Following in my Father's Footsteps... trying to walk in his shoes...

Glad we don't have to fill our Heavenly Father's shoes... now THAT would be HARD work... make that... impossible!

It is such a beautiful thing. God covering the earth with a blanket of white, fluffy snow to protect and nourish the ground for next year's growing season. It is pleasing to the eyes as we enjoy it from our comfy home but also loads of fun to get out and play in! What a wonderful white Christmas, thank you, Jesus!

Christmas Serenity

Snowy evenings, Christmas tree lights, a smile on my face, memories coming to mind and warmth to my heart... O, how sweet and peaceful the warmth of the flames, how melodic the crackling of the wood. The reminiscing and melancholy of the season brings with it past joys and regrets. A time to remember, be prayerful and be thankful. Thankful for this rest, this time, this comfort, now. Blessed. Loved. Held. Beloved. Jesus come, I invite you into my Christmas season. If only You could be right beside me, sharing in this feeling, fulfilling, completing my comfort and peace. Then a voice, no... an embrace and I remember... He is with me, in me, surrounding all of His children. He is in everything and everything is because of Him. He is holding us, loving us. He is beside us always! Remember, to look for Him, look to Him during this wonderful snip-it of time, He's waiting, He's here with you. In the beautiful tree, that He died on, in the candy cane, which bears His stripes that He bore for us, in the gifts, O how many are the gifts He bestows on us! He's in everything and we can see Him in every Christmas holiday occasion, if we only invite Him in... and remember, Jesus is the reason for everything.

How beautiful He is!

Let us know, let us pursue

the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth

is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain...

Hosea 6:10

Thanksgiving

A full pantry, bank account or cupboards? A clean kitchen? New clothes? Worldly security?

O, how much more important are the hearts and lives of my children! That they be filled with the overflowing abundance of Jesus and His love for them and see that their spiritual well-being is our desired priority as their earthly parents. All else, pales in comparison.

We thank you, dear Jesus for the pleasure and privledge of raising these precious children for You. What an eternal blessing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So many teeth, not enough room!

Mommy's first-born had four teeth pulled to make room for the ones that are already coming in. Ow, it was painful but she was a big trooper! What a cutie face she is! And so proud of the 8 teeth she has lost so far. The $5 she was given for the pulled teeth makes it a little more worth the pain. Supposedly...



Death or Life?
Death or life? Which is more beautiful, which is actually more necessary? Why the two extremes, Father? A leaf, dried and faded and the beautiful colors crimson red, mustard gold and chocolate brown freely soaring on the flurry of the wind. A green leaf, alive, thriving, yet much the same as every other and unable to move from the branch it is living through, immovable? Through you, Jesus, death to our flesh is beautiful and unique to each of your children and You have a special, perfect plan for each of Your children. Through Your beautifully tragic death we do have life, freedom, spiritual growth, deep roots, an immovable faith. Death or life? Both, I say, Both!

Little man's lesson

He couldn't wait. When mommy wasn't looking, little man jumped in pajama's, poopy diaper and all. It reminded me of the times I get a little ahead of the One who directs my paths... only to be reminded, softly of that by my uncomfortable failings! Who wants to backtrack! He is faithful to bring us lovingly and patiently back to the beginning if we do but how much better it is if we wait until the appropriate, ordained time! It keeps us from getting caught up in that awkward, messy stuff.

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.

Psalm 25:21

Use all your skill to put me together; I wait to see your finished product.

Psalm 25:21-The message

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14

Me, complain? Never!

-sigh-

Daunting and overwhelming, an insurmountable feat.

No, it is undoubtedly so. I will inevitably have to have an ultimate triumph over this mountainous pile of laundry!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

My Redeemer, Savior, creator, designer,
powerful swells, crash thunderously on the shore,
then roll back in to the ocean once more.
The rocks, they cry out to I Am,
The waves bow at your feet.
Our merciful Lord, all trust and adore.

As the ocean currents take all to be lost at sea,
take all worldy cares far away from me.
You are worthy of much more than I can give.
my undeserving soul you have lovingly made,
this day on earth, for You my Father, I heavenly live.

Okay, what am I looking at?

1. myself

2. my baby

3. my husbands bicep muscles

4. nothing, it's just how I normally look

Mommy's angel loves to pack her bag for when it is HER turn to spend the night with Memaw. She is never without a packed and ready bag. Here is a prayer she might pray before dinner: "Dear God, please help me when I go to memaw's house, please help me go to memaw's house yesterday, thank you for memaws house, help me when I go to memaw's house soon and get fruit snacks and popcorn and watch a movie and... oh, and thank you for this food, AMEN!"

No, I didn't do it! I, your little "perfect" man have been here sucking my thumb this whole time ( look into my eyes... my big brown puppy eyes, that's right, now could I have done anything wrong, ever?)


Hangin' loose in my hawaiin shirt



Summer is in the past, the heat to soon be replaced with the biting cold of winter... time to hang up the suit and cover the cheeks until next year.

Betcha can't tell which one is Abby!

I'm tired today so I needed some humor. Humor me!

-smile-

~mommy

Just for fun

Where is your mobile phone? non-existent
Your hair colour? Brown

Your mother? cheerful

Your father? Loving
Your favourite thing? music

Your dream last night? None

Your dream goal? godliness

The room you're in? office

Your hobby (hobbies)? exercising
Your TV? Off

Your pet? Non-existent

Your computer? old

Can't live without? God

Your mood? good

Your fear? being forgotten

Where do you want to be in 6 years? here

Where were you last night? Aunt's

What you're not? frivolous

One of your wish-list items? master suite

Where you grew up? everywhere

The last thing you did? ate

What are you wearing? sweater
Missing someone? no

Your car? new

Something you're not wearing? necklace

Favourite shop? Boise Co-op

Your summer? longgone

Love someone? yes

Love/Hate Relationship? myself
Current addiction? computer
Your favourite colour? brown
When is the last time you laughed? today

When is the last time you cried? yesterday

The goal was to answer each question with one word. Let me know if you take the quiz, too!

Precious Moments

Remember those moments? Those little snipits of time that you don't want to ever forget? Those happen often with little ones I think. Mommy's little man got into his sisters jewelry and loved every moment of it! It might worry some mothers that I let him wear them, like the time he wanted a girl hat on just like his sister, and I let him where it out... but any fears were relieved a minute later as it was all torn off and he was crawling around the floor pushing his truck saying,"Vbrrrooom, t'uck, mommy, t'uck!"

Now... we do have those moments that, in the moment, you want to forget about the moment and pretend it never happened but then later want to remember it always and forever... like the time I came into the bathroom, only to discover little man with his hands in the toilet( which has happened almost daily as of late, I must confess), shirt soaked with potty water and MY toothbrush AND hairbands AND hairbrush in the toilet. Yes, it was a dirty toilet. Did I freak out? YES! Here I was stressed already trying to make dinner, corral kids as I was watching a friends little girl, take dinner to someone that evening and answer the phone because it rang! The last thing I needed was this! After saying his name in a slightly louder voice than normal, little man jerked in surprise looked up at me in despair with his big brown eyes as water dripped to the floor from his shirt sleeves, I smiled and started chuckling and couldn't stop. It was becoming less of a nuisance to me and more of "one of those moments" you don't want to forget as I realized my little man is much more important to me than my toothbrush.

'wing, 'wing, mommy, wah 'wing pea'!
Translation: swing, swing, mommy, I want to swing, please!
A picture of two of his joys in life. One is his first word in the morning even before he is out of bed. "Jew, wah jew!" he usually says it in desperation. It is his life-blood you could say. Loves his juice this one. And the swing... any time we are outside, he heads for the swing. He'll sit on there for an hour if I let him, happy to be pushed once in awhile if it suits everyone else. His cute little voice and face are hard to resist and make for those moments, you just don't want to forget. I pray we all remember our little ones and those precious moments.

A Season of change

Fall is upon us! Though, tardy it may seem, the longing for the cool weather and beautiful colors has intesified their effect and has made it well worth the wait! The crisp blue sky, warming sunshine, the rustling of leaves as the breeze sweeps by... all things I absolutely love! Our Father has given us this much needed change once again. I marvel at the wisdom of our God, and how His ways are so far beyond my understanding. He knows we need the change and he knows just when we do... for after the biting cold of winter sets in, once again, we will surely be pining for Spring!



Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins!




Fall Fun


Every year mommy and the kids love to hit the corn maize with excitement and enthusiasm with the intent of finding our way through, quickly. Also, every year I might add, we end up being rescued by someone after wandering aimlessly for about an hour in a supposedly 15 minute long corn maze with the full realization that we are hopelessly lost, tired and without a direction.









How many times do we feel that way in our life circumstances? Excited about the path we are about to journey into, knowing fully it is the will of God... then we lose hope, direction and just get plain tired of all the trecking that has gotten us nowhere. We can't lose our faith or our trust in Jesus! He has been with us the whole time, watching every step and He can see the beginning and the end of our "maze" of a life.



"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6









~ O, Lord, how happy should we be, if we would cast our care on Thee, is we from self would rest, and feel at heart that One above, in perfect wisdom, perfect love, is working for the best.

-Elisabeth Elliott

He'll get you through, and the timing will be perfect.

Pondering~Praying~Purposing

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! ~Isaiah 30:18

Lord, come to me...

Healing, calming my tired spirit this day. Whether the hills are low... or steep, quiet the fears that rise. Breathe on me once again the reminder of your refreshing spirit in my heart, as I drink you in I am filled with hope in each new moment you give. My soul waits for you, Father.

Whether I turn to the right or the left, my ears will hear a voice behind me, saying,"This is the way; walk in it." ~Isaiah 30:21

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. ~Isaiah 26:3

The Lord's love for us is something we cannot fully comprehend! It is so beautiful and infinite, but we can bask in it's warmth and rejoice in it's everlasting beauty. Jesus... God's son, how wonderful, beyond comprehension, a life given, a picture of grace, a man, yet God, who is the picture of God's love for us. Let me live in that reality and have that truth etched into the innermost reaches of my heart.

God's hand

"For I am the Lord, your God, who
takes hold of your right hand and says

to you, do not fear;I will help you."

Isaiah 41:13

~Don't try to hold God's hand; let Him do the holding, and you do the trusting.

H.W. Webb-Peploe

A little bit about Mommy's Blessings

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Mommy's first-born 6yrs

LOVES adventuring, exploration and climbing trees;

brightness adorns her face, always happy to play alone, sweet natured yet strong in her beliefs, shy

never without her silly toothless grin, a stuffed lion, holey jeans and scraped knees,

according to her she has WILD in her feet, thrives on encouragement, always inquizitive and helpful.

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Mommy's second in command 5yrs

Loves life, juice, princesses, playing the piano and dresses, is always trusting, adoring;

sweet and loving, stories, praying, twirling, smirks and giggles are her name!

Innovative, in charge, ticklish, friendly, crinkled up nose, dolls and pretty shoes

very smart, and time spent with her, sends her spirit soaring.

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Mommy's angel 3yrs

Favorites: swimming, sweets, animals, blankie, and smiles are just a few

tender-hearted, soft spirit, little sighs, quite a little mommy is she, creative, silly, happy to be, too;

Has the cutest dimple, little monkey says the cutest things like,"I got a tummy ache in my head, mommy."

Loves movies, music, dancing, always content, determined, willing to try something new.

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Mommy's little man 1 1/2yrs

Loves cuddles, laughing out loud, trucks and loud noises,

mommy's songs, blankie, thumb-sucking and worship; has ten teeth.

King of the couch, tupperware cupboard, E-i-e-i-o, singing, cars, the outdoors and music;

swinging, climbing, pointing, learning, saying our names, playing with toys.

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Mommy's baby 7 1/2 months until we meet you!

God's design, purpose, love displayed, a gift from above,

adored, pondered, fondly thought of, and growing.

A miracle, faith, blessing, and though not here yet, fully loved.

We look forward to meeting you as God knits you together in mommy's womb.

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Mommy's main man

peaceful, loving, strong, fathful, trustworthy;

patient, cuddly, selfless, yet mighty, strong, a bit stubborn;

soccer, motorcycles, music and Jesus are some of his faves,

You can count on him, he's silly, funny, honest and true, a blessing, my closest friend.

~May our Heavenly Father knit the hearts of our family ever closer until the day He takes us home to be with Him~

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Titus 2

~For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works.~

"You make everything beautiful in time..."

Cleanse the areas of my being that I have kept hidden from you: the shadowed areas. Shine in your revealing light of discernment, of compassion, streaming with love and grace and mercy. With tender assurance You wipe clean the nooks and crannies that have collected the dust of earthly desires, burn away those stubborn impurities and bring new life to my soul, "create in me a clean heart O, God and renew a right spirit within me."

Holiness does not consist of mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervors or uncommanded austerities; it consists of thinking as God thinks and willing as God wills.

-John Brown

mommy's musings

Psalm 92:1-2
A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day.
IT IS a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, to show forth Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.

Today is a sabbath day in my heart as I rest in the Shadow of the Almighty. My heavenly Father holds me up, and brings me through as I cling to Him in trust.

~He is my Shelter~

Mommy is excited about her fifth blessing(which is in the oven by the way), even though it is a HUGE surprise to mommy and daddy, though why should it be... Because we had plans to be done. To have 4 kids and call it good. God had other plans, better plans, plans He purposed before the beginning of the earth. We accept them wholeheartedly and lean on His understanding and sustenance to bring us through each day with rejoicing and a song on our hearts!

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 28:7

Isaiah 2

Climb God's Mountain

There's a day coming when the mountain of God's House Will be The Mountain— solid, towering over all mountains. All nations will river toward it, people from all over set out for it. They'll say, "Come, let's climb God's Mountain, go to the House of the God of Jacob. He'll show us the way he works so we can live the way we're made. Zion's the source of the revelation. God's Message comes from Jerusalem.He'll settle things fairly between nations. He'll make things right between many peoples. They'll turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes. No more will nation fight nation; they won't play war anymore. Come, family of Jacob, let's live in the light of God.