Beyond Thankful for EVERYDAY

So much time has passed since my last blog post on this blog! I have been busy working away on my other blog, mycrazysavings.com. I wanted to pop in over here and say that I am so beyond thankful for life. Thankful for my three beautiful healthy girls, thankful for my loving husband, and thankful for my friends and family who all continue to help me build my wealth of memories.

Since my last post in 2011, I can not begin to name all of the places we have gone, things we have seen, or even a fraction of the memories we have built. I am so so so thankful for each and every day. It's a gift from God and I know it.

I may never have financial riches, but I am beyond rich, blessed beyond measure. My whole world is photographed above!

Hi, My name is Courtney...

Wow, it's been a while since I've updated this baby! I just went thru a crazy busy season in my life with a more then full time job, amongst everything else. That season has come to an end and I am freeing up more time for the Steve, the girls, friends, and myself! I have slept better the last two nights then I have in a year and a half. I loved what I was doing, but felt it had gotten to an unhealthy level of stress.

I am so thankful to have loving support from my friends and family. Thanks to all who have endured my endless hours working, constant email checking, and my "just one more, then we can go" lifestyle. I won't lie, I won't bounce back to normal quickly...it's a way of life that I have lived for 1.5 yrs! I've had an incredible journey and have learned soooo much!

So what's next for me? At this point, I am really not sure. I want to take things slow and enjoy being a wife and mom again! I want to play with my girls and plan date nights for Steve and I again! I want to shop until I drop (with coupons of course) in the middle of the day just because I can. I want to help out friends when they need me, and I want to allow God to direct what the future holds.

So look for more updates here! I will be adding pictures and updates about the girls soon! They are such a joy and I am so thankful that God has cleared away the fog of work so that I can enjoy them more!

Way too long...

It has been way too long since my last post. Life has been moving and going so fast, the winds of it all are keeping me in the right direction. I have been all over the map physically and emotionally. Two very very dear people in my life have gone to be with the Lord and that has not come without a flood of emotions. The emotions range from joy of two lives well lived in service to the Lord, to sorrow from personally losing two mentors. 72+ years of marriage says a lot about two people. The commitment, the love, the persistence, and the grace that was between them has only been a testimony of their relationship with the Lord Almighty. They led our family thru trying times with the word of God. I am going to miss the long winded prayers of my great grandfather and the sassy comments of my great grandmother more as the year progresses. It has been a joy and honor to have GREAT grandparents. I am stronger, wiser, and live life more to the fullest because of them. They have bonded a family together with their legacy of love.

Vote for Steve!

Celebrate Your Man's Unsung Moments Sponsored by Dove

A tribute to Deedee

My Girls and their latest greatest FUN!

I love my girls!

My girls are continuing to be a barrel of laughter and fun!  I can't wait to put up a post about all of their new fun moments!  I plan to do so soon! So Stay tooned!

Emma...she's going to get me good for this later!

Love my Emma!

Emma is a barrel full of randomness! I love that girl! She has her own way of doing stuff and could care less to learn my way, or anyone elses for that matter! She is a burst of sun in an otherwise dim room! She floats on a cloud, well falls off of it often. She is such a sweet little angel! She has her daddy wrapped around her finger, and knows how to get her way. She won't make eye contact when she is in trouble. She likes to surprise us, when it's her idea. She takes shoes off in the van every trip and sheds her coat at the door. She goes right in and takes a nap when asked to. She is rarely found wearing regular clothes, almost always in dress up stuff. She is my mess maker, my not so sneaky one. She puts herself in the corner and gags at the thought of eating veggies. She always puts her shoes on the wrong feet and likes to paint the table with her yogart. She makes a strange snorting sound when she sucks her thumb. She gives the best hugs! She is perfect and she is THREE!!! or as she says "I FREE" Yes, sweet Emma, you are free....free spirited! I love you more and more each day and I pray that you NEVER lose that spunk that makes you, you! Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet girl!

Happy New Year!

I have got to say how thankful I am that this is a new year! 2009 was a very stress filled year for many reasons! I am opting to leave 2009 in the past where it belongs! I did however, want to give a few updates and share a few lessons learned along the way!
In Jan 09, we celebrated Emma turning 2! I learned I could bare a load much larger then I ever thought possible.
In Feb 09, we celebrated Steve's job promotion and enjoyed a much needed week get away to visit from friends in TN.
In March 09, we celebrated Chloe turning 4.
In April 09, I was chosen to host an American Idol Finale party thru Houseparty.com! I learned that forgiveness is much harder for some then others, but was thankful for God's grace to me.
In May 09, I won a 2010 Ford Fusion, and a trip for 2 to the American Idol finale in Hollywood!
In June 09, Steve resigned his job at the church. I learned that true friends are few and far between and that under stressful circumstances, most people don't know what to say/do.
In July 09, we traveled quite a bit. We enjoyed lots of family time and got an offer on our house!
In August 09, we celebrated Maci turning 1! We vacationed yet again, but this time with friends! Steve and I traveled with Maci to Dallas and found a nice house! I learned that God allows us to know what we NEED to know WHEN we need to know it. Some act out of guilt and can't forgive themselves, so they take it out on others.
In Sept 09, we closed on our house and moved to Dallas. I got Chloe enrolled in preschool and found a MOPS group.
In Oct 09, Maci started therapy, both physical and occupational. Jamie, Nanny and Pappy came to visit.
In Nov 09, I celebrated my 30th birthday. Steve surprised me by flying Christie up for the weekend. A week or so later, 4 other girlfriends flew up for a girls weekend! Emma decided that she was ready to be potty trained and is now FULLY potty trained, day and night! I was asked to join a team of gals in posting on MyDFWMommy.com blog and started! Last but not least, Steve turned 32...
In Dec 09, we have enjoyed a lot of time with family and friends! We traveled to St. Louis for Christmas, then to Oklahoma for New Years. I learned that it is easy to fall into a black hole at the holidays if I let myself. I have thought more this year about what my girls think Christmas is all about then any other year. I have found a new respect for a friend who was strengthened by a tragedy, and now hold my girls a little tighter.

So what will be different in 2010? I am going to try to blog about my coupon savings. I have wondered the past few years just how much I have saved each year by using coupons. This year I am going to track it and actually know! I will be tracking monthly and will try to update on here! To date, I have saved $39.15. I am going to make every effort to drink V8 each day, as my body needs it...since I am not a huge veggie eater. I am going to attempt to send 10 minutes with each of my girls (exclusive for each child) a day. I know that doesn't sound like much...but it's so hard to get one on one time without interuptions. And of course, there is always the goal to be thin in 2010. I am contemplating joining the YMCA...my girls will love the play time and I think I would enjoy the "me" time! I also want to read 6 more books this year. I had that goal last year, and accomplished it. I would also like to spend more time teaching my kids how to fish instead of just giving them fish. I have started with "whatever is not picked up before you go to bed gets trashed!" Is that too harsh? They are almost 3 and 5. Chloe gets it for sure! I'll be updating with pictures in the near future!

Happy New Years to you and your family! If you aren't already reading mydfwmommy.com blog, you should...it's saved me tons and I really enjoy posting on it!

Christmas fun!

I thought that I would post a few picts of the girls opening their Christmas presents and another video of Maci's big accomplishments!

New Maci video!!!

Ladies and Gentalmen, you are about to witness the next "So you think you can Dance" contestant

The proposal

Click here to view this photo book larger

I am one proud Mommy!

These past few weeks have FLOWN by! Maci has been in therapy for the past month or so and has really made some great progress! I thought it might be fun to add some video's of her on here so you can see and enjoy her progress too!

This one is from Aug and shows her scooting.

This one is from early October and she had just learned to push to a sitting position.

Maci tempting a crawl...so cute! This was towards the end of Oct.

This is one from last week...she just learned to go from a sitting down position to a standing up...this is an exercise to strengthen her leg muscles.

Here she is tonight...pulling up into a stand...so sweet!

And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free...

The truth is found in the Light of God's love and who HE is, nothing else. These past few months have been extremely emotional and a time that God has used to reveal more of Himself to me. Actually, this whole year has been a growth filled one. In June, when everything happened, I desired for people (God's people) to reach out and love us thru everything. Some did, more didn't. I have thought back about how everything played out those first few weeks. The shock, the pain, the regret, and even the growth that came from it all. I have thought about how I might blog about the untruths that were spoken and the additional pain that came from those, or the people that I thought would show up in a big way, but didn't. God has moved my heart beyond all of that. I can not focus on the past and the things that I wish I could have changed. Or even on the future as we are not promised tomorrow. I must focus on today, right now, the moment in time God has given me. I have come to realize that there are no perfect people out there...only people pretending to be. NO ONE has it all figured out...no one I know walks on water. When we pretend to be perfect, we only hurt ourselves and others. We rob God of the opportunity to use our hurt and pain to strengthen others. This was a moment in time that God used to strengthen us. We were strengthen by the unexpected people who walked with us closely and we were strengthened by the ones who wanted to hurt us the most. God showed us that we MUST stand firm in HIM and no one else. He is our strength, our refuge. We are not perfect people, but are made perfect by our creator. We believe and have more compassion for others now as we think on Jesus' words "You who are without sin, cast the first stone." Is anyone without sin? God has given us a new lens to see thru, and we are thankful for that. We know that it is only by His unchanging grace that we breathe.
The break from ministry has been a blessing for our family. We have three small children and this has allowed us to focus on planting His love and grace in them. We have been able to worship together, Steve and I. Arm in arm, hand in hand. We still feel called by God to serve and fulfill His great commission. We will continue to seek the ways in which He would have us do that. We feel more balanced in our time at church, with the girls, and with each other. We have set healthy boundaries for when, how much, and how often we will sign up for stuff. We don't want to be so busy that we miss out on life. When we go back into full time ministry, we are thankful that we have walked more with our fellow believers side by side and struggled with them thru lifes trials...it has all made us less plastic and more real to be used and truly understand. We thank God for that.
These past two weeks have been extra hard for me, personally. I have fought in my mind for years the possibilities of the inevitable. My great grandma was put into the nursing home. Her Alzheimer's has gotten worse. Deedee has always been a big part of my life. She isn't perfect, again who is? She has loved and checked in on me my whole life. I hurt for her as she is in a new place with no one she really knows. I actually sympathize with her on that one. I hurt for my great grandpa who is without her for the first time in 73 years. They have been married for so long that I worry how they will survive without each other. I am thankful that she has God's word and truth and reads it. I am thankful that she was put there out of love and concern. I am thankful that I know she knows I love her and that she knows who I am (as of now.)
Today marks 12 years since I lost my mother to a car accident. Sometimes it feels like a tiny moment in time, sometimes it feels like forever, sometimes it feels like yesterday. I miss her and I think about her and wonder if she would have been head over heels in love with my little princess's? With that being said, I will leave you with this...forgive mistakes, embrace those you love and put your faith in Christ alone...people will let you down. Live for today and like there is no tomorrow. Stop trying to be everything to all people and to be perfect...it isn't possible. Love people thru the good and bad. Stand up for what is right, no matter the cost. Pray for the people who don't like you, it will change your heart for them. And remember the bad times are only a moment in time, they do not define your future. And as a friend told me...let this make you better, not bitter.

My little artists

While Chloe was busy making her master piece, so was Emma....enough said!

I am SOOOO Not a fan of Walmart...

Walmart is NOT my favorite store by far, but I forced myself to go this week... I was quickly reminded why I am not a Walmart fan. It was raining, and I had to make a return...I had Maci and Emma and the return to get inside. I had a huge box (a baby walker) in one hand, Maci in the other, and Emma walking beside me...all while trying to manage an umbrella, my purse, and a diaper bag. TWO employees saw me trying to juggle it all and neither offered to help. Once inside the store, I had to stand in line behind 4 others who were waiting for their turn at the customer service desk. Two people were working in Customer Service, while another two were standing around chatting, messing with cell phones, and drinking soda. Anyone want to join me in my ranting about poor customer service at that place? Misery loves company! :o)

Special message for Grandpa!

The old house, the move, and the new...

It was bitter sweet leaving our house in Ballwin. So many great memories there...it's where we brought our girls home from the hospital...the only house they knew! It was where we found many unexpected blessings of friendship and wisdom. It was such a cute cozy little house, perfect for the family that is just starting out. Steve and I bought and moved into that house in March of 2004, found out we were expecting June 2004, had Chloe March 2005, found out we were expecting April 2006, had Emma Jan. 2007, found out we were expecting Nov. 2007, had Maci Aug 2008...and sound our house July 2009. So quickly time flew by... we miss the squeaks in the floor, the large storage area in the basement, but most of the all the friends who visited us when we lived in it!

The move was pretty uneventful...we lost a few things (they got broken) to the trash, overall less then $100 worth, so that was good. We were so blessed to have so much help in loading the truck and also unloading! Friends showed up and surprised us in the sweetest ways...some with parting gifts, some with tear filled eyes...some with enough food to feed a small army for each of us...some with words of wisdom, and some with broken hearts. I have never felt so loved by people who only knew us for a short 5 and a half years. It was humbling and we felt so honored. If you were one of those who helped us out in the last days in MO or in the first days in TX, a million times thank you! You have blessed our family.

The new house is awesome! We love the extra space...the girls love their room and having a big walk in closet! The park and pool are less then a block away and they love to go there! I love the extra space....but extra space means extra cleaning! Main floor laundry is the best part about this house! Those of you in STL with basements know what I am talking about! We have been here a few weeks and have gotten settled into a routine. Chloe goes to Preschool everyday from 12-3. The other two nap during that time...it's my time to get dinner going or do a little cleaning. We aren't eating out anymore, which is a HUGE lifestyle change, but it's so much more cost efficent to make meals and I am learning to just double what I make and freeze one for those days when I don't really want to cook. We go to MOPS every other Friday and are enjoying that. We have found a church that we enjoy and are seeking God's will for where we should serve. Steve has an awesome work schedule: Monday 8-4, Tue-Thurs 8-6, Friday 8-12 and weekends off! We are enjoying getting to know the area and all of thrills of a southern lifestyle! There are about 3 Targets within 8 miles of my house...that's been fun...although I do NOT like that they are giving me headaches about coupons these days! There are a million Walmarts, but as you know, I do NOT like going there and try to avoid it at all costs.

As for how things are for us, emotionally...we miss our friends! My girls miss their playmates and playdates. We all miss Nanny and Pappy. I miss MOPS, Bunco, and my girls Night outs. So many good memories....they aren't in St. Louis...they are in our hearts. Thank you for being used by God to touch our lives. I read this yesterday..."God brings people into your life for a reason, some to strengthen you, some to love you, some to be loved by you, some to teach you patience and forgiveness, some to teach you self control, some to teach you compassion, and some to bring you joy"