TWO for TWO!

Today was a good day :) Two years ago, I gave birth to 2 of the sweetest girls ever. Beautiful, healthy & whole. My life was changing in ways I couldn't have imagined and I truly felt like I had just received a double blessing from heaven. 

Today, those blessings feel like way more than double. 

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Ava & Lillian, you bring so much joy to my life. Your laughter and conversations light up my days. At no point in my life is this what I imagined as my future but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Just yesterday & today, I have noticed changes in you. What a joy it is to see your brain begin to put new concepts together. For instance, yesterday, you, Ava, introduced yourself to a complete stranger. "Hi! I Ava. I Ava! Hi!" Until finally, the stranger sheepishly answered you, "Hi, Ava." (I think he was afraid of seeming like a creeper or something) Ever since that point, you've been connecting everyone's name. Tonight you knew Daddy & Mommy's "other" names (Michael & Sarah). And right in stride, Lilly, you were right behind your sister. "I Lillian." It is sweet and fun and clear that you are your Daddy's daughters.

I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know your little personalities. I am NOT however enjoying all the temper tantrums and attitude but it's all part of growing up so I still love you just as much! :) 

Ava, you are Miss Bossy-pants. You think you are everyone's mama and will direct and demand anyone that is in your path. You are fierce but sweet. You make me laugh.

Lilly, you are my little monkey- climbing everything in sight! The gate doesn't trap you (or your siblings). You have a sweet spirit and a tender heart. In the past couple of weeks, when someone apologizes your (unprompted) answer is, "give you". (I forgive you.) Sweetest words I've ever heard from a 2yr old. Some of us big people could learn a lesson or two from you.

Some favorite moments I want to remember of your short life so far have to be you both singing your hearts out to 'Jesus Loves Me" & "Oh My Soul" & and any other worship song that comes to your minds. It is not uncommon to walk up to your bedroom door and hear you both but especially Ava singing at the top of your lungs. And a really sweet thing was to be walking through Wal-Mart (same trip as when you were telling a strange man your name), and pushing a cart full of kids singing "Jesus Loves Me." So precious. You blessed me.

All this to say, I am so proud of the girls you are becoming and I look forward to what the future holds. I trust that the Lord has great purpose for your lives. I pray that you have a desire to know Jesus and come to understand all the love and grace He has for you. Daily, I ask the Lord to help me as I help guide you. 

I love you, Ava.

I love you, Lilly.

My life is better with you both in it.

Happy Birthday, pretty girls.

Love,

Mama 

Photo Credit: In His Grace Photography

Let Freedom Ring

I just want to take the time to say Thank You to the service members past & present. To say Thank You to the men & women that have volunteered to leave behind their friends & families to help protect & serve this great country. Thank You to the men & women that help secure my freedom. Men & women that are willing to face things I couldn't dream up- Thank You. 

Thank you to all those families that were left behind. Be confident in this, you served too. You give them a reason to serve and a reason to come home. You are there to support, love and walk with these soldiers when they return scarred and broken. So without a doubt, Thank You, too.

Daddy

Robert

Charlie

Shannon

Daniel

Justin

Robby
Joe

Jonathan

Brandon

Mark

Christina

Joe

Josh

Ian
Eric

Charles

Michael

+the countless others that I can't think of or never met...

THANK YOU  for your humble service.

The Quiet

Quiet.

It means something different to those of us with mobile children. You know what I'm talking about. You're just in the other room attempting to (quickly) accomplish something besides chasing children- all the while, they are running amuck, little screams & laughter filling air. And then. The air becomes still and you start to almost relax as your ears are being given a small reprieve from the constant noise when your brain snaps back and you realize what you're hearing is:

The Quiet.

This quiet is (usually) never good. It is always just a little too quiet. It usually involves artistic walls, removed diapers, torn books, toilet paper strewn all over or maybe even your toilet filled with half a pack of wipes.

And you never wished more for noise than right then.

Five minute Friday.... brought to you on Saturday (as always around here). I'm not sure if I managed to do a single post on a friday last month and have failed so far this month as well. pish posh... it is what it is. We were having good times with good people so I feel no guilt or shame :) And if you need a fun writing exercise in your life, clink on the link and get hooked up! 

Embrace the camera

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Reading a crocodile book while pausing to watch a performance on The Voice tonight. He was singing along to a song I'm pretty certain he's never heard before. 

Love these moments.

Wordless{ish} Wednesday

On this cold and rainy day, we lounged around the house a whole bunch :)

Seriously, there were some sweet moments going on around here today :) And I managed to have dinner ready and the house picked up before community group tonight :) 

Good times.

Potty Time v.3

Whew! So glad yesterday is over and today is a new day! 

Decided today can be potty update day :)

Ava

Ava will sit on the potty all day if you let. I try to get her down and it's always, "potty again, Mommy! potty again!" I'm like, how many times can you pee in 3 mins????? 

Lilly

Lilly has her own way of getting on the potty. Not sure if these would be deemed inappropriate but I think some of them are  hilarious. She actually likes to sit on the potty backwards- silly girl.

Overall, the girls are pretty much in the same place they were in my last update. Not much has changed but I have lacked the necessary motivation to get it done. I'd like to organize a couple of days to get Malakai out of the house & spend the whole time concentrated on potty time. May try to borrow a little potty from someone so we can have 2 peeing at one time- plus they wouldn't have to climb to go.

The girls are definitely ready, it is just a matter of effort to finish it up. I am really looking forward to no.more.diapers. Anyone with advice, feel free to chime in.

**Oh and just for the record, I'm listening to Presidential election coverage in the background and it is making me sick so I won't be losing any sleep over this... time.for.bed. And yes, I did vote.** #sogladitsalmostover

In the Throws

So today was a rough day for me. I'm not going to totally blame my kids- I mean I was the dummy that stayed up late like a single/childless college student. That being said, some days I am reminded more than ever how hard this season of life is and in NEED of reminding that it really is just a season. More than anything though, when I feel as defeated as I did today, I wonder if I'm doing this parenting thing all wrong. Is my loss of patience going to steer my children away from their savior? Am I doing more damage than good? 

BUT...

When I really sit and consider how loving, steadfast, sovereign and gracious my Heavenly Father is, I realize that he works all things together for good to those that love him and are called according to His purpose. He put my family together just as it is, for my sanctification and HIS glory. He loves my kids more than I ever will and is knitting them together for His purposes. For His glory. For their good.

So tomorrow? 

Tomorrow I receive as a new day. 

New opportunities. 

New mercies. 

New reasons to rejoice in Him. 

New day to rebuke the lies and receive the Truth. 

Some days weeks are hard. I don't know exactly why. They.just.are. May the Lord give me the wisdom and discernment to seek out my children's hearts and point them to their Savior. 

Help me Lord to know you more. Help me to lean not on my own understanding. Fill me to overflowing so that what pours out is not leftover, cold coffee but rather, splashes of fresh brewed Starbucks that never runs out. 

I'm know I'm not alone in this & I have some of the most supportive friends and a husband that is super understanding & always has my back but it is easy as a SAHM to feel secluded and lonely which becomes extremely overwhelming on the rough days. 

Praise God that when I am weak, He is made strong. 

Sunday Stills (A borrowed Idea)

This is not an original idea but it only takes about 5mins to write and is fun so I'm using Rachel's idea of Sunday Stills from over at Finding Joy. Go check her's out, she is has a beautiful heart that ministers to me every time I visit her blog.

Ava

Sunday Stills {v.1}

Today: enjoying time in quiet &spending the morning wtih the Saints

Want to Be: teachable & patient  with my houseful of littles.

Blessings: new music, the bottle of olive oil I was just given.

Thinking: I wish I hadn't made this bowl of food so spicy- my mouth is burning!

Planning: to have a good week & daily in his presence be.

Writing: is a wonderful outlet I wish I'd explored more growing up but thankful to be doing it now.

loving: my new music (sons & daughters) & She Reads Truth & my hardworking husband & Jesus that loves me with a steadfast & everlasting love.

grateful: for my children's forgiveness & good news

Today {again}: Is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

linking up w/ Rachel for Friday Favorite Things (on Sunday) :)

Take Five on Saturday

Considering it only takes 5 mins, you would think I could manage to squeeze one of these out actually ON Friday but it seems my brain is fried by the time I sit down to write. It's all good, I'm embracing my lateness and claiming my 5 on Saturday :) This week is all about Roots. 

Roots

START.

Roots. Stability. Foundation. Life. 

Roots dig down deep and find the water.

Roots are the beginning of growth.

I am rooted and grounded in love.

As a friend.

As a daughter.

As a mother.

As a wife.

As a christian.

I am rooted in love.

Without Christ, who IS love, my relationships are meaningless.

I am rooted in love.

Without roots, I cannot live.

I am rooted in love.

STOP.

When I don't feel it

Since November tends to be the time of year that we set aside to remember what we are truly thankful for AND since today was one of those days... I'm featuring my little man. 

He is super sweet. He makes us laugh. He makes us crazy. 

It is a fact that I don't know what my life would be like without him in it. It is a fact that I don't want to know. The day he came into this world, I was more blessed than I could have imagined.

No matter how sometimes draining and exhausting it is to mother him, I wouldn't have it any other way. He loves me. He adores his daddy. He is befriending his sisters. It is a beautiful thing to watch the little man that took our family from 2 to 3 and made it so much more fulfilling and meaningful.

So even on days when I don't feel very thankful, I am. 

Malakai, Mommy really does love you.