Praying...

I am praying for families that are in need.  And I don't say this as an announcement like "Look at me, I pray."  I say it as informing you that my heart is broken.  I have never been more grateful for my healthy little girl as I have been in the past 2 months.  After entering the blogging world, I have discovered how much hurt people have due to the health of their children.  I have yet to endure something so painful.  God has answered many prayers and He has gotten the glory in ALL the stories I've read.  These women have found strength in the Lord.  He has become their rock, foundation, comforter, healer, and so many of the other names that our God goes by.  I have a button on the side of my blog for a new little guy that I've started praying for- Stellan.  His story is amazing, but God's got bigger plans for him.  He was dealing with SVT (Supra Ventricular Tachycardia) in the womb, and when he was born miraculously healed.  No sign of this problem. Almost 5 months later, right now, he is back in Children's Hospital dealing with these same issues.  Please pray for him.  If you'd like more on his story, click on the button to the side, as I said!  May God answer the prayers of His people!

Gratefulness!

Tonight I read a blog of Kelly's!  She is hurting for some people right now, but asked that we take time to focus on what is good in our life...giving praise to the Lord for all He has done!  I am thankful for my daughter.  She was born healthy, still is healthy and I could not be more blessed.  I'm not proud of that....just blessed.  God has put so many people in my life, real and blogger that I have been hurt for as well.  I am amazed at these women who still praise God for the trials and deaths they have been through with their children.  I am glad that I have yet been tested in this way.  I had a miscarriage about 2 months ago, and as hurtful as that was, I believe that it was "better/easier" than what others have had to go through.  I would have hated to put a name or face to this situation.  And thank God I didn't have too.  Anyways, I am grateful for a lot!

God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, who I think, loves and adores me! :)  He is Godly, wonderful and challenging!  All the things God knew I needed.  Also, I have a beautiful daughter.  She is healthy, funny, sweet, rambunctious, smart, silly, and I'm her mother so I would say the best kid!!!  I have a roof over my head, food to eat, water/diet coke to drink, electricity to keep me cool/warm with lights to see, and a car that for now is running.  I have great friends.  I have those who keep me accountable, make me laugh, cry with, pray with, and are encouraging.  I love my friends.  I have a family that is amazing and loves my daughter more than me and that's ok.  My brother was willing to pay for half my airline ticket to bring my daughter out to Phoenix to see him.  My parents call begging me to see their granddaughter.  I'm so glad they are such a big part of my life...and I know they love me too.  My family has always been my rock....now my God is along with my husband.  What a great transition.  I am grateful for my God who came to earth as a man, died for me, and rose again.  He saved my soul in 2001 and I'm grateful for His selfless life and love!  I'm blessed by His peace, love, comfort, and promise.  

Wow!  After looking at this list, I have a lot to be thankful for.  I know it's not Thanksgiving, but should we only be thankful one day a year?  The Bible says in Psalms, "God has created this day so rejoice and be glad in it."  I will try to be a follower of this verse.  I should rejoice in each day and be glad in each one.  I have so much to be thankful for no matter what happens.  God is the same today as He was yesterday and as He will be tomorrow!  

Praise the Lord today!  Find something that He has blessed you with.  You may be surprised with how many you come up with!!!  

Stars' Bodies

Ok, please know that I'm not one to usually judge stars bodies because I know they are normal people and fluctuate just like we do. There has been a lot in the news about Jessica Simpson's recent weight gain...and even though there was some gain, I believe it was an obvious outfit choice that caused her to look bulgey. Now, this week I have watched American Idol on which Kelly Clarkson performed. She looked awful. It's obvious that there is weight gain, but why the outift to accentuate? Tonight, I'm currently watching SNL on which she is performing again. Another outfit that looks her look huge. She has a great voice and a gorgeous face! And even a great body, but the outfits are not flattering. Who is dressing these women? Are they trying to sabotage these great women of great talent? Weight gain is not the problem, dressing ridiculous is. No matter the size there is no reason to look bad! Ok, that's my soapbox!

Busy days...

This past weekend mom, Lexi and I headed to Tennessee.  With Aunt Robin, we threw a baby shower for Lindsey and Michael to welcome little Mr. Avery.  He will soon be with us and I can't wait to see his little face.  It was good to catch up with family I haven't seen in months and some in years.  I got to visit with my Aunt Nelda the only one on my maternal grandmother's side left.  She is a beauty and super healthy.  I strive to be like her in so many ways even though I don't know her very well.  It was great spending time with Aunt Robin.  I feel that each time we go to Tennessee we are rushed around to see everyone that we hardly get time with her.  Every time I think of her, I remember the verse Philippians 1:3.  I am grateful to have her in my life.  She is always someone I've looked up to.  So to wrap it up, I HAD A GREAT TIME!!  It was much needed.

Next, Lexi and I are headed to Phoenix.  We are so excited to spend time with Joey and Chelsea. We will be spending a week there and can't wait!  It will be our first time on a plane together and I'm a bit terrified, but I'm sure it will be fine.  I will keep you all updated.

Pound for Pound

Ok, so watching Biggest Loser tonight and they advertised Pound for Pound.  It's been agreed that every pound I lose will help donate a pound of food for children in need in America.  So I have set my amount to lose between now and May 1.  I feel that helping children may be a great motivation.  I have a few pounds left over from Alexis.  It doesn't help that I gained 5 pounds while being pregnant for 9 weeks.  So I hope with some motivation, it will finally melt away.  We'll see.  I'll post periodic updates on my weight loss, even though I'm totally embarrassed.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Today's temperature is 32 degrees and falling.  It's super chilly out there, and we are staying in to keep warm.  I have a love/hate relationship with these icy cold Texas days.  I love them because it's an excuse to stay in my PJs and do whatever my heart desires.  If I want to watch trashy daytime TV, read a good book, nap with my daughter, or sip on hot chocolate I can.  However, I despise these days because I end up thinking about the one million things I need to do.  And I end up try to be responsible by doing house chores.   So that's what I'm doing.  Between entertaining and playing with my little sick girl, I'm doing laundry, dishes, and packing.  I HATE laundry so I guess that's where my despise for these days come in.  Don't get me wrong, I am grateful I have clothes, a washing machine, detergent, and all that goes with it.  But I hate pulling clothes out of the dryer to fold and put them away.  

So with that....why do we run ourselves ragged?  God has given us the perfect excuse to relax, stay in, and "be still."  Yet, I'm running around my house like a mad woman getting as much as I can get done.  The only difference between today and most days is I just run around in a smaller area of the world.  So I'm taking the rest of the day and relaxing a bit more.  I will still have to finish laundry and pack, but I will do it without all the stress.  God is good and I'm grateful for my mini lesson today. 

 

Like a Virgin....

Alright, so technically I'm not new at this, however I am new at having a "grown up" blog site.  I have posted my thoughts, opinions, and perceptions of life to MySpace and I have a special site dedicated to my daughter's  life http://babysites.com/sites/jen0508.  But I figured it's 2009, I'm a year older, and it's time to have a respectable blog.  I follow a few blogs now and they have inspired me to get one.  Especially since I have so many things to say, but would rather write than talk.  I hope I can get savvy at this by posting pictures, links, and really neat things like my fellow bloggers.  I can't promise I will have important things to post, but my perception is my reality and I hope you will enjoy reading...or at least nosy enough to check it out once in awhile. :)