Angels Among Us

Today I just wanted to take the time to share a little bit about how sometimes I can feel a little discouraged, overwhelmed and just plain stressed...I am without a doubt a person who sees the world through rose colored glasses, but even on occasion can get a little bummed out. Though it usually does not last too long- needless to say it still happens.

Thank God He sends people along to intercept our path who help to get us back on our way. For example, this past Sunday we visited First Baptist Church Downtown because we are considering the Academy for Hudson to start Pre-K3...and wow- it's HUGE!

It was a little weird pulling into a parking garage that was about a city block wide and very intimidating walking in what felt like a college campus- against the flow of the crowd at that because we had to maneuver through to take the kids to their classes while we were in church. Well, God was definitely looking out for us. A very nice lady escorted us upstairs and showed us to the pre-school area where another wonderful lady walked us to both Hudson's and Noah's classes. After they were taken care of we headed back to the main auditorium for the service. As we started down the hall there sat a mother with a newborn baby boy. As if that was not enough to melt away the confusion and frustration of the morning, it was an old friend of ours from high school who invited us to sit with their family for the service!

That's when we knew we were definitely in the right place and that everything would be ok. Suddenly, the huge unfamiliar building didn't seem so intimidating and large anymore- it was welcoming and full of love! The service was great, full of positive energy and filled with people who have big hearts for God! I am so thankful for our little angel that day- thank you so much, Ashley! We are taking a tour of the Academy this week and are very excited about that!

...and now today has been kind of a blah day- not quite everthing is going my way but in little ways people who do not even realize what they have done are brightening up my day- so I just wanted to share and say thank you! All of us go through those days, weeks and sometimes longer periods of time that just seem like everything is against us- but there are little reminders that life is a journey that sometimes takes curves, adds bumps, an occasional redlight, flat tires and even those pesky speeding tickets- but it is our choice what song we are playing on the radio...

I know- it's not a litteral analogy for life, but we can choose for our song to be one that is positive, uplifting, encouraging and one that focuses on expereince, lessons learned, wisdom gained and over all being a stronger person. That is the song I choose to sing and hopefully someone will think it's a lovely tune and hum along :)

God Bless and hope you all have a wonderful week!

...and because a post is better with a picture- here are some that always makes me smile...

God's Hand- Answered Prayers!

Yesterday was probably the toughest day for me as a mom- I had to take Hudson into the dentist for a three hour procedure and what worried me most was the sedation and overall pain he may have. Through all the anxiety and worry, I had a complete peace about it and the doctors whose care he was under. From the time I found out about him having to go back for all the work I had prayed daily. Yesterday, I asked for prayer and everyone answered with wonderful support! I want to thank everyone so VERY much- I could really feel God's hand and the worry just really subsided and the three hours just flew by.

Not only did everything go wonderfully, the doctors upgraded Hudson's fillings to the white ones without any additional fees and Hudson was back to himself after a little nap once we got back home (usually, children take the rest of the evening to get back to normal and can be groggy, irritable and in a lot of pain). Not only was this a smooth process and quick healing, he is really looking forward to going back for his check up (he was disappointed when I told him we were not going back today!).

I wanted to share all the great news because it is really, really important to give thanks for our blessings and to let everyone know that there is nothing in our lives that God does not want us to come to Him about- no matter how small or large. He is our Father and loves us and wants the best for us as His children.

I have just really began to understand that type of love through having children of my own. Quite often it is just too awesome for us to understand the expansive and unconditional love that God has for us- but when I think of it in perspective of the love of a parent- that protectiveness, watchful eye, hand out with every little step and how heartbreaking it is to see your child in pain- I get a small glimpse of only a fraction of how much God loves me (us)! Just think, if this is how much I love my children how much MORE does God love me! That is an amazing feeling and I am so thankful for Him showing his presence and love in all the areas of my life (even the things that don't go my way). I take great pleasure in knowing that He is in control- what a relief! Yesterday was just one more example!

Here are just a couple verses that have really stuck out to me lately- I am currently reading The Power of Praying Together by Stormie Omartian and it is filled with so much knowledge and encouragement (rooted in verses like these) when it comes to one of the most powerful gifts God has given us- Prayer!

If you then, being evil (human), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
- Luke 11:13

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thank you Lord, for the blessings and health of my famliy! Below are some of some of my favorite family pictures- they were taken my my good friend, Ezra. He is an awesome photographer and an even more amazing person who I am definitely blessed to have met...another example of God's hand :)
THANK YOU again for everyone who lifted Hudson up in your prayers yesterday- they were definitely heard and felt! Please, if there is ever anything you need prayer about do not hesitate to share it with someone- I personally would be more than happy to pray for you and there are so many others out there who feel the same.

Hope everyone has a safe and fantastic 4th of July- enjoy the long weekend!...and remember there is nothing too small or too large for God, talk to Him and you will begin to see his hand in all the areas of your life! Trust Him and be Thankful!!!

A Child's Smile- What Every Mom Needs to Know

I have wrestled with whether to blog about this or not but have finally decided to share just for the chance to save one mom and child from having to experience the same thing...

Last week was Hudson's first trip to the dentist- he's 3 1/2. What we hoped would just be a little introduction and a simple check up quickly turned into a parent's worst nightmare. Besides the typical shyness and uncomfortable X-rays Hudson was a champ and was a great patient for his doctor, but the bad news was we had to come back- SOON...Not good!

Tears streamed down my face as the doctor explained what needed to be done to Hudson's teeth to stop any additional damage. As I looked at the computer with the chart of his little teeth and saw all of the fillings and crowns I almost tuned every word out as I began to think to myself why did I wait this long to take him, could I have done something different, this is all my fault...

You see, we had always kept a very close eye on Hud's teeth. His first ones that came in were a little discolored on the bottom and when we asked dental professionals and pediatricians about it they said it was fine that sometimes that happens and could have been bruised before they came it. This made sense to us because when he was just pulling up on anything he could he bumped his mouth on the coffee table (really hard). So, we left it at that, brushed his teeth with the children's tooth paste with fluoride and went on with life.

Then, a couple of months ago when we were brushing his teeth we noticed something just did not look right- there were deep holes that food kept getting stuck in that were not smooth like a tooth usually is and the week that we took him in he had been complaining that his teeth hurt and they were cold.
All of these signs, ignored...I felt was my fault for not seeing there was a real problem to begin with that was evident when his first teeth came in. After calming down and the doctor explaining to me that what was going on with Hudson's teeth is a combination of many factors- genetics, antibiotics taken when he was younger, lack of fluoride (we have well water), etc. This all made sense to me but I still could not get over what they shared with me next...children should have their first visit with the dentist after their FIRST Birthday. That crushed me- everyone I talked to (dental professionals, pediatricians and even read online) advised to schedule their first appointment when they turned 3 years old.

Even now, I still wish that I had just ignored what everyone told me and just went with my gut and taken him in. Two years would have made a huge difference with the health of his teeth- and even though they are only baby teeth, his permanent teeth are developing right now and that could have been two more years he could have been taking the fluoride supplements and developed healthier, stronger teeth. He will have these teeth for the rest of his life- so it's kind of REALLY important!

Tomorrow morning we go in for 3 crowns, 5 fillings and they are cosmetically correcting his front 2 side teeth- all of which just blows me away. I have went my entire life on well water, without any fluoride supplements and have only had one cavity- so, that is a lot for a little boy to have to go through. In total they will work on him for about 3 hours. He will be sedated, but not through an I.V. (which was nice to hear). The procedure is done through a little medicine that is mixed in a drink to relax him and then they will give him just a little gas. He is constantly monitored and conscious the whole time- but I am still scared to death!!! It is neither something that I am looking forward to nor an experience I want him to have. I can only pray that maybe somehow this information will help someone out there avoid something similar happening to them and their little one.

To recap...MOM's PLEASE REMEMBER:
1. Make your child's first dental appointment after their 1st Birthday.
2. Ask about the need for fluoride supplements if you are on well water.
3. Pay attention to the antibiotics- ask about any affects it may have on developing teeth.
4. Follow your gut!
For those of you reading this- please pray for Hudson tomorrow morning (we go in at 8am) for a simple and easy procedure and for healing so he can get back to being a 3yr. old :) I know and trust that God's hand is over Hudson but would really appreciate any additional prayers and support that you can offer- thank you so much!

Also, please share this with any mom that you know- whether they are expecting, have a little one or maybe not a mom yet...just may be planning to have a baby soon.