Our Journey Home

Friday, February 27, 2009

Eating Garbage





Our children enjoy special treats such as candies, soda, and chips. We know those foods are simply 'junk'. But today's blog is truly regarding garbage.

Yesterday, we had a little friend over to play.
When I made lunch, Wubs and Bella were eager to eat what I had prepared, but our friend wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. When our girls don't finish their food, I cover it and save it for later. However, when our little friend
didn't finish her lunch, I tossed the rest of her sandwich into the trash can.

Several hours later, Bella came walking into the living room, chewing something mysterious. "Bella, what do you have?" She simply grinned and held out her closed little fist for me to inspect it. That's funny, Bella smells like peanut butter. Yes, our 16 month old princess reached deep into our garbage can for the half eaten sandwich so she could polish it off. wink.



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11

Thursday, February 26, 2009

The Great Bunny Stand-Off...


Can you find the little bunny in the picture? Bunny is sitting on top of our fridge because Emma Grace is learning a lesson in sharing. Wubs recieved Bunny as a gift from her best friend and she loves it! However, she loves Bunny so much, she is refusing to share it with her sister. I explained that Jesus wants us to share our things, even our very favorite things, but Wubs declared, "No! I love my bunny! I love my bunny more than Bella!" I have to admit, I didn't see that one coming! wink. Again I explained that we need to share our toys, and if Bunny is too special to share with Bella, Bunny needs to sit on top of our fridge. Bunny will just wait to come down until Emma Grace decides Bella can have a turn playing with her beloved toy. Today is Day 3 of the Great Bunny Stand-Off. Wubs is still holding firm that Bella may not have a turn, and mommy is still holding firm that we must share with others. And luckily for mommy, she has Truth on her side!

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."- 1Peter 5:6-7


Thursday, February 19, 2009

Special Picnic








Today we had a special picnic lunch! It was such a beautiful day and the girls love to be outside...so we decided to have our first picnic on the swing set! Wubs was thrilled with the idea. We loaded up sippy cups, dinosaur shaped nuggets, tator tots, and headed to the backyard. After some swinging, we climbed up to the 'clubhouse' for our lunch. Emma Grace really wanted to squirt her own ketchup, and if you look closely, you'll notice the very generous portion on her plate! wink!Wubs has already requested that we do it again tomorrow.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."- Jeremiah 29:13


Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Dr. Wubs









Emma Grace (affectionately known as Wubs) is such a sweet helper. Today, very unexpectedly, I felt awful. When Bella went down for a morning nap, I invited Wubs to watch a movie with me so we could lay on the couch together. Wubs eagerly agreed-she loves to watch movies! As we were laying on the couch, I explained that mommy didn't feel good. Wubs looked at me so lovingly, and after a few moments of thought, she said, (in her most discerning tone of voice)
"Mommy, maybe we need to get you some medicine? And some chocolate." I will accept a diagnosis from our precious Dr. Wubs any day!
We didn't go to work at the church tonight, which turned out to be such a blessing, because the girls got to snuggle with daddy before bedtime, and I got to have dinner with my favorite guy! This is a busy week at our house, so I am thankful that the Lord kept us home today. His plans are always far better than our plans.

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."- Philippians 4:8


Monday, February 16, 2009

Who knew...




...shredded paper could be so much fun? I was folding clothes in our laundry room when I heard sweet little giggles and squeals of joy. I love to hear the girls enjoying each-other! I had to snap a few pictures of the excitement for daddy.


"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."- Romans 8:28

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Valentine's Day Party









This year we decided to host our very first Valentine's Day party. (I think we may make it one of our traditions!)
Emma Grace and Bella invited a few friends over for snacks, a Valentine card exchange, and lots of fun play time!Emma Grace was awake bright and early Valentine's Day morning. At about 6:45am, she asked, "Is it time for our party momma?"
All our guests arrived at 10am, and it was wonderful to have our home filled with little girls. It was a beautiful day, so after dressing up as princesses and playing in Emma Grace's room, the girls enjoyed playing out on the swingset. In the evening, Daddy took all his 'dates' out to dinner at Chic-fil-A for nuggets and time in the playground area. (This is another Valentine's Day 'tradition'. ) When our little sweethearts went to bed, David and I watched one of the best movies we've seen in a very long time,
Fireproof. We could relate to the story in so many ways; God has transformed our marriage. It was such a special day!

'For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.' Matthew 12: 34b

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Walking on water








Emma Grace is a very inquisitive little girl. "What are you doing?" "Why?" "Where are we going?" "Mommy, what did you say do Daddy?"...the questions are endless. wink. But her great quest for knowledge is heartwarming and she is always making us smile.
Yesterday morning, Emma Grace came into the kitchen as I was reading my 'Bible book', and she asked me what I was reading. "I'm reading my Bible book." This was not a satisfactory response. "But what does it say?" Ooooh- how I love a teachable moment! "Well, today my Bible book says that Jesus' friends, the disciples, were out on a lake in a boat. And guess what? Jesus walked on top of the water to go see them! But the friends were scared because they thought Jesus was ghost. Jesus told them not to be afraid. Then Peter, one of the disciples said, 'Jesus, if it's really you, let me walk on the water to you.' And so Peter walked on the water too! But then Peter got scared because it was very windy and he started to sink. Jesus reached out his hand and caught him." (The grown up version of this story is found in Matthew 14:22-34.) Emma Grace listened intently and then ran off to play with her Pet Shops. However, tonight during her bath, she stood on one leg and stepped several times with her little foot into the water. She said, "Look mommy! I'm walking on the water like Jesus!!!" Sweet baby girl. David and I still haven't figured out how we have gotten so lucky. wink.

'When words are many, sin is not
absent, but he who holds his tongue is
wise.'- Proverbs 10:19

Monday, February 9, 2009

Lesson of the Day...







































Today Bella, our baby of few words, taught me a lesson. When giving your 15 month old a snack, even if it is something as innocent as a yummy granola bar- always read the label. Apparently, some granola bars have a very high fiber content.
( 9 grams of fiber, actually). Daddy, our wonderful coupon-cutter and grocery store shopper, is always surprising us with good deals he's found.(David is amazing at saving money! You'll have to ask him about the brick in our toilet trick. ) One of the many 'deals' he got this week was a box of peanut butter BeneFIT granola bars from Wal-Mart. Yum! Bella loves granola bars, so last night, as a delicious snack, I offered Bella one of the new treats.

Bella loved the granola bar- however, the fiber has clearly taken effect. I have spent the day changing diapers, baby clothes, sheets, blankets, and even washing her beloved 'baby'. It wasn't until after all this excitement that I went back and read the label on the box of granola bars. Lesson learned. wink.

Here are some pictures of Emma Grace being a loving big sister and giving Bella a push on our swing set! When I look at our girls smiling, I can't help but feel like God has really spoiled me!


'May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.'- Psalm 19:14

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Krispy Kreme Challenge















































Wow! What an exciting morning we had today! We woke up early, loaded up the car with the double stroller and our two precious little girls, and we were headed to the Krispy Kreme Challenge. This challenge is a race where competitors run 2 miles to the Krispy Kreme store, eat a dozen donuts, and run back 2 miles. (You don't have to eat all the donuts. David made a bold attempt by eating 6! Go daddy!) Emma Grace especially enjoyed the many costumes, pets, and other children in strollers at the race. She wanted to talk to me about everything she saw, and she wanted me to respond to her every comment. At about mile 3.5 (uphill) I puffed, "Mommy can't talk baby. Tell me a story." Bella still doesn't have much to say, but she did eat 2 donuts by the end of the race. Here are just a few pictures of the fun!

Well, that's it...our very first blog entry. Hopefully we'll be dedicated to using our blog and sharing our stories with you! Are you wondering about the name of our blog? It just seemed the most appropriate. After all, isn't life a journey? And if you're on a journey, that means you must be headed somewhere. Praise God, through His grace we are headed home to spend eternity with our loving Father!

'Those who know your name will trust
in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken
those who seek you.'- Psalm 9:10