Nothing Like Family

It has been too long since I have posted on my blog. As a matter of fact, when I pulled my blog up this morning I realized how much I've missed updating it and keeping my family and friends informed of the many wonderful changes that my family has experienced over the past few months.

This year has been an astounding one. We have relocated and our lives have been changed by a sweet baby boy, Micah James Carlson, who entered this world on March 16, 2011 at 5:51 am. I have also recommitted myself to serving my family by resigning my job of five years and becoming a stay at home mother and entrepreneur. I am thankful that it worked out for me to make such a huge change and I am trusting God daily for his continued growth in my life as I strive to be the best that I can possibly be at my new position.

There have been many beautiful moments in my life. The top three moments include: the day I said "I do" to my incredible husband, the moment I looked into Alana Grace's eyes for the first time and the moment I heard Micah's cry and knew that I had finally received that promised gift from God that I had waited for so long. I waited seven years to have our second child and he has brought our family so much joy. My family is now complete and I like to believe that I am the happiest woman walking the face of this earth, but I know that those are the feelings of every mother who is serving the Lord and her family faithfully, whether it be at home or by getting up in the wee hours of the morning to work long hours and then come home to be mommy and wife. I've heard it said many times and have come to the same conclusion; that the best thing God has given us second to his salvation is the gift of family. They are the ones that we share this beautiful journey called Life, the ones that we get to kiss goodnight at the end of each day and the first ones that we desire to embrace as we begin each new day. The Lord has blessed me with such an incredible immediate family that I'm totally in love with and I thank the Lord for them on a daily basis.

In closing of this particular blog I have to give a shout out to my wonderful sister Jennifer and my mother Betty, who both stood by my side during what became a very extended labor. After being admitted into the hospital because I was "in labor," it didn't take long to realize a that it was going to be another long experience. It actually turned out to be longer than my first experience, a very exhausting 54 hours before I met my new son Micah; and my sister and mother only left my side long enough to get a few hours of sleep. Along with my husband, they were the most amazing and encouraging people to be with during that experience and I appreciate them more than words could say. And to my father who kept our daughter for three days, took her to school, helped her with homework and made sure that she had a beautiful bouquet of flowers to deliver to me upon her arrival at the hospital, thank you, it would have been just about impossible to get through those three days without you. Once again another reminder of just how blessed we are when we can say that we have an incredible FAMILY.

Now for anyone who reads this, I pray a special blessing over your family today that the Lord would lead and guide each of you in his own special way. God bless and come back soon.