New and Improved and Easely Amused.....

After SIX. LONG. YEARS., Chad and I finally had the money to get (much needed) new flooring in our house. We got a good deal, found some beautiful wood flooring, and within a week, our house was transformed. Of course, everyone knows how home improvement goes: It is ALWAYS a work in progress. Like laundry-- once you think it's done, you find something else that needs tending to. Putting down new floors meant a new rug, which then meant new throw pillows. I would love to have new furniture, but Chad and I have had the same couch and chair for 6 years and it has held up SO well. I also love my blue. You can literally hose our furniture down with soap and water and clean up spills so easily that it almost seems too good to be true. But with 2 boys and another child on the way, I will gladly stick to our furniture that has been so good to us.

Anyway, the above picture (I am posting with SHAME) is our before. Ridiculous. And ugly. And I didn't realize how ugly until we made our improvements. I have more before, but I'm too embarrassed to post them.

This is after. Love, love, love my new wool rug. Purchased from Overstock.com for a shamelessly ridiculous low price.

Up close-- the blue in the rug isn't as bold as I thought it would be, but it still matches really well.

Oh, and let's not forget our new wood flooring.

Our dining room. That is our dining room table folded down. It seats up to 8 and has 6 chairs that we keep in a closet until we need to use them. It was handed down from Chad's grandparents and he won't let anyone even look at it the wrong way, much less breathe around it. When we have dinner or holidays at our house, you should see the amount of padding we have to put underneath the tablecloth we use. I love the table and am grateful we have something so special, but sometimes I wish we had a simple table from Miskelly's and be done with it.

The above are our new pillows. Just as Chad is picky about his table, I am picky about my pillows. I have lectured my family about these being for DECORATION only. I don't want anyone laying on them or sitting on them. It freaks me out. I know, I need to get over that, but it's always bugged me when people use throw pillows for their butt cushions. Don't do that!!!! Anywhere. Please.

This is why my house has to remain childproof (and dogproof). I have enjoyed being able to fix up my house a little over time and gettting it updated, but too many nice or fragile things only leads to disaster around here.

Last night my friends, Kelly and Kim, and me went to Easely Amused. So much fun. We painted something called "A New Day". My hand cramped up from being so tense, but overall, I was not too ashamed of my painting. I did it in colors to match our living room and actually plan on putting it on an easel next to our fireplace.

Before we got down and dirty.

After. Our finished masterpieces.

If you struggle.........

Funny thing about being a grown-up. When I was little, all I could think about was being an adult and having all that adulthood had to offer (I suppose we were all this way). Then once you become an adult, you realize adulthood definitely has a lot to offer--- including adult sized problems and issues. Sometimes we wish we could revert to our childhood and appreciate it for all that it was. Those of us who had decent childhoods anyway. I have seen the struggles of so many acquaintances and close friends recently and over the past few years. The older I get, the more sensitive I become to others around me and the struggles they face. A lot of times I can sense that someone is struggling without them ever saying a word (the gift of discernment is sometimes a burden to me-- I confess-- my mother is gifted with that as well.) This week is a perfect example of what I am talking about.

I have a few people that have been laid on my heart, either by request, or simply because they are struggling with things from health issues to personal battles that rage within them. This post will be short and sweet simply because I am about to get to the point: Whether or not we have the gift of discernment, if God lays something or someone on your heart (and sometimes you have to listen to the faintest hints He gives you), then you cannot ignore them. Even if it includes the passing thought of someone you don't interact with on a daily basis. I promise, He will not leave you alone about it when the need for prayer is urgent. (And sometimes this includes praying for enemies, which I still struggle with on almost a daily basis.)

Yesterday I posted Galatians 6:2 on my Facebook page. Then last night I accidentally deleted an email from someone-- and I needed that email. So, I emailed this person to say that I hit a wrong button and needed the information again. This person took it as no coincidence that I had erased an email by accident, because then they felt led to open up and share that they were struggling with something and needed a fellow believer to pray for them. They told me it was no accident I had erased that email.... otherwise they never would have felt led to share a struggle and ask me to pray-- quite simply because this person is a very private person who doesn't always openly share personal battles. So because of my somehow hitting the wrong button, it led to a very personal request to be prayed for. Don't ever underestimate the power of prayer, and be bold enough to confess your struggles with someone you know and trust, and with someone who is a fellow believer. It is the law of Christ and instructed in the Word.

James 5:16

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Galatians 6:2

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

God's provisions.... Continued.....

Well, I tried to load some pictures on my blog this morning of our new wood floors. But, not surprisingly, Blogger is not wanting to cooperate this morning. Guess it's too early.

Moving on.......it's as good a time to share as any other that once again God has provided for us..... in the meantime, our patience was tested and so were our finances. (God knows I still need a lot of patience. He might be working on me and my patience until I meet Him at the Pearly Gates.)

After our blowout/flat tire last weekend, it became evident that it wasn't just a matter of getting our tire repaired and moving on. It is NEVER that simple in the Miller household. EVER. A week later we were still trying to get someone to repair our tire. We took it to the place from where the tires were bought, because it's was no charge to repair tires if you bought them at this place. Well, first trip and over an hour later, the NEW employee (who I was about to put my trust in with my tires) still didn't know the difference from his...... okay..... well, I won't say what I'm thinking. It's not nice. Needless to say, Chad and I both left the store after wasting our night, with no patience left and two wild boys that I was about ready to sell on eBay. And we still had the spare on our van. Oh, I forgot to mention, we still had a broken lug nut on this tire, too.

Two days later, Chad takes the van back to this place, deals with a different employee, swipes his debit card to buy a new set of tires (YES, a whole new set..... seemingly this brand of tires is so good that the tread stays strong while the rest of the tire dry rots after years of use--- who knew?). We had basically been riding around on tires that still looked almost new, but all four of them were ready for a blowout at any given time. Nice. Anyway, long story short, an hour or so later, Chad calls me on the phone and the way he spoke is a way that I don't hear from him very often..... Oh boy. This can't be good. Again, our tires couldn't be replaced at this place, so Chad had to go through an act of Congress to get his money back and leave AGAIN with the spare still on the van. (Chad told me I would have been proud of him--- he told them exactly what he thought and it wasn't all sugar coated. I asked him if he felt better for letting them know how he really felt.... he said no. Whatever. It always makes me feel better to tell it like it is.)

Okay, where the heck am I going with this?! Chad then to our van to a REAL tire place who dealt with TIRES and small auto repairs. A place we thoroughly trust. We were already put out with having to buy a $500 set of tires and it was going to cost us a little more from this place. But, you can't put a price on trust or safety. Then Chad got a call about something else on our van. I mean, REALLY?! It was our friggin' brakes. I don't know much about car parts or any of that, but basically, in this dumb female terms-- the back brakes were in such bad shape that the back tires/wheels couldn't even be put back on the van because brake fluid had been leaking where it wasn't supposed to--- in other words, they told us, it wouldn't have been much longer before we pushed the brakes and nothing would have happened. Comforting.

Well, it ended up costing a lot more. We ended up going from what we thought would be a simple tire repair to a whole new set of tires and a whole new set of brakes. See? I guess that's why it's called LIFE. But, the moral of the story: God took care of us in more ways than one. As frustrated and impatient as Chad and I both became after dealing with a place who didn't know the difference from their..... (okay, I'll stop again-- not nice). But the original store would not have been able to replace the lug nut NOR would they have found the brake problem. So instead (while our patience was being tested) God led us to another place that saw a major problem and was able to take care of it. And while it cost us WAAAAY more than we had ever anticipated, it was really quite humorous in the end. Because, Chad's place of employment does their employee bonuses at the end of summer instead of the end of the year. Chad and I had been waiting SIX. LONG. YEARS. to get wood floors put in in our house. We had planned on using the bonus for our floors and putting the rest in savings for Christmas and any emergencies we may have. Well, this emergency emerged before it could even make it to our savings account. But, it's certainly not coincidental that it occurred at the exact time that we had a little extra jingle in our pockets. And if you have read my blogs for any length of time, this isn't the first time God has provided in a tight spot when we still had a little extra to our names. One other time that stands out is over a year ago when we had to have our hot water heater replaced. We had the EXACT amount--- almost to the EXACT dollar--- that we needed to have it replaced. Coincident? Nope. Of course, we have been able to see God's humor AND faithfulness in it all. Of course, my bean counter husband is worried about Christmas now. ME? I have no worries. God is always going to provide. ALWAYS.

And by the way, God's provisions don't always have to do with finances. He provides in EVERY way. Remember the opened notebook I found titled "Heaven" on the day my grandfather passed away? Sometimes His provisions aren't always evident to our naked eyes. Sometimes they are a whisper. Sometimes you have to look for them with an open heart. But regardless, He is always there making provisions for you and staying faithful to you--- as long as you will openly put your trust in Him. Let Him show you. I wonder if anyone else has a story to share?

Mailboxes, Victoria's Secret, and kid's with parents who don't make them brush their teeth..........

Random thoughts for today:

My kids get SO excited about running out to the mailbox to get the mail. If they are both home when the mail comes, they almost knock each other down to see who can get to the mailbox first. Picture it: Chad and me making a dash down the driveway racing to see who can get to the first bill in there.... all giddy with excitement. Too bad I can't get that excited when I see the mail truck.

A few weeks ago Chad and I had been out with the boys doing some shopping. We stopped by a small restaurant to grab a bite to eat. My kids were driving me nuts. Especially over the jukebox in the corner. As we were leaving I looked over to the table by the jukebox to see who my kids were annoying and there was a teenage couple praying over their meal before they ate. It made my heart melt. It also gave me hope for the "younger folks". It was a pretty awesome thing to see. (Or maybe they were praying for my kids????)

Since Chad and I have not been on a beach vacation going on 3 years, sometimes I like to open a bottle of sunblock and take a big whiff. Just for a short few seconds it helps me envision myself on the beach with the sand between my toes. And toes that I can reach while I wear my cute little bikini. The one that I will never be able to wear ever again after giving birth a third time.

I must have clean toilets in my house at all times. If nothing else in this house is clean at the moment, my toilets better be sparkling white. Which can be a tough job with 3 males in the house. I clean my toilets almost Every. Single. Day. And I should also add that I started using some gel stamps made my Scrubbing Bubbles that I discovered after my boss bought them for our office. I love these things. They claim to clean your toilet with every flush, but I'm not sure they necessarily do. But the most important thing is that they make the toilets smell clean with each flush. Again, with 3 males in the house and one who misses his mark a good bit (and no, I'm not talking about Chad) it's important to me that my bathrooms don't stink.

I love Clorox wipes. I use these things 800 times a day for 800 different things. I don't know what I did before I discovered them. I keep a container in each bathroom and one in our kitchen. They are great for wiping countertops, floors, sinks, TOILETS, and any sticky messes.

Last week I went to Victoria's Secret. I am such a bargain hunter and consider myself cheap when it comes to pretty much anything. I usually don't pay over $10 for any of my clothes. However I will not think TWICE about buying a $50 bra. I guess you can't put price on true comfort. Anyway, as I was checking out, the lady asked me what I thought was, "Do you want the receipt in your bag?" But what she really said was, "Would you like some tissue paper in your bag?" Which she then proceeds to make my bag look all cutesy. Then she asks, "Do you mind if I spray your bag?". Ummmmm...... I don't really know what that means...... but..... okay??? She then hosed my bag down with body spray from Victoria's Secret. REALLY?! Okay..... how nice...... I guess. But, let's be honest. I just bought $100 worth of underwear (which I also should throw in that it was originally over $200-- but I love coupons and sales), so I really don't think the cute tissue paper and spray are necessary. I can spend every dime we have on underwear and my husband will be perfectly OKAY with that. No need to try and soften the financial blow. He may get uptight about $100 on anything else.... but underwear? Nope, I'm pretty sure he's perfectly fine with that. Now, if we can just get the other stores to catch on to this concept, it might make more sense.......

I really wish that parents of young children would make their kids brush their teeth. To me, it's a form of child abuse when you don't make your kids brush their teeth twice a day. It may be a fight (I go through it everyday myself) but I would think that not letting your kid's teeth rot out of their heads might be worth it. And yes, I literally have to straddle my almost 3 year old and hold his arms down sometimes to brush his teeth properly, but his teeth get brushed. Please make your kids brush. You make them bathe and do homework and take them for their vaccinations and all the other things parents do. Why can't you make them stick a toothbrush in their mouth for 2 minutes?!

I keep looking at all the cute little dolls and Barbies and I get excited about buying something other than dump trucks and Legos for birthdays and Christmases. However, if she is anything like me, she won't play with dolls. But, she is still getting them.

We are getting wood floors put in before this month is over. I am so excited about it. This has been a 6 year process and we just now have the cash in hand to get it done! Wish we could afford to do the entire house, but for now I will settle for the living room, dining room, and hallway.

Last but not least, I seriously think Dave Ramsey should run for president. And get elected. Then Rick Perry should be vice-president. That would conclude all of our senseless problems this country continues to drown itself in.

I guess those conclude my random thoughts for now.

Small things used in big ways....

After completing my last blog entry, things only got more "exciting" for us. (And I don't necessarily mean exciting in a GOOD way, which is why it's in quotation marks... sort of an insert sarcasm statement.)

Yesterday we had an errand or two to run as a family of four. (Well, five if you include Mary baby.) Our destination was a lot out of the way and we got lost (sort of-- depending on who you ask) getting there. The "fun" started before we even pulled out of the garage and the van made a very strange sound cranking up. But, we just went on our merry little way. Neither Chad nor I can remember at what point we heard the other noise, but we both remember it as not being far from our home that we heard a popping noise. Our destination was about 20 miles away. We just both thought it was either one of the kids with their toys or something on the highway that our tire hit. Neither of us gave it another thought. After several miles and being lost, we pulled up to our destination only to realize that we had a flat tire. And by flat, I don't mean it had lost some air and was getting a little low. It was utterly and totally flat. It was only in the hot sun, with two kids and the frustration of the situation that I realized how so unfrustrated (Yes, I know, that's not a word, but it will be for now) I should become. Sitting in the hot van while my husband was trying to find the spare and change the tire was when I realized how very lucky we were. As Chad was changing the spare, he also realized that we had a broken lug nut on the wheel. Chad and I both swore that we heard a pop not far from home. How neither of us realized we were driving 60+ miles an hour on the interstate and we had a flat tire was beyond us. However, I consider it nothing short of a small (or big-- whichever way you decide to look at it) miracle. As in, God had His hand of protection wrapped around that minivan and delivered us safely to where we were going without a scratch or even an inkling of something being wrong. (He also delivered 2 good Samaritans in the form of store employees to our rescue in our time of need because Chad was having a hard time with the spare and getting the tire off the van.) We put the spare on only to realize that it was very low on air. And did I mention we were in the ghetto during all of this "excitement"?

Much later, as we were leaving, we cranked the van only for the dashboard to go totally haywire. Well, that could explain why we heard the noise in the garage when we left home. So, in the ghetto, with hungry kids, a low spare tire, and a van with the electronics on the fritz, we started a mission to find a gas station to air up the spare. Chad and I neither one had the nerve to even THINK about turning off the van in fear of being stranded at a ghetto fabulous gas station until someone could come rescue us. In the meantime I'm trying to hold myself together and not bawl my eyes out. I never verbalized what I was thinking. And what I was thinking was, "What is going to happen next, God?!" I knew if I said it out loud that God might use His sense of humor. I know He can read my thoughts, but there was just something about keeping my mouth shut that kept me at peace. I'm not one for testing the waters on things like that.

Turns out it's just our alternator and nothing major. But the fact that it happened in one eventful trip? Well, that was enough to complete nerves being wrecked for the entire week. Don't get me wrong. I still realized God had a hand in everything. And I kept thinking about the fact that not only were we driving around with a crusty old spare on our van, but the electronics were being wacky and we could end up on the side of the interstate with a dead van or busted spare tire, that God kept us safe earlier--- getting us completely to our destination with a flat tire safely-- He certainly wasn't going to abandon us afterwards. He was still going to deliver us to safety. Maybe with some damaged nerves, but safely nonetheless. However, it was a powerful reminder. God kept us safe by nothing short of a miracle but it was up to me as to how I accepted what he used in our few short hours. After the sonogram Thursday, yesterday's adventure was another tap on my shoulder from God.

I keep reflecting on all the things-- tiny and big--- that have happened throughout this year, and how God keeps using them for His glory and purpose. Even with the sadness and grief of losing my grandfather, it's so amazing how God continues to put things into place and into perspective for us. Especially with this pregnancy. We found out a week after my grandfather passed away that it was a girl. My grandfather had prayed for us to have a sweet little girl. Then we had the concern over the cyst on her brain. Which was totally gone by this last sonogram. And she is expected to be here on my grandfather's birthday. (And as long as we both remain healthy, my doctor has arranged to deliver her on that day.) My grandfather was used in a tremendous way by God in his years on earth. He left a lasting legacy, that hundreds, if not thousands of people, came to Christ through my grandfather's ministry and love for Christ. I have felt this baby girl is special in so many ways and God continues to show me by things big and small.

And to top it off, I have come to realize how special my grandfather really was. Well, not just him, but my grandmother. I've always known it, but since his passing away, I have been touched by so many different stories. Just Friday night my grandparents were both recognized at a local private school during a back- to -school ceremony. It was through my grandmother's prayers and God laying it on her heart for the need for this school over 40 years ago that she began to truly seek God and asked others to seek God over starting a private school based on biblical, Christian principles. And over 40 years later that school still thrives in this area. The school was once a part of the church that my grandfather shepherded for almost 25 years, but it is no longer one and the same. Things just keep happening that amaze me. Truly amaze me. There is more to come on this story-- but that will come later. But God has weaved this in and out of every ounce of good and bad that has happened through the course of this entire year. I feel confident that trials are still to come this year. It's just life. I am also confident that God will continue to remind me of His plan and His purpose and will never cease to amaze me with the things He can and WILL accomplish.

On a side note, after all the crazy happenings, Chad threw me a surprise birthday party last night. It was totally unexpected. And the reason it was so belated was because my birthday fell in a chaotic time of August with my friends being gone to Nicaragua, back to school, and then our church had dinner theater last night and Friday night, which is a big production for our church. So, after dinner theater, some of my friends surprised me with balloons, decorations, red velvet cake, and birthday presents. It was a good surprise and a good way to end the day that we had. As soon as I can figure out how to find the pictures I downloaded from my iPhone, I will share them on my blog. Chad pulled it off without me having a clue. I'm still trying to figure that one out, because he doesn't hide things very well.

All the way my Savior leads me............

So the few people who knew my little "secret" the past few weeks know that I would ultimately come here to blog about it. I have to. It's my therapy and my journal-- so to speak.

For those of you who don't know I will tell you my "secret" and the lesson learned.

Back in June when we had a sonogram done to find out that the baby was a she, they also found something else. There was a cyst on the baby's brain. It's called a choroid plexus cyst. It happens in about 1% of pregnancies, and even though it is somewhat rare, it is more common than you would think. And trust me, I did a lot of research on the subject of it as soon as I got home from that visit. When my doctor told me, she was not overly concerned about it all. She reassured us that she truly felt like it would disappear on it's own and that nothing would come from it. However, in the rare cases that these cysts appear and something ends up being wrong, then that one thing that could be wrong would turn out to be something major. It can indicate a chromosomal defect. Like Down's Syndrome or something worse. But at the time, the baby was growing like normal and all of her organs and limbs seemed to be there and functioning just like a healthy baby's would. But anyone that's ever been a parent knows the fear that comes along with having children. We worry about them before they are born, while they are being born, and for the rest of our years as parents. So, when I heard the word cyst and brain together in one sentence it implanted that little nagging seed of worry. But my sweet doctor was very reassuring which really helped ease mine and Chad's worry.

Of course, when I had that sonogram, it was just a week or so after my grandfather passed away. I did not have the heart to tell my mother. I wanted to, because I tell her most everything, but I just couldn't bear to put her through it knowing she would have to worry about it for another 2 months before our next sonogram. But some of her nearest and dearest friends are strong Christian people and I trusted them to be secret keepers, but most importantly to be prayer warriors and they were faithful in doing so. I also had my own close friends that I trusted with my concerns and they, too, were faithful in praying. I had also asked them to pray for peace of mind for Chad and me both. I knew I couldn't go the next 2 months worrying day and night over what might or might not be. And peace of mind I definitely got. I am a natural-born worrier. I worry over everything. Some will even label me a worry wart. I am. I get it from my mother. Which is why I couldn't tell her. As a matter of fact, the only person in our entire family-- on both sides--- who we told was Chad's grandmother. I'm not even sure why we told her.

I know that these cysts disappear on their own all the time in pregnancies that it occurs in. But I do not find it a coincidence that I had a problem with a cyst on my uterus in the beginning of the pregnancy, which caused concern for miscarriage during the first trimester, then a cyst on the baby's brain, and both of them disappeared totally on their own. I believe, without a doubt, that it was the power of prayer. I also believe that prayer gave Chad and me peace that we needed. Anyone that knows me, knows that I worry the fool out of something. And I never really did with either situation. I just asked those that I trusted to pray, and I myself prayed, and God gave me just what I needed to get through these past 27 weeks.

As I was getting ready to go to the doctor this morning, I became really nervous though. More nervous than I expected. I literally got down on my knees beside my bed and prayed for God's will to be done-- regardless of what that was-- and whatever that sonogram showed, that He would give us the mercy and grace to deal with it. But before that I had searched for a verse to ease my worry. The one I came across was one that our preacher uses all the time in His sermons.

Hebrews 4:16

¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

It was just that verse as simple and short as it seemed that was just what I needed to ease my worry. Because it was then I did approach His throne of grace, and with confidence. Confidence that my God is a powerful, Sovereign healer and nothing is too big or small for Him. If I would only show that my trust lies in Him, He will give healing. And that's not to say that God will heal our diseases just because we ask Him to. But He gives us healing to get through our diseases and mercy and grace for each moment we suffer, hurt, or worry. He may not always heal us physically, but He can certainly heal our hearts.

It also reminds me of one of my favorite songs. We played this at my grandfather's funeral. It's a modern twist on the lyrics to the classic hymn "All the Way My Savior Leads Me".

All the way my Savior leads me;
Who have I to ask beside?
How could I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?

All the way my Savior leads me;
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.

You lead me and keep me from falling.
You carry me close to Your heart.
And surely Your goodness and
Mercy will follow me.

All the way my Savior leads me;
O, the fullness of His love!
O, the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood!
And when my spirit clothed immortal
Wings it's flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way!
Jesus led me all the way!

All the way my Savior leads me.
All the way my Savior leads me.

A time for it all............

Today is the day. The same day I have been dreading since......well, probably since birth. The day I thought would never get here because I would never live to be so OLD. Yes, it's my birthday. I am officially in the "dirty thirty" club and I am not liking how it sounds to admit to myself that I'm 30. I know what most are thinking--- 30 is still so YOUNG. Thirty is one of the best years of life. Yes, I've heard it all. It may be true. And quite frankly, my problem is not being 30, but how fast 30 got here. Where in the HECK did my 20's go? Not that I would want them back........

So, to put a new perspective on "aging"---- Time has flown faster than I can even comprehend--- I've been really upset about entering a new decade of birthdays, but then again, like I said, I wouldn't want to go back and do my 20's over for ANYTHING. Those were some mighty rough years with a lot of rough spots and I'm surprised I only emerged with just a few emotional (maybe some mental?) scars. I married young, started having babies young (a whopping 22 when I gave birth to Brennan), and I started LIFE young. I was bound to make a few mistakes. However, the mistakes I made hurt --very deeply-- a lot of people. Both directly and indirectly. Regardless of anything I've done and the things I still struggle with, I am sort of relieved to see my 20's go. It's sort of a love/hate feeling I have towards now being 30. I guess I owe it most to my family, especially my husband, for sticking by me through every single stupid thing I've done and for not giving up on me.

My friend, Adrienne, sent me a text today wishing me a happy birthday and asking what my plans were for my special day. To which I replied how I would be filling my day with the usual "mommy" duties---- taking Brennan to swim lessons, taking the dog to the vet, taking Brennan for a haircut (and an eyebrow wax for me), and then meet the teachers tonight at school. (I didn't include the parts about bathing the dog, scrubbing the tub, toilets, and sinks, and washing a load of laundry). I guess to me that is the perfect way to celebrate my birthday, as dull as it sounds. Being home with my 2 children and doing the things that God has called me to do (even as small and insignificant as cleaning a toilet.) Don't get me wrong-- a weekend on the beach with a fruity little drink, or a nice relaxing dinner with a bottle of bubbly would be FABULOUS right now. But, dreaming is still nice.

So, being 30 isn't so bad--- it's just how fast it got here. I never thought I'd see the day and now suddenly it's almost come and gone and each second is a second I should cherish with my children--- because before I know it, THEY will be turning 30 and I will still be scratching my head wondering where the time went. I am thankful for this new decade of birthdays. Each day of my 20's was a stepping stone (some ridiculously painful) to getting me to where I am now, and changing me into who I am becoming. I know God's not through with me yet. He still has some mighty big plans in store--- otherwise I'd be a mess right now.

I will miss my grandfather's call on my birthday today. It's one of those phone calls that I admit I always took for granted. I took for granted a lot of things when he was still alive. I'm sort of secretly grieving over that part 2 months later. But, I know if he could, he would be wishing me the best birthday yet and he would give me his sweet little card with a sweet note inside like always.

For this day of birthdays and reflection, I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3. A powerful reminder from the Bible of how fleeting life on earth is and how God calls for good everything under the sun that is His creation.

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

¹ There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

⁹ What do workers gain from their toil? ¹⁰ I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet^[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ¹² I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³ That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. ¹⁴ I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

On a side note--- Brennan starts SECOND GRADE Monday. Can you believe it? I know, I can't either. I'm usually in Nicaragua this time of summer, so I have not ever been able to go to meet the teacher night. This is a first for me! I'd still rather be in Nicaragua because I'm sure I will get to know his teacher VERY well by the end of this school year. I am in shock over having a 2nd grader in this family!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying these last days of summer. It has been a scorcher for this pregnant girl! Fall cannot get here fast enough. That's my favorite time of year anyway. I am counting down the days!!!!