Happy Christmas!

We had a great Christmas.  My mom and Chris' mom and dad came over to the house around 9am.  It's amazing how our kiddos hadn't touched the presents under the tree but like twice since we put them under there back before Thanksgiving, but as soon as the g-rents come in with all those gifts, it was like a serious chore keeping them off the presents.  But, as soon as everyone got in and settled, we let them dive right into their gifts!  And when they were done....almost two hours later...we were all spent. exhausted. and ready to eat. lol

And now a ridiculous amount of Xmas pics! Enjoy!

patiently waiting :)

 cleaning up

 our new family portrait :) lol

 I think Gabriel or Asher actually took this pic of my mom when they stole her camera :)  not bad boys!

 This tea set was a huge hit!

 "Here broder have more coffee"

our trio getting ready for the Christmas Eve service at KPC

 Breakfast Xmas morning!  I heart puff pastry...these morning buns were so easy to make..and SOOOOO yum-o

 gettin' some lovins

 "Here gama, let us help!"

 mmmm....foooood!

 Tea time with gama!

 

Boys are funny....

Trinity teaching....

 

Wowza....that's alota trashola! glad we recylce!

 

Chris and I have been extremely overwhelmed this year with all the blessings God has given us.  And just one of those is our wonderful family.  It's one thing to have a lot of gifts....which are great, but not what it's about, and to have all the wonderful food.  But it's another to have family who can all come together and just enjoy one another's company.  So thankful that we were able to have such an amazing Christmas.  Great family, food and gifts.  

Thank you Jesus for all the love you have blessed our family with.  My cup runeth over! 

And a few pics since....

seriously, isn't this the cutest pic EVER... OMW ...what a good big brother.

Lincoln Logs!  I know I had a lot of fun building these! lol

 

I really heart Organization! yipee!

Spots n' splotches

So,
Yesterday after bath I noticed that Asher a had couple tiny pink spots on his tummy.  They were seriously mini-squeal.  And I didn't really think much of it.  The kiddos have had that b4 when they are getting over any kind of cold, sniffle or whatever.  The dr had always told us that it is just another way the infection gets out of the body.
Then around 2pm or so in the afternoon I noticed this.....

Wha? Where did these come from?  It was crazy.  Started brainstorming....we haven't changed his diet at all, no change in laundry soap or bath soap.  So I started looking online and found nothing.  I even FB'd it and got ideas all across the board.  They weren't irritating him or itching at all.  very weird. and then.....
b4 bed this is what it looked like....

Wow, getting much worse.  never seen anything like this b4.
Then worse of all was this a.m. when we woke up....

Blek.  craziness!  So my wonderful husband called into work and let them know he would be late so I could take Asher to the Dr. alone without having to drag everyone with us.  SO nice! Love that man!
Waiting at the Dr office.... we ended up having to go to convenient care b/c our reg dr office was booked solid.

He did of course end up wooooing one of the young pretty nurses.  Splotches and all he's still my stud muffin! If his awesome bed head hair wasn't enough he laid on the manners...."thank you" as she was leaving, then she sneezed as she was closing the door and he yelled "besh you!", so she opened it back up and gave him a smile and an "oh, that's so sweet", and then he did his famous Asher "bye,bye" and a wave.  This kid cracks me up.

So, the Dr finally made it in.  Turns out he has Hives.  Awesome.  The Doc said that hives can be caused by like a zillion reasons, but since Asher had had a little cough and a runny nose he said it was most likely due to a virus and it's just one more way for the sickness to come out.  So, once the virus is gone, so the rash will be also.  They did give him a steroid shot....which let me tell you he just loved ;p NOT  and we picked up an antibiotic for him to take over the next 12 days.

The best news is it's not serious and it's not contagious! yay!  So Christmas plans are still in full swing!

These pic's are only an 1 1/2hrs after he got the shot.  Already clearing up in a big way!  Yay!

Praise God!  And thanks to all of you who were praying for him!
Lots of love!


Update:  He just got up from nap and hives are pretty much completely gone! Holler!

sword of the Spirit!

So didn't get this up till now.  Our verse of the week was 1 John 3:11..."This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another"  and we shortened it to just the last part..."love one another"!

I have decided that what we will do is 1 verse one week, another verse the next, then the 3rd week we will practice both to make sure it sticks.  I actually got this idea from Trinity who wanted to do her previous verse as well...haha.   So, that is what we did this week.  And on Monday we will start a new one.


Hope you all enjoy these!   

Our kids may not fully comprehend every verse we go over, but speaking the Word carries power.
"...and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17b

My heart smiles

It's funny the little things that can warm someone's heart.  Really make their day.  Make them smile in some way.  Encourage them or lift them up in some way.

I know for me it's just that.  The little things.

Sometimes it's just talking to someone who shares my heart about something...generally related to being a wife or to parenting.  God has formed my heart to one that is crazy passionate about the family.  It's when my husband comes home from work in an exceptionally good mood, the kids nap without a crazy amount of effort or discipline, the house seems to stay clean...for more than 30 sec, once tight jeans fitting again, the waiter(es) seems to enjoy their job and is kind, we don't get stuck behind a smoker at our outdoor mall...that should be non-smoking anyway... btw, the way my children look up with arms raised and ask "mama?" because they want to be held, the tight hugs they give and how they each have their own special "nook" on my neck or chest, the look from my husband that needs no words and yet I still hear "i love you, baby", being able to bless someone, short lines at the store, sales, clearance items, the fact that every-time we go out someone compliments as to how well behaved our children are, an encouraging word, watching our children imitate us in everyday things just out of the blue, and being surprised or being able to surprise someone else.

These are just a few of mine.

One of the last things on this list in particular happened today....actually a couple of them, but I'm only going to talk about the one....watching our children imitate us in everyday things just out of the blue

We have a routine so to speak for nap-time everyday.  If someone needs to go potty or get their diaper changed we do that, then we give hugs and I tuck them into bed.  We go over what is wise behavior and what is not wise behavior for nap time...behavior that will result in a consequence (disciplinary action).  Then I pray over them out loud.  I pray for health, behavior, hearts, motives, our day, and fam in general  ...etc, and as I do I put my hand on each child as I pray over them.  And then we all say "amen!"  Well, today I had just tucked in Gabriel and was tucking in Asher when I noticed Trinity.  Her hand was brushing through Gabriel's hair and she was talking softly to him and leaned in to give him a kiss, then she proceeded to do the same to Asher.  I have no idea what she said.  But God sure does!  I just stood there in awe for a moment, then gave her hugs and tucked her in and proceeded to pray over them.  "Amen!" they shouted

Moments that make my heart smile!

Wife pt 3

I never did share my last entry from my Prov 31 study that I finished a little over a week ago.  It was SO good.  So I will just give you all the highlights of the verses that spoke to me the "loudest".... I have used different versions...
vs11  Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. - "enrich his life" one definition of the word enrich states this...to add greater value or significance to.  So what am I adding each day to my husbands life?  I know full well that he trusts me fully, but I believe there is more I can do to "enrich".
vs15  She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. - during the winter this is a hard one for me.  I literally have to set an alarm....what did women do way back in the day without alarms?! lol  And even then I can fail at this.  And I have failed the past week or so.  So, last night I made the decision that I will no longer be lazy.  I believe this getting up early is for spiritual means as well.  I don't know about you but when I get my Jesus time and One Year Bible 1st thing in the a.m. I am so much better for it....as is the rest of my day.  Not to mention when I am not lazy, the rest of my day is more productive in general.  ...side note *if you look in the amp version it does say "spiritual food" instead of breakfast.
vs17 She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.  - this is my Biblical command to 1. get my Jesus/prayer/bible/reading time in daily 2. constantly remember to check my emotions and thoughts and make sure I am reigning them in and taking them captive, not entertaining negative thoughts that the Devil can have a hay day with. 3. WORK-OUT!...there, I now seriously have no excuse and neither do you....it's in the Bible and you can't argue with the Word....well you can, but you will lose.
vs18 She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. - for us stay at homers how true is this?  When I was working in the corporate world I honestly never felt my worth as far as what I was doing all day in  5x5 cubicle.  Now, each day I wake up with a significant purpose and worth.  God has blessed us like crazy and I cannot be thankful enough for it.  Even on the days when life seems tough....kids are cranky, no naps, money is tight, the truck breaks down....AGAIN.  It's all worth it.  And I would not change it for the highest paying job in the U.S.  btw.....read an article the other day that said if SAHM were paid that we would make ove 100k per year. Although I don't thing the government will be shelling out checks any time soon. bahahahahaha
vs20 She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. - this is just one of those things that I feel I need to get better at....seeing the need and filling it with no questions asked.
vs26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.  - just think about that for a moment....1st make sure that when my mouth is opened that is with wisdom, then make sure the LAW of kindness is on it. One definitions of the word law....a rule or manner of behavior that is instinctive.  So, what does that mean?  Kindness is your natural behavior "instinctive".  Wisdom + Kindness = A Godly woman who displays the heart of Jesus.
vs28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her - my prayer for the way my family perceives me because that is who I am...happy , blessed, fortunate.  I pray that my children know/will know that I am these things by my words, actions...everything I am, I want to oooooz this.
vs30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! - I really loved how this version added "reverently and worshipfully" fears the Lord.  It's not that we just go about our daily Christian things....did my Bible study.check.  prayed, check. taught my kids a verse. check check....We must always stay in reverent worship because what we do and why has to reflect Who we are doing it for.  If we are doing it for ourselves or to look like "good little Christian parents or wives or women" it's not good enough.  HE has to be our reason, our all.  then what we do will reflect our love.

I am sure we all got different things out of our study.  God has really given me some things to continue to pray about, be thankful for, feel blessed about, and just in general things to help me grow as a Christian wife, mama, and woman.  

I hope you have been as blessed as I was to read through these verses yet again.  To keep these things on the forefront of my heart and mind I will be continuing to read through them each week.

Philippians 4:13

Is there anything sweeter than little children learning God's word?  SO amazing...not to mention cute, but I am a bit partial to these three!

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13
This is our verse this week, but today is really only the 2nd day of learning the verse and motions.  Chris was off Monday due to his back killing him, so we were all lazy and Tues we did nothing but play and draw pretty much all day.  I am So proud of them learning this so quickly!  And what a powerful verse for them to learn.  We sing it in the tune of a song, because song tunes are cool, easier to memorize....and I make up songs daily about random things so why not a Bible verse too....and while we're at it let's just add hand motions too!    haha :)

I am sure we will have more cute vid's to come!  Will try to get at least one a week.