My Baby, Growing Up

You came into this world, ready to cuddle in my arms.  You loved being swaddled with warm blankets that December and within three months, you found your special "silky" blanket and thumb to comfort yourself. You weren't so sure about strangers, but you felt safe in your Mommy and Daddy's arms. By the time you were one year old, you already knew how to play tricks on your sister and make everyone laugh.  You didn't even try to walk until you knew how to do it perfectly, so you waited until almost 15 months and then walked flawlessly.  And we all celebrated! (and nibbled/kissed your irresistible chubby cheeks!)

You are more comfortable being quiet in public, but we are not fooled.  You have a lot to say. 

You notice everything -- from who is in the room to what kind of door handles are on the vehicle driving by.
You are a great listener... you don't miss a beat! 
When I lose something, I ask YOU where it is because you will know.
You love music, singing and dancing. 
You love your sister and your friends.
You light up when Daddy comes in the room.
And let's not forget the lip gloss, fashionable boots and leggings.
You know exactly what you want, without a doubt! You are very persistent -- a quality that keeps me on my toes but I know will help take you where you want to go in life.
I can see the pride in your eyes when you accomplish something that requires you to be very BRAVE.
You have the best smile in the world.

There are so many things I love about you, my baby girl... I could go on and on.  But today, I take a moment to tell you how PROUD I am of you. Congratulations on graduating from preschool.  I can't wait to see what's in store for you in Kindergarten. :)

A Cure for Cysitc Fibrosis

Hey friends - My family is walking this weekend in the Great Strides walk to help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Our 9-yr-old friend, Mylee, has CF.  She is a rockstar & one of the most amazing kids I know.  We've seen firsthand how much she and her family have gone through to battle this disease.  We've heard how CF docs have been progressing with their research and they are getting closer and closer to finding a cure.  We want to WIPE OUT CF!!  Will you help us?

We are joining this walk late in the game, so we're way behind on our fundraising goal.  A donation of any size will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks for considering & while you're at it, please say a prayer for Mylee and others who face this disease every day.  Also, pray that a cure comes quickly - it is possible! 

Here is the link if you would like to donate:  http://www.cff.org/great_strides/AmyCaton

Thanks, friends!

New Year's Resolution - in May!

In January, I posted a New Year's resolution.  I wanted to memorize two Bible verses a month.  I joined a blog community to help me with this journey, along with some friends.

Here's how it goes:  I have a little index card sized flip notebook.  Each time I learn a new verse, I add it in my notebook.  So as of today, I've learned 10 verses this year.  I can flip and practice them anytime.  I also have my 7yo write the verses out as part of her handwriting practice & both of my daughters help me memorize them.  Nothing like a little one making sure I know my verses! :)

I've wanted to give up on this resolution several times already, but I've pushed through so far.  Why learn these verses?  Memorizing verses from the Bible has had a huge impact on my every day life.  Reciting verses can calm me down, give me peace, encourage me, challenge me and make me feel loved.  I believe that the Bible is truly inspired by God. I don't know how else to explain it other than God's word in the Bible is powerful. 

So, I'm going to practice my verses now by typing them out.  I'm not perfect at remembering WHERE these verses are located in the Bible, so I'm working on that.  (Also a note to those who are interested: websites like www.biblegateway.com are helpful with viewing different verses and versions quickly.)

Psalm 65:11, NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest.  Even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.  

Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
"For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Romans 12:12, ESV
Rejoice in hope,
Be patient in tribulation, 
Be constant in prayer.

James 1:19, NIV
Dear brothers, take note of this: be QUICK to listen, SLOW to speak and SLOW to become angry.

Judges 5:21b
March on, my soul;  be strong!

Proverbs 16:3, NIRV
Commit to the Lord everything you do.  Then your plans will succeed.

Philippians 4:13, NLT
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Psalm 121:1-3
I lift my eyes to the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Jeremiah 32:27, NIV
I am the Lord, the God of all mankind.  Is anything too hard for me?

and the one I just added today........

Psalm 27:14, NET
Rely on the Lord!  Be strong and confident!  Rely on the Lord!

Thank You, Moms!

Did anyone catch the Mother's Day episode of "The Middle" sitcom last week?  It was all too real and so funny.  The mom of three was given the gift of a full day of alone time.  She was thrilled!  However, instead of relaxing on the couch with her TV remote and stack of magazines like she intended, she spent the day doing chores and dirty, nitty-gritty jobs around the house.  By the time she sat down on the couch in the evening with her magazines, the family returned home -- telling her about all their wonderful adventures that she missed out on.  She was devastated, angry at her husband & ended up getting a "do-over" Mother's Day the next weekend (which turned out just as bad).

If you are a mom or a woman who invests her time into building up and encouraging other people, I hope you were celebrated yesterday.  The quote below landed in my Inbox this morning.  I hope it encourages all you Moms out there.

“Children do not accidentally become righteous leaders or emotionally healthy and productive adults – any more than seeds thrown randomly to the wind grow to be part of a thriving, beautiful garden.

Someone needs to take responsibility for their nurture, protection, nourishment, intellectual development, manners, recreation, personal needs, and spiritual development. Someone needs to commit time and energy into staying close to them as they grow, encouraging, loving, correcting and teaching.

God designed mothers with a capacity to call forth all that is great, excellent, true, pure and righteous in a child’s heart and to cast a vision for their children to bring these virtues about in their own lives, and in their generation. When a woman embraces her design and call by God, there will always be hope for each generation."  
- Sally Clarkson

Thank you, Moms, for all your hard work and investing into the lives of our children to make the world a better place.

Happy (day after) Mother's Day!

Goodbye, Facebook

Hey everyone - I'm deleting my Facebook account.  I know it sounds extreme but I've been wanting to take a break for a while. Why?

#1 - I spend a ridiculous amount of time on Facebook.  A couple years ago, I remember my daughter excitedly showing me a picture she drew.  She said, "Mommy, I drew a picture of you and your best friend!" I was curious whom she considered my best friend.  Would it be my husband?  Or one of my close girlfriends?  I looked the picture and the only thing I saw was ME... holding my iPod Touch!  Hilarious and horrifying.  I do not want my kids' main mental image of their mother as someone "staring at a screen" throughout their childhood.  Since I'm home with the kids, FB is accessible to me all the time.  It sounds stupid, but it's truly difficult for me not to check it.  Just a habit!

#2 - Do you ever have those times when you need to clear your head? Facebook isn't physically loud (well, that depends, I guess - ha), but it is a lot of voices and a lot of thoughts filling my head all day, every day. (Told you I was on FB a lot!) A lot of chatter.  Not all bad chatter, just a lot of chatter. Information overload!  I need to eliminate some of that noise, and I think this is a great way to help make that happen for me. (You mean I won't know what sale Kohl's is having today?!)

All of that said, I do not believe Facebook, the Internet or other technologies are evil.  I love keeping in touch with people in a unique way through FB.  I will miss that part the most.  Especially venting about  things like Celebrity Apprentice & American Idol.  Matt may have to do the dirty work for me!

The great news is that I am still alive in the technology world!  If you still want to connect with me online, you can sign up on the upper right side of this screen to receive my blogs in your Inbox or you can become a follower, if you'd like.  I look forward to keeping up with events and pictures of my life through this blog.  And of course, I will have email too.

I'm also alive in the REAL world!  I'm not trying to isolate myself.  I love my friends & family.  Just trying to create some new habits & fill my time in new ways. :)

I may come back to FB someday, but for now, I'm looking forward to the change!

Farewell, Facebook....