Thankful Thursday

How has everyone's week been? Great I hope! We have had a great week! Join Laurie @ Women Taking A Stand for Thankful Thursday. It's a great way to cultivate a thankful heart.

I'm so thankful for other Christians. I am thankful to be a part of the body of Christ. It's great to be able to connect with a lot of other Christians through internet too. I find so much encouragement from other believers. We are here to encourage, correct, lift up, and so much more. We aren't meant to do this life alone and we don't have too. I love our church family. There are many wise, older couples in the congregation and it's a blessing to have them impart what they have learned along their journey. It's also great to have couples that are my age with young kids going through the season of life we are in. I don't see how others who do not believe make it. Sure they have close friends like I do, but if they aren't rooted in Christ what hope can they offer? I've taken other Christians fore-granted so many times. I should be thankful everyday for my brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage and correct me. Let us not forget to do the same for others.

What are you thankful for? Link up with us today!

My Daybook

Outside my window... it's sunny/cloudy and warm for January, more so than I like.

I am thinking... about my oldest son and my husband. They went on a ministry kayak/camping trip with some other men.

I am thankful... for healthy children! Two of them were sick last week and it was rough. So thankful they are healed!

In the kitchen... the dishes are washed up, the floor is swept, and the counters are wiped down.

I am wearing... lounge clothes- pj. pants and a t-shirt.

I am creating... ideas for Valentine's Day. Our theme will be God's love for us. We haven't ever did anything for this day. I wanted to do some crafts centered around showing God's love. 

I am going... to help with ideas at church this week for a couple's banquet we are having. 

I am wondering... how my big boy will do tonight camping out. I admit I am a little nervous.

I am reading... my emails as soon as I finish this post.

I am hoping... to make some oatmeal muffins this evening.

I am looking forward to... this weekend. We will have my oldest son a birthday cake (his birthday was last Saturday) and give him his gifts. He is excited and so are we! I love celebrating birthdays!

I am learning... to relax during the day. I have implemented a quiet time and love it!

Around the house... Aaron is playing in his room and Johnathan is watching The Black Stallion. We're missing Daddy and Daniel.

I am pondering... the depth of God's love. It's an amazing thing.

A favorite quote for today... Expect God to come, but do not expect Him only in a certain way. Always be in a state of expectancy,and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes. - Oswald Chambers.

One of my favorite things... is gathering with our church family on Sunday's. We had lunch after service yesterday and it was nice to chat while the kids played.

A few plans for the rest of the week: planning for the couple's banquet, menu planning, grocery shopping, and celebrating Daniel's birthday.

A peek into my day...

Editing some pictures later tonight when the kids go to bed. This is a bracelet I made and love it. I have a jewelry page on Facebook, From the Heart Jewelry by Heather. 

You can do a day book too at A Simple Woman's Daybook created by Peggy Hostetler. 

Friday's Fave Five

I am getting my post up late,but I wanted to do one. It's been a tiring week here. We have been battling fevers and sickness. Thank God that is wasn't that bad. It was the flu, but no vomiting  only fever and lots of sleeping. It was only my oldest who was sick. My toddler started running a fever yesterday, so we took him to get him checked out. He tested positive for the flu. He's been fine, just a fever off and on. We tried to do a lot of our medicine naturally, so we have just been doing ibuprofen as advised. Okay, on to the favorites of the week.



1. Spending some time outside with my family... It's not been so cold and no rain, so we took advantage of it.

2. Blueberry muffins with cream cheese icing and sprinkles.... we had these one evening and loved them!


3. Having fun with my boys... I built a fort today for the boys. I'm not that good at it yet, but they loved it. We even did our school in it.

4. Frozen yogurt.... I had my first trip to Chill. It's a yogurt place with lots of different flavors and many different toppings. I got some strawberry yogurt topped with waffle cone, granola, yogurt chips, and sprinkles. Yuuum

5. Doing crafts... I love crafts and to do them with my boys. We did some snowmen crafts this week and they loved it.    

I had to add pictures. I love pictures! Join Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story and share your fave 5 of the week!

Thankful Thursday

This week has been slower and not as busy. I have much to be thankful for this week. I'm so thankful for my husband. He is such a blessing to me. He encourages me and leads our family in God's direction. I'm not saying he is perfect because no one is perfect. He is just who God designed to be my husband though. We go great together. We balance each other out just great. There are days I could just smack him in the head, but I wouldn't want to have that desire for anyone else. He uplifts me when I am down. He reminds me why I do certain things. He encourages me to keep doing what is right and not to give up. He reminds me why he loves me and that he thinks I'm a hot Mama. He loves me in spite of my flaws. He loves me though I am not a size 0 anymore and have curves now. He takes care of our boys and teaches them manly things. He is a wonderful Daddy to them. They love him so much. I am just blessed and thankful everyday for him. We've been married for 6 years (celebrated on December 4) and I look forward to the rest of our lives together. I also long for more time with just him. Our boys are all under 5 so we stay busy with them and everyone knows how hard it can be to find alone time with small ones. What are you thankful for?

Join Laurie @ Women Taking A Stand to share your heat today.

Are children a heritage?

I am only on chapter 2 of Sally Clarkson's book, The Mission of Motherhood, and it is so good! I wrote one post a couple weeks ago about the first chapter and my thoughts. I wrote down some thoughts on chapter 2 last week, but I'm just getting around to writing them out here.

In chapter 2 she is talking about the meaning of Biblical Motherhood. She talks some about children being a blessing, about what society thinks of children, and so on. Here are some of my thoughts.

Children are a blessing from God. We know this is true because of the scriptures to back it up. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3, clearly states they are a heritage of the Lord and the fruit (children) of the womb (Mother's womb) is his (parents) reward. How can we argue with that? I've been a Mother for 5 years on Saturday and I can tell you they are a reward. Are they hard? Of course, they are human! They are still a reward nonetheless. It used to be a horrible thing when a woman was barren in the OT days. It was almost as if she was cursed from others view point. Now, today it seems as if some are happy to not have a child ever. Isn't that sad? So many women suffer from infertility, yet so many kill their babies without even a second glance. 


Society sees children as a burden, not a blessing. We know this because since this day just 40 years ago, 55 million babies have been aborted in America. Who knows if it is more? This is so sad and heartbreaking. Society says don't have children, you can't have all you want. Society says don't have more than 1 or 2, you'll never have your life back. Notice a trend? Selfishness. I have actually had someone tell my husband that if you want nice things after you retire, you may want to stop having children. Really? I may never have a nice vacation home in the Smokies or a condo in Florida, but I will have my children (and hopefully grandchildren) and that is a blessing. They will be my legacy, my heritage. Jesus even saw the children as a blessing. He told his disciples that unless we come to the Father like a little child, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-4. When we do not value life in the womb, we sure won't value it outside of the womb.


Large families take up more spaces and resources. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:4-5 A lot of people have tried to discourage us from having more children. You need rest. Your body needs rest. You can't make it on one income with a lot of kids. All of the above we've heard. We have been so blessed by God since having our boys. I believe we would have missed some mighty provisions of God if not for our children. He's done somethings we haven't even told others because we know they won't believe it.We only have 3 boys and obviously that is a lot now days. I hear the argument that large families are using up all the earth's resources. I still don't understand that one. It used to be a wonderful thing to have a lot of children around to love, have help out,and teach life too. Now, it's a shame. The Duggars are a wonderful example. I have read some pretty nasty comments about this family just because they have a lot of children. It is their right and they have chosen life. Large families help the society I think. They tend to be more caring, less selfish, and in tune to the needs around them. I may never have a lot of children, but I won't try to stop others from it.

The disdain for family has been the breakdown of the society. When we stray from God's design for the family and mankind, we see the society we are living in today. There is no respect for life at all. There is no respect for traditional marriage at all. There is no respect for the Word of God at all. The list cold go on and on. God had a design for marriage and the family long ago in the Garden of Eden. In the days of Noah they strayed from it and God destroyed everything. I think we are as bad as Noah today in our society. God designed a man and a woman to get married and then be fruitful and multiply (have children). It must be heartbreaking and frustrating for God to look at His beautiful creation ruining itself. When we do not value life in the womb, we will not value it outside of the womb. The breakdown of the family is the fall of society. 


Those are my thoughts on some of the issues she touched on. Only a 2 of the sentences in bold are straight from Sally's book, the rest are all my thoughts. 

My Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it's sunny and cool. Such a gorgeous day!

I am thinking... about obedience. Will I obey even if it makes me uncomfortable?

I am thankful... for my health. So many have serious health issues, praise God I have been shown mercy.

In the kitchen... we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, a favorite of ours.

I am wearing... haha night clothes.

I am creating... a warm,loving home to raise our boys in.

I am going... to be folding clothes later and planning a trip outside to play with the boys.

I am wondering... where our nation is going to go the next 4 years. It's actually scary to me.

I am reading... Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson, still.

I am hoping... to be able to read some later and relax with my family.

I am looking forward to... my son's 5th birthday this weekend. Can't believe he will be 5!!

I am learning... I need to obey God no matter what. He doesn't always take the hardships away,but I must obey.

Around the house... the boys are feeling better and playing while I relax for a few minutes.

I am pondering... on God's mercy. I deserve punishment, yet I receive grace.

A favorite quote for today... Jesus you are higher than any other!

One of my favorite things... a good smelling candle aroma throughout the house.

A few plans for the rest of the week: menu planning, grocery shopping, and celebrating my son's birthday.

A peek into my day...

Hope to be out playing more today.

You can link up with A Simple Woman's Daybook with Peggy Hostetler.

Friday's Fave Five

Join us to look back at our week and blog about some favorites during the week. Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story is our host. You can read her post, then link your posts at her blog.

1. We had a wonderful Sunday with our church family. We had fellowship after night service and it is just so refreshing to be with our loved ones and friends.
2. We were able to see some friends who moved to MO several years back this week. It wasn't the best circumstances (their Grandmother passed away), but it was good to see them for a short time.
3. Visiting my sister and her family- The boys and I went to her home yesterday to visit. She just had her third child (a baby girl) almost 2 weeks ago. It was nice helping her out.
4. Coffee- Ahhh... I love my decaf each morning. I love trying new flavored creamers too. I drink it while blogging or with my breakfast.
5. Cold weather- I mention it a lot, I know. It's rare here. We get it in spurts and I love it!!

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Thankful Thursday

How did Thursday sneak up on me? It seems like it was just Sunday! I hope everyone has had a great week thus far. Join Laurie and the rest of us as we share our thankfulness today.

I'm so thankful for a church family this week. We just recently found a church after being out for about 2 years. We live in a urban, city area and just couldn't find one where our family values lined up with the body. We had to go back to our small hometown to find one. We have a wonderful church family, most of them we know, and a wonderful Pastor. He is actually a close friend of ours. He and his family are wonderful. We got to spend Sunday morning and church and that evening also. We were meant for relationships. We cannot do this life alone. I hard grown cold towards the church (not the actually body, but more less the churches we had visited). It seemed like they were run as a business and not very family friendly. We love our church because it has many loving people in it. They want to see others taken care of physically and spiritually. It's been so nice to be in worship service with believers again and being able to have friendships again. It's so nice to serve again and have my boys learning more of the Word. God has more in store for us than I think we even know. It's exciting! It's something I have taken fore-granted, that I shouldn't.

Have a great day!

We Were Made For Relationships

How many of you know this? Like, deep down you thrive on friendships and relationships? I do. I have always loved to talk and especially to people I consider close friends. I was shy until college and then I loved making new friends. At my former college was small (115 was our biggest enrollment number and that was my freshman year) so that wasn't too hard. I loved having friendship at church while on the drama team and while in the women's Sunday School class. It's just a part of who I am. I need relationships.

I think we all do. I know we all do. God designed us to desire the company of others. I recently realized this again. When we moved to another state away from family and friends, I often got lonely. Now with 3 boys, I was lonely and disconnected from people. We had a church, but it was big and just we didn't fit in that well. After about 2  years of not going to church, we have found one that we fit at perfectly. It's small, very family oriented, and preaches sound doctrine. During those 2 years I grew cold to people. I thought all we need is each other to make it. Well, true enough, we could have kept making it, but good would have that been? We need a body of believers to mourn with, rejoice with, worship with, be comforted by, and so on.

After being in church for a month, I can already see a difference in myself and family. The church folks are ones we have known for sometime and it's not like strangers.So that is a bonus! We had finger foods after church last night and it was so nice to serve and to fellowship. I got to chat with other Moms about kids, school, and other things. I was asked to help plan a couple's banquet too they are doing. It feels so good to belong again. Funny, how God made us isn't it? We think we are strong and can do it on our own, but it's so not true. We need a body of Bible believing people to have support from.

I have some other posts brewing and written down thoughts that I hope to work on some this week. Have a great week everyone!

Desperate- A Week of Giveaways

There is another giveaway today I will tell you guys about. It's the last one for the launch of Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae's book Desperate: For the Mom who Needs to Breath. They have been doing giveaways all week long. You can purchase a copy now and get extra things with it. I cannot wait to purchase my copy.

Today's giveaway is for 3 things: Kitchen Aid Mixer, Mom Heart conference ticket, and the book Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson. They have been so generous with their giveaways this week. Go to their blogs and check them all out. Today is the last day of them. I have entered in most of them and really hope I win today's. I would love to go to the conference!

Friday's Fave Five

I love this meme! It's time to look back over the week and see some of my favorites from it.

1. I began exercising Monday.- I finally found something I think will work for me in this season of life. I am doing in home walking with Leslie Sansone and it's been so good!
2. I have felt SO much better since I have been eating different. I have only had 2 sodas in almost a week. I have done some other things and I feel so good!
3. A good school week with my boys.- They are learning so much about the Bible through our home-school curriculum and it makes me so happy. We had a really great week!
4. Having 4 off days with my husband.- Today was his first and he won't have to go back to work until Monday. Woo-hoo!
5. Implementing a quiet time.- We started that yesterday. From 1-2 p.m I read while the boys play, draw, or watch a DVD. From 2-3 p.m. I do things on my blog while they continue to do the above. It's been nice. They enjoy it also.

I hope everyone has had a great week. We're looking forward to a lazy weekend and church on Sunday! Link up with Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story and check out her post. 

Desperate: Hope for the Mom who needs to breathe

Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae are giving away many gifts for their book launch  this week. Their book Desperate: Hope for the Mom who needs to breathe should be from the looks of it, very encouraging!! They have so much to bless us ladies with. You can win free things with no purchase of the book or you can win free things with purchase of the book. Either way, you're a winner. :) I love these two ladies, even though I've never met them. They are a blessing for sure. So go check out their blogs and BUY the book. :)

Today's free offer is a year's worth of free Avodah coffee. I've never tasted it, but it's owned by Jessica and her husband. Who wouldn't want a year's worth of free coffee?? I sure want it! Blessings to you all!

Thankful Thursday

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 1:17-21

His Word is so rich and so satisfying. I am thankful I have life giving words to read each day, multiple times a day. I take it fore-granted so many times. I have at least 4 Bibles of my own and I take fore-granted that I can pick it up anytime of the day and read it. What would it be like if I had no Bible to pick up and read? No words of peace, comfort, life, and correction? Would I wither away? Would I die trying to find something of the likeness. Let us never, ever take fore-granted the Word of God at our fingertips literally. We can even read it on our phones, computers, and ipads. We can even listen to it on these devices. It has so much to offer us. I am so thankful I have it physically,but that's not enough. We should store it in our hearts, so if one day we ever have it taken from us physically, it is there spiritually. 

Link up with Laurie @ Women Taking A Stand and share your thankfulness.

A few thoughts on Motherhood

So today, I started a quiet time for my 3 boys and I. Insert smile here. During that time I started a new book by Sally Clarkson, The Mission of Motherhood. I finished the one by her called The Ministry of Motherhood sometime last summer. It was so good and full of wisdom. I started reading some others on my Kindle and then decided to start this one. I finished the first chapter today and it was so refreshing. I love Sally's heart and that she shares it with us through her books, videos, and conferences. It spurred some thoughts of my own that I wanted to jot down.



Sally talks about the God given mission of Motherhood and her first experience with being a Mother in the first chapter. She mentioned once that our children shouldn't be the center of our lives. I learned this after my first and second son. I was thrown into Motherhood just a year after marriage. We were married only 4 months before I got pregnant with our first son. I was like every Mother, once Daniel got here, in awe of this little being and in such fright. I had no clue how to be a Mother, really. I had a wonderful Mother,but I had no desire for children before getting pregnant. I really never thought we would have kids. So I was thrown into a world I hadn't desired, yet the desire grew. Once Daniel turned one, I was pregnant again with our second son. I was a stay at home Mom so all my time was spent with my babies unless my husband was home. I rarely left home and family didn't visit that much. We were attending church at the time, though we were believers. So all my time was devoted to them. Aaron was an easy baby and I had chances to go out alone or on a date with my husband. I felt so bad. I felt as if I was missing parts of what my boys were doing. I couldn't help but think of them and talk about them constantly when away (which was not often). By the time Aaron turned 1, we were pregnant with our third son. I was one overwhelmed Mama some days. I had been pondering the thought that it wasn't bad for my children not to be the center of my life. God was to be and I knew that. I was making them subconsciously though. Once Johnathan made his arrival 18 months ago, I finally did not feel bad when I left by myself. I realized it was/is okay to put them in their room to play if I need a few minutes to gather myself. I realized it was/is okay if I tell my husband I just need to go grab a frappe and sit for a little bit. It didn't make me a bad Mother, just a normal one. If I don't refresh myself with time alone, my children will have a tired, miserable, weary, and grumpy Mama. That isn't what they need at all. After Daniel was born, I realized my children and husband were my ministry. So I don't do women conferences or that sort of thing and I don't teach or lead anything at church. My extent of ministering for now, is blogging and Facebook. I'm fine with that and feel at peace with it. We may look like the average Christian family, but our close friends and family know we are nothing other than the opposite. We are very strict and protective of these precious souls God has given us.

Not only will I be grumpy, miserable, and exhausted if I put the children at the center of my life, but my love life would die. That is something I see too much in society today. Husbands and wives divorce a lot of times after all the kids have moved out. The Mother puts all of her energy into the children and lets the relationship with her husband dwindle. It's sad and it's not what I want. I loved my husband first and once my children grow up and go their own ways, my husband will still be there with me. We try to do dates at least once a month. With us living away from family and friends it makes it hard. We don't hire a babysitter  If you aren't a designated family member you do not stay with our kids. We try to watch movies at home, talk when the kids are in bed, and pray/read together. Our schedules conflict a lot, but I feel we are doing good at it. We both realize that we have to work at it and keep the love alive. He still makes me weak in the knees. I love that man so much and I know he loves me. He adores me and isn't afraid to show it. We aren't perfect and there are times I could knock him out with a frying pan! BUT if I didn't have him, I couldn't be who I am today. He completes me in the earthly sense. I want to keep it that way, so our boys have a relationship to look at and know what a marriage should look like.

I hope to be able to read at least a chapter a week and reflect on it and write some of my thoughts. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Here is my photo blog I started. Check it out!

Also, Sally and her dear friend, Sarah Mae, have written a new book. Desperate: Hope for the Mom who needs to breathe is the name and it's launching this week. They are having lots of great giveaways!!! I will be buying the book soon and cannot wait to read it. Sarah Mae is a precious woman also and so witty. Go to Sally's blog or Sarah Mae's blog to see more info.

Word- Filled Wednesday

Word-Filled Wednesday has a new twist on it. You can check it out at Internet Cafe Devotions. It's a great post today about verses my Pastor spoke on and preached on this past Sunday. 

Blessings to everyone today!

Verse For the Year

My verse for the year is this one:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

I know that the only way to do the things I desire to do will be with God's strength. I know I cannot do things in my own strength. I have started changing my eating habits last week and my flesh will most certainly fail in this new journey,but I know God will not fail me if I rely on Him. I have some fruits of the Spirit to work on too. I need to be more long-suffering, more gentle, more patient. Must I go on down the line? In my own strength I cannot do these things. I have to rely on God. I want to rely on God. It's my flesh that likes to take the reigns back and say, 'Heather you can do this.' Jesus is in my heart, God's Spirit lives inside of me. I can do it in His strength.

Anyone else there with me? Are there things you want to change this year, but you know you cannot do it yourself? If so, then you have come to a great point in life. Once we realize we cannot do things on our own, God can use us. He doesn't really need us, but He wants us. That should make your heart leap. So though my heart and flesh will fail, sin, slip up, and make mistakes, I can take comfort in the fact that God is my strength and portion forever, and He never fails.

Do you have a verse for the year? Share it with me!

My First Daybook of 2013

Outside my window... it's sunny, gorgeous, and cold!

I am thinking... about my new niece who made her arrival this morning! Rebekah Grace is my sister's 3rd child.

I am thankful... to be feeling better. I have changed my eating habits some and it's really made a difference in just 4 days.

In the kitchen... dishes are in the sink waiting to be washed. :) 

I am wearing... pajama pants and a t-shirt of my husband's 

I am creating... some photo collages on PicMonkey

I am going...exercise every day. I started in home walking today and hope to do it 3 times a week and alternate with crunches and push ups the other 2 days.

I am learning ... to relax more. It's not easy for me, but it is necessary.

Around the house... he toddler is sleeping while my 2 big boys have a treat- playing the play station for a little bit.

I am pondering... grace. I don't deserve it, yet I receive a lot of it. I need to extend more to my family also.

A favorite quote for today...The problem isn't with God hiding, it's with us not seeking Him. My Pastor said this yesterday at church. 

One of my favorite things... made up beds, a clean floor, and happy kids.

A few plans for the rest of the week: making a grocery list, visiting my sis and her new baby, and writing some posts.

A peek into my day...

Editing photos. :) My oldest 2 sons.

A Simple Woman's Daybook was created by Peggy Hostetler.

My One Word

Purge.

I really did not prepare to do a word. I've had a pretty crazy year and last few months. I kept hearing the word purge the past few months. What does that word mean? The Webster's defines it as follows:



 

1

a : to clear of guilt
b : to free from moral or ceremonial defilement

 

 

Kind of an unpleasant word to talk about isn't it? I prayed years ago, almost 7 or 8 for the Lord to make me moldable. I was a young college girl and I do not think I realized what I was praying. Because the Lord has been doing just that this past 6 years. It has not been that fun or easy. It is necessary though. So is to be purged. Jesus isn't coming back for a dirty, dingy bride. He's coming back for a white, spotless bride. I am part of the bride, therefore, I have to be cleansed, purged, and spotless. My desire is to let God purge me of myself. My self-righteousness, my selfishness, my stubbornness, my attitude, my agenda, and so much more. It will not be fun or easy, but it is necessary. A lot may have chosen nice words. Words that seemed not so harsh. Sometimes in order to get to those words, we have to go through some not so nice words. So many believers want the end result of a purge, but do not want the process. I certainly do not want the process, but if I want to be as Jesus, I must go through it.

What is your one word? What about a verse. I have one of those I will write about next week sometime. Have a blessed weekend!

 

 

Friday's Fave Five

Good Friday to ya!! I'm joining up with Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story to recap my favorites from this week.

1. We had a blessed last day of 2012. Though my husband had to work that night, we enjoyed the day  before he went to work. We cuddled with our boys and played.
2. Playing hide and seek with my boys. That is one of their favorite games. My youngest (18 months) just runs around with us. He always gives away where one is hiding. It's so funny! 
3. Cold weather has come back to visit. Here in the South, you never know if it's going to be cold or hot during the Winter season. I love cold weather!
4. Writing on my blog and new laptop. It was a God thing too and I love how it worked out.
5. Editing photos. I found a neat editing site online and have put it to some good use. I love editing all the photos I take.
6. I have 6 today. :) We let the big boys stay up a little Wednesday night and played some board games with them. It was fun! Then last night they camped out in the living room with Daddy and had a blast!

I hope everyone has a safe weekend!!! Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

 

Laurie is our host for this month of Thankful Thursday. Don't forget to check out her blog and link up with us. I am delighted to be back blogging! I am also delighted to be back for Thankful Thursday's. It's one of my favorites things to participate in while blogging.

I'm thankful for God's provision. I think we overlook it so many times in our lives. God has provided so much for me. At times it is for things I need and other times it is for things I want.  He cares very much about us and cares about our well being. Just recently I experienced His provision and it blew me away. I have been wanting a laptop for awhile now. We didn't want to use our regular income to purchase it, so we decided we would use the money from our 4-wheeler sale. The man was late a month with the money, but we thought we would get it before Christmas anyway. As it got closer to Christmas, we saw that probably would not happen. I looked at our budget along with our bank account and tried my best to figure out how I could get that computer. I was being selfish in reality. I was worrying about myself. I kept thinking to myself that I deserve this and it's not fair. I was stressing over this big time. I just stopped, put everything down, and went to take my shower. I was convicted by the Holy Spirit about my selfishness. I repented and told God that He knew that is something I wanted and it would be practical for me, but He also knew when it would happen. I let go of it and started focusing on our shopping trip for our families. I felt so much better and I knew God would provide when He saw fit.

Later that evening we ran out to a few stores to get some shopping done. On the way home my husband handed me the money for my computer and said "Oh yeah here is your Christmas money." I was shocked! I was floored! The man brought the money while we were out shopping and my husband slipped out of the store to get it. When we let go and truly begin to focus on others, I believe God will reward us. God always take care of His children. He delights in us. My husband was blown away too. He really didn't expect the money until the first of the year. We both thanked God for His provision. It was one of those moments where you just felt He loved you so much. Never underestimate the power of God. He wants to do things like this for us so that we will praise His name and that the glory can only go to Him.

I pray you all have a blessed day!!

Word-Filled Wednesday

I love this meme! I love photos and I love the Word of God, so this one is perfect for me to take part in.

A few goals for 2013.....

I love to write down the things I want to accomplish or improve on for the next year. So here are some of the things I want to work on in 2013.

• I want to be more open to God's work in my life. He has purged me a lot since becoming a Mother, but I know there is much more that needs to be purged. I pray I will be moldable for Him to do whatever He wishes.
• Like many other women, I want to be a better wife. I want to show my husband the love of Christ, submit to him like I do to God, and to serve him in the ways that shows my love. He doesn't deserve any of it, but neither do I. We're both sinners saved by grace.
• I want to be a better example of Christ to my boys. They are young and they are watching. I want to not only preach the Gospel to them, but to live it out in front of them. Actions speak much louder than words do most of the time.
• I really want to clamp down on exercising. I don't mind exercising, but with the feminine issues I have been going through, it's been hard to be consistent with it. I have a little bit more weight I want to shed within the year.
• I also want to grow in my relationship with God. I want to hear more of what He is saying through His Word to me.
• I want to read more books and write more. I have a dream of writing a book, but I have no clue where to start and if I even have potential for a book.
• I want to relax more. I am very scheduled and type A personality. Lists make me happy. I want to keep things organized, but I want to have more fun too. My boys need a happy, playful Mama at times, but one who knows how to keep things in order also.

I try not to put goals on there that are unattainable, but I think we should strive for things that may not be easy. With God, all things are possible. That I do know. I would love to hear some of your goals for this year!

I love to take photos and edit them or play around with them. So I started a blog posting some of the ones I love to edit. Capturing Those Moments is the name and I posted my first entry yesterday!