Kid-Cuteness Moments

God has given me a life that is full of priceless Kid-Cuteness Moments. I'll define that for you:

Kid-Cuteness Moments are moments that you are smitten and overcome with wonderful feelings (joy, love, adoration etc) in response to something kids do or say. These moments are usually made very special because it is done in the cuteness, sweetness, and innocence that can only come from a child.

Kid-Cuteness Moment #1

Bella: "Mommy, is today Kid's Day?"

Me: Huh?

Bella: "We had Father's Day and Mother's Day. When is it going to be Kid's Day?"

Me: "Girl, everyday is Kid's Day!"

Kid-Cuteness Moment #2

Noah wrapped his arms around my neck this morning soooooo tight and said, "I love you Mommy." I needed that at the moment and just knew it had to be the Lord speaking to me through that gesture.

Kid-Cuteness Moment #3

Here is Noelle with Kenneth's dad on Father's Day. It had been a while since they saw each other and were both very happy.

Suffer Well

"For Christians, rather than asking, "Why does God allow suffering? or even, "Why am I suffering?" we should ask, "How can I suffer well?"

In his book, Velvet Elvis, Bible teacher Rob Well writes, "Ultimately our gift to the world around us is hope. Not blind hope that pretends everything is fine and refuses to acknowledge how things are. But the kind of hope that comes from staring pain and suffering right in the eyes and refusing to believe that this is all there is. It is what we all need-hope that comes not from going around suffering but from going through it."

Let's pray that God will allow us the privilege and strength of suffering well...for our sake, for his sake and for the sake of those who don't yet know him." (Zondervan Women's Devotional Bible, pg 1496).

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ~2 Timothy 2:3

Wrong Way

Not long ago, some areas of my life took a turn for the worst. My response was not so good and I went on a little journey.

I found myself on a street called, Why. Why this? Why now? Why me? Why Street turned out to be a dark and gloomy place. It seemed to wind and turn, with no end in sight. But, I kept going. Eventually, I found myself on Woe Street.

To my dismay, Woe Street was even uglier than Why Street! Woe is me was the thought pattern there. The longer I stayed on that street, I realized that there was a party going on: a pity party. Even though it seemed like the party would make me feel better, I only became sadder and sadder. It was dark and dismal. Eventually, I even grew bitter and angry on Woe Street. There was no peace. No happiness. But, I kept going. Soon, I came to a street called, Hopeless.

Hopeless Street is a scary place. There is no light. There is no smiling or laughter there at all. I found that Hopeless Street only led to a dead end.

When I saw that Hopeless Street only led to a dead end, I wanted to get on a new route. But, I didn't know how! So, I decided to back up and turn around to go back the way I came. As soon as I did, I noticed a very small detour sign that read; Repentence Road. I hopped on!

As I drove down Repentence Road I saw that the sun was shining there! It was warm and calm. Soon, I passed by Humility Drive, Thankful Place, and Trust Boulevard. Finally, things began to look beautiful again!

I came back around to the place that I started my journey and I realized there was a Wrong Way sign on Why Street and an arrow pointing to an alternative route. It was called What Street. What does the Lord want me to do? What should I be learning from this? What does God's word say about this? were the questions being asked on this street and it was a much more peaceful and fruitful street.

I don't know where you are in your life, but take it from me; if you find yourself with unfavorable circumstances and you're tempted to go down Why Street, don't do it! Save yourself some time and pain and take the alternative route!

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)

Hidden In My Heart

I received my copy of the Hidden In My Heart album in the mail a couple of days ago, and I am loving it!

Here is the description from the official website:

You’re listening to “Hidden In My Heart,” the CD that is having a profound effect on listeners of EVERY age. This powerfully peaceful music is helping children sleep soundly, free from nightmares, while also providing some much needed peace for mom and dad. It’s the perfect baby gift but as you listen, you’ll understand why so many adults are buying their own copy or several to give as gifts to friends and family members.

Last night, I played the Cd as hubby and I got the children bathed and ready for bed. It brought so much peace to a time of day that is often hectic. Noelle told me, "Mommy, I like these songs." as she began to sing along! I love it because it is peaceful and a great way to reiterate the word of God to the children (and myself;)

You can watch the promotional video below!

5 Ways To Bless Your Husband

I was inspired by Homegrown Mom. So, decided to come up with more ways to bless my husband. After all, he has committed to work like a dog everyday in order to feed me and put clothes on my back;) Here are a few things that I bet all our husbands would appreciate:

5 Ways to Bless Your Husband

1. Greet him at the door with a smile, a hug, and a kiss when he comes home.

2. When the opportunity presents itself, purpose in your heart to use the phrase: "You're right."

3. Cook his favorite meal.

4. Give him a break or a night without you or the kids.

5. Initiate sex. (This probably should have been number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ;)

A New Season

"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." (Is. 43:19 NLT)

Have I ever told you how much I love this verse?

This is a verse God has used to speak to me a few times when he was about to change something in my life that I had been struggling with for a long time. This verse excites me! This verse means; a new season, change, and deliverance!

I could use a new season in my life, right about now. So, I am praying for it and expecting it.

One area that I would like to have a "new season" in is the area of organization.

I have been working on different ideas for our daily routine and have been sticking to a fairly effective morning routine for a while.

Here it is:

Morning Routine

Quiet Time (Mom-Read Bible and Pray) (Kids-Look at a book on their bed)

Brush Teeth/Floss- All

Wash Faces- All

Make Beds- All

Change Diapers- Mom

Bedroom Pick-up (Put away clothes, shoes, items, etc)- All

Wipe down bathroom sink, mirror, toilet- Mom

After the morning routine is over, we all go downstairs and I begin to cook breakfast while the children are playing. The rest of my day happens in a way that is not quite so organized. Thus, I am working towards a more concrete afternoon, evening, and bedtime routine!

What about you? What does your daily routine look like?

Jesus Is The Reason

Today is not only my 7th year wedding anniversary, but my 10th spiritual birthday!

Hubby and I have had a glorious weekend, reminiscing on some of our sweetest memories and on the goodness of Jesus. As we look back, we can see how Jesus was and is the reason for everything good thing in our lives! I am looking forward to many more years with my Lord and many more years with my hubby!

I Choose

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! (Deut 30:19)

I am learning more and more about choices. The verse above is a perfect illustration of the fact that God has laid before every person free will, blessings, and curses. He desires that we choose the blessings through obedience in his word, but it is our choice to do his word or not. He will not force his will on us.

So, today I choose...

faith over fear.

thankfulness over self pity.

humility over pride.

trust in God over worry.

God's plan for my life over my own.

hope over despair.

What are you choosing today?

The Vision

When a man has a vision, determination, and God on his side, not much can stand in his way.

My man had a vision of a cozy house...



that his children could grow up in...

that his family could enjoy...



that wouldn't be complete without a hammock in the backyard...







and a happy wife...

And God has brought it to pass. Ain't God good?

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:4-5)

I'm a list maker.

I've come to accept that I cannot function without a list.

I've always been one who learns and remembers by writing things down, but my dependency on lists has gone to another level. I think its because of the voices.

See, there are so many voices talking to me at the same time. And no, the voices are not in my head! They are real voices coming for four real little people! At this point in my life, if I do not write it down on a list, its doomed!

Everything depends on my list. Our bills getting paid, diapers getting changed, meals getting made, my hygiene, my sanity, my very survival, and that of the ones around me, depends on my list! My list is my new brain. It was difficult at first, but now that I have come to terms with this, I have moved on to new and improved methods of list making!

For example, a couple of my mentors told me about the "If-Then" chart some time ago. Now that I have embraced the fact that my children's best chance of being consistently and lovingly trained, rests upon my ability to make a list dedicated to that effort, this chart seems like the perfect buy!

This 8.5x11" colored, laminated "If-Then" chart by Doorposts is designed to help you be more consistent in disciplining your children.

When they disobey, it will help you know what you need to do, and it will help your kids to know what to expect. It is an excellent tool at helping the husband and wife to be more united in their efforts to discipline and raise their children for the Lord.

When children can visually see the problem with their behavior, it helps them to respond more favorably to the consequence.

Are you a list maker too? What helps you remember things?

Ms. Smiley

Halle has the most contagious smile!

See for yourself...







She looks up at me at the most random times and cracks one of these big smiles. No matter what is going on at the time, I just can't help but to smile and laugh back at her! She is truly a blessing.

Easter Day Glam 2011

Here we were having a classic "We have way too many people in our family to get a shot with everyone looking right" moment. Hey, we tried.

Remember this one?

Just reflecting on His goodness:)

Hubby vs. The Squirrel

Hubby has been in an ongoing battle with a very bold and persistent squirrel.

Round 1:

The fury little creature ate a hole in the top of our plastic garbage can. So, hubby had a new one delivered. He ate a hole in that one too.

Squirrel- 1. Hubby- 0

Round 2:

Hubby heard that squirrels would be turned off by the smell of coyote urine. So, he bought a spray bottle full of some concoction that included coyote urine from Home Depot. He sprayed that all over the top of our garbage can. Apparently, the squirrel thought the concoction was there for his benefit. So, he used it as his barbeque sauce. He continued to get in our garbage.

Squirrel-2 Hubby-0

Round 3:

Hubby thought he would really outsmart our little nuisance by using duck tape to put a mesh wire tightly over the hole that the squirrel made in our garbage can. This seemed to have worked for a while. But, eventually the squirrel decided that the mesh wire could serve as a sort of appetizer before his main course and ate through that too.

Squirrel-3 Hubby-0

Round 4:

Hubby got wind of the fact the squirrels hate the smell of ammonia. Thus, hubby got a large towel and kept it soaked in ammonia and stuck it inside the hole that the squirrel had made in our garbage. Hubby had finally won. The squirrel stopped coming around and seemed to finally be defeated.

Alas, tis not that simple. Once the weather warmed up and it was hard to keep the towel wet, the squirrel came back and ate an even bigger hole in the garbage can.

Squirrel-4 Hubby-0

Which leads us to Round 5...

You are looking at Hubby's latest conception. It consist of plastic from a canola oil bottle that is literally cocked to the garbage can. Furthermore, the brick you see is holding the plastic in place with the help of that shovel.

Has hubby finally defeated the notorious squirrel? Or can this squirrel eat through brick and mortar? At this point, I wouldn't be surprised. Perhaps it can also leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Actually, hubby says that if the squirrel can get through this one, he deserves our garbage. In fact, he says he might just buy the squirrel a big fat victory cake and set it inside.

To be continued...