Look Who's Back!!!!

Yesterday was a GREAT DAY! Jeff finished the horrible, terrible, no good, VERY bad test and is now back in commission after a full night of sleep. It was amazing today when he realized, "wait, I don't have anything to study!" Yay!! He won't have much rest and relaxation though, as he starts full time on Monday! So we took advantage of his first (and last) day off and headed on over to the zoo. The Bug wasn't quite as interested in the animals as he was in the other babies, but we lasted for 3 hours until we felt like he was done. The second we pulled out of the parking lot, he was snoring!!

The Miraculous iPhone.

Over the past several weeks, I have really reveled in the fact that I can send pictures to Jeff throughout the day of what the Bug and I are up to. I tell myself that it helps him feel as though he's with us more, but truthfully, I get a kick out of sending them and immediately calling him to ask if he thinks Brady is as funny as I do.

Here is a montage of pictures we've collected over the weeks. They are in their pure form (or unedited, as some might say) so take them for what they are worth!

His newest toy at Nana's.

A Little People Racecar. He LOVES it!

He is so spoiled by both of his Nana AND his Mimi!

Look at those toys!!

The Bug was sick all last week, so we went to the doc....

He weighs 20 pounds and 9 ounces!!!

Georgia likes to snuggle until Jeff gets home.

I think she was tired, do you?

Our sweet friend, Sandra bought Brady these

scrubs in Denver at a Children's Hospital

before he was born.... aren't they cute?

This is at my office - he loves watching the cars.

This face is, "Mom, I'm old enough to drive one, I promise".

Clarification.

I've had a heavy heart about my post from yesterday, in fact I couldn't sleep well last night because I was so burdened by it. I've received several sweet comments from you all, and although I so appreciate them, I will keep them private... so don't think that I'm ignoring them. It's just that I'm afraid the post came off as "look at me" and that is NOT what I meant to say at all. I simply wanted to share this testimony to God's faithfulness to both Jeff and I during this short season of life that we've gone through. I wanted to record God's mercy for Jeff and I (and Brady) to look back on for years to come.

For right now though, I'm so anxious for 5:00 to get here. I can't describe the tears that keep coming this morning. They are a mix of joy, relief, sorrow for what my husband has been put through and thankfulness. I can't stop them even now. Maybe I've been holding it in for so long, that I feel like it's a good time to let it all go.

I don't believe in coincidences and this morning, on my way to work, I had a HEAVY heart for my dear husband as he endures this last day. I can't remember the last time my heart has hurt for him. I was desperately praying not only that the Lord would lift his burden this morning as he thinks through the questions, but that He would graciously lift the burden from my heart as well. I all of a sudden realized what song was on my radio. (I have to preface this by saying that God completely ministers to me through music in a very real way). I usually listen to the CD that is in my #2 slot. But somehow, unbeknown st to me, I'd played my music (without noticing it) all the way to the third track on my #6 CD by the time I turned the volume up. It was the hymn "Draw Me Ever Nearer" sung by Kristyn Getty. I wish I could load it on here for you to here, but for now the words will have to suffice. As I sung this prayer to the Lord this morning, I felt such a peace that only He could bring. I hope these words bring a peace to each and every one of your hearts this morning as well.

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

Speechless

"But we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." - Romans 5: 3-5

I've been trying to write this post for several days now and no words even can come to my mind to write. Perhaps it's because God does not want me to take any credit for getting to this moment. Perhaps it's because I cannot wrap my brain around the numerous small miracles, that will go unsaid, that Jeff and I have witnessed in our lives over the past several weeks. They may not seem like anything, but have been an enormous symbolf of hope and peace in our household. Please hear me on this - it is ONLY by His outpouring of love and the prayers of many of you that we have gotten through in one piece, without any major breakdowns, major outburst or bitterness on my part. God has completely fallen on our household and has reminded me over the past few weeks when Jeff's been gone, that it could be worse. A lot worse.

My husband could be risking his precious life for our crumbling nation, like my sweet friend Amber's. My husband could have passed away from a sudden heart attack and then my son could have gotten diagnosed with a rare form of Cancer, like Kristi's. How have I not seen the bigger picture before?

My point is not to be morbid, but to say that these two sweet, strong, christian women have such 'bigger' things going on in their lives right now than I could ever bear. I feel shameful even letting it out that I truly struggled through the last two weeks. That I cried, several times for Jeff as he would leave in the morning with the weight of the world on his shoulders. That my heart would literally ache as he would rush home just to get a few minutes with his son (who adores him, by the way) before he goes to bed. I guess, God has really been showing me that although this has been hard... there's no denying that... life is not about ME. Life is about walking through the things that every day life brings, such as preparing for the Bar, and looking for every opportunity that God places in your walk to glorify Him. It's about obedience... not just in words, but in action and in heart.

So - for those of you who were so kind to send emails, texts and FOOD my way, I want to thank you (for the five pounds I've gained in one week). Thank you for praying us through this, because God has shown me SO very much through each and every one of you. I

(Thank you, Lindsay - for pointing out that verse to me this week!)

p.s. If you want to read Jeff's thoughts about the Bar - just go HERE.

Lunch Date with Daddy!

Today we met Jeff across the street from SMU for a lunch date. I could tell that he desperately needed a break from studying and was so delighted to have some "awake" time with his little man. We were going to go to the new Chick Fil A right there, but since it was President's Day, I guess HP had off of school and there were a MILLION kids there, so we walked down to Jimmy Johns, which was SO good by the way. Hit the spot. Man, I am going to be SO glad when this is over!

Happy Valentine's Day.

On Valentine's Day we think of those

Who make our lives worthwhile,

Those gracious, friendly people who

We think of with a smile.

I am fortunate to know you,

That's why I want to say,

To rare and special people:

Happy Valentine's Day!

(By Joanna Fuchs)

For My Very Special Valentine:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

I love you, sweet Jeffrey and I am so proud of you.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Bubbly

Last week, when I picked Brady up after Bible Study, the nursery workers were blowing bubbles for the babies and they were so cute chasing after them that I had to get some for our house, of course! The pictures of the bubbles didn't turn out great because I would blow them real fast and then grab my camera. Didn't quite work out the way I wanted.... but I got some cute pictures nonetheless. When Jeff got home from the Library tonight, he got Brady up for a quick 'wrestling' session!!