'Tis the Season

for mud.

Honored

to be the wife of my husband. 

He could have chosen anyone, but he chose me. 

He is a leader, a wise man, seeking to please God in all he does.

He is an incredible dad to our children. 

Living by example. 

He has wisdom beyond his years.

His hands are callused from working to provide. 

He isn't afraid to get dirty or to do what others won't.

He stands up for what is right.

He is not afraid to admit when he is wrong. 

He has helped me grow into the woman God wants me to be.

He 

encourages me.

strengthens me.

provides for me.

supports my dreams.

calls me out when I am wrong.

He is my best friend.

 

Birthday Madness

Happy Birthday Braden.
You're officially a teenager!

And what does one serve to a boy who loves pizza?
Why a pizza cake!

He is an amazing Big Bro!

What could it be?

More sisters?

Nah, they were playing with the box.
Its a stereo!

Complete with a little sibling l.o.v.e.

There is nothing like

a little greens & a good game of 'Chess Confusion.'
Oh you haven't heard of Chess Confusion?
My kiddo's created it.
It has rules, and they don't change :)

A little something Special makes Mornings

worth waking up for.

Priceless.

Even more priceless: Later that afternoon, my sweet 5 year old said to me, after finding out dear friends of ours were killed in a car accident, 'Don't be sad mommy, you will see them in Heaven again!'

Don't live like you have all the time you want to live life & teach your children about the Lord. Live like today may be the last one you spend on earth.

Enjoy the little moments.

Treasure their child innocence.

Keep perspective.

Scripture and a Snapshot

Grandparents who spend countless hours with their grandchildren are priceless!

First Food

Avocado!
Yum.
Yum.
Yummy?

or maybe not.

Why I choose Avocados as my first food.
Taken from Wholesome Baby Food.

""Avocados are often called one of nature's perfect foods because they are said to contain everything a person needs to survive. A wonderful "good fat" food for baby's brain and physical development, try an avocado as baby's first food instead of refined cereals.

"Sodium- and cholesterol- free, avocados contain valuable nutrients including 8% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for folate; 4% DV for fiber and potassium, 4% DV for vitamin E; and 2% DV for iron. A serving of avocado also contains 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene. Per serving, avocados have 3.5 grams of unsaturated fats, which are known to be important for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain."'

Wahhh! What is this stuff?

Hummm... Maybe I do like it.
Bring it mom!

Yum!

You can check out my post on making baby food here.

And we have

a Teenager!

Dear Lord,
I am a little, ok a lot, nervous, about this stage of life. I love the relationship I have with my son right now, please give me wisdom to keep our relationship healthy.
Help me not to be controlling, over bearing, annoying, embarrassing...
instead help me be a Godly mom.
A source of wisdom.
A woman who can model qualities his future wife should have.

A few things I've learned...

• Never, I repeat NEVER, refuse the help of a child. If you do, they won't be as anxious to help in the future. I know what you are saying, 'It takes 10x longer!' 'You don't know my child!' 'They make a huge mess when they help!' Yes those things are all true, but in the grand scheme of things, you will be thankful you taught them someday. And they will be too.
• Accept a compliment. Don't belittle your self by saying you aren't worthy of someone's praise.
• Treat strangers with respect & politeness. You just might be the only 'Jesus' they meet that day.
• When the still small voice whispers a command in your head, Do It! It might not make sense & you might not understand, but the Lord knows what He is doing.
• Do something crazy with your kids once in a while... declare a PJ day, eat ice cream for breakfast, invite them {with a hand written invitation} to a slumber party in your bedroom... just enjoy your kids!
• Let your friends know you appreciate them.
• Love your husband, even in the unlovable moments.
• Keep perspective. Everything has a season.
• SmILe
  

Scripture & A Snapshot

When evil seems to overtake Good,
When hatred replaces Love,
When all Hope seems to wither,
Look toward the Lord! He will cause righteousness & praise to rise up!

Casting Crowns - Courageous

We watched the movie Courageous as a family over the weekend.
If you haven't seen it, please do. If you live close to me you can borrow my DVD :)

If you are looking for a gift for your man, I would recommend 'Stepping Up' by Dennis Rainey. I have not read the book in it's entirety, but I have skimmed through it.
I think it would benefit any man.
Women, encourage your man.
He needs to know you are standing behind him backing him up.
We need more Courageous Men in this world!

Blizzard Conditions

cause {home}school to close.

Because all kids need snow days once in a while :)

Organization is

a beautiful thing.
I will be doing several posts on organization in the upcoming weeks.

Several things which help me stay organized are...

The Laminator.
I've used it recently for recipe cards, ABC flashcards, game pieces, and math tables.

These are Ashlynn's (my 2 year old) ABC flashcards.
She is madly in love with penguins, thus the reason for penguin themed flashcards.

The Label Maker
A sweet friend gave me this beauty.
Let me tell ya'
.Best. Toy. Ever.
I am slowly replacing all my handwritten labels with nice, neat printed ones.
You can even buy cloth label tape. How awesome is that!
Look out kiddo's, your camp clothes will be fully labeled.

And on extremely challenging days, you can even label the kids.
Brilliant!

I also L.O.V.E....

*Storage Boxes.
Labeled of course

*Hanging Files
Labeled & important documents Laminated.

*Calendar/Planner
Keeps me at the right place at the right time.

*Weekly Lists
I love crossing off things!

Scripture & A Snapshot

I am thankful I serve a Lord who Is, Was & always Will Be.
I've been struggling lately.

Struggling with
Unanswered Questions
Unresolved Pain
Unknown Outcomes
Unlovely Feelings

I know for certain though, my God of today, was the same God of my yesterday, & will be the same God of my future.
For that, I am thankful.

Oh Happy Day!

Attitudes

God doesn't judge the labor. He judges the attitude {of the heart} of the one laboring.

Do you realize that?

Our worth is NOT in what we do, but in which attitude we do it with.

So today when you are...

wiping little noses
mopping dirty floors
opening a door for the elderly
filing papers
cleaning out closets
filling out patient charts
correcting papers
getting coffee for your boss
picking up toys
baking a bazillion cookies
serving your husband
scooping snow
running errands
paying bills...

Whatever it may be,
Do it ALL for the Glory of the Lord!

Hold On, Here We Go

My 'To Do' list for the week is a mile long.
Some of it is not 'do or die', but I would like to get as much checked off as possible.

• 3 Basketball games, attend all.
• Dentist appointments for all.
• Hearts in Touch
• Just Us Girls Conference
• Finish transferring desk items to different desk
• File old papers, store
• Create new 2012 files
• Bake 12 dozen cutout cookies for conference
• Make frosting, buy items for cookie decorating activity
• Work on Game cupboard
• Regular daily cleaning
• Wash Sheets
• Clean Car
• Figure out what to do with all the cords under the desk.
• Call a speaker for Hearts in Touch
• Go through boys clothes to give to a family in need
• Breathe...
  

What's on your agenda for the week?

She's 5!

We celebrated a very special 5 year old's birthday on Sunday!
You can read how she was hand picked by God to be in our family here.
She is my oldest daughter, a bundle of spunk. I have no doubt in my mind that God has great plans for her life.

She picked a chocolate flavored castle cake; pink and purple of course.
Her birthday menu was taco pizza and sauteed shrimp.

When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she quickly replied, 'A pink piano!!'
Guess what, they make pink pianos!

She is a hoot to watch open gifts.
Her expressions and elation are priceless.

I am thankful the Lord has given me the honor of being her mom!

Amazed

At God's great plan for our family.

It's Monday

whether you like it or not.


'Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. '
1 Thessalonians 5:15- 18