Happy Birthday Dad!

Yesterday was my dad's 55th birthday. Whew, he is getting up there;) My dad grew up with 2 older brothers and 2 older sisters. His mom was a solid Christian lady. She passed away almost 7 years ago. She was the one that set a great Godly example for him. Dad didn't become a Christian until he was 20 years old. I kid you not, he began searching while sitting around with a bunch of friends who were passing around a joint. A jewish believer led him to Christ. My mom and dad married young and had five kids (4 older boys and a little girl...me:) They divorced when I was very young. Mom remarried shortly after. Dad remarried about 10 years later. My brothers and I switched off going to mom and dad's every other day and every other weekend until we were old enough to decide where we wanted to stay. We were blessed to be able to spend equal time with both parents. Before my dad remarried, he did an amazing job raising 5 kids in a solid Christian household. He took us to church with him every Sunday, led us in devotions, prayed with us, etc. The only thing he struggled with was cooking a good meal...lots of frozen and canned foods:) Besides that, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I loved spending time with my dad. He played hide-and-go-seek with us and the neighborhood kids, he played basketball with us in our backyard, he took us to Minnesota on vacation every summer to our lake house...we kept him young. As we got older, dad wasn't able to beat Josh and Jeremy in basketball anymore, we no longer had to be spanked with a long wooden ruler, and we were finally able to cook for ourselves. Dad remarried when I was 10 years old. Lynn already had 2 boys and a girl. That meant I now had 2 more brothers and finally a SISTER!! I was so excited. I was an awful flower girl in that wedding though. We no longer had dad to ourselves, but we were so happy dad found a wonderful woman of the Lord. Things changed drastically, but dad still maintained a Godly household with 3 extra kids. He has been my inspiration to have my own Godly household someday and my inspiration to live a life glorifying to Christ. I love him more than words can describe. Now he is 55 years old, but I pray the Lord will give him many more years to continue to instill Godly principals in my kids and my siblings kids. To my hero, my dad, thank you for loving me with Christ's love. Happy Birthday!

"Carry each others burdens..."

I talked to a really good friend this morning at 7:30am to find out her dad passed away yesterday. When the reality hit me a few minutes after I received the text message, tears quickly filled my eyes. He died of cancer. So many thoughts immediately consumed my mind: He was too young to die, he left 4 kids and grandchildren behind, I can't fathom the pain my friend and her family are experiencing, any day could be my last, why didn't I ask my friend more often how he was doing, etc. I am burdened because I know my friend is experiencing one of the hardest things in life: death of a loved one. I can't stop thinking about her and her pain she is dealing with. As believers, we are called to mourn with our sisters and brothers in Christ. We are also called to carry each others burdens. I believe this comes very natural when we try to put ourselves in that person's shoes. When a good friend or family member is hurting, you hurt. I can't imagine ever losing my dad, especially right now at his young age. Most people assume they will live until they are old and gray. That is not reality. If we woke up everyday realizing that today could be our last day, we would all probably live life a lot differently. Even though I'm young, I know that the Lord will take me home in His perfect timing. I want to be ready for that. If you think about it today, tell the people in your life that mean the most to you that you love them and are thankful for them. Keep my friend and her family in your prayers ,please, as well.

Ugly Babies

For some reason, I have always been nervous that one day my baby will be so ugly. People say that when it is your baby, no matter what, you will not think that baby is ugly. I completely disagree. I think I will know if my baby is ugly, I will admit it, and I will pray that baby will not grow up to be hideous. Of course if my baby is ugly I will love that child regardless because God will have blessed me with a child, but I won't lie and say I think my baby is the most beautiful baby in the world. Babies are usually pretty ugly as newborns anyways, so there is still hope right after they are born. As they get a little older and they are still pretty ugly, that's when I would be nervous. Good thing I don't have to worry about that for a long time:)


Sumo baby? Actually kind of cute.


crazy looking baby!


scariest of all.