It’s been quite a snowy, wintery day today. I bought some bulletin board things for church- Moose Themed of course. Kyla’s been bink [pacifier] free for almost a week! I’m so proud of her. If she wouldn’t have been born tongue-tied, she would have never used one after we came home from the hospital. She’s still doing well with eating and nursing and developing. I’m so proud of our [almost] crawler. I might have another devotion later today.

A book review and personal reflection of sorts– a deep look into my heart. I’ve never shared all of this at once with anyone. Consider yourselves blessed or just a matter of circumstance; it’s up to you. This is most certainly not a pity party but a breaking-free celebration.

I read Inside My Heart by Robin McGraw today while playing, feeding, entertaining and teaching Kyla. I am sure I may have missed a few parts and pieces, but I have certainly grasped the most important lesson: take your childhood or life in general, keep the good parts, learn from the bad parts, and don’t repeat the bad parts. Robin grew up in a very loving, yet unpredictable alcoholic home. However in the midst of her [and my childhood] we both turned out to be very high achieving, amazing women. We were both determined to never, and I mean never, allow our children to ever have to put up with any of that garbage that is nastily entangled in addiction. I’m not saying that I am perfect, but thank God, He has allowed me to have the power over alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, etc. I am blessed to have two parents who love me beyond imagination. I am blessed to have one amazing Mom, too. She did a great job staying home and raising two great children, now adults. My brother is a successful young man with a great life and great job. As you can see from lots of my posts, I have a great hubby and a beautiful little girl. In all of this, the main point is that we all have choices [main word in her book]. We have a choice to act, react, don’t act, stay involved, sit back passively, or allow people to walk over us. I had and have the choice to live my life that pleases me and my nurtures my family and other relationships. I have the choice to keep encouraging, Godly people in my life. I have the choice to rid my life of detrimental relationships [not just with people]. I have the choice to be happy, free from bondage, and to live my live to the fullest!

Sorry that it has been a while since I have last written. Life has slowed down quite a bit now. Kyla’s eye has healed beyond expectations, the pressure has gone from 27 to 17, and she is done with her course of antibiotics. Kris and I have never been better. Jesus and I have never been better and best of all, He’s still not done with me.

I find it to be very interesting that when life gets crazy, stressful, and hard, the things that matter least fade away from the foreground. The most important things are placed in the spotlight, on a soapbox for everyone to see. Although we say that family and friends [of course, God] are the most important, do you shy away from them during hurried times i.e. holidays, end of quarter projects? or do you make sure that they are fully aware that without them those times would be very lonely and bleak. God desires that we come to Him with the intent of forsaking everything and following Him, taking His easy yoke upon us, and loving Him and neighbor. That isn’t very much to ask, yet we ask Him for a bazillion [okay, so Nongentillion ] answers to prayer, salvations, easy ways out, when we simply need to ask for His Presence [Holy Spirit] to guide us through those rough patches and into Canaan. Keep close to your dear family, hug your babies [young and old], pray for those you love [and hate], and let God know that trust Him to carry you through anything, even jaggers.

vote today…

… it may be the last time you are allowed. No, seriously.

In other words, no matter who you vote in the office of the Presidency, one [with a small amount of intelligence, even] can see that we are fast approaching a socialist state. No matter who is elected do not think that we are safe from their experimenting or flirting with a New World Order [more specifically, One World Government]. It is much, much easier to turn us over to a World leader when we have no choice and are weak as a nation. Enjoy your freedoms while they are still available; enjoy your families, opinions, and liberties while they are still your God-given rights. Although I voted for McCain, I found it very difficult to press that pencil eraser to the screen, but the Lord gave me peace about what I chose. Keep vigilant, question everything, and pray without ceasing. Our very lives depend upon it.

We went to WVU Eye Institute yesterday for Kyla’s appointment with another ophthalmologist. She agreed with the pediatric ophthalmologist she saw on Tuesday in determining that Kyla does have congential glaucoma in her right eye. I just knew that something was not right when I noticed her right eye is significantly larger than the left. Leave it to the bug to have two- yet connected- rare diseases/syndome. I am thankful to God, however, that we caught both of the things very early. The last thing I want for my little one is for her to lose her sight due to my ignorance. The next step is yet another trip to the Eye Institute for surgery [trabeculotomy to lessen the pressure in her eye] on November 6. We’ll stay overnight down there and then have a follow-up the next week. I am thankful that Kyla is healthy in every other way and growing so well. She’s always smiling and loves her family so much. She is a joy to us and everyone who meets her! Please pray that she will continue to do well and the surgery is a success.