Today hasn't been perfect but its been really wonderful! One of those days where I would like to slow time down. I'm enjoying the moments & activities all around me, while fully knowing I'll miss them someday!

This morning we all ate chocolate chip pancakes and scrambled eggs together. Then we let the kids get our their own little christmas trees and decorate them. Darryl and I helped them set them up, put lights on, beads and ornaments. We moved some furniture around and did a little house cleaning. Then we ate lunch and played outside. Darryl and Uriah went to run an errand, while Jonathan played football and Jorden and I played volleyball and Pierce rode bike around the yard. When it was time to come in we watch a little show and then we all had rest time. Praise the Lord for rest time! Dinner and a birthday party drop off,  dishwasher helpers, sticker projects then showers and games... now off to bed.

Still so many good good things I didn't mention even in the midst of christmas tree and shower meltdowns just to name a couple ...there were teachable moments, opportunities to show love and grace and forgiveness to each other all along the way.

Daily Life with Pierce

Pierce is amazing! All my children are amazing! If you don't know my kids, you should because they are awesome! Okay, mom bragging over. But since this is a picture of Pierce I'm going to talk about him for a few sentences! Pierce doesn't need alot of sleep. He never has. In fact he didn't sleep most of the first year of his life. You may think I'm exaggerating- but I'm not. He still doesn't need as much sleep as I think he should have :) He explores. He LOVES explore (and that is a nice way of saying he pushes almost every boundary that I set!). But this kid is my buddy! He also loves to sing, current favorites are Jesus loves me, ABCs, Mary had a little Lamb & Jingle Bells! He can speak spanish...well sort of :) He counts in spanish ( he doesn't know that he can because he is just repeating what his little computer is saying) and he says Hola and Adios and its the cutest! His favorite games are hide and seek, candy land and wrestling, if you can count that as a game :) Favorite super hero: spiderman-becuase Jon is spiderman he says!

 Bedtime routine goes something like this: 

me: pierce its bedtime

pierce: NNNNOOOO (while flaying on the ground)

me: want to walk yourself or piggy back ride

pierce: piggy back

*up the stairs drop off in bed*

pierce: you check on me? i see you in the morning. you sing jesus loves me? 

me: yes, yes and YES!

Jesus loves you so much little dude and SO DO I!!

Tis the Start of the Holiday Season

I just had the BEST date night! :) Darryl and I went to see Elf at the Fulton Theater. We sat in the boxes in the mezzanine, a place I've always wanted to sit! The show was so fun and definitely got me in the holiday spirit! I love the man in this picture so so so much!!! 

Friendsgiving Brunch

On Sunday we hosted our first Friendsgiving Brunch with Kevin & Lesley, Ryan & Denise & families~ Darryl and I have talked for a few years about doing something like this. We decided to go for it this year! It was a lot of fun and our hearts were filled!

The Menu: Cinnamon French Toast, Bacon, Sausage & Scrambled eggs, Coffee, Oj & Mimosa's 

The Vision: To bless a few of our friends with Great food, Great company and Encouraging words

The Purpose: To give thanks to the LORD for he is good and his love endures forever!

Good food, Great friends, Full house & a Little football = Full Heart! 

                      

Beautiful glorious day

What a beautiful glorious fall day today! It was a pleasure and brought joy to my heart watching these two little boys jump and run in the leaves. Adventure isn't hard to find with two little adventurers!

Being known

Almost everyday right now starts with a tap of the snooze...twice...and a brief thought of "not another morning already!" When the alarm is sounding for round 2 I roll myself out of bed and wake the big kids to start getting ready for school. Once they, as well as Darryl, are on their way and the littler two lums have had breakfast and are playing I sit and I drink my lukewarm coffee and used to be hot eggs! This morning I layed down on the floor after a brief game of war uno ( and in case you don't know what that is don't worry...neither do i! Other then it is a game uriah made up that he somehow always always wins at!). As I was laying there listening to worship music I began crying...feeling empty wondering how I can live this day well...as I emptied myself in tears i started to feel the warmth of the Fathers love deep down inside...whispering to me...I know your struggles, weaknesses, insecurities, deep desires & dreams. I know you and I love you.
Im so thankful to be known and loved by Jesus. He is so kind and knows each one of us so deeply and he loves...loves...loves!

No Longer Slaves // Jonathan David & Melissa Helser // We Will Not Be Sh...

Another just really good one :)

days are long years are short

The days are long but the years are short!
It's amazing how I can feel that all in one day! Earlier today about 3 hours ago to be exact you could've found me on my bed crying wishing to stop time and praying for more capacity to take in the sweetness of this season in life ...because the years are short...however 2 hours later I was asking Darryl to skip class tonight...because the days get long! I took this picture tonight because although dinner times can be challenging while daddy is at class...as we prayed and thanked Jesus for all His goodness I felt Him answering my prayer for more capacity! ❤❤❤

#beautifulmessiam #jesuslovesmeanyway 

One of the kids favorite meals right now: Shepherds pie :)

I Need Him

When at any given time in the last month 2 out of 4 kids have been sick with strep, sinus infection, pneumonia . . . and its still going . . . this is what you do. . . watch ALL the Netflix, wash ALL the sheets and drink ALL the coffee!

This morning I was struggling...wondering what I am doing wrong as a mom that my kids have been sick so much. I expressed this to a friend and with grace and love she spoke truth and delivered the Heart of God to me. She said, "Its not your fault my dear! Sickness is a curse not a consequence!"

Undone.

I'm so thankful for the love God shows me each and every day! Because each and every day... I.NEED.HIM!

He daily bears my burdens

Failed attempt to workout led me to Starbucks :) As I sat down with my protein box and caramel apple cider I noticed the song in the background seemed to be stuck on this one phrase: "and I love love you! and I love love you!" over and over again it repeated until I took a deep breath and breathed in the sweetness of the moment and allowed myself to receive again another dose of the Fathers love. 

This season of life I am learning to be THANKFUL for the little moments of rest and letting pressures gooooo! I'm learning to lean more into Him and receive more of his love and peace!

Ps. 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God my Savior, who daily bears my burdens!

Heroes (Official Lyric Video) // Brave New World // Amanda Cook

Its just so good!
Take a listen :)

Getting started is always the Hardest

Well, Its been about two years since i've blogged :) Its hard to know if i should start with an update on life or just pick up where life is at... seems kind of hard to summarize the past two years in one blog post soooo i'll just pick up where life is at right now... right in the middle of the thick of it!

{Life is beautiful}-true (teeter)
{Life is messy}-true (toter)

From these two true statements I conclude that {Life is a beautiful mess}

Today a friend asked me how I was?  (on a side rant I hate that question its the hardest question in the world to answer, I think, it rarely is an easy answer, at least for this complicated beautiful mess of a girl!)  I responded with, "well I'm still on the teeter toter of thankful and ticked about life!" I then proceed with,  "I wish I was better at letting go of perfection and embracing the beautiful messiness of life! It just seems to be hard for me to remember that. BUT JESUS IS GOOD AND IN HIS KINDNESS HE IS FAITHFUL TO REMIND ME OF MY NEED FOR HIM!"
 I truly believe this...I am a sinner saved by grace. And in my life, with my perfection tendencies, I believe it is his faithfulness to me and his loving kindness toward me that He reminds me that I need him.

Every day. Every hour. Every minute.