Rest for the Weary

Well Payton is taking a nice nap so I thought I would sit down and give my blog some love.  The past few days have been pretty exhausting.  Tuesday night, the storms were so loud they were literally shaking our house and kept Payton up most of the night.  Needless to say the next day we were both a little cranky lol.  Wednesday night, me and Payton slept at my parents because Jonny is in Apsen with his cousin Billy watching the X-Games.  And I don't know if she was just over tired or what but she didn't sleep but 2 hours.  Yesterday- we were both like walking zombies lol.  As I was in the Word last night- completely exhausted and feeling beat down, God whispered His promise of strength and rest (Isaiah 40:28-30) in my ear.  His promise of new mercies and compassion in the morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  As I sat there clinging to those promises- desperate for rest (physical and mental), I felt His peace rush over me.  And last night Payton slept from 8pm to 9am!!!  Isn't God amazing??  He is always faithful and never lets us down!    Being a mom is hard and some days its a struggle to find joy in it (if I am being honest) but God has been teaching me through being a mom about what it means to lay down my selfish desires and take up the cross.  Don't get me wrong, I love Payton with every fiber of my being.  I have never known the kind of love I have for that sweet baby girl.  But I am still human and my flesh is still sinful.  There are some days I don't want to get out of bed, I don't want to go get her at 2am and some days I wanna have a day all to myself watching tv and getting a pedicure.  But I have to lay those desires down and give all that I can to my kid.  As in the same way with my walk in the Lord.  Daily, waking up and laying down my flesh to the spirit.  Letting Him guide my steps.  Walking in the spirit!!  Because He loves me unconditionally and wants the best for me.  And once we do that, we can find joy in all circumstances, even when we are surrounded by the dark.  As I am study through James- that is definitely a theme throughout the whole first chapter.  Finding Joy in pain.  And God is teaching me just that through my daily struggles of motherhood.  Thanks for listening to my heart for a few minutes.  Have a wonderful day :)

"Do you not know?  Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall." Isaiah 40:28-30

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22-23

              

Jerry World

So this week/weekend was pretty crazy.  Young Life Arlington (thats the area I work for) put on a region wide Flag Football tournament at Cowboy's Stadium yesterday.  So me, Holly (the area director), and Casey (holly's hubby) have been working super hard the last 2 weeks to get this thing in place.  We had 70 teams sign up and over 1,000 show up!  We had people from all surrounding areas (mansfield, Fort Worth, Allen, Dallas, Rockwall, Lewisville, Argyle and even Oklahoma).  So it was crazy to prepare for.  But, the night went so well!!  Check-in went as smooth as can be and the tournament went super well too.  It was pretty neat to be down on the field and we even got to see the press room and locker rooms!  It was such a success and a good way to get kids introduce to Young Life.  To God be the glory!

Looking pretty rough here but I was so sleep deprived and had been on my feet from 9am to 11pm!

Gig'em! 

   

Shoes for Running

So Jonny got me these awesome Nike + shoes for Christmas and I LOVE them.  My sister and I are training for the cowtown half marathon and although, I might be slow, at least I will have some awesome shoes.  And I got the Nike + chip as well.  Although I haven't used the chip- I am super pumped about it- I have heard some great things about it!  Let the running begin

Weekend

What a weekend it has been!!  If you don't know, Jonny broke his arm 2 days after Christmas.  He had surgery on his arm this past Thursday.  It was a long and exhausting day.  We went into the office at 8am.  Waited 2 hours.  They told us to go home and they would call us.  2 hours later they called us.  Went back up there and waited another 2 hours.  Then they finally took him back to do the surgery.  3.5 hours later he was in recovery.  He broke his arm at the elbow and it pretty much shattered into 4 or 5 pieces.  The doctor tried to use his existing bone and put his elbow back together but after 1.5 hours they realized it wasn't going to work so they put a metal plate in his arm.  The plate will actually be better recovery but could pose some issues later in life (wearing the metal down and such).  We finally got home from the hospital at about 8:30 pm.  Thursday and Friday were pretty miserable and painful for Jonny but he is doing much better.  It still painful but it is much more manageable now.  He was even brave enough to spend Friday evening with some friends playing games.  The rest of the weekend we have spent resting and relaxing (well for Jonny anyways).  Saturday, my sister came down and spent the day with Payton and help Jonny out while I could go down to Granbury and celebrate with one of my friends who is expecting her first child in March.  It was a beautiful shower and I loved spending time with good friends.  After the shower we drove to Stephenville to see her home she and her husband are building and to eat some delicious bbq.  It was a very enjoyable day!  And Maddie, Jonny, and Payton did just fine.  Jonny pretty much slept the whole day.  Today, we went to church and then came home for some R&R.  Maddie, Zach, Aaron, and Nathan came over in the afternoon to spend some time with us.  Maddie and I ran our 6 miles as well.  It was a good and exhausting weekend for me but I am glad Jonny is feeling better- I hate seeing him hurt.  So that was our weekend in a nut shell.  Please continue to pray for Jonny's healing.  I would like to leave with saying how thankful I am for such amazing family/friends.  I am humbled and overwhelmed at all the texts/emails/fb messages/calls from everyone.  Thank-you to everyone who has been there for us and lifted us up in prayers.  A big thank-you to everyone who made us dinners and helped keep Payton.  We are beyond grateful and blessed.    

      

2012 Resolutions

I like to set resolutions every year.  I don't really get stressed out or upset if I don't complete them, I just like to set some goals for my self.  I do like to look back on my 2011 goals and see how I did!  So lets see:

1.  Start working out again.  Before I got pregnant I was a running fool.  I even ran a half marathon.  So I am going to start using my LA fitness membership again since I have been paying for it every month :)  But no more half marathons for me lol.
****  After I got the ok from the doctor I did great.  I did hit a slump but now I am back on track.  I am in my 3rd week of my training for another half marathon.  I guess never say never!  

2.  Be a better spender.  I am going manage my money a lot better and start using coupons and such!  We are pretty tight financially so I am gonna start cutting back on things, cook more at home, and find ways to save more!  I think Jonny will appreciate this :)
****  I am doing great on this one!  I haven't been using coupons (and honestly I don't know if I ever will) but I have been cooking at home a lot more and cutting myself off from silly spending.  Since we took that Dave Ramsey class I have set a budget and stuck to it!  We have control over our finances and it has been great!

3.  Drink more water.  I did so good while I was pregnant and breastfeeding but now that I am neither- I have taken back my addiction to Dr. Pepper.  I am not planning to give it it up entirely (never could do that) but just cut back and drink more water. 
****  I have been failing at this one... Goal for 2012

4.  Volunteer more.  I feel like even though my days are extremely busy, I still have a lot of down time.  I want to be better with how I spend my time.  I don't just want to simply exist and live my life doing daily mundane things.  I want to make a difference.  I want to serve those around me.  I want to share the Lord through my actions.  So I am going to make an effort to volunteer a whole saturday at least once every month (hopefully more- but I don't wanna make a commitment I don't keep). 
****  I have been ok at this one.  I didn't serve someplace every month but I did do it more!  Me and Jonny also started working with 4 year olds in our church.  I love giving my time to serve others and the Lord has really grown me in this.  

5.  Go on a mission trip.  Last year me and Jonny went to China with our church.  I would LOVE to go on another one this year.  I am praying and gonna let the Lord lead me :)
****  I did not feel the Lord leading me to an opportunity this year but I do feel a calling to go on a trip in August next year!  



So what goals do I have for this year?  


1.  Go on a mission trip.  Really really would love to do it this year.  I am going to a meeting for a trip to Africa at the end of January so we will see!!


2.  Run a half marathon.  Me and my sister are running the Cowtown in February!  I have been doing well with training but it's still 2 months away so lets pray I continue to train well.  


3.  Go to bed earlier.  I am such a night owl (example:  its 11:15 and I am still awake).  I usually go to bed around 12:30-1 every night.  Payton usually sleeps till about 8/8:30 every day.  I would really like to start going to bed early so I can get up early.  I use Payton as my alarm clock and I would really love to be up and ready before she gets up!


4.  Read more.  I really hate reading but Jonny keeps reading all these good books and I feel like I should join him.  Also, they keep coming out with movies about them!


5.  Get pregnant.  Haha, but seriously.  Me and Jonny would like to welcome another Van Hoy by the end of the year.  (I AM NOT PREGNANT at the moment).  We are going to start trying after my half!  


So here's to a great 2012!  

Looking Back

What a year 2011 has been!!  God has been good to our family and we are so thankful for His many blessings.  It has been a year that has brought us joys, laughs, tears, ups, and downs.  A year that has stretched us and has drawn us closer as a family and to our Lord.  So what did our 2011 look like?  Here is a snap shot:

January:  I was suppose to go back to my nanny position, but the Lord had much better plans.  It was a tough month financially and sad to not be nanny for the family anymore.  I became a stay at home momma to my precious girl!

February: We had a big snow storm that gave Jonny some time off work and covered our home so beautifully!

March:  Payton turned 4 months and I started working for my dad!  It was a month that was filled with a HUGE blessing.  I am so thankful that I can work for my dad.  I only work about 4 or 5 days a month and its some extra income for us.  It was a hard month of transition as well.  Since I was training for my dad in March, I worked a lot and had to leave my baby girl.  But God provided like He always does :)

April:  Payton turned 5 months, rolled over for the first time, celebrated her first easter, and could sit up by herself.  We also celebrated Maddies upcoming marriage (with a shower) and ring dunk in College Station.  I turned 24 years old as well! 

May:  Payton turned 6 months old.  She tried swimming for the first time as well (was not a fan at first).  I had my first mothers day and we had the honor of dedicating Payton on that day as well.  Also, my baby brother graduated high school and lil sis graduated for Texas A&M!  It was a busy month!

June:  Was a crazy/busy/really fun Month.  We spent a week in SC with Jonny's extended family (which was so fun until I caught the bug- miserable).  It was Paytons first plane ride, vacation, and time on the beach.  We celebrated Maddie's and Zach upcoming marriage with Bachelor and Bachelorette parties.  We also celebrated Stephen and Stephanies bachelor and bachelorette parties.  And me and Jonny got to fly to Mexico and witness our best friends get Married.  Three days in Mexico with all our friends- awesome!!  It was a great month.  

July:  This month was a tough for finances but the Lord was good and provided what we needed.  I had been offered a job with Young Life and had interviewed for another position as well.  It was a month of praying hard and asking the Lord where He wanted me and my career.  He answered!!  Also, Payton started crawling everywhere and Maddie (my baby sister) got married.  I got another brother!  It was such a beautiful, godly, and fun wedding!

August:  Payton started taking some steps and walking a little bit.  Me and Jonny celebrated 3 years of marriage.  And I started my new job with Young Life as office administrator.  We also began our 13 week journey with financial peace.   

September:  Payton started to full on walk- getting into everything.  She was 10 months old.  It was a quite month for us.  We did get Payton's first trip to the zoo and a Keith Urban concert in.

October:  My sweet nephew, Donovan, turned 1 year old.  Me and my best friend, Joanna, loaded up a car with 3 kids under the age of 5 and her dog and headed to San Antonio to visit her parents and Sea World!  We celebrated Payton's first fall/halloween.  And my Big brother got engaged to Kassi.  I can't wait to have another sister and sweet niece!!    

November:  Payton turned one year old and Jonny turned 26!!  We also finished our Dave Ramsey class- taught us so much.  Highly recommended!    

December:  We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  Payton got so much and we enjoyed all our time with family.  Sadly, Jonny broke his arm 2 days after Christmas.  He will have surgery at the beginning of the year.  

Thanks for looking back with me!  It was such a busy year but we had so much fun and learned a ton!  So many first with Payton and we loved watching her grow!  It's crazy that it's been a year.  Can't wait to see what God brings us in 2012!