I asked God for...

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey...
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things...
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise...
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God...
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things...
I got nothing I asked for - but everything I had hoped for;
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed!

Before I Was A Mom

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,

the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

A Lesson in Smiling

A Lesson in Smiling

God Said:

Let Me brush away that frown

from your forehead

It doesn't belong there

It is like a wisp of hair

that has fallen out of place

There is no place for a frown

on your brow

Let go of the past,

and you will not know frown

Be puzzled at life,

but befuddlement

does not require a frown

What if all the puzzles

had beautiful resolutions

would you then frown?

Be serious about your smiles

They are such a boon to mankind

Smile at the next stranger you see

Smile at all ,

no matter what misdemeanor

may have done

Smile at all your loved ones

no matter how you may feel

You are being true to yourself

when you smile

You are not smiling to incur favor

Your smile is not false

You are smiling in order

to increase the world order

A smile will open your heart

A smile of good intent from you

will create more smiles

Well, if you cannot smile

in this minute,

perhaps you can laugh

at yourself,

laugh at how seriously

you are taking yourself

and events in your well-worn path

from house to work

and the grocery store

Why not walk through

every room of your house

and smile in recognition of a world

that God has created

and set before you

You do create your world quite a bit

I suggest you create

it with a smile

Surely there is something

to smile about

Give that something

the recognition it deserves

Even when you slip

in the mud on the street,

you have to smile, don't you?

Wherever you land, you can smile

Today I give you a lesson in smiling

No longer are you to be a grump,

even when you are by yourself

It is a natural thing to smile

Remember how happy you were

when you saw your

baby's first smile?

Once you were that baby

with a first smile

May your smile have been adored,

and nothing since

taught you to stop

the joy of your smile

Be smiling still

Alert other hearts

that smiles are here to stay

As you smile,

you teach others that this

is a friendly world

Make the world friendly

In whose presence

will you smile today

where you may never have before?

What corner of the world

are you going to brighten today

with simply a smile?

I think you will find

that you have more than

one smile to give

I think you will find that

one smile leads to another,

and another,

until your smile

has been passed around the world,

lighted up hearts,

and taught other beautiful souls to smile

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF It REALLY IS SMALL

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love You's''s More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every

Minute. Look at it and really see it . Live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Precious Gift

When times seem too hard to bear & I l feel like giving up
I vision your beautiful face, the twinkle of your eyes and things of such
The bond we created from my womb to the day you were born
Is a mother and daughter bind that can never be torn
With the strength and guidance of God and the blessings he pours down from above
I want to be the best mom I can be to you and embrace you with all my love
You are as precious as a flower and as gorgeous as a rose
You have been specially made to the very tip of your nose
You are as sweet as honey; such an innocent young child
You are brighter than any star in the sky every time you smile
I want you to be proud of who you are and strive to be the best
Put forth your efforts to achieve your goals and let God do the rest
I will always be your mother first, but I'm also your friend
Your are the most precious gift, that I've ever been given

With All My Love,

Mommy


Precious Gift by Sherri Lawrence @FamilyFriendPoems

Wow has it really been almost a year from the last time put anything on my blog. I was thinking just today about what a theft time really is. It will take everything you allow it to. I had one of those 2 sec wake up to TODAY messages. My oldest helped me realize today that time has taken to much from our family.
1 sec ago is history, so make to most of each and everyday your given.

Just A Few Years Ago

I liked the old ways, when

Moms were at home. Dads were at work.

Brothers went into the army. And sisters got married BEFORE having children!

Crime did not pay;Hard work did; And people knew the difference.

Moms could cook; Dads would work; Children would behave.

Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive; And children were polite.

Women wore the skirts; And Men wore the pants.

Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen; And children looked decent.

People loved the truth, And hated a lie;

They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!

Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful; Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere.

Cursing was wicked; Drugs were for illness; And divorce was unthinkable.

The flag was honored; America was beautiful; And God was welcomed!

We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school; And preached from house to house

To be called an American was worth dying for; To be called a Christian was worth living for; To be called a traitor was a shame!

Preachers preached because they had a message And Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY!

Preachers preached from the Bible; Singers sang from the heart; And
sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED!

A new birth meant a new life; Salvation meant a changed life; Following
Christ led to eternal life.

Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God;
Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord;
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus;

And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you!

Laws were based on the Bible; Homes read the Bible; And churches taught the Bible.

God was worshiped; Christ was exalted; And the Holy Spirit was respected..

Church was where you found Christians On the Lord's day, rather than in the garden,
On the creek bank, on the golf course, Or being entertained somewhere else.

I still like the old paths the best!

Shots

Conner and Hailey went for there last shot's Tuesday. It was nothing short of what we expected. The lady came out and asked who wants to be first. Hailey jumps up and says me me me. So there she went not having any idea she was about to get poked four times. Hailey sits down in the chair.
Nurse- "now this is going to hurt a bit but you need to stay still ok"

Hailey- "ok" looks at the needle, done with the first one.

nurse- "here's number two."

Hailey- sitting still as could be, "oh that hurt, "shakes her head

Nurse moves the the other arm, "two more honey here's the third one "

Hailey- "oh that hurt again" mind you there are no tears and shes still calm

Nurse- "wow your doing so good."

Hailey- "yea I'm not a baby I'm 4 "

Nurse- "ok 4th one and last."

Hailey- "ok that's enough no more." Then gets up and walks off with out a tear.

Nurse- "ok Conner your turn. Your lucky you only have to get three your sister had to get four."

Conner- Starts screaming and kicking ...... 15 min later 2 bent needles 4 pocks

nurse- "wow glad thats over"

We then walk out to the car, with three kids so glad they didn't have to get poked. The fourth one saying mommy it dosn't hurt, I'm big. I'm sure you know how Conner went out. He did relize he wasn't going to die befor we got home. It helped mommy Makayla sat in the back with him reminding him she loved him, and he would be ok. Jesus would take the pain away soon.