tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21377986832070669092024-03-05T08:43:14.875-06:00Corrie's Blog...The Daily WalkThe Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-24697397086140271912017-11-08T14:05:00.001-06:002017-11-08T14:05:54.266-06:00FallI sit here looking out my girls bedroom window and watching the leaves fall so delicately from our large ash tree in our front yard. I take a moment to breathe it in before mommy hood beckons me back to reality. I just had baby #4. Her names Praise Elizabeth and she was born on 10-7-2017. As far as we know, she is our last and although I am exhausted I am trying to soak in every inch of newborn. I love this stage and I will miss it. But things come to an end. Like the summer season recently has. I believe a new season is coming and I await the breakthrough God has for us this Fall! Just as the Astros came in victory for us after the terrible flood of Harvey. As we have sought God this past hard season, He will be found in this new one and show us His Glory! Short on time but I just had to jump on here! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaZa0JQr8tOJ0eCBb1c2A0Y7Sh2bcYQ06pLbwMm-gdTJZ1cDWcOjm5lndF5ENGwITT7-NBFvfo1KhR7ulghC1N4rZVarEclr_jCvobNWTFlRA32VkP5KirTBTgYDdaDs-fH_Joij1Agw/s1600/IMG_4367-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaZa0JQr8tOJ0eCBb1c2A0Y7Sh2bcYQ06pLbwMm-gdTJZ1cDWcOjm5lndF5ENGwITT7-NBFvfo1KhR7ulghC1N4rZVarEclr_jCvobNWTFlRA32VkP5KirTBTgYDdaDs-fH_Joij1Agw/s320/IMG_4367-2.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-15770752307349111842016-04-25T19:51:00.001-05:002016-04-25T19:51:26.950-05:00It is timeI need and want to get back to blogging. I love it. My life is just short on time now. Since my last post I had yet another baby! :) His name is David Jax and he was born on 8/7/2015, weighing in at 7.7...my biggest baby yet! He is such pure JOY! The girls love him...especially Lillie! He is 8 months old currently and is always smiling, crawling everywhere, saying Mama and Dada, pulling himself up, into everything and a little cuddle bug! These pictures are entirely out of order but at least I got them on here and they are a brief catch up on our lives! Since i last wrote...<br />
-Steven finished his clinincals and is now a paramedic! He was a full time firefighter/EMT until February of this year and then went down to part time and is now full time at the church we attend. Right after I had Lillie we joined a new and local church plant called, Antioch and we love it! This past year they offered Steven the job as full time college pastor and we felt God say yes! Its a great job and much better for our family time! Steven still also has a passion for acts of mercy/the health field and will still pursue that in some way. But he and I both have a deep heart for ministry so serve currently at our church. We love our new community and thank God for them! I serve our church through the college ministry as well but also through listening prayer ministry with them. We just celebrated our five year Anniversary in March!<br />
-Lillie turned 3 (at Disneyworld) and then 4 (Alice in Wonderland themed tea party at a park bday party!) She has taken swim lessons and can swim pretty good. She is also in ballet and tap and loves to dance! She starts 2 days a week pre-kindergarten this coming fall and is so excited for her 1st school (I stay home with the littles.) Lillie loves to watch cartoons and movies still; loves to learn; loves to go places...anywhere; is a servant, a great and loving big sister; caring; outgoing in a crowd and no stranger isn't a friend (but quieter at home) and prophetic.<br />
-Jubilee turned 1 and then 2! She is shy in a crowd but the most loud and rowdy at home! She never sits still, is very compassionate, a prayer warrior already, loves to play with babies and read books, follows her big sister around, and loves to eat. Her name defines her perfectly! She is a force of life and joy!<br />
-And as I said earlier, David joined our lives 8 months ago and we are all in love with this little gift of life!<br />
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That's all I got time for for now but I at least somewhat caught up! Will write more when time allows...if anyone even still reads this...haha. Peace and Joy to you all!<br />
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So there is WAY TOO MUCH to try and catch up on and I felt convicted that I needed to start writing again so, providing my 2 babies allow me time too, here I go. <br />
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First of all, yes, I said 2 babies! Lillie Joy is now 2 years old and just plain awesome! She is smart, funny, beautiful, a little diva (unlike her momma); However, loves to be playing outdoors at all times (just like her momma) and just plain and simple a character! 8 months after she turned 1 we had another baby girl and her name is Jubilee Charis! She is ever so different from her big sister. She is tiny, barely sleeps, tags along wherever we go very peacefully, is 95% of the time very happy, a huge snuggler and a doll! She was born on 11-22-2013 and much more easily than Lillie! I will attach a few pictures of them both. I am a stay at home momma and my days consists of taking care of our girls 24/7! I am exhausted but love it and wouldn't have it any other way!<br />
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All that said, Lillie is up from her nap so blog time is already over. :) I will move on as to why I felt that I needed to start writing again (that is if I still have any more readers now...haha) in my next post (that won't take over a year!) :) I do have a purpose (other than updating you on my daughters.) Can't wait to dive in again!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gusEj0PVBlZO1Sxb8OoPm_O9fsgbTcbJBeLSSIKyVyfSBnHWaI_gbOkL3wJg9PUnCTsgN4QF5s4v4CA_atevwxqZaPov-PdrdR5lVp5CwSXf5wE3g4M5fh1SG930tllhk3LEHXSmSMc/s1600/photo+1+copy+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gusEj0PVBlZO1Sxb8OoPm_O9fsgbTcbJBeLSSIKyVyfSBnHWaI_gbOkL3wJg9PUnCTsgN4QF5s4v4CA_atevwxqZaPov-PdrdR5lVp5CwSXf5wE3g4M5fh1SG930tllhk3LEHXSmSMc/s320/photo+1+copy+3.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytkEsx0ed-Pu1O9e6Lj4LUr7EsUZ5LeHuPF8Up-2z0UsA_8HA0meVJT2lnERCbESvGeIIJssJidnS7EL_UFWGD3HrLBEggRIiiMCLsdcunCT2z3KCqylapXcesbSY__YwFykn0omXqqw/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytkEsx0ed-Pu1O9e6Lj4LUr7EsUZ5LeHuPF8Up-2z0UsA_8HA0meVJT2lnERCbESvGeIIJssJidnS7EL_UFWGD3HrLBEggRIiiMCLsdcunCT2z3KCqylapXcesbSY__YwFykn0omXqqw/s320/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjNUX-7gtV4LbxciI1OgrMtoyZCc-h8StHlxpWRmez3gJby_ws-RxSNYTLO4Y5REa3MBQmR3dyUOkNaU22umZ9pENuo5J9xTgN6GsdBIWHJa3r49prg1jUkDwmGIHeVrBENkxqRtLH5M/s1600/image-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjNUX-7gtV4LbxciI1OgrMtoyZCc-h8StHlxpWRmez3gJby_ws-RxSNYTLO4Y5REa3MBQmR3dyUOkNaU22umZ9pENuo5J9xTgN6GsdBIWHJa3r49prg1jUkDwmGIHeVrBENkxqRtLH5M/s320/image-7.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJZWY0r9ffRR68mIFy6yxMhBGCaM6U3VnbDa9oBAkMm9tq2S7apJEudX5XRgT5Rtmgm0NlzS-fOy_NHhtusDFxYE1nig4Jx4IJJwUeRODmlBVWNMBlk4FrNMQIfZLXVY-0GgRkm9rF0M/s1600/photo+1+copy+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJZWY0r9ffRR68mIFy6yxMhBGCaM6U3VnbDa9oBAkMm9tq2S7apJEudX5XRgT5Rtmgm0NlzS-fOy_NHhtusDFxYE1nig4Jx4IJJwUeRODmlBVWNMBlk4FrNMQIfZLXVY-0GgRkm9rF0M/s320/photo+1+copy+2.JPG" /></a></div>The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-27328333953231964422013-07-30T13:48:00.003-05:002013-07-30T13:48:32.053-05:00Update on LillieLillie is 16 months now and finally fully recovered from her bad cold and then immediately following UTI. Here is what Lillie is up to now a days...<br />
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*Lillie is beginning to talk up a storm (as best as you can understand her but I think she's pretty clear!) :) She says the following: <br />
no, yes, up, amen, momma, daddy, papa, Aggie, sings the "ee...ii...ee...ii...oo" part of old macdonald, sissy, Lisa, makes lots of animal noises, baba (bottle), bye, hi, ball, makes car noise & firetruck siren noise, apple, shoes, Uh oh, woah, there, boo, bubble, again, grace, hot, "pizza box" for pizza, that, hat, sshh, thank you, please, ow peas (out please) & more. She is turning into a little parrot.<br />
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*Lillie loves:<br />
Disney Jr cartoons; reading books; people coming over to her house; taking baths; going for stroller rides; going for walks now on her own; water & "swimming;" her cousin, grace; yogurt; going "bye-bye," hiding items around the house; going to my parents house and seeing the chickens; playing chase and jumping on our bed with Daddy; snuggling with mommy when 1st wakes up; and playing with her toys! <br />
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*Lillie, you are:<br />
funny, silly, sweet, already testing your boundaries, attached to Momma, loveable, beautiful, a great sleeper, tan already; easy going, quiet, and about to be a big sister! I pray that you love your little sister from the moment she gets here! And I pray that you live up to your name and life verse...among so much else! Above all else, "May your love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself!" I love you so very much, baby girl!<br />
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Sorry not more pictures but here you go! :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIM5Xq8jxDsVNjyf05yLJF7ErZZTYsBwTlzBaNOMf3zS5HLivQHxcmiK7KYLKvDEHNE5YHKnHjjuN8qMU-rHSXui2yRkN0D_DEaKE2v-3HwWTfoy82gRjP_kcmrHUT243AyGdWhG-sIc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIM5Xq8jxDsVNjyf05yLJF7ErZZTYsBwTlzBaNOMf3zS5HLivQHxcmiK7KYLKvDEHNE5YHKnHjjuN8qMU-rHSXui2yRkN0D_DEaKE2v-3HwWTfoy82gRjP_kcmrHUT243AyGdWhG-sIc/s320/photo.JPG" /></a></div>The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-71689622748465606482013-07-23T12:05:00.003-05:002013-07-23T12:05:44.642-05:00Snow Fall in JulyI'm more of a realist than a dreamer. Therefore, I can lean towards thinking more negatively at times than positive and it's a fight for me. These past few weeks have been hard! After my last uplifting post (ha), Lillie caught a bad cold that I figured would pass quickly but it ended up lingering for over a week and during that time I caught it too and so we were both house bound, congested and feeling crummy! Just when I thought she was on the mend from that, she awoke a week later with a high fever that persisted for a couple of days. This past Saturday we took her to an urgent care clinic and they found no signs of infection from cold in Lillie. Praise Jesus for that but didn't take away the fact that she was still not eating, drinking, filled with a high fever and so weak. Dr. said that she had probably caught a virus after the cold and if the fever was still there Monday to take her to her Dr. b/c she could have a UTI. Well, it was still there yesterday so to the Dr. we went. I brought in my own urine sample of her so they wouldn't have to cath her and I was happy to find that they accepted it. Still no signs of infection in her so they tested her blood. No bacteria in blood (praise Jesus!) So off to the lab her urine went and we should find out results tomorrow. In the meantime, we still have a very weak, fever laden, little girl on our hands and it's dis-heartening. I was complaining to my husband about it yesterday...all the circumstances that are seemingly out of whack around me: A very expensive a/c unit on the fritz, my congestion still lingering, Lillie still sick for over 2 weeks now, sacrifices that abound surrounding pregnancy...you know...the normal woes of life...so he sweetly decided to leave work early yesterday and let me head to the gym for a much needed work out and break after 2 weeks! (Long sentence!) :) The first 30 minutes in were rough. I was still in complaining mode in my head, I was coughing so much that I had an asthma attack and then peed myself a bit (due to pregnant with 2nd child...hahaha...no shame here!) But I pushed through, blared the praise music into my headphones and finally felt some peace. Afterwards I headed to the grocery store to get a few, needed items and thats when I saw it...snow in Texas in July! Ok, so it didn't really snow. However, my part of Texas is known for it's Crete Mertel trees in the summer and they sure are pretty! This particular grocery store that I frequent has white ones planted on its premisis and yesterday was an unusually windy day so the little, white flowers were just gliding in the wind and looked just like snow! It was spectacular for me! I've been cooped inside for awhile now if you can't tell! :) Anywhow, thats when I felt God whisper in my spirit, "Child, I am not ignoring you. There are so many blessings among the difficulties right now that you are just choosing not to see and if you did, you would hold your head a little higher. For example, you always complain that Lillie doesn't cuddle but for the past 2 weeks that is all she has wanted to do with you. Furthermore, yes, your a/c unit is old but a repair man doing a courtesy check told you it was about to break. There are actually no problems as of now and your a/c is running fine. No need to worry. You have a/c. And in a few years when life gets crazy, you will long for the days when you could just sit and rock a sick baby, all the while feeling another one wiggle inside of you, with no demands of anywhere to be. In the mundane, I see your faithfulness and it matters." Aaahh...nothing like a sweet rebuke/gentle reminder from Jesus. I get it now, God. Thank you, Jesus! And it was then, that I danced in the snow...among all the heat and mosquitoes! :)<br />
P.S. Prayers for Lillie still appreciated. Thanks! Updated pictures soon to come. Oh and we found out that I am having another girl by the way!!! Lillie will be a big sis sometime in November!The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-23756272989621588712013-06-25T15:55:00.002-05:002013-06-25T15:55:22.703-05:00Sunscreen, sweat & off...is that all?I've been yearning to write lately but either don't have the time or just don't know what to say. I never wanted this blog to just be an update on my life. I wanted it to be inspirational. But I guess I have felt un-inspired. However, I hate to admit that because I have the greatest inspiration at my disposal...Jesus! And not only that, my life is not bad. Yet I have been "blah." I don't know any better word than that and I have no grand reason as to why so I feel guilty about it. But I guess there are a few things piled on top of each other that have not helped that feeling. First things first, I am 17 weeks pregnant!!! Yes, a surprise to us but a good and God one! I am due November 29 but will either be induced or scheduled for a c-section a week before that (due to complications with my last delivery with Lillie.) We find out the sex of the baby in 2 weeks and I can not wait! With that said, I really do have easy pregnancies (praise Jesus!); However, I do seem to project some "grouchy hormone" that just doesn't enjoy being pregnant...ha. I hate to admit it but its true. And on top of that, it doesn't help that my main source of community these days is my 15 month old baby, Lillie! Please hear me...she is probably the greatest joy in my life next to Jesus! I love her to pieces and hourly thank God for her! However, it does make for long days when it's just mostly her and I all the time. Steven works a lot unfortunately (life of a fire fighter) so he is not able to be home as much as the "normal" husband/dad...or as much as he would like. Another cause of "blah." So my "pregnant, stay at home mom, chasing a baby, and doing most of it alone self" is struggling with the mundane right now. Most of Lillie and I's days consist of being lathered in sunscreen, sweat and Off as we play outside with the dogs. I am a blessed girl and thank God daily, but this is my lot right now and I am still human and just being honest. I guess I miss community...with my husband, day to day with adults, etc. We have a great church that we joined not to long ago (Antioch) and that was an answer to prayer! It has helped. But this is still how I feel. Sorry for the depressing/non inspirational post. But I wanted/needed to start writing again so I just did and this is what came out. Aren't you lucky? :) That is, if anyone still reads this. I thank God for the diapers and the more about to come! In the meantime, I am asking God to show me His Glory in such a way in this phase of my life that it rushes Living Waters back into my soul and restores me! I know this is just a phase and one that I will miss when all is said and done. Lillie is about to wake up now and my pregnant self is hungry so I must hop off. The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-4778008337120256102013-03-25T10:58:00.001-05:002013-03-25T10:58:16.030-05:00I officially have a toddler!This past week has been busy for my family and I! On March 19th we celebrated my mom's birthday (which was also Steven and I's anniversary.) Then the next day, on March 20 was Lillie's 1st birthday! I opted out of the big, 1 yr old, birthday celebration trend and just kept it simple. The pictures tell the story. We spent the day doing everything that Lillie loves-as of right now. We woke up, played around the house, had bfast, then she took a nap. After her nap, Lillie and I headed to Froberg's (our nearly local Farmer's Market) with Mimi and the cousins and picked strawberries. Then we headed to Menchie's for some frozen yogurt. After that it was home for another nap, then that night we celebated with Daddy and my family over her favorite dinner of Pei Wei and her 1st cake! She was spoiled and loved all of her gifts and all of the attention! The next day we played with all of her toys and then some of Daddy's family came over for cupcakes and more celebrating! The following day was supposed to be Steven and I's celebratory anniversary outting (with Lillie spending the night out for her 1st time at my parents); However, plans sadly backfired! Steven, Lillie and I all took 24 hour shift turns with the new stomach virus that has been going around! Ugh! But today is a new day and we are ready to get in full swing as we prepare for Easter! So much hope fills my heart as well as sadness. But that is for another post that hopefully I will have time to write soon. Lillie keeps me busy these days! And on that note, I will end with all that encompasses Lillie in this first year of life!<br />
<br />
Lillie, at one years old you love...<br />
*your sleep<br />
*to eat-especially strawberries, noodles, frozen yogurt, peas, mum mums and your bottle<br />
*your cousin, Grace<br />
*Disney Junior cartoons<br />
*reading<br />
*bath time<br />
*being pushed on any kind of device<br />
*animals<br />
*the outdoors<br />
*going to Papa's to see his chickens<br />
*and anyone who gets on the floor and plays with you-giving you their un-divided attention<br />
<br />
You still look just like your Daddy and are like a day away from walking on your own. You can say: Mama, Mom, Daddy, Dada, Papa, Grace, out please (ow pea), Uh Oh, Baba (bottle), and Bath. And you also love to make animal noises. You are: unique, independent, smart, beating to your own drum, funny, beautiful and sweet. I can't believe that it's been a year! We both survived by God's grace! :) You are so loved, Lillie Joy!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9d2LwRHV3iJaoHl3AsVKVe6mXpeQrLtf4xDdnPZNxiD6c73TG49a_Yiql4jSM5bugf_NZ8JSkh_gMljlscTBdLrDP6ccQhxieq-vfPoFwQSI_PZkjXpceiFlQLInrfdXw7OFmccyi6E/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9d2LwRHV3iJaoHl3AsVKVe6mXpeQrLtf4xDdnPZNxiD6c73TG49a_Yiql4jSM5bugf_NZ8JSkh_gMljlscTBdLrDP6ccQhxieq-vfPoFwQSI_PZkjXpceiFlQLInrfdXw7OFmccyi6E/s320/image.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Obk7m8vAESqUKo_EDdUwjXS6QUfsfMtW_HcETGjml99xqKf6YpWpHWmpOpz6bvhEDn56eAnRRqf7UtJrCtEtpdrWXExLdiIkDpF8MnCqpeeEhAQn4uFqnvSig-owRLu5hfxXTZuTOc/s1600/image-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Obk7m8vAESqUKo_EDdUwjXS6QUfsfMtW_HcETGjml99xqKf6YpWpHWmpOpz6bvhEDn56eAnRRqf7UtJrCtEtpdrWXExLdiIkDpF8MnCqpeeEhAQn4uFqnvSig-owRLu5hfxXTZuTOc/s320/image-1.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS06ghNmkw70yJqwUXoeinkyUT9tEn9r7_r8lIidBeJb6LWREfaul43xWrKVpedrfdEqpqKBPpJ80VrkoEdI1P91j88jb3O_Gq1qN6iwoOy5OacT_bfqFVwMcqJgC73w6GreAS3gACgQ/s1600/image-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS06ghNmkw70yJqwUXoeinkyUT9tEn9r7_r8lIidBeJb6LWREfaul43xWrKVpedrfdEqpqKBPpJ80VrkoEdI1P91j88jb3O_Gq1qN6iwoOy5OacT_bfqFVwMcqJgC73w6GreAS3gACgQ/s320/image-2.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftrRBOSyQMjZOZ3K8KFltS_0m7WrrbUJXOinS1edw9t9SDZwJ0XcnbfO0OaaIxC8_XP11TXRIhSqfIk5TG8JY2NMKikyGZgFHqxLpfeRrzLJPkKuvmC4R6LzLJ18bjCL0S94KFu_lZFs/s1600/image-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftrRBOSyQMjZOZ3K8KFltS_0m7WrrbUJXOinS1edw9t9SDZwJ0XcnbfO0OaaIxC8_XP11TXRIhSqfIk5TG8JY2NMKikyGZgFHqxLpfeRrzLJPkKuvmC4R6LzLJ18bjCL0S94KFu_lZFs/s320/image-3.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBZXY4d4y2-wyJx7cN-rL7AUyaqWmAKLGddHtPOeWVtEaQYZWcliqGVql3LT_kD5xu28bctyhJJNkMeDFBn6DQCZmGfddKaTCvHQdrjrJUP4ZGmGLVcuJfLv0QvLInV3R7Fh3kP5jpic/s1600/image-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBZXY4d4y2-wyJx7cN-rL7AUyaqWmAKLGddHtPOeWVtEaQYZWcliqGVql3LT_kD5xu28bctyhJJNkMeDFBn6DQCZmGfddKaTCvHQdrjrJUP4ZGmGLVcuJfLv0QvLInV3R7Fh3kP5jpic/s320/image-4.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8S10fq8bcnHSqS4fdwsARJwodOsV2BXzp0xMRrhR8rCl4EzCYEmMEyMVxiZiC8Wgf47f4ofUXWj7jN3h7kqfxzvvzpbFm_8SYRTMJb2PKgYX5CVlnNsiNLi7IoMoo9N4U2Ps-QO8PXw/s1600/image-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8S10fq8bcnHSqS4fdwsARJwodOsV2BXzp0xMRrhR8rCl4EzCYEmMEyMVxiZiC8Wgf47f4ofUXWj7jN3h7kqfxzvvzpbFm_8SYRTMJb2PKgYX5CVlnNsiNLi7IoMoo9N4U2Ps-QO8PXw/s320/image-5.jpeg" /></a>The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-64339397366492954192013-02-11T11:16:00.003-06:002013-02-11T11:16:54.216-06:00A Day in the LifeWhere I have been lately? Well, going non stop with my little monkey actually...as the pictures protest! On a "normal" day I wake up at 6:30 and tend to my mini farm of 7 high maintenance animals and get the house "going" (ie. unload dishwasher, etc.) Then you will find me sipping on my spark while I read a quick devotion before Lillie wakes up. Lillie usually wakes up at 8 and I feed her, we read her morning bible story, get dressed and then the playing begins. She is 10 1/2 months and nowadays you will find her: attempting to walk on her own and then falling, walking everywhere with a walker, crawling everywhere and eating anything that the she can find off of the floor, loving to watch Disney Junior, etc. After awhile of that we head out for an hour walk with Franklin and she cat naps in there. Upon returning, we eat some more, play some more, deal with more of the animals needs, read some more and mostly I chase her around the house some more. At this time I try to get any chores, errands or fun play dates done as possible. After all that, we take all of the dogs for a little walk. Around 2:30 she will nap and it is then that I have my QT and have been writing on a different format other than here (for awhile.) She usually wakes up about 4:30 and we eat again and then I attempt to make dinner. About 5:30 (if not at the fire station) Daddy comes home and we eat with him and then head outside to either play with the neighbor kids, go on an outting, or watch one of the neices' games. 7:30 is usually bath and 8 bedtime. After 8 you can find me usually cleaning, resting while watching one of my favorite TV episodes (Duck Dynasty, Downton Abbey, or The Office), spending time with Steven, having a friend over while Steven's at the Fire Dept, or writing and then finally sleeping. It's riveting folks! haha But I love my life that God has given me and wouldn't have it any other way! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSxQegsvcS191sTnLQv8mZQjO5r6YQm53DRbOGlKyc0RCNRYBdE22e8wQnymOAfM74yXzIrLI65X6LK96C5HUOD3cWL0b8uIcTJHeyqUaXRVBhHzBJoYWugercFuUHmuHihygiDzACU4/s1600/image%255B1%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSxQegsvcS191sTnLQv8mZQjO5r6YQm53DRbOGlKyc0RCNRYBdE22e8wQnymOAfM74yXzIrLI65X6LK96C5HUOD3cWL0b8uIcTJHeyqUaXRVBhHzBJoYWugercFuUHmuHihygiDzACU4/s320/image%255B1%255D.jpeg" /></a></div>The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-68786487701028669552013-01-06T08:44:00.004-06:002013-01-06T08:44:53.700-06:00Holiday PicturesIn lieu of my last post, here are some pictures from over the Holidays of our new puppy, Franklin; Lillie (who is now 9 months old!); Christmas; and time with some family and friends that I managed to capture! :)<br />
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Hosted a friends game night at mi casa and here is sweet Gage playing his own game. :)<br />
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The zoo with my best friend, Hanna (who was in town) and her family! It was freezing out...probably why I got sick later but great day so worth it!<br />
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Our new puppy, Franklin!<br />
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Christmas Eve (ha) :)<br />
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Our family Christmas (early b/c Steven had to work)<br />
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Our present to Jesus (Matthew 25:31-45...gift we gave)<br />
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Lillie opening gifts before Christmas<br />
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Christmas Day at my parents<br />
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I left for a brief moment to let the dogs out at my house and I come back to find how her cousins dressed her :)<br />
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Christmas night and entering into a Christmas coma<br />
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Play time has begun as Disney has now thrown up in our house (thank you, family!) :)<br />
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Happy New Year!!<br />
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9 months now and a silly goose<br />
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All for Daddy...Go Texans!!<br />
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The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-51098891275338796252013-01-04T11:50:00.001-06:002013-01-04T12:02:28.408-06:00Expectations...Hello, my name is Corrie and I am an over-expector. There you have it. In total contrast to my last post, the Holidays ended up not turning out so jolly for me after all. Don't get me wrong, in pure Corrie fashion, I had everything ready to go and as I last stated, was just anticipating and ready to enjoy all that is "Christmas." But pretty soon all I began to find were the thorns among the roses. <br />
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It started out when an old YL kid and I found a puppy abandoned on the side of the road. He appeared to be a very tiny, male, chocolate lab. Well, if you know me at all, then you know that I LOVE animals...esp. puppies, so this should have been a true Christmas gift. That's what I thought at first. My YL friend couldn't keep him, my husband had been wanting a bigger dog, no one else was claiming him, and it turned out that I had a vet appt. already scheduled the next day for one one of my other dogs, so this seemed perfect! All checked out pretty well at the vet and so then it was off to Petsmart to buy all the puppy essentials and some food for him. I decided to name him Franklin even...to match my Peanuts gallery theme that I have going on over here. At the time, my holidays were looking great! Then it began to all go downhill...<br />
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Let's just say that Franklin is pretty high maintenance. I have been around all sorts of dogs all my life but never a lab. This little man is crazy! My little, loveable, grouch of a maltese, Linus, hates him so I am constantly refereeing fights. He pees NON-STOP, cries ALL THE TIME, destroys EVERYTHING, and he has more energy than any dog I have ever seen. People keep telling me that labs are rowdy puppies but great adult dogs. Well, I am losing patience in this puppy stage. Let's just say that I now have 2 babies...Lillie and Franklin...and that my friends, is A LOT of work. God bless you moms of multiples out there! My holidays had now become a rat race between my baby, Franklin, house duties, wife duties, normal holiday stresses (mostly finances), mom duties, other peoples needs, and my other already full house of 5 other animals! All I was doing was meeting needs ALL DAY LONG and in the process my own health failed. It was about Christmas eve that both Lillie and I seemed to catch a cold that decided to linger (among every one else in Houston right about now during this CRAZY weather!) On top of that, Steven worked Christmas, and that was just stinky. Then came all of the friends and family that were in town that I had to and also wanted to see, but with that brought in town family leaving me with pity parties b/c we could not "hang out with them over the holidays too." Ugh! Long story short, I lost all of my pictures on my old phone (which had documented Lillie's life so far) b/c I got a new phone so that too has been a pain. New Year's eve now hits, Steven is working again and I come down with the flu. Perfect! On my way home from my parents, in search of bed for Lillie and I, the police dept. calls to say that my house alarm has been going off and I am heading home to go to sleep all by myself. I turned around, asked my dad to follow me home, and he came in with his gun ready to shoot somebody. Never found any signs of any one intruding but still doesn't leave you with the safest feeling ever. I was on the verge of laughter or tears...couldn't decide, but I had to get my now 2 babies to bed and my now sick self. I felt awful. I spent the next few days curled up in bed as Steven took off to help with Lillie. I was very grateful for my husband's help and the much needed rest, but for those of you who are married you probably can relate when I say that pretty much all Steven was able to do was play with Lillie. When I felt well enough to get out bed, the house was a MESS. And it had already looked like Disney had thrown up in it b/c of all of the toys that people completely spoiled Lillie with for Christmas. And as I write all of this, Franklin just peed for about the 3rd time in the kitchen. Oh dear...hahaha! All that to say...<br />
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Today is the first day that my husband went back to work and I am starting to feel better and am all alone. I prayed for God to have grace today and so far he has. :) But I realized something in the quiet of my soul...I am an over expector and that just leads to sheer disappointment. Nothing or no one can ever be perfect this side of heaven, and I try so hard for perfect. There, I admit it. It's a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I can manage to work really hard at things and get a lot done. Hence being ready for Christmas early. On the other hand, I can also be more of a Martha than a Mary and find myself constantly disappointed that I or others aren't doing things as good as we should. Hence, not enjoying Christmas this year AT ALL. Bottom line, I must just look to Jesus. In the words of Linus, from my favorite Peanuts, "Isn't that what Christmas is all about anyways?" I had turned into Charlie Brown, in all of his gloom and lost sight of all that really matters...Jesus! Good thing He knocked me down with the flu though so I could get a little break! :) So for all of you over expectors out there, do yourself and others a favor and let yourself and others off of the hook before the holidays up and leave and you find that you never got a chance to enjoy them.<br />
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I'll post some Christmas, Franklin and Lillie pictures later. In the meantime, Happy New Year, Friends!!! In lieu of resolutions (thats too stressful for a girl like me), I always pick a name of God that I hold near and dear that year and I can always see how that threads through my life that year when I look back. So this year I picked, Love. Oh that Steven, Lillie and I may come to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength this year and love our neighbor as ourselves! And that other Christians would finally stand up and do the same. The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-27744646337690531962012-12-11T14:01:00.001-06:002012-12-11T14:10:07.130-06:00December thus far...Via pictures...of course! So far this December has been fun! All these pictures are out of order but try and follow if you care that much! :) <br />
We bought Lillie a walker for Christmas but if you know me at all, and you could see how tired that my arms are getting from carrying my growing girl, then you would know how much that I can not wait to give gifts! Therefore, since she doesn't know the difference yet anyways, Lillie received her walker early and has had fun cruising around in it. Below is a picture of her and our neighbor friend. I will admit that she prefers for me to either carry her around or to crawl around though still so so much for that! On a better note though, Lillie is starting to talk!! No big words yet but she says baba, mama & dada. It's so fun to hear! Anyways, back to pictures descriptions! Our sweet cousin, Alexis got baptized and that was so special to watch! We love her. Steven had his birthday and it was fun celebrating with Lillie and some friends! He finally got a Texans jersey that he has been begging for! Our good friends, the Dees' moved to far away to Colorado but Matt was in town for business so he got to come. Lillie is obsessed with his beard and loved playing with him. Below you will see a picture of her and their son, Keeton (born a day after Lillie) in the bow that Christa bought her. Sad to admit but Keeton looks way prettier in it! :) You will also find that my fur babies had to make it on here of course! They just got their Christmas groom and look so adorable. Too bad they wouldn't pose for me but this was in fact taken at the vet and they hate it there. My poor, 14 year old, Pooka goes in for a teeth cleaning thursday and I am praying that she makes it through! Please join with me, folks! Lastly, may you enjoy a pic of the new, tiny and precious baby, Colette! What a gift this little baby girl is! Lillie and I love play dates with her and her momma! That's all I got for now. Steven and I are trying to savor the rest of this December adventing the Christ, enjoying our family and preparing for the beginning stages of possibly adopting! Yes! Please be praying for us! Drink deeply from the Fountain of Life today! He is so worth it! And if you are in Texas, enjoy this awesome, Christmas cold snap! :)<br />
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The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-28565904854938309912012-12-01T14:31:00.003-06:002012-12-01T14:32:50.699-06:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! :)But certainly not feel like it over here in Texas for goodness sakes! I am excited about it nevertheless! :) Yes, I am an over-achiever at times b/c our house is already decorated, our tree is up, Lillie has seen Santa, my presents are bought and it's only just now Dec. 1st...haha! But now I can just do what I love best about this time of year...sip a warm beverage beside my lit Christmas tree and just behold Him, watch a Christmas movie or in my case this year-watch my little monkey crawl all around the house! Yes, she is officially crawling!!! :) I wanted to share with you a couple of Advents that I stole from my friend, Megan. One is for single/married:<br />
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http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/good-news-of-great-joy-free-advent-ebook<br />
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And the other is for a family/kiddos: <br />
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http://dl.dropbox.com/u/48325590/AJesusAdventCelebration.pdf<br />
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Hope you enjoy along with me! 'Tis the season! I'll be in touch.<br />
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"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6<br />
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The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-72308965394482620442012-11-26T14:52:00.000-06:002012-11-26T14:52:00.513-06:00November...This November has been fun! I have taken so many pictures but could only post these. :) Lillie turned 8 months old and is beginning to crawl and it is fun to watch! She is discovering so much more, sitting up all by herself, talking a lot more (baby talk) and growing fast! We started off this month by going to the pumpkin patch and got lots of great pictures. Next was our sweet Ryder's 1st birthday where Lillie had her first hay ride. It was a lot of fun! Then we got a sneak preview of the Houston Zoo lights and it was great! Next in line was our cousin, Alexis' 9th Birthday party and we also had a good time there. Up last was good, ol' Thanksgiving! Steven had to work, which was sad, so Lillie and I headed to my family's house for some food, football & fun. It was a good day! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGvUOhT-rxbFMJeAc1Pl-fR4xj0P3v0oLu8s9yaXtLiCVfARR0GnMeLLaBu5H6HihXtyEtlGIClqSUN2qYVH55_bxzzDUkSp2l34jGImloHUWz1iRgii9bK34_vNIyEeRFXHbl8UDFqc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGvUOhT-rxbFMJeAc1Pl-fR4xj0P3v0oLu8s9yaXtLiCVfARR0GnMeLLaBu5H6HihXtyEtlGIClqSUN2qYVH55_bxzzDUkSp2l34jGImloHUWz1iRgii9bK34_vNIyEeRFXHbl8UDFqc/s320/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Next up is my most favorite time of the year...CHRISTMAS!!! We are in the process of decorating and I am so excited!! But before I skip ahead, I will end by sharing with you what God has really been nailing into my heart this season: <br />
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"Gaze at Jesus, glance at your problems and then choose joy. For thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity and when you give Him thanks, He gives you some joy. So practice thankfulness consistently and negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker. Praise the Lord for who He is and don't neglect the process of giving thanks, which will enlighten your mind, rather than darken it. Offer up a sacrifice of praise and see the blessings then all around you!"<br />
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Happy belated Thanksgiving and welcome to Christmas Time!!! :)<br />
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"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18<br />
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The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-50499674477511320192012-11-01T11:34:00.001-05:002012-11-01T11:34:39.116-05:00Lillie's 1st HalloweenI admit that I am not a huge fan of Halloween; However, I decided to allow Lillie to enjoy as much as it as a 7 month old baby possibly can. So we started out our Halloween by carving a pumpkin together as a family the night before. I of course toasted some yummy pumpkin seeds. Then yesterday, our Parks' friends came over to babysit and play with Lillie. After her nap we put her in her skeleton bones pj's (didn't really dress her up)and headed to my parents for a bit for their annual Halloween party. Her cousins looked cute and Lillie enjoyed most of her time there with her buddy, Papa. Then we quickly headed home to pass out candy to our heavily populated kid neighborhood. We had lots of visitors, got rid of all of our candy, and Lillie loved answering the door with her daddy. We even had great friends come over and hang out with us! It was a pretty good day! Happy Fall, Ya'll!! :)<br />
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The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-80372886843288913862012-10-22T12:30:00.000-05:002012-10-22T12:30:03.628-05:00But the greatest of these is love...I was recently talking with someone about my desire to adopt. My heart has always ached for the underdog, the outcast, the lonely, the hurting, the oppressed, the one who acts out for obvious reasons. Perhaps that is why the Rocky series is one of my favorite movies of all times. I can watch them or The Lord of the Rings over and over and over. And perhaps that is also why my heart bleeds for Africa and all of the hurting orphans that I have once met there. I know that is why I also love YL. So many hurting kids searching for some answers...the Answer. I wasn't an orphan nor was I adopted. My biological family and my new little family of 3 loves me. However, for far too personal reasons to place publicly on a blog, deep down I can find myself feeling like a hurt little girl who was supposed to be loved but was rather passed around from one bad foster home to the next. But then I finally got placed in a good, adoptive home and they kept telling me that they loved me but I had heard that before...with no good actions to follow...only hurtful ones. Now I had to see it. So I sat back and watched to see if they really loved me and if I could trust them. I appeared strong but deep down I was weak. All I wanted was to see if this time, they really loved me. But that's when HE came. Jesus. He went to great links to show me that He loved me. He died a horrible death on the cross for me. He created me out of nothing, breathed new life into me, invited me into His play ground, covered over my sin with His blood, and accepted me just as I am...yet loved me too much to let me stay that way. So that's the key. His love was enough to satisfy my deepest needs. He was trustworthy and would never let me go. However, He had to teach me. For He knew from the beginning that even though He had created everything and said it was good, there was one thing that I couldn't have yet always longed for. I kept reaching for my "apple." It's the same apple that we all reach for...sin...although the fruit looks different to each of us. But the root is the same...the need to feel loved. And if we don't look to the Lover of our souls for that, we will constantly look elsewhere. For me, I wanted the people around me to validate me and tell me my worth. And that worked for me in some cases. Lots of people really did/do love me. But it was the few that didn't like me and let it be known. Their voice ruled over all and sent me into a foster home of despair. But then HE came...Jesus walked into my pitiful surroundings, dusted me off, and picked me. He adopted me and said, "You are MINE." He loved me with an unfailing love. And I trusted Him. But He knew that I wasn't complete, not this side of heaven. So the lessons began, as is with any child that you are raising. He had to take my apples from me and teach me my worth. It wasn't in the places I thought it was. He was/is my worth! He had to teach me love. For that is why He came. But first I had to learn His love. Next, He had to teach me how to love. So where did He start, with the ones who are the hardest to love of course. And it ripped me, this girl who just wanted to be validated, to my core. But He was determined to give me a new heart. A heart of flesh, no longer a heart of stone. And now He is teaching me my worth and how to love. By this, I know that my God is for me. I now know that we are all foster kids looking for love and we will act out until we let our Abba adopt us. However, He doesn't just want to adopt us so we can later walk into His new heavenly Kingdom. Rather, He wants to adopt us so we will walk in His new Kingdom now...on this side of Heaven. May we live like the children of God that we are, release our "apples," and enjoy all that His playground has to offer. Maybe then I won't have to love so many unlovely people...hahaha.<br />
. The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-65324267438382055362012-09-21T21:27:00.001-05:002012-09-21T21:27:30.830-05:00She's half way there!My little Lillie just turned 6 months old and it's like she grew up over night! They truly grow so fast and I am so grateful that I get to enjoy every moment with her now! All checked out great at Lillie's 6 month Dr's visit...minus the yucky shots! :( She weighs 16lbs and is 24in tall. Here are a few new things that Lillie is up to...<br />
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* She is rolling over everywhere and so I will find her at the end of her crib after every nap now. She loves it in there and will hang out there for a good while before I hear her cry.<br />
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* She is attempting to crawl and sit up but hasn't officially started yet.<br />
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* She started eating baby food! So far green peas, rice cereal and pears are her favorite and she grunts the whole time that she eats.<br />
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* She has her 1st tooth!...but it's hard to see b/c her silly tongue is always in the way!<br />
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* She still loves being outside and enjoys walks with momma. She is able to sit in her swing now.<br />
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* She is down to 2 naps a day and on a pretty good schedule.<br />
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* She is "talking" more, laughing more, and smiling lots.<br />
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* She loves her dogs and her papa.<br />
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* She has finally moved from bath times in her tub in th the kitchen sink to her tub in her own bath tub<br />
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* She still love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and now Octonauts.<br />
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* She gets to meet her buddy Keeton, tomorrow! She gets to see her God brother, Ryder and Parks God sisters often.<br />
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* Daddy makes her smile & Mommy makes her feel secure.<br />
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* She loves attention from others, as long as Mommy is in full eyesight.<br />
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* Home is her favorite place.<br />
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Lillie, I love you so much and pray for you everyday! You are a gift! I am so excited that fall is officially here and to get to share it with you! Next year you can try my pumpkin spice latte! :) <br />
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The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-67949522330089771702012-09-03T20:22:00.000-05:002012-09-03T20:22:01.648-05:00Sometimes all it takes is a Pumpkin Spice LatteThe other day a friend text me and all she wrote was, "Hey, how you doing, hun?" and I started balling. If you know me at all you know that is not typical behavior of me. It takes a lot to get me to cry and a text like that usually never facilitates that. However, on this day it did. On this week, it would. Don't we all just need someone to ask us how we are sometimes? And I don't mean the stranger that you pass casually on the street that really doesn't care to know your answer to that question. I mean, a friend who really cares. I needed that question asked this week. As my last post stated, I have come to the end of a very sentimental season in my life and now find myself transitioning fully into another one. The days are long as I search to find my meaning now. Does laying in bed at 4:30 am, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with a sleepless baby count? I already know the answer to that question, but right now change is hard. I have always found change to be hard. But just like the change in seasons, it must come. However, I can count on a few things to remain the same now.
One, God blesses me every night with a glorious sunset right after Lillie goes to bed.
Two, a smile from my sweet Lillie Joy every morning that sets my whole day right...even at 4:30am!
And lastly, Pumpkin Spice Lattes every fall at Starbucks!
I grabbed my first one today while I was shopping at Target and it was the sip of delight that my soul needed. As fall begins to slowly make its way here and the leaves begin changing and falling (at least in some places), I realize that a lot of
"leaves" are changing in my life; However, some things remain the same and for that, I am grateful. He is preparing me for something new and just as He promised, "He who began a good work in me will see it through to completion." My God, I thank you that You are Faithful and in the midst of much change, I can count on You and yummy Pumpkin Spice Lattes! :)
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The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-85315223112833188742012-08-27T13:16:00.000-05:002012-08-27T13:16:01.916-05:00The End of an EraI woke up today and it felt like fall. I love fall! The first day of school, no more 100 degree temperatures (so I hope), a new season, and pumpkin spice lattes. I got excited! So I drove Lillie and I to Starbucks to partake in a pumpkin spice latte, only to find that they don't arrive for another week! Sigh. And then I realized that fall really doesn't arrive until Sept. 22. (thank you, Google.) As I felt stuck in between 2 seasons, I realized just how much that pertains to my life currently.
I have been involved with Young Life (YL) for 18 years now! My first set of years, I was just a kid attending. Then I became a Senior leader. In college at A&M I went through YL leadership training but ended up not doing it out there and just helping out back home when they needed it. I also interned for MCYM YL in Europe and worked at camps. Eventually I switched colleges to Houston Baptist University and then got placed on the League City YL team. I volunteered there for a few years, then became the head volunteer team leader in our staff's absence. A few years after that, I finally came on staff with YL and stayed in my same area. I have been on staff with YL for 5 years now and come August 31, 2012, I will officially retire. When I first announced that, it was bittersweet. I decided to go off staff so that I could devote my attention to be a stay at home Mommy and God graciously provided for us to do so! However, in fully embracing one child, I feel as if I am letting go of another. Alongside my many pets :), YL and these kids have been my "children" for so long now! I plan on still being involved in small ways. I love YL too much to ever fully let it go (unless god called me too.) However, it will ultimately not look the same. :( As I said, when I first announced my decision, it was hard. But that was weeks ago and since then the work of 2 jobs (stay at home mom and YL) has since taken it's toll on me and my decision got a bit easier. :) However, as the days draw nearer and I begin cleaning out my desk, finalizing paperwork and such, I am sad once again. Don't get me wrong, I am happy to embrace this new phase and little person in my life! :) I have always wanted to be a stay at home mommy and I know that wherever God calls, He provides. However, this new phase is uncertain to me. This past phase has almost become part of my identity. I am sure, years from now, when my kids are all off to college and grown, I will be writing these same words, but in a different way. However, this now is my reality. This is my bittersweet. I have so much to say but I haven't fully sorted through it in my own head yet. Right now I am stuck in between 2 seasons and the feelings are still too raw. I am not quite sure what all this next one holds for me. So I will close with that I just read in my book, Unglued...
"Even when life is hard and chaotic, I pray I make the courageous choice to embrace what is and to fill my soul with all of the good reality right in front of me. What I am. What I do have. What I can do."
P.S. Why isn't blogger letting me add spaces, yall? Sorry! :)The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-54117428505015272642012-08-22T14:21:00.002-05:002012-08-22T14:21:42.530-05:00TruthI have always prided myself on being a real, honest and truthful person. I have been found to say, "What you see is what you get and I don't hide from people. I am just being honest." That was until I started reading Lysa Terkeurst's book, Unglued. It is messing with me in ways that I need to combat relational stresses that surround me right now and I thank God for it! A must read I believe! I would die if God didn't speak...even if His words are hard and mess with me sometimes. At least I know He is speaking...Hallelujah! Today, while reading the book, Unglued, I realized that we humans usually react in one of four ways: 1.) Exploders who shame themselves, 2.) Exploders who blame others, 3.) Stuffers who build barriers, 4.) Stuffers who collect retaliation rocks. Although I can sometimes be a "stuffer who builds barriers;" Mostly I call out stuffers by being an "exploder who blames others." Lysa explained (backed up greatly by James 3), that although "exploders" are honest and that is good, "when not reined in by the Holy Spirit, exploders will grieve God and other peoples heart when His people reject the godliness that should always balance out our honesty." So even if I am not being a stuffer ("a plastic version of godliness that isn't reined in by honesty,") it doesn't matter. Both need balance. Truth and godliness must always walk hand in hand. When speaking the truth (which we should), I must be better at "making an effort to see the situation from the other person's vantage point so I can get at the heart of the issue without sabotaging the heart of our offender." So as I am encouraged by this book, I encourage you to not only read it, but also to run after soul integrity-honesty that is wise and Godly! We could all use a little balance, reining in of our tongues, truth and relational help in our lives...right? I know I could! In this sad world of grey that we now find ourselves in, let's embrace truth, but in a Godly way, not as a weapon! And let's take some time to process our emotions with our wonderful Counselor! This could just be for me and Lysa Terkeurst, but I highly doubt it. Just being honest...haha! ;) The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-60035591183861812542012-08-20T13:13:00.001-05:002012-08-20T13:13:12.716-05:00Lillie at 5 months old!My little Lillie is officially 5 months old today! You're slowly starting to change a little bit every month! At 5 months you love...
* to sleep only in your crib still
* playing in your bouncers
* Mickey Mouse clubhouse and doing the hot dog dance
* your bath times and cuddle time after
* stroller rides outside with Mom
* being in your baby bjorn
* being outside
* sucking on either your fingers, thumb or bottom lip
* sitting in your bumbo and watching me eat (really)
You are discovering so many things! You have finally realized that we have dogs and you love them...esp. Lucy b/c she likes you best. You are too little for your high chair but will have to start getting used to it when you start eating food NEXT MONTH (oh my!) You love other people (but only when mommy is holding you...haha.) Potential problem. Shout out to Megan as our sweet friend just moved! :( You make the funniest and most expressive faces and constantly keep me laughing and in a state of worship with our Father! You are still a great sleeper and Daddy and I are so grateful for such an "easy" baby! You have no desire to crawl yet. But you are full of smiles all day long!
Lillie Joy, you are my little diva and Daddy and I love you to pieces little monkey! :) Time has gone by too fast already...
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The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-77501201745165580132012-08-12T11:03:00.002-05:002012-08-12T11:03:50.971-05:00The Righteous Judge"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you..." Matthew 7:1-2.
That is a command with a promise. Yet I feel that most of us do not take this command too seriously. At least I know that I didn't for a long time. But I have begun to understand the law at work here. And do you believe the bible to be true? I know that I do. Yet I have spent most of my life judging myself and others. And at the same time, I have equally felt judged by many others. "Why, God?," I've spent countless hours crying out in pain! "Well, hello, child...I laid it out clearly in my word. Who are you to judge? I alone am Judge!"
1 Corinthians 4:3-5 states, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."
When God began bringing this point home to me (from Matthew 7), I learned the freeing beauty of forgiveness and not judging myself or others. Yet I still struggled with judging men's motives. However, recently God has brought me to the 1 Corinthians verse. I can't pretend to understand what someone else is thinking or feeling, regardless of their actions. That alone is up to God. But what I can do is forgive that person of their actions, love them, not judge them and ask God for wisdom on how to handle that relationship. The rest is then up to Him and then I find myself less under the knife of their judgement as I have had them under the knife of mine. And at the same time, it releases us from living under the weight of their judgement. You see, we can learn this lesson and stop judging. But that doesn't mean everyone else will stop doing it. The problem resides when we allow ourselves to live under the weight of their judgement. Who defines you or judges you? Them or Christ? Thank God that He alone is my worth and Judge! This is a life lesson that is beneficial to me in so many ways and I pray that you too begin to practice. May we all balance what the bible has called us too in each of our own, personal, relational circumstances....living love, relying on wisdom, clinging to truth, bowing in humility, walking in forgiveness, knowing whose we are, and letting God Judge. One less thing then that we have to worry about. Oh praise our Righteous Judge who robes us in His righteousness!The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-10319583543707480862012-08-10T11:13:00.003-05:002012-08-10T14:27:50.258-05:00PruningLast night I just sat there and wept and I dont cry usually. I feel so broken-hearted, mis-understood, alone, pruned to nakedness. So much change is happening in my life and I wish I were perfect. There, I said it. I desperately want to be a fruitful vine of His love for the world to see Him with! I want to be as much like Jesus as I can be. Which isn't a bad thing to want at all. We should all actually want that. However, b/c I think that way, I put such high expectations on myself and others...which isn't good. I'm an over-expector! :) I'm constantly feeling let down or like I let myself down. People can never be perfect. Only Jesus is! But we can be Christ-like and oh how I thank God for His grace! I am screaming on the inside about so many situations that are completely out of my control but that others feel that I should control. I wonder, "What am I doing wrong, God? What should I be doing different? Please either correct me or encourage me. Either way...I just need to hear from YOU! I need you to fight for me. I want to be perfect! I want these people to do what You say! I need your help! I need you!" I had a rough day for many reasons yesterday. But I had to push that aside and at the end of the day, do my job as a YL leader and as a mom. As the sun began to set, I returned some texts from hurting kids and then I gathered Lillie in my arms, bathed her, massaged her with lotion, fed her, read her a story, prayed for her, sang over her and then rocked her to sleep. Her sweet spirit calmed mine. Then I headed outside to water my plants and just gather my thoughts. I breathed, put my hands to the nozzle and just drank the Father in. I wept, cried out, listened. He entertained me with hummingbirds dancing all around their feeder and at my tree in my backyard; butterflies at my flowers; my dogs relaxing in the sunset; and a gentle breeze. As I watered I watched the plants drink in their nourishment and revive their weary heads. I glanced at one of my plants and was amazed at how much growth had taken place. See pictures below. I remember when it was first starting to prune itself and it looked so sad. Steven told me to just throw it away. But I was determined to revive it. "There is still life in it" I told him, as I cut away and saw the green inside it's outwardly dead stems. So I did what I could do and waited.
"The law of the garden is the law of life: Early sacrifice for later bounty. Cut out that which seems good to invest in the best. It's painful to prune out good things blooming. Its hard to remember why you are pruning. It's hard to have faith in the harvest coming-but later. It takes courage to crop a life back-but it's exactly the way to have the best crop of all." - Ann Voskamp.
I lose patience in the pruning times. A garden isn't always producing fruit. But to fulfill it's purpose, it must stay connected to it's life source. And sometimes you have to cut away the good, to get to the better. You must be patient and let God work. I get it. "I am connected, God! What now?," I cried out. I finished watering and then a phone call came from one of my mentors at just the right time. A voice of truth, protection, encouragement, hope, love and comfort. I sensed God telling me, "Sweet child, you are far from perfect. But I see your heart to want to be and I applaud it. Rest in my grace. I am in control and will handle these situations for you. Can you trust that I have a plan in the pain and even I was mis-understood as well? Yet as a sheep was led to the slaughter, so I did not open my mouth. Stay quiet in this season and know that the truth always wins in the end. Just follow hard after me and I will take care of the rest. I am having to prune some things in you and around you. But you are not left alone." Ok, Jesus...I trust. That I will. I am no martyr, but I guess I know a little bit of what Jesus meant in Matthew 10. Bottom line, following Jesus isn't easy. It's actually harder. But you always win in the end and with Him, you have peace, joy, truth, hope, etc. One day the blossoms will re-appear and be a sweet aroma to all! Something I wouldn't trade in all the world...even in the midst of deep pain. But for now I must wait...be still and know that He is God and then He will be exalted in my life if I remain in Him! O God, I desperately am trying to remain in you! But thank you for your grace that releases me and others from perfection! May people afford me that same kind of grace as well, I pray. I plant my feet in the soil of You and await the harvest!
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
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Come and Reign victorious Prince of Peace...!!!The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-11669325750562112872012-08-08T10:17:00.000-05:002012-08-08T10:38:08.387-05:00Since I've been gone...Well, I have updated you on what has changed in my life during my long blog hiatus. However, I feel I should explain a few life lessons that I have learned along the way as well. First, as the Brandon Heath song states, I am certainly not who I was, and I am so very grateful for that! Thankfully, God indeed does love us just as we are, yet too much to let us stay that way. We are always in need of growth, and if we are not constantly growing up in Jesus, then we have to ask ourselves, "Why?" It's like a baby. Of course I am going to pull out a baby analogy! :) Lillie is only 4.5 months old but already she goes through "growing pains." Babies are constantly growing....even my little munchkin! Lillie will go several days where she will sleep about 14 hours a night and only be awake about 6 hours a day, eating about every 3 hours. Then she will cycle out of that and barely take naps and eat like every 2 hours. Her body is either needing sleep or fuel as she grows. Same with us in Jesus. We need times of "sleeping in Him," as did Adam, while He prepares us. Then we go through seasons where He seems silent, although He is always there. Like He was when David penned the Psalms. We can also experience times of great distress, for His Name's sake, as did Job and Paul. Or we can go through a season of great feeding and life, as with the early disciples.I could go on and on. It's just like the Seasons. How appropriate of God. While I was away from here for awhile and my life encountered many different life changes, God fed me with great life. He is Life! It was stretching but grand! And then He came and reigned as Prince of Peace and allowed His ruling power to bring me through some tough challenges. There were times when I was on the brink of despair. However, He taught me a very important life lesson on worship. How we can't control the circumstances around us, but we can control just how we react to them. Therefore, we must stick close to Him through thanksgiving, walking in the Spirit and being slaves to righteousness. I learned to worship God like I never have before. And I am not talking about the raise your hand in praise kind. Although that too is so important. I am talking about offering all of you to Him (esp. your pain), as a sacrifice of praise. I am talking about the sacrificial kind. The hurtful kind. The nailing of your agendas to His cross and being real and vulnerable so you can be a sweet aroma to Him. The kind that hurts deep but heals even deeper. I learned how to choose to rejoice. And in that, I discovered that we can experience His life in every season that we are in. Even in the painful ones. It breeds hope and joy. For there truly is so much to be thankful for! So I encourage you (if anyone even reads this anymore or I am at least encouraging myself), to be thankful. It changes things. You can make a heaven out of hell. Your outward circumstances may be out of your control. But you don't have to let the enemy win with your inner self anymore. That is a sacred place for you and Jesus where worship opens up the gates on your heart for the King of Glory to come in!
"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in." Psalm 24:8 & 9.The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-24249242581064267572012-07-30T10:17:00.000-05:002012-07-30T10:17:00.726-05:001st beach tripLillie loves water and so we took a spontaneous little drive to Galveston yesterday. It was raining on and off so we couldn't do much, but the little bit that she experienced, she loved! I can't wait to play with you more there little Lilster! And to share my first plate of hummus with you (we ate at Olympia Grill.) I hope you love ethnic food as much as your momma does...esp. sushi! :) You were a joy to watch in God's creation but yesterday sure did tire you out.
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I promise not every post now will be about Lillie! But since I am not on any social network (kinda loathe them), you will see lots of pictures on here! :)The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137798683207066909.post-23380797789086299032012-07-28T15:23:00.000-05:002012-07-29T09:54:43.047-05:00Lillie JoyWell, as my last post stated, it has been awhile and would take too much time to go back, so I am just gonna keep moving forward! What life calls for sometimes anyways though, right? So here is an update on my bundle of pure JOY!
Lillie is 4 months old now and is beginning to develop her own little personality! She seems to resemble herself alone right now. She weighs 13lbs and still wears 0-3 months clothes so perhaps she will take after my size...ha! Lillie takes great naps and sleeps through the night (averages about 12 hours a night...so blessed!) She looks great in pink and has the prettiest, largest and most alert blue eyes that I have ever seen!
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She loves...being sung and read too; watching mickey mouse clubhouse and doing the hotdog dance with mommy; looking at pictures of herself on my phone; being outside; sitting up; her crib (will only sleep there); sitting in her sling on me and me walking everywhere; her bouncer; her daddy; full attention from people; playing with her toys; minnie mouse; sucking her thumb; making raspberries; and esp. bath time and her massages with lotion after! :) She is also hillarious and makes the funniest faces!
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I have a feeling this little munchkin will be totally unlike her mommy and very divalicious! I can't wait to see all that she will be like! But for now, I am completely in love with this gift from God! She is such a blessing and a joy...named appropriately!
Lillie, I pray that you live as your name, which means, purity, beauty, innocence, jewel, rejoicing and delight! And I hope you sense Zephaniah 3:17 all around you! My little girl/my monkey...You are so loved! :)The Ugly Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030216729486866510noreply@blogger.com0