On the threshold of a new decade...

It's that time again! Do you feel the need to re-invent yourself every new year? I admit that I don't. I am simply comfortable in my own skin right at this moment. But I definitely have PLENTY of room for improvements.

I have just come to acceptance, that my body will never be a size 8 again. Bearing children has reshaped my curves and my metabolism, and I am finely, okay with what I have to work with. I already, watch my intake of food, but I will not jump on the newest diet fad, pill, or food shipment programs. I will always try to motivate myself to walk or bike ride more, but to declare a resolution to exercise everyday. Well that is just ridiculous!


When I think about all the life changes over the last decade, WOW, my entire life changed. Most closest to my heart, I became a mother of two beautiful children. Over the next decade, my children will grow up! My son will become an adult (by the world's standards). This life is just a breath. It passes so fast and then it is over.

I have learned over last ten years, to slow down and savor the moments of life. Like a collection of tiny stones that I gather along the way. I try each day to gather treasures in this mother's heart.

My personal goal this year is to draw closer to Jesus. Closer in prayer, closer in worship, closer in His word! I am setting out on a journey to read the Bible entirely over 2010. I am joining a group of bloggers in reading the One Year Chronological Bible. Over the years, I have read much of God's Word, but never from cover to cover. This journey is very close to my heart. I pray that this time next year, I have an even greater faith based on the reading of God's Word.

My from my heart, I wish you all a Happy New Year!

With Love,

~Brandi

Merry Christmas from the Bass House

My favorite ladies! Amy (sister), Grammie (my mama), and the big forehead is me. My most favorite little lady riding her new bike.....

The tall one is my man Jason, BIL Nathan, and sis making their plates.

This is the result of my house by the end of the day. I don't know why, I clean so much before everyone comes over. Because by the time they leave, it is a disaster. Next year, I think I'll just not clean before and save up my energy for the aftermath.

Mom Nita (MIL), her husband Robert, and Aunt Annette.

Gracie's new favorite thing (and mine too). We will have so much fun playing with this. By the end of the day, this house was fully furnished. Have to post a picture of it decorated.

My special Christmas items. Can't wait to sit with a cup of coffee and read for hours.

My boy and his Star War Lego set.

About 7:30 am. Before, the paper shredding got into full swing.

one more time....

Christmas Eve party at Grammies. Fondue girl! See the dripping down the chin!

Amy, Brandi (me), Mom, Mandy

Amy and my nephew Andrew! This is a sweet moment!

Mom, Dylan, and Gary

Grammie and her babies all snuggled in watching, Alvin and the Chipmunks.

We had a wonderful Christmas Day! We joyfully celebrated the birth of our Lord. Jesus is the reason to celebrate each day. I love these people, and I am thankful for them in my life. I hope all of you had a beautiful day of togetherness, and I hope every ones house is as disastrous as mine. God's Blessings to all!

~Brandi

What we 've been up to...

This is my precious sister, Amy. Saturday, we baked all day and we still have another day of baking to go. We love it though! She and I look forward to it every year.

Peanut Brittle .......but I'll be honest, I forgot to add the baking soda at the last minute. So it is like hard candy, definitely a redo tomorrow.
Lots of dishes on bake day. Thanks sister, for being SO eager to wash. (Whisper) she hates doing dishes....

Here is our display of treats. White chocolate raspberry cookies, chocolate crinkles, snicker doodles w/without kisses, peanut brittle.

and cinnamon rolls.

Next baking day coconut macaroons, cranberry thumbprints, and peanut butter for our mama.

Hope you are having a Merry Christmas!

After all that baking, my boy Garrett and I snuggled up on the couch and watched, The Nativity Story. It is such a good movie! Watch it with your children, you'll be surprised how many questions will be asked. He and I had so many conversations about Jesus during the movie.

Grief....it's so heavy.

The last few days have been difficult. My heart is so sad right now. Sad for the life that ended before it could spread its wings and fly. Sad for the mother and father hurting....hurting the most unbearable hurt. Everything that I do during the day, always brings a thought to mind of dear Melonie. Doing the wash, I think of her doing his wash for the last time. Preparing a meal, I think of her. How much she wants to prepare meals for her children again.

Some moments are of joy. When I think of Andrew in the presence of Jesus, Moses, Noah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It's an amazing feeling to think these heavenly souls all together. What wonders he is seeing and with eternal eyes. There is no more pain, no more suffering, no more surgery or hospitals. No more poisonous medications to swallow. Where Andrew is, there is only JOY. Yet, my earthly human heart is so very very sad. I hide my sadness from my babies. They get sad to see mommy sad. But I cry in my sweet husband's shoulder or in private. He's strong and he understands how much this hurts. I know it hurts him too. We let our hearts love this little boy. I feel so honored and privileged to have traveled this journey in prayer for Andrew. My life has been blessed to know him, even if from a distance.

So, I will go on with a smile. I will get up and smile in the morning. We will play and bake cookies. My heart will heal, but deep inside the grief is heavy. This Christmas, I will be a joyful hostess. I will hug and dance with all that I love, but on the inside the pain will remind me of a family that just can't go there right now. I will slip off to a quiet private place and on my knees, I will call out to the giver of peace. On the day we celebrate the birth of Our King, I will call out to Him, and intercede for another family in pain. I will then picture that beautiful precious boy skateboarding on those streets of gold with the biggest smile on his face.




Please bare with me while I grieve. I intend for my blog to be a happy place because I am a happy person. Right now is a valley of sadness, but I'm on my way back up the hill. Please add me to your prayers today, for I am in need.

~Brandi

Andrew went home today...

Through tears and a broken heart, I write these words. Today, sweet Andrew went to be with Jesus.

Until August, this child was healthy and whole. He was a skateboarder and a normal happy boy. How things can change in a moment. The last four months, were unimaginable for this child and his family. It's so hard for me to wrap my mind around situations like this. Yes, I have the "why Lord" questions, but I know that this side of heaven there is no understanding this.

I never met Andrew or this family, but we share a bond of love for Jesus. In that bond, we are family. I can feel this mother's pain. I can also hear her heart in her words. I know the love I feel for my children. It's a love that is greater than any other earthly love. Hear me when I say this, this love cannot be severed. Not even death can sever a love as great as this.

Thank God, that this life is so short. That death is not permanent. To us, it seems long but through eternal eyes, it's just a moment. One moment to get it right. To love!

One day, either by death or rapture, all that know and love Christ, will be together for all of eternity. "And death will be no more" hallelujah to that. I wait on that day. I yearn for that day. You see, I am not of this world, I'm just in it. Briefly!

I have lost two great loves during this life. It's a wound on my heart. I am a mother of a child, I never had the chance to know. I think about him or her though. Who would you have been? I love you so much and one day I will hold you. The other, is the closest friend I have ever had. I miss her everyday. But my heart is full and I rejoice in the promise of Jesus. He went before us, to prepare a place and one of these days....He Will Return. Praise to His Mighty Name!

One day, this family will wrap their arms around their sweet Andrew again. Until then, I will pray diligently for their peace. I pray that the coming days be bearable for them. I can't imagine the heaviness of this heartache. I so believed Andrew would be healed. Today, he was.

Merry Christmas 2009

Brother and Sister, a bond that can never be broken. Pretty Girl.....

Silly Heads!

A mother's joy

A wise son brings joy to his father; -Proverbs 10:1

My first born turned 8 today.

My first born, one of my true loves! A boy with an old soul.....that loves Jesus with all his heart. Such a spiritual thinker that he asks his mother, of every song that plays on the radio,"mom, does this song reflect Jesus?"


He prays for others without prompting. Sometimes, I will hear whispering, and I look over and he's praying. Usually, it is prayer of healing for Andrew. Oh, how we pray for healing of Andrew!


This young man brings so much joy into my life. I love your wit and humor. I wish you were a little more eager in regards to your schooling, but I understand you have a workers heart, just like your father. You would rather be working hard than sitting with lessons, but it has to be done.

I am so thankful to be the mother of such a good son. Keep your heart with Jesus my son, and you shall be blessed all the days of your life.


Happy Birthday my Love,
Mom

My son, pay attention to what I say;

listen closely to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight,

keep them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them

and health to a man's whole body.

-Proverbs 4:20-22