Lately

Wow, it's been way too long since I posted anything! I actually had to stop and think for a moment on how to even use this thing! Those who have kids know that sitting down is a rare thing and even more rare actually putting your thoughts into words. It's hard sometimes to make a clear concise thought with a little one running, screaming, playing and going wild through the house! Much less during nap time when there is a bazillion other things to get done!

So many things have taken place since my last post. My little photography business has grown (so thankful) and has kept me busy shooting, editing, uploading, saving, buying a new camera...etc. You get it! I started teaching a stroller class...which I LOVE!! I love the mommies and babies that we get to spend 3 mornings a week with. I love the new friendships we have started building, I love that through this class I also found a Bible Study which I so desperately needed!! I'm super excited to get to know the girls in that group and form more friendships and sisters in Christ!

Daniel and I also started our own business with Advocare. Something I thought about a year ago and never really decided to "jump" in to but with our desire to grow our family and our passion for people we realized this was the perfect fit. A company based on building relationships, giving families freedom and most importantly showing people Christ love from the top down! We couldn't be more thrilled about this adventure and what the next 6 months could do for our family!

Daniel still works for State Farm too so we kind of have our hands in a bunch of pots right now but are looking forward to slowing down some and spending more time as a family.

We are training for our next half...after we went to Texas for Advocare's Success School I thought to myself how in the world are we going to handle all of this...I've become overwhelmed at times but keep reminding myself our purpose and reason...this little guy! Oh how he has given us so much joy in life and I'm so thankful the Lord blessed us with being his parent's! As much as I love him I'm reminded daily that Christ loves me infinitely more than I love my son. Wow, I can't even fathom that.

There is small bit of what has been happening over that last few months.

Photography

So, I've been busy working on a website and blog for my photography! Check it out!! I'm super excited about my little business and can't wait to see where the Lord takes it!

Blog!
http://heatherpoephotography.blogspot.com/

Website!
http://www.wix.com/heatherpoe/photography

DIY Headboard

I've been on a decorating kick lately...blame it on pinterest or my monthly Country Living and if you are like me and on a budget you have to know what you want, save for it, search for it and then maybe finally purchase it. Normally from craigslist for me...then sand, scrap, paint and re-do to get exactly the look you wanted. Well, I decided I wanted to update our bedroom. All I was going to need was a headboard and one nightstand (we already have one).

The did my blog stalking and figured out what headboard I wanted....I knew where to buy it retail but I started searching craigslist. I searched and searched and checked back but still didn't find what I wanted. I'm a huge Pottery Barn fan but don't love their prices...that's when I stumbled this blog all about DIYing. There it was!! A Pottery Barn DIY headboard and they looked identical! So, here we go again on another home project adventure (as if they ever stop) of creating a headboard! Here is the tutorial we are going to be using: http://diyshowoff.com/category/furniture/headboard/.

We have gathered up all the materials to start and the last we need to get decorative nail heads. Can't wait to show you once we are done!!

Here is what we are going to make and for a fraction of their cost!! Yipee!! Check back for an update!!

Life

I feel like I haven't really updated in forever...probably because it's been weeks! So much has been happening that finding time to sit down in quite seems nearly impossible!

Dad was released from the hospital and is well on the road to recovery! Started his cardiac rehab this week, started driving again and post doctor visits have all been great!

Isaiah seems to become a new little boy daily! He is so smart and learning so much! He is attempting constantly to talk...while most of it comes out at babble he has mastered some words: Gigi (my mom), Dayee (Daddy), Doggy (all the time), Side (outside)...he hates being inside so I know what that word means! He tries to mimic sounds and words that we say...like diaper, or vroom vroom with his toy trucks...hopefully this Saturday we will take him to Touch a Truck in the town over from us! His current favorite activity (other than being outside) is driving daddy's truck or anyone's truck for that matter. It's about the only activity he will do for hours if we allow it!

He still isn't walking yet and really has no interest. He has taken a step or two but either grabs on quick or drops and takes off crawling. Oh well...he will get around to it eventually. He is too fast crawling places to be interested in walking...that takes time to learn. Who has time for that when you have places to go and toys to play with?! Hard to believe he is 14 months! They weren't kidding when they said time flies!

Daniel starts with agent May 1st! He still works with State Farm but due to some agency changes he has been a corporate employee since June of last year! So we are thrilled to get the ball rolling again with a new agent! One step closer to having his own agency one day which is the ultimate goal! I'm so proud of my hubs! He is an incredible dad and husband! He works so hard to take care of us and would do whatever it took to make sure we had all our needs met. Love him to pieces and thank the Lord for him daily!

I'm still staying home with Isaiah, teaching boot camp and taking pictures! Hoping to further my photography skills by snapping cute pics of my friends kiddos and mine and possibly one day turn it into a little business!

Love my little family and the time I get with them! Thankful each day the Lord gives us together!

No words can express...

It's been over a week now since the emergency heart surgery news and we are well on the road to recovery...it might a longer road than The Delk family would like but we are thankful for it none the less! We aren't a fan of doctors, hospitals, being sick or being down for any period of time but the Lord knows best and we are thankful they are there when we need them!

There are no words to express the gratitude we feel for our support network that is enduring this journey with us. We had a waiting room full of family and friends who sat with us through the surgery that went from 1:00am to 7:00am...thank you! We had baskets upon baskets of food brought/sent to us...thank you! We had friends set up meals for when we got home...thank you! Dad had over 80 visitors during his stay...while it was exhausting...thank you! We had prayer networks going from people we don't personally know...THANK YOU!! The response from our brother's and sister's in Christ was overwhelming and was a perfect portrayal of how the body of Christ should respond! Word's can never express how thankful we are for each one of you!

As most of you know dad is home now and doing great! There were a few scary days (in the ICU) when he didn't quite remember things, his oxygen levels dropped and we still weren't sure what the outcome would be but the Lord knew...He knew before any one of daddy's days came to be! Praise the Lord for this! I can't imagine going through anything such as this without hope in Christ...hope that he can heal, hope that when our time is done our earth we will see each other again, hope that he carries us through the storms, hope that he holds life in his hands...we weren't promised that life in Christ was easy but I know for a fact that it is worth it!

Love to all our friends and family!

From the entire Delk/Poe family :)

Takes more than a Superhero

...all my days were written in Your book and planned 
before a single one of them began. Psalm 139:16


One of the most exciting things to me is that when you are bound together by the love of your Savior, you know that no matter what life brings you will be together again. No one wants to experience the pain that comes with those times, the fear that you may not see your loved one's again or any of the fleshly battles we endure daily but those times are real...


The doctor called it luck but we knew that it was more than luck. It was the fact that his time wasn't finished here on earth. We knew God had more for him to do and we are beyond thankful for that. In my eyes my daddy has always been a superhero...yep a superhero. He had strength unlike any other...not just physical but emotional. He is a rock. In my eyes he could take on the world and conquer every time. 


I was reminded Tuesday night that even though daddy is just a human, his Savior...my Savior is all-powerful, He holds the power of life and death in his hands and at this moment he has chosen to give life to dad.


Here is the story for those who don't know the details. He wasn't sick, this wasn't planned...it was a big surprise and not the fun kind! He went to gym for a workout...just a light, easy workout. He was benching (light weight 285...light...yeah right) and when he racked his weights he didn't feel right. He lost his breath, he was light-headed and in pain. They called 911 even though he thought it was just a cracked rib or a rib head out of place...mind you he has done this before (but never called 911). Due to family history (his grandfather, father and uncle suffering massive heart attacks in their early 50's and passing away) he was being extra cautious. He did just turn 50 a week ago. 


He felt fine in the ambulance once they gave him oxygen and he thought he really didn't need to go. Mom called and said don't come, he is fine and I will update you when we hear something. Hours passed, some test were run and she called back. I could hear her voice, weak and upset and I knew it was serious...the doctor said it was life-threatening and he would go into open heart surgery immediately. WOAH...what?? Not what we were expecting. 


The science part...first off he already had an aneurysm (great right) that he was unaware of...probably shouldn't be benching 285 with that! Then to top if off the pressure from benching the weight tore a nice little hole in the inner layer of his aorta (the biggest more important vein in the body). The aorta has 3 layers and need all to work properly. The tear in the inner layer allowed blood to seep out into the other 2 layers causing his aneurysm and aorta walls to swell to 5.5cm (average is 3.2cm). Imagine blowing up a balloon to the point it might burst...well that's where he was at. If he had waited (blown it off) he would not have lived more than 2 hours. Ouch...not something we like to hear. So he went into surgery at 1:00am. They cut out the ascending aorta and replaced it with a synthetic tube and graphed it at both ends to attach back to the heart and descending aorta. That was the major part and was done by about 5:00am. Once they stopped bleeding and stitched him up it was about 7:00am. (pulled my very first all nighter for this one-gonna be proud to tell him that :)). 


Now comes the...to be honest...crappy part for him. The healing will take a while. His doctor said he has never cut through that much muscle in anyone and he has performed over 600 of these surgeries in the past 2 years. So, he will be in more pain than your average skinny dude. Then the biggest blow of all (side note...He DOES NOT know this and we aren't telling him for a while...I mean a good long while!!!) His weight lifting days are over. Yep...you heard it right...over. Not a single weight...If you know my dad this is like telling Tim Tebow he will never touch a football again. 


So our new journey begins. Life will be different from here on out for him. He will need major encouragement, prayers and a team of support around him. He is strong, he is still a superhero to me and he will be enduring superhero feats to give up his passion. We are praying the Lord uses him in new ways...which he will or else he wouldn't still be here. We are praying he will embrace this new journey God has for him. 


My dad has made a greater impact than we knew...he had over 50 visitors yesterday. He had a waiting room full of people through the night of his surgery. He had a letter from the serving staff at J.Christophers (his favorite) telling us how thankful they were he prayed for each server every time he went. He is a man of God who has so much left to do for his Savior...and I know he will. He is a father, a husband, a p-paw, a friend, a minister...and my superhero!

Marriage

I stumbled across this blog the other day via pinterest...gotta love pinterest! This couple reflected over the last 5 years and came up with this list of 10 things that have made an impact in their marriage! Daniel and I loved it so I had to share it so my married or engaged friends could read it! Enjoy!!

http://www.todaysletters.com/2010/05/10-things-that-have-made-all-difference.html

I started the 21 day Daniel Fast 4 days ago now. I've never been good at fasting...I've tried and failed because my flesh is incredibly weak when it comes to eating. When I go without food I get extremely grumpy, tired and lose complete focus on why I'm fasting.

So I decided to do the Daniel Fast. I had several reason's for wanting to do this. If you haven't heard about it before it's basically "clean eating" meaning fruits, veggies and whole grains. I bought the book the ultimate guide to the Daniel fast by Kristen Feola. It has over 100 recipes which for me is awesome because it allows me to focus on fun new recipes instead of getting frustrated over what to cook for supper.

Here is where I'm at 4 days into this. Day 2 I called Daniel at work and told him I would be praying over our finances that day. He has been working for State Farm for a year in February. Let me just say it has been a roller coaster...not because it's not a great company to work for, we both feel Daniel has a great future with them but unforeseen circumstances has made this one tough year financially and I know many people feel that way!

Our first year and half married we made a goal to pay off our debt which by God's grace and Dave Ramsey principals we did! We also saved Dave's recommended 6 months living expenses...thank goodness we did! Then a miscarriage, adoption and job change later...we are glad we saved that money! Now, starting the new year we are making a goal to build back those funds...but it doesn't come easily! Maybe we shoot for the moon but after talking about our family goals for 2012 we realize none of them are possible on our own...

I know I'm only on day 4 but already I feel my complete and utter desperation for my Savior more than before. I get bogged down like many with trying to run the course on my own strength and I peter out before it's over every time! It's like the last 3 miles of a half marathon...those last 3 are the hardest for me because I ache all over, my legs feel like 100lbs each and I'm just ready to be done! Lately I've been exhausted more so mentally than physically but I'll spare you the pity party I could throw for myself :)!

If I'm feeling this way day 4 I'm excited to see what I feel day 21...I was ready to take my relationship with Christ to a deeper level but struggled with how to do that. The Lord is teaching me through this and right now I feel like endurance is my word. I feel like God keeps reminding me that life isn't suppose to be easy when you are His child, He didn't promise perfection to me. Nope instead He told me to be joyful during the tough times! James 1 is a chapter I cling to at all times...it's always seems so applicable to life. So I'll leave you with this verse:

James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do it's complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing"

Through joy and tears

When Daniel and I started talking marriage, families and future one thing I told him while we were dating was my desire to be a mom and a stay at home mom. This has been so since I was little and never changed. I've been at stay at home mom for the past year and it has been the most rewarding, crazy, hectic experience!

It's been a year full of fun, love, tears of joy and frustration, sleepless nights, giggles, sacrifice and so much more! I've learned many things over the past year...

- I love sleep but you don't get much with a little one!
- The importance of keeping my husband priority because a little one steals so much of your time
- My desperation and need for my Savior
- Financial sacrifices are tough albeit worth every one
- I needed more patience and still do :)
- I will never get it all done...

Oh I could keep going! I tell my hubby often but never enough how thankful I am for his hard work providing for this family! We have both learned to make sacrifices over the last year more than ever to make this possible. I can't imagine not being home with my little man, raising him, teaching him about Jesus and giving him as much love as I can. It's not an easy job but it's my most favorite by far :)

Isaiah turns ONE!

Holy smokes it's so hard to really believe that Isaiah is a year old! The year leading up to him seemed like the longest year of my life and the first year of his life seemed like the fastest year of my life! He brings so much joy to our lives and we pray the Lord allows us MANY more years with our sweet little man!

Over the past year he has gone from a 6lb 9oz little squirt to a 16lb 11oz big squirt! He has grown from 19.5in to 27in!

He is crawling and standing (at times) on his own, he pulls up on all our furniture, empties kitchen drawers and tries to climb in! He loves to snack on animal crackers and ice cream (his two favorites)! He dances to any music and claps all the time! His first word was hey and then yay! He say's dada all the time and rarely mama...he tries to mimic everything we do.

He had his first Thanksgiving and Christmas which was so much fun! He stole the show at our church when he was baby Jesus...he was quite the ham and people have now nicknamed him little baby Jesus.

For Christmas he got (my favorite) a red flyer wagon from Santa! His first birthday was themed Sock Monkey and he had over 50 guest in attendance. He loves people and doesn't meet a stranger!

He survived his paci boot camp and came out on the other side paci free after only a week! He is such a love bug and wants to be held and cuddled most of the time! He is very spoiled rotten and knows it. We absolutely love our little booger and can't wait to watch him grow over the next year!