How I Embraced Personalized Learning

 

I remember being six years old, and when it was time for reading, I moved up a few classes to read with second grade.   Back then, I did not realize that I was reading above my grade level. I just knew that I felt pride that I read well.  Hooked on Phonics really did work for me. 

Fast forward to my very first grad school assignment, and I am remembering that moment of time like it was yesterday.  

While I doubt back in 1982 my teacher knew about Bob Marzano and Personalized Learning, she knew that I was not reading at the same level as my class and allowed me to be challenged in another grade level.  That was personalized learning before Mr. Marzano wrote about it.  She met the needs of the learner, instead of giving the entire class the same exact text.  Emerging readers were able to work on their level, and developed leaders were able to grow in their ability.  

Personalized learning is something that our School District has embraced in the last three years. Instead of teaching to the "average" student and creating one assignment for every student in the class, educators are being encouraged to use the students' data to drive instruction.

Those of you in the non-educational world may be asking yourselves, "What on earth is personalized learning?"

I would have to answer that it is simply taking ownership of your learning.  It is less about the teacher's assignments and more about using your strengths and abilities to help you grow as a learner. It is knowing yourself, the way you learn, your habits, your strengths, and your areas for growth.

Now I hear you saying to yourself, " This sounds great for adults, but how do you get a Kindergartener or first grader to own their learning?  

I have seen it with my own eyes.  While working on a math lesson, the Kindergarten teacher asked the students where they were after the lesson.  Students were either needing a little more support 1 (riding a bike with a person helping), could explain the lesson and do a little on their own 2 (riding a bike with training wheels) or they were able to do it without assistance and explain it to others  3 (riding a bike with no help and no training wheels).  Students held up their fingers after the lesson to self-assess where they thought they were in their learning.  They were proud to show me where they were, and it was okay that not everyone was a 3.

Another Kindergartner teacher explained it as a 1 was where they were when the year started, 2 was where they were mid-year, and 3 was when they were ready to move on to First grade.  She even had examples of what handwriting and drawing/coloring would look like at each level.  

Students are never too young to own their learning.

While my district has fully embraced Personalized Competency-Based Learning through Marzano's teachings, I have seen the benefits of it firsthand with my own students at Woodland Elementary School.  Not only is it a District Initiative, but my staff is seeing the benefits of learning about it as well, and our students are soaring.  

However, this has not been without a lot of change for our team.  District curriculum writers have completely revamped our curriculum to make common artifacts, prioritize standards for every grade level, and write proficiency scales.  Did I mention it was a lot of change?

In my experience, most teachers want to differentiate and personalize learning as much as possible.  I know when I was a classroom teacher, I wanted to differentiate the wide variety of abilities that I had within one classroom. However, we all lack one thing: time.  Time to look at data, time to plan for multiple lessons occurring at one time, time for student and partner grouping, time to set goals with students, time to teach what a proficiency scale is when they had never heard of the word before, much less seen one. Even though it has taken time, our schools have seen the rewards this year. 

One could say this year was turning a giant ship like the Titanic with PCBL. It's a very slow process.  While most have embraced it, I am certain that some feel that it might turn out to be just another district initiative that will go away in a few years. I would argue that with the resources and technology that we have available now, it is not going away any time soon.  Why would we teach the same reading lesson to students when we can have them take a placement test and see exactly what skills they are missing and assign lessons to them on exactly what they need?  Not only that, but must technogly can give the students choices on what to read and still help them with missing skills.  It's not a thing of the past but the new normal.  

Year 37

Ok. Say it.  You know you want to. My posts are SO RANDOM aren't they?  I mean can I even consider myself a blogger when I blog every three or four months?

The truth is I did not even plan to blog tonight.  It is now late and I have had a full day.   As I was driving home from school I started to think about my upcoming birthday.  I will be 38. 38!?! Wait. What? When did that happen?  When did I get so old?

Saying hello to 38 means saying goodbye to 37. So as I reflect on the past year I thought I would a share a few life lessons I have learned.

Year 37 meant that I now have a teenager in the house. We also celebrated year 11 for Carleigh and year 8 for Delaney.  It also meant that we remembered year 6 without our sweet Mia Hope for which the blog was named and year 5 without our littlest angel Elijah.  I must say there were moments of great joy and a few tears shed over each birthday. Happy tears.  Sad tears.

37 meant crazy schedules, parties, movie nights at our house and sleepovers with friends.   This summer our door became revolving and it was odd to not have extra friends at the house.

37 meant growth for me. Not only developing myself as a person but also growing professionally.

Year 37 meant disappointment.  I had to accept the fact that some people in my life aren't going to be what I need them to be.  It didn't mean they were bad people, just motivation for me to be better in my own life.

Some days I felt 37. Some days I felt 27. Some days I felt like I would never truly have it all together.

God spoke to me this year.  Recently when having doubts about my speaking ability I felt him say, "You be you." Another time I was struggling with taking on more responsibility at the church because I was already maxed out and He said to me " Let me take care of your time."

Speaking of more responsibility...37 meant I would serve in another area of ministry that I never thought I would do...become Children's Director at GracePointe.  I am humbled each week when I get the chance to speak into the lives of our sweet kiddos.

37 meant finding even more love and appreciation for my husband than ever before.  He is the one my soul loves.  He is my best friend, my personal comedian, my protector, provider, and a wonderful father to our children.

This year was full of great moments with my children.  Laughter, tears, cooking together, swimming, being a taxi, traveling, doing homework and crafts.

Probably one of the most memorable trials from year 37 had to do with my daughter Carleigh.  She went through a very painful period toward the end of her 5th grade year and beginning summer.  She lost friends that she thought she would be friends with forever.  It meant growth for her as well because she started to realize what was acceptable behavior as a friend and what was not.  A lesson that ended up being hard on the both of us.  She went through days of self doubt, insecurity and anger.  All the while I walked along side her cheering for her and letting her know those feelings would pass.  I was once 11 and those memories came flooding back to me.

37 mean juggling starting a new college program, subbing more for Lee's Summit and having even more responsibility at GPCC.

Probably the most important lesson that I learned this year was to submit once again to God and His will for my life.  I am such a planner sometimes that I leave Him out of the equation.  He has had me do really hard things this year, things that stretch me, things that are uncomfortable but necessary.

How can this all relate to you?  As God told me in year 37 I'm telling you: "You be you," "Let Him take care of your time," and don't leave Him out of the equation for your life this year.

On Monday I start year 38. A little older, hopefully a little wiser, with an extra wrinkle or two and with memories I would trade for anything.

May 16, 2008

There are defining moments in everyone’s life.  Times that make or break you.  Times of great triumph and great despair. Times when you either become the victim or the victor. 

May 13^th 2008 was a defining moment for Jeff and I.  I brought Jeff lunch at the hospital and just for fun we decided to do an Ultrasound to check on my daughter.  I was 5 months along and we excited to see her growth. 

When her picture went up on the monitor I was met with silence.  The Ultrasound tech excused herself from the room before I realized that the silence meant no heartbeat.  Just a sweet baby girl…..floating in my tummy.  The silence was broken by my then two year old Delaney who suddenly started crying “Baby, GONE. Baby, GONE!”  How did she know?  I still to this day cannot figure it out.  No one said a word but she knew, at two years old. 

The pit in my stomach is something I would like to forget, but probably never will.  I looked at Jeff, and he stood their, eyes wide shaking his head in disbelief.

We were ushered to our car with a two and five year old in tow.  Sent home with a baby in my belly that didn’t make it.  Left to pick up the pieces and figure out what was next.

I will spare you all of the details but two long days later we checked into a hospital at 8:30 pm to deliver a baby that we knew wouldn’t be coming home with us. The long walk down that hallway as we listened to heartbeats and cries of newborns was gut wrenching.

My heart was broken, but the hope of seeing my sweet angel baby before we said goodbye kept us going. I labored all into the night. I was given drugs that made me loopy, nurses came in and “congratulated” me, and there was a constant flow of friends and family.  I finally couldn’t take it anymore.  If you only had a few hours with one of your children would you want to be on drugs that made you feel drunk? Well I certainly didn’t so I had them take me off of everything, and I immediately went to sleep.

I could hear Pastor Fel and Jeff talking on my left side as I woke up and said, “She just came out.” No nurses, no traumatic delivery. Just my Pastor, My Husband and My Sister as we welcomed sweet Mia Hope into this world, May 16^th 2008. God’s presence was THICK in that room.  It was peaceful. There was an angel among us.

Why am I writing to tell you all of this now? Because six years ago I welcomed my baby into this world and then told her goodbye and Jeff and I promised her we would tell every one her story.  She would be remembered but not with sadness, with HOPE for everyone that we will see her again one day.  Her story mattered. 

I can tell you that I didn’t know how I was going to live.  How could I take care of a husband and three other children with such a broken heart? How could I go on with out her?

There are some of you reading this right now going through trials.  Trials that make you want to give up.  Trials so fierce you don’t see how you can live another day. Don’t’ let this defining moment in your life make you the victim.

I want to tell you to keep fighting.  Get on your knees and pray. Reach out to your friends and family to help. Why? Because I believe from experience that six years from now you can be looking back thanking God that you made it.  I’m thanking God that I made it!

Sweet Mia taught us to love, HOPE, believe and dream BIG! Would you join us as we celebrate her Birthday, May 16^th?  Celebrate by loving, HOPEing and believing more and dreaming BIG!  That’s what she would want for us and that’s what God would want.

Happy Birthday Sweet Angel.  Mommy and Daddy love you very much and will keep telling your story.

Sacrifices

My youngest daughter, Delaney, has been suffering with tummy issues for the last four weeks now.  With much prayer, friends help and consultations from her Doctor we are narrowing it down to either a food allergy (possibly gluten) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  The poor thing has been in pain for weeks now.  She also doesn't want to eat for fear of her tummy hurting, which has caused her to lose a little weight. She's missed school, soccer games and Girl Scout events  NO fun.

This weekend has been especially bad.  She missed a Girl Scout Campout and a Soccer game due to the pain she was in.  However this morning at church she and her friends were scheduled to do a dance that they had been working on for months.  She woke up doing fine but as the morning progressed so did the stomach pain.  By the time we got to church she cried pretty much the entire time. 

I talked with her about going ahead and doing the dance even if she was hurting because Jesus would give her strength.  When the time came for her to dance she walked down the isle and proceeded to dance for Jesus like she had no issues at all.  The amazing thing was that after she danced.....she had no more tears.  She sat through church whole.  I may or may not have cried a little.  

I'm telling you all this to let you know that today I was once again reminded of something:  Serving Jesus sometimes requires sacrifice.  It means dancing for him even when you don't feel like it.  It may mean getting out of bed on a Sunday morning when you've had a long week and getting to church to be fed.  It could mean getting back into ministry after you've been hurt by others.  Maybe for you it's being obedient and doing what you know He's told you to do. Maybe it's giving children a few jelly beans at church because you KNOW they came to church hungry. For me it's continuing to sing His praises when my last three babies have died.

I have also learned that serving Jesus isn't always convenient.  Jeff and I get tired like everyone else and as much as we would love to sleep in on Sunday and have a lazy day we won't let that happen.  You see we want our children to have a firm foundation.  We want to use our talents and gifts for him no matter what the cost.

And I'm sorry if I'm coming off prideful because I am not.  I am humbled today.  It took my eight year old to remind me that the blessings of being obedient and doing what is right outweigh the sacrifices by about a billion to one.  If He can make my daughters tummy feel better (even if it's just temporary) by simply dancing, imagine what He can do for YOU!

Lastly I'll leave you with a comment that she said on the way home:  "Carleigh, do you want to hear about how Jesus touched me today?"

"Jesus said, Let the little children come unto me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."  Matthew 19:14

Much love,

Marsha

A Piece of Me

Monday marks five years since I had my baby boy Elijah.  For the past week there has been such an inner struggle in my mind.  A struggle that only I carry.

You see I carried him. I carried him in my tummy and now I carry him in my heart. There is a bond there that only a mother can have with her child.  They are physically a part of you and when they aren't with you it's like a piece of you is missing.

So for the past five years I have been functioning, going on with life, taking care of my family, but yet a piece of me is missing.

I try REALLY hard to act like I'm fine, and I am.  However, I have my days where I just wish he were here.

I dreamt about him the other night.  He was sleeping on my chest.  I could feel his weight on my chest and our bodies moved up and down together as we breathed.  I cuddled with him and thought to myself," Lord, don't let this moment end".  And then I woke up and felt the disappointment and sadness that it was only a dream.  The dream reminded me of holding him and feeling his weight in my arms.  It reminded me of the way he smelled.  It reminded me of how he looked like my other children.

I think sometimes people (even I) are guilty of thinking of a baby that passes away as just "a baby".  However, they aren't just babies.  They are unique.  They smell different.  They look different.  They are someones grandchild.  Someones bother, sister, niece, daughter or son.  So much more than just "a baby".

I don't understand why I have to live without him.  I don't understand why I'm not walking him to Kindergarten this fall.  Why I will never see him play ball or hear his voice say "I love you mommy."
Even though I don't understand, I have to trust God, so I do.  Even though it hurts.

You see not only is that baby boy a piece of me, but he has a piece of me with him, my heart.

I will forever be his momma, who misses him.  And I've learned through the help of wonderful friends and family, it's okay to miss him.

Monday we will celebrate his short life.  We will thank God for getting to see him.  We will remember how precious he is to us.  We will have HOPE that we will see him again one day. We just wish that one day wasn't so far away.

Marsha

Counting Backwards

Winter is upon us in Missouri my friends.  Today is terribly cold and the beautiful white snow that fell last week has turned to brown slush.

I have to admit I love a good snow day.  Kids turn their pj's inside out and put spoons behind their pillow waiting to see if school will be called off.  And I love hearing the cheers when they find out that they can stay up late and sleep in tomorrow.  

Do you remember that as a child?  Do you remember how it felt to not have school, and waking up to the promises of having an entire day of NOTHING to do? I still enjoy it as an adult.  Although being the planner that I am, I usually have a craft ready and waiting for a snow day, hot chocolate bought and usually a chore that I want to get done (that I have been putting off) on my snow day.  

This past week was interesting.  One snow day turned into two, and then four and finally five.  I saw moms go from pleasant cheerful women who enjoyed having a snow day, to updating their Facebook statuses to things like "I can't take it anymore",  "The kids WILL have school tomorrow", "My kids don't enjoy each other".

By the way, I'm not judging you if you did say that, think that or yell that.  I want to pose a question to you...10 or 15 years from now won't you wish you would have had more time with them?  Yes, I know they get on your nerves, they get on each others nerves, they fight, and they eat ALL the food but isn't that what they are supposed to do? They ARE children.  

Having extra snow days wasn't great on our schedule either but I just tried to relish in the fact that I had them home for a few more days.  Next month I will have a teenager in the house, a blossoming 11 year old young woman and Delaney Grace who turned 8 years old today.  My baby...8 years old..my oldest a teenager.  How can that be because I am so eh hem young?

The minute I had Emmitt Jeff and I started counting backwards.  We have 18 years (give or take) to help him be the person God has created him to be.  18 years to make childhood memories that will last him his entire life, 18 years to go on vacations and yes even 18 years of winter with a few snow days thrown in there.  The years go down as they get older and I know nothing happens when they turn 18 other than they are older, but with each passing year we cut the strings a little, let them go a little and watch them grow a little.  

Forgive me, I may be sounding a little sentimental but today marks a milestone for our family.  With Delaney turning 8 we no longer have a child in a booster seat/car seat.  Ya'll we have had that for the last 13 years.  I'm not sad about it, however it marks a new season in the Hasty family.  We now have older children.  They usually are more happy when they are home to be in their own rooms doing their thing, not watching Disney movies with mom and pop. 

In around 10 years they will be grown, off to college and dare I say possibly married?  Then it will be Jeff and I staring at each other no longer counting backwards.  And I can't help but think we will question did we do enough?  Were they happy enough? Did we teach them enough? I'm sure there will be regrets but hopefully, just maybe we were able to cherish each year, each snow day, each birthday, each laughter, each smile, each tear, and each milestone.  For too quickly they will be gone.  

Much love to you all and Happy Birthday to my sweet charismatic Delaney.  

Marsha

TBH?

"Carleigh, what are you doing?", "I'm sorry momma, she keeps texting me wanting me to do TBH."

I guess that the thing right now.  Kids leave a TBH (To Be Honest) to their friends.  What I have found though is that it's usually a child that needs to know what others think about them.  This particular girl for instance has a very low self esteem and is constantly need attention, and asking "Do I look pretty?"

Oh for the days that I actually worried what other people thought about me.  Do you think that comes with age?  Do we eventually get old enough to not really care what others think about us? I mean I care a little, but TBH (ha) I don't think I really WANT to know. 

Why?  Not because I think I have it all together. But because I really care what those closest to me think.   My desire is that those who know me the best respect me the most. (A line from the book I'm reading called The Circle Maker).  

One of life's biggest goals for me is that everything I do be to the best of my ability.  In my marriage, parenting, being a friend, when doing ministry, in school, as a sister, family member, daughter, etc.  Sometimes I have to put blinders on and not look to the left or right to see how other people are doing things.  I have to be secure with myself.  I have to come to place with God where we say "God, I can't do anything without you, and I'm asking you to help me today."  That's when I'm secure.  That's when I feel loved.  That's when I feel validated.  Knowing that as long as God and I have things in order, everything else is easy peasy.  

So I encourage you today....don't look to the right or left.  Look up for your security.  

 O Lord, You have looked through me and have known me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You understand my thoughts from far away.  You look over my path and my lying down. You know all my ways very well.  Even before I speak a word, O Lord, You know it all.  You have closed me in from behind and in front. And You have laid Your hand upon me.  All You know is too great for me. It is too much for me to understand. Psalm 139:1-6

If the creator of the entire universe knows your every movement and cares about you, why worry what others think.  Keep on seeking him today.  

TBH...I think you all are fabulous for taking time out of your day to read my blog.  I know I'm very random with it, but I really want to post things that God puts on my heart.  I'm not that interesting ya'll!  Have a great day!

Marsha

A Not So Fun Subject

I've been MIA from the blog for a few months.  I apologize. If I'm honest I would say that I don't find myself interesting enough to blog a lot. Or I could say that I've been so busy (which I have) but honestly the first reason is the main reason.

My heart breaks this morning as I learned that the family member of a friend I've known for years now found out that they miscarried a baby. It brings to surface where I was at a few years back and those feelings aren't fun.

Last Sunday Jeff and I did a Cardboard Testimony at our church.  If you've never seen on there are several on Youtube.  We represented how God turned Loss and Grief into Hope and Peace. To say I cried a little is an understatement.  I cried so much my head hurt for the rest of they day. As much as we love to get up and talk about how we have HOPE in Jesus that we will see our babies again one day, it never takes away the fact that we would just rather have them here with us to watch them grow. We have had huge loss three times.  Each time we never thought we would make it through, but we did.

As time goes on we find more and more opportunities to help others that are experiencing the same kind of loss.  A loss that's hard for a person to talk about, taboo at times, but oh so real.  You see when a couple finds out they are pregnant they immediately start having hopes and dreams for that baby.  And when they find out that baby has passed away all of their hope and dreams pass away right along with the baby.

Just because you cannot see the baby inside of them doesn't mean that they loved them any less than if they carried a baby to full term. (Read that again, that's powerful).

I was reminded on Monday of a friend who's son went to be with Jesus 7 years ago.  You would never know the hurt she was experiencing that day, the process she was going through.  She was just wonderful, sweet, encouraging Barbara that day.

To the one just experiencing the grief process and hurt from losing a precious child, I'm SO sorry.  I wish we never have to experience things like this.  Do whatever you need to to heal.  You get a hall pass on this, take as much time as you need.  You will make it! I promise.  If I can so can you.

To the one who has a loved one who has experienced the loss of a baby or child can I give you some advice?  Please be patient with them.  Their hurt and loss is real, even if you never saw the baby yourself. Love on them, try not to tell them what to be thankful for (trust me, they don't want to hear it) and just be there for them.  Nothing you say really makes it better anyway.  It's something they have to go through.

I apologize for the not so fun subject. As I leave you today my heart is thankful that even though I too have experienced holding my sweet babies and then letting them go, that I can be used by God to help others.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember all that you have to be thankful for!

Much love,

Marsha

The Evolution Of A Mom

Do you make lists? To do list, goals, honey do's, work to complete, New Years Resolutions?

I used to think my Nana was crazy when I was little because she had notes everywhere, in bread boxes, in her purse, on her kitchen table.  Now that I'm a little older I completely understand why.  My memory isn't what it used to be.

With yet another birthday quickly approaching (blah), I started making a list in my head of what has happened between my 36th and almost 37th year of life.  It was pretty astounding.  I have changed a lot in the last year.  One can never know what will happen from one year to the next, however this year had expectational turns and twists.

My youngest turned 7, my middle child 10 and my oldest 12.  We celebrated my PawPaw's 87th birthday, and a milestone birthday of 40 for my husband.  We also spent another year celebrating the birth of our angel babies, Mia and Elijah with great sadness and great joy.  

In November our newest family member arrived, Buddy the Elf.  I spent many nights from Thanksgiving until Christmas trying to make Buddy more funny and more clever than the night before.  It was great fun and oh so much pressure.

Christmas was pretty much a blur however we tried to slow down as much a possible and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

There were snow storms (too many to count), rainy days, happy days, busy days, work days, sad days, birthday parties, family celebrations, and many more fun days that I have probably already forgotten about.

There was a milestone for our family in May when Jeff graduated from his most favorite school, Mizzou.  It was a family event as we all had to sacrifice time with dad in order for him to reach his goals and dreams.  Although he undoubtedly did all of the work. Our oldest graduated from 6th grade as well which wasn't nearly as big of deal for him than it was for his mom and dad.  

May also brought about another change as we said goodbye to my PawPaw after two years of being ill.  He was the sweetest grandpa to me and I am forever changed the day he went to be with Jesus.  I miss him more than I ever thought he could and just yesterday was brought to tears remembering him.  I have feelings of joy because I was SO BLESSED to have him as long as I did, and I know I will meet him again one day.  I learned that I could stand up and talk at his funeral and make him proud.  Me being the emotional person that I am never thought that day would come.  But I did it.  And I'm not so certain that I could have done that just a year before.

There was mounds of laundry, tons of laughs, endless days of cleaning, tears, prayers, and thankfully more exercise than the year before.

This year I have watched my dad's health decline.  He was diagnosed with Neuropathy in his feet and legs.  Which has caused him to lose over 40 pounds and be in excruciating pain a times. More than he can bare and more than I or our family could stand to watch.  He went from being independent and working to now not being able to work and needing a cane, or walker at times. Talking about learning to lean on Jesus.....well that is what my entire family is doing concerning his health at the moment. 

I learned a few more things in the last year as well.  Like I really really like Edamame and Hummus.  I have always said that I don't like sweets, however the older I get the more I'm finding that something sweet after a meal is wonderful every now and again. (However, I still don't eat adult sized portions of sweets).

I became someone that speaks her mind. ME. I can't even believe it myself.  I'm usually the person that likes to sweep things under the rug and act like conflict doesn't exist.  I learned that it's okay if I don't agree with someone and my opinion is valid.  Am I rude about it? No.  I disagree agreeably. Chances are after all I'm never going to change a persons mind anyway.  

I learned to say NO. Not normally a big deal for most, however I am a "YES" person you see.  I don't like to let people down so I would usually just say yes to everything.  But I learn to prioritize what's important and what isn't important in this season of my life.

Just recently I sat with my very sick sister in the hospital for almost a week and realized how much I didn't ever want to be without her.  I was more scared to lose her than I have ever been in my life. Not fun in the least bit, but yet part of life. 

I also learned that it's alright for mom to have dreams and goals of her own.  That it may mean sacrifice for a time for our family but if it betters our family it is worth every sacrifice.  

I was also reminded this year that no matter how much I think I have things under control I have to realize that God is the author of my life. End of story. 

Everything that I mentioned may not seem like such a big deal for you, but for me it's HUGE.  Growth. Evolution. 

I'm not writing this to brag on myself and act like I have everything figured out because I am far from that.  Growth is a beautiful albeit painful thing.  I am letting you know because if I can evolve YOU can to.  

I may start 37 with a few more grey hairs and wrinkles, but I wouldn't change what I learned this year for anything!

Have a wonderful week friends.  Embrace the evolution.

Much Love,

Marsha

When I grow up?

When I was little I wanted to be a Teacher, a Beautician, a Veterinarian or a Marine Biologist.

As I became older and started thinking about college I decided that I didn't want to be a beautician because I didn't want to work nights and Saturdays. I didn't want to be a veterinarian because I would never want to put an animal down.  I couldn't be a marine biologist because there are no oceans in Missouri where my family was.

In 1994 at the age of 17, a senior in High School I started college. I was going to become a teacher. I made it through several classes with flying colors.  Until I had to take a math class in which I had to teach math (my least favorite subject) to elementary children. Ummmmm, what? I struggled with math, how in the world was I going to teach a first grader math? Fear and doubt crept in. I felt dumb and like I totally missed the mark on becoming a teacher.

So I changed majors, graduated with a Business Management/Computer degree. (Which ironically I had to take numerous accounting and math classes to earn this degree).

Guess what my jobs where after I graduated? A bank, a mortgage company, and a large church in which I helped in the accounting department.  I used math all day every day.  The very thing that detoured me from becoming a teacher.

I always felt in my heart that I still didn't know what I wanted to be when I grow up.

Until Emmitt Michael Hasty graced us with his presence in 2001.  One look at his sweet chubby face and I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grow up.....a mommy and wife. That was my calling. I didn't have one ounce of doubt or fear. I was going to be the best mommy possible to him. I was going to be with him for every step, every first tooth, every first word and every just plain ordinary day I could.

Can I tell you something about my God? My God made a way for me to be home full time with Emmitt, Carleigh and Delaney for 11 years. Over a decade. I didn't miss a thing and have NO regrets.

But something happened, they grew up. Last year we put them in public school after two years of homeschooling and several years of being in a Christian school. They were gone all day, and I was by myself in a quiet and clean house.  It was a healing process for me because had I not lost Jordan, Mia or Elijah I would have still had children at home.  I had to come to terms with the fact that I have to move on now. (As I type with tears streaming).

I have done a lot of soul searching. I have learned that I really do not have control over much (I'm such a control freak).  My life is in God's hands and I must seek his will for my life, even when it hurts deeper than I ever thought it could.

With much anticipation, anxiety, and encouragement from my husband I started back to college last night.  To pursue a dream. To not be average. To do things that matter. I'm considering becoming a teacher again and this time I will not listen to lies that I'm not smart enough. If I continue down this path I will become a teacher at almost 40 years old.(3 years from now). 20+ years after I set out to become one. However, this time around I will be able to pour out the knowledge and love that I have learned from being a stay at home mom all those years. But I still don't feel grown yet?

I want to encourage you today. Do not listen to self-doubt, lies and haters. Go for your dreams. You are guaranteed to miss 100% of the chances you don't take!

He's kind of a big deal!

I have been on a journey as of late.  A good but painful journey. You all may remember from past posts that change is very hard for me.  But thankfully as I get older it gets a little easier. (I'm totally lying in hopes that one day it will).

Summer of 2013 has brought several changes for our little family. Up until two weeks ago my oldest (Emmitt) starting middle school was not a big deal.

I will always remember standing in line with my 12 year old (who is almost taller than me) at Pleasant Lea Middle School signing him up for 7th grade.  I thought several things.....Wasn't he just starting kindergarten? ....Man I feel OLD!.....Why do all of these 7th grade girls look like 16 year olds?

That day it dawned on me, my little boy is approaching adolescene. At the very door step of it in fact.

Yet another change for all of us.  As hard as it is on his momma, I welcome it.  Emmitt's First Grade teacher, Mrs. Casey (we love you) taught me to enjoy every season in his life.  Not to look at him getting older as a bad thing, but to enjoy the opportunities that will come his way and watching him grow into the man that God has created him to be.  We get a front row seat. (How lucky are we?)

I'm not going to lie and say that there hasn't been tears shed this week.  There has been a lot of them. But not with sadness like I used to feel in these situations.  With a feeling of an old season passing and a new season for us quickly approaching. Ready or not, hear it comes.

So many times as a parent we have to say little goodbyes to our children's childhood.  Like when they start school or spend the night at a friends house and you realize they don't need you as much as you thought. How about when they go off to camp and don't even miss you? Yes, all parts of growing up but not just for the child, for the parents as well.

But thankfully with the faith that Jeff and I share, and the trust that we have in Jesus Christ, we know that they are in good hands.  They are just on loan to us as parents. It's all God's anyway isn't it?

The word TRUST comes to mind.  We have to TRUST the process.  We have to TRUST God's word. We have to TRUST that we have raised Emmitt well and that he will make good choices when we are not in his ear telling them what to do.

Hebrews 10:23 says: Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be Trusted to keep his promise.

Did you get that?  Maybe you have been let down by others lately.  (I know I have).  Maybe you have lost your trust in others.  I want you to understand that God can be TRUSTed with his promises.  He doesn't waiver.  We have hope.

We can TRUST him even when it comes to our children (which sometimes we feel like belong to us more than Him). We can trust him with our life. I can TRUST Him with Emmitt's life.

Since I have your attention can I take a minute to tell you about my boy? He's extremely smart and his vocabulary is outstanding. (He gets that from his father).  Just yesterday we took him to an aquarium and his sentence started with "Mom, did you know that in greek mythology the seahorse is named Hippocampus which means crooked horse.?" He retains much of what he reads which amazes me every time. (Again, gets that from his dad). He reads on average a novel a week if not more.  He's usually pretty quiet and reserved.  He's been known to be loud with is friends but only on a special occasion. He doesn't mind giving hugs or saying he loves us. At the age of one he was taking things apart so he could figure out how they worked and how they go back together.  He's had one girlfriend (by girlfriend I mean they texted each other) in which he declared "Girls are a lot of work, they always want to talk about their feelings." I told him it only go worse. He's kind of a big deal. (I'm his mom, let me brag).

So tomorrow morning I will send him on his way...TRUSTing that he will be okay.  I cannot guarantee that I will not shed more tears, but I can guarantee that I will TRUST God no matter how I feel.

 Love you Emmitt Michael Hasty!

Until Death Do Us Part.

Wow, with Summers never ending activities I haven't been able to blog as much as I would like.  I have had many things to write about, but most days no time to even complete a sentence.

The Hasty household has been a buzz with playdates, sleepovers, camps, Vacation Bible Schools, pool time, and family time.  It's been a fun whirlwind of a summer and we are loving every minute of it.

About this time every year I get a little sappy.  Why you ask? In July the love of my life has a birthday and we also celebrate our wedding anniversary.

I don't really know why we planned it this way (young and in love) but in July of 1997 Jeff turned 24, he graduated from Radiology School and we were married within a few weeks of each other. We were so ready to be married we didn't care about the crazy time of year that it was for us.  I was 20 years old, working for an attorney (Jeff's fabulous cousin Jackie), and a full time student.

Thinking back to those times 16 years ago brings warm fuzzy feelings to my heart.  We had a lot to learn about life, each other, and being adults, but it was the BEST time together.  We loved spending our first Thanksgiving and Christmas as man and wife, decorating out house together, cooking for him when he got off of work and just hanging out watching TV together (that was life before kids ;).

I knew he was a great guy then, but as we have grown older together my feelings of love and infatuation for him turned more to love and endearment and feeling like he is a part of me I never want  to be without.  The best part of me is him.

I think that in the past 16 years of being together my definition of love has changed.When you are young you might think showing love is getting a nice gift for your significant other. Or maybe telling them you love them a gazillion times per day.  You try to make everything perfect for them so they think everything is perfect.

Now I see love in a completely different light.  Love for me now is:

• Putting my (and our children's) needs before his.
• Cleaning the house for me so I can have a break.
• Holding me in life's darkest hours and telling me we are going to make it.
• Telling me the truth even though he knows it's going to hurt me but doing it in love.
• Driving an old car instead of having the nice truck that he's always wanted so I could stay home full time and raise our young children.
• Seeing me with a few extra pounds after being pregnant and never once making me feel like I was anything less than a beauty queen.
• Feeling his hand on me in the middle of the night knowing that he is praying for me.
• Speaking well of me to others even though he has many reasons to say otherwise.
• Letting me scream, cry and be depressed when I was mad at God for letting my babies die and reminding me to trust God instead.

Jeff does a wonderful job of telling me how much he loves me, but he does an even better job of SHOWING me love daily.

We have been through better and much worse, great sickness and health, and times of plenty and times of want.

I'm not nieve enough to think that we will not have more hardships.  I'm smart enough to know that we can make it through those hardships together, putting God first always.

Jeff,

Thank you for showing me unconditional love and support, mercy, grace when I didn't deserve it, and for making me laugh for the past 20 years. You are my best friend and my biggest cheerleader. I'm so blessed to have you to share this life with. You know me better than I know myself. Thank you for 16 wonderful years as my husband.  I look forward to 50+ more.  Until death do us part.......

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to let me talk about my husband.  I promise next time to not be so sappy.

Have a great day my friends.

Marsha

He Has Such A Way With Words

I came across this gem a few days ago.  I had forgotten about it. My husband wrote it a year after our baby boy Elijah was born.  Such a sweet sweet man I have.  I thought you might like to read it.  Enjoy.


Well, i don't type stuff like this for everyone to see much anymore but today is a special day. This is going to be long, sorry, deal with it........ A year ago today i held for the first and only time this side of Heaven our baby boy Elijah Jake Hasty. It's weird even reading that myself right now.........I can't believe that Elijah was here and gone.........It was only one year earlier that we held his sister Mia and let her go too......how did this happen? Why? How could God ask this of us again? I wish I had all of those answers, but the truth is, it wouldn't matter. It wouldn't make the hurt less, or the pain less real. God chose for Elijah to be here with us a short time, way too short. I have felt every emotion you can imagine over the last year. That day a year ago seems far off sometimes and sometimes it feels like yesterday. I knew as i was holding Elijah's lifeless body that God was doing something deep in me, i knew that like the year before, i would never be the same. But, i also knew that i would blow it daily too and that i would let God down even though i promised Him the world that day and begged Him to take it all away. In that moment, I heard God say to me....."Do you trust me?" My response has always been of course i do. But, this time i said "i don't know?"

That day last year, i wasn't sure of much...................but as the day unfolded here is what happened. Family and friends began to come and call. There were many prayers and more tears. Marsha's sister came and didn't leave for one minute the entire time, she is a great Aunt to our kids. Thank you Angie for being who you are and for holding us and supporting us. I am thankful to know you. I love you very much. 2 Angels on earth made their way to the hospital: Randy and Lisa Burns- what you did for us over those 2 days will never, ever be able to be explained here on earth. You are 2 beautiful people and I pray that God surrounds you forever with His presence. I know there is no way to ever return the favor to you both so i will simply but humbly say Thank You. Throughout the day many people came and went. If i start to name some i will no doubt forget a few people and i don't want to disrespect anyone so for all of you that came before, during and after Elijah's birth i say Thank You to you too. My brother and I traded phone calls and about 1000 txt messages. I couldn't talk to him for very long because the tears would come and i hated to try and talk to him through the tears so we texted ALOT. There were all the wonderful, amazing, Godly people from what i just call Sheffield but some of you know as Sheffield Family Life Center......an AMAZING church that we were privileged and honored to call home for almost 9 years. If ever a church lived out what God called them to, it is you!!!! No way we could thank everyone from there either......Ps Willie....i love you soooo much. If you could see what my heart feels about you, then and only then you would understand how much you mean to us. My best buddy Jon called every little bit and always would start out praying for me. I will always be thankful to God that he brought Jon into my life........Jon, you are a good man. Thank you for your friendship and guidance. I hope that i am half the friend to you that you have been to me. There were continued calls, my mom and dad called several times....my mom was so precious and i am sure broke some speed limits to get here and my dad was heart broken to see us suffering so much. I have been blessed with fantastic parents. Mom, i love you so much and i am grateful God chose me to be your son. My co-workers were incredible and especially Miss Jill. Jill, you are a great friend. I could never thank you enough for all you have done for me. I am so thankful that i know You, Eric and Lilly. Whatever i can ever do for you guys, it's done! Others came and went and none of you went unnoticed or unappreciated i can assure you of that. Marsha's parents came and it was good to have them there for Marsha. I have great in-laws......i probably don't treat them as well as i should but they are great people who i respect and admire a lot. Tommy made his way there too and what can i say about Tommy? One of the best friends i have ever had. A good soul that the world could use more of just like him. Thank you Tommy for holding our hands through this......you have been better to me than i deserve and i say Thank You to you and that i love you buddy. Then comes my very best friend and the best sister i could have ever imagined to have. Genny....words could never explain what you mean to me. For 10 years you have been by our side on top of the mountains and in the deepest darkest valley. You held me up that day last year and days since then......it was an honor to share Elijah's birth with you......when asked to define friend, it is an easy one word answer to me.....Genny! You, Tony and your kids have been my family up here, i love you guys and bending as low as i can, i say Thank You and may God bless your days for the love and compassion you have shown our family………………… It's hard to even type this one but i press on.....Fel......hmmmm........still hard to type it. What can i say? There is something deep, way deep down inside my heart that could never be expressed in human language for what you mean to me. You held my son and dedicated him back to Jesus. You spoke such beautiful, powerful words through your pain for us. I wish more than anything i could remember all you said that day. Your words were precious to me. They were life giving to me. You carried God with you into our room. The atmosphere changed when you got there. It is a high honor to know you and to call you friend. I will live the rest of my days telling people what happened in that room and what you did for us. If God has ever let me see Him in the flesh, i have seen Him through you. Please know that i owe a life debt to you.......as long as i have breath, whatever you need from me is done! No questions asked! I love you Bro and i am so grateful that you, Dianna and your boys are in our life. We are all in fact doing life together. For that, i am eternally grateful.

Marsha ---- can i start by saying how beautiful your heart and spirit is. What could i have ever done to deserve someone like you? I am so sorry we have had to walk down this path.....you don't deserve to carry this pain. But, you have handled it with more grace and dignity than i thought was humanly possible on this earth. I wish i could take all of this away from you. I wish you could wake up tomorrow and this didn't happen. I know it’s not possible, but i ache to try and take this away from you. Since we are here and since we carry what we carry, there is NO-ONE i would want to carry this with but you. God is not going to waste our pain; He will not leave this unredeemed. On that day, when all is stripped away, the pain will melt away as we run into Elijah's arms and we see that everything is ok. God will be smiling i am sure at how you handled what He asked us to carry. Besides all the obvious things, the one huge reason that i get upset when i think about all of this is, Elijah was deprived of having the best Mommy here on earth........I wanted to be his daddy soooooo much, but when i see you with our kids, i know one day they will look back and say very simply and with all honor...."We had the best Mom." If they were giving that award out, it's yours! Don't ever let the enemy of our souls or someone on this earth EVER tell you that you are anything other than what God says about you..........I am forever yours, on the mountain and through the valley, i got your back babe. I love you. We will plant Hope and when all is said and done, God will say: Well done Jeff and Marsha, you have carried what I asked of you, welcome home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Emmitt, Carleigh and Delaney------daddy loves you and i want you to know that i will keep trying everyday to be all that you need from me. You have shown incredible resilience and resolve. Elijah is waiting on you........You are still his brother and sisters......you get to see him one day. God will never, ever give up on you, don't give up on Him!

So, where does that take us? Let me go back to that room 365 days ago. Tremendous pain and heartache, God asking me if i trusted Him and my answer was "i don't know?" All of a sudden in the middle of the room, my son lying in his crib waiting for me to release him back to God. I looked around the room, surrounded by people that love me more than i could imagine, surrounded by flowers, surrounded by gifts. I heard God whisper to me........"I sent these people to love and hold you until I can." At that moment, i knew it was all going to be ok. God didn't change......He loves us. He knew what it was like to lose a son and through the pain and with tears running down my face, i said "God, I trust you."

Thank you to all of you that have been a part of our journey. I will say to you what I said to my kids……..Don’t give up on God, He is not going to give up on you! It really is pretty simple, God=Good, devil=bad.

Many Blessings to you today, the day that Elijah Jake Hasty celebrates his first birthday in Heaven……….one day, I am going to celebrate his birthdays with him…..it’s a promise.

Jeff

WHERE ARE THEIR PARENTS?

"Carleigh, let me have your Ipad. I haven't been on Instagram in a while and I want to check up on you".

In a matter of about 30 seconds she was handing me her Ipad and scurrying back to her room.  I secretly hoped that I wouldn't find one bad thing on this social media thing she likes to get on.

You see, my children know that at any time Jeff or I will come and take their electronics and check up on them.  They also know that if they change their browser history they are in worse trouble.

As I scrolled trough things she posted I was relieved...she did good. No poses of her making pouty lips.  Some kids call it duck face. She tried that once and I told her it looks like she wants to kiss a boy.  She deleted that photo immediately.  All of her friends were posting pics like that.  However, it took one little comment from me and she couldn't delete it fast enough.  Do I think that it will be like this forever...ummm NO.  I was her age once too.  She didn't want boys to think she wanted to kiss them. She was just doing what she saw all of her friends doing.

Back to my story....what I saw on her profile was fine.  What I saw on the profile's of some of the 6th graders that I came to know in Emmitt's class was disturbing to say the least.

I saw many photos of 12 year old girls in SMALL bikinis posing sexy. I saw OOTD (outfit of the day) which consisted of belly shirts and shorts that were barely there.  Not even a face in the pic...just her little 12 year old tween body.  I saw girls calling each other horrible names, and others sad over the mean words.

I saw boys in his class flipping the camera off numerous times, talking about being "sexy" (makes me cringe), saying F-you to others and calling each other names that I would never repeat.

I wanted to scream and have since then "WHERE ARE THEIR PARENTS?"

If I were to look at the group dynamics of the class, I would probably say these are the popular kids. (If you believe in cliques).

I finally had to just stop looking at these pictures because I was sick to my stomach.  These poor kids.

Since I was once their age I know the pressures they have.  Pressures to fit in, be popular, pretty, wanted by other tweens.  Looking back on my life though I can honestly say those feelings didn't hit me until about age 14 NOT 12 year old 6th graders.

My humble opinion is that social media makes it really easy to be someone your not. Say things that aren't true and feel valued by the number of "likes" you've gotten.

My son had his first girlfriend this year.  By girlfriend I mean they texted each other and NEVER actually said two words to each other in real life.  He realized by about week two that having a girlfriend wasn't as much fun as he thought.  She always wanted to talk about her feelings.  He broke her heart.  Me being the crazy women I am just wanted to sit down with her and have a nice long chat about not growing up too soon.  But I refrained for his sake.

Electronics now have made it super easy for us to say and do things that we never would have the nerve to do in real life.  Which makes me worry for our sweet children.

For me acting like that, talking like that and behaving like that isn't even about being a "Christian".  It's just about trying to be a good person in general.  I believe that we are all born with a still small voice inside of us letting us know right from wrong. (Some call it the Holy Spirit).

I have made SO MANY (I cannot make those words large enough) mistakes in my life.   I used to wear tons of makeup (and humongo hair) to be pretty.  I wanted boys to like me and think I was pretty.  I too wore short skirts. I wanted other girls to think I was the nicest, smartest, most talented person they knew. Did I mention that my hair was huge? I digress.

Then one day something for me just clicked.  I no longer cared. My confidence came from within.  I knew who I was and if they didn't like me so what. I wasn't going to change to fit in. I stopped listening to who they thought I was and started believing in what God said I was.  I didn't want to be labeled popular but as someone who was nice regardless of any differences we had.

If you ask me there is nothing better or more desirable than a sweet man (such as my sweet hubby) who isn't afraid to tell others how he feels, leads by a Godly example, and is a wonderful father and provider.  I feel that women are much more attractive when they aren't showing their business. When they are great wives, encouragers, homemakers, and have enough self worth to know that they don't need men fawning over them.  They have just what they need in their spouses and what they cannot get from them God can provide.

My prayer for my children (and your children) is that they figure out who they are sooner than I did.  That they realize their self worth is not dependent on the number of boys (or girls) that say they like them.  That spewing 100 cuss words in a row doesn't make them any cooler than they were.  It just makes them look immature.

So I'm giving you a heads up.  If you are friends with my kiddos on Instagram or Facebook one day and you see something on there that might be a red flag, LET ME KNOW. PLEASE.  You know that saying it takes a village to raise a child? The older they get the more I understand that I cannot do this parenting thing on my own.  I need my husband, family and friends to come along side me and pour into my children what we have learned in life, the good, the bad and the ugly.

 I'm not gullible enough to believe that there won't be hiccups in raising them.  However, I believe that God will give me wisdom to parent them.  My bedtime prayer is this:

"Dear Heavenly Father, I'm asking you tonight to help me be a better parent to my children. Help my children learn at an early age that they are who YOU say they are and not what others say.  Give me wisdom when I feel that they may be going down a wrong path to help them get back on track. Help me to not just look out for my children but encourage other children as well to do what is right. Amen"

Thank you for your time.  I'm sure not all of you are going to agree with what I have just said.  Let's just disagree agreeably ok? Ha.

Marsha

My laundry basket runneth over.

As I went over the calendar for the week I felt a small panic attack coming on. How on earth am I going to get everything done? I took a moment to pause and bring my heart rate back down and then proceeded to start preparing for the week.

As I went to each room in the house gathering piles of laundry and getting them to the laundry area I thought "God, my laundry basket runneth over!"

We women (not just mothers) constantly have to find balance in housework, our spouses, our work outside the home, ministry for some of us, and let's not forget raising up little human beings to be responsible, smart, assets to society.  Oh, and then maybe just maybe we can squeeze in a little time for us. (Working out is my guilty pleasure).

I typically tend to be the woman who overschedules and signs up for things even when I don't really have time for them.  Have you ever heard the saying "If you want to get something done ask a busy person?"  That's me.  Although I recognize it and am learning to say no it's still a huge work in process for me.  So because I'm busy instead of looking forward to the day to day tasks of life I sometimes just can't wait for the tasks to be over.

God cautioned me last night and I wanted to share it with you:

Be thankful for the laundry you have because it means your family has an abundance of clothes.

Be thankful for dirty dishes in the sink and dishwasher because that means your family had plenty of food to eat.

Be thankful for ministry no matter how busy you get because you are making changes in the Kingdom of God no matter how small the task.

Be thankful for a full calendar because it means your children, husband and you have friends and family that care about them and want to spend time with them.

Be thankful for housework because it means you have a roof over your head.

Be thankful even when you have to pay high gas prices because it means you have transportation.

Do you get my point?  I could go on and on but I won't.  I'll let you decide how that works in your life.

My goal for today is to quit wishing things to be over and just be thankful.

My laundry basket, to do list, schedule, and most importantly cup runneth over today.

Have a fabulous week fabulous friends!

Marsha

"And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

For the amazing Fathers in my life....Thanks!

With Father's Day just around the corner I've been contemplating what I could do to show my appreciation for the fathers in my life.

Thankfully I have had many men of influence around me and now my children. So today I thought that I would share a little about each one of the men in our life that mean SO much to us.

Let's start with my Grandpa Thurman. (My dad's father).  He was a man of faith, he helped my Grandma raise 5 children, and did a pretty great job with my dad.  (I'm sorry, but I couldn't find a picture of him).

You may remember me talking about Grandpa King passing away a few years ago.  He was Jeff's grandpa on his moms side.  He was a true war hero and P.O.W. .  He was a sweet man who took care of Jeff's grandma like a queen.  I love this picture taken of Jeff and his grandpa at the last birthday party we had for him before he passed away.  He died at the young age of 90!

Then there is my PawPaw. I know, I know, as much as I have talked and blogged about him lately I'm sure you feel like you know him already.  But you see, he was not just a great father/grandfather but an AMAZING (yes,  I used the word that gets over used a lot but there is not better word to describe him) man.  I could tell you stories that my mom and her siblings had of him growing up, and then there are my own stories with him.  I miss him everyday and this is his first Father's Day in Heaven.

I cannot forgot to mention Jeff's brother Chuck who has poured into Jeff's life and our children's lives as well.  He is a wonderful father to my niece and nephew and has such a loving spirit when it comes to them.  Such a great example for Jeff to follow.

Then we have my sisters husband "Uncle Tommy".  Though he and Angie have never had biological children they do a pretty darn good job of taking care of my babies.  Tom has been known on occasion to spend MORE than Jeff and I do on them at Christmas.  He's a big kid at heart and loves to lavish them with fun things.  Recently Emmitt had a fishing field trip and wanted his Uncle to go with him on it.  I love this picture of the two of them.

Someone else that we have been blessed to have in our lives is PawPaw Neal. (Jeff's moms husband).  He is THE BEST grandpa to my babies.  He's always has a joke to tell, snacks to give them, and they always have so much fun with him.  He is a wonderful man.  This picture fits his personality to a tee.  Funny guy.

Then there is Jeff's dad, Mike.  He lives in Indiana so we don't get to see him much. He is a cowboy.  Always wearing a straw cowboy hat and his dirty brown boots.  If you talk to Jeff very long about him you will notice that he holds a special place in Jeff's heart. My children love their Grandpa Hasty.

I cannot forget to talk about my Father, El Roy Thurman Jr. (He often goes by J.R. or Junior).  I can honestly say he is such a sweet man.  Growing up he always put our needs before his and there are times that I remember him working so much I don't know how he had time to sleep?  He's always there for us to lend a helping hand and has been known to clean my house for me while we were gone on vacation "just because". How lucky am I?

I want to end this by talking about the father of MY children.  My baby daddy.  My love. My king.  We had no idea when we started this journey called life together so many years ago that we would be the father of Emmitt, Carleigh, Delaney and our angel babies, Jordan, Mia and Elijah.  6 kids?  Are you kidding me?  Being a father has been so natural for him from the start.  There were the midnight feedings that he helped with, a countless supply of dirty diapers, many tears wiped away, books read, balls thrown, numerous I Love Yous said, messes cleaned, jobs to pay for their needs, homework he has helped with, and many, many, many more things I could go on about that he has done.  Thankfully my children get an example of a hard working, Godly, wife honoring, and honest father.  Everything he does is for us, his family.  He sacrifices, pours out to us, prays for us and lifts us up when we are week and need help.  He has been by best friend for many years and I know that my children will say that about him one day also when they are older.  I'm still pinching myself in thinking that my children get HIM for a father.  Blessed isn't an adequate word for it.  

So to all the fathers in my life I want to say a great big THANKS!  Our lives are better because of you. 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!