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!