A New Year

Happy New Year friends!

2013, you just flew right by!

I'm not going to lie the end of 2013 was not the best. Evelyn was very sick. We found out after 4 days of high fever and a trip to the e.r. that she had roseola. I think Ava had this when she was a baby, but not with fever this high. Evelyn got up to 105 and stayed at 103-104 for several days. It was awful. She was so sick and miserable.

I build up Christmas morning in my head. I picture everything a certain way and this year we were all so excited to see Evelyn's reaction to her gifts. We all talked about how much fun she would be this year. But she still felt pretty bad and when the kids woke us up at 5 a.m. she was cranky and tired. It took her a few hours to get interested in her toys. She played for a little while then felt bad again. The day after Christmas, she broke out in the rash and a few days later was completly better. Thank God!

So, Christams was not exactly what I had hoped for this year, but in lots of ways it was. We were all here together, Eli and Ava had so much fun, we watched movies and napped on the couch. I made cinnamon rolls and bacon, my mom and dad came with gifts, my sister, nephew , and brother in law came with gifts, we had a very restful day. Which was much needed. We missed Christmas with  Ricky's family that day, his mom and dad and sister came over that night and the kids had Christmas morning all over again! Evelyn was feeling much better by then, so she got to really enjoy them. Heather was here from Cali and headed back the day after Christmas.

So, I'll be honest, the last few days I've been feeling very selfish, feeling sorry for myself, just not feeling like I'm doing what God wants me to do.


I was praying, asking Him what needs to change in my heart. I felt frustrated and overwhelmed. But the whole time he was telling me. Once I stopped thinking and let him speak to my heart, the answer was there.

This year I want to allow God to work through me like never before. I want to say YES. I want to be a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, daughter, and sister.  I want to live this life. I want to consume less and give more. I want to LIVE life. ENJOY life. And be thankful for everyday. Even the days that are not the best.


New years eve, as I was tucking Ava into bed and we were talking about something that had happened and she felt guilt from. I was explaining to her why Jesus wants us to do certain things and not do ceratin things. I was explaining that when He lives in your heart you want to please Him. You still do wrong but your heart desires to please him and live for him. She wanted to ask Jesus into her heart, I prayed with her , and told her it was that simple, and now she will live forever. Forever! There could not have been a better way to end the year. I am so thankful for her. When your children give their heart to Jesus it is an amazing comfort. It is PEACE. God has given me peace.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New year!