Every Now and Again

Every now and again I buy my son something when I am at the store. Sometimes, I see these "somethings" and think to myself "that is the cutest thing ever, I have to get it for him". Last year, at the NM State Fair, my husband and I found these pillow pets. We said to each other "those are the cutest things ever, we have to get one for him". So we got him this CUTE duck...

Needless to say, he became very attached to this duck. This duck has become a staple on our living room floor. Since he uses it so much, it became crusty (normally these pillows are SUPER soft). So I had the grand idea of washing it- not so smart. It just made it more crusty. My little man doesn't care though- he still loves it, crusty and all.

Him and I went to Walgreen's on Friday. They are selling these pillow pets there. So I got him another one- I cant stand the crusty pillow any longer. This time I bought him the puppy...

My son insisted on carrying this puppy through the store. I let him, and this puppy is larger then him. Last night, my wonderful and handsome husband had the idea of putting this puppy into my sons crib- and now my son is attached to this puppy. He wanted to take it to the babysitters this morning- so I let him. I am sure it will become crusty before I know it.

(they have moose's and monkeys too- I am sure he will have a collection before I know it)

Impulsive Shopping

"Imagine a person who lives well, treating others fairly, keeping good relationships... doesn't live by impulse and greed, doesn't treat one person better then another, but lives by my statues and faithfully honors and obeys my laws." Ezekiel 18:5

Have you ever run out to purchase a new outfit simply because  you felt you had nothing to wear? Or better yet, you're shopping with a friend and see a blouse that is oh-so-fabulous, only to get home and decide it doesn't go with anything else you own; as a result it hangs in your closet with tags on.

Our class reunion, a wedding, a special party or even our best friends cook-out begs us to run to the store to buy something new. We often end up purchasing an outfit that is just so-so on us because we're in a hurry to find something and we end up wearing it only once . Oh, that life of an impulsive shopper! Oh, the money wasted!

I wonder if God thinks we've become a  nation of impulsive Christians too. We quickly toss up a prayer pleading for help regarding an illness or impending bills. Or, we quickly scan through a book that promises spiritual health in three easy steps. In the end, the quick scan of the book and one-time prayer doesn't afford us all we really need- but we hardly notice since we've moved on to our next impulse.

Again and again we put our relationship with God in a corner, then pull it out when a crisis comes, then stick it back in the corner as normalcy returns. And we become confused as to why things are turning out the way they are. We struggle with reaching out to God, only doing so when we need Him to fix something for us. Then we get angry when He feels distant; kind of like how we feel unfilled when that new dress or pair of shoes doesn't really solve our wardrobe issue.

Impulsive shopping and impulsive Christian living have much in common. Both cause confusion and frustration. Both require intention and a plan to overcome.

I have no words to describe this. Bless this little boys soul.

Declan's Journey

Declan's Journey

It is with a HEAVY heart that I am typing this blog post. Declan went home to be with the Lord today. Please keep the Carmical family in your prayers as they go through the grieving process.

This little boys story has touched my heart in such a huge way. It makes me realize how lucky I am to have such a healthy son and a wonderful life.

May god bless this family.

Six, Silverton and Suzie

\This weekend was wonderful. To sum it up in three words- Six, Silverton and Suzie...
Six- On Saturday we celebrated our six year wedding anniversary. Six years! My goodness how time flies. On Halloween night it will be twelve years we have been together. TWELVE YEARS!!!!!!!!!

We rode the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad  on Saturday which was beautiful. If you ever go to Durango CO, ride that train. Silverton is an old silver mining town but no longer has active mining. Silverton has a population of 531 people. The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is 45 miles long and reaches a top speed of 18 mph. It is one of the few places left in the U.S. which still uses a steam locomotive. It crosses the Animas river five teams and reaches large plateaus.

So I have covered Six- six years of wedded bliss, Silverton- Durango Silverton Railroad, and now onto Suzie. Suzie is our good friends aunt. She lives in Pagosa Springs, which is were we celebrated our anniversary. We went to watch her boys play- they have formed a band Elder Grown. Very talented group of young men. Here are some pictures of that night!

Suzie, Karen and myself

E\lder Grown

And that wraps up 6 yrs of a wonderful marriage!!!

Pray for Declan

Please pray for baby Declan and the Carmical family. Lift them up. Please say a prayer before you leave this blog. Pray that his family finds peace during this terrifying time and pray that Declan is as comfortable as possible. This little boy has touched my life SO much lately and I could NOT imagine what that family is going through right now.

www.declansjourney.com

Rhema Marvanne

Rhema sings to glorify God. This is her calling and ministry. She was born in 2002 and lost her mother, Wendi Marvanne Voraritskul, to ovarian cancer in 2008. Her mother died just a few months before she made this video. I had to post this on my blog because she sings so beautiful! Quite a gift God has given this child.

Rhema Marvanne - 'Amazing Grace' REVISED 6/11 from Black Olive Media.com on Vimeo.

Allergic Kid

Look at this CUTE little boy- I just love him to pieces!

As you know... I have a 17 month old that has a severe allergy to both egg and dairy.

As you probably don't know... I have been REALLY struggling lately with meal ideas.

He was given animal crackers the other day by someone who did not know he had a milk allergy. To make a really messy story short it was determined that he is still in fact REALLY allergic to milk.

I feel like my son lives off of lean meat, vegetables, fruit, crackers and rice.Oh yeah- and an occasional Oreo as dessert. I have found some other blogs like this one, and this one, and this one to help me with my dilemma.

Food Allergy Mama could not have summed it up better- she writes "Having a child with a life threatening food allergy is something I would never wish on anyone, even my worst enemy... But the food allergic children are the innocent victims of this disease with no cure, and they are the ones who have to endure a lifetime of exclusion, anxiety and living with a special set of needs than other children. Of couse, these food allergy children never say "woe is me". These kids are the real hereos, because they never complain about there food allergies".

From here on out I am going to be more diligent about cooking egg/dairy free recipes. It is all about teaching myself how to do it. I will update you on my progress as time goes on. Wish me luck!

(p.s.- please continue to pray for Declan and for his healing- no child should have to go through this)

(p.s.s.- shhhh- its my 6 yr wedding anniversary on Saturday- we are going to celebrate in Colorado!)

Pray, Pray, Pray

Please, please, please pray for this little boy. His name is Declan. He needs as many prayers as he can get right now. I thank the Lord every day that I have a healthy and happy little boy.

Declan currently has AT/RT cancer. He has just been admitted into the ER yet again. Please pray a prayer for him right now. Pray for him everyday. Through prayer he can be healed of all suffering and sickness.

Dear God, I pray that you will guide someone to find a cure of cancer. Amen.

The Mommy In Me

I always told myself growing up that I would NEVER do the embarrassing things my mom did to me when I was a teenager to my children or nephews. I have to admit though that today I definitely had one of my mothers moments. Agggghhhhhhhhhhhh.

I took this pubescent teenager to register for high school this morning. I was trying to be the cool aunt, trying to stand off to the side as he mingled with his friends, trying to act cool and not like a big dork, so that this pubescent teenager would not be embarrassed.

As we were standing in line for him to get his school ID he was not paying attention to the line moving in front of him. He was having way to much fun acting cool in front of his other pubescent friends. I quickly realized he was standing in the wrong line and I told him to move to the other line. So he did. He continued to act cool with his pubescent friends and the next thing I know people are passing him up because he is not paying attention to the darn line moving.

So, what do I do? I yell across the cafeteria "Zack pay attention, the line is moving". Of course 200+ pubescent teenagers all turn around to look at me. Instantly I felt like the most embarrassing, uncool aunt in the world. My pubescent nephew turned as red as a tomato, moved up in line, and never looked at me until he was done. I felt so bad. I quickly realized that I definitely did something my mother used to do to me.

I felt embarrassed for myself, then I quickly felt embarrassed for my nephew. I pulled "the mommy in me" move and I felt bad.

In all honesty I was more embarrassed that I pulled a "mommy in me" moment then he was that I yelled half way across the world.