Happy Birthday boo...

My little man...my main boo, was born 8 years ago today (well, actually it's after midnight, but you get the picture). We had one wild, crazy, fun celebration for him. I'm going to post some pics from the party soon, but for now I came across a few old ones. I love this kid so much. Of course I can't describe how deep, far, and wide my love is for him. So, just know that my whole heart is wrapped around this boy. I was smitten with him from the very beginning. He tries my patience most frequently, and some days I come close to pulling my hair out, but there is just something about this boy that tugs at my heartstrings. Maybe it's that he's mine, but I think it's something else, too...I just can't put my finger on it...it's something magical. Really, you think I'm exaggerating...but no, I am not. So, just wanted to share these pics, and spread some of my bliss around...so thankful God sent this one to me...

Warning: the following blog is explicit...or at least gross...

It is times like these that I am truly thankful for email, text, blogging, etc, etc.
What times, you ask?
Times that my throat hurts so bad that I don't even want to move, much less open my mouth and talk and irritate my throat. The night before last my throat started getting sore...I thought it was allergies or a cold. No biggie, right?
Then yesterday the pain got worse and worse. I had fever, chills, body aches, and a really sore throat. I got my doctor to call in some meds.
Then, yesterday afternoon, Andrew came home from school saying HIS throat hurt.
Awesomeness. Or not.
So, this morning both of our necks looked like wrestler's necks (you know the short thick ones), except, we don't work out...they were just swollen with infection.
I made an apt. for him and took him to the doctor.
It was strep, which I was placing my bets on since my throat was hurting even worse by then.
I took my next dose of meds today, thinking after 24 hours of antibiotics I would feel a little better. Not so much. My throat is hurting even more. I don't remember having strep throat except when I was little...I forgot how painful it is. I told David, "My throat doesn't just hurt, it is oozing pain, it burns, It's sooo bad". He got his little LED light from his key chain and took a gander down my throat.
FYI: This is where it gets explicit, errr...gross.
D: UGHHHHHHHHH
K: What? What? It must be really red!
D: UGHHHHHHHH
K: Is it red?
D: There are big pockets of pus all over your throat! UGHHHHHHH
K: EWWW Gross, give me that light (I run over to mirror)
I look down my throat and sure enough, there are blisters, or whatever, of pus all over my throat. Strait. Up. Nasty. and Painful. don't forget Painful.
Next, of course, We call Andrew in so we can gross ourselves out some more. I can't see anything in his throat but David says he sees a couple of small spots of white.
So, I don't think his is as bad as mine, but I know he is hurting badly and I am soooo glad I took him do the doctor and got his antibiotics started today!
The Dr. says you are contagious for at least 24 hours after you start meds but really up to about 48 hours.
So, tomorrow we will probably both be here, lounging on the couch...taking meds, using cough drops, Popsicles, and whatever else we can get to numb our throats.
I am trying to build myself up to gargle with salt water, but I'm so scared it's going to burn.
Anyway, I was going to take a picture of my throat, but decided that was wayyyy too personal, so here is one from the web, which is kinda what mine looks like:

Yup, told ya it was nasty. And, my poor baby. Nothing is worse than being sick, except your baby being sick! So, hopefully next time I blog we will be pus pocket free...UGHHHHHHH!

Church, etc...

Well, our new church is open..and I have to say that ALL the people who collaborated to get it up and going...did an AWESOME job! They've only had a couple services there, but I already feel like it's "home"...I just feel so comfortable there! Anyway, we are definitely blessed with our church home, and I just feel so thankful.

On another note, my niece, Keyli, just turned four. I know b-days are for celebrating, but it just kinda freaked me out...because it means that in a few weeks Isabel with be having her 4th birthday...she should still be about 6 months old. Joseph is turning 8 towards the end of this month. And, later this year, Andrew will become a teenager. As old as I feel, I still feel too young to have a teenager!


I am excited that our pastor's wife is starting a study over the One Year Bible! I have had mine for a couple years but never made it all the way through. One of my goals is to read the whole Bible (so I'm sticking w/ it this time) and I want to know more verses by heart.

I am a LOVER of sleeping...I can't get enough of it (what parent does?). On top of that, I'm not very self disciplined and when I have "extra" time, I just want to be lazy. Well, today I was thinking (dangerous, I know...) and I thought about how our time on Earth is so short and that when mine is over, I don't want half of it to be spent in bed, on the couch, or just being lazy (not that anywhere near half my time is spent doing that, but you get my drift)...I want to "do something". I want to "make a difference". I want to help people. So, I am really wanting to start getting out and about more and just doing more period. Don't get me wrong...I don't want to spread myself too thin or take on more than I can handle. But, I just feel like I am so blessed and I haven't been sharing my blessings like I should have been.
That has GOT to change!

So, that's all that's going on with me...what about you? Is 2009 treating you well thus far? I hope so!
TTYL

Whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven. Matthew 18:18

WOW

Wow, you guys, it's a brand new year! 2009!
2008 is gone for good...hope you made lots of memories :-)
I definitely have to say 2008 wasn't easy for me...lots of lessons to be learned
...I think the whole year was a "season of learning" for me (of course when is it not a time to be learning?). Anyway, as sad as I sometimes get about how fast time flies, I am really excited about this new year. I am so excited and ready for a fresh, new start. I am not one who makes resolutions (those are only made to be broken, right?), but I am vowing to make the MOST out of this year.
I want to:
ENJOY every single day
read the Bible MORE
Spend QUALITY time (not just time) with friends and family
I want to truly LAUGH UNTIL I CRY
I want to SAVOR the smiles of my children
I want to start back and school, and not finish it this year, but keep going until I finish
Be happy with myself EVEN if I need to loose a few pounds
Be happy with my kids even if every SINGLE grade isn't perfect
Be happy with my husband just because...well, because he puts up with me
Be happy with my WHOLE life, because it's the one GOD blessed me with!

So, those aren't really resolutions, are they? Hmmm...we'll just let the jury stay out on that one. But, either way, I am ready to hit the ground running with 2009. I want to do more, see more, just experience more, and Praise GOD for it ALL!

I pray you ALL have a blessed New Year ahead, and that it brings you so much happiness and so many blessings that your lives just overflow with GOD's love & light!

We are BLESSED!

Christmas lists and such...

I could sit here and tell you that when I told my boys to write out their Christmas wish lists, they did so with big hearts and pure elegance.
But, then again, I was always taught, that honesty is the best policy.
I would love to say they wished for world peace, food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, parents for the parentless, children for the childless, and that every being on this earth would come to know Jesus Christ.
But, sadly enough, those were not the things their lists consisted of.
(however my lists does consist of those things).
Picture boys who are rough and tough. Boys who are wild and rebellious. Boys who think sitting in bath water for 10 minutes pouring out my Bed Head shampoo (ok, not my older son, but still) is "taking a bath", even though he never touched a wash rag or a bar of soap.
Boys who are 7 and 12 and being raised in this crazy, materialistic world.
Now imagine what they wished for.
You guessed it...things that were high tech, things that were high powered, things that we needed to write Bill Gates and inquire about a loan in order to be able to afford them. Big things. Huge things.
It was a sad, sad day when I read those lists. I have to admit, I was kinda heartbroken that they were so "boy", but then all I could do was get over it and love them anyway. I, after all, am partly responsible for the fact that they have become so materialistic.
Ouch, that hurts.
Anyway, I'm accepting it for now...but in a week or two, it will be a brand new year. And I've got all kinds of plans to get these boys into shape! I'm gonna teach them about world peace, world hunger, the works! I'm even gonna get Izzy in on it. You mark my words. Heck, I may even drag them down to Honduras, where my cousin Sara is a missionary, and have these boys haul rice and beans, along with the gospel, to the Bordos. Anyone want to donate some frequent flyer miles?
Next year, same time, same place...their lists are gonna be Sumthin' to blog about, for sure!
Well, a girl can hope...right?
In the meantime, I've gotta go wrap some presents...bake some cookies...and figure out how to save the world and get us all to Honduras.

I hope you all have the most fabulous, blessed Christmas with your loved ones!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

Enemy advances...

I know that in the Bible it talks of Christians being persecuted for their faith.
one Case in point:

1 Peter 4:14-16 (The Message)

If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!

So, as a Christian, I realize there are times when I will come up against adversity. Not only will I, but I already have. I accept it as part of my faith, it is more than worth the reward I have waiting for me. Right?
I want to tell you, precious friends, this aspect of our Christianity is something that we must accept as a reality, and be prepared to deal with.
Lately, this has taken on a whole new meaning for me.
My life, of trying to be faithful to the Lord, has been attacked by someone who I know loves me whole heartedly...someone who I think wants the best for me (or thought, or...I'm just really confused now). I have been attacked by someone who is not only close to me, and loves me, but someone who is...(gasp) a Christian themselves. They haven't attacked the fact that I believe in GOD, or the fact that I am saved. But, as my walk with God has become stronger,my life has gone through many positive changes...and some people just aren't up for change. Some people are content with accepting Jesus as their Savior, and then just being stagnant in their walk. I was once that way, but no longer. I really don't want to get into the details of exactly who or exactly what aspect, but let me just say, this is something I NEVER expected. It hurts deeply. If some stranger give you a dirty look because of the "Christian" tee your wearing, or someone in passing questions your beliefs, while it's not easy to face...it is something you can deal with, and then move on.
Let me tell you that when this kind of attack hits closer to home, from someone you deal with on an almost daily basis, and will probably continue to have to, it's HARD.
This is the first time something like this has EVER happened to me. It hurts. I really hate it. I know that my faith is stronger than ever, and that is why the Enemy is putting this challenge in my life, trying to break the bond between me and my Holy Father.
People! Please understand I am not sharing this so you can feel bad for me. I want you to know that God's word tells us these things are going to happen, and while we know they can, it's still hard to imagine in our own lives.
Imagine for just a moment...Think of one of the most important people in your life right now, and then imagine all of a sudden your faith being questioned by them and becoming at odds with them because of your beliefs. It's scary. I know that possibly, this relationship may never be what it was before.
But, I know that as scary as that is, the Lord is still waiting for me, and will never desert me, no matter who else decides to. I am thankful he truly is my Strong Tower, and that I can take shelter in His loving, protecting arms.
This battle is not over, and I have a feeling it is going to be a long one. I get weary just thinking about it, but I am also able to take heart, because my GOD hears my plea and I know he is looking on me with favor.
I want to ask you all for prayer, not just for me, but for ALL Christians. Pray that when a Believer is encroached, they (we) are able to stand strong in GOD, to take refuge in Him alone. Pray that no matter how long the blows continue, despite their strength and longevity, Christians will remain unchanged, unbroken, and untouched. Pray that the enemy forever fails, and when it's all said and done, the only sound is the Lord's sweet, sweet grace.
I pray that you NEVER have to face a situation like this.I pray you are never at odds with a loved one because of your life and where the Lord has led you. And, in saying that, I know that some of you have already been through these kind of situations, and even much worse. I pray for you. I pray that in this time of struggle, we really can count ourselves fortunate. After all, any adversity we come up against, could never match that which HE went through for us. So, just prepare yourselves, because you never know...

And on to a lighter subject...It's Monday, a few more days and the kids will be out for Christmas break...let the madness begin (or if your household is anything like ours, it already has). I pray your week is blessed, and is as least hectic as possible!

STREP...'nuff said

Well, last Wednesday Joseph came home from 2nd grade saying his throat hurt. Hmmm. He was burning up. I took his temp...104, thankyaverymuch. I thought maybe it was strep...then the next two days he had a headache, stomachache, and he even told me he was dizzy a few different times. He continued having high fever.
Push the pause button right here for those of you wondering why I didn't already have him to the doctor at this point. The truth is we have been to sooo many Dr's apts over the last few months with him, I thought if there was ANY way to avoid it, I was going to. Plus, I thought maybe he had the flu, since even though his initial complaint was about his throat, he said it really didn't hurt after that...and I didn't think they could give him anything for the flu.
So, fast forward to Saturday... he still had fever but it was not nearly as high and at this point his symptoms did kind of a "switch-a-roo". He wasn't complaining about the previous symptoms. He got a horribly runny nose and diarrhea. Sunday I thought he was a tad bit better and Monday morning he didn't have fever, so off to school he went (he wanted to go, btw). Monday after school, he had fever again. He looked awful. Hmmm. Ok, Ok, I called the Dr. office, but opted to watch him one more day. Well, this morning he woke up w/ new symptoms....sneezing and coughing.
So, I took him in today, and the strep test was positive. I thought for sure it was the flu...but no. They said on top of strep, he probably has a cold and also a stomach bug...a veritable smorgasbord of germs, if you will. Yummy.
I told them he hasn't complained much about his throat and they told me something I'd never heard...they said some kids with strep never complain at ALL about their throats, that it affects everyone differently...I had no clue, I thought if your throat was infected, red, and swollen, that it would hurt.
Push the pause button again...I had, indeed, took a gander down that throat of his...but I couldn't tell anything...I guess I don't know what a normal throat looks like.
They did say it was red, etc, etc, but again, I just couldn't tell.
Anyhoo, we're starting antibiotics and I can't wait to get him "feelin' back to good" because he is CRANKY!!! And, I get to spend the next couple of days home with this CRANKY 7 year old. Woohoo! No, really, I'm glad we have zeroed in on the problem and are back on the path to health. I HATE seeing my babies sick!
So, other than that, I've been just a tad bit busy. Who hasn't...It's almost Christmas! No, I am not done shopping, and yes it's true, we JUST got our tree and other Christmas decorations put up. We are slacking this year, but hey, at least we did do it before Christmas, and if all else fails, Jesus still loves me, in spite of it all.
For that, I am grateful.

So, as I sometimes like to do, I will leave you with my daily devotional from the last two days of my Praying Parent book...

"You don't have to be forever suspicious of your children, but you DO have to be suspicious of the Enemy lurking around waiting to erect a stronghold in their lives."


"Lord, I put my child in Your hands this day. Guide, protect, and convict him/her when sin is trying to take root. Strengthen him/her in battle when Satan attempts to gain a foothold in his/her heart."
AMEN TO THAT!

PS. Though most are shuddering at this cold weather, I am loving it...I know, I'm sick and twisted, right?
TTYL