A Life of Gratitude

Exactly one year ago today God completed our family with the most precious baby girl ever. With each passing month she has gotten more and more lovable. She is the princess around here and we wouldn't have it any other way! She loves her brothers and they love her so much they fight over who gets to sit beside of her, who gets to feed her, who gets to play with her, who gets to dress her, and so on. With this precious girl in our lives, our home has been happier than ever. She was the missing piece to our puzzle and we're so grateful to have her in our family! This evening we decided to celebrate Allison's 1st  birthday with some fun activities that she hasn't gotten to do before! Toddler Play Area! First time on a slide! Walking with Daddy! Choo Choo!!!!! First time riding the train. As a birthday treat, Allison got her own bowl of ice cream! She enjoyed it and made quite the mess! First time on a Carousel! This is Allison...

Over the past several months something new has started happening in our home. Evan has always boldly prayed for healing anytime someone is sick or hurt but recently, Tyson has started doing this also! This 3 year old says the most precious prayers in his tiny little voice! He also asks for prayer anytime he doesn't feel well or gets a booboo. Tonight Tyson stumped his toe and he said, "The floor hit my foot, Mom." I asked him if he was ok and he replied, "I will be after you pray for me." I love his faith! I love his desire to run immediately to the Father! Dylan has also matured spiritually over the past few months. It is amazing to watch God working in his life. Earlier tonight he told us that God wanted him to pray for Bryan's back or arm so he asked Bryan if his back or arm had been hurting. Bryan's shoulder has been bothering him at night so of course, Dylan quickly prayed for complete healing in his dad's shoulder. He was so happy that ...

Today was the last meeting of the semester for our new co-op, Students of the Spirit. It's hard to believe the semester is already over! It seems like only yesterday this co-op was just an idea God had placed in my mind.  It's hard to believe it came to fruition and has been such a success!  At last week's meeting all of the homeschool moms were asked to anonymously write down things they liked and/or disliked about the co-op. Also to share things they would like to see being done differently or things that need to be added to the co-op. I've had the chance to read all of their notes and I have to say, I am so incredibly grateful that God has blessed our homeschool community with this new co-op and that He has allowed me to be the leader of it. Check out the sweet things these mommas said.... When I began praying over and planning this co-op, all I knew for certain is that I didn't want this to be a typical co-op. I wanted it to be somet...

This morning, while worshiping during our 11:00 church service, God gave me a vision.  Now don't think I'm crazy. I know a lot of folks don't believe God gives people visions these days but Joel 2:28 says, " I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." God doesn't discriminate so if a young man can see a vision, so can a 30-something woman. Not only did he share this vision with me, He wants me to share with it others....other mothers specifically. As I was singing this morning I began thinking about Mother's Day and what it really means to be a mother. How does God see mothers? Suddenly, it was as if God drew a picture in my mind. It was so clear and so vivid. I immediately knew He was showing me how He sees those He has called to be moms. I say calling because that is exactly what I felt Him say...that each one of us with children, whether they came...

As a Mother's Day celebration, my mom and I like to go to the O'Henry hotel for afternoon tea. It is always so much fun. This year was our first time bringing Allison along. She was absolutely amazed by everything going on. She was such a pleasure to enjoy the afternoon with. She loved the food and  made this tradition so much fun!   She's ready!!! Doesn't she look pretty in her sundress? Mommy and Allison, ready for Mother's Day tea! Allison's first tea! The tea was wonderful. The food is always amazing too! Allison loved the macaroon. Look at that smile! Allison loves her Nana! How big is Allison? So BIG! Today I am grateful for fun traditions. My mom and I started going to afternoon tea on Mother's day weekend several years ago. It's always been fun but I have to say, having Allison along this year made it even better! I'm excited about continuing this tradition for years and years to come! I am...

We recently added a little high chair on the end of our kitchen table so Allison could start sitting with us. Our table is high with stools so a normal high-chair seat doesn't work. Until now she has been in a stand alone high chair that sits near the table. This new one attaches to the table.  This week is the first time we've had dinner with all 6 of us sitting at the table together. It was just so sweet to have everyone right there, enjoying a meal together. It made my heart so happy!  Sometimes its the simple, little things that cause gratitude to overflow! Having my family of 6 sitting at our table together seems so ordinary probably but I just couldn't help but think that its the proof of so many answered prayers and God's abundant blessings in our lives! I never dreamed I would have a family large enough to fill up a table with 6 seats. God knew exactly what our family would look like all along. My complete family, a beautiful gift from my Heavenly Fathe...

We celebrated Dylan's 10th birthday today with friends at the Celebration Station! Everyone had such a great time! The kids had pizza and cake, played all sorts of arcade games, rode bumper boats and go-karts and then played putt putt. It was an afternoon packed full of fun! Dylan with all his buddies Dylan with his brothers Dylan loves Charlie Chaplin and wanted a Charlie Chaplin cake! The picture is one of Charlie Chaplin except it has Dylan's face! Haha!  Present Time! Ticket Tornado Dylan and friends on Bumper Boats Bryan and Tyson are in the middle boat. Tyson LOVED the boats!  Go-karts  Today I am grateful for all the friends that attended Dylan's party! It's always exciting to watch the kids all interact with one another and have such a fun time together! What a sweet gift good friends are! I am also thankful for the ability to celebrate my biggest boy's BIG birthday with a big party! He had a great time and t...

A Decade. Ten years. 120 months. 521.4 weeks. 3,650 days. 87,000 hours. 5,256,000 minutes. 315,360,000 seconds. That's how long I've been a Mommy. I always knew I wanted children but nothing could have ever prepared me for how much these little people would mean to me. On this day, ten years ago, when I held my sweet Dylan for the first time, I became the woman who God created me to be. Yes, I am a wife and a teacher and a friend and a daughter and a sister and a designer but I now know that one of the main reasons God created me is to be the mommy to these 4 little blessings.  My first few moments of being a Mommy When I look at Dylan today I can barely even believe he is ten years old. Where in the world did ten years go? Every mom with older kids has told me to enjoy every minute because it flies by! I've caught myself saying it too because it couldn't be more true. The only thing is, I don't know to hold on to every minute. They slip by no matter ...