Finding My Life in Faith

The Reason for the Season

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 02:40:00 +0000

I've been counting down the days, listening to Christmas music constantly, baking, shopping, wrapping, and caroling. I love this time of year and all that it brings. Or what it doesn't bring, in our case... no snow :( I just would like it to slow down a little, a smidgen. I want to take it all in, do everything Christmas and bask in every minute. But, it doesn't work that way. I know as soon as Thanksgiving is wrapped up and the last piece of pie is eaten, the race to Christmas begins. The "race", sometimes it really does feel that way. Time spinning before your eyes and you wonder how it is December 23rd and you don't have it all done. I didn't want to get caught up in the nauseating chaos of Christmas this year. I wanted more of a focus on Jesus, I didn't want to miss the reason for this blessed season. So, I decided I would do just that....make Him first this season. How would I accomplish this task I have set on in such a busy season? I started reading The Greatest Gift Unwrapping The Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp. I absolutely love this book. It is a devotional with a reading for everyday and some points to ponder at the end of the chapter. I'm loving how everyday starts off with Jesus at the forefront, before any of my thoughts escape to the dizzying chaos of this season. I am still a little crazy over all the things on my to-do list that need to be checked off before my chalkboard countdown says time is out, but I will rest in the fact that Jesus is my peace amongst all the chaos.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9 NIV

The gift we have received, the gift of Jesus shouldn't be celebrated just at Christmas...but, everyday.
So, as I struggle to keep it all together this holiday season. I will hold tight in the knowledge of knowing my Savior and receiving the greatest gift of all...Salvation.

May God bless you and your family this holiday season. The greatest gift isn't under the tree in the bright, shiny paper but living in our hearts as we welcome the baby Jesus this Christmas.

Verse

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:42:00 +0000

More pics of my surroundings...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:38:00 +0000

I absolutely love taking pics of the sunrises around here. The bridge is such an awesome backdrop to the beautiful sunrises.

I enjoy the calm and beauty before heading off to work.

I love the moon hovering over the river.

I love the layer of fog on the lake that morning.

I love the way the sunlight bounces off the water. I love the sparkle.

My kids...actually getting along.

Me and Cullen.

Shane and his Capt. Jack impersonation.

Cullen trying it on too.

I love the things I am able to capture in photos, they mean the world to me.

Sunrise, Sky and Water

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:43:00 +0000

K5 Learning Review

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:29:00 +0000

K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I've been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program

My second child, Shane who is in 2nd grade is really struggling in Math and Reading. This popped up in my email and I thought, what perfect timing!! I am excited to review this product for K5 Learning and excited to see what it does for Shane.

Our First Real Snowfall

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:21:00 +0000

Joy Dare 13/366

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Joy Dare 13/366 {Count #1000gifts in 2012: 3 gifts/day}
3 sounds you hear

The wishing of A Happy New Year.

Sounds of kids getting along.

The belly laugh of my baby.

Watch This...It Makes Sense!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:33:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:52:00 +0000

I thought this was a cool idea.

This is from Mom's Toolbox:

Want to help me spread more joy and kindness this year?

Random acts of kindness are awesome, but what if we could be intentional about these acts of kindness, and not let a week (or day) go by when we didn’t share some joy with those around us with kind gestures?

Robyn, a friend of mine from high school, celebrated her birthday one year by committing one act of kindness for each year of her life, all in one day. She had a blast making other people’s day and her tweets about it inspired me to celebrate her birthday with my own acts of kindness that day, too. (Now she has established an organization to help people to do the same.)

The opportunities for kindness are out there, and I have no doubt many of you are taking those opportunities each and every day. But sometimes, we might need a little push, a simple reminder, a kindness assignment. And together we can share a LOT of kindness!

That’s why I am launching Operation Intentional #Kindness.

Each Sunday, here on MomsToolbox, I will post 5 kindness assignments as a part of Operation Intentional #Kindness. Throughout the week it will be our mission (should you choose to accept it) to perform at least 3 of the kindness assignments posted.

These won’t be difficult. And because you’ll have 5 to choose from, I’m sure you’ll find a few that will be a cinch to do.

Then, each week, let me know how it goes. Report back in the comments so we know you’re in and making a commitment to be intentional about kindness.

If you have any of your own ideas of ways to show intentional kindness, please share them so I can add them to our list of assignments.

Bloggers, feel free to grab my button to use on your own sites and invite your readers to join us.

Check out Mom's Toolbox for this week's assignment.

My Boo turns 4.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:08:00 +0000

Today my 3rd child, Brady turns 4. She is my most energetic and mischievous child(her little brother is quickly following in her footsteps).

Her name is Brady Faith. Brady means "spirited one". And oh, does she live by her name!!

Brady is my lovey then turns back around and does something very mischievous :) I would have her no other way. I love her eclectic style and her enthusiasm to never match.

Always wanting you to read to her :)

She always has a flower for her momma.

My little fish.

My helper in the kitchen.

Beautiful baby girl.

Crazy girl.

Determined.

Happy 4th Birthday to my Brady Boo.

Happy New Year...2012

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:43:00 +0000

2012...What will be different??

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:03:00 +0000

What kind of year do you want in 2012? So many thoughts swim through my mind. So many ways to live differently in 2012...for a better me.

To always have that child-like wonder. To question the world around me.

Never ceasing to know my God and growing close to him.

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

Always loving the beauty of change.

Not growing inpatient on waiting for His voice.

" The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic." Psalm29:4

Celebrate life and all it offers.

"They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Psalm 145:7

To look at each day with new eyes.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16

To enjoy the calm waters.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters," Psalm 23:2

Let my life be a reflection of Him.

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." Proverbs 27:19

The beauty of a glorious sunrise.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Never being afraid to stand out.

"in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:6

To always find the sun amongst the clouds.

"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13

Cherishing every day I am given on this earth.

Praying for a joyous and prosperous new year.

Christmas 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:14:00 +0000

We had a great Christmas around here. I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

The kids made a gingerbread house.

Cullen ate more than he put on the house.

Made lots of Christmas cookies.

Chocolate Crinkles were delish.

The girls decorating the sugar cookies.

Brady on Christmas morning, with her bed head :)

Shane super excited to get to the gifts.

Brady growing very inpatient while waiting for papa.

Loving the Legos.

Cullen trying out his new helicopter.

We had a very low key time here. Loved lazing in our jammies and watching movies, eating cookies and just being together.

We are blessed and God is good.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Breakfast with Santa and Festival of Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:42:00 +0000

What Have We Been Up To....

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:10:00 +0000

Just hanging around enjoying life. Enjoying the last little bits of fall, celebrating Thanksgiving, shopping with the masses and loving the first snowfall.

Cullen playing in the leaves.

One last bonfire and with smores, of course.

Baking with my Brady. She is throwing up her hands and asking, "Momma why are you taking another picture, let's bake cookies!!"

Making Thanksgiving Day Treats to share with friends.

Our finished Oreo Cookie Turkey :)

Standing in line at 5:00 am at Meijer to get the XBox Kinect. (I did get it).

People camped out in front of Best Buy waiting for Black Friday. They were there in tents on Wednesday night.

Our Christmas Tree with Brady and Shane.

Decorating.

First Snowfall.

Early Christmas Gift for the family.

Brady and our Christmas Tree.

I hope your Thanksgiving was happy and blessed. Looking forward to all of the fun of the holiday season.

This weekend is breakfast with Santa, and next weekend the girls and I are going to see the Nutcracker Ballet :)

Cheap Toys at Aldi...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:12:00 +0000

I stopped at Aldi a few Saturdays ago and found an aisle full of popular toys. I bought the Barbie Auto Glam for Brady for $14.99 it is on Amazon for $25, not bad !! I picked up a few other things not in the picture, a laser beam Nerf gun, a cheap baby doll for Brady, a remote control car for Shane. They had Thomas the Train stuff and Vtech toys. I was pleasantly surprised and stoked to spend less.

Courage and Thank You.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:41:00 +0000

Thank you.

Fall, Halloween and Such...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:03:00 +0000

Here are a few pics from Halloween. Better late than never :)

This is a picture of the trees across from my house. The colors were so vibrant.

Abbi carving pumpkins.

Brady helping???

Finished product.

Brady as Uniqua (sp?) and Shane a knight.

Cullen as Superbaby :)

The whole gang. Abbi was Princess Leia.

Brady waiting patiently to get all her candy.

The surprise. We surprised the kiddos with a puppy when they got home from Trick or Treating. My husband brought him out in a Trick or Treat bag.

Brady loving him.

Titus.

We are gearing up for the holiday season. Making plans to see The Nutcracker Ballet (just the girls) and breakfast with Santa at The Festival of Trees. Can't wait for Christmas, less than 50 days.

Our Newest Family Member....Titus

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:10:00 +0000

This is our 8 week old Beagle/Cockapoo mix puppy, Titus. We surprised the k!!ids on Halloween with this little guy. They were surprised!!

Our Trip to the Cider Mill

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:20:00 +0000

We took a trip to the cider mill today. And here our photos from the day.

It's Almost Time...Operation Christmas Child

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:55:00 +0000

THE MISSION OF OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

A. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It is coming up on that time of year again...Operation Christmas Child. Drop off days are November 14-21. This link is everything you need to know about OCC.

You can even track where your box ends up. How cool is that??!! Bring joy to a child this year along with the love of Christ.

Moments....

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:54:00 +0000

As I sit at the computer, I can hear my two oldest giggling upstairs in their room (they should be asleep) about who knows what. But, I think how long before that moment fleets and the giggles are no more. They grow up so fast and I feel like my time is limited with them. Before you know it, they will be on their own. Ok, I sound crazy, I know. They are still little. But if feels like time is passing so fast. I just want to remember it all.

I love to see moments of my daughter being crafty, using her endless supply of creativity.

I love seeing her little sister following in her footsteps. Moments of sharing and being creative.

Moments of Cullen expressing his LOVE for his trains. How they just innately grow up loving certain things, amazes me.

First moments. Her first dance lesson. I couldn't wait to dress her up in her dance attire and neither could she. But she has no interest in going back, she just likes the outfit. LOL.

Moments of strength. Shane realizing that he is a good swimmer and finding his niche.

Moments of sharing and working together. I love seeing them work together (without fighting) for a common goal.

Moments of brotherly/sisterly love. She builds it and he plays with it.

Moments when we don't have it all together.

Loving moments.

Worship Song Sunday...Courageous

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:07:00 +0000

Caramel Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:34:00 +0000

Caramel Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are my favorite fall treat. Here is the recipe. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 cups rolled oats

1.5 cups firmly packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

.5 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup canned pumpkin

7 oz. caramels (unwrapped- 1/2 of a 14 oz package)

2 tablespoons milk

1. Mix flour, oats, sugar, pumpkin spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl.

2. Add butter, stir until mixture is well blended and forms coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 (about 2 1/4 cups) for the topping.

3. Add pumpkin to remaining mixture in bowl.

4. Stir until well blended.

5. Press evenly into greased foil lined 13 x 9 pan. Set aside.

6. Microwave caramels and milk in medium microwaveable bowl on high 2-3 minutes or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after every minute. Let stand one minute (not any longer than that, will start to harden and can't spread it well).

7. Pour over pumpkin mixture in pan, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edges.

8. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Lift from pan, remove foil. Cut into bars. Enjoy.

Yummy :)

Picture Day Part 2...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:49:00 +0000

I told you I take alot of pictures. So, here are the rest (some of them).

This one makes me laugh :) Can you see Cullen pouting ??

They are all actually looking at me!!