Thirty Day Challenge

I found something different to do for the next thirty days. I think it'll be fun. It probably won't be too exciting to read but it should get me in the habit of writing more often. Blogging every day might not be feasible but a couple of times a week is certainly doable. My friend, Tasha, started this challenge last week and it's been fun to follow. Thanks Tasha for sharing your idea.

This is how the challenge works. Each day, I'll write about a different topic. Hopefully at the end of the 30 days, you will have learned something new about me and I'll be writing more regularly.

This list of topics was developed by someone else:
Day 01- Introduce yourself
Day 02 – Your first love
Day 03 – Your parents
Day 04 – What you ate today
Day 05 – Your definition of love
Day 06 – Your day
Day 07 – Your best friend
Day 08 – A moment
Day 09 – Your beliefs
Day 10 – What you wore today
Day 11 – Your siblings
Day 12 – What’s in your bag
Day 13 – This week
Day 14 – What you wore today
Day 15 – Your dreams
Day 16 – Your first kiss
Day 17 – Your favorite memory
Day 18 – Your favorite birthday
Day 19 – Something you regret
Day 20 – This month
Day 21 – Another moment
Day 22 – Something that upsets you
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better
Day 24 – Something that makes you cry
Day 25 – A first
Day 26 – Your fears
Day 27 – Your favorite place
Day 28 – Something that you miss
Day 29 – Your aspirations
Day 30 – One last moment

Happy Reading :)

"Superman"

This entry isn't what I had in mind when I thought about my last blog post for the year. However, I'm dedicated to writing what is on my heart.

It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I sit here. I've mentioned before that I have been following the journey of a young father, my age, battling cancer while his beautiful wife stands by his side with their two young children. They call him "Superman." His wife updated their blog site this morning to report that David is "coming home." David is being released from Northside Hospital where he has been for several weeks undergoing strenuous treatment, away from his family who reside in Athens, GA. David is being sent home with hospice care.

I'm not really sure what to say. This I know; putting faith into practice is hard work sometimes, for me, anyway. Our human desire to understand the things that happen in our lives and those around us is even more puzzling when we can't make sense of certain circumstances. I sat down beside Hagie as I got out the laptop to blog and made the comment to him that I don't understand why bad things happen to good people. I think I've always struggled with this. I've heard sermon after sermon on this exact topic but it doesn't make it any easier to wrap my head around when I see tragedy in the life of good. Hagie looked at me and commented "God has a way of choosing." He's right. And I suppose no other explanation is needed. I just need to have faith that in all things, good and bad, God has a perfect plan and purpose.

As one of God's children, I am called to love with an open heart, show compassion and empathy and pray without ceasing. I have been reminded that I can do all of these things for people that I know and those who I've never met. I thank "Superman" for this lesson. I imagine David will never know the full extent to which he has touched and influenced so many people. I sit in tears for someone I do not know but this is what makes me real. This is what makes me human. My heart breaks because I know there is a family in Athens, GA that is about to face the most difficult part of their loved one's journey.

As the year 2011 comes to an end, I'll continue to pray for David Boyd A.K.A "Superman" and his family. I'll continue to believe that it's never to late for a miracle, that God is the ultimate comforter and HE is the master of all plans.
I'll toast to David's strength, courage and amazing faith.

David's journey: weloveteamboyd.blogspot.com

"A 2011 Recap"

As I sit her sipping on a little spiked eggnog and enjoying the lights of the Christmas tree, I am aware that another year is going and another one is around the bend. It seems that as I get older, the years go by faster and my desire to stop time becomes more and more present. Instead of a narrative, I'd like to make list of memories/experiences, lessons and thoughts that I associate with 2011. A narrative would just be way too long!

~Samantha Caelyn Cook entered the world on July 10. She came quick, fast and in hurry. She shares her daddy's birthday.
~I experienced natural childbirth. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything though I'm sure that was not my opinion at the time!
~My hubby got a local job in his field and got to "come off the road" in August. Praise God!
~My precious son Connor started Kindergarten in August. He has my heart!
~Life lesson reminder: Life is a journey and I'm not promised tomorrow.
~A friend was diagnosed with Stage 4 Liver Melanoma in December. My heart aches.
~Victor's mom died in August. There are no words to comfort the loss of a mother.
~I realized I really do enjoy cooking.
~Mr. Cook (my father in law) was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery. He is now cancer free!
~I met a lady who has my "dream" job. An undercover vice cop/detective for the Atlanta Police Department. I could listen to her stories all day long!
~Connor lost his first tooth in December.
~Victor graduated from high school in May. So proud of him!!
~Hagie and I experienced the loss of his mentor, David Koontz, to cancer.
~I've learned there aren't many differences between store brand and name brand.
~No Disney trip in 2011 but will definitely make sure one is in the plan for 2012.
~My Goddaughter, Elza, turned ONE in October. I keep telling her that I have not given her permission to grow up!
~Life lesson reminder: I NEED the Lord, my family and my friends!
~I continue to LOVE my job and feel fortunate to have a job that I enjoy going to every week.
~I have a new level of empathy for those who suffer with diabetes after experiencing gestational diabetes during my pregnancy. I like my carbs!
~My love for the in-prison population continues to grow and I have found that the population of in-prisoned persons is one that I am passionate about.
~A friend, JG, had a healthy baby boy in November after enduring significant losses. Welcome to the world Baby Jacob!! God is good!
~My cousin Christopher and his wife, Sarah, welcomed Miss Ellis Anne on October 31. Another blessing. I'm excited for Sammie to have a "cousin" close in age!

I am certain that I have left out many things that belong on this list. As a memory pops up or an experience comes to mind, I'll come back to this post and add to my list. Until then, I encourage all my followers to reflect on your own memories, experiences and life lessons of 2011.

"Hello..Time...Where Did You Go?!?"

Sammie Sam will be five months old on December 10th. I feel like time is going by so fast. I don't like it. Every day I am very aware that she is my last baby by choice (unless God has other plans) and it makes me sad on occasion. After Sammie, there will be no more "firsts." No more first smiles, first laughs, first roll-overs or first sitting up. I have experienced my last pregnancy which feels bitter sweet. I'm not a great pregnant person but I sure miss my "baby bump." I miss her kicks, her hiccups and her somersaults. I should add that I don't miss the heartburn, nausea and gestational diabetes. Although I don't miss those things, they all seem so irrelevant when I look into the eyes of my precious baby girl. I continue to breastfeed Sammie Sam and enjoy that special bonding time that we have. I know that in just a few short months, she'll likely have no interest in nursing and will continue to grow and develop into a little girl. My mom keeps telling me to move Sammie to her crib from her co-sleeper before she realizes she doesn't want to be in her own room. I know she's right but it's hard. I just wish time would slow down a bit.

It's frightening how fast time escapes. I feel like just yesterday I delivered Sammie and here it is five months later. I find myself concentrating on the details of her birth because I don't want to forget. I look at her and I am amazed that Hagie and I created such an amazingly wonderful baby girl, with God's help of course. I look at Connor the same way. More and more I realize that parenting a child is a privilege. It's a privilege that should not be taken lightly. I have been entrusted to love, teach, parent and discipline these two precious little people so that they may grow up to be filled with faith in their heavenly father, know that hard work pays off and most importantly that they are worthy of all good things including unconditional love. That's a lot of pressure but I'm so filled with joy that God picked me for this job with Sammie Sam and Connor.I have to throw Vic in here too. No, I'm not his Momma but I love him just as much as my two and I take my role in his life seriously too!! If I could just freeze time for "my three" for just a little bit...