Showing posts with label Embrace the Moment Monday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Embrace the Moment Monday. Show all posts

Monday, March 16, 2009

Embracing the Moment #7


When most people think about a milestone post they expect it to be about the person who posts or someone close to them. Well leave it to me to break the rule. Rules- schmules.

Anywho, today's post is about a young girl with an amazing talent, a huge heart for God, and a magnetic personality. I was introduced to her website about five years ago and now I am a dedicated follower. I have enjoyed returning to her site a few times throughout the year to see her work, read the descriptions of her work as well as the poetry that she has attached to her art (as I click on the paintings I can get a closer look), and to watch her grow. I love watching her talent develop, her heart for God grow even stronger and having the opportunity to witness how God is moving in her life.

So today's post is about the Milestone's of Akiane. I hope you can take the time to view her site and her artwork.

Please link up with the Mr. Linky widget below, I'd love to hear your Milestone Moments.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Embracing the Moment #6


My First Child


This moment is the moment that many moms pray for, wait paitently and not-so patiently, and fear. Corey & I hadn't been married long when we found out that we were pregnant with our beautiful baby, and because the pregnancy was such a surprise we (actually Corey) decided that we were going to wait until she was born to find out the sex of the baby. It was something that he & his mom always wanted to do. Me, I'll be honest, I didn't enjoy not-knowing for a second. A LOT of people LOVE this surprise, and I am happy for them. But for me, I like to know... for me, the planning is 50% of the fun.

Early in my pregnancy I had a dream that I was going to have a girl, so I was convinced that I was having a girl... so convinced that I constantly talked to my belly and referred to the little baby growing inside of me as a "she & her". (We probably saved thousands of dollars in therapy for our child since we did in fact have a daughter. Thank goodness).

This AMAZING little girl means so much to me. I would love to be nonchalant and act as if she didn't just change everything about my world, but I've never been a good actor. People can usually see right through me. I am NOT a very good poker player either.

There isn't a decision that I have made since I found out that I was going to have a baby that hasn't been 100% influenced by her. I humbly admit that I have had to remind myself on a few occasions to stay focused on God and not put my family & those that I love first. Each day I say a prayer, asking God for guidance to teach her what He needs me to teach her so that she will be prepared to do His Will. I have to pray this little prayer to remind myself that although God has blessed me with this beautiful baby that she is ultimately His and that my job is to teach her & mold her for Him. However the job comes with great perks... I get to love her & receive all of her sweet hugs & kisses. Not to mention the full-time entertainment that she provides... sometimes I feel like I may be raising a future comedian. I have no idea what or who she is going to become, but I am enjoying, everyday, having the opportunity to cherish who she is today.


Lauren at 3 months old


Playing the piano at 6 months with Uncle Tony
She still LOVES the piano.


Taking a bath at 9 months.
She won't get any hair for 2 more YEARS.

She's my little angel!

Please link up with the Mr. Linky widget below, I'd love to hear your Milestone Moments.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Embracing the Moments #5



This month I will be posting about life's milestones. If you really think about it the month of March can really be about anything. These posts can be about reaching milestones with your children, your children's milestones, milestones in your marriage, in cooking, photography, milestones with your New Year's Resolutions, relationships, career... well you get the picture. I hope you will join me in reminiscing and embracing those milestones that have impacted your life.

Here goes mine:

It wasn't that long ago when Evan got his first hair cut. Neither of our kids had very much hair so I was waiting for this moment. I had to wait until Lauren was three and Evan was two and a half before he had his first hair cut.



To break the ice, I had been talking to Evan during the drive to the stylist's salon, explaining that he was going to get a COOL hair cut by the woman that cuts Daddy's hair. He loves his Daddy and thinks everything that Corey does is cool, so he was really excited about the hair cut. When we walked into the salon he was timid yet curious. He wanted to know who was cutting his Daddy's hair. Corey, who is always joking, answered "Santa Claus" when Evan asked who she (Keyna) was. (That's Corey's typical answer when anyone asks his name... well either that or Frankenstein).



Evan wasn't so sure what to think about this and didn't want to sit by himself so Corey sat with him and to be honest... that didn't help too much either. I'm sure that he made it interesting for "Santa Claus". He didn't stop moving the entire time. Not too long after that I had the opportunity of experiencing how other kids can act when they get their first hair cut (yelling, screaming, shaking their heads) and I have to admit I was proud of Evan for just dancing around the chair.



The more she leaned over to cut his hair the more he leaned forward to get out of the way... it really was quite funny.



Now, six months later, Keyna & her husband are patients and we get to see them at Corey's office. Evan still remembers his first hair cut & loves to joke around with Keyna. As a matter of fact, he still calls her Santa Claus then runs away giggling about his joke.



Here Comes Santa

Please link up with the Mr. Linky widget below, I'd love to hear your Milestone Moments.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Embracing the Moments #4



I couldn't think of a better way to end February's Embracing the Moments "Love" topic than to post about my babies! These two have changed my life in so many ways, all of which I am truly thankful. God amazes me daily. Through Lauren & Evan, God has taught me so much about Him.

Lauren was a blessing that totally surprised us. I am a huge planner and I planned on children two years after we were married and we were also planning on adopting at that time. However, God had something else planned and He taught me the first lesson that I was to learn via the kiddos... that our time isn't always God's time. He gave us that most precious baby girl and I was so thankful. I was worried that it was too soon in our marriage, but God knew better. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my daughter and she is the most amazing gift. (Corey & I call her our wedding gift from God).



She is the most perfect wedding gift anyone could ever receive. I had no idea when I first looked at this innocent little face that she was going to be the little comedian that she is today!

Then fourteen months later, we were blessed with our little boy. Once again I was surprised... with an amazing little boy that has shown me a love that I haven't ever known before. He is so tender and sweet. Don't get me wrong this little monkey is the perfect mixture of tough & tender. He has most definitely already mastered the art of melting my heart on a daily basis with his tenderness.



I hope that you enjoyed this month celebrating those that you love!


Monday, February 16, 2009

Embracing the Moments #3



I have been looking forward to having the opportunity to sit in front of the computer and type today's post. After this amazing weekend that I was able to spend with Corey, I couldn't wait to share this Monday's Embracing the Moments "love" post.

This past Friday the kids and I had enjoyed an active day and I was worn out. I was wearing an old gray fitted t-shirt, jeans, tennis shoes, and my hair was sloppily pulled up in a bun. I was comfortable; I am not one of those moms that vacuum their house & clean in high-heels. The kids had been playing hard and had were gladly sporting the remnants of the day's adventures as if the dirt on their clothes were a medal of honor around their neck. We were all happy when we saw Corey's headlights pull into the driveway and we were ready to go eat a quick bite and I was looking forward to rushing back home and putting the kids to bed somewhat early so that I could hopefully watch a movie that I had picked up from Blockbuster with Corey afterwards. Little did I know that Corey had other plans and he was not sharing ANY info.

As I was being tortured by him. Seriously him holding out on me felt like torture. I was definitely not in any shape to go to a nice restuarant, nor did I want to see anyone... I looked awful and I probably didn't exactly smell like roses after rolling around on the ground with the kids earlier that afternoon. My two year old loves football so we had a miniature version of spring training in the backyard. So anyway, Corey wouldn't tell me anything except that I needed to grab another shirt... one a bit nicer and some other shoes, but I was not allowed to put them on yet.

When we slowly approached my sister-in-laws home, I discovered that she was going to be watching the kids. As I handed her two pull-ups I apologized and told her that I hoped that we wouldn't be gone long. I'm so used to being the one that makes sure that everyone's needs are met and taking care of all the details that I was finding it hard to relax and let go. Still in the dark, I reached out for Corey's hand... just needing to feel his touch so that I could relax and know that everything would be okay. As he held my hand I slowly began to melt into my seat and began to get excited about spending some time with him without whining and two little monkeys all over us. (Don't get me wrong, I love this, but I love spending time with Corey on an adult only date too).

The car soon began to slow down and everything began to come into focus. Last year for my birthday, he had given me a beautiful card with a "coupon" in it to eat at a certain restuarant and stay overnight at a particular hotel. So when we pulled into this parking lot I knew exactly what he had in mind. I was so excited then the "planning mom" in me began spinning out of control. Honey, what about the kids, they don't have clothes, they don't have toothbrushes, I don't have clothes, I don't have a toothbrush, etc...etc. And there was one OTHER little thing that I had done for him for valentine's THE NEXT DAY that would inhibit us from enjoying TONIGHT. My body needed some healing time. :-) I so bad wanted to plan for this so I could make it perfect for him too. Ugh I felt terrible.

I was up in the room while he was getting things out of our vehicle to bring upstairs, smelling the most aromatic roses. They were beautiful. As I was smelling the roses I knew that I had to concede, after all this was HIS gift to me. I am so used to making everything about someone else that I seem to have a hard time just sitting back & letting someone do for me without somehow trying to do something for them. I love to give to others, but I'm not very good at receiving... obviously. I had my nose deep in the bouquet as he reentered the room.

A little embarrassed for getting busted I exclaimed, "Honey you HAVE to smell these roses they are amazing." The look he gave me let me know that he was still a little hurt that I was so worried about the details and in an attempt to change the subject & lighten the mood, I went on about how I couldn't believe that they put fresh flowers in the room. I was thinking that had to really cost the hotel quite a bit to supply them for all their guests. (Leave it to me to turn beautiful flowers into an economical thought). I then went on to remark how they really did a great job of tying the bouquet into the room's decor & paintings. I was so excited about staying in such a beautiful room. It was at that moment that he let me in on another little secret. HE brought the flowers. Earlier that afternoon he rushed over to the hotel and brought in a bouquet for the sitting area, a single rose for our bed, and the best part... chocolate covered strawberries. It was at that moment that I thought that I was in heaven. He had really gone above & beyond to make this evening so special and I honestly didn't want to forget a single moment.

The entire thing was so sweet and comical. All throughout dinner we replayed the beginning of the evening and laughed. We laughed about how we were both disappointed because we both just wanted to please each other. We knew if that is the root of discourse between us then we are REALLY lucky to have such a wonderful marriage. The entire dinner and evening with Corey felt like a fairytale. I enjoyed every moment of it and most definitely felt loved.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I would love to hear your valentine's story, please link up if you would like to share!!!


Monday, February 9, 2009

Embrace the Moment Monday #2

This is quite the post to follow up the Chicken & CPR post. LOL.

FYI: The giveaway post will come later this evening and will close at midnight on Friday.



When I think of the word love the first thing that comes to my mind are the people in my life that I love. Then of course I am drawn to the true source of love and that is Jesus. There have been times in my life that I would love to forget. I literally shudder when I think of those awful hurtful memories. However, I also embrace them because they make me face that amount of grace & love that God has had over me & my life. I am truly overflowing with gratitude for the protective coverage that He has had over me. Seriously, I have trouble forgiving myself for many of the ignorant choices of my past and I work every day to forgive those that have hurt me. So needless to say, I can't understand, but am extremely thankful for His love & grace.

Have you ever felt like things couldn't get any worse and, of course, they did? I unfortunately have experienced that way too many times. However, each and every time I was given strength to overcome each and every obstacle. God has always been a part of my life (I just wasn't always a good listener and not as obedient as I should have been). Like any loving parent will tell their child, "They have set rules & boundaries for their protection and if the child will follow those rules and learn what the parent is trying to teach them, then life will flow a bit more smoothly. PLEASE don't get me wrong here... I am not saying that when someone tries to do everything right that nothing wrong will happen in their life... not at all. I love the idea of potty trained puppies that stay small, cute & cuddly & rainbows 24-7, but we all know that is unrealistic. Instead, they will have peace to make it through the situation because of their faith in God. (AND they won't receive AS MUCH trouble by bringing more hardship upon themselves).

Like most females (I said "most" I left room in there for the exception), I enjoy being pursued, sought after, thought of, and I enjoy feeling loved. I can honestly say that I have felt very loved by God. There were times in my life that I flat out rebelled, but He always pursued me! Times when I felt abandoned by those I cared about here on Earth, but through my tears, I knew that I was not alone. When I simply would take a walk through the park, and would feel overwhelmed by the beauty that God created just FOR US... I felt LUCKY and very thought of! And when I think back to all those "close calls" and unanswered prayers, I thank God for loving me so much that He protected me and for holding out on those prayers with something better in mind for me. I honestly can't think of ANY greater love than this! I would love to spend the rest of my life showing HIM just how much that I also love Him!

TO GOD: Thank you God for everything that you do in my life. I really appreciate you in so many ways!!

P.S. I am terrible about praying in front of others (easily embarrassed) so this is probably the closest that I have come to that. Thanks for sharing this first with me!!

Please join us, link up and share your Love Story on Embrace the Moments Monday with Mr. Linky below.



Monday, February 2, 2009

Embrace the Moment Monday #1

Photobucket

As many of you know I have been on an Embracing the Moments kick since I saw the 99 Balloons video. So I thought what better way to honor that than to start a "linky" so that we can all share our "Embracing the Moments" stories. Click on the Embrace the Moment picture above then you should be able to grab it from photobucket. (I did have to resize the photo once I put it in my post. I am working on fixing that).

Unfortunately today I was COMPLETELY distracted by my facebook account today, so today's blog isn't going to be all that I had hoped it would be. However on the bright side, I was definitely embracing the moments reconnecting with old friends. Corey finally opened a facebook account (a HUGE milestone) and I innocently logged into facebook to suggest people that he may know. Then soon I found myself going down memory lane looking at old (and new) friends photos and then picking up the phone. I hate to admit it but I spent the day camped out in memory lane with my kids. After I got off the phone they looked at old photo albums with me and had the opportunity to see me with my friends in school. I will have an update tomorrow about my visit down memory lane. But in the meantime, I would love to hear about the moments that you embrace. This is a pretty broad topic so we will narrow it down a bit. Since this is February, the month of LOVE. Let's Embrace the "Love" Moments that have touched your lives.... this could be anything from family, boyfriend, kids, & pets. Well you get the drift... it could be anything.

P.S. Next week on the Embrace the Moments post I will have a giveaway. Please come by and enter the giveaway.