Two Blessings on the Same Day

September 16th is ALWAYS one of my favorite days of the year! God blessed this world, and me, with my two girls on this date. And this year is no exception. I'm celebrating these two precious gifts to me.

It was actually September 15th when our son asked us to join him and Shawntel's family for a surprise birthday party for her at her home. Her birthday was September 16th, but the party needed to be on the 15th. We had a wonderful time together celebrating this beautiful woman, but the party went to a whole new level, when Ryan got down on one knee and proposed to her. We rejoiced when she said "YES"! We knew God brought them together.

Larry and Staci were absent from this celebration because of a "surprise" birth-day party that they were at. Just after Ryan proposed, we got the call from Larry....."Staci's contractions are just minutes apart." That meant we had to make a quick exit from this fabulous party.....to be at another fabulous "debut" party.

We rushed to Dallas and though the doctors were telling Staci to "push", she refused to....."My Mom & Dad must be here!" As we were running down the hallway of the hospital our precious little girl started coming. We made it....but not a minute too soon!

Our hearts were full -- our son was engaged to the "love of his life", and Larry and Staci brought another precious treasure to love into this world. And to make it even more special, Ryan and Shawntel drove from Oklahoma to Texas to meet their new little niece on both girls' birth-days. It was a joyous celebration! That's Shawntel and baby girl, Alexia, celebrating their birth-days in this photo.

So, today, September 16th, I get to celebrate two precious girls that have brought so much sunshine and joy to our family. I can't begin to thank God enough for my Shawntel (aka Angel -- always has been to our family) who is the most devoted and loving wife to Ryan, and incredible mother to our boys. She calls me Mom, which is one of the greatest privileges. We're bonded. We've shared so many blessings together. She's my girl and always will be.

And, then there's my hilarious, beautiful, talented, loving, one-and-only granddaughter, Alexia -- who made her debut 15 years ago today. Where has 15 years gone? It seems just a little while ago that we were rushing to meet her, and now she is becoming a young woman of destiny and purpose. With 5 grandsons who are ALL about "guy" stuff....this precious girl provides me with all the "girly" stuff!

Happy Birthday, Shawntel Wuerch & Alexia Wallace -- my two September 16th GIFTS FROM GOD!

Name Calling -- But If It Fits, OWN It!

Machines, Rock Stars, Beast Mode, Tough Cookies......those are names my sweet daughter, Shawntel Wuerch and I were called a few weeks ago as we packed up their entire home for their move to Texas. We were relentless in making sure the precious items were padded and packed into just-the-right-sized, room-named boxes. We laughed a lot along the way, sometimes because of silly antics and sometimes because we were so dog-tired. We made some really sweet memories and our "bond" became even stronger. When the movers showed up, they simply loaded all the furniture and all the perfectly packed boxes we had packed.

This week, since Monday, we were in machine-mode again, as the movers showed up in three huge moving vans. We were prepared for them, with rooms named and places all set for the multitude of items to go. We directed them, opened the amazingly-packed boxes by those "expert" packers and distributed the items throughout the house. Sweet and precious family friend, Kristina Vinberg, came from Seattle to help us conquer. Honestly, as many of you know, big moves across the country, or across town, are not for the faint-hearted, but with the tenacity of three determined women, we're getting the job done. Sounds like a commercial for 3-Women and 3-Trucks Moving Services! LOL!

This little example of strong women is really a story of God's amazing grace, of His care and love for us. We don't quit when the going gets tough. We persevere to the finish line. We're not at the finish line just yet, but we'll get there! Proverbs 31:17 "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."

Last night, we breathed a sign of relief for all that we had accomplished, even though there are what seems to be tons more of boxes yet to be opened. But, we'll get it done, because like the girl in this photo, life may throw us some fast balls (gotta work with speed), curve balls -- left and right (aching legs and feet) -- but we've got bats, and God has taught us how to swing. So....batter up, Strong Women! It does fit....so let's own it!

Happy Honeymoon!

Happy Anniversary and Happy Honeymoon to my precious Ryan and Shawntel!  I'm thanking God for His perfect match made from heaven.  I celebrate them today and the beauty of their beautiful love for each other and all they've accomplished together.  They married on December 14th and went on their first honeymoon on December 26th, and every year since then, they celebrate another "honeymoon" on that date.

On a leadership call last week, Ryan shared that they took a cruise on their first honeymoon trip.  He said that somehow the Captain of the ship found out Shawntel was a former Miss America and invited them to join him and his wife, and three other couples at his dinner table on New Year's Eve. Sitting beside Ryan and Shawntel was a couple who were like love birds.  The captain congratulated them as it was their 50th wedding anniverary.  Ryan, sitting next to the man, asked, "This is our first -- what's your secret?"  The man paused a few seconds, and said, "Honeymoons".  Ryan said, "Honeymoons?"  And the man replied, "On our first honeymoon, we said we're so incredibly in love, we never want this moment to end.  We made the decision we would never have 'anniversaries' --  we would only have honeymoons.   So every year, at this time, we go on a honeymoon and we fall in love all over again.  A lot goes on during the year --  a lot of challenges, financial woes, ups and downs happen, things that come at you that are just a part of life during that year.  But on our honeymoon, every year, we commit to be like we were on our first honeymoon, and we fall in love again -- you know --  to be in love, go on dates, work together, work on the issues, be purposefully in love the year through."

Shawntel and Ryan went back to their  room and committed to have only honeymoons for then on.  So from December 26th to January 2nd, that's what they've been doing -- EVERY YEAR.  Ryan continued...."This year....like every year before now, we're going to fall in love again.  We're going to talk about what we're going to do in 2015 -- set our goals and dreams and plan to make this next year one of the best EVER!

And I say, "Good word for each of us. As 2014 is rapidly coming to an end, while we may have had a bumpy road this year and may have experienced hardship, disappointment, ups AND downs and other challenges, let's put them ALL behind us, and have a honeymoon with ours spouses (if you're blessed to still have one) ourselves and God, and celebrate what 2015 will hold -- yes, there will no doubt be times of challenge, but when we renew our love, faith, determination, zeal, great expectancy and hope.....we will surely make it through to another 'honeymoon' as winners and conquerors."  Happy Honeymoon to you and yours!