Dear (Named) Middle School Girl,

I know that middle school is a new time in your life where you are finding a new sense of self identity. I don't know if I tell you this enough, but I want you to always know that I am so proud of you as you are about to finnish this first very challenging year of middle school.

You stand up for what you know is right. Even if it's not-so-popular. Like when a (not-so-popular) girl in your class was planning a special birthday party and invited all the girls in the class. But none of the girls would actually say if they were going. You were the first one to say you were going and encouraged everyone else to go. And even though you didn't check with me first, I know you did the right thing.

And when a friend of yours has a birthday, you always want her to feel special and you bring her a gift to school. Even if you're not invited to her birthday party.

You have such a gentle way of sharing God's love with others. Like when you told me about some of your friends who are no longer friends, and put you in the middle. But you stood up for your friend by continuing to be her friend even when no one else would. You are an example of how to be Jesus' hands and feet.

You're growing in your personal relationship with Jesus. You faithfully set your alarm every Tuesday for 5:45 and get ready for Bible Study with your youth group girls. Your Bible study leader told me even when the other girls don't show up, they know they can count on you to be there. Even though you might dread getting up that early, God sees your faithfulness.

Sometimes I wish I could protect you from every problem, every tear, and every heartbreak. And middle school can be full of tears. Sometimes my heart breaks and I want to cry for you. But you are quick to forgive. You always keep your head up and you remain joyful. And through these situtations you face, I can see God molding you into a beautiful,--inside and out--godly young lady. Oh, how His heart must smile when he looks at you, just like mine does! I can't wait to see what God has in store for your future! As you continue to follow him with you heart, he will be faithful to bring you through.

WOW

Not sure which of the three has actually changed the most.

They make my heart melt!

Blessings at Work

Ever since October, my mom and I work at the same place! It is such a blessing for me when people realize she's my mom, for them to say things like "Oh, I just love your mom" and "You're so lucky to have her for a mom" or even "She doesn't look old enough to be your mom!"

I feel so blessed that our lives cross paths at work! We eat lunch together as our schedules allow, which is usually once or twice a week! This morning she blessed me with a warm cup of fresh coffee! THANKS MOM! I love you!

Proverbs 31:28-31
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The Truth About Blogging

I just wanted to write an update and see what YOU think. It's no secret I've been away from my blog. I guess it's obvious, especially when my HUSBAND asks if I'm going to blog any more! Wow, I didn't know he cared. He said it's a great way for him to remember what we've been up to, and a great way to get my intake on what we've been up to. He also noticed journaling is a way I relieve stress. No blogging lately=  no stress relief? Well, not really, I have found other outlets, good thing!

Since starting my new position, I have had a LOT less free time. My job is very full time. While I'm at work, I work- ALL DAY. I guess that's pretty much any full time job? I don't know. I just know that it's basically busy, non-stop all day. I guess I should have known that before hand. All of my previous jobs have had some down times, great for browsing and catching up on other people's blogs, but not this one. Not at all.

And when I go home... I'm home, ya know? There's other responsibilities. I love being a mommy to three beautiful growing children. I love the giggles in the home, the warmer weather and playing outside. I love tucking the kids in bed and saying bedtime prayers. And I love being a wife. I love spending time with my hubby after the kids have gone to sleep. I have to admit, I've loved the freedom with not blogging. Well, plus the fact that we don't have home Internet. I have to be intentful when we do have access. The last thing I think about is blogging, usually.

But I do miss it! I miss journaling, my outlet. Getting things out of my head and trying to make some sense of it on paper (kinda). Keeping a journal of our every day life, what our family is up to. I love going back and re-reading. What did we do last year? And I miss making connections with others, and follow friends and family. I feel disconnected.

Then I also feel behind. It's hard to "catch-up" blogging, once I skipped a few months! I have so many precious memories and times that I want to write them down and remember. But where do I start? How do I get un-behind? The less I journal, the more I use facebook. To update pictures. To stay connected with friends and family. But it's not the same. But it is easier to load pictures on facebook. I don't like that google changed the blogging format that you have to have a host for your pictures....grrrr...it seems like a such a long process to load a picture.

Anyway, I know there will be a time and a place where I'll be back to regular blogging. I'm just not sure when. For now, it'll probably still be random and sporadic. Continue to follow if you wish.

Drummer Boys

I've been having a hard time keeping up w/ blogging over the holidays! I can barely keep up with my growing family! I hope to update soon with some holiday pictures, and catch up on what everyone else has been up too as well. But in the mean time, life goes on. So, I had to share this precious video!





And here's one of Caleb about three years ago playing the drums in the bathtub!

Happy New Year!

Quick, Easy Decorating Ideas

Working full time + has really been challenging getting ready for Christmas. I'm so humbled by how God never fails to provide! This year, the kids have really gotten in to buying for others! And they are so eager to help! They've helped me get an early start on wrapping. I also been all into quick and easy ideas for decorating. So I thought I'd share them! We can all use a little tips when it comes to celebrating...
Here's a fun and easy idea we used that was quick and easy and looks great!




My Uncle Jack gave us some balls from his tree that he no longer uses. No one really needed them to decorate and we were just going to toss them until we saw this great idea.


This wreath was sooo easy to make--You just bend the hanger in the shape of a circle and string the balls through--and wa-lah! A homemade beautiful Christmas wreath! He'll be glad they were used for something!



Enjoy!

SMELLS like Christmas

Mistletoe, Christmas trees, cookies, pretzles, pies, yummy, yummy.
Christmas Favorite: Home-made Choclate-dipped Pretzels


My mom and I had fun dipping pretzels together at her house this past weekend. All the good smells of Christmas brought back some good memories.

While we were baking pretzels, the kids played "cowboys and indians" for hours--making more good memories.

Neighbors

Thanksgiving weekend we had a great time spending it with our "extended family." Juli came over and had Thanksgiving leftovers with us and the girls came over for the three-day long weekend. In reflecting on things that we are thankful for, I've noticed how God wants us to be a part of the work he is doing. He could have just as easily chosen to not use us to accomplish his purpose spreading the gospel. How thankful I am that he allows us to take part in his work, simply by being a light in this dark world. And how he grows us in the process! Taking opportunities that we are given can be scary at first, but eventually they become a part of who we are and our identity in Christ.

"For just as God made the light shine out of darkness, He also made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ"
2 Corinthians 4:6

This blog has been so inspiring as how to share God's love with these girls in a real way. The time we spend with them has now become a natural part of how we spend our weekends. Sometimes they call us to pick them up from a party where there are people drinking and they don't feel comfortable. Sometimes they share struggles they face at school and we pray about them. While we can never replace the love of their parents, we want them to know the love of God, and the family of God.

We have had challenges through this process, but many many blessings.  And for this, I am thankful.

These are pictures from a trip (they earned) we took them on to Chuck E Cheese's and spent the night in a hotel. The next day we all filed into a new church with all 5 well-behaved kids! Doing fun things like this is something we enjoy doing with our family anyway. How easy it was for us to include them in the process and give them an experience they won't forget.

Toy Story 3 on Ice

While I was in my job transition, we had a fun surprise planned for the kids. This was totally worth the look on their face!

Half way through the show, they did "The Hoedown". This was one of our favorite parts!

(if you ever do something like this, be prepared: These souvenirs cost almost as much as a ticket!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours!




We now have a Skype account. We had fun skyping with family over the holidays! Almost as good as being there in person. Now, we just need to get Internet at home =) If we didn't get to talk with you yet, look us up!