Well Christmas is over. We had a wonderful week last week on a family vacation to Galveston. We were then given the not so great gift of the stomach flu, that sent me to the laundry mat with 16 loads of laundry. (Dryer broke!) Everyone got it, except for me. Hopefully the bug is not lurking in my belly waiting to show itself.
I did want to post my story about how Christ found me. As his birth was just the beginning of the story, I thought it appropriate for me to share (just a tiny bit) of my story. After all, He is the Reason we celebrated, right? We did sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus on Christmas Eve, with a cake and candles. I think that was a nice tradition to start. :)
I didn’t start out in a family that went to church – not even on Easter or Christmas. We didn’t talk about the “reason for the season” or even say a bedtime prayers. I can’t say that I even remember having a Bible in our home, although I’m sure that somewhere in one of my mother’s dresser drawers there was one.
I had an interest in church as a little girl, and would sometimes go with my cousin. I really liked it there. I just liked being a place that had routine and “normal people” – people who didn’t drink too much, smoke too much, or scream and hit others. My childhood was filled with an alcoholic stepfather that did all the above things. I knew it wasn’t normal. No one else’s mother picked them up at school to “go away” for a while, and no one else that I knew had a packed suitcase under the bed for when the times got too tough.
When I went to college, I attended church a couple of times with girls in my sorority. When asked my “religious views” I just said I was a Christian. Really my only religious experience was with my Jewish high school boyfriend’s family rejecting me because I wasn’t Jewish. I guess I HAD to be Christian since we celebrated Christmas and Easter, right?
When I married the first time, I was determined it would be in a church. I searched high and low for a church on the same street as the place I was having the reception. For a donation of $250 they would marry us. What a deal.
When I got pregnant with my first child, I suppose as most people do, I figured it was time to get my priorities right, and that I wanted to raise my child going to church, so that the child would be around normal, good people. (Remember my childhood experience?) I had unfortunately married a man that mirrored my stepfather, and desperately sought “normalcy.” We did try a few churches but like many people with good intentions, we didn’t follow through on regular attendance. I still didn’t understand what being a Christian meant… I still held to the fact that if I put up a tree at Christmas and the Easter bunny comes on Easter morning, I’m a Christian.
I did have a feeling, when I was pregnant with my first child, that something might be wrong with her. Call it intuition, call it pessimism, call it depression from a situation where I caught my husband doing very bad things… I just had a feeling. I began saying the Lord’s prayer every night that I was pregnant with her. I knew it by heart from just the few times of going to church, although the end I wasn’t sure if it was “divine is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,” or “divine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory”… so some nights I would say it one way, and some nights I would say it the other way. I also didn’t know if I needed to do the Catholic cross when I finished it, or what the exact order of the sign was, so I fumbled through that most nights. (I now know the real version of the Lord’s prayer, and that the cross sign is not required.) I did think I needed God, though.
The day my daughter was born was a great one. I went in to labor and it was not a difficult birth. I finally got her in my arms in the evening. Friends came and visited before I went to sleep. The next morning, I said to myself, “You look like you have Down Syndrome, but I guess you don’t – because the doctor would have told me.” On cue, the doctor entered. He confirmed my thoughts. The cry within me was primal. I was frightened beyond belief at what this meant for her. I thought, “Who is going to take her to prom?” I know, how shallow – but honestly this was my first thought. I then thought of a mean lady that sacked my groceries that was mentally challenged, not with Down syndrome, but some other challenge; I wondered will my daughter’s best bet for a job be a grocery bagger?
My husband immediately requested that we give her up for adoption and try again. My heart filled with emptiness. I felt alone, except for this little bundle of joy in my arms. She was a wonderful, beautiful baby. I had no idea what her future held, or mine for that matter, but I would not abandon her. (By the way, that was my first husband.)
My hospital room was quarantined as if we had some terrible disease. Meals were left at the door, not brought in. The hospital Chaplain came in and told me that it was okay to be angry with God. He left me a small bible (a tiny white new testament) and left. The picture lady that comes and takes pictures of all newborns was not allowed in our room. (By the hospital staff.) My father said “They’re wrong honey!” My mother, a rock, said “We just need information.” My doctor prescribed a mood stabilizing drug which my husband took all in one night. He refused to allow his friends to visit or come to the house when we got home. He didn’t tell his co-workers for months about her.
The first year was honestly a bit fuzzy. The first two months I operated the best I could – caring for her and taking her to lots of doctor appointments, physical therapy sessions, genetic testing, etc. She started smiling at six months. She has always been a wonderful, happy, joyful child. None of this bothered her. Not even her heart surgery (except when she came out of the anesthesia) bothered her. 7 days in the hospital for RSV pneumonia, and the angel smiled the whole time. She was a good, good baby. I relied on my mother to help me emotionally. My mother carried a large burden for a while.
Somewhere after her first birthday, I was doing laundry, and I was overcome by the Holy Spirit. Here’s what He whispered to me: “I love you as much as you love her.” It didn’t come in a church. It didn’t come when I was in the Word. It didn’t come when someone was sharing the good news. Quietly, as I sat folding laundry thinking about my beautiful girl, I realized that I would not change her in anyway because to me, she was perfect, despite any diagnoses of Down Syndrome, ability (or inability) to walk, crawl, or speak. Despite what her future held. She was MY CHILD. And my love for her is so deep and so pure. And I knew right then and there that God loves me, and to Him I am perfect, despite any of my failures, shortcomings, or sins. I am HIS CHILD. And He made me for a reason.
Shortly after that I found a church and was baptized. But that was just a public proclamation of my rebirth in Christ, because I gave him my heart that day I was folding laundry.
Now, every time I am tempted to worry about Cameron's future, or any of her four siblings, I remember that God made her for a reason. I believe that God made Cameron to bring me to Him. Can you think of a more important mission in life than to bring someone to God? I can’t. I don’t think that any of my deeds shall amount to hers. Yes, God made me for a reason too. And it is up to me to share the good news of His love and His salvation. I only pray that I will do it as well as she did for me.
There is NOTHING too great or too big for God to overcome. He blessed me with my dear husband and all five children. He has helped me through all my adult life challenges, I and really wish I knew Him when I was growing up, so that he would have shouldered my pain, fears, and uncertainty. But, I know Him now, and I am so grateful.
Happy New Year... "C" you in 2010~
I look forward to a very STRONG year.
Mecca
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Week of Dec 14th
Hello! Well the countdown to Christmas is definitely upon us! Another busy weekend, and this week I'll be in Florida with work Wed - Friday. So, here is our easy, make-ahead meal for the week. I'll confess, today (Monday) I had chicken thawed but didn't feel great so I ordered pizza. Something I really never do during the week (something we do if we have a baby-sitter on the weekends) but everyone thought it was a good idea. Imagine that, kids thinking that ordering pizza was a good idea. They're so easy to please.
Tues: Pan sauteed chicken, egg noodles, steamed asparagus. Chicken will be sliced thin (when raw - this just makes it cook faster) and I'll put a tiny bit of olive oil in the pan, with a bit of butter, put seasoned salt on the chicken and just saute it. Easy. If you need more color on the plate, put some Mandarin oranges on the side.
Wed: Crock pot pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans. In the crock pot, put one can of cream of mushroom soup, one can of water, one onion, sliced, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire, pepper, and a pork tenderloin. Cook all day. Since I'll be gone, and my nanny can't really cook, I get the tub of mashed potatoes and frozen green beans for her to heat up. Can make with some dinner rolls and the family loves it.
Thurs: Flat iron (or flank) steak that I will marinate on Wed before I leave... Hubby can cook it in the grill pan when he gets home. Marinate in plastic bag with 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup sliced scallion, white and green parts, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sesame seed, 2 teaspoons garlic and ginger mix (comes in a little bottle in the produce section of the grocery store), you can add some red pepper flakes if your kids will tolerate anything spicy - which mine won't. Serve with brown rice and steamed broccoli.
Fri: Baked Tilapia (brush with melted butter, sprinkle some lemon pepper and dill on it, cut a lemon very thin and put a slice of lemon on each fillet. Bake 20 minutes if frozen, 12 minutes if thawed (at 350) or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with orzo pasta mixed with frozen peas (cooked) and some Parmesan cheese. And for the veggie: Carrots steamed and then swirled in a pan with brown sugar and melted butter. (about 2 tsp brown sugar and 1 tsp butter - melt and then coat the carrots.)
I'm off to wrap presents. Christmas shopping is ALMOST done!
Stay Strong!
Mecca
Tues: Pan sauteed chicken, egg noodles, steamed asparagus. Chicken will be sliced thin (when raw - this just makes it cook faster) and I'll put a tiny bit of olive oil in the pan, with a bit of butter, put seasoned salt on the chicken and just saute it. Easy. If you need more color on the plate, put some Mandarin oranges on the side.
Wed: Crock pot pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans. In the crock pot, put one can of cream of mushroom soup, one can of water, one onion, sliced, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire, pepper, and a pork tenderloin. Cook all day. Since I'll be gone, and my nanny can't really cook, I get the tub of mashed potatoes and frozen green beans for her to heat up. Can make with some dinner rolls and the family loves it.
Thurs: Flat iron (or flank) steak that I will marinate on Wed before I leave... Hubby can cook it in the grill pan when he gets home. Marinate in plastic bag with 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup sliced scallion, white and green parts, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sesame seed, 2 teaspoons garlic and ginger mix (comes in a little bottle in the produce section of the grocery store), you can add some red pepper flakes if your kids will tolerate anything spicy - which mine won't. Serve with brown rice and steamed broccoli.
Fri: Baked Tilapia (brush with melted butter, sprinkle some lemon pepper and dill on it, cut a lemon very thin and put a slice of lemon on each fillet. Bake 20 minutes if frozen, 12 minutes if thawed (at 350) or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with orzo pasta mixed with frozen peas (cooked) and some Parmesan cheese. And for the veggie: Carrots steamed and then swirled in a pan with brown sugar and melted butter. (about 2 tsp brown sugar and 1 tsp butter - melt and then coat the carrots.)
I'm off to wrap presents. Christmas shopping is ALMOST done!
Stay Strong!
Mecca
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Week of Dec 7
My dishwasher broke on Saturday, just as it was filled with the breakfast dishes of 14 people. The new one will not be installed until Thursday, so we are having mostly one dish meals this week!!
Monday: Zuppa Toscana soup with bread rolls. Recipe: Brown sweet italian turkey sausage (bulk or take out of the casings) with one onion that is sliced thin, and two cloves of minced garlic. When it is brown, add in 1/2 tsp anise (fennel) seed. In a big soup pot, put in six (or more) cups of water and three bouillon cubes, bring to a boil. Add in to the chicken broth: three russet potatoes sliced thin. Put a lid on and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the sausage / onion mix. Add in half a cup of milk (or cream if you have it.) Add in one bunch of shredded Kale. When the kale wilts, it's ready (and the potatoes are soft!) This is such an easy and yummy soup. I add crushed red pepper flakes to my soup because I like a little heat - but the kids don't like it.
Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie. Probably the easiest thing I know how to make. Get a frozen (double) pie crust. Mix together a can of chunky potato soup, one bag frozen peas and carrots, and one BIG can of chicken breast. (This is by the canned meat section in the store.) Put the mixture inside the bottom pie crust, top the mixture with the other pie crust... press down with a fork the entire seam and slice an "x" in the top of the pie. Bake at 350 until brown. Serve with a salad if you need more veggies.
Wed: Crock Pot beef stew. I honestly just get the McCormick brand beef stew seasoning packet and follow the directions... I do doctor it up a bit with some red wine and beef broth, but other than that, it works great and is soooo easy. Serve with corn bread.
Thursday: Mushroom Dill baked fish, couscous, corn. Recipe for Fish: 2 pounds skinless red snapper fillets (or any thick, white fish will do) thawed and rinsed with water, then pat dry with paper towels. Place in a greased 9X13 baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside. Then add in a very large skillet: 3 T of butter (melt in skillet); 1 container of sliced fresh mushrooms; 1 small red onion, chopped; 2 cloves of minced garlic. Saute until mushrooms are tender. Then add 1 cup of whipping cream and 1/2 cup white wine. Boil gently about 20 mins or until the mixture has thickened a bit. Stir in 2 T of dijon mustard, 1 t dill, and 1 package of thawed, well drained (frozen) chopped spinach. Mix well and pour over fish fillets. Then take 2 T of butter and melt it, add in 3/4 cup breadcrumbs and 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese - stir well - then sprinkle over the top of the sauced up fish. Bake uncovered at 375 for 25 minutes or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Friday: Sour cream chicken enchiladas with black beans, sauteed zucchini, and rice.
For the chicken enchiladas: boil a couple of large chicken breasts in water till they turn white... about 20 mins or so... then shred them and then cook them with half a package of taco seasoning, about 1/2 chopped onion and just a bit of water. Mix this with a couple of cups of shredded cheese - I use the Mexican Blend. Set aside. Microwave corn tortillas in a damp cloth until the tortillas are soft. Stuff with the chicken/cheese mixture. Top with this sauce: In a pot, mix together a can of rotel, 8 oz lite sour cream, one can of cream of chicken soup. Pour over the top. Top with any cheese you want (you don't have to but I do.) You can add in things to the enchiladas if you feel like it - like black beans, spinach, mushrooms... but since we already had spinach and mushrooms the night before, I am not putting them in the enchiladas. And I like my black beans on the side.
Saturday we have a party to go to. Last Sunday night I made a very easy, thrown together meal: I took frozen italian meatballs and put in a container of refrigerated marinara and cooked them together, then I topped the meatballs with slices of provolone cheese (turned the heat off but put the lid back on so the cheese would melt.) The meatballs were so tasty that way, I made buttered pasta on the side and had a salad with it. So easy, I think next time I will get hogie rolls and stuff the meatballs in there with the cheese on them. It would be perfect that way for meatball subs. You could serve with some coleslaw - get the broccoli slaw in the veggie section of the grocery store and also the refrigerated coleslaw dressing. It's very sweet and the kids like it. Another easy dinner night!
Stay strong!
Mecca
Monday: Zuppa Toscana soup with bread rolls. Recipe: Brown sweet italian turkey sausage (bulk or take out of the casings) with one onion that is sliced thin, and two cloves of minced garlic. When it is brown, add in 1/2 tsp anise (fennel) seed. In a big soup pot, put in six (or more) cups of water and three bouillon cubes, bring to a boil. Add in to the chicken broth: three russet potatoes sliced thin. Put a lid on and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the sausage / onion mix. Add in half a cup of milk (or cream if you have it.) Add in one bunch of shredded Kale. When the kale wilts, it's ready (and the potatoes are soft!) This is such an easy and yummy soup. I add crushed red pepper flakes to my soup because I like a little heat - but the kids don't like it.
Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie. Probably the easiest thing I know how to make. Get a frozen (double) pie crust. Mix together a can of chunky potato soup, one bag frozen peas and carrots, and one BIG can of chicken breast. (This is by the canned meat section in the store.) Put the mixture inside the bottom pie crust, top the mixture with the other pie crust... press down with a fork the entire seam and slice an "x" in the top of the pie. Bake at 350 until brown. Serve with a salad if you need more veggies.
Wed: Crock Pot beef stew. I honestly just get the McCormick brand beef stew seasoning packet and follow the directions... I do doctor it up a bit with some red wine and beef broth, but other than that, it works great and is soooo easy. Serve with corn bread.
Thursday: Mushroom Dill baked fish, couscous, corn. Recipe for Fish: 2 pounds skinless red snapper fillets (or any thick, white fish will do) thawed and rinsed with water, then pat dry with paper towels. Place in a greased 9X13 baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside. Then add in a very large skillet: 3 T of butter (melt in skillet); 1 container of sliced fresh mushrooms; 1 small red onion, chopped; 2 cloves of minced garlic. Saute until mushrooms are tender. Then add 1 cup of whipping cream and 1/2 cup white wine. Boil gently about 20 mins or until the mixture has thickened a bit. Stir in 2 T of dijon mustard, 1 t dill, and 1 package of thawed, well drained (frozen) chopped spinach. Mix well and pour over fish fillets. Then take 2 T of butter and melt it, add in 3/4 cup breadcrumbs and 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese - stir well - then sprinkle over the top of the sauced up fish. Bake uncovered at 375 for 25 minutes or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Friday: Sour cream chicken enchiladas with black beans, sauteed zucchini, and rice.
For the chicken enchiladas: boil a couple of large chicken breasts in water till they turn white... about 20 mins or so... then shred them and then cook them with half a package of taco seasoning, about 1/2 chopped onion and just a bit of water. Mix this with a couple of cups of shredded cheese - I use the Mexican Blend. Set aside. Microwave corn tortillas in a damp cloth until the tortillas are soft. Stuff with the chicken/cheese mixture. Top with this sauce: In a pot, mix together a can of rotel, 8 oz lite sour cream, one can of cream of chicken soup. Pour over the top. Top with any cheese you want (you don't have to but I do.) You can add in things to the enchiladas if you feel like it - like black beans, spinach, mushrooms... but since we already had spinach and mushrooms the night before, I am not putting them in the enchiladas. And I like my black beans on the side.
Saturday we have a party to go to. Last Sunday night I made a very easy, thrown together meal: I took frozen italian meatballs and put in a container of refrigerated marinara and cooked them together, then I topped the meatballs with slices of provolone cheese (turned the heat off but put the lid back on so the cheese would melt.) The meatballs were so tasty that way, I made buttered pasta on the side and had a salad with it. So easy, I think next time I will get hogie rolls and stuff the meatballs in there with the cheese on them. It would be perfect that way for meatball subs. You could serve with some coleslaw - get the broccoli slaw in the veggie section of the grocery store and also the refrigerated coleslaw dressing. It's very sweet and the kids like it. Another easy dinner night!
Stay strong!
Mecca
Friday, December 4, 2009
Christmas Traditions
Focus on the Family had what I thought, was a great idea: Help your little ones focus on others this season by making use of those Christmas cards received in the mail. Place the cards in a basket on the dinner table; taking turns each night drawing one out. Then pray together for that person or family.
What a wonderful Christmas Tradition to begin. I rarely think about what we do at the holidays as making a tradition, but it is just that. Whether it be the way we decorate the tree, go to church on Christmas Eve, or have the same coffee cake on Christmas morning... it's all something that our children will remember and hopefully cherish. How different would I approach things if I were thinking I was making a tradition? I certainly don't want to be our Christmas Tree tradition being Mommy and Daddy stressing over the glass ornaments being broken... which honestly seems to have been our tradition for as long as we've had someone three or under participating in tree decorating (so a long time...). This year, we just separated the glass ornaments and put them away. (One did get broken before I did it.) I think that next year I may just leave that little box of glass ornaments in the attic. It's not worth the stress, and certainly not worth making it an unhappy Christmas tradition.
Just food for thought... Make happy traditions!
And if you send us a Christmas Card, know that we'll be praying for you at dinner time.
Stay Strong.
Mecca
What a wonderful Christmas Tradition to begin. I rarely think about what we do at the holidays as making a tradition, but it is just that. Whether it be the way we decorate the tree, go to church on Christmas Eve, or have the same coffee cake on Christmas morning... it's all something that our children will remember and hopefully cherish. How different would I approach things if I were thinking I was making a tradition? I certainly don't want to be our Christmas Tree tradition being Mommy and Daddy stressing over the glass ornaments being broken... which honestly seems to have been our tradition for as long as we've had someone three or under participating in tree decorating (so a long time...). This year, we just separated the glass ornaments and put them away. (One did get broken before I did it.) I think that next year I may just leave that little box of glass ornaments in the attic. It's not worth the stress, and certainly not worth making it an unhappy Christmas tradition.
Just food for thought... Make happy traditions!
And if you send us a Christmas Card, know that we'll be praying for you at dinner time.
Stay Strong.
Mecca
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Cameron's Birthday
Today is Cameron's birthday. She is 12! She came downstairs this morning and told us it was snowing - which it was and still is - beautiful big flakes, piling up. Wow. Kind of a "once a year" thing in our area.
I always reflect on the birth of my child on his/her birthday (remember I have five, so I get to do this five times a year.) I think about how they looked the first time I saw them. The love that made my heart overflow when I looked in to my baby's eyes for the very first time. But Cameron, my first baby, is different. Different because she was the first and I had never felt love the way that I felt it when I had my first baby. And different because she has Down Syndrome. My first few months with her were very different than what most mothers experience. I stumbled a bit the first year, and it took me a while to find my way. She was a wonderful, happy baby. She didn't stumble. She worked hard with therapists and me to hit her milestones. It took her a lot longer to do what most babies do, but she did smile and sit, and everything else that babies do.
While I am not a person who cries, (really, I am not) today I cried. Not in sadness, but in wonder. Just like my two year old looking at the snow coming down with wonder and awe, I too get misty-eyed at how much Cameron has grown these 12 years. And the growth that has happened within me.
Last night as we were helping Alex (6 year old) with his Guided Reading, Cameron sat down on the bed with us. On my bedside table was a new book... something I picked up at a store on sale... a children's book. She opened it up and began to read it. Slowly, but surely, she read the entire book. It wasn't at a first grade level - or at the level Alex was reading - it was more advanced... words like 'whisper' were in it (hard to sound out...) - and she read it. She read the entire thing -15 pages or more. And she got it. She understood that the small bear was handing out cakes to each of his neighbors in red paper bags. And at the end, there were two cakes left, one for him and one for his mama. She read it. I didn't know she could read. I know she has spelling words that she studies each week, and sometimes she gets 100's and sometimes she doesn't. I know she has a great memory. But I didn't know she could READ.
Just like her first year of life, Cameron, slowly but surely, can handle any hurdle that comes her way. Her birthday is a great day to remember that anything is possible, as long as you're willing to work at it.
Praise God for little girls that turn 12, that can read, that have special gifts that most people can't see, but that I know. Praise God for snow on her birthday. Praise God for the little joys and the big hurdles that when we work hard, can be overcome. Praise God for the gifts that He has given us... even when at first we don't understand why we were chosen to receive them, but in time understand that they are more valuable than what we asked for in the first place.
Stay Strong.
Mecca
I always reflect on the birth of my child on his/her birthday (remember I have five, so I get to do this five times a year.) I think about how they looked the first time I saw them. The love that made my heart overflow when I looked in to my baby's eyes for the very first time. But Cameron, my first baby, is different. Different because she was the first and I had never felt love the way that I felt it when I had my first baby. And different because she has Down Syndrome. My first few months with her were very different than what most mothers experience. I stumbled a bit the first year, and it took me a while to find my way. She was a wonderful, happy baby. She didn't stumble. She worked hard with therapists and me to hit her milestones. It took her a lot longer to do what most babies do, but she did smile and sit, and everything else that babies do.
While I am not a person who cries, (really, I am not) today I cried. Not in sadness, but in wonder. Just like my two year old looking at the snow coming down with wonder and awe, I too get misty-eyed at how much Cameron has grown these 12 years. And the growth that has happened within me.
Last night as we were helping Alex (6 year old) with his Guided Reading, Cameron sat down on the bed with us. On my bedside table was a new book... something I picked up at a store on sale... a children's book. She opened it up and began to read it. Slowly, but surely, she read the entire book. It wasn't at a first grade level - or at the level Alex was reading - it was more advanced... words like 'whisper' were in it (hard to sound out...) - and she read it. She read the entire thing -15 pages or more. And she got it. She understood that the small bear was handing out cakes to each of his neighbors in red paper bags. And at the end, there were two cakes left, one for him and one for his mama. She read it. I didn't know she could read. I know she has spelling words that she studies each week, and sometimes she gets 100's and sometimes she doesn't. I know she has a great memory. But I didn't know she could READ.
Just like her first year of life, Cameron, slowly but surely, can handle any hurdle that comes her way. Her birthday is a great day to remember that anything is possible, as long as you're willing to work at it.
Praise God for little girls that turn 12, that can read, that have special gifts that most people can't see, but that I know. Praise God for snow on her birthday. Praise God for the little joys and the big hurdles that when we work hard, can be overcome. Praise God for the gifts that He has given us... even when at first we don't understand why we were chosen to receive them, but in time understand that they are more valuable than what we asked for in the first place.
Stay Strong.
Mecca
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