Friday Favorite Things

Coming to you today to share some favorite things that are keeping me thankful this week :)

Unfortunately, the past few weeks have seen us in & out of a few viruses. Not sure if the flu was in the mix anywhere but for sure there has been A LOT of coughing around the Cains. That being said, vicks vapor rub and (multiple) humidifiers have been a god send this week. Poor Malakai has had a terrible time sleeping the past couple of nights and those two things have really helped. (also a husband that goes out at 2am for children's cough medicine)

My next favorite thing is a product of the first. When babies don't feel well- they cuddle. They let you hold them longer. Sick cuddles and hugs are definitely a benefit of sick kids. If they're gonna be sick at least you can get some extra lovins out of them :)

Having two little girls in the house is so wonderful- especially because it means LOTS of giggles! Yesterday when they spent an hour "going to sleep" for their naps- all I could hear was, "I burped!" "EEEWWWW!" ::LOTS OF HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER:: repeating over and over until I went in to tell them to go to sleep. The joys of sisterhood- I wouldn't know anything about that... right, Mom???

So, my next favorite thing hasn't actually happened yet but it is going to happen. Michael and I will be childless, away from home & all free of charge! So, although his work situation may be less than ideal right now, I will never turn down a late "christmas" party w/ a free night stay alone with my husband. Such a blessing for this week!

And last but not least, my youngest brother turns 17 today! His was the first birth I ever experienced live, he cried when I got married and now he's getting all grown up. So hard to believe. Josiah is such a sweet, genuine, intelligent young man. And is a beloved Unc Siah to all his nephews & nieces :) Love you, little brother!!! #herestogettingold

Hello & a Vlog

Well hello :) I have been super duper quiet around here lately because well, life has just been happening and I haven't made time to write. I'm coming to you today via vlog so check it out. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of blogging again. :)

broken

There really are no words to describe the emotions that tragedies of this magnitude bring out of our souls. So many unanswerable questions. So much sadness. So much loss. The sweet babies taken way before their time. Families robbed of memories. Futures erased in an instance. 

He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.

The LORD lifts up the humble;

he casts the wicked to the ground.

        (Psalm 147:3-6 ESV)

 May the Lord bring peace to the families that have lost so much. May he comfort them. Heal their broken hearts and lift them up. Our hearts are broken but I ask that you, O Lord, bring good from that which was intended for evil.

May we remember in our prayers the families of those that have lost so much to this terrible senseless violence.

Savior Forever

Just finished my #shereadstruth devotional today. We are going through this advent season together :) L.O.V.E  it.  Today as I sat and read the excerpt shared from The Jesus Storybook Bible, by, Sally Lloyd-Jones. I sat there nearly in tears. I had never heard the promise of Jesus' rescue told in such a beautiful way. So personally. So lovingly. So beautifully. A message from God to me. Oh my heart could burst.

(based on prophesies from Isaiah 9, 11, 40, 50, 53, 55 & 60)

Dear Little Flock,You’re all wandering away from me, like sheep in an open field. You have always been running away from me. And now you’re lost. You can’t find your way back.
But I can’t stop loving you. I will come to find you. So I am sending you a Shepherd to look after you and love you. To carry you home to me. 

You’ve been stumbling around, like people in a dark room. But into the darkness, a bright Light will shine! It will chase away all the shadows, like sunshine. 

A little baby will be born. A Royal Son. His mommy will be a young girl who doesn’t have a husband. His name will be Emmanuel, which means “God has come to live with us.” 

He is one of King David’s children’s children’s children.
The Prince of Peace. 

Yes, Someone is going to come and rescue you! But he won’t be who anyone expects. 

He will be a King! But he won’t live in a palace. And he won’t have lots of money. He will be poor. And he will be a Servant. But this King will heal the whole world. 

He will be a Hero! He will fight for his people, and rescue them from their enemies. But he won’t have big armies, and he won’t fight with swords. 

He will make the blind see, he will make the lame leap like a deer! 

He will make everything the way it was always meant to be. 

But people will hate him, and they won’t listen to him. He will be like a Lamb – he will suffer and die. 

It’s the Secret Rescue Plan we made – from before the beginning of the world! 

It’s the only way to get you back. 

But he won’t stay dead – I will make him alive again! 

And, one day, when he comes back to rule forever, the mountains and trees will dance and sing for joy! The earth will shout out loud! His fame will fill the whole earth – as the waters cover the sea! Everything sad will come untrue. Even death is going to die! And he will wipe away every tear from every eye. 

Yes, the Rescuer will come. Look for him. Watch for him. Wait for him. He will come!
I promise. 

Love, God 

I hope that blessed you as much as it did me. If you are looking for some scripture to walk through to prepare for Advent- The celebration of our Savior who came- check out the devotional by she reads truth on You Version.