Christmas Sundaes

After we decorated our tree.

We made Christmas Sundaes.

What better way to enjoy our newly lit tree.

Than with ice cream with snowflakes and red and green sprinkles.

The kids LOVED it!

Oh Christmas Tree...

I love Christmas.

Decorations.

Lights.

Trees.

Ornaments.
Carols.
Hot Cocoa.
Giving.
Cold Weather.

But most of all the reason.

The birth of our Savior

who came to this earth

As a lowly child

Born in a manger

But came to save us all.


(can you guess where our pickle is?) 

Thanksgiving at Grandmas

We have so many wonderful things to be thankful for this year.

I am so thankful

to have amazing family

that are around

to enjoy our kids

and love on them.

For those who we got to spend thanksgiving with

And for those we did not.

We are

so blessed

and for that

I am thankful.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS!

Awesome Christmas Templates!

I just started following this chick over at


She does some amazing stuff! Can't wait to see what else she has in store!

So random...

Here are a few pics of my little man :)  I just love him!























Here is some of Kyley's art work- she's so creative...

This is her starry sky. with a real star and grass and ant hills under the grass ... silly girl

and this is our house and her outside practicing cheerleading and look at the sky- its about to flood (her words not mine!)

and this is the view from our back porch yesterday after the rain went away

Thankfulness

Today I am thankful

I'm thankful for my Father. He holds me up when I feel like I can't go on.
I'm thankful for His strength and His mercies that are new each and every morning.

I'm thankful that he gave me such an amazing partner for this lifetime.
Sooo sooo thankful for a Godly man who is striving to do what's best for us and in the sight of God.

I'm thankful that He has blessed me with two BEAUTIFUL children.
I never knew how much my heart could love something until Kyley came into the world-and it just expounded when Elijah was born.

I'm thankful for my family and friends.  People who care about us and stick by us through thick and thin. They love us for who we are and are always there.

I'm thankful for our home. It may be small but it's a home and we are safe.

I'm thankful for food in our cabinets. I know how easily it is to not have food in this economy, so many people are struggling. For that I am blessed.

I'm thankful for an amazing church family that loves us and lifts us up in prayer.

I'm thankful for a ministry that was truly a divine appointment from God. Oh how I'm thankful for each and every kid that graces us with their presence at CRY.

I'm so thankful for a burning desire to know Jesus more. To know Him and to love Him.

I'm thankful for His word. His unfailing love. His grace. His peace. His forgiveness.

I'm thankful for my sight. More than most of you could ever know.

I'm thankful for the ability to do things on my own.

I'm thankful for the ability to drive, to cook, to see my babies grow up.

I'm thankful for second chances.

I'm thankful for a pediatrician who doesn't question my abilities as a mother

I'm thankful for a husband who trusts my judgements in that area as well.

I'm thankful for life.

Why did I think...

Why did I think that having a baby in December was wise??? Oh yeah- I never thought that I don't guess... but good grief, as she gets older and KNOWS that she wants a party- this gets harder and harder!

So far I've had to reschedule her party FOUR times for FOUR different things going on the same weekend as her birthday *sigh*

I just hope she has fun!

Better is one day in your house home, better is one day in your courts closet

 Better is one day in your courts
       than a thousand elsewhere;
       I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
       than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalm 84:10

Today, as I was sitting here talking with Kyley, she began to sing.

"Better is one day in your home, better is one day in your closet."

My mind automatically begins singing...

How lovely is, Your dwelling place... O Lord Almighty

For my soul yearns, and even faints for you.

Oh, Here my heart is satisfied, within Your presence.

I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings. 

Better is one day in Your courts, Better is one day in Your house, Better is one day in Your courts

Than a thousand elsewhere.

How often do we find His home, His closet and spend time with him?

Kyley's words may not have been extremely right for the song she was singing, but they were so true.

Where does God meet you?

On a walk in the woods? By the lake? Sitting in your car?

What is your closet where you find Him?

It's better than a thousand years ANYWHERE ELSE!

Little Man

My baby

Doesn't look

So much like

A baby anymore. 

(and for those who've asked, YES I did it myself!) 

A day in the life.

A typical day around here

You'll find many fun things going on.

Today our "fun thing" of choice was schoolwork.

And this guy

His "fun thing" was napping :)