Family before Blog~

I've been feeling a pull lately (for the last couple of months, really). A pull to take Everyday Occasions in a different direction. After reading this beautiful post by Darcy (who designed my blog, by the way) about her business bringing more exposure to her personal blog and, as a result, her family, I knew I had to share my feelings with you all.

With the advent of my business, Anna K. Originals, getting underway (just waiting for licenses to be approved) my contact information will be floating around for anyone to see. This leaves my boys and the Hubs vulnerable.

I, as a wife and a mom, have to think of their safety and dignity and, ultimately, their happiness.

The Hubs, who is going through some health problems right now, needs to be left some semblance of privacy and dignity. The Bubs, who is getting older, is becoming increasingly aware of what I post about him...with that awareness comes the very real potential for him to be uncomfortable or embarrassed. They are all so precious to me and nothing is worth them being made to feel uncomfortable or put on display just so I can have a blog post.

Does that mean Everyday Occasions is going away?

No.

It's just time to take it in a slightly different direction...maybe a photoblog, of sorts. I'm still working on ideas but, come what may in the next few months, I hope y'all will continue to stop by and share with me. I know you'll understand that this decision comes from a mother's prayerful heart.

A prayer for Haiti

Father, I come to you burdened by a plight that's not my own but I feel it as though it is. I'm weighed down by the desperation of a country crippled by disaster, fear, chaos and anger. I come to you for Haiti.

I come to you knowing that you are more than able of dispelling that fear and anger that would try and rip the country apart. I come to you with every confidence that you are and will continue to be the peace in the midst of their chaos...and their pain.

There are those who would try and take advantage of these people while they are weak and in need. Be their buffer, Father, and their protector. Make the crooked ways straight so that aid may come to Haiti swiftly and effectively.

Thank you for the things that you have already done...for I know you were there even before I knew what had happened.

Continue to embue the relief workers, doctors, missionaries and all helping hands with strength and grace. I know the pressure must be overwhelming. Help them combat the helplessness that can so easily take hold in the face of needs so great.

I come to you, Father, for Haiti.

Sick and tired of being sick and tired...

That's what the Bubs is right about now.....and has been for a while. He's had a bronchial infection on and off for two months. With the military appointment system at the naval hospital, we weren't able to get one physician twice in a row and every doc thought the Bubs was sick with something different. No matter how insistent I was that we had heard a particular diagnosis before and that the treatment that we'd implemented obviously wasn't effective (otherwise we wouldn't have been there), they didn't listen. On top of that, our normal physician was and, I think still is, out of town for an extended vacation....

We finally managed to find a physician who listened to me and seemed to share my frustration with the sub-standard care we'd been subjected to. He upped the prescriptions to more powerful brands and put in a referral for the Bubs to see a pulminary specialist to see if there was any lung damage or other treatments that we could be taking advantage of.

So while we're waiting on the referral paperwork to go through, is the Bubs at school enjoying being with his classmates? No, ma'am. He's snuggled up with me on the couch, wrapped up nose to toe in his favorite Thomas the Tank Engine quilt that his Nana made him. We're home sick....again. He's only been to school two days this week and has missed too many days in the past couple of months. He missed Monday and Tuesday because he was weak, wheezing, and so overwhelmed with sinus drainage his throat was raw and the poor kid would eventually just throw it up. Ick.

Hubby is out of town and won't be home for a little while longer. He's very concerned for the Bubs and feeling, I'd imagine, helpless that he's not here to be a help and comfort. The Bubs misses him somethin' fierce and there is something special about being wrapped up in a Daddy's strong arms.

We're all feelin' kinda tense that things aren't moving along as quickly as we'd like (darned paperwork), but I can't let the Bubs know that. He's uncanny at picking up on my vibes and taking them on himself. So I'd like to ask a favor, my lovelies. Please say a prayer for the Bubs's recovery, that it would be complete and quick. You have my thanks in advance...

"We need a clean up on aisle 3!"

I don't really like to go grocery shopping, however, now that the Bubs is in school I can browse in relative peace. This is a great thing! No arguments, begging or temper tantrums....and that's just my behavior, never mind how the Bubs acts! *snicker, snort*

So there I am meandering through the aisles with my handy list at the ready when I start to feel, um, odd. Odd as in my ham and cheese sandwhich that I had for lunch is 'bout to take flight! Yuck. I must have turned a little green and had, I'm sure, a weird and desperate look on my face, cause a few people gave me "the eye". I didn't care one bit. Let 'em take a long look....better to be lookin' at my weird expression than a funky puddle on the floor.

I try to keep moving (anything to get away from that darn dairy section!) and focus on other things. This isn't easy for a nauseous pregnant woman to do when there's literally food everywhere. Anyway, I'm thinking about Hubby and Bubs.....this works for about a split second, but then I start to feel sorry for myself that they're not with me. Oooookaaaaay. Movin' right along. As I'm wracking my brain for another safe thing to think about, my stomach starts to churn even more. Forget distracting thoughts, Honey, I'm beggin' Jesus at this point, "Please, Lord. I really don't feel like throwing up in the middle of Wal-Mart! Help!"

At that very moment, I rounded a corner and heard, "Jeeessuuuus. Mm."

It was a short, older black lady who, even though she was shaking her head, had a smile on her face. We made eye contact and each started smiling at the other. She laughed and said, "When you can't call on anyone else, you can call on Jesus."

"Amen. That's exactly right!", I enthusiastically agreed with her. What I really wanted to tell her was, "Preach to me, Baby! Tell it!" like a friend of mine used to do when the pastor was imparting a word that spoke to her. I didn't loose that smile that she gave me.....but I did loose the nausea! Hallelujah and Thank Ya Jesus!!

When I couldn't call on anyone else, He was there to answer me in the midst of my need, no matter how big or small. It's been that way all of my life. Ain't He good, Y'all?!

A Moment with My Father

Have you ever had a moment when the realness of God and what He's continually doing for you kinda smacks you in the face? Personally, I love it when that happens. I need those kinds of moments to keep me focused and centered in the middle of this crazy life.

I wasn't looking to have that kind of moment this morning (shame on me), but I'm so very glad it happened. I was reading over the liturgy for tomorrow's service in order to pick out some appropriate music for our group to sing. The music and worship planner that I have comes with hymn and contemporary song suggestions that I glance at occasionally to get ideas when I'm stumped.......other times I, frankly, completely ignore them. Not that I'm thumbing my nose at what they have listed, I just like to stay open to whatever the Lord is leading us as a group to sing. I had the first two songs down pretty quickly, but the anthem was beginning to give me fits. So, I glanced over at the song suggestions and "My Tribute" by Andrae Crouch leapt out at me. Okay. I'm down with that....what's not to like about Andrae? As I sat there looking over the music for it, this song that I've heard many times before, the words caught my attention like they never really had before. Oh. OH.

How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me-
things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me? The voices
of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever
hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.

The world around me faded away and I was alone with my precious Heavenly Father. As fast as the flow of tears down my face, so was the flow of praise that filled my heart and mind and made its way to His ears. I was instantly enveloped in a feeling of love so intense that it was almost as tangible as being wrapped in loving arms. Then and there, the things that had been weighing so heavily on my mind and heart faded away before the certainty of my Saviour's love.

To God be the glory. To God be the glory. To God be
the glory for the things he has done. With His blood he has saved
me; With His pow'r He has raised me. To God be the glory for
the things he has done.

Just let me live my life; Let it be pleasing, Lord, to
Thee. And should I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary.

So on the eve of Father's Day, I had a moment with my Father. Have you had one of those lately? I hope you have, Shug.