# 19

# 18

Joy.

With Thanksgiving just passing us by, of course gratefulness has been on my brain. We have so much to be thankful and grateful for, yet so often I find myself complaining about something. Most of the time it is something really, really dumb. Dumb or not, complaining is always sinful. And where there is complaining in my heart, there is a lack of joy. Several days ago I came across a blog through a friend's blog and wanted to join with my friend and others in pursuing looking for joy.

The holidays can be a stretch for me. The busyness, the planning, and the wanting to do all the extras in the midst of all of the "we-have-to-dos". Because of God's grace, I want to grow. I don't want to be so busy that I miss my time with the Lord or miss the gifts of joy He has placed around me for His glory and for my enjoyment, so that's what's on my sidebar.

This month I'm going to LOOK for 100 joys. Hopefully I'll see hundreds more than the hundred. I know they are there. Our Savior is so gracious, so kind, so extravagantly good that they have to be there. So often I'm just not looking for them. So, now I'm looking. And I'm seeing. Which leads to rejoicing and gratefulness. And smiles. And joy. And growing in joy is what I have been pursuing since January, so what a fun way to end the year!

Since June 22...

June 22 seems like a very, very long time ago. Since then I fell off the blogging world wagon and right now I am finding the desire to run and catch it! I've kept up with Facebook, posting pictures and updates, but how I wish I would have kept my thoughts here - in one clean little nook on my computer. But that's okay, today I start fresh. Today I am hoping to begin adding the funny and thoughtful parts of our days so that when I want to remember the hilarious words that spill out of Sydney's mouth or the sweet encouragement from Reagan, or the picture of a moment that says more than words can express, I can just pop on here and see it again. Also, as I look back over former posts, I am overwhelmed with God's faithfulness, provision and kindness and I want to keep seeing that - over and over and over again!

So, quick recap.

Over the summer, we had 8 consecutive weeks of company. We love being able to share our home. We love having people here - laughing, playing, talking, and praying together. Listening to little people try to fall asleep even though they are so excited they can barely stand it! Trying to fall asleep ourselves because some visits are just too short! We are so grateful for all the friends and family who have been here over this past year and look forward to many, many more guests!

The week after our last summer visitors, Ben and Cristina and Luke moved in with us! It has been a uniques season having dear friends stay with us. Having a friend in the house during the day to talk to has been wonderful! It sure is going to be a lot quieter in a few weeks when they move into their own beautiful new home about 30 minutes away!

We haven't done much work on the house since the summer. A little painting here and there, and a lot of yard work. Steve is amazing at cutting down trees, hauling things away, etc, etc. I truly think he can figure out how to do just about anything!

The girls and I have loved getting to know our neighbors better. They are so sweet and Mrs. Cherry has watched Sydney and Jordyn and Reagan several times for me during the day to run errands or take Reagan to Timothy.

Reagan has lost 3 teeth this month alone. She's lost 5 all together! I love, love, love to see her smile! She saved her "tooth daddy" money and went to the American Girl Store this week to buy something for her Kit doll!

We spent time in Orlando a couple of weeks ago to celebrate Amy and Kaleb's wedding! It was so fun being able to be a part of the wedding week and day! I can't wait to see all the pictures. Of course, Amy was a stunning bride! Steve was able to spend the week before with Danny in Greenville while all of us girls did fun things like shopping, planning, pedicures, etc! The girls were thrilled to be flower girls and are still talking about the fun they had!

We've been hiking, playing, working and enjoying life. I find my days go by way too quick. As I write so many memories flood my mind - so many highlights of the last few months - but I think I should probably just start fresh (again).

Concert

Steve took Reagan on a date to a concert Friday night.

She had so much fun. She was very excited. She couldn't sit still and randomly yelled things out to Steve throughout the concert.

My favorite was "This is louder than Jordyn!" =)

The Rest of March...

in pictures!

Blog...What's That?

March 8? Seriously, that was the last time I blogged? I'm feeling like time is flying by and I'm trying to grab it by the coattails as it zooms past! Mama, you've probably fallen out of your seat by now as you see a new entry listed!

So, now I don't know what to do...updates galore again or start from this day and move forward? A few updates just so I don't forget! =)

Since April, we've had 7 birthdays to celebrate, our anniversary and Mother's Day. Steve and I both turned 30 this year, Reagan 6, Sydney 4 and Jordyn 2. And we celebrated 9 years together!

Quick updates:

Me - Yep, I really turned 30. My sweet hubby took me away for my birthday and shopping for a night and day. It was very sweet of him, but I'm not sure we'll do it again for a long, long time. The going away part I hope we get to do again soon =). The shopping together part, not so much! It was a good and revealing getaway and Friday night was a lot of fun, but come Saturday some ugliness began to exude from my heart and has continued to be revealed through multiple situations. Although I'm so thankful for revelation, the Cross of my precious Savior, being able to repent, a husband who has been patient and kind, it has been a bit of a difficult season for me personally. But God is faithful and He is answering my prayers and for that I'll gladly take the pain of seeing my sin if it means I get to see more of His holiness and goodness!

Steve - He is a man of many talents! He's been working hard at work (as always), working hard on the house, and growing - by God's grace - in many different areas. And he still finds time to make us laugh everyday! The girls and I went to Orlando for a week and he worked his regular job during the day and worked on putting in new doors, painting, putting in trim, etc. in the house at night. Amazing!

Reagan - our little LuLu finished school right before we headed to Orlando and has been enjoying her summer so far! She just turned 6 and I love her quote of the day on June 4..."This is the best 6 year old day of my WHOLE life!" She got her first bike and has surprised me by how well she is riding. She continues to be a super helper and a super talker! =) She makes breakfast in the morning for her and her sisters, dusts the stairs, living room and our room, loves reading and making mud pies! She also loves visiting our neighbors and is asking more and more questions about the Lord which has made for some precious conversations lately!

Sydney - all you have to do is say "diaper" and you'll have her rolling! She is a stinker, but a very funny stinker! She also got a bike for her 4 year old birthday and has been doing really well riding, too! The first time she rode it she flipped down our little hill, so it took her a little while to get up the courage to try again. The other day I put them in the tub after they had been outside for hours, and I went to pull out her braid and realized her hair and scalp were just full of dirt. She informed me she was just trying to bury her head in the dirt. I had to wash her hair about 10 times and I'm sure I didn't get it all out! I never know what she's going to say...or do!

Jordyn - is 2 now! She is growing and changing and I'm so grateful for the changes I've seen in her over the last few months. She is a tough cookie, but God is at work in her and in us! She hasn't been passing out for the last probably month and a half, but she has started stomping her feet and hitting. BUT she's also started responding so much quicker, and loving on her sisters more, and talking a bit, and she LOVES to dance - especially when we listen to music in the car! I love when we turn into our driveway and she yells "HOME" and gets excited. Today I took her to our neighbors to play and she and I bounced on the trampoline and I didn't want to stop because I've never seen her laugh so hard! She was snorting she was laughing so hard!!

The house - we've been enjoying our home! I've been a little antsy to finish up some of the not so fun projects (like painting trim) and move onto some more fun projects, but we are also really trying to live life too and not be consumed by the home projects. Thankfully, Steve is better at balancing that than I am and having 3 little kids has limited the time I can paint, etc.! I want to enjoy the immense blessings we've been given, be wise with our time, and one day finish the windows! =) We have really been enjoying hours in our yard. The girls will play out there as long as we'll let them, Steve loves to work in the yard and so do I (I even got to mow for hours the other day which I love!) and we love to sit on our front porch and talk and read and watch the little animals run around. I've been going out almost every morning now to drink my coffee and read and journal, and there is much to be said about being outside and being still before the Lord before the whirl of the day begins!

OK, I do believe my Starbucks is wearing off so it's time to wrap up the updates. Oh, so much more has happened, but I think I'm going to start fresh and maybe pop in some of what I've missed blogging about over the last couple of months with pictures!