Trusting and Loving

I have not been able to truly blog and take pictures through our day like I have been doing or wanting to do. I have two teething babies at our house. School the last couple weeks has been done in the living room, bedroom, and kitchen table (our standard place for school). 

I ordered BL a couple more school books yesterday! I'm ever so excited to get them in the mail! I have been so pleased with Alpha and Omega so that's where I ordered his new History/Geography and Science book from. 

With teething babies, possible job changes in the future, messy house (due to teething babies),  soccer games, dance, and anything else that pops up I have been reminded to be thankful in all things. I am thankful that I have teething babies that is putting a damper in housework. I am thankful for running my big kids to soccer and dance. I am thankful for it all.

Being thankful seems SO difficult to some. It has been difficult to me as well at times. Being thankful for  TWO babies getting a mouth full of teeth... At times I have to remind myself to be thankful for it ALL.  

In those times of "forgetting" how to be thankful, I am reminded that Christ is strong in my weakness. Jesus is keeping me on the right path and keeping me close to Him. Just takes faith. Where I falter, He is there. 

"For we live by faith, not by works"

2 Corinthians 5:7

Along with trusting God to take care of all the areas I need help in, I have been reminded to walk.

"Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

1 John 2:6

Obeying Christ. Showing love. 

If I could make sure my kids knew one thing from me, that would how much I love them. 

"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

Ephesians 6:10

Telling me I need to have my full dependency (faith) on Christ. Resting my full weight (full self) on God. Faith=Trust 

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

I am weak but Thou art strong;

Jesus, keep me from all wrong;

I'll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily, walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who cares?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

When my feeble life is o'er,

Time for me will be no more;

Guide me gently, safely o'er

To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

I couldn't imagine being alone in this world. Blessed to know I have God on my side!!

This isn't the best quality to share with you, however, I love The Avett Brothers!! Enjoy!!

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Park and Celebrating with some Pumpkins!

We have a new park in our town. Went and played at it the other day! Our town has been "renovating" several of our parks. Which makes me SUPER happy!! Our park in our neighborhood is being done this coming year!

This park had some awesome climbing options!

BL is getting so much more brave the older he gets.

This was also the first time the babies got to swing at the park! They LOVED it!!

Itty Bitty and her wonderful brother getting some loves from each other. She is getting teeth and bubby held her for awhile. They were watching the new PBS show Peg + Cat. We really like their new show!! 

This has been our messiest art project we have done in school. Glue and yarn. 

He is the least messiest person EVER! So, this wasn't his cup of tea. He did accomplish this art project with our complaining that the glue was getting on his fingers! :) 

Put the pumpkin face on and let it dry over night! 

Tah-Dah!! They are super cute pumpkins!! Glad I bought the huge thing of glue! 

This one is Bear's pumpkin. She drew her face on the felt and I did cut it out. Kid scissors didn't cut on felt very easy. 

Can't wait to carve our pumpkins we got at the pumpkin patch! 

This picture is of my kids and my sisters kids. We call her Nanna/Nan/Nanny. Whatever they are feeling for the day. I absolutely love all these kids!! They all bring so much joy to our family. And they are all so different so when they are together it is a perfect mix. Our Bear has all those older boys wrapped around her finger for sure! 

Hope you all have a Very Blessed Weekend,

Many Blessings To YOU!!

Florida Vacation Part 2

We went to the  Wycliffe Discovery Center on Monday of our trip. If you are ever in the Orlando area, this is a MUST!! There are so many hands on exhibits that really uses all the senses. This was a very moving museum. 

Here they have a line of people from all different countries that Wycliffe has translated the Bible. Shows the person in their native dress, where the country is, along with a button that when you push it says John 3:16 in their language.

Here is BL doing a rubbing that put the Ten Commandments on your paper. There was another also one that put a verse on the page.

This room has lots of fun facts about the Bible! They had it set up to where it was almost like a quiz and you could push buttons for the answer.

Along with all the wonderful exhibits they had there, there was a fair trade gift shop as well. 

On Wednesday we went to redneckville. Haha, yes, my boys and my dad (Papa) are NASCAR fans. They have favorite drivers and go back and forth on who is the best. 

Big kids are standing in front of Dale Sr.

Papa and kids on the start/finish line. The inclines on the turns are incredible!!!

Fielders along with Papa & Gigi in the winners circle. The boys were in redneck heaven!!

While we were in Daytona we stopped at the beach. I have never seen the Atlantic ocean and the kids haven't ever seen the ocean or a beach. These birds were CRAZY! They were catching food IN the air!

We brought suits, however, they didn't want to wear them. Ocean is much more fun with their clothes on. So, they wore their bathing suits home! haha :) 

Donuts were a staple for breakfast. This is what they requested almost every morning! Our first time eating Krispy Kreme!! 

They (and us adults) really liked watching the process of the donut making there!!

We went to Downtown Disney one day. There was some AWESOME Lego sculptures there. 

This last photo is from Wycliffe Discovery Center. I just wanted to end with this. 

"No one should have to learn another language to hear and read God's word"

Goes to show why we need to continue to help the process along. 

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Disney part of our Florida Vacation!!

This past week we spent time in Florida!! This is our first true vacation (other than camping trips). My parents (Papa and Gigi) were able to go with us!! Them being able to go was such a blessing!! Along with the kids first plane ride, this was also Carl's first time. They all did a great job! No fussing from babies at all and Bear really enjoyed flying! 

When we finally got through the line at Magic Kingdom they gave us all 1st Visit buttons!!!

Dumbo ride is a must for the kiddos. 

Castle with Walt Disney in front. They also had a super fun concert on the stage at the castle!!

We were so blessed to be able to stay in a beautiful house while we were there. We had a pool and game room that the kids utilized everyday!! Such a wonderful place to be when we had a hot fun day at Disney. 

We loved Animal Kingdom!! 

In front of the Life Tree there at Animal Kingdom. Papa and Gigi was such an added blessing for us the week we were in Florida! 

Kids with Mickey and Minnie! They were excited but still made them nervous to see the characters they have seen in a movie.

We also really enjoyed Epcot! We were there during their Food and Wine festival. So neat seeing all the different types of food from the different countries. The boys and sis road the Test Track ride...Yes, they waited in line for almost 2 hours. Gigi and I entertained babies while babies entertained the crowd. Gigi and I decided that no matter where you are from or what language you speak EVERYONE knows how to play and talk to a baby!

Stopped off in Mexico! We had some darling kids in sombreros and had some tasty tacos!! 

Tried to get a group picture everywhere we went. It was very hot this day...

Big kids after our hot day at Epcot. They really enjoyed all the different cultures they saw. They weren't brave on the food items however. 

Our last Disney stop was Hollywood Studios. 

BL has always liked the movie Cars. So, he was very excited when he saw Lightning McQueen and Mater. He is a guy who doesn't get too excited over much anything but we could tell he was very excited for them!

General Army Soldier from Toy Story. This guy made them very nervous for some reason. Although, they did stand for a picture. 

Group in front of New York. The other end of the street was San Fransisco. The props there were amazing!

BL and his daddy are MAJOR fans of Star Wars!!  There was a whole section for Star Wars there at Hollywood Studios.

Sis joins in almost everything that her brother likes and does.

This is just our Disney part of our vacation. Not sure how to say how much fun we had together! Disney is one thing that I think everyone should experience. I would really like to go again when the babies are older. It would be easier and even more fun when they get to 40" tall.

Many Blessings To YOU!!

Trust and Obey

Continuing with our unit today we are doing teachers and ministers. BL wrote adjectives that describe each of those professions. When Bear was working on her tools of the trade page. She wanted to put the work boot on the teacher side! Just thought how true is that! Although, her brother convinced her otherwise.. Since we began school till this time now. I would say she is officially an expert in cutting and pasting. Mainly excited about the cutting part! 

With our new curriculum we are using. Reading goes right along with it. I was doing sight words and that seemed to be way more work than just diving in. So, we are diving in head first!! Her and her brothers learning styles on reading are SO different. 

Working on his new vocabulary words. 

My mom (Gigi) gave us this really cool National Geographic US Atlas along with a book on presidents. These kids are eating it up!! She gave it to us at the PERFECT time. We are working our way though the states and capitals. Starting with the Northeast. 

Connecticut is first on our Geography lessons. This book is really great! Gives lots and lots of information about each state. And they loved finding all the nursery farms on the map. Along with learning about the Northeast we are also learning about Colonial Times. They have both discovered they wouldn't have wanted to attend school in those times.

HOLY MOLY!! We are in full fledged packing/cleaning mode at our humble abode! Packing 6 is a chore...along with getting everything situated for my sister (Nanna) to come over. I know the kids are excited. I would almost bet that us adults are WAY more excited!! 

Just to share what is on my heart for a second. LOVE. Love has been on my heart. Love in such a direct way. I want to love as God loves. I love my family to the fullest. I can honestly say that is about the extent of my love. So, I have decided that in order to truly love and show love (even in the check out line at walmart) I need to TRUST and OBEY God. Those are two things that work hand in hand. I am learning to fully rely upon Christ. As I read in my Bible almost always it has dealt with love. I do believe that is God yelling at me "Look how much I love you!!" I should be showing this to everyone who I come in contact with or even those I don't and they are just watching. I totally deserve hell and he LOVES me so much. 

"He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever, he does not treat as as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his LOVE for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Psalm 103:8-12

Since I am a follower of God, I must model his forgiveness and LOVE to those. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

I have taken a step back and really looked at my values and priorities. What is truly important and what is truly in need. In order to know what these are I need to totally LEAN on Christ, acknowledge that he knows best and he will guide me. I am seeking what Christ is wanting from me as Jesus states in Matthew 6:33. When I worry about things, it just is showing God I don't trust him. So many things have been effecting and interfering in my life that put God behind it all. 

I know that we go through growing pains and roller coaster in our walk. I am so grateful that God LOVES me and is so gracious and caring that he always brings me back to Him. How we often take salvation for granted. How we often forget. I love being asked about my salvation.

In 1886 Daniel Towner was a song leader and was asking people how they had been saved. Several stood up and spoke of their salvation. But then a young man rose and said, "I am not quite sure, but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey." That night Towner wrote the hymn "Trust and Obey".

Many Blessings To YOU!!