3092. an absolutely beautiful start to the week
3093. a fun, antique find for our new home
3094. shopping with Kim for our new homes...without kiddos so we could take our time and not worry about little grabby hands ;)
3095. basement walls poured
3096. hiking through our new backyard - down to the creek and into the woods
3097. the baby who thinks he's just as old as his big siblings and who insists on walking through the overgrowth in the backyard, despite falling every 4 steps
3098. pictures to document the progress of our new home
3099. meeting new neighbors and children for our kiddos to play with
3100. breaking out my capris and flip flops on the last day of March 2014
3101. being able to laugh at my legs that need to be shaved and toes that need to be painted :)
Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."
Monday, March 31, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
On building our dream house, part 1
If you have known me long, or have kept up with me via blog for long, you know that I used to struggle a great deal with contentment. Living in a "well to do" area of the country in a very "well off" area can do that to a person. Our house was a tiny house. It didn't necessarily seem so tiny when Scott and I got married - but of course, it was just the two of us and that house was within our "5 year plan."
But the years kept going by and we kept adding a new family member every so often. And the house never got any bigger. I can share this now because of how far God has brought me, but I used to be ashamed of our house. I used to feel embarrassed about inviting people over because there was never any extra room for people. We would be like sardines cramped into a tiny can, one right on top of the other. I used to worry that people would judge us because of our tiny house.
Then I left my small spot on this planet Earth and visited Ngaamba, Africa and Port au Prince, Haiti. And, finally, my heart was changed. God showed me how blessed I am with my material possessions. But more than that, He showed me that it's not material possessions that matter at all. One of my most favorite memories of my life will always be sitting in an open grass field in Ngaamba on old, cracked chairs with beautiful African women of all different ages. I sat with them while they played with my hair and we sang "Amazing Grace" together. Someone had written down the lyrics for them years before, and they clung to that piece of paper like it was the air they needed to breathe. I was able to teach them the very last verse of "Amazing Grace" and add my handwriting to that tattered, precious paper so that they could finish their song. We would take turns singing, them in their native tongue and me in mine, until none of us could sing any more. Tears streamed down our faces as we all realized that it doesn't matter what we have or don't have, it does't matter where we are -- Grace is simply Amazing.
Grace taught my heart contentment. I am so thankful that I was able to get to a place of complete contentment before we moved. A place in my heart where I invited people over and I moved furniture to fit people in, and squeezed more people onto the couch and sat on the floor just to welcome others. In fact, I'm sure that was God's plan all along. He couldn't bless me with more until I realized how blessed I already was. My deepest prayer as our house is under construction is that God will reveal to me how I can bless others through our new home. I pray that our new home will have doors that swing wide inviting others in. I pray that it will be a place of refuge for our family, as well as others that the Lord may bring to us. I pray that no matter how perfect or beautiful our new home is to us, that my heart will only find contentment in Him and His amazing grace.
But the years kept going by and we kept adding a new family member every so often. And the house never got any bigger. I can share this now because of how far God has brought me, but I used to be ashamed of our house. I used to feel embarrassed about inviting people over because there was never any extra room for people. We would be like sardines cramped into a tiny can, one right on top of the other. I used to worry that people would judge us because of our tiny house.
Then I left my small spot on this planet Earth and visited Ngaamba, Africa and Port au Prince, Haiti. And, finally, my heart was changed. God showed me how blessed I am with my material possessions. But more than that, He showed me that it's not material possessions that matter at all. One of my most favorite memories of my life will always be sitting in an open grass field in Ngaamba on old, cracked chairs with beautiful African women of all different ages. I sat with them while they played with my hair and we sang "Amazing Grace" together. Someone had written down the lyrics for them years before, and they clung to that piece of paper like it was the air they needed to breathe. I was able to teach them the very last verse of "Amazing Grace" and add my handwriting to that tattered, precious paper so that they could finish their song. We would take turns singing, them in their native tongue and me in mine, until none of us could sing any more. Tears streamed down our faces as we all realized that it doesn't matter what we have or don't have, it does't matter where we are -- Grace is simply Amazing.
Grace taught my heart contentment. I am so thankful that I was able to get to a place of complete contentment before we moved. A place in my heart where I invited people over and I moved furniture to fit people in, and squeezed more people onto the couch and sat on the floor just to welcome others. In fact, I'm sure that was God's plan all along. He couldn't bless me with more until I realized how blessed I already was. My deepest prayer as our house is under construction is that God will reveal to me how I can bless others through our new home. I pray that our new home will have doors that swing wide inviting others in. I pray that it will be a place of refuge for our family, as well as others that the Lord may bring to us. I pray that no matter how perfect or beautiful our new home is to us, that my heart will only find contentment in Him and His amazing grace.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
The Baby is TWO!!
I can hardly stand that my BABY is 2. Seriously, weren't we just in the hospital with our tiny fella?!? Time goes by faster and faster with each child, and it makes me want to hold on to every day with all of them because I know that I can never get any of them back. I love watching my kiddos grow and learn...I just wish it wasn't such a quick process!
Peanut's birthday was fun, although I didn't get to enjoy much of it. I apparently got smacked down with a stomach virus that hit just as we were sitting down for our birthday dinner. I missed most of Peanut's birthday celebration. :( It was emotional for me, but it was just a party. We were able to celebrate yesterday, just the seven of us, on his actual birthday - so that helped heal my heart. Thankfully someone else took pictures for me so I got to see my baby boy's sweet face. :)
The boy is crazy about Elmo!! (note: He won't watch Sesame Street, but he's still crazy about Elmo.)
He got a little shy as everyone was singing Happy Birthday to him and had to hold his Daddy's hand. Sweet boy!
We put 4 M&Ms on top of each dairy free cupcake. He ate those first, of course!!
Eating the icing came in at a quick second. ;)
Presents! He was very serious about opening his present from Mimi. He is very curious and loves to investigate things - even surprises!!
He has carried this Elmo card from Mimi around with him for two days!
This boy's love language is FOOD!! He loves "ips" - and he got 7 or 8 bags. :)
He also loves fruit snacks. Uncle Jason dumped out the box of fruit snacks into his present bag, and Peanut was tickled about pulling them out. :)
He got this airplane from Nana and Papa. He loves to take his Elmo balloon for rides with him all over the house!
This sweet boy is the laughter to our days. He is definitely already in the "two phase" with his dramatic and stubborn personality shining through - which I honestly had forgotten about. He is spoiled rotten living at Nana and Papa's, but he's the baby so what else could I expect?!? This boy loves his big sister dearly, and he loves to follow and imitate his big brother in everything. There are still some days that I am overcome with the miracle of his life, and I regularly thank God for letting him come into our family. He was our biggest surprise, but he has been the best surprise. His place in our family is perfect, and we all love him so stinkin' much it's almost unbelievable!! This year will undoubtedly have its challenges - he is two. ;) But this sweet two year old reminds me on a daily basis how precious it is to be a Mama, and I am thankful that he has made me a better one. He helps me to see how fleeting time is, and allows me to pour out more grace to all of my kiddos. And for that, I am the most thankful for this boy.
Peanut's birthday was fun, although I didn't get to enjoy much of it. I apparently got smacked down with a stomach virus that hit just as we were sitting down for our birthday dinner. I missed most of Peanut's birthday celebration. :( It was emotional for me, but it was just a party. We were able to celebrate yesterday, just the seven of us, on his actual birthday - so that helped heal my heart. Thankfully someone else took pictures for me so I got to see my baby boy's sweet face. :)
The boy is crazy about Elmo!! (note: He won't watch Sesame Street, but he's still crazy about Elmo.)
He got a little shy as everyone was singing Happy Birthday to him and had to hold his Daddy's hand. Sweet boy!
We put 4 M&Ms on top of each dairy free cupcake. He ate those first, of course!!
Eating the icing came in at a quick second. ;)
Presents! He was very serious about opening his present from Mimi. He is very curious and loves to investigate things - even surprises!!
He has carried this Elmo card from Mimi around with him for two days!
This boy's love language is FOOD!! He loves "ips" - and he got 7 or 8 bags. :)
He also loves fruit snacks. Uncle Jason dumped out the box of fruit snacks into his present bag, and Peanut was tickled about pulling them out. :)
He got this airplane from Nana and Papa. He loves to take his Elmo balloon for rides with him all over the house!
This sweet boy is the laughter to our days. He is definitely already in the "two phase" with his dramatic and stubborn personality shining through - which I honestly had forgotten about. He is spoiled rotten living at Nana and Papa's, but he's the baby so what else could I expect?!? This boy loves his big sister dearly, and he loves to follow and imitate his big brother in everything. There are still some days that I am overcome with the miracle of his life, and I regularly thank God for letting him come into our family. He was our biggest surprise, but he has been the best surprise. His place in our family is perfect, and we all love him so stinkin' much it's almost unbelievable!! This year will undoubtedly have its challenges - he is two. ;) But this sweet two year old reminds me on a daily basis how precious it is to be a Mama, and I am thankful that he has made me a better one. He helps me to see how fleeting time is, and allows me to pour out more grace to all of my kiddos. And for that, I am the most thankful for this boy.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Multitudes on Monday
3082. a Happy and Healthy TWO year old little boy
3083. no tears from Mama - although it hurts my heart for time to pass so quickly, I simply cannot be sad that our miracle boy is growing and healthy!
3084. Elmo plates and balloons to make our little fella as happy as he should be on his birthday
3085. how s-l-o-w-l-y he opened his presents ... and then shared them with everyone
3086. spending three days away with Meredith - to talk, to learn, and to become more joyful
3087. coming home refreshed and recharged as a Mama
3088. snuggling with Peanut after he woke up during the night...after I got home close to 1 a.m.
3089. getting home safely after driving 7+ hours, not starting our drive until after 6 p.m.
3090. rain that ends, leaving a beautiful afternoon for a birthday party with hamburgers and hotdogs
3091. pictures to capture the smiles of our birthday boy and the joys of turning 2!!
Psalm 7:17, "I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High."
3083. no tears from Mama - although it hurts my heart for time to pass so quickly, I simply cannot be sad that our miracle boy is growing and healthy!
3084. Elmo plates and balloons to make our little fella as happy as he should be on his birthday
3085. how s-l-o-w-l-y he opened his presents ... and then shared them with everyone
3086. spending three days away with Meredith - to talk, to learn, and to become more joyful
3087. coming home refreshed and recharged as a Mama
3088. snuggling with Peanut after he woke up during the night...after I got home close to 1 a.m.
3089. getting home safely after driving 7+ hours, not starting our drive until after 6 p.m.
3090. rain that ends, leaving a beautiful afternoon for a birthday party with hamburgers and hotdogs
3091. pictures to capture the smiles of our birthday boy and the joys of turning 2!!
Psalm 7:17, "I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High."
Monday, March 17, 2014
Multitudes on Monday
3068. watching Birdie play Mario Kart as she "drives" her controller all over the place
3069. listening to Nana laugh as she tries to play video games with the kiddos
3070. Scott teaching Buddy-Ro to play MLB baseball on the old Nintendo
3071. an unexpected invite to Cracker Barrel for dinner
3072. Birdie's first pair of "high heels" (about 1 inch) that she is SO PROUD of ;)
3073. sandals that light up for Peanut as he stomps around the house
3074. a baby who stays in his comfy PJs all rainy day
3075. how big and handsome Buddy-Ro looks as we go to church
3076. a new dress for Birdie that screams Spring will be here soon
3077. a breakfast date at IHOP on a rainy Monday morning
3078. how excited Peanut gets over his Elmo decorations for his upcoming birthday
3079. Birdie's excitement of going to Mimi's for a few days this week
3080. the anticipation of a few days away with Meredith on a girls trip
3081. how giving thanks for the blessings in my life draws me closer to my Father
"Giving thanks to God is what ushers one into the very presence of God. And this is why He asks us to always give thanks. He comes to those with open, grateful hands." ~Anne Voskamp
Isaiah 25:1, "O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name."
3069. listening to Nana laugh as she tries to play video games with the kiddos
3070. Scott teaching Buddy-Ro to play MLB baseball on the old Nintendo
3071. an unexpected invite to Cracker Barrel for dinner
3072. Birdie's first pair of "high heels" (about 1 inch) that she is SO PROUD of ;)
3073. sandals that light up for Peanut as he stomps around the house
3074. a baby who stays in his comfy PJs all rainy day
3075. how big and handsome Buddy-Ro looks as we go to church
3076. a new dress for Birdie that screams Spring will be here soon
3077. a breakfast date at IHOP on a rainy Monday morning
3078. how excited Peanut gets over his Elmo decorations for his upcoming birthday
3079. Birdie's excitement of going to Mimi's for a few days this week
3080. the anticipation of a few days away with Meredith on a girls trip
3081. how giving thanks for the blessings in my life draws me closer to my Father
"Giving thanks to God is what ushers one into the very presence of God. And this is why He asks us to always give thanks. He comes to those with open, grateful hands." ~Anne Voskamp
Isaiah 25:1, "O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name."
Thursday, March 13, 2014
These boys
Living with Scott's parents is truly an exciting time for our kiddos. Scott's mom keeps her sisters' children and our niece and nephew a few days a week. For Birdie, Buddy-Ro, and Peanut - it means every day is a play date. We seriously have to work our school sessions around when the cousins will be here each day to ensure that learning gets done!
These boys are so fun to have together. They are all different, yet similar. And when you put them all in matching shirts - they are just too cute for words. :)
These boys are so fun to have together. They are all different, yet similar. And when you put them all in matching shirts - they are just too cute for words. :)
Monday, March 10, 2014
Multitudes on Monday
3057. four wheeler rides out through the pastures
3058. taking the kiddos down to Papa's pond to feed the ducks
3059. Peanut's reaction to the ducks - he tried and tried to catch them and hug them (ducks are his favorite animal)
3060. how Peanut went behind everyone and picked up the bread that they dropped b/c he wanted the ducks to eat out of his little hands
3061. stories that made me laugh out loud at a family reunion last night
3062. a beautifully, sunny weekend
3063. finally celebrating Buddy-Ro's 6th birthday with family at Nana's house
3064. the kiddos spending hours outside all weekend long
3065. shopping with gift cards that I got for Christmas
3066. Spring clothes...because it means that Spring is on its way!!
3067. daffodils in full bloom
Psalm 52:9, "I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones."
3058. taking the kiddos down to Papa's pond to feed the ducks
3059. Peanut's reaction to the ducks - he tried and tried to catch them and hug them (ducks are his favorite animal)
3060. how Peanut went behind everyone and picked up the bread that they dropped b/c he wanted the ducks to eat out of his little hands
3061. stories that made me laugh out loud at a family reunion last night
3062. a beautifully, sunny weekend
3063. finally celebrating Buddy-Ro's 6th birthday with family at Nana's house
3064. the kiddos spending hours outside all weekend long
3065. shopping with gift cards that I got for Christmas
3066. Spring clothes...because it means that Spring is on its way!!
3067. daffodils in full bloom
Psalm 52:9, "I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones."
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