Wordless Wednesday: Monday playdates

 

 

We love you, Ms. Brooke, Trent, and Austin! xoxox!
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."- Luke 12:34

A little boy and his daddy

 

It is such a joy to watch JJ and David together. That little boy adores his daddy! From the moment David walks through the door after work, JJ is chanting, "Dada! Dada! Dada!".  David is such an amazing father and I thank God for my husband!

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."- Dueteronomy 6:5

Photojournal: Bella's 5th birthday!

 

New flashlights for the sleepover!

Playing out in the dark with their glowing necklaces and flashlights.

Yum! Frosty treats at Wendy's, just the girls !( Daddy stayed home with JJ. )



It is still dark at 6:30am! wink. The girls started whispering at 6:30am and they were excited for the big day!

Bella's Hello Kitty Cowgirl cookie cake. I did my best to add the details that she requested!

Nana sent some Hello Kitty pez dispensers... they were a big hit!

Birthday skyping with Papa and Nana.

Watching Bella blow out FIVE candles made my eyes tear up. When did she get so big?

Yes, we had cookie cake for breakfast; it our family tradition that you get to pick your birthday breakfast!

JJ approved of Bella's birthday breakfast choice! wink!

Sweet girls! They love eachother so much!

After breakfast, we were off to Build a Bear. Thank you Papa, Nana, Grandpa, and Grandma for your gift! This was a super special treat!

Last stop, McDonalds for Bella's birthday lunch! What a fun morning!

Oh, I love you Bella!! You'll always be my baby girl, no matter how big you get! xoxoxoxoxo!!!

"All the believers were one in heart and mind."- Acts 4:32

the sweetest gift

Bella was busy coloring a picture when I noticed that our preschooler had written 'Hello Kitty' on her paper.
"Baby!! You wrote 'Hello Kitty'! Wow!"

"I tried my best to write the letters just like on my notebook! And mama, guess what? I am going to put some tape on my penny and tape it to my picture!" (Bella found a penny on the ground earlier this week and that little coin has been her special treasure! She had some big plans for that penny! wink.)

"Why do you want to tape your penny to your picture?"

Bella lowered her voice and whispered, "Because I'm going to give this picture to Wubs. AND she can keep my penny!"

I gave Bella a big hug, and I felt my eyes tear up. Bella doesn't know the value of a penny; she has no idea that it's only worth one cent. All she knows is that pennies are money. That one little penny was all the money she had. But she wanted to give it away, as a gift for her big sister. That blessed my heart!

I was reminded of one of my favorite Bible stories, the widow's offering, in the book of Luke. "As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple trasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said,  "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."- Luke 21:1-4 

 I love it that Bella wasn't giving to Wubs out of her abundance, but instead she was willing to give all that she had, to bless her sister. Our baby girl encouraged me so much with  her sweet little gift!

We are continuing to pray for Bella's salvation, and we praise God for the work He has already done in her heart! I pray that the Lord will continue to develop Bella's desire to share and give to others!

 

 p.s- Guess what? Only one more day and our littlest girl turns f.i.v.e years old! I can't even believe it! Bella invited one of her best friends, Gracie, to stay the night at our house tonight. I'll be sure to post lots of birthday pictures next week!

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."- Proverbs 31:30

Canada, part 1

 

If I had to choose my favorite memory from our time in Quebec,  it would definately be the Sunday morning of our trip. We had the opportunity to attend Connexion church in Montreal. *sidenote: We were staying in the basement of the Connexion pastor's house while on our trip.* When we were singing songs of praise, all the songs were in French. Several of the songs were familiar by the tune (How Great is Our God, for example) so we did our best to sing along in English. However, whenever we would sing the name of "Jesus"... all the voices, whether singing in French or English, came together as one. It was b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. And I cried happy tears at the sound of His name, overwhelmed with thankfulness that Jesus is my Savior and no matter the language, He reigns!

 

 Below are a few pictures from Canada! Here is Connexion church, located in Montreal:

This is my sweet new friend, Ariane. I was so encouraged by Ariane's heart to serve the Lord and her desire to minister to those who do not know Jesus.

A picture taken one night while we were out to dinner.  Let me just say- everything we ate on our trip was so unbelievably yummy!

Having coffee with another new friend, Javier.

Canada team picture... Beth, Jacob, David, me, Brad, Drew and Danielle.

 

More Canada stories to come! There is so much to share...

"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."- Psalm 29:11

Wordless Wednesday: My favorite spot

 (My favorite spot is right by David's side!)
"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."- Hebrews 6:10

Five reasons why I'd never be allowed...

 

As I was watching the presidential debate last night with David, I realized why I would never be allowed to facilitate a debate. While I do believe these debates can help us become well informed before voting for the leader of our country, I can't help it that I am a mommy and I am very distracted by the behavior during the debate! wink! (Oooh, did you see the vice presidential debate a few weeks ago? Whew! That debate got waaaay to sassy for me!) Here are a few reasons why I would not be allowed on that stage:

5. I would have to continually stop both men and remind them that we wait for our turn to speak. (Interrupting is not okay, you are gentlemen!) Then, I would have them apologize and ask each other for forgiveness.

4. I would need to periodically remind both candidates about their disrespectful body language and again, they would need to apologize and ask each other forgiveness.

3. I would have to pause the debate to teach both candidates about encouraging others instead of tearing each other down. I realize they are competing, but, there is no need to be ugly. And I'd make them apologize and ask each other for forgiveness.

2. Soon, I would need to give both the govenor and the president a time out. Clearly, they are choosing to disobey again. and again. and again. 

1. Ultimately, there would be no more debating because both men would be too busy writing sentences for me. "I will make wise choices when debating on national t.v.

I will make wise choices when debating on national t.v.

I will make wise choices when debating on national t.v...."

 

And I had to include this picture for Nana, who was sad that I didn't post anything on our blog yesterday. (I'm sorry Nana! ) JJ loves to sit on our laps and anytime he gets the opportunity to sit with his sisters, he climbs on!

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."- Psalm 27:14

No Parking

Earlier this week, I needed to take our children for a quick Wal-Mart trip. As we were walking through the parking lot, Emma Grace asked, "Mommy, can all grown ups read?"

"Well... yes, baby, most all grown ups can read."

Emma Grace pointed to a car only a few feet away from us,  parked just outside the front entrance of Wal-Mart. (And, for the record, a man was inside the car, with the windows rolled down. wink.)  "Well, then why did he park there? The sign says 'No Parking'!"

*gulp* I turned bright red and stared at the ground as we walked into the store. wink.

 

Although I was very embarrassed, (and I realized I needed to teach Wubs a lesson about asking questions more discretely) I got to thinking... that man probably knew he wasn't supposed to park there. He knew the rule- it was very clear on the sign- and yet, he broke the rule anyway.

 

But I can't judge him. I mean, how many times have I been aware of my sin, and yet, I've chosen to sin anyway? How many times have I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit but I've continued to pursue my own agenda? Haven't I read my Bible, haven't I learned from God's Word? Oh, I am so thankful for my merciful,  loving, faithful Savior. I am so thankful that He continues to refine me, that He doesn't give up on me. It is daily that I stand in awe of the love of Christ.

 

ps- The girls enjoyed playing in the rain yesterday afternoon! And, as an extra special treat, God even put a rainbow in the sky! Can you see it?

 

 

5:

"But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."- Romans 5:8

Wordless Wednesday: Well, two out of three happy faces... wink.

"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her povery put in all she had to live on."- Luke 21:1-4

Home sweet home!

We are home from Canada! It was a wonderful trip, filled with God's blessings, adventures, and many new experiences. I have so many stories to share that I honestly don't know where to start. Plus, I have lots (and lots) of pictures I still need to upload, so I'll be posting about Canada another time soon. We are slowly getting back into our routine and enjoying our family time!

 

Yesterday, Bella helped me make cookies. I had to laugh though, because while most children would be excited to have their mommy make a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies, our children like to place an order! ha ha! The girls requested on chocolate chip cookies, with homemade chocolate buttercream, rolled in rainbow sprinkles. Yum!

 

 

 Just look at that precious face! wink! Oh, it is so good to be home with our family!

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."- Matthew 5:16

Leaving the country!

This is my best attempt to pack our three children for their seven days away from home! wink.

Friends, I am signing off of our blog for a little over a week! David and  I are traveling to Canada with a team from our church. Our children are going to stay with our dear family friends while we are away. (*sniff* We have never left our babies before, and even though I know they will have a wonderful time, I am going to miss them SO so much!) I promise to take lots of pictures and share all the Canadian adventures God has given to us when we return!
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will recieve what he has promised."- Hebrews 10:36

Wordless Wednesday: The Statue of Broccoli

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."- Romans 13:8

my Monday mornings

On Monday mornings, I have the sweet privilege of attending a women's Bible study.My wonderful husband takes care of our children while I go to pray and study God's word with several of the other pastor wives of Faith. We are working through our second Bible study by Priscilla Shirer called Seeds. I love this study because not only do we dig into God's word and learn the scriptures, but we hold one another accountable for taking what we have learned and applying that Truth. When I learn God's word, I want to obey His commands, and sometimes, that can be hard to do. Because my flesh is weak, I often fail. But, I'm trying and God already knows I won't do it perfectly. wink. After reading the scriptures, I have been seeking ways I can apply God's word in my life and in our home. Sometimes, it is as easy as teaching our children what I have learned, and other times, the Holy Spirit has used what I've studied to help me take my own thoughts captive and keep them focused on Christ, or I've been given opportunities to encourage a friend with Truth. I have a lot to learn and I am so thankful for every little bit I grow closer to God!

(This weekend, the girls were sitting on the front steps, looking at magazines that came in the mail. I ran inside to grab the camera so I could savor this sweet little moment!)

ps- I did update the Sweets by Sarah Jane tab, if you'd like to peek at a few of  the latest treats from our kitchen.

"But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."- Matthew 23:11-12

 

hiding

The children were 'hiding' from me the other day and it was so cute to hear their muffled giggles as they tried not to give away their secret spot! I grabbed the camera as I was pretending to look all over the house, calling out for them. I knew they were all crouched in the corner behind JJ's crib; I snapped this picture as I exclaimed, "There you are!" I love our precious children so much!

I was reminded that just like my children cannot really hide from me, I cannot hide from my Father. He knows my every thought, my every desire, my every motive. God looks inside my heart, and it is only because of the blood of Jesus that I can stand unashamed.

 

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."- Romans 12:3