Bucket List [check off]

If you listen to or follow Way-FM radio, then you would be familiar with the "Son of God" tour advertised all over the country. Well, the time has come for its next stop... location?... Here!! And I am so excited that me and some others get to be in attendance!! The list of artists performing is incredible. I am STOKED.

Pertaining to my recent growth with Christ, this was definitely an addition on my bucket list. Not just this particular concert, but the opportunity to worship with a large crowd. Although my church is big and the worship is never failing, a performance of this magnitude will be unforgettable. It reminds me of one of my absolute favorite skits, performed to Lifehouse's song "Everything".  

The POWER in this performance [especially towards the end] is miraculous. For some it is just a skit, but if you read into its message it is incredibly moving. I choke up every time. Unbeknown to the details of this evening's concert, I can't say it will be anything to this extreme or not. But if so, I can already tell you I will be completely overwhelmed. 

I'm just simply looking forward to a night gathered with everyone who is there for one purpose and one purpose only ... to PRAISE.

Inspired By A Song

If you're like me, you can easily relate your life to lyrics in a song. Not just any song, but there's always that one [or few] where you say, "...that's how I feel!". That's always been me, except I would maybe even write a song as opposed to just relating to one. Regardless, music was my therapy.

Music was often the remedy to any emotional rollercoaster I endured. Majority of the time it all stemmed from most likely a broken heart [oh, high school] but in my adult years they were from a much deeper matter... figuring out "who am I? What's my purpose in this life?"... [whoa megan, where's this going].

Today I heard a song that reminded me of some challenges I encountered a few years back. "Challenges" being that I went through a very young marriage/divorce, getting caught up in a dark place to mask the effects of it all, which only lead me into the wrong direction everywhere I turned. I felt my life was completely out of my control. And what I came to understand was that IT WAS... 100%. But it always has been. We were made by a Creator who opens many doors for us, but initially we decide where we want to go. That isn't how it should be. Too often we trust our own judgement, when we should be trusting His.

Along with many others, [today] the song that brought that all back to me was Francesca Battistelli's "Write Your Story". It's a great reminder that God has our lives already written out, while we are made to just live it out. However, we don't always do it. From the beginning we decide what is good for us, and what fulfills us. We decide what is best to provide for our future and the future of our kids. But doing it alone isn't what He intended. I don't make choices in the household without consulting my husband, we don't make choices in the workplace without consulting our boss. Why is life any different? Let Him be our guide and assurance. Allow Him to show you the right direction and .... trruuuuuuuust me.... it will be fulfilling in more ways than you could imagine.

We are indeed His work of art, and the image we should portray is that of His best. I have learned that the choices I used to make were never consulted with Him and as a result of that I found myself completely empty. The moment I knew my life was not my own, it was a game changer. It really made all the sense in the world. And here I am now... [a short glimpse of my testimony].    

 

A Special Day

At first glance, the vast majority of people double take when seeing parents with children of a different race. Although now a days it's becoming more common. Regardless, I still get that look when first introducing my parents to someone new. It seems to take a second to sink in and then [lightbulb] "oh she must be adopted." [applause] Yes, indeed I am. A brief summary of that is explained here, if you're interested in catching up on that.

Moving forward, along with my celebration of birth, my parents also celebrate the day they brought me home. 1...2...3... awwwww. :) It's quite a special day, as it's known for in fact. We call it "My Special Day". Dad pops in the video and we watch the old footage of when they finally placed me into my parents' arms after several patient months of waiting. It gets us everytime. Seeing myself introduced to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, it's really something else. Sharing it with my own children is something special, too. Although they're much to young to understand it now, they will someday.

Even though the focus of today is celebrating my arrival, it's also a celebration of God's master planning. He always knows what He's doing, and that day He brought me to a family, to a life that was much more than I could have ever imagined. 

A bloodline couldn't define our family anymore than what we are today. They are all that I know and I am so very lucky to have them. 

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Well we have managed to survive our first week at home! If you read the end of my last post, you'd understand what I mean by survive. 

This past week has reiterated the importance of managing time, but most importantly dividing that time between two kids and a husband. 

Another thing I learned is that a mother's love has no limits when it comes to her family. Although at times my heart seems like it could burst! I have been overwhelmed with emotions, both good and bittersweet. 

My daughter has been an only child for four years, and now she has to share her time with another; as do we now as parents of two. Our son is an incredible gift to our family, but we have done our best to not overlook Audriana's needs among the changes. I have to credit our extended families as well, spending extra time with Audriana and/or showering her with "big sister" gifts. She certainly hasn't felt like she's lost her spotlight; not that it's even remotely possible with that girl. 

These next years ahead of us are going to be quite the adventure. I'm anxious for the milestones of our new son, and to witness the relationship between him and Audriana. I grew up an only child, so the friendships and bonds between siblings have always fascinated me. I'm blessed to at least enjoy those moments through my own children now.   

Lastly, I have to acknowledge my inability to do any of this without my dear husband. With a few things left to finish in the nursery, the chaos approached us quickly when our son decided he wanted to get here in the middle of the night - TWO WEEKS EARLY. Yet, Chris managed to get everything together while I rested at the hospital and take care of all things I'd be unable to do once we were back home. Even with a hectic [end of the year] work week, Chris stayed around the house to make sure we were all taken care of. Whether it was fixing us breakfast, dinner, or simply waking up with me at night just to let me know he was there if I needed him... [tears commencing] ...I feel so blessed to have him as my husband. Words couldn't express just how incredible he is.

God continues to shower us with so much love, and there is no where else I'd rather be than in this moment.

A BIG Day for Mee

Today, I am getting baptized.

When I was 7 years old, I remember being baptized alongside my grandfather. Although it was a special moment, I didn't really understand the purpose. I knew it was something I needed to do in order to show my belief and loyalty to our Savior, but never did I really understand it.

Twenty years later, I experienced some pretty life changing events. To read more on that, you can find that here. At this point in my life, I now know what it means to live a life by God. After some grueling trial and fails errors, I chose to turn my life around and live on the path He chose for me. Thus, introducing me to my husband. From there, He continued to provide blessings all around. My daughter was continuing to grow beautifully and healthy... and now we are expecting a son. I could not have imagined this reality if you asked me about it years ago. I am so grateful.

As an adult, I've chosen to get re-baptized with a better understanding of what it is about. I now know the grace of God, and the forgiveness of our sins he provided to us through Christ. Throughout these recent years, I've really come to know myself and practice - EVERYDAY - at being the woman God intended when He created me.

The feeling I have today is unexplainable.

Thank you, Lord, for second chances.

ONE YEAR AGO...

I married my best friend.

He's not only that, but an amazing step-father to my daughter (our daughter). To begin the infinite list of qualities this man withholds, would leave you reading for days. He's truly an exceptional human being. Throughout the beginning of our relationship, he knew that I wasn't looking for only a friend, but a partner in life. And after life's obstacles leading up to this point, I wasn't looking for just anyone. I wasn't in this alone. Another life was also being taken into account; Audriana's. A "packaged deal" as I liked to call it. 

As we grow up, we learn the importance of one's morals and values; how crucial they are when applied to a relationship and marriage. With my own life reevaluated, I was determined to not settle for anything less than what my daughter and I deserved; loyalty, respect, and happiness. It's funny how God answers those prayers the moment you least expect it. By His grace, and mercy, He presented to me a piece of Himself in the flesh... Chris.

Not a day goes by that I don't thank him for all he does for our family. He works hard, but even at its most demanding moments he never ceases to put his family anywhere else but first. From the beginning, he stepped up to the role of a loyal husband and father figure without hesitance. And for that I am forever grateful. He's a good man, who dedicates all he can to make sure our family is well and taken care of. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to have him as my husband. We aren't perfect, and there are days that challenge our patience - as any marriage consists of - but we have learned to work at it as a team; together.

On this very day, last year, I will never forget the butterflies I endlessly endured the entire day. Just the thought of marrying the love of my life, finally making this fairytale a reality, was simply overwhelming. But luckily with my best friends by my side, we managed to get through the morning with nothing but laughs and excitement; rarely feeling nervous.

The girls and I had stayed the night downtown, at The Brown Hotel, so it altered as our dressing room the day of the wedding. My photographer, and good friend, was there to capture every developing moment. Her and I agreed we loved the historical architecture this hotel provided, not to mention the colors of the hotel were closely parallel to those of my wedding party. Win, win! 

But of course, the materialistic aspect is only a detail of miniscule importance. Today was the day I would vow my love and devotion to Chris, and we would unite together as one. 

When it came down to the moment of seeing him, we originally wanted to keep it as traditional as possible. However, we decided we wanted to have that special moment to ourselves before presenting it to an audience. Just me and him. And so we did. One of the best photographs captured that day, was the moment I walked out to greet my future husband.   

My thoughts a that time were of everything you could think of. "There's the love of my life... the proof of God's being and love... this man is about to be mine forever... I wonder if he's as nervous as I am... I hope I don't trip... Do we kiss yet or wait until the ceremony... OMGosh, this is reality...Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry..." 

That's really about the extreme of my momentary thoughts at that time. I was overwhelmed with emotion I couldn't control. It's crazy to think that a year has already flown by so quickly. The adventures along the way were nothing as I expected. They were so much more. Shortly after the wedding we moved into a house, renovated it from top to bottom, and now here we are with a baby on the way. In between all of that, we have grown so much as a couple. The loyalty, respect and happiness I longed for, has been well over exceeded by this man. I love him, I love him, I love him. 

Chris, thank you for the years of your love. You never fail to make to me laugh when I need it, or when I least expect it! You're truly the light in my life, and my rock when I need strength. I always see God in you, when you step up to be there for Audriana in every way you can. It's an honorary role you've accustomed with an open heart, and magnitude. THANK YOU, for that. I love you so much, with every ounce of my being. 

My angel, my love... you are.

The Calm Within The Storm

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." - Reinhold Niebuhr

Just a little reminder on those days we seem to be surrounded by nonsense. No I'm not talking about the government. Although I'd agree it's chaos, politics will not find its place here in my bloggity world. I'm just simply talking about life in general. Sometimes when it hands you lemons, they're sour... really sour. The common thing to do, as we are told, is to just make lemonade - which in my mind means "go with what you got, and deal with it. " Easier said than done; especially with something so sour you can't imagine formulating that into something attainable.

That's why I'm always drawn to this particular quote. It makes all the sense in the world. We certainly cannot change everything, so we pray for the ability to find peace in that. When we do, it's uplifting. There's no point in dwelling on something we aren't able to change ourselves.

The things we can change, however requires courage. If we know we have the ability to make a difference, then we pray for the courage and strength to see it through. 

But the most difficult challenge to most of us, is seeing the difference in what we can change and what we cannot. We often push ourselves, believing a false reality that "if we only do this, then that will come!" We must pray for the knowledge and wisdom to know the difference of the two; only putting our efforts towards what we are actually able to change. Otherwise, it's a lost battle. 

So today, remember that the opportunity for peace and serenity is there. That He is there, to help guide us through whatever challenges we face. 

Giving thanks, to Him.

Just wanted to take a moment and reflect on the importance of life's little moments. Some days I'm so amazed how God works, presenting us with these opportunities to reflect, appreciate, and to be thankful for our blessings. Recently, I stumbled upon a new blog and was thoroughly impressed by how she expressed her faith in almost each post. Even a post solely dedicated to thanking God, simply for the day. I always thank Him before falling asleep, appreciating His love for us, and blessed for yet another day of life with my loved ones. One particular post that stuck out to me, though, was about thanking God for our husbands; appreciating them and understanding that they were placed in our lives for a purpose; as our mate for life.

It couldn't have been more relevant to my life. Chris is the epitome of one of God's truest blessings. As a husband, he loves me unconditionally, through thick and thin; and as a step-father, his love couldn't be more true and honest to my daughter. With a new baby on the way, life has been a whirlwind of excitement. I can be a basket case, yet he remains my rock. I couldn't be more thankful for him. He works hard, I mean hard, and never complains. He tells me everyday "I do it all for my family." 

Thank You, Lord for providing me one of your best. 

I love you, Chris. You're truly my angel.

A moment of silence...

Today, I had intended on sharing a happy post... yet, with the unexpected events in Oklahoma yesterday, I find it only necessary to dedicate today's post with reflection, and a prayer. 

My heart aches for those families, the teachers and children in the schools... the multiple homes and lives lost. Reality doesn't set in often enough, quite like it did yesterday. Quietly sitting next to my husband and daughter, tears unwillingly filled my eyes. Along with yesterday's post - Counting our blessings is essential. You never know when tragedy will arise. 

May God - the Father of all mercies - comfort this town; 

and that they seek Him in their hearts, to surpass this tragedy.

photo credit

Motivational Monday

Happy Monday, everyone!! ...or not so happy? If that's the case, you aren't alone.

Let's face it. The only Monday that 90% of Americans celebrate is Cyber Monday after Thanksgiving. Am I wrong?

The point IS - Monday has a steady reputation for being the most depressing day of the week!! Terrible, but true (for some). I, on the other hand, have learned to change my perception on such a renown depressing day. 

The idea for this particular blog post, was inspired by my high school volleyball coach - Terri Purichia aka "Coach". On Monday, the entire team and coaches, wore a custom t-shirt with an inspirational quote on the back - the idea was for each player to read the quote on the shirt in front of them, to keep us going . Coach deemed that day as "Motivational Monday". Although, at that age, we are usually too young minded to appreciate such a gesture; yet somehow, it remains with you forever. 

With ALL that said, I would like to help, the little I can, with those Monday blues. A preface of this magnitude will not be given for every weekly post. I will (hopefully) help inspire some of you with just a quote and side note. Here's hoping for a better look on Mondays, and a better start to your week!! God bless.