Sweet Encouragment for ALL Women this Mother's Day, Plus a Sweet Deal!

Today a friend of mine had shared a link on Facebook that caught my attention.  The link led me to a blog post titled, "For Moms, Former Moms, and Wannabe Moms."  You see, this caught my attention because I fall into two of these categories.  I fall into the "Mom" category, one of God's many gifts of grace in my life for which I'm so thankful, but I also fall into the "Wannabe Moms" category, which isn't always as easy to be thankful for.  Up until recently, I hadn't really shared with anyone (with the exception of family and a couple close friends), but we've been struggling with secondary infertility.  Though we have been through numerous trials in our 5 years of marriage, this is by far the most difficult.  Hopefully I'll be able to share more about this journey which God is leading us through at another time, but for now, I just want to share a small portion.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, which I'm anticipating will be a bittersweet day for me.  While I will enjoy celebrating the joy that comes with motherhood, it will be another reminder of the children I don't and maybe never will have.  However, as Wendy points out in her post (which I would encourage you all to read), 

...understand that unfulfilled desire is a tool He uses to give you even better things – things of Himself that you cannot know in easy ways. Believe in confidence that this time of waiting is not just a holding pattern with no discernible value, but it too is a blessing, albeit in disguise, as it increases your strength to run and not grow weary and to walk and not to faint.  

This is something that I've had to preach to myself daily.  God is not allowing this to happen because of any reason other than that He loves me.  While the world may try to convince me otherwise, I know this to be true.  I can be thankful for my trial because it forces and causes me to look to the gospel on more than a daily basis.  Through the pain and tears, I'm able to have hope because I know that God loves me, is in sovereign control over my life, that He is doing what is best for me, and that there are far greater things (even greater than children) to come!

Ok, now on a completely unrelated note (but I wanted to let you all know), Starbucks is offering half-price frappuccinos during happy hour (between 3 and 5) until May 15!  You can go here to get more info.

My Awesome Husband!

Well, James may no longer have a job, but he's still bringing home the bacon!  Last night was the 2nd annual Tripoley Tournament and I'm proud to announce that my husband came home victorious!!!  As some of you may remember, he also won last year!  There weren't as many people playing this year, so his winnings weren't as large, but we're still super thrilled!  It'll be nice to be able to go out on a few mini dates, since our date fund is pretty much non-existent these days.  The Lord is providing and will continue to provide, even in unconventional ways...like Tripoley Tournaments.  :) 

Convicted by My 2-Year-Old

 

As the mom of a 2 1/2-year-old, I spend a lot of time instructing and correcting my daughter's behavior and attitude.  Tonight, however, the tides turned and she ended up pointing out my sin.  During a conversation James and I had, I didn't have a very submissive attitude towards him, and I became quite upset.  Hannah looked at me and said, "Mommy need to obey Daddy."  Ouch.  And then she rubbed salt in the wound by saying, "Mommy need to have happy heart."  Uh....how do I respond to that?  She was absolutely right, I wasn't being submissive and I didn't have a happy heart.  It's a very humbling experience when your toddler recognizes the sin in your life and points it out, but I'm so thankful for how God is using her to make me more Christ-like!  I'm also thankful for the work He's doing in her life - that she's even able to recognize sin and realize what the proper response should be. 

Happy Birthday, Aunt Kimmy!

Today is Aunt Kimmy's birthday, and we've been awfully excited about it! Hannah's been singing Happy Birthday all morning. We took a video just in case she gets shy when she actually sees the birthday girl tonight. :)




Her version of the song goes, "Happy to you! Happy to you!" She was a little distracted and only sang one line of the song, because she's discovered that you can actually see pictures and videos on the camera, which is what she was asking when she said, "See."

Near to Nothing

My sister and I have been talking about starting a blog for a long time now, and we finally did it!!! We have been asked on several occasions to share our kitchen "secrets," so here they are! The main point is to share recipes, tips, strategies, etc. for preparing meals on a tight budget. So head on over and check out Near to Nothing!!!

Happy Anniversary, My Love!

Today is our anniversary. Unfortunately, we're both miserably sick, so we're postponing our celebration until we actually feel like celebrating. I guess it's just a reminder of our vow that we took to love each other "in sickness and in health." :)

It's hard to believe that it's been four years since we said, "I do." It's hard to remember a time when I didn't know James, and it's hard to imagine what life would be like without him. I'm so thankful for these four years we've had together. Though they've not always been easy, they've been good. There have been times of laughing, crying, hoping, praying, loving, confessing, forgiving... I could go on and on. We pray that the Lord will bless us with another 60+ years (wow, we'll be OLD!) together, and all of the joy and trials that come with those years!! I love you, honey!

Monterey

James and I were blessed to be able to go on a mini vacation last weekend. It was our first vacation in over two years, so we were REALLY looking forward to it. It was also our first time away from Hannah, which wasn't really as hard as I thought it would be. It actually worked out really well for us. Keanna's birthday party was last Saturday (and also happened to be my Mom's birthday), so we surprised Keanna by showing up at her party (I love surprises like that!), then James and I left Hannah with my parents and went to Monterey. It was a wonderful time for us to spend time together without the distraction of work, home, Hannah, etc. Did I say it was wonderful? The last year-and-a-half has been a very busy and stressful season for our family, so we were excited to be able to get away. And I think Hannah had fun on her little "vacation," as well. She had a blast playing with all the fun toys at Mama and Bapa's house, and playing with her cousins. She LOVES other kids, and I'm sure she's going to have the time of her life playing with all her Pichura cousins this summer! :) Anyway, here are some pictures from our trip.

Hannah got a very special treat at Keanna's birthday party - ice cream!!!

The Lone Cypress on the 17 Mile Drive.


We went back to where James proposed to me almost 5 years ago! Spanish Bay along the 17 Mile Drive.

James in Carmel, with Pebble Beach behind him.


I saw this in a restaurant, and figured all members of the Parker family were represented here. Moxie for Dave and the Red Sox for everyone else. :) James agreed!

Monterey is gorgeous!!

We went black light mini golfing.

We went to Dennis the Menace Park, which was super fun! We got to be little kids again! :) And since we went at night, there was no one there!
James on a climbing wall at the park.

Now that we've had our relaxing vacation, we're ready for the crazy (in a good way, of course!) family vacation next month! :)