lessons learned

I keep hearing this song when I'm driving in my car. I can't help but think about all of the couples struggling in their marriages and those who have given up. It's so very sad to me. I pray they get on their knees and beg God for healing and restoration and for Him to teach them how to love each other and to be kind.

And I can't help but make this song about me. I'm so grateful that God and my husband never gave up on me... or us. God knows how hard my heart can get and how frustrating life can be for me when we are trying to "work it out." He also knows the many times I have wanted to run away, needing my space. He knows how stubborn I am and how independent I can be. I think I can do it alone, without Him. But we have come so far together. He is such a gentleman and He has always waited patiently for me to come back to Him. I never ever think about leaving anymore.

I love how He gives me reasons every day to keep looking up; to keep trusting Him; and to keep Believing Him for the impossible. I'm so glad He thinks I'm worth it. He thinks we're worth it.

He thinks you are worth it too, so please don't give up!

Thank You, God for reminding me through a song to look for You in my husband's eyes. I'm giving you all my love and I won't give up.

Fabulous Friday

I posted this song yesterday and first thing this morning I found this in my inbox. Hmmm... I think somebody's trying to tell me something. Perhaps He's telling you too. Look around and see Him everywhere... and think to yourself... "What A Wonderful World."



Have a fabulous Friday!

Happy Thankful Thursday! :)

Psalm 40:1

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

You're not alone

I love this song. Sometimes all we can do is pray for someone who is hurting. And when we are reminded of our own story and suddenly flooded with memories, we need more than an angel; we need God Himself to provide healing.




"Angel By Your Side"

I can’t say that everything’s okay
‘Cause I can see the tears you’re crying
And I can’t promise to take the pain away
But you can know I won’t stop trying


I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when you’re down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel
The angel by your side

I know it feels like you’re running out of faith
‘Cause it’s so hard to keep believing
But if I can bring a smile back to your face
If for a moment, you’ll forget all about it


I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when you’re down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel
The angel by your side

‘Cause this won’t be the last time
You’ll need a little hope
But I want to be the first to let you know

Thankful Thursday... Perseverance

"through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
(Romans 5:2-5)

Perseverance: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness.

This week I am most grateful to have a person in my life who has shown me the true meaning of perseverance. I admire her so much for her hard work and courage to stick with something for a full year that was beyond difficult. I admire her for the way she handled a situation that was out of her comfort zone on so many levels. These days it seems so many people take the easy way out when the going gets tough; they just quit. She will never quit anything without giving it much consideration. I will never forget the many conversations when she was very frustrated and didn't know what to do next. She just kept plugging along even though her situation caused knots in her stomach and she was critiqued day in and day out. She rarely got any positive feedback when she went above and beyond. She was stretched and did things she never imagined she would have to do. There were tears, but she didn't quit. She persevered by faith and thank God, things have gotten so much better. She's happy she made it!

This is the story of her life. When she decides to do something, she dives in and gives 100%. She is the most thoughtful person I know. She can't stand conflict and she hates to say goodbye. She is so independent and loves to be different. She is a trend-setter. She has style and class. She never talks behind people's back and always gives people the benefit of the doubt. She doesn't have to have a million friends; just a few real close friends. She is laid back. She's no-nonsense; you can't pull anything over on her. She is honest and trustworthy. She's never in a hurry and always plans ahead. She is patient and kind. She is smart. She is a runner and swimmer. She eats well and takes care of her body. She knows how to make herself happy. She has a great sense of humor. She loves candles and loves to pamper herself. She loves to travel and she speaks and sings in French. She shops early; if she sees the perfect Christmas gift in July, she will save it until Christmas. She loves flip flops and the beach. She has the most beautiful hair I've ever seen. She loves the city but she also loves her hometown. She loves to shop, but mainly online. She has no idea how beautiful she is inside and out. She loves her family and she really loves her mother.

Her name is Meghan and she's my favorite daughter.

I'm grateful and very proud of her today!

THE Most Thankful Thursday... It wasn't easy!

What am I most thankful for today?

It's a no-brainer.
It's my son, John.
It's the memory of the day he was born when he came a week early.
It's the surgeon who helped him live. If they couldn't do the surgery to fix his pyloric stenosis he wouldn't be here today.
It's the way he fell asleep before I could say goodnight to him and how he giggled when I put him to bed.
It's his strong personality that showed up when I accidentally splashed him and he splashed me back.
It's his drive and determination that allowed him to learn to ride a bike when he was barely 3 years old.
It's the way he wanted to hurry up and get a week's homework done at one sitting so he could go out and play.
It's his super messy penmanship.
It's his all-around athleticism.
It's his love for our family and traditions.
It's his loyalty to his friends and family.
It's the way his "yes" means "yes" and his "no" means "no."
It's the way he treats people like he would like to be treated.
It's his sensitivity.
It's those compliments he gave me when he thought I was the most beautiful woman in the world.
It's the advice he gives me to this day; and I trust every word.
It's his efficiency to get his work done.
It's the way he manages his time.
It's the way he expects people to live up to his standards and return phone calls right away.
It's the way he fights like heck and never gives up.
It's the way he always comes up swinging.
It's his work ethic.
It's the way he is never ever late.
It's his love for music.
It's the way he knows how to work hard... and then play hard.
It's the way he knows when every sporting event is going to take place; and shares his knowledge with me so I won't miss anything important.
It's the way he wants me to be my best at everything.
It's the way he knows the benefit of a nap.
It's the way he fought his way into advanced classes in middle school.
The way he fought his way into every sport he ever played.
The way he fought his way to play lacrosse for MSU.
It's the courage he had to move out of state to go to grad school all by himself.
It's the way he fought his way into law school.
It's the way he did well once he got into law school.

It's those times God comforted me as his mother when I worried about him in the midst of the entire list.

I'm super thankful that right this minute he is in his last class in law school or any kind of school. I couldn't be more proud... and relieved.

Thank you, God for bringing that little boy into my life. Nope, it's not his birthday. It's just another rainy Thursday where I am so very grateful. You get every single bit of credit for every single thing I listed above. I wrote this in about five minutes, and I know I only scratched the surface of all the gifts God gave my precious son.