Merry Christmas!

We wanted to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas this year! What a year it has been. A fast year!

We marvel at the thought of Mary and Joseph as they welcomed sweet baby Jesus. What a sight that must have been. We often look back at the birth of each of our girls and it is overwhelming to think about each of them. How we love them more than we ever thought we could, and the miracle of their birth. How much more amazing is the miracle of the birth of the Son of God....JESUS!

We pray each of you stop and take the time to remember Christ this season. Not only his birth, but the sacrifice that was made on the cross for us. Oh what a sacrifice it was. I am so thankful for His willingness to lay down His life for me. The Savior of the world!

May JOY fill your hearts this year and may the blessing of God be with each of you through the coming year!

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

2 Already???

Well 2 years ago today we were welcoming our sweet Bella Grace into this crazy world!

(Wow, seeing this picture takes my breath away at how fast she has grown)

We knew our home had to be her place of peace and stability. We wanted our example of Christ to lead her into a personal relationship with Him and for her to be a Godly leader as she grows up.

She is definitely growing up. Fast! It seriously feels like we just brought her home from the hospital. We spent Christmas just staring at her and teaching Alyssa what it meant to be a sister, a helper, and an example for her younger sister. We thanked God for the Christmas gift he brought us....and we are thanking Him again this year. As we reflect on all God has blessed us with, we are thankful for our two little girls. Today and every day!

Bella you are a bundle of JOY. A ball of ENERGY!! You are so smart, and so silly. So beautiful and so loving. You are a light to others. You bring a smile to the faces of those around us and for that we are so thankful!

Thank you for bringing a smile to our faces every. single. day. And for keeping me running ALL. DAY. LONG!! I love every second of it...ok that might be a stretch!!:) JK!!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

Family pics...

We recently had a few family pictures done! Matt's cousin Drew has an amazing eye for photography. Drew has always loved taking pictures, but recently decided to do photography on the side! Drew is good at everything he does. He is the youth pastor at FBC Lavaca and is turning that group in to some disciples for Christ. What an example He and Emily are to all!!

Drew did a great job with our girls. A 2 year old and a 4 year old are not always the easiest to capture, but he did just that. We love action shots and he definitely got some of those!! Oh wait...they were all action! Bella didn't stop moving!!:)

Check out our most recent pictures HERE!

lately...

Alyssa has really been talking a lot about giving to others. I know at even a young age God is working in her heart. I know he has great plans for her and I can't wait to see them unfold!

Here are some of our recent conversations!

Alyssa: "Mommy, do you know what I am thankful for?"

Me: "No sweetie what are you thankful for?"

Alyssa: "I am thankful for you and daddy, my baby sister, my bed and my house, my playroom, my food, my school, my teachers, my friends, all of God's creation, and most of all I am thankful for Jesus!"

Me: "Alyssa that makes mommy want to cry."

Alyssa: "Well mommy you shouldn't want to cry!"

Me: "Well when mommy is really proud of you it makes me want to cry!"

Alyssa: "Well then if you really are proud then you can cry!!"

Oh she is too sweet! I am so glad that she is "Most of all" thankful for Jesus!

Tonight she came in and said. "Mommy I have all my money packed up so I can give it to the kids that don't have any money or parents! They can use it to buy parents, and then you won't have to give your money. I'll just give mine!"

She has a tender spot for others. She is mercy made over! I am thankful she is learning to put others before herself!

Proverbs 11:24-25
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

On our way...

We are on our way to having a sweet little girl potty trained! Bella Grace is almost 23 months and she has started the process of becoming potty trained. I knew it would be soon, but I did not want to rush her through the process at all. For one, she is going to do it when she is good and ready. Two, she is still young so she has plenty of time. Three, she is our baby and potty training automatically makes her seem so much bigger!!

Bella Grace you are the sweetest little girl. It's so cute watching you pee on the potty and wear your big girl Dora panties! Who would have thought they even made panties to fit such a tiny hiney?!? You are so proud of yourself and you clap and smile so big every time you go! Mommy and Daddy are so so proud of you too!!

Can' t wait to watch you grow into a little girl. It's coming on wayyyy too fast so we better just enjoy the ride!!:)

All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.

Isaiah 54:13

Branson getaway...

This past weekend we spent some time in Branson with the girls. We LOVE Branson and always have a great time shopping and eating! We started a tradition last year by taking the girls to Branson in the fall. WE try to plan it at the peak of the trees changing colors and the leaves falling. Fall is beautiful and such a reminder of the changing of seasons in our lives. We know the girls won't be little for long so we are trying to soak up as much of them as we can while they are still small. It's not always easy. Actually its not easy most of the time. Bella is busy. She wants to be going all the time. She likes to make messes and get into things, but she has been the biggest blessing to us in the fast and furious 22 months that the Lord has blessed her with us.

With that said, we STILL try to do things as a family that the girls will remember, and that Matt and I will remember forever. We love these girls and want nothing more than to share fun times and memories with them as long as the Lord allows us to have them! I would hate to look back and see that we did not take this trip when Bella was 2 because it was "just too hard."

Life is busy. It's crazy. Its fast and its moving right along. We are hanging on for dear life. We are holding on to the only one who can hold us together! Jesus. He is our rock and whom we lean on in this super wild and fun life!!

Here are a few pictures of the girls this past weekend! Couldn't figure out how we didn't get as many pics as last year but as I looked at our pictures from last year I realized Bella was in a front pack and non-mobile...:) She doesn't stop long enough for a picture now. We just get her in action:)

BTW, we are so glad we went. The girls had a blast and we made some great memories together.

What gifts we have been given

Love these girl!

"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children."

Lamentations 2:19

What a little rat...

Yes I just referred to my youngest child as a rat! She is quite a mess! Such a cutie but oh so intuitive!!:)

Matt says Bella is like a leopard!

1. She's lightening fast.

2. She can tear anything apart.

3. She's really curious.

I couldn't agree more! She is all of the above..and so much more! She is one of the sweetest and mischievous kids all in one! She can love you like no one else and she can turn around and tear into your leg with her teeth like no one else!

I like to think of her sweetness the most:)

So..here is a look at her day through the camera lens!

Right when she got up! Watching a little morning TV. She looks sweet doesn't she?!

cute face!

She's got her tractor, her flannel, her juice, and a side pony. What's left for a girl need?

I guess she thought she needed the boots too! Only fitting I think:)

Quite the bod.

Then there was this...

Oh what a mess...literally

But how sweet is this. So thankful for her little messes that create such precious memories!

My little hands play patty-cake
They peek-a-boo and wave.....
They catch me while I learn to walk,
And splash me as I bathe.

They hold your fingers tightly
And touch your heart so deep...
My little hands reach out to you
For hugs before I sleep.....

My little hands are tiny now
But yours will serve to guide me.
And when I'm grown I'll still reach out
And know you're right beside me.

____

Bella's little fingers,
And sweet baby toes
Made these impressions for you
At just 22months old.

_____

Ten tiny fingers that always want to play
That never stop exploring the wonder of today
Ten tiny fingers that from the very start
Will reach out for tomorrow, yet aways hold your heart.

______

Sometimes you get discouraged,
because I am so small
And leave my little fingerprints
On furniture and walls.
But everyday I'm growing
And soon will be so tall
That all these little fingerprints
Will be difficult to recall.
So here's a little handprint
That you can put away
So you will know how my fingers looked
On this special day.

Sweet Conversation...

I love just talking with Alyssa. She has the neatest things to say! I know all kids do, but since she is ours, I appreciate her humor much more!!

Today while driving down the road she said.." Mommy I am talking with my mouth full and those are not good table manners, but since we don't have a table in here, It's ok cause they are just table manners!"

She has been singing her preschool choir songs (Chrissy you would be proud) and that kid is so funny! She LOVES to sing. She loves to sing about Jesus. She just has a tender place for the Lord. This is what she said while singing...

"Mommy my favorite song is 'Our God is an Awesome God' because our God is awesome...and Jesus!" "He is awesome and we are to praise him! "

Oh how I pray she will always hold those thoughts near and dear to her heart! I sure love that kid!

Fall-like Friday...

I love Fridays! I love them for several reasons, but a couple of the reasons are:

1. It is our only day home during the week. Yes thats right, our only full day home. With Alyssa in preschool 3 days a week and Bella going 2 days a week, then wednesdays are church and we spend the afternoon at the inlaws. So Fridays we get to lay around most of the day in our comfy clothes and just be home together as a family...well minus dad he has to work:)

2. Because they are just always interesting. Alyssa is one funny kid and she really doesn't mean to be but she says the funniest things! I always know Fridays will be full of funnies!!

All of that to say today has been a great day! The girls and I spent all morning outside. We road bikes, played make believe (I always forget who I am supposed to be), colored, worked on math with Alyssa, and went to the park for a picnic and some play time! I would post pictures but we managed to lose our macbook charger (our back up charger) and our other one broke! So we are waiting for a new one to arrive any day now!!

While enjoying our day together I got to hear some pretty funny things from Alyssa:

She loves to sing! She was singing "Great is thy faithfullness" but her song was a little different! "Great is my thankfulness oh God my father!" I guess those are good words too!

Then, the Fed Ex man showed up with a package. It was some shoes I had ordered for the girls. She said, "Oh Jesus, thank you so much for this amazing gift!" (while looking up to the sky kissing her shoe) Then while trying on her shoe and them being a bit too big she said, "Oh Jesus I know you know my shoe size, but why didn't you tell the mail man the right size??"

I was laughing so hard!!

These girls are so sweet. So much fun. So wild. So messy. So tiring. But such a blessing to Matt and I!

Sweet Kid...

Alyssa has always had such a sweet heart. She loves other and is learning more and more about what it means to be like Jesus. She loves to talk about Godly things. Tonight as I was reading her a devotional, tucking her in and praying for her she and I had a sweet conversation. It went a little something like this.....

The subject was giving

Alyssa: "I'm going to give JEsus all I have." "Are you going to mommy?"

Me: "Yes sweetie I want to give God all I have."

Alyssa: "Yep I am going to give him all my money." "Like forty cents!" "When we all go to Heaven, the first thing I am going to do is give Jesus my piggy bank!" "Mommy you also need to make sure I have lots of pants and shirts with two pockets so I will have plenty of room for my money in case I can't take my piggy bank to heaven!"

I pray she is always so giving. I pray she always wants to serve Jesus and be a cheerful giver. We have been given so much. It's not ours. It's all his and I love when God uses my sweet daughter to remind me!

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:7

It's that time!!

Oh I can hardly wait for tomorrow! IT's the kickoff to football season! I love the Razorbacks. I grew up always going to razorback games so it is just in me! I am so thankful for a husband who loves the hogs and can't wait to hang out at the stadium all day tomorrow! We can't wait to call the Hogs and see them play! The atmosphere is just amazing and there is nothing quite like it! It makes me even more excited that the weather is going to be absolutely perfect!

The girls will be with their nana and papa, but you better believe they will be calling the hogs too! Yes BElla too! It's just too cute!

So...GO Hogs! I'm looking forward to a great season!

Day 2

Day two of preschool for Alyssa and day 1 for Bella Grace. They were both so excited and Alyssa loved that her sister was at "her" school this year. They are just too sweet. Here are some pictures as we were heading out the door!

Off to school we go!!

Alyssa started her final year of preschool today! Such an exciting time for her and a overwhelming feeling for me! I can't even begin to describe how fast these last 4 years have gone. I know all those with kids know exactly what I am talking about.

I have a year to prepare her mind and heart for kindergarden. I want her to enter her first year of "real" school knowing that she is loved. By us and even more by her Heavenly Father! I want her to be a leader at even a young age. I want to continually fill her mind with the ways of the Lord so that she will tell others about Him and live for Him all the days of her life.

She did not turn back today as she entered her class. She walked in...and started going at it. I pray that is how she will live her life in the Lord. That she will always press on toward the final goal. She will never look back, never turn back, and never get stuck in her route.

Alyssa we love you and are so proud of you. What a blessing you have been to us and what a sweet young lady you are. You have a love for Jesus and we pray you will always love and seek Him in all you do!

Love these sweeties!!!

I can't believe summer is coming to an end and school is starting back for us. I LOVE a routine. I love knowing what the week ahead holds for me. I like the be prepared and prayed up for the week and for all that will happen and will be thrown my way! We all know things just come up and I am so thankful that the Lord has it all under control. The things we do not see coming, he already knows. What an awesome thing!

It has been an awesome summer with my girls. It has been a whirlwind! So busy yet so relaxing at the same time. We have good days, bad days, tough days, I have lost it a few times, I have loved them more than I thought I could, I have enjoyed just being with them and creating memories that will last forever in my mind and hopefully forever in theirs. They are a blessing. Being a mom is a wonderful journey that the Lord entrusts us to walk through. I look at my girls and can't believe the Lord Jesus allowed me to be their mom. That's something I will never get over.

Tonight we had our open house at the girls' school. Here are a few pictures of my cuties before we left tonight!

I sure do have a couple of little hams:)

Just a couple of cuties!

These are pictures that I took this past year but I never posted them and they are some of my favorites!

Just a Sunday after church! I just love the colors:)

To love...

I have been reading Crazy love by Francis Chan for a while now. It's one of those books that I keep reading over and over. I knew right away this wasn't a book I wanted or needed to rush through. It talks a lot about loving God and in return loving others. I can't get the needs of others off my mind. I just carry a heavy burden for others needs and situations and the more I read the word, the more I see that is what the Lord desires from us all. No I do not always drop what I am doing to seek others before myself, but the more I fall in love with Jesus and the more I learn about Him, the more I understand how the two go hand in hand.

...We show tangible love for God in how we care for the poor and those who are suffering. HE expects us to treat the poor and the desperate as though they were Christ Himself. If you actually saw Jesus starving, what would you do for Him?

Jesus said, the two greatest commands are to "love the LOrd your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" and to "love your neighbor as yourself." Christ connects the command to "love God" with the command to "love your neighbor." By loving "the least of these," we are loving God Himself.

As we love the "least of these" which are the people around us day to day, we are showing the true love that we have for our Saviour. If we fail to love on, minister to, and pour our lives into others, then how can we say we love God with everything? The Bible says we can't!

John tells us that "whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did" (1 John 2:6) Are you ready and willing to make yourself nothing? To take the very nature of a servant?

I know for myself I have moments where it is all about me. I want what I want. I need 'ME" time. I need this or that, but what I really need is to be nothing. I need to shrink so Christ can be seen as everything. I want to be there in my walk with the Lord. I'm not there yet and I have a long way to go, but I am seeking him daily and loving him more. It really is true that the more I seek him, the more I find him, the more I find him, the more I love him.

I want to be pleasing in the Lord's site. I don't want to stagger into heaven knowing I barely made it there. I want the LOrd to be proud of me. I want him to KNOW me. Not just my name, but by what I have done for his kingdom.

"it's impossible to please God in any way other than wholehearted surrender."

I don't want to just let life happen, I want to actively be running toward Christ.

"And now, little children, abide in him, so that when is appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming."

1 John 2:28

Don't forget...

Don't forget to hop over to Passys and Parties to enter in a giveaway that I am hosting.

Katie is super talented and you could spend hours looking at her amazing ideas!

She is drawing on Wednesday so don't miss out on this fun giveaway!

Another Giveaway!!!

I am hosting another giveway! YEs that's two in one week! Check out Katie at Passys and Parties to enter your name for an adorable pillowcase dress. This pattern is so super cute and great for all year! Even if you don't have a little girl, these make great shower gifts!!

Happy Thursday!

Razorback apparel giveaway!

I am hosting a giveaway on www.laurengraceboutique.blogspot.com

Head on over and check it out! You could be the winner of some new HOG apparel for you, child of yours,or someone else's!

GO HOGS!!

Too smart

Oh Bella Grace began a new adventure this week. The adventure was not so much for her but for her mom and dad . She is very intuitive. Always checking something out or seeing if she can figure something out. This week, Matt put her to bed and we walked outside to watch Alyssa swim for a few minutes. This is something we do most nights and I come back in and check on her often. So I walk in and don't hear anything so I go in the playroom to turn off the TV and there she is. Sitting on the couch in the playroom watching Barney. I gasped!! I could not believe what I was seeing. She had gotten out of her crib!!?!! I go outside to "make sure" Matt had really put her in the bed and he "really" had! So I put miss priss back in her bed and walk away. Less than 10 seconds she is back out of her room and in the living room. At this point I was a bit curious as to how she had mastered the art of getting out of her crib so I put her back in the crib and left the door cracked. Indeed she hiked her leg over the crib, hung on for dear life, and hiked the other leg over. She then slid down the crib till her feet hit the floor. I was a bit panicked. She is only 18 months and she can not have free rain over this house. I then go outside and tell Matt that she has done it again and I no more turn around and she is outside with me. WE were laughing so hard because it was more than cute that she had figured this out, but we were also a bit alarmed. Alarmed that our great little routine of putting Bella to bed at 7pm and her sleeping till almost 8am was about to be over! I didn't like the thought of her just getting out of her bed whenever she wished and roaming the house at all hours of the night. So, after a few love pats her daddy was able to get her to stay in the bed and get to sleep. Whew!! She only got up 1o times so no big deal right? She will wake up in the morning and forget she can do it!

NOT!! We here a little pitter patter at 6am coming into our room. She crawled up in bed with us for about another hour.

I brainstormed all day long as to what we could do to fix this problem . So, my wonderfully smart husband came up with the idea to take out the spring that the mattress lays on. So that is what we did. the mattress now lays on the floor and we attached her bumper pad just like normal. she has no idea that anything is different. Except for the fact that she can no longer climb out of her bed. Until she figures out another way!!:)

Our life is now back to bliss again! Whew I was one worried momma!! Oh what a mess we have on our hands. But we are so thankful she is ours:)