Dark Clouds

I'll go ahead and apologize for the whining that is about to come from this post. I just need to get some thoughts off my chest and this blog kind of serves as an outlet, and helps to get these thoughts out of my mind. The past week or so I have been in such a "funk". That's really the best way to describe it. I try so hard not to question the Lord's will, but there are times when I just can't seem to let go. I really wish I was the kind of person that could FULLY trust in the Lord's plan. I find myself sometimes with this feeling that no one understands my pain with infertility. I'm not saying anything negative about my friends, but they have all been able to conceive with no problem and have even gotten a few "surprise" pregnancies. I'm not discounting them as mothers, or saying they didn't "want" their children, but they just don't know how it feels to really want a child. To not have it happen the first month, or the first year. I feel like they don't take my heartache seriously. It's not that they don't listen, they do. But, when I talk about the emptiness I feel when I go to all the birthday parties or baby showers and then the subject quickly changes to groceries or work, I feel like they're not really listening. I know it's not their burden to bear, but I just want to feel like someone UNDERSTANDS. I don't want sympathy, I get enough of that when people ask "So, do you have kids" and I say, "Not yet" and then you get that stare of Oh, you poor thing.I'm just tired. Tired of wanting, wishing, waiting, with no outcome. I know I am not perfect and that I really need to TRUST in God. I just really need Him to move in my life, I need just a little glimmer of hope. A little ray of sunshine through all these dark clouds.

Hello there!

Well I'm back from my "blogging break", and I must say I'm glad. Life has been absolutely crazy the past few months. Prepare for a long one here guys, alot has happened! Let's see...lost my job of 6 years back in December after the company closed their Chattanooga location, instantly got what "appeared" to be a great opportunity and started that job the first week of January. I made it through the GRUELING 8 weeks of training, but by the end of February I had just about had all I could take. It was one of those places that look great on the outside but once you're on the inside it's not so great. After many tears, thinking, talking with my husband, and praying I decided to resign from that position and have been out of work ever since. We are now living on ONE income which is so NOT what we are used to, but we are making it work. I am doing some online coursework to hopefully work in pharmacy and am looking forward to taking the certification exam sometime soon. I really needed a CHANGE. I loved my old job but was looking at going in a different direction. Just not as soon as I thought! But, I feel so much better about the future of my career and that is something working in a job you hate will not get you. My husband has been SUPER supportive and I am so lucky to have him! So, basically I have been playing S-A-H-M to my pups and they have enjoyed having me home to play with them all day and take them to the park. Sad, I know. Plus, a bonus of my unemployment is I am available to spend lots of time with our nieces and nephews,(whom we spoil ROTTEN) and I have gotten to babysit and do all sorts of fun things with them and I just love it! We are still hoping and praying that we will conceive soon and I have a much better outlook on that lately as well. I think I just feel more confidence in myself and am learning to look at things differently, so I am not so sad all the time. There for a while the sadness was creeping back in and that was about the time this angel was born. Once again, Kelly, whom I do not know personally, was responsible for putting my focus back to God. Praying for Kelly and Harper gave me a new perspective on what it is to ask something of God. We all asked and He delivered a miracle in a healthy, happy Harper! So, I know that in His time He will deliver for us. We just have to be patient. Still. We are happy just being happy together. We will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary on August 5th and I am working on cooking up a romantic and CHEAP getaway for the two of us....does anyone have any great secret spots in TN,GA, AL??? Fill me in if you do!! Love to you all!

Thank You, Lord!

I have been on kind of a blog hiatus lately...there are lots of things going on right now, but I wanted to take a minute to say "Thank You" to Him. The following song couldn't convey my thoughts better as I think about what Jesus did for me.

Thank you for the cross, Lord.

Thank You for the price You paid.

Bearing all MY sin and shame.

In LOVE You came, and gave amazing grace.

Thank You for this love, Lord.

Thank You for the nail pierced hands.

Washed me in your cleansing flow, now all I know,

your forgiveness and embrace.

WORTHY IS THE LAMB, seated on the throne.

"He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; by His wounds we are healed."

Isaiah 53:5

Happy Easter everyone!

PLEASE,PLEASE, PRAY!!!

FALL ON YOUR KNEES AND PRAY FOR HARPER! Please, go to Him and beg for the healing of this child and comfort for her family.

Goodbye Old Friend

Well, today was my last day at my old job. To say it was easy to walk out of the bulding and away from my "family" there would be a lie. I know it was something I had to do and I am looking forward to my new job I'll be starting on Jan. 6th, but it's still hard to change. As I have mentioned before the people I have worked with over the last 6 years are not just my "co-workers" they are FAMILY. We have been together through marriages, divorces, births, deaths... You name it and we have experienced it TOGETHER. It's hard to leave a support system like that and go to a new place where you know noone. It's almost like being a kid going to a new school for the first time. I know we will all stay in touch, but it just won't be the same not seeing eachother everyday. I am grateful that God provided a new opportunity for me and I am sooooo thankful. I know there are a lot of people out there looking for jobs for months all the while trying to live off of unemployment. I am THANKFUL today, just a little sad.

Beautiful Reminder

Grab some tissues and watch this video-this is what Christmas is all about.

Boo Mama's Christmas Tour

Since this is my first year as a blogger naturally this is my first year to participate in "the tour" hosted by Boo Mama and boy am I excited! Now, let me warn you...I by no means live in a designer home showplace-I live with a small zoo (that includes 1 wild husband!) so lower your expectations, ignore any stray fur, and come on in!





When you first walk up to the front porch you will notice some really BIG and glittery ornaments hanging under the overhang. I think these are so fun and I really have no other place to display them, so I thought they made a nice addition to our "front porch ambience". Hey, that's what it's all about here in the South!





This year instead of a wreath I wanted to branch out a bit..I found this cool "grapeviney" container at Hobby Lobby for $10 and the flowers were half off at Stockdale's. I loved that they were unique looking and not just your run o' the mill poinsettia. How do you think it turned out?





As you make your way in the door you will come upon pretty much the only decorated area of the house, the living room. It is not a very big space and our furniture is a little overbearing in there so I try to keep things as minimal as I can because O' Christmas Tree lives in there!





The angel atop the tree has been in my family for years. She has the most beautiful porcelain face and pretty feather wings. Her gown is burgundy velvet so my color scheme tends to follow her attire! I have a lot of burgundy, gold, deep red, and green colors on the tree. I tend to lean more towards the "natural" look, meaning I load the tree up with a variety of "fake" pears, apples, grapes, and animals. Ironic huh?



Here are a few closeups of some of my favorite ornaments....








Now, don't laugh but I made these ornaments.....

I saw a similar idea on Kelly's blog and just changed it up a bit- I used the clear glass ornaments, took the shiny gift shred and put down inside the balls. Then I used glue to write our initials on the front, then I sprinkled the green glitter over the glue and looped ribbon through the top. They look a little Kindergarten-esque in the pictures, but I promise they look a little better in person!

These are just a few little accents on the side tables....the little tree was originally a Christmas Card holder but it didn't function very well in that capacity so I decided it was more decorative than functional. I love pine cones so I just put a few of those underneath the tree for a little decoration. Then, because I can't pass up anything glittery, I have a pretty deep burgundy poinsettia covered in glitter!

We have a modern style mirror that hangs above our couch and it just stuck out like a sore thumb! So, I found an old wreath I had and just hung it over the center of the mirror.

(I like this picture because you can see the reflection of the angel in the mirror)



Well, I hope you have enjoyed the tour as much as I enjoyed putting this together! Thanks so much for stopping by and.....



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!