beautiful

Many mornings I wake up to a little 3 year old sweetheart saying, "you're a beautiful mama". Could it get any better?!

Tonight I actually cried...

We were having family fun night which is a weekly tradition in our family. Out comes the family fun night box and each child gets to pick a slip of paper with an activity on them and that is what the night consists of. There is everything from 'go to Starbucks' (my idea) to 'read a book'. Tonight the two that were drawn were 'movie' and 'make a play'. So off Taylor and Jocelyn went to get ready for their play. A few minutes later a bouncy clown and fair princess appeared ready for their showbiz debut. So I found some music and the clown 'taylor' took the stage. Next was the fairy princess 'jocelyn'. The music that came up just happened to be the newer version of "Over the Rainbow"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVhepGj21Bw As she danced Taylor joined in. All the lights were off in the house, "to make it like a show" except for two little lights and while my two older children twirled, sprinted, jumped, and waved their hands I was struck with the picture of a little girl who truly imagined herself a princess and a little boy who really believed me when I said, "you are an amazing dancer". Their joy in making me laugh and clap brought tears to my eyes. These moments are so precious. No really, they are precious. I felt as if God was sitting right next to me and laughing, maybe with tears in His eyes, as He watched His creation dance for the sheer delight and love of it.

Tonight I actually cried out of joy, because of an overwhelming feeling of blessing, and because the reality of these moments as fleeting truly became reality. If no one ever reads this but it reminds me that my children are a.....gift.....a sacred responsibility then I am glad I wrote.

praying for my little ones...

When we lived in North Platte, NE, I was priviledged to be discipled by a Godly woman. She taught us what she has learned in her years as a wife, mother, and follower of Christ. Her prayer life is probably the thing that I desire most to follow in her footsteps. She gave us a list that she prayed through for her children as they were growing up. So I thought she wouldn't mind if I shared it with you. It might also hold me accountable to be more of a prayer warrior for my children. She would pray one thing from each list to pray for her children every day. I hope this is an encouragement to you.
Spiritual-
Salvation
Read Bible daily
Desire to learn Word
Obedient to Word
Witnesses
Soulwinner
Prayerful
Sensitive to Holy Spirit
Memorizes Scripture
Concerned Sunday School and school teachers
Stability and balance
Contrite heart toward sin in their lives
Usefulness in Church
Mission minded
Have prayer warriors
Integrity
A friend of God
Reverences the Lord
Humility
Zeal
Purity
Godly wisdom
Discernment
Buoyant spirit
Faith
Faithfulness
Family worship
Thankful
Challenging
Exciting
Spiritual songs in their heart
Bold
Wise-all around
Listens to parent's Godly instruction
Responsible to God
Responsible to others

Mental-
Choose and enjoy good reading material
memrizes scripture
Reasoning ability
Logical thinking
Desires to learn new things
Learns from mistakes of others
Accepts mental self
Ability to organize
Disciplined mind
Curious/creative
Proper priorities
Comprehension
Initiative to DO
Orderly
Appreciates and enjoys good music which encourages them to be holy and Godly
know how to handle money wisely
Common sense
Able to learn
Loves instruction
Appreciates good criticism


Emotional-
Compassion
Forgiving
Unconditional love for family and others
Able to show love
Self control
Stability in mind
Submission
Accepts disciline
Thoughtfulness
Thankfulness
Honesty
Tolerance of others
Healing of emotional hurts
Gentleness
Meekness
Flexibility
Accepts others as they are
Acceptance of self
Patience
Contentment
Truthful

Physical-
Able bodied
Fit and strong
Heals fast
Sticktoitivness
Desire to eat right
Enjoys wholesome hobbies
Love for profitable activities
Safe
proper competitive spirit
Modest, but conservatively stylish
Endurance
Self control
Not afraid of work (Proverbs 14:23)
Dependable
Punctual
Cleanliness
Accepts personal appearance (that which can't be changed)
Affectionate towards family and friends (not to extreme)

Social-
Hospitable- friendly
Loyal to what is right
Spirit filled friends
Quality people who will guide my kids
Good neighbors
classmates who are saved and want to please the Lord
Able to reacho out to help people
Able to give gospel clearly
Able to choose the right people to be with (Proverbs 13:20)
Dates only those who are saved and serving the Lord
Mate- saved and desires to be obedient to Lord
Keeps testimony clean
selfless
Fair with others
Generous but thrifty
Individuality
High standards for self

Bath time helper

Kristyn seems really love Jocelyn and Taylor. She watches them so intently and when they get up close she just smiles and giggles. She has such a huge beautiful grin. Jocelyn just loves to be included...in anything. So every household chore, I have my helper. She may not actually help but shes learning!

Sweet summertime

playing

helping

posing

hugging

laughing...

GOOD TIMES.

The pink room

One of my favorite rooms in Anne's (my niece's) home is the pink room. It is a beautiful sun room where she painted the walls a pale pink. Isn't it gorgeous.
And Kristyn wouldn't leave until she had her picture taken in such a girly room.

I mean, who can blame her, every girl should have a "pink" room.

Time with Jacqulyn! (and Shane)

Kris, Kristyn, and I spent four great days with our friends Jacqulyn, Shane, Annalee, Shelby, and Avery in Fredricksburg, Virginia.
I love watching my friends be amazing parents...

who we can grow with in this (little kiddos) season of life...

who are constantly learning more about eachother in their marriage and who are willing to share what God is teaching them daily.

Kris and I are truly blessed with your friendship, Shane and Jacqulyn