A Blessed Wife

It is within the tough times, the stressful moments, and the walks through the valleys which test our marriages. We are either pulled away because the clouds of the storms distort our view of one another, or we are knitted together because we have a strong foundation in Christ. There have been several seasons in my marriage where the thickness of the clouds caused me to lose my way a bit. The scope of my vision became paled and I lost sight of the truth. However, I am very grateful that God always parts the clouds and helps me to see once again the reality of all my blessings. I daily need my Savior!
My greatest blessing on this earth is not my children, but first my husband. As time passes I am more and more amazed by his strength, gentleness, and patience. When my grandfather died a few weeks ago, it was John's idea that I should probably go to back East to attend the funeral and spend time with my family. And even though it was a busy time at his job, John took several vacation days off to take care of the children. The airline ticket was not cheap either, so I know it was a bit of a sacrifice for him to buy my ticket to go. He never complained once about my being gone. And he said nothing negative about having to get up in the middle of the night with both babies for feedings. I really have never heard of too many men like my husband. I know they are out
there, but there really cannot be too many.
The other thing that has really drawn my attention was the grace and patience John showed this past weekend when most of the family was sick with a virus. I mean this was his two days off and here he is again taking care of everyone while I too am laid up in the bed sick. Wow, I think I might be too blessed if there is such a thing.

When my husband demonstrates these acts of kindness, I feel very loved by him. There have been some nights he has gotten up with the twins to feed them both because he knew I was tired and needed the rest. And what kind of man would want to have 11 children with his wife? That must be a man who loves her a lot!

So I count my blessings once again. No, we do not have a perfect marriage, nor a perfect life, but we are abundantly blessed in a very special way. God chose the perfect man for me. How he puts up with me at times I do not know. I guess it is just the patience and grace he has. Sometimes we get stuck in ruts in our relationships with our spouses. It is within those times we need to back up, press the gas, and get our attitude back on the path. Life is so short. We do not know how long we will have them. Here are just a few things I have been pondering on lately.

1. Choose to think positively about your spouse. We all have our weaknesses. However, do not let his or her flaws cause you to be blind sighted to his or her strengths.

2. Live each day as if it is your last with you spouse. You never know if today might be the last day.

3. Say less and hug more.

4. Your countenance mirrors your heart. Smile more at your spouse and always give eye contact in conversation.

5.Trash all negative words. For every negative word you feel tempted to speak, replace with 3positive statements.

6. Most importantly, find your significance in Christ. The more secure we are in God the more secure we are in our marriages.

7. Say I love you several times a day!


You know, I think I am bragging on my dear husband. But we need to do that! It is not that we are being prideful. We are recognizing the goodness of God in our lives and we need to testify of His blessings! Also, we need to let our loved ones know how much they really mean to us because one day it might be too late should we put it off. We do not want to have one regret!

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Happy 9th Birthday Daniel. You have been so blessed. I cannot even remember the last time you even had a cold. And today, on your special day, you were sick. I felt so sad.
I am not used to seeing you all laid up on the couch so still. You are such a strong active boy. Always wanting to help and needing to be doing something!!
And here is the infamous ice cream cake...our family tradition. You picked out some yummy flavors..Dutch chocolate, french vanilla, Twix bars and Butterfingers! Yum Yum! I am glad you at least felt like eating a little of it!
Awww, look at your big blue eyes. So tired!
And here is our big,long family table. We have made so many memories around this simple table. I pray there will be many more!
And here are Daddy and me. We love you so much!
Daniel,you have had such a sweet,cheerful spirit today even though you were sick. But you are so sweet most of the time anyway!
I hope you liked all of your gifts and that you will enjoy them. Hopefully you will feel more like playing tomorrow.

Happy Birthday my sweet son. I will see you in the morning and I will show you this post then. I love you so much. You are a gift from God and a joy to this mother's heart...

Love,
MOM

More to Smile About!!

Today the girls are 5 months old. I cannot believe it!
Yes I have so much to smile about!
To grin about!
There is not much more to say except...WOW I AM SO DOG GONE BLESSED!!
My home and my heart are full.....
full!!!
running over....
with blessings!!
My God is good!
Times are tough sometimes...
But I serve a giving and loving God...
who loves to pour out His goodness to anyone who is willing to receive HIS best!!

Love you my friends!

Ange

Much to Smile About!

Last Monday morning my Pa Pa went to be with the Lord. He is no longer suffering and is having a blast in Heaven with Jesus! When a loved one crosses the other side to be with the Lord, we have much reason to celebrate. And when I think of my Pa Pa, I can only smile. His life was blessed. It was full and abundant here on earth. He was a blessing to many. Now he is reaping his rewards! To look into the face of Jesus! There is nothing better! To literally hold God's hand and to live with Him in His house....Pa Pa is resting in His eternal home where he belongs!
After the funeral in N.C. I went back to Ninety Six with my parents to spend time with them. What a great memory! I went to stay with them in hopes of being a help to them in some way. However, the blessing was mostly mine as I enjoyed several days of quiet,enjoying the scenery of the lake and flowers in bloom. I mainly enjoyed spending time with my precious parents!
In Momma and Daddy's yard is a huge Camellia tree. The petals were beginning to fall off the blooms and they graced the lawn with their beautiful hues of pink! It was breathtaking.
This is one of the Camellia buds just beginning open.
This is one of my favorite photos. The skies were blue every day I was back home except one day which was party cloudy. The birdhouse is where the purple martins stay when they fly in from South America every year to breed in the spring. My daddy told me that the martin comes back to its birth place every spring. In July, they leave and go back to South America for the winter. Look at the blue sky....sigh...I love the simple things in life!
This is the lake view out of the bedroom window in which I grew up! I was one blessed kid!!
One thing I am smiling about right now are my two precious nephews Allan and William. I knew I loved them, but this trip just did something to my heart. I am just crazy about these two. I could just take them home with me. This is William. He is 15 years old and a freshman in high school. He is the sweetest and kindest young man!!
This is my other nephew Allan. He is 21 and such a joy! I love his quiet demeanor and his laugh! He giggles just like my brother!

My brother Chris is such a blessing. He is my only sibling and we are only 13 months apart. We were always close growing up. He is a wonderful man and father! I love him dearly!
Momma and Daddy! They have to be some of the sweetest and most loving people on earth! I am so blessed to have them as my parents!
Daddy and Momma again with my sweet sister in law Mandy. We had the best time laughing and cutting up!
Another wonderful blessing that came from my visit back home in Ninety Six was my visit with some of my former classmates. This is Angie. She was my first friend when my family moved to Ninety Six. I was in the 6th grade. She and I have remained close through the years. She was one of my very best friends!
Here I am with Rinda. Rinda is such a strong and godly woman. When we moved to Ninety Six, many of the kids were mean to me because I was the new kid. Rinda always stood up for me. An amazing lady!
Debbie and me. Debbie was always one of my closest friends too. This lady always kept me laughing and smiling! She is such a precious person!
And here we are together. Rhonda (middle) was one of my best friends too. She was in my wedding and we are also still close. I love her dearly. She is a faithful friend!

Here is another beautiful lake view from my parent's home on Lake Greenwood.
Raisin, my parents' little doggie. He is the sweetest dog in the world. When I started missing my babies I would just cuddle with him!
This was one of my favorite things about my trip...sitting out by the fireplace on my parents deck after dark. We would wrap up, make a drink, prop our feet on the hearth, and just talk and laugh!!
Another lovely lake view!
More pretty petals!
I took this photo laying in the hammock. What a gorgeous blue sky. I have so much to smile about! I am a grateful woman. I am rich with family, friends and faith. Life is to be celebrated and treasured moment by moment. I celebrate my Pa Pa as I know he lives in peace and joy with God now. And it is moments like these that bring a little slice of heaven into view.

Springing in the Valley!

This was such an amazing spring day! The air was warm but there was a cool breeze. It was as if the gentle wind was calling and beckoning, "Come and play. Find solace for your soul!"
After lunch I extended an invitation to the children to join me outdoors.
We sported our shades and grabbed the camera!
It is amazing the beauty and growth you can find in the desert....a unique loveliness like no other place.
We knocked on some doors of our neighbors and asked it we could photograph their blooms! You would have thought we brought a trophy to their door! Or a blue ribbon! They were delighted!
And I felt like one of those blooms myself as we strolled the streets with the desert sun shining upon our faces and bare arms! Wow...how refreshing!
Thank you my Daddy for the gift of this day! Your beauty is indescribable. May I never take Your works for granted!
Wow...what an amazing day...just to relax and enjoy my sweet children, to bask in the simplicity of the season, and to know that I am in my Father's care! For if He takes such great pleasure in the blooms springing from within the gardens of the earth, then how much greater His care for me!!!