With my last post in mind… February 8, 2009

The latest thing that God has me going all crazy on is finances.

As if those of you who have been reading other posts on here or my fasting log didn’t know that.  This started about 6 months ago after hearing an awesome sermon re the tithe.  I listened to PC’s sermon before attending our new church (Keypoint) and it totally turned on a HUGE light bulb (a convicting one).  Then during our fast it was really reiterated.  God not only kept teaching me more and more about the tithe and what I am giving to God, but also about debt.  And the fact that debt is bondage.  And let me tell you….it is.  Any of you out there who owe creditors, know what I mean.   So in light of this, a friend gave us the book Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  I read the whole book and will be sharing it with the hubby once he is settled back home, and we will be starting our journey to financial freedom…wow, crazy concept for most!!!

If you are interested in keeping up with our progress or knowing how you can pray for us in this matter, I have posted a new page titled TMM.  I just hope that it can be a testimony of encouragement for others out there!  Especially our friends and family who may be thinking about doing this.  One thing to keep in mind is that this is not a quick process.  This page will go on for years if we are disciplined enough to finish.  I pray that we are.  “God give us the discipline and Your mighty strength!”

Growin’ like weeds! February 4, 2009

More baby updates….

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Trinity is a pro crawler (started @ 9mos)  and is also pulling herself up onto objects…check out pics on Babies Page

Asher is our first one to have a tooth!  Way to go bud!  And he has done the least amount of complaining….go figure!

Gabriel sings…and it’s beautiful!  I will have to record him once Chris get’s back with our little camera.  He is now crawling!! – as of yesterday (Sunday Feb 8th)

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Check out the new pics on our Babies Page!

Havin a Heat Wave…A Tropical Heat Wave January 27, 2009

So it has really been a while since we have had a good ice storm…Christmas of 2000 to be exact! These are just some pics from this morning…some around 8:30am and the rest at close to 11am…and it is still coming!

New Page – Fasting Log January 5, 2009

If you wish to keep up with my fasting happenings, check out my fasting log page.  I added this just for me….want to always remember what happened, what I studied, how I felt during my FIRST fast.  You cannot put comments on that page as it is just meant for me to journal, but feel free to put comments here.  Obviously if it is part of my blog, it is out there for you to read as well.  Our entire church is actually doing the fast, which is so encouraging.  Different people are doing different kinds of fasts.  To learn more about the kind that Chris and I are doing, check out the fasting log.  The most recent day will be at the top of the page.  Our original purpose and prayer will be at the bottom.

Standing on HIS promises – Reflecting on this year November 19, 2008

So, why write this now…don’t people usually write these sort of things after the year is over?  Well, for me, this time last year is monumental.  It was about this time last year that I received my “message from the Lord”.  I was at work…doing work stuff…working on budgets, and a few small other projects when I all of a sudden got this overwhelming feeling.  It was like a covering of encouragement.  It was a feeling of hope, excitement, change, wonder, joy….so strong I actually stopped working and just sat there for a moment.  And this overwhelming feeling came with a message that went something like this…”This next year is going to be a great year…a year like none other for you so far.  I am going to do big things in your life….in your family, your friends, work, and church.  Some of these things will be easy to go through, others will be more difficult, but I will guide you all the way and make you and your family stronger for them.  Keep your eyes on me and you will be blessed.”

Again, I sat there for a minute, then immediately told my husband, then sent an email to my mentor (who is also an awesome Godly man).  I kept wondering….”I wonder what God has in store for us this year…what is He going to do?”  I thought I had everything planned out…but now there were so many questions…so much excitement.  So much more than ME and my plans and wants.

So did this little message come to fruition?  Well let’s just see….

Feb – went on bedrest/Loa from work
Mar – flown to UAMS in LR and on bedrest
Apr – had Triplets!
May – brought Gabriel and Trinity home.  (was in LR by myself this whole time before bringing them home 2mos all together…except on weekends when my husband could travel down and see me)
Jun – part of Jul – traveled every Sat to see Asher in hsp in LR
July – brought Asher home (on oxygen)/Quit work/Chris and I resigned as Youth Leaders and left church we had been praying about leaving for some time
Aug – Found new church – which has been such a HUGE blessing – thank you KEYPOINT/Asher taken off oxygen at the end of the month
Sept/Oct – Started meeting with Young Married Couples Lifegroup through our new church
Nov – Chris was offered a new job – a management position!

And the year is not even over yet!!!  I remembered God’s message through this all.  He has blessed our family in more ways than I can imagine.  He gave me more strength than I ever thought I would have in a million years.  But I guess that is the key.  We only have strength when we lean on HIM…and HE will take care of the rest.  Funny thing is…not many of the things on this list even required a decision on our part.  God just worked.  But we had to trust HIM to do HIS job…we had to let God be God….and then stand on HIS promises.

I know my God is bigger than…

Never Again! November 14, 2008

Last night we are on our way home from the dr office (2nd dose of flu shots for kidos)and Chris decides on McD’s to eat.  Usually at any fast food chain I order chicken….but for some reason I decided to try something new…something I have never tried before….a Quarter Pounder.  Just the thought of it now makes me want to gag….ugh.  I only ate half of it, and have felt pueky all night and so far all day today.  Nothing sounds good.  I have definitely learned my lesson….there will be no more Quarter Pounders in my future.  Just the idea of meat disgusts me right now.  I am all of a sudden having memories of when I was about 14 and the same thing happened except it was at Burger King with a Whopper.  I ended up not eating hamburger for like 3 years….not joking. Hopefully this won’t be as drastic as that.  But man I feel horrible.

Busy, Busy, Busy October 31, 2008

So, yesterday my mother-in-law and I took Asher down to Children’s in LR for his second videofluroscopic swallow study.  For those who don’t know, Ashr has (along with the Chronic Lung Disease) Pharyngeal Displasia…which in layman’s terms means that thin liquids penetrate into his lungs and if penetrated deep enough could cause aspiration.  This is why we thicken his formula.  We had to go see if he indeed still had this issue.  Bad news is…he still has it, but the GOOD news is that we were able to change his thickener!  He now takes one that has calories, is way cheaper, and that does not add volume to his food.  This should help him start gaining weight.  So all in all, a good visit.  It’s pretty crazy though…drive 3 1/2 hours for a 20 min study….but was all worth it.  That trip does take a lot out of a person.  We didn’t get home till after 10pm.  He doesn’t have to go back till he is a year old.

Then today, my mom and I had to go to the reg Ped to have all the kidos checked out for their cold issues.  We got a different kind of medicine for Gabriel, and if it works on him the dr will give us some for the other two.  Sounds weird I know…but Gabriel has been sick the longest and the dr didn’t want to make us get 3 rx’s if it didn’t work.  Hopefully kidos will be better soon.

So, needless to say, I am so thankful the weekend is here…well almost!  UAHHHHHHHHHH get to relax.  Dr visits (especially with all three and a 40lb triple stroller) are just exhausting!!!  Don’t know what I would do without people willing to help me out at those visits since they are always while Chris is still at work.

Sick week at the Howard’s – uncut and makeup free – HA October 27, 2008

My sick husband cleaning!  Isn’t he great!!!

Me and Gabriel…and Asher…and Trinity

Trinity and Asher chillin’ and Gabriel…bein’ the man

Answer to Prayer!!! Woo Hoo October 27, 2008

Hey all,

As most of you know, Chris has been looking and applying for new positions since before the babies were born.  Due to me not working (which cut our income in half), he was looking for a higher paying position.

Praise God!!!! This morning he was offered a position, and took it, as a Systems Administrator at the main H.O. building!   This is a management position which will increase his pay and really help us out!!!  We knew God would provide, and He has.

Not sure on his exact start date of the new position as his current manager and his new manager will have to discuss.  Probably within the next two weeks.

Thank all of you who have been praying with us on this.

Update on Kidos October 21, 2008

Gabriel is doing a little better, but is still a bit stuffy.  Asher is a little stuffy, but not near as bad as Gabriel has been thank goodness.  And Trinity, my strong girl thus far has no issues.  She has always been the healthy one.  Still prayin’ that Gabriel and especially Asher don’t get any worse.  Gabriel did pass his nice little stuffiness on to me as well though.  That’s about all.  No doctor visits yet.  Hopefully this mac daddy cool mist humidifier we bought will continue to work.   Thanks for all your prayers thus far!!!

****New UPdate***

Had to take Gabriel to DR today.  Good news though….he just has a cold as it is just in his nose and not his lungs.  the DR gave us a couple rx’s for his nose and cough.  Hopefully he will be feeling better soon!

Also…

A couple of our closest friends have a 6yr old son that has been having some breathing issues…asthma attack that won’t end…been taking breathing treatment…please also pray for him…his name is Johnathan.