Busy couple of days...

The last couple of days have been non-stop around here....

Thursday:

Olivia had some friends over for a sleepover. They were a lot of fun. Except when they all got up at 3 in the morning, got dressed and thought they were up for the day.

 Friday/Saturday:

Jeff and Josh replaced the half bath flooring with ceramic. I have learned that laminate flooring does not do well with three year old boys whose aim is not so well with the potty. 

Saturday evening Rush's came over for dinner. Josh was excited to have three boys here after the girls sleepover.

 Sunday: We had a church picnic Sunday afternoon. The kids had fun playing all the games.

Livy and Lanie doing the two legged race.

Balancing the egg on a spoon.

Josh balancing an egg.

Nate balancing- actually holding the egg on a spoon.

Stacking cups race. Josh was really good at this. 

Sack races. Poor Josh had a little trouble with this since he had only one good hand to hold the sack with.

Us time

So Jeff took the next couple of nights off so we could have some "us time" in the evenings and so tonight he got really romantic.....

we canned tomato juice. He loves homemade juice so this makes him very happy. Andrea introduced me to the sauce maker so we went and got one. It makes things go a lot quicker and you get so much more juice.

Olivia was having a hard time falling a sleep and joined us.

She was a great help. Dad juiced, Liv poured and I sealed.

A beautiful sight. With the 24 tomato plants Jeff planted we will be busy doing this for a couple weeks.

 

Garage Sales

Today was Galveston's garage sales (I love this day!!). Olivia  and I drove the mule (easier to get in and out of traffic) into town bright and early to get some great bargains. I absolutely love finding a great deal and knowing how much we saved. Here is a look at what we found today.

A plant stand.

A new lamp for Liv (only .50 cents!)

A new desk for Liv. After I strip off the old paint and give it a new coat it will be a great desk for her. It has some great bones and worth the $5.00 we gave for it.

Liv found a sewing machine for herself for a buck.

She spent the rest of the afternoon on her new sewing machine making a herself a new doll with a dress. Great job sis!

My greatest deal of the day was this tea cart I found for the sunroom. It was $20 and I ended up getting it for $10. What a steal!

Corn and Teeth

Our corn is finally here and Olivia was so excited to have some. A couple bites in she lost one of her front teeth. If she keeps this up she won't be enjoying any of it.

Busy day

Thank you all for your calls, visits, emails and prayers for Josh today. He is doing great. Rested this afternoon and after supper was outside playing. Please continue to keep him in your prayers that the bone doesn't move. As if it does they will need to set it with a pin.


Also, Liv came home from an exhausting, fun filled three days of camp. She had so many stories to share and I know she will always cherish these days. She is all ready talking about what she will do there next year.  There are some pictures of her along with what they did each day at www.rainbowcamp.org if you want to check those out.

Josh getting ready to go back for surgery.

The fourth and camp

The last two days have been so busy. Yesterday we celebrated the fourth of July with family and friends. Today Olivia went to church camp for three days. The summer is going by way to fast. 

A little swim time with our buddies.

A little baseball with the cousins and friends.

The kiddos

I love this picture of all them lined up watching the fireworks.

Livy and Lanie at their cabin at church camp.

Cast

Josh got his cast off today!

Because daddy thought it would be ok to wrap it in a trash bag to go swimming. All was well until he comes to me with a bag full of water and a wet cast. So this morning daddy took him back (explaining that it was his idea) to get a new cast. Oh, it's going to be a long 4-6 weeks.

With our new cast. Let's try and keep this one dry.

Faith

  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12: 1-3

Ok- this blog is really a journal entry for the kids when the ever need a little pick me up when they doubt God is with them. So kiddos listen up.  I love this verse especially when I have doubt. God can be so subtle or right in our faces when we ask for His guidance and strength. The last two days I have felt Him get right in my face when I needed Him the most. But no matter what or how He answers I know He hears me. I  get "God Bumps" when I can actually see Him answering my prayers that I have to share. Yesterday morning I was going through school things and trying to figure out curriculum and schedules asking Him if this really what He wants us to do. When I feel so overwhelmed with trying to figure it all out I begin to doubt and praying to Him asking if this is what He wants for our family. Yesterday afternoon in the mail I got a home school magazine. One I never subscribed to or even heard of. It was full of articles with moms talking about everything I was feeling and once again reaffirming why we do what we do. I have no doubt that it was Him answering my prayers from that morning. Also yesterday I was doubting my ability  (yes it was a day out doubting) to teach a new women's bible study at church. I was asking Him if He was sure about this. Later on in the morning I received  a phone call from a lady at church just thanking me for answering His call in starting this. She had been praying for guidance in her life and she feels that this is what she prayed for.  Then this morning I was out for my run. The sun was so hot this morning and I was burning up. The last 1/2 mile was killing me and I was asking why am I doing this. I shot up a quick prayer asking Him to give me wings to reach the final stretch. All of a sudden a huge breeze shot up all around me pushing me towards me towards the end. As soon as I finished the wind died to a stand still. I know it was Him giving what I needed in the time I needed it. So, I have felt like Moses the last couple of days when God told him he would be the ones to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses questioned God about it.  When God calls you to do something He knows what He is doing. When in doubt pray for strength and never lose the faith. He is right here with you.  He will give you what you need at the time you need it. Press on!

Softball

Tonight we wrapped up another season of softball. We had award ceremonies tonight. Liv's team got second place for minor league girls. We are so proud of not only how great she did playing on the field but of how she supported the new girls on the team.  Great job Liv!

Taking 2nd place

 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Daddy and to our Dads too!!

 

Good reading

One of my favorite things about summer is sitting down with a good book. I just finished best seller Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. He is retelling the story of his four year old sons visit in heaven while he was in surgery. It was sooo good and just reaffirms how wonderful heaven is going to be. I read it in two nights so it is a quick one to read if you don't like reading. Enjoy!


 

PracticeTime

Daddy got the kids bow out this weekend for a little practice time. They were so excited to be target practicing again.

Livy showing off.

Josh can't wait to shoot a deer with dad in the woods.

Nate was so excited about shooting like Liv and Josh.

 

Goals

My summer goal list seems to keep getting longer. I don't know if I will get everything accomplished, however my major job is underway; getting Nate potty trained. He is by far taking the longest to get trained out of the three. Either he really doesn't care or after the third I'm not so worried about it. I keep telling myself he won't go to college in diapers. Today is day three and he seems to be getting the hang of it. Hallelujah! My next goal, I would like to run in a mini marathon this year. If I can just keep getting myself up out of bed and run before the kids get up is my biggest challenge.

I'm a big boy now!

Josh reaching his goals with his new Cars racer he was able to purchase himself from doing his jobs. Way to go buddy!!

Shine

My very dear friend Brittany sent this to me today from one of my favorite preachers James McDonald. How often we try and question God when things happen and in the end all that matters is "Did it bring Him the Glory?" Love ya Britt.

When It Storms

May 31 2011

Been thinking a lot lately about the disasters that keep raging around us, the tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and devastation that have brought a tragic end to so many lives…and turned survivors’ lives upside down. And thinking about how those and more personal storms—car accident, cancer diagnosis, marital breakdown—can leave us begging for answers to “why?” as we cling to the hands of a sovereign God.

The jury is out on a lot of things we’ve been seeing and have yet to face, but the glory of God is a done deal. In the end, we’re all going to agree, “I see it now! Even that was for the glory of God!”
The glory of God is what will make sense when nothing else does. The glory of God is why we don’t roll up and quit when times are hard or even when disaster strikes. It’s why we don’t say, “Well, I’m not going to be able to preach for a month because I’ve got my own stuff happening right now. I’m going through a personal trial; I’m not going to be able to lead my small group anymore. I’m kind of going through some hard times. I hope you’ll understand that I’m not living like a Christian right now because the pressure’s on.” That’s epic fail.
But it’s an epic win when we press on to bring God glory through the very things that could undo us—because then He gets even more glory. “…You have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7
God allows His children to go through the same things that people who don’t know Him go through, so that we can handle them differently, so that we can bring Him glory by displaying His supernatural signature.
The reason we get to draw another breath is for the glory of God.

What we've been up to...

For the last day of school I surprised them and took them to  the museum. Here they are dressing up like paleontologist studying dinosaur fossils.  

When we got home from the museum I began pricing garage sale items. Daddy got home from work and was in charge of watching them. It had poured earlier leaving a pond in the front yard so this is what he lets them do. This is why they call him fun daddy!

Since we have started the Dave Ramsey financial peace we have learned how important it is to teach the kids about money and saving. So for four months they have had jobs to do around the house earning commission. Then on Saturday daddy pays them. They must tithe first for church, then the rest goes for spending and saving.We are so proud of the way they are learning to save for things they want and just not blowing it. Olivia had saved enough between commission and birthday money to buy an American Girl doll by herself. She is so excited. 

Josh's serve day. Today I took Josh to the cemetery for a serve day. Since grandma is not able to go any longer and plant flowers I thought it would be good for Josh and I to do this for her. He was a wonderful helper and full of questions.  Good job buddy!

First Berry

Nathan picked our first strawberry tonight. We have a ton of them this year. We can't wait to make some jam. 

 

 

Best Friends

Today was an exciting day at church. Delaney was baptized along with another girl. Olivia is so excited that Delaney is now her sister in Christ. We truly cherish the friendship Delaney and her family have with us. I pray that Livy and Lanie's friendship will grow and be strong throughout their lives.  

Olivia and Delaney May 14, 2011

Service Project

We are so blessed and don't want the kids to think it is all about them. We are wanting the kids to realize that our mission here is to serve others. We have been looking for ways and ideas for them to sacrifice their time and money for those less fortunate. Olivia had the opportunity to do that today. She helped fill lunch book-bags for those kids that need a lunch during the weekends for Thompson Elem. I pray for more opportunities to come along to make them disciples and showing the love of Christ.

Reading Time

My boys...

I thought it would be fun to get the shaving cream out for the boys to practice some letter writing in...

I truly had good intentions, however....

Josh thought he needed a shave (it's ok grandmas it's just a Popsicle stick).

Then Nate thought he needed it in his hair. Josh then was taking a bath in it. So much for my teaching idea.

Making friends again....

This time Olivia, Josh and Nate found a new friend in the backyard.....

A bunny...he just sat there and let the kids pet him. He was great entertainment for them while we  got the garden planted. Jeff thought it would be fun to build a pen for it and let them keep it. However, Mommy said absolutely not. Nate was sad that he was not there after dinner. He found a toad later on and was happy with that.