A Life of Gratitude

 For the past weeks in HopeCity Kids we've been learning to Recognize the Father's Voice. I know to some folks that my sound odd but yes, the Father does talk to all of His children and yes, even the youngest person can hear Him! Teaching our children to recognize His voice has been amazing! I love being a part of this ministry! Worship in HopeCity Kids Learning how Jesus' blood washes away sin. We got a glimpse of this adorable sight passing by during our small group time. I just had to include the picture....its too cute not to! Do you see my baby girl? These 3 boys prayed to accept Christ as their Savior today during small group. Fun times with friends and board games! Did your "Sunday School" class look like this? From the first time we dropped our kids off in the kids area at HopeCity, we've been incredibly grateful that our children get to be a part of this ministry. Now, Bryan and I serve as the Kindergarten

Tonight we enjoyed an interactive Easter experience at church. It was really fun and exciting and brought the Easter story to life for the kids. As a family we discussed the meaning of Palm Sunday, communion, washing the feet of the disciples, the 30 pieces of silver, the crown of thorns, Jesus dying on the cross, the veil being torn, the tomb of Jesus, and the resurrection. It was wonderful to spend time discussing these things in detail and praying together as a family. It was really amazing to hear the thoughts of our little guys as we went to each station. Dylan and Evan said they had so much fun! Today I am grateful for these wonderful family experiences our church provides. It's so important to us to spend time focusing on the importance the Easter season but it's honestly snuck up on me this year so tonight was the perfect start to our family celebrations.  I'm also thankful for sweet moments with my family learning all about our Jesus. 

I know I'm probably biased,  but this little guy might be the cutest thing EVER! Tyson is 3 years old and full of spunk! He has always been on the quiet side and still is a lot of the time but lately, he has started letting himself be heard! He is incredibly intelligent and absolutely loves our dog, Miles. Today was a rough day for my littlest guy. We started off with his first dentist appointment. He did fantastic but, it was a little stressful for him. Once we got home he was playing and having a good ole' time when he fell and busted his lip. This wasn't just a little booboo. This was terrible. There was blood everywhere. One of my sweaters is probably ruined because there was so much blood. Once we got it to stop bleeding, the cut on his lip wasn't too bad but I could tell he was in a lot of pain. At dinner tonight, he hit his forehead on the table and then got choked, pretty badly, on a piece of his food.  After dinner he was playing outside in the yard wi

Every now and then I read something in God's word that resonates in a new and beautiful way. This week, God has been speaking to me through Psalm 145. It is a gorgeous psalm. I have read it over and over again and I keep feeling so overwhelmed by it. Have you heard the song that says, "All Your Promises are Yes and Amen?" This psalm goes perfectly with that song! Psalm 145 1  I will exalt you, my God and King,   and praise your name forever and ever. 2  I will praise you every day;      yes, I will praise you forever. 3  Great is the  Lord ! He is most worthy of praise!      No one can measure his greatness. 4  Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;      let them proclaim your power. 5  I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor      and your wonderful miracles. 6  Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;      I will proc

Do you ever get a glimpse of something and you just know God is showing you something incredible? This afternoon we were on our way to a birthday party when I looked back and saw my sweet Evan sleeping in the back seat. He was holding on to a gift he wrapped especially for Levi, his 5 year old cousin. He is also holding a card he made for his aunt, Darcie. He didn't want to even put the gifts down on the ride to the party because giving these gifts is so important to him. As I watched him sleep, my heart swelled with joy. I got a glimpse of who God created him to be. I've know it for a while but this picture just encompasses it so clearly. Proverbs 21:26 "The righteous gives and does not hold back. " If you know Evan, you know that he is the most giving child on the planet. He will give you the shirt on his back...literally! Bryan and I often have to tell him "no" when he ask if he can give things away. We hate to do it but he literally almost gav

Bryan and I got back today from an amazing weekend away at a beautiful Bed & Breakfast in Tennessee.  It was so nice to have time alone, to talk and enjoy one another. We got to sleep until 9am every morning, eat at places other than Chick-fil-a and McDonald's, go zip lining, enjoy a romantic cruise, have a candle-light dessert, watch movies that didn't involve cartoon characters, do some shopping at our own pace, and just do whatever we wanted to do together without being interrupted or distracted. It isn't often that we get this type of quality time together since we have 4 kids. this weekend was truly wonderful. Our Romantic Cruise was cold but lovely Playing 7D games without any kids....Bryan won, surprised? We enjoyed our candle light dessert! Check out the view behind us. YUM! About to go Zip Lining! Riding the Chair Lift in Gatlinburg Dinner and a Show! Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Theatre! Fun times on the Mountain Co