It has been way too long...

Please forgive me...it has been so long since I have blogged. Life is busy these days! I am working now~ well I am cleaning houses to earn some money for the family and trying to juggle working, school, ministry, fellowship, family time...it has been a trial. I am enjoying cleaning houses for people. It is good money, but most of all it allows me to still be the mommy to S when she is not in preschool and it is not only a gift for me. I get to leave someone's home and know that they are going to be blessed by my work. I get to serve them with my hard work and crazy toothbrush, toothpick cleaning ways! It is a win, win. Someone asked me how I felt about cleaning toilets once...my response was, "I do not have that much pride that I above someone else...Jesus washed His disciples feet."

Hubby is in basketball season and we still have another month or so. This has been a long season for him. He has traveled long distances more than ever before and he just feels pulled. My heart aches for him as I can see the internal struggle of how much more am I going to miss out on my kids and family against the love of the game and he is very good at teaching it. I have been in constant prayer that God will give him peace. He truly has done a terrific job at setting boundaries and keeping family time important; all the while giving commitment to his team. He has honored us and I respect him so much for his growth. Way to go hubby, hang in there...we are behind you and support you! The season will be over before you know it! Then summer ball ;)

S is growing tall. She is almost as big as E. However, E has this radar that as soon as she thinks her "little" sister is going to pass her by...she shoots up an inch or two! TOO FUNNY! E and S have the best relationships, they play so well together and they love each other so much. It is so amazing to watch them play. Sometimes they go off for an hour or two and I debate do I go play with them? or do I give them their space? Their imaginations are unbelievable. S blows me away with her book skills- she can recognize all of her letters upper and lowercase and count to thirty. I am shocked and even test her to see if my eyes are deceiving themselves. I have to get E the credit...I think she has taught her everything! S is falling in love with God and it is beautiful to watch. Her prayers are getting deep and her heart is showing a love for Jesus. I must admit I was worried about this a year ago; she had no desire to love God, worship God and it was frightening as a parent. One reason, the other kid came out of the womb praising God and this one was so different; not bad, not wrong just different and as parents we needed to figure out how to reach her. As a parent I take this seriously, I know some of you think she is only 3.5 but God gave me a very important job and it is train a child up. My job isn't to wait until they are ready to hear the word of God or only teach them on Wed and Sundays....

My command is...

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

E is reading! It is amazing! She loves to read and we give her every chance. We are enjoying watching her grow academically as well as spiritually. She really has gotten it that she is supposed to read her bible everyday and pray first thing in the morning. Her personal walk with the Lord is precious and her own. They are both loving Awanas and it was a true gift and blessing we joined this year. Although, loves learning she is getting tired of having to "sit still and listen." She says, "It's hard work." Too cute. I can imagine that she is feeling restricted but loves her teacher and made friends.

Well, we continue to love the Lord our God with all our heart, all of our soul, all of our strength, and all of our mind! Much love to all who read this blog; sorry it has been a while since I updated you on our family life.

Bag of Fun!

A friend sent home their Wii with hubby one day...just to share and let us enjoy! He walked in and lifted a bad and said, "I have a bag of fun!" It was so much fun...the entire family enjoyed it! We had to give it back today. We are so bummed that wasn't on our Christmas list! What were we thinking we keeping asking ourself???? The truth, it never crossed our mind! We're thinking of getting one for S's birthday! So fun! Oh, well our day will come and we will appreciate it then!

Happy New Year!

I have been such a slacker on my blog entries the last couple of months, but that is ok. Sometimes in life we have to prioritize and this was one thing that needed to go on the back burner.  

We had a wonderful and very busy Christmas.  My brother and his wife and my Dad and his wife came for Christmas.  Is was so great to see Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jenn; especially for the girls.  The last time the girls saw them was May 2008 when they got married.  We enjoyed relaxing, going to the movies, cooking, puzzling and taking them to church on Christmas Eve.  It was a joy to have everyone!  It took a week to recover! 

The New Year has begun and as I reflect on the last year...it is was filled with so many wonderful things; new adventures, new experiences, testing of our faith, trials and BLESSINGS!  I learned so much about my relationship with the Lord and all that He has for done me, through me and with me.  I learned that what we, the world, consider "blessings" are NOT always the same kind of blessing from the Lord.  His view of blessings are special and unique and filled with more than we could ever imagine.  I truly have experienced that HE WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE ME (Hebrews 13:5 & Deut 31:6) that HE IS THE EVERLASTING GOD!  I look around at my family and what our foundation is grounded on...OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST and I am GRATEFUL.  

I begin this New Year with much love, laughter, joy and hopes of great things to come.  I challenge myself: to continue to die to self and LIVE for Christ; put off my character defects and put on: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control; and to teach my children to be Godly and train them in such a way.   

I am so excited to see what God has for me, my hubby and my children and the others in our lives.  This life is for His glory not ours and it is awesome when we allow God to use us to Glorify His Kingdom.  

GOD I AM ALL YOURS!  YOUR CHILD TO MOLD AND FORM INTO YOUR LIKENESS!