"Fascinatin' Epsteens"

Hi all! When we started this blog a couple of months ago, the purpose was to keep friends and family informed as to what is going on in our lives. My sister and I always joke about how there is very little "drama" in my life. And I like it that way. But, because of that fact, I often have trouble coming up with things to write.

Rick and I get Netflix and we have recently been watching past episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. Somewhere in the first season there is an episode called "Fascinatin' Debra". It is a funny episode (duh!) where Debra calls into a talk radio psychologist who is so interested in her that she later calls and asks if she can come to their home for a personal interview. When she gets there, she is of course, not only greeted by Debra, but her quirky husband and crazy in-laws. Debra ends up getting upset because they basically steal her limelight and she thinks she is boring.

Well, some may look at my life and consider it mundane and boring. I wake up everyday-usually to the sounds of a baby crying or someone calling "Mommy" in the far reaches of our house. I make breakfast and am faced with such life-altering decisions as cereal or pancakes? Milk or juice? Do I get dressed or stay in my pajamas? Like, I said, very little drama. Next comes our morning activities, which include Bible study, playing Chutes and Ladders and Barbies, and maybe watching a movie or playing outside. Then again for lunch I must decide peanut butter and banana or peanut butter and jelly (we like peanut butter here). Then it is time for naps and we all lay down. Even I get the chance to catch some Zzzs every once in a while if there isn't too much laundry to fold or a floor to mop or an e-mail to write. Stick with me here, it will get much more exciting soon. After nap, there is usually a poopy diaper that needs changing and a nose that needs wiping and a dinner that needs cooking. I live quite the glamorous life you know.

Maybe you got the point from my last post that I have been contemplating my blessings lately. Well, a friend of mine recently posted a link on her blog that made me think a little more about this life I lead. Here's the link http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/. This is a blog written by Angie Smith, who is wife of Todd Smith who sings for Selah. For those of you who do not know their story you can check out their blog. It is the story of the pregnancy, birth, and loss of their darling baby girl. Within the last couple of weeks, Angie's sister-in-law Nicol, went to check on her two-month old son to find him not breathing. The tears were freely flowing as I read their heart-wrenching stories. As I was reading, I just had to fall on my knees last night in prayer to my God. I had to thank him for my three little blessings, and my one in heaven. Read the blog. I am sure you will be moved to tears with me and probably take a moment to question whether you are appreciating your blessings or complaining about them.

Last night, after reading the blog, I went upstairs and hugged and kissed each of my children. I called my husband who was working to tell him good-night. As I settled down in bed (at about 2 am), my youngest awoke and proceeded to scream for the next two hours. This is very uncharacteristic. I finally got him back to sleep and my middle child awoke calling for Daddy. Normally, I would have been annoyed or angry. But not last night. Instead, I went to bed at 4 am, praising God for a night filled with crying babies. I know there are some mothers out there who long to hear their babies' cries. So, here I am praising God for my blessing tonight. And my mundane life. No, it's not glamorous. But it is glorious. No, it's not dramatic. But it is divine. And it is mine. I know I don't deserve it but I praise God for it. So, if you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and get on your knees and praise the God who made you for your blessings which He freely gives. He wants your praise. That's what He made you for. He gives you these blessings so you will see Him and turn your heart to Him and praise Him for who He is and what He has done. I am not whining about a blessing anymore. I choose to praise Him! Won't you join me?

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100