Little Gym

This weekend we went to a birthday party at the Little Gym for my cousin's daughters.  Noah LOVED it!  He had a great time.  I think we will have to head back there soon.

Crazy Love

 

Chris and I just started a new Bible Study at church called "Crazy Love".  It has been great!  I highly recommend picking up the book to read.  Each week we read a chapter, watch a short video and have a discussion.  I can't tell you the number of times something in the book or the video has hit me right in the face.  It's one of those books that while you are reading you feel like it speaking directly to you.  It is very thought provoking.  

Here is a video where the author describes the book:

For more information visit the Crazy Love website: .http://crazylovebook.com/index.html

Thanks!

This week I saw just how blessed I am.  This week was very hard, much harder than I imagined.  But, there were many of you who made it easier for me.  I got wonderful emails, messages, text messages, cards and gifts from family and dear friends.  I can never explain how much your words, thoughts and gestures meant to me.  I wanted to share a poem that my friend, Sarah, shared with me.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there,
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight
On the ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.
My Spirit is still alive…

Fall Clothes

Thanks to Blue-Eyed Bride's post about Southern Tots, I have been stalking the site!  There are so many cute fall clothes for sweet little boys!

Here are some of my favorites:

Gameday Fun

This weekend we watched the Carolina game with our friends Matt, Ellen and Lucy.  We watched the game at Ellen's parents house.  They have a piano and Noah loved it.  Maybe he'll be the next Mozart!

Ellen also taught him to make the elephant sound which was hilarious! 

One Year

One year ago today, my dad went to Heaven.  We've lived a full year without him. It's unbelievable to me.

How did we make it?

We made it with Jesus.  He is with us when we cry tears of sadness, he feels the pain in our hearts, and he has been the key to our healing.  He also gives us faith that my dad is in Heaven.  I firmly believe that there is so much we don't understand and that only God does.  He promises that one day we will see and understand his plan as he does. 

We have made it with the strength and love of our family.  We have held together.  We have been there for each other and stayed strong as a family.  My mom is by far the strongest person I've ever known and I am so proud of her strength.  Chris has been my rock this year.  Noah has been the sunshine in our family and the reason to get through each day.  Andrew and Jenna have given us the excitement of their upcoming marriage. My in-laws and sister-in-law have been the best family I could ever ask for and are always there for us.

We have made it with love from our friends.  I will never forget the friends who were with us in the hospital, those who came straight to our house, those who attended the services, those who sent cards and flowers, those who shared  memories of him with us, those who continue to talk about him today and to those who have suffered losses of their own who share in our grief.  We are beyond blessed to be surrounded by people who love us and who take the time to be there for us.

We are so thankful for the years were were given with my dad.  We were blessed to have him here with us and he will live on forever through our hearts.  He left quite a legacy here on Earth and he made an impression on everyone he met.  I know that he watches down on us.  What a wonderful day it will be when we are reunited with him. 

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him...

1 Peter 1:8

Letter to Dad

Daddy--oh  how we have missed you! Our hearts still ache when we think of you.  The pain is so great.  You have been gone for a year now. It is still so hard for me to believe you are in Heaven. It has been a tough year, but we made it.  This wasn't my plan, but I know this is all part of God's plan.  I trust in his plan.  Without that trust I wouldn't be able to get through each day.  I love you and I miss you!

Love,
Alison

Letter from God

I found this poem online awhile back, and I love it so much.  This weekend will be pretty tough so I thought it was appropriate to post.  I hope you enjoy it!

To My precious child...

I wish you could see things the way that I see them. I wish you knew how tightly I truly hold you in My hands. I really have you on the forefront of My mind. I have sent My Spirit to be with you in time of crisis, and in time of desperation. I saw you cry. So badly I wanted to wrap My arms around you and wipe every tear from your eyes. I was with you, I am with you.

I know you struggle with the circumstances of life. Trust me, this is not how I wanted your life to go. But, I will fulfill My promise; you will have life, and life to the fullest. You will soar, and you will have victory. When I created you, I created you with a purpose. I can't wait for you to see what I have for you, I just can't wait!

I see you struggling, I see you trying to create an end to the madness. But don't be afraid for I am with you. I will never leave you, nor forsake you. You can trust me with your life. I created you, I will protect you. If you could only see the process, and see the outcome you wouldn't give up. Not yet. You're so close, you're so close.

Satan wants nothing less than for you to hate Me. Don't forget that. He hates everything that is good. I am turning what he intended for evil into something greater than you could ever imagine. That's why you can't see the outcome of this, because it isn't fathomable. It's really that great! I know the plans that I have for you. Plans to give you a HOPE and FUTURE! Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I would never harm you. You are too precious to me! This is only a season of your life. This isn't going to define your life, this is only going to be the beginning of what is truly life. Oh the plans I have in store for those who love Me.

Seek Me with your whole heart. I have not hidden Myself from you. I am always here, and I have been with you from the beginning. Oh My precious child, how much I love you. I got this. Rest in My arms, I am worthy to be trusted. I know you're tired, just lean up against Me and breathe...take a moment and breathe. Feel My love for you.

I haven't forgotten you. I will fulfill the promises for your life. Greater things are still to come. 

Love, your Heavenly Father.

(I found this online so I'm not sure how to credit the source.)

Starbucks

This past weekend Noah was obsessed with my Starbucks up (Don't worry, it was empty).  He loved pretending to drink his coffee.  I guess the Starbucks addiction starts early in this family!

Noah and Daddy

Noah loves his Daddy!

Noah's First Date

Noah had an afternoon date with his lady Lucy today!  Lucy and her mommy, Ellen, came over this afternoon to play and to go on a walk.  It is so fun for them to play now that they actually notice each other!  Enjoy the pictures!

Little Gamecock

Just in time to get you ready for some Carolina football, look at these sweet pictures I found of Noah from last year.  It's so crazy how much he's grown in a year!  Can't wait to take some updated Gamecock pictures of him this year cheering on his team.  Let's hope he enjoys the game more this year!