Count Your Blessings

We've had a roller coaster of emotions the past week.  Snowstorms and cancellations, busted pipes and clogged sinks, fluke injury and crippling back pain, topped with a dollop of financial stress, all in the midst of planning a surprise party for our son who would turn 18.

To say tears have fallen would be an understatement.  

Perhaps the obstacles came at the same time to keep me distracted from the fact that my baby was all grown up.  If you've been around this blog for more than a minute, you know he is a special guy and tugs at all my heartstrings.  18 was a milestone this momma wasn't quite prepared for and I don't know if it has truly sunk in even still.

As I browsed through old photos for his party, it seemed forever ago and just yesterday.  They tell you kids grow fast, you know it as a parent, but the reality still seems impossible.  I've told him a dozen times this week though...no matter how many birthdays he has, he'll always be my baby.

check out that cute photo bomber (tee hee)

In the middle of our messes, it is so easy to lose focus on the blessings we have.  

When I was soggy socked and stressed, watching water gush from our pipes (for the second time in a week) it was hard to see hope.  Dishes were piling in every direction, my hubby (our handyman) was out of commission from hurting his back at work, and due to the snow, every plumber in the area was booked for weeks.  But the hidden blessings through this mess would be a sweet dinner provided at the most perfect moment because a friend responded to a whisper from God.  Quality father-son time, as Noah was off from school (due to the snow) and got one on one plumbing lessons from Dad.  And a kick in the pants from the "big guy" to remember not to take my eyes off Him when the water rises, or else I may drown. 

Writing this morning, the events of the week that caused me such stress seem so trivial now.  A dear friend shared some horrific news of what she's been privately enduring.  And the unimaginable happened just miles away from us with another school shooting and young lives taken too soon.  I found myself ugly crying all the way to work, thanking God for reminding me of all the reasons I have to be thankful - and that there are others facing so. much. more today.  

That's how the enemy works, my friends.  he wants us to stay so bogged down in the stressors of every day that we can't look up to find the One who can pull us out of any storm.  And if we stay swirling in our own messes, we can't help (or even see) someone else who might need rescue.  

Sometimes the events we weather are mild, sometimes torrential but despite the downpours of life, God can be and is our constant calm.  

Prayers and Joy... 

and I'll leave you with a few moments of sunshine we shared.

the boy in the blue is one of Noah's best friends
 - and he came to the rescue for his party.  Being my heavy lifter, with Tim unable to help.
Bonus blessing - my sweet cousin thinking to snap precious memories like this <3 br="">
  

Records from my childhood my mom dug out to go with Noah's new record player.
We've enjoyed dusting off the memories and sharing music from my past.

And last but not least....a #simplejoy

Buffalo balls - a recipe that I "winged" (ha ha)
meatballs, ranch dip mix, and franks hot buffalo sauce
Yum Yum Yum