the summer it changed...2

Many times the morning devotionals hit HOME, either in regards to Madison's anxiety or in my personal struggle. Many mornings the prayer ran along the same theme, me begging the Lord to heal or to take away Madison's current situation. It was here in my broken heart that God truly showed me HIS LOVE and PEACE. Nothing is more difficult or painful then watching your beautiful child hurt and then not being able to fix it... made it all worse!!

It was not until the morning devotion was on this verse, "Be still and know that I am God"- Psalm 46:10. Take time to be still in HIS presence. Breath slowly and deeply, relax in HIS HOLY Presence.

Madison was learning cool new techniques on how to combat the "dragon" (yes that is the anxiety). In addition to our "deep" (as deep as one can get with a 7 year old) talks about being still and learning to rest in God. Madi made significant progress and God was working miracles in both of us!

The summer that it changed...

It has been quite some time since the last blog. It would be easy to say time flies when your having fun, BUT truth be told there has been a time of unrest in the Andrews Household.

This past summer my daughter began experiencing small panic attacks and even just some general anxiety. Things that were once simple tasks or fun pleasurable activities became mountains of worry and fear. Trips in the car, no matter the length became dreaded moments that often led to debilitating freaking out tantrums. My fun loving, care free spirit of a daughter had became a shell of a person. The smile that brighten the day was no longer seen and the laughter was replaced with tears.

After months of pleading and begging with God to take this from my daughter, Gods answer became clear. IT WAS TIME FOR THERAPY!! In addition to the therapy, the bond between my daughter I got stronger. You see, it start for me when I was young too.  Anxiety had always been present, but the panic attacks did not start until the high school years.

The End of 2014....

Christmas, it comes just one time a year. Most of America has forgotten the "true" meaning of Christmas. Society tells children they need LOTS of presents and EXPENSIVE presents.
It was not until Nathan and I moved to Kentucky that I really began to embrace spending quality time with those I love. (I would anything to spend one day with my mom, dad and brother.)

This Christmas I was reminded that family comes in all shapes and sizes and is not always blood.
This Christmas we traveled to sunny  Florida. There were 13 of us crammed into my in-laws house. Needless to say we were PACKED in like sardines; no quite place, no alone time.... but the memories that were made are priceless. (Did I mention we all passed around a horrible cold., i.e. fever, cough, sore throat). BUT I could not fortunate or more blessed!
(Abby, Emily right now I am hearing, "T-I-T-U-S said that!")

We are one of a kind

Of course we had to make a "duck face" These women are amazing. They have shown me unconditional love and kindness.

 Our Family Picture at SeaWorld. The kids had a blast! Madison and Titus loved the dolphin and Shamu show. (Josiah not so much) The kids fed sting rays and pet them too! We marveled at sharks and other cool sea creatures.

This is everyone! Christmas day dinner at G.G ma and G.G pop's house. My kids always remember that they have a Life Size Mickey, Goofy and Mini. They also remember that there play room is stocked full of amazing old school toys. This year Madi and Titus connected with Alex over a game of mini golf in the hallway. BY THE WAY.....I am 100% convinced that it takes a small village to raise children. I am very thankful these people are in that Village.

The BEST photo BOMB Ever!!!

I end with a photo of my favorite 4 people. Nathan is the best Husband and the most amazing Father. He pushes and challenges me but knows when to pull me close with his warm embrace. Madison, Titus and Josiah remind me of what it means to have "child like faith". These 3 keep me on my toes and always keep me laughing. God has blessed me beyond measure. Again as I reflection on 2014, my heart is over flowing with LOVE, JOY and HAPPINESS.
God is so good I can't wait to see what 2015 holds for the Andrews Family.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

This just got Real!

Spring 2014
I am not even sure where to start... it might be a helpful if you know what I do.

Many of you know I work with addicts. Many of you have seen my post about #drugcourtworks; #ilovemyjob or #savinglives things like that on twitter or fb. Well, today I hated my job. (Even as it comes out it taste bitter). Today I attended my first wake for a client. 

I don't speak of this to bring awareness to addiction or to have people feel sorry for me, I write to express myself and clear my head by getting my thoughts out. 

I am believer/follower of Christ. (I know my mouth and silly antics don't always show that) I also believe that God will be glorifed in this tragedy, but it has still been a shock to my system. 

When talking about my job it's always "ya, I work with people struggling with an addiction" or  "I help people learn to live a sober a life" something like that. But today a client whom I've known for 15 months was laid to rest and I am left wondering, what the hell happened? There is comfort knowing that God has taken her out of her pain and suffering and made her whole again. God has justified her and people turn to him or learn of His greatness through this. 

When taking this job, fresh out of Grad School, there a burning fire to serve God's people, to minister to the broken and hurting. The flame still burns and the love for my clients is still there, but I have come to realize that this job comes with cost. That cost is my broken heart. 

Coming from a Social Worker Masters program I have set up boundaries, there is a clear line where work stays at the office. But when investing in another human begin do we not risk it all? God created US ALL in HIS IMAGIE, that is how I view all my clients. There fore I do my best in treating them all like children of God. My goal is to make all my clients feel God's unconditional love. It is not always nice and neat because sometimes my clients have to go to jail. But in processing the issue or relapse with them, I try to imagine the way the Jesus would treat them. 

As I process all this, I start to wonder, was I naive in thinking this could happen, or was it known but I willing choose not to acknowledge it??? 

Where is the Manual?

Just when I thought things would get mildly easier, my son gets this note home from school. His color for the day Yellow, the remark from the teacher “spitting on friend.” My heart SANK….This is not something that I was ready to read. The talking out of turn, talking to much, not listening, not follow directions I would except, and am I better equipped to handle. But spitting on a friend. WHAT??

God where is the manual for this kid? Did I miss place it or did you forget to send it?

Where do I even being? I cheat... I let Nate deal with the hard part. :) (Thank you darling) 

 I come in once the big crocodile tears are rolling down his checks, due to the "lecture" he's received from daddy. As I tuck him into bed, I try to bring it all home by explaining that God has "rule book" that "we" his people need to follow. 

When asked how God wants us to treat others, he say's, "be kind, loving, caring and nice" 

(in my head I am thinking SWEET he has learned something) 

I ask, "What led you to spit on your friend?" 

He replies, "She was staring at me?"  

(REALLY !!!! my stomach is turning)

Then I thought about the other mom, and what she now thought of my son and worse yet, what she thought of his parents! 

So again ask where is the instruction manual for these kids?

Raven Run Fun

Raven run

Once again we set out to discover more beautiful places in Kentucky.

Moving to Kentucky has really opened my eyes to hiking.

California has some beautiful places to hike too, but for whatever reason Kentucky was opened my eyes to the wonder of nature. (I still have a STRONG dislike for ALL bugs)

Today as we walked through one section that was dense with amazing big tress, the wind picked up, and the sound was peaceful. (After I yelled at my kids to stop arguing)

Just kidding.

It is amazing that being in nature really does calm ones soul.

There is something about being surrounded by the glorious wonder of the Creator, 

that takes all the stress of the world away. 

One of my Favorites.

This one is for my Titus. 

LOVE these CraZieS

Look Out Point

happy baby

Ky River Palisades Trail...

We came and we conquered 

We took the kids for another fun adventure.
Recently I discovered this VERY cool app called "All Trails".
This app is free and it's AWESOME!
It's SuPeR easy, put in the zip code and it pulls up trails in that area .
Todays trail, Kentucky River Palisades trail.

Truth be told, we did not get to finish the trail, somehow when the trail forked we choose the "look out" path. Which don't get me wrong is breathing taking, but the goal was completed the loop. (This just means we have to go back:) 

This is a MUST do for the summer if you like to hike. The trail is marked, and the path is covered by beautiful trees. It is VERY LUSH! 

A cool "cave" the boys found

This is the way little man rolled 

A dried up creek 

These two cuties had a blast