2011....where has the time gone?!

Hard to believe that 2011 will be in our rear view mirrors! As we travel into unexpected events, memories, and milestones of 2012, I will try my best to recap each month of 2011. How God has worked His good in every situation.

January: It's always nice to start fresh and new. January is always a welcome to a fresh start to try to do better, be wiser, be still and listen to God, and not make the same mistakes you did the last year.

February: (1st) We dropped our insurance because we couldn't afford it! Taking a huge step in faith, that God will continue to provide. (1st-4th) The kids were out from school the first week because of an ice storm that came through. Our pipes froze for days, so we camped out at Rob's parents. So blessed to have family! (5th) Rob and I's 18th blind date anniversary was celebrated. (18th) My father died from a heart attack at the young age of 52. Didn't have a relationship with him because of my bad child hood. That's another story for another time.

March: (14th-18th) We had a yard sale at my mother in laws the week of Spring Break. We usually do our yearly camping trip. But it gave me time to reflect on my relationships with my in laws. I'm not going to beat around the bush, my relationship with my in laws has been stranded since Rob and I remarried. God's really been working on this with me this year. God keeps telling me "Let go and let Me!" He says this allot and it's usually easier said than done.(31st) Met my father's mother for the first time after many years has passed! I was told by extended family from my dad's side that she had passed. This was a day a will forever hold dear, as she is my only living grandparent!

April: (2nd) Our oldest turned 17 years old!!! Can it really be?! How time flies! (5th) My dad was finally laid to rest, lots of issues. The same day he was buried, our 3rd child broke her right leg.  She was in allot of pain the first three nights because we couldn't get her into the specialist until the 8th and had no pain meds! (8th) When she finally was able to get to the specialist, she needed emergency surgery that would require two screws placed. The doctor wasn't sure if where she'd broke it, if there would be permanent damage to her growth plate. As bills kept piling up, our faith in God grew! As you know we didn't have insurance, so everything was paid for out of pocket. God provided in amazing ways! (11th) Early morning about 2:30am, a tornado hit our small country town. Damage was done to our place, our neighbors and in our town. Praising God that no one was seriously hurt!

May: (5th) 1st year anniversary that Rob adopted our 2nd and 3rd children was celebrated. And our first baby chick "Thursday" was born! (7th) Rob, the kids and I took Grandma out to Joe's Crab Shack for a Mother's day out from the nursing home. She loved every minute of it and so did we! (14th-15th) Helped Rob reorganize our storage build! That within it's self was amazing. I LOVE organizing! (21st) Our second child turned 14 years old! I really need to figure out what I've been feeding these kids. Their growing up too fast for my liking! (27th) We went to a dear friend of ours daughter's high school graduation, Krissy was so beautiful! So blessed that we got to be apart of her day! (31st) My best friends, husband's, Grandaddy passed away. Very sad day....it's never easy losing a loved one. But even harder when they had such an amazing bond together! He will be dearly missed!

June: (3rd) Another graduation, special friends son, Dustin was awesome! Super proud of him....he went on to serve our country and go into the Army! He also just got married this year as well, in August. (7th) The kids last day of school! Always a happy time for our family! (9th) Our 3rd child's last visit with the specialist, her leg is healing great and her growth plate is even better! Praising God for answered prayers! (11th) Family vacation with Rob's parents to Padre Island! We spent a week there and enjoyed every bit of it! Our son, Rob and Fred (Rob's dad) went deep sea fishing. We celebrated Fred and Ginna's (Rob's parents) 56th anniversary at the Outback! Went to the Texas State Aquarium, what a blast we had! (18th) We returned home and our a/c was broke! Had to get a totally new unit inside and out! Wasn't looking at spending that kind of money, since we just returned from a vacation! But blessed that God provided once again!! (24th) My best friend and her husband celebrated their 16th anniversary! (29th) Took our oldest to get her Senior pictures done at Glamour Craft! Just yesterday it was her kindergarten pictures :o)

July: (4th) Year five that we've spent it with my best friend and her family! We always LOVE their beautiful place! In-ground pool, land and good times! (5th) My 34th birthday! How could I be this old?! (11th-18th) My mom comes and stays with us for one week out of the summer, this was our 2nd year to do it. I get valuable time with her and she gets valuable time with her grandbabies! It's a win/win situation! (25th-29th) Our 2nd enjoys the beginning of Freshman Band Camp!! (31st) Our 1st, 7th Spiritual birthday. What a special time for her/us to reflect, remember, give praises and rejoice that's she made "the" most important choice of her life!

August: (1st-19th) Our 2nd continues to enjoy Freshman Band Camp! (10th) Our 2nd goes to "Fish" Camp, this is when she gets her tour, t-shirt and meets teachers! Love that our school does this! Makes it a little more easier for freshman! (16th) My baby sister graduates from college getting her Associates! She's the first out of us 5 kids to graduate from high school and go onto college! Both my parents were drop outs and so was I and 3 of my siblings. This was HUGE for us! SO proud of her. She's going now to get her Bachelors! (19th) Double Date with my bff and her husband! First time doing this in the 6 years we've been bff's! Loved this time together and we need to do it again VERY soon! (22nd) First day of school! We have a senior, freshman, 5th grader and 3rd grader! Cherish every second! (28th) Rob and I's 18th and 8th wedding anniversary and our 8th Spiritual birthday! Wonderful day!

September: (9th) Only son and our 4th, 9th birthday, last single digit birthday! This boy is growing so fast! He's our baby, so you could see where I'm having a little trouble with this! (28th) Our 2nd third Spiritual birthday! We love celebrating these more than anything else. What a special time for her/us to reflect, remember, give praises and rejoice that's she made "the" most important choice of her life! I'm sure that the heavens are rejoicing as well! Oh how I'd love to see that! One day....

October: (7th) Alvarado's seventh football game undefeated! (8th) Our 2nd and Alvarado Golden Warrior Band Won "Second Place" in the Marching contest! (17th) Senior Parent Meeting...talking about Prom, Graduation....I'm not hearing this! Not ready! (28th) Drove to Wichita Falls to see Rob's cousin Carla that's in the hospital. I treasure this moment because it was the last we saw of her alive. (29th) Carla passed away at the young age of 60 from COPD. She lives on through her husband; Bob, her daughter; Carley, son; Matt, and her best friend and sister Shari, plus lots of family and friends!

November: (5th) We laid Carla to rest....never an easy thing. Our hearts are heavy but rejoice because she's in a better place with our Lord! (7th) My mom had a mini stroke. Turns out it wasn't, it was early signs of MS. (10th) Our 3rd 11th birthday, the big 11! (18th) Our 3rd first slumber party! Four girls and I enjoy an evening of homemade pizza, crafts, fun, laughs and silly string! (21st-25th) Thanksgiving break! My favorite time of the year! Lots of people, blessings and memories to be thankful for, not just during Thanksgiving but all year round! (23rd) Rob's 39th birthday....last year in his 30's! When we met he was hardly in his 20's! I just love this man and his humor! If you ask him how old he is, he will tell you 29....he even has the kids saying this! (24th) Thanksgiving day.....had our Thanksgiving in Waco with my family for the first time! It didn't look like our past Thanksgivings but it was just as memorable!

December: (3rd) Rob's company always has a end of the year party....employees only. But this year, they did one for employees and spouses! It was great! Praying that they can/will do this every year from now on! Everyone was recognized for their hard work through out the year! Very special! Couldn't be more proud of my husband! He works so hard for our family, so that I can stay home and be whom God created me to be. A servant for Him, Rob and my children. (9th) Alvarado Indians make it to the State Championship Game for the first time ever, and undefeated! First time to the Cowboy Stadium; what an experience! We lost by one point but no worries, we made HISTORY! (12th) Our 3rd went to West, TX for a UIL Competition for Listening Skills and received "Second Place"! (17th) One year anniversary for NO SMOKING! Rob and I quit "cold-turkey" together, and we all survived!!! God gave us the strength, endurance, determination and will power to break those chains! Giving Him all the glory! (19th-23) The kids are out for Winter Break! Love this time to spend with them! Late nights, late mornings, movies, games, crafts, hot chocolate, and special "family" time! (25th) Four years of being set apart from most of the world. It's extremely difficult most times but God gets us through it. (26th-30th) Rob's home on vacation! We love and cherish his days off! Super blessed that he has a great job that gives him three weeks a year for vacation! (27th) Our 1st started driving school! We tried doing the parent taught but that was a bust. But we're blessed to have the extra monies to put her though this! Hard to wrap my mind around! When I see her behind the wheel, it reminds me of a  commercial. The father's talking with his "little" girl and says for her to be careful and call him when she gets to where she's going. The the next time the camera focuses on her, she's all grown up. That's what I see! It brings a tear to my eye, and a lump in my throat every time! (31st-today) We will be spending New Years Eve at home this year. For the last four years we've spent it with my bff and her family. It's okay though....we have next year and many more years ahead, Lord willing!

So after looking back and remembering the good, the bad and the ugly. I have but a few things to say....I am blessed, highly favored, and very thankful! God is SO good to me and my loved ones! Happy New Year All!

Blessings and love,
Hollie

Timely Words

Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Wow, was this timely for me this morning. I have been needing to hear this and right before I read this, Hollie told me I needed to let it go on an issue we were discussing. Ya think maybe He's trying to tell me something.
This is one of those things that I dearly struggle with. Spur of the moment, I get upset, angry, or whatever, then I usually let it go pretty quick (not always been that way). Where I run into problems is; hours later I start thinking about the situation again and start thinking about my own righteousness and then the problems start; bitterness, anger, resentment, etc. and then it just piles up until I'm a total mess and Satan is sitting in the background with that, "I just ate the canary" look on his face.
I am resolved to change this way of thinking and reacting. My brother-in-law just recently said some great words of wisdom when I apologized to him for something I'd done (another story), and he told me, "Life is too short to hang on to grudges, and if a man is willing to apologize, then who am I not to forgive him". Pretty humbling at the time and I should really take his wisdom into consideration in my own outlook on life. I know this intellectually, but that doesn't make it any easier to do, but let's take this a step further to follow in Jesus' footsteps, forgive even when they don't ask.
That's all for now, just part of the good, the bad, and in this case "the ugly".

Robert

My Princess, I will redeem the time for you....

I bought a book back in September at the homeschooling convention, called "His Princess; Love Letters from Your King." I love it! It gives me a daily verse and then it "unwraps" that verse it such a way I would have never imagined. I read out of it daily, and most times than not, God speaks to me through this little book. Just as He does in His word, the Bible. This morning I received with an open heart and extremely thankful for Him always hearing my daily prayers! Here's what He blessed me with this morning.

"I know that sometimes you look back on your life with anguish and regret-so much time wasted on things that did not matter. But take heart, My love. I am your Redeemer, and today is a new day. So start now by seeking My Plans, which are to give you hope and a future. Just as I used hardship in Joseph's life to lead him to a position of leadership, influence, and blessing, I've also called you. I will use your past to carve into your character everything you need for the hear and now. I want you to let your past experiences teach you and not torment you. Remember, My princess, I will always turn into good what others meant for harm. I will redeem what was lost and place you on the narrow road that leads to an everlasting life.
Love,
Your King and your Redeemer

Jeremiah 29:11; "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Blessings and love,
Hollie

Face "less" book

So glad that we've gotten off the face"less"book. I really think that this has removed any face time that we as a society have had with each other.
We sit across a room from someone and text each other instead of just talking. I know not everybody does this, but I have, and so do a lot of people.
We put post up on face book that we would never say to the other person. You cannot use body language, over the internet, to dictate whether or not to continue on a discussion or whether what your saying is hurting someone else. You just get to say whatever pleases your little heart and "be damned" to anybody else or their feelings.
I don't think this is how we were designed to be and no matter how hard you try not to be hateful or derogatory, you are (I am) without a doubt, out of touch with the other person on the other side of the discussion. Though sometimes this may feel like relief, it's just plain selfishness and I'm glad we're not indulging in this anymore. Does this mean that I'm not going voice to my thoughts and opinions? NO, but this way if you don't want to see my thoughts, you don't have to look at the blog. Maybe this way we'll find more "like-minded" people to be involved with.

To those of you who we don't agree on issues with and who we're still friends with, THANK YOU!!!! for allowing us to be us and not condemning us for having a different point of view. This is just proof that we can agree to disagree and still love each other and have friendships.

Robert

It's Done...

Why wait any longer?! I have deleted my facebook account! Lord, I ask that You give me the strength needed to do Your will. Thank You for opening my eyes once again to Your truth, giving me the strength to go through with it and allow You to lead and guide me to Your way. Mold me and make me in Your image. All I want to do is please and honor You......

Blessings and love,
Hollie

No More Facebooking....

This coming Friday, I will be deleting my facebook account. There are many reasons why, but the biggest one is; God ask me to. It takes up allot of my time, it makes me want to say and think things that are not of Christ and there's allot of DRAMA! There's no really relationships on there and it's all about the number of "friends" you have.

So I created a blog instead, this blog will help in many ways. Writing about what's going on with my family, our journey and how God will and is continuing to change us as a family and as an individual.

With that all being said, I hope I can stay in touch with family and friends through my blog instead of facebook. And that this blog will bless you as much as I know it will bless me!

Blessings and love,
Hollie