Monday, September 13, 2010

Temporary happiness

Today my neighbor brought me some beautiful yellow roses. Now before you tell my husband, let me explain! He works at a floral wholesale business and he gets to take home any flowers that don't make the cut. (literally) He has blessed me with fresh bouqets of flowers for our dining room table for as long as he's been across the street, nearly every week. It is a pleasure that I enjoy so much.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love flowers, ever since I was a little girl. I remember getting so excited when the daffodils would bloom on our farm. I'd pick armfuls of them in those fields!

Today as I was trimming the yellow roses and arranging them in my mason jar vase, the thought came to my mind on how much happiness this brings me. Then, I realized that within a week, these beautiful yellow roses would soon brown and wither, after providing me with just a bit of temporary happiness. Everything of this earth, all living things will die, but God promises us everlasting life and a Happiness that is far from temporary.



For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal--Corinthians 4:15



So, as I enjoy my beautiful vase of flowers, I remember to thank God for life that will be everlasting. As much beauty and pleasure that this world holds; all the temporary happiness, my treasure is in heaven. And that is the Good stuff!!

Friday, September 3, 2010

We are all in this together!

I had to go to the Dr. yesterday, a follow up appointment since we found out two weeks ago that we lost the baby I was carrying. When I was riding the elevator to the Dr. office a man got on that was going to the floor above me. He was carrying a bag of prescription medicine, at least a dozen different ones. He was probably middle age, maybe a bit older. I realized that everyone you meet is facing their own battles. I didnt know his story, he didn't know mine, but our eyes met one another and I offered him a smile. We are all in this together.
When I was in the waiting room at the Dr. office, with that mindset I began looking around at the people in the office. (Im a people watcher, love to observe, could spend an entire cardinals game eating a hotdog and watching others rather than the game). There were some people that were "very pregnant", some that were older, perhaps going in for annual exams, maybe some had women's health issues. One lady was wearing a t-shirt that said "Im a mom of triplets, don't just stand there, help me!!". The thought crossed my mind again, we are all in this together!
When my Dr. came into the office she came right over to the examining table with her arms held out for a hug! It surprised me, but it was so refreshing to have a Dr. that didn't go straight to the medical talk. Right after the ultrasound when we found out we had lost the baby, she told me that I hadn't done anything wrong, then she looked at Michael and told him to go buy me some ice-cream! I found so much comfort in her relating to me, as a women.
Later that evening I shared bible study at a friends house. I came with two kids in tow. It was a much needed time to hear the Word, to share our struggles that we face, and to encourage one another through Christ. We all came together to receive some "Good stuff" that fills our spirit. When you are running on empty, nothing more can satisfy you than God's word. Our little ones were running around amongst us. We still were able to finish some sentences and train of thought. We are all in this together.

John 16:33 says "I have told you things things so that you may have peace, in this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world", one of my favorite verses.

Again in 2 Corinthians 1:4 we are reassured what to do with that trouble----, "He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."
I never thought that I would be able to say that I am thankful for the troubles in my life but I really am. I know that my faith is being proved genuine through all of the things I have faced. I hope that I am able to comfort others as it is said in 2 Corinthians. After all, we are all in this together.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Welcome Fall!!

September 1st already!! My favorite season is in the air! Sept 1st signifies more of a new start to me than Jan. I love preparing more homecooked meals, spending the evenings together at home and slowing it down a bit from a busy summer full of activities. Today I am sorting the boys fall and winter clothes into piles. Major organizational mode for me today! I am enjoying going through clothes that my big boy Evan wore when he was 18 months old! Just another reminder of how fast they are both growing! Im saving my favorites for Lane and getting ready to sell some in the upcoming childrens consignment sale.
Lane is upstairs being a good napper this morning! Evan and Daddy are working with PawPaw Steve in Scott City on a remodeling job.
Im looking foward to everyone coming home tonight for supper together. I need to figure out a good meal to cook! Thats the good stuff!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Birthday Boys

Well my baby boys turned 4 and 1 this past week. We celebrated with a big party at the Cape Splash Water park. We had lots of friends and family to enjoy the party with. On Evan's special day, we went to Dairy Queen, had lunch and a race car ice cream cake!! There was a youth group there traveling through and they chimmed in and sang Happy Birthday to Evan too! That made it extra special. A lady even handed him a couple of dollars! It was such a blessing seeing other people that we didnt even know celebrate our child with us!
We took Lane on his birthday to Lamberts! Very fitting since he loves food and loves to eat! He was enjoying his roll and dancing in his high chair to the upbeat music the piano lady was playing! We shared this time with Aunt Shelley and cousin Tyler and Maw Maw and Paw Paw Sanford, big brother Evan and of course mom and dad!
I look forward to watching the boys grow and change this coming year. I celebrate each day of their life and praise God for allowing me to be their mom! It is as good as it gets!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Evan is staying the night at Maw Maw's tonight. He loves going to the "farm" and getting some good outdoor time. He gets filthy dirty and loves every minute of riding the big boy toys they have. I just called to tell him goodnight. His voice sounds so sweet on the phone. He told me that he was a cowboy. Paw Paw John got him a pair of boots for his 4th birthday that we will be celebrating Saturday!! Maw Maw told me that he wanted to go outside with them on and get them dirty to break them in! He is having a great time but mommy is starting to miss my little man. He gives me great company during the day and I can definietely tell when he is not here.

Mr. Lane is fast asleep! He goes down at 8:00 pm. most every night. He is such a good sleeper. Loves his routines. He naps in the morning at 10:00 for a couple of hours, and again at 2:00 pm. for a little over an hour. This is day 2 for Lane quitting his pacifier "cold turkey". I decided that he should kick the habit before he turned 1. He has truly enjoyed it and it is bittersweet for me to take it from him. In the long run, this will be easier transitioning without it at age 1, rather than 3! He is doing pretty good. He only used it for naps and bedtime and afternoon naptime was a little rough but he eventually went to sleep. Tonight he layed down with no tears!

Michael is working nights, just started this week. He goes in at 11:00 pm and works til 7:00 a.m. It has been a bit of an adjustment to our routine here at the Sanford home but we are thankful for his great job. He will be switching to a 3-11 shift in a couple of weeks and hopefully that will be easier for him and his sleep. He loves his job as a C/O for the state. He started working there in March. It has provided us with great insurance and steady income. We feel we are finally getting back on our feet from his job loss last year. We count all of that experience as a blessing, looking back. We appreciate things in a much different way now, and we give thanks to the Lord!

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and bring you peace! Jeremiah 29:11

As for me, I truly am at peace during this time of my life. I love being a mom. I am enjoying being a wife. I am so thankful to be able to stay home and make great memories with my family. This is my place in life right now and I am loving the "good stuff" it brings!

Be Blessed!

Lacy

The Good Stuff

I wanted to start a blog as a way for me to reflect on the "good stuff" that happens to our family each and every day. I want to count my blessings and remember those moments that are adding so much to my life! It really is the simple things in life that are the most cherishable to me.

My boys are about to turn 4 (happy birthday Evan! July 17th) and 1, (happy birthday Lane! July 22nd) next week, and it really makes me realize just how many memories are being made each day. The days are long but the years are short!