This was the first Christmas that we had 2 little sets of feet pattering down the hall on Christmas morning. I made Cory put up a baby gate to the entrance of the living room so that they couldn't see "the goods" until we came and let them in...I didn't want to miss the surprise!!!
Reid and Sissy got a kitchen and ALL the necessary accessories...I can't tell you how many times I have had to pretend like the cookies and sweet peas they have cooked for me is the most delicious pretend meal I have ever had...
My sweet family...Georgia is wearing the nightgown I wore my very first Christmas...
It is hard to believe another year has come and gone. So much has changed for our family. This blog started off as the ventings and memories of a stay-at-home-mom. Now that I am working, posts will probably be fewer and farther between. But Cory and I always knew the day would come that I would start working outside of our home...it would be necessary to provide for our family the way we wanted to. God provided. His way. His time. I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Not only am I able to work flexible hours and be Mom, my job matters...I am able to watch lives change daily. My time with my family is more intentional, and I'm more productive. I have the privilege of seeing God's miracles each day.
One of my volunteers called me last week crying, "My husband was diagnosed with cancer. We have to travel to Mobile twice a week for treatments, and we can't afford the gas. I don't know what to do. Do you have any suggestions?" I was crying too because I could say, "YES!" I was able to direct her to available assistance, and her husband is now able to get treatment. I also listened to one of our Heroes of Hope speak a few weeks ago. She lost her mother, father, uncle, brother and 22-year-old son to cancer. She had her large intestine removed because of colon cancer, and she found out a week prior that her small intestine was covered in pollyps. She literally stood before us dying. But she had hope...she swore until she had no more breath in her body she would tell anyone with an ear how Relay For Life was her saving grace...it was the only hope aside from her faith. She went to the doctor last week, and all of her pollyps are benign...she will have them removed and be just fine...another miracle.
My eyes have been opened. I see daily how fragile life is. In the shortest moment a life can be changed. It only takes the words, "You have cancer." I have seen the fight in a woman's eyes as she is determined to live for her small children. I have seen the fight in a father's eyes as he is determined to walk his daughter down the aisle. I have seen the fight in an 80-year-old woman as she walks around a track for 12 straight hours because she knows that's the only way she can fight for a cure...to cure the disease that killed her husband and the father of her children 15 years earlier. I am privileged to meet these men and women daily. By no means am I their saving grace...I am just involved with an organization that is able to help and gives me the means to fight for them. These people inspire me...to be more intentional.
When I walk through the doors of my home, I am more present. I see the faces of the three people I love most in this world, and I soak up every moment with them. I do not beat myself up for going back to work...I'm thankful...that I'm able to provide for those I love, and help those that God has placed in my path...those that give me purpose and drive. Heroes.
"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you." 2 Kings 20:5
