Lots of Wind and Rain

We started with the basics...water, a gallon of milk, homemade pizzas, peanut butter M&M's (for me), hot chocolate (again...me) and flashlights.

We watched and waited...seemed to not be too bad.  Some rain and some wind.

We watched movies and stayed inside all day.

The kids opened a spa...and used lots of powder and lotion.  In fact, I am finding powder all over the house.

Then Monday evening, in the middle of Tarzan, the lights went out.  

And they are still out tonight due to this right down the road from our house.

Thankful that my parents have electricity and don't mind us camping out till its back on...we are warm, safe and having fun!

Well, Hi!

To summarize the major events since I've last blogged, here is what has happened:

-We moved!! And it has been a huge blessing for our family.  

-My husband finished his worship album...a year in the making.

-We were given a van!  I have been praying for one for a year, not knowing how we'd afford to buy one.  It is so nice to have extra room for kiddos and all the toys they drag to the car :).

-We went to the Outer Banks on vacation and had a wonderful time with my family.  Our favorite place to relax is the Outer Banks!

-We started our second year of homeschooling!  So far it has been amazing and I don't anticipate that changing soon.  Anna loves to learn and we have so much fun doing it together.  And I now have an almost 3 year old who wants to be on the action or the schoolroom will be destroyed.  So he listens and does his own "school".

-We are having another another little one join us this April (my guess will be the end of March...hopefully not on Easter.  I can just see it now...calling my husband during the middle of him leading worship). Although we are planning on having a home birth so that makes it a tad simpler. :)

Am I missing anything? Oh yes, God has been so faithful.  Everyday I wake up feeling so blessed.  He is in the details of our life, weaving together the pieces: from our new home, to encouraging friends, to giving grace for each day my kids and I learn together, to a Bible study with wise women of all ages.

So blessed.

Life Lately

Enjoying a new home, family, friends, summer and God's faithfulness.

Choosing to Count

When life feels overwhelming...when you feel like you can't come up for air...when you get hit from every angle...


choose to count.


Instead of dwelling on the negative and giving in to my fears and worries...I will choose to count His blessings.

Big boy underwear, super hero style.

Anna reading her Bible out loud...shocked at the words she is reading

{excuse the little sweet boy getting frustrated in the background :) }.

A laugh out loud movie and a few quiet moments on the couch with my husband.

Coffee in the morning...lots of coffee.

Oliver just looking at me, out of the blue, and saying endearingly, 'Mama...'.

Anna singing her heart out during Philip's worship practice, hands raised high.

Warm weather, sunshine, blue skies...and cousins who swing with you.

Mommy dates and first time pedicures.  

Family who supports and loves you.

This girl.

And this boy.

Choosing to count, today.

The Day That My Faith Hinges On

Yesterday was beautiful.   


All week long I was anticipating it. All week we talked about and were reminded of His sacrifice.  I was longing for Sunday...to celebrate His resurrection.


Our service was outstanding...as my husband led us in a time of worship, my heart soared.  I sat there beside my grandparents and parents praying for the patriarchs of my family...thankful that they came to see Anna sing (which almost didn't happen...thank the Lord for Miss Sharon!!!).  


I thanked God for His stories of transformation that were shared...knowing that He didn't just conquer death, He conquered our sin as well.  How can we comprehend His love?  

"Father, forgive them," Jesus gasped.  "They don't understand what they're doing."  "You say you've come to rescue us!" people shouted.  "But you can't even rescue yourself!"   

But they were wrong.  Jesus could've rescued himself.  A legion of angels would have flown to his side - if he'd called.  "If you were really the Son of God, you could just climb down off that cross!" they said.  And of course they were right.  Jesus could have just climbed down.  Actually, he could have just said a word and made it all stop.  Like when he healed that little girl.  And stilled the storm.  And fed the 5,000 people.

But Jesus stayed.

You see, they didn't understand.  It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there.  It was love. 

(From my daughter's Bible...The Jesus Storybook Bible, italics mine) 

So thankful.

Family Easter picture.

Right before a huge meltdown...and naps.

A Little "Pinsperation"

Oh, Pinterest. I really do love you.
You have brought many, many creative ideas into my world that would definitely never have been.


Already completed

These are actually hanging in the kids' bathroom and you can find them here. Free printables, too cute.

I did a variation of this cake for Anna's birthday (the ombre layers) and Oliver's cake (the sprinkles) and it wasn't as much work as I anticipated.

A version of this is hanging in Anna's bedroom, just need to find fun lanterns like this.

To be completed

How cute are these bracelets? The tutorial for these is here.

And this makes me want to have a summer party.

And this recipe...with fresh blueberries?! Yum.

And I remember Philip's mom making these. So good.

What has Pinterest inspired you to do?

Patience or Lack Thereof

I have been struggling with patience these past few weeks.  A lot.
I have felt it rear its ugliness all throughout my day.

During outfit picking time.
While trying to get out the door.  On time.
Watching them fight over a game of Memory.
During ear-piercing screams when he doesn't get his way.
While giving them a bath.
When I try to show how to write the letter 'k' and she doesn't agree.

It's not pretty, my heart.
For a few weeks I have been trying to figure out what God is trying to teach me, 
how He is stretching me, how He is helping me grow.  
I think this is it, right now.

As I am trying to love, teach and train my kids, 
God is trying to teach me patience.