Do Not Be Anxious

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:6-7

This verse is taped to my monitor at work. Often I don't notice it and forget it is there. But on days like today, God opens my eyes and provides me with the lift I need. He speaks through his words, but I too often don't look to them. God never leaves us or forsakes us, and is always looking for ways to speak to us, to provide us comfort and peace. This verse is key to me as I have a big tendency to worry, and God knows that. Thanks God for the much needed words of encouragement today. Let me continue to look to you, and your word, always.

Some days

Some days are better than others. Some weeks, and some years too. I've had my share of tough times. It often feels like one step forward and two steps back. That's what I'm dealing with this week. Brad and I are really feeling the effects of the economic downturn in our country. I know this affects many of you too, as we've seen among our friends and family. But it has now touched us more than I thought it would.

The company I work for has been deeply affected by the lack of funds for development, with the bank/mortgage crisis and cut back in consumer spending, and the slowdown in highway work from the local governments. They have had several rounds of layoffs, cutting to the bare bones really. As I handle marketing, I've been swamped, preparing more proposals than ever, and researching to find more work to go after. Unfortunately, in order to not cut any more jobs, my firm had to "roll back" salaries this week for all employees. As we'd found things pretty tight in our budget coming out of 2008 and several unexpected expenses, this is not an easy thing for Brad and I. It is such a setback. And we still haven't figured out the details on where we are going to cut. We were already very conservative in our spending, so I know it is going to hurt. Overall, I find myself sad and frustrated. I know it is all out of my control, but that fact isn't providing much comfort.

I am VERY GRATEFUL that I still have a job. A good friend of mine just got laid off last week, and my heart aches for her as she is out there in a tough time trying to find a job. Who knows how long that will take her and what she might have to settle with. And many family members are hurting financially as well because of the times, and all of that has me really bummed.

I'm sad that the hopes I've had for our future feel like they are slipping farther away, more out of reach because we may not financially be able to make them happen. These things we were working hard for, and now we are just working hard. I hate that there are things I want but may not be able to provide for Evan. I'd love your prayers. I trust in God...he has always proven trustworthy in my life. I still believe his is in control, though I am not. I know he will see us through, but I know that doesn't mean it won't be hard. He will provide for all of us, and enable us to provide for Evan's needs, I am confident. But how it will all happen...I'm still processing this.

Please keep us in your prayers. Pray for my company, for its future, that we will secure new work soon, and that current projects that are on hold or pending will come through in this time of need. Pray that Brad's raise (which was promised several months ago) will actually come through very soon. This gives us hope. It won't make up the whole difference of my pay decrease, but will really minimize it. Also, pray for my friend, and family members who are struggling. You may not know their exact situation but God knows. And pray for our country. That we can come out of this hard time and get back to the prosperity our country is known for. I hate hearing of new layoffs every day. People are hurting.

I'm focusing on the verse from Matthew 6:26 that I've heard so often over the years. But in times like these we need the constant reminder of God's provision.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

I will continue to count my blessings, even though on days like these they seem to be overshadowed. There is always something to be thankful for. And our happiness, our joy in life, does not stem from circumstances but from our attitude. As my mom has always said, when you wake up in the morning, you have a choice to be happy or not. It's all up to you.

"Happiness doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It simply means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."

I love this quote I saw today on Jody's blog. She gives some wonderful insight into happiness and being content. It was just what I needed to be reminded of today. It actually brought to mind another bible verse.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1: 2-4

I'm working towards that joy...I know I will get there once I work my way through my other emotions.

Well, it hit us...

...the stomach bug that is. The Sofka's brought it from Tennessee but we forgive them. :) We're just glad they're back in our neck of the woods, virus or no virus!

Evan got it bad Friday night, and I won't go into details because it wasn't pretty. Let's just say it involved several times of deep cleaning the carpet over the weekend. Poor little thing hasn't thrown up before and really had no idea what was going on, so he just wouldn't sit still. We had to hole up in the bathroom for a bit until the worst was over. Overall, he handled it pretty well, in surprisingly good spirits. Me on the other hand...I didn't handle it so well. I had the worst on Sunday morning, and it wiped me out for 48 hours! And that was just the time I was in bed and felt so weak and tired that I only walked around a handful of times. I'm still feeling the effects of a sore stomach today...when does it end? I'm hoping and praying that's tomorrow as I don't want it to ruin another weekend.

I have just one word for this thing: MISERABLE. I can't remember the last time I had a stomach virus, and hope I won't have one again for a long time. My Mom says she's got the iron stomach that comes from her side (the Harvey side) of the family but she still didn't venture over to our place last weekend like she had originally planned. Mom, looks like I don't take after the Harvey side - no iron stomach here! Brad, on the other hand, miraculously hasn't gotten this thing and is keeping a distance (as much as possible) from me and Evan so he doesn't have to feel the pain of the stomach bug. I have faith he'll make it through unscathed. So glad Evan and I seem to be on the road to recovery...here's to feeling healthy again soon!

Can't Thank Them Enough

Today I am feeling even more grateful than I normally am for having family close by. We have been blessed to have Brad's mom watch Evan on a daily basis and I couldn't ask for a better caretaker. I know he is given such love and care, and I don't have to worry while I'm at work. Amazingly she has been very healthy, and very rarely, if ever, had to miss a day. Unfortunately she got the stomach bug this weekend, and wasn't able to watch him today, or tomorrow. Poor thing - I hope she feels better soon!

So we've had to figure out who else could watch Evan. Brad's schedule is usually pretty flexible but he had a meeting and then a photoshop class to attend today (even though it's not his day to teach). With the way the economy is, I'm extremely busy at work (marketing to get new work of course), and hated to get behind taking a sick day to stay home. Thankfully, with all the family we have around, someone was able to help out. Noel, my step-dad, came to the rescue today and drove 1 hour each way from Melbourne! What a lifesaver. I took a short day going in from 10am-3pm so he could avoid traffic as much as possible. For tomorrow, Brad is able to watch Evan in the morning, and my dad (always saving the day) is going to watch him in the afternoon.

I feel like there really is no way to adequately thank them or repay them all for what they do for us. I hope they know how much it means to us and that if there is anything we can ever do for them, we're there! We love you guys!

Counting Down the Days...

It's only a matter of days now until my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, and cutie-pie nephews get back into town. It feels like they've been gone so long, though it's only been 2 1/2 years now that they have been in Nashville, TN. We've been fortunate to see them a few times each year, but we dearly missed them all the time in between. So our excitement is growing as the day they come back nears! Brad and my mother-in-law head up on Saturday to help them finish packing up and make the trip on Sunday with the moving van and cars. I'm praying for their safe and smooth travels.

Check out this beautiful family!

Sweet nephews! Garrett and Cole
(We've only been able to see Cole one time since he was born so I'm looking forward to giving him a squeeze.)

New Years Fun

I had to post some cute photos from our fun New Year's Eve. We were invited over to John and Summer's place. Low key, but really nice hanging out with them and Shawn and Amy and their sweet girls Sophia and Nora. Evan had a blast playing with the girls and they loved running around the house. Evan was a trooper and stayed up until midnight, actually until 1 am when he crashed on the couch. He's got to be really tired to fall asleep anywhere but his crib.

A little dancin'

Sophia's interpretation of Mr. Potato Head

Running around!

Giving Sophia a hug. So sweet!

The guys trying to help Evan learn the game.


Sparklers!

Cutie Nora

The ladies

Nice photo of us with Summer and John

Shawn and Amy introduced us to their New Year's Eve tradition. At midnight, you sip champagne, kiss you sweetheart, hold money for prosperity and eat 12 grapes for good luck! It's a lot to get into one minute right at the beginning of the new year. But we'll take any luck in 2009. Here's hoping it's better, mostly financially, than 2008.

A Word to Focus on in 2009

Along with everyone else at the beginning of a New Year, I'm thinking about the coming year and what I hope to change from last year...you know, resolutions. I hate to admit that many of my resolutions are carry overs from last year. Like working out on a regular basis! But, hey, the slate is wiped clean, right?! Something different that I came across this year, is the idea of choosing a word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009. Something that has personal meaning to you. I think I like this better than the typical resolutions. It's looking at more of a bigger picture, and a focal point for the year. (I found out about the idea of the one word for the year through Ali Edwards. She explains the concept much better than I.)

So, I've been thinking about my ONE word the last few days and decided upon Cherish.

cher·ish (chěr'ĭsh) tr.v. cher·ished, cher·ish·ing, cher·ish·es
1. To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid.
2. To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote

It is a gentle word, with a peaceful tone. My choice of this word stems from the fact that my life has been largely focused around my young son the last 2 years and I know that will continue. I hope to nurture and protect him this year. Encourage his development. I also hope to foster my relationship with my husband and make sure we have time together amidst the busyness of life. My family is my life's focus and so important to me.

The time with them and our friends and extended family are also special to me. I hope to record and cherish those memories better in 2009. I'll do this through continuing this blog and my scrapbooking. I'm committed to taking a photo every day this year and taking part in recording it through Becky Higgins Project 365 kit. (I was so excited to be one of the lucky ones able to get the first printing of this kit - it sold out in just 2 hours!) If this idea interests you, you don't have to have the kit and you can record your photos and notes for each day any way you want. Learn more about the concept at Becky Higgins Blog. I know I won't be able to keep up perfectly and will probably miss days here and there, but there are so many ways to get around that...using two photos from another day, taking a photo of something that represents what you experienced that day, using something like a ticket stub or program/flyer to represent the day. By the end of the year I'm looking forward to seeing a real "picture" of my family's year, all the moments both big and small. Hopefully, I'll capture things I would have missed just doing a traditional scrapbook that focuses on big events, trips, celebrations, etc. Using Becky's kit, I really think this is something I can keep up with, even as busy as I am.

Overall, this year I hope my demenour reflects tenderness and affection to all those around me. I will look to God always for strength, and hold close to his word for guidance and encouragement. He has blessed me with all there is to hold dear in my life. Overall, I just want to live in each moment God gives me. To embrace life! Cherish each memory I'm making and all that is good each and every day of 2009.

If you like the idea of one word for the year, feel free to join me and choose your own word. I hope all of you have a full and blessed 2009!

Update: Here is a great list of words to help you choose yours - http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/01/2009-words.html.

A Christmas Recap

Well, we made it through the Christmas Extravaganza! :) Three full days of Christmas celebrations. It just takes that long to get around to all our family. We are just so loved, it's wonderful! Evan got sick, poor thing, on Christmas day but with a good night's sleep his fever was gone the next morning. He really got the hang of opening up his gifts. My Dad only had to show him once how to rip open the ends and every other gift he knew just what to do. He's so smart. He now has an array of new toys to play with thanks to everyone's generosity.

I got a new digital camera (point and shoot) that has twice the megapixels of my old one and a bigger zoom capability. And it's pink! Thanks Dad and Leslie! Evan had gotten a hold of my old camera and ripped the slide cover off, and it hasn't worked the same since...the lens wouldn't go down on it's own and I couldn't view the photos I'd taken just to name a few issues. So a new camera was much needed because I'm a big picture taker!

Here's a photo recap of our 3 days of Christmas. I took A LOT of photos so these are just a few highlights. You can check out more on Facebook.

Day 1 - Christmas Eve with my Dad and Leslie

Grandpa gets a bow on his head
(also check out the Suess looking Christmas tree in the background)

New fun toy!

"You can play with the toys. I'm taking a break!"

Always a silly boy!

Chillin' with Uncle David


Shakin' the tamborine at the Toddler Christmas Eve Church Service
(First United Methodist Church Downtown)

Day 2 - Christmas Day with the Posey's

Opening his big gift from Santa (at home before we left to go to my in-laws)
- a kid table and chairs

I love that he loved playing with the cups and straws we got him.
Practical gifts he needed anyway! :) And yes, Brad was feeling his head as he was warm and had a fever.

The tent he got.

Our nephews opening gifts.

Our youngest neice Zoe fell asleep amidst the gift wrap. So cute!

Putting together Evan's toy.

Day 3 - Day after Christmas with my Mom and Noel

His Uncle David got him a kid friendly harmonica.
Evan is pretty good at it, minus the drool! :)

Enjoying a delicious dinner.
Love this photo!

It's Mr. Potato Head

Snuggle time with Granny