Spoiled

Tonight my loves are going to a Demoltion Derby in Chino.

Yep. They are classy like that.

I on the other hand am spoiled and get another girls night tonight...

This time with my MOMMA!

(This picture kind of sums everything up.)

(This one too.)

(Oh yeah, this one too)

How could I not be excited to hang out with her?

Yippee!!!!

We are going out to dinner and seeing the movie "The Kids are all Right"

What are you doing tonight?

Super Random

Here are a few things that are floating around in my head...

1: It's my ANNIVERSARY! 

Good gracious! I need to get back on the Atkins diet!

 

We have been married for 6 years today!

I know it may sound corny, but I truly do love him more than I did the day that this picture was taken. 

2:We are going out to celebrate...

By going out to dinner and getting tattoos..

 Well, we will see if it actually comes to fruition. 

But, we made inquiries to a couple of places and it is a first come first served type of deal.

And every time the mister and I go out, he gets a the crazy idea that we need to get tattoos... 

So here we are... maybe realizing his dream and sowing a wild oat or two.

3. I will be starting a book discussion of Francis Chan's, "Crazy Love".

I will be holding it in my backyard on Tuesday evenings @ 7:00pm. Starting in 2 weeks. 

Let me know if you are interested! I love it when God brings random people together for spectacular moments... 

So, no one is too random.

4. I have weddings on the brain.

Picture courtesy of Sweet & Saucy Bake Shop

One of my B.F.F.s is getting married and I cant stop thinking about weddings and how to make her day more special. 

What did you do at your wedding to make the day more personal and special to you and your groom?

Or, if there is one thing that you could go back in time and re-do, to make the day even more yours, what would that be?

PLEASE! DO TELL!

I am beyond curious!

Hoping everyone is have a fabulous Saturday!

Father's Day

Today has always been a bit of a reflective day for me...

For most of my life I have always wondered why I didn't get to have a father. 

(I never even met the man that I should have called "dad".)

But in the past few years I have turned that thought upside down and became increasingly grateful that God spared me from that relationship. 

He knew better... duh.

God has been all the Father I have needed....

Unconditional

Kind

Loving

Wise

Always having my best interests at heart

Funny

Strict

and most of all, unconditional forgiveness for all the numskull things I do.

I am privileged that I had the perfect father.

Most people don't get to say that.

My mother is one of them...

Her father was...

Conditional

Cruel

Frustrating

Angry

Womanizer

Workaholic

 She always had the heavenly father that I did, but most people (and her) think/thought that God is a direct reflection of their earthly dads.

Unfortunately she had a lot to mentally overcome in realizing that God is none of that.

But, fortunately for her, she has.

She knows who HE is now and can have a relationship with Him based upon the truth. 

Another blessing that I get to reflect upon is that I get to watch my husband be the father I wish I always had.

He is kind

Hard working

Loving

Unconditional

Strict

Playful

Positive

Protective

Joyful

I relish the fact that Wyatt will never know a relationship like his Grandmother knew, or the absence that I felt.

He will never know that ache.

He will never feel that void.

He will only have a best friend for life.

What a healing blessing that is to me. 

Happy Father's Day

Music Monday

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

Whatever political party you "belong" to, I bet we can all agree that America is a pretty spectacular place to live.

 I feel so blessed that I get to call this country my home.

I think a lot of other people think so too.... 

 I heard on NPR the other day that America welcomes twice the amount of immigrants into its borders than all the other countries welcome into their borders, combined. 

I was floored. 

I felt immense gratitude...

For the freedoms that we have.

For the free speech that I get to enjoy without even thinking about it.

That I can raise my child how I see fit.

I can worship God without political oppression.

None of this would be possible with out all of the men and women that have served this great nation. 

I personally count them as a blessing...

Which brings me to Music Monday...

I had in my head that I was gonna do something patriotic... But I heard this song on the radio and was BLOWN AWAY...

It is by Damian Marley and Nas

I think it is so beautiful that they took the time to pour their gratitude into a song and perform it for all the world to hear.

I also find it refreshing that in a world of negativity and general crabbiness, that they would put this out there.

Whatever you feel towards these Artist's personal blessing list... just remember that it is their list. 

This isn't my list... (even though I appreciate the sentiment and adore the message). 

This, in my opinion, is supposed to spur us on to create our own blessing list.

And I’ve got studios to voice in
And I’ve got news for rejoicing
Now a new sun is rising
I count my blessings

That I’m safe when I’m resting
Furniture in my nesting
Not by force
I’m suggesting
You count your blessings

I’ve got love and assurance
I’ve got new heath insurance
I’ve got strength and endurance
So I count my blessings

And give thanks to the master
That through all the disaster
We’re still here
Together after
Better count your blessings

VERSE 1 – NAS:
Count your blessings
Cause yo’
This year
Can’t wait ‘till he gets here
7/21/09
My first son will shine
And it’s amazing
I’m about to be raising
Another made man
And like his dad
They’ll praise him
And some will hate him
Just cause we’re building a nation
Like Bob did with Damian
The world will embrace him
Girls will chase him
Foresee they will not break him
And when I’m not around
You look for God
And thank him

CHORUS 2 – JR GONG:
And I’ve got somewhere to dress for
And I’ve got no need to stress for
And so I’ll always put my best forth
And count my blessings

And there’ll be no need for tissues
Cause there’ll be no further issues
If you’ve got someone who miss you
Man count your blessings

And I’ve got love and assurance
And I’ve got new heath insurance
And I’ve got strength and endurance
So I count my blessings

And give thanks to the master
That through all the disaster
We’re still here
Together after
Better count your blessings

VERSE 2 – NAS:
You’re wishing
You were sitting
In the top position
Picture perfect
Nothing less cause you deserve it
Without the Hermes
You never hurting
You knew that you was
Destined for greatness
For certain
But see the over zealous
They be thirsting
Caught up in emotion
You’re keeping your composure
Like Gershwin
Songs by Earth, Wind
Keep you in a zone
Writing verses
So when your pocket’s light
Know that you have a heavy purpose

CHORUS 3 – JR GONG:
We’ve got pre-school and day care
We’ve got pension and well-fare
And though not all will play the game fair
Still I count my blessings

I’ve got joy in abundance
I’ve got life full of substance
I’ve got meetings and functions
So I count my blessings

I’ve got something to live for
I’ve got surplus to give more
And we’re all welcome through his door
So I count my blessings

And give thanks to the master
That through all the disaster
We’re still here
Together after
So I count your blessings

VERSE 3 – NAS:
I think you’re looking too hard for it
Want the double R
Under your garage door
Appreciate the things you work hard for
And count your blessing
Count your blessings
So don’t be mad if you ain’t fly ya’ll
You got the means
To reach the level I’m on
You should know that there’s only one Nas
Ya’ll
But count your blessing
Count your blessing
Ra!

CHORUS 4 – JR GONG:
And I’ve got studios to voice in
And I’ve got news for rejoicing
Now a new son is rising
I count my blessings

That I’m safe when I’m resting
Furniture in my nesting
Not by force
I’m suggesting
You count your blessings

I’ve got love and assurance
I’ve got new heath insurance
I’ve got strength and endurance
So I count my blessings

And give thanks to the master
That through all the disaster
We’re still here
Together after
Better count your blessings

oops...

My little guy's birthday was yesterday and I forgot to post Music Monday! Yikes! 

Seriously, I wont be offended if you all fire me.

But, before you do...

Look at this...

I know it is kinda blurry... but these are my favorite excuses for not posting...

We started the day by getting finger printed and our background checked in some random hole in the wall in Signal Hill. This was an unexpected expense in the whole adoption procedure...but my kind and very generous Momma gave this to Eric and I for our birthday present... 

In her words, "I want to help buy my grandchild."
Isn't she amazing? Love her!

Then we stumbled upon Rocco's, the most delicous and unassuming place to eat for lunch... We knew it had to be good, it was packed at 1:30pm. Seriously, you will be thanking me after you go there.

After that we headded to Disneyland to clebrate Wyatt's 3rd birthday... SO much fun!

This picture was taken at Napolini restaurant with my two guys.

I am so blessed... I just want to pinch myself sometimes.

It's one of THOSE days...

I love this song for so many reasons... I believe that this maybe one of the greatest P.M.S. songs ever written... but for today it just describes my disposition...

But.... I am choosing to be aware of my blessings....

 

My Husband Eric...( this is us at 17 and 18 going to a Sadie Hawkins Dance. Our outfits are reminiscent of ravers/truckers.... What were we thinking?)

My son and his cousins... I only have one cousin... so I am simply elated that he has 3 (so far). 

(Taylor, Samantha, and Wyatt... and Nolan picture courtesy of my my hubby's sweet cousin Stacy DeGroot)

 My Dog... Dexter... ( This was the day we took him home, over a year ago.)

He really is the kindest and happiest dog I have ever met.

I have MANY MANY MANY more blessings in my life... like good friends that stick by me through all of life's ups and downs... a mom that is more than helpful, generous, and kind.... a roof over my head.... food to feed my child.... and even something as simple as being free to write my thoughts on here.

So... I will choose to focus on the positive and have a little dance party with my son to my mopey song.

Happy Friday!!

Crazy and Blessed

Sooo I have been M.I.A lately.... here is the run down...

1. On April 15th, Thursday  afternoon we found my Grandma collapsed and too weak. Super dehydrated too...
2. Thursday evening she collapsed and went unconscious in my dear hubby's arms.
3. Spent most of the night in the E.R.
4. Found out it was pneumonia, her labs were all wacky, congestive heart failure, and dehydration. 
5. Spent most of my days and nights shuttling my Grandpa back and forth to the hospital to see his sweetheart and caring for him at night (he has Alzheimer's).
6. Grandma went into a convalescent home to rehabilitate her self so she can be well enough to come home.
7. She came home Monday April 26th. 

During these days I oscillated between...

and

But the good news is, I was more of the latter...

The only reason I spent most (not all) of my days and nights at peace is because of my relationship with God.

(yes, I am gonna talk about Him.)

Because this was the first time in my adult life that God and I were B.F.F. s before the crap hit the fan.

And it was fabulous.

Maybe some people wouldn't admit this but God and I had a very conditional relationship for most of my life... it went something like this

Amber + Crap = THISCLOSEWITHGOD

Amber + Happy = F O  R  G  E  T  S    T  O    T  A  L  K    T  O     H  I  M

So, this time.. I had been working on my spiritual formation (fancy words for talking to Him and refining my character). Doing devotions most everyday and writing my prayers down (I have A.D.D. and every shiny thing distracts me). 

And the most amazing thing happened... I was at peace for most of it and I was aware of all the immense blessing that were occurring in my life. 

Now, I know that these blessings weren't simply occurring because He and I were B.F.Fs.... No, I was aware of them because I wasn't working double time to get back to him and trying to figure out or control the situation... then half way through it  I would realize that I wasn't in control and then I would have to pry my hands open and release to Him what ever piece of trash I was hanging on to.....

I could actually be present in the moment with my Grandmother... 

I could appreciate how well my son was behaving and how sensitive he was to my emotions...

I could see how beautiful my husband is... inside and out...

I had more compassion for my Grandfather....

I had more empathy for my Grandmother....

I trusted God more...

I saw love...

This has been one of the hardest, most exhausting things I have ever gone through.

But, I would never give up this experience.

It has been so bitter sweet... bitter in the sense that I am watching my Grandparents (who have helped my Mom raise me) start on their path of exiting this world....

Sweet, in the sense that I have had the blessing and the pleasure of walking with God and being aware of His presence along the way.