Under Construction

This is probably one of the most serious posts that I have posted and that coming from me is a lot :-)  Lately, God has really been working in my life and I just wanted to write it down in a place where I can come back to it in times that I forget this life lesson.  The whole reason that I started blogging was to keep family and friends updated on my kiddos and it was nice to know that I would have a place to keep memories to come back to and look at as my kids got older.  God is teaching me many things and I never want to forget this feeling of thankfulness or the reality of how truly blessed I am.

Over the past few months, maybe a year, God has been placing people in my life that have had hard times in their lives.  They've had loss, grief, challenges, and questions about where God is in their life.  It's been amazing to me to realize how much God can change a persons life and outlook with other people.  I guess I always thought that if God wanted to get my attention, He would get it by putting major struggles in my life, not someone elses.  I debated writing this post because I wanted to write it in a respectful way of the people that have had life changing struggles in their life, not to make little of their situation or to show the lack of major struggles in my life, but I spoke to a dear, dear friend of mine and she encouraged me to write this so that I could look back at a time when I might be facing a life changing situation or when I needed reminding of how truly blessed I am.  The last thing that I want to do is seem as though I am bragging.  I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband, three amazing children and an such a loving extended family.  I know that I will have tests and struggles, just right now, it's not my time.  I am also blessed to know these people who are going through struggles and to have them share their struggles with me.

I have recently started reading Job in the bible.  I have always heard of the struggles that Job faced, but reading it straight through and not hearing the stories "in pieces" I see how much he really went through without his faith ever wavering.  I would love to believe that when tested, I would be able to have the same type faith, but me being such an emotional person :-) I'm not sure I would be able to.  Along with Job, my community group (bible study) has began reading the book of James.  It has dawned on me (ding, ding, ding) that it's the same topic.  It discusses delighting in struggles because they will make your faith stronger and allow you to use it as a chance to glorify God.  And after all, isn't that why we are here anyway?  At times, I ask for God to test me, because in my mind, I want more than anything to glorify God and to make my faith stronger and to draw nearer to Him, but at the same time, asking that question opens up new situations that I'm not sure I'm ready for.  Am I truly ready for what God wants to test me with? And that's when I realize, it's not about being ready, it's about trust.

Maybe it's because we've been on vacation last week and I'm relaxed still, but I have had so much more patience with my children (and my husband :-) this week.  I'm hoping that it's because I am now looking at life a little differently and counting each day as a blessing to be a mommy to three beautiful children and to one amazing husband.  Who knows what tomorrow brings, but my prayer is that no matter what it is, I may not be ready, but I'll know where to turn.

I also wanted to take a snapshot of my kids right now.  I should do this more often, but I love the age that my kids are right now and I want to be able to remember it.

Caroline Grace Franklin

 Caroline is such a mother!! She loves to take care of Aubrey (when she lets her) and is taking care of Andrew all the time!! She always want to "correct" Aubrey or hold Andrew and loves when I ask her to tell me when Andrew is crying of if she hears Aubrey wake up.  (I think she likes to feel in charge)  She has such a pleasing personality and a huge heart!!  She always wants to help me clean, cook, do laundry, take care of Aubrey or Andrew or anything else that I might be doing in a day.  She is so smart and has such a memory.  She loves playing with her "Mickey friends" and imagining in her dollhouse.  She's beginning to get into Barbies.

Aubrey Hope Franklin

 Aubrey we lovingly refer to as our little stinker.  She is a typical second child.  She keeps us laughing constantly!  Whatever you say, she says the opposite.  If you say the sky is blue, she'll say it's red.  She is so shy when she is around people, but if you've really seen her comfortable, you know she is not shy and loves to play.  She loves following Caroline around and playing with her.  She LOVES Mickey right now and is beginning to pretend and imagine.  I hear her in her room making her Mickey characters talk to each other.  She makes them fight a lot which I might need to worry about :-)  I imagine in a few months she will really give Caroline a run for her money!

 Andrew Ryan Franklin

Andrew has come a long way in three months.  Those who have known Andrew from the beginning knows that he was not the easiest baby.  At six weeks we switched Andrew to soy formula and he became a new child!  He does have acid reflux, so he does not like to lay down while he's awake.  As long as he is sitting up he is a happy baby.  He is relatively easy going, unless he is hungry or tired.  (I guess he gets that from me :-)  He sleeps almost 12 hours a night and takes good naps throughout the day.  He is smiling now and has the cutest grin!!  He is beginning to try and talk, making noises constantly.