Happy 18th Birthday Kate!

This one, my only girl child... she turned 18 in February. 

Yeah, 18. I can't believe it either.

Visit with the Little Boys

We had a visit from our little nephews just after Christmas. These are the little guys we had in foster care when they were 2 years old and 9 months old. We had them for about two weeks while the Lord was making ready their forever home. If you missed it, you can read about that  here.

sweet brothers

May Highlights

Well, May was a busy month for us, as it probably was for some of you. Finishing up with school and all the end of the year details that go along with that, and trying to squeeze our family vacation in too, kept us hopping!

2013 Lady Eagles

Happy Birthday Kate

  We celebrated a birthday around here in February.

 

My baby girl turned 17.

Thankful in 2012

Well, it's 3:00 am and I'm wide awake. That's one thing about being on break from school... we (that would be the kids and me) stay up late at night and then sleep late the next day. So, my internal clock is out of whack!

Wedding Anniversary

I recently (like in August) celebrated 22 years of marriage to the love of my life. I've been thinking back over these wonderful years that God has given us. Of course it hasn't been just picture perfect. We've had our share of ups and downs, to be sure. But, if I could go back and do it all over again, I'd still choose him. I know, in the deepest recesses of my heart, that God picked him out just for me.

 

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband

Today is my husband's birthday.

his birthday celebration in 2007

We probably won't do much school today, just the basics. I want to have time to prepare a celebration for him! There are decorations to hang, a gift to wrap and brownies to bake (he prefers them to a cake!) And since we are trying to eat a little more healthy around here, I decided to try the dark chocolate brownies this time (hehe).

I'm not a fan of dark chocolate, but my husband likes it. So... we shall see what he thinks about his brownies!

I am so thankful for my husband. I am grateful that God picked him out just for me! Do we argue? Of course. Does he have quirky little habits that get on my last nerve? Certainly. (Don't we all?) But he is also kind-hearted and compassionate in his role of husband and father. He provides for us and tries hard to meet our needs.

So when his birthday comes around, we try to make it extra special for him! Of course, our goal is to show him our appreciation every day, but on his birthday we really want to show him just how special he is to us.

his brownies

his cake, which he might not want, but the rest of us do :)

So today we will celebrate. Tonight we will eat pizza with friends after church, and we will thank Him for another year with a wonderful husband and father. We will celebrate the life that He has given us, and we'll be careful to give the glory to our God, the source of all life and the source of our joy.

Happy Mother's Day

I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be a mother.

There is no feeling quite like holding your newborn baby in your arms and experiencing that rush of joy, that mix of emotions known only to a mommy. Watching your child grow, seeing him or her learning, living, and loving... there are no words to adequately describe these "mommy" feelings.

There is a saying that goes something like this: "your children hold your hands for a little while, but your heart forever." And another one says, "your children step on your toes when they're little, and then your heart when they're older."

I guess there is some truth in both of these sayings. They don't hold my hands much anymore, but they certainly have a hold on my heart! And they aren't stepping on my toes anymore either, but they sure have a way of hurting my heart sometimes.

Despite all of the growing pains we've experienced, I wouldn't have it any other way! I am so thankful for the privilege of being a mom to these gifts the Lord has entrusted to my care. My desire is to be a joyful momma, leading my children by example and directing them to the Lord. God is still working on me in this area (among others!). I'm so thankful He hasn't given up on me. I want to walk worthy of my calling.

my blessings

Mother's Day is always a little bittersweet for me. My own dear mother went to be with the Lord when I was 19. Although I love celebrating with my children, I do miss my momma terribly. I had a dream about  her a few nights ago. In my dream, I was in heaven and she was the first person I went looking for. When I woke from the dream, I felt guilty that she was the first person I wanted to see (instead of Jesus!) I don't really know if there is any significance in that dream. I would like to think that the first person I look for in heaven will be my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I guess I just miss her so much, even after all these years.

As I was lying in bed a couple nights after that dream, I was pondering it and thinking about her... and it dawned on me that I am now older than my momma lived to be. That's a weird feeling.

I miss her so much, but I am comforted just knowing that she is in heaven and I will be able to see her again one day! In the meantime, I pray that I can be half the mother to my children that she was to my brother and me.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  3 John 4

Friday

Friday...we usually spend this day wrapping up our school week...probably just like you. Right now dh is on a different work schedule, so he is off on Fridays, and that affects our school schedule. Alot. Today, the only school we accomplished were our morning read-aloud time and about 1/2 a lesson of math for each child. DH had lots of things he wanted to accomplish today like taking the trash to the landfill, lol, (there is no trash pick-up where we live) an optometry visit, and working on Will's (and a little friend's) race car for our upcoming AWANA Grand Prix... and of course the kids would much rather help him than do their school work!

But, I'm not complaining. I am thankful for the time we get to spend together. Maybe I will incorporate what another blogging friend does...Fun Fridays. Maybe I can even get dh in on school. He loves math and science, so maybe I can ask him to do some fun science experiments with the kids on Fridays. He has done some experiments with them in the past and has quite enjoyed doing them! I might have to change the name from Fun Fridays to Freaky Fridays, though.

I don't know that I'd want dh home all day every day, but for this short time I will welcome the change. It was neat that everybody was here during school hours, even my college kiddo. I managed to snap a couple of shots of them doing school work this morning...

my fifth grader working on math and my college freshman working on Biology

my eigth grader working on math (Teaching Textbooks) at the computer

Although we didn't accomplish everything on my agenda for today, we did get to experience what was on God's agenda for our family. I was a little stressed to begin with, and if I can be honest with you... I was a little miffed because my dh was interfering with my plans for the day and interrupting my routine and schedule! Thankfully, the Lord showed me how ridiculous I was to feel that way! And thankfully, He showed me early enough in the day so that I didn't completely ruin the day for everyone. I am usually slow to learn the lessons He teaches me each day, so needless to say I am VERY grateful that He penetrated my stubbornness and softened my heart on this little (or should I say big) "my way" issue. Yes, my God is BIG like that! Why does it so often take me so long to see that?

 

Well...our day turned out to be a good day for all! I would say that we experienced a Fabulous Friday. Hey! That might be the new name for our family Fridays. Of course, I can't say that each one will be as good as today was. But... if I leave it open for God to plan the day, who knows? And isn't that what I'm supposed to be doing every day, anyway?

 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Remembering

"Where were you when the world stopped turning?"... Doesn't really seem like eight years, does it? I can only imagine how it must feel for those who lost loved ones on that morning, September 11, 2001.

I, probably like you, vividly remember where I was... what I was doing... when I got the call. I was sitting at the kitchen table with my then 5-year old daughter, working on her phonics. My oldest son (then 10 years old) was occupied with his school work. My then 2-year old son was quietly playing.

Graduation...And Life

Well, we made it! Graduation is over. Bittersweet...I didn't cry as much as I thought I would. God is gracious. He has sustained me. I know He will continue to sustain me. It was a wonderful ceremony. I have been to a graduation ceremony from this school a couple years ago and was very moved (and impressed). Amazing...every part of the ceremony pointed to God...praising Him through it all.

I am proud of my son, of his accomplishments. Yes, I'm thrilled that he's smart, and that he was salutatorian of his class. I'm pleased that he has been surrounded these last four years with Christian friends, who encourage each other in their moments of weakness. I'm so thankful that all of his teachers are Christians who share their passion for Christ on a daily basis. But more than this, I am so thrilled and thankful that my son has a passion for Christ and that he is in a vibrant, growing relationship with his Savior.

I know these are the reasons for the satanic attacks we seem to be under so often. The devil, our adversary, is roaming about, seeking whom he might destroy. I know he can't destroy our souls (because Jesus holds them in His hands, PTL!), but he does seek to destroy our Christian testimony! That serpent of old, the father of lies constantly tempts us in our areas of weakness. He seeks to entice us continually. He promises what he cannot deliver. And I sometimes grow weary of fighting the battle.

But I am so very grateful to my heavenly Father, for He hears me when I cry out to Him. He delivers me from the oppression. He holds me in His arms while I weep. And He delivers what He promises! He promises me rest. He knows that I am weary and He gives me rest. He is my Rock and my Salvation. He is my ever-present help in times of trouble. Praise Him for He is holy...praise Him for He is love...praise Him for He is my shield! I will glory in Christ alone!

Thank You

I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to my friends Teena (whom I see face to face regularly) and to my newest blogging friends, Debbie and Cynthia, for their kinds words and advice on dealing with "letting go." Thank you for sharing your wisdom and please continue to pray for me. I am beginning to see how I am making this harder than it needs to be, and my family is suffering because of it.

I realize that this is a normal stage and God gives us children, not to keep with us forever, but to raise up as arrows and then send them out to do His work. God just has to bring me to the point where I trust in Him as I let the first of my arrows go....I just have to remember to "choose the joy" in this....to let go and let God...

Joy and blessings be yours in abundance.