September 11

It's September 11th. I want to make mention and keep in prayer those who lost loved ones on that horrible day. I will always remember exactly where I was. Todd called me at home to let me know about the first plane that crashed into the first tower. I never watch the news. It isn't a rule or anything. I just don't watch it. There are some things in the news that are unavoidable because they are so huge. For instance, I live about 45 min. outside of Detroit so Kwame comes up a lot. Need I say more? Anyway, I sat on my coffee table, indian-style, in front of the TV and was just utterly shocked at what I saw. Moments into watching and listening to the reporters frantically try to decipher what happened, I literally watched the second plane crash on the TV at the very moment it occurred. A feeling of utter panic and disbelief washed over every portion of my body. This was obviously not some fluke accident but something terrible was happening. It wasn't long before my neighbor came to the door. Tyler and her daughter went to school together. We stood in the door and cried together. For the people that were already lost. And, because we had no idea what was to come. We walked up to the school together and pulled our kids out. My TV remained off for the rest of the day. I didn't want my children to be exposed to that kind of scenery, panic, and terror. To this day, they have only seen glimpses of what happened in New York that day.

Two people come to mind when I think of September 11th. My grandmother and Jodie Metz. We lost my grandma to a battle with cancer on September 11th but prior to 2001. I lost Jodie five days before her sixteenth birthday. She was at a youth camp in Colorado and just collapsed and died suddenly. Both were beautiful, faithful woman who knew and loved the Lord. I'm certain they were in heaven on September 11, 2001 waiting to receive the lost.

It all still seems so fresh and so painful. I didn't lose a loved one that day. But, that doesn't make the events any less senseless. We live in a tough world today but God is in control. That doesn't mean he approves of the senseless acts that people perform. It just means he has a plan. Oddly enough, although he hates their sin, he still loves the man who commits the sin. Whether we got caught up in a gossip triangle, robbed a bank, or blew up the bank, he still loves us all the same. Sin is black and white to God. It's all measured the same. His forgiveness is equal. He is no respector of persons. He is a gentleman. He is love. So regardless as to who becomes President, or what natural disaster occurs. It will all end the same. Jesus will return for those who love him; for his bride. He will offer a last chance to those who have denied him and I pray harder than I've ever prayed for anything that if you don't yet know Jesus, you get to know him, fast! We don't know the day or the hour but if you look at the world around us, we have to assume it won't be long.

If you have not been born again and this is your first visit to my blog you may think I've fallen off the loony truck. My own friends and family will tend to agree with you. I'm not loony, I promise. My life has been revolutionized by my faith, my relationship with Jesus, and the blessings he continues to poor upon me. I used to be stuck in a dark and depressing place and felt captive there. My mind has been renewed and every bit of me is filled with peace and joy. Did I earn it, no. No one can earn what he has to offer. Do I deserve it. No, we are human, created with a sin nature, not one of us is perfect and not one of us deserves what Jesus has done for us. But, I do have a revelation of his love and forgiveness in my life. I whole heatedly receive them both. From it, I've gained healing, physical, emotional, and spiritual healing which brought self love. Now I love my friends and family more freely and more deeply.

Who knew that one of the world's smallest books would become the greatest source of encouragement for me. Yes, I have to take you back, yet again, to the His Princess Love Letters from Your King book by Sheri Rose Shepherd. I have this book for my girls also. I highly recommend it for young girls! There is no better time to build their self esteem and no better way then for them to have a revelation of God's love for them at a young age.

My Princess...
Fill Your Home With Peace

I know how hard it is for you to feel content in your home when you're always wanting one more thing to make it the perfect place. I long to give you beautiful things that turn a house into a haven of a home, but, My princess, you must first learn to let Me build in you a place of peace and contentment. Do your best to rest in Me and wait for Me, and then I will give you what I know will benefit you the most. I want you to make your home a place that builds relationships and reflect who you are in Me. Remember that your loved ones need you more than any material thing. So decorate your home with joy, fill it with timeless memories, and create a safe place to grow up in Me.

Love,
Your King and your Resting Place

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled. John 14:27 NIV

In closing I want to mention all the wonderful men and woman who serve in our military. We may not all agree with the war. We may not all agree with its continuance. We may not all agree as to why the war even began. We may not all approve of the Commander in Chief. But, I'm certain we all agree we want every single person who has volunteered their lives for this country. Those who are still with us and those who we have lost. Whether they sit behind a desk or serve on the front line. They have each stood up and offered their lives for our protection and freedoms. Thank you especially to my little brother Murray who serves in the United States Marine Corp. He is currently stationed wayyyy too far away in Okinawa. He is the epitome of a Marine and I am so proud of him! I am equally proud of my sister-in-law Lisa who has to be separated from her family and remains committed and in love with my brother through it all. You are stronger than you know! I love and miss you guys!

Sorry, just had to whip out my feathers like a peacock real quick and show of my pride for this country and the men and women who serve for us.

This week's recap

This week has been very different for me. Many days with two solid hours of total peace and quiet. All my children were away at school. My youngest ones in the care of a perfect stranger. They have each had a great week. As I suspected, they are each very well rounded, well adjusted, confident, and independent.

Tyler is entering 8th grade in a new school. His final year of middle school and Monday night, the day before school, brought much anxiety for him. Tyler was pretty emotional, nervous, and actually down-right petrified. My husband quickly put us in a circle, joined hands, and he led us in a prayer over each of our children. Thanking God for his angels that work overtime to protect them and for His peace that surrounds us as we each transition into new journeys. We then surrounded Tyler and all laid hands on him. Todd asked that each of us pray individually over Tyler. We've never asked this of the kids and it was so awesome to hear from their hearts and good wishes for their big brother. They each loved it so much, they all had to have a turn having hands laid on them. Faith followed it up with a new scripture she learned in children's church.

I have been a shy person by nature my entire life. When I first started doing sessions outside of friends and family I would make myself sick the solid 24 hours before the session. So I told Tyler to do what always settles me. Say "thank you Jesus for filling me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." By the time I get to my session, I'm ready to go.

After I embarrassed Tyler pretty sufficiently at the bus stop that morning he did find himself throughout the day quoting the scripture he'd been armed with. I'm so proud of him!

What did I do to embarrass him? What any good mother would have done of course. I saw a young man/teenager approaching the bus stop with is iPod in his ears. I asked him what grade he was in. "8th grade" he replied. So I told him Tyler was also in 8th grade, "we just moved here this summer, and would you mind hanging out with him today." "Maybe sit with him on the bus and lunch time, that sort of thing." Tyler looked at me like 'oh my goodness mother, what is WRONG with you!' Well the nice young man introduced himself, the two shook hands, and before I left I ruffled his hair and kissed him on the cheek. He he! Tyler politely asked me when he got home from school that day to "NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!" I can't make any promises but I'll try. It was all a secret ploy to embarrass him on purpose so the two could relate to each other and have something to talk about. Guess what, it worked! They shared a seat on the bus and talked about how horribly embarrassing their mothers are!

Now if I can get Faith to sleep past 6:00 a.m. and quit waking the rest of the girls, we'll be in good shape.

Vacation Photos

First Day of School

All the kiddos headed back to school this morning with a smoother transition than I expected. We had a slight hiccup with Tyler last night. He was, as expected, feeling very nervous and overwhelmed. We covered him in prayer, gave him a couple of scriptures to hold onto, and sent him on his way. He spent a good portion of his first day waiting in the cafeteria for his school schedule but all else proved to be a very good day for him.

Faith and Karli had a competition with how many new friends they made. Mallory and Hailey just had a bit of an orientation tomorrow so their first official day is tomorrow. Prayer is a powerful thing, God guides our days, and covered us all in peace. While all the munchkins are gone tomorrow, I'm making brownies!

I of course have to share the first day photos...

Sometimes you wanna go...

Where everybody knows your name. I've spent two days at two new schools trying to get my children registered. The stuff required to get them registered is ridiculous and leaves you feeling like you'll never move again just to forgo this process. After visiting two new locations where I've never seen the interior walls or met the people who occupy the space I learned I wasn't quite prepared with all my documents. And, they were all strangers. Strangers to me and strangers to my children.

I needed copies of their last report cards from the old school and immunization records for all of them. Instead of digging through boxes and visiting old doctors I decided to pick up the copies in their personal files at the old school. In both schools I was greeted by familiar faces who were surprised and happy to see us and even offered a "well hello Mrs. Dawson." Sometimes you just wanna go where everybody knows your name. It was nice to see familiar faces but only reminded me of the families at Ottawa I will miss this year.

As the kids head off to school next week it will be a most bitter and not so much sweet experience. Normally I'm ready for them to head back and get my schedule back but I know I'll miss them.

I can remember when all three of them started at their last school. Tyler was a big ole' fourth grader, Faith was a first grader, and Karli was a brand new kindergartner. The kids were supposed to ride the bus to school but given it was the first day in a new school and none of them had ever ridden the bus to school before I decided to drive them. With a double stroller of 7-month-old twins being pushed ahead of me, we approached the lines outside the new school. I quickly learned that the "big" kids lined up on one side of the building while the rest of the munchkins lined up at the other end. I had to leave poor Tyler who didn't know anyone in line by himself while I waited in line with Faith and Karli. I promised to check on him.

I got Faith situated in class in about two seconds. She is very social and friendly and looked at this new school as a means of making 30-60 new friends! Yeah, she is always that easy. I got Karli outside her classroom but wouldn't fit inside with the hustle and bustle of new kindergartners and their parents so I waited outside. When I finally had an opportunity to check on her, she was fine. Until she saw me and busted into tears. I got her settled and participating in class and headed across the school to peak in on Tyler as promised. I could hear the teacher's voice from in the hall and I found him sitting in the front row. He caught me out of the corner of his eye but wouldn't look directly at me and just as soon as he saw me, he little chin began to quiver. That was one of the most broken-hearted moments of my life. Ms. Abney is a fantastic teacher, spotted him right away, and quickly pulled him out of it. So I blew him a kiss and went on my home with only my two babies and cried for at least an hour.

It's a natural process in life and a wonderful thing to watch our children advance through ages and stages. I can always empathize with their nerves and fears and it just breaks my heart. So this year I will be amazed at their strength as they enter a new school but sad for them because they are trembling inside. The first day will be the hardest and each day will get easier from there.

It seems as though new places and experiences for my children often bring new places and experiences to me as well and right in the middle of a bit milestone. In the last school Karli was entering kindergarten. This new year Mallory and Hailey, my babies, are entering preschool! It means a solid block of time so I can work, but I hope it goes quickly because I will miss them so much.

Back in town

We've safely returned from our trip to the upper west side of Michigan. We had a very busy five days and a very busy week ahead. I'll share more of my vacation and some photos later this week. In the meantime, I've got a monster to do list!

getting kids registered for school
registering Mallory and Hailey for preschool (yikes)
I'm going to miss them all and they start next week!
As they banter behind me, maybe I won't miss them.
I'll miss them, just not the bantering!
I have three sessions to edit and new appointments this week and next
tons of laundry to tackle
a house to clean
clothes to buy for school
supplies to buy for school
three closets to go through to clear out the items that no longer fit (not fun!)

It's busy around here but a good busy. We're still blessed. Our needs are still met.

Updates

My stress related acne problem - turns out it likely was the lovely make up I pick up at the local drugstore. I switched, my face cleared up in a week, and I no longer look like I have some kind of disease. Yeah!

The married couple in my defining moment posts - I'm happy to report they decided to make it and forgo the break it part all together. The countenance of them both when your in their presence is 1,000 fold improved. I didn't share the couples names or the situation that occurred and won't. I will say it's a doosey but despite what happened they both seem relieved to have it over with and they are ready to move on. Like good ole' Dave Ramsey says "there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't an oncoming train." I'm thrilled for them and thank God daily for the miracles he is performing in their marriage.


I can't explain the heavy burden I experience when I see a couple struggling. My marriage is certainly not perfect, no marriage is, but I think mine is pretty close to how it was intended to be. Our love is pure, sweet, honest, compromising, committed, and most importantly eternal. It breaks my heart to see other couples suffering and not experience all that God intended their marriage to be. Still I pray and remain hopeful because I am fully aware of the places God has raised us up from.


Love prospers when a fault is forgiven.


I'm preparing for a week in Northern Michigan with my hubby, kids, and my parent's too. We're camping at a Yogi Bear campground which is sure to have lots of fun things for the kids to do. We're planning a trip to the Sand Dunes and the amusement Michigan Adventure. This amusement park is really family oriented and my children have never been to a park like this. I love amusement parks, roller coasters, and carnivals. I may be more excited about going than the kids are. I can't wait to ride the rides with them, hang out at the water park, and watch their faces light up with each new experience. I think I'm so excited because this is indicative of a typical family vacation from my childhood. I get to pass it on to my own children, share it with my husband, and to top it off, my parent's will be with us to share it all too. I'm so thankful to have a solid bond with my parent's, that we are able to share times like these, that they are both still with us, and it's a loving and fulfilling relationship.


Upon our return I get to put the finishing touches on a big 50th birthday party we're having for my mom! Followed by, lots of editing from the sessions I've recently had. Kevin and Jenn, it was a pleasure to photograph your family and little guy. Kelly and Krissi, you are both gorgeous and glowy, congrats Krissi! Meghan, Nancy, Amanda, and Teri, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you all and I can't wait to share your images with you.

It will be a week before I return so I can take full advantage of every drop of family time and vacation. Have a wonderful and blessed week!

Patty, Sto Lat!!