Something to Celebrate...

When my oldest daughter Ashley was 18 years old, she married Joshua.

Today, they are celebrating their 8th anniversary.

Their marriage is one of inspiration.

Through every challenge, they remain faithful and strong in one another and united with God.

I am so proud of them in what they have overcome and for their example for others 

Ashley & Josh,

I love you both very much.  In a time where couples are quick to give up and be concerned with only their individual needs, you both continue to be a light to others.  You both give hope to those who want to fight for a happy, faithful, meaningful relationship with their spouse.  I admire you and are encouraged by your love for each other.  I wish you the best day celebrating your marriage and a future full of the desires of your heart.

All my love,

Mommy

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HOPE: "my secret - the diagnosis"

A friend posted this on Facebook.  Her status update simply stated

"I pray that you are blessed by this story as I am..."

I watched the video and I could not hold back my tears.  It's NOT her secret, or the diagnosis that got me.  It was what those closest to her said to her.

Watch...  You will truly be blessed by the perspective this video brings.


Please watch through the entire video to get the full message

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A Heart Thought: "For the First Time"

Today as I was doing chores and tending to my girls, a song came on the radio.  I have never heard it before but the words stopped me dead in my tracks and I could not help but sit and hang on every word.

My husband was home from work so he had the radio on, something I hardly do anymore since the girls are usually watching their shows on TV or movies.

The song was “For The First Time” by The Script.  It really hit home for me and touched my heart.

This past April my husband and I celebrated our 14^th Wedding Anniversary.  We have had our share of for better or worse and with the way the economy is right now, we are barely hanging on and struggling.

Our days are easily rushed through.  Having three young kids, one with special needs, only one income, no regular baby sitter, me and the girls are on a morning schedule for my 6 year old being at school, but my husband works nights.  We hardly see one another and when we do it’s in passing.

The house is in disarray.  Only the necessary function of daily life gets done.  On his days off is when we can catch up with the house, finances, bills, errands, and appointments.  This leaves us little time for real family time and much needed date nights and alone time.

You get the picture... these are the lyrics and the parts highlighted in yellow are the parts can I relate to.

"For The First Time"

She's all laid up in bed with a broken heart,
While I'm drinking jack all alone in my local bar,
And we don't know how,
How we got in to this mad situation,
Only doing things out of frustration

Trying to make it work but man these times are hard,

She needs me now but I can't seem to find the time,
I've got a new job now on the unemployment line,
And we don't know how,
How we got into this mess
is it god's test,
Someone help us 'cause we're doing our best,

Trying to make it work but man these times are hard

But we're gonna start by
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Saying things we haven't for a while
A while ya
We're smiling but we're close tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time

[x3]
Oooooo

She's in line at the DOLE*
With her head held high (high)
While I just lost my job but
Didn't lose my pride

But we both know how,
How we're gonna make it work when it hurts,
When you pick yourself up,
You get kicked to the dirt,

Trying to make it work but,
Man these times are hard,

But we're gonna start by,
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,

Doing things we haven't for a while,
A while ya,
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time.

Ooooo
[x3]

Yeah.....
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Saying thing we haven't for a while,
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting, for the first time

ooooo...., yeahh for the first time
(ooooo....), oh for the first time,
Yeah for the first time,
(just now got the feeling that we're meeting...
For the first time)

[x4]
Oh these times are hard,
Yeah they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby

{* DOLE is the unemployment line in Ireland} 

{source}

Today as I watched my husband with our girls, the way he played with them, the way he interacted with them, and just the way he looked at them... my heart was filled with emotion.  Today was a good day.  Even though he was feeling sick and super tired, he was hands on today, present with us.  The look on his face was priceless… joy and contentment.  In that moment, I loved him even more.

 

It’s so easy to just go about our day and just do enough to get through.  It's so easy to say forget it and do your own thing and not even try to reach out.  I know things will get better.  I'm hanging on and trusting that God will see us through.  I know that all things happen for a reason and that he has a plan for each of us.  


Thanks for taking the time to sit and listen to my heart thought for the day.

All my heart,

Salena