That Moment

This picture may seem a little strange, especially since Christmas has come and gone. However, this ornament brought about a discussion with Todd that is unforgettable. He and I were in Walmart looking at the 50% off merchandise. We came across some really cute ornament balls. I have never been a huge fan of the balls but these had Santa faces and snowmen. He really wanted to buy some and at that price, why not. I bent down to show him all of the different kinds that they had. As I pulled out the snowman, a box of ornaments were behind it like the ones in the picture. He said, "Mommy that is a picture of baby Jesus in the manger with Mary." I told him that he was right. He immediately began one of the sweetest conversations. He insisted that we needed those ornaments because that was the point of Christmas. He continued, "After all, Christmas is not about the presents it is about the birth of baby Jesus. If it weren't for Jesus, we would not have a Christmas." We continued this discussion for quite some time. He was saying that some people don't see it that way, but he does. He likes presents but "Jesus is way more important". I was so proud of him. We ended that discussion and I began looking at ornament storage containers. I glanced back and thought his eyes were closed. Then, I felt a small tug on my shirt and in a whisper this is what I heard. "Mommy, I just prayed". Tear began to fill my eyes. I wanted to grab him and say, now you've got it. You understand it. However, that would have confused him. Instead I said, "Wow, Buddy, that is so great. What did you pray about?" He replied, "Just everything."

This was one of those moments I pray about. For those of you that do not really know Todd, God has given him a heart unlike many males. He is very in tune with people's emotions. He has a servant heart. Trust me this is not any of my doing, only the Father. However, I pray often that Brad and I will raise him to have a servant heart. Sometimes that is a scary prayer. What if he is called to go to a far off country? But I still continue to pray for Him to have that heart. I saw that heart in Walmart. I saw that he was understanding things that will forever change his life.

As I conclude on 2007, I realize how blessed I am. Sure there have been heartaches this year. I lost the little girl that I long for. Brad was out of work some, Todd has been ill a lot lately, my mom still has MS, the list could continue. But, through all of this, I am blessed with the security of knowing that my Father will and does provide all that I need and more. HE has blessed me with a family that I love so dearly. He has blessed me with a church that stretches me spiritually. He has provided financially when it looked bleak. I pray that the Lord blesses us this year and that more than ever we will see His glory revealed to us. May God bless you all in 2008!

I was tagged by Todd

I was tagged by my mommy's friend from high school's daughter. So here is 8 things about me.

1). My name is Todd and I am five.

2). I like to play with Hot Wheels and tracks.

3). I really like to play with my Wii. I like to play Star Wars with Daddy and I am the best in my family at Hot Wheels!

4). I love my mommy and daddy.

5). I like to play computer games.

6). I work a lot at school but my favorite thing about school is PE.

7). I like to go to class at church and I like to play with my friends after church.

8). I like to draw things for my mommy and daddy.

9). Oh, I forgot to add that I love my cousins and really love to play with them and I like Alabama football!

Well, there are my 8 things just as I stated them. My mommy typed them but I came up with them on my own. I am a little bit older than some of the other kids so I had an advantage. I hope you enjoyed reading about me! Thanks Ella for tagging me. I would like to tag: Ava, Nate, and Wendy.

Casting Crowns - Prayer For A Friend

I recently found this song. There are so many people that I can think of that are struggling with spiritual strength or that have never turned to the Lord. This is a beautiful song that expresses what I have felt so often. Sometimes the words I have aren't right. I thank God that I do not have to have the words. I have to turn them over to the Lord and let Him use me as a tool. I pray that you will take a moment and lift up those that you know that do not know Him or that are struggling. Let us take this time to pray for one another's friends. After you take your names before God, leave a message stating that you have done that so that we can pray for each other's friends. Do not list names. God will know who you have brought before Him. This is a lost world in which we live. We need to join together to strengthen those that are struggling.

Pray also for me. Pray that when I open my mouth, the right words will be given to me. Then I can be bold as I tell the mystery of the good news. Ephesians 6:19

So close!

One and a half more days and I am off until January 7th!! I am so ready for it. I can't believe we are in school so close to X-mas. My mother-in-law comes in on Friday night and then we have Christmas with my parents and Brad's mom on Monday. I liked it better when we went back earlier in January and got out more days before the holidays began! I do not have many days to get into the holiday mind-frame! I am very excited about it, though.

AGAIN!!!

I can't believe it. Todd has strep and and ear infection again!! I am so tired of him being sick. He is so pitiful. He just can't get his immune system built back up. There are so many sicknesses going around here it stinks! It doesn't help that parents NEVER keep their kids home when they are sick. Therefore, they are spreading germs everywhere. I am so glad that after a 1/2 day on the 20th we are out for several weeks. Maybe all of the sickness will settle. I am just thankful that Todd is ahead academically since he has missed so much school!

Santa

We took Todd to visit Santa today. He is so funny. For many years, he was afraid. He wanted to get the gifts but not see him. I know that is pretty common. He is no longer afraid of him but he is very quiet when he sees him. He prefers to make out a list so Santa can read it instead of telling him. He also thinks that Santa "might need the list in case he forgets. He does see a lot of kids in a day, Mommy". We actually waited in line for an hour. That is a long time for Santa but I guess it's better than being overlooked on Christmas Eve. I can tell you Todd would NEVER wait that long for a great buy on clothes, food, or anything else!

My poor sick child

Okay, it has not been a fun day in our house. Todd continues to be sick. He is throwing up and having major diarrhea This is not a good thing. He has not kept food down or liquid. We had to rush him to the Dr. today because he was so weak he was tripping. In his words, "My legs are jiggly because my body is tired". That come after sleeping all morning. They had to test to make sure his kidney's weren't failing. That turned out fine. They did blood work to see if it was viral or bacterial. It was all still up in the air. In the meantime, we have to take him back at 11:oo tomorrow if he continues to be sick tonight, which he has already. They will look at IV if he doesn't improve. Oh, I forgot to add that Brad and I are also sick. I just about passed out in the Dr. office. I hate stomach viruses!!

Sick, Sick, Sick

This pretty much describes my child lately. I do not know what the deal is. He only missed 2 days of pre-school last year, he has already missed 5 1/2 this year and has to miss tomorrow, also. He has had strep (2 days), an ear infection (1 day), fever from flu shot (1/2 day), and now the unidentifiable illness (3 days after tomorrow). I took him to the Dr and thought he had strep again since it is going around. The quick test says negative. He has been running a fever over 100 degrees. Now he has stomach issues so I think it is the stomach virus that is going around. I can't wait until break so that his immune system can have a break. Sickness is much more complicated when both parents work!