Making Difficult Decisions

Jeff and I have been blessed with a difficult decision.  Yes, you read that right...BLESSED with a Difficult Decision.  This decision has stretched my Trust Muscles and my faith.  It has caused me to jump out of my comfort zone and seek God's will.  This decision has blessed my marriage by providing LOTS of  communication between Jeff and I!  I've treasured our many conversations during the past several weeks.  I have been seeking direction from my husband, my family, and my friends.  Last week at the lake, I sought wisdom from the greatest place possible...the BIBLE!  Here is what I stumbled across when making a difficult decision...

1 Samuel 8:19-22  New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹⁹ But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. ²⁰ “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”
 ²¹ So Samuel repeated to the Lord what the people had said,   ²² and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home.

Life Application...
Samuel carefully explained all the negative consequences of having a king, but the Israelites refused to listen.  When you have an important decision to make, weight the positives and negatives carefully, considering EVERYONE who might be affected by your choice.  When you want something badly enough, it is difficult to see the potential problems.  But don't discount the negatives.  Unless you have a plan to handle each one, they will cause you great difficulty later. 

So, this got me thinking and I created a plan of action for our family decision...I made a list of all the negatives that would affect everyone in our family.  Then, I had Jeff read over the list and he added three additional negatives.  At first the list seemed so overwhelming but we are now working together to complete the action plan.  I can see how the result of this decision could have failed us if we didn't have these solutions in place.  Although this decision will drastically change our family, I feel so much peace that we have prayed and sought out God's Will in this.  I am walking with a pep in my step these days!  Now just waiting on God's timing for this to be all pieced together!   

Have you ever had a difficult decision to answer?  I'm certain that this will not be the last time in my life that a decision will be put in front of me.  I'm thankful that I have an action plan in place and actually look forward to the day that God calls upon my heart again.

Banana Boat Dessert!

Found this fun, EASY recipe in the Family Fun magazine yesterday.  Rylan had my niece over for a playdate and she stayed for dinner too.  I decided to try these Choco-Banana Boats out for dessert...oh so tasty!!! 

Monkeying Around...banana smiles :)

Strategically placing as many chocolate chips and marshmallows as possible!!!

Yummy!!!

Love the smiles...Ry and Lizzy are best pals :)

Bryce and Braydon

Thought I'd share the recipe for some family fun on your grill :)

Choco-Banana Boats...
Cut a slit in a peeled banana.  Stuff in as many chocolate chips and mini marshmallows as you can fit!  Wrap the foil around the banana and place it on a grill for about 5 minutes.  Best eaten with a spoon and lots of napkins.  Caution...lots of smiles and silliness!!!

Table Talk!

Every night at dinner, our family enjoys wonderful communication at the dinner table.  Our Pastor gave us this little family tool during a sermon of his and oh, how this little nugget has blessed our family!  Once everyone is situated with food, someone...usually Braydon or Jeff...will ask "What was the best part of your day and the worst part of your day?"  This simple question prompts an entire meal of meaningful conversations within our family.  I look forward to this every night!  This helps us as parents find the things needed to pray with our children about and it also helps me keep connected with my sweet hubby.  I'm just as excited to hear about his day as I am about the kids!  We find ourselves playing this little game in more ways than one...we will ask this question after a special day...such as the zoo, what was your favorite animal and your least favorite?  Last night Jeff asked, "What was your favorite thing from being at the lake and your least favorite?"

Rylan -Getting Blue Ice Cream From The Humpty Dumpty Shop!!!  I wanted to go home a lot :(
Bryce - Making Smores and Catching Fireflies!  My ear infection was the worst!
Braydon - Having My 2 Friends, Tommy & Tyler Up To The Lake!  My worst was not catching a fish! (He was SO patient!  This was Braydon's first time REALLY getting into fishing :)  He did catch a fish but it fell off the hook as he was pulling it up...such a bummer!)
Jeff - That His Mom Enjoyed A Day At The Lake Too and Watching Fireworks On The Boat In The Middle Of The Lake!!!  He didn't like the uncomfortable bed...LOL!!!!
Shandra - Making Memories With My Family and Shopping At the Shipshewana Flea Market with My Bestie!!!  I didn't like the mosquitoes and the heat...ugh!

Special 4th of July Tootsie Pops on the boat while waiting for the fireworks!!!

Having S'More Fun!

 

 

 

 

Jeff showing Braydon the trait of fishing! 

The possibilities are endless with this intentional Table Talk...Try it!!!  I hope that your family will be as blessed as mine with this little parenting tool :) 

Thank you Pastor Stan for impacting my family in more ways than you know!

Medical Results...FINALLY!!!!

I've been looking forward to this day for several months....I rushed home from the lake to get to my neurology appointment this afternoon.  The doctor looked at the MRI of my brain from last week and NO MS (Multiple Sclerosis)...Yahoo!!!!!  Every time the docs have ruled out all the biggies, I begin to breathe again!!!  They've ruled out so many scary things.  However, the neurologist then pulled up the MRI from my neck and yikes...it didn't look so swell.  I have a degenerative disc at the C-6/7 location in the upper cervical section of my upper back/neck.  The doc says, "How old are you?"  When I told him I'm only 36, he gave me that "not so good" look :(  I'm awfully young for this type of arthritis damage...so what do we do to fix this?????  I'm having another MRI of my lower back tomorrow morning and an X-ray of my knees to see how bad the osteoarthritis is there as well.  The neurologist has referred me to a neurosurgeon but I'm seeing my physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor on Monday morning.  I'm pretty certain that he will suggest physical therapy and possibly injections to my spine to prolong surgery as long as possible.

Although the thought of working on my spine, scares the bejeebers out of me, I have such a feeling of relief!  I'm SO very thankful that I FINALLY have an answer to ALL my symptoms and that there is a real reason for my pain...I'm really not going crazy and this isn't really in my head!!!  I was amazed at all the symptoms that are related to this...

Spinal damage toward the neck causes interrupted blood supply to the brain resulting in headaches, vertigo and worsened cognitive abilities and memory.  Causes numbness and tingling in the shoulders, arms, hands, and legs.  Causes severe pain, numbness and tingling to the back.  Get this, the spinal damage has even caused problems with my bladder!!!  I had no idea that these were related!!!  The spine pretty much affects everything!

I am truly grateful that the Lord heard my cry for answers and that He did His mighty works through the hands of so many doctors!  I have answers...Yahoo!!!  Of everything that has been laid in front of me over the past four months, this diagnosis is an answer to prayer!!  My thyroid meds have given me life again with my energy level...now I'm looking forward to gaining momentum in my physical abilities...God is so very Good!!! 

God is my hope...my strength...He's everything I need!!!

"Trust the Lord with all your heart" Proverbs 3:5  

A Simple Summer

Today was a great day spent in our jammies :)  Rylan and Bryce took one of our comforters and made a "fort" in the living room on the couch.  So many of my own summer memories came flooding back to me!

• My brother and I cleaning our bedrooms and placing our stuffed animals strategically all over the room!
• A sleepover in our backyard in the large shed...my parents took out some mattresses and even a TV for us!!!  I remember watching Miss America...LOL!!!
• Summer activities in the pavilion at the Roanoke park!  We even rode our bikes there several times.
• Climbing trees way up high!
• Exploring through the woods and the unfinished concrete basement next door to us...we would always find bird nests there!
• The 4th of July fireworks at my Aunt Cathy's house on blankets in her backyard.
• Running through the pine trees to get to my neighbors house...we called them grandma & grandpa!  
• Snapping green beans with our neighbors...Grandma and Grandpa Worster.
• Playing restaurant in the Worster's shed with Jodi and Cory (their grandkids).
• Picking raspberries with my mom. 
• Camping with my dad in his pop-up camper. 
• Canoe rides through all the lily pads with my Grandma Barnes in search of turtles.
• Making homemade ice cream with my Grandpa Ward.
  
  
  

I'm left pondering today...what is on my summer agenda that will instill Simple Memories that will be treasured many years from now for my children?  I'm listing a few, in hopes that you might be inspired as I was today to provide simple moments for your children!

  

• Making tents and Forts!
•  Singing and Dancing on the bed...shhhh!  I'm not supposed to know about this one...they would get in big trouble for this ;)
• Sleeping in the basement on the pull-out couch and having a movie night...popcorn too!  
• Legos, Legos, Legos!  
• Hours of Hot Wheels...lining them up, making houses, playing on the town mat that we got from a garage sale! 
• The Brother Band...love this!  Braydon and Rylan are guitarists and Bryce is the drummer...they made signs for their band, too!  Our loft was transformed into a stage...LOL!
• Smores...they now have JUMBO marshmallows & strawberry marshmallows!  Oh so tasty!
• Campfire Pudgy Pies...apple is the family favorite!  
• One Stop Snack Shop...the kids set up a potato chip and water stand at our garage sale...cash register and signs included!
• Neighborhood Fun...riding bikes & scooters, playing baseball, hanging out at the neighbor's houses...oh we love our cul-de-sac!
• Swingset Smiles :)
• Catching Fireflies in our bug jars!
• Making paper airplanes and sending them in flight from the loft!
• Sidewalk Chalk, Water Guns, Sprinklers, & of course, POPSICLES!
• Letterboxing!!!  (see previous post!)
• Swimming at the lake.
• Library visits to participate in their summer activities...The Hot Wheels Rally was this week and the boys had great success with their chosen Hot Wheel cars!
• Rave Summer Movies...the free ones each week!!!
• Annual KidsFest...our church's version of VBS.

We have many special "day" trips planned this summer as well, but my heart was focused on the simple pleasures today!  Thank you Lord, for whispering in my heart to Treasure even the Simplest of our Summer Moments!  What simple things have your kids been up to? 

The Father's In My Life!

I am blessed to have several Dad's in my life!  As I sit and reflect on this Father's Day weekend, I am thankful for all of these men and honored to be part of their family! 

My Dad...Dave

This is a man of few words but he has a BIG heart!  I have had many opportunities placed in my path during the past year.  I have embraced the talks with my dad about God's plan for my life.  I do most of the talking during any and all of our conversations, yet when my dad speaks, it is treasured!  He has voiced a few times in my adult life some powerful words...words of joy, pride, and love.  I am truly a daddy's girl...I love smooching on my dad...love hugging on my dad...love spending time with my dad!  I love that my dad can see the worst of me, the broken me, the ugly me, and he doesn't judge me...he loves me all the same!  I am blessed, truly blessed, to have a daddy as wonderful as he!

My Step-Dad...Bill

Bill has been my dad since I was four years old.  I am honored to call him my dad.  The day he married my mom, he took two more children into his life...me and my brother, Josh.  Blending a family is tough stuff but Bill has ALWAYS loved us like his own.  One of my favorite memories with Bill was on my wedding day.  I have two fathers, how do I choose just one to walk me down the aisle?  The father that raised me or the father that brought me life...I couldn't choose...therefore, they BOTH walked me down the aisle.  A beautiful moment for me indeed!!!

I can't overlook the past two months...Bill's concern, care, love, and support during my medical trials these past several weeks have truly touched my heart.  During Jeff's absence, Bill was a source of strength for me.  He offered to help with the kids...getting them to and from their events.  He spoke with his doctor friends about my symptoms.  He called me often to check in.  Wow, I treasure and love him! 

My Husband...Jeff

My forever partner, my friend.  Jeff is a wonderful dad to three energetic boys!  Rylan came running up from the basement yesterday while we were preparing for our families to arrive for a small cookout and announced that he wanted his grill brought upstairs to be just like daddy!  In the midst of the chaos of getting the house and food prepared, I was filled with joy when Jeff stopped what he was doing and with a happy heart, he went downstairs and brought up the grill!  This was such a highlight for Rylan!!!  Thankful today for a husband that treasures time with his family.

My Father-In-Law...Ron

My husband has had an amazing father to look up to for many years.  Ron is a selfless person who would do anything and everything for anyone.  He has stayed by his wife's side even while they are apart.  Jeff's mom, Norma, was admitted to a nursing home one year ago.  I see the hurt in Ron's eyes yet the love in his heart is so evident.  He visits Norma for several hours every day.  Thank you Ron for the son you raised and allowing me to take your name.  I wear the name "Hathaway" with great pride :)

My Father Almighty
Everything that I have...Everything that I am...is because of my father above.  I treasure that I am unconditionally loved!!!

• I  have a daddy who loves me.
• He is strong enough to protect me.
• He is engaged enough to teach me.
• He is tender enough to hug me.
• He is alive enough to play with me.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!                  1 John 3:1

Sleepovers

As a parent, we are in need of making decisions for our children daily.  The topic of sleepovers is one of those decisions that is weighing on my heart heavily.  My oldest son is extremely upset with me that I did not allow him to spend the night at a birthday party this weekend.  We opted to pick him up at 11pm instead.  When Jeff went to pick him up the other boys were teasing Braydon...sigh :(  Once Braydon got home, he immediately went to the bathroom and shed some tears.  He then spent his last awake moments feeling anger toward me and sadness that he couldn't stay with his friends...he cried himself to sleep.  My heart was hurting...truly hurting!

So, this has me thinking about what our family rule should be about sleepovers... We've never had a rule about this...it has always just been a judgment call.  We've had a situation in the past where a sleepover turned extremely bad...rocked my world as a parent.  And yes, friends, this was a good friend of mine...NOT someone that I didn't know!  I can't caution you enough about sleepovers!  As I reflect on my own sleepovers as a child...there is one sleepover that has left an image in my head, even all these years later!!!  After some discussions with my hubby and the tug on my heart that I feel the Lord has placed, we have decided no more sleepovers for the Hathaway kids unless it is with family....ugh...there, I said it...this is SO hard for me to say and will be harder to follow through with but I believe this has been placed on my heart for a reason.

I've had a lot of discussion about this with many friends and family lately.  Yes, I know that I can't keep my children living in a bubble...but I do make them wear seatbelts for safety, I do make them wear bike helmets for safety, I do make them wear shinguards at soccer for safety...therefore, I'm just arming them for safety... It is going to be a difficult change for our family but I believe that it will become easier in time.  My kids hop in the van and put on their seatbelts out of habit...I'm hoping that at some point it will be easier for my kids to just say, "nope, we don't do sleepovers."  Lord, please make this decision lighter on my kid's hearts.