officer cash

Below is JP with his friend, Cash.  Cash is my good friend's dog.  He is a police officer and Cash was his partner.  JP and I dog-sat this weekend and we felt very safe knowing that Officer C was guarding (literally) the door!  He loves JP.



Sunday, I took both boys over to visit.  To my surprise, Preston wasn't afraid.  I thought that because he is so small he would be intimidated.  But, NOPE!  He, too, loved him.  They were so sweet...

 

 



There is SO MUCH that I want to write about. Unfortunately though, when you have an online journal such as this one, there is a very fine line when it comes to sharing everything that is on your heart. For obvious reasons, you just can't. What I will tell you is that JP continues to have trouble dealing with some of the recent changes that are taking place in our home.  And, as a mother, watching him upset LITERALLY breaks my heart.  It actually aches.  And the worst part is, there is not a lot I can do for him.  I am carrying him to a doctor/therapist for him to talk to, I am trying to keep our routine structured (trying being the operative word!), and we stay relatively busy during the week right now with friends and family.  Anyway, please continue to pray for him.  Pray for God to allow him to experience His peace.  The kind that "passes all understanding..." 

On a lighter note,  I have developed pretty severe shin splints.  VERY happy about that!!  NOT!  It took me FIFTY EIGHT MINUTES to go three miles on the treadmill last night.  If you know anything about walking/running, you know that, that is RIDICULOUS!  I have to slow down and stop so often because I feel like my legs are going to blow up.  It's awful.  But, I have several things I am going to try.  I have a friend, Anne, that I am going to run with this week and she is going to make sure I am running the "proper" way.  My friend, Stephanie, has given me a few different types of running shoes to try out to see if that makes a difference.  Running shoes are SO EXPENSIVE!  Before I pay for my own, I want to make sure I buy the right pair.  We'll see. 

Tonight I will just have to do the best I can.  If nothing else, the 90's Rap radio on Pandora puts me in a cheerful mood!! 


That's about it for tonight.  I promise to post pics from the weekend later.  I hope everyone had a GREAT Monday. 



happy friday, friends!!

I hope you guys have an amazing weekend!!  I am off to spend the night with friends at Lake Keowee.  I am eating at one of my FAVORITE restaurants on the water tonight!  Mmmm, my mouth waters just thinking about it!

I will post pictures from the weekend later! 

I know that I have been posting frequently about my family and friendships and how blessed I am lately.  I apologize if you are getting a little bored with the subject, but I guess it is what is weighing most heavily on my heart these days. 

I found this poster on GOOGLE and LOVED it!  It is so true.  And sometimes painfully so.  I have definitely mentioned this before, but from where I am standing, I am AMAZED at the people I really thought were my friends who have magically disappeared when the waters around me began to rage.  While it is quite heartbreaking, God has used this realization to remind me of those few who are hanging in there with me and He has given me an overwhelming desire to find new ways to show my love and appreciation for them. 

So, to my handful of peeps who are chasing these storms with me (you know who you are)...  I love you guys SO MUCH.  I could spend the rest of my life trying to express my gratitude and it would never be enough.  I could not stand on my feet day to day without your support and encouragement. Your calls, texts, emails etc. mean the WORLD to me.

You are my blessings.

update/our week

I discovered 90's Hip Hop on Pandora....GREAT for running!

 

 

It was awesome coming home from school early yesterday.  Preston and I spent a lot of time cuddling under blankets....FUN!

 

 

 

 

My baby and I went to the park Thursday afternoon.....it was FREEZING COLD!!!!  But, we had  a great time. 

 

 

Not too much has gone on this week.  It was a short week, which was amazing!  I live for the weekends!

 

 

We took JP to the psychiatrist on Monday.  It went really well.  I loved the doctor.  I loved the way he interacted with JP.  He was very personable and down to earth.  We go back in three weeks.  JP, of course, didn't really understand why we were there.  We told him that he was a doctor, but not the kind who looks in your mouth, ears, etc.  He is a doctor who is a friend for you to talk to and share your feelings with.  I'm not sure he grasped that!  But, as time goes on, I'm hoping it will prove to be successful for him. I will continue to keep you updated.

 

 

I was supposed to go to my friend's house in the mountains last night.  THE STUPID ice ruined that!  So, that was a bummer, but my family and I ended up staying in, keeping warm and watching movies.  It was nice!  We watched the movie, Taken.  If you haven't seen it, you need to.  It was awesome.  I think we are going to watch the second one today.  I've heard it's awesome.

 

 

Well, that's really about it.  I hope you guys are having a great weekend so far! 

alabaster box

"While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,  a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant.'Why this waste?'  they asked.  ^'This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.'

 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, 'Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.  When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.' "

Matthew 26:6-13 

 

I sang this song in church tonight.  Alabaster Box.  It is a beautiful song.  The words are amazing.  Very worshipful.  I'm sure you've probably read this passage of scripture a million times.  Tonight when I sang, I was able to truly worship.  I have to be honest, I was a little worried.  The condition of my heart tends to change with the wind these days.  When I am singing, I am definitely in a very vulnerable state of mind.  I didn't want to cry.  And thanks to God, I didn't!  But, I was able to close my eyes and really play out the scenes of this passage in my mind.  It was so real. 

Part of the lyrics say,  "You weren't there the night He found me, and you didn't feel what I felt when He wrapped His love all around me.  You don't know the cost of the oil, no you don't know the cost of my praise....you don't know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box."    And it's true.  I don't know the cost of another person's praise.  I have no idea what is in the box that they are carrying into a worship service with them. I have no idea the sacrifice they had to make in order to find Jesus, gather their perfume (praise) and kneel at His feet.  But Jesus knows.  He understands the road they've traveled.  He understands the baggage they have draped across their shoulders.  He knows our pain. 

And He wants to carry it for us.  I don't know about you, but I am so thankful for that.  My box is REALLY heavy.  I offered it to Him tonight... now, I just have to work really hard not to take it back!


On another note, we are taking JP to the doctor today.  A child psychiatrist/ologist.  You have probably figured it out by now, but the dynamics of our home have DRASTICALLY changed over the past five months.  I have tried really hard not to expose JP to the details surrounding our transition, but it amazes me how much they pick up on, on their very own.  I have been advised by several clinical professionals NOT to offer any information until he comes and asks questions.  And I was assured that he would eventually approach me.  So far, it hasn't happened.  Having said that, Scott and I went to his 2nd quarter conference Friday to meet with his teacher and discuss his progress. She told me that JP talks about our situation a good bit in class.  I was completely caught off guard by this.  I guess I shouldn't be.  JP is a very smart and intuitive kid.  I think I felt so bad that he has chosen to talk to his teacher and friends at school rather than us.  She assured me that he seems happy and appears to have a healthy relationship with both me and Scott.  I was relieved to hear that, because we work REALLY hard to make things seem as peaceful and loving as possible for him.

So, if you don't mind, I'll ask you to stop at 11:30 and lift the three of us up in prayer as we meet with the doctor.  I am very anxious and nervous.  It is never something that you want to do.  But, I feel that it is in his best interest. There are so many things in life that JP has little to no control over.  I certainly intend to provide him with multiple outlets to express his feelings.  Positive or negative.


Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful MONDAY!  I am off work, which is always a good thing!!

I will keep you updated....

 

 

laurie

WOW.  Sitting in a hospital makes for a very long day.  I am happy to report that my sister's surgery went very well.  They (of course) ended up having to do more than they had anticipated, but the surgeon has reason to believe that she will recover well and HOPEFULLY this will complete this two year SAGA we've experienced.  Thank you for your continued prayer support!  It works!  God is good.

I mainly wanted to give an update on the surgery.  I have lots I need to write about and SOON.  In the past 24 hours I have found myself sitting in a whole new bed of emotions.  And I really need to write them out, if possible.  So, stay tuned for some RAW, uncensored ramblings from my head and my heart.  ( If that doesn't scare you away, NOTHING will! )

For now, sleep well and have a SUPER Wednesday!

finally

Okay!  Well, thanks to TED, I at least am able to upload pictures again.  CLEARLY, I have not perfected it.  Sorry for the poor quality.  I have a lot to work on. 

 

Me and my sis at California Dreaming Friday night...YUMMY!

My two favorite girls, Kerri and Kathi joined us for dinner and afterwards we went dancing!  Fun times!!

 

 

 

 

She loves me!!

 

 

Sunday was my friend, Katie's, daughter's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  JP always loves to go there!  (Can you say HEADACHE?!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is JP's best friend, John.  Actually, they are only friends because his wife is JP's girlfriend.  Got that?  It's complicated, I know.  Botttomline, they are both in love with the same woman!

 

Okay, that's it for now, until I perfect the upload thing. 

Tomorrow my sister is having, what we hope, will be her final surgery.  It is in the morning around eight o'clock and we will covet any prayers you are willing to offer up on our behalf!  Laurie is a basketcase, naturally.  And mom, dad and I are ALL ready for her to be well.  Two years is a VERY LONG TIME to be sick.  Six surgeries is a lot for anyone to handle.  And while it is definitely a blessing that we are all under one roof, the stress is overwhelming at times.

Well, I had planned on writing much more, but it just so happens that I am tired.  It took me a while to figure out the pictures, so now I don't feel like writing.  I will be sure to update you on how things go tomorrow.  THANKS so much for your support.