A year of Miracles

Oh yeah its here!!! My year. My happiness. My answered prayers. As I look back on 2012 I have to thank the Lord it ends tomorrow. I am so excited for the new year that begins in two days. I am excited because I know God has something so powerful and so miraculous for me and for my family. From Jerry and I right down to each of our 4 children- Ashley, Brandon, Emileigh, and Hannah.

Have you ever believed for something so bad that your heart gets excited at every encouraging word spoken to you about your situation? Thats how I feel. I am in awe at how many prayer warriors have stood with me over the past months and helped me with all the encouraging words. Some days when I just didnt think I would make it God would send someone with a word that would give me the slightest bit of hope and I would then realize that Yes I could make it another day. I have really never experienced anything like I did this year. There were days that I thought my world was crashing around me. There were days when I just really could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I tell you now I do see the light and things ARE getting better in Jesus name!

If i could describe 2012 in one word the word I would choose would be 'unreal'. Why 'unreal' you ask? Well mainly because what this family has been through is definitely unreal! Never has my heart hurt like it has this year never has a marraige been tried like it was this year. And only because what we went through was a pure battle that tested us on every level. We stood together in prayer though. Never has this family been so torn apart by angry words and hateful actions like it has this year. I say all that to say this - 2012 was not our year But it happened and we will now move on and forget it as the past. Moving forward to better days. How? By putting our faith in the Lord and his promise to us of opened eyes and hearts drawn back to him. And one thing I know about my God- he ALWAYS keeps his promises!

So as I leave 2012 behind, I will take with me only the remembrance that my trials will be for his glory and my battle will be won. As Pastor Bobby told me today - I dont have to worry about when--- I just need to know its coming. My answered prayer is coming.

So welcome to the Wells house 2013. Happy New Year!!

Been Gone Way Too Longggg

Well......

What can I say? Life has been rolling right along, so hectic that I have had no time to post anything on here.

I'm not even sure where I left off but I'll try and catch you up.

This year for the WELLS family has been so hectic and chaotic. And its in the chaotic moments that I am reminded of who holds our future and directs our steps. It has not been an easy ride fo sho! But like I said in my first post, you just hang on and enjoy the ride. The ups and downs, the moments you think you can't take anymore, the good times and bad, you hang on to each other and just keep on rollin' along.

My kids are my heart. We have 4 (of course you know that). They are such a blessing. We have two which are teenagers(yeah, still continue to pray for my sanity!!!). And then we have a 10 yr old and a 4 yr old. I love them dearly and treasure every moment I get with them. Our oldest, Ashley, is 19 and trying to embrace adulthood while still staying close to mama and daddy(which keeps mama very happy). Hard for sure, but like I've told her, if you seek God and his direction for your life, he'll get you there. We've been through some rough spots this year, but have been brought out on top every time.

I'm not sure where this ride is gonna take us next, but I do know that as long as God is leading this rollar coaster, we'll all be just fine. I love the things about our family that make us unique from the quiet family life. The laughter, the crying, the siblings fusses we have to break up, the hustle each morning to make sure everyone gets to where they need to be, the random noises that erupt from certain people that make us bust out laughing, just the overall things in life that make us the family we are. But most importantly, I am thankful for God's hand in our family. In our relationships, in our day to day activities, in our finances, and in our childrens lives. I constantly pray for his mighty hand to guide my children so that they will follow his direction and not go astray. Its a mama's prayer and I'm sure you mama's out there pray it too.

Well, just a few words of things that crossed my mind recently. Life is not always what we want it to be. And Life in the WELLS house is not about what we want, its about what God wants for us as a family and individually. And that's what we are striving for, to be where he wants us to be and work together as he would have us do.

Jeanette

Take me out to the Ballgame(Roll Tide style)

This past weekend, Jerry and I took the kids to Tuscaloosa for the weekend. We are a huge softball lovin' family so we went to watch some Alabama Softball. Boy, was it a blast! First of all, we played them dawgs from Georgia. Whooped them Friday night. Then we played them again on Saturday and whooped them yet again. AND got to watch their coach be very ugly and get himself thrown out of the game. It was not very nice.
On Saturday morning, we took a walk around campus. For those of you Bama fans, you know that when you step on campus, the atmosphere and feeling is awesome. To stroll down those sidewalks and take a look around Bryant Denney Stadium is just amazing. We spent some time there and took some pics. It was a fabulous weekend and we hated for it to end. But there are these places called Eye Center South and Coca Cola and  for some reason they needed us there on Monday to work. So we came back on Sunday.

Bryant Denney Stadium

Gives ya chills just standing near it!

And this... Love it

Alabama Doin its thang!

We had such a great time , that Ashley has asked me to take her to the Troy/Alabama game in April. They are playing in Troy. And you know this mama is gonna take her little girl to watch it. The good thing about Troy games is they are FREE to get in. Alabama's was only $5. Can't beat that for some good family fun.

 And this says it all.........



Now, I could add the Rammer Jammer in here, but I won't since I have some Georgia friends out there. But we did enjoy watching Bama beat them!!

And this is where I add a little ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!

Prom 2011

Last night our baby girl attended her Senior Prom. As a mama of a senior, I'm very emotional at the "lasts" that she will experience this school year. Last football game as a student. Last softball game she will play. Last Homecoming dance. Last prom. And last time she will be called a student of Wicksburg High School. Her senior year has been one that has been very emotional for her as well.
But last night, she walked down the isle at leadout with her boyfriend(TJ Walker) and looked stunning(TJ you looked very handsome as well!!)!! Yes I'm bragging. But my gosh, she was beautiful!!!! We watched her and her friends(and enemies) dance their Senior dance together. Memories were made and will be remembered for years to come. I never got to experience the things that she is so I wanted her "lasts" to be memorable. And I think they have been.
Jerry and I left leadout saying to each other "We cant believe she's not a baby anymore". She's all grown up and fulfilling the dreams and plans the Lord has for her. For those of you who havent experienced this stuff, as a mother, I am very emotional with all of it. You just wait, when your little girls and little boys become Seniors. Its an emotional roller coaster but I'm glad to ride it with her.
Well the tears are dried for now. I imagine the next ones will come when she plays her last softball game(if she plays, but thats a whole other story for another blog). Then the next will be when she walks onstage to receive her diploma. I'm practicing now for what I will Yell at her when she does. I need ideas people!! I want her to KNOW her mama is PROUD!!!

I birthed a Miracle

Children are a miracle from God. And I have 4 of them to proove it. But 1 in particular is truly a life that was given a chance when noone thought he would make it. The Lord thought different than everyone else. You see, My Brandon is 14 years old and his life started out a little rough. Born June 23rd 1996, he was 11 weeks early. I developed Pre eclampsia in my 29th week and was rushed to Birmingham to deliver. Its very scary to get off an elevator and have a team of nurses/doctors waiting for you to arrive. He was born early in the morning and weighed in at only 1lb 6 oz. and 12 1/2 inches long.  No I didnt leave out a number. I meant ONE POUND SIX OZ. Unbelievable I know. He was in the hospital for 3 months.And that was the hardest 3 months of my life. We didnt even get to hold him until he was a month old. And even though the time went by very slowly, on September 5th, we brought him home. And thus began our journey...
We put our faith in the Lord and refused any negative. And here we are 14 years later, and Brandon Wesley is a handsome young man with NO medical problems. Now thats a miracle!!! Some people ask, "Why would you even try to have anymore children after going through that?".. My answer: I don't give up!! I serve a God and believed for a healthy pregnancy and thats exactly what I had 2 times after that with Emileigh and Hannah. Hannah of course being our little surprise!
My point is that our God is a God of miracles. And on June 23rd, my son will turn 15 and will be in the 10th grade this coming school year. Awesome!!
So for those of you who had perfect pregnancies and healthy babies... thank the Lord above. Having a preemie is heartbreaking and very scary.
Below is a picture of my miracle.... Then and Now:

From this:

June 23rd 1996 his first day in the world

To this!!!

Brandon at 14. I love you son!!



College... Already???

WARNING: Post might cause tears, keep the kleenex close by... Just sayin..


Hard to believe that tomorrow I will turn in our baby's college admission application at Wallace. I'm so not ready for this. But are any of us mothers who have to go through this? I guess this is part of the "letting go" process that we must go through. But it just seems so early. She's 17. I've held this little girl for 11 years and called her my own. And now I will watch her receive her diploma in May and go on to fulfill her dreams. I have so many mixed feelings. Happy for her. Sad because she's growing up so fast. But I know that she will do just fine because she serves a great and awesome God and he will help her through it all.
I love this little girl with all my heart. She's grown into a beautiful young lady with so many hopes and dreams and I want her to reach them all. She has had a really rough year this year. But I have watched her come out on top of it all. In the midst of adversity she has prevailed and it is all because she kept her head up and trusted the Lord to help her through. Of course this mama had to come to her defense a time or two. And that will never change. We stick beside our kids. I'm so very proud of her. And I always want her to know how special she is to me and how much I love her. I heard a song on the radio a few weeks ago and I told her that was my song to her. Rascal Flatts "I won't let go". It is exactly what I want to say to her
when she feels her world is falling apart.
I am so thankful that the Lord gave me this awesome opportunity. She has given me such joy(and pain at times but more joy). I dedicate this post to you, my sweet daughter, Ashley. Mama loves you so much and you have made me and your daddy very proud.

Our Story

Those of you who know Jerry and I know the story behind this life we have together. Those of you who don't, well here it is....

We knew each other in our younger years. He was the handsome 17 year old and I was the bashful young girl who thought he hung the moon. We went to church together and we both knew we were destined for each other(his mother always told me I would marry her son one day). But we just couldn't ever seem to find our way to each other. We both went our seperate ways and lost touch with each other over the years. Then, after marriages to other people, divorces, and 2 children later, we found each other again and connected. We dated 2 months(yeah I know, but when you know.... you know!) and married in July 2000. And here we are today, 4 kids later, and 11 years of marriage. Not always happy either. But we all, as married couples, have our ups and downs. But in the end, it makes us stronger.
I plan on growing old with him. Even though he aggravates the heck out of me from time to time, I can't see my life without this man I love. He is my friend, my lover, my children's father, and my future. I waited a very long time to call him my own, and now I refuse to let go of him. So here we are..
I love this man I call my husband. And I look forward to many more years with him by my side.

Well that is a little piece of our story. I could have added more detail, but I'm sure you don't have all night to read this. So that kindof sums it up a little. I look forward to sharing more about our family and our times together in the Wells house. Til next time....


Jeanette