Friendly's

The preschool that Jorden attends held a fundraiser night at Friendly's, a percentage of the sales went to the preschool. The kids had been asking when we could go out to eat at a restaurant. So we took the opportunity and headed out! Here are a few pictures from our fun evening out as a family! P.S. it was really fun to see Jorden excited about seeing her little friends from preschool too!

He Wants It All by Forever Jones

Get in touch with Easter!

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law,

has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood."

- Romans 3:21-25

Darryl & I were talking yesterday, and I said, "I'm having a hard time getting the Lord's heart right now." To which he replied, " Yeah, we need to get in touch with Easter!" We chuckled a little, but more of a nervous, that hit the nail on the head, kind of chuckle. So that was late last night. With determination of getting the Lord's heart, I got out of bed this morning around 6:15. Lets just say that by 7, I had successfully written out all my complaints, groans & moans...not only did I feel terrible because all I was focused on was negative things, but I also felt like I complete failed my task of getting the Lord's heart. I said to myself & to the Lord, "why can't I ever get it right?" Here I had 45 mins of uninterrupted time and I had completely wasted it in pity. So I turned to the Word (should have started there, I confess, sometimes, too often I underestimate its power). Romans, I can only say the Lord directed me there. Roman 3:21-25 and read the above scriptures...HELLO EASTER! It was such a relief to realize AGAIN that my own righteousness will NEVER be enough! It is a righteousness from God through faith in what my Jesus did on the Cross...spilt his blood & died (that's way simplifying the emotion that he felt in the midst of it). I mean at this point I can't even remember what I was complaining, moaning & groaning about. My heart cries out to know this deeper & deeper. So that I don't get caught up in the complaining, moaning & groaning. These scriptures also, called me out in my judgements of others. Ouch. That is a hard thing to swallow, all have sinned, yeah I would be a part of the ALL as much as the people who get released from the prison across the street, and yet somehow I think I'm so much better. God help me to walk in humility & love. I don't really have a good way of wrapping this up! I felt so challenged and loved all at the same time. Thankful for a father who helps me grow and is LOVE. Thankful, for what took place on the Cross & that the power of what happened on the Cross is still felt today.

This Kid

One Year & One Month ago this sweet baby boy joined our family! He has been a joy & delight!

Happy belated birthday Uriah Mark Vaughn! We love you!

A little late, better then never?

Darryl doesn't like when I try to play catch up on the blog. Honestly I don't like it so much either, but I just haven't made it a priority recently. I'm not going to do to much catch up, but maybe just a few really special things like this....our valentines getaway!

We stole away without the kids the weekend after valentines to the city of brotherly love...PHILADELPHIA~ We had been maybe a couple of times before but usually ended up driving around looking for parking that wasn't out of this world expensive. So this time we planned it out a bit more!

We packed up the kids and took them to Pa Pa & Ma Maw's house for the weekend on friday night and then headed home to a quiet house! We talked and relaxed together, enjoyed a night off of bedtime routine :) Saturday morning, we packed up and swung by psc for some breakfast on the go! Off to Philly! We had a reservation at the art museum to see Van Gogh at 2. Sure glad we left early...traffic into philly. BACKUP! We made it though and had a little extra time to spare to walk boathouse row, only ever saw it from a distance so it was fun to walk the path and see the houses up close. Onto Van Gogh...AWESOME! The show was called UP CLOSE.

So it was alot of nature paintings he did that focused on the detail of nature. It was really interesting and we had a great time. Got a great dinner at the Elephant & Castle, then headed for the hotel! I love staying at hotels :) Our room had a nice comfy couch, so we snuggled up and watched...are you ready for it....WILD HOGS! Funny choice, I know, but it was on tv and we just cracked up! What fun to laugh so much together! The next morning, we went to Reading Terminal Market. SO FUN! Had to get a cheese steak to top it off! Then quick round trip around the historic district, drive by of Penns Landing and back home! We had a great time reconnecting, exploring some new things together, laughing & talking! Here are a few pictures to wrap up!

At the art museum...looking up

Elephant & Castle drinks & dinner

Reading Terminal Market

Best Friends

Last month Michayla came over for a sleep over! We had an absolute blast having her here! These two are so cute together! We did lots of special things while Michayla was with us. Ice cream for bedtime snack, a morning at Central Market for flowers & gummies, Prince St. Cafe for Breakfast & Monkey Bread with a movie for the afternoon! I just absolutely love this picture! I just had to share it!

... and my heart grew!

Dear Jorden, Jonathan & Uriah,

You all bring me SO much JOY! I love spending time with you, I also love watching you play together. There are times yes, that I feel like I could pull my hair out, because you all need something at the same time. But, those times are far less then all the joy of having you as my beautiful children. It is amazing how God helps our hearts to grow. When it was just Jorden, I thought, "how can my heart hold any more love & how can I give anymore love?" But, then Jonathan, you came, and I loved you! My love for you was full...and my heart grew! Jorden, I still loved you & my love was still full for you too~ Isn't that amazing? God grew my heart! Again I thought, "how can my heart hold any more love & how can I give anymore love?" And then came Uriah! Uriah, I loved you completely! My love was full for you...and my heart grew~ I still loved Jorden & Jonathan the same...fully & completely! God grew my heart again. I love that.

Jorden, your courage is contagious. I am so proud of you and how you face your fears. You are beautiful! Kind. Smart. Creative. Compassionate. I love you!

Jonathan, you are strong & helpful. I love watching you ride bike & scooter. Legos & boxing. You laughter lights a room. I am blessed to call you my son.

Uriah, your smile melts my heart! It speaks peace, trust & joy to me. Your hugs are a sweet touch from heaven. Your energy keeps me young :) Keeps me on the move.

Jorden, Jonathan & Uriah, You are all learning so much right now~ It reminds me to keep learning & growing too! What amazing children you are! Thank you for all that you teach me & for all the love you give. I pray that God would bless each one of you with his presence & love. Listen for him. He will speak to you. He will grow your heart, when you think it can't grow anymore.

I love you...HE LOVES YOU MORE!

Love, Mommy

(this is a letter I wrote to the kids last night & felt like I wanted to share it as a way to honor my children! I hope it encourages & challenges you to do the same!)