My new FAVORITE 5 year old

Here are the many faces of Griffin on his BIG day, October 5th!!!

This face of happiness is a glimpse into my world of fun
Are you scared of this knight? He's pretty serious about it...
One of the many faces of daily characters that come to our home
He honestly made 8 out 10 at this goal...my little baller!
A rare picture moment with my little man
Mom with the boys before Griffin's birthday dinner

When the boys turn 5 we let them choose either a party with friends or a family outing to celebrate their birthday. This year, Griffin wanted to go to Glo-Galaxy. like his brother did this year. We had a great time! Especially fun for me because it was my first time out of the house after a week of recovery. I was moving slow, but so glad to be there. Physically and emotionally present to celebrate my new favorite 5 year old. We had a great time at Pie in the Sky Pizza for dinner. The kids got some dough to play with while their food was cooking, and it was a great way to pass the time. We then went to Glo Galaxy, which is a glow-in-the-dark bounce house and putt-putt place. (I have some fun pictures of the other boys I'll add later.)

Dear Jesus, Thank you for this precious child you have given to us for a short while. My we honor you in molding his gifts and personality to honor and love you to the fullest. Guide Chad and me as we instruct, shepherd, love, and correct him. Thank you Lord for healing his body over the past year, and keep us attentive to his growing needs. Lord, most of all, thank you for blessing us with his life 5 years ago.

Valley of Baca

A dear friend shared the book, Feathers From My Nest by Beth Moore, with me and I have really enjoyed reading her thoughts on different seasons in her life..In the most recent reading, she is referring to Psalm 84:

" Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion....
O lord Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you. (vv5-7, 12)

The word baca means one of tears or weeping. In many ways this Psalm has been my heart the last month. I have been in the Valley of Baca, but thank the Lord he hasn't kept me there. I can honestly say that He has allowed "springs" to rise up in my heart and fill me with peace, joy, and rest. Yes,I have had moments of being back in the valley, I have just tried to walk through them.

What Beth shares in her book is so true...

For every challenge,there is strength and if we're willing to receive it, something amazing can happen. Our Valley of Baca can become "a place of springs." Our seasons of tears can become the source of our deepest wellsprings of personal revival. In fact, I'm hard pressed to remember many times my personal seasons of renewal did not spring from a valley of tears. I'm so grateful to love and serve a GOd who offers favor to every pilgrimi passng through Baca. Becasue God is Faithful, He ever extends to us "strength for today and a bright hope for tomorrow."

I already see His hand and a sweet opportunity with other moms who have had a loss through pregnancy. So what Satan intended for evil, God WILL use for good, and it's just humbling to be part of it. :-)

To my Sons

May they have the faith of Abraham,
May they have the boldness of Paul,
May they have a heart like David, always seeking God.
May they have the wisdom of Salomon,
May they have the patience of Job,
May they be a leader like Joshua, always full of hope.
May they have the courage of Daniel,
May they have the love of John,
May they know Your voice like Samuel and always obey God .

Father God, bless my sons, May they grow to be men of God.

(found on a friend of a friend's blog)

Joy Remembered

I have dreamt of this post and tried over and over to put my words together for this one, but it has been hard. I want to share our journey over the last few weeks, but the words just don't seem to say what my heart has experienced.

On August 26th, Chad and I found out that we were going to welcome baby #4 into our world on April 29th, 2010. (our 10th anniversary:-)) We were filled with shock, fear, and joy. "Choose to trust Me" and "Be Joyfully Dependent" was all I heard my Father say. Immediately my mind was filled with thoughts, dreams, and hopes of this little one.... their name, what they would look like, and how they would fit into the rhythm of our family.

One short week later, Sept. 2, fear shot through my soul as I started to experience some symptoms of complications. I once again was reminded by the Lord to "Choose to Trust" and "Be Joyfully Dependent." Man that is difficult when you are faced with an uncertain ultrasound and three different blood drawings within the next week.

On the Saturday of Labor Day, my body started the beginnings of a miscarriage. My blood levels had continued to rise until then, so for us, that day marks the beginning of the end. Even though my heart and soul were filled with amazing grief, the Lord allowed me to joyfully celebrate Tate's 3rd birthday. Later that day, Chad encouraged me to spend some time alone. My goodness, I'm so thankful for a husband that knows me so well. I spent the night at a hotel and was able to journal all my thoughts and rested without interruption. It really prepared me for the days ahead. To him I am so grateful!

So as our family joyfully welcomed the hope of a little one into our home, only weeks later, we are learning to be ok with the joyful reunion we will have with this precious one in Heaven.

As today would mark my dad's 66th birthday, I can rest in knowing that they are together.

Joyfully Grateful and Grieving Joy

Tate and "Piderman"

On Labor Day, Tate's birthday, we spent some great time with some of his buddies. This year we went to a local park that is a favorite hangout of our family. It is so hard to believe that he is already 3, wow time flies. He is such a source of laughter and "funness" in our home. He definately is opinionated and can stand on his own with his older brothers, but they are also the apple of his eye. He totally adores "owey" and "iffin". As I watched them play together the other day, I was so grateful for siblings; for my boys to have siblings to romp and roam with, laugh with , and grow with.

Round Here

Griffin proud of his "ghee" (don't think that's how it's spelled, but it's what he's wearing) 1st day of class

Karate Kid in action...gotta love it...

We could not be more excited to find something that Owen is passionate about. CUB SCOUTS! Everything else was a take-it-or-leave-it thing, but he is already talking about doing this till he gets his Eagle...man with a mission

A wonderful night to enjoy my hubby!!! :-)

A night with the Titans...local NFL team (for you foreigners) a most timely evening-away for us

Aren't they so cute!!! much cuter here than in a chicken coop

Griffin learning about feeding the chicks...at this age they get all the food they want

Baby chicks: egg laying ones and chicks to grow out to eat

Needed Encouragement

This week has been a hard week emotionally and physically for me and I'm so thankful to have been encouraged a bit by these words written from my favorite devotional book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

I am your best friend, as well as your King. Walk hand in hand with Me through your life. Together we will face whatever each day brings: pleasures, hardships, adventures, disappointments. Nothing is wasted when it is shared with Me. I can bring beauty out of ashes of lost dreams. I can glean Joy out of sorrow, Peace out of adversity. Only a friend who is also the King of kings could accomplish this divine alchemy. There is no other like Me!
The friendship I offer you is practical and down-to-earth, yet it is saturated with heavenly Glory. Living in My Presence means living in two realms simultaneously: the visible world and unseen, eternal reality. I have equipped you to stay conscious of Me while walking along dusty, earthbound paths.