One Sweet World

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The Pearl Event

This past weekend I had an amazing opportunity to hear some pretty great Christian women speak. It was phenomenal and much needed. The Lord is so sweet to be on time and show up in a mighty way. At Christmas, my Mom asked me if I would go hear these women speak with her. I love spending time with my mom so I agreed to go because one of the women speaking was the author of a blog that my mother follows religiously. I know that my mom asking me to go was not of her. It was strictly a divine invitation from the Lord.

There were five women who spoke at the event and all five were amazing. They had testimonies that all you to see how big our God really is. I have never shared my testimony. For the most part, I have always felt that it was “too happy”, not really interesting, and frankly, it made me very uncomfortable. My blog is my scrapbook. Most of the time no one reads it with the exception of my family. It is my story. I didn’t want to stink it up with my dirty laundry.

At the event, one of the women spoke about “trusting your story”. Up until the past two years, I loved my story. It was happy, one that I wouldn’t mind sharing on the blog because it portrayed my little life as happy and perfect. Well, it does have happiness, but it also has some sadness, and at times it has felt perfect, but there are many imperfect parts to it. Hearing “trust your story” has given me courage…here is my story.

My relationship with the Lord started at a very early age. In fact, I do not remember the exact day or even year that I fell in love with the Lord because I have been privileged to grow up in church and to have parents who made sure that I knew my Savior. My childhood, teenage years, and early adult years have been blessed. Sure, small tragedies have occurred and difficult circumstances have graced the path, but compared to other stories…I have been blessed.

However, 18 months ago, my life turned upside down. Completely. November 2010 was a very difficult month for me. Growing up I had a type A personality, I am a people pleaser, made good grades, did well in nursing school while still having a social life…the whole nine yards. The point I am trying to make is, I thought I could handle things. Boy, was the Lord about to show me some things!

Most people know that my husband is a pilot. We have two children, I work part-time, and I have two months left until I complete my Masters degree. In Nov. 2010, I began to battle something that still at times has my life in an upheaval. I have always been a person who worried, but I could handle it. It was something I could turn on and off when I needed to. I controlled it, rather than it controlling me. Or so I thought. When November rolled around…I discovered that I could no longer do this. From November 2010 to November 2011. I lived in an anxiety prison. It was bondage. I would wake up riddled with worry and close my eyes at night, begging the Lord to remove it. It was a battle of epic proportions. At times, it still is. Anxiety is difficult because at times, no one sees the effects of it except for those that you let into the “circle of trust”. It was embarrassing to me. I was a person that was always self confident, could talk to a wall, and loved people. However, when you are living with a secret like this…you withdraw, you feel “fake”, and you let it define you. It is a difficult conversation starter, Hi My name is Amanda, and I have OCD and anxiety. Fun huh?

In this difficult time, I begged the Lord to remove this. Please…I can’t live like this. My husband is a saint and my mother is too. They were my life line and at times, they spoke difficult truths to me. In recent months, I can truly see a light. The Lord is working on this and me, and seeing his hand move has made this journey bearable and sweet. He is good. And I am healing.

Why am I sharing this? Timing and to boast in Christ. I have been incredibly weak. There were times it was a battle to make it through the day without tears and fears, but I am here and I am healing and the Lord did this.

Well, there it is…the blog isn’t all perfect is it? That is okay. In my weakness, His power is perfected.

So, sometimes one invitation can change your outlook and possibly your circumstance. Thank you Mom for making me brave. I love you.

Me, Sibi,and Mom

Mom is one of Paige’s biggest fans!

I met Angela for the first time, even though I have read her blog religiously for years!

The whole gang, Angela, Robin, Mom, and Me

Look how great Robin’s hair looked. She is bring the banana clip back!

Cannot wait to go back to this event!!!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Brisk Beach Day

I love the beach. I love the warmth of the sun on your face, the waves crashing, children playing, couples hold hands, and even seagulls, as long as they don’t come around while I am trying to eat. Let me tell you what I don’t like at the beach… 60 degree weather and clouds. That is a downer.

We woke up Wednesday and decided to drive over to Cocoa Beach. The kids were so excited! So was mommy. I love some sun (I wear sunscreen, I promise). So we packed a picnic and drove over to the beach. When we showed up, so did the clouds. As we unloaded our beach chairs and bags, the clouds were rolling in and the temps were dropping. What? Was the weather not aware that we were planning on enjoying a beautiful day in the sun? Apparently not!

We had driven an hour and we were not about to put the kiddos back in the car and drive another hour without at least sinking our toes in the sand, so we did what any parent of a five and three year old, at the beach would do…we braved it.

Holy Moly. It was frigid. I am not exaggerating. It was almost unbearable. The crazy thing is, we were not the only ones on the beach. There were lots of college kids LAYING out, a couple of older people, and a family with kids.

The day did not turn out as planned. We were disappointed. We were just about to pack up, when the Lord gave us a sweet kiss. Thirty minutes of sunshine! We actually got pink! We ended up having an amazing time. We laughed and played and just relished the fact that we were at the beach surrounded by family. I love that God can take a day that you felt like was ruined and make it one that you will always remember!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Disney

Let me preface this post with: if you are not directly related to me or know and/or love my children, you will find today's post incredibly boring!

Today we went to Disney.

Here we are, excited about going to see the MOUSE!!!

I will admit, I was so excited about going to Disney (remember, I am one of THOSE crazy Disney peeps), but I was a little unsure about driving and parking. When I was little we used to drive to Disney, but since taking the kids to Disney we have not driven and we have stayed on property, so I was unsure about driving and finding our way and quite honestly I was spoiled by the convience. But little sister saved the day. She knew exactly where to go and how to get us there in a hurry! We were at the park the recommended 50 minutes before the park opening. We were able to park on the 2nd row of the first parking lot. Wow. I love getting there early to see the train and the welcome to the park, so I did not want to miss that. The kids love that too and as always it did not disappoint!

Jesse and I have been doing Dave Ramsey, so we had a budget and I needed to stick to it. Did you know that you can bring food into the park? And a cooler? And they have picnic areas? Of course you didn't. Because they want you to buy their greasy, overpriced food. My sweet SIL got me a Disney book for Christmas (she loves Disney too) and I have read it and studied it for the past couple of months. My mom and I decided that one way we could save money would be to take our lunch into the park. We bought the bought Lunchables and took in fruit and snacks. We rented a locker (yes, you can do that too) so that we would not have to haul the food all over the park and at lunch time, we found ourselves a nice spot and had a great picnic. I loved doing this so much that even if I stay on property the next time I go, I will take lunch. I felt so much lighter because I did not eat fried food at lunch in the heat! Plus, I saved $22.50!!!

Here we are in all our granduer... my sister had a matching shirt too, but apparently she has thin Florida blood now and refused to take off her long sleeved tee...or maybe she just didn't want to match us???Here are the kiddos watching the opening ceremonies I talke about earlier. This is an absoulte must see!!!

We rode Snow White's Scary Adventure, it is going to be permanently closed in May. I was sort of sad. Will was not. It freaks him out!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Monday Funday

Today we just relaxed. Jen took us around Orlando and we did a little shopping (not too much Jesse!) Apparently when I packed for this trip, I was thinking that it would be July like weather...I mean it is always hot in Orlando right? Well, it has been very nice, but it is pretty cool in the morning and I obviously did not pack well. So, we had to do a little Target shopping for some short sleeved shirts for the kids.

After Target, we ate lunch at Zaxby's. Yummy.

We then headed back to Jen's house and soaked up some rays and played some games. So fun!

For dinner, we had pizza and then we got our stuff ready for DISNEY tomorrow!!!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Weekend Wrap up

Friday, I worked all morning and Jesse hung out with the kiddos. We were supposed to get lots of bad weather and I was anxious to get home. While some places did get lots of nasty weather and there was damage to many places, we were so blessed and received very little bad weather. In fact, it was amazingly beautiful. We took full advantage of it. Jesse was anxious to get a jump on his garden, so Will and Caroline helped him plant the seeds in cups for starter plants.

Saturday, we woke up early and headed to the great state of Florida to visit little sister and her husband. The children were so pumped. They could not wait to see the their Aunt and Uncle. We decided to drive Mom's car because we did the gas calculator and figured out how much gas would cost in a car vs. the Yukon. The Altima won. We headed out and by the time we reached the interstate, Will was asking when we were getting on the airplane. What? Apparently our children are spoiled and do not understand that we can't always fly! I finally made him understand that we were going to drive the whole way. And I understand that children do not have a good sense of time...I get it. Sometimes, I even question how long things are, but by the time we had reached Chattanooga, Will had asked, "Are we there yet?" eleven times. I gave him a strict talking to and he didn't ask for at least one hour.
The kids were actually Rock stars. We only stopped two times. Yes, I said two times, one for gas and once for Chik fil a. Priorities people. We arrived at Jen's around 10 pm, two movies, 31 times of asking are we there yet?, $ 5.oo in toll fees, and thirteen hours after leaving home.

Aunt Jen!!! We are here!!!

This morning we woke up and Jen and Trey decided to show us around downtown Orlando. Jen lives about two miles from downtown and about two miles from this cute little town called Winter Park...so there is always something to do. There is a huge lake right in the middle of downtown, so we headed down there to check it out.