Have you noticed that most people do not say Merry Christmas? They say Happy Holidays, or Season's Greetings, or nothing at all. A few years ago when this started to get so bad my husband and I decided that we would not say anything but Merry Christmas. Why?
Well, we live in a world that is desperately trying to push Jesus out, and we want to desperately keep him in. We try to make it a point to say Merry Christmas to all clerks, cashiers and most anybody we come in contact with.
Sometimes the simple things can make a big difference. If we don't try we will never know. Jesus is the reason for the season, and I proudly proclaim it. So to everyone reading
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Here are some pictures from the summer.
I finally figured out how to do it, who knew it was so easy?
Madison loves koalas
Kaleb " The Bird Whisperer"
Waiting their turn for mini golf
How cute!!!
Our Daredevil
Our Daredevil Megan!
Lexi's first encounter with the lake
Lexi's first encounter with the lakeWhohoo...
From lake to lion, such an adventurous girl!
The whole crew after a long day at the zoo.
From lake to lion, such an adventurous girl!
The whole crew after a long day at the zoo.
Lexi slept most of it, that's why she looks so happy!!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I don't know???
Ok, so I have been harassed about not blogging in awhile. I am not a writer and when things are on my mind writing is not what happens.
We have had alot going on, I guess nothing that I felt like blogging about, so I guess I will just ramble.
I voted today and I have to say I am soooo ready for the election to be over. The phone calls, the junk mail, the commercials, ahhhhhhhh.
My two oldest girls have been asking questions about the candidates, only because they hear the names on TV. We told them who we were voting for and now they are cheering him on. It's funny how your opinions influence them. Well, only for awhile then they go the complete opposite, just to spite you.
My baby is 9 months old and just started walking. She has taken 4 steps om her own and is gaining confidence every day. She is soooo sweet and I cherish every moment with her. She is our last and I am having a hard time with her growing so fast.
One of these days when I figure out how to post pictures, and take them off our camera( very important) I will put some up here.
My favorite time of year is upon us and I am just basking in the beauty of the colors, and watching the kids play in the leaves. Fall just isn't long enough.
OK, enough rambling.
We have had alot going on, I guess nothing that I felt like blogging about, so I guess I will just ramble.
I voted today and I have to say I am soooo ready for the election to be over. The phone calls, the junk mail, the commercials, ahhhhhhhh.
My two oldest girls have been asking questions about the candidates, only because they hear the names on TV. We told them who we were voting for and now they are cheering him on. It's funny how your opinions influence them. Well, only for awhile then they go the complete opposite, just to spite you.
My baby is 9 months old and just started walking. She has taken 4 steps om her own and is gaining confidence every day. She is soooo sweet and I cherish every moment with her. She is our last and I am having a hard time with her growing so fast.
One of these days when I figure out how to post pictures, and take them off our camera( very important) I will put some up here.
My favorite time of year is upon us and I am just basking in the beauty of the colors, and watching the kids play in the leaves. Fall just isn't long enough.
OK, enough rambling.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
How Beautiful
I have been doing an amazing study called Breaking Free by Beth Moore. I can't even begin to go into how much God has revealed to me. something that he has laid on my heart is the issue of insecurity. I was shown that insecurity is sin, I know seems strange, but it is. when you think negatively about yourself what does that say about the one who created you???
Yes, I know we make choices that make us who we are, but the very core of who you are was put there by God. The creator of the universe, the beginning and the end, do you think he make mistakes? I don't. The world, our circumstances and choices have shaped what we think of ourselves. But God says differently.
" I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (Isa. 61:10)
This is how Christ sees us, we are beautiful to him, we are his brides. No matter what you have done, no matter what has happened to you, You are beautiful to Christ!
I have been deeply affected by this because I have struggled all my life with insecurity, very debilitating insecurity. Now I look to my father who created me and I know that I am beautiful, no matter what anyone thinks, says, or does, my Father thinks that I am beautiful, and that is all I need.
Yes, I know we make choices that make us who we are, but the very core of who you are was put there by God. The creator of the universe, the beginning and the end, do you think he make mistakes? I don't. The world, our circumstances and choices have shaped what we think of ourselves. But God says differently.
" I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (Isa. 61:10)
This is how Christ sees us, we are beautiful to him, we are his brides. No matter what you have done, no matter what has happened to you, You are beautiful to Christ!
I have been deeply affected by this because I have struggled all my life with insecurity, very debilitating insecurity. Now I look to my father who created me and I know that I am beautiful, no matter what anyone thinks, says, or does, my Father thinks that I am beautiful, and that is all I need.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A Break in Birthdays......Thank Goodness
We just celebrated the last birthday of the year in our family this past Sunday. Thank goodness too, when you have 7 people in your family it can seem like all you do is celebrate birthdays. Please don't get me wrong I love Birthdays, in fact I love making a big deal about birthdays, it's the one day that is just yours.
We started a tradition last year for birthdays that Daddy takes the special birthday person out to lunch wherever they want to go, it's kinda funny because our girls all seem to copy each other, but this time our oldest daughter told me that next year she is picking a different place, because she wanted to be different. It's fun to see their individuality coming out.
I have also started the tradition of having balloons tied to their dinning room chair the morning of their birthday. I have realized how much they have come to rely on this. I hope I never forget, I will have some pretty disappointed kids:) We also have window markers, and I only use them on birthdays, all over the window is decorated with birthday wishes, this a fun thing for them to do for each other.
I am always searching for new and fun traditions to implement to make their day special. No matter how old you are everyone likes to have their own special day. It doesn't take much to make them feel special.
One of my favorite things to do for them is the baking of their cake, they usually decide what they want and I TRY to execute it. This year I made a bathtub with rubber duckies in it, faucet and all, a Dora decorated round cake, and my personal favorite, a guitar. I am getting more confident in my ability and starting to really look forward to it.
I think the most favorite of traditions for our kids is the pinata. We have bought some and we have made some, either way they are the favored activity at their parties. I think we have begun to master the birthday party, I am always in charge of the cake, the drinks, the decorating and the prizes. My hubby is in charge of the pinata, and games.
I think we are going to put an age limit on parties though, it is getting quite expensive. We are going to have to come up with something good this coming year, our oldest is turning 16 in January.
At least we get about a 4month break before we start all over again.
We started a tradition last year for birthdays that Daddy takes the special birthday person out to lunch wherever they want to go, it's kinda funny because our girls all seem to copy each other, but this time our oldest daughter told me that next year she is picking a different place, because she wanted to be different. It's fun to see their individuality coming out.
I have also started the tradition of having balloons tied to their dinning room chair the morning of their birthday. I have realized how much they have come to rely on this. I hope I never forget, I will have some pretty disappointed kids:) We also have window markers, and I only use them on birthdays, all over the window is decorated with birthday wishes, this a fun thing for them to do for each other.
I am always searching for new and fun traditions to implement to make their day special. No matter how old you are everyone likes to have their own special day. It doesn't take much to make them feel special.
One of my favorite things to do for them is the baking of their cake, they usually decide what they want and I TRY to execute it. This year I made a bathtub with rubber duckies in it, faucet and all, a Dora decorated round cake, and my personal favorite, a guitar. I am getting more confident in my ability and starting to really look forward to it.
I think the most favorite of traditions for our kids is the pinata. We have bought some and we have made some, either way they are the favored activity at their parties. I think we have begun to master the birthday party, I am always in charge of the cake, the drinks, the decorating and the prizes. My hubby is in charge of the pinata, and games.
I think we are going to put an age limit on parties though, it is getting quite expensive. We are going to have to come up with something good this coming year, our oldest is turning 16 in January.
At least we get about a 4month break before we start all over again.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thank you God...
So the other day I was looking at homeschool curriculum, let me tell you if anything is overwhelming that is. I really don't know how I decide on curriculum every year. I have decided to homeschool year round, so we really don't have a start, and stop time, just breaks in between. The girls are definitely ready to start up a routine again. Our son has been doing school off and on all summer, so it won't be a big change for him.
The hard part is that he is going into 10th grade, and I am so overwhelmed with what to use, and how to teach it. You see, I dropped out of high school, and while I was there I was not paying attention. So needless to say I feel very incapable of teaching this age. I have been praying about it lately, just wanting to make the right decision. All the while the little thoughts of "you can't do this", " you're stupid", " you didn't even finish high school" creeping into my head. I know exactly where these thoughts are coming from, but that doesn't take away the intensity of them. I know God is bigger than all of that, but what if it's true, what if I am not qualified to teach him. And you know what an awesome God we serve, he always knows how to deal with his children. He gently reminds me of all the teachers that are not following him and those that choose to live a lifestyle that does not honor God. They may have many credentials and are skilled teachers, but they can not teach my children how to love Jesus, like I, their mother can. That is why we homeschool, I believe that teaching them about God and living for him is the most important thing and then after that, academics come.
I am thankful of the plethora of choices for curriculum, without them homeschooling would be much harder. I am thankful that we have the right to choose to homeschool, and I am most thankful that my God knows exactly what to speak to my heart.
The hard part is that he is going into 10th grade, and I am so overwhelmed with what to use, and how to teach it. You see, I dropped out of high school, and while I was there I was not paying attention. So needless to say I feel very incapable of teaching this age. I have been praying about it lately, just wanting to make the right decision. All the while the little thoughts of "you can't do this", " you're stupid", " you didn't even finish high school" creeping into my head. I know exactly where these thoughts are coming from, but that doesn't take away the intensity of them. I know God is bigger than all of that, but what if it's true, what if I am not qualified to teach him. And you know what an awesome God we serve, he always knows how to deal with his children. He gently reminds me of all the teachers that are not following him and those that choose to live a lifestyle that does not honor God. They may have many credentials and are skilled teachers, but they can not teach my children how to love Jesus, like I, their mother can. That is why we homeschool, I believe that teaching them about God and living for him is the most important thing and then after that, academics come.
I am thankful of the plethora of choices for curriculum, without them homeschooling would be much harder. I am thankful that we have the right to choose to homeschool, and I am most thankful that my God knows exactly what to speak to my heart.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
My worlds a changin!!!
Ok, so I have a 6 month old beautiful baby girl. She is soooo sweet. About 3 weeks ago she starts to get on her hands and knees, which would have been at 5 months. I know my other kids did not crawl this early, just to be sure I looked in their baby books: one was at 9 mo, and the others were at 7-8 mos. Not 5 mo. She is now able to get around most of the living room, and I found her trying to push buttons on the DVD player this morning, AHHHHHH!!!!!
I am not ready for this. She just turned 6 mo. She can't even sit completely unsupported yet.
I know she wants to keep up with the other kids, but good grief that's a bit early. They grow up too fast. Pretty soon she's going to be sassing me just like the other kids. Oh well I will just enjoy her and try to keep her in her excersacuer more, haha :)
I am not ready for this. She just turned 6 mo. She can't even sit completely unsupported yet.
I know she wants to keep up with the other kids, but good grief that's a bit early. They grow up too fast. Pretty soon she's going to be sassing me just like the other kids. Oh well I will just enjoy her and try to keep her in her excersacuer more, haha :)
Monday, August 4, 2008
The amazing 4yr old......
Ok, my daughter has totally amazed me. The 4 yr old that we were potty training has done an incredible job. She will all on her own without telling anybody go to the bathroom and go, then she will come running out yelling " I went potty", usually with pants around the ankle but who cares, SHE WENT POTTY! The other night we went to an Omaha Royals game, I am thinking this could be trouble, but nope, she went twice at the field, fell asleep on the way home, didn't have an accident and went when we got home. I know this may seem trivial to some, but to a mother, THIS IS HUGE!!!!
So, what I expected to be a horrible week of messes, has turned into a wonderful week of freedom, for her and for me. Thank you God that you care about the little things in our lives.
So, what I expected to be a horrible week of messes, has turned into a wonderful week of freedom, for her and for me. Thank you God that you care about the little things in our lives.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Bare Bottoms
When you have small children you see bare bottoms OFTEN. This particular week the bare bottom of choice is my 4 yr. old. You see she is just now getting potty trained. Why you ask? Well mostly because Mom (that's me) has been putting it off. Being pregnant last year and having a newborn, well they just seemed like good reasons to put it off. Well NOW is the time. It's going well............I think because she is older it is easier to reason with her. I am tempted to potty train the 6mo. old baby right along with her:)
So, this week I am destined to do more laundry, wipe up more floors, scrub more carpets, and wash the same 4 yr. old more times than I ever have in one week. In the end it's all worth it.
So, this week I am destined to do more laundry, wipe up more floors, scrub more carpets, and wash the same 4 yr. old more times than I ever have in one week. In the end it's all worth it.
First of all
First of all I need to say that my dear husband set this up for me. He picked the name and well I chose to keep it. I've been called worse things than Foxy Lady.
Anyway, thanks dear hubby. I hope to make this an enjoyable place to be, but also a place where we can recognize, and dwell in, how much our Savior loves us.
Anyway, thanks dear hubby. I hope to make this an enjoyable place to be, but also a place where we can recognize, and dwell in, how much our Savior loves us.
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