Church Carnival & Sleepover

Our church had a celebration last Saturday and it was a blast for the kids! E had her first friend sleepover, too! We have had many kids sleepover because we were babysitting; but this time E invited her sweet friend Lis (from preschool) to spend the night and go to church with us. E has moved into a new Sunday school class for kindergartens and every week they talk about inviting your friends. Needless to say, she asks every week to bring a friend with her. We tried to explain that you are to invite a friend that doesn't know Jesus or who doesn't go to church. She is still processing that information :) So in the meantime she wanted to invite Lis and we thought that would be great introduction for stepping out for Jesus.

Mixed Emotions

Well, for few weeks I have known I was pregnant; however, I also knew I was going to miscarry and just had to wait until the time. That time did come. It was a shock to find out the news and also be apart of another miracle from God. I have struggled with infertility for 6 years; however, God has used this trial of infertility in my life for many reasons. My faith has grown so much over the past 6 years and I have seen God's grace firsthand. I have experienced His plan for all those He created and when it was His time to have a child brought into this world. I have learned to have JOY in all circumstances; even during miscarriage. I have had several miscarriages but I have not been at this place in my walk with God with the others.
Hubby and I had so many emotions the last weeks. Excited, anxious good, anxious bad, concern, contentment, joy, awe, disappointment, shock, praise and so on and on. This pregnancy wasn't planned yet it was an answer to our prayers. Do we have more children? Is this family complete? I have never known the answer.
Today I am at peace with my two sweet girls and the size of our family. I believe that God has shown me that our family is complete at this time. Now maybe their is adoption or something in our future but for now that lingering question, "God is our family complete?" Has been answered. "Yes! Yes, honey you are right were I want you. This is what I have for you, enjoy them and don't want for nothing!"
So as I close it is with mixed emotions. I am full of God's delight with my sweet, sweet family...yet disappointed that the door has been closed for children at this time...grateful that God answered my question...trust that He has the best plan for us...full of Praise for Him...and...encouraged that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. With all of that said....I am truly content and peaceful. I have a smile on my face and will continue to fight the good fight. I take this job very seriously: to raise these children up in faith and teach them that Jesus is Lord. My heart will be focused on Him and the work He wants me to do. I know that He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings and that He does GOOD to all those who love Him-Romans 8:28...and boy do I love Him!

Windex Commerical

Ok, so for the last two days I have had the same bird fly into my sliding glass door while it was shut! All of the sudden we hear this loud thud and see a beautiful green bird flying in circles as he gets his bearings. Do you remember the Windex commerical? Did I mention I cleaned them on Monday! Too funny! Poor little guy! Maybe he will learn :)

Fall is in the air...

What a glorious day our Lord has made. Fall is definitely in the air. It was such a beautiful morning I decided to walk E to school. It is about a 25 min walk from our house to the school especially pushing three kids in the double stroller. You can figure out how I manage three kids in a two seater. Anyway...S's bible verse this week for Awana's is Genesis 1:1 God created the heavens and the earth. Part of her homework this week was to observe all the things God has created. It was really fun talking about God's creation all week. My heart was overwhelmed with God's glory and this day He has made so that we may rejoice and be glad in it!

It is now the middle of September and we are in full swing of Kindergarten days and preschool. E is loving her teacher Mrs. D. E found in the "meeting center" (that is what Mrs. D calls her carpet area) that Mrs. D is going to have a baby girl in Feb. It was so cute to see her share the news. We talked about making her blanket and planning her a baby shower. This week E started centers but Mrs. D calls it "book club" E loves Book Club! She did say yesterday that she doesn't like PE...talk about a knife into her dad's heart. I ask deeper question about why and the answer...she gets sweaty! Oh she is a girly girl!

S is loving preschool it has been an amazing blessing. She is growing in all areas of her sweet life. One of things she is learning about is cactus right now. That is appropriate since we live in the desert and they are everywhere...we saw some on our walk this morning and talked about how God created them too.

I love being a mom. What an amazing gift from God. I take this job very seriously. I try to enjoy all moments even the ones when I think my kids are in tough development moments. I am reading Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp...oh my goodness what a book! This is the most spiritually challenging book on parenting I have ever read. I recommend it! It talks about how we discipline the behavior of children but not get to the root of the heart issue- why they misbehaved. The child may temporarily change their behavior but not their heart. It is true in my children. There is a huge difference in their hearts. As a parent at times I feel overwhelmed with this task of parenting. It is not just about teaching them the moral basics of life; it is so much more...we are responsible for teaching them the Word of God and about Salvation. Their earthly lives are one thing but their eternal lives are so much more important. I am so glad I have a loving God who walks with me and talks with me and gives me wisdom and guidance to live and make decisions. I definitely need HIM when it comes to shepherding His children's heart!

Family Weekend!

It seems as if we have been going non-stop since the first week of school and we were so grateful to have a holiday weekend to slow down and enjoy each other. We truly spent the weekend as a family and had a blast! We played games, read books, went to the zoo, wrestled, worshiped God, made cookies, went to the park, rode bikes and more. What a treat!

I'm a Goldfish!

Today was S's first day of preschool! She is a Goldfish! It was so exciting that she has something special just for her. She has been looking forward to this moment for weeks! We are so excited about what this year has to offer her; opportunity to learn more about the Lord, work on her educational skills, help her adjust to life without her sister at home and most importantly work on her speech. What a blessing for the Lord! Please keep her in your prayers as the year goes on!

Watch out world here I come!

Super Star Student!

Going with us in the car! He has to be safe, too!

E is really enjoying Kindergarten. Everyday we come home from school we open her folder to see if she received a smiley face stamp for her behavior that. If they get a smiley face all week then they get to chose a treasure from the treasure box. She really looks forward to sharing with us how well she behaved.

Her classroom has a special bear which the class named Charley; and the bear chooses a student to go home with for the weekend. The decision is based on the student who had the best behavior that week. Charley chose E to be the first Super Star Student of the year! Wow, what a honor.

So Charley enjoyed the weekend with us. He went to soccer practice, out to dinner, a friend's house, church and more. She completed a poster to share with her class. It was a poster all about her. Her favorites and special facts about her. It was darling! She told me what to write and I put exactly what she said. Oh, it was cute. Then she had a journal she wrote in about her adventures with Charley and a camera to take pictures. Super cute! What a special treat! Way to go E! You are an excellent example for other and the hands and feet of Christ! We are so proud of you!

Meet the teacher

So exciting! S is going to preschool! We are so excited for her! We prayed so long and hard about sending her and the Lord has encouraged us the good this will be for her. We met S's preschool teacher last week and she is the Goldfish Classroom. She is super excited and can't wait for Tuesday! My battery died so I didn't get many pictures!