Urgent Prayer Request

Please, please pray for rain in Texas. And no wind. The wind gets up to 65 mph. Right now my where my parents live has been evacuated because of fires. Please pray for them and their neighborhood, and the whole city. There has been fires off and on all season, and one near them that has taken 3 days to put out. 4 homes in their neighborhood have burned tonight. Thank you for praying. Rain and protection please Lord.

http://amarillo.com/

Monet and Fine Arts Study

We have been doing some fine arts study when we have time. The boys really seem to love Monet.

We read storied about his life, watch movies, and try an art project. We did a smaller version of this last year, but this year I decided to start again. We have yet to do our art project, but have had  alot of fun so far!

This is our Fine Arts Board. It's hanging in the dining room where we can see it and study. Each page protector has addition pictures or worksheets. I got this idea from Mt Hope.



Exploring Monet's Garden




Products we've really enjoyed while studying.

Bible Study Reflection: Philippians

I started reading the book of Philippians last week. It's not a long book at all, but I am slowly digesting it, and just letting it all sink in.

I joined in with Inspired To Action and have really REALLY enjoyed it.
I also found Time Warp Wife's Study on Philippians and am using her guide and questions too.

What God has shown me about Him in the first part of Ch 1.
*He is always working to finish what He has started in your life.
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 
*Jesus longs affectionately for us.
8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus

What God wants me to apply to my life.
*To long affectionately for others.

*To pray for them like Paul did.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now

*To consider the good I do. Does it stem from a love for God, or a desire to be good? 

Paul truly cared for people. That is how you know you know God. When you love others, because that is the true character of God. Paul prayed for them every single day, with joy. No matter his circumstances, and even recognized that everything that happened to him turned out for furtherance of the gospel. He shared the gospel no matter what!

Paul loved others and prayed for others, but he also focused on ridding his life of sin. He knew he was a sinner, and because he loved God, he focused on ridding his life of sin. He didn't focus on all the good stuff he was doing. He lived in a humble manner.

I just love the example Paul is. I love that he loves God and others. I love that he prays for others, and truly deep down inside cares for each person. I love that he made sure others heard the gospel no matter what.

Silly Little Fellas

This kid is always making the silliest faces. He cracks me up!





Tibby has been busy losing teeth. He lost the other one since this picture was taken.



The other day I walked outside to see these pirates and their crew headed out to sea. They said I was too slow and missed my chance on the ship. We do have a pirate costume, but these were special pirates I guess? Cowboy pirate ans space pirate... ;)







AND. A whole city creation, with a farm.

Teddy Bear Babies and Tiny Things

The boys pretended the bears were their babies. The "kids" have to to sit and watch the boys play...haha



We made milkshakes....play dough milkshakes.



This was my book when I was little. Look at how tiny it is compared to my phone!



Lovin' life with all my boys!

Thoughts

I have a bunch of thought jumbled in my head, and I can't seem to figure out how to write all of them out. I ask that you say a prayer for our family. We have had a crazy past few days. Everything is and will be just fine, but please pray for hearts and strength, and please please pray for salvation and a relationship with God for some of our family. Thank you!

The next thing I want to say is that we are so busy getting our yard prepared for new grass, and our home (walls and some furniture painted) prepared for new carpet. We are also in the planning stage of 2 vacations this summer, and as much as I love vacation....this year it has all overwhelmed me just a bit. A part of what makes me overwhelmed is not being able to actually make plans. My husbands' schedule can change at any moment, and it's very hard to make a plan and reserve hotels etc.  I know it will all turn out and be wonderful though!

I can't wait to show you pictures of what all we've been up too! And, thank you for your prayers.

A few fun things: Key lime cake.....yum!

Need some organizing inspiration? I just found this blog...and can't quite get off! I did get off long enough to do some organizing ;)

Do you need to Spring Clean your Facebook account? I did a few weeks ago, and I just happened on this blog post that was so very encouraging.

Enjoy your evening!

Summer Bucket List

It's that time again! Planning for summer activities is one of my favorite things to do all year! When I was little, I would round up my own outdoor activities and stick all of them in a basket so that I would always have something to do. I'm not kidding. I would do that for myself and my friends haha. I was also the one who decorated/organized my room with any money I had instead of buying a toy...hmmm.

This is ours from last year.

Summer List 2011

Backyard Smore's Homemade Icecream Visit a Snow cone Stand Mud pies Outside Movie Night Backyard Campout Watermelon On Trampoline Eat Breakfast Outside Water Gun Fight Play In Sprinklers 4th Of July Dessert Flashlight Walk In The Dark Play at The Lake Nature Camp Weekly Craft Jump Rope Farmer's Market Fresh Strawberry Pie Make Strawberry Lemonade Handmade Boats to Play with At Creek  Create A Flower Tent Make Sun Tea Free Movies At Theater See The Play TEXAS Ride Horses Make Popsicles Have Friends Over for a Cookout and Icecream Visit a new Place to Explore Outdoor Family Game Night Slip N' Slide Serve In The Community

 

Butterfly Study

My dad ordered us some caterpillars. We has so much fun learning about them and watching them carefully.















To learn more about Painted Lady Butterflies visit: http://www.earthsbirthday.org/butterflies/butterfly-lifecycle
http://earthsbirthday.org/butterflies/butterfly-facts-links/

Links I'm Loving

Don't forget, I add more fun links and inspiring things in the sidebar, that change often.  --------->

A sunrise in a bubble? These pictures are stunning.

A fun way for kids to learn Proverbs. We started the other day (more on that soon)

I used to always dream I'd grow up and throw party like this one.

Prayer Book...love this idea

Free Children's Book Recordings

No Rushin' I love this post about living slowly, taking it all in. I make it a point in our lives not to have too much going on. I like to be home. with my family. serving. No need to "be rushin" * I also love what she says about unplugging. I REALLY don't want a tv in our house...soon maybe.

I've been using this schedule as a guideline to clean our home everyday. I love it...and the blog!





I love this post about good "old fashioned" housewives. A way to create an atmosphere of serving your husband.

World Autism Awareness Day

April was Autism Awareness Month. We had an autism walk on World Autism Awareness Day. Some of you may recall a few years back when my husband and I started an Autism Day to support the local public schools' Autism Units. We did two of those before we started home school and private school. The people who helped us get that one started are still doing them to this day! 

This year was our new programs' first event. Dan and I had discussed this with the directors last year, but then we home schooled for the year. Well, this year they got together and started organizing the event. Dan and I came in near the end of all the planning and looked over everything. They really did a wonderful job, and everything went well!

Here are some of the photos of the day. It was windy. I mean 25 mph winds are nothing around these parts. A few weeks ago I went on a road trip with the women's ministry. The 4 hr trip took 6 hrs, and on the way we saw 12...yes 12!! Semi trucks and rvs turned over by the wind...the 60mph wind.  Okay...so on to the "windy" pictures!

My hubby on the news.

Getting ready to say the Pledge:

I don't really like clowns, but I like this picture:

I always look like such a giddy school girl haha...he's not even paying attention to me ha!

My wonderful friend:

Cousins =]

My dad with Jaiden, checking out his sign:

The green team:

Goofy guys:

My boys:

Showing off his medal:

His old teacher...he adores her!

Him with my cousin...he absolutely adores him too!

What a wonderful way to honor those we love!

An Easter Party

I have had so many issues with photos lately....hints why my posts lately haven't had any. I think it's working again, so I finally get to share our Easter photos!

We had an early morning brunch, all set up outside. It was so lovely!



This is what the table was set up like:



Aren't the glasses precious?!



That's it, that's all we did as far as bunnies/candy etc. We spent the rest of the weekend as a family and remembering the sacrifice our Savior made. It was such a nice weekend.

After our party, we headed to the park and gardens. We had never been, and thought it was really beautiful.





I have a ton of pictures on my camera, because Tibby thought it was just beautiful and he HAD to get all the pictures he could. I love that he appreciated the beauty. I think we all did.





After that, we went to the opening of African Cats. We happened to drive up at the same time as our cousins and man did that make the boys' day!! And, just so you know the littlest one (1 yr old) calls me Aunt Nina!! Melts my heart...I just may change my name for that kid.

All in all it was a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

Blessings

357. a beautiful weekend spent with family
358. character building
359. morning coffee...it's a new thing for me =]
360. a hair cut
361. browsing my absolute favorite antique store
362. one of the best days of my life
363. having my best friend by my side, raising our children together. i love that man!
364. kids riding bikes and playing in water
365. teaching 2 year olds about God
366. uplifting words from friends
367. serving my family with clean clothes and good food
367. finding wonderful curriculum!
368. a cool house after being out in 90 degree weather
369. being showered with breakfast and homemade cards...and songs on Mother's Day/Birthday

Mother's Day

I have been so spoiled over the past few days...because today is my Birthday! Yay!
The boys picked out gifts for me. They piled them all in the car as we headed to meet my in laws at Chili's. J got me a balloon, Brighton got me a water squirter and a CARS puzzle, and Tibby, my sweet little guy got me candles and a green (my favorite color) lei. He looked at me with those big brown eyes as I cheerfully put it around my neck, and said, "mom, it's for your wedding". He was SO proud, and I melted. I don't think I will ever throw that thing away.

My husband spoiled me with a date (he wanted to teach me to shoot...I think I knocked his socks off with my skills ;)) Then we headed to 6th street to do some antique shopping and ate at a place called Cowboy Gelato...man was it gooood!

I am so very thankful for my life. . God graciously reminds me of how rich I truly am!

To my boys who made me a mother: You are more than enough. You are beautiful. You are my joy, my life, my gifts. You are precious. You are so loved.

To my sweet husband who is my partner. I could not be the mother I am today without you by my side. Your love amazes me. You bless. You gave me our gifts, I will forever be thankful.

To my momma: You are my most wonderful friend. Your strength inspires me. Your thoughtful and giving heart blesses. You encourage me to give the shirt off my back if needed. Your love for God encourages me. You are more than wonderful.

To my mother in law: You raised the most wonderful boy in to a man that a woman could ever ask for. You taught him hard work. You placed a desire in his heart for a family, and he loves us fiercely. Thank you for loving us.

To my grand mamas. One in heaven, and one still here with us: You are the definition of love. You inspire me to work hard and serve my family. Your example lives in me. Your time and patience grace us. Thank you.

To my beautiful godly friends: I am so encouraged by your friendship. I am blessed to be here by your sides, training and watching over our children. I love how you each passionately love Jesus. I love how he placed each of you in my life.

Happy Mother's Day!

Well, Hello

May is here! One of my favorite months of the year because of my birthday, Mother's Day, and we'll be celebrating our 9th Anniversary! I guess you could sum it up to a whole lot of spoiling for me *grin* but don't worry....I don't mind. haha

I'm not sure what exactly happened last month?! I wrote a post at the beginning of the month stating my 30 day plan with Jillian Michaels, and turned around and it's May 1. All that embarrassing stuff I didn't want to say, well, I pretty much have to now...
No, I did about 1/2 of the month. For some reason, my body senses exercise and decides to get sick. I'm NOT kidding. Every year I stay well through the winter (getting nice and plump while I'm at it). Then, when I finally get the motivation to workout, I get sick. This year was no different, except that right when I felt better and jumped back into my workouts, I got sick again. I have now had the worst cough I've ever had, along with no voice for over a week now. I sound like a frog.

I have decided though, I will not use that as an excuse. I will tell you, the days I did 30 day shred, I felt wonderful all day long! I lost 3 lbs, but still have a ways to go. So, I will continue to push through this month because,  well I just have to. I refuse to enter the pool, lake, vacation without haven't worked my bottom...and tummy off! Or at least, made a habit of working out.

 *********************************************************************************
I have spent so much time with God. I am at a place in my life I've always dreamed of. God has faithfully brought me here. I remember doing a Beth Moore study years ago, and she said she had gone through her spiritual life like a yoyo. Never consistently with God. She longed for a consistent walk with Him. Then, she had the worst year of her life.

When I heard her say that, I wanted to pretend I had never heard her say that, because I just knew I was in the same boat. You see, she had some things in her life that needed dealt with, and God wanted her and Him to deal with them together. It took about a year for her to get out of the pit she was in, and start living a life of joy and freedom. A consistant life with God. Now, her life isn't perfect, but she has a relationship with her Creator that the had longed for. 

As, I stated before, I wanted to pretend I never heard her say that. And I did for a while. I avoided "dealing" with anything as long as I could, but I still prayed for and longed for a closer relationship with God.

Well, guess what? Our God is such a faithful gentleman and honored my request for a closer relationship with Him, but just like any daddy, He helped me deal with and put away my past bit by bit. I have found why this is totally necessary. The inconsistency in my life WAS my past. My past thoughts, guilt, shame. I couldn't have such a divine romance with my King with my past still linguring over my head. After all, this was all about Him. Not me. Not my sins. Not my shame. And when those things brought me down and filled my mind, they pushed Him away.

I hate to say this, but all that dealing took me over a year. The worst time in my life. But worth it. Absolutely worth it. And He makes things turn out beautiful for those who love Him.

I know you maybe wondering what this has to do with exercising? Nothing really. I just wanted to update you on that, but as I sit here typing, I realize that it kinda has a lot to do with that. You see, I struggle with that. I'm not a really active girl. I'd rather read than go to the gym. I'd rather watch a movie or cook than workout. I pretty much rather do anything than run for any length of time...*grin*

But, I'm not opposed to swimming, walking, biking, or hiking. It's just actually getting me to just do it is the problem.

I think God cares about that. He cares that I have a desire in my heart to be healthy and active, and I think He wants me to know that just because I've never been successful in the past with these things doesn't mean I still can't do it. Remember? He is showing me how to LIVE. Every step we will take together. So, no,  I didn't finish my 30 days, but they aren't over....I just have to do what He's shown me when it gets hard. Let Him lead me right through and we will finish together!