Where does your strength come from?

Looking back at just a few weeks ago I can remember feeling anxious and worried about how it was going to be when Fern started the police academy. In my mind I thought this was going to be the hardest thing we'd have to go through-and the police academy hadn't even started. I'm such a worry worm. I kept thinking so negatively about this time in our lives; but now being right in the middle of our present situation God in his sovereignty reminds me that "his power is made perfect in my weakness" 2 Cor 12:9. Aint that the truth! Can I get an AMEN?!?!

I'm learning that things aren't always as bad as they seem. We think about the possibility of going through certain situations in life in such a defeated way. We say things like, "I could never do that!" or "I don't think I could handle that." And the truth is we can get through "it" (whatever it is you think you can't handle)...But certainly not with our own strength. God has spoken this over our lives-"No, in all theses things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37. We all know this-life is hard. But it's ONLY through HIM that we can go through the challenges and hurdles that come in our lives...and end up victorious. I just love the word "VICTORY"

We miss out on a lot of great things because we're afraid it'll be too hard. In our case-Fern would've missed such great training & getting the opportunity to meet really good police officers/instructors. God has given Fern so much strength to get through really long days and hard PT.

Thank you, Lord for being our strength :)

Parenting-for the weekend only :)

This weekend we get the pleasure of babysitting/house sitting/dog sitting for one of the families I work for. Finally! Fern gets a taste of what I do every day...and we both get a taste of what it's going to be like when we decide to add a baby to the mix. Babies are hard stuff. I have to say though-Fern is going to be one awesome Daddy. So far, he's been very helpful with baby C and I really appreciate him taking his last free weekend to help me out. It'll be so sweet to see him lugging a baby around all the while holding a very fashionable diaper bag :) I can just see him...

Anyway, so far things are going good...baby C is fast asleep, house is NOT on fire, and dog is fed and happy. I'm on the computer and Fern is on the playstation. This is going to be a piece of cake ;)

Goodnight, bloggers!

Snow days!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

6:00 A.M.-Fern wakes me up for the 1,000 time and jump in the shower.
6:20 A.M.-Fern tells me too look outside-SNOW everywhere!
6:30 A.M.-Walk out the door in a hurry...grrr
6:50 A.M.-Get to work and spend the morning with Maddy :))))
11:00 A.M.-Arrive at the Miller's and spend the afternoon with Corrin :))) while Fern gets out of work early-lucky dog! He straightens up the apt., chill's with Bear and catches up on Biggest Loser & American Idol.
3:00 P.M. Fern picks me up from work...Ana trips on the way to the car while Fern laughs histarically and takes a picture of the fall.
3:15 P.M. Run some errands...in the slush!
4:00 P.M. Hang out with the Harwell's and witnessed Jamie's awesome mini-snowman :P
5:00 P.M. Pei Wei for dinner with the H's.
6:00 P.M. Hit up Walmart-just in case we get snowed in.
6:45 P.M. Attempt to sled...FAIL!
7:00 P.M. Spend the rest of the evening on the couch watching movies & catching up on our DVR'd shows till we both passed out!

Friday, February 12, 2010
6:00 A.M.-Fern gets the text that work is closed!!!! yippppppe.
9:00 A.M.-Get outta bed, make breakfast & become total couch potatoes.
11:00 A.M.-1:30 P.M. We cleaned house! two is always better than one at this job!
2:00 P.M. Late lunch. Fusilli alla Caprese. YUM :)
4:00 P.M. Run errands
6:00 P.M. Get together at the Curtis's for homemade Chili & Corn bread!
10:30 P.M. Catch a late movie with Steph...VALENTINE'S DAY!
1:30 P.M. Get home and crash!

I absolutely LOVE snow days in Texas :)

loss or gain?

yesterday our family lost a dear friend. Pat was just a good person...and she was very good to me and my family. In fact, she was the one who arranged all the flowers for our wedding. And, she must have done it with so much love because they were just so beautiful. After a hard struggle with cancer at its worst, she died last night in her sleep. There is beauty in this sad situation, though...Jesus, and his deep love for Pat. She couldn't go until she knew how much he loved her & how he had her on his mind when he died up on that hill. With her broken English, God used my mom to lead Pat to him...proving that the Holy Spirit is understood in any language. So, eventhough we may have lost a good friend here on Earth...there is one more soul gained in the Kingdom of God. And that is just awesome.

Fern-the Duck Commander

We might be walking in the unknown, but we're walking with Jesus

Will Fern get into the police academy?
Will Ana be able to teach this year?

These are the questions that race through our minds & hearts. According to me the answer to these two questions is a BIG "who know's!"

Walking in the unknown is a scary & intimidating thing. But I take comfort and trust in what IS known. I know that God is always in control. I know that he knows exactly where we are. I know that he's never going to leave us or forsake us. I know that he will put everything in its place & he will make things beautiful. I know whether we have a little or alot, his grace is sufficient.

When the future is unknown & maybe even a bit scary, just hold onto the hand of Jesus. He will be your guide, comforter, & friend.

AMEN.

I hope he brings back a dead duck! quack!

One of the things I most love about my spouse is his ever-changing fads/hobbies. Maybe this is just a guy thing. I don't know? Boys, do you have a need to constantly get involved in a different activity each month? Let me just name a few...just off the top of my head- video editing, hiking, camping, kayaking, martial arts, and of course the most recent FIREARMS & HUNTING! Like I said, I love this about him because he's always learning something new & always has something to talk about. Plus, one day when we finally decide to have kiddo's he will have so much to teach them...and I know they will think he's such a cool dad.

Down side to this new hobby- time away from me! This weekend Fern & his buddies are going duck hunting in Arkansas. For the first time ever he will take the life of an innocent animal...bring it home and eat it! Although I'm happy for him I will miss him terribly :(

Moral of this post: Your spouses interest/hobbies may not be your cup of tea but always be supportive and maybe even participate once in a while...who knows, you may see me one day carrying a shot gun & dressed in camo ready to kill some woodland creature. Highly unlikely, but I'd do it if my marriage depended on it :)