{just one of those days}

This week I had just one of those days. You know when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, in a funk, with a bad outlook, down in the dumps, blah. You get the picture. Or should I go on?

It started just fine. Got up, had my shower, got ready for work, had my special morning time with Parker and then as I was driving to work. It hit. I began to doubt my choices, my life and really let myself have it. I began to beat myself up over the littlest things and it just grew and grew. I sulked around work not even talking to a single person in my path. Put my ipod in my ear so they wouldn't talk to me.

I called my Zac to meet him for lunch. Got to lunch and sat down to tell him about my pitiful day and all I could do was cry. Sitting in the middle of chick-fil-a. Cried to the point I couldn't even tell him why I was crying or how I was feeling. (He caught on to that part pretty quickly).

A sweet worker there came over with a cup of ice cream and said "Ma'ma, I'm not sure why you are crying but you sure look like you could use some ice cream." *snif, snif* "Thanks"

As I thought about it, I knew what was making me cry, but not WHY I was crying. The circumstances that were making me cry quickly came to my mind, but I wasn't sure why they were making me so upset. I'm not saying it's not okay to cry becasue I truly believe it is good to cry, but I know it's better to trust our loving, heavenly father!

As I drove away from that lunch, I just wept in my car and was pleading with God to help me to see his hand in all of this. I kept asking "why God, why me, why now, why, why?" When I changed my question and asked "What am I missing?" all unrest stopped and clear as the morning I hear the holy spirit say "ME." I startled and looked around to make sure I was hearing what I thought it was. Sure enough, it came again. "ME." It immediately sank it what the Lord was trying to tell me.

I had focused on the strife, the negative, the bad feeling, the pain - instead of focusing on His love, His plan, His holiness, His desire to see me prosper. To my mind came the verse - "All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. I desire more than anything to walk in His path, His plan for my life and instead of trusting Him I began to doubt my decisions and actions and ultimately doubt His plan.

As hard as that is to say, that's the truth. I'll admit it and lay it out there for all (2 of you) to see...I doubted God. I know now that doubt came from "missing God." I have been away from His word and not listening to Him on a daily basis and in crept Satan to cause strife and doubt in my life. Praise the Lord I noticed it quickly and can turn back to Him! But I am reminded that we have to stand guard against the attacks of this world and not stray from His promises! We have to ferverently study His word. We have to be in constant communication with Him.

Are you "missing Him"? Turn to Him. Run to Him. Fall on your face and worhip our loving Father who no matter how far we have gone or how much we have doubted, is always there with open arms ready to accept you back.

Declaration for the day: "And I speak to this day and I call you blessed. And I declare that I serve a mighty God who today will do exceedingly and abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think. I say you are a good God and I eagerly anticipate your goodness today."
-From "Igniting Faith in 40 days"

{Hayes Quillen}

Where do I begin...Hayes Quillen is 2 years 5 months old and thinks he is 4! He is such a BOY in every sense of the word. Anything to do with bugs, balls or guns he is all about it.

Hayes looks exactly like his mommy and acts exactly like his daddy! Mrs. Mary who has watched both of my kids since they were born say that she has never watched two siblings who are more alike than my two. Hayes has a strong personality and knows what he wants! For the longest time we were worried because he wasn't talking, but in the past month he has not only started putting two words together, but he is now putting 3 words together!

Hayes loves to help in any way possible, especially when it's helping his daddy "work". I love to see them working together and know that God will continue to grow their relationship. I feel so fortunate to have such an amazing husband and role model for my kids and specifically for my son.

Hayes has no fear! He has done the most crazy things. One time I caught him half way up as he was riding the garage door. He was hanging in mid air and laughing the entire time. He has been jumping off the diving board the past 2 summers. This kids going to give me a run for my money!

He has "the look" perfected and can throw a temper tantrum with the best of them!

But he is also a sweetheart and loves to snuggle! He loves his sister so much and they are the best of friends.

I am so blessed to call Hayes my son and have loved seeing him grow up into a big boy! Thanks God for sending me such an amazing boy!

{friends!}

Tonight the kids had the best time playing with their sweet friends Cole and Jae! Parker and Cole are 6 months apart and Hayes and Jae are only 2 months apart! When they are together it's is non-stop entertainment! We are so excited that they will be living within walking distance very shortly. Our kids have been so excited to ride bikes to their house and get to play with them everyday! (just kidding guys, we'll just come over 5 nights a week)




This was all that Jae would give me. :)



Cole was being silly!



Parker smiling for the camera


Hayes was "shooting" his golf club




Bathed and snuggled up ready for bed.

Thanks guys for coming to play!

{4th of July}

Despite the tremendous rain in the forecast, we were about to have a GREAT holiday with our family! We decorated cookies and were even able to cookout with our family!

{Parade}

The kids were in a parade in GG and Papaw's neighborhood. All the kids decorated their bikes and wagons and scooters and waved their flags. They had a great time!




It was perfect weather through the whole parade!




Until we got to the park and it started to sprinkle.





Then we all got soaked but what a great excuse to play in the rain!




Happy independence day to everyone! Enjoy!

{new bike!}

Big day at the Gladhill house! Hayes got his first bicycle tonight! After mastering his sister's barbie bicycle and monopolizing it every minute of the day we decided it was time to get Hayes a bike of his own.





He was taking it for a spin and loving every minute of it!




Daddy and Papaw were checking out his new ride.

Side note: tomorrow the kids are riding in a 4th of July parade and daddy couldn't imagine our son riding on a Barbie bike for all the world to see. So we rushed out tonight to buy him a bike. Makes perfect sense!

{zoo!!}

In the car headed to the zoo!





Swinging like a monkey in the children's zoo!





Parker's favorite...The pink flamingos!




Daddy and Hayes checking out the Galapagos turtles. Those things are huge!




Watch out! They might bite!




Pretty girl posing for the camera.








Posing by EVERY single picture in the zoo. SOOO big!




The water was their favorite part and a great way to cool off after a hot day.








Fun times! What a great day with our family. We are so blessed!