What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger......

 I hope.....


I have been absent.  again.  sigh.  But quite frankly the reason is....well....I haven't wanted to blog.  I haven't wanted to share what is really going on.  I haven't wanted to act like everything is ok too.  Because it's not.  I'm really struggling.  Our family is reallly struggling.  It's been probably one of the hardest times our family has had to go through.  And while I don't feel like I am up to sharing what is going on, I do ask for prayer for us.  I realize that every family struggles....and I will be the first to tell you that our family is obviously not exempt from these.  And as we are going through a difficult time, I can't imagine those families who go through these times without the hope of our Saviour.  I honestly couldn't make it through the day without His encouragement and His Word that has told me that everything will be ok.  That we will be ok.  God is really tugging at our roots and breaking down all facade that have masked our true identity of who we once thought we were.

When I really needed to hear from God, He spoke.  It was loud and clear and completely directed at me.  And completely brought me that peace when I needed it most.

Isaiah 41:4
"Who caused this to happen?  Who has controlled history from the beginning?  I, the Lord, am the one.  I was here at the beginning, and I will be here when all things are finished."

Isaiah 41:9b-10
"I have chosen you and have not turned against you.  So don't worry, because I am with you.  Don't be afraid, because I am your God.  I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you."

Isaiah 41:13
"I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, and I tell you, "don't be afraid.  I will help you."

Thank you Jesus for your love and comfort...and most of all your soverignity. 

It's during these times that I will admit...the journey to joy is hard to find.  When all around me seems to be crumbling and what I thought life would be like is completely not.....I have to choose joy.  How do I do that?  Well...I will get back to you once I figure it out myself.  All I know is that I am going to have to make a conscience effort each and every day...maybe each and every hour. 

But I do know...God gives me the strength to do everything.  And that He who began a good work in me will continue it until completion....and it's those truths that I have to hold on to.


Well on a completely different note...I have never blogged about my baby's first birthday.  Now that was a joyful time.  The birthday girl was the smash of the party, of course!  She LOVED her cake (now I know for a fact that she is MY daughter!  HA!)  She had no problems digging right in.  And she did get into opening her presents too.  It was a lot of fun.  We had a Diva party for her.  Complete with a pink leopard print foofed out cake I made for her.  :)  It was a low key party (the poor third baby never gets the big shindigs like her oldest sister got!), but it was super cute!  I wish we could do it again soon.  Here are some pics...



The Birthday Girl!



The Diva Birthday Cake!



This Girl brings me TONS of joy!  :)!!



She shoved in her cake!



mmm...purple icing!




Brining in her mini cake!




This is the theme I got the cake idea off of!

Well we had a lot more pictures of the birthday party but I am not patient enough to deal with blogger upload right now!