for my family and me. Overall our family has been so blessed with good health. I can’t even imagine if any of us were seriously ill. It would be so hard. “Thank you Father for the gift of health. I pray for those families who are struggling with sickness. Bless them and heal them in your precious name.”
Day 23
I am thankful for the education we have in the US. While we think sometimes it is terrible it doesn’t even compare to other parts of the world. We are truly blessed to get to learn so many things freely. “Thank you Father for our teachers who work for WAY less than they deserve. Bless their lives abundantly!”
Day 24
I am thankful for an excuse to bake yummy deserts and not feel guilty about it ☺ “Thank you Father for giving me an excuse to spend my evening in the kitchen and for the desire and ability to cook. I have so much fun!”
Day 25
I am thankful that for as long as I can remember I have gotten to spend every single holiday with my crazy family. I pray that never changes. We have so much fun together and have made so many memories that will never be forgotten. “Thank you Father for an extra excuse to spend time with those we love.”
Day 26
I am thankful for my two precious nieces. They are such precious little girls and provide so much joy to our family. I wish we got to spend more time with them. “Thank you Father for those two beautiful little girls. I pray you bless their lives each and every day and show them just how much you love them.”
Day 27
I am thankful for my in-laws and getting to spend time with them. Thankfully we only live an hour and a half from each other so we still see them every so often. We had a wonderful time in Tulsa celebrating Thanksgiving with them this weekend! “Thank you Father for my second family. I am blessed.”
Day 28
I am thankful for my son showing me a glimpse of how Christ loves us. I never really knew before. Having a child has showed me just how much he loves us to give up His only son to save us. I wouldn’t give up Hudson’s life for anyone. I would take his place. What a priceless gift we have been given. “Thank you Father for showing me a glimpse of how much you love us. You are my everything.”
Day 29
I am most thankful for my salvation. I am thankful for a Father who sent his only son to die for me. I can’t even imagine. I have done nothing to deserve what I have been given. I pray that everyday I am a child of mercy and grace and that I bless His name unapologetically. “Thank you Father for the gift of your son to save me. I don’t deserve that kind of mercy. Please help me to live each day for you! I love you with all of my heart!”
Day 30
I am thankful for everything in my life the Lord has blessed me with. 30 days wasn’t enough time to mention everything. If I didn’t mention you by name it only means I ran out of time. “Thank you Father for giving me family, friends, and everything else you have blessed my life with. I love you and owe it all to you! In your precious name I pray. Amen.”

I encourage each of you to take a moment and thank our heavenly Father for everything he has blessed you with.

Now BRING ON CHRISTMAS!!!!! This is BY FAR my favorite time of the year!!!