On my way back

Didnt realize that so much time had passed since I last logged onto my blog.

Hope everyone has been doing well and the this new year is showing you many blessings.

Our new year is much the same as the end of last year, lots of sickness and sadness so far, but God has a plan and he will use all this time to prosper us and prepare us for future things that are coming. Strength comes from trials, and triumph over many struggles.

Most of you know Sophie had surgery the end of last year, since then we have not been to church to worship in a phyiscal church building. Not because of lack of trying, just obstacles in our way. Mostly sickness, once the sick person gets well, then its time for another to be sick. Just last weekend I was sick with a bug, then Sam got it - so far no sick kids.

I have really started struggling with the life outside of church. Not that my faith is shrinking or going away, but missing the church family, hearing his words. But more than that the thought that people think that Ive stepped out of the church. Its not that I dont want to be there, just hasnt been possible for me to be there.

But "Where two or more are gathered He is there" I dont have to sit in a building to worship my Lord, I dont have to sing hymns or wear my best clothes. God has been opening my eyes in other ways. In a ministering way. I dont consider myself a minister at all.

There is so much struggling going on around me. I know several people who are having marriage struggles, going through a divorce or holding on so tight trying not to get to that point. I see and hear so much hurt in the voices around me.

It seems like years ago that I to faced these struggles but stop and put it on a calendar it really wasnt that long ago. Ever question God as to why we have to go through things of such hardness and sadness. As to what point does it have to make at all? I did. During those struggles in our marriage I would get so mad, why do I have to go through this, why to these struggles have to be in my path.

I have in the past few weeks talked to a couple ladies that are facing very similar circumstances as I found myself in just a few years ago. All I can tell them is that it will get better, bc God said so. They will make it through and be stronger bc of it.

The journey that Sam and I took in our marriage was horribly rough. Wouldnt wish that on anyone, but for me if given the opportunity to go back an undo that time of struggle I WOULDNT IN A MILLION YEARS. I wouldnt change taking that journey for nothing, I would maybe change the way I handled myself at times and try to make better decisions along the way, but the journey totally changed our marriage for the better.

God doesnt promise us an easy ride but he does promise that he will never leave or forsake us. He brought us through so much.

During this time of talking to these ladies I have realized that all things (AS HE SAYS) are for his purpose.

I hate seeing anyone sad, and I have found myself even falling into a moment of reflection and at times feel sadness in my heart bc of the pain that was felt so long ago.

I think maybe we need to find time in prayer for marriages. Such a special union between two people.

Changing of the SEASONS

I have been in a hard struggle with myself the last few months. Been slowly going into this pit of loneliness and darkness and I havent totally been alert enough to understand why. Things have certainly been crazy in my life. We have had a lot of sickness with me, the kids, Sam, my grandmother. The death of Sam's uncle, trying to sale my grandmothers house and convincing her to sale. Work brings me down alot lately. The atmosphere at work is one of unease, negative and aggravation.

I have been praying, more talking to the God about my hurt and the pain that I feel. I feel that he is pulling me in a different direction. My heart is no longer where it needs to be. I believe that the Lord is in the process of changing the seasons of MY LIFE.

As it says in Daniel 2:21 "He changes the times and seasons" My season is coming to change. Not meaning the change of life, but a change in my life.

My heart has been heavy burdened and I have been struggling to figure out what is wrong with me. Im not satisfied in my current status or role that I live. Not happy with the mom I am, the wife I try to be, the child of God that I should be. Instead of letting go and following a way that if obvious, I have been worrying my self into a dark hole.

My husband doesnt wear his wedding ring, not because he doesnt claim me, but bc of his work it has before gotten his finger caught and bc of that he chooses not to wear it as a safety precaution. This morning I was drawn to his ring in my jewelry box. I looked at it and was pulled to take it and I have worn it all this day. Probably sounds corny but I did what I was led. Then this morning coming into town, we did our morning prayers and then we listen to AFR. This morning they were talking about marriage - how ironic. I have been called to pray over this ring today. Asking the Lord to bless this man, this husband, this father. Praying for a marriage of strength, a home of love and a marriage that will honor God and that I may be a wife that will hold my husbands heart to the Lord.

the show talked about the importance a wife has in a marriage. She is the mother, nurturer, the care taker, the emotion the love the kindness the doer and the giver, very seldom the taker. This opened my eyes as to the ring. I felt the urge to wear the ring this morning but now I understood more why.

I want to be home, I want to be more with my children, I want to be better at home for my husband, I want to care for my home the way God would have me do. I have been praying for a way home and I know that HE hears my cries.

I see the moving of this time, I see the change of this season in my life, before me I see God preparing a way for me to be a better mom, a better wife and better child to HIM.

Preparing a way for change, light upon my path and a new season is coming into my life. So excited to see the doors He is preparing to open for me.

Just babble, but it is of my heart. Just wanted to share the power of our Lord

Fall and FALLS

Fall is certainly in the air. LOVE this weather, love the smells that come with this time of year, love the colors that God paints the morning and evening skies, love the shades of color of orange and red that he lays on the leaves in the trees and on the ground. Only our Lord can paint with the colors of Fall.

This time last year I was pretty pregnant, almost miserable and getting very excited about the upcoming arrival of our sweet Sophie.

This time this year I am still trying to lose the "Sophie" weight and I still very excited about the arrival of our sweet Sophie and all the milestones that have happened.

Sophie turned 9 months old last week. Doesnt seem like it has been that long. It has been an emotional roller coaster lately. The ups are higher than high and a few lows that have wanted to hang around, but by HIS grace we have over come.

Some of our highs are that SOPHIE IS WALKING. Doesnt seem real. She still seems to small to walk, but over the coarse of a week she went from holding on to furniture and walking, to letting go and taking a few steps to someone holding their hands out, to pulling up and letting go and taking off.

Proverbs 3:23 Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble

I know that this is a new journey for Sophie, she will have many steps in her life and many falls to come. My prayer for her and Gracie and Jake is that when they FALL and stumble and feel on the bottom, that they will turn to HIM and know that HE upholds all those who fall (Psalm 145:14) and they will find HIS strength in their weakness.

Overwhelmed and Out of control

August flew by in a flash, now September is over half through and soon October and gobblins, November and turkey and December and Santa. Where is time going so fast. I guess it is true that time goes by faster the older you get and man I have been feeling old.

Things at the Hobson house have been, well in lamen terms - CCCC RRRR AAA ZZZ YYY- and that is putting it mildly.

Started with school and ended with a week in the bed being more sick than I have ever been in my life.

School started and we finally started getting back in the routine of things would unexpectedly Sam's uncle Ape died. This was such a shock. He was over at the house every single day, to this day I still wait for him to beat on the door and say "Wheres Sam" so they could go fool with them cows. Man I miss him!
 
Then I got sick with a really bad cold, fought that off - or so I thought, then I ended up at the dr with what they thought was a kidney stone - talk about pain - worse than labor pains is what I was feeling. Had some test done, turned out not to be a kidney stone, but a bad infection. After a week in the bed, tons of antibiotics and pain medicine that became my best friend for a few days, I finally recovered and feel great.
 
Sophie turned 8 months while I was sick. First month that I didnt get a picture on her (month) birthday. I did think about a couple days later and snapped one really quick, not the best but considering that I was highly medicated at the time, I think it turned out pretty ok

She is doing so much, taken a few steps, stands by herself really good, is very hard headed and very determined. And out of all 3 of them - she has been the loudest and most strong willed. Its gonna be a crazy ride with her.

To top it all off Jake has had strep (?) throat this week.

Crazy life, but I wouldnt trade with anybody

And with a big Grin my baby girl turns TEN

Cannot believe that it has been 10 years to the day that we welcomed a precious baby girl into this big ole world. Seems like yesterday that we decided to have a baby. Now growing up so fast, right before my eyes and im scared to blink fearing that I might miss something so special.

In the past 10 years we have watched her learn to walk, encouraged her to talk, then tried to convince her not to talk soooo much, she has fallen and almost bitten her tongue off, she has had stitches from falling on a fire hydrant at school, she has had the mumps, she has saved Jakes life twice (once when he fell off the porch and busted his head & again when he was 3 and put his head through the cord on a mini blind - she heard him struggling and was smart enough to cut the cord with some scissors) needless to say none of our mini blinds have strings on them anymore. She helped teach Jake to swim, she has learned all of her TEN commandments, all books of Old and New testament, has prayed for others, made others smile and loved more than any little girl I know.

She is the first grandchild on my side and had my brother Eric wrapped around his finger. She holds the key to her dads heart and is by far the greatest earthly blessing that I have ever had. She smiles with her heart and her eyes shine with His love. She can be moody and fussy but can be kind and giving all in the same day. With her curls and bright blue eyes she brightens the dullest of days. She can make me madder than anything (yes because we are just alike) and wipe it all away with a hug that goes forever.

To me she is bossy, to Sam she is baby girl, to my mom she is boss lady, to pops she is butterbean, to granny she is pretty girl and Pawpaw she is peanut. Jake thinks she hung the moon but they can fight like 2 caged hens, Sophie is still so young but I know one day she will want to follow every move she makes.

10 years have passed so fast but it has been the greatest 10 years of my life. She loves the Lord and holds him close and my prayer for her is that she will do all to honor Him.

Happy Birthday Bossy - Momma loves you 

Not ready for this

Well I officially have two kids in school.

Today was the first official day of school and so far I have not shed any tears (be proud) (but probably bc I shed them all the past 2 weeks). Jake started BIG SCHOOL today. He was really excited and did really well.

I had to go back to getting up at 5 (its been 5:45 all summer) but being the sweet little baby that she is Sophie decided that I needed an extra jump start so she woke me up at 4 (a.m. that is). Gotta love her!!!

Six a.m rolled around and much to my suprise the kids got up on the first call (oh to be like this all year) (i can dream)

Jake ran straight to get dressed, Gracie fussed about her hair, Jake played with Sophie so I could get breakfast cooked and Gracie fussed about her hair. All together and out the door 10 til 7 (hoping to beat the traffic)

Did really good, dropped Gracie off and Jake said I could take him in, but only 1 day, then he would go by himself. I agreed bc Gracie never wanted me to walk her in, she was miss independent from day one.

I made sure he could find the class room so I let him let (just to assure myself) and he did a great job getting us there. We met with the teacher and she showed him his cubby and commented on his nap mat (its really cute)

I helped him put all his things away and he kinda started to sink into his little shy hole (he always gets like that when he is uncomfortable). I stayed a few minutes and then asked him if he wanted me to stay or if I could go to work and in a low mumbled voice he said I could go to work. Was a little hard to leave, but I know that he is gonna have so much fun and meet so many new friends. Cant wait to hear all about it.

Gracie is an old pro. She got all her stuff together last night. Got up and fussed about her hair, and didnt eat any breakfast as usual. She didnt want me to walk in with her bc "SHE REMEMBERS WHERE HER CLASS IS" and she promised to make sure Jake got on the bus this afternoon.

Gracie is certainly not a little girl anymore, she will be 10 in a few weeks and I think that puts us at the beginning of the dreaded "PRE TEENS". I am most certainly not ready for that.

We said our prayers on the way to school this morning, I have really missed this part of starting my day. I pray that they both of a blessed school year and I pray also for the teachers, that they will help in guiding my children and give them the wisdom they need. I know the Lord has wonderful things in store for this year. May His protection, love and His light shine on their path and lead them in the direction He would have them to go!

Hard Working Man

Jake is a busy little man. Just like his dad, Jake never stops (not even in his sleep). He gets up on the weekends and where most little kids head to the tv to watch cartoons, Jake heads to his room to change clothes so he can go work (thats what he calls it anyways). He is such a hard worker and loves to help with anything he can.

Sam built him this huge dirt pile (most kids have sand boxes). Jake spends all his time out there. He has his bulldozer, his dumptrucks and backhoes, his little hot wheels cars and some plastic men directing traffic.

The other day we got this huge rain shower and it created a hole in his dirt pile. Sophie and I walked outside to watch him "work". He had built this bridge with his bulldozer so his cars could travel safely (his words)

This summer he helped alot in the garden with my grandmother. He loved picking okra and watering the flowers. He would remind her every night that they needed to go water the flowers

With it being as hot as it has been for the past few days, I have tried to encourage him to stay in a little more. It really hasnt worked. He is determined to go outside. He came in the other morning all red faced and wet with sweat and told me I was right, that it was really hot outside.

Yesterday we went and met his teacher for school. I can not believe that he is starting big school. We got the teacher we wanted which really made me happy. Just a few more school supplies to get today and we will be done.

Yesterday evening after we had gotten settled, he of course went outside to work. He said he had some "hauling to do". He was really working like a big man. Dont really quite know what he was doing but he was giving it his all.

He is so much like Sam. I know one day that he will make a great husband and provider to some lucky girl. He is a hard worker, a loving little boy and gives his all in everything he does.