Thursday, November 20, 2008

Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday to Me!
Happy Birthday to Me!
Happy Birthday tooooooooooooooo Me!!!

You got it...today's my birthday! I am officially 31 today. I was telling DH last night that it hasn't felt like my birthday was coming up this year...and here it it! Once November hits, I usually have the "it's my birthday soon!" and start to get excited for it. Now, it's not that I'm dreading turning 31. It's more along the lines of I have been so busy that I haven't even stopped to think and absorb the fact that it is my birthday.

I am looking forward to this evening though. My mom is coming over to watch Bella and DH and I are going to have dinner out at Maggiano's. I LOVE Maggiano's....it is Yummalicious! They have the best Italian food and the atmosphere is great.

And thank you all for the wonderful words of encouragement about my dear Atilla. Thanks!

Friday, November 7, 2008

In memory of...



It's been almost two weeks and I know this is still going to be hard. I can already feel myself getting all teary.

That first sentence was from 10/16. Ok, I had to stop back then and leave this post. Hopefully I can work on this now a bit better. Nope, Still teary.

On October 4th we said our goodbyes to our beloved little Yorkie, Atilla. He had such a great life...and a long one too. He was one day from his 17th birthday.

I loved him so much. He was my first dog....ever. My parents got him for me as a Christmas gift during my 9th grade year of junior high. It was a complete surprise and I loved it! From day one he was a ball of energy...going at top speed and letting his presence be known. Atilla had such a great personality...a perfect fit for our house. Of course he was also very stubborn.

I miss him.

Some of his nicknames:

Tilla-bug

Tilla

Bubba



This picture is of Atilla and Chancy, our Toy Poodle.

I have so many things that I'd like to say about him, but the words just are not coming. I'm sure many of you understand what I am trying to say. I just felt like I needed to post about this...I hemmed and hawed over it...and just kept feeling like I needed to share this. This is in part why I haven't been posting frequently the last few weeks. That and I've been very busy getting ready for the craft shows I am participating in this year. My first one is going on right now. From what I can tell, I am pleased with what I've sold so far. Hopefully I can get some pics of my display before I tear down and share with you.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

And I leave you with the words of a favorite song of mine, by Casting Crowns:

"Praise You In This Storm"
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rollsI
barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth