So, I know WAY more than 13 people read our blog . . . party poopers!
We had a few people who didn't know how to post a comment on our blog so instead they sent an email, which was totally fine and still lots of fun to read. So, total we had 13 comments on our blog and 7 emails which made a grand total of 20.
And the lucky number that Josh picked was . . . .
NUMBER 2
My dear friend and Bible Study leader, Marti McAmis (also listed as "A favorite blog I follow" on my blog page) was the lucky winner.
I will get your treat hand delivered to you Mari :)!
Thanks for playing on the family friendly game blog, The Chapters In Our Life . . . until next time, I'm your game show host, Magnificent Marcy. And remember to have your pets spayed and neutered :)! Okay, okay, I'll stop!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Realtor's For Kids
In 2003, a group of individuals from the Northern Black Hills Association of REALTORS® got together to discuss a way to address a growing need in our communities. As Realtors, they recognized the need to build stronger communities by creating opportunities for the children. The group set out to develop a plan to raise funds to assist children that had a need that otherwise wasn’t being met.
Thanks to the efforts and the generosity of the Realtors and the support of the communities that they serve, today, the REALTORS® for Kids organization is more than just a “fill in the gaps” funding group. The organization has developed ties to other organizations and agencies that watch over and support our children. It has expanded its reach to help children and their families that have ongoing medical expenses, provide funding for children to attend pre-school, and assist children with clothing needs and much more.
This time last year we were blessed by an anonymous referral to Realtors for Kids on behalf of Cayel. A couple of weeks after Cayel was discharged from the Denver Children's Hospital we received a check in the mail from Realtors for Kids to help cover some of the medical expenses and other astronomical expenses that were incurred. It was a blessing and we have been forever grateful.
May 1st will be their annual auction to raise money for the organization. We received a personal invitation and are going to be donating a little toddler Trek bike with helmet (of course) on behalf of Cayel . . . in memory of everything he overcame.
We realize that many of our frequent readers live hundreds of miles away and attending this event with us is nearly impossible, but we wanted to advocate for this amazing organization and extend an invitation to those friends and family members that do live close. We were blessed with the love of so many of you during that difficult time and we were blessed with the financial support of this great organization . . . help us celebrate and support Realtors for Kids on May 1st - in honor of Cayel!
Here is the link to Realtors for Kids if you'd like to read more about the organization: http://realtorsforkids.org/help.htm
And here are the basics for the banquet/auction:
When: Friday, May 1st
6:00 Social Hour
7:00 Auction
Cost: $10.00/person (pay at the door)
Where: Deadwood Gulch Resort
Deadwood, South Dakota
Thanks to the efforts and the generosity of the Realtors and the support of the communities that they serve, today, the REALTORS® for Kids organization is more than just a “fill in the gaps” funding group. The organization has developed ties to other organizations and agencies that watch over and support our children. It has expanded its reach to help children and their families that have ongoing medical expenses, provide funding for children to attend pre-school, and assist children with clothing needs and much more.
This time last year we were blessed by an anonymous referral to Realtors for Kids on behalf of Cayel. A couple of weeks after Cayel was discharged from the Denver Children's Hospital we received a check in the mail from Realtors for Kids to help cover some of the medical expenses and other astronomical expenses that were incurred. It was a blessing and we have been forever grateful.
May 1st will be their annual auction to raise money for the organization. We received a personal invitation and are going to be donating a little toddler Trek bike with helmet (of course) on behalf of Cayel . . . in memory of everything he overcame.
We realize that many of our frequent readers live hundreds of miles away and attending this event with us is nearly impossible, but we wanted to advocate for this amazing organization and extend an invitation to those friends and family members that do live close. We were blessed with the love of so many of you during that difficult time and we were blessed with the financial support of this great organization . . . help us celebrate and support Realtors for Kids on May 1st - in honor of Cayel!
Here is the link to Realtors for Kids if you'd like to read more about the organization: http://realtorsforkids.org/help.htm
And here are the basics for the banquet/auction:
When: Friday, May 1st
6:00 Social Hour
7:00 Auction
Cost: $10.00/person (pay at the door)
Where: Deadwood Gulch Resort
Deadwood, South Dakota
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A year ago today . . .
Today is April 15th, exactly one year, from one of the hardest days in our life . . . the day that we received the phone call about Cayel's tragic accident. I have spent a little time this past week revisiting Cayel's Caring Bridge site (www.caringbridge.org/visit/cayelholmgren) rereading the updates that I posted during his time in the hospital but mostly rereading the wonderful messages, encouraging words and prayers that each one of you posted.
I have been anticipating today, wondering how I would feel or how it would affect me, it's all psychological, I know - but none the less, I wondered. And here I am . . . I woke up this morning with the song, "Today Is The Day" by Lincoln Brewster in my head. Although I love the song, I wondered why before I even opened my eyes and climbed out of bed, I was reciting this song? That's right, I had forgotten what today was - not really forgotten (being I had just prayed about it and praised God for his blessings not more than 7 hours prior) but for whatever reason, it wasn't until I was driving Cayel to daycare this morning that I looked in the rear view mirror at that precious little boy wearing his sunglasses upside down, looking out the window with a smile on his face, singing "Jesus Loves Me," that I remembered! I had wondered how I would feel? At that second it hit me like a ton of bricks! Yes, I could have let myself go back to those feelings of worry, fear, anxiety, anger, sadness that I felt a year ago, but instead, tears of joy streamed down my face as I sang (quite literally sang) praises to God! Now I got it! Now I know why that song (Today Is The Day) was in my head . . .
I'm casing my cares aside
I'm leaving my past behind
I'm setting my heart and mind on You Jesus
I'm reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there's so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm trusting in what You say
Today is the day
And if you look at the front page of our blog you will see the verse
This is the day in which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Coincidence? I'm not so sure? Today is exactly that, a day in which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
A year ago today, I received that dreaded phone call at work that Cayel had been in a bicycle accident. Two hours later I received a phone call from the Emergency Room Physician at the Denver Children's Hospital that Cayel had just arrived by ambulance and was being taken into surgery to repair a severe compact skull fracture, hemorrhaging of the brain and brain injury. One hour later Josh and I were in the car making the long (very long) drive through "no mans land" Wyoming. 7 hours later we arrived in the parking lot of the Children's Hospital. 10 days later we were discharged from the hospital and on our way back home to Spearfish, South Dakota. And today . . . Cayel is God's miracle! We were told there were no guarantees when he went into surgery, God brought him out. We were told that he may suffer from seizures for the rest of his life, God seized them. We were told he may never have full mobility of his left side, God gave him the strength and determination to walk and even run. We were told he may have emotional or behavioral problems, God has made him the happiest little 3 year old imaginable. Cayel is free! Free from medication, free from MRI's, free from Physical Therapy, free from Doctor visits, he is fully and completely free - all because the Lord has a very special plan for him!
Today we praise our loving and faithful Father! We praise Him for the strength and love He provided us during those difficult hours and days of the unknown. We thank Him for the guidance and direction for the months that laid ahead. We praise Him for His healing miracles in Cayel. And we praise Him for all of the wonderful people He put in our lives to support us, encourage us and love us!
Today is a day in which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
I have been anticipating today, wondering how I would feel or how it would affect me, it's all psychological, I know - but none the less, I wondered. And here I am . . . I woke up this morning with the song, "Today Is The Day" by Lincoln Brewster in my head. Although I love the song, I wondered why before I even opened my eyes and climbed out of bed, I was reciting this song? That's right, I had forgotten what today was - not really forgotten (being I had just prayed about it and praised God for his blessings not more than 7 hours prior) but for whatever reason, it wasn't until I was driving Cayel to daycare this morning that I looked in the rear view mirror at that precious little boy wearing his sunglasses upside down, looking out the window with a smile on his face, singing "Jesus Loves Me," that I remembered! I had wondered how I would feel? At that second it hit me like a ton of bricks! Yes, I could have let myself go back to those feelings of worry, fear, anxiety, anger, sadness that I felt a year ago, but instead, tears of joy streamed down my face as I sang (quite literally sang) praises to God! Now I got it! Now I know why that song (Today Is The Day) was in my head . . .
I'm casing my cares aside
I'm leaving my past behind
I'm setting my heart and mind on You Jesus
I'm reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there's so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm trusting in what You say
Today is the day
And if you look at the front page of our blog you will see the verse
This is the day in which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Coincidence? I'm not so sure? Today is exactly that, a day in which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
A year ago today, I received that dreaded phone call at work that Cayel had been in a bicycle accident. Two hours later I received a phone call from the Emergency Room Physician at the Denver Children's Hospital that Cayel had just arrived by ambulance and was being taken into surgery to repair a severe compact skull fracture, hemorrhaging of the brain and brain injury. One hour later Josh and I were in the car making the long (very long) drive through "no mans land" Wyoming. 7 hours later we arrived in the parking lot of the Children's Hospital. 10 days later we were discharged from the hospital and on our way back home to Spearfish, South Dakota. And today . . . Cayel is God's miracle! We were told there were no guarantees when he went into surgery, God brought him out. We were told that he may suffer from seizures for the rest of his life, God seized them. We were told he may never have full mobility of his left side, God gave him the strength and determination to walk and even run. We were told he may have emotional or behavioral problems, God has made him the happiest little 3 year old imaginable. Cayel is free! Free from medication, free from MRI's, free from Physical Therapy, free from Doctor visits, he is fully and completely free - all because the Lord has a very special plan for him!
Today we praise our loving and faithful Father! We praise Him for the strength and love He provided us during those difficult hours and days of the unknown. We thank Him for the guidance and direction for the months that laid ahead. We praise Him for His healing miracles in Cayel. And we praise Him for all of the wonderful people He put in our lives to support us, encourage us and love us!
Today is a day in which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Hello? Anyone there?
So I sent out a mass email this afternoon reminding our friends and family to check out our blog site for the most up-to-date happenings in the Horak household. I had sent out an email this past fall when I first decided to start blogging but have always wondered, "is anyone out there?" After I sent out the mass email this afternoon I got a few responses letting me know that they check it weekly (sometimes even daily :). And some clever little lady (my aunt Lisa) asked if she wins a prize being she checks it on a weekly basis. Hmmmm . . . good idea!
So here is the game . . . starting today, you have exactly 120 hours from the time I upload this post (4:30 p.m. MST, Sunday, April 19th)to leave a comment on the post. Sunday evening I will have Josh pick a random number (1 through how many total comments I get) and whatever number he picks, that person who left a comment will get a "prize." No, it won't be a car, a new hunting gun or a $100 bill but, it will be a fun little treat. I will announce the winner next Monday, April 20th on our blog and if you are the lucky duck, you can email me your address to redeem your prize.
Leave your name, an encouraging message, a funny joke, your favorite quote or Bible verse, a smiley face, or just a HELLO - but let us know you are out there!
Ready . . . Set . . . Go . . .
So here is the game . . . starting today, you have exactly 120 hours from the time I upload this post (4:30 p.m. MST, Sunday, April 19th)to leave a comment on the post. Sunday evening I will have Josh pick a random number (1 through how many total comments I get) and whatever number he picks, that person who left a comment will get a "prize." No, it won't be a car, a new hunting gun or a $100 bill but, it will be a fun little treat. I will announce the winner next Monday, April 20th on our blog and if you are the lucky duck, you can email me your address to redeem your prize.
Leave your name, an encouraging message, a funny joke, your favorite quote or Bible verse, a smiley face, or just a HELLO - but let us know you are out there!
Ready . . . Set . . . Go . . .
Monday, April 13, 2009
Happy Easter
So I thought long and hard about blogging on Cayel dying Easter eggs, the cute thing he said as he spotted his hidden Easter basket on Easter morning or the beautiful 50 degree weather we were blessed with this weekend. But instead I felt something tugging at my heart, a desire to blog on something deeper, something a little more important, Easter.
I have always loved Easter. I'm not exactly sure if it's the beauty of Spring, the green grass and the sprouting of tulips. Or maybe it's the pretty purple lacy dresses my mom used to dress me and my sisters in. Possibly it's the anticipation of finding the Easter basket filled with goodies - chocolate Easter bunnies, a pink or purple stuffed animal, the icky but yet irresistible peeps or the colorful plastic grass that only appears on the store shelf at Easter time. I have always loved Easter but, this year was different . . . I was born and raised in a Christian family. I went to church and Sunday school. I was baptized as a baby. Confirmed as a teenager. I have always believed in God. Although I have always considered myself a believer, it hasn't been until the last few years of my life that I have come to have a deep and intimate relationship with my Father. Although I have always loved Easter, it wasn't until this Easter that I got it. I mean really got it!
Jesus died for me! He was beaten. He was mocked. He was nailed to a cross and hung to die alone. For ME! For YOU! It may seem like such a simple thing - or so I have thought in previous years. Maybe it's because it was just the routine of Easter, but not this year. This year the Easter story, the pictures of Jesus hanging on the cross with blood dripping down His face from His crown of thorns, the music, the message . . . it pierced my heart in a way that nothing ever has. How do I, a sinner, deserve the love that Jesus has for me? How do I, a sinner deserve the gift of forgiveness? How I do, a sinner deserve the blessings that my Father pours out to me each and every day of my life?
The message on Easter Sunday was so powerful! The title was Self-Portrait. Think about it for just a minute . . .
We all picture ourselves in a certain light, a human light. We envision success, fame, wealth, prestige, knowledge, excellence. We envision climbing that ladder of success, but what happens when a rung is missing? We envision traveling down that road of excellence but what happens when there are road bumps? Where do we turn? Ourselves? Our friends? Our jobs? The media? The President? What about our Father?
And then there is Christ's Portrait of me. Now think of this . . .
"Thus said the LORD, thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself."
Isaiah 44:24
"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:14
I am VALUABLE
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
I am FORGIVABLE
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
I am LOVABLE
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken, says the Lord."
Isaiah 54:10
This last verse is so personal to me. I remember the mountains being shaken and the hills being removed in my life. I remember a few years ago asking the question that I think so many do at some point in their life . . . "What is the purpose in this?" "Why me Lord?" Although the peace was subtle, the answer was obvious, "because I love you my child" over and over I would hear that quiet voice. I spent so many years being the "Marcy" that everyone wanted me to be. Trying to find myself again, I spent a couple of years being the "Marcy" I wanted to be. It wasn't until a few years ago that I laid it all at His feet and allowed Him to work in my life and I became the "Marcy" He wanted me to be. Far from perfect. Still a sinner. But I am His. I am VALUABLE, FORGIVABLE and LOVABLE! I have experienced the missing rungs, the bumps in the road, the hills and even the mountains, only to come to this place. To be wholly and fully His. To be used for His glory. To shine with His light and His love.
Give God your paint brush . . . I dare you! See the beauty that will unfold. The blessings that will pour out. Experience the colors and depth of His love!
Happy Easter!
I have always loved Easter. I'm not exactly sure if it's the beauty of Spring, the green grass and the sprouting of tulips. Or maybe it's the pretty purple lacy dresses my mom used to dress me and my sisters in. Possibly it's the anticipation of finding the Easter basket filled with goodies - chocolate Easter bunnies, a pink or purple stuffed animal, the icky but yet irresistible peeps or the colorful plastic grass that only appears on the store shelf at Easter time. I have always loved Easter but, this year was different . . . I was born and raised in a Christian family. I went to church and Sunday school. I was baptized as a baby. Confirmed as a teenager. I have always believed in God. Although I have always considered myself a believer, it hasn't been until the last few years of my life that I have come to have a deep and intimate relationship with my Father. Although I have always loved Easter, it wasn't until this Easter that I got it. I mean really got it!
Jesus died for me! He was beaten. He was mocked. He was nailed to a cross and hung to die alone. For ME! For YOU! It may seem like such a simple thing - or so I have thought in previous years. Maybe it's because it was just the routine of Easter, but not this year. This year the Easter story, the pictures of Jesus hanging on the cross with blood dripping down His face from His crown of thorns, the music, the message . . . it pierced my heart in a way that nothing ever has. How do I, a sinner, deserve the love that Jesus has for me? How do I, a sinner deserve the gift of forgiveness? How I do, a sinner deserve the blessings that my Father pours out to me each and every day of my life?
The message on Easter Sunday was so powerful! The title was Self-Portrait. Think about it for just a minute . . .
We all picture ourselves in a certain light, a human light. We envision success, fame, wealth, prestige, knowledge, excellence. We envision climbing that ladder of success, but what happens when a rung is missing? We envision traveling down that road of excellence but what happens when there are road bumps? Where do we turn? Ourselves? Our friends? Our jobs? The media? The President? What about our Father?
And then there is Christ's Portrait of me. Now think of this . . .
"Thus said the LORD, thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself."
Isaiah 44:24
"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:14
I am VALUABLE
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
I am FORGIVABLE
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
I am LOVABLE
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken, says the Lord."
Isaiah 54:10
This last verse is so personal to me. I remember the mountains being shaken and the hills being removed in my life. I remember a few years ago asking the question that I think so many do at some point in their life . . . "What is the purpose in this?" "Why me Lord?" Although the peace was subtle, the answer was obvious, "because I love you my child" over and over I would hear that quiet voice. I spent so many years being the "Marcy" that everyone wanted me to be. Trying to find myself again, I spent a couple of years being the "Marcy" I wanted to be. It wasn't until a few years ago that I laid it all at His feet and allowed Him to work in my life and I became the "Marcy" He wanted me to be. Far from perfect. Still a sinner. But I am His. I am VALUABLE, FORGIVABLE and LOVABLE! I have experienced the missing rungs, the bumps in the road, the hills and even the mountains, only to come to this place. To be wholly and fully His. To be used for His glory. To shine with His light and His love.
Give God your paint brush . . . I dare you! See the beauty that will unfold. The blessings that will pour out. Experience the colors and depth of His love!
Happy Easter!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Mommy, mom, mama and now BABE?!?!?!
To our dear (and now comical) little 3 year old, I have been referred to all of the following: mommy, mom, mama, even Maaaacee (when he wants to make me mad) and now, in the last couple of days, I have become babe! That's right, nothing sneaks by his dumbo ears or sponge of a brain! Josh very frequently will call me "babe" . . . whether it is a term of endearment or he is yelling at me from the basement to get my attention, I am rarely Marcy (yes, I know, it's a tough one to say :) - instead, I'm babe! The other night Josh was doing exactly that, yelling at me from the basement and because that is my biggest pet peeve, I didn't respond to him. It wasn't long and I heard Cayel making his way up the stairs yelling, "BABE, my daddy wantsded you!) I thought it would be a "one time thing" but it just happens to be Cayel's newest fetish and because I can't help but giggle, it makes it all the more fun for him to continue. Before bed last night after his prayers and kisses good night he said, "mommy babe, will you "tuddle" with me?" Then this morning when I gave him his glass of milk he thanked me by saying, "thanks babe!" Ummmm . . . okay, so maybe it's weird but I think it is so darn cute (both of my boys calling me babe) that I just can't put a stop to it. If he is 16 and still calling me babe, then maybe I will put a kabosh to it? Or maybe not:)!
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