Be Still.

I ponder this statement quite a bit because as a mommy of a very active child, being still is NOT in my vocabulary. Who has time to be still these days? The world is so fast paced....we've  got to keep up with the times. There are cell phone calls to be made, emails and texts to respond to and of course, blogs to write. Not that I don't LOVE doing all of these things, it just sometimes feels like there isn't enough time in the day to enjoy it. 

I'm getting back into my daily devotional book (I've been in a rut lately), Streams in the Desert, which I totally love. It's one of those devotion books that is pretty deep but I totally get so much out of.  As soon I was "still", all the worries of this world were at my feet. I was "hearing" the voices and the responsibilities of, "You should be doing this, Mary-Anne", "Maybe you could call this person", and my favorite..."You should do more for your son and husband." By the time I was through sitting, I was even more exhausted than when I started. Oh, and I also have a Mary/Martha complex. I'm totally Martha and so desire to be Mary :) The next day, I began reading my devotion for that morning. Ethan was napping, I had TIME. I actually sat and was still. The voices were gone and for a few brief moments I felt as though I was in the presence of the Lord. I was right there with Him...it was awesome. I have felt like this before but not in a very long time. 

About a year after Charlie died, I was right there. I was content with my life, I didn't have a husband or child to be concerned about and I was at the feet of the One who totally was my Comfort and Friend through the horrific event of my life. I relied on Him. I put Him first. It was such a precious time. Oh, I long for that time again, but am so grateful for where the Lord brought me. This moment in time, being a Mommy and a Wife, the two best roles I have ever been. I know I'm in a season of busyness. I know I can slowly be where I once was, I will get there again. As for now, I will let the Lord use me as His instrument, as Ethan's Mommy, as Jeremiah's wife, as a daughter, a sister, and a friend. 

"Be Still, and Know that I am God." 

Psalm 46:10

A Mother's Thoughts....

First, I would just like to say that I have written on here TWICE in the past couple of days...I'm trying to get better! Anyways, God has been so good to us lately (as He is always, although sometimes it's hard to see it!). In the past 3 weeks we've had tons of showings on the house~which is a huge blessing seeing as how we are moving in September (to Texas, if I haven't said!) and we NEED to sell our home. Kind of bittersweet, but I will write about that later:) The week has been unusually busy, probably because of the summer and there are TONS of military moving to this area. So, I got a little stressed on Tuesday....the realtor's wanted to come during Ethan's nap time and gave me an hour and a half window~no problem, right? Usually it wouldn't have been, however they came 10 minutes past the alloted time. Ethan was way overdue for his nap, and if you know my child he needs his naps...AND I need a break! On top of this, our house has to look PERFECT everyday just incase there is a showing. Anyone with a newborn, infant and/or toddler knows that a house can never always be clean. We are so busy with our children that if we get the dishes clean and bottles washed we are having a good day. Seriously! I might be a little dramatic right now but it was just event after event leading up to my total meltdown of CRYING! I haven't cried in quite a while...but the stress was getting to me. It was like I had to meet everyone's needs but my own, and if they weren't happy....I had to hear about it!  On top of that, Ethan was being fussy and throwing tantrums left and right...apparently, I wasn't meeting his needs :(  Finally the husband came home and I had some time away from my son ( I won't lie~every Mom needs that now and again~and it was good). Jeremiah began to tickle him and and throw him up in the air (things only Daddy's are good for  :). Ethan's laugh filled the house and just like that I was whole again. It's amazing how your child's laugh or giggle can make the biggest of messes seem so very small. Things were put into perspective and I realized "that this to, shall pass." Our house won't be on the market forever and then we can be as messy as we want :)  I soon realized why God put me on the earth and placed me in this exact stage in my life~ to love and be loved. The gift of being a wife is special indeed, but the gift of motherhood stirs my heart and has/is still transforming me into the woman that God designed for me to be. 

 My two reasons for living!

His laugh and smile just melts my heart!

Shannon's Big Day!!!

Life has been very crazy and wonderful for the Kline family over the past two years. First, Jeremiah and I tied the knot, then came Ethan (not even a year later :), Haley married her hunny, Andy in March (who are going to be parents in January!!) and now it was Shannon's turn to say "I Do" to her sweetheart Jesse! I'm reminded that God is so good and gracious. No matter how long you've known someone, if you are joined together by the Lord, it's never too fast! It has also been proven that the Carlson/Klines are very fertile! So, we tend to get pregnant rather quickly!

On to the details~ we had a fabulous time with family this weekend. Shannon and Jesse were married on his/their front lawn, rolling hills, beautiful willow trees and a 1800 yearold home in the distance~ which will be there home. It was Jesse's grandfather's home...it's amazing! I totally felt like I was in a movie, and could totally be seen necking with my beau, like in an old southern movie. The colors streamed of pinks, greens, golds and browns, mason jars holding candles were hidden in the trees, each area was covered with a detail that you knew Shannon was a part of :) 

The ceremony was so special, like all wedding ceremonies are special. Gene Purcell (the same pastor who married Jeremiah and I) officiated. It was so wonderful to see him (we bonded over my wedding-he lost his wife to cancer and of course I lost my Charlie too, it was sweet that we could talk about those things) and his WIFE! How wonderful! Finding love again is a true treasure and it was such a gift to talk Gene about it! 

Shannon looked just radiant and you could totally tell by Jesse's expression that he was just taken away by her. It was so sweet. What was even cooler was that they had never shared a kiss together. Their first kiss would be as husband and wife :) How neat is that?!  Ethan did great as one of the ringbearers. He, Paxton and Mara were pulled down the aisle by none other than a Radio Flyer wagon. They totally stole the show! Of course all Ethan wanted to do was bite on the side of the wagon-poor guy, he was teething pretty badly!

The whole weekend was a fairytale! Shannon and Jesse did a fabulous job planning and creating their dream wedding! We love you two so much! Now, on to pictures! Enjoy!

Here comes Ethan! He loved crawling in the grass!

Us! 

 Our Family!

Ethan and Aunt Shannon, before the ceremony!

Doesn't this totally look like a Pottery Barn Kids or Gap ad?!

 Ethan had his own cupcake!

 Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Labenz!!

Before the Big Kiss~ he's giving her the look of love :P

The Carlson baby cousins! (and 3 are on the way!)
 

The Kline Family at the Rehearsal! (in front of Jesse's home!)

The Fingerprints of God

This was the topic of our sermon at Veteran's Chapel this morning. I thought this was a very appropriate title for the sermon considering it was Mother's Day. You see the chaplain talked about the compassion and love that Christ has for each of us , as we are his children. Christ is shown through Moms for their nurturing, compassionate and loving hearts. When we have a broken heart, who do we run to? When someone on the play ground has hurt our feelings, who do we run to? And when the one person you love the most in this world has been killed, who do you run to? God and Mom.  I remember vividly the night in which I finally cried and crumbled into my mom's arms and lap after Charlie was killed. I was literally in her lap crying, just like I had done when I was a little girl. It's hard to imagine us climbing into God's lap and crying because we are hurt or upset, but He wants that from us. He loves us more than our Moms do!

Being a Mom is the most exciting, scary, frustrating, and awesome experience I have ever had. I'm sure all you Moms out there can atest to that! I find it a privilege that Christ has found favor in me to be Ethan's Mommy.  God's fingerprints are all over us! How can they not be?! I just think about how much I love and adore Ethan. Well, guess what? God loves Ethan more than I do or can. How incredible!

Our day was spent going to church (and if you live in Colorado Springs or on Fort Carson and haven't been to Veteran's Chapel lately...you need to go! The service is awesome and has changed a lot! ), ate a delicious lunch at my favorite restaurant P. F. Changs (despite the long wait it was still yummy!) then back home to enjoy the rest of the day, which was spent vegging on the sofa watching Harry Potter. Here are just a few pictures of our special day! 

Daddy and Ethan

Ethan and Mommy at P.F. Changs

Ethan, showing off his new teeth

My Beautiful flowers