"The one who calls you is faithful & He will do it" 1 Thessalonians 5:24

 

I want to sit here and pretend that I have not had major hysterical meltdowns, when thinking about our future as a family. But to be honest that is not the case, the truth of the matter is that I have completely been re-learning what I thought I knew about God and the way he works.

One important thing for me to remember in all of this, is that I AM Weak.I need to rely on the One who is good,  perfect, and never fails. God is faithful to his plans, and not necessarily mine because what I think is best may be the complete opposite of His plan for my life.

 

I know that our decision to not move our family to Germany was the best decision for our family at the time. The "what-if" we had gone just isn't going to happen for our family at this time and I'm learning to be okay with that decision, mostly because God is okay with it. Our future thankfully does not rely on my works, but my faith. Which I can tell you, has been small as of late.

 

I have no idea of what the future holds but I do know who holds the future. I pray that Tim and I can cling to that, that God decides and that he remains faithful even when we fail.

 

The job with the Amarillo PD fell through ( although I haven't felt led towards that job) it was still a little heartbreaking for me to see my husband so disappointed. Not even a week later he was called by a company ( I won't share the name for safety reasons) and offered a contracting job in Afghanistan. He was asked to leave on Friday! LOL Obviously this job is not going to happen, but he was assured that as soon as his separation date was within 20 days, he would be contacted again for a different position.

 

This has been a huge weight off our shoulders. Although a contracting job as personal security is not ideal, it is a job in a terrible economy,and let's face it, the pay is pretty fantastic. Our Faith continues to grow and we know that no matter the outcome. God remains faithful and he is calling us to something different that we could ever have imagined.

We are so blessed by those who continue to pray for us and love on us while we face this transition in our lives!

Under Construction

Under Construction! All of my blog elements disappeared a few weeks ago :( sad day y'all and so I have been doing some searching for a new blog designer. And so I have been MIA  and also my life is kind of under construction at the moment we will be leaving the army in October, and my hubby has been searching for a job and so far nothing has completely fallen into place. I know God has amazing plans for our future and that this is just a bump in the road :)   So I'm hoping once this blog is reconstructed, I can get back into the swing of things.   ~Alia

HELP!

I need some help around the blog!

I don't know what happened but my header is gone,

my button is gone,

my signature is gone,

and I can't figure out how to get them back?!

Maybe this means it's time for an updated look...

Any recommendations?

I absolutely LOVED my last blog design so they'll have to outdo that!

Thanks y'all :)

~Alia

Pray?

Hey Y'all.

Big things happening tomorrow.

My hubby's final Army PT test.

A second interview with the AFB in Alaska

for a DOD job.

And we need all the prayers we can get!

so please pray, pray hard friends?

I've been reading soooo much this summer.

Trying to cram so much into that brain of mine.

I feel like I haven't been able to read for years because I have just been too tired

(from having babies and life in general)

so this summer I decided to stock up on the books and make sure to read at least a couple of chapters everyday.

My first set was the Hunger Games... don't even get me started on that, I read all 3 in seriously 5 days,

I was in a Hunger Games Hangover for a while.

and yes, I LOVED IT!

Next, I jumped into The Lucky One- it took a little while for me to get into it, but overall I enjoyed it.

Then, The Duggar book: A Love that Multiplies- y'all reading that made me love them that much more,

I would even joke with my hubby about having 19 kids- ha ha

Now I am on Grace Based Parenting- so far so good

I have previously read 1000 Gifts but I really wanna re-read it and start the Joy Dare!

I have been making a conscious effort to ask my children throughout the day things they are thankful for and they love it! Big A even asked if we could tell our gifts at dinner last night. <3 that.

And last but not least, I am FINALLY going to read Sarah Palin's book-

don't judge, I seriously love her. If I could meet any "celebrity" it would be her, no lie.

What's on your summer list? Any others I should definitely read?

Summer time!

that is just gross...

So we enjoyed some ice cream :) this is baby t's very FIRST ice cream cone

silly woman with a chocolate stache

we ate at kfc ( I don't suggest eating there while eating gluten free.. serious pain my friends)

Baby t discovered the art of dipping french fries

these baby bunskies are just soooo sweet

A super sweet gift from my hubby, this is to represent our sweet baby in heaven ♥

and my big boy had his very first visit from the tooth fairy

i only cried a little

I feel like we still have soooo much to accomplish this summer.

I don't want big A going back to school before we get to do the cool things I have planned.

Next on my list is to play in the rain, I'm crossing my fingers to be able to do that this week because we are supposed to get some rain!

 wooooty woot!

It's been crazy around here,

just 90 days and my hubby is out of the army.

It's so very bittersweet.

He has been applying for jobs like crazy and we hadn't heard anything except that he was able to test for a police department.

But finally after ton's of prayer,

he got a phone call from and AFB in Alaska!!

It would be a civilian position as an investigator which is exactly what he is doing now.

(except as enlisted)

It's a huge sigh of relief around here,

just a weight off our shoulders to know that there is something out their for us

those days

You ever have one of those days?

Oh you know, the one where you wake up and there is no coffee?

The milk is expired?

Your children decide that today is the day to push you to your very limits?

It was one of those days this morning, and now that everyone is napping I am praying that makes everyone happier!

Especially after going to the Dollar Tree and stocking up on summertime goodies

I thought this would help

it DID NOT.

My sweet little woman just kept screaming something about her butt.

Big A and Little A fought over which side of the basket to hook onto.

good times my friends, good times :)

I wouldn't change a single second.

I've been out of town.

I went home so that my husband could test for the police department (and he passed!) so now we are waiting on interviews etc.

The day I got to Amarillo my hubby and I went to see my granny on hospice, I sat with her a while and she was unconscious. Her breaths were so shallow and I knew it was going to be soon. I just held her hand and prayed that the Lord would take her home. I'm not exaggerating when I say that for two years she has literally been waiting and praying to go to heaven. My granny was the most influential person spiritually in my life. She didn't have to say she was a Christian, you knew it by how she spoke, how she loved, how she lived her life. She has prayed with me so many times in my life, prayed over my three babies, answered my questions. She was so amazing.

I knew after I prayed it would be soon that she would pass, I told my husband that we should leave because I didn't want to see her pass away.

I hadn't even made it back to my mama's house before she was gone.

I know that she is in heaven and I know I will see her one day and that makes me so happy!

I took this photo with Instagram as we were leaving the hospice center.

Seriously touches my heart.

I'm Busy

I'm busy tonight.

sitting.

drinking some wine.

sitting some more.

maybe drinking a little more wine

and catching up on Pretty Little Liars.

Don't judge, it really is a good show.

 My "baby" graduated form Kindergarten last week, and I just wanted to share a little from his very special day! It was a Grease themed performance after the graduation ceremony. I'm always disappointed at how rude and selfish adults are while at these school performances because they don't ever shut up and you can never hear whats being said, I hope that not ever school performance is this way. I sneaked up to the front to be able to video him walking across the stage and his performances, he wasn't feeling too hot so his performance isn't over the top. :)

I bawled like a baby once we got into the car :( I just couldn't help it. Seriously how fast my life is passing me by.

  

About to walk across the stage :)

Officially a FIRST GRADER!!

 *Friends*

Alijah's Teacher :)

Winner!

Congrats to Mandi Miller!

Please send me an email at aosburn86 at gmail.com, with your contact info :)

And a HUGE thanks to Trooppaws for sponsoring this giveaway!
Also, If you are interested follow this link for a discounted Trooppaws!

on a side note..
my "baby" graduated from kinder this morning,
I am sad that time has passed so quickly,
I went from snuggling him to walking him to school,
seriously time needs to slow way down.
Pictures to come!

Army Family

The Lord has been teaching me a lesson about him providing for me and for our family.

 Trust me when I say that I am a slow learner.

That was until Tuesday, I found out my Granny was being put on hospice.

 We were told she had little time and I absolutely knew I had to come home to see her and to say goodbye.

I rushed around getting me and the kiddos packed up thinking I would leave Tuesday night, that was until I took my car to get a quick oil change and the sorta funny noise it has been making on and off for the past few weeks was staying put.

 The man who changed my oil offered no help, so a man in the waiting area offered to take a peak for me, he was a civilian (retired) and working as a mechanic on post now.

 He looked under the hood with my hubby and said he didn't think it was a good idea to be traveling.

 I was so sad knowing I may not get the van fixed in time to see my Granny.

We called a couple rental car agencies and they had nothing big enough, so when my hubby got home from duty on Wednesday morning we drove to several and they also had nothing large enough for all 3 car seats.

My husband and I had really prayed the night before that the Lord would show me how we needed to get home.

 A friend had offered for us to borrow her brand new 2012 Chevy Equinox, no lie.

We told her we felt like we would be taking advantage of her, but when we found out that the rental agencies had nothing we knew that this was what we felt like the Lord was showing us that he was our provider, and that this borrowed car was the way I would be able to get home.

How amazing that it worked out perfectly that she was going on leave for two weeks and it allowed her to offer this amazing gift to us. How amazing that we have made such good friends through the Army, it really is just like a family.

So needless to say, I am home.

My granny is still in hospice but I have seen her and loved on her.

And I made it all because the Lord does provide.

oh also... don't forget to check out my giveaway!

 

Trooppaws: giveaway and review!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Marlene,the creator of  Trooppaws. 

    Here is what Marlene has to say about her product and our troops: "I understand the importance of giving back, which is why for years now I have been baking cookies for the troops as a sign of support for our servicemen and women.  My passion for our brave troops led me to a factory that manufactures uniforms for the military. It gave me the idea to create a stuffed animal for military families and friends.  The courage of family members left behind is so admirable that my hope is that loved ones find strength and comfort in this personalized keepsake.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation and Treat The Troops.org."     I was thrilled at the chance to review the product and host a giveaway.We got the Army puppy and it is adorable!We have had other products in the past to help the kids have a reminder of Daddy while he is away,but this is something different.My kids have seriously been having to rotate the "daddy dog" to sleep with,otherwise we are having complete meltdowns.  so sweet giving her pup a ride
There are 4 types of dogs: Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force.The Navy Pup is only sold at the Navy exchange.I love the fact that it is so big and sturdy. It has already had to been wiped down and it looks super clean.I would honestly recommend this over other products, mostly because of the size and the quality.You can just feel the difference in how it is made.
So here's what will happen!One person will win their very own Trooppaws :)And also to support the business, Marlene is going to be offering a special discount code to those of you who don't win but would like to purchase these awesome dogs.
To enter you must:1. Follow me on gfc.2. Like Trooppaws on facebook3. Leave me a comment telling me your most favorite thing about summertime:)4. Leave me a comment telling me which Trooppaws puppy you would choose! That is four different chances to enter and win!The winner will be chose by random.org on Monday May 28.

    

Baby T

Yesterday morning bright and early my sweet baby had his first and hopefully last "surgery"

He had tubes put in his ear because of chronic ear infections he has had since he was 3 months old.

They said his right ear was severely infected and they even had to drain pus out... gross...

But the good news is,  hopefully no more infections after he is all healed up! 

*fingers crossed* 

and they said this will help to improve his hearing loss.

They said he will be in some pain for 24-48 hours, but then back to normal.

 

Isn't he just sooo sweet :) 

Are you MOM enough?

WOW! That pretty much sums up my reaction to this Time magazine cover. I am all about feeding nursing your baby. In fact I nursed ALL 3 of my babies.Alijah until he was 9 monthsAubree until she was 16 months, and Tevin until he was 11 months.I stopped nursing them all for various reasons,I didn't love every second of breastfeeding but to me the good outweighed the bad times.I would nurse in public or wherever I was so that I could feed my baby,and of course I did this modestly at all times,out of respect for myself and for my husband.Because I'm sorry but not everyone needs to see your breasts hanging out.  BUT this picture crosses a line.First, think about that child, how old is he?( From what I have read he is almost 4 years old!)What will people think/say when he is older?And this pic is just shoving sexuality down your throat..I doesn't even look like he is nursing it just looks like he has a boob in his mouth,seriously I feel that this is COMPLETELY unacceptable. And really the title?? ARE YOU MOM ENOUGH? give me a break, seriously.gross, just gross.  Do you think this crosses a line?

Milspouse Bloghop!

Welcome to the blog hop brought to you by Household6diva and Riding the Roller Coaster!

Hey y'all, I'm Alia.I'm 25 years young (geesh) I'm married to my amazing hubby Tim, a soldier in the Army.Stationed at "The Great Place" Ft. Hood, TX  

   I am the mama to 3 sweet babies.Alijah is 6, Aubree is 3 and Tevin is 1.I'm a stay at home mama and even though the days are long and hard,I would not trade a single minute.  

 

I have been saved by Jesus' Grace and I strive to live a life that shows that.I hope that I teach my children that very same thing, a life of kindness, compassion, and grace. I have been blogging since 2009 but after I had my third child, I took a very long, unintentional break.I'm getting back into the swing of thingsand I love it.I love blogging, and I love getting to know other bloggers.  So grab a cup of coffee, stay a while, and lets get to know each other :)

A true fan!

  Even though this guy is a Padres fan (I'm a Rangers fan), that is just pure awesome.Now, somebody hook a girl up with a "baseball beer" 

Guest post

  A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Heather, a survivor of Mesothelioma, 

to share her story on my blog.

I gladly accepted because I can not even imagine having to deal

 with such a thing and try to care of my sweet babies.

So you can read her story below and also head to her blog to read further!

The Trials and Triumphs of Raising Lily During Mesothelioma Treatment

Out of all the things I had done in my lifetime, it wasn’t until I had my daughter in August of 2005 that I really felt I had done something miraculous. My pregnancy was mostly uneventful since I had no complications, and once Lily arrived, we had our family – our “village”- to help us through the first few weeks. Our family and friends reminded us of the saying, “it takes a village”, and surely, I couldn’t have asked for a better start to our family.

That was until a wave of misfortune came our way. I had just gone back to work full-time when I started experiencing symptoms of fatigue and breathlessness. Everyone assured me these feelings were normal and all part of being a new mom. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but think that something more may be going on, so I paid a visit to my doctor. I could never imagine the words I would hear.

Three months after giving birth to my little Lily, I would be diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare but deadly cancer in the lining of the lung. It is primarily caused by asbestos, which I had been exposed to as a child. Who would have thought it would come back to haunt me, especially during the most significant time in my life.

I knew I couldn’t give up; I had to fight. My diagnosis was grim, and doctors were giving me 15 months to live if I did nothing. I couldn’t imagine Lily growing up without a mother by her side. I immediately booked a flight to Boston so that I could undergo an extrapleural pneumenectomy, which is where my left lung would be removed. I spent 18 days in the hospital and then started chemotherapy and radiation.

If this sounds overwhelming, one can imagine how I felt during this time. Lily stayed with my parents at my childhood home in South Dakota, and my parents emailed us pictures of her accomplishments like rolling over, scooting and trying solids for the first time. She looked happy, and she had so much love and attention back home. My parents, who were in their older years and also kept full-time jobs, also had their own “village” of friends and neighbors that helped watch Lily. It was amazing how everyone came together to give my little girl the love and support she needed.

Seeing the photos made me realize how hard I had to fight. I met people in Boston who were walking the same journey as us, and it was a wonderful feeling to have our own “village” who understood our hardships. As for many of our other friends back home, they simply took the easy way out and removed themselves from the picture.

You never really recover from cancer; it re-shapes you as a person and gives you a different outlook on life. Today, we embrace life and everything it has to offer, good and bad. I’m sure one day Lily will recite my favorite quote: “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.”

I am awesome

Since it's mother's day on Sunday and I'm supposed to be showered with gifts and sappy cards that accurately describe how awesome I am, I decided to show you all the gifts I am expecting :) Ha Ha

1. A Camera Bag- this is not just a want, it's a need. 

ooooh I'm swooning over this one, LOVE ♥

you can see more beautiful bags here :)  Snugglens

2. maxi dresses and oh yeah more maxi dresses, like this one:

From Old Navy

3. Last but certainly not least,  this CAYUTE pair of Toms

you can find them here: solemateshoes

What are you other mama's wanting for your super, special, terrific, awesome, number 1 day!?

oh and p.s I was not compensated in any way for these products, it's just genuinely things I Love :)

On May 5, it was International Bereaved Mother's Day.

Although I never got to hold my baby,

meet my baby,

feel my baby growing and kicking,

to know if my baby was a sweet little boy or girl,

I am still the mama to that very sweet baby!

Since the miscarriage (read about it here),

our lives have so dramatically changed!

We have so much unknown territory in our future.

But I often wonder the what ifs?

What if I was 4& 1/2 months pregnant today?

How would our lives be?

What would be going on?

Would I get to have a home birth?

So many unanswered questions.

I do feel that everything happens for a reason.

 but sometimes it feels like a cruel joke. Surprise a new baby! Then it was just taken away.

I'm thankful for the sweet babies I do have. I'm also hopeful for a another baby in the future.

and I know one day we will meet our baby in heaven!

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

 

Happy Sunday :)

 Happy Sunday folks,Today has consisted of:T. Sloan rubbing poop all over his crib, pillow, sheetsand a super cute stuffed horse.Awesome :)Then while playing with the wii:my super sweet 6 year oldhas a  few brand new phrases.."oh snap"or"ooh skills, skills"whaaa? when did 6 year olds start talking like that?Then my sweet little woman,while jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath,decides to take her top off like brother.sigh. good times my friends, good times.