I know, I know, I know...

Yes, it has been three months! My life is a whirlwind these days! I am so very sorry. But now, because of my slacking, I doubt if the little bit of readers I did have will even see that I have posted a new post.

Here are some updates of life in my world:

• My baby boy turned three years old! Wow!
• My cousin got married, and I made the hugest, heaviest cake I have ever made (but it was beautiful if I do say so myself).
• Stephen graduated from WV Birth to Three.
• We went on vacation to Pigeon Forge in May, which was heavenly.
• I have been traveling a lot for work - seeing absolutely beautiful parts of the State that I would probably not ever see otherwise.
• Our kitchen flooded due to the dishwasher detaching, therefore we decided to redo the kitchen completely - mmmmmm.....new appliances! :)
• Todd has become fly fisherman extraordinaire - even taking a class to learn how to hand make bamboo fly rods (and they are absolutely beautiful if anyone is interested, ahem!)
• Our church is doing fantastic! Growing and growing - Thank you Lord!
• Stephen was tested for Pre-K 3 year old, and looks like he will be starting his life-long educational jaunt (in the school system) this fall. My baby, going to school?
• I have started teaching a cake decorating class at a church in Pinch. It is really nice to get back into the swing of things.

So, as you can see, although I have been away from my blog, I certainly have not been just laying around. Things see to always be happening in our world, good things though, and I owe that all to God.

Until next time,

Robin

My big boy is growing up...

OK ladies and gentlemen, introducing Stephen starring in his first "real" school picture!

Yes, you read correctly, it is a school picture! Since he attends school one day a week, he was eligible to have his picture taken. I never imagined that it would turn out this good! When I opened them yesterday, it took my breath away! I know I am his mother, but I think he is one of the most beautiful things I have ever layed my eyes on!

It is amazing how a two deminsional image can come to life and remind me what a true gift from God he is! We are truly blessed!

For those of you who may not see Stephen very often, or just see him at church, I want you to know that the picture above is the true Stephen. The picture shows a sweet, loving little boy. That is him! Yes, he has his "boyish" wild streak (trust me), but at home, most of the time, he is the most tender, loving child I have ever been around. He doesn't know a stranger, and he has to shake hands, hug, or even sometimes kiss whoever is around him! I always tell people that he is either going to be a preacher or politician!

Anyway, I am so very thankful to God for blessing me so much! He will always be my miracle!

P.S. I am so sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything. I promise to try to do better. Life has definitely happened in my world lately, but I am fighting the devil to get back on track!

Love you all,

Robin

6 years ago today...

My grandmother graduated to be with her personal Lord and Saviour in a place that I can only dream about for now.

Until the last couple of years, it seemed like it just happened yesterday. But, so much has happened in my life over the past six years that it seems like she has been gone for decades. I think it is because there would be so much to share with her, it has all just stockpiled in my heart. Don't get me wrong, I still miss her tremendously, but know some day, maybe soon, maybe in years, I will see her again.

Some of the things I would share with her would be my love for God. She is the one that prayed me to the altar. Asking over and over to come to church with her and then saving me a seat beside her or near her. When she could, she would sing, testify, and I loved to hear her whisper her prayers. That meant more to me than anything in this world.

Next, I would share my love for my wonderful husband that God has blessed me with. She never really got to know him, unfortunately, but I am sure she is smiling down on us daily, because he is so good to me. He loves me. She would have really loved him, for who he is, and for how he looks at me.

Then, the best of my accomplishments over this six year period has been the birth of my amazing baby boy. It is not really my accomplishment, but God's. I can only thank God for lending Stephen to me for this brief time on earth. I can tell you now, though, he and mommaw would have been the best of friends! Mommaw loved babies, and Stephen is just a loverboy. I can close my eyes and imagine him running up to her recliner leaning over to kiss her. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that she held him before I ever knew what he looked like. I swear, sometimes when he sees a picture of her, I see that light in his eyes. He already knows her.

I never want to fall short in remembering her. At times, it gets hard to remember her voice, but I can make myself if I take time. I remember the skin of her hands and arms. I used to sit and rub it and tell her it felt as soft as cotton and silk. She would laugh at me, but I loved it!

Most of all, I remember how much she loved me. For some reason, I could do no wrong. I loved her, too, probably more than she ever knew.

I look forward to the day that I can worship our God together with her again, but until then, I still ask, quite frequently, to God at night, to give her a big hug for me.

In loving memory,
Robin

Thank you God...

I love Spring! I know, technically, it is not here yet, but today is just a sample sent directly from Heaven!

According to my Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus, the definition of "spring" is as follows:

"vi. 1 to leap bound 2 to come, appear etc. suddently 3 to bounce 4 to arise as from some source; grow or develop 5 to become warped, split, etc. Often followed by up -- n. 1 to leap, or the distance so covered 2 elasticity; resilience 3 a device, as a coil or wire, that returns to its original form after being forced out of shape 4 a flow of water from the ground 5 a source of origin 6a) the season of the year following winter, when plants begin to grow b) any period of beginning"

Now, my definitions do not stray far from the real definitions, but the book definition omits one extremely important word...GOD. Spring to me is everything new! It is a renewal of everything that is beautiful. It is God's way of proving His existence.

I personally like the definition that states "a returning to its original form after being forced out of shape." That sums it up completely! The season change not only affects the earth, but it affects the body. This has been the worst winter for me in terms of my physical being. It feels like it has lasted forever! But today, I have already felt somewhat energized by the fresh air and absolutely breathtaking sunshine!

I like to think about the big picture. Everything that grows started from a seed. A seed is usually shriveled up and dried, a pretty ugly sight. But, with some planting, good soil, fertilizer, and water, it becomes something every much alive and beautiful. That is exactly the same from flowers to gardens to human beings. God knew what He was doing in the beginning, and He certainly continues on with His masterpiece!

I thank Him today for everything He has done, and continues to do. He is the top designer, creator, artist, architect extrodinaire. Please take the time this wonderful season, and focus on what God has done for you. Renew yourself in your Lord, and allow Him to renew everything around you.

Enjoy the sunshine that He gives,
Robin

My Big Boy's BIG day...

His first day at "schooooool" (pronounced like the ooo in "tooooool")...

"Do you think Picasso started out this way"

"Look at this awesome computer mom, can I have one?"









Stephen did not actually go to "school" in the real sense, but this is one of those awesome services available to parents that unfortunately, most parents never know about. Thanks to God that because of Stephen's speech delay and working with Birth To Three, we learned of Parents As Teachers. They have a classroom at a local elementary school, and they offer a playgroup once a week for a couple of hours. The basically do most things that kids do in a preschool classroom, such as story time, lunch, take walks, paint, etc. And the best part of this is that Stephen will have real interaction with kids his own age! Who knows, maybe that is the root of his speech delay.

Mom took him for the first time yesterday. She was a little hesitant, because he is pretty clingy at first around strange environments. But she said it was like she wasn't even in the room! He loved it!

It is amazing that there are so many worthy programs out there. Unfortunately, a lot of families do not know this, therefore, funding for the programs are greatly reduced over time. If you have children or grandchildren, please look into what is out there for them. Most of these programs are not income based, and are free! Take advantage of that!

Until next time,
Robin