Why Taking Family Pictures is so Painful and Priceless
Taking family pictures with young kids is sort of like running across a bed of hot coals..barefoot. I (robin) would almost prefer being stabbed in the eye. And for that very reason, we only do it every two years or so.
First of all, we have 2 young boys that want to run around and never smile on cue. Then, we have a daughter with special needs who is unable to sit up on her own. She has a tremendous smile that honestly is better than any of the other family members, but the only way to get her to smile on cue like that is to play a certain Toby Mac song at just the right time. It takes a photographer with some serious patience.
We put it off…forever. Finally, Erica says, “If we don’t get a family picture taken, I’m leaving the family.” Just kidding, she doesn’t take it that seriously, but she does desperately feel pressured to fit in with all the other people that send these awesome “family picture Christmas cards” each year. Our pantry door is covered every December with all our amazing friends and their beautiful families.
The 2013 Christmas Door!
We feel like complete losers because we barely have enough energy to go grocery shopping much less gather the troops for a family picture.
Who could we get to take our pictures? Oh yeah, we don’t have any money budgeted for it. hhhmmm…put it off a few more months.
Holiday mayhem, by Erica
Feeling the need to fill space, I am going to write more often (possibly).
You may or may not be interested in reading my ramblings, and this is completely ok.
Robin and I have a saying in our house, “TAGB”. Thanks and God Bless.
It is usually given in a sarcastic manner, or said immediately after an “order” is given. This will be said to all those feeling the need to not read.
You too can say this in your home.
It may cause confusion at first, but if you continue, you too will know the joy.
Tonight we went to the movies with some friends. We saw a movie about Walter Mittie (I think). It was dang funny. I mean, really, we all kept reciting lines from it at the coffee shop afterwards. That’s when you know it was worth the eight bucks.
The take-away from the movie tonight was, be adventurous, take chances, live life. I think I am ready to travel the world.
Our kids hung at home with the sitter and made laser tunnels and forts all over the house. It really makes my heart happy when they have friends over and their creativity busts open.
It is currently 1 a.m. and Kennady and I are the only ones awake. I am writing a blog and my tender husband is about to start snoring.
Christmas was great. I was able to be home for Christmas eve and day with the family. When you work in the field of midwifery, you never know when a baby will be ready to make their entrance. You often take things like that for granted until you have had to spend one (or more) away, because no matter how great the cause, nothing can replace your family.
The one big bummer is that my side of the family had the flu bug going around and we still haven’t celebrated with them. I am really looking forward to harassing my parents mercilessly.
A new year is approaching quickly, hang on to your seats.
TAGB
Merry Christmas from the Steeles
2013 was a VERY full year for the Steele family. It was marked in the middle with 2 big surgeries and hospitals stays. We are grateful that God brought us through that time with his amazing Grace. We received a ton of love from our friends and family.
Erica progressed in her midwifery schooling and looks to graduate in 2014!
Kennady continued to defy the odds and turned 12 years old! Jude turned 9 and Avery turned 7!
In a few days, Erica and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage! Wow! That seems to be a landmark anniversary. We will probably celebrate modestly with a one night stay in San Antonio or something like that. We are not in the position at this point to take a big trip. (too much schooling and not enough finances) But, that is quite alright. We have made do for 15 years with a modest style marriage. To God be the glory for that.
Our church has continued to be a thriving place where people are meeting God and growing in relationship with Him (and each other). It is an honor to serve in San Marcos. We have incredible people here that cook amazing Mexican food! Tamales and enchiladas. Homemade salsas and tortillas. We are blessed with a great university and tons of students. Our river is one of the best/cleanest in the country. Our church property is home to ministries that meet regularly for people of all ages, gender, socio-economic backgrounds. It is humbling to realize that God uses us for such a deep and meaningful work.
We are honored to call so many of you friends and look forward to hanging out with you again. Let’s meet up around a cup of coffee or a plate of warm food. We want to connect and walk together with you. If you live out of town, then let’s email, chat, and Facetime soon!
Merry Christmas from The Steeles!
Journey Journal Part Thirteen
This is the thirteenth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Twenty-Two – October 16, 2001 – (Robin)
The Lord is gracious and righteous.
He is full of compassion.
We called on the Lord and He answered.
He heard our cry.
He has given us strength.
The power to have faith is a gift from God. When the Holy Spirit inhabits you, you have the power to have faith.
We have learned so much from life. We have not read books on life, seen videos or been to seminars. We are living a lesson. Jesus teaches us new viewpoints and opens our eyes each day.
I am filled with a strong Spirit. I feel linked to God’s Spirit, yet I feel like I have just scratched the surface. I am still smiling. 🙂
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2013 Commentary
Oh, how scripture brings hope! We find a prayer partner with David in the Psalms. What a great treasure to have the word of God in our hands and then in our hearts. Read the Word, Sing a song, pray a prayer! Join the ranks of faith today!
What’s your favorite text to pray?
Journey Journal Part Twelve
This is the twelfth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Nineteen – October 13, 2001 – (Robin)
God is good. We are doing well. Last week, Erica and I went to 3 doctors and she had her blood tested. Monday, we go see the neurosurgeon. I think it will be very informative.
We had a couples’ picnic tonight at our church and we discussed our situation with couples from the church. It was the first time in the whole situation that I didn’t want to talk about it.
Their attitude wasn’t conducive to our faith. We are strong. God deserves the glory. We are wedged between shock and reality.
There is no new news. There is no thing we can do but have faith. We do have faith and we God the honor!
2013 Commentary
OOOOOHHHHH! People not “conducive to our faith.” Wow.
What do you do in this situation?
Have you ever found yourself in that spot?
How do you separate the people from the attitude?
Journey Journal Part Eleven
This is the Eleventh installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Fifteen – October 9, 2001 – (Robin)
Erica and I are doing well. We are living on pure faith.
The evidence of what we can’t see.
It is the substance or item that we hope for.
We have learned what faith is by this experience. We truly are no longer worried about our baby’s condition. Ever once in a while we get a depressing thought but it comes and goes.
We don’t dwell on negativity.
We are living on the Holy Spirit. We feel God sustaining us and giving us strength to make it. Yet, the baby’s condition has not changed to our knowledge. I have started to exercise regularly and this has helped me personally.
2013 Commentary
This seems like such an easy concept, but it doesn’t present itself without a difficult situation. Negativity shouts like madman! Faith is a quiet, strong, consistant winner. What will you pick today?
Journey Journal Part Ten
This is the tenth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Nine – October 3, 2001 – (Robin)
God is giving us more strength. People at church know and many are emailing and talking to us at church. Erica is starting to feel more fatigue due to pregnancy. She is going to have to take it more easy.
The weather is so beautiful outside. It has been a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We live in Grace and God’s presence is represented in the consistency of nature. (the sun always comes up)
Life is feeling more normal. The shock is wearing off. We have seen so many doctors; it is crazy.
We need to talk to the Master Physician more.
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2013 Commentary
I remember leaving college finals thinking I had failed or did really bad. As I left the building, I would see the brilliant clouds, green leaves, and crisp air. The consistency of nature reminded me of how little I am and how much God is still in control. Sometimes, it feels like you are the center of the universe and all of your struggles will somehow sink the rest of the world too. In reality, everything else continues to roll on…and so will you. (Thanks, Jesus)
Journey Journal Part Nine
This is the ninth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY Seven – October 1, 2001 – (Robin)
Today was like a dry desert and we found an oasis at the end. We went to the doctor and he had no new news. The whole day at work was tough. Insurance issues are confusing and stressful.
We had “1st Monday Prayer Meeting” tonight and everything went beautiful. Pastor Randy had the whole church come around us and pray for us. It was intensely powerful! Wow! The Holy Spirit gave us a boost. David Washburn talked to me about a prayer request. At first, I thought I didn’t have the time, then I realized his request was much more important than mine. He was praying for a man that didn’t believe in God.
I believe in you, Lord!
I Love You… 🙂
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2013 Commentary
This post again reminds me of the powerful grace of God. It amazes me how no matter what life throws at us, God is always more. There was brutal truth at the doctor’s office and then there was just as much truth from God’s Spirit (all in the same day). What would have happened if we didn’t know God? What would have happened if we didn’t go to the prayer meeting? For those that don’t know David Washburn, he is a very sweet and simple man. What he lacks in social skill, he makes up for with his heart for God. Just one more person in the collection that God has blessed us with along this journey.
Journey Journal Part Eight
This is the Eighth installment in a series of posts straight from our journal (handwritten). When we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter (still in the womb), we immediately started journaling. Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning. Here is what we said:
DAY SIX – September 30, 2001 – (Robin)
What a great day! We received great encouragement today from our friends and family @ church. God showed love to us through them.
We felt the comforting Holy Spirit as many people prayed for us! Bro. Phillips prophesied that everything would be alright for our Baby. We go tomorrow to visit the doctor. Thank you, Jesus, for a wonderful day.
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2013 Commentary
This post was short, sweet, and simple. Living in community ushers in God’s love and light better than anything. Christ’s body on the earth displays His characteristics. The ‘church’ in general has many flaws based on the human element. Yet, God in his infinite grace and mercy (in spite of humanity) continues to reveal healing through people.
Have you experienced this?
Journey Journal Part Seven
Lately, we have been posting on our blog stuff we wrote 12 years ago when we first received the difficult diagnosis for our daughter. Today’s, entry is difficult for me to read. It really shows the progress we have made over the last decade. When I wrote it, I still thought “bad” was a child with special needs. We were thinking the only way for God to show up was a complete healing. We were asking God, “Show up so that we don’t have to live this difficult life.” Instead of doing that He showed up so that we could live this difficult life. Here is what I said:
DAY FIVE – September 29, 2001 – (Robin)
Today was hard.
I was attacked with doubt and lack of faith. I reverted to thinking ‘what if it is all bad’. It would be so hard on Erica and I. The reality of having a child with multiple special needs is staggering.
How would God use this situation?
Would we be strong enough for this?
We aren’t even equipped to be regular parents. This reminds me of Randy’s song “Blessing in the Thorn”. I am praying that the Holy Spirit dwells in our baby’s body. In Psalms it says the Earth responded to God’s deliverance of Israel. The baby’s body must respond to the Spirit of God dwelling in it.
God give us understanding and peace. It feels like I’m running low.
I need you, Lord.
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Click here to start reading Journal from the beginning.
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