Oh Naptime How I Love Thee!

Oh naptime how I love THEE! You are my boost to get me to the end of another day. My moment of quiet. My time of doing WHATEVER my little heart longs to do. Oh nap time...all of those precious 2 hours bring joy and delight to my soul!

But as I sit in silence, I hear a babies wimper from the monitor on the counter. I hold my breath...it is already time? Is he awake already? Maybe, just maybe, he will coo himself back to sleep? But as his wimper gives way to wails...I exhale and accept my fate. That yet another "naptime" has come and gone. It is time to engage in the rest of my day. My moment of solitude has ended...now it is time to carry on the rest of my "mommy" day. And although I am SO EXTREMLY thankful that my day has a "mommy" part...I look forward to tomorrow, where my sweet and cherished friend awaits...at 1:00pm...NAPTIME!

On Loan...

I love my children. They are my life, apart from my hubby and my Lord. They bring me so much joy! But God is constantly reminding me that they are just a loan from Him. Ultimately, they belong to Him! And praise His name they do! They were one of His greatest and most precious gifts He ever imparted to me. I love being their mommy...loving on them and teaching them! They in return teach me so many life lessons every single day! So, this post is just a praise offering to the Lord for His loan to me...for now...

Miss Gilbert

I have to give a shout out to my cat! Yes, you read correctly, my cat!~ Why might you ask? B/c this cat goes far and beyond the call of duty! She serves our family well. She should give lessons to all the kitty's out there on how to be a GOOD CAT! She endures so much from the three little people I call my children! They love her to pieces...but sometimes they come VERY close to pulling her apart to pieces. And yet, Miss Gilbert takes it like a champ! She still will climb into bed with Wes at night and allow him to use her as a pillow! It blows my mind. I keep thinking..."one day that cat is going to snap! She will start clawing all their eyes out! " But as of yet, she endures lovingly! So, when I say we have the best cat in the world...I MEAN IT!

The Bear Walked OVer the Mountain...

"THe bear walked over the mountain, the bear walked over the mountain, the bear walked over the mountain...to see what he could see!" Ever sing that song as a kid...well, Travis put that song to life...about scared our kiddos to DEATH! See, he killed this enormous black bear two years ago...it hangs on our wall...but one night, while rearranging my house, Travis had to MOVE the bear...and this was the shot I got! THe kids thought the bear came to life, and walked around our house. HEHE

A New Baby

So, by the subject of the post, you probably think I am about to tell you I AM HAVING A NEW BABY. Well, it isn't me...it is my sweet cousin who is having her second today. I am so excited for her. But in reading all of her posts about the baby, I am wanting a new one too. I know, I know...I have expressed DEEPLY my desire to be DONE having babies...but in the moment...the desire to have another one is pretty overwelming. I LOVE KIDS! Especially mine. They are the greatest. They are so much fun! YES< AND LOTS OF WORK...but the fun outweighs the work part. I love being a mommy...and a wife. Luke is doing so much better and he is already 6 months old. Can you believe it? And so, as I sit here and write, I want another baby. I am sure my feelings will change...and tomorrow I will laugh at this post...but for today, that is my desire. We shall see. Good thing God knows our TRUE heart's cry and knows what we need! I love being His kid, cuz I don't have to worry...He has got it all figured out!

My Little Hot Mama!

My Little Hot Mama:)

Tonight Emmy Grace was talking to Daddy and wasn't quite making sense. So Travis made the comment..."Emmy Grace, you don't make much sense right now." And her response...."Well, I don't really know how to make the sense right now." OH my...that little girl keeps us smiling!

Play Group!

Well, today went VERY well! We had our first date for our play group! So much fun! My kiddos had a blast! They are already counting down the "sleeps" until the next week! We had friends over from SPBC! It was wonderful...the kids need a little interaction with friends...and so do I! God is good to give us days like these. I stand in amazement of the life He has given me to live. My dream come true for sure. I am doubly grateful for an amazing husband who gives me the opportunity to stay at home with my babies and love on them all day long. He supports my desire to be a full time mom and homeschool Wes, and eventually the other two as well. He works EXTRA hard so I can afford this opportunity. I am so blessed and just wanted to give God praise tonight! I love my life. So much! I am thankful and grateful and beside myself with giddiness over the awesomeness of my Lord!

My Beautiful UMBRELLA!

I am so thankful for my God who not only provides for each and every need...but goes WAY beyond my expectations and provides something so beautiful that it makes the problems almost worthwhile! YAY!

My kids LOVE when it rains...b/c we get our boots on and grab our umbrellas and go for a walk! It is so much fun. They love twirling those brightly colored umbrellas, staying dry while the rain is pouring down. They CAN'T wait for the rain...

And so should be our response. B/c only when it rains does God's brightest colors of provision come out to dance and twirl all through that cold and wet rain! I believe that He provides the rain just as much as He provides those PRETTY PINK UMBRELLAS! (and I say pink b/c that is my favorite color) AMEN!

Struggle...

I am sitting here with so many thoughts running through my mind. My eyes are on the brink of tears...I am trying to hold it all in. We are having company over for dinner in an hour, the house needs a quick wipe down, Luke needs to get up from his nap, dinner needs to go in the oven, and yet here I am...sitting here before my computer trying not to cry.

How is it that people can make such an impact in our lives...for the good and for the bad. The same people that can encourage and uplift, can also insult and tear down. Am I that person to someone? What is a friend? And as a friend, what are we called to be? Is friendship merely for our own benefit? Or are we called to give of OURSELVES before looking out for what we can get out of a relationship? Are we "allowed" to write people off? To express our hearts to the extent of hurting someone else DEEPLY? I am hurt. I am trying not to respond in the flesh. But my flesh is hurting...along with my spirit. Thankfully, God wraps His loving arms around me and assures me that He will never leave me nor forsake me! His relationship with me is never-ending.

I don't want to hurt...I don't want to put my needs before others. I am sure I have hurt...and probably hurt deeply! And I am sorry. B/c today, I feel what THAT feels like. It cuts quick...it wounds deep, and it hurts hard! I am leaning on the Everlasting Arms tonight. I am thankful for the opportunity to check my own life and see where I can improve...where I can love better...where I can be there despite my weaknessess...and I can forgive, even when that is far from my heart's desire. God does provide opportunities to live out His word...I am glad that He counts me worthy to grow! Cause I need to grow....LOTS AND LOTS!

Randomness!

Okay, I have a confession! IT is huge! I hide things to get them out of sight! I know I know...it doesn't sound big...but it is. I have done this since I was a little girl. IN fact, it is an on going joke in my family that if you can't find something...look in the piano bench! Why? B/c once I hid the heating pad in the piano bench...it made perfect sense to me b/c it was right next to the piano when I was cleaning up. So, there lies my problem. When I go to clean, i start stashing things in all kinds of random places. If it is out of place...I will just stick it somewhere to get it out of sight...i think they made that saying just for me..."Out of sight, out of mind!"

Well, i never realized how horrible I was at this until I married Travis...and it DRIVES HIM CRAZY! I don't do it intentionally...i do it absentmindedly! He has found things such as the car adaptor for the dvd player in my underwear drawer, the calculater in the bathroom cabinet, fingernail clippers in the silverware drawer, phone books under the upstairs bed, keys in the linen closet, his magazine to one of his guns, loaded with bullets, stashed in his college textbook. I was using it as a bookmark...but didn't realize he grabbed the book, took it through security and on to a plane where he opened the book, saw the bullets and quickly shut the book and PROBABLY said some very NOT NICE things about me at that moment... and so the list goes on. I need to stop...I know...but it is hard to stop something that you don't realize you are doing. ARGGGGGHHHHH>>>>>Pray for me!

Friends...

Today, I am thanking God for some very dear friends! I have been blessed beyond measure throughout my lifetime with people God has stratigically placed in my path at just the right time to encourage, inspire, and lead me closer to Him! Today, I want to salute you!

Dave and Bo King. You guys have shown me and my family what true, unconditional, unwavering, friendship really is! You have loved us, sacrificed for us, encouraged us, spilt your life out for us in ways that go beyond what we ever expected or dreamed possible. Thank you! We love you and thank God daily for your family!

Amber Ambrose Sides. YOu, dear sweet friend, taught me how to "BE" a friend. YOu showed me how to love and expect nothing in return. You showed me how to avoid gossip, and replace it with prayer. You inspired me more than you will ever know...I love you and count it an honor to have served with you in Korea those few short years we were there.

Amy Grahm Declerk. You don't really "fit" this category...b/c you are so much more than a friend...you are my sister! You have always been there for me...no matter what or where life has taken me. I know that I can, and always will, be able to depend on you with my life! Thank you for being my foundation of friendship. You were my first TRUE friend...and remain my greatest! I love you.

Sara Siple and Deb Cordes. You girls have shown me what forgiveness looks like, acted out in real life. You have loved me despite my shortcomings, and forgiven me when I have wronged you. YOu have not judged me...but encouraged me to give Christ my all. Thank you for you sharing your families with us. Your children have touched our lives as well.

JEff and LIndsay Sublett. You two showed us unwavering faith in Jesus at a time where faith was all we had to lean on. When we were in the hospital with you guys, we watched you love on your little boy with a faith in the Lord, knowing that all things would work out for the good! You inspired us each day...and when you walked out of that NICU with your sweet baby boy, we cheered in our hearts b/c God had given us a glimpse of His goodness and grace! Thank you for believing and trusting Jesus out loud!

...there are so many more to thank...so many more that have been apart of lives throughout the years...but today this is where I will stop. These people have been on my heart and mind the past couple of weeks. I will continue on with this post in the near future. But for today...I want to give God praise and glory for the lives He has used to draw us closer to Himself. He is such a good God! Praise His Name!

New Years

New Year's Resolutions? Hmmm...I don't think I really dwell too much on this one. But I do set goals...sometimes the goals get reset DAILY...but nonetheless...they do get set. And so, as I was pondering my goals for this year...things that I am expectant for...this is the list I came up with. Here we go...

1. To spend more time in the Word of God! To make that a priority!
2. To workout/ excersise AT LEAST 3 times a week...preferably daily but well...we don't want to get too excited now do we?
3. To stay cool...not get in such a rush...to have more patience with my little ones.
4. TO BAKE MORE! (this one is a fun one)
5. To love more and judge less! There is just too much good in God's people to get caught up in the few things that are short of perfect!
6. To become a more powerful prayer warrior for my friends and family!
7. To catch ALOT of fish this year...maybe even out-fish my hubby! A girl can set goals right?
8. To go on a vacation! A real one!
9. To sleep more...I had a baby in 2009 and still can't find that ability to go to sleep...
10. And...last one...ummm...I want to drink more water!

Not so glamorous huh? But still...these are goals...we shall see if they can be met! Happy New Year!

A Beautiful Big Sister

Emmy Grace LOVES being a big sister. She loves to help with anything and everything that comes along with having a baby brother! She is my sweet girl and I love that she is also my middle child! Having a third kid was one of the best things that ever happened to our family. Granted...it has been a LARGE adjustment...going from 2-3...but so worth it! Watching Emmy interact with her brother is amazing. She loves to sing! Sing to Luke, to Wes, to mommy and daddy, to her babies, and to nothing at all! We all love to hear her sing but I think Luke likes to hear it most of all! He will stop and just listen...he will smile and sometimes even laugh! It is precious! So, to any of you out there that is thinking of having more babies...my advice to you would be...YES! It is fabulous! It is a leap of faith for sure...especially in today's world...but it is such a joyous, wonderful leap of faith!