Holiday Preppin'

This year, Christmas has taken on a whole new focus for me. I have, in years past, been so consumed with the decorations, the traditions and all the seasonal "must haves". This year, however, after deciding that I was no longer going to live life for me and was going to stop trying to "keep up with the Jones's", the holiday season is far from stressful. I mean, don't get me wrong... I have my tree up, have already drank more than my fair share of egg nog and can't get enough of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree", but there is so much more time on my hands, so much more joy in my heart, and so much more patience with my kids. They are ok to leave the house in mismatched shoes, they are going to throw fits and they are going to disobey... but, with God by my side, we can roll with the hard times and know its all a part of the "mother-hood". Having four little ones presents its challenges but these are challenges that I have come to learn to embrace. The best part of setting up our tree this year was actually letting the kids help (clumped ornaments and all). They are so proud of it too. Taking the time to put down my "to do" list and enjoy the time God has blessed me with, with them was another change I made and would have no other way.

My husband and I have decided to reopen our home  to foster care (we fostered a few boys in the past when our Girls were younger and since have adopted one). We know the need is great and we both are anxiously awaiting the little one/ones we will be placed with. Aivahlis, our 9 year old "mommy at heart", just may be more excited than us though! Our children can't wait to love on a baby that needs a home. Heck yeah we will have sleepless nights and more on our plate but, stress happens in life and if my plate is going to be full... what better way to fill it!? Moments happen and turn into memories... we can choose to be a part of that memory or be too busy perfecting the moment! So, this "Holiday Preppin" time of year... don't forget what matters most! Breathe deep, thank God, and enjoy every moment! 

Blogging Newbie

Well, this whole blogging thing is officially all new to me. I have had a desire for some time now to do one though. First, I wanted it to be some sort of crafting blog, then I decided that my favorite part of using my talents was in the area of party planning! So, that was what my blog would focus on. Well, after a crazy summer of some major changes in my life (more so my heart) I have reached my conclusion! I have always has a heart for "orphans". But, after a lot of praying, seeking God, and seeing a christian counselor and dealing with some past hurts, my heart is even heavier for the broken and hopeless that so many of us just don't have time for. I was there myself... so consumed with my own "little bubble" that, as much as I thought "someone should help those poor people", I myself didn't have the time to. But see, that's where my priorities were wrong. What is God thought of us this way?! What if we only got the time from God that we invested into others? When we stop and give God our all, it's amazing what He can turn it into. It's amazing how He will use you. Doors are opening for my family to be used for God and I sit back and am amazed at how, when I stopped trying to run the show, call the shots, and have it all together, God stepped in and opened the doors that I could not foresee opening. The less I focused on myself, the more time I had for others... and oh my gosh how much more rewarding that is. So, what my point was in all this was that my blog will be about my hands simply carrying out that which we have all been commanded to do... Care for orphans, widows, and "the least of these" through my everyday life. I do not do foster care because "I have the heart to do it"... I do it because Christ, who now consumes my heart, has commanded me to and because He has given me the desire to offer to others the hope and grace He has offered to me! I am hoping, through this blog, I inspire other families to open their hearts, and their homes to the heart wrenching number of children out there that just need a warm bed. Could it be an "inconvenience"? Absolutely! But how more inconvenient is it for them that they have been pulled away from mommy and daddy and now sleep in shelters, offices, wherever they can because we just "don't have the time?! I am really hoping to just encourage people to think about how they can help.
  
Well, being that I took forever just to upload a profile picture I now have to run out the door to grab by 2 little sweethearts from school so, no proof reading... this post is what it is! And if you made it this far in it- I am hoping you caught the jist of  it. I look forward to really getting this blog up and running!