No Turning Back.......to Kindergarten.

I cannot believe that today was Cade's last day of Kindergarten. What has happened to my sweet little prince, who not too long ago was cuddling in my lap and playing in my hair? Just so you have a small taste of little boys as they grow up (are you listening Christina?), Rob and I went to North Carolina last weekend. Some of our dearest friends got married, and we were in desperate need of some honeymoon time, so my kids spent the weekend with Gamma and Papa at the river. Though Rob and I had a blast, I missed the kiddos a lot. I called on Monday to talk to Cade and this was the conversation:

"Hey, Cade! How are you? Momma misses you so much and can't wait to get home to see you. Gamma told me you have been fishing. Tell me all about it."

"Momma! Why do you always have to call. This is what aggravates me when you call. I have to stop fishing to come up here and talk to you. Call me later. Bye!"

I was so heartbroken. He is getting too grown up too fast!

As I was picking him up from school today, I thought about all that he has meant in our lives. I cannot imagine my life without him.

Cade:
Mommy and Daddy love you so much. We are so proud of how much you have grown, and all you have done in the short 5 years of your life. When I think that you were never supposed to be here on this earth, I am reminded of how Divine our God is. I am so thankful that he is much smarter than any doctor or specialist. Of all of the awards in life I have been given, none are more special than being called your Mommy. I am so thankful that God chose me for that job. My prayer for you is that you continue to learn more about Jesus and his love for you, and that you will be able to see great examples of that love through your Daddy and me. I know that God has something special in store for you, and we can't wait to see what that is.

I love you with all of my heart!
Mommy

Lord~
Thank you for the amazing blessing of parenthood. Thank you for seeing that Rob and I were worthy of this precious child. His life is a pure blessing to us, and those around him. I never imagined that I would ever get to see a child enter kindergarten, much less first grade. During those first 2 years of his life, things could get pretty questionable at times. I am thankful for those times that we had to learn to lean on you, but we also were able to see how truly blessed we are. I am so thankful for the times, even in his sickness, that you have allowed us to spend with him. I know that you were tempering us for bigger and better things. Thank you for helping us to trust you and your infinite wisdom with his healing. You are the Great Healer, and we have seen it first hand. Help us to glorify you through all you have done for us. Help us to guide Cade and SaraGrace in your word, and prepare their hearts to do your will. We love you God and are ever grateful for all you have bestowed upon us.

Amen.

Just Being Honest.....

If you're reading my blog, then I assume you must know me pretty well. Therefore, it will come as no surprise that I just need to vent and be real.
I have never been one to censor my thoughts before speaking them. I have, however, really been working hard on being more discerning when offering my opinion. I have learned that if nothing good is going to come from saying something, then it probably shouldn't be said. But I have had enough.

I just don't understand people who knowingly turn their back on God, especially when they know better. They know the difference between right and wrong, but they feel like they have to prove a point. I guess I have to just laugh that people are ignorant enough to think they are proving something to Him. Now...don't get me wrong. We all stray and go down the path that is not of His choosing at some point or another. But I do believe that if you are a Christian, you have some sense of conviction, even while doing so.

I know some will say that it is no one's business, but I feel differently for 3 reasons. 1.) I am a Christian, who cares about this person, who is called to hold other Christians accountable. Not to judge them, but to offer soft reminders that this may not be the best road they are traveling. 2.) I have been there. I know where these roads lead, and that the consequences do not cease just because you finally decide to get it right. Sometimes, you reap far longer than you could ever imagine. 3.) Because I have a reputation for being honest, my opinion had been solicited on many occasions. I do not believe in sugar coating anything. I am just real!

When you are constantly around someone that complains how terrible their life is, that nothing is going right, that everyone else is to blame for their trials, and ladi ladi lah!, you get real tired, real fast of their stupidity. Then, when they ask you, or try to make someone else look bad to justify their actions, I believe they are asking for the wrath of SaraBeth! I just can't deal with it. Then, when you try to find a way to witness to them through the situation, they just call you a holy roller! Well, at this point in my life, I consider it a compliment to be a holy roller.

I know this seems like a cluster of a post, but I feel like it's important for you to see me, not just in the good days, but in the frustrated ones as well. I guess the only remedy to this situation is to pray for the person involved, and then, when they ask my opinion, just simply remind them it is none of my business:) What I really want to tell them is ...."If you're going to be stupid, you gotta be tough!" or better yet..."Put your big girl panties on and DEAL WITH IT!"

Back to Life, Back to Reality

We made it back from Amelia Island in one piece....I think. Everything went perfect for Melinda & Jon's wedding. I won't spoil the details. I will save them for Melinda to tell everyone. But....I am going to post a couple of pictures from the day of our family.

Is this not the cutest ring bearer and flower girl ever?

Cade was so good to see about SaraGrace as they walked in the sand. They looked absolutely adorable...if I may say so myself.

Rob and I had the best time at the reception. Uncle Ronny, the photographer, captured this great picture at sunset, outside at Walker's Landing.

I know they can't wait to get back to tell everyone how awesome their wedding was! Amazing wedding for an AMAZING couple!

Here Comes the Bride....

This has been an absolutely CRAZY week. We have had graduations, luncheons, showers, and everything else you can imagine. It is hard to believe that the big day is only 2 days away! As we have been so busy planning Melinda's wedding, I have had the chance to think back on the day Rob and I got married.

At the time, we were not walking a Christian road. We made some choices that cost us dearly. Our wedding was short, sweet and simple, yet now it means so much more to me. We have had a long hard road , but I will always be thankful for those experiences along the way. They have made us love one another so much more, doing our best to never take each other for granted. It can all be gone in an instant! They have also made us realize that God is the ONLY glue that will hold a marriage together. Love can take you far, but that human love will inevitably fail you at some point.

God's love is never changing.

I remember repeating that so many times when I felt like my life was crumbling in on me. But now I can see His hand in all of it. I believe that if we had never had those experiences, I would have remained lukewarm in my relationship with Him. Instead, He grew me more than I could have ever imagined. And what He did for Rob, I can never explain. Only that it is a complete miracle, in the fashion that only God could design.

I guess I say all of this to get to this point.....
We have all been dealt hands that we felt were unfair. That we felt we didn't deserve. That we felt were someone else's fault.....
We can choose to be angry at God and run from it, or we can choose to cling to Him and the promise he has given us. I never realized this until we got back from Nicaragua last summer. While we were there, both Rob and I shared some of our experiences with our marriage, pregnancies, poor choices, and the consequences of holding onto the anger. When we got back, we were able to share with several others in their times of need. It was then that I could appreciate where we had been, but more so, I was amazed at how far we had come.

I can now realize that God DOES have a purpose for everything. We must take the tough experiences and use them for His glory. Only then can we find peace with our past.

I am so thankful for Rob and what he has meant to me the past seven years. I love him with all of my heart, and could never imagine spending my life with anyone else.

So....my last minute advice for Melinda and Jon? Love one another with everything you have. Never take each other for granted. Never pass up the opportunity to let one another know how much you love them. Pray for one another daily. But most of all.....never put God in the passenger's seat. If He drives, you will never be lost.

I love you both and look forward to sharing this weekend with you.

SaraGrace says...

Congratulations to Beas, Eestie, and RiRI on their graduation. My mommie never lasted that long in college so she says you should be really proud. She sure is!

Congrats Melinda, Christy and Kerri!