Trying to understand.

Why things happen to good people?  Why do people get sick?  

.....Something our pastor so happened to preach on the past few weeks at church.  

{Now tell me that God doesn't work in mysterious ways}  

Okay, so...

A few weeks before my Dad had a heart attack there was this amazing sermon at church on "change".  Read my blog HERE to see all about it.  The VERY week before my Dad had a heart attack. I without a shadow of doubt know that God was preparing me for some major change that was about to happen in my life.

Not 2 weeks after he had his heart attack the past 2 Sunday's sermon's were on "Why Christians get sick & How Christian's get sick."  If you truly want your life to be changed & want to see something amazing, go HERE & HERE to see the sermon's.  It will bless your life beyond measures.

My Dad has been told by doctor's that he will be having a Bypass heart surgery in a few weeks.  

The extent of the surgery is to still be determined but nonetheless, he will be having an open heart surgery.  For a family that is so tight knit, sees our father as superman, the man that holds the pieces together, the leader, and everything in our lives... this has been a hard battle to understand.  We hear of people going through tragedy everyday. Life brings struggles & battles of all kinds, but for "our" family personally, it's as if our  world is crumbling into pieces.  Please don't take that as we don't trust God's healing hand or that we think he will just have the surgery & move on & everything will be perfect... YES, we do see all those things.  But we still hurt.  We still don't get it; or WHY Christians get sick- or at least I didn't until I saw our pastor speak on it...

It's still real life, completely traumatic & something we still don't "get" or know how to grasp.  But, as a Christian woman, I do see that God's working in my life trying to help me to understand & move past the fear of everything that I don't understand or yet see & most importantly is molding me to understand change in my life.

Yeah I am scared.  A little depressed.  Not myself in a lot of ways.  I call my Dad daily to check on him, wonder what he is thinking, pray to God he is sleeping well at night & that he will soothe any pain or scared feelings he may have.  I worry about my Momma, my brother, you name it.  I am a natural born worrier & people pleaser.  I want things always to be "so so" & somewhat "perfect".  But lately God is teaching me that life isn't that & through those imperfections I have to find faith & trust Him.  I am thankful for those moments where I have to lean on Him to "get it".

Anyway, prayers to my Dad please friends as he approaches a huge turning point in his life.  We want all the prayers all over the world for him if you get a moment to pray for him & his upcoming surgery.  As a 56 year old healthy man who loves God more than life itself, it hurts my heart beyond WORDS to understand WHY this is happening to him.  Why not me?  God never promise anything but always allows a way & opens doors for us to be better in our lives through trials we may experience.  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him; according to His purpose".

Dad reads my blog daily when I post.  I love you Daddy, always & forever I am here & will never stop holding your hand or leaving your side!!!

Avery starts Preschool!

Can you believe that I finally have a Preschooler?  

It's crazy to me.  Today I had lots of tears, but tons of smiles because as a parent I am beyond thankful for how my baby girl is growing into such a beautiful little girl with such a spunk for life.

This was her at her open house a few nights ago!

Walking into school with Daddy today with her cute Monkey backpack & lunch box she picked out!

Time froze today as I looked at my clock dying for 3:00 so I could pick her up.  I am not use to these long school days!

She was all smiles telling me about her day as we went for an after school treat!

This week we enjoyed a few fun days with my sister in-law, nephew & my cousin's little girl!

I love my nephew more than words!

We enjoyed a nice last morning before school together watching cartoons & cuddling.

This was me on a rainy day last week also in our favorite snuggie!

The week before school started we spent everyday doing something special, this day we had a picnic.

We also enjoyed some fun times at the fair & park & chilling at Nannies house!

We played some soccer, which she starts in 2 weeks!

Went & played some golf with Daddy.

Played in the flowers & watered plants!

More pool time with cousin & yogurt stops!

Being silly in the car as always!

Ate popcorn & watched movies!

And had a cupcake here & there...

Last night my friend Heather had a wine night at her house so I enjoyed spending some time with her!

Broken Camera

What?  My camera isn't working?  

I have had my Nikon in the shop for over 6 weeks now.   They gave me a loaner but now that battery isn't working on my loaner, so I have been without a camera.  About to die- really!  I have tried to capture every moment of my life via Instagram, but I do have some phone pictures to hold me over until I am "complete" again!  I don't want to miss a beat.

I don't really have much to blog about these days.  It seems like when Avery was little we were home all day learning new things, crafting & catching every second of life's sweet milestones.  Not that things aren't that way now, but I am on the go with her so much that I don't have a lot to say except we are spending our summer days at the pool, park, library, gym, lunch dates.. you name it!  I don't know how much I can post those things over & over again without people getting completely bored...  HAHA!

We went to our town's local "Grape Festival" on Friday night.  Avery enjoyed the fun rides & being outside all evening.

{Keep in mind these are all phone pictures that I take very fast}

Saturday evening we enjoyed a date night out with his work crew at Ruth's Chris.  I love Chad's work, his friends & co-workers.  He recently got a great promotion & we are so blessed for him to be at a company that is so wonderful & looks out for his best interest.

A huge new thing in our lives right now is Avery.  She starts preschool this week.  Can you believe it?  Seems like yesterday I was having her, now she is in preschool?  Doesn't seem possible?  We are putting her in a Christian preschool.  I am so glad she is going to be learning about God, & learning all of the great things that will prepare her for the years to come.

I love my sweet brother, this picture always makes me smile!

Seems like yesterday...

Now we are going to her open house to enroll her in preschool...

Speaking of growing, can you believe that my sweet nephew is almost 9 months old?  How cute is he?  I love you Hudson!!!  

Avery talks about him everyday!

Life is so good right now.  So many great things in the works with our sweet little girl.  She is growing to fast, learning new things & making us giggle each & everyday.

Please continue to pray for my Daddy.  He goes to a cardialogist on Thursday for more updates on his condition.  This time of life has been hard on me.  I haven't been myself in alot of ways, concerned for him, worrying about his health... just life I guess you could say.  I have been trying to take in a lot of time trying to understand why this is happening, what is going on & praying for God' healing.  I love the power of prayer & appreciate each moment someone will say a quick prayer for our family!

Lots of hugs! 

Some Amazing Cookies!

Who loves something not only sweet but BEAUTIFUL?  

I have been dying to do a post on a long time friend of ours that we have known since Jr/High school.  Holly is SO super talented & has started making cookies.  I truly think the are the BEST around.  She is one of the most talented girls out there for sure.  Her cookies not only look great, they taste amazing!  Her prices, awesome for her hard work!  I feel so lucky to be surrounded by so many great people that are so talented in our area of NWA.

Meet Holly- her kiddo's...precious!

We first hired Holly about 6 months ago to make cookies for our sweet Crystal's baby shower, tea party theme!

I thought I would share some of her work, contact here HERE, you won't be disappointed!

{Prepare for your jaw to drop, now}