Family

I would have to say that the most important thing to my family, has always been each other. We've always been close, and we've always stood by each other. I've been wanting to write this for a long time, but it has taken a lot of time and thinking so that maybe I can put it into words.
I have two older brothers, about eleven and nine years older then me. I also have two younger siblings, a brother who's three years younger then me, and a sister that is nine years younger. It never ceases to amaze me how each of us is so different and fills a special place in our family.
My oldest brother, he has always been the mercy person. He was always the one settling arguments and making things right. I always considered him as the "John-boy" of the family (for those of you who know the Waltons). He was the popular one, always smiling, and just about everybody always liked him. He is the preacher of our family. Always there to counsel you, but he'll never choose sides. So if you're mad at someone, you don't really want to go to him because he'll just show the other side of the story. Now he is the father of four boys and has continued to still be that "John-boy" brother he always has been.
My second oldest brother has always been the sarcastic tormentor. He taught me about football and how to run the plays and catch the ball. Needless to say, that took patience on his part. He also would be the first to pinch me or give me a hard time. I tended to pester him quite a bit because I knew that he was really quite a softy at heart. If I ever started crying over something he'd always be there to make up. He has always been the smart business man. Now he teaches about business and I can always ask him about things in the business world that I don't understand. So, sarcasim and all, he was always there to back me up.
My younger brother, well, he is the exhorter. No matter how upset I've ever been or confused he was always there to listen to me go on forever about the things that were bothering me. He could always make me feel better, and he always made each situation seem easier and less complicated. He also has a temper, and I have been on the receiving end more than once! I deserved it most of the time because I know how to push his buttons. He's just starting out in life, but he is one of the most charismatic people I know. He just has something about him that really leaves a good impression with people. He still has a ways to go, but he is going to do very well in whatever direction the Lord takes him.
Now for my little sister. She got lucky and got all the good stuff. She is very athletic. She plays all the sports at school and is really starting to progress well. She can also play the piano, sing, and is very smart. She is still very young, but she already shows a lot of potential to excell at whatever she puts her hand to. That probably has to do with the fact that she's quite the perfectionist. She will be the first to beat herself up if she thinks she failed in the smallest area. She has big plans for her future, and I can't wait to see how it all turns out!
So that sums up my siblings. There is so much more I could say, but it would take a whole book to tell all the special things about each one. I love them all and could never have wished for a better set than these four. 

Train up your child...

Well, we have definitely hit that "training" stage. It seems every day is filled with another test of patience. Once you are a parent, you realize just how hard it was for your parents! Especially when your child is just like you. My little girl is testing us in every way possible. She's thrown her first temper tantrum, throws things, and tries to get her way in every way. The biggest fight right now is her throwing things she doesn't want. At the table if she doesn't want her cup she'll throw it on the floor. The same with her food. It is a constant battle that I must win. Being consistent is NOT easy!
Now, in many ways, she has good habits. She is learning to say please for one thing. I try to remember to make her say it before I give her something she wants. Besides, it's cute to hear her say "Uppp, ease!" She has only a few select things that she likes getting into. Like nightstand drawers, the trash, and cabinets. So I am blessed that way.
I'm very proud of how well my husband has been at teaching her to pick up her toys. He has done a amazing job in training her that way. I must say I was surprised. I wasn't sure how he'd be in that area. I think she listens to him better!
I realize how blessed I am in having a helpful husband; my little girl isn't so bad either!

Brrrr!!!

My worst fear has come true. Florida has turned cold almost overnight. Waking up to being cold in the morning is not fun! I'm not going to hold my breath that it may get warm again as it is October.
The worst part was to find out that I have no maternity pants and very few warm shirts. The best part was to realize that my 15 month old was in the same fix! So it looks like there will have to be a big shopping spree for us girls! It's a hardship isn't it? This will be a very expensive winter for us. I need clothes, my daughter needs clothes, and our baby needs a whole wardrobe. I'll just have my husband make do with what he has! Since when do men want new clothes anyhow?
The best news we got this week is that a large landscaping job has come through for my husband. It is going to provide us with money for all those clothes and some bills we need paid. Thank you God!!!
We've been praying for this for a couple years and the man finally decided to go ahead with the job. This has really given us a big reason to give thanks. I guess we should start our Thanksgiving early this year! A healthy family, a healthy new baby on the way, and money to supply for our needs. What a way to start the holiday season!

Positive Thinking

We had a preacher come to our church recently and he gave the best message. It made me realize just how negative I am. It is true that today we live in a negative world, and it is easy to fall into that mindset. For example, every month I worry about paying our bills and whether or not we will make it and still have money left. The foolish thing is that every month we always come out on top. So, why do I worry so much? Instead of giving things to God and saying, "it is well," I choose to worry, fret, and nag my husband. We have no debt, and God has blessed us with a good job. Still, it seems if all I see is what could go wrong and what will be coming in a few months. I know we have many doctor bills coming with the new baby in a few months. I know that we will need to find a home to buy this upcoming year. I know that we need much more in savings than we have. A very smart person once told me that the days will pass whether I'm doing anything or not. So why should I let those days pass worrying over something that doesn't exist yet? It is smart to plan for the future, but I tend to be a little bit obsessive about it.
I really want to try to learn to look at things in a more positive light. It won't be easy, but with God's help I know it's possible. It shouldn't matter if it's family problems, health issues, or money concerns. God has never failed me. So why do I question Him so much?
I never saw myself as a negative person until I heard that message. I truly want to be that person that can encourage others and look past what is, to what can be.

Growing Up

I'm trying to teach my little girl how to feed herself with a spoon. It's a funny and messy experience. However, once she got the idea, she was so excited to feed herself. She'd grab the spoon, put it in her mouth, and just smile. Of course, she lost some of her oatmeal smiling too!
Most days I look forward to seeing my little family grow. Then, there are the other days. Those days when my husband works late, my little girl has done everything to get on my nerves, and the house seems to be falling apart. On those days, I look at our two bedroom duplex and wonder if I can possibly manage to make everyone and everything fit. Didn't our mom's make it look easy?
Today...is one of THOSE days!

It's a Girl!

Yes, we just found out we're having another girl. We're very excited. My husband is calling himself "a ladies man," and I will simply love dressing up another little girl. Our one year old of course understands none of this. She will be in for quite the shock when she wakes up with a new roommate one morning!
I was also happy to hear that as of right now everything looks great with my little girl. God has blessed me tremendously by giving me a healthy pregnancy with my first daughter. I am praying that this one will fly by as easily as the first! Having a medical condition and being on medication is a great hardship in times like these. Knowing the problems that could arise or the defects that the medication may cause on my baby is very difficult to handle. There's that constant worry until I actually see my baby for myself. It helps that there are doctors that specialize in high-risk pregnancies. It's a comfort to hear a doctor tell me that everything looks right.
We are very thankful that everything seems to be going smoothly for the time being. Praise the Lord!

Special Milestone!

This last week has been an exciting time. I haven't had a seizure for a whole year! Praise the Lord! It is a wonderful blessing to have gone this long. Now to start counting down until next year.
I've never said much about my epilepsy. I was 18 and a freshman in college. A very hard time to be told all the things you can't do anymore. I had to be seizure free for 6 months before I could drive. I didn't drive for over a year. I spent that time being driven around by my mom. It was hard, but she never complained.
When the test results came back, the doctors told us that they had never seen a scan that bad. Quite impressive right? Then they started the medication. It was a long time until they figured out exactly what would work for me. The side effects were pretty bad. I turned into a not so nice person. I was mean and a real grouch. Finally my parents had me talk to our pastor. Basically I had to pick myself up and grow up. It wasn't easy at first, but with God's help my family and I have made it through it.
The hardest part is knowing that I'll never be the same person I used to be. Epilepsy has changed everything for me. My first date with my boyfriend, who's now my husband, I had to tell him about it. He handled it so well. It didn't change anything for him. My friends from college were the same way. I was blessed to have people around me who didn't treat as someone who was weird or a freak. It was hardest telling my bosses and teachers. They showed much more concern and asked a lot of questions.
There's much more to this story that I'll have to tell later. I had many hard times, and I had many good times.