Today's peace

EDITED 11:00AM: Praise God - everything looks good!

Today I go in for a mammogram and an ultrasound. Yes I have had a mammogram before – 5 months ago actually…a screening mammogram since I am high risk - a screening mammogram at age 31. Now I have a lump. Yes – I have a lump. Like millions of other women I have a lump. It is probably nothing. The doctor isn’t worried – I am really not worried – It seems to come and go with my cycle. Not extremely abnormal – for the most part…except that my mom had a lump. My aunt had a lump. Both of my grandmas had a lump. The doctors thought it was nothing. But it wasn’t – it was something. My mom’s something was hidden by a cyst…one that was hormonal…one that the doctors thought had been there for possibly 8 years. 8 YEARS! So, today I go to the doctor to find out if my lump is nothing or if it is something. And I feel God’s peace – the peace that passes all understanding and I am thankful.

Our 1st ballet recital

The girls were determined not to participate - the youngest fell asleep in the car on the way there. She woke up once we walked in and plugged her ears for the first 5 minutes (she does that when she is scared) The oldest was sucking her thumb like crazy and holding her bear - but thankfully they both had about 30minutes to play around before the recital and loosened up! Also, we were sitting in the front row and I think that really helped. Here are a few pics my mom so graciously took for us! It was really dark and hard to get a good shot, but you can get the idea:)

Princess dresses, hair bows, makeup, dancing...a little girls' heaven!



the sisters



mentally preparing :) ...



she actually did a really good job!



she didn't really want to let us take her picture - but she was soooo sweet!

Great thoughts...

How are you??? We are doing well - had a good week! Plan to post some pics tomorrow...
Yesterday I was buying a card for a friend and saw another card with following written on it:

Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory…
Ephesians 3:20, 21

When you are the neediest,
He is the most sufficient.
When you are completely helpless,
He is the most helpful.
When you feel totally dependent,
He is absolutely dependable.
When you are the weakest,
He is the most able.
When you are the most alone,
He is intimately present.
When you feel you are the least,
He is the greatest.
When you feel the most useless,
He is preparing you.
When it is the darkest,
He is the only Light you need.
When you feel the least secure,
He is your Rock and Fortress.
When you are the most humble,
He is most gracious.

When you can’t, He can.

TRUST in that. Like the song says:
He is able more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today
He is able more than able
To handle anything that comes my way
He is able more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream
He is able more than able
To make me what He wants me to be.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have over-come the world. John 16:33

What is your outlook?

Where is your focus? What is your attitude?

While I was exercising today, I saw on the Today show Augie and Lynne Nieto. He has ALS/Lou Gehrig's Syndrome. It was inspiring and humbling to watch he and his wife talk. ALS is a one of those diseases that affects your body but not your mind. Something he said really hit me. When asked how he keeps a positive attitude and how he keeps fighting, he said "You have two choices in life. You can celebrate what you can do...or you can mourn what you can't do."What a great quote! He is trying to focus on the positives. We should all try doing that - even just for one day!

Inside my head personal posts...

I have SOOOO much on my mind, but not much that I can share in any public forum. Some people that I care for and love have had the most horrifying week of their lives. Reputations have been shattered - possibly needlesly and unfoundedly (is that a word?)...families in peril...broken, shattered hearts. I know that goes on every day of every week - but not always in my small little world. It is very hard for me to process. But I KNOW, without a shadow of a doubt, that God is good ALL THE TIME.

Personally, my husband and I had a wonderful few days in Key Largo prior to the rough week. We spent some time away from the kids and reality. It was wonderful and relaxing. There isn't a whole lot to do around the area - but we played tennis, exercised, read, relaxed in the pool (they had 2 large pools and 2 hot tubs and we were the only ones there two of the days), went snorkeling, drove to Key West (but couldn't find a place to park and just went to the bathroom before driving back), ate yummy food, and just enjoyed spending time together and being free. Here is a picture of one of my favorite places we ate. It is called Marker 88 and was so peaceful and beautiful...on the water, live music, torches lit, delicious food - It was lovely.



We like to exercise and be healthy on vacation - not obsessively...but since we have been home, I have been a PIG - stress eating. Not good.

Okay - let me close with a picture I like from a recent senior session. I am not sure that I like it tilted, but for the most part I like the composition.



Here are just a few more...This guy is an awesome musical artist - sings and writes...Thanks for looking!

Tough five year old questions

So my daughter looked at me from across the desk today. Her eyes a little worried. She asked hesitantly, "Mom when are you going to die? Like - in a long, long, long, long....really long time? like a nanny or poppy? I just don't understand...that."

Yes, my heart sunk. After I picked it off the floor and refused to let my tear ducts open, we had a really great talk. We talked about how some mommies and daddies live to be nannies and poppies. But some other mommies and daddies get to go to heaven a little sooner. She shared with me how her favorite place in the whole world is heaven. We talked about how when we die - whoever dies first will just be waiting up in heaven for the rest of us. That is where we get to go because we love Jesus and He is our Saviour.

Man - tough questions - ones that make me really want to cry. Why? Because every parent has to have some fear of leaving their children before it is time...before it is our time - it may be God's time though. I just pray for complete trust in God in that area. It doesn't come naturally:). I am thankful, however, that I KNOW we will be together in heaven because of the willful choice we have made to be forgiven of our sins and to live for Christ.

Sneak Peek

Love this family and had a great time snapping some pics of them!



Gotta love a mom of four boys!



dad and son...



the boys...