Eight Years of Marriage to the Most Wonderful Man on the Planet

Eight years ago yesterday, I stood beside the man in the picture above and pledged my life to him--and he did the same for me.

Eight years! I can't believe it's been that long!

We've seen some rough days. And we've seen some really, really good days. All in all, I'm so glad those days were spent together.

Every once in a while, I get a fresh look at my Keith. And I feel true amazement that I have the privilege of being his wife. And the mother of his children. Thank you, Lord!

Our wedding day took place in Orillia, Ontario (my hometown) on one of the chilliest June days I'd ever remembered. But I don't remember feeling that cold. My bridesmaids were absolutely freezing, but I must have had some serious love, adrenaline, and happiness keeping me warm that day!

Since then, we've traveled the road of marriage. A marriage is a whole different story from a wedding. You all know what I mean. I've got to say that our marriage has been a beautiful, wonderful thing. It's been hard. Really hard sometimes. But the tapestry of beauty the Lord has woven in our marriage...amazes me.

I know we both feel more secure. Confident in ourselves and each other because of our marriage. I've seen him grow. He's seen me grow. We've seen each other at our very, very worst. And we still want to be with each other. He still loves me and desires me. Frankly, it blows my mind.

I know the next eight years may hold more hard things. But I'm confident that with God's help, they will also hold more beauty and wonder than I can imagine.

Keith, baby, I don't want anyone but you. I'm yours forever and forever yours.

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

Unplugged and Plugged In!

Image by functoruser

So, in case you missed yesterday's post and the post from last Friday--I'm on vacation, people!

Woohoo!!

I'm actually writing this post ahead of time--because this week, I'm going more (to be honest, not totally) unplugged than I usually am.

I'm completely and totally grateful today for some much needed time with my family. By God's grace, today we're chilling, laughing, and enjoying each other. By God's grace, I'm not Facebooking, Tweeting, blogging, or surfing.

Today I'm so thankful for the opportunity to plug into my family more and plug into the rest of the world a little less!

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

Rocky Returns

No, this post is not about Rocky Balboa. (Sorry to all you diehard fans that only came to read this with that in mind. Sorry.)

Rocky, I'll have you know, is a small stuffed raccoon. He's lived with us now for a few years. A few years ago, Keith's grandparents moved down here from their home in Virginia to be closer to family. Shortly after they arrived, Mamaw found a cute stuffed raccoon in the gift shop of a nearby state park. She picked it up for Caden.

It actually took a while, but in the last year or so, Caden has formed a deep attachment to Rocky the Raccoon. He talks to Rocky, eats with Rocky, plays and pretends with Rocky.

Did you know that Rocky almost moved to California to be with his mother? But he loved Caden so much he decided to stay here. That's what Caden told me, anyway.

Rocky has even been to Sunday School with Caden a few times. And every night when we pray before bed, Rocky prays too. He has a small, squeaky little voice that is similar to Caden's. Yes, very much like Caden's, only squeakier.

One night last week, Caden informed us that Rocky didn't want to pray. We were surprised, but we really feel like no one should ever be forced to pray. So, we didn't press the issue.

Apparently, Rocky should have prayed.

Because the following night, when it was time for bed, we couldn't find Rocky. Anywhere. Keith and I looked in every drawer, cupboard, and nook we could think of. He just wasn't there.

I was beginning to feel panicked. Rocky is Caden's friend and security in so many ways. I mean, if I haven't been clear enough already, they do everything together. Everything.

Caden was upset. He kept telling us that he could hear Rocky crying. (*Sniff*) And I felt like crying myself. Thankfully, Keith grew up with his very own Rocky and Caden accepted this very old, worn, loved raccoon as a substitute.

As we prayed together, Caden prayed that Rocky wouldn't be afraid, wherever he was.

After Caden fell asleep, I cried out to God. "Oh, please, Lord! You know where that little raccoon is. Will you please help us to find him?"

The next morning, my telephone rang.

It was Belinda from the State Farm office. We had stopped by there the day before on one of our many errands. "Yes, I was just wondering, is one of your boys missing--"

"A raccoon?!"

"Yes!"

Oh, thank you, LORD!!!

I could have hugged that woman's neck! We did cut her a lily from the garden to show her how very much we appreciated her thoughtful call. That morning, we headed over and found Rocky sitting, quite pleased with himself, on her desk.

Caden rushed over, scooped him up, and hugged him tight. *Sigh*

On this day, I am so very grateful that I have a God who cares about the little people and the little things they care about.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing Rocky home.

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

A Relatively Clutter Free and Orderly Home

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I was considering how to begin this post. The title could definitely be misleading.

So, here's my disclaimer: I do, indeed, live in a relatively clutter free and orderly home. By God's grace. And God's grace alone. This post is not to brag (except on Jesus!). This post is to thank Him for working in my life in a measurable way. Wow. Sometimes I still can't believe I live here. (And then there's the days when it all falls apart, and it all looks familiar!)

As I was thinking about what to write for this Gratituesday post (I love Tuesdays--these are some of my favorite posts to write!), I looked around and said, "Wow." It hit me all of a sudden. In my mind's eye, I could see my home the way it used to look on a regular basis. (Or at least in between my sporadic fits of "I've gotta clean this place up!") And my heart overflowed with gratitude to my Lord as I recognized the vast difference between then and now.

He has somehow miraculously, patiently taught me how to live more simply. How to do things now instead of later (read: never). How to develop a routine and a basic schedule. Folks, this is nothing short of miraculous. Really. Ask my mother. Ask my sisters. OK, don't do that. Because I'm sure they'd tell you more than I want you to know.

And the results? Because of His work in this area of my life, we experience more peace as a family. More calm. Did you know that peace, love and joy are fruits of the Spirit? Yes, because of HIM, my home reflects more of the character of His Spirit.

This...this is totally a God-thing. Wow.

Thank you, Lord, for my relatively clutter free and orderly home. May You be glorified.

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

A Place Called Home

Image by Red Willow

This past weekend my parents moved from my childhood home. The home they've lived in for twenty-seven years and the only home I remember living in as a child. I live almost exactly 1000 miles away from them and we are on a very tight budget. As a result, there was no opportunity to go home and say goodbye to this special house.

It grieved me to know that they were leaving this place. It was hard on them, too. They've moved to a new town about an hour and a half away due to job circumstances. For them this meant moving away from the place they both grew up in, as well. My two sisters and one of my brothers are in my hometown, so it meant leaving them as well as their families--including two sweet baby grandsons.

Last week, my oldest son, Caden, asked when he would be able to make a snowman. "When is it going to snow in Georgia, so that I can make a snowman, Mama?" Unfortunately, we live in a part of Georgia that rarely if ever sees snow--I've yet to see it in the seven years I've lived here. I smiled and told him that he would have to go to Canada to see Marmie and HatDaddy to make a snowman.

Then it hit me. He would never make a snowman in the backyard where I made a hundred of them with my siblings. I wouldn't ever look out my bedroom window and glimpse a peek of the blue waters of the lake down the road. I would never again sit in the shade of the birch tree out back and listen to the cardinals sing. And grief swept over me in an unexpected way.

It's been hard living so far from family. I've had some losses that I haven't really been able to properly "shut the door on", so to speak. I've lost my grandfather and a dear, sweet aunt. I haven't been able to go home to say goodbye. And now I've lost my childhood home without being able to say goodbye.

Sadness.

But God's Word clearly instructs us, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

So, I've been asking myself, "Brianna, girl, what do you have to be thankful for?"

And I've seen that the list is long.

I had a stable childhood. What a blessing to be in the same place with two parents who stuck things out together through the hard times. Things weren't perfect by any means, but there was a lot of security in knowing that I had a mom and a dad and the same place to always come home to.

I lived in a place surrounded by beauty. The lake! Oh, the wonderful lakes that were within driving distance of our home. Our area of the province was called Lake Country and indeed it is. The smell of lake water. The blue of the waves under a cloudless sky. Covered by a golden haze in the fall and a clear freshness in spring. Swimming four times a day in the summer. (Bless my mother who took all five of us plus neighbor kids each day.)

Birds--so many beautiful birds. Trees. Lots of shade and green.

What else am I thankful for? I'm thankful that I'm a thousand miles away. You know why? Because the only reason I'm a thousand miles away is because of the amazing man God gave to me. I'd move to the ends of the earth to be with my Keith.

As my daddy reminded me recently, I have my own home now. Yes. Yes, I do. A beautiful home and family full of love, laughter and peace. I've been blessed with a great man of God as my husband and three beautiful sons.

I'm thankful for the South. I'm a southern gal now in many ways. In some ways, I'll always be Canadian. But I've definitely transplanted and am blooming where I'm planted. I love so many things about the culture here. And the South has it's own beauty. Azaleas. Kudzu. Pecan groves. Rolling hills and mountain foothills.

And sweet tea. And grits. And collard greens. I wouldn't even know about these heavenly things unless I were here!

This is only the beginning of a list that now fills my heart. I'm so grateful for the way the Lord has worked in my life. I was born into a wonderful family in a wonderful place. And now I live with a wonderful family in a wonderful place. He has truly blessed me beyond measure.

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

My Sweet Marmie

Image by PhillipC

Today I found an old, old note that was tucked in to my jewelry box. It was a tiny note card--if I recall correctly, we found them in cereal boxes wrapped up in cellophane many years ago. This is what was written inside the card:

Thank you for cleaning up my dresser and for bringing the wood in for me this morning. It made me so happy to see you do everything so fast. Jesus is happy too!

Love, Mommy

Again, if I recall correctly, I found this little note in my lunch that day so many years ago. I don't think I was any older than seven. I've carried this note with me for close to twenty-five years. I have always kept it in a special place because it was a treasure.

As I looked at the note again the other day, I was reminded afresh of the gift of my mother. Sometime in highschool, I gave her the pet name "Marmie" and now that's what the grandchildren call her, too.

My Marmie. I'm so very, very thankful for her. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders. Especially as a mom. She is a source of deep encouragement to me as a woman, wife and mother. Every time she tells me, "You and Keith are doing a great job as parents--just keep on keeping on", it's like someone handed me a million bucks.

She listens. She doesn't give out opinions unless I ask for them--now that's saying something! When I try something new as a parent that she's unfamiliar with (home birth, babywearing, cosleeping, for example), she is always interested. I don't think she has ever frowned on Keith or me for the way we parent.

You know what that means? I ask her honest opinion about lots and lots of things. And then she tells me. But she always tells me in an encouraging way.

To this day, if I'm with her and I'm crying, she will pull my adult body into her arms and let me cry as she strokes my hair.

I love my sweet Marmie.

Two years ago, my Marmie was diagnosed with cancer. I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. I was so scared that I did a lot of pretending that nothing was wrong with her. I live about a thousand miles away from her, and, to be honest, for a while that suited me just fine. It was easier to pretend that she was OK.

But then we talked. And I poured out my heart to my sweet Marmie and told her how much she meant to me and that she couldn't ever, ever die. And then the pain was real and the miles between us hurt so much.

But God. God loved me much like Marmie loves me. He let me cry in His arms and He watched over her, too. Two years later my Marmie is cancer free. Her health is not what it was. And I do plenty of yelling at her to take it easy. But God has allowed her to be with me for at least a little longer. And I'm so thankful for that.

I have a wonderful, beautiful Marmie. Thank you, God, for my Marmie.

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

Gratituesday: A Healthy Pregnancy

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I'm officially into my third trimester! Twenty-eight weeks and counting! Woohoo!

Today I'm so thankful for a relatively smooth, easy and healthy pregnancy. I had some fatigue at the beginning, but that quickly passed. I didn't experience morning sickness other than a few queasy moments. I've been able to stay pretty active in spite of a sciatic nerve that wants to act up periodically. I've had great energy until recently when it has tapered off a bit. I think that's due to a typical iron slump I usually experience about this time. (Gotta take that Floradix!)

This little guy is much anticipated. Three boys. Wow. How fun and crazy will that be? Caden likes to talk about what will happen when baby Alec gets here. Levi likes to kiss my tummy--so sweet. Keith is excited to be the daddy of three little men.

This labor and delivery is going to be very different for us. Caden was born in a free-standing birth center--which is almost like having a home birth except it's not at home. I had great midwives and a very free and natural birth with Caden.

Levi was born at home. I had a new midwife, who was incredible, and it was wonderful to be able to have him born right here!

This time around my midwife has joined a doctor's practice and is no longer performing homebirths for the time being. She is able to help women "do birth" in the way that they prefer and has had many, many successful natural and beautiful deliveries in the hospital.

But it's still the hospital. And I've never done that before. It's pretty strange to me to go to the hospital for the first time after giving birth to two babies already. But I have a lot of confidence in my midwife and her ability and desire to advocate for me, so I'm very thankful for that as well.

And a hospital birth means less preparation. And less cleanup (for us, anyway). And someone else to fix food for a while even if it isn't the best food ever. So, that's something else to be thankful for!

I've still got a list as long as my arm of things I'd like to accomplish before this little one makes his arrival, but I'm really, truly enjoying this pregnancy.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of this little boy and for such a wonderful pregnancy!

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

My Sweet Little Levi

Two years ago this past Saturday, a sweet little man named Levi joined our family. After a month of false labor starts and stops, he finally came into the world. We hadn't chosen a name beforehand, but the name Levi seemed especially appropriate after his seeming hesitance to leave the womb and join the world. You see, Levi means "attached". And attached he was.

Levi was a pretty contented baby until he developed an intolerance to dairy--even while I was nursing him. He also had a rough go with the first doctor who treated his clubfeet--incorrect castings left him in pain. Once we figured out these issues, we had our sweet Levi once again.

For the past two years, our little Levi has been the source of much laughter and delight. He loves to make us smile and laugh. He affectionately doles out kisses and hugs. He likes to show off with cries of, "Watch dis, Mama, watch dis!" This exclamation is usually followed by some crazy move that makes my heart jump into my throat.

He wants to do everything just like his big brother. Climb as high, run as fast, and so on.

He likes to pray. We have to hold hands when we pray. And he repeats our words in his little baby voice.

He's a bit dramatic. He makes lots of hand motions and faces when he talks. And he talks quite a bit. (Wonder where he gets that from?)

He loves his daddy. And he loves his "Taden". And I'm pretty sure he loves his mama, too. In short, Levi is a boy bursting with love. And I just love him to pieces back.

Today I'm so thankful that the Lord has given Keith and I the privilege and delight of being Levi's mama and daddy. What an amazing gift he is. May we be faithful, Lord, to teach him and love him as you would have us do!

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

He Is at Rizzim!

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Last Easter, my oldest son Caden was three. We have always talked quite a bit in our home about the things of the Lord and of His Word. Regular toddler Bible readings, speaking about our Lord in the every day, praying about big and little things.

Caden was just starting to grasp some spiritual truths, and it was extra exciting when he would tell us something he had learned somewhere else--like his Sunday School class. It amazed me how much such a little one could retain from a short lesson for preschoolers.

Around Easter, we talked a LOT about Jesus' death. Caden had many questions about why Jesus died, how he died, etc. It certainly made me look at the story of the crucifixion through fresh eyes. I could see his sadness and horror at the truth of it, and that impacted me. It's so easy to let years of the "same old" story dull the poignant truth.

We also talked about how Jesus didn't stay dead. No, indeed! That he came alive again and is alive still! One day in the car, we were reviewing these truths as Caden asked more questions.

"Did Jesus die?"

"Yes, baby, he did die."

"Why did he die?"

"Because he loved us so much, and he wanted to die for us so that we wouldn't have to."

"Oh. Yeah."

"But he didn't stay dead--did he, Caden?"

"Nope."

"So, where is Jesus now, baby?"

Pause.

"OH! Oh, he is at Rizzim!"

Praise you, Lord! You are risen!

He is risen indeed!


For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

A Boy with Straight Feet

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Some of you already know that we're expecting our third baby. We have a four year old (Caden) and an almost two year old (Levi). Two delightful little boys. What I don't believe I've shared here before is that both of my sons were born with sweet little crooked feet. Otherwise known as club feet.

I first learned that Caden had club feet at my 20 week anatomy scan. At the time, it was a frightening and saddening experience. I was afraid that I would be repulsed at the sight of my baby (a ridiculous fear in hindsight). I was afraid that there was something else wrong. I was overwhelmed with trying to figure out the best treatment method for his feet.

But we walked through it. Or, the Lord walked us through it. It was trying at times. Weekly casting appointments two and a half hours away (that took much, much longer when we added in the needs of a newborn), minor surgery (a simple tenotomy), and dealing with casts and braces.

It got to the point, however, that all these things were just no big deal. He was still my sweet baby, and we just had a few curves thrown our way. It came to feel like our normal.

Then came baby number two. And 20 week anatomy scan number two. And club feet diagnosis number two. Another boy. Two more sweet crooked feet.

We were sad that we would have to go through the process again--and sad that this new little guy would have to go through the process himself. But we had learned that club feet is really no big deal. When treated by an doctor experienced in using the Ponseti method (and parents who are dedicated to the bracing regimen), a club foot patient has a 95% chance (or better) of avoiding major surgery and having perfectly functional feet for the rest of their life.

In fact, this time around our son was treated by Dr. Ignacio V. Ponseti himself. The (at the time) 93 year old "Master" who developed the method! But that's a story for another time.

In short, we're club feet veterans. We know the Ponseti method backwards and forwards. We realize that it's just no big deal. We're thankful to see our little guys running and playing just like every other kid.

So, when we found out we were expecting baby number three, we wondered. Really, I think we were pretty much expecting to do the club feet thing all over again. The trips, the casts, the sponge baths, the tenotomy, the questions, the strange looks, the weird brace.

Anatomy scan number three. It's a BOY! Three boys. Wow. It's gonna be crazy here.

"And his feet," we ask the sonographer, "does he have club feet, too?"

Nope.

WHAT?!

She shows us the picture. Feet straight as arrows. Not sweet little curved feet like we'd seen before. Feet as straight as an architect's ruler.

Wow.

WOW!!

Now, it's not that feet that are straight are better than feet that are crooked. Not at all. But you know what this means?

• A more restful postpartum period. No traveling.
• No worries about my sweet little guy being put to sleep.
• No casts.
• Bathing a newborn in those little bathtubs!
• Socks! Sweet little newborn socks!
• Shoes--you better believe I'm gettin' him some cute little soft shoes to wear from the get-go. Just cuz I can!
• Cuddling him without the hardness of a cast or brace between us.
  
• Babywearing, baby! (Do-able, but tricky with casts and braces.)
• Seeing sweet little straight baby feet. Just bare little toes with nothing on 'em.

Hallelujah! What a gift! Join me in rejoicing over straight feet!

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

Words of Encouragement

Image by Hamed Masoumi

Ever had one of those days as a mama? Really, you're thinking, isn't that kind of a silly question? Because the truth is that we all have those days. Recently, I was feeling like I was having an unpleasant number of those days strung together like a strand of pearls. Only pearls are pretty and these days were. . .not.

I'm the blessed mother of a very strong-willed little boy. He's a delight to me and the Lord has really shown me that his strong will is a gift to be molded and shaped--not a problem to be removed. But that doesn't mean that it isn't the hardest thing I've ever done in my life--this thing called parenting. Parenting my Caden has stretched me and sanctified me in ways nothing else ever could have.

On a particularly hard day when I felt like I was failing in big ways, my phone rang. It was my sweet friend Cynthia, who I've been meeting with recently. She's a little older than me, a whole lot wiser, and she's got a lot of wisdom to share. In fact, she's the friend who shared the idea of making a list of all the positive things about my husband that I mentioned last week.

Cynthia is an encourager. We spoke for several minutes and in that time frame, the Lord used her beautiful heart and caring words to lift my eyes heavenward. She encourages by speaking the truth. She doesn't just tell me what I want to hear. She encourages by reminding me of an eternal perspective. She encourages by laughing with me. She encourages by challenging me.

Today I'm so thankful that the Lord put Cynthia in my life. I also want to be mindful of ways that I can encourage other woman on this beautiful, but challenging journey. Do I speak the truth of God's Word? Do I point to eternity? Do I laugh and hug and cry? Lord, please use me in the life of another mom who needs to be lifted up.

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers. Oh, and for Pete's sake! Don't miss the wonderful Marie-Madeline Studio apron giveaway that's going on this week!

Prizing My Husband

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You know what? I've got a great husband. I really, really do. But sometimes. . .I can take him for granted. Or get irritated with small faults that grow to ridiculous proportions in my imagination.

Recently, I've been reminded of the importance of prizing my husband. I have a new, dear friend who I've been meeting with for dessert (Yum!) and a book discussion (Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney). She mentioned that she and her husband had been doing The Love Dare, which is a book that grew out of the movie Fireproof.

Now that last paragraph had a TON of marriage resources in it for you! I would especially recommend watching Fireproof if you haven't done so already. I've got a pretty good marriage, but it made me feel a burning desire to protect, grow and light my marriage on FIRE! (Pun intended.)

In any case, my sweet friend told me that one of the exercises in The Love Dare book was to make a list of all the positive things about your spouse. She told me that after she completed her list, she was overwhelmed with what a great gift she had in her husband! Now she keeps her list in a handy spot, so that she can pull it out occasionally when she needs to be reminded of the blessing God has given her.

Now, isn't that a fabulous idea?

So, I'm gonna copy her.

Here's my list:

My husband is. . .

• Patient (oh-so-very)
• Kind (he almost ALWAYS speaks kindness to me)
• Honest (never in our marriage has he told me a lie)
• Encouraging (on my worst days, he picks me up with his loving encouragement)
• Hardworking (seriously, girls, there is no one on the planet as hardworking)
• Visionary (he dreams AND shares those dreams with me)
• Generous (I'm embarrassed to say that by nature, I am NOT, so I really admire this)
• Committed to our family (I know that after God we're his number one priority)
• Faithful to follow God (even when he struggles, he presses on)

Really. I'm the luckiest woman alive. And I am so grateful for my husband today.

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers for Gratituesday!

What about you? What are some of the things you love about your husband?