If you've spent any time at all on this blog, you've noticed I have a huge heart for an organization called Hope Mommies.  If you grieve a small life, this organization is incredible and I encourage you to hook up with them.  Like them on Facebook, join the community, read the blog, hang out at the website and so much more!

Last year, the Dallas Chapter of Hope Mommies organized the first annual 5k in memory of our precious children in glory.  I wanted so badly to attend, but had a scheduling conflict.  Just this week, the Dallas Chapter posted the details for this year's run!  I was jumping out of my skin with excitement.  

The Facebook event page can be found by clicking: HERE 

You can register online by clicking: HERE

"Jodi - are you seriously going to attempt a 5k?"

YES!!  With every fiber of my being yes!!  I am already doing Couch to 5K (c25k) training with my oldest son.  He's so excited to be running in memory of his siblings and I'm loving the Mother-Son time we get doing it.  If you are interested in training for a 5k (or simply getting into the habit of exercising for FREE) here are some links for you:

• Training program overview: The Couch to 5K ® Running Plan
• Only eight weeks to go from couch potato to runner. It's an easy program to follow that builds you up gradually.  I plan to add weights to my run so I am always at the weight I am now, even when my body starts loosing it's own bulk.
• Trainer app I'm using: C25K®
• Turn it on, take off.  The voice prompts tell you everything to do as you go.  I never even have to look at my phone except to start/end my training session.  How simple is that!?
• Christian themed workout playlists: Christian + Workout radio stations 
• Everybody needs some tunes.  These may not be your style, but I'm really enjoying them.

Race, Sponsor, Donate

I would really like to have a group of 20+ people to love and support each other and Hope Mommies from all over not just Dallas-Fort Worth, but the whole state of Texas, and maybe even the country too!  You can run the actual race (which is what #1 and I are doing) or participate in a 1-mile walk (which is what Hubs is considering doing with #2&3).  #1 son and I are also willing to train with anyone who's interested.  There's nothing quite as motivating as doing something like this as a family.

I love that there are still ways to contribute to the event by donating for the silent auction or becoming a race sponsor.  Interested donors can send an email to monicakhirallah@gmail.com.  Interested sponsors should email dallas@hopemommies.org.

Race Details - 2nd Annual Hope Mommies 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run

Saturday, October 15 at 7 AM - 11 AM
University of Dallas
1845 E Northgate Dr, Irving, Texas 75062

Race Day Schedule:

• 7:00 AM Walk-up Registration Opens
• 8:00 AM Registration closes
• 8:00 AM Opening Ceremony/Announcements
• 8:15 AM 5K Runners start
• 8:20 AM 1 Mile Walkers/Runners start
• 9:15 AM Winners announced
• Pending city permit approval, we will have a balloon release.
• Alternatively, we will have a prayer and song honoring our babies.
• 10:00 AM Silent Auction ends
• 10:30 AM Silent Auction winners announced
• Clean up to follow

Remember...

The Facebook event page can be found by clicking: HERE 

You can register online by clicking: HERE

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.

We started our blessings list yesterday.  I'm so excited about doing this because it has really been a huge blessing to some folks I hold near and dear to my heart.  You simple take a sheet of paper and each day jot down your blessings.  If you skip a day or two, that's OK.  Maybe you only want to write down the big ones.  It's your blessings list, you can keep it however you want to.  Personally, I'm striving for at least one blessing for each day!

New Years Day ushers in New Year resolutions for most of us.  I haven't made a resolution in several years because things change so quickly around here over the course of 12 months.  I don't know if I consider this a resolution, but I am striving to focus in more directly on Jesus filling my life.  I have said before that when I'm striving toward Jesus, everything else falls into place.  When the devil attacks, I know I'm on the right path.  During those attacks I have to buckle down, intentionally choose joy, and seek out how God would have me respond.

A member of my extended family told me about a bible she recently started reading.  It was NIV translation in chronological order with historical commentary.  She new I'd be a fan.  I haven't been able to grab the bible yet, but it did inspire to me seek out a bible study in my YouVersion App. If you are interested in which one it is, check out "Reading God's Story: One-Year Chronological Plan". I firmly believe that if I purpose to get closer to Jesus, I need to be reading my bible intentionally, praying intentionally, and reacting to the world around me intentionally.  In a half sleep state one night, I was thinking about how nice it would be to just sit with Jesus and have a conversation.  Get His perspective on everything I have going on and get some answers to a few questions.  Then I realized, that's what our bibles are for.  I believe that it is the living Word of God and if I read it with a prayerful heart, the Holy Spirit will illuminate those answers for me.

Will you join me in a purposeful chase after Jesus this year?  What reading plans or devotionals do you love and recommend?  What does your blessings list look like?

As I'm sitting here with what I assume to be a baby butt pushing and rolling around in my uterus it makes me wonder; how can a baby not be a living person until he or she is delivered?  Honestly, this little guy in my womb has just as much personality as his brothers.  He moves, reacts, and wiggles just like they do.  Just one of those passing thoughts I get sometimes as I try to enjoy the last few weeks of our pregnancy.  

Assuming all continues splendidly, our repeat c-section is six weeks away. When I'm not feeling well, that feels like an eternity.  When the anxiety creeps in or I think about how much is left on the pre-baby to-do list, it feels like no where near enough time.  God reminds me daily that he has already planned out the course for us.  He has gone far ahead and mapped out all the details in perfect harmony.

Whether my pregnancy health continues well or deteriorates, good weather or bad, ready or not I know the Creator who hung the stars has already worked out every moment in advance.  All I have to do is trust Him and know that whatever transpires, it is happening according to His plan.  That is what I have prayed for from Day 1 and that's all I can ask for.

As another hope mommy safely delivered her rainbow child this week, my heart was filled with thanksgiving yet again.  God doesn't always answer our prayers exactly in the way we'd want, but when He shows himself mightily, I cannot help but feel gratitude.  Babies seem like the most obvious sign of our creator.  I have come to understand the miracle necessary to simply get pregnant, but then to continue a pregnancy, and deliver a healthy child is a miracle.  

In light, my grateful heart has been enjoying this Psalm over and over lately as I revel in the glory of my Great Big God who I'm thankful to daily serve (even when I fail miserably).

Psalm 138 — A Prayer of Thanksgiving

1 I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
   I sing praise to you before the gods.
2 I face your holy Temple,
   bow down, and praise your name
   because of your constant love and faithfulness,
   because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme.
3 You answered me when I called to you;
   with your strength you strengthened me.
4 All the kings in the world will praise you, Lord,
   because they have heard your promises.
5 They will sing about what you have done
   and about your great glory.
6 Even though you are so high above,
   you care for the lowly,
   and the proud cannot hide from you.
7 When I am surrounded by troubles,
   you keep me safe.
   You oppose my angry enemies
   and save me by your power.
8 You will do everything you have promised;
   Lord, your love is eternal.
   Complete the work that you have begun.

I was chatting with a friend earlier and wrote out this statement:

I know we're in a strange season for sure!  Just making it a point to enjoy the "here and now" for what it is before the "what's to come" shows up.

I sat and looked at that for a moment and realized that was an inspired sentence - certainly inspiration and insight like that did not come from me!  (I mean, I lost my purse and a pack of tissues twice this morning.)

In a season of change, it's incredibly difficult to purposely enjoy the "here and now".  Here and now might be tired, frustrated, angry, bitter, depressed, anxious.  Who wants to live in that space?  I have found that I if I purpose to find contentment, not complacency, in the here and now things are a lot easier to handle.

Do I still have bad days?  Oh yes!

Are there days I spend wishing I was already to the next season?  Definitely!

My goal is to find purpose in each today.  Today I am encouraging my boys (10 and 3) to play together nicely during the Thanksgiving break.  I'm slowly working on getting caught up on some of the little projects I've been putting off.

In bible study last night we talked about a blessings list.  Literally, a simple list of things you see as blessings that happen in your life, to your family and friends, are totally random.  Whatever they may be, you just jot down a running list of blessings.  Each day you can find a blessing and each day you add on.  For example, if I was writing out my blessing list today, it might look like this:

Blessings for Monday, 11/24/14

— Potty training milestone - he woke up dry

— I found that bible study I was looking for

— Husband has four days off from his hectic schedule

— Big kid is working very hard to be patient/kind to preschooler

— Weather is cooler again so I'm comfortable

— Got the dirty dishes in the dishwasher (HUGE)

... and it's not even 12:30 pm yet.

Here and now is what we make of it.  There are so many of us who are in a season of change. The world around us is changing - geologically, climatologically (is that a word?  it is now!), politically, socially, morally....

We can cower in a corner lamenting the "good old days" or we can remember that God is still very much in control over everything and concerned over our lives.  Nothing in this world has happened without his knowledge and it's all unfolding according to plan.  The bible says it will get worse before it gets better, but when it gets better it's going to be really, really, really great!!

What does your blessing list look like today?  Share with us!