Dependent

"Addicted to doesn’t mean the same thing as dependent upon. But it’s close, isn’t it? If I’m addicted to alcohol, my body will crave it, my mind will demand it, my cells will cry out for it. I need a drink in order to cope, to feel better or to feel nothing at all. Or, at least, I think I need a drink. I believe I need a drink. I turn to alcohol to help me, to save me. I depend upon it to do what it has done in the past…offer a momentary sense of relief. Or maybe it’s not like that at all. Maybe, if I’m addicted to alcohol, I am in a cell and it is my jailer. I need air, I need food, I need water,… I need to survive but in order to do that I must get my jailer’s permission. Alcohol holds the key that must be unlocked if I am to live. I am its slave, its prisoner. I have no choice. I am captive. Or maybe that doesn’t even come close to describing the bondage. When a person is addicted to something, they truly feel helpless to be free from it. Powerless. Unable. Somewhere, the friendly face became a tormenter. Enjoying something became needing something. Needing something became shackled to something. Pornography. Food. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. Gambling. Spending. Escaping. You name it. My friend had been sober for seven years before the pain in her sons life overwhelmed her to the point that she returned to an old “lover” for comfort. At a wedding reception with her, I noticed the wine glass by her plate. “Are you drinking?”, I asked. “Yes!”, she answered with defensive strength, “it’s helping.” It’s helping. Alcohol or any other addiction may not be the answer but it is an answer. When the pain becomes too much, it can feel so much saner to run from it. But when we run from our pain, we run from our healing. After another eight months gripped by the familiar hell of alcoholism, my friend has been sober now for two weeks. And two weeks is a miracle. Heck, one day is a miracle. She is receiving the grace to stop running. I need grace as much as I need air. No, probably more. I cry out for grace. I am utterly dependent upon God’s grace. And he promises that his grace is and forever will be sufficient for us. Though we can be utterly dependent upon God, we can’t be addicted to God. God refuses to be put in a box. He will not respond, show up, or come through for us in the way we want every time simply because he is too brilliant for that. He outsmarts us. He is a PERSON who wants to be known, loved and worshiped. Not controlled. Not addicted to. But pursued. Depended upon. And proven stronger than our addictions time and time and time again. One miracle following another, day in, day out. Healing upon healing. Grace upon grace. Glory to glory." ~By Stasi Eldredge

Refinement

"I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of affliction" Isaiah 48:10 .

Pictures-Weekends are For...

Weekends are for.....bestest of friends/little sisters ;)

and making memories that never stop.....

Weekends are for....playing cowboys.....

and cowgirls.....

and little toothy grins....

and late nights with friends.....

and some Phase10!

and popcorn for breakfast!!!! (So much healthier than poptarts and donuts! just sayin!)

and board games with cousins.....

and playing computer.....

and making Margarita jello!

and eating lunch together!!!

and then going to play at MeeMee and PawPaw's and snuggling on their couch ;)

and for little BabyMonkies thinking they are so smart to climb on top of tables....

and run around inside the shed because spring is just procrastinating in coming and preventing us from enjoying the great outdoors!

and quality time with those we love....love....love....;)

and for wiggle cart races.....

and birthday cakes....

and for wishes.....

and for the SassyPants to try to boss the boy-older-than-her around....i mean seriously......

and for daydreaming......about a big house with lotsa closets and a big yard and lotsa windows

and new shiney belt buckles......

and dancing in the living room......praising God.....

and playing hide and seek with Daddy......

and just stopping and being thankful for these littles....they are only little once....

and learning new games and asking: "does yer guy have white hair? does your guy have glasses? does your guy have stinky farts?" :P

and hanging out with sweet friends.......

and attempting to make skillet cookies.....but totally smoking the apartment out ;)....

these are the bestest of weekends.....

Fear

The past year I have been working hard on giving my fears....ALL OF THEM to God....and my brotherinlaw sent me this picture....loved it.

A Must See

The hubby and I had our movie night tonite.....and we have a new all time favorite movie.
August Rush.....wow....an amazing movie. Check out my favorite clips:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmOIIEf-7to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiFXuj5I5Do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN0c_egqXAM

Love This...

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/03/10-helps-for-really-busy-moms/

Pictures-Shedd Aquarium

With Jase being on spring break this week we decided to hava fun day with the older 2 monkies...and headed up to Shedd Aquarium.

notice the kissing fish??

their favorite parts they told us afterwards was being penquins in the playarea....

and playing at Burger King ;) go figure.....

when we left home in the morning it was warm and sunny....when we got done at the Shedd....it was freeeeeeezing and rainy :(

was a great day.....with very tired little monkies on the way home.....