Never A Dull Moment

For the first time in three months when I said, "I love you," to my mom tonight she saw me. She saw ME. It was so different than any other time - like God was in the room and gave her a "window" Himself. As I cried, I pressed my cheek against her's and heard her sigh the kind of sorrowful sigh only a Mother can when she knows her child is pained. I want her back. I want her for more than ten seconds. I don't know what I'm going to do when she's gone. -- Post From My iPhone

Merry Christmas from the Grandles! Send your own ElfYourself eCards

It has been a year since my mom went to UAMS for what we believed would be a short stay. As you know, things turned out very differently. Eleanor and I have talked a few times over the past week about how sad we feel. Neither of us thought this time of year would be difficult, but we were quickly proven wrong. A year ago my mom started acting out in some unusual ways. She stopped eating, drinking, and sleeping. She refused to take her medicine on most occasions, and spent a lot of time talking to herself in the mirror. Eleanor was telling me tonight that she remembered trying to get my mom to go to bed last December 16. Mom was so upset and confused and didn't want to leave her "friend" in the mirror. The next day I got a call from my brother George. They had to take my mom by ambulance to UAMS. That morning she became severely agitated and was uncontrollable. The hope was that after a short stay at the hospital she would be evaluated, regain normal fluid and electrolyte ...

I've been thinking a lot about this for the past few weeks. I hesitated to write about it, but it has had an impact on me and I think its time I share it. Our pastor, Matt Chandler, was diagnosed with a two-inch brain tumor after suffering a seizure on Thanksgiving Day. He had surgery to remove it on December 5, and heard the pathology report today, December 15 (the report will be shared with the church body tomorrow via email). You can go here to read more from our pastors and elders. I can't stop thinking about the song O Holy Night. A song that so richly describes our Hope. We sing this song every year, but I never stop to read and meditate on the promise of these words. So, please join with me and fall on your knees before our Savior in prayer for the Chandler family. O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of Our dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world In sin and error pining, ' Til He appear'd And the soul felt its worth. A thrill of ho...

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." Romans 8:18-23 Our sermon today was a topic that's been on my heart this entire week - really for the past month. Everything down to the scriptures that were used; My heart has been wrestling with and praying through each one of them...

I don't think I even really realized it until last year when my mom wasn't with us for Christmas. Everything was different. I didn't want the gifts I had been so excited to get from Reid. I didn't want to spend Christmas money. I didn't want anything. I was disgusted that the focus was so skewed. My feelings haven't changed. I think it is sad that a sacred holiday has become an excuse to give thousands of dollars of gifts. Its made me realize I want to be very intentional about the traditions I start with my own kids someday. Not to say there won't be gifts, but I don't want gifts to be the focus of Christmas Day. That said, my friend Jennifer (Luke and Emerson's Mom) sent me this video about the Advent Conspiracy today. I think it says it all.

Our den furniture was delivered today! Now we just need our dining room table and chairs to come in and we will be set! Den/ breakfast room - not done, but getting closer! Looking from the family room Reid's study. There is a brown accent wall that his desk is on that looks cool but the picture didn't turn out. My camera is dead and I can't find the charger so all of my pics have to be from my phone. Guest room Hall bath Master bedroom Master bath Front porch decorated for Christmas! -- Post From My iPhone

Well, we are settled into our house and we love it! Reid was home from the 20th until this past Sunday which was a wonderful treat! We loved coming home from Thanksgiving in Little Rock to our HOME - we've been ushered even further into adulthood! Every life step we take brings us closer together, and buying a house was no exception. Reid and I came home from Little Rock on Friday so we could have a few days to finish unpacking, painting his study, and spend some quality time together. He left yeasterday and won't be back until a few days before Christmas so it was good to have the weekend together. Anyway, yesterday after he left I tackled the last of the boxes! We are officially unpacked AND settled. Here are pictures of a few of the rooms. I'll finish taking the others tomorrow. Enjoy! Family Room. We still have to hang a lot of our pictures and I have been ordered to wait for Reid to do that! Breakfast area off the kitchen. Still needs pictures hung. Kitchen looking ...