The Power of Prayer

I had planned on making this big Happy New Year post,

and that still may come,
but today my heart is elsewhere

and heavy.

We received some news yesterday

from some very dear friends,

best friends,

regarding a terrible and tragic loss

that their family has suffered.

Their story is not mine to tell,

but because we love this family

I am begging you to pray for them.

I do not have specific prayer requests for these people.

I feel as though listing things like

comfort, peace, understanding

are far too broad

and far too cliche'

for the prayer that this family is in need of.

I can not wrap my head around their heartache.

I can not understand why this hell,

this tragedy,

is happening to such a special family.

A family that will never be the same.

And because I can't understand,

because none of us understand,

I ask for prayer.

I ask for you to hit your knees right now,

and beg God to wrap his arms around this family,

like only He can.

And Then Came Winter..... Right?

I am confident I should win
the most scattered blog of the year award. 
Goodness.

Last time I was here,
Annabelle was turning the big FIIIIIIVE.
Yikes.

My, has time floooooooown.

Since then,
Kody and I gained a new niece, Lila.
Yayyyyyy!

I turned 28.
Not yay.
Momma Valverde and I have been to Chicago
for a shopping/spa weekend.
Husband Valverde and I went to Vegas for a bolt convention,
aaaand to celebrate the one year anniversary of this FABULOUS occasion.

Kody received the Hall of Fame Award for Athletics

at his high school,

Parkview Baptist.

We spent Thanksgiving in Canada.

aaaaaaand myyyyyyyy Alma Mater,

my sweet Bama

is playing for the National Championship in January!!!

What a Falllllllllll it has been...

Now according to the calendar

it seems we are rapidly approaching Winter...

but doooon't tell Mother Nature

because it feels MUCH more like Spring in South Louisiana.

It's December...

70 degrees and all,

AND

my sweet daddy's birthday...

For which he and my momma

are here in Baton Rouge with Kody and I

to celebrate his day!

What a FAAAAAABULOUS birthday present for all of us!

During this time of year,

there is NOTHING like family...

And speaking of family,

on a much different note...

This sweet little dynamo on the right,

is Mrs. Sharon's 93 year old momma,

Kody's Nana.

Just over 2 weeks ago she suffered a mild stroke,

 that has affected the right side of her body

and parts of her memory.

She was released from the Neuro Hospital this past Tuesday,

and is now back home,

with full time care.

Needless to say,

it has been a hard few weeks.

Nana is such a strong and independent woman.

At 93 years old,

she still lives alone, drives, cooks, gardens...

I could go on and on.

This stroke is attempting to take that independence away,

and has given Nana a harder time then she deserves.

She continues to take baby steps of improvement every day,

and we will continue to love on her

and be her biggest cheerleaders.

Please pray for Nana

as she constantly fights to get better.

Pray for her doctors,

her therapists,

her caregivers,

Mrs. Sharon,

our Uncle Rhett,

and the rest of our family.

We LOVE our Nana,

we love her strength,

and we want her to be able to continue

to live her life to the fullest.

I hope your Fall was as blessed and action packed as ours was,

and that you are enjoying the spirit and happiness of this Christmas season.

While I fully intend on at least ooooooone more 2011 blog,

as crazy and scattered as I can be...

if it DOESN'T happen...

please have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas

and wonderful New Year!!!

XOXO