Random photos

leaning on the everlasting arm

I can hear my Grandmother playing the song below on the piano at church (Oh do I miss her).  God placed this song on my heart this evening. Why do I dread or fear when we can lean on the everlasting arm.  Amen!  Now I have to apply it to my life. 


What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

back of the leg

ouch!  I got my first leg bite tonight by Cinderella.  Those little baby teeth hurt.

my boy

Today as I was driving Carson to his first day of summer camp I looked in my rear-view mirror and could not believe my eyes.  My sweet baby boy looked so big sitting in his booster sit.  I had to do a triple take.  I could not believe what I saw... now mind you I see Carson everyday but today was different.  I saw a boy sitting in the back seat of my car.  Everything about him is changing.  His vocabulary is large for a 5 year old, he is getting taller and his face is really starting to mature.  During our conversation I said to him "Carson, Mommy does not want you to grow up too fast."  He quickly replied, "But Mommy I have to grow up so I can play football." 

watch and just listen

A few things I have learned from God this week about my little ones:

Cindrella loves opening and closing doors... the Lord does the same for us.

Carson sings at the top of his lungs to the Lord...the Lord loves that.

Cindrella clings to my leg when she is not sure of something...oh how the Lord wants us to cling to him.

Carson takes time to look at every insect...the Lord created all of the little 'buggers' (as Carson calls them)

Cindrella falls when she is walking but gets right back up...the Lord wants us to do the same.

Carson talks to the Lord about everything when he prays...the Lord wants us to  have a normal conversation with him.

out of the mouth

of Carson "Mommy, life is all about family do not be sad."

What a friend we have

Tuesday after our doctors appointment, a friend of mine did not ask me any question about the results as she simply said "Gret, remember the song, What a friend we have in Jesus?"  I replied, "Yes" with tears filling my eyes.  She said in a soft voice "hold on to that song right now as it was written for times like these." 
Stanza 1:
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev'rything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Ev'rything to God in prayer.
Stanza 2:
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Stanza 3:
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms He'll take and shield thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there.

The test results revealed that our unborn baby at 12weeks and 6 days had Turner Syndrome.  Turner Syndrome is a 'fluke' genetic disorder as research has shown. My emotions are still raw however I am clinging to every word above right now.  to be continued...

post-op D and E appointment tomorrow

Please pray for me as the test results are in-

Carson yells from my bedroom

"Mommy Cinderella is walking around with your boobie holder (my bra)." Here comes Cinderella around the corner with my "boobie holder" smiling and laughing as Carson is trying to take it from her. 

16 hour fundraiser yesterday

and $6,510.00 later... God is good. 

Fundraiser

As most of you know 5 years ago I adopted my son Carson from Guatemala. Guatemala is considered a third world country meaning its poor extremely poor. There is no government assistance program( i.e. welfare, housing allowance, etc) most children and adults go to bed hungry, sleep on dirt floors, and drink dirty water which is contaminated with other fluids.
I will be traveling to Guatemala in July with 16 other team members. We need to raise funds for our projects: building three homes, wheelchair distribution, supplying twelve families with a month worth of staple foods, clothing at least 100 Guatemalans. In order for these projects to be a success we are having an awesome fundraiser this Saturday.

The fundraiser is a bike ride, walk, run for relief along with a huge yard sale, chowder cook off and more.

The registration begins at 7 am; ride begins at 8am am; walk/run begins at 9am.
4 bike routes: 2 miles, 5 miles, 16 miles, 35 miles
2 walk/run routes: 2 miles and 5 miles

I am sure you are asking yourself where is this going to take place? Well, it will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Ocean View right on Route 9 you can not miss it...
If you can not make the event and you would like to make a donation please feel free to send your donation to:
Calvary Baptist Church
rt 9
Ocean View, NJ 08230

Wordless Wednesday

 

A few birthday photos

Forever family day

Today we celebrate our 5 year forever family day. I can not believe we have been together for 5 years as a family. Carson, as I have written before you saved my life. Words and feelings can not express how much I love you sweet baby boy! This year there have been a lot of changes for you, however, you took most of them in stride. You are an amazing son. You have a great little personality with a hot little temper at times. Carson, I can not wait to see what the Lord has in store for you.
Five years ago I can vividly see your foster mother walking up to me with you nestled in her arms. You were such a little fellow with big dark eyes. As I remember this day I can replay our forever family day as it was a few hours ago. My life and heart will never be the same since we became a family. Carson, thank you for being you. I love you my sweet baby boy!

Jame 1:18

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry-

Just what I needed to read today!

1st Birthday

Today we celebrated Greta Rebecca's first birthday.  My dream girl is such a blessing.

last year and five years ago

on June 1, 2012 and June 1, 2007 I could not sleep.  Stay tuned and you will find out why...

Wordless Wednesday

God's weather

As I was talking to my Dad today, I made a negative comment about how hot it was outside .  My dad replied with a quick response, "GretaJo you should not complain about God's weather."  Point made!

Happy Memorial Day

                                            My Dad served in the Army for a few years.  So Thank you !

The first time Greta Rebecca put her feet in the pool. 

I am going back

to Guatemala this summer. Oh I can not wait... Carson told me today he wants to go with me. I quickly replied, "Carson when you get a little older you can come with me." He said, "Mommy, I will be six in a few months."

Already

On June 2, 2012 my eyed baby girl will be one years old. She is my dream girl!

Its ok if...

you are pregnant
trying to get pregnant
or just had a baby

You do not have to keep it from me.  I am not a jealous person.  I am very happy for people and want nothing but the best for them.

question

A blog friend sent me an email asking,
"Gret  how are you making out since May 3"
well....
I am praying all the time
   I am smoothering carson and cinderella
Crying
   Laughing
      Not talking
       withdrawn at times
        mad
talking with some people about it
   wondering why
thinking about the future (should we try ONE more time)
  Wondering what it will be like when I see my baby in heaven
taking one day at a time
I get pretty made at someone for taking years away from me that I can not get back
   trying to figure out if I should keep the stuff that I already purchased for the new baby or give it away
waking up in the middle of the night thinking it was just a dream
    watching my stomach go back to it normal size
worrying that something awful is going to happen to my children
asking Jonathan a million questions that he can not answer
  asking my Dad the same questions hoping he will have the answers

better day

Carson had a wonderful day at school today.  YAY!  Little things like this makes me very happy.  One day at a time....

Ring Ring

Mrs. Payne.
Its Mr. S
Can  you please come and pick up Carson as he got into a pushing match with another kid?
I will be right there.
He is suspended for the day.

We were making progress and now we are back to square one-

My thoughts all day long

What if I only...
I could of...
I should of...
Why did I...

what went wrong

One week ago today I lost my unborn child at 12 weeks and 6 days.  Its been a very emotional/painful week for me. 

This gum

Today Carson was given a piece of Extra gum (we will not say from whom).  As we were driving in the car Carson says, "Hey Mommy, this gum smells and taste like an old lady."

wordless wednesday