Randomness

First I guess I will say that I am super excited that we are in the third trimester (well, we technically entered it last week)!!! I am 28 weeks today and that is pretty exciting. I really don't know why, but it still REALLY has not sunk in that we are about to have a baby! It is so weird. I am excited for August/ September but also ok that it takes its time getting here! NOT that I am not excited about meeting our huge miracle, but more to give us a little more time to work things out as far as work goes...

On a totally different note, I am obsessed with Mexican food, jalapenos, etc. and cannot get enough of it... well, I finally was able to get Moe's and I really think I could eat it every day! There is a guy who works there and his name (well he goes by) "Happy" and he is SO nice. Well, he drew me and Liam on my cheese dip! Made me smile!

Also, at church, the teacher is out of town for a bit, so we stayed in there last night... no real agenda, but it was fun. This is Logan's masterpiece... I am so proud of him! He knows how to cut, and did a good job of cutting and holding the scissors! I know you are like, really, cutting? But, we have never given him scissors or anything and I know they did not do that in school or church, so call it what you will, but I was proud of him! He cut the paper and glued other cuts of paper to his purple piece. He wanted to bring it home and keep it "forever and ever"...

And, every night William is at work, we take pictures and send them to Daddy- these are some from the other night...

These are apparently Dinosaurs chomping each other

Then, the dinosaur chomping at Daddy...

I guess I don't notice it as much because I have the great blessing of seeing him everyday, but in pictures, I notice that he is so grown-up and getting so big! I just praise God for this blessing and miracle that He has entrusted us with!

The craziness of no air conditioning

Our awesome air conditioning quit on us about 2 weeks ago. It has not been very fun at all. I will admit the first day was not fun, and was hot but then it got cooler- we had the windows open and it really was not bad at all. At first, we would just run the fan downstairs and turn the upstairs unit on. This method kinda worked but we had to sleep upstairs which was interesting (us on a queen marshmallow bed, sweating and bambi still trying to sleep between us). {Also, I was/ am scared that if we keep running the upstairs unit, it will either freeze or stop working as well.} But, it was better than being in our bedroom which no matter what- even when the air works- is the hottest room in the house. So, we called a couple people to come check it out but no one was available. Yesterday, William's friend happened to call him and say he should try "blah blah blah" (I have no idea what he said or what they were talking about) but like 10 minutes later, he comes inside with a part in his hand. He actually went today to some store in his territory at work to get the part and it was $12. So, we are PRAYING that this fixes it. Anyway, this whole "event" has not been too bad except for today and yesterday- besides just being hot, the heat causes me to have crazy headaches. I know I am awesomely weird like that. It is funny, I never really thought about our air conditioning going out- it is something that I have always had and never been without (well, except with my first car). A lot of our household items seem to have all quit at the same time (i.e. PlayStation, our main, large TV, the Dyson, and several other things that I cannot think of right now), but still never even thought of the air conditioner being next.

But the bigger point that both William and I were talking about is that we are so spoiled. If you think about it a second, we are such spoiled brats. We have been complaining (and, I do seriously apologize for complaining) over loosing something that is essentially a material object. We do not deserve or NEED air conditioning, it is simply a luxury for which we have grown accustomed. Yes, it is nice and lovely and makes a hot day feel so good when you walk in to it... but in all reality it is not a necessity. There are many people without the luxuries or what we have deemed necessity. They do this whole no air thing every day. And, they  (for the most part) don't seem to have an issue with it. Probably, because it is all they have ever known. It is just crazy to me that we are so rich and lead luxurious lives compared to most of the world and we don't even realize or cherish it. Even if we have no money, have "problems", etc. we still have so much more than a majority of the rest of the world. In the end, none of this matters- the material things not working, us being uncomfortable in the heat, etc. None of it matters. The ONLY thing that matters is that we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and tell everyone with whom we come in to contact about Him. I am bad about this because (1) of where I work and the culture that I work in and (2) I am not the outspoken-to-strangers type- neither of which is a good excuse. But, I will say I am getting better about this. One thing I know I can do is show Him, His light and Glory though my actions (even at work when I may not be able to literally Praise His name). I don't know where I was going with that except to say that ALL things work together for good for those who love God, those who are called according to his purpose. The air quitting was no accident- God has a plan. Part of which I know is for us to focus on Him and nothing else. As for the other part, maybe we will discover it, maybe we will never know. Whatever happens is His plan, is His doing and we must put everything- all trust- in His hands, for He is not only with us ALL the time, but He also carries us when we can no longer walk. 

Don't they know what they are doing is wrong?

{I heard this song on the radio this morning and heard it in a new / different context or light. It immediately made me think of the people I work with, the work environment, the day that was surely about to proceed. It honestly made me have a different outlook about it all. This first stanza is so fitting to where and to whom I work with. I am not perfect or even near but you just think, "I can't believe what she said, I can't believe what he did. I mean, don't they realize what they are saying, how wrong they are- how hateful they are? Don't they realize how they are treating me/ others? Then I just realized that maybe they don't- maybe they really have NO idea what should be coming out of their mouths and how they should be treating others. Maybe they do not know God and thus have no idea how they should speak, act or treat others. Then it comes time for a decision on my part. I can love or I can hate (or act a similar way towards them as they do me). I choose love. I may not have always chosen love, for many reasons that are not justified but I do now- and will strive to continue to choose love. After all, hate, disgust, anger, resentment, etc. will get me no where. Instead of any negative feelings towards it, I need to respond with love, His love. I love the part of the song that says, "Oh Father won't You forgive them, they don't know what they've been doing- Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them cause I feel like the one losing." It is so true and what I genuinely pray for- His forgiveness to them for them to be able to see or learn how to conduct themselves appropriately. And, for His forgiveness to me for not only my inappropriate actions and words at times, but also for not always trying to show His mercy, guidance and light in everything I do- which includes speaking and conducting myself as He would. To be more Christ-like. I have failed, but with His guidance and help, I pray that I can change not only my attitude but actions as well. Also, I love in the song where he says, "Lord it doesn't feel right for me to turn a blind eye- though I guess it's not that much when I think of what You've done." In the end, it would be nothing for me to not respond to their ways or join in with inappropriate behavior or comments after all He has done for us. I should be able to dismiss all that is going on around me and not partake in any of it- I just should be able to love on them even if I feel they don't deserve it as God has loved and will always love on me even though I do not deserve it!}

Here are the lyrics: 
I can't believe what she said
I can't believe what he did
Oh, don't they know it's wrong
Don't they know it's wrong, yeah
Maybe there's something I missed
But how could they treat me like this
It's wearing out my heart
The way they disregard

This is love, this is hate
We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father won't You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doing
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing

It's only the dead that can live
But still I wrestle with this
To lose the pain that's mine
Seventy times seven times, yeah
Lord it doesn't feel right
For me to turn a blind eye
Though I guess it's not that much
When I think of what You've done

This is love, this is hate
We gotta a choice to make

Oh Father won't You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doing
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing, oh no

Why do we think that hate's gonna change their heart
We're up in arms over wars that don't need to be fought
Pride won't let us lay weapons on the ground
We build our bridges up but just to burn them down
We think pain is owed an apology and then it'll stop
Truth be told it doesn't matter if we're sorry or not
Freedom comes when we surrender to the sound
Of Your mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down

Oh Father wont You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doing, oh no
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing
Yeah, I feel like I've been losing

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing
I feel like I've been losing

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing

Randomness

This week has been surprisingly Ok with William being gone- except for a little interruption that I had to leave work Wednesday to take Logan to the doctor but all is good. His appointment was in the morning so I was only at work for a couple hours and we had SOOO much fun the rest of the day. It was like I was in a dream- just being able to be with him, do fun things, and be apart of his life. It was such a blessing. After the doctor, we went and had a bite to eat at Sonic. We both are in love with corn dogs. Then, we went across the street to the library. We both got library cards and I was so disappointed that their children's section was closed for remodeling but the silly thing is that they had NO children's books out. Wouldn't you just put some on one of the 5 empty book shelves sitting in the lobby so that kids can get some books while you are renovating? Made no sense, but luckily someone had returned a couple books so we were able to get the book that someone had just returned. After the library we went home. I have been doing some serious cleaning/ organizing. The weekend before William left we rearranged the 3 rooms upstairs. It was crazy. We first had to clean up/ organize the "fire" room which has now become William's leather working room. After that was cleaned up we moved the bed from Liam's room, my 2 scrapbook tables and ALL of my craft stuff into the "fire" room. So, it looks ok in there, it is just a random assortment of different spaces. There is his workbench for leather, a bed/ sleeping area, craft area and a tiny guitar/amp area... After that was finally arranged, we were able to put the crib up in Liam's room, move 1/2 the furniture from Logan's room into Liam's room and then start to get the bins of baby stuff out of the bonus room attic area. So, it was a lot. We have a ton of piles of stuff to give away/ sell. Like we will ever get around to a yard sale? Who knows- that is William's thoughts. So, the bedrooms are pretty good for right now. Next, I have to find a spot for the papazan chair because the crate needs to go on the landing. I am getting EXTREMELY irritated with the dogs. It is best for everyone that they go back in the crate. So back to the point- after going through all the baby stuff, I had to then start organizing the kitchen/ cabinets for bottles/ formula, etc. So I did that yesterday while Logan "rested" and watched a movie. We then went to the park and played for a bit and I was able to finish Liam's letters when we got back from the park. Then it was time for dinner, then bath then church. It was such an amazing feeling to be able to get Logan fed and bathed before church so he could just go to bed when we got home. Again, it was a huge blessing that I ended up begin off most of yesterday, I think we both loved it!

Here are some pictures from our day:

At the park

Eating at Sonic

He made this for me at church! Mrs. Mary said that you could put your ring or whatever in it... without me asking, Logan said, "Look- you just put your keys in it or something- that's it. Ok"

Nighttime pictures to send daddy- he says he is blasting off like MegaMind but I don't remember this part from the movie. 

My cute little blessing

Letters I made for Liam- I think I like them, we will have to see how they look on the wall...

My husband is always amazing!

Yes, my husband is always amazing. Either plain amazing and wonderful and sometimes amazingly annoying and irritating- but that is what makes us US and love each other more every single day. William is out of town in Alabama for a week to do some training. I had been hating and totally not wanting this day to come, for several purely selfish reasons. But, like it or not this day did finally come. He wanted to go to a class in Nevada or Colorado first but I am very thankful that God worked it out like this- Alabama is not only closer, but he has his truck in case something does happen- and he is on the wait list for the other classes. It is just weird- this is the longest we have been apart since we met. Even when I was at college, we saw each other often. I know many people have gone longer without seeing their spouse- so I am not saying that this is huge or traumatic, just weird and different. Now that this day has come, I am greatly at peace with it. I have been praying and praying for several things going on in our lives right now and I know God is working, has a plan and is working everything out not necessarily the way I pictured it, but completely the way He pictures it. We are still praying for some situations coming in the fall, but it is kinda like we know what will happen, just praying and trusting that God is and will continue to work all things out. Anyway, so as William was preparing to leave for this class he tried to do as much as he could to help me out for this week. He helped clean, took out every single piece of trash he could, and pre-made me some dinners so that I would be able to eat this week! He is not only my best friend, my soul mate but also the one and only that God created just for me! That is so special and amazing to know that God loves me (and all of us) that much! It reminds me of the song, "God Gave Me You" by Blake Shelton. LOVE it.

Every day is hard... but some are much harder than others!

This morning was so hard for me. Most morning are extremely difficult (having to wake Logan up a couple hours before he would normally get up, drag him out of bed- literally, take him to Gina's and then drive to work). I have gotten to the point that most mornings I do not cry any more- but it is so hard. Today was even worse. I am very thankful that I was able to take off yesterday afternoon so that I could take Logan to the doctor. Since he had strep, I was going to take him to work with me and have William meet me to get him. I just could not bring myself to do that this morning. He went to bed last night at almost 6pm and was sleeping so well this morning so I decided to let him sleep and I would just go in to work when William got home from work (about 8am). So, that is what we did. It was great- I loved being able to just lay in bed with him for a bit, get him breakfast, just wake up with him... well, it got time for me to leave and in the most innocent voice he looks up at me and says, "mommy, can I please go to work with you?" I wanted to cry so bad but I held it together and told him he could not, that mommy would get in trouble. He just didn't understand- he just wanted to be with me. Then as I was leaving the house, he says, "mama, can you please just sit down with me- I want you to sit with me" And that is when I just had to walk away. I would give anything- I mean anything just to be able to be home with him. I am praying for a miracle every day and while I know the reality of it is that it will probably NEVER happen, I do know that God can and does work miracles.

I know don't mean this to be like a pitty party. It just gets very frustrating and upsetting and I feel like I am all alone. Out of everyone at church that has kids Logan's age or who are our age, I am the only one who has to work- so I feel like no one possibly understands what I am going through, how I feel or just how hard it is going through every day- then add in that the job I spend 2 1/2 to 3 hours a day driving to is extremely stressful and well, honestly they treat you like dirt or even below dirt. I feel like I have to have someone else raise my child because we are not able to have me stay home (which, don't get me wrong, we couldn't ask for someone better, but- again it is not me). And, that upsets me too- I miss out on pretty much everything he has at school and so on... And, to add to it, we are having another baby- which a lot of people are against but we prayed about it for a long time and feel like that is God's plans for us right now. I really do not want September to get here at all, for I am already dreading having to leave both of my children and go back to work. I am still praying for a miracle every day. I am praying that William can get a second job, because as of right now, that is the only way I can see that anything will ever be able to change. I dream of a day that I can stay home with Logan (and the baby) and be able to actually work at keeping the house clean, go on nice walks, go to the park, the library, wherever we want to go. I dream of a day that I can do whatever needs to be done at church because I won't have to take time off of work to be able to do it. I would give away any and all of our "possessions" that are meaningless to just be able to see even part of that dream come true.

I do apologize if this post was a "downer" but it is more something I felt I wanted/ needed to write about. It is probably a lot to do with the hormones that is making it feel even that much worse today. I know that things could be much worse and I am very thankful for the time I do get to spend with him. I am just praying every minute of every day that the Lord will bless us with a miracle so that I can focus more on God and my family.

Just some food for thought...

So, this may just come across as venting, and, I hope it does not but I have this boss that every few days- maybe once a week he will say, "Tori, are you smiling?" or "I don't see you smiling" ... and, I think he is saying it to try and be funny or whatnot but it is not funny. It bothers me and irritates me. I am at my computer- working and I am not going to smile/ laugh at my computer for 10 hours on the chance that he may walk by and see me. I am minding my own business (there has been a ton of stuff going on) and I just want to do what needs to be done and call it a day. My co-workers and I cut - up and laugh and carry on through out the day, especially the girl next to me, so it really is inaccurate that I don't smile because we are usually laughing and such. So, I guess the first point is that it irritates me that he keeps going on about me not smiling because I don't want that to be my impression. I want God's aweomeness to shine. The second thing which is really the point to this post is that we (Him/ my boss) have NO idea what someone is going through on a daily basis. Let's use me as an example, because I don't mind being an example for a learning experience. Just picture someone in your life. The person at work, at church, the dinner table, waitress, post office, drive-thru, etc. Think of that person. You may say- "I don't like their attitude towards me" "I don't like how they took my money" "I don't like how the wal-mart lady bagged my groceries" etc, etc. For illustration, let's just look at my typical day, which I am sure is not too far from some other people's typical day (well, it may be a little bit more or a little less depending on who you are...) then, think about it for a second- let it simmer for a bit...
Here is my typical day.
1) wake up at 5am in pain
2) get up, make it to the shower, pray, get Logan up and to Gina's, get on the road to work (hopefully) by 6ish
3) Make it to work by 7am
4) Work a 10hr day (in pain- remember you have "stuff" )
5) Praise God! You made it! Leave to travel home! takes about 1hr 1/2 get home about 630pm-7pm depending on traffic

The "Stuff"
1) Work: Work is difficult for several reasons- for me personally it is hard leaving Logan and I basically wake up in pain and am in pain throughout the day. That makes it hard to concentrate, enjoy things, and the 2 1/2- 3 hour commute is unreal sometimes.

2) PCOS: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome- you can google it, etc. I have known that I have this since middle school. Basically it is multiple cysts on your ovaries. Not fun. Painful and they burst. I have had multiple burst.

3) Endometriosis: you can google this as well. This I found out after the PCOS, had my first surgery in 2008 and the second in 2012. This and PCOS individually cause infertiliy so you can imagine how they are together. The best time to conceive is after having surgery (which I had July 2012)...

4) Infertility: I think I knew ever since middle school when the drs said it could be an issue that at some point in my life it would. Just a gut feeling. Then we had Logan and it was a surprise so I guess now is that time that my gut was previously feeling. We had been trying to get pregnant since Dec. 2011. Then, they found a polyp on my uterus that had to be removed so that had to be removed regardless. While he was in there doing that, they went ahead and did the endometriosis/ ovarian drilling surgery (to help infertility with PCOS/ Endo) so Infertility is NOT fun.

5) Migraines: Chronic migraines is so NOT fun. It is a part of my life that for what ever reason God has graced me with. I wake up in pain almost every day and go to sleep in almost as much pain. You name the "remedy" or whatnot and I have probably tried it or taken it. Migraines are no joke and sometimes I literally do not know how I get to work- I don't remember how I get to work- I just get there and I thank and praise God that I do!

6) Other life. Then, you have all other day to day life. Everything else going on that you are thinking about, praying about, things that come up, lunches you have to pack, appointments you have to make, appointments you go to, bills to pay, places you would rather be like church so you think about it and plan for children's church and you pray for people and friends at church or work etc, etc.

OK so here is the basis of my life... the everyday life of me. Even my "work" day consists of #1- #6. So, that considered here is my point. You NEVER know what people are going through. I may be sitting here at my computer not smiling like my boss chooses to point out. But, it may be because I am in so much pain that I can barely see and I don't want to stand up because I am afraid I may not make it to the bathroom to cry- but what would crying do? It would only make it worse! The point of all this is it is NOT about me (even though this illustration was technically about me that was not the point) When I feel like saying to myself or my husband, "Geez what is with her attitude" to the lady at the checkout, maybe I should stop for a second and literally try to find out what is with her attitude. Could it be that she is in pain? Could it be that she lost a family member? Could it be that she is lost? Maybe if my boss would stop for a second and quit trying to do whatever it is he is doing (I kinda feel like he is trying to make me feel bad) he would realize that a lot of us are hurting.

There are a lot of people we come in to contact with every day that are hurting, that just want someone to listen to them, to brighten their day. We can do that! We know exactly how! We have the tools (the Bible), the right leader (God) and all we have to do is listen and let Him lead the way. People are more than willing to talk and tell you anything (usually) all you have to do is ask! Next time you think someone is rude to you, the teller is snippy or the waitress is short, maybe ask if there is anything you can do for them! Then, most people LOVE to talk and with God leading, you just never know what a little LOVE can do!

Hopefully the end of the bed drama.

Not sure if I have posted on this before or not, but it seems like since day 1, we have had nothing but drama when it concerns our bed (mattress). When we first got the house we got a new mattress (2008). We did not go bottom-of-the-line, but also did not go overboard. A month after we had it, it was caving in at the top (some sort of "defect") so they came out, confirmed and replaced it. It was a good thing they replaced it, for it just happened to have a huge hole in it where Bambi decided to eat it. They overlooked that and did not seem to care. Knowing that brand and mattress, we replaced it with a more expensive, well-known brand name mattress. And, it is a pillow-top. I highly recommend not getting a pillow top, for they all seem to have these sorts of problems, and you cannot flip them. So, maybe a year-ish went by and it was great at first and then we noticed these indentations where we slept. Now, I am not saying we are twigs, but we are also not hippos so I just could not understand why this was happening. We got them to come out as the pain started occurring... we would wake up in pain and it just started taking a hit on us. We were just shy of the measurement to get us under warranty (I think it was 1in + and it has to be more than 2inches). So with some of the refund money from 2010 taxes, we went and got a 2-in thick memory foam mattress topper. This instantly helped, but after a few months, it started sinking in to the divots. We were going to call them back out after a few months, then William's knee fiasco happened and one day I woke up in so much pain that I just decided to give it a try calling them out again. This time, they measured 2 1/2 inches deep. Our valleys in the bed were 2 1/2 inches! So, they called us and we went to go look at a new mattress. We knew we did not want a spring mattress, much less a pillow top. We wanted a Tempur-pedic but when we looked at beds last (beginning of 2011) we saw they had come out with similar product line for Serta. The thing that was even better is that it has a cooling gel layer (Tempur-pedics can make it hot and you sweaty due to the material). So, we went with this guy...



Serta iComfort. It has been out for a few years and supposedly the same guy who came up with the Tempur technology helped develop this bed (don't know if that is accurate, but that is what we heard). Either way, it feels just like the Tempur-pedic except it is not as expensive. So, all we had to do was pay the difference and delivery! We are so thankful that this was able to be worked out and praying that this is the last mattress we have for a long while!

God's Awesomeness

Yes, God is amazing and I am absolutely in love with my Lord! Isn't it so awesome that He always delivers?! Without getting into details, I can speak of this from experience: Let it go and let Him! In everything. Worried about your child? There is no need. God has entrusted us with His child and already knows everything in store. Why worry? It will not do any good! Just love, trust, and praise Him! Don't know how you are going to pay that bill? He does, and He will provide if you just trust everything to Him. Not, well I trust you with this or that or if this happens, but PERIOD! I trust you, period! Now, yes it is difficult to just have no worries, trust in Him and know (and believe) that it will all work out. But, I can share from experience that if you just keep praying for guidance, love and let Him make the decisions (and me not try to take control) then He will show you what wonderful plans He has for us! There is no need to worry or be too concerned about anything- if so, we will miss the blessings that are right in front of us!

Relay For LIfe

Yea! Logan and I are doing Relay for Life this year! If you would like to donate, you can go to the mail Relay website - click on donate, then click find participant. You can either donate to me (under Kathryn Knight- Newton Baptist Church) or donate to Logan (under Logan Knight- Newton Baptist Church). We are so excited!!!!

Birthday Awesomeness...

First let me give a little caveat. This post is by no means, in any way, at all bragging, gloating, or anything to that nature. I decided to do something for my birthday that was not for me. Something that would allow me to share God's love and awesomeness with all around me... also, let me say that I am not perfect my any means- but I can always improve. There are some things on this list that may sound trivial or "easy" but I believe that even the little things- the every day things we do can Glorify God. So, let me explain what went down...

I turned 27. This means I get to come up with 27 random acts of LOVE to share with others- whether they know it is "me" or not, is irrelevant. It is not me, but rather God that has shown me love and now, I am able to love others. I just want everyone to see His Glory, His Word and know that they are loved.

This is what the little things I made look like. I printed off a "kindness" tag that is attached to a NBC thing. I attached this where applicable.

So, here we go... this ideally would all be done on one day, but for me it had to be done over the course of a few days (some things are just not feasible with me driving/ working from 6am and getting home at 7pm). Also, I wanted to include Logan in as much as possible...

The first thing to do was early in the morning. Have you ever been in Atlanta traffic or simply around Atlanta drivers? It's as if they are from a different breed! So, (1) I must avoid road rage. Well, since I don't get that rage-ified, it was more, be nice, patient, etc.

I just thought this picture was funny... But, true. It was difficult at times, but when the car in front of me was rolling back and almost hit me, I did not scream and wave angry fists in the air. I just gave a honk of my horn to alert him in a nice way. Then, I get to work. held the door (2) and elevator (3) open for the people behind me. Along with this, it would be nice to let others go first (4).Sounds easy/ simple but sometimes that is what makes the difference. With all the hustle and bustle, it is nice to say "good morning" to people as you hold the door open for them. And, with the elevator, it is like crazy around here. People will run into the elevator and want to push the "door close" button on people. Not this morning, I was the annoying person who held it open for everyone... and they were appreciative!

Next, after I was a little bit settled in to work, I wrote a note (5) to an awesome person who is absolutely amazing. This was no forced note, it was sincere and expressed thanks. Then, emailed my grandmother (6). Just a "hey" and to see how she is doing. After that, I did the thing that brings me weekly love... I wrote cards to those on the card ministry list (7). Some may not realize, but the card ministry is an awesome and easy way to love on people! I adore it and am so appreciative to be a part of it!

And, next comes one of my absolute favorite things to do... send stuff! sent a baby gift (8) and a random surprise to my love in Afghanistan (9)!

And, the next is hard sometimes, but it was to be patient (10) with taxpayers on the phone...

At my job, it is VERY easy to gripe, be irritable and complain all day. Literally - all day of every day... there is that much to complain about. BUT, instead of doing that, I tried really hard to stay positive (11). God has been working with me on this and I have gotten better, though I fail sometimes, I was very conscious of it today.

And, SMILE (12) as often as I can!

The next day, we went and visited (13) someone. What a great honor to be able to go visit with someone who needs some company!

Also, we took a meal (14) to help ease the load, even if it is just for one tiny second!

Also, did a little random cleaning (15) for someone!

While at the post office, sent an "I love you" little present (16) to an awesome friend and a few days ago,

sent a card with a small target gift card in it for my cousin's child (17). They don't really talk to us but I am praying that God can work in their lives.

Who doesn't love missionaries and have a special place in your heart for them? I admire them so much. This week, our highlighted missionary is Steve Strull to Germany. In addition to sending him a card, enclosed was a $1 bill in there (as suggested from the Preacher) (18). The theory is if we all send him a card and put $1 in it, he will have a good little bit of money.

Have you ever wanted a drink from the vending machine and just did not come up with enough change? Hmmm maybe someone will leave you a $1 to get a nice, cold beverage (19)!

[I forgot to take a pic of this...but, you can imagine a $1 with the "kindness card" stuck with tape to the vending machine where you put the money]

And, who doesn't love to get messages? why not text (20) the people you love and don't talk to very often...

(21) Give a large tip (honestly, I am not so good at leaving tips... wm usually handles this)

(22) leave a little something for the mail person

Then, why not leave $1 bills in the dollar store (23)? One for the boy's toy section and one for the girls!

(24) pay for a random person's meal...

Also, wrangled up those pesky grocery carts (25) that are abandoned in the parking lot...

It never hurts to be neighborly (26)... maybe invite to church or just as easily not cringe when you see certain neighbors (they are God's children too-I have to keep reminding myself this sometimes!)

And, finally, picking flowers (27) for someone special (or random)...

So, there ya have it... the best birthday ever! I am pretty certain I found a new tradition! I will say that I still have to complete 2 of the items above but wanted to go ahead and publish the post... it will get done in March, so with schedules and such, I just could not do it all in one or two days...

ALL of the things that were completed were for God's Glory. To show Him to others I know and love, and to equally show to completely random individuals. You just never know what God will do in their lives and hearts, even with something as little as a smile!

Beth Moore's sister, Gay.

As some avid Beth followers know, she speaks often of her sister in Bible Study. First, it started out that she introduced her as a family member with a problem; then, she started talking about the alcoholism and how it was her sister. Finally, in one of the Bible Studies, she mentions how her sister is (and at that point) had been alcohol-free and was now involved in Beth's life, started her own ministry, etc. Now, her sister, Gay, is to the point of sharing her story with others and it is on the Living Proof Blog. Below are the links- even if you don't have an alcohol problem, you may know someone who does... I know I do... and, this story- her life, may be able to help that individual with the problem. It is not only about alcoholism, it can surely be applied to all of our lives... how amazing God is and knowing that He never gives up (though we may).

http://blog.lproof.org/2012/01/meet-my-sister.html

http://blog.lproof.org/2012/01/my-sister-gays-second-installment-the-functioning-years.html

http://blog.lproof.org/2012/02/my-sister-gays-third-installment-the-maelstrom.html

How Sweet is Your Chocolate?

PLEASE go see this blog. She has a post that is amazing, heart-breaking, thoughtful, and perfectly placed for upcoming Valentine's Day. I would do no justice to speak on the issue, so please go read it! I love her and her blog and she is all around amazing..

Raising Hope

Now, we don't have TV, but THANK YOU NETFLIX!!!!! We absolutely LOVE this show! It is absolutely hillarious and it is pretty clean and just silly. The only thing I can say that is "bad" is a couple bad words every now and then and the girls smoke. But, since that is like every where (the smoking) I figure ok. SO we just roll around laughing all the time. Funniest show ever. We have already watched the whole season and want more. CANNOT wait until the release the current 2011 season of this show!

[Just thought I would share]

Random pics of Logan...

snuck up on daddy and logan

Thanksgiving 2011

Yes- the whole gang... Cow, Teddy, and Piggy

Riding on Papa Kinght's scooter with Pop Pop

And, who doesn't love playing with the laundry basket?

And, this is how we destroy the living room!!!!

His first present Auntie Laura got him- an aqua doodle...a-mazing!

my Christmas eve present.. fuzzy socks... he petted them...

we made a gingerbread house... he loved it

and touched it... even though he was not supposed to!

And, the finished house