The Happy Baby has been cleared to come home.
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Today I did something that has been on my Bucket List for years! 😅
I cooked a turkey! 🦃 And it was a 20 lb-er to boot!
Isn’t it funny how the things that scare us the most typically end up being not that bad? I confess that the amount of overthinking I did about cooking a turkey almost kept me from ever doing the thing! I mean, there are a lot of ways to cook a turkey. And don’t get me started on the gravy! 😵💫
But then God sent me a few friends and a sweet mama - all who were there for me even in the early morning hours of searching for giblets (no, I never did find them) and trying to figure out if I did the cheesecloth right. They let me borrow their roasters and fat separators and consistently cheered “You got this!” in my ears. I also surrendered that bird to Jesus and He was faithful to see me through.
Often you have to narrow down the voices and fix your eyes on Jesus to find your victory. Then our great fears can become great adventures. 🙌🏻
So today I am thankful for God’s presence to strengthen and comfort in hard things! And I am thankful for His people who are willing to love me through the hard things! This is God’s best - His perfect design for us includes trusting Him and enjoying His many benefits through the faithful love of others.
Happy Thanksgiving, sweet Happy Home Fairy friends! Thank you for being a great benefit to my family and to me! I adore you all!
🧡🦃🧡🦃🧡
Psalm 107:8-9
"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."
3 weeks ago
Who can you message right now and thank for being an example of God’s goodness in your life?
“Return to your rest my soul. For the Lord has been good to you.” Psalm 116:7
🍂🧡🍁🍂🧡🍁🍂🧡🍁
#thekindnessantennae #kindness #bekind #godisgood #thegoodnessofgod
1 month ago
Today is Obi’s 3rd birthday and we couldn’t be more thankful! The transition to having a dog almost sent me to heaven and I think it’s taken me this long to finally accept that the floors and basically everything will never be clean again, but this dog has changed our family for the better.
🐶He is always happy to see us.
🐾He is a tremendous comfort to Ryan.
🦴He knows when one of us is sad and he looks for ways to make it better.
🐶He loves to be chased around the coffee table.
🐾He can destroy literally any dog toy we give him.
🦴He jumps on us when we get home from school and it’s the best thing ever.
🐶I thought getting a dog meant he would eat anything and everything, but he is exactly like my children. Will eat any meat, will not touch veggies. Also I have never been more stressed than when we have grapes in the house.
🐾But you should know his most favorite thing to eat is tissues. Any tissue he can find. Especially the used ones straight outta the garbage.
🦴He gets so proud when he catches iguanas in the back yard. We feel pretty good about it, too. 😜😣
🐶He is the perfect dog for us!
We love you, Obadiah Jude! 🥳
#goldendoodle #goldendoodlef1b #dogsofinstagram #doglover #happybirthdaydog
1 month ago
Had the BEST time in the Netherlands! But super happy to be back. 😅
#lovemyjob
2 months ago
About a year ago, our church came to Ryan and asked if he and I would go to the Netherlands for a prayer conference. How could we say no?!
But as the day of our trip grew closer, I grew more and more fearful! With the election tensions, travel out of the country seemed way too scary! I went into serious overthinking mode. And yet the Lord was so kind to me even though He had to drag me kicking a little. I would have preferred the familiar day to day grind rather than believe God had a new thing in store. Now, I feel foolish for resisting such a beautiful gift.
What if Moses never went? He tried real hard to get out of it, but God said with tremendous compassion, “Off you go.” To reap rewards! To advance the kingdom! To benefit God’s people! To glorify the Father! To experience His goodness in fresh and new ways.
Fear is a thief that WILL steal your joy, peace, and gratitude. To preach to yourself >> The Lord PROMISES to guide us in paths of righteousness for HIS namesake! He promises still waters and green pastures! He promises to be with us wherever we go! Oh, to trust Him without question as a loving Father. Forgive my spiritual amnesia, Jesus. 🤍
I’m so thankful for this week of worship, new adventure, precious people, growth, beauty, and uninterrupted time with Ryan. I think Amsterdam is a new favorite city and I’m already dreaming of going back. 😆
Tot ziens, Netherlands! 🇳🇱 God used you in my life!
2 months ago
Zion! His name means “The place where the Lord dwells” and I can honestly say that I feel close to God when I’m with this sweet boy. 🩵
We tried for a third child, but after 5 years we finally surrendered and accepted that our little family would remain a party of 4. I gave away the crib, the changing table, and all the baby clothes that we had kept in the garage. We were pregnant the next month. 😜
I prayed these things for Zion when I was pregnant with him and I love seeing how the Lord has answered…
I prayed that Zion would be >>
😁Smiley - Zion’s smile is so easy and it truly lights up the room!
🥰Sweet - Zion has a tender and loving heart. He often will come find me in the house just to say he loves me or to ask for “up-py”.
💨full of the Spirit - Zion is quick to confess sin and pay attention to when the Lord is calling him to action.
🎶a Songbird - Zion is always singing!
and…
💪🏻Strong! - He can do the monkey bars like no other. 😆
Happy 6th Birthday to our angel boy! We love you so much! 🥳
2 months ago
“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22.
Something that is important to me is being discerning about the things we bring into our home as well as the things our family consumes. Like the Scripture above, I want to test it all, holding it against God’s standard. Does it bring life? Or does it promote death? Will this point us to light and truth or darkness and lies?
Zion was given this book as a gift and he really loves it, but as we spent time with the story, the illustrations brought a discomfort and nudging to our spirits, indicating a need for discernment and action.
A friend introduced me to this helpful tool when navigating culture.
Receive
Reject
Redeem
I’m all for a hero story and didn’t think this was something we needed to reject completely. And yet we didn’t want to receive it completely, either. So we chose to redeem the book by adding our own drawings to the various characters. It was a fun project and an instructive one.
As a believer, there are many different opinions and thoughts about how to engage with the culture. The best thing we can do is pay attention. Be alert. Take it all before the Lord. Seek to honor him and make the most of these days!
Ephesians 5:15-16 says. “Be careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…”
#christianmom #culture #christianfamily #raisingkidsright
2 months ago
When I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she made a plan to take everyone to an indoor play park for the grandkids to enjoy and then go shopping at the Boca mall. While at the mall, she proceeded to buy the boys new Lego sets and me some drinking glasses that won’t break in a house full of crazy boys. On a day meant for HER, she made it about everyone else. Which is the essence of who my mom is. 🥲
My mom is truly the most magical, kind, generous, fun, warm, beautiful, encouraging, bright, happiest person I know. I can’t believe that I get to be her daughter. She makes me want to be better every day.
🎈Happy Birthday🎈 to my angel mother!! You are my light and my inspiration! 🙌🏻 I pray I can shine half as bright as you! ✨✨✨
4 months ago
✨There’s no place like home - except Grandma’s house!✨
We got to spend time in Jersey this past weekend with my Mom-Mom/Oma. 🥹
💛She is sunshine and joy and goodness.
💛She is always happy to see us.
💛We brought over pizza for dinner and she had set the table with some tiny treat additions that made me smile. Grandmas always add a little pizazz and magic. 🙌🏻
💛She told me about when she met my Pop-Pop. He came to buy refrigerators she was selling and said, “I will take 3 refrigerators and that lady.” 😉
💛She faithfully attends church.
💛The silhouette of the cross in her front windows is such a picture of her heart >> Faithfulness each day to love and serve like Jesus.
💛My Pop-Pop was a principal for many years and he wrote the 10 Commandments of Human Relations. I can’t help but think how Mom-Mom has lived out that message every day of her 95 years, raising 6 incredible, servant-hearted kids and impacting everyone around her for the better!
I am so thankful to be her granddaughter and I pray I can be half as beautiful and loving as her one day! ☀️
5 months ago
How Wonderful!! God’s blessings upon you all!! ♥
Praise God! I have been praying for this news so that your souls will be blessed, refreshed, and renewed!
Glory glory! Love his sweet face! :o)
Hooray for HOME! <3
That is just wonderful news. Thanks for the update. He is so precious! You can tell that he is very happy too!
YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! SOOOOOOOO thankful to finally get this sweeeeeet answer to prayer!!! xoxo
What happy news! Praise God — Blessings and hugs to everyone there Julie! xxoo
Praise God! He is so precious and adorable! Praying always!
Praise the Lord!
Yay!!! So happy for all of you <3 He is so precious
Congratulations! What a cutie! 🙂
Yay!!!
Wonderful news! I have been praying for your darling baby and will continue. I know you are beyond happy to get him home!
PRAISE THE LORD!!!! and Yay 🙂
Blessings to all
Thank You, Jesus! So happy for you guys!
God always answers our prayers. Delighted that Happy Baby is on his way home…..
What wonderful news for the Happy Family. Prayers continue to come your way.
Woohoo! This is the best news! So happy for you 🙂
God is Good!!!!
Oh happy day!!! Praise God! I’m so excited for all of you. I’m praying for you as you adjust to your new normal. 🙂 I know you’re going to be savoring many moments of cuddling with that sweet little guy whenever you want to. He sure is adorable.
What a sweet face! Praise God he gets to go home. I wish you and all in the Happy family many many blessings
Praise God. Best to you and your wonderful family.
Praise the Lord!!
Thank you, Jesus!
And…in HHF terminology…”happy family-of-four-ing”!
I have been following your journey. SO SO happy for you all that he is heading home. Such wonderful news!!! He is so beautiful and that smile is precious!
AMEN! Praise the Lord!
So happy to hear the news. That is an answer to prayer. Your story has been so touching these last few months. Prayers continue your way.
Debbie (Friend of your Aunt Greta)
Yay!!!!!! So excited for you!!!!
Praise the LORD!!!! We are so happy that you will all be home TOGETHER…
We continue to pray for you as you settle in.
Oh, what wonderful news! I am so excited for you. You can finally have some much deserved time alone at home to form a truly powerful bond. Praise the Lord for all His goodness!
My dear ones, I Praise our Lord for the wonderful news!! My heart is rejoicing with yours! Love you <3" May His blessing keep on coming!! <3" Sophia
Praise God, The Father of Lights.. Happy dance for the Happy Family!
Oh Happy Day!
Happy Dance!!!!! Praise God for such great news… praying for a smooth transition and for complete healing! Can’t wait to see the going home photos!
What a glorious day! I pray you take each day one at a time. When you feel the enemy whispering words of doubt fear and anxiety…tell him to get lost and remind him that our God as not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love & a steadfast mind. Keep your hearts steadfast on the Creator.
WONDERFUL NEWS what a sweet little kissable face ENJOY
So excited for you and the happy family!! Still praying continually…he is soo precious!!
This is such good news! My heart is full of joy and thanksgiving for your happy family!
HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 I’m rejoicing with you, Ryan, Noah and your family!! Brings me to tears of happiness for you!! He is soooooo beautiful!!! God’s sweet blessings to all of you…Love you!
I am so happy for your family!!!!! Our little one spent 4 1/2 months in the NICU and we were so glad to bring her home. Our prayers will still be with you and be sure and keep up updated on your precious little one and the Happy Buddy too.
Kris
Praising God with you…He says I know the plans I have for you, they Re for good and not for evil…your little man is so beautiful…
We are praising God with you. Bringing joy to our hearts and smiles to our faces. If you were right here I would hug you, so consider yourself hugged. Can’t wait to kiss his little cheeks.
Praise the Lord. God is faithful…
Praise the Lord. He is good!!! I will continue to keep your family in our prayers. May God continue to bless your family.
Oooh, that precious, precious little man! He is SO cute! When we got home with our little guy from the NICU, my husband said, “I never want to go anywhere ever again.” We just wanted to be home and bask in the “rightness” of it. What a blessing it will be to be home and TOGETHER! Continuing prayers for a quick release and smooth transition home. God is SO GOOD!
Sooooooo happy for you all! Enjoy every moment as you make memories with your new addition at home….finally.
God is faithful!
With everything he went through……….he has a smile on his face & looks very happy! God Bless you all & angel’s sent to watch over you & your family!
Julie!!! How Wonderful!!! It is just beyond words. I am so very happy for you all. This will be the best homecoming ever!! Thank you God for hearing all our prayers!
YAHOOO!!!!! Been praying for you. He is SOOO cute. God bless you all!!!
Congrats- that is awesome!! His little happy face is so very adorable 🙂 Praying for you all as you head home.
Enjoy!
Sooooooo happy for the big boy! Can’t wait til Wes is playing alongside him!
Thank you for sharing this journey with us! For being honest about your heart ache and bold about your faith! Your little boy is beautiful and I am so happy you get to hold him non-stop! We will continue to pray for your family as you welcome your little one home!
Praise the Lord. I got chills reading this. I am so excited to read this. Continued prayers for all of you!
Praise the Lord. I got chills reading this. Continued prayers all of you!
Praise the Lord!!!! So happy for your family. Enjoy the happiness.
There’s no place like Home, Sweet Home.
God is SO GOOD!!!!! Thank you sweet Jesus for answering the prayers of so many that this faithful family be together in their own happy home!!!! Tears of joy from Texas for you guys!
So happy for you all!!! God bless your happy home!
Thank GOD!! We all have been praying for this day!! xoxo
So happy for you and your family and especially that little warrior! Been praying and thinking of you and your little angel. Lots of love from Mississippi!
Praise God! What an adorable little guy!
Praise God! By the way he is adorable!
I couldn’t be more thrilled to hear this news!! Praying for the beautiful Brasingtons as you all continue on this journey…Praise the LORD!!! LOVE YOU!!! 🙂
We are happy for you! All prayers were answered!Heavenly Father loves you and your family, so do I!
Praise God, praise God, praise God!! Have fun snuggling your precious baby tonight.
Yeah!!! What great news! So happy for your family! Love, the Koz’s
YAY!!! So excited for you all as you bring your littlest blessing HOME! Continued prayers for you all and for your adorable little man… his smile is SO stinkin CUTE!!! Keep us posted and let us know how we can best continue to pray for your Happy Home. Love and hugs…
So very happy for you all! 🙂
Hi Happy Home Fairy! I’m so happy to hear the wonderful news! Praise the Lord that you can come home and bring the joy of the Happy Home Fairy! My the Lord strengthen you every step of the way!
Yay! Praying for you, your family, and for sweet Happy Baby!
What a wonderful and joyous day for you all! I praise God for his love and protection!
Tears of JOY,…
We are so thrilled that you can have Jet in your arms 24/7 now! Praying God will continue to bless all of you.
This made my day! Congrats to you all. What a sweet day!! He is gorgeous. Prayers for the journey ahead.
Praise God! What a Happy Day!!
I got goosebumps just reading the title to this post! YAY!!!!! PTL!
I remember the day we finally got to go home with our little one! What a relief and what immense joy! Praise God…now you can testify your experience. Three years later I was able to help a young mom who had to go through the entire NICU bit just by relating and telling her my experience. You will too. SOOOOO happy for your family:-)
*start happy dance* hoorayyyyyy!!! God is good! Sending love & prayers for fun, love &prayers some rest!
He is so precious and part of a wonderful family! Loved, prayed for and cherished. What more could anyone wish for. So happy to hear he is home, it is a prayer answered.
Awesome news! May God bless your Happy Home as you bring the little one home.
Such wonderful news…I’m so happy for you all!!!
I am so excited for you all! Blessings & hugs! This was wonderful news to read 🙂
wonderful news, i follow your blog all the way from Scotland and you have been in my thoughts so much these past few months. Your courage, joyfulness and determination have really impacted me. So happy for your family, you deserve joy!!
I just knew I should check your blog!! Thank the Lord for answering our pleas! We will keep praying for the sweet thing and for you! Love from the Grace MOPS—
What wonderful news! So happy for you all.
“o that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!) Ps. 107:15 Praise the Lord! Have been praying for you! (stndn4jesus-Marcie)