Thank you, Nana!

 

We hope you will have a very Happy Easter, celebrating our risen Savior!

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."- Matthew 18:20

baking up a memory

The girls love to help me in the kitchen! Bella likes to stir, add ingredients, and wash dishes. (Especially if there are plenty of bubbles... wink!) Wubs likes to measure out ingredients and help me read the recipes. I love, love, love being a mommy. I am so thankful to be home with our children! It is such a joy and a priveledge that I pray I won't take forgranted.

 

Yesterday, Wubs helped me to make apple crisp. We had so much fun together, and our house smelled wonderful when daddy got home!

 

"Be joyful always,"- 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Wordless Wednesday: Inviting our neighors

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered for a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."- 1 Peter 5:10

Photojournal: 8,000...stuffed!

Wow! We were so blessed by the wonderful youth and adult volunteers that came to our church last Friday night to help stuff plastic Easter eggs! In two hours, we were able to work together to stuff a little over 8,000 eggs! Our annual Ressurection Easter Egg hunt is this  coming Saturday, March 30, at 10:30am. We hope you can join us at Faith Baptist Church for the Easter egg hunt! We would also love to invite you to our Good Friday worship service at 7pm and on Sunday, we have worship services at 8am,9:30am, and 11am.

 

"My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long."- Psalm 35:28

his Daddy

JJ loves his daddy. JJ follows his daddy around the house, he imitates his daddy, he sits with his daddy, and he never misses an opportunity to wrestle with his daddy! It's official... he is daddy's boy! wink. And, I couldn't be happier about that! JJ is learning, from his daddy, how to love and lead his future wife. JJ is learning how to care and provide for his future family. And, most importantly, JJ is learning how to be a man who is always seeking to grow in Christ. I praise God each day for my amazing husband and his leadership of our home!

JJ was helping David hang a window in the children's bedroom.

JJ was helping his daddy make some adjustments to the girl's beds.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."- Ephesians 2:10

Wordless Wednesday: Ballerina hugs

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."- Philippians 4:5

Homeschool provision

When we began our homeschooling adventure nearly three years ago, we had no idea what to expect. (In fact, I was trying my best not to have any expectations, wink!) If I had to pick the one thing that has surprised me the most about homeschool, it would be the amazing ways God has provided. We have had e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g we've needed each year for school- from curriculum to consumables- and it would be an understatement to say that I have been blown away by His provision. One really fun blessing we have been given was an anyomous gift of a magazine subscription to Zoo Books. Each month, a new animal is featured in the magazine and our girls LOVE learning the fun facts! This month, the magazine was all about wolves. Wubs is always thrilled when she finds a Zoo Book in the mailbox!

 

Wubs, wearing her Great Wolfe Lodge headband and green vampire teeth. Sweet, silly girl!

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

Friday funny: Big boy?

I can't believe that JJ will be two years old in May! He is growing up so so fast. (Actually, all three of our children are growing up too fast! wink) Every once in a while, JJ will still snuggle with me, but for the most part, he is always on the go! While I was helping JJ with his little cowboy boots and I asked, "JJ, are you my baby or are you my big boy?" He smiled and said, "Big....ba-by!" I laughed and covered that cute face in kisses! This picture is a perfect example of our 'big baby' who is very quickly becoming our big boy! ha ha!
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."- Joshua 1:9

chewing...

My mentor has always encouraged me to really 'chew' on scripture ('chewing' so that I do not to read God's Word without slowing down and digesting the Truth, wink). There is one passage that I've been 'chewing' on, with thanksgiving, for days now:

 

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this word and the despised things- and the things that are not- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written; "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

 

I am reminded that I am nothing without Christ; I am so thankful that He has called me, and I am His.

 

ps- We had a rainy day earlier this week, and we had lots of fun inside together! We baked peanut butter cookies, built a fort, played games... it was a great day!

The bedroom fort.

The fort was an excellent spot for playing Candyland, eating freshly baked cookies, and using the flashlights!

Wubs stayed in the fort longer than her sister and brother... she LOVED it!

After baking cookies, JJ helped me wash the dishes.

I wanted JJ to look at the camera, so I said, "JJ! Smile for mommy!". JJ looked over and said, "SMIIIIILE!" He melts my heart.

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."- Proverbs 18:10

Wordless Wednesday: Sandbox

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."- Isaiah 43:1

play money

"Mommy, can me and JJ play money?"

"With the homeschool money?" I called out from the laundry room.

"Yeah, the pretend money."

"Sure! Maybe you can teach JJ about the coins!" I suggested, happy that they were playing so well together while I multi-tasked. Wubs was reading aloud to me while I folded the laundry.

"Well, I think we are just going to play."

I should have clarified what Bella's definition of "play money" really meant. wink.

 

I found toy coins in unusual places for days! wink.
 

"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."- Mark 5:19

hungry

Emma Grace took these pictures last week while we were playing Hungry Hippos.  I am so thankful that she recorded this little moment in time! We were all having a lot of fun together.

Yesterday at church, my tummy was grumbling... loud! (I was a little hungry hippo! wink.) I know that I shouldn't skip breakfast; it's a bad habit that I have on Sunday mornings!

Have you ever been hungry, but not inside your stomache? Have you ever been hungry deep down in your soul? 

 I know that God created me to worship, and yet, I can become distracted. I miss opportunities to look to Christ. I don't always fully seek Him. I fall short when I should give Him all the praise. Oh, I am so very thankful for God's grace!

But, you know what? I am praying that I'll stay hungry! I don't want to become spiritually satisfied, not on this side of heaven. I always want to desire more Jesus. I always want to crave the One who loves me more than I can even understand.

"Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."- 1 Peter 2:2

Colossal Coaster World!

It's official! Vacation Bible School preparations have begun at Faith! Please be sure to mark your calendars now for the week of June 17-21 from 6:30pm-9pm; your family won't want to miss it! wink.We are prayerfully watching as the Lord begins to construct our vbs team, and as He works out each and every detail!

We had our first leadership training this past Sunday after church, and as part of our 'ice breaker' activities, we all had to pair up and pretend to ride a rollercoaster. My vbs co-nursery coordinator is my sweet friend, Meghan. We paired up together and Pastor Ryan narrated our rollercoaster ride.

 

Ready to ride the colossal coaster!

Then we were climbing higher and higher on the rollercoaster track.

Ahhhhhh! Down the hill!!!

And we weren't the only ones who braved the imaginary coaster! wink. Here are a few more silly pics from the fun...

So funny! We thank God for laughter, and building our team!

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose the prevails."- Proverbs 19:21

Wordless Wednesday: getting healthy

(Bella has been joining me as I attempt to do the 30 Day Shred on dvd! Here is the picture she drew of the two of us getting healthy together!)
"Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full."- John 16:24