The Game of Life

 Saturday night I played The Game of Life with Tracey and Howard.  Tracey had been asking me to teach her for awhile, so finally, we sat down and played.

It was so fun to watch my kids make comments about the luck of the draw in LIFE the same way I did when I was their age.  Tracey was bummed that she didn't get a baby boy.  She only had a girl, and she was hoping for two.  Howard didn't want to get married, and due to low rolls and losing a turn, he was the last to get married.  Then, he was escstatic to have a baby boy... then another baby boy... then he got twins -- both boys.  I felt like I might be getting a little glimpse into the future.  

One time I played the game of LIFE and I hit every square that gives you a baby -- my car was overflowing by the time I got the end, and I loved it.  I felt like I had reached my LIFE goal with that particular game.

That said, last night, through luck (or unluck) of the draw, I did not get any children.  I bought a boat, had a trip to Europe, did lots of philanthropy work, and had the most money at the end of the game... but no children.  It was a very real reminder of how entirely blessed I am.  I cannot imagine Hubby and my life without our children - it just never would have worked.  I would be so unfulfilled.

God placed the desire for children so deep inside my soul and I am incredibly humbled and grateful at his abundance of blessings.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

 Happy Mother's Day to my amazing and wonderful mother.

She is my best friend, my confidant, my first call, my last call, my in-between call (I call her a LOT!).  She is my biggest cheerleader, supporter, inspiration, and mentor.

I think I can safely say that having this amazing and Godly woman as my mother has made a larger impact on my life than anything else in the world.

And what is equally as wonderful is that I fully believe someday my children are going to say the same statement about having my mother as their Grammie.

I love you, Mom!

Gusty Winds

When we get gusty winds in our area, which often happens -- usually in the afternoons and sometimes into the evening and night, I can feel the wind even from inside our sturdy house.

I sense the push on the windows, hear the howling at the doors, and practically feel the walls standing firm against the tremendous gusts of wind.  In these winds, I do not doubt the strength of our home.  In face, when I see the tress blowing outside or our recycling flying down the street -- yes, that happens, I am overcome with gratitude for our strong house and sturdy home.

I will frequently say to the children, "We are so fortunate to have this strong house to protect us from these winds."

Yet, when strong winds blow in my life -- uncertainty, job loss, unsure of what to do in parenting, I do not look to God in the same way I have gratitude for my strong house amidst gusts of wind.  So often, I timidly ask God for his Will to be done, but then cower in fear of what His Will might be, because it might be a disaster.  Or, I pray to God to fix a situation, then I still am wrought with stress as I try to solve the problem myself.  I would say I rarely, if ever, feel the winds of life blowing around me and simply say, "I am so fortunate to be in God's Will to protect me from these winds and guide me through these winds."

Do I have more faith in my home than I have in God who blessed me with this home?

I surely hope not!!!

He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, [my safe home when gusty winds blow], in whom I trust.

Psalm 91:2