Our Journey Home

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Sweets by Sarah Jane: trying...

I tried a few new things last weekend while decorating cakes! First, I tried to make a marshmellow fondant bow for sweet Aubrey's birthday:
 

It was so fun to make bows! And since I had left over fondant, I was able to make girlie cupcakes for my friend, Meghan. Meghan's daughter (and Wub's friend, wink), Maddie, was supposed to bring snack for her basketball team and this is what she took:

Another 'experiement' was for our buddy, Will. Will is in the 3rd grade and he loves the show Duck Dynasty! I tried to make a camo cookie cake, complete with some of the phrases from Duck Dynasty. The boys gobbled it up!
And my last adventure... I attempted to make a cake with Toy Story characters on it. I was really nervous about this cake, but the birthday boy approved! I continue to thank God for the opportunities He is providing for our little cake business.
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."- Phillipians 1:3

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Bella


Bella was such a brave little girl yesterday! We will see the doctor in two weeks so he can assess her recovery. Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much for praying! We were also so blessed by the sweet phone calls,emails, texts, and treats for Bella. Thank you for loving on us, friends!

And a special thank you to Aunt Pam who kept Wubs and JJ for us while we at the surgery center! We were so grateful for your heart to offer to keep our children in the wee hours of the morning! xoxox! We really couldn't have given Bella the attention she needed without your help; thank you!!!


Aunt Pam took this picture of JJ and Maddie doing a little bird watching.

Two happy babies! Precious!

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."-1 John 1:9

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Thank you for praying!

Today is the day of Bella's surgery. I'll be sure to post an update soon. God has already blessed this day so much; Bella got a surgery time two hours earlier than we had anticipated! (I had been  concerned that she would be so hungry and thirsty because our original time was 10am and it got bumped up to 8:10am! ) We are so thankful for the Lord's plans for this day.

We love this sweet girl so so much! Thank you for praying!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."- Proverbs 3:5-6

Monday, February 25, 2013

prayer request

Tomorrow morning Bella will be having surgery. (It's an outpatient procedure to remove an ear tube that has become embedded deep into her ear canal. After cutting out  the tube, the doctor will be injecting the hole with fatty tissue, gathered from the back of Bella's ear lobe.) Will you please pray for Bella? The hours following the procedure will be painful and she will not take any Tylenol or Motrin (hmmmm... maybe I will try to secretly slip it to her in a milkshake or something, wink). Our doctor said it will be a minimum of three days before Bella feels like herself again due to nausea and a dizziness sensation. We would be so grateful for your prayers for our little girl. Thank you so much!
(We have been dog sitting for our favorite canine, Pippen!)


"Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. "- Psalm 116:2

Thursday, February 21, 2013

a love of reading

 
When we started our homeschooling journey three years ago, I was so blessed by many wise friends who were experienced homeschool mothers. They were very encouraging and they offered so many helpful ideas and suggestions! One friend told me something that I've never forgotten. She said, "Teach your children to love to read. Teach them to love stories so much that they want to tell everyone about them. That's your goal." She was encouraging me to teach our children to love reading so that they would study and love God's Word; she was encouraging me to train our children in such a way that they would want to share the gospel, because it is the greatest story that ever was! I am so thankful for that advice, and it has been a joy to watch our little budding readers grow!
 
 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the ages."- Matthew 28:19-20

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Mustache

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."- Proverbs 27:17

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

everyone was staring at us...

Last week, I loaded up all three children for a trip to a doctor's appointment in Raleigh. The appointment was for Bella; it was a pre-op appointment for her upcoming ear tube removal. We had been in the car driving for about 40 minutes when we arrived at the ENT office. It was mid-afternoon, and I had one unhappy little boy with me. How could I have forgotten a paci? I was beginning to think I should have considered JJ's naptime when scheduling this appointment. wink. But, into the office we strolled...

When we checked in at the desk, I was asked to I complete all the usual forms. While I was busy with my assignment from the receptionist, the children enjoyed an awesome playroom. Wubs made a giant tower with soft blocks, Bella explored some books, and JJ rode around on a small duck shaped scooter.

Then the nurse called Bella's name. I scrambled to gather up my papers, insurance card, and diaper bag. The girls came over to me right away but JJ wanted to play longer. I stood up and said, "JJ, it's Bella's turn to see the doctor! Let's go this way!"  JJ let out a loud, "NOOO!" and he ran from me. I gave the nurse a quick don't-worry-this-will-only-take-a-second-to-grab-my-toddler  glance. "JJ, you need to obey mama. It's time to see the doctor."
"NOOOO! NOOOOO! NOOOO!"  I have to admit, I felt my face get a little warm. The waiting room was full and I was fully aware that all eyes were on us.
Wait a minute!  I thought to myself. These people  are looking at us! JJ was throwing his tantrum, the nurse was waiting, my arms were full, and everyone was staring at us. And as strange as this sounds... this was a GOOD thing!

God can use all things for His glory, including a temper tantrum in a busy doctor's office waiting room! Many people were watching us and at that very moment, I had a choice to make: I could respond in a Christlike way, or I could be tempted by my flesh and pride. God has been sanctifying me through motherhood and I've realized that I can either white knuckle the ride or I can enjoy the excitement! wink. I certainly don't always do it well, but I praise God for giving me the words and the disciplinary actions to train our children.  I am often reminded of the Truth in His word:

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

(In the end, I responded by getting down to JJ's eye level, speaking to him firmly in love, and scooping him into my arms. I assigned Wubs the task of carrying the diaper bag, and Bella held the the clipboard with the paperwork. )

Yesterday we enjoyed a birthday party at Jumpin' Beans! It was such a fun time!
Bella is sitting by her sweet friend, Ella, the birthday girl!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Happy Monday!




"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."- 1 Corintians 13:4-7

Friday, February 15, 2013

Valentine's Day 2013

 God blessed our family with a wonderful Valentine's Day! We enjoy celebrating love, because He first loved us!

Daddy gave all his girls flowers and chocolate, and then, we celebrated with our annual Chic-fil-A family date night. Wubs, Bella, and JJ practiced a special song all week long so that they could sing to daddy, as a Valentine gift. (It was precious! wink.) They used little toy microphones and everything! And we even enjoyed a little Valentine party after Bella's ballet lesson. What a great day!
Valentine's Day 2013

This picture makes me laugh! Bella was 'helping' JJ smile for the camera!

My two very very  handsome Valentines...

This was my Valentine gift to David. Homemade cheesecake is his favorite! Bella let me use a little of her chocolate bar to grate over our cheesecake slices. What a sweet girl!
I got a little behind on blogging this week; I was busy with several Valentine projects.. One of my projects included homemade Valentine gifts for the girls. They really wanted clothes for their  toy mice, so I did my best to sew teeny tiny outfits and accessories. It was really fun! (My favorite was the apron and baking mitt... I'm so silly!)
The girls l.o.v.e.d the mini mousey pocketbooks! ha ha!


I also had a few Valentine orders for Sweets by Sarah Jane.
Cookies for a third grade class.

A party cake for an afterschool program celebration.

A Valentine birthday boy was celebrating his special day with super heroes!

 
Have a wonderful weekend!
"We love because he first loved us."- 1 John 4:19







Friday, February 8, 2013

Friday funny: the paci stash

JJ loves his pacifiers! Sometimes he has one in each hand and one in his mouth. (Oh, it's going to be such a hard habit to break when he turns two! wink.) The other morning I found my favorite little man, stashing his beloved 'pa bas' in the dryer. He is so silly!
Happy Friday!

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."- Romans 15:7

Thursday, February 7, 2013

I love love love this man...

I thank God every day for my wonderful husband. Oh, I am so very blessed!  
 

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."- Proverbs 4:23

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Slipper thief

"We live by faith, not by sight."- 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

It's a very special day!

 
 



Happy birthday! We love you so so so much! xoxoxoxox!
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."-Jeremiah 17:10

Monday, February 4, 2013

a princess party

We attended a princess party this weekend! Bella's sweet friend, Miriam, invited us to help her celebrate her 5th birthday. It was a treat! We were supposed to dress up for the special party, so Bella decided she would be "Cinderella before the fairy comes". (Campbell girls, I am sure you recognize the dress! Thank you so much for blessing us!) I attended the party as Snow White. We had SO much fun!
 
Miriam, Snow White, and Bella

Cinderella (after the fairy) and Cinderella (before the fairy)- wink!

The girls were picking out a few snacks after their time at the Bippity Bobbity Boutique! Everyone got their hair styled and their nails painted.

Gracie and Bella

This is the cake I made for the party.

Miriam, blowing out five candles with Grandma!

Miriam's amazing mom, Sarah and me- the other Sarah  Snow White!

 

Big birthday hugs! So precious!

Miriam's grandma purchased little mice and then she sewed little clothes for all of them. The girls loved, loved, loved this adorable party favor!

It was a wonderful way to spend our Saturday morning! We are so thankful that God has blessed us with so many dear friends!
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."- Matthew 6:33

Friday, February 1, 2013

My favorite Psalm

"Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works, everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, O my soul."
- Psalm 103
 
(My sweet laundry basket babies!)