Growing in Rejoicing - Luke 10:20

Veteran's Day

2009-11-11T14:09:00.006-06:00

I was so excited when my boys brought home the red, white and blue papers from school to fill out. Their school was planning a special Veteran's Day Chapel Service and they wanted the kids to fill out papers about any relatives they might have serving or who have served in the military. We are very proud of our family's military vets, so we set right to work filling in dates, ranks, and listing who served in which branch of the service. I was also able to find photos of each family member in their service uniform.

Their daddy, Allen, served in the Navy for 8 years in the 1990s, on a submarine

Their Papa Roger served in the Army, in the Signal Coprs in the 1960s

Their Great-Grandpas (both my grandpas) served in the Navy and Air Force during the 1940s and WWII

I'm so pleased that the school my boys are attending has chosen to honor our service members this way. I mentioned to my dad that we were going to have this special Veteran's Day service and he offered to pick up my Great-Grandparents (who live an hour away) and bring them down for the morning. How wonderful!!! They had a fantastic time. And Allen's parents (who also an hour away) drove to be here this morning also. And Allen used his last vacation day of the year, so he could attend the service with his boys too.

I'm so proud of these men in my life ... I wish I had even remotely appropriate words to express my gratitude, but at the moment I can not find any ... so I'll let the pictures speak for me:

Mary, Mary Our Pumpkin Fairy

2009-11-02T18:32:00.004-06:00

If she were older I am sure that our little
Mary might not like what her siblings
have been chanting all day:
"Mary, Mary our sweet pumpkin fairy"
But for today she just giggles and enjoys the attention!

Five Question Friday ~ Oct. 30th

2009-10-30T11:39:00.005-05:00

I love amazing women who can mother 5 kiddos and still be wise and witty and write wonderful blog posts. Ok honestly I'm jealous :-) As a mama to 5 adorable kiddos I just can't seem to keep up (let alone be wise or witty), but Mama M. gives me hope and she has a fantastic idea every Friday on her blog:

Every Friday she posts 5 questions we can copy to our blogs and answer ... fun to read how our bloggy friends answer the questions too. Then head back to Mama M.'s blog and link up in Five Question Friday post

1. What were you doing the last time you really had a good laugh?
Listening to our four year old ... He says the darnedest things,
Like trying to convince us that a submarine would get us to Disney World quicker than an airplane (he is not a big fan of airplanes). Oh and he tells us he will grow up to be a farmer, but not just any farmer ... he plans to have a big yellow barn, with yellow cows, who where yellow shoes. I'll post a picture if we ever see a yellow cow ... or a cow in yellow shoes

2. Who was your first CELEBRITY crush?
Han Solo ... I loved Star Wars movies

3. What is one talent that you wish you had?
household organization

4. How often do you and your spouse go out w/o the kids? Is it frequent enough?
Well, we did go out last Friday night to a silent auction/charity dinner, but we could not remember the last time before that ... so no, certainly not often enough!

5. What colour(s) is your bedroom?
Still working on that ... We just built a new house and before we moved in I let the kids pick their bedroom colors and we got their rooms all set. I guess all that choosing and painting was too much and I just decided to leave my room the tannish/offwhitish of the rest of the house until I come up with what I want ... I really am decision challenged

I ♥ Faces for Oct 27th

2009-10-27T18:16:00.006-05:00

I really do enjoy the weekly photo challenges at I ♥ Faces even though I've not had enough time to enter lately. This picture of my sweet little Mary in her Tinkerbell costume at Disney World last week fits perfectly with this weeks Dress-Up theme!

OH! Isn't she just the cutest little toddling fairy you have every seen?

Click on the button below to visit the I ♥ Faces website, you too can join in the fun, or just come on over to enjoy all the pics!

And feel free to visit Mary's blog to see more cute Tinkerbell shots and lots more from Disney World!

Fall Photos!

2009-10-27T01:34:00.001-05:00

I figured that if I shared the photos that did not turn out, I should probably also post the ones that did turn out!

My sweet Rosebud

Our adorable Gus-Gus

Very handsome O

Z-man, our champ!

And tiny little Mary girl

My family and photographs ... hmmm ...

2009-10-26T19:02:00.013-05:00

Hi, I'm Heather and yes I can admit it ... I'm a photo-aholic. I love photography!!! I love photography books, photography classes, those great coffee table books of gorgeous pictures, and of course taking my own pictures (especially pictures of my children). Unfortunately for me, my children do not share my love of all things photography ... I mostly blame their dad for this and he gladly accepts the blame. He does not really like having his picture taken and his attitude has certainly rubbed off on our offspring. Hopefully they will also inherit his lack of allergies and very gifted mathematical senses ... I guess we'll have to wait and see about those.

But it was a gorgeous day here today and we have almost reached the end of the beautiful fall colors, so I wanted to get my crew outside to take some family pictures. Now, never mind that half of us are coughing and the other half have runny noses and sinus headaches. Boy am I glad that today is a Not Me Monday!
Becasue I could never be the mom who takes her kids out and snapps dozens of pictures of them while they are not feeling 100% Nope not me! And just what might happen ia a mother might think of doing that? I'm so glad you asked, this is what might happen if a mother might choose to torture her kids in such a way:

turned heads

closed eyes

itchy tushies

and adorable tounges hanging out

And if that was not bad enough I would certainly NOT then try to put the camera on a tri-pod with a timer and get a full family picture with my hubby and I in it too ... I would know better than that:

And after all that fun I would never turn to my hubby and say "its just the location ... lets try a different spot" Why would I ever think that would help?

Boy! Am I glad that today is a Not Me Monday! Please join us over at MckMama's blog for tons more fun and therapy with Not Me Monday! cofessions

Disney Vacation!!!

2009-10-24T10:35:00.003-05:00

I got to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World with family and friends! I must admitt that I am a Disney addict! I have fond memories of going as a child and teenager and now even fonder memories of seeing my children and teenager enjoy the Magical Kingdom. Here are a few quick pictures from our trip, but much more is posted over on Mary's blog

Auntie Katie

2009-10-07T18:42:00.003-05:00

There is a blog I would like all my friends and family and readers to please visit. This young woman, Katie, is caring for a family of 13 I believe, besides all the others she is trying to help and feed and encourage. My heart leaps with joy to see this woman as Gods hands in the world this way. Praise the Lord for those who place their lives in HIS hands and answer HIS call.

Amazima Ministries International

I know that you will not only be touched but also encouraged by how the Lord is at work in this woman's life. Please take time to pray for Katie and her children and all those involved. Pray that God might show each of us how He wants to use us. Pray that we might be open to the big steps and the little steps he calls us to.

Adoption has been a ministry very close to my heart since high school. Two of my dearest friends placed their babies into wonderful loving adoptive families while were teenagers. I have seen what selfless love this takes. I have also seen the unexplainable joy in the eyes of some friends who are now adoptive mothers. God can use all of us in this ministry.

Not everyone will be called to adopt children but there are so many many other ways to reach out and help. Perhaps it is as a prayer warrior, pray for birthmoms, here in the US and overseas in suffering countries. Pray for moms who are offered abortions, pray that each mom would hear that there are others who long to hold these babies. Pray that these moms might recieve adaquate health care but also emotional care as this is such a difficult road. Pray for the waiting families whose hearts are aching to hold the children they are waiting for.

Perhaps God can use your time or finances to help orphans or birthmoms. Crisis pregnancy centers here in the US and orphanages abroad are always in need of financial donations and heartfelt prayers. Prayer is needed for the governmental officials and processes involved, please pray that God would send His angels into those places to smooth the road and the processes that need to take place so children can be united with their forever families. Please pray for the children waiting in foster homes or orphanages. Pray that God might send wonderful foster parents or orphanage helpers to physically and emotioanlally care for these children in God's name. Again, these are areas God allowed me to have a glimpse into as a teenager. I had a friend who spent quite a bit of her life in foster care, my eyes were opened to many of the flaws in the foster care system, but I also saw that there are some wonderfully kind and giving people involved in helping children in foster care. And I was blessed to be able to be part of a short term mission trip to an orphanage in Mexico. I love, love, love, how big our God is!!! He is present in every corner of the world and He calls His people to step up and help these orphans.

Think about it ... God is the ultimate example of an adoptive Father. He makes us His children and makes us heirs to His kingdom in eternity.

Missing Missy ...

2009-09-18T23:34:00.004-05:00

My "sister" Missy was a real light in our lives. She fought some amazing battles in her life and yet God helped her shine like one of the brightest lights I've ever known. I have days when I still can't believe she isn't here. I wish like crazy for more time with her! But I could never wish her out of heaven. She is beautifully healed there and in Christ's very presence ... amazing!

One of the battles Missy fought was years of medical problems and many hospitalizations due to a Mitochondrial Disease. Tomorrow morning we are taking part in a Mito Walk in our city to raise funds for and awareness of Mitochondrial Diseases

The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation is represented by countless volunteers who operate more than 60 local chapters, groups and ambassador programs and offers support to all sufferers of mitochondrial disorders. Please visit thier website and learn more at www.umdf.org

Chapter One discussion

2009-09-17T18:18:00.002-05:00

Crazy Love (chapter one) from Pete Wilson on Vimeo.

I am so blessed to read the words in this book, Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I hope all of you can join us as we read and then come on over to discuss with us online what we are learning and how God is speaking

Crazy Love & Bloom

2009-09-15T17:01:00.000-05:00

I need to share a few things with all of you out there who might by chance be reading my blog ... I want to tell you about a fabulous book and a great new website!

I stumbled across this amazing book titled Crazy Love and then across this great website, Bloom, filled with ladies who were starting a book study on this very same book. Wow! do they have this all so nicely pulled together and I believe your life will be greatly blessed if you come on over and check out Bloom

You can read about the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan HERE

and take part in an online discussions and an online community OVER HERE

New Toy!!!

2009-09-09T13:23:00.003-05:00

Picking toys is not easy and now there is a toy website called ebeanstalk, dedicated to selecting good, safe baby toys. BUT they need help from moms who are lucky enough to play with toys on a regular basis -Hey! Thats me!-

They sent us a toy to try out and review. Its called the Sort n' Learn Pelican from Tiny Love. I have always thought that Tiny Love makes great developmental toys. We own quite a few Tiny Love toys at our house

Our Mary love love loves birds! It was one of her very first signs. So even without the cool shapes and sounds she loves this toy! But when the talking switch is turned on, this talking bird toy tells her which shape and which color she just put in his mouth ... pretty cool, ha? Well, we think it is. And we are having great fun playing with this toy. Gets a big old thumbs up from our family! And so does ebeanstalk. If you ever have to direct well meaning aunts, uncles, grandparents or other gift buyers as to the types of toys you want them to give your children we highly recommend you send them to ebeanstalk

How did my baby get to be 15 mos old???

2009-08-29T09:30:00.002-05:00

15 months ago today our sweet Mary was brand new!

It seems like only yesterday in so many ways, but here we are today:

She can babble, wave, clap, climb and even walks when she wants to. We love to hear her say "mama" and "dada" and "CAR!!!". As far as she is concerned every animal she sees barks and she should be able to follow her brothers anywhere they go. She loves to point out that everyone has a nose and she has an odd fasination with poking people and dolls and stuffed animals in the eye. She does a very cute little wiggly dance when she hears music she likes, and we all melt when she gives us hugs and kissses!

I will rejoice ...even today

2009-08-25T21:59:00.003-05:00

1 Thessalonians 5:16
Rejoice always;

Oh boy! Have I repeated that verse over and over today. I will be honest here ... Its been a bad day at our house today. I wanted so badly to crawl in bed and just hide under covers. Several of us have summer colds, I think I'm coming down with mastitis, and the boys just had one of those days when they could not agree about anything ... and I mean every thing lead to an argument today. By the time my hubby got home I was fit to be tied, I wanted to run away (just for a little while of peace and quiet). But I was too tired and ache, so I just sat in my truck in the drive way, laid the seat back and closed my eyes while hubby fed the kids supper.

When I see verses like these I am reminded that we are to rejoice in the Lord, not when we feel like or when things are going well ... we are just simply to rejoice in the Lord, always. No matter the circumstnaces, no matter the feelings ... those do not affect our salvation after all and they don't change our great God. So even when I'm sitting in a clinic waiting room or listening to children argue I will rejoice. I serve a great and awsome God!!!

Isaiah 29:19
Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD;
the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Luke 10:20 (New International Version)
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Ecclesiastes 11:8
Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.

Philippeans 2:17-18
17But even if I am being (AM)poured out as a drink offering upon (AN)the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
18You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

2009-08-23T14:02:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

I ♥ Faces for Aug 17th

2009-08-17T19:24:00.003-05:00

I really enjoy the weekly photo challenges at I ♥ Faces
Here is my photo for this week's challenge:

WEEK 32 - Aug 17th - "Bubbles"
All photos entered this week must include a bubble of some kind. I thought of getting very creative and wrapping kids in bubble wrap or something like that but decided to take the easy way out today ... just too tired to get creative and used a picture we took of Z on our last trip to the children's museum.

Click on the button below to visit the I ♥ Faces website, you too can join in the fun, or just come on over to enjoy all the bubble pics!

If you want me to ...

2009-08-07T18:59:00.002-05:00

And here is the music to a beautiful slide show, with the lyrics:

my new luxury tub ... turned baby soother

2009-08-03T22:39:00.003-05:00

When building our new house my dh got a slightly larger and nicer than normal garage ... his splurge. I on the other hand reserved my splurge for the master bath. I love my hot water! Nice big walk in shower, nice whirlpool tub, heated floors ... I know, I know I'm spoiled ... but just so you know - I do share.

After a very hard morning and lots of whining from them and from me, here is where we sat, for an hour! The tears stopped, the whining stopped and they giggled for a whole hour!

I love dinner time!

2009-07-31T20:20:00.004-05:00

I ♥ Faces for July 27th

2009-07-28T21:40:00.001-05:00

I've really been enjoying playing along
at I ♥ Faces weekly themes. This is:
WEEK 29 - July 27th - "At The Beach"
All photos entered this week have to be beach-related. There will be just one category (you can enter either a Kids photo or an Adults or a mixture of Kids and Adults.)

Click on the button above to visit the I ♥ Faces website, you too can join in the fun, or just see a whole lot more beach pictures!

Praying for Stellan

2009-07-27T13:25:00.002-05:00

I'm at a loss for words ... my stomach churns, and I am falling on my knees in prayers ... please join me in prayers for dear little Stellan and his mama

I've been reading many many blog entries asking for prayers for this sweet little guy, so thought I would post links to some of the here for others to visit:

MamaBear

Twinsanity

Boy Crazy

Waiting For Happy

CF Husband

Extraordinary Ordinary

Hilary

Mommy Diaries

Follow The Journey

Minnesota Jo

There are really so many many more blogs posting words and prayers for Stellan. Just try googling him or check out the trends on twitter or head over to Pooh's Corner and see the MckLinky she has set up for all of us praying

Morning Has Broken

2009-07-22T06:46:00.004-05:00

Beautiful hymn to start my day!
And some beautiful pictures taken from
my livingroom and my deck this morning

Morning Has Broken
Words by Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965)

Morning has broken,
Like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken
Like the first bird;
Praise for the singing,
Praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing
Fresh from the Word.

Sweet the rain's new fall,
Sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall
On the first grass;
Praise for the sweetness,
Of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness
Where his feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight,
Mine is the morning,
Born of the one light
Eden saw play;
Praise with elation,
Praise every morning,
God's re-creation
Of the new day.

© Copyright David Higham Associates

You can hear the music here:

Mud Pictures!

2009-07-21T21:59:00.006-05:00

They enjoyed a bit of football ...

before they began to slip slide in the mud...

oh mud ... gloroius MUD!

And then I decided that it looked like they were having way too much fun without me ... so I just had to join them:

What a day to remember!

Mud Football and other boyish things

2009-07-21T18:13:00.005-05:00

Many of you also check in on my baby girls blog from time to time. So, you get to hear alot about the cute baby things happening in our house and recently you heard about Mikayla and the mission trip she is on.

So today I thought I would show you the boys! Actually what happend was, is rained this morning. Since we are living in a new house and still waiting for our landscaping and sod to arrive ... when it rains we live on a acre lot of MUD. What do you suppose boys want to do when their entire back yard is all mud?

hmmmm... they look so innocent here, don't they?

Well, stay tuned because after I get my kiddos fed and ready for bed I'll be back to show you how those innocent boys ended up looking like this:

We really did have fun!

Not Me Mondays!

2009-07-20T21:04:00.003-05:00

I'm so very glad to be back online ... While moving from our old house into our new house (about 25 miles part) we were without cable, internet and phone service for a little over a week ... we're glad to be back up and running! Still LOTS of unpacking to do, but we are getting there and once again I can take part in:

But this week MckMama is changing things up a bit and we will instead be doing:

This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what her and everyone elses kids have NOT been doing this week.

My child would never figure out how to climb on the back of the sofa and open our music room window and climb out onto our front porch, especially NOT after being told it was time to stay in the house. And when I went out and carried in this child he certainly did NOT tell me, "but maaaaaaaama, Mary said I could". Please keep in mind that Mary is his 13 month old little sister.

This very same child would never great our guests out in the front yard in his birthday suit ... No, never! My children are always polite and properly dressed, one of them could never sneak by me and out the door completly naked!

This child's big brother would never stomp and pout about when being grounded from his bike and skate board because of hitting his brother and then tell his mother "in another family it wouldn't be ME they would punish! They would punish the kid who started it!" My child would never think like that, my children are always calm, quiet and well behaved.

That child's big sister did not stomp down the hall once while yelling "awwww mom, you are no fair! You never let me color on people!" Keep in mind she wanted to draw with marker on her three year old little brother. I know, I know, I'm such a terrible and unfair mother.

Got moments you'd like to share? Get off your chest? Then please come joing us at MckMama's blog for Not Me Mondays! each week.