Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

I've always tried to be genuine, open, and honest.  There is no joy counting here; none.  I'm not running around thanking God for the challenges we've faced this last week.  I have seen God move in our lives though and it always leads me back to this one quote:

“I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages” 

― Charles Haddon Spurgeon

On Friday evening Baby R managed to grab a little kettle of near-boiling hot water restaurants give you for tea and dump it in his lap.  The next 16 hours were all a blur of activity!  After three emergency rooms, two ambulance rides, and a whole lot of prayer warriors we ended up being admitted to hospital with a cutting edge burn center.  Baby R had 2nd degree burns over 8% of his body (read that as the front of his leg, thigh to ankle). We were discharged by the burn center on Saturday afternoon and looked forward to recuperating at home.  Sunday we missed church (obviously) but Baby R played and was his usual self all day long.

Then early Monday morning, Baby R started throwing up.  He couldn't hold down anything, including his pain meds.  Once we hit 12+ hours without Baby R being able to take in any fluids, his burn surgeon suggested we bring him back to the ER because dehydration is a major issue.  Not just for little guys but also for burn victims.  We spent 16 more hours in an ER on Monday, but Baby R was able to get re-hydrated and some medicine to help him keep food and medicine down.  The medical staff assumed it was a virus, likely picked up in one of the ERs so we would just have to let it run it's course.

As soon as he got some fluids, Baby R perked right back up!

Tuesday, our Preschooler J started vomiting.  It was frustrating because we were still exhausted, but also a slight relief because it confirmed that the burn injury had not caused Baby R's vomiting. Whew, I'm putting even the smallest blessings in the win column!  By Wednesday, Baby R and Preschooler J were over the vomiting.  However, Tween T woke up throwing up.  At that point, I started to wonder if we were all destined to succumb to whatever virus Baby R brought home. 

Baby R was trying his best to make Preschooler J feel better.

So what now? What could I possibly take away from this whole ordeal.  First, I have a strange sense of being fulfilled; sustained.  I am tired and overwhelmed, but my soul is filled to brimming.  I started to write out all that I have seen God doing, but the list was getting so long and Baby R is about to wake up.  Maybe one day soon, when I'm rested, I can reflect back and stitch together all God is doing. 

In the meantime, if I don't post much.... you know why.

Oh how true it is.  I say, "No God, I want to do this because it makes me happy!!" yet down the road I am miserable and depressed and wonder why.  Because I didn't do what I should've done in the first place.  I always think I know what's best for me, the hubby, our kids; but I can't see even 30 seconds into the future, I don't know what's good or bad.  God, who is already standing at the end of my life, knows and is willing to lead.  I only need to listen.

My Boys (of Summer)

T (left), Baby R, and J (right) enjoying the splash pad in downtown Dallas one last time.

I cannot believe that summer is over!  T has already started middle school and once that routine is established, I will be doing preschooling with J at home in preparation for kinder!  We had a lot of fun this summer and even found some new (FREE) things to do. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather but will miss the time spent just being a boymom with no homework to be done and no schedule to keep!

Special Visit

Believe it or not, Kristen from A Modern Mrs. came to visit us!  I don't have a group picture to prove it, and don't ask me why because it's ridiculous we didn't take one.  After 10 years, our kids played, we talked for hours, and enjoyed fellowship that's been part of our lives since high school!  We talked about blogging, how much I missed it, but how hard it is to write, edit and publish posts. 

What you see now is the result of that conversation and I cannot thank her enough!  Maybe you can help by leaving Kristen some love in the comments below.  Better yet, make a visit over to her blog.  She has great things in the pipeline that you won't want to miss!

Looking Ahead

With so many new dynamics in our life, blogging almost had to fall by the wayside.  My goal now is to blog quick posts several times a week. Dare I shoot for daily?  We'll have to find out.  Hopefully you'll find the posts as 60-second opportunities to be encouraged, inspired, and grow; in 300 words or less!

I hope this post finds everyone relaxing from your Christmas festivities.  Whether you kept it low key or had a big blow out, I hope that you made memories and reflected on the gift given to us through the birth of Jesus Christ!

This morning I was sorting through the bits of paper and mail that accumulated on my desk.  Among them were Christmas and holiday cards from near and far.  I smile each time I look at the pictures, read the sweet notes, and take in the love sent with each card.  Then I ask myself, "Where will I put this one this year?"  That might seem like an odd question, but let me explain.

I started this tradition a few years ago.  I found that if I put the cards in a place where I'd see them often (maybe my vanity mirror or the door jamb for our bedroom) I would think of the senders often.  During the year, we all hit our rough patches and it's nice to be reminded from time to time to just pray for these people I hold dear during the year.  So when I see a the card, I think of that family, and I say a quick prayer for them as I continue on doing whatever I was headed to do.

Putting up my cards all year long became especially important to me when Adelynn's mommy was pregnant with her.  We all knew it would be a long journey for them.  Knowing how distracted I tend to be, I kept that card on my desk all year so I would remember to pray for them often.  It worked, so I've been doing the same with people's cards and photos ever since.

So if you ever walk into my house in August and wonder why there are Christmas card proudly displayed, now you know.