Interviews

So I've decided to join the "Vloging world".

Actually it is for semi selfish ways. I would love to hear my dads voice so much and figured that someday my kids might be in the same boat.  At one point growing up we sat my parents down and video taped them as we asked them a series of questions.  TO this day, none of know where that video is at, and that makes me sad.  I LOVE when my mom and dad would tell us about their childhood, favorite things or anything to give me a glimpse into their lives ....  so this Vloging gives me a chance to provide that for my kids!!

So I apologize to anyone who thinks this stuff is boring.... Here is our first VLOG.   :-)

Let me introduce you to Introduction to Daddy Nick ... VLOG style!

My 3 favorite men

My husband Nick

My son Birk

My Dad. (the hat Nick is wearing belonged to my dad and is one of my favorite things of my dad's. In fact I have never let anyone wear it).

Reunions

I love Reunions.  I love seeing people I haven't seen in a long time, I love catching up, I love thinking about the past and the impact that people have had on my life.

A reunion is just what we did this weekend.

About 7 years ago Nick was in a band named innerElement.  This was a group of 5 guys who were some of the most talented musicians I have ever met.  They played often, practiced weekly and wrote some pretty awesome and incredible music.  This was such a fun time in our lives.  I LOVED being a band wife.  I love the band wives, the kids that were already born ....I love the whole thing.

Well, life changes and this band went their separate ways.  There have been a few of the guys that have stayed in touch (or still play together), but for the most part it was over.  However, what I love is that we were all able to get together (band members, wives and kids) and have the best time.  We got to meet some of the kids who have been born since we went out separate ways, we found out where people work, what's new in their lives and best of all .... we made New Year's plans!  I'm so excited to be in this groups's lives again.  They all have a very special place in my (and Nick's) heart.  We are blessed!

Scars

One of my kids’ favorite books is a Bible book that goes through a series of major stories from the bible. What I love most is that they love to ask questions about these stories and it gives me an opportunity to tell them more about Jesus and the people from the bible. One of the stories is about Good Friday and the story of the Resurrection. In the picture of Jesus he has his hands open palms up and you can see scars on his hands. Every time we read it the kids’ faces get very solemn and they want to talk about these scars. I’ve done my best to try and tell them exactly what has happened without going to. far. We talk a lot more about how those scars remind us what Jesus went through and why he did what he did (in 3 year old terms).

Then the other night as we’re talking through this Birk looks at me and says “Mommy, I have a scar like Jesus” as he points to his throat.

I said to him “Yeah, buddy you do. “

He then says “It is there to always remind me that I had a Trache and Dr. Cotton helped fix me up so I can be a big boy.”

I just smiled at him and nodded my head and then…

Addy chimed in with “Yeah!!! Birky’s scars are just like Jesus’, so we can always remember.”
I’m so proud of who my little kids are becoming and how much they are growing up loving Jesus.

So Today I’m the MOST THANKFUL for Birk and Addy! I am also so thankful for the scars that we all have. They are there to remind us of where we’ve been, what we’ve been through and how strong we are to overcome! Addy was right, scars are great reminders of the strength and grace that God has given to all of us.

November Thankfulness Day 1

I have decided to take part in the Thankfulness posts on Facebook again this year and thought it might be great for me to elaborate more here on this blog. 

Day 1:Today I’m thankful for the love of an amazing man, and 2 pretty incredible kids. I never would have pictured my life would turn out like this, but here I am! I wouldn’t change a thing! Blessed and thankful for sure!!!

So here is the thing.  I NEVER would have imagined I would be sitting here in a beautiful home in Ankeny, with my wonderful babies sleeping across the hall and a great husband practicing his guitar at our Church a few blocks away.  I have to tell you, this is the life.  I never thought I'd have a wonderful job with a great company, I never thought I'd have the faith in God that I do.  I never thought Nick and I would have encountered some of the challenges that we have, I never thought we would have overcome and witnessed the miracles that we have.  For every great thing that has happened to me, every bump in the road that we've driven over ... I am so grateful.  

So I guess today I am just thankful!  :-)