Coffee CubBuster

Keeping track. In many cases, an important capability. Keeping track of loved one's birthdays, keeping track of meetings or appointments; keeping track of your finances-- there are many gadgets and products available today to help us keep track of life. I know social media like Facebook and Instagram can keep track of everything you've done for the past decade via photographs. The Fitbit keeps track of your steps, sleep, and health among other things. Of course our Smart phones keep track of our lives with daily notifications. While these are all helpful, I wonder if we are keeping track of too much. Does keeping track hinder us? It seems like we are afraid be "in the dark." I know there's probably a reoccurring theme on this blog (which, I recognize, helps me keep track my own thought process and family photos), involving our desire to be God. We want to know EVERYTHING. The learning process is essential to mankind's growth as a species, but I think we need

"It's hard to lose when your standards are so low." (John Simone Sr.) I am all for high standards, especially when it comes to who my children will marry, how they conduct themselves as gentlemen, and what they absorb into their hearts and minds. However, when it comes to daily life, we have to be careful what standards we grow accustomed to in our lives. In other words, it's easy to get used to a certain lifestyle or routine, but when it changes to one we consider a "down-grade," that's when it becomes difficult to adjust. Whether we are talking about restaurants, shopping, sleep, or independence, once we come to expect certain modes of operation, the lesser, inconvenient forms are no longer acceptable. No matter what our paycheck says or where we call home, I hope that my family can maintain a simple lifestyle that is modest to say the least. While it's easy to say these things when thinking about the unknowns, like the potential loss of money,

I kid you not, he's reading an Accounting magazine. Love our Resurrection Garden tradition Just as I was about to lose it with exhaustion on a Saturday pancake disaster, my little man put on some glasses and reminded me it was no big deal. Look who's trying to grasp with his weak hand! (I sat him up though...not quite to the up and down on our own yet.) I heard a quote recently that really stuck with me. "These days, people wear busyness like a trophy." Isn't that the truth? I have to say that I was sold into this gold. Not long ago, if I didn't have something planned for every hour of the day, I felt like people would view me as lazy, unimportant, or even out of touch with society! I know most people would argue that spending our time wisely and taking advantage or every opportunity is the American dream, but I'd have to say I think we are just afraid of what others might think, or worse what we might discover about ourselves if we slo

Before you get too excited, Levi isn't really eating a cupcake, but he did try a little frosting and loved the shiny wrapper of course! His first birthday came with doctor's appointments, a head cold, and lots of love and kisses! He's a trooper to say the least, and what most kids would get upset about, he sees as a piece of cupcake compared to what he's been through. Matthew and I reminisced on the past year in awe of where we've come from and how we got where we are today. It's only by the grace of God for sure. There's no other way around that fact. We couldn't be happier to celebrate simply that our second son is alive and by all comparisons very well! A quick update: Levi still isn't past the 7th percentile  (for weight/height ratio, he's only in the 2nd percentile for his age group based on weight), so we made some feeding changes that will hopefully keep us moving in the right direction. Although, the good news is that he&#

I remember planning Silas' first birthday party at a park just a couple years ago. While it was a very low-key party, all things considered this Pinterest age, I have a different "to do" list for Levi's upcoming birthday. Praise God it only includes a few things: visit hospital with flowers for all those who kept Levi alive and growing, thank God and everyone else I can who supported us this past year, reminisce and kiss my little boy as much as I can, and write Levi a birthday letter. So my littlest man, here's a letter from your adoring momma:  Dear Levi, I am utterly amazed at what God has brought us through this past year. As we get ready to celebrate your first birthday, I can't help but feel like this is more than a celebration of birth. Your birthday is a celebration that deserves more than just one candle, more than a great themed party, more than balloons and a smash cake (which my sweet son you'll have to patiently wait longer to en