Monday, January 21, 2013

One Word

Last year, instead of a New Year's resolution, I opted for one word, moderation.  One word for the entire year and I participated in the OneWord365 community.  I was surprised at how much that one word continued to crop up in my life and affect some of the decisions that I made. 

So, I am doing this again this year.  It took me a while, but I have decided on this year's word and wanted to share it with you.

 

Love is something that is universal.  We all feel it in one way or another.  In ancient Greek, there are 4 distinct words to describe love because of the complex nature of it.  There have been many, many songs written about it.  Books and poems abound about it.  Lives have been lost over it.  The bible mentions it over 500 times.  It is something that has existed from the beginning of time. 
 
Yet, we have a tendency to fail to practice it.
 
Love is something that can easily overflow to the people around you and can change whole lives and it can just start with a smile, but we have to be intentional about it.  When I practice love, whether it is a kind word or an act of kindness, it changes something in me as well as the one I am doing it for.  Then it has a snowball effect.  That person has a little more love to share as well to brighten someone else's day. 
 
Christ calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves.  This is not an easy thing, but as with most things, it gets easier with practice...so that's what I am going to do. 
 
I have always loved babies and at one point...back when I had NO idea what I was talking about...I wanted to have 10 children because of my love for babies.  So, I have stepped out and become the director of the Morgantown, WV chapter of Newborns In Need.  This is a national non-profit Christian organization that provides essential items to be distributed to babies and families that need help.  I am in the process of collecting items and donations to get this chapter started.  I am gathering volunteers to help collect or make needed items and help with fundraisers to purchase the items that aren't donated.  We will be meeting on a monthly basis and doing our best to help as many babies and families as we can.  If you would like to help in anyway, please let me know. 
 
 
 
 

Friday, January 4, 2013

Happy birthday Wesley!

Wesley turns 7 tomorrow, so I thought that I would share some memories and pictures of the birthday boy! 

Wesley is our long tried for child.  We tried for 4 years for this beautiful blonde boy.  Who knew what we were getting ourselves into?  :-) 

The very first picture of Wesley!
Wesley had some medical issues during his 2 years, including asthma.
 
Doesn't he look like a model here??  Love it!
 



But this is how Daddy does it!

 

Wesley is a super funny boy...as witnessed here:

He wore these glasses for quite some time.


Wesley loved these teeth...even went to bed with them in!


And then these pictures.  Wesley decided that he and Daddy needed to switch hats!  :-)

 
 
 
 
Wesley is currently...and has been for about the last 18 months...very into Mario.  Don't let the costume fool you...he really likes Luigi better.  :-)
 

 
Happy 7th birthday, Wesley!