Faith on Upside-Down Days

There have been many times when my plans for the day are interrupted.  Even though I consider myself a list maker and plan my days around the boys schedule.  I am not an hour by hour planner.  So, last Tuesday night when Easton started running a fever, I had to keep him home from his preschool Christmas party and church.  He just laid around all day Wednesday - not normal for a 3 year little boy.  So, Thursday we headed to the doctor - Results - "Flu patient # 1".  Friday, when Haydn got home, he was complaining about being really tired, this was followed by fever & throwing up.  So, no church for us on Sunday and I took Haydn to the doctor on Monday, they tested him for the flu, he was negative, but they gave him Tami flu anyways.  In the meantime, I thought I had another sinus infection, so I went to the Dr. Monday also - Results - "Flu patient #2".  David went Tuesday to get tested and he was also negative, but they gave him the medicine anyways.  I would love for someone to explain to me why 2 people who tested negative for the flu and 2 peoples who tested positive for the flu - Both have the same medicine.  I could of saved ALOT of money on co-pays & Rx's if they have given the whole family doses when I took Easton.  So $395.00 later we are all on Tami flu.  Easton is done and better.  I am just tired and stopped up a little.  Haydn is bored and David is tired but not from the flu - he has been working 10-12 hours days since last Thursday.

I can tell you these past 5 days I have done alot of praying, alot of crying and yes my share of whining.  It's no fun being sick when you have to take care of 2 sick children who constantly want to cling to you.  I love them, but after 5 days - we need some time apart!  This is so not the way we wanted to start our Christmas Break.  But I say all of this to say that God is in Control.  No matter how many list or plans I make, it can all be changed in a second.

We did get out tonight and rode around looking at Christmas lights  - it amazing me how many people just don't decorate anymore.  We rode by a house with a beautiful manager scene and I asked Easton, "What is that?" and he replied, "Wise Men" and I was like, "What else?" and he said, "1 Joseph, 1 Mary" and I said "What about the baby?" and he said, "That's Baby Jesus."  Do you know how proud my heart was to hear my 3 year old saying those words and knows the meaning of Christmas - BEYOND WORDS!  and to have my older son, Haydn (9) have come forward in the month of December to accept Christ as his Savior.  Those are the real meaning of Christmas and they make the Upside -Down Days not so bad anymore!

Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Choosing Faith over Worry

I'm not really sure where to begin, these past few weeks have been very trying.  I and my two boys have been sick with a cold and trying to get rid of it.  With the weather constantly changing and sitting out in the weather for baseball games - that's not an easy task.  My husband, David turned 40 on the 5th of October, we celebrated his birthday this past weekend with some friends by going out to eat in Auburn and shopping.  Sometimes it's just nice to get out of the area and go somewhere new even if it's not very far away.

Next, I have been very torn about working part-time to bring in some extra money (that we could really use), but I don't want to have to ask the grandmother's to keep Easton and I don't want to have to pay to send him somewhere (that would kind of defeat the purpose of working PT).  I know God wants us to be anxious about nothing, but in everything pray.  Today's devotion hit home with me about that. "While life's difficulties may make it hard to practice genuine faith in God, those are exactly the times when He expects us to obey such instructions."  "If you are fearful of your circumstances today, overwhelmed with anxious thoughts and concerns, choose instead to trust God.  He will bless your obedience and use you to encourage others around you who are struggling as well."  "Father today I choose to remember how You have been faithful to me, and I choose not to worry."

I am ashamed to say that I am a worrier, it's inherited.  I don't want to be and I try not to be.  I worry about my children, my appearance (mainly weight), our finances, our future.  I know that I need to be faithful in my prayer life and turn it all over to God and he will lead me to find answers and peace. I don't know how anyone makes it thru the day without knowing God.

Want vs. Need

I want a new car.  I want a new wardrobe.  I want a new house.  It seems sometimes like everyone has these things except me.  Yes, I did make the decision to stay home, therefore reducing our income to one and we have had to make sacrifices - but that doesn't stop the wanting.  I could go back to work and make extra money, but I want to be home for my kids and doing the things that need to be done around here for my family.   I try to be patient, but some days I feel like my 3 year old, pitching a fit and whining.  When I tell my kids no they can't have something, I have to remind myself of the same rule.  Then God reminds me of all the good things he's done in my life, my house, my husband who has a job, my children, a God who loves me.  Maybe God is after growth in patience and rearrangement of priorities or contentment in my heart or refinement of my character.  Whatever He's after, I want to honor and glorify Him.   "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11.  Being content is a hard pill to swallow sometimes, but I have to stop and look around.  Look at this person who is hurting, this person who has lost their home, or the lost person who needs salvation.  I don't NEED those things, I just WANT them and I have to pray ernestly to God to take the Want out of my heart and show me that all I really need is Him.  "God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19.

Disorganized

I know it's been over a week since I have blogged and I told myself if I started a blog I would not be one of those people who didn't actually keep it up every week.  But everytime I think I have each thing in my full life on schedule, someone gets sick, I get called in to work, something unexpected comes up or I just get lazy.   With the holiday this week, it is messing up my walking time since I can't walk with Easton (he will not stay in  a stroller) and David's schedule always gets changed on holiday weeks.  Usually I try to walk on  Monday thru Friday since Eastson is in K-3 M-W-F and on Tues. David doesn't go in to work until 1:00 and he usually off on Thursdays.  I take the weekends off. 
This week David worked early today, I am subbing tomorrow all day.  So, I won't get to walk until Thursday and Friday.  I hate to exercise by myself and I told myself since I couldn't walk I would, but of course I haven't yet.  I was also reading a Health magazine last night and it said when you turn 40 your metabolism slows down and you have to workout twice as much to do any good and especially on your midsection which is where most of your weight resides in your 40's.  Thanks - that's exactly what I wanted to here - NOT!  Why does maintaining weight have to be so complicated.  I'm not asking to be a size 0, just a size 8, that doesn't have to worry about anything hanging over my pants when I sit down or anything moving when I walk or run.  How hard is that? 
Well, hopefully I will get back on track with my blogging and walking next week. 

Weekend/Homework

Let me start by saying how great it has been that my husband has been off the past "3" weekends since he usually works every other weekend.  It's hard to plan an activity that both of the boys want to do since they are so different in age (3 & 9), so having him here to tag team has been great.  Friday night we stayed home.  Saturday morning I got up early to drop Easton at David's mom's in Montgomery so I could attend a consignment sale.  Haydn & David headed to baseball practice @ 10:30.  Around 2:00 we all headed back to Montgomery for my sister-in-laws boyfriend's birthday party. We had BBQ from Varsity (it was really good) & cake from Publix (which is always awesome)!  Then we headed home so Haydn could do a school project and to get ready for Sunday.  Sunday we had church and ate lunch @ mom's as usual.  Then David  & Haydn headed to the Biscuits game with some friends (David had been given 4 free tickets).  Easton & I headed home for a nap.

Talk about doing a 180....Homework, I know this is a necessary part of school and life, but can I just say "I DO NOT LIKE HOMEWORK!  Haydn is in the 4th grade now and his schoolwork is getting harder and he has more quizzes in between tests.   David & I are trying to drill into his head that all the easy grades are gone, he has to study and not just cram the night before a test.  We are trying to get him to understand school is first, then tv and baseball.  Boys - are so much harder than Girls to get to be still and study.  I read "Bringing up Boys" by James Dobson and my eyes were opened to little things that are so much harder for boys than girls.  Spelling is our biggest challenge, I would say that most guys are not great spellers, but great at Math.  I told David I hoped we do not have Spelling until 12th grade or we will never make it!  Then I started thinking, wait I still have another boy to go thru school - maybe I'll hire a tutor?

As I sit here talking about the different between boys & girls, my devotion for the day starts like this, A wife is asking her husband if they are going to a concert with friends because the tickets need to be reserved soon.  Her husband says "I don't remember discussing a concert."  His wife sighed. God has taught her that her best response to her husbands "failure to hear" was patient and loving reminders.  We are told that most men don't respond well to long conversations filled with many details and excessive dialogue.   (See big difference).

Catching Up.

I know it has been over a week since I have blogged - to say last week was a busy, awful, draining week would be an understatement.  Monday, August 16th, Easton started K-3.  I had mixed emotions about this, I know he needed to be around other kids and people, but then again I kept thinking I'm home why shouldn't he be here with me.  After dropping off Haydn @ school, I took Easton to school.  He seemed to be ready to go, I got there alittle early to give him some extra time to adjust.  After arriving, Cassandra Hicks arrived with Drew (K-4) and him and Easton started carrying on a conversation without us, it was too funny.  When the door opened, he was ready to go.  He didn't cry and went right in (I think the teacher was as suprised as I was after his breakdown @ Open House).  So far, he is loving it!  After dropping him off, I headed to Physical Express to get treated for a sinus infection (I felt awful).  On Tuesday, I met up with Hope & Darrin (David had to work) for the visitation for Beverly Easley.  It started @ 5:00 and there was already a line and it stayed that way.  I was ok until I got up to see the kids & Bryan, then I broke down.  I wanted to be strong, but seeing how strong all of them just hit me, my heart just broke for them.  On Wednesday, David & I met at the church for the funeral.  Thursday night, we went to the EMCA football game.  Saturday we had a yard sale and then that night attended a suprise "40" birthday party for a friend of ours.  Sunday was church.
That brings us to this week.  Monday I started walking, I walked 2 miles.  I keep saying that I am going to lose 10 pounds and get back into shape (I had done this before I had Easton, but have been too lazy to start up again).  So today I also walked 2 miles.  I am going to try to increase everyweek and also do some toning exercises.  I do feel better except for the muscle aches, which I'm sure will eventually go away, Right?

Shining Through!

Today has been a very emotional day for our church family and friends of the Easley's.  Beverly Easley went to be with the Lord last night around 9:00 p.m.  You can read her story on http://www.caringbridge.com/ - it is truly inspiring.  Her husband, Bryan Easley is the Church Administrator @ EMBC and they have 8 children, Luke, Ellen, Patrick, Maggie, Mason, Paige, Palmer and Hope.  The family has been posting on FB today and less than an hour after his wife passed away, Bryan posted the following on the caringbridge website.


"God is faithful to keep His promises.


We were gathered around singing Beulah Land and Beverly went home to be with Jesus about 9 p.m. our time. Her last words were, "The angels are here to get me!" All of our kids were here to see Mom go home.


Oh Victory in Jesus! My Savior forever!


Thanks to everybody for praying for our family. Now lets tell the world about Jesus.
We love all of you so dearly. Continue to pray expecting! "

If that doesn't tell you all you need to know about what God can do for you and in your life.  I don't know what will.  I hope that I can teach my kids to be as faithful and to love the Lord no matter what happens in their life half as well as Beverly Easley taught her family!

You will be missed my friend!

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify you father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

God will make a way!

Not much happened this weekend since David had to work for tax-free weekend so he was at work from about 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, Sat. & Sun.  Haydn played golf Friday after school.  Church on Sunday.  So, hopefully next weekend will be filled with alittle bit more excitement. 

I wanted to share about my devotion today - I have always loved a song by Janet Paschal (she used to sign with the Gaither Homecoming group) and I used to listen to this song and the passage she quoted during the song when I was going thru fertility treatments, job changes, just rough times in general.  The passage just happened to be in my devotion today.

Isaiah 43:1-2   "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.  I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.  You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.  Do not fear, for I am with you."

I an including her video of this song.  I hope it works (this is my first time posting a video).

On an end note, this is my last week before Easton starts K-3 and I am having mixed emotions.  I know he needs to be around other kids because he is so attached to me and I know he will have fun once he gets used to it.  But then again, I feel like I'm putting him in K-3 so I can have so free time (is that so bad?) when he could stay home with me.  The mom guilt factor - it's an everyday thing, isn't it?

First Day of School & Teachers

Last night was open house at EMCA and one of the things Haydn's teacher asked was that we pray for her and the students as they began the new year.  How awesome is that!  So, today when I was reading my devotion it was about teachers:

                       "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
                       harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9
                    
                       The young teacher read the note attached to the fresh green ivy; "Because of
                       the seeds you planted, we will one day grow into beautiful plants like this one.
                       We appreciate all you've done for us.  Thank you for investing in our lives."
                        Few joys exceed the blessings of faithfully investing time and love into the lives
                        of others.  Never, never give up on those plants!

I am so thankful that Haydn is able to attend a Christian school and so thankful that he has Christian grandparents and parents to help guide him.  I personally don't mind subbing @ my son's school, but I would not have the patience to be a career teacher.  I am so thankful for all of the teacher's out there!!!!
May you have a great school year!

On a side note, Haydn said he loved the first day of 4th grade, now take in to account my child has always loved school, but he also only went 1/2 a day today and didn't do any schoolwork.  So, let's hope that this attitude continues throughout the year (especially in Spelling)!

Have a good weekend!

Friends & Family

I want to start my post by encouraging you to please pray for Beverly Easley and her family (Bryan, Luke, Ellen, Patrick, Maggie, Mason, Paige, Palmer & Hope). I just read an update on www.caringbridge.com about their day yesterday. Hope (who is 4 yrs. old) was baptized by Beverly's dad, Bro. Jim Whorton in the baby pool in their backyard since Beverly is too weak to go to church. How awesome is that! It made me cry and at the same time rejoice because this young child has seen how faithful her mother is through all of this and wanted to be baptized. I'm sure it was a joyful sight for Beverly & Bryan as well.



Family is one of the most important parts of our lives. We share our joys, we share our sorrows and we also argue. Some of the best moments in my life are sharing times with my family. Beach trips, Christmas, sitting around talking about nothing. Our family is fairly small compared to alot of families. There is my mom and dad, my sister and me. My dad has one sister and my mom has one sister, both are married. David's family consist of his stepfather, his mom and one sister. His mom has 2 sisters and 1 brother. My mom cooks for my family and my sisters family every Sunday afternoon which is great. We try to get together with David's family at least one a month . One of the great advantages to having family close by is built in babysitters! LOL

Friends are another important part of our lives.  Even though we get busy with our own lives with the kids, we love getting together with our friends.  I enjoy being able to talk and catch with my friends at church.  Our Mommetime that we have at church for moms of small children is an awesome time of fellowship and laughter. I won't say it's easy for me to make friends.  I am very cautious of others - I guess you could say I've been burned to many times.  But as I've gotten older I can see that I'm changing and trying to be a more outgoing person.    I just want to take this moment to say to all my friends - I love and appreciate you!

Tomorrow is the first day of school for my oldest son @ EMCA.  So, tomorrow's blog will be about starting school and teachers.  Till then.....

Lost!

I don't know how else to describe my feelings today, except to say I feel lost.  My friend, Beverly Easley is not doing well. I pray and pray for her several times throughout the day.  My thoughts are constantly drifing to her and her family.  I want to visit her, but I know she is sleeping alot and in pain, so I don't want to bother her.  I feel like there is something I want to do, but I don't know what it is. David has been a real comfort to me in explaining how his dad reacted and how he coped in his final days (His dad died of a cancerous brain tumor when David was in high school).   I found these 2 verses that I had written down from previous devotions that spoke to me:

                   "I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my

                    salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken."  Psalm 62:1-2

                  "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  Exodus 14:14

I know that God has his own will that doesn't always align with our prayers,  I know that if the person who is suffering knows Christ as their Savior that they will be in a much better place and we will be the ones who are weeping and sad because they are gone.  My hope is that all of the people who are praying for the Easley family will pray for peace, comfort and that unsaved lives are changed by this incredible woman, Beverly Easley.

Heavy Heart

There are so many people that I have know for years that are suffering and in pain.  I pray for them and their families, but feel so helpless to do more.  Beverly Easley is a member at the church I attend and her husband, Bryan is on staff and our SS teacher.  She is in great pain from reoccuring breast cancer that has spread.  I pray for her family (8 children), her mom and dad, Jim & Bobbie Whorton, Bryan and Beverly who are so faithful in God's ministry.  My mind constantly drifts to thoughts of this loving family.  I also have a childhood friend, whose father and mother, Baron & Dianne McConnell attend our church.  He had pancreatic cancer and they removed it, but he also has a weak heart and when they tried to move him to a room, he coded several times.  They are going to surgery to insert a difibulator.   Pray that he will be healed and his family will be comforted.  Thirdly, another childhood friend, her mother died when sh,e was around 20 and her dad, Don Kervin is in the hospital very ill.  Pray for him and his family as they weather this storm. 
One of my favorite songs is "God Will Make a Way" by Janet Paschal.  The chorus goes "God will  make a way, when there seems to be no way.  Forever He is faithful, He will make a road, When you bear a heavy load.  I know, God will make a way."

Pray for these families and their loved ones who are hurting.

My Story

This is my first post to my blog and we will see how it goes.  To fill you in on my life alittle, I am a SAHM and mother of 2 boys, Haydn who is 9 and Easton who just turned 3. Easton will be starting K-3 @  this month, 3 days a week, 3 hours.  I 'm not sure how I feel about that, it depends on which day you ask me. I am a wife to David Varon for 15 years.  We have both been married before and both of our ex's cheated on us.  If you had told me I would ever go thru a divorce, I would of told you not in a million years, that's just something that I was taught.  But - never say never, I tried and tried to make it work, but you can't live in a one person marriage.  (my children do not know we were both married, I'm not sure how to tell them).I love my husband and as our marriage has grown I can't imagine not ever being married to him.  On to my children,  I went thru several years of fertility drugs, surgeries and IUI to conceive our first child and we were told we would not be able to conceive again.  But the Lord had another plan, 6 years later I had planned to have surgery to remove one of my ovaries (I have endometrios) and 2 months before the surgery, I was 2 days late and I was never late, so I had an old home pregnancy test and decided to try it - IT WAS POSITIVE, I was in shock.  It was about 10:00 p.m. and I took the test to my husband and showed it to him and he was like what does that mean? He was in shock also, he told me to stop on my way to work the next day and buy a "new" pregancy test and take it, so I did (at work).  IT WAS POSITIVE.  I called my dr. and they told me to go to the lab and let them take my blood.  So I did, and waiting on the nurse to call me from the dr. office was agony - when she called she said "Your pregnant" and I said "Your lying" and she was like "No, your pregnant" and I was like "Are you sure?"  I was so surprised, I tried to wait till I got home to tell David, but I couldn't and called him at work.  So, I cancelled my surgery and prepared for miracle #2.