Happy Birthday Dad...

The Perfect Father

I love you because you're my father,
But you're really so much more;
You're a guide and a companion;
You and I have great rapport.
You pay attention to me; You listen to what I say.
You pass on words of wisdom,
Helping me along the way.
Whenever I'm in trouble, You always have a plan.
You are the perfect father,
And I'm your biggest fan!
"Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed."
    Dad,
      I have some very fond memories of my childhood growing up; you were always there with kind words, a gentle heart, compassion, wisdom, and encouragement.  I remember all those nights we would sit together on the balcony gazing up at the stars, having our long father/daughter chats where you would answer all my questions like "why is the sky blue daddy?", "how many stars are there in the sky?", "how does God know how many hairs are on my head?"...you always seemed to have the answers to every question.  As I grew older I must had forgotten that you had so much wisdom to offer because I know my questions kinda died off and like most teens I thought I knew more than my parents...LOL :-)
Some of my most fond memories through childhood would just not be the same without you!  You taught me how to ride my first bike, how to Rollerblade down that Ormand Dr. hill, how to memorize my times tables for math class, how to memorize speeches in school, you would sacrifice yourself and bike to work so that mom could always have the car just incase one of us needed to do something or go somewhere....I remember once when the car broke down you walked to McDonalds and bought us dinner for a treat!...You would sacrifice your sleep when you worked midnights and take Kelli and I swimming at Somerset Pool in the hot summer days.  You would always work so hard, doing overtime when you could.  You sacrificed so much of yourself for your family, I hope you know that none of it went un-noticed!!!
But most importantly, you were the strong foundation in the home; the one that God had called you to be as a spiritual leader to his family.  You had shown us God's love and did everything you could to obey his word; providing a strong example to your children...we have all been blessed!!
Thank you for being the father, the leader, the blessing that you have been to this family!!
I want you to know that I have always felt loved, I've never felt a lack of anything, you have filled my cup, my heart and soul with your love, wisdom and knowledge.  If you have ever been proud of me, you need to be proud of yourself....for I would not be who I am today without you!!!
Love Always,
Your Daughter Becky <3 xoxoxo

He Is Risen!!!

"I Can Do All Things..."

Sometimes in life the things that happen to us are hard to cope with and even harder to understand.  Maybe it's because in order to gain a clear perspective, we need to step back from our problems in order to clearly see the bigger picture.

This is precisely what the movie 'Soul Surfer' demonstrates to it's viewers through a heartwarming, tear jerking, faith inspiring true story of Bethany Hamilton, a 13 year old local champion surfer whom was attacked while surfing near Tunnels Beach by a 14-foot tiger shark which severed her arm.  She fought through this tragedy with the help of her family, friends and her undying & unwavering faith in God.

Her 'perspective seeking' journey took her on a missions trip with her church to Thailand's tsunami-stricken resort island Phuket. While there, Bethany taught a young boy that had just lost his family, how to surf. Giving this small token of herself, helping to bring joy into the heart of that lost & devastated little boy, made her realize that surfing was not the most important thing in life. That day, Bethany gained the perspective she needed. She learned that showing love & compassion to people that had suffered far more than herself, was far greater a feeling than catching that next big wave!!!

In the year 2003 Bethany Hamilton may had lost her arm, but she insists that what she gained was far greater than a lost limb.  She says she gained a world of people whom she has helped to inspire. That she has been able to embrace more people with only one arm than she says she could have ever embraced with two!

If you have not yet heard of or seen this movie I strongly recommend that you do!!!

This movie has given me a fresh new perspective and I know it will for you too!!!

To me the phrase ‘Soul Surfer’ is about finding your path, your walk with God – or your surf with God – and making the best of the ride,” she said. “In the end, that is the most important.” ~Carrie Underwood~

HOP 2 IT...

Last night I had the pleasure of going to see 'HOP' with a friend of mine.  My step-daughter had went to see it the week before and told me that she found it to be very enjoyable...and after viewing the previews for myself I knew I just had to see this one...and I'm glad I went!!

Off the coast of South America, on the island of Easter Island, under the

giant stone heads resides the most magnificent candy

factory. 

Three hundred and sixty five days a year, the

Easter Bunny reigns over a team of bunnies and chicks

who prepare the candy-filled baskets that are delivered

to children around the world on Easter morning.

On the eve of being ordained as his father’s

successor, E.B.(the cute, charming, witty & adorable bunny) takes off for Hollywood in pursuit of his

dream of becoming a drummer.

 Once there, he encounters Fred James Marseden 

recently fired and determined to pull his life together.

After being lovingly kicked out of his parents’ home, he

accidentally runs into E.B.

 Feigning injury and shocking

Fred with his ability to talk, E.B. manipulates Fred into

providing him shelter.

The fun starts there and lasts the duration of the film...if you haven't seen it yet,  I suggest you 'HOP' To It!!!

Check out the preview for yourself...

Springing Ahead...

Hello everyone :-)... You may had wondered where I've disappeared to?...Or maybe you hadn't noticed my absence at all!!..LOL  

Either way, I'm back and ready to push forward in my blogging...not promising; but hoping to keep more current than I have been.

I'm not quite sure how to explain my absence or hiatus, other than to say it was a long winter with lack of sunlight, being stuck indoors...there are probably many things I can attribute my lack of inspiration on and writer's block does happen to the best of us.

With Spring upon us, I thought it was the perfect time to freshen up and inject new life into my blog to help shake off those 'Winter Blues'!!!

As a challenge to my readers I would encourage you to make a small change, make a big change...do something!  It will feel refreshing and give you a new perspective!!!

I hope you take the time to look around and see all of the things I'm doing to revitalize my blog...new background, new pictures...and many new posts to come along!!!

On that note I will leave you with one of my favorite new songs...

Picture Updates...

Dillon - Sittin' pretty for the picture hoping for a treat!! 

Dillon - Sketch

Dillon

Dillon bein' a ham for the camera

Maddy & Dillon 2011

The Bitter Sweet Me...

I've been working on this piece for about two weeks now, which I might add is the longest time I've ever spent creating one of my posts.  You see, usually I think of something I would like to write and I just do it.  It's usually easy, the words just seem to come to me in a fluent flow.  Unfortunately, this post has not been as easy for me.  This one has been like an empty canvass that I keep creating, perfecting, scratching out, only to start from scratch again.  It's been quite a labor of love, a labor of truth, a labor of unbridled honesty!

For as long as I can remember I've always had the reputation of being the 'Sweet', thoughtful, delightful, loving and understanding kind of girl.  And although at times this might had been true,  there has also been another truth about me, I can be 'Bitter/Sweet'!!!

Throughout most my life I had never thought of myself as a 'career' woman.  When asked what I wanted to be when I 'grew up', I never really had a good answer.  I guess in my own way I knew,  I just didn't know how to articulate it.  As I grew older, I knew my main wish or goal in life was to grow up and become a wife and mother.  I always felt that there was much to be said about being the 'heart of a home'.  I've always had the whole 'loving and nurturing' thing down pat...what can I say...for some of us it just comes as natural as breathing!  But even when I was old enough to put my aspirations to words I didn't for fear of judgement.  After all, I was born into the 21st century!!!...A woman could be or do anything she put her mind to! Limiting that to being 'only' a wife and mother was and is still looked down upon in most circles.  So, like many others off to college I went joining ranks with the people that were 'making something of themselves'.

Putting aside the whole 'judgement' part...in today's world I do understand it is next to impossible for a family to survive on only one income...and so like my many peers I too work full time...joining my husband in running the rat race for that pay check at the end of the week!

Most might read this and be thinking..."Well yeah Rebecca that's how life is supposed to be...both working f/t..both bringing in money...after all...these days things are 50/50!!!"

In my opinion, 'These days' are only a product of what WE have made them....I believe our forefathers were on to something!  I think they placed more value on the family unit than the family bankbook and everything else money can buy.  They didn't drive luxury vehicles, buy big expensive homes on credit, they didn't go on fancy trips...the father worked and the mother stayed home... life was simple, maybe less stressful?

Don't get me wrong,  I'm not against having money or nice things...I'm not against women having a choice to work but it seems that 'choice' has been taken away and replaced with expectations.  Where did my 'choice' go to enjoy being a homemaker?  

I cannot have children so some would say that I would be a perfect 'shoe in' to be a 'career woman'...this does not make my fate easier to except!  In fact, it has only attributed to making me become 'bitter'.  The one and only thing I had ever aspired to be in life, turns out, will never be a possibility for me!!! (short of a miracle)

So where does this leave me?  That's right...right here where I am...just a partner in running that rat race for money!  Don't get me wrong, I have not worked harder at or enjoyed anything in life as much as I do my role as a wife!  But there are times that I feel a glimmer of something I'm missing out on...perhaps some bigger picture or reason for my existence!

I can't even call myself a 'career woman' as I don't really consider my job in a factory a valid 'career choice'...it's more like a pit stop...a temporary home or a mean to an end.

On top of the grueling hours I put in at my '9-5', I also put in another good few hours at home fulfilling my 'wifely' duties, which I actually do or would enjoy if I wasn't so burnt out and dried up from working all day!

Somedays, I almost feel like I'm drowning but just managing to keep my head above water!  This has become yet another source of my frustration and 'bitterness'.

I want to succeed at being a good wife, doing all the things around the home so that my husband has a comforting refuge to come home to. One with warmth and love...a clean house, clean clothes, good nutritious meals to eat and a wife that is 'sweet', happy, nurturing and loving.

Instead, many days he is greeted with a disgruntled, unhappy, unloving, nagging, 'bitter', hostile woman whom has no time to cook for him, has no desire to serve him and all in the name of...that's right...all leads back to that dollar sign $$$$$

So now, not only am I left without the choice of being a mother...I feel I am not even able to completely succeed at or enjoy my role as a wife...the two and only aspirations I've ever had!!!!

Sometimes I wonder why God has placed these hopes and aspirations onto my heart when they almost seem unrealistic even though they are so very basic!!

I have never considered myself to be world or street savvy...I don't have a lot of knowledge on a lot of things...what I do know however, is how to care for a family and how to make a house a home. Most whom know me, would say I am a very organized and detail oriented person.  I enjoy shopping and baking, I get excited when I find, use and succeed at new recipes.  I feel most in 'my element' when my house is clean, dishes are done, laundry is folded and put away smelling of bounce sheets, when our bed is freshly made and when my husband is happy and content feeling respected and being served!  I also enjoy decorating our home for all the different seasons and holidays, making it look and smell just perfect!  In short, there is nothing in my life that I have done in any sort of job that has given me more happiness, peace and sense of accomplishment than being a homemaker!!!

Something that a few may know about me, is that I tend to be a realist.  I do understand, despite some of my  disappointments, people looking in from the outside would tell me to 'buck up' or 'toughen up' as life doesn't always work out the way we plan it.  Some may tell me to just appreciate the things I have and be thankful that I do have a decent paying job with a great benefit package.  Maybe they would remind me to also be thankful that my husband and I are lucky to live in a nice house and that we are able to each have our own vehicle.  And I do totally understand that and appreciate that for what it is and believe you me I am thankful for all of our many blessings.  But since this is my blog and my post, I thought I'd give my readers a bit of insight into my heart, to see through my eyes and be able to better understand me for who I am.

Memorable Moments...

So it's a new year...a great time to reflect upon my past 'new beginnings' and what better way to kick that off than by preparing to celebrate my fifth year wedding anniversary!!!

Sometimes I just can't believe how fast time seems to fly.  It feels like only yesterday I was busy running around like any crazy, frantic, excited and 'pressed for time' bride.  All of the time, money and effort going into that one special day....our special day that we will forever hold near and dear to our hearts!

As days have faded into months and months into years we have undoubtedly had our fair share of ups and downs, tips and turveys....but, we have remained strong in our love and in our commitments to each-other despite the chaos and mayhem that life tends to lend.

It has been said that 'wood' is a great gift for this milestone anniversary as it represents strength and a solidified relationship.  It is also known for 'silverware' representing connectedness.  You may think I am telling you this with the anticipation or expectation of gifts...this is certainly not my intent!  Rather, I was intrigued by the symbolism and felt it was worthy of mention.

I would like to thank my husband Kevin for being my best friend in all ways everyday, for putting up with me on days that I wouldn't want to put up with myself,  for being a listening ear, a shoulder to lean and cry on and a soul mate in every other sense of the word!!!

I made this just for you hunny...I want you to know that you are definitely 'Still The One'!!! <3

 

New Year...New Beginnings...

One thing I have always liked about the start of a new year is the ability to start fresh.  Being able to put the past year, worries, cares and regrets behind us while pushing forward toward bigger and better things, a clean slate, a  New Beginning!

This year, it is my personal goal or 'resolution' to 'Pray More, Forgive More, Serve More, Live More, Laugh More, & Love More' 

Even if I only accomplish half of this list, I am sure that myself and those closest to me will benefit.

My hope for this year is that I will learn how to create an even balance between work & home without burning myself out, without nagging at my husband, without feeling completely defeated and tired all the time.  Maybe I need to lessen my expectations of myself and those around me and start to make realistic ones that aren't as demanding.  If I can do this and make everyone a bit happier...it will be well worth the effort!