So a quick recap of the year... there were many highs and a few lows, but either way we are blessed indeed.
This year:
Kyley lost a few teeth
We had a beautiful homebirth and welcomed an amazing new member to our family.
We had a DHR case filed against us for said homebirth (no I haven't blogged about this before now)
Elijah turned 3
Elijah also finally decided he wanted to be completely potty trained! .
We made the hard decision to leave our church home.
We found a new church home.
And with that brought new opportunities, and a new ministry.
Kyley started first grade!
Derek and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. (I love you baby!)
A pirate slayed a monster.
Kyley turned 7!
Kyley also sang her very first solo (and Derek preached his first "sermon" at our new church!)
And here were are, at the end, and we know that God is good.
Happy New Year yall! May your 2012 be blessed beyond measure.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
SMURFS!
Have you seen the Smurf movie yet?
The kids just giggled and giggled over this clip.
I think they'd watch it many times a day if I'd let them haha
I had the opportunity to check out some sneak peeks before the movie was released thanks to Crowdtap, and the kids loved getting to play the games online!
We really enjoyed the smurf movie, and hope you guys did as well!
The kids just giggled and giggled over this clip.
I think they'd watch it many times a day if I'd let them haha
I had the opportunity to check out some sneak peeks before the movie was released thanks to Crowdtap, and the kids loved getting to play the games online!
We really enjoyed the smurf movie, and hope you guys did as well!
Here I am to Worship
My sweet girl sang her very first solo last weekend at church, and I couldn't be more proud. So without further ado, here are the Lakewood Kids (and myself).
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
This year.
Well, I figured since I shared last years Christmas Card recently, I would share this years as well, now that I'm finished handing them out and Christmas is over.
I am once again so pleased with the job Shutterfly did to make them the best cards they could be!
I hope each and every one of you had a blessed Christmas!
I am once again so pleased with the job Shutterfly did to make them the best cards they could be!
For Unto Us Religious Christmas Card
Find unique and Personalized Christmas cards at Shutterfly.com.
View the entire collection of cards.
I hope each and every one of you had a blessed Christmas!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Just some sentences?
I've had many titles for this post flowing through my head tonight, but I felt it was better to just leave it at that, and write. Forgive me for this will be mostly rambling stream of consciousness.
My heart hurts.
And you know what, I'm angry.
I'm angry at Satan for thinking that he has control over this world. I'm angry at people because they let him. Shoot, I'll be the first to admit, I'm one of them. Sin is fun, right? But that doesn't make it right.
Is nothing sacred anymore? Where do we draw the line on what we will allow Satan to control in our lives?
When do we say enough is enough and stand up and fight for what God has called sacred.
I'm watching marriages crumble. And it hurts.
People close to me are hurting because of footholds satan has wormed his way in and destroyed what was once called GOOD.
I see it everyday. Not just in those close to me, but all over the world.
Divorce is rampart. Just down the street from my house, you can drive down the interstate, and the billboards are like an auction on who can sell you a divorce the cheapest.
But why?
When did we decide that our spouses aren't worth fighting for?
God and Derek know best, that I'm not a perfect wife. I fail. And often I fail miserably. Do I often wonder if all of my stupid mistakes will make him love me any less? Sure. I'm human. But I know better. You know why? Because we talk about it. We talk about what our friends are going through, and we talk about how to avoid it. We pray for each other. We vow to fight for each other.
Marriage is hard, y'all. Life is hard. We are far from having it all together.
A few months ago, Derek and I had a conversation that revolved around this issue. We expressed our fears regarding watching so many marriages around us crumble. "This is happening to people we would've never expected... what says that it won't happen to us one day?" These are VALID concerns. It is scary to think that people we know who we SAW completely in love with one another, living in one accord, can suddenly be on the brink of disaster. It can happen to anyone. But why? WHY are we letting satan gain control over our families?
Why aren't we talking about this stuff with our spouse? Why aren't we fervently praying together for the protection of our marriage? For the SANCTITY of our marriage? I don't know about you, but I'm going to pray harder than ever for protection because satan wants to kill, steal, and destroy, and that means my marriage, my family, my friendships.
I'm going to continue to talk about the hard stuff with my husband. And sometimes that's hard. I'm going to admit my mistakes. I'm going to ask for forgiveness. Most of all I'm going to trust God. I'm going to pray and pray HARD. And I'm going to FIGHT.
And it doesn't end there. Talk to friends. Talk to your kids. Pray for their marriages. Pray for their families.
Satan wants us to think that we are alone in this fight, but we're NOT. I often wonder how many of the situations I've seen unfold in the lives around me could've been avoided by some accountability. I'll be the first to tell you, that part is HARD. Who wants to run to someone else and talk about how they've failed? I sure don't. But I make myself. My husband guides me to as well when I'm being stubborn and need some reminder. And I try to be the same for him.
We need each other. We need our friends, we need our families to bind together and pray. We need accountability, and we need support.
We aren't fighting this battle alone.
My heart hurts.
And you know what, I'm angry.
I'm angry at Satan for thinking that he has control over this world. I'm angry at people because they let him. Shoot, I'll be the first to admit, I'm one of them. Sin is fun, right? But that doesn't make it right.
Is nothing sacred anymore? Where do we draw the line on what we will allow Satan to control in our lives?
When do we say enough is enough and stand up and fight for what God has called sacred.
I'm watching marriages crumble. And it hurts.
People close to me are hurting because of footholds satan has wormed his way in and destroyed what was once called GOOD.
I see it everyday. Not just in those close to me, but all over the world.
Divorce is rampart. Just down the street from my house, you can drive down the interstate, and the billboards are like an auction on who can sell you a divorce the cheapest.
But why?
When did we decide that our spouses aren't worth fighting for?
God and Derek know best, that I'm not a perfect wife. I fail. And often I fail miserably. Do I often wonder if all of my stupid mistakes will make him love me any less? Sure. I'm human. But I know better. You know why? Because we talk about it. We talk about what our friends are going through, and we talk about how to avoid it. We pray for each other. We vow to fight for each other.
Marriage is hard, y'all. Life is hard. We are far from having it all together.
A few months ago, Derek and I had a conversation that revolved around this issue. We expressed our fears regarding watching so many marriages around us crumble. "This is happening to people we would've never expected... what says that it won't happen to us one day?" These are VALID concerns. It is scary to think that people we know who we SAW completely in love with one another, living in one accord, can suddenly be on the brink of disaster. It can happen to anyone. But why? WHY are we letting satan gain control over our families?
Why aren't we talking about this stuff with our spouse? Why aren't we fervently praying together for the protection of our marriage? For the SANCTITY of our marriage? I don't know about you, but I'm going to pray harder than ever for protection because satan wants to kill, steal, and destroy, and that means my marriage, my family, my friendships.
I'm going to continue to talk about the hard stuff with my husband. And sometimes that's hard. I'm going to admit my mistakes. I'm going to ask for forgiveness. Most of all I'm going to trust God. I'm going to pray and pray HARD. And I'm going to FIGHT.
And it doesn't end there. Talk to friends. Talk to your kids. Pray for their marriages. Pray for their families.
Satan wants us to think that we are alone in this fight, but we're NOT. I often wonder how many of the situations I've seen unfold in the lives around me could've been avoided by some accountability. I'll be the first to tell you, that part is HARD. Who wants to run to someone else and talk about how they've failed? I sure don't. But I make myself. My husband guides me to as well when I'm being stubborn and need some reminder. And I try to be the same for him.
We need each other. We need our friends, we need our families to bind together and pray. We need accountability, and we need support.
We aren't fighting this battle alone.
Monday, December 26, 2011
9 months old
With all of the craziness that surrounds the holidays I forgot to post this, so even though I am over a week late I want to remember!
You are growing up right before my eyes, my sweet Asher!
You are a fast crawler now and you know just how to find mommy when you can't see her.
You love to play with your toys and with Kyley and Elijah.
The one thing I think you enjoy most is playing in the box of blocks or with the basket of weebles, though that may change now that Christmas has come and gone.
You still love to eat. I can't eat even a bite without you trying to steal it. You are still eating baby food but will pretty much eat anything we eat as well, even with no teeth yet!
You love your paci, and are picky still and it has to be a certain shape and size.
You are pulling up on everything and you love to stand. You got a push walker toy for Christmas (thanks Nana & Paw!) and you've even tried to walk with it and push it across the floor. I have a feeling in a few weeks my hands are going to be REAL full!
You can wave bye bye, and clap, and say mama and dada, you are learning to say 'uh oh'. You also say bye bye on occassion.
You are such a little joy and I cannot believe how fast you are growing up. In just a few short months you'll be celebrating your first birthday, and that seems impossible to me!
I love you my sweet man!
Monday, December 12, 2011
My princess
This sweet little girl turns 7 today!
Where did all the time go?
Kyley is learning to read (FINALLY!) and working hard in school and I'm so proud of her.
She loves art. She loves to draw and color, and make 'books'. She loves to make things for others.
Right now some of her favorite things are Hello Kitty, Barbies, and drawing pictures that say I love you mom or I love you dad. (I wish I had a picture of some of these to show you, I'll have to work on that)
Her favorite subject in school is penmanship.
This kid LOVES her brothers. She is such a big helper (and has even learned to balance that out some and when her help is too much) She likes to help me with Asher the most, but I think that's because Elijah is Mr. Independant and doesn't need a lot of help. She still loves to spend time with him and play with him though!
Kyley also loves to cook. She said several years ago in her K4 graduation that she wanted to be a famous chef when she grows up and if she continues on with her love of cooking and baking, I think she just might be!
She is growing up so fast, and I cannot believe how quickly these last 7 years have gone by.
Kyley Grace, I love you to the moon and back. I can't wait to see what this next year holds for you.
Happy 7th Birthday Princess!
Happy 7th Birthday Princess!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Christmas Presents
I wrote this years ago on my myspace blog, but wanted to revisit it here.
Why is it that we give presents at Christmas?
We all know, that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and that we give "gifts" to symbolize the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus, and the gift Jesus gave to us through his birth, death and resurrection, however what is it, that we consider a gift?
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
Our holiday season is busy- there is no doubt. Parties, Christmas plays, family gatherings, you name it, it happens in December! But do we get so busy that we forget that our earthly gifts could never compare to the gifts that God has given us?
God has given us so many blessings in our lives.... and so many of us (myself included) tend to take them for granted! But God's Word says that EVERY good gift and EVERY perfect gift comes from above- not just some, but EVERY!
For me in my personal life- God has given me a wonderful husband and beautiful children to come home to, a warm Godly home that is filled with happiness and laughter, and His Spirit dwells here among us! How awesome is that gift in itself?
You see, Christmas isn't about how much money you can spend on your loved ones, or even those you don't love so much... But it's about HOW MUCH LOVE you can show! God has given us all the ability to LOVE and that is His greatest gift to us-
John 15:13 "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"
His Word says that greater love has NO MAN than this... that he lay down his life for his friends... NO MAN...NO WOMAN... NO CHILD.... NO FATHER... NO MOTHER.... NO SISTER.... NO BROTHER.... NO AUNT.... NO UNCLE.....NO MAN!!!!
The greatest gift of love is that of laying your life down for your friend- and Jesus laid down His life, for not just me, but for every single being on this earth! How much more then should we love our brothers and sisters, friends, neighbors AND even our enemies!
So this CHRISTMAS season lavish your love upon those you are close to, and on those you are not! Don't worry about how much money you spend, how nice the gift is, and don't worry about the things you are given by others.
Instead, rejoice in the fact that we have life, and life more abundantly through Jesus Christ, first and foremost, but also that EVERY good and perfect gift comes from Him... He has given us health, family, friends, even worldly things He allows us to possess... but no matter what...they come from him- and it all boils down to one thing...
LOVE
Merry Christmas!
Christmas Presents!!!
We all know, that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and that we give "gifts" to symbolize the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus, and the gift Jesus gave to us through his birth, death and resurrection, however what is it, that we consider a gift?
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
Our holiday season is busy- there is no doubt. Parties, Christmas plays, family gatherings, you name it, it happens in December! But do we get so busy that we forget that our earthly gifts could never compare to the gifts that God has given us?
God has given us so many blessings in our lives.... and so many of us (myself included) tend to take them for granted! But God's Word says that EVERY good gift and EVERY perfect gift comes from above- not just some, but EVERY!
For me in my personal life- God has given me a wonderful husband and beautiful children to come home to, a warm Godly home that is filled with happiness and laughter, and His Spirit dwells here among us! How awesome is that gift in itself?
You see, Christmas isn't about how much money you can spend on your loved ones, or even those you don't love so much... But it's about HOW MUCH LOVE you can show! God has given us all the ability to LOVE and that is His greatest gift to us-
John 15:13 "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"
His Word says that greater love has NO MAN than this... that he lay down his life for his friends... NO MAN...NO WOMAN... NO CHILD.... NO FATHER... NO MOTHER.... NO SISTER.... NO BROTHER.... NO AUNT.... NO UNCLE.....NO MAN!!!!
The greatest gift of love is that of laying your life down for your friend- and Jesus laid down His life, for not just me, but for every single being on this earth! How much more then should we love our brothers and sisters, friends, neighbors AND even our enemies!
So this CHRISTMAS season lavish your love upon those you are close to, and on those you are not! Don't worry about how much money you spend, how nice the gift is, and don't worry about the things you are given by others.
Instead, rejoice in the fact that we have life, and life more abundantly through Jesus Christ, first and foremost, but also that EVERY good and perfect gift comes from Him... He has given us health, family, friends, even worldly things He allows us to possess... but no matter what...they come from him- and it all boils down to one thing...
LOVE
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas Cards
Ok so we went out this weekend to try to get some family pictures for our Christmas cards.
This is what our cards looked like last year, and I LOVED them!
Shutterfly does such a great job, and I will be using them again this year as soon as I pick out pictures to put on our cards!
Here's hoping to finding JUST the right picture!
This is what our cards looked like last year, and I LOVED them!
Christ Wishes Religious Christmas Card
Shop Shutterfly for unique,Christmas card designs.
View the entire collection of cards.
Shutterfly does such a great job, and I will be using them again this year as soon as I pick out pictures to put on our cards!
Here's hoping to finding JUST the right picture!
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