Forgiveness

Forgiveness. What comes to your mind? I'm sure in your lifetime, you've either hurt someone or been hurt by someone. Sometimes it's hard to let it go and forgive, isn't it? In the Bible it says that we should forgive for Christ died to forgive us of our own sins. And when I say sins, he covered it all from cussing to murder. Think about your day....what was it like? Did you get mad at the car in front of you and shout obscene things? Did you say something to a friend, spouse or significant other that you didn't mean, it just came out? None of us lived a perfect day, I don't care who you are!!!
Oprah recently had a man on her show who lost his wife and one of his sons to being shot as they were returning home from a celebratory dinner for a college graduation. As this man, Kent, was sitting in the hospital with a gunshot wound, he shared on the show that he made a choice that he was going to forgive the person that had killed two of his nearest and dearest family members as well as shot him and his other son. Kent soon found out that it was his surviving son that plotted the entire murder. I will spare you the details but here is the point....Kent did forgive his own son for what he had done because he knew that's what God wanted him to do and he also knew that it would help him in the healing process. He stated at one point that "Life is too good to walk around holding a grudge against someone." As I was watching this, my thoughts were consumed with thinking how in the past, I have been hurt by some of my own family members. The ones you want to think would do anything for you and yet it wasn't that way and it still doesn't seem that way. I do feel like I've forgiven them in my heart because, you see, I don't even think that this one particular person knows the extent of the hurt he has caused to some of his own family. If you are reading this and you know that you are carrying a chip on your shoulder over something that may have just happened today or years ago, forgive that person and go on. You will feel much better and be happier in life. If you feel like you may have hurt someone, go to them or write a letter and ask for forgiveness. Life is too short!

Fireproof

I just had to post that Brad and I went with my parent's tonight to see a movie that's out starring Kirk Cameron. It's entitled, "Fireproof" and it was excellent. To begin with, it's Christian based so it was very clean, a nice change from what a lot of movies are these days. It is about a marriage going bad and what he does to attempt to change it. I don't want to give too much of it away so just go see it, it may just change the way you look at things in your own marriage. And take your husband, it's one to see together!

Turning 30

Just over a week ago, I turned the BIG 3-0 and I'm not above telling you, it was very difficult for me. I even cried! Yes, I was cleaning house, by myself, crying because I did not want to turn 30! Now, I do blame part of this on being really tired that day! I was sleep deprived (I still am) and was working on top of it. As the big day finally arrived, I was forced to reflect on my last 30 years and think about all that I've accomplished. The most recent things came to mind: college graduation, getting married, starting a career and then having kids. We have bought and sold our first house and now own a second house. I thought about all that Brad and I have been through since we started dating which will be ten years in November and thought to myself, "We have really come a long way." I remembered times when we were in college and we dreamed about having kids and a house and just living life and now we are doing just that! I thought about the stuggles that having kids and making the sacrifice to be a stay at home mom have created and knew that I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's the one thing that I will some day look back on and say with certainty that I do not regret doing. I also thought about the MOPS group that Gretchen Carrel and myself started just over a year ago and am so proud that we did that together because I see how many moms it has touched.
I think the one thing to keep in mind is that as I've gotten older, my confidence has gotten better. I no longer worry about what people THINK of me. If you don't like me, I'm sorry but I've got bigger fish to fry right now and quite frankly, there's probably a poopy diaper that needs to be changed or an ouchie that needs to be kissed, so I gotta run! I think people start to respect what you say a lot more in your 30's. It's finally an age where you've got a little bit of life experience and so what you have to say might actually matter! Yeah, you might just know what you're talking about!
Regardless of all of this, I ended up having a wonderful birthday! Brad arranged for my parent's to watch the kids and took me to a very nice, romantic dinner at Joseph DeCuis in Roanoke. It was a very nice time for us to sit and relax while enjoying dinner. We reflected on the past and talked about our future hopes and dreams. Thank you, Brad for a wonderful night. It was great to get some one on one time with you again.....I really miss those days and hope to get more and more as the kids get older! I love you!
In conclusion, I've decided that my 30's might not be so bad afterall! Who knows? I may just end up liking them and won't want to turn 40! Eek!

Coffee

Have you ever had a conversation take place in your house between you and your spouse that your kids overheard and just would not let die??? Well, we recently had one and I just have to share......

A few weeks ago, I had coffee with a friend. Now, you have to understand, I don't typically drink coffee, even when I go to Starbucks the most "coffee" type of drink I get is a mocha. So I had this coffee because I was feeling like trying something new and I actually kind of liked it! So later that week, I went to the store and bought the creamer that I liked and decided I would enjoy having a cup of coffee from time to time at home. After all, my mother did insist that I have a coffee pot in my home for use when I have company! Later that night, I was talking to Brad and here's how the conversation went:

ME: "I had coffee the other day with Laelya and I kind of liked it, I think I'll start drinking it more."

BRAD: "That really is not a good habit to start." Why would you want to start drinking coffee now? You don't need any more caffeine."

ME: No answer....I shoot him a confused look like why do you care so much and just let the conversation go....it didn't matter, I already had the creamer I wanted in the fridge, ready for me whenever!

ENTER GABBY INTO CONVERSATION: "Brad, you don't need to tell mommy she can't drink coffee! She can drink it if she wants to! You don't need to tell her what to do!"

BRAD: Has now zoned back into football game on t.v. and probably doesn't even remember the conversation.

GABBY: Goes on her way....conversation over!

So time goes on, at least a week and every time Gabby hears the word coffee, she insists on telling Brad (in a tone of voice she has only heard her mother speak) that he doesn't need to tell me I can't have coffee! Well, this morning we were in the car, traveling to church and I announced to Brad that I have a giftcard to use at the cafe` at church for a free coffee and if Gabby didn't pipe right up and say, "Brad, don't you even think about telling mommy she can't have coffee this morning. She can have some if she wants to!"

Brad remains quiet and I know he was probably thinking....."I do not need two Stacy's to tell me what to do!"
Just had to share!