Only A Mom - Day 1 Gift

 Christmas Praise and Celebration - Day 1  

They are not mine.  They belong to Him.  Yet, my heart overflows with thanksgiving that He loaned them to me to nurture and raise. They make me laugh.  They make me cry.  They are the reason for my grey hairs (kidding).  I miss the days when they were little but I am so proud of each of them and the beautiful, Godly young women they have become. 


I am thankful for the gift of being a mother.

Some things only a mom can do. Only a mother can powder a baby’s behind with one hand and hold the phone with the other. Only a mom can discern which teen is entering the door just by the sound of the key in the lock. Only a mom can spend a day wiping noses, laundering enough socks for the Yankees, balancing a checkbook down to $1.27, and still mean it when she thanks God for her kids. Only a mom. Some things only a mom can fix. Like Hamburger Helper without the hamburger.Like the cabinet door her husband couldn’t and his bruised ego when he found out that she could. Broken shoelace? Broken heart? Breaking out on your face? Breaking up with your sweetheart? Moms can handle that. Some things only a mom can fix. Some things only a mom can know. The time it takes to drive from piano lesson to Little League practice? She knows. How many pizzas you need for a middle school sleepover? Mom knows: How many Weight Watcher points are left in the day and days are left in the semester? Mom can tell you. She knows. We men usually don’t. The kids are usually clueless.

Moms are a breed apart.

 ~ Max Lucado (pg. 89 - Next Door Savior)

Also, today I am thankful to link up with my buddies at Company Girl.  I have missed them!  

Christmas Praise and Celebration

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  James 1:17

The most wonderful time of the year has arrived.  Preparations are underway. The hussle and bussle has started. The traffic is crazy and the lines in the stores---even crazier.  The hunt for finding the perfect gift for friends and loved ones continues again this year. (You know, the "one" gift they will love and remember for years to come.)  We wrap the gifts with foil paper and large bows and place them under the tree to ultimately have hidden treasure in each box revealed. The Lord has been impressing upon my heart this season  to look for the delightful treasures and gifts He has daily given me.  

I believe Our Lord is the Ultimate gift giver and His perfect gift to each of us is His Son, Jesus Christ.  As we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth this year I want to take time out each day during this Christmas season and reflect on the gifts He has given me.   No matter how big or small, obvious or not-so-obvious this gift may seem, I want to take time this Christmas to give Him intentional daily praise and thanksgiving.  I hope you will join me during this time of Christmas Praise and Celebration as we give thanks. 
(Feel free to copy the picture (above) and chime in on your blog.  There is no right or wrong way.  Just Celebrate Christ with Praises and Thanksgiving!)


Merry CHRISTmas! 

November Re-cap

My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. Psalms 71:8

To say time is going faster than I am would be a massive understatement. I have been rather neglectful in posting but I'm ready for a fresh start.  Sometimes we need to pull back from the busyness of life and just "be still". I thought I had just become lazy with my blog, however, after a short hiatus I realize I needed time away to re-focus.   I have been really praying and seeking The Lord the past few months for direction and clarity in my life.  Being an "empty nester" has been a challenging and tough season for this mother's heart. (I hope to share more in later posts).  During these past few months I have enjoyed a sweet time of seeking Him and He has been faithful to hold me, guide me and teach me.   


 During this time The Lord worked and convicted me of my lack of praising Him.  Especially here on my blog.  Last year I posted everyday in November listing thanks each day for 30 days.   I am sad I missed that opportunity this year, however, with Thanksgiving reflecting in my heart I realize it is never too late to give Thanks to Him!  A fresh start!


I believe this is the most wonderful time of the year and my personal goal will be to post each day during the Christmas season something that I am thankful for.  I want to take time to recognize the precious gifts I have been given each day.   I plan to taking time to slow down, enjoy the season, love my family and reflect on the gifts The Lord has given me.  I hope you will join me too (so check back if you want join it!)


Here is a glimpse of the past few weeks in the Burton house and just a few of the things I I am thankful for:


(~~First, no picture for this one but I passed my state interpreting test!  Thanks to all who prayed for me as I took my two-part test and waiting for my results!~~)

Having all my family with me on Thanksgiving Day
Josh, Jaelynn, Amanda, Jim, Me(front), Jordyn, Mom (front), Dad, Ryan, Holly (front)

The sheer delight on Jaelynn's  face about her candy cane reminds me to enjoy the simple things in life everyday!

Sums it all up!  Celebrate God for all He has done!

My baby girl turned 19 this month.  We were thrilled she was home from college to celebrate with us!

Can you tell that I truly can not get enough of my grand daughter?

Enjoying Jordyn being home for 9 days from college.  How I have missed our girls time.

Odd, I know.  But my favorite number is "11"!!

Goofing off with my oldest, Amanda and her precious pregnant belly.  Baby Zoie will be here in 6 weeks!  Maybe she will make it in time for Christmas (or Mimi's birthday!)

My man was a bit under the weather over Thanksgiving and didn't want to get close enough to anyone to have pictures taken.  I was able to capture this a few weeks ago.  I love this picture of his handsome self.  Shows his serious, yet almost cracking a silly smile, side.

Monday Morning Update Complete with Planking

Just like the seasons change during the year, seasons of life change too.   The season of "empty nest" has been a time of adjustment for us.  If you follow my blog, you know one of my favorite things in life is being a mommy (only second to being a wife). Though I will always wear my 'mommy' hat , my daily responsibilities have changed now that our baby has gone to college.  One change in recent months is that I started working a neat little part time job in June.  The job was a God-send for us and I am so thankful, especially in light of the current job market.  Besides, in addition to adjustment,  the "empty-nest" season also brings a little thing called college tuition!  Working, while only part time, and being a wife to a man in the ministry has limited my blog time.  I'm still a blog stalker and miss my friends in Blogville but I think of you and pray for you often.

I had a few minutes this morning to log-in for a quick update.  If you are seeking random (my usual) then skip ahead to the second-to-last  point:

• Jordyn came home for Fall Break this weekend.  To say we were delighted to see her would be an understatement.  She is doing great and is loving college.  She is diggin' her Theology class and is praying about a Theology/Philosophy major with a music minor (she has her dad's brains and musical abilities).

• My precious little grand-baby is doing great! Jaelynn is getting ready for her own little adjustment.  Her baby sister (Zoie) is due in January.   

• Still waiting for the results of my state interpreting test.  It's been 4 months so they should arrive any day. 

• Saturday night I double-dog dared my sister-in-law to plank with me!  It was my first attempt and might be my last (I'm injury prone and I don't think my Chiropractor would approve!)

• If you want a good sermon, you have to check out "Bulls, Lions and Dogs" (Sept. 25th)  by Pastor Jim Cymbala of The Brooklyn Tabernacle.  I tried to embed the sermon but I was unsuccessful.  Take the time to go to the link, find it and listen.   I was totally bawling the entire message.  I pray this will touch your heart as it did mine!

TGIF

Today is Company Girl Friday!!  I miss you all but life has been a little "weird" here in Virginia lately.  Got my girl settled in college.  Cried my eyes out then it got really wild around here!    The past week here in Virginia has been interesting to say the least!  We experienced a 5.8 earthquake a week ago and this past weekend we found ourselves face to face with Hurricane Irene.  Irene did minimal damage to my home, however, we lost our electricity for a few days.  We were blessed as many in our area were not so fortunate.  We still have many families in our community without electricity, as well as, trees down in their yard and even on their houses.   Please continue to pray for our area. 


Hope to be back soon with a fun blog post!!  I've been praying for you all the past few weeks.


Just in case you don't know what Company Girls is all about go here and join in on the weekly Friday fun: Company Girls 9.2

It's time to fly

To quote my hubby from earlier today, "The little bird is about to leave the nest.".   Indeed.  Indeed.  I couldn't help but take a quick picture today of this cute sight from her room:

Meet Scruffy.  Scruffy is Jo's BBF (best bear forever.).  If Scruffy could talk he could share some major stories.  Scruffy use to follow Jo around everywhere.  He's gone on a gazillion trips and he even went to Europe with her on two mission trips.  Like any best buds, Jo and Scruffy have been through thick and thin together.  And of course, as one might expect they have been through countless childhood illnesses.  Through it all, they made it; Jordyn through life's growing pains and Scruffy through many wash cycles.  After today, I am happy to report it looks like they are off on another adventure together.  It sure makes this mom's heart happy knowing my baby won't be alone at college.  If I can't go with her, I'm glad Scruffy can.   Glad to know she's not flying solo.

Speaking of flying solo, I randomly just  realized my Editor-in-Chief (that's Jo) will no longer be sitting by me in on the sofa when I need a quick proof on my blog. (Oh dear...I need the Kleenex again.....) so I hope the typo's are not too many in future posts.  Please bear with me (bear with me!....I crack myself up at times.)

In all seriousness my soon to be empty-nest is nothing compared to the many trials and hardships many are facing right now.   So many are struggling with job loss, health problems, marital issues, financial woes, etc.  If you read my blog regularly then you know I am a huge believer in the supernatural power of prayer.  I want to pray for you.  If I can intercede for you in any way, please just leave me a comment or shoot me an email and I'll be praying for you.  You are loved!!

Whoa Summer!

Photo by Jordyn Burton.
(My vacation God-wink:  Finding a heart shaped , purple shell!)

"August 1st? Whoa, summer. Where have you gone?  I thought we were friends!"

That was my daughter's facebook status yesterday.  Flown by? Indeed the summer is zipping faster than I am. Can I get an "Amen"?  Amen!  Our family had the privilege of recently enjoying a nice vacation at the Outer Banks in North Carolina.   I was beyond blessed to have my entire family with me this year.  My man, my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, along with my precious girls (all four of them...........did you catch that?  FOUR?  Yep!  Amanda is having another girl!  We just found out this afternoon.  And, no, that's not a pig you hear but that's me squealing with much delightl!)

Photo by Jordyn Burton

Vacation ended and we were catapulted straight into reality.  My youngest daughter is preparing to leave for college (someone PLEASE pass the Kleenex and anti-depressants) in a few short weeks.   We have been trying to get our 'ducks in a row' as she prepares to leave.  Jordyn has served in our church praise team and has been our church keyboardist for the past six years.  This past weekend CCF was honored to have Jordyn perform a farewell concert for us.  In addition to my hubby singing with Jordyn, our niece, Sarah Burton Troutman, and her husband (Will) drove up from SC to be part of the concert.  Sarah is an amazingly talented young woman too.

Photo by Will Troutman

In case you are interested, here is the video from Saturday night's concert. 



"jordyn burton - a night of music " July 30,2011 from CCF Media on Vimeo.




That's just a snipped of what has been going with me the past month.  I'd love to hear what you are doing this summer!   

This is how we grow

For years I have had a deep desire to move.  I would love to live "out" on some land.  Complete privacy. No neighbors. The simple life.  Old Farmhouse.   John Deer tractor to cut the grass.  Simply, rustic cottage decor.  Ahhhh..... Let me pop back to reality because the simple fact is that I live in the city.  Always have.  And the way it looks, probably always will. 


My dream of country living has always given Jim a good (hearty) laugh.  For some reason, as if to say I remind him of Eva Gardner, he hums the Green Acres theme when I start my country living rants. (Just maybe the fact that 'I get allergic smelling hay' and that I own a Yorkie add to his laughter?)

picture from Hulu.com

I am glad I can provide him a chuckle every now and then. After twenty one years together, he knows his little city gal who dreams of living in the country looks through rose colored lenses (often).  This year the rose colored lenses had me dreaming of planting my own garden. After announcing  I wanted a garden this year and then "mentioning it"  each day, ten times a day...he finally gave in.  (It also helped my case when I won a super-sweet gardening set complete with seeds. Can we say "Godwink"?  wink wink.)  So, my man  decided we would give it a "go".  He helped me square off a little section of the land and he helped me to plant away. 


I am not sure who has had more fun this summer watering, weeding and waiting for our 'little' garden to grow. Each day we are like two little kids running out to check the overnight growth.  (This is the part that makes ME laugh because my man grew up in the country and his parents always had a humongous garden).

We both got a good laugh yesterday when I told Jim our garden is like the Duggars.  19 tomatoaes and counting.....

Yeah, I even planted two tomato plants in a pot just in case the garden failed.....

This is my own little sanctuary area.  My favorite place to take my coffee and Bible every morning. 

Our little guard dog helps keep the squirrels from invading our garden.

Well, my man and I may have underestimated our garden's growth this year but never fear--we are in talks about our expansion for next year's garden.   All in all, I think we make a great team.  And who knows, maybe next year my John Deer tractor could be a reality....

Report from Camp

Camp Mimi was a huge hit!  (Well, at least I thought so!).  We were delighted to see our little grand-baby and her parents this week.  Here are a few shots my youngest daughter took while they were here:

Click here for more photos

Yep...she's wondering what is inside Mommy's tummy?  We'll find out in 6 months.......

My heart could not have been more full spending precious moments with my grand daughter for a few days.  Here are a few of my shots (unprofessional at best) from our week: 

(I had no time to fix my hair this day!  how do you mommies do it all???? )

Of course, we had ice cream at Camp Mimi

Poor gal, we took lots of pictures this week.  She was super patient.

Well, we took so many pictures she was "over it" by mid-week.

I sure am sorry to see my little precious leave town, but I know we will see her again soon!!  I had a blast but now this Mimi needs a NAP!

(btw--I am still waiting on my results from my state interpreting testing.  Thanks to you all who have asked and prayed.  I won't know anything for a few months.)

Camp Mimi

My to-do list this week looks something like this:

Monday - Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can) 

Tuesday - Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can) 

Wednesday -Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can) 

Thursday - Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can) 

Friday - Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can), text Amanda to see how close to home they are.  Get the camera ready.  Check the clock.  Text Amanda again. Check the clock again. Text Amanda.  Toddler proof my house.  (get some rest while I can  ah, heck...forget resting!  I'm like a kid at Christmas!!) 

Yep--after a long seven months (SEVEN MONTHS!) it is time for me to be reunited with this little piece of preciousness (my grand-baby!!)

Poor baby took a tumble and has a boo-boo on her nose

  

You can bet your bottom dollar I'll post some pictures next week (when I find time)!  And for all you mommies of little-ones...I'll be praying for you. 


Oh, by the way - have you heard this new, amazing song by Natalie Grant?  Love it!!

Have been away from my Company Girls the past few weeks.  It is so good to reconnect with these amazing ladies today!!  (*love to you all and you have been in my prayers even though I have not been around blogville recently!!*)

Have a great weekend! I'm going back to try to get "Camp Mimi" ready to open it's doors!