Moving on!

I'm moving over to WordPress.  If you'd like to join me, my new address is:

http://robertsfamily5.wordpress.com/

"You'll Blink"

My baby is 4.  It's kind of strange that my littlest is getting so big.  I knew this day would come, but didn't realize how fast.  Everyone who has "big kids" warned me.  You hear it all the time..."You'll blink and they'll be grown...etc."  And how true it is.  The girls are far from grown, but they are growing fast.  And I'm excited that they are changing and learning and growing, but also wish time would just freeze sometimes!  I love how fun they are right now.  I love how the biggest issues of the day can be if they play Legos or do a craft.  How it's the simple skinned knee that causes tears and not the issues of middle school friends!  I love how they still want to snuggle and sit beside me and want me to tell them stories.

Yesterday we had a picnic after church and Steve asked me if I was able to have any conversations with anyone.  I told him I was able to have a lot of half conversations and one full one.  The others were met with "I need to go to the bathroom" or "Mom, can you look at this sandman's head?" or "Mom, look at this (dead) fish I caught!"  And the cool thing is, as much as I would have loved to have had a full length grown up conversation with each of those friends, I'm grateful to be in the season of interruptions.  I hesitated for a couple of minutes to jump up and take one of my little ones up the hill to the bathroom, because I had been wanting to have a conversation with this friend for some time now, but when I did get up and take her, I was so glad I did.  As she skipped along and laughed, I thought it won't be long and she won't need me to go with her.  She won't need me to help her wiggle back into her wet bathing suit back up or turn the knob on the sink. So, instead of feeling frustrated, I actually, by God's grace, was able to enjoy the so-called interruptions.  And I'm slowly learning that they really aren't interruptions.  They are opportunities to teach and train and enjoy the little people God has given to us to care for this season.

So, my baby is 4 as of yesterday.  And she loves elephants and the color purple and blowing bubbles.  She loves Popsicles and Magna Doodles and playing with her beads and drawing with chalk.  She carries her pink Princess Softy wherever she can and she likes to wear dresses and brown sandals.  She wants fish kisses and worship songs before she falls asleep at night as she's being tucked in before her prayers.  And next year this time she'll probably have a different favorite color and toy and I'll be happy she's 5, but I won't wish away this season.  I'll enjoy learning and growing with her!

May 19th

32 years ago today Steve was born.  He was in Orlando and I was a month and half old baby in Alexandria, Louisiana.  

He was born the oldest, I the youngest.  

He grew up playing in the woods, taking care of his animals, spending time pretending and learning with his brother and sister and learning school from the comfort of his very own kitchen table!  

I still remember the first time I met him and who all he was sitting with.  I still remember the first time I heard him play piano.  We were 15.  At that time I had no clue we would one day be married!

So now, 17 years later, I have watched Steve change from a teenager to a man.  Over the years he has grown in his love for the Lord, as a leader, as a husband, as a father and a friend.  He is steady.  And loyal.  He's the hardest working person I know and rarely do I ever hear him complain.  

So, May 19th is a day worth celebrating in our home! So celebrate our man of the house we will...bring on the steaks and carrot cake, the presents and the fun!

It is called...

a light (Psalm 119:105)
   a fire and a tool (Jeremiah 23:29)
      a weapon (Ephesians 6:17)
         seed (1 Peter 1:23)

It is perfect, sure, right, pure, true and righteous.

It is sweeter than honey, and to be desired more than much fine gold (Psalm 19:7-10).

It can convert the soul.

Make wise the simple.

Rejoice the heart.

Enlighten the eyes.

It is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.

It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

                                    It is the Word of God.

Am I being governed by the Word of God?  That is a question I've been thinking on as I've been reading Donald Whitney's excellent book "Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health".

Governed - (Websters 1828) - Directed; regulated by authority; controlled; managed; influenced; restrained.

What is most important to me?  Where do I go for answers? strength?  hope?  Where do I go for light and life?  Where do I go to search for wisdom on how to train my children?  be a wife to my husband?  on how to love others?  Am I daily being informed and influenced by the Word of God?  If not, what is influencing me?  These are questions I'm asking myself...and forcing myself to answer honestly.  

I love this resolve from Jonathan Edwards...

"Resolved, To study Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same."

The Word.  It IS alive.  It IS active.  It DOES bring change to this heart. May I be increasingly governed by it's Truth.

Deco

I let the girls take a bin of Easter decorations and decorate their room all by themselves. I made sure I had "work" to do in the room next to them so I could listen to them decide what they were going to do. They were so cute working together and making decisions, and I had decided no matter what it looked like, it would be "beautiful"! ;) And it was! They did a super job and have been enjoying their bunny display ever since!!

Reagan took a piece of card stock and stamped "Hoppy Easter" to go in their frame.

Little Girl.Long Way

Out of the Depths

-Sovereign Grace Music

Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You
When I am tempted to despair
Though I might fail to trust Your promises
You never fail to hear my prayer
And if You judged my sin
I’d never stand again
But I see mercy in Your hands

So more than watchmen for the morning
I will wait for You, my God
When my fears come with no warning
In Your Word I’ll put my trust
When the harvest time is over and I still see no fruit
I will wait, I will wait for You

The secret mysteries belong to You
We only know what You reveal
And all my questions that are unresolved
Don’t change the wisdom of Your will
In every trial and loss
My hope is in the cross
Where Your compassions never fail

This song rang through our home, our car, our shower, my head, my heart many, many, many times for the first 3 years of our Jordyn's life.

Today I was sitting here at breakfast, watching her put down some Rice Crispies, and I was just overwhelmed with JOY.

Joy in what the Lord has done and is doing in this little girl - the little girl who used to scream, out of anger, for eight or nine hours straight. The little girl who used to sit on the floor and bury her fists in the ground when we asked her to do something. The little girl who would refuse to eat because she simply didn't want to pick up the food. The little girl who would scream every Sunday during worship.

This morning she's eating and listening and talking - thanking me for her cereal and asking to play beads, and as she clears her dishes and puts them in the sink she begins dancing around the kitchen saying "it's time to party"! The LORD indeed is good. And not only has He been changing her, He's been changing me. Again...big, grateful sigh! =) HIS steadfast love endures forever. HIS faithfulness never ends. HIS mercies ARE new e.v.e.r.y. day.

I read these verses this morning and began praying it for the girls...

"The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous." Psalm 118:14-15

May He be their strength and song. May He save them! May glad songs pour forth from their lips as they are overwhelmed by God's unending, never-stopping, always and forever love!

3234 Oak Tree Lane

Over the last couple of months, Steve has been building a playhouse for the girls.

It's about 6 feet off the ground, looks like our house =), has a great view, and is so.stinkin'.cute.

When I see the playhouse in all its adorableness (not sure that is really a word!), I think of the hours and hours of fun the girls are going to have playing house and school and restaurant, the hours of reading and eating and laughing, the hours of sister-talks and friend-talks, the times they'll run up there for a good cry or to just think for a while. But that's not what I think about most when I look out my window and see the house with the address 3234 Oak Tree Lane. (Reagan's address for their new place!) I think most about the man who put the house together and what a labor of love that house displays.

What a dad. What a man. He has so much to do and yet he takes the time and money to make something special for his girls. Regularly I think they don't realize how good they have it. And then I think in many ways I'm glad they don't. I tell them regularly, but they have nothing to compare too. That their dad enjoys playing with them and teaching them to throw baseballs and climb trees and weed the yard is normal for them. I am so thankful that they have a dad that will stop and listen to them and tickle them and pray over them. Who will take them out for breakfast dates on Fridays and Lowes dates on Saturdays and read the Bible to them over breakfast. Who will take them on walks and teach them to ride bikes and dare them to do things I wouldn't do!

When I look at that little yellow house with a tin roof, I see another expression of love from a dad who adores his girls. I hope that little house weathers a lot of storms (and any large falling tree branches!). More than that, I hope the Lord uses it and the many other ways their dad demonstrates love and care toward them to set their eyes and hearts on HIM, and that He uses the ways that Steve loves them as their earthly father to reveal to them that He, their Savior, loves them even more. My heart is full of gratefulness when I see my girls being cared for by their dad.

Dating Isn't Just for Before Marriage!

I love when we have a date night on the calendar!

I look forward to going out with my man and spending time just as his girl - titles of "mom", "teacher","house cleaner", "dinner maker", "laundry washer", etc. are put on the shelf and it's time for the boy and girl who fell in love with each over 11 years ago to enjoy some one-on-one time! With date nights out not being too frequent, and wanting to cultivate thinking about hubby more, I thought it was a good time to start thinking about date nights in! A while back I would try to plan regular date nights in. I have really been slacking over the past, say, couple of years!

So, here's what I'm doing for the year...

For Valentine's Day, two of my friends and I planned a fun scavenger hunt for our husbands. We had such a good time planning the hunt and dinner! One of my creative friends made our guys shirts that they had to wear (and the writing had to be visible!) in order to get all of their clues at the different stops along the way to finding us. Oh, what did the shirts say? "I Love My Hot Wife"! They went to QT for their favorite treats. (We had already paid for everything and their snacks were with their next clue!) Next they went to Dick's Sporting Goods and they had to go all the way to the back of the store to the fishing department where they found their next clue with a jar of gummy worms and a note saying "hooked on you"! From there, they went to La Parilla where they picked up chips and salsa (well, that's what it was supposed to be - it was actually someone else's meal!). Next they had to find their next clue "Where Shopping is a Pleasure" and then to Longhorn where my friend found out they carried her husband's favorite dessert! Their last clue led them back to one of our houses where we had a fiesta awaiting our guys - starting with a pinata, lots of yummy Mexican food, and we ended the night watching 3 Amigos. It was a blast - both the planning and actual date!

(I don't have the pictures from that evening, but he happens to be wearing the shirt right now!)

The next morning, for Steve's Valentine's gift, I made him a passport and let him know we were going to go around the world this year from the comfort of our own home. Each month I'm planning a date night in with a theme from a different country. I knew giving him this gift would help keep me from getting too distracted and actually follow through with planning a fun night in for us.

So, the beginning of the month we spent an evening in China!

He brought his passport...

He came to the restaurant "Love"...

Our meal began with egg rolls and spicy shrimp bao...

Next came our main dish of Mandarin Orange Chicken, Vegetable Fried Rice and Szechuan Style Green Beans...

With our main dish, we also had Sake for the first (and probably last) time! I used my grandmother's tea set from Okinawa. (I am aware, too, that Okinawa is in Japan, but it looked good with our set-up!)

Next came the Wonton soup...

And for dessert we enjoyed coconut ice cream and fortune cookies...

Another fun part about the meal was that it really took me no time at all to prepare. Trader Joe's did most of the work for me. The girls went shopping with me and helped me pick out everything for their daddy's and mine special evening. It was inexpensive and I was able to put it all together while he was putting the girls to bed...

I had borrowed a Mahjong game from a friend, but after spending way too long trying to figure out the rules, I had to come up with a Plan B. So, I went to The Dating Diva's website and found another idea. We played a silly game called "Wok Tok" (like Mad Gab). It was so fun just being goofy together and laughing! I already have April's date night idea and can't wait to make it happen - and I really love that Steve's already asked me what we are doing next!

Surprise!

The girls and I spent a wonderful week in Florida last week enjoying family and friends! On Wednesday it worked out for my mom and I to surprise the girls and take them to Disney World! I was so excited to see their faces when I told them how we were going to spend the day! They woke up to Minnie Mouse shirts and breakfast waiting for them. Our first stop was Animal Kingdom where we went on Safari, scaled Everest, dug for dino bones and barely escaped the bug show!! Next we were on to the Magic Kingdom where we saw princesses, ate Mickey Bars, went on Splash Mountain, a magic carpet ride, climbed Swiss Family Robinson's tree house, sailed through the Pirates of the Caribbean, took a train ride, and more! The girls had a blast and I enjoyed watching them and riding with them and was so glad Mama was able to come, too! Today they have recreated the rides and spent all afternoon reliving their trip to Disney!

Product Highlights and February Deals!

NYR Organic has so many incredible products. Over the last 4 months my family and I have tried numerous products and I have talked to many other ladies who are reaping the benefits from the soaps, cosmetics, balms, lotions, shampoos, deodorants and essential oils that NYR offers. Not only do they feel great on your body, that they are certified organic by the UK's Soil Association - and from the research I've been doing recently that is a big deal to me. Seeing that what my daughters put on their bodies is absorbed within about 20 seconds makes me want to know what's in the products they are putting on their skin. Amazingly, their many skin issues have been resolved since we replaced everything they use with the pretty little blue bottles! =)

Here are some of my favorite products and also a few of the wonderful deals we are offering this month! Here is a link to my website - please take a look at our catalog if you have a moment. NYR Organic is a very ethical company - one of the many reasons I love it! Any questions you have about the ingredients of our products should be available on the site. If you have any specific questions, I'd love to get the answers for you! Please don't hesitate to call or email me!

Favorite Product #1

Beauty Sleep Concentrate - a nighttime serum that supports your skins regeneration, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while the aromatherapy blend enhances a restful night's sleep. One pump (not 3 or 4!) does the trick and I use this every night in place of my moisturizer. It smells wonderful and I really can tell a difference in the appearance of my skin!

Favorite Product #2

Luscious Lip Gloss - this lip gloss nourishes as it glosses! It has an essential fatty-acid rich Organic Beauty Oil and USDA -certified organic Castor Seed Oil with a fabulous flavor of organic sweet orange. I wear this if we are going out on a date or if I working in the yard all day. My lips have stayed smooth through the winter and I love how the gloss smells!

Favorite Product #3

Sage Eye Shadow - NYR Organic carries the ONLY CERTIFIED ORGANIC cosmetics in the world. I love how the eye shadow goes on, stays on and the colors available! (The Truffle is another one of my favorites!)

Favorite Product #4

Calendula and Oat Lotion and Calendula Bar Soap - My daughter, Reagan, has suffered with eczema since she was a baby. We have tried all kinds of creams and lotions - over the counter and prescriptions. Within 2 days...YES...2 DAYS her skin was better than it had been since she was 2 years old! We all use these two products now and through winter weather, running our heater, burning yard debris, playing outside, doing home projects our skin has remained smooth!

Favorite Product #5

Lavender Essential Oil - I love to burn this in the afternoons in the kitchen or drop a few drops in a hot shower. It smells so good and is so soothing!

OK, my list could go on and on. =) I'll give one more favorite!

Favorite Product #6

Rejuvenating Frankincense Collection - Morning and Evening I look forward to my special "treat"! I use the cleanser, toner and moisturizer within the Frankincense Collection. Pretty much every woman I know who uses NYR and is over 25 uses the Frankincense products. They smell wonderful and leave your skin feeling and looking amazing!

Click HERE to see some of our fabulous February Deals. 20% off some of our luxurious treats!

Our Wild Rose Beauty Balm (I use this all the time, too!) is $35.00 with any $65.00 purchase.

(What a deal on a product that won't disappoint!!!)

Who Am I?

A couple of weeks ago I received a package I had been waiting for in the mail. I was so excited, only when I opened it up I realized I had made a mistake and ordered the wrong thing.

And it was a heavy thing...

Oh, and I did mention it was MY mistake...

So shipping it back was going to be expensive.

I hate making mistakes like that. I started calling myself names like "I'm such an idiot, I'm so stupid," etc...I know, I know - real mature! Reagan stopped me and said "Mom, why are you saying those things about yourself? You really shouldn't - it's not true." Gulp. I stopped. And I thanked her. Later that night, I was thinking about my costly mistake again and those words began taunting me again - along with others like "failure, you just disappoint others, you're so dumb you can't even order something online right", etc., etc. - In that moment I felt like the Lord stopped me and said "This is who you - and maybe others - say you are - but who do I say you are? Look to Me. Look to the Truth in My Word. I call you by these names:

My beloved.

My friend.

My child.

Saved.

Clean.

Forgiven.

Called.

Chosen one.

Dearly loved.

This is my true identity. This is my identity IN CHRIST. Not because of anything I have done or have not done, but because of Who HE is and what He has accomplished on that rugged tree.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above,

where Christ is,seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above,

not on things that are on earth."

Colossians 3:1-2

Lord, keep my eyes off myself and on You. Thank you that when my eyes are on You, and how You love Your children, I can't help but want to worship. Thank You that You are always faithful to Your promises and You never leave or forsake the one's You draw to Yourself.

100 Plus Joys

2 winters ago I spent a little time just recounting some of the gifts from the Lord that bring joy into my life. I've had them on my side bar, but am trying to update. I'm adding them here so I can look back when needed! =)

1 - That my Savior would call me His and that never will He leave or forsake me!

2 - When Jordyn runs up to me, squeezes my leg, gives it a big kiss and tells me she loves me!

3 - Holding Steve's hand!

4 - Going to get Steve a Slurpee even if it is 40 degrees outside!

5 - Drinking hot tea with a dear friend!

6 - Cooking for my family and friends!

7 - Sitting on our front porch and reading while it is still really quiet in the morning!

8 - Wrapping Christmas gifts for our family!

9 - Watching my husband grow in the midst of everyday life and learning from him!

10 - How it feels after a good, hard workout at the gym when I've been pushed to do things I didn't think I could physically accomplish!

11 - Reading Reagan's stories she's writing for school and watching her smile her toothless smile!

12 - Snuggling with Sydney when she lays down for her nap and talking to just her for a few minutes!

13 - Talking to my mom on the phone after I drop our babysitter off after CG!

14 - Seeing my friends with their two new baby girls from China and their love and compassion that is truly a gift from God!

15 - The treat of sipping on a hot peppermint mocha from Starbucks!

16 - Playing hopscotch in the living room with the girls!

17 - The time I get to talk to Camille every other week as we drive to and from our houses!

18 - Playing Hungry, Hungry Hippos with the fam and Reagan giving up the pink Hippo so I can have a turn!

19 - For God's strength to take care of a sick little girl!

20 - For God's perfect sovereignty when His plans aren't what I have in mind for the day!

21 - Watching Reagan make Sydney sweet "Feel Better" cards and loving her little sissy!

22 - Working in the kitchen next to my 6 year old while she makes her lunch just because she wants to help me!

23 - Snuggling on this cold day and having a Little House on the Prairie marathon with my girls!

24 - Hearing Laura from Veggie Tales sing her song over and over again as the girls play with their nativity set!

25 - Thinking about the hot chocolate chip cookies I'm going to make for my man in a little while!

26 - Cristina making a super yummy dinner for all of us while I continue to do the constant cycle of laundry today and care for now 2 little sick ones!

27 - Rocking my babies in front of our lit Christmas tree with the winter landscape in the window behind!

28 - Experiencing God's grace as my girls ask me to pray for them instead of them complaining. I've been overwhelmed today by their attitudes and how much they have just wanted prayer because they know that God hears our prayers...and He answers us!

29 - Sitting in total silence for what may only be a moment. Yep, just a moment! =)

30 - Praying with my friend while we eat her yummy chocolate chip hazelnut cookies!

31 - Seeing my man after he's been gone all day!

32 - Trying to find the Teddy Bear at Trader Joe's with Reagan and Sydney so they can get a treat!

33 - Watching them enjoy their treat!

34 - Eating dinner with Ben and Cristina and Steve after all the kiddos are tucked into bed for the evening!

35 - Listening to C.J. remind us to keep the Gospel in front of us daily and worshiping God with other believers and friends!

36 - Giving the girls their cream sodas because it's Sunday!

37 - Talking to Steve and praying together so that hopefully we'll both learn to understand each other and encourage each other more...daily!

38 - Holding my sweet pregnant friend's squishy, sweet little girl for a few minutes at church!

39 - Getting a hug from Sheila!

40 - Seeing the first snowflakes of the season!

41 - Listening to the girls talk about what they learned at Sunday school this morning!

42 - A kiss from my hubby as he leaves to go to work!

43 - Listening to 6 little girls playing house and all being sweet to each other!

44 - Reading Reagan's creative little stories she writes for school!

45 - Thinking about seeing our family in 2 weeks!

46 - When hubby comes home from being gone all day!

47 - When hubby brings home special treats like flowers and Slurpees...just because!

48 - Listening to the girls laugh hysterically while being entertained by their Daddy before he prays for them and puts them to bed!

49 - Being able to make dinner almost every night for my family!

50 - Getting mail that isn't junk. (Like presents I've ordered or a note from my sister =)!)

51 - Hubby helping me when I'm not feeling so great!

52 - Hearing the girls laughing and having fun with Cristina and Luke while they make Gingerbread men!

53 - Having friends who care about my soul and listen and speak Truth into my life!

54 - Warm clean sheets, hot tea and soft socks!

55 - Snuggling and watching Robin Hood with my man!

56 - Reading a card my sweet Reagan made me today saying she saved her gingerbread man cookie for me!

57 - Family worship time!

58 - Holding Jordyn and praying for her before I put her in her crib!

59 - Watching little sissies love on each other after they have been encouraged by their Daddy to do so! =)

60 - Being able to run at the gym!

61 - Fresh haircuts and a fun stylist to talk too!

62 - Anticipating a date night out with my man!

63 - Having time with the ladies in our care group and seeing God at work in each of their lives!

64 - Reading about Jesus' birth with the kiddos!

65 - Being able to get up in the morning and spend time in the Word being envisioned by God's Truth.

66 - Being able to work out at the gym with a trainer and being able to talk to her about what's going on in her life. And being able to pray for her and let her know it!

67 - Listening to little girls talk and giggle 'till after 10 last night when they had one of their dear little friends over to spend the night!

68 - Having a girls' night in with Ashley and Cristina and laughing through the movie we watched!

69 - A big pot of home made soup cooking and bread baking while I write a few cards!

70 - Letting Jordyn "help" me wrap presents this morning!

71 - Going to a Christmas program with our sweet neighbors!

72 - Talking with Steve late at night!

73 - Knowing and believing that "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love...He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us." Ps 103:8, 10-12

74- Cleaning my home!

75 - Watching and listening to little girls play with Legos for hours and hours and eating their Lego cupcakes and cookies!

76 - Listening to the girls playing mommy and baby...it's very revealing, too!!

77 - A kiss good morning from my man!

78 - Baking goodies for our friends and neighbors!

79 - Helping the Hartman's move into their new home!

80 - Getting our home ready for our Care Group's Christmas party!

81 - Reading with the girls by the fireplace after our CG Christmas party has been canceled due to icy roads!

82 - Bringing goodies out to people who've been trying for hours to make their way home only to be stopped in traffic in front of our house!

83 - Playing Scrabble in front of a warm fire with my man and laughing at his goofy faces!

84 - Checking on Jordyn before I go to bed at night...being able to give her kisses and cover her up with her multiple blankies and give put her baby doll and puppy dog back in her chubby little arms!

85 - Being able to read "The Gospel for Real Life, Shopping for Time and my Bible and drink my Awake tea before anyone else (but of course Steve) is up in the morning!

86 - A phone call from a friend inviting me to go over for dessert!

87 - Making cookies with friends and talking while 12 little kids run circles around us!

88 - Getting Reagan and Sydney dressed up and ready so they can go on a date with their Daddy! (Dinner and Shopping!)

89 - Going out Christmas shopping with Jordyn and listening to her as she has an opportunity to talk since her two big sisters are elsewhere!

90 - The quote in my text by Jerry Bridges!

91 - Talking to one of my dearest friend for a LONG time on the phone about anything and everything!

92 - Taking Christmas goodies and cards to all our neighbors!

93 - Going and visiting my great aunt who moved here from California!

94 - Watching my girls faces light up when they get to buy presents for their Daddy!

95 - Helping Reagan hand sew Sydney's Christmas present and watching her wrap it all by herself.

96 - Snuggling on the couch with Jordyn and Sydney while we read books together!

97 - Playing games in the van with the girls while we are driving here and there and everywhere!

98 - Listening to Steve read the Christmas story while we are all in our new Christmas p.j.s that he picked out special for each of us!

99 - Thinking about having the whole day with my little family tomorrow without a big agenda other than celebrating our Savior and enjoying each other!

100 - Watching Reagan sing with the children's choir at church as we celebrate our Savior with our church family and hoping the Lord uses the words to soften her heart towards the Gospel!

(Um, I think I'll just keep going!)

101 - The uninterrupted time Steve and I were able to talk on our drive down to Orlando yesterday about our goals and hopes for 2011!

102 - Seeing my Mama last night when we arrived at her home which she so graciously is giving up for us this week!

103 - Getting a pair of very special earrings that I have wanted since I was a child!

104 - Eating cheese and sausage biscuits and having an unhurried morning with the girls and Steve!

105 - Playing Trouble with the girls!

106 - Getting back into a "normal" routine and having play time with the girls. Laughing with them as they make up silly ways to play their games and listening to them encourage each other as they win or lose!

107 - When my 6 year old sweetie pie asks if she can have a private conversation with just me to talk about something that happened while she was with some other children today and being able to point her to our Savior and pray for her!

108 - Walking around my in-laws home for the last time on Sunday and remembering all the wonderful memories we shared there. Then thinking ahead with JOY about the memories to be made in their new home in a new city as they follow God's will for their lives.

109 - Snow days!

110 - Reading Joni Eareckson Tada's testimony in her book "The God I Love".

111 - Talking over the 31 questions from the Romantic Vineyard's blog with my man and learning more about him!

112 - Big cups of cold water and mugs of hot tea!

113 - Snuggling with Sydney when she just wakes up from a nap!

114 - Having friends over and listening to 8 little girls playing together!

115 - Being able to have people in our home on a regular basis for food and fellowship!

116 - Walking to the mailbox with my man!

117 - Being able to thank God everyday for how He provides for us and blesses us and knowing that He will never leave or forsake us.

118 - Being able to read for an extended amount of time!

Growing Girls

Time is zooming by. I mean seriously, is it already February? Is my seven year old really so tall? I can just hope her jeans are shrinking and she didn't really just grow another inch, although I'm sure that is not reality. And how is my five year old a snaggle-tooth already? One day I will miss the adorable toothless giggles that greet me across the table during breakfast. And my baby - well, she's twirling and whirling and coloring and keeping up with the big girls. And, oh, yep - her pants have decided to shrink, too! =) Sometimes I don't want to blink. I just sit and watch and listen and try to soak in the sister-love that's going on around me, the silly giggles, the corny knock-knock jokes, who's hanging from the swing set, and who's in control of the Rapunzel dress at the moment.

Other times I don't mind the change. I love watching the girls grow and change. I love seeing God's hand at work and wonder what He has in store for their little lives and am in awe that I actually get to live life with them day in and day out. Learning about history, reading Swiss Family Robinson, Little House on the Prairie lunch "dates", Bible around the table, working in the yard together, playing "maids" to get the house in order, hide and go seek in the dark, having actual conversations about life, playing freeze tag, seeing what bug Reagan decides to surprise me with (at least the last one was a dead lizard!), watching the girls grow and want to help each other and other people...these things and many more make me not mind "blinking".

So, yes, my last post was October. A lot has happened since then. There has been much laughter, many tears, lots of sugar eaten, disciplines given, chores taken care of, snuggles, boo-boos, school work, swinging, sliding, twirling, piano practicing, loosing of teeth, books read, bubble baths, doll playing and dress up. Whew, all that just happened today! I can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow!

Here's toothless Wonder Girl - another one has fallen out since this shot last week!