Beautiful Gift

This is a gift my G brought to me on Friday after taking the trash out he found this on the bush. He has appreciated flowers since he was a LITTLE boy (reminds me of his Grandpa J). Anyway, he put it in water and brought it to me. Very Sweet. Thankful for him and the cheerfulness he brings to our home.

G is a serious student of history especially military history. He loves to tell me what he learns and has expanded my knowledge from his stories! He told me yesterday after telling me more stories that he noticed the successful military men were the ones who were kind, humble, or those with character was the jist  . . as compared to and he named men I have never heard of in military history that were full of arrogance. The Bible should be our most important text book but history also teaches a lot and I am glad he pays attention to the lessons of history.

He and I were laughing the other day because in one of his classes from Veritas Press (we love Veritas Press classes) the teacher was lecturing about friendships in a certain literary classic. Anyway, he told the story about he and his two kids and they were all play sword fighting. His daughter was the "good guy" and he and his son were the "bad guys". All of a sudden the teacher's 6 year old son turned on him and started fighting against him! He asked his son why since they were on the same team and his son's reply was "bad guys don't have friends!" So true!! We got a good laugh from that!!!

Psalm 108

This passage was a blessing to me this week.  I told my mom I felt like I was treading water with someone pushing down on my head. No one thing going on but multiple things that add up! 

I want a heart that is FIXED on God.  Also, as my hubby is gone and I definitely look forward to his companionship, love, and help at home I need to rest in the fact that God is the ultimate help in time of trouble and not only will He help me to make it but will help me to "DO VALIANTLY". When I read that I just loved the strength and success in that statement that through God I will triumph in my trouble.

God is so good. I must be renewed day by day because I get tired and discouraged but He is our refuge and strength. I am so glad for his continued work in my life. It excites me to see Him teaching me and molding me.

Psalm 108:1-5, 12-13

¹ O God, my heart is fixed;

I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

² Awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.
³ I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people:
and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
⁴ For thy mercy is great above the heavens:
and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
⁵ Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:
and thy glory above all the earth; . . . . . .

Give us help from trouble:
for vain is the help of man.
¹³ Through God we shall do valiantly:
for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Psalm 105:1-5

O Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wonderous works.

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth;

I have had quite the week. Honestly, I have gotten weary. I found out that one of the twins the Dr. wants to send back to both occupational and physical therapy, my hubby was home for one week and left again today, a long with MUCH more . . . and so it goes.

 Early one morning I heard a ding on my phone and it was my friend from church saying she is praying for me, later in the week get an email from my friend in Colorado just being who she is a precious friend, got text messages from my friend in South Carolina giving me updates on her week which was crazy but she was praying for me too, then tonight just EXACTLY when I needed it I got an email from my sister in law in Wisconsin who this year has adopted me as her sister even though she has a twin sister. I could not believe what she wrote . . . words that were filled with such wisdom and kindness, great kindness. I got up and had the strength to finish off my children's day the way it should with God's Word. I read the above passage and talked through it with the kids. What marvellous work? Name a wonder . . . We sang and prayed for others that have big things going on and said the passages that I want the kids to hide in their hearts. I will try to post those another time.

How ashamed I am of allowing myself to get so discouraged. Instead of waiting on the Lord and mounting up with wings as eagles and not growing weary in my running I was fainting but with the encouragement of dear friends of godly, Christian friends and the Word of God I find my heart strengthened. I am physically tired but encouraged. How can my heart not rejoice in His marvellous grace toward me? How can my heart not rejoice at His wonderous work of creation?

I'm tired. I'm blessed. I'm going to bed. :-)

I don't know what tomorrow holds but I know He holds my future. Don't think that is an accurate quote but close enough. :-)

II Corinthians 4:3-18

2 Corinthians 4:3-18

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Yesterday I got stumped on a devotional passage for family devotions. As I was reading I prayed for the Lord to show me a passage. The above passage I read and knew this was it and it was what I was supposed to read and discuss. I wish I could write more on our devotions last night as it had a couple interesting elements but I think I should leave this entry short. God's Word is powerful. God supplies us with what we need for what He calls us too. "Faithful is He who calleth you who also will do it."

Portion of Acts 20

¹⁷ And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: ²⁰ and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, ²¹ testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ²² And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: ²³ save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. ²⁴ But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵ And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. ²⁶ Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Another passage my brother sent to me. What a day. What a week. And another beginning.

Gross Them Out

"Be Great Parents. Gross Your Kids Out."

-Sheila Gregoire

My kids know Daddy and Mommy are in love. The other day my 2 year old said to Daddy as he was kissing me "stop kissing her" and then "stop hugging her". My 8 year old really hates the whole seeing us kiss thing but has gotten better since we started teasing him with it and now he plays it more cool. 

At Thanksgiving time when we were going to go around the room and saying what we are thankful for when it came time for my hubby my oldest daughter started pointing at me like "I know what he is thankful for!" Our kids know that their Mommy and Daddy are in love and that we highly value our time together. I loved it that G made our Christmas ornament with a couple holding hands. 

There are a lot of things as parents we mess up on but one thing we are thankful we can show our kids is what it is like to be in love with the one we're married to. 
So glad to be married to my best friend.

Only One Answer . . . THE SON

 Questions

with No Answers but One . . .

THE SON.

People can ask me all sorts of questions.

People can ask me how it will get done.

But I do not have all the answers

Except, a sigh, and that I abide in the Son?

God's calling can sometimes seem crazy 

To those who are standing by

But those He calls feel compelled to move

And in faith to give crazy a try.

God promises to be faithful

To those who abide in the Son.

He promises beautiful, unearthly fruit

If in faith we take his calling, promises, and run.

Let me set aside the weights that beset me

Let me press toward the mark of the high calling of God

Let me run the race looking full in his face 

Knowing He will guide me with His eye and a nod.

Now when the questions flood in about how & why

No more will the answer come with a human shrug and sigh,

I will answer the questions with His boldness, not being a waif

 Speaking "I will daily look to Jesus my future, 

the author and finisher of my faith."

-A.L. 

December 19th, 2014

After I finished writing this I read this to my oldest daughter and she thought of Noah.

Great example of this!

^{John 15:5
4} Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Philippians 3:13-15

¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 

Hebrews 12:1-2
12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Psalm 32:8

 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 

This is Me and My Love

Just for Fun

Here is one of my FAVORITE Calvin and Hobbes comic strips!
My family are HUGE fans of Calvin and Hobbes. My hubby and I bought the complete 3 volume set for our anniversary years back and my kids love pouring over them:-)

 
Calvin & Hobbes (c) 2013 Bill Waterson

This particular comic reminds me of my older brother.:-)

Out with the Old and in with the New!

  

Well, the van that we purchased last year bit the dust but we have so much to thank the Lord for. We had found out that it would cost $1,700 to repair the air conditioning in September and we decided to hold off until the spring to repair it.:-))))) Praise the Lord, we did not sink that much money into a dyeing van. Also, it was having issues for quite awhile and then in got worse and Babe took it in before he left to go to Germany to make sure we didn't have any problems while he was gone. The day after he left it completely quit and the auto guys were amazed they got it running again at all. So another praise is that we got a heads up that the end was near. We were able to think and talk about it before it died. It then worked until the morning of the day Babe returned!! Praise the Lord. The picture of the towing was actually when it was getting pulled away to get repaired . . . another praise was that it died when I was home and not stranded somewhere.

We now purchased a Chevy instead of a Ford. Our new van handles A LOT better and has WAY better gas mileage. Ahh, life's lessons:-) We have a good God that always provides our needs. At first I was sentimental about the brown van as it symbolized a big change in our family's life but the" new to us van" is definitely a better van. Thank you Lord for providing for our needs.

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

We are created for His pleasure and His purposes. He is worthy to receive glory and honour in all circumstances. We are studying God's will in Sunday school and it has been such a blessing.

He is in control! May I rest in His plans.

Today Daddy Comes back home!!!!

 Today Daddy comes home! I am hoping for a fast day which it should be. Need to drop G off at school then go near his new school building location and drop off the applesauce spice cake I made for his school Thanksgiving lunch . . . get schooling done here and a little party for us at lunch. Meet up with G before swim practice to get his stuff and then pick him up at 5pm and immediately go to the airport to get DADDY!!!! Ah, a good day it will be!!!!

"What My Mom and I Look For When We Look for a House"-By (my daughter)

When my mom and I look for a house we have a great time. We usually eat out, sleep in a hotel, and drive around. When we go see a house we look for a place to play, a place for storage, and how far it is from places we need to go. Even though what we feel about a house does matter; what God says matters even more. So, we pray about it to make the best decision possible. When God says, "That's it" we tell every body at home and we move in! And that is how my mom and I look for a house.

"A" had to write a paragraph today and the above was the paragraph.

Parenting is the hardest job I have ever had in my life. As my older children get older I see how important it is for them to be rooted and grounded in the Bible. It must be their anchor for security and their scale for weighing right and wrong. I have much more work to do in letting my time with them be used more in rooting and grounding their faith.  It is so easy to let time slip through my hands. I am so thankful for A's tender heart & her relationship with Christ. J was with her during her personal devotional time tonight and she was teaching him about pharoah and how he said "NO" when asked if the people could go.

"A" has worked hard at her writing and has grown in her ability. She wrote a wonderful book report on Billy Sunday last week that was fun to read!! I feel so blessed by having my children in my life. They are a tremendous blessing to my days.

Afternoon with Family

My brother Q, Me, and my cousin L.

This last Sunday our family went up to the church my younger brother pastors and spent the day there. After church we went to their home and they hosted a get to together with one of my cousins on my mom's side and us. Our family really enjoyed the day of fellowship with both my brother's family and my cousin and some of her family! The kids ran around and played and some enjoyed playing with Uncle Q's and Aunt T's chickens. We really did have a great time of fellowship and my sister in law was soooo careful to serve a meal I could eat without hesitation. I really appreciate her thoughtfulness.

Also this last Sunday morning Babe got off his last shift at NORAD! It was an exciting day knowing he was done with his shift work. Babe LOVED the job and loved the people he worked with but was so glad to be leaving the schedule. His crew threw an unofficial party for him. One lady baked a cake and wanted to make it look Navy so she frosted it blue and put a Captain Hook on it and a Blue Angel aircraft. Pretty funny and kind! I read the card that was given to him and he is going to be missed. His crew enjoyed having him as a boss. The Lord was so good to Babe throughout this job. The Lord gave him strength, patience, wisdom, focus, stamina, and excellent crew members throughout his time there. Now on to the next challenge . . . Babe found out this week that he has been accepted to the College of William and Mary to work on a MBA! Lord willing, he will start his studies part time this coming fall. He has worked on and prayed about the possibility of this for awhile and his military comrades have encouraged him toward it. I am excited for him and I must admit proud of him as well! I am thankful for how the Lord is working in his life. He loves academics and is preparing himself for what the future may hold. Never a dull moment in this house!

Our Girls Business Trip

 Me with two of my beautiful girls.

A and B got to go with me on this house hunting trip!

Last week A, B, and I flew to the east coast to do our house hunting trip. It seems to be tradition now for A and I to do the house hunting. She and I were the ones that flew to CO to find the home we live in now. I decided to take B too this time because she can be demanding at times and Daddy had enough on his plate as it was!:-)

When we got there it was A LOT warmer than what we are used to. The air was thick and wet which was a big difference from the thin and very dry mountain air we are used to. I found I really enjoyed being warm though! B wasn't sure at first what she thought about the temperature but by the end of our stay she seemed more used to it. Unfortunately our stroller handle was snapped in half during the plane flight so we got that reported and thankfully it was still functional and we finally got to drive away in our rental car. The car we drove was really neat. It was sooooo different than driving a 15 passenger van although I LOVE driving that with our whole family! The car we rented was a fun car to drive! When we drove out of the airport A and I were truly in AWE of all the green trees!!! LOTS and LOTS of green trees!!! I knew my hubby would be thrilled. He loves GREEN surrounding him to view. 

Long story shorter God just reached down and helped in this trip. Houses just kept falling by the wayside and I was beginning to wonder if we would find what we were looking for. As always He worked it all out for good and we found a house we truly believe we are going to enjoy. We had really wanted a home either on the water or with a pool but every time it would fall through and Babe pointed out maybe God didn't want that for us for safety reasons. The house we ended up with has a housing group pool that is very close to the house. As "A" said "God gave us what we wanted in a safe way." Sooo true . . . we have a pool without the concern of the smaller kids and we don't have the maintenance costs of a pool!!

After we found the home we were in a rush to get the application in before the rental company closed. We were running around and went to the bank to get cashier checks, etc. We just barely made it to turn the application in but we did it!!! We drove A LOT on this trip. When we finally got it accomplished Daddy encouraged us to go to a Cheesecake Factory!!! Nice guy!! So we went downtown to celebrate our accomplishment of finding a house!! I was not expecting the gluten free food to be good but it is the BEST I have ever had!!!!! "A" really enjoyed her meal too. Then we had to have dessert! Ohh, yum, yum. I had really started changing my eating lately but on the trip I only did gluten free due to my celiacs but didn't worry so much about my diet at home. "A" was so happy to have me eating more regular food with her. She said it was nice to eat and me eating with her. The kids miss mommy partaking of the food they eat. She and I ate chips and cheese at night too. Good times.

Funny story . . . in Cheesecake Factory I was on my way to the bathroom and I saw a lady that I just knew that I knew but I just couldn't place her. I knew that if I didn't say anything to her I would regret it wondering who she was. So I walked up to her and admitted this was awkward but I really thought I knew her. She gave her name, etc. nothing clicked and I was starting to feel foolish then she said she was on a TV Show and I thought OHHHHH that is how I know her!!! OOPS!! On the show which I think is on the History Channel or something they call her Dr. Lori. She was extremely kind and fun to talk too! I found out when she gave me her card she is an award winning TV personality and a nationally syndicated writer!!! Made for a fun evening and story!!

On Sunday before we needed to make it to the airport we went to a local church for worship and heard a great message!! It was fun to get back that evening with the whole family. Even though the girls and I had a GREAT time together it was good to be a whole family again.

A with her very special doll Kaya. Kaya goes many of the places A goes! This was Kaya's first plane flight too.

Beautiful cloud we saw!

 Big brother G REALLY wanted us to make sure we video taped B's first time taking off in a plane. She did great on both plane flights! She was a happy and a good baby!!

"A", "B"(in stroller which you can't see in pic), and Me ready to celebrate!

One of the things "A" really wanted to do is take an evening walk. She found these leaves and wanted her brothers to see them! One night she talked to brother "G" for 2 hours on the phone! Thankful for their relationship.

Mmmm, Mmmmm, Cheesecake!!!!!

A Ton Of Work!! Actually, 22 Tons Of Work To Be Exact!!

Ahh, the eager anticipation of the rocks with the dump truck!!

Little "J" wanted to be part of it all for a few minutes!

 We are in the process of selling our house right now in preparation for our move this summer. Actually, I am finally getting this entry done and our house is under contract which is a big answer to prayer. Anyway, our driveway was in real need of more gravel so a few weeks ago Babe showed some of the kiddos how to measure the driveway in preparation for gravel and then we went and picked out the gravel type. Days later we received 22 tons of gravel that was delivered in heaps and needed to be spread out.

No, we did not expect to use plastic rakes but everyone wanted a work tool at this point in the day! "R" and I went out and bought more metal working tools!!! Daddy told us to buy metal rakes and a shovel. When we were at the hardware store we saw little metal back scratchers (weird thing to sell at a hardware store but they were there!) and "R" and I thought it would be so funny to buy those and take them back to Daddy and say we got the metal rakes!!! But . . .  a wast of money so we had to get a kick out of our funny idea ourselves!!

We had a good time joking around and talking while working which was nice. It was a beautiful day for the job. It was cool and sunny-perfect.

The picture below is of the boys watching the dump truck deliver the last 8 tons of gravel.

Babe joked and asked if I was documenting him working by taking pictures of him. That is a big joke because he is a very hard worker!!

I've said that someday we'll say "remember that time we moved 22 tons of rocks?" and Ahh, Yes we WILL remember and we'll remember we did it together. Honestly, I love that. Thanks kids for being willing to help Daddy and Mommy.

The Fox And The Hound

 "G" shoveled alot that day and also wanted to help out some of the neighbors by

shoveling for them. He was a tired boy and ended up taking a nap that day

which is very rare for him!!!

 After Babe and I trampled down snow for the Fox and Hound track then 

"A" and some of the boys went over it again really packing down the snow.

"A" had a good technique on her hands and knees that worked great!

Mmm, Mmm, tasty fresh snow!

That's "A" for you!

When I was a kid my younger brother and I would play "Fox and Hound" when there was newly fallen snow. First, you make a crazy trail around the yard and pack it down really well so you can run on it. Then after you have a trail you play tag but you can only run on the path of the trail! Whoever gets tagged is next. SOOO FUN!! Babe and I were out there marching around the yard this morning on our track flattening the path for the kids. The neighbors may have thought we had lost our minds!!! This may be our last good play in the snow before we move so we need to have fun with it! In this video this was one of our "Fox and Hound" games from today.

Yes, this is really our weather mid-May! 

Mother's Day

Just the GIRLS for the pictures!!
The 3 oldest boys had to shovel a pathway to the house for us girls to get back inside from church since there was a snow storm!!!! We're thankful for them!!

It was a special day at church today. I was given a beautiful corsage, and a rose, AND BEAUTIFUL potted flowers!

The kids did the special music. The kids together sang "What Sins Are You Talking About." Annalina had been working with a family friend of ours (Mrs. W) on a special song she would sing to me at church on Mother's Day. She sang it BEAUTIFULLY and the words were absolutely WONDERFUL. I really wish I had it on video! What was absolutely adorable also was J went up next to his Sissy singing and and pretended to sing too! VERY CUTE!!

Here is what "A" sang as special music:

You're Something Special

When Jesus sent me to you, you loved me from the start.

I was just a bit of sunshine from heaven to your hearts.

Not just another baby 'cause since the world began

There's been something very special for me in His plan.

That's why He made me special, I'm the only one of my kind.

God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind.

He had a special purpose that He wanted me to find,

So He made me something special,

I'm the only on e of my kind.

I have a little sister whose not at all like me.

She can write a lovely poem, but I can climb a tree.

My brother too, is different with freckles on his nose.

When my questions need answers, he's the one who knows.

That's why He made me special, I'm the only one of my kind.

God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind.

He had a special purpose that He wanted me to find,

So He made me something special,

I'm the only on e of my kind.

My Daddy mows the back yard, my Mommy makes the bed.

My brother cleans his playroom, I see the dog gets fed.

And each one needs the other to help him through the day.

And love must be the reason God planned it that way.

That's why He made me special, I'm the only one of my kind.

God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind.

He had a special purpose that He wanted me to find,

So He made me something special,

I'm the only on e of my kind.

"R" was so excited that I was getting to hear the words and was saying that the words were "perfect"! I must say they really are!! What a blessings to sit and listen to my children minister through music on this Mother's Day and especially to hear Annalina sing that special song!

When I got home from church "A" gave me her gift. The picture below is me with my Mother's Day gift from "A". The footstool is a project she and her sewing teacher had been working on for me for this day! It is made out of tin cans inside then covered in padding and soft fabric and also tasseles that you can't see in the pictures because they are so dark. The stool is wonderful!! I love homemade gifts! My boys made me sweet cards which I adore also! My hubby made me one of my favorite meals, Taco Salad! Mmm, Mmmm! The avocados were super yummy!

I am extremely thankful for children the Lord has given Babe and I. We never imagined that we would have 7 beautiful children to love! Very much a Blessing!!