Miracle Grow

Miss Riley behind the scenes. She loves the creative and complicated and hates the ordinary easy stuff! ie... making crepes vs. cleaning her room, designing jewelry vs. giving Molly a bath! She spent a whole day taking beautiful pictures of her sibs. She has such a sweet love for each one of them and they for her.
Hallie is working on her science fair project these days. She is researching hydroponics and the effects "Miracle Grow" has on plants. She has been diligently weighing her plants and recording info bright and early every morning! She volunteers in the Library and helps her teacher with tutoring. Hallie knows how to use everyday to the fullest!I realize I recently gushed over Bailee on her birthday but, she is keeping herself busy these days honing her social skills, mastering consecutive kart-wheels and spinning like a top on the play-ground. We prayed for their husbands and his parents the other night. We prayed that God would be protecting those boys, teaching those boys and making them into HIS mighty men! (Bailee was confused and giggling when it was over) Notice her locket!
These girls are growing up so fast! They have me confused, giggling and spinning like a top! I either want time to slow down or Jesus to hurry up! If neither of those things happen... I know HE will accomplish the creative and complicated miracle grow of these girls for HIS glory.

Pippy the Pickle Fish

With Jay being my fourth cutie to go through kindergarten I am getting a little desperate for new and exciting "show and tell" ideas! We were watching the Mr. Men cartoon the other day and Mr. Scatterbrain was talking about his pickle fish. Jay decided that would be a cool "show and tell." Evidently, he was the hit of his class today because everyone wanted to go home and make their own pickle fish! I hope daddy will forgive us for wasting some of his sweet baby gherkins pickles. Of course, Charlie needed his own pickle fish!

A Beautiful Bride!

Soldiers of Christ arise and put your armor on.... As time continues to march on, the days seem to be growing darker. Our little town alone has suffered some tough blows this past week on the heels of Haiti's own crisis. We "Onward Christian Soldiers" need some encouragement as we are waiting for Jesus' return. I know HIS hand is upon us, the Lord watches over us. When I think about the big picture of this church age we are living in, I can't help but be encouraged. I see some ways in which His church (aka His bride) is being prepared. In the last five to ten years we are seeing man-made denominational lines being dissolved within HIS church. His followers are looking to the scriptures to figure out exactly what they believe, not just allowing a church to dictate what they are called to do as a Christ follower. We are seeing churches being purified of legalism, YAY! Christians are being called to become authentic, not just go to church or go through the motions. The gray areas in our culture are becoming more black and white. Christians are having to identify themselves as such. In as much as, putting "Merry Christmas" on your Christmas Card! I love that!

As Satan's days are growing short, He is growing more desperate and active. However, so is The Holy Trinity at work!! For one, the Christian music industry is by far at its finest and far reaching. Brady and I were watching some "old" Christian videos just the other night and laughing, partly because of their hair and partly because it was just bad! I was instantly reminded why I didn't like Christian music that was on the radio in the 80's and early 90's. I love how Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, C of C's (you know who you are), all worship Him together with amazing Christian music that connects us all as we worship HIM. Who alone but Christ could accomplish this kind of "harmony" amongst His prideful, hair splitting followers. Also, Biblical teachers and preachers are speaking to the masses who all sit on different pews on Sunday mornings. Another major source of encouragement for me personally, are the Christian book stores in every town (even mine) filled with shelves of wonderful Christian books by wonderful Christian authors. So, for the bombardment of Satan's hourly attacks on our joy and ultimately our very soul. God has supplied the necessary encouragement we so desperately need. Just turn on your radio/TV/Computer/MP3/Phone (whatever your source) and listen to some amazing Christian encouragement or better still, open your Bible or pull up your Bible App. Let us weary soldiers not forget, HE is also readily available to hear our prayers 24/7!!! We have not been forsaken or forgotten!!! The invitations have been sent and this will be THE wedding I don't want to miss!!

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
REVELATION 19:7

Happy Birthday Bailee Boo!

Yesterday Riley took Bailee out in the freezing weather and took pictures of my "Winter Baby." I love this first picture of her, it looks like she is an angel with a halo!!
We call her our "Winter Baby" for several reasons. One, because she was born in February when there was snow on the ground in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Also, because she LOVES to be outside in the winter sledding and ice skating. I really want to get her on the ski-slopes because I know she is going to be fearless!
She and Hallie just started taking Taekwondo lessons. (They had been begging me for a couple of years.) She loves to read and has a great sense of comedic timing that keeps our whole family laughing!! She has played the violin for the last two years but, decided to take a break this year. I really hope she wants to pick it up again next year! She is a pretty good little soccer player, too!

Just so you don't think she is a perfect angel! I thought I'd throw in one of my personal favorite pictures of her when she was hot and tired! Bailee, like Charlie is a child of extremes. They are either really happy or really not happy!!! I love their intensity! I can't believe she has been with us for nine full years!!! For her birthday she asked for a heart-shaped locket with a picture of Brady and I in it!! AWWW SO SWEET!!! I KNOW!!! I can't believe God has given me such amazing children! HE is already doing such great things with her! She is fearfully and wonderfully made! (Again a reminder of her normalcy ...she also asked for a cell phone which she did not get!)

I am grounded.

Some of you may have noticed I am no longer on facebook. I am grounding myself temporarily and this is why... Since I moved to Montana my personal time praying and reading my Bible has been few and far between. At first, I blamed it on having that fifth baby. Then, I recently realized Charlie was three and a half and I was still finding excuses quite easily. YIKES!

I learned the importance of having time "with Him" when Bailee my third baby girl was born. I got to the very end of myself and realized how very much I needed to spend time with HIM daily. I desperately needed HIM to help me through each and everyday. I protected my quiet time with HIM fiercely and made it a major priority in my daily routine. I did this for about five years and HE carried me through homeschooling and having yet another baby and our big move to Montana and yes one more baby!!

Unfortunately, I have allowed too many things to eat up my time. I mean come on, there have been days when I spend more time plucking my eyebrows than on my knees. That is painful for me to admit! So, I have grounded myself from a few things and facebook is one of 'em. Don't get me wrong, I think facebook is sooo cool. I loved getting in touch with long lost friends, keeping up with my family down south and even getting to be bold about my beliefs! I don't think facebook is a bad thing but, I just need to re-prioritize my time and break some of my bad habits. I won't get back on until HE gets a tithing of my time. Keep me in YOUR prayers!

What If

What if I climbed that mountain, what if I swam to that shore
What if every battle was victorious then would you love me more

What if I were everyone's first choice, what if I went farther than before
What if I stood high above the rest than would you love me more

You say I belong to you apart from the things I do
You say I belong to you I'm in awe of why you do

What if I ignored the hand that fed me, what if I forgot to confess
What if I stumbled down that mountain then would you love me less
Lord would you love me less

What if I were everyone's last choice what if I mixed in with the rest
What if I failed what I passed before then would you love me less

You say I belong to you apart from the things I do
You say I belong to you I'm in awe of why you do

What have I done to deserve your son sent to die for me
What can I give I want to live give me eyes to see
In a world that keeps changin' there's one thing that I know is true
Your love is stayin' there's nothing else I'll hold onto

You say I belong to you apart from the things I do
You say I belong to you I'm in awe of why you do
Why you do

Song by Jason Lavik and my heart's cry this day.

Mama always says...

You get what you get and you don't throw a fit!
Careful, it's HOT!
Pretty is as pretty does.
Keep your expectations low and then you will be pleasantly surprised.
Clean as you go!
We all need Jesus.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!
Whatever doesn't kills us will only make us stronger!
BE SWEET!
Don't say anything you wouldn't want said about yourself.
Be a peacemaker!
Pray about it.
Keep looking, it is around here somewhere.
Treat others the way you want to be treated. (the golden rule)
Get a Kleenex!
Wash your hands!
Wear socks or your feet will stink!
Maybe for Christmas or your birthday.
We give, don't take.
Time for a ten-minute tidy.
Thank you Lord!
Did you brush your teeth?
Is everyone buckled?
Did you know Jesus' first miracle was water into wine.
Let's Pray...