Answered prayer

On an overcast and breezy morning, the peeling, dancing porch swing beckoned me.

I threw on a sweatshirt; and with slippered feet I padded toward the door, bible and baby monitor in hand.

As I sat and watched the wind ripple through the feathery leaves of the Boston ferns, I prayed.

I asked my God to calm my anxious heart, to lift the weight of grief and sorrow off of my shoulders... to deliver peace.

He answered with this:

Psalm 91:9-16

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place

the Most High, who is my refuge

no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

no plague come near your tent.

 For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the adder;

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

When he calls to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation."

Mother of the year

Immersed in my breakfast and morning reading, it took awhile for me to realize all was quiet. Not a good sign when you have a 13 month old. I  looked up, only to discover that Rigg was nowhere to be seen... or heard. I got up and quickly found my son in the bathroom.

With his hands in the toilet, splashing merrily and smiling as if this was one of the best things he would do all day.

I cannot make up my mind which is worse... splashing toilet water with his hands, or drinking from the dogs water bowl...

Either way, I should be getting my award in the mail any day now!

a new little man

The little one got his first haircut today.

He now looks like a little man.(gasp)

The wave and baby curl is gone.(tear)

All that is left is a little boy growing up very fast. (sniff)

Good thing (sniff) I have another baby (tear) on the way (sniff) or I might be sad...

(please pause the music at the bottom of the screen so you can hear the video)

I am pleading, but the Captain is not...

We have quite a few heavy things on our plate lately. I am a tish bit overwhelmed in general. However, the actual feeling of drowning in a sea of problems and situations comes and goes.
Most importantly, we have our health and each other...so we are fine. Andy is not going to lose his job... Praise Jesus! (this was one thing I was hesitant to post about for a few reasons...but God answers prayer whether I blog about it or not...whew!)

But today, I would like to fill you in on some much need prayer requests. I have mentioned before about the Captain's wrongful arrest and this absurd charge and court case hanging over our head. I have told you all the details I know, all the while laughing and making jokes...because that is who I am... and really, life is funny. But I feel I have done a slight disservice to Andy and our situation... because it is very serious.
There seems to be a video from the Pharmacy... our lawyer has yet to receive it. We  have been praying specifically for a speedy delivery of the tape, as well as a clear picture. Also that the video provides a clear view of the "real bad guy" and without a doubt proves it is not Andy. We aer also praying that this will gets cleared up before it goes to trial (please Lord, make it so.) I am also not really sure where we are going to come up with cash to pay a lawyer and court fees, but I know God will provide....
Last week the Captain received some info from his lawyer. The Prosecution sent a plea bargain (really, if it was not so serious, I would be caught up in a fit of giggles...because, really?)  It stated that is Andy was to plead guilty he would only get a year and a half sentence!!!! However, it would be capped at 90 days with the rest of it on parole...  As I sat and read the words, I was stunned into silence (a huge rarity in and of itself.)
Of course, innocence does not cave, so we, that is to say, Andy, will not be accepting this so-called bargain.

I share all of this not so you can be outraged (although Righteous anger is acceptable) but to plead with you to be in prayer for my husband and this situation. We know firsthand how powerful prayer is.

I also wanted to ask another favor... If you have the time, please leave a comment of
encouragement or prayer for the Captain...Think how wonderful it would be if I could open the comments and show him dozens of people who care enough to lift him up in prayer! I know it would be a source of great strength and encouragement for him...and me. :)

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The sweetest sound

Last evening we were over at my parents house for dinner. 4 generations were gathered for food and to enjoy the baby...of course.

My parents love to pamper and spoil Rigg. They do all kinds of things, like follow him up the stairs 27 times a day, or crawl around the couch for a half an hour, or blow bubbles inside the house.

Last evening was no different, except  Dad started blowing the bubbles away from his face and Rigg got the giggles... Now, Rigg gets the giggles fairly easily, but He started really laughing hard...big huge belly laughs. It was the sweetest, funniest thing we had heard in a long time... poor Dad, I think he was a bit winded after the whole exchange, but I think he would do it 12 times a day for laughs like this!

(please pause the music at the bottom of the screen so you can hear the video.)

Safe

I find that the more I live, the more I encounter, the more God reveals Himself to me and the more He brings me through and saves me from... the more I understand, really understand, scriptures and biblical principals. They not only sound pretty or are "rainy day" standbys, they are truths that I have built my life and faith upon.
Words and ideas I not only cling to in hope, but words I know to be as true and as unshakable as any sturdy foundation.

It hits me sometimes not just in scriptures, but in certain songs. The blazing truth of what God has done for me and how much I can trust Him. The sheer awesomeness of who He is and what He has proven to me by His faithfulness.

When this song first came out, it was one of those songs that touched my heart in a deep place. A song that not only stirred up memories, but one I wanted to share with people and say... hear this... It is so true! I realized that the one person I wanted to know the truth of these words the most was the one person I knew couldn't really understand them... my son. ( he is only 1!)

So I started praying for him. I have long been praying for his salvation, but I added to my list. I added that Rigg would know God so well, that he would trust Him in times of great trouble and need. That Rigg would know without a doubt that God would always have his best at heart...even when Rigg could not see it...because this is what God has taught me...
I want Rigg to know, If I am not there, or if anything were to ever happen to me or his daddy, that God loves him and cares for him...better then even we could. I want Rigg to know he is safe in His arms.

I call this song me and Rigg's song...because I sing it to him all the time. He seems to enjoy it, I just hope as he grows, he memorizes the words...but more importantly, I hope he memorizes the principal...that he is always safe in His arms.


(please pause the music at the bottom of the page before listening to the song)

hodge podge

I have started 3 or 4 posts, just to stop and finish them later...later has come and gone and I never finished them. I could give you a myriad of reasons why...but they are just excuses of a tired worn-out mama...and a bit of laziness....and a bit more of uninspiration.

This past Saturday, the10th of July was the Captains and my 6th wedding anniversary.... I started a post....and did not finish it. It was going to state how much I love my husband, and how much God has brought us through in 6 years... it would have been good....you would have enjoyed it...if I had finished it. So just imagine how lovely it was... (a few pics for your viewing pleasure)

Since I have been silent (so says my friend Katherine...not that she can talk :) I thought this post would be an information overload post...so you all can catch up to where we are...(because I know you are all on the edge of your seats...)

About  baby # 3: I am currently in my 13th week of pregnancy. I am feelin' good...for the most part. Unless it is about 8 at night then I feel queasy and sick. I have been taking great naps and going to bed early. I have no idea or guess as to the gender. The Captain thinks girl...Rick K. thinks boy...what do you think?

The Captain's court case: you might remember from this post, that we are waiting for the Captain to be cleared and his good name to be declared to all the world...or something like that. Unfortunately, I have no new news...please keep praying.

Rigg is learning and growing in leaps and bounds. He is up and cruising...not yet walking, but it won't be long. He has mastered the stairs at my parents house...only 27 times a day before he starts to get tired. Rigg is also very into books. He doesn't really want you to read them, he just wants to sit and flip through the pages. He will sit for 10 or15 min. in one spot just flipping through all of his books, it is so sweet.

We have a couple of other things going on in the background.. things I do not feel comfortable writing about online...not that I do not trust you, they are just not for the whole world to know and see...you understand, but I would appreciate your prayers for Gods guidance and our wisdom...

OK, so I think you are all caught up with us...until next time,which, given my recent track record, could be a awhile...

A shower for Sara

Yesterday evening we threw a baby showerfor my sister Sara.

It was a lot of fun. Giving baby stuff is fun.  I was able to give a small devotional at the shower. I do better when I have something to go from...so I typed it up...which makes it really nice and easy for me to share it with you too.
If you were there and have already heard it...thanks for laughing in all the right places... and sorry there is nothing new for you here today!


They say when you become a mother you go a little crazy. Most like to sooth you with kind words and phrases like, “don’t worry, it will pass.” and “ it just takes some time to adjust…you will be back to normal in no time!”

They are just being nice… and they are lying. I had my first child 2 and a half years ago and I still am slightly crazy… I am my mothers youngest child… and she is definitely not what I would call normal…
It starts when you first realize you are pregnant. You start doing weird things, like leaving the house without shoes, or throwing water into the trashcan instead of the sink. It only escalates and becomes so weird that you accept your crazy as normal… and so do others, soon no one, not even you, will remember what you are “really” like.

After that precious baby is born you do things you never would have done before becoming a mom. In the first few weeks of motherhood:
You will wear a shirt with spit up on it out in public. You might do it 2 or 3 days in a row. It is even possible you will pick that shirt up off the dirty clothes pile and sniff it, spray it with perfume or fabreeze and wear it out again…because it fits!
You will wear things that do not really match just because they fit and are semi-clean… and you will not care if they really are either one!
It is possible to take 2 or 3 naps a day and still feel like you have run an Iron Man marathon.
When going to the store for a couple items, it will be reminiscent of packing for a European vacation.
Poop becomes a normal conversation topic at anytime or place. Dinner…talk about poop. In the store and see a friend…talk about poop…
It is possible to go into the kitchen for something, and your husband will find you standing by the sink in tears…when asked what’s wrong, your response is a very honest…I don’t know.

Not only do your actions become crazy, but your hearing goes a bit wonky too.
People will tell you… you are glowing. You will hear… you look a little sweaty.
Someone might comment on how good you are looking… you hear, I never realized how big she was when she was pregnant!
A comment about your baby being a good eater will have you thinking everyone thinks she is fat. (and she probably is).
Many will comment that your baby is beautiful…to which you will think “My baby is the prettiest baby in all the world!”

This new train of thought…the crazy-in-love with your new baby, will not end, in fact, the older that baby gets the more in love you will become… it might plateau around puberty, I am not sure, but the first roll of the eyes or back talk might not promote a great surge of love like the cooing and the first smiles…just a guess.

It is because of this crazy love you have for your baby that all the previous crazy and kooky behavior becomes acceptable. Because, for your kids, you would do anything. It becomes even more amazing when you realize that the suped-up, insane love you have for your child is but a vague shadow of the love that our Heavenly Father has for us.
Because of Gods love for us we have been forgiven. We have gained more then we could have ever hoped for…because of a Parents crazy love.

Because of His love for us we can now go to Him when we are in the most need.
When it is 3 in the morning and you swear you are the only one on the planet who is awake and you are so tired you could cry… God loves you so much He will give you strength. (Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.)

When you stare at your little one and wonder where you got the insane idea you were able to take care of another human being for more then a few hours… He loves you so much He will give you wisdom and guidance. (Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.)

When you stay awake at night wondering if the baby is Ok in the next room… He loves you so much, He will give you peace ( Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.)

When your emotions and hormones seem to get the better of you and you feel like you are teetering on the edge…. He loves you so much He will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.)

God loves you so much He will provide what you need when you need it… all you need to do is ask. He graciously provides for us and our little ones. Because really… they are not our little ones… they are His, and He loves them with an even more crazy love then we could muster up. We are, by ourselves, fully incapable of being good parents. But because of Gods crazy love for us and the provisions that He has made, we can go to Him and ask for help…because once you are a mommy, you need all the help you can get.