Even in the mundane...

Last I was making out my grocery list, as I do most weeks and was in search for a notebook.  Having two little girls, there's always a notebook close by.  I looked on our ottoman and spotted one of Bella's, so I flipped through the pages and grabbed the first one available.  She doesn't write in her notebook from start to finish, she just whips it open and whatever page it opens to, if vacant, is where her pen falls.  Side note- that's  pretty much how she lives her life.  Carefree and in no order!:)

I found a sheet of paper and was about to close the book when I decided to see what all she has composed in this book.  She is one who loves to share her thoughts and speak her heart so you never know what you are going to find.

This the little gem that I found.

  It blessed my heart to no end.  Not only was I so excited to see her love for Jesus written on paper, but It made me feel so loved and cherished from my sweet Jesus.  That he cares and delights in me so much that he bent down to speak to my heart to simply, Wait.  To stop...and To take a moment to see a glimpse into the heart of my daughter.  To see the work of Jesus in her life, and to encourage me as a momma that the love of Christ we have poured into her has not been missed.  

You see, Jesus meets us every day in our mundane.  In the moments we do over and over through the day,  throughout the week, and throughout our lives.  He's there.  When laundry seems never ending, because lets face it...it's never ending... he's there to tender our hearts to the love we have for the little people we get to call family and get to wash clothes for.  He's there to remind us that we are Blessed.  That out lives are full.  Full of love, laughter, pain, and full of LIFE.  Because in HIM, we have life abundant and life everlasting.  

Too often I get caught in the daily tasks of life and I miss the bending down of my Savior to be near to me.  Because He's always there.  It's a shame I allow miss Him far too often.  

I wonder how many blessings I have missed by simply doing ordinary things?

I have been challenged and convicted to stop more.  To seek him in everything and Find him in every moment.  Because  He never leaves or forsakes me.

The Storm

Living “Intentional” in the storm.

As a child I hated storms.  They brought so much anxiety and fear in my life.  I can remember anytime there was a threat of severe weather I often made a pallet on my parents floor.  There was something about being in their room, near them that brought comfort.  

My parents did not have the ability to protect me any more than I could have protected myself, but my heart could rest being near the familiar and the comfort of those whom I found love and trust.  

Because my room was in the front of the house and my window was elevated, the rain would hit my window so hard.  It was loud and often times it was intense.  I would take my pillow and place it over my head and try to drown out the noise of the storm.  Sometimes that worked, but other times I ended up on my parents floor.  

Now that I am married, and have children of my own, severe weather does not bother me like it used to, but I have discovered that other storms in my life can often cause me the same anxiety and fear that I had as a child when the rain would pound on my window and fear would rattle my heart.  

I have heard many times that you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or getting ready to be in a storm.  

That has never been more real in my life than in the past 4 months.

 We have been challenged and hurt.  Confused and frustrated.  We have forgiven and loved.  We have been fearful and peaceful.  We have had to answer questions from our children when confusion and misunderstanding rattled their hearts.  We have had to stand up for our family.  We experienced health scares in our precious newborn niece, parents heath, and a loss of words in unknown steps.

We have loved each other through tears and pain and Praise Jesus, he has never left us and we have come out on the other side.  The other side of this storm.  This storm called life.  

The problem isn’t the storm, but our resistance to it.

Our standing firm, holding fast, unwilling to move. Our refusal to change.

Perhaps in order to have the life we truly desire, some things need to be uprooted. Just maybe, our seemingly perfect order of life needs to be twisted and torn from our tightly clenched fist. You see, I think we’re so afraid of the storm that we hold on to things not meant for us. We stay contained inside the person we have grown out of and limit God the ability to work in a life He created for more.

The storm is not our greatest danger.  The danger in the storm comes from not allowing God to move through you during the storm.  

I am learning storms are not meant to cause fear, but they ARE meant to bring change.  Change is hard at times.  It’s hard when God calls you from the familiar and takes you to the unfamiliar.   When He strips all you know as normal,  to make His plan more known in your life.  

Peace doesn’t usually come in ease and quiet. It comes when we are forced to expand our boundaries, step outside our comfort zone, and challenge deeply held and long-standing beliefs.

May we be intentional in and out of the storms.  May our hearts desire for the Lord to move in and around us no matter what he has to take us through to make that happen.  

May our family love more and grow in grace in 2015.  And may we be more intentional to serve him, seek him and serve others this year.  

Lord use our family in a magnitude beyond anything we can reach within ourselves.

Wherever you are are…be all there.

-Jim Elliot

I will walk by faith even when I cannot see.

2 Corinthians 5:1

Summer Sweetness

The girls and I had a spa day a few weeks back. By spa day, I do mean we hit up the nail salon. 

This sweet girl VERY kindly told her little nail lady at a minimum of 5 times "No I do not want design!" "No thank you."  "Not today. Thanks!"  "I usually do, yes, but I just want pink today!" "No ma'am. I said no thank you!"  

I. Was. Rolling. 

Mamma had to intervene. Praise Jesus she  let it go!  But, not without a fight!

This little rascal probably didn't Help the desire for the "up sale" when after soaking her toes for an hour declined the pedi. Sis was over it and made no bones about it. She had sat there long enough and her toes had soaked so she was good!  Free foot bath is not on the price menu by the way!:)

Soaking in my days with these girls. Goodness it's been a great summer and I am going to miss these babes so much when they go back to school!

Oh this man of mine. I tell ya what, he's a keeper. Seriously Cherish ever second we are together!!

He can man handle a tractor like nobody's business. 

We got a pool a couple of weeks ago and it has been so much fun, yet somuch  work. Matt and I have seriously put days into this pool and the dirt work and lad scaling around it. It's been a labor of love for sure and I have so enjoyed working along side my man. Such a family affair!

If this isn't random I don't know what is. But I'm leaving you with the most delish rolls I have ever made!!  Seriously so yum and so perfect. The right amount of fluff and density, and look how gorgeous they are!  So...these are my new go to roll!!  

Sweet summertime please stick around. I haven't had quite enough of you yet!!

Memory Making.

Last week we headed up to Camp Siloam where our Children were at Kid's Camp. It was so fun to show Alyssa where she will be attending camp next year. 

Since my brother and Kaylie live in Siloam, we made a stop to see their new house and sweet Cora Janes nursery. Oh my heart may explode with love for this child. We adore the parents too!😜

We had lunch at the Wooden Spoon in Gentry. Oh my that place did not disappoint!  So very yum. 

How cute is my sister-n-law??:)😍

After we left camp we surprised the girls and headed to Branson. They had no idea. I had packed for them and loaded the truck and they never had a clue. 

We were about 30 mins outside of Branson when they finally wondered where we were!:). So fun!!

We headed straight for SDC and closed down the park. It was not crowded and the temp was amazing. Has this summer not been the best!!?!?  Such a blessing. 

This little one was up a little earlier then the rest of the crew so she and I made our way to breakfast. 

We then came

Back an woke up sleepy head and served her breakfast in bed!  Now that's the life. 

We had lunch at our favorite spot. Shorty Smalls!  Always yum. Always leave way too full!:)

Oh how I love this man!

Of course, a little bass pro action. Free entertainment!:)

So thankful we were able to get away for a few days. Summer is flying by and we are taking in each moment with these girls. 

Spring break fun.

Not sure why this is JUST now positing!:)

We started our SB week in Branson. It was so relaxing and just a blessing to get away with our girls and sweet friends. There was no one there and it was fabulous. 

These two dominated at go carts. They started in first and never let a car pass them. The competition was tight but they achieved the winner spot!:). So fun!!

These two and their daddy. Such a sweet bond. 

These four have a blast together. God has truly blessed their friendship more than we could have ever imagined. Their gender differences do not hinder their feed ship at all!:)

Had to post this yummy cheese bread I made with our pizza it was so good and so easy. 

Oh these girls. Alyssa looks way too old and Bella loves flashing the peace sign. ✌️ Not sure where that came from but there's hasn't been a pic lately she hasn't held up the deuces. 

The girls got to go to the houseboat for a few days with tier nana and papa and Alyssa got to go striped fishing with her papa. She was a happy girl. It was so chilly and she just was a trooper. 

What's a trip to the houseboat without a little Hot Springs Mexican??:)

I'm always so thankful for a little down time in our lives. It's so important. I hated to see my girls go back to school, but it just made me even more exited for summer break. 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Weekend roundup.

These girls and athletic gear. Melt me. 

Bella prefers a dress most days. Who am I kidding...everyday, so it's a treat to see her in casual Friday!!;)

Bella and I needed to hit up the VB library and you CAN'T go to the library without pulling in Paul's Bakery. I mean, the car literally takes over and gravity pulls you right to the door. It's pretty amazing actually. 

Who could turn down this deliciousness?!:!

And this adorable date?!;)

Royalty was calling and Princess Bella needed to get in full attire as soon as we got home. But this getup was worn for a short time. I had to capture the hideousness. 

My babes and I before church yesterday!  Love those sweeties. 

Alyssa is getting so grown up. She's a long legged, sweet spirited, tender hearted, loyal loving little beauty and I am constantly blessed by her heart. 

Time slow down. 

My focus has been more on intentional living. Life is but a vapor and time is not slowing down. I just don't want to have any regrets of Wasting time on meaningless things. I want to be present in the life God has given me and for as love as He gives me breath.  

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139:23, 24 

A day with A!!

When we were getting hit with snow every other day, little sis got to miss a little more school than the big girl. She was a little bummed but I promised her we would make up for it one day. 

So this week, I told Alyssa she was skipping school and having a day with momma. 

I am not one to let my girls miss school. This was a special occurrence. Testing is over, she hasn't missed, and she has had straight A's. 

It's so important to make her feel special. A little sibling sometimes appears to get more attention due to the fact they are more dependent. 

So, today was all about Alysa Lauren. I loved every second with her!!

We started the day with Manis and Pedis, went to lunch, and did some shopping!

I love this girl so much. She's getting way too grown up, but I see God molding her precious life and I can't wait to see the amazing ways He uses her!

Love you my first born!!