Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! We have had a busy few weeks that began with thanksgiving and will end sometime after the new year. So, the blog may be a bit quiet but I can assure you that it is NOT quiet around our home. :-)

We are preparing to celebrate Jesus birthday around here. Don't shoot me e-mails I know that it's not his actual birthday, but it is a time we have set aside and we celebrate it. Our culture has made it so hard to remember the "reason for the season" (in my head I'm singing the old song - he is the reason ... sing with me won't you).

A few years ago at a moms group I attended, the leader brought this statue above and I fell in love with it .... I love the idea behind it and the meaning it holds. It's about Jesus!! I love little reminders that help us all remember the true reason that we stop and celebrate on December 25th ... it's not for presents under our tree, those are nice, but really not needed. For the best present we have ever been given, came and was born of lowly stature for you and for me. He left it all for us! Let's celebrate that!

O come, O come Emanuel! REJOICE!

Lessons from a 6 year old

Today at 4:08 am my baby turned 6! The last 6 years have absolutely FLOWN by! In 6 years Ryan has lived in 3 different states, in 5 different houses, he has gone to 4 different schools, and 4 different churches (not counting all the ones we visited trying to find the one) He has the biggest heart and is ALWAYS striving to do his very best at everything he does.

This year in April Ryan decided to give his life to follow Jesus. His heart has been transformed so much over the last year .... I have seen such tremendous growth. We have had our periods of trial and error but he is learning and his heart is being softened. The best thing is that I see his mind working and I see his heart bending towards the things that matter to the heart of God.

Each year at Christmas, our children get 3 gifts, to represent the 3 gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus when they visited him. Its our way to teach them many lessons at Christmas. They also give away 3 of their toys at Christmas ... it makes room for what they will get but it also teaches them to give to others who do not have as much as us - they get to pick what 3 toys are given away. (we also buy new gifts to give away, so don't think we are scrooges)

This year as Christmas has gotten closer and closer we have talked about the various ways as a family we can help those around us who are in need. One of the things that we talked about was Ryan's birthday. We talked to Ryan about how much he has and how blessed he is compared to so many. (God had already been working on his heart) We asked him if he would mind asking others to bring a gift not for him, but a donation for others. He was more than excited about this idea.

Saturday, was his birthday and everyone who attended brought a donation for a local rescue shelter in our area. We had toiletries galore! Soap, razors, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes, etc ... all for a 6 year olds birthday! He was so excited when we got home and looked at everything that had been brought. His brother even commented how he wanted to do the same thing for his birthday!!

Fast forward to today ... his birthday ... we picked him up from school and took him to deliver his donation to the rescue shelter. We had so much stuff that Ryan couldn't carry it in. We walk in and the staff greeted him with such a grateful heart .... the woman who runs the shelter came out and told us that the Lord told her to pray over Ryan and our family. She prayed the sweetest prayer over him. I cried. I was blown away with how she prayed for my son. I have prayed some of the same words but he is MY son, I should pray those prayers. This lady had no clue, zero, who this child was, she didn't know him before he walked in the door and she has no connection to him. But the prayer she prayed ... WOW! She spoke a word over my son and I cannot wait to see how God brings it to fruition! I've known God was doing something special in his life, but to hear a stranger also testify to that ... WOW is all I can say, WOW!

Today we were blessed so much more than we were a blessing! I love how God encouraged us today as parents through this womans prayer over my son! I loved seeing the JOY on my childs face as he received nothing but gave away instead. I loved seeing how it trickles down to the other two. I love how his heart is changing and growing!

Amazed!

This boy of mine blows my mind! God is really working on his heart and the coolest thing is ... he's listening to him! On Sunday, Ryan came up to me as I picked him up from his class and instantly started asking me if we could go to Game stop and use the money he has been saving ... I stopped him before he could go too far. I told him we would talk later but it wasn't the time to talk about that. He said "no mom, I don't want to buy something for me anymore, I want to buy something for the kids in Africa with my money." Taught me to not interrupt my son any more!

Then last night as Jeremy was putting him to bed Ryan was talking about the game for the kid in Africa again. Jeremy explained to him that a Wii game might not be the best thing for a kid in Africa because they might not have a Wii or electricity for that matter. Ryan thought for a moment and said ... "then I will work as hard as I can to earn as much money as I can to buy electricity and Wiis for the kids in Africa."

I love it! I love how his heart is working. This weekend is his 6th birthday party. I cannot believe that my baby, the one who by his birth made me a mom, will be 6! Instead of gifts for himself he will be taking a collection of tolitries and other items to take to a local rescue shelter!

I guess maybe we are doing something right with our kids :)

Father & Daughter

It's such a unique bond! I love the bond these two are forming!
I hope she always wants to hug her daddy like this and tell him secrets!

Thanksgiving Vacation

Last week we went on Vacation! It was wonderful! We had 7 days of rest and relaxation and 2 days of jammed, packed crazy fun ... all in all 9 days of priceless memories! We finished our photos for our Christmas card and I can't show the pictures until they go out in the mail ... don't want you to see them before you receive them. But the picture to the left was just a fun out take from one of our photo sessions.

We were able to go to the beach, visit with family, swim, see Santa and a few other surprises as well ... it was a MUCH needed week off! We also went to a place on the beach that had dancing lights ... very cool!

It was fun to just hang with the kids and Jeremy! No agendas, no meetings, no schedule to adhere to ... just down time! That's what I call a nice vacation! Hope you all had a wonderful week and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo Sessions

Photo sessions with my kids are always "fun". I always try to liven it up a little with "funny faces" photos like the one above. The kids LOVE making their crazy faces and I love the photos that come from out time together. These pictures remind me what our daily lives are like ... more than the posed smiles ... these ones are what life is like with 3 little ones under 6!

Great-Grandparents

Grandparents are the best! I have such fond memories with both sets of my grandparents. My mom's parents and my dad's parents were best friends and so I was lucky enough to be able to spend time with both together. My grandparents made time with them special and I am so thankful for the time I had with them. I'm still blessed to have one set still alive but their health is failing fast. It's sad watching them fade and knowing that I can't just call the other set on the phone and talk whenever I want. I miss them so!

My kids are blessed to have both set of grandparents and to have 3 grandparents in their lives. I LOVE seeing my kids with my grandparents and Jeremy's grandmother. There's just something special about it. I love how much they love them and no matter how much time is passed between seeing them .... they never shy away from them. It melts my heart!

We are so blessed!

It's Not you It's ME

I've been neglecting the blog! I'm very sorry. It's not you ... it's totally me! I have had SO much going on that getting on here to write it all down has been left off my plate. Some things just get neglected in the busyness of life ... I hope to remedy this soon ... life hopefully, will slow down.

In the mean time I am thankful for my 3 wonderful children who keep me busy and exhausted all the time!

I hope you all are doing well and let's chat again soon! K?

Halloween

This year we had a block party with some neighbors in our neighborhood. It was a lot of fun as we met new neighbors and their friends. After dinner together we all walked around and went trick or treating together. It was so much fun and we even chatted about doing another block party at Christmas and then going Christmas caroling afterward. Should be fun! It was great being intentional with our neighbors by using a crazy holiday such as Halloween to build relationships that will hopefully open doors to greater, deeper conversations down the road.

The kids were SO into trick or treating this year. Their eyes were so huge over the amounts of candy they received. Our kids do not eat very much candy. So little candy that Kennedy didn't even know that she had to OPEN the candy in order to eat it. I found so many pieces of candy with teeth marks in the wrappers because she tried to eat it through the wrapper :)

My Happy Pumpkin

We have a book that Jeremy's parents gave us back in 2007 for the boys at pumpkin carving time. Now it is for all 3 :) It is by far one of the kids favorite books. We read it each year right before we carve pumpkins. It tells the story of a boy whose father is a farmer and how he picks out his pumpkin. He and his father clean it out and carve it. It also talks about our Father, God, who picks us up, cleans us out and puts his light in us to shine for others to see. It's just a cute story.

Today was character day at school and Ryan wanted to be the happy farmer ... so he was. He proudly took his book to school to show off in his parade around the school. It was too cute. They had the 1st - 5th graders come out and they all cheered so loudly as the parade went by them. Fun!

Tomorrow the same will happen at Pace's school ... he also chose to be the happy farmer ... :) Sure made getting costumes together easy for me when they choose the same thing.

Sibling Love

Does it get any sweeter than this?

What a crazy day

On Tuesday, I was literally hit by a car. Kennedy and I were walking into Chickfila to have breakfast with a friend. A guy in a van came around the corner and hit me in the cross walk. It was the craziest feeling in the world! Shock came over me in waves as I realized that Kennedy could have very easily been on the arm that was hit ... thanks to God that she was not! I was more shaken than anything. I had some paint on my arm from his van, a burn from the friction of the van and some bruising but am amazed at how it all happened and how God spared both of us from harm.

Today, I look at the mark on my arm and think about what happened and am very grateful for what did not! Thank you Lord for watching out us!

A kiss ... on the foot

Tonight, we were watching "Auto B Good" before bed and Pace was sitting on the ottoman. He bent down and kissed my foot and then said ... "mom, I kissed your foot because your lips were too far away." And went back to watching his movie.

I love the way their mind works and I love how affectionate my little man is! I even love kisses on my feet when my lips are too far away :)

They won!

Saturday Ryan had another soccer game. I love watching him play but I'll be so glad to have my Saturday's back! Saturday was picture day ... didn't order any, I simply refuse to pay $32 for a single photo! Thankfully I have gotten a few good ones on my own! He is enjoying playing and already wants to do the next sport ... however we are taking a break. Maybe in the spring we will play something else ...

Oh and by they way ... they won their first game on Saturday! So exciting for them! I love the way upward does their programs though because they teach the kids that HOW you play the game is more important than the outcome at the end of the game. They also learn scripture verses each week - God's word is being hidden in his heart even while he is playing Soccer! I love it!

Growing up too fast

My baby girl is growing up way too fast! There are days I shake my head and say "she's only two" and then there are days where I say "She's really two". I miss the days where she needed me more than she does now. Her independence seems to be coming a lot faster than the boys. I love that she does things on her own ... "I do it mommy". I miss her needing my help but I love watching her "do it" herself. They just grow up too fast ... but this stage we are in right now ... I love it!

My favorite phrase that she has right now is ... "I hold you mommy." I hope that never ends!

Now if someone would just offer to potty train this little stubborn princess my day would be made :) Any takers?!? Anyone?

Hi there!

I promise I have not fallen off the face of the planet! Just been working on a ton of things lately and doing life with my family. Life has been insanely busy lately. We have soccer, filed trips, family days, church and so many other things on our plate.

I have also been working on ramping up my photography business. I'm really hoping to do more with that now that the holidays are approaching and people will want pictures made for christmas cards and such. I figure since I have been spending so much of our money that I might as well start contributing to bringing some in. :) We will see how it goes. I said I was going to do this last year and well, life just got too busy on me .... this time I'm not going to let grass grow under my feet.

I hope that you all are doing well. Don't give up on me ... I promise I'll do better ... soon!

Hello

How are you? Hope that you guys are all doing well. Life around here is simply ... BUSY! The boys are both in school. Ryan, 5 days a week and Pace 4 days a week. Ryan has homework like you would not believe ... can't believe that a kindergartner has so much! It's crazy! Then you throw soccer practice and soccer games on top of church and life and you have a FULL week!

Thankful for the fullness though! For those who have asked the doctors office called today and my blood work came back in the negative numbers which is what they want after a miscarriage I do not have to have any further testing. We are still processing the loss and trusting God through it all.

Well, I have all 3 in bed and yes it is 7:27 PM! Jeremy is out at a meeting and I have the next 2 hours by myself. :) Time to veg!

Enjoy your night y'all!

Our weekend

Our weekend was FULL, yet so much FUN! We needed a weekend like this! Friday we were able to enjoy a date night thanks to some wonderful friends who picked our one son up from school for us and another set of wonderful friends who kept ALL 3 of our kids.

Saturday we headed out to Ryan's first ever soccer game! It was a hoot! 14 kids all chasing this little ball and kicking each other in the shins .... hilarious! Ryan did great and had a wonderful time playing. He was given best defensive player star for the game. We just love Upward! The kids get devotions at every practice and they also learn Bible verses each week. We came home and enjoyed a lazy Saturday with football and I was even able to get a pedicure .... oh it was wonderful!

Sunday we were at church and then spent the afternoon with friends watching football, eating wings and the guys played Rock band. Definitely some fun memories were made.

It was definitely a much needed weekend. Today we are back to the grind with a busy week! I go to the DR today to have my levels checked .... don't anticipate any problems, just a routine check up.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Rainy Days

Some days you just have to put your trunks on and jump in the rain!

Thanks for all the prayers and notes of encouragement! We are taking it moment by moment. Some being easier than others but still one moment at a time.

just a list

I feel like I'm in a fog so this is just a list:

• It's funny how one minute you can be praying for a healthy pregnancy and baby and the next wondering what just happened to leave you with such a huge hole inside
  
• Emotions are such a funny thing ... they go up and down at a moments notice
• Having to go to the OB/GYN's office after a miscarriage is just not fair ... seeing all the pregnant women around you is just hard and shouldn't be required
• Some people just don't know what to say so they say things they shouldn't
• Having to be mommy and try to grieve is really hard to do
• Answering my kids questions zap me
  
• Getting my head and my heart on the same page is hard to do. Head knows the truth heart just doesn't feel it
• Some moments are hard and you feel really weak, some you feel strong and some just plain suck
• At the end of the day God is still God even if you are really upset and have tons of questions
  

Would love your prayers

After a visit to the ER yesterday, we are sad to say that we are no longer expecting #4. We miscarried and would appreciate so much your prayers.

Thanks!

PSA #4

A better place?

Is there a better place in the world to dance than on your grandfathers toes?

And they ...

had an AWESOME first day ... both of them. We started a new tradition yesterday. I took them to a local bakery and we each had a cupcake. They shared with me anything and everything they could remember about their day. Just a little one on one time with each of them.

I picked Pace up and off we went. I didn't tell him where we were going so when we passed our subdivision he was quite curious about where we were going. Though once he figured it out he was so very excited.

He told me how much he loved his teachers and that he had stayed on "green" all day. He didn't get to eat all his lunch because time ran out before he was done. He LOVED playing on the playground and he didn't meet any new friends. It was so much fun hearing him tell me about his day ... HIS day not his brothers day but his day. He was excited to have his own stories to tell as well.

Ryan, too, had a wonderful first day. It was fun to find out that our neighbor across the street as well as one a few houses down were both in his class. He rides bikes with Tyler often and they are also sitting right next to each other. Ryan's favorite part of the day was going to the "cafeterium" to have lunch. He didn't finish his lunch either ... guess I sent too much :) He enjoyed going outside to play and also having PE. He likes his teacher and told me all about the rules and how she gets them quiet and to look at her. He soaked it all in and had a ball his first day.

The funniest thing was his realization of how long he was in school. He couldn't believe how close to dinnertime it was when he arrived home. He said ... "I am going to live at school more than I live at home" ... He was talking a mile a minute and I couldn't keep him from talking about it before we got to our spot. So by the time we got there he had already told me everything. We still had a great time together.

Now it's time to get ready for their second day .... I want my summertime back!