I Wonder...

The kids and I were at Walmart yesterday. I noticed that Kaitlyn's eyes were darting around, like she was looking for something. You never know what might come out of that child's mouth so I just waited...cause it always makes its way out.

"Mommy! God's singing to us!"

A country song was playing in the store. I am not up on the latest country songs so I cannot tell you who it was exactly, only that he had a pretty deep voice. I laughed out loud because, number one, I thought, now if God chose to sing to us, I am pretty sure he wouldn't pick Walmart to do it. Number two, I thought how wild and crazy that would be! I told her, "Sweetie, I don't think that's God singing to us." She then replied, "Well, I wonder if that's what God sounds like?" Then, like most other "I wonder" questions she has, I replied, "I don't know sweetie." Simply wild...

It's the thought that counts

I never believed my Mom when she said that she loved anything we got her. Well, I can say now that I am sure that was true...I feel the same way. Dan let the kids pick out their own gifts for me. It was such a special birthday. Here I am modeling my gifts:

slippers that were girls sz 2-3 (yes, my feet hang 2 inches off the back)

pink fuzzy socks

an awesome pink and purple umbrella

a mickey shirt that is a little small (excuse the belly)

Eeyore pj bottoms

a pine cone

After putting everything on, the kids thought that I looked "beautiful". How cute! Dan took me to a wonderful dinner at On the Border (YUM! and thank you so much, Hollie for taking my kids!) where John and Saira met us (thanks guys, it meant a lot!) and then we went to Dick's Sporting Goods to look at running stuff and on the Kohls where I got the feather weight vacuum I have been wanting.

Thanks for making my day extra special, Dan. For the first time in six years, I can truthfully say that my birthday didn't suck. :-) Ha ha!

And thank you to all of you for the cards, birthday emails, and calls.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning. ~James 1:17

To quote my husband...

"Happy Birthday! I love you! You are not an old hag!" (thanks Dan! :p)

Well, today I am just one year closer to the big 3-0. I would like to think that 26 years ago, Dan (being 1 year and 8 days old) walked a little lighter, played a little harder, and smiled a little more because his soul mate entered the world...who am I kidding!? I am thankful for another year that God has blessed me with. This past year, God has blessed me with another child, brought me closer to Him and my husband, healed my Mom, shown me what really matters, and once again blessed me beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I just hope in these next 365 days, that I can point to Him through it all. Twenty-six is going to be a great year!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! ~Psalms 118:24

March for Babies

Rain was in the forecast today. Thankfully, we didn't have any and it turned out to be a pretty nice day. I was pleased that I was able to raise $250 in honor of my little cousin, Gabriel (thank you so much to my sponsors!). My boys joined me for the walk today. We had a good time!

With the warmer weather...

thought this might be helpful. :-) Have fun mapping your route!

Our Days Are Numbered

"Dear Jesus, thank you for this day. Thank you for this food. Thank
you for letting us go to Heaven someday. Thank you that I am going to turn
4, then 5, then 6, then 7."

This was the prayer of my daughter a couple nights ago at dinner. Along with melting my heart, it has also caused me to think. I remember being little. My family always made a huge deal about birthdays. The night before my birthday would feel like Christmas eve. The excitement caused for a sleepless night. It was our special day....the presents, meal of our choice, the cake, the special treatment. Oh to be that excited about my birthday again. To have the excitement of my three year old daughter about turning another year older. It sad to me how easily certain special things, over time, just become ordinary to us. My birthday is coming up on Monday and I am actually not looking forward to turning another year older. It's just a reminder to me how fast time goes by...how much I am taking for granted...how ordinary life is becoming to me. I long to see things through the eyes of a child again...to have the faith of a child.

Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ~Psalms 90:12

*I love this translation : "Enable us therefore to understand how fleeting our lives are,so that we may bring to you a heart of wisdom,giving to you the fear and reverence that is due you."*

Little Precious Babies

This Sunday, I am participating in the March for Babies in honor of my little cousin. If you have some time today, take a look at a few people that I have been praying for: Kenzie, Chrissy, Yvette, Kim...to name a few. Say a prayer for them today. The loss of a child would be one of the hardest things to go through in life.

A Fettish

My kids love slippers! My little princess already wore holes in the ones she got for Christmas. So, I broke down and got them each a new pair...I love clearance stuff...three dollars a pair.

Photo Boxes

I absolutely *love* photo boxes. I use them as memory boxes for my kids...a new one every year. I am a total saver and I hope someday they will appreciate how "on top" of things I was. Well, I know that at least my girl will be. So, my husband and I were at Menards this past weekend and what do I spot at the end of an aisle...photo boxes...cute ones too. So, after thinking about it for a second, I went over and looked. Turns out, they were $3.99 a piece and then you get a mail in rebate form. They are free! So, I got my limit of four and walked out of there so happy. If anyone loves photo boxes like I do or wants to make them into cute gifts for someone....hurry into Menards and pick up your limit.



P.S. I bought them with my rebate check and so they are actually paying me to buy them...makes me even happier. Now, on to filling them...that's another post.

Another Year Older...

...my husband that is. Today is my beloved's birthday...a day that I am especially thankful for. So, if you don't want to hear me gush over him for just a little bit, you should probably stop reading.





Twenty-seven years ago, God chose as the day that my Dan would enter the world. He has brought so much to my life in the, hummmm....twenty years I have known him...whoa (guess that means I am getting older too)! So, here's some things I wouldn't have without him:

• the most handsome groom



• a love beyond anything I could have imagined



• three beautiful kids



• someone snoring beside me



• too many smiles to count



• a place that feels like home



• a whole lotta fun



• great conversation



• hilarious belly laughs into my pillow



• a true friend



• someone to eat my meals



• a little extra dirt and mess

I am so thankful to God for this day. Enjoy your birthday, Dan. May God give you many more!

...This is my beloved and this is my friend. ~Song of Solomon 5:16

Wonderfully Made

It's very neat lately to see my children growing up. I have particularly seen my three (almost four) year old turning into such a big girl. I have been thinking about The Five Love Languages (by Gary Chapman...if you haven't read it you need to)since Sharon's post a few days ago. I am actually beginning to see my two oldest beginning to lean toward a particular one and I have been trying to speak that to them.

My oldest, my little girl, has been wanting a lot of one on one time. All of the acting up and attitude stops when I have spent good quality time with her. She is usually not into me being all over her and doesn't seem to care one way or another if I compliment her or say something nice about her. She is always asking for time alone, girl time, or time with Daddy. When we are spending this time together, she usually says a dozen times how much she loves getting to spend some alone time together. Thus, my reasoning for being pretty sure that her love language is quality time.

My next little man doesn't seem to want as much one on one, isn't too into compliments, but absolutely loves being right tight up (or on top) next to us. He is always hugging, kissing, and wanting to sit on our laps. When we are sitting on the couch, he wants to be held. He loves holding hands...even when he was a year old, I used to have to hold his hand in the car to keep him quiet. I have made a point to shower him with extra cuddles, hugs, and kisses. Those are my reasons for thinking his love language is physical touch.

It's been really amazing to me that at such a young age they have a certain way that they want to be loved. It also helps that the two love languages they like being spoken to in are also my top two...makes it a little easier. It just blows me away the awesomeness (is that a word?) of how God made each one of us!

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. ~ Psalms 139:14

Pushin some weight...

Today was the first day that I trained with my kids. I have a triple jogger (yes, my three sit right in a row). I get quite a few stares jogging through the neighborhood. My goal today was to make it 2.5 miles jogging the whole way. Now, each year, the amount of weight that I push increases. I was a little discouraged when I went out a few weeks ago and couldn't run as far as I wanted to. Then I added it all up...without adding in the stroller, my kids alone have a combined weight of 86 pounds! So, I did it. It was a slow pace but I finished. I am so excited for my first race coming up the beginning of June! I am thankful...thankful that I am able to run, thankful that my little ones let me get a run in today, thankful for my health, thankful for the challenge ahead, and for this weather!! God gave me this verse in my study today:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ~James 1:17

Every boy needs an older sister...

The picture says it all. My sister said that my brother-in-law said, "At least he looks happy." He was happy to be pushed around...all he had to do was put on a goofy hat and a bib that said something about his big sister. :-) Pretty good deal!

Different

The past six weeks have been ones of growth for myself. Six weeks ago, I was at a pretty low place in my life. There were a few things I needed to deal with, thus the time away. God has shown me many things through this time...some of it was ugly, some of it a great realization that I can't believe took so long to finally get.

I am a twenty something wife and mother of three that somehow lost sight of what mattered. I have never claimed to be a people pleaser or claimed that it mattered to me who liked me or didn't. Deep down though, I was discovering that it did really matter to me. I was finding myself doing or saying things to please and caring so much what everyone was saying or thinking about me. God has sifted me. It was hard. I have come out of it feeling lighter and clearer about who I am. I don't need a bunch of friendships that I feel like I am the one always giving, calling, emailing. Highschool is over and so is the popularity contest. I am a different person now. I am trying to take a lesson from my husband, who is wonderful by the way, and just let things roll. I don't claim to be perfect, I don't claim that I am always pleasant to be around, I don't claim to have it all together. I do claim that I am forgiven, I am loved by God, I have a man that treats me like his queen, three beautiful kids that I adore, a family that is awesome, a church family that mean so much, and a few close friends that rock. Guess that's this girl needs. This is a start...here's to being content! That's just where I am.

First one of the year...

Yesterday was great! Well, aside from the part when Landon decided to take a nose dive into the pavement and scrape up his whole face. Hollie and I went for a run that felt awesome and then we came home and had our first official grill out and fire! It felt like a summer night...only a little colder. I actually didn't mind the smell of campfire in my hair. That familiar smell reminded me of summer, which I hope is on it's way soon.

Favorites on my playlist...

The warmer weather is coming, people! I was happy to look outside this morning and see sunshine...it means I can get a good run in today. Here's some favorite songs on my ipod right now in case you are looking for some new music to get you going:

• Take My Hand (Shawn McDonald)
• Regardless (Jimmy Needham)
• This Could Be the Day (Will Goodwin)
• Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis)

Picture this...

Your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. ~ Psalms 18:35

God himself stoops down to us, like a loving father would do to one of his children. Because of His love, we are great...we are significant. Contrary to what some may think, God isn't out to get us. He isn't standing on a cloud looking down on us waiting to strike us all with lightening as soon as we mess up. I don't know about you all, but He has been so very patient with me. I am so thankful for the times in my life where he has sustained me...where He has lovingly stooped down to make me great.

The training has begun.

I was nine months pregnant with my youngest little man when I had this crazy idea of running The Crim. It seemed like a wonderful plan...it was just over a year away. Sometimes, I dream way too big. So, this deal that I made with myself when I was crazy out of my mind, I am actually going through with. Some days, ten miles seems doable. Others, it seems like an impossible thing. I started training on Monday...not like I would like to, but hopefully that global warming thing will hit here soon and I can get outside and run everyday. I have changed up my diet and added weights also. Looking at the training schedule that I am following (not so closely), I can't believe that it's going to get me up to running 10 miles. It seems too relaxed. So, I guess I am going to do somewhere between the advanced run and the beginner run schedule. I have a feeling that new shoes are in my near future. After a long run, the bottoms of my feet have been falling asleep. I am going to try and hold out until the weather warms up...I am hoping that is coming SOON!

Deal Alert

Jewel's milk is on sale for the next three days (Thursday-Saturday) for $1.99 per gallon (limit 2). That's a deal I can't pass up! Also, Walmart has their strawberries for $1.88 a pound. I usually don't like their produce too much but these are actually pretty good. See any other good buys out there over the next few days?

Huh? What did you say?

My precious little girl (age 3) has been having trouble hearing. Two weeks ago we took a trip to our pediatrician to see what was going on. Her eardrum in her left ear was not vibrating at all and her right eardrum was slightly. Since that appointment, she has been on an antibiotic, a nose spray, and we've done a few ear candles. Last week we had a couple really good days where it seemed like her hearing was improving. Today has been a horrible day as far as her hearing goes. It's sad to me that she can't hear what is going on around her. I hope this isn't permanent. We have a follow up appointment next Tuesday where everything will be rechecked and a possible appointment will be scheduled with a ENT. We have a lot of people praying for my little princess and hopefully we will get to the bottom of this.

It's me again...

So, I guess I am back. I am not new to this. I left the blog world in the beginning of March for some much needed time away. I have checked in on the people in my link list but have otherwise been blog free. It's been a nice break but I have missed my outlet. I won't be the power blogger that I was, blogging daily, so don't be concerned if I haven't done a new post in few days. :-) Anyway, clean slate...

I loved the title of my old blog. It was a nice fit and explained a lot about my personality. But, in the last six or so weeks, I have done some soul searching and God has continually brought this verse to mind :

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ~Hebrews 13:5

So, I thought is was fitting...Such Things...