Yet another year.

2013.

I can say, it has been a blur.

And as I look back over this blog, I did a pretty poor job documenting it.  Maybe 2014 will leave me with more time to write.  Or maybe not.  We shall see.

Thinking about this year, here are some highlights that come to my mind.

In March, we bought our very first home.  And what a crazy process that was.  After looking at over 30 homes, we landed in a home that has proven to be a blessing beyond belief.    We were denied the home we thought was meant for us.  God proved to us yet again, that he is in control.  We spent a LOT of time painting and working in this house before moving in.  And then of course, we moved.  We all know what a joy moving is :)  So many people came and helped us.  Such a blessing.

Cora basically potty trained herself this year.  That was pretty neat.  Although still accidents now and again, i'm thankful for her independence. :)

In April, we had our five year anniversary.  And went to Gatlinburg for the weekend to celebrate.  I'm amazed to look back and think about how God has strengthened our marriage.  Through trials, we have clung to God and to each other, and i'm so happy to say we've come out stronger.

Mark started as a part time worship leader at our church.  That's been a good outlet for him.

We spent a lot of time growing in our individual jobs.  Responsibilities on both our ends in our work-lives grew.  I took a CNA course, Mark became manager of his department's help desk.

We've been blessed.  That's evident to me.   As I look around at the house I live in, the job i work, the children I have, the God I serve, and the man i'm married to, I can't help but feel so undeserving.  I'm so very thankful.

Mark & I both feel that 2014 will bring something new.  No idea what that means.  But i'm praying, and we shall see.

I have both fear and excitement to see what this new year will bring.

Happy 2014, friends.

Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing you and your family a beautiful christmas.

We have so much to be glad for, Friends.

Much love,

Mark, Lauren, Owen & Cora.

Thanksgiving.

I failed miserably at the thankful posts :)

But that's okay.

Why I thought I could do that in the midst of work, normal life and a CNA course, I have no idea :)

We had a beautifully lazy thanksgiving.  Seriously, after ending my clinicals on the weds before thanksgiving, i longed for a lazy one.  We ate, we chatted, we napped, we just "were"  It was awesome.

And tonight, my heart is so full after an evening of picking out our christmas tree.  The joy in my children when picking out the tree is seriously something that makes me giddy.

Then, as we set up the tree in our new home for the first time, I realized that I have all that I've wanted.  I don't have lots of money.

I don't have lots of nice things.

But, I have what's important.

I have a perfect family, and a warm home over my head, full bellies, and a Lord who loves us.

ahhh, that is bliss.

As we were setting up our tree in it's newly found "spot" I got a little choked up thinking that this may be the tradition for the rest of our lives if we stay in our home that long.  

Pretty Neat.

Just some of my thoughts from my Christmasy night :)

Owen found us the perfect 7 foot tree.

I promise I'm thankful.

I've obviously missed a few days.  But that's okay, because I'm giving it a go :)

Today, i'm so immensely thankful for a good day with Cora.

This little girl, you guys...she is intense.  She is determined and she is focused.  When she loves, she loves hard...(literally sometimes she loves so much she bites...it's terrible)  ;)

And let me tell you a little bit about how the last week and a half or so has gone.  

She has been potty trained for well over 2 months.  And last week sometimes she decided she didn't care anymore.  She decided she would just pee and poop all over the floor.  She also decided that every day at nap she would make sure to get up a poop all over her floor and then promptly smear it everywhere.  Yes, this happened lots of times.  We put her in a diaper and it didn't matter, she would take it off, quietly climb out of her bed, and do the deed.

She also has the strongest will of any little child I know.  She will defy and defy and defy.  Somedays I felt like I'd tried everything in the world, and nothing could get her to obey.  We tried time outs we tried talking and we tried spanking to get her to obey.  Days were FULL (and sometimes still are) of COLOSSAL fits and tantrums. 

Let me give you a little example.

(excuse me laughing at her.)

YES. that is my baby screaming "YOU DON'T LOVE MEEEEEEE"  and "I DONT LOVE YOU!!!!!!!" Does that totally break your heart???? It did mine.  Although I knew it wasn't coming from a honest place in her heart.

This may seem extreme to some of you but I would end lots of days in full fledge tears. Let me just say, it is so hard. This is so so hard.  I'm in the midst of it.

BUT TODAY!  Today my little girl although not perfect, decided the majority of the day, to listen to me.  Did you hear that?! She DECIDED.  I didn't force her, I didn't spank her, I didn't threaten her.  I gave her choices, and treated her like a human being would like to be treated, and she chose the right thing! (Mainly...again, we had our moments)  We played for over an hour, her and I, in my bed.  She was the "mama" and i was the "baby."  She tucked me in, "rubbed me," read me books, etc.  We laughed and laughed, and then I put her to bed. Rocked her to sleep.  THAT is satisfaction.  I can have so many bad days, but when that happens, I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude.

When my child WANTS to listen and do the right thing, rather then being scared into doing it, it seriously just makes my whole day.  

I'm so thankful for the good times I've had with her today.

Now i can only pray and hope and wait and see what tomorrow will bring

:)

2 ladies i'm immensely thankful for.

These are two of my nearest and dearest friends:

Where do I even begin?  I have known both Abby and Crystal since I was in grade school.  Through both ups and downs in our relationships (as in all relationships) I have always treasured and loved them.  They keep me sane, whether it's having fun nights out, or letting me text them pages and pages of angry rants about how crazy my kids are being or how mad I am, they are always there.   I can be honest with them, even when it's not pretty.

I'm so so blessed.

A lot of times I think "i don't have many friends" and then i wake up and realize oh my word, i do too!!!!  Not just Crystal and Abby, but others too.  Thank the Lord.

So Abby & Crystal- i'm so thankful for you and i honestly don't know how i'd make it in this life without you.

2 days of thankfulness :)

I missed yesterday :)  So this will be a two for one.

I'm immensely thankful for this guy:

my husband.

I cannot say enough how much i Love him.  I don't know what i would do without him.  His constant love and support and understanding is un-measureable.

A compassionate and strong father, and a hard-working and selfless husband.

I can't imagine a day without him.

I'm also so thankful for my job.

I'm currently getting certified in becoming a nurse's assistant.  My boss is paying for me to do so, so that I'm better able to meet her needs.  But it is helping me and benefiting me so much for her to do so.  She could have just let me go and hired someone through insurance.  Instead, she wants to take time and money to educate ME.  I'm truly blessed by the people i work for and I love them like they are my family.

Have a wonderful night.

Day #2 of thankfulness.

Today, i'm thankful for a church body that my kids love and adore.

They feel so comfortable each Sunday and have friends to join them in their class.  They learn things and grow spiritually each week.

Makes this mama's heart happy.


Short and sweet today.