Dani
Last night, I was home alone. Well, not really. Samuel was sleeping and Josh was at his parents house helping his dad with something. So I was home by myself late at night. I initially put the TV on then I thought I dont feel like frying my brain...haha..so I went on You Tube and started looking up songs that I love. I came across two Rita Springer songs.. The first was was "Worth it all" and the second was "When I think about the Lord". Music usually has a huge impact on me all the time. I started thinking about what an impact those two songs had on me. When I think about the song "When I Think About the Lord" I think of my second semester at Elim. I believe Peter Stern was playing the guitar at one of those 5 hour worship services or maybe Katie Jo, I'm not sure. But whoever it was played that song and that was the first night I can honestly say I surrendered myself to God. I had such a breakthrough that night and such a weight came off of me it was incredible. I started shouting and really crying out to God. It was the weirdest mix of emotions. I remember being on my knees and being SO grateful to God for all he had done for me.

The second song also reminds me of Elim. It was during womens chapel. Jessie Fife (was that her last name?) She was preaching. Jessie was always an inspiration to me. She was on my team at NYSUM, we had so much fun in Manhattan and I really admired her happiness and her bubbly personality. Anyway, she was preaching at the womans chapel. This was the last one I would go to. I remember I had just found out I was pregnant. I didn't want anyone at school to know but, of course, you know Elim. Everything spreads like wildfire. Anyway, Jessie was talking about how God spoke to her through this song. She put it on the loud speakers and I remember I had felt like I was in such despair. That song absolutely touched me and became the song that led me through the tough times of my pregnancy. Especially the line "It's gonna be worth it all my pain its gonna be worth it all my joy its gonna be worth it all I believe it". At some point in during the song I just broke down. I had felt so humiliated, so scared, and really just confused. Jessie came up to me and started praying. She really touched me. We had another service that night and I remember Bryce (also my team leader at NYSUM) , came up to me and told me that my baby was not a mistake. That my baby was going to be a strong person in God and that I was not to be afraid and that he was proud of the choice I had made to keep the baby. I believe Susie or Jessie was there also. So the reason to say all of this is to say that my life has been centered around those two songs it seems. Now when I hear the song "When I think about the Lord" I think of how faithful he was to me to send Jessie, Bryce, Susie, Matt, Sara, Kyle, Angela, Jessi and all the people who supported me at Elim through those first three weeks. He really used them to bless me and get me through that initial hump. God knows exactly what you need when you need it.

Thinking of all this today helped me to put my life in perspective right now. It's been really a very tough few months (3 years!) and I have to remember when I feel like complaining and feeling depressed, that God carried me through. That poem Footprints is my favorite poem and it really does pertain to me. I can't dwell on the mistakes I made and the consequences. I can't dwell on the bad things. I really need to dwell on the promises of God that he will never leave me or forsake me. So Praise God for showing up again for me when I needed it!! Love you all :-)
Dani
Hey do one of you fellow bloggers want to explain wordless wednesday? haha...besides the obvious um wordless part, What is it exactly? Danielle is confused :-/

So Samuel has a new way of telling me that he has gone potty...not pee pee. He sticks his hand in his diaper..why I ask you why. I have tried explaining many times that it is no body paint. He does it so quickly, I don't ever catch it until it is too late. I am truly grossed out. Boys. He is going pee pee in the potty a lot though! Yay!! He knows exactly what to do. So I'm really happy we've gotten that out of the way.

Today he was at my mom's house. He was running kind of sideways and she was telling him to walk straight (because he was int he street) she discovered that he was trying to catch his shadow! HOW CUTE IS MY SON!! He is so much fun to watch grow now. On a lower point, I brought him yesterday to get his haircut and , well, he moved and the barber buzzed a piece of his hair so my dear sons hair is so short right now! AHH! I liked it long, but he really looks like a boy boy now. Big boy!

I have to go to the gym... I was doing really well with exercising and then I got sick on Sunday and I've been slacking in the work out department. Not good. I was doing so good! I'm starting up my normal workout tomorrow. I have to keep going. I got a little boost today in the mail. I ordered sun dresses and shirts from Victoria's Secret and they look SO CUTE on me. I love them! They fit me too, comfortably. That is something that has not happened in a while. I need to just stick with it! Anyway, Talk to you all later!! Dinnertime!
Dani
It's been a while since I've posted. I've been really busy lately and really overwhelmed with things to do. I'm sure all you young moms can relate. I'm at the point with Samuel that I am nervous that I am not doing anything right! I realize that no mom does, but I think I may be burning out a bit. When they talk about terrible 2's I think that is such a terrible thing to say about your child, however. I think there is a possibility I'm there! He is really defiant lately and I'm learning and seeing the importance in discipline! It's so hard to do when he is really cute, but at the same time, it's not cute when I'm tired, I've had enough and he is testing me. Tonight was one of those nights. I haven't been feeling too hot and my job is really stressful right now. So I came home and Samuel just CRIED AND CRIED and was clinging to me. I literally had a "I'm going to lose my mind" moment. Usually by that point if I haven't prayed all hell breaks loose. So then I'm thinking about how I want to sing again and I can't because of Samuel and la lala woe is me. Terrible. So of course I finally said ENOUGH SAMUEL! I put him in time out (rarely working lately) and I told him you sit there until you're ready to listen and stop crying. Well, amazingly enough, it only took about 5 minutes. Thank the Lord in heaven. It's also been hard because Josh has to write a 15-20 page paper so he needs us out of his way so I'm trying to create ways to get out of his way. Then to add insult to injury, we had to cancel our cruise. We were supposed to leave this coming Sunday, but Josh has a speech that is mandatory for him to graduate. An 8 minute speech.....AHHHHH...So we canceled it and thankfully, it looks like we will be able to reschedule with no penalty. So needless to say, my life is crazy right now. I know it is going to get better once life slows down, but it really feels like I am never going to get there. I am at Starbucks right now totally enjoying the peace and quiet (even though it's packed) Anyone relate?

On a happier note, my apartment is clean! Yay! three days in a row! A miracle has happened! Love ya all!
Dani
My Aunt Janet gave him this- I used to love Mr. Potato Head!
Samuel loves to try on his glasses!! haha
Dani
Samuel's First big boy Easter BasketThe hunt....He was so cute, everytime he would find an egg he would say "WOW!"
The finished product from making eggs!!

Dani
Family PictureDaddy & Samuel
BE VERY CAREFUL!!!
Samuel, with Grandma & Uncle David
Mommy & Me :-)