Money gift

Gary and I recently have been struggling with money. Gary has a wonderful job but with the recent struggles in the economy, his company has suffered too. Last September when our family returned from a wonderful vacation at the beach and Gary was hit with a 10% pay cut. We were concerned because we had just found out that I was pregnant with Addison but we dealt with it and the Lord provided what we needed. In February or March of this year Gary’s company cut hours in some departments and his department was cut. At that point, Gary started looking for another job and looking for a part-time job. We were praying and praying and it seemed that no job (either part-time or full-time) was coming our way. There were a few job offers but nothing fit what we needed. My due date was quickly approaching and there was still no answer in sight. Both of us began to pray even harder. Addison arrived and without me working, our budget was even tighter. One evening in May, we came home from an evening out, picked up with mail and found a strange envelope. Gary opened it up and we found a check for $1000! We were in shock! There was no return address, just a letter.

 

Gary and Natalie

This is a gift from the Lord, He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and He supplies all your needs (Philippians 4:19). He is increasing your faith and your rest. This blessing and these trials are meant for your glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” His power and riches are better than any trials. Be encouraged! This is only for a season.

“Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen. Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted. Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns are empty. I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain!” Habakkuk 3:17-19 (The Message)

 

Gary and I were so encouraged! Neither of us have ever been blessed like this before. The money pulled us through till I began working again. Just when Gary and I felt we were at a dead end, the Lord gave us exactly what we needed, when we needed it! Jesus is always faithful, always there to meet our need! Thank you Jesus!

 

And many blessings and a HUGE thank you to whomever sent us the gift!

Thankful Thursday

 

~ A little girl that still comes crying to me when she is hurt

 

~ A husband’s good kisses after a long day at work

 

~ Little baby smiles

 

~ A faithful god that provides all my needs

 

~ Brothers that are not afraid to act silly with my daughter

Stop Wind, Stop!

Allie is NOT a fan of the wind. She positively hates it. Her hate for the wind especially comes out at school. The school sits up on a small hill with no trees around to help block it. We park in the parking lot every morning or afternoon depending on my schedule. (I am a teacher at the girls school.) Allie reminds me everyday when we pull in the parking lot that she doesn’t like the wind. Well this particular morning, she was a bit full of herself. Here is our conversation:

 

Allie - “Mommy, I no like the wind.”

Mommy - “I know baby. I’m sorry”

Allie - “Mommy, can you stop the wind?”

Mommy - “No baby, I can’t. it won’t listen to me.”

Allie - “It will listen to me!”

*Allie then stands with her legs spread and arms up, just like Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments during the parting of the Red Sea.*

Allie - “Stop, wind! Stop!”

“Stop, wind! Stop! Mommy! Its not stopping!”

Mommy - “I’m sorry baby. The wind has a mind of it own.”

Allie - “I try again!”

“Stop wind! I say stop!”

Sadly, the wind did not stop blowing. Allie still hates it but I got a good laugh that morning!

Sleeping babe’s

Today I took a nap. It was wonderful. Naps have been rare for me mainly because of working in the afternoons. They are even more rare because I have a 10 week old and a 3 year old. And yet, they are even more rare than that cause Addison has Acid Reflux. So laying down hurts, sitting propped up hurts, slouching in a bouncy hurts. Sometimes the only thing that helps is being wrapped in Mamma’s arms, sitting straight up and down. (Then she gets a nap and I don’t!) Addison has finally turned a corner with the Reflux. (THANK YOU JESUS!) Napping is easier (for her that is!) Playtime is more and her favorite new activity is smacking on her hands!

 

We came home from lunch today and Addison was hungry She isn’t too keen on eating any place but at home. Bottle followed and she fell asleep, out like a light, when she was done. So precious. Smart Mamma puts her down and tip toes away. Less than ten minutes later, she is awake and crying. As soon as I pick her up, she is out again. Well, I figured I would take total advantage of it so we climbed in *bed together and slept. It was sweet, so precious. It was a moment I think I will always treasure. Laying there looking at my sweet little girl without struggling to get her calm. It was a special time.

 

 

*Yes, I know that Dr.s do not recommend babies and parents to co-sleep. We didn’t do it with Alexis because of that. We co-sleep with Addison out of necessity.

Today, I believe. Tomorrow, I will still believe…

Faith is not something that comes easy to me. I don’t think it is something that comes easy to anyone! The past 9 months have been the most difficult Gary and I have gone through together. (That story will come later! Believe me, you will be encouraged!) But through it all, even when we didn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, the Lord has been faithful! Even though I have seen Him work and provide for my family countless times these past months, I still struggle with my faith.

 

My struggle started when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1995. Since then I have been praying for healing. The church I attending through high school had a bit of a revival of sorts and many times, I felt I needed to take a step and go off my insulin. My sugar would go up and I knew that the time for healing was not then. As a kid, its a bit crushing when you expect something to happen and it doesn’t. “When the Lord Closes a Door, Somewhere He Opens a Window.” This saying is so cliché but I really believe it! If it was the Lord’s will then he would allow me to move on it whatever it was. If it wasn’t then I believed the Lord would shut the door and he would show me what the next step was. He has done this for me and my family time and time again!

 

Its very easy to get down and out when you don’t see an end to your struggle. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep having faith! Things will change and an answer will come. Remember, the Lord works in his time, not in ours.

Addison’s Birth Story

 

The birth of Addison was so different than Alexis. With Alexis, I was in active labor for 47 hours before it was decided to deliver via c-section. With the birth of Addison, I wanted to try and have her naturally. The morning of the 17th, I was induced. By the evening, I had made NO progress what so ever. Gary and I decided that we would stop and have a c-section the next day. The next morning, I was so nervous I was shaking till the the spinal kicked in. I kept on thinking about what the Dr. was doing to me which is never a good thing! Once the surgery started I just kept listening for Addison's cry. Once I heard that, I started crying and they popped her head over the screen so I could see her. All I could comment on was her hair! The spinal started wearing off at that point. That was when I started feeling what the Dr. was doing too. The Dr’s started pumping the painkillers. I had 3 or 4 rounds of morphine plus a few other drugs. Until the meds started kicking in again, I concentrated on my breathing and controlling my emotions. They kicked in right before I had to be put to sleep. Gary was with me and he was getting upset watching me in pain. He was such a rock. He kept praying. Praying over me and praying over Addison. Once the med’s kicked in and I started to get loopy, Gary kept going back and forth between me and her, telling me her size and showing me pictures. The best thing was listening to her cry since I couldn’t hold her. I spent an hour in recovery then on the way back to my room, they took me by the NICU and let me look at her. She is a beautiful baby. So chubby and with such dark hair and skin! By that evening, I was able to get into a wheelchair and visit her for a while.

 

I am sitting on the edge of a life changing event. Tomorrow I will be induced to give birth to my second daughter, Addison. There are so many emotions going through me right now. First and foremost, I am excited! Spending the past few days in the Birthplace, hearing the babies cry, listening to Braham’s Lullaby played has made me yearn to hold this little one. To meet her, start to get to know her, to watch Gary with her and see her big sister meet her for the first time. I am ready to take her home and begin a new life together. Second, I am nervous. I have been told by nurses, the doctor by friends that this labor will be much different than my last. I am praying that my body is ready, that I can handle the pain, that I can keep a clear head through the entire process. Lastly I am scared. Alexis was born c-section and it was a great experience. My recovery went well and I had no adverse side effects from it so I naturally want to fall back onto that because I know it was good once! I am afraid of the pain that comes with laboring. I am afraid of going through the process. I know I can do this though. I feel the Lord’s strength in my stronger and stronger and I know he will lift me up and guide me.

 

Dear Gary,

I can’t even begin to put down in words how incredible you are. You are my rock. Exactly who I need. I would not be able to live this life without you. I love you more than any words can say my SB.

 

Dear Alexis,

My Big little girl. My miracle baby. You are so precious to my heart. My life was incomplete until you and your daddy came along. I love your laugh, your attitude. I love watching you change and learn new things. I have never been more proud to be called your mamma.

 

Dear Addison,

I don’t know you but I love you deeply. I was afraid this would be a struggle for me because I feel so much love for your sister but there is so much love for you too. I can’t wait to see your little face, to know what your eye’s look like and what color your hair is!

 

I Love all three of you so much, so much!