Migraine update

Most people know that Alan has suffered from chronic migraines ever since college. They have gotten significantly worse this year, as if they could get any worse. After a long trip to Hong Kong to see specialists, Alan is on lots of medication that is healping his migraines tremendously. Unfortunately, the medicine causes him to be extremely lethargic. It has been a semester of growing in grace towards ourselves and towards each other. Having only one migraine in six weeks is so so much better than before, when he was averaging two a week and then he even had them everyday for a spell, but but we are learning more and more what we out our hope in. We want Our desire, the treasure of our hearts to be Jesus, but often we find ourselves thinking, if only this would get better, if only he wasn't so tired, if only I knew how much longer we would have to endure this, then we would be blessed, we would be ok...seeking what He can do for us more than seeking Him in the moment. Thankfully, I think I am slowly getting to a point, after becoming so weary , that I have finally realized I am weak, finite, in need of grace, wisdom, His yoke, and Him with me right now. No longer can I smile and say, we are fine because a lot of times we are not...life is hard when a spouse is sick all the time and we still have three young kids to discipline and train, but I am learning to live passionately...meaning being ok with experiencing incredible joys, deep sadness, and everything else in between. It is unchartered territories for me, I am used to having it all together, or at least appearing that way, but I just can't continue that anymore, it's not really me, mot where my heart really is, and is not what the father wants for me or anyone. He wants me to experience Him and come to Him just as I am.

Thankful for Thanksgiving!

Hmm, so much to write about.  I guess I should update and say that we had a wonderful Thanksgiving before Christmas arrives and we have more to write about! I am blessed with an amazing husband, who, of the many many things he does well, one of those is cooking...he actually enjoys it more than I do and there have been many a night when he comes home and see me struggling in the chaos of cooking and keeping eyes on two kids and a crazy crawler and he blesses me by taking over in the kitchen. So that goes without saying, he was extremely excited for Thanksgiving.  He thought nonstop about cooking the turkey, how it would look, leftovers, you name it! The kids and I decorated and made sweet potatoe casserole, chocolate cheesecake, pumpkin chocolate chip cake, and pumpkin dip. It was a feast. We ate around 3:30, to give ourselves time while little ones were napping to finish making everything. We had plenty of time to relax, have dessert, leftovers, and play on our roof.  I am so thankful for so many things, but especially for Alan!
               

                          yummy food

                                               

                                                     doesn't Alan make a beautiful Turkey!! 

Caught!  We found him!
We constantly find this playful boy on the hunt for cords, trashcans, and toilets

Without a nap, this sweet girl fell asleep amidst  kids playing all around her at 6:00pm. Must  have been the turkey! 

me and my girl. 

So thankful for our precious family! They are gifts from the Lord. 

Perspective

I wrote this post right before Thanksgiving...
So last week was a little crazy. Alan as out of town last weekend with the Boy Scouts...yes, we have a troop in our city and since Alan was an Eagle Scout he really enjoys helping them out. One of the perks is that he takes Cameron along once a semester on one of the camp outs..to put the term loosely, if you call putting up a tent on a pile of rocks in a construction site camping. But they are out of the city, bonding, learning a lot, and Cameron is learning a lot (I hope) about servant leadership by being around the scouts.

 Then Alan left Tuesday to go out of town for work for four days, and on Saturday we finally had a birthday party for Cameron and his friend Cooper. During the midst of all that craziness, Alan might have told me we were possibly going out of town on a retreat on the 18th with  some local friends, but it did not register with me until Saturday when Alan asked me about packing. Going out of town for two days with three kids, one who is crawling around everywhere, taking Cameron out of school, right before Thanksgiving...what!?! I thought it was kind of crazy but I felt the Lord reminding me that He is bigger than our plans and HE is in control, not me. So, we went and had a good time. It actually was such a blessing to be away from home and all my "to dos" and enjoy spending time with local friends worshiping the Lord and enjoying their fellowship. I was reminded that the whole reason why we can celebrate Thanksgiving is because of Gods enormous grace and goodness to us. It is not about a perfect day, with perfect food, apartment and hosting so that people will make much of me, but so that in all things we " will give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever" (Psalm 106:1) and He will receive the glory, not me.

The kids had fun just being kids outside during our meetings.









Laura Cate had fun making new friends at meals. The boys mainly used the chopsticks to run around outside and play.



We even enjoyed playing outside on the grass. William practiced standing up and barely holding on!