It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?

What does Christmas look like? Well, I've been wrestling with the holidays this year because they've not looked/been like I would have wished. The situations are extreme & no fault of anyone, but I've missed having my family in a "normal" Thanksgiving/Christmas situation. I love my in-laws & truly feel part of the family, but I miss being with my mom & sister. I guess we've not really had normal since dad died, but this year has seemed more abnormal than most! With all the changes going on...all our house issues...a baby on the way...I guess I long for stability/normal. As abnormal as my family is....you all probably understand what I mean. There is something about having the faces you've known for a life time around you during special times. So anyways?!?!?! The pictures are of my neighbor's yard. I think the palm tree & Christmas flamingo are a perfect illustration for all that I've been going through. Christmas/Holidays don't always look the same...and some may seem pretty crazy, but it's about the heart behind it.

Wedding Pictures

So, one of my friends asked from me to post wedding pictures. Here are two of our photos from our special day...2 yrs ago today!

Our 2nd Anniversary

I met Shana in the summer of 2005, but it's hard for me to remember my life without her. Marriage has been one of the greatest gifts God has given me, and He continues to bless me through this amazing woman. She has taught me how to love & how to be loved. She accepts me as I am, but pushes me to be the best I can be. She forgives & forgets(mostly forgets). She believes in me & the gifts God has given me. For this and so much more...I love her. She is a beauty that can not be matched....inside & out. I am so excited that in a very short time we will have our Margaret here with us. I have loved the past two years of just Shana & I, but I can not wait to see my beauty with her baby! I know that she is going to be the most amazing mother, and our daughter is blessed to have her. I am blessed to have her as my wife & my friend.....and as the mother of my child.

Don't Anger the Baby..Well..Maybe a Little!

So, our daughter is something else. Seems that even as an interior baby...she has a sense of humor and likes to mess with her daddy! Shana has been feeling her move around a lot over the past month or so, and when I'm near I try to experience our little one's movements as well. I place my hands on Shana's belly & wait patiently. That's when the game begins. Margaret will kick/punch/bump right beside where my hand is. A little to the left, up a little bit, now down some.....but never where my hand is. I usually give up....just happy to know our daughter is growing , getting stronger, & moving around. Last night I placed my hand on Shana's belly hoping to catch Margaret's night time dance. Well, it wasn't happening. Shana took my hand and placed it under her belly as she laid on her side. You see..Margaret doesn't seem to enjoy pressure. If Shana rests her arm on her belly...Margaret will start kicking her. So...my hand was pressing into her belly....and sure enough I felt Margaret moving around. I took my hand away pretty quickly...and told Shana I did not want to anger the baby! She assured me that Margaret wouldn't remember it later (if she has her mommy's memory). I don't know though...not sure I'm willing to take a chance.

...a voicemail from Mandisa...

It's no secret that I'm an American Idol junkie. I've watched it since day one! Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler...amazing singers & I own all their CD's...BUT...no one can hold a candle to Mandisa!! From the first time I saw her on the audition shows, I knew she was going to be my favorite American Idol contestant!! I loved everything about Mandisa.....her voice(amazing)...her attitude(positive)....and her heart(totally God's). I felt like she was such a wonderful ambassador for Christ while on AI, and was so sad when she got voted off. However, I knew God was going to use her, and use her He has!! From her music(Dove & Grammy nominated!!), her book, and her role with Women of Faith....she has used her gifts, talents, time, and life to bring Glory to God! If you have not heard her music or read her book...go to http://mandisaofficial.com/ and get to know this amazing Christian artist.

So...you might be wondering about the title of this blog, a voicemail from Mandisa. Well, on my way to work this morning I heard our local Christian radio station doing an interview with Mandisa. One of the DJ's is a friend of mine...so I called her & told her how jealous I was that she was getting to interview Mandisa. I didn't think she'd listen to the voicemail till after work....and was expecting NOTHING. As I went to lunch, I looked at my cell phone to check the time & saw I had a voicemail. As I checked it....my mouth dropped & I was not believing my ears. My friend told Mandisa about me & asked if she'd mind leaving me a message. She doesn't usually do this...as not to impose on the guests of the radio station, but knew Mandisa loved doing such things. OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW SWEET IS THAT!!! It truly was the pick-me-up I needed after the rough couple weeks we've been having.

GO TO MANDISA'S WEB SITE NOW...GO BUY HER CD'S & BOOK!!! :) She's got a new Christmas CD that is WONDERFUL...and would make a good gift for the host/hostess of any Christmas party!! Her CD True Beauty is a wonderful stocking stuffer!!! Be looking for her new CD in the new year!!!

Update on Charlie

There has been some improvement. He drank a little water today, and they gave him a pill to see if he would be able to keep it down. They are talking about moving him to ICU stepdown. I believe Tues. is when the lab results will be back concerning his liver. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR PRAYING FOR HIM...HIS FAMILY...AND MY MOM! I appreciate it. God can do the amazing...and I'm not putting it past Him!

Thankful

This week we have been reminded of the many things we have to be thankful for...at the top of that list is our family and friends. On Wednesday morning, Ted's mom called to tell us that her boyfriend of two plus years was in the hospital because he had been throwing up blood. She said that the doctors found a tear in his throat and stomach causing him to lose a lot of blood. At that point, the doctors had fixed the tears and were just keeping him for observation. That night, Judy called back crying. During the day, Charlie had taken a turn for the worst and they were literally giving him minutes to live. Ted and I jumped in the car to head to KY. On the way, we called everyone we could think of to be praying for Charlie, Judy, and his family. When we arrived, Charlie was still holding on but the doctors weren't sure how long he had. By God's grace, Charlie pulled through the night. On Thursday, the doctors discovered that Charlie's liver was enlarged & covered in nodes. Since then the doctors have run multiple tests to determine what the real problem is. So far we have heard three different diagnosis from three different doctors. The nodes could be cancer, severe cirrhosis, or a type of hepatitis. What ever the problem, they all agree that the outlook is not good. We know that without your prayers he would probably already be dead. So on behalf of his family and ours we thank you for all of your prayers. We ask that you continue to pray for his family. Charlie's kids have been riding a roller coaster of emotions. There mother passed away 6 yrs ago of cancer. They are really struggling with accepting that this could be the end for their father. Just this past week Charlie spent time with each of them which we know was a complete blessing from God. But for his children's sake they really need some closer. Our prayer is that God will perform nothing short of a miracle. Of course, we would love for Charlie to be completely healed. But we realize that sometimes miracles look different. For us, we are praying that at the very least Charlie will wake up long enough to say good by to his children. We also ask that you pray for Judy. She lost her husband almost 10 years ago to cancer. Charlie has helped her find happiness again(and she ..him). They were planning on spending the rest of their lives together. They had no idea that time could be cut so short. Judy is so thankful for the time she has had with him but is sadden by the fact that he isn't going to be there for the future. The situation also brings up a lot of memories from losing the love of her life before. We can not thank you enough for all of your love and support. It has been a difficult week in many ways. But it has also been an amazing time of being reminded how truly Good God is in the ways that he blesses our lives through family, friends, and answered prayers.