My HEART is empty without my children...

This is so TRUE!!!

A Child's "I Love You Mom" Stages

This was so cute we had to share, the different "I love you Mom" stages a child will go through as they age...  :)

Wear your Triger stripes Proudly!

LOVE this statement & picture!  Moms, you know who you are.  You carried your kids for 10 months and "Earned those stripes!"

Love your body and continue to adore your kids! :)

Before you speak...."THINK"

"THINK"....True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind???

Love for Wine...

Here's a funny for the day....

A woman was sipping on a glass of wine, while sitting on the patio with her husband.  She said, "I love you so much, I don't know how I could ever live without you."

Her husband asked, "Is that you, or the wine talking?"

She replied, "It's me... talking to the wine."

Inspiration for the Day!

 

Every day may not be Good...

But there is something good in every day!

{so true!}



Walk a mile in my shoes...

As a parent, we have a 24/7 job.  Its REWARDING but its the toughest challenge I've encountered in my life!  Before I was a parent I had no idea what I was in for.  The time commitment, exhaustion, emotional worry if my kids were ok, the challenge of each stage from getting the girls to just take a bottle to eating solids to overcoming tantrums (if that ever happens) to just keeping them happy!  Its the BEST job in the world!!!  I can't imagine life without my kids!

I've lost a few friendships over the past couple years because I wasn't able to give those people "enough attention."  Most didn't have kids and I just felt like they couldn't understand my new life.  Having kids is the most wonderful experience but I'm not able to just run out the door after dinner to meet a friend.  I have a new responsibility, its called getting my twin toddlers down to bed happily & keeping them safe.  I'm not just responsible for myself, I'm responsible for my daughters and my family's well being.  I love it!  I really LOVE all the new Mommy friends I've met along the way that have offered me support & encouragement these past two years.

This quote made me smile, its so true! Lets offer love, understanding, and grace to those around us.  Unless you've walked a mile in their shoes you have NO idea what they are going through.

Friendships

Just because a person is apart of your past does NOT mean they will be apart of your future.  TREASURE your friendships, relationships, and family with unconditional LOVE!  We all have very busy schedules with kids, work, careers, travel plans, vacations, holidays, etc.  Give your friends the respect they deserve this year and love them through the easy & tough times.  This goes for your spouse most importantly.  Make sure you work together as a team to raise your children.  Show the ones you care most about love, respect, and understanding throughout the year.  Hold onto those friendships & relationships and cherish the memories you build.

"Just because a person is apart of your past does NOT mean they will be apart of your future.  LOVE the people that are dear to you and hold onto those relationships/friendships.  Take a moment TODAY to tell them how much they mean to you.  Remind them that you care & love them.  The future is always uncertain."

Yesterday is the PAST,

Tomorrow is the FUTURE,

Today is a GIFT.

That is why it's called the PRESENT.

Tip: If you have a conflict, resolve it in person or over the phone.  Do NOT send hurtful emails that can not be erased.  Cherish your friendships & relationships.  

Overcoming 'PAIN' in your Life

How Can GOD use my PAIN for GOOD???

MYTH:  "If I ignore my pain, it will go away

TRUTH: Pain is a tool God uses for GOOD in my life.

"Jesus replied, 'You don't realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."' {John 13:7}

1) God uses pain to MOTIVATE ME

"Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways." {Proverbs 20:30}

(Prodigal son) "...spent everything he had...and was hungry... At last he came to his senses and said... 'I'll get up and go to my father...'" {Luke 15:14-18}

2) God uses pain to DIRECT ME

"...it was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws."  {Psalms 119:71-72}

"Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children.  Whoever heard of a child who was never corrected?"  {Hebrews 12:7}

3) God uses pain to TEST ME

"...tests and challenges come at you from all sides.  (And) You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors...  Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him."  {James 1:2-3,12}

4) God uses pain to PROTECT US

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." {Genesis 50:20}

"You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong." {1 Peter 3:17}

5) God uses pain to GROW ME



"For when the way is rough, your patience has a change to grow.  So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems...then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."  {James 1:3-4}

"If you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.  {1 Peter 4:19}

Thanks ECC & Pastor Ryan for the much needed message this past weekend!

http://eastlakecc.com/bothell/



Inspiration for Moms

"a mother who walks with God knows that He only asks her to take care of the possible and to trust Him with the impossible; she has no need to worry!"- Ruth Bell Graham

Heaven is for Real!

Do you believe in Heaven?  Before you answer that question, read this book "Heaven is for Real."  Its an amazing story of a child's visit to heaven and back.  Too many friends have lost children this year and this book, our church, our faith, our friends, and our beliefs give us hope that heaven is for real.  We will see our child again someday, in Heaven.  Cherish everyday with your child & your family!

*** Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back ***

Book Description

True story of a young boy's visit to heaven after life-saving surgery.

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready there is a coming last battle.

*** Heaven is for Real for Kids - Version!!! ***

This ornament was posted on a friend's facebook page and although it bring a tear to my eyes, it helps remind me that ALL children go to heaven.

"I love you all dearly, now don't shed a tear, I'm spending my Christmas with Jesus this year."

Something to Make you Think about the Importance of Life..

This post is from an email forward that really made me think about what is important in life.  Scroll through slowly and read carefully to receive and enjoy the full effect.  I hope you end with a smile on your face & more of an understanding of who & what really makes a difference in your child's life like I did.  Enjoy!!  (Thanks Mom for the email forward!)

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them.

Just read the message straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

The point is

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies..

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
 

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one: 

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!

5 Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

 

Easier? 

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials..the most money...or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most 

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life, like I did.

'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia!' 

''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!"